THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN, January 2022 (Sea-Eagles and Snowy Owls, etc.)
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Steve Mirick
Jan 11, 2022, 9:52:19 AM1/11/22
to nhbirds
Wayne Petersen of Massachusetts Audubon and Paul Baicich of "Great
Birding Projects" put out a monthly newsletter that is free for people
to receive in their email and is sponsored by the National Wildlife
Refuge Association. It is extremely informative and is designed to
educate active birders on regional issues related to birding. I'd
encourage anyone interested in receiving this email to visit:
https://tinyurl.com/E-bulletinSIGNUP
As a coincidence, the email service is distributed through Constant
Contact where Jane works! :-)
This month's newsletter discusses the wanderings of the Steller's
Sea-Eagle and also discusses birder behavior around Snowy
Owls.....adapted from standards issued by NH Audubon! Below is this
month's E-Bulletin email minus the graphics.
Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA
THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN
January 2022
This Birding Community E-bulletin is being distributed to active and
concerned birders, those dedicated to the joys of birding and the
protection of birds and their habitats. You can access an archive of
past E-bulletins on the website of the National Wildlife Refuge
Association (NWRA):
https://www.refugeassociation.org/birding-community-e-bulletin
RARITY FOCUS
---------------------
Last month, we began our December issue of the Birding Community
E-bulletin with rarity reports from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of
Texas. The Valley seemed to be the place to be at that time, even for
casual and covid-cautious travelers. See here for our short report from
the December issue:
https://conta.cc/3oBp6YG
Indeed, some of those last month’s Valley rarities hung around through
December, especially including the wonderful Golden-crowned Warbler,
Crimson-collared Grosbeak, and Social Flycatcher.
Then, there was an extraordinary Bat Falcon that was photographed at
Santa Ana National Wildlife on 8 December. The photo was eventually
uploaded to iNaturalist where it was positively identified. The original
sighting was at the top of a dead tree on the well-used Chachalaca
Trail/A Trail. See the resulting eBird report (and poor - but confirming
- photos) here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S98863623
It was concluded that the bird, whose sighting constituted a first ABA
record, quickly disappeared.
But 10 days later, on the afternoon of 18 December, it was relocated,
viewed from the refuge’s popular hawk tower, as well as at the NWR
parking lot, and other nearby areas. For the rest of the month, the
falcon was observed at various locations at Santa Ana NWR, often from
the light pole directly at the entrance of the Refuge.
Here is a fine video-and-photo collection all from 18 December:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAWSKb9H7oM
WAYWARD STELLER’S SEA-EAGLE
---------------------------------------------
For many months, a Steller’s Sea-Eagle has been tantalizing North
American birders with its wide-spread and unpredictable appearances.
This very large Old-World eagle is normally found in northeastern China,
Japan, Korea, and easternmost Russia. It has also rarely been seen in
Alaska, with perhaps a dozen total reports. A few individuals have also
reappeared in Alaska for multiple consecutive summers.
Consequently, it was exciting, but not altogether that surprising, when
one was spotted on Alaska’s Denali Highway in late August, 2020. It was
observed and photographed for multiple days at milepost 65 on the
highway, and also on the upper Maclaren River.
Wonderful story back in 2020… but there’s more. Much more!
Apparently, the sea-eagle wandered farther inland. It was actually
identified in Quebec and New Brunswick in July 2021, individually
identified by a distinctive white spot on its left upper wing coverts.
Then, after several months of evading human notice, it reappeared in
Nova Scotia in early November, where it was observed by dozens of
birders before it disappeared again. (There was also a remarkable
sighting of an adult Steller's Sea-Eagle in Goliad County, Texas, in
March 2021. This might have involved the same individual, but the
evidence is certainly inconclusive. Unfortunately, the Texas bird was
only photographed perched, not exposing any white spot on the wing.)
The story doesn’t end here however. The Steller’s Sea-Eagle was
discovered again, this time on the lower Taunton River in Massachusetts
last month. This is when it hit the birding-scene and the news really
big-time. The bird was reportedly seen along the Taunton River on 12
December, but somehow the word only got out on 19 December. Then bird
was observed by many scores hundreds of birders on 20 December and early
into the morning of the 21 December. Indeed, there are over 300 photos
of this rare visitor while it was in Massachusetts – with several
accompanying Bald Eagles - archived on eBird here:
https://ebird.org/media/catalog?taxonCode=stseag&yr=YCURRENT&mediaType=p&sort=rating_rank_desc&q=Steller%27s%20Sea-Eagle%20-%20Haliaeetus%20pelagicus
All too quickly it vanished again, only to be rediscovered on 30
December in the Five Islands area of Sagadahoc County, Maine.
As we are sending out this E-bulletin, indications are that the
sea-eagle is still on the Maine coast. Regardless, wherever you are
birding in North America this winter, you might want be on the lookout
for this magnificent – and wandering - raptor!
IBA NEWS: PROBLEMS AT BEAVERHILL LAKE (ALBERTA)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are about four dozen Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Alberta, one
of which is Beaverhill Lake, in central Alberta, about 50 miles (80
kilometers) east of Edmonton. Historically this has been an important
waterfowl staging area (spring and fall) with more than 200,000
individuals using the site in the past. It also has been an important
waterfowl molting area with up to 25,000 molting ducks reported on
occasion. Sandhill Cranes have also used this site as a staging area in
spring migration, with thousands recorded in late April.
In addition to waterfowl, Beaverhill Lake regularly has supported
substantial numbers of shorebirds. Beaverhill Lake, is one of only seven
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) sites in Canada. In
2021 this site celebrated its 25th WHSRN anniversary last May. It was
somewhat of a bittersweet celebration, however, since the site has had
only low numbers of shorebirds in recent years.
When Beaverhill Lake was designated, it hosted over 20,000 shorebirds
every year. In the 1990s whenever the lake level receded, expansive
mudflats attracted numerous shorebirds. However, with increased drought
conditions mudflats began disappearing, providing habitat for only a few
thousand shorebirds in the 2000s.
After becoming almost completely dry, Beaverhill Lake finally began to
refill over the past decade. Summer thunderstorms and seasonal snow
run-off helped to revive the lake for all sorts of birds. And even
though 2021 conditions were still dry, the lake once again covered
three-quarters of the area it covered in the 1980s.
Still, this has not brought back the shorebird numbers. The growth of
extensive wetland vegetation has actually encroached upon the mudflats.
Now, even while this vegetation is slowly being flooded out, the former
mudflats have yet to return. Interestingly, beneficiaries of the flooded
vegetation are White-faced Ibises which have been expanding their range
north in Alberta.
It’s a struggle however, and the Beaverhill Bird Observatory that is
monitoring the situation is also trying to operate an environmental
education program and a research station. Environment and Climate Change
Canada is also preparing for the return of the shorebirds by funding the
installation of a Motus station.
It is difficult to predict when, or even if, Beaverhill Lake will ever
regain its former importance as a WHSRN or IBA site. A historic
description of the site’s IBA status can be found here:
https://www.ibacanada.com/site.jsp?siteID=AB001
Its WHSRN designation is described here:
https://whsrn.org/whsrn_sites/beaverhill-lake/
And an important update of its limited attraction for shorebirds may be
found here:
https://whsrn.org/a-brief-update-on-beaverhill-lake/
For additional information about worldwide IBA programs, including those
in the U.S., check the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area
program web site at:
https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas
MBTA DEVELOPMENT
--------------------------------
On 3 December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reverted to
interpreting the definition of “incidental take” under the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). It’s now using the original interpretation of
the act as it was prior to the Trump Administration’s conclusions that
prohibition of incidental take applied only to “direct and purposeful
actions that resulted in loss of protected migratory birds, eggs, or
their nests.”
We reported on these developments in the process of rewriting the rule
in April 2021:
https://conta.cc/3dXAjw8
This “new” rule will likely be challenged in court, as previous
rule-changes have been in the past. In the meantime, you can find a
summary here, from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/migratory-bird-treaty-act-sees-incidental-take-protections-reinstated/
CAGE-BIRDS AND CUBA
-----------------------------------
We have reported on the illegal U.S. cagebird trade multiple times in
the Birding Community E-bulletin, mostly with a special emphasis on the
Cuba-to-Florida scene. But the situation in Cuba itself has recently
escalated, exacerbated by the conditions due to the ongoing pandemic.
The illegal cagebird trade offers an opportunity for residents to boost
their income, including participation by younger Cubans. Moreover, the
use of online social media sites has made it easier for trappers and
smugglers to illegally sell birds online.
BirdsCaribbean has been carefully monitoring this ongoing situation. In
October 2021, daily catches were reported via images shared by trappers
in one of 36 known Facebook groups dedicated to openly selling wild
birds. The BirdsCaribbean material shows that 356 group members fairly
recently reported capturing 2,041 Indigo Buntings, 785 Painted Buntings,
and 235 Rose-throated Grosbeaks.
In total, 3,270 birds of 28 different species were captured from the
wild - in just one month and from only one Facebook group. More
disturbing, this illegal trade is definitely expanding.
At the same time, there is some new and positive domestic legislation in
Cuba, including the recently passed Animal Welfare Decree-Law. In
addition, fines have increased for wildlife trafficking. The local
government in Old Havana also banned caged birds in private businesses
as of September 2019.
But, unfortunately, none of this is enough.
For more details, see the excellent report from BirdsCaribbean here:
https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2021/12/birdscaribbean-expresses-alarm-at-the-escalating-illegal-bird-trafficking-problem-in-cuba/
TIP OF THE MONTH: SNOWY OWL PROTOCOLS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the midst of winter, and with the beginning of a new year, birders
and photographers are finding, observing, and photographing more
exciting “winter birds.” And, depending on the location, Snowy Owls are
among some of the most sought-after of these birds.
Of course, these owls are, simultaneously elegant, mysterious, and
super-attractive. But this iconic species also deserves special
consideration when being viewed or photograaphed, with essential
protocols to consider.
It’s time to review some of the standards, when it comes to approach,
distance (especially when photographing), flushing, use of auto-blinds,
and more.
Check out this proven page from Bird Watcher’s Digest – an adaptation of
birding and photographing standards originally presented by New
Hampshire Audubon:
https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/solve/conservation/snowy-owl-viewing-observe-without-disturbing.php?mc_cid=74490480f9&mc_eid=40243f151f
BWD SHUTS DOWN
------------------------------
Since we just drew your attention to a page from Bird Watcher’s Digest,
it is also with regret that we report on the closure of that publication
and institution. After over four decades of publication and
appreciation, Bird Watcher’s Digest, based in Marietta, Ohio, shut its
doors last month.
It was a long process summarized on its website homepage: “Although we
have fought hard to continue to provide the best content, events, tours
and products to our beloved birding community, the devastating effects
of the pandemic on our business have made it impossible for us to continue.”
You can find the full statement here:
https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/
The ongoing pandemic seems to be the proverbial last straw in a series
of setbacks and tragedies. William Thompson Jr. and his wife, Elsa, had
launched the magazine in 1978, and it was later handed over to their
son, Bill Thompson III.
Cancer claimed the life of Bill in March 2019. He was 57, and the loss
was covered in our April 2019 E-bulletin:
https://conta.cc/3sYNZjk
Two months later, Elsa, the family matriarch, died in a house fire, and
almost a year later, Bill’s brother, Andy Thompson, died of a heart attack.
In the words of Wendy Clark, who assumed the reins of the magazine after
the passing of Bill, “It sounds like a story you’d watch on TV. We lost
three of the Thompsons in fourteen months, and then the pandemic hit.
It’s been extremely challenging.”
The loss of destination advertising, the increase in printing and
mailing costs, and difficulties with the optics part of the business
were all ongoing problems. The decision to close the magazine was
ultimately made on 22 December by the board of directors, and the last
day at BWD was Christmas Eve. The last print edition of the digest was
the already-mailed January/February 2022 edition.
BWD Editor, Dawn Hewitt added, “In a way, we’ve known that print media
has been struggling globally…With the pandemic, advertising dropped off
and we hoped it would come back, but it hasn’t… I think we all knew it
was inevitable…We tried to uphold the legacy of the Thompsons, and we
did for more than two years after the death of [Bill Thompson III]. We
worked our tails off to maintain a quality publication and I think we
accomplished that.”
She said that the content for the BWD March/April issue had already been
created, and it is currently available online, appearing with blank
spaces where ads would have normally appeared. “There were such good
stories, and we put a lot of effort into the issue,” Hewitt said. “We
didn’t want to let the work go to waste.”
You can find it here:
https://birdwatchersdigest.net/issues/bwd/2022-march-april.pdf
And to read more about the closing of BWD, see the local coverage from
The Marietta Times:
https://www.mariettatimes.com/news/local-news/2021/12/birds-watchers-digest-closes-doors/
Birding Projects" put out a monthly newsletter that is free for people
to receive in their email and is sponsored by the National Wildlife
Refuge Association. It is extremely informative and is designed to
educate active birders on regional issues related to birding. I'd
encourage anyone interested in receiving this email to visit:
https://tinyurl.com/E-bulletinSIGNUP
As a coincidence, the email service is distributed through Constant
Contact where Jane works! :-)
This month's newsletter discusses the wanderings of the Steller's
Sea-Eagle and also discusses birder behavior around Snowy
Owls.....adapted from standards issued by NH Audubon! Below is this
month's E-Bulletin email minus the graphics.
Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA
THE BIRDING COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN
January 2022
This Birding Community E-bulletin is being distributed to active and
concerned birders, those dedicated to the joys of birding and the
protection of birds and their habitats. You can access an archive of
past E-bulletins on the website of the National Wildlife Refuge
Association (NWRA):
https://www.refugeassociation.org/birding-community-e-bulletin
RARITY FOCUS
---------------------
Last month, we began our December issue of the Birding Community
E-bulletin with rarity reports from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of
Texas. The Valley seemed to be the place to be at that time, even for
casual and covid-cautious travelers. See here for our short report from
the December issue:
https://conta.cc/3oBp6YG
Indeed, some of those last month’s Valley rarities hung around through
December, especially including the wonderful Golden-crowned Warbler,
Crimson-collared Grosbeak, and Social Flycatcher.
Then, there was an extraordinary Bat Falcon that was photographed at
Santa Ana National Wildlife on 8 December. The photo was eventually
uploaded to iNaturalist where it was positively identified. The original
sighting was at the top of a dead tree on the well-used Chachalaca
Trail/A Trail. See the resulting eBird report (and poor - but confirming
- photos) here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S98863623
It was concluded that the bird, whose sighting constituted a first ABA
record, quickly disappeared.
But 10 days later, on the afternoon of 18 December, it was relocated,
viewed from the refuge’s popular hawk tower, as well as at the NWR
parking lot, and other nearby areas. For the rest of the month, the
falcon was observed at various locations at Santa Ana NWR, often from
the light pole directly at the entrance of the Refuge.
Here is a fine video-and-photo collection all from 18 December:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAWSKb9H7oM
WAYWARD STELLER’S SEA-EAGLE
---------------------------------------------
For many months, a Steller’s Sea-Eagle has been tantalizing North
American birders with its wide-spread and unpredictable appearances.
This very large Old-World eagle is normally found in northeastern China,
Japan, Korea, and easternmost Russia. It has also rarely been seen in
Alaska, with perhaps a dozen total reports. A few individuals have also
reappeared in Alaska for multiple consecutive summers.
Consequently, it was exciting, but not altogether that surprising, when
one was spotted on Alaska’s Denali Highway in late August, 2020. It was
observed and photographed for multiple days at milepost 65 on the
highway, and also on the upper Maclaren River.
Wonderful story back in 2020… but there’s more. Much more!
Apparently, the sea-eagle wandered farther inland. It was actually
identified in Quebec and New Brunswick in July 2021, individually
identified by a distinctive white spot on its left upper wing coverts.
Then, after several months of evading human notice, it reappeared in
Nova Scotia in early November, where it was observed by dozens of
birders before it disappeared again. (There was also a remarkable
sighting of an adult Steller's Sea-Eagle in Goliad County, Texas, in
March 2021. This might have involved the same individual, but the
evidence is certainly inconclusive. Unfortunately, the Texas bird was
only photographed perched, not exposing any white spot on the wing.)
The story doesn’t end here however. The Steller’s Sea-Eagle was
discovered again, this time on the lower Taunton River in Massachusetts
last month. This is when it hit the birding-scene and the news really
big-time. The bird was reportedly seen along the Taunton River on 12
December, but somehow the word only got out on 19 December. Then bird
was observed by many scores hundreds of birders on 20 December and early
into the morning of the 21 December. Indeed, there are over 300 photos
of this rare visitor while it was in Massachusetts – with several
accompanying Bald Eagles - archived on eBird here:
https://ebird.org/media/catalog?taxonCode=stseag&yr=YCURRENT&mediaType=p&sort=rating_rank_desc&q=Steller%27s%20Sea-Eagle%20-%20Haliaeetus%20pelagicus
All too quickly it vanished again, only to be rediscovered on 30
December in the Five Islands area of Sagadahoc County, Maine.
As we are sending out this E-bulletin, indications are that the
sea-eagle is still on the Maine coast. Regardless, wherever you are
birding in North America this winter, you might want be on the lookout
for this magnificent – and wandering - raptor!
IBA NEWS: PROBLEMS AT BEAVERHILL LAKE (ALBERTA)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are about four dozen Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Alberta, one
of which is Beaverhill Lake, in central Alberta, about 50 miles (80
kilometers) east of Edmonton. Historically this has been an important
waterfowl staging area (spring and fall) with more than 200,000
individuals using the site in the past. It also has been an important
waterfowl molting area with up to 25,000 molting ducks reported on
occasion. Sandhill Cranes have also used this site as a staging area in
spring migration, with thousands recorded in late April.
In addition to waterfowl, Beaverhill Lake regularly has supported
substantial numbers of shorebirds. Beaverhill Lake, is one of only seven
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) sites in Canada. In
2021 this site celebrated its 25th WHSRN anniversary last May. It was
somewhat of a bittersweet celebration, however, since the site has had
only low numbers of shorebirds in recent years.
When Beaverhill Lake was designated, it hosted over 20,000 shorebirds
every year. In the 1990s whenever the lake level receded, expansive
mudflats attracted numerous shorebirds. However, with increased drought
conditions mudflats began disappearing, providing habitat for only a few
thousand shorebirds in the 2000s.
After becoming almost completely dry, Beaverhill Lake finally began to
refill over the past decade. Summer thunderstorms and seasonal snow
run-off helped to revive the lake for all sorts of birds. And even
though 2021 conditions were still dry, the lake once again covered
three-quarters of the area it covered in the 1980s.
Still, this has not brought back the shorebird numbers. The growth of
extensive wetland vegetation has actually encroached upon the mudflats.
Now, even while this vegetation is slowly being flooded out, the former
mudflats have yet to return. Interestingly, beneficiaries of the flooded
vegetation are White-faced Ibises which have been expanding their range
north in Alberta.
It’s a struggle however, and the Beaverhill Bird Observatory that is
monitoring the situation is also trying to operate an environmental
education program and a research station. Environment and Climate Change
Canada is also preparing for the return of the shorebirds by funding the
installation of a Motus station.
It is difficult to predict when, or even if, Beaverhill Lake will ever
regain its former importance as a WHSRN or IBA site. A historic
description of the site’s IBA status can be found here:
https://www.ibacanada.com/site.jsp?siteID=AB001
Its WHSRN designation is described here:
https://whsrn.org/whsrn_sites/beaverhill-lake/
And an important update of its limited attraction for shorebirds may be
found here:
https://whsrn.org/a-brief-update-on-beaverhill-lake/
For additional information about worldwide IBA programs, including those
in the U.S., check the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area
program web site at:
https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas
MBTA DEVELOPMENT
--------------------------------
On 3 December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reverted to
interpreting the definition of “incidental take” under the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). It’s now using the original interpretation of
the act as it was prior to the Trump Administration’s conclusions that
prohibition of incidental take applied only to “direct and purposeful
actions that resulted in loss of protected migratory birds, eggs, or
their nests.”
We reported on these developments in the process of rewriting the rule
in April 2021:
https://conta.cc/3dXAjw8
This “new” rule will likely be challenged in court, as previous
rule-changes have been in the past. In the meantime, you can find a
summary here, from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/migratory-bird-treaty-act-sees-incidental-take-protections-reinstated/
CAGE-BIRDS AND CUBA
-----------------------------------
We have reported on the illegal U.S. cagebird trade multiple times in
the Birding Community E-bulletin, mostly with a special emphasis on the
Cuba-to-Florida scene. But the situation in Cuba itself has recently
escalated, exacerbated by the conditions due to the ongoing pandemic.
The illegal cagebird trade offers an opportunity for residents to boost
their income, including participation by younger Cubans. Moreover, the
use of online social media sites has made it easier for trappers and
smugglers to illegally sell birds online.
BirdsCaribbean has been carefully monitoring this ongoing situation. In
October 2021, daily catches were reported via images shared by trappers
in one of 36 known Facebook groups dedicated to openly selling wild
birds. The BirdsCaribbean material shows that 356 group members fairly
recently reported capturing 2,041 Indigo Buntings, 785 Painted Buntings,
and 235 Rose-throated Grosbeaks.
In total, 3,270 birds of 28 different species were captured from the
wild - in just one month and from only one Facebook group. More
disturbing, this illegal trade is definitely expanding.
At the same time, there is some new and positive domestic legislation in
Cuba, including the recently passed Animal Welfare Decree-Law. In
addition, fines have increased for wildlife trafficking. The local
government in Old Havana also banned caged birds in private businesses
as of September 2019.
But, unfortunately, none of this is enough.
For more details, see the excellent report from BirdsCaribbean here:
https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2021/12/birdscaribbean-expresses-alarm-at-the-escalating-illegal-bird-trafficking-problem-in-cuba/
TIP OF THE MONTH: SNOWY OWL PROTOCOLS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the midst of winter, and with the beginning of a new year, birders
and photographers are finding, observing, and photographing more
exciting “winter birds.” And, depending on the location, Snowy Owls are
among some of the most sought-after of these birds.
Of course, these owls are, simultaneously elegant, mysterious, and
super-attractive. But this iconic species also deserves special
consideration when being viewed or photograaphed, with essential
protocols to consider.
It’s time to review some of the standards, when it comes to approach,
distance (especially when photographing), flushing, use of auto-blinds,
and more.
Check out this proven page from Bird Watcher’s Digest – an adaptation of
birding and photographing standards originally presented by New
Hampshire Audubon:
https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/solve/conservation/snowy-owl-viewing-observe-without-disturbing.php?mc_cid=74490480f9&mc_eid=40243f151f
BWD SHUTS DOWN
------------------------------
Since we just drew your attention to a page from Bird Watcher’s Digest,
it is also with regret that we report on the closure of that publication
and institution. After over four decades of publication and
appreciation, Bird Watcher’s Digest, based in Marietta, Ohio, shut its
doors last month.
It was a long process summarized on its website homepage: “Although we
have fought hard to continue to provide the best content, events, tours
and products to our beloved birding community, the devastating effects
of the pandemic on our business have made it impossible for us to continue.”
You can find the full statement here:
https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/
The ongoing pandemic seems to be the proverbial last straw in a series
of setbacks and tragedies. William Thompson Jr. and his wife, Elsa, had
launched the magazine in 1978, and it was later handed over to their
son, Bill Thompson III.
Cancer claimed the life of Bill in March 2019. He was 57, and the loss
was covered in our April 2019 E-bulletin:
https://conta.cc/3sYNZjk
Two months later, Elsa, the family matriarch, died in a house fire, and
almost a year later, Bill’s brother, Andy Thompson, died of a heart attack.
In the words of Wendy Clark, who assumed the reins of the magazine after
the passing of Bill, “It sounds like a story you’d watch on TV. We lost
three of the Thompsons in fourteen months, and then the pandemic hit.
It’s been extremely challenging.”
The loss of destination advertising, the increase in printing and
mailing costs, and difficulties with the optics part of the business
were all ongoing problems. The decision to close the magazine was
ultimately made on 22 December by the board of directors, and the last
day at BWD was Christmas Eve. The last print edition of the digest was
the already-mailed January/February 2022 edition.
BWD Editor, Dawn Hewitt added, “In a way, we’ve known that print media
has been struggling globally…With the pandemic, advertising dropped off
and we hoped it would come back, but it hasn’t… I think we all knew it
was inevitable…We tried to uphold the legacy of the Thompsons, and we
did for more than two years after the death of [Bill Thompson III]. We
worked our tails off to maintain a quality publication and I think we
accomplished that.”
She said that the content for the BWD March/April issue had already been
created, and it is currently available online, appearing with blank
spaces where ads would have normally appeared. “There were such good
stories, and we put a lot of effort into the issue,” Hewitt said. “We
didn’t want to let the work go to waste.”
You can find it here:
https://birdwatchersdigest.net/issues/bwd/2022-march-april.pdf
And to read more about the closing of BWD, see the local coverage from
The Marietta Times:
https://www.mariettatimes.com/news/local-news/2021/12/birds-watchers-digest-closes-doors/
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