Saltmarsh Sparrow in the New York Times
Saltmarsh Sparrows nest in high marsh grasses just above the mean high tide line. They have naturally adapted to occasional flooding events; eggs can survive short periods of inundation and young birds often climb to safety in the grass above the nest. However, more than a foot of sea-level rise in some parts of their range has caused nests to flood more frequently and by higher water, overwhelming these highly adaptive traits. Nest flooding is now the greatest threat to their nest success, followed by depredation of eggs and young.
Check out this New York Times article, “Saltmarsh Sparrows Fight to Keep Their Heads Above Water“ for more information about this species plight, including reference to the ACJV Saltmarsh Sparrow population objective.
Saltmarsh Birds on the Atlantic Coast in the The Wildlife Society Magazine
Coastal marshes provide much more than just bird habitat. This ecosystem is the foundation for a healthy coastal environment for wildlife and people alike. Read all about the crisis facing coastal salt marshes and what can be done to address it in Crisis at the Edge of the Tide: The Decline of Salt Marsh Birds on the Atlantic Coast by Mitch Hartley and Aimee Weldon, published in the Fall 2018 Issue from The Wildlife Society.