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Home , Acadian flycatcher, Carolinian forest

CONSERVE ’S CAROLINIAN FORESTS Preserve Endangered Songbirds

Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers

Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers are migratory that share essential breeding habitat in the forests of Ontario’s Carolinian Zone. Like many songbirds that nest in Canada, these species winter in Central and , and migrate each year to eastern North America for the warm months. In Canada, the birds nest only in Ontario, in the moderate climate found in the southwestern portion of the province. Natural areas in this region are under intense pressure from agricultural and urban expansion. Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers prefer large, mature woodlands for nesting. In Ontario’s Carolinian Zone, the preferred habitat of these birds has diminished by as much as 90 per cent since European settlement. Acadian Flycatchers are listed as an endangered species in Canada, with only 35 to 50 nesting pairs occurring annually. Hooded Warblers are a nationally threatened species, with just 150 to 210 nesting pairs found each year. Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers are fairly abundant in highly forested regions of the eastern and southeastern United States. However, they have both been identified as “Species of Concern” in , , , Illinois and Wisconsin, 1. owing to significant loss and frag- mentation of forest habitat. In Canada, Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers are known to have nested in fewer than 100 individual forests. Preserving these populations in Canada is contingent on conserv- ing the remaining Carolinian forests in Ontario. 1. Acadian Flycatcher / To protect and enhance the habitat of Bill Rayner & these songbirds, co-operative efforts Ron Kingswood are required from landowners, forest 2. 2. Hooded Warbler / managers, foresters, wildlife biolo- M.K. Peck gists, planners, municipalities, habitat restoration groups, and community conservation groups. The Species Ranges and the Carolinian Zone A Closer Look at Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers

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1: Acadian Flycatcher / Judie Shore 2: Hooded Warbler / Judie Shore

Acadian Flycatchers are olive-coloured birds that make their homes under tall, closed tree canopies in the middle levels of mature forests, often along steep-sided ravines. The small birds have an explosive song that sounds like “peet-sah,” which resounds from shady spots along creeks and swamps. Their nests are generally built at low heights (two to four metres) over bare, open areas like streams and pools of water. Nests are typically suspended from the horizontal branches of American beech, eastern hemlock 2. and flowering dogwood trees. They can be distinguished by long, hanging strands of grass or other materials. Hooded Warblers are easily identified by their yellow masks and underbodies. The males have full black hoods, whereas North American Distribution Map the females may have nearly complete hoods or no hoods at The small songbirds reach the all. Their loud song suggests the phrase “weeta-weeta-wee- northern limits of their breeding ranges in the Carolinian forests tee-o.” The nest – a bulky mass of dry leaves – is placed of southwestern Ontario. in the low, shrubby understory that occurs in small gaps in 1: Acadian Flycatcher mature, dry forests. Hooded Warblers prefer to nest close 2: Hooded Warbler to the ground, often in wild raspberry thickets.

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The majority of forest songbirds in Canada are neotropical migrants, which Recovery Plan means that they breed in North America in the summer months and winter in Central and South America, or the . Acadian Flycatchers and In 1994, Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers are two of Canada’s rarest neotropical migrants. Hooded Warblers received their current, respective designations, Both species reach the northern limits of their breeding ranges in the “Endangered” and “Threatened.” Carolinian forests of southwestern Ontario. Wildlife found at the edges of The Committee on the Status of their breeding range can provide important benefits to the whole species. Endangered Wildlife in Canada, These populations often evolve unique genetic and behavioural variations known as COSEWIC, is the national that can contribute to species survival in the event of rapid changes to assessment body that makes recom- the environment or climate, which may affect the larger group adversely. mendations on the status of species believed to be at risk of extinction. ONTARIO’S CAROLINIAN ZONE COSEWIC consists of distinguished The Carolinian Zone lies south of an imaginary line between Grand Bend scientists and wildlife managers repre- on Lake Huron and Toronto on Lake Ontario. This region enjoys warmer senting 20 member agencies and year-round temperatures than any other part of Ontario. The accommo- organizations from across Canada, dating climate supports ecosystems found nowhere else in Canada, along plus the chairs of its eight Species with levels of biological diversity unsurpassed elsewhere in the province Specialist Groups. In 1996, the and possibly the nation. Canadian Wildlife Service, through the committee for Recovery of “Carolinian” is a name coined by early botanists, who observed that Nationally Endangered Wildlife, hardwood forests in southwestern Ontario share many characteristics or RENEW, established the first with forests as far south as the Carolinas. Forests in Ontario’s Carolinian multi-species recovery team in Zone are enriched by trees having a strong southern affinity, such as Canada, the Acadian Flycatcher and tulip, , coffee, cucumber magnolia, black gum, Hooded Warbler Recovery Team. This and papaw. group developed a National Recovery Carolinian forest is one of Canada’s most threatened habitats. More Strategy and Recovery Action Plan than 40 per cent of the national list of endangered and threatened to preserve the two species. species occur in the Carolinian zone – more than in any other Canadian The National Recovery Strategy aims life zone. Throughout the Carolinian Zone, agricultural and residential to substantially increase the current pressures have caused extensive wildlife . In parts of populations of the birds in Ontario. southwestern Ontario, over 90 per cent of the original forests are gone. Successful recovery will raise the Most of the remaining forests are too small and isolated to accommo- populations to 250 nesting pairs of date Acadian Flycatchers, Hooded Warblers and other species that Acadian Flycatchers and 500 nesting depend on the specialized habitats found in large forests. pairs of Hooded Warblers. The recov- Recovery actions are needed to ensure the conservation of the remaining ery team is realizing these goals by: Carolinian forests in Ontario. Preservation and enhancement of the habitat • encouraging private landowners favoured by Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers will benefit other and public managers of Carolinian forest birds, including three species of special concern: Red-shouldered forests in Canada to protect and Hawks, Cerulean Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrushes. More common enhance these rare ecosystems; forest species, such as Wood Thrushes, Ovenbirds and Pileated Woodpeckers, will also gain from the conservation and wise management • providing management guideline of mature forest habitat. options to concerned landowners, managers and foresters that are designed to maintain and enhance Carolinian forest habitat; and • assisting landowner stewardship and the creation of broad partnerships between landowners, government, and interest groups around six Core Woodland Complexes identified in the Recovery Action Plan. 3 Building Better Forest Habitat

Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers prefer extensive forest cover for FOREST INTERIOR nesting. In Canada, the largest amount of forest cover within the Carolinian HABITAT REQUIRED Zone is found in Norfolk and Elgin counties, which are 25 and 16 per cent forested, respectively. Consequently, these two regions support the greatest Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded concentrations of Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers in Canada. Warblers are considered “area- sensitive” species because of their Under the national Recovery Action Plan for the two species, six key woodland preference for nesting in large wood- complexes in southwestern Ontario have been identified as having national lands. The birds occasionally inhabit importance for the maintenance of one or both species. These large forest forests as small as 20 hectares (about complexes have been designated for special conservation effort: 50 acres), but are much more common in forests of at least 100 hectares 1. Lambton County Heritage Forest (Lambton County); (about 250 acres). Small woodlots 2. Bothwell Forest / Skunk’s Misery and County Line Woods ( Middlesex can, and do, attract these species if County and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent); they are in close proximity to larger forest cover within the region. 3. Clear Creek Forest (Municipality of Chatham Kent); Large woodlands are more likely to 4. Backus Woods, St. Williams Forest, South Walsingham Forest and Deer contain the variety of microhabitats Creek Valley (Norfolk County); these songbirds require for nesting, 5. Dundas Valley (Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth); and foraging and cover. In addition, large woodlands offer extensive interior 6. the Niagara Escarpment Plan area encompassing Short Hills Provincial habitat, the inner part of the forest Park and the Fonthill area (Niagara Regional Municipality). more than 100 metres from the edges. Because there are generally more predators in small forests and along forest edges, nesting success is often greater in the interior portion than near the edges or in small woodlots.

Clear Creek Forest, Cochrane Woods / James Duncan, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Building on Forest Interiors Circular or square woodlands have proportionally more interior habitat than long, narrow woodlands of the same area. Strategic reforestation of edges and openings will increase the amount of forest interior habitat.

4 TROUBLE AROUND BENEFITS OF THE EDGES OLD-GROWTH FORESTS Birds nesting in small woodlands Older woodlands, which are disap- In addition, by leaving older seed are more vulnerable to an array of pearing rapidly in , trees of a variety of species in place, predators that thrive along forest have special ecological significance. landowners will maintain overall edges, such as jays, crows, grackles, They often support a greater mix of forest stand diversity and health squirrels, , foxes and tree and plant species, and habitats over the long term. skunks. These predators are far at different stages of succession, than The Acadian Flycatcher and Hooded more abundant in fragmented land- younger woodlands. They also offer Warbler Recovery Team encourages scapes, with their higher proportion the diversity of habitats required public agencies who own or manage of edge habitat, than in forest-domi- by Acadian Flycatchers, Hooded Carolinian Canada’s remaining wood- nated landscapes. Fragmented habitat Warblers and a suite of area-sensi- lands to manage these properties as is dominated by fields, pastures, tive forest birds. old-growth stands. A strong commit- orchards and residential areas. Mature forests also bring significant ment from public landowners will Large forests also reduce pressure economic returns to landowners. greatly enhance the survival of from Brown-headed Cowbirds. As Delaying the harvest of 50- to 80- Acadian Flycatchers, Hooded “brood parasites,” cowbirds do not year-old sugar maple trees for another Warblers and other Carolinian build their own nests. Instead, they 15 years will increase economic species with specialized habitat lay their in the nests of other return by up to 400 per cent, because requirements, and will establish birds, which incubate the cowbird older trees grow in size and accrue benchmarks for similar stewardship eggs and raise the cowbird hatch- superior quality and economic value. by private landowners. lings as their own. As a result, the host parents may raise few or none Breeding of their own young. Cowbirds, which Evidence in the flourish in fragmented landscapes, Carolinian Zone target the nests of many species Current known of songbirds, including Acadian breeding distribu- tion of Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers. Flycatchers and The amount of edge habitat can be Hooded Warblers in Ontario. minimized by protecting large wood- 1: Acadian lands, increasing the size of individual Flycatcher forests through re-forestation projects, 2: Hooded and avoiding further fragmentation Warbler of existing forests. 1.

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5 A Guide to Habitat-Friendly Forest Management Retaining many large-diameter trees in the forest maintains a permanent canopy cover, the habitat most benefi- cial for Acadian Flycatchers. At the same time, the interspersed small gaps created through single-tree selec- tion will provide alternative habitat that is ideal for Hooded Warblers. Gaps as small as five metres wide can provide nesting habitat for these birds.

GROUP-TREE SELECTION OPTION 2. Group-tree selection creates scattered 1. canopy openings that measure about twice the height of the tallest trees in the forest. Small groups of mature or Typical Nesting Habitat in Ontario preferred trees are removed at short 1. Acadian Flycatchers nest in steep-sided, wooded creek valleys, maple intervals of 10 or 20 years. This swamps, and moist maple-beech forests. / Bill Rayner & Ron Kingswood method is similar to single-tree selec- 2. Hooded Warblers nest in forest gaps within large, mature woodlands tion, but it results in the creation of dominated by white , red maple, white pine and/or American beech. / larger gaps. Bill Rayner & Ron Kingswood Provided that the operations retain Good forestry practices can maintain and improve the economic quality of some tracts of mature and uncut a forest over a long period without harming the ecological processes that deciduous forest, well-planned group- sustain and develop wildlife habitat. Viable options are available that can tree selection treatments can maintain benefit both landowners and area-sensitive species, such as Acadian the closed canopy conditions favoured Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers. Many species will thrive in a carefully by Acadian Flycatchers. In turn, with- managed forest, while the woodlot continues to provide long-term income in a few years of their creation, the for the landowner. Harvesting woodlands wisely builds a significant legacy forest gaps begin to regenerate and for the preservation of our natural heritage, and protects long-term eco- can attract Hooded Warblers. Two to nomic interests for future generations. three gaps per hectare provide shrub cover and foraging habitat for nesting Hooded Warblers. The warblers may return annually until the saplings IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING SINGLE-TREE SELECTION OPTION reach more than five metres in height Careful planning at all stages of forest Single-tree selection is the least intru- and begin shading out the thick under- management can help to determine sive cutting system and likely comes growth, a process that may take feasible economic objectives, mini- closest to imitating a natural pattern 12 years or more. mize environmental damage, and of small-scale forest disturbance. For protect sensitive species and features this option, a prescribed selection of of the site. The Acadian Flycatcher mature or preferred trees are removed and Hooded Warbler Recovery Team at short intervals of 10 or 20 years, is available to advise property owners leaving a scattered pattern of small prior to logging operations. Information gaps, while also leaving all the major on woodland management in southern tree components in place to rejuvenate Ontario can also be obtained from themselves in a natural pattern. The the Ontario Ministry of Natural life expectancy of the gaps is relatively Resources (see Contacts). short because they tend to regenerate quickly, but continued single-tree Cross-section of a GET IT IN WRITING selection will ensure that new gaps Well-managed Forest are created. Meanwhile, retention of If you hire a contractor to cut your Old-growth or mature forests that are many older growth trees ensures that woodlot, be sure to work from a managed wisely contain diverse essential ecological cycles (including written contract specifying the man- wildlife habitats. This cross-section re-seeding) are maintained. shows a canopy gap created by single- agement plan you want to use. 6 tree selection cutting and a ravine. DIAMETER-LIMIT CUTS MAY Open edges expose the forest to It is best to avoid harvesting timber LIMIT FUTURE OPTIONS greater risk of windthrow, drought, from ravines and stream banks disease, pesticides, and invasive plants. because subsequent erosion may A diameter-limit cut involves harvest- diminish stream water quality. ing every tree larger than a specified KEEP AN UNDISTURBED diameter. This system severely dimin- Swamps provide important habitat FOREST CORE ishes the ecological health of the for endangered species such as woodland and reduces opportunities Consider leaving a permanent, Acadian Flycatchers and Prothonotary for long-term, sustainable income unlogged core area in the centre of Warblers, and more common species from future cuts. Landowners are the forest as an old-growth reserve. such as Wood Ducks and Northern often left with a low-quality, geneti- Older-growth or mature forest habitat Waterthrushes. Swamps and other cally impaired forest. As well, supports many plant and wetlands also protect the quality and diameter-limit cuts remove all of the species that are absent or uncommon quantity of water supplies. Preserving oldest trees and eliminate breeding in young forests. Older-growth stands wetlands provides environmental habitat for Acadian Flycatchers, can satisfy the habitat requirements benefits for humans, birds and Hooded Warblers and other forest of both Acadian Flycatchers and other wildlife. birds that need mature forest habitat. Hooded Warblers because they provide extensive closed canopy CUT ROTATION IS ESSENTIAL areas, along with a mosaic of gaps Tax Incentives created by natural tree falls. Best practices for habitat conserva- for Sustainably tion indicate that only a portion of Managed Forests the forest should be cut at any one Enlarge and time. Rotating cuts ensures that The Conservation Land Tax Incentive essential forest bird habitat is main- reconnect existing Program (CLTIP) and Managed tained, with areas of the forest Forest Tax Incentive Program providing closed canopy and older woodlands (MFTIP) are provincial government habitat for Acadian Flycatchers and property tax incentives. Landowners other areas providing small canopy The amount of forest interior habitat can receive property tax incentives gaps for Hooded Warblers. At the can be increased, sometimes signifi- for owning certain environmentally same time, periodic rotation cuts cantly, by reforesting fields and other sensitive lands and/or managing ensure a sustained income for large openings within woodlands, those lands for conservation. the landowner. restoring marginal farmland around woodland edges, and reconnecting Landowners interested in these pro- grams should contact the Ontario MINIMIZE IMPACTS OF LOGGING isolated woodlands. Strategic refor- estation can have important, lasting Ministry of Natural Resources for To minimize the impacts of logging ecological benefits for area-sensitive more information (see Contacts). on breeding birds, operations must be and forest-interior species. scheduled outside the nesting season. ALTERNATIVES FOR The best time to log is from October LONG-TERM PRESERVATION to March, when the ground is either Protect valley- frozen or dry enough to minimize or There are a variety of conservation avoid damage to the forest floor. Plan lands and swamps options available to preserve high- carefully to keep the size and number quality forest habitat for Acadian of trails and landings low, which will Woodlands bordering streams and Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers. reduce the number of canopy breaks ravines provide important habitat Conservation easements, for example, and help to avoid the spread of inva- for Acadian Flycatchers and other can enshrine preservation policies on sive native and non-native plants. forest birds, particularly in regions the title of the property. Some con- where little other forest cover exists. servation groups will lease significant MAINTAIN THE EDGE Protect ravine woodlands from ero- habitat. Also, the federal Ecological sion and disruption by leaving at Gifts Program allows landowners to Avoid cutting trees within 20 to least a 10 metre buffer of trees on donate ecologically sensitive land 30 metres of the forest edges. A dense the tableland along the top of the to qualified recipients, and receive stand of trees around the forest edges, ravine slope. Degraded slopes and significant tax benefits (see Contacts). particularly on the southwest-facing valleys can be restored by natural side, buffers the forest interior from or planned regeneration. the damaging effects of wind and sun. 7 Thanks to the Contacts landowners Acadian Flycatcher and Hooded Ecological Gifts Program Warbler Recovery Team Canadian Wildlife Service, Many landowners throughout Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Region Ontario’s Carolinian Zone protect Ontario Region Environment Canada significant woodland habitat. Without Room 211, Blackwood Hall 4905 Dufferin Street their past and continuing steward- University of Guelph Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4 ship, the region would experience Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 Tel: 416 739-4286 greater depletion of species such as Tel: 519 826-2094 Fax: 416 739-5845 Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.on.ec.gc.ca/ecogifts Warblers that are dependent on mature forest habitat. Numerous Bird Studies Canada Ontario Ministry of landowners also allow access to their P.O. Box 160 Natural Resources lands for wildlife and forest research. Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0 P.O. Box 7000 Their generous co-operation and Tel: 519 586-3531 300 Water Street contributions to conservation are E-mail: [email protected] Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8M5 deeply appreciated. Website: www.bsc-eoc.org Natural Resources Information Centre Committee on the Status of Tel: 1-800-667-1940 Endangered Species in Canada Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca Recommended (COSEWIC) and Recovery of • Conservation Land Tax Nationally Endangered Wildlife Reading Incentive Program (CLTIP): Committee (RENEW) Secretariat www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/cltip/ Canadian Wildlife Service Ontario Ministry of Natural index.html Resources. 2000. Environment Canada A silvicultural guide to managing Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3 • Managed Forest Tax southern Ontario forests. Queen’s Tel: 819 997-4991 Incentive Program (MFTIP): Printer for Ontario. Toronto, Ontario. • COSEWIC Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/forests/ www.cosewic.gc.ca/cosewic mftip/home.htm (Available from Ontario Ministry • RENEW Website: of Natural Resources www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/sar/efforts Tel: 1-800-667-1940) Species at Risk Recovery and Stewardship Program Canadian Wildlife Service 49 Camelot Drive Nepean, Ontario K1A 0H3 Tel: 613-952-2417 E-mail: [email protected]

Acknowledgments: This pamphlet and the work of the Acadian Flycatcher and Hooded Warbler Recovery Team have been supported by the following sponsors and partners: Canadian Wildlife Service – Ontario Region, Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bird Studies Canada, Endangered Species Recovery Fund, Natural Heritage Information Centre, Long Point Foundation for Conservation, and the Long Point Region Conservation Authority. Thanks also To Mike Cadman, Dawn Burke, Mary Gartshore, Ken Elliott, Dave Martin, Jon McCracken, Jim Oliver, Don Sutherland, Bridget Stutchbury and Allen Woodliffe for their help in producing this fact sheet. This fact sheet was printed on Rolland Opaque paper, made with 20 per cent post-consumer recycled waste, and printed with vegetable-based inks. © Bird Studies Canada, 2001 Authors: Lyle Friesen and Mark Stabb Editors: Julie Suzanne Pollock, Helen Mason and Jon McCracken Design & Layout: Neglia Design Inc., Toronto