[Maine-birds] Re:(Maine Birds) Mount Desert Island Birds: Greater Yellowlegs

Hello all,

 

Thinking about the migration question ask earlier today:  Maine is the destination for millions of migratory birds. Many shorebirds, like Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, are working their way north to the tundra  right now  and stopover on mudflats like Clark Cove at low tide where I found 5 tonight.   The number of shorebirds we see during migration does depend on weather patterns. Migratory groups also have traditional stop over locations that have been handed down over generations. Stop overs are vitally important to migrants as they forage and store  needed energy for the final leg to breeding territories. Many forest birds  for example, are now facing extinction due to Lost habitat where they have traditionally rested and feed. Birds are facing monumental tasks for survival  due to human habitat destruction.  

 

The global discussion and ongoing myopic focus on  Climate change has taken away from the more serious message about HABITAT DESTRUCTION and loss of Habitat which humans could do something about.  Education by birders is vital.   Avian evolution has included millennium of climate change,  creating genetic memory that allows for some elasticity but Habitat destruction along the eastern flyway is permanent and devastating,  forcing birds to find new breeding locations, many times  on the periphery,  in edge habitat where predators  destroy nest and forage on young bird .   Red Squirrels are notorious nest robbers and are actively being fed by humans with "Bird Feeders" scattered around suburban environments where forest resources  are becoming limited.  I am discouraged by what I see in the Boston region, for example, where Owls and Raptors are losing forested breeding grounds to suburban Sprawl and housing developments.   The combination of human squirrel feeding and the consistent loss of habitat is devastating Neotropical migrant populations.  Both climate change and habitat destruction  are serious issues for migratory birds. Plant a few trees or shrubs and encourage your suburban friends to do the same.   Talk to your neighbors and Grow back wilderness in Suburban communities.  This will help climate change,  migratory birds and stimulate local economy!

 

Michael

 

Michael J. Good, MS
President Down East Nature Tours
Founder and Director Research and Development
15th Acadia Birding Festival, May 30-June 2, 2013
Co-founder Penobscot Watershed Eco Center
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