Breeding Bird Selection of Restored and Native Wooded Draws in North Dakota

Abstract

Breeding birds have affinities for specific habitats. North Dakota provides numerous unique landscapes for breeding birds, but in western North Dakota, wooded draws are a major habitat. In total landscape, however, wooded draws comprise only 6– 8% of the total land area of western North Dakota.1,2 Therefore, these wooded habitats are disproportionately important as breeding sites for resident and migratory birds in western North Dakota. Surface mining of lignite coal is an important industry to western North Dakota. Nearly 1,000 ha are disturbed by mining operations annually. This form of mining removes all surface vegetation, including woodland habitats. In addition, topography and hydrology are altered in the mining process, which influences the success of woodland reestablishment and resultant plant community structure. Functionality of reestablished woodlands, as measured by breeding bird use, has not been well documented. The intent of our study is to compare species richness, density, and diversity of breeding birds between a restored and a native woodland community on the Glenharold Mine in western North Dakota. We will also discuss other ecological attributes of the two woodlands as they relate to the documented breeding bird populations.