Effects of winter burning on birds in mesquite grassland

We investigated the effects of prescribed burns in winter on the relative a bundance and species richness of breeding and wintering birds in mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa) grassland at the Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge, Te xas, from June 1995 to August 1996. We collected pre-treatment data in 1995 , burned experimental plots in January 1996, and collected post-treatment d ata in 1996. Data were analyzed in a randomized, complete-block design with winter-burn and control treatments replicated 3 times each within 2 blocks (i.e., herbicide and non-herbicide). Relative abundance (P = 0.246) and sp ecies richness (P = 0.622) of breeding birds were not different between tre atments. Relative abundance of wintering birds was greater (P = 0.002) in b urned treatments, but species richness was not different (P = 0.602). Presc ribed burns on mesquite grasslands had minimal effects on bird communities in the year following treatment. We recommend maintaining unburned areas ad jacent to burns to provide habitat for bird species that declined after win ter prescribed burning (i.e., grasshopper sparrow [Ammodramus savannarum], Le Conte's sparrow [Ammodramus leconteii], and sedge wren [Cistothorus plat ensis]).