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Birding News and Features
Pennsylvania is a Keystone State for Bird Migration
Birding is a growing avocation in the Keystone state. The admiration for the beauty and appeal of birds is celebrated each year by birders and educators with local birding festivals, public bird walks, and other events. Many of these are connected to International Migratory Bird Day, which is generally the second Saturday in May, but can be held on any day that seems appropriate. Events are for the young and old. Just take along a pair of binoculars and a mind ready for new experiences with wildlife. Indeed, the annual migration of birds across the continents is one of the greatest nature shows on earth. The theme this year is “Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People”.
This year’s theme is especially appropriate because Pennsylvania provides a lot of habitat for migrant birds stopping over on their way north to their nesting grounds in Canada and New England. Join in the fun and learn more about migratory bird day at the website of that event:
And, log your bird sightings into eBird.
Peregrine Falcons Return to Pennsylvania’s Wild and Urban Cliffs
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most widespread and charismatic birds of prey in the world. This bird of prey is found on all continents except Antarctica. Its populations crashed in the era of DDT and when there seemed to be an open season on raptors and bird eggs. Peregrines now have made a dramatic return to the state’s cliffs, whether wild or urban. The original Peregrine Falcon nesting population occupied natural cliff sites in the Appalachians, including Pennsylvania. Many nested on cliffs along major rivers, especially in the eastern third of the state. By 1960, they had disappeared as a nesting species in the Commonwealth. In 2007, there were 24 active Peregrine nesting sites in the state. They varied from urban to wild areas. Some are associated with power generating facilities, large buildings, and tall bridges.
Discover Pennsylvania’s Important Bird Areas
Audubon Pennsylvania’s Important Bird Areas (IBA) program highlights sites of “special significance to breeding or non-breeding birds, which on some basis, can be distinguished from surrounding areas.” Pennsylvania is proud to be the first state in the United States to initiate an IBA program. The goals of the IBA program are to identify a network of sites throughout the state that are essential for sustaining wild bird populations, and to protect or manage these sites for long-term conservation purposes. IBAs have been selected for a variety of reasons that are categorized as critical to the conservation of the state’s bird communities and populations.
Your eBird Records Help Our Wildlife Action Plan and Bird Conservation!
Anyone who contributes data to Pennsylvania eBird helps us better monitor and manage Pennsylvania’s bird species of greatest conservation need. These species are those that have been targeted by the PA Wildlife Action Plan as highest priority for monitoring and conservation action. They were chosen for various reasons including that they are listed as threatened or endangered species, Partners in Flight Watch List species, habitat quality indicators, or stewardship maintenance species. Our strategy is to be proactive in our approach to these species and their habitats as outlined in the Wildlife Action Plan.
El Grupo Cerúleo to Receive Conservation Award
Congratulations to all members of El Grupo Cerúleo, an international group of scientists dedicated to the study and conservation of Cerulean Warblers. The Chief of the U. S. Forest Service at the Office of International Programs has awarded the group the Wings across the Americas International Partnership Award for 2008. The award is given in recognition of the group's efforts to develop the assessment of the nonbreeding range of the Cerulean Warbler in South America. Priority Migrant eBird contributed significantly to this effort. Read on to learn more about this collaboration and Priority Migrant eBird.
