BirdLife: The Magazine September 2017 | Page 18

GOING SOUTH Visit flywayfriends.birdlife.org Email [email protected] Call +44 (0)1223 747 524 BIRDS OF THE ATLANTIC AMERICAN FLYWAY SAVE AMERICA’S SHOREBIRDS In total, 395 species are known to use the Atlantic Americas Flyway — although two of them, Eskimo Curlew and Bachman’s Warbler, are possibly extinct. Combined, these migrants pass through 46 different countries, triggering over 500 Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) FROM CANADA TO ARGENTINA, WE’RE PROTECTING THE AMERICAS’ MOST VITAL HABITATS FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS Fiona Dobson RED KNOT Calidris canutus Red List status: Near Threatened Migration range: From the Canadian Arctic to the southernmost tip of South America; a remarkable 30,000 km round trip. Threats: Coastal development, overexploitation of shellfish and the ever-present threat of sea level rise. Fast fact: It doubles its body weight by gorging on horseshoe crab’s eggs to refuel for the final leg of its northbound journey. CERULEAN WARBLER Setophaga cerulean Red List status: Vulnerable Migration range: From eastern North America, to northern and north-west South America. Threats: Mountaintop mining in the Appalachian Mountains carves away at its main breeding grounds. Fast fact: Female birds sometimes “bungee-jump” out of the nest, only opening their wings to fly after moments of freefalling. CANADA WARBLER Cardellina canadensis Red List status: Least Concern Migration range: From southern Canada to north-western South America, via Mexico and Central America. Threats: Deforestation, forest fragmentation, and the drainage of wetlands for urban development. Fast fact: The striking black markings draped across its yellow throat and breast have earned it the nickname “Necklaced Warbler”. PIPING PLOVER Charadrius melodus Red List status: Near Threatened Migration range: From the Great Plains, Great Lakes and Atlantic coast of North America down to the Carolinas and Gulf Coast, occasionally reaching the Caribbean. Threats: Coastal development and beach disturbance. Fast fact: These plump little birds can pack a punch; birds trespassing in their nest site should be prepared for a sharp peck or two! Photo Luka Hercigonja/Shutterstock Photo Ed Schneider/Shutterstock Photo Jayne Gulbrand/Shutterstock Photo Paul Reeves Photography DONATE TODAY AND HELP MAKE THE DAUNTING JOURNEY THESE INCREDIBLE LONG-DISTANCE FLIERS FACE THAT MUCH SMOOTHER Yes, I support BirdLife’s Atlantic Americas Flyway Campaign I would like a receipt Title_____________ First name________________________ Last name______________________________ Address__________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________Postcode/zip code________________________ Telephone___________________________ Email address_________________________________________ BAHAMA SWALLOW Tachycineta cyaneoviridis Red List status: Endangered Migration range: From the north to the south of the Bahamas and to eastern Cuba, occasionally via the Florida Keys. Threats: Housing developments, competition with invasive bird species and the threat of stronger and more frequent hurricanes due to climate change. Fast fact: A group of swallows is known as a “gulp”. BOBOLINK Dolichonyx oryzivorus Red List status: Least Concern Migration range: From grasslands across North America to central South America, via “island-hopping” through the Caribbean. Threats: Habitat damaged by spread and intensification of agriculture, especially the expansion of biofuels production. Fast fact: Only American bird that has a white back and black underside. BACHMAN’S WARBLER Vermivora bachmanii Red List status: Critically Endangered Migration range: Possibly now extinct, previously migrated from south-eastern USA across to Cuba. Threats: Drainage of swamplands, clearance of cane thickets and the conversion of much of Cuba’s sugar cane plantations. Fast fact: Last seen in 1937, this little yellow songbird may yet be clinging to existence in the tiny areas of suitable habitat that remain. ESKIMO CURLEW Numenius borealis Red List status: Critically Endangered Migration range: Possibly now extinct, previously migrated from the northern reaches of mainland Canada and Alaska all the way to the Argentine pampas. Threats: Near total loss of prairie habitat to agriculture, combined with large-scale hunting in North America until 1916. Fast fact: It also goes by the less charismatic name of “Prairie Pigeon”. Photo Craig Nash Photo Paul Reeves Photography Illustration Louis Agassiz Fuertes Photo Jim The Photographer/Flickr I am happy for BirdLife to contact me occasionally about appeals by I wish to make a gift of £/€/$ __________________________ I enclose a cheque made out to BirdLife International We accept cheques in GB sterling, Euros and US dollars Please use my Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Switch: Credit card amounts can only be debited in GB sterling Card no. Start date Expiry date Issue no. CVV Cardholder's name Signature Date email post phone no, thank you. I have made a bank transfer to Barclays Bank, 9-11 St Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AA, UK to the following BirdLife International Account: £ Pounds Sterling: Account no. 00064564 Sort code: 20-17-19 SWIFT: BARCGB22 IBAN: GB90 BARC 2017 1900 0645 64 € Euros: Account no. 54243766 Sort code: