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Bragdon Preserve
Location: Woodstock, Windsor County
Size: 80acres
Latitude: 43:30
Longitude:72:30
IBA Criteria:
- Long-term research and/or monitoring (Criteria 5)
Land Ownership: Private
Habitats: Hardwood and mixed coniferous forest, field, fen, sedge meadow, pond
Land Use: Wildlife conservation, education, research
Threats: Invasive plants, tourism
Site Description
The Bragdon Preserve is old farmland that has been managed by The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) since 1981. A two-acre pond surrounded by a tangle of overlapping habitat types and ecotones attract a diverse assemblage of song birds. Dominated by old fields and early successional vegetation, northern hardwoods, mixed woods and coniferous forest also crowd the site giving way to shrubby wetland, sedge meadow and hayfield.
Birds
Since its inception in 1981 more than 30,000 birds, representing over 117 species have been banded here by VINS naturalists, conservationists, researchers, volunteers and students. The Bird Banding Station itself comprises 10-acres of the Bragdon Nature Preserve. It has averaged approximately 2,300 birds banded each year, the majority of which are captured during fall migration. Educational banding demonstrations are frequently held here for schools and other groups. Several scientific papers have been published utilizing this data set.
Some of the most commonly banded birds at this site include White Throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Myrtle Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Goldfinch, Hermit Thrush, Slate-colored Junco, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Red-eyed Vireo, Least Flycatcher, Traill's Flycatcher, Ovenbird and Swainson's Thrush.
Conservation
Regular banding at this site has been suspended due to lack of funds and as a result only educational programs are offered. Efforts to re-open the station are being currently considered.
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