assesment on wildlife
Answers
Bicknell's Thrush Habitat Assessment and Breeding Bird Survey
AE was hired to evaluate the potential for the presence of Bicknell’s Thrush habitat within a proposed ski area expansion area. Bicknell's Thrush is a rare medium sized thrush that nests exclusively in sub-alpine spruce-fir forests in the northeastern US and southern Quebec. AE conducted field studies throughout the project area at elevations greater than approximately 2700’. Forest conditions were assessed for the likelihood to support Bicknell’s Thrush habitat based on canopy type, height and general structural characteristics. Habitat quality points were used to construct a map of probable high-quality habitat which was subsequently monitored for the presence of breeding Bicknell’s Thrush through song surveys. This work helped the client design their project to avoid high quality Bicknell’s habitat being used by this rare species and successfully permit the proposed expansion.