State of Birds in North America

[font=Calibri]I know we're not supposed to discuss environmental issues in these forums but it appears to me the loss of a third of the bird species in North America would have a significant effect on the photographic opportunities for many of our members.[/font]


http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2 ... Report.pdf

Yes many bird species are taking a pounding while others here in Massachusetts are doing much better then years ago. For example Peregrine Falcon and Raven are possible more numerous now in the state then they were historically. Wild Turkey once rare 25 years ago are now very common through out the state. Yet Eastern Meadowlark and many other grassland birds are not doing very well.

Basically, there are a lot of bird species that have been declining for many, many years. Neotropical songbird migrants, and shorebirds are among the most affected. Major threats include habitat loss and habitat degradation, especially migration stopover sites. For migrant songbirds, the problems include development, tall structures, windows, outdoor cats, loose dogs, pesticides, and general human ignorance. Shorebirds are subject to the same impacts, but also include that they are shot by the thousands in some Latin American and Caribbean countries.
What bothers me most is that even though conservationists are aware of these things, it seems that the problems continue to persist.
Paul

A major stopover in the Pacific Flyway, Abert Lake, is being dried up Oregon Fish &Wildlife decisions causing great harm to millions of Shorebirds. Habitat loss doesn't have to happen.