ABSTRACT 7th International Symposium on Environmental Concerns in Rights-of-Way Management
TITLE:	Management, Vegetative Structure and Shrubland Birds of Rights-of-Way
AUTHOR(S):	John L. Confer - confer@ithaca.edu Ithaca College Biology Department Ithaca, NY, USA
During 1998-1999, 287 point counts of birds were taken in rights-of-way (ROW) in northeastern US, primarily in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York with a few counts in New Hampshire. Bird density was high with a mean of 14.8 individuals and 12.2 species per point count for birds nesting or foraging in the ROW. Federal surveys show that shrubland birds are declining throughout northeastern US. Thus, ROW support an abundance of shrubland birds that are declining elsewhere probably because of the succession of shrublands into forests throughout most of northeastern US. The effect of management by fire, selective herbicide application and cutting on the avian community was compared. Management by fire, although generally impractical, supported the greatest density and diversity of birds. Management by selective herbicide sustained more individuals and species than cutting. Most shrubland species showed a habitat preference for about 50% shrub cover. However, some rare and rapidly declining species occurred in greatest density in areas with only 5-20% shrub cover. ROW would support the greatest diversity of shrubland birds if management created some areas dominated by herbs and other areas dominated by shrubs. The density of Brown-headed Cowbirds might be reduced if shrub height is low. Keywords: Herbicide application, habitat management, shrubland guild, avian diversity, habitat preference Ref#: 6-9