CCN Magazine, CA - Feb 4, 2008
The Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society has called for protection of a recently discovered site in Nigeria where millions of migratory swallows (Hirundo rustica) gather to roost each night.
Wildlife Conservation Society scientists say the site is only one of two known roosts in Cross River State, a coastal region in southeastern Nigeria. The site is approximately two kilometers outside of Cross River National Park. Preliminary surveys by WCS indicate that the site may attract millions of swallows and be of international significance.
The roost appears to be under threat of destruction from advancing farms and may require conservation measures to survive, according to WCS, which has already contacted park officials to see if the roost can be formally protected.
“The fact that swallows congregate in large numbers in the winter makes them vulnerable to hunting and could have a significant impact on numbers if protection is not given,” said Andrew Dunn, of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Nigeria Program. Swallows that winter in Africa migrate each spring to areas in Europe and Asia. While they are not endangered, their numbers are declining.
The other swallow roost in Cross River State, at a site known as Boje, is considered one of the largest swallow roosts in Africa. However, it has suffered in recent years from hunting by local people, who capture the swallows for food. Still, it remains an important destination for tourists who come to see the spectacle of millions of birds gathering in a relatively small area each night.
source: www.wcs.org
February 8th, 2008
Tampa Bay Newspapers, FL - Jan 31, 2008
Article published on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008
PINELLAS COUNTY - In the birding world, few species generate more excitement than does the Purple Martin, a swallow that is arriving now throughout Florida, with reports of scouts logged almost daily online.
Purple martins, the largest of the swallows in North America, are totally dependent on man-made housing and faithfully return to the same locations each year, so it’s understandable that human “landlords” anxiously await the return of “their” birds from wintering grounds in South America.
The earliest arrivals to the eastern U.S. occur in Florida and dates and locations are watched by martin enthusiasts nationally on an online data base – at www.purplemartin.org - maintained by the Purple Martin Conservation Association, a nonprofit conservation organization.
The earliest arriving martin in Florida this season occurred Dec. 22 in Naples, followed on Dec. 23 in Punta Gorda and Jan. 2 in Pembroke Pines.
While the southern-most locations tend to get the earliest arrivals, purple martins begin arriving in central and northern Florida after about January 15, according to a PMCA migration map. Migration is especially drawn out in Florida, with arrivals continuing into May.
Purple martins nest in colonies in gourds hung from large racks and in multi-compartment bird houses placed in open areas in yards. Colonies have returned to housing each year at golf courses at Walt Disney World for over a decade.
Adult male purple martins are glossy blue-black in color, which they obtain at age 2. Females are a bit drab, with a gray breast. One-year-old martins – so called “sub adults” - begin arriving 10 to 12 weeks later than the older birds in the South. These younger birds are more easily attracted to new housing locations.
The term “scout” is a misnomer, according to the PMCA. These earliest arrivals are simply experienced mature martins that have made the journey before and are eager to reclaim their housing.
The PMCA recently analyzed long-term data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and found that – thanks to devoted men and women who erect and maintain housing – purple martin populations overall are holding steady in North America.
However, there are declines in some regions, including much of Florida. The BBS surveys find that the species has been returning in slightly fewer numbers for many years throughout the state; perhaps as the tradition of erecting housing wanes – but martins are still fairly common in the state where housing is maintained.
While generations of Americans have hosted purple martins – the custom adopted from Native Americans who hung out nesting gourds – specific techniques to help a colony thrive emerged in the past decade, based on research conducted by the PMCA and landlords in the field.
Among innovations are deeper compartments to better protect nestlings from rain and from predators, and specially-shaped entrance holes designed to admit martins while restricting European starlings, an invasive, non-native species. The PMCA also recommends that landlords actively manage colony sites, including monitoring of nests for progress or problems.
Because purple martins are birds of the open sky - catching insects on the fly - the PMCA’s number one tip: place housing in the most open space available, but where the colony can be enjoyed and monitored.
More information about purple martins is available from the Purple Martin Conservation Association by calling 814-833-7656 or visit purplemartin.org.
February 6th, 2008
BBC News, UK - Jan 31, 2008
A worker drowned two swallow chicks at a building site at Gleneagles Hotel, Perth Sheriff Court has heard.
The birds, which were about one-week-old, were deliberately thrown into a puddle and killed by Polish labourer Zbigniew Dyrda.
Dyrda, 28, from Glenrothes, admitted carrying out the offence on 19 July last year and was fined ÂŁ110.
The Crown accepted his not guilty plea to a second charge of deliberately knocking the birds’ nest to the ground.
The court head how the chicks fell to the ground after the nest at the timeshare development was disturbed.
‘Totally unaware’
Fiscal depute Stuart Richardson said: “Attracting some interest among those employed there was a swallow’s nest which had been built.
“It was noticed there were young swallows in the nest. It would appear two of the chicks fell to the ground from the nest.
“The accused then picked them up and threw them into a large puddle of water, obviously killing them. Other workers noticed this and called the police.”
Solicitor Billy Somerville, defending, said: “He was working as a labourer with a company in the area. It appears the nest was accidentally dislodged.
“The two birds had fallen out of it and he didn’t know what to do. They were possibly only one-week old.
“I don’t think they would have survived falling out of the nest in any case, but he does accept disposing of them in the manner described.
“He was totally unaware he had committed an offence. He is currently unemployed having recently returned here from Poland.”
February 4th, 2008