Forest Birds

 Today my local Audubon group hosted a zoom meeting about birds in the Superior and Chippewa National forests. Since 1995 researchers have studied birds in the forest by visiting 1000 locations and listening for ten minutes in each location. The study is done between June 1st and July 10th when the birds are nesting. That is a boat load of data. These two national forests are home to a diverse number of birds, 162 species to be exact. Over the years they have seen trends. Coming to the forest more frequently are the Veery and the Canada warbler. Black billed cuckoo and  Carolina warbler are on the decline. The researchers have to take training to identify all the birds by sound. While out in their spots they keep track of species by writing down in a large circle what species they hear and approximately how far away the bird is. One factor involved with the birds is the infestation of the Eastern spruce budworm. Birds that love to eat spruce budworms are becoming more common. Birds who rely on spruce trees for nesting are becoming less common. I am glad that the forest service supports the research on birds.