IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS

CALIFORNIA’S IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM
Audubon California's Important Bird Areas Program, launched in 1996, surged forward in November 2000 with the initiation of the California IBA Report. Beginning in 2001, dozens of California field ornithologists, representing a broad range of agencies and affiliations, were interviewed and questioned about sites significant to bird populations in the state. These interviews and resulting suggestions were incorporated into a comprehensive assessment of the Important Bird Areas of California. The assessment was further reviewed by an IBA Advisory Board in November 2001, and released in a final draft form in December 2001. The final draft of the Important Bird Areas of California describes approximately 150 sites, which meet the criteria for identification as a California IBA. Examples of criteria include concentrations of sensitive species and large numbers of shorebirds.

Currently the Audubon California IBA Program is focused on publication of the IBA report, which was posted online for comment in 2001-2002. In addition to preparing the document for publication, Audubon California is also working with GreenInfo Networks, a California-based graphic-design firm, to develop GIS-based maps of the IBAs throughout the state. Interest in the IBA effort remains very high, and the program has allowed several agencies, including the National Park Service and the California Legacy Program, to use its analysis for conservation planning. The California IBA program also continues to use the IBA report to guide the centers initiative in locating future sites for Audubon Centers around California.

This network of California IBAs is a cornerstone of Audubon's conservation activities in California. Their identification is guiding conservation at the chapter, state, and national levels of Audubon, and serves to showcase noteworthy habitat to other interested groups and agencies. Over the coming years, Audubon will work with local chapters to conserve these sites and to develop systems to monitor their bird life.

FEATURED IMPORTANT BIRD AREA
Name: South Fork Kern River Valley IBA
State: California
County: Kern County
Nearest Community: Weldon

Site Description: The Kern River is one of the major rivers of the Sierra Nevada; its watershed extends from the highest point in the state south and west into the southern San Joaquin Valley. There are two main arms of the Kern, the North Fork and South Fork, which come together in Lake Isabella. Lake Isabella straddles five major bioregions: the Great Basin, the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada, the Central Valley, and Coastal California. The South Fork Kern River Valley contains elements of all of these ecological zones, as well as one of the largest and best-preserved examples of lowland riparian woodland (Fremont Cottonwood-willow) in the state. Other major habitat communities include Joshua Tree woodland, wet meadow, freshwater marsh, Mojave Desert scrub, desert chaparral, and annual grassland. Though much of the 10,000-acre valley floor is privately-held by large cattle ranches, several thousand acres are protected as conservation lands by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, National Audubon Society, and the California Department of Fish and Game.

Ornithological Summary: The South Fork of the Kern River Valley Important Bird Area is best known for supporting one of only a handful of large populations of Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo left in the U.S. (average 40 birds/summer). This area is also the locus of the Kern Red-winged Blackbird, a poorly-known race confined to the lower Kern River watershed. Also dependent on this IBA are California’s largest population of Summer Tanager (estimated 80 birds/summer), breeding Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (possibly containing the largest population of this Federally Threatened species), and breeding Brown-crested Flycatchers (five to ten pairs). The riparian bird community is exceptionally rich with 95 species documented as nesters out of over 130 species breeding in the entire valley. The wetlands in the IBA support large numbers of nesting Tricolored Blackbirds, and the Alkali meadows and wet grasslands support an interesting mix of species: White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Wilson's Snipe and Grasshopper Sparrow. The Kern River Valley is not only important in the breeding season but also during migration. Spring migration can be spectacular, with thousands of songbirds moving through the riparian forest in April and early May; fall migration is highlighted by the arrival of 30,000 southbound Turkey Vultures.

Conservation Issues: Parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds has been a major threat to the riparian songbird community. Efforts, during the 1990’s, to trap this species have proven generally successful with the notable exception of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher reproduction. Periodic inundation of the western three miles of riparian forest near Isabella Reservoir remains a threat (mainly in wet years), as does over-grazing by livestock on private lands adjacent to the reserves (mainly in dry years).

Research at the Kern River Preserve has been ongoing since the 1980s when The Nature Conservancy was the owner, and has resulted in numerous publications on the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and the Turkey Vulture migration. Most of the current work is coordinated by the Southern Sierra Research Station at the Kern River Preserve.

COLORADO’S IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM
Audubon Colorado’s Important Bird Areas Program has been in place since 1999. Housed at Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory during its first year, the program has been administered by Audubon Colorado since the spring of 2000. A seven-member Technical Committee has been established and to date has approved 53 Important Bird Areas throughout the state. The IBA Program Coordinator recently completed an analysis of the Important Bird Areas. This project addressed gaps in geographic area, species coverage, and habitat types in order to focus future site nominations and achieve more comprehensive coverage. Audubon Colorado has begun to shift its focus from site identification to on-the-ground stewardship and education projects at IBA sites. Recent stewardship examples include: a bobolink study at the Carpenter Ranch/Yampa River Preserve, youth clean-up efforts at Denver City Park Lakes, youth assistance with vegetation work at Chatfield State Park, and fall/winter bird surveys conducted by local Audubon chapters at four Important Bird Areas.

FEATURED IMPORTANT BIRD AREA
Name: Pawnee National Grassland
State: Colorado
County: Weld County
Nearest Community: Briggsdale, Colorado

Site Description (habitats): The Pawnee National Grassland consists of 193,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service property, interspersed with private land. This shortgrass prairie ecosystem consists of a transition zone known as the Chalk Bluffs and is bordered on the north by the High Plains (500 feet higher). Within the shortgrass prairie are the Pawnee Buttes, two 500-foot remnants of the High Plains. Vegetation is dominated by two short sod-forming grasses – blue grama and buffalo grass. Also present is western wheatgrass, sideoats grama, sand dropseed, and three-awn. Shrubs such as fourwing saltbush, chokecherry, and winterfat are common where soils are favorable. Trees are found mostly along creeks and in draws where more moisture is available. There are no perennial streams on the Pawnee, but a number of creeks flow during the spring and have potholes that provide water for varied lengths of time. Land use at the site includes nature and wildlife conservation, hunting, recreation, utility right-of-way, and research.

Ornithological Summary: Observations since 1962 have recorded 296 bird species at the Pawnee National Grassland. This IBA is one of the main breeding grounds in the world for Mountain Plovers a WatchList species. The Chalk Bluffs area is habitat for many raptors, including Ferruginous Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, and Prairie Falcon. Significant concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and landbirds are also found at this site.

Conservation Issues: Conservation issues facing the Pawnee National Grassland include: predation on Mountain Plover by swift fox, undetermined causes of decline of Mountain Plovers and other grassland species, and impact from increasing recreational use. In an attempt to address these threats and other questions, numerous groups and individuals have conducted research at this IBA including: the University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.

CONNECTICUT'S IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM

FEATURED IMPORTANT BIRD AREA
Name: Falkner Island Unit of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge (also known as Faulkner's Island)
State: Connecticut
County(ies): New Haven County
Nearest Community: Guilford

Site Description: Falkner Island is a crescent-shaped island approximately three miles south of Guilford, CT. It is the only vegetated "marine' island in Connecticut. It has been a part of the Stewart B. McKinney NWR since 1985, prior to that it was owned by the U.S. Coast Guard. The island consists of a rocky shoreline surrounding eroding sand/gravel upland. The upland habitats include mowed paths, Poison Ivy, other low brushy vegetation, and a small sumac stand.

Ornithological Summary: Falkner Island is one of the 'crown jewels' of Connecticut bird habitats. Since the 1960's, Falkner Island has been the site of the largest Common and Roseate Tern colony in Connecticut. It currently supports over 95% of the nesting Common Terns (3500+ pairs) in Connecticut. It is the site of one of the ten largest Roseate Tern (100-150 pairs) colonies in Northeastern North America (3% of the population), and is the only regular nesting location for this federally endangered species in the state. The island also provides stopover habitat for migratory landbirds, with the nearest land at least 3 miles away.The importance of the island to migrating shorebirds is yet to be fully studied, but is perhaps one of the most important wintering areas in Connecticut for Purple Sandpipers. Importance of surrounding waters to migrating and wintering waterfowl and diving birds needs further study.

Conservation Issues: Falkner Island faces a number of threats of which many are being addressed through current and ongoing research. Oil spills are a potential threat to the island's birds due to the proximity of shipping lanes. Natural predators present potential problems for a tern colony, and these effects are being studied. Invasive and exotic plants and animals are also potential conservation issue. European Rabbit colonies, previously introduced to the island, may add to existing erosion problems.

In 2000, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers enacted an erosion control project. In addition to stopping the erosion of the upper part of the island, it is hoped that the project will result in improved habitat for both Roseate and Common Terns. Effects of erosion control projects on the tern colonies are being investigated.

The island has been the site of the Falkner Island Tern Project (FITP) since 1978 and has been part of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center's (USGS) Cooperative Long-term Roseate Tern Metapopulation Project. This project receives critical support from partners including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Connecticut Audubon Society, State of Connecticut Department of Environemtnal Protection, Little Harbor Laboratory, and The Nature Conservancy.

Falkner Island is not only an important place for colonial waterbirds but also serves as a stopover for migrant landbirds. Staff from the USGS and the FITP have been banding the migrant landbirds to monitor their usage of the island.

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