By ALLISON MITCHELL
Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Birds are amazing. From the vibrant colors and calls of songbirds to the majestic flight of eagles, these winged creatures have long been a source of wonder and inspiration.
Birds evolved from dinosaurs about 150 million years ago, and have survived the great extinction events of the past. But many of these remarkable creatures face an uncertain future. The recent U.S. State of the Birds report paints a sobering picture: Bird populations are declining significantly, with 229 species now in urgent need of conservation.
New Jersey, with its diverse landscapes and ecosystems, is no exception.
Whether for full-time residents, migrants or seasonal breeders, New Jersey’s lands and waters are crucial to the survival of nearly 500 bird species. Of these, 150 are listed as species of greatest conservation need because they face significant threats from habitat loss, climate change and other environmental pressures.
The situation has been deteriorating for decades. A 2019 study published in Science showed that North America has lost three billion birds over the past 50 years. The State of the Birds report reveals that the trend continues, with many species now at what the report calls the “tipping point” – at risk of vanishing entirely.
Among those suffering the most are shorebirds. These migratory creatures depend on coastal habitats for food and rest during long migrations, and New Jersey’s beaches and salt marshes play a key role in their survival. The State of the Birds report flags 19 shorebird species in North America as being at risk of extinction.
For some, like the tiny red knot, the Delaware Bay is by far the most important stopover habitat, making this state we’re in critical for their survival.
Sea-level rise is bringing more challenges. Many shorebirds and seabirds nest on saltmarsh islands that are being lost to flooding and erosion caused by climate change. This habitat loss is already visible in the state, where aerial surveys show fewer islands support bird populations than in previous decades.
Further inland, eastern forest breeding birds are also in trouble. These long-distance travelers breed in New Jersey and other Eastern states and spend their winters in Central and South America. Some – like the yellow-billed cuckoo – have declined by more than a quarter since 1970.
Residential development and agricultural expansion along the Atlantic Coast have eaten into the forests these birds need to thrive. The complex food web – seeds and insects – they need to survive is being disrupted by massive and widespread agricultural chemical use, loss of native plants to invasive species, and alarming levels of deer browse. Species that are declining are simply not breeding successfully enough to maintain their populations.
Despite sobering news, there is reason for hope. Conservation efforts are already yielding some positive results in New Jersey. The eagle and osprey populations, once near extinction, have made a remarkable comeback due to targeted conservation efforts around the country. In New Jersey, coastline restoration along the Delaware Bay and wetland habitat restorations such as at the Franklin Parker Preserve are providing needed habitat for declining species.
In addition to protection efforts on public lands, we know that private landowners play an important role in protecting habitats. By participating in conservation programs, they can help safeguard the land that birds and other wildlife depend upon. And conservation partnerships between landowners, government agencies and nonprofits have been instrumental in creating protected areas and restoring vital habitats.
The challenges facing New Jersey’s bird populations are real but the science is clear: We have the tools and knowledge to reverse the declines. Adopting and following policies that protect habitats, support biodiversity and address climate change will be critical.
But we need to step up these efforts if we’re going to change the current course. To learn more about preserving land and natural resources, visit the New Jersey Conservation Foundation at njconservation.org or contact us at info@njconservation.org.
