A
Tale of Two Sparrows
Two species of salt
marsh sparrows, both of which are listed among the highest avian conservation
priorities in eastern North America, share the same basic habitat: patches
of salt marsh on Connecticut's shores. But even though their basic ecological
requirements are similar, the seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus)
and the saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow (Ammodramus caudacatus)
differ substantially in their basic breeding biology and microhabitat
use. Both species also occur less frequently in small habitat patches
than large, although salt marsh sharp-tailed sparrows will tolerate
samller marshes than will the seaside sparrow. Understanding why these
birds won't nest in small marshes is key to their persistence in Connecticut,
where salt marshes tend to be small and fragmented, and large-scale
restorations are rarely an option.
Chris
Elphick, and Margaret
Rubega, researchers in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology at the University of Connecticut, and research assistant Carina
Gjerdrum, are investigating what factors the two birds are sensitive
to when selecting habitat. The Connecticut Sea Grant project will last
2 years. It includes examining bird movement patterns, predation of
eggs and nestlings, survival of fledglings and adults, possible alterations
in food supply, differences in plant distribution, increased vulnerability
to flooding, and random settlement patterns.
One of the study
species, the salt marsh sharp-tailed sparrow, has recently been elevated
to "Globally Vulnerable" as an endangered species. This status
has led to a designation or nomination of several large salt marshes
in Connecticut as Global Important Bird Areas by an international program
that is identifying key sites for conservation action.
As a bonus, a third
species, Nelson's sharp tailed sparrow, will be monitored for migration
and distribution during the study. This species occurs in Connecticut
only during its migration. Connecticut's shores are a critical part
of the "flyway", a crucial corridor of rest stops for migratory
birds on the Atlantic coast of North America..
In addition to Connecticut
Sea Grant, sponsors of this research include the Environmental Protection
Agency, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Audubon
Connecticut, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and bird conservation organizations.
Several UConn students are also assisting in the work. Results will
help in marsh management as well as enhanced knowledge of the bird species
and their ecology.
HOW YOU
CAN HELP:
The public is invited
to help in the study! If you see color-banded birds or wish to report
sightings of either of these two species in Connecticut, contact chris.elphick@uconn.edu.
Connecticut Sea
Grant is part of the NOAA National Sea Grant network, consisting of
32 university-based programs whose mission is the wise use and conservation
of coastal and marine resources, through research, outreach, and education.
The University of Connecticut is the State's Sea Grant College. Grants
are awarded on a competitive basis.
