Henslow’s Sparrow government response statement

Protecting and recovering species at risk in Ontario

Species at risk recovery is a key part of protecting Ontario’s biodiversity. Biodiversity – the variety of living organisms on Earth – provides us with clean air and water, food, fibre, medicine and other resources that we need to survive.

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) is the Government of Ontario’s legislative commitment to protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitats. As soon as a species is listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened under the ESA, it is automatically protected from harm or harassment. Also, immediately upon listing, the habitats of endangered and threatened species are protected from damage or destruction.

Under the ESA, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (the Ministry) must ensure that a recovery strategy is prepared for each species that is listed as endangered or threatened. A recovery strategy provides science-based advice to government on what is required to achieve recovery of a species.

Government response statements

Within nine months after a recovery strategy is prepared, the ESA requires the Ministry to publish a statement summarizing the government’s intended actions and priorities in response to the recovery strategy. The recovery strategy for the Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) in Ontario was completed on March 2, 2015.

The response statement is the government’s policy response to the scientific advice provided in the recovery strategy. All recommendations provided in the recovery strategy were considered and this response statement identifies those that are considered to be appropriate and necessary for the protection and recovery of the species. In addition to the strategy, the response statement is based on input from stakeholders, other jurisdictions, Aboriginal communities and members of the public. It reflects the best available traditional, local and scientific knowledge at this time and may be adapted if new information becomes available. In implementing the actions in the response statement, the ESA allows the Ministry to determine what is feasible, taking into account social and economic factors.

Moving forward to protect and recover Henslow’s Sparrow

The Henslow’s Sparrow is listed as an endangered species under the ESA, which protects both the bird and its habitat. The ESA prohibits harm or harassment of the species and damage or destruction of its habitat without authorization. Such authorization would require that conditions established by the Ministry be met.

Henslow’s Sparrow breeds in the northeastern and east-central United States, reaching its northeastern limit in Ontario and southwestern Quebec. This short-distance migrant winters in the southeastern United States, and the Ontario population of the species likely depends on emigration of birds from the United States. The Henslow’s Sparrow population in the United States has rebounded to approximately 400,000 birds in recent years due to grassland recovery efforts, but populations in the states adjacent to the Canadian range continue to decline.

Historically, the breeding range of Henslow’s Sparrow in Ontario was considered to extend from southern Ontario, north to Barrie and Ottawa, and east to the Quebec border. The breeding range in Ontario has contracted substantially since the 1950s, largely related to the loss and fragmentation of habitat. In the early 1980s in Canada, the population of Henslow’s Sparrow was estimated at 50 breeding pairs. However, in the most recent Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas during 2001-2005, breeding evidence was documented at only nine locations across the province, and birds are sighted only sporadically during the breeding season. The number of birds currently breeding or attempting to breed in Canada in a given year likely ranges from 0 to 25 individuals. Henslow’s Sparrow is difficult to detect and monitor due to its small population size, lack of established colonies, and relatively quiet song.

The main threat to the species in Ontario is habitat loss and fragmentation. Henslow’s Sparrow is an area-sensitive species that prefers suitable grasslands upwards of 30-100 hectares in size. Studies have shown that as grassland size increases, the probability of a Henslow’s Sparrow occurring there also increases. Industrial and residential development and changes in agricultural practices have fragmented the habitat patches that are available for this species. Other habitat conditions preferred by the species include a moderate to high density of grasses and sedges, a thick thatch layer, a lack of emergent vegetation, and low-lying wet areas that are flooded during the spring.

The Ontario population is at the periphery of the species' range and its persistence likely requires birds to emigrate from the United States. There is uncertainty about whether the continental range is contracting and as a result, it is unclear what the potential impacts of this may be on the Ontario population. Approaches to recovery for the species in Ontario will focus on addressing the threat of habitat loss and monitoring current populations and habitat usage collaboratively with partners and other jurisdictions.

Protecting and recovering species at risk is a shared responsibility. No single agency or organization has the knowledge, authority or financial resources to protect and recover all of Ontario’s species at risk. Successful recovery requires inter-governmental co-operation and the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities.

In developing the government response statement, the Ministry considered what actions are feasible for the government to lead directly and what actions are feasible for the government to support its conservation partners to undertake.

Government-supported actions

The government endorses the following actions as being necessary for the protection and recovery of the Henslow’s Sparrow. Actions identified as "high" will be given priority consideration for funding under the ESA. Where reasonable, the government will also consider the priority assigned to these actions when reviewing and issuing authorizations under the Endangered Species Act. Other organizations are encouraged to consider these priorities when developing projects or mitigation plans related to species at risk. The government will focus its support on these high-priority actions over the next five years.

Focus area: Research and monitoring

Henslow’s Sparrow is difficult to detect, has low site fidelity and has a very small provincial population. As a result, little is known regarding Henslow’s Sparrow habitat use in Ontario. A greater understanding of the key habitat characteristics required by the species would support land managers in ensuring suitable habitat conditions exist for the species. Ongoing monitoring and collaboration with other jurisdictions is required to gain a better understanding of the status and progress of the species, the potential for emigration to Ontario, the effectiveness of recovery activities and the significance of threats.

Actions:

1. (High) Develop and implement multi-year population monitoring programs for Henslow’s Sparrow at recent and newly-reported breeding locations in Ontario to:
   • estimate the number of individuals present and breeding in Ontario
   • monitor breeding productivity and survivorship
   • identify and describe key characteristics of breeding habitat including grassland size.
2. Conduct presence/absence surveys for Henslow’s Sparrow at areas with suitable habitat across the historical distribution over multiple years.
3. Coordinate efforts and share information with other jurisdictions, including the federal government and partners in the United States, to monitor current populations, understand potential range contraction across the continent and increase knowledge of threats faced by the species.

Focus area: Habitat management and stewardship

Henslow’s Sparrow is an area-sensitive species and requires large patches of grassland habitat for breeding in Ontario. Suitable breeding habitat for Henslow’s Sparrow exists on both private and public lands. The securement of large, suitable grassland areas ensures the availability of habitat on the landscape for the species and will also contribute to recovery efforts for other grassland birds. Conservation organizations, protected lands managers and private landowners alike have a role to play in protecting and recovering the habitat of this species through efforts to manage habitat, secure lands with suitable habitat, and act as stewards for the species.

Actions:

4. (High) Develop, promote and implement best management practices for the restoration, enhancement and management of Henslow’s Sparrow habitat in Ontario such as increasing the size of grassland patches and managing vegetation appropriately for habitat usage by the species. Coordinate efforts as appropriate with other grasslands initiatives.
5. As opportunities arise, support the securement of suitable habitat for Henslow’s Sparrow through existing land securement and stewardship programs.

Implementing actions

Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario, or the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program. Conservation partners are encouraged to discuss project proposals related to the actions in this response statement with the Ministry. The Ministry can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake the project.

Implementation of the actions may be subject to changing priorities across the multitude of species at risk, available resources and the capacity of partners to undertake recovery activities. Where appropriate, the implementation of actions for multiple species will be co-ordinated across government response statements.

Reviewing progress

The ESA requires the Ministry to conduct a review of progress towards protecting and recovering a species not later than five years from the publication of this response statement. The review will help identify if adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the Henslow’s Sparrow.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank all those who participated in the development of the Recovery Strategy for the Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) in Ontario for their dedication to protecting and recovering species at risk.

For additional information

The government response statement for Henslow’s Sparrow is available in PDF format upon request. Please email PDF requests to recovery.planning@ontario.ca.