APRIL BIRD CONSERVATION NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE

Welcome to the April, 2013 newsletter of Bird Conservation Research, Inc.  In it, you will find news of our latest progress on analyzing data from the Forest Bird Survey of Southern New England.   You will also find news about our latest products for environmental education.  

Thanks to all of you who have become 2013 BCR members.  Everyone who has done so will be receiving an acknowledgment shortly that can be used for tax purposes. If you haven't yet joined, you may do so simply by clicking on this link.

If you wish to download a PDF version of the newsletter, visit our web site at http://www.birdconservationresearch.org/publications/newsletters.php.

AVIAN HABITAT SURVEY OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND

The Forest Bird Survey of Southern New England, the eight year long project of Bird Conservation Research, Inc. to map density distribution of the region's forest birds, also conducted habitat surveys along its 2220 census points.  The survey examined field conditions in 3417 ha of forest, a sample nearly 100 times that of periodic U.S. Forest Service surveys in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Like the Forest Service surveys, BCR studies evaluated proportionate cover of major forest types.  In addition, BCR examined forest canopy cover, prevailing tree diameter, understory density, moisture regime, and elevation.  The data are to be used to seek relationships between habitat distributions and distributions of forest bird densities.

Analysis of cover types shows that the forests of Rhode Island (RI in the graph below) are dominated by xeric oak and conifer associations.  Northeast Connecticut (NECT) most resembles Rhode Island in its forest composition; both these regions are extensively underlain by glacial sand and gravel.  The locations most heavily dominated by oak forests are Southeast (SECT) and Southwest (SWCT) Connecticut, where lower elevations and milder climates prevail.  Central Connecticut (CECT) also has a high proportion of oak forests, but has as well extensive cover by more mesic-associated mixed deciduous forests.  Much of the remaining forest in heavily urbanized central Connecticut is indeed in wetter environments.  Northwest Connecticut (NWCT), with the most mountainous terrain in southern New England, has less cover by oaks and more cover by conifer-hardwood forests.  Such forests are generally associated with cooler, northern climates.

FOREST BIRDS OF THE LAST GREEN VALLEY NOW AVAILABLE

Forest Birds of the Last Green Valley, the preliminary report from the eight year long Forest Bird Survey of Southern New England, is now available for free download.  It is may be obtained from Bird Conservation Contributions, the open access scientific journal of Bird Conservation Research, Inc.  Printed copies are also available through the BCR web site.  The report covers the first two years of the survey and provides initial estimates of populations, distributions and habitat use of birds in eastern Connecticut.

Although the report, first published in 2003, was based on limited data and analyses, it provided for the region the first fully quantitative conservation planning resource for birds.  Environmental planners have historically been able to draw upon detailed data on soils, geology and land cover in making conservation decisions, but they have had virtually nothing to use on wildlife.

This first report is to be superseded by Forest Birds of Connecticut and Rhode Island, an atlas of forest bird resources of the region.  The atlas will cover the full eight years of study and, as such, will make use of greatly increased sample sizes.  Duplication of sampling during the study period also will permit assessment of findings in light of temporal variation in bird populations.

FOREST BIRD POPULATION ESTIMATES NEARLY COMPLETE

Final computations of the regional populations of Connecticut and Rhode Island’s forest birds are presently underway.  This is, however, only one aspect of the ongoing analysis of the enormous quantities of data gathered during the Forest Bird Survey of Southern New England.  Upcoming analyses include characterization of the habitats of Rhode Island and western Connecticut as well as analysis of the relationship between habitat and bird populations. When complete, our analyses will result in the publication of Forest Birds of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Some of the most recently computed population estimates follow:

Black-and-white Warbler:

Northeast CT: 15,671
Southeast CT: 10,983
Central CT: 10,829
Northwest CT: 34,438
Southwest CT: 9,480
RI: 23,332

Blackburnian Warbler: 

Northeast CT: 11,786
Southeast CT: 2,910
Central CT: 1539
Northwest CT: 44,778
Southwest CT: 747
RI: 739

Black-throated Green Warbler:

Northeast CT: 15,373
Southeast CT: 5,392
Central CT: 4,861
Northwest CT: 31,163
Southwest CT: 4,511
RI: 11,365

Yellow-rumped Warbler:

Northeast CT: 1,721
Southeast CT: 0
Central CT: 0
Northwest CT: 6,413
Southwest CT: 0
RI: 2,878

Magnolia Warbler:

Northeast CT: 862
Southeast CT: 425
Central CT: 450
Northwest CT: 6,772
Southwest CT: 0
RI: 0

GUIDE TO BLACKSTONE RIVER TREES SUPPLEMENTS FOREST BIRD SURVEY

An old growth Yellow Birch shows bark characteristics unlike those of younger trees.

In order to maximize their usefulness, data from forest bird surveys should be related to data on forest habitats.  During the Forest Bird Survey of Southern New England, Bird Conservation Research, Inc. gathered data on a variety of habitat parameters along with data on bird distributions.  Such information has proven useful for uncovering relationships between bird communities, bird species and habitats occupied.

An ongoing part of the Forest Bird Survey has involved student-conducted studies on forests bordering the Blackstone River in Massachusetts.  In addition to gathering data on winter bird occurrence, students also conduct an in-depth analysis of the forests in which the birds live.  They use plotless point-quarter sampling to characterize characterize the composition, density and basal area of canopy and understory trees.  

To help with identification of the tree species encountered along the river, BCR has prepared a full color, downloadable guide to winter trees of the region.  It provides photos of 33 tree species, profiles of their distinguishing characteristics and descriptions of their ecological relationships.

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE POWERPOINTS UPDATED

A slide from the PowerPoint presentation Populations, which is one of three presentations recently updated on the BCR web site.

The very popular series of  PowerPoint presentations for Advanced Placement Environmental Science is being updated and expanded.  This series is produced by Bird Conservation Research, Inc. and aligns with the national AP curriculum.

To date, the newest versions of Earth Systems and Resources, The Living World and Populations have been posted to the BCR web site under the Educators tab.  The presentations Environmental Pollution and Land and Water Resources will be updated over the next few months.

In addition to these slide shows, a new one entitled Energy Resources and Consumption is planned for release during this year.

RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FUNDING

Educating the next generation is key to developing a national environmental consciousness.

For over a decade, Bird Conservation Research, Inc. has provided original, high level environmental planning data on wildlife to municipalities and conservation organizations.  We have as well provided a range of sophisticated environmental education materials to educators.  Most all of our products are made available at no cost to our over 10,000 users per year.  

We approach supporters once each year to ask for their assistance in funding our efforts.  Memberships remain one of our principal means of funding, and we invite your support via this venue.  You may view our membership categories here.  If you are not yet a member, please consider becoming one at this link:

http://www.gofundme.com/1nqlss