Summary

Description

This study conducted a baseline inventory of nongame bird communities and habitat components at wetland types within three wildlife refuges in Wisconsin; Horicon, Necedah, and Trempealeau. Baseline data are essential to monitor nongame bird population changes in wetland complexes that occur within areas such as federal refuges. The primary objectives of this study were to: 1 estimate relative abundance of all bird species detected and determine density indices for common bird species, 2 calculate species richness and density indices for avian communities, and 3 recommend a longterm monitoring strategy for surveying and managing avian communities in wetland habitat types within each refuge. This study provides a baseline for assessing changes to marsh and sedge meadow bird populations. A secondary objective was to describe the dominant habitat characteristics at sites surveyed in each refuge for eventual birdhabitat association studies.