Vol. 9, No. 3 BBIRDIRD CCALLSALLS November 2005
Avian Influenza Spreads: Role of Wild Birds Debated IN THIS ISSUE Endangered Species Act ecent outbreaks of the Transmission from human to human Faces Extinction? Bill passed avian influenza type ‘A’ has only been recorded in very rare by House weakens ESA protec- R virus, known as H5N1 or cases, and in those cases the disease tions. See story page 3. “avian flu” are causing worldwide has not progressed past the second concern. All subtypes of type ‘A’ individual. Unless the virus mutates Hurricanes Pound Gulf influenza viruses occur naturally in to be readily transmissible from Coast—Sixteen refuges in wild birds, particu- human to human, Louisiana, Mississippi, and larly waterfowl, most the risk of a major Alabama temporarily closed. causing little or no human outbreak is See story page 5. threat to the health low. Most human of birds or people. infections currently However, H5N1 is respond to drugs an especially viru- commonly used to lent and contagious treat human influ- strain, and was first enza strains, though recorded in domestic resistance to those poultry in Asia. It has American Bird Conservancy strongly drugs has been re- since spread to some opposes the culling of wild birds, such as corded in Vietnam these Brant, in response to H5N1. Photo: wild birds in Asia Gary Smyle. and may become a and Eastern Europe. more significant fac- It has also infected tor in the future. more than 100 people and caused ABC’s Position
the deaths of 61 of them. Almost all See page 5 for photo caption. human cases to date have been trans- American Bird Conservancy strong- mitted from poultry, and there have ly opposes the culling of wild birds ABC Project News—Projects been no recorded instances of trans- and the draining of wetlands in re- underway to improve and pro- mission from wild birds to humans. sponse to H5N1. The best science, tect habitat in ABC’s domestic as well as common sense, indicates and international programs. Wild Birds and H5N1 that these actions are impractical, See stories page 9. Whereas wild birds may play a role and could even result in an increase in the spread of this disease, the in the spread of the virus by causing Recorded calls appear to early spread through Asia appears to birds to disperse more widely. The confirm existence of Ivory- more closely track the commercial World Health Organization and the billed woodpecker. Record- movements of domestic poultry. If United Nations Food and Agriculture ings made public, new search to begin late this year. See migratory birds were the key factor Organization have also taken this story page 12. in its movement, outbreaks could position. also have been expected to occur in Effective control of the disease Hawaiian birds to receive areas where they have not yet been should instead first focus on the new federal funding. ‘Alala, recorded, such as the Philippines, domestic poultry industry, includ- other endangered endemics to Taiwan, and Australia, which lie ing: stringent global monitoring benefit. See story page 13. along regular migratory pathways for programs; immediate culling and Asian birds. Nonetheless, recent out- correct disposal of infected flocks; breaks in China, Russia, and Eastern For complete list of stories, see limiting contact between domestic page 2. Europe may be linked to wild bird movements. Continued on page 4 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005
Arkansas Water Projects Controversy CONTENTS Avian Flu: ABC’s Position 1 rkansas’ Grand Prairie is bi- Arkansas Water Projects Controversy 2 sected by the White River a Endangered Species Act Under Attack 3 number of miles from where Battle Against Carbofuran Continues 4 A Hurricanes Pound Refuges on Gulf Coast 5 the Ivory-billed Woodpecker was re- Gulf Coast Parks Opened to Energy 5 cently rediscovered, and where FWS Exploration is now spending upwards of $17 mil- American Kestrel Rebounds in 2005? 6 Navy Airstrip Plans on Hold 6 lion protecting habitat for the species. Seabird Deaths on Both Coasts 7 An Army Corps of Engineers project Marine Toxins Impact Arctic Seabirds 7 that will remove 150 billion gallons First Range-wide Survey for Least Terns 8 of water each year from the river to Colorful Pufflegs Thrive at New Reserve 8 irrigate rice fields has recently been ABC Expands Andean Reserve Network 9 New Domestic Habitat Projects at ABC 9 approved, and is now being chal- Condors Stomach New Threats 10 lenged in court by The National and EU Ban on Wild Bird Imports 10 Arkansas Wildlife Federations, who Jimmy Buffett Supports Home for 11 Endangered Parrots cite potential harm to Ivory-billed Ivory-billed Woodpecker, from American Ornithol- Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act 11 Woodpecker habitat as a reason to ogy, (published 1800s) by Alexander Wilson and Horicon Marsh Wind Farm Advances 12 halt the project. The Army Corps of Charles Lucien Bonaparte. Recorded Calls Appear to Confirm 12 Engineers submitted a biological as- Ivory-billed Woodpecker $14 Million For Hawaiian Bird 13 sessment to FWS, contending that the all partners should work to maintain Conservation project would not damage wetland the seasonal hydrology as close to New Colombian Species Discovered 13 habitat, and won the right to proceed natural conditions as possible. At this Mallard Removal from Hawai’i 14 Study Links Outdoor Cats to Mental 14 following a court case earlier this stage, it is clear that this will likely Illness in Humans year. Congress has since appropriated be achieved through a combination Birds in Brief 15 $12 million dollars of altering or halting Flame-winged Parrots Flock to New 16 Nest Boxes for the project, mean- pumping activities ing that work on the ABC believes that all and discharge regimes pumping stations can from upstream dams. Abbreviations begin any time. Jim partners should work to ABC: American Bird Conservancy Another proposed FWS: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bodron, the project maintain the seasonal project would dredge manager, was quoted a nine-foot-deep in the Washington hydrology as close to channel in the lower Bird Calls is the newsletter of Post as saying, “This natural conditions as American Bird Conservancy and White River to ac- project has no signifi- the Bird Conservation Alliance. possible. commodate year- cant negative envi- Editorial Committee: George Fenwick, round barge traffic. Mike Parr, David Pashley, Perry Plumart, ronmental impacts.” Gemma Radko, Gavin Shire, Although the project George Wallace. The hydrology of the White River is has alarmed conservationists due 1731 Connecticut Ave, NW, 3rd Floor also governed by outflow from previ- to its potentially negative impacts Washington, DC 20009 202-234-7181/fax 202-234-7182 ously constructed upstream dams, on seasonal wetland hydrology, wa- E-mail: [email protected] and the entire system is now subject ter quality, sedimentation, and the Web: www.abcbirds.org to significant human manipulation. course of the White River itself, BIRD CONSERVATION ALLIANCE www.birdconservationalliance.org The currently proposed project will there seems to be little probability Director: Alicia Craig remove approximately 2% of the that it will be approved and com- [email protected] river’s normal flow. Some claim that pleted. Contact: Arkansas Wildlife Officers: Chair: Jim Kushlan this alteration may dry out Ivory- Federation,
Bottomland swamp forest. Photo: Clark Jones/ Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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Endangered Species Act Faces Extinction? Key Provisions of H.R. n a move that could significantly 3824 That Weaken the weaken the Endangered Species Endangered Species Act IAct, the U.S. House of Represen- tatives passed the deceptively-named Eliminates Critical Habitat (CH) des- Threatened and Endangered Species ignation, which sets aside both land Recovery Act of 2005 (HR 3824). currently occupied by an endangered The 229 to 193 vote occurred on Sep- species and areas that can be restored tember 29th. An earlier vote on an to allow for future recovery and range alternative, offered by Congressmen expansion. H.R. 3824 replaces CH with George Miller (D-CA) and Wayne poorly-defined ‘areas of special value.’ The lack of specificity on this issue Gilchrest (R-MD), and supported The Brown Pelican is one of the many species that leaves the door open to varied interpre- by a broad coalition of conservation has benefitted from the protections of the Endan- gered Species Act. Photo: Gary Smyle. tation, thus hampering enforcement. groups, including ABC, was narrowly defeated by a margin of 206 to 216. Eliminates mandatory consultation Among H.R. 3824’s most disturbing between government agencies and The Threatened and Endangered Spe- changes are the elimination of man- endangered species experts at FWS, re- cies Recovery Act was introduced datory habitat protections in favor of placing them with voluntary measures. by Congressman Richard Pombo voluntary measures, the elimination This would enable registration of new (R-CA), Chairman of the House Re- of oversight by endangered species toxic pesticides or the re-registration of sources Commit- experts in the pesticides previously deemed unsafe without biologists ever being given the tee, and Dennis registering of …ABC and other conservation opportunity to review data, comment, Cardoza (D-CA). hazardous pes- or influence the process. The legislation groups will be working to ensure ticides, the abil- was strongly op- ity for political Allows the Secretary of The Interior to that any new bill strengthens pro- posed by environ- appointees to unilaterally disregard scientific evidence mental groups, tections for endangered species unilaterally and overturn decisions regarding en- dangered species, with no recourse for wildlife enthusi- overturn sci- rather than weakens them. the public. asts, and scientists ence-based de- for sacrificing cisions, and the Provides for massive financial hand-outs America’s precious natural heritage potential to bankrupt the ESA’s bud- to those who seek to develop important for the sake of corporate interests and get by forcing maximum reparation wetlands, forests, and prairies. The property developers. to developers who plan the biggest, government would have to pay develop- ers for the most expensive potential most destructive projects on the most Since its passage in 1973, the Endan- use of land should the presence of an ecologically valuable land. gered Species Act has been responsi- endangered species prevent them from ble for saving numerous species from The Senate is expected to write undertaking development projects. This could encourage property owners to extinction, including the Bald Eagle its own ESA legislation early next plan the most destructive and expensive (which nearly disappeared in the year, and ABC and other conser- development conceivable, and bankrupt lower 48 states due to DDT poisoning vation groups will be working to the endangered species program. in the 60s and 70s), the Whooping ensure that any new bill strength- Crane, gray wolf, Florida panther, ens protections for endangered Currently, federal agencies must and countless other birds, mammals, species rather than weakens them. adhere to Recovery Plans, set in place to ensure adequate protection for reptiles, amphibians, insects, and Contact: Perry Plumart, Direc- endangered species. H.R. 3824 plants. tor, Conservation Advocacy, ABC, allows federal agencies to pick
Thanks to ESA protection and concerted conserva- California Condor. Photo: FWS. tion efforts, Whooping Cranes have begun to make a comeback. Photo: FWS. 2 3 3 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005
Battle Over Eagle-killing Pesticide Carbofuran Not Over Yet n June, the Environmental Pro- in which at least 7,300 birds were avoid having it banned by the EPA tection Agency (EPA) produced killed by legal uses of the pesticide. due to environmental concerns. An I a scathing Ecological Risk As- ABC’s Avian Incident Monitoring American ban would have severely sessment on the remaining legal uses System database (www.abcbirds.org/ limited the company’s ability to sell of the pesticide carbofuran. It was aims) has documentation of at least the pesticide overseas, as the U.S. has estimated, for example, that 85% of 371 incidents due to both legal and international agreements that require a flock of Mallards feeding just once illegal uses of the pesticide. These the reporting of chemicals cancelled in an alfalfa field within a week of incidents resulted in more than 40,000 in this country, but voluntary with- spraying would be killed. bird deaths including Bald Eagles, oth- drawal of a chemical by the manufac- er raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds. turer prevents the government from The report concludes that “…birds notifying other countries. are being exposed to carbofuran levels …in spite of the recent dam- The EPA is now in the process of that result in direct conducting a re-registration review aging report, the EPA has not mortality,” and of carbofuran to determine its per- that “exposure suspended any current uses, is mitted uses. Yet, in spite of the recent and mortality continuing with its re-registra- damaging report, the EPA has not of non-target suspended any current uses, is con- birds occur tion review, and is not scheduled tinuing with its re-registration review, frequently with to make any decision until late and is not scheduled to make any de- carbofuran registered 2006 or 2007. cision until late 2006 or 2007, mean- uses.” ing all current uses will continue unchanged at least until then. FMC is The report, actively fighting the report’s conclu- produced by the As much as 2.8 million pounds of sions, and senior staff at EPA have EPA’s Environ- liquid (or “flowable”) carbofuran is indicated that re-registration of the mental Fate and applied each year in the U.S., mostly chemical is likely, regardless of its ef- Effects Division, on corn, alfalfa, cotton, and tobacco. fects on birds. Contact: Michael Fry, documents more In 1992, the manufacturer, FMC Director, Pesticides and Birds Cam- than 27 incidents Corporation, withdrew the granu- lar formulation from the market to paign, ABC,
Bald Eagle. Photo: ClipArt.com
Avian Flu, continued from page 1: poultry and wild birds to limit the as well as research into any differen- reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife possible spread to wild flocks; and re- tial effects across species and regions, Service so they can investigate the strictions on the movement of domes- as well as gathering more data on the exact cause. There is no evidence that tic poultry, including banning poultry ecological strategy of the virus, so feeding of wild birds plays a role in and other live bird imports and ex- that H5N1 may be more fully under- the spread of the disease, but people ports where needed. Because there stood and future outbreaks prevented. should clean bird feeders regularly to have been recent records of cage limit the spread of other diseases. To date, H5N1 has not been recorded birds transported in the international in North America. The observation ABC will continue to monitor the sit- pet trade testing positive for H5N1, a of dead wild birds does not necessar- uation and issue additional advisories ban on the trade in cage birds should ily indicate the arrival of the virus to if and when new information comes be implemented to limit the spread of America, as bird deaths can be caused to light. Contact: Michael Fry, Direc- the virus. by a variety of diseases as well as tor, Pesticides and Birds Campaign, ABC also supports efforts to monitor other factors such as pesticide poi- ABC,
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Hurricanes Pound Endangered and threatened species found at Breton, such as the Least Wildlife Refuges Tern and wintering Piping Plovers, Along Gulf Coast will likely also be impacted. Hurricane Katrina brought down ational Wildlife Refuges in many trees at Noxubee National three states sustained consid- Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi, Nerable damage as Hurricanes including cavity trees where endan- Katrina and Rita rampaged through gered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers the Gulf Coast region. Sixteen ref- roost and nest. Foraging habitat uges in Louisiana, Mississippi, and for these woodpeckers was also Alabama—a total of 365,000 acres— destroyed. have been temporarily closed due to the destruction caused by these pow- Fortunately, the endangered Mis- erful storms. sissippi population of the Sandhill Hurricane Katrina approaching the Gulf Coast. Crane made it through the hurricane The worst damage was wrought in Image courtesy of MODIS Rapid Response Project at NASA/GSFC. with minimal losses. A captive flock Louisiana’s Breton National Wildlife at an Audubon center in New Orleans Refuge, an ABC-designated Globally survived the storm, and the 140-bird Important Bird Area, comprised of Sixteen refuges in Louisiana, flock at the Mississippi Sandhill a series of barrier islands including Mississippi, and Alabama—a Crane National Wildlife Refuge is Breton Island and all of the Chan- total of 365,000 acres—have relatively intact. Of 38 birds that deleur Islands—13,000 acres in all. have radio transmitters, 25 have been This refuge is now half the size it was been temporarily closed due to found alive. before the storm. This land loss will the destruction caused by this affect bird species that nest on the Data continues to be collected on refuge’s various islands, including powerful storm. Hurricane Katrina’s impact on Gulf Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull, and Coast wildlife. For more information, Royal, Caspian, and Sandwich Terns. visit the FWS Website: www.fws.gov.
Gulf Coast Parks to be Opened to Energy Exploration he Emergency Military Spend- Important Bird Area; two of the five ing Bill signed by President Mississippi islands are also designat- TBush in May contained lan- ed Wilderness Areas, ostensibly the guage that will permit oil and gas highest form of federal protection. exploration on National Park proper- Gulf Islands National Seashore is ties. This marks the first time that a prime location for breeding birds the federal government has allowed such as Brown Pelicans, Wilson’s seismic exploration on National Park Plovers, Royal and Least Terns, Black property, although energy exploration Skimmers, and a number of egret and Oil and gas exploration on National Park proper- has been allowed on rare occasions heron species. It is also an invaluable ties will threaten nesting habitat for many species, on other park properties over the last including this Black Skimmer and Royal Terns. stopover site for thousands of migrat- decade. Photo: ClipArt.com ing landbirds, and migrating and win- The bill contains four paragraphs, tering shorebirds, including Piping written by Senator Thad Cochran Plovers. Department of Environmental Qual- (R-MS), that would secure the State ity to the Mississippi Development A state bill signed last year by Mis- of Mississippi’s claim to natural gas Authority, an economic agency with sissippi Governor Haley Barbour lying under the Gulf Islands Na- no responsibility for the environ- will allow oil and gas leases in state tional Seashore, a network of islands ment. Contact: Perry Plumart, Direc- waters surrounding the islands. The along the Gulf Coast that have been tor, Conservation Advocacy, ABC, governor also signed legislation shift- designated by ABC as a Globally
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American Kestrel Rebounds in 2005? reliminary reports from East In some areas, the decline of fam- Coast hawk watch sites indi- ily farms has resulted in the loss of Pcate dramatically higher num- suitable habitat, while elsewhere, bers of American Kestrels than have nest cavity availability has decreased been seen in recent years. Counts at commensurate with declines in the the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Obser- cavity-creating Northern Flicker vatory at Kiptopeke are more than (which has been given a consistent double the numbers recorded over the ‘significant declining trend’ by the same period in each of the last three Breeding Bird Survey). years, and numbers at Cape May are also up. The Cooper’s Hawk, which experi- enced a population resurgence fol- This is a welcome change from recent lowing bans on both hawk shooting data from Christmas Bird Counts and DDT, has also been observed and Breeding Bird Surveys, as well preying on American Kestrels. A nest American Kestel populations face a wide variety of challenges, including West Nile Virus and loss as from hawk watch sites, which box study at Hawk Mountain Sanc- of suitable habitat. Photo: Gary Smyle. showed that the American Kestrel tuary in Pennsylvania for example has declined precipitously in the showed a 55% decline in the kestrel Northeastern United States. While no population over five years due to to coincide with the virus’s spread single factor has been identified as the Cooper’s Hawk predation. throughout the region. primary cause, the varied habitat re- While too early to conclude that pre- quirements of this small falcon (open Finally, West Nile Virus (WNV) seems to have hit northeastern kestrel liminary 2005 counts constitute a or semi-open foraging areas with turnaround for the kestrel, biologists perches and nest cavities) may make populations hard. The kestrel is on nearly every state’s list of WNV- hope that the news will continue to be it especially vulnerable to a combina- encouraging. Contact: Gemma Rad- tion of threats. affected species, and the steep de- clines over the past five years appear ko, ABC,
Navy Kept in Holding Pattern Over North Carolina Airstrip ocosin Lakes National Wildlife In early September, a Washington Refuge in eastern North Caro- D.C. Appeals Court sided with the Plina was designated a Globally environmentalists by upholding an Important Bird Area by ABC in 2002 earlier lower court decision to halt due to its significant concentration progress on the landing site, and of wintering waterfowl, particularly demanding a more thorough envi- the 30,000 or so Tundra Swans and ronmental review. The Navy has 40,000 Snow Geese that call the area not been prevented from continuing home during the winter months. The the process of land acquisition, but refuge was subsequently classified conservation advocates hope that by Defenders of Wildlife as one of A Washington Appeals Court decision has, for now, this most recent court decision will halted plans by the U.S. Navy to build an airbase the ten most threatened in the coun- close to Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. prompt the Navy to abandon its plans try, in part because of plans to build Photo © 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights and seek an alternative location that a major naval airbase less than five reserved.. has less impact on wildlife. Contact: miles away. The resulting noise and William Lutz, Defenders of Wildlife, pollution from thousands of takeoffs Defenders and three other environ- (202) 772-0269. and landings would, biologists feared, mental groups, plus the counties of have irreparably harmed the refuge. Washington and Beaufort, subse- The high potential for bird strikes by quently filed two lawsuits opposing low-flying jets also posed a serious the Navy’s plans, citing insufficient risk to both birds and pilots. environmental review.
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Seabird Deaths–A Bicoastal Issue cientists are blaming warmer Meanwhile, on the East Coast, biolo- ocean temperatures for a sharp gists from Florida to Maryland have Sincrease in the number of dead also recovered an unusual number of and dying seabirds recovered along dead seabirds, particularly Greater the Pacific Coast, from California Shearwaters, which washed ashore to British Columbia, between May between late June and mid July this and July this year. Biologists work- year. In total, some 700 birds were ing with the Coastal Observation and recovered, with the highest con- Seabird Survey Team (COASST), Greater Shearwater deaths along the East Coast centration found in South Carolina. could be part of a cyclical event. Photo: Bill based in Washington State, estimate Hubick. Examination of the birds revealed no that mortality was some 100,000 sign of exposure to toxins, but most birds (mostly Brandt’s Cormorants Oceanographers have traced the were emaciated, likely indicating a and Common Murres) above normal. cause of the die off to weaker than scarcity of food. No conclusions have These were nearly all adult birds, usual northerly winds, which in turn been made as to the exact cause, but meaning that in some areas, this caused a decrease in “upwelling,” a there is some historical evidence year’s breeding productivity was process whereby nutrient-rich water that this could be a ten-year event close to zero. The seabirds, collected from lower depths is drawn to the corresponding to shearwater breed- by volunteers from COASST and surface by cool winds, providing fuel ing cycles. For more information, other citizen science groups, were for an entire food chain. The upwell- contact: Julia Parish, COASST, (206) emaciated and had no food in their ing failure was amplified by a very 221-5787, or visit www.coasst.org. stomachs, suggesting starvation. mild preceding winter, which left more seabirds alive to compete for very limited resources.
Marine Toxins Impact Arctic Seabirds, Then Other Wildlife via Bird Droppings
recent Canadian study, the base of the colony cliffs. Inverte- published in the journal Sci- brates that feed on the plant life are A ence, has shown pesticide eaten by fish, which are preyed upon and heavy metal toxins that are pol- by other fish, birds, and finally, some luting the world’s oceans are being mammals. passed up the food chain and eventu- Northern Fulmars, exposed to high concentra- Researchers working in the Cana- tions of pollutants through fish, are passing those ally showing up in otherwise pristine dian Arctic discovered contaminant toxins on to other species in the food chain. Photo: areas of the Arctic. Seabirds exposed ClipArt.com. concentrations of up to 60 percent to toxins such as mercury, DDT, and above normal while testing chemical other pesticides are expelling high levels in pools below cliffs support- The discovery of high levels of con- concentrations of these contaminants ing Northern Fulmar nesting colo- taminants in this food chain is cause or their metabolites in their drop- nies. Pools nearest the cliffs, where for concern for these Arctic land- pings, which in turn impacts other more of the birds’ guano and food scapes and wildlife. It is yet more species and habitats. remnants fall, showed the highest evidence that continuing marine pol- Seabird breeding colonies form the concentrations of pollutants. Three of lution is having a severe impact on all basis of the food chain in otherwise these pools contained so much mer- aspects of life on the planet, however resource-deficient regions of the cury that they neared or surpassed remote. Contact: Michael Fry, Direc- north. Guano from these nesting Canada’s limit for wildlife safety. tor, Pesticides and Birds Program, colonies nourishes algae and plank- ABC,
6 7 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 Conservation News—Recent highlights from ABC’s First Range-wide Survey for Endangered Interior Least Tern
n 2005, ABC coordinated the first tern’s entire range, resulting in the range-wide survey of the interior formation of the ‘Interior Least Ipopulation of the Least Tern, pro- Tern Working Group,’ with the aim viding the first complete picture of its of improving monitoring and trend numbers and distribution. analysis. The Least Tern nests along both Then, during the 2005 breeding coastlines of the United States and season, ABC coordinated the first Mexico, and on sandbars in large riv- national survey of all known interior ers, primarily within the Mississippi, Least Tern nesting areas. The pri- Missouri, Platte, Arkansas, and Red mary objectives of this survey were River systems. In 1985, the “interior” to provide a minimum count of the ABC has coordinated the first interior Least Tern Least Tern, (all Least Terns nesting number of adult terns occurring in survey to serve as the basis for a long-term monitor- more than 30 miles inland from the North America during the breeding ing plan for this species. Photo: Michael Guilfoyle, US Army Corps of Engineers. Gulf of Mexico) was federally listed season, document the distribution and as Endangered due to low numbers abundance of nesting colonies, and and concerns about habitat loss. At describe the types of habitats that are counted on the Lower Mississippi the time, survey coverage for interior being used for nesting. River between Cape Girardeau, Mis- Least Terns was incomplete and their souri, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Crews surveyed 4,515 river miles, range-wide distribution was poorly over 14,000 acres of salt flats, 12 res- More than 140 participants from a known. Survey coverage improved ervoirs, and 61 sand pits. A total of large number of agencies and orga- steadily following listing, though 17,871 terns were counted at a mini- nizations took part in this survey, large portions of the range remained mum of 487 different colonies. A which will provide the foundation inadequately surveyed, and local majority of adult terns were counted for ongoing efforts to devise a range- monitoring efforts were rarely coor- on rivers (89.9%), with much smaller wide monitoring plan. Contact: Casey dinated or analyzed at larger scales. numbers at sand pits (3.7%), reser- Lott, Interior Least Tern Monitor- In April 2004, ABC and the U.S. voirs (2.7%), salt flats (2.1%), industri- ing Program Coordinator, ABC, Army Corps of Engineers brought al sites (1.5%), and roof-tops (0.3%).
Colorful Pufflegs Thrive at Swarovski Reserve
vidence that protection and protect its only remaining habitat, habitat restoration efforts are designated as an Alliance for Zero E working to save the Color- Extinction site (Bird Calls Vol. 9, ful Puffleg in Colombia came this No. 1). past month when a record number New feeders, placed at the recom- of birds were observed in the newly- mendation of Swarovski Optik created “Reserva de Aves Mirabilis- Director Gerold Dobler, have been Swarovski.” a great success, visited by flocks When ProAves Colombia identified of hummingbirds. The project is the key population of this Critically looking for small financial do- Endangered hummingbird, and re- nations to provide feeders and vealed that its tiny population was at Record numbers of Colorful Puf- sugar. Contact: Paul Salaman, Direc- enormous risk, ABC and Swarovski flegs have been observed at the new tor, International Programs, ABC, Swarovski Reserve. Photo: Fundación Optik rapidly moved to secure the ProAves.
8 9 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 programs across the Western Hemisphere
ABC Expands Andean Dusky Starfrontlet (1) Reserve Network in 2005 Photo: Fundación ProAves
� o far in 2005, ABC has helped � partner groups in Colombia, � Ecuador, and Peru purchase S �������� more than 21,500 acres to create five ������� � new private bird reserves, and expand � four others. The reserves are lo- � cated at key sites for endangered and Gorgeted Wood-quail (3) � Photo: Fundación ProAves critically endangered endemics, and � declining habitat-restricted species. � These include the Dusky Starfrontlet, Colorful Puffleg, Gorgeted Wood- quail, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Jocotoco Antpitta, and Pale-headed ���� Brush-finch.
One of the Colombian reserves 1: Páramo Frontino (map location 3) is also designed to 2: Munchique National Park protect an important wintering con- Jocotoco Antpitta (7) 3: Hacienda La Victoria, Cordillera Oriental centration of the declining Cerulean Photo: Doug Weschler/VIREO 4: Río Canande Warbler. ABC is extremely grateful 5: Río Silanche to the many foundations and indi- to halt imminent bird extinctions by 6: Yunguilla Reserve viduals that have contributed to this effectively safeguarding the 89 sites 7. Tapichalaca Reserve program, and to our partner organi- in the Americas to which the 109 8. Utuana zations in the Andean region whose endangered and critically endangered 9: Alto Mayo hard work has made these projects single-site, endemic species are con- Solid stars indicate new ABC reserves. possible. ABC is working with its fined. Contact: Paul Salaman, Direc- Outlined stars indicate reserves ABC has added to in 2005. partners in the Alliance for Zero tor, International Programs, ABC, Extinction (www.zeroextinction.org)
New Domestic Habitat Projects at ABC Please support the
has entered into a has received a multi- ABC cooperative agree- ABC state three year grant ment with the Natural Resources to design and manage a major bird Conservation Service (NRCS) to monitoring program for the north- develop land management guidelines eastern U.S. that will be implemented The Saltillo savanna is one of the last to assist private landowners in im- in partnership with the Cornell refuges for the Endangered Worthen’s proving habitat for high priority birds Lab of Ornithology and Manomet Sparrow and other high-priority grass- across the U.S. The project will help Center for Conservation Sciences. land species such as Long-billed Cur- to guide conservation actions sup- Under the grant, species of high lew and Mountain Plover. ported by the Farm Bill, and has the conservation concern, such as mi- potential to benefit hundreds of bird grating shorebirds, owls, and rails, To learn more about this and other species across millions of acres of will benefit from new, standardized on-the-ground conservation projects in the U.S. over the next decade. Con- monitoring protocols. Without effec- Latin America and the Caribbean, and tact David Pashley, Vice President tive monitoring, the effectiveness to donate on-line through ABC’s se- for Conservation Programs, ABC, of conservation actions are difficult cure server, visit: www.abcbirds.org/
Condors Stomach New Threats
lation at the hatching of four When one of two chicks hatched wild California Condor chicks at Vermillion Cliffs, Arizona was Ethis year quickly turned to dis- observed to be losing weight, it was appointment and concern when one taken to the Los Angeles Zoo, where of the fledglings died from West Nile veterinary surgeons found an as- Virus, and a second had to undergo tounding amount of foreign material an emergency operation to remove impacted in its gut. This included 14 material impacted in its gut. shotgun shell casings, one shotgun shell, five bottle tops, a metal bracket, Material removed from the gut of a condor chick in The chick that died from West Nile 2003. Photo: Jesse Grantham, FWS. three electrical fittings, several wash- was one of two hatched at Hopper ers, plastic bag pieces, and enough Mountain National Wildlife Refuge fragments of broken glass and plastic Behavior modification techniques in California. to fill a coffee cup. Miraculously, the on captive-raised birds are now be- Since 2002, concern over the dan- chick survived and was placed in cap- ing considered as a possible solution, gers posed by West Nile Virus has tivity for possible future re-release. though no specifics have yet been prompted biologists to trap and vac- forthcoming. This was by no means the worst case cinate all captive and released con- of parent condors feeding hazardous Despite these recent setbacks, the dors (Bird Calls Vol. 6, No. 3). Lab materials to their young, though this total wild condor population now tests had indicated that inoculation of chick was particularly underdevel- stands at 125, with 151 in captivity— the parent birds conferred some im- oped as a result. The reasons behind a definite conservation success story. munity on their young, but this now this behavior are not fully under- Contact: Denise Stockton, FWS, appears to be insufficient to protect stood. Condor release program biolo- (805) 644-5185. them for an entire season. Biolo- gists have enlisted volunteers to clear gists will now likely capture future up trash hot-spots, but to little effect. offspring earlier to vaccinate them individually.
EU Ban on Wild Bird Imports As of press time, drilling in the s a direct result of the avian and eggs of non-poultry birds can Arctic National Wildlife Refuge influenza epidemic, the Eu- be imported for use in authorized (ANWR) is being considered for Aropean Union has imposed a hatcheries if their shells are decon- inclusion in the budget reconcilia- temporary ban on the import of wild- taminated upon arrival, or if they are tion process. caught birds into Europe. The deci- being sent to zoos. sion followed revelations that a parrot Until this process is finalized, the According to the German animal had died from the H5N1 strain while fate of ANWR's coastal plain and charity Pro Wildlife, the EU legally in quarantine in Britain. The ban its wildlife remain uncertain. imports 1.76 million caged birds will last until December 2005, when each year. Organizations such as the Call your elected representatives it will be re-reviewed by the EU’s World Parrot Trust and ABC have to request that ANWR remains Standing Committee on the Food campaigned to halt the pet bird trade, off-limits to oil Chain and Animal Health. citing insufficient controls and moni- exploration. See The ban covers all captive live birds, toring, and, in many cases, a lack of www.congress.org other than poultry, imported for com- sustainability. For more information for the names of mercial purposes. Birds will still be visit: www.birdsareforwatching.org. your elected allowed to be moved between ap- officials. proved zoos and similar institutions,
Snowy Owl. Photo: ClipArt.com
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Jimmy Buffett Supports New Home for Endangered Parrots usician Jimmy Buf- in recent years, and fett has joined a will also provide state- On September 13, the House M group of local and of-the-art breeding of Representatives passed legisla- international supporters, facilities. A range of or- tion to protect more than 10,000 including ABC, working to ganizations are assisting acres of wilderness in the heart provide a new home for the the fundraising effort, of the Caribbean National Forest, only existing captive flock which is being coordi- vital habitat for the Puerto Rican of Puerto Rican Parrots. The nated by the National Parrot and a suite of other endem- parrot is one of the world’s Fish and Wildlife Foun- ic species, including the Puerto rarest birds, with approxi- dation (NFWF). The Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Screech mately 30 individuals in Puerto Rican Parrots are bulk of the funding has Owl, and Elfin Woods Warbler. The among the world’s rar- the wild and 150 in captiv- est birds. Photo: FWS. been contributed by measure now heads to the Senate ity. The species, listed as FWS. for final approval. This legislation Critically Endangered under would create the first tropical for- Jimmy Buffet (whose fans refer to IUCN-World Conservation Union est wilderness area in the National themselves as “Parrotheads”) agreed criteria, is slowly recovering under a Forest System. Advocacy efforts to to help with the project by designing captive breeding and reintroduction support the legislation were led by a T-shirt based on the parrot, and dis- the Campaign for America’s Wil- program, which likely prevented its tributing it through his Margaritaville derness, with support from ABC extinction after the population dwin- stores, with all profits going towards and other members of the Bird dled to just 13 birds in 1973. the new facility. He will also be Conservation Alliance. The new building, costing $2.4 mil- providing an autographed directors’ El Yunque, part of the Caribbean National lion, will replace the current aviaries chair to be auctioned on eBay. To Forest. Photo: Alan A. Lew that have deteriorated substantially help, contact Sona Chambers, NFWF, 404-679-7209.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act Passes Senate he Partners for Fish and Wild- areas to exclude livestock. The inter- candidate species, or migratory birds life Act (S.260) moved one ested landowner must first contact of management concern are favored, T step closer to becoming law in FWS, and then work with the agency as are projects that contribute to June, when it passed the Senate with to develop a project design before achieving the goals of the North unanimous approval. The bill seeks funds are made available for project American Waterfowl Management to formalize an existing program that implementation. Plan. provides financial assistance to pri- Projects that contribute to the sur- Since its inception, the Partners for vate landowners interested in restor- vival of endangered, threatened, or Fish and Wildlife Program has helped ing and managing wildlife habitat on restore 722,500 acres of wetlands, their property. 1,573,700 acres of prairie and native The Partners for Fish and Wildlife grasslands, and nearly 5,900 miles Program is a voluntary scheme that of riparian and stream habitat. Bird was originally established in 1987. species of conservation concern, in- Funds for the existing program would cluding Lesser Prairie Chicken, Gun- be doubled under the new law, mak- nison Sage Grouse, and Mountain ing $75 million per year available to Plover, could make significant strides landowners for the next five years. towards recovery if interested land- Typically, supported improvement owners act to take advantage of these projects include restoring or enhanc- funds. For more information visit: ing wetland habitats, replanting areas www.fws.gov/partners. Bird species such as the Lesser Prairie Chicken with native plants, or fencing riparian could benefit from the Partners for Fish and Wild- life Act. Photo: FWS. 10 11 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005
Wind Farm Near Horicon Marsh Advances Studies have shown that while wind proposed 133-turbine wind Advocates for the marsh contend that power produces clean, renewable energy, farm, to be located near the wind project should be located the incorrect siting of a wind farm can Horicon Marsh in northern a minimum of five miles from the lead to significant numbers of bird and bat A kills. The most egregious example of this Wisconsin, moved forward in early refuge, as studies show that the num- September when the Public Service bers of birds that would be impacted is the Altamont Pass wind farm in Califor- Commission of Wisconsin denied a decrease significantly that far from nia (Bird Calls Vol. 9, No. 2). With some petition from conservationists for a the marsh. 5,000 turbines, Altamont is the largest second complaint hearing, follow- wind power facility in the world, and has The National Wildlife Refuge Associ- been at the center of legal wrangling fol- ing approval of the project. The wind ation, National Audubon Society, and lowing the deaths of Golden Eagles and farm would cover nearly 32,400 ABC have voiced their opposition thousands of other birds. The facility is acres, and be sited within two miles to the project, and collaborated in a located in an area with significant concen- of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, radio advertising campaign aimed at trations of raptors. posing a threat to the birds that mi- gaining the attention of the Governor grate through the marsh each year. In September, the Alameda County Board and other Wisconsin regulators. of Supervisors renewed permits for the Horicon Marsh is the largest fresh- Following the rejection of the hear- controversial turbines, ignoring many of water cattail marsh in the U.S. and ing, Horicon Marsh System Advo- the concerns voiced by conservationists, has been designated a Wetland of cates filed a petition in Dodge County state and federal regulators, and the International Significance under the state’s Attorney General. The permits Circuit Court demanding a review of RAMSAR Convention. It is an im- require the power company to shut down the approval of the wind farm. De- portant stopover site for thousands of the facility—initially for two and eventually spite this legal action, the builder of migrating shorebirds and hundreds for three and a half months in the winter, the wind farm, Forward Wind Energy of thousands of waterfowl each fit power lines with devices that prevent Center, expects the project to be com- year, and is also the largest nesting raptor electrocutions, produce an envi- pleted as scheduled in 2006. Contact: grounds for the Redhead east of the ronmental impact report, and ‘re-power’ Perry Plumart, Director, Conserva- Mississippi. It has also been desig- the entire site (replace numerous existing tion Advocacy, ABC,
Photo: Mike Parr
Recorded Calls Appear to Confirm Ivory-bill series of hooting calls cap- Researchers have stated that they breasted Nuthatches and Blue tured by digital recording do not believe that the recordings Jays, so that members of the public A units left out in the swamps are of taped Ivory-bill calls used can draw their own conclusions. of Arkansas seem to confirm by volunteers to lure woodpeckers Meanwhile, Cornell has chosen the rediscovery of the Ivory-billed to respond, though they stop short of volunteers for this winter’s Ivory- Woodpecker. The recordings were saying that the recordings are defini- bill search program. Volunteers made public after three ornitholo- tively those of Ivory-bills (see story commit to a two-week stint in the gists announced plans to publish a page 2). swamp, with the field season com- paper challenging the existence of the The Cornell Lab of Ornithol- mencing in December 2005, and woodpecker, which had been based ogy Website provides the record- ending in April 2006. Contact: Mike on video and observer evidence. ings in downloadable form, along Parr, ABC,
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Hawaiian Birds Benefit from $14 million in Federal Funding ative bird protection pro- where the last known sighting of the grams in Hawai’i received now likely-extinct O’u occurred, pro- N a boost this August, as the vides essential wildlife habitat for a Senate Appropriations Committee vast number of native Hawaiian plant allocated $14 million for Department and animal species, including sev- of Interior-related projects there. eral that are listed as Threatened or Endangered. The nearby Volcanoes The Hawai’i Endangered Bird Con- National Park also depends on this servation program, which manages forest as a seed bank to provide new captive propagation facilities at the growth after fresh lava flows destroy Keauhou and Maui Bird Conserva- the park’s own native forests. In ad- tion Centers, received funding to The ‘Alala (Hawaiian Crow) will benefit from the dition, Wao Kele o Puna protects the continue maintenance of endangered newly-received funding. Photo: Alan Lieberman, aquifer that provides water to rapidly avifauna. These centers play a key San Diego Zoo. growing population centers outside role in endangered species recovery the park. by creating captive populations that using captive-raised ‘Alalas is being can then be reintroduced into recov- planned once appropriate reintroduc- Other Hawai’i-related initiatives re- ered or protected habitats. tion sites have been identified and ceiving funding include an expansion protected. of Haleakala National Park, and the The Hakalau National Wildlife Ref- program to prevent the invasion of uge, part of the last known habitat of Funds were also provided to facilitate the brown tree snake. For more infor- the ‘Alala (Hawaiian Crow), received the purchase of a native rainforest, mation visit Senator Daniel Inouye’s funding for habitat recovery and known as Wao Kele o Puna, on the website, http://inouye.senate.gov. restoration. A reintroduction effort Big Island. This 40-square mile area,
New Colombian Bird Species Found: Conservation Urgently Needed wo new species of tapaculo the site and confirm this new species’ have recently been discov- existence. ered in Colombia’s Central T The Upper Magdalena Tapaculo faces Cordillera region. Tapaculos are small, mouse-like birds, usually dark an uncertain future. It is known from colored, that skulk in thick forest un- only one protected area, 371 acres of dergrowth, making them difficult to privately-owned forest known as the study in the field. Merenberg Reserve. Alarmingly, the owners have been logging throughout
Stiles Tapaculo is the more wide- the area, and other suitable habitat Upper Magdalena Tapaculo. Photo: spread and common of the two, and is being converted from oak wood- Fundación ProAves. although not considered threatened land to cattle pasture. Today, less at this time, is still vulnerable to de- than 39% of the original vegetation forestation. The Upper Magdalena survives, and much of what remains (an Alliance for Zero Extinction- Tapaculo is rare, and restricted to a is fragmented. This tapaculo species listed species). narrow belt of montane forest along has been categorized as Endangered, ABC and Fundación ProAves are a few valleys on the east slope of the and there is a high risk of extinction presently working with the Colom- Magdalena Valley. It was first report- within the next two decades if con- bian National Parks administration ed by ABC’s Robert Ridgely in 1980, servation action is not taken. and local communities to implement but it was not until 23 years later that conservation actions and secure a ABC International Programs Direc- The Upper Magdalena Tapaculo oc- safer future for these new tapaculo tor Paul Salaman, in conjunction with curs alongside other globally threat- species. Contact: Paul Salaman, Di- ABC’s partner organization, Fun- ened or range-restricted birds, such rector, International Programs, ABC, dación ProAves, was able to return to as the Magdalena Parakeet, Dusky- headed Brush-finch, and Tolima Dove
12 13 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005 BIRD CALLS NOVEMBER 2005
FWS Plans to Remove Mallards from Hawai’i n August, FWS released a draft While recent surveys have shown Mallards. Biologists have grown of their first new plan in 20 years that the Coot, Common Moorhen, concerned that without action, the na- I aimed at recovering Hawaiian and Stilt are all stable or increasing tive species could be hybridized into waterbirds. Following a public com- in numbers, the Hawaiian Duck has extinction. ment period, which ended in October, become increasingly hard to monitor Of the four birds covered by the plan, the service is now finalizing the plan, due to the rise in the rate of hybridiza- only the Hawaiian Duck is recog- which will be released next year. tion between it and introduced, feral nized as a full species by FWS. The Among a range of actions aimed at others are recognized only as subspe- protecting habitat, eliminating intro- cies of mainland forms. duced predators, and countering dis- Although culling programs typically ease for the Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian provoke opposition from animal wel- Common Moorhen, Hawaiian Stilt, fare groups, the proposed program and Hawaiian Duck, the draft plan will represent only a minute fraction includes an ambitious program to of the four to five million Mallards remove feral mallards and hybrid shot legally by hunters each year in Mallard-Hawaiian Ducks from the Feral Mallards pose a significant threat to native the U.S. Contact: Mike Parr, ABC, islands. Hawaiian Duck populations. Photo: ClipArt.com
Study Links Outdoor Cats to Mental Illness in Humans review of numerous studies In his review, McAllister noted a Needless to say, wild birds as well over the past decade of the long list of maladies made worse by as people will benefit from keeping A pathogen Toxoplasma gondii toxoplasmosis infection in people cats indoors. McAllister also stated has linked outdoor cats to mental with suppressed immunity, such as that the feeding of stray cats by cat illness and other serious medical encephalitis in AIDS patients. He protection groups to spare homeless conditions in humans. Evidence also cited a growing list of studies cats from euthanasia unfortunately is mounting that toxoplasmosis, that link toxoplasmosis with problems increases the spread of toxoplasmosis which can be spread by cats, ap- in people whose immune systems are to wildlife, domestic animals, and pears to cause increased rates of not impaired. These include: fever, people. Contact: Linda Winter, Direc- schizophrenia and other psychiatric enlarged lymph nodes, weakness and tor, Cats Indoors! Campaign, ABC, disorders in people. Though toxoplas- debilitation, damaged vision, and
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of all the biological information avail- and six conservation groups, Birds in Brief able to determine if listing under the including Natural Resources Albatrosses Helped by Act is warranted. The original com- Defense Council, Sierra Club, Taiwan Fishing Fleet ment period closed on August 22, and Audubon California. The Reduction 2005, but FWS extended the deadline groups had sued following the until October 28. The listing petition county’s approval of an original Taiwan has announced that it was triggered by a lawsuit filed by the development plan, which set will reduce its longline tuna Center for Biological Diversity. aside less protected land. See: fleet by 120 vessels or 5%. This www.seaandsageaudubon.org/ reduction will help reduce some First Nesting Attempts by RanchoMVSettlement.htm of the pressure on seabirds such Reintroduced Whooping Cranes as albatrosses, and on marine Several pairs of Whooping Cranes New Canadian Law Prevents turtles, which are killed on long- established nesting territories in Bilge Oil Dumping line hooks. For more information Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Canada enacted a law this May on the seabirds and longlin- Wisconsin, this spring. One pair that ends bilge oil dumping at ing issue read ABC’s report at produced the first egg laid by rein- sea, which in the past has result- www.abcbirds.org/policy/seabird troduced Whooping Cranes in the ed in the deaths of some 300,000 _reports.htm. eastern migratory flock. The egg did seabirds annually off the coast of not hatch, but hopes are high that this Newfoundland alone. and other pairs will nest successfully next year. The eastern crane flock, Before this new law was passed, which consists of 42 birds, has been fines for bilge oil dumping in established over the last five years Canada were much lower than from birds taught to migrate behind those in the United States. Some ultralight aircraft from Wisconsin to irresponsible shippers, instead Florida. For more information, visit of properly disposing of bilge the International Crane Foundation’s oil, would simply dump it in Website, www.savingcranes.org. Canadian waters. Under the new Canadian law, polluters can now Gnatcatchers Catch a Break be fined between $100,000 and An agreement in the Rancho Mission $500,000 per violation. Viejo case in Orange County, Cali- Spotted Owl. Photo: ClipArt.com Point Reyes Publishes fornia will permanently protect more Marine Bird Conservation than 17,000 acres for the Endangered Plan FWS Pushes Back Spotted “coastal” California Gnatcatcher and Owl Review other species, while allowing for the PRBO Conservation Science, has published ‘The California Current In August, FWS reopened the development of 14,000 new homes Marine Bird Conservation Plan.’ public comment period for the over the next 25 years. The agree- This report summarizes informa- status review of the California ment is the result of 18 months of tion on 92 species of marine birds, race of the Spotted Owl. The negotiations between the county’s and provides science-based recom- review was initiated by a 90-day Board of Supervisors, land owners, mendations for their conservation. finding on a petition to list the The California Current System owl as Threatened or Endangered is a rich and varied marine eco- under the Endangered Species system reaching from southern Act. British Columbia to central Baja California. For more informa- On June 21, 2005, FWS published tion visit: www.prbo.org/cms/ a positive 90-day finding Bird( index.php?mid=66. Calls Vol. 9, No. 2), thereby tak- ing the first step in a process that triggers a more thorough review California Gnatcatcher. Photo: Scott Streit, www.bird-friends.com
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Threatened Flame-winged Parakeets Flock to New Nest Boxes ittle did ProAves Colom- simple and economical solutions can bia’s Parakeet Project staff often be found to help threatened L know just how desperate species’ populations. the Flame-winged Parakeet would ProAves staff will continue to be for nesting sites until they be- monitor and study the nest boxes gan erecting nest boxes. The Loro and assess rearing success before Parque Fundación-sponsored project expanding the nest box campaign. (www.loroparque.org) had been The Parakeet Project also works studying the species—endemic to with the local community to promote Colombian Andean forest near the awareness of the parakeet, which capital city of Bogotá—throughout Flame-winged Parakeets, which have little natural continues to be threatened by log- 2005, when they suspected that a nesting habitat remaining, are being helped by the ging, and lacks adequate long-term lack of mature trees and nesting cav- Parakeet Project’s nest box program. Photo: Fun- dación ProAves. protection. ProAves Colombia has ities could be a limiting factor for partnered with ABC on several other the species’ population, that stands rare bird projects and is a member at just a few thousand individuals the boxes ten days later, they were of the Alliance for Zero Extinc- in an area where little natural forest astonished to find five boxes were tion. Contact: Paul Salaman, Direc- survives. already occupied by pairs of para- tor, International Programs, ABC, keets, some already having laid up The Parakeet Project erected 20 nest
ABC Welcomes the Following New Members to the Bird Conservation Alliance: Central New Mexico Audubon Society: www.newmexicoaudubon.org/cnmas Golden Gate Audubon Society: www.goldengateaudubon.org Greenville County Bird Club:http://gcbirdclub.org North Dakota Birding Society: www.ndbirdingsociety.com Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society: www.smbas.org Saving Birds Thru Habitat: www.northbirding.com/SBTH/sanctuary/ Southern Maryland Audubon Society: www.geocities.com/smdaudubon Ruby-throated Hummingbird Photo: ClipArt.com
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