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Copper Harbor is home to some new residents. Though these residents come from outside the area. While hiking recently in search of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow Citizen Scientist Brendan Leddy observed baby birds not previously in the location. The baby birds mark a significant change in the bird species’ behavior, now establishing breeding grounds for the first time in the state of Michigan.
“iIts the first time its ever been recorded in the state of Michigan. And Ill add, in my research on this, well wehre else has this been happening. There is another breeding record for Superior, Wisconsin. That was I think July 28th, was the date on that one. So, oddly enough there are two breeding records one for Superior, one for Copper Harbor, and both are kind of like the first time they’ve been recorded breeding up here. And then there are no other breeding records for the month of July, between their main introduced area down in Illinois and Missouri, and Superior, Wisconsin and Copper Harbor, Michigan” – Brendan Leddy, Citizen Scientist, Copper Harbor
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow was originally introduced to the St Louis area in 1870 when 12 birds were brought to the continent by way of Germany. During the past decade the species has been observed to develop a migration pattern north toward the Great Lakes.
“What has happened, especially in the last ten years, what we;ve seen here in the Upper Peninsula is an increase in sightings of this bird. Because what they are doing is, they are migrating north, and then eventually they hit Lake Superior and they stop. And they have to the big decision, for a tiny little bird that can fit in the palm of your hand, do I fly all the way across Lake Superior or do I want to turn around and go back. And this past spring was an especially abundant year for these birds showing up along the coast of lake Superior. I believe Whitefish Point had eight, Marquette had a couple. Down along the Lake Michigan shoreline, down in Delta County there was some sightings. And I had nine Eurasian tree Sparrows up in Copper Harbor.” – Brendan Leddy, Citizen Scientist, Copper Harbor
Leddy first observed the Eurasian tree sparrows he found in May, noting nine birds in total. He says that they are likely to establish Copper Harbor as a breeding ground now that hatchling have been born.
“The next step is to understand how many, how many young were hatched. I only had the sighting of the one, so we know there’s at least one bird. I did have five that day in total, and not all of them could be analyzed close enough to tell if it was a young bird. I only got a good look at the one. But I can say that going forward especially looking a t next year, the question becomes will they return. And if they do return to Copper Harbor and they do stay for the summer, and breed again. That could be the beginning of Copper harbor becoming a recurring population, that will surely perhaps grow.” – Brendan Leddy, Citizen Scientist, Copper Harbor
Eurasian Tree Sparrows have not been observed causing many problems like those observed in House Sparrows. Which often attack other bird nests, and dominate an area’s food source
“I’ve spoken with other more prominent birders, and we have had discussions about how the bird is not necessarily. It’s almost as if it’s not invasive yet. But that doesn’t mean it will be invasive. And I think, like, the House Sparrow is a great example. It is a well known bird across the United States, that is an invasive species, House Sparrows will raid other birds’ nests. And they will break the eggs of other native species’ nests. And they will take over the nests, and House Sparrows do a number of awful things for the environment. They’re not good. But Eurasian Tree Sparrows have not had that significant population boom like the House Sparrow, having such a limited range.” – Brendan Leddy, Citizen Scientist, Copper Harbor
Leddy has been in contact with other area bird specialists to continue collecting data on the birds in Copper Harbor. He says it will still be another year, before he can confirm the establishment of a breeding ground for the bird species. But that is likely to happen.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Allaboutbirds.org
Note the lack of a black mask, something that adult birds show but young birds ( birds hatched this year) do not. Also of note is the hint of a visible gape in the photos ( the yellow area at the base of the bill). The gape is effectively a landing strip if you will, utilized to help in the adults feeding process of their young. Typically, In Passerines, if you find a bird that shows that, it is suggestive of a young bird.
