Monthly Archives: July 2009

Research Reports of Interest

After 10 days in Antigua and Barbuda, then a quick two-day trip to Salt Lake City, it is time for me to catch up on work. I am posting three research papers that some of our clients and readers will find interesting.

First, the USFWS has compiled the birding data from the 2006 national survey into a descrete publication. Titled “Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis.” According to the agency, the “report presents information on the participation and expenditure patterns of 48 million birders in 2006. Trip-related and equipment-related expenditures associated with birding generated over $82 billion in total industry output, 671,000 jobs, and $11 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue.”

This is a preview of Research Reports of Interest. Read the full post (317 words, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)

Utah’s Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve

Black-necked Stilt

This week is the annual summer outdoor retail trade show in Salt Lake City. I am speaking (on behalf of National Audubon) this afternoon on a panel discussing birding. What else should we panelists do than go birding before hand? Local Audubon staff arranged for a trip out to the Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve last evening, and we were able to spend a couple of hours touring this fascinating wetland.

This is a preview of Utah’s Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve. Read the full post (432 words, 1 image, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Caribbean Caper and the Barbuda Warbler

Barbuda Warbler

I have just returned after spending a week in Antigua and Barbuda, attending the Society for the Study and Conservation of Caribbean Birds conference. I had been invited to give the keynote address, and simply could not say no to another opportunity to meet with the various bird conservation interests in the Caribbean. I had last met with the group in Tobago in 2004, and I wanted to reacquaint myself with old friends and the important work they are engaged in across the Caribbean islands.

This is a preview of Caribbean Caper and the Barbuda Warbler. Read the full post (816 words, 3 images, estimated 3:16 mins reading time)

Birding Barbuda – One of a Kind

As stated earlier, I have traveled to Antigua-Barbuda to speak about sustainable travel and recreation. Arriving on the 12th, I (along with my wife and grandson) took part in an all-day field trip to Barbuda. We were join by nearly 20 participants on this all-day trip to the island. After a short flight from Antigua, we were joined by our guides and spent the day scouring the island for a variety of birds. Of particular interest were the breeding Magnficent Frigatebirds in the Codrington Lagoon (a RAMSAR site), and the endemic Barbuda Warbler (a species that exists no where else in the world).

This is a preview of Birding Barbuda – One of a Kind. Read the full post (439 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Let There Be Ducks

Green-winged Teal

The preliminary estimate of total ducks from the 2009 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey was 42 million, which is 13 percent greater than last year’s estimate and 25 percent greater than the 1955-2008 average.

The entire report is available on the USFWS Migratory Bird website.




Permanent link to this post (49 words, 1 image, estimated 12 secs reading time)