Date:         Wed, 19 Mar 1997 20:11:13 -0800
Reply-To:     Biological Conservation and GIS <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Biological Conservation and GIS <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Patrick Moore <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Criminal Investigation Requested of Dep Interior Secretary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Wednesday, March 19, 1997 6:53 PM Robin Silver wrote:
 
 >The Southwestern willow flycatcher is the most endangered bird in the
> continental United States.  In 1993, there were approximately 500 pairs
of
> flycatchers surviving.  On February 27, 1995, the FWS formalized
protection
> of the flycatcher as endangered.  At that time, FWS concluded that there
> were approximately 300 - 500 nesting pairs.  FWS stated, however, that
> "Virtually all nesting groups monitored...[from the late 1980's to 1993]
> have continued to decline..."  By December 1995, FWS officials estimated
> that there were approximately 300 total pairs surviving.
>         There are now only five populations of 20 or more flycatchers.
Seventy
> five per cent of the flycatchers are now found in groups of five or less.
> The five populations of 20 or more flycatchers are located in California
at
> Lake Isabella and at Camp Pendleton, in Arizona at Roosevelt Lake and at
the
> lower San Pedro River, and in  New Mexico on the upper Gila River.
 
My Peterson Field Guides for Western NA and for Mexican Birds says that the
Willow Flycatcher is found from Alaska to Canada to sw and e.-cen US. and
winters from Mexico to Argentina.
 
Is the "southwestern" willow flycatcher a seperate species or just the ones
that live in that area?
 
Is the issue here one of loss of wetland and therefore loss of food supply
or is it nesting habitat?
 
Cheers
 
Patrick Moore, Greenspirit
4068 West 32nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC, CANADA
V6S 1Z6
e-mail [log in to unmask]
604-221-1990 ph.
604-221-1990 fax
May the Forest be With You
http://www.forest.org