https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/global-warming/mid-holocene-warm-period
https://phys.org/news/2008-10-ice-arctic-ocean-years.amp?__twitter_impression=true The Arctic was warmer due to orbital parameters back then, not an enhanced greenhouse effect, or slightly warmer sun like today. I believe the Earth's obliquity was larger, meaning more sunlight in summer. Anyway, our species are still around that nest in the Arctic so they somehow survived this warmer period up there. Now we will never know if it caused a decline in species and what species in particular. Are other shorebird species declining as migrants in NY? I don't have a firm grasp on this at all. It is just based on qualitative impressions. (maybe someone else does?) I remember easily seeing 50-100+ pectoral sandpipers at Knox-Marcellus marsh back 5 years or so in the fall. Now it is hard to get more than 30. Many times it is just a dozen or so of late. These are just my observations and could be off. I know the pectoral sandpiper also is a spring migrant through the plains and midwest. Baird's Sandpiper, another spring migrant through the Plains, always seems like we get just a few here and there each fall in NY and I don't see much change there. Buff-breasted sandpipers, another similar migrant, always seems to be reported here and there and is even more rare. I also just read a scientific study that suggests American Golden-Plovers do not avoid wind farms. "Homoya, W., J. W. Moore, P. J. Ruhl, and J. B. Dunning (2017). Do American Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis dominica) avoid wind-energy turbines in agricultural fields in Indiana during spring migration? Wilson Journal of Ornithology 129:863–871." But there is no evidence that the turbines are killing birds. The sighting of the wind farms is probably the most important aspect for bird conservation. That is why it is important for local birders and bird organizations to be aware of placement of said wind farms. I guess my main point is we can't get complacent about green energy. We can't make the assumption that it will be "good" for our birds. It has to be sited properly and away from important habitats for our migrants. But you still see this stuff https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2020/04/09/ny-strikes-down-wind-farm-objections/2970483001/ I know there was much outcry from the birding community since this is a major golden eagle migratory pathway and now there will be wind farms all around. The state also blew off the local residents in Windsor that don't want this. Anyway, this could get ugly in the future if we increase our wind farms by 4 times. Dave Nicosia On Sat, Oct 24, 2020 at 6:01 AM Joseph O'Sullivan <[email protected]> wrote: > What paleoclimate study or studies come to the conclusion that the Arctic > was 2-4c warmer 8000 years ago? I would like to read those reports. Could > you provide a link? > > On Fri, Oct 23, 2020 at 7:59 PM David Nicosia <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> All, >> >> In Broome Co we have been fortunate to have had a great year for the >> AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. That is most definitely related to the drawdown of >> Whitney Point Reservoir which empasses ebird hotspots of Upper Lisle Co. >> Park, Dorchester Park and Keibel Rd. But, based on looking at Bull's >> comment from his 1974 publication and many of you chiming in on how much >> less common this bird is, what could be causing this decline? The only >> thing that has changed significantly for this species , especially in the >> last 10-15 years, is the proliferation of wind farms in the central Plains >> and midwest. This is a major migratory pathway for this species especially >> in the spring and still even in the fall. The rapid and continued rapid >> deployment of wind farms in fields where these birds forage and rest on >> their way to the Arctic likely has something to do with the population >> declines. The Arctic has not warmed much since 2010 and the fact that the >> Arctic was 2-4C warmer 8000 years ago vs today based on paleoclimate >> studies suggests that this is not a major factor.... at least yet. Winter >> grounds look similar and I could not find anything published related to a >> use of a new pesticide or herbicide down there. They also like the wetter >> areas on their winter grounds that are grazed by cattle which hasn't >> changed much. So unless the declines are cyclic related to availability of >> other prey for predators (lemmings etc) the only other thing to consider is >> the rapid increase in wind farms in a major migratory pathway for this >> species. I think as birders we have to be careful supporting wind farms. >> Wind farms and solar farms Which can destroy a lot of field and forest >> habitat DO have an impact on birds. And energy companies don't care about >> this stuff, they want to make money. My contention is that wind farms are >> what is causing the declines in the golden plovers and other shorebirds >> passing through the middle of the country. With projections of a 4 times >> increase in wind farms by 2050, this could be a major issue. If our country >> goes through with this without a commitment from China, Russia or India to >> reduce CO2 emissions it will all be a waste. So in summary I don't agree >> with Audubon's position on renewable energy. I think it could have major >> negative impacts for our birds. A climate that is gradually warming likely >> will help birds, not hurt them. Summers without cold rainy periods are good >> for nesting. A warmer less stormy arctic is good for arctic >> nesting shorebirds. When we had a very chilly summer with leftover snow in >> the Arctic a few years back I remember the nesting season was proclaimed >> really bad by researchers up there. So let's be very careful about >> supporting renewable energy when it leads to destruction of habitat and >> literally death of our birds. I am concerned about the future related to >> this. >> >> Dave >> -- >> *NYSbirds-L List Info:* >> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> >> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> *Archives:* >> The Mail Archive >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html> >> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> >> ABA <http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01> >> *Please submit your observations to **eBird* >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>*!* >> -- >> > -- > Sent from Gmail Mobile > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
