Hawks Aloft, Inc.
New Mexico
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High Elevation Riparian Woodland
Description, importance and conservation status:

This habitat is characterized by trees or large shrubs associated with permanent water or a consistently high water table. It occurs at elevations where the dominant vegetation is mixed conifer, spruce-fir, or alpine vegetation. Alpine riparian vegetation is not included in the following discussion. These riparian woodlands generally occur from 7500 feet to treeline and are located in the Mogollon Highlands, the Chuskas, and the Southern Rocky Mountain chain including the Sacramentos, Manzanos, Jemez, Sangre de Cristos, and San Juan mountains, as well as other isolated peaks and ranges.

Narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) is the primary overstory species in this habitat. Other dominants include blue spruce (Picea pungens) and cottonwood (Populus spp.). Other species present include aspen (P. tremuloides), water birch (Betula occidentalis), bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum), New Mexico locust (Robinia neomexicana), Arizona alder (Alnus oblongifolia) and boxelder (A. negundo). Lower elevation species may include black cherry (Prunus serotina) and sandbar willow (Salix sp.). Shrubs include bebb (S. bebbiana), scouler (S. scouleriana), and yellow willow (S. lutea), mountain alder (A. tenuifolia), mountain maple (A. glabrum) and red ozier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera). California bricklebush (Brickellia californica) and false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) are characteristic shrubs at lower elevations. In west-central New Mexico, blue spruce associations occur at lower elevations. These woodlands have an understory layer dominated by Gambel (Quercus gambelii) or Arizona oak (Q. arizonica) (Dick-Peddie 1993).

Impacts on this habitat include: 1) recreation, 2) grazing, 3) fire, and 4) logging.

The manager of the majority of these lands in New Mexico is the U.S. Forest Service. The remaining owners/managers of this habitat are tribal governments, the state and private land-owners.

Physiographic Areas covered: Mogollon Rim, Colorado Plateau, and Southern Rocky Mountains.

Associated priority species from Appendices B and C:

Table 1. High Elevation Riparian Woodland Priority Species

Highest Priority	Priority	High Responsibility
Black Swift Red-naped Sapsucker Hammond's Flycatcher American Dipper Veery MacGillivray's Warbler Painted Redstart	Northern Goshawk Plumbeous Vireo Cordilleran Flycatcher	Violet-green Swallow Dark-eyed Junco
Additional Representative Species: Warbling Vireo, Lincoln’s Sparrow

Bird Habitat Requirements, Population and/or Habitat Objectives:
(in taxonomic order)

Black Swift _{(Yanishevsky and Petring-Rupp 1997)}

Associated Species: American Dipper

a high aerial forager
uses high walls underneath or near waterfalls for nest sites
extremely high nest-site fidelity
nests on walls in cool, wet areas that are shaded from the sun
time between parental visits varies (H. Schwarz pers. comm.), therefore nests must be hidden from predators

Distribution: Currently breeding only at Jemez Falls in the Santa Fe National Forest

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the West, T = -6.1%, p = 0.24, N = 49, RA=1.60 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain current population at Jemez Falls
eliminate recreation use in areas where humans may impact on nest sites. At Jemez Springs, use above the waterfall does not seem to impact nesting activity but streamside access to the falls from below should be discouraged. Passive measures should be taken, such as making it more difficult to descend the steep trail below overlook (H. Schwarz pers. comm.)

Red-naped Sapsucker _{(Yanishevsky and Petring-Rupp 1997)}

Associated Species: Northern Goshawk, Warbling Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Orange-crowned Warbler

prefer mature deciduous forest, especially aspens
may use coniferous riparian woodland often associated with aspen
prefers older stands, often old-growth, with openings
defended territories range from1.5-15ac ( 0.6-6.0ha)
often strong site fidelity to nest tree as opposed to old nest cavity
if snags and hardwoods are maintained, can use logged areas with significant edge
nest trees are generally aspens infected with Phellinus ignarius, averaging 9.2 in (24cm) dbh and 9.5 feet (31m) in height
will only take sap from aspens after buds are open
populations decrease dramatically after clear-cutting but increase after partial logging provided that hardwoods are present

Distribution: Found in forests throughout the state from the Mogollon Rim and Guadalupe Mountains north.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the southern Rocky Mountains, T = -1.3%, p = 0.21, N = 76, RA=0.78; in the Mogollon Rim, T = -1.1%, p = 0.55, N = 14, RA=0.32 (Sauer et al. 1997)
stabilize population trend as measured by BBS routes
maintain presence of birds in 10 square km blocks within suitable habitat in the Mogollon Rim, Colorado Plateau and Southern Rocky Mountains
maintain blocks of 2-15ac (5-37ha) of old-growth forest with aspen and an edge component
maintain standing aspen and standing aspen snags if logging occurs
eliminate clear-cutting

Hammond's Flycatcher _{(Sedgewick 1994)}

Associated Species: Cordilleran Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Steller's Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco

found primarily in spruce-fir and mixed conifer forests, but also in ponderosa pine, aspen, and alder/oak forests
mainly aerial forager staying primarily in middle canopy, preferring shaded airways
in mature stands, often found closer to water, generally with limited understory
nest height above ground in one study averaged 25 ft (7.5m) ranging from 12-50 ft (3.5-15m)
found nesting between 7200-7500 ft at the base of Mt. Taylor; confined to alder/Gambel oak riparian corridor; one nest located 30 ft above ground in a Gambel oak (H. Schwarz pers. comm.).
nests often built in large conifers; in Oregon, sites had fewer understory trees and overstory trees had well developed canopies
Stands of >25ac (10ha) of live, tall, and large-diameter trees are likely to benefit this species

Distribution: Found in the northern mountains, south to the Sandia mountains in the east and the Zuni mountains in the west.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the southern Rocky Mountains, T = 1.6%, p = 0.8, N = 18, RA=0.86 (Sauer et al. 1997)

maintain older conifer stands >37ac (15ha), more than stands with openings of scattered large trees (Sakai and Noon 1991 in Sedgewick 1994)

maintain densities of 14-28 birds per km5 in aspen-coniferous habitat (Beaver and Baldwin 1975 in Yaneshevky and Petring-Rupp 1997)

maintain densities of 14-47 birds per sqaure km in aspen stands (ibid)

Warbling Vireo _{(Yanishevsky and Petring-Rupp 1997)}

Associated Species: Northern Goshawk, Red-naped Sapsucker, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak

aspen forests and mid- to high-elevation riparian forests; preference for cottonwood, aspen, and spruce/aspen communities
frequently utilize boxelder for nesting (H. Schwarz pers. comm.)
mature, tall, deciduous forest is preferred especially in areas with low total plant species diversity
semi-open canopies of 10-70%, but generally at least 35% preferred
numbers increase with snag dbh until they reach 30in (75cm) dbh
intolerant of habitat alteration
tends to abandon clear-cut areas; densities can increase in selectively logged areas where aspens are left standing
insects and pupae, especially caterpillars, comprise a very large percentage of diet

Distribution: Occurs in forests statewide.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the Southern Rocky Mountains, T = 0.2%, p = 0.85, N= 44, RA=21.26; in the Mogollon Rim, T = 1.8%, p = 0.20, N = 32, RA=6.14 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain cottonwood/willow, aspen/willow and spruce/aspen associations in riparian areas
maintain at least 35% canopy cover in appropriate habitats; can be up to 70% closure
if logging in areas where aspen occurs, maintain standing live aspen

American Dipper _{(Kingery 1996)}

Associated Species: Common Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher

fast-moving, clear, unpolluted, rocky streams with numerous small rapids, riffles and waterfalls
breeding streams rarely exceed 49 ft (15m) in width or 7 ft (2m) in depth
numerous pebbles and small stones necessary for harboring aquatic invertebrates that compose the majority of its diet
aquatic vegetation decreases suitability of stream for foraging
larger boulders are critical for perches
streamside boulders, cliffs with slots or overhangs necessary for nest sites; occasionally uses logs
nest sites usually a limiting factor; bridges may provide additional nest sites; will use nest boxes
nest locations often near fast or deep water

Distribution: Found in all large, major mountains south to the Mogollons and Sacramentos, although apparently extirpated from the Sandias.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the West, T = -2.0%, p = 0.28, N = 83, RA=0.09 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain 2 breeding pairs per mile of stream in suitable habitat within the Southern Rocky Mountains
maintain 1 breeding pair per mile of stream in suitable habitat within the Colorado Plateau and Mogollon Rim
reduce deforestation, especially clear-cutting, upslope from streams; deforestation increases stream siltation and may increase stream temperature, thereby changing the entire food web
remove tailings and agricultural run-off from streams
graze only lightly or, if intensely, for a short period of time (6 days) to reduce erosion runoff
healthy Dipper numbers are highly indicative of overall high elevation stream health

Assumption: habitat saturation is reflected in suggested pairs per mile of stream.

Veery _{(Moskoff 1995)}

Associated Species: Yellow Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Song Sparrow

damp, deciduous, riparian forest with a dense understory
dense shrub cover is critical, in New Mexico associated with dense alder
forages mostly on the ground for insects and fruits
nests on or near ground in slightly elevated areas, majority of nests within 4.9 ft (1.5 m) of ground
in New Mexico uses wider valley floors, not found in canyons (NM PIF)

Distribution: Currently known only along Penasco area streams; may also breed near Chama.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the West, T = -0.5%, p = 0.16, N = 135, RA=1.37 (Sauer et al. 1997)

maintain current number of known singing males (2) in the Penasco area

identify new breeding pairs in the Southern Rocky Mountains, especially in the Chama area where recent records have occurred

increase known regularly occurring singing males to 5 by 2004; 10 by 2014

establish two known viable populations by 2004; three by 2014

enhance and maintain habitat by promoting dense riparian alder growth in suitable areas

maintain dense alder/shrub cover along streams

MacGillivray's Warbler_{(Pitocchelli 1995)}

Associated Species: House Wren, Green-tailed Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow

riparian habitats and wet thickets with dense undergrowth and moderate cover
can nest in deciduous or coniferous forests with 60%-75% total cover, 50%-60% composed of shrubs
may nest on grasses or low in dense shrubs always with a high surrounding density of shrubs

Distribution: Breeds mountains from the Mogollon and Sacramentos north.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the Southern Rocky Mountains, T = -3.0%, p = 0.41, N = 27, RA=2.37; in the Mogollon Rim, T = -0.8%, p = 0.73, N = 14, RA=1.32 (Sauer et al. 1997)
maintain population near Penasco
maintain dense undergrowth along streams and in wet areas, also on drier hillside sites
maintain at least 50% shrub cover of total 60%-75% ground cover
limit grazing to maintain grassy component, especially along streamsides and in thicket areas

Painted Redstart _{(DeGraaf et al. 1991)}

Associated Species: Magnificent Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Virginia's Warbler, Hepatic Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak

dense thickets and oaks in coniferous or deciduous riparian woodland
often associated with wooded canyons, and rugged slopes
nests on the ground under rocks, tree roots or grass providing an overhang, usually on sloping banks or rocky canyon walls near water

Distribution: Breeds in the Mogollon Rim area south in the southwestern portion of the state.

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

no BBS data available
maintain continued presence in the Mogollon Rim and Mexican Highlands

Lincoln's Sparrow _{(Ammon 1995)}

Associated Species: House Wren, MacGillivray's Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow

found in high elevation, wet, sedge-dominated areas with moderate to light shrub cover in New Mexico such as wet meadows or along small streams

avoids areas without very dense shrubs

nests on ground often in or next to shrubs with dense sedge cover surrounding, rarely in branches, primarily 12-20in (30-50cm) inside shrub edge

nesting microsite is wetter than that of White-crowned Sparrow or Dark-eyed Junco

has a narrow range of adaptability to environmental change

significant nest desertion rate when nesting areas used for human recreation

Distribution: Found in the Sacramento mountains near Cloudcroft, and in the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains north to the Colorado border

Population and/or Habitat Objectives:

in the Southern Rocky Mountains, T = 1.6%, P = 0.58, N = 32, RA = 3.65 (Sauer et al. 1997)
reduce grazing in known nesting areas to maintain shrub component and avoid xerification of meadows
reduce or eliminate recreational uses in breeding habitat during breeding season (mid May - mid July)
promote development on upslope areas away from wet meadows and streamsides
eliminate meadow draining

Overall Habitat Strategies:

Whenever possible, it is recommended that conservation easements be obtained on lands with riparian areas. It is also suggested that riparian lands be purchased from willing sellers.

Grazing - Alter grazing to establish appropriate riparian habitats through short duration, rest-rotation grazing, and appropriate stocking rates.

Logging - If logging in riparian areas, maintain 300ft buffer on both sides of water. Selectively log areas leaving some live aspen and all snags.

Water - Restore natural flood cycles or adjust water flow to emulate regular flood cycles, at least every 10 years, in conjunction with cottonwood and willow replanting, if natural regeneration does not occur.

Research and monitoring needs:

1. Survey other potential breeding areas for Black Swift in the Southern Rocky Mountains.

2. Determine current American Dipper population density along streams in New Mexico.

3. Determine viability of current Veery population. Survey for additional populations especially in the Chama area.

4. Determine effects of differing grazing regimes on low- or ground-nesting riparian birds.

Additional species for which monitoring is recommended:

Violet-green Swallow

Table 2. High Elevation Riparian Woodlands Priority Species: Habitat Factors

Species	Vegetation Composition/ Structure	Abiotic Factors	Landscape Factors	Special Factors
BLSW		cool wet high walls in areas shaded from the sun;		often under or beside waterfalls
RNSA	older, often old-growth, deciduous aspen forest or riparian coniferous forest with aspen; nest trees average 9.2 in dbh	nest aspens often infected with Phellinus ignarius;	areas must have openings;	nesting will increase in partially logged areas with hardwoods left standing
HAFL	spruce-fir, and mixed conifer forests, but also in ponderosa pine and aspen forests; generally with limited understory nests often built in large conifers	in mature stands, often found closer to water	Stands of >25ac of live, tall, and large-diameter trees are likely to benefit this species	mainly aerial forager staying primarily in middle canopy, preferring shaded airways; nest height above ground in one study averaged 25 ft ranging from 12-50 ft
WAVI	deciduous trees especially aspen, with min. 10% canopy and no more than 70% canopy			will avoid clear cut areas but may increase in selectively logged areas with aspens left standing
AMDI		clear, fast-moving streams rarely more than 49ft in width or 7ft in depth; with boulders, walls, downed snags or overhangs for nesting		must have clean water to support invertebrate prey base and allow for searching for that prey
VEER	riparian forest; very dense understory, often alder		wide valley floors; avoids canyons
MGWA	riparian vegetation or wet thickets in forests; understory must be dense with 60-75% ground cover and, of that, 50% shrubs
PARE	oak thickets in deciduous or coniferous, riparian woodlands	often associated with slopes or canyons		nests on ground