Does oil development affect birds

Jason Unruh, Department of Biology
University of Regina

Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Rm. 266
3:30 p.m.

Abstract: Native grasslands provide breeding habitat for many avian species of conservation concern, yet the quality and quantity of remaining native grassland in western Canada may currently be threatened by oil development. My research aims to determine the extent to which oil well proximity, density and overall disturbance influence the abundance of grassland songbirds on native and exotic grass pastures. Preliminary results show species-specific responses to oil development. Native grass specialists (e.g. Sprague's Pipit & Baird's Sparrow) responded negatively to well proximity and well density. However, more generalist species (Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark) seemed to respond positively to the presence of oil development. These results suggest that oil development on native grass pastures needs to be managed for the specific requirements of native grass specialist species.

for more information, contact nicole.michel@usask.ca or david.johns@usask.ca