winter wrens
As for winter wrens, how was the weather in the mid-Atlantic states this winter where many of the half-hardies over-winter? How are other half-hardies doing in both numbers and arrival dates? Winter Wrens were hard to come by during the Christmas Bird Count season, presumably because of early cold temperatures. Though long-distance migration has plenty of hazards, Winter Wrens and the other half-hardy species are much more susceptible to winter die-off than the neotropical species that leave the hemisphere entirely.
Glenn Williams
Mystic, CT
Over two visits to the NW corner this week while scouting for our Big
Day, I have spent quite a bit of time looking/listening for Winter
Wren as one of my target birds for the week. I've checked many
traditional locations and many places that 'look good' but have not
had a single one! The other day Dave Rosgen, who birds White Memorial
& vicinity a lot, mentioned that he didn't have one for the year yet.
This seems to be continuing a trend over the past few years in my
personal experience...last spring they seemed harder to come by than
the spring before...but nothing quite like this year. How are we
supposed to make Hanisek & Co cry with jealousy if we can't even get a
stinkin' Winter Wren for our Big Day?! (PS - please forward any WIWR
sightings to me :-)
For whatever reason the local WIWR population seems to be in a down
cycle. Perhaps recent harsh winters are to blame. I'd be less inclined
to think they're just late showing up on territories, because as it
has been noted, they are typically singing on territory quite early in
the spring.
Nick Bonomo
Wallingford, CT
On Sat, May 7, 2011 at 10:42 PM, Glenn Williams gswilliams9@yahoo.com wrote:
As for winter wrens, how was the weather in the mid-Atlantic states this winter where many of the half-hardies over-winter? How are other half-hardies doing in both numbers and arrival dates? Winter Wrens were hard to come by during the Christmas Bird Count season, presumably because of early cold temperatures. Though long-distance migration has plenty of hazards, Winter Wrens and the other half-hardy species are much more susceptible to winter die-off than the neotropical species that leave the hemisphere entirely.
Glenn Williams
Mystic, CT
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
In my annual wanderings in CT I have noticed Winter Wrens territories change
from one location to another. Now whether this is the same breeding pair or
another I couldn't say. There is reportedly a connection between Winter Wren
breeding sites and the amount of fallen dead wood in a given area (Oh do
these discussions highlight how much there is to learn about the natural
world). Mayhaps breeding sites shift based on the changes in downed logs in
a given area? In CT forests, due to the constant cycle of harvesting large
trees, the amount of fallen logs is far lower than would be the case in an
undisturbed (by man) woodlands. Certainly Cuckoos shift their breeding sites
based on year to year conditions. I have encountered two Winter Wrens during
this migration so far (not on territory), but I must point out that I
haven't spent any time in prime Winter Wren habitat yet this Spring. I can
say that I continue to find them an easy and reliable find on their White
Mountain breeding sites, certainly as recently as Spring 2010. One would
presume these birds winter farther north than the CT breeders, so one would
also presume these more northerly breeders would likely encounter more
difficult winter conditions. If the CT population of Winter Wren is
declining as precipitously as this discussion seems to suggest, I would
think a significant component of that decline would be habitat change and
not just weather mortality. I do know that individual birders generally tend
to cover than same areas from year to year (creatures of habit we humans)
and that isn't always the best way to determine total population changes. I
am certain of one thing, now that this CTBirds discussion is occurring, any
upcoming CT Winter Wren sightings will likely be highlighted in posts. And
of course, get specific directions to Nick, every species counts when your
gunning for so lofty a record!
Dave Provencher
Naturally New England
http://naturallynewengland.blogspot.com/
-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Nick Bonomo
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2011 11:03 PM
To: Glenn Williams
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] winter wrens
Over two visits to the NW corner this week while scouting for our Big
Day, I have spent quite a bit of time looking/listening for Winter
Wren as one of my target birds for the week. I've checked many
traditional locations and many places that 'look good' but have not
had a single one! The other day Dave Rosgen, who birds White Memorial
& vicinity a lot, mentioned that he didn't have one for the year yet.
This seems to be continuing a trend over the past few years in my
personal experience...last spring they seemed harder to come by than
the spring before...but nothing quite like this year. How are we
supposed to make Hanisek & Co cry with jealousy if we can't even get a
stinkin' Winter Wren for our Big Day?! (PS - please forward any WIWR
sightings to me :-)
There is a "leap-frogging" of migration, in that more northern winterers travel less than than those that winter further south. Wouldn't the half-hardies such as Winter Wren be harder hit in Connecticut than the members of the species that winter further south (and presumably encountering a milder winter) than the Connecticut breeders that travel further north for breeding? Again, I am presuming that the mid-Atlantic states had a harder than usual winter.
Glenn Williams
Mystic
--- On Sun, 5/8/11, David Provencher davidprovencher@sbcglobal.net wrote:
From: David Provencher davidprovencher@sbcglobal.net
Subject: RE: [CT Birds] winter wrens
To: "'Nick Bonomo'" nbonomo@gmail.com, "'Glenn Williams'" gswilliams9@yahoo.com
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Sunday, May 8, 2011, 1:36 AM
In my annual wanderings in CT I have noticed Winter Wrens territories change
from one location to another. Now whether this is the same breeding pair or
another I couldn't say. There is reportedly a connection between Winter Wren
breeding sites and the amount of fallen dead wood in a given area (Oh do
these discussions highlight how much there is to learn about the natural
world). Mayhaps breeding sites shift based on the changes in downed logs in
a given area? In CT forests, due to the constant cycle of harvesting large
trees, the amount of fallen logs is far lower than would be the case in an
undisturbed (by man) woodlands. Certainly Cuckoos shift their breeding sites
based on year to year conditions. I have encountered two Winter Wrens during
this migration so far (not on territory), but I must point out that I
haven't spent any time in prime Winter Wren habitat yet this Spring. I can
say that I continue to find them an easy and reliable find on their White
Mountain breeding sites, certainly as recently as Spring 2010. One would
presume these birds winter farther north than the CT breeders, so one would
also presume these more northerly breeders would likely encounter more
difficult winter conditions. If the CT population of Winter Wren is
declining as precipitously as this discussion seems to suggest, I would
think a significant component of that decline would be habitat change and
not just weather mortality. I do know that individual birders generally tend
to cover than same areas from year to year (creatures of habit we humans)
and that isn't always the best way to determine total population changes. I
am certain of one thing, now that this CTBirds discussion is occurring, any
upcoming CT Winter Wren sightings will likely be highlighted in posts. And
of course, get specific directions to Nick, every species counts when your
gunning for so lofty a record!
Dave Provencher
Naturally New England
http://naturallynewengland.blogspot.com/
-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Nick Bonomo
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2011 11:03 PM
To: Glenn Williams
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] winter wrens
Over two visits to the NW corner this week while scouting for our Big
Day, I have spent quite a bit of time looking/listening for Winter
Wren as one of my target birds for the week. I've checked many
traditional locations and many places that 'look good' but have not
had a single one! The other day Dave Rosgen, who birds White Memorial
& vicinity a lot, mentioned that he didn't have one for the year yet.
This seems to be continuing a trend over the past few years in my
personal experience...last spring they seemed harder to come by than
the spring before...but nothing quite like this year. How are we
supposed to make Hanisek & Co cry with jealousy if we can't even get a
stinkin' Winter Wren for our Big Day?! (PS - please forward any WIWR
sightings to me :-)
I must admit to just be speculating in all this. After all, I don't have
data that shows what actual population change has occurred, if any. And I
don't know the actual migratory distributional pattern within the regional
body of the species. However I'm not very comfortable with the use of the
term half-hardy in discussing a broad swath of a species. Generally the term
is used, as I understand it, to refer to those individuals which attempt to
winter considerably further north than the bulk of the species. So a Gray
Catbird in CT in January would be a "half-hardy" but one in the northern
region of the entire wintering population would not. The wintering range of
migrants evolves over a long period of time. During that period there will
be severe weather periods and mild weather periods. The northern limit of
the range may contract or expand due to a mortality hit in the severe period
and expand during the opportunity of the mild period. But in this case the
northern part of the wintering range corresponds to essentially the southern
part of the breeding range. In this band there is some permanent residing.
These would certainly be "half hardy." So if there is a significant weather
driven mortality, I would think it must be occurring to birds that attempt
to stay year round in CT certainly, but what about the CT birds that
migrate? Are they traveling less distance than those that breed further to
our north? I can't answer that. If that is the case there is often
morphological differences within the species as a result. But all this
presumption of a big drop in CT's population begs the question why don't
these newly available niches than get filled by prospecting first year
breeders? That question leads me right back to the issue of habitat changes
here. I can't help but notice while I'm out hiking how few large dead fall
logs are around. Far fewer than would be the case without logging. The loss
of significant dead wood causes the loss of the ecosystems that they create.
Has that been driving the CT population of Winter Wren down where new dead
falls aren't being allowed to occur as much now? Obviously running rampant
through speculative stuff here. I must admit to having never thought so much
about Winter Wren before, other than to welcome its bubbly song all the way
to treeline in the White Mountains. Well I'm going hiking now, and I'm going
to go where I know Winter Wrens have been breeders before, and see if I turn
up any chup chupping little troglodytes.
Dave Provencher
Naturally New England
http://naturallynewengland.blogspot.com/
From: Glenn Williams [mailto:gswilliams9@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 2:50 AM
To: 'Nick Bonomo'; David Provencher
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: RE: [CT Birds] winter wrens
There is a "leap-frogging" of migration, in that more northern winterers
travel less than than those that winter further south. Wouldn't the
half-hardies such as Winter Wren be harder hit in Connecticut than the
members of the species that winter further south (and presumably
encountering a milder winter) than the Connecticut breeders that travel
further north for breeding? Again, I am presuming that the mid-Atlantic
states had a harder than usual winter.
Glenn Williams
Mystic
--- On Sun, 5/8/11, David Provencher davidprovencher@sbcglobal.net wrote:
From: David Provencher davidprovencher@sbcglobal.net
Subject: RE: [CT Birds] winter wrens
To: "'Nick Bonomo'" nbonomo@gmail.com, "'Glenn Williams'"
gswilliams9@yahoo.com
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Sunday, May 8, 2011, 1:36 AM
In my annual wanderings in CT I have noticed Winter Wrens territories change
from one location to another. Now whether this is the same breeding pair or
another I couldn't say. There is reportedly a connection between Winter Wren
breeding sites and the amount of fallen dead wood in a given area (Oh do
these discussions highlight how much there is to learn about the natural
world). Mayhaps breeding sites shift based on the changes in downed logs in
a given area? In CT forests, due to the constant cycle of harvesting large
trees, the amount of fallen logs is far lower than would be the case in an
undisturbed (by man) woodlands. Certainly Cuckoos shift their breeding sites
based on year to year conditions. I have encountered two Winter Wrens during
this migration so far (not on territory), but I must point out that I
haven't spent any time in prime Winter Wren habitat yet this Spring. I can
say that I continue to find them an easy and reliable find on their White
Mountain breeding sites, certainly as recently as Spring 2010. One would
presume these birds winter farther north than the CT breeders, so one would
also presume these more northerly breeders would likely encounter more
difficult winter conditions. If the CT population of Winter Wren is
declining as precipitously as this discussion seems to suggest, I would
think a significant component of that decline would be habitat change and
not just weather mortality. I do know that individual birders generally tend
to cover than same areas from year to year (creatures of habit we humans)
and that isn't always the best way to determine total population changes. I
am certain of one thing, now that this CTBirds discussion is occurring, any
upcoming CT Winter Wren sightings will likely be highlighted in posts. And
of course, get specific directions to Nick, every species counts when your
gunning for so lofty a record!
Dave Provencher
Naturally New England
http://naturallynewengland.blogspot.com/
-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Nick Bonomo
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2011 11:03 PM
To: Glenn Williams
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] winter wrens
Over two visits to the NW corner this week while scouting for our Big
Day, I have spent quite a bit of time looking/listening for Winter
Wren as one of my target birds for the week. I've checked many
traditional locations and many places that 'look good' but have not
had a single one! The other day Dave Rosgen, who birds White Memorial
& vicinity a lot, mentioned that he didn't have one for the year yet.
This seems to be continuing a trend over the past few years in my
personal experience...last spring they seemed harder to come by than
the spring before...but nothing quite like this year. How are we
supposed to make Hanisek & Co cry with jealousy if we can't even get a
stinkin' Winter Wren for our Big Day?! (PS - please forward any WIWR
sightings to me :-)
It could be, and probably is, multifactorial. Combine habitat change
with a harsh winter, plus maybe a couple of poor breeding years in a
row...plus another factor(s) we aren't aware of. I used the term 'down
cycle' in conversation the other day because hopefully it is indeed
just part of a cycle that will again swing up in NW CT. Hopefully it's
just a localized phenomenon. I haven't noticed any similar
conversations from other listservs. Might be another job for eBird to
see how far this extends, though with the number of eBird users and
man-hours changing so much from year to year, I'm not sure how it can
be used appropriately to answer that question. It's probably over my
data-analyzing head.
Some tidbits from BNA Online:
"Many known to die during exceptionally severe (cold and snowy)
winters in North America (e.g., in Alaska on St. George I.; Vancouver
I.; e. U.S.; and s. Canada [Bent 1948, Robbins and Geissler 1986,
Holmes and Sherry 1988]). In Europe, marked fluctuations in numbers
after hard winters in Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland
(Cramp 1988). Armstrong (1955) suggested that unfavorable climatic and
ecological conditions are primary cause of wren mortality there. May
survive severe winters better in more inhabited areas in Europe,
likely finding more food and shelter there (Armstrong 1955)."
and
"Trends
According to BBS, current long-term (1966–1999) trends are positive or
stable; short-term trends (1966–1979) are sometimes negative (Sauer et
al. 2001; Appendix). Winter Wren numbers increased from 1966 to 1999
at regional, country, and surveywide levels. Similarly, significant
positive trends from 1966 to 1999 in 6 states and 6 physiographic
regions. From 1966 to 1979, significant negative trends for the
eastern region, Canada, and surveywide; significant positive trend for
western region. State and physiographic trends parallel regional
1966–1979 results: eastern states and physiographic regions show
either negative or stable population trends; western states and
physio-graphic regions show either positive or stable trends. All
significant trends from 1980 to 1999 are positive and are primarily
from e. North America. Similar patterns seen when BBS data analyzed
for different time intervals: long-term (1968–1991), west-wide trend
was positive, but short-term (1982–1991)west-wide trend was negative
(Hejl 1994). Short-term trends may reflect short-term population
fluctuations after severe winters. Winter Wren numbers are known to
decline after hard winters (Bent 1948, Robbins and Geissler 1986,
Holmes and Sherry 1988), and severe weather occurred in se. U. S.
during several winters between 1966 and 1979 (Holmes and Sherry 1988),
when breeding population numbers declined, according to BBS. Weather
effects unknown for other time periods.
Current BBS surveys, however, may not adequately represent Winter Wren
population trends. Most (22 of 30) of the summaries for geographic
areas, including the surveywide one (n = 711 routes), have low
credibility ratings (Appendix). Because Winter Wren numbers are known
to plummet after severe winters, many of these low ratings could be
due to significantly dif-ferent subinterval trends (one of the
criteria for a deficient rating). Winter Wrens also are
interior-forest birds, and roadside surveys may not sample them well
(Hejl 1994)."
There are multiple references to harsh winters playing a role on some
populations. Also note that this article still considers Winter Wren
one species, but it has recently been split into three species (the
Eastern US, western US, and European populations).
Nick
On Sun, May 8, 2011 at 6:42 AM, David Provencher
davidprovencher@sbcglobal.net wrote:
I must admit to just be speculating in all this. After all, I don’t have data that shows what actual population change has occurred, if any. And I don’t know the actual migratory distributional pattern within the regional body of the species. However I’m not very comfortable with the use of the term half-hardy in discussing a broad swath of a species. Generally the term is used, as I understand it, to refer to those individuals which attempt to winter considerably further north than the bulk of the species. So a Gray Catbird in CT in January would be a “half-hardy” but one in the northern region of the entire wintering population would not. The wintering range of migrants evolves over a long period of time. During that period there will be severe weather periods and mild weather periods. The northern limit of the range may contract or expand due to a mortality hit in the severe period and expand during the opportunity of the mild period. But in this case the northern part of the wintering range corresponds to essentially the southern part of the breeding range. In this band there is some permanent residing. These would certainly be “half hardy.” So if there is a significant weather driven mortality, I would think it must be occurring to birds that attempt to stay year round in CT certainly, but what about the CT birds that migrate? Are they traveling less distance than those that breed further to our north? I can’t answer that. If that is the case there is often morphological differences within the species as a result. But all this presumption of a big drop in CT’s population begs the question why don’t these newly available niches than get filled by prospecting first year breeders? That question leads me right back to the issue of habitat changes here. I can’t help but notice while I’m out hiking how few large dead fall logs are around. Far fewer than would be the case without logging. The loss of significant dead wood causes the loss of the ecosystems that they create. Has that been driving the CT population of Winter Wren down where new dead falls aren’t being allowed to occur as much now? Obviously running rampant through speculative stuff here. I must admit to having never thought so much about Winter Wren before, other than to welcome its bubbly song all the way to treeline in the White Mountains. Well I’m going hiking now, and I’m going to go where I know Winter Wrens have been breeders before, and see if I turn up any chup chupping little troglodytes.
Dave Provencher
Naturally New England
http://naturallynewengland.blogspot.com/
From: Glenn Williams [mailto:gswilliams9@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 2:50 AM
To: 'Nick Bonomo'; David Provencher
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: RE: [CT Birds] winter wrens
There is a "leap-frogging" of migration, in that more northern winterers travel less than than those that winter further south. Wouldn't the half-hardies such as Winter Wren be harder hit in Connecticut than the members of the species that winter further south (and presumably encountering a milder winter) than the Connecticut breeders that travel further north for breeding? Again, I am presuming that the mid-Atlantic states had a harder than usual winter.
Glenn Williams
Mystic
--- On Sun, 5/8/11, David Provencher davidprovencher@sbcglobal.net wrote:
From: David Provencher davidprovencher@sbcglobal.net
Subject: RE: [CT Birds] winter wrens
To: "'Nick Bonomo'" nbonomo@gmail.com, "'Glenn Williams'" gswilliams9@yahoo.com
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Date: Sunday, May 8, 2011, 1:36 AM
In my annual wanderings in CT I have noticed Winter Wrens territories change
from one location to another. Now whether this is the same breeding pair or
another I couldn't say. There is reportedly a connection between Winter Wren
breeding sites and the amount of fallen dead wood in a given area (Oh do
these discussions highlight how much there is to learn about the natural
world). Mayhaps breeding sites shift based on the changes in downed logs in
a given area? In CT forests, due to the constant cycle of harvesting large
trees, the amount of fallen logs is far lower than would be the case in an
undisturbed (by man) woodlands. Certainly Cuckoos shift their breeding sites
based on year to year conditions. I have encountered two Winter Wrens during
this migration so far (not on territory), but I must point out that I
haven't spent any time in prime Winter Wren habitat yet this Spring. I can
say that I continue to find them an easy and reliable find on their White
Mountain breeding sites, certainly as recently as Spring 2010. One would
presume these birds winter farther north than the CT breeders, so one would
also presume these more northerly breeders would likely encounter more
difficult winter conditions. If the CT population of Winter Wren is
declining as precipitously as this discussion seems to suggest, I would
think a significant component of that decline would be habitat change and
not just weather mortality. I do know that individual birders generally tend
to cover than same areas from year to year (creatures of habit we humans)
and that isn't always the best way to determine total population changes. I
am certain of one thing, now that this CTBirds discussion is occurring, any
upcoming CT Winter Wren sightings will likely be highlighted in posts. And
of course, get specific directions to Nick, every species counts when your
gunning for so lofty a record!
Dave Provencher
Naturally New England
http://naturallynewengland.blogspot.com/
-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Nick Bonomo
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2011 11:03 PM
To: Glenn Williams
Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] winter wrens
Over two visits to the NW corner this week while scouting for our Big
Day, I have spent quite a bit of time looking/listening for Winter
Wren as one of my target birds for the week. I've checked many
traditional locations and many places that 'look good' but have not
had a single one! The other day Dave Rosgen, who birds White Memorial
& vicinity a lot, mentioned that he didn't have one for the year yet.
This seems to be continuing a trend over the past few years in my
personal experience...last spring they seemed harder to come by than
the spring before...but nothing quite like this year. How are we
supposed to make Hanisek & Co cry with jealousy if we can't even get a
stinkin' Winter Wren for our Big Day?! (PS - please forward any WIWR
sightings to me :-)
Nick,
This morning on the LHAS walk at White Memorial we had a singing Winter Wren on the Cranberry Pond trail about 150 yards past the pond.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 7, 2011, at 11:02 PM, Nick Bonomo nbonomo@gmail.com wrote:
Over two visits to the NW corner this week while scouting for our Big
Day, I have spent quite a bit of time looking/listening for Winter
Wren as one of my target birds for the week. I've checked many
traditional locations and many places that 'look good' but have not
had a single one! The other day Dave Rosgen, who birds White Memorial
& vicinity a lot, mentioned that he didn't have one for the year yet.
This seems to be continuing a trend over the past few years in my
personal experience...last spring they seemed harder to come by than
the spring before...but nothing quite like this year. How are we
supposed to make Hanisek & Co cry with jealousy if we can't even get a
stinkin' Winter Wren for our Big Day?! (PS - please forward any WIWR
sightings to me :-)
For whatever reason the local WIWR population seems to be in a down
cycle. Perhaps recent harsh winters are to blame. I'd be less inclined
to think they're just late showing up on territories, because as it
has been noted, they are typically singing on territory quite early in
the spring.
Nick Bonomo
Wallingford, CT
On Sat, May 7, 2011 at 10:42 PM, Glenn Williams gswilliams9@yahoo.com wrote:
As for winter wrens, how was the weather in the mid-Atlantic states this winter where many of the half-hardies over-winter? How are other half-hardies doing in both numbers and arrival dates? Winter Wrens were hard to come by during the Christmas Bird Count season, presumably because of early cold temperatures. Though long-distance migration has plenty of hazards, Winter Wrens and the other half-hardy species are much more susceptible to winter die-off than the neotropical species that leave the hemisphere entirely.
Glenn Williams
Mystic, CT
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org