Bird Calls Dušan M

The Newsletter of American Bird Conservancy

OCTOBER 2013 l Vol. 17, No. 3 Lulu's Tody-Flycatcher by Bird Calls Dušan M. Brinkhuizen Peru’s Abra Patricia Reserve Expanded, Home to More Than 300 Bird Species

n Peru, a world-renowned bird reserve is now much These acquisitions continue a string of successes ECOAN bigger, thanks to conservation groups including and ABC have celebrated in northern Peru. A recent re- American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Peruvian forestation campaign resulted in completion of a new tree partnerI Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN). nursery at La Unión, just north of Abra Patricia, and the These groups worked together to acquire two key prop- planting of nearly 75,000 native trees and 25,000 coffee erties adjacent to the Abra Patricia Reserve in northern bushes in a variety of mixed forest, shade agriculture, silvi- Peru, increasing the size of the reserve to more than pasture, and living fence systems on private lands near the 25,000 acres. Abra Patricia and Huembo reserves. Abra Patricia, adjacent to the Alto Mayo Protection “With these strategic land acquisitions, we can now Forest, forms a protected area that is home to more than better secure the important headwaters of the Alto 300 bird species, including rare and threatened birds such Mayo, protecting this important resource for our reserve, as the Long-whiskered Owlet, Ochre-fronted Antpitta, neighboring communities, and people far downstream,” Royal Sunangel, Lulu’s Tody-Flycatcher, and Pale-billed said Constantino Aucca, President of ECOAN. Antpitta. Several songbirds that breed in North America, These conservation efforts were supported by the IUCN such as the Swainson’s Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler, and NL/Small Grants for the Purchase of Nature sponsored by Cerulean Warbler, winter in the forests of Abra Patricia. the Netherlands Postcode Lottery, along with many other The reserve is also home to the critically endangered generous donors. yellow-tailed woolly monkey and a diversity of rare orchids and other wildlife. Abra Patricia is one of the premier birding destinations in Peru, itself one of the best countries for birding in the world. The Owlet Lodge at Abra Patricia often serves as a base for birding tourists who typically spend several days at regional birding spots such as Waqanki, Huembo, and Gotas de Agua. The spectacular Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird can be seen just an hour’s drive away at the Huembo Reserve. Visit conservationbirding.org for more information about visiting Abra Patricia and other ABC-supported reserves.

Ochre-fronted Antpitta by Roger Ahlman

Page Page Page PIF V Meeting Lays Minnesota and Oakland No More Nighthawks? Groundwork for Future of Adopt Bird-Friendly Aerial Insectivores 4 Migratory Bird Conservation 12 Building Requirements 16 Showing Steep Declines 2 l Bird Calls

Toxoplasmosis: Studies Show Growing Public and Wildlife Health Threat

pair of new peer-reviewed studies have added In fact, they suggested that “it should be assumed that the to the growing body of evidence that suggests play areas of children, especially sandboxes…[and] gardens toxoplasmosis is a serious and widespread health to which cats have access are infectious.” threat.A A disease caused by the Humans are not the only parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma species at risk. Researchers gondii, toxoplasmosis depends New science suggests that in Wales at the University of on cats to complete its life toxoplasmosis poses a threat Cardiff, Singleton Hospital, cycle. Up to 74 percent of all and Swansea University as- domestic cats will be infected to people with healthy immune sessed the prevalence of toxo- with toxoplasmosis during systems. Infections are now linked plasmosis in Eurasian otters their lifetime, and each cat to conditions as wide-ranging as in England and Wales in a may shed hundreds of mil- study published in Parasites lions of infectious oocysts into Alzheimer’s and brain cancer. and Vectors; the assessment the environment through its suggested large-scale fecal feces. Although cats are the contamination of freshwater parasite’s definitive host and the only animals in which the ecosystems. Evidence of a toxoplasmosis infection was parasite can sexually reproduce, other species—including identified in 40 percent of otters. Infection in an aquatic humans—may be infected. mammal like the otter, which primarily feeds on prey Scientists from the Stanley Medical Research Institute that do not carry toxoplasmosis, suggests environmental and Johns Hopkins University reviewed the published lit- contamination of freshwater systems with oocysts. The erature on toxoplasmosis and concluded in their study, data also suggest that “as populations of humans and published in Trends in Parasitology, that this dis- their companion animals grow, the impacts ease poses “a significant public health hazard.” of fecal contamination on public and Although it has been known for many years wildlife health are likely to increase.” that toxoplasmosis may have extreme ad- Together, these new studies verse effects on developing fetuses in identify a substantial risk from pregnant mothers and in immune- toxoplasmosis infection to compromised individuals (such as humans and wildlife and those with HIV/AIDS), only in demand greater efforts recent years has new science been to combat this disease. published that suggests a threat to Restricting cats from people with healthy immune sys- roaming outdoors, where tems. Infections are now linked to they are more likely to schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, suicidal acquire and transmit behavior, obsessive-compulsive Toxoplasma gondii, is im- disorder, brain cancer, and scho- perative. Not only will this lastic underachievement. action reduce the spread of Because of the growing num- disease, it will protect the ber of cats in the United billions of birds and other States and the quantity and wildlife that are killed by cats longevity of oocysts ex- annually. creted in cat feces, the authors believe that “it will Up to 74 percent of all become progressively domestic cats will be infected with toxoplasmosis during more difficult to their lifetime, with each cat avoid exposure.” spreading the disease through its feces. Photo by stock.xchng OPINION OCTOBER 2013 l 3 Keep Conservation in the Farm Bill—for the Birds

By George Fenwick, President, that in the Prairie Pothole region of for programs are often exhausted American Bird Conservancy* the Upper Midwest, extensive use of within days and sometimes hours; this same program has produced a 30 sometimes a third or more of eligible he U.S. Farm Bill is a big percent increase in waterfowl breed- applications go unfunded. player when it comes to bird ing in the past two decades. In the conservation. The story of One might think a set of conserva- American West, a Farm Bill program theT Henslow’s Sparrow shows how. tion programs that is both wildly called the Sage-Grouse Initiative has This species was once relatively com- popular and successful with private helped more than 700 ranchers im- mon in tallgrass prairie and aban- landowners would get lots of sup- prove bird habitat on more than two doned pastures, where it sometimes port from the U.S. Congress, but million acres in 11 states, while also sang all through the night. Now it is no. Last year, spending on Farm improving the quality of grasses found rarely heard, due to land use changes Bill conservation programs came to in pastures grazed by cattle. that eliminated many of the grass- roughly $5 billion. This year, both lands the species requires. These exemplify just a few of the the House and Senate have substan- many conservation programs found tially reduced the incentives for con- Except in Illinois. There, spring in the U.S. Farm Bill, which is aimed servation on our nation’s farmlands. counts of Henslow’s Sparrow are primarily at private landowners. These Sequestration could make things more than 25 times higher than they programs benefit the broader envi- much worse by reducing Farm Bill were in 1985, thanks to a key portion ronment as well as the birds. Many conservation programs by $2 billion of the Farm Bill: the Conservation help absorb the costs involved in over the next 10 years, on top of the Reserve Program (CRP). The CRP switching from destructive forms of $3 billion in conservation funding pays landowners an annual per-acre agriculture to more sustainable ones, reductions made in the last five years. fee to allow parts of their croplands such as establishing grassland buffer Finally, it’s possible that the House to lie fallow or to plant vegetative zones alongside streams and rivers to and Senate might not be able to rec- cover such as native bunchgrasses. improve water quality. Such changes oncile their divergent versions of the These plantings provide food and have kept 124 million pounds of phos- 2013 Farm Bill, which would mean shelter for birds and other wildlife, phorous and 623 million pounds of no funding for these programs at all. plus reduce soil erosion, improve wa- nitrogen out of the nation’s waterways. ter quality, and reduce flood damage. Please call your elected officials in It’s worth noting that demand for the U.S. Congress to keep the con- It is not a coincidence that Henslow’s many of these programs among land- servation programs in the Farm Bill Sparrow counts are highest in the owners often far outstrips supply and funded. Help Henslow’s Sparrows Illinois counties with the largest CRP available federal funding. Acreage caps keep singing! reserve areas. Nor is it an accident *This piece is derived from an editorial written by George Fenwick and John W. Fitzpatrick of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Washington Post in August 2013.

Henslow’s Sparrow by Bill Hubick 4 l Bird Calls Bringing Back the Birds

Partners in Flight Meeting Lays Groundwork

Kentucky Warbler by Greg Lavaty for the Future of Migratory Bird Conservation

entucky Warblers live in multiple worlds: the the history of PIF. He discussed previous efforts to improve southeastern United States, where they breed; the science behind our understanding of the declines of mi- Central America, where they overwinter; and stop- gratory birds and factors limiting their populations. Noting overK sites in-between. The species is also, like so many mi- especially the publication by PIF of the North American gratory birds, declining in population. Kentucky Warblers Landbird Conservation Plan (in 2004) and Saving Our have lost about one percent of their population each year Shared Birds (in 2010), Rich observed that PIF has been since 1980. on the right track for a long time. However, many of our migratory birds continue to decline, and we still lack com- Reversing that decline—for this species and dozens of oth- prehensive strategies for their conservation. We must move ers—was the driving force behind the recent Partners in to the stage of implementing on-the-ground conservation Flight meeting in Snowbird, Utah. This 5th International action before it’s too late. Conference and Conservation Workshop (PIF V), held August 25-28, brought together more than 240 conserva- Business Plans for the Birds tion professionals representing 120 agencies and organiza- PIF V was designed to bring experts together to develop tions, all of whichYour have a Legacyrole to play in bringing of back the conservation business plans for migratory birds breeding birds. Forty-five of the participants, or nearly 20 percent, in North America and wintering in the Neotropics. Over came from 14Bird Latin AmericanConservation and Caribbean countries, three days, breakout groups met to develop these business reflecting the importance of implementing conservation ef- plans, designing portfolios of conservation projects to over- forts across the species’ full life-cycle. come the leading threats to priority migratory bird species PIF, formed in 1990 in response to growing concern about in eight geographic regions that link wintering and breed- declines in the populations of many landbird species, is a ing grounds. Importantly, these plans identify not only partnership of federal and state agencies, academic institu- necessary actions, but also the funding needed to begin the tions, and private bird conservation organizations across the projects. Americas. PIF’s goal: to work together to reverse declines Special sessions were held to address themes more universal among at-risk bird species and keep common birds common. in scope and geography; for example, a discussion on an- In his opening plenary address, PIF National Coordinator thropogenic causes of bird mortality looked at threats such Terry Rich of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recapped as collisions with buildings and predation by cats. Other OCTOBER 2013 l 5

topics covered at these sessions—ranging To inspire and challenge the group, Fenwick from population modeling and social chal- pledged $50 million over 10 years from ABC lenges to international agreements and climate to kick off a major effort to fund the next gen- change—provided a chance for attendees to eration of migratory bird conservation. learn from experts and incorporate new thinking into their business plans for each geographic region. What’s Next? PIF V was an important first step in a longer process. The Several other plenary speakers inspired and enlightened conservation business plans generated at the meeting will conference attendees. Peter Marra of the Smithsonian need additional work over the coming months to make Conservation Biology Institute emphasized the importance them ready for implementation. The large number of proj- of understanding population status, connectivity, limit- ects that emerge will need to be fleshed out and funded, ing factors throughout the annual cycle, and technological and this work will require dedication from all of the part- developments that are advancing the science behind migra- ners. Participation in these plans will also need to include tory bird conservation. Álvaro Umaña, former Minister of the many individuals who were unable to attend PIF V. the Environment for Costa Rica, demonstrated how his country’s aggressive conservation efforts have turned one ABC was proud to have hosted the conference, but the of the most deforested Latin American nations into one success of the event was due to the hard work, energy, with extensive forests, a model national park system, and and careful planning of the Partners in Flight leadership a vibrant private conservation movement. Gary Machlis, teams in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central Science Advisor to the Director of the U.S. National Park America. The meeting would not have been possible with- Service, discussed the importance and necessity of incorp- out the support of the following sponsors: Platinum Level orating the human dimension into conservation efforts. – American Bird Conservancy, Environment Canada, USDA Forest Service International Programs, and U.S. Bruce Beehler, Director of Bird Conservation at the Fish and Wildlife Service; Gold Level – Bureau of Land National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, charted the Management and Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Silver Level foundation’s history of support for bird conservation and – National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Sustainable emphasized the need to tie investments in conservation to Forestry Initiative; and Bronze Level – Association of Field measureable results. Finally, George Fenwick, President of Ornithologists and Plum Creek. ABC, reflected on the characteristics of successful major initiatives and challenged Partners in Flight to be ambi- See pifv.org for more information on the program tious and aggressive in its work to “bring back the birds.” and partners.

Make Bird Conservation Your Legacy

“When we started to discuss estate planning, we realized there would be no more fitting legacy than helping to protect the wonderful diversity of bird life that has given us so much pleasure. “Every year ABC accomplishes an amazing amount, from purchasing the last remaining habitat for some of the rarest birds to advancing legislation to address widespread threats to our common, everyday birds. We know that money given to ABC will be used effectively and ensure that future generations will also be able to experience the joy of seeing beautiful birds in the wild.” — David Harrison, Legacy Circle Member

David Harrison and Joyce Millen wanted to create a If you have included ABC in your estate plans, or legacy of bird conservation, so they included ABC in if you would like more information on how to join their estate plans. You can create your own legacy by ABC’s Legacy Circle, please contact ABC Planned naming ABC as a beneficiary of your will, retirement Giving Director Jack Morrison at 540-253-5780, or plan, trust, or life insurance policy. It is a simple way to [email protected]. ensure that ABC will remain a champion for native birds and their habitats for generations to come. 6 l Bird Calls

CDC Study Highlights Growing Role of Cats in Rabies Transmission

cientists from the Centers for and people; and enhancing overall an- Disease Control and Prevention Each year in the United imal welfare. These recommendations (CDC) and United States include educating the public about States, more than 25,000 DepartmentS of Agriculture, along responsible pet ownership (such as with ABC President George Fenwick, cats are submitted for the need for vaccinations and to spay have published a peer-reviewed study rabies diagnosis as a or neuter) and restricting cats from about the ongoing threat of rabies roaming freely. posed by feral cats. result of potential human Feral cat colonies are increasing across exposure. The study, published in Zoonoses and the country. To manage the growing Public Health, found that cats are number of feral cats, the authors stat- consistently the number-one carrier among cats and between cats and ed that TNR “should not be endorsed of rabies among domestic animals wildlife, which are attracted by easy as an effective approach by itself or and, as compared to wildlife, repre- food and may act as rabies reservoirs. as a method for mitigating health sent a disproportionate risk to people concerns related to feral cat colonies.” because of their close affiliation with The study’s authors concluded that Clearly, science-based management humans. This association has led to a steps can be taken to reduce the threat strategies are critical to control feral number of mass rabies exposures and of rabies while simultaneously protect- cat populations and reduce the con- accounted for a “substantial propor- ing wildlife from predation; reducing tinuing threat of rabies. tion” of all post-exposure prophylactic the threat of diseases to cats, wildlife, (PEP) rabies vaccine administration to people. One exposure event in New Science Trumps Sentiment in Florida’s Pompano Beach Hampshire in 1994 required 665 people to receive the PEP vaccine and cost ABC recently sent a report to Pompano Beach, Fla., city commissioners over $1 million. While large exposure titled “The Science of Feral Cats.” This document was intended to edu- events are uncommon, small-scale ex- cate commissioners as they grappled with a decision on how to appro- posures to rabies carried by cats occur priately address the city’s feral cat population. Spurred on by a national frequently. Each year in the United feral cat advocacy group, feral cat caretakers in Pompano Beach States, more than 25,000 cats are sub- called on the city to change its ordinances by adopting a Trap, mitted for rabies diagnosis as a result Neuter, Release-only policy at a July 9 commission meeting. of potential human exposure. ABC’s document, along with testimony from the city’s animal control With 60 to 100 million feral cats officers, influenced the commissioners’ decision to reject the new roaming across the United States, one ordinance and instead use scientific fact as the basis for effectively management tool that has been touted managing the city’s feral cats. by feral cat advocates is “Trap, Neuter, Access the report online at http://bit.ly/194gXjB. Release” (TNR). The study found that TNR, even when accompanied by rabies vaccinations, is not an effective method for reducing public health concerns or for controlling feral cat populations. Feral cat trap- ping rates are insufficient to vaccinate entire colonies of cats, and necessary rabies boosters to maintain immunity are not administered. Group feeding within TNR colonies also increases the likelihood of rabies transmission Group feeding within TNR colonies increases the likelihood of rabies transmission among cats and between cats and wildlife, which are attracted by easy food and may act as rabies reservoirs. Photo by stock.xchng OCTOBER 2013 l 7

Desert Grassland Revival in Mexico: Brighter Future for Resident and Migrant Birds

his year, for the first time, “The results of the restoration activi- Worthen’s Sparrows— ties have been immediate and extreme- a species found only in the ly positive,” said Andrew Rothman, grasslandsT of northern Mexico—were Director of ABC’s Migratory Bird observed nesting on the Los Gorriones Program. “The erosion control struc- Reserve, established in 2007 by ABC tures have captured soil and seed that and Mexican conservation organiza- would have previously washed away, tion Pronatura Noreste. Other nests of and with this year’s good rains, we this species were found nearby. are seeing native vegetation sprouting up. That’s good for preventing future These observations of Worthen’s erosion and providing important food Sparrow during the breeding season and cover for bird species.” are a good indicator of the success of the habitat restoration work taking Pronatura has also provided technical place within the El Tokio Grassland expertise and management recommen- Priority Conservation Areas, as dations to the community through identified by the Commission for workshops, leading to improved Environmental Cooperation of North Worthen's Sparrow by Antonio Hidalgo management of grassland areas on the America. The reserve is part of the properties. Pronatura is partnering larger Chihuahuan Desert grassland With support from ABC, the Southern with Antonio Narro University, the ecosystem that covers much of north- Wings Program of the Association of Mexican Bird Museum, Autonomous ern Mexico. Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), University of Nuevo Leon, and other and local Mexican investors, Pronatura groups to conduct biodiversity inven- The reserve—made up of lands Noreste is taking an aggressive ap- tories and monitor success of resto- purchased by ABC and Pronatura proach to restoring habitat on the ration activities. Transects are now Noreste—was created in part because purchased land. Pronatura has devel- established to monitor migratory birds many birds here are threatened by oped a working relationship with the and their response to the volume of drought, poor water and livestock neighboring ejido (area of communally soil conserved, increases in the struc- management, and ever-expanding owned land), El Cercado. Members ture and abundance of vegetation, and agriculture. These threats reduce the of the ejido are directly involved with maintenance of wetland areas. The amount and quality of habitat avail- restoration activities at Los Gorriones biodiversity and vegetation inventories able to over-wintering migratory Reserve, and over 50 people have been have led to the discovery of a species birds such as the Long-billed Curlew, employed in the restoration efforts, of cactus that may be new to science. Baird’s Sparrow, and Sprague’s which include construction of ero- Pipit, along with residents such as In addition to this positive news for sion control structures, filling of deep Worthen’s Sparrow. Worthen’s Sparrow, Golden Eagles are crevices created by years of erosion, and being seen more frequently—another reforestation with native trees such as good indicator of successful conserva- junipers and pines. tion in these desert grasslands.

Los Gorriones Reserve by David Wiedenfeld, ABC 8 l Bird Calls

Properties Added to Brazil’s Serra Bonita Reserve

the Rainforest Trust, ABC, and Instituto Uiraçu have collaborated to add two new properties to Brazil’s Serra Bonita Research Center and Lodge Reserve, expanding protection for six rare birds, the critically endangered yellow-breasted capuchin monkey,

Serra Bonita and a wide diversity of flora and other Reserve Complex fauna. More than 330 bird species are Serra Bonita Future Reserve Boundaries found in the reserve, including birds of conservation concern: the Bahia Tyrannulet, Pink-legged Graveteiro, Plumbeous Antvireo, Salvadori’s Antwren, and Buffy-fronted and Temminck’s seedeaters. The research center and lodge at Serra Bonita has six labs, eight apartments, two collection rooms, a scientific library, and an auditorium with capacity for up to 60 people. Photo by John Tschirky The reserve is located in the Serra Bonita Mountain Range, one of the last remnants of moist submontane The reserve protects an Atlantic rainforest left in southern important fragment of the Bahia state. It protects an impor- historically vast Atlantic tant fragment of the historically vast Atlantic Forest, which contains some Forest, which contains of the highest levels of biological di- some of the highest levels versity and endemism in the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, the of biological diversity and Atlantic Forest has lost more than 93 endemism in the Western percent of its original cover—most of Hemisphere. Salvadori’s Antwren by Ciro Albano, that in the last 50 years—and the dev- NE Brazil Birding astation continues at an alarming rate. The new properties, totaling about 250 Atlantic Forest remaining, we can- acres, are part of the larger Serra Bonita not afford to lose any more of this Reserve (SBR) Complex, a conserva- land and its precious diversity of life. tion initiative that comprises privately The collaboration among ABC, the owned properties totaling about 4,446 Rainforest Trust, and Instituto Uiraçu acres. In 2004, 2,964 acres of the shows how, by working together, area were converted into four private groups can make a lasting difference natural heritage reserves (see map). in the race to save rare habitats.” The SBR is the second-largest area of private reserves in the Atlantic Forest The Serra Bonita research station and Biodiversity Corridor and is seen as a lodge provides high-quality accommo- dation to researchers, ecotourists, and Pink-legged Graveteiro by Ciro Albano, pioneering initiative in the protection NE Brazil Birding of the region’s submontane forest. birdwatchers. All income generated goes toward maintenance and further “This project adds irreplaceable acre- conservation at the reserve. age to a high-priority conservation area,” said David Younkman, Vice If interested in visiting Serra President for Conservation at ABC. Bonita, contact Clemira Souza “With less than 10 percent of the at [email protected]. OCTOBER 2013 l 9

Study of Endangered Hawaiian Petrel Shows Rapid Change in Oceanic Food Web

dramatic and unprecedented to bones from fossils as old as 4,000 Earlier studies have shown that the shift in the endangered years, seeking to determine where combined effects of habitat loss and Hawaiian Petrel’s foraging on the food chain and where in the overharvesting of marine life have Ahabits is likely linked to industrial- Pacific Ocean the birds had been caused the regional loss of entire eco- scale fishing in the Pacific Ocean, foraging—and how that may have systems. The Hawaiian Petrel and according to a study by scientists changed over time. In samples that other seabirds at the top of the food from Michigan State University, the predated industrial-scale fishing, sci- chain seem to be reflecting changes Smithsonian Institution, and eight entists found higher nitrogen isotope happening throughout their oceanic other organizations. ratios, indicating a diet of relatively ecosystems. large prey high on the food chain. The Hawaiian Petrel—a crow-sized Samples from the era of industrial- “This groundbreaking study high- seabird that ranges widely over the scale fishing had lower nitrogen iso- lights the need for further research to northeastern Pacific Ocean—now tope ratios, revealing a dietary shift explore the conservation implications numbers only about 15,000 birds dis- to smaller fish, squid, and other prey of this shift for the Hawaiian Petrel, tributed in isolated breeding colonies lower on the food chain overall. other seabirds, and the marine food on Kaua'i, Lana'i, Maui, and Hawai'i webs that support them,” said George Island. The birds spend most of their What’s behind the shift? Many sea- Wallace, Vice President for Oceans time at sea and return to land only to birds such as the Hawaiian Petrel and Islands at ABC. “The study not breed. forage in association with schools only illustrates how the marine food of large predatory fish, such as tuna The research, published in the web has changed over time, indirectly and billfish, which drive prey to the Proceedings of the National Academy documenting the decline in large ocean surface. Depleted numbers of of Sciences, examined the chemistry predatory fish. It also may suggest— these schools may reduce the avail- of feathers and bones of modern rather encouragingly—that Hawaiian ability of prey for the petrel. It is also Hawaiian Petrels and compared them Petrels have been able to adapt to possible that prey species have been these changing conditions. Dietary depleted by direct harvest or bycatch flexibility in the petrel could be good in fisheries. news for this threatened species.”

Research shows that the diet of Hawaiian Petrels has shifted from larger prey higher on the food chain to smaller fish, squid, and other prey lower on the food chain overall.

Hawaiian Petrel (Ua'u) by Jim Denny, kauaibirds.com 10 l Bird Calls

Development Could Drive Unique Thrasher to Extinction on St. Lucia

White-breasted Thrasher population will likely crash.” Freeman also found evidence that cats, mongooses, and rats are now on the property in areas that have been disturbed. “We captured and removed one cat, and we saw an immediate increase in thrasher activity,” she added. Between encroaching predators and encroaching investors, the White- breasted Thrasher is feeling the squeeze, and only a concerted effort will prevent its extinction. ABC is now working with Durrell, the St. White-breasted Thrasher by Mikko Pyhälä Lucia Department of Forestry, and other groups to create an emergency n a story that has been repeated However, due to the economic crisis in conservation action strategy before it many times throughout the 2008, the project was halted, leaving is too late for this rare bird. Caribbean, an endangered bird half-finished structures on the cleared Learn more about the speciesI now faces a grim future due to lands. With the recent turnaround of White-breasted Thrasher in potential tourism development. The the global economy, new investors are an ABC blog post by Kate Freeman: White-breasted Thrasher—a species looking at the property for possible http://bit.ly/1btOjcs. more closely related to the Gray purchase and further development. Catbird than any thrasher—lives only While DCG had ensured that part in fragments of dry coastal forest on of the property would be kept as a re- St. Lucia and Martinique. Its range on serve and that native plants would be St. Lucia is currently restricted to two used in landscaping, any new investor areas along the eastern coast. Recent may have different ideas. The current estimates put the global population remaining forest fragments, which at only around 1,900 birds, and it is now harbor White-breasted Thrashers, classified as endangered by the IUCN. could soon become fairways and housing. Research from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Tufts ABC recently supported predator con- University shows that most of the spe- trol and nest monitoring efforts that cies’ population lies within an area confirmed the existence of more than where a large tourism development is 150 White-breasted Thrasher nests on proposed. The Le Paradis property, and directly around the Le Paradis owned by the DCG development property. Some nests were as close as group, is slated to include condo- 150 feet to one another. miniums, private residences, a central “These birds are surviving in tiny plaza, and a golf course. Development fragments of dry forest,” said of this project actually began over four Katherine (Kate) Freeman of ABC's Andrew Rothman holding a White- years ago, when large swaths of dry breasted Thrasher. Photo by Jennifer Mortensen Villanova University, who conducted forest were cleared for the proposed the survey. “If we lose the remaining golf course over protest from ABC. habitat on this property, the OCTOBER 2013 l 11

Property in Guatemala Added to Migratory Bird Network

ith help from ABC, the Guatemalan organiza- Rothman, ABC’s Migratory Bird Program Director, adds, tion FUNDAECO has purchased a 1,670-acre “When you have a location where Buff-breasted Sandpiper, property to protect migratory birds. The prop- Red Knot, Wood Thrush, Prothonotary Warbler, and Werty, now called the Manabique Wildlife Refuge, is located Summer Tanager are all in the same place, you know it’s on the Manabique Peninsula, which juts out into the Bay important for birds—a place that ABC feels is important of Honduras in the Caribbean. This area is an important enough to invest in.” stopover site for migratory birds that follow the coastline of AFWA’s Southern Wings Program, which provides state the Yucatán Peninsula to Central America and beyond. support for migratory bird conservation on wintering The property contains a wide variety of habitats—man- grounds, contributed to the acquisition. Deb Hahn of groves, riparian-mangrove transition forests, and low- AFWA notes, “U.S. state wildlife agencies know they need land rainforest—and as a result attracts a wide variety of to invest in full life-cycle conservation for migratory birds. migratory birds. Least and Sandwich terns, Red Knot, The refuge helps protect wintering areas for birds that are a Semipalmated Sandpiper, Kentucky and Magnolia war- conservation priority for many state wildlife agencies.” blers, and Baltimore Oriole are just a few of the bird species FUNDAECO is now working toward having the reserve that can be found here during migration. designated as a national protected area. Support for man- The location of the site is a strategic one for conservation. agement of the property, including security personnel, The peninsula, like many locations throughout Latin equipment, and infrastructure, is still needed. America, is threatened by habitat loss due to expanding For more information, contact Andrew Rothman at cattle ranching and agriculture. [email protected] or Karen Aguilar at “We hope this acquisition will lead to securing the en- FUNDAECO, [email protected]. tire peninsula from additional development,” said Marco Cerezo, Executive Director of FUNDAECO. Andrew

New Reserve Created in Costa Rica for Yellow-billed Cotinga

and partner group Osa Conservation have The sanctuary is close ABC secured a 29.1-acre property on Costa to a main road, which Rica’s Osa Peninsula that will help protect the endangered allows for easy access Yellow-billed Cotinga. This property, now known as the by birders to one of Yellow-billed Cotinga Sanctuary, is located near the town the best places in the of Rincón on the eastern side of the peninsula. world to see this rare Yellow-billled Cotinga by Glenn Bartley bird. It is also an im- While the new sanctuary is fairly small in size, it is big in portant wintering location for migratory birds such as the terms of significance. A study of the Yellow-billed Cotinga Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and Yellow- by Osa Conservation, conducted in 2011 and 2012 with throated Vireo. support from ABC, identified the Rincón area as one of four key areas for the species in the Osa. The study also A management plan is being drafted for the sanctuary, and identified the need for connectivity between mangroves reforestation of former cattle pastures is already underway, and forests, both used by the cotinga. The location of the supported in part by Southern Wings and its contributing new sanctuary will help provide safe passage as Yellow- partners. This work is part of a larger effort by ABC and billed Cotingas move from nesting grounds in the man- Osa Conservation to conserve the Yellow-billed Cotinga groves to feeding grounds in the rainforests. throughout the Osa Peninsula. 12 l Bird Calls

Minnesota and Oakland Adopt Bird-Friendly Building Requirements Adoption Follows Trend in San Francisco and Other Locations

he state of Minnesota and the proposed projects meet any one of measures describe eight different ex- city of Oakland, Calif. are the several criteria, such as proximity to a amples of glazing treatments, all of latest in a series of jurisdic- substantial body of water or inclusion which serve to increase visibility of the tionsT to institute bird-friendly building of extensive vegetation, a green roof, glass to birds. design requirements. Oakland has or green wall areas. Oakland’s Bird Safety Measures also set standards similar to those estab- Oakland’s measures require that a plan call for a reduction in light pollution lished in neighboring San Francisco to reduce potential bird collisions to that can attract night-flying migrants in 2011, while Minnesota followed the maximum feasible extent be devel- into the built environment. Lighting guidelines set by bird collision experts oped by each project builder and ap- reductions during migration seasons, affiliated with the national Leadership proved by the city. Plans must include a use of automatic light timers, and steps in Engineering and Environmental series of mandatory measures known to to reduce light emitted from building Design (LEED) program. help prevent bird strikes, such as avoid- interiors are just a few examples. Christine Sheppard, Bird Collisions ing using mirrors in landscape design; Beyond these important state and local Campaign Manager at ABC, says placing bird attractants away from improvements, Illinois Congressman there is a trend developing here. glass; and using minimum-intensity Mike Quigley wants to improve the “There is a growing awareness of and white strobe lighting with three-second bird-friendliness of federal government alarm about the very significant bird flash instead of solid red or rotating buildings. He has recommended that mortality that is occurring across lights, which attract birds. the General Services Administration the United States as a result of bird Notably, the measures require bird- require architects to use bird-safe build- collisions with buildings,” she said. friendly glazing treatments be ap- ing materials and design features in any “Studies suggest that as many as one plied to no less than 90 percent of all future new construction, to the maxi- billion birds die from such collisions windows and glass between ground mum extent possible. each year. What we’re seeing now is level and 60 feet above ground. The evidence that increasing numbers of governments, architects, and develop- ers are trying to help solve this prob- lem by adding ‘bird-friendliness’ to the mainstream list of green methods, next to things like energy efficiency and water conservation.” Minnesota has incorporated bird-safe standards into their general building sustainability standards for any state- funded construction—the first U.S. state to do so. These guidelines spe- cifically require collision deterrent fa- cades and incorporating “Lights Out” concepts during migration. The city of Oakland’s Bird Safety Measures have now become part of the building permit process. These measures apply to all construction projects that include glass as part The glass panels comprising the exterior of the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, Calif. include patterns made of ceramic dots, or “frit.” The patterns contribute to the building’s extensive of the building’s exterior and where use of natural light in its interior, while also making it safe for birds. Photo by CTG/SF, flickr.com OCTOBER 2013 l 13

U.S. Military Taking a Shot at Removing Lead from the Environment

he recent decision by the The switch to non-lead 7.62 United States military to millimeter bullets follows another move to a non-lead version military ammunition switch in ofT their 7.62 millimeter bullet could 2010, which converted the 5.56 prompt widespread voluntary changes millimeter to a non-lead bullet. The in hunting practices, potentially sav- switch to the 5.56 millimeter non-lead ing millions of birds from ingestion of bullet eliminated nearly 2,000 tons of spent lead ammunition. lead from the environment per year. Use of the new non-lead round could ABC has been encouraging the result in an additional 4,000 tons of hunting community to voluntarily lead being eliminated annually from switch from traditional lead- ammunition production. based ammunition to non- lead alternatives based on hundreds of peer- reviewed studies showing that millions of birds Lead Makes Dove Hunting Doubly Lethal are poisoned every year following ingestion of either shotgun pellets September 1 marked the start of fall hunting seasons and the mistaken for grit or seeds, or lead beginning of dove season across much of the United States. In an particles left in gut piles following attempt to reduce the amount of lead poisoning in doves and other hunts. Among the birds most ground-feeding songbirds, ABC President George Fenwick has joined impacted are Bald Eagles, hawks, many community leaders in asking hunters to consider stocking up vultures, California Condors, and on non-lead shot. Mourning Doves. Concern about the toxic effects of spent lead shot is greatest for The military’s decision may eventu- doves because dove hunters deposit enormous quantities of lead ally blunt the most common concern shot on relatively small areas. Data from the Missouri Department about non-lead ammunition: the rela- of Conservation show that on one public hunting area near Kansas tively higher cost. City, 1,425 hunters reported firing almost 40,000 rounds of shotgun ammunition on and around 185 acres of managed sunflower and “The quantities of ammo required by wheat fields, resulting in the deposition of approximately 2,500 the military will no doubt require that pounds of lead on the entire area. producers acquire the new equipment to not only produce non-lead ammo, During 2011, dove hunters killed 14.5 million doves nationwide, using but also produce it in large quantities, approximately five shots per bird on average. Assuming all hunters possibly at lower costs,” said George were using 12-gauge shotguns and one-ounce small game loads Fenwick, President of ABC. “This with #8 shot, this amounts to almost 30 billion lead pellets, or roughly is a game-changer because it shows 4.5 million tons of lead, scattered around managed fields designed the ammunition manufacturing in- to attract feeding birds. dustry that the non-lead market is Experimental evidence from captive Mourning Doves showed that increasing.” virtually all doves that ate lead pellets eventually died due to the direct or indirect effects of lead poisoning. Studies suggest that 8.8 to 15 million Mourning Doves may die from lead poisoning each year— roughly the same number of doves legally harvested.

Mourning Doves by Gary Smyle 14 l Bird Calls

Legislation Threatens Habitat for Northern Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet

he expiration of a federal sup- national forests to pay for county ser- port program for rural coun- vices. Representative Peter DeFazio ties in Oregon has legislators of Oregon, who is now ranking mi- scramblingT to renew the program nority member on the U.S. House How You Can Help during a severe budget crunch and to Committee on Natural Resources, • Encourage your U.S. senator seek more timber extraction to make advanced his controversial proposal to to vote against H.R. 1526. up for the expected funding shortfall. divide federal forest lands in Oregon Conservation groups, however, say into logging lands and conservation • Tell Senator Wyden you the effort could have dangerous con- lands by attaching his bill to the pro- oppose his plan: wyden. senate.gov/contact sequences for threatened Northern posed legislation, which is opposed by Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet a wide range of conservation groups. • Visit ABC’s action page: populations that depend on mature abcbirds.org/action Meanwhile, Oregon Senator Ron and old-growth forests in the Pacific Wyden, who chairs the U.S. Senate Spotted Owl by Chris Warren Northwest. Committee on Energy and Natural The legislative process is already Resources, is developing legisla- The redesigned reserves would in- underway and moving quickly. In tion that seeks to alter the Northern crease the amount of land available September, the U.S. House approved Spotted Owl’s protected reserves, for logging by reducing the amount H.R. 1526, a bill that mandates which were created by scientists as of land set aside to protect clean water a major increase in logging in the part of the Northwest Forest Plan. and endangered wildlife.

Studies Show Protected Areas Needed to Conserve Greater Sage-Grouse new report by the U.S. recommended conservation measures concerned that BLM has not fully Geological Survey (USGS) will reduce the rate of sage-grouse analyzed this alternative. and other peer-reviewed re- decline, but will not stabilize grouse According to Steve Holmer, Senior Asearch indicate that conserving the numbers or provide for the species’ Policy Advisor at ABC: “Of all the Greater Sage-Grouse will require both recovery. Another study by Knick et alternatives considered so far, this con- protecting large areas of habitat and al. (2013) concluded that sage-grouse servation alternative represents the best making significant changes in land appear to need greater protection than opportunity to conserve sage-grouse. management to reverse population that provided by the Wyoming core It remains to be seen how federal plan- declines of this wide-ranging species. area strategy, the current conservation ners ensure that large expanses of intact Federal agencies are currently engaged plan that is being proposed. sagebrush habitat will be protected to in an unprecedented planning process ABC and partners have expressed secure and recover sage-grouse popula- across the American West to conserve support for a National Greater Sage- tions, as the USGS report advises.” and restore this impressive gamebird, Grouse Planning Strategy and have the largest grouse in North America. View the letter to U.S. offered recommendations to ensure its Department of the Interior A study by Copeland et al. (2013) as- success in a letter to Secretary Jewell of Secretary Jewell at: sessing the Wyoming “core area” con- the U.S. Department of the Interior. http://bit.ly/14KQLHa. servation strategy, which some Bureau In addition, ABC and partners submit- of Land Management (BLM) plans See the conservation alternative ted a conservation alternative in the have also adopted, predicted that submitted by ABC and partners: early stages of planning. ABC remains http://bit.ly/KdDwD8. OCTOBER 2013 l 15

Safe Rodent Control Coalition Offers Better Alternatives

n the wake of last January’s Second-generation anticoagulant Environmental Protection Agency rodenticides interfere with blood (EPA) decision to pursue a ban on clotting, resulting in uncontrollable d-CONI rodenticides, ABC and other bleeding that leads to death. nonprofits, municipalities, businesses, Brodifacoum, bromadiolone, and scientists have joined together difethialone, and difenacoum are to form the Safe Rodent Control persistent and slow acting; when Red-tailed Hawk by Greg Homel, Coalition (saferodentcontrol.org) eaten over several days by rats and Natural Elements Productions to promote effective and affordable mice, these poisons accumulate in rodent-control strategies. flesh at many times the lethal dose. Predators and scavengers that feed on Following years of meticulous evalu- The coalition website offers a menu the poisoned rodents can also sicken ation and research, the EPA and of practical solutions to rodent prob- and die. the state of California are trying to lems—from sealing cracks and elimi- outlaw these poison pellets to protect nating food sources, to providing owl children and animals. Every other rat- boxes in support of raptor predation The coalition promotes safe poison manufacturer has complied, and using snap and zap traps. and effective alternatives to but Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of The launch of this website coincides super-toxic rat poisons. d-CON rat poison, continues to fight with a decision by the California safeguards that would reduce unneces- Department of Pesticide Regulation sary poisonings of children, pets, and to designate second-generation anti- wildlife. The company has formally coagulant rodenticides as California- appealed the EPA decision that would restricted materials. The proposed limit consumer uses of d-CON and rules would allow only certified pesti- require tamper-resistant packaging. cide applicators to use these extraordi- “The d-CON company continues to narily toxic poisons—a more stringent profit from products that poison our restriction than that delineated by nation’s kids, pets, owls, and eagles,” EPA. To better protect raptors, pets, said Cynthia Palmer, ABC’s Pesticide and children, the coalition is urging Program Manager. “d-CON’s decision California to limit use even further, to fight the ban shows us the depths of allowing use of these rodenticides greed in this $37-billion multinational only as a last resort and only in public conglomerate.” health emergencies or for limited con- San Joaquin kit fox by FWS servation purposes. With these addi- Earthjustice will represent ABC, tional conditions, the California state The resulting harm to wildlife is wide- Defenders of Wildlife, Center for regulations could become a model for spread. Researchers at the University Biological Diversity, and Sierra the rest of the world. of California found second-generation Club as intervenor on behalf of the anticoagulants in 70 percent of the EPA in proceedings before the EPA Californians are already leading the mammals and 68 percent of the birds Administrative Law Judge. These or- national effort to get rid of these poi- they examined. Wildlife officials have ganizations are seeking to get these sons. Sixteen cities and counties in documented poisonings of eagles, poisons off the market as quickly as California have called on local stores hawks, falcons, and owls, in addition possible. to voluntarily remove d-CON from to mountain lions, bobcats, and endan- their shelves. The city of San Francisco gered kit foxes. These rat poisons are launched a “Don’t Take the Bait” also responsible for over 10,000 child- campaign to encourage merchants hood exposures and over 100 deaths of to voluntarily discontinue selling the pet dogs and cats each year. most harmful rodent baits. 16 l Bird Calls

No More Nighthawks? Aerial Insectivores Showing Steep Declines

erial insectivores—birds that feed on flying insects—are Population Trends of Aerial Insectivores in NE North America showing steep declines in the UnitedA States and Canada, according to data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and other population estimates. Experts say the sharpest downturns have been taking place in northeastern North America, where population estimates of Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Chimney Swift, and Common Nighthawk are down by more than 70 percent since the mid-1970s. Many other species that feed by pluck- ing insects from the Courtesy: North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada sky, including Purple Martin, Cliff and Northern Rough-winged are also declining sharply. which he calls an “ecosphere of what swallows, Olive-sided In the last two decades, is essentially ‘aerial plankton’... flying Flycatcher, Eastern all of these birds have de- in the airspace above us.” Scientists Wood-Pewee, and clined by more than half in do not know much about the status Eastern Kingbird, Canada, according to Jon of flying insects found over North McCracken, Director America, but it has long been known of National that bird populations respond when Programs at Bird the status of this “plankton” changes. Studies Canada. “It’s not unreasonable to suspect that No one knows exactly what aerial insectivores are declining, at is causing these declines, but least in part, as a result of a change in McCracken says it is probable the abundance of their food supply,” that several changes are involved. wrote McCracken in Connecticut Species such as Chimney Swift and Audubon’s State of the Birds 2013. If Barn Swallow may have been affected this is what is happening—and that by the fact that there are fewer open has not been proven—McCracken chimneys and barns to nest in, notes and many of his colleagues say the McCracken. Other species may also next step will be finding out why. decline as thick forests fill the aban- Climate change could be affecting doned farmlands often used by open- both the emergence of insects that country foragers. some aerial insectivores rely on, as well as the timing of these emergences. The But experts like McCracken say it is widespread use of pesticides on farms likely that the leading cause of these could be doing damage as well. declines will be found up in the sky,

Population estimates of Common Nighthawks are down by more than 70 percent since the mid-1970s. Photo by Greg Lavaty, texastargetbirds.com OCTOBER 2013 l 17

Beach-Nesting Birds Benefiting from Gulf Partnership

was the second year of 2013 ABC’s Beach-nesting Bird Conservation Program in the Gulf of Mexico. ABC worked with more than 20 partners at 35 locations in three states—Florida, Louisiana, and Texas—to protect beach-nesting sites for solitary and colonially nesting birds such as the Wilson’s Plover and Least Tern. The long-term conservation goal is to maintain or increase the nesting success of these imperiled birds. Coastal-nesting birds are facing both regional and range-wide population declines as a result of degraded and dwindling habitat lost to development and human disturbance. This disturbance comes in many forms: unaware (or uncaring) beachgoers, boaters, and recreationists who wander into nest- Signs such as this one at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Florida help alert visitors to the presence of ing areas; unleashed pets, especially beach-nesting birds. dogs, which can destroy nests and kill young birds within minutes; and such as gulls, cats, or coyotes,” said ABC and its partners’ “Fish, Swim, off-road vehicles that run over young Kacy Ray, ABC’s Beach-nesting Bird and Play from 50 Yards Away” public birds, which sometimes congregate in Conservation Officer. “Minimizing service announcements aim to reduce tire tracks. human disturbance at important nest- disturbance at nesting areas. ABC ing sites is a critical component of our interns and volunteers also conduct “When nesting birds are disturbed by program and increases the chances in-person public outreach at marinas, humans, they will typically flush off of successful breeding for beach- and boat ramps, parks, and beaches in their nests, leaving eggs and young island-nesting birds.” both Louisiana and Texas. Signs and vulnerable to the hot sun and predators fencing that alert visitors to the presence of birds and monitoring of breeding success are among other ongoing efforts to bring back the populations of imperiled beach-nesting birds. “At the core of our program are protection, monitoring, and outreach projects run by interns and coastal bird technicians under the direction of ABC and local partners,” added Ray. In 2014, interns and technicians worked in dozens of locations, from Ft. DeSoto Park in Florida to Bolivar Flats in Texas, to conserve Black Skimmers, Least Terns, Wilson’s and Snowy plovers, American Oystercatchers, and other species. Snowy Plover on nest by Kacy Ray, ABC 18 l Bird Calls

BIRDS IN BRIEF public to support H.R. 2692, the Save America’s Pollinators Act of 2013. Migrating Red Knots Neonicotinoid insecticides, or neon- Receive Additional ics, are causing serious harm to birds, Protection bees, and aquatic life. The government of France has Passage of the Save America’s made it easier for Red Knots to mi- Pollinators Act, sponsored by Reps. grate over the French West Indies Red Knot by Eleanor Briccetti John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) and Earl (Guadeloupe and Martinique) with- (FWS) 27 percent below this year’s lev- Blumenauer (D-OR), would require out being shot by hunters. Anthony els. Several essential bird conservation EPA to suspend the registration of Levesque, a wildlife consultant for grant programs would be completely neonicotinoid insecticides pending the Guadeloupe National Hunting eliminated, including the Neotropical thorough review and field study of the and Wildlife Agency, reports that the Migratory Bird Conservation Act adverse effects on birds, bats, bees, and French Ministry of Environment has (NMBCA) Grants Program, North other beneficial organisms. The bill signed a “Décret Ministériel” specify- American Wetlands Conservation would also require EPA to coordinate ing that if a hunter kills a Red Knot, Fund, State and Tribal Wildlife Grants with the Department of the Interior in he or she faces a maximum penalty of Program, and the Land and Water monitoring the long-term viability of six months in prison, a fine of up to Conservation Fund. native bees and other pollinators. 15,000 euros, and confiscation of his Earlier this year, ABC and partners or her gun. In response, ABC has worked with Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s released a toxicological assessment, This action follows concerns raised (D-MN) office on an amendment The Impact of the Nation’s Most Widely by conservation groups, including to restore funding for NMBCA to Used Insecticides on Birds, which con- the Center for Conservation Biology, the President’s FY 2014 request level. cluded that a single neonic-coated Manomet Center for Conservation Rep. McCollum also offered amend- seed is enough to kill a songbird. The Sciences, and ABC, after two migrat- ments to restore funding for State and report called on EPA to remove these ing Whimbrels that were part of a Tribal Wildlife Grants and the North insecticides from the market. satellite tracking project were shot in American Wetlands Conservation While EPA now requires labeling of the West Indies in 2011. Migrating Fund, while Congressmen Jose some products containing neonics, no shorebirds are often killed by sport Serrano (D-NY) and David Price action to remove the pesticides from hunters at gun clubs on these islands. (D-NC) offered an amendment to re- the market has yet been taken. EPA This latest action by the French gov- store funding for the Land and Water plans to make this decision sometime ernment is encouraging evidence that Conservation Fund. within the next five years; meanwhile, efforts to regulate shorebird hunting the European Union has issued a two- in the French West Indies are begin- The House recessed before it was year ban on neonics that will take ning to take effect. able to vote on the bill, and due to its many controversial provisions, it effect on December 1, 2013. is unlikely to be reconsidered. The 2014 Appropriations Bill Ask Congress to pass the Save Senate bill does not include the drastic Attempts to Slash Conser- America’s Pollinators Act. cuts seen in the House bill and instead vation Programs See: abcbirds.org/action. mirrors the President’s FY 2014 fund- Before leaving for the August recess, ing request, which maintains current View ABC’s report on the im- the U.S. House of Representatives or close to current funding levels for pact of neonics at: http://bit.ly/ attempted to move a bill that would most programs. XnBQMo. drastically reduce funding for the agencies that have been tasked with Help Save America’s protecting our birds and other wild- Pollinators: Ask EPA to Say life, as well as air and water quality No to Neonics and public lands. FW S /Northeast ABC and a coalition of wildlife or- The pending bill would cut funding ganizations, beekeepers, and agricul- for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tural practitioners are calling on the OCTOBER 2013 l 19

Climate Change, The investigation also showed evi- Deforestation Driving dence that fragmentation of forests Increased Parasitism results in overcrowding of broods. The of Nestlings authors believe that expected increases in precipitation and temperature from A recent report shows that increases in climate change, along with continued precipitation and changes in vegetative deforestation, are reasons for further structure in Argentine forests—factors concern. Black S kimmer by Tom Grey driven by climate change and defor- Beach-nesting Bird Conservation estation in the region—are leading to Study Shows Healthy Program that works to create safe increased parasitism of nestlings by Environment Key to nesting habitat for birds such as Least botfly larvae. Economy of Gulf Coast Terns and Black Skimmers at key The report appeared in the online edi- The coastal environment of the Gulf colony sites. tion of PLOS ONE and was prepared of Mexico supports a $19 billion an- About $6.5 billion is spent in the by the Wildlife Conservation Society nual wildlife tourism industry that is region in connection with bird and and the Disease Ecology Laboratory highly dependent on critical invest- other wildlife watching, and about of Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias ments in coastal environmental resto- $5 billion on hunting tourism. The del Litoral, Argentina. ration, according to a newly released study also found that tourism jobs can study funded by the Environmental account for 20 to 36 percent of all pri- Defense Fund with support from the vate jobs in coastal counties and par- Walton Family Foundation. ishes that are particularly dependent The study notes that this area’s ecosys- on wildlife-related activities. All forms tems are in peril due to natural events of tourism generate 2.6 million jobs but also because “…human activities in the Gulf states, nearly five times have altered the natural hydrology the number of jobs provided by the and halted natural processes, leading region’s other three largest resource- to severe land loss and a decrease in based industries: commercial fishing, the health of the region’s estuaries.” oil and gas, and shipping. Estimates show that since 1932, about 1,900 square miles of Gulf Coast land have been lost through a combination About Bird Calls of natural and human-caused circum- stances. Such losses, combined with a If you have questions or want more informa- decrease in the region’s water quality, tion on our articles, contact Bob Johns at 202-234-7181, x210, threaten wildlife and habitats as well or e-mail [email protected] as the tourism activities they make Bird Calls is the newsletter of American Bird possible. Conservancy and is produced for members of ABC and the Bird Conservation Alliance. Great Kiskadee by Owen Deutsch Substantial funding for habitat and Contributors: George Fenwick, Steve Holmer, In the study, scientists found that wildlife restoration is now flowing to Bob Johns, Jack Morrison, Merrie Morrison, state agencies and groups working in Clare Nielsen, John Nielsen, Gemma Radko, slight changes in precipitation and Stephanie von Blackwood, George Wallace the region through the National Fish vegetation structure resulted in large AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), rd increases in the number of parasites 1731 Connecticut Ave, NW, 3 Floor per chick and led to higher death rates stemming from Deepwater Horizon Washington, DC 20009 oil spill reparations along with 202-234-7181/fax 202-234-7182 of these chicks. The highest prevalence abcbirds.org of parasitism was observed in the RESTORE Act and early Natural Resource Damage Funding. Projects Bird Conservation Alliance Great Kiskadee, Greater Thornbird, birdconservationalliance.org and Lesser Thornbird. supported by NFWF include ABC’s Rare Birds Need Your Help! As you'll discover in this newsletter, ABC and our partners are making exciting gains in expanding the Latin American Bird Reserve Network. But right now we have urgent land protection needs throughout the network, and we need your help to protect more rare birds. Your extra gift today will help us with acquisitions for the:

l Critically endangered Stresemann’s Bristlefront in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, where ABC and our partner Biodiversitas are working to acquire additional properties.

l Gold-ringed Tanager in Colombia, where ABC is working with our partner Fundación ProAves to protect vital habitat at the Tanagers Reserve, one of the few strongholds for this rare and striking species.

l Endangered El Oro Parakeet and El Oro Tapaculo at the Buenaventura Reserve in the Andes of southern Ecuador, where ABC is working with Fundación Jocotoco on the addition of 400 acres of pristine tropical rainforest.

Your contribution to ABC will help protect these rare birds and their habitats. Please, donate today using the enclosed Gold-ringed Tanager by Fundación ProAves envelope or online at abcbirds.org. Thank you for your support.

Atlantic Forest by Mike Parr