DelNature Biennial Report 2016-2017 | Page 5

Photography by Jim White, DNS Senior Fellow for Land and Biodiversity Management Scientists have long considered birds, their population trends, and the proliferation and variety of species, as an indicator of environmental health. Unfortunately, many North American birds are experiencing a steady or even drastic decline. One of the most common reasons is due to the loss or degradation of their habitat. Delaware Nature Society has focused our land management strategies on protecting our precious natural resources including clean water and managing habitats where wildlife can thrive. Almost 200 nest boxes are maintained throughout our properties used by Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Carolina Chickadees, Eastern Screech Owls, Wood Ducks, and American Kestrels. Purple Martins, a species that nearly disappeared 30 years ago and are challenged by their dependence on shelter provided by humans, are now breeding in our nesting houses. Volunteer-collected nest box data is shared with Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program and the Delaware American Kestrel Partnership. With generous funding from the Starrett Foundation, Delaware Nature Society hired a staff ornithologist, Dr. Ian Stewart, and embarked on a Bird Conservation and Research Program focused on the Red Clay Valley. The intention is to study the impacts of these conservation land management strategies on bird populations. The National Audubon Society designated the Red Clay Valley as an Important Bird Area (IBA), which includes Ashland Nature Center, Bucktoe Creek Preserve, Coverdale Farm Preserve, Mt. Cuba Center, Hoopes Reservoir, and state parks. The IBA is home to many rare nesting species and is an important migration corridor for raptors, as well as a significant stopover location for waterfowl and songbirds. During 2016 and 2017, we banded 2,079 birds belonging to 70 species with the aid of 8 enthusiastic volunteers who contributed an amazing 651 hours of effort. Amazingly, we have recaptured 22 of our migrant birds banded in one summer or winter at the same site in a later summer or winter. Conservation Efforts to Support Birds Over the last few years, hundreds of native trees and shrubs have been planted along streams to establish forested floodplains which provide crucial habitat for a large variety of migratory and nesting birds. Large meadows have been replanted with a diversity of native grasses and wildflowers to provide breeding and wintering habitat for a wide range of birds, as well as hunting grounds for several birds of prey including American Kestrels, Long-eared Owls, and Northern Harriers. We have established an early successional habitat which attracts a wide range of birds including Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat. Long-eared and Saw-whet Owls have been attracted to our managed coniferous groves established for them. Bird Education and Outreach Ashland Nature Center and Bucktoe Creek Preserve banding stations have hosted 520 visitors during these 2 years, many of whom were our summer campers. Visitors not only experienced the thrill of seeing wild birds up close as they were being banded and measured, but also learned about the science behind banding and the data it is providing us. In August 2017, a bird-tracking tower was erected at Bucktoe Creek Preserve as part of the Motus network of tracking towers throughout North America. Each tower detects any bird within a 15km radius that has been fitted with a special transmitter and the network of towers has allowed us to track the flight paths of individual birds as they migrate north or south. Even though the Bucktoe tower was only erected last August we have already detected 16 birds (a mix of passerines and shorebirds) and even a Silver-haired Bat tagged in Ontario. These far-traveled birds remind us that habitat improvements we make locally can have far-reaching effects to bird species beyond our region. Visit us at DelNature.org/Birds to learn more. PIctured (clockwise from top): Purple Martin bird houses (Abbott’s Mill Nature Center), Eastern Screech Owl (Ashland Nature Center), bird program with Ian Stewart (Ashland), adult Purple Martin (Flint Woods Preserve), Ian Stewart with male Scarlett Tanager (Bucktoe Creek Preserve), American Kestrel. All birds in hand were caught, banded, and measured by our staff Ornithologist Dr. Ian Stewart and then released. 5 5