INTRODUCTION McIntyre,
Blodwyn M. 2000. The breeding bird populations of Sweet Briar College.
Naturalist-in-Residence Report Number 1. Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar VA
24595.
Introduction Methods Results and Discussion Conclusions Literature cited
INTRODUCTION
At Sweet Briar College the Summer Naturalist-in-Residence conducts research on the campus relating to the ecology of the College’s land holdings. In 2000 the goal of the research was to assess breeding bird populations as a component of biodiversity on the land holdings and to determine the habitat variables most influential in habitat selection by these birds. Maintaining biodiversity has been recognized as a priority in environmental conservation (Beattie, 1994; Naeem, Thompson, Lawler and Lawton, 1994; Ricklefs and Schluter, 1993; Scott, 1993; Wilson and Peter, 1988).
Sweet Briar College is unique because its 3,300 acre campus comprises a diversity of habitats and land uses. This spectrum includes hardwood, pine and mixed forests and hay fields in addition to the main campus. Much of the forest land is remote and inaccessible due to steep, roadless terrain. The college is developing a program of study that will utilize the property as an environmental laboratory. This research contributes to this goal by quantifying bird populations and their respective breeding habitats and will establish a foundation for further fieldwork in the area of biodiversity. In the future the Sweet Briar community may need to make difficult land use and development decisions. This research will provide information regarding biodiversity conservation as a possible input to land use planning. For example, areas with highly diversified bird populations or rare species may be identified for preservation or monitoring, whereas areas lacking these features may be developed without compromising biodiversity.
The 2000 project focuses on Neotropical migrant birds, which are characterized by their migratory behavior. These birds spend the winter in Central and South America and the Caribbean, and migrate to and breed in North America in the summer. Figure 1, for example, illustrates the breeding and wintering range of the Ovenbird. These birds are of special interest because research indicates that many populations of Neotropical migrants are declining (Wilson and Terborgh, 1984; Serrano, 1985; Robbins, Bystrak and Geissler, 1986; Terborgh, 1989; Robbins, Sauer, Greenburg and Droege, 1989; Robins, Dawson and Dowell, 1989a; Askins, Lynch and Greenberg, 1990; Finch, 1991; Johnston and Hagan, 1991; Peterjohn, 1994; Rappole, 1995). Current literature cites the loss of breeding habitat in eastern deciduous forests in North America as a contributor to these population declines (Whitcomb, Lynch, Klimkiewicz, Robbins, Whitcomb and Bystrak, 1981; Probst, 1986; Martin and Finch, 1987; Hutto, 1988; Robinson, 1992; Sherry and Holmes, 1992; Holmes and Sherry, 1998). Other possible reasons for declines include loss of wintering habitat, loss of stop over site habitat and unusual weather conditions such as El Nino or hurricanes. It is widely accepted, however, that habitat destruction is the primary cause of biodiversity loss. This destruction has been linked to such human activities as residential construction, road construction and logging. Specific causes of population declines, however, remain complex, broad ranging and ill defined.
Neotropical migrants are also the subject of my Ph.D. research currently being conducted in Albemarle County, Virginia. The research at Sweet Briar may offer some comparisons to the findings in Albemarle County.
The research objectives were:
I would like to thank the Naturalist-in-Residence program for supporting this research, and the Sweet Briar College community for providing me with an excellent working environment and access to their property and facilities. This was a great help in completing my research. I would also like to thank the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) for their cooperation and access to their property (especially in the early morning hours).
I would like to express special thanks to Linda Fink who freely gave her time to facilitate this research. Her contribution to this research was invaluable. Special thanks also go to Buck Edwards for providing me with historical data on Sweet Briar birds, helping familiarize me with the Sweet Briar land holdings and for his inspiring interest in my research. Marlena Koper, Dina Orbison, Tricia Hamilton and Linda Fink offered extra field assistance when needed.
Finally, I would like to thank Megan Ogilvie for her huge contribution to this work. Megan worked long hours in difficult conditions and always with a smile on her face. She surpassed all my expectations of a field assistant, and it was truly a pleasure to work with her.
Introduction Methods Results and Discussion Conclusions Literature cited
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