October 2007 |
This bimonthly newsletter includes news from August &
September. |
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Note from the Editor
Hello all:
As you well know, migratory birds inspire deep awe for
a mulititude of reasons. Just last week, a new theory
was released suggesting that migratory birds can
"see" the Earth's magnetic field thus using
it as a compass to guide them around the globe
(see the first article below in international news.)
Other inspiring migratory bird news: for the first time
satellite technology has captured the complete annual
migration of a Bar-tailed Godwit by tracking its journey
from New Zealand to the Yellow Sea, on to Alaska and
back to New Zealand. Click
here to see a map and learn more on the U.S. Geological
Survey website. I
can't think of a more fun news item to share --- nor
a better story with which to build a conservation message
for others.
Until December, I wish you well.
Heidi
Heidi
Luquer,
Editor
Migratory Bird & Wetlands NewsLink |
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News from Sponsors
From the U.S. National Ramsar Committee,
as reported by Royal Gardner
- U.S. Ramsar Site Managers Meeting,
Caddo Lake, Texas on November 1-2, 2007
Representatives from U.S. Ramsar sites will join members
of the U.S. National Ramsar Committee and the Ramsar
Secretariat to discuss challenges and opportunities
associated with Ramsar sites. A USNRC meeting will
be held in conjunction with this event on November
2. Please contact Mary Sanger at msanger@austin.rr.com
for more information.
- “Wetlands
in War” Panel in London on October
3
Royal Gardner, USNRC Chair, will moderate a program
entitled “Wetlands in War: International Environmental
Law and Damages to Aquatic Resources During Armed
Conflict” at the Fall Meeting of the American
Bar Association’s Section of International Law.
Speakers include Abou Bamba, the Ramsar Secretariat’s
Senior Advisor for Africa, Rae Lindsay of Clifford
Chance, Prof. Joseph Dellapenna of Villanova, and
Prof. Luz Nagle of Stetson University College of Law.
-
Another Candidate U.S. Ramsar Site is in the Pipeline
. . .
Ohio
State University is expected to nominate the Olentangy
River Wetland Research Park as a wetland of international
importance shortly – perhaps even prior to the
U.S. Ramsar Site Managers (and USNRC) Meeting in November.
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News from Friends
in alphabetical
order...
African-Eurasian
Waterbird Agreement
The IUCN Red List Indicates Bad News for AEWA Species.
This list is considered one of the most authoritative
assessments of the risk of extinction of the world’s
biodiversity. Click
here.
Asian
Waterbirds
Asian Waterbird Conservation Fund
This fund provides
financial support to projects at site of importance
for migratory waterbirds in the East Asia - Australasian
Flyway. The deadline is 31 October 2007. For more
information click
here.
Ducks
Unlimited
The Latin America and Caribbean Program is now closed.
However, reports and mapping applications of all the
projects developed during those years, as well as
a summary of the Program, and other information is
available on the DU website.
Click
here.
Ducks
Unlimited & Wildlife Habitat Council
Wings Over Wetlands Award
Together DU and WHC have created an award that recognizes
companies that protect and manage wetlands for waterfowl
across North America. The 1st award will take place
during the Wildlife Habitat Council’s annual
symposium in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, November 12-13,
2007. Click
here for more information.
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News from Partners
in Flight
Nominations
for 2007 PIF Awards
- Partners in Flight is now accepting nominations for the
2007 National Awards. PIF awards program recognizes exceptional
contributions to the field of landbird conservation from individuals
or groups located in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and
the Caribbean. Click
here for guidelines and forms. The deadline for submission
is 30 October 2007.
- The Partners
in Flight McAllen, Texas Meeting - Call for Papers extended
to 16 November 2007.
News from Ramsar
The
Theme for World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2008: "Healthy
Wetlands, Healthy People" also the theme for
Ramsar's 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to
be held in the Republic of Korea, sometime in October or November
2008.
Poster on
Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Available
Available
in PDF form (2.8MB), click
here.
One new Ramsar
Site is announced in the United Arab Emirates
For more Ramsar news
click here.
News from Wetlands International
Alarming
Figures on Coastal Waterbirds in Southeast Asia
The Status of Coastal
Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia: Results of Waterbird
Surveys in Malaysia (2004–2006) and Thailand and Myanmar
(2006)” Shorebird numbers showed an overall decline
of 22% in Malaysia between 1983–1986 and 2004–2006.
Click
here for many more details.
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Migratory Bird & Wetland News
in the news -
from around the globe
most recent
news listed first
Migrating
Birds May "See" Earth's Magnetic Field
26 September 2007, Reuters, by Ben Hirschler - Migrating
birds, it seems, can "see" the Earth's magnetic
field which they use as a compass to guide them around
the globe. Specialized neurons in the eye, sensitive
to magnetic direction, have been shown for the first
time to connect via a specific brain pathway to an area
in the forebrain of birds responsible for vision, German
researchers said on Wednesday...
Mbarali
Protects Ihefu Wetlands [Tanzania]
24 September 2007, Daily News, by Jonas Mwasumbi - Mbarali
district authorities have put in place 3 patrol camps
to prevent pastoralists to return to Ihefu wetland which
will soon become part of the Usangu-Ruaha national park.
Wetlands Fauna Extinction [Australia]
24 September 2007, by Clare Peddie, Adelaide Now - Many
of Australia's tropical birds face extinction as rising
sea levels flood pristine wetlands such as Kakadu, research
has shown.
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Global
Warming's Rising Seas Projected to Overtake Coastal Spots
[USA]
22 September 2007, Associated Press by Seth Borenstein - Ultimately,
rising seas will likely swamp the first American settlement
in Jamestown, Va., as well as the Florida launch pad that
sent the first American into orbit, many climate scientists
are predicting. In about a century, some of the places that
make America what it is may be slowly erased.
“Alarm-call”
for China’s Rarest Bird
21 September 2007, BirdLife International - A study of Chinese
Crested Tern highlights that the global population has fallen
to less than fifty individuals, half what they were just three
years ago. The study believes that the main cause of this
decline is an unregulated expansion in trade for seabird eggs,
a local delicacy that has risen in demand alongside a thriving
tourist economy.
Ancient
British Bog May Hold Climate Change Clues
19 September, Reuters, by Michael Kahn - An ancient British
bog that pumped out high amounts of greenhouse gases during
a period of global warming 55 million years ago may offer
clues about future climate change, researchers said.
Quick Wetland Health Assessment Method Developed
[USA]
14 September 2007, Environment News Service - A new method
of wetland assessment that will help environmental managers
quickly take stock of wetlands across an entire watershed
has been developed by scientists with the Smithsonian Institute
of Technology. Tools for this kind of rapid watershed-scale
assessment - relying on a few easily measurable key factors
- have been previously unavailable to managers.
More
Birds Than Ever Face Extinction – But Success Stories
Highlight Way Forward
12 September 2007, BirdLife International - As the 2007 IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species reveals the scale of the escalating
extinction crisis occurring across the planet, an unobtrusive
parakeet from Mauritius is showing that, with funding and
dedicated fieldworkers, species can recover from the brink
of extinction.
Malaysia
Looks at Tougher Rules to Save Coastal Birds
11 September 2007, Reuters, by Clarence Fernandez - Malaysia
vowed on Tuesday to toughen environmental rules for coastal
development projects after a study showed a drop in bird numbers
following reclamation that destroyed their homes in mangroves
and wetlands.
Flocking
to the Danish Coast – Not Just for Birds
10 September 2007, Easier Media.com - The Danish Forest and
Nature Agency has just announced that within the next year
it expects to appoint the first of five ‘national parks’
in Denmark, providing even more opportunities for wildlife
and tourists to enjoy the rich natural resources of the coastline.
Monitoring
and Protecting Feathered Migrants [Sri Lanka]
9 September 2007, The Sunday Times, by Malaka Rodrigo - “Please
switch off the outside lights on your skyscrapers after 11
p.m.” read the note to owners of skyscrapers in Chicago.
However, in Sri Lanka, migrant birds are not studied systematically
and indeed more research is needed to monitor this amazing
phenomenon.
Focus
on Namibia's Wetlands
6 September 2007, Free Press of Namibia - Wetlands are important
to the survival of people and other species, and in Namibia,
wetlands can be divided into five groups...
Poland
Mired in Wetlands Row
31 August 2007, BBC Europe, by Mark Mardell - The waters are
extraordinarily clear, and you can stare down several feet
to watch the fish dart around the river bottom. But environmental
campaigners warn it could soon be desecrated by the huge legs
of a motorway bridge. The Polish Society for the Protection
of Birds (OTOP) says the area is home to two types of rare
eagles as well as buzzards, kingfishers and other rare species.In
the nearby Augustow Forest about 36 wolves roam wild, along
with elk and lynx. There are rare plants including several
types of orchid. Environmentalists also claim that the land
itself is unique, perhaps the last pristine example of peat
bog in Europe.
Uganda:
Nema Cracks Whip On Wetland Encroachers
31 August 2007, The Monitor, by Robert Nuhereza - Despite
the many years of poor cultivation methods that have caused
environmental degradation in Kigezi, there is hope that the
area, once referred to as the Switzerland of Africa, will
regain its glory. The Nema Executive Director, Dr Henry Aryamanya
Mugisha recently ordered the residents of Muko and Kashambya
sub-counties not to cultivate 30 metres from wetlands. This,
he argued, was to allow the water channels in the Nyamuriro
swamp and Kashambya wetlands regain their original status.
Indonesian
Peatlands Seen Playing Key Climate Role
28 August 2007, Reuters, by Sugita Katyal - Although degraded
peatlands in Southeast Asia cover less than 0.1 percent of
the global land surface, they are responsible for about 2
billion tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, or close to 8 percent
of global carbon dioxide emissions. "By 2025, peatland
emissions will decrease because easily degradable peatlands
would have disappeared altogether," Marcel Silvius of
Wetlands International told Reuters. "In Indonesia alone,
3 million hectares of shallow peatland have already disappeared."
$450m
Soda Ash Project Still On [Tanzania]
27 August 2007, The East African - Lake Natron Resources Ltd
will set up a processing plant with a capacity of 500,000
metric tonnes per annum. Joseph Mwamunyange reports Tanzania
has committed itself to the $450 million joint venture with
India’s Tata Chemicals Ltd to mine soda ash on Lake
Natron despite protests from environmentalists.
Lalu
Wetland a Pure Land in Lhasa [China]
27 August 2007, China.org.cn - China has 38.43 million hectares
of wetlands, ranking first in Asia and fourth in the world.
The Lalu Wetland Reserve, also known as the "Lung of
Lhasa", is the only wetland inside a city in China.
Storks
Head South Early - Winter on its Way, Ornithologist Says
[Poland]
24 August 2007, EarthTimes.org - Poles can expect an early
and very cold winter, according to a leading Polish ornithologist
observing the early migrations of white storks from wetlands
in Poland to their wintering grounds in Africa.
Marine
Bird Populations Declining [Pacific Coast, USA]
22 August 2007, Associated Press (ENN) - Marine bird populations
in northern Puget Sound have seen significant declines since
the late 1970s, according to a Western Washington University
study. The four-year study included a census of 80 north Puget
Sound marine bird species -- those that live in the water,
not just the shores...
Marshland Water Loss Caused Drought, Says Expert [Turkey]
21 August 2007, Today's Zaman, by Ömer Sari Adana - In
the past 40 years Turkey has permanently lost almost 1.3 million
hectares of wetlands...”
Burning
Wetlands Unleast Sequested Mercury in Wake of Climate Change
[North America]
21 August 2007, EurekAlert - Climate change appears to be
contributing to the waking of a dangerous sleeping giant in
the most northern wetlands of North America – mercury.
A Michigan State University researcher working closely with
the U.S. Geological Survey finds wildfires, growing more frequent
and intense, are unleashing this sequestered mercury at levels
up to 15 times greater than originally calculated.
Monitor
Migratory Birds : Environment Ministry Tells States
[India]
12 August 2007, newKerala.com - The Environment Ministry has
issued instructions to all Chief Wildlife Wardens in the country
to monitor migratory birds and follow a set of guidelines
in the light of the recent outbreak of avian influenza in
Manipur.
Anywar
Urges Government to Preserve Wetlands [Uganda]
6 August 2007, The New Vision, by Mary Karugaba - Opposition
shadow minister for the environment Beatrice Anywar has called
on the Government to preserve the wetlands.
Swallows
Return from the South 16 Days Earlier [Korea]
6 August 2007, BBC World, donga.com - Migratory birds seem
to be changing their migration habits because of climate changes
from global warming. The Korea National Park (KNP) announced
on August 5 that its survey of 82 kinds of migratory birds
that depart southeastern parts of China, such as Shanghai,
Fuzhou and Hong Kong in spring and that fly back to Hongdo
in Tadohae National Park showed that 13, including swallows
and whistle birds, had migrating periods that came 16 days
earlier.
New
York Harbor's Disappearing Marshlands [USA]
5 August 2007, The Gothamist, by Dave Hogarty - The marshlands
in Jamaica Bay that make up a portion of the Gateway National
Recreation area and includes the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
are disappearing so quickly that some estimate all of the
marshes could disappear in as few as five years. The New York
Times reports that recent satellite images indicate that about
33 acres of tidal wetlands in the bay are disappearing annually,
almost double the prior estimate of 18 acres per year based
on a 2001 study.
Kazakhs
Use Eage to Save Rare Falcon
5 August 2007, by Natalia Antelava - Eagle hunting is simply
no longer profitable, while poaching has put the saker falcon,
a large migratory bird that can be found mostly in Central
Asia, on the verge of extinction. Well, there is one place
in Kazakhstan that is trying to fix both problems, and it
has been using one bird to help the other to survive.
Wetland the Size of a City to be Reconstructed out
of Farmland [United Kingdom]
3 August 2007, The Times, by Lewis Smith - One of the biggest
habitat restoration schemes in Europe is under way in Cambridgeshire
to create a vast fenland the size of a city. Thousands of
species of animals and plants will benefit from the project,
which is intended to turn more than 3,000 hectares (7,400
acres) of farmland into fenland.
Hunters
Should Spare Some Migratory Birds [Barbados]
2 August 2007, The Nation News.com, Karl Watson - The Southern
Lapwing, a South American bird of the plover family, has bred
in the north of Barbados for the first time.
Tibetan Wetlands in Danger[Audio]
2 August 2007, BBC - Scientists say the region around the
Himalayan Mountains is heating up faster than anywhere in
the world.
Books
& Resources on the Web
Waterfowl
of the Neotropical Region
"Anátidas
de la Región Neotropical / Waterfowl of the Neotropical
Region"
By Montserrat Carbonell, K. Kriese, and K. Alexander,
is available in PDF format from the Ducks Unlimited
Web site. The text is bilingual in English and Spanish
and beautifully illustrated, with helpful identification
notes as well.
Handbooks
on the Wise Use of Wetlands Available on the Web &
on CD-ROM
The Ramsar Handbooks, in English, French and Spanish
include all of the guidelines adopted by the Conference
of the Contracting Parties, as well as a good deal of
additional illustrative material, and this 3rd edition
has been updated through the 9th meeting of the COP
in November 2005. The CD-ROM includes all 17 of the
Handbooks in Adobe PDF format. The PDF texts are also
available for download on our Web site, click
here. To order a CD-ROM free of charge contact Montse
Riera at riera@ramsar.org and specifying postal address
and number wanted.
Songbird
Journeys, Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds
By Miyoko Chu follow the birds through all four seasons
of the year; tracking them with technology and their
own ingenuity, trekking to distant locales, some even
following in cars and airplanes, individual birds fitted
with transmitters. Click
here for a review by Jim Collins.
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Poster
on Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Climate Change [2.8MB]
One
recent output of this work is an attractive and informative
poster
summarizing the importance and role of wetlands in climate
change
mitigation and adaptation. This is available in PDF format
on the Ramsar website.
Joint
Danube Survey 2
The
world's biggest river expedition of its kind in 2007 was launched
August 14 from Regensburg, Germany. Three ships have travelled
down the length of the Danube River (2,375 km) and its main
tributaries to test pollution and water quality. Costing over
one million euros, the expedition will last until late September.
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International Calendar
for 2007 & beyond...
October
1 - 17 October
International
Course on Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic
Environmental Assessment for Wetland Management
Panama City, Panama. This is a an intensive seventeen-day
course as part of the Regional Training Program for
Wetlands in the Western Hemisphere. The course is intended
for decision-makers and mid-level officials from governmental
and non-governmental organizations, the private sector
and international agencies who are involved in wetlands-related
activities. The course is taught in Spanish. Click
here
5 - 6 October
Peatland Management and Climate Change
Freising, Germany. Click
here
11 October
Bird Conservation Alliance National Meeting
The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, USA
22 - 25 October
USA:Watersheds
and Wetlands. 10th Annual Watersheds
& Wetlands Workshop
Carousel Resort Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland, USA.
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22 - 26 October
The 8th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation
and Protected Areas, "Conservation Serving Communities"
Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Click
here
28 October - 2 November
12th
World Lakes Conference
Jaipur (Rajasthan), India. Organised by the Ministry of Environment
and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi, and co-hosted
by the Government of Rajasthan. The Conference will be held
at Jaipur (Rajasthan) the Pink City, 260 km from New Delhi.
Click here
30 October - 3 November
The 31st Annual
Meeting of the Waterbird Society
Barcelona, Spain.
31 October - 4 November
World Owl Conference: Owls, Ambassadors for the Protection
of Nature in their Changing Landscape
Groningen, The Netherlands. Hosted by Birdlife International
in The Netherlands, the Global Owl Project and the World Owl
Trust. Click
here
November
3rd
North American Sea Duck Conference
Québec City, Canada. Hosted by the Canadian
Wildlife Service (Québec Region), in partnership with
the non-profit organization Regroupement Québec Oiseaux.
26 - 30 November
XI Conference
of the Mesoamerican Society for Biology and Conservation
Cocoyoc, Morelos, Mexico.
December
2 - 5 December
Australasian
Ornithological Conference
Perth, Western Australia, held jointly between Birds
Australia and the Ornithological Society of New Zealand at
the University of Western Australia.
3 - 5 December
The 4th biennial
Australasian Ornithological Conference
University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia.
2008
January
New
9 - 11 January
International
Conference on Managing Wetlands for Sustainable Development:
Innovative Research and Lessons Learned, Effective Partnerships,
and the Need for Co-Management
Thumrin Thana Hotel, Trang, Thailand. For more details email:
visa.s@psu.ac.th.
February
13 - 16 February
4th International Partners in Flight Conference:
Tundra to Tropics
McAllen, Texas. McAllen Convention Center. Contact Terry rich
for more information: terry_rich@fws.gov.
New
13 February
Bird
Conservation Alliance Regional Meeting
McAllen, Texas, USA.
March
New
3 - 6 March
6th Mangrove
Forest Ecology, Management and Restoration
Training Course
Hollywood, Florida. For further informatio contact Robin Lewis
at: LESRRL3@AOL.COM
New
5-8 March
XII Argentinean Meeting on
Ornithology
San Martin de los Andes, province of Neuquen,Argentina. Contact:
info@rao.org.ar
April
New
7 -
11 April
4th Global Conference
on Oceans, Coasts and Islands: Advancing
ecosystem management by 2010 and integrated coastal and ocean
management
Hanoi, Vietnam
17 - 20 April
The Wilson Ornithological Society and the Association of Field
Ornithologists Annual Meetings
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA, at the University of Southern
Mississippi. Click
here
May
12 - 16 May
10th International Conference on Salt Lake Research
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Hosted by The International Society
of Salt Lake Research (ISSLR). Co-sponsors include FRIENDS
of Great Salt Lake, Utah State University, The University
of Utah, and U.S. Geological Survey. Click
here
June
9 – 15 June
13th International Peat Congress After Wise Use:
The Future of Peatlands
Tullamore, Ireland. Click
here
14 June - 14
September 2008
Expo
Zaragoza 2008: Water and Sustainable Development
Zaragoza, Spain. For more informat about this three-month
public event, featuring a specially-constructed “Water
Tower” click
here
July
13 -
18 July
22nd Annual Meeting of the Society
for Conservation Biology
Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. Hosted by the University of Tennessee
at Chattanooga’s Department of Biological and Environmental
Sciences. To be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
More information to come.
August 2008
New
4 - 9 August
The
American Ornithologists' Union, Cooper
Ornithological Society, and Society
of Canadian Ornithologists
Portland, Oregon, USA.
October 28 - November
4
10th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention
Changwon, Republic of Korea. Click
here
2009
March 2009
New
March (tentative)
The
Wilson Ornithological Society and the
Association of Field Ornithologists annual meetings.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
August 2010
New
22 - 28 August
The 25th International
Ornithological Congress
Campos do Jordão, Brazil.
The End
1 October 2007
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