Atlantic
Northern Forest
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The
nutrient-poor soils of northernmost New England and the Adirondack
Mountains support spruce-fir forests on more northerly and higher sites
and northern hardwoods elsewhere. Virtually all of the world's
Bicknell's Thrush breed on mountain tops in this region. Other important
forest birds include the Canada Warbler and Bay-breasted Warbler.
Coastal wetlands are inhabited by Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow; rocky
intertidal areas are important for wintering Purple Sandpipers; and
muddy intertidal habitats are critical as Semipalmated Sandpiper staging
sites. Common Eiders and Black Guillemots breed in coastal habitats,
while Leach's Storm-Petrels, gulls, terns and the southernmost
populations of many breeding alcids nest on offshore islands. Beaver
ponds and shores of undisturbed lakes and ponds provide excellent
waterfowl breeding habitat, particularly for American Black Duck, Hooded
and Common Mergansers, and Common Goldeneye. The Hudson and Connecticut
River valleys are important corridors for Brant, Green-winged Teal, and
other waterfowl migrating from New England and Quebec. Because inland
wetlands freeze, coastal wetlands are used extensively by dabbling
ducks, sea ducks, and geese during winter and migration.
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