REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS AND HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS OF GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS IN HIGH-ELEVATION PASTURELANDS

The Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is one of the most rapidly declining vertebrate species in the Appalachian Mountains. It is the subject of extensive range-wide research and conservation action. However, little is known about this species' breeding ecology in high-elevation pasturelands, a breeding habitat with conservation potential considering the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service's Working Lands for Wildlife program targeting private lands in the Appalachian Mountains. We located 100 nests of Golden-winged Warblers in pastures in and around the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia during 2008-2012. Daily nest survival rate (mean +/- SE = 0.962 +/- 0.006), clutch size (4.5 +/- 0.1), and number of young fledged per nest attempt (2.0 +/- 0.2) and successful nest (4.0 +/- 0.1) fell within the range of values reported in other parts of the species' range and were not significantly affected by year or the presence/ absence of cattle grazing. Classification tree analysis revealed that nests were in denser vegetation (>= 52%) and closer to forest edges (<36.0 m) and shrubs (<7.0 cm) than random locations within the male's territory. Successful nests had significantly more woody cover (>= 9%) within 1 m than failed nests. Our results suggest that cattle grazing at 1.2-2.4 ha of forage/animal unit with periodic mowing can create and maintain these characteristics without interfering with the nesting of Golden-winged Warblers. High-elevation pasturelands may provide a refuge for remaining populations of Goldenwinged Warblers in this region. Received 22 July 2013. Accepted 10 January 2014.