Evaluating Bird Diversity Dynamics: A Pre- and Post-Lake Expansion Survey

Lake expansion is a common environmental management practice that can significantly impact local ecosystems, including avian communities. Previous research has demonstrated that factors such as lake size, vegetation cover, food availability, and shoreline characteristics positively influence bird diversity and density. The expansion of the lake at Camp Hydaway provides a unique opportunity to see how bird diversity has changed compared to pre-lake expansion historical data. We hypothesize that the lake expansion will result in increased bird diversity and density, particularly among waterfowl species. To test this hypothesis, we will conduct point counts at designated observation sites and deploy trail cameras to capture bird activity over a two-month period from February to March. Historical bird survey data from the pre-expansion period will serve as a baseline for comparison. We expect to find a significant increase in the presence of key waterfowl species, including the Double-crested Cormorant, Bufflehead, Green Heron, Great Egret, Spotted Sandpiper, Pied-billed Grebe, and Hooded Merganser. These results could suggest that lake expansions create favorable conditions for a wider range of bird species by increasing habitat complexity and resource availability. The findings of this study have implications for habitat management and conservation strategies, particularly in the design and monitoring of managed lakes. Future research could explore long-term trends in avian diversity and the ecological stability of expanded lake ecosystems.