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

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

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

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

8. Prairie warbler Significant % of global population E. Hinkel

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

10. Migration stress?

11. Risk by nesting location? Ground nesters Shrub nesters

12. Breeding habitat loss!

13. 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

14. Capacity of DEEP Management to Support Shrubland Bird Population 14

15. Progress Towards our Population Goals? 15

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

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

18. 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

19. New England Cottontail Management 19

21. How cottontail management helps birds

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

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

24. Regional Bird Conservation Plans Regional priorites

25. Population trends of mature forest birds vs. shrubland birds

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

27. Thank you! Questions? Shannon.kearney@ct.gov