Population declines for some of the most recognized and beloved birds in New York echo the disturbing findings of a new analysis by the National Audubon Society that reveals how local and national threats are combining to take a toll on birds, habitat and the environment across the country.

"These are not rare or exotic birds we're talking about-these are the birds that visit our feeders and congregate at nearby lakes and seashores and yet they are disappearing day by day," said Audubon chairperson and former EPA administrator, Carol Browner. "Their decline tells us we have serious work to do, from protecting local habitats to addressing the huge threats from global warming."

Adam Virgin, Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary executive director said, "The purpose of announcing this is that the data now covers a 40 year span, from 1967 to 2007, a 40-year reach. It is a really good data set for comparison." Of those "disappearing" birds, several are seen in this vicinity.

He said, locally we see the Greater Scaup populations that breed in Alaska, but winter in the Great Lakes and along Atlantic to Pacific Coasts are being hard hit by global warming induced melting of permafrost and invasion of formerly-southern species; populations are down approximately 75 percent over 40 years. Mr. Virgin said, "We see them here in the winter. They are affectionately called Blue Bills by birdwatchers, from baymen to hunters. They have blue bills.

"The good news is that we see them in the hundreds to thousands in the winter, from the beginning of fall to November to early March. It all depends on the severity of the winter: too much ice and they go into the Sound or further into the ocean where there is less freeze."

Another bird affected and that is seen locally is the Northern Pintail. According to the Audubon Society data, Northern Pintail populations in the continental U.S. are down nearly 78 percent due to expanding agricultural activity in their prairie pothole breeding grounds. "We may see them in a flock of other ducks - about half a dozen. This species is down 77-78 percent, over 40 years. We used to see many more of them," said Mr. Virgin.

Northern Bobwhite populations are down 82 percent and have largely vanished from northern parts of their range in Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and New England mainly due to loss of suitable habitat to development, agricultural expansion and plantation-style forestry practices. Mr. Virgin said, "It is an interesting story. There were more on Long Island. It was their neighborhood habitat. You would see them on farms in Smithtown and further east. But the Northern Bobwhite has been extirpated to other areas. Throughout the country the birds are declining due to overdevelopment. There is a race for open space and one of these losers, for lack of open space, is the Bobwhite. You would see them on a fencepost or in shrubs. Farmlands used to have that scrub habitat. Now with people building developments with McMansions you don't have indigenous habitat," he explained.

Mr. Virgin said, to encourage the birds, there are things you can do. The first is to use native plants that will both flower and fruit such as Flowering Dogwood and American Honeysuckle. "At the same time bring water into your yard with a small pond or a bird fountain. Create habitat using ground cover, shrubs, and trees and contact the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary or go online to the Audubon website and look up increasing habitat. That's what we are talking about."

The reasons for the declines in bird populations are difficult to pinpoint and there is "no smoking gun," said Mr. Virgin. But there are causes such as toxic poisoning from pesticides and global warming. Pesticides go up the food chain and they have seen dead robins from poisoned worms. The biggest cause of the declining bird populations is the loss of open space, said Mr. Virgin, adding, "We need to think globally and act locally."

He said at the TR Sanctuary they have 15 acres. They are presently removing the English Ivy and Pachysandra and are already noticing ferns growing in. They are also putting in Mountain Laurel. [Pine Hollow Road was famous for its Mountain Laurel when Edith Roosevelt Derby lived here. She was determined to keep them flourishing there and not developing that entrance into Oyster Bay.]

Mr. Virgin explained about the Mountain Laurel saying, "They are hard to start but closely related to dahlia and rhododendron that provide cover for birds. It keeps that micro-climate of what we have here on the north shore - shaded even though humid it stays cool with low canopy shrubs and bushes and is good for the ground - in this acidic ground." A good way to help the birds, he said, is by reducing your lawn while using native groundcover and shrubs.

Another bird disappearing is the Common Terns, which nest on islands and forage for fish near ocean coasts, lakes and rivers, and are vulnerable to development, pollution and sea level rise from global warming. Populations in unmanaged colonies have dropped as much as 70 percent, making the species' outlook increasingly dependent on targeted conservation efforts. "It breeds here on small islands. It is an indicator of the water quality and health of our fisheries. They strictly eat fish. Most of us think of sea gulls when we see them, but their voices and flights are different," added Mr. Virgin.

Number 14 on the list of disappearing birds is the common grackle. Mr. Virgin said, "People complain that they eat other bird's seeds. They are still seen in large numbers although they are declining - they are still considered a nuisance. We tell people there is a decline coming. This is not a doomsday prediction, it is a wake up call. We are beating the drums and saying take action because even in the case of things like the grackle - the numbers are diminishing.

"When we have a bird as common as the grackle declining it shows that some of our most common birds are declining. Today, people are counting the grackles in the tens of thousands not the hundred of thousands that they saw before. It is a drastic change and we have to find out what is happening and to take steps to keep the numbers from declining. They are like the canary in the coal mine, the grackle is telling us there is trouble.

"Without our most common birds telling us things are amok - the indicators become the elderly and children with breathing problems brought on by environmental causes. It is symbolic of what is going on," he said.

The national study found that continental populations of some common birds nosedived over the past 40 years, with several down nearly 80 percent. In New York, grasshopper sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and ruffed grouse topped the list, with statewide declines of between 98 percent and 83 percent. These figures are steeper than the national rates, indicating that the loss of these types of habitats is accelerated here in New York. These dramatic declines are attributed to the loss of grasslands, healthy forests, and other critical habitats from multiple environmental threats such as sprawl and changes in agricultural practices. The study notes that these threats may now be compounded by new and broader problems including the escalating effects of global warming and demand for corn-based ethanol.

Species especially hard hit in New York include: the grasshopper sparrow, eastern meadowlark, ruffed grouse, field sparrow. To address these population declines, Audubon New York is working with individuals across the state to monitor birds in Important Bird Areas and in their own backyards and to promote sound stewardship of public and private lands. "Since many of our declining common birds are found in grasslands that are privately owned, it is essential that we reach out to landowners with guidance and support for managing their lands in bird friendly ways," said Al Caccese, executive director of Audubon NY. "Our collaborative Grassland Bird Program is already making a difference for the species on this list by focusing our conservation efforts on the most significant grasslands areas and working hand in hand with landowners, providing them with habitat recommendations and incentives."

Audubon continues to advocate for legislation that protects the species most in need, and expand conservation and education programs to target the most threatened areas. "We recently hired a bird conservation coordinator to oversee our conservation efforts on Long Island, focusing on beach nesting birds like the common tern," added Caccese. "Additionally, our centers and sanctuaries serve as models for good habitat management practices, and our naturalists educate thousands of school children annually in an effort to inspire the land stewards and conservation leaders of tomorrow."

Audubon's Common Birds in Decline list stems from the first-ever analysis combining annual sighting data from Audubon's century-old Christmas Bird Count program with results of the annual Breeding Bird Survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. "This is a powerful example of how tens of thousands of volunteer birders, pooling their observations, can make an enormous difference for the creatures they care the most about," said noted natural history writer Scott Weidensaul. "Thanks to their efforts, we have the information. Now all of us - from birders to policy makers - need to take action to keep these species from declining even further."

Public response will shape the long-term outlook for New York's Common Birds in Decline. "Many of these population declines were driven by human changes to the landscape, and, fortunately, people have the power to make things better," says Michael Burger, director of Bird Conservation, who encourages people to the following things:

• Practice 'Audubon at Home' principles in your yard by reducing pesticide use, conserving water, removing invasive species and providing native plants that support birds and their forage insects as an alternative to lawns. Tips at www.audubonathome.org

• Support state and local smart growth planning and open space fundin[AN1][AN2]g initiatives to help us to identify and protect key habitat.

• Help track bird population trends and identify key habitats by taking part in bird inventory and monitoring projects, like the Great Backyard Bird Count, and using eBird to log bird sightings in your own backyard (www.ebird.org/ny).

• Combat global warming by reducing your energy use in your home by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, purchasing energy efficient appliances, and making smart transportation choices.

• Support New York legislation like the Community Preservation Act; Bigger, Better Bottle Bill; Wetlands Protection Act; increased funding of the Environmental Protection Fund; and measures to incentivize the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles.

• Join your local Audubon Chapter to learn about and help save birds in your community.

More information about Audubon's Common Birds in Decline analysis is available at www.audubon.org.

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Their national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.