Biologists from the Vermont Institute of Natural Science have completed a new and pioneering strategy, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, to help protect one of eastern North America's most at-risk songbirds, the Bicknell's thrush.
In their recommendations, the VINS biologists call for measures to reduce impacts of existing:
mountain development on Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.
creation of an international consortium to protect dwindling winter.
habitat of Bicknell's thrush.
The Bicknell's thrush, known to be declining and believed to number no more than 50,000 individuals globally, nests only in select mountaintop forests of the Northeast and adjacent Canada in spring and summer.
These "sky islands" are threatened by global climate change, air pollution, ski area development, telecommunications tower construction and wind turbine development.
"Bicknell's thrush faces an uphill battle. It's critical that the nearly 8,000 acres of prime habitat in the Green Mountain National Forest are protected and carefully managed to support these sensitive songbirds," said Chris Rimmer, director of Conservation Biology at VINS and lead author of the Conservation Strategy. "More can be done to conserve this vulnerable species, and we are pleased that the U.S. Forest Service is receptive to our recommendations."
The Bicknell's Thrush Conservation Strategy provides specific guidelines for important habitat areas within the GMNF that are currently developed for skiing, telecommunications, or wind power facilities. VINS' recommendations include minimizing or mitigating impacts of activities that might alter Bicknell's thrush habitat, managing vegetation on developed sites to maintain or improve suitable thrush habitat, and conducting small-scale forest manipulations to enhance thrush habitat.
Rob Hoelscher, a GMNF wildlife biologist, said he believes the conservation strategy will be an important planning tool: "Bicknell's thrush is a high responsibility species on the GMNF and we're pleased to have concrete guidelines for helping to ensure its healthy populations."
The biologists also point out that threats to the Bicknell's thrush extend well beyond U.S. borders. Research by Rimmer and his colleagues during the past decade has shown that at least 90 percent of the bird's global wintering population resides on Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), where the broadleaf forests they inhabit have been severely degraded or destroyed.
In response to this rapid habitat loss, the VINS biologists have called for the creation of an international consortium, to include VINS, GMNF and other U.S. and Hispaniolan partners, that would bring together the resources needed for on-the-ground protection of winter habitats in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
"Declining population numbers tell us that time may be running out for Bicknell's thrush. It's crucial to make progress here in Vermont and North America, but these efforts could be in vain unless we also stem the loss of winter habitat in Hispaniola," said Rimmer.
The USDA Forest Service, which is charged with managing the GMNF, sought VINS' expertise to develop a coordinated Conservation Strategy for this rare species. The end product was a collaborative plan that emphasizes careful management, continued thrush monitoring and research and public outreach on mountaintop forest ecology and conservation issues.
Founded in 1972, VINS is a non-profit, member-supported organization headquartered in Woodstock with locations in Montpelier, Manchester and Quechee. Its mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research designed to engage individuals in the active care of their environment. VINS accomplishes its mission through a four-pronged approach: By providing comprehensive education programs, wildlife services, leading conservation science, and by managing a network of nature centers throughout the state.Rutland Herald
