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You may not see as many birds in your woods in winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead. If you’d like to hear the sound of an Ovenbird calling “pizza! pizza! pizza!” while you hike your trails, or catch a glimpse of a Scarlet Tanager high in a tree canopy, there are actions you can take – for free or cheap, and mostly on your own – to increase the diversity of bird species in your forest.
Winter is a particularly great time to try these management activities, since it’s outside the nesting season.
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Why You Should Plan Your Harvest for Winter
Forest management is easier, safer, and better for birds in the non-breeding season.
While it’s common for forest management activities to be carried out year round, seasons are an important consideration when working with birds.
In the summer, for example, you’ll easily notice if your forest is well-shaded by a large mature canopy, resulting in bare ground underneath. In this scenario, birds that need shrubs and small trees growing on the forest floor, like Ruffed Grouse and Black-throated Blue Warbler, may be absent.
In order to reintroduce these species on your land, it’s necessary to alter the habitat by removing some mature trees to encourage growth on the forest floor. Doing so will also increase vigor in the remaining trees by allowing them more light and space.
However, the spring and summer breeding season is not an ideal time to conduct this management – which might disturb birds’ ability to nest and raise chicks. Instead, plan your harvest in winter!
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