Hummers and Orioles

Non Birding Bill and I headed out to my favorite birding spot--Mr. Neil's yard for some hang out time and a bee check.  Since my travel schedule gets insane in spring Hans has taken over keeping the feeders full as he's taking care of the yard.  He does a great job, but sometimes the nectar and oriole feeders empty too fast for him to keep up.  When I was walking around the feeders, a ruby-throated hummingbird flew up to my head, buzzed around then flew away.  I went to the nectar feeder (we use the HummZinger)--empty.  I made some nectar and less then a minute from stepping away a hummingbird flew down.  I love how hummingbirds figure out how to get our attention when a food source is depleted.  I've known hummingbirds to flutter in front of windows when a feeder is empty too.  Heck, Lorraine said they had a hummer in the house last week...maybe the feeder was empty then?

Mr. Neil's cherry tree is bursting with cherries once again and unlike last year, NBB and I managed to get out and pick some cherries before the birds raided the tart fruit.  I noticed the orioles were going for the fruit and I refilled our grape jelly feeder.  Orioles tend to ignore the jelly feeder in June when bugs were out, but I figured if they were eating cherries, they would eat grape jelly.  I filled one cup with jelly and the other cup with cherries from the tree.  As soon as I put the feeder out, the oriole went from the cherries down to our feeder...and totally ignored the cherry dish and went right for the grape jelly.  The best part was that he flew off and a few moments later returned with a female.

She also chose the grape jelly over the cherries.  That's fine, more cherries for us!  I was glad to see the orioles, I've been so preoccupied with surveys and work that I did not get a chance to really enjoy orioles at the feeder in May.  Incidentally, we took our portion of the cherries (still leaving an ample supply for the birds on the upper parts of the cherry tree) and made a tart cherry crumble.  Many people know Mr. Neil for his writing and general Neilness but he has mad skillz in the kitchen, I've learned some of my best cooking from him.

More Lock & Dam 1 Peregrines

As part of my duties as a park ranger, we go out and rove in the park.  Basically, we tote around a back pack with park info and you're on hand to answer questions--it's fun, it's a bit like improv.  I like to take my scope for birding of course, but it gives me a chance to explore more areas of the park that I otherwise wouldn't visit.  One is Lock and Dam 1.  On Friday, we did a canoe paddle through the lock (you really haven't experienced the Mississippi until you've taken a canoe or kayak through a lock and dam--to be tiny in something so big is amazing). It was fun Saturday morning to look down on it knowing the day before I had been right in it.

I was curious to be back on Saturday to see the peregrine chicks.  Last week, they were a lot fluffier!  On Friday as we canoed past, one was already out of the box, flapping around on a nearby ledge under the watchful eye of the adults.  We had that big storm on Friday night and I wondered how the first fledger from the box fared.  When I arrived, two were still visible on the nest box perches, practicing their flapping skills.  I scanned and couldn't find the third one.  I wasn't too worried, I figured it was perched nearby and when the adults arrived with the food, I would hear it begging.

This is the view from the deck of the Lock and Dam 1 visitor center.  You can see the peregrine nest box on the far left on the wall (note the box below the brick building).  As I watched this, I noticed some flapping behind the big pipe on the right...

The bird out of the box did survive the storm!  Heck of  a first night out of the nest box--2 storms with heavy rain and the only refuge is a pipe.

The other two continued to practice.  The one on top of the box almost seemed like it was really going to get completely off the box, but stayed and screamed impatiently for one of the adults to feed it.  The adults flew in once or twice with food, but no drop offs were made in the box.  They want the young out of the nest so they can learn to fly.  The chicks want to be fed and eventually, they will put two and two together. When the chicks are hungry enough, they will fly out towards the adults with the food.

I checked on the peregrine fledgling behind the pipe and noticed that it was laying down and they eyes were part way closed.  I thought it was odd, but chicks lay down when they sleep, adults  remain upright, sleeping on one foot while the head is turned around and tucked under a wing.  I wondered if this bird was exhausted and not used to sleeping while standing yet.

If you think about how quickly a bird grow they have to work out how their bodies move and function relatively quickly.  You will often see young birds like the immature above, just letting its wings hang to the side after flapping--those things are heavy and they aren't quite used to using those muscles just yet.

You'll see young birds in all kinds of weird positions as they work out their bodies (what's that bird doing, checking for the time on her Swatch?)--imagine going from super soft fluff to hard pin feathers growing in over every inch of your body in about two weeks.  We think teething makes babies cranky.  Feather shafts poking all over the skin has to be about as fun as sandpaper underwear on a bad sunburn.

When the peregrine nodded its head down, I though I would call my buddy Avian Images just to be on the safe side.  She works at The Raptor Center and goes to the bandings, I thought she'd have an idea.  As soon as I heard her cell ring...

In flew one of the adult peregrines and this bird sprang upright to beg for food--it was fine, just sleeping like a young bird instead of an adult.  Whew.

And peregrines weren't the only cool thing--I found a huge turtle out of the water.  I know that it is a softshell turtle, but I'm not sure which type.  Someone on Twitter thought it might be a spiny softshell turtle which is possible in Minnesota (as is the smooth softshell).  But many of the photos for spiny softshell show a light colored turtle and this is a very dark one.  Whatever kind of turtle, it was huge with a pointy nose.

Minneapolis Flash Flooding 2010

This post is more for my mom than bird related.  Tonight we had some flash flooding.  Fortunately, Non Birding Bill and I have lived here long enough (and learned the hard way the first year we lived here) that the intersection near our home is prone to flash flooding.  Bless NBB's heart, he tried clearing out all the storm drains before the storm to prevent a flash flood, but it hit anyway.

When the worst of the storm was over I went downstairs to see if there was any flooding--there was more than I realized.  The police were already on the scene on Lyndale trying to divert traffic away from this street.

I waded to the infamous intersection that has a tendency to flood--it exceeded my expectations.  As I took this photo to show the water flooding 32nd and and Aldric and seeping into a neighbor's yard, I felt the water go from my toes to my mid-calf.  It was the first time I experienced how quickly a flash flood hits and why you see people stuck in trees or floating cars unawares--it does happen so fast.  Being a short woman around water rising quickly, I knew I needed to move.  Since the police were guiding traffic to avoid this intersection from Lyndale, I dashed towards 31st to warn people away.

I felt so bad for this car.  As someone who has had a car go through a flash flood in this intersection, I know what a nasty, stinky mess this car would be.  I felt bad for the owner of this vehicle--you could literally see it bob in the water.  I was so grateful that our car was parked in a spot that was not experiencing this level of flooding.

As I waded my through, I found more cars caught in the water in the pouring rain.  The red car's alarm was going off (and still is now a good three hours later).  Neighbors were coming out to gawk at this point and speculate who had a car in the water.  I made it to the end of the street and did my best to prevent cars from going down towards the flooded intersection.  I wasn't sure how long to stay, but when the rain subsided and visibility was better, I figured that drivers could see well enough and stop before reaching the flooded intersection--there was also quite a crowd gathered at this point as well (leave it to my neighborhood to turn a flash flood into a party).  Many were cheering the vehicles that were foolish enough to drive through the water (a moment that many SUV owners live for). NBB and I got a video of it here:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZToej-b1ImY[/youtube]

So, mom, if you hear that there was flooding--yes, we got it in our neighborhood and no, our car or building was not affected.

eBird's Gulf Coast Oil & Bird Tracker

Team eBird has produced a visualization tool that allows you to see where birds have been seen along the Gulf Coast overlaid with a map of the current oil slick and forecasts for the next 72 hours from NOAA. The map highlights ten focal species of conservation concern that are being impacted by the current oil spill.  Here's a reduced screen shot for the brown pelican taken this morning (Friday) to give you an idea:

The green is the oil spill and you can see where it's hitting compared to where birds are congregating.  The hope is that efforts for clean up and protection can be concentrated to where the most birds are congregating.  You can help by going to the Gulf Coast, watching for birds and reporting your bird sightings to eBird.  If you don't live on the Gulf Coast but have some time, plan a visit--reporting birds is important, especially in areas off the beaten path that aren't getting as much media coverage.  The website does remind people that if an area is off limits due to breeding birds or other wildlife to please pay attention and do not violate any rules.

Also, it's not just the Gulf Coast birds that need to be reported right now.  If you can't make it down there, consider counting birds you see where you live now and reporting those to eBird.  We do not know how the oil spill will effect migratory birds--birds you may have nesting in your yard now.  Think about herons, ducks and even orioles, hummingbirds, and warblers.  The Minnesota state bird--the loon is even at risk.  We need to know what the numbers are now so that next spring we can see who is missing.

This is a quick photo that I snapped last week on my way in to work of an adult sandhill crane with its colt about to hide in some grass.  Depending on where these birds end up along the coast in migration--this little young bird hatched this summer is at risk.  We do not know how the food chain will be affected long term--birds of all types fuel up before they cross the Gulf--as marshes and wetlands take in oil--will the necessary food be there for the migrants?  Even birds that winter along the coast like cranes--will they have enough food, will they be able to avoid ingesting oil?  Will loons spending the winter in the Gulf not have food or be covered in oil?  We don't know and we need numbers now.  We can all do our part in a small way to take stock of our local bird life.

I generally try to be a glass is half full kind of gal.  When people complain about how many species we have lost or bird populations in trouble, I think about how many species have rebounded--like pelicans, cranes, peregrine falcons, bald eagles and herons--I still have hope we can fix things.  But then this oil spill happens and it's hard to maintain that positive outlook.  We've worked so hard for so many species and then one big disaster by a company who was ill prepared to deal with it has mucked it up.  And I don't trust BP.  Especially when I see the shady dealings like using the local sheriff to shoo media away.  Here's a video of the Terrebone Parish Sheriff "strongly encouraging" Drew Wheelan who is reporting on the birds affected by the spill for the American Birding Association to leave and not film BP's building.  Shady.  Very shady.

Random Snipe

Non Birding Bill may not like to travel with me to go birding, but he knows how much I love it and when he sees a good deal, he lets me know. I've been muttering all spring that I'm jonesing for a trip to Harlingen, TX and have been kicking around the idea of meeting up WildBird on the Fly down there in November.  NBB sent me a link for a sale at  Southwest Airlines and being a savvy traveler, I checked a few other airlines and found an even cheaper deal with Sun Country Airlines and now I'm committed--I'm going to the Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival this November!  I love this festival for the birds, the organizers, the opportunity to see many birding friends (many vendors who work the bird show circuit show up there) and the fact that it has relatively inexpensive lodging and food.  If you only have the time and money for one or two bird festivals--this is the place to go.  You get off the wall cool birds like green jays, the opportunity for Central American species like rose-throated becard and fabulous Mexican food.  This festival is so awesome that in the most recent publication of Australia's Wingspan (the Australian version of the American Birding Association) listed their top birding festivals worldwide and the Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival was on the list.

Meanwhile, I was cleaning off the desktop on my computer and found a bunch of photos that I meant to put in the blog but I think I only put on Twitter.  Above is a Wilson's snipe photo that I got at the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds.  We could hear snipe displaying above us (here is a link so you can hear what the display sounds like--they make this sound in flight with their feathers, so if you ever hear it in the wild, look up).

We had heard this sound several times, then I noticed a bird coming out of the sky and about to land, only it made this sound.  I couldn't believe it, a snipe landed on a snag.  Our field trip group was taking in the site and then three bloody cowbirds flew over and scared it off.  Really, snipe, you were intimidated by cowbirds?  I must admit, I expected more of you.

Anyway, it was cool to get a momentary look at a shorebird in a tree.

Peregrine Falcon Viewing At Lock & Dam 1

Just a heads up that right now is an excellent time for peregrine falcon viewing at Lock and Dam 1 in Minneapolis near Minnehaha Creek.  I took the above photo of one of the chicks Saturday. Look at that baby peregrine--doesn't it look like quite the thug?

Here's a screen capture of the dam from Google Maps.  I circled the area you want to stand in to view the falcons.  Of course it helps to have binoculars or a scope, but the falcons are quite visible without optics.

The cool thing about the timing for the next two weeks is that the chicks are losing their natal down and growing feathers--they should be easy to see and huddled in the back of the nest box.  They are quite active as they beg for food and practice flapping their wings when they take flight very soon.

Here is one of the adult birds that was perched near the nest--look at that, her foot is tucked and her feathers are fluffed.  That's a sign of a relaxed and contented bird.  The Lock and Dam peregrines are a treat in the Twin Cities--easily accessible and awesome birds.  You can also watch for other species around the dam including great blue herons and double-crested cormorants.  Take advantage of this cool view before the chicks leave the nest box.

Nerds & Play on Birds

Ha! That kind of rhymes.  Non Birding Bill just reminded me to put a note in the blog that there are some fun events this weekend. 1.  Is a thing called Nerd Party which is going on all weekend.  On Saturday at 6:30pm, they are having a nerd costume contest and I get to be one of the judges (I know, weird right?).  One of the other judges is Tron Guy who will be coming in full Tron. This sounds like it promises to be full of the wacky and would make for an interesting Saturday night.  It's in my neck of the woods which lends itself for some fun nerd antics followed by a walk to any number of fun bars and restaurants.  Wonder if I can talk NBB into moto-i afterwards?

This combined with recording a podcast for Geek A Week today seriously has me rethinking my tagline on the blog.

2.  The other thing that is going on is a final performance of Play on Birds at the Bryant Lake Bowl (you can eat and drink during the show and bowl after wards).  A show that NBB and I created and perform that pokes fun at birds, bird watchers and bird feeding.  There's something in there for everyone from the hardcore (what birders think they look like) to the non birder (the brown bird sketch always kills).  10% of the profits will go to the work that the International Bird Research and Rescue Center is doing with oiled birds on the Gulf Coast.

Weird Flycatcher & Bird Coloration Book

My buddy Carrol Henderson has a knack for finding and capturing unusual wildlife circumstances.  Note the great crested flycatcher below:

Carrol was at Bob Farmes Pool road at the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, June 6, 2010. He noted that this great crested flycatcher had an exceptional amount of aberrant yellow plumage over its back and and a very yellow breast. Carrol said, "The bird was pecking persistently at a large timber wolf dropping in the middle of the road in order to remove a beakful of snowshoe hare fur which I assume it was using to line its nest. Recycling at its very best."

I love it.  As if finding a flycatcher with excessive amounts of yellow wasn't cool enough, he ups the ante by mentioning that its gathering nesting material from wolf scat.  Here are some photos of a great crested flycatcher that Mark and Roger got while banding birds at Mr. Neil's so you can see what it should look like:

Here's the back of a flycatcher--there's a bit of yellow edge along the wing feathers, but nothing like Carrol's photo above.  Many people have heard great crested flycatchers, but may not see them.  Here's what they sound like.

And here is the front of the flycatcher--note they do have some yellow on the belly, but nothing like what we see in Carrol's photo.  I thought the photo was a perfect time to talk about an AWESOME book that came out this spring.

This is one of my favorite bird books to come out in the last year.  It's by National Geographic and it's called Bird Coloration Geoffrey E. Hill.  The book is a user friendly guide to the hows and whys of bird coloration.  It uses illustrations and photos along with an engaging text to explain why that tanager is such an intense red.

They really went the extra mile with this book to make it approachable and interesting.  This is a great book for birders of all levels--rom the  great pop out tips for beginners to the hard core information like "psittacofulvin pigments."

I looked up yellow pigment to see if I could shed any light on the excessively yellow great crested flycatcher. On the flycatcher's back, it should have phaeomelanin--this creates the earth tone colors you see in birds.  Birds can have intricate patterns of phaeomelanin in their feathers but since the flycatcher above has yellow on the back--it would appear that something went haywire in its genes and patches of its feathers are lacking phaeomelanin.

The book mentions that colors like orange, red and yellow in birds come from carotenoids.  It mentions that birds with carotenoids tend to have patches of it on the body--like on the crown or breast and not intricate patterns (think about birds with red, yellow or orange--like orioles, cardinals, tanagers and goldfinches).  "No bird shows an intricate within-feather pattern of red an yellow, a circumstance suggesting that fine control of carotenoid deposition in feathers is not possible.  Most patterns are created by carotenoid pigmentation when entire feathers are either pigmented or not pigmented."

So, could the bird's genes have gone so haywire that some phaeomelnin is missing and replaced by carotenoids? We can't know for sure but it's fun to speculate on this bird.

Alan Alda 1970s Woodpecker Expert

Well thanks to the wonder that is the internet, I've seen the following clip.  I got it from Tim Gallagher and it's so weird, I have to share it.  So here we go, a clip from the movie Isn't It Shocking with Alan Alda and Louise Lasser discussing woodpeckers at the feeder: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neTjg5sQ_xA&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]