Hi Mark & other Mnbirders, It is true that remnant populations of Attwater's Prairie Chickens have suffered significant mortality from flooding due to hurricanes. There is no reason to worry about the Whooping Cranes, however, because they are still up in Canada at this time of year. The first whoopers don't arrive on the Texas coast until mid-October, with the bulk of the population arriving on the wintering grounds by early November. Hurricanes have significant destructive potential, but they also bring much-needed rain to dry areas and help recycle water and nutrients through estuaries and wetlands. Hurricanes may seem bad, but they are not all bad. The Whoopers will be fine. The main problem for the Attwater's Prairie Chickens is and has been for decades, that they have no remaining native habitat. With or without Hurricane Rita, APC is probably doomed. For those who believe in the continued existence of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, however, this might be a good time to say a little prayer for them, because it looks like this storm may wind its way north through the forests of east Texas and western Louisiana and Arkansas. Birds with marginal populations like the APC and the IBWO are particularly vulnerable to the effects of a single destructive storm or other catastrophic event. Sincerely, Byron Stone, Austin (Tx)
-----Original Message----- From: Alt, Mark <[email protected]> To: [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 10:18:16 -0500 Subject: [mnbird] Hurricane risks for wildlife I am very familiar with the area to the south of Houston and Galveston, which it appears may be ground zero this Saturday. Birds who have existed at critical population levels for years may get cleaned out, namely the Whooping Cranes and Atwater Prairie Chickens. A 25 foot tidal surge here would meet with no resistance...
