On bird data and the DNR

Most birders collect data, at least at a basic level. It may be limited to a daily checklist, or it may consists of counts of each species organized by location, weather, viewing conditions, other observers, and other details. This information, particularly that in the latter category, has great value beyond just calculating life lists, and many of us don't fully appreciate this fact.

The IBA program requires solid bird data for the identification of all IBAs, for example. This information comes from all kinds of sources (scientific literature, publications, birder data, eBird, etc.) and requires lots of time and effort to locate and compile. This time commitment is a limiting feature for many conservation organizations, including government agencies.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for example, relies on the Natural Heritage Database maintained by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) for guiding its management decisions. If they are going to know about a rare species they need to protect, this is where they'll find out about it. As it turns out, they just do not have time to query other sources of information. You may assume that because you entered your observations into eBird and the Michigan Audubon Seasonal Survey compiler that the DNR would have full access to it, but it's not currently true!

There are many reasons why these and other biological databases do not share data freely. But my point here is that we really need to make sure our observations of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species (and not just birds!) are submitted to the right places and are thus utilized to the fullest extent. In the case of the DNR, please download the appropriate MNFI form and see to it that it is submitted. It may be extra work on our part, but this will go a long way to guiding good conservation in our state!

Lake Michigan IBA?

The process of defining an IBA requires solid data and approval by the Michigan IBA Technical Committee. There are many examples of suspected IBAs for which we don't have enough data to make a decision. One example is of the massive concentrations of Long-tailed Ducks seen by birders during late winter and spring along the lower peninsula's Lake Michigan shoreline. Usually, these birds are one mile or more out from shore, and form dark clouds of birds when they take flight.

This Saturday Jan 5, a committed group of birders will attempt the first-ever organized count of these birds, standing guard at six locations including Manistee, Ludington, Little Sable Pt (Oceana County), Muskegon, Grand Haven, Saugatuck, and South Haven. Coordinated by Chip Francke (Grand Haven Parks) and Kip Miller (leader of the Berrien Birding Club), the January 5 count will involve the first known attempt at quantifying these large flocks. If enough birds are found, this information could be used to help delineate an Important Bird Area.

We plan to attempt a second, follow-up, count in March. If you would like to join the efforts, or start a similar effort at a local site, please email the Michigan IBA Coordinator, Caleb Putnam.

Wind Power and IBAs

A major tool in the fight to curb global warming and its requisite effects on birds is wind power. The issue is fast-growing in our society, and Audubon is actively pursuing a definitive policy stance on the subject. One staff member from the Washington, D.C. office, Michael Daulton, has been appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to the national Wind Turbines Guidelines Advisory Committee.

The issue is also at the forefront in Michigan, including in Lake Township in Huron County, where a proposal to erect several turbines within close proximity to the coastal Saginaw Bay IBA has been announced. The article includes comments from Caleb Putnam, Michigan IBA Program Coordinator.

Detroit River, Lake Erie Metropark Recognized as IBAs

Left to right: Richard Quick (President, Detroit Audubon), Caleb Putnam (Michigan IBA Program coordinator), U.S. Congressman John Dingell, Dr. John Hartig (Manager, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge), Gerry Wykes (Naturalist, Lake Erie Metropark) holding a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Copyright, Lake Erie Metropark 2007.

On Saturday 15 Sept, we held a recognition ceremony for the lower Detroit River and Lake Erie Metropark IBAs, at HawkFest in Brownstown. U.S. Congressman John Dingell attended, as well as representatives of Detroit Audubon, Lake Erie Metropark, and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The value of these sites to bird conservation was discussed by Caleb Putnam, and each speaker gave his perspective on the IBA designation and what it means to each organization. In addition, over 12,000 Broad-winged Hawks winged their way south overhead throughout the day, mesmerizing attendees.

*Time change* for 15 Sept recognition ceremony

The recognition ceremony on 15 Sept 2007 to recognize the lower Detroit River and Lake Erie Metropark as IBAs has been *CHANGED* to 4 PM, rather than 1PM as initially scheduled. Here is the official announcement:

Public Invited to Sept 15 Ceremony Recognizing the Lower Detroit River and Lake Erie Metropark as Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

BROWNSTOWN MI, The Michigan Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program, Detroit Audubon Society, and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge will hold a formal ceremony to recognize the lower Detroit River and Lake Erie Metropark as IBAs that provide essential habitat for breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds. The IBA Program is a global effort to conserve habitats for birds and other biodiversity. The ceremony will take place Saturday September 15 at 4:00 PM as part of the Hawkfest at Lake Erie Metropark.

The lower Detroit River, one of the region’s key waterbird stopover sites, is home to large numbers of migrating and wintering Canvasback ducks (representing up to 10% of the estimated global population some years) and Tundra Swans (up to 1,900 individuals), and has supported approximately 275 Common Tern nests in recent years. Lake Erie Metropark is a key bottleneck point for migrating raptors (such as hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures), annually averaging over 150,000 Broad-winged Hawks and from 7,000 to 9,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks, as they pass southward around Lake Erie. Both sites are considered crucial to the long-term survival of these and other bird species.

The ceremony will be held at Hawkfest that is held during the peak of the autumn raptor migration, and visitors can expect to see many migrating hawks and to observe and photograph up close many live raptors. Speaking at the ceremony will be U.S. Congressman John Dingell, Michigan State Representative Kathleen Law, Lake Erie Metropark staff, and John Hartig, Refuge Manager of the International Wildlife Refuge. There will also be a formal ribbon-cutting, and a sign unveiling. No RSVP is required for these activities.

“This IBA recognition is an excellent example of the partnerships we are establishing to build, monitor, and manage North America’s only international wildlife Refuge,” notes Congressman John Dingell. “This IBA Program will help us set science-based priorities for habitat conservation and provides unique opportunities for participation by volunteers and citizen scientists.”

“This IBA recognition for the lower Detroit River and Lake Erie Metropark provides further evidence of the uniqueness of our Downriver wildlife and habitats,” notes Michigan State Representative Kathleen Law. “We are so fortunate to have these natural resources right in our backyard that provide the foundation for our growing ecotourism economy.”

The IBA Program is a global initiative of BirdLife International. It is administered in the United States by Audubon and in Michigan by a consortium of conservation organizations: Audubon, Michigan Audubon, Detroit Audubon, and the Kalamazoo Nature Center. The program seeks to identify and conserve the world’s most crucial sites for bird conservation.

For more information about the IBA Program:
Caleb G. Putnam
Michigan Important Bird Areas Coordinator
cputnam@audubon.org
http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/
www.birdlife.org

For more information about HawkFest:
Paul Cypher
President, Southeast Michigan Raptor Research
paulcypher@comcast.net
http://www.smrr.net/events.shtml

For more information about the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge:
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/DetroitRiver/

Congressman Dingell to speak at 15 Sept IBA Ceremony!

Exciting news- we have received word that Congressman John Dingell of the U.S. House will be speaking at our 15 Sept Recognition Ceremony for the Detroit River and Lake Erie Metropark IBAs! Michigan State Representative Kathleen Law will also be speaking. Many thanks to both for their participation and commitments to wildlife conservation!

New Michigan IBA website launched!

We are proud to announce several new web resources for those looking for information and resources specific to the MIchigan IBA Program. The pages are viewable at:

http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/michigan/

and provide a variety of materials for Support Group Leaders from the April 2007 workshops in Lansing and Germfask, a site assessment form for all Support Groups, a summary of Michigan state-level IBA Criteria, and other documents. These pages are in the process of being built, and there will be many additions to come. So please check back often, and contact Caleb (cputnam@audubon.org) with any questions.