“Moonbird: A Year On The Wind With The Great Survivor B95,”
by Philip Hoose.
Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2012, 148 pages, Grades 7 and older.
Extinction has always been part of historical tragedies. The dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago. What is different about extinction today is the rate at which species are becoming extinct, and the reasons for that extinction. Many reasons are causing these changes today. Some are valid, but greed and shortsightedness drive others.
Scientists are now mapping the interconnectedness of the ecological world. Renowned author, Philip Hoose, demonstrates these principles in his highly acclaimed book, “Moonbird: A Year On The Wind With The Great Survivor B95.” In this highly readable work of nonfiction, Hoose introduces readers to the life cycle of the avian species, the red knot. It is a compelling story.
For years, scientists have tried to discover the flight patterns of shorebirds. To achieve this, they netted some of the knots, banded them and then released the birds. They band one knot with the code B95. The 95 stands for 1995, the year of the banding. However, since thousands of knots fly from South American to the Artic and then back again, chances of seeing B95 again were slight.
Fortunately, the scientists knew the knots rested on the sandbars of Delaware Bay and feasted on the eggs of spawning horseshoe crabs.
They were stunned when they saw B95 in Delaware. The scientists had tagged him in Argentina. Red knots are only as large as robins and the trip from South America to Delaware Bay and then on to their Artic summer home is 9,000 miles. How in the world are they able to fly so far?
Through intense study and observation, the biologists began to understand: the red knots gorged on all the worms, eggs and insects found at the landing sites. They gained much fat during these stops and this enabled them to fly the next thousand miles or more.
Year after year, the scientists kept spying B95. Incredibly, he kept flying 18,000 miles a year. This fact appeared on the internet with children and interested adults following his journey. Within a short time, B95 became the most famous bird in the world. Each year, the biologists journeyed to the island of Terra del Fuego hoping to see B95 and the other red knots. Year after year, they kept sighting B95. This happened for over 15 years.
However, suddenly there was a dramatic decline in the species. The scientific community quickly investigated and discovered some sobering facts. These facts would determine the fate of B95 and the red knot species. What were they?
Why did the population of red knots drop so precipitously? What effect do the birds have on the ecology of the ocean coast? What can stop the decline of the red knots? What do schoolchildren in North and South America do to help the red knots? How long do scientists still sight B95? To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out “Moonbird: A Year On The Wind With The Great Survivor B95” by Philip Hoose.
This is a fascinating book about a critical ecological matter. Extinction of many species is accelerating. It is easy to have little interest in the problem, but the issue causes numerous problems for society. Losses in an ecology means losses for everyone.
Philip Hoose has written an informative, interesting account of one species and a bird so famous that it achieved the nickname Moonbird. I hope you get a chance to read this outstanding book. It is a compelling book of nonfiction.
