Leif

Just visited the WMA to establish my survey points, it is a neat area.  Do
you have the natural communities mapped out in GIS?  Any info you have
would help me tie birds observed to habitat much better.

Cowbirds are always an issue, but without nestling survival info, I
couldn't tell you if they are a significant problem.  I wonder if the
cowbird issue will decline as a negative influence on warbler nesting
success as Vermont becomes less and less of a farmland/cow state (at least
less than it was 50+ years ago)?

Golden-wings also noted at parking area on my visit.

Sylvia

At 09:40 AM 6/3/2005, you wrote:
>Silvia,
>I might be able to help you with information about access and habitat.  I
>have been inventorying natural communities at The Narrows for the last two
>summers.  The access issue is simple: there is only one place-the parking
>area and kiosk.  You have to walk in from there.  The Narrows can be reached
>by boat, but the nearest public access is at least a mile north.  The
>habitat is fantastically diverse.  There are fields, late successional
>hardwood forests, swamps, an extensive marsh, cliffs, etc.  One question I
>have is whether cowbirds are a problem for native nesters in and around
>those fields, particularly the interior field.  One bird of note: I saw and
>heard a singing male golden winged warbler in the fields near the kiosk in
>May two years ago.
>
>I will be going back there at least once this summer, and would be happy to
>show you around.
>
>Leif Richardson
>Ecologist
>Nongame and Natural Heritage Program
>Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife
>5 Perry Street, Suite 40
>Barre, VT 05641-4266
>(802) 476-0128
>[log in to unmask]
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vermont Birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Andy & Sylvia
>Harris
>Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 11:00 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [VTBIRD] Narrows WMA Birds
>
>Hello all
>
>I'm doing a survey at the Narrows WMA this year for the state.  I'd like to
>hear from anyone who has birded there about birds, habitat, access
>etc.  Also, since I live in Brattleboro, I'd really like to get the
>email/phone of a local person I can call to check on weather... (can't rely
>on weather.com at all!!).
>
>Thanks!
>
>Sylvia Harris
>
>802-257-7186