From: Paul J. Baicich [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2012 7:22 PM
Subject: Birding Community E-bulletin - April 2012

 


THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN
            April 2012
 
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 producers of superb quality birding
binoculars and scopes, Carl Zeiss Sport Optics:
 www.zeiss.com/SPORTS
 
[]

 
You can access an archive of past E-bulletins on the website of the National
Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA):
http://refugeassociation.org/news/birding-bulletin/

 
RARITY FOCUS
 
This past month there was no stand-out, stay-in-place, mega-rarity that
attracted continent-wide attention, but there was a continuing development
that deserves revisiting.
 
This development involves Barnacle Geese.
 
For a number of years there have been increasingly convincing records of
Barnacle Geese from Atlantic Canada and the northeastern U.S. We actually
reported on this trend as long ago as February 2005. The fact that this
species nests in Greenland of course makes vagrancy to NE North America a
viable possibility. While many records in the past were often dismissed due
to questionable provenance, the concern over doubtful origin has lessened
these days, largely because of the increasing number of reports.
 
While the number of sightings is still quite small, they are nonetheless
increasing. Correspondingly, more state bird record committees are
increasingly accepting Barnacle Goose observations without resorting to the
old "origins unknown" qualifiers.
 
Last month we had several reports of Barnacle Geese that deserve mention
here. One was a goose on eastern Long Island that first appeared in early
January and was still present until at least 3 March. Another Barnacle Goose
appeared in late February in southeastern Maine and also remained in the
area into the first week of March. There was also one at the Chambly Basin
in Quebec (the same location where a very rare Graylag Goose was observed
last fall) late in March. And there were early March sightings of one (or
possibly more) on the Connecticut River, alternately in southern New
Hampshire and southern Vermont.
 
Other Barnacle Geese reported in early 2012 included at least one in
Connecticut from 9 January to 18 January, one in Kent County, Maryland, for
most of January, and a long-observed West Newbury, Massachusetts, bird from
early November 2011 into the second week of January.
 
Others observed in November and December 2011 included individuals in Maine,
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and New Brunswick. 
 
It is unclear how many of these sightings may have represented multiple
birds, or the same birds simply moving around in the Northeast. It is also
possible that there were others in the Northeast as well. Clearly, we need
to be on the lookout for these rare geese in the Northeast and, possibly,
beyond. 

To emphasize the possibilities of observing Barnacle Geese 'beyond the
Northeast,' we bring to your attention a final report for that species for
March, an individual seen and photographed for a few final days of the month
near Greenwood, Missouri. Yes, that's Missouri.

You can view a fine set of photographs of a Barnacle Goose in Kent County,
Maryland, taken by Joe Turner on 12 January:
www.flickr.com/photos/41142725@N07/archives/date-posted/2012/01/13/
 
 
MORE WHOOPING CRANES WINTERED AWAY FROM ARANSAS
 
If you want to be guaranteed to see family groups of Whooping Cranes, the
place to go is Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas Gulf Coast. You
can also go on one of a number of tour boats out of Rockport, Texas, that
will take you to see the cranes along with a number of other wonderful
birds. The cranes are usually visible from mid-October through March along
the marshes and open bay waters surrounding the Blackjack Peninsula. About
245 Whooping Cranes wintered this year at the usual locations in and around
Aransas NWR. 
 
One of the major conservation issues surrounding the Whooping Crane these
days is the point at which these traditional areas around Aransas NWR might
reach their "carrying capacity." This is one reason why projects to
establish additional crane flocks have been attempted over the past 35+
years.
 
The past few years have underscored these "limiting carrying capacity"
issues near Aransas, because of low rainfall resulting in saltier bays and
fewer blue crabs (the prime food source for the wintering cranes), the
continuing squeeze on crane habitat from local development, and competition
for the use of local freshwater. This year, biologists at Aransas noticed
that a number of Whooping Crane family groups were observed in upland
habitats, as opposed to the marshlands where they are usually found.
 
Occasionally stray Whooping Cranes have spent the winter in Oklahoma or
elsewhere in Texas. This year, however, such "straying" was not so rare. At
least 16 cranes from the regular Aransas-Wood Buffalo National Park
population spent at least part of the winter outside their typical coastal
areas. These included locations in eight Texas counties (Matagorda, Refugio,
Calhoun, Aransas, Williamson, San Patricio, Maverick, and Caldwell) as well
as in Nebraska. 
 
Perhaps the most popular or reliable of these were the three family groups
comprised of three birds each, which spent much of the winter at the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers-run Lake Granger (in Williamson County) about 40
miles northeast of Austin. The first six birds appeared about mid-November
or early December. The last three appeared in early February. It is presumed
that some of these Whooping Cranes may have actually made the trip to
Aransas NWR, but then backtracked north to Lake Granger. The cranes were
observed feeding in cultivated fields close to the lake, as well as in
shallow waters of the lake itself, most often at sand spit west of
Friendship Park. 
 
Many birders observed the cranes along the area near the shoreline, between
the boat ramp and the swimming beach, but were careful not to get too close.
The birds were also viewed from the dam. One family group left by 5 March;
the other two group departed by 14 March. Whether these and other Whooping
Cranes will return to these "unusual" wintering areas next winter, and
whether this has anything to do with the future of coastal habitat and its
salinity, its blue crab numbers, rainfall, or increased regional development
will remain to be seen. 
 
To read more about the problems facing the Whooping Cranes around Aransas
National Wildlife Refuge this past winter, see:
www.vancouversun.com/travel/Difficult+winter+ahead+endangered+whooping+crane
s/5975487/story.html
 
If you are interested in the Lake Granger Whooping Cranes from this past
winter, check here:
www.brazos.org/newsletter/Newsletter.asp?ID=Spring_2012_Whooping_Cranes
or here:
www.thehuttonews.com/lifestyles/article_42bb3e74-4e82-11e1-99c3-001871e3ce6c
.html
 
 
BERMUDA PETREL NUMBERS TOP 100 NESTING PAIRS
 
The number of nesting pairs of Bermuda Petrels (also called Cahows) in
Bermuda has now reached over 100. 
 
The population of this bird was devastated by the introduction of predators
such as dogs, rats, and pigs into Bermuda, as well as by hunting by the
island's original and early settlers. This burrow-nesting seabird was
thought to have become extinct until 1951 when it was rediscovered on
several islets and published by Louis Mowbray and Robert Cushman Murphy. At
that time, the entire population was thought to be only 18 pairs.
 
A recovery program was soon launched to try to bring the Cahow back from the
brink of extinction.
 
We wrote about this species in May of 2009, when as many as four of this
extremely rare seabird began investigating Nonsuch Island, a small islet at
the entrance of Castle Harbor, Bermuda, for possible nesting.
 
Last year, the species' total population had increased to 98 nesting pairs,
which produced a record 56 fledged chicks. Today there are 101known pairs of
this critically endangered species.
 
Jeremy Madeiros, Senior Terrestrial Conservation Officer in Bermuda said,
"The Recovery Program has reached a critical milestone, but the ultimate
objective is to increase the number of nesting Cahows to at least 1,000
nesting pairs. That is the only point at which it can be down-listed from
'critically endangered' to 'threatened'."

For more information on the Bermuda Petrel's current status, visit:
www.conservation.bm/news-hot-topics/2012/3/23/cahow-population-reaches-101-p
airs-for-the-first-time-since.html
 
 
SPOTTED OWL PROTECTION REVISITED
 
Some bird-protection issues never seem to go away, and the ongoing concern
for Spotted Owl is just such an issue.
 
We have written about this species a number of times, most recently in March
of last year when we described the concept of helping Spotted Owls by
"removing" Barred Owls from their habitat. See our third article here:
http://refugeassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/sbc-mar11.pdf 
 
In late February, the USFWS released a draft Critical Habitat proposal for
the Northern Spotted Owl. The proposal is currently open for public comment.
 
Some significant old-growth forest areas in the Pacific Northwest have been
recommended for additional protection in the proposal. Other portions of the
proposed Critical Habitat will have management standards that would allow
for logging of owl habitat east of the Cascades. Not surprisingly a number
of conservation organizations have already raised objections.

To read the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pages on the owl, the Recovery
Plan, and the Critical Habitat issues, see: 
www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/NorthernSpottedOwl/FAQ-Feb.29.asp

To see a summary from the American Bird Conservancy of some of the concerns
see:
www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/120228a.html
 
 
 
ASA WRIGHT CENTRE UNDER PRESSURE
 
The famous Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad is currently threatened by
increased quarrying in the Arima Valley. Although the latest local quarry
expansion has recently been halted, there are still other quarrying sites in
existence or planned for Trinidad's Northern Range.
 
Approximately170 species of birds occur on the Asa Wright Nature Centre
Grounds (formerly the Spring Hill Estate), and many of these are rare,
including a famous colony of Oilbirds living in a cave on the property.
Regrettably, the Arima Valley area has increasingly experienced encroachment
from a number of limestone quarries.
 
Scott's Quarry, owned by National Quarries Limited (NQL) and run by Sunway
International, has until recently operated behind a ridge which borders the
Asa Wright property. In 2009, the Asa Wright Nature Centre began to voice
concern about the potential of expanding around the front of the ridge, thus
making it visibly intrusive. That same year, NQL gave assurances that there
were no plans to move to the northern side of the ridge (which is in full
view of Asa Wright facilities). These assurances came as part of a lengthy
and on-going dialogue between the four quarries operating in the valley,
several local community groups, and the Asa Wright Centre.
 
Recently NQL, without giving prior notice and in spite of their previous
assurances, began bulldozing the northern face of the ridge. This new quarry
"scar" is now visible from the famous Asa Wright veranda. This project is
not merely unsightly. Stone is being extracted from these hills by massive
dynamite blasts. Local wildlife including the rare and spectacular Ornate
Hawk- Eagle which nests in the Arima Valley could be driven away. Previous
research in the region has shown that excessive noise, and especially
vibrations caused by quarrying operations, can drive away local animals and
birds.
 
The Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs has instructed National Quarries
Limited to halt all operations in the Scott's Quarry, and to reforest the
site immediately. It is unknown if this is the end of the situation, or
merely the end of this round in an ongoing conflict.
 
 
NEW WRINKLE FOR CRP
 
In early March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled a new program of
financial incentives to encourage farmers to enroll up to 1 million new
acres of grasslands and wetlands into the Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP). Through the CRP, the government pays farmers to set aside about 32
million acres of private farmland for grassland and wetland enrichment. 
 
There are specific enrollment goals within the 32-million acre CRP to
benefit wildlife, including many birds. The new program focuses on
encouraging land to be set aside for wetlands restoration, which would
increase enrolled land by 200,000 acres. Grassland enrollment would increase
by 700,000 acres, including land for bird habitat that would especially
benefit ducks and other waterbirds, grouse-like birds, and grassland
songbirds. The program would also establish 100,000 new CRP acres to be set
aside for some special species, including pollinators - bees, butterflies,
and hummingbirds.
 
Current CRP contracts on approximately 6.5 million acres expire on 30
September. Given current high corn and soybean prices, there is concern that
farmers may put more of these lands into production in order to increase
profitability. The corn ethanol situation also puts added pressure on the
wildlife conservation side of the equation. Among Iowa farmers, for example,
land might bring in $140 to $150 an acre annually for the CRP rental
program, but could yield well over $200 an acre if planted in corn or beans.
Needless to say, these 10-year and 15-year regular CRP rental payment
amounts will vary according to region.
 
Under the new program, producers whose lands meet certain eligibility
requirements under conservation practices can enroll their lands into a
"continuous" category of the CRP at any time. This eliminates the need for
landowners to wait for a general CRP signup. Continuous CRP (or CCRP) is
intended to expedite conservation involving of some of the most ecologically
sensitive areas of privately owned land.
 
This CCRP incentivizing increases a bonus payment (a signing incentive
payment - SIP) for some practices from $100 to $150 per acre, further
increasing the attractiveness of the whole conservation package.
 
To read a good summary of the issue from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Partnership, see:
www.trcp.org/media/press-release/sportsmen-commend-new-usda-initiative-aimed
-at-restoring-grasslands-and-wet
 
 
BLACK SWIFT WINTERING AREA DISCOVERED
 
The last fairly common breeding bird of the U.S. and Canada with an unknown
wintering area has finally revealed its long-held secret. After years of
inquiry, researchers have concluded that Black Swifts annually travel more
than 4,000 miles to spend the winter in Brazil. The information was
announced last month in THE WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. The research team
used geolocators placed on Black Swifts to solve the mystery of where they
spend the winter months.
 
For more information see the related article from the DENVER POST here:
www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20092428
 
And view a nice summary by Nathan Pipelow with many details and accompanying
maps here:
http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/3602
 

IBA NEWS: LWCF MISSED OPPORTUNITY
 
Long-term readers of the Birding Community E-bulletin will know how
important the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is for the
preservation of wild places, wildlife, and wild birds. Moreover, LWCF is
vital to the security and establishment of Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
across the U.S. LWCF is the "conservation royalty" from offshore oil and gas
revenue that often goes unspent when it comes to conservation.
Unfortunately, these monies are regularly diverted to non-conservation
purposes.
 
Last month, in a rare bipartisan effort (resulting in a vote of 76 for and
22 against), the U.S. Senate added two years of substantial LWCF funding
($1.4 billion over two years) to the Transportation Bill that needed to be
acted upon by 31 March.
 
What's more, the RESTORE Act was added to the Senate transportation mix, an
effort that would dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water penalties
associated with the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil blowout specifically to
the restoration of Gulf Coast resources and economies.
 
(There were also important parts of the huge Highway Bill that included
walking and bicycle elements, and rails-to-trails features that were
important for advocates of sustainable ecotourism.)
 
Unfortunately, U.S. House of Representatives did not act on the Senate
proposal. Instead, the House passed a stopgap extension for current highway
funding on 29 March, a last-minute extension of the old and inadequate
Transportation Bill for 90 days. In other words, they punted.

About two hours later, the Senate, in a voice vote, went along.
 
Now, the 90-day clock is ticking.
 
For additional information about IBA programs worldwide, including those
across the U.S., check the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area
program web site at: 
www.audubon.org/bird/iba/ 
 
 
ACCESS MATTERS: THE MAGIC BUNTING
 
A Lazuli Bunting that was first identified at the feeders of Mass Audubon's
Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary on 4 February remained at least until the first week
in March. This western species which typically winters in Mexico was only
the third record for Massachusetts. 
 
Unlike the appearance of rarities that show up at difficult-to-access
locations, the Lazuli Bunting represented a classic case of ideal access at
a welcoming venue for birders. During its stay, an estimated 500+ visitors
came to see this rarity while it was visiting the Mass Audubon sanctuary.
Not only is Wellfleet Bay a sanctuary, it specifically features a
spectacular indoor view through large windows situated specifically so
birders can view bird feeders. The bunting was fairly reliable through
February, and volunteer hosts and Mass Audubon staff kept regular tabs on
the bird and routinely fielded calls about it's the bunting's comings and
goings. 
 
It is experiences like this which birders truly appreciate, and that set the
standard against which other rarity encounters can be measured. Admittedly,
not all rare birds show up at such convenient localities, but the
Massachusetts Lazuli Bunting experience is a goal to pursue because,
clearly, access makes a real difference. 
 
 
BOOK NOTES: PELAGIC BIRDS
 
If you've been wanting a completely thorough book on the seabirds of North
America, a volume amply illustrated with stunning photos, your wait is over.
This latest contribution by Steve N. G. Howell, PETRELS, ALBATROSSES, AND
STORM-PETRELS OF NORTH AMERICA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE, (Princeton 2012) is
not only useful for North American waters, it is useful worldwide. The book
combines valuable and detailed text along with hundreds of full-color images
(most by the author) to help the reader better understand this remarkable
and often difficult-to-identify group of birds. The introduction describes
pelagic habitats and offers up to date comments on seabird taxonomy
Individual species accounts describe key identification features, similar
species, habitat, behavior, and molt for 76 species. But it is the
photographs and their accompanying detailed captions which are especially
compelling and will at once command the attention of pelagic birders.
Clearly, this volume has set a new standard for helping to understand
pelagic birds. 
 

TIP OF THE MONTH: PLAY UP THE MNEMONICS
 
With the arrival of spring it's time to begin reviewing the bird sounds that
will soon draw many of us into the field. One of the best ways to help you
remember these sounds is through the use of mnemonics (pronounced
ne-mon-icks). These verbal cues can be used to help us recall and remember
bird songs. Mnemonics may be classified in three different ways: the
acoustic analogy, the simile, and the forced translation. The acoustic
analogy connects the song with a known sound (e.g., a Rusty Blackbird
sounding like a squeaky hinge on an old wooden gate); the simile makes an
associated connection between species (e.g., an Evening Grosbeak sounding
like an enthusiastic and enriched House Sparrow), and the forced translation
has the bird saying "words" (e.g., the Olive-sided Flycatcher calling out
"Quick, three beers!").
 
The best way to remember mnemonics is to use whatever memory-jogger works
best for you. You can even make up your own. Remember, you don't have to
accept or use other people's mnemonics, no matter how well respected the
source may be. Use whatever works for you, or whatever helps you become more
attuned to listening for bird sounds.
 
 
MORE SPRUCE GROUSE PLANS
 
In January 2009, we reported on the release of the "Continental Conservation
Plan for Spruce Grouse" that had appeared the previous fall:
http://refugeassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/sbc-jan09.pdf 
 
Earlier this year, the state of Vermont released its companion state-wide
plan for Spruce Grouse.
 
Although considered common in Canada, Alaska, and Maine, in Vermont the
species is near the southern edge of its range. Most of the area where the
birds are found in the state is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
 
Vermont surveys between 1991 and 2003 suggested a stable population of 150
to 300 adult Spruce Grouse, but surveys conducted since then indicate there
may be a decline in numbers. Since 2008, about 130 Spruce Grouse from Quebec
and Maine have been translocated to appropriate black spruce wetlands and
mixed spruce-balsam fir-larch habitat in Vermont. 
 
Removing the Spruce Grouse from Vermont's "Endangered and Threatened Species
List" could be recommended if, on average for five years, there are
increases in self-sustaining populations and dispersal between populations.
 
And here's the Vermont plan itself:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01323/wdfw01323.pdf
 
 
GOOD FUN: SH*T BIRDERS SAY
 
Finally, a little video that was released in late March is a must-watch for
any birder with a sense of humor. It was done by Boulder Oak Films, the same
outfit that produced "Opposable Chums: Guts & Glory at The World Series of
Birding," Jason Kessler's award-winning documentary as seen on PBS. This
little video is produced and directed by Jason Kessler, and stars him as
well. Don't miss it!
 
After all is said and done, this may end up as an essential contribution to
the playbook that summarizes our modern birding culture:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaX7i1Q7-Rw
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaX7i1Q7-Rw&feature=player_embedded>
&feature=player_embedded# !

- - - - - - - - -

You can access all the past E-bulletins on the National Wildlife Refuge
Association (NWRA) website:
http://refugeassociation.org/news/birding-bulletin/

If you wish to distribute or reproduce 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
            781/259-2178
             
                        or
            Paul J. Baicich
            Great Birding Projects            
            410/992-9736
             
                                                            
We never lend or sell our E-bulletin recipient list.
 
 


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