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Bewick's Wren Habitat

Selecting Study Sites

Finding Study Sites
Study sites are areas that provide suitable Bewick’s Wren habitat. In general, Bewick’s Wrens are open country birds. At all times of the year they use brushy or weedy areas, thickets and scrub, openings and edges of woodlands, overgrown fields, brushpiles, unkempt fencerows, farmyards, junk piles, old farm buildings, and lightly developed parts of towns. They have also been observed in burned post oak savannas, burned grassy glades, and slash piles within clearcuts. They tend to avoid continuous blocks of forest and highly urbanized areas.

Potentially suitable habitat may occur anywhere in the state, on public or private land (be sure to obtain permission before entering private property). You may already know of spots, or you may need to scout for areas. Ask local natural resource professionals (e.g. private lands biologists, refuge managers, park interpreters) or private landowners about sites that generally meet the habitat needs of Bewick’s Wrens.

Locating Survey Points
Locate a survey point (a 30-foot radius circle) fully within suitable habitat whenever possible. Points may be placed along existing roads, trails, and powerline rights-of-way. If surveying in roadside habitat, get off the road at least 30 feet where possible so the point doesn’t include the road. Avoid surveying in heavily trafficked areas. Safety comes first so survey only when safe to do so. You may locate more than one point in a single patch of suitable habitat but each point should be at least one-quarter mile apart to avoid counting the same birds twice. Designate each point with your three initials and a double digit (e.g. DMS01, DMS02). Note the location of the study site. 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.”

Determining Coordinates
Maps are necessary for accurately locating your survey points and determining their coordinates. However, a GPS receiver is preferred for the highest level of accuracy if available. Even with a GPS receiver, submitting a copy of your map indicating survey locations is useful for us. Sources of maps include county plat maps, aerial photos, 7.5 minute USGS topographic maps, the Delorme road atlas, and even Google Earth. Try asking your county Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Farm Bureau, or Cooperative Extension office for copies of local maps or aerial photos. If surveying in a state park, national wildlife refuge, wildlife management area, or other public wildlife area, ask the managers to photocopy a detailed map of the area. Online mapping resources include Google Maps, Google Earth, Trails.com, and GeoStor.

Next section – Surveying Wrens