Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2019 i Audubon Magazine

Grasslands cover a quarter of the Earth’s land surface and stretch across every continent except Antarctica—but only a small percentage are formally protected. Conservationists are racing to change that. Agriculture and development have destroyed nearly half of South America’s grasslands, which once covered 13 percent of the continent. Green groups and ranchers have formed a coalition to implement sustainable grazing and create a market for bird-friendly beef. Little of the Eurasian Steppe, the world’s largest grassland, remains in Europe. But large, intact stretches persist in Central Asia, where governments are working with nonprofits to protect remaining steppe from being plowed under or overgrazed. Africa is home to the Serengeti, an immense savannah that supports big cats, roving ungulate herds, and 500-plus bird species. Urban expansion and agriculture are a threat…

THE WOOD DUCK’S FLASHY FEATHERS REMINDED ILLUSTRATOR MELINDA BECK OF DESIGNS BY Emilio Pucci, the Italian fashionista known for kaleidoscopic patterns. Her bird, she decided, would showcase evolutionary couture. Dressed-up humans can dazzle, “but nature can really do it,” Beck says. First she drew the image with pencil on paper, then scanned it into Adobe Illustrator and added color. In stylizing the duck, she took a cue from John James Audubon’s avian oeuvre. “It’s beautiful to look at,” Beck says, and also scientifically detailed. “There are always little clues about what the bird eats, what kind of habitat it lives in.” Because Wood Ducks frequent sheltered ponds and swamps, Beck posed hers in rippling water that echoes its plumage. The fruit in its bill hints that this species nests in…

As this issue was going to press, hundreds of bird species were winging their way over New York City, where Audubon has its headquarters, searching for patches of greenery in the sea of concrete to rest and refuel. Our staff knows this better than most. We headed outside—before work, during lunch, after work—in search of elusive timberdoodles and nemesis warblers. We found them, and then some, under bushes and tucked into trees. But to birds, not all plants have the same value. They evolved with native species, which research shows attract a far greater concentration and variety of insects—critical protein for migrating birds and, eventually, chicks—and more nutritious berries and seeds. That’s why Audubon launched its Plants for Birds program, with a database that enables you to look up plants…

Splotchy and olive-brown, with a slight sheen to its shell, a contaminated Herring Gull egg on Lake Erie’s shores looks the same as any other. But under its delicate surface lies a host of toxins that could disrupt the young bird’s life before it begins. Created from a byproduct of the Manhattan Project, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were engineered to be indestructible to water, oil, and heat. Today more than 4,000 forms can be found in products ranging from cooking pans and winter coats to burger wrappers and dental floss. For decades, however, these unregulated “forever chemicals” have also infiltrated lakes, streams, and hundreds of urban drinking supplies. Their pervasiveness doesn’t bode well for organisms that rely on these waters. Fifty years of research has shown high PFAS levels…

“GRAZING IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL FOR MANIPULATING GRASSLANDBIRD HABITAT.” Grasslands are tough. They can survive extremes, from heat waves and cold snaps to torrential downpours and droughts. They require turbulence. For millennia wildfires enhanced prairie soil and ensured grass’s dominance by burning back woody shrubs and saplings. Bison followed the fires to graze on tender, new growth of grasses and sedges; as they fed, their hooves aerated and manure fertilized the soil, giving rise to abundant wildflowers. The combined forces shaped the Great Plains, a mosaic of hundreds of grass, wildflower, and sedge species at various stages of growth spanning 550 million acres. The patchwork of habitats supports diverse insects, dozens of songbird species, and myriad mammals. Despite their resilience, barely one-third of central North America’s historical grasslands…

Nocturnal birding can be highly rewarding in a variety of settings. Here are a few spots you can visit safely. Backyards Start close to home in a yard. You might hear the purrs or barks of an Eastern or Western Screech-Owl, or the chips and whistles of migrating birds overhead. Parking Lots A Walmart might seem like an odd place to go birding, but the results can be worthwhile. Check under light poles for moth-catching Lesser and Common Nighthawks and over eaves for homebound Chimney Swifts. Public Lands For an immersive experience, camp out at a national park or refuge. Certain areas may be off limits, but you can still access remote habitats with possible birds like Wilson’s Snipe.…

Focus on Shapes On seabirds, colors are usually unremarkable, and markings can be hard to see. Shapes provide the best clues for breaking birds down to groups (shearwaters, storm-petrels, alcids, and so on) and even for distinguishing among most similar species. Catch the Action Many seabirds are most recognizable by the way they fly. Even similar species often have very different wing action or gliding styles, which, with practice, can be seen at great distances. Watch Common Birds If you see large numbers of just one or two species on the water, take the opportunity to study the numerous ones, memorizing every aspect of how they look. This familiarity will enhance your ability to pick out subtle rarities that appear.…

Most birders pick up a pair of binoculars to appreciate an avocet or raven. Nicky Fijalkowska takes a different tack: She grabs a pair of needles and a ball of yarn. The United Kingdom-based knitting designer has a knack for turning endless strands of wool into mini replicas of birds. The members of her growing aviary include puffins and owls, and they owe their finely stitched field marks to a lifelong obsession. Growing up, Fijalkowska sketched birds in her parents’ garden and took trips with the Young Ornithologists’ Club. Knitting, on the other hand, didn’t come so naturally. “I tried it as a teenager, but I always made clothes that never fitted and I ended up hating,” Fijalkowska says. She didn’t pick up her needles again until her late 30s,…

The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), an international treaty to safeguard seabirds on the high seas, now has 13 participating countries. Despite complying with its standards, the United States isn’t one of them. A recent hearing in Congress has given renewed hope for the pact’s adoption—which could mobilize research and encourage fishing heavyweights like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea to commit, too. Under ACAP, scientists and officials monitor bird populations, develop guidelines used by fisheries-management organizations, and fund science. To protect birds from longlines, it recommends combining three methods. NIGHT CREW Setting lines in full darkness keeps fishing out of sync with birds that feed as the sun nears the horizon. STREAMERS Deploying lines with brightly colored streamers scares foraging birds away from freshly baited hooks.…

Cows might not be an obvious solution for saving grassland birds, but they work. Audubon’s Conservation Ranching Program collaborates with ranchers to practice rotational grazing, manage invasive species, and protect streams to enhance plant, insect, and bird diversity. A third party then certifies the property as bird-friendly. “We love cows and we love what we do, but we’re not good marketers,” says North Dakota rancher Cody Sand. He proudly affixes the label on his grass-fed beef, which Audubon staff help place in specialty markets. Today more than 40 retailers in seven states and 11 online companies carry meat with the Audubon label (visit audubon.org/meat). Some 1.8 million acres are enrolled on 63 ranches across 11 states, and program director Chris Wilson aims to add 1.5 million acres by 2021. He’s…

Peak evening foraging times for birds Nocturnal habits die hard at audubon.org/birding. FOR A BIRDER, NIGHTTIME CAN BE JUST AS REWARDING AS DAY. WHEN darkness descends, new behaviors reveal themselves, such as nocturnal migrations and flight calls, singing rails, and hunting raptors. But birding after hours requires different expertise, including a more finely tuned ear, deeper understanding of roosting habitat, and stealthier presence, so as not to disturb the wildlife. What better way to practice those skills than on a summer night, when the haze has lifted and the bugs begin to swarm, beckoning the eventide snackers to them. THE BIRDIST Late-Night Talk Show When the sun goes down, the streets get rowdy with bird sounds. Is that croak coming from a frog or a whip-poor-will? Why does that duck…

Distance various species can follow their nose—or beak—to dinner For more pelagic tips and hotspots, go to audubon.org/travel. FROM THE SHORE, BIRDERS MIGHT CATCH SIGHT OF A FEW shearwaters or other seabirds, but this is a mere glimpse of the avian bounty in waters off the coast. Pelagic birding trips transport participants via boat to the edge of the continental shelf, providing the opportunity to view these marine dwellers feeding en masse. Yet it’s an adventure that even seasoned birders often avoid, due to concerns of seasickness or unfamiliarity with the ocean. Set your fears aside; with some planning, any landlubber can take to the sea. DESTINATIONS Sea to Shining Must-See Regions Any offshore waters are worthy of exploration, but these areas offer excellent jumping-off points for stellar seabird viewing…

Species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act For more advice from pros, go to audubon.org/photography. NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, BIRDS FACE MOUNTING THREATS, and your camera can be a powerful tool to advocate on their behalf. In adopting a conservation-photography mindset, you’ll join a movement of people proactively using images to raise an alarm and push for solutions to protect our planet and its inhabitants. So go beyond a bird’s beautiful colors or fascinating behaviors: By making thoughtful choices, you can tote your lens for a cause. Storytelling for Change While conservation photographer Morgan Heim travels the world for work, she’s shot some favorites just miles from home. As she shares, projects that draw attention to bird plights take planning, wherever the location. Research Read widely about issues…

eBird Gallery Avian sightings logged to this popular community science app support a growing list of studies. Adding a photo helps to verify identifications and also trains software that can label species in images. Ankle Bracelet If you encounter banded birds, submit details of the encounter to the U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory’s website. A photo of the find will help you confirm the species. Graveyard Shift Help pinpoint death traps by submitting records or images to crowdsourced databases such as the California Roadkill Observation System, Global Bird Collision Mapper, and New York City Audubon’s D-Bird.…