The plight of the endangered Florida Grasshopper Sparrow was addressed in the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday. The article covers some of the ambiguous issues agencies face in trying to save the mysterious little bird.
Last fall, the plan was to catch birds from the wild, to learn how to breed them in captivity. Since then, attempted captive breeding of another sub-species of Grasshopper Sparrows has not achieved the expected results, casting doubt on potential success with Florida birds.
In addition, a study on wild birds began at the Three-lakes Wildlife Management Area and taking birds from this population would interfere with the vitally-needed study. Audubon's Dr. Paul Gray's preference was to bring birds in this year, but he has expressed an understanding of the logic of waiting another year to study how captive breeding will fit into the overall conservation needs and activities.
Paul Gray, science coordinator for Audubon Florida, said the lesson of the dusky seaside sparrow, another Central Florida bird, was that rescue efforts too often were one step behind what was needed. It was declared extinct in 1990."I think we should have gotten some birds this year while we had a chance," Gray said. "I know when you bring them in we might actually lose birds, but I don't think time is on our side."
The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Working Group, of which Audubon Florida is a member, continues to discuss these issues in depth and make the best recommendations they can in the face of uncertainties.
