Natural History Wanderings

Audublog has an article on how the drought is affecting birds. Some of the highlights are:

• Less Wetlands – Wetland Birds have less habitat as rivers and streams that feed them are low or dry. Some migrating birds may jus fly over their usual staging areas altogether. Birds that do stop or winter will have smaller areas with denser numbers increasing the risk of disease. Food sources will also be more limited than usual.
• Agricultural habitat is limited – Due to the water shortage water intensive crops that create good birds habitat such as rice or alfalfa are lower priority for the limited water resources.
• Increase in Salinity in Lakes – Less water increases the salinity in lakes which reduces brine flies that are a major food source for birds.
• Less Standing Water – This results in less insects hatching. Another food source for birds
• Less Flowers means less pollen and nectar – Pollen is an important foodsource for insects. Nectar is an important food source for Hummingbirds.

The long-range impacts of drought won’t be clear for years as birds will cope with limited resources by decreasing reproduction reducing future populations.

Read more at: How the drought is affecting birds