Science
Irish Farmers Help Save a Bird Whose Calls Used to Herald Summer
BELMULLET, Eire — The decision of the corncrake — a small, shy chook associated to the coot — is harsh and monotonous, but for older generations it was a beloved sound of summer season in Eire, evoking wistful reminiscences of heat climate, hay making and romantic nights.
Today, although, its name is seldom heard outdoors just a few scattered enclaves alongside the western coast, like Belmullet, a distant peninsula of County Mayo. As soon as quite a few, the birds grew to become threatened in a lot of their Western European vary within the late twentieth century, primarily due to modifications in agricultural practices that disadvantaged them of locations to breed.
“Older folks nonetheless speak about coming residence from dances in summer season nights and listening to the corncrakes calling from the fields throughout them,” stated Anita Donaghy, assistant head of conservation at Birdwatch Eire. “You hear about them making particular journeys to locations within the west the place they’re going to hear the corncrake once more. It’s unhappy that many younger folks have by no means heard it.”
However there’s hope for the return of the corncrake’s name. In recent times, conservationists, authorities businesses and farmers have come collectively to attempt to reverse the decline in numbers of the corncrakes — and protect the corncrake’s “kek kek” for brand spanking new generations.
Efforts to rescue the corncrake in Eire started within the Nineties and included the banning of early mowing of meadows the place corncrakes may breed. These guidelines, although, have been typically resented by farmers, who wished to make use of the grass for animal feed.
A brand new state-led program, Corncrake Life, takes a extra proactive, collaborative method, working with farmers to protect and even recreate the type of tough meadows beside the Atlantic Ocean the place the tawny birds, with their lengthy necks and spherical our bodies, mate and lift their younger.
The 25 acres of Feargal Ó Cuinneagán, a veterinarian and corncrake fanatic close to Belmullet, as soon as grew solely grass, however now bristle with clumps of stinging nettles, cultivated on rotting bales of straw.
John Carey, director of Corncrake Life, the government-led program, stated that such efforts have been a results of altering attitudes. “For generations, farmers have been instructed that nettles are weeds. They’re soiled. Eliminate them,” he stated. “They’re a tough promote for farmers, however they’re actually good cowl for corncrakes.”
The Fascinating World of Birds
As if to again his level, a male corncrake began calling from a nettle mattress close by.
Corncrake Life began 18 months in the past with a pilot group of fifty farmers within the Atlantic coastal counties of Donegal, Galway and Mayo. Seventy-five p.c of Corncrake Life’s preliminary price range of 5.9 million euros, about $6 million, for 5 years got here from the European Union.
Corncrakes developed to nest and feed on the bottom within the free grass and weeds of pure floodplains, and the chook’s numbers are nonetheless robust in elements of Asia and Japanese Europe.
However in Western Europe, over hundreds of years, the corncrake additionally tailored to the same circumstances that have been created by conventional, low-intensity farming in grassland meadows and area margins. There, the grasses have been lengthy sufficient to offer cowl from predators, however skinny sufficient for the corncrakes to run via. Although corncrakes are good fliers, and migrate every year from winter feeding grounds in Africa, their intuition, when threatened, is to run and conceal.
As agriculture modernized and industrial farming expanded, synthetic fertilizer allowed farmers to mow their meadows earlier within the yr, interfering with the corncrake’s mid- to late-summer breeding season. Their habitats have been erased in lots of locations in Western Europe. However in distant coastal areas like Belmullet, and some different enclaves in England, Eire, Scandinavia and Scotland, poor land and moist local weather delayed the arrival of business farming, permitting corncrakes to carry out.
Although their numbers have stabilized in recent times at an estimated 150 breeding pairs, the Irish inhabitants is estimated to have fallen 96 p.c because the Seventies, and the survivors stay susceptible.
In such moist and windblown elements of western Eire, farms are usually small, at 20 acres to 40 acres, and suited primarily for elevating low numbers of sheep or cattle. Few farmers earn a full-time residing from their land, and various sources of earnings are sometimes welcome.
In return for annual funds of as much as €304 euros per acre for essentially the most totally corncrake-friendly preparations, farmers are required to plant a proportion of their land with crops not supposed to be meals, however to offer cowl for breeding corncrakes. The remainder of the grassland, ideally, is left to revert to conventional meadow, the place a number of species of native grasses combine with wildflowers and weeds. Synthetic fertilizers and weed killers aren’t allowed.
“We don’t reward farmers for having a corncrake on their land, we reward them for having the habitat,” Mr. Carey stated. “Even when a corncrake by no means confirmed up, you’d get skylarks, meadow pipits, every kind of flowers, invertebrates and butterflies. The best worth of this land isn’t in meals manufacturing, it’s in public items and companies — clear water, wildlife variety, carbon sequestration. It’s time we began paying for that.”
Patrick Mangan, 57, a farmer and corncrake fanatic, stood lately in his partly rewilded meadow on the Belmullet Peninsula, proudly pointing to the nettles, cow parsley, lengthy grasses and wildflowers the place corncrakes are rising in quantity once more. At one level, the Belmullet inhabitants fell to as little as 4 calling males; 38 have been counted in 2021.
“I keep in mind within the Seventies, this space was stuffed with corncrakes,” Mr. Mangan stated. “Then farmers began mowing grass earlier, and that ruined it, till the final corncrake on this space was proper right here, on this land. The corncrake was practically worn out right here. And if he’s, we’ll by no means get him again once more.”
In corncrake habitats, farmers are requested to reverse their regular mowing follow, and to start out slicing grass in the course of their fields, and work their method out to the sting. This provides the ground-dwelling birds an opportunity to creep away. Shane McIntyre, a Belmullet mowing contractor who volunteers with Corncrake Life, has invented a brand new “flushing bar” to be fastened to the entrance of tractors — a increase fitted with jangling chains — to scare off corncrakes and different wildlife earlier than the mowers snare them.
Final month in Fanad, on the tip of County Donegal within the north, a farmer mowing his area uncovered a corncrake nest with 11 intact eggs. Below a brand new protocol, the eggs have been pushed 300 miles to Fota Wildlife Park in County Cork, on the different finish of the nation. There, they have been hatched in a particular facility, to be launched again into the sector the place they have been discovered.
The park can be residence to a small captive breeding inhabitants of corncrakes. When it first introduced this system in 2013, the park was stunned to be contacted by quite a few farmers hoping to get birds to recolonize their land.
“It’s a part of historical past. It’s of their reminiscence,” Sean McKeown, the director of the park, stated of the farmers. “The nice outdated days, after they have been younger.”
Sustain nuclear expertise
Likely harmed
Before strikes
Over the decades, Iran built up scientific and engineering expertise in nuclear technology.
After
Israel says it killed at least 14 of Iran’s leading nuclear experts in the recent attacks. But there is another tier of scientists in Iran who share much of that knowledge. If past experience from previous assassinations of nuclear talent holds, over time, they will likely be able to carry on the work.
Sustain nuclear expertise
Likely harmed
Before strikes
Over the decades, Iran built up scientific and engineering expertise in nuclear technology.
After
Israel says it killed at least 14 of Iran’s leading nuclear experts in the recent attacks. But there is another tier of scientists in Iran who share much of that knowledge. If past experience from previous assassinations of nuclear talent holds, over time, they will likely be able to carry on the work.
Mine uranium ore
Appears unaffected
Before strikes
Iran has two active uranium mines, both in central Iran. Iran has not reported how much it has mined in recent years, but the material, it says, is contained in one of the mines, Narigan, would be enough for more than 50 weapons.
After
Iran’s uranium mines have not been targeted by strikes during the fighting.
Mine uranium ore
Appears unaffected
Before strikes
Iran has two active uranium mines, both in central Iran. Iran has not reported how much it has mined in recent years, but the material, it says, is contained in one of the mines, Narigan, would be enough for more than 50 weapons.
After
Iran’s uranium mines have not been targeted by strikes during the fighting.
Convert uranium to gas
Possibly destroyed
Before strikes
The only known facility in Iran that could convert natural uranium into gas, in the form of uranium hexafluoride, was in Isfahan.
After
American missiles severely damaged Iran’s main uranium conversion site, most likely destroying Iran’s ability to convert natural uranium into the form required to start the enrichment process. Rebuilding could take years.
Convert uranium to gas
Possibly destroyed
Before strikes
The only known facility in Iran that could convert natural uranium into gas, in the form of uranium hexafluoride, was in Isfahan.
After
American missiles severely damaged Iran’s main uranium conversion site, most likely destroying Iran’s ability to convert natural uranium into the form required to start the enrichment process. Rebuilding could take years.
Enrich uranium
Damaged but extent unclear
Before strikes
This is the hardest part of making a nuclear bomb. Producing bomb-grade uranium requires vast arrays of high-speed centrifuges to spin the uranium gas and concentrate the enriched form. Iran’s Natanz and Fordo sites held more than 18,000 centrifuges, mostly underground.
After
Israel most likely destroyed all the centrifuges at Natanz. And the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the centrifuges at Fordo, Iran’s other major enrichment site built deep inside a mountain, appeared “no longer operational” after the U.S. attack. Trump said the facility was “obliterated,” though other assessments were more cautious. Israel also destroyed plants that manufactured centrifuges.
Iran has claimed it has other, secret enrichment facilities. But there is no evidence that other operational enrichment sites exist. Iran has also been assembling advanced, next-generation centrifuges at dispersed locations and, unless diplomacy or military action intervenes, may install them at two underground facilities it has been building.
Enrich uranium
Damaged but extent unclear
Before strikes
This is the hardest part of making a nuclear bomb. Producing bomb-grade uranium requires vast arrays of high-speed centrifuges to spin the uranium gas and concentrate the enriched form. Iran’s Natanz and Fordo sites held more than 18,000 centrifuges, mostly underground.
After
Israel most likely destroyed all the centrifuges at Natanz. And the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the centrifuges at Fordo, Iran’s other major enrichment site built deep inside a mountain, appeared “no longer operational” after the U.S. attack. Trump said the facility was “obliterated,” though other assessments were more cautious. Israel also destroyed plants that manufactured centrifuges.
Iran has claimed it has other, secret enrichment facilities. But there is no evidence that other operational enrichment sites exist. Iran has also been assembling advanced, next-generation centrifuges at dispersed locations and, unless diplomacy or military action intervenes, may install them at two underground facilities it has been building.
Store the enriched uranium
Probably still exists
Before strikes
International inspectors estimated this year that Iran had just shy of 900 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium. Inspectors last saw some of the stockpile about a week before Israel began its strikes. At that time, it was stored deep inside a nuclear complex near Isfahan in special casks small enough to fit in the trunks of about 10 cars.
Once further enriched, this stockpile would be enough to make nine or 10 atomic weapons, but U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that Iran had not decided whether to make a bomb.
After
A classified U.S. report said that much of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was moved before the strikes. The White House has insisted that it was destroyed but cited no evidence. The I.A.E.A. and European intelligence agencies believe Iran likely dispersed its stockpiles of enriched uranium around the country.
The uranium of greatest concern has already been enriched to a purity of 60 percent, greatly shortening the time required to bring it to 90 percent, which is usually considered weapons-grade fuel. But to do so would require some hidden, working centrifuges.
Store the enriched uranium
Probably still exists
Before strikes
International inspectors estimated this year that Iran had just shy of 900 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium. Inspectors last saw some of the stockpile about a week before Israel began its strikes. At that time, it was stored deep inside a nuclear complex near Isfahan in special casks small enough to fit in the trunks of about 10 cars.
Once further enriched, this stockpile would be enough to make nine or 10 atomic weapons, but U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that Iran had not decided whether to make a bomb.
After
A classified U.S. report said that much of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was moved before the strikes. The White House has insisted that it was destroyed but cited no evidence. The I.A.E.A. and European intelligence agencies believe Iran likely dispersed its stockpiles of enriched uranium around the country.
The uranium of greatest concern has already been enriched to a purity of 60 percent, greatly shortening the time required to bring it to 90 percent, which is usually considered weapons-grade fuel. But to do so would require some hidden, working centrifuges.
Convert enriched uranium to metal
Possibly destroyed
Before strikes
Iran had one known facility to convert enriched uranium back into its solid metal state — a critical step before it can be used in a weapon.
After
Israel destroyed Iran’s uranium metal production facility at Isfahan. Without this important capability, Iran cannot make an atomic bomb. However, one expert cautioned that Iran has produced uranium metal at other locations before, and it may have a secret site to conduct the work elsewhere.
Convert enriched uranium to metal
Possibly destroyed
Before strikes
Iran had one known facility to convert enriched uranium back into its solid metal state — a critical step before it can be used in a weapon.
After
Israel destroyed Iran’s uranium metal production facility at Isfahan. Without this important capability, Iran cannot make an atomic bomb. However, one expert cautioned that Iran has produced uranium metal at other locations before, and it may have a secret site to conduct the work elsewhere.
Make a bomb
Likely damaged
Before strikes
To build a modern atomic weapon with the metal, Iran would need to miniaturize crucial components, such as the detonator system, to fit into a missile-capable warhead. It is unclear whether Iran has this capability, but experts believe it has made some progress, and it is thought to have experimented with triggering devices. American intelligence agencies concluded last year that Iran was working on a “faster, cruder” approach to a weapon.
After
Israel destroyed several buildings at the Sanjarian manufacturing facility that were associated with the development of detonation systems and explosives, but Iran may have other similar facilities.
Make a bomb
Likely damaged
Before strikes
To build a modern atomic weapon with the metal, Iran would need to miniaturize crucial components, such as the detonator system, to fit into a missile-capable warhead. It is unclear whether Iran has this capability, but experts believe it has made some progress, and it is thought to have experimented with triggering devices. American intelligence agencies concluded last year that Iran was working on a “faster, cruder” approach to a weapon.
After
Israel destroyed several buildings at the Sanjarian manufacturing facility that were associated with the development of detonation systems and explosives, but Iran may have other similar facilities.
Deliver a weapon
Still possible
Before strikes
With a weapon, Iran could conduct a nuclear test, as North Korea first did in 2006. There are many ways to deliver a weapon, but if it wants to strike a target from afar, it needs planes or missiles to deliver it. Until recently it had thousands of missiles, many of which could carry an atomic weapon.
After
Israel claims to have destroyed hundreds of Iran’s missile launchers, but is unlikely to have completely wiped out Iran’s ability to fire a nuclear-capable missile.
Deliver a weapon
Still possible
Before strikes
With a weapon, Iran could conduct a nuclear test, as North Korea first did in 2006. There are many ways to deliver a weapon, but if it wants to strike a target from afar, it needs planes or missiles to deliver it. Until recently it had thousands of missiles, many of which could carry an atomic weapon.
After
Israel claims to have destroyed hundreds of Iran’s missile launchers, but is unlikely to have completely wiped out Iran’s ability to fire a nuclear-capable missile.
The number of gray whales migrating along the California coast has plummeted again this year, dropping to levels not seen since the 1970s, according to federal officials.
There are now likely fewer than 13,000 gray whales migrating along the North American Pacific coast — fewer than half the population’s 27,000 peak in 2016, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Although a single cause for the population shrinkage has not been determined, scientists believe it is likely the result of a changing climate and its impact on the animals’ Arctic and subarctic food supply.
This year, scientists in Mexico reported ominous indicators as they observed gray whales wintering in the shallow, warm, protected lagoons of the Baja California Peninsula. They said that very few calves had been born, and that many adult whales were dying.
The pattern has since continued, with U.S. researchers saying they observed only 85 calves migrating north to the whales’ Arctic feeding grounds. That’s the lowest number of calves counted since researchers began keeping records in 1994.
In addition, 47 whales have died along the U.S. Pacific coast this year. Although this number is smaller than the 122 that perished in 2019, the population is now much smaller than it was at that time.
Twenty of the whales that have died since March 30 expired in the San Francisco Bay area, according to the Sausalito, Calif.-based Marine Mammal Center. The bay historically was not visited by this cetacean species.
Researchers aren’t sure why gray whales began frequenting San Francisco Bay, but have suggested they may do it when they are looking for food.
Gray whales tend to summer in Arctic waters, where they gorge themselves on tiny, mud-dwelling invertebrates such as worms and shrimp-like critters called amphipods.
During typical years of food abundance, the whales would fill themselves up and fast as they migrated 10,000 miles south to their wintering grounds in the lagoons of the Baja peninsula. They wouldn’t eat again until the following summer.
But in recent years, observers along the coast and in the bay have seen gray whales exhibiting behaviors suggestive of foraging and feeding — an indication that they may be short on fuel.
According to a news release this month by the NOAA, one of the most concerning aspects of these latest numbers is the continued population drop since 2019. While these whales have faced population shrinkages in the past, they tended to rebound after a few years.
“The environment may now be changing at a pace or in ways that is testing the time-honored ability of the population to rapidly rebound while it adjusts to a new ecological regime,” NOAA biologist David Weller said in the release.
The Trump administration has lifted a freeze on federal funds for HIV prevention and surveillance programs, officials said, following an outcry from HIV prevention organizations, health experts and Democrats in Congress.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health received notice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday that it had been awarded nearly $20 million for HIV prevention for the 12-month period that began June 1 — an increase of $338,019 from the previous year.
“Let’s be clear — the Trump administration’s move to freeze HIV prevention funding was reckless, illegal and put lives at risk,” said Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) in a statement. “I’m relieved the CDC finally did the right thing — but this never should have happened.”
The CDC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Friedman and other advocates for HIV prevention funding sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month, warning that proposed cuts to these programs would reverse years of progress combating the disease and cause spikes in new cases — especially in California and among the LGBTQ+ community.
The letter cited estimates from the Foundation for AIDS Research, known as amfAR, suggesting the cuts could lead to 143,000 additional HIV infections nationwide and 127,000 additional deaths from AIDS-related causes within five years.
Los Angeles County, which stood to lose nearly $20 million in annual federal HIV prevention funding, was looking at terminating contracts with 39 providers. Experts said the dissolution of that network could result in as many as 650 new cases per year — pushing the total number of new infections per year in the county to roughly 2,000.
“Public Health is grateful for the support and advocacy from the Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Congressional delegation, and all of our community based providers in pushing CDC to restore this Congressionally approved funding,” a spokeswoman for the county’s health department said.
“Looking forward, it is important to note that the President’s FY26 budget proposes to eliminate this funding entirely, and we urge our federal partners to support this critical lifesaving funding,” she said.
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