Ontario’s Boreal Forest – Bird Conservation Success!
July 19, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
What rhymes with “Oriole” and protects millions of birds of around 300 species? The Boreal Forest is that great northern forest that provides an unbelievable amount of habitat for an amazing array of colorful birds.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, a Boreal bird
The Boreal Forest has been under attack from various industries that would greatly harm the mostly intact forest in places like Ontario. In a landmark decision, the Ontario Government has decided to protect 55 million acres of Canadian Boreal Forest.
Much of this decision comes from the efforts of over 1500 scientists worldwide that wish to protect 50% of the entire Boreal Forest. Even more so, the efforts of the Boreal Songbird Initiative can be credited with promoting the importance of this “bird factory”.
If you are unfamiliar with the Boreal Forest or want to help out, BSI has many ways you can take action as well as a guide to the Boreal birds.
Phriday Photo – Caspian Tern #213
July 18, 2008
Article in: Photography
Adding to our photo lifelist, we found this Caspian Tern while looking for shorebirds. This is bird #213 (unofficially) and a lucky find as a pair flew quickly by.
Phriday Photo – Lark Sparrow
July 18, 2008
Article in: Photography
A wonderful bird of open fields and prairie/grasslands, who can resist the face of a Lark Sparrow?
Heavy Rain + Frogs = Herons
July 17, 2008
Article in: Birding
Starting in late winter, throughout spring, and so far this summer we’ve had lots of rain. Just the other night a heavy thunderstorm dropped 2 inches of rain. The downside to all this rain has been the suspected flooding of local rivers (they don’t call them flood-plains because it sounds neat).
But, the increase of rainfall has meant massive numbers of frogs. We mean LOTS! {Side note: when we say “frogs” we mean “frogs and toads” – sorry, we’re not herpfreaks…yet}
With the abundance of frogs, Great Blue Herons lined up to feast at what must’ve been similar to an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Great Blue Herons (with a Lesser Yellowlegs barely visible)
Not to miss out on the action, a couple of Great Egrets joined the Great Blues for dinner.
Great Egret coming in for a landing with onlookers
With the numerous flooded farm fields (sorry farmers) the upcoming months have the potential to be extra good for shorebird migration.
The Midwest Rocks Duck Stamp Sales
July 16, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
When it comes to Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) sales certain states stand out. As expected, states with lots of wetlands and hence, lots of duck hunters, lead the way in total duck stamps purchased since 1934. But as we know, the Duck Stamp has morphed into one of the nation’s best ways to conserve land, so if there is land to protect in your state, it doesn’t matter how many hunters are there.
Disclaimer: These rankings have nothing to do with our opinion of the states themselves or the people who live in them. We love each and every state and feel that all states are responsible for bird conservation.
Top Five
#1 – Minnesota – Having a relatively low population and leading the way in total sales, 9.13 million, Minnesota is the clear winner when it comes to Duck Stamps. Benefiting from many many lakes full of waterfowl helps, but stamps = conservation and Minnesota = great!
#2 – Louisiana – The Pelican State has sold 5.72 million stamps and has the fourth most NWRs of any state.
#3 – North Dakota – With the most National Wildlife Refuges of any state, North Dakota has sold 2.6 million duck stamps. With seemingly more prairie potholes than people, this is one of the best birding places in the U.S.
#4 – South Dakota – With only a few more people than North Dakota and roughly the same amount of stamps sold – 2.6 million – the home of Mount Rushmore has been pulling its weight when it comes to buying stamps. There are plenty of places to bird in South Dakota and more on the way!
#5 – Wisconsin – Our second home and northern neighbor, the Badger State has sold over 1 million more stamps than Louisiana (6.78 million) but with over a million more people. Wisconsin has an extremely active birding community and a wide range of habitats, which means a lot of great birds can be found!
Fact: 34 states have sold over 1 million Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps
The Slackers
#1 – Florida – In a state full of warm weather and great birds, nearly all of the 18+ million residents should be birders. Sadly, this is not the case and the Sunshine State has only sold a meager 1.61 million stamps. There is definitely room for improvement here and the rewards will be worth it!
#2 – Arizona – One of the most birdiest states in the country, Arizona has only managed to sell around 554,000 stamps. This is the 8th lowest amount even with a population of over 6 million people.
#3 – Hawaii – While not known for ducks or duck hunters, Hawaii still has a good amount of NWRs and a relatively large population for its size. However, the Aloha State has sold the least amount of duck stamps of any state, only 8,752!
Final Thoughts
Our home state of Illinois ranks somewhere in the middle. We have a high population (due to the Chicago area) and 4.91 million duck stamps sold. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of National Wildlife Refuges in our state and the best ones are a fairly long drive away (in southern Illinois).
But it doesn’t really matter where you live or how many refuges are nearby, duck stamps do more than save ducks or give you the ability to hunt ducks. These stamps are a bird conservationist’s best friend, so buy a few now. They make great gifts!
Mining for Declining Birds
July 14, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
The American Bird Conservancy is working to restore land around decommissioned mines. Partnered with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the goal is to manage habitat for breeding Cerulean Warblers, Wood Thrushes, and other mature forest birds.
Golden-winged Warbler
In addition to mature forest restoration the land is being managed for more open area species such as Henslow’s Sparrow and Golden-winged Warbler.
Read about the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture
Citizens for Conservation
July 12, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
“Saving Living Space for Living Things” through protection, restoration and stewardship of land, conservation of natural resources, and education. – Citizens for Conservation
This is the mission of Citizens for Conservation (CFC), an organization located in Barrington, Illinois in Lake County. Their goals are to protect, inform and restore native plant and wildlife communities in the Barrington area.
CFC relies on volunteers and donations to acquire, restore and manage land. They have many programs for volunteers, Eastern Bluebird and Wood Duck house monitoring, bird, butterfly, and frog monitoring, and river, plant and tree monitoring. These programs track species of concern, alert to new problems, and also show the success of restoration efforts.
The CFC is a great example of local conservation that makes a real difference.
We hope that the success of CFC will become a model for other communities to enrich their areas through individual involvement. We are lucky to have a county full of wonderful preserves and natural areas, but we know it could be better. The more people that care, the more land that will be conserved.
The First Duck Stamp
July 11, 2008
Article in: Photography
Jay N. “Ding” Darling
Brush and ink drawings of Mallards by Jay N. “Ding” Darling, a famous cartoonist and noted conservationist. The artist was chief of the Biological Survey, a precursor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, from 1934 to 1936. “Ding” conceived the idea of using duck stamps to raise money for the purchase of wetlands. (Deceased)
–U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
