In case you haven’t heard..

Larry

—–Original Message—–
From: National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line)
[mailto:BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.KSU.EDU] On Behalf Of Gail Mackiernan
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 5:41 AM
To: BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.KSU.EDU
Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Another potentially devastating hurricane for birds

Maria hit the island of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles as a category 5
storm with winds upwards of 150 mph. This was the first storm of this
magnitude to hit Dominica in recorded history. The initial reports are of
widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure, no word yet of
impact on the central forest reserve where so many of Dominica’s unique
birds are found. Species at risk include the endangered Imperial Parrot, as
well as the Blue-headed Hummingbird, Forest Thrush, Red-necked Parrot, Brown
Trembler, and Plumbeous Warbler. Some of these are found on other islands,
and some like the parrots, are endemic. Other islands are still in the path
of this huge storm, each with their own vulnerable birds.

Rightly, the initial concern and response must be for the beleaguered human
populations of these islands. But I fear for the wildlife as well, and think
we will be seeing some extinctions resulting from this terrible autumn in
the Caribbean.

Gail Mackiernan

Silver Spring, MD