© David Herr | Click image to enlarge
Bewick's Wren

Measuring Habitat

After Surveying for Birds
After the 6-min survey period is over you will describe some basic vegetation and habitat characteristics while standing in the spot where you looked for wrens. Do this once per point per season.

At the top of the “Bewick’s Wren Habitat Sampling Form” fill out the top with the same information as the top of the Survey Form for that point. Indicate land ownership type. Below that visually estimate the following features to the best of your ability:

  • Check the single dominant habitat type within a 30-ft radius around you
  • Average vegetation height within a 30-ft radius for each of the three categories: herbaceous, shrubs, and trees. Herbaceous vegetation is not woody, i.e. grass and forbs
  • Percent of the 30-ft circle covered by each of the five categories: herbaceous, shrubs, trees, development and other (if applicable). The total must equal 100%. Development includes any human-made structures
  • Distance to nearest object in the list. Indicate the unit of measurement. If you can’t see one of these while standing at the point consult a map or aerial photo later. If you still can’t locate an object leave it blank
  • List the three most common plant species if you know them (e.g. oak, big bluestem, Japanese honeysuckle). Be as specific as you can
  • Add any additional comments you think are relevant about the point including directions to the point. Be as specific as possible so that you or others can easily return to that site for future studies. Example: “Half mile north of Sweet Home on Rte. 365, along west side of road, behind old farmhouse near clump of shrubs.”