Report on Breeding Bird Survey in Ridgewood Precinct
Dr. Sue Cosens
Citizens for Charleswood Habitat Protection
In response to the proposed residential development in the Ridgewood Precinct south of Charleswood, the Citizens for Charleswood Habitat Protection (CCHP) undertook a breeding bird survey in key habitats throughout the precinct. The survey was done to document bird species nesting not only in natural areas that CCHP and Charleswood Historical Society would like to see protected but also in habitats throughout the precinct that contribute to biodiversity in Charleswood and adjoining lands. Bill Grassick and Sue Cosens conducted the surveys.
The method used was similar to that used by Native Plant Solutions, in their surveys of Qualico owned property. Ten observation sites, located in areas of interest to either CCHP or the Charleswood Historical Society (Figure 1), were selected. Sites were at least 250 m apart. Habitats included in the survey area were oak and aspen forest, grassland, willow wetland and wet meadow (Table 1). After using a GPS to locate an observation site, 1 minute elapsed before beginning observations. Species and locations of all birds heard and seen were then recorded for 5 minutes. Sue Cosens recorded species and location by ear using songs and calls and also by visual identification. Bill Grassick used a cell phone with a recording feature to record songs and calls while on site. Recordings were later checked to confirm species identifications. Species seen or heard en route to observation sites or outside of the normal observation time period were also noted.
Citizens for Charleswood Habitat Protection
In response to the proposed residential development in the Ridgewood Precinct south of Charleswood, the Citizens for Charleswood Habitat Protection (CCHP) undertook a breeding bird survey in key habitats throughout the precinct. The survey was done to document bird species nesting not only in natural areas that CCHP and Charleswood Historical Society would like to see protected but also in habitats throughout the precinct that contribute to biodiversity in Charleswood and adjoining lands. Bill Grassick and Sue Cosens conducted the surveys.
The method used was similar to that used by Native Plant Solutions, in their surveys of Qualico owned property. Ten observation sites, located in areas of interest to either CCHP or the Charleswood Historical Society (Figure 1), were selected. Sites were at least 250 m apart. Habitats included in the survey area were oak and aspen forest, grassland, willow wetland and wet meadow (Table 1). After using a GPS to locate an observation site, 1 minute elapsed before beginning observations. Species and locations of all birds heard and seen were then recorded for 5 minutes. Sue Cosens recorded species and location by ear using songs and calls and also by visual identification. Bill Grassick used a cell phone with a recording feature to record songs and calls while on site. Recordings were later checked to confirm species identifications. Species seen or heard en route to observation sites or outside of the normal observation time period were also noted.
Figure 1. Locations of bird observation sites in Ridgewood Precinct.
Observations were made on June 10 from 04:50 to 08:53 and June 23 from 04:37 to 07:42. The order in which sites were surveyed was reversed between the two days. We began recording observations on the western edge of the survey area on June 10 (sites 9 and 10) and at the eastern end (sites 1 and 2) on June 23. Conditions were calm on both days and extremely foggy on June 10. To facilitate recording the locations of singing birds, a 360o sighting map was used to plot distance and direction of birds from the observer (Figure 2). As birds were heard or seen, their approximate location and direction were marked on the map using abbreviations for species names.
A total of 31 species were heard or seen during the breeding bird survey (Table 2). Some species like the
American Crow, Clay-colored Sparrow and American Goldfinch were found at most observation sites.
Others such as Canada Geese, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Western Meadowlark, Bobolink, White-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, Sedge Wren, House Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Chipping Sparrow and Swamp Sparrow were uncommon, being recorded at only one or two sites. The Mallard was noted while en route to Site 5 and the Sora Rail was heard at Site 1 while the observers were approaching their observation position. Both were included in the total species count. The Canada Geese were heard some distance from the observation site and it could be that they do not really breed in the precinct but rather occur in adjacent areas such as the agricultural fields south of Wilkes Avenue.
Sites which included the highest number of species were 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8 with 12 or 13 species recorded. Sites 1 and 3 were wetlands near the Harte Trail (Figure 1, Table 1). Not only were the wetland species recorded at these locations, but the woodland species associated with the trail were also noted. Similarly, sites 7 and 8 (Figure 1, Table 1) were located in transition areas where species, representative of different habitats, were recorded. Site 8 was located near housing, thus species like House Wrens and House Sparrows were found.
CCHP maintains that at least 25% of the developable land in the Ridgewood Precinct should be set aside from development as natural area. The development plan does include as much as 15% natural area and green space which includes some of the forest on both the east and west ends of the precinct. We recommend protecting as much forest a possible and preserving its integrity by routing roads around rather than through treed areas. We also recommend that wetlands and grasslands be set aside. Site 1 is a small wetland that would be easy to protect and its proximity to the Harte Trail would help to maintain a block of integrated habitat that would contribute to maintaining the area’s biodiversity. Similarly, site 3 is a wetland but it differs in structure from site 1 in that it is part of an extensive network of willow thickets and wet meadow. Much of this habitat is slated for development as a drainage network of retention ponds. We recommend setting aside 8 to 10 acres of willow wetland from drainage and development to protect nesting areas of uncommon species like Swamp Sparrows. Setting aside an area adjacent to the trail would again maintain habitat integrity and biodiversity and greatly benefit the trail system.
Sites 5 through 8 and sites 9 and 10 were located in areas of interest to the Charleswood Historical Society because of the presence of the remnants of historic trails. CHS and CCHP would like to see preservation of these heritage sites. Proximity to the Harte Trail would contribute to habitat integrity as well as their heritage value.
American Crow, Clay-colored Sparrow and American Goldfinch were found at most observation sites.
Others such as Canada Geese, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Western Meadowlark, Bobolink, White-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, Sedge Wren, House Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Chipping Sparrow and Swamp Sparrow were uncommon, being recorded at only one or two sites. The Mallard was noted while en route to Site 5 and the Sora Rail was heard at Site 1 while the observers were approaching their observation position. Both were included in the total species count. The Canada Geese were heard some distance from the observation site and it could be that they do not really breed in the precinct but rather occur in adjacent areas such as the agricultural fields south of Wilkes Avenue.
Sites which included the highest number of species were 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8 with 12 or 13 species recorded. Sites 1 and 3 were wetlands near the Harte Trail (Figure 1, Table 1). Not only were the wetland species recorded at these locations, but the woodland species associated with the trail were also noted. Similarly, sites 7 and 8 (Figure 1, Table 1) were located in transition areas where species, representative of different habitats, were recorded. Site 8 was located near housing, thus species like House Wrens and House Sparrows were found.
CCHP maintains that at least 25% of the developable land in the Ridgewood Precinct should be set aside from development as natural area. The development plan does include as much as 15% natural area and green space which includes some of the forest on both the east and west ends of the precinct. We recommend protecting as much forest a possible and preserving its integrity by routing roads around rather than through treed areas. We also recommend that wetlands and grasslands be set aside. Site 1 is a small wetland that would be easy to protect and its proximity to the Harte Trail would help to maintain a block of integrated habitat that would contribute to maintaining the area’s biodiversity. Similarly, site 3 is a wetland but it differs in structure from site 1 in that it is part of an extensive network of willow thickets and wet meadow. Much of this habitat is slated for development as a drainage network of retention ponds. We recommend setting aside 8 to 10 acres of willow wetland from drainage and development to protect nesting areas of uncommon species like Swamp Sparrows. Setting aside an area adjacent to the trail would again maintain habitat integrity and biodiversity and greatly benefit the trail system.
Sites 5 through 8 and sites 9 and 10 were located in areas of interest to the Charleswood Historical Society because of the presence of the remnants of historic trails. CHS and CCHP would like to see preservation of these heritage sites. Proximity to the Harte Trail would contribute to habitat integrity as well as their heritage value.
*Probable migrant, ** Well over 100 m away, *** Seen en route
