Maple syrup is produced by tapping maple trees, but not all sugarbush forests are managed for wildlife. Over 50% of maple syrup is produced in Vermont and New York in winter. But in summer while the trees are growing, migrating birds return from their southern overwintering sites to nest in these same sugarbushes including, Barred Owls, Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrush and Black-throated Blue Warblers. Audubon Vermont, New York, Maine and Connecticut work with local sugarbush farmers to help them manage their forests to benefit birds. It’s not difficult to do and makes the forest so much more productive with the creation of nesting, feeding, and hiding spots; having a multi-layered forest with a variety of species of trees; leaving dead trees standing – any of this sound familiar? It’s exactly what you do in your own yard to attract birds!
Some farmers who produce maple syrup are finding surprising birds returning to their property when their sugarbushes are managed for both productivity and birds.
Support nesting birds by buying syrup from maple producers who are farming their sugarbush to benefit birds in the “off” season by providing much-needed nesting habitat. Here is a list of bird-friendly maple producers in New York, or you can buy directly from Audubon Vermont online. For more information about these programs, check out the Audubon Vermont website.