Geeks Spoil Their Own Fun

There are some disturbing headlines coming out of England (Note, for those who don't know, a twitcher is the British term for birder):

Twitchers Accused of Bird's Death (BBC News)
Hounded to Death...By Bird Lovers! (The Mirror)
Bird-brained Twitchers slammed! (The Sun)

The story stems from a complaint that a bunch of birders chased a rare starling "to death" and one of the members of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds asking for an investigation. Here's the BBC's version and here's the Sun's version (interesting to note the difference between the two stories).

On the one hand I think it's very uncool to chase down a rare bird at the expense of its health but on the other hand, I get really tired of over protective people getting worked up about one unhealthy bird. This was one bird way off course and probably in questionable health to begin with. Several people chasing a healthy bird for two days would not kill it, a bird in questionable health...maybe (and that's a big maybe). If its health was that bad, it's a matter of time before it dies anyway regardless of how many people were chasing it to get a glimpse of it. I get irritated with someone wasting all the media attention and effort on one bird in an extreme circumstance. Why don't we get that kind of momentum to solving (note I said solving, not whining about) the problem of millions of birds flying into windows and cell phone towers during migration. I think that doesn't get as much play because we know it's a problem and it seems too big to be able to solve. We're not going to stop using cell phones and skyscrapers, so we need to find ways to alert migrating birds that the structures are there and that is not something that's going to be invented overnight.

Offerings for the Sick

I got some fun stuff in the mail today! We got a personalized copy of Letters From Eden. Whoot! I had read the advanced copy and had even gotten a glimpse of it in Julie's studio last spring but now I have it in all its colorful glory.

Here is Cinnamon's favorite water color inside the book. I think my favorite is the turkey vulture story with all the little vulture etchings. The book is like a going through her journal and finding her art, thoughts on life and family all while educating you about the natural world--not just birds but also frogs, turtles, wildflowers. An excellent book that will be a popular gift this holiday season.

The other fun toy I got was the National Geographic Handheld Guide to Birds. I first saw a prototype at the ABA Convention in Tucson in 2005 and got to take a beta version with me to Arkansas on the ivory-bill search. It's now finally available to purchase and it is SO cool!

Essentially, it is a National Geographic Field Guide program for a palm pilot. If you already have a Palm Pilot you can get just the card with the program or you can get but a package of the Palm and the Card. I did not have a palm so I got the complete package. I've had a handheld device before, a Visor so I'm familiar with using one of these.

It has everything the field guide has from the illustrations, maps, distinguishing characteristics and foraging and mating behaviors. It has the most complete bird song library for North American species I have ever seen. Since it's a complete North American field guide, it's not divided between eastern and western regions. A surprise feature that is different than the previous version is that you can now synchronize it with eBird!

Another cool feature is that when you click on the species accounts, you will notice red highlighted words. These are words that a person may not have memorized. So, you click on the red word and bam:

You get the definition. That's pretty darn sweet and very handy educational tool. You can also create search lists with different criteria based on color, or region that you saw the bird. You can also create a species list based on what state you are in and the month you are visiting that state. This is not a cheap gadget, but when you factor in the fact that it is a complete North American field guide with audio for almost all species, bird terminology dictionary, every checklist available all crammed in a tiny device that slides easily in a pants pocket, it is very much worth the price.

What Goes Around My Home During the Day

I am so amazed at my body's ability to sleep with whatever virus has taken hold. I can take a couple of DayQuils and a giant mug of coffee and still fall fast asleep on the couch! How is this happening?

And maybe this is the DayQuil speaking but Chris Eccleston is hot, hot, HOT! Non Birding Bill has introduced me to the Dr. Who series (the old series), so being sick at home I thought I would turn on the tv and I discovered a Dr. Who marathon (the new series) on the Sci Fi channel today. Oh, gone are the days of the lanky man with bushy hair and a long scarf--hallo sexy, dark, broody, well dressed (and did I mention sexy?) Chris Eccleston. Unfortunately, Mr. Eccleston didn't continue the series and ended up regenerating himself at the end of season one (something time lords do to evade death) and the Dr. is now played by David Tennant--a little cheekier, not as broody, but he'll have to do.

Meanwhile when not watching daleks run amok, I watched the warblers that still have the trees in my neighborhood under siege. I assumed my chair at the window and watched the parade of kinglets, palm warblers, butter butts, Nashvilles and Tennessees. Some of them even flew over towards my window and hopped about in my flower boxes. However, I am so slow on the uptake that I couldn't get a photo. Then, an odd looking squirrel caught my attention. My apartment faces the ally and it is common to see squirrels raiding the dumpsters. Then it occurred to me that this squirrel was moving strangely and the tail wasn't bushy, then horrid realization set in:

A rat! In broad daylight, a rat checking out all the dumpsters! I know rats are everywhere and they are not new to me. I've seen them in New York, I dealt with them when I managed a bird store and goodness knows I have hacked up my fair share as hawk chow at The Raptor Center, but it still threw me for a loop seeing it right down below.

"Rats! I don't approve of rats! Keep them away from my food."

Yeah, Cinnamon, I don't care for them myself. It was interesting watching the rat systematically test out the building across the way for openings to get inside. It really didn't seem to be too distressed at being out and about in broad daylight. For some reason I always thought of them as being nocturnal.

The rat then made its way around the corner to a stick pile in my noisy neighbor's yard. I went to the bathroom window to watch and it came face to face with a squirrel. Look at the rat in relation to the gray squirrel in the above photo--I mean really, apart from the bushy tail, it's about the same size! The squirrel kept a healthy distance from the rat. It didn't leave but worked to keep the brush pile between it and the rat. The rat on the other hand just seemed to try and get as close to the squirrel as it could perhaps out of curiosity or maybe just trying to show that it wasn't going to be intimidated. The rat eventually moved on to another area of the noisy neighbor's yard. I was surprised that it didn't make a beeline for the area under my bird feeders, but there's probably tastier pickins in the dumpsters.

I think we need something cleansing after a rat. Happily, a warbler delivered. I could hear some warblers outside my bathroom window, so I quietly pished and low and behold:

This is not digiscoped, as if on cue this yellow-rumped warbler just popped down to check out the pishing coming from the bathroom window. So cute!

Sickchick.com

This young bird about sums up how I feel right now. My nose has staged a formal protest and a strike has been called. Mucus has moved into all sinus cavities and nostrils and is heavily picketing. Any air that tries to pass through is blocked no matter how much negotiating is done with decongestant nasal spray. Non Birding Bill is going to try and help the mediation process by getting some nasal strips. Hurry, NBB, hurry!

I am SO sick. However, being optimist, I am incredibly relieved that my body is getting this out of its system this week. A caravan from Indianapolis is coming up next week that will include my mom and three of my sisters...I think. They've been planning this trip for some time and are very excited--as is NBB (they are not stopping in the Twin Cities but heading straight to Duluth so he gets a pass on visits from inlaws this time around). Mom and my oldest sister Terri haven't been here since the owl irruption, Monica has been here once and this will be Angela's maiden voyage--not sure how she's going to fair being in a blind and being quiet all day. Angela is the loud one of the family. I think it's safe to say we won't be getting any harriers.

Cinnamon is somewhat sympathetic but is happy that I am the one being force fed medicine this time and not her.

Hey, can anyone id that young raptor in the first photo? I have some prizes, either a calendar, lens pen, or Nyquill. Let me know what you want.

I'm gonna crawl under a rock now.

Oh, wait an anonymous bird sent me following press release. Careful what you're watching at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge! We had an area in Minnesota get shut off from public access for a similar reason--it was really too bad because long-earred owls roost there. But the police didn't have funding to patrol the area and so closed and bocked it to traffic. My justification was that if more birders were in there then there would be fewer shenanigans, but that didn't fly with law enforcement. Here's the release:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2006
www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln

FEDERAL CHARGES FILED FOR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR AT
WHEELER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Today in U.S. District Court twenty-one Criminal Informations and seven Indictments have been filed charging illegal sexual contact, public lewdness and indecent exposure at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge located in Limestone and Morgan Counties in Alabama. From July 20 through July 23, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alabama State Conservation Officers conducted a covert operation to curtail illegal activity in areas of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge that had generated numerous complaints from citizens using the Refuge. The "Refuge" is an area within the special territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. Government.

"The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a place intended for public enjoyment through the appreciation of wildlife and nature in general," states U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. "It is not, and will not be used as a place for public lewdness, public indecency or perverted
acts by the public. These covert indecency roundup efforts will continue."

"We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for our legitimate visitors," said Refuge Manager, Dwight Cooley. "We will continue to place the highest priority on curbing all illegal activities that prevent us from accomplishing that mission."

The release then goes on to name names (mostly men) and ages and acts which we don't really need to read here. But just an FYI, if you're birding in that area and have to use the restroom, I would double my efforts to find a portapotty and not a bush. You might be in trouble.

Another Ivory-bill Job

This is for the Florida search:

We are currently taking applications for full-time searchers for the 2006/2007 field season. The minimum time commitment is January 2 to May 30, 2007. Searchers willing to work through Christmas and New Year holidays are also especially needed. Stipend is $1200/mo with no benefits. Anyone willing to join the full-time search without receiving a stipend will get special consideration. Searchers will live in a remote camp in a tent or in a bunkhouse and must purchase their own food. Please send resume, contact info for two references, and a page summarizing why you want to be part of the search, your level of physical fitness, and your skills as a kayaker, canoeist, hiker, and birder to Brian Rolek at brianrolekATgmailDOTcom. Applications received before Oct 15, 2006 will get first consideration.

Freelance birders may send descriptions of sightings or sound detections to Geoff Hill at ghillATacesagDOTauburnDOTedu.

Warblers in the Hood

I have no idea what bug hit me in Duluth but now that my GI tract has finally settled, I have a such a stuffy head. Oh well, at least now that I'm free lance writing I can work from home in my pjs.

There were literally hundreds of warblers in the trees this morning--so many butter butts making their "kissing" chip noise that it sounded like quite the lovefest was going on. I grabbed my binos, a big cup of coffee, opened the screen and took them in.

You may not be able to tell from this photo but there tons of warblers in this photo above--they just match the trees so well. They were way to fast to try an photograph, but I did try:

Here's a blurry Nashville warbler...

...and a blurry Tennessee warbler. Look at how much that little dude blends with the leaves. There were tons of yellow-rumps and palm warblers and a couple of vireos.

After I warblered out, I got to work on the City Bird/Country Bird book. We're still in the process of adding photos, so if you sent some, I can't give an answer yet on whether or not your photo has been used. I will have the answer when we go to print and I will contact you via email. Right now we are in the process of adding Apartment Tips and captions. Cinnamon says I need to add bunny tips but they are just ways of feeding bird seed to your pet rabbit.

A Step In the Right Direction

I wish I could go to this! Too bad it wasn't advertised sooner. This is a great first step to solving the problem instead of complaining and blaming about it.

A conference on hazards faced by birds from tall structures such as buildings, communication, wind energy generators and power transmission towers and lines is scheduled for Oct. 13 at the Ho-Chunk Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells.

The conference features speakers representing the power and communications industries, glass manufacturers and wildlife management organizations and agencies. Conference and registration information can be found on the Madison Audubon Society Web Page.

Biologists estimate that more than 1 billion birds die each year from collisions with glass and many more from hitting other man made hazards such as broadcast tower guy lines and power transmission lines.

Organizers of the “No Bird Left Behind” conference are seeking to open new lines of communication and information sharing with those who plan, own and operate tall structures that can affect migrating birds. The conference will offer panel presentations on current knowledge about why birds collide with buildings, towers, wind energy generators and transmission lines.

The conference is open to all concerned or interested citizens and is cosponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative and Bird Conservation Minnesota. The Wisconsin Audubon Council is organizing the event.

Bird Interactions with Tall Structures
and How to Reduce the Risk

New information will be added as it becomes available.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Purpose:

    • Create awareness and increase knowledge of the problems migratory birds face from tall structures such as buildings, transmission towers, and wind energy generators
    • Gain understanding of the restrictions on owners/operators of these structures
    • Bring interested parties together to discuss the problems
    • Open lines of communication and foster cooperation to help alleviate the problems

Who should attend:

Industry representatives: building managers, owners; architects, broadcasting station owners, staff (engineers); wind energy equipment owners and operators; government decision makers and technical staff involved in regulating tall structures, environmentalists and bird lovers

Hosted by: Wisconsin Audubon Council
Co-sponsors: Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bird Conservation Minnesota

Schedule:
FRIDAY, October 13
8:00 a.m. Registration

9:00 Light continental breakfast provided

9:30 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Master of Ceremonies: Peter Cannon, Madison Audubon Society and regional director, National Audubon Society
Keynote speaker: Noel Cutright, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology

10:15 PLENARY PANELS
Birds and Buildings — Daniel Klem, Muhlenberg College, PA, expert on bird collisions with glass;
Rick Voelker, Viracon, manufacturer of glass coatings, Wausau, WI, and
Scott Diehl, Wisconsin Humane Society and “WiNGS,” Wisconsin Night Guardians for Songbirds, Milwaukee. Q&A.

11:30 Broadcast Communication Towers — John Laabs, President, Wisconsin Broadcasters Assn., Madison, and
Joelle Gehring, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. Q&A.
12:30 p.m. Lunch provided

1:30 Wind Energy and Electric Transmission/Distribution Lines — Leakhena Au, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Green Bay, WI; and
Rich Carleton, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA. A wind energy representative will be announced. Q&A.

3:00 Break

3:20 FINDING COMMON GROUND
Participants interact in facilitated discussion groups to identify priority issues and action that can be taken.

4:35 WRAP-UP
Report out from discussion groups, dialogue; commitments for the future

5:00 Adjourn for dinner

5:15 Cash bar

5:45 Dinner (heavy hors d’oeuvres) provided

6:30 SPEAKER
Migration & Technology — Albert Manville, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, DC

7:30 Adjourn for the day

Snakes on a Quarter?

Maybe Idaho should put snakes on their quarter instead? Have you read this story? Those who don't care for snakes, might not want to go on:

A home in St. Anthony was sold really cheap because it's infested with hundreds, maybe thousands, of snakes.

The owner Lyman Hepworth said he bought the house in March and didn't know there were 500 hibernating snakes in the basement, though snakes are known to be in the area. The snakes are making their way back to the home to hibernate for the winter.

A Local News 8 reporter even had a snake slither right over her shoe. When the owners discovered they had snakes in the spring, Hepworth said he was killing up to 50 snakes a day.

The snakes are simply garter snakes, but when you get hundreds and thousands of them it creates quite a problem. While Local News 8 was at the home, we saw at least six snakes in a matter of minutes.

This house has stood empty for eight years, and according to Fish and Game, they think the snakes have been using the house as a winter hibernation spot since it was empty. The snakes are just now returning for hibernation so there are not yet hundreds, but the owner says there will be soon enough.

Hepworth says when he first discovered he had snakes, he went down to the basement and reached for the light cord, only to find a 4-foot snake hanging right beside it. They've tried to plug up the holes but there are just too many. He said he also found a big ball of dead snakes in the basement and hundreds more living on the basement floor. Hepworth says he just wants them out of there so he and his wife can have a place to live.

Read the rest of the story here and watch video footage of the home.

Peregrine Controversy in Idaho

For some reason I can't post directly to the link, but head over to WildBird on the Fly's blog and look for the Monday, Sept 25, 2006 entry. A very odd petition has started about the peregrine falcon being removed from the state quarter design for Idaho.

I went to look at the actual petition and I think there is now official proof that people who live in Idaho are a little touched. Several added comments with their signatures and I really have to wonder about people who think a potato is more exciting than a bird that can go over 200 miles per hour in a dive.