1	Managing Local Forests for Thrushes By: Jim Rivard, Houghton/Keweenaw Conservation District
2	Source “A land manager’s guide to improving habitat for forest thrushes.” by Rosenberg, K.V., R.S.Hames, R.W.Rohrbaugh,Jr. ,S.Barker Swarthout, J.D.Lowe, and A.A.Dhondt. 2003. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. http://birds.cornell.edu/conservation/thrush/
3	Why Thrushes? Beautiful songs Nest primarily on the ground or in understory vegetation. Sensitive to forest structure, productivity and configuration. Good indicators of forest health Managing for these species is a good way for landowners to contribute to bird conservation efforts.
4	Species Wood Thrush – has declined 43% since 1966 Veery – in slow decline throughout its range Swainson’s Thrush – populations appear to be declining. Hermit Thrush – populations appear to be increasing slightly.
5	Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) Large Thrush – slightly smaller than a Robin. Size: 7-8” Heavily spotted Males & Females look alike. Vulnerable to Tropical Deforestation (Central Am.) Brown Headed Cowbird is a problem. “Anting”
6	Veery (Catharus fuscescens) Medium Size Thrush Size: 7” Throat and chest “buffy”, with indistinct reddish brown spots. Males & Females look alike Winters in Central & Southern Brazil Can fly 160 miles in one night
7	Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) Medium sized thrush Size: 6-7” Back is olive-brown; dark spots on chest Distinct buffy eye ring and buffy face Males & Females look alike Only woodland thrush whose song goes up in pitch Winters in South America
8	Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus ) Medium sized thrush Brown back, reddish tail, black spots on chest, thin white eyering Size: 6-7” Winters in North America Males & females alike East of the Rocky Mountains the Hermit Thrush usually nests on the ground. In the West, it is more likely to nest in trees.
9	Food Sources Insects: Ants, Beetles, caterpillars, flies, grasshoppers, spiders, snails, sowbugs, earthworms and millipedes. Plant Food: Dogwood, serviceberry, blackberry, elderberry, blueberry, holly, viburnum, mountain-ash, and more.
10	Forest Fragmentation
11	Nesting Problems These species are associated with edges and fragmentation. Brown Headed Cowbird (parasitism) Raccoons, cats, jays, and crows (predation).
12	Habitat Considerations Forest size and isolation (important for dispersal of young birds). Amount of “Edge” associated with forest stand Landscape Level – If more of the area is forested, smaller “patches” can be utilized as breeding grounds. We are in pretty good shape in this area. Forest Structure
13	Patch size Assume 80% forest cover (in 1993 84% forest cover over entire U.P.) Wood Thrush – 125 acres (high), 14 acres (moderate). Hermit Thrush – 71 acres (high), 7 acres (moderate). Veery – any size (need at least 50% forest cover). Swainson’s Thrush – not available, but in this area it does not appear to be “area sensitive”.
14	What you can do – Part 1 Maximize forest size and minimize clearcut size. Yard size vs. forest area. Minimize edges. Keep roads to a minimum; proper shape; Work with neighbors to coordinate forest management activities.
15	What you can do – Part 2 (Forest Structure) Late successional, uneven aged forests are best (in general). Diversity in vegetation. Canopy gaps. Good understory development, including shrub layer. Eliminate “high grading” which takes the best and most often structurally superior trees. Aim for an “old growth” component (150 years or more). Control deer!! Plant shrubs and trees to increase diversity.
16	What you can do – Part 2 Continued Shrubs for Planting Serviceberry Elderberry Blackberry Blueberry Mountain Ash Dogwood Wild Cherry (i.e. chokecherry, pin cherry)
17	What you Can do – part 3 Coarse Woody Debris!! - Large diameter pieces of wood. The ants, beetles, spiders, sowbugs and other insects need a home. Don’t remove all “slash” after a timbersale; avoid whole tree chipping; a “clean” looking forest is not the best for thrushes. Bugs are the primary food source of these species!! Standing dead trees (“snags”) count too!!
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19	Shrub Presentation By Jim Sweeting
20	Habitat Example 1
21	Habitat Example 2
22	Habitat Example 3
23	Habitat Example 4
24	Habitat Example 5
25	Nest
26	Nest
27	Nesting Site