Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Songbird Nest Locations & Plant Choice in Utility Corridors Managed by IVM

Utility corridors with green spaces that are managed properly can provide additional benefits of habitat value. Many organisms, including birds, capitalize on rights-of-way (ROWs) by using early successional plant cover, woody edge border species, and off-corridor trees for foraging, roosting, and breeding. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act recognizes species whose nesting activities are protected from and during routine ROW management activities, including IVM.

This webinar highlights nesting sites and plant relationships observed in ROW songbird nesting evaluations throughout the eastern and northern U.S. Understanding the dynamics of plant species choices and nesting times can help us better plan and design ROW management activities to minimize and avoid incidental take.