User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
Date: 8 May 2021
Weather: clear, no wind, no precipitation, 10% cloud cover
Temperature: 7°C
I returned to my proposed study area on 8 May 2021 at 0700. The first habitat type I travelled to was the forested area. Immediately I noticed more birds singing than the previous week. I looked at two different locations within the forested portion, and then travelled to the open portion of the study area. I left site at 0759.
Location 1: 10U 439505 / 5425195
This location is in the southwestern portion of the proposed study area. It is dominated by young coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) and has a moderate amount of understory consisting mostly of salal (Gaultheria shalon) and sword fern (Polystichum munitum). The canopy closure is approximately 65%. The following bird species were recorded at this location:
- Townsend’s warbler (Setophaga townsendii)
- Pacific wren
- Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
- Brown creeper (Certhia americana)
- Chestnut-backed chickadee
- Pacific-sloped flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
- Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Location 2: 10U 439671 / 5425085
This location is in the southern portion of the proposed study area. It is similar in vegetation to Location 1, but it is on a steeper slope. The canopy closure is approximately 60%. The following bird species were recorded at this location:
- Townsend’s warbler
- American robin (Turdus migratorus)
- Golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa)
- Northern flicker
- Pacific-sloped flycatcher
Location 3: 10U 439687 / 5425356
This location is in the northwestern portion of the proposed study area. Vegetation is dominated by scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), with lesser amounts of salal and a few red alder (Alnus rubrus) and vine maple (Acer douglasii) saplings. Although birds were still singing, compared to the forest there appeared to be a lesser amount. The following bird species were recorded at this location:
- Spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
- Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
- Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)
- White-crowned sparrow (Zonatrichia leucophrys)
- American robin
My hypothesis is that songbird species richness and abundance is impacted by structural stage of habitat. I predict that songbird species richness and abundance will be higher in the forested portion of the study area rather than the open, shrub-dominated area.
Response variables will be songbird species richness and abundance. The explanatory variable will be structural stage. The response variable would be continuous, while the explanatory variable would be categorical as structural stage is based on a limited number of values.
It sounds like you are off to a great start to your research project!
When conducting your research, you may want to consider that some of these birds may nest on or near the ground, in shrubs, and even in structures such as shelters or sheds (if any are nearby). Something also to consider is birds nesting on or near the ground may be scared away easier as you approach your sampling location. How will you account for such disturbance?
Good luck! 🙂