Hi Mike (& everyone else).

My guess is that you're correct that the PIF estimate of 300 Prothonotary Warblers is a considerable underestimate of the actual population size.  Unfortunately, we don't have good data on the Breeding Bird Survey to determine population size or trends for Prothonotaries in the state.  The Breeding Bird Atlas may help to some degree, but it likewise has its own limitations because it's not really measuring abundance, but rather presence or absence of breeding individuals (i.e. it doesn't matter if you have 1, 10, or 100 confirmed breeders in a block, it's recorded the same way).  The Breeding Bird Atlas will help us identify where we need to do more intensive surveys to help ascertain the abundance of Prothonotary Warblers in the state, as well as local density at different sites.

Unfortunately, I was unable to track down Charlie Bombaci's data reports in time, because I did want to include that information.  For those reading this who are not aware, there are a couple of individuals in the state, Charlie Bombaci of Columbus being one and Dan Best of Geauga County Metroparks being another, who maintain nest box trails for Prothonotary Warblers.  Here in central Ohio, Charlie and several of his colleagues have established Prothonotary nest box trails at Hoover Reservoir, Alum Creek, and Delaware Reservoir (there may be a few other sites I'm not familiar with).  You'll notice on the list I did try to acknowledge the discrepancy between the PIF estimate and the success of the nest box trails by mentioning that these nest box trails have been successful at increasing local abundance.  If anything these nest box trails illustrate how some dedicated individual volunteers can make a huge difference for local populations of birds and make a big difference for a species has a whole.

In southwest Ohio I know we would occasionally see Prothonotary Warblers at Hueston Woods down in the woods near the beach.  Spring Valley Wildlife Area was also a common area to visit.  I'm sure other sites, like Shakertrace Wetlands or East Fork State Park or the Oxbow, regularly host Prothonotary Warblers.  If anyone is interested in starting their own Prothonotary Warbler nest box trail those might be good places to start, if there isn't one there already.

Henslow's Sparrow habitats, like you've noted, is not necessarily dependent upon the types of grasses, but rather the age and structure of the habitat itself.  I think Henslow's seem to prefer grasslands that are at least 3 or 4 years old and have had an opportunity to build up some complexity and density of vegetation in which to hide and skulk.  Annual mowing or burning schedules, even delayed until after the breeding season, doesn't allow for the necessary density and complexity to build to levels appealing to Henslow's Sparrows.  Management for Henslow's Sparrows sets up a mowing rotation with some fields being mowed once every 3-5 years.

It's unfortunate to hear that the Miami Univ. fields were mowed prior to the breeding season--especially at the Ecology Research Center (that's disappointing).  Presumably (hopefully) those fields must have been involved in some sort of research project that required them to be mowed at that time.  Hopefully, as Bill Heck mentioned, someone or some group could advocate for better management practices on university lands.

Thanks,

Casey

________________________________________
From: MU Ornithology Listserv (ZOO 408) [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike Busam [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 8:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Audubon Ohio WatchList

Greetings... These lists are always interesting. One item that catches
my eye is the Partners in Flight estimate of 300 Prothonotary Warblers
in Ohio. I think Charlie Bombaci has that many in his backyard at
Hoover Reservoir, doesn't he? Perhaps I'm a little off. Prothonotary
Warblers are a species that I hope we find out is more common than
we'd thought, once the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas is complete. I was
surprised to find a number of singing male Prothonotary Warblers along
the Great Miami River near Rentschler Forest this past summer. I have
been negligent in sending in my own records for OBBA II, but the PROWs
in this area were a pleasant surprise--I even found an active nest in
a picnic area at Rentschler.

Locally, the Henslow's Sparrow is the only species on the list I have
much experience chasing around on the breeding grounds. Last summer,
Jeff Brown and I spent some time wandering around Butler County
looking at different grassland sites and collecting reports and
sightings from other birders. We know of only two populations of
Henslow's Sparrows in Butler County for summer 2007: one at the Voice
of America Park in West Chester, and the other at the Miami University
Ecology Research Center. Both groups had approximately six or so
singing males reported as high counts. Half of the Miami University
site was mowed during the summer. The VOA site escaped mowing during
the breeding season, but was under the usual development and
recreational pressures that we've come to expect in this Edenic corner
of southeast Butler County: rocket launchers, people flying around in
office chairs attached to lawn mower engines, rock concerts, etc.,
etc.

There was nothing particularly special about the vegetation at either
site. I believe the Miami Univ. site was largely goldenrod and various
cool-season grasses. It's my understanding that the largest numbers of
Henslow's Sparrows in Ohio inhabit reclaimed strip mines in
southeastern Ohio, and that the vegetation is mostly cool-season cover
and other such plants, including a number of outright invasives and
non-natives.

There must be other suitable Henslow's Sparrow sites in the area,
including places in Indiana, but I imagine that most of them this side
of Big Oaks NWR are mowed or harvested during the breeding season, as
was the case with almost every Butler County grassland site we saw or
heard reports from this summer.

Take care,
---Mike Busam
West Chester, OH

On Nov 28, 2007 12:18 PM, TUCKER, Casey <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>   Some of the U.S.'s  Most Imperiled Birds Make their Home in Ohio
> New Report Identifies Species at Greatest Risk
>
> COLUMBUS, OHIO—Fourteen of the 178 bird species that Audubon and the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) have identified as in need of top-priority conservation attention to ensure their continued survival spend at least part of their year in Ohio.  They have the dubious distinction of being included on WatchList-2007, the newest and most scientifically sound list of America's birds at greatest risk. Unlike those on Audubon's recent survey of Common Birds in Decline, these species are often rare and limited in range; consequently, they face a greater possibility of disappearing from the state. For many of them, conservation efforts in Ohio as well as nationally will play a critical role in determining their future health and survival.
>
> The continental WatchList is based on a comprehensive analysis of population size and trends, distribution, and environmental threats, informed and improved by extensive scientific review.   The 3 species on Ohio's "red list" are those of greatest concern, while the additional 11 merit "yellow list" status due to a combination of rarity and/or a declining population.  Species found on either part of the WatchList demand immediate help while there is still time to save them.
>
>
> Five Priority WatchList species found in Ohio are:
>
> ·Henslow's Sparrow
> Loss of grassland breeding habitats through succession, changing agricultural practices, and urbanization have contributed greatly to the 85% state decline of this species over the past 40 years.  With an estimated population of only 6,000 birds in Ohio, restoration and protection of appropriate grassland habitats will be essential to maintain Henslow's Sparrows in the state.
>
> ·Prothonotary Warbler
> The loss of wetlands and channelization of streams and rivers in Ohio has probably contributed greatly to the status of this charismatic species of swamp forests and riparian corridors.  Partners in Flight has estimated Ohio's population to consist of approximately 300 individuals, though several nest box initiatives in the state have increased local abundance in several Important Bird Areas.
>
> ·Red-headed Woodpecker
> Once abundant in Ohio' oak-hickory forests and woodlots, this species has declined 78%, to an estimated population of 35,000 birds.  Competition for nest-cavities with non-native invasive species, and habitat loss due to urbanization and changing agricultural practices may have contributed towards the species' decline.
>
> ·Prairie Warbler
> Urbanization and succession are major factors contributing to the loss of shrub-scrub           habitat for this species.  They have declined by as much as 54% in Ohio over the past 40 years to an estimated population level today of 51,000 individuals.  Long-term management of old fields as shrub-scrub habitats is needed to prevent further declines of this species.
>
> ·Cerulean Warbler
> In spite of habitat acquisition efforts and regenerating forestland in Ohio, this bird of mature deciduous hardwood forests has declined by 80% over the last 40 years to an estimated population level of 70,000 individuals in Ohio.  The decline of this species may be due to a number of different factors including habitat fragmentation, loss of wintering and stopover habitats, and loss of diversity in mature forest canopies.
>
> The new Audubon/ABC WatchList is based on the latest available data from the Christmas Bird Count and the annual Breeding Bird Survey along with other research and assessment from the bird conservation community.  The data were analyzed and weighted according to methods developed through extensive peer review and revision, yielding an improved assessment of actual peril that can be used to determine bird conservation priorities and funding.  Unlike those on Audubon's recent survey of Common Birds in Decline, these species are often rare and limited in range.
>
> For the complete WatchList, and information on how to help, visit www.audubon.org.  To learn more about Audubon Ohio's work protecting these and other species, visit www.audubonohio.org.
>
> The mission of Audubon Ohio is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats through advocacy, education, stewardship and chapter support, for the benefit of Ohio citizens of today and tomorrow. Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.
>
>
> American Bird Conservancy<http://www.abcbirds.org/> (ABC) works to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and reduce threats, while building capacity in the conservation movement. ABC is a membership organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the independent group, Charity Navigator.
>
> Relevant links:
> Audubon Christmas Bird Counts in Ohio: http://www.audubonohio.org/bsc/cbc.html
> USGS Breeding Bird Survey: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS/
>