Hi Tom/All,
I always enjoy your reports! I wanted to comment on your Swainson's Thrush observation. Swainson's Thrushes found nesting in Bicknell's Thrush habitat is no longer "uncommon" or an "anomaly"! A decade ago, it was uncommon, but no longer - and now expected. One of the most dramatic climate-related changes I've observed over the past 12 years is the upslope movement of Swainson's Thrushes. The change has been remarkably rapid. During the course of conducting Mountain Birdwatch surveys since 2001, I observed Swainson's Thrushes move upslope to the very summits, and at times outnumber Bicknell's Thrushes on the summits of Blue Mountain and Pillsbury Mountain. Last year, it was worrisome to find that there were just as many Swainson's Thrushes singing on Whiteface Mountain's summit area (elevation 4865') as there were Bicknell's Thrushes. I use the term "worrisome" since Dan Lambert, formerly of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, listed this upslope movement of Swainson's Thrushes as a potential climate-related threat to Bicknell's Thrush nearly a decade ago. He listed Swainson's Thrush as a "potential" threat since scientists are not sure what effect competition from SWTH will have on Bicknell's Thrush. Historically, Swainson's Thrushes were kept at lower elevations by very cold spring weather, which we no longer have in the North Country. Years ago, I used to dress in winter attire to conduct surveys, and now I could do it in shorts (not to mention that we ran our heat in June back then!). For the remarkable increase in Swainson's Thrush numbers at high elevation over the past decade, see the Mountain Birdwatch 2010-2011 Annual Report to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service by Dr. Judith Scarl, PDF found at: http://www.vtecostudies.org/reports.html (4th report down the page). (Graph is on page 9.) The issue of competition from Swainson's Thrush is also referenced in the "Petition to List the Bicknell's Thrush as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act" (2010). Unfortunately, the dramatic upslope movement of Swainson's Thrushes in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains won't be displayed in Atlas data since the range change is elevational, and not north-south-east-west in nature. The Vermont Center for Ecostudies Mountain Birdwatch project has rolled out "revision 2" and changed the protocols and mountains surveyed. My new peak is Whiteface Mountain, and it will be interesting to see how many Swainson's Thrushes I detect during the survey - I will post the results in June! Joan Collins Long Lake, NY From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tom Fiore Sent: Monday, May 14, 2012 11:06 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [nysbirds-l] Bicknell's & more, Ulster Co. high peaks, 5/12-13 Saturday-Sunday, 12 & 13 May, 2012 I took off for the highest peak in the Catskill range on Saturday and also hiked through the (lower but rugged) trail across the two peaks immediately northeast - out of Phoenicia, Ulster Co. - this is the well-trodden Wittenberg, Cornell, and Slide Mountain[s] ridge, with a highest elevation on Slide Mt. well over 4,000 ft. and more importantly to one particular localized breeding bird, a place of good spruce-fir thickets and forest, mainly in the elevations over 3,500, and especially above 3,800 ft. above sea-level. In my hike, arriving at Slide Mt.'s summit area at about 7:15 p.m. Saturday (5/12), I glimpsed one & heard that plus another Bicknell's Thrush. Having camped nearby at nearly 3,500 ft., on Sunday morning from 5 to about 6:30 a.m., I saw & heard at least 6 additional Bicknell's Thrush, with one seen almost as well as I usually do at this location on May visits - the birds were all calling more than singing this time, and I venture the theory (perhaps mistakenly) that a lot of these may have arrived even as recently as Sat. night, or in just the past few days and are not fully-voiced just yet... as well perhaps only males are on the territory now with females soon to be - it was not likely the weather was inhibiting song, as it was quite nice (almost balmy overnight, and just slightly hazy first thing Sunday, with very little breeze), but in any case this was both my earliest look for this species on spring nesting grounds, and also among my quietest experience of them. The calling Bicknell's however were certainly heard well, as anyone knows who's been in close proximity on breeding grounds knows they can be startlingly loud, in a sometimes fairly quiet habitat. The Bicknell's were not heard and certainly not seen after about 7 a.m. on Sunday, nor before about 7 p.m. Saturday eve. (As the season goes along however these birds will get a lot more vocal in the courtship period and again when young ones are fledged and learning their vocalizations.) A single Swainson's Thrush was singing from an open perch near the spruce-fir habitat, but that was an anomaly in that in my visits to most Bicknell's habitat areas, all other thrushes are more likely to remain below the elevations that the Bicknell's prefer. As I watched the Swainson's Thrush, it eventually gave up its song perch and flew down to any areas where it might be more at home (a rather "richer" woods than the spruce-fir forests..) A good variety of early-spring wildflowers were still in full bloom, indeed some not yet really out, at the high (over-3,200 ft.) elevations. Many other breeding birds were heard & seen thru the 2-day hike, although a majority were in elevations well below that of the Bicknell's Thrushes. The full list, Sat.-Sun. May 12th & 13th; <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird3.html> Common Loon (1, heard calling as it flew by going northwest, obs. from the higher ground) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird30.html> Double-crested Cormorant (a few flying north from near Kingston) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird35.html> Great Blue Heron (several) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird50.html> Black Vulture (2, near New Paltz) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/1/bird51.html> Turkey Vulture (fairly common) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird56.html> Canada Goose (along the way) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird66.html> Mallard ('ditto') <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird93.html> Osprey (one) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/7/bird97.html> Bald Eagle (several near Ashokan reservoir) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird100.html> Cooper's Hawk (one) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird103.html> Broad-winged Hawk (6 or more, perched & in flight) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird105.html> Red-tailed Hawk <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird110.html> Peregrine Falcon (nice sight at the highest ground, seen from above 4,000 ft. a.s.l.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/7/bird117.html> Wild Turkey (several) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird192.html> Ring-billed Gull (few) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird194.html> Herring Gull (several) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/7/bird227.html> Rock Pigeon (towns) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird229.html> Mourning Dove (up to 3,300+ ft.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird234.html> Barred Owl (calling overnight from lower elevation) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird248.html> Whip-poor-will (remarkably, heard calling insistently from somewhere northwest of Slide Mt. on the night of 5/12; presumably far below in a nice valley or flat) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird249.html> Chimney Swift (multiple, from lower in the towns) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird250.html> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (one whizzed by at about 2,900 ft. along Woodland Valley, near Phoenicia) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird252.html> Belted Kingfisher (Espous Creek) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird255.html> Red-bellied Woodpecker (near New Paltz) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird256.html> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (multiple heard, one seen) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/7/bird257.html> Downy Woodpecker (few noted) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird258.html> Hairy Woodpecker (several seen or heard) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/1/bird261.html> Northern [Yellow-shafted] Flicker (few) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird269.html> Least Flycatcher (several seen singing) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird270.html> Eastern Phoebe (several) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird274.html> Great Crested Flycatcher (several heard) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird276.html> Eastern Kingbird (lower elevations only) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird284.html> Blue-headed Vireo (very common, even up at Slide Mt. summit area) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird285.html> Yellow-throated Vireo (one singing near Phoenicia) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird286.html> Warbling Vireo (several on Esopus Creek) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird288.html> Red-eyed Vireo (fairly common in the broad-leaved woods) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird290.html> Blue Jay (including some migrating north early a.m. of 5/13) Common Raven (several on the higher ground) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird292.html> American Crow <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird293.html> Fish Crow (seeming to be this species, right in Phoenicia, by both calls of 4 individuals together and by small size and bill-shape - but known to be here?) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/7/bird297.html> Purple Martin (several flying high) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird298.html> Tree Swallow <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird299.html> Northern Rough-winged Swallow <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/1/bird301.html> Barn Swallow <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird302.html> Cliff Swallow (modest no's. flying around Phoenicia, not seen coming to a particular nest-site) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird304.html> Black-capped Chickadee <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird306.html> Tufted Titmouse (a few) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird308.html> White-breasted Nuthatch <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird310.html> Brown Creeper (woods neat trailhead, Woodland Valley) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird314.html> House Wren (towns) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird315.html> Winter Wren (wonderful song at dusk & dawn especially, all the way to over 4,000 ft. a.s.l.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird318.html> Golden-crowned Kinglet (a few noted on the long plateau of Slide Mt., and above 4,000 ft.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird322.html> Eastern Bluebird (few noted) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird325.html> Veery (mainly heard) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/7/bird327.html> Bicknell's Thrush (at least 8 encounters, perhaps 6 or 7 on the most conservative possible count, mainly for 5/13, all were above 3,900 and most encountered were closer to 4,000+ ft.- I do not find the actual summit area at Slide to be the best place - although some are usually near there - but rather the lengthy stretch of trail that is all in good habitat southwest of the peak, and also the side trail (blue-blazed) a short way on the "East Branch - Phoenica" which is a ways down from the summit of Slide (slightly towards the Rt. 47 trail. All birds counted were calling, with two also singing a bit... more typically & further into May, more will be singing at 4-6 a.m. & also 6-9 p.m. depending on the weather a bit) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird328.html> Swainson's Thrush (just one heard singing, a few others seen - the songster was uncommonly high at over 4,000 ft.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird329.html> Hermit Thrush (many heard, in elevations up to about 3,300+ ft., but mainly a bit lower; a few seen) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird330.html> Wood Thrush (heard near Phoenicia, Rt. 28) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird333.html> American Robin <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird335.html> Gray Catbird (not in higher elev.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird336.html> Northern Mockingbird (in towns) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird339.html> European Starling (towns) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird342.html> Cedar Waxwing (several) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird349.html> Nashville Warbler (2 heard, one of them seen, around 3,400 ft.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird350.html> Northern Parula (1 only, seen singing in mixed woods on the trail) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/1/bird351.html> Yellow Warbler (many in creek-side areas) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird352.html> Chestnut-sided Warbler (multiple; & mainly lower) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird353.html> Magnolia Warbler (multiple, up to highest ground) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird355.html> Black-throated Blue Warbler (relatively few still in this higher terrain) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird356.html> Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warbler (many, & on territory in the highest terrain) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird359.html> Black-throated Green Warbler (extremely common - 30+++ heard & seen) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird360.html> Blackburnian Warbler (multiple, almost all in or near hemlock stands) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird362.html> Pine Warbler (one seen singing, lower on Woodland Valley, in White Pines) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird366.html> Blackpoll Warbler (a few already on territory over 3,900 ft. in the spruce-fir) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird368.html> Black-and-white Warbler (multiple in lower areas) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird369.html> American Redstart (fairly common in many areas) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird373.html> Ovenbird (common, & heard singing up to about 3,600 ft. in some sections) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird374.html> Northern Waterthrush (seen singing in one place along Woodland Valley) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird375.html> Louisiana Waterthrush (several heard singing, on their territories) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird379.html> Common Yellowthroat (multiple at lower elev.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird382.html> Canada Warbler (one, lower along Rt. 28 near Woodland Valley) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird386.html> Scarlet Tanager (a few heard, including a male in Phoenicia village center) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird393.html> Chipping Sparrow (common, including at fairly high elev. to about 3,300 ft.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird395.html> Field Sparrow (2 in a field along Rt. 28) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird408.html> Song Sparrow (multiple in various towns and fields) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/1/bird411.html> White-throated Sparrow (common on the highest terrain, singing on territory) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/5/bird415.html> Salte-colored Junco (very common on high terrain, singing, and nesting now) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird420.html> Northern Cardinal (at least several along lower ground, & in towns) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/1/bird421.html> Rose-breasted Grosbeak (multiple, singing in rich broad-leaved forest areas) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird424.html> Indigo Bunting (one heard north of New Paltz) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/7/bird427.html> Bobolink (heard & glimpsed north of New Paltz) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird428.html> Red-winged Blackbird (few noted) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/4/bird434.html> Common Grackle (few) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/6/bird436.html> Brown-headed Cowbird (including a few intruding into nicer woods) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/8/bird438.html> Baltimore Oriole (singing up to about 2,900+ ft. on Woodland Valley) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird442.html> Purple Finch (nice flocks in the higher terrain and as low as 3,200 ft.) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/3/bird443.html> House Finch (small no's noted in towns) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/9/bird449.html> American Goldfinch (uncommonly seen or heard) <http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/2/bird452.html> House Sparrow (towns) Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> Please submit your observations to <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> eBird! -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
