Nearly Half of North America's Birds at Risk
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VOLUME 47 October 2014 Number 2 A Field Guide to the Future: Nearly Half of North America’s Birds at Risk from Global Warming Nearly half of the bird species in the con- warming is allowed to erase the havens is global warming,” said Audubon Chief tinental U.S. and Canada are threatened birds occupy today. Scientist Gary Langham, who led the by climate change and global warming. “The greatest threat our birds face today investigation. “That’s our unequivocal Many of these species could go extinct Continued on page 2 without our taking decisive action to pro- tect their habitats and reduce the severity OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING of global warming. That’s the startling Monday October 20, 7:00 PM conclusion reached by Audubon scien- First United Methodist Church tists in a new study being released in mid- 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa September (Please remember to bring your own cup or mug!) Here in California, birds that are threat- Nationally known bird photographer, Marie Read, takes us on a journey exploring the bird- life of the Mono Lake Basin. Marie’s photography, now featured in her newly released book, ened by global warming include Black Sierra Wings: Birds of the Mono Lake Basin, reveals the fascinating lives of the birds that breed Oystercatcher, Allen’s Hummingbird, or migrate through this spectacular birding hotspot. Pygmy Nuthatch, and Yellow-headed Iconic Mono Lake, in California’s Eastern Sierra, is famous for bizarre tufa towers rising from Blackbird—as species of concern! its surface, and highly saline and alkaline water. Brine shrimp and alkali flies attract huge numbers of breeding and migratory birds, including California Gulls, Wilson’s and Red- necked phalaropes, and Eared Grebes. The surrounding sagebrush scrub, pinyon-juniper, Jef- frey pine and conifer-aspen forests support many other species. Please come and enjoy Marie’s stories from the field and learn how she obtained some of the behavior and action shots in the book. Signed books will be available for purchase. You can see more of Marie’s nationally recognized work at www.marieread.com. COMING NOVEMBER 17: Hollis Bewley of the Seabird Monitoring Program will present an up close and personal look at seabirds courting and raising their families along the Sonoma Coast. Hollis will give Pygmy Nuthatch Photo courtesy of Craig Tooley us an overview of the important work and accomplishments of the Seabird Monitoring Pro- gram being administered by Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods in partnership with the Of 588 bird species examined in the Seabird Protection Network, the California Coastal National Monument, and State Parks. study, 314 are at risk. Of those, 126 Hollis serves on the Board of Directors of Stewards, a nonprofit organization supporting CA species are at risk of severe declines by State Parks, and providing environmental education, in- terpretative, stewardship and citizen science programs in as early as 2050, and a further 188 spe- Armstrong Woods, Austin Creek and the Sonoma Coast. cies face the same fate by 2080, with She also coordinates the Seabird Monitoring Program (in numerous extinctions possible if global its second year!) as well as leads coastal bird walks and classroom field trips to tide pools for Stewards. She has To receive Leaves via email in PDF format just participated in Black Oystercatcher surveys for Audubon, and has been observing and photographing coastal birds email your request to: for 15 years. More information about her organization Black Oystercatchers in ocean [email protected] can be found at www.stewardscr.org/cms/pages/volun- shoreline habitat. You will get your copy faster and help save paper. teer_sonoma_coast_seabird_monitoring.html Photo courtesy of Craig Tooley MADRONE LEAVES A FIELD GUIDE summering place in Minnesota by 2080. issue of Audubon Magazine focusing on Continued from page 1 The study also reveals those areas that climate change. conclusion after seven years of pains- are likely to remain stable for birds even Gary Langham finished a webinar on takingly careful and thorough research. as climate changes, enabling Audubon this topic with “Give nature ½ a chance Global warming threatens the basic fab- to identify “stronghold” areas that birds and it responds. We need to give it that ric of life on which birds—and the rest of will need to survive in the future. Work- chance.” It is time we speak for birds. ing with partners we can identify and us—depend, and we have to act quickly Written by Diane Hichwa, adapted and decisively to avoid catastrophe for rank those strongholds to protect for greatest impact. from a basic article provided by Lynsy them and us.” Smithson Stanley, NAS Deputy Direc- The result is a roadmap for bird con- tor for Climate Change. servation in coming decades under a warming climate. The study provides • • • • • • a key entry point for Audubon’s great- er engagement on the urgent issue of global warming. Responding to the AUDUBON magnitude of the threat to our birds, ADVENTURES - National Audubon is greatly expanding Madrone’s Gift to 3rd-5th its climate initiative, aiming to engage a Cedar Waxwing on native white alder. Photo courtesy of Tom Reynolds larger and more diverse set of voices in Grade Schools in Sonoma support of protecting birds. County – 2014-15 To understand the links between where Solutions will include: 1) personal National Audubon’s “Audubon Adven- birds live and the climatic conditions choices to conserve energy and reduce tures” is again being offered for free to that support them, the researchers used greenhouse gas emissions in our com- all 3rd-5th grade teachers in Sonoma 17 variables (for temperature, seasonal- munities 2) creating backyard bird habi- County. New this year is the digital plus ity and precipitation) to look at chang- tat 3) local action to create community option “Birds, Bees, and Neighborhood ing climate scenarios. Langham and climate action plans 4) local and state- Biomes” Classroom Kit OR, as in the other Audubon ornithologists analyzed based work to increase rooftop solar and past, the printed version – choose from 30 years of historical North American energy efficiency, 5) Audubon’s work in 1 of 8 kits. climate data together with tens of thou- Important Bird Areas and other efforts sands of historical bird records from to protect and expand bird habitats. With a Digital Plus subscription stu- both the 100+ years of winter Audubon With the range maps we can identify dents receive: Three ready to print or Christmas Bird Counts and the spring/ places needing protection to provide a project student editions with engaging summer North American Breeding Bird refuge for these birds. We can know bet- science content, online, student quiz- Survey data of the U.S. Geological Sur- ter which species to focus on and where zes and puzzles, kid-friendly games and vey. Understanding those links then al- to take action most effectively. infographics, Windows on the Wild lowed scientists to project where birds videos and live webcam. Teachers re- are likely to be able to survive–OR not ceive: Six E-newsletters, “Birds on the survive–in the future. Range maps, such Move” classroom wall poster, topic back- as those found in bird field guides, show ground information, discussion starters, where birds now winter and nest; the lesson plans for classroom and field-based new maps from this study project with activities, bibliographies, glossary, cor- climate change where habitat will be and relations to Common Core English if/when there is a match to sustain each Language Arts and Next Generation species. Science standards and assessment ques- tions and answers, opportunities to par- Our locally common Black Oystercatch- Black Oystercatcher with chick. er is projected to lose more than 50% Photo courtesy of Craig Tooley ticipate in community service learning of its range by 2050. The iconic Com- and citizen science projects such as Great mon Loon, heard but unseen as it calls For more information, visit Audubon. Backyard Bird Count and Pennies for the through the mist of a Midwestern lake, org/Climate. After September 9 there will Planet. The Audubon magazine subscrip- is projected to have no suitable place be more than 300 maps on the website. tion is also sent to the school address. National members can expect a double- Continued on page 3 Page 2 MADRONE LEAVES AUDUBON ADVENTURES ing, Humboldt State University, Arcata One More for Your Continued from page 2 California 95521. Instructions and bird count form available at www.utahbirds. Life List OR With a Printed Version subscrip- org/cbc/ThanksgBirdCount.htm and by Steve Glover tion: Choose one from among eight kits your Thanksgiving Bird Count can be Reprinted with permission from the author - four separate magazine sets (32 of each). emailed to thanksgivingbirdcount@ and Mount Diablo Audubon Society. gmail.com, if you are in the western With education budgets often cut, funds United States. The annual American Ornithologists’ for environmental education programs are Union Checklist Supplement, published limited. We can help fill some of that need. • • • • • • online on July 30th, includes a revision of Teachers of 3rd-5th grade students may the taxonomic status of the “large rails,” contact Marcia Johnson at owlsnesttwo@ 9th Annual Wine which we have traditionally called the att.net, 829-3808 before December 1, Country Rowing Classic Clapper and King Rails. The King Rail 2014, to receive an “Audubon Adventures” has been split into two species: The famil- Resource Kit for your class. North Bay Rowing Club and Sonoma iar King Rail of the eastern U.S. retains State Crew have been hosting the Contributions to support this project would its English and scientific names (Rallus el- Wine Country Rowing Classic since be greatly welcomed.