We cannot know the nature of Vermont, the health of woodlands, wetlands and other wild places, without knowing the status of our birds,” said Rosalind Renfrew, Vermont Center for Ecostudies biologist. “This atlas will be essential reading for any Vermont conservationist.
How to Build an Owl
Kathleen Lynch1. Decide you must.
2. Develop deep respect
for feather, bone, claw.
3. Place your trembling thumb
where the heart will be:
for one hundred hours watch
so you will know
where to put the first feather.
4. Stay awake forever.
When the bird takes shape
gently pry open its beak
and whisper into it: mouse.
5. Let it go.
Love…
Breeding plummage is sexy! Great Blue Herons Begin Courting in Sapsucker Woods (by LabofOrnithology)
There is virtue in slowing down, staying put. Birders with limited physical mobility know this well. Here’s a map for them. These are Vermont birding sites with access for folks who might use a cane, walker or wheelchair
Determining the exact location of a crow nest is a difficult task, as this normally conspicuous bird becomes quite secretive when building and maintaining its nursery. It is in early April, when adults are seen transporting nesting material, that a person may be able to determine where a family will be setting up housekeeping for the coming season.
Island Gardeners Talk Tuesday Night!
Join the Island Gardeners and me Tuesday, April 9th at 7 pm at the Folsom School in South Hero as I’ll present Birdscaping: Creating a Backyard Haven for Birds. I’ll be sharing a number of tips on assessing your yard for bird friendly plants, shrubs and trees. I’ll also get you thinking about the three key things needed in every backyard for birds. See you there!
DEC Plans To Introduce Spruce Grouse | The Adirondack Almanack
Spruce Grouse could disappear from the Adirondacks by 2020.
With a petite body shape, a stylish hint of yellow on its wings and tail, and a drawn-out, single syllable call that sounds more like an insect than a bird, the pine siskin never fails to add a touch of charm to its surroundings.
The American Littoral Society’s post-Sandy surveys found 67% of Mid-Atlantic beach areas had moderate to high damage to bird and marine life habitats, including vital marshes.
“These marshes are protein factories, providing rodents, crabs and other species in the food chain,” said Tim Dillingham, the society’s executive director.
The storm also washed raw sewage, oil and other pollutants into marshes, bays and estuaries, but the long-term impact isn’t yet known, Dillingham said.
(AP Photo/The News Journal, Gary Emeigh). FILE - In this May 13, 2011 file photo, red knots rest at Slaughter Beach in Delaware during their annual migration.
New Jersey Herald - Sandy’s wake leaves shore birds in dire straits
Why are there redheads? Birds might hold the clues via Science Daily
…researchers confirmed that resident birds become more creative at finding food in the winter. They also found that brain size, which positively correlates with innovation in feeding behaviors, is greater in resident birds and erodes in non-resident birds in proportion to the length of their migration routes.
Although snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) have so far been considered common and widespread, enjoying stable numbers and extensive nesting and wintering habitats, their North American populations have shrunk by 64% over the past four decades, according to the National Audubon Society .
Novel approach to track migration of arctic-breeding avian species
Photo from Cornell’s All About Birds
Eagle Fight from Craighead Beringia South researchers in Wyoming. Amazing slow-motion!
