Habitat Indicators

Habitat indicators for the Lewis Creek Watershed include the following species and habitat types: Grassland habitats: o Bobolink-a conspicuous bird in the breeding season that nests successfully in large, dense hay fields that are not mowed until mid-July. Should be monitored during June and July when males establish breeding territories. Migratory in winter. o Horned lark-an inconspicuous species that is seen most often in spring and fall in fields that have patches of grass and ample areas of bare ground. Should be monitored in different seasons. o American kestrel-a small raptor that nests in cavities of trees in the open and feeds on large insects and small mammals found in a variety of grasslands. Should be monitored from May through August. Migratory in winter. Deciduous forest habitats: o Pileated woodpecker-a conspicuous bird that prefers old forests with decaying trees; usually found in large blocks of forest or small forest patches in close proximity to each other. Can be monitored in all months, resident and territorial throughout the year. o Wild turkey-a species that prefers mature hardwood forests with mast-producing trees, but will feed-especially in winter-in adjacent farm fields. Can be monitored in all months. Forest habitat is essential during breeding season in May and June; will wander widely in winter in search of food. o Jefferson salamander-restricted to forested areas close to seasonal wetlands where eggs are laid in spring. Monitoring for this species should be during the breeding season. o Scarlet tanager-prefers core forest and usually found in forest patches more than 200 acres in size. Monitor in breeding season, May-July. Migratory in winter. o Great horned owl-widespread in large blocks of forest, often in mixed deciduous/coniferous forest. This species is territorial throughout the year and can be detected by call. o Red-backed salamander-very common under logs and leaves in the deciduous forest, except where soils become flooded. Can be monitored throughout the warm months. Coniferous forest habitats: o Red-breasted nuthatch-A year-round resident found most often in coniferous forests. Can be monitored at any time of year. o Fisher-Prefers conifers or mixed forests, but sometimes wanders into other habitat types in search of food. A good species to monitor in winter when tracks can be seen. In the Lewis Creek watershed, this species would most likely be found at elevations above 1000 feet. o Northern goshawk-A raptor that is often found in mixed forests. May be a good indicator of interior forests habitat. Difficult to detect except near territories during the nesting season. Monitoring is often done by playing tape-recorded calls. o Northern raven-Found in remote forested regions during the nesting season. Look for nesting pairs from March-May, especially in higher elevations of the watershed. Wanders widely during fall and winter. Shrubland, or transitional, habitat (a declining habitat type in New England and one with a number of habitat specialists): o Blue-winged/golden-winged warbler-these two species have identical habitat requirements and often hybridize when found together. They have very specific requirements for sparse growth of hardwood saplings, a classic old-field condition. Monitoring should be done during the breeding season. Migratory in winter. o Indigo bunting-More abundant than the warblers listed above, but occupies the same habitat conditions. Monitoring should be during breeding season. Migratory in winter. o Willow flycatcher-Found in shrubs along edges of wetlands. Also found in shrub/scrub wetland habitats. Should be monitored during breeding season. Migratory in winter. Forested wetlands: o Olive-sided flycatcher-An uncommon species in the watershed, but should be found in coniferous wetlands in the higher elevations of the watershed. Monitor in breeding season. Migratory in winter. o Spotted salamander-Should be monitored in spring when active for breeding. o Four-toed salamander-- Should be monitored in spring when active for breeding. o Wood frog-Most easily detected by voice in the spring. Scrub/shrub wetlands: o American beaver-Found along a variety of watercourses and often responsible for creating scrub/shrub wetlands. An excellent species to monitor because beaver flowages provide habitat for many other wildlife species. Emergent wetlands: o Swamp sparrow-A species found in cattail marshes that is easy to locate and monitor because of its conspicuous song during the breeding season. Migratory in winter. o Muskrat-Should be present in large emergent wetlands. Easy to observe; present throughout the year. o Marsh wren-Like the swamp sparrow, usually present in cattail marshes and is easy to locate and monitor because of a conspicuous song and obvious nests. Migratory in winter. Rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds: o Mink-Banks of rivers, streams, and ponds with ample natural cover should have healthy populations of minks. They can be most easily detected in the winter by tracks or any time of years when low water leaves muddy banks.