The Natural Resources of Burnet Woods
Burnet Woods is an isolated, urban forest fragment. The forest in the
park is exceedingly diverse in species composition and
structure. Field work is ongoing in Burnet Woods with the goal of
understanding the ecology of forest fragments (which, sadly, are
becoming increasingly common) and the ecology of migrating birds.
Burnet Woods is a rich woodland
The diversity of tree species in the park is very high. The plant
survey of Stephenson and Caldwell reports over 100 species of trees
from Burnet Woods. Although some of these species are exotics or
specimens introduced by man, the diversity of naturally occurring trees
is as high --- or higher --- in Burnet Woods as in other nearby
forests. The undergrowth (wildflowers etc.) is also also diverse and
characteristic of an old, stable, undisturbed forest. Botanical
research in Burnet Woods goes back to at least the 1940's when the
Stephenson sisters began collecting data. The forest was also
important in the research of the late Dr. Janice Beatley --- a
botanist in U.C.'s department of biology. The forest in the park is an
isolated fragment and stands out as a conspicuous feature in aerial
and satellite photographs of the city. Of the park's approximately 90
acres, only 60% are forested.
The birds of Burnet Woods
Starting in 1986, researchers have conducted daily censuses of spring
migrants in the park. More than 175 species of birds have been observed in the
park. Of these, about 15% are permanent residents that live
in the park all year. Examples of permanent residents include Carolina
Chickadee, Eastern Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, and Carolina
Wren. Four species of woodpeckers are also permanent residents.
Winter residents are species that live in the park during late fall
and winter, but migrate north to their breeding grounds in the
spring. Examples include White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed
Junco. Sumer residents are birds that winter farther south
but migrate to Burnet Woods in the summer to nest. Examples of summer
residents include Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, and House Wren.
The remaining category of birds are those that pass through the park
twice each year --- in the spring when they migrate north to breed,
and again in the fall en route to their wintering grounds. These
transient migrants, account for about 120 of the species recorded
in the park. Some of these migrants winter as far south as Argentina
and breed as far north as Alaska. It is generally believed that places like
Burnet Woods, where these long distance migrants can rest and feed, are essential
to the survival of many species of birds.
During spring migration as many as 80 species of birds can be found in
the park on a single day. And on a peak day as many as 300 transient
migrants may be using Burnet Woods. This is why the park is thought of
by many as a first rate birding locality which, at times, is as good s
the well known birding spots along Lake Erie. It was in part the
abundance of transient migrants that led Ludlow Griscom ---
the dean of American field ornithology --- to remark that Ohio was the
best place in the country to study warblers.