A Four-year Summary of Breeding Bird Surveys in TFL 48 ... - BIOD

Table of ContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................. 1INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1STUDY AREA & METHODS ........................................................................................... 3Coverage...................................................................................................................... 5Survey Dates................................................................................................................ 6RESULTS........................................................................................................................ 6Species Richness, Abundance, and Diversity .............................................................. 6Preliminary Trends ..................................................................................................... 17Species Listings: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada,and the British Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management ................. 21DISCUSSION and RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................... 23Coverage.................................................................................................................... 23The Peace River District: Then and Now ................................................................... 23Concluding Remarks.................................................................................................. 26LITERATURE CITED .................................................................................................... 28ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. 30APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 31Appendix 1. List of species names, corresponding codes, scientific names,and presence or absence in TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA (FSJ)....................... 31Appendix 2. Summary of mean (± SE) species richness, bird abundance,and diversity for each route ........................................................................................ 34

irds, per transect, respectively. We attribute these differences to our concentratedsampling effort of primarily forested habitats, compared to historical surveys that weregenerally in low-lying rural areas with greater habitat heterogeneity. The precise locationof 1,070 bird survey stations was recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS).No species listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife inCanada were observed during surveys. There were two observations of the BayBreasted-Warbler, a "Red-listed" species in British Columbia (British Columbia Ministryof Environment, BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer). There were severalobservations of "Blue-listed" species that included the Black-throated Green Warbler (n= 31), Canada Warbler (n = 3), Philadelphia Vireo (n = 7), and LeConte's Sparrow (n =2).2

INTRODUCTIONWe began establishing Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) in Tree Farm License (TFL)48 of the Peace River District in the summer of 2002 to evaluate the response ofvarious bird species to different seral stages and structural classes in a managed forest,and to assess species richness, abundance, and diversity, as well as habitat use, ofbirds. From 2003 to 2004, new routes were gradually added to TFL 48 to increasehabitat representation over the tenure. In 2005 the monitoring program was expandedto include the Fort St. John Timber Supply Area (TSA) for the same purpose as TFL 48.Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) have long been used as a method for obtaining a relativeindex of species abundance and population change (Robbins et al. 1986). However, nolarge-scale systematic surveys of summer birds have previously been conducted ineither TFL 48 or the Fort St. John TSA.The benefits of BBS data are two-fold. In the short term, indices of variation inthe distribution and abundance of individual species can be mapped and associatedwith changes in present-year climatic conditions and differences in habitat. In the longterm, species' population trends and changes in distribution can be assessed regionallyand associated with habitat alteration, large-scale climatic patterns, and historicalspecies’ distributions. Subsequently, species-habitat associations can be used to modelpredicted changes in habitat suitability and use based on forest harvesting practices.Variation in the spatial scale at which BBS data can be applied is also animportant component. Individual survey stations can elicit direct results of habitatchange, whereas transects as a whole can provide information regarding broaderchanges that may occur at the scale of watersheds or landscapes (Bender et al. 1998;1

Newton 1998; Robbins 1978). The analysis of several transects may provideinformation about changes that occur at larger scales, or may be used comparatively todemonstrate regional variation in species' distributions and abundance.The latest large-scale report on BBS in North America spanned the period 1965to 1979 (Robbins et al. 1986). In that report, the whole of North America was assessed,with broad generalizations about major physiographic regions. Predictions of speciesrichness, abundance, and diversity were thus extrapolated for TFL 48, even though nospecific data for most of the region was available. More current assessments of theseindices are available on the World Wide Web, but estimates are typically derived from“easy-driving roads” rather than industry-based forestry roads. Consequently, managedforests are severely under-represented.The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of bird species richness,abundance and diversity for each transect, as well as for each major region (i.e., TFL 48and Fort St. John TSA), and to make recommendations for future research as it appliesto the management and mitigation of birds in a large managed forest landscape. Trendinformation is provided for some species, but should be considered inadequate fordrawing broad conclusions about the direction of species' populations. Instead, thetrends provide a visual estimate of annual variation for the Peace River District.Identification of COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada,2002) or BCMoE (British Columbia Ministry of Environment) listed species, habitatrepresentation, and other findings considered important to species-habitat relationshipsare discussed. Related publications that provide modelled estimates of species-habitat2

associations, as well as BEC subzone preference, are provided by Vernier (2005) andVernier and Bunnell (In press).STUDY AREA & METHODSMethodology for the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) was adapted from Sen (1981)and Bystrak (1981) and further modified to include habitat, weather, and noise-relatedvariables for each survey station. Each BBS transect but two (Wolverine = 25, Sikanni =45) had 50 survey stations, spaced approximately 800 m apart. During surveys, twotransects (Gwillim = 25, Haystack = 44) were shortened for logistic reasons. Surveyscommenced at sunrise and generally lasted four to five hours. Each survey station wassurveyed for three minutes, with all birds seen and heard recorded. Transects weredesigned to cover as much of the variation in forested habitats available in CanadianForest Products Ltd. lands of TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA. However, because oflimited road access, variability in terrain, private lands, and gated roadways, transectscould not be assigned using a randomized procedure. Instead, transects wereassociated with logging roads that were suitable for summer access with a 4x4 vehicle.On some transects a few survey stations were situated on paved highways for thepurpose of sampling shorter logging roads, but maintaining consistent sampling effort.Each observed bird was assigned to one of two distance classes:1) ≤ 50 m (for bird density calculations); and2) 51 – 200 m (as suggested by Bibby et al. (1992) for moderately dense forest withregular openings and relatively low canopy height).In addition to bird observations from each point, estimates of forest structure (i.e., standage, species composition, and understory), weather, and noise were also made. For the3

most part, stand structure was generalized, following the system proposed by Campbell(1997). However, for all transects established in the Fort St. John TSA in 2005, werecorded more specific stand structure information.Bird species were recorded using standardized four-letter species codes forBritish Columbia (Preston et al. 2005, Appendix 1). Noise levels were expected tohamper the detection of some species or some individuals at a particular distance fromthe observer. Therefore, a measure of noise (i.e., a passing vehicle, chainsaw, flowingwater, etc.) was recorded as either temporary, permanent or absent for each count (seeAppendix 2 for noise categories). Weather variables included temperature, wind speed,cloud cover, and precipitation. Temperature was recorded using an aluminiumarmouredpocket thermometer held in the shade and away from the vehicle for theduration of the count. Wind speed, cloud cover and precipitation were assigned to predefinedcategories, although no surveys were done in moderate to heavy rain or wind(see Appendix 2 for climate categories).Calculations of mean species richness, abundance, and diversity were primarilyused for demonstrating general patterns within TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA.Generally, greater than eight years of data are needed for the purpose of assessingpopulation trends of various species and determining reasonable estimates of density(Robbins et al. 1986). Fewer years are needed to develop species-habitat modelsalthough additional years could improve their robustness (Vernier 2005).Several maps were used to facilitate the establishment of transects, includingCanadian Forest Products Ltd. maps, government maps, and Forest Service maps. In4

2005, a handheld Magellan GPS with MapSource greatly facilitated finding andestablishing transects in the Fort St. John TSA.A team of two people was used to survey the entire area each year. Generally,one person was responsible for coordinating effort, navigation, and data-recording. Theother person was responsible for flagging points and recording habitat, weather, andnoise data. In all cases, transects were flagged several days before the survey. Thisensured that all survey stations were adequately marked, and that a complete transectof 50 survey stations was achievable for the area of interest. In 2005, all survey stationsin TFL 48 were re-flagged to ensure accuracy.Analysis of data was done using Microsoft Access Queries, SPSS version 12.0(SPSS Inc. 2003), and Ecological Methodology (Krebs 1999). Taxonomic names andfour-letter codes of species included in this report are provided in Appendix 1.CoverageFrom 2002 – 2004, 15 transects yielding 725 survey stations were established inthe TFL 48, from the southern edge of Williston Lake along Table Creek Forest ServiceRoad, south to Murray River near Tumbler Ridge. Among the survey stations, 539 wereinside the TFL 48 boundary, 159 were outside but within 5 km of the TFL 48 boundary,and 27 were > 5 km outside the TFL 48 boundary. In 2005, seven transects yielding 345survey stations were established in the Fort St. John TSA, from the Alberta-BritishColumbia border in the east, to the Sikanni Chief River in the northwest.5

Survey DatesSurveys were conducted throughout June in all four years so as to detect allresident birds that had returned from southern wintering grounds, and to excludemigrants passing through the area in late May. In 2002 and 2004, surveys wereconducted in the latter half of June (13 – 29 June in 2002; 17 June – 1 July in 2004),whereas in 2003 and 2005, surveys were spread more evenly across the month (2 – 30June in 2003; 1 June – 1 July in 2005).RESULTSSpecies Richness, Abundance, and DiversityA total of 111 bird species were observed from all BBS transects between 2002and 2005. Among the TFL 48 transects, 109 species were observed, of which 72, 82,92, and 84 species were detected in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively. Fromfour years of sampling in TFL 48, 22 species comprised 80% of all bird detections. TheSwainson's Thrush was the most frequently detected (Figure 1; n = 2,604 individuals).The White-throated Sparrow, which had fewer than half the detections of Swainson'sThrush, was the second most frequently detected species with 1,142 individuals. Otherabundant species in TFL 48 included Pine Siskin (1,118), Warbling Vireo (1,036),Wilson's Warbler (982), and Chipping Sparrow (831). Among the Fort St. John TSAtransects surveyed in 2005, 66 species were detected. Of these, 13 species comprised80% of all detections. The Yellow-rumped Warbler was the most frequently detectedspecies with 270 individuals (Figure 2). Other species of interest include Ruby-crownedKinglet (210), Chipping Sparrow (184), White-throated Sparrow (157), TennesseeWarbler (139), and Swainson's Thrush (108).6

30002500Total Observations2000150010005000SpeciesTEWADEJUYRWACHSPWIWAWAVIPISIWTSPSWTHGRJAGCKILEFLYEWAVATHLISPALFLRCKIAMREOCWAAMROFigure 1. Frequency of detection for the 20 most common species from TFL 48transects between 2002 and 2005.300250Total Observations200150100500RCKIYRWAWAVILISPSWTHTEWAWTSPCHSPSpeciesYBSAFOSPOCWAAMROPISIALFLHETHGRJADEJUFigure 2 Frequency of detection for the top 17 most common species from Fort St. JohnTSA transects in 2005.7

For transects surveyed only in 2005, mean species richness and abundancediffered between TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA. Mean species richness for thetransects in TFL 48 was 41.3, with a maximum of 52 from Willow-Falling Creek and aminimum of 26 from Upper Wolverine. Mean bird abundance for the TFL 48 transectswas 340, with a maximum of 435 from Sukunka and a minimum of 193 from UpperWolverine. In the Fort St. John TSA, mean species richness for seven transects was32.6, with a maximum of 39 from Haystack (*only 44 stations were surveyed on thistransect) and a minimum of 28 from Peejay 2. Mean bird abundance for the Fort St.John TSA transects was 280, with a maximum of 355 from Haystack and a minimum of224 from Sikanni (only 45 stations were surveyed on this transect).Species diversity for the Fort St. John TSA transects was generally lower thanthose for TFL 48 transects, and ranged from 3.78 (Tommy Lakes 2) to 4.43 (Haystack).Diversity among the TFL 48 transects ranged from 4.00 (Upper Wolverine) to 4.82(Willow-Falling Creek), which is greater than that previously reported by Preston andCampbell (2003). This difference is likely a result of sampling a broader range offorested habitats on more transects (e.g., 7 transects in 2002 versus 15 transects in2005), and variation among years. A complete summary of species richness,abundance, and diversity for each transect is provided in Appendix 2.From 2002 – 2004, mean species richness (Figure 3), abundance (Figure 4), anddiversity (Figure 5) per transect in TFL 48 was variable, but increasing. In 2005,variability was similar to previous years, but the average was lower, perhaps as a resultof unseasonably wet conditions in that year. Both Gwillim (in 2005) and Wolverinecontribute more to the variability than other transects because of lower sample sizes.8

525048Species Richness46444240382002 2003 2004 2005YearFigure 3. Mean species richness (± SE) for TFL 48 for each year surveyed (n = 7 for2002; n = 13 for 2003; n = 15 for 2004; n = 15 for 2005).500450Abundance4003503002002 2003 2004 2005YearFigure 4. Mean bird abundance (± SE) for TFL 48 for each year surveyed (n = 7 for2002; n = 13 for 2003; n = 15 for 2004; n = 15 for 2005).9

4.74.6Species Diversity (H')4.54.44.34.24.14.02002 2003 2004 2005YearFigure 5. Mean species diversity (± SE) for TFL 48 for each year surveyed (n = 7 for2002; n = 13 for 2003; n = 15 for 2004; n = 15 for 2005).10

For TFL 48, mean rank abundance per survey station for the 20 most frequentlydetected species in 2003, 2004, and 2005 are shown in Figure 6. Swainson's Thrushwas the only species to maintain its rank as the most frequently detected species ineach year in that region. The remaining species' positions shifted gradually amongyears. In the Fort St. John TSA, mean rank abundance per survey station for the 20most frequently detected species in 2005 is shown in Figure 7. The Yellow-rumpedWarbler was the most frequently detected species, compared to Swainson's Thrush,which appeared in fifth position. Unlike in TFL 48, Swainson's Thrush in the Fort St.John TSA is expected to shift rank as evidenced by the overlapping variability with itsclosely ranking neighbours.11

20031.501.25# Birds / Station1.000.750.50OCWAWIWAYRWACHSPWAVIPISIWTSPSWTHVATHALFLGRJALEFLAMROYEWARCKIGCKILISPAMRE0.250.00DEJUTEWASpecies20041.501.25# Birds / Station1.000.750.50OCWAWIWAYRWACHSPWAVIPISIWTSPSWTHVATHALFLGRJALEFLAMROYEWARCKIGCKILISPAMRE0.250.00DEJUTEWASpecies20051.501.25# Birds / Station1.000.750.500.250.00DEJUTEWAOCWAWIWAYRWACHSPWAVIPISIWTSPSWTHSpeciesVATHALFLGRJALEFLAMROYEWARCKIGCKILISPAMREFigure 6. Mean (± SE) number of birds detected per station for 20 regularly occurringspecies in TFL 48 (2001-2005).12

1.000.80# Birds / Station0.600.400.200.00-0.20RCKIYRWALISPSWTHTEWAWTSPCHSPPISIHETHGRJADEJUWAVIALFLOCWAFOSPAMROYBSASpeciesFigure 7. Mean (± SE) number of birds detected per station for 17 regularly occurringspecies on 7 transects surveyed in the Fort St. John TSA in 2005.13

Variation in abundance among transects within a species is most likely attributedto differences in habitat quality and availability, whereas variation among years isprobably attributable to other factors (e.g., climatic variation, annual fecundity). Forexample, among the first six transects that were established in 2002, the abundance ofSwainson's Thrush was usually greatest on the West Utah-Johnson Creek transect, buthighly variable among the four years surveyed (Figure 8). From 2002 – 2004, theabundance of Tennessee Warbler and Wilson's Warbler was relatively consistentamong the same six transects. The abundance of Chipping Sparrow, Ruby-crownedKinglet, and Yellow-rumped Warbler were variable among both transects and years,with synchrony in relative abundance occurring in some years, and asynchrony inabundance occurring in other years. Both Gwillim (in 2005) and Wolverine contributemore to the variability than other transects because of lower sample sizes.14

1059075Swainson's ThrushHasler FSRMurray RiverSukunkaW Utah-Johnson CkWestcoast-HighhatWillow-Falling CkAbundance6045301502002 2003 2004 2005Year1059075Tennessee WarblerHasler FSRMurray RiverSukunkaW Utah-Johnson CkWestcoast-HighhatWillow-Falling CkAbundance6045301502002 2003 2004 2005Year1059075Wilson's WarblerHasler FSRMurray RiverSukunkaW Utah-Johnson CkWestcoast-HighhatWillow-Falling CkAbundance6045301502002 2003 2004 2005YearFigure 8. Annual variation in abundance within and among transects for Swainson'sThrush, Tennessee Warbler, and Wilson's Warbler in TFL 48.15

4030Chipping SparrowHasler FSRMurray RiverSukunkaW Utah-Johnson CkWestcoast-HighhatWillow-Falling CkAbundance201002002 2003 2004 2005Year4030Ruby-crowned KingletHasler FSRMurray RiverSukunkaW Utah-Johnson CkWestcoast-HighhatWillow-Falling CkAbundance201002002 2003 2004 2005Year4030Yellow-rumped WarblerHasler FSRMurray RiverSukunkaW Utah-Johnson CkWestcoast-HighhatWillow-Falling CkAbundance201002002 2003 2004 2005YearFigure 9. Annual variation in abundance within and among transects for ChippingSparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Yellow-rumped Warbler in TFL 48.16

Preliminary TrendsAnnual variation in abundance within a species in TFL 48 is most likely attributedto climatic variation among years, and to some extent among different observers usedeach year. Caution should be given to interpreting trends over short temporal scales(i.e., four years).The mean abundance and standard error for 12 regularly occurring species inTFL 48 are given in Figure 10 and Figure 11. Preliminary analyses of trends (2002 –2005) for the 20 most frequently detected species in TFL 48 are provided in Table 1.Two species showed a significant increase (Dark-eyed Junco and Tennessee Warbler),and four species showed a significant decrease (Chipping Sparrow, Gray Jay, RubycrownedKinglet, and Swainson's Thrush). Non-significant differences among pairs ofadjacent years were noted for most species, although overall patterns for the four yearswere either increasing (e.g., Dark-eyed Junco and Tennessee Warbler), decreasing(e.g., Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet),oscillating (e.g., American Robin, American Redstart, and Swainson's Thrush), or stable(e.g., Warbling Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Alder Flycatcher, and Lincoln's Sparrow).In TFL 48, from 2002 – 2005, significant and linear decreasing trends inabundance were observed for Chipping Sparrow, Gray Jay, and Lincoln's Sparrow.Significant and linear increasing trends in bird abundance were found for Dark-eyedJunco and Tennessee Warbler. The Golden-crowned Kinglet (stable) and Swainson'sThrush (significant decrease) had non-linear, oscillating patterns of abundance. BothGwillim (in 2005) and Wolverine contribute more to the variability than other transectsbecause of lower sample sizes.17

80Chipping Sparrow80Swainson's Thrush70706060Abundance504030Abundance50403020201010002002 2003 2004 2005Year2002 2003 2004 2005Year80Tennessee Warbler80Warbling Vireo70706060Abundance504030Abundance50403020201010002002 2003 2004 2005Year2002 2003 2004 2005Year80White-throated Sparrow80Yellow-rumped Warbler70706060Abundance504030Abundance50403020201010002002 2003 2004 2005Year2002 2003 2004 2005YearFigure 10. Mean (± SE) abundance of selected species occurring in TFL 48 (n = 7 for2002; n = 13 for 2003; n = 15 for 2004; n = 15 for 2005).18

Alder FlycatcherAmerican Redstart303025252020Abundance15Abundance15101055002002 2003 2004 2005Year2002 2003 2004 2005YearAmerican RobinDark-eyed Junco303025252020Abundance15Abundance15101055002002 2003 2004 2005Year2002 2003 2004 2005YearLincoln's SparrowRuby-crowned Kinglet303025252020Abundance15Abundance15101055002002 2003 2004 2005Year2002 2003 2004 2005YearFigure 11. Mean (± SE) abundance of selected species occurring in TFL 48 (n = 7 for2002; n = 13 for 2003; n = 15 for 2004; n = 15 for 2005).19

Table 1. Trends in abundance for the 20 most frequently detected species in TFL 48from 2002 – 2004. P-values in bold (< 0.05) indicate a significant change in abundanceover time (general linear model) or a linear relationship between abundance and year(test for linearity).SpeciesGeneral linearmodel (P-value)Test for linearity(P-value)General trendALFL 0.962 0.902 no changeAMRE 0.284 0.710 no changeAMRO 0.254 0.558 no changeCHSP 0.004 0.001 -DEJU 0.002 0.007 +GCKI 0.000 0.104 oscillatingGRJA 0.005 0.001 -LEFL 0.978 0.742 no changeLISP 0.019 0.310 -OCWA 0.352 0.994 no changePISI 0.995 0.949 no changeRCKI 0.186 0.038 -SWTH 0.003 0.009 oscillating (-)TEWA 0.017 0.025 +VATH 0.408 0.332 no changeWAVI 0.920 0.623 no changeWIWA 0.127 0.067 no changeWTSP 0.254 0.047 -YEWA 0.330 0.454 no changeYRWA 0.163 0.789 no change20

Species Listings: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, andthe British Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource ManagementNo species listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern by theCommittee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada were found in TFL 48 or theFort St. John TSA, from 2002 – 2005.One species red-listed by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, the BaybreastedWarbler, was found in TFL 48 and in the Fort St. John TSA, from 2002 – 2005.This species was observed in 2004 at survey station 22 on the Wolverine FSR transectin TFL 48, and in 2005 at survey station 12 on the Haystack transect in the Fort St. JohnTSA. Four blue-listed species were observed (Figure 12). They included the BlackthroatedGreen Warbler (n = 31), Philadelphia Vireo (n = 7), Canada Warbler (n = 3)and LeConte's Sparrow (n = 2). Among the red- and blue-listed species observed,considerably more records were from TFL 48, where four years of data exist, comparedto only one year of data from the Fort St. John TSA. Based on existing survey data, andfrom incidental field observations and habitat availability, we are confident that moreobservations will be found in the Fort St. John TSA. More importantly, we believe thatthese observations will be from areas that are not presently documented for thesespecies.21

Figure 12. Locations of red- and blue-listed species observed in TFL 48 and the Fort St.John TSA. Bay-breasted Warbler (blue dots), Black-throated Green Warbler (orangedots), Philadelphia Vireo (purple dots), Canada Warbler (red dots), and LeConte'sSparrow (green dots).22

DISCUSSION and RECOMMENDATIONSCoverageThe distribution of Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) in TFL 48 is consideredadequate, with reasonable representation of the larger BEC subzones of interest(Vernier and Preston in prep). New transects should be considered if long-termmonitoring is an intended goal, or if some existing transects are expected to bedecommissioned. New transects could also be added to better represent habitats thatare presently under-represented. For a detailed review of sampling efficiency and BECrepresentation, see Vernier and Preston (in prep).In 2005, seven transects were established in the Fort St. John TSA. A review ofBEC representation, species data needs, and sampling efficiency is provided in Vernierand Preston (2006). New transects should be added in the regions north of Peejay 2 (anexisting transect), north and west of Buick Creek, north of Tommy Lakes 2 (an existingtransect), and north of Williston Lake but west of Hwy 97. Additional effort should alsobe centered on under-sampled habitats, such as boreal black spruce.The Peace River District: Then and NowDifferences in abundance, diversity, and richness between 1965 – 1979 and2002 – 2005 differed substantially for TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA. Thesedifferences appear to arise for several reasons, including the location of transects,variation in methodology (including the scale of the surveys), and direct changes tohabitat availability and suitability over time. The methods we applied were for relatingdifferent bird species to forest stands of differing age, composition23

(deciduous/coniferous), and availability across a managed landscape. Therefore, ourtransects were primarily located in forested environments, away from low-lying ruralareas. Our sampling protocol was effective for relating species to specific forest types(Vernier and Bunnell in prep), using GPS/GIS data to locate survey stations andassociate forest attributes, and by assigning specific locations of birds relative to thesurvey station (e.g., left or right side of road, ≤ 50 m or 51 - 200 m from the surveystation).Several recent reports have documented the increase or decrease of severalspecies of neotropical migrants (e.g., Robbins et al. 1993, Rappole 1995), and mostauthors tend to agree that demographics and long-term trends are likely independent forindividual species. The causes of population decline, however, are difficult to pinpoint,although much emphasis has been placed on habitat loss or conversion, especially ineastern North America, but also in South America where many species over-winter(Bender et al. 1998; Newton 1998; Robbins 1978). Other factors such as increasingnest parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird, increased nest predation as a result ofelevated edge to area ratios (Tewksbury et al. 1998; Brittingham and Temple 1983),extreme weather events (Robbins et al. 1993), climate change (Opdam and Wascher2004), and environmental conditions during migration (Rappole 1995) all have impactsin determining population numbers. The effects of these changes will require continualmonitoring, feedback, and adjustment through adaptive management.To understand the dynamics of many songbird species in TFL 48 and the Fort St.John TSA, continued long-term monitoring using Breeding Bird Surveys may providethe best estimates of population trends, regional abundance, and habitat use at this24

scale. Because of the way in which data is gathered, multiple spatial scales can beevaluated, including stand, transect, watershed, BEC ecoregions, zones, subzones, andvariants. The data can be used to address regional and provincial issues regardingspecies' trends, habitat associations, and conservation priority. Additionally, the datacan be compared to, and incorporated with, other Breeding Bird Survey data from otherregions of British Columbia for the purpose of selecting indicator species. For speciesthat are not well-monitored by Breeding Bird Surveys (i.e., colonial nesting seabirds,loons, grebes, ptarmigan, some gulls and terns, scarce owls, nighthawks, and speciesrestricted to very small ranges) (Robbins et al. 1986), different survey designs mayneed to be developed.At the provincial level, recent trends (1966-2003) for species encountered onNorth American Breeding Bird Surveys are provided by the United States GeologicalSurvey (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/bbs.html). Among six common speciesoccurring in TFL 48, the Swainson’s Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, ChippingSparrow, and Ovenbird have no statistically detectable change. The Warbling Vireo isincreasing (+2.0% per year) and the Wilson’s Warbler is decreasing (-3.8% per year).Among the blue-listed species found in TFL 48, trends for Philadelphia Vireo, BlackthroatedGreen Warbler, Canada Warbler, and LeConte's Sparrow in British Columbiaare not available. In neighbouring Alberta, estimates for these same species lackstatistical power for analysis.If species in general are showing significant declines in British Columbia, thenthe lower abundance of birds in TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA, compared tohistorical predictions, may be related to this process. However, because of uncertainty25

in how and where historical Breeding Bird Surveys data were collected, it is more likelythat differences in abundance are related to differences in the methodology used tocount birds, and the types of habitats sampled. First, specific details regarding transectlocations are largely unknown, except that they are generally restricted to suburban andlow-lying rural areas, often along primary or secondary highways. In these settings, wemight expect total abundance and richness to be greater because of the greaterassociation of communal or gregarious species in those environments (e.g., Black-billedMagpie, American Crow, European Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Dove, variouswaterfowl species, etc). Second, the type of habitat along highways in lowland areas(where farming and industrial operations take place) is markedly different compared tothat found in areas managed for timber extraction, especially at higher elevations.Consequently, bird communities are likely to differ, supporting fewer communal orgregarious species (i.e., only Pine Siskin and crossbill spp. aggregate in forested areasof TFL 48, with annual numbers fluctuating substantially with cone or seed cropproduction). Lastly, the survey protocol for Breeding Bird Surveys was largely avolunteer effort with a wide range of skills and abilities. Coupled with non-standardizedmethods for counting birds (i.e., unlimited distance estimates) and limited habitatinformation for that period, comparisons, and subsequent relevance to forestry, islargely limited.Concluding RemarksFrom 2002 – 2005, 15 and seven transects were established in TFL 48 and theFort St. John TSA, respectively. Additionally, GPS data was acquired for 1,070 surveystations for the purpose of creating and testing BEC subzone representation, BEC26

subzone preference by species, and species-habitat models using forest inventory data(see Vernier and Preston 2006).Breeding Bird Survey data provides an important part of the overall framework fordeveloping management plans for birds. By using Breeding Bird Surveys over the longterm,we have identified at least seven practical uses or benefits applicable to adaptivemanagement. These include:1) an effective means of obtaining large amounts of data in a short period of timefrom a large geographical area;2) long-term population monitoring for identifying local or widespread increasesor decreases in one or more species;3) detailed species distribution by habitat at a variety of scales;4) density plotting of individual species by habitat;5) predictive modelling and indices of habitat availability and suitability based onknown species’ distributions and abundance;6) indirect benefit of gathering data for other species (i.e., red squirrel) that maybe useful for forest managers and;7) community participation and involvement in local management strategiesthrough public advisory meetings, workshops, and lectures.27

LITERATURE CITEDAnalytical Software. 2000. Statistix 7.0 User’s Manual. Tallahassee, Florida, USA. 359pp.Bender, D.J., T.A. Contreras, and L. Fahrig. 1998. Habitat Loss and Population Decline:A Meta-analysis of the patch size effect. Ecology 79:517-529.Bibby, C.J., N.D. Burgess, and D.A. Hill. 1992. Bird Census Techniques. AcademicPress, London.Brittingham, M.C., and S.A. Temple. 1983. Have Cowbirds Caused Forest Songbirds toDecline? BioScience 33:31-35.Bystrak, D. 1981. The North American Breeding Bird Survey. In Studies in AvianBiology 6:252-261.Campbell, R.W. 1998. British Columbia Birds: A Species List – 1997. WBT Wild BirdTrust of British Columbia Wildlife Report No. 2, West Vancouver, B.C. 22 pp.Campbell, R.W. 1997. British Columbia Nest Record Scheme: Instruction Manual.Unpublished Report. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.COSEWIC, 2002. Canadian Species at Risk, November 2002. Committee on the Statusof Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 37 pp.Krebs, C.J. 1994. Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance.Fourth ed. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, California.MWALP, 2003. http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp Ministry of Sustainable ResourceManagement, BC Species Explorer, BC Conservation Status, Red and BlueListed Birds.Newton, I. 1998. Population Limitation in Birds. Academic Press, London.Preston, M.I., and R.W. Campbell. 2003. Inventory Assessment of Birds on TFL 48.Unpublished Report prepared for Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Chetwynd,British Columbia. 29 pp.Preston, M.I., R.W. Campbell, and L.M. Van Damme. 2005. British Columbia Birds –2005 Species List: Common and Scientific Names, Taxonomic Order, and 4-Letter Codes. Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies Report No. 4., Victoria,British Columbia. 20 pp.28

Preston, M.I., and P. Vernier. 2003. Evaluation and Refinement of Species and HabitatCoverage for Breeding Bird Surveys in TFL 48. Unpublished Report. CanadianForest Products Ltd., Chetwynd, British Columbia. 9 pp.Opdam, P., and D. Wascher. 2004. Climate change meets habitat fragmentation: linkinglandscape and biogeographical scale levels in research and conservation.Biological Conservation, 117:285-297.Rappole, J.H. 1995. The Ecology of Migrant Birds: A Neotropical Perspective.Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.Robbins, C.S. 1978. Effects of forest fragmentation on bird populations. Pages 192-212in Proceedings of the Workshop on Management of Northcentral andNortheastern forests for nongame birds (R.M. DeGraaf, tech coord.). USDAForest Service General Technical Report NC-51.Robbins, C.S., D. Bystrak, and P.H. Geissler. 1986. The Breeding Bird Survey: Its FirstFifteen Years, 1965-1979.Sen, A.R. 1981. Methodological Studies of Breeding Bird Surveys in North America. InStudies in Avian Biology 6:496-501.Sokal, R.R. and F.J. Rohlf. 1995. Biometry: The Principle and Practice of Statistics inBiological Research. Third Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.Tewksbury, J.J., S.J. Hejl, and T.E. Martin. 1998. Breeding Productivity Does NotDecline with Increasing Fragmentation in a Western Landscape. Ecology79:2890 – 2903.Vernier, P. 2003. Forest Songbird Modelling and Mapping using Bird Survey andVegetation Resources Inventory Data on Canfor’s TFL 48 in Northeastern BC.Unpublished Report. Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Chetwynd, BritishColumbia. 21 pp.Vernier, P.R. 2005. Developing Avian Indicator Models using 2002-04 Bird Survey andVegetation Resources Inventory Data from TFL 48 in Northeast BC.Unpublished Report prepared for the Sustainable Forest Management Networkand Canadian Forest Products Ltd.Vernier, P.R. and F.L. Bunnell. In press. Using map-based data in the coarse-filterapproach to sustaining biodiversity. BC Journal of Ecosystem Management.Vernier, P.R. and M.I. Preston. In prep. How Well do Bird Surveys Represent MajorHabitat Types in the Peace Forest District? Unpublished Report prepared for theSustainable Forest Management Network and Canadian Forest Products Ltd.29

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSConducting Breeding Bird Surveys in TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA could nothave been possible without considerable assistance from others. For field assistancewe thank, Doug Brown, Sandra Kinsey, Laird Law, and Linda M. Van Damme. Weappreciate the support of Canadian Forest Products Ltd. staff Guy Taylor and DonRosen for providing maps and GPS equipment, and to Evan Saugstad and DaveHarrison for assistance with logistics. Thanks to John Deal of Canadian Forest ProductsLtd. for supporting the project.30

APPENDICESAppendix 1. List of species names, corresponding codes, scientific names, andpresence or absence in TFL 48 and the Fort St. John TSA (FSJ). Names andcodes follow Preston et al. 2005.Code Species Scientific Name TFL 48 FSJALFL Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum X XAMCR American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos XAMKE American Kestrel Falco sparverius XAMRE American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla X XAMRO American Robin Turdus migratorius X XATTW American Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides dorsalis X XBAEA Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus XBAOR Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula XBKSW Bank Swallow Riparia riparia XBASW Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica X XBAYW Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea X XBAWW Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia X XBBWO Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus XBBMA Black-billed Magpie Pica pica X XBCCH Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus X XBKPW Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica castanea X XBTNW Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens X XBLSW Black Swift Cypseloides niger XBHVI Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius X XBOCH Boreal Chickadee Poecile hudsonica X XBRBL Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus X XBRCR Brown Creeper Certhia americana XBHCO Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater X XCAGO Canada Goose Branta canadensis X XCAHU Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope XCAWA Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis XCCSP Clay-coloured Sparrow Spizella pallida X XCEWA Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum XCHSP Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina X XCOGO Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula XCOLO Common Loon Gavia immer XCORA Common Raven Corvus corax X XCOYE Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas X XDEJU Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis X X31

Code Species Scientific Name TFL 48 FSJDUFL Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri X XEAKI Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus XEUST European Starling Sturnus vulgaris XEVGR Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus XFOSP Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca X XGCKI Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa X XGCSP Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla XGRJA Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis X XGWTE Green-winged Teal Anas crecca XHAWO Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus X XHAFL Hammond’s Flycatcher Empidonax hammondi X XHETH Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus X XHOWR House Wren Troglodytes aedon XKILL Killdeer Charadrius vociferus XLEFL Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus X XLCSP Le Conte's Sparrow Ammodramus leconteii XLISP Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii X XMACW MacGillivray’s Warbler Oporornis tolmiei XMGNW Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia X XMERL Merlin Falco columbarius XMOWA Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia XNOFL Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus X XNOGO Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis XNHOW Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula XNSWO Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus XNOWA Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis X XOSFL Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi X XOCWA Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata X XOSPR Osprey Pandion haliaetus XOVEN Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus X XPSFL Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis XPAWA Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum XPHVI Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus XPIWO Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus X XPIGR Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator XPISI Pine Siskin Carduellis pinus X XPUFI Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus XRBNU Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis X XRECR Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra X X32

Code Species Scientific Name TFL 48 FSJREVI Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus X XRTHA Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis X XRWBL Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus X XRBGR Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus X XRCKI Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula X XRUGR Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus X XRUHU Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus XRUBL Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus XSAVS Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis XSSHA Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus XSOSA Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria X XSOSP Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia XSORA Sora Porzana carolina XSPSA Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia X XSPGR Spruce Grouse Falcipennis canadensis XSTJA Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri XSWTH Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus X XTEWA Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina X XTOSO Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi XTOWA Townsend’s Warbler Dendroica townsendi X XTRSW Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor X XVATH Varied Thrush Ixoreus naeius X XVASW Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi XVGSW Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina XWAVI Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus X XWETA Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana X XWWPE Western Wood-Pewee Contopus cooperi XWBNU White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis XWCSP White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys X XWTSP White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis X XWWCR White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera X XWISN Wilson's Snipe Gallinago gallinago X XWIWA Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla X XWIWR Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes X XYBFL Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris X XYBSA Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius X XYEWA Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia X XYRWA Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata X X33

Appendix 2. Summary of mean (± SE) species richness, bird abundance, anddiversity for each route (values given for transects in the Fort St. John TSA arenot means).Period Established/ TransectRegion Richness Abundance Diversity (H')2002 - 2005Gwillim** Peace River 50.7 (2.7) 385.3 (24.1) 4.80 (0.52)Hasler FSR Peace River 38.8 (2.4) 364.3 (17.7) 4.26 (0.08)Murray River Peace River 45.5 (1.0) 372.3 (27.4) 4.45 (0.05)Sukunka Peace River 47.8 (1.8) 456.5 (33.6) 4.57 (0.12)West Utah-Johnson Ck Peace River 44.8 (1.5) 413.5 (38.5) 4.37 (0.08)Westcoast-Highhat Peace River 43.8 (1.6) 424.0 (16.1) 4.47 (0.14)Willow-Falling Creek Peace River 53.8 (1.4) 429.3 (18.3) 4.82 (0.08)2003 - 2005Carbon Creek Peace River 42.3 (2.3) 332.3 (31.4) 4.37 (0.02)Johnson Ck FSR Peace River 50.7 (3.2) 451.3 (22.2) 4.67 (0.05)Perry Creek Peace River 42.3 (2.8) 374.0 (53.5) 4.37 (0.09)Table Creek Peace River 42.7 (1.2) 424.0 (10.1) 4.54 (0.02)Upper Burnt Creek Peace River 46.3 (2.7) 392.3 (54.6) 4.56 (0.10)Wolverine FSR Peace River 42.0 (4.0) 385.3 (32.3) 4.35 (0.11)2004 - 2005Moose Lake Peace River 39.5 (3.5) 303.5 (55.5) 4.20 (0.02)Upper Wolverine* Peace River 27.5 (1.5) 188.5 (4.5) 4.00 (0.10)2005Buick Creek Fort St. John 38 301 4.11Haystack Fort St. John 39 355 4.43Peejay 1 Fort St. John 30 255 4.06Peejay 2 Fort St. John 28 236 3.78Sikanni Fort St. John 30 224 3.99Tommy Lakes 1 Fort St. John 32 310 4.00Tommy Lakes 2 Fort St. John 30 277 3.79* only 25 survey stations on this route.** 50 stations sampled from 2002-2004; 25 stations sampled in 2005 (means exclude2005 data).34