Bunny Management is… for the birds! Shannon B. Kearney-McGee E. Hinkel 1

Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan – “Conserve and Increase the number of breeding populations of GCN early successional birds, especially the golden-winged warbler and yellow- breasted chat” 2

Let’s meet some of the shrubland birds 30 Shrubland Obligates State endangered: – Golden-winged warbler – Yellow-breasted chat State Special concern: – Brown thrasher Arlene Koziol

Blue-winged warbler 10% of world’s population breeding in Southern New England

Blue-winged warbler >3% per year decline We will lose ¼ of our population in the next 10 years

Eastern towhee Significant % of world’s population in Southern New England 20% of New England’s population is specifically in CT

Eastern towhee Estimated only 13% of original population remain 7% annual decline Projected loss 50% population over next 10 years

Prairie warbler Significant % of global population E. Hinkel

Prairie warbler 4.5% annual population decline Projected loss >30% of population over next decade E. Hinkel

Migration stress?

Risk by nesting location? Ground nesters Shrub nesters

Breeding habitat loss!

Why are we losing shrubland habitat? Ugly places… – (for beautiful birds) Ephemeral - – Unsuitable 10 years after creation Requires active management – $$ 13 Schlossberg and King 2007

Capacity of DEEP Management to Support Shrubland Bird Population 14

Progress Towards our Population Goals? 15

Estimated Cost to “Buy” Shrubland Birds on WMA’s in Connecticut Maintain Succeeded Shrubland ~$Cost/ Hectare$3,000 16

Estimated Cost to “Buy” Shrubland Birds on WMA’s in Connecticut Maintain Succeeded Shrubland ~$Cost/ Hectare$3,000 $/bird$5,900 17

Estimated Cost to “Buy” Shrubland Birds on WMA’s in Connecticut Maintain Succeeded Shrubland ~$Cost/ Hectare$3,000 $/bird$5,900 $/bird$9,400 18

New England Cottontail Management 19

How cottontail management helps birds

But… What about the forest birds? 22 Cutting may help forest species! – Post fledgeling period – Migrants higher fitness

Worm-eating warbler fledglings in 30% of forest cuts in Connecticut

Regional Bird Conservation Plans Regional priorites

Population trends of mature forest birds vs. shrubland birds

Can we have our cake and eat it too? Decision support tool – Cost and benefit Regional and local priorities Data will drive the decisions

Thank you! Questions?