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INCREASING CAPTURE RATES OF GRASSLAND BIRDS OVER THIRTEEN YEARS INDICATES SUCCESSFUL GRASSLAND RESTORATION

Abstract

Grassland bird populations are being lost at an alarming rate due to human modifications to grassland ecosystems. Grassland restoration has been shown to mitigate population declines for many species that use these habitats at some point in their annual cycles. We examined capture rates of 1) all adults captured throughout the year, 2) breeding adults (i.e. only adults in breeding condition), and 3) hatch year birds at a restored grassland site in the piedmont of central Georgia to determine whether ongoing restoration efforts are benefitting populations of grassland birds. We banded birds approximately twice per month from January 2009 through December 2021 at Panola Mountain State Park. Restoration efforts, started in 2001, include annual prescribed burns, control of invasives, and revegetation with native grassland plants. We captured 11,350 birds (91 species) over 16,662 net hours. We documented an increase in capture rates of adults when all grassland species were combined (p=0.03, r2=0.37) and for several grassland species, including Chipping Sparrows (p=0.01, r2=0.44) and Marsh Wrens (p=0.004, r2=0.55). Capture rates of several species of breeding grassland birds increased as well, including when grassland species were combined (p=0.01, r2=0.45), Common Yellowthroats (p=0.05, r2=0.30), Indigo Buntings (p=0.04, r2=0.34), and Field Sparrows (p=0.002, r2=0.59). Capture rates of hatch year birds increased for Chipping Sparrows (p=0.02, r2=0.39). Species-specific responses to restoration occur at different rates depending on habitat preferences, yet the only species that significantly declined was the Red-winged Blackbird, a bird more associated with water than grasslands. Increases in capture rates and lack of significant declines suggest that ongoing restoration is providing adequate and appropriate resources for grassland birds. If managers identify target species, we recommend that restoration efforts include activities that are aimed at species-specific habitat requirements and habitat-level threats of those target species.

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