Beaver ponds create wetland habitat for birds in mountains of southeastern Wyoming

Abstract

We studied the use of beaver ponds and associated wetlands by ducks and waterbirds on the Laramie Range, Albany County, Wyoming, during 1994. Our goal was to identify physical habital features of beaver ponds associated with use by migrating, breeding, and postbreeding ducks and other birds associated with aquatic habitats. Species richness of birds observed at beaver ponds was positively correlated with water surface area, area of shallow water, length of woody shoreline, and shoreline development (the ratio of shoreline length to the circumference of a circle of the same area as the water surface of the pond). Duck use (green-winged teal, mallard, and ring-necked duck) was positively correlated with water surface area, area of shallow water, and length of woody shoreline, but negatively correlated with the ratio of the area of submergent vegetation to water surface area. Use by riparian birds (red-winged blackbird and Brewer’s blackbird) was positively correlated with water surface area, area of shallow water, area of emergent cover, and length of woody shoreline.