Bedford Audubon Society

During the course of the 20th century, the make up of species of birds has changed considerably. During the pre-World War II era, the landscape was mostly open meadow and pastureland. Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark and other grassland species dominated. After this period, as animal husbandry waned, the forest began to grow back. Today, grassland birds are virtually non-existent, and even birds of the intermediate shrubby, overgrown fields such as Indigo Bunting, Brown Thrasher and Eastern Towhee are in decline too. Climax forest species, such as Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager and Pileated Woodpecker, now dominate.

There has been a southern invasion as well. Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Carolina Wren began a northward range expansion in the post World War II era and are now present on the Sanctuary. Many species of songbirds nest in the dense understory of northeastern forests. With the overpopulation of deer, and the resulting lack of understory, many of our spring songsters are sadly absent from the local woodlands. While Ruffed Grouse is in decline, Wild Turkey has made a remarkable comeback.

With the influx of Coyote into the area, Red Fox, Raccoon, Woodchuck, house cats and unleashed toy poodles are in somewhat decline now. Many of our reptiles and amphibians once quite common, are now in decline for reasons that are not completely known.

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