INDEX

USFWS Plan on Migratory Birds

Searles Prairie Restoration

Towers Kill Birds

USFWS Migratory Bird Plan

Comments Due by October 10, 2003

There has never been a more exciting time in bird  conservation.  We are conserving millions of acres of upland and wetland  habitats throughout the Hemisphere for migratory birds.  We are employing  adaptive harvest management to guide regulatory decision-making for  waterfowl.  And we are working across geopolitical boundaries,  sociocultural divides, and  taxonomic interests to develop and carry out  conservation plans for the  majority of the continent's bird species of concern.

We, the Service, and you, our partners and  constituents, are making considerable strides for migratory birds on a host  of fronts.  But, as you know, we still face great challenges:  habitat loss  and deterioration  continue to harm bird populations and a host of  other threats continue to  cause direct loss of bird life, such as pesticides  and other contaminants,  wildlife diseases, such as West Nile Virus, entanglement in fishing lines,  and collisions with towers and other structures.  We face challenges of  controlling overabundant populations as well.

To deal these challenges, the Service has produced A  Blueprint for the  Future of Migratory Birds, a draft strategic plan to  strengthen and guide  the Service's Migratory Bird Program over the next  ten years.

The Service is keenly aware that effective  management of migratory birds depends upon the collective efforts of many  individuals, organizations, and nations. That is why it is absolutely essential that  the Service develop  its migratory bird strategic plan in consultation  with the many partners  and constituents who share interest and active  involvement in conserving  these international avian treasures that have been  entrusted to our care.

 As a valued partner and/or constituent, you are key  to making this effort a  success.  From whatever your vantage point, we ask  that you please provide  your views and recommendations on this draft plan.  Your input is important  to us and to the future of migratory birds!

Please access the draft strategic plan entitled A  Blueprint for the Future  of Migratory Birds and provide comments by October  10, 2003 at the  following internet address

http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/mbstratplan/mbstratplan.htm.  We look forward to hearing your recommendations  regarding the future  migratory birds!

Paul Schmidt, Assistant  Director Migratory Birds  and State Programs U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Towers Kill Birds in Large Numbers

The American Bird Conservancy has reviewed studies prior to 1999 that analyzed bird kills at communication towers. This is a very big problem in terms of impact on migrating birds. Segments of the study summary are quoted below. The full report can be accessed at www.abcbirds.org/policy/towerkillweb.pdf.

    “In 1999 there were over 77,000 communications towers in the US.  Nearly 50,000 of these towers are required by the Federal Communications Commission to be lit, either because they are over 199 ft. tall, are in the immediate vicinity of an airport, or are situated along major highway travel routes. About 5,000 new towers are currently being built each year.

     Bird kills caused by towers, their guy wires and related structures have been documented for over 50 years but there has been insufficient investigation of the extent of tower kills and which species have been affected.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that four to five million birds are killed annually at such towers, although this could be as many as 40 million. 

     This report analyzes 149 documents describing tower kills, 47 of which provide data on both the numbers and species of birds killed at selected towers.  This report reveals that 230 species of birds have been documented as being killed at towers, over one quarter of all avian species found in the US.  Most birds killed are neotropical migratory songbirds that migrate at night when their navigation systems seem to be confused by the tower lights, particularly in bad weather.  This report further documents that 52 species killed at towers are on either the USFWSs most recent Nongame Birds of Management Concern or the Partners in Flight (PIF) Watch List.    One of these species, Tennessee Warbler, is the third most commonly killed bird at towers.  One species, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, is listed as endangered.  Swainson's Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Bachman's Sparrow and Henslow's Sparrow, all listed as Extremely High Priority on the PIF Watch List, were documented being killed in large numbers at towers  A total of approximately 545,250 birds were documented as killed at the 47 tower sites during the periods of study.  This report illustrates the need for further research to determine the exact cause of bird deaths at towers and how lighting systems and other aspects of tower construction and operation may be modified to avoid such mortality.”

Native Grassland Restored at Searles Prairie

   " Last weekend, a group of us visited/birded on Searles Prairie, a 10-acre remnant of the formerly extensive Osage Prairie in Benton County. Bird sightings were not quite as interesting overall as Charles Mills' most recent adult Sabine's Gull at Millwood. However, we did have perfectly interesting grassland species: molting American Goldfinches foraging on the heads of tall, elegant sawtooth sunflowers and a juvenile Dickcissels snug in tall prairie grasses.