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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2017

Local-scale habitat associations of grassland birds in southwestern Minnesota

Conservation of obligate grassland species requires not only the protection of a sufficiently large area of habitat but also the availability of necessary vegetation characteristics for particular species. As a result land managers must understand which habitat characteristics are important for their target species. To identify the habitat associations of eight species of grassland birds, we conducted bird and vegetation surveys on 66 grassland habitat patches in southwestern Minnesota in 2013 and 2014. Species of interest included sedge wren ( Cistothorus platensis ), Savannah sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ), grasshopper sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ), Henslow's sparrow ( Ammodramus henslowii ), dickcissel ( Spiza americana ), bobolink ( Dolichonyx oryzivorus ), and western meadowlark ( Sturnella neglecta ). We calculated correlation coefficients between vegetation variables and species density as measures of linear association. We assessed curvilinear relationships with loess plots. We found grassland birds on 95.5% of surveyed sites, indicating remnant prairie in southwestern Minnesota is used by grassland birds. In general individual species showed different patterns of association and most species were tolerant of a wide variety of habitat conditions. The most consistent pattern was a negative association with both the quantity and proximity of trees. Our findings that individual species have different habitat preferences suggest that prairie resource managers may need to coordinate management efforts in order to create a mosaic of habitat types to support multiple species, though tree control will be an important and ongoing management activity at the individual site level.

Minnesota↗
USGS2024

Effects of insecticide spray drift on arthropod prey resources of birds in grasslands in Minnesota

Soybean aphid ( Aphis glycines ) insecticides are used throughout the Upper Midwest and Great Plains regions of North America, including the farmland region of Minnesota, USA, to combat insect pests. These broad-spectrum, foliar spray insecticides have the potential to drift beyond target fields into nearby grassland cover where birds and other insectivores forage. Arthropods serve important roles in grassland ecology and are susceptible to mortality and sublethal effects from exposure to these pesticides. Our objective was to assess effects of soybean aphid insecticides on grassland arthropods, especially those that are important in grassland bird diets. We measured the abundance, consumable biomass, and family richness of insects and spiders in grasslands adjacent to soybean fields in an agricultural landscape. Soybean fields were treated with chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin, which were the 2 most common foliar pesticides used to control soybean aphids in Minnesota. We compared measures at focal sites to samples collected at reference sites adjacent to corn fields not sprayed for aphids during 3 periods in mid-to-late summer: 1–3 days before spraying, 3–5 days post-spraying, and 19–21 days post-spraying. The abundance of arthropods in focal grasslands was lower 3–5 days after pesticide applications. Coleoptera family richness at focal sites was also lower than at reference sites 3–5 days after pesticide applications. These measures 19–21 days after application were similar to pre-spraying levels, indicating that arthropod populations rebounded during this period. Measures of consumable dry biomass, bird prey abundance, bird prey biomass, family richness of Araneae, family richness of Hemiptera, and family richness of Orthoptera were not different between focal and reference sites after spraying. Our results reveal that reductions in arthropod food abundance for grassland birds are associated with pesticide applications up to 5 days after spraying. We suggest that natural resource managers factor proximity to row crop fields and susceptibility to pesticide drift into decisions about where to add grassland cover to landscapes.

Minnesota↗
USGS1998

Bird flight characteristics near wind turbines in Minnesota

During 1994–1995, we saw 70 species of birds on the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area. In both years bird abundance peaked in spring. Red-winged blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ), common grackles ( Quiscalus quiscula ), and barn swallows ( Hirundo rustica ) were the species most commonly seen. Most birds (82–84%) flew above or below the height range of wind turbine blades (22–55 m). The Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area poses little threat to resident or migrating birds at its current operating level.

Minnesota↗
USGS1981

Birds of the St. Croix River valley: Minnesota and Wisconsin

The St. Croix River Valley encompasses nearly 11,550 km2 in east-central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. A wide range of habitats are available for birds including upland oak, lowland deciduous, maple-basswood, lowland and upland coniferous forests, natural basin wetlands, and grasslands. Situated in the north-central region of the United States, the valley is a biological 'crossroads' for many species. Because of the mixed affinities of plant communities, the valley includes the northern and southern range limits for a number of species. Also, because the valley lies near the forest-prairie transition zone, many typical western breeding species (e.g. pintail, western meadowlark, yellow-headed blackbird) breed in proximity to typical eastern species such as tufted titmouse, eastern meadowlark, and cardinal. From 1966 to 1980, I conducted extensive surveys of avian distribution and abundance in the St. Croix River Valley. I have supplemented the results of these surveys with published and unpublished observations contributed by many ornithologists. These additional data include compilations from Christmas Bird Counts sponsored by the National Audubon Society and from the Breeding Bird Survey coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three hundred fourteen species have been recorded in the study area; data are presented on the migration period, nesting season distribution, winter distribution, relative abundance, and habitat use of each species. Recognizing the uniqueness of the area, and its importance not only to wildlife but also to man, the U.S. Congress designated the St. Croix a National Scenic Riverway. This action provided a considerable degree of protection to lands along and directly adjacent to the river. Unfortunately, no similar legal measure exists to protect lands away from the river. With the exception of the northern quarter of the St. Croix River Valley, agricultural interests have made significant inroads into the habitat base. The continuing expansion of the nearby Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan region has degraded or destroyed many woodlots, upland fields, and wetlands. In numerous instances, degradation of natural habitats has influenced the abundance and distribution of bird species. Because of these changes, both the Federal government and State Departments of Natural Resources have listed several species in various categories based on their current status. In the St. Croix River Valley, seven species are endangered, eight are threatened, and 29 are watch or priority status in either or both states. Data presented in this report are of value to land managers, land use specialists, and ornithologists, in assessing current and projected habitat alterations on the avifauna of this valley. The St. Croix River bisects a large region of western Wisconsin and east central Minnesota that exhibits a wide range of habitat types. This region supports not only birds, but many mammals, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, and several thousand species of vascular and nonvascular plants. The river itself is relatively clean through most of its course, and its natural flow is interrupted by only two small dams. Because the river lies within a 1-day drive of nearly 10 million people (Waters 1977), use of the area for recreational purposes is extremely heavy. Recreational pursuits include sunbathing, boating, and wild river kayaking in the summer, and ice fishing and cross-country skiing in the winter. The large number of unique and highly fragile habitats that exist there may never be compatible with the uses and abuses of the land that go with expanding human populations. Through the efforts of a number of citizens concerned with the quality of their environment and the foresightedness of several local, State, and Federal legislators, a portion of the upper St. Croix River Valley (hereafter termed 'the Valley') was established as a National Wild and Scenic River. Through establishment of t

North American Fauna↗
USGS2024

Infectivity of wild-bird origin Influenza A viruses in Minnesota wetlands across seasons

The environmental tenacity of influenza A viruses (IAVs) in the environment likely plays a role in their transmission; IAVs are able to remain infectious in aquatic habitats and may have the capacity to seed outbreaks when susceptible wild bird hosts utilize these same environments months or even seasons later. Here, we aimed to assess the persistence of low-pathogenicity IAVs from naturally infected ducks in Northwestern Minnesota through a field experiment. Viral infectivity was measured using replicate samples maintained in distilled water in a laboratory setting as well as in filtered water from four natural water bodies maintained in steel perforated drums (hereafter, mesocosms) within the field from autumn 2020 to spring 2021. There was limited evidence for the extended persistence of IAVs held in mesocosms; from 65 initial IAV-positive samples, only six IAVs persisted to at least 202 days in the mesocosms compared to 17 viruses persisting at least this long when held under temperature-controlled laboratory settings in distilled water. When accounting for the initial titer of samples, viruses detected at a higher concentration at the initiation of the experiment persisted longer than those with a lower starting titer. A parallel experimental laboratory model was used to further explore the effects of water type on viral persistence, and the results supported the finding of reduced tenacity of IAVs held in mesocosms compared to distilled water. The results of this investigation provide evidence that many factors, including temperature and physicochemical properties, impact the duration of viral infectivity in natural settings, further extending our understanding of the potential and limitations of environmental-based methodologies to recover infectious IAVs.

Minnesota↗
USGS1992

Causes of mortality in common loons

Summarized are necropsy results from 222 carcasses of Common Loons ( Gavia immer ) submitted to the National Wildlife Health Research Center from 1976 through 1991. The carcasses were from 18 states, and 10 or more birds each were from Minnesota, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, and North Carolina. Seventy-three (33%) carcasses were emaciated, and in some of these birds emaciation was thought to be related to exposure to mercury. OVer 40% of these emaciated birds were from Florida. Trauma, including blunt trauma of unknown origin, outboard motor propeller wounds, and shooting caused the deaths of 49 (22%) loons, 30 of which were from Minnesota. Diseases, primarily avian botulism type E and aspergillosis, account for 39 (18%) moralities and lead poisoning for 14 (6%), 11 of which had fishing sinkers in their stomachs. Most of the avian botulism type E cases occurred during two outbreaks on Lake Michigan. Seven of the 14 lead-poisoned birds were from Minnesota. Nine (4%) birds died of miscellaneous causes and 9 (4%) of drowning, primarily from entanglement in nets. No diagnosis could be reached for 29 (13%) carcasses. Sample bias precludes interpretation of these data to represent actual proportional causes of mortality in the loon population. However, the sample size is sufficient to clearly identify major causes of mortality.

Minnesota, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin,↗
USGS2000

Bird mortality associated with wind turbines at the Buffalo Ridge wind resource area, Minnesota

Recent technological advances have made wind power a viable source of alternative energy production and the number of windplant facilities has increased in the United States. Construction was completed on a 73 turbine, 25 megawatt windplant on Buffalo Ridge near Lake Benton, Minnesota in Spring 1994. The number of birds killed at existing windplants in California caused concern about the potential impacts of the Buffalo Ridge facility on the avian community. From April 1994 through Dec. 1995 we searched the Buffalo Ridge windplant site for dead birds. Additionally, we evaluated search efficiency, predator scavenging rates and rate of carcass decomposition. During 20 mo of monitoring we found 12 dead birds. Collisions with wind turbines were suspected for 8 of the 12 birds. During observer efficiency trials searchers found 78.8% of carcasses. Scavengers removed 39.5% of carcasses during scavenging trials. All carcasses remained recognizable during 7 d decomposition trials. After correction for biases we estimated that approximately 36 ?? 12 birds (<1 dead bird per turbine) were killed at the Buffalo Ridge windplant in 1 y. Although windplants do not appear to be more detrimental to birds than other man-made structures, proper facility sitting is an important first consideration in order to avoid unnecessary fatalities.

Minnesota↗
USGS1999

Density and fledging success of grassland birds in Conservation Reserve Program fields in North Dakota and west-central Minnesota

The Conservation Reserve Program, initiated in 1985, was designed primarily to reduce soil erosion and crop surpluses. A secondary benefit was the provision of habitat for wildlife. Grassland bird populations, many of which declined in the decades prior to the Conservation Reserve Program, may have benefited from the Conservation Reserve Program if reproduction in this newly available habitat has been at least as high as it would have been in the absence of the Conservation Reserve Program. On study areas in North Dakota and Minnesota, I examined breeding densities and fledging success of grassland birds in Conservation Reserve Program fields and in an alternative habitat of similar structure, idle grassland fields on federal Waterfowl Production Areas. Fields were 10 to 25 hectares in size. The avifaunas of these two habitats were similar, although brush-dependent species were more abundant on Waterfowl Protection Areas. The common species in these habitats included ones whose continental populations have declined, such as Grasshopper Sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ), Savannah Sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ), and Bobolink ( Dolichonyx oryzivorus ). These ground-nesting species were pooled with other ground nesters in an analysis of fledging success, which revealed no significant differences between habitats, between states, or among years (1991-1993). Predation was the primary cause of nest failure. I concluded that Conservation Reserve Program fields in this region were suitable breeding habitat for several species whose populations had declined prior to the Conservation Reserve Program era. This habitat appeared to be as secure for nests of ground-nesting birds as another suitable habitat in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Minnesota, North Dakota↗
USGS2024

Bird-habitat associations and local-scale vegetation structure in lowland brushlands

Brushlands support a diverse suite of bird species, including species of conservation concern in the western Great Lakes region of central North America. Information on how to effectively manage lowland brushlands for birds and associations between breeding birds and local-scale vegetation structure and composition is lacking. We surveyed lowland brushlands from 2016–2018 in Minnesota, USA, to assess bird-habitat associations using avian point-count surveys and fixed-radius vegetation plots. We used Poisson regression models to assess the associations between breeding bird species richness, total abundance, and abundance of frequently detected species (using counts as an index for abundance) to woody stem density and height, patchiness of woody stem density, variation of woody stem height, and number of woody plant species. Sedge wrens ( Cistothorus stellaris ), the most abundant species, were negatively associated with multiple woody plant metrics and positively associated with patchiness. Common yellowthroats ( Geothlypis trichas ) were the second-most abundant species and associated with low-stature woody plants (<1 m based on average heights in study sites). Bird species richness, alder flycatchers ( Empidonax alnorum ), chestnut-sided warblers ( Setophaga pensylvanica ), swamp sparrows ( Melospiza georgiana ), veeries ( Catharus fuscescens ), and yellow warblers ( Setophaga petechia ) increased with woody vegetation height. Chestnut-sided warbler and Nashville warbler ( Leiothlypis ruficapilla ) abundances also increased with woody stem density. We suggest that managing lowland brushlands to promote diverse woody plant structure, including tall shrubs and areas with patchy, open herbaceous cover, by implementing temporally and spatially variable disturbance regimes, may benefit bird species that rely on lowland brushlands with a range of vegetation structure requirements.

Minnesota↗
USGS2020

Breeding birds of the upper Mississippi River floodplain forest: One community in a changing forest, 1994 to 1997

Floodplain forest on the upper Mississippi River (UMR), a unique habitat in the Midwest that is important for many bird species, has been reduced and is undergoing continued reduction and changes in structure and species diversity because of river engineering and invasive species. Hydrological changes are causing tree diversity to decline favoring Acer saccharinum (silver maple) and Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash). Invasive Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass, Phalaris ) threatens tree regeneration, and recent Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer) arrival threatens to decimate the important ash component of the forest canopy. During the 1990s, virtually no information was available about breeding songbird species and abundances on the UMR floodplain forest from along many river miles and a broad range of forest situations (for example, mainland, island, edge, interior). From 1994 to 1997, we surveyed breeding birds and sampled vegetation at 391 random points on UMR floodplain forest along a latitudinal gradient from Red Wing, Minnesota, to Clinton, Iowa, to characterize bird assemblages and associations with gradients in forest structure at survey points (local scale) and land cover composition within a 200-meter radius of survey points (landscape scale). Eighty-six bird species were detected during the study, but 28 species comprised 90 percent of all detections. Species that are typically associated with woodland edge or are tolerant of fragmentation were the most common: Setophaga ruticilla (American Redstart), Troglodytes aedon (House Wren), Turdus migratorius (American Robin), Quiscalus quiscula (Common Grackle), and Vireo gilvus (Warbling Vireo). Species typically associated with large forest patches— Setophaga cerulea (Cerulean Warbler), Hylocichla mustelina (Wood Thrush), and Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker)—were rare. Principal components analyses consistently described local habitat gradients related to canopy cover and Phalaris presence and described landscape gradients related to forest area and areas of open land cover types. However, nonmetric multidimensional scaling revealed no pattern in bird assemblages. Canonical correspondence analyses with local habitat variables for each year revealed that bird assemblages were affected by canopy cover, the presence of Phalaris , and the number of tree species. Four bird species were consistently associated with Phalaris presence or negatively with canopy cover, and no species were associated with the number of tree species variable. Although landscape variables were significantly related to the bird assemblage in canonical correspondence analyses, no bird species were consistently related to any landscape variable. These results indicate that there is one assemblage of forest birds on the UMR composed mainly of edge-tolerant species. Species associated with lower canopy cover and Phalaris presence may be favored to increase in abundance as canopy cover opens as trees die and Phalaris becomes more prevalent.

Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin↗
USGS2021

Diel patterns of predation and fledging at nests of four species of grassland songbirds

Although it is common for nestlings to exhibit a strong bias for fledging in the morning, the mechanisms underlying this behavior are not well understood. Avoiding predation risk has been proposed as a likely mechanism by a number of researchers. We used video surveillance records from studies of grassland birds nesting in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to determine the diel pattern of nest predation and fledging patterns of four ground-nesting obligate grassland passerines (Grasshopper Sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ), Savannah Sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ), Bobolink ( Dolichonyx oryzivorus ), and Eastern Meadowlark ( Sturnella magna )). We used the nest predation pattern as a surrogate for predation activity to test whether nestlings minimized predation risk by avoiding fledging when predation activity was high and preferentially fledging when predation risk was low. Predation activity was significantly lower starting 3 hr before sunrise and ending 3 hr after sunrise, followed by a transition to a period of significantly higher activity lasting for 4 hr, before declining to an average activity level for the rest of the diel period. There was little evidence that the four grassland bird species avoided fledging during the high-risk period and Savannah Sparrow fledged at higher rates during that period. All four species had hours during the low-risk period where they fledged at higher rates, but only Grasshopper Sparrow fledged preferentially during that period. Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark had multiple hours with high fledging rates throughout the daytime period, resulting in no relationship between probability of fledging and predation risk. Given the species variability in fledging pattern seen in our study, it is unlikely that there is a universal response to any driver that affects time of fledging. Further study is needed to understand the complex interplay between species ecology and drivers such as physiology, energetics, and predation in affecting grassland bird fledging behavior.

Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin↗