BIRDCONSERVATION the Magazine of American Bird Conservancy SUMMER 2017
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
BIRDCONSERVATION The Magazine of American Bird Conservancy SUMMER 2017 Bird Conservation_Summer 2017-FINAL.indd 1 5/5/17 3:53 PM BIRD’S EYE VIEW The Time has Come As he prepares to step down, founder George Fenwick reflects on nearly 24 years with ABC— and his notion that a then-new, courageous, and single-minded organization focused solely on saving the birds of the Americas might change the dynamics of conservation. It was almost a quarter-century ago, Thank you all—and especially the and “Big Conservation” was drifting dynamo, Rita Fenwick, ABC’s long- away from wildlife conservation. time head of Development—for Smaller groups lacked the resources making us look so good and doing to advance much past building the so much for our birds. needed science base. Meanwhile, many species were suffering retract- Having the benefit of experience, ing distributions and vanishing I want to change my quotation numbers. about ABC from Hugo’s to one from Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing But we had the optimism of the You and I should look in the world can take the place of innocent, and we started ABC persistence. Talent will not; nothing to turn the tide. I recalled Victor forward to great things to is more common than unsuccess- Hugo’s words: “There is nothing come from ABC. ful men with talent. Genius will more powerful than an idea whose not; unrewarded genius is almost time has come.” a proverb. Education will not; the its members have given and given, world is full of educated derelicts. I’m proud to say it has been a mag- then given some more. Thank you Persistence and determination alone nificent run. ABC has outperformed all. We could not have done it are omnipotent.” That is ABC. all expectations—year in and year without you. out—for almost 24 years. But this As I say, the time has come—the statement is incomplete without One of the great lessons of ABC was time for leadership change at ABC. praising those who have done so learning how many excellent people Rita and I will be stepping down much to make this happen for birds. were devoting their lives to wildlife from our roles with ABC as of May conservation. Our many partners 31 this year. You and I should look First and foremost are our members work hard every day for little salary forward to great things to come and supporters. The most unusual and less recognition. Watching their from ABC. Our successors are sure to and wonderful thing about these work and accomplishments over bring new energy and new ideas and generous people is their loyalty to these years will make one modest. I expect even greater conservation the cause. Some have stuck with us We may not say it often, but we are achievements very soon. Please every year since we began in 1994. thankful for our partners every day. welcome them, treat them as We are humbled by your constancy friends, and—above all—please ABC’s staff, finally, are the fine and kindness. Thank you! stick with and keep supporting example of persistence and ABC! You, and the birds, will be ABC’s ever-changing board—and dedication that you must suspect rewarded for it. our board members’ spouses they are. They work so hard and friends—has always been a because they want to. They are marvelous lot! Many of you have the ones about whom we are told, become our family’s closest friends. “They punch above their weight The board has provided a steady class.” Yes, we are always trying to stream of wisdom and tempered improve in every possible way, but I George H. Fenwick my most radical inclinations. And wouldn’t trade them for any others. President, ABC ABOVE: Costa’s Hummingbird by Takahashi Photography, Shutterstock COVER: Red-necked Tanager by Glenn Bartley Bird Conservation_Summer 2017-FINAL.indd 2 5/5/17 3:53 PM ABC is the Western Hemisphere’s bird conservation specialist—the only organization with a single and steadfast commitment to achieving conservation results for native Summer 2017 wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. BIRDCONSERVATION A copy of the current financial statement and registration filed by the organization may be obtained by contacting: ABC, P.O. As Times Change, Conservation Adapts Box 249, The Plains, VA 20198. 540-253- 5780, or by contacting the following state agencies: Florida: Division of Consumer Services, toll-free number within the state: 8 24 Years in the Evolution 800-435-7352. Maryland: For the cost of copies and of Bird Conservation postage: Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401. New Jersey: Attorney General, State of New Jersey: 201-504-6259. 14 Into Brazil: The Growth New York: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, and Evolution of ABC’s Work in Brazil 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Pennsylvania: Department of State, toll-free number within the state: 800-732-0999. 20 Species Maps 2.0: Using eBird Virginia: State Division of Consumer Affairs, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer for Conservation Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209. West Virginia: Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. 27 Ten Birds and Where They’ve Led Us Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by any state. 32 Tributes, Thank yous, and Fond Bird Conservation is the magazine of ABC and is published four times yearly for members. Farewells for George and Rita Fenwick Senior Editor: Cristina Santiestevan VP of Communications: Clare Nielsen Graphic Design: Gemma Radko and Catherine Payne Contributors: Adrian Forsyth, Jonathan DEPARTMENTS Franzen, Jennifer Howard, Bennett Hennessey, Steve Holmer, Daniel J. Lebbin, Joe Lowe, Conor Marshall, Jack Morrison, 2 Bird’s Eye View Wendy Paulson, Ken Rosenberg For more information contact: 4 On the Wire American Bird Conservancy 4249 Loudoun Avenue, P.O. Box 249 The Plains, VA 20198 24 Policy Watch 540-253-5780 • [email protected] Join us online! ABOVE: Palila by Jacob Drucker TOP: Eastern Meadowlark by Gualberto Becerra, Shutterstock abcbirds.org BIRD CONSERVATION | SUMMER 2017 3 Bird Conservation_Summer 2017-FINAL.indd 3 5/5/17 3:53 PM ON the WIRE A Partnership for the Birds and the Cornell Lab “The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy ABC of Ornithology have come together to launch “Science share common values and to Action,” a partnership aimed at complementary expertise for reversing decades of population protecting wild bird populations declines for migratory birds in across the Western Hemisphere,” the Americas. Bringing together says John W. Fitzpatrick, Executive the Cornell Lab's cutting-edge Director of Cornell Lab. “With so science and ABC's on-the-ground many bird species showing alarming approach to bird conservation, this declines, it is more important than joint effort represents new hope ever that the Lab work closely with for hundreds of declining species ABC and the Cornell Lab ABC, combining our scientific focus that journey each spring and fall and citizen-science data with ABC's between their breeding grounds are combining their strengths effective conservation actions.” in North America and wintering at a critical moment for Ken Rosenberg, Applied grounds in Latin America and Conservation Scientist at the the Caribbean. migratory birds. Cornell Lab, is leading the new ABC and the Cornell Lab are The Science to Action partnership partnership. “Our two organizations combining their strengths at a will focus on how new data and will provide a unified voice for bird critical moment for migratory birds. conservation tools can be harnessed conservation, applying the best Landmark conservation measures to enhance the conservation science on the ground at important such as the Endangered Species Act of migratory birds across their natural areas and informing policies are being targeted for elimination breeding and wintering grounds, that affect the future of bird even as environmental threats as well as stopover sites in between. populations,” he says. grow. As the most recent State of “The Cornell Lab's dedicated science Learn more online: abcbirds.org/ North America's Birds report makes team and its depth of citizen- article/american-bird-conservancy- starkly clear, fully one-third of our science data make it a perfect fit cornell-lab-ornithology-join-forces. continent's bird species will require for informing better conservation concerted conservation efforts to decision-making,” says George ensure their future. Fenwick, President of ABC. ABOVE: Cerulean Warbler by Ryan Sanderson BELOW: Blackburnian Warbler by Benjamin Skolnik 4 BIRD CONSERVATION | SUMMER 2017 Bird Conservation_Summer 2017-FINAL.indd 4 5/5/17 3:53 PM Critical Habitat Protected for El Oro Parakeet and Other Species n the first quarter of 2017, of private land within the reserve ABC and our Ecuadorian partner boundary—was acquired in March IFundación Jocotoco acquired 2017. It is a valuable addition two parcels of critical habitat to because it eliminates access to the expand the Buenaventura Reserve. central part of the reserve and is Buenaventura currently protects an important foraging site for the 15 threatened species, including endangered Grey-backed Hawk. the El Oro Parakeet. These land acquisitions increase the amount These land acquisitions were made of protected habitat set aside for possible through the generous these species by 99 acres. support of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the The first parcel, consisting of 68 Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust, acres, was acquired in January 2017. Global Wildlife Conservation, and The second site—a 31-acre plot Diane and Richard Huxtable. El Oro Parakeets by Dusan Brinkhuizen Grey-breasted Parakeet Population Increasing ince 2010, ABC's Brazilian The majority of the world’s Grey- threats.