In recent weeks, birds have figured prominently in headlines, falling from the skies in alarming numbers.  Less dramatic but every bit as important are the changes in bird populations brought about by more gradual influences and longer-term phenomena. 

Wayne Petersen, Director of the Important Bird Areas Program for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, will visit Wareham on February 10, 2011 and will speak at the Wareham Middle School Auditorium at 7:00 that evening. In his discussion, he will trace Massachusetts bird populations from the arrival of the Pilgrims in the 1600s to current times.  He will examine alterations of the New England landscape over time and the effects of those changes on regional bird populations.  Mr. Petersen will also address the persecution of birds for feathers and as food as well as pesticide contamination of the avian environment. And, he will examine competition between native and introduced birds and also natural biological competition among species as contributors to population changes   He will also examine avian range expansion and contraction, likely the result of global climate change.    

Mr. Petersen has lectured and conducted numerous birding workshops across North America and led birding tours to Artic Canada, South America, Antarctica, Iceland, Africa, Madagascar and New Zealand,  He is past Vice President of the American Birding Association, past Chair of the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee and is New England Regional Editor of North American Birds Magazine,  His publications include the National Audubon Society’s Pocket Guide to Songbirds and Familiar Backyard Birds and he is co-author of Birds of Massachusetts and Birds of New England, co-editor of the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas and was a contributor to The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior.  He particularly enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of birds with others.

At 4:00 p.m. on February 10, Mr. Petersen will present a youth program, “Birds and Bird Facts that Every Birder Should Know” to members of Wareham Boys & Girls Club as part of the Club’s ongoing KuKoo Birdhouse Project.  That presentation will be at the Boys & Girls Clubhouse, 54 Viking Drive, Wareham. 

Mack Phinney of the Wareham Land Trust is looking forward to the presentations:  “We are fortunate to have Wayne Petersen coming to address our young people and the public at large. Birds have much to tell us about the health of our environment and Mr. Petersen is just the individual to help us learn to read the signs. I encourage bird watchers and nature lovers of all ages to attend on February 10.”

Both talks are open to the public and sponsored by the Wareham Land Trust.  For more information, call 508-295-0211 or visit www.warehamland.org.