Managing Small Forest Patches for Birds A Guide for Ohio Landowners About this Guide This guide is written for land managers and property owners of small woodlots seeking to improve forest conditions for birds across their Contents full annual life cycle: breeding, migration, and wintering. Recommendations are based on Acknowledgements 1 multiple research studies conducted in Ohio and Section 1: Executive summary of small forest 3 similar “small patch” forest ecosystems through patch management recommendations the Midwest and eastern North America. Section 2: Managing for small forest patches 4 and the full life cycle of Ohio birds Section 3: A guide to forest types in Ohio 8 Section 4: Incorporating small forest patches 12 into the landscape Section 5: Enhancing forest composition and 18 structure Section 6: Managing wet woods 26 Section 7: Additional considerations, beneficial 29 attractants, and harmful practices to avoid Section 8: Management techniques 33 Appendix: Common and scientific names for 38 referenced flora and fauna Literature Cited 40 Acknowledgements Financial support: The majority of funding for this work has been provided through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)–Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the State Wildlife Grant program, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program (W-134-P, Wildlife Management in Ohio), and the Ohio Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund, which consists of funds raised through the state income tax check-off program, sales of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, and the purchase of Cardinal license plates. Printing of this publication was funded by Holden Forests & Gardens, which operates The Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden. Contributors: Tom Macy and Kathy Smith made helpful contributions to this work. We also appreciate the external reviews by the following: Dave Apsley, Beverlee Jobrack, Lori Stevenson, Jason Van Houten, Alan Walter, Mark Wiley, Kelly Williams, and Jessica Wise. We would also like to thank the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative’s Steering Committee for their support, patience, and input through this process: Chair – Kim Kaufman, Vice-chair – August Froehlich, Secretary – John Watts, Treasurer – Stephen Matthews, Steve Blatt, Annie Lindsay, Stefan Gleissberg, Connie Hausman, Kate Parsons, Cotton Randall, Mike Reynolds, Katrina Schultes, and Greg Smith. Cover and header photos: Front cover: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo, and White-breasted Nuthatch by Matthew B. Shumar. Aerial view of northwestern Ohio by Laura J. Kearns/ODNR-Division of Wildlife. Inside cover: Matthew B. Shumar. Back cover: Aerial view of suburban and agricultural woodlots by Laura J. Kearns/ODNR-Division of Wildlife. Section 1 header: aerial photo by Laura J. Kearns/ODNR- Division of Wildlife. Section 2 header: Nashville Warbler by Matthew B. Shumar. Section 3 header: Canada Warbler by Nina Harfmann/ODNR-Division of Wildlife. Section 4 header: aerial photo by Laura J. Kearns/ ODNR-Division of Wildlife. Section 5 header: forest understory by Matthew B. Shumar. Section 6 header: Great Blue Heron rookery by Nina Harfmann/ODNR-Division of Wildlife. Section 7 header: Red-headed Woodpecker by Matthew B. Shumar. Section 8 header: Yellow Warbler by Matthew B. Shumar. Appendix header: Louisiana Waterthrush by Darin J. McNeil. Literature Cited header: Palm Warbler by Tim Daniel/ ODNR-Division of Wildlife. Authors: Laura J. Kearns, Ph.D., ODNR-Division of Wildlife Matthew B. Shumar, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative/The Ohio State University Marne A. Titchenell, The Ohio State University Amanda M. Duren, Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture/American Bird Conservancy Jennifer L. Thieme, University of Minnesota Erin B. Cashion, Ohio History Connection Stephen N. Matthews, Ph.D., The Ohio State University John Mueller, ODNR-Division of Forestry Christopher M. Tonra, Ph.D., The Ohio State University Mark C. Shieldcastle, Black Swamp Bird Observatory Suggested citation: Kearns, L. J., M. B. Shumar, M. A. Titchenell, A. M. Duren, J. L. Thieme, E. B. Cashion, S. N. Matthews, J. Mueller, C. M. Tonra, and M. C. Shieldcastle. 2019. Managing small forest patches for birds: a guide for Ohio landowners. Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Columbus, OH. 1 Red-headed Woodpecker. Photo by Nina Harfmann/ODNR-Division of Wildlife. 2 Section 1: Executive summary of small forest patch management recommendations Despite global conservation efforts and successes, many In Ohio, approximately 85% of forests are owned and bird species have continued to decline over the past managed privately. Thus, private landowners can have a century. Many of these species rely on forests for part tremendous impact on improving forest habitat for birds. of or all their lives. Although a variety of birds require Additionally, federal, state, and local government resources large tracts of forests, particularly for breeding, during can provide help in the form of technical and financial other stages of their life cycle, they can still benefit from assistance. smaller fragments, or “small patches,” of forest scattered throughout a non-forested landscape. Other bird species The value of a forest patch to birds strongly depends on may also rely on these small patches throughout their life interactions among patch size, tree species composition, cycle. This guide is written for landowners and managers the forest structure, and the surrounding landscape. Thus, of small forest patches seeking to improve forest conditions several management practices can help to improve forest for birds. Recommendations are based on multiple research patches. The first step is to contact a local natural resource studies conducted in Ohio and similar “small patch” forest professional and develop a management plan for your ecosystems throughout the Midwest and eastern North property. Then, where applicable, include the following America. practices: Ohio was once covered in forest, but since European 1. Remove and control invasive plant species settlement, human activities have caused deforestation 2. Manage for native fruiting shrubs, trees, and vines throughout the state. In southeastern Ohio, much of 3. Manage for a diversity of tree species the forest has regrown, but in the rest of the state, forest 4. Manage for a high abundance and diversity of native insects remains in the form of small forest patches (2.5-250 5. Enhance vertical structure within the small patch 6. Reduce “hard” edges along forest patches acres/1-100 ha), scattered throughout an agricultural and 7. Create shrubby or forested corridors to connect small patches urban landscape. 8. Create small canopy gaps in patches greater than 20 acres 9. Create brush piles and leave some dead trees standing Generally, the more forest cover that is available in the 10. Limit browse and grazing damage from deer and livestock landscape surrounding a forest patch, the more functional 11. Consider successional stage that individual forest patch will be for birds. Fortunately, 12. Leave wet forests intact and allow for standing water even small forest patches within less-forested landscapes, when dominated by native species of trees and shrubs, Again, before starting any management, work with a local can be important habitat for resident and migrant birds natural resource professional to develop a management during breeding, migration, and overwintering periods. plan for your property and to find sources of financial During the breeding season, these patches provide nesting assistance, if necessary. habitat, abundant food sources for young birds, and cover from predators. In migration, small forest patches provide food and cover when birds need to stop to rest and refuel. Finally, in winter, birds rely on both food, such as berries, seeds, and nuts, and the cover from small forest patches to protect them from predators and winter weather. 3 Section 2: Managing for small forest patches and the full life cycle of Ohio birds Introduction forested landscape (see Figure 2.2 for example). Ecologists often refer to an area containing smaller forest patches as a Birds not only provide delight and awe, but also important fragmented landscape (see Figure 2.3). A small forest patch ecological services such as seed dispersal, pollination, has different characteristics than forest in a contiguously and pest control. Over 400 species of birds use the Ohio forested landscape, including different vegetation landscape, and nearly half of these are considered forest or communities and microclimates. Some bird species such shrubland-dependent. Unfortunately, many species are in as Northern Cardinal and American Robin are generalists decline; nine forest/shrubland bird species are listed within and may be able to utilize small or lower quality forest Ohio as endangered or as species of concern, and 19 more patches, while others such as Scarlet Tanager and Ovenbird are listed as species of greatest conservation need in Ohio’s may be area sensitive or require conditions present only in State Wildlife Action Plan (ODNR-DOW 2015). In the larger forested landscapes. face of ongoing landcover change, forest owners can make important contributions to conservation: managing for healthy forests is an effective tool to conserve populations of birds throughout their entire life-cycle. Within Ohio, however, most forests are privately owned by farmers or families that lack professional forestry training. In light of this, the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (OBCI) has