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Northern Pintail, a Common Bird in Decline

The 107th Summary of the Christmas Bird Count.

These are challenging times that require the resources of many of our friends to continue to support our citizen-based bird research and conservation initiatives if we are to make progress in saving declining habitat and our imperiled birds. We need your help now, more than ever.

Recently, we completed the first ever large-scale population analysis combining annual sighting data from Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count with results of the annual Breeding Bird Survey. This State of the Birds Report, Common Birds in Decline, revealed that populations of some of America’s most beloved birds have taken a precipitous nosedive over the past forty years. This would not have been possible without the help of numerous volunteers.

A second part of our State of the Birds work is the 2007 WatchList, which was released in the 107^th CBC issue of American Birds. This report focuses on rarer species, some of them on the brink of extinction. We report on successful conservation efforts for many of these species, as well as on several species that need immediate attention because of severe population declines.

Press conferences for Common Birds in Decline and WatchList 2007 sparked enormous media coverage in local and national markets. The interest and response to these reports has been overwhelming, including a strong editorial in the New York Times.

Our Important Bird Areas (IBA) initiative identifies places critical for the long-term protection of WatchList species and places that host high concentrations of birds during migration. We are now working to prioritize IBAs, monitor their status, and implement conservation protection strategies, and continue to work closely with partners in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America to work toward conservation at IBA sites through the species annual cycle.

Audubon Science plays a large role in fostering stewardship of our natural world in others by providing vital information and ways to become involved, but it comes at great expense. I invite you to go online and make a generous gift to Audubon Science during our Annual Appeal. The increasing threats from habitat loss and degradation and global warming make it ever more urgent for us to engage your support.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,

G. Thomas Bancroft
Chief Scientist

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View a summary of Audubon Science program accomplishments in 2007

Please Note: I would be delighted to send you the new book, Bird. The Definitive Visual Guide, for your gift of $500 or more, by June 30, 2008. This unique photographic encyclopedia features thousands of outstanding color photographs, drawings, and maps illustrating the origins of birds, key birdwatching locations, as well as offering graphic information on anatomy, flight, feeding, communication, breeding, habitats, migration, and life cycles along with an audio CD of 60 bird songs and calls.

12/07