What is happening to Florida’s grasshopper sparrow? Published on Saturday August 04, 2012 Kevin Spear The Orlando Sentinel KENANSVILLE, FLA.—A type of sparrow that lives only in Florida has mysteriously plunged in number so dramatically that scientists fear it will vanish well before the end of this decade. Florida grasshopper sparrows, which inhabit grasslands in the state’s interior south of Orlando, have been listed as endangered for 26 years. But the furtive birds have all but disappeared in recent years from one of their last three prairie refuges and, in what has become a wildlife emergency, may now total fewer than 200 in just two counties. The sparrows’ extinction would likely be the nation’s first loss of a bird since the late 1980s, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. That’s when the dusky seaside sparrow, also a Florida native, slipped out of existence. The threat of losing another bird unique to Florida alarms scientists. “This seems to be the most highly imperiled bird in all of mainland North America,” said Reed Noss, a biology professor at the University of Central Florida. “At the present rate of decline, it’s going to be extinct in as few as three years and, unbelievably, we don’t know why.” The small bird is firmly adapted to “dry prairie.” Florida had more than 1.2 million acres of that treeless terrain, but 90 per cent was turned into inhospitable cattle pasture by the end of the 20th century. The bit that remains is one the state’s last old-growth landscapes, an ecosystem carpeted with an astounding variety of grasses and flowering plants. Scientists have no doubt that the loss of habitat caused most of the bird’s decline. As for what’s behind the recent population dive, they surmise invading fire ants are eating chicks and increasingly variable weather is flooding more nests. They also suspect disease and loss of genetic diversity. The various factors could also be acting together in what scientists call an “extinction vortex.” The bird eats grasshoppers and sings like one, with a “tick, tick, buzz.” It also tends to run — hidden by dry-prairie grasses — bedevilling researchers’ attempts to study it. What might be the bird’s most serious threat now, researchers fear, is indifference to its plight. Florida grasshopper sparrows do not visit backyard feeders, nor do they elicit the popular affection shown for the likes of West Indian manatees and Florida panthers. But officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, saying they are treating it as an emergency, have raided their tight budget to fund accelerated studies, push for restoration of dry prairie, and took the unusual step of assigning a biologist to focus full time on the bird.

More Bluebirds

We have a second brood of baby Bluebirds in the nesting box (say that three times fast!) Neither the Tree or Barn Swallows did a second a round this year. I was really hoping the Barn Swallows would after the disaster, but they did not. There are four baby Bluebirds in the nesting box. Mom and Dad and the siblings from the first brood are all hanging around still. It's been great to have them and I was so pleased when Dave checked the box last week after noticing activity. I've noticed the House Wren has been very active lately and I'd like to get a look in their box to see if they are doing a second round. I wonder if the dry conditions are having an impact on the birds and their choices to do another round or not? We usually have two broods from the Tree Swallows. I'd also like to add that I have not seen a House Finch out here in months and months. I wonder if the eye disease wiped out the local population (that in the immediate vicinity). We definitely saw many birds suffering from it and it was awful. I see House Finches when I'm visiting my parents, but have not seen any here in probably a year. Also of note, almost all the fields where Bobolinks would nest were mowed by mid to late June and definitely all done by Canada Day weekend. Odds of any nesting success must have been slim to none in those areas. We did go out June 23rd and we heard many Bobolinks calling, but a week later the habitat was destroyed. I think, again, due to the dry summer, this lead to the hay being cut even earlier than usual. And in case I didn't mention it, we had s successful Baltimore Oriole nesting somewhere nearby. We had a male with two juveniles visiting the grape jelly feeder on a regular basis. Grosbeak numbers seemed to be down this year. We occasionally saw one female and two or three males, but that was it. There was one or two males who visited the grape jelly on a regular basis and that was it.

Great story!

Nesting barn swallows delay renovations at Mississauga’s Riverwood Conservancy Published on Monday July 30, 2012 Emily Jackson Staff Reporter Renovations to the carport of a Mississauga heritage house will have to wait until a group of stubborn barn swallows vacates the premises. The swallows, which prefer to nest in old structures such as barns and bridges, have spent their summers at The Riverwood Conservancy’s 93-year-old Chappell House carport for as long as volunteers can remember. So when the wooden roof was blocked off to protect the birds during construction — the city deemed the roof structurally unsound and planned to rebuild — the birds simply broke through the barrier, made nests and laid eggs. Longtime Riverwood volunteers alerted the city to the birds’ somewhat precarious situation. To the delight of conservationists, and perhaps the barn swallows themselves, the city removed the barrier and delayed repairs until the birds fly south to Central and South America for the winter. The city followed the guidelines of the Endangered Species Act, said project manager Laila Gabiazon, and will preserve the birds’ habitat when construction continues this fall. The birds’ clout in municipal decisions stems from the federal government’s designation of the species as “threatened” in May 2011. While there are about 4.9 million adult barn swallows in Canada, the population has declined about 30 per cent over the past 10 years. This is troubling because the birds eat insects, including flies and aphids, according to a Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada report. “The magnitude and geographic extent of the decline are cause for conservation concern,” the report states. Exact reasons for the decline aren’t known, but it is partly because of the destruction of old structures where barn swallows prefer to mate, such as open barns. A switch to modern agricultural methods could be another contributor to the decline. Riverwood is extremely pleased the city stopped construction, said Dave Taylor, education program director at the public garden and nature preserve in the Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.-Creditview Rd. area. “The laws make it pretty clear on what you can and can’t do,” he said. “Barn swallows are more numerous now, but because barns are being torn down all over the province they’re losing numbers and declining.” But these fortunate barn swallows got to keep their summer home. Their first brood has already fledged, Taylor said, and they’re starting on their second round of breeding.

This article on a "miracle" baby Golden Eagle is a nice read to start the day.

Today's Star has an article on a recent study on the state of birds in Canada Last night we came home to see that our Barn Swallow nest had been destroyed and there was evidence of feathers around the broken nest. We checked on the five babies only a few days ago and they were very close to being ready to fledge. I am heart broken to report that the evidence leads us to conclude the babies did not survive the attack. I am guessing a raccoon somehow managed to get to the nest, but I am not sure how it would have managed to do so. The Barn Swallows have used this spot in the past and it has been safe from predators. The adult pair was still around and giving their warning calls. I can't imagine how awful it was for them to witness the attack and be relatively helpless in defending their young. This is very discouraging. On a positive note, our Tree Swallows and Bluebirds have fledged successfully. Hopefully both sets of parents will give it another go. The House Wrens are still busy going in and out of the box. As for our Bobolinks, the farmers have been cutting their fields very early (so it seems to me). Most of the potential nesting grounds have already been cut. We went out on Sunday and saw/heard many out in the fields. Last night we did a check and at least three of the fields have been cut. I highly doubt there was time for any eggs to hatch. Overall, I'm feeling quite a bit down this morning. It feels like the birds are fighting a losing battle. I have to remind myself of the nesting success stories and be hopeful that the areas that are currently protected will remain so.

Hatchings!

Looks like all the eggs hatched successfully! Five Bluebird chicks Seven House Wrens Five Tree Swallows Five Barn Swallows Yay!

Updates

We participated in the Chimney Swift count last night. Our site was St Paul's church in Milton. We had a good time (despite the pouring rain!) and we are happy to report that both chimneys are used by the swifts for roosting. I'm looking forward to seeing the results for all the Halton sites.

Dave took pictures of our nesting boxes today. Seven eggs in the House Wren box, Unknown for the Tree Swallows because mamma or daddy was not budging! Five each for the Barn Swallows and the Eastern Bluebirds. Fantastic results! House Wren Nest

Barn Swallow Nest

Simon helping with the nesting box check:

Tree Swallow telling us it's none of our business what's going on in there:

Bluebird nesting box:

We are also seeing adult birds come to the feeders and take heaping amounts of food and fly off with it, so we know there are others nesting in the trees etc- Grackles, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Baltimore Oriole (haven't seen the female in a few days, so assume she is busy on the nest), Red-bellied Woodpecker (again, the male is visiting quite a bit- especially the grape jelly feeder!), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (seeing the male only. And as an aside, we have not had the larger numbers of male and female Grosbeaks we normally do. We had a few males for a few days- up to three, I think and maybe two females. After that, it's just been the single pair. Would be curious to know if their numbers are down this year?).

As for Bobolinks, I have seen two males. That's it. Maybe it's still early? But the fields we normally see them in have had some of their fencing removed, so the males don't have the same number of posts to perch on. I'll spend more time out there this week to see what's going on. The Northern Flicker has been very noisy lately, but this was the first sighting I'd had of him in awhile:

Also, we've had a Red Squirrel out here the last week or so. We have never seen one here before. I need to find out if that's a unique sighting. I have no idea if they are really in the area or not.

Cliff Swallows!

If you have not had the opportunity to see a Cliff Swallow, then you must get to Mountsberg (a Conservation Halton park). There is a plethora of Cliff Swallows nesting along the barns. It's amazing how many there are and all so close together! Definitely worth the trip (plus Mountsberg is just a really amazing spot in general. A great family outing!).

In other news, a pair of Bluebirds has returned to the yard (no idea if it's the same pair from a month or so ago) and are using the nesting box. Here's hoping we have some Bluebird babies again this year!

and just as I hit "publish" I had to go back in to add that there's a Blackpoll Warbler in the yard! First sighting this year. Nice way to end a beautiful day!

Volunteers Needed to Help Monitor Chimney Swifts

From Conservation Halton: Volunteers Needed to Help Monitor Chimney Swifts We are looking for community volunteers interested in helping the national effort to monitor Chimney Swifts right here in Halton. This at risk bird is in decline and we are seeking volunteers who can visit by visiting known roost sites on three evenings this spring (May 29, June 2 and June 6). Data will help national recovery efforts as part of the Bird Studies Canada program by monitoring populations and identifying active chimneys. For more information on how you can get involved please e-mail Nigel Finney at nfinney(at)hrca.on.ca. Please respond by May 25 and include which dates you are available and your preferred community to monitor (Burlington, Oakville, Milton).

Grosbeaks and Orioles.

The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been visiting the jelly feeder we have out for the Orioles. I've seen him take beak fulls and feed a female RBG. We've never seen this before, but I wonder if it's because we haven't had as much suet out this year? The Orioles are also enjoying the jelly (as are the chipmunks). There are at least two males and one female. One of the males came up to the feeder and had some nesting material in it's beak, which it had to drop in order to scoop up the jelly. Indigo Buntings are in the area (Dave saw quite a few in Glenorchy) but I haven't caught sight of any in the yard yet. There was a Great-crested Flycatcher in the trees for quite awhile yesterday. Just waiting for the Bobolinks to arrive!

I wish everyone who could do this, would do this!

Migration

Amazing! Songbird ‘superhighway’ runs through Toronto as 50 million will fly over in spring migration

Just had a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird fly by the window! And we've had White-crowned Sparrows visit for the first time this spring as well! I can't remember if I've mentioned it before, but we've had Chipping Sparrows frequent the yard in good sized numbers (for us) the last two weeks or so.

More exciting arrivals! Yesterday was the first Baltimore Oriole of the season, and so I quickly put out oranges and grape jelly for them. Today I was rewarded with two male Orioles visiting repeatedly. We also saw two male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks for the first time this spring. So exciting to have them back! There was also a Cowbird in the yard, the first in at least several weeks. Late afternoon, I drove over to my parents place to pick up my dogs. Simon fell asleep in the car, so I parked under their pine tree and opened the doors and windows. Looking up, I saw several small birds flitting around. Warblers! I was so excited! I called my parents on the phone and told them to look out the window. There were at least two male Yellow-rumped Warblers and one female. They were so close to me! It was the best look I've ever had at any warbler (except the ones we did the banding of at Mountsberg). They were literally a few feet above me. I just sat quietly and they kept moving in and then out. Amazing! Then I noticed one was smaller and looked different and I'm fairly certain it was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. It was great to be able to see all the markings and not even have binoculars (note to self: do not travel this time of year anywhere without binoculars and Sibley's!!). I'm so glad I grabbed the camera last minute on my way out. I did get some pics, but as usual they are not very good b/c the birds move so fast and my camera is not so great. Such a great way to spend the evening! The birds stayed in the tree for the two hours I was there and even when I went inside, I was able to borrow my parents' binoculars and watch them longer. This also goes to show that if you make a bird friendly yard, they will come!!

Spring Arrivals 2

We had a House Wren visiting the nesting boxes out back a few days ago. He was checking out the boxes the wrens have used for years. They usually pick one for a nest and fill the other with sticks as a decoy nest. Tree Swallows are busy checking out all the nesting boxes as well. We have Chipping Sparrows visiting the yard daily. Last night, we saw the first Barn Swallow of the season and a Northern Rough-winged Swallow (one we don't see too often). Dave was able to ID it by the call.

New spring arrivals...

We had Kinglets in the trees (but it was so sunny out, we couldn't get a firm ID on whether they were Golden or Ruby-crowned) and one of our very favourites, the Tree Swallow! I caught a glimpse of a swallow yesterday and today we saw quite a few flying around. So glad they are back!

Eastern Phoebe

On Sunday, March 18th, we had our first Eastern Phoebe sighting in the backyard! Welcome back!

Busy Bluebirds

The Bluebirds spent some time checking out nesting boxes. We saw the male and female bringing nesting materials to one of the boxes,but then later they were investigating a different box. Seems very early in the season, but we're always so happy to have them. Usually the first nesting box residents are the Tree Swallows and then the House Wrens.

Early arrivals!

We had a pair of Eastern Bluebirds in the yard this morning! They were checking out one of the nesting boxes. This is the earliest we've seen a pair. Spring must be here!

Killdeer!

Saw our first Killdeer of the year in the farmer's fields by our house today. A welcome return!

More bad news....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/science-environment-17302442


** World seabird total still falling **
Seabird numbers continue to decline, according to a new review. Compiled by BirdLife International, it says 28% of species around the world are threatened.

Take a guess where the blame lies for this....sigh...

read the review here.

Some good news!

I received this email today:

Hello Jennifer,

I have to thank you again for contributing information to the distribution and presence of Bobolink and Western Meadowlark within Milton. We have included the information in our final report to the Ministry of Natural Resources for our Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. I've attached an excerpt of the data that was sent to the MNR using your google earth data and other submissions.

I'd encourage you to continue to report presence of this species and including additional information regarding number of pairs and highest level of breeding behaviour (see attached background sheets). By recording this higher level of information, it will better guide the Ministry of Natural Resources in determining highly significant Bobolink habitat.

If you haven't seen the FuellingChange initiative, please visit it below to help Conservation Halton raise funds for open country bird habitat at Glenorchy.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Many thanks,

Nigel Finney | Natural Heritage Ecologist, Conservation Projects
Conservation Halton


Please vote for and support the Conservation Halton habitat restoration initiative at FuellingChange

Star article on the Northern Wheatear

25-gram songbird makes miracle migration to Africa each year

Published On Tue Feb 14 2012

The sharp-eyed northern wheatear is a songbird that weighs a mere 25 grams, about the same as two tablespoons of flour. With its spindly legs, its muted white, brown and black colour, who would think such a lightweight capable of heroic endurance?

For the first time, Ontario scientists have proven what they long suspected — the wheatear is the only songbird that breeds in the Canadian Arctic and Alaska and spends the winter in Africa. The migration can take from one to three months.

They also showed that the wheatear completes the longest known flight over water of any songbird — 3,500 kilometres across the Atlantic. That remarkable passage takes about four days of non-stop flying.

There are two separate populations of wheatears in the far north. One breeds in Alaska, flies west over Russia, Kazakhstan and the Arabian Desert some 14,500 km, ending up in Sudan and Uganda in East Africa. Another, which breeds in the Canadian Arctic near Iqaluit heads the opposite direction, east over the Atlantic, stopping for the winter in Mauritania in West Africa, a journey of 7,500 km.

The study, published Wednesday in the journal Biology Letters, is the research of University of Guelph biology professor Ryan Norris; David Hussell, emeritus scientist from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and German scientists from the Institute of Avian Research.

“It’s impressive that a bird that size could do this,” says Hussell, speaking from Germany. “I don’t think a lot of North Americans are aware they have this bird migrating to Africa.”

The wheatear has one of the largest breeding ranges in the world, stretching across northern Europe, Asia and North America. With its white rump, the name is said to be a corruption of the Old English descriptor “white arse.”

Hussell, Norris and the German research team tagged 46 wheatears in Eagle Summit, Alaska, and near Iqaluit in 2009 and 2010. They trudged along the rocky tundra looking for birds carrying food back to their nests, which are usually hidden under boulders.

Once they found the birds, new technology allowed them to track their migratory path. Researchers attached tiny backpacks under the wheatears’ wings. The packs were fitted with geo-locators weighing 1.2 grams to record light levels — based on sunrise and sunset. The light levels allow scientists to measure latitude and longitude.

Wheatears have to bulk up for the long days of flight and stuff themselves with insects and spiders. By the time they leave the north, they may have doubled their weight. “If they weighed 25 grams when they took off, they wouldn’t make it,” says Hussell.

They travelled an average of 290 km a day. Those flying overland from Alaska could rest or feed along the way, but the Iqaluit birds flying over the ocean could not.

How migrating birds can fly for days without getting dehydrated has long puzzled scientists. But last year, researchers at Western University (formerly the University of Western Ontario) reported their discovery that birds burn their own muscle and organs as a source of water. Burning protein provides about five times as much water as burning fat.

The following year, the challenge for the scientists tracking the wheatear was to find the same birds once they returned to the summer breeding grounds in the north. They only found one in Iqaluit and three in Alaska.

But it was enough to provide evidence linking the African ecosystems with the Arctic ones.

“It makes it hard when we don’t get many back,” says Norris. “But it’s good evidence that these birds are likely not wintering in North America and make this incredible journey to Africa.”

Robins and Horned Larks!

When I dropped Dave off at work one day this week, there were more than twenty Robins in the fruit trees out front, They were there when I picked him up at the end of the day as well. This was the most numerous group I've seen in quite awhile.

And this morning there was approximately eighteen Horned Larks at Oakville Executive Golf Courses. Again, a large group that we haven't seen since last year.

Also of note, we had a Grackle at the feeders this past week. Unusual for this time of year, but with the mild winter we're having, I think this kind of sighting must not be uncommon.

A reminder that next week is the Great Backyard Bird Count. If you don't have backyard birds, you can visit another spot regularly over the course of the four days and submit your sightings. Give Mother Nature and Science a helping hand!

Of note from the latest BSC newsletter:
New Report on Raptor Population Trends

2 February 2012 – The Raptor Population Index (RPI) has released a new report showing that the majority of North America’s 26 species of migratory raptors (a group that includes hawks, falcons, kites, ospreys, harriers, eagles, and vultures) are either recovering or in stable condition. Unfortunately, the American Kestrel is a stark exception. Long-term declines of this tiny, colourful falcon continue to alarm conservationists, who are calling for increased efforts to monitor populations and identify causes of the decline.
RPI is a cooperative partnership among four leading raptor and conservation organizations: Bird Studies Canada, Hawk Migration Association of North America, HawkWatch International, and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Select this link to read a press release about RPI’s new continent-wide assessment of population trends. Full results, including conservation status reports and an online resource featuring easy-to-read maps of population trends for each species, are available on the RPI website.

Dave and I see a Kestrel perched on the wires along Hwy 25, near the 407 almost every morning on our drive to his work. Otherwise, they are not one we see often at all. Hopefully there will be a recovery effort. I'll take "Things for which people are to blame, for 100, please Alex."

Great Backyard Bird Count 2012

From the latest BSC newsletter:

Get Ready for the 15th Great Backyard Bird Count

27 January 2012 – From February 17-20, take part in a free, family-friendly, educational activity that is loads of fun and supports bird conservation! Each year, tens of thousands of Canadians and Americans take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), counting birds wherever they happen to be. The possibilities are endless!
The GBBC is a great way for people of all ages and levels of birding experience to learn more about local bird species. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, from your living room window or by hiking a local trail. Count on your own or as part of a group of family, friends, or classmates. The GBBC is also an ideal way for more experienced birders to introduce others to the wonderful world of birding.
Explore the species seen in your community or province using maps and charts on the Canadian GBBC website, where you can also find out how to take part in the community challenge and view Canadian highlights. Make the birds in your neighbourhood count as part of the big picture in continental bird conservation. Join in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count. Email us at gbbc@birdscanada.org for more information.
BSC is seeking GBBC Ambassadors. If you are interested in promoting the GBBC in your area, you can sign up online. For more information, contact the Canadian GBBC Coordinator, Kerrie Wilcox, at gbbc@birdscanada.org or 1-888-448-2473 extension 134. The GBBC is a joint project of Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.

Please vote and help save songbird habitat!

Please vote! This issue is near and dear to my heart. If you missed the article in the local paper this summer, you can read it here:

and yes, it is not lost on me that it's a gas company giving money for this and the same nesting ground is in danger due to roads and traffic. Sometimes we gotta take what we can get. Thanks for voting.

www.fuellingchange.com