Turnover of neotropical migrant birds in eleven year old clear cuts during July

Abstract

Capture and release of birds via mist net and banding techniques has proven to be one of the best way to census turnover or persistence of birds during migration, breeding, and post-breeding seasons. Our study looked at recapture rates in neotropical migrant birds using mist net and banding techniques on the edge of an eleven year old clear cut as part of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project. Our study took place during the month of July which is considered post breeding season. The initial data for this study was taken at the beginning of July and the follow up data was taken at the end of July. The purpose was to see if birds banded during the first part of July would persist in these same territories or if the majority of birds captured would be new captures. If the latter is the outcome then it is to be assumed that most birds in the post-breeding season are not keeping territories. We believe that we will have increased rates of new captures over recaptured birds. Most of the individuals being captured are hatch year birds considered to be both early succession and mature forest species. This could mean that they are using the clear cuts for several reasons; including abundant resources, less predation, or dispersal.