Transcript The Ipswich sparrow

Protecting our Coastlines
http://www.capebretonbirds.ca/rarebird.html
By: Leah Wagner, Seth Cole, Evan
Stuart, Avery Maskell, Lauren
McAuley Mentor: Kirsten Weagle
THE IPSWICH SPARROW
Coastal Birds
Nova Scotia is home to many species of costal birds
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Coastal birds play a vital role in our ecosystems
they eat all those pesky bugs like mosquitoes and
they spread plant seeds.
Some kinds of coastal birds of Nova Scotia are piping plovers,
terns, Ipswich sparrows, and cormorants.
open2.net
The Ipswich Sparrow
Larger than the common Eastern Savannah Sparrow,
with brown upper feathers and a white belly
 Threatened species
 No protection plan currently in place
 Exclusive to Sable Island, NS
 Only bird that breeds on the Island
 Feeds on seeds and insects
 Estimated population 3000-6000
 Nests by digging hole in dunes
and filling them with grass
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birdcapemay.org
Habitat & Migration
 Estimated population
3000-6000, all living in
NS
Summers on Sable
Island
 Migrates to coastal
Nova Scotia, and as far
south as Northern
Florida
Summer habitat
Winter habitat
Sable Island
located 300 kilometers southeast of Nova Scotia
42 km long and 1.5 km wide
Mild climate ( -13 to 25 degrees)
 Home to hundreds of feral horses, seals, and the threatened Ipswich Sparrow
Current development:
 4- man weather station
Declining Population
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Limited breeding area
Erosion of nesting grounds
Low population to start
Coastal Development near winter habitat
Human recreation
Eggs and young preyed by gulls
Sensitive to weather changes when migrating
http://www.greenhorsesociety.com/
Sable Island Development
Sable Island is proposed to be made a National park
This could mean :
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More frequent visitors
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Possible campsites on the island
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Boaters coming to the island
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General human disturbances and development
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Government management plans
Could this be another threat to the Ipswich Sparrow?
The Piping Plover Example
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The piping plover situation can be compared to the Ipswich sparrow
Due to human activities and costal development the Piping Plover is
currently listed as endangered
Nesting grounds destroyed by humans
Population declined more than 50% between 1986 and 2001
Only 5900 left
History repeats itself
Research, manage, educate
Time is of the essence
What can be done?
Now:
 Install secure nesting boxes in breeding areas
 Educate the public of winter habitations on our beaches
 Install sand fences and plant dune grass to slow erosion on the island
 Install fencing around nesting habitats that people will notice.
 Create suitable nesting areas away from any human activity
 Get a real number : count the actual number of birds left, and watch for
population changes ( It is currently not known the exact population)
 Track the population of the Ipswich
treesplace.com
What can be done?
When Sable Island becomes a National Park:
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Place warning signs around nesting areas.
Do not leave trash or food around nests as it attracts gulls that prey
on eggs
Limit access to nesting grounds
Secure nesting boxes to protect against predators
Ensure vehicles are not driven around nesting areas and encourage
nesting in safe areas
Ensure an official management plan is in place
Why Protect the Ipswich?
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A vital part of the ecosystem, which is like a puzzle: Lose a piece
and you miss the finished picture
Protect before the Ipswich becomes endangered
Every species plays a role which, no matter how unnoticeable, is
essential to all life in the area
Unique to Nova Scotia
This bird has no other home, so this one must be preserved
If it is, everyone will be able to enjoy the wild horses and this little
songbird!
Sources