This is our preview of the Maplewood Bog MAPS site, one of three stations in our soon to be realized MAPS network in the FBS study area. The Hemlock Lake MAPS station was previewed here last week. Maplewood Bog (MABO) is another very interesting site and has more of a deciduous “flavour” than the other two stations in the area. The site was named after the abundance of maple here and the presence of several rich bog environments. A visit to the site yesterday afternoon revealed a diverse abundance of breeding birds, which included Black-and-white Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, White-throated Sparrows, Blue-headed Vireo, Veery and a “good” number of Wood Thrushes.

Much like the Hemlock Lake site, the 20 hectare Maplewood Bog station is highly varied with dry oak-juniper savannah, mature decidous forest & patchy mixed forest as well as many streams, bogs and a large lake to the west. Eastern Towhee and Field Sparrows were common in the dryer open habitats, while Scarlet Tanagers and a Yellow-throated Vireo sang from the mature woodland less than 50m away.

Edges can be hard to find in this heavily wooded area of the Frontenac Arch. These edges are important features for sampling dispersing young birds in mid-late summer. Adult birds can be readily captured and banded in forest interior locations during the early part of the summer but these locations are often vacated once young have fledged. Therefore, in establishing a new MAPS site, we try to arrive at a balanced selection of interior and edge locations for mistnets, which should maximize sample for the extent of the breeding season. In this region, wetlands and clearings provide the important balance to forest-interior netting sites.

For me the most compelling aspect of this site is the abundance of deciduous forest species, particularly the thrushes. I encountered several Veery and at least three Wood Thrushes that seemed to be holding territories. With many more birds yet to arrive, this site should have a great mix of species and will be a very nice compliment to the more coniferous obligate species of Hemlock Lake. I managed to record this singing Wood Thrush with my new microphone and have uploaded a short piece of it below (click play button).

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Highlights of Species from Maplewood Bog (MABO) on May 13, 2009

Veery
Wood Thrush
Yellow-throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
American Redstart
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Field Sparrow