Review and download Chapter 3 - Golden-winged Warbler Working ...

year rotation), 185 ac (75 ha) of habitat will be
available for Golden-winged Warbler use at any
point in time. This same strategy can be applied
to non-commercial areas such as surface mines
or scrub oak barrens, where fire takes the place
of timber harvest and serves to set back
succession. Fire frequency within a patch will be
dependent on site quality (typically 4–10 years),
but the goal of 15–20% habitat availability at any
given time is still the same.
Suitable habitat may be created as single patch
(Figure 3–11) or multiple clustered patches. For
Managing Habitat within Patches
The following sections provide
detailed information on within patch
habitat requirements of Goldenwinged
Warbler and basic guidance
on how to create these conditions. At
the patch scale there are two units of
measure that are important for
nesting pairs: the breeding territory
and the nest site. The breeding
territory is generally defined as the
defended area containing the nest
site and should not be confused with
home range, which also includes
undefended areas used for foraging or postfledging
activities. Territory size varies with
habitat quality and type, but a good frame of
reference for management purposes is 2–5 ac (1–
2 ha). The nest site can be thought of as the area
immediately around the nest itself (within a 33 ft
(10 m) radius). Because nests are naturally
located within territories, in many cases the
differences in habitat composition and
configuration between the two are subtle.
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example, if overstory trees cannot be retained,
multiple small patches that maximize edge might
be preferred over one or two very large patches.
Providing habitat in clusters allows for contact of
individuals among patches (i.e., conspecific
attraction) and increases patch occupancy and
densities in the management site. Ultimately,
patch size and shape will be driven by context
dependent silvicultural needs and topographic
constraints, particularly in the rugged terrain of
the Appalachian Region.
Do I Need to Micro-manage for Territories and Nest Sites?
The simple answer is probably not. Commercial timber
management and other management techniques should be
implemented to produce heterogeneity in the regenerating
vegetation. Before creating an elaborate management
prescription, evaluate the current prescription to determine
if Golden-winged Warblers are responding as desired. If they
are not responding to your satisfaction, then the
prescription might need to be modified to better produce
the desired ratio of habitat components. An adaptive
management strategy should be employed to work toward a
more effective prescription but also one that remains
relatively simple to apply.
The general idea is to manage habitat in large
patches (> 5 ac (2 ha)) in a way that will meet
the overall ecological needs of nesting pairs,
including providing territories that contain
secure nest-site locations. While the patch
remains the primary management unit, we
present guidelines for both the territory and nest
site, as some habitat conditions can effect nest
survival.