Important Bird Area: Eugene Moran Wildlife Management Area
Site Summary
Nominated By
Tony Gola, Ed Neumeth
Size
1,462 acres
Towns and Counties
Windsor; Berkshire
Ownership
MassWildlife
Major Habitats
15% spruce-fir forest, 20% northern hardwoods forest, 15% early successional shrubland, 15% cultural grassland, 5% emergent freshwater wetland, 10% palustrine woodland swamp, 15% shrub-scrub wetland, river/stream
Land Use
nature & wildlife conservation/ land trust, hunting/fishing, other recreation or tourism
Minor Threats
invasive plants, cowbird parasitism, succession, habitat conversion
IBA Criteria
- Category 1: Land Birds: The site is an important migratory stopover or seasonal concentration site for migratory land birds (e.g., warblers). Sites may also qualify on the basis of supporting exceptionally high densities of breeding species as shown from point counts or other surveys or if they represent "migrant traps" relative to surrounding areas. Strong consideration will be given to areas with consistently high overall species diversity.
Site Description
This IBA is a mix of wet grass/sedge meadows, alder swamps, beaver ponds, fields, old field/brush/scrub habitats, deciduous northern hardwoods, and conifers such as red spruce and balsam fir.
Current Conservation Status
Invasive plants in this IBA include European Buckthorn being cut and stump treated with herbicide, and Reed Canary Grass, which may be suppressed by controlled burns. No active management is currently in place to inhibit Brown-headed Cowbirds. Succession: ~90 acres of old field habitat created in recent years. Funding to maintain habitat is uncertain. Habitat conversion: Temporary disturbance to nesting birds during first year of old-field conversion. RD/Overuse: Snowmobiles restricted to one trail during winter.
Ornithological Significance
One to four (possibly seven) state-listed species have nested here during the past 20 years. 3F - 185 species documented from this area over the past 30 years.
Other Flora or Fauna of Significance
Rare species include Woodland-millet (threatened), Spiny Swamp-currant (special concern), Swamp Red currant (watch listed), Twinflower (watch listed), shining Ladies' Tresses (watch listed), and Variegated Scouring Rush (watch listed).
Data Sources
Personal observations.