Get reliable science

Seven strip-transects were setup in both the grazed (65% utilization) and livestock excluded areas to determine the differences of bird species present in those areas. Fourteen species of birds were observed inside the exclosures, two of them being the Wilson's warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) and Lincoln's sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii). Twenty-one species were observed within the grazed areas, including the American robin (Turdus migratorius). Various species prefer different vegetation types, so depending on the bird species being managed for, cattle grazing can either provide or deteriorate habitat quality. Wilson's Warbler and Lincoln's Sparrow appear to have been replaced by ubiquitous species such as American Robin in grazed areas along Sheep Creek. Grazing was shown to increase the density of those small mammal species that require low levels of cover, while subsequently reducing the density of those requiring higher levels of cover. This study showed that the deer mouse is most abundant under grazed conditions. However, the western jumping mouse was more abundant in the exclosures than the grazed areas, probably because they prefer moderately wet aspen and shrub-sedge savanna habitats near water. This study suggests that previous heavy cattle grazing changed the bird and mammal community composition through reduction of shrub and herbaceous cover.

Seven strip-transects were setup in both the grazed (65% utilization) and livestock excluded areas to determine the differences of bird species presence in those areas. Fourteen species of birds were observed inside the exclosures, two of them being the Wilson's warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) and Lincoln's sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii). Twenty-one species were observed within the grazed areas, including the American robin (Turdus migratorius). Various species prefer different vegetation types, therefore depending on the bird species being managed for, cattle grazing can either provide or deteriorate habitat quality.