Birdchick Podcast #32: Heron Rookery, Birding as Exercise and Big Year

Birding News: All the heron rookery stuff.

Someone thinks birding is a good hobby for exercise and getting fit.  Not.

National Zoo researcher Nico Dauphine arrested on suspicious of poisoning non native feral cats to protect native wild birds.

Screen shot 2011-05-18 at 9.28.34 AM
Screen shot 2011-05-18 at 9.28.34 AM

I found this publicity still from the upcoming Big Year movie.  It looks like Steve Martin has Swarovksi binoculars, Owen Wilson has Zeiss...but what brand is Jack Black toting?  There's been a debate on my Facebook page and it looks like he's packing Kowa binoculars.

In other news, Ontario Nature and Ecojustice, two independent environmental organizations, launched a precedent-setting case against Menkes Developments, the owners of Consilium Place, which could lead to big fines for using reflective windows that they allege has caused the death or injury of some 800 migratory birds over a nine-month stretch between 2008 and 2009.

Birdchick Podcast #29: Pelican Blood Movie, State of the Birds, 10 Birds

Here's podcast 29 and here's what we talked about: Bird News:

Pelican Blood Trailer (a little racy for work).  It has Rory from Dr. Who in it!

Annual State of the Birds Report

New York Times 10 Birds Worth Watching For in Migration...what birds do you watch for?  I watch for bobolink myself.

 

Bird Blogs:

The last I and the Bird (birding blog carnival)

 

Bird Events:

Canopy Tower & Lodge is having a summer special.  Here are my Panama blog entries--it's worth every penny to get there.

Birdchick Podcast #28 Ivory-bill BS, New Swaro Bins & other bird stuff

Non Birding Bill seems to think this is our best podcast ever...I'm not so sure.  Either way, here are the links to the stories we talked about: Birding News:

There's a guy on the listervs who either goes by Michael Collins or Fish Crow who uses super blurry images or images to say he's seen an ivory-billed woodpecker. He's found a way to get media attention (most likely because birders are ignoring him).

The New York Times is having a Bird Week!

The movie Pelican Blood debuts on DVD this week...er, March 2011.

New Swarovski Companion Binoculars--Eagle Optics has the 8x30s under a thousand and the 10x30s right at.

Falconry program ousted at JFK airport in favor of guns.

 

Birding Blogs:

The American Birding Association would like to know what articles you'd like to read about--please tell them!

Titmouse trying to steal a woman's hair for nesting material.

Podcast #27 Loon Cam & Peregrine Nails a Stake Out Bird

Bird News: Response from Vermillion County, Indiana on why they gave such a low fine for killing an endangered species--essentially killing a bird like that is only a misdemeanor and though a Whooping Crane is valued at over $100,00--who would they pay that too?  AKA  the Hoosier State Law doesn't care about wildlife and Indiana doing a great job of advertising how much they don't want wildlife tourism money.

Let the Governor Mitch Daniels know that this makes you not want to spend any money in his state on tourism and copy Visit Indiana (tourism department) too.  Keep the message respectful, don't call names but just say plainly and clearly something to the effect of:

Dear Governor Daniels,

I spend X amount of $ on birding/wildlife observation /hunting/fishing.  Your state's treatment to kids and adults who shoot an endangered species  on purpose makes me not want to visit your state or spend any money there.  It's a bummer too because I would spend lots of money to see a wild whooping crane as well as many other birds.

You can call or email.

It may not seem much, but it's a start to let Indiana know that the way they treat wildlife--especially an endangered species shared by many states, needs to change.  Again, don't use profanity...although, feel free to listen to a certain Cee Lo song while you write your letter.

In other news, here's an interesting report on how birds with different colors survived after the Chernobyl disaster.

Danger of live cams, sometimes the birds die.  Female eagle on Virginia Eagle Cam killed by plane, eaglets removed from nest.

Live Loon Cam is back on KARE 11

Bird Blogs:

This was more among the birding social media but Picus Blog posted photos to his Facebook page of a white-faced ibis in Massachussettes. They shouldn't be in that part of the US.  Alas, some college students went out to watch the stake out birds and...videoed a peregrine falcon taking out the off course bird.  MUST WATCH footage (if for no other reaction than the audio reaction of the birders):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyqijh2sMao[/youtube]

Bird Event:

Delaware Bird-a-thon.  98% of all proceeds will go directly toward purchasing and enhancing land in Delaware. This land can provide vital migratory habitat for species such as the Red Knot.  If you pledge you get a red know bracelet.

Birdchick Podcast #26 Brewer's Game Hawk & Angry Birds

Birdchick Podcast #25 Indiana Fines Wade Bennett $1 for Killing Whooping Crane

News: SO ANGRY! Indiana screwed up in a big way.  The Hoosier State sent a message that killing an endangered species like a Whooping Crane is only worth $1. Seriously, they fined Wade Bennett and an unnamed minor who killed an endangered species ONE DOLLAR.  Unacceptable.

Osprey chick that hatched after being removed from a salvage crane has died.

Migrating birds escape the worst of the BP Oil Spill, nesting birds could still be affected.

HBO Documentary Saving Pelican 895 covers the BP Oil Spill.

Blogs:

Swarovski Optik wins Great Texas Birding Classic 5 Day.

Baby Porcupine Eating a Banana with Hiccups.

Events:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology going for Big Day Record.  Have you ever birded in Texas?  If not, their promo video will make you want to:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Wz4yZZj8A&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]