&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA/600/R-14/4441 November 2014
www.epa.gov/ord
WoonyBird Restoration
Plant Selector Manual
Office of Research and Development
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Atlantic Ecology Division
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Front Cover landscape photos: top photo Greystone Mills, North Providence, RI;
bottom photo Woonasquatucket River Greenway, Onlneyville; Woonasquatucket River, Johnston, RI.
Photos by Marisa Mazzotta.
Front Cover Bird photos (top to bottom): Eastern Towhee; Northern Mockingbird; Downy Woodpecker.
Photos courtesy of US FWS National Digital Library.
Back Cover Photo: Chipping sparrow
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v>EPA
EPA/600/R-14/444 I November 2014
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
Richard A. McKinney*, John Kiddon
Office of Research and Development
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
Atlantic Ecology Division
Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, USA
Meghan E. Nightingale
Department of Natural Resources Science,
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881, US A
Corresponding author
Phone: (401)782-3133; Fax: (401)782-3030
E-mail address: mckinney.rick@epa.gov
-------
Notice
The research in this document has been funded wholly by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency. This report has been subjected to the Agency's peer and administrative review and has been
approved for publication as an EPA document. The mention of trade names or commercial products
does not constitute endorsement or a recommendation for use. This report is ORD Tracking Number
ORD-010795 of the Atlantic Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research
Laboratory, Office of Research and Development.
Abstract
Modifying greenspaces to enhance habitat value has been proposed as a means towards protecting or
restoring biodiversity in urban landscapes. As part of a framework for developing low-cost, low-impact
enhancements that can be incorporated during the restoration of greenspaces to enhance their wildlife
habitat value, we developed the WoonyBird Restoration Plant Selector, a spreadsheet-based tool to aid
in the restoration of a land parcel by suggesting plants which are appropriate for light and soil conditions
at the restoration site to attract bird species specified by the user. This manual provides some background
information on enhancing bird habitat in urban greenspaces, describes the operation of the tool, suggests
strategies for identifying target bird species, and provides some additional design considerations for
habitat enhancement. Information provided by application of the tool will help to enhance habitat value
of a restored greenspace, and may therefore be of use to regional resource managers and stakeholders
including urban planning departments and local resource conservation organizations involved in planning
and carrying out restoration of urban greenspaces.
Key words: greenspace; habitat value; urban biodiversity; New England; bird-plant associations.
WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
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Table of Contents
Notice ii
Abstract ii
List of Figures iv
List of Tables iv
I. Introduction 1
II. Overview of the WoonyBird Plant Selector 2
III. Target List of Bird Species 3
IV. Additional Design Considerations 7
Acknowledgements 9
Literature Cited 10
Table of Contents | Page iii
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List of Figures
Figure A-l. Main screen of Plant Selector spreadsheet tool 19
Figure A-2. Setup Form of Plant Selector spreadsheet tool 20
List of Tables
Table 1. Territory size and Partners in Flight population trend classification 4
iv | WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
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I. Introduction
Ruderal vegetation in a city park. Photo: R. McKinney
Urban greenspaces include remnant natural lands, areas of ruderal vegetation, parks,
nature trails, and vegetated areas created for storm water management or water quality
enhancement. Most cities support the restoration, enhancement, or creation of
greenspaces under community development initiatives that promote the integration of built
and natural environments. In many areas, urban planners are working to implement stormwater
management plans that encourage
best management practices such as
vegetated buffers, stormwater
wetlands, bioretention facilities,
and vegetated swales. Urban
greenspaces are recognized as
having many benefits over built
environments, but their potential as
wildlife habitat is often not realized.
This is in part because scientific
knowledge about the potential
wildlife habitat value of greenspaces
is not developed to the point where
it can consistently inform planning
and restoration efforts. As a result,
management practices that could enhance wildlife habitat of greenspaces are often discounted in
the restoration process (Harrison and Davies 2002). The WoonyBird Restoration Plant Selector
was developed as part of a project geared towards providing information that will facilitate the
recognition of the potential habitat value of urban greenspaces, and provide a means by which
low-cost, low-impact enhancements can be incorporated during the restoration of greenspaces to
enhance their wildlife habitat value. We focus on birds as an indicator species for wildlife habitat
value because of their high visibility and positive impacts on the attitudes of urban residents
(Bjerke and Ostdahl 2004, Luck et al. 2011), as well as the ready availability of field techniques
and modeling approaches to describe their use of urban
habitats.
The project featured a two-phased approach: the first phase
developed a regional bird pool from which a target list of
bird species appropriate to a given restoration project can
be identified, as well as a candidate list of native woody
plants derived from the habitat requirements of species in
the regional bird pool. This phase also included empirical
studies to assess the habitat value of existing greenspaces
for breeding birds (McKinney and Nightengale 2013). The
second phase of the project used the models developed in
phase one to guide the development of the WoonyBird
Eastern Townee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus.
Photo: US FWS National Digital Library
Introduction I 1
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Restoration Plant Selector, a spreadsheet-based tool that can be used by planners and restoration
managers to optimize an urban greenspace restoration site for bird habitat value. The tool uses
habitat requirements of site-specific target bird species to derive a list of appropriate plant
species and a landscape plan that, when incorporated into the site design, can help enhance bird
habitat value.
This manual describes the use of the WoonyBird Restoration Plant Selector tool, and includes
1) an overview of the tool including a brief description of its operation; 2) some strategies for
developing of a target list of bird species for a given restoration site; and 3) some additional
design considerations that may aid in enhancing bird habitat value of a restored greenspace.
The overall goal of the study is to provide input to support greenspace restoration strategies that
include the enhancement of bird habitat value through low-cost, low-impact design practices.
We anticipate this information will be helpful to regional resource managers and stakeholders
including urban planning departments, property owners, developers, engineers, consultants,
contractors, municipal staff, and local resource conservation organizations involved in planning
and carrying out restoration of urban greenspaces. The target bird species and planting
recommendations in this tool are specific to the Woonasquatucket watershed in Rhode Island
because the regional bird pool used as a basis of the tool reflects the mix of habitats present
in the watershed. The tool could potentially be applied to other watersheds in northern Rhode
Island or central / southern Massachusetts that have a similar habitat mix, but would have to be
modified to reflect bird species utilizing habitats in other regions. However, the general
principles underlying the development of the various components of the tool could be useful
in developing similar recommendations in other urban watersheds.
II. Overview of the WoonyBird Restoration
Plant Selector
The WoonyBird Restoration Plant Selector (hereafter Plant Selector) is a spreadsheet-based
tool developed to aid in the restoration of a land parcel by suggesting plants which are
appropriate for light and soil conditions at the restoration site, and which will attract bird
species specified by the user. The user can then designate bird species for which habitat value is
to be optimized and soil and light conditions of the greenspace, and the tool output will consist
of a list of plant species that will enhance habitat value for the designated bird species. The user
will also be able to obtain information about individual plant species including light and soil
requirements, growth rate, maximum height, wetland indicator status (whether the plant can
tolerate moist soils), and additional information such as its suitability for particular landscapes,
or specific maintenance requirements. The tool also lists nurseries in southern New England
from which the plant species can be purchased.
There are a number of reference guides that describe bird species known to associate with
specific plant species (e.g., Martin et al. 1951, DeGraaf 2002); these resources provide a listing
of all bird species supported by a particular plant species. For example, DeGraaf (2002) reports
WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
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that that Red Osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) potentially provides food for a number of
songbirds, and is a preferred nest site for American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis). Similarly, there
are handbooks available to guide creation of habitats to use specific plantings to attract birds to
an area (e.g., Roth 1998, Kress 2006), however these are geared to attracting a variety of birds
rather than specific species. The Plant Selector fills a gap in that it can be used to derive a list
of all woody plants species that will support a specified bird species. This information can then
be used to develop a site plan of specific plantings to attract and support desired bird species.
Plant Selector development
The Plant Selector was developed from a candidate list of thirty six native woody plant species
identified as potential species for inclusion in greenspace restoration efforts in the
Woonasquatucket watershed (Appendix 1; McKinney and Nightengale 2013). These plants
were included based on the extent to which they support bird species identified as part of a
regional bird species pool for the Woonasquatucket watershed. The regional bird pool species
were included based on knowledge of the type and arrangement of natural habitats present in the
watershed, along with their setting the surrounding human-dominated landscape, and are species
that could potentially utilize appropriate habitats within the watershed and hence could be
included as target species for greenspace restorations. As a whole, plant species included in the
Plant Selector represented greater than 50% of the habitat value to birds of all woody plants
(native, non-native, ornamental) that were originally considered, and are therefore a good
representation of plants with relatively high bird habitat value.
Step-by-step instructions for using the Plant Selector are presented in Appendix 2.
.Target List of Bird Species
One of the keys to application of the WoonyBird Restoration Plant Selector is to identify an
appropriate target list of bird species to be supported in a restored greenspace. A regional
bird pool of species known or with the potential to use habitats in the Woonasquatucket
watershed has been identified (Table 1); a target list of species should be selected from this pool.
In order to minimize the cost of proposed habitat enhancements, the target list should be small
(on the order of 10 or fewer species) and specific to a site. Depending on the location of the site
in the watershed, the target list of bird species may vary; for example, a target list for a site near
a river or stream should include birds that inhabit riparian areas, whereas an inland restoration
site list should consist of birds that primarily utilize upland habitats such as shrubland or
urban forest.
Target list of bird species
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Table 1. Territory size and Partners In Flight Population Trend classification of regional bird pool species
for the Woonasquatucket River watershed, Rhode Island, USA
Territory size
Scientific name
Buteo jamaicensis
Meleagris gallopavo
Zenaida macroura
Bubo virginianus
Chaetura pelagica
Archilochus colubris
Dryocopus pileatus
Melanerpes carolinus
Picoides villosus
Picoides pubescens
Myiarchus crinitus
Sayornis phoebe
Empidonax traillii
Empidonax minimus
Hirundo rustica
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Progne subis
Cyanocitta cristata
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Corvus ossifragus
Poecile atricapillus
Baeolophus bicolor
Sitta carolinensis
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Troglodytes aedon
Mimus polyglottos
Dumetella carolinensis
Turdus migratorius
Sialia sialis
Vireo olivaceus
Setophaga petechia
Passer domesticus
Agelaius phoeniceus
Quiscalus quiscula
Cardinalis cardinalis
Carpodacus mexicanus
Spinus tristis
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Spizella passerina
Melospiza melodia
Common name
red-tailed hawk
wild turkey
mourning dove
great horned owl
chimney swift
ruby-throated hummingbird
pileated woodpecker
red-bellied woodpecker
hairy woodpecker
downy woodpecker
great crested flycatcher
eastern phoebe
willow flycatcher
least flycatcher
barn swallow
cliff swallow
purple martin
blue jay
American crow
fish crow
black-capped chickadee
tufted titmouse
white-breasted nuthatch
Carolina wren
house wren
northern mockingbird
gray catbird
American robin
eastern bluebird
red-eyed vireo
yellow warbler
house sparrow
red-winged blackbird
common grackle
northern cardinal
house finch
American goldfinch
eastern towhee
chipping sparrow
song sparrow
(ha)1
425
IN
IN
212
NT
IN2
<3.14
8.80
1.05
5.10
2.40
1.77
1.09
0.18
NN
NN
NN
NT
1.25
IN3
3.30
4.20
20.0
0.12
0.40
0.40
0.11
0.12
1.01
0.73
0.04
NT
0.29
NN
0.15
NT
IN4
1.90
0.60
0.16
Reference
P
h
I
P
g
0
e
s
a
V
t
i
r
P
d
c
u
k
f
b
k
n
k
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
k
k
q
m
P
k
j
k
P
P
PIF PT-c5
1
1
2
2
5
1
1
2
1
3
2
2
4
4
4
2
2
4
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
4
2
2
1
1
2
5
4
4
2
2
2
4
3
4
NT = non-territorial; NN = only territorial in immediate area around the nest; IN = indeterminate
2 Depending on food resources available can range from 0.07 - 3000 ha
J Nests colonially or semi-colonially
4 varies with type of nesting habitat and nest location
b Partners in Flight Population Trend descriptions Panjabi et al. 2012):
WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
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Table 1 Continued
Territory size
Scientific name Common name (ha)1 Reference PIF PT-c5
3 Allison 1947
b Bent 1946
c Brown & Brown 1995
d Brown & Brown 1999
e Bull & Jackson 2011
f Caffrey 1992
9 Cink& Collins 2002
h Eaton 1992
1 Hill & Gates 1988
j McGraw & Middleton 2009
k McKernan & Hartvigsen 2001
' Otis et al. 2008
m Peer & Bellinger 1997
"Pielou 1957
0 Robinson et al. 1996
pSchoener 1968
q Searcy & Yakusawa 1995
r Sedgewick 2000
s Shackleford et al. 2000
' Stewart & Robbins 1958
"Tarof & Brown 2013
v Twomey 1945
1 = Significant large increase (population change > 50%; P < 0.1)
2 = Significant small increase or stable (population change 0% to 50%; P < 0.1)
3 = Uncertain population change, stable, or possible small decrease (P > 0.33; unreliable trend)
4 = Moderate decrease, possible large decrease (population change -15% to -50%; 0.1 < P < 0.33)
5 = Significant large decrease (population change < -50%; P < 0.1)
Factors to consider when developing a target list of bird species for a site
One overarching consideration that can guide development of a target list for a specific
restoration site is the conservation status of species, whenever possible species with a higher
conservation priority (i.e., rare or threatened species, or those of conservation concern) should be
included. Table 3-1 lists Partners in Flight Population Trend descriptions; generally species with
values 3, 4, or 5 are of greatest conservation concern and should be considered for inclusion in a
target bird list, if possible. Another consideration is the aesthetic goal of the restoration: for
example, some species such as Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) or American
Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), while not of conservation concern, may be highly desired because of
their aesthetic value. Birds to be included in the target list should also be determined in part by
any existing conditions at the restoration site. Conditions include i) size of the site; ii) the type of
restoration planned; iii) any restrictions on vegetation at the site; iv) land cover surrounding the
site; and v) proximity of the site to existing natural habitats or known breeding habitat.
Target list of bird species
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Size of the site
Site size is important in that many bird species have specific area requirements for breeding
territories, or defended areas used for mating, nesting, and from which food is gathered to feed
young. Territory size can range from less than a meter for some colonial-nesting species to ten,
to several hundred hectares for birds of prey (Nice 1941). A recent review of territory size for
forest-dwelling passerines listed territory sizes ranging from 0.5 to 6.5 ha (Whitaker and
Warkentin 2010). This tool is optimized for use in urban environments; territory size may be
smaller in birds utilizing urban habitats because of enhanced availability of food resources
(Emlen 1974). In spite of this, there may be potential greenspace restoration sites that are too
small for certain species. Where available, territory sizes of birds included in the regional bird
pool are included in Table 1.
Type of restoration and restrictions on vegetation
The type of restoration and restrictions of vegetation types at a site may impact what bird species
are feasible to include in the target list. For example, a common goal of greenspace restoration is
to enhance stormwater retention in order to meet water quality criteria. Restoring areas as wet
vegetated treatment systems, infiltration practices, filtering systems, green roofs, or open channel
practices will help meet this goal (RTDEM 2010). Of these, wet vegetated systems (surface wet
stormwater basins that provide water quality treatment primarily in a shallow vegetated
permanent pool), green roofs, and open channels (vegetated swales) have specific vegetation
requirements that may preclude targeting some bird species. Therefore, it may not be feasible
to include plants identified using the WoonyBird selector for a given bird species in the plantings
for these types of systems. Infiltration practices (areas that facilitate retention of surface water
into underlying soils), depending on their design, may have more flexibility in the types of
vegetation that can be included, or may simply consist of unvegetated areas. Filtering systems
may consist of structural filters with no associated vegetation, but may also include bioretention
ponds that may require specific vegetation types. Common among all these practices is the need
to tailor the target list of bird species to the type and characteristics of the greenspace. That said,
a majority of the regional bird species will readily utilize wet areas or wetlands, the limiting
factor may be the ability of a given plant species to withstand the conditions at the site. This
information can be found during the plant selection process in the "profile of a plant's features"
section of the WoonyBird selector. Many other types of urban greenspaces are not specifically
designed for stormwater retention or water quality enhancement, and these may be a target for
greenspace restoration as well. Included are formal parks and gardens, remnant natural areas,
green corridors, community gardens, and informal recreational areas. While having specific
structural requirements (e.g., urban parks often consist primarily of mowed lawns and managed
wooded areas), these areas may allow more flexibility with regard to specific species of plants
that may be included.
Surrounding land use and land cover
Landscape setting, or the mix of surrounding land use and land cover, has been shown to play a
role in determining use of a site by bird species (Marzluff et al. 2001, Chace and Walsh 2006,
Bierwagen 2008). For example, a primary response noted in numerous studies is the absence of
WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
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human-intolerant species, or 'urban avoiders', at locations in urban areas (Chace and Walsh
2006, Shwartz et al. 2008). An urban bird guild classification system proposed by Shwartz et al.
(2008) was used to eliminate those species from the regional bird pool, hence this factor should
not have to be explicitly considered when developing a target bird list for a site. However,
proximity to other natural and semi-natural areas may be worth considering; for example, close
proximity of urban wetlands has been shown to influence bird communities in nearby areas
(McKinney et al. 2011). Similarly, if a site is near an area known to support breeding birds of a
particular species, it may be prudent to consider targeting these species and to include plantings
that will provide habitat both for foraging and, if practical, nesting.
Examples of identifying an appropriate target list of bird species for two hypothetical greenspace
restorations are provided in Appendix 3.
Nearby riparian areas can often provide enhanced resources to birds
using restored greenspaces. Photo: Woonasquatucket River; R. McKinney
IV. Additional Design Considerations
Selecting plant species to support a target list of desired bird species for a greenspace is an
important component leading to the enhancement of habitat value for the restoration.
Another equally important component is the spatial orientation of the plantings in the
greenspace, or the practice of landscape design. One strategy that may have merit is to strive
to mimic the stratification, or spatial arrangement, of different vegetation growth forms found
in natural environments such as a mature, mesic forest. The forest environment typically consists
of distinct layers of vegetation characterized by height. These include the uppermost canopy
layer provided by the tallest trees, an understory layer of intermediate height or low trees, a shrub
layer, an herbaceous vegetation of grass layer, and a layer of leaf litter immediately above the
soil surface. Stratification in forests allows multiple vegetation growth forms to coexist in the
same space since each layer can successively take advantage of available light and resources as
the seasons progress. In early spring, lower vegetative layers such as grasses and herbaceous
plants green first and hence can utilize sunlight before they become shaded by taller plants.
Additional design considerations
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Shrubs will then leaf out, followed by understory trees and finally the canopy. By the time of
complete canopy formation, the lower growth form plants have already accomplished sufficient
growth and acquired sufficient resources to survive and propagate. Stratification also provides
significant benefits for bird species by providing a variety of food, nest, and shelter options in the
different layers and growth forms. Several elements of the spatial arrangement of vegetation that
may have application in greenspace restoration are discussed below.
Maximizing habitat heterogeneity
Wherever possible it would be beneficial to provide a variety of vegetative layers by planting
different growth forms plants: ground cover, short and tall shrubs, and short and tall trees. This
will in turn provide nest opportunities for bird species that utilize different vegetative layers
including ground nesters, species that nest in shrubs, and cavity nesters. In addition, a variety of
growth forms will increase the likelihood of having plants that fruit at different times of the year,
hence providing more reliable foraging opportunities.
One way to maximize habitat heterogeneity at a site is to mimic the practice of agricultural
windbreaks (Kress 2006). Windbreaks generally consist of anywhere from 3 to 6 rows of woody
plants of different heights running lengthwise through a site. As an example, a six-row
windbreak would be approximately 12 m or 40 feet wide, and if it were to run for 150 m or
500 feet would occupy a 0.2 ha or half-acre site. Ideally a six-row windbreak will consist of
two central rows of tall conifers, surrounded on either side by a row of small to medium sized
deciduous trees, and finally bordered on either side by a row of shrubs. To enhance habitat value,
each outer edge can be bordered by a row of herbaceous vegetation. In this arrangement the
latitudinal or width-wise space between the rows of conifers would be about 3 m or 10 feet,
between the conifers and deciduous trees about 2.5 m or 8 feet, and between the deciduous trees
and shrubs about 2 m or 6 feet (Kress 2006). A best practice is to plant conifers in a weaving or
meandering row, and if possible to mix fast- and slow-growing trees and shrubs. This is just one
possible means to achieve habitat heterogeneity, depending on the size and characteristics of the
site, and any restrictions of sight lines, there are many other possible orientations that would
result in a variety of vegetative layers.
Changes in slope
A number of species, including towhees, sparrows, and wrens, are attracted to abrupt changes in
slope as foraging habitat. These species will take advantage of naturally-occurring steeply-sloped
areas along stream banks, rock outcroppings, and tree roots in order to prey on the insects which
in turn use the numerous micro-habitats found in these areas. An artificial change in slope can be
incorporated in a greenspace restoration by creating a gently-sloping soil mound, one side of
which should end in an abrupt, south-facing rock face (Kress 2006). For added habitat value,
low shrubs or groundcover plants could be incorporated.
8 | WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
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Brush piles
If feasible, downed branches and other woody debris from a site can be collected in a small brush
pile, located either in the center or one corner of the site. This will provide shelter for birds and
a labyrinth of escape tunnels for avoiding predators, as well as micro-habitats for potential insect
prey (Kress 2006). There may however be objections to including brush piles at a site because of
aesthetic considerations; these can be mitigated to some extent if the piles are constructed in an
orderly arrangement using a base of interwoven logs.
Summary
A greenspace restoration that will include plantings as part of the landscape design can be
enhanced by specific plantings chosen to increase its bird habitat value. The WoonyBird
Restoration Plant Selector will facilitate this process by suggesting plants which are appropriate
for light and soil conditions at the restoration site, and which will attract bird species specified
by the user. Target bird species for a given restoration site can be selected based on their
conservation status, but site characteristics including size, type of restoration and any restrictions
on vegetation type, and surrounding landuse and land cover should be considered. The landscape
design of the site should try to maximize habitat heterogeneity by including different plant
growth forms in an orientation that will result in a variety of vegetative layers. Incorporating
changes in slope and brush piles at a site may help increase habitat value for some bird species.
Overall the design of a site will have to balance enhancing habitat value with site-specific
practical, aesthetic, and economic considerations.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Alana Hanson, Kristen Hychka, and Jim Lake for providing comments
on the manuscript. Kristen DeMoranville assisted with the preparation of Appendix 1.
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation. Although the research described in this article has been funded wholly by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it has not been subjected to Agency-level review.
Therefore, it does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency. This is ORD Tracking
Number ORD-010795 of the Atlantic Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental
Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Additional design considerations | 9
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Publications.
Marzluff JM, Bowman R, Donnelly R. 2001. A historical perspective on urban bird research:
trends, terms, and approaches. Pgs 1-17 In J. M. Marzluff, R. Bowman, and R. Donnelly [EDS.],
Avian ecology and conservation in an urbanizing world. Kluwer Academic, Norwell, MA.
McGraw KJ, Middleton AL. 2009. American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), The Birds of North
America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of
North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/080 (Accessed June 2013).
McKernan P, Hartvigsen G. 2001. The territory distribution of breeding songbirds in the Roemer
Arboretum, Geneseo, NY. SUNY Geneseo Journal of Science and Mathematics 2:7-15.
McKinney RA, Nightingale ME. 2013. A framework for enhancing bird habitat value of urban
greenspaces in the Woonasquatucket watershed, Rhode Island USA. US EPA Office of Research
and Development Technical Report EPA/600/R-13/163, October, 2013.
McKinney RA, Raposa KB, Cournoyer RM. 2011. Wetlands as habitat in urbanizing landscapes:
patterns of bird abundance and occupancy. Landscape and Urban Planning 100:144-152.
Nice MM. 1941. The role of territory in bird life. American Midland Naturalist 26:441-447.
Otis DL, Schulz JH, Miller D, Mirarchi RE, Baskett TS. 2008. Mourning Dove (Zenaida
macrourd), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/117 (Accessed June 2013).
Panjabi AO, Blancher PJ, Dettmers R, Rosenberg KV. 2012. The Partners in Flight handbook on
species assessment. Partners in Flight Technical Series No. 3. Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
website: http://www.rmbo.org/pubs/downloads/Handbook2012.pdf (Accessed June 2013).
Literature cited I 11
-------
Peer BD, Bellinger EK. 1997. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quisculd), The Birds of North
America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds
of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/271 (Accessed June 2013).
Pielou WP. 1957. A life-history study of the Tufted Titmouse, Parus bicolor Linneaus PhD.
Michigan State University, East Lansing.
RTDEM. 2010. Rhode Island Stormwater Design and Installation Standards Manual. Rhode Island
Department of Environmental Management and Coastal Resources Management Council,
Providence, RI, 487 pgs.
Robinson TR, Sargent RR, Sargent MB. 1996. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus
colubris), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology;
Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/204
Roth S. 1998. Attracting birds to your backyard. Rodale Press Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
Schoener TW. 1968. Sizes of feeding territories among birds. Ecology 49:123-141.
Searcy WA, Yasukawa K. 1995. Polygyny and sexual selection in Red-winged Blackbirds.
Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ.
Sedgwick JA. 2000. Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii\ The Birds of North America Online
(A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America
Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/533 (Accessed June 2013).
Shackelford CE, Brown RE, Conner RN. 2000. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus),
The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved
from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/500 (Accessed
June 2013).
Shwartz A, Shirley S, Kark S. 2008. How do habitat variability and management regime shape the
spatial heterogeneity of birds within a large Mediterranean urban park? Landscape and Urban
Planning 84:219-229.
Stewart RE, Robbins CS. 1958. Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Fish and Wildlife
Service, North American Fauna No. 62.
Tarof S, Brown CR. 2013. Purple Martin (Progne subis), The Birds of North America Online
(A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America
Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/287 (Accessed June 2013).
Twomey AC. 1945. The bird population of an elm-maple forest with special reference to
aspection, territorialism and coactions. Ecological Monographs 15:173-205.
Whitaker DM, Warkentin 1C. 2010. Spatial ecology of migratory passerines on temperate and
boreal forest breeding grounds. Auk, 127:471-484.
12 | WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
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Appendix 1. Growth requirements and life history characteristics of woody plants either observed during 2012 at 17 study sites in the
Woonasquatucket River watershed, Rhode Island, USA, or identified in the candidate plant species list.
Species
Acer negundo
Acer rubrum
Acer saccharinum
Acer saccharum
Alnus incana
Alnus serrulate
Amelanchier arborea
Amelanchier
canadensis
Amelanchier laevis
Betula alleghaniensis
Betula lenta
Observed
?
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Common
name
boxelder
red maple
silver maple
sugar maple
gray alder
hazel alder
common
serviceberry
Canadian
serviceberry,
shadbush,
juneberry
allegheny
serviceberry
yellow birch
cherry birch,
sweet birch
Invasive/
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
Sun
amount
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade
full shade,
part shade
Soil
texture
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
Growth
rate
rapid
rapid
rapid
slow
rapid
rapid
slow
moderate
moderate
slow
moderate
Growth Size Hardiness
habit class (ft) (Rl 5-7)
tree 35-60 3-8
tree 35-68 3-9
tree 45-95 3-9
tree, 60-80 3-8
shrub
tree, 15-25 2-6
shrub,
thicket
tree, 12-30 3-8
shrub
tree, 25-36 5-8
shrub
tree, 20-23 4-10
shrub
tree, 30-35 4-8
shrub
tree 25-75 3-7
tree 15-60 4-9
Lifespan Commercial
short available
short available
moderate available
long available
short available
moderate available
moderate available
long available
short available
moderate field
collections
only
moderate field
collections
only
Additional
does best in
riparian zones
does best in
wet environments
looks un-kept if
un-pruned; lifts
sidewalks; good
tree for away from
homes
nitrogen fixing
nitrogen fixing
used as a street
plant-attractive
found naturally
in bogs
sensitive to
drought
usually found in
moist soils
Appendix 1 | 13
-------
Appendix 1 Cont'd
Species
Betula papyrifera
Betula populifolia
Carpinus caroliniana
Carya alba
Carya glabra
Carya ovata
Celtis occidentalis
Cornus alternifolia
Cornus amomum
Cornus canadensis
Cornus racemosa
Cornus sericea
Observed
?
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Common
name
paper birch
gray birch
American
hornbeam
mockernut
hickory
pignut
hickory
shagbark
hickory
common
hackberry
dogwood
silky
dogwood
bunchberry
dogwood
gray
dogwood
redosier
dogwood
Invasive/
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
Sun
amount
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun, part
shade, full
shade
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
part shade
Soil
texture
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium
fine,
medium
fine,
medium,
coarse
Growth
rate
rapid
rapid
slow
slow
slow
slow
rapid
moderate
moderate
slow
moderate
rapid
Growth Size Hardiness
habit class (ft) (Rl 5-7)
tree 40-70 2-7
tree, 25 3-6
thicket
tree 20 3-8
tree 18-85 5-8
tree 30-80 5-9
tree 15-75 5-8
tree, 26-60 3-9
shrub
tree 25 3-8
shrub 7-20 4-8
subshrub, 0.5 2-6
shrub,
herb
shrub 6-10 5-8
tree, 7-10 2-7
shrub
Lifespan
moderate
short
short
moderate
moderate
long
moderate
moderate
moderate
long
moderate
moderate
Commercial
available
available
available
field
collections
only
contracting
only
available
available
no known
source
available
contracting
only
available
available
Additional
prefers well
drained soils,
ridges, hillsides
grows well in dry
conditions;
very drought
tolerant
nuts can damage
cars; do not put
near streets
prefers moist soils
prefers moist soils
highly adaptable
naturally found
near wetlands
14 | WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
-------
Appendix 1 Cont'd
Species
Crataegus crus-galli
Crataegus
phaenopyrum
Fagus grandifolia
Fraxinus spp.
Gaylussacia spp.
Ilex glabra
Ilex laevigata
Ilex verticillata
Juglans cinerea
Juglans nigra
Juniperus communis
Malus spp.
Mows rubra
Myrica pensylvanica
Nyssa sylvatica
Observed Common
? name
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
Y
Y
cockspur
hawthorn
Washington
hawthorn
American
beech
ash
huckleberry
gray inkberry
gray smooth
winterberry
common
winterberry
butternut
black walnut
common
juniper
crabapple
red mulberry
northern
bayberry
marshall
blackgum
Invasive/
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
Sun
amount
full sun,
partial shade
full sun,
part shade
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
partial shade
full sun,
partial shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun
full sun,
part shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
Soil
texture
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine
fine,
medium
medium,
coarse
medium
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
sand,
loam,
clay
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
Growth
rate
moderate
moderate
slow
rapid
rapid
slow
moderate
moderate
rapid
rapid
slow
moderate
moderate
slow
moderate
Growth Size Hardiness
habit class (ft) (Rl 5-7) Lifespan
tree, 30
shrub
tree, 25-30
shrub
tree 30-80
tree 30
shrub 3-6
shrub 5
shrub 10-12
tree, 6-10
shrub
tree 20-80
tree 35-100
shrub 4
tree, 30
shrub
tree, 12-36
shrub
tree, 9-12
shrub
tree 30-95
3-7
4-8
3-9
4-9
3-8
4-9
5-8
3-9
3-7
4-9
4-9
4-9
5-9
3-6
5-9
long
long
long
moderate
moderate
long
short
moderate
short
moderate
long
long
long
(120yr)
long
moderate
Commercial Additional
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
available
used as
ornamental
used as
ornamental
male and female
specific plants
prefers woodland
swamps
endangered in
CT.MA
nitrogen fixing;
male and female
plants separate;
berries only on F
wetland indicator
Appendix 1 | 15
-------
Appendix 1 Cont'd
Observed Common
Species ? name
Parthenocissus
quinquefolia
Picea glauca
Picea pungens
Picea rubens
Pinus rigida
Pinus strobus
Pinus sylvestris
Populus deltoides
Populus grandidentata
Populus tremuloides
Prunus pensylvanica
Prunus serotina
Prunus virginiana
Quercus alba
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Virginia creeper
white spruce
blue spruce
red spruce
pitch pine
eastern white
pine
scotch pine
eastern
cottonwood
bigtooth aspen
quaking aspen
pin cherry,
fire cherry
black cherry,
rum cherry
chokecherry
northern
white oak
Invasive/
native
native
native
introduced
native
native
native
introduced
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
Sun
amount
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
part sun,
part shade
full sun,
full shade
full sun
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
Soil
texture
fine,
medium
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
Growth Growth Size Hardiness
rate habit class (ft) (Rl 5-7)
rapid vine 1 3-10
moderate tree 18-20 5-7
slow tree 20-100 4-7
slow tree 30-100 5-7
rapid tree 20-80 4-7
rapid tree 20-80 3-7
rapid tree 30-110 3-8
rapid tree 80-190 3-9
rapid tree 40-65 3-9
rapid tree 40-65 1-8
rapid shrub, 25-30 3-8
tree
rapid shrub, 40-80 4-9
tree
rapid shrub, 15-25 2-7
tree
slow tree 25-100 3-8
Lifespan Commercial Additional
moderate available
long available early serai
long available
moderate available
moderate available inhabits coast
moderate available requires early
weed control
moderate available
short available
short available
short available
short available
moderate available
short available
long available
16 | WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
-------
Appendix 1 Cont'd
Species
Quercus coccinea
Quercus palustris
Quercus rubra
Quercus velutina
Rhus hirta
Ribes americanum
Rosa Carolina
Rosa virginiana
Rubus allegheniesis
Rubus flagellaris
Rubus idaeus
Rubus occidentalis
Rubus odoratus
Observed
?
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Common
name
scarlet oak
pin oak
northern
red oak
black oak
staghorn
sumac
American
black currant
Carolina rose
Virginia rose
Allegheny
blackberry
common
dewberry
American red
raspberry
black raspberry
purple flowering
raspberry
Invasive/
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
Sun
amount
full sun
full sun,
part shade,
full shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun,
part shade
full sun
full shade,
part shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
full, partial
full, partial
full sun
part shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
Soil
texture
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
clay,
loam,
sand,
rocky
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine, medium
fine,
medium,
coarse
Growth
rate
rapid
rapid
moderate
moderate
rapid
rapid
moderate
moderate
rapid
rapid
moderate
rapid
rapid
Growth Size Hardiness
habit class (ft) (Rl 5-7)
tree 30-70 4-8
tree 40-100 4-8
tree 36-81 4-8
tree 25-80 4-9
shrub, 30 4-7
tree
shrub 15-30 3-6
subshrub 5 5-8
subshrub 6 4-7
thicket 1-6 6-9
thicket, 3 6-9
vine
subshrub 6-9 5-9
subshrub 5-6 4-9
subshrub 5 3-8
Lifespan Commercial Additional
long no known
source
moderate available
long available
moderate available
short available
short available
moderate available disturbed areas,
roadside
moderate available
short available
short available threatened in
Indiana
short available
short available
short no known
commercial
source
Appendix 1 | 17
-------
Appendix 1 Cont'd
Observed
Species ?
Sambucus canadensis Y
Sambucus racemosa Y
Sorbus americana N
Spiraea spp. N
Symphoricarpos spp. N
Ulmus americana Y
Vaccinium Y
angustifo//u/77
Vaccinium corymbosum Y
Viburnum dentatum Y
Viburnum lentago Y
Common
name
common
elderberry
red elderberry
American
mountain ash
meadowsweet
snowberry
American Elm
low bush
blueberry
high bush
blueberry
southern
arrowwood
nannyberry
Invasive/
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
native
Sun
amount
part shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
full sun
part shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
full shade,
part shade,
full sun
full shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
part shade,
full sun
Soil
texture
medium
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium,
coarse
medium,
coarse
fine,
medium
Growth Growth Size Hardiness
rate habit class (ft) (Rl 5-7)
rapid shrub, 7 4-9
tree
moderate shrub, 10-20 1-5
tree
moderate shrub, 30 3-8
tree
rapid shrub 4 4-9
rapid shrub 4 4-9
rapid tree 50-120 3-9
moderate subshrub, 1-2 2-5
shrub
moderate shrub 12 6-10
moderate shrub 3-9 5-7
slow shrub, 28 5-7
tree
Lifespan Commercial Additional
moderate available
moderate available historical; early
serai; inhabits
riverbanks
moderate available
long available
long available grows well in
urban areas
moderate available
moderate available
moderate available
moderate available
long available
18 | WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
-------
Appendix 2: Using the Plant Selector
To use the tool, first download and open the spreadsheet (WoonyBird Plant Selector.xlsm)
and enable macro operation. All operations are conducted on the worksheet labeled "Main".
Following is a brief description of the layout of this sheet, referencing Figure A-l; 1) reminder to
first enable macro operation; 2) touch the blue "Setup" icon to specify run parameters (the Setup
form is described further below); 3) a list of run parameters as specified by the user for the
current run; 4) the results of a run: a list of plant species names and common names meeting
the specifications of the current run, i.e., plants that are appropriate for the site's light and soil
conditions and are attractive to the birds specified by the user during Setup; 5) a profile of a
plant's features and possible sources where the plant may be purchased. Touch on a name in the
species list at left to view that plant's profile; 6) touch the red "Print Report" icon to preview the
run results prior to printing the report.
homt Insert Page Layout Formulas Oita Remtvf 'i-»w Dewelonei
Calibn - 11 • A' A' m » ^ I*" IP '.".'rag T^! General
,/ Format Palnt-r r '' ^ "=3 ^
, CKDbo.T j 5 FOUL
L62 ~ lt^_ ,Ji
E ^ ^ ^E -g -Sjji 1=1,3; ;, c?nc*i • $ - % » '*DO i
AttffBT^>— '' rjuiQbri 1
Wi - - -
is 9 M ^ ^ © ™"'zf A
!g; Cnndrtionai Frtrmat ceil [nsef C'*irtt Format ~ 5ort fit Find a
1 Formatting - 35 Tablt • Styles - :r,?r. Fil u j:;:;:i 4D1-294-2Q44
The Farmer's OatHUer, 716 MociesHeld Ro id |Rr 1 .<3|. Vil *N*|.l Rl iJISJ'i, 4ni-79£-134a
.4 < .. H| M.1 Ham /a.™ ,- ^eTaoi^ .-• MBMAa.c « """a"* .. ~-» <' °J ' - _.W • 1 "'.'
Figure A-1. Main screen of Plant Selector spreadsheet tool.
Appendix 2 | 19
-------
Use this form to select the birds you wish to attract to to t
reconstructed site, and to specify conditions that will limit the
list of plants recommended for the site.
1) Create a list of the birds you wish to attract. Click on the bird names
you wish to add or remove, then touch the "Add" or "Remove" button.
All Birds:
Birds vou wish to attract to site
.Carolina Wren
\3hipping Sparrow
JChimney Swift
7Cliff Swallow
Common Crackle
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee
Fish Crow
Great-crested Flycatcher _^j
2) Specify light and soil conditions at the site.
Blue Jay
Carolina Wren
Easterr BLie-urd
Soil Type
ff Well Drained
<" Less-well Drained
<~ No Restrictions
3) Indicate whether you wish to create a list of plants displaying ANY
ASSOCIATION with the selected birds (e.g., providing cover, food, nesting, etc),
or a shorter list including only plants PREFERRED by the birds.
©
Any Associated
Plant
K Preferred Plants
Only
Figure A-2. Setup Form of Plant Selector spreadsheet tool.
Touch the blue "Setup" icon on the "Main" worksheet to launch the Setup Form. Refer to
Figure A-2; 7) create a list of birds you wish to attract to the restored site by adding bird names
to the right-hand box; 8) specify light and soil conditions at the site; 9) indicate whether the
suggested plant list should include plants that have ANY ASSOCIATION with the selected birds
(i.e., plants providing any degree of cover, food, or nesting service), or include only a shorter list
of plants PREFERRED by the birds for cover, food, nesting, etc.; 10) touch the yellow
"Continue" icon to initiate the analysis. The run results will appear on the Main sheet.
Other worksheets contain information and calculation regions (alter them with caution). The
plant-bird "Association Table" and "Profile Info" contained on separate worksheets may be
of interest to the user. Nursery contact information is contained on the Profilelnfo sheet
(near column X).These Tables can be printed in the usual Excel manner, and may be modified
or expanded along with minor modification of the macro code. All operations are generally
conducted from the MAIN worksheet alone.
20 | WoonyBird restoration plant selector manual
-------
Appendix 3: Designating a target list of bird species
This section provides two hypothetical examples of designating a target list of bird species for
use with the WoonyBird Restoration Plant Selector tool. The first is a 1.5 ha restoration site in
the more urbanized segment of the Woonasquatucket watershed, adjacent to a riparian buffer
area but surrounded by high density residential and commercial land use. The second is a 10.1 ha
site in the more rural northern segment of the watershed, surrounded by several wetlands and in
close proximity to a state forest. In both cases designation of the target list of species will be
driven by the existing conditions at the restoration site, including i) size of the site; ii) the type
of restoration planned; iii) any restrictions on vegetation at the site; iv) land use surrounding the
site; and v) proximity of the site to existing natural habitats or known breeding habitat. In this
example we will assume that each site will be restored for stormwater management, with no
restrictions on vegetation at the site.
Site 1.
The primary considerations for this site are its relatively small size and proximity to high density
residential and commercial land use. Based on an area of 1.5 ha, 11 of the 40 regional bird pool
species with territory size > 1.5 ha can be eliminated from consideration: the site will presumably
not be large enough for these birds to nest. Hairy Woodpeckers, Least and Willow Flycatchers,
Cliff Swallows and Purple Martins, although having sufficiently small territory size, will
generally avoid high density residential areas and therefore should not be included in a target list.
Of the remaining twenty-three species after size and proximate land use have been taken into
consideration, Wild Turkeys may be inappropriate for high density residential areas even though
they tolerate human presence because they can sometimes be over-aggressive towards humans.
Red-winged Blackbirds generally will nest in wetlands and would therefore not be included in
the target list. Several species, including American Robin, House Sparrow, and Common
Grackle, are already abundant in the urban parts of the watershed and should therefore be
excluded. Of the remaining eighteen species, Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, Northern
Mockingbird, Grey Catbird, Chipping Sparrow, and Song Sparrow have Partners In Flight
Population Trend classifications of three or greater, or are of regional conservation concern.
These seven species could therefore be justified as target bird species for this restoration.
Site 2.
This site is both larger than site 1 and is either bordered by or is closer to areas of natural
vegetation or wetlands. Therefore essentially all of the regional bird pool species, except for
Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls, are candidates for a target list based on territory size.
In this situation, it would be beneficial to target species which are less likely to use urban areas
or human intolerant species. Willow and Least Flycatchers, as well as Eastern Towhee have
relatively high Partners In Flight Population Trend classifications and therefore would be good
candidates for a target list. In addition, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers are of regional
conservation concern. These five species could therefore be justified as target bird species for
this restoration.
Appendix 3 | 21
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f/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
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Atlantic Ecology Division
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