Golden Winged Warbler Project
The Golden-Winged Warbler is a small migratory songbird of the New World Warbler family that breeds in Canada and the Appalachian mountains and winters in Central America. It feeds on insects, spiders and caterpillars and has a lifespan of 3-5 years. It requires shrubby areas, wetlands, and young forests to breed. Its nests can be found on the ground or in bushes.
Golden Winged Warbler Conservation
Unfortunately, the golden-winged warbler population is on the decline. Their population, since the 1960s, has declined by 98% in the Appalachian mountain region, and 66% overall. This decline in population is due to certain changes in the habitat they require to breed, as well hybridization between the golden winged and blue winged warblers. Historically, flooding from beaver dams and wildfires created the shrubby patchy habitat adequate for the birds. Today, forests are continually aging due to human interference, such as changes in agricultural and forestry processes and a decline in forest regeneration. Not only that, but the golden winged and blue winged warbler come in contact more often than they ever have because of a shift in their breeding range due to the changes in their natural habitats.
In 2017, Lacawac began to create and maintain the habitat necessary to sustain breeding populations within and adjacent to the birds current breeding range to attempt to boost the Appalachian mountain population. This project focuses on the creation, management and maintenance of early successional habitat in close association with forested landscapes. Conservation efforts in support of the golden winged warbler benefit many other species that also depend on similar habitat. There are two 9 acre plots managed on site with the intention of building the birds population. There is one down the Warbler Trail and another down the Big Lake Trail. The plots were cleared in certain areas to allow light to reach the sapplings on the forest floor. Eventually, this will create the scrubby habitat necessary for the birds success. Unfortunately, these areas are also a hotspot for whitetail deer who love to feed on the new growth. Part of the project is to erect fences around the plots in order to keep the deer out. The fences will be present for about 5-10 years to allow the forest to regenerate and become a successful habitat for the golden winged warbler.
Golden Winged Warbler Conservation
Unfortunately, the golden-winged warbler population is on the decline. Their population, since the 1960s, has declined by 98% in the Appalachian mountain region, and 66% overall. This decline in population is due to certain changes in the habitat they require to breed, as well hybridization between the golden winged and blue winged warblers. Historically, flooding from beaver dams and wildfires created the shrubby patchy habitat adequate for the birds. Today, forests are continually aging due to human interference, such as changes in agricultural and forestry processes and a decline in forest regeneration. Not only that, but the golden winged and blue winged warbler come in contact more often than they ever have because of a shift in their breeding range due to the changes in their natural habitats.
In 2017, Lacawac began to create and maintain the habitat necessary to sustain breeding populations within and adjacent to the birds current breeding range to attempt to boost the Appalachian mountain population. This project focuses on the creation, management and maintenance of early successional habitat in close association with forested landscapes. Conservation efforts in support of the golden winged warbler benefit many other species that also depend on similar habitat. There are two 9 acre plots managed on site with the intention of building the birds population. There is one down the Warbler Trail and another down the Big Lake Trail. The plots were cleared in certain areas to allow light to reach the sapplings on the forest floor. Eventually, this will create the scrubby habitat necessary for the birds success. Unfortunately, these areas are also a hotspot for whitetail deer who love to feed on the new growth. Part of the project is to erect fences around the plots in order to keep the deer out. The fences will be present for about 5-10 years to allow the forest to regenerate and become a successful habitat for the golden winged warbler.
