SUMMARY/ABSTRACT for Public Slide Show Program

Wood-Warblers: Threatened Beauties

Presented by Daniel Edelstein

Combining slides of eastern North American wood-warblers with their songs, this audio-visual presentation highlights our  petite and colorful songsters whose brief migrational visit adds a dynamic flair to both the spring and autumn landscape.

In addition to the slides and songs of warblers, attendants will learn about current long-term bird monitoring programs for land birds including the Breeding Bird Survey, Breeding Bird Census,  Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship and the Christmas Bird Count. These survey/monitoring programs will be discussed concurrently with estimates for trends that indicate population declines in some species, especially forest-breeding neotropical migrant species (such as warblers) that nest in North America and whose winter/summer habitats have experienced degradation. Ultimately, the monitoring programs may play a major role in aiding efforts to conserve avian diversity in North America, including our amazing array of beautiful warblers.

The program’s effectiveness is demonstrated in part by the ensuing actions taken by attendants, some of whom are prompted by the bird survey/monitoring information to volunteer their services, and, for example, become bird banders themselves.

A five-page handout is provided. It features a “Warbler Identification Tips Chart” and information about neotropical monitoring programs and ways attendants may volunteer for these programs.

Biography of the Presenter:

The presenter is naturalist and science writer Daniel Edelstein, who has led bird walks and taught natural history classes for the last 20 years. He has been an instructor in the Washington-DC based Audubon Naturalist Society program. He also writes freelance for various science publications and science museums.

Daniel has an M.S. in Natural Resources and his book, "A Program Planner for Naturalists and Outdoor Educators,” is used by teachers, outdoor educators, naturalists, rangers and museum staffs.

References are available from people who have seen Daniel's slide show, "Wood-Warblers: Threatened Beauties," (Please also see attached reference quotes and “testimonials.” ) You may also check the bibliography .