The Fruits of Our Labors

By: Bird Program Staff

It’s hard to believe that fifteen years have passed since we first began studying the birds of Rushton Woods Preserve. Only a few years prior, Rushton Farm had been established by Fred de Long as one of the region’s first regenerative farms within a nature preserve owned by a land trust. At that time, most of the Willistown Conservation Trust’s board members were opposed to adding the farm to the heart of this 86-acre nature preserve. They believed farming occurs at the expense of wildlife; however, they soon discovered Fred was an organic farmer committed to proving that agriculture can serve as the baseline for wildlife conservation. Today Rushton Farm is not only the heart of the organization but also a nationwide model of regenerative agriculture on conserved land.

The bird banding data we have collected over the years has allowed us to demonstrate the mutually beneficial relationship between regenerative farming and the surrounding ecosystem. We have now banded 20,830 individual birds of 104 species since 2010. These include songbirds using Rushton as a stopover habitat during migration, as breeding territory, as a year-round residence, or as wintering grounds.

With so many years of data gathered, we can now begin focusing on trends. We notice that spring and fall migrations look as if these bird populations are in decline, but our breeding bird populations (studied within the national MAPS program: Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) are increasing. This year, we focused on our birds returning with bands from previous years, a parameter that—while often overlooked—is becoming more prevalent in our long-term dataset.

Spring 2024

Spring started cold and quiet, with the bulk of our capture finally occurring in May. Capture rates remained similar to last spring, but overall they were the two lowest capture rates in station history. Diversity was also similarly low to the previous spring of 33 species. The species that continue to show significant declines are the Gray Catbirds and warbler species. We did capture our 20,000th bird this spring, which happened to be a Gray Catbird—still our most common species despite the declines.

The decline in warblers is mainly in the number of individuals rather than the diversity. For example, in 2022, we had the highest diversity of species, but the third lowest capture rate for warblers. The succession of our hedgerow habitat (i.e., trees growing taller and replacing shrubs) could contribute to catching fewer individuals as the canopy is getting higher; the canopy is where many warblers love to forage!

Focusing on the birds returning between years, the outlook is brighter. About 26% of all birds captured during spring migration 2024 were returning from previous years! In April alone, two White-throated Sparrows were our own recaptures — one from spring of 2022 and another from spring of 2023 — indicating that these individuals loyally return to Rushton each winter or use it as a reliable refueling site on their northbound journeys.

In terms of returning breeding birds, 16% of the Gray Catbirds and 36% of Common Yellowthroats sported bands from previous years. One of the catbirds was a recapture from 2018, making it about seven years old. Meanwhile, of the three Baltimore Orioles we caught, two already had their bracelets! Orioles in particular, love the edge habitat that the farm creates, and they can often be seen gregariously chasing each other across the airspace directly over the farm fields. In winter, they seek similar open habitat on shade-grown coffee farms in the tropics.

And let’s not forget the year-round residents of Rushton! Between-year recaptures included 50% of Tufted Titmice, 75% of Northern Cardinals, and 100% of Carolina Chickadees.

Spring banding ended with a warm spell that brought the highest diversity of the season, including an old Indigo Bunting originally banded in 2019, and a surprise Yellow-breasted Chat! Normally fairly flamboyant with an odd series of croaks, whistles, and short repeated phrases, this chat wasn’t chatting at all. If we had not caught the bird in a net, most likely we never would have known it was there. As one of our “life is messy” species, early successional shrub habitat (often perceived as messy) is its preference, which we embrace wholeheartedly at Rushton.

MAPS 2024

When we report the total number of birds each year, we often only report the total number of new birds, excluding recaptures. During migration, the recaptured birds are most often the same birds we banded within that season. The data we are acquiring from such recaptures is mostly how long the bird stayed at Rushton, or if it gained weight for its migratory journey, which can both be indicators of habitat quality. For example, one voracious Veery was determined to have gained 13% of its body weight in seven days of dining from the Rushton all-you-can-eat buffet! However, recaptures can be broken down into two categories: birds that we banded within that same season or year, and banded birds that are returning to Rushton from a previous year.

During the breeding season, songbirds often show high site fidelity, meaning that they will return to the same site from year to year to breed. They are more likely to do this if they were successful at breeding the previous year. This year, after 14 years of MAPS banding at Rushton Woods, we became concerned that some of our most common breeding birds were declining, like the Veery. However, after a closer look at the data, we can see that numbers of most of our birds are stable or showing normal fluctuations; we just had to take into account the birds that are returning each year!

Nearly 30% of our MAPS birds return each year to breed at Rushton Woods. Our top five most common birds captured are Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Veery, and Wood Thrush (accounting for 75% of all birds banded). While it varies from year to year, we see a similar average rate of 30% returning birds of our top five species. Figure 1 shows the percent of return birds for each of the top five species each year. You can see that Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, and Veery are consistently returning at the highest rates; in some years as high as 66% of the birds of these three species are returning! Interestingly, Ovenbird and Veery are the only two ground nesters in this group, and both have high return rates. In particular, after thirteen years, an average of 42.5% of our total Veery population have returned to breed at Rushton!   

Fall 2024

This fall was truly surreal. Typically our busiest banding season, we look forward to the waves of species groups coming in from week to week (Figure 2). This season started out slow and never really picked up like it normally does in September. We were seeing the usual suspects, but not the usual numbers of individuals. Where did all the catbirds go? We had the lowest capture rates ever documented of Gray Catbirds in spring and fall. This particularly concerning fall saw a 72% decrease in catbirds from last fall and a 75% decrease from our 14-year average.

By: Watershed Program Staff

The first telltale signs of beaver (Castor canadensis) activity at Ashbridge Preserve, found in late October, were chewed branches and a suspicious build up of twigs, branches, and other woody debris in Ridley Creek. Soon after, Watershed Program staff noted a slow, but steady, increase in the water depth in the riparian restoration area which could only mean one thing: the beavers had arrived in Ashbridge Preserve! Over the course of the next several months, beaver constructed four dams within Ashbridge Preserve, raising water levels throughout Ridley Creek.

The largest dam, visible upstream from [1] the stepping stone crossing, was the perfect candidate to place a game camera to watch the construction process. Almost immediately, the cameras picked up footage of a single large beaver, working tirelessly each night to build and repair the dam. Within the first several weeks, a second smaller beaver joined in the effort, carrying small twigs and branches, gently patting mud and leaves into the construction project, and generally getting in the way as all children do while learning how to help their parents. They worked together most nights to create a system of dams that have had a big impact on Ridley Creek during the driest fall in Pennsylvania history.

At the beginning of October, water depth in the riparian restoration area in Ashbridge Preserve had fallen to the lowest levels recorded on the EnviroDIY Sensor. No rain fell during the month of October, yet the EnviroDIY Sensor recorded a four-fold increase in water depth as a result of the construction of beaver dams in downstream sections of the creek (figure 1). A beaver’s dam building behavior can completely change an ecosystem: flooding forests, creating ponds, irrigating desiccated soils, and bringing life with each trickle of water. Beaver ponds that form upstream of a dam slow the rate of flowing water and flood the surrounding watershed area. This allows moisture to permeate more soil as the water level rises. As semi-aquatic herbivores, beavers live both on land and in water, and the engineering of higher water levels through the construction of dams provide easier access to food and less risk of predation, especially for young family groups. In periods of drought, like that which impacted the region in October, the increasing water level provides essential hydration for thirsty plant roots while also creating important refuges for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife alike.

Where beavers are active on the landscape, there is an increase in ecosystem biodiversity, wildlife abundance, and improved water quality. When beavers build dams, the ponding leads to more water entering the subterranean aquifer, which provides a critical resource during periods of low rainfall. Increased water retention supports environmental resilience, with hydrated soils and vegetation being more resistant to wildfires, storms, and erosion, and providing a safe haven for wildlife. While there is no guarantee that the family of beavers who called Ashbridge Preserve home this past winter will stay through the spring, the impact that they have had on the watershed will be long lasting.

How WCT is working with a local Homeowners Association to create habitat, improve water quality, and transform open space for an entire community

By: Mike Cranney, Director of Stewardship

In the summer of 2022, WCT’s Stewardship team first met with members of the Inverary community in nearby Villanova. A group of neighbors had reached out to discuss how they could improve some of their open-space areas, which at the time were largely being maintained as mowed turf. They had visions of community-wide access and trails, but walking around vast swaths of lawn was not very appealing, and the environmental and financial detriment of maintaining so much turf grass was glaring. Their HOA Council had decided that a change was needed, and a partnership with WCT presented an excellent opportunity for both organizations.

At the time of the initial meeting, WCT had recently applied for a new grant project through Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) that would provide funding for the cost of converting lawns to native meadow. After offering this approach to Inverary, everyone agreed that it was the perfect solution. For the next ten months, WCT worked with Inverary’s Landscape Committee to convey the plan to the entire community and make sure that everyone was on board. Through collaborative planning meetings, internal discussions by Inverary, public presentations, and plenty of feedback, the Council and the residents agreed to move forward.

Two key areas at Inverary were identified for the lawn to meadow conversion: the first, a roughly 6-acre field on the west end of the property; and the second, a 3.5-acre area to the east around a pond and associated stream. After a year and a half of planning and prep work, the meadow areas were finally seeded in the spring of 2024. The native seed mix comprised almost 30 different species, including asters, goldenrods, milkweed, coneflowers, and grasses. While meadows typically take 2-3 years to establish and flourish, the change was apparent as soon as that summer. The newly sown fields lit up with yellow and green, covered with black-eyed Susan and early germinating rosettes preparing to erupt in the coming years.

While the meadow planting was a success, due to grant restrictions it still left roughly a 50-foot gap between the newly seeded areas and the edge of the nearby waterways. This is where the WCT Watershed team stepped in and began planning for phase two of the project: a tree planting that would surround the pond and stream. Working with yet another grant from DCNR, this one for planting in non-vegetated streamside areas, a proposal was devised to buffer the space with native trees and shrubs. This process was again only made possible through a collaboration with Inverary to make sure that all of the residents understood and supported the project. After a few meetings and discussions with the neighbors on site, phase two was ready to go.

In October 2024, WCT staff returned to Inverary, and with the help of volunteers, students, and residents, planted more than 400 trees and shrubs over the course of four days. Members of the community, as well as their landscaping staff, were able to learn about the value of the project and how to best manage the site while helping to dig holes, install deer protection cages, and water in the new residents. Despite the prolonged drought that followed, the plants have held up well, thanks in large part to the effort of WCT staff and Inverary volunteers who came back twice a week for a month to haul and dump buckets of water. These trees and shrubs now have a happy home where they can grow and thrive. Without the overwhelming support and enthusiasm of the Inverary community, this entire project would not be possible. It is an inspiring effort that not only benefits the environment, but also brings people closer both to the natural world and to one another. This spring, 2 more acres of meadow will be planted at Inverary, creating sites that will provide a beautiful entryway into the community and expand on the initial work to build a more attractive and accessible connection between the other restored areas. It is evident from the number of inquiries that WCT has received since its implementation that the success of this project is already influencing other communities, and undoubtedly will continue to do so for years to come.

By: Molly Clark

As the Rushton Farm staff prepares for the farm’s 18th season, it is an opportune time to reflect on the significance of the farm and its value as a model for bringing conservationists and agriculture together. The progressively dire news about climate change and environmental degradation continues to be disheartening and reasons for hope can be elusive. Reports about the impact of the industrial food system are equally grim. Industrial agriculture relies on larger and larger tracts of monocultures stewarded by fewer farmers. It is characterized by increased dependence on petroleum-based chemicals and a complete disregard for the living resources on which the production ultimately depends. The food produced is overprocessed and less safe. For example, according to the Environmental Working Group, in 2024, residues of 254 different pesticides and pesticide residuals were found on 75% of the conventional produce tested by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

This summation is discouraging. However, agriculture- done right- can be a source of hope. Food provides a joyful way to take action in small but consequential ways. The connection between the food we eat and the environmental changes we want to see is so important and often overlooked. Wendell Berry, essayist, environmental activist, and farmer, summarized this crucial connection, writing:

“If conservationists merely eat whatever the supermarket provides and the government  allows, they are giving economic support to all-out industrial food production; to animal factories; to the depletion of soils, rivers, and aquifers; to crop monocultures and the consequent losses of biological and genetic diversity; to the pollution, toxicity, and overmedication that are the inevitable accompaniments of all-out industrial food production…” (“Bringing it to the Table”, 2009)

In the case of Rushton Farm, a community of conservationists were instead willing to insist on setting a better example. Starting a community-supported organic farm on land that is permanently protected was such a prescient idea and in the years since its formation, the farm staff has endeavored to ensure the replicability of the model.

Purposefully locating this farm on a nature preserve to demonstrate the way land can be used productively while benefiting the surrounding ecosystem continues to be impactful. As a community, we must continue to amplify and prioritize the connection between the food we eat and the land and living resources required to grow it.

So What Can We Do?

Two simple words: eat responsibly. The reality is, of course, more complicated. Our food chains are long and complex and the sheer number of bewildering packaging labels in grocery stores can make it hard to support environmentally and socially responsible producers. An organization called A Greener World recently published a guide that is intended to help consumers decipher these food labels (“Food Labels Exposed”). The guide requires ten pages to detail information such as which labels are backed by certification processes and which are just marketing hype.

However, three decades ago, Wendell Berry offered more digestible advice in his essay “The Pleasures of Eating”. He encouraged consumers to:

• Participate in food production.
• Prepare your own food.
• Learn the origins of the food you buy.
• Whenever possible, buy from local producers (local food systems are easier to understand and influence).
• In self-defense, learn as much as you can about industrial food production and its impacts on personal health and the health of the planet.
• Learn what is involved in better farming practices.

Rushton Farm in Action

Much of what we do at Rushton aligns with Berry’s timeless advice. Our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members are participating in food production by directly supporting the farm. Our members know exactly where a substantial portion of their food comes from. They pick up their weekly shares right at the farm and can see and ask us about our production methods while enjoying the natural beauty of the farm and nature preserve.

We encourage and facilitate home gardening through our terrific plant sale the first weekend in May. We know that growing just one basil plant or a few lettuce starts at home can change perspectives on the value of good food.

Participating in a farm volunteer day is a great way to learn about organic farming and how to have success growing food at home. The farm crew appreciates the help and enjoys talking about all things food and farming while working together.

If members of the community need inspiration or want to learn more about preparing their own locally sourced food, they can check out the farm-to-table dinners offered at the Rushton Conservation Center and let us know what kind of food-related classes would be most constructive!

We also host school groups throughout the season, giving students the chance to tour the farm, learn more about agriculture, and help with farm work. We hope these experiences encourage the next generation to think more deeply about where their food comes from and the resources- both human and environmental- that go into producing it.

A Call for Action Growing, preparing, and sharing food is a joyful act. It is also an opportunity for meaningful action. Conservation-minded consumers with an appetite for change are essential to driving the transformation our food system desperately needs. By thinking critically about the origins of our food and the impact of our choices, we can help create a better future- one bite at a time.

By Blake Goll and Michelle Eshleman

As we thaw out after this chilly winter, you are probably itching to get started on your yard preparations. You’re digging out your weathered gardening gloves from a box in your closet, making lists of plants to incorporate into your flower beds, and preparing the soil to welcome new life. You may be envisioning the bright yellow of black-eyed Susan and the verdant green of fiddleheads that will replace the muted, neutral tones of winter. Beyond the changing color palette, consider the new vibrant soundscape of your yard. Perhaps you are looking forward to  hearing towhees encouraging you to “drink your tea!” and a robin singing “cheerily, cheerio!” in the morning light.

The diversity of this avian chorus directly reflects the habitat we have created or preserved on our properties. The more varied the habitat, the richer the soundscape. Interestingly, studies show this is directly related to our mental health as if we are hard-wired to not only appreciate, but to need biodiversity. One way you can boost diversity of plants and wildlife in your yard this spring is by learning to see the beauty in the brambles.

THE BEAUTY OF THE BRAMBLES? When we speak of the beauty in the brambles, we are referencing the early successional shrub habitat, dominated by shrubs, a few small trees (less than 20 feet tall), vines, grasses, and wildflowers. It’s the thicket at the edge of a woodlot where you see young birds darting around and learning how to forage, where your children find their first caterpillar snugly wrapped in a chrysalis or a bunny poking his head out from under a bush. Unfortunately, our neat and tidy aesthetic is at odds with Mother Nature’s love of “messy”. We must recognize the critical value that threatened shrub habitats hold for birds and wildlife.

SHRUB HABITAT IS DISAPPEARING. In the United States, we lose roughly 150 acres of natural land every hour. That’s the equivalent of losing more than the entirety of Shenandoah National Park every year (Land Trust Alliance). Since 1970, bird populations in the U.S. and Canada have declined by 29%, or almost 3 billion birds, signaling a widespread ecological crisis. The largest factor driving these declines is likely the widespread loss and degradation of habitat (Science, 2019). Early successional shrub habitats are particularly important for maintaining the diversity of native plants and animals. Unfortunately, they are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States, often being cleared for visual appeal. Since greater than 80% of land is privately managed in the lower 48 states (Narango, 2018), we have the power to change this trend.

SHRUBS ARE FOR BIRDS. Shrub habitats receive more sun exposure than mature forests. This makes them rich sources of wildlife forage: insects, fruits, seeds, berries, and nuts. As “nature’s pantry,” these open habitats provide year-round food and cover for mammals like deer, pollinating bees and butterflies, and a myriad of bird species from Brown Thrashers to Eastern Towhees. Shrub habitat boosts breeding bird populations even in small patches. Not only do typical shrubland dependent birds nest directly in the habitat, but even forest birds—like Ovenbirds and Wood Thrush—hone in on early successional havens after leaving their nests in the woods. Studies show that juvenile birds favor these brushy tangles over open woodlands because of the higher density of food and cover from predators during their vulnerable, formative months. In addition, many migratory birds use early successional shrub habitats as vital stopover sites during their strenuous migratory journeys. Others, like White-throated Sparrows, take advantage of the rich accessible food sources all winter long.

Embracing Messiness! A Tiered Approach to Supporting Shrub Habitat

1. Replace Invasive Shrubs with Natives in Phases | If you already have shrub habitat on your property, you can remove individual invasive plants or clear small, manageable patches at a time. Immediately fill the cleared space with native shrubs (closely spaced 4-6 feet on center) that have high value for wildlife (see QR code below). Phasing the project in this way preserves some habitat structure for wildlife while the new shrubs are maturing.

2. Plant and Protect New Native Shrubs | If you currently do not have shrub habitat and have an area of your lawn you don’t use, consider replacing the manicured lawn with native shrubs in well planted beds. Newly planted shrubs should be protected from deer with fencing for at least the first three years. Invasive plants and vines may need to be removed each year.

OR

3. Leave it Alone | The easiest method of all is simply leaving brushy areas be. It can be tempting to clear because of the stigma around messiness or invasives, but the disturbance caused by wholesale clearing only leads to recolonization by more aggressive invasives. If you are not committed to replacing removed invasives with natives, it’s better to leave things alone. The invasive plants still provide structural diversity and cover for birds. The next time you get the choice to embrace or eliminate shrub habitat, we hope you’ll consider the beauty in the brambles.