Avian community ecology in riparian ecosystems
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We are a collaborative group who study avian community patterns, species interactions, and reproductive and habitat ecology in riparian ecosystems of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA, with an emphasis on applying our findings to riparian restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts.
I began this work as an avian ecologist and Eastern Sierra Nevada regional director of projects for Point Blue Conservation Science. I have continued this work as a MSc student at Humboldt State University and currently as a Research Associate with Point Blue. |
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Current Projects
Mono Lake Riparian Songbirds. In summer 2020, Mono Lake Committee staff (Naturalist Guide Nora Livingston and Restoration Field Technician Robbie Di Paolo) followed up on Point Blue's long term riparian songbird monitoring program by conducting point counts and vegetation assessments at long term monitoring sites at Rush Creek and Mill Creek.
Lower Owens River Project. We are comparing riparian breeding bird community patterns along diverted sections of the Lower Owens River during time periods before (2002-2005) and after (2017-2018) increased water flows were returned to the river (in 2006). The comparison provides a measure of the success of the restorative flows in improving songbird habitat.
Collaborators: Bob Taylor in Wood Lab at California State University Los Angeles is leading the contemporary effort, along with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Inyo County Water Department.
Lower Owens River Project. We are comparing riparian breeding bird community patterns along diverted sections of the Lower Owens River during time periods before (2002-2005) and after (2017-2018) increased water flows were returned to the river (in 2006). The comparison provides a measure of the success of the restorative flows in improving songbird habitat.
Collaborators: Bob Taylor in Wood Lab at California State University Los Angeles is leading the contemporary effort, along with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Inyo County Water Department.
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Publications
Hauber, M. E., S. K. Heath, and C. M. Tonra. 2020. Direct estimates of breeding site fidelity and natal philopatry in parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater). ARDEA 108:129-137. reprint request. Latif, Q. S., S. K. Heath and J. T. Rotenberry. 2012. Effects of parents and Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on nest predation risk for a songbird. Ecology and Evolution 2(12):3079-97. open access Latif, Q. S., S. K. Heath and G. Ballard. 2012. The nest predator assemblage for songbirds in Mono Lake Basin riparian habitats. Western North American Naturalist 72(3):276-287. reprint Latif, Q. S., S. K. Heath and J. T. Rotenberry. 2012. How avian nest site selection responds to predation risk: testing an “adaptive peak hypothesis”. Journal of Animal Ecology 81(1):127-138. reprint Croston, R., C. M. Tonra, S. K. Heath and M. E. Hauber. 2012. Flange color differences of brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds from nests of two host species. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124(1):139-145. reprint Latif, Q. S., S. K. Heath and J. T. Rotenberry. 2011. An “ecological trap” for Yellow Warbler nest microhabitat selection. Oikos 120: 1139–1150. reprint Heath, S. K., L.A. Culp, C. A. Howell. 2010. Brood parasitism and nest survival of Brown-headed Cowbird hosts at high elevation riparian sites in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California. Western North American Naturalist 70(3):364-376. reprint Tonra, C. M., M. D. Johnson, S. K. Heath, and M. E. Hauber. 2009. Does nesting habitat predict hatch synchrony between brood parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and two hosts? Ecography 32: 497-503. reprint Tonra, C. M., M. E. Hauber, S. K. Heath and M. D. Johnson. 2008. Ecological correlates and sex differences in early development of a generalist brood parasite. The Auk 125(1):205-213. reprint Latif, Q. S., J. L. Grenier, S. K. Heath, G. Ballard and M. E. Hauber. 2006. First evidence of conspecific brood parasitism and egg ejection in Song Sparrows, with comments on methods sufficient to document these behaviors. Condor 108(2):452-458. reprint McCreedy, C. and S. K. Heath. 2004. Atypical Willow Flycatcher nesting sites in a recovering riparian corridor at Mono Lake, California. Western Birds 35(4):197–209. reprint Richardson, T. W. and S. K. Heath. 2004. Effects of conifers on aspen-breeding bird communities in the Sierra Nevada. Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 40:686-81. reprint Heath, S. K. and G. Ballard. 2003. Patterns of breeding songbird diversity and occurrence in riparian habitats of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. In Faber, P.M. (ed.), California Riparian Systems: Processes and Floodplain Management, Ecology, and Restoration. RHJV, Sacramento, CA. reprint Heath, S. K. and G. Ballard. 2003. Bird species composition, phenology, nesting substrate, and productivity for the Owens Valley alluvial fan, Eastern Sierra Nevada, California 1998-2002. Great Basin Birds 6:18-35. reprint |
Selected Reports
Heath, S. K., Culp, L. A., Gates, H. R., Latif, Q. S., and Tonra, C. M. 2004. Riparian Songbird Monitoring in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Results of the 2003 field season and selected 1998 – 2003 summary results. PRBO Contribution # 1171. PDF Heath, S.K. and H. R. Gates. 2002. Riparian bird monitoring and habitat assessment in riverine/riparian habitats of the Lower Owens River Project: baseline results from the 2002 field season. PRBO Contribution # 809. PDF Heath, S. K. and G. Ballard. 2005. Riparian Bird Monitoring and Habitat Assessment in the Upper East and West Walker River Watersheds 1998 – 2003. PRBO Contribution # 852. PDF Heath, S. K. 2005. Bird monitoring in montane meadow and riparian habitats of Devils Postpile National Monument. Final report 2002 – 2004. PRBO Contribution # 1237. PDF Breeding Bird Census 2002: reprint Heath, S. K., C. McCreedy, and T. Adams. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2002: Irrigated Mixed Willow Riparian. Heath, S. K., Q.S. Latif and R. Hirsch-Jacobson. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2002: Recovering Mixed Willow - Black Cottonwood Riparian I Heath, S. K., C. McCreedy and Q.S. Latif. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2002: Recovering Mixed Willow - Black Cottonwood Riparian II. Heath, S. K., L. A. Culp and R. Hirsch-Jacobson. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2002: Remnant Black Cottonwood Riparian Forest. Bird Populations 7:114-117. Breeding Bird Census 2001: reprint Heath, S. K., M. A. Palladini and S. Prentice. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2001: Irrigated Mixed Willow Riparian. Heath, S. K., C. McCreedy and Q. S. Latif. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2001: Recovering Mixed Willow - Black Cottonwood Riparian I. Heath, S. K., M. A. Palladini and S. Prentice. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2001: Recovering Mixed Willow - Black Cottonwood Riparian II. Heath, S. K., C. McCreedy and Q. S. Latif. 2006. Breeding Bird Census 2001: Remnant Black Cottonwood Riparian Forest. Bird Populations 7:96-99 |
Media Coverage
The Mono Lake Story: Research and Restoration. Bristlecone Media Production. Mono Lake making a slow slog to health. Yellow warblers back: But recovery is no sure thing, and water must rise 8 feet. Louis Sahagun. Los Angeles Times. July 20, 2008. Mono Lake conservation attempts continue. ABC (KGO) Assignment 7 television news. July 13, 2007. Setting the bar for science: PRBO’s Sacha Heath migrates on. Lisa Cutting and Arya Degenhardt. Mono Lake Newsletter, Summer 2007 issue. It’s Rising and Healthy: Three decades ago, a bunch of college students reported on and worried about the fate of Mono Lake. This month, they celebrated its recovery. Jane Kay. San Francisco Chronicle. July 29, 2006. Birding Column: Banding Birds at Devils Postpile. Mathew Tekulsky. National Geographic Daily News. February 3, 2004. Popular Articles
Heath, S. K. Measuring our restoration successes or shortfalls: why bird monitoring is important. The Rainshadow: Newsletter of the Owens Valley Committee. Vol. 2, No. 1. Heath, S. K. 2003. Mono’s tributary streams as songbird habitat: what is the appropriate measure of restoration success? Mono Lake Committee Newsletter. Spring. Pp 12 - 13. Heath, S. K. 2002. Eastside story: the current era of bird conservation in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Flightlog: Newsletter of California Partners in Flight. Number 11. Pp 2 -3. Heath, S. K. 2001. From the field: notes from the Riparian Songbird Conservation Project. Mono Lake Committee Newsletter. Summer. P. 7. Heath, S. K. 2000. Eastern Sierra Riparian Songbird Conservation Project: using songbirds as a tool to assess the health of Mono Basin riparian systems. Mono Lake Committee Newsletter. Heath, S. K. 2000. Great Basin Riparian: songbird enhancement east of the Sierra. Observer: Quarterly Journal of PRBO Conservation Science. Number 121. Summer. |