“The word precipice does not exist in the dictionary of birds!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan

Climate Change Effects On Birds In Island County

Two large scientific studies were released in late 2019.  One, from the National Audubon Society, lays out the expected impact of a climate change between 1.5 and 3 degrees Celsius on North American bird species.  The other, published by Cornell University School of Ornithology, discusses the loss of approximately three billion North American birds over the past twenty-five years.  Although initially climate change may impact the Pacific Northwest less than other places, earlier blooms and insect hatches still affect the health and success of migratory birds, who may arrive out-of-sequence with traditional food sources and face increased competition from non-migratory species.

Climate change, including rising sea levels, will destroy habitat. Audubon’s data identify 92 "climate-endangered" bird species that occur in Washington that may lose 50% or more of their habitat by 2050.  According to this report, 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, which many scientists believe is inevitable, or has even already occurred, could cause Rufous Hummingbirds to shift their breeding range north, leaving Island County completely out of their summer territory.  And there will be many other bird impacts.

What about Island County and Whidbey Island?

“Highly” and “moderately” vulnerable birds may lose more than half of their current range—the geographic area where they live—as they are forced to search for suitable habitat and climate conditions elsewhere. Audubon’s data list 72 Island County summer species in the highly and moderately vulnerable categories that could face this future.

Read more about impacts to the birds of Island County at: National Audubon Climate Change Impacts Vulnerable Birds In Island County.

Banner Photo: Carlos Andersen