Bird response to western juniper woodland treatments in the

Klamath Basin, Oregon

In cooperation with the Lakeview District of the Oregon Bureau of Land management and with funding from the Joint Fire Science Prorgam, Klamath Bird Observatory is evaluating the effects of western juniper removal from ponderosa pine and shrubsteppe habitats. We began this project by evaluating how bird abundance varied across a natural gradient of juniper cover (Seavy et al. In Press). This analysis suggested that the American Robin, Gray Flycatcher, Mountain Chickadee, and Chipping Sparrow are all juniper-associated species that should decline if juniper removal is effective. Using these species as indicators, we are conducting effectiveness monitoring by comparing bird abundance in untreated control areas and in areas where juniper removal projects, including prescribed fire, mechanical removal, and manual removal have been, or will be, implemented. This study will provide information on how bird distribution and abundance are affected by juniper removal and fuels reduction projects in shrubsteppe habitats.

This project is operated in conjunction with the Sagebrush Bird Conservation Network.

Figure 1. Relative abundance of Gray Flycatchers is greater at stations with high (> 25%) juniper cover than at those with low (< 25%) juniper cover. We expect that the abundance of this species will be reduced when juniper removal is effective.

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Klamath Bird Observatory
PO Box 758
Ashland, OR
97520
(541) 201-0866
kbo@KlamathBird.org