The Birders Report

Sage Grouse photos by Frank Kratofil

Newly announced changes to United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) leasing policies offer enhanced protection for the Near Threatened Sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus, and an innovative model for wildlife-friendly energy development.  “This is a landmark decision for wildlife, and for the return of sound science to federal policymaking, showing that we can have energy development and protect vital habitat at the same time”, said Brian Rutledge, Audubon Wyoming’s Executive Director, and a key proponent of the core area approach.

The Greater Sage-grouse is North America’s largest grouse, inhabiting areas dominated by large sagebrush in the Western United States and Canada.  They are renown for their spectacular breeding displays, caught on camera by my good friend Frank Kratofil.

Like many other animal species, the decline in Greater Sage-grouse numbers are attributed to habitat loss and degradation (see the post on Burrowing Owls).   If we are serious about helping these species in trouble and developing clean, renewable energy at the same time, the wildlife friendly model offered by the United States Bureau of Land Management may be one of the solutions.

Read the full report at BirdLife International.  Thanks to my friend Frank Kratofil for allowing me to use his beautiful shots of this magnificent bird.

Mallards photo by Larry Jordan

We have three winners of the bird butt shot contest!  Robert and Jann had the most correct answers with 16 followed by Rainer with 13.  I hope everyone enjoyed the challenge as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

A few interesting observations are that everyone thought that butt #5 was a pair of Mallards.  I can see why though because male Mallards are the most common species we see with a black rump and undertail coverts, but there are a couple of differences.  The male Mallard has a white tail and orange feet (photo above) while the Gadwall (image 5) has a gray tail and yellow feet.  Of course, had I not known what bird I shot and I was looking at those rather small images in the original post, I probably would have guessed Mallard also.

No one got #12, the Peregrine Falcon either, probably because there was not a hint of anything identifiable on that photo.  Jann was the only one who got both #11 and #20 correct, those being the Cinnamon Teal and Savannah Sparrow respectively.

Thanks to all who participated.  Here are the answers that match the bird butt shot images with links to some better photos from my Flickr page:

• Red-tailed Hawk
• Osprey
• Great Egret
• Northern Shoveler
• Gadwall
• American Coot
• Anna’s Hummingbird
• Killdeer
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• Great Horned Owl
• Cinnamon Teal
• Peregrine Falcon
• Bullock’s Oriole
• Western Kingbird
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Greater White-fronted Goose
• Marsh Wren
• Bushtit
• House Sparrow
• Savannah Sparrow

A time to reflect back on a year and a decade, and to look forward to the future and what we can do to make this planet a better place for all creatures, great and small.

I feel fortunate to be part of a growing community of conservation minded people who strive to do all we can to help the birds around us in their struggle to survive.  Let’s face it, unless we have unlimited time and resources, we are not able to champion every cause we are concerned about in the world.  I have chosen to contribute what I can to help bird species survive and thrive in an uncertain world that they themselves have no way to control.

Besides offering feeders and birdhouses in my own backyard, and working on making my yard more efficient by planting native species, bluebird trails have been my main focus over the years to encourage the Western Bluebird and other cavity nesting birds to breed in areas where their habitat may have been compromised by human activity.

I am proud to embark on another project to help the Western Burrowing Owl regain a foothold in northern California, where they have been declining in numbers for many years.  Thanks to a grant from California Audubon, I will be able to install at least two separate communities of burrows that I hope will find occupants of breeding owl pairs this Spring.

I have also decided to expand my conservation efforts by joining the Birdlife International’s Preventing Extinctions Programme,  becoming a BirdLife Species Champion!

BirdLife International “is a global Partnership of conservation organizations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.”  What better way to support birds worldwide than to give to a world class organization that supports global biodiversity!

The Preventing Extinctions Programme does just what it says, prevents more birds from becoming extinct, all over the world.  There are currently 192 birds classified as critically endangered.  Without the help provided by this program and our donations, many of these species may not survive.

You can help by going directly to their donation page or, better yet, become a BirdLife Species Champion!  You can contact Jim Lawrence, Development Manager for the BirdLife International Preventing Extinctions Programme for more information.

Look for more conservation information and updates from BirdLife International in upcoming posts.

Check out SkyWatch Friday and Bird Photography Weekly too!