NEST SITES OF KENTUCKY WARBLERS IN BOTTOMLAND HARDWOODS OF SOUTH-CAROLINA

We examined nest sites of Kentucky Warblers (Oporornis formosus) in bo ttomland hardwood forests in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina to de termine habitat features that might affect nesting success. We measure d habitat features at 28 nests and at 28 non-use sites during the bree ding seasons of 1993 and 1994. All nests were located on the ground an d were supported by the bases of herbs and woody seedlings. Concealmen t of Kentucky Warbler nests was greater from the sides and from above than that of non-use sites. Nest patches were situated in tree-fall ga ps; canopy coverage of nest patches was less than that of non-use patc hes, and tree stem density in nest patches was lower than in non-use p atches. Understory vegetation was denser in nest patches than in non-u se patches, particularly at nest level (0.0-0.5 m). Successful Kentuck y Warbler nests (n = 19) did not differ from unsuccessful nests (n = 8 ) in any of the variables sampled. Nesting success of Kentucky Warbler s may not be influenced strongly by vegetation at the nest site.