Nest initiation and end dates for eight grassland bird species in Wisconsin and Illinois
Data files
Aug 15, 2023 version files 185.36 KB
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README.md
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Ribic_and_Herkert-Grassand_Bird-Phenology_Data-Archive.xlsx
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Oct 06, 2023 version files 185.49 KB
Abstract
We used nest records from published grassland bird studies done in Wisconsin and Illinois to compile a dataset for 8 obligate grassland bird species Study sites were clustered in southwestern Wisconsin near Mt. Horeb (43.0167°N, 89.7500°W); sites were located in Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Monroe, and Rock counties. In northern Illinois, study sites were located in Lee, Ogle, Will, Grundy, Carroll, and Jo Daviess counties (40.9822 to 42.2356°N, -87.5433 to -90.3489°W).The dataset consists of 3257 nests with observations on nest initiation date (date first egg laid), nest fate (success, failure), number of fledglings, and nest end date (date the nest either failed or fledged at least one nestling). The species were Bobolink, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark.
README: Nest initiation and end dates for eight grassland bird species in Wisconsin and Illinois
We used nest records from published grassland bird studies done in Wisconsin and Illinois to compile a dataset for 8 obligate grassland bird species Study sites were clustered in southwestern Wisconsin near Mt. Horeb (43.0167N, 89.7500W); sites were located in Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Monroe, and Rock counties. In northern Illinois, study sites were located in Lee, Ogle, Will, Grundy, Carroll, and Jo Daviess counties (40.9822 to 42.2356N, -87.5433 to -90.3489W).The dataset consists of 3257 nests with observations on nest initiation date (date first egg laid), nest fate (success, failure), number of fledglings, and nest end date (date the nest either failed or fledged at least one nestling). The species were Bobolink, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark.
Nest data from all studies were put into a common format of nest initiation date (date first egg laid), nest fate, number of nestlings, and nest end date (date the nest either failed or fledged at least one nestling). We used the fate (success or failure) as assigned by the original researchers. We used the nest initiation and failure dates if recorded by the original researchers. In general, nest initiation dates were estimated based on field notes or digital video (i.e., video-surveillance of nests). In some instances, nests failed within the same nesting stage (laying, incubation, or nestling) in which they were first found. For these cases, nest initiation dates were estimated following Cox et al. (2012. Species and temporal factors affect predator-specific rates of nest predation for forest songbirds in the Midwest. Auk 129:147155) using average species-specific incubation times from Ehrlich et al. (1988. Birders handbook. Simon and Schuster Inc. New York, New York, USA). Nest end dates (date when nest failed or fledged at least one nestling) were either known (e.g., forced fledging during nest checks, digital video, field observations) or estimated. Nest end date was estimated using the mid-point between the dates when the nest was last observed with eggs/nestlings present and when the nest was next observed empty. We used the data to estimate the potential species-specific impacts of disturbance (e.g., mowing, fire) conducted at different dates in the breeding season on nests and fledglings.
Description of the data and file structure
Data were put into an Excel file. The first line of the file is the header followed by 3257 lines of data. There are 10 columns. The columns are as follows.
Nest_ID = unique nest identifier
State = State in which nest was located (Illinois or Wisconsin)
County = County in the state in which nest was located
Habitat = Grassy habitat in which nest was located (pasture, cool-season grassland, warm-season grassland, or prairie)
Species = English common name
Year = Year nest was found
Nest_Fate = Successly fledged at least one young (1) or Failed (0).
Initiation_Date = Coded date when the first egg was laid. April 1 = 1; May 1 = 31; June 1 = 62; July 1 = 92; August 1 = 123; September 1 = 154
Number_Fledged = For a successful nest, number of young in nest on nest end date; For a failed nest, Number_Fledged is 0
Nest_End_Date = Coded date when the nest failed or was successful. April 1 = 1; May 1 = 31; June 1 = 62; July 1 = 92; August 1 = 123; September 1 = 154
Sharing/Access information
Data were derived from the following sources:
- Basili, G. D. 1997. Continental-scale ecology and conservation of Dickcissels. Dissertation, University of WisconsinMadison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
- Byers, C. M., C. A. Ribic, D. W. Sample., J. D. Dadisman, and M. R. Guttery. 2017. Grassland bird productivity in warm season grass fields in southwest Wisconsin. American Midland Naturalist 178:4763.
- Ellison, K. S., C. A. Ribic, D. W. Sample, M. J. Fawcett, and J. D. Dadisman. 2013. Impacts of tree rows on grassland birds and potential nest predators: a removal experiment. PLoS ONE 8(4):e59151. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059151.
- Herkert, J. R., Reinking, D. L., Wiedenfeld, D. A., Winter, M., Zimmerman, J. L., Jensen, W. E., Finck, E. J., Koford, R. R., Wolfe, D. H., Sherrod, S. K. and Jenkins, M. A. 2003. Effects of prairie fragmentation on the nest success of breeding birds in the midcontinental United States. Conservation Biology 17:587594.
- Renfrew, R. B., C. A. Ribic, and J. L. Nack. 2005. Edge avoidance by nesting grassland birds: a futile strategy in a fragmented landscape. The Auk 122:618636.
- Ribic, C. A., M. J. Guzy, T. A. Anderson, D. W. Sample, and J. L. Nack. 2012. Bird productivity and nest predation in agricultural grasslands. Studies in Avian Biology 43:119-134.
- Temple, S. A., B. M. Fevold, L. K. Paine, D. L. Undersander, and D. W. Sample. 1999. Nesting birds and grazing cattle: accommodating both on Midwestern pastures. Studies in Avian Biology 19:196202.
- Vos, S. M., and C. A. Ribic. 2013. Nesting success of grassland birds in oak barrens and dry prairies in West Central Wisconsin. Northeastern Naturalist 20:131–142.
Methods
Nest data from all studies were put into a common format of nest initiation date (date first egg laid), nest fate, number of nestlings, and nest end date (date the nest either failed or fledged at least one nestling). We used the fate (success or failure) as assigned by the original researchers. We used the nest initiation and failure dates if recorded by the original researchers. In general, nest initiation dates were estimated based on field notes or digital video (i.e., video-surveillance of nests). In some instances, nests failed within the same nesting stage (laying, incubation, or nestling) in which they were first found. For these cases, nest initiation dates were estimated following Cox et al. (2012. Species and temporal factors affect predator-specific rates of nest predation for forest songbirds in the Midwest. Auk 129:147–155) using average species-specific incubation times from Ehrlich et al. (1988. Birder’s handbook. Simon and Schuster Inc. New York, New York, USA). Nest end dates (date when nest failed or fledged at least one nestling) were either known (e.g., forced fledging during nest checks, digital video, field observations) or estimated. Nest end date was estimated using the mid-point between the dates when the nest was last observed with eggs/nestlings present and when the nest was next observed empty. We used the data to estimate the potential species-specific impacts of disturbance (e.g., mowing, fire) conducted at different dates in the breeding season on nests and fledglings.