RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Bird Populations Associated With an Electric Transmission Right-Of-Way
JF Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF)
JO JOA
FD International Society of Arboriculture
SP 123
OP 130
DO 10.48044/jauf.2002.018
VO 28
IS 3
A1 Richard H. Yahner
A1 Russell J. Hutnik
A1 Stephen A. Liscinsky
YR 2002
UL http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/28/3/123.abstract
AB A 2-year study of bird populations was conducted along a 230-kV transmission line right-of-way (ROW) in spring (June) and summer (August) 2000 and 2001. Forty-four species were observed on the ROW during 2000 and 2001. In 1987 and 1988 combined, 39 species were noted on the ROW; thus, bird populations have changed relatively little over the past 13 to 14 years. In both 2000 and 2001, slightly more species occurred on the ROW in summer (n = 26—32) than in spring (n = 25—26), and considerably fewer species were noted in the adjacent forest in both spring (n = 8—13) and summer (n = 7). Common bird species (≥50 individuals/100 ha/day) on the ROW were those adapted to brushy or early successional habitat. Most species were found in the low-volume basal spray and foliage spray units (n = 29 and 28 species, respectively), and fewest species were noted in the handcutting unit (n = 19 species). Considerably more bird species were observed in border zones than in wire zones of the ROW in 2000 and 2001 combined (n = 39 versus 17 species, respectively). Moreover, abundance of all bird species combined was nearly fourfold higher in border zones (1,530 individual birds/100 ha/day) than in wire zones (393 birds/100 ha/day). Thus, the border zone is a very important habitat for birds along a ROW, with its combination of shrub-forb-grass cover type.