Trumpeter swans in Wisconsin suffered a dramatic decline in numbers in the past – so much so that they were listed as an endangered species in that area. Their decline was the result of a number of different factors, but mainly through human interference. For starters they were ruthlessly hunted before the turn of the 19th century, leading to a dramatic decrease in numbers. What was left was further affected by the use of the pesticide DDT in the area, with the result that local populations were well and truly decimated. Fortunately the state-run Department of Natural Resources saw the need to take action and the majestic white birds were reintroduced to the state in the 1980s. Trumpeter swans in Wisconsin were also placed on the endangered list in 1986, as part of efforts to further ensure their survival. The original goal was to see 20 breeding pairs firmly established in the area. The Department of Natural Resources and other partner organizations have been hard at work trying to ensure their survival by building artificial nesting platforms and doing whatever else might assist the birds in their attempts to breed successfully. What must have seemed painstaking work back then has now yielded fine results. By 1989, the birds were downgraded from endangered to threatened. Just last year there are estimated to be over 120 breeding pairs in Wisconsin, spread across 20 different counties in the state. Now, it seems that there are about 500 nesting pairs in the area!

Since it seems that local trumpeter swan populations are well and truly on the way to recovery, officials are now faced with the task of deciding whether or not to remove them from their endangered species list. Choosing to de-list the bird species in Wisconsin will not leave it completely unprotected, as it will still fall under the safeguard of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Natural Resources Board will make the final decision whether or not to de-list the bird at its official meeting in January 28, 2009.

Related posts:

1. Family Tree Gives Clues to Next Endangered Bird Species
2. The Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis
3. Endangered Bird Species on the Road to Recovery

If you are having an insect problem then you’d best see what you can do to attract one of nature’s best insect control methods: the chimney swift. This adorable little bird is commonly found throughout the United States – from the eastern seaboard to the Rocky Mountains. This is fortunate news for bird lovers looking for the next bug zapper because, unlike the three other species of swift found in North America, the chimney swift can be found in virtually every corner of the country.

Swifts are small birds that fly fast and are able to hunt insects while in flight. Their main peculiarity is their inability to perch or stand upright. While most other songbirds are like this, the chimney swift must use its claws and short tail feathers to cling to whatever is in the vicinity – be it rocks, trees or chimneys. Prior to the availability of chimney’s these delightful little birds nested and roosted primarily in hollow trees. However, land development has resulted in the destruction of much of their natural breeding sites and so they have had to find an alternative place to nest. Traditional old stone chimney’s provide the perfect substitute. Unlike slippery metal chimney’s, which should be permanently capped to avoid wildlife accidents, stone or clay chimney’s have plenty for these little birds to cling to.

If the idea of having a bird living in your chimney doesn’t immediately appeal to you, you might want to consider a few facts before making up your mind on the matter. For starters, the number of chimney swifts has been suffering a 1.4 percent decline in many areas in the U.S. each year. This means that these delightful little birds are in need of help to avoid becoming endangered. In opening up your chimney by cleaning them out at the beginning of March and leaving them uncapped until October, you provide these birds with place to breed and so help them in the fight against eventual extinction. However, choosing to have these little creatures share your home with you has another benefit: highly efficient pest control. Chimney swifts consume one-third of their weight in flying insects daily. If you are having problems with mosquitoes and flies, there could hardly be a more environmentally friendly solution!

While conservation authorities have tried to preserve the natural habitats of these birds and have provided artificial roosting sites for them; we can all do our bit to help. If you do choose to open your chimney up as a potential roosting site, you would do well to eliminate pesticides from your home to avoid accidentally poisoning the birds. If you do not want to have the birds living in your chimney but you would like them on your property, you might consider building your own chimney swift tower, which the birds can use for nesting and roosting. Leaving dead trees on your property where it is safe to do so will also encourage these birds to stay. However, the most important thing you can do is support the preservation of old-growth forest to ensure that more of their habitat is not lost to the greed of industry.

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1. Preparing for Natural Disasters

In 2005 the board of directors of the Wild Bird Feeding Industry (WBFI) took the initiative to establish a not-for-profit foundation to undertake research relating to food and feeder preferences of the wild birds in Canada and the United States. Running from September 2005 through to August 2008, Project Wildbird, funded by the WBFI Research Foundation, is one of the most ambitious and comprehensive bird feeding studies ever undertaken.

Project Wildbird aims to gather scientific data on seasonal wild bird feeding specific to each of the thirteen geographic regions in the United States and Canada. The advantages of this information, which will be available to suppliers and consumers, are numerous. Bird enthusiasts will be able to attract birds to their backyards in greater numbers by offering them feed and feeders according to their preferences. It is anticipated that this will encourage more families to take an interest in their local bird communities. Bird lovers who have been unsuccessful in attracting birds in the past are sure to have more success when offering area and season-specific food. Feed suppliers can make use of this information in their marketing strategies, production planning and distribution of their products.

Project Wildbird is making use of two different approaches – observational and experimental. Both approaches encourage bird enthusiasts to register as Citizen Scientists and collect data by observing bird activity in their own backyards.

The observational approach takes into account the fact that people lead busy lives and often have limited leisure time. The data required is not complicated and does not take up much time. Citizen Scientist observers need to monitor the birds in their yard during all four seasons of the year. Specific dates have been selected according to peak distribution of birds relating to breeding, wintering and migratory seasons of various geographic regions. Observations need to be recorded by various species, the feed offered and type of feeder used.

The experimental approach of Project Wildbird requires that Citizen Scientists dedicate additional time to the project and follow a well-defined system. Participants are provided with various feeds and feeders and need to monitor the birds that visit these feeders in a study that also spans the four seasons of the year.

The response to Project Wildbird has been very positive. Whether bird enthusiasts choose to participate in the observational or experimental approach of Project Wildbird, they can have the satisfaction of knowing that they are making a significant contribution to the welfare of wild birds in Northern America – to the benefit of themselves, their children, grandchildren and all future generations.

Related posts:

1. Project FeederWatch
2. The RSPB’s Feed the Birds Day
3. Red-Billed Chough Project in Portugal