Dynamics of Boreal Birds at the Edge of their Range in the Adirondack Park, NY

Analysis of combined data sets yields trend estimates for vulnerable spruce-fir birds in northern United States

“…2 (continued) continue, and that similar attention would be justified in Olive-sided Flycatcher. Gray Jay, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, and Evening Grosbeak are all categorized by IUCN as species of ''Least Concern'' and have received minimal conservation attention, though population declines have previously been reported for some of these species (Bonter and Harvey, 2008;King et al, 2008;Sauer et al, 2014;Glennon, 2014). We find evidence for overall declines in all of these species, though propagated errors for Magnolia Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler indicate declines are possibly non-significant.…”

“…Examples of the former include Bicknell's Thrush and Olive-sided Flycatcher, both listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada as ''Threatened'', and by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as ''Vulnerable'' and ''Near Threatened'', respectively. Recent decreases in occupancy have been reported for Olive-sided Flycatcher in the Adirondacks (Glennon, 2014) and long-term declines have been reported in other parts of the species' distribution (Altman and Sallabanks, 2012;Sauer et al, 2014). A significant overall decline reported here extends concern for this species in our study area.…”

“…We characterized 18 passerines as either spruce-fir obligates (n = 8), or associates (n = 10; Table 1). Our list is largely coincident with target species of boreal bird surveys (King et al 2008;Scarl, 2011;Glennon, 2014), and includes several species considered ecological indicators for high-elevation spruce-fir forest (Bicknell's Thrush, Magnolia Warbler [Setophaga magnolia] and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher [Empidonax flaviventris]; US Forest Service, 2006). Four species on our list, Bay-breasted Warbler (Setopahaga castanea), Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera), and Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) were excluded entirely from analyses because of insufficient data, leaving 6 obligates and 8 associates in our analysis.…”

“…For example, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), and the Wildlife Conservation Society each coordinate long-term survey programs in montane forests or low-elevation boreal spruce bogs (US Forest Service, 2006;Scarl, 2011;Glennon, 2014). In addition, several National Forests, Parks, and Wildlife Refuges throughout the Northeast and upper Midwest have endeavored to monitor spruce-fir forest bird species on local or regional scales (Howe and Roberts, 2005;King et al, 2008;Johnson, 2012;Zlonis et al, 2013;Faccio and Mitchell, 2014).…”

NGOs Enhance State Wildlife Agencies’ Capacity to Meet Public Trust Doctrine Obligations

“…All focal species are at or close to the southern extent of their range in the Adirondack Park and all are known to occur in the Canadian boreal (Glennon, 2014). More than half of the focal species are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in New York.…”