Connecticut Newsletter Winter 2014, Issue 2

Now that our purple summer visitors are taking New Colonies their winter break in warmer climates, it seemed an We also had some new colonies started this year. appropriate time for the next edition of the Most notably is the highly successful colony located Connecticut Purple Martin Newsletter. Thank you at Sherwood Island State Park. In just its first year to everyone for a great field season in 2014. It was of existence, the site has already produced over 100 a very successful year filled with several new juveniles! The location was selected because of its records and some promising new beginnings. The proximity to the former colony managed by Phil word is out about this project thanks in large part to Donahue. The hope was that the returning adults recent media coverage (see the section on Martins would accept this site as a substitute. The plan in the Media). The interest generated through this worked perfectly. Several of the adult had work will ensure that we continue heading down bands revealing that they did indeed come from the right path towards long-term purple martin Phil’s colony. conservation in Connecticut.

2014 Banding Recap We set some records with total numbers of colonies visited (20) and chicks banded (1,192). The number average number of chicks banded per site (60) was also the highest it has ever been. Part of this can be explained by the high productivity observed around the state. There were sites that had five, six, and even seven chicks per nest! Unfortunately when martins are trying to raise that many young there is a small margin for error with regard to outside stressors. And as a result, there were also a record number of deceased chicks reported this year. The causes of mortality varied from site to site but many appeared to have succumbed to starvation because either they could not compete with their nest mates Staff and volunteers banded over 100 chicks at Sherwood Island State Park or they were orphaned when the parents were in July 2014. The banding event attracted a large crowd of reporters and predated. Another source of mortality for the onlookers. Photo by Laurie Doss. chicks was direct predation from raptors, crows, and Hoping to build upon their first year success, The raccoons. However, despite the losses, the total Friends of Sherwood Island plan to install more number of chicks fledged in Connecticut was housing to augment the two gourd trees donated by impressive. Connecticut Audubon. With a strong network of

volunteers and an excellent location, this colony is Another record set was the number of banded birds poised to be a stable, source population for many (42) reported in 2014 bringing the total number of years to come. reports up to 86. Once again sightings came from all over Connecticut as well as from neighboring Increasing Inland Population states. Interestingly, at least one adult banded For years the purple martin population around Kent, was observed at every colony we visited this year, Connecticut, has been benefiting from the tireless even at sites where banding had never occurred efforts of Laurie Doss, purple martin enthusiast and before! Hopefully the trend will continue in 2015. dedicated colony manager. She has actively sought to engage landowners and volunteers in martin dirty is a great way to reduce the parasite load and conservation. She has also secured sources of increase the survival of the chicks. Cedar shavings funding to purchase new martin housing to help get are a good choice because they offer some natural colonies started or to replace outdated and repellency. More information about damaged structures. As a master bander, Laurie has controlling nest parasites and a step by step guide been color banding her four (and growing) colonies on how to change nesting material can be found on as part of the statewide study. Through her efforts PMCA’s website. we can now determine that the purple martin population around Kent is increasing and expanding Martins in the Media to new locations. You can read about the banding event at Sherwood Island State Park by clicking on this link: The Hour Online.

Also attached is an article that first appeared this summer in the Purple Martin Conservation Association’s newsletter. It outlines the work we have done here in Connecticut.

Led by Laurie Doss (with clipboard) volunteers check the nest boxes at Lake Waramaug County Club on the Kent/Washington line. Through Laurie’s efforts the purple martin population has seen a steady growth in northwest Connecticut.

Useful Tips/Hints One of the hot topics this year during the banding events was how to control for nest parasites (blowflies, feather mites, etc.) These parasites weaken the young chicks and if they are present in high enough numbers they can actually cause mortality. But how should you control them? Several of you asked about using Sevin dust or Front cover of The Purple Martin Update, Vol 23(3) Summer 2014, pgs 14-17. diatomaceous earth in the nests. Both of these products are not recommended by the Purple Connecticut Purple Martin Program:

Martin Conservation Association due to concerns Geoffrey Krukar for the health of the chicks. However, many DEEP – Wildlife Division P.O. Box 1550 contributors to PMCA’s forum have stated that they Burlington, CT 06013 have used one or the other for years with no [email protected] 860-675-8130 apparent problems. What is agreed upon is that changing the nesting material when it is wet and/or A pair of martins, one wearing a federal band and two color bands, rest on their porch. A subadult male martin sings from a rooftop, showing off his Photos by Hans Flink red and orange color bands.

PurplePurple MartinMartin ConservationConservation inin ConnecticutConnecticut Geoffrey Krukar, Avian Researcher Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection—Wildlife Division, Burlington, CT [email protected]

n March 2008, John Tautin (former may be limiting martins in New well understood. A lack of knowledge Iexecutive director of PMCA) called England. As a result of this meeting, about dispersal patterns of young together representatives from each a long-term project was initiated birds and the optimal conditions for of the New England states to discuss in Connecticut by the Department establishing new colonies threatened Purple Martin conservation. At that of Energy and Environmental to hamper recovery efforts. The work meeting, John presented information Protection (DEEP) to address the in Connecticut these past five years regarding the current status of New England Purple Martin Working has been focused on closing this Purple Martins in New England Group’s objectives. It quickly became knowledge gap in our understanding and provided evidence that the apparent that in Connecticut, the of Purple Martins by (1) summarizing population was declining across the recovery of this would not the current population status and region. To address this decline, a be as straightforward as one might available nesting structures for Purple New England Purple Martin Working expect given that martins only nest Martins in CT, (2) determining what Group was formed. This fledgling in structures provided by humans. criteria the birds are using when group outlined important objectives In theory, if additional housing was selecting nesting sites, (3) providing to further Purple Martin conservation provided, subadult martins should additional housing options for in New England. Those objectives find it, utilize it, and increase the the expansion of existing nesting included raising awareness and population. However, this was not the colonies, and (4) determining site expanding group representation, case. Many housing locations were fidelity and post-fledging dispersion surveying existing and historic available, including some adjacent of second year (SY) birds. colonies, improving management to active colonies, yet have remained at existing colonies, identifying unoccupied for years. The criteria Distribution funding sources for conservation these birds were using for selecting he first step was determining where actions, and identifying factors that nesting sites in Connecticut were not Tactive Purple Martin colonies still

14 Summer 2014 The Purple Martin Update A Purple Martin nest with newly-hatched young. One of Hans Flink’s martin houses in Guilford, CT—note the martin with color bands on bottom left porch. existed in Connecticut. The current Habitat Analysis coast actually require less open space distribution was determined by he next step was to determine than the inland colonies. The results assessing both newly-formed colonies Twhat conditions made some of this analysis were used to create and historic colonies. The DEEP’s sites successful while other sites that a predictive model of Purple Martin Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) superficially appeared appropriate habitat in Connecticut. The model was reviewed for historic records of remained unoccupied. To get at the is being used to help guide efforts to Purple Martin colonies. Any sites that answer, local habitat conditions establish new colonies in areas where had definitive locational information around both active colonies and success is most likely. associated with them were evaluated empty houses were assessed using and ground truthed to determine Geographic Information System (GIS) Boxes their current status. Site visits were software and site visits. The variables o test the validity of the habitat conducted for a minimum of 15 used in this analysis were selected Tmodel, martin boxes were erected minutes. Data collected were type because current recommendations by around two known Purple Martin of nesting structure, current usage, PMCA for attracting Purple Martins colonies in Kent, Connecticut, box location, and local habitat provide minimum distances and in areas identified by the model. measurements. Seven historic suggested habitat. The variables used Other objectives were to facilitate colonies identified by the NDDB were were distance to nearest building, and enhance the expansion of visited during the nesting season. distance to nearest waterbody, these colonies and to determine the All seven still had nesting structures predominant vegetation type within maximum distance birds will disperse available but only one was still being 25 meters of nesting structure, from their natal colonies. This used by Purple Martins. To date over number of trees within 100 meters location was selected because these 35 additional, active colonies have of nesting structure, distance to colonies represent the largest known been identified through site visits nearest road, land cover within 1,000 inland colonies in the state, and they and word-of-mouth. Most of these feet, and distance to closest active are fairly isolated from other colonies. colonies are located less than six colony. Comparisons were made Potential box locations were selected miles from the coast, with only a few between active and inactive sites, within fixed distance bands around inland colonies identified during this as well as between coastal (with 6 the colonies by using the habitat project. Colony size has ranged from miles of the coast) and inland sites. model. Other martin banding studies one breeding pair up to 53 breeding Not surprisingly, the active colonies have documented that juvenile pairs. The largest colonies are along are highly associated with wetlands martins will travel more than 40 miles the coast. and open space. What is surprising to new nesting locations (Jackson is that the colonies located along the 2009, Hill 2003, Miller et al 2001).

Summer 2014 The Purple Martin Update 15 A busy day at one of Hans Flink’s martin houses, Guilford, CT.

A returning martin that was banded as a nestling in 2013, carrying the the distinct (yellow over orange) colors of Hans Flink’s colony in Guilford, CT. Photo by Terry Shaw, colony manager for the Nature Center in Hamonassett State Park.

the return of the first Purple Martin and coastal colonies were included scouts. It was successful in attracting in the study to allow for comparison attention from Purple Martins but of dispersal patterns. Juvenile birds none actually nested in it in 2013. were targeted for banding because The two boxes occupied by nesting they have been found to be the martins in 2012 were again successful birds most likely to colonize new in attracting nesting martins in 2013 locations. Banding occurred in and 2014. early July when the majority of the juveniles were between the ages of Color Banding 6 days and 23 days old to minimize he final piece of the puzzle was premature or forced fledging. If any Tto determine how the colonies birds were determined to be too themselves were interconnected. A young during the initial banding, a second banding was conducted later. Juvenile birds were removed from the To capture this potential for a long- nesting structure, banded, measured, range jump, the distance bands selected and returned to the the nest. Each were <1 mile, 1-5 miles, 5-10 miles, 10- juvenile bird was fitted with both a 15 miles, and 15-20 miles from the standard aluminum band supplied by original colonies. Once locations were the United States Geological Survey selected, landowners were contacted (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory to inquire about their level of interest on the right leg and an anodized in establishing Purple Martin housing aluminum color band on the left leg. on their property. Each interested The color of the band was unique participant was given natural history for each colony to allow for future information about Purple Martins identification of natal colonies and and instructions for maintaining a had an alphanumeric code (CT###) to martin colony. Six Alamo p Purple denote individuals. In addition, each Martin nesting box systems (box, bird was weighed and aged using a pole, winch, predator guard, and small pilot study was done to test photo guide produced by PMCA. All perching rods) were obtained from the feasibility of doing a large scale banding data were reported to the PMCA through a special Buy One- banding of juvenile Purple Martins USGS Bird Banding Laboratory as Get One Free program. Additional to track dispersal patterns of second required under the banding permit. funding for this project was supplied year birds. A total of 142 juvenile The project was further expanded by the Connecticut Endangered birds were banded in 2010 at 4 known in 2012 and 2013. The protocol was Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check- colonies in Connecticut. Standard very similar to 2011 protocol except off (ITCO) program. The footings aluminum bands supplied by the that plastic color bands were used at for all six boxes were installed USGS Bird Banding Laboratory were new sites. The plastic bands allowed in late 2011 and early 2012. The fitted to the left leg of each bird. The for more color combinations than two boxes closest to the original banding occurred over the course of are available with the anodized colonies were successful in attracting two days in late June and early July. aluminum color bands. This project, nesting martins in 2012. Of the Each of the juvenile Purple Martins now entering into its fourth year, has remaining four boxes, two attracted were removed from the nesting steadily increased in size and effort. In Tree and two boxes had structure, banded, and returned 2011 a total of 541 birds were banded persistent House Sparrow nesting to their nests. This project was at six colony locations. That number attempts. In 2013, one of the boxes expanded in 2011. Six active colonies jumped to 16 colonies and 904 chicks with House Sparrow issues was moved were selected for the color-banding in 2012 and again up to 18 colonies to a more suitable location prior to portion of this project. Both inland and 990 chicks in 2013. All the same

16 Summer 2014 The Purple Martin Update colonies were not banded every year. their natal colonies or were found Due to their total dependence on Several of the smaller sites could not at another established colony less manmade structures for nesting, consistently attract martin pairs or than 11 miles from their natal site. Purple Martins in Connecticut will produce chicks. Additionally one of So the general trend seems to be for only be successful if martin landlords the larger privately-owned colonies the second year birds to stick close continue to provide housing and care was not banded in 2013 because to home. However, there are always for their colonies. While the DEEP of access restrictions. In total, 22 exceptions. Some birds did relocate to has served to coordinate all these colonies have been involved at least colonies that were much farther away efforts, the work would not have been one of the three years. Only five either in Connecticut or other states. possible within all the enthusiastic colonies (23%) have been banded all Reports have come from colonies in partners including the landlords, three years. Eight sites were banded New York and Massachusetts. Connecticut Audubon Society, two of the three years and nine (41%) Menunkatuck Audubon Society, were banded only once. Colony Conclusion and all the volunteers. Additionally, size has been highly variable across his work served to establish the DEEP has positioned itself as an the state. In 2013, a new colony Ta solid foundation for future ally for the landlords. This strong in northwestern Connecticut only Purple Martin research and recovery relationship with the landlords will produced three chicks while another in Connecticut. The collection be critically important when the time well-established site along the coast of baseline information on most, comes for collecting band reports had over 200 juveniles. The average if not all, of the major colonies and conducting future work at their number of chicks banded per colony in Connecticut will provide a colonies. was about the same in 2013 (55) starting point for monitoring of References: Hill, J.R., III, 2003. Where do Purple as in 2012 (57). This slight drop is population trend and assessment Martins at a typical colony site come from?: a likely the result of some chicks being of the recovery effort. But perhaps color-banding study of natal dispersal. Purple Martin Update. 12(2):26-29. either too old or too young to band the most important outcome of this Jackson, A. 2009. Reading leg bands pays off. when the colonies were visited. There project has been the establishment of Purple Martin Update. 18(2):18-20. Miller, H.D., J.M. Miller, and J.R. Hill, III. 2001. was a wide spread in nesting times a volunteer network with buy-in from Post-fledging wandering by hatching-year Purple coupled with a condensed banding the people actually managing Purple Martins: a color-banding study.Purple Martin season which made it impossible Martin colonies in Connecticut. Update. 10(4):2-4, 13. to band every chick. As this project continues to gain momentum the A banded martin and his mate. hope is to get most, if not all, actively- managed colonies involved. When the color banding began in 2011, the area covered was limited to four coastal and two inland colonies in western and central Connecticut. Now there are 13 coastal colonies from Greenwich to Stonington, and nine inland colonies, including sites on both sides of the state, that are participating in this study. With more color-banded birds on the landscape, the more likely that they will be sighted again later. So far over 60 birds have been spotted and reported to the CT DEEP. The early results reveal an interesting pattern. The vast majority of birds reported either returned to

Summer 2014 The Purple Martin Update 17