[mou] Tree species and migrants

[Derric Pennington]

Hello Fellow Birdheads-

Its great to see migration finally blossoming (so to speak) in our  
area.  I am a PhD candidate in the Conservation Biology Program at  
the University of Minnesota studying the stopover ecology of  
landbirds.  I am very interested in hearing fellow birders'  
observations regarding what tree species migrants are located in  
during migration.  One of the primary hypotheses regarding what  
constitutes quality stopover habitat during migration is food  
availability.  Some researchers have suggested that particular tree  
species may be more likely to have higher insect/caterpillar  
abundance than other species.  The mechanism behind this is possibly  
leaf-bud timing for particular tree species, which has evolved with  
invertebrates that feed on fresh plant growth.  Consequently, these  
tree species may also be the best suited for a bird looking to refuel  
during its migration to breeding grounds.

I would appreciate hearing your observations over the next few  
weeks.  It would be great to get a larger snapshot of what's  
occurring across our landscape. If you would like to send an  
observation just include the following: date of observation, place  
(town or other specific place name), species observed, and the tree  
species where the bird was observed foraging or singing.

As for myself, I have been observing several canopy migrants making  
use of American Elm trees located along Minnehaha Creek.

Thanks for your help and good luck birding!!

Derric Pennington
PhD Candidate
Conservation Biology Program
University of Minnesota
ph: 612-624-4796
penn0107@umn.edu

"I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with  
forethought of grief... For a time I rest in the grace of the world,  
and am free." --Wendell Berry

"People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a  
confession of character." --Ralph Waldo Emerson