Fw: "Michigan Purple Martin Conservation Related"

Mon Feb 4 14:23:08 EST 2008

FW: "Michigan Purple Martin Conservation Related"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: John Tautin 
To: fkaluza at sbcglobal.net ; birders at umich.edu ; birdeland at pasty.net ; MDietrich at senate.michigan.gov ; jnelson at getbolt.com 
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 1:09 PM
Subject: FW: "Michigan Purple Martin Conservation Related"

Hello, to All,

Thanks for your interest and concern for Michigan martins.

Considering that they cover 70,000+ birds, mammals, amphibians, etc., and deal with all sorts of population information, NatureServe does a pretty good job with species status designations, particularly at large scales .  But they are not perfect, and their Secure (Common, widespread, and abundant in the nation or state/province) designation for Purple Martins in Michigan - and some other states - should probably be  Apparently Secure (Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors.)  See http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranking.htm for more information on NatureServe's ranking system. 

Regardless of NatureServe's, or for that matter, anyone else's official designations, where we know from other information that a species has an existing or emerging, population problem in a region, it should not be ignored.  Essentially this is what we were saying in the next to last paragraph of our article in the last Update. 

In our next article, we'll talk about some things that might be done in regions where martins are in decline, emphasizing the importance of forming local and regional working groups modeled on the Western Purple Martin Working Group that has had some success in restoring Purple Martins in the Pacific Northwest.  Some positive developments have already occurred.  Last November we went to Minnesota to encourage the formation of a Minnesota martin working group.  We are pleased to report that one formed in January, and it includes important conservation partners like the state DNR and the state Audubon office .  This month we are going to Texas to the Partners In Flight conference to talk about the need to address regional declines in Purple Martins.  The Partners conference draws a large attendance from across the spectrum of agencies and ngos involved with bird conservation.  In March, we are going to Massachusetts to encourage the formation of a New England martin working group. 

Meanwhile, martins in Michigan need some attention through an organized effort.   I would encourage all of you to consider forming a working group.  It would seem that with Mark's Michigan Purple Martins project you already have a good platform for one. You already are doing some important, fundamental things like documenting the location of martin colonies.  PMCA would be happy to be a member of a Michigan working group if one forms, although practical considerations like travel would limit our direct, on-the-ground involvement.  

Thanks again for your interest.  Let's keep thinking and talking.

John Tautin
Purple Martin Conservation Association
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
301 Peninsula Drive, Ste. 6
Erie, PA 16505

jtautin at purplemartin.org
814-833-7656 

------ Forwarded Message
From: Tara Dodge <tara at purplemartin.org>
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 11:14:08 -0500
To: John Tautin <jtautin at purplemartin.org>
Subject: Fwd: "Michigan Purple Martin Conservation Related"

------
Tara Dodge
Purple Martin Conservation Association    
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
301 Peninsula Dr Ste 6
Erie, PA 16505

www.purplemartin.org
tara at purplemartin.org
814-833-7656

Begin forwarded message:

  From: "Fred Kaluza" <fkaluza at sbcglobal.net>
  Date: February 4, 2008 8:26:45 AM EST
  To: <birders at umich.edu>, "'Russell Emmons'" <birdeland at pasty.net>, "'Mark Dietrich'" <MDietrich at senate.michigan.gov>, <jnelson at getbolt.com>, <info at purplemartin.org>
  Subject: "Michigan Purple Martin Conservation Related"

  I recently received the latest edition of the "Purple Martin Update"
  magazine from the P.M.C.A.  Lately the organization has been exploring the
  conservation status of Purple Martins in their breeding range.

  I know some of the people I'm addressing this letter to are active
  Martin colony managers (or are trying to become one).  In this most recent
  edition, John Tautin has amassed a boat-load of data from different sources
  and I'm particularly noticing how in the opening figure, the shading applied
  to Michigan is a dark-green color indicating "secure".  There are 8 ranges
  including Presumed Extirpated, Possibly Extirpated, Critically Imperiled,
  Imperiled, Vulnerable, Apparently Secure, Secure and Not Ranked/Under
  Review.

  The map is said to have been formed from "NatureServe" data and it's
  later stated that this data comes largely from Breeding Bird Atlas surveys
  in the area.  Based on the observations and personal experiences of the
  majority of experienced landlords in Michigan and Mark Dietrich's efforts, I
  hardly believe this designation represents our actual conditions in the
  state.  After all, a picture is worth a thousand words and If we're to get
  any help in understanding and/or resolving our situation here, we'd better
  not be painting a rosy image when none is believed to exist.

  I realize that the article goes on to make a comment about declining
  populations in areas of the Midwest but compared to known levels in years
  past, I hardly think our state deserves a secure status, especially when
  people in perfectly suitable habitat have not so much as seen let alone
  attract nesting pairs in many years.  Perhaps Russ can educate us on how
  people performing the BBA surveys have decided all is well and good
  regarding Martin populations in the state.

  Additionally, does anyone know who was given credit for documenting
  our "new" and "only" Martin roost at the Pointe Mouille game area?  I made a
  few trips there attempting to confirm what the NEXRAD RADAR indicated but
  was never able to positively identify any flocks with thousands or
  tens-of-thousands of Purple Martins yet we're credited in the "update" with
  a roost now.  Comments?  Fred Kaluza in Warren

  In the end, we will conserve only what we love.
  We will love only what we understand.
  We will understand only what we are taught.
  -Baba Dioum (Senegalese Ecologist)

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