Vol. 16, No. 1 BIRD CALLS February 2012 ABC Raises the Stakes on Bird Deaths at Mining Claim Sites IN THIS ISSUE Iowa Legislature Takes Another has alerted regulators six-inch diameter pipes extend several Shot at Lead Ban. State legislature ABC and the public to a feet above ground for easy spotting by will again tackle the controversial newly discovered threat to birds posed claim holders and regulators. Small issue of banning lead shot for dove by mining claim marker stakes in birds often see the opening of the pipe hunting. Story page 5. Nevada and other western states. The markers as a hole suitable for nest- ABC Files Landmark Petition stakes are PVC or metal pipes placed ing. The birds become trapped inside to Protect Migratory Birds at in the ground at the corners and because the pipes are too narrow to Wind Farms. ABC formally pe- sometimes along the entire lengths allow them to extend their wings and titioned the U.S. Department of and breadths of claims. The four- to fly out, and the walls are too smooth the Interior to protect millions of to allow them to climb up the birds. Story page 9. sides. Death from dehydration or starvation follows. ABC Calls for a Halt to Guadeloupe Shorebird Slaughter. This threat could already have Unmonitored shooting of migrat- caused a million or more bird ing shorebirds on Guadeloupe deaths in Nevada alone. threatens many already vulnerable Recent field studies by the species. Story page 11. Nevada Department of Wildlife recorded 43 bird species killed Mountain Bluebird: Dan Casey, ABC continued on page 2 New Colombian Reserve Protects Endangered Birds

and its Colombian Grey Tom Whimbrel: ABC partner Fundación Proposed Permit May Let ProAves, in partnership with World Seabirds Off the Hook.Permit Land Trust-US, have established a would set a legal precedent for new, 5,000-acre reserve to protect one limiting seabird bycatch in U.S. of the last strongholds for the endan- fisheries. Story page 16. gered Gold-ringed Tanager. Studies Recognize Winning Following field surveys in 2008 and Land Conservation Formula 2009, ProAves determined there in Peru. ABC partner ECOAN’s Gold-ringed Tanager: Pete Morris may be as few as 500 Gold-ringed community conservation efforts Tanagers remaining worldwide, all to restore Polylepis forests recog- along 150 miles of ridgetop on the lush Chocó forest near the town of nized. Story page 19. Pacific slope of the western Andes of Carmen de Atrato, and this location Colombia. A critical population of became the target area for creating For complete list of stories, see page 2. up to 50 pairs was identified in the the new reserve. Four properties were continued on page 4 Bird Calls

Contents Bird Deaths at Mining Claim Sites, from page 1 ABC Raises the Stakes on Bird Deaths at 1-2 Mining Claim Sites New Colombian Reserve Protects 1, 4 Endangered Birds Take Permits: the Path to Sustainability for the 3 Wind Industry (and Others) Iowa Legislature Takes Another Shot at Lead Ban 5 Birds Relatively Unscathed in 2012 Funding 5 Insects to Control Strawberry Guave in Hawai'i 6 FWS Considers Listing the I'iwi 6 Hawaiian Seabirds Off-Limits to Predators 7 Thanks to New Fence Millerbirds Thriving on Laysan Island 8 Conservation Computer Model Yields 8 Surprising Results An uncapped mining claim stake can cause the deaths of These Mountain Bluebirds died after being trapped inside ABC Files Landmark Petition to Protect 9 many birds. Photo: Nevada Department of Wildlife this PVC mining claim stake. Photo: Christy Klinger Migratory Birds at Wind Farms Endangered Short-tailed Albatross Hatches in 10 U.S. for Second Year by the pipes, including Ash-throated Even more troubling is that during the ABC Publishes Bird-Friendly Building Guide 10 ABC Calls for Halt to Guadeloupe Shorebird 11 Flycatchers, Mountain Bluebirds, recent field studies, about half of the Slaughter woodpeckers, sparrows, shrikes, protective caps that had been put on FCC Enacts Stronger Rules to Protect Birds 11 at Tall Towers kestrels, and owls. In the 854 pipes stakes had become displaced, and were Florida Scrub-Jay Continues to Decline 12 examined, biologists found 879 now lying on the ground nearby, re- New Program to Raise Awareness of Gulf’s 13 Beach-nesting Birds birds (as well as 113 reptiles and 20 establishing the threat to birds. 1,500 Grebes Killed in Incident in Utah 14 mammals) – an average of more than Nation’s Mayors Asked to Stop Spread of Feral Cats 14 one bird mortality per pipe. One pipe Hawaiian Goose Recovery a Honking Success 15 Plan Offers Hope for Sage-Grouse Recovery 15 had more than 30 dead birds inside. Mining claimants need to be Proposed Permit May Let Hawaiian Seabirds 16 There are more than one million Off the Hook held accountable for their stakes Conservationists Celebrate 15 Years for 17 federal mining claims in Nevada Arizona’s Condors Back in the Wild alone, each marked by a minimum of through federal regulatory action Suit Threatened to End Lead Poisoning of 17 Condors and Other Wildlife four stakes. that requires them to remove their Ecuador Land Acquisition Will Help Conserve 18 Rare Parakeet This problem extends beyond the hazardous markers or face fines Studies Recognize Winning Conservation 19 Formula in Peru borders of Nevada. According to the under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Proposed Washington Wind Farm Blown Off 20 BLM, in 2010, there were 3,388,400 Over Bird Concerns State of the Birds Report Issued in San Francisco 20 mining claims of record on BLM- Massive Land Purchase Will Safeguard Birds 21 managed lands in the 11 western states In a letter to BLM Director Bob in Ecuador Concerns Mount Over Texas Drought Impact 22 and Alaska. Abbey, ABC stated: “While there have to Whooping Cranes As of 1993, Nevada mining claim been some efforts by local, federal, and Birds to Benefit from Exotic Snake Ban 23 state agencies to address the problem, Western Snowy Plover Critical Habitat Proposal 24 holders were prohibited from using Reopened for Comment these have been wholly inadequate, The Keystone XL Project – Trouble Remains 24 open-ended pipes for marking the in the Pipeline boundaries of new claims. However, and have allowed bird deaths to con- Golden-winged Warbler Reaping Benefits of 25 tinue to mount up over the last two Conservation Efforts the law did not require that stakes decades. Given the enormous scale of Birds in Brief 26-27 be removed or modified at existing Help Save the Palkachupa Cotinga 28 claims. A subsequent 2009 Nevada the issue, a comprehensive, long-term, If you have questions or want more information law invalidated any claim still marked federal solution is required. Mining on our articles, contact Bob Johns at 202-234- claimants need to be held account- 7181, x210, or e-mail [email protected] with open-ended pipe. The legislature able for their stakes through federal Bird Calls is the newsletter of American Bird also included a citizen provision that Conservancy and is produced for members of regulatory action that requires them ABC and the Bird Conservation Alliance. became effective November 1, 2011, to remove their hazardous markers or Editors: George Fenwick, Steve Holmer, which allows anyone to pull up open Bob Johns, Jack Morrison, Merrie Morrison, face fines under the Migratory Bird Mike Parr, Gemma Radko, Darin Schroeder, pipe markers and lay them on the Gavin Shire, George Wallace. ground nearby. ABC is encouraging Treaty Act.” AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY 1731 Connecticut Ave, NW, 3rd Floor citizens who see any such stakes to do ABC is continuing to work with BLM Washington, DC 20009 202-234-7181/fax 202-234-7182 this and prevent further deaths. and the USDA Forest Service to find [email protected]/www.abcbirds.org Bird Conservation Alliance solutions to this issue. www.birdconservationalliance.org

2 FEBRUARY 2012 ABC’s VIEWPOINT

Take Permits: the Path to Sustainability for the Wind Industry (and Others) ne hundred years ago, many bird populations by limiting their would be guaranteed protection of America’s birds were in productivity. The escalating threat against prosecution when birds do col- dire straits. The Great Auk of global climate change may cre- lide with their turbines. This would Ohad already vanished forever; the Pas- ate future challenges. Pesticides, lead benefit the wind industry and its senger Pigeon was soon to become just poisoning, introduced predators, and investors by providing certainty that another history lesson; and popula- collisions with man-made structures they won‘t face heavy fines. tions of egrets, swans, shorebirds, and reduce survival rates. Each of these If we require take permits for wind duck were in an alarming downward issues has its own implications for dif- development, will we also have to get spiral, all casualties of overhunting. ferent bird populations, and its own take permits for the windows in our unique set of potential solutions. Fortunately, the U.S. government homes or for our cars, in case they kill intervened just in time to save all but For some forms of human-caused bird a bird? This argument, made by some a handful of bird species by passing mortality, the solution is already avail- in the wind industry, is a red herring. the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which able: MBTA take permits. While killing a bird with your car is made it illegal to kill any native, mi- unlikely, bird deaths at wind farms are The MBTA provides a ready frame- gratory bird without a permit. both inevitable and predictable, and work for requiring take permits in as a result, fall under the regulatory This must have been quite the upheaval order to allow cooperating industries authority of the MBTA. for many Americans. People who had to remain in operation. The wind spent their entire lives shooting whatev- industry, for example, cannot operate The National Marine Fisheries Ser- er they wanted, whenever they wanted without killing birds, but the number vice, the federal agency that oversees now had to abide by regulations and of those deaths can vary significantly the fishing industry, has recognized pay the government money for licenses. depending on where wind farms are the benefits of the MBTA take permit But a combination of law enforcement sited and how they are operated. system, and recently applied for a and education prevailed, and changed permit to regulate the loss of seabirds An MBTA take permit system – such the culture to such an extent that to- to Hawaiian fishing vessels (see article as that proposed by ABC in a recent day’s hunters are among our nation’s page 16). If granted, this will limit petition to the Department of the best conservationists. the number of seabirds that are killed Interior (see article page 9) – would on longline hooks. ABC has recom- The key to the success of the MBTA require a cultural shift in the wind in- mended that fishermen who comply was the provision to grant permits for dustry similar to that made by hunters with the conditions of the permit also continued limited hunting. The spe- in the 1920s. It would end the free- receive some protection against pros- cies were restricted to those judged for-all currently enjoyed by develop- ecution when they take birds. This by biologists to be able to withstand ers. Instead it would require proposed would be a win-win for the fishing the “take”. Fees paid by the hunters wind farms to abide by certain siting industry and conservation, and would were invested back into conservation, restrictions and adhere to operational provide a roadmap for the wind indus- to start and grow our unparalleled standards. The developers would have try to follow. wildlife refuge system and fund the to pay for the privilege of being able permitting scheme itself. As a result, to build their wind farm – not just for To prove viable, each industry there is not a single bird species today the permit, but also potentially to off- must demonstrate sustainability, whose continued stability is threatened set any birds they unavoidably kill. and mitigate for any detrimental by over-hunting in the United States. environmental impacts it makes. For Although a take permit system would those industries where migratory Unfortunately, other threats to bird mean that some birds get killed, it bird mortality is a concern, such as survival have appeared. Habitat loss also means that wind farms that fail the wind industry, take permits are a and conversion caused by agriculture, to meet the required standards would straightforward, workable answer. grazing, urbanization, and invasive be denied permits and not get built. plant and animal species have affected Wind farms that met the requirements

3 Bird Calls

New Colombian Preserve Protects Endangered Birds, from page 1 immediately acquired, followed by the purchase of 11 more properties soon after to create La Reserva Las Tangaras— the Tanagers Reserve. “This new reserve will likely also safeguard many as yet undiscovered biodiversity gems,” said Sara Lara, ABC Vice President for International Programs. “The Gold- ringed Tanager and red-eyed harlequin frog, which is also protected by the reserve, were only relatively recently described themselves. The area is certainly expected to hold other surprises. On a recent ABC expedition, three Golden- winged Warblers were observed and photographed, a first for the reserve. Look for new discoveries coming soon!” The reserve, owned and operated by ProAves, is expected to attract visiting birdwatchers, ornithologists, and nature The Black-and-Gold Tanager is a vulnerable species found at the new reserve. tourists. The area boasts remarkable opportunities for bird- Photo: FundaciÓn ProAves, www.proaves.org ing (over 250 species documented at the reserve so far) in a country that is home to the greatest avian diversity on The Chocó area of western Colombia is renowned for its the planet. A spacious, eight-bedroom lodge was recently boundless, lush, humid forests. Unfortunately, more people constructed, as well as a house for staff. Plans have been ap- are colonizing the area and logging huge swaths of land. proved for a restaurant that will feature a balcony overlook- The reserve is located alongside the main thoroughfare to ing the nearby river. Medellin from the coast. “Birders will be astounded how easy it is to see over two “The Tanagers Reserve will protect forest along several miles dozen endemic species. We hope people will come from of a road that is soon to be paved. The increased access to all over to visit and appreciate what Colombia has to of- the area will bring continued habitat loss in years to come, fer, be they from nearby Medellin or from Washington or making the reserve particularly important for the conserva- London,” commented Lina Daza, Executive Director of tion of plants and animals,” stated Paul Salaman of World ProAves. Land Trust-US. Other important species found in the reserve include the endangered Chocó Vireo, and the vulnerable Black-and- Gold Tanager and Cloud-forest Pygmy-owl.

The Tanagers Reserve, showing prime habitat for Gold-ringed Tanager (background) and the new visitor center (inset). Photos: Benjamin Skolnik, ABC

4 FEBRUARY 2012 Iowa Legislature Takes Another Shot at Lead Ban

t appears likely that in this spring’s “Over 500 scientific studies attest session, the Iowa state legislature A lead-free decision is not anti- to the fact that lead ammunition is will again take up the controver- hunting; it is pro-wildlife and harmful to wildlife. Millions of doves Isial issue of banning the use of lead and other birds die slow, agonizing shot for dove hunting. Lawmakers pro-environment. A lead ban deaths after mistakenly ingesting spent received considerable media atten- would mean hunters could still lead shot they find on the ground. A tion last year when first they passed engage in a pastime that has been Mourning Dove that ingests a single legislation authorizing the first dove lead pellet is essentially a dead dove. I hunting season in 90 years in the state, part of our culture for urge Iowa lawmakers to allow the no- and then reversed a decision by the hundreds of years. lead rule to stand,” said ABC President Iowa Natural Resources Commission George Fenwick. to prohibit the use of lead shot for the George Fenwick, President, ABC “A lead-free decision is not anti-hunt- hunt. ing; it is pro-wildlife and pro-environ- While this meant that hunters were ment. A lead ban would mean hunters free to use lead shot last dove season, could still engage in a pastime that has the legislature must formally act on been part of our culture for hundreds the ban in the next session to prevent of years. The only change is that they the no-lead rule from becoming would use non-toxic ammunition that active this season, which starts on doesn’t needlessly kill non-target wild- September 1st. News reports indicate life,” said Fenwick. that State Senator Dick Dearden, (D- Des Moines), who introduced the bill Lead shot has been banned use in for authorizing the dove hunting season, waterfowl hunting in Iowa since 1987, will seek a vote allowing the use of and nationally since 1991. As a result, lead shot for dove hunting. the price of steel shotgun ammunition has fallen and can even be lower than that of lead shot.

Mourning Doves: Gary Smyle

Birds Relatively Unscathed in 2012 Funding

onservationists breathed throughout the Americas. Funding Efforts by ABC’s advocacy staff were a sigh of relief last December, for State Wildlife Grants, the nation’s supported by concerned members of when Congress finally core program for preventing birds and the public who used ABC’s website wrappedC up the year by passing a wildlife from becoming endangered, Action Center to email their Senators $1 trillion spending package that in addition to supporting strategic and Representatives, and by others included funding for programs conservation investments in every state who wrote, called, or visited lawmak- supporting bird conservation run by and territory, received $61.4 million, ers in person, encouraging them to the Department of the Interior and a major boost over the $22 million preserve funding for bird and wildlife the Environmental Protection Agency. originally approved in the House bill. programs at the highest possible lev- Similarly the North American Wet- els. Given the difficult anti-spending The Neotropical Migratory Bird Con- lands Conservation Act, which pro- political climate and the threatened servation Act (NMBCA), which was vides funding for conservation projects elimination of NMBCA, we believe zeroed out in the House funding bill, that benefit wetland birds, received your voices were heard and made a was restored to $3.792 million. The $35.5 million, which was higher than critical difference. Thanks again for all Act is the only federal U.S. grants the $20 million allocated in the House your efforts. program specifically dedicated to the bill. conservation of our migrant birds

5 Bird Calls Insects to Control Strawberry Guava in Hawai’i

he state of Hawai'i will soon begin a program to by animals, and sprouts prolifically from stumps and cut curb one of the archipelago’s most environmentally branches. Mechanical and herbicide control methods have damaging, invasive plants – strawberry guava – been used on it for decades, with minimal success. Tusing a non-native species, the Brazilian scale insect. The A University of Hawai'i study shows that strawberry guava decision follows an assessment that found no significant is detrimental to Hawai'i’s watersheds, with affected forests negative impacts would result from such measures. losing 27% more water than native ‘ōhi'a forests. The U.S. The assessment took into account more than 15 years of Department of Agriculture also reports that the millions of studies by the USDA Forest Service on potential insect pounds of fruit produced by the plant are a primary food controls of the plant that has already overtaken hundreds for oriental fruit flies, which invade agriculture crops and of thousands of acres in Hawai'i. The studies ultimately de- cost Hawai'i millions of dollars annually in quarantine termined that the Brazilian scale insect could provide some treatment and control efforts. degree of natural control while posing no threat to native “Strawberry guava is one the worst threats to Hawai'i’s vegetation. Over 100 plants were tested for hosting com- unique biodiversity, and without this action we will con- patibility with the insect, and all tested negative. tinue to lose our endemic birds and their habitats. We Strawberry guava was introduced to Hawai'i in 1825, and hope that this biological control will give the native forests has since spread throughout native forests. It grows very a chance to recover,” said Chris Farmer, Hawai'i Science quickly, forms dense thickets up to 30 feet high, crowds Coordinator at ABC. out native plants, and can grow in the shade. It produces large amounts of fruit with many seeds that are spread

FWS Considers Listing the 'I'iwi

n January 24, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grazing mammals, such (FWS) initiated a Status Review of the 'I'iwi. The as pigs and goats, and review is the first step by the agency in potentially non-native predators, Olisting this stunning, red Hawaiian honeycreeper under the such as cats and rats. Endangered Species Act (ESA). It is very susceptible to avian malaria which is FWS announced their decision in response to a 2010 peti- spread by introduced tion from the Center for Biological Diversity and Life Net. mosquitos. Once FWS concluded that the petition had merit and that the bitten by an infected 'I'iwi may qualify for protection. I'iwi are particularly susceptible to avian malaria borne mosquito, most 'I'iwi by introduced mosquitos Photo: Jack Jeffrey Since human settlement, at least 71 bird species have gone will die in a matter of extinct from the Hawaiian Islands, including at least 35 days. Hawaiian honeycreepers. Of the remaining 24 honeycreep- Rising temperatures caused by climate change are reduc- ers, 17 are listed under the ESA, but seven of these may ing the amount of high-elevation forest where mosquitos already be extinct. Although the 'I'iwi is one of the most cannot survive, leaving the 'I'iwi with fewer refuges from widespread of the remaining honeycreepers, it is now ex- this disease. 'I'iwi are highly nomadic nectar-feeders, flying tinct on Lana'i, and relict populations of probably fewer long distances to find nectar sources at different elevations. than 50 individuals each remain on O'ahu and Moloka'i. These movements may increase exposure to disease if their It is rapidly disappearing on Kaua'i, and seems to be de- foraging trips take them into areas where mosquitos and clining on Maui and the Big Island except in managed disease are prevalent. areas such as Hanawi Natural Area Reserve on Maui and Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the Big Island. See www.regulations.gov for the FWS 90-day petition finding and initiation of status review documentation. Like other native Hawaiian birds, the 'I'iwi is threatened The public comment period closes March 26, 2012. by habitat destruction and degradation by non-native

6 FEBRUARY 2012 Hawaiian Seabirds Off-Limits to Predators Thanks to New Fence Ground-nesting seabirds in the he first predator-proof wildlife year’s chick count of 1,775 is a 14% area, which also include the Laysan protection fence in the United increase over the previous high count Albatross, have been heavily predated States is producing dramatic in 2007, and the highest number ever by introduced mammals, with up Tresults that may lead to a resurgence recorded at the point. So far, the fence to 15% of chicks killed each year. in Hawai'i’s seabird populations. The has done a great job of preventing bird Cats, dogs, rats, and other predators Wedge-tailed Shearwater, which nests predation by rats, cats, mongoose, commonly take young birds before in the coastal dunes on the now- dogs, and even mice,” said George they can fly, but also eat seabird eggs fenced Ka'ena Point at the northwest- Wallace, Vice President for Oceans and even attack adult birds. Elsewhere ern tip of O'ahu, produced the highest and Islands at ABC. in Hawai'i these predators still pose a number of chicks since the annual The project has been a cooperative major threat to the survival of native survey began in 1994 thanks to the effort involving Hawai'i’s Department species. Full moon nights in October protection provided by the new fence.

It has been only eight months since the predator-proof fence was installed and already we are seeing results. This year’s chick count of 1,775 is a 14% increase over the previous high count in 2007, and the highest number ever recorded at the point.

Dr. George Wallace, Vice President for Oceans and Islands at ABC

Wedge-tailed Shearwater in nest burrow: Tom Grey

Two thousand and forty feet of the of Land and Natural Resources, the and November often bring particularly marine grade, 6.5-foot-high, stainless U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the devastating attacks on the Wedge- steel fence was installed to create a Hawai'i chapter of The Wildlife tailed Shearwater chicks as they leave 59-acre area exclosure at Ka'ena Point Society, and local communities. their burrows for the first time. Natural Area Reserve. Although this “We are very excited to be moving The fence provides a combination of is the first time a fence of this kind into the next phase of the project now features including a rolled hood at has been used in the United States, that the birds are able to exist without the top, fine mesh between the fence the design has been used successfully predation pressure and we can begin posts, and a skirt buried underground, in New Zealand on coastal and forest active restoration of the shearwater. We to prevent animals from jumping or projects. “This is extraordinary news. hope this is the first of many projects climbing over, squeezing through, or It has been only eight months since like this in Hawai'i,” said Lindsay digging their way under the fence and the predator-proof fence was installed Young, the project coordinator with into the protected area. and already we are seeing results. This Pacific Rim Conservation.

Predator-proof fence at Ka'ena Point, Oahu. Photo: George Wallace, ABC

7 Bird Calls Millerbirds Thriving on Laysan Island

n the last issue of Bird Calls (Vol. 15, No. 3), we northern portion of the island where they were originally reported on the historic return of the Millerbirds to released, two birds have made visits to the far southern end Laysan, the first time these endangered birds had of the island, one and a half miles away. One bird has made beenI on this island in the Hawaiian chain since the early the round trip several times. 1900s. A collaborative effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife If they are not singing, Millerbirds can be mouse-like, Service, ABC, and others moved 24 Millerbirds from tiny staying hidden in dense vegetation, making it difficult to Nihoa Island where only about 775 birds survive. The account for all of the birds. So far, the team believes that translocation was the first phase of what the partners hope overwinter survivorship on Laysan has been good will be the creation of a new population and a reduction in the risk of the species’ extinction. The translocated Millerbirds attempted breeding almost immediately after arriving on Laysan. The birds built After the initial success of the translocation, two biologists eight nests; three had eggs, and two chicks hatched from remained on Laysan to monitor the birds in their new home. one clutch. Unfortunately, all of these nesting attempts All of the birds were banded with a unique combination failed. The loss of two of the nests may have been due to of colored leg bands, allowing them to be identified depredation by Laysan Finches. individually in the field. In addition, 12 of the 24 birds were affixed with radio transmitters, which enabled the biologists Recently, biologists on Laysan have observed some of the to track their movements in detail for up to three weeks Millerbirds carrying nesting materials and also building a until the transmitter batteries expired. nest, a hopeful sign of coming breeding success. For up- to-the-minute information on the Millerbirds, see ABC’s Tracking the Millerbirds has been a challenge. At over blog: http://abcbirds.wordpress.com. 1,025 acres, Laysan is much larger than 155-acre Nihoa, and although the birds have mostly remained in the

Conservation Computer Model Yields Surprising Results

he loss and degradation of habitat is the major high concentrations culprit behind most bird species’ population of predators and nest declines. To better assess the potential effects of parasites that kill birds. Thabitat conservation efforts on bird populations across These areas become large landscapes, research scientists at the University “population sinks” – of Missouri-Columbia have developed state-of-the-art conservation dead ends. mathematical models of habitat quality and population The same resources viability. These models have produced some surprising applied to different results. areas would have very different results. The newly developed models and maps indicate where and how much reforestation and habitat management would Models have already be needed to reach population goals within the 74-million- been created for three acre Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region. species of forest- breeding birds – the Worm-eating Warbler: Greg Lavaty “You would think that conserving habitat would always Wood Thrush, Worm- benefit birds, but this model is telling us that this premise eating Warbler and Prairie Warbler – and more are being is not always true,” said Jane Fitzgerald, ABC’s Central developed. Hardwoods Joint Venture Coordinator. “In fact, the models predict that efforts to improve habitat in more fragmented “This model tells us where best to put our conservation landscapes that have only isolated patches of remaining dollars for habitat restoration that will yield the greatest forest could actually result in population declines!” return. It has broad implications for conservation efforts across the United States,” Fitzgerald said. This is because improving the quality of these small forest patches would attract more birds to areas with relatively

8 FEBRUARY 2012 ABC Files Landmark Petition to Protect Migratory Birds at Wind Farms

n December 2011, ABC formally birds, a practice that can and should petitioned the U.S. Department be avoided. of the Interior (DOI) to protect The federal government is legally millionsI of birds from the negative required to respond to the petition impacts of wind energy by developing within a “reasonable” period of time. Part of the NedPower/Mount Storm wind facility in West Virginia. regulations that will safeguard wildlife Photo: Bruce Halgren Although reasonable is not defined, and reward responsible wind energy it is often considered to be about a request is in line with the govern- development. year. In the meantime, ABC has asked ment’s well-established practice. The 100-plus-page petition, prepared DOI to open a public comment pe- You can help ABC get regulations to by ABC and the public-interest law riod so that other organizations and protect birds at wind farms by endors- firm Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, individuals can offer their opinions on ing ABC’s wind petition. Learn more urges the government to issue regula- the petition. Often, DOI has a public at www.abcbirds.org tions establishing a mandatory permit- comment period when it is consid- ting system for the operation of wind ering writing new rules, so ABC’s energy projects under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that would both limit and mitigate for the im- WV Bird Kills Highlight Need to Regulate Wind Industry pacts of wind farms on migratory The need for mandatory regula- birds were found near a single wind birds. In addition to protecting birds, tions to protect birds at wind farms turbine that was reported to have the proposal would provide the wind was demonstrated again this fall at had internal lighting left on over- industry with certainty that developers two wind projects in the Allegheny night. in compliance with a permit would Mountains of West Virginia. not be subject to legal penalties for There were three critical circum- At the Laurel Mountain facility, violation of the Act. stances that tragically aligned in almost 500 songbirds, including each of the West Virginia events to Properly sited and operated wind Blackpoll and Connecticut War- kill these birds. Each occurred during energy projects may be an important blers, were reportedly killed after bird migration season, during low part of the solution to climate change, lights were left on at a battery stor- visibility weather conditions, and a phenomenon that poses an unprec- age unit and electrical substation as- with the addition of a deadly trigger- sociated with the wind project. The edented threat to many bird species ing element—an artificial light source. deaths are said to have occurred and ecosystems. Steady-burning lights have been not from collisions with the turbines shown to attract and disorient birds, ABC filed the petition because the themselves, but from a combination particularly night-migrating songbirds government’s voluntary approach – in of collisions with the substation and that navigate by starlight, and espe- apparent exhaustion as birds caught place since 2003 – has proven ineffec- cially during nights where visibility in the light’s glare circled in mass is low, such as in fog or inclement tive. Preventable bird deaths at wind confusion. farms keep occurring, and new wind weather. Circling birds collide with structures or each other, or drop to projects continue to be built in areas Less than a the ground from exhaustion. that are high-risk to birds. month earlier, at the NedPower These incidents were all the more One highlight of the petition is a map Mount Storm disturbing because minimizing that shows important bird areas and facility, 59 outdoor lighting at wind facilities is bird migration corridors throughout birds and two a well-known operating standard. the United States, overlaid with the bats were However, it is currently voluntary. locations of proposed and already killed. Thirty The model regulation in ABC’s wind operating wind turbines. The map of the dead petition would allow the federal demonstrates that many planned and government to require it. existing wind turbines are in areas Blackpoll Warbler: Greg Lavaty where they pose significant threats to

9 Bird Calls Endangered Short-tailed Albatross Hatches in U.S. for Second Year

n endangered Short-tailed Albatross has nested in the United States and produced a chick for the second consecutive year. The recent discovery at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, over 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu, follows the fledging of the first U.S.-born chick last year at the same site to the same parents. “We may be seeing the very early stages of the formation of a new population,” said George Wallace, Vice President for Oceans and Islands at ABC. “This would be a significant Short-tailed Albatross on nest on Midway Atoll, 2011. This species has nested on Midway again in 2012, and has successfully hatched another chick. Scientists hope that this behavior conservation development because it would reduce the indicates the start of a new population of the species. Photo: USFWS likelihood that a catastrophic event on its main breeding island (Torishima, Japan) would wipe out the species.” Fifty-five miles from Midway, another Short-tailed Al- batross pair is attempting breeding on Kure Atoll, the The Short-tailed Albatross was once the most abundant northernmost coral atoll in the world, where an apparent of the North Pacific albatross species, numbering more female-female pair nested last year. The State of Hawai‘i than a million birds. It was decimated by feather hunting and the Kure Atoll Conservancy have been working to re- at the turn of the 20th Century, and by the late 1940s was store the island so that it offers even higher quality habitat thought to be extinct. In the early 1950s, ten pairs were for nesting seabirds. Both Midway and Kure are part of the discovered breeding on the volcanic island of Torishima, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument desig- Japan. The population has now reached 3,000 individu- nated by President George W. Bush in 2006. als, with most on Torishima, but conservationists fear an eruption there could spell disaster. For the last five years, A single Short-tailed Albatross was also observed on Laysan the Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team, an international Island this winter, and over the years, individuals have group of collaborators, has been working on establishing made appearances on French Frigate Shoals, and Pearl and a new colony on Mukojima Island, also in Japan, which is Hermes Atoll, also in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. safe from volcanic activity.

ABC Publishes Landmark Bird-Friendly Building Guide

recently published the new guide Bird- Chris Sheppard, ABC’s Collisions Program Manager. “It ABC friendly Building Design (www.abcbirds.org/ also complements ABC’s continuing education classes for newsandreports/BirdFriendlyBuildingDesign.pdf), target- members of the American Institute of Architects, which are ing architects, planners, building owners, and regulators. now available at a number of schools.” This attractive 58-page publication provides a comprehen- The new publication will be distributed to architectural sive review of the problem of bird mortality from collisions schools, city planning departments, local, state and federal with buildings and the solutions. It is packed with color- officials, environmental organizations, and others. ful photographs of existing bird-friendly To order a printed copy of the guide, visit buildings of architectural merit, ABC’s website, www.abcbirds.org. For in- designed by internationally rec- formation on ABC’s continuing education ognized architects and small, lo- classes for architects, contact Chris Sheppard, cal firms alike. ABC, [email protected]. “This guide clearly demonstrates that bird-friendly design need not inhibit architectural creativity or increase a building’s budget,” said

10 FEBRUARY 2012 ABC Calls for Halt to Guadeloupe Shorebird Slaughter

he killing last fall of two exhausted after navigating through se- in Guadeloupe and Martinique; to Whimbrels that were part of vere weather and were forced to land in update the status of species of game, a multi-organization satellite Guadeloupe, an area they had avoided notably shorebirds, according to their Ttracking study (Bird Calls Vol. 15, No. in previous recorded migrations. conservation needs; and to completely 3) brought to light the unregulated prohibit the hunting of the Red Knot, Guadeloupe has several isolated and unmonitored shooting of shore- a species soon to be listed under the mangrove swamps where migrating birds on the French-owned island U.S. Endangered Species Act. shorebirds concentrate. An estimated of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. In 3,000 hunters take part in unregulated ABC also requested limits on the response to this discovery, ABC sent shorebird hunting at these sites every number of hunting days, maximum a letter to the French Government’s year. ABC charged in its letter that the bag limits, notably for declining or Ministry of Ecology calling for hunt- unrestrained sport killing of migrating excessively hunted species, and a ing controls in all French departments birds threatens these species and must ban on the use of lead in hunting in the Americas. be stopped. The practice is not only ammunition. Similar requests were The first Whimbrel was shot at Port untenable from a wildlife conservation sent by other organizations, including Louis Swamp; the other was killed at perspective, but it also robs these na- the Society for the Conservation and Pointe Allègre. The birds were likely tions of the potential economic ben- Study of Caribbean Birds. efits from wildlife tourism. The French Government has since ABC requested the Ministry indicated it is considering a ban on of Ecology to forbid the hunting of Red Knot and Whim- hunting during periods brel on Guadeloupe, and putting bag of reproduction, limits on three other species. If imple- dependence, and mented, these changes could go into migration, as well effect as early as the next hunting sea- as during certain son which begins in July. View ABC’s extreme weather letter at www.abcbirds.org/PDFs/ events that force ABCWhimbrelLetterGFENG100511. migrating birds to land pdf.

Whimbrel: Tom Grey

FCC Enacts Stronger Rules to Protect Birds at Tall Towers

n December, 2011, the Federal bird populations in the Gulf Coast In addition, the FCC will now main- Communication Commission region during their tower licensing tain a public website where informa- (FCC) agreed on interim changes process. tion on tower registrations will be toI their system for approving appli- posted for 30 days. Anyone may file “For the first time, members of the cations for new telecommunication a request for environmental review of public will have an opportunity to towers. The changes were based on a proposed tower within 30 days of comment on the environmental effects recommendations submitted by ABC, notification of the tower application of proposed antenna structures,” said Defenders of Wildlife, National Audu- appearing on the FCC website. The Darin Schroeder, ABC’s Vice President bon Society, and telecommunications request must state why the interested of Conservation Advocacy. “As an in- industry leaders. person or entity believes that the pro- terim measure, the FCC now requires posed new antenna structure or modi- These changes were the outcome of that an Environmental Assessment be fication to an existing structure may a successful lawsuit by ABC, which prepared for any proposed tower over have a significant impact. resulted in the federal court of appeals 450 feet in height. Science has shown ordering the Commission to carefully that this is a threshold height above The full ruling can be found at: http:// evaluate the potential adverse effects of which there is an exponential increase hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attach- communications towers on migratory in bird mortality.” match/FCC-11-181A1.pdf

11 Bird Calls Threatened Florida Scrub-Jay Continues to Decline

n extensive new study on the Of the 95 sites experiencing de- health of the Florida Scrub- clines, the largest occurred at Jay, the only bird endemic Merritt Island National Wildlife toA that state, has found that despite Refuge, which lost 109 groups. significant efforts to protect the Other notable decreases occurred at species, populations have dropped Avon Park Air Force Range, which significantly in the last 18 years. In dropped from 98 to 57 groups, and managed study areas, populations the Carter Creek Tract of the Lake have fallen by as much as 25%, but it Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environ- is likely that the total species’ popula- mental Area, which dropped from tion throughout the state may have 35 groups to three. A total of 54 dropped as much as 35-40%. Other managed areas at which at least one sources estimate the total scrub-jay Florida Scrub-Jay group occurred population to be around 4,000 pairs, in 1992-1993 lost all groups by down from 10,000 in 1993. 2009-2010. The Florida Scrub-Jay has been listed However, there was also some good as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and news – new populations of Florida Wildlife Service since 1987. It is a Scrub-Jays were recorded in 2009- cooperative breeder, forming family Florida Scrub-Jay. Photo: Larry Master, www.masterimages.org 2010 at 15 managed sites where groups that defend territories. Its oak none had previously existed. The scrub habitat is highly dependent on report also indicated that the sites naturally occurring fires, which have been largely could, with proper management, support as many as 3,094 suppressed in recent decades. groups of jays. The study, by the Avian Ecology Program of the Archbold State-funded acquisition of about 280,000 acres of scrub Biological Station, compared numbers at 178 sites between habitat over the last 20 years has been extremely important the 1992-3 season and the 2009-10 season. Results showed for scrub-jay conservation, and supports earlier studies declines at 95 of the sites, and an overall population decrease that suggest the greatest threat to Florida Scrub-Jays comes of 25%. Many of the medium- and larger-sized populations from fire suppression, although habitat loss also remains have experienced reductions of 50% or greater. The authors a major concern. The authors cited trends from the Lake conclude that if managed sites are experiencing such Wales Ridge where populations are increasing at sites where population declines, populations at non-managed sites (such fire is managed appropriately, but declining at sites where as suburban properties and other land facing development fire management is insufficient. pressures) are likely suffering even worse losses.

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12 FEBRUARY 2012

New Program to Raise Awareness of Gulf’s Beach-nesting Birds new program will increase August. Additionally, GCBO will post protection and public Beach-nesting birds in the Gulf up to ten previously unposted nesting awareness of beach-nesting suffered not only from the oil colonies on islands off the Texas Coast, birds such as Least Terns and Black and the partners will distribute a bird Skimmers affected by the Deepwater spill itself, but from the poorly guide to coastal fishermen and recre- Horizon spill along the Gulf of executed beach cleanup efforts ational boaters. Mexico. ABC is managing the project that followed. This project will In Louisiana, the National Audubon under a grant from the National Fish Society and BTNEP are teaming up and Wildlife Foundation using monies help protect key bird populations with ABC to launch a community- provided by the BP Recovered Oil from disturbance during criti- based outreach and protection pro- Fund. Partnering with ABC are gram for Least Terns in Grand Isle, Houston Audubon, Texas Audubon, cal nesting periods and increase one of the areas most heavily impacted Gulf Coast Bird Observatory awareness of these at-risk species. by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (GCBO), Texas Mid-Coast National Kacy Ray, Conservation Project Officer, ABC The program is supported by private Wildlife Refuge Complex, Coastal landowners, Grand Isle State Park, Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana, National Audubon Society, Barataria- and Mayor David Camardelle and his Terrebonne National Estuary Program cleanup efforts that followed. This Town Council. (BTNEP), and Florida state agencies. project will help protect key bird populations from disturbance during In Florida, ABC and the state Park Partners will post signs and erect fenc- critical nesting periods and increase Service will perform colony monitor- es to protect sensitive nesting areas, awareness of these at-risk species,” said ing and educational outreach at state print guides to beach-nesting birds, Kacy Ray, ABC’s Beach-nesting Bird parks across the panhandle. ABC is and provide educational kiosks at criti- Conservation Project Officer, who is also working with the Florida Fish and cal nesting sites such as Bolivar Flats coordinating the project. Wildlife Conservation Commission – an ABC-designated Globally Im- and the Department of Environmental portant Bird Area. The effort will also Country singer Gary Nunn has do- Protection to funnel funds for extra implement community-based outreach nated his services for a television law enforcement on busy 2012 holi- programs and establish colony moni- public service announcement asking days at Honeymoon Island State Park, toring protocols at these locations. fishermen and recreational boaters to Indian Shores, and Big Marco Pass “Fish, Swim, and Play from 50 Yards “Beach-nesting birds in the Gulf suf- Critical Wildlife Management Area. Away” from nesting islands that will fered not only from the oil spill itself, air in Texas from March through but from the poorly executed beach

Black Skimmers: Owen Deutsch

13 Bird Calls 1,500 Grebes Killed in Incident at Utah Walmart

fficials in Utah are estimating that about 1,500 Eared Grebes were killed in one night last Decem- ber during a storm, possibly as a result of confus- Oing a Walmart parking lot in Cedar City, Utah with a body of water. An additional 3,500 live grebes were rounded up through the night by volunteers and staff of the Utah Divi- sion of Wildlife Resources, and eventually released into a nearby lake. Grebes are only able to land and take off from water, so a rain-slicked parking lot on a stormy night may have looked like a natural landing area. The Eared Grebe carries out the latest fall migration of any bird species in North America, putting it in the way of this storm at a time when other migrating birds likely had already arrived south. The Eared Eared Grebe: Alan Wilson Grebe only migrates at night, which increases the risk of the bird getting confused by city lighting and cloud cover. “Large kills of night-migrating birds are unfortunately not unusual, and are generally related to man-made light “We will probably never know for sure exactly what hap- sources—from spotlights to communications towers. Even pened. Night-flying birds use dim light from the moon and light from office windows, street lights, and decorative ex- stars and the earth’s magnetic field for navigation. Adverse terior lighting can attract birds to land in cities, where they conditions on that night may have caused the same kind of are at high risk of colliding with glass on buildings as they disorientation that can afflict pilots in fog – the birds may try to feed the next day. Reducing unnecessary lighting can have flown directly into the ground, not realizing they were limit this type of mortality, but in the case of the grebes, we descending. Urban lights attract and confuse birds, so when simply don’t know whether they mistook tarmac for a body you bring the storm into play, I think this is a serious possi- of water or lost orientation,” Sheppard said. bility,” said Dr. Christine Sheppard, Bird Collision Program Director for ABC.

Nation’s Mayors Asked to Stop Spread of Feral Cats

has called on the mayors of U.S. cities to “What few people seem to understand is that the domestic ABC stop the spread of feral cats that threaten the cat is an extremely effective predator that has been intro- nation’s bird populations as well as other wildlife. Letters duced by modern man into an environment whose species were mailed to mayors of 50 cities in the United States, in- have evolved few, if any natural defenses. Healthy, well-fed, cluding New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, urging them cats versus defenseless prey is about as fair in the world of to support responsible pet ownership and oppose Trap- nature as the proverbial shooting fish in a barrel,” he said. Neuter-Release (TNR) programs that promote the feeding Studies indicate that there are some 95 million outdoor and of outdoor cats. feral cats in the United States that kill at least 532 million “Cat overpopulation is a human-caused tragedy that affects birds, and possibly many more. Given the well-documented the health and well-being of cats, our native wildlife, and the impacts of cat predation on wildlife, ABC urged the mayors public,” said Darin Schroeder, Vice President for Conserva- to oppose TNR programs and the outdoor feeding of cats tion Advocacy for ABC, in the letter. “Numerous published, as a feral cat management option. Specifically, ABC asked scientific studies have shown that trap, neuter, re-abandon the mayors to issue a policy directive opposing TNR, and programs do not reduce feral cat populations, and that out- to halt city funding for the practice if any currently exists. door cats, even well-fed ones, kill hundreds of millions of The ABC letter pointed out that dog overpopulation prob- wild birds and other animals each year in the U.S., including lems aren’t solved by turning unwanted dogs loose onto the endangered species. Birds that nest or feed on the ground are streets; the same should be true for cats. Ensuring respon- especially vulnerable to cat attacks.” sible pet ownership is at the core of any long-term solution to the cat overpopulation problem. 14 FEBRUARY 2012 Hawaiian Goose Recovery a Honking Success

he endangered Nēnē, also information on feeding, roosting, and known as the Hawaiian Goose breeding sites, including data on over has been making a remarkable 10,500 locations visited by the birds. Tcomeback thanks to decades of captive Despite the successes, there are still breeding programs, predator control, many challenges to overcome. The and habitat management. The improv- strength of wild Nēnē populations is ing population trend was documented due in significant part to predator con- recently in a study by Dr. Steven Hess trol, and without continued vigilance, of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Pacific Nēnē (Hawaiian Geese). Photo: Jack Jeffrey it remains questionable whether many Islands Ecosystems Research Center Nēnē populations will persist. Con- in Hawai'i, who estimates the current first captive-raised birds were released tinued development and other human population to be around 2,000 birds. into the wild at Keauhou Bird Sanctu- activities leave the Nēnē vulnerable ary on the Big Island. Until recently, The five-pound, 25-inch long Nēnē to predation by dogs and exposure to what little was known about the move- is the state bird of Hawai'i. Hunting, toxoplasmosis from cats. ments of the recovering population habitat loss, and introduced predators was based on observations of banded On Kaua'i, where populations have such as rats, dogs, cats, and mongoose, birds and counts of birds made regu- skyrocketed, safety officials are con- took their toll. By the early 1950s, the larly along well-known flight paths. cerned about the increased chances of wild population had shrunk to a mere an airstrike with planes at the island’s 20-30 birds. However, in a three-year period from airport that will likely result in signifi- 2009-2011, 11 birds were fitted with Concern about dwindling Nēnē num- cant numbers of birds being relocated 45-gram, solar-powered satellite bers prompted a modest captive breed- to the Big Island. transmitters that provided valuable ing program in 1949. In 1960, the

Protection Plan Offers Hope for Sage-Grouse Recovery

he Bureau of Land Manage- environmental impact statements and ment (BLM) and USDA land management plans across the Forest Service are developing a region with sage-grouse conservation Tnew range-wide conservation strategy measures. for the imperiled Greater Sage-Grouse The agency’s announcement follows affecting nearly 50 million acres requests by ABC and other conserva- of public lands. The initiative was tion organizations, the U.S. Fish and prompted by a 2009 determination Wildlife Service, and directors of four that the species warrants listing under western state fish and wildlife agen- the Endangered Species Act (see article cies for BLM to develop new and on page 26). improved regulatory mechanisms to Greater Sage-Grouse: FWS “This process offers concerned citizens conserve and restore sage-grouse popu- a real opportunity to address the ex- lations and sagebrush habitat. In some hopeful signs for the sage- tensive habitat impacts of oil and gas grouse, more than 40,000 acres of BLM has issued temporary guidance drilling, wind energy development, habitat was removed from a Nevada on how to manage grouse habitat un- and livestock grazing across a vast oil and gas lease sale last month. BLM til this planning process is complete. region,” said Steve Holmer, Senior has also added restrictive language to Some conservation organizations have Policy Advisor for ABC. several draft resource management expressed concern that the interim plans for the Kremmling and Colora- The proposal will affect BLM and For- guidance is only advisory, while oil do River Valley districts in Colorado. est Service land management in por- industry representatives have expressed tions of ten western states. It begins fears that uncertainly will halt a new a multi-year process that will update drilling process pending completion of the planning process. 15 Bird Calls Proposed Permit May Let Hawaiian Seabirds Off the Hook

he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed issuing a permit for the Hawaiian longline fleet to kill a limited number of seabirds under the TMigratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This is the first time America’s foremost law protecting migratory bird species has been invoked to protect seabirds in federal waters and on the high seas. Previously, the National Marine Fisheries Service, which applied for the permit, had asserted that seabirds in federal waters are out of the jurisdiction of the MBTA, meaning that species such as the Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses were not specifically protected by regulations to restrict bycatch. The Endangered Species Act had been used to prevent deaths of the endangered Short- tailed Albatross with ancillary benefits for other species. “This proposed permit would set a legal precedent for limit- ing seabird bycatch in U.S. fisheries, so it is important to get Black-footed Albatross: Tom Grey it right. If this permit does what it should, and protects the birds that are affected by longlines, then it is a welcome step ABC supports the use of all appropriate techniques in the right direction,” said Jessica Hardesty-Norris, Seabird Program Director for ABC. “ABC will be reviewing the pro- to prevent seabird mortality, including a permitting posed permit and will support alternatives that will limit or system that would control and compensate for reduce incidental mortality, and seek just compensation for unavoidable seabird mortality if necessary.” unavoidable bycatch. Such a system would review fisheries, put measures in place to avoid bycatch in The Hawaiian fishery targets primarily swordfish and operates in both international and U.S. waters. The those fisheries, set limits on take, and potentially migratory birds incidentally taken are mostly Laysan and establish compensation for unavoidable take. Black-footed Albatrosses. The endangered Short-tailed Albatross occurs in the area and has been observed from Hawai‘i-based longline fishing vessels, but no take of this “We know these industrial fishing operations accidentally species has been reported. kill seabirds, but the proposed permit would mean that the The purpose of an MBTA take permit is not to authorize bycatch is regulated,” Hardesty Norris said. “ABC supports the unlimited killing of migratory birds or to enable an ap- the use of all appropriate techniques to prevent seabird plicant to operate with impunity. Rather it serves to place mortality, including a permitting system that would control restrictions on an applicant and allow it to continue its and compensate for unavoidable bycatch. Such a system activities with a limited number of incidental bird kills only would review fisheries, put measures in place to avoid by- if it abides by the conditions set forth in the permit. In catch in those fisheries, set limits on take, and potentially the case of longline fishing, these conditions may include establish compensation for unavoidable take.” technical modifications to fishing gear that can reduce bird The U.S. has dramatically reduced the deaths of seabirds on deaths, restrictions on when boats can set lines, and proto- longliners operating in federal waters in recent years, thanks cols for saving birds that may become snagged on fishing in part to advocacy efforts by ABC and other groups. An hooks. Further, the permit process could provide a mecha- MBTA take-permit system would be the next step in the nism for compensation for any killed birds, which would protection of these birds. go to improving conservation efforts for those species and other threatened seabirds.

16 FEBRUARY 2012 Conservationist Celebrate 15 Years for Arizona’s Condors Back in Wild

onservationists are celebrating Several threats to the Arizona condor 2011 have now fledged, but a third a significant milestone this population have been identified, chief chick was found dead below its nest in month: the 15th anniver- among them, lead poisoning and pre- the Grand Canyon. It was determined Csary of the first release of endangered dation. Of 42 known condor mortali- to have had broken a wing, indicating California Condors back into the wild ties in Arizona since the first releases it may have fallen from its nest, but into Arizona after the species had been in 1996, 12 were due to predation and due to the condition of the carcass, absent from the state for nearly 100 19 were caused by lead (see article be- examiners were unable to pinpoint a years. low). In May 2011, six California con- cause of death. dors found in Arizona tested positive The California Condor was added to Despite this setback, the three young for toxic levels of lead in their bodies. the federal endangered species list in chicks set a record for the greatest Three later died. 1967 due to continuing population number hatched in the wild in Ari- declines. In 1982 the last remaining In response to the lead threat, a vol- zona in one breeding season since the 22 birds were captured by the U.S. untary non-lead ammunition program recovery effort began. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in a was begun in Arizona in 2005 for last-ditch effort to save the species, and hunting in the condor’s core range. In a recovery program was begun. Thanks 2010, as the population of condors to the efforts of FWS and many con- expanded into southern Utah, a non- servation groups, there are now 209 lead program was also implemented in California Condors flying free, with that state. 113 in California, 73 Arizona, and 23 Two California Condor chicks that in Baja California, Mexico. hatched in Arizona in the wild in

Suit Threatened to End Lead Poisoning of Condors and Other Wildlife

n September 2011, the Pacific U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Environmental Advocacy Center impact of lead on condors, and failure filed a notice of intent to sue the to have a meaningful conservation California Condor and chick in nest cave. Photo: Joseph USDAI Forest Service for violations of program in place for the condor. Brandt, USFWS the Resource Conservation and Recov- exposure risk, including a lead ery Act and the Endangered Species A 2011 study found lead ammunition ammunition ban in parts of California Act. The suit, brought on behalf of as a primary factor limiting the and a voluntary program to use Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club, survival and recovery of the California alternatives in Arizona, California and the Grand Canyon Wildlands Condor, one of the country’s most Condors continue to be poisoned Council, alleges that large quantities imperiled birds. Despite substantial by lead bullet fragments on a regular of ammunition left behind by hunters management efforts to reduce lead basis. in the six National Forests in Arizona pose a threat to wildlife including Bald The Forest Service has 90 days from Eagles, Northern Goshawks, Ferrugi- the date that the notice was filed nous Hawks, Turkey Vultures, and the to reduce the threat posed by lead endangered California Condor. ammunition in the Condor’s Arizona range if they are to avoid a lawsuit. The notice also cites a number of Endangered Species Act violations, including failure to consult with the California Condor: Susan Haig

17 Bird Calls Ecuador Land Acquisition Will Help Conserve Rare Parakeet

318-acre parcel of land in species of interest include the Rufous- southwestern Ecuador has headed Chachalaca, Long-wattled been added to the Buenaven- Umbrellabird, Red-masked Parakeet, tura Reserve, an area critical for the and Pacific Royal Flycatcher. More protection of the globally endangered than 330 species of birds have been El Oro Parakeet – a bird that appears recorded at Buenaventura, of which to number fewer than 1,000 individu- at least 12 are classified as globally als in the wild. threatened, and another 34 species are local endemics. The new acquisition, called the Dianita property, has become part of The Buenaventura Reserve protects the 4,000-acre private reserve that is the largest remnant patch of a unique owned and managed by Fundación ecosystem that combines elements Jocotoco, ABC’s partner and the of tropical wet and dry forests. As leading bird conservation organization little as 5% of this forest, which once in Ecuador. The purchase was made El Oro Parakeet: Fundación Jocotoco spanned northern Peru and parts of the possible by support from ABC, Robert Ecuadorian Coast, may now remain. Wilson, World Land Trust, World What is left is threatened by ongoing Land Trust-US, and the Danish Ornithological Society. land conversion to agriculture and cattle pasture, making The Reserve protects no fewer than 15 globally threatened the reserve vital for the conservation of the rare, endemic species, and is the most important single site for the birds of the region. The Reserve had been separated into endemic parakeet and the Ecuadorian Tapaculo. two parts, but these are now connected by the Dianita property, making this an extremely important purchase. “The reserve is home to about one-fifth of all the El Oro Parakeets in the wild. Fortunately, those numbers The newly acquired land is 70% cattle pasture, and will have been steadily increasing as a result of a successful need to be restored. Fortunately, Fundación Jocotoco, conservation campaign that includes the provision of nest with help from ABC, World Land Trust, the U.S. Fish boxes to supplement the scarcity of suitable nest-trees,” said and Wildlife Service, and other partners, has become Benjamin Skolnik, International Program Officer at ABC. adept at reforestation of degraded habitat. In the last three years, Jocotoco has planted more than 40,000 trees in the In addition to the El Oro Parakeet and Ecuadorian Buenaventura Reserve alone, and over 600,000 plants in Tapaculo, the reserve also protects a stronghold site for their network of eight private reserves. the endangered Gray-backed Hawk. Other threatened Jose Ilanes, Tropical Birding Tropical Ilanes, Jose Other threatened birds species at Buenaventura Buenaventura include the Gray-backed Reserve Hawk (above) and the Rufous-headed Chachalaca (right). ABC Skoknik, Benjamin

18 FEBRUARY 2012 Studies Recognize Winning Conservation Formula in Peru

new study published in the transforming woodland for agricul- many other environmental projects journal Ecological Economics ture, and burning grassland for regen- with local communities across Peru, has found that, contrary to eration of grasses. and are seeing similar positive changes someA critical earlier studies, communi- in resource management by local The evidence is persuasive: of respon- ty conservation programs, when done people that are benefitting conserva- dents that reported carrying out forest- properly, can produce demonstrable tion,” said Constantino Aucca Chutas, degrading activities prior to working changes in local community behavior President of ECOAN. with ECOAN, 81% said they had and lead to improved environmental reduced forest fuel wood use; 71% ABC has partnered with ECOAN on conservation. had reduced livestock grazing in the many conservation projects, including The study by Mathew Cranford and forest; 73% had reduced conversion establishing 12 new bird conservation Susana Mourato of the London School of forest land for agriculture; and 89% reserves protecting almost 50,000 of Economics and Political Science acres of important bird habitat, and evaluated the outcomes of community planting over 1.5 million trees. conservation efforts by Asociación ABC has partnered with ECOAN A second study published in the Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN), Public Library of Science online has ABC’s International Network partner on many conservation projects, also found that ecotourism in Peru in Peru. ECOAN’s community conser- including establishing 12 new bird is providing numerous opportunities vation efforts have focused on Polylepis conservation reserves protecting for the advancement of conservation forests, one of the world’s most threat- programs. The study by Liisa Puhakka ened neotropical ecosystems, which almost 50,000 acres of important and colleagues at the University of provide habitat for a variety of unique, bird habitat, and planting over Turku, Finland looked at birding often threatened, bird species. 1.5 million trees. tourism in Peru, interviewing The study was based on interviews representatives from ecotourism with families at Abra Malaga, where companies, experts in Peruvian ECOAN and ABC began working had reduced the burning of nearby ornithology, and birding tour guides in 2000, and have since established a grasslands for agriculture. When the working in the country. Surveys were 175-acre reserve for Polylepis forests, study looked specifically for the causes also obtained from 47 birdwatchers. conducted a reforestation campaign, for those behavioral changes, they Despite limitations on birding and developed trails, a visitor center, found that almost 70% were either the ecotourism identified in the survey and restrooms for tourists. The study direct or indirect result of efforts by that included national infrastructure, assessed the communities’ behavioral ECOAN. security, and geographical conditions, changes — in particular, whether they several factors were identified as had increased, decreased, or main- “We are excited that the study strengths, including the rich diversity tained their level of harmful activi- validates our success of more than of bird species, ecotourism facilities, ties, such as cutting forest wood for a decade of efforts we have made to and opportunities to combine birding fuel, grazing livestock in the forest, protect vital Polylepis forests. We have with visits to cultural attractions. been applying the same approaches in

Polylepis reforestation project, Patacancha, Peru, 2010. Photo: ECOAN

19 Bird Calls Proposed Washington Wind Farm Blown Off Over Bird Concerns

lans to build a 32-turbine wind farm near the coast of Washington in a key breeding area for the threat- Marbled Murrelet chick: U.S. Forest Service ened Marbled Murrelet have been halted. The deci- Psion was based on a softening of the wind power market features the highest nesting concentration of Marbled and operating conditions that might have been suggested Murrelets in the state. by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure protection Marbled Murrelet numbers along the west coast of the of the murrelet. lower 48 states have been declining at an average of about The 80-megawatt wind farm would have been located in 4% per year over the last decade, and about 7% per year in Pacific County in the southwest part of the state, and would Washington. have impacted a narrow swath of forest more than four miles “The Fish and Wildlife Service did the right thing. They long. The turbines would have extended to a height of about warned the developers that there would be serious obstacles 430 feet from base to turbine tip in a ridged area with an to siting a wind farm in extremely sensitive bird habitat. elevation ranging between 1,000 and 1,900 feet. They proposed a series of conservation measures that While there is no mature or old-growth forest in the would be needed to protect a federally-listed, threatened footprint of the proposed project, there are 89 occupied bird. This was predictable and shouldn’t have surprised Marbled Murrelet nests within 30 miles. Some birds would anyone. Our congratulations to Seattle Audubon for their have had to fly through the wind farm area to go between leadership in raising awareness about this threat and on nesting and foraging areas at sea. The northwest end of their effective advocacy for the murrelet’s protection.” the project is within 1,800 feet of the border of the South said Darin Schroeder, Vice President for Conservation Nemah Natural Resources Conservation Area, which Advocacy at ABC.

First State of the Birds Report Issued for San Francisco Bay

he first State of the Birds Report for San Francisco but grassland and coastal scrub birds are declining due to Bay was issued in October 2011 by PRBO Con- loss and alteration of habitat. servation Science and the San Francisco Joint Ven- The state-listed California Clapper Rail, which inhabits the Tture. It summarizes the current state of knowledge of the Bay’s tidal marshes, still struggles to survive ongoing habi- Bay’s bird populations, and details actions needed to keep tat loss, predation, and invasive species. Sea level rise and birds and their habitats thriving as sea levels rise and ex- more frequent strong storms associated with global warm- treme storm events increase due to global climate change. ing push rails into marginal, exposed habitats, and will The report finds that while most bird populations are stable, make it increasingly difficult for the birds to survive. some are still struggling. Riparian birds and two endangered Other species at risk include the Western Sandpiper, species – the California Least Forster’s Tern, Caspian Tern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Tern and Western Snowy Snowy Egret, Canvasback, and Northern Pintail. Plover – have increased, The report aims to enhance bird conservation in San Francisco Bay by guiding habitat restoration, management, and acquisition; increasing knowledge of the population status of San Francisco Bay’s birds and the threats to their habitats; and influencing public policy and public awareness of bird and ecosystem conservation needs.

California Clapper Rail: Tom Grey

20 FEBRUARY 2012 Massive Land Purchase Will Safeguard Birds in Ecuador

large, coordinated series of the volcano are paramo grasslands (a conservationists in the 1980s, and the land acquisitions has neotropical, high-elevation ecosystem Ecuadorian government declared it resulted in a huge boon to typically containing wet grasslands in- an ecological reserve in 1993. Despite Ecuador’s protected area network and termingled with shrublands and forest this designation, over 80% of the the drinking water supply for the patches). These unique grasslands give 296,000-acre reserve was still privately nation’s capital, thanks in large part to way to tropical forests that descend owned and managed for cattle. This ABC’s network partner in Ecuador, into the Amazon basin. The area’s resulted in conflicts between the actual Fundación Jocotoco. Jocotoco’s lakes, marshes, and bogs provide im- management of the area and conserva- interest in acquiring key private portant habitat for both resident and tion objectives, threatening a number properties within the Antisana migratory shorebirds and waterfowl, of important species, including the Ecological Reserve stimulated the including the Silvery Grebe and Black- Andean Condor, the national bird national government to action. The faced Ibis. of Ecuador. For years, conservation- large protected area is now fully state- ists, farm owners, and the Ecuadorian Antisana is considered an Alliance owned following acquisition of all government wanted to resolve these for Zero Extinction (AZE) site due remaining privately held lands within conflicts, but were stalled by the scale to the presence of three species of the vast 240,000-acre reserve by the of the project. endangered frogs found nowhere else. government of Ecuador. There are also populations of rare Nearly six years ago, after witnessing Several large private farms bordering mammals such as the spectacled bear, the tragic destruction of a nesting col- the western edge of the reserve were puma, and Andean wolf. ony of Silvery Grebes, Francisco “Pan- purchased by the Quito Water Author- Antisana is connected to two other cho” Sornoza, Jocotoco’s Director of ity, including the 17,700-acre Hacien- large protected areas: the Cayambe- Conservation, proposed that the orga- da Antisana and 980-acre Contadero Coca Ecological Reserve to the north nization should actively investigate the Grande in September 2011. Most re- and the Gran Sumaco National Park possibility of safeguarding Antisana. cently, Jocotoco themselves purchased to the East. Together with Antisana, Jocotoco then partnered with World the 5,600-acre Hacienda Sunfohuayco this conservation area now safeguards Land Trust-US, and began a six-year to complete this series of contiguous 1.8 million acres of critical and effort to protect the land. land protections within Antisana. biologically diverse Andean and In addition to the efforts of the Ec- Standing over 18,700 feet high, An- Amazonian ecosystems. uadorian Government, Jocotoco, and tisana harbors one of the few remain- This enormous but undeveloped World Land Trust-US, other organiza- ing true mountain wilderness areas area attracted the attention of tions that helped make the purchase in the tropical Andes. Surrounding possible included The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the Bobolink Foundation, the Blue Moon Fund, and several other private donors.

Antisana’s lakes, marshes, and bogs provide important habitat for both resident and migratory shorebirds and Black-faced Ibis: Luke Seitz waterfowl including the Silvery Grebe and Black-faced Ibis. Photo: Jaime Carlosama

21 Bird Calls Concerns Mount Over Texas Drought Impacts to Whooping Cranes

he continuing drought in Texas may have severe consequences for the last remaining natural popula- tion of the endangered Whooping Crane now win- Ttering on the Texas Coast. 2011 was the second-hottest and driest year on record. Despite recent rains and even some localized flooding, as of publication, most of the state is still in drought condition. The lack of freshwater flowing to the coast has made the water too salty for the blue crabs and wolfberries that pro- vide the major food resources for the Whooping Cranes. Twenty-three cranes died during the last drought in 2009. According to the Aransas Project, the impacts of the drought are being exacerbated by water management poli- cies in the state. The group is suing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in an attempt to force them to consider Whooping Cranes in their water management plans. Whooping Cranes populations are losing ground in Texas due to the prolonged drought. Meanwhile, managers at the Aransas National Wildlife Ref- Photo: Laura Erickson uge are doing what they can to provide wintering habitat for these birds. The 115,000-acre refuge is the traditional Like most lakes in Texas during this drought, the water winter home for cranes. level at Granger is down, exposing more shoreline and some At least two family groups totaling four adults and two ju- mudflats in the middle of the lake. The wintering cranes veniles have spent the winter 200 miles north of the coast at have been seen foraging around the lake and in the sur- Granger Lake. This lake falls along the traditional migration rounding agricultural fields. route in central Texas. On the population’s breeding grounds in Canada, a much At least one of these family groups is known to have flown happier story was reported, with a record 75 nests located first to the coast and then turned back to spend the winter and 279 adults counted. In 1941, only 15 Whooping at Granger. This is the first time this behavior has been Cranes remained, and many people thought the extinction recorded. of the species was inevitable.

First Photo Taken of an Active Black-capped Petrel Nest ABC partner Grupo Jaragua led a field team that discovered a new nesting location for the Black-capped Petrel in Haiti and documented that find with the first-ever photograph of an active nest of the globally threatened species (listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2011). There are an estimated 1,000 breeding pairs of the species, although records at-sea suggest that over 5,000 individuals may exist. The only known breeding sites are at Loma del Toro in south-west Dominican Republic and at La Visite and Macaya in Haiti. The discovery was made possible by the efforts of

Black-capped Petrel chick: James E. Goetz, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology over a dozen groups and individuals, including ABC.

22 FEBRUARY 2012 Birds to Benefit from Exotic Snake Ban

he U.S. Fish and Wildlife The action is supported by wildlife Service (FWS) has banned conservation organizations, including the importation and interstate ABC, which had sent a letter to FWS Ttransportation of four non-native in April 2008 calling for the ban. constrictor snakes. Release of snakes “This was a decision that had to be into the wild is threatening birds and made. Populations of long-lived and other animals in the Everglades and reproductively prolific invasive snake other sensitive eco- species, such as the Burmese systems across python, represent an eco- the United logical and economic disaster States. that can quickly overtake even the most far-reaching eradication efforts to protect endangered and declining species,” Fenwick said. “In recent years, the release of Fenwick cited the wide- non-native snakes into sensi- spread devastation of na- Wood Stork: Bill Hubick tive bird habitats such as the tive bird populations that Florida Everglades has reached resulted from the introduc- epidemic proportions,” said tion of the brown tree snake The Burmese python continues to George Fenwick, President to Guam after World War II. pose a great risk to many native of ABC. “Unwitting indi- Preying on eggs and hatch- viduals are buying these lings, the brown tree snake birds, including threatened and animals only to later realize caused the extinction of nine endangered species such as the they can’t keep a six-foot- of the eleven native land Wood Stork. long snake in their homes. bird species on Guam. They dump them in the “Its predation of na- wild, where they breed and tive birds has been feed on native birds and other endangered species such as the Wood so complete that Stork. wildlife.” the brown tree The final FWS rule lists the Burmese snake now sur- According to a recent study of the python, the yellow anaconda, and vives by feeding intestines of 56 captured Burmese the northern and southern African almost exclusively pythons in or adjacent to Everglades pythons as injurious wildlife under on the island’s liz- National Park, 50 were found to have the Lacey Act in order to ard species,” he said. eaten multiple bird species, including White Ibis, Limpkin, and King and restrict their spread in The Burmese python, the wild in the United Clapper Rails. In the last decade, the which averages twelve National Park Service has removed States. Sixty days feet in length and is after publication, over 1,600 pythons from within or capable of eating large adjacent to Everglades National Park. interstate transport prey including even deer, has and importation of live established breeding populations individuals, gametes, in South Florida’s Everglades, caus- viable eggs, or hybrids ing significant damage to wildlife. It of the four snakes into the continues to pose a great risk to many United States will be prohibited. native birds, including threatened and

Burmese python: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

23 Bird Calls Western Snowy Plover Critical Habitat Proposal Reopened for Comment

he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reopened Reserve in Orange the public comment period on their proposed County, California, revision of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast FWS is proposing to Tpopulation of the Western Snowy Plover, first published replace some Critical in March 2011. Several changes were proposed after FWS Habitat designations received new information on this subspecies. that are no longer Western Snowy Plover chicks: Tom LeValley occupied by the Compared to the existing 2005 Critical Habitat designa- Western Snowy Plover with other areas that are occupied by tion, the 2011 proposed revision includes more than twice the species and are essential to its conservation. FWS also as many total acres and more Critical Habitat units, partly proposes to add a new two-acre area in the tidal basin of to offset anticipated adverse effects of rising sea level due to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve because it is a nesting and climate change, and to reflect current policy that encourag- foraging area used by the plover. These changes would result es greater consideration of the role that unoccupied habitat in about 35 fewer acres being designated as Critical Habitat can provide in the conserving species. compared to the original proposal. “This proposal represents the kind of proactive conservation This number may change depending on the outcome of planning that needs to occur for many coastal species to decisions relating to Vandenberg Air Force Base. At the time survive in the face of projected sea-level rise due to climate FWS published the proposed Critical Habitat rule, the base change,” said Casey Lott, ABC’s Coastal and Waterways did not have an Integrated Natural Resource Management Conservation Program Coordinator. “A similar approach Plan in place. This plan has since been completed, and if could be taken for many high priority beach-nesting birds, FWS determines that it provides a benefit to the Western not just those on the Endangered Species List.” Snowy Plover, the base will be exempted from the revised Based on new information about Snowy Plover habitat final Critical Habitat designation, resulting in about 1,100 use in Bolsa Chica State Beach and Bolsa Chica Ecological fewer acres being designated as Critical Habitat.

The Keystone XL Project – Trouble Remains in the Pipeline proposed pipeline that would transport 900,000 Construction of the XL pipeline would increase tar sands barrels of tar sands oil each day from western oil production, further harming these forests, and the Canada to refineries in Texas has been put on hold hundreds of migratory species that nest there, including Afor now, but may yet go ahead. This pipeline, known as the the Olive-sided Flycatcher, Evening Grosbeak, Whooping Keystone XL line, would pass through Montana, South Crane, and Canada, Bay-breasted, and Blackpoll Warblers. Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Conservation- ists are concerned that any accident or spill along its length The tar sands oil production also results in the release of could impact agricultural lands, rivers, aquifers, fisheries, as much as three times the greenhouse gas emissions per and bird habitat. barrel as conventional oil. This method of energy extrac- tion also produces huge lakes of toxic waste that have been The federal government has already approved two dedi- responsible for the deaths of thousands of waterfowl (Bird cated tar sands pipelines: Canadian company Enbridge has Calls Vol. 15, No. 1). completed a pipeline from the U.S.-Canadian border in North Dakota across Minnesota to Wisconsin (this pipe- The pipeline has become a political hot potato. Despite line has already had at least one significant spill, see Bird industry pressure to approve the project, President Obama Calls Vol. 14, No. 3); TransCanada’s Keystone I pipeline, denied it a permit in January, claiming there had been in- which the State Department approved in 2009, runs from sufficient time for proper environmental review. Alberta to Illinois and on to Oklahoma. The Keystone XL TransCanada plans to reapply for a pipeline along an alter- line would be an extension of the existing project. native route, making another showdown over the issue be- Tar sands extraction in Canada has already caused sig- tween the White House and the House of Representatives nificant loss of Boreal Forest and wetland habitat. likely. The project remains a very real possibility.

24 FEBRUARY 2012 Golden-winged Warbler Reaping Benefits of Conservation Efforts hile the U.S. Fish & Wild- Finally, in November, life Service (FWS) con- ABC, working with the ducts its 12-month finding AMJV and partners in Wto determine whether the Golden- the Upper Great Lakes winged Warbler should be listed under region, was awarded a the Endangered Species Act, ABC and grant from the National its partners in the Appalachian Moun- Fish and Wildlife Foun- tains Joint Venture (AMJV) are devel- dation to create or en- oping and implementing a number of hance over 30,000 acres strategies to increase their population, of high quality Golden- Golden-winged Warbler: Barth Schorre focusing on habitat improvements, winged Warbler habitat in Tennessee, research, and on-the-ground activities Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Most of management recommendations into throughout the species’ range. this work will occur on public lands, current or planned projects. The early- but partners will also conduct work- successional habitat created will also The end of 2011 marked the comple- shops open to private landowners and benefit other priority species, includ- tion of two very important projects, forestry associations to incorporate ing the American Woodcock. and the beginning of a third. First, the Golden-winged Warbler Work- ing Group (www.gwwa.org – a col- laboration that includes ABC and the AMJV) finished a conservation plan Wildlife Fly-In to Washington March 27-29 for the entire breeding range of the species, which identifies the highest You can help make sure birds have a voice with this Congress! This priority conservation strategies, out- March, American Bird Conservancy and a coalition of partners are lines research needs and a monitoring inviting you to Washington D.C. to speak out on behalf of birds and plan for breeding grounds, and maps other wildlife to ensure they continue to be a priority for this country. core focal areas to target habitat resto- This will be an opportunity for you to tell your members of ration efforts. Congress, and officials from the Obama AMJV partners also published Golden- Administration how important it is that they winged Warbler Habitat Best Man- continue to fund programs that protect our agement Practices for Forestlands in nation’s birds and other wildlife. Maryland and Pennsylvania, a science- based document developed by ABC, Beginning on March 27 you will have an the AMJV, Indiana University of Penn- opportunity to participate in an advocacy sylvania, Pennsylvania Game Commis- training and then use those skills in sion, and the Maryland Department of meetings with your elected members th th Natural Resources to guide land man- of Congress on the 28 and 29 . agers in creating good habitat condi- This is a great opportunity to make tions for the warbler. The publication your voice heard and learn how to was made possible through funding be a more effective advocate. from the National Fish and Wildlife Go to www.abcbirds.org/ Foundation, matching funds provided membership/fly-in_registration.cfm by partners, and contributions from to register. private donors. The publication can be found at www.amjv.org/library.

25 Bird Calls

Birds In Brief more endangered species. ABC staff Colombian Reserve Im- met with specialists from IFC to help portant to Rare Parrot with development of the policy. Increased Protections for Fundación ProAves, ABC’s partner Sage-grouse Rejected The IFC’s standards are followed by 77 in Colombia, recently conducted other commercial banks through the A federal judge has rejected a chal- the first radio-tracking study of the Equator Principles, a set of voluntary Rusty-faced Parrot at the Colibrí del lenge from environmental groups standards that defer to IFC’s policy for seeking to force the federal govern- Sol Reserve. With additional fund- private-sector lending. This means that ing from Fundación Loro Parque, ment to take action to increase pro- this policy to safeguard AZE sites will tections for the Greater Sage-grouse. two individuals were tracked over have a reach far beyond IFC’s direct a huge area encompassing 2,686 Listing the species as Endangered lending portfolio. acres. They foraged for fruit in would slow energy development in See www.zeroextinction.org for more cloud forest, foraged and roosted sage-grouse habitat throughout the information on AZE. in oak forest, and used salt licks in West, and so is vehemently opposed open moorlands. This study con- by industry and state governments. firmed that the ABC-sponsored USFWS reserve provides important habitats The species remains on the Candidate used by these parrots. The Rusty- List as “warranted but precluded” faced Parrot is listed as Vulnerable from listing due to “other priorities”, because its small population con- acknowledgment that the bird needs sists of very small, scattered sub- federal protections but that other spe- populations likely to be undergoing cies are in even worse shape. continuing declines owing to wide- The Interior Department is under a spread habitat loss. separate federal court order to decide by the end of 2015 whether this bird and other species classified as war- ranted but precluded, should receive Judge Orders New Review of Endangered Species Act protection. Arizona Bald Eagle Status ABC Banks on Fighting The eight-year legal battle over wheth- er the Arizona population of the Bald Extinction Eagle constitutes a distinct population The International Finance Corpora- segment (DPS) under the Endangered Fundación ProAves, www.proaves.org ProAves, Fundación tion (IFC), the private sector lending Species Act and would therefore merit arm of the World Bank Group that special protections (see Bird Calls, Government Creates manages $2.4 billion in develop- February 2011) will continue. Federal Everglades Headwaters ment loans, will now require its loan Judge David Campbell found that the NWR clients to avoid harming Alliance for February 2011 decision by the U.S. Zero Extinction (AZE) sites as part Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that FWS has established a new national of its Natural Habitats Policy. the bird did not constitute a DPS “is wildlife refuge and conservation area in the Kissimmee River Val- “IFC’s recognition of the importance not in accordance with law and not ley south of Orlando, Florida to of Alliance for Zero Extinction sites founded on a rational connection be- preserve one of the last remaining is another significant milestone to- tween facts found and choices made.” grassland and longleaf pine sa- wards their conservation,” said ABC The Center for Biological Diversity vanna landscapes in eastern North Vice President Mike Parr. has led the DPS legal effort on the America. The new refuge creates Arizona Bald Eagle since 2004. A ABC currently acts as Chair of AZE, one of the largest federal refuge decision has not been made on the which consists of 80 groups world- and conservation areas in the state, Arizona Bald Eagle’s status while FWS wide working together to identify and provides added protections for begins a 12-month finding. and save sites that are the last re- birds such as the Audubon’s Crested maining places on earth for one or Caracara, the Florida Scrub-Jay,

26 FEBRUARY 2012

Florida Grasshopper, Sparrow, Red- Court Halts U.S. cockaded Woodpecker, Snail Kite, Projects that Could and Wood Stork. Jeopardize Mexi- One hundred thousand acres of the can Spotted Owl Everglades Headwaters National A federal judge has issued Wildlife Refuge and Conservation a preliminary injunction Area will be protected through con- halting two logging servation easements purchased from projects in Arizona and willing sellers. Private landowners one in New Mexico, will retain ownership of their land, citing the USDA Forest as well as the right to work the land Service’s failure to to raise cattle or crops. The ease- Palmer Dave monitor populations of ments ensures the land could not be the threatened Mexican federal government to challenge ESA developed. Spotted Owl in national forests in regulations. FWS will purchase up to 50,000 ad- the two states. The ESA requires the government to ditional acres outright from willing The January ruling resulted from an review the status of all species listed as sellers to create the proposed nation- Endangered Species Act lawsuit filed Endangered or Threatened at least ev- al wildlife refuge where visitors could in 2010 by WildEarth Guardians ery five years. A federal court in 2007 charging that the Forest Service hunt, fish, hike, and view wildlife. rejected government explanations for failed to follow a requirement from delays in species reviews in Florida, Lawsuit May Force Wood the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and ordered all listed species in the Stork Downlisting (FWS) to monitor populations of state to be reviewed within the follow- the Mexican Spotted Owl, while In January, the Pacific Legal Founda- ing three years. Among the first re- continuing to approve logging, tion (PLF), on behalf of the Florida viewed after that ruling was the Wood grazing, and other activities that Homebuilders’ Association, warned Stork in 2008. That review found that impact its habitat. federal officials that they will be sued the species was no longer in need of if they do not immediately downlist being classified as Endangered. How- The Forest Service issued a report the Wood Stork under the U.S. En- ever, the agency has yet to act on that in 2008 admitting it had not done dangered Species Act (ESA). finding. the monitoring. The agency also found that it might have exceeded In a letter to FWS, PLF In the 1930s, the Wood Stork, which its permitted take of some species, attorneys charged that the federal is found throughout Central and including the Mexican Spotted Owl. government’s own scientific South Florida, numbered some 20,000 findings concluded that the current pairs, but had declined to just 5,000 “The Forest Service promised it Endangered classification for the by the late 1970s because of drain- would count the numbers of the species is no longer warranted. ing and development of wetlands; it Mexican Spotted Owl and it hasn’t,” The letter constitutes the 60-day was declared an endangered species in said Bryan Bird of WildEarth notice that prospective plaintiffs 1984. Wetland preservation and resto- Guardians. “But the agency contin- must provide before suing the ration, protection of nesting areas, and ued business as usual with no idea management of water flows began with how this imperiled bird is faring. It the approval of the stork’s first recovery took a federal lawsuit to give the owl ClipArt.com plan in 1986. some much-needed attention.” A revised 1997 Wood Stork plan The ruling prevents the Forest called for downlisting of the species Service from implementing several to Threatened when it reached 6,000 large-scale forest projects that could nesting pairs, with a strong, multi-year have a negative impact on the record of successful reproduction. The Mexican Spotted Owl until FWS population had grown to 12,000 pairs reviews and approves a new plan for by 2009. protecting the bird.

27 Bird Calls FEBRUARY 2012

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 2392 MERRIFIELD, VA

Help the Palkachupa Cotinga

he highly threatened Palka- The cotinga had not been seen in chupa Cotinga numbers fewer 98 years when it was rediscovered in T than 800 birds. It has a very 2000 near La Paz. It was only recently small range in the cloud forest of the declared a separate species from a Aten area in Bolivia, and 80% of its Brazilian counterpart, is likely to have forest has been destroyed through been in decline for years, and action agricultural clearings, burnings and is urgently needed. Less than two firewood collection. years ago Armonía acquired the first property to establish the reserve, but ABC’s Bolivian partner Armonía is destruction of its already severely working feverishly to protect this fragmented and degraded habitat is beautiful bird at the Palkachupa Na- ongoing, making the development of ture Reserve, but we need your help the reserve crucial for the viability of

Benjamin Skolnik, ABC Skolnik, Benjamin for reserve management. Armonía the species. Researchers have returned has extensively surveyed the species, to small pockets of forest where the and undertaken community outreach Palkachupa Cotinga had been docu- to help protect this bird. Planned The Palkachupa Cotinga numbers mented – only to find the land com- protective measures include bound- fewer than 800 birds. It has a very pletely deforested. ary fencing to prevent cattle grazing, small range in the cloud forest of planting trees preferred by the spe- Help ABC protect the Palkachupa Bolivia, and 80% percent of its cies to improve nesting habitat, and Cotinga by donating today using protecting existing trees outside the the enclosed envelope, or online at forest habitat has been destroyed. reserve. www.abcbirds.org.