Birding experts express concerns about certain species
Expert: Atlantic puffins, Bicknell's thrush, salt marsh sparrows struggling to survive
According to birding experts in Maine, many species of birds are dying off and becoming harder to find.
They said some of the state's iconic birds are struggling to survive, whether it's because of climate changes or lack of food.
Birding author, store owner and expert Derek Lovitch said people are seeing birds they have never seen before in this part of the country, and that's a problem.
Lovitch said, "While a lot of people in Maine are sort of celebrating that there are cardinals throughout more of the state now and red-bellied wood peckers, for every bird that's increasing, we're seeing a significant decline of a lot more birds that are more representative of what Maine woods should be."
According to Lovitch, birds like Atlantic puffins, Bicknell's thrush and salt marsh sparrows are struggling to survive. Whether that's because of migration, weather or food shortage, he said it all goes back to climate change.
Lovitch said, "Anyone who's ever paid any attention to where birds are, when and why has believed in climate change for decades. I don't hear many birders who say it's not real, it's not happening and it's not right in front of our face because it is."
Birder Dan Nickerson said you don't have to be a bird lover to realize what dying species means to our environment.
Nickerson said, "This is affecting human beings and birds are just one indicator and it's something to be concerned about. It's a shame to lose a species of anything."
As far as how to help, Lovitch suggests things like recycling, using more fuel-efficient cars, even unplugging your electronics while you're on vacation can help make an impact and help these birds.