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Abstract
| Breeding bird populations were surveyed in two habitat types sharing a watershed
in the Upper Mississippi River basin during the summer of 1999. Two routes in
each of two study sites were surveyed mornings during 14 weeks between April
14th and July 31st; night surveys were also conducted to observe nocturnal species.
Routes were surveyed using the methodology of the Wisconsin Breeding Bird
Atlas, and observations of species present, abundance, breeding level, and habitat
were recorded. A total of 124 avian species were observed (84 in Hixon forest and
102 in Myrick marsh). Sixty-five and 74 species in Hixon forest and Myrick marsh
respectively were considered summer residents; 41.5% and 58.1% of those respectively
were confirmed by observation to be breeders. Diversity indices indicated
that avian populations in Hixon forest were slightly more diverse. Average abundance
of avian populations in Myrick marsh were found to be significantly higher
using an independent T-test (P<0.05). Similar percentages of neotropical migrants,
which as a group have experienced recent population declines, were found in
Hixon forest and Myrick marsh. Comparisons of this survey with other relevant
surveys revealed slight changes in avian communities over time. |
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