[texbirds] Re: Whooping crane censusing revisited, bird id in the paper and ocelots.
- From: Ronnie Kramer <ronniekramer1964@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: jim.sinclair@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 07:56:28 -0500
I for one appreciate the information and opinions shared by both Joseph and
Jim. Thanks!
~Ronnie, Austin
On Thu, Mar 20, 2014 at 7:39 AM, Jim Sinclair <jim.sinclair@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> I'm getting really tired of the potshots being taken at the FWS personnel
> who deal with the Whooping Crane issues on the wintering grounds.
> First, let's assume that we could determine the number of cranes was
> actually at the low end - 178. How would that change the efforts of the
> staff? Well, since they have been directed to preserve enough wintering
> habitat to support 1,000 cranes, that would give them more time to reach
> that goal.
>
> But, let's assume that we could determine the number of cranes was actually
> at the high end - 362. How would that change the efforts of the staff?
> Well, since they have been directed to preserve enough wintering habitat to
> support 1,000 cranes, that would give them less time to reach that goal.
>
> FWS currently has enough habitat under their direct and indirect control to
> support about 500 cranes IF the current preserved habitat can be
> maintained, something that is currently uncertain at best.
>
> FWS has a fixed amount of funds to put toward meeting their
> responsibilities. How many of you have written to your elected federal
> representatives to push for more funding? How many of you have donated
> time and/or money to help make up the shortfall?
>
> Lastly, whether there are 178 cranes, 362 cranes, or any other number in
> between, has negligible impact on fulfilling their PRIMARY mission -
> MAINTAINING HABITAT.
>
> The goal is to save the species. FWS can help with that on the wintering
> grounds ONLY by saving habitat. Know the exact number of cranes is
> currently of minimal value in achieving that goal.
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 7:44 PM, Joseph Kennedy
> <josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
> > There was an article in the Houston Chronicle this morning about how the
> > whooping cranes did at Aransas this last winter.
> > After much work during the season, the refuge staff was able to determine
> > that there were between 178 and 362 birds there with a guess of 257 which
> > is about the average. The range of the population is more than low
> > estimate.
> >
> > That is saying the guess has a 40% error factor which seems large for a
> > scientific study which will be used to make vital decisions for the
> cranes
> > future. When I did statistical studies, it was hard to justify a 3% error
> > rate but that was for real stuff not just endangered birds. If somebody
> > went out and shot 20 birds for a gumbo feast, they would never be missed
> in
> > this regimen.
> >
> > There was also an article on the Laguna Atascosa ocelot population which
> is
> > up to 13 with a new kitten that posed for a wildlife camera. Makes a
> great
> > shot and they should publicize it like the baby pandas.
> >
> > And a week ago the chronicle reprinted an article about quail hunting
> from
> > the Dallas paper which had been printed more timely.
> >
> > However, the local Chronicle outdoor writer illustrated the bobwhite
> > article with a great picture of a harlequin quail. Which is sort of
> close.
> >
> > --
> > Joseph C. Kennedy
> > on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston
> > Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
> >
> >
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>
> --
> Jim Sinclair (TX-ESA)
> TOS Life Member
> Kingsville, TX
>
> "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of
> thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert Einstein
>
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