WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National
Mall here attracts millions of tourists each year, drawn by the sweeping views
of the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, as well as the world-class
Smithsonian museums flanking the grassy expanse. But earlier this week, an
unusual sight greeted some visitors: a small team of scientists setting up nets
to capture some of the mall’s flying residents.
Their quarry—including gray
catbirds, song sparrows, and mourning doves—were soon released. And the unusual
pop-up field station also aimed to draw attention to a landmark anniversary in
bird conservation, as well as an upcoming conclave on bird science.
The conclave is the North
American Ornithological Conference, a major meeting set to open
here on 16 August. On the same day, bird lovers will be celebrating the 100th
anniversary of the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act, a 1916 agreement between the United States
and Canada that is considered a
historic turning point in international efforts to protect birds.
The treaty, spurred in part by
warnings from ornithologists that unregulated hunting was decimating many North
American bird populations, played an important role in catalyzing conservation
efforts in the early 20th century, says Pete Marra, head of the Smithsonian
Migratory Bird Center in Washington, D.C. Mexico ultimately joined the pact,
and the
United States struck similar deals with Russia and Japan to
collaborate on protecting birds that roam across borders.
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