Scrubland research project

Field Sparrow


I spent the morning in an area of north Quabbin assisting a DCR biologist with a bird survey of a scrubland research area. The project started last year looking at four separate survey circles with two having been clear cut several years ago and the other two in forest slated for harvest. The main aim of the survey is to discover what species are present and in what number as the forest regenerates. Due to some political issues at this point the next stage of the cutting has not yet occurred. I can say that the clear cut area continues to grow rapidly and contained a number of species associated with cut over areas including Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow and Ruffed Grouse. The amount of available food within the clear cut was amazing with some quite tasty raspberries and blueberries.

Following the survey we stopped along the reservoir to take a quick look for the Caspian Terns that have been hanging around. During our time there we had no luck with the terns but did manage to have six Common Loons in view at once. Several other birders were in the area but none had yet had any luck with the terns. We then drove along inside the gates to Boat Launch Area 2 and then back to the New Salem office. Some nice birds along the way including a very vocal pair Broad-winged Hawks.

I then headed home with an hour walk down to the water at Gate 16 where I had another pair of Common Loons and other typical birds. By this time the temperatures had risen quite a bit so I headed out for the day.

Scrubland research study-Quabbin

Today I joined a biologist from the state and from the US forest service in setting up test plots on a five year old clearcut and nearby forest that will be clearcut later this year. The main aim of this study is to determine the species content and number in both habitats and how they change with the additional clearcut. The hope is that the addition of more scrubland type habitat will increase the numbers of some declining species such as Prairie Warbler, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow and Indigo Bunting. We laid out the plot points today and did our first point counts. Highlights included nests of Prairie and Chestnut Sided Warblers, Common Yellowthoat and Gray Catbird. We also had a pair of Broad winged Hawks and a Red Shouldered Hawk. We will do two more visits this season.