From: Paul J. Baicich [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 7:04 AM
To: Paul J. Baicich
Cc: Wayne Petersen
Subject: Birding Community E-bulletin - April 2009
THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN
April 2009
This Birding Community E-bulletin is being distributed to active and
concerned birders, those dedicated to the joys of birding and the protection
of birds and their habitats. You can access an archive of past E-bulletins
on the website of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA):
http://www.refugenet.org/birding/birding5.html
This particular E-bulletin marks our 60th issue. Your editors are very
pleased with our five-year experience, and we are frequently surprised by
the encouraging feedback that we receive from readers far and wide.
RARITY FOCUS
There were not many accessible or lingering rarities for the month of March.
There were, however, several one- or two-day wonders including a Baikal Teal
in Washington State, a Rufous-backed Robin in Arizona, a Garganey in
Louisiana, and a Western Spindalis in Florida. One bird that did stay for a
few days and entertained a lucky group of birders during its stay was a
Common Crane in Nebraska.
March, as many readers probably know, is the time for the great crane
phenomenon along the Platte River in Nebraska. Hundreds of thousands of
Sandhill Cranes, along with thousands of bird watchers, annually assemble
between Grand Island and Kearney, Nebraska, to witness the spectacular early
spring crane migration. This year, about 180 miles westward and upriver from
Nebraska's "crane central," a Common Crane appeared on 18 March.
Gail Bleidt first observed the Common Crane in a field on the 45-acre Crane
Valley Ranch that she and her husband, Pete, own near the North Platte River
just outside of Lewellen, Nebraska. The Bleidts often have over a thousand
Sandhill Cranes using their lower fields in spring. The Common Crane was
present for several hours on 18 March, and was re-found on the mornings of
20 and 21 March. Interestingly, some Colorado birders actually spotted a
Common Crane in the same area two years ago.
The Common Crane is an Old World species, a vagrant to Canada and the United
States. In North America the species is usually found with migrating
Sandhill Cranes. (See page 152 of the latest National Geographic Guide for
more details.) There have been approximately 17 previous reports of this
species in North America (some almost certainly representing multiple
sightings of the same individual), most having occurred in September-October
or March-April. It is assumed that some of these birds have become
"attached" to Sandhill Crane groups originating in Siberia and following
them during their migrations. There are more sightings of this species in
the lower-48 states in Nebraska than in any other state.
WHOOPING CRANES LEAVING TEXAS IN REDUCED NUMBERS
As March ended, we learned at the last hour about the drop in numbers of
Endangered wintering Whooping Cranes on the Texas Coast. Apparently,
2008-2009 was the worst winter on record for these regal birds. Total winter
mortality in the vicinity of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, the primary
wintering area for this species, is estimated at six adults and 15 chicks, a
loss of almost 8 percent of the wild flock - a flock that contained a record
270 birds in the fall.
The remaining cranes are now on their return northward journey to Wood
Buffalo National Park on the border of northern Alberta and the southern
Northwest Territories of Canada where they nest.
We hope to have more details in May.
NIGHTJAR QUESTIONS, NIGHTJAR SURVEY
Is it the decline of juicy insects? Is it the loss of nesting habitat? Is it
the spread of fire-ants in some locations? For whatever the reason,
nightjars - or goatsuckers - seem to be in a steep decline in North America.
The U.S. Nightjar Survey Network was initiated in the southeast U.S. in 2007
and then expanded in 2008. The survey program utilizes standardized counts
conducted along census routes at night. Observers count all nightjars seen
or heard for a six-minute period at each of 10 stops along a designated
route. The surveys, which are run between 31 May and 15 July, depending on
location hardly take more than an hour to complete, and each survey only
needs to be conducted once a year.
More details can be obtained from the Center for Conservation Biology
located at the College of William & Mary in Virginia:
http://www.ccb-wm.org/nightjars.htm
STARTING TO REVERSE THE ESA CHANGE
In January we reported on the changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
brought about by the departing Bush Administration, specifically concerning
what are called Section 7 consultations. The Bush Administration ESA rule
allowed "action agencies" to determine when they needed to consult with
experts in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and/or the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding the potential impact of their
proposed actions or decisions on endangered species. See:
http://www.refugenet.org/birding/janSBC09.html#TOC04
Currently, however, the Obama Administration is requesting that the
Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce review the Bush Administration
regulation (issued on 16 December 2008) to determine if new rulemaking
procedures will promote the purposes of the ESA. Until such a review is
completed, the heads of all agencies have been asked "to exercise their
discretion, under the new regulation, to follow the prior longstanding
consultation and concurrence practices involving the FWS and NMFS."
In other words, all relevant agencies are being asked to behave as if the
recent Bush Administration consultation rule does not exist. In the
meantime, the door is open to begin the long process to alter this rule.
NEW "BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN" AVAILABLE
In March, the USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management announced the
availability of its publication, "Birds of Conservation Concern 2008."
This 91-page publication identifies species, subspecies, and populations of
migratory and non-migratory birds which are most in need of additional
conservation actions.
This list was created because Congress, when it enacted 1988 amendments to
the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, directed the USFWS to: "identify
species, subspecies, and populations of all migratory nongame birds that,
without additional conservation actions, are likely to become candidates for
listing under the Endangered Species Act [ESA] of 1973"
The first list was published in 1995 and the next in 2002.
This most recent and highly useful document can be viewed and downloaded at:
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/BCC2008/BCC2008m.pdf
U.S. STATE OF THE BIRDS REPORT RELEASED
Related to the "Birds of Conservation Concern 2008" was the release in
mid-March of a nearly simultaneous report entitled, "U.S. State of the
Birds."
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released this first-ever comprehensive
national report on bird populations in the U.S., showing that nearly a third
of the nation's 800 bird species are either endangered or threatened, or
else are in significant decline due to habitat loss, invasive species, and a
variety of other threats. The "U.S. State of the Birds" report synthesizes
data gathered by thousands of citizen scientists and professional biologists
from three long-running national bird censuses.
Salazar said, "From shorebirds in New England to warblers in Michigan to
songbirds in Hawaii, we are seeing disturbing downward population trends
that should set off environmental alarm bells." There are also signs of hope
in this report, highlighting examples where habitat restoration and
conservation efforts have reversed previous declines.
The report can be accessed here:
www.stateofthebirds.org
IBA NEWS: LAND BILL BOUNCES AROUND CONGRESS BEFORE PASSAGE
Two months ago, we reported on the Senate passage of the Omnibus Public
Lands Management Act. This Act contained nearly 160 proposals, and it set
aside more than 2 million acres as protected Wilderness in nine states. It
also included deepened and enhanced protection for a number of Important
Bird Areas (IBAs). You can read our report here:
http://www.refugenet.org/birding/febSBC09.html#TOC07
After passage by the Senate in January, the bill failed in the House in a
closely contested vote. Consequently supporters in the Senate had to
reintroduce an adjusted bill in an effort to expedite a successful House
passage. This was successfully accomplished in late March, after both houses
had essentially considered the package twice.
President Obama signed the bill on 30 March.
Alongside an impressive roster of land protections, some of which actually
strengthen existing IBAs, there was a disappointing and controversial
provision that remained in the package, specifically one that would allow
the state of Alaska to build an airport access road through a wilderness
section of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Izembek NWR is an IBA and a
RAMSAR site of global significance located on the Alaska Peninsula.
Especially prominent is the number of Emperor Geese and "Pacific Black"
Brant that use the Izembek NWR as a staging area each fall before continuing
their southward migration. The Secretary of the Interior still has the power
to veto the road if he feels it would cause excessive environmental damage.
On the whole, the lands package was lauded by environmentalists, land
preservationists, and traditional conservationists.
For additional information about worldwide IBA programs, and those across
the U.S., check the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area program
web site at:
http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/
BIRD PHENOLOGY REVIVAL
The North American Bird Phenology Program contains a unique and neglected
collection of six million Migration Observer Cards that illuminate the
migration patterns and population status of birds throughout North America.
These handwritten cards contain much of what was known about bird status in
this country from the early 1880s to WWII. Some cards were collected as
recently as the early 1970s. The bulk of the cards represent the efforts of
a network of observers who recorded migration arrival dates in the spring
and fall. In its heyday the program involved as many as 3,000 participants.
This project revival is intended to connect past patterns with current
trends, thus providing valuable comparisons over a long span of time. For
more details, see:
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/
and here:
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2164
TIP OF THE MONTH: TIME NOT TO PLAN A LAWN
Spring is in the air - time for more outdoor activities, including more time
birding. It's wonderful!
It's also time for backyard and gardening opportunities. As most bird
enthusiasts know, backyard stewardship means creating places for birds and
other wildlife to feed, hide, nest, and find water. Removing invasive plants
and planting native vegetation in the yard is especially vital.
And so is removing the lawn. Cookie-cutter-styled yards with manicured
lawns of bluegrass and fescue don't provide much in the way of useful bird
habitat.
So here's our tip of the month: Now is the best time to reduce your lawn to
a minimum size, eliminate the use of chemicals, and even save some money!
Plan to use that extra lawn space for planting a variety of species and
types of plants, flowers, vines, shrubs, and bushes that are attractive to
birds. Swap a monoculture of grass with a diversity of bird-attracting plant
species. Minimize lawn size; maximize plant diversity.
BOOK NOTES: COLLOSSAL FRAUD
Richard Meinertzhagen (1878-1967) had an exciting life in the British Army,
in diplomacy, in exploration, and in ornithology. Apparently, however, his
engagement in these activities and events were not exciting enough. Much of
what he alleged did was simply made up! Because so much of Meinertzhagen's
public life was fanciful fiction, Brian Garfield, author of THE
MEINERTZHAGEN MYSTERY: THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF A COLLOSSAL FRAUD (2007
Potomac Books) had his hands full separating the real from fake. Garfield -
fortunately, both a historian and a mystery author - does a good job of
separating fact from fiction in this finely-documented work.
The well-connected Meinertzhagen apparently misrepresented himself in myriad
ways, ways that have found themselves into legitimate histories and
narratives of battles, exploration, secret and public diplomacy, and much
more. Among the "more" are frauds, expanded boasts, and claims that in
retrospect clutter ornithological history. From misrepresented bird events
that were described to ornithologically-connected family and friends, to
stolen, mislabeled, and recycled bird specimens that today litter the museum
landscape, Meinertzhagen's crimes against science are astounding. For
example, his donation of 20,000+ bird specimens to the British Museum has
been estimated to be nearly one fifth fraudulent - a fact that obviously
taints the legitimacy of his entire collection. Meinertzhagen's intensive
field work in, for example, East Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian
sub-continent could have been truly significant had it not been grossly
tainted by specimen thefts, bold re-submissions, and other
misrepresentations.
This is a fascinating story about a colossal fraud, though ultimately a sad
book to read.
NEARLY $12 MILLION FROM STAMPS FOR REFUGE AQUISITION
In early March, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved the
purchase of wetland and grassland habitat that will be added to seven units
of the National Wildlife Refuge System to secure breeding, resting and
feeding habitat. These acquisitions are funded mostly with proceeds from
sales of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, otherwise known
as the Duck Stamps. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission oversees the
use of Stamp funds for the purchase and lease of these wetland and grassland
habitats for the Refuge System.
The commission includes Senators Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Blanche
Lincoln of Arkansas, Representative John Dingell of Michigan and Rob Wittman
of Virginia, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson.
These recent Refuge System acquisitions include:
- Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Camden, Gates and
Pasquotank Counties, North Carolina - acquisition of 51 acres.
- San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria and Matagorda Counties,
Texas - acquisition of 1,454 acres.
- Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, Pondicherry Divisions, Coos
County, New Hampshire - acquisition of 80 acres.
- Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge, Avoyelles and Rapides Parishes,
Louisiana - acquisition of 265 acres.
- Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Wapato Lake Unit, Washington
and Yamhill Counties, Oregon - acquisition of 225 acres.
- North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area, Colusa County,
California - acquisition of 388 acres.
- Grasslands Wildlife Management Area, Merced County, California - a
permanent easement of 1,077 acres.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1934 amendment to the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act that created what we know today as the Migratory Bird
Hunting and Conservation Stamp.
BIRD EDUCATION GATHERING PRESENTATIONS
The Bird Education Network (BEN) website now includes presentations made by
many of the speakers from plenary and concurrent sessions at the Second
National Gathering for bird educators that took place in late February at
Jekyll Island, Georgia.
The presentations can now be viewed and downloaded - along with other
materials from this meeting from this page:
www.birdeducation.org/jekyllislandpresentations.htm
- - - - - - - - -
You can access past E-bulletins on the National Wildlife Refuge Association
(NWRA) website:
http://www.refugenet.org/birding/birding5.html
If you wish to distribute all or parts of any of the monthly Birding
Community E-bulletins, we simply request that you mention the source of any
material used. (Include a URL for the E-bulletin archives, if possible.)
If you have any friends or co-workers who want to get onto the monthly
E-bulletin mailing list, have them contact either:
Wayne R. Petersen, Director
Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program
Mass Audubon
718/259-2178
or
Paul J. Baicich
410/992-9736
We never lend or sell our E-bulletin recipient list. |