Breeding bird survey of old growth/seral, prescribed burn, and clearcut stands of western juniper

BLM LIBRARY

0. 97-12 IDAHO BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

July 1997

88055390

QL

84.2

.L352

no.

97-12

Breeding Bird Survey of Old Growth/Serai,
Prescribed Burn, and Clearcut Stands of

Western Juniper

by

Golden Eagle Audubon Society

ru

BREEDING BIRD SURVEY OF
OLD-GROWTH/SERAL, PRESCRIBED BURN, AND CLEARCUT STANDS OF

WESTERN JUNIPER

Golden Eagle Audubon Society
6 January 1 997

Cooperative Challenge Cost Share Project

A

Bureau of Land Management

Boise District Office ,\^

3948 Development Ave

Boise, ID 83705 *n>\

-\-N

and

Golden Eagle Audubon Society

P.O. Box 8261

Boise, ID 83707

Abstract: A survey of avian use of western juniper stands subjected to three management
strategies was conducted during May and June 1 993 in the Owyhee and Bruneau Resource Areas,
Owyhee County, Idaho. The three managment strategies included: untreated (old-growth/seral),
prescribed burns, and clearcuts. Two-hundred and ten eight-minute samples were conducted at
70 points. Fourty-one species and 1755 birds were observed. Old-growth/seral plots averaged
4.15 species and 6.44 birds per plot, prescribed burn plots averaged 1.89 species and 2.87 birds
per plot, and clearcut plots averaged 1.74 species and 2.49 birds per plot. Gray flycatcher,
mountain bluebird, American robin, chipping sparrow, dark-eyed junco, and Cassin's finch were
most abundant in old-growth/seral stands. Vesper sparrow were most abundant in prescribed
burn stands. Tree swallow, violet green swallow, house wren, green-tailed towhee, Brewer's
sparrow, and Brewer's blackbird were most abundant in clearcut areas.

Introduction

Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalism stands were historically found in rock outcrops, along
streams, and on scablands (Eddleman 1984). Distribution was limited by seed dispersal and
periodic fires. During the past 150 years, western juniper has expanded its range into adjacent
grass and shrublands as a result of fire suppression, overgrazing, and climatic changes (Burkhardt
and Tisdale 1976, Meeuwig and Murray 1978). Understory grass and forb productivity declines
as juniper stands mature, thereby reducing forage available to grazing ungulates. For this reason
juniper has been considered an invader in some areas and is targeted for removal. A variety of
removal strategies have been proposed including clearcutting and prescribed burning.

Several studies have shown the importance of pinyon-juniper stands to avian species (Balda and
Masters 1980, Sedgewick 1987). Few studies have been conducted to determine avian use of
western juniper stands. Western juniper provided perching and nesting sites for at least 27 species
of birds (Maser and Gashwiler 1978). Juniper berries were an important food source for
migratory and winter resident birds such as robins and Townsend solitaires (Eddleman 1984).

Overstory removal in pinyon-juniper stands may result in significant declines in avian use
(CMeara et al. 1981, Sedgewick and Ryder 1987). The objective of this study was to inventory
avian use during May and June in prescribed burn, clearcut, and old-growth/seral stands of
western juniper in southwest Idaho.

Methods

Survey points were located within a three-mile buffer along the Mud Flat road between Juniper
Mountain and the Mud Flat Guard Station, Owyhee County, Idaho (Fig. 1). Three treatment
types were surveyed: old-growth/seral (OG/S) (25 points, 5 transects), prescribed burn (PB) (26
points, 3 transects), and clearcut (CC) (19 points, 3 transects) stands. Survey points were located
approximately 250 m apart and 125 m from ecotones.

Habitat Parameters

Live tree stems were counted in a fixed radius (1 1 .3 m for moderate and high density stands or 25
m for low density stands) circle centered on the survey point. Stems were recorded by diameter
breast height (dbh) classes (seedling, <5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10.1-20 cm, 20.1-40 cm, >40 cm).

Snags and downed logs were counted in a fixed radius (1 1.3 m or 25 m) circle centered on the
survey point. Snags and logs were classified by decay class (undecayed, no bark, moderate decay,
very decayed) and size (1-10 cm, 10.1-20 cm, >20 cm).

Avian Population Survey

The point count method was used to determine avian species use. An attempt was made to
sample each point three times between 1 May 1992 and 30 June 1993. The same observer

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conducted all avian surveys. Surveys were conducted only when climatic conditions Thigh wind,
rain) did not affect detectabilhy. Surveys began at sunrise and were terminated at 1 100. Each
point was surveyed for eight minutes per sample. Observations were recorded for 0-50 m, 51-125
m, and >125 m distances from plot center. Data recorded included: species, activity, number of
birds, distance buffer from point (0-50 m, 51-125 m, >125 m), and quadrant (NE, SE, SW, NW).
Incidental observations were recorded separately.

Avian Population Data Analyses

Analyses were based on birds observed within 50 m of observation points unless otherwise noted.
The mean number of species and birds observed was determined for sample periods and for all
periods combined by transect and treatment type. Observations of unidentified birds were
included in determining abundance. Observations of identified species were used to calculate
diversity. Differences in abundance between treatments and sampling periods were determined
using ANOVA (McGarigal and McComb 1992). Similarity in bird species composition between
treatments was determined using Sorenson's Index (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 1974):

Sorenson's Index = 2 W x 1 00/(a+b)

where W was the number of species shared between the two treatments being
compared

a was the number of species in treatment A
b was the number of species in treatment B

Rarefaction was used to determine expected species diversity in different treatments based on
number of birds observed (James and Rathbun 1981).

Results

Climate and Habitat Parameters

Precipitation for the period October- July measured at Silver City was 44.5 cm in 1992 and 60.3
cm in 1993. Live juniper densities were 3 times greater in OG/S stands than PB or CC treatments
for > 20 cm dbh classes (Fig. 2). Juniper snag and log densities were greatest in PB and CC plots
(Fig. 2). Fire removed live mountain mahogany in PB treatments; however, mahogany densities
were also reduced in mature juniper stands (Fig. 3).

Avian Populations

Two-hundred and ten separate eight-minute bird surveys were conducted between 2 May and 28
June 1993. Fourty-one species and 1755 birds (including 154 birds of unidentified species) were
observed at all distances for all plots combined (Appendix A). Thirty-five species and 859 birds
(including 84 birds of unidentified species) were observed within 50 m of all points (Table 1).

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Table I. Number of birds by species seen within 50 m of sample points in old-growth/seral (OGS),
prescribed burn (PB), and clearcut (CC) stands sampled 2 May through 28 June 1993, Owyhee
Count, Idaho. Season of use, habitat, and nest location are from Saab and Groves (1992).

Species

w/in 50 m

Season

Habitat

Nest Loc.

OG/S

PB

CC

Turkey vulture

TUVU

1

Red-tailed hawk

RTHA

3

3

R*

R,SS,C,W

D,C

American kestrel

AMKE

3

1

R*

SS,R,A

Sn,Cl

Common snipe

COSN

3

1

Mourning dove

MODO

3

1

Calliope hummingbird

CAHU

1

1

B*

R,C,W

D/C,S

Unknown hummingbird

UNHU

2

2

1

Red-naped sapsucker

RNSA

1

Northern flicker

NOFL

9

4

1

R

Downy woodpecker

DO WO

1

R

Gray flycatcher

GRTL

68

37

15

B*

Dusky flycatcher

DUFL

2

Unknown flycatcher

UNFL

1

2

Tree swallow

TRES

10

Violet-green swallow

VGSW

2

8

B*

W,C,R

Sn,Cl,T

Common raven

CORA

16

1

2

R

Mountain chickadee

MOCH

7

4

R

Red-breasted nuthatch

RBNU

1

House wren

HOWR

9

10

13

B*

R,W,C

D,Sn

Rock WTen

ROWR

3

3

1

B*

SS

G.Cr

Ruby-crowned kinglet

RCKI

Species

w/in 50 m

Season

Habitat

Nest Loc.

OG/S PB

CC

Mountain bluebird MOBL

Hermit thrush HETH

American robin AMRO

Yellow-rumped warbler AUWA
Black- throated gray warbler BTYW

Unknown warbler UNWA

Green-tailed towhee GTTO

Vesper sparrow VESP

Chipping sparrow CHSP

Brewer's sparrow BRSP

Dark-eyed junco DEJU

44 32

10 1

30 6

4 3

3

1

7
5

70
1

35

26

32

5

8

12

11
13
10
12

B*
B*
R*

B*
B*

B*

ss,w,c

Sn,T

c,w

C,W,R

D/C.S

C,R

D/C

w

D/C

SS,W,R

S,G

B*

B*

B*

R*

Red-winged blackbird RWBL

Western meadowlark WEME

Brewer's blackbird BRBL

Brown-headed cowbird BHCO

Cassin's finch CAFI

Pine siskin PISI

R*

3
21

53

2
2
1

15

2

WeJIA

C,W,SS
C,W

R,S

D,S
T

Unknown

UNKN

58

20

Totals

483 234 142

Identified Species
Unknown

30 23

4 2

22
3

Season - R=resident, B=breeding, *=neotropical migrant

Habitat Association - C=coniferous and mixed coniferous/deciduous, W=woodland, aspen, mountain

mahogany, juniper, R=riparian, SS=sagebrush, grassland, We=wetland
Nest Location - C=coniferous tree, D=deciduous tree, C/D=coniferous or deciduous tree, Cl=cliff,

Cr=crevice, G=ground, S=shrub, Sn=snag, T=tree

Thirty-two (18 obligate, 14 facultative) species of neotropical migrants were observed overall,
with 25 (17 obligate, 8 facultative) species occurring within 50 m of points.

Gray flycatcher, mountain bluebird, American robin, chipping sparrow, dark-eyed junco, brown-
headed cowbird, and Cassin's finch made up 66% of observations in OG/S plots (Table 1). Gray
flycatcher, mountain bluebird, vesper sparrow, and chipping sparrow made up 54% of
observations in PB plots. Gray flycatcher, house wren, mountain bluebird, green-tailed towhee,
vesper sparrow, chipping sparrow, and Brewer's sparrow made up 73% of observations in CC
plots.

Species diversity and abundance were greatest in OG/S plots and lowest in CC plots (Table 2).
Abundance increased between the first sample and the last sample in OGS plots, whereas diversity
and abundance were greatest in sample 2 for PB and CC plots (Appendix B). Species diversity
and abundance were not different between OG/S and PB plots; however, diversity and abundance
were lower (r2 = 0.239-0.445, P < 0.001) in CC plots than OG/S and PB plots for each sampling
period.

The Sam Noble PB plot had consistently lower species diversity and abundance than all other
plots (r2 = 0.513 - 0.638, P < 0.001). CC plots generally had lower species diversity than OG/S
(P < 0.001); however, there was no consistent pattern for diversity and abundance between
transects and samples.

Similarity indices for species seen within 50 m of the point were greatest for the OG/S-PB
comparison and lowest for the PB-CC comparison (Table 3). Similarity indices between sample
periods were greatest between sample periods 1 (2-16 May) and 2 (17-29 May) and lowest
between sample periods 1 and 3 (1 1-28 June) (Table 4). Rarefaction predicted similar species
diversity in OG/S, PB, and CC areas (Figure 4). Twenty-two species were predicted in OG/S, 20
species were predicted in PB and 21 species were predicted in CC areas when abundance was
held constant between the three areas.

Yearly Variations

Seven species were observed in 1993 that were not observed in 1992 (Canada goose, prairie
falcon, dusky flycatcher, red-breasted nuthatch, yellow warbler, black-headed grosbeak, and
Brewer's blackbird) (Appendix A). Brewer's blackbird and Canada goose were the only species
with more than 2 observations. Eighteen species were observed in 1992 that were not observed
in 1993 (mallard, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, goshawk, great-horned owl, cordillerian
flycatcher, olive-sided flycatcher, western wood pewee, American crow, bushtit, Townsend's
solitaire, sage thrasher, red-eyed vireo, warbling vireo, lazuli bunting, lark sparrow, yellow-
headed blackbird, and western tanager). Great-horned owl, downy woodpecker, common bushtit,
and Townsend's solitaire were the only species with more than 2 observations.

Changes in relative abundance (percentage of total known observations for a given species)
between 1992 and 1993 were variable. Northern flicker numbers decreased in PB plots (5.1%-

Table 2. Average number of bird species and individuals observed within 50 m of points by
treatment for sampling 2 May through 28 June 1993, Owyhee Co., Idaho. Average
number of species includes unique unknowns (ie. unidentified flycatcher species in a
plot with no identified flycatchers).

Treatment

Transect
Location

N

# species

# birds

mean

SD

mean

SD

Old-growth/

Stoneman Cr.

18

3.39

0.52

4.00

0.63

Serai

Rays Res. East

24

4.29

1.92

6.58

3.32

Pleasant Valley

9

4.11

1.05

8.22

2.44

Juniper Mtn

9

4.78

2.05

6.89

3.89

Rays Res. West

12

4.50

1.45

6.67

2.67

Combined

75

4.15

1.57

6.44

2.91

Prescribed

Sam Noble

36

0.89

0.67

1.22

1.20

Burn

Pleasant Valley

24

3.17

1.31

5.08

2.32

Cottonwood Cr.

18

2.17

1.54

3.22

2.32

Combined

78

1.89

1.54

2.87

2.50

Clear Cut

Pleasant Valley

21

1.62

1.32

2.10

1.73

Juniper Mtn

21

1.71

1.06

2.05

1.24

Hanley Cabin

15

1.93

0.88

3.67

3.85

Combined

67

1.74

1.11

2.49

2.41

Table 3, Similarity indices (based on Sorenson's index) for avian species observed in old-

growth/seral (OGS), prescribed burn (PB), and clearcut (CC) stands during May-June,
1993 in Owyhee County, Idaho.

OGS

PB

# spp. in
common

OGS

CC

# spp. in
common

PB

CC

# spp. in
common

50 m

%

30

23
71.7

19

30

22
69.2

18

23

22
66.7

15

similarity

125 m

32

30

%

77.4

similarity

overall

33

31

%

78.1

24

32

25

33

26
79.3

31
78.1

23

30

25

31

26
78.6

31
80.6

22

25

similarity

Table 4. Similarity indices (based on Sorenson's index) for avian species observed during three

sample periods [A = 2-16 May 1993 (Pleasant Valley PB sample A was conducted on 30
May), B = 17-29 May 1993 (Pleasant Valley PB sample B was conducted on 13 June), C =
1 1-28 June 1993] in Owyhee County, Idaho.

A

B

# spp. in
common

A

C

# spp. in
common

B

C

# spp. in
common

50 m

22

23

16

22

26

16

23

26

15

%

67.9

52.4

63.2

similarity

10

1.9%). Gray flycatcher numbers increased in all treatments (OG/S - 10.7%- 16%, PB - 10.6%-
1 7.2, CC - 4.9%-l 1%). Mountain chickadee numbers decreased in OG/S plots (10.2%-1 .6%).
House wren numbers decreased in CC plots (13.4%-9.5%). Mountain bluebird numbers
increased in OG/S plots (6%-10.4%) and decreased in PB (18.2%- 15%) and CC (19.5%-8.8%)
plots. Green-tailed towhee numbers increased in CC plots (6.1%-8.1%). Vesper sparrow
numbers decreased in CC plots (1 5.8%-9.6%). Chipping sparrow numbers decreased in OG/S
(2 1.4%- 16.5%) and CC (19.5%-7.4%) plots and increased in PB plots (1 1.4%- 15%). Dark-eyed
junco numbers increased in OG/S plots (5.2%-8.2%). Brown-headed cowbird numbers decreased
in PB plots (6.4%-0.5%). Cassin's finch numbers increased in OG/S (6.6%- 12.5) and PB (4.2%-
7%) plots.

Number of species (r2 = 0.31, F = 91.1, P < 0.001) and number of birds seen (r2 = 0.25, F = 67.1,
P < 0.001) were different between treatments for 1992 and 1993 combined. However, they were
not different between years (species: F = 2.6, P = 0.107; total: F = 2.7, P = 0.101). Number of
species (r2 = 0.44, F = 28.8, P < 0.001) and number of birds (r2 = 0.37, F = 20.7, P < 0.001)
were different between transects for 1 992 and 1 993 combined. OG/S and the Pleasant Valley PB
transect had greater numbers of species and birds than the other PB and CC transects.

Similarity indices were 3.5% (PB-CC), 7.4% (OG/S-PB), and 16.8% (OG/S-CC) greater in 1993
than in 1992 for the 50 m plots. Indices were even greater when overall numbers were compared.

Discussion

Greater avian abundance and species diversity in OG/S was probably best explained by greater
structural diversity. Understory components were similar between treatments, however, cover
was greater in OG/S than PB or CC treatments (McCoy 1993). While OG/S stands had no
juniper snags and few logs, they had greater diversity and abundance of live junipers. Vegetation
composition and structure in the Pleasant Valley PB closely resembled OG/S stands resulting in
similar avian abundance and diversity (Appendix C). PB treatments with a > 20% kill rate had
relatively open understories that provided less cover for ground foraging species compared to CC
sites with slash.

Weather may have influenced changes in species composition and abundance between years.
Greater precipitation in 1993 than 1992 may have had variable effects on avian populations.
Increased precipitation could result in greater insect and seed production and consequently
greater avian productivity, however, extended cool, wet weather may have caused some nest
failures. Generalist species may have been favored resulting in lower diversity and greater
similarity of avian species between treatments.

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12

Literature Cited

Balda, R.P. and N. Masters. 1980. Avian communities in the pinyon-juniper woodland: a
descriptive analysis. Pages 146-169 in U.S. For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-86.

Burkhardt, J.W. and E. W. Tisdale. 1976. Causes of juniper invasion in southwestern Idaho.
Ecology 57(3):264-270.

Eddleman, L.E. 1984. Ecological studies on wester juniper in central Oregon. Pages 29-35 in
Proceedings - western juniper management short course (T.E. Bedell, editor). Oregon
State University, Corvallis, Oregon.

James, F.C. and S. Rathbun. 1981. Rarefaction, relative abundance, and diversity of avian
communities. Auk 98:785-800.

Maser C. and J.S. Gashwiler. 1978. Interrelationships of wildlife and western juniper. Pages 37-
82 in Proceedings of the western juniper ecology and management workshop (R.E. Martin,
J.E. Dealy, D.L. Caraher, editors). U.S. For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-74. Pac.
Northwest For. and Ran. Exp. Stn., Portland, Oregon.

McCoy, M. 1993. Breeding bird survey of clearcut, prescribed burn, and old-growth/seral stands
of western juniper. CCS report for Boise District, BLM. 12 pp.

McGarigal, K. and W.C. McComb. 1992. Streamside versus upslope breeding bird communities
in the central Oregon coast range. J. Wildl. Manage. 56:10-23.

Meeuwig, R.O. and R.B Murray. 1978. Current research on pinyon-juniper in the Great Basin.
Pages 97-103 in Proceedings of the western juniper ecology and management workshop
(R.E. Martin, J.E. Dealy, D.L. Caraher, editors). U.S. For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-
74. Pac. Northwest For. and Ran. Exp. Stn., Portland, Oregon.

Mueller-Dombois, D. and H. Ellenberg. 1974. Aims and methods of vegetation ecology. John
Wiley and Sons, New York.

O'Meara, T.E., J.B. Haufler, L.H. Stelter, J.G. Nagy. 1981. Nongame wildlife responses to
chaining of pinyon-juniper woodland. J. Wildl. Manage. 45:381-389.

Saab, V.A. and C.R. Groves. 1992. Idaho's migratory landbirds. Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game.
Nongame Leaflet No. 10.

Sedgewick, J.A. 1987. Avian habitat relationships in a pinyon-juniper woodland. Wilson Bull.
99:413-431.

13

and R.A. Ryder. 1987. Effects of chaining pinyon-juniper on nongame wildlife. Pages

541-551 in Proceedings of the pinyon-juniper conference, Reno, Nevada (R.L. Everett,
editor). Int. Mtn Res. Sta., Ogden, Utah.

14

Appendix A. Numbers of birds observed during 2 May through 28 June 1993 at 70 points in old-
growth/seral (OGS), prescribed burn (PB), and clearcut (CC) stands in Owyhee County, Idaho.

All distances

w/in 125

m.

w/in 50 m

Species

Species
Code

OGS

PB

CC

OGS

PB

CC

OGS

PB CC

Canada goose

CAGO

4

Common snipe

COSN

1

5

1

1

5

1

3 1

Turkey vulture

TUVU

2

8

2

1

1

Red-tailed hawk

RTHA

3

5

3

5

3

3

American kestrel

AMKE

5

3

5

3

3

1

Prairie falcon

PRFA

2

2

Mourning dove

MODO

9

4

5

9

4

4

3

1

Great-horned owl

GHOW

2

Common poorwill

COPW

1

1

Common nighthawk

CONI

1

1

Calliope hummingbird

CAHU

1

1

1

1

1 1

Unknown hummingbird

UNHU

3

2

1

3

2

1

2

2 1

Northern flicker

NOFL

20

25

16

19

25

10

9

4 1

Red-naped sapsucker

RNSA

2

2

2

1

1

Downy woodpecker

DOWO

1

1

1

Gray flycatcher

GRFL

84

64

32

84

64

32

68

37 15

Dusky flycatcher

DUFL

2

2

2

Unknown flycatcher

UNFL

1

2

1

2

1

2

Tree swallow

TRES

11

11

10

Violet-green swallow

VGSW

2

10

2

10

2

8

Black-billed magpie

BBMA

1

1

Common raven

CORA

111

14

20

103

4

6

16

1 2

Mountain chickadee

MOCH

10

2

7

10

2

7

7

4

Red-breasted nuthatch

RBNU

1

1

1

House wren

HOWR

13

15

25

13

14

22

9

10 13

Species

Species
Code

All distances
OGS PB CC

w/in 125
OGS PB

m
CC

w/in 50 m

OGS PB

CC

Rock wren

ROWR

7

4

5

7

4

5

3

3

1

Ruby-crowned kinglet

RCKI

2

2

1

2

2

1

2

2

Mountain bluebird

MOBL

68

65

30

68

64

30

44

32

12

Hermit thrush

HETH

38

1

8

36

1

4

10

1

American robin

AMRO

59

24

25

59

23

22

.0

6

5

*■

Yellow warbler

YEWA

1

•

Yellow-rumped warbler
Black-throated gray warbler
Unknown warbler

AUWA
BTYW
UNWA

5
4

1

3

2

5
4

1

3

4
3

1

3

Green-tailed towhee

GTTO

8

2

21

8

2

21

7

11

Vesper sparrow

VESP

7

62

32

7

59

32

5

26

13

Chipping sparrow

CHSP

103

56

16

103

56

16

70

32

10

Brewer's sparrow

BRSP

5

47

49

5

46

49

1

5

12

Dark-eyed junco

DEJU

49

11

1

49

11

35

8

Western meadowlark

WEME

5

21

1

10

2

Red-winged blackbird

RWBL

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

2

Brewer's blackird

BRBL

3

4

19

3

4

19

3

2

9

Brown-headed cowbird

BHCO

25

2

3

25

2

2

21

1

1

Pine siskin

PISI

2

4

2

4

2

4

>

Cassin's finch

CAFI

85

23

8

85

23

8

53

15

2

*

Unknown

UNKN

85

46

23

85

46

23

58

20

6

Totals

Identified species
Unknown

835 523 397 818 49 344 483 234 14

33 31 31 32 30 26 30 23 22

423 423 423

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Appendix C. Transect descriptions for avian population sampling in old-growth/seraL prescribed
burn, and clear cut stands of western juniper in Owyhee County, Idaho.

Old-growth/Seral

Stoneman Creek (6 points) - This transect was located on both sides of the Mud Flat road on a
saddle between two drainages. One point on the west side of the road was in a moderately older-
aged stand with a few trees removed during prior logging activity. The other point on the west
side of the road was located in a younger (estimated <45 years old) serai stand. Points on the east
side of the road were located in primarily old-growth stands ranging from fairly shallow soils with
rocky outcrops to a somewhat deeper soil with moderate-aged (about 100-125 years) trees.
Understory cover was greatest in areas with deeper soils and younger or more open stands of
juniper. The nearest water was approximately one-mile away.

Rays Reservoir East (8 points) - This transect was divided by a series of low rocky ridges and dry
to semi- wet drainages. Old-growth juniper dominated the ridges and upper slopes with younger
(estimated < 75 years old) trees on lower slopes and into meadows. Sample points were generally
located in moderate-aged (50-150 years old) stands. There was a spring and reservoir on the
transect. A clear cut was initiated on the southeast border of the transect in 1994. One point was
clear cut after sampling was completed.

Rays Reservoir West (4 points) - This transect was located on two ridges with old-growth stands
of juniper, bisected by a small semi-wet meadow. A spring also existed on the northwest side of
the transect.

Pleasant Valley (3 points) - This transect was located adjacent to the Pleasant Valley clear cut
transect. The transect was dominated by trees < 100 years old with scattered older (> 150 years
old) trees. Pleasant Valley Creek or the spring on the Rays Reservoir West transect were the
closest water sources.

Juniper Mountain (3 points) - This transect was dominated by moderate-aged (50-80 years old)
trees with old-growth trees on rocky outcrops. This transect had the greatest canopy cover and
sparsest understory. It was located adjacent to a perennial stream.

Prescribed Burn

Sam Noble (12 points) - This site was burned in 1985 with approximately 40-50% kill of junipers.
The stand was fairly open and consisted of younger (<60 years old) trees prior to burning.
Pockets of live junipers were widely scattered throughout the transect. Most of the dead junipers
were still standing during the sample period. Most points were located in fairly open areas with <
half containing some live junipers within 50 m. Water was available within 1/4 to 1 mile to the
west of points in the transect.

Pleasant Valley (8 points) - This site was burned in 1985 with < 20% kill of junipers. The site
contained a mixture of old and moderate aged trees. Burned areas were generally < 50 m in

18

diameter. This transect was very similar in structure to old-growth/seral stands. A reservoir was
located within Vz mile of any point.

Cottonwood Creek (6 points) - The site was burned in 1985. The western portion (2 points)
experienced a <25% kill and was adjacent to a perennial stream. It had a mixture of old and
moderate aged live trees. The eastern portion (4 points) experienced a 45% kill and was located
within Vi mile of water. This portion had been dominated by trees < 65 years old prior to
treatment. Pockets of live juniper remained within 125 m of each point. This site also included
on old-growth/seral point.

Clear Cut

Pleasant Valley (7 points) - This site was cut in 1986-91 The site had fairly shallow soils and was
dominated by old-growth trees prior to cutting. Slash up to 1 m deep was common on the site.
Old-growth stands ringed the site and extended into the cut area. Pleasant Valley Creek and the
spring in Rays Reservoir West were the nearest sources of water.

Hanley Cabin (5 points) - This site was cut in 1990-92. Prior to cutting there was a mixture of
young to old trees in moderately deep soils interspersed with semi-wet to wet stringer meadows.
There was a small (< 5 acres) stand of aspen around a spring on the perimeter of the cut. Slash
up to 1 m deep was common on the site.

Juniper Mountain (7 points) - This site was burned in 1981 and cut in 1982-83. Prior to
treatment, there was a mixture of moderate to old (> 50 years old) junipers. There was a complex
interspersion of live trees, snags, and open spaces after treatment. Some pockets of partially or
un-burned slash were present.

19

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QL 84.2 .L352 no. 97-12

88055390
Breeding bird survey of old
growth/seral, prescribed

i_-'_ivi u;u>i

BLDG50.ST-150A
DENVER FEDERAL CENTER

P.O. BOX 25047
DENVER, COLORADO 80225

Bureau of Land Management

Idaho State Office
1387 S. Vinnell Way
Boise, Idaho 83709

BLM/ID/PT-97/015+1150