KBO in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

 

Association of Grazing and Bird Abundance in the
Cascade Siskiyou National Monument

The Klamath Bird Observatory, in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund and the Bureau of Land Management, is evaluating bird abundance relative to grazing intensity within the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. Vegetation and bird census data were collected during the 2002, 2003, and 2004 breeding seasons. We evaluated the ability of grazing intensity to explain variation in relative abundance for the 35 most frequently detected bird species. Preliminary results indicate that variation in relative abundance was significantly associated with grazing intensity for 6 of these 35 species. These results will be interpreted using Partners In Flight Bird Conservation Plans, which identify species that are indicators of habitat characteristics impacted by grazing, such as dense understory vegetation. This study is part of one of the most comprehensive, multi-taxa studies of grazing in North America.

Restoration of Riparian Habitat on Private Lands Surrounded by the
Cascade Siskiyou National Monument

KBO is working with Jerry Clayton and Polly Morse to implement the Baldy Creek Restoration Project. We are constructing a 5,399 foot cattle exclosure around 24 acres of riparian and associated upland habitat on our partner's private land that is surrounded by the Monument. This project implements Partners In Flight bird conservation objectives through on-the-ground restoration and associated effectiveness monitoring. As a part of our grazing study in the Monument, we have collected pre-fencing bird distribution and abundance data and will continue to collect data within and around the project area after the fence is complete in order to monitor the response of vegetation and birds to the removal of grazing pressure. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board are funding this restoration project.

Images of the Baldy Creek Fence, Nov. 2004