Abundance and Habitat Associations of Winter and Spring Birds on a Reclaimed Surface Mine (The Wilds) in Ohio, USA

Several studies have examined how grassland birds use reclaimed surface mines during the breeding season, but few documented these areas winter and early spring months. Using point counts, occupying a surface-mine site in southeastern Ohio were surveyed from late December 2020 to April 2021. The primary objective was document bird abundance species richness across temporal gradient spanning through Additionally, composition habitat patches dominated by cool-season plants single warm-season plot switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). A total of 1,452 sightings made consisting 40 7 orders. Songbirds (order Passeriformes) comprised 60% all sightings, most (53%) Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Thirty-nine observed on sites versus 13 plot. Species including returning Meadowlarks, Henslow's (Centronyx henslowii), Field (Spizella pusilla) common plots, uncommon or absent Conversely, had more wintering American Tree (Spizelloides arborea) Swamp georgiana). Return rates long-distance migratory fell within time frames for as obtained previous this region. diverse structure portions study attracted some species, prey, well several species.