Birds
Bird counts and movements can be monitored easily and can serve as an indicator of climate change. Changes in air temperatures and precipitation amounts can shift habitat ranges and limit mating and nesting seasons. Late spring storms can kill migrating birds and cause behavioral shifts. Available food sources can change, forcing birds to find new suitable habitat.
Birds in the Kezar Lake watershed that are most likely to decline due to climate change include the Black-capped Chickadee (Maine State Bird), Evening Grosbeak, Ruffed Grouse, Wood Thrush, and all high-elevation species. Birds that may increase or move into Maine include the Tufted Titmouse, House Finch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Loggerhead Shrike.
Long-term (1966-2010) and short-term (2000-2010) population trends based on data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey for 5 songbird species in Maine (and likely within the Kezar Lake watershed) showed two species declining (Barn swallow and Bobolink), one species stable (Ovenbird), and two species increasing (Northern Cardinal and Tufted titmouse). Under the high emissions scenario, western Maine is projected to show a net increase in bird species richness as a warming climate allows southern species to invade (Rustad et.al. (2014).
A study by the National Audubon Society found that more than 50% of Maine’s 230 bird species are at risk from climate change as more than half of their current range will be lost.