| I investigated the indirect effects of wind turbines on the nesting behavior of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus ) in north-central Texas. I tracked the fate of 38 nests at Wolf Ridge Wind, LLC and control sites during breeding season in 2009. Overall nest predation rates were high and reproductive success was low, with only 18% of nests fledging at least one offspring. Daily nest survival rates did not differ between Wolf Ridge (94.3%) and the control sites (94.4%). A univariate Mayfield logistic regression analysis suggested that proximity to wind turbines is associated with increased nesting success. AIC Mayfield logistic regression analysis indicated, however, that variation in nesting success was best explained by canopy cover, DBH, and canopy height, three habitat variables most closely associated with nest predation risk. |
