Join us for a morning field trip as we venture into Fort Drum's expansive and dynamic breeding bird habitats. This trip will delve into Fort Drum impressive breeding bird diversity, and ongoing research efforts focused on Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warbler hybridization.
Date: May 25th Time: 0700
Meeting Point: Fort Drum's Natural Resources Outreach Facility
Reserve Spot: RSVP email kurt.ongman@maine.edu
Highlights of the Trip:
Birding and Guided Tour: We will embark on a guided tour of several Fort Drum breeding habitat, led by Migratory Bird Biologist, Jeff Bolsinger. This trip will target specialty breeders such as Upland Sandpiper, Clay-colored Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and maybe Red-headed Woodpecker and Common Nighthawk, if lucky. We will also have the opportunity to view the vibrant plumage combinations of hybridizing Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warbler (genus Vermivora) and many other breeding warblers. Fort Drum's training range hosts premier Northeastern songbird habitat and offers the possibility of seeing 20 species of breeding warblers in a single day. On this tour, we will learn about bird habitat conservation taking place on military lands and the measures in place to preserve them.
Banding Demonstration: This portion of the field trip will include a Vermivora warbler banding demonstration led by University of Maine's Vermivora Field Crew. We will learn about the significance of documenting plumage variation, demographic traits, and collecting genetic samples to better understand this rapidly declining genus of songbirds.
Research Presentation: Join us for a presentation by PhD student, Kurt Ongman, to learn about the latest research taking place on Fort Drum's sympatric Vermivora populations.
What to Bring/Prepare for:
Prepare for the possibility of ticks and other biting insects
Binoculars for birdwatching
Comfortable walking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Camera