Entries Tagged 'Bird Conservation Movement' ↓

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act [NMBCA] was passed in 2000 to help in efforts to conserve migratory birds, many of which are in serious decline. Continue reading →

What is Focused Bird Conservation? Each time we as birders go out we have several goals: see more birds than last time, find a life bird, find a rare bird that was reported, get a great photograph, or just get out to enjoy the weather and birds. Often, these goals are what help expand our love of birding, but something’s missing when our sightings are kept secret; unintentionally hidden away from others.

Wood Thrush

But what if each time we went birding we had a new purpose: to find specific birds in need of conservation help? Focused Bird Conservation is exactly what it sounds like. By targeting birds of special concern like Cerulean Warblers, Henslow’s Sparrows, or Dickcissels, birding becomes more meaningful. Also, certain parks and preserves can be targeted for specific time periods to better understand the bird populations and what areas are better suited for birds.

The data collected from this studies can be used to further conservation efforts. Special localized plans can be set up to help declining birds. Important Bird Areas can be designated through this same process. We are currently working on a project to name the Kishwaukee River Corridor (one of the cleanest rivers in northern Illinois) or at least Deer Run, an IBA.

Golden-winged Warbler

We have spearheaded a project with our local bird club, NCIOS, to count 14 declining birds in our area:

1. Bell’s Vireo
2. Bobolink
3. Dickcissel
4. Henslow’s Sparrow
5. Red-headed Woodpecker
6. Sedge Wren
7. Blue-winged Warbler
8. Cerulean Warbler
9. Golden-winged Warbler
10. Hooded Warbler
11. Kentucky Warbler
12. Prothonotary Warbler
13. Whip-poor-will
14. Wood Thrush

Blue-winged Warbler

The goal is to get a baseline status of these birds in our county and the surrounding counties. We’ll be updating periodically through the spring and summer and have a full report in October.

Nestwatch is a newly launched citizen science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Nestwatch promises to be not only fun but also scientifically valuable.

Of course, to truly make this project work, your help is needed. All materials and instructions are available at www.nestwatch.org. Anyone can help and if you are worried about disturbing birds, there are details about how to monitor safely.

As Peter Marra from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center puts it,

“Each and every observation is important because it helps scientists measure the impact of such things as climate change and habitat destruction. Without citizens across the country collecting this information for us it would be almost impossible to track these large-scale destructive processes.”

Please sign up at www.nestwatch.org

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.
Please become a member if you are not already - www.birds.cornell.edu

Definition: The Bird Conservation Movement (BCM) is the accumulation of efforts from birders, educators, parents, students, farmers, policy makers, businesses, and the community as a whole to increase efforts and results in bird conservation.

We will be featuring more detailed articles about how to enhance the BCM, but here are some introductory ideas to get started. We’d love to have feedback on this and will hopefully be having an ongoing dialog on this movement, since it effects everyone, not just birders.

1. Promote the right organizations and companies (large and small)
There are many organizations out there that focus on the environment but not as many with a strong focus on bird conservation. We wish to support those like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, American Bird Conservancy, etc. and companies with solid environmental plans and/or products that are good for birds.

2. How to help birds by using your money (smartly)
The organizations listed above always appreciate donations but there are other ways to help birds with cold hard cash: purchase Duck Stamps, pledge for birding events like Big Days, or even buy a child or classroom a bird guide.

3. How to help birds without using money
Citizen Science is the new way to volunteer! You can Join various bird counts, lead a bird hike, or take a child birding with little cost. Often spreading the word about birds and conservation is also free of charge!

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