Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Shrubland Bird Monitoring

Eastern towhee

Many different bird species use shrubland habitat at some point in their lives. However, a group of about 30 birds relies on shrubland habitat for breeding. These are known as shrubland habitat specialists, and they include the state-listed golden-winged warbler, brown thrasher, and yellow-breasted chat, as well as other regionally declining species, such as blue-winged warbler, field sparrow, eastern towhee, and prairie warbler.

Although there are slight differences in habitat selection among these shrubland species, one thing remains the same - once the structure and species composition of the habitat change through forest succession, these habitat specialists disappear from the site. This disappearance happens within a decade after disturbance. If sites are not actively managed or new sites are not produced through disturbance or management, these birds will not have habitat for breeding.

It is not surprising, given the rate of decline of this habitat, that 80% of the total species that rely on shrubland habitat are experiencing a regional or national decline. New England populations of eastern towhee and brown thrasher have declined by over 90% since the 1960s.

Connecticut Breeding Bird Survey, 1966-2013
Shrubland Indicator Species

Graph of shrubland bird breeding survey results

Shrubland Bird Monitoring Project

In 2010, the Wildlife Division initiated a project to monitor shrubland birds and their associated habitats. Four species of shrubland birds were selected as indicator species of these important habitats: blue-winged warblers, eastern towhees, field sparrows, and prairie warblers.

Staff and volunteers established a network of survey points on state properties containing shrubland habitat that was created either through forest cutting or wildlife habitat management practices. Forty survey points were located in state forests and 40 were located on wildlife management areas. At each point, data were collected on habitat structure and quality. Ten-minute point count surveys were conducted three times at each site during the breeding season.

Project Results

Data were analyzed to determine the abundance of each of the four target species in lands managed through forest cuts and wildlife management openings. It was determined that state forests and wildlife management areas, combined with shrubland habitat found on utility right-of-ways, would support approximately 1,700 blue-winged warblers, 2,700 eastern towhees, 550 field sparrows, and 1,200 prairie warblers. These estimated populations represent less than 20% of the population goals set by Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan for the prairie warbler and less than 10% for the blue-winged warbler, eastern towhee, and field sparrow. Therefore, active management of state lands needs to increase to help meet population goals. It also will be important to encourage partners and private landowners to assist with providing habitat for these birds.

Additional Information

Content last updated in January 2024.