Disrupting Cycles

Submitted by Justin Frost on Wed, 2017-07-12 00:00

Climate directly influences the actions of various species, Yellow Warblers, Whitetail Deer, humans.  We all depend on patterns to influence our behaviors and interactions.  Yellow Warblers raise their young during the spring, the climate dictating to them when to mate, lay eggs, find food and hatch.  As the climate changes in manners that are difficult to predict, we are left to adapt to new circumstances.  

Heidi, from the Intermountain Bird Observatory, integrated the patterns of climate and bird cycles together by explaining the causation between rising temperature and precipitation peaks to the migratory patterns of species through Idaho.  "Some species are able to adapt, while others have trouble with new trends and patterns," Heidi informed us.  Amongst the bagging of birds and scribbling of statistics, she was able to sharply respond to questions about big data analysis, migratory patterns and bird biochemistry.  This young lady clearly has a vision about her work and is driven to educate.  

The old natural measure of toxicity is the "canary in the coal mine."  For this purpose, our measure will be "the birds of Boise."  Thus far, migratory paths for birds of prey and songbirds have been shifted due to changing precipitation levels and crop harvest times.  The irrigated Treasure Valley and richness of the foothills is a welcome rest stop for birds along their path from Mexico to Canada.  If we continue to overlook climate change then these raptors will need to alter their path to unknown consequences.  The "birds of Boise" have travelled migration pathways for thousands of years, we must analyze their reactions to shifting conditions to understand disrupting cycles.     

Comments

Justin Frost's picture

Personally, I tend to begin cycling regularly once daylight extends past 7:00 PM.  How do climate factors influence your behaviors?

Darcy Hale's picture

Hey, Justin.  We did not study birds in depth during our in-person adventure in Pocatello.  What a cool privelege for you all in Boise.  

I agree that climate factors directly influence my choices and behavior.  At first snow we break out our skiis and head to the hill!  I eat more soup! I teach PE so soon as temperatures and weather is tolerable, I get my students out of the cramped gym and into the sunshine.  I defintely look forward to the change from winter to spring after being cooped up in the gym for months.  In spring, we head outside for baseball season.  I begin to walk evenings at our Wellness Center park.  We eat dinner on the back deck and watch sunsets.  I drink more iced tea.  

Regarding spring and birds, however, I do NOT enjoy the influx of starlings that invade my deck.  I live on the golf course and have 1500sq ft of decking off the back of my home.  The starlings nest under the deck in my gutters (they sneak into corrugated metal sheeting on the underside of the deck).  They poop everywhere.  They have started to be less in numbers as July moves toward August, but spring time is horrendous.  One of the biologists from ISU suggested I build a couple kestrel boxes.  I'd take any suggestions for influencing the behaviors of my invasive and destructive starlings!