Page 16 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 2 - Spring 2021

BIRD FRIENDLY FORESTS:
OPPORTUNITIES for Private Forest Owners in the Southeastern United States
You can view and download a copy of the
BIRD FRIENDLY FORESTS BOOKLET at https://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ Bird-friendly-Forests-booklet-FINAL.pdf.
A limited number of hard copies are available by contacting info@gfagrow.org.
These recommendations are most likely to benefit birds when your property is surrounded mostly by large forested areas. Birds you can expect when you allow for these overall recommendations include the barred owl, swallow-tailed kite, wild turkey, hooded warbler, indigo bunting, Bachman’s sparrow, great blue heron, eastern towhee, northern cardinal, Carolina wren and so many more. If your property is surrounded by intensive agriculture or development, be aware that small stands or narrow strips of vegetation or forest could result in loss of nests and reduction of young birds fledging due to predators and brown-headed cowbird nest parasitism.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Final Harvest
Conducting a final harvest, generally a clearcut in southern pine forests, will have a significant effect on bird habitat. Although some birds associated with older-age-class forests will most likely be negatively affected by a harvest, particularly if there is not older forest nearby, the new forest will create habitat conditions suitable for many bird species that require younger forests. These are known as early successional bird species or birds that are dependent on young forest conditions. Managers have several opportunities to enhance habitat conditions for birds after the final harvest. Examples include: leaving forested buffers along streams as wide as possible, starting with 50 feet on each side; retaining a generous number of both live and dead trees for perching, foraging and nesting by birds; varying clearcut size and shape, avoiding square or rectangular edges; and keeping it messy by leaving snags, downed tops, small trees and other structures.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Stand Establishment
Decisions made at regeneration, such as site preparation, tree spacing and retention areas, will have lasting influences throughout the life of the stand. The choices you make at stand establishment will determine habitat quality for birds both within the stand and in adjacent stands. Plant the tree species that is best suited for the site. Spacing: wider spacing allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor and encourage growth of native plants. Soften stand edges: leave some areas adjacent to roads and SMZs untreated to allow for a transition of vegetation that can provide escape cover, nesting sites and food for birds.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Thinning
Thinning provides a financial return early in a stand’s rotation, improves growth of remaining trees, and enhances quality of wildlife habitat in planted pine stands. Open canopies allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, which in turn stimulates growth of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Thinning should occur as soon as feasible after crown closure.
THIS PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE, INC. EDITORIAL AND PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPORT FROM: KEN MEYER, AVIAN RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION INSTITUTE; DARREN
MILLER, FORMERLY WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY, CURRENTLY NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR AIR AND STREAM IMPROVEMENT, INC. (NCASI); BEN WIGLEY, NCASI; JONATHAN LOWERY, THE WESTERVELT COMPANY; CLIFF SHACKLEFORD, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT; DAVE CUPP, WALSH TIMBER COMPANY; JIM RAKESTRAW, IP; DESIGN AND LAYOUT: GEMMA RADKO, ABC.
Red-headed Woodpecker
14 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
KARL KRUEGER