By CHRISTIE MASTRIC
For the Mining Gazette
HOUGHTON — More than half of the 836 U.S. types of migratory birds remain in decrease. Since 1970, U.S. songbirds have actually decreased 30%, which is almost 3 billion birds gone.
Seventy-8 types are now thought about as threatened while 14 are noted as threatened.
These sobering data, offered by service forester Gary Willis of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Customer Service Center in Baraga, suggest that additional action is required.
A Bird Migration Forum is set for 6 to 9 p.m. May 9 at 135 Fisher Hall at Michigan Technological University. Giving the opening and closing remarks will be DNR wildlife biologist John DePue. Research partner Joseph Youngman will discuss “Migration of Waterbirds, Raptors and Passerines through the Keweenaw Peninsula” while Jennifer Owen, associate teacher at Michigan State University, will discuss “Birds and Berries: The Importance of Native Fruit-Bearing Shrubs for Migrating Land Birds and the Challenges Migratory Birds Face as They Navigate a Changing Landscape.”
This occasion is the latest in a remarkable series of ‘Wildlife Through Forestry’ online forums kept in the western Upper Peninsula given that 2017, said John Pepin, DNR deputy public info officer.
“These sessions link wildlife topics to the numerous ways habitat for birds and animals may be developed and enhanced for a range of species on private lands,” Pepin said in a press release.
The biggest danger to birds — and all wildlife — continues to be loss and/or deterioration of environment due to human advancement and disruption, the DNR said. For migratory birds and other types that need several locations for wintering, breeding and stop-over points, the results of environment loss can be intricate and significant.
Proactive environment improvement throughout the landscape produces a much healthier environment for animals and individuals, the DNR said, and scientists are figuring out those elements important for migratory bird survival.
The function of the Bird Migration Forum is to bring awareness of the predicament of migratory bird populations and supply guideline direct from scientists so that the landowner/homeowner can take definitive action to improve the environment on their land, the DNR said. The online forum likewise will consist of a summary of bird migration and population numbers in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
“Scientists are pointing to the success of waterfowl and waterbird recoveries over the same time that are the direct result of research and resulting conservation efforts to restore and protect wetlands,” Willis said. “Swift conservation action can bring at risk birds back from the brink of extinction.”
Speaker backgrounds
Owen has actually thoroughly studied bird illness and the vectors of transmission. She has actually performed relative research study on the results of intrusive plant versus native plant neighborhoods on moving bird and leads a Michigan State University research study group that is partnering with coworkers from the U.S. and other nations to establish bio-surveillance prepare for the U.S. Department of Defense to keep track of and avoid transmittable illness spread out by migratory birds.
Since 1955, Youngman has actually studied bird migration to and through the western Upper Peninsula and has actually gathered field information for various ornithological research studies on the Keweenaw Peninsula and Isle Royale.
Michigan Tech Professor David Flaspohler, interim dean of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, likewise will speak at the online forum. His research study and mentor concentrate on comprehending how human activities affect animal and plant populations. He has actually studied migratory birds in the upper Midwest along with Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.
The online forum is totally free and open up to the general public.
