In my experience Merlins are already hard to find in the state of Utah but because of our climate crisis they could become even more difficult to locate or they might even disappear from the state altogether.
Early morning Merlin perched on a fence post – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/160, ISO 1000, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Merlins are small falcons that can be found throughout North America, Canada, Alaska, Central America and the northern most areas of South America during migration on their wintering grounds and their breeding areas. It is always a thrill for me to spot Merlins when I am out in the field and to be able to take photos of them is an absolute joy. They are fast, fierce and fascinating.
But according to National Audubon if no action is taken on our climate crisis 98% of the summer range in for Merlins in Utah will be lost and 66% of their winter range here will be also lost.
Merlin with prey at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
It gets worse though, when I checked all the U.S. states in the Central Flyway, every state shows a similar chance of losing Merlins. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Canada might also see their populations dwindle or disappear. In the Pacific Flyway California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and the Yukon could also see them disappear from their skies.
After the news yesterday that this current administration is attempting to destroy the Endangered Species Act I am furious because the morons in office don’t seem to grasp that we only have this one planet and we are freaking killing it.
Why? So a bunch of rich people can get richer?
The idiots also don’t seem to get this… their grandchildren will pay the price for their greed and ignorance. So will mine.
Do I sound angry? I am.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Merlin photos plus facts and information about this species.
I’m angry too. Our generation will bear the blame for the damage we have done to this planet. I’ve lived long enough to remember the garbage scows which daily left the docks in New York to dump their trash in the open ocean, and the acid rain which sterilized the lakes of upstate New York.. How can any reasonable person ignore the effects of CO2, ocean warming rising sea levels? I guess I just stated the answer– reasonable people who are able to use their powers of reason are not in charge. Pollution must be valued as a resource which is simply in the wrong place and can be eliminated or safely put to good use. BTW, last winter we had very few Merlins and NO kestrels in our neighborhood wetlands.
I want to thank you all for your thoughtful comments and for the steps I believe each of you are taking “close to home” to reduce the effects of climate change. I’ll keep on being a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves until I can’t anymore.
Beautiful pics despite a troubling, but-all-too-true, narrative. In the face of overwhelming scientific proof…today’s climate deniers have even less credibility than those folks who believe the earth is flat.
I may be preaching to the choir, but I remember back in 1971 when Barry Commoner gave us his four Laws of Ecology:
1. Everything is connected to everything else. There is one ecosphere for all living organisms and what affects one, affects all.
2. Everything must go somewhere. There is no “waste” in nature and there is no “away” to which things can be thrown.
3. Nature knows best. Humankind has fashioned technology to improve upon nature, but such change in a natural system is likely to be detrimental to that system.
4. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Exploitation of nature will inevitably involve the conversion of resources from useful to useless forms.
Got here kinda fast didn’t it? Thanks Mia.
Dear Pepe, your comment brought back so many memories of the 70’s, of the beginning of Earth Day and other environmental movements and how lakes & rivers went from being terribly polluted and even on fire to being cleaner and far less polluted, how little changes for the better improved the some parts of the planet and how the very air we breathe got better (in some places), how the Endangered Species Act brought Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and other species back from the brink of extinction. I felt we were making a difference then and today I feel like we are quickly losing what we worked for and on.
Avoidable and so terribly sad…and enraging!!!
Of course you are angry. As I am. As so many of us are.
Sadly the power seems to be in the wrongest of wrong hands. Worldwide.
The ecological trainwreck is coming, but so many people are not even looking out the window. Thanks for posting glimpses of wonderful critters we are lucky enough to witness before they are gone. The future is not what it used to be!
Great post, Mia.
I almost choked yesterday when I saw that the USA Administration was about to loosen the reins on the Endangered Species Act. Good grief! And, yes, it’s so the rich can get richer through mining and oil exploration. C’mon folks, wake up. We, in Canada. have an election coming up. Things could change drastically for us too.
I so agree with you! I find talking even with some in my family, I see their eyes glaze over when I bring up climate change and it’s effects. Since working for extension where I used phenology and have ever since, I see simple changes year by year but trying to explain that to some as to the cumulative effect well I should talk to my cats…I’d get a better response. I just don’t see why they don’t even want to get it! When it’s gone, it’s too late to bring it back.
Kathy, I agree, have similar problems, but my immediate family is on board. Plus, that is why now and Nov 2020 is so important!
I couldn’t say it any better! Many thanks for sharing!