Seasonality of the Bird Community in the Ogawa Forest Reserve, an Old-Growth Deciduous Forest in Central Japan

Abstract

Abstract The bird community in the Ogawa Forest Reserve (OFR), an old-growth cool-temperate deciduous forest in central Japan, was surveyed monthly using the point count method from September 1996 to August 1997. Of the 61 bird species observed in the OFR during the study, 41 species were recorded in the survey's circular plots. Species richness was lowest (6) in January and peaked (21) in April. Total bird abundance was also lowest (25 birds/10 ha) in January and peaked (138 birds/10 ha) in April. As for the migration status, resident species such as tits (Paridae), longtailed tits (Aegithalidae) and woodpeckers (Picidae), dominated throughout most of the year. During the breeding season (April—August), summer visitors accounted for 20 to 33.3% of species richness and 10 to 27% of abundance, but never reached a level comparable to those of resident species. In non-breeding season (October—February), winter visitors accounted for up to 27% of species richness and up to 72% of abundance. The temporary domi...