Vol. 6 (1982)
Grand Teton Np Report

Bird Populations in a Black Cottonwood Community, Grand Teton National Park

Kenneth L. Diem
University of Wyoming

Published 1982-01-01

Abstract

Baseline information on the avifauna of the riparian communities in Grand Teton National Park is sparse. Consequently, the objective of this project is to collect information on the composition, density, distribution and habitat of the bird species inhabiting a portion of the black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, community in Grand Teton National Park. The study was initiated in June 1980 on a portion of the western floodplain of Pilgrim Creek. The southeast conner of this 300m x 400m (12ha) plot is identified by a metal post. This post can be located on a bearing line of 4° E of N. 77 mm from the fiducial center of the infrared aerial photo N 31 (U.S. Bur. of Reclamation Series B/Rl7, 7-16-79). This floodplain community is predominantly black cotton wood with scattered trees of quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, engelman spruce, Picea engelmannii and lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta. In restricted moister areas several small patches of alder, Alnus incana occur under the larger trees and a few patches of willow, (Salix, sp.) are located in moist openings of the woodland.