VOA标准英语2012--Bird Counts Show Species Decreasing

Bird Counts Show Species Decreasing

Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County, Virginia, is home to a wide variety of birds. That's where Ana Arguelles and her husband, Jeff Wneck, who live next to the 588-hectare wetlands, take part in the annual count.
“I want to keep seeing birds in the future, and this is the way I feel I can help,” says Arguelles.
They are joined by other volunteers, carrying binoculars¹ and bird books. Birding is the second most popular hobby in the United States.
“They’re pretty. They’re fun to watch," says Ray Smith, who has traveled around the world on birdwatching expeditions. "They’re interesting to know about. “
He uses a telescope and binoculars to get close-up views. Arguelles tallies² the number of species the group has identified.
Ruth Goetz spots an egret, which is not usually seen in the park during winter. "It’s just amazing the variety of birds you find here.”
Goetz and her son, Joel, 12, are attending their first Christmas bird count.
“I think that it’s an important part of researching birds and finding out how the bird populations are doing," Joel says, "and I think it’s also fun. “
The day gets even more exciting when a rarely-seen merlin and another bird chase each other. Smith takes a photo of the small falcon³ using his telescope and a camera phone.
The merlin, one of the world’s fastest birds, is a rare sight at Huntley Meadows.
"It’s powerful," says Arguelles. "You know, the bird has character. It really gets you going.”
Bird count data show the population of merlins and other birds is decreasing.
Audubon Chief Scientist Gary Langham says that's primarily because of habitat destruction. "Just in the last 40 years, almost all species of birds’ populations have decreased between 40 and 80 percent.”
The data also show North American birds are shifting their winter ranges farther north. Langham believes that’s because of rising temperatures due to climate change.
“There’s going to be significant range shifts over the coming years in response to a warming planet,” he says.
The information collected over more than a century of counts helps scientists identify bird species at risk and suggests ways to protect their habitats and breeding grounds.
Arguelles says that's important because people and wildlife rely on the same ecosystems⁴. “If we protect the wildlife in natural environments, we are protecting ourselves.”
She appreciates that Huntley Meadows Park is a refuge for birds, and for people who want to enjoy their beauty.

1 binoculars   

n.双筒望远镜

参考例句：

• He watched the play through his binoculars.他用双筒望远镜看戏。
• If I had binoculars,I could see that comet clearly.如果我有望远镜，我就可以清楚地看见那颗彗星。

2 tallies   

n.账( tally的名词复数 )；符合；（计数的）签；标签v.计算，清点( tally的第三人称单数 )；加标签（或标记）于；（使）符合；（使）吻合

参考例句：

• Cash on hand tallies with the figure in the accounts. 现款跟账上的数目没有出入。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He tallies his own marks. 他把自己的得分记了下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 falcon   

n.隼，猎鹰

参考例句：

• The falcon was twice his size with pouted feathers.鹰张开羽毛比两只鹰还大。
• The boys went hunting with their falcon.男孩子们带着猎鹰出去打猎了。

4 ecosystems   

n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句