The Effect of Global Warming on Birds will be the topic for the May 19, 2016 program of the Whittier Area Audubon Society presented by Dave Weeshoff, San Fernando Valley’s Conservation Chair.

“The greatest threat our birds face today is global warming.”–Audubon Chief Scientist Gary Langham.

Dave Weeshoff will review the background and contents of the critically important 2014 National Audubon Report regarding Birds and Climate Change, including the report preparation, contents, results, and ways each of us can help protect our birds locally and nationally.

Climate is the most fundamental factor that determines birds’ ability to thrive. While there are other factors, such as over hunting, habitat loss, etc. that affect the health of the populations, birds can bounce back if the conditions are changed. But if the climate changes so much that the birds can no longer survive, they can’t come back at all. That includes changes in either their summer or winter ranges, or both.

Using decades of Christmas Bird count observations and Breeding Bird Surveys, the Audubon Science Team created a database of birds and their ranges, and forecast the results of various long term climate change scenarios into the future. The results are disheartening given current estimates of warming in the next few decades. Of the 588 bird species examined in the study, 314 are at risk. Of those, 126 species are at risk of severe declines by 2050, and a further 188 species face the same fate by 2080, with numerous extinctions possible if global warming is allowed to erase the havens birds occupy today.

Dave is Conservation Chair, Past-President, and Chair of the Classroom Education Program at the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society. He is also a frequent guest speaker to adult and children’s groups on avian and environmental issues for International Bird Rescue, Heal the Bay ( an organization concerned with improving water quality off the Southern California Coast), as well as Audubon.

Dave travels frequently in search of interesting aquatic birds and mammals, including trips to the Antarctic, Artic, Estonia, Iceland, Greenland, Artic Canada, Galapagos, New Zealand, Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Chilean Patagonia, Midway Atoll, as well as U.S. destinations.

Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.