Abstract
Stopover habitat, which is used by birds during migration to rest and refuel, is scarce in the American Midwest due to intensive agriculture. Protected woodlots and other small parcels of habitat do exist in the landscape, and may be important for migratory birds to utilize as stopover sites. Here, using mist netting techniques, we documented abundance and age specific patterns of spring and autumn migration at Phillips Tract Research Area, a protected parcel of land comprised of woodlots and mixed grassland plots. We found that 69 migratory species use this site as stopover habitat, and the most common (n ≥ 100 captures across seasons) were Gray Catbird (Dumatella carolinensis), Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), White‑throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), and Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia). Overall, we captured more birds during autumn than spring migration. In contrast, however, we captured more House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), and Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) during spring than autumn migration. We also captured more juveniles than adults during autumn than spring migration, and more adults than juveniles during spring than autumn migration. We conclude that Phillips Tract Research Area supports a diverse number of migratory birds, giving credence to the importance of protecting small parcels of habitat that remain in agricultural landscapes for stopover use by migrants of varied life histories.
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Recommended Citation
Enos, Janice K.; Avara, Michael R.; and Beveroth, Tara A.
(2026)
"Documenting Patterns of Spring and Autumn Bird Bigration at Phillips Tract Research Area, a Stopover Site in the American Midwest,"
North American Bird Bander: Vol. 51
:
Iss.
1
, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/nabb/vol51/iss1/3