[audubon-news] FW: Audubon Bird Conservation News - Summer 2002
- From: "BIANCHI, John" <JBIANCHI@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'chapter-communicator@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <chapter-communicator@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,"'Audubon-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <Audubon-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 14:47:40 -0400
For your information -
john b
-----Original Message-----
From: CECIL, John [mailto:jcecil@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 10:29 AM
To: BIRD-CONSERVATION-NEWS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Audubon Bird Conservation News - Summer 2002
AUDUBON BIRD CONSERVATION NEWSLETTER
The Audubon Bird Conservation Newsletter is an electronic periodical that
brings you up to date on the accomplishments and work of Audubon's Bird
Conservation Program, the progress of the Important Bird Areas Initiative,
and issues and events in bird conservation. (To Subscribe please see
instructions at the end of this newsletter)
Please visit Audubon online at: www.audubon.org
Bird Conservation Program
Audubon Science Office
545 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
****************************************************************************
*********
INDEX TO FEATURES
SUMMER 2002
****************************************************************************
*********
**IMPORTANT BIRD AREA UPDATES**
*IBA SCORECARD
*IBA WEBSITE
*IBA DATA MANAGEMENT
*STATE PROGRESS
1. CONNECTICUT
2. GEORGIA
3. LOUISIANA
4. MISSISSIPPI
5. NORTH CAROLINA
6. UTAH
**IBA SUCCESS STORIES**
1. CONNECTICUT - CATCHING SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS
2. PENNSYLVANIA - COUNTING FOREST BREEDING BIRDS
3. UTAH - PROTECTING WATERBIRD HABITAT
**AUDUBON WATCHLIST**
1. FEATURED SPECIES - BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
**BIRD CONSERVATION NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE**
1. BRAZILIAN MANAKIN REDISCOVERED
2. AUDUBON AT HOME AND WILDLIFE HABITAT MANGEMENT INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP
3. A GOOD YEAR FOR THE STORKS
4. UPDATE - SEARCH FOR THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER
5. ACT NOW - TELL THE EPA NOT TO ALLOW USE OF BIRD-KILLING PESTICIDE!
6. NABCI-US WEB SITE LAUNCHED
7. URBAN BIRD CONSERVATION TREATY
**UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS**
**SUBSCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS**
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
******************************************
**IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS UPDATE**
******************************************
The Important Bird Area (IBA) program is an international effort to
identify, conserve, and monitor a network of sites that provide essential
habitat for bird populations. Birdlife International (www.birdlife.net)
began the IBA program in Europe in 1985. Since that time, Birdlife partners
in more than 100 countries have joined together to build the global IBA
network.
Audubon (BirdLife Partner for the U.S.) has been working since 1995 to
identify and conserve hundreds of IBAs all across the United States.
Important Bird Areas often support a significant proportion of one or more
species total population. Through the IBA program, we're setting
science-based conservation priorities and engaging local action to safeguard
the most essential sites for America's bird populations. We work with local
communities and stakeholder groups, scientists, local, state and federal
governments, and non-governmental organizations. By cooperating on
essential habitat conservation, we're building a healthier world for birds
and all biodiversity-including our own species.
*IBA SCORECARD
- 45 State Programs Underway
- 38 States With Paid Staff
- 7 States With Volunteer Staff
- 9 States With Documented Inventories - CA, FL, ID, MD, NY, NC, OH, PA, WA
- 1500 IBAs Identified (State Level)
- 36 Million Acres Encompassed in Identified IBAs
- >6000 Participants Involved
*IBA WEBSITE
Changes and updates continue to be made to the Important Bird Areas web
site. New state summaries as well as updated summaries are coming soon.
Visit us online at: www.audubon.org/bird/iba
*IBA DATA MANAGEMENT
In April, Audubon's national IBA office distributed the World Bird Database
(WBDB) to all state programs. The WBDB, developed by BirdLife
International, is a tool for managing data relating to globally threatened
species and IBAs. Audubon will be using the database to manage information
for all sites identified as IBAs in the U.S. The WBDB allows for
information about each IBA to be centralized at the state IBA office,
Audubon's national IBA office, and BirdLife's global office in Cambridge
England. Examples of the types of data collected for each site include
geographic location, bird species occurrence and population size, threats to
the site, land use, and habitat type. Bringing together IBA data at the
state, national, and global level will allow sites to be prioritized for a
variety of voluntary activities including: bird population monitoring,
habitat management, conservation easements, property acquisition, advocacy,
and education.
*STATE PROGRESS
1. CONNECTICUT
In Greenwich, the Great Captain's Island Heron and Egret Rookery Project (a
Connecticut Important Bird Area and home of the largest wading bird colony
in the state) began the third and final year of fieldwork. The research is
being funded by the Geoffrey Hughes Foundation, the Fairfield County
Community Foundation, The Town of Greenwich Conservation Commission, and the
Quebec-Labrador Foundation's Sounds Conservancy Program. Overall the
project should allow for a greater understanding of the biology of the
wading bird colony. In particular foraging behavior, productivity,
disturbance factors, and predator threats to the colony should become better
understood. Management recommendations will be given to the Town of
Greenwich at the conclusion of the study.
In the Town of Westbrook, Audubon Connecticut's Important Bird Areas Program
is providing information which the town is using to establish a protected
greenway. When completed the greenway will connect Salt Meadow Unit of
Stewart B. McKinney NWR IBA to an existing undeveloped corridor to the north
that includes Cockaponset State Forest. Protection of these lands will help
to ensure migratory flyways between nesting areas to the north and this
important fall landbird stopover area.
Other projects in the planning stages at Audubon Connecticut include an
informational kiosk at the Audubon Bent of the River Center, a wildlife
observation blind at the Hartford Audubon Society's Station 43 Sanctuary and
an education-related project at Cove Island Park in Stamford. All of these
projects are supported by funds from General Electric's Elfun Society.
Audubon Connecticut is one of three states receiving funds from General
Electric for projects at IBAs.
To provide assistance to Audubon Connecticut's IBA program, two interns have
been brought on for the summer. An Important Bird Areas Program intern from
the University of Connecticut was hired to develop information sheets on IBA
sites and enter information into the World Bird Database. This position was
funded by People's Bank and will help advance Audubon's IBA program from
site nomination through the public announcement process. A second volunteer
intern is working on converting IBA boundary information from our current
system into ArcView. This will ultimately allow for better information
sharing with other conservation organizations and government agencies. In
addition it will allow for better organization of ornithological data and
future habitat analysis efforts.
For more information on Audubon Connecticut's IBA Program contact Patrick
Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, (203) 264-5098 or pcomins@xxxxxxxxxxx
2. GEORGIA
The Important Bird Area Program in Georgia web site has recently been
updated with a new list of identified sites. In addition you can also check
the status of sites by reviewing the list of those nominated and see the
distribution of Georgia's IBAs by evaluating a state IBA map. To learn more
about Georgia's IBA program and how you can get involved visit:
http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/pages/conservation.htm
<http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/pages/conservation.htm>
3. LOUISIANA
Orleans Audubon and Baton Rouge Audubon are working together to initiate the
IBA Program in Louisiana. An informational meeting was held in late April
to kickoff the program. In addition a website has been developed to promote
the program and disseminate information. The site contains information
about potential IBAs and materials for nominating sites. To learn more
about the status of Louisiana's IBA program visit them on the web at
www.jjaudubon.net or contact Michael Crago (mcrago@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) or Dan
Hendricks (dhendricks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) for additional information.
4. MISSISSIPPI
Audubon Mississippi has formally identified 29 Important Bird Areas with an
additional 10 nominated sites to be identified soon. These 39 sites
encompass more than 400,000 acres of important bird habitat in the state.
With an expectation of identifying a total of 50 to 60 sites by years end,
Audubon Mississippi and their conservation partners continue to accept
nominations through an interactive, web based, nomination form. By visiting
the following link you can learn more about Mississippi's IBA program and
contribute to the process by nominating a site. To nominate a site see:
www.lmvjv.org/audubon . For an overview visit:
http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/ms.html
<http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/ms.html> .
5. NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina's Mecklenburg County Division of Natural Resources has
received an award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for their
efforts to nominate and promote Mountain Island Lake as an Important Bird
Area. This prestigious award was given in recognition of an innovative
program that contributes to and enhances county government in the United
States. More specifically, the award recognizes the county's effort for
coordinating the compilation of existing bird research data through a
partnership with three county governments and seven other organizations, for
preparing the IBA application for consideration by Audubon North Carolina,
and for developing and implementing a series of long term and comprehensive
bird monitoring projects (e.g., point counts, winter waterfowl surveys, nest
box monitoring).
Mecklenburg County Division of Natural Resources recognizes that Audubon
North Carolina and North Carolina Partners In Flight share in this award as
all of the collaborative efforts serve the primary goal of promoting bird
and habitat conservation. To learn more about the Important Bird Areas
program and bird conservation in North Carolina visit Audubon North Carolina
http://www.ncaudubon.org/ <http://www.ncaudubon.org/> and North Carolina
Partners In Flight http://faculty.ncwc.edu/mbrooks/pif/
<http://faculty.ncwc.edu/mbrooks/pif/> .
6. UTAH
Audubon Utah is please to announce the launch of the Utah Important Bird
Areas website. The site contains general information about the program,
criteria for the identification of IBAs in Utah and materials to nominate a
site. To learn more go to http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/utah/
<http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/utah/> or contact Wayne Martinson
(wmartinson@xxxxxxxxxxx).
**************************
**IBA SUCCESS STORIES**
**************************
1. CONNECTICUT - CATCHING SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS
As reported on in the Winter 2002 Issue of the Bird Conservation Newsletter,
Audubon Connecticut and the University of Connecticut received funding for a
jointly sponsored research project entitled "Saltmarsh-Breeding Sparrows in
Long Island Sound: Status and Productivity of Globally Important
Populations." Support is provided by funds from the Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency's Long
Island Sound Study Program. Overall, the project will provide critical
information about globally significant populations of WatchListed Saltmarsh
Sharp-tailed Sparrows as well as locally important populations of
WatchListed Seaside Sparrows at three Connecticut locations including
Audubon's Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary.
Preliminary results are looking good, primarily for Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed
Sparrows. The Principle Investigator, Chris Elphick, reports that bird
banders are having much success capturing Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows.
In one morning of banding at the East River Marsh in Guilford they were able
to band 27 birds, on two one-hectare plots, of them there were only three
recaptures. These densities do not hold up for the entire 300 hectare
marsh, but they are indicative of extremely high densities for the prime
areas of the marsh. During the first two weeks of the study 180 birds have
been banded on 15 one-hectare plots, the bulk of them being Saltmarsh
Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Eventually researchers will be crunching the numbers
to estimate overall density and abundance, but the early success is
encouraging. For more information visit
http://www.menunkatuck.org/pages/smbirds.html
<http://www.menunkatuck.org/pages/smbirds.html> and look for updates in
future issues of the Bird Conservation Newsletter.
2. PENNSYLVANIA - COUNTING FOREST BREEDING BIRDS
Audubon Pennsylvania is mobilizing birders throughout the state to conduct
monitoring of forest bird populations on Pennsylvania's Important Bird Areas
(IBAs). During the first week in June, Audubon PA organized point counts
and Special Area Project (SAP) surveys on the St. Anthony's Wilderness IBA
northeast of Harrisburg.
Sixteen volunteers conducted counts at 50 points. In addition, eight SAP
surveys were completed. A good mix of forest birds were tallied, including
Hooded Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatchers, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo, and Broad-winged Hawk, as well as the following Audubon WatchListed
species: Golden-winged Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Cerulean
Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, and Kentucky Warbler. Thanks to the hard work
from members of both the Appalachian ( http://www.appaudubon.org/
<http://www.appaudubon.org/> ) and Quittapahila (
http://www.geocities.com/qasaudubon/ <http://www.geocities.com/qasaudubon/>
) Audubon Societies, the weekend event was a huge success!
The point counts will be replicated two more times this season and both
Audubon chapters will continue to conduct inventories and expand the
monitoring efforts. The primary purpose of this work is to establish a
baseline for measuring long term trends in breeding populations of forest
birds (to supplement what is already being gathered by the
government-sponsored Breeding Bird Surveys along roadsides), and to
encourage citizen science and stewardship of each IBA.
In total there are now 675 points established in 15 IBAs across the state,
and Audubon PA is looking forward to working with volunteers throughout the
state to continue monitoring the breeding bird populations in "Penn's Woods"
for decades to come. Thanks to all of the volunteers for their hard work
and tremendous support. Particular thanks to members of both the
Appalachian & Quittapahila Audubon Societies for their work at the St.
Anthony's Wilderness IBA, the weekend event was a total success.
Similar volunteer monitoring efforts have occurred at the Pine Creek Gorge
IBA and the Southern Sproul State Forest IBA. If you have an interest in
participating in Audubon Pennsylvania's IBA monitoring activities or would
like to learn more visit http://pa.audubon.org/ <http://pa.audubon.org/>
3. UTAH - PROTECTING WATERBIRD HABITAT
Thanks to the support of BioResources, Inc., Bridgerland Audubon Society (a
key partner in the UT IBA program) has acquired 80 acres of mud, sluggish
water and saline soils formally known as the Amalga Barrens. The area was
formerly slated for dam development but in its current form provides
important habitat for a variety of waterbird species. The site is likely to
be identified as a Utah Important Bird Area.
In particular this area is part of an almost 18 square mile complex of
fields, salt playa and shallow emergent wetlands. There is open water along
the Clay Slough, some deep enough that during spring migration thousands of
dabbling ducks, such as Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, and
Gadwalls, use the site. Other open water areas are shallow and attract
Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, and Willets. There are broad
expanses of mud flats, which harbor a variety of invertebrates and therefore
provide for a healthy shorebird diet. Some species use the Barrens as a
staging area in spring prior to reaching their more northern breeding
grounds, and again in the fall to fuel up for the migration south. On the
edges of the mud flats are fields of wild and cultivated grasses, which
provide hunting grounds for many birds of prey including: Short-eared Owls,
Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, and even Peregrine Falcons.
Bridgerland Audubon is now focused on identifying the boundaries of the
sites, developing maps and conducting soil, plant, and animal surveys. To
learn more about this exciting project and to find out how you can get
involved visit: http://www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/
<http://www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/>
***************************
**AUDUBON WATCHLIST**
***************************
The WATCHLIST identifies North American bird species that need our help.
WatchList species are those faced with population decline, limited
geographic range, and/or threats such as habitat loss on their breeding and
wintering grounds. A centerpiece of conservation at Audubon, the WatchList
is an early warning system that focuses attention on at-risk bird species
before they become endangered. The WatchList is compiled by Partners in
Flight ( http://www.partnersinflight.org/ <http://www.partnersinflight.org/>
), a coalition of state, federal, and private sector conservationists
working together to protect the birds of the western hemisphere. Partners
in Flight updates the WatchList yearly to reflect the most current research
and data. Saving species pushed to the edge of extinction is difficult,
costly and politically charged. The WatchList shifts the agenda from
reactive, last-minute rescue attempts to preventive action. Harnessing the
synergy that results when individuals and groups work collaboratively for
birds and their habitats, the WatchList message is clear -- together, we can
keep common birds common.
1. FEATURED SPECIES - BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
Buff-breasted Sandpipers ( http://www.audubon.org/bird/watch/buf/buf.html
<http://www.audubon.org/bird/watch/buf/buf.html> ) winter along the Atlantic
coast of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay from mid-September through early
February. In the spring, they fly through central South America, across the
Gulf of Mexico, and travel through the central flyway as they make their way
to their breeding grounds. While migrating, Buff-breasted Sandpipers rest
and feed in short-grass prairies, such as those found in Texas, Kansas,
Missouri, Louisiana, and Nebraska. They also frequent cemeteries,
intensively grazed pastures, sod fields, airport runways, golf courses, and
newly planted fields. Their breeding destination is the Alaskan and
Canadian coast of the Beaufort Sea, islands in the Canadian arctic, and
northeastern Russia.
Buff-breasted Sandpipers are listed as a WatchList species due to a variety
of reasons. Based on historic and current information, the Buff-breasted
Sandpiper has declined from hundreds of thousands of individuals to as few
as 15,000 to 20,000. In the 1920's commercial hunting brought the species
to near extinction. As a result, they now have a highly restricted range
with large segments of the population localized at vulnerable spots. With
this restricted range comes a variety of human induced threats including
general disturbance by people, construction of roads and the availability of
garbage have caused increases in predators such as Common Ravens and foxes,
and overall loss of habitat on the wintering grounds due to expansion of
agriculture cattle ranching in Argentina and overgrazing in Bolivia.
In an attempt to further understand this increasingly rare species
researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service are recruiting birders, students, and teachers to help look for and
report the number and location of Buff-breasted Sandpipers. This study will
help document the migration patterns and identify areas and habitats
important to the species. This information will be used to evaluate where
conservation actions are most needed.
To facilitate this project, a new easy and quick on-line reporting system
has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Shorebird Survey
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Shorebird Sister Schools Program as
a way to allow citizens to contribute to important on-going research.
For more details on this project, to get involved, and to report you
sightings of Buff-breasted Sandpipers visit http://sssp.fws.gov
<http://sssp.fws.gov> and click on 2002 Spring Tracking Projects or contact
Hilary Chapman (sssp@xxxxxxx).
****************************************************
**BIRD CONSERVATION NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE**
****************************************************
1. BRAZILIAN MANKAKIN REDISCOVERED
A Golden-crowned Manakin was recently re-discovered by bird researchers,
forty-five years after it was last seen and first discovered. However, the
finders fear that its survival could be threatened by continued destruction
of the rainforest for timber extraction, creation of pasture, and road
development.
Found again in the Pará region of Brazil, the bird is considered to be one
of the most enigmatic species of South American bird-life. First discovered
by ornithologist Helmut Sick in 1957, and officially recognized as a species
in 1959, several unsuccessful attempts had been made to find the bird again.
The manakin was found while making surveys along the Cuiabá-Santarém Road
which is planned to be paved as part of the Avança Brasil Development
Program to ease transport access for the logging industry. This area is
located between the Tapajós and Xingu rivers. There are no protected areas
for habitat conservation in this region of Brazil. Existing National
Forests and Indian Reserves do not guarantee the integrity of the ecosystem,
as timber exploitation along with other potentially destructive activities
are allowed.
To learn more about the Golden-crowned Manakin visit
http://www.birdlife.net/news/Newsitem_display.cfm?NewRecID=556
<http://www.birdlife.net/news/Newsitem_display.cfm?NewRecID=556&NewType=N>
&NewType=N
2. AUDUBON AT HOME AND WILDLIFE HABITAT MANGEMENT INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP
The Wildlife Habitat Management Institute (WHMI) has formed a partnership
with the Audubon At Home program to work in collaboration to raise awareness
about the need -- and opportunity -- to enhance habitat for birds and other
wildlife on their properties. Through this partnership, Audubon At Home and
WHMI will work together to reach out with new tools and information that
people need to protect, enhance and restore habitat for birds and other
wildlife on urban, suburban, and rural lands. An underlying goal is to
broaden the conservation support system across the country. The mission of
the WHMI is to develop and disseminate scientifically based technical
materials that will assist Natural Resources Conservation Service field
staff in working with their customers and others to promote conservation
stewardship of fish and wildlife and deliver sound habitat management
principles and practices to America's land users. More information will be
available at the Audubon At Home website in the weeks and months ahead:
http://audubon.org/bird/at_home/index.html
<http://audubon.org/bird/at_home/index.html> , or visit WHMI website at:
http://www.ms.nrcs.usda.gov/whmi/ <http://www.ms.nrcs.usda.gov/whmi/>
3. A GOOD YEAR FOR STORKS
One of nature's most awe-inspiring events is now unfolding at Audubon's
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary's Lettuce Lake, a popular wildlife viewing area
off the Sanctuary's boardwalk. Majestic Wood Storks, large adults alongside
just-fledged chicks, are feeding at Lettuce Lake, along with Roseate
Spoonbills, Great Egrets and a dozen gators. The Wood Storks, who favor
Corkscrew as a nesting site, rarely make an appearance for visitors near the
Sanctuary's boardwalk. The presence and reproductive success of these birds
is a meaningful sight since they are an endangered species and their nesting
habits are an indicator of the health of the environment. Plus, Corkscrew
is known for hosting Wood Stork nests in its 11,000 acres in years past, but
rarely within view of visitors on Corkscrew's boardwalk.
The 2001-2002 season has been Corkscrew's best year for Wood Stork chick
productivity since 1976, with 3,162 chicks produced from 1,240 nests. The
wading birds and gators are lured to Lettuce Lake by a concentration of fish
and other food sources caused by lower water levels in the Swamp.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is located near Naples, in southwest
Florida. To learn more about the birds, the sanctuary, and how to visit go
to: http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/corkscrew/
<http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/corkscrew/> .
4. UPDATE - SEARCH FOR THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER:
Ornithologists, bird watchers, and conservationists have been holding out
hope that the last element in the recent search for the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker would shed some light, or rather sound, on the question of the
species existence in a southern Louisiana swamp. Well the results are in
and analysis of more than 4000 hours of digital data, captured by 12
acoustic recording units, have shown no indication of the woodpeckers
presence.
From late January through mid-March, the acoustic units recorded sounds,
natural and otherwise, from 12 different positions throughout the forests of
the Pearl River drainage. At one point during the exploration, two
different research teams independently heard loud double raps that sounded
suspiciously like the distinctive display drum of the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker. Sadly, analysis of the data proved that the sounds were distant
gun shots, with reverberations that sounded to human ears like drumming on a
hollow snag.
Ivory-billed Woodpeckers were known to be highly mobile, sometimes moving
great distances as their principal resources (large, recently-dead trees)
became available or aged beyond use. The bottomland hardwood forests of the
lower Pearl River are extensive, and they are in better condition to support
large woodpecker populations today than they have been for 100 or more
years. "We do not view it as impossible that one to several pairs of
Ivory-bills could be using portions of the Pearl River forests that were
outside the geographic scope of our search," says John Fitzpatrick, director
of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and a leader of the expedition.
As a result of the expeditions, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology researchers
are working with others to draft recommendations on how best to manage the
habitat for continued regeneration toward old-growth conditions. "Today's
generation of Louisianans will never see bottomland forests of the stature
that were occupied by Ivory-billed Woodpeckers. Nor will their children,
nor their grandchildren," says Fitzpatrick. "Conditions in the Pearl River
are steadily improving but they have a long way to go before they reach the
age-classes and volumes of standing dead wood that were present when the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker was active. And, these forests are still at our
mercy. We need to treat them as such." For more information about the
expedition, visit www.birds.cornell.edu or www.zeiss.com.
5. ACT NOW - TELL THE EPA NOT TO ALLOW USE OF BIRD-KILLING PESTICIDE!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted an emergency
request by Louisiana rice growers to combat rice weevils. If granted, this
request will allow for the use of 1,500 pounds of granular carbofuran - one
of the world's most potent bird-killing pesticides-on 10,000 acres of rice
fields. An additional 4,500 pounds of the deadly pesticide may be produced
to meet the rice growers' demands. The EPA is soliciting public comment for
five days from 27 June to 2 July.
Laboratory data verify that carbofuran is among the most highly toxic
pesticides to birds. One granule can kill a songbird, and more than fifty
species, including Bald and Golden Eagle, Eastern Bluebird, Great Horned
Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Pintail, and Blue-winged Teal, have been
documented as having died from carbofuran poisoning. Prior to cancellation
of the granular formulation, the EPA estimated that up to two million birds
were killed each year by carbofuran. No other substance listed under the
EPA 's Ecological Incident Investigation System has killed more birds. In
October 1999, for example, nearly 27,000 migratory birds, including
red-winged blackbirds and horned larks, were killed on a 13-acre plot when a
farmer illegally applied carbofuran to wheat seed and spread it between rows
of wheat crop intentionally as bait for the birds. Scientists at the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service have stated that "there are no known conditions
under which carbofuran can be used without killing migratory birds. Many of
these die-off incidents followed applications of carbofuran that were made
with extraordinary care."
In southwest Louisiana, where the rice farmers want to apply the poison,
hundreds of species of birds could be at risk, including the threatened Bald
Eagle. The proposed carbofuran poisoning could have a particularly
devastating impact on bird species that are often found in large numbers in
rice fields, such as wading birds and neotropical migrant shorebirds. A
single exposure to the deadly pesticide of a large group of Buff-breasted
Sandpipers or Short-billed Dowitchers, for example, could wipe out a
globally significant number of their remaining populations. Both species
are listed on Audubon's WatchList and would be migrating through southwest
Louisiana at the time the pesticides are to be applied.
Four pesticides are registered for use against the rice water weevil that
are not nearly the potent bird-killer that carbofuran has proven to be.
According to Louisiana State University, these pesticides work as well or
better than carbofuran and for equal or lesser cost. Please send a message,
by clicking on the following link, to the EPA immediately and urge them to
deny any further use of carbofuran
http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/contact/default.asp?subject=56
<http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/contact/default.asp?subject=56>
6. NABCI-US WEB SITE LAUNCHED
The North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) in the U.S. has
launched a new website http://www.nabci-us.org/ <http://www.nabci-us.org/>
. Visit the site to learn more about NABCI efforts in the U.S., the various
bird conservation plans and how you can get involved.
7. URBAN BIRD CONSERVATION TREATY
One of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's newest and most exciting programs,
the Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds, is a grant and outreach
program designed to address a sometimes overlooked area of bird conservation
-- the need to work with cities to preserve habitat and educate citizens
about birds in an urban environment. Currently, New Orleans, Louisiana and
Chicago, Illinois are signed on. Future participating cities include,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Anchorage, Alaska, and Houston Texas. Audubon
chapters including the Orleans Audubon Society, Audubon Chicago, Anchorage
Audubon Society, and Houston Audubon Society have been key participants in
their respective cities. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be
accepting grant application for additional cities until October 15, 2002.
To learn more or to obtain an application visit
http://birds.fws.gov/urbantreaty.html
<http://birds.fws.gov/urbantreaty.html> .
*****UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS*****
* INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT will take place on
August 8-24, 2002, and will be hosted by the University of Montana in
collaboration with Colorado State University and the University of Idaho.
Participants will discuss and see examples of innovative approaches to
critical protected area management issues, including resource assessment and
planning tools, techniques to address visitor interests and impacts, and
mechanisms to reconcile resource protection with development pressures. For
further information contact: Dr. James A. Burchfield, Tel: (406) 243-6650,
Email: jburch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; or visit:
http://www.fs.fed.us/global/is/ispam/welcome.htm
<http://www.fs.fed.us/global/is/ispam/welcome.htm> .
*SHARON AUDUBON FESTIVAL, 10-11 August, at the Sharon Audubon Sanctuary in
Sharon, Connecticut. This is the 35th festival presented by Audubon Sharon
and will include activities to fit all age groups and skill levels. See
live animals, participate in a bird, wildflower, fern or tree walk (just to
name a few), see one of the featured performers, or simply browse the
exhibits. The Sharon Audubon Festival strives to increase people's
awareness of nature. Programs for children expand upon the child's natural
sense of discovery, programs for adults rekindle that sense that may have
been temporarily lost, and programs for families enable parents and children
to make the connection together. Admission to the Festival is only $6 for
adults and $4 for children. For more information contact Scott Heth (860)
364-0520/sheth@xxxxxxxxxxx, or visit: www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/sharon
*THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED RESTORATION CONFERENCE will be held 24-26
September 2002 in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference will address efforts
to protect and restore wetland and riparian habitats in the Chesapeake Bay
region. For more information regarding registration and the call for papers
contact Chesapeake Bay Watershed Conference, c/o Hannah Kirchner, P.O. Box
144, Paoli, IN 47454, (812-723-0088), hannahk@xxxxxxxx, www.potomac.org
*CELEBRATE THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FISH
AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES from 17-21 September at the Big Sky Resort in Big Sky
Montana. The meeting site is in the Madison Range of the Rocky Mountains
overlooking the breathtaking Gallatin River Canyon. Join visiting
dignitaries on Sep 17th to celebrate a century of North American wildlife
conservation. Then from September 18-21 help set the stage for the next
hundred years of wildlife conservation at the 2002 convention meetings. For
more details visit http://www.iafwa.org/ <http://www.iafwa.org/>
*THE 3rd NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE: BIRDS ON THE BAYOU: IN
THE FOOTSTEPS OF AUDUBON, 24-30 September 2002, will be held at Tulane
University, New Orleans, Louisiana. The main venue will be the
Intercontinental Hotel, located just 3 blocks from the famous French
Quarter. Societies involved will include: the American Ornithologists'
Union, the Cooper Ornithological Society, the Raptor Research Foundation,
and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists | Société des Ornithologistes du
Canada. The Conference will consist of symposia, workshops and roundtables,
contributed oral presentations, and poster sessions. To learn more visit
http://www.tulane.edu/~naoc-02/ <http://www.tulane.edu/~naoc-02/> .
*THE 29th ANNUAL NATURAL AREAS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, 30 September - 5
October, Asheville, North Carolina. The conference will be comprised of a
variety of symposia including: Adaptive Ecosystem Management; Aquatic
Conservation Initiatives; Invasive Species Management; Building Local
Capacity for Long-term Stewardship; Placing a Value on Nature; and Site
Conservation Planning to name a few. For more details visit
http://www.naturalarea.org/ <http://www.naturalarea.org/>
*ORGANIZATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE INFORMATION MANAGERS FIRST NATIONAL FISH
AND WILDLIFE DATA SUMMIT, will take place from 1-5 November 2002 in
Baltimore, Maryland. The Summit will provide a valuable forum for fish and
wildlife biologists and data managers from across the nation. Participants
will work together in breakout sessions to determine the most pressing data
management issues facing fish and wildlife managers. They will assess their
agencies' data management capabilities and how the community can improve its
ability to process the information flowing through their agencies.. The
Summit Proceedings will become a roadmap for state, federal, and other
conservation organizations to improve their data management potential. For
more information and to register visit http://www.ofwim.org/ofwim2002.html
<http://www.ofwim.org/ofwim2002.html> .
AUDUBON BIRD CONSERVATION NEWSLETTER
The Audubon Bird Conservation Newsletter is an electronic periodical that
brings you up to date on the accomplishments and work of Audubon's Bird
Conservation Program, the progress of the Important Bird Areas Initiative,
and issues and events in bird conservation.
*TO SUBSCRIBE to Audubon's Bird Conservation newsletter send an e-mail to
LISTSERV@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with the following text in the body of your
e-mail: SUBSCRIBE Bird-Conservation-News
Please visit Audubon online at: www.audubon.org
National Audubon Society
Bird Conservation Program
Audubon Science Office
545 Almshouse Road,
Ivyland, Pa 18974,
PH: 215-355-9588
FX: 215-355-2353
copyright 2000, 2001, 2002 by National Audubon Society, Inc. All rights
reserved.
Other related posts:
- » [audubon-news] FW: Audubon Bird Conservation News - Summer 2002
