Birds with Silviculture in Mind Birder’s Dozen Pocket Guide for Foresters

Identification tips, ecological information, and management options for 12 priority forest species.

Adapted from ’s Foresters for the Project Adapted by Mass Audubon from Birds with Silviculture Editors/Contributors Table of Contents in Mind: Birder’s Dozen Pocket Guide for Vermont Foresters. Fletcher Clark Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation ©2011 with permission and assistance from Audubon [email protected] 2 Introduction Vermont. Mike Downey Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation 3 The Birder’s Dozen Mass Audubon [email protected] 4 How to Use this Guide 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 Wendy Sweetser Ferris Massachusetts Woodlands Institute wferris@ 10 Black-and-white Warbler 781-259-2100 franklinlandtrust.org 12 Black-throated Blue Warbler www.massaudubon.org Jennifer Fish Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation 14 Black-throated Green Warbler [email protected] [email protected] 16 Warbler In partnership with Pete Grima Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation 18 Chestnut-sided Warbler Massachusetts Woodlands Institute [email protected] 20 Eastern PO Box 450, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 Doug Hutcheson Massachusetts Department of Conservation and 22 Eastern Wood-Pewee 413-625-9151 Recreation [email protected] 24 Ruffed Grouse Joshua Morse Franklin Land Trust [email protected] http://www.masswoodlandsinstitute.org/ 26 Veery Wayne Petersen Mass Audubon [email protected] And 28 White-throated Sparrow Margo Servison Mass Audubon [email protected] 30 Wood Thrush Massachusetts Department of Conservation Scott Sylvester Private Consulting Forester [email protected] 32 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Recreation Joan Walsh Mass Audubon [email protected] 34 Stand-level Habitat Associations Amherst Regional Headquarters, PO Box 484 Alison Wright-Hunter Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Amherst, MA 01004 Recreation [email protected] 35 Table of Massachusetts Nesting Dates 413-545-5993 36 Cool Facts www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/ 38 Key to Symbols [email protected] b Copyright © 2014 by Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. 40 Key to Habitat Feature Icons Introduction The Birder’s Dozen

This guide is designed to assist foresters who are Audubon, the Massachusetts Department of The Birder’s Dozen is 12 of the 40 mature and young forest interested in silviculture that integrates timber and Conservation and Recreation, and the Massachusetts breeding birds that have been identified by National songbird habitat management in Massachusetts. Woodlands Institute. Audubon as being high priorities for protection in the Information provided here is intended to support Northern Forest and the Eastern Deciduous Forest Regions In this guide, we provide considerations and tips for both the creation of Stewardship and Current Use (page 44). These 12 species were selected because they: silvicultural options that have the potential to benefit the (Ch61, Ch61A, Ch61B) forest management plans and Birder’s Dozen species, along with information on bird Are relatively simple to identify by sight and/or sound. subsequent implementation of on-the-ground, stand-level identification and habitat requirements. This guide is Collectively use a wide range of forest types and management activities that can benefit breeding bird intended to be used in conjunction with its two conditions for feeding and for breeding. populations while producing timber products. companion documents: Forest Bird Habitat Assessment Are common in Massachusetts forests. This guide has been adapted from the Vermont and Silviculture with Birds in Mind. Have a significant portion of their global population Foresters for the Birds Project in consultation with We assume users of these documents have experience breeding in the Northern Forest Region or the Eastern Audubon Vermont. The original Vermont Foresters in silviculture for timber production and an interest Deciduous Forest Region. for the Birds Toolkit was a collaborative project in managing for bird habitat as well. Our purpose is between the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, The Birder’s Dozen is a great starting place for novice to provide relevant bird information and guidance on and Recreation and Audubon Vermont. This document birders. It is also an excellent focal point for those who are integrating bird habitat management concepts with was created for use in Massachusetts by staff at Mass interested in managing forests in MA with birds in mind. accepted and widely applied silvicultural treatments. 2 3 How to use this guide

This guide is designed to be a quick field reference that ID Tips Habitat Territory is small enough to fit in your pocket and can be used Describes the most distinctive and identifying field Describes the preferred, highest quality, breeding Refers to the area a male defends during the breeding during forest inventory, timber harvest, and operations. marks for males of the species during breeding season. habitat of the species where it is likely to have season. Territory size is often dependent on the quality It is not a comprehensive field guide or a complete guide Note that coloration and patterning often varies between the greatest reproductive success. Birds often use of the habitat with smaller territories being possible in to the life history of these twelve species. This is also not males and females, juveniles and adults, and breeding lower quality habitat when high quality habitat higher quality habitat. During the breeding season, some a silvicultural guide. Instead, it is intended to provide and non-breeding adults. is not available. Species may also change their species may restrict their movements to staying entirely a concentrated dose of bird-by-bird information that habitat preferences during different life stages and within their territories. However, most species require is of interest and value to those who manage forests in Song seasons, such as after fledging, before and after a larger area than their territory for foraging. Although Massachusetts and want to do so with birds in mind. Describes the most common male song that is used breeding, and during migration. potentially very useful for making management decisions, during breeding season to attract a mate and/or defend these area requirements are often difficult to calculate Drawings of habitat features important to each species a territory. Birds often sing more than one song, and since they are dependent on so many variables. are provided, along with a simple breeding habitat individuals may have their own personal variations or schematic that highlights important attributes for a regional dialects. Males and females also often have quick visual reference. A key to these habitat icons other vocalizations or calls that can be recognized with can be found at the end of the guide on pages 42-43. additional practice.

4 5 How to use this guide

Food Silvicultural Considerations Notes on Massachusetts edition Refers to the main diet and foraging habitats and habits Although birds are affected by both the landscape and The Massachusetts team altered the Vermont Birder’s of the species during the breeding season. Birds’ diets and stand-level changes and management choices, this guide is Dozen list by adding Black-and-white Warbler, foraging habits often vary during different life stages and intended to inform choices made by foresters at the stand- Ruffed Grouse, and Eastern Towhee to the dozen and seasons, such as after fledging, before and after breeding, level only. The Desired Condition describes the forest removing American Woodcock, Scarlet Tanager, and and during migration. habitat condition that is most desirable for each species Blue-headed Vireo. The information for these new and is followed by a table of tips and considerations for species was developed in the same manner as the silvicultural options that have the potential to create or information for the species in the original Vermont enhance habitat for the species. When it exists, a reference Birder’s Dozen. The silviculture options Clearcut with number to the corresponding Silviculture with Birds in retention and Clearcut with Reserves were also added Mind option (e.g. 1A) is provided, along with a rough to the Massachusetts document in the silviculture section estimate of when and for how long the desired condition of any of the birds that would benefit from it. is likely to persist post-treatment. This section is meant to be used as a quick reference for foresters in the field who would like ideas for how to protect or enhance habitat for particular species or are wondering how a particular treatment may impact a species. 6 7 How to use this guide

References Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Acknowledgements Hagenbuch, S., K. Manaras, J. Shallow, K. Sharpless, J. integration and application of current research in the Non-native, invasive plants, such as bush honeysuckles, Funding for adapting this publication to Massachusetts was Shallow, and M. Snyder. 2011. Birds with Silviculture disciplines of bird habitat requirements and silviculture, buckthorn, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry, present provided through the DCR Working Forest Initiative. Thanks in Mind: Birder’s Dozen Pocket Guide for Vermont along with our personal knowledge in these areas that a variety of threats to forest health in Massachusetts and to Jim Shallow, Kristen Sharpless, and Steve Hagenbuch at Foresters. Audubon Vermont and the Vermont has been developed through practice and field experience. the northeast. Although some species of native forest birds Audubon Vermont for their help in adapting these documents. Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. In most cases, it is not based on primary research on the successfully use these shrubby, woody plant species as Drawings were done by Margaret Fowle with inspiration impacts of silvicultural treatments on bird populations, nesting sites and eat their fruits, the fruits generally have from Laura French. Bird photos were provided courtesy of This document is a derivative of the Audubon Vermont simply because there are still many unanswered questions low nutritional value and the invasive plants reduce the John Harrison, David Larson, Sheila Carroll, Mark Thorne, and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and in this area of study. As a result, the information in this diversity of other nesting and foraging options in forest and Richard Johnson. Recreation Foresters for the Birds Toolkit. We made section represents our best informed estimate of how ecosystems. In some cases, nest success has been shown to minor modifications to the Vermont toolkit to address The original project on which this publication was based silvicultural treatments influence, and have the potential be lower in non-natives than in native vegetation. Overall, Massachusetts forest conditions, priority birds, and forest was supported by the Northeastern Area State and Private to benefit, the species in the Birder’s Dozen. We anticipate non-native, invasive plant species degrade the quality of management practices. The bird identification and habitat Forestry, U.S. Forest Service and TogetherGreen, a National that the tips and considerations in this section will evolve native forest bird habitat in our region. Consideration information in this guide was taken primarily from Audubon program with funding from Toyota. Thanks to as our understanding of how birds respond to silvicultural and control of non-native, invasive plant species should The Birds of , a web resource managed by all the foresters participating in the Foresters for the Birds treatments develops. be a management objective for every forester practicing the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The information in the project who provided feedback on the original document. in Massachusetts, and may affect opportunities for Silvicultural Considerations section reflects our own Please contact Mass Audubon for a complete list of implementing silvicultural treatments discussed in this references used in the creation of this guide. 8 publication and its companion documents. 9 Black-and-White Warbler BAWW ID Tips Body streaked with bold black Silvicultural Considerations ! Forest fragmentation should be avoided. and white stripes; black wings highlighted Desired Condition Maintain or create hardwood ! As a breeding species, typically absent from by two wide, white wing-bars. or mixedwood forest matrix with a mix of openings woodlots under 18.5 acres. + and young forest in early stages of regeneration Song Males sing a high, thin, mechanical, Mniotilta varia (<20 years old), preferably near an alder swale or repetitive song of weesa weesa weesa weesa other shrub wetland. weesa. Typically lasts 3 seconds. Habitat Partially open mature or second- growth hardwood and mixedwood forests with 70% canopy cover; also uses swampy forests. Requires high density of large (>12.6 in dbh) trees and a dense Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of understory (0-5’ layer). Likes a high Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition density of hardwood saplings and is negatively associated with pine saplings. Crop Tree Release – 1A Increase number of large diameter trees in the 10-15 years Uses early-successional habitat during canopy gap formation stand, create small patches of regeneration post-treatment post-fledging period. Intermediate Treatments 3B Increase stand diameter, release advance Nest Open cup on ground against regeneration shrub, tree, rock or stump; well-hidden. Variable Retention 1B Increase growth and vigor of canopy trees Composed of dry leaves, coarse grass, strips of inner bark, pine needles, and Shelterwood with 3A Results in dense regeneration that may be 5-10 years rootlets; lined with finer grasses, mosses. Reserves used during post-fledging period. Best used to post-treatment regenerate hardwoods or mixedwood. Food Forages mainly for insects and Clearcut with retention, 3C Results in dense regeneration that may be used 3-10 years caterpillars like a nuthatch along the Clearcut with Reserves during post-fledging period. Retain legacy trees. post-treatment 10 trunks and limbs of trees. 11 Black-throated Blue Warbler AMWOBTBW ID Tips Deep blue on top with black Silvicultural Considerations mask and throat; white wing-patch Desired Condition Maintain or create hardwood and + “handkerchief.” mixedwood stands with 50-80% canopy cover and a dense understory (0-5’ layer). DendroicaScolopax caerulescens minor Song A thick & buzzy I’m-so-la-zeee with endnote rising. Habitat Large, continuous tracts (250+ acres) of hardwood or mixedwood with 50-80% canopy cover and a dense Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of understory (0-5’ layer) of hobblebush Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition and/or small saplings of sugar maple, American beech, striped maple, and Crop Tree Release with 1A Take all opportunities to protect advance 3-15 years softwoods. Gap Formation regeneration. post-treatment Territory 2.5-10 acres (smaller in forests Mixed Intermediate 3B with a dense and diverse understory). Treatments Nest Open cup of bark strips held Expanding-gap 2A Keep group width < 2x the canopy height to Group Shelterwood maximize average stand canopy closure. together with web and saliva 2B placed in the fork of a sapling or shrub Group and Single Tree in 0-5’ layer. Selection Food Insectivorous, feeding largely on Shelterwood with 3A Greatest increase in understory density occurs moth and butterfly larvae and adults. Reserves between seed and removal cuttings.

12 13 Black Throated Green Warbler BTNW ID Tips Bright yellow face, olive head Silvicultural Considerations ! BTNW avoids road edges and forested openings up and back; black throat drips down sides Desired Condition Maintain or create well-stocked, to ~650 feet from edge or opening. onto white belly; two white wing-bars. uneven-aged mixedwood and softwood sawtimber stands ! Consider attempting to regenerate softwoods on sites with >80% canopy cover. dominated by red maple which may be present as a Song Dendroica vivens To attract females, males sing result of heavy softwood cutting in the past. zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee (also known as I’m- ! Retain softwood inclusions in hardwood stands; favor black-throated-green ); to defend territorial red spruce and eastern hemlock. boundaries zoo-zee-zoo-zoo-zee (also known as trees-trees-murmuring-trees). Habitat Prefers large, continuous tracts (250+ acres) of closed-canopy (>80% Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of cover) softwood or mixedwood forests. Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition Often strongly associated with red spruce in boreal forests and with eastern hemlock Crop Tree Release with 1A Use to enhance weak softwood component and 5+ years post-treatment Gap Formation establish new softwood regeneration. in non-boreal forests. Territory Average of 1.6 acres in Single Tree Selection Use to enhance uneven-aged structure. hemlock-beech forest in New York. Variable Retention 1B Use to enhance weak softwood component. Smaller in dense, softwood stands Thinning than in mixedwood stands. Mixed Intermediate 3B Nest Open cup placed in crotch of shrub Treatments or within a group of thin vertical stems, typically 3-10 feet off ground. Food Insectivorous; gleans from small 14 branches and needles on conifers. 15 Canada Warbler CAWA ID Tips Necklace of black stripes on Silvicultural Considerations ! Leave as much woody debris on site as possible, bright yellow throat and belly; complete Desired Condition Maintain or create mixedwood stands and do not disturb tipups or logs in or near wet areas + white eye-ring. with 50-70% canopy cover, a dense understory (0-5’) and during harvest. midstory (6-30’), and an uneven forest floor. ! Avoid operating in forested wetlands and riparian Song Wilsonia canadensis Often has soft introductory chips, areas. I’m-IN-here, but-you-CAN’T-SEE- then ! Retain softwood inclusions in hardwood stands. ME. Habitat Most abundant in moist, mixedwood forests with a 50-70% canopy Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of cover and dense understory (0-5’) and Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition midstory (6-30’). Often found in swamps, riparian areas, and upland forests with Crop Tree Release with 1A Take all opportunities to protect advance Dense understory and mossy hummocks, root masses, and Gap Formation regeneration of seedlings and saplings. midstory: 3-20 years post-treatment downed logs. Mixed Intermediate 3B Use to enhance weak softwood component and Territory Treatments to establish new softwood regeneration. Enhanced softwood Males arrive before females component: 5+ years and defend small (~0.6 acre) territory Expanding-gap 2A Locate groups to release advance softwood post-treatment until nesting begins. After nesting begins, Group Shelterwood regeneration in hardwood stands. males found roaming over larger (2-3 2B Group and Single Tree acre) area in New York. Selection Nest Open cup on or near ground on Shelterwood with 3A Greatest increase in understory density occurs mossy hummock, stump or log, or Reserves between seed and removal cuttings. upturned tree roots. Food Flying insects and . 16 17 Chestnut-sided Warbler CSWA ID Tips Yellow crown, black moustache Silvicultural Considerations ! Areas that will be maintained as open-canopy, stripe and chestnut sides following Desired Condition Maintain or create well-stocked early-successional habitat should be cut on a 7-10 + contour of wings; tail held cocked above hardwood seedling/sapling stands ≥ 1 acre in size with year cycle. wingtips. < 30% canopy cover. Dendroica pensylvanica Song Fast Please-please-pleased-to-meet- cha with emphatic ending. Habitat Young (5-15 years old) hardwood forest with <30% canopy Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of cover and dense shrubs and saplings Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition 3-10 feet high for nesting and foraging. Some larger saplings used as singing Group and Single Tree 2B Openings of at least 1 acre in size are more likely 3-10 years perches and to obscure nests. Selection to attract a nesting pair post-treatment Territory 2 - 2.5 acres Clearcut, Clearcut with 3C Retain native shrubs for nesting structure post- Reserves treatment. Retain <30% crown cover Also need to Nest Open cup placed in crotch of retain small scattered trees for singing perches small shrub or within a group of small- Shelterwood with 3A Most appropriate in hardwood or mixedwood sites diameter, vertical stems less than 6.5 Reserves feet off the ground. Shelterwood Desired condition may persist for several years Food Insectivorous; prefers caterpillars post-removal cuttings and fly larvae.

18 19 Eastern Towhee EATO ID Tips Bold sooty black above and on Silvicultural Considerations ! Areas that will be maintained as open-canopy, throat; sides warm rufous and belly white. Desired Condition Maintain young forest habitat early-successional habitat should be cut on a 7-10 + Shows white in the tail in flight. with few standing trees and dense brushy understory. year cycle. This species will benefit from larger (>5 acres) more Song Song is a loud drink-your-teeea! erythrophthalmus complete cuts. lasting about 1 second. Call is a bold che-wink. Habitat Occupies early successional open or edge habitats; requires dense brushy Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of understory (0-5’ layer) and well-developed Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition litter layer. Open-canopy (~20% canopy cover) woodlands required. Shelterwood with 3A Lower canopy cover and BA preferable to 5-10 years Reserves this species. Most appropriate in hardwood or post-treatment Territory 0.65 acres in pine barrens in se. mixedwood sites Massachusetts. 4 acres in moist oak forests and 3 acres in dry pine-oak forests in New Clearcut with retention, 3C Retain native shrubs for nesting structure Clearcut with Reserves 3-10 years Jersey. post-treatment Nest On or near ground in brushy cover or low in a shrub. Open cup made of bark strips, grapevine bark, twigs, dead leaves, and leaf stems. Lined with fine grasses, rootlets, or hair. Food Omnivorous; seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. Often scratches noisily 20 through leaf litter. 21 Eastern Wood-Pewee EAWP ID Tips A flycatcher; slender, small Silvicultural Considerations headed, and grayish-olive above with Desired Condition Maintain or create hardwood dull, white wing-bars; “sallies” for pole/sawtimber stands with >80% canopy cover, gaps, insects (flying out from perch and then and open midstory (6-30’ layer) near forest openings Contopus virens back again). and edges. Song Plaintive pee-ahh-weee. Habitat Hardwood forests with closed (>80%) canopy cover and open midstory Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of (6-30’ layer) near openings and edges. Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition Territory Variable: 1.4-3.1 acres in Crop Tree Release with 1A Gaps and/or open midstory create foraging 1-30 years lowland forest in and average of Gap Formation opportunities. post-treatment 19.3 acres in forest stands in Wisconsin. Variable Retention 1B Nest Shallow cup of woven grass covered Thinning on outside with lichens placed on the horizontal limb of a tree. Expanding-gap 2A Group Shelterwood Food Insectivorous; primarily catches Group and Single 2B flying insects taken in the air on forays Tree Selection from a prominent perch. Mixed Intermediate 3B Treatments

22 23 Ruffed Grouse (also known as Partridge) RUGR ID Tips Chicken-sized game bird; intri- Silvicultural Considerations ! Requires presence of small clearings (< 1 acre). cately patterned with dark bars and spots Desired Condition Maintain or create hardwood or + on either a reddish-brown or grayish mixedwood forest matrix with a mix of openings and ! Retain downed logs or snags for drumming sites. background; tail thinly barred with one young forest in early stages of regeneration (<20 years Bonasa umbellus thick black bar near the tip; crested head. old). Retain downed wood for drumming sites. Song In spring male produces a low, rhythmic “drumming” sound on downed Silviculture timber. with Birds in Mind Duration of Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition Habitat Closely associated with quaking aspen; brushy, mixed-age woodlands, suc- Crop Tree Release with 1A Retain some aspen, cherry and birch when present 3-5 years cessional to mature hardwood and mixed Canopy Gap Formation post-treatment forests. Dense understory (0-5’ layer) and fairly open herbaceous ground cover Expanding-Gap Group 2A Retain coarse woody material in gaps for 5-10 years needed for hens with broods. Males re- Shelterwood drumming post-treatment quire drumming sites in dense hardwood Variable-Retention 1B Create open, mature woods with areas of 3-5 years saplings. More mature woodlands used Thinning regeneration post-treatment in winter. Small-Group and 2B Nest An excavated bowl on dry ground Single-Tree Selection under dense cover at the base of a tree or solid object; lined with bits of vegetation; Mixed Intermediate 3B very often near opening and close to a Treatments water source. Shelterwood with 3A Regenerate aspen if present. Retain woody 5-10 years Food insects, fruit, leaves; buds of birch, Reserves material for drumming. post-treatment aspen, hazel, hophornbeam, and cherry Clearcut, Clearcut with 3C Locate near open, mature woods. 5-15 years 24 in winter. Reserves post-treatment 25 Veery VEER ID Tips Tawny-brown above, weakly Silvicultural Considerations ! Maintain closed-canopy buffers along beaver ponds, spotted on breast; least spotted of all the Desired Condition Maintain or create hardwood wetlands, and riparian areas. + thrushes. stands with 30-80% canopy cover and a dense understory ! Leave as much slash, stumps, tip-ups, and woody debris (0-5’ layer) proximate to wetlands and/or riparian areas. on site as possible to provide shelter and nest sites; Song Catharus fuscescens Flute-like and ethereal; ball delimb trees where felled. spiraling down a tube; call an emphatic veer! Habitat Damp, hardwood forest with intermediate (30-80%) canopy cover Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of and a dense understory (0-5’ layer). Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition Often associated with riparian areas, regenerating forests, and beaver wetlands. Crop Tree Release 1A Take all opportunities to protect advance 3-15 years with Gap Formation regeneration. post-treatment Territory 0.25 to 7.5 acres in Connecticut. Group and Single 2B Nest Cup of dead leaves, bark, and Tree Selection mud-like leaf mold lined with fine fibers placed on ground or in a low shrub or Mixed Intermediate 3B Encourage coppicing where appropriate to Treatments increase understory density. brush pile. Food Expanding-gap 2A Greatest increase in understory density occurs Insects, spiders, , pill Group Shelterwood between seed and removal cuttings. bugs, and fruits. Primarily forages on the ground, but also in the foliage. Shelterwood 3A with Reserves

26 27 White-throated Sparrow WTSP ID Tips White throat with yellow in Silvicultural Considerations ! Leave as much slash, stumps, tip-ups, and woody front of eyes; white and black or buff and Desired Condition Maintain or create uneven-aged material along edges of openings as possible to provide + brown stripes on head; gray chest. mixedwood and softwood sawtimber stands containing cover. openings with <50% canopy cover and dense understory ! Maintain closed-canopy buffers along beaver ponds, Song Clear whistled, Poor Sam Peabody Zonotrichia albicollis (0-5’ layer). wetlands, and riparian areas. Peabody Peabody . ! Retain softwood inclusions in hardwood stands. Habitat Softwood and mixedwood forests ! Areas that will be maintained as open-canopy, early- containing young forest openings with successional habitat should be cut on a 7-10 year cycle. <50% canopy cover and dense 0-5’ layer for cover. Silviculture Territory 0.5 - 2.5 acres in . Males with Birds in Mind Duration of Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition are known to forage in a surrounding area at least three times the size of defended Expanding-gap 2A Locate groups to release advanced softwood Dense understory: territories. Group Shelterwood regeneration in hardwood stands. 3-15 years post-treatment Nest Open cup placed on or just above Group and Single 2B ground along the edge of an opening. Tree Selection Enhanced softwood component: Food Primarily insects, greens, and fruits Clearcut with 3C WTSP is more likely to use retained patches 5+ years foraged from vegetation (low shrubs and Patch Retention than harvested openings. Retain at least a 0.5 post-treatment acre patch for every 10 acres harvested. lower branches of conifers) and on the ground; also seeds. Prefers to forage along Shelterwood 3A Desired condition exists between seed and the edges of openings near dense cover. with Reserves removal cuttings, and may persist for a few years in reserves post-removal cuttings. Shelterwood Desired condition exists between seed and 28 removal cuttings. 29 Wood Thrush WOTH ID Tips Brown back, heavily spotted on Silvicultural Considerations ! WOTH are area sensitive. In a heavily forested (90+%) white breast; large thrush a little smaller Desired Condition Maintain or create well-stocked, landscape, a patch of at least 70 acres is needed for than an American Robin. uneven-aged, sawtimber hardwood stands with >80% successful breeding. Larger patches are needed in less + canopy cover and moist leaf litter. forested landscapes. Song ee-oh-layyy Hylocichla mustelina A flute-like , ending in a ! Avoid disturbance and desiccation of leaf litter and soil sound like shattering glass. conditions; consider operating in winter. Habitat Interior and edges of hardwood and mixedwood forest. Prefers stands with canopy >50 feet in height, a diversity Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of of hardwood tree species, moderate Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition mid-canopy closure and shrub density, shade, fairly open forest floor, moist soil, Crop Tree Release 1A Favor a diversity of hardwood species. 5+ years post-treatment and decaying leaf litter. with Gap Formation Territory 0.2 – 7 acres. Mixed Intermediate 3B Treatments Nest Open cup of leaves and grasses lined with mud, placed on lower limb of a tree Variable Retention 1B Retain a diversity of vigorous hardwoods. Thinning or shrub 10-13 feet off the ground and well-hidden among leaves in a shady area. Food Mostly soil invertebrates; some fruits. Primarily forages on ground in leaf litter or on semi-bare ground under forest canopy.

30 31 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker YBSA ID Tips Messy barring on back; Silvicultural Considerations ! Retain as many live and dying aspen and birch ≥ yellowish wash across belly. Vertical Desired Condition Maintain or create hardwood and 13 inches dbh as possible – particularly along forest white stripe on side distinguishes it mixedwood sawtimber stands with 30-80% canopy cover edges. Leave snags and cavity trees in clusters or in from other woodpeckers. and some dead and dry, or live hardwood trees with untreated areas. Sphyrapicus varius Song Drum burst of 5 rapid taps central decay for nest sites. ! Recruit dry snags through girdling if suitable snags followed by gradual slowing double taps; for nesting are lacking. call a QUEEah. ! Don’t cut all large, unmerchantable trees and retain some large, healthy trees that are not hollow Habitat Hardwood and mixedwoods with high percentage of intolerant or damaged to develop into suitable nest trees in species, especially aspen and birch. the future. Requires hardwood trees with central decay column for nest cavities. Silviculture with Birds in Mind Duration of Territory Variable. Average of 5 acres in Silvicultural Options Reference Tips and Considerations Desired Condition Ontario. Clearcut with Retain existing and potential future nest trees 0+ years post-treatment Nest Cavity in dead or live tree with Patch Retention along edges of cut and retained patches. central decay column. Prefers quaking aspen ≥ 13 inches dbh infected with the Shelterwood 3A Retain existing and potential future nest trees 0-15 years heartwood decay fungus Fomes igniarius with Reserves along edges of cut (and reserves). post-treatment var. populinus. Shelterwood Desired condition exists between seed and removal cuttings when canopy is 30-80% closed. Food Sap from a diversity of woody plant species, insects, inner bark and cambium Variable Retention 1B Retain existing and potential future nest trees; 0+ years post treatment layers, fruits, and seeds. Drills and main- Thinning consider girdling 13+ inch dbh UGS to recruit tains sap wells along trunk below crown snags. and above lowest living branches. 32 33 Stand-level Habitat Associations Table of Massachusetts Nesting Dates

Note that birds may be found in a wider variety of conditions than indicated here. Note that there are other forest songbird species that begin breeding earlier or end breeding later than those shown here. *Taken from Forest Stand Dynamics (Oliver and Larson 1990). Reference: Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 2 STAND BIRD SPECIES

Development Stage* Structure Deciduous to Mixed Forest Coniferous to Mixed Forest Bird Species Nesting Dates APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST

Stand Young forest, 5-15 years following Eastern Towhee White-throated sparrow Black-and-white Warbler 25 May - 1 Aug establishment stand-replacing disturbance Chestnut-sided Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler 25 May - 10 Aug Ruffed Grouse Black-throated Green Warbler 25 May - 5 Aug Stem Structurally simple stand with Ruffed Grouse exclusion single foliage stratum Canada Warbler 5 Jun - 1 Aug Chestnut-sided Warbler 25 May - 1 Aug Understory Closed-canopy (>80% canopy Black-and-white Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler reinitiation cover) forest with moderate Black-throated Blue Warbler Eastern Towhee 1 May - 10 Aug density of understory trees and Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 Jun - 1 Aug shrubs Wood Thrush Ruffed Grouse 15 May - 30 Jul Late-successional, Vertically and horizontally Black-and-white Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler transition old diverse stand with canopy gaps, Black-throated Blue Warbler Canada Warbler Veery 25 May - 10 Aug growth, or old multiple foliage layers, large Canada Warbler White-throated Sparrow White-throated Sparrow 20 May - 20 Aug growth trees, snags, and logs. Canopy Eastern Wood-Pewee cover varies spatially within Ruffed Grouse Wood Thrush 25 May – 10 Aug stand; remains >80% in patches Wood Thrush Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 20 May – 10 Aug 34 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 35 Cool Facts Reprinted with permission from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology from the All About Birds web site, www. allaboutbirds.org

Black-and-white Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Eastern Towhee The Black-and-white Warbler is the Males and females look so different The male black-throated green Not much is known about the Males sing two different songs. Eastern tend to be pretty only member of the genus Mniotilta. that they were originally thought to warbler tends to sing his “zee-zee-zee- mating system of the Canada The well-known song, generally solitary, and they use a number of The genus name means “moss- be two different species. zoo-zee” song near the middle warbler, but it appears to be described as Please, please, pleased threat displays to tell other towhees plucking,” a reference to its habit of of his territory, largely in the monogamous. The observation to meetcha, belongs to the they’re not welcome. You may see probing bark and moss for insects. beginning of the breeding season of male-female pairs in Panama accented-ending class of songs contentious males lift, spread, or to attract females. He sings the during fall and spring migration and is used before the arrival of droop one or both wings, fan their “zoo-zee-zoo-zoo-zee” song mostly suggests that the pair may stay females and early in the nesting tails, or flick their tails to show off around the territory’s margins to together year round. cycle; it is believed to be used to the white spots at the corners. Studies attract females. Unaccented-ending deter other males. have shown that male towhees tend Spends relatively little time on songs, a second class, are used as breeding grounds; one of the last the nesting cycle progresses and to defend territories many times warblers to arrive in spring and in aggressive encounters against larger than needed simply to provide first to depart after nesting cycle. other males. food. The two song classes are learned separately. Birds require visual contact with tutor males to fully 36 develop their repertoires. 37 Cool Facts

Eastern Wood-Pewee Ruffed Grouse Veery White-throated Sparrow Wood Thrush Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Pewees weave their nests out of grass The male Ruffed Grouse’s signature A study of migration using radio The oldest recorded white-throated Thrushes have a complicated syrinx The yellow-bellied sapsucker makes and cover the outside in lichens so drumming display doesn’t involve telemetry showed that the veery sparrow was 9 years 8 months old. (song box) that allows them to sing two kinds of holes in trees to harvest that the nest resembles a knot on the drumming on anything but air. As can fly up to 285 km (160 mi) in one two notes at the same time and sap. Round holes extend deep in tree branch on which it sits. Since the the bird quickly rotates its wings night, and that it can fly at altitudes harmonize with their own voice. the tree and are not enlarged. The nests are so well-camouflaged and forward and backward. The air that above 2,000 m (1.2 mi). sapsucker inserts its bill into the are often up to 60 feet off the ground, rushes into the temporary vacuum hole to probe for sap. Rectangular little is known about the breeding beneath the wings creates a miniature holes are shallower, and must be biology of this species. vacuum, generating a deep, maintained continually for the sap thumping sound wave that carries up to flow. The sapsucker licks the to a quarter of a mile. sap from these holes, and eats the cambium of the tree too. New holes usually are made in a line with old holes, or in a new line above the old.

38 39 Key to Symbols

! Caution! State of the Birds Ranking + Massachusetts Conservation Species of Greatest Conservation Need A consideration or tip that is especially important Using the data from the Massachusetts Breeding Bird for this species. Atlas 2, Mass Audubon assigned conservation status ranks A bird species that has been identified by the to the bird species that breed in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as being in greatest conservation need in the state of Massachusetts Species is likely decreasing in Massachusetts. due to rarity, population decline, and/or vulnerability to Continued action/monitoring needed habitat loss from threats such as fragmentation, forest succession, invasive species, and/or conversion. Species is showing a strong decline in Massachusetts. Conservation action urgent. Birder’s Dozen Species also Listed as Massachusetts Species of Greatest Conservation Need include:

Canada Warbler Eastern Towhee Ruffed Grouse White-throated Sparrow Wood Thrush

40 41 Key to Habitat Feature Icons

Forest Type Associated Wood Species

hardwood mixedwood softwood early sucessional/ alder, birch quaking aspen hobblebush eastern hemlock oak young forest and aspen and red spruce

Food Other

earthworms moths and caterpillars crickets grasshoppers spiders requires multiple area sensitive; forested riparian areas beaver wetlands uneven forest 1+ acre butterflies habitat types near requires large wetlands floor opening in each other forested patches forest matrix

flying insects fruits/soft mast soil sap and singing perch perch on edge opening/edge thick leaf litter snag or drumming log invertebrates cambium in opening of opening cavity tree Atlantic Flyway Eastern Forest Priority Birds Breeding in Massachusetts

This list contains forest bird species that have been determined by the Young Hardwood and Mature Hardwood and • Northern Saw-whet Owl * Birder’s Dozen species. National Audubon Society to be of conservation priority in the Northern Mixedwood Forest Mixedwood Forest Dark-eyed Junco • To learn more about these Forest Biome and the Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome in the Atlantic American Woodcock American Redstart • • • Red-shouldered Hawk species, check out the Flyway. These species are included because they have a large proportion • Canada Warbler* • Blackburnian Warbler • Tufted Titmouse Massachusetts Breeding of their global population within one of the biomes and may be declining • Chestnut-sided Warbler* • Black-throated Blue Warbler* • Red-bellied Woodpecker Bird Atlas 2, found at www.massaudubon.org/ in their breeding range. Massachusetts is part of both the Northern Forest Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler* Pine Warbler • • • birdatlas/bba2. Biome and the Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome. • Mourning Warbler • Blue-headed Vireo • Nashville Warbler • Chimney Swift Boreal/High Elevation Forest Colors correspond to the species Massachusetts State of the Birds ranking. • Northern Flicker • Eastern Wood-Pewee* • Blackpoll Warbler • No Action – Strong Increase • Ruffed Grouse* • Northern Parula • Yellow-bellied Flycatcher • No Action – Likely Increase • White-throated Sparrow* • Ovenbird • Monitor to Ensure Stability • Eastern Towhee* • Purple Finch Wetlands and Watercourses • Continued Action/Monitoring Needed • Least Flycatcher • Scarlet Tanager • Alder Flycatcher • Conservation Action Urgent • White-eyed Vireo • Veery* • Swamp Sparrow • Not enough information to rank • Blue-winged Warbler • Wood Thrush* • Louisiana Waterthrush • Carolina Wren • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker* • Black-and-white Warbler* 44 46