Ovenbirds

Effects of Single-Tree Selection Silviculture on Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus, Demographics in a Contiguous Eastern Deciduous Forest in South-Central Ontario

J. P. Leblanc, MSc candidate, Trent University
Supervisors: Erica Nol and Dawn Burke (OMNR)

This project is looking at what effects single-tree selection silviculture in Algonquin Provincial Park have on the nesting success and other demographic parameters of a ground nesting songbird, the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus). This is part of a larger program examining effects of forestry in Algonquin on birds and their invertebrate prey. This project is unique in that I am using small digital video cameras hidden near Ovenbird nests to record their daily movements to and from the nest, both during incubation and the nest rearing stage. The lengths of the recordings vary from a few hours to nearly two and half days of continuous footage. I am hoping to compare nest success, feeding rates, and incubation efficiency between 4 different forest age classes, and how these behavioural and demographic parameters change as a forest regenerates after being harvested. These forest age classes correspond to the age of the forest since it was last harvested. They range from those harvested 5 or fewer years ago to forest stands that have not been harvested for over forty years.

An Ovenbird sitting on her well-concealed nest

The ultimate goal of this project is to examine how an interior nesting species is affected and recovers from single-tree selection silviculture. With a very specific nest-site preference (interior forest), Ovenbirds might be considered an indicator species to the health of the forest interior. This is one species that did not appear to recover its numbers to those present in undisturbed forests in a previous study, even after 19 years of regeneration. Therefore, if changes in Ovenbird behavior or nest success are observed they may indicate a change in the forest’s composition that could have greater effects on other interior forest species. The practical applications of this study will include conservation biology (as song bird populations are in decline) and assessing the sustainability of forestry practices. By determining the effects of single-tree selection silviculture on breeding Ovenbirds, we can determine if this harvest practice mimics natural disturbances and suggest the need for refinements to this practice if deemed necessary. By mimicking natural disturbances in this continuous forest, forestry can become more sustainable while Algonquin Park can act as a source population for declining songbird populations.

Typical nesting habitat for Ovenbirds
(nest entrance is to the right of centre in this photo)