1. Helping Birds: Citizen Science Projects Close to Home Andrew Vitz State Ornithologist

2. Citizen Science Public participation in scientific research – X-mas Bird Count (Audubon Soc.) – Breeding Bird Survey (USGS) – Breeding Bird Atlas – E-bird Ornithology & astronomy – Important contributions – Can bring added meaning to the hobby – MassWildlife benefits from citizen science

3. Eastern Bluebird Only spp. of bluebird in Massachusetts Species of open habitats w/scattered trees Secondary cavity nester (boxes) Declined in early 20 th century – Competition with HOSP & EUST – Nest box programs aided recovery

4. Bluebird Trail High Ridge WMA (Brad Blodgett) – ~70 boxes – No longer maintained – Still many bluebirds – Great project for interested volunteers

5. Grassland Bird Conservation Grassland part of natural heritage – Sandplain grasslands (glaciers) One of fastest declining guilds – Several state-listed species Grasshopper Sparrow Upland Sandpiper Vesper Sparrow – Habitat loss (farms, fire suppression)

6. Upl. Sandpiper & Grasshopper Sparrow Declines in east since 1966 (BBS) – Upland Sandpiper (78%) – Grasshopper Sparrow (89%) Area-sensitive – Patches > 125 acres for UPSA – Patches > 75 acres for GRSP Few sites in Mass with sustainable populations Statewide conservation plan – Ranked all sites & prioritized conservation efforts – Expand to suite of grassland birds

7. Bobolink Long distance migrant Hayfield breeder -3.5% annual decline (east) More frequent/earlier haying Population sink Delayed mowing

8. Eastern Meadowlark Short distance migrant Wet meadow habitat Even stronger declines -3.6% annually since 1966 – ~85% decline in population -9.7% in Massachusetts Mowing major issue

9. Grassland Conservation USFWS Conte National Wildlife Refuge DCR Ware River Watershed Wachusett Reservoir MassWildlife Wildlife Management Areas Agricultural leases NRCS funding incentives Town land Woodsom Farm (Amesbury) Mt. Jefferson Cons. Area (Hubbardston)

10. Conservation Organizations MassAudubon – Daniel Webster, Canoe Meadows, Wach. Meadow TTOR – TTOR - >2,000 acres of grassland – Appleton Farms (Ipswich) – Delayed mowing & fire Many land trusts – East Quabbin – Kestrel

11. Monitoring State-wide grassland bird surveys – MADFW & MassAudubon – Grasshopper Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper – Meadowlarks and Bobolinks – What is going on in Central Mass? MassAudubon – Eastern Meadowlark

12. American Kestrel Most colorful and widespread N. Am. falcon Only kestrel in W. Hem. (13 species globally) Sexually dimorphic (plumage, size)

13. Ecology & Life History In Massachusetts: April-September Generalist of open habitats Variety of prey Secondary cavity nester Clutch 4-5 eggs Average survival: 2-5 years Oldest wild bird: 12 years Natal dispersal: 8-10 km

14. American Kestrel Rapid decline in Northeast Possible reasons – Loss of habitat – Pesticides – Cooper’s Hawks – Migratory or wintering grounds Probably multiple factors

15. Kestrel Project Deploy & monitor nest boxes Band nestlings Estimate nesting success Examine how occupancy rates are influenced by local and landscape variables

16. Results Summary Truly a collaborative effort Maintaining > 120 boxes throughout state – More each year – Occupancy ~ 30% High nesting success ( ~80%) Banding ~ 110 birds annually Emily Eaton

17. Cliff Swallows Disappearing from Massachusetts Western Mass & Essex County State-wide survey – MassAudubon – Mara Silver (nesting substrates)

18. Report State-listed Species Submit observations of state-listed species – VPRS – Document distribution – Priority habitat State-listed birds (29 spp.) – Piping Plover, Roseate Tern – Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon – Common Loon, Am. Bittern

19. Opportunities to Get Involved Monitoring grassland birds Cliff Swallow survey Kestrel box construction & monitoring Bluebird trail (High Ridge WMA) Reporting rare species Promote bird conservation