BIRD POPULATIONS - Birdpop.org

BREEDING BIRD CENSUS: 2008July; 2008. Maximum number of observers/visit, 3.Census: Veery, 17.0 (65; 13FL); Black-throated GreenWarbler, 16.5 (63; 4N,24FL); Ovenbird, 16.0 (61; 23FL);Red-eyed Vireo, 10.0 (38; 7FL); Hermit Thrush, 8.0 (30;2N,14FL); Blackburnian Warbler, 7.5 (29; 1N,11FL);Great Crested Flycatcher, 5.0 (19; 1N,7FL); WoodThrush, 5.0 (1N,6FL); Pine Warbler, 5.0 (1N,12FL);Black-capped Chickadee, 3.5 (13; 27FL); ScarletTanager, 3.5 (5FL); Blue-headed Vireo, 3.0 (11; 3FL);Blue Jay, 3.0 (5FL); Eastern Wood-Pewee, 2.5 (4FL);Mourning Dove, 2.0 (2N,2FL); Yellow-belliedSapsucker, 2.0; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2.0 (13FL);American Robin, 2.0 (1N,11FL); Hairy Woodpecker,1.5 (3FL); American Crow, 1.5 (3FL); Yellow-rumpedWarbler, 1.5 (1N,4FL); Black-and-white Warbler, 1.5(3FL); Northern Cardinal, 1.5 (1N,5FL); Purple Finch,1.5 (1N,3FL); Downy Woodpecker, 1.0 (2FL); PileatedWoodpecker, 1.0 (1N,2FL); Tufted Titmouse, 1.0 (8FL);Brown Creeper, 1.0 (4FL); Gray Catbird, 1.0 (1FL);Wild Turkey, 0.5 (6FL); Red-tailed Hawk, 0.5 (2FL);Great Horned Owl, 0.5 (1N,4FL); Red-belliedWoodpecker, 0.5 (1FL); Yellow Warbler, 0.5; WormeatingWarbler, 0.5; Common Yellowthroat, 0.5 (2FL);Chipping Sparrow, 0.5 (4FL); Rose-breasted Grosbeak,0.5 (1FL); Brown-headed Cowbird, 0.5 (1FL);American Goldfinch, 0.5; Barred Owl, +; LeastFlycatcher, +; Cedar Waxwing, +; Chestnut-sidedWarbler, +; American Redstart, +; NorthernWaterthrush, +. Total: 46 species; 133.0 territories(507/40 ha). Visitors: Cooper’s Hawk, EasternKingbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco,Baltimore Oriole. Remarks: A total of 133 birds of 46species exhibited evidence of territoriality in this plotin 2008. That’s the same number of species as werepresent last year and four more than the 10-yearaverage. There were 24 more individuals found thisyear than last year. That’s 19 more than the 10-yearaverage. The most abundant species this year wasVeery, as was the case last year and in 2006. With 17.0territories this year, it was more abundant than everbefore. Last year, and in 2006, there were 14.5 Veeryterritories. Black-throated Green Warbler with 16.5territories barely edged-out Ovenbird, with 16.0, asthe second most abundant species. Ovenbird, now inthird place, had been in second place in 2007 and 2006and was the most abundant species in 2005. Thisdoesn’t mean that they’ve declined in number,however. In fact, they have steadily increased innumber since 2005, just not at the same pace as Veery.Black-throated Green Warbler numbers havefluctuated widely over the past 40 years, and 2008was an up year. Red-eyed Vireo increased to 10.0territories this year, but remained in fourth place. TheHermit Thrush population continued its long, steadyincrease this year to a new record high of 8.0territories. Blackburnian Warbler numbers reboundedquite nicely this year to 7.5 territories from only 4.5last year and in 2006. Species found exhibitingterritoriality this year but not last year included RedtailedHawk, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker(first time ever in this plot), Least Flycatcher, CedarWaxwing, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Worm-eatingWarbler. Species being territorial here last year but notthis year included Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird,Red-breasted Nuthatch, Magnolia Warbler, CanadaWarbler, Song Sparrow, and Baltimore Oriole. This isthe first time in many years that Eastern Phoebeshaven’t nested on the map board at the main entranceto the trail leading into the plot. Breeding success formost birds was excellent this year with 246 fledglingsbeing counted over the course of the season. Last year,205 fledglings were counted. Black-cappedChickadee, Black-throated Green Warbler, andOvenbird seemed to be the most productive speciesthis year. Other Observers: John Eykelhoff, RussNaylor, Margaret Sellers, and Thomas Sellers.9. YOUNG MIXED HARDWOOD–CONIFERSTANDBOSQUE JOVEN–MIXTO DE MADERASDURAS/RODAL DE CONIFEROSDAVID ROSGENWhite Memorial Conservation CenterP.O. Box 368Litchfield CT 06759Site Number: CT2778262. Location: Connecticut;Litchfield Co.; Morris; White MemorialFoundation–Pitch Road; 41°42'N, 73°10'W; LitchfieldQuadrangle, USGS. Continuity: Established 1978; 31yr. Size: 8.5 ha. Description of Plot: See Am. Birds33:72 (1979). Degradation of the plot’s habitats byATVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehiclescontinued this year, to the detriment of the birds. Lawenforcement efforts were sporadic and futile. Erosionof the land and roads, with resultant siltation of thebrook and wetland has become a major problem.Weather: Mean start temp., 20.5°C (range 16–25°C).The weather throughout all of 2008 was much wetterthan normal in Connecticut. The months of May andJune saw more wet days than dry ones. It was veryconducive to vegetation growth, and it helpedproduce an abundance of seeds, berries, and insects asthe season progressed. Rainfall was above average inMay with 17 wet days producing a total of 8.4 cm ofrain. The number of wet days decreased slightly inJune to 16, but the amount of precipitation increasedsignificantly to 14.3 cm. That’s well-above average. InJuly, there were 13 wet days that produced a total of15.4 cm of rain. That’s a little above average. May’smean temperature was 12.3°C, which is a little belowaverage. The mean temperature in June was 19.3°C,which is close to average. In July, the meantemperature was 21.9°C, which is close to average.[129]