threatened species

by Gunnar Engblom November 25, 2009 2

Slender-billed Curlew special on 10000 birds.

Slender-billed Curlew. Photo: Chris Gomersall

Slender-billed Curlew is undoubtedly one of the worlds rarest bird. I am enjoying immensly 10000 birds’s effort to spread information about the threatened birds around the world. After the splendid series about Spoon-billed Sandpiper now it is another shorebird under the microscope. Charlie Moores is giving us a review of Slender-billed Curlew and interviews.

So far the following deliveries have been published.

Search for Slender-billed Curlew part 1 . Introduction and summery.
Interview: Tim Cleeves on the Slender-billed Curlew. Tim Cleeves is database and fieldwork coordinator of the Slender-billed Curlew Working Group (SBCWG)

This reminds me of an idea I played with a few years ago. For critically threatened birds the birder observe he/she would get 5 points. If the bird later is downgraded to a lower threat category and consequently be worth less points, one would still be able to keep the 5 points earned. The accumulated effect over time with more birders taking on this system would be spending eco-dollars where the value would be the greatest.

On the other hand, if the situation becomes as dire as it is now for Slender-billed Curlew, the points would be completely lost if the species become extinct. A couple of very wealthy birders taking on this system could make the difference for some species. Nobody, would like to lose hard earned points, right?

I introduced this system in a database, and you may record your threatened birds on line and add up your point. I call it: Expedition Birding. The full rules can be found here.

The last three years, since the birth of my daughter, I have not had time to update the system with new scores as a BirdLife have revised some birds. However, during December the system will become up-to-date, and I have also secured some collaborators to help me manage the system. With my blog and social media such as Facebook, there is a better platform to involve more people.

Ultimate blockers – sorry mate, that does not count!

It is sad that some birders regard Critically Threatened birds as possible blockers. They carry the fact that they have seen Spix’s Macaw, Atitlan Grebe and Slender-billed Curlew with the highest pride, as it was some sort of achievement to have seen a bird that now nobody else can see. I would feel awful.
Not saying that there was much these birders could have done, but they probably could have done more than they did. And this is the mentality that needs to be promoted. We can do more than we do – for critically threatened birds!

Maybe, ABA and other listing promoting birder organizations should make new rules. Extinct birds should not count! When seeing a critically threatened bird, every birder should make everything in their might to get it down-graded to a lower threat category. Donations, voluntary work, promotion, petitions, etc.

by Gunnar Engblom November 19, 2009 6

Floreana Mockingbird Restoration

Floreana Mockingbird. Photo: Paquita Hoeck

In news releases yesterday (in for example BBC and Telegraph) it was announced that DNA had been extracted from specimens of Floreana Mockingbird that was brought back to England by Darwin himself.
This DNA was compared to DNA from the existent subpopulations on the small islets Gardner and Champion off Floreana. The Floreana Mockingbird became extinct on the main island Floreana soon after Darwin’s arrival due to the introduction of livestock, rats, cats and dogs which soon became feral and now this rare mockingbird only persists on these small islets with a total stable population of around 100 birds in 2007. Floreana Mockinbird is listed as critically threatened by Birdlife International. With such small population, it is clear that it could soon become extinct if there would be any natural disaster of any sort. The main strategy for the survival of the species must include a plan of restoring the population on the main island. The DNA tests confirmed that, in spite of in-breeding on the small islands, the genetic material is basically still the same and that an introduction with mixed stock from both islands at least would be genetically fit to once again occupy the main island. The main problem is not the DNA, but getting rid of the introduced animals. In an article from Galapagos Conservancy the Floreana Mockingbird Restoration Plan is discussed. An eradication campaign of feral animals and restoring Opuntia cactus habitat has already been started.

More background information from the researchers.

The two articles from BBC and Telegraph are a bit shallow giving headlines as if the Mockingbird on Floreana will be restored with the DNA of Darwin’s bird (sic!). But I found this blog from last year by the researcher Karen James, who was doing the DNA tests that were referred to. Now this is interesting reading: Saving Darwin’s Muse

I also found an article by researcher Paquita Hoeck about the current population in 2009, which now estimated to around 500 birds, due to two very good years for reproduction. This is great news for a forthcoming restoration on the main island.

How to see Floreana Mockingbird?

It used not to be too difficult. Any boat passing by Floreana could just go close to Champion island and the birds could be seen from deck without actually not landing. Now, researching for a birder’s trip to Galapagos, I found out only small boats that are allowed snorkling or scuba-diving around Champion and Devil’s crown off Floreana have permission to be in the area. There is obviously still landing restriction on the island, but the species should not be difficult to see if you are on the right type of boat.

by Gunnar Engblom October 22, 2009 1

Spoon-billed Sandpiper special on 10000 birds

Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Photo: Nial Moores. Curlew Sandpiper in the background.

I am very excited over the new series of posts on 10000 birds. Charley Moores is presenting the Critically threatened Spoonbilled Sandpiper over 6 blog posts, with discussion and inteviews with conservationists and specialists. Here is the first delivery.

The prognosis is indeed dire to say the least. Charlie writes:

Listed in 2001 in the Threatened Birds of Asia: The BirdLife International Red Data Book as Vulnerable with a population optimistically estimated at between 2,000 and 2,800 pairs, there are now thought to be less than 300 pairs left, and – to quote BirdLife International – “action is now urgently required to prevent the extinction of this species”.

I am sure there will also be some hints where the species presently can be seen and what we all can do to try to stop the extinctionof this splendid most wanted bird by many birders who love shorebirds.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Photo: Espen Lie Dahl