About
The woodcock is one of three bird species NRRI is studying to understand how the birds use the resources of a young forest versus a mature forest from birth to young adult. The golden-winged warbler, veery and American woodcock are species experiencing population declines throughout their breeding ranges. But there’s a large, young forest plot near mature forests north of Warba, Minn., that attracts these birds.
What’s not known is how the woodcock use the forests as they grow and how different forest characteristics impact survival.
“What makes this research unique is we are following three species of juvenile birds that depend on young forests for breeding in a distinct study plot,” NRRI wildlife ecologist Alexis Grinde explained. “We are tracking the movements of juveniles as they grow so we can identify forest characteristics that increase survival and ultimately help promote the conservation of these important species.”
Project Goals
- Track juveniles of American Woodcock, Veery, and Golden-winged Warbler to study habitat selection and survival.
- Juveniles are tracked using a combination of handheld, stationed, and drone radio technology tracking.
- Use this information to inform land management practices.
Resources
Project Funding
- Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
- This project is funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. It is a continuation of NRRI’s long-term study in a forest harvest site supported by UPM Blandin and National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.