Life Sciences Commons^™

Press Release: No Rats Found, Lab Results On Six Bird Tests Received

United States Fish and Wildlife: Staff Publications

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received laboratory results on an initial group of bird carcasses collected on Rat Island in late May and Early April. Examination of the livers of two bald eagles, two glaucus winged gulls, one peregrine falcon, and one rock sandpiper all tested positive for the rodenticide brodifacoum. We are in the process of analyzing all of the viable bird remains and tissue samples collected, in order to more fully understand the cause of mortalities and more effectively plan future operations in the Aleutians. Results will be released when they are available. In addition, soil …

Reports From Rat Island Reflect Successes And Concerns

United States Fish and Wildlife: Staff Publications

After more than two weeks of intensive field monitoring on Alaska’s remote Rat Island, part of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, which was treated last year in an effort to eliminate invasive rats and restore seabird populations and other parts of the native ecosystem, biologists have found no sign of the invasive rats that have decimated native bird populations for more than 200 years. The same studies have documented that several bird species, including Aleutian cackling geese, ptarmigan, peregrine falcons, and black oyster catchers are nesting on the ten-square-mile island.

Effects Of Intense Grazing On Cattails

United States Fish and Wildlife: Staff Publications

The Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District is often asked the question “If your job is to manage for wildlife, why are you grazing the vegetation? There is nothing left for wildlife!”

It is believed that historically, grazing of Rainwater Basin wetlands by large herds, especially during dry conditions was a driving force in keeping wetland vegetation in an early successional state. Likewise, it is commonly observed that the lack of disturbance by animals, fire, or mechanical means will cause wetland vegetation to shift from annual, early successional plants to perennial, late successional plants such as cattail and river bulrush.

Historical …

Birding In The United States: A Demographic And Economic Analysis Addendum To The 2006 National Survey Of Fishing, Hunting, And Wildlife-Associated Recreation

United States Fish and Wildlife: Staff Publications

The following report provides up-todate information so birders and policy
makers can make informed decisions regarding the management of birds and
their habitats. This report identifies who birders are, where they live, how
avid they are, and what kinds of birds they watch. In addition to demographic
information, this report also provides an economic measure of birding. It
estimates how much birders spend on their hobby and the economic impact of these expenditures.

By understanding who birders are, they can be more easily reached and informed about pressures facing birds and bird habitats. Conversely, by knowing who is likely not …

Working With Partners In Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska And Kansas To Conserve Fish And Wildlife Resources

United States Fish and Wildlife: Staff Publications

The Mountain-Prairie Region Fisheries Program (Program) of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) historically has played an important role in conservation and management of fish and other aquatic resources and key wildlife resources on tribal and DOD lands. In 2002, a new national vision was developed entitled Conserving America’s Fisheries, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program Vision for the Future. The purpose of this Vision has been to improve the Service’s ability to fulfill its resource conservation and management role and to improve relationships with our partners. That Vision was stepped down regionally into a …