Avifauna in Maritime Forest and Shrub Habitats on NSB Kings Bay

vol. 77 • 3- 4
THE ORIOLE
Journal of the Georgia Omitholog1cal Society
TllEORIOlE
61
AVI FAUNA IN MARITIME FOREST AND SHRUB
HABITATS ON NAVY SUBMARI NE BASE K I NGS BAY I N
SOUTHEASTERN GEORGI A
Larr) Bryan
Samflnah Rm:r £<-ology laboratory
Aileen. SC 29801
lbr1m1rt1.frel11ga etlu
Ch ris Depkin
Samflnalr Ri1·er Ecol01:.1• loboratory
Ailee,,, SC 29801
Paul Schoenfeld
NAVFAC Sm11/retut
Nm'.I' Submarine Base
Kings Bay. GA 31547
Susan Wilde
D. B. Warnell School of Fore.11ry and Na111ral Resources
Ufliw:rsity ofGeorgia, Athen.s, GA 30602
l ntroduceion
\l>lumc.-n
21112
Numhc:r. J - 4 ]
The diverse habitats of the South Atlnntic and Gul f coastal regions,
including various forest and shrub types and fresh- and saltwater marshes,
provide valuable resources for many avian species (Johnson et al. 1974, Bellis
and Keough 1995). Maritime forelols, shrublnnds and marsh hammocks (i.e.,
raised topographic features 111 salt marshes) along these co.1sts are particularly
important habitats for songbirds. especially Ncotropical migrants moving to
and from their breed111g and "intenng sites (Cohrs and Cohrs 199-1. Moore et al.
1995. Hunter et al. 2001. Brinam ct ol. 2010) Migratory species tend to utilize
a series of "islands·· of stopover habitat>. mcludmg forests and shrublands,
for shelter and "refueling·· during their tra\els (Able 1999, Moore and Aborn
2000). In fact. marsh hammocl!. may be criucal stopo\er habitat for migrants
(Co' 1988. Cohrs and Cohrs 199-1. Somershoe and Chandler 2004). Studies of
Georgia and South Carolina mal'h ham mods 111" mter and spnng documented
>110 a"an ~pce1c' and \uggc,tcd that spc~ic• richne-s "as associated "ith
hamrll<><:k 'i1c (l-al>r11io and ("al\I 20m. Whnakcr ct al. 200-I).
68
THEORJOLE
"°'·
77 . J . 4
Broad-leaf maruome fon:>ts are typically dominated b> Ll\cOaks(Querrnr
wrgmwna), "' hercas martllme shrublands are dominated by thickets of Sa"'
Palmelto (Serenoa repem). Yaupon Holly (/lex 1·om1111ri11), and/or Wax Myrtle
(Morella cerifera). T hese habitats range in size from contiguous stands on the
mainland and barrierfsca islands covering do7ens or hundreds of hectares to
•mailer patches on marsh islands and hammocks covering just a few hectares.
Permanent and summer re;,idcnt bird species of regiona l concern occurring in
the..: forest and shrub habitats include the Common Ground-Do'e (Columbina
f'<L\.terina) and Painted Bunting (Passerino c1r11). rc'pecll\ely (Hunter et al.
2001. Atlantic Coast Joint Venture and U.S. Fish and Woldhfe Service 2008).
Relatively fe" recem avinn studies ha'e been conducted in marllime
habitats in the South Atlantic region. Bri11a1n cl a l (2010) documented 55
species during 2 breed ing season surveys on Sapelo lslund. Georgia, and found
several species/habitat rclntionshi ps for species of concern. ' I hese relationships,
wh ich suggest the importance of maritime forest and shrub habitats in
combination with adjacent hab11a1s (e.g., sah marsh) 10 ;,pecific avifauna (e.g.,
Painted Bunting), "ere later confirmed by stable ''°lope analyses of feathers
of Georgia coas1al borJ, (8ri11a1n et al. 2012). Add111onally. Springborn and
,\ fc)crs (2005) documented the importance of a dl\er,,1t> of coastal hab11a1s.
1nduding man11me forc,t, shrub and sahmarsh. 10 the conser•ation of the
dcd mmg Painted Bunting (Springboro and Meyers 2005). T hese important
uvit111 habitat;, a rc nt risk, primarily due 10 both development and sea level
ri\c (SLR) (Brillnin and ('raft 2012). Development is the principal factor in
the acreage decline of coa;,tal hardwood/maritime forest hab11a1s. whereas SLR
poses the greatest ri'k 10 the loss of maritime shrub hab11ats
The a' ifauna of the mainland component of Kong'> Bay 1'avy Submarine
Base (1'SB). "uh in the South Atlantic coastal region. has bttn pre' iou,Jy
documented dunng muh1ple suneying effort>. Kepler and Sykes (1996)
employed point counts 1n ;,pring 10 document the occurrence of 38 and 47
species on NSB in maruime forest and shrub hab11a1s. rcspecuvely. Using the
same methodology in spring. Burst and Fleming (2005) documented 29 and 45
species in the same hnbitnt types, respectively, in 2004-2005. Also, Forsythe
(2005) censused winter birds along established routes on the facility in 2004
and 2005, recording 31 and 27 species in mari11me forc'>I and maritime shrub
habitats. respecll\ ely.
In 2010. \\e initiated a 2-)car project 10 document \\Inter and spnng
a\lfauna u1ili1mg 1he maritime forestand shrub habotal' of 1'SB. "ith emphasis
on recording occurr..:n1.:c' and ob!)Cr\.ation rate~ of spcc.:1cs of concern and ·or
W>I 77 • J 4
THE ORIOLE
69
listed species. Add111onally. "e examined species occurrence relative to the
"form·· (i e .. main land versus island) of these 2 habuat types.
Methods
Study Area
The NSB 1s located in Camden County, Georgia." ilhin the South Atlantic
Coastal Plain. The ms1alla1ion comprises appro•imately 6475 ha, including a
variety of habitats ranging from urban ·'d e,cloped areas 10 pine plantation to
maritime forest (Ll\e Oak}shrublands 10 sail marsh/open water. Thus. the base
provides habitat fora variety ofav1fauna, including resident and migrant species
of concern. Approximately 768 ha of maritime forest habitat exist on the NSB,
with 737 ha on the mainland component of the base. and 31 ha associated with
marsh hammoc~s and Drum Point Island Approximately 465 ha of mnritimc
shrub habitat also e•ht on the NSB, "ith 252 ha on the mainland component of
the base, and 213 ha associated" uh the Crab Island dredge containment Mte.
Drum Point Island (22.6 ha). Crab Island, and the 4 surveyed marsh hammocks
(5.1, 2.4, 0.7, and 0.3 ha) are surrounded by sail marsh and some open "ater
habi1a1s.
S11r l'I'ys
Maritime forc;,t and shrub habitats "ere surveyed generally u1ili1ing the
methods. mainland survey routes, and point locations employed in the Forsyth
(2005) and Burst and Fleming (2005) studies. Winter surveys consisted of
multiple timed. meandering SUf\C)IS during November-February. The mainland
components of both maritime hab11at 1ypcs "ere suneyed 4 times (2010 '201 I).
There \\Crc 2 "inter suf'eys of Crab Island (2010'2011: maritime shrub) und
3 winter survey; of Drum Point Island nnd the 2 largest marsh hammocks
(2011/2012; maruimc forests). T he 2 smallest hammocks were only surveyed
twice. One indh idloal (CD) made a ll observations. T hese surveys documented
species occurrence and speciesfbirds obser,ed per hour for each habitat type.
Spring ;urveys consisted of point counts generally following the methods of
Hamel ct al . (!•>%). tallying all birds ob-cncd or heard for a JO-minute period
regardlc" ofJi,tancc, including flyovers. in May-June. All point locauons \\ere
spaced >:?50 m ap.irt and a single count at each point occurred bet\\ecn 30
m111ute' prour Ill •unri'c to J hi'\ J'<hl-Minri,e . . rhcre \\Cle 28 total CStabh;hed
70
TllEORIOLE
•ol_!L:J_, 4
points within maritime forest habitat. including 10 total points on the i>land
component (i.e .• 4 pomts on Drum Point Island and 6 total points on the 4
marsh hammocks, including 2 each on the 2 larger hammocks). There "ere 26
toial count points in mar111me shrub habitat. including 6 on Crab Island. One
individual (CD) made all obscn a1ions. documenting species occurrence and
average species/birds observed per point.
Avian species abundance dn1a for bo1h (winter and spring) seasonal
surveys were examined rela1ive 10 1he 2 principal habitat lypes: maritime fores!
and maritime shrub. In addi1ion, given the contrast in surveyed habitat types
relative to adjoining habitat types (i.e., upland versus salt marsh/open water),
we further examined avifauna in island/hammock habitat types (maritime
oak and shrubland) relative to similar mainland habitat types. We arbitrarily
defined "common" or more abundant species as those averaging >S individuals
per hour (ind/hr) for wmter sur,eys and >I individual per point (md/point)
for spring point counts. Scientific names of all observed avifauna are listed in
Tables 2 and 3.
Specit•• ofConcern
Although all species detected per 1he methodology above were recorded,
special consideration was given to those species lis1ed as "Highest" and "lligh"
priority in the South Atlantic Migratory Bird Initiative Conservation Plan
(SAMBI) (A1lan1ic Coast Joint Venture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2008) and/or lis1ed as "Ex1rcmely lligh" and " High" priori1y species for 1he
South Atlantic Region by Partners in flight (PIF) (Hunter et al. 2001).
Resulu
Q,eraJI. 117 avian species \\ere observed m the 2 maritime hab1ta1s during
the study. including 31 species of concern (Tables 1-3). Surveys m maritime
forest habitats documen1ed 69 avian species during winter and 47 species
during spring, including 12 and 10 species of concern, respect1Vely. Suneys
in mari1ime shrub habitats documented 60 avian species during winter and 61
species during spring, includ ing II and 17 species of concern, respectively. For
mari1ime forest habitats, our surveys suggested thal overall species abundance
was greater during the winter lhun spring for both habitat forms (i.e., main land
and island), w ith an especially pronounced difference in abundance of bird
species suggested bet "ecn seasons 1n island forests (Table I). For maritime
vol. 77 • J - 4
THEORJOLE
71
shrub habitats. O\erall seasonal bird species abundance "as relau,ely equal,
although spring abundance was greater for 1he mainland shrublands and
winier abundance "as greater for the island shrublands (Table I). The most
common winter species recorded included Ycllo"-rumped Warbler, American
Robin. Northern Cardinal. and Sa\annah Sparro"· "hereas Nor1hern Cardmal.
Carolina Wren, and Whue Ibis were mos1 common in spring ;urvcys.
The mos1 common winter species recorded in both habitat 1ypes and
forms were Yellow-rumped Warblers, whose observations ranged from 10-30
ind/hr, and American Robins, whose observa1ions ranged from 4-45 ind/hr
among all habitat types nnd forms excepl island maritime shrub. where they
were not seen. Other common (>S ind/hr) species in winier mainland marilime
forest habitats were Turkey Vulture, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Tufted Ti1mouse.
and Red-helhed Woodpecker. Species common to both mamland and island
maritime shrublands m wm1er \\ere Savannah Sparro" and Mournmg Do\e
The most common species recorded in spring among all hab11at types and
forms were Northern Cardinal. a'eraging > I ind/point.. and Carolina Wren,
averaging 1.28 ind point in forests and 0.6 ind/point in shrub habitat. Common,
habitat-specific sprmg species included Bobolink (2.8 1ndipo1nt) and Northern
Parula (1.28 1nd1po1nt). \\hich \\ere found in mainland maritime forests, and
White Ibis (>2 ind/point)." hich was found in maritime shrub habitats.
The 31 species of concern observed included resident, spring resident
(breeding season). and migrants; several exhibited habitat-related and/or
seasonal trends in occu rrence (Table 2). Wood Stork and Eastern Towhee were
observed during both seasonal (winter and spring) surveys in all mari1ime
habitats and forms. Northern Parula was also observed during both seasonal
surveys, but primarily m mainland and island maritime forest habitats during
the spring. Common Ground-Do'e and Loggerhead Shrike \\ere observed
during "inter and spring in maritime shrub habitals. although 1he grounddo'es "ere more pre,alcnt on the islands and shrikes \\ere more prevalent on
t.be mamland Painted Buntmg "as observ·ed in mant1me shrub habitats during
spring, as was Willet and SC\eral \\ading bird species of concern (e.g.• Snowy
Egret, Tricolored Heron). Species of concern observed only during winier
surveys included American Kestrel in shrub habitat and several non-resident
sparrows, such as Vesper Sparrow, in or adjacent to maritime forest or shrub
habitats (Table 2).
Observation rales for the more common species of concern were highly
variable among habitnt> and seasons, although none averaged >S ind/hr during
winier surveys. and only 6 species exceeded I ind/hr in winter (Table 2). For 1he
72
THE ORIOLE
..01. 77. 3- 4
spring surveys, White Ibis was common (>I ind/point) in mainland maritime
forest and both maritime shrub forms. Common Ground-Dove, Eastern Towhee,
and Painted Bunting were also common in island maritime shrub habitats, and
Northern Parula was common with in mainland maritime forest habitat.
Discussion
The NSB offers multiple diverse and apparently resource-abundant habitats
for winter resident, spring resident (breeding season), and migratory avifauna.
Overall species abundance observed here was somewhat similar to that reported
from other South Atlantic coastal habitats (Fabrizio and Calvi 2003, Whitaker
et al. 2004, Brittain et al. 2010), as wel l as to earlier surveys ofNSB (Kepler and
Sykes 1996, Burst and Fleming 2005, Forsythe 2005). As in previous studies,
occurrence of all avian species, including species of concern, varied both by
habitat type (maritime forest vs. shrub), habitat form (mainland vs. island).
and season (winter vs. spring). For example, the increased species abundance
observed in the spring maritime shrub surveys was largely due to sightings
of wading bird and other waterbird species of concern that breed locally on
NSB. However, detailed comparisons to other studies arc problematic due to
differences in methodology and effort.
There are important considerations regarding species abundance recorded at
NSB in this study relative to habitats, habitat forms, and seasonality. Concerning
habitat form (mainland vs. island), the mainland survey areas were generally
embedded in relatively large areas of maritime forest or shrub habitat, and thus
the bird species encountered were likely to be traditionally associated with one
of these specific habitat types. In contrast, the survey areas on the islands were
various-sized (often small) patches of habitat types generally surrounded by
salt marsh habitat and/or open water (e.g., Crab and Drum Point Islands); thus,
several of the observed species may have been be more typically associated
with edge or salt marsh/open water habitats than with maritime forest/shrub
habitats found on islands. For example, several marsh-associated species such
as Marsh Wren , Seaside Sparrow, Nelson·s Sparrow, and Saltmarsh Sparrow
were documented in maritime forests and shrublands on islands. Similarly,
White Ibis, which utilizes salt marshes as foraging habitat, was documented as
a prevalent species in both maritime habitats simply because it was observed in
large flocks flying to marshes during the surveys.
We also note that the mainland habitat surveys in this study were more
rigorous than island habitat surveys relative to the total number of winter
"°'·77 . J - 4
THEORJOLE
73
surveys (4 for the mainland vs. 2-3 per island, respectively) and total number of
survey points (38 points for the mainland vs. 16 for islands). Additionally, survey
methodology varied seasonally (spring point counts vs. winter meandering
walks). These differences in survey effort may have resulted in more and/
or different species recorded. Concerning seasonal trends, the timing of the
surveys was such that the varied arrival/departure times of certain migrants
(e.g., Bobolink) resulted in high counts for these species during the spring
surveys -· a period typically associated with summer resident/breeding birds.
Similarly, Northern f>arula was occasionally observed in late winter surveys,
suggesting a year-round residence, when it likely was just returning to the
region.
Conclusion
Bird species found on the NSB benefit from both diverse and rare habitats,
as well as from the juxtaposition of these habitats within the regional landscape.
Among the 31 documented species of concern were 5 of the region's most atrisk species of concern: Wood Stork (federally endangered species), Painted
Bunting, Loggerhead Shrike, Common Ground-Dove and Saltmarsh Sparrow.
Whereas Wood Stork (and other wading bird species of concern) breeds locally
and utilizes local fresh- and saltwater marshes, Painted Bunting and Common
Ground-Dove, as well as Northern Paruta and Eastern Towhee, are habitatspecialists that typify the avifauna that utilize maritime forest and shrub
habitats within this region and benefit from conservation of these habitats.
Acknowledgements
Tim Keyes of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR)
provided insights helpfu l to the design of this study. Jacob Thompson of the
GDNR provided a habitat map of the NSB. Peter Stangel improved earlier drafts
of this manuscript. The project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Navy to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and, subsequently, to the University of Georgia.
The project was also partially supported by DOE Award Number DE-FC0907SR22506 to the University of Georgia Research Foundation.
74
TllEORIOLE
"'' 77 • .J. 4
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Co1nmon Ground·dove (Columbina passerina)
\Villet (Tringa senu'polnu11a)
(Haemaropus palliarus)
American Oysterc.atcher
Common Moorhen (Gal/im1/a ch/oropu$)
Northern Bobwhite (Colin1Js virginianus)
American Kestrel (Falco spar,-eri11s)
Northern Harrier {Circus cyaneus)
Wood Stork (iWyc1erla amer icana)
White ibis (£udocin111s a/bus)
(Nyctanassa violacea)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
(Nycticorax nycricorax)
Black·crowned Night·Hcron
Lilllc Blue Heron (Egrella caerula)
Tricolored Heron (Egreua tricolor)
Snowy Egret (Egrera rhula)
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentafis)
Species or concern
0.30
0.30
0.30
-
3.35 hr.;
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0.10
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0.19
-
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0.10
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-
8 points
l sland 2
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1.37
.
0.20
-
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-
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0.33
-
-
6.00 hrs
Island'
Winter
1.33
0.67
0.15
0.05
0.17
2.67
-
0.50
0.67
0.33
6 points
-
0.15
12.95
O.IO
-
0.25
0.60
0.25
20 points
Island'
Spring
shrub
Mainland
~1aritime
Table 2. Observation rates' of avian species of concern in maritime forest and maritin1c shrub habitats on Kings Bay Navy Submarine Base, by
season and location, 2010-2012.
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78
THEORJOLE
vol. 77 • J-4
13
77 • J- 4
THEORJOLE
79
Table 3. List of non-species of concern birds observed during winlcr and spring surveys of
maritime fores1 and 1nari1ime shrub habita1s on Kings Bay Novy Sub1narinc Base. 2010·
2012 .
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Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carollnensls)
'0
Double·crested Cormorant
(Phalacrocora.x aurirus)
Carolina Wren (Thyrothorus /udo..,icianus)
g
Great Blue Heron (Ardeo herodios)
House Wren (Troglodytes oedon)
~
Great Egret (Ardell alba)
Sedge Wren (Cis101horus pla1e11si.s)
!:!
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus polustris)
<'.)
Bufflehead (811cephola o/beolo)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regullls
satrapa)
.§
Turkey Vulture (Ca1har1es aura)
Ruby·crowncd Kinglet (Regulus
calendula)
Black Vulture (Cor08)pS otrat11.t)
Blue-gray Gnatcatchcr (Polioptila
caerulea)
Red-shouldered Hawk (811teo lineatus)
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia siolis)
·o .:
Red.tailed Hawk (Buteo1a1na1ce11sis)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
E E
Bald Eagle (Holiaeetus leuc0<:epha/11s)
Hcrmil Thrush (Ca1haru.s gullatus)
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi1)
Gray Catbird (Dun1etella caro/inen.si:r)
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Anhinga (Anhingo anhingo)
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Northern Mockingbird (Mimus
polyglottos)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycil/a cedrorum)
Greater Ycllowlcgs (Tringa n1elot1oleuca)
European Scarling (Sturnus "'"lgaris)
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
c c
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Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
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Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis
celoto)
An1etican Coot (Fulica an1ericana)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Serophogo
coronata)
Clapper Rail (Roi/us longirostris)
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setopltogo
caerulescens)
Killdeer (Charatlrius \'OCiferus)
Palm Warbler (Serophoga palmarum)
I
u
..c ..c
Common Snipe (Gol/inago gallinago)
Pine Warbler (Se1ophaga pinus
c:
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Black-bellied Plover (Pluvlalis squotorolo)
Blackpoll Wartier (Dendroica striato)
~ E
EE
Ring-billed Gull (larus deloworensis)
Yellow·throated Warbler (Dendroica
dominica)
0
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Laughing Gull (Larus atricllla)
Black-and-white \Varbler (A1niorUta \'Orio)
Mourning Dove (Ze,,aida 1nacroura)
American Redstart (Se1ophago ru1icilla)
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80
Tf-IE ORIOLE
Table 3 continued.
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Great Horned 0\vl (Bubo virginianu$)
l'Ol. 77 • 3- 4
THE ORIOLE
Common Yellow1hroa1 (Geo1/ilypis
trichas)
Belted Kingfisher (Megace1yle alcyon)
Yellow-breasted Chat (lc1eria virens)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes
carollnus)
Sumnter Tanager (Piranga rubra)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus
~ariu.t)
Journal of the Georgia Ornithological Society
Ovenbird (Seiurus uurocapilla)
Northern Cardinal (Cardino/is cardinaUs)
=
Volume77
2012
Numbers 3-4
CONTENTS
Downy Woodpecker (Pico1des p11besce11s)
Blue Grosbeak (Passerino caeru/ea)
Pile-ated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
Grea1 Cn:sled Flyca1cher (Myiarchus
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus
sandwichensis)
AVIFAUNA IN MARITIME POREST AND SHRUB HABITATS ON NAVY
Easccrn Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)
\Vhitc·crowned Sparrow (Zonolrichia
leucopltrys)
SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY IN SOUTllEASTERN GEORGIA
Larry Bryan. Chris Depkin. Paul Sclioenfeld, and Susan 117lde ............... ............................ 67
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Song Sparrow (Melospl=a m elodia)
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)
Swamp Sparrow (A1elospi-=tl georgiana)
CURRENT STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OFTllE BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)
Bobolink (Dolicltonyx ory=l\'Oru_t)
Yello\.\·-throa1ed Vireo (Vireo jlavifrons)
Brown·hcaded Cowbird (A10/01hrus au~r)
DUCK (DENDROCYGNA AUTUMNAllS) IN GEORGIA
Gregory D. Balkcom. Bobby T. Bond, and Todd M. Schneider .......................... ........ ..........81
Blue J3y (Cyanocitta cristata)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius
pltoenice1Js)
GENERAL NOTES ..............................................................................................................8.5
American Crow (Corvus brochyrhynchos)
Common Grackle (Qul1calus quiscula)
GOS FALL MEETING ABSTRACTS: 2012 .......................................................................87
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifrogus)
BoaMailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicofor)
Orchard Orio1e (lcterus spurius)
Barn Swallow (Hir1uulo rusfica)
House Finch (Haen1orphous n1exica1111s)
Tuflcd T i1mousc (Baeolophus bicolor)
Anterican Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
crinitus)
IN MEMORIAM: RICHARD A. ··DICK" PARKS
Robcr1 A. Sargem ................... ...............•.................... ...........•.................................. ...........61
FROM THE FIELD: JUNE-JULY 2012 .............................................................................89
FROM THE FIELD: AUGUST · NOVEMBER 2012 ..........................................................98