Introduction
The bay-breasted warbler (Dendroica castanea) is a common to rare breeder mostly in the northern part of BCR 14. It prefers second growth boreal forest containing balsam fir. It is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in one or more states in BCR 14.
Habitat Needs
This species uses boreal forests with a heavy balsam fir component. It will use small openings or edges along wetlands, highways or fence rows or water bodies. Requires a component of boreal forest with 6 to 10 feet tall trees, usually second growth. It feeds on a variety of insects mostly in the interior of boreal forest tree crowns. This species responds to spruce budworm outbreaks. Nesting densities increase when an outbreak is in progress.
Its territory size varies but has been reported to be around 4 acres in non-spruce budworm outbreak periods.
When assessing properties for habitat potential look for strong spruce-fir-producing soils such as Hoosic, Machias, Masardis, Quonset, Sheepscot, Stetson or Warwick among many others.
Silvicultural Practices
In spruce-fir:
- Use uneven-age management. Group selection with groups ranging from 1/10 to 2 acres.
- Use a 90-year rotation age with entries every 15 years.
- Let 10 percent of the area of this type age to 120 years before rotating.
- Avoid entry during nesting season—April to June.
- Whole-tree harvest or cut-to-length is preferred.
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Additional Information
- What is BCR 14?
- New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan
- Criteria for Selecting Species of Greatest Conservation Need (NH Fish and Game)