Oxbow NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Wildlife Resources
Migratory Birds
Chapter 3: Refuge and Resource Descriptions
Comprehensive inventories for wintering, breeding and migratory
birds have not been conducted for all avian species groups at the
refuge. However, an impressive record of bird species using the
refuge has been developed by staff and expert volunteer birders. A
complete listing of bird species identified on Oxbow NWR to date is
provided at Appendix D. In addition, the refuge staff initiated
breeding American woodcock, land-bird and marsh-bird surveys on
the Oxbow NWR in 2000. The latter two surveys follow regional
American woodcock at Oxbow NWR: Service sampling protocol and contribute to regional and national
Staff photo
databases. The annual breeding season American woodcock
(Scolopax minor) surveys also utilize standardized protocols, but
are not currently a part of a regional or national series of observations.
Great blue heron:
Photo by David
Margaretos
The wetlands and open water bodies of the refuge provide important
migration, feeding and nesting habitat for waterfowl species including
American black duck (Anas rubripes), wood duck (Aix sponsa), mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos), and green-winged teal (Anas crecca).
The wetlands along the Nashua River and its tributaries have been
identified as a priority for protection under the NAWMP and the area is
within one of the seven focus areas for the State of Massachusetts under
this plan. Priority waterfowl species identified include American black
duck, wood duck, and mallard, which nest on the refuge in upland habitat
surrounding wetlands that provide brood raising habitat (USFWS 1992).
The Service Northeast Region Marshbird Callback Survey was conducted
at the refuge for the first time in 2000. This survey follows a national
protocol which will assist with the monitoring of marshbirds throughout the
nation. The Marshbird Callback Survey specifically targets the secretive
birds of wetlands that are generally missed during landbird surveys. The
initial survey focused on the southern third of the refuge but will be
expanded to include the newly acquired northern properties. Great blue
heron (Ardea herodias), green heron (Butorides virescens) and blackcrowned
Night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) have been observed on the
refuge (Appendix D).
The Service Northeast Region Landbird Breeding Survey conducted on
the refuge is similar to the National Breeding Bird Survey in which
singing males are recorded at designated points along a route that
traverses the refuge during the breeding season (May-July). This survey
was initiated in the spring of 2000 and resulted in an initial species list of
breeding land birds. The land bird survey is designed to continue for at
least five years, at which time the data will be analyzed to determine the
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
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