A study released last week in Science Journal reports that the North American wild bird population is in steep decline. About 29% of the breeding population (2.9 billion) vanished since 1970. This includes species we see here in Central Florida. There are 92 million fewer Red-winged Blackbirds:
Red-winged Blackbird in flight, Viera Wetlands
And Eastern Meadowlarks declined by ~70% (73 million):
A Messy Molting Meadowlark – Joe Overstreet Road, Osceola County
The study is based on multiple independent data sources including bird counts and radar information. This particular study didn’t investigate causes, but habitat loss and degradation are seen as the biggest overall drivers of the decline.
The news isn’t all bleak. Raptors have increased by 15 million since 1970 due to banning some pesticides, and waterfowl gained 35 million because of wetland regeneration. This shows we can make a difference.
Bald Eagle in flight – Kenansville, Fl.
The loss of birds is consistent with other data showing massive declines in insects and amphibians. These are symptoms that our environment is not healthy and they should be a tremendous wake up call.
We must do everything we can to help keep our only planet healthy . How will you answer your children and grandchildren when they ask you what you did about this?
Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go support conservation. And make some photos. Before it’s too late.
©2019, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved