From: Paul J. Baicich [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 6:00 PM
To: Paul J. Baicich
Cc: Wayne R. Petersen
Subject: Birding Community E-bulletin - December 2009
THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN
December 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. This issue is sponsored by the Wild Bird
Centers of America (WBCA - www.wildbird.com) and the National Bird-Feeding
Society (NBFS – www.nbfs.org). You can access an archive of past E-bulletins
on the website of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA):
www.refugenet.org/birding/birding5.html
RARITY FOCUS
Pink-footed Goose would have held this exalted position in the November
issue had a Brown-chested Martin in Massachusetts profiled last month not
bumped it out of contention. Fortunately, the goose remained long enough and
with enough fanfare to rate profiling in the present issue.
Pink-footed Goose is a vagrant anywhere in North America, normally breeding
in Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard, and traditionally spending the winter
in the British Isles and northwestern Europe. It has been reported over two
dozen times in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S., including
Newfoundland, Québec, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
The breeding populations in Greenland and Iceland have increased
dramatically over the past two decades, from about 10,000 pairs to over
130,000 pairs. This fact has quite probably contributed to the increased
sightings in North America over the past 20 years.
For more information about Pink-footed Goose, check any European bird guide
or a National Geographic Guide (pp. 20-21),
On 1 October, Derek Lovitch first spotted a Pink-footed Goose at Thornhurst
Farm in North Yarmouth, Maine. Then on 14 October, three Pink-footed Geese
were seen at the same location. Through the end of November the birds could
usually be found at one of three different locations in the general area of
the original discover, pleasing many visiting birders from near and far. For
photos of the geese taken by Lloyd Alexander, see:
http://lloydsjourney.smugmug.com/Avian/Geese/Pink-Footed-Goose/9979979_zqDad
/1/682139996_s5mH3#682139996_s5mH3
During this same period, another Pink-footed Goose was found by Ken Feustel
on 3 November at Sunken Meadow State Park on Long Island, New York. This
goose was eventually joined by another rare waterfowl, a Barnacle Goose.
Observations of these geese were usually at the state park or at nearby
Kings Park High School, through 28 November For photos of these geese taken
by S. Mitra, see:
http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009#
<http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009>
RESULTS OF "THE BIG SIT!"
Whether or not you participated in "The Big Sit!" in October, you might wish
to peruse the results from this fun event. The 15th annual Big Sit! occurred
Sunday, 11 October, and the reports have been trickling in ever since.
The Big Sit! an annual event hosted by BIRD WATCHER’S DIGEST magazine, and
was founded by the New Haven (CT) Bird Club. Some have called the event "a
tailgate party for birders."
To take part, participants must remain in a circle 17 feet in diameter for
up to 24 hours, counting all the bird species seen or heard within that time
period. The simplicity of this event makes it both casual and appealing,
especially to newcomers to birding.
To check out the Big Sit! circle summaries along with related links and
photos, visit:
www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/funbirds/bigsit/results09/circles.php
IBA NEWS: PUERTO RICAN NIGHTJAR RANGE AND STATUS
The once presumed extinct Puerto Rican Nightjar (Caprimulgus noctitherus)
was rediscovered in 1961 in the southwestern part of Puerto Rico. The
endemic night-bird was listed as Endangered by the USFWS in 1973. Over the
last decade, the bird has been recorded significantly farther east on the
island than previously determined. A new study has confirmed that the
geographic range of this species may also include appropriate habitats
throughout southern parts of the island.
Unfortunately, with the exception of a small dry forest reserve owned by the
Puerto Rican Conservation Trust, no protected areas exist within the
important portions of the newly found eastern range of the species. IBAs may
touch on the nightjar’s previously known southwestern range, but none do in
the recently discovered eastern portions of its range.
More importantly, portions of the habitat fragments where Puerto Rican
Nightjars have recently been discovered are located in municipalities
experiencing a "high degree of habitat disturbance."
Clearly, the study asserts, "these cites [in the south-central and
southeastern parts of the island] have not [previously] been included as…
priority conservation areas."
The findings await further investigation and conservation action.
For a news item on the nightjar situation, see:
www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/11/sopi_nightjar.html
For the full recent report, see:
www.avesdepuertorico.org/documentos/prnightjar_final_report.pdf
For more on IBAs in Puerto Rico, see La Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña
Inc. (SOPI):
www.avesdepuertorico.org/iba.html
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:
www.audubon.org/bird/iba/
FIVE NEW WHSRN SHOREBIRD SPECIES PLANS
In cooperation with shorebird experts and in response to the conservation
priorities in the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the offices of the
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) are developing
action-oriented Species Conservation Plans.
Last month, plans for five more high-priority shorebird species were
released. They are for American Oystercatcher, American Golden-Plover,
Sanderling, Whimbrel, and Wilson's Phalarope. Each of these species has its
own story and it own conservation problems. The plans can be found at:
www.whsrn.org/news/article/five-new-whsrn-species-conservation-plans-availab
le
NORTH ATLANTIC FISH POPULATION CHANGES: IMPACT ON BIRDS?
Northwest Atlantic fish populations are shifting as our ocean temperatures
warm. Recent findings, published in the journal, MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS
SERIES, show that about half of 36 fish stocks in the Northwest Atlantic
Ocean, many commercially valuable, have been shifting northward over the
last four decades.
In a review of annual spring survey data from 1968 to 2007, 10 of the 36
stocks showed significant range expansion, while 12 demonstrated significant
range contraction.
During the last 40 years, many familiar fish species have been shifting
northward where ocean waters are cooler, or else staying in the same general
region but moving into deeper waters than where they traditionally have been
found, says lead researcher, Janet Nye. All the fish species seem to be
adapting to changing temperatures by finding places where their chances of
survival as a population are greatest.
These range shifts have implications that extend beyond the fish themselves,
specifically to consumers of fish such as seabirds.
While people will continue to find familiar fish at their local markets in
the foreseeable future, fisherman may have to travel much farther to catch
some of these familiar species. Eventually, this could cease to be
economical.
At the same time, ocean-associated birds (pelagic birds and those closer to
shore) will have to adjust accordingly, and the implications may be
significant. The further seabirds have to travel to forage or find adequate
food for their young, the greater becomes the likelihood that there will be
impacts on survivorship. As with most species, anytime there is a major
perturbation in a prey base, there are inevitable consequences to predators
dependent upon this prey. The uncoupling of ocean food chains due to changes
in sea temperature could seriously impact seabird populations in the future.
This is just another example of "the need for an ecosystem-based management
approach to our fisheries," said co-author Jason Link, a fisheries biologist
at the Woods Hole laboratory.
For a summary of some of the non-avian implications of such range shifts in
fish species, see:
www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/2009/SciSpot/SS0916/
BOOK NOTES: TREES AND BIRDS
"The Magnolia Warbler just flew from the left branch of the Red Mulberry and
landed in the Osage-orange." When you receive this kind of information from
a field companion, it isn’t very helpful unless you also have an idea of
what a Red Mulberry and an Osage-orange look like! This is only one good
reason why readers should consider getting a copy of THE SIBLEY GUIDE TO
TREES. David A. Sibley suggests that people can approach the identification
of trees much like they approach the identification of birds; either up
close, or at a distance. Sibley approaches the identification of trees with
the same elegance and eye to identification techniques that he applies to
bird identification. In addition, the illustrations in this comprehensive
new field guide make the book a treat to behold whether you’re interested in
plants or not.
No, this is not a "bird book," but it could certainly improve your birding
skills!
FLAP FIELD GUIDE
The Toronto-based and well-known Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) has
produced a unique new field guide to the "Common Birds of Toronto." It is a
guide covering 10 species that regularly fall victim to collisions with
buildings, especially in Toronto. Anyone with even the slightest interest in
a "lights-out" campaign could use this publication. It's free, it's
downloadable, and it's illustrated with Barry Kent McKay's fine artwork. As
a word of warning to the queasy: it illustrates dead birds! For the curious,
details and a link for download are here:
www.flap.org/cbot.htm
CANADIAN MIGRATION MONITORING NETWORK MEETS
In late October, 40 participants gathered in Quebec at the 7th biennial
national meeting of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network - Réseau
Canadien de surveillance des migrations (CMMN-RCSM). This network of
stations and partners has been operating since 1998, and today includes more
than 20 independent migration monitoring and research stations.
The CMMN-RCSM functions as an initiative among these individual member
stations, plus Bird Studies Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service.
In addition to participating in special cooperative research projects on
migration and stop-over ecology, these stations conduct daily counts of
migrants during spring and/or fall migration.
To see details about each of the member research stations, check the Bird
Studies Canada website. It is obvious that any one of these sites could be
an exciting place to spend a few days - or even weeks or months - in spring
or fall, either volunteering or just observing birds on migration:
www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/cmmn/
A ten-year report on the CMMN-RCSM (from late 2008) can be found here:
www <http://www.birdscanada.org/download/CMMNReport2008.pdf>
.birdscanada.org/download/CMMNReport2008.pdf
<http://www.birdscanada.org/download/CMMNReport2008.pdf>
TIP OF THE MONTH: IT’S TIME FOR CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
This month, as we approach the Holiday Season, we also witness the start of
the 110th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The counts begin on Monday, 14
December 2009 and end on Tuesday, 5 January 2010. For particulars, including
how to participate, see:
www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/
We encourage you to consider participating in a CBC near you. By so doing
you will contribute to the role being played by "citizen scientists" through
the collection of long-term winter bird population data, and also have fun
by participating in a community birding event.
A new way to participate is through the "CBC for Kids," pioneered by Sonoma
Birding in California. The CBC events are shorter, a little more easy-going,
and a perfect way to engage youngsters in the joys of birding. If one of
these events is not occurring in your area, perhaps you can begin planning
one for next year. For details and planning elements, see this description:
www.birdeducation.org/BENBulletin21.htm
E-BULLETIN SPONSORS
Astute readers have noticed that our official sponsorship – previously found
at the top of the E-bulletin - has been missing for almost a year. Our
long-time sponsor, Steiner Optics, served the birding community and this
bulletin well for many years. We will always be grateful for Steiner Optic’s
critical help to build a solid foundation with the unwavering support of
CEO, Sven Harms.
Despite being sponsor-less for most of 2009, we have decided to continue
producing the E-bulletin. Given that we now have over 2,300 recipients, and
the E-bulletin is cited, reproduced, and forwarded broadly across the
birding and conservation world, to let our e-newsletter languish seems like
a mistake.
Obviously the E-bulletin is not a blog, nor is it embellished with photos
and illustrations. With sponsorship support this could be a possibility in
the future; however, currently we have no plans to fancy-up our E-bulletin.
For the moment we are content with simply presenting information in an
unembellished fashion.
Astute E-bulletin readers will also see our new connection (visible on the
top of the E-bulletin) with the Wild Bird Centers of America (WBCA -
www.wildbird.com) and the National Bird-Feeding Society (NBFS –
www.nbfs.org). While this is an interim contribution, it is one which
pleases us mightily and for which we are most grateful.
Should any readers be aware of a business or institution that might be
interested in striking up a long-term supportive relationship with the
E-bulletin, we would be happy to hear from you. Regardless, we will maintain
our connection with the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA), where
all of the past E-bulletins are archived. Either of us would welcome any
suggestions that you might have.
Thank you in advance for your support and assistance.
SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION
Since the Birding Community E-bulletin is in its sixth year of publication
and distribution, we have been sharing some supportive remarks from some of
our readers. As previously noted, we have included a comment or two each
month this year. These were placed at the very end of each E-bulletin. Our
very last selection in this self-indulgent series is found below, so some of
you will be relieved that this section of the E-bulletin will end with this
December issue!
"The monthly Birding Community E-bulletin helps remind us that BIRDS are
BIG, and in so many ways. Most of us are a bit out of touch with many of the
big, important issues, but the E-bulletin brings them home to us, with the
straight stuff and no fluff, and with authority from two people we all
trust."
- Donald Kroodsma, former professor (U. Mass) and author of THE SINGING LIFE
OF BIRDS
"A large part of my job as editor of BIRDING is keeping current and being
aware. The Birding Community E-bulletin cuts through the clutter, and it
delivers timely and relevant birding news. It's an indispensable reference
for me."
-Ted Floyd, Editor, BIRDING (ABA)
"There aren't many publications that make me say ‘wow’ after every
paragraph. Come to think of it, there's only one - it's the Birding
E-bulletin. I can only imagine the painstaking work that the two editors do
to craft this gem. Whether you're an expert birder or an amateur (like me)
you'll be fascinated, enlightened, and truly entertained by this wonderful
service. And you will say ‘wow.’"
-Ray Brown, host, “Talkin’ Birds” on WATD, WCNX, WNBP, and more
"Receiving the Birding Community E-bulletin is a little like encountering a
fast-moving flock of fall warblersthere is a lot of action, it comes at you
fast, and leaves you pumped up for the next encounter. The E-bulletin is
the briefing I look forward to make sure I’m up to speed on all the latest
bird conservation issues."
- Peter Stangel, Director, Science and Evaluation, National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation
- - - - - - - - -
You can access past E-bulletins on the National Wildlife Refuge Association
(NWRA) website:
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. |