And maybe we didn’t feel it last year, but too many years of, and we definitely will.This week, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) reported that global temps in August this year have surpassed all historic heat records since records began being kept in the 1880’s. And so it does have a direct impact on us. “Well, bugs pollinate our food and provide a primary good source for thousands of different animal species. And people are like, ‘Well, who cares, they’re just bugs?’” Giuffrida said. It does have direct and immediate impacts on things like insect populations. “It’s just the interconnectivity of the climate. Going forward, as the effects of climate change continue to manifest severe weather events, Giuffrida said delicate ecosystems and the wildlife populations that inhabit them could face irreparable damage. And there could be more on the way - she said in 2020, 60% of their kites came in after Aug. Giuffrida said the facility has admitted 109 Mississippi kites so far this year, with 52 of those being nestlings or almost-fledglings. Information on volunteering can be found here. Giuffrida said the center is in need of more volunteers to fill the kites’ feeding schedule. The kites require round-the-clock care, with feedings every two hours during the day. “And so many of those Mississippi kites were just lost last year because of the extreme weather we had.” “We saw babies coming in even in the beginning of September, which was very tragic because they don’t have enough time to grow and fledge and be ready to fly back to South America,” Giuffrida said. Ultimately, that meant many parent kites delayed having babies until it was too late. Giuffrida said last February’s severe winter storm delayed the arrival of spring insects, and without those insects, the kites lost a primary source of food. Other extreme weather events have impacted the Mississippi kites in recent years. But reuniting kites with their families isn’t possible in every case, and those juveniles stay at the center to be raised up with the other kites. Makeshift nests can be built on lower branches, and parent raptors will often continue to care for their young in the new nest. Giuffrida said even though the height of the nests can make renesting difficult, there are workarounds.
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