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Avian Conservation Update For AAV Members: February 2008 |
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Bald Eagles Are Off The Endangered Species List! After recovering from an all-time low of 417 breeding pairs in 1963 to an estimated 10,000 pairs today, bald eagles have been removed from the Endangered Species List. The most significant increase in population has been attributed to the 1972 DDT pesticide ban by the Environmental Protection Agency. Eagles will still be protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. American Birds: An Endangered Species Success Story This report by American Bird Conservancy (ABC) states that 44% of the bird species listed under the Endangered Species Act have seen increases in their populations. The following species have experienced a tenfold population increase since first protected by the Act: bald eagle, brown pelican, peregrine falcon, Aleutian Canada goose, California condor, San Clemente loggerhead shrike, and whooping crane; however, the whooping cranes may have new problems (see next item). Whooping Cranes At Risk The only wild flock of endangered whooping cranes in the world, numbering about 350, migrates annually from Canada's NW Territories to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf coast of Texas. Developers have petitioned the US Army Corps of Engineers to build houses adjacent to the refuge on 700 acres of critical habitat where the cranes forage. Almost extinct in the 1940s, the whooping crane's population has increased in recent years, possibly because of global warming—the chicks do not freeze in the (usually) cold, dry marshland and the higher water levels protect them from land predators. America's Common Birds Declining Audubon Society research shows that populations of some of America's most common birds declined as much as 80% over the past 40 years. Audubon—in conjunction with US Geological Service's Breeding Bird Survey—has compiled a "Common Birds in Decline" list from the first-ever analysis of their Christmas Bird Count. (See http://web1.audubon.org/science/species/watchlist). Imperiled Birds WatchList 2007, an Audubon/ABC list of America's most imperiled birds, names 178 species in the continental United States and 39 in Hawaii in dire need of immediate conservation help. The watchlist is considered the most scientifically sound list of its kind. Audubon Bird Conservation director, Greg Butcher, says: "We call this a watch list but it is really a call to action, because the alternative is to watch these species slip ever closer to oblivion." Authors of the list hope it will be adopted as the "industry standard" so that conservation resources will be allocated to the most important conservation needs. They say agreeing on which species are at greatest risk is the first step in building the public policies, funding support, innovative conservation initiatives, and public commitment needed to save them. The Birder's Conservation Handbook, written by Jeffrey Wells, a scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative, discusses the plight of 100 North American birds at risk. In describing and offering conservation advice on each species, Wells hopes to create a quiet third Renaissance of bird conservation in North America. EPA To Limit Use Of Toxic Insecticide, Aldicarb The EPA is reevaluating existing pesticides to ensure they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. Aldicarb, a restricted-use granular insecticide for agricultural crops sold under the trade name Temik®, is considered one of the most toxic insecticides on the market. A single ingested granule will kill a songbird. Environmentalists are concerned about the safety of drinking water sources in areas where aldicarb is used. For aldicarb to remain on the market, the producer, Bayer CropScience, had to agree to withdraw its recommended use on several crops. In addition, applicators must limit the amount used and frequency of treatments. Dr. Michael Fry of the American Bird Conservancy called for its ban or restricted use.
No Child
Left Inside Act Of 2007 (NCLI) Introduced In August Oil Drilling In Arctic Wildlife Areas The Bureau of Land Management has renewed its efforts to drill for oil in one of the most sensitive and important wildlife habitats in the Arctic: the wetlands around Teshekpuk Lake. In danger are thousands of shorebirds and molting geese, 30% of all Pacific flyway brant, spectacled eiders, and yellow-billed loons. Birds migrate there from all 50 states and many other countries. Conservationists are outraged because 90% of the area is already open to oil and gas drilling (see www.audubonalaska.org/).
Funding
For Sensitive Ecosystems New Law Bans Lead Bullets California's Governor Schwarzenegger signed the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act, which bans lead-based bullets for big game hunters in the range of the California condors. Their population has been decimated by lead toxicity from scavenging on animals killed by lead bullets. It is estimated that about 127 wild condors remain. Bird Conservation Alliance (BCA) News The theme of the BCA's national meeting last October was Birds, Energy and the Changing Forests. (See Glenn Olsen's summary of talks on bird-safe building guidelines, California Condors, Neotropical Bird Conservation Act, introduced species, cerulean warblers, and climate change on the AAV website under the "Conservation" heading.) Notes from Bird Conservation Alliance meeting, October, 2007 Note: Olsen's editorial additions or comments are in brackets ([ ]). Dr. George Fenwick, president of the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the umbrella or parent organization of the Bird Conservation Alliance (BCA), opened the meeting with a talk about the history of ABC-BCA. The BCA sets priorities for the ABC to pursue. Indeed, the former name for the BCA was the Policy Counsel for the ABC. [The BCA is currently made up of over 80 conservation organizations, each with a vote on the BCA. The AAV is one of two avian veterinary organizations in the group. The other is the Mid-Atlantic Association of Avian Veterinarians.] Some of the priorities set by the BCA have included the Cats Indoors campaign and Pesticides and Birds. [The AAV was a partner on the advisory board for the Cats Indoors campaign and was the first member organization to endorse this campaign. We have supported the Pesticides and Birds work, and one of our members, Dr. Patti Bright, was the vice president of ABC in charge of this program for several years.] Next, Glenn Phillips from the New York Audubon Society spoke about their book, Bird-Safe Building Guidelines. They estimate that 100 million birds are killed by building collisions each year in the US. At one building in New Jersey, 72 birds were killed in just 8 days. They have now published a book with chapters that include: comprehensive local actions for bird safety, bird-safe site planning and landscape design, bird-safe enhancements to building envelopes, modifications to existing buildings, and emerging technologies. The book is available through the New York Audubon Society or fully downloadable from their website: www.nycaudubon.org. Rick Watson, from the Peregrine Fund, talked about the California condor release in Arizona and the problem with spent lead ammunition. Of 96 condors released to date, there have been 39 fatalities, 3 returned to captivity for behavioral issues, and 5 birds fledged in the wild, to bring the population to 59 birds. Ten more are scheduled to be released this year. There have been 12 confirmed mortalities from lead exposure—the leading cause of mortality. The GI tract of dead animals is the primary source of the lead. It is now possible to track the condors' flight and feeding locations by using both conventional and satellite radio transmitters. There is a direct correlation between hunting season, condors feeding in an area, and lead poisoning. Hunt et al. (2000) published their findings on bullet fragments in deer remains. The wild condor population is trapped yearly and blood samples taken. A majority of the population showed some exposure to lead. About 40% of the population needs and receives chelation therapy. Non-lead ammunition is provided to hunters. However, unless the number of carcasses with lead drops below 1%, lead may lead to the decline of this population of condors. There will be a conference next May on spent lead and human lead poisoning. Alicia King spoke about the Neotropical Bird Conservation Act. She asserted that the Act needs to be reauthorized and funded at a higher level. Currently, $5 million is budgeted, but only $4 million is actually funded. King said the Act should be funded at $25 million over the next decade. More information about the funding for the Act will be coming from the BCA. Faith T. Campbell, from The Nature Conservancy, talked about introduced species. Over 400 insects and 20 plant diseases were introduced before 1970. Since then, 30 more have been introduced. Doug Boucher, from the Union of Concerned Scientists, talked about preventing climate change by reducing tropical deforestation. Tropical deforestation contributes 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions. The largest carbon dioxide emitters are the US, China, Indonesia, and Brazil, The US and China, together, produce 20% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to that coming from tropical deforestation. Wood is 50% carbon; when trees are cut down or burned, the carbon oxidizes to carbon dioxide. This is rapid in a fire, more slowly if by decomposition. When a forest is cut down, 85% of the stored carbon goes into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Tropical forests have 240 tons of carbon per acre. There are 4.3 billion acres of tropical forests. Historically, most deforestation was in the northern temperate zones of Europe, Asia, and North America. Now this area is in balance with deforestation, equaling new forest growth. Suggested ways to prevent deforestation include creating national parks and wilderness preserves; modifying road building to avoid forest areas, as deforestation comes with increased road access; requiring ranchers and farmers to keep a portion of their lands forested; and using the forest for other purposes, such as harvesting medicinal herbs. Eight countries with 80% of the world's tropical forests have joined together to present a united front at an upcoming conference on global warming (Bali, Indonesia, December 2007). The negotiations at this meeting should lead to a treaty on global warming to be signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. This is to be the equivalent of the Kyoto Treaty signed in the 1990s. Sara Lara, from ProAves, gave a presentation on cerulean warblers in Columbia. There is little suitable habitat left. Most areas are not protected. Threats include turning mature shade-grown coffee into sun-grown coffee. Pauxi-Pauxi is a bird reserve in a key area. It includes an eco-lodge and nature trails (www.ecotours.com). ABC sponsors cerulean warbler and conservation coffee and supports 21 farms that grow shade-grown coffee. Contact: www.abcbirds.org. Jane Early, from the World Wildlife Fund, talked about large-scale agricultural development and its significance. Agriculture for food and energy is going to increase by 50-60%. Food and fuel are becoming linked. In 2007, for the first time in history, over 50% of the world's population lives in urban areas. She discussed ethanol from corn, primarily produced in the US, Mexico, Canada, Latin America; sugarcane in Brazil and Latin America; wood pulp from the US and Canada; and cellulosic ethanol from grasses harvested in the US and other countries. She also talked about biofuels from oil seed sources. She said 30% of the US corn crop will be going to ethanol by 2009, producing 8% of our gasoline. Currently more corn than soy beans is being raised, and no crop rotations are being utilized. Corn is even replacing cotton and sugar beets in some areas. This is going to result in higher cattle and poultry feed prices, resulting in higher prices for consumers. Also, ethanol plants, especially those that are coal-fired, have very poor energy profiles (the amount of energy produced as compared to the energy expended). But with oil approaching $100 a barrel, the future of energy is uncertain. Glenn Olsen
Database
Of Conservation Projects In The Americas Longline Fishing Decimates Seabird Population A recently released report on the impact of longline fishing on migrant pelagic seabirds in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem along the west coast of South Africa estimates that 34,000 seabirds (mainly albatrosses and petrels) are killed there annually. The report makes specific recommendations for the use of bird-scaring lines, the inclusion of bycatch mitigation in fishing regulations, and the development of alternative livelihoods for local fishermen. Worldwide, over 100,000 albatrosses are killed annually by longlines—that is one every five seconds. Of 22 albatross species, 19 are in danger of extinction. They are especially vulnerable because they often do not breed until 12 years of age, produce one chick at a time, and may only breed every other year. Therefore, they cannot breed fast enough to counteract the death rate by longlining. On land, introduced predators and habitat destruction threaten them (see www.savethealbatross.net). Europe's Farmland Birds In Steep Decline New research shows that, over the last 25 years, there has been a 50% decline in Europe's common farmland birds. Bird organizations are calling for reform of Common Agriculture Policy, a system of European Union programs and subsidies that has led to the agricultural intensification being blamed for the decline. Echo Parakeets Back From Near Extinction World Parrot Trust joined Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in funding what some call the world's most successful parrot conservation program: saving the echo parakeets on Mauritius. In 1990, there were only 12 remaining. Now, more than 300 have been released back into the forests of Mauritius, but they are still considered endangered. In 2004, PBFD emerged in the flock, so a screening program has been instituted. Rare Birds Photographed In Sacred Forest Researchers from Fundacion ProAves released the first known photos of two rare birds: the recurve-billed bushbird (thought to be extinct) and the Perija parakeet. They were spotted in a Colombian forest called the Torcoroma Holy Sanctuary, which was declared a holy site by the Vatican in 1709 when the image of the Virgin Mary was seen in the root of a tree that had been felled. This small area of forest, protected by the church but surrounded by devastated land, is thought to hold several other rare species. Lear's Macaws Population Increasing Fundacao Biodiversitas is trying to save the Lear's Macaws from extinction by acquiring property in their only habitat in northeast Brazil. Their population in 1987 was 70 but is now 750. The protection of these macaws is a priority of the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), a global initiative that seeks to protect threatened species that depend on single sites for survival (see www.zeroextinction.org). Birds of Iraq There is a growing conservation movement in Iraq. Last year, the first Arabic language field guide on Birds of Iraq, featuring 387 species, was published. Recently, Bird Life International was instrumental in the release of a new children's book on regional birds. The CEO of Nature Iraq said: "The natural curiosity of children is a potent tool that can help build the next generation of environmental activists in Iraq." Dr. Rands of Bird Life International stated: "This is a major step in developing the future of nature conservation in Iraq. Once you know and can identify the biodiversity you coexist with, you are far more likely to care about its fate." Small Grants Available The Rufford Small Grants Foundation provides grants up to £6,000 (about $11,700) to individuals or small groups involved in nature conservation projects outside the first world (see www.ruffordsmallgrants.org).
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