From: Paul J. Baicich [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 6:01 AM
To: Paul J. Baicich
Cc: Wayne Petersen
Subject: Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2010
THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN
November 2010
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 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and the wonderful bird and
birding books they make available:
www.shopng.com/birdbooks <http://www.shopng.com/birdbooks>
NationalGeographicLogo4.jpg
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
On 12 October, Alan and Donna McKenzie found and photographed a Wood
Sandpiper at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary on the outskirts of the Village of
Ladner, Delta, BC. The sanctuary is a well-known and popular British
Columbia birding location and a great place for waterfowl, shorebirds, and
other species.
The Wood Sandpiper was located in the sanctuary's SW pond, west of the
entrance, at a location where there are a number of large logs where
dowitchers and yellowlegs regularly perch.
For photos of the Wood Sandpiper, see:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/Warbler2020/WhatSNew#
<http://picasaweb.google.ca/Warbler2020/WhatSNew>
Wood Sandpipers are highly migratory Eurasian shorebirds that occur
regularly in North America only as rare migrants in the Aleutians and Bering
Sea islands, or as very local breeders in western Alaska. They are
accidental visitors elsewhere in North America, with previous definite
records for British Columbia (1994), Washington (1988), New York (1907 and
1990), and Delaware (2008). For illustrations of this species, see the
National Geographic guide (fifth edition), pages 166-167, or the Kaufman
Focus guide, pages 184-185.
A number of birders visited the sanctuary the very next morning in an
attempt to relocate the bird; however, they came up empty-handed, as did
birders in the following days. Fortunately, on the afternoon of Saturday, 16
October, the Wood Sandpiper was again relocated near the viewing tower and
later near the sanctuary's outer dike. On 17 October, at least 100 birders
searched in vain for the bird, although two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were
found as a consolation prize. The Wood Sandpiper never appeared again.
ONE-DAY WONDER: ENIGMATIC SNIPE
Regular readers may remember that two Novembers ago we passed along a
convincing report of a Jack Snipe observed near Astoria, Oregon, together
with a reference to two recent previous Oregon records (October 2004 and
November 2007, both supported by specimens obtained at the same location by
the same snipe hunter!):
www.refugenet.org/birding/novSBC08.html#TOC02
Jack Snipe, a Eurasian species wintering mainly from the British Isles and
nw. Europe to c. Africa and the Indian subcontinent, is an extreme rarity
anywhere in North America, with fewer than 10 reports from localities
including Newfoundland, Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington.
With this in mind, a Jack Snipe flushed by Aaron Lang and his dog on 16
October at Beluga Slough, Homer, Alaska is of considerable interest. Lang's
dog initially flushed the bird, after which it dropped into some tall
vegetation about 40 feet away. Lang immediately noticed the snipe's small
size and intriguing field marks. The bird flushed a total of three times at
which time Lang obtained a couple of photos of the bird in flight. Other
birders were called, but the snipe was not relocated until early in the
evening, when birders obtained three views of the shorebird in flight. Each
time it flushed silently and at close range. Even in low light its boldly
patterned back small size, and short bill length were noticeable.
This Jack Snipe, a one-day wonder, was to be found on subsequent days.
Photos and description by Aaron Lang can be found here:
http://www.birdingak.com/
Cryptic and fairly quiet, this is certainly a difficult species to find in
North America. The words "mysterious" and "enigmatic" may best describe its
status here. However, these recent discoveries may beg the question: Might
there actually be a few semi-regular wintering birds or late-migrating Jack
Snipes to be found elsewhere in our Pacific coast wetlands? Birders afield
in these regions and habitats should perhaps be aware of this possibility.
ANOTHER FAMILIAR DECISION: ESA AND GUNNISON SAGE-GROUSE
Last month, we reported on the "warranted but precluded" status of Sprague's
Pipit in relation to the Endangered Species List:
www.refugenet.org/birding/OctSBC10.html#TOC08
In the last days of September, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined
that the Gunnison Sage-Grouse is also justified for inclusion on the
Endangered Species List but precluded from this status because of other
considerations.
This represents a point of collision for science, land use, wildlife
management, and dollars. In the final analysis, "getting to the back of the
line" is not good for birds.
"The Gunnison Sage-Grouse numbers fewer than 4,000 birds and occupies only
about 10 percent of its historic range. Placing this bird on the Candidate
List for endangered species protection at some un-named point is an
abdication of responsibility," said the American Bird Conservancy's
President George Fenwick. The Gunnison Sage-Grouse is found only in six or
seven counties in Colorado, and one in Utah. The Gunnison Basin in Colorado
comprises over half the species' entire world range.
In March, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided that the similar
Greater Sage-Grouse is also warranted for inclusion on the Endangered
Species List but is also precluded from listing. How many more of these
decisions are in the wings?
GULF UPDATE: WHERE WE ARE NOW
Although the gushing BP oil well, Deepwater Horizon, was finally plugged
with cement and declared "dead" in September, oil continues to wash ashore
on National Wildlife Refuges, National Seashores, and other natural areas
under state and local jurisdiction. Hundreds of workers are still collecting
an estimated 50,000 pounds of oily debris from many vital bird habitats
every day.
The Obama administration, under pressure from the oil industry and states on
the Gulf, lifted the drilling moratorium on 12 October, a moratorium that
the administration imposed in April in the wake of the disastrous BP oil
gusher. The ban was scheduled to expire 30 November. Instead, Interior
Secretary Ken Salazar announced the change of date because new safety and
inspection rules imposed after the accident had reportedly reduced the risk
of another catastrophic blowout. Some drilling supporters say the new rules
are too onerous, while critics say significant risks remain in deep-water
drilling.
The temporary ban on exploratory oil and gas drilling was lifted
immediately, although drilling has been slow to resume while the oil
companies work to meet a number of new safety requirements. Toward the end
of October, it was revealed that BP and Halliburton knew for at least six
weeks before the Deepwater Horizon explosion that the cement mixture being
used to seal the bore hole was unstable, "but neither acted upon that data,"
according to the presidential commission investigating the country's
worst-ever environmental disaster. This is one of the first official
findings of responsibility for the accident.
Meanwhile, efforts to have offshore oil and gas revenues directed to a
reasonable mitigation fund - the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) -
are stuck in Congress. While the House of Representatives passed the CLEAR
Act which contained provisions to fully fund LWCF to the tune of $900
million annually, the Senate has yet to act. We covered this story in
September:
www.refugenet.org/birding/SepSBC10.html#TOC05
Just because $900 million per year is made available through the LWCF
doesn't mean that the funds are appropriated by Congress. Moreover, boosting
the oil and gas revenue beyond $900 million for a more robust "conservation
royalty" and dedicating a large proportion to Gulf-coastal acquisition for
birds and other wildlife might be an excellent idea given the public's
outrage over the Gulf fiasco. Still, what the oil and gas companies have
been regularly paying in terms of offshore oil and gas revenue (averaging
about $6.3 billion annually over 5 of the past 6 years - excluding one
excessive year, 2008, where the offshore revenues reached beyond $18
billion) is simply not being directed to fully fund the LWCF. The $900
million is certainly collected, but it's not all directed to conservation.
It's Congress that has failed to appropriate those collected funds for
conservation mitigation.
It will now be up to a "lame-duck" Congress to move on this. The lifting of
the drilling ban is a good reason to finally secure a guaranteed future for
LWCF. The Senate could take the next step by moving on the CLEAR Act. Or
there could be another vehicle, some other bill where the LWCF is allocated
the real dollars needed for conservation.
Regardless of what happens, you can find good background on the LWCF need,
public opinion, and the LWCF track record here:
http://lwcfcoalition.org/files/General_Factsheet_Revised.pdf
URBAN TREATIES
In mid-October, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the
availability of new challenge funding grants for nine additional cities
under the Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds (Urban Bird Treaty).
The USFWS will also revisit the current nine Urban Bird Treaty cities with
challenge grant funds to continue their participation in the program.
The Urban Bird Treaty program, connecting cities and partners to conserve
birds through education, hazard reductions, conservation actions, and
habitat improvements, is designed to help educate citizens about birds and
conserve the birds that nest, overwinter or migrate through urban areas.
Those interested in investigating such funding are encouraged to visit this
website:
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/Partnerships/UrbanTreaty/urbantreaty.html
IBA NEWS: BC UPDATE
Since our "rarity of the month" was a shorebird found in British Columbia,
some Important Bird Area news from British Columbia is appropriate.
The Important Bird Areas Program in BC is a joint partnership between BC
Nature, Bird Studies Canada, and Nature Canada. The most recent issue of
BC's IBA newsletter, the program's sixth newsletter, is now available on the
BC Nature website. This newsletter contains informative reports, profiles of
outreach events, new communication materials, and more. You can find more
details here:
www.bcnature.ca/pages/stewardship_projects/IBA_publications.html
For other Canadian IBA programs see here:
www.ibacanada.ca/
And for additional information about worldwide IBA programs, including those
across the U.S., check the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area
program web site at:
www.audubon.org/bird/iba/
LOOK FOR EGRETS WITH MARKINGS
Also in Canada, this time in southern Ontario, we have news about Great
Egrets.
In the past decade, over 1,200 young Great Egrets have been banded with
readable red leg-bands marked with white alpha numerics
(number-number-letter) in the Great Lakes region and southward. This year,
over 100 egrets were marked with very obvious orange wing-tags with similar
alpha-numerics. If you see any marked egrets bearing red leg-bands or with
bright orange wing-tags, please try to accurately read the number-letter
combinations and report the details (where and when observed and by whom).
Send any observations to:
STAMP ART: A HAUTMAN AGAIN
Last month, James Hautman won the 2010 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. He
has previously won the competition three times, in 1989, 1994, and 1998. His
painting of a pair of Greater White-fronted Geese will grace the 2011-2012
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp to go on sale in late June
2011. The USFWS produces the stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25
million annually, to provide critical wetland and grassland habitat for the
Refuge System.
There were 235 entries in last month's contest, and James's brother, Robert
Hautman, placed second with his painting of a single Greater White-fronted
Goose. Robert Hautman is a two-time previous contest winner (1997 and 2001).
A third Hautman brother, Joe, has won three times, in 1992, 2002, and 2008.
This is serious family talent!
You can view James Hautman's first-place image here:
www.fws.gov/home/feature/2010/2010DS047.jpg
BIRD HAZARD SURVEY
Researchers at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, are studying
the risks and benefits to birds caused by human behavior and technology
(e.g., alternative energy efforts, cats, windows, and communications) as
they are perceived by Americans with varying interests in birds. The
researchers do not expect those responding to the survey to know the degree
of risk associated with each of these behaviors or technologies. Indeed,
some consequences remain unknown. The responses on these perceived risks
will help more fully understand public opinions and behavior. The responses
are expected to provide tools to raise bird conservation awareness.
The anonymous online survey (which takes about 25 minutes to complete) can
be found here:
www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BDFEUJWXT
BOOK NOTES: A WORLD OF BIRDING
A new National Geographic book, GLOBAL BIRDING, by Les Beletsky, encourages
North American readers to tour the world through armchair birding. This book
provides the reader with birding wonders overseas, chapter by chapter,
location by location, and with introductory advice on where to do, when to
go, and how to approach birds in these astounding areas. There aren't many
maps, 10 total, in the book's 320 pages, but its 200 photographs are
gorgeous, just the kind one expects from National Geographic.
Following two chapters on birding from a global perspective and the
geography of birds, six chapters take the reader continent by continent to
some of the finest birding locations and some of the most interesting birds
in the world. And in case you are wondering, Beletsky also provides the
names of key local birding and conservation organizations in each region
along with essential contact information.
The book is an invitation to exploration and discovery; it offers a
tantalizing look into birding possibilities around the world. It is certain
to broaden your birding perspective, too.
SETTLEMENT REACHED IN HAWAIIAN RESORT CASE
In June, we reported on the suit against the St. Regis Princeville Resort
over the resort's failure to prevent the deaths of young Newell's
Shearwaters and Hawaiian Petrels. These birds, heading from their
mountain-slope nesting sites to the sea, are attracted to the bright lights
of Kaua'i, Hawaii.
www.refugenet.org/birding/juneSBC10.html#TOC07
An agreement has been reached in this suit where the resort will further
reduce its lighting and fund programs aimed at restoring populations of the
threatened birds. The parties have worked to identify additional lighting
reductions that will help reduce the number of seabirds at risk at the
resort but will also allow the St. Regis to continue to provide guests with
a safe and enjoyable experience. Additionally, since these seabirds may
still be attracted to the remaining lights, the resort will make
contributions to off-site projects aimed at protecting the birds.
You can find further details here:
www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/101019.html
TIP OF THE MONTH: CHECK OUT THE BIRDING LISTSERVS
When you are leaving your home area - on business or pleasure - and you wish
to catch up on some out-of-town birding, it it always a good thing to see
what local birders are talking about. Let's say you will be visiting
Southern California or Michigan or Florida or Washington DC, and you want to
catch up on the local birding scene.
A quick way to do just that is to view the local birding listserv for the
area in question. It's a great way to see what birds are being seen,
especially which "most-wanted" of your birds or which rarities might be
encountered.
For a number of years, Jack Siler has provided a crucial link to most of the
vital regional and specialty listservs. It has been a wonderful service. You
can view all the listservs through this essential page:
www.birdingonthe.net/birdmail.html
In each case, of course, you can subscribe to the listserv in question, but
that's not required. At Silers' site you can simply view. and learn!
THIS MONTH'S QUIZ FOR A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BIRD BOOK
To recognize National Geographic's connection with the E-bulletin, as always
we have some fine National Geographic books to distribute to E-bulletin
readers. Readers who choose to enter our quick-and-easy contest have the
chance to win one of these books. Each of our quiz questions will either
relate to one of our news items for the previous month, or it will relate to
some event or experience that is due to occur during the current month.
For more on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC books, see:
www.shopng.com/birdbooks
There will undoubtedly be multiple readers who answer our monthly question
correctly, so we will only be able to distribute five copies to readers
whose names are picked at random from all those submitting correct answers.
Because of shipping constraints, only folks residing in the U.S. or Canada
are eligible.
The prize this month will be GLOBAL BIRDING, the book mentioned above in our
"Book Notes" section. We will have five copies to distribute.
For more on this book, see here:
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=62
00640
Question for this month: Newell's Shearwater, breeding only in Hawaii's
mountains, may be a separate species, but it is currently considered a
subspecies of what other shearwater species?
Please send your answer (along with your mailing address) by 18 November to:
Question for last month: If you see a Red Knot next month with an orange
"flag" on its leg, in what country would it have been banded?
The answer: Argentina.
Last month's winners were: Steven Juhlin (Cape Girardeau, MO), Jill Mathieu
(Norton, MA), Sandra McNew (Colorado Springs, CO), Laimons Osis (Seal Rock,
OR), Vivienne Torgeson (Lyons, OR). Congratulations to these winners.
- - - - - - - - -
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.
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