GOldEN-wiNGEd WARblER HAbitAt - American Bird Conservancy

Habitat managementGolden-winged Warbler breeding habitats areephemeral by nature. Even if thousands ofyoung forest acres were created today, thespecies would again be in trouble in 15 – 20 yearswhen those stands succeeded into pole stage. GoldenwingedWarbler habitats are disturbance-dependent;therefore, stands must be re-treated on short rotationsor new young stands must be created continuously overtime. The latter approach fits well with standard forestrotations in northern hardwoods, mixed hardwoods,and oak. The short rotation concept applies mostlyto aspen, a minor component in Pennsylvania andMaryland forests.Timber harvest. Robin WildermuthAdditional management opportunities may be found inforests that experienced insect-induced mortality in the1980s and 90s (largely from gypsy moths, Lymantriadispar, and elm spanworm, Ennomos subsignarius).Many of these areas, now in pole-stage, regenerated withspecies (e.g., sassafras, birch, maple) that are undesirablefor timber. Current low grade wood markets may makecommercial harvests feasible depending on location andaccessibility. However, many of these species that areundesirable for timber are still used by Golden-wingedWarblers as foraging substrates and singing posts.Abandoned farmland. Jeff LarkinReclaimed mineland. Jeff LarkinBeaver meadow. John Confer9 Golden-winged Warbler Habitat BMP for Forestlands in Maryland and Pennsylvania