GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER HABITAT USE AND ABUNDANCE IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) are declining in the eastern portion of their range partially due to a loss of shrub-scrub and early successional habitat. We surveyed Golden-winged Warbler abundance in shrub swamp, young aspen (Populus spp.), heavily thinned hardwood, jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and two edge cover types (i.e., swamp/aspen and swamp/mature) in 2002–2004 in northern Wisconsin. Golden-winged Warbler abundance was greatest in young aspen stands (1–10 years of age) and least in the swamp/ mature edge cover type. Abundance did not differ among years in any of the cover types. Aspen stem density was positively related to Golden-winged Warbler abundance among stands. The presence of Golden-winged Warblers within stands, at the sampling station scale, was positively correlated with aspen stem density, the amount of low woody cover, and ground vegetation. The most effective way to manage for this species in the north central portion of its range may be through the creation of young aspen forests and by maintaining shrub-scrub habitat.