Maple Managed For Birds

Is our farm solely dedicated to maple syrup production? Yes, but we don't do it alone. Our maple forest, aka Sugarbush, is home to many of New York state's birds. Once winter subsides and the season begins to change to spring, nesting birds start to move in and join us on the farm. But these birds need more than just maple trees to thrive. How do we help with that you ask?

We maintain and manage a certified bird-friendly Sugarbush by the New York Audubon Society by keeping our forest in a natural state using applied forest management practices. We strive to improve habitat quality in our bush to optimize breeding and foraging opportunity for forest birds in decline. In doing so, we are helping in the regional conservation efforts of the birds, particularly the ones that find a home on our farm.

To qualify as a bird-friendly Sugarbush, we meet these criteria: 

• We have a diversity of tree species and age classes; more than just mature sugar maple trees. We have lots of red maples and black locust trees as well as black cherry, white pine, red and black oak and white ash trees. 
• Complex structural diversity: layers of vegetation; from small seedlings on the forest floor, to saplings and shrubs, to the canopy overhead.
• Standing dead trees and live trees with cavities; the bigger the better and we've got them!
• Large logs and branches on the forest floor. Instead of harvesting these for firewood, we leave most of these in the forest for the birds. 
• We don't harvest sap during the nesting season and we are part of a contiguous block of over 200 acres of forest. 

What else do we do?

We also remove non-native invasive species like multiflora rose, giant hogweed and exotic bush honeysuckle. We have a well-dispersed forest consisting of a large canopy, 

What birds live at the farm? 

Our most popular bird on the farm is the ruffed grouse. Popularity not by number but by our love for them. These birds are non-migratory so they are on the farm all-year-round. They are mainly ground dwellers, making them hard to see but easy to hear. What sounds like a lawnmower starting is the distinct sound of the ruffed grouse "drumming on air" when it is calling its mate. When the gents are displaying themselves to the ladies, they expose a rich black ruff of neck feathers, hence how they got their name. 

Why do we love these dapper birds? They found a place in our hearts in the summer when we purchased the farm. Our farmhouse restoration was a long and difficult project. And to ease our minds, we would walk the land and soak in the glory of nature. On these walks, we would see grouses, which is somewhat rare according to our neighbors. However our neighbors also told us that about 50 years ago, grouse were everywhere in our area. Where did they all go? We're not sure but we find such joy knowing that they find a safe haven to live and nest at Grouse Hill Maple Farm. We even had one fly into our garage and hangout with us and we've been told they love maple trees. Whatever attracts them to our forest, we are grateful. 

What other birds can be found on the farm?  

We have lots of birds and wild animals on the farm. But for our bird-friendly initiative, nesting songbirds that are in decline, include Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrushes, Black-throated Blue Warblers, and Veeries.

Are we certified bird-friendly? 

You betcha! In October of 2023, we were certified through the Bird-Friendly Maple Project (a collaborative effort between the Audubon Society of New York, Cornell University and the New York State Maple Producers Association). That was an exciting day! Not only is Grouse Hill Maple Farm is a certified bird-friendly maple producer, we were also the first to certify on Seneca Lake! You can read more about the program here. 

Want to taste some of our Pure Maple Syrup? Delight your taste buds HERE. 

*Images courtesy of: New York Audubon Society