Conservatively
Speaking
by
Bill & Donna Lenhart
January
2002
Eagle Infection... From
the Charlotte Observer of 10/5, biologists in South Carolina
are concerned that this fall's migration may bring a repeated
or worse cycle of a brain disease affecting Bald Eagles. It
is believed the eagles contract the disease by eating coots
infected by toxins from a particular algae. Last year, dozens
of dead eagles were found around two reservoirs, killed by
brain lesions. If spread, biologists fear there may be hundreds
of dead eagles next year.
Killer Kernels… According
to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune of 9/29, the U. S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) plans to poison "6 million blackbirds
to reduce damage to sunflower crops in the upper Midwest." The
plan, subject to environmental review, would call for poisoned
rice to be placed in fields during the spring migration, and
is "one of the largest bird-killing efforts" undertaken
by the USDA. Environmentalists and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service say the plan "May not save crops, but probably
will kill thousands of other birds and wildlife."
No Room, No View... The
October issue of Conservation Biology indicates "most
nature preserves in eastern North America are too small" to
protect many species of mammals. Encroaching development and
sprawl cause animal species to die out by isolating preserves,
preventing movement between populations, especially in reserves
smaller than 1,000 square miles. Researchers recommend connecting
smaller reserves with immigration corridors and buffer zones.
It's For The Birds... From
the American Bird Conservancy, the 100 Most Globally Important
Bird Areas (IBAs) in the U.S. were announced this year. These
site designations represent the ongoing effort to conserve
wild birds and their habitat across the nation. The program,
sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and the Disney Wildlife
Conservation Fund, aims to identify and protect a network of
key sites, furthering bird conservation efforts. You may read
more about it in a book coming out in 2002, The Bird Conservation
Handbook, Globally Important Bird Areas in the U.S.
ps - Save the birds! Drink shade-grown coffee! Please
check out these websites:
http://www.arborday.org or
http://www.homeearth.com or
http://www.cafecanopy.com
Wings
Over Dutchess, January
2002
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