BIRDCONSERVATION the Magazine of American Bird Conservancy Winter 2014-2015
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BIRDCONSERVATION The Magazine of American Bird Conservancy Winter 2014-2015 CELEBRATING 20 YEARS of BIRD CONSERVATION BIRD’S EYE VIEW What’s Past is Prologue Like the great baseball pitcher, Satchel Paige, we don’t believe in looking back too much here at ABC; there is just too much happening in the present. However, every 20 years or so, we should take a moment to celebrate our successes, reflect on what we have learned, and use that knowledge to move forward. Oh, and, just in case, to see whether “something might be gaining on [us].” So, this issue of Bird Conservation is dedicated to celebrating a few of ABC’s successes through its formative years. Enjoy! As for reflecting on what we have Increasingly, friends wring learned, we do that every day— their hands over this litany of and we act on those reflections. environmental problems. Some tell That is why you can count on me that they feel like giving up—but ABC to continue succeeding: that isn’t going to happen here at getting the right birds protected ABC. After all, when Shakespeare at the right places and the right wrote, “what’s past is prologue,” he prices; protecting and restoring was not saying that we are doomed habitat based on today’s best to continue making the same ecological knowledge; effectively mistakes. He was saying that all reducing avoidable threats to birds; we have accomplished before has and building the movement for positioned us perfectly to take on “bringing back the birds.” If you like the challenges ahead. our first 20 years, then I suggest you When ABC was founded, only a few These 20 years at ABC tell us that tighten your seat belts and join us dozen Lear's Macaws were left in the fearlessness and persistence pay off. to see what we do in the next 20: wild. Working with our Brazilian partner We can see the positive results of There is no quit in ABC and we fear Fundação Biodiversitas and other our efforts. The faint of heart may no challenge in bird conservation! groups, ABC helped to pull this species back from the brink. Today, hundreds of fall away, but ABC is ratcheting up, As I look back, I see that something Lear’s Macaws can be seen in northern and we are doing what it takes to is gaining on us, though: growing Bahia, Brazil—the bird’s only home. bring back the birds. Thank you for human indifference to the natural Photo by Ciro Albano your important part in our effort. environment. Our bird habitat base is reduced in the north and and exploding populations of the south of our migrants’ ranges. damaging introduced species. Many species‘ populations have Climate change is forcing society to shrunk. Whole new threats have re-evaluate its priorities. And long- arisen such as a new class of highly reliable conservation organizations George H. Fenwick toxic pesticides, new land-gobbling have subtly altered course from President, ABC forms of energy production, safeguarding wildlife to conserving reduced regulatory protections, nature for man’s benefit. Cover photo: Green Hermit by Glenn Bartley. This hummingbird occurs at several ABC- supported reserves, including Tapichalaca in Ecuador and Pauxi Pauxi in Colombia. ABC is the Western Hemisphere’s bird conservation specialist—the only organization with a single and steadfast commitment to achieving conservation results for native Winter 2014-2015 wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. BIRDCONSERVATION A copy of the current financial statement and registration filed by the organization may be obtained by contacting: ABC, P.O. Box 249, The Plains, VA 20198. Tel: (540) 253-5780, or by contacting the following Twentieth Anniversary Issue state agencies: Florida: Division of Consumer Services, toll- free number within the State: 800-435-7352. 6 20 Years of Results for Birds Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage: Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401. New Jersey: Attorney General, State 7 Milestones in ABC History of New Jersey: 201-504-6259. New York: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. 29 Thanks to Our Supporters Pennsylvania: Department of State, toll-free number within the state: 800-732-0999. Virginia: State Division of Consumer White-bellied Cinclodes by Luke Seitz Affairs, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA DEPARTMENTS 23209. West Virginia: Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. 2 Bird’s Eye View Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by any state. 4 On the Wire Bird Conservation is the magazine of ABC and is published three times yearly for members. 30 Final Glimpse Senior Editor: John Nielsen VP of Communications: Clare Nielsen Graphic Design: Gemma Radko Editors: Jack Morrison, Merrie Morrison, Mike Parr, George Wallace Hear from ABC staff For more information contact: American Bird Conservancy 4249 Loudoun Avenue members about their P.O. Box 249 The Plains, VA 20198 favorite success stories 540-253-5780 through the years: youtube. Join us online! com/user/abcbirds Top photo: Red Knots by Ralph Wright, Above; Allen's Hummingbird by Glenn Price, Shutterstock ABCbirds.org BIRD CONSERVATION | WINTER 2014-2015 3 ON the WIRE First Predator-proof Fence on Kaua'i Completed ative plant and animal The fence will keep introduced communities that have mammalian predators, including cats, Ninhabited a roughly eight- dogs, rats, and mice, out of the area acre area at the Kīlauea Point National so that native species such as the Wildlife Refuge—including endangered endangered Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose), bird species—will be protected from the Laysan Albatross, and rare plants predators thanks to the completed can flourish again in a protected installation of a 6.5-foot tall predator- environment. Work will soon begin to proof fence that stretches almost a half- humanely remove non-native predators mile in length. from the area. The effort is the result of a collaboration This type of fencing has been used that includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife on the island of O‘ahu at Ka‘ena Point, Service’s Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge where predator exclusion resulted Complex, ABC, Pacific Rim Conservation, in record numbers of seabird chicks The completed fence on Kaua'i. Photo by Jessica and the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird fledging in the year immediately Behnke Recovery Project. The National Fish following the project’s completion. and Wildlife Foundation, Lynn and Shearwater within the Kīlauea fence Stuart White, and the Martin Foundation Plans are underway to establish a new by translocating chicks there from their provided critical funding support. colony of the threatened Newell’s montane nesting areas, starting in 2015. EPA Review: Pesticides Deadly to Birds and Bees Found Ineffective Against Pests he Environmental Protection currently providing any actual pest “The EPA review confirms what we Agency (EPA) has completed a management benefits,” according to an have been telling the agency all year: T review of the use of neonicoti- October 15 EPA memorandum. that despite the enormous scale noids, or “neonics”—the world’s most on which they’re used, the neonic widely used class of pesticides—as a Neonics have been linked to serious seed coatings are not increasing seed coating on U.S. soybean crops. impacts to birds, bees, and other wild- agricultural yields,” said Cynthia Palmer, The finding? Neonics “may not be life. For example, ABC’s 100-page report Director of Pesticides Science and published in 2013, “The Impact of the Regulation. Scientific studies on corn, Nation’s Most Widely Used Insecticides canola, and other crops show similar on Birds,” found that a single seed treat- results. ed with neonics can kill a songbird. ABC is calling for a moratorium on the use “The farmers pay for the costly treated of the pesticides pending independent seeds; the bee-keepers bring home review of their effects on birds, bees, dead hives; and the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. and other wildlife die,” Palmer said. “The only benefit is to Monsanto, Syngenta, The substances are now ubiquitous in and Bayer, which accrue enormous products as diverse as seed treatments, profits.” home and garden products, and flea ointments for pets. The review was conducted as part of the EPA’s re-registration process for neonics, which includes analysis of the Grasshopper Sparrow by pesticides’ impact to nontarget species. Steve Byland, Shutterstock 4 BIRD CONSERVATION | WINTER 2014-2015 Rare Birds… Threatened Places… REWARDING CHALLENGES This fall, we’re gratified to report that ABC and our in-country partners have protected habitat for nearly half of the Americas' rarest birds—like Blue-billed Curassow, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, and Stresemann’s Bristlefront, a bird so rare that few photos even exist. But time is running out for the others. Thirty-four of the 63 rarest birds, designated Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species, in the Americas still have no special protection. Can you help us cross the halfway mark and ensure a future for more of the "rarest of the rare?" Right now, you can double the value of your contribution. Thanks to a challenge match, every gift ABC receives between now and December 31 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $150,000. Help us meet this challenge and donate today! Please use the enclosed envelope or donate online at: support.abcbirds.org/ RewardingChallenges Blue-billed Curassow by Fundación ProAves 5 20 YEARS OF RESULTS FOR BIRDS From the beginning, American Bird Conservancy has been fearless. We have taken on the biggest issues affecting birds, even when those efforts were controversial. We have been unwavering in our commitment to safeguard birds, even while other groups shifted their mission to prioritize people over wildlife.