Effects of clearcutting on habitat use and reproductive success of the ovenbird in forested landscapes

We studied Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) in northern New Hampshire during 1992 and 1993 to determine whether edge-related changes in habitat use and reproductive success reported in fragmented landscapes exist in predominantly forested landscapes. Six study plots were placed adjacent to four recent clearcuts (2.1-5 ha) and extended 400 m into the forest interior. Nests, territories, and territorial males obtaining mates were equally distributed in edge (0-200 m) and interior (201-400 m) areas. Nest survival was higher in the forest interior in 1992 and for 1992 and 1993 combined. The proportion of pairs fledging greater than or equal to 1 young, fledgling weight, and fledgling wing-chord did not differ between edge and interior in either year. Number of young fledged per pair was slightly lower in edge areas, but these differences were not significant. We conclude that clearcutting in extensively forested landscapes can affect Ovenbird reproductive success. Nevertheless, the effect on Ovenbird populations is moderated by the abundance of mature forest cover in the region and by the tendency of Ovenbirds to renest after initial nest failure.