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Note: Session titles beginning with an asterisk (*) have student presenters.
AUTHORS: Anthony J. Stancampiano, Laura E. Jardine, Alanah N. Hosford – Oklahoma City University Department of Biology
ABSTRACT: As urban areas continue to grow and erode rural landscapes, it is critical to characterize essential habitats for all wildlife in order to set aside protected areas in an attempt to maintain diversity. In order to establish habitat preferences for secondary cavity nesting birds, we constructed and monitored 30 nest boxes for avian usage each year from 2014-2017 at both a semirural and a rural location in central and northeast OK. At each of 6 sites per location, five nest boxes were situated along a transect at 15m intervals with a central box located at an abrupt edge between a wooded habitat and a grassland habitat. Two nest boxes extended into the grassland and two into the woodland. We measured 77 habitat variables around each nest box at 2 sampling scales, 1m2 and 10m2. We used these habitat variables and sites in which nesting occurred in a community ordination analysis. Species composition and habitat preferences at both locations were similar. Eastern Bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees, and Bewick’s wrens nested in grassland habitats with little to no overhead canopy cover. Carolina Wrens nested, primarily, in woodland areas with high amounts of litter ground cover and overhead canopy cover. Nest box usage at the rural location was significantly higher than the semirural location, indicating greater population densities. Annual nest box usage was consistent by species in the rural location but somewhat variable in the semirural setting.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:00pm - 4:20pm EDT
Carroll Ford