Cross posted at ArticleXI
Pink flamingos in the Chesapeake? Sounds ridiculous, right, especially since the range of this species is generally no further north than southern Florida. However, if
this trend continues, who knows?
Analysis of four decades of Christmas Bird Count observations reveal that birds seen in North America during the first weeks of winter have moved dramatically northward—toward colder latitudes—over the past four decades. Significant northward movement occurred among 58% of the observed species—177 of 305. More than 60 moved in excess of 100 miles north, while the average distance moved by all studied species—including those that did not reflect the trend—was 35 miles northward.
And yes, this is our responsibility. Sorry, Walter Stosch and other climate change deniers!
The evidence is staring us in the face. Global Warming is not just about being able to bike in shorts in February (okay, as long as I can forget about why its happening, it can be really enjoyable to have a warm day in winter). Global Warming is not just about rising sea levels. Nor just about increased droughts and major fires. Nor about more violent storms and flooding. Nor just about disrupted weather patterns. Nor just about disrupted agriculture. Nor just about changed bird migration and habitation patterns. We (you, I, all of US and all humanity) are conducting humanity's the largest scientific experiment ever, using our own habitat (the earth) as the test tube. And, the data collection is coming in every day to show that the changes are multifaceted, are increasing in rate of change, and that the complexity of the interaction of change is perhaps, quite literally, beyond our ability to conceive and understand.
The birds are moving north ... for winter. They have moved hundreds of miles. Evidently they will run out of miles to move. Will we act to turn back the rising tides of Global Warming's menacing seas before time and space runs out?
So...do pink flamingos eat Chesapeake Bay oysters? We may find out soon enough (oh wait, that assumes that global warming and other pressures haven't completely wiped out the Bay's oyster population as well).
