Partners in Flight was created in 1990 due to concern over the status of neotropical migratory songbirds. : Partners in Flight was created in 1990 due to concern over the status of neotropical migratory songbirds.


Slide3: Neotropical migrants are birds that breed in temperate North America and spend the winter in the New World Tropics.


Slide4: Migration Routes 1. Circum-Gulf 2. Trans-Gulf 3. Islands


Neotropical migratory birds that breed in North Carolina include:: Neotropical migratory birds that breed in North Carolina include:


Slide6: Prairie Warbler shrub-scrub specialist


Slide7: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher mid-canopy specialist


Slide8: Purple Martin cavity nester


Slide9: Barn Swallow aerial forager


Slide10: Ruby-throated Hummingbird


Neotropical migratory birds face a variety of threats year-round:: Neotropical migratory birds face a variety of threats year-round: on breeding grounds on wintering grounds during migration


The Breeding Grounds: The Breeding Grounds Loss or alteration of breeding habitat Hundreds of acres in the Southeastern U.S. are lost each day to development for new homes, industry and roads.


The Breeding Grounds: The Breeding Grounds Loss or alteration of breeding habitat Cowbirds


Slide14: lay eggs in other birds’ nests host birds incubate cowbirds hatch before hosts and are larger cowbirds outcompete host young for food many host young either do not survive or fledge in poor condition female cowbird can lay 40-80 eggs in a season Cowbirds are obligate brood parasites


The Breeding Grounds: The Breeding Grounds Loss or alteration of breeding habitat Cowbirds Natural nest predators What’s for dinner?


Slide16: many predators, such as raccoons, patrol edges where two habitats come together some predators find and eat bird eggs and young other nest predators include crows, blue jays, rat snakes and other small mammals


The Breeding Grounds: The Breeding Grounds Loss or alteration of breeding habitat Cowbirds Natural nest predators Cats


Slide18: Keep your cat indoors if at all possible! Here, kitty-kitty!!


Slide19: The Wintering Grounds loss or alteration of winter habitat slash and burn techniques lead to deforestation hundreds of acres are cleared each day in tropical areas habitat is often cleared for agriculture


Slide20: Agriculture, such as sun coffee, creates problems for migrant and resident birds in tropical countries: sun coffee plantations support little in the way of insects needed by foraging birds agricultural tracts are often heavily treated with pesticides including DDT


Slide21: The Wintering Grounds loss or alteration of winter habitat human population growth Human population growth takes quality habitat from birds.


Slide22: Migration loss or alteration of stopover habitat stopover areas along coastlines have been altered or destroyed birds can’t rest and refuel after migration without stopover areas


Slide23: The Indigo Bunting is an example of a migratory bird that flies non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico during Spring and Fall migration.


Slide24: Migration loss or alteration of stopover habitat loss or alteration of travel corridors Birds often use riparian corridors during migration.


Slide25: The Prothonotary Warbler relies heavily on riparian areas during migration and breeding.


Slide26: Migration loss or alteration of stopover habitat lack of adequate food sources loss or alteration of travel corridors Pesticides and habitat loss often create a “food shortage” for migrating birds.


Slide27: Migration loss or alteration of stopover habitat lack of adequate food sources collisions with towers and buildings loss or alteration of travel corridors


Slide28: Millions of birds are killed each year when they run into buildings, towers and even aircraft.


Slide29: Migration loss or alteration of stopover habitat lack of adequate food sources collisions with towers and buildings loss or alteration of travel corridors storms


Slide30: Hurricanes and other strong storms can prove fatal to migrating birds.


Slide32: Partners in Flight in North Carolina is coordinated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission


Slide33: NCPIF has local, state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, industry, academia and others watching out for birds.


Slide34: US Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service US Forest Service NC Natural Heritage Program NC State Parks NC Museum of Natural Sciences The Nature Conservancy Audubon NC Dept. of Defense Colleges/Universities Forest Products Industry Local governments Wildlife Commission


Vision Statement: Vision Statement Through a network of partnerships, help provide for effective conservation of North Carolina’s migratory birds and the diversity of habitats upon which they depend.


Slide36: North Carolina Partners In Flight is a cooperative effort involving government agencies, private industry, conservation organizations, the academic community and citizens to further bird conservation. The primary focus of the NCPIF program is to coordinate and promote education, habitat conservation and monitoring and research efforts among partners. Mission Statement


Slide37: NCPIF Goals and Objectives Conduct and facilitate cooperative special events throughout North Carolina


Slide38: Events include: Annual meeting Steering Committee meetings Working group meetings Cooperative meetings International Migratory Bird Day


Slide39: NCPIF Goals and Objectives Conduct and facilitate cooperative special events throughout North Carolina Promote and facilitate communication and cooperation regarding furthering migratory bird conservation in North Carolina


Slide40: The NCPIF web site, newsletter and other educational materials provide information about migratory birds.


Slide41: Wildlife Profiles of 20 neotropical migratory birds are also found on the NC PIF web site.


Slide42: NCPIF Goals and Objectives Promote, support, and relay information relating to research, education and habitat conservation for migratory birds Conduct and facilitate cooperative special events throughout North Carolina Promote and facilitate communication and cooperation regarding furthering migratory bird conservation in North Carolina


Slide43: The Citizens Guide to Migratory Bird Conservation promotes the conservation of migratory birds.


Slide44: NCPIF Goals and Objectives Conduct and promote training for natural resource professionals and others on bird identification, habitat management and natural history


Slide45: Volunteer !


Slide46: Volunteer Opportunities Monitoring efforts Research projects Bird banding Point counts Breeding Bird Survey


Slide47: Volunteer Opportunities Monitoring efforts Make your property bird friendly Use native plants


Slide48: Use a variety of feeders


Slide49: Brush piles provide cover and escape areas.


Slide50: Water sources are essential for birds. This could be a simple bird bath or a decorative water garden.


Slide51: Volunteer Opportunities Monitoring efforts Make your property bird friendly Educate yourself Attend bird workshops Join a bird club Read about birds


Slide52: Volunteer Opportunities Monitoring efforts Make your property bird friendly Educate yourself Donations To help NC PIF, you can contribute directly to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund of the NCWRC. For more information, contact (919) 733-7291 or www.ncwildlife.org


Slide53: Volunteer Opportunities Monitoring efforts Make your property bird friendly Educate yourself Donations Learn more about NCPIF www.faculty.ncwc.edu/mbrooks/pif/ Mark Johns Partners In Flight Biologist johnsme@mindspring.com