BIRD CONSERVATION the Magazine of American Bird Conservancy Spring 2011 BIRD’S EYE VIEW

BIRD CONSERVATION The Magazine of American Bird Conservancy Spring 2011 BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Circular Reasoning: Understanding Neotropical Migrant Bird Conservation American Redstart: Greg Lavaty

magine the annual cycle of migratory birds as a stylized spiral resembling a nautilus whose chambersI represent months of the year, shaded to indicate migration periods. Instead of being open-ended, the shell’s two ends abut, the narrow end representing the annual low population point (immediately preceding breeding), and the broad end representing the annual high population (immediately post-fledging). Across the year, the shell’s diameter tapers as population decreases due to predators, severe weather, collisions with glass and communication towers, toxic poisoning, headwinds migrating across the Gulf of Mexico, habitat loss on the wintering grounds, and all of the other factors bird-lovers lament. Sketch by George Fenwick It looks simple, but it is not: the shape of the nautilus changes for every species and every year. Drought terms) always opine, “Why pick on us scope or scale of mortality factors to can mean low water, allowing water- when habitat loss is the big problem prioritize our work, to always make fowl to reach deeper into mud for for birds?” While that may be true, the best conservation decisions, to an- food, potentially gleaning decades-old we don’t often know exactly which ticipate the effects of acting on those lead shot and thus earning a painful factor – or, more likely, combination decisions, or even to evaluate after we death. Alternatively, flooding scours of factors – is contributing most to a have taken action. Scientists are giving river banks and islands, re-describing population decline. These factors can us a growing body of applicable data, nesting habitat for endangered Inte- be cumulative: multi-year droughts but we still have many “black boxes” rior Least Terns. Scientists from the or permanent nesting habitat loss, which await further investigation. Institute for Bird Populations have combined with the annual gauntlet of Revealing what is in these boxes, and learned that in La Niña years, winter other factors, can reduce bird popu- what it means for our neotropical mi- precipitation is low in western Mexico lations forever. And where a species grants, may be the best way for us to and high in eastern Mexico. This does not fill its available breeding understand our most pressing scientific matters because they discovered that, habitat in spring, as is sometimes the challenges in bird conservation. in the following spring, American case, we can conclude that breeding Redstarts breed poorly in the western habitat is not the only – or even most United States, but more successfully significant – limiting factor. in the East. The real problem is that although George Fenwick Opponents to ABC advocacy ef- birds may be among the best-known President, ABC forts to reduce mortality in birds (or classes of animal life, we don’t know enhance survivorship, in scientists’ nearly enough about the relative

2 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 COVER PHOTO: Cerulean Warbler: Lloyd Spitalnik Kentucky Warbler: Greg Lavaty Bird Conservation Bird Conservation is the magazine of American Bird Conservancy (ABC), and SPRING 2011 is published three times yearly.

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is the only 501(c)(3) organization that works Bird Conservation solely to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. A copy of the current financial statement and registration filed by the organization may be Throughout the Year obtained by contacting: ABC, P.O. Box 249, The Plains,VA 20198. Tel: (540) 253-5780, or by contacting the following state agencies: 7-9 Effective Bird Conservation Florida: Division of Consumer Services, toll-free number within the State: Throughout the Year PAGE 10 800-435-7352. Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage: Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401. 10-12 Providing a Safe Haven for Migrants New Jersey: Attorney General, State of New Jersey: 201-504-6259. While Protecting the Worthen’s Sparrow New York: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. 13-15 Do Cerulean Warblers Pennsylvania: Department of State, toll-free number within the state: Like Chocolate? PAGE 13 800-732-0999. stock.xchng Virginia: State Division of Consumer Affairs, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer 16-17 Introducing Southern Wings Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209. West Virginia: Secretary of State, State Eliminating Threats to Migrating Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. 18-20 bird in the Yucatán Peninsula Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by any state. American Bird Conservancy is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts 21-23 Wings and Wind Power — or photographs. Approval is required for PAGE 18 reproduction of any photographs or artwork. Proceed with Caution

Blue-winged Warbler: Editors: PAGE 6 Greg Lavaty Jack Morrison, Merrie Morrison, Michael J. Parr, David Pashley, DEPARTMENTS Gemma Radko, Gavin Shire, George E. Wallace 3 Bird’s Eye View For information contact: PAGE 24 American Bird Conservancy 4 On The Wire 4249 Loudoun Avenue P.O. Box 249 The Plains,VA 20198 Female Yellow-billed Cotinga 24 Species Profile fitted with radio transmitter. 540-253-5780 Photo: Karen Leavelle Baltimore Oriole Web: www.abcbirds.org Baltimore Oriole: Greg Lavaty Email: [email protected]

ABC’s Bird Conservation magazine brings you the best in bird conservation news and features. For more information on American Bird Conservancy, please visit our website at www.abcbirds.org or call 1-888-BIRD-MAG.

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 3 ON THE WIRE Gorgeted Puffleg - The World’s Most Endangered Hummingbird?

esults of surveys of the critically According to ABC’s Conservation Projects endangered Gorgeted Puffleg in Specialist Benjamin Skolnik, “Searches in Colombia have confirmed the spe- similar areas throughout the country have Rcies' precarious status and extremely turned up empty. This bird is truly rare, and limited range. The puffleg was discovered the best estimates suggest that only around and described in 2007 from the highest 100 individuals remain in the wild. It is hard cloud forest peaks of the Pinche Mountains to place value on such a magnificent hum- in Colombia between 9,100 to 10,100 feet. mingbird, and I hope people come to cherish It is a small, mostly dark hummingbird with this little bird like any other jewel.” bright white ‘puffs’ on its legs and an irides- The main threat to the Gorgeted Puffleg is cent green and violet throat. rapidly advancing habitat clearance across Throughout 2010, ABC funded its Colom- its tiny, unprotected range. Pristine forests Gorgeted Puffleg: Alex Cortes, Birdlife International bian partner Fundación ProAves under the and páramo (glacier-formed valleys and William Belton Grants Program to undertake plains with a large variety of lakes, peat regional searches across all of the upland bogs, and wet grasslands intermingled with Armed with this new information, ABC and massifs in the southern and central Western shrublands and forest patches) are being ProAves are eager to begin protecting the Cordillera of Colombia. destroyed by fires set in the dry season, species within its limited range. Residents of one of the local communities have ex- The surveys confirmed that the species which spread upslope to the fragile tree line. As a result, the Gorgeted Puffleg may be pressed interest in working to establish bet- occurs at extremely low densities (approxi- ter protection of the upper watershed where mately one individual per acre) within an the most endangered hummingbird on the planet. the bird is found, which would also ensure extremely limited potential range of likely no continued water security for them and other more than 2,700 acres. communities.

Study Highlights the Impact of Cat Predation on Young Birds

recent study that tracked Gray Cat- The study also found that predation was the ABC has a wide variety of materials avail- bird fledglings in three Washington, most significant factor affecting a catbird able on its website to help address the D.C. suburbs found that outdoor cats fledgling’s survival—not parental age, brood problems caused by free-roaming cats: A were the leading source of known size, sex, or hatching date. The vast major- www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/ predation on the young birds. This study, ity of the deaths occurred in the first week materials.html published in the January 2011 edition of the after the bird fledged from the nest. Because A complete copy of the study is available at: Journal of Ornithology, was conducted by fledglings beg loudly for food and are not http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/ Dr. Peter Marra and Dr. Thomas Ryder of yet alert to predators, they are easy prey for science_article/pdfs/55.pdf The Smithsonian Institution and Ms. Anne L. cats and other predators. Balogh of Towson University. “This study certainly adds more validation to In the study, small radio transmitters were what we have been saying for years—that attached to 69 newly hatched catbirds. outdoor cats are a highly destructive preda- These transmitters recorded the birds’ loca- tory force that is causing havoc in the world tions every other day until they died or left of native wildlife. I hope we can now stop the study area. Forty-two birds died during minimizing the impacts that outdoor cats the study—33, or almost 80%, due to preda- have on the environment, and start address- tion. Almost half of the known predators ing the serious problem of cat predation,” were free-roaming cats. remarked Darin Schroeder, Vice President for Conservation Advocacy at ABC.

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 4 Photo: stock.xchng Spring Conservation Challenge

Cerulean Warbler, Wood Thrush, Mountain Plover, Sprague’s Pipit: some of the migrants featured in this issue of Bird Conservation are birds many of us are lucky enough to see each spring. You’ve read in this magazine about all that ABC and its partners are accomplishing for neotropical migratory bird conservation. But we need your help. It is time for those of us who love and appreciate the natural world to recognize that its immediate future depends on our actions—actions that we can increase through “citizen conservation.”

For me, being a citizen conservationist means taking personal action close to home, but it also means helping those groups you most trust to accomplish the things we cannot do alone. I hope that, for you, ABC is that group—the nimble, quick, outcome- oriented group that turns the dial in favor of birds.

Now I have an important request: ABC board member and author Jonathan Franzen, longtime ABC supporter and conservationist Robert W. Wilson, ABC Chair Jim Brumm and his wife Yuko, and ABC Vice-Chair Warren Cooke and his wife Cathy, have teamed up to offer ABC a $125,000 challenge grant to enable ABC and our partners to succeed with our ambitious bird conservation plans. Simply put, every dollar we raise between now and June 20 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $125,000—that’s a quarter of a million dollars for birds! Can you help us? This is a terrific opportunity to double your impact on bird conservation.

George Fenwick President, ABC

Cerulean Warbler (above): Greg Lavaty Wood Thrush (left): Greg Homel, Natural Elements Productions

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 5 Rare Yellow-billed Cotingas Captured and Radio-tagged for the First Time

n 2007, ABC and partner To begin answering some of group Friends of the Osa these questions, ABC and began a project to monitor Friends of the Osa initiated a Irare birds in the Osa Penin- radio-tracking study with support sula and Golfo Dulce regions of from the Mohamed Bin Zayed southwestern Costa Rica. These Species Conservation Fund; this mangrove swamps and lowland phase of the project began in forests are thought to be the December 2010. stronghold for the Endangered This male Yellow-billed Cotinga has already been fitted with a radio transmitter, visible as a black line Success came recently with the on the bird's back. Photo: Karen Leavelle Yellow-billed Cotinga and other capture of three Yellow-billed threatened birds such as the Cotingas—two males and a “Placing a radio transmitter on “This is a bird that we believe Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager and female. These were the first an endangered species such used to exist in large numbers, Mangrove Hummingbird. Yellow-billed Cotingas ever as the Yellow-billed Cotinga is but is now increasingly difficult One of the main aims of this captured. The birds were fitted a great opportunity that could to even glimpse, much less project is to safeguard the of with radio transmitters, and will open the door to a wealth study. This is an outstanding op- the cotinga’s mangrove habitat. be tracked over the next 6-10 of ecological and behavioral portunity to acquire information Another important goal is to months, with researchers look- information that will guide us in on this species and take action answer questions about this ing at home range size, feeding protecting this little-known bird to address its habitat needs species’ movements and distri- and reproductive habits, and and the habitat it requires,” says now before it is too late,” added bution, both during and outside habitat use to develop a con- Karen Leavelle, Friends of the Andrew Rothman, Conservation of its breeding season (see Bird servation plan for the species in Osa’s Chief Investigator on the Biologist, who oversees ABC’s Conservation, Fall 2010). and near the Osa. project. programs in Costa Rica.

Waved Albatross Bycatch Targeted he Waved Albatross information, ABC and Equilibrio has a global population Azul went on to identify the fish- estimated to be fewer eries that have the most seabird T than 35,000 individuals. interactions and when they The species was recently up- occur, and to develop mitigation listed to Critically Endangered measures that will help lessen under IUCN World Conservation the bycatch. Union criteria due to evidence Since 2008, Equilibrio Azul has of a 42% decline between the operated an on-board observer years 1994-2007. Although program out of Ecuador’s larg- lacking definitive evidence, ABC est artisanal port, Santa Rosa. suspects that accidental bycatch They have observed more than on the hooks of small, artisanal 600 line sets, and documented South American fishing boats the accidental deaths of more could have a significant impact than a dozen Waved Albatross- on adult survivorship. es, indicating a rate of acciden- In 2007, ABC collaborated with tal capture may easily explain Robert Medina, fisheries technician, preparing to begin the haul, with an hake fisherman from Santa Equilibrio Azul to gather the first the decline in adult survivorship. Rosa, Ecuador. Note the Waved Albatrosses in the water, waiting for the action to start. Photo: Jodie Darquea, Equilibrio Azul, November 2010. data from fishermen in south- In the fall of 2010, Equilibrio ern Ecuador. Approximately Azul conducted a series of line- during the haul, when the most through a fishermen education one-third of the fishermen weighting experiments designed birds are caught. Throughout campaign, and working with interviewed said that they had to reduce bycatch by making the 2011, ABC and Equilibrio Azul the fishermen and authorities accidentally caught an albatross gear sink faster and reducing will be disseminating the best to ensure that the modifications while fishing. With this new gear tangles and handling time practices they have developed are adopted.

6 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 Black-throated Blue Warbler: Effective Bird Peter LaTourrette, www.birdphotography.com Conservation Throughout the Year by David Pashley, Vice President for Conservation Programs, ABC, and Dave DeSante, President, The Institute for Bird Populations

he fundamentals of bird conservation seem simple at first glance—work to increase the breedingT success of threatened species and take action to reduce the threats that cause bird mortality. Multiply your efforts and you can positively affect bird populations at a national and even international level. Of course, little is ever that easy. Bird mortality and survivorship are The Hard Numbers complicated, especially for migra- The number of birds that die each tory songbird species that face the For the most effective year is astonishing. For instance, Part- challenge of travelling long distances bird conservation, we ners in Flight (www.partnersinflight. to reach suitable breeding grounds. org) has estimated the total popu- And breeding and migration only need to understand the lation of eastern and boreal long- comprise half of a bird’s year. How do needs of our priority distance migratory warblers at 350 we identify the most urgent threats million pairs. Data from The Institute to birds during the other half? There species over their full- for Bird Populations and elsewhere are still many outstanding questions suggest that, taking re-nesting into about this “big picture” that if an- year life cycles. consideration, each pair of warblers swered will make more targeted and produces an average of about 2.5 effective bird conservation possible. independent birds per year. Add these Little is known about what happens 875 million young to 700 million to young birds between the time they adults and you have a post-nesting, become independent and when they pre-fall migration population of over leave for fall migration. Recent studies 1.5 billion warblers. suggest that many forest-breeding It follows that for warbler populations birds seek out dense, early-successional to remain stable, no more than 875 habitat during this period. This is million birds (adults and young) can evidence that homogeneous, even-aged die between fledging and the follow- forests are less than ideal for breeding ing spring. This is consistent with birds, even if ample nest sites are pro- data that suggest that only about half vided. More and better forest manage- of all adults make it back for spring ment can help increase survivorship and perhaps only 40% of juveniles. during this period. Prairie Warbler: Greg Lavaty

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 7 Deaths from natural causes combined can have a huge impact on popula- suffered population impacts because with those caused by human factors tion size and trend, and is one of the of the loss of this winter habitat (see may be too much for an already- major areas where the bird conserva- page 18 for an article on how ABC vulnerable population of birds to tion community expends effort and is working to preserve some of this absorb. Mortality during spring mi- resources. important habitat in Mexico’s Yucatan gration may represent a more crucial Peninsula). loss because these birds that have The Importance of During winter, many warblers appear demonstrated they can survive from to be habitat generalists because they post-fledging independence through Wintering Habitat are found in human-altered environ- migration and a challenging winter. Winter habitat conditions are becom- ments, but closer investigation often So simply put, if more than 875 mil- ing recognized as equally or perhaps reveals that they are actually special- lion warblers die, then populations even more important to bird popula- ists that just happen to thrive in spe- will decline. Again, real-life scenarios tions than nesting habitats, especially cific human-modified habitats. Many are more complex. For example, if for species with specialized require- of these species seem to do reasonably more birds die during the non-breed- ments for habitats that have been well in winter. Still, if it turns out that ing season, breeding success of the greatly reduced or degraded by hu- overwintering survival is the primary remaining birds may actually increase man activity, such as the moist forests factor affecting population trends for the following spring, since densities on the Caribbean coasts of Mexico some of our migratory landbirds, we are lower and more quality breed- and Central America. The Louisiana must address these difficult issues or ing habitat is available per bird. This Waterthrush and Kentucky Warbler, risk losing these species entirely. for example, have been shown to have

Red Knots: Gregory Breese, USFWS

8 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 The Louisiana Waterthrush and Kentucky Warbler have been shown to have suffered population impacts because of the loss of winter habitat. Louisiana Waterthrush: Greg Lavaty Kentucky Warbler: Greg Lavaty

A similar situation can be seen in the ABC continues its work to mitigate priority species over their full-year life plight of the rufa subspecies of the factors such as collisions, cats, and cycles. Thinking about these cycles Red Knot, which continues to decline habitat loss that seem to have their and what truly regulates the size of despite concerted conservation efforts greatest effect on birds during nesting priority bird populations is the most along the mid-Atlantic Coast, one and migration. These are positive important and challenging research of the most important migration achievements, but only part of the issue that we face as we try to enhance stopover regions along its epic migra- larger conservation picture. For the the effectiveness of our bird conservation route (which totals some 20,000 most effective bird conservation, we tion efforts. miles annually between its wintering need to understand the needs of our grounds in Tierra Del Fuego and its Arctic nesting grounds). Even though numbers of horseshoe crabs, whose eggs provide essential fuel to the northward-migrating knots, are beginning to rebound due to harvest limits, the birds’ numbers continue to crash. This alarming decrease may be continuing because the egg-laying crabs have not yet recovered enough to support viable numbers of Red Knots, but it may equally be due to another, as-yet undiscovered factor on the bird’s wintering grounds or elsewhere along their migration route. Certainly, the initial population plunge (from hundreds of thousands of knots to a mere 16,000) caused by the overharvesting of horseshoe crabs made the knot population much more vulnerable to other threats, both natural and man-made. Whether this population can recover remains to be

seen. Kirtland’s Warbler at nest: Ron Austing

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 9 Providing a Safe Haven for Migrants While Protecting the Worthen’s Sparrow Worthen's Sparrow: Ricardo Canales

by Mary Gustafson, Rio Grande 80 percent – are probably due at least Joint Venture Coordinator, ABC in part to loss of this critical wintering habitat. n 2005, ABC helped the Mexican conservation organization Prona- With 8,000 Long-billed Curlews tura Noreste acquire 585 acres of (40% of the U.S. population) and high-elevationI grasslands to form the over 1,500 Mountain Plover re- El Cercado Reserve, located in the corded wintering in the Chihuahuan northeastern region of Chihuahua. Grasslands, it’s no wonder that they have been recognized by the West- These once-flourishing grasslands ern Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve had been grazed down to bare, dusty Network (www.whsrn.org) as a site ground by cattle and other introduced of international importance, and by livestock, leaving only a few scraggly the Commission for Environmental yuccas and cacti behind. Cooperation as a Grassland Prior- Conservation of this area was of ity Conservation Area for the North special concern to ABC and other American Bird Conservation Initia- organizations due to its importance tive (NABCI).

as a wintering site for the AZE-listed Worthen's Sparrow: Antonio Hidalgo Worthen’s Sparrow, which forms flocks of up to 100 individuals there in the fall and winter, but also because of its significance for many species of U.S. migrants. El Cercado lies within a larger region of grassy plains known as the Chi- huahuan Desert Grasslands. Over 75 percent of the migratory grassland birds from the northern Great Plains, including Mountain Plover, Long- billed Curlew, Upland Sandpiper, Burrowing Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, three species of Sparrows (Grasshop- per, Baird’s, and Lark), and Chestnut- collared Longspur, spend the winter in this region, which encompasses the southern United States and northern Mexico. Severe population declines in many of these species over the last four decades – some by as much as Wintering Long-billed Curlews, Nuevo León, México. Photo: Gabriel Ruiz, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

10 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 Mexican prairie dog at El Cercado, Mexico, July 2008. Photo: David Weidenfeld, ABC

Wintering and resident birds alike A 2010 satellite tracking project suitable breeding sites. Although not must compete with agricultural conducted by José Ignacio González a migrant, the Worthen’s is a “rainfall interests for habitat here, since these of the University of Nuevo León and nomad”, appearing to seek out spots broad, flat lands are highly sought- funded in part by a Neotropical Mi- throughout the region that get the after by farmers for growing potatoes. gratory Bird Conservation Act grant, most moisture. They will breed in These grasslands will – with enough showed that wintering Long-billed brushy or weedy areas near grasslands irrigation – produce only a few crops Curlews spend most of their time in created and maintained by endemic of potatoes before salts accumulate the remaining grasslands and little in Mexican prairie dogs, which play an in the soil and the land becomes areas developed for agriculture. important role in creating and main- unfarmable. The continued use of taining this ecosystem. When spring arrives and neotropi- groundwater for irrigation is unsus- cal migrants return to their nest- In addition to the Long-billed Cur- tainable, however, as very little rain ing grounds in the U.S., flocks of lew, protection of these expansive falls in this arid climate. Worthen’s Sparrows disperse to find areas also safeguards essential winter

Grasshopper Sparrow: Bill Hubick

Long-billed Curlew with a solar tracking tag, Nuevo León, México, 2010. Photo: Gabriel Ruiz, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 11 Burrowing Owl: Tom Grey

Mountain Plover. Greg Homel, Natural Elements Productions

habitat for other migratory grassland Pronatura Noreste has continued Since ABC’s initial land acquisition at species such as the Mountain Plover acquiring land across the Chihuahuan El Cercado, this portion of the reserve and Sprague’s Pipit. If sufficient rains grasslands for the Worthen’s Sparrow has been fenced and grazing restrict- don’t come, the sparrows continue and winter migrants. To date, they ed, allowing healthy stands of grass to their wandering. Their nomadic have saved some 123,000 acres by return. We are optimistic that one day nature makes effective land conserva- means of easement or ownership, and, Worthen’s Sparrows will again nest tion for the Worthen’s Sparrow more according to Alfonso Banda, Prona- there and declining WatchList species difficult, as protection is required tura’s Director of Conservation, are will once again find a safe haven wait- over a large area to ensure the species working to conserve even more. Pro- ing for their arrival. will find suitable breeding habitat natura Noreste has also received funds regardless of where the rain falls in from Southern Wings (see article on any given year. The total area needed page 16) for ongoing grassland resto- for protection of the species is much ration, fence maintenance on existing larger than the amount that will actu- reserves to keep out goats, and an ally be used in any one year. assessment of the wintering ecology of Mountain Plovers.

Worthen's Sparrow in secondary vegetation, Chihuahuan Grasslands. Photo: Ricardo Canales, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

12 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 Cerulean Warbler: Frode Jacobson Chocolate: stock.xchng

Do Cerulean Warblers Like Chocolate? by Benjamin Skolnik, Conservation Projects Specialist, ABC

uttresses of the vast Andes As I ascend, I try to imagine the peril- The Cerulean is one of the few mountains rise out of the ous journey taken by the migrating warblers whose known non-breeding Magdalena River Valley in Cerulean Warbler. The bird leaves range is entirely within South America, northernB Colombia like giant, gnarled the wet, temperate forests of Appala- and it has one of the longest migra- tree roots, creating steep hillsides that chia and flies thousands of miles to tions of any songbird of its size, harbor lush green forests. As I travel reach montane forests in Colombia, traveling approximately 2,500 miles across the broad, agricultural valley Ecuador, and Peru. These days, the round-trip each year. It is also our on my way to visit a reforestation forests in both the United States and fastest declining migratory songbird, project in the Cerulean Warbler Bird South America are much changed. having experienced an alarming three Reserve being carried out by ABC’s Entire mountaintop forests in the percent population decline each year partner Fundación ProAves, I melt in Appalachians are gone in the wake over the last four decades or more. the scorching heat, and eagerly look of ruinous mining activity, and the The reserve in Colombia created in forward to the cooler climates that South American forests are largely its name was set up to conserve this await me at higher elevations. converted to agriculture and pasture. and other migrants, as well as resident It is fascinating to ponder the number species. During my visit there, I saw of larger birds that are restricted to a Cerulean Warbler for the first time much smaller ranges, while the fate in my life. Its bright blue beauty lived of the diminutive Cerulean Warbler up to my expectations, and I felt depends on a landscape-level conser- somehow relieved to see it in its right- vation approach. ful place atop the tallest trees in the dense, mature forests – akin perhaps to seeing a macaw flying over the canopy of a rainforest after a lifetime of seeing them in zoos and cages. But what route did this bird travel to get here? What distance did it have to fly without rest over denuded pas- turelands? Just how important are the areas of forest in between Appalachia and the Colombian foothill forests? I especially wonder about the value of Cerulean Warbler Reserve: Fundación farm lands that maintain tree cover. ProAves. www.proaves.org

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 13 These Golden-winged (top) and Blackburnian (above) Warblers were seen foraging at ABC/ProAves reserves in Colombia. Photos: Benjamin Skolnik, March 2011

is the most important nonbreeding territory for Ceruleans, yet only 16% of that habitat lies within recognized protected areas. As rural areas are becoming safer thanks to government efforts to curtail the drug trade, many people are reclaiming lands for cultivation of other crops and for cattle ranching, driving the already steep annual deforestation rate of 0.5% even higher. So what are the bright spots for the Cerulean Warbler Cacao harvest at the Cerulean Warbler Reserve. Photo: Benjamin Skolnik, March 2011 and other migrants that depend on Colombian forests? Some of these questions are beginning of less rainfall. Competitive interac- to be answered through an impor- tions between the Cerulean Warbler One is your morning latte made from tant collaboration that has brought and other species could explain dif- Colombia’s finest certified shade- together experts to compile informa- ferent patterns of habitat use at the grown coffee beans. Shade coffee tion on the species and map Ceru- landscape level. For example, Black- has important benefits for birds over lean Warblers on their non-breeding burnian Warblers are the most com- varieties that grow in full sun or other grounds. The resulting publication, mon species in mixed-species flocks in agricultural products that require no Conservation Plan for the Cerulean forest habitat, while Cerulean War- tree cover. In one study, Cerulean Warbler on in its Non-breeding Range, blers appear most common in shade Warblers were twice as common on provides insight into the mysterious coffee plantations. shade coffee farms than forested areas, life of this little bird. For instance, with a density of two birds per acre The Conservation Plan also confirms through modeling exercises, scientists compared to one per acre. We don’t what many already suspect: Colombia suggest the warbler may prefer areas know whether these birds are being

14 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 forced to reside in shade coffee plan- As they try to reach out to the com- tations due to lack of natural forest or munity to discuss the importance of because they actually prefer the more protecting birds, they face an array of open secondary forests of shade coffee challenges. Heidy Valle, the orga- farms, but whichever the reason, the nization’s lead for the reforestation value of shade coffee is clear. All bird program, told me that one common lovers, therefore, should be drinking misconception is that “people think shade coffee, either Rainforest Alli- we plan to bottle the water and ance or Smithsonian Bird-Friendly oxygen and sell it to foreigners.” This certified. Unfortunately organic and comment suggests that locals intrinsi- fair-trade certifications do not require cally understand the value of forests any amount of tree cover, and thus for the bounty they bring. However, do not alone guarantee habitat for the degree of misinformation and migrants. suspicion with which conservation is sometimes seen is reason for concern. There are additional methods for maintaining forests for our migratory In light of these challenges, ProAves species in South America, such as the is making education a priority and biological corridor I visited on this working to shift the local econom- trip. Biological corridors have long Heidy Valle with cacao fruit. Photo: Benjamin Skolnik, March 2011 ics to favor forest protection. Over a been an important tool for species century ago, slaves in this region con- conservation, and are used particu- structed a stone path of similar girth larly effectively for large mammals one such farm and chatted with its and quality to the famed Inca Trail in that are relatively easy to monitor. 82-year-old owner, Raul. His wealth Peru. ProAves is now working with With funding from the U.S. Fish and of experience and enthusiasm for local municipalities to restore key Wildlife Service and the Amos W. cacao farming was just as invigorating portions of the several-hundred-mile Butler Audubon Society, ABC and as the delectable fruit that surrounds trail in order to bring national and Fundación ProAves are implementing the seed, which is eventually ground international tourism that may one the Cerulean Warbler Conservation into chocolate (most North Ameri- day sustain livelihoods and provide an Corridor. The project presently aims cans have never experienced this alternative to clearing habitat. to connect about eight miles between wonderful fruit, see photo). He told While efforts to protect Cerulean two private reserves (the Pauxi Pauxi me that he removed all his coffee trees Warblers are off to an admirable start, and Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserves) years ago in favor of cacao because effective landscape-level conservation through reforestation and conser- the chocolate requires less labor and must still reach a larger scale. Work- vation easements on private land. is sold in a more stable market. Just ing with cacao and coffee cooperatives Already, thirteen farmers have entered then we sighted a Golden-winged to promote reforestation and shade into the program, protecting more Warbler, another declining U.S. certification is an obvious next step. than 300 acres. Over the coming year, WatchList species, flitting energeti- Perhaps with your help, we can begin ProAves will help landowners plant cally through the cacao and shaded to employ these and other techniques nearly fifty thousand trees on these understory while foraging for a meal. across Colombia, and in Ecuador and and other area farms. I now know that my chocoholic pur- Peru as well. Thankfully, buying deli- suit of more expensive, high-quality, Cacao (chocolate), like coffee, is cious shade-grown coffee and choco- certified chocolate has wider-ranging another hot export item on the late is no hardship! benefits. We left the farm encouraged, international market that can fetch a discussing ways for ABC and ProAves ABC will, of course, also continue to good price and can be grown in the to reach out to even more cacao and increase reforestation activities and shade. Certified shade cacao is likely coffee growers. grow the private reserve network. just as beneficial for migrants as shade Your support of these programs is coffee, and is another major agricul- The ProAves team is an inspiring most appreciated. tural product at this ideal elevation group of young, dedicated Colom- for the Cerulean Warbler. We visited bian biologists and conservationists.

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 15 Long-billed Curlew: Peter LaTourrette, www.birdphotography.com Southern Wings A Partnership of State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

by Deborah Hahn, International Resource Director, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

uccessful bird conservation, Department of Environmental Pro- in Canada, through which partner- whether for waterfowl or other tection has supported the conserva- ships enable “match” leveraging of migratory species, must address tion of Red Knots on their breeding state agency resources, and where Sthe full array of bird habitat needs in and wintering grounds. Every year biological priorities are recognized in all geographies regardless of political since 1999, shorebird researchers conservation delivery. After extensive boundaries. Nearly 170 species of from the United States, Canada, discussions, in 2007, the Associa- songbirds such as flycatchers, vireos, Argentina, and Chile have studied tion of Fish and Wildlife Agencies thrushes, warblers, grosbeaks, bun- Red Knot populations along the (AFWA) Southern Wings Task Force tings, and orioles have 90% of their Atlantic Flyway from the Canadian was given the specific charge to wintering range south of the U.S.- Arctic to far southern Chile. There are “create a funding mechanism that Mexico border. Many non-songbirds many more examples of such projects provides an easy and flexible avenue including herons, egrets, ducks, supported by other states. However, for states willing to participate in sandpipers, terns, cuckoos, and swifts what has been missing is a relatively conservation in Latin America and also winter in Latin America and the seamless and straightforward way the Caribbean by contributing funds Caribbean, where they depend on to enable state participation in bird annually through a US-based third habitat outside of the jurisdiction of conservation on wintering ground party that will handle the funds and U.S. federal and state fish and wildlife habitats south of the U.S. border, and coordinate the distribution of funds.” agencies for up to eight months of the further, to ensure that state funds are TheT ask Force was led by Dave Er- year. supporting species that have a biologi- ickson, also of the Missouri Depart- cal connection to their state, to have Since the mid-1990s, 20 plus states ment of Conservation, and included the benefits of financial leverage, and have participated in partnership- partners that were critical to the to create a convenient pipeline for the based bird conservation projects in development and successful imple- continuous flow of funds from states. Latin America and the Caribbean. mentation of the Program. Beyond Enter the Southern Wings Program. For example, the Missouri Depart- the state agencies, those partners ment of Conservation was involved The concept of this program – a included American Bird Conservancy, in habitat protection, restoration and partnership of state fish and wildlife Ducks Unlimited, National Audubon bird monitoring in El Cielo, Mexico agencies supporting a common vision Society, The Nature Conservancy, the for the approximately 70 species they of conserving birds throughout their U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and share. Starting in 2003, the Ten- entire life cycle by supporting projects the U.S.D.A. Forest Service Interna- nessee Wildlife Resources Agency in Latin America and the Caribbean – tional Programs. With strong leader- developed a project to restore habitat evolved from a presentation given by ship from the Task Force, two years and monitor grassland/scrub shrub Brad Jacobs of the Missouri Depart- later at the AFWA Business Meeting, birds in Tennessee. They connected ment of Conservation to the Partners the Southern Wings Program was of- this project to critical habitat in the in Flight Implementation Committee ficially born. Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico via in March 2005. The idea mirrors state Seven states – Arizona, Arkansas, the development of an international agency conservation efforts to support Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, South monitoring program. The New Jersey wetlands and waterfowl conservation Dakota, and Wisconsin – pledged

16 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 in, and often legal responsibilities for, migratory bird conservation; (5) the commingling of state funds enhances match and leverage opportunities and the on-the-ground significance of efforts; and (6) some states with interests in comprehensive bird con- 2010-2011 servation are not staffed in ways that Southern Wings enable them to independently form Program Areas cross-border partnerships. The state fish and wildlife agencies spend millions of dollars conserving

migratory birds each year. The eco- nomic significance of migratory birds is well known. The 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation: Na- tional Overview states that over $45 Migratory Landbird Habitat in the Colorado billion was spent on wildlife watch- River Delta, Sonora and Baja California, Mexico ing in the United States in 2006. An The Janos Valley Grasslands of the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico addendum to the 2006 report stated

Old-growth Forests in the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico that 48 million birders generated over Migratory Bird Habitat in the Saltillo Grasslands, Mexico $82 billion in total industry output, Migratory Bird Habitat in Yucatan, Mexico 671,000 jobs, and $11 billion in Migratory and Endemic Avifauna of Sierra de Bahoruco, local, state, and federal tax revenue Dominican Republic in 2006 on trip expenditures related Golden-winged Warbler Habitat in the Nicaragua Highlands to birding. Expenditures for wildlife Corcovado-Matapalo Biological Corridor on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica watching activities in Pennsylvania

Cerulean Warbler Conservation Corridor, Colombia during 2006 were over $1.4 billion. The State Wildlife Grants Program has provided new sources of funding, brought partners to the table in each state, and required the states to meet goals and objectives for many migratory species beyond waterfowl. Although the Southern Wings Pro- gram is young, it is already making contributions to conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is

Lark Sparrow: Peter LaTourrette, www.birdphotography.com Golden-winged Warbler: Greg Lavaty forging new partnerships and engag- ing state wildlife agencies at all levels in conservation beyond their borders. funds in 2009, the inaugural year of U.S. border is appropriate because: Building on these successes, we are the program. Additional states have (1) southern habitats are of enor- confident we can achieve our vision of since participated including Minneso- mous biological significance to many participation by all state wildlife agen- ta, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee migratory bird species shared with the cies in conservation activities in Latin and the Northeast Fish and Wildlife states; (2) unique challenges face win- America and the Caribbean within Association. These states should be ter bird habitats in Latin America and 5-10 years. congratulated for their leadership. the Caribbean; (3) birds are of great interest to citizens and are economi- A mechanism for state participation cally significant; (4) states have roles in bird conservation south of the

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 17 Eliminating Threats to Migratory Birds in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico by Andrew Rothman, International Conservation Officer, ABC Blue-winged Warbler: Greg Lavaty

exico’s Yucatán Peninsula is U.S. WatchList species such as the one of the most important Wood Thrush, and Blue-winged and areas for migrating birds in Kentucky Warblers. Other WatchList Mthe Neotropics. Each spring, millions species such as the Cerulean, Golden- of migrant birds returning north from winged, and Canada Warblers pass their wintering grounds rely on forag- through the Yucatán on their way ing areas across the Yucatán to nearly farther south. double their body weight before they Over 500 species of birds are per- attempt the next leg of their journey, manent residents of the Yucatán the 12- to 18-hour migration across Peninsula as well, including endemic the Gulf of Mexico. In the fall, as species such as the Yucatán Nightjar, Canada Warbler: Roger Ahlman these same birds move south, the Yu- Yucatán Vireo, Yucatán Parrot, and catán again provides important rest- Yucatán Jay. important pieces of remaining habitat ing and refueling grounds. Its varied in the Yucatán Peninsula to protect habitats include inundated savannas, ABC, with support from the Missouri habitat for migratory birds. In Mis- several types of tropical and decidu- Department of Conservation (MDC) souri, a local alliance of several bird ous forest, freshwater and coastal wet- and the Missouri Conservation and organizations, nature study groups, lands, and secondary growth. While Heritage Foundation, via the South- and individuals, under the name “our” neotropical migrants have used ern Wings program, is helping local Avian Conservation Alliance, has the Yucatán Peninsula during their conservation organizations purchase annual migration for millennia, this area may be better known to most people for one of the most well- known and developed resort towns in the hemisphere…Cancún. If you Google the word Cancún, you will get nearly 25 million results. Most of these guide you to a vast array of tourism options in the area. Cancún was once a small village, but resort and hotel development that began in the 1960s has resulted in over three million visitors each year and a permanent population of almost one million. This expansion presents a huge threat to the habitat needed by many migratory birds, including Clearing land for a new resort, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Photo: Andrew Rothman, ABC

18 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 been fundraising to help support bird effects of the continuing expansion San Mateo Aké in late 2010. This conservation efforts in Mexico and of Cancún. A major goal of this property abuts the existing El Eden Central America. consortium is to create a biological Private Reserve, adjacent to the Yum corridor that links the Yum Balam Balam Protected Area. AAPY plans to “These funds are leveraged several Flora and Fauna Protection Area on purchase a second, 360-acre property times, including being matched by the north coast of Yucatán to the Sian by July 2011. This second purchase MDC, before they reach the ground Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, which is will add to the development of this at sites such as the Yucatán, where south of another well-known beach biological corridor and secure more they provide direct assistance for the town, Playa del Carmen. habitat for wintering migrants. These conservation of migratory and winter- lands will be held permanently by a ing habitat for Missouri’s breeding ABC and Southern Wings funding is recently formed land conservation birds,” says MDC’s Brad Jacobs. matching North America Wetlands trust, ensuring that the properties will Conservation Act and Neotropical ABC is also partnering with The remain protected for decades to come. Migratory Bird Conservation Act Yucatán Peninsula Alliance for Birds funds received by AAPY to acquire Gonzalo Merediz, Director of Amigos (Alianza para las Aves de la Península tracts of bird habitat west of Cancún. de Sian Ka’an explains, “Given the Yucatán or AAPY) to ensure the ABC helped purchase a 1,600-acre large-scale threats faced by neotropi- protection of habitat for neotropical property north of Cancún called cal migrant habitat around Cancún, migratory birds and to limit the

Cancún resort: stock.xchng

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 19 Eliminating Threats to Migratory Birds in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico

Prothonotary Warbler: Greg Lavaty

AAPY members decided to join ef- A few resident Yucatan bird species forts and work in collaboration to ob- tain stronger results and have a more efficient use of the funds donated by their national and international sup- porters. In addition to the purchase of land, AAPY is working to establish additional public protected areas in the region, developing forest fire prevention strategies, and educating the public on the importance of local tropical forests and wetlands. Further- more, Amigos de Sian Ka’an and The

Nature Conservancy are working with Yucatan Vireo: Tom Murray, PBase.com Yucatan Jay: Tom Murray, PBase.com the National Forest Commission to create a fund to compensate the own- ers of forest for the environmental services provided to society (carbon sequestration, aquifer recharge, and biodiversity conservation).” Conservationists and wildlife managers can and should continue to manage breeding habitat for neotropical migratory birds across the United States. However, these actions may have minimal results without additional conservation action on wintering and stopover habitats, such as those outside of Cancún. The expansion of programs such as Southern Wings and legislation such at Neotropical Migratory Bird Act and North American Wetlands Conservation Act are critical for ABC and its partners to effectively conserve Ocellated Turkety: Greg Homel, Natural Elements Productions neotropical migrants throughout their entire life cycle. If we continue to develop and apply these resources, we can mitigate the effects of densely- populated resort towns such as Can- cún to ensure continued safe passage for “our” migratory birds.

20 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 Wings and Wind Power – Proceed with Caution

t’s a warm autumn afternoon, and a migrating eagle rides the air currents along the mountain Iridge top, heading south as it has so many times before. But today there’s a difference—a newly built series of wind turbines stands in the bird’s path. As it attempts to navigate through this gauntlet, the rapidly rotating tip of a turbine blade slams into its wing, and the fatally injured bird tumbles hundreds of feet to the ground, never Thousands of birds – including eagles, to complete its journey. ABC recently songbirds, and endangered spe- posted a video that shows a similar in- cies – are now meeting this same sad cident, though in that case, the bird, a end through collisions with modern GriffonV ulture, survived. Watch now wind turbines. These turbines – with at www.youtube.com/abcbirds. blades so long that, at 15 rotations per minute, they are moving at 180 to 200 miles per hour at their tips – are increasingly being placed atop promi- nent ridges, along which large numbers of hawks and other birds migrate.

Wind turbine montage: Mike Parr; Golden Eagle: FWS

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 21 Blackburnian Warbler: Roger Ahlman

ABC estimates that by 2030, major stopover location for migratory birds. Many birders there will likely be more than return to Magee Marsh year after year for the unparal- 100,000 wind turbines in the leled spectacle of colorful warblers and tanagers and United States, and these are expected normally furtive thrushes, sparrows, and rails all feeding to kill at least one million birds each within arm’s reach, completely unconcerned by their hu- year—probably significantly more. By this man admirers. Unfortunately, wind energy developers are same time, wind farms are also expected to im- proposing one- and two-turbine projects in this and other pact almost 20,000 square miles of terrestrial habitat, important migratory corridors. Because of legal loopholes, and over 4,000 square miles of marine habitat, some of these small wind projects often do not have to be reviewed it critical to threatened species. for their expected impacts to birds before they are built, nor do they have to be studied to see how many birds they ABC has been taking the lead in the bird conservation kill after construction. community in pushing for mandatory standards and mindful planning for wind farms in the United States. As renowned author and birding expert Kenn Kaufman Recent voluntary guidelines released by the federal govern- has pointed out, Magee Marsh encompasses the only con- ment contain many good ideas, but aren’t strong enough sistent stopover habitat between Michigan and the Baha- to be fully effective. More importantly, these guidelines are mas for the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler. Other species not mandatory. that concentrate in this area during spring migration include Connecticut, Mourning, Bay-breasted, Blackbur- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has even asked whether nian, and Magnolia Warblers, as well as the Gray-cheeked these newly issued, voluntary guidelines should apply to Thrush and a wide variety of sparrows, vireos, shorebirds, “community-scale” wind energy. At first glance, it would and other neotropical migrants. seem that exempting wind projects with just a few wind turbines from these guidelines would be harmless. How- ABC supports Kenn Kaufman and the Black Swamp Bird ever, there is growing concern that in at least some areas, Observatory, a local bird conservation nonprofit, in their this may not be the case. call for a three-year moratorium on additional wind energy development within three miles of the Lake Erie shoreline Take, for instance, the southern shore of Lake Erie in in four northwest Ohio counties. This amount of time northwest Ohio – an area known to birders across the should allow for radar studies to be conducted and the United States as Magee Marsh. Decades of bird banding true risk to birds from turbines in this important migra- data and birding observation have shown this area to be a tory stopover to be evaluated.

ABC supports wind power that includes mandatory standards to minimize bird deaths and habitat impacts. Wind power should: 4 Use the best available technology and management practices to prevent avian impacts 4 Be carefully sited to minimize harm to birds and bats 4 Employ effective, federally reviewed and approved, site-specific, pre- and post-construction studies/assessments to assist with improved siting and operation 4 Compensate fully for impacts to birds from collisions or from lost or degraded habitat. 4 Comply with relevant state and federal wildlife protection laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. Wind turbine: Mike Parr

22 bird conservation • SPRING 2011 Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose): Jim Denny

ABC is also campaigning against ill- ABC is working to improve state and considered wind power development federal decisions about wind energy, in Hawai'i, which unfortunately is both on Maui and in the entire state. already the bird extinction capital of ABC has contributed to public com- the world. A large build-out of wind ment periods, suggested solutions to power is expected in Hawai'i to aid in mitigate for wind development, and meeting a government goal of gener- continued to reiterate the need for ating 70% of the state’s energy from careful, deliberative development of clean sources by 2030. wind energy in Hawai'i. Birds including Hawaiian Petrel, Wind power can be an important part

Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose), and Hawai- Hawaiian Short-eared Owl (Pueo): Michael Walther of the solution to global warming, ian Short-eared Owl have already but badly planned projects and poorly been killed at a wind farm on Maui. ABC is also sited turbines can decimate bird and Shearwaters, frigatebirds, and alba- bat populations and ruin essential trosses could also be vulnerable to campaigning against wildlife habitat. ABC supports wind collisions with wind turbines. The power, but feels that the cautious power lines and undersea transmis- ill-considered wind development of this resource is crucial sion cables pose a risk to the habitat power development of many other species, including the to its success as a long-term solution endemic Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian in Hawai'i, which to our country’s energy needs. We can Common Moorhen, and Hawaiian protect our environment and benefit Black-necked Stilt. unfortunately is already from this new green energy source if we plan wisely, rather than rushing Since almost any wind project site in the bird extinction ahead thoughtlessly. Hawai'i has the potential to impact capital of the world. threatened and endangered species,

bird conservation • SPRING 2011 23 NON-PROFIT ORG BirdConservation U.S. POSTAGE The magazine about bird conservation PAID throughout the Americas PERMIT NO. 2392 American Bird Conservancy MERRIFIELD, VA P.O. Box 249 The Plains, VA 20198

SPECIES PROFILE the Baltimore Oriole: Treetop Neotrop

he male Baltimore Oriole is Baltimore Orioles and other “neo- an especially striking bird, trops” actually spend the majority sporting a vivid plumage of of their lives on their non-breeding Tflame-oranges, snowy whites, and territories – their nesting season deepest blacks. These colors resemble only spans three to five months those on the coat-of-arms of Lord – which makes conservation of Baltimore, from which the bird takes suitable habitat throughout Latin its name. It is the state bird of Mary- American especially important for land, and even has a baseball team their continued survival. named for it (go Baltimore Orioles!). States can work with programs such Each spring, the male’s melodious, as Southern Wings (see article on flutelike whistles proclaim its return page 16) to help conserve “their” to its nesting grounds in the treetops neotropical bird species during their of deciduous woods throughout the winter sojourns in Latin America. In eastern and central United States. Wisconsin, for example, Southern Their tightly-constructed, purse-like Wings has facilitated the efforts of nests, woven primarily by the female diverse groups including the Wiscon- from long plant fibers, vine bark, Baltimore Oriole: Greg Lavaty sin Department of Natural Resources hair, and sometimes yarn, are lined (DNR), Neenah Paper, Inc., and with hair, wool, and fine grasses, and are a common sight the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin to protect throughout the summer as the birds hatch and rear the winter habitat for the Baltimore Oriole and other neotrops year’s young. on the Osa Peninsula of southwestern Costa Rica. The Baltimore Oriole’s diet consists of caterpillars, moths, Craig Thompson, a Regional Land Program Supervi- beetles, ants, and other insects. They will also consume sor with the Wisconsin DNR, coordinates department fruits and nectar, and regularly appear at hummingbird involvement in the Osa project under the auspices of and fruit feeders. Southern Wings. Over the past two years this partnership has generated $124,000 to support the project. This oriole is a true neotropical migrant, making the long and perilous journey each spring from non-breeding Craig stated: “Protection of wintering grounds for neo- grounds in Mexico, and Central and South America to tropical migrants is gaining steam nationally, and the seeds breeding territories in the United States, then back again of locally driven, internationally supported conservation when the nesting season is over. Human-caused hazards, efforts are germinating throughout Latin America. Each such as collisions with buildings, towers, cars, and win- new project site provides an anchor for species drifting to- dows, take their toll on this species, along with loss of ward extinction. That’s very good news for our migratory habitat on their wintering grounds. birds, including the Baltimore Oriole.”