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When I was a teenager we walked the banks of Utah's Jordan River and counted the birds for the Audubon Society during the Christmas Bird Count. Right after WW II, we recorded our maximum count. We saw 139 species of birds and many thousands of individuals.
Then construction of new housing moved in.
In just a few years the Christmas count for that area dropped from 139 species to 13 species. The river had considerable hunting pressure, but the majority of birds were not affected. Those species that were affected had habitat in which to hide when the bullets were flying.
Not all birds can maintain population in the face of hunting. That's why we now have laws outlawing the killing of birds. Hawks are particularly susceptible to hunting pressure. They are out in the open and can be killed by rifle fire from a great distance.
Many bird speicies along the river could tolerate hunting pressure. What they could not survive was the loss of habitat. Those species that could not find new habitat disappeared.
The sad thing was this: The habitat could have been preserved if someone had thought about it. Just how difficult is it to maintain habitat along the banks of a river? Do builders have to buy every inch of ground, remove all the foliage, and drive birds and other critters away?
You would think that maintaining the habitat, with walking paths for the new families moving in, would be something to be desired. There could be an economic advantage.
To learn more on the loss of habitat for birds and other wildlife go to: . The last 50 years have been devastating. Any bird watcher (birder) who was alive at the end of WW II can show you by his annual bird list, or will tell you, that birds are rapidly disappearing.
Here are some ideas to preserve our birds and wildlife:
1. Teach your children to never trap or kill birds and other wildlife.
2. Take them bird watching. Teach them the value of birds.
3. Visit local and even more distant wildlife preservation areas. See a refuge map at: . If you buy a Duck Stamp, you will save money on entrance fees.
4. Buy your children binoculars, telescopes, telescope cameras, magnifying glasses, bird books, and other items to create interest in wildlife.
5. Join a local club such as the National Audubon Society. Take part in the club activities. You will meet some nerdy but delightful friends. (Well, they are not all nerdy, just the best birders.)
6. Watch wildlife features on television. If they conflict with Wheel of Fortune, record them for later viewing.
7. Contribute to wildlife preservation activities.
8. Create a layout of your home and yard. Study ways to make your areas more wildlife friendly. Buy or build a few bird houses. Hang a feeder for song birds. Place feeders for humming birds. Plant bushes and foliage according to what you learn from books and the Internet. Make sure they are suitable to your area by visiting a local garden shop. Learn what you can do to your yard to promote wildlife and bird habitat at: .
9. Enjoy wildlife through photography. Grab a paintbrush and paint a bird on your mailbox. Teach your children to draw and paint birds or buy them a book on how to do it.
10. Have your community place wildlife provisions in building codes. Use local ordinances to protect all beneficial wildlife.
Once you take a personal interest in wildlife and wildlife management, things can only improve where you live. You will be a person that cares and changes things for the better. Life will be more meaningful.
Your children will continue your family tradition I taught my children how to identify birds. One of my sons is very busy in his medical practice but he often calls me when he sees a new bird species and he sends or emails me photos of birds and other wildlife.
Where does he see birds and wildlife? He sees them in his yard, but mainly in a park near his home.
If you create an environment for wildlife, you won't have to go that far to see it.
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