Population of threatened Marbled Murrelet down almost 30 percent in last ten years

Rare birds declining due to habitat loss
December 2012. US Federal conservation efforts haven't come close to reversing or even halting the decline of the Marbled Murrelet, a seabird that nests in old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest. That's the conclusion of a major new peer-reviewed study of the status of the Marbled Murrelet, which was prepared by scientists from the US Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Crescent Research, a private research firm.The study found that Marbled Murrelet numbers in five different study areas fell sharply between 2001 and 2010, from a total count of roughly 22,200 to a total count of roughly 16,700. The five study areas encompass all but one of the Marbled Murrelet conservation zones identified in the federal Marbled Murrelet Recovery Plan.

"This study confirms the fears that many conservationists have held for years," said Steve Holmer, Senior Policy Analyst for American Bird Conservancy. "By showing that the Marbled Murrelet is still in sharp decline, the study emphasizes the need for stronger, more aggressive conservation measures."

Nest in tall trees
Marbled Murrelets nest in tall trees found in forests in Washington, Oregon and California. The authors of the study cite the loss of nesting habitat as a major cause of the murrelet's decline over the past century; they add that it still may be a contributing factor, thanks to major fires, logging and big wind storms.

Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/marbled-murrelet012.html