Survey of the Patterns of Nest Box Use Among Squirrels (Sciuridae) in Managed Forest Stands in Clinton County, New York

摘要

Artificial habitat enhancements are important forest structural components that can increase the survival ofsquirrels (Sciuridae) and thus warrant study. Investigations of squirrel nest box usage can provide useful demographic andcommunity information such as occupancy rates, litter size, habitat preference, species richness and abundance estimates.This artificial nest box study investigated the nesting patterns of squirrels from late winter through early fall 2011 inmanaged forest stands in Clinton County, New York. Squirrels are sensitive to forest disturbance, hence we comparedsites of varying silvicultural activity (e.g., managed for production of timber or maple syrup versus an undisturbedreference stand). A total of 48 nest boxes were constructed and monitored across three separate sites (e.g., reference,logged, and sugaring). Prior research suggested that occupancy may be a function of nest box height (~3.5m and ~5m) andsite-specific tree cavity/snags/drey abundance, thus height preference and alternative nesting options were monitored inthe survey and analyzed to report detection probability and occupancy estimates in Program Presence. Visualconfirmation of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus Shaw) was made in 81%, 44%, and 13% of the nest boxesin the reference, logged, and sugar site, respectively. Approximately 79% of the nest boxes showed evidence of wildlifevisitation (e.g., scat, crushed seeds, or nesting material). Additionally, 87% of the high boxes (5m) versus 71% of the lowboxes (3.5m) were utilized, and 17% of all occupancies contained multiple individuals. This survey provides additionalmulti-season occupancy data for an elusive mammal species under managed habitat regimes. We recommend thatmanagement plans include a wildlife habitat component that maintains snag trees and live cavity-trees in forest stands.When appropriate, stand management plans could also include installing habitat enhancement structures such as artificialnest boxes for squirrels.