Introduction
The Northern water thrush (Seiurus noveboracensis) is an uncommon to locally common species in BCR14. It prefers cool, shady, wet brushy areas near open pools of water or swampy hummocks. This waterthrush has been listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in one or more states in BCR 14.
Habitat Needs
This bird favors dense thickets along the edges of deciduous or coniferous forested wetlands, ponds, or bogs with pools of open water that contain hummocks.
Its territory size is usually around 1½ to 2½ acres.
Habitat Management Practices
The breeding habitat for this bird lies within either wetland or riparian areas. It requires dense thickets, so if that component is missing, increase brush in wetland and riparian areas through cutting, within the management guidelines for your state.
When assessing properties for habitat potential, check the latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wetlands inventory and state Wildlife Action Plan. Soil series typically associated with wetland habitats are in Important Forest Soil Groups IIB and include Biddeford, Borohemists, Bucksport, Burnham, Catden, Chocorua, Greenwood, Ipswich, Matunuck, Maybid, Meadowsedge, Medomak, Natchaug, Ossipee, Pawcatuck, Peacham, Pondicherry, Saco, Saco Variant, Scarboro, Scarboro very stony, Searsport, Timakwa, Vassalboro, Waskish, Westbrook, Whitman, Whitman cool, and Wonsqueak. Soil series typically associated with riparian habitats are also in Important Forest Soil Groups IIB and include Charles, Cohas, Lim, Limerick, Limerick cool, Rippowam, Rumney. There are others in these categories depending on the location in BCR 14.