Take a Spring Field Ornithology Class with VCE

Montshire Museum of Science is partnering with Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) to offer a spring field ornithology course focusing on bird ecology and behavior and conservation biology. The program includes a four-part lecture series presented by VCE biologists and four field trips to regional birding spots. Topics covered include basic bird biology and field identification, migration, behavior and communication, breeding ecology and natural history, and conservation. VCE instructors will offer real-world examples of how their work involves the interplay of science-based field research and tangible conservation. Whether you are a seasoned birder or a curious beginner eager to learn the basics, this course will provide an engaging learning experience. Participants should be able to walk 1/2 mile on uneven ground.

Field Ornithology and Conservation Biology

Lectures: Montshire Museum, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

· Thursday, May 5

· Thursday, May 12

· Thursday, May 19

· Thursday, May 26

Field trips:

· Saturday, May 7, 6 a.m.–4 p.m. — Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

· Saturday, May 14, 7–11 a.m. — Local birding hotspots along the Connecticut River

· Saturday, May 21, 6 a.m.–2 p.m. —Dead Creek, Champlain Valley, and the Lake Champlain lowlands.

· Saturday, June 4, 6 a.m.–2 p.m. — Mt. Mansfield. Birding the high elevation habitats of northern New England. Includes an introduction to VCE’s field research (mist-netting and banding) on Bicknell’s Thrush.

Montshire Members and VCE Donors $415, non-members $455. Course fees include travel to Plum Island, Champlain Valley, and Mt. Mansfield field trips. Minimum of 14 participants, maximum of 18.

Register online

New study illustrates shifting forest biomes in Alaska

A new study released today in the EarlyView of Ecology Letters addresses forest productivity trends in Alaska, highlighting a shift in biomes caused by a warming climate. The findings, conducted by scientists at the Woods Hole Research Center and three other institutions based in Alaska and France, linked satellite observations with an extensive and unique tree-ring data set. Patterns observed support current hypotheses regarding increased growth of evergreen forest at the margins of present tundra and declining productivity at the margins of temperate forest to the south. This study provides a regional picture of forest productivity which did not previously exist.

According to lead author Pieter Beck, a post-doctoral fellow at WHRC, "The results provide evidence for the initiation of a biome shift in response to climate change, and indicate that some ecosystem models may be missing fundamental changes taking place in the circumpolar region."

He adds that "while the findings contrast with some recent model predictions of increased high latitude vegetation productivity, they are consistent with longer-term projections of global vegetation models."

Scott Goetz, a senior scientist at WHRC, proposed the study and co-authored the manuscript. He says, "Most people don't think of high latitudes forests as being drought stressed - and they are not in the traditional sense of having soils dry up and blow away - but their growth is negatively impacted by hot dry air masses and those have increased in recent years. This paper shows those drought impacts are captured in both the satellite and the tree ring record. Of course the tree rings go back in time much further than the satellite observations, which only extend about 30 years, but the changes that we observe from satellites are clearly supported not only by the tree rings but also by carbon isotope analysis of the wood."

Beck adds that climate driven changes in the disturbance regime, which can rapidly alter forest dynamics and the ability of boreal forests to migrate into current tundra areas, will most likely shape the biome shift in the future.

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In addition to WHRC, researchers from the University of Alaska School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, the Panthéon Sorbonne Archéologie des Amériques, and the Bureau of Land Management participated in the study and co-authored the paper.

Source: Woods Hole Research Center press release

February eNews from VCE

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MacArthur Meeting © Steve Cornelius MacArthur Foundation Grantees Meet in Haiti On a recent trip to Hispaniola, Chris traveled to Port-au-Prince for two days of meetings with MacArthur Foundation grantees actively working in Haiti. VCE is collaborating on a MacArthur grant to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, primarily for capacity building of conservation partners in Haiti and the DR. The meeting involved 11 MacArthur-funded groups involved in programs ranging from terrestrial and marine biodiversity conservation, training and communications, judicial education, to sustainable agriculture and fisheries. In a city still battered from the January 2010 earthquake and chronic socioeconomic hardships, sincere optimism exists to turn things around. With its many local and international partners, VCE looks forward to playing a small but pivotal role in advancing Haitian conservation. Enjoy Great Italian Food and Support VCE Whether you favor pasta, brick-oven pizza or eggplant parmigiana, head to Three Tomatoes Trattoria on March 16! VCE has been selected as Three Tomatoes' non-profit partner during March for their 2011 Sustainable Communities: Sustaining Change initiative. On one evening each month, Three Tomatoes features a non-profit group at each of its four restaurant locations: Burlington, Williston, Rutland, and Lebanon NH. For each dinner entree ordered by customers on March 16, $1 will be donated to VCE. This is a wonderful opportunity for VCE, both to spread awareness of our wildlife conservation work and to directly raise funds for it. We're very grateful to Three Tomatoes and hope to see many of you there on March 16! Chris Rimmer presenting a check. VCE Launches Dominican Fund to Protect Bicknell's Thursh In partnership with several Dominican conservation groups, VCE has launched an innovative fund to protect habitat of Bicknell's Thrush on Hispaniola. Read the Full Story * * * * VCE Publications Promote Conservation on Hispaniola VCE has published an important paper on birds of Haiti's highly-endangered La Visite National Park. This paper, in the current issue of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, highlights the fragile status of the park's remnant forests and outlines several immediate conservation actions that must be taken. Two recent outcomes of VCE's leadership of the International Bicknell's Thrush Conservation Group include a Spanish version of the Conservation Action Plan for Bicknell's Thrush and bilingual versions of proceedings from our November 2010 international workshop in Santo Domingo. Both are available online. 2011 Vernal Pool Volunteer Training Workshops These free workshops, conducted by VCE biologist Steve Faccio and Arrowwood Environmental ecologist Michael Lew-Smith, will begin with a brief introduction to vernal pools: What they are, how to recognize them, why they're important, and why we need to map them. They will also discuss the mapping project and how volunteers can get involved. The group will then venture outdoors to visit an active vernal pool during the height of the amphibian breeding season, and review field protocols for the Vernal Pool Mapping Project. Workshop Schedule Dress appropriately for the weather and wear hiking boots or muck boots. All workshops limited to 40 participants, please register early. Matt Stevens checking a Vernal Pool © Steve Faccio Wood Duck © Kent McFarland Record Your Sightings of Spring Arrivals on eBird! Your sightings can help scientists learn more about the changing world. Read how Kathleen Anderson's daily life is guiding conservation. Kathleen's Story Donate to VCE Online VCE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible. Don't forget to support VCE and bird conservation by buying Birds & Beans coffee. Follow VCE on Twitter, Facebook and our Blog. VCE Events February 22nd 10:15ish WDEV Radio (550AM or FM 96.1) Mark Johnson will interview VCE's Judith Scarl about the MBW program. * * * February 25th 7 PM Unitarian Church Montpelier, VT Judith Scarl will join the North Branch Nature Center's Naturalist Journeys Lecture Series. NBNC website * * * Wicked Big Puddles or Critical Wildlife Habitat A Slide Presentation by Steve Faccio on Vernal Pool Ecology and the VT Vernal Pool Mapping Project March 23rd 7 PM Proctor Library Sponsored by Rutland County Audubon March 30th 7 PM Pond Village Church Brookfield, VT Sponsored by the Brookfield Nature Club PO Box 420 | Norwich, VT 05055 US

Record Your Sightings of Spring Arrivals on Vermont eBird!

From 1960 to 2002 Kathleen Anderson recorded the first date each spring that migrating birds were seen on her property. For over 50 years Anderson has lived on a 100 acre farm just south of Boston and not far from the ocean. Everyday she was on her farm she recorded the birds, flowing plants, butterflies and amphibian choruses she encountered. Her observations were not systematic, but gathered as she enjoyed a walk or simply from the back porch.

Boston University biologists were able to extract her sightings from her vast journals, put them into a computer database and analyze them statistically. A nearby weather station showed that mean annual temperatures in the region climbed 3.6 F during the same time period. Could her records show species responding to the warming with earlier spring phenology?

There was enough data to look at 16 bird species, 3 plants, 3 amphibians and 2 butterflies. Five bird species showed significantly earlier arrival dates including, Wood Duck, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, House Wren, Ovenbird, and Chipping Sparrow. The strongest trend was for Wood Ducks, which arrived on average 32 days earlier than they did when Anderson first began recording her sightings. Hummingbirds arrived 18 days earlier. Overall, 22 of the 24 species they examined showed trends toward earlier spring activity, an overall average of 8 days earlier.

Kathleen Anderson had no idea that her records might be a piece in the climate change puzzle when she started to record her observations over 30 years ago. Perhaps your observations will help scientists learn more about the changing world too. Check out www.ebird.org/vt and consider adding your bird sightings too.

Source: Ledneva, A., A.J. Miller-Rushing, R.B. Primack and C. Imbres. 2004. Climate change as reflected in a naturalist’s diary, Middleborough, Massachusetts. Wilson Bulletin 116(3): 224-231.

Turtle populations affected by climate, habitat loss, and overexploitation: Year of the Turtle campaign is working to save these animals

The sex of some species of turtles is determined by the temperature of the nest: warm nests produce females, cooler nests, males. And although turtles have been on the planet for about 220 million years, scientists now report that almost half of the turtle species is threatened. Turtle scientists are working to understand how global warming may affect turtle reproduction. To bring attention to this and other issues affecting turtles, researchers and other supporters have designated 2011 as the Year of the Turtle.

Why should we be concerned about the loss of turtles?

“ Turtles are centrally nested in the food web and are symbols of our natural heritage. They hold a significant role in many cultures. For example, in many southeast Asian cultures turtles are used for food, pets, and medicine,” explains Deanna Olson, a research ecologist and co-chair of the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation steering committee spearheading the Year of the Turtle campaign.

Turtles (which include tortoises) are central to the food web. Sea turtles graze on the sea grass found on the ocean floor, helping to keep it short and healthy. Healthy sea grass in turn is an important breeding ground for many species of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. The same processes hold for freshwater and land turtles. For example, turtles contribute to the health of marshes and wetlands, being important prey for a suite of predators. The Year of the Turtle activities, include a monthly newsletter showcasing research and conservation efforts, education and citizen science projects, turtle-themed art, literature, and cultural perspectives, says Olson, a scientist with the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station.

Olson also co-authored a report, “State of the Turtle,” and created a new turtle mapping project for the United States. The report is being translated into other languages for use here and around the world.

“ A French translation of the report is already completed, and groups from Bangladesh and Germany signed on recently to help promote turtle conservation, and new partners join us each week,” explains Olson.

Here are a few quick facts about turtles:

• About 50 percent of freshwater turtle species are threatened worldwide, more than any other animal group.
• About 20 percent of all turtle species worldwide are found in North America.
• Primary threats to turtles are habitat loss and exploitation.
• Climate change patterns, altered temperatures, affected wetlands and stream flow all are key factors that affect turtle habitats.
• Urban and suburban development causes turtles to be victims to fast-moving cars, farm machinery; turtles can also be unintentionally caught in fishing nets.

What can be done to conserve turtle populations?

• Protect rare turtle species and their habitats.
• Manage common turtle species and their habitats so they may remain common.
• Manage crisis situations such as acute hazards (i.e., oil spills) and rare species in peril.

To read the report and learn more about the Year of the Turtle and how you can participate, please visit http://www.parcplace.org/yearoftheturtle.htm.

Press Release Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/news/2011/02/turtle.shtml

Windsor County Bird Quest Walk

The second in a series of Windsor County bird walks in the 2011
Vermont County Birding Quest is to be in Wilder from 4:00 PM until
dark on Saturday February 26, 2011. Spencer and Doug Hardy are to lead
in a 1.5 mile road walk over fairly level terrain in the village
section of Wilder to be followed by watching for waterfowl going to
roost below the Wilder Dam. This walk is free and open to the public.
Children accompanied by an adult are welcome. Bring binoculars and
scopes if available and dress warmly. This walk will not be held in
case of steady rain or hazardous driving conditions.

Road instructions: From Exit 12 off I-91 in Wilder, VT, turn east
towards Route 5. On reaching Route 5 (Hartford Avenue), turn left.
Continue to the fourth right turn onto Depot Street. Take the next
left (onto Norwich Avenue), and then an immediate right going over a
wooden bridge to Passumpsic Avenue. At Passumpsic Avenue turn right
toward the Wilder Dam and continue to the meeting site in the first
parking lot on the right.

Reporting Unusual Bat Behavior in VT and NH

Biologists are asking residents in Vermont and New Hampshire to report unusual winter bat activity. Bats afflicted with white nose syndrome may awaken from hibernation, leave their roosts in caves and mines apparently in search of food, and end up at residences, buildings, and other structures in an effort to escape the inhospitable winter temperatures.

"As a result, citizens living in regions near caves or mines with affected bats may witness unusual levels of activity and mortality of these animals," says Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department wildlife biologist Scott Darling. "Although the disease has decimated populations of some bat species, citizen reports of dying bats help us monitor the spread of the disease throughout the state. Last year, citizen reports of dying bats shifted northward as the disease moved to the Canadian border. It will be very interesting to see if the disease is continuing to infect bats, or if bat populations are now so low that there are few bats left to become sick."

To assist in the monitoring of the disease, the department is soliciting citizen reports of sightings of dead or dying bats, as well as unusual observations of bats flying in the daytime. Most easily, citizens in both Vermont and New Hampshire are asked to report their observations on-line by visiting the department's website and click on Report Sick-acting Bats.

VCE Contribution Launches Dominican Fund for Bicknell's Thrush Conservation

In partnership with several Dominican conservation groups, VCE launched an an innovative fund to protect habitat of Bicknell's Thrush on Hispaniola. At a February 9 event in Santo Domingo, Chris Rimmer presented a check for $2500 to Sesar Rodriguez of the Consorcio Ambiental Dominicano. A new "conservation" ice cream, Choco-Maple, created by Helados Bon was also officially unveiled at the event. Proceeds from sales of this new flavor, will be donated directly to the "Fondo Zorzal".

Following Loons by Satellite

We have a lot to learn about loon migration and wintering locations. This past summer, biologists from US Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (USMEC), caught 10 loons in Minnesota and Wisconsin and surgically implanted satellite telemetry units. These loons have been followed throughout the fall and winter with the movements posted at the UMESC website (http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/terrestrial/migratory_birds/loons/migrations.html). You can follow the movements of individual birds since they were banded or jump to their current locations (live). Most of the loons congregated on the Great Lakes for awhile in the fall before moving south to the ocean. The loons are currently found from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Carolina coast, with one loon staying on water somewhere in southern Indiana. This study was planned prior to the BP oil spill but it's urgency became all the more clear after the accident. Several birds are overwintering in the Gulf, thus following their movements now and in the spring will be of great interest. I'm guessing that attempts might be made next summer to re-capture them and assess their overall health. Eric Hanson, VLRP Coordinator

"Loons on Lake Dunmore" program

Lake Dunmore Vermont Loon Recovery Project volunteer, Mike Korkuc, is presenting a program on loons at 7pm this Thursday (Feb. 10) at the Ilsley Library in downtown Middlebury. Mike is on the lake almost every day all summer watching and photographing the loon family on Lake Dunmore and has some amazing stories to share as well as photographs. Eric Hanson, the VLRP biologist plans on attending along with former loon biologist, Sally Buteau. The Otter Creek Audubon Society is sponsoring the program.

One Million Bats Dead as Scientists Race to Find Cure

Conservationists across the United States are racing to discover a solution to White-Nose Syndrome, a disease that is threatening to wipe out bat species across North America. A review published in Conservation Biology reveals that although WNS has already killed one million bats, there are critical knowledge gaps preventing researchers from combating the disease.

WNS is a fatal disease that targets hibernating bats and is believed to be caused by a newly discovered cold-adapted fungus, Geomyces destructans, which infects and invades the living skin of hibernating bats. Since 2006 about one million bats across six species in eastern North America have died from WNS, and as a result several species of bats face endangerment or extinction.

“White-Nose Syndrome was first documented in 2006 in a tourist cave near Albany, New York. Dead and dying bats were then found in four nearby caves, 30 km west of Albany,” said lead author Janet Foley from the University of California, Davis. “By July 2010 G.destructans was identified in hibernating bats in 13 states as well as in Ontario and Quebec across the Canadian Border.”

Affected bat species include the endangered Indiana and gray bats (Myotis sodalis and M. grisescens), little brown bat (M. lucifugus) and the cave bat (M. velifer). Infection has also been confirmed in five species of bats in Europe, although no similar epidemic has yet been recorded.

The low temperatures and humid conditions of bat caves create ideal breeding grounds for this fungus, and in some bat colonies the mortality rate from WNS has been more than 95%.

“Some bats in infected bat colonies behave abnormally when infected, choosing to hibernate in exposed places, such as cave entrances or even flying during the day,” said Foley. “Bats regularly arouse from hibernation in order to drink, urinate and relocate. This causes them to burn up their only source of energy during winter, the body fats they stored prior to winter when insect prey was still available. Fungal infection might be leading to more frequent arousals from hibernation, causing infected bats to use up their fat reserves earlier, with potentially fatal consequences.”

Although the effects of the disease are all too apparent, there are critical knowledge gaps for researchers confronted with combating the disease. It remains unclear if G. destructans is the only pathogen involved, how it causes mortality, and its means of transmission. Some evidence suggests that people can move the fungus from cave to cave.

“Our study considers how epidemiology and disease ecology can help fill these knowledge gaps,” said Foley. “We believe that a roadmap including bat monitoring and disease surveillance, coupled with active research into finding ways to treat individual bats will be vital to combating this disease.”

“Based on current data, we believe that the culling of bats would be both premature and ill-advised. Instead we see efforts to conserve the genetic diversity of bat populations, combined with a program of educating the public to be key parts of the roadmap.”

Dr Foley’s team includes bat and disease ecologists from three different public agencies and academia and tries to make the point that creative, scientifically-sound ideas will be key to the success of any management plans. The group outlines an outbreak investigation framework that includes establishment of diagnostic standards, case definitions, and gathering of information on potential treatments for similar diseases.

The importance of monitoring bat population health is also stressed, as is improving public education and awareness of the disease, especially as many species of bats live in caves popular among tourists. If current declines in bat populations continue, the researchers expect strong reductions in the ability of bats to reduce insect pests and play important ecological roles in unique cave ecosystems.

The team also call for further studies of the chemical or biological agents that can kill the fungus, but have yet to be proven safe for bats.

“In the three years since its discovery WNS has changed the focus of bat conservation in North America,” concluded Foley. “A national response is required and our epidemiological roadmap is designed to help inform state and national efforts to combat WNS across North America.”

Source: Wiley-Blackwell Press Release at http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-90817.html

Journal Paper: Foley. J, Clifford. D, Castle. K, Cryan. P, Ostfeld. R, "Investigating and Managing the Rapid Emergence of White-Nose Syndrome, a Novel, Fatal, Infectious Disease of Hibernating Bats", Conservation Biology, Wiley-Blackwell, December 2010, DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01638.x

• http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01638.x/abstract