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.
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