The SJV E-Bulletin
Vol. 1, Issue 6
July/August 2004

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Conservation Easement at Península de Lucenilla, Ensenada de Pabellones
On 9 July 2004 the owner of Península de Lucenilla, located in AICA Ensenada de Pabellones on the central coast of Sinaloa, signed a conservation easement with Pronatura Noroeste. Península de Lucenilla is considered a priority site for bird conservation in Mexico. The total surface area of the protected region encompasses more than 6,500 hectares of beaches, dunes, mangroves, and tropical deciduous forest. The area has been declared a Private Land Conservation project by its owner under an agreement with Pronatura. Because of its diverse habitats, the area represents a unique bird conservation opportunity for Northwest Mexico. This unprecedented act will provide protection to this important site for the next fifteen years.

For more information about this and other of Pronatura’s projects in Sinaloa, contact Xico Vega.

Brown Pelican Woes in Southwest
Over the past month, a number of juvenile Brown Pelicans have turned up in various locations in Arizona, as far north as the Grand Canyon. Although a few birds generally show up in the state each year, this year’s exceptionally high numbers are unusual. Most birds that have been found are in poor condition and appear to be starving. Additionally, virtually all of the birds are first year birds. Brown Pelicans feed on small fish, such as sardines and anchovies. One theory is that these resources have moved further offshore into deeper waters, making it more difficult for young birds to find them. Marine mammals that share these food resources, however, appear to be unaffected. Birds in the Phoenix area have also been found injured after diving into cement roads and parking lots, presumably taking the paved areas for bodies of water.

Pelicans in California appear to be affected, as well. Over 100 young birds have washed up on beaches in California, weak, dehydrated, and near death. Biologists and other experts are unsure of the cause, but say that the birds act as though they are starving.

Webless Migratory Game Bird Research Program report available
Hard copies of the current issue of the Webless Migratory Game Bird Research Program report are now available. This issue contains abstracts primarily on sandhill cranes, doves and band-tailed pigeons, and woodcock. You may also express your desire to establish a standing order so that you automatically receive this annual report, which in past and future years will cover projects on “marshbirds” (rails, sora, moorhen, etc.). Contact Brad Andres.

New Director Named for Copper River International Migratory Bird Initiative
Jim Chu of the Forest Service International Programs has been named the new full time Director of the Copper River International Migratory Bird Initiative. Jim will help guide conservation efforts for the migratory birds of the Copper River Delta on the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. These birds migrate each year from the Copper River Delta as far south as Panama, stopping along the way in Canada, Washington, Oregon, California, and Mexico. Jim will establish new partnerships with public and private landowners, conservation organizations, cultural organizations, community leaders, and others, and help target projects on priority habitat sites and bird species along the Pacific Flyway. The work will coordinate closely with the Pacific Coast, San Francisco Bay, Central Valley, Intermountain West, and Sonoran Joint Ventures, as well as the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

The Copper River Migratory Bird Conservation Initiative is a partnership among the Chugach National Forest in Alaska, the Forest Service’s Alaska, Pacific Northwest, and Pacific Southwest Regions, Pacific Northwest Research Station, and International Programs as well as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Ducks Unlimited Mexico, and Ducks Unlimited Inc. Representatives of these organizations form a Steering Committee which guides the Initiative.

California Condors Hatch in Arizona
For the second consecutive year, California Condors have successfully hatched young in Arizona. Based on the behavior of the adult birds and nestling observations, biologists believe that each of the two nests (one at Grand Canyon National Park and on at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument) produced one nestling. These two new nestlings represent the second and third birds to be born in the wild in Arizona since the reintroduction program began in 1996.

New Education Resource Available on Web
BirdIQ (http://www.BirdIQ.com)is a bird conservation partnership between ConocoPhillips and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Together, they are protecting critical habitats and educating people of all ages about the importance of birds in our world.

The BirdIQ website is one-stop shopping for information and educational materials about birds. Visit here to be connected to conservation groups around the country that have posters, videos, curricula, and a wide variety of educational materials. Whether you want to learn more yourself, to share your education ideas, or to introduce your students, scouts, or neighborhood kids to birds, this is an excellent place to start.

Comments Sought for Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California have drafted an Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report evaluating the issuance of a 50-year incidental take permit for threatened and endangered species that may be affected by the operations and maintenance of the lower Colorado River. The agencies are making the reports available for review and are seeking public comment.

The LCR MSCP has submitted a draft habitat conservation plan to the Service together with a request for permission to take listed species. The Service has weighed the alternatives of issuing such a permit in the draft Environmental Impact Statement and Report and is now seeking public comments before making its decision on issuing an incidental take permit.

Written comments can be submitted to Mr. Steve Spangle at the address above (please telephone Service administrative staff at 602-242-0210 24 hours prior to hand- and courier-delivered packages) or by facsimile to 602-242-2513. All comments must be received by August 18, 2004.

SJV Awards Program Recipients Announced
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