Sunday, June 2, 2013

Backyard birds augur U.S. climate change

Better late than never, here's yet more evidence of climate change, at least in the U.S.:

The Audubon Society’s estimates rest largely on data supplied by volunteers in citizen-science projects like the Christmas Bird Count (first proposed in 1900, nine years after the first known use of the word “bird-watcher,” to set the hobby apart from the more traditional Christmas pastime of shooting birds). The birds in question have shifted an average of 35 miles north over a period of about 40 years -- seemingly insignificant in human terms, but a major move ecologically.

Not a good augury!

UPDATE (06.17.2013):  A recent article from New Scientist says that up to half of all bird species are threatened by climate change.


By Brian Kimberling
April 19, 2013 | New York Times

No comments: