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Habitat Establishment, Enhancement and Management for Forest and Grassland Birds in Illinois

By

James R. Herkert, Robert E. Szafoni, Vernon M. Kleen, John E. Schwegman

The Ovenbird is a native ground nesting bird of Illinois woodlands. Its populations have declined dramatically as a result of increased nest predation and cowbird nest parasitism, both resulting from fragmentation of Illinois' forests.

Herkert, James R., Robert E Szafoni, Vernon M. Kleen, and John E. Schwegman.  
     1993.  Habitat establishment, enhancement and management for forest and 
     grassland birds in Illinois.  Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois 
     Department of Conservation, Natural Heritage Technical Publication #1, 
     Springfield, Illinois.  20pp.

Herkert, James R., Robert E Szafoni, Vernon M. Kleen, and John E. Schwegman.  
     1993.  Habitat establishment, enhancement and management for forest and 
     grassland birds in Illinois.  Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois 
     Department of Conservation, Natural Heritage Technical Publication #1, 
     Springfield, Illinois.  Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/manbook/index.htm
     (Version 16JUL97).

• Introduction
• Wildlife Diversity, Edge Effects, and Habitat Fragmentation
• Nest Predation
• Nest Parasitism
• Area Requirements of Forest and Grassland Birds
• How To Use This Guide
• Forest Habitat Guidelines
• Management Guidelines For Forest Tracts
• Grassland Habitat Guidelines
• Management Guidelines For Grassland Areas
• References
• Acknowledgements

Tables

• Table 1 -- Estimated population trends for selected bird species
• Table 2 -- Bird species sensitivity to habitat fragmentation
• Table 3 -- Illinois grassland breeding birds

Figures

• Figure 1 -- Forest fragmentation in southern Illinois
• Figure 2 -- Probability of encountering or attracting area sensitive birds
• Figure 3 -- Distribution of habitat in Illinois
• Figure 4 -- Reforestation strategies for enlarging habitat for birds
• Figure 5 -- Forest management strategies for maintenance and enhancement of birds
• Figure 6 -- Diagram of preferred placement of grassland wildlife areas
• Figure 7 -- Diagram of grassland bird species with respect to vegetation height and density
• Figure 8 -- Diagram of grassland bird species with respect to forb:grass ratio and shrub density

Author Information

James R.Herkert -- is Project Manager for the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board

Robert E. Szafoni -- is a Natural Heritage Biologist for the Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation

Vernon M. Kleen -- is Avian Program Manager for the Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation

John E. Schwegman -- is Botany Program Manager for the Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation

This brochure was made possible by donations to the Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund