THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN

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August 2006

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This Birding Community E-bulletin is being distributed through the generous support of Steiner Optics as a service to active and concerned birders, those dedicated to the joys of birding and the protection of birds and their habitats. You can access an archive of past E-bulletins on on the birding pages of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) website OR on the birding webpages for Steiner Optics.

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RARITY FOCUS

On 17 July, a Black-tailed Godwit was found at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island) in Massachusetts. The godwit was in marsh habitat just south of parking lot 3, south of the well-known birding spot known as the Salt Pannes. Hundreds of observers had an opportunity to view the godwit until its departure on 29 July.

This large shorebird, a fairly common breeder from Iceland to Russia, is a rare, but regular, spring migrant in western Alaska, but its occurrence on the Atlantic coast of North America is far rarer. (See your National Geographic guide on page 168-169 or "big" Sibley on page 176.) There are only three previous records for Massachusetts, the first going back to 1967. More than a score of East Coast records show a cluster in the Northeastern U.S. and in Atlantic Canada, but there are also confirmed records for North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, and elsewhere.

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RARITY-TEASINGS IN THE LRGV

There were also interesting developments - and some disappointments - in
the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas last month. On 8 July a
Green-breasted Mango, a relatively large Mexican hummingbird, was observed
at the home of Terry Fuller in San Benito, Cameron County. The next day the
juvenile hummingbird was captured, banded, and released. Although few
observers had a chance to see the bird, its occurrence was adequately
documented.

This species normally ranges from eastern Mexico to northern South America.
There are approximately 15 documented records of Green-breasted Mango for
Texas, mostly in fall and winter. (Some readers may remember that we
profiled a Green-breasted Mango in the LRGV as our Rarity of the Month in
our October 2004 issue.)

This recent record is additionally interesting because it followed a report
in the Fuller's backyard of a probable Amethyst-throated Hummingbird
(Lampornis amethystinus), only a few days previously, on 4 July. That bird
was photographed, and although the photographs are somewhat fuzzy and
distant, they may still be adequate to document this potential first record
north of Mexico.

Unfortunately, a continued vigil for additional views of both hummingbirds
has been unsuccessful.

At the same time, also in the LRGV, there were two sightings, perhaps
three, of a possible Mottled Owl at the Frontera Audubon property in
Weslaco. The first sighting occurred on 5 July, the second on 11 July. If
accepted, this would be the first record of a live Mottled Owl in North
America. (The only other record was of a bird found dead in the LRGV in 1983.)

We mention these birds, not because they were seen only by a few observers
- with accompanying disappointment - but because they illustrate the
unknown possibilities and surprises which still await diligent field
observers willing to look for birds in out of the way places during the
"off" season. Indeed, it was not very long ago that visiting birders would
avoid the LRGV in the summer. Everyone "knew" that there were no special
birds around at that season, and, besides, it was far too hot to look for
them!

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LAPWING QUANDARY

Also in the realm of surprises and discovery, we present the following report.

In late May, at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Florida (Wakulla
County), Tom Curtis found a Southern Lapwing (Vanuellus chilensis) at
Mounds Pool 3. Although this species is not on the "official list" of birds
for North America, there are multiple records for the species in Florida,
dating back to the late 1950s, some of which have been known escapees. The
lapwing at St. Marks NWR was observed by multiple birders for at least
three weeks.

Since the Southern Lapwing is native to most of South America regularly
ranging northward to Colombia, Venezuela, and Trinidad, most birders
dismissed the Florida report, as yet another "escaped bird." The only North
American field guide that pictures the species is the Eastern Peterson
(2002) on page 328-9, on a plate with other "Exotics: Introduced birds and
escapes."

But could the species be a legitimate vagrant to the U.S.?

Consider the following:
* Southern Lapwings have recently undergone a notable range expansion and
are currently breeding in the southern Caribbean and as far north as Costa
Rica in Central America. Out-of-range Southern Lapwings have positively
been noted in Belize and Mexico.
* The St. Marks NWR bird seemed to be of the subspecies "cayennensis"
(with brownish face tones), the same form that has expanded recently into
Central America and the southern Caribbean. (photo)
* Conversion of South American forests to use for livestock grazing may
be promoting accompanying increases in Southern Lapwing populations and
range expansion. It has also been suggested that competition with Cattle
Egrets may be driving Southern Lapwings into new areas.
* Almost all of the previous Florida sightings of Southern Lapwing over
the years have occurred during late spring or early summer.
* The only zoos reporting Southern Lapwings in their collections within
the last five years are in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, and
Winnipeg. (Of course, there could also be birds in "private" collections!)

While very intriguing we may never really know the truth. End of story.

Or is it?

On 17 Jun and 725 miles north of St. Marks NWR, while working on Maryland's
Breeding Bird Atlas project by boat, Mark L. Hoffman found a Southern
Lapwing in marshes in Worcester County, Maryland. The bird was observed for
20 minutes and photographed.

The bird could not be found on following days. Details and images here.

Same bird? Different bird? Escaped bird? True vagrant?

These are all fascinating questions, to which we can only add the advice:
Stay alert out there, and always be attuned to the possibilities!

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BIRDING TRENDS: OUTDOOR INDUSTRY FOUNDATION

There was a fascinating report released in late June by the Outdoor
Industry Foundation which profiled the "2005 American bird watcher" as
having the following characteristics:

* Balanced by gender and marital status
* Just over a third will have children under the age of 18 living in their
household
* Over two-thirds will be over the age of 35 with half over the age of 45
(mean age 45)
* Equally distributed across regions
* More than 8 out of 10 birders will be Caucasian (similar to findings for
hunting)
* Hiking will be the most popular additional outdoor activity
* Went on bird watching excursions 12 times on average during the year
* Close to a one-third will limit their activity to only a single outing
during the year
* Only 5 percent will go on 31 or more field trips a year.

Demographically, according to the foundation, the bird watching population
has remained very stable over the years, but there has been a recent drop
in the number of Americans birding and the number of field trips taken.
(2001 had 18.3 million birders taking an average of 31 outings a year; 2005
had 15.6 million birders taking an average of 12 outings per year.)

For more details, see the summary report.

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HOW IMPORTANT IS "SODSAVER"?

A new cycle of grassland conversion is making its way across the Prairie
Pothole heartland of the country, converting ancient grasslands to
commodity cropland. For example, of the 13.8 million acres of ancient
prairie that remains in the eastern Dakotas, the Farm Service Agency
reported that almost 300,000 acres, or 2.2%, were converted to cropland
during 2002-2005. At this rate it won't be long before a near-endless mix
of soybeans, wheat, and canola - with accompanying patches of sorghum,
corn, barley, rye, and even flaxseed - spreads across the region.

This loss of ancient grassland, of course, is a result of technological
advances and federal farm support. The current commodity title of the 2002
Farm Bill provides incentives that encourage farmers to break native sod by
substantially reducing the financial risks associated with such activities.
This trend puts into jeopardy many ducks and shorebirds, as well as many
grassland-dependent songbirds, species that are witnessing a steeper
population decline than any other bird group in North America. Without a
plan to halt the loss of ancient grassland, we risk losing the native
prairie, accompanying wetlands, and their birds.

A proposed "Sodsaver" provision of the expected 2007 Farm Bill, an action
that might eliminate federal subsidy support of any kind on new cropland
put into production through the breaking of grassland that had no previous
cropping history, could be a way to reverse this trend.

Of course, landowners could still choose to break native prairie if they so
desired, but they would not be able to do it under the umbrella of a
federal farm subsidy if "Sodsaver" is adopted. (It is important to realize
that a "Sodbuster" program has existed since the 1985 Farm Bill, but this
has only applied to land that is highly eroded, and farmers could develop a
plan to circumvent its coverage. The proposed "Sodsaver" is a far more
inclusive policy.)

An amendment in the upcoming Farm Bill is being promoted in order to
maintain vital bird nesting habitat and would remove incentives for
breaking native sod. In addition to protecting native prairie, such a
provision would, by default, also protect a large percentage of what
prairie wetlands still remain. . Approximately 60% of these unprotected
wetlands are surrounded by native prairie.

Ducks Unlimited, along with a number of other national and regional
conservation organizations, is strongly promoting this new "Sodsaver"
proposal.

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IBA NEWS: NORTH CAROLINA, THE HIGHLAND EMPHASIS

The North Carolina Important Bird Area project is moving along, with
participation from all the seven Audubon chapters in the state, working on
the "Adopt an IBA program." This covers 15 IBAs and potential IBAs.
Volunteers are conducting data collection, policy and conservation work,
and educational programs, especially in those IBAs where a State Parks
partnership provides opportunities for expanded programs.

Of particular interest is the effort in the Highlands Plateau, in the
southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the westernmost corner of the
state. This area hosts habitat for some of North Carolina's important
"northern" species, such as Blackburnian Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The Highlands effort is intended to focus on
specific monitoring of the species in the forests, mountains, and
streamsides of the area with a special emphasis on building information and
accompanying long-range stewardship.

Additional Information

General information on the ongoing IBA Program

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MULTI-STATE CATS-AND-BIRDS REPORT

The American Bird Conservancy has published a new report, the first-ever
multi-state review of feral and free-ranging cats. It's a five state
review, covering New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, and Hawaii.

The report analyzes the impact that cats are having on some of America's
most at-risk bird species. The five-state review clarifies the disturbing
threats to species and sub-species already in trouble, such as Piping
Plover, "California" Clapper Rail, and Hawaiian Petrel. Sites where cats
have had particular avian impact are profiled. The report reviews
applicable wildlife protection laws. Perhaps most disturbingly, the report
also highlights the growing trend of maintaining managed cat colonies.

You can download your own copy here.

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NEW PLJV FILM

The Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) released a new film in late June. The
28-minute film, titled "The Playas - Reflections of Life on the Plains,"
illustrates the values of playas to wildlife, water, and people; threats to
the wetlands; and how people are working to conserve them. The film
features sweeping aerial footage of playas, along with interviews with
playa experts, biologists, landowners, and community leaders throughout the
six-state playa region. The playa region covers parts of NW Texas, W.
Oklahoma, E. New Mexico and Colorado, C. and W. Kansas, and NW Nebraska.

Debbie Slobe, Communications Team Leader for the PLJV, said that the
message of the playa wetlands can be collectively linked to birding,
hunting, and wildlife and natural resource conservation.

The film is now available on DVD or VHS. There is no charge for the film
except for shipping. To obtain a copy or quantity of films, contact Debbie Slobe (debbie.slobe@pljv.org).

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IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER REPRIEVE: U.S. DISTRICT COURT DECISION

Late last month, U.S. District Judge, William R. Wilson, issued a temporary
injunction against a $319-million planned irrigation project in Arkansas
because it could destroy habitat for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, a species
that may or may not be already extinct.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began building the Grand Prairie
Irrigation Project last year - less than 20 miles from where recent alleged
woodpecker sightings had been reported - in an effort to draw water from
the White River. The project would take 158 billion gallons from the river
each year. The project was supposedly necessary because the main aquifer
beneath eastern Arkansas's soybean, cotton, and rice fields is running out
of water and could run dry by 2015, thus causing serious economic hardship.

Conservationists, led by the National Wildlife Federation and the Arkansas
Wildlife Federation, sued the Corps, arguing that the project to build a
pumping station would destroy habitat, killing trees that could support the
woodpeckers, and that the noise from the station would cause any existing
woodpeckers unnecessary stress.

The judge said that for the purposes of the lawsuit, one has to presume
that the woodpecker exists. He further pointed out that federal agencies
might have broken the nation's Endangered Species Act by not fully studying
the risks of the project beforehand.

The Corps has been ordered to reinitiate consultation with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service to determine if the project poses a threat to the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker or its habitat.

However, the ruling may not have any immediate impact on the Grand Prairie
irrigation project anyway, since construction was recently halted due to
lack of funding. Still, new surveys must include "nest, roost, and active
forage surveys within 2.5 miles of any construction site 'footprint;'
identification and inspection for nesting, roosting, or active foraging in
all trees 12 inches or greater in areas that will be most affected by
changes in water level; and nest, roost, and foraging surveys in the forest
areas adjacent to canals and pipelines."

For a summary of the Grand Prairie project and its threat to wildlife
habitat, see the National Wildlife Refuge Association report on "Beyond the
Boundaries"(page 14).

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ALWAYS BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK

You may have missed this important news in early July, so we present it
here for your enlightenment.

Last month's launch of NASA's orbiting space shuttle "Discovery," was
complicated by the discovery of some whitish splotches on the shuttle's
black-colored right wing after the launch. NASA officials stated that these
appeared to be "bird droppings."

If correct, this means that these bird droppings withstood (1) intense and
regular Florida thunderstorms, (2) a powerful launch during which 300,000
gallons of water were sprayed at the shuttle's main engines, and (3) a
thrust upward through Earth's atmosphere. (During the launch, Discovery
went from 0 to 17,500 miles per hour in under 9 minutes.)

This example offers new appreciation for the "out-of-this-world" durability
of bird droppings. Apparently, despite a reentry temperature of as much as
3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the bird poop made it all the way back from orbit
on 17 July, albeit a bit charred!

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You can access an archive of past E-bulletins on the birding pages of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) website OR on the birding pages for our thoughtful corporate sponsor, Steiner Optics.

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