Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a birder’s paradise. Lapland Longspurs and American Golden Plovers nest amongst the tussocks, while Jaegers glide above, looking for their chicks. Tundra Swans as well as Pacific and Red-throated Loons are found in many of the lakes. The marshy areas surrounding the lakes and coastline abound with shorebirds.
I have spotted Surf and White-winged Scoters, King and Common Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks and occasional Yellow-billed Loon when I’ve been walking on the rocky shore of the Arctic Ocean. Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and Gyrfalcons soar over the mountains behind the costal plain, watching for the movement of Ptarmigan or ground squirrels. In the tangle of willows that line the streams, Yellow Warblers, Hoary Redpolls and American Tree Sparrows live their secretive lives. One one trip I was lucky enough to see a Bluethroat – a small bird that had migrated all the way from Asia to nest in the Arctic Refuge.
All together, more than 190 species of birds have been found in the Arctic Refuge. The birds migrate to the Arctic Refuge from every US state and distant lands such as Patagonia, Antarctica, India, New Zealand and Africa. Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would not only affect nearby areas. The whole world would feel the repercussions. (by Malkolm)
Malkolm's words describe his experiences of the fragility of the coastal plain. His observations have been confirmed in scientific studies . . .
Long-tailed Jaegers dive-bombing Malkolm
The American Ornithologists’ Union has recommended that Congress designate the Arctic Refuge as a Wilderness Area, because of the risks associated with oil development. Oil development causes the direct displacement of birds from nesting and foraging habitat. Oil field garbage attracts bird predators such as gulls, ravens, grizzlies and Arctic foxes. Oil spills are fatally toxic to bird embryos. Oil slicked feathers lose their flight and insulating properties. Birds with small or declining populations are most at risk, including red-throated and yellow-billed loons, king and common eiders, long-tailed ducks, buff-breasted sandpipers and peregrine falcons.
It is easy for scientists to describe the risks that oil exploration and development pose for individual animal species such as caribou, bowhead whales, arctic char, grizzly bears, muskoxen or golden eagles. An ecosystem however, is much greater than the sum of its parts. This complex web of life is one of the last naturally-functioning ecosystems left on our planet.
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