O12 West Orange Butler Presentation April 2025

Observations of the bird community of the West Essex Highlands and predicted effects of proposed development Luke K. Butler, Ph.D. 30 April 2025

Topics of this presentation: 1. Observations of a subset of the bird life at the site. 2. Predictions about overall bird life at the site. 3. Predictions about how the proposed development will change the bird community at the site.

1. Observations of a subset of the bird life at the site. Sample points (2025) Howell Drive 25 April, 0555-0615h 29 April, 1236-1306h Bayowski Road 25 April, 0637-0647h 29 April, 1110-1145h Kuzik Drive 29 April, 1110-1145h Warner Road 29 April, 1150-1210h Weather: • sunny • calm-to-breezy • ~60-80°F

1. Observations of a subset of the bird life at the site. All images in the public domain Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren\\ House Wren American Robin Northern Mockingbird Northern Cardinal Chipping Sparrow Cedar Waxwing Worm-eating Warbler Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch

1. Observations of a subset of the bird life at the site.

1. Observations of a subset of the bird life at the site. • 125 minutes of sampling over 4 points and 2 days • all sampling was conducted from the periphery • 20 species observed • 14 Families observed (e.g. members of the woodpecker family or blackbird family) • 1 migratory warbler species observed

1. Observations of a subset of the bird life at the site. All images in the public domain Pileated Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Worm-eating Warbler 7 forest species

1. My observations of a subset of the bird life at the site. All images in the public domain Species associations can be used to predict other species that occur at the site. Known to occur: Very likely to also occur:

2. Predictions about overall bird life at the site. Based on observable habitat, species associations, and comparable sites nearby… ...it is very likely that more than 100 species of birds inhabit West Essex highlands. Species present change with time of year.

2. Predictions about overall bird life at the site. Interior species likely to nest on the site: Wood Thrush (NJ Special Concern) Red-eyed Vireo Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Scarlet Tanager Many other species possible-to-likely (e.g., Black-and-White Warbler) Interior species are those for which forest area is a significant predictor of abundance.