US State of the Birds Report

The United States has just released its first State of the Birds report (click here), reviewing bird population trends in the US over the last forty years.  Over 800 species of birds were included in the report, and frankly, while there is some encouraging news, there isn't a lot.

The encouraging news comes mostly from bird populations associated with wetlands.  Strong conservation efforts over the past forty years, driven by agencies seeking to maintain waterfowl populations for hunting, have led to improvements in wetland bird populations (see Figure below).  The story, however, is not so encouraging for most other habitat associated species.  In particular, grassland and arid bird species are becoming increasingly unhealthy.

I suspect my experience in the south Okanagan this past summer was indicative of the problem.  I was working on a project examining the ant diet of the Williamsons Sapsucker, a forest nesting bird found in the highlands of the Okanagan and Kootenays areas.  While my project was taking a close look at how forest management was affecting this particular bird, it was obvious as you travelled through the valleys of the south Okanagan, naturally characterized by arid grasslands and pocket desert, that little natural habitat remained.  

While fruit orchards have long been established in this area, vineyards are currently expanding throughout the arid landscape.  As one travels down any of the area roads you encounter endless vineyards and very little natural landscape.  The vineyards now push high onto the hillsides of the valleys, running directly into the higher forest, replacing all of the native vegetation.  A plan to try and preserve some of the remaining native landscape in a new federal park is hotly derided by area farmers.  Signs saying "NO new national park" are found everywhere along the roads.

Unfortunately, grassland and arid landscapes are not producing a product (e.g., waterfowl) that attracts the interests of private agencies.  Birds are often viewed by farmers as pests and, as usual, commercial interests trump conservation when the two seem to conflict.  

If we fail to establish a national park in the south Okanagan, I think the decision will be an indicator for the broader prospects of these birds throughout N. America.  

Figure Credit: US State of the Birds report.