forest openings created by timber harvesting for shrubland birds, we surveyed birds on 34 50-m radius plots in 34 harvest sites (0.5 -21 ha). We collected data on multi-scaled 35 habitat variables ranging from plot-level vegetation characteristics to land use patterns 36 within 1 km of each study site. We also monitored mating and nesting success of Blue-37 winged Warblers (Vermivora pinus) in 10 forest openings. 38The abundance of most shrubland species was influenced by plot-level habitat 39 variables, such as tree density and vegetation height, rather than shrubland area or the 40 composition of land uses in the surrounding landscape. Only Eastern Towhees (Pipilo 41 erythrophthalmus) were more frequent in survey plots in larger forest openings. In 42 contrast, neither abundance nor reproductive activity of Blue-winged Warblers was 43 correlated with the size of the forest opening. Their abundance was negatively related to 44 vegetation height, however. Only 54% of the territorial male Blue-winged Warblers in 45 forest openings were mated. We documented relatively low nest success rates of 21.1% 46 during the egg laying and incubation nest stages, but increased success rates during the 47 3 later stages of nest development. 48Our results indicate that even small forest openings with low vegetation provide 49 habitat for Blue-winged Warblers and other shrubland birds. The overall reproductive 50 rate of territorial male Blue-winged Warblers in forests openings was low during the two 51 years of the study, however. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term value of 52 this type of habitat for sustaining shrubland bird populations. 53 54
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.