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• 11. [Image] Limenitis lorquini lorquini (Lorquin's Admiral)

  	Limenitis lorquini lorquini
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Limenitis lorquini lorquini (Lorquin's Admiral) Author: Medford District BLM, Southern Oregon University Biology Department Insect Museum, Shana Sandor Year: 1852, 1999 Limenitis lorquini lorquini Title: Limenitis lorquini lorquini (Lorquin's Admiral) Author: Medford District BLM, Southern Oregon University Biology Department Insect Museum, Shana Sandor Year: 1852, 1999 Limenitis lorquini lorquini Close

• 12. [Image] Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds biennial report, 2005-2007

  	The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds Biennial Report 2005-2007. This is the sixth report on the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. The report provides an update on the accomplishments and continuing ...
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds biennial report, 2005-2007 Author: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Year: 2006, 2007 The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds Biennial Report 2005-2007. This is the sixth report on the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. The report provides an update on the accomplishments and continuing efforts of people throughout Oregon to improve and protect clean water and recover and maintain healthy populations offish and wildlife in our watersheds. The Oregon Plan is unique because it engages communities in the restoration and long-term stewardship of their watersheds. This extraordinary effort encourages local partnerships and voluntary actions to improve the conditions of our watersheds. Over the years, these actions have made Oregon a national leader in local cooperative conservation. This report collects project and condition data, voluntary private lands restoration information, and agency program accomplishments under the Oregon Plan. Consistent with the past two reports, this document continues to provide specific data on each of the state's fifteen reporting basins. A new element to this report is the inclusion of stories about the people, partnerships, and on-the-ground projects that are benefiting watersheds and communities across the state. Thanks to the many Oregon Plan partners who contributed to this report. Thomas M. Byler Executive Director Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Title: Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds biennial report, 2005-2007 Author: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Year: 2006, 2007 The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds Biennial Report 2005-2007. This is the sixth report on the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. The report provides an update on the accomplishments and continuing efforts of people throughout Oregon to improve and protect clean water and recover and maintain healthy populations offish and wildlife in our watersheds. The Oregon Plan is unique because it engages communities in the restoration and long-term stewardship of their watersheds. This extraordinary effort encourages local partnerships and voluntary actions to improve the conditions of our watersheds. Over the years, these actions have made Oregon a national leader in local cooperative conservation. This report collects project and condition data, voluntary private lands restoration information, and agency program accomplishments under the Oregon Plan. Consistent with the past two reports, this document continues to provide specific data on each of the state's fifteen reporting basins. A new element to this report is the inclusion of stories about the people, partnerships, and on-the-ground projects that are benefiting watersheds and communities across the state. Thanks to the many Oregon Plan partners who contributed to this report. Thomas M. Byler Executive Director Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Close

• 13. [Article] Historical Vegetation of Central Southwest Oregon, Based on GLO Survey Notes : Final Report to USDI Bureau of Land Management, Medford District

  Historical vegetation at the time of European settlement is of great interest to both the public and land managers, but is poorly documented. One source of data are the earliest land survey records of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Historical Vegetation of Central Southwest Oregon, Based on GLO Survey Notes : Final Report to USDI Bureau of Land Management, Medford District Author: Hickman, O. Eugene, Christy, John A. Year: 2011 Historical vegetation at the time of European settlement is of great interest to both the public and land managers, but is poorly documented. One source of data are the earliest land survey records of the General Land Office (GLO). Rectangular township surveys in Southwest Oregon were initiated in the mid 1850’s as settlers began to claim homesteads in the Bear Creek Valley surrounding what is now Medford. We examined GLO land survey field notes and plats (maps) accompanying the surveys, transcribed GLO landscape data into an Access database, and classified the data set into very general vegetation types for mapping. About 89 vegetation types (subclasses) were described for mapping historic vegetation, distinguished by major differences in plant composition and topographic features. Tree density was estimated from section line descriptions and witness tree spacing at corners, and was used to classify stands into tree classes. These types then were combined into broad “Vegetation Classes” for mapping (i.e. savanna, shrubland, forest, prairie). Classifying and mapping historical vegetation occurred on about 418,500 acres in an earlier OSU study, and about 720,700 acres in this BLM study, located in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The authors merged results from these adjacent GLO studies, expanding the coverage to approximately 1.14 million acres (49 townships). Modern soil surveys of the study area helped the authors interpret GLO data and draw vegetation boundaries. About 44% of the landscape was closed upland forest, 41% woodland, 1.4% riparian forest, 2% oak or conifer savanna, 1% shrublands, and 11% bottomland meadow or upland prairie. Forest types ranged from moist, mixed conifer uplands to dry valley ponderosa pine-hardwood grassland. Large areas of prairie and mixed oak-conifer woodland dominated many low elevation locations on plains, foothills, and especially clayey terraces or southern slopes near what is now Medford. Nearly 115 plant species or plant groups were identified by the surveyors, mostly trees and shrubs. Some were misidentified and not easily interpreted by the authors when archaic names were used by the surveyors. Grazing quality was frequently noted as surveyors attempted to describe land productivity for livestock. Historic baseline plant data is presented for broad landscape transects and sometimes by topographic positions, but is limited by the sketchy nature of the original surveyor notes. Nearly 350 homestead parcels of various sizes were claimed in the study, as identified in GLO survey notes and on Donation Land Claim maps, showing how quickly settlement occurred in the study area after gold was discovered in 1851. Most early homesteads included prairie or oak savanna, which was open and more easily converted to farmland or pasture. Early saw mills, grist mills, fields, roads, water diversions and major Indian trails were also identified and transcribed from the GLO records. Title: Historical Vegetation of Central Southwest Oregon, Based on GLO Survey Notes : Final Report to USDI Bureau of Land Management, Medford District Author: Hickman, O. Eugene, Christy, John A. Year: 2011 Historical vegetation at the time of European settlement is of great interest to both the public and land managers, but is poorly documented. One source of data are the earliest land survey records of the General Land Office (GLO). Rectangular township surveys in Southwest Oregon were initiated in the mid 1850’s as settlers began to claim homesteads in the Bear Creek Valley surrounding what is now Medford. We examined GLO land survey field notes and plats (maps) accompanying the surveys, transcribed GLO landscape data into an Access database, and classified the data set into very general vegetation types for mapping. About 89 vegetation types (subclasses) were described for mapping historic vegetation, distinguished by major differences in plant composition and topographic features. Tree density was estimated from section line descriptions and witness tree spacing at corners, and was used to classify stands into tree classes. These types then were combined into broad “Vegetation Classes” for mapping (i.e. savanna, shrubland, forest, prairie). Classifying and mapping historical vegetation occurred on about 418,500 acres in an earlier OSU study, and about 720,700 acres in this BLM study, located in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The authors merged results from these adjacent GLO studies, expanding the coverage to approximately 1.14 million acres (49 townships). Modern soil surveys of the study area helped the authors interpret GLO data and draw vegetation boundaries. About 44% of the landscape was closed upland forest, 41% woodland, 1.4% riparian forest, 2% oak or conifer savanna, 1% shrublands, and 11% bottomland meadow or upland prairie. Forest types ranged from moist, mixed conifer uplands to dry valley ponderosa pine-hardwood grassland. Large areas of prairie and mixed oak-conifer woodland dominated many low elevation locations on plains, foothills, and especially clayey terraces or southern slopes near what is now Medford. Nearly 115 plant species or plant groups were identified by the surveyors, mostly trees and shrubs. Some were misidentified and not easily interpreted by the authors when archaic names were used by the surveyors. Grazing quality was frequently noted as surveyors attempted to describe land productivity for livestock. Historic baseline plant data is presented for broad landscape transects and sometimes by topographic positions, but is limited by the sketchy nature of the original surveyor notes. Nearly 350 homestead parcels of various sizes were claimed in the study, as identified in GLO survey notes and on Donation Land Claim maps, showing how quickly settlement occurred in the study area after gold was discovered in 1851. Most early homesteads included prairie or oak savanna, which was open and more easily converted to farmland or pasture. Early saw mills, grist mills, fields, roads, water diversions and major Indian trails were also identified and transcribed from the GLO records. Close

• 14. [Article] Oregon Natural Areas Plan

  The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Close

• 15. [Article] Vegetation and climate of the northwest coast of North America during the last 500 K.Y. : high–resolution pollen evidence from the northern California margin

  Pollen analyses of sediments from Holes 1019C, 1019E, 1020C, and 1020D as well as piston Core EW9504-17 provide continuous, chronostratigraphically controlled proxy vegetation and climate data for coastal ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Vegetation and climate of the northwest coast of North America during the last 500 K.Y. : high–resolution pollen evidence from the northern California margin Author: Lyle, Mitchell, Heusser, Linda, Mix, Alan C. Pollen analyses of sediments from Holes 1019C, 1019E, 1020C, and 1020D as well as piston Core EW9504-17 provide continuous, chronostratigraphically controlled proxy vegetation and climate data for coastal northwest North America for the last ~500 k.y. Systematic changes in the representation of the diagnostic components of northern California plant assemblages clearly show orbital-scale variations. Interglacials are all marked by an abrupt increase in alder followed by expansion of lowland oak woodland and redwood forests. Glacials are dominated by montane forest and woodland assemblages. This sequence reflects large-scale climatic controls (e.g., orbital-scale variation in insolation and Northern Hemisphere ice sheets) in western North America over the last five glacial cycles. Regional climatic control (variations in sea-surface conditions) is implied by the differential development of xeric oak and mesic redwood communities. Title: Vegetation and climate of the northwest coast of North America during the last 500 K.Y. : high–resolution pollen evidence from the northern California margin Author: Lyle, Mitchell, Heusser, Linda, Mix, Alan C. Pollen analyses of sediments from Holes 1019C, 1019E, 1020C, and 1020D as well as piston Core EW9504-17 provide continuous, chronostratigraphically controlled proxy vegetation and climate data for coastal northwest North America for the last ~500 k.y. Systematic changes in the representation of the diagnostic components of northern California plant assemblages clearly show orbital-scale variations. Interglacials are all marked by an abrupt increase in alder followed by expansion of lowland oak woodland and redwood forests. Glacials are dominated by montane forest and woodland assemblages. This sequence reflects large-scale climatic controls (e.g., orbital-scale variation in insolation and Northern Hemisphere ice sheets) in western North America over the last five glacial cycles. Regional climatic control (variations in sea-surface conditions) is implied by the differential development of xeric oak and mesic redwood communities. Close

• 16. [Article] Granary-Site Selection by Acorn Woodpeckers in the Willamette Valley,

  © 2006 by the Northwest Scientific Association

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Granary-Site Selection by Acorn Woodpeckers in the Willamette Valley, Author: Rosenberg, Daniel K., Johnson, Eric M. © 2006 by the Northwest Scientific Association Title: Granary-Site Selection by Acorn Woodpeckers in the Willamette Valley, Author: Rosenberg, Daniel K., Johnson, Eric M. © 2006 by the Northwest Scientific Association Close

• 17. [Article] The logistics of working with poison oak

  This appendix to my dissertation documents how I worked with poison oak plants as a subject of study for three years. It contains practical suggestions for people who have my level of sensitivity (low ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The logistics of working with poison oak Author: Gartner, Barbara Lachenbruch This appendix to my dissertation documents how I worked with poison oak plants as a subject of study for three years. It contains practical suggestions for people who have my level of sensitivity (low to moderate). I expect it may be useful for hikers, mountain bikers, woodland owners, people in roads departments, and researchers who are out in areas that have a lot of poison oak. The contact dermatitis from poison ivy is very very similar, so I expect this will be of use for people who deal with poison ivy, as well. Title: The logistics of working with poison oak Author: Gartner, Barbara Lachenbruch This appendix to my dissertation documents how I worked with poison oak plants as a subject of study for three years. It contains practical suggestions for people who have my level of sensitivity (low to moderate). I expect it may be useful for hikers, mountain bikers, woodland owners, people in roads departments, and researchers who are out in areas that have a lot of poison oak. The contact dermatitis from poison ivy is very very similar, so I expect this will be of use for people who deal with poison ivy, as well. Close

• 18. [Article] Status and habitat use of Columbian white-tailed deer in Douglas County, Oregon

  A study conducted May 1978-December 1980 determined that the present geographic range of Columbian white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus leucurus, (CWTD) in Douglas County, Oregon encompassed 1199km2. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Status and habitat use of Columbian white-tailed deer in Douglas County, Oregon Author: Smith, Winston Paul A study conducted May 1978-December 1980 determined that the present geographic range of Columbian white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus leucurus, (CWTD) in Douglas County, Oregon encompassed 1199km2. The area was predominately a Quercus woodland community, typical of the Interior Valley Zone of western Oregon. The CWTD distribution was not contiguous throughout its range; the highest densities occurred along the North Umpqua River between Glide and Wilbur. Ten habitats were described: grassland, grass-shrub, oak-savanna, open oak, closed oak, oak-conifer, oak-madrone, madrone, riparian and conifer. CWTD exhibited a preference (P<0.05) for grass-shrub, oak-savanna, open oak, closed oak, riparian and conifer habitats while selecting the remaining habitats less frequently (P<0.05) than was expected from corresponding availabilities. Grassland use increased proportionally with biomass production of grasses and forbs during the spring and with mean monthly precipitation in the fall; CWTD utilized grasslands more frequently (P<0.05) during the fall than in the spring. Fawns utilized. woodland and brushland habitats more frequently (P<0.05) than yearlings and adults; yearlings utilized grasslands more often (P<0.05) and grassshrub habitats less frequently (P<0.05) than adults. Adult males occurred less frequently (P<0.05) in grass-shrub and more often (P<0.05) in conifer habitats than adult females, particularly in the summer. The population estimates for the 2745 ha study area were 628 and 740 CWTD representing an average density of 22.9 and 27.0 CWTD per km2, respectively. There existed a positive association (P<0.05) between distribution and abundance of CWTD and the juxtaposition of suitable habitat to the North Umpqua River. A positive curvilinear relationship between CWTD density and percent woodland cover was observed; maximum densities occurred in areas supporting approximately 50% woodland cover. Fall herd composition estimates were 52 fawns and 30 bucks per 100 does. Secondary sex ratios departed from unity (P<0.05) favoring males when summer rainfall was abnormally low. Malnutrition and vehicle-inflicted injuries accounted for the largest proportion of known mortality. The ultimate cause of mortality among yearling and adult males and females was apparently associated with reproduction; these activities were more demanding (P<0.05) on males. The median age at death for males (1.65) was less (P<0.05) than that observed for females (2.15). Fawn survival and recruitment varied inversely with existing population densities and winter severity. Parasite loads were light and corresponded with observed seasonal differences in the physical condition of CWTD. Convex polygon estimates of home range size for CWTD females and males averaged 21.1 ha and 32.8 ha, respectively. Elliptical home range estimates were invariably larger than corresponding convex polygon estimates and averaged 44.5 ha and 47.1 ha for females and males, respectively. Home ranges were stable between years; however, males and females demonstrated significant shifts in center of activity among the seasons, behaviors observed to be associated with rutting and fawning activities, respectively. CWTD and black-tailed deer demonstrated a local geographic and ecological segregation; there was a significant inverse correlation in the relative densities of the two species, and sympatric populations of black-tailed deer and CWTD differed (P<0.05) in their frequency of occurrence among the ten habitats. Local geographic distributions and habitat-use patterns indicated that within preferred habitats, CWTD competitively excluded black-tailed deer. Lowland riparian systems played a major role in CWTD ecology, representing an important environmental component in the life history of the species and serving as corridors of dispersal and recent geographic expansion. Title: Status and habitat use of Columbian white-tailed deer in Douglas County, Oregon Author: Smith, Winston Paul A study conducted May 1978-December 1980 determined that the present geographic range of Columbian white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus leucurus, (CWTD) in Douglas County, Oregon encompassed 1199km2. The area was predominately a Quercus woodland community, typical of the Interior Valley Zone of western Oregon. The CWTD distribution was not contiguous throughout its range; the highest densities occurred along the North Umpqua River between Glide and Wilbur. Ten habitats were described: grassland, grass-shrub, oak-savanna, open oak, closed oak, oak-conifer, oak-madrone, madrone, riparian and conifer. CWTD exhibited a preference (P<0.05) for grass-shrub, oak-savanna, open oak, closed oak, riparian and conifer habitats while selecting the remaining habitats less frequently (P<0.05) than was expected from corresponding availabilities. Grassland use increased proportionally with biomass production of grasses and forbs during the spring and with mean monthly precipitation in the fall; CWTD utilized grasslands more frequently (P<0.05) during the fall than in the spring. Fawns utilized. woodland and brushland habitats more frequently (P<0.05) than yearlings and adults; yearlings utilized grasslands more often (P<0.05) and grassshrub habitats less frequently (P<0.05) than adults. Adult males occurred less frequently (P<0.05) in grass-shrub and more often (P<0.05) in conifer habitats than adult females, particularly in the summer. The population estimates for the 2745 ha study area were 628 and 740 CWTD representing an average density of 22.9 and 27.0 CWTD per km2, respectively. There existed a positive association (P<0.05) between distribution and abundance of CWTD and the juxtaposition of suitable habitat to the North Umpqua River. A positive curvilinear relationship between CWTD density and percent woodland cover was observed; maximum densities occurred in areas supporting approximately 50% woodland cover. Fall herd composition estimates were 52 fawns and 30 bucks per 100 does. Secondary sex ratios departed from unity (P<0.05) favoring males when summer rainfall was abnormally low. Malnutrition and vehicle-inflicted injuries accounted for the largest proportion of known mortality. The ultimate cause of mortality among yearling and adult males and females was apparently associated with reproduction; these activities were more demanding (P<0.05) on males. The median age at death for males (1.65) was less (P<0.05) than that observed for females (2.15). Fawn survival and recruitment varied inversely with existing population densities and winter severity. Parasite loads were light and corresponded with observed seasonal differences in the physical condition of CWTD. Convex polygon estimates of home range size for CWTD females and males averaged 21.1 ha and 32.8 ha, respectively. Elliptical home range estimates were invariably larger than corresponding convex polygon estimates and averaged 44.5 ha and 47.1 ha for females and males, respectively. Home ranges were stable between years; however, males and females demonstrated significant shifts in center of activity among the seasons, behaviors observed to be associated with rutting and fawning activities, respectively. CWTD and black-tailed deer demonstrated a local geographic and ecological segregation; there was a significant inverse correlation in the relative densities of the two species, and sympatric populations of black-tailed deer and CWTD differed (P<0.05) in their frequency of occurrence among the ten habitats. Local geographic distributions and habitat-use patterns indicated that within preferred habitats, CWTD competitively excluded black-tailed deer. Lowland riparian systems played a major role in CWTD ecology, representing an important environmental component in the life history of the species and serving as corridors of dispersal and recent geographic expansion. Close

• 19. [Article] Monitoring the effects of oak woodland restoration on birds in the Willamette Valley, Oregon

  Pathways Internship Program

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Monitoring the effects of oak woodland restoration on birds in the Willamette Valley, Oregon Author: Martinez, Elena Pathways Internship Program Title: Monitoring the effects of oak woodland restoration on birds in the Willamette Valley, Oregon Author: Martinez, Elena Pathways Internship Program Close

• 20. [Article] Bird Abundance and Microhabitat Associations with Oak Mistletoe in Willamette Valley Oak Woodlands

  In the last 200 years there have been significant declines in the amount and structural complexity of oak-dominated forests and savannahs in the Pacific Northwest. Restoring oak systems often involves ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Bird Abundance and Microhabitat Associations with Oak Mistletoe in Willamette Valley Oak Woodlands Author: Pritchard, Kyle R. In the last 200 years there have been significant declines in the amount and structural complexity of oak-dominated forests and savannahs in the Pacific Northwest. Restoring oak systems often involves selectively thinning stands of oaks in order to reduce competition for sunlight. In choosing which trees to cut, land managers often remove trees with obvious signs of disease or infection. One such infection is the parasitic mistletoe Phoradendron villosum, commonly referred to as Oak Mistletoe. However, the consequences of removing mistletoe-laden trees from the woodlands for oak-associated wildlife have not been studied. Mistletoe species play an important role in ecosystems globally, by providing habitat resources for wildlife, but the role of Oak Mistletoe in an oak-dominated ecosystem is almost completely undocumented. In order to investigate relationships between Oak Mistletoe and bird abundance and diversity, I quantified breeding bird use of Oregon White Oaks (Quercus garryana) with mistletoe loads between zero and 112 plants per tree, at five study sites in the Willamette Valley in the spring of 2014. In addition, I quantified six microhabitat features related to mistletoe infection, including branch swellings, dead wood, loose/missing bark, natural cavities, excavated cavities, deep cracks in the bole, and bole coverage by Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). My results suggest that 1) structural heterogeneity within the crown of the tree and 2) bird abundance, species richness, and use of trees are positively associated with mistletoe load. In order to investigate the use of Oak Mistletoe fruits as a wildlife food resource, I recruited citizen scientists to record observations of birds feeding on mistletoe fruits in the fall of 2014 and winter of 2015 in western Oregon. In addition, I installed six camera traps in Oregon White Oak trees in order to capture additional observations of birds and other wildlife feeding on Oak Mistletoe fruits. My results suggest that Oak Mistletoe is a fall and winter food resource for Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana), American Robins (Turdus migratorius), Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), and Western Grey Squirrels (Sciurus griseus). In this study, Western Bluebirds were observed to feed on mistletoe fruits up to 14 times more frequently than other bird species. By retaining some trees with mistletoe in the crown, land managers may be able to maintain the habitat quality for some wildlife species that use the microhabitat features and fruit resources associated with mistletoe. Title: Bird Abundance and Microhabitat Associations with Oak Mistletoe in Willamette Valley Oak Woodlands Author: Pritchard, Kyle R. In the last 200 years there have been significant declines in the amount and structural complexity of oak-dominated forests and savannahs in the Pacific Northwest. Restoring oak systems often involves selectively thinning stands of oaks in order to reduce competition for sunlight. In choosing which trees to cut, land managers often remove trees with obvious signs of disease or infection. One such infection is the parasitic mistletoe Phoradendron villosum, commonly referred to as Oak Mistletoe. However, the consequences of removing mistletoe-laden trees from the woodlands for oak-associated wildlife have not been studied. Mistletoe species play an important role in ecosystems globally, by providing habitat resources for wildlife, but the role of Oak Mistletoe in an oak-dominated ecosystem is almost completely undocumented. In order to investigate relationships between Oak Mistletoe and bird abundance and diversity, I quantified breeding bird use of Oregon White Oaks (Quercus garryana) with mistletoe loads between zero and 112 plants per tree, at five study sites in the Willamette Valley in the spring of 2014. In addition, I quantified six microhabitat features related to mistletoe infection, including branch swellings, dead wood, loose/missing bark, natural cavities, excavated cavities, deep cracks in the bole, and bole coverage by Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). My results suggest that 1) structural heterogeneity within the crown of the tree and 2) bird abundance, species richness, and use of trees are positively associated with mistletoe load. In order to investigate the use of Oak Mistletoe fruits as a wildlife food resource, I recruited citizen scientists to record observations of birds feeding on mistletoe fruits in the fall of 2014 and winter of 2015 in western Oregon. In addition, I installed six camera traps in Oregon White Oak trees in order to capture additional observations of birds and other wildlife feeding on Oak Mistletoe fruits. My results suggest that Oak Mistletoe is a fall and winter food resource for Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana), American Robins (Turdus migratorius), Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), and Western Grey Squirrels (Sciurus griseus). In this study, Western Bluebirds were observed to feed on mistletoe fruits up to 14 times more frequently than other bird species. By retaining some trees with mistletoe in the crown, land managers may be able to maintain the habitat quality for some wildlife species that use the microhabitat features and fruit resources associated with mistletoe. Close