Farmland birds in southern Ontario: field use, activity patterns and vulnerability to pesticide use

Abstract

The use of cropfields by birds is largely unknown in southern Canada and consequently the risk incurred by pesticide use on bird populations cannot be adequately characterised. The activity patterns and relative interior to edge use of bird species were examined for four crops in southern Ontario to assess the susceptibility of different species to pesticide use. Altogether 138 species were identified in the four crops over the 2 year period but only 25 species were recorded during 50% of visits in at least 1 month: 14 in corn ( Zea mays L.), 16 in soybean ( Glycine max L. Merr.), 14 in apple ( Malus spp.) orchards and eight in vineyards ( Vitis spp.). Territorial behaviour was an important activity for several species from May through July in the four crops. Nesting was confirmed in May, June and July for most species, with the exception of American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis, Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina and Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum which nested in August/September. Foraging was the most important activity for most species in all months (7/10 species in May, 6/8 species in June, 4/8 species in July, 5/8 August/September). Few fledgling young were observed. Most species used field edges consistently more often than expected in corn and soybean fields, according to the edge/interior ratio, Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia being the exception. In apple orchards, relatively few species differentiated between edge and interior. Based on their frequency of occurrence (>50%), behaviour and temporal coincidence with pesticide applications, 13 species were considered most at risk: Killdeer Charadrius vociferus, Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris, American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos, American Robin Turdus migratorius, European Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Chipping Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus, Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis, Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia, Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus, Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscala, Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater and Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. The latter species, because of its foraging habit, is less likely to be exposed to pesticides. This study was important to identify focal species that can be used for detailed investigations on exposure to pesticides.