birding-aus

Re: Effect of extreme heat on birds

To: Blair Wolf <>
Subject: Re: Effect of extreme heat on birds
From:
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 14:16:50 +1100
Just to  stir up conversation on this a bit, does anyone have any stories 
from the recent heat wave in Southern Australia (SA and VIC?)
Over the few weeks,  a eucalypt tree in my back yard has been  flowering 
and attracting 50+ Rainbow Lorikeets each evening.  Last thursday, when 
temperatures reached over 40 degrees for 3 days straight, the tree was 
empty.
The last few nights, the birds have been back but not in the same numbers. 
I'm not sure if any deaths have occurred that led to the decrease in 
numbers, or if the tree's nectar source is naturally 'drying' up.
Peter






Blair Wolf <> 
Sent by: 
03/02/2009 08:44 AM

To

cc

Subject
[Birding-Aus] bird die-offs in Australia- request for info and pics






Hi there,

I am new to the list and are hoping that the members can help out.  I am
interested in the behaviour and physiology of birds that live in the 
hotter
regions of the world.  In particular, I have been looking at how global
warming will affect bird populations.

Australia is notable because it has a significant recorded history 
1900-1950
in particular) of bird die-offs associated with high temperatures and
drought in the interior.  I am hoping the list members can help me 
document
the effects of current / future heat waves and droughts on bird 
populations
in Australia. I would also be interested in any old references in regional
bird publications or newspapers that might talk about the historical
die-offs that occurred between 1900 and 1932. Any current pictures or
written accounts would be a great help and I would give the appropriate
credit for the materials when used for publication or presentations.  I 
have
a few pictures from the recent heat wave in western Australia, but the
documentation and overall scope of the event is really sketchy.
Thanks for your assistance.

You can send pictures or text to my email at 

P. S.  I am the coordinator of SORA (
http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/search.php)
a free bird literature database that you may find handy if you haven't 
seen
it.

Cheers,

Blair Wolf


Biology Department
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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