November 2008

TOPIC:  Housing Development Changes Bird Communities

SPEAKER:  Anna Pidgeon

WHEN:  Tuesday, November 18

TIME:  7:00 pm Refreshments
TIME:  7:30 pm Program

WHERE:  Auditorium
UW Arboretum

PARKING:  Free parking at the Arboretum

PRE-MEETING DINNER:  You are invited to join Madison Audubon board members and friends at the pre-program dinner with our speaker beginning at 5:15.

Paisan's 131 West Wilson Street

QUESTIONS?:  Please call the MAS office at (608)255-2473.

How does an early summer walk in the southern Wisconsin woods in 2008 differ from the same walk taken in the 1950s? What life history traits of birds are associated with sensitivity to human influence? How do trends in bird populations in the deciduous forests of the eastern states compare with trends of bird populations in the Great Lakes states, and the Rocky Mountains? And what do these trends portend for the future?

Housing growth and fragmentation influence birds, both directly and indirectly. For example development creates more habitat edges, which are attractive to predators as movement corridors and foraging areas. As another example, in the vicinity of houses, people tend to simplify habitat structure, changing the availability of resources for birds. A long-term perspective on housing and landscape patterns, and trends in bird populations provides some surprising results. Who are the winners and who are the losers? Come to this program by avian ecologist Anna Pidgeon and find out.

Dr. Pidgeon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison.