Bill Stripling Twenty North American common birds have more than halved in number in the last four decades. The National Audubon Society (BirdLife in the US) found that Northern Bobwhite fell most dramatically, by 82%. Zoom In | Hi-Res

BirdLife News Round-up: September 2008

15-10-2008

Birds indicate the way forward…

BirdLife International has earned the reputation of a world leader in identifying global conservation priorities. This was illustrated in September by State of the Worlds Birds, a new publication and website (birdlife.org/sowb) which was launched at our fantastic World Conference in Buenos Aires.

State of the World’s Birds details the scientific evidence behind BirdLife’s conservation work, and contains some pretty stark messages. It explains how common birds are in decline across the world, providing evidence of a rapid deterioration in the global environment that is affecting all life on earth. This is being caused by many global threats, including the intensification of industrial-scale agriculture and fishing, the spread of invasive species, logging, the replacement of natural forest with monocultural plantations, and climate change. (Birds indicate biodiversity crisis…).

Despite such hard hitting messages, looking at BirdLife’s news in September, it’s hard not to feel positive. We know conservation works - and the biggest global alliance of conservation bodies is putting it to work across the world.

BirdLife Partners are meeting-up, planning and acting to help threatened species (Delegates discuss flyway conservation; Captive breeding proposed for Palmyra's Northern Bald Ibis). We’re helping to identify and protect key sites (Argentinean urban reserve gets Important Bird Area status; Canada makes giant leaps in site protection; Timor-Leste's first national park will protect the community's "wealth"). We’re campaigning (Business answers conservation call; Iron grip closes on Langebaan lagoon; CAP post 2013 - last call for sustainability?) and we’re not scared to face up to bullies (Scientists axed in battle of flamingo dam).

Perhaps most importantly of all, we celebrate great work (Bird Conservation International celebrates Colin Bibby; BirdLife Awards announced). Bird populations may be in their worst state ever, and world governments may be failing their 2010 pledge to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity. But with great work being produced by the BirdLife family all the time, it’s hard not be positive.

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