Wetland Management Strategies that Maximize Marsh Bird Use in the Midwest

We determined marsh bird use across a wide range of wetland types (e.g., emergent, non-vegetated, riparian), hydrologic regimes (e.g., temporary, seasonal, semi-permanent), management practices (e.g., active, passive, unmanaged), and past disturbance regimes (e.g., natural and restored through Wetlands Reserve Program, impounded and unimpounded) in Illinois during late spring and early summer 2015. Our objectives were to 1) compare marsh bird use of wetland impoundments managed for waterfowl 3 across a continuum of management intensities and strategies to predict how impoundment management actions can increase use by both groups, 2) compare marsh bird use of restored and natural wetlands, and 3) determine characteristics of wetlands and the surrounding landscape that influence marsh bird use of restored wetlands. Additionally, we surveyed marsh birds using the standard protocol timing and methodology on wetlands concurrently surveyed within the Illinois Critical Trends Assessment Program for comparison of methodologies.