BIRDCONSERVATION The Magazine of American Conservancy Spring 2016 BIRD’S EYE VIEW Solutions That Save

o much of conservation centers on the identification of a problem, communicating it widely, and asking or demanding that others—government and industry—solve it. Entire Sorganizations are built on this model. Personally, though, I have often thought the most interesting part of conservation is figuring out the solution and acting on it.

Consider the decline of Red Knots piece on page 4 about the recent and other shorebirds. Loss of food expansion of the Brazilian reserve along the traditional Atlantic Coast that protects important for migration route is partly to blame. the Stresemann’s Bristlefront and Red Knots eat the eggs of horseshoe many other birds is a good example crabs, and fishermen had discovered of this work. the value of these crabs for bait in whelk and eel traps. Fewer crabs Finally, there is wind energy. We means fewer crab eggs—and less all want renewable energy sources. food for shorebirds heading north. However, the fast-spinning blades Without this sustenance, the birds of wind turbines kill hundreds never make it to their breeding of thousands of birds every year. grounds. The solution is simple: Find out where birds move, and put turbines An obvious solution was to lobby, At ABC we strive for elsewhere. Unfortunately, in their cajole, and fight government agen- rush to profit, many companies cies to reduce their crab harvest simple, elegant solutions build turbines without knowing—or quotas. Early on, however, the that work for birds and sometimes even without caring— Ecological Research Development how they affect birds. ABC board Group, a small Delaware organiza- people, and we aim to member Kimberly Kaufman, a tion, proposed a novel solution: conservation leader of the American Instead of fishermen placing a crab develop them for every heartland, where wind energy is on in each trap, why not use part of the rise, discusses this challenge on major threat that affects a crab in a predator-proof bag? In page 22. this way, a single crab could attract birds. whelk and eels to multiple traps, At ABC we strive for simple, elegant greatly reducing the number of solutions that work for birds and crabs needed. Simple genius: I wish research to determine which kinds people, and we aim to develop them I had thought of it. of glass are best at deterring birds. for every major threat that affects (See the article on page 13.) birds. If you have an idea for how to ABC has something of a knack for address a problem, please feel free simple solutions, too. When we And here is an obvious one: What to give me a ring. If it’s a good one, learned that glass collisions kill to do when a bird is down we’ll use it. millions of birds each year, we to just a few sites on Earth? The developed an inexpensive, trans- answer is to protect, improve, and lucent tape to place on windows. expand those sites. ABC has now It works, but we didn’t stop there: helped avoid extinction for many We partnered with other groups, species by assisting our partners in including New York City Audubon, developing a network of 70 reserves George H. Fenwick in conducting innovative, lifesaving throughout the Americas. Our President, ABC

Cover photo: Cape May Warbler by Glenn Bartley TOP: Red Knot by Bill Dalton ABC is the Western Hemisphere’s bird conservation specialist—the only organization with a single and steadfast commitment to achieving conservation results for native Spring 2016 wild birds and their throughout the Americas. BIRDCONSERVATION

A copy of the current financial statement and registration filed by the organization Getting Creative for Birds may be obtained by contacting: ABC, P.O. Box 249, The Plains, VA 20198. 540-253- 5780, or by contacting the following state agencies: A Helicopter Ride to Safety Florida: Division of Consumer Services, 8 toll-free number within the state: 800-435-7352. for Hawaiian Petrels Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage: Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401. 13 Dark Tunnel Sheds New Light New Jersey: Attorney General, State of New Jersey: 201-504-6259. on Bird Collisions New York: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Pennsylvania: Department of State, 16 Birds of 's Songbird Forest toll-free number within the state: 800-732-0999. Virginia: State Division of Consumer 22 Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s Affairs, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA Passionate Voice for Birds 23209. West Virginia: Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. New Project Creates Prairie Habitat Registration does not imply endorsement, 24 approval, or recommendation by any state. for Birds—and for Butterflies Bird Conservation is the magazine of ABC and is published four times yearly for members. Senior Editor: Libby Sander VP of Communications: Clare Nielsen Graphic Design: Gemma Radko DEPARTMENTS Contributors: Jason Berry, Jim Giocomo, Bennett Hennessey, Steve Holmer, Jennifer Howard, Dan Lebbin, Jack Morrison, 2 Bird’s Eye View Merrie Morrison, Hannah Nevins, Cynthia Palmer, Mike Parr, David Pashley, Christine Sheppard, George Wallace 4 On the Wire For more information contact: American Bird Conservancy 4249 Loudoun Avenue, P.O. Box 249 30 Final Glimpse The Plains, VA 20198 540-253-5780 • [email protected] Pin-tailed Manakin by Ciro Albano Join us online!

TOP: Dickcissel by Dan Behm

abcbirds.org BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 3

ON the WIRE

Songbird Forest Reserve Expands Protection for Rare Brazilian Birds

he Brazilian conservation group Fundação Biodiversitas, with support from ABC, has secured T a tract of vital Atlantic Forest habitat for the Stresemann’s Bristlefront, listed as by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. (Turn to back cover for a photo of this rare species.)

The acquisition adds 766 acres to the Mata do View of the Mata do Passarinho Reserve. Photo courtesy of Biodiversitas Passarinho Reserve, bringing the total protected area to 2,352 acres. This expansion represents a major step toward the preservation of the many species that rely on this unique and threatened forest region. (See article on page 16.)

Because of deforestation, the reserve “is like an oasis in a desert,” said Gláucia Drummond, Executive Director of Fundação Biodiversitas. Expanding the protected area is “one of the most promising and effective ways to save the Stresemann’s Bristlefront from extinction” and to preserve the area's rich biological heritage, she said.

Mata do Passarinho is Portuguese for “Songbird Forest.” Biodiversitas created this reserve in 2007 with ABC support.

An Alliance for Zero Extinction site, the reserve rep- resents the last known home of the Stresemann’s Bristlefront. With a population of fewer than 15 known individuals, the ground-nesting bird is one of the most endangered species on the planet.

More about ABC’s bird reserve network: abcbirds.org/ program/reserves/

This acquisition was made possible through the generous contributions of David and Patricia Davidson, David Harrison, George and Cathy Ledec, Michael Reid, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Tropical Forest Forever Fund, Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust, and IUCN National Committee of The Netherlands (IUCN NL). The project is also supported by the Global Environment Facility, the Mohamed bin Zayed Map courtesy of Biodiversitas Species Conservation Fund, the Hildegard and Hans Schaefer Foundation, and the United Nations Environment Program.

4 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016

ABC Joins Lawsuit Challenging Regulation of Pesticides

has joined with seeds to be registered under the for months and even years. Because ABC beekeepers, farmers, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, of this effect on invertebrates, use and public interest groups in filing a and Rodenticide Act; without of neonics impacts not just seed- lawsuit alleging insufficient federal enforceable labels on the seed eating birds such as Bobolink but regulation of a dangerous class of bags; and without adequate also insect-eating species including pesticide that is deadly to birds, assessments of the serious ongoing Common Nighthawk and Purple bees, and other wildlife. environmental harm. Martin.

The lawsuit, filed in January by “A single seed coated with a neo- The agency's actions surrounding Center for Food Safety on behalf nicotinoid insecticide is enough to neonicotinoid seed coatings “have of several beekeepers, farmers, kill a songbird,” said ABC's Cyn- led to intensifying and destructive and sustainable agriculture and thia Palmer, Director of Pesticides consequences,” said Peter Jenkins, conservation groups, challenges the Science and Regulation. “There is attorney with Center for Food Safe- Environmental Protection Agency's no justification for EPA to exempt ty. These include honeybee die-offs, (EPA) inadequate regulation of these pesticide delivery devices from as well as chronic effects to numer- the neonicotinoid insecticide seed regulation. ABC urges the agency to ous species, nationwide water and coatings used on dozens of crops. evaluate the risks to birds, bees, but- soil contamination, and other envi- EPA has allowed millions of pounds terflies, and other wildlife.” ronmental and economic harms, he of coated seeds to be planted said. “This lawsuit aims to hold EPA annually on more than 150 million A 2013 study by ABC, “The Impact accountable to dramatically reduce acres nationwide. of the Nation's Most Widely Used this harm in the future.” Insecticides on Birds,” found that The lawsuit alleges the agency neonicotinoids are toxic to birds More about our work on pesticides: has illegally allowed this to occur, and invertebrates, even in small abcbirds.org/program/pesticides/ without requiring the coated quantities, and they persist in soils Your extra gift will help prevent birds from hitting windows!

Collisions with glass kill hundreds of millions of birds each year. Migratory birds and familiar backyard birds such as Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler, and White-throated Sparrow are among the most threatened. Simple solutions are available, but ABC needs your support. Thanks to our new Bird-Smart Glass Program (birdsmartglass.org), we now have tested, effective solutions. But we need to do much more. Your extra gift today will help us spread the word about ABC-endorsed bird collision solutions and make sure they’re used across the country. Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Kelly Nelson, Shutterstock Please use the enclosed envelope to make an additional gift, or give online at support.abcbirds.org/donate.

ON the WIRE Study Finds Northern Spotted Owl in Rapid Decline

he Northern Spotted Owl “This study confirms that Much attention has turned to this has been hit hard by the immediate action is needed to threat, but Holmer stresses that T twin threats of habitat loss reduce the impact of Barred Owls adequate habitat is the only long- and competition from the Barred and to protect all remaining Spotted term solution. Owl, according to a study by federal Owl habitat. It also points to the scientists. Published in December in need to restore additional habitat “Science shows that Northern the journal The Condor, the research by maintaining and expanding the Spotted Owls and Barred Owls can examined survey results from successful reserve network of the coexist where there is enough high- monitoring areas across the Pacific Northwest Forest Plan,” said Steve quality habitat,” he said. “A large Northwest range of the Northern Holmer, Senior Policy Advisor with amount of owl habitat will become Spotted Owl. ABC. Established in 1994 by the available as the Northwest Forest Clinton Administration, the plan Plan continues to restore the old- Since monitoring began in 1985, set up reserves and reduced logging growth ecosystem.” Northern Spotted Owl popula- on federal lands across much of the “The monitoring reports confirm tions have declined by as much Northern Spotted Owl's range. as 77 percent in Washington, 68 that the system of reserves has percent in Oregon, and 55 percent While habitat loss continues to slowed the decline of the owl,” in California, the study found. The threaten the Spotted Owl, new Holmer continued. “But the study scientists also found fewer owls in threats have emerged. Barred Owls, makes clear that this reserve system study areas in southern Oregon and whose range has increased in recent is not enough due to competition northern California that previously years to coincide with the Northern from Barred Owls. Urgent action is had experienced little to no detect- Spotted Owl, can outcompete the needed to address the Barred Owl able population decline. Spotted Owl for food and territory. threat and to protect all Spotted Owl habitat on federal land.”

BirdBlitz in Ecuador Tallies 681 Bird Species in 2 Days

ore than 800 species of range or endemic, including the birds occur in the 11 Jocotoco Antpitta, El Oro Parakeet, Mreserves run by Fundación Pale-headed Brush-Finch, and Jocotoco of Ecuador—and across Esmeraldas Woodstar. two busy days last month, birders managed to see 681 of them, an Over two days, teams composed of impressive increase from last year's staff, board members, and volunteers 620 species. covered as much ground as possible. All 11 Jocotoco reserves had teams This remarkable tally of the on the ground, and representatives birds of Ecuador came during from Ecuador's Environment Min- the foundation's second annual istry participated at the Antisanilla BirdBlitz. No other birding event in and Tapichalaca reserves. Ecuador covers so many incredibly Every team tallied which species diverse tropical habitats: wet Chocó Esmeraldas Woodstar by Murray Cooper rainforests of the northwest, dry they saw and how many of each, Tumbesian forests of the south, and way to count birds throughout the and all of the counts were entered lush foothills of the Amazon. reserve system while raising funds into eBird. Some groups of birds to support the organization's con- were particularly well represented. Inspired by the popular BioBlitz servation programs. For example, the birders spotted 74 events that have taken place across species of hummingbirds—17 more the United States, Jocotoco's Bird- More than 100 of the species pro- than last year. Blitz was developed as an exciting tected by the reserves are restricted-

6 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016

New Reserve Creates Haven for Birds in Guatemala’s Lowland Forests

ood Thrush, Kentucky landowner. The purchase helps Warbler, and many other create a vital lowland habitat Wneotropical migratory corridor that connects the existing birds spend the winter in Central protected areas Biotopo Cocon America, where ecosystems such Machaca (15,360 acres) and Rio as the Caribbean rainforests of Sarstun (4,447 acres). Guatemala provide critical habitat Originally, the country’s for them. But that landscape, once Wood Thrush by Greg Lavaty a continuous swath of forest, has conservation efforts focused been increasingly fragmented by ag- primarily on rare, high-elevation grasses in Cocoli Bay, and the King riculture. Those losses have contrib- cloud forest, said Jason Berry, ABC’s Fish reef, part of the Mesoamerican uted to population declines among International Conservation Program Barrier Reef System. This “ridge to at least 19 species of migratory Officer. That approach made sense reef” approach benefits not just birds, including the Wood Thrush. when lowland forests were plentiful. birds but jaguars, West Indian “But in a mountainous country manatees, and other species. The Guatemalan conservation like Guatemala, the lowland areas group FUNDAECO, working with are the first to be deforested for It will also benefit the area’s human ABC and the World Land Trust, agriculture,” Berry said. residents. FUNDAECO is working has secured a key piece of this closely with neighboring communi- threatened habitat, acquiring The Tapon Creek reserve and adja- ties to increase ecotourism, manage roughly 1,672 acres for the Tapon cent protected areas also conserve the reserve and surrounding areas, Creek Nature Reserve from a local rare coastal dwarf mangroves, sea and secure title to their land.

The forests of the Tapon Creek Nature Reserve provide shelter for a wealth of neotropical migrant species, particularly warblers. Photo by Jason Berry, ABC

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 7 Coming Home Conservationists try a daring approach to save the endangered Hawaiian Petrel

By Libby Sander knows is inside. Gently guiding the because of stress or injury—it would young bird toward the opening— only undermine the goal of this n a rugged ridgeline high he doesn’t want its delicate wing pioneering conservation effort. in the mountains of Kaua‘i, feathers to snag on a root—Raine Oa helicopter touches down slowly removes the chick. Yet for the biologists, who’ve been on a small platform. Three wildlife working for years toward this biologists climb out and begin hik- Cradled in the biologist’s hands, the moment, the hope outweighs the ing across steep slopes cloaked with chick regards the alien landscape danger. If they succeed, it will be a ferns and wind-stunted trees. around him. Gray and fluffy, with significant new chapter in work to ungainly webbed feet, the bird’s save Hawai‘i’s seabirds. Not just for The mountain forests in Hono O Nā downy feathers rustle in the breeze. this species, and not just on this Pali Natural Area Reserve are usually Raine pauses for only a moment island—but for seabirds across the damp and obscured by a bank of before placing the bird in a plastic state on the verge of extinction. clouds, but on this early November pet carrier. day, the sun is shining and the air is A Daring Approach warm. The scientists marvel at the The conservationists must work good weather. quickly. They are on this mountain- The Hawaiian Petrel—known as top to take endangered Hawaiian ‘Ua‘u for its ethereal nighttime After 15 minutes the team stops Petrel chicks away from an area calls—was once Hawai’i’s most in front of a small hole gouged where they are vulnerable to non- abundant seabird. From mountain out of the mountainside. André native predators and establish the peaks to coastal cliffs, the birds Raine, coordinator of the Kaua‘i birds in a safe haven on the coast. congregated in large breeding Endangered Seabird Recovery Their task is risky. Each Hawaiian colonies, arriving by night to dig Project, reaches into the burrow Petrel chick is important to a declin- burrows with their beaks and with one arm, feeling around for ing population. Should anything the claws of their webbed feet. the plump Hawaiian Petrel chick he go wrong—a bird overheats, or dies Fishermen looked to the petrel as a

8 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 TOP: Hawaiian Petrel in flight by Cameron Rutt sign of tuna foraging just beneath new colony of Hawaiian Petrels in the ocean’s surface. The guano an area designed for them to thrive. of millions of petrels fertilized Hawai‘i’s forests with phosphorus The collaborators—including Pacific and nitrogen from the sea. Rim Conservation, the Kaua‘i Endan- gered Seabird Recovery Project, the Faithful to their nesting sites, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and birds return to their burrows year ABC—are trying a daring and novel after year—even if their chosen approach. They are moving chicks of spots are vulnerable to predators or an endangered seabird to a protected development. Cats, rats, and pigs area in time for the fledglings to im- eat the birds in their remote moun- print on the new site, with the hope tain burrows. Power lines and bright that the birds will return there to lights jeopardize the birds’ frequent breed. The young petrels will be the flights to and from the sea. In recent founders of the only fully protected decades, the seabird’s population colony of federally listed seabirds has plummeted. anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands.

Yet if the petrels’ nesting habits conservationists in New Zealand, ABOVE: André Raine of the Kaua‘i Endangered have made them susceptible to a nation whose native birds are Seabird Recovery Project holds a Hawaiian Petrel harm, they are also proving to be chick after removing it from its mountain burrow. similarly threatened by invasive Photo by Mike McFarlin, Kaua‘i Endangered a valuable tool in engineering a species, a team of conservation Seabird Recovery Project. BELOW: Hawaiian comeback for the species. Using Petrels breed high in Kaua‘i’s mountains, but their groups and government agencies burrows are vulnerable to non-native predators. a technique borrowed from has worked since 2011 to create a Photo by André Raine

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 9 Megan Vynne of the Kaua'i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project makes her way across the helicopter ferried biologists to the Known as Nihoku, the site at mountain ridge to the helicopter that will ferry mountains on that warm Novem- K lauea Point is roughly seven acres the chicks to the coast. Photo by Lindsay Young, ī Pacific Rim Conservation ber day. The logistics amounted to on a section of the refuge closed an exhilarating but head-spinning to the public. The fence keeps out “A translocation like this is some- plan, requiring 16 state and federal all predators, even mice. A gradual thing people have talked about in permits and 600 pages of detailed slope toward the ocean cliffs below, Hawai‘i for many years, for decades, documentation. and the site’s orientation to the really,” says Eric VanderWerf, Presi- trade winds, will give the fledgling dent of Pacific Rim Conservation. With the help of the U.S. Fish petrels a straight shot to the ocean. “But it hasn’t happened until now.” and Wildlife Service, the partners selected an appropriate site at Having the enclosure on a National With innovative techniques such as K lauea Point National Wildlife Wildlife Refuge means that “we’re translocation, conservationists can ī Refuge. Pacific Rim Conservation going to have conservation in this work to check the losses that have then oversaw the construction of area in perpetuity,” says Michael earned Hawai’i a reputation as the a predator-proof fence around the Mitchell, Deputy Project Leader bird extinction capital of the world, site. Within the enclosure, Pacific at K lauea Point. “Those birds says ABC’s George Wallace, Vice ī Rim removed rats, mice, and other are going to be here for many President of Oceans and Islands. predators; installed 50 artificial generations to come.” “It’s quite a radical conservation burrows; and cleared invasive plants intervention,” he says. “But this is and restored native vegetation on Down from the Mountain a portion of the enclosed area to the kind of stuff we have to do. And Back on the mountaintop, six biolo- make the site hospitable to the if we don’t, we are going to lose gists working in two teams spend seabirds. Meanwhile, over four species.” several hours going from burrow years the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird to burrow. The portly birds—aside Recovery Project worked to identify Seven Acres of Safety from a few pecks at human hands— and monitor burrows high in the A small army of people began work are mostly calm as they journey by mountains from which chicks could on this project long before the helicopter to the coast. be taken.

10 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 With a petrel carrier on his lap, But the work is hardly over. Young, Raine watches the lush, green valley feeling the anxiety of sudden par- glide by below. He can hear some enthood, sleeps little that night. of the birds shuffling in their boxes. When she awakes early the next It’s a peculiar experience for the morning, she hopes the birds are fledglings, he thinks. Since hatch- still alive. ing, they have known only the cool, dark interior of their underground ‘As Fast as the Wind Will burrows. Now they’re on a voyage Take Them’ to a new home. Caring for the Hawaiian Petrel “I can’t believe this has gone off chicks becomes Kohley and Knight’s without a hitch,” he thinks to round-the-clock job. They prepare himself. food, record data, and clean—so much that Kohley starts referring to After landing at a small airport on himself as a bird janitor. the coast, the birds go straight to Robby Kohley, an avian ecologist with Pacific Every day, Kohley and Knight feed Nihoku by car. There, avian ecolo- Rim Conservation, measures a chick’s wing gist Robby Kohley and avian care before placing it in its new burrow. Photo by Lori the chicks a freshly made slurry of Rodriguez, USFWS specialist Marilou Knight, both with fish, squid, Pedialyte, and vitamin Pacific Rim, will care for the birds refuel. Bringing the chicks in from supplements. They watch the birds until they fledge. As soon as the the mountain—without incident— closely: The chicks are high-strung birds arrive, Kohley measures and was a triumph, they feel. Proof that and feisty, and their behavior, weighs them before placing each translocation can be done in Hawai‘i. weight, wing length, and appetite bird in its burrow. all provide a glimpse into their “It’s the start of a new era in seabird health and growth. (Only one chick With the birds safely ensconced conservation,” Lindsay Young, Ex- struggles: Six days after the birds in their new dwellings by early ecutive Director of Pacific Rim, says afternoon, the exhausted biologists A predator-proof fence makes the seven-acre later. “We’ve created a new home for enclosure at Nihoku safe for the petrels and other head to a nearby coffee shop to a species that desperately needs it.” seabirds. Photo by Jessica Behnke

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 11 The chicks memorize the constellations: Celestial cues will protected site, while also attracting new avian residents with recordings help them find their way back. of seabird calls. Years will pass before the birds If all goes as planned, success will come on a spring night several return to this spot, using their years from now. A small, dark bird with a powerful homing instinct mental star maps to find the way. will remember the smell of Nihoku. Guided by the stars, the bird will return to this spot—a place it recognizes as home.

Watch a short film about the petrels' trip to a new home: abcbirds.org/ video-hawaiian-petrels-journey

arrived, No. 5 dies of a bacterial Nihoku last night!” Young writes in infection apparently contracted an email to partner organizations. Thanks to our partners: before biologists moved her from The translocation of 10 Hawaiian Petrel her mountain burrow.) By mid-December, all nine birds have fledged. They will live over chicks in November involved years of planning and coordination from As the chicks get closer to fledging, the open Pacific Ocean for the next many organizations and agencies: the feeding becomes a balancing act. three to five years. Soaring on the Kaua'i Endangered Seabird Recovery Kohley wants them light and hungry winds for thousands of miles, and Project, a Hawai'i Department of Land enough to fly away, but with enough sleeping on the water, they will use and Natural Resources' Division of fat reserves to carry them over until keen eyesight and a sharp sense Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) project they find that first meal. of smell to find squid and other administered by Pacific Cooperative favorite foods. If petrels can survive Studies Unit, University of Hawaii; The chicks come out of their their first few years at sea, scientists Pacific Rim Conservation; the U.S. burrows at night to exercise their speculate they have a good chance Fish and Wildlife Service, Kilauea Point wings with frenzied flaps. They of living for 30 or even 40 years. National Wildlife Refuge; and American also memorize the constellations: Bird Conservancy. Kaua'i Island Utility Celestial cues will help them find As the petrels travel across the Cooperative and DOFAW supported their way back. Years will pass ocean, the work at Nihoku goes predator control within Hono O Na before the birds return to this spot, on. The process to secure state and Pali Natural Area Reserve. The National using their mental star maps to find federal permits is already under way Tropical Botanical Garden provided the way. for another translocation this fall of important assistance with vegetation restoration at the translocation site. The up to 20 more Hawaiian Petrels and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Kohley is captivated by the birds. 10 Newell’s Shearwaters. In time, “They look a little goofy, but if and ABC provided critical funding the partners hope to move roughly support. you see them out at sea where they 40 seabirds every year to the belong, it’s like nothing else,” he says. “They’re just as fast as the

wind will take them.” Libby Sander is Senior Writer and Editor at ABC. As a journalist, she covered a variety of beats in Chicago and Washington, D.C., writing The Sea and the Stars news stories and award-winning features for The New York Times, the Washington Post, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. You can Ten days after the birds arrive, follow her on Twitter at @libsander. No. 2 and No. 4 are the first to go. “Our first two chicks fledged from TOP: Hawaiian Petrels against the night sky. Photo by Jonathan Felis, USGS

12 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 Tunnel Vision In the Bronx, researchers test new ways to prevent birds from hitting windows

By Gemma Radko

arly on a cloudy fall morning, nets, the two organizations are The Threat of Glass I edge carefully down a researching and testing ways to People learn about glass at an early steep, forested hillside along E prevent birds from hitting windows. age. Even though clear glass is the Bronx River, following avian invisible, there are architectural cues testing technician Emilio Tobon as As we follow muddy trails alongside that tell us where to expect glass he checks the mist nets he opened the river, I hear Belted Kingfisher, and how to steer around it. Birds before sunrise. Wood Thrush, and Gray Catbird calling. The mist nets set up don’t learn this lesson. The Bronx doesn’t automatically alongside the river yield a good Up to 1 billion birds die each year come to mind when you think of catch of birds: an Ovenbird, a in the United States when they hit forests, but this area, on the grounds Swainson’s Thrush, and a Black-and- windows, making this threat one of of the Bronx Zoo, is thick with white Warbler. We quickly extract the most costly to bird populations. good-sized oak and hickory trees. the birds from the nets, place them Migratory and backyard birds are The rock-studded hillside bottoms in soft cloth bags, and carry them among the most common victims, out along the river into flooded, flat back up the steep hillsides to the including species such as White- areas choked with willow trees and testing facility. Awaiting me there throated Sparrow, Painted Bunting, underbrush. is Christine Sheppard, ABC’s Bird and Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Collisions Campaign Manager and I’m visiting this patch of urban my guide for the day. In 2004, Austrian ornithologist wilderness to learn more about Martin Rössler developed a research important research ABC and New TOP: The Bronx tunnel is built inside a shipping method to adapt glass so that birds York City Audubon are conducting. container, which lets researchers control the avoid it. Rössler’s “tunnel testing” With birds captured in the mist amount of light available during testing. Photo by Gemma Radko, ABC provides a safe way to give birds in

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 13 flight a perceived choice between wavy, on an angle, or even broken response, one of us opens a door at exiting a dark space by way of a into segments; they can be integral the far end of the tunnel, and the plain piece of glass, or one with a to glass or applied to the surface. bird flies out. pattern. These dimensions work for small In Search of Solutions The patterns are combinations of species, such as warblers, and for elements of different sizes, shapes, larger birds as well, because birds It’s still early days at the Bronx color, spacing, and contrast, with are able to assess the size of the gaps tunnel, which aims to build on the different orientations and levels relative to their body size and adjust research already accomplished at of opaqueness. If most birds fly their flight behavior accordingly. Powdermill. One significant ad- towards the plain glass, which they vance: Since it’s built in a shipping perceive as an unobstructed flight Down the Hatch container, this tunnel can control path, the assumption is that the the amount of light available dur- pattern creates a visible barrier that Back in the Bronx, I learn more ing testing—a condition not always the birds will avoid. about how this newer facility is achievable at the free-standing helping to save birds. The tunnel, Powdermill site. “Birds see differently than we do,” a 24-foot plywood box on legs Sheppard tells me. “Their contrast constructed within a metal shipping The artificial light source in the sensitivity is not as good as ours, so container, was built by ABC and Bronx tunnel can simulate two there are patterns they may not see. New York City Audubon in 2013 different levels of daylight: with or The contrast, spacing, and size of a with funding from the National Fish without ultraviolet. This will further pattern all matter.” and Wildlife Foundation. It doesn’t standardize testing, helping to score look like much from the outside, different materials under varied A New Approach but this tunnel is generating lighting conditions. The same win- research that could save the lives of dow can look different at different In 2008, Sheppard, then curator millions of birds. times of day, in different weather, of birds at the Bronx Zoo, received and even on different sides of the a grant from the Association of Tobon bands and records the same building. Zoos and Aquariums to partner species, age, and sex of each with New York City Audubon and captured bird. Then we place each the Carnegie Museum of Natural bird in a small hatch at the entrance History in building a test tunnel at of the tunnel where it faces a long, the museum’s Powdermill Nature dark passageway. At the far end Reserve, in Pennsylvania. The are two lighted pieces of glass: one program moved to ABC in 2009. unmodified (the control) and the other with a pattern to be tested. Powdermill’s research has already confirmed several important As each bird darts down the tunnel, findings. For instance, horizontal we note which way it tries to lines or other patterning on glass exit—control or pattern—using a must be two or fewer inches apart video camera to record the attempt. to deter the majority of birds, and Two lighted pieces of glass at the end of the A strategically placed mist net test tunnel—one clear, one patterned—provide vertical lines must be four or fewer prevents the birds from slamming test subjects two avenues of “escape.” Photo by Gemma Radko, ABC inches apart. These lines can be into the glass. After recording each

14 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 Many migratory bird species collide with glass. Photos left to right: Black-and-white How to Make Your Windows Bird-Friendly Warbler by Dennis W. Donohue, Shutterstock; Golden-winged Warbler by Laura Erickson; Jim Monsma’s home in Hyattsville, Md., was a dangerous place for birds. Swainson’s Thrush by Double Brow Imagery, Shutterstock, White-throated Sparrow by Jacob Two south-facing windows produced dramatic reflections of a neighbor’s Spendelow; Kentucky Warbler by Greg Lavaty, partly wooded lot and the sky beyond. Every other month, a bird crashed texastargetbirds.com into one of the windows and died.

ABC has rated more than two dozen So four years ago, Monsma, an ABC member who works as a wildlife products—some of them tested in rehabilitator, decided to modify the windows. He cut semi-clear contact the Powdermill tunnel—as being paper into 1-inch squares and affixed them to the outside of the window, effective in significantly reducing arranged in a 3-inch grid. bird collisions with glass. Six of these products are consumer materi- The change has been dramatic. “We haven't had a single fatality that we als meant for homeowners, 22 are know of since they were treated,” he says. “And we never hear collisions, commercial products for architects which used to be all too common.” and building managers, and one of Researchers estimate most homes in the United States kill at least a few birds the products is appropriate for both every year, amounting to roughly a half-billion birds killed annually. But there settings. are simple steps homeowners can take to alert birds to windows—and make After several hours of helping at houses and yards safer for birds. the tunnel, I realize how the work ABC now recommends six Bird-Smart products for homeowners to make happening here is groundbreaking windows safe for birds. The materials fit every style, budget, and climate, for birds. ABC and researchers and have documented evidence proving their effectiveness, either through around the world need to keep controlled tests or field studies. The following products are rated as “highly pursuing all possible avenues of effective” in preventing birds from hitting windows: research—including this tunnel protocol—to develop sophisticated • ABC Bird Tape: Easy to install, long-lasting and affordable, ABC BirdTape and permanent solutions. is highly effective when installed as recommended. This translucent tape To learn more, visit abcbirds.org/ allows light in, but partially obscures views. program/glass-collisions/ • Acopian BirdSavers: These “Zen Curtains” are easy to install and long lasting.

• Collidescape: This window film creates a solid appearance from the outside, but allows views from the inside and can reduce glare and cooling Gemma Radko is ABC's costs while protecting birds. Communications and Media Manager, with The list of recommended materials will continue over 25 years of graphic to grow as manufacturers of glass, window design, writing, and films, and external screening systems create editing experience. Gemma is a member of both the Montgomery and Frederick chapters of new products or document the effectiveness of the Maryland Ornithological Society, an avid existing ones. birder, and teacher of introductory ornithology See more: birdsmartglass.org classes.

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 15 Birds of Brazil's Songbird Forest

The Atlantic Forest stretches for 1,500 square miles along the coast of Brazil, a wondrous and rich ecosystem teeming with a vast array of plants and . Many of these exist nowhere else in the world. But intense development in the region has had a devastating impact. Today, the once-mighty Atlantic Forest is about 8 percent of its original extent. In some places, it is almost completely gone.

With help from ABC, the Brazilian conservation organization Fundação Biodiversitas has increased the size of a protected area that conserves a key part of this unique and threatened forest region. Home to the Critically Endangered Stresemann’s Bristlefront and many other birds, the Mata do Passarinho Reserve—the “Songbird Forest”—now exceeds 2,352 acres.

Rare as it is, the Stresemann’s Bristlefront (shown on the back cover) isn’t the only bird that benefits from this protected area. In the following pages, we highlight a few of the more than 240 bird species that biologists and birders have documented in the Songbird Forest. Nearly all of these birds live only in the Atlantic Forest, and for many of them, destruction of habitat has caused major population declines.

Bare-throated Bellbird The male Bare-throated Bellbird is one of the loudest birds in the world. Sounding off with metallic, two-toned notes, males call from a perch high in the forest canopy during courtship or while defending territory. Aside from its piercing calls, this striking bellbird is rather inconspicuous. It eats fruit and plays an important role in the ecology of the Atlantic Forest by dispersing seeds. This species appears to be migratory in at least some regions, including southeast Brazil, although this behavior apparently varies among populations. Along with habitat loss, the pet bird trade has led the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to designate the Bare-throated Bellbird Vulnerable to extinction. Photo by Rudimar Narciso Cipriani Black-headed True to its name, the Black-headed Berryeater eats mostly fruit; in fact, the birds’ frenzied feeding at fruiting trees is one of the best ways to spot this species. Like other members of the family, it plays an important ecological role by dispersing fruit seeds. The Black-headed Berryeater’s voice—a single note followed by a descending whistle, repeated at regular intervals—is another reliable way to locate this rare bird. It is closely related to the , another Atlantic Forest endemic, but favors higher elevations and is more threatened. The IUCN has classified the Black-headed Berryeater as Vulnerable because of its small and fragmented population.

Photo by Ciro Albano

Striated Softtail This vulnerable endemic is a member of the forest, where it searches for insects in tangled vines. Ovenbird family—a large family of birds found only The birds are more likely to be seen in forests where in the tropics of Mexico and Central and South dense vine-tangles are present. America. (The familiar migratory Ovenbird that For safety and the chance to capture more prey, breeds in North America is a wood-warbler unrelated occasionally the bird joins mixed-species flocks of to this group.) other insect-eating birds, including woodcreepers, The Striated Softtail tends to forage alone or in pairs, antshrikes, and antbirds. usually in the lower and middle levels of humid Photo by Ciro Albano

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 17 This colorful bird is known in Portuguese as Araçari- banana, or “Banana Toucanet.” Despite its distinctive plumage, the toucanet tends to remain relatively inconspicuous as it forages through the tree canopy in pairs or small family groups. It has a variety of vocalizations, ranging from loud notes to rattle-like and purring calls. Like other , these birds eat fruit, but will also feed on small animals and the eggs of other birds. They usually nest in abandoned woodpecker holes or other tree cavities. Habitat loss and hunting threaten the bird’s survival, and its beauty can be its undoing: Saffron Toucanets are often captured illegally for the cage-bird trade. Photo by Glenn Bartley Birds of Brazil’s Songbird Forest

Banded Cotinga The male is a stunning bird decked out in shimmering shades of blue and purple. The female is a much more inconspicuous brown. Unfortunately, little is known about the life history of the seven birds in the Cotinga, which also includes the Lovely and Spangled . Although many are strikingly colored, they are shy, unobtrusive birds that dwell high in the forest canopy. There they feed mainly on fruit, perhaps supplemented by seeds and insects. Like other colorful birds, Banded Cotingas are often trapped for the cage-bird trade, which along with deforestation is one of the main causes of their steep decline. It has been designated as Endangered by the IUCN. Photo by Ciro Albano

Fork-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant This tiny, distinctively patterned flycatcher skulks in repeated in a series of threes. Scientists have not yet the undergrowth of forest borders, especially where discovered other aspects of the bird’s behavior and there are dense thickets of bamboo and vines. It can breeding biology. survive in degraded forest, but even so, the species is The Fork-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant is suspected to be rare, likely numbering fewer than 10,000 individuals. declining rapidly, in line with rates of habitat loss Like other flycatchers, it feeds on insects, including within its range. It is another Atlantic Forest endemic small caterpillars and katydids plucked from leaves that the IUCN has classified as Vulnerable due to during the birds’ short, active flights. With a high- extensive, ongoing habitat loss. pitched, staccato voice, the bird’s call is usually Photo by Ciro Albano

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 19 Hook-billed Hermit Hermits are hummingbirds, numbering 30 to 40 species, whose range extends from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. The Hook-billed Hermit is among the rarest. With as few as 200 to 300 remaining in the heavily degraded Atlantic Forest, the species is classified as Endangered by IUCN. The Hook-billed favors humid forest interiors along waterways, particularly streams bordered by the brightly colored flowers ofHeliconia plants, which it plays an important role in pollinating. (The shape of some Heliconia flowers limits pollination to a subset of hummingbirds in the region.) Deforestation and fragmentation caused by roads and human settlement have scattered the Hook-billed Hermit’s populations and led to dangerous declines. Photo by José Almir Jacomelli Jr.

Pin-tailed Manakin Manakins derive their name from the Middle Dutch Like most manakins, the Pin-tailed is sexually dimor- mannekijn, which translates to "little man." The Pin- phic, with the colorful male far outshining the dull, tailed Manakin, found only in the Atlantic Forest, greenish female. Both sexes have elongated, pointed is considered one of the most beautiful. While the central tail feathers for which the species is named. male’s flashy green, red, and black plumage stands Male manakins are known for their elaborate out, the birds are difficult to spot, in part because of group courtship displays. These often take place on their unusually quiet vocalizations. gathering grounds called leks, where females visit to select a mate. Photo by Ciro Albano

20 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 Birds of Brazil’s Songbird Forest

Maroon-faced Parakeet These small parrots favor the canopy of humid forests, but they can also be found along edges and in clearings with scattered trees. The birds are surprisingly inconspicuous unless they are in flight or uttering their high-pitched, yelping calls. Otherwise, they are well camouflaged by their mottled plumage. Also known as the White-eared Parakeet, this bird is closely related to the Venezuelan, Grey-breasted, and Pfrimer's Parakeets, which were formerly considered subspecies of this species. Like other parrots, Maroon-faced Parakeets nest in tree cavities excavated by other species such as woodpeckers. Outside of the breeding season, they are gregarious, usually seen in groups of 15 to 20 birds. Photo by Ciro Albano

Three-toed Jacamar Beginning birders sometimes mistake jacamars for hummingbirds. In fact, jacamars are most closely related to puffbirds, another tropical family extending from Mexico through South America. The Three-toed Jacamar, found in drier areas of the Atlantic Forest, is unusual with its three forward- facing toes and one back-facing toe. Other jacamars have two toes facing forward, two facing back. This species eats flying insects, expertly snapping up butterflies, dragonflies, and wasps with its long, thin bill. The birds nest in burrows, which the females usually dig in an earthen bank. Although capable of surviving in some degraded habitat, this species is experiencing a major decline, and is considered Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Photo by Nick Athanas

Editor’s Note: You can help protect the birds of the Songbird Forest with an extra gift to ABC. Your contribution will provide much-needed support to help restore and manage this spectacular reserve. To make a gift, contact ABC's Holly Robertson at [email protected]. On the Edge of a Great Lake, a Passionate Voice for Birds

By Libby Sander

imberly Kaufman first became Birding, a 10-day event timed to coincide involved with Ohio’s Black Swamp Bird with the peak of songbird migration in K Observatory (BSBO) as a northwest Ohio. research technician, banding songbirds at the Observatory’s main research station. She Kaufman, who is married to the birder, transitioned to education director in 2005, author, and conservationist Kenn Kaufman, where she answered a call—personal and says her expansive knowledge of birds and professional—to get people excited about birds. In 2009, bird conservation is “completely self-taught.” Kaufman became the Observatory’s executive director. “I don’t have a college degree, but it hasn’t held me In addition to coordinating one of the country’s most back,” says Kaufman, who recently joined ABC’s Board successful young birder programs, the Observatory of Directors. “This Observatory and I have grown up organizes and hosts The Biggest Week in American together, and the opportunities it’s granted me are huge.”

Libby Sander: How did you market, and leverage the resulting that weighs less than an ounce— become interested in birds? economic impact of birding and you don’t swim!—you need Kimberly Kaufman: I grew up on tourism to build support for habitat to rest and refuel before these long this small farm in the middle of conservation. To achieve our crossings. With so much lakefront Ohio and spent nearly every waking goals, we devised a conservation habitat sacrificed to development, moment outside. But I didn’t really business plan that capitalized on the large concentrations of migratory connect with birds until my late Observatory’s strengths. The Biggest birds gather in these remaining 20s. I was at an appointment, and Week was a major element of the patches of wooded habitat to fuel outside the office they had a bird plan. up before crossing the lake. feeder. On every perch there was a We knew the business community These remnants of stopover habitat beautiful American Goldfinch, all would play a major role in our are the essential connection between males in blazing summer plumage. success, so in 2008, we developed the wintering grounds and the I had never seen a goldfinch. I our Birds and Business Alliance breeding grounds. Any loss of this was stunned to discover that these program. Today, more than 70 local habitat could have an impact on glorious birds—so common in businesses are participating. With the global population of Kirtland’s Ohio—could have escaped my all the other elements of our plan in Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, attention all my life. That moment place, in 2010 we launched The Big- Wood Thrush, and other birds. changed the course of my life, gest Week in American Birding. The and I was consumed by an intense event rapidly grew into the largest LS: What are the challenges for curiosity about the natural world. birding festival in the country. bird conservation in this region? LS: How did The Biggest Week KK: Wind energy is an intense issue LS: Why is the Great Lakes region begin? for us right now. With the need so critical to birds? for alternative energy on nearly KK: When the Observatory KK: All three of the major migratory everyone’s mind, there seems to headquarters moved to Magee routes birds follow during spring be a mad rush to install as many Marsh Wildlife Area, the leadership migration intersect over northwest turbines as quickly as possible. The recognized an opportunity to Ohio. When the birds get here, they wind industry doesn’t understand promote this sensational birding confront the daunting expanse of the complexities of bird behavior, destination to the world birding Lake Erie. When you’re a songbird

Photo of Kimberly Kaufman by Delores Cole 22 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 yet it’s making decisions about the middle of a Globally Important was shocking. Even in this barren whether turbines will impact birds. Bird Area. BSBO partnered with landscape, where we would have ABC to submit a letter of concern expected bird morality to be low, BSBO has more than 30 years of about this project to the Ohio the turbines are still killing an data documenting the volume of Power Siting Board, and we have alarming number of birds. Forty-one birds that pass through this region evaluated—and found many flaws species were killed at the facility during spring and fall migration. in—the company’s assessment of in 2012 and 2013. A disturbing The entire Western Basin of Lake the turbines’ environmental impact. percentage were migrating birds Erie has been designated as a Glob- such as Golden-winged Warbler, ally Important Bird Area. We’ve We’re also concerned about Ohio’s Philadelphia Vireo, and Golden- brought tremendous economic largest wind energy facility, the crowned Kinglet. development to the region through Blue Creek Wind Farm, owned and our efforts to market the sensational operated by Iberdrola Renewables. LS: These are sobering matters for birding here, and a whole host of Located in the flattest, emptiest anyone who loves birds. So where environmental agencies and orga- landscape in all of Ohio, we’ve been is your favorite place to go birding nizations are on record stating that keenly interested in the number of and recharge? this area is not suitable for wind en- birds being killed at this facility. KK: Believe it or not, our own yard. ergy development. Yet we still can’t In 2013, BSBO filed a request for Our little three-acre patch is an keep turbines out. We need industry the facility’s post-construction oasis in the middle of agricultural regulations—fighting these projects mortality data under the Freedom fields, and we’re restoring much of one at a time isn’t enough. of Information Act. it to native grasses and scrub-shrub. Watching the birds respond to the LS: Are there specific wind LS: What did you learn? changes is powerful motivation for projects in Ohio that concern KK: The company refuses to turn me to conserve and restore habitat you? over the data, citing trade secrets. on a larger scale. KK: There are. With a proposed In a closed-door meeting, the build-out of 1,700 turbines, the company did provide a list of Visit the Responsible Wind Energy LEEDCo “Icebreaker” project would birds killed over a two-year period, page on BSBO’s website: bsbo.org/ install six wind turbines in the open but refused to allow us to see the responsible-wind-energy waters of Lake Erie, right smack in study methodology. The raw data

Tundra Swans and wind turbine. Photo by Brian Lasenby, Shutterstock The Birds and the Butterflies A new effort aims to restore native prairie for Northern Bobwhites and monarch butterflies

By Jennifer Howard should be considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act. he grasslands of Texas and Oklahoma should be alive “The issue is the same for all of T with native birds: Painted them, which is the loss of native Buntings, Eastern Meadowlarks, habitat,” says Jim Giocomo. He Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Log- is ABC’s coordinator for the Oaks gerhead Shrikes, Dickcissels, and and Prairies Joint Venture (OPJV), many others, including Northern a coalition of state and federal Bobwhite, an iconic species in the agencies and nonprofit groups region. But poor land-management that have joined forces to support practices such as overgrazing and bird-conservation efforts in Texas fire suppression have turned much and Oklahoma. The partnership of the prairie into subpar habitat includes the Oklahoma Department for the birds and other creatures, of Wildlife Conservation, the Texas including the monarch butterfly, Parks and Wildlife Department, the that depend on it. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural When their habitat suffers, native Resources Conservation Service, bird and butterfly populations ABC, and others. decline. The number of Northern Bobwhites has dropped by as much With the help of local landowners as 57 percent in the last 10 years in and biologists, a new OPJV program, the Oaks and Prairies ecoregion. The ”Everybody needs prairie. the Grassland Restoration Incentive figures aren’t encouraging for other Program (GRIP), aims to stem or There’s a lot of overlap bird species. Eastern Meadowlarks reverse the decline of native-prairie have declined by as much as 48 between the habitats habitat and help bring back the percent, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers by quail and other species. Through 18 percent, and Loggerhead Shrikes these critters use.” the program, ABC and other Joint by 51 percent in the last decade, Venture partners are working to for instance. The U.S. Fish and Wendy Caldwell, improve or restore more than Monarch Joint Venture Wildlife Service (FWS), meanwhile, 40,000 acres of habitat in Texas and is evaluating whether the monarch now Oklahoma. Eastern Meadowlark by Gualberto Becerra, butterfly’s migratory populations Shutterstock

TOP: Northern Bobwhite by Lakeview Images, Shutterstock 24 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 The monarch butterfly cannot successfully reproduce without milkweed. Photo by Rob rely on them for food and shelter Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org Milkweed and Monarchs feel the effects. Bobwhites need What benefits the birds helps other thick clumps of grass for nesting The GRIP program “basically pays creatures as well. A robust prairie sites and a healthy plant commu- landowners to do good things with ecosystem supports not just native nity where they can forage for seeds grassland,” Giocomo says. Those grasses but an array of forbs, broad- and insects. “good things” include the use of leafed flowering plants that bees prescribed burning, proper grazing and other pollinators feed on. “Everybody needs prairie,” and fencing, brush clearing, and Monarch butterflies lay their eggs says Wendy Caldwell, Program planting native species instead of only on native species of milkweed; Coordinator of the Monarch Joint exotics such as Bermuda grass. when they hatch, the larvae feast Venture, which works to protect on the milkweed and absorb toxins the monarch migration across the GRIP began in late 2013; it’s so new from the plants, which makes them continental United States. Several that conservationists don’t have unappetizing to potential predators. of the partners in that program enough data yet to know how well That protective advantage remains focus not just on monarchs but it’s working. Over time, though, in place when they become adults. on grassland birds and other they’ll try to answer that question species as well. “There’s a lot of as they track populations of bob- Science supports the GRIP approach. overlap between the habitats white and other species through When native bluestem, Indiangrass, that these critters use,” she says. the Breeding Bird Survey and other and other tall native bunch grasses “When we’re restoring habitat for assessments. aren’t plentiful, the animals that

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 25 monarchs, that’s essentially prairie less than 1 percent of the native restoration.” prairie remains.

Like many of the birds whose That’s where the prairie restoration habitat they share, monarchs are work supported by the GRIP in trouble. Researchers estimate the program comes in. It collaborates strength of the North American with landowners on a voluntary migratory monarch population by basis, giving them financial estimating how many individuals incentives and expert advice to help overwinter in Mexico. In 1996, close them manage their land in ways to 1 billion butterflies made it there. that encourage healthy grassland In 2013, that figure dropped to an habitats. Any of the Joint Venture estimated 35 million. partner organizations can submit specific project proposals, which are Several factors have contributed reviewed by local teams of biologists to the butterflies’ plight, Caldwell and land managers. says, but damage to the prairie ecosystem is a big culprit. Milkweed Loggerhead Shrike by Terry Ross, Wikimedia Commons The Ax, the Plow, and the that used to grow alongside and Match within row-crop fields has been Wildlife Department (TPWD). displaced by more intensive farming The state recently put in place a Jon Hayes, a conservation delivery of the land. Herbicide-tolerant crops Monarch Conservation Plan he specialist with the TPWD, covers the drive habitat loss “because those helped develop. “Overgrazing, southern portion of the Joint Ven- herbicides are eliminating milkweed planting with non-native or ture’s focus area. He works closely and other nectar sources.” invasive species, urbanization—all with local wildlife biologists and of these have resulted in a pretty “The availability of nectar- substantial reduction of what was Prescribed burning is one of the most cost- effective habitat management tools in grassland producing forbs is a big issue,” says historically grassland prairie.” In ecosystems. Here a Texas Parks and Wildlife Benjamin Hutchins, an invertebrate the Blackland Prairie ecoregion of Department burn crew member lights a fire biologist with the Texas Parks and during a prescribed burn operation. Photo by north-central Texas, for instance, Jon Hayes

26 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 landowners who participate in GRIP. The program also supports the Much of his job revolves around removal of exotic grasses, imported “strategies we can put in the toolkit from Asia and Africa to feed of the local biologist that’s working livestock. “They tend to take over,” with the landowners,” he says. Hayes says. He adds that exotics like Bermuda grass also require a lot of When he describes the GRIP ap- fertilizer and water to make good proach, Hayes invokes a well-known fodder. Good conservation practices observation made by the conserva- make sense from a ranching tionist Aldo Leopold that the tools perspective, too. Native grasses that harm the land can be used to re- “tend to be more drought-resistant pair it: “the ax, the match, the cow, than the other grasses,” he says. the plow, and the gun.” GRIP focuses “They’re higher in nutrients, and on the ax, the match, the cow, and When he describes the replace more biomass.” the plow. For instance, Hayes says, “we get folks to chop down woody GRIP approach, Hayes GRIP helps landowners replace invasives” that don’t provide good exotics with native grasses where habitat for grassland birds. invokes a well-known it’s feasible to do so. The program defrays the costs of plowing observation made by Prescribed burns also keep and planting native seed mixes grasslands open for both birds and the conservationist Aldo and, when necessary, applying native plants—but setting fires can herbicides. Local or regional seed be a tough sell. “Fire’s an integral Leopold that the tools that companies can custom-mix seed part of maintaining grasslands in blends to suit particular locales, the West,” Hayes says. “But it’s harm the land can be used something people are often hesitant to repair it: “the ax, the ABOVE: Along with milkweed, monarch butter- to do.” GRIP provides training and flies need a variety of nectaring sources available to them throughout the year. encouragement. match, the cow, the plow, BELOW: Prairie grasses and flowering plants flourish following a prescribed burn. Photos and the gun.” by Jon Hayes

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 27 increasing the chances that what’s Conservation can educate. We’re here to give advice,” planted will thrive. “That’s costly, be contagious. As says Matt Reidy, a wildlife biologist and it’s not something that with TPWD who’s been working landowners are readily going to do landowners become with GRIP since it began. “It takes on their own,” Hayes says. “We time to build relationships.” have to make the case to them more familiar with that there’s an economic benefit For instance, he works with a small there, there’s a forage benefit there, those species, “they group of ranches—about 18,000 and there are tremendous wildlife do get excited to see acres in all—whose owners started benefits.” talking a few years ago about Painted Buntings or how they could jointly improve A Love of the Land quail habitat on their land. “Quail Grasshopper Sparrows or management provides an umbrella Many landowners GRIP works for so many other species, including with don’t need a whole lot of meadowlarks.” monarch butterflies, including convincing to adopt more wildlife- grassland birds,” Reidy says. friendly practices. They may be Conservation can be contagious. As conservation-minded to begin conservation delivery specialist with landowners become more familiar with—or they’ve noticed that OPJV. He covers the northern part with those species, “they do get they’re not seeing once-familiar of its range. “You use the species excited to see Painted Buntings birds as often as they used to. that’s of most interest to get the or Grasshopper Sparrows or point across and get your program “They may not recognize that meadowlarks.” implemented.” Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are on the Sometimes a light touch—or light decline, but they do recognize that Beyond money, GRIP provides grazing—works best. “For years and bobwhite are,” says Kenneth Gee, a crucial know-how. “We’re here to

TOP: Scissor-tailed Flycatchers by Ken Slade

28 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 years, wildlife biologists were saying “Land management is not simple, ‘Get the cows off, get the cows off,’” at least not down here,” Reidy Reidy says. Now they recognize says. “You have to try to teach the that “in a lot of ways, grazing is a landowners the skills to evaluate the wonderful tool.” Historically, these landscape and say, ‘What should I prairies were home to large numbers do next?’” of bison as well as deer. Cows can be a healthy part of the landscape Knowing how to make the right call as long as they’re not allowed to can make a world of difference—not overgraze it. On the other hand, just to bobwhites but to monarchs “you can get too thick with grass,” and the myriad other species that Reidy says. “To be a successful count on healthy prairie ecosystems cowman and take care of the land, in order to survive and thrive. Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed plants, and monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay you’ve got to be flexible.” Learn more about the Oaks and their eggs. Photo by Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Prairies Joint Venture: opjv.org. An approach that works one year—a year when there’s been ample rain, for instance, and the plants are Jennifer Howard is Director of Public Relations at ABC. She was a writer thriving—might not work when and reporter with The Chronicle of Higher Education for 10 years and drought strikes. The GRIP approach before that was a contributing editor and columnist with The Washington takes that into account, equipping Post. She writes nonfiction for The Times Literary Supplement and the Boston Review and her fiction work has been published by Virginia people with the knowledge to adapt Quarterly Review and others. Follow Jen on Twitter at @JenHoward. what they do as conditions change.

In areas that were historically savannahs—grasslands with scattered trees—GRIP can help landowners remove understory vegetation to ensure those ecosystems can meet the needs of the wildlife that resides there. Photo by Jon Hayes

BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 29 FINAL GLIMPSE

Legal action is one way to make the Fighting Pesticides’ regulatory process safer for birds. Last month, ABC joined with bee- keepers, farmers, and other public Deadly Impact on Birds interest groups in bringing a federal lawsuit against the EPA alleging By Cynthia Palmer insufficient regulation of neonic- otinoid seed coatings. (See related or all their prowess, birds are story, page 5.) If we prevail, the gov- no match for the lethal ingre- ernment will have to regulate these Fdients used in many pesticides. pesticides as it does any other. Neonicotinoids, for instance, are the most widely used insecticides on Another step to protect birds is to the planet. It’s nearly impossible for improve the way government col- farmers to buy seeds for staple crops lects data on dead or sick birds. This such as corn that are not coated with valuable information helps federal a neonicotinoid. For birds and other regulators assess the impact of pesti- wildlife, these insecticides are fatal. cides in the field. Yet under existing regulations, the reporting thresholds Here at ABC, we’ve been keeping ABC is now researching for wildlife are too high to be useful: a close watch on neonicotinoids Deaths among a “flocking species,” the impact of these and the threat they pose to ani- for instance, must be reported only mals. Through scientific research, diminished food supplies if 200 or more birds are affected. legal action, and collaboration with like-minded organizations, we on aerial insectivore birds Regulatory exemptions and feeble are working to protect birds—and reporting requirements keep the people—from these dangerous and such as the Common government in the dark about the pervasive chemicals. effects of pesticides on wildlife. Nighthawk and the Through critical research and efforts Research has helped us understand Willow Flycatcher. to change federal policy, including— the severity of the problem. In a when necessary—litigation, ABC is 2013 study, ABC found that neo- Common Nighthawk by Greg Lavaty determined to fight the most danger- nicotinoids are toxic to birds and ous pesticides and establish robust invertebrates, even in small quanti- The U.S. Environmental Protection protections for birds and for people. ties. And last year, we tested 66 food Agency regulates pesticide use samples from the cafeterias of the through a complex system of reg- U.S. Congress for neonicotinoids. istration, based largely on industry ABC's Birds and Pesticides We found the chemicals in more data, followed by reviews every Program is made possible by the than 90 percent of food tested— 15 years. Yet much of the damage generous support of the Turner illustrating how ubiquitous they occurs beneath the radar of state Foundation, the Wallace Genetic are in our food supply. and federal regulations: Millions of Foundation, the Ceres Trust, the pounds of neonicotinoids used as Cornell Douglas Foundation, and Neonicotinoids are in many of seed coatings, for instance, are ex- the Sarah K. de Coizart Article our waterways, too, and kill the empted from registration, so they are TENTH Perpetual Charitable Trust. aquatic invertebrates on which used without labels or enforcement. insect-eating birds depend. ABC is now researching the impact of Cynthia Palmer is Director of Pesticides Science and Regulation at ABC. these diminished food supplies Her work has dealt with chemical contamination, pest control, agriculture on aerial insectivore birds such as and food safety issues, worker health and safety, air and water pollution, the Common Nighthawk and the climate and energy policy, and tobacco policy. Cynthia received her A.B., Willow Flycatcher. J.D., and M.P.H. from Harvard University, concentrating in environmental and occupational health sciences and law.

30 BIRD CONSERVATION | SPRING 2016 Hundreds of species of birds…

Thousands of acres of habitat…

One legacy of bird conservation—yours.

You can create a legacy for birds by including ABC in your estate plans. Join ABC’s Legacy Circle with a gift through your will, retirement plan, trust, or insurance policy, and you will ensure bird conservation results for years to come. If you would like more information, or if you have already included ABC in your estate plans, please contact Jack Morrison, Planned Giving Director, at 540-253-5780 or at [email protected].

Photos, top to bottom: tern flock by Maksym Gorpenyuk, Shutterstock; beach habitat by Daniel J. Lebbin, ABC; Least Terns by Ivan Kuzmin, Shutterstock NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID P.O. Box 249 PERMIT NO. 2392 MERRIFIELD, VA The Plains, VA 20198 abcbirds.org 540–253–5780 • 888–247–3624

One of the world’s rarest species, Stresemann's Bristlefront is benefiting from an ABC-supported acquisition of additional habitat in Brazil. Photo by Ciro Albano