Latest news with #NationalAudubonSociety
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers warn of 'full-on emergency' unfolding across US coastlines: 'Very difficult'
Researchers warn of 'full-on emergency' unfolding across US coastlines: 'Very difficult' As global temperatures rise and summer crowds surge, a crisis is playing out along America's coasts. Nesting shorebirds are being squeezed out of their habitat by a growing tangle of threats — and human activity is at the center of it. What's happening? The State of the Birds 2025 report, compiled by a coalition of conservation and science groups, issued a stark warning: A third of U.S. bird species are in decline. Nearly 80 species have lost more than half their populations in the last 50 years and are still shrinking, as reported by StarNews Online. "Birds tell us that we have a full-on emergency across all habitats," said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer at the National Audubon Society, in a release. Among the hardest hit are shorebirds, which have seen a 33% population drop since 1980. This comes from loss of beach habitat from oceanfront development, rising sea levels, stronger storms, extreme heat, and predation — all compounding the risks they face during nesting and roosting seasons. Add to that surging beach crowds during the summertime, and things can get even worse. "In many cases they're competing for the same habitat as people, so that can be very difficult," said Lindsay Addison, a coastal biologist with Audubon North Carolina. Why are bird populations important? Birds aren't just picturesque beach companions; they're ecosystem engineers. Their decline points to a broader environmental imbalance. When shorebirds vanish, insect populations explode unchecked, fish stocks shift, and coastal vegetation loses a key ally in seed dispersal (important for our food supply). Entire ecosystems — and the communities that rely on them — feel the damage. Shorebird habitats can also serve as buffers against storm surges and flooding. Losing them to development or erosion removes natural protections that help keep coastal cities safe during extreme weather events. What can we do to protect shorebird populations? Despite these numbers, there's hope. Volunteer bird steward programs — such as one at Wrightsville Beach with nearly 80 local ambassadors — play a key role in protecting nesting areas. Signs, barriers, and even student-drawn illustrations encourage beachgoers to respect these natural spaces. Many governments have also designated protected zones for nesting and roosting sites. Conservation efforts have also seen promising comebacks of bird populations, including the American oystercatcher. But advocates say education is just as important. Simple actions — such as giving birds a wide berth and not chasing them — can help more fledglings survive. So next time you head to the shore, respect wildlife signs and keep pets away from nesting zones. And if you come across any unusual or distressed birds, report them to local wildlife officials. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
16-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Osprey recovering after nest catches fire in Mercer County
A young osprey is recovering after its nest caught on fire on top of a utility pole in Mercer County. Tamarack Wildlife Center in Crawford County said it received a young osprey on June 27 that was suffering from respiratory distress and singed feathers after a fire at her nest near Clark. In a Facebook post, the wildlife center said smoke inhalation is a "critical medical emergency" for birds. The bird, named Smokey, was given supplemental oxygen and medication. After treatment, the wildlife center said Smokey stabilized and has a good prognosis. She no longer needs oxygen support and she started self-feeding this week. Ospreys in Pennsylvania migrate south, sometimes as far as South America, but since Smokey's flight feathers were damaged, she won't be able to fly this fall. The wildlife center said she'll need a complete molt before she's released. When she molts, she'll also replace her singed contour feathers, which help keep water away in the rain and play an important role in thermoregulation. The National Audubon Society says ospreys' preference for tall, open platforms often leads them to nest on utility poles. After the pesticide DDT was banned in 1972, ospreys have flourished and expanded their nesting range. The Audubon Society says one study showed nearly nine in 10 osprey pairs build their nests on human-made structures. The Tamarack Wildlife Center thanked everyone who helped Smokey, including the local fire chief, game warden, volunteers and rehabilitators.
E&E News
16-07-2025
- Business
- E&E News
Audubon snags ex-Obama EPA official
Joel Beauvais, a veteran of the Obama EPA and Exelon, is joining the National Audubon Society to work on conservation and climate programs. Audubon hired Beauvais for a newly created position as its managing director for North America, Beauvais posted on LinkedIn this week. 'I'll be leading Audubon's conservation and climate programs in the United States and Canada, overseeing a staff of 500 including Audubon's state and regional offices across the country,' Beauvais wrote. 'I'm excited to join this great team working with communities and stakeholders across the hemisphere to protect birds and the places they need and mitigate climate change.' Advertisement Beauvais joins the conservation group after a stint at the utility Exelon, where he has worked for more than six years in roles including senior vice president and deputy general counsel. He was a partner at Latham & Watkins from 2017 until 2019.
Observer
05-07-2025
- Science
- Observer
The effects of fireworks on animals and people
The rockets, explosions and cascading colours of fireworks are a staple of celebrations throughout the world, whether at the Fourth of July, Diwali or New Year's Eve. But while the clamour of light and sound brings out cheers from revelers, fireworks can cause panic in animals. They also leave behind trails of pollution that take a lingering toll on the environment and people. Here is what to know about the harm fireworks cause and recommendations from experts on how people can celebrate while reducing the impact. The intense, erratic sounds and lights from fireworks frighten animals, both wild and domesticated. Fear and stress responses have been documented in pets, zoo animals and wildlife. Wild animals may flee when fireworks start: Weather radars have recorded masses of birds taking flight and studies have shown fleeing by sea lions and seals. This rush to escape costs the animals energy and can lead to longer-term damage, said Bill Bateman, a professor of ecology at Curtin University in Australia and the author on a review of global research on the impact of fireworks on the environment. The animals may abandon habitats completely, or return with less energy for regular survival. These effects are worse when fireworks occur during migration and breeding seasons. Independence Day in the United States, for example, falls in the breeding season for many coastal birds. Shorebirds are particularly at risk because of their proximity to fireworks and beach crowds, said Nicole Michel, director of quantitative science at the National Audubon Society. Birds frightened by fireworks may abandon their nests, leaving chicks or eggs behind and exposed to threats like predators. And adult birds are already running at the end of their energy reserves by this time, Michel said. They may be eating less while sitting on nests or burning more energy as they feed themselves and their chicks. 'These poor birds are just run ragged,' she said. 'It's additional stress for a bird that's already very stressed'. Occasionally, fireworks kill large numbers of birds. In Beebe, Arkansas, in 2011 and 2012, thousands of blackbirds died after New Year's after being startled by fireworks. In 2022, fireworks in Taylor, Texas, caused nesting egrets to scatter, leading several to strike power transformers. 'Many of these birds, they're not nocturnal and they're flying low. They are surrounded by buildings and trees,' Bateman said. 'It's probably not a surprise that they end up piling into these things.' Fireworks cause short-term surges in air pollution and leave behind toxins in waterways and soil that harm people and wildlife over the long term. 'Bursting fireworks produce a thick particulate smoke that's laden with lots of nasty chemicals,' Bateman said. Studies have shown that air worsens in the hours after fireworks, containing particulate matter, metals and gases like sulfur dioxide. Levels are higher after celebrations where fireworks use is high over multiple days. Air pollution aggravates lung and heart disease and is linked to other health conditions. Chemicals linked to fireworks, including perchlorate, have also been detected in water bodies. Fireworks are also commonly made with and wrapped in plastic and leave behind debris that can be ingested by animals and break down into microplastics. One study found New Year's fireworks in London caused an immediate spike in microplastics. 'Firework displays are spectacular and culturally important,' Bateman said, 'and if there are options that are more environmentally friendly, then we really, really should embrace those'. With traditional fireworks, damage can by reduced by shortening the length of shows and number of fireworks used and moving them farther from people and animals. Community displays, staged high in the air, are better than firing fireworks individually, experts said. 'People just setting off fireworks all over the place are going to impact far more birds just because it is more spread out,' Michel said. 'There's also the risk of starting a fire, which would then destroy habitat'. Drone light shows are increasing in popularity. They are quieter and don't release the intense bursts of pollution associated with fireworks, though they still carry some smaller risks. Several cities and venues have swapped firework spectacles for drones in recent years, citing concerns over wildfires, pollution and wildlife. This week, the town of Hingham, Massachusetts, held its first Independence Day show using drones set to the music of a live band instead of fireworks. The town is home to a colony of nesting American oystercatchers that have settled on the islands in its harbour in recent years. In order to protect the birds, fireworks are not an option, said Marco Boer, chair of the Hingham Harbour Development Committee, which organised the event. Boer said he had worried that people might miss the 'big bang' of fireworks but that his community's response to Wednesday's drone show was 'overwhelmingly positive'.
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Winged ‘passing visitor' seen in Algeria flatlands for first time. Take a look
On the northern coast of Africa, the western plains and flatlands of Algeria are nestled between two international paths. The Suez Canal to the east, connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt, and the Strait of Gibraltar to the west, the channel of water between southern Spain and northern Morocco, act as major international migration routes for the birds of Europe and Africa. From time to time, their paths lead them to Algeria, using the steppe region as a stopover point on their long journeys. As many as 179 different species of bird have been seen here, including 40% of all bird species in Algeria, researchers said in a June 26 study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Bioresource Management. Now, a new bird has been spotted in the region for the very first time. Researchers were watching birds at a wastewater treatment plant in the agro-pastoral area outside the town of Mecheria when they noticed a medium-sized green and white bird, according to the study. 'Exactly at 2:00 p.m. we saw a bird with a clearly visible hoopoe that feeds with the shorebirds in this area,' researchers said of the December sighting. 'The Northern Lapwing is readily recognizable.' The 'medium-sized' bird typically found in open fields has dark green feathers on the top of their plumage and white belly feathers underneath, according to the study. 'Its most striking characteristic is the black and white head, adorned with a long, upright black crest located at the back of the crown,' researchers said. When Northern Lapwings migrate for the winter, they find open habitats like the plains and plateaus of Algeria to rest near water when possible, according to the study. It's the first time a Northern Lapwing has been identified in the western Algerian steppes and is considered a 'passing visitor,' researchers said. The sighting 'confirms the importance of this area in the migratory birds' path through their passage and their stopover.' Lapwings are about the size of a crow or robin, according to the National Audubon Society, and are grouped together with plovers and sandpiper-like birds. The research team includes Youcefi Ahmed Toufik and Litim Kouider.
