[BCNnet] Contemplated change in Piping Plover and Kirtland's Warbler Status

[Judy Pollock]

Forwarded message - interesting note on Piping Plover status questions

BirdLife International is soliciting comments on proposals to downlist IUCN
status for Kirtland's Warbler and Piping Plover from Vulnerable to Near
Threatened. They would like comments from North American experts on these
proposals and especially would like to have comments posted at:
http://208.185.149.227/WebX?13@47.ou1RaQ3cbAv.0@.1de4282b so that they can
ensure that they are made part of the formal record that they maintain to
document each species' status.

People with expertise with these species are encouraged to consider commenting
so that the best available information is used in making determinations as
to the species global IUCN status.

Please forward this message to relevant listserves and experts.

Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii): downlist to Near Threatened?

Kirtland's Warbler Dendroica kirtlandii is currently listed as Vulnerable
(D2) because it has very small breeding and wintering ranges in which it is
restricted to few locations, such that it is prone to the effects of human
activities or stochastic events, and could rapidly become Critically
Endangered or Extinct in a very short time. The thresholds for D2 (to be
interpreted flexibly) are an area of occupancy <20 km2 or restriction to
five or fewer locations. Its population is increasing, with numbers in
Michigan in 2003 the highest since surveys began in 1951. What are the
latest estimates of the size of the breeding range and wintering range? How
susceptible are these to a single threatening process? Should the species
now be downlisted to Near Threatened?

Piping Plover: downlist to Near Threatened?

Piping plover Charadrius melodus is currently listed as Vulnerable
(triggering IUCN Red List criteria C2a(i)), as it has a small global
population believed to be declining with all subpopulations <1,000 mature
individuals. However, the global population has actually increased by 8%
from 1991 to 2001, and the Atlantic coast population has increased from
1,377 pairs in 1998 to 1,682 pairs in 2002. Despite continuing range
contraction, it appears that the species no longer qualifies as Vulnerable
and should be downlisted to Near Threatened. Latest estimates of the total
population size and trends, plus any comments on this assessment would be
welcomed.
.

Judy Pollock
bobolnk@ix.netcom.com
Evanston (Cook)