Expansion and Testing of a Habitat Selection Model for a Globally Threatened Bird Species on Industrial Forestland

PI: Neil Thompson, Forestry, University of Maine at Fort Kent

Collaborators: Amber Roth, UM School of Forest Resources; Carol Foss, New Hampshire Audubon; Patricia Wohner, Cuckoo Conservation Initiative; Jason Johnston, UMPI

The Rusty Blackbird is a threatened species that was recently listed as a Special Concern in Maine. To predict their nesting habitat in northern New Hampshire, a habitat selection model was developed. In this project, that model will be extended throughout western and northern Maine using geographic information system (GIS) technology and field observations. This will allow recommendations to be made for habitat management, hopefully leading to intensive forestry practices that can produce high quality nesting habitats for the Rusty Blackbird.