Home-Range Size, Response to Fire, and Habitat Preferences of Wintering Henslow's Sparrows

Local-scale Habitat Associations of Grassland Birds in Southwestern Minnesota

“…Initial studies (cited above) show densities were highest the winter following a growing season burn, while more recent research indicates that abundance probably peaks one to two years after a fire in western Louisiana (Palasz 2008). Other variables associated with habitat use were high seed abundance and dense herbaceous vegetation (Carrie et al 2002;Tucker and Robinson 2003;Bechtoldt and Stouffer 2005). Winter sites were found to have minimal litter accumulation, which differs from breeding habitat conditions (Carrie et al 2002;Bechtoldt and Stouffer 2005).…”

“…Recent research indicates that habitat use is related to fire history, with bird densities highest in recently burned savannas and densities declining during each subsequent year ( Figure 5; Plentovich et al 1999;Carrie et al 2002;Tucker and Robinson 2003;Bechtoldt and Stouffer 2005). Initial studies (cited above) show densities were highest the winter following a growing season burn, while more recent research indicates that abundance probably peaks one to two years after a fire in western Louisiana (Palasz 2008).…”

“…bog areas (Plentovich et al 1999;Carrie et al 2002;Tucker and Robinson 2003;Bechtoldt and Stouffer 2005;DiMiceli et al 2007). At the HESP Workshop, it was noted that most birds are probably using public lands because that is where most remaining large patches of fire-managed longleaf pine forest are located (Cooper 2007).…”

Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) Occupancy in the Context of Fire in Mississippi and Alabama, USA

“…Austin and Buhl (2013) reported similar results where, at a larger scale, time since fire was the most important factor explaining Yellow Rail presence during the breeding season. In addition, shorter fire return intervals in pine savanna ecosystems have been shown to influence the occur- rence of other winter grassland bird species of conservation concern such as Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) (Tucker et al 2003;Bechtoldt and Stouffer 2005). Information on the effects of habitat fragmentation and patch size on wintering bird species, including Yellow Rail, is imperative for the management of grassland habitats (Herkert et al 1996).…”

“…Temporal and spatial heterogeneity in pyrogenic activity directly influences avian communities that inhabit fire-dependent ecosystems (Wiens 1974). Studies indicate prescribed fire is a beneficial management tool for avian species associated with longleaf pine systems (Tucker et al 2003;Bechtoldt and Stouffer 2005). Subsequently, present day fire management programs aim to reintroduce fire into the landscape, resulting in dynamic habitat mosaics (Parr and Brockett 1999).…”