Breeding Bird and Bird Habitat Study

The purpose of Roma Lenehan’s and Glenda Denniston’s bird study is to identify the bird species and their seasonal abundance in the Preserve as well as their microhabitat preferences. The study will create a base line to allow the detection of bird population changes within the Preserve. The study’s goal is to enable future students and scientists to determine how the restoration of the Preserve affects the bird populations in the Preserve.

The summer of 2001 was the third year of a four-year project. In the 1999, the first year of the project, we compiled the Preserve Bird Checklist. In the summer of 2000 we began a multi-year Breeding Bird Study and made adjustments to the Preserve Bird Checklist. In 2001 we added data to the Preserve Bird Checklist, continued the Breeding Bird Study, and planned for the Bird Habitat Study. Each part of the proposal is discussed in more depth below.

Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird List and Checklist

In 1999 we compiled a six page Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird List (available on the Friends Web Site or from Roma Lenehan) using the data of many bird watchers and ornithologists. The long-term data of Jack Hailman's Chickadee study, the observations of the Field Ornithology classes, the Wildlife Ecology class surveys, and the 1918 Marsh studies contributed significantly to this project. In addition, Madison Audubon and the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn) members contributed data.

In 2000 and 2001 we continued to collect data for the Bird List. Most significantly, we added data from the 2000 and 2001 Breeding Bird Study (see under Breeding Bird Study). In the fall of 2000 on a bulletin board in the Eagle Heights Gardens we established a Bird Sightings Board for bird watchers to record their sightings. In addition, we produced a shorter, single page Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird Checklist that we continue to make available to interested birders and classes including the 2001 Field Ornithology classes (available on Friends Web Site). This short Preserve Bird Checklist is also posted on the Bird Sightings Boards.

The Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird List includes 253 species of birds that have occurred in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve in the last 25 years. At least 220 bird species were seen in the Preserve between August 1999 and August 2001. Thus, more than eighty-five percent of the Bird List species have been observed in the past two years. Some of the 33 species of birds not observed during this period are rare or accidental birds. Other bird species are irruptive species, like the winter finches, which occur only infrequently when a lack of food forces them south.

In 2001 we continued to collect data for the Preserve Bird List. In addition to the Bird Sightings Board at the Eagle Heights Gardens, in April we put up a Bird Sightings Board by the entrance to Picnic Point (on the back of an athletic board by the service entrance). The new location is more useful because most bird watchers never get to the Eagle Heights Gardens. In the first week 11different people entered a total of 46 birds of 32 different species. The spring semester Field Ornithology classes also recorded their sightings and used the Bird Sightings Board to locate unusual birds such as the May 7 Hooded Warbler. The Bird Sightings Board allows us to monitor changes in the bird species that are present in the Preserve on a daily basis. Already several rare birds including Merlin, Orchard Oriole and White-eyed Vireo have been reported this spring on the Bird Sightings Board.

We continue to maintain the two Bird Sightings Boards, to monitor the Preserve bird reports on Wisbirdn, the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology’s bird watching list served, and to encourage local bird watchers to submit their sightings. As we continue to collect data, we expect the Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird Checklist to become more accurate.

Breeding Bird Study

During the summers of 2000 and 2001 we confirmed the breeding (using the methodology of the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas) of 65 bird species in the Preserve. Another 12 species probably nested. We also had 4 species of birds that were possible breeders. (Copies of our report the Habitat and Abundance of Preserve Breeding Birds (3 pages) is available on the Friends Web Site, while our other reports, the Preserve Breeding Birds full report (9 pages) or summary report (3 pages), and the Breeding Birds of the Class of 1918 Marsh in the Summer of 2000 (5 pages), can be obtained from Roma Lenehan (rlenehan@charter.net).)

From the 2000 and 2001 Breeding Bird Study and other information collected for the Preserve Bird List, we concluded that 56 bird species breed in the Preserve most years, 21 species breed in the Preserve some years (including one year within the last five years), and 14 species probably bred in the Preserve in the past.

Due to the unusual weather (flooding) in 2000 and lack of time in 2001, several parts of the Breeding Bird Study were not completed. As a result, a number of tasks need to be completed in 2002. In addition, we need to replicate our study to ensure that our results are valid.

Although we confirmed the nesting of 65 species in the Preserve and had 12 species that probably nested, we did not get accurate estimates of the number of breeding birds for most of the common species. This was complicated by the fact that, due to wet weather, many birds were forced to nest two or more times in 2000, often changing their nest location between attempts. In addition, due to the unusual flood year, it is necessary to estimate numbers and reconfirm the marsh birds. If possible the probable species also need to be confirmed. The possible species need to be checked again. Finally, any new breeding species, especially in the area of the Biocore Prairie where the habitat is changing, need to be confirmed.

In order to accomplish these tasks, we would like to invite other bird watchers, including any interested students, to help us continue this project.

Bird Habitat Study

The purpose of this new project is to determine the microhabitats various birds use. (For instance, what bird species use the alien shrubs such as honeysuckle and buckthorn? Do these birds use native shrubs in preference to alien shrubs? If so, which native shrubs are chosen?) Eventually, we hope to use this information to form hypotheses about how various bird species will react to changes in the Preserve. When restoration changes the habitat of the Preserve, we will check to see if these bird species behave as we expect.

In 2000 we conducted a “trial run” of this project in the 1918 Marsh. We spent extended periods of time watching birds, primarily to locate nests. While observing the birds, we also noted where they fed and sang.

For this project we hope to get volunteers to watch several relatively small areas of the Preserve. These observers will record the birds that are present in their area and the types of vegetation the birds use for feeding, singing, and nesting by spending time observing individual birds. Over time we hope to expand the project to additional areas of the Preserve.

Invitation to Participate

We welcome your help with and data submissions to the Bird Project. In order to participate in any of our projects, contact Roma Lenehan (email: rlenehan@charter.net phone: 608-238-5406).

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