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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #400765
Research Project: Sustainable Agricultural Systems for the Northern Great Plains

Location: Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory

Title: Preliminary data on migrant and breeding birds along the Red River urban woods and prairies corridor

Author
item LUTTER, TUCKER - North Dakota State University
item HOVICK, TORRE - North Dakota State University
item TRUMBO, EVALYNN - North Dakota State University
item GEAUMONT, BENJAMIN - North Dakota State University
item SEABORN, TRAVIS - North Dakota State University
item Toledo, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/16/2023
Publication Date: 12/16/2023
Citation: Lutter, T., Hovick, T., Trumbo, E., Geaumont, B., Seaborn, T., Toledo, D.N. 2023. Preliminary data on migrant and breeding birds along the Red River urban woods and prairies corridor. Meeting Abstract. 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: As urban areas expand, so does the importance of urban green spaces for biodiversity conservation, outdoor education, and human well-being. The Fargo-Moorhead metro area began an urban greenspace project in the late 1990’s in response to severe flooding along the Red River corridor. Audubon Dakota manages these greenspace sites in a project called the Urban Woods and Prairies Initiative. To better understand the value of urban green spaces for biodiversity, we used point counts to monitor spring migrant and breeding birds in twenty Urban Woods and Prairies sites from April through mid-July in 2022. Our main objectives were to 1) quantify migrant bird diversity and abundance and 2) quantify the breeding status, diversity, and abundance of birds using the urban woods and prairie sites during the breeding season. During the 2022 field season we detected 154 species total: 154 species during spring migration and 66 potential or confirmed breeding species. We will continue point counts in 2023 and seek to demonstrate the relationship between breeding birds and surrounding land use, green space size, and site vegetation characteristics. Our results will inform future site management by identifying vegetation characteristics that promote the diversity and abundance of birds.