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Conservation |
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| The DOS Conservation Committee is actively involved in many local, state, national
and international issues. Being located in a globally important and bird rich region,
the Conservation Committee members are dedicated to obtaining information of
concern, addressing issues and working along with it’s members and agencies to
impart a positive and productive result for the well being of the migratory and
breeding populations of our birds.
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Delaware Birding Trail
In coalition with the Delaware Audubon Society, several DOS Council members are involved in the development stage of the first Delaware Birding Trail. The trail will identify and connect established birding hotspots in an attempt to provide pertinent information for instate and visiting birders. A mid October unveiling and web site launching is targeted by the
committee. |
| The 1st Annual DOS Bird-A-Thon was a resounding success! find out more... |
ABA's Birders' Exchange
The DOS Conservation Committee is excited to announce our participation in the American Birding Association's Birders' Exchange.
For the past sixteen years, the Birders' Exchange has been collecting and donating much needed equipment to researchers, educators and conservationists in Latin America and the Caribbean who are striving to protect birds and their habitats. In an effort to fill the void of the most basic equipment needed to carryout their studies, the Birders' Exchange collects and distributes donated optics (and other resources) to these very dedicated individuals. We will be asking for our members and friends to donate any optics in working order which will then be shipped to the ABA for their distribution. Please bring your optics to any DOS meeting and give to Bill Stewart for
transferring to the ABA. For further information and a complete synopsis of the Birders' Exchange, please visit their website.
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The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Program
Since 1934, sales of the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps (commonly referred to as "Duck Stamps") have raised more than $700 million that has been used to acquire more than 5.2 million acres of habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sales of these stamps goes directly to the purchase or lease of wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Stamps can be purchased at most post offices, sporting goods and outdoor stores, all National Wildlife Refuges and online at www.fws.gov/duckstamps. As their slogan says "Conserve Habitat, Buy Duck Stamps!"
In an effort to show our dedicated support to this
valuable conservation cause, DOS will purchase and award each Field Trip leader
with an annual stamp. |
Red Knot and the State of Delaware
In response to a letter of concern
regarding the overturned Horseshoe Crab Harvest Moratorium decision from DOS
Treasurer/Council Member Jim Lewis, Mr. Roy Miller responded with the following
explanation:
Dear Mr. Lewis:
Thank you for your note of concern in regard to the June 8, 2007 decision of the
Superior Court for the State of Delaware in and for Sussex County regarding
horseshoe crab harvest. The judge’ decision was in favor of the plaintiffs, Charles
Auman and Bernie’s Conchs, LLC of Virginia. Since Regulation 3215 was
vacated by Superior Court, that meant that the regulations that were current prior to the imposition of Regulation 3215 (the 2-year harvest moratorium) are still in
force and effect. However, in order to avoid an out of compliance determination
by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, DNREC Secretary John
Hughes signed an Emergency Order on June 11, 2007 to implement the provisions
of Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crabs
and to effect the required conservation measures to prevent additional losses of
female horseshoe crabs. Specifically these emergency measures include a
prohibition of all horseshoe crab harvest from January 1 through June 7 and a
complete prohibition on the harvest of female horseshoe crabs. In prior years
there had been dredge harvest of both sexes of horseshoe crabs during the period
January 1 through May 1. The annual harvest quota also was lowered from
150,000 horseshoe crabs to 100,000 male-only horseshoe crabs.
This Emergency Order remains in force for a period of 90 days. This should be an
ample period of time for the 2007 horseshoe harvest quota to be caught. Another
purpose of the Emergency Order is to allow time for the administrative procedure
process to be well underway toward consideration of a more permanent regulation
that institutes the provisions of Addendum IV in Delaware for the required two
year period. This regulation setting process includes setting a date for a public
hearing and formal comment period.
As to appeals of the Superior Court ruling, no decisions have been made in this
regard in favor of devoting our energies to implementing and enforcing the
provisions of the Emergency Order and into monitoring the harvest to insure that
we do not exceed the 100,000 male horseshoe crab quota. Thank you again for
your concern for the resources that we all value so highly.
Sincerely,
Roy W. Miller
Administrator of Fisheries
Division of Fish & Wildlife
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302)739-9914
fax (302)739-6157
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DOS Funds Ashland Hawk Watch
In a collaborative effort between DOS and the Delaware Nature Society, DOS is
funding the first Hawk Watch in Northern Delaware. Utilizing funds from the
Dorcas Beatty Fund and the 2007 Bird-A-Thon, $5,505.00 has been donated. The
Hawk Watch will be in operation from September 4 through November 30, seven
days a week, on top of Hawk Watch Hill at Ashland Nature Center. The data
collected will be added to the Hawk Migration Association of North America and
will be reported daily on the DE-Birds listserve. The Hawk Watch will also serve as
an educational base for both organizations. A full-time Hawk Watch Coordinator
has been hired to collect data, train volunteers, educate visitors and manage the site. |
Wind Energy Position
During the April 2007 Conservation Committee meeting, the members voted to
adopt, endorse and support the American Bird Conservancy’s Wind Energy Policy.
The following is an excerpt from the policy, a full disclosure can be found at
http://www.abcbirds.org/policy/windpolicy.htm.
“For decades, conservationists have urged a shift away from nuclear
and fossil-fueled electrical generation to clean, renewable sources of power
such as wind and solar energy. ABC supports the development of renewable
energy in the U.S., including wind power, as an alternative to fossil-fueled
power plants to meet the current and growing demand for electrical energy.
In doing so, ABC recognizes that all energy choices have implications for
birds.
While ABC supports alternative energy sources, including wind power,
ABC emphasizes that before approval and construction of new wind energy
projects proceeds, potential risks to birds and bats should be evaluated
through site analyses, including assessments of bird and bat abundance,
timing and magnitude of migration, and habitat use patterns. Wind energy
project location, design, operation, and lighting should be carefully evaluated
to prevent, or at least minimize, bird and bat mortality and adverse impacts
through habitat fragmentation, disturbance, and site avoidance.”
Suggested Reading
1. 101 Ways to Help Birds by Laura Erickson, Roger Hall
2. An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
3. A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
4. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
5. The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook by David de Rothschild
6. Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken |
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Annual activities include collecting and disseminating information about birding activities during International Migratory Bird Month (May) through a calendar which we then distribute widely in Delaware. We also sponsor a yearly Conservation Award. |
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The Conservation Chair, along with the DOS President, represents our club in the Bird Conservation Alliance of the American Bird Conservancy. Through this relationship, we learn of many bird-related issues of national and international significance, educate our club members as well as the public, and participate in the public comment process. Examples include our participation in ABC's Cats Indoors campaign (for safer birds and cats), seabird mortality associated with longline fishing, and the communication tower/bird strike connection.
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Direct action: The Conservation Committee participates in and helps sponsor activities such as bluebird box, kestrel box, and osprey platform installation and maintenance.
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| The Conservation Committee is always looking for new and
interested members. If you would like to attend one of our monthly meetings and
see first hand what we are currently involved with, please contact Bill Stewart at
by email or at 610 864 0370.
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