Montana birds send warning about our water and wetlands

HELENA — Many common, favorite birds that depend on waterways, lakes, ponds and marshes - such as the Great Blue Heron - are in a steep decline in Montana, sending a warning about streams and wetlands that serve people and birds alike. These are the results of a recent analysis of four decades of citizen science organized by the National Audubon Society and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In Montana and across the U.S. Audubon volunteers have counted birds every winter and summer for decades. Together, this amounts to the oldest and largest all-volunteer annual wildlife survey on the continent.

A recent review of those data revealed startling declines in some of Montana's most common and beloved birds. For example, Great Blue Herons have declined 81 percent in Montana since 1967; the Blue-winged Teal, a small duck, has declined 72 percent; the killdeer, a shorebird that often inhabits urban parks and ponds, is down 80%; the Belted Kingfisher is down 88 percent; and a colorful songster, the American Redstart, is down 88 percent.

"If we listen, nature has something to tell us," said noted Montana bird expert Dan Casey of the American Bird Conservancy. "These birds all share two things in common: They all depend on wetlands or streamside forests, and they are all in steep declines."

"Montana's birds, such as waterfowl and Great Blue Herons, do more than just add beauty to our lives," said Rick Northrup, Statewide Bird Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "They reflect the diversity of native habitats unique to Montana, which are important to our way of life and our outdoor heritage."

Steve Hoffman, Executive Director of Montana Audubon, notes that 88 percent of Montana birds (370 of 421 species) breed in, nest or use wetlands and streamside areas at some time during their annual cycle, even though those features make up only four percent of the Montana landscape. These areas also benefit people by filtering out water pollutants and preventing floods, he said.

"As Montana grows and develops we see more and more pressure on our rare wetland and streamside habitat," Hoffman said. "Once we lose these places, it's difficult, if not impossible, to bring them back."

Hoffman says that everyone needs to be aware of the impacts global warming is having on Montana's wetlands and streams. Global warming has completely dried up many of the smaller-sized streams and wetland areas necessary for willow and cottonwood stands, which many birds especially the statuesque Great Blue Heron rely on for nesting.

"These birds are good indicators. When you see a steady decline of herons over 40 years, you know there's something going on," eludes Hoffman.

Hoffman said there are simple, common sense solutions to protect these areas, such as setbacks that guide developers away from rivers, streams and wetlands.

"We all need to do our part to reduce global warming and to reduce our carbon footprint," states Hoffman.

"We know that conservation works. During the past thirty years Montanans helped rescue the Bald Eagle from extinction. We can protect our clean water and wildlife habitat. After all, our water and our native fish and wildlife belong to all of us. Conservation efforts are needed by all citizens in Montana to help protect and improve Montana's wetlands and streamside forest habitats."

For more information on the Montana Audubon Society, visit their web site at: www.mtaudubon.org