Mystery bird spotted at NM national refuge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Wildlife managers at one of the nation's premiere bird-watching spots have a mystery on their hands.

A strange-looking bird with dark plumage showed up at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge earlier this month to join the tens of thousands of cranes and geese that spend the winter in the Rio Grande Valley.

The problem: No one knows exactly what kind of bird it is.

The debate has spread from the refuge's fields and wetlands onto Facebook, where guesses have ranged from some kind of mutant to a Thanksgiving turkey disguised as a crane for self-preservation. Birding experts from New York to California continued studying photographs of the bird Thursday, spurring even more theories.

The refuge posted a photograph of the bird on its Facebook page this week, sparking dozens of comments. Aside from the disguised turkey and oil-slicked bird theories, some suggested it could be a hybridization between a crane and an emu or a trumpeter, which are native to South America.

It could be a sandhill crane that has come down with a feather-staining fungal infection.

Or maybe he—or she—has a genetic disorder that results in too much melanin production.

"It's different. It's got to be a hybrid-cross more than likely, but what, we don't know," Refuge Manager Aaron Mize told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

Members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Team Sapsucker—known as some of the best birders anywhere, they hold the U.S. record for finding the most bird species in 24 hours—say it's a sandhill crane.

Continued:  http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22091159/mystery-bird-spotted-at-nm-national-refuge

Rare Birds Thrive On Brownfield Sites

The alarming decline in the country’s bird population was revealed in the ‘State of the UK's Birds 2012" report, which was carried out by experts from organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the British Trust for Ornithology, using data compiled from volunteers' observations of birds since the 1960s. 

The report found there are an estimated 166 million birds nesting in the UK compared with 210 million in 1966.
Yet the Land Trust, a charity which owns over 50 open spaces around the country, has found that bird numbers on the majority of its spaces are very healthy.

Simon Pile, the Trust’s estates manager, commenting on the report, explained “What might surprise people most is that it’s our former brownfield sites which show the most diversity of species. Indeed, there’s been a number of rare species spotted in recent weeks; there is currently a little bunting at Elba Park which is a former coking work near Sunderland and six short eared owls are fascinating visitors to Rabbit Ings Country Park, which is a former colliery tip in Barnsley.

A few months ago a red backed shrike was seen at a former colliery site in Staffordshire, where only a few weeks previously an osprey had been spotted. Bitterns can be heard booming on other former brownfield sites, whilst in spring and summer the alarming decline of the skylark is well and truly bucked as a host of these iconic birds fill the skies.”

Bird populations are considered to be a good indicator of the broad state of wildlife because birds occupy a wide range of habitats and tend to be near or at the top of food chains. So a healthy bird population is a good indicator of biodiversity

Pile continued, “Although not as rare as the little bunting, bitterns or short eared owls it’s the skylark which really demonstrates the importance of brownfield land. Experts believe the decline overall bird numbers is largely down to changes in landscape providing less habitat in which birds can feed and nest. One such change would be the way land is farmed and, as such, birds that are reliant on farmed land, such as skylark, lapwings, cuckoos and turtle doves, have seen a significant decrease in numbers, according to the study. However, reclaimed brownfield land is providing a viable alternative home these birds. One small reserve in Derbyshire on a former coking works has 32 bird species classified as either Red List or Biodiversity Action Plan species (meaning they are endangered or threatened).”

“There are three key reasons why former brownfield land and in particular the Trust’s sites are rich in biodiversity. Firstly, brownfield land, because of its former use can often provide diverse typographies such as, shallow pools, margins, hedgerows, meadow or wetland. Secondly, nature is an innate regenerator, it often needs only the lightest of restoration touches to allow nature to thrive. Thirdly the Trust provides sustainable management and takes an informed approach that enables the preservation of existing habitats and the creation of new ones.”




Read on: http://www.greenbuildingpress.co.uk/article.php?category_id=34&article_id=1359

Debate begins over rare bird's affect on New Mexico jobs

SANTA FE — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday proposed to list the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species, igniting a debate about whether protecting a rare bird could cost New Mexico jobs.

This Western grouse, found in five states, has been a candidate for listing since 1998. The recommendation begins a yearlong process of whether the lesser prairie chicken should receive federal protection.

Fish and Wildlife said it made the recommendation based on evidence that the lesser prairie chicken's population and habitat are in decline.

"Listing cannot come soon enough for the lesser prairie chicken," said Taylor Jones of WildEarth Guardians. "Threats are increasing, the species' range is contracting and current conservation efforts are too little, too late."

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce took the opposite position, sending out a statement headlined, "Here we go again." Pearce, R-Hobbs, successfully led opposition to listing the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species.

"Unfortunately, our jobs and our way of life in southern New Mexico continue to come under assault," Pearce said. "The prairie chicken is yet another example that federal species regulation is not based on science, but rather driven by lawyers for extreme interest groups, like Santa Fe-based WildEarth Guardians, who filed the lawsuit in this case."

The Environmental Defense Fund, based in New York City, entered the debate suggesting the type of compromise that ended the dunes.

Continued:  http://www.daily-times.com/ci_22103356/debate-begins-over-rare-birds-affect-new-mexico

Seagull badges will help safeguard threatened birds

Brighton and Hove Albion’s well known nickname is helping to support a conservation charity.

The Seagulls are backing the RSPB’s popular pin badge scheme used to help raise vital funds for the organisation’s work.

A herring gull badge is being sold with a joint RSPB and Albion limited edition backing card.

The charity says while there has been an increase of gulls in urban areas, overall there have been dramatic declines in some species.

This is particularly the case for herring gulls, which on the coast have fallen by half since 1970.
RSPB south east community fundraiser Lorna Beaumont said: “These badges are a great way to bring in vital funds for wildlife conservation in the south east.

“They also help to highlight that herring gull populations have declined drastically in their natural habitats. We hope that the loyal Albion supporters will also pledge their support for protection of the natural world by proudly wearing one of our badges.”

Albion head of retail Ian Green said: “It is great to be working with the RSPB and helping benefit wildlife in the south east.”

The badges will be available at American Express Community Stadium in Falmer and various sports and retail outlets.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10080179.Seagull_badges_will_help_safeguard_threatened_birds/

Reviving a rainforest helps keep migratory birds' winter home wild

Wondering where that brightly colored songbird that visited your yard during the summer disappeared to when the temperature dropped? Many songbirds and other migratory birds spend the cooler months in Latin America’s tropical rainforests, so preserving their winter habitat is essential to their survival. That’s one reason why NRDC partnered with the group Osa Conservation to help Revive a Rainforest on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. With the support of our members we’ve been helping to restore 50 acres of degraded tropical rainforest by planting carefully selected native tree species.

Six hundred and fifty species of birds make North America their home and breeding ground. While some of these birds are permanent residents many are migratory, with migration paths varying from short, medium to long. Approximately 350 species breed in the US and Canada and then winter all the way in Latin America and the Caribbean where they need to find sufficient food and safe nesting locations. The Yellow Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, and the Canada Warbler are just three of the many species that journey long distances during their seasonal migrations to Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.

Continued: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/cherrera/reviving_a_rainforest_helps_ke.html

Lighting Up Chickens to Prevent Bird Flu Pandemics

Flu season is just around the corner. As winter approaches, the cold forces us into the warmth of our homes, where interactions with our fellow humans are magnified by increased close contact.

These conditions are ideal for the spread of the influenza virus, which is mainly spread by sneezes. A tear-inducing, room-resonating sneeze is a viral ejection of massive proportions. 

It starts with a tickling feeling in the nose, grows with each vain attempt at repression of the inevitable, and ends with the violent expulsion of as many as 40,000 projectiles traveling up to 200 miles an hour. Each droplet expelled into the room can contain as many as 100 million flu viruses. The virus-laden water bombs are also released in much less dramatic fashion when someone with the flu talks or coughs. After expulsion from the infected body, the larger droplets fall to ground, while the smaller ones can remain airborne for days. Most flu viruses are spread when these droplets directly enter someone's mouth or nose. It is a common misconception that flu infections come from touching doorknobs, handrails, etc. -- infection from droplets that have landed on a surface is fairly rare.

During the summer, we spend more time outdoors, where we are less likely to breathe in virus-laden droplets. Consequently, outbreaks of the flu are generally limited to the winter season. They peak in about three weeks and take another three to dissipate. In the period between 1976 and 2006, annual flu-associated deaths in the United States ranged from a low of 3,000 to a high of 50,000 people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older people, young children, pregnant woman and people with asthma are particularly susceptible to flu viruses and are at greater risk for serious complications. The annual direct medical costs attributable to the flu in the U.S. average $10.4 billion annually, and the projected lost earnings due to illness and loss of life amount to $16.3 billion.

Continued:  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-zimmer/lighting-up-chickens_b_2199602.html

Police appeal for information after protected hen harrier is shot dead

GRAMPIAN Police are appealing for information after a protected hen harrier was found shot dead on an Aberdeenshire estate last month.

Officers from the force’s Wildlife Crime Unit are investigating the discovery of the remains of the bird of prey by employees on the Fettercairn estate, near Cairn o’Mount, on Saturday, 13 October.

A force spokesman said: “Investigations have established that the bird had been shot and officers are appealing to members of the public who may have been in the area and may have seen something suspicious.

“Gamekeeping staff at Fettercairn Estate have already provided significant assistance to police in their enquiries and continue to work closely in the hope that the offender can be identified and brought to justice.”

Constable Gavin Lindsay, the force’s Wildlife Crime Coordinator, said: “It’s most disappointing someone has taken it upon themselves to kill such a wonderful bird. There are very few Hen Harriers in the north east of Scotland and for someone to have done this to such a rare bird is astounding.

“I appeal to all members of the public who might have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area on or around 13 October or who knows the person responsible for this crime to come forward and notify police to assist with our ongoing investigations.”

Katie Somervell, the owner of the estate, said: “Since its inception in 2006 Fettercairn Estate has been a long term participant in the North East Scotland Raptor Watch project. As such it was particularly distressing to hear that a dead hen harrier was found on the edge of the hill land and I join in the appeal for witnesses to come forward.”

Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland’s Environment Minister, also condemned the illegal killing. He declared: “This is another absolutely deplorable crime involving the shooting of one of our rarest species of raptor and I thank the Estate and Keeper involved for bringing this matter to the attention of the authorities which is in keeping with their positive engagement on wildlife crime issues

“We will not tolerate the illegal persecution of protected species such as the hen harrier and, as I have said recently in relation to another shooting, I am prepared to look at further measures to strengthen and assist enforcement if we continue to see this flouting of the law in respect of protected species.”

http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/police-appeal-for-information-after-protected-hen-harrier-is-shot-dead-1-2664805