Avian Inventory and Habitat Analysis of the Weippe Prairie, Nez Perce National Historical Park

Project ID: P16AC01416

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: University of Idaho

Fiscal Year: 2016

Initial Funding: $61,567

Total Funding: $99,737

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: Nez Perce National Historical Park

Principal Investigator: Vierling, Kerri

Agreement Technical Representative: Lyon, Jason

Abstract: Investigators from UI and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish the following specific objectives.

The overall focus of this project is to investigate and evaluate relationships between bird species composition and their habitats on Weippe Prairie to guide future restoration activities and to increase understanding of the bird communities currently present. There are three primary objectives:

1. Inventory the avian species present on the Weippe Prairie. Determine seasonality of use and whether the avian community is composed primarily of shrub associated species, grassland/wetland, or a mix of species.
2. Assess bird diversity at the Weippe Prairie and how environmental features such as hawthorn height and/or density, hydrological regime, and understory vegetative composition impacts bird diversity and usage patterns across the site.
3. Conduct nest surveys at Weippe Prairie to determine nest survival of ground and shrub nesters and reproductive success.