Evaluation of Wintering Waterbird Habitats on Louisiana Barrier Islands

Abstract

ABSTRACT Curtiss, D. and Pierce, A.R., 2016. Evaluation of wintering waterbird habitats on Louisiana barrier islands. Louisiana's barrier islands provide unique habitats for waterbirds throughout the year. Unfortunately, barrier islands such as those within the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Refuge (IDBIR) are rapidly degrading, and critical waterbird habitats are disappearing. The majority of waterbird research projects in the northern Gulf of Mexico have focused on important breeding habitats, but little information exists on preferred habitats during the nonbreeding wintering period. The goal of this study was to identify important waterbird habitats on barrier islands during the nonbreeding period to enhance barrier island management for year-round use by waterbirds. Biweekly surveys were conducted at the IDBIR during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 nonbreeding seasons to determine waterbird use of beach habitats. Habitat maps of the IDBIR were also created to calculate bird densities and species richness...