The State of Montana lists over 60 birds as “species of concern,” including the threatened Piping Plover and the more seriously endangered Interior Least Tern and Whooping Crane. That is over 60 species that are at risk in Montana, and the biggest risk is loss of habitat.
“Habitat loss is now the single greatest overall threat to birds,” according to Howard Youth in “Winged Messengers,” published by Worldwatch Institute.
Floods, droughts, and storms affect birds and their habitat.
Habitat is lost to agricultural, residential, and commercial development; fragmented by roads, pipelines, transmission lines, as well as oil and gas wells. Some birds strike communication towers, electrical transmission lines, tall buildings, wind turbines, even fences and big windows.
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, “Dams, reservoirs, water diversion and other changes to river systems have eliminated most historic least tern nesting habitat.” That is also true of the piping plover. A poorly timed release from a dam, for example, can destroy nests and any eggs or hatchlings therein.
Disappearing species “tell us when a given natural system has been so abused that we should protect what is left of it,” explained Murray Gell-David Mann in a reprint of the classic “Last of the Curlew” about the Eskimo Curlew, which has not been seen in Montana, or anywhere, for more than fifty years.
Birds need us to respect their habitat.
We need to respect habitat! As Youth explained, “The actions needed to ensure a secure future for birds are the very same ones needed to achieve a sustainable human future.”
As the migratory birds return this spring and stay through summer, please respect the habitat that makes Montana a great place for birds as well as us. We all need clean air, clean water, a healthy environment, and a healthy climate.
Anne Millbrooke
Bozeman