Birdchick Blog
I've been in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia which puts on an awesome little bird festival. I stayed at the Manor Inn and if you are ever there, I highly recommend it. Feathers in amber.
Minnesota man named Craig Staloch accused of destroying 75% of pelicans nests that were on land he was leasing for farming.
Bird watcher dies trying to photograph a peregrine...let this a lesson to all of us.
24 Nihoa Millerbirds have been moved to a different island to prevent extinction.
Kind of a bummer for migration. Whimbrels--are really awesome type of shorebird have been fitted with satellite transmitters. One even went through Hurricane Irene. Alas, 2 of them have been legally shot, story here and here. It's legal on this island to shoot shorebirds, they are not part of the Migratory Bird Treaty. News that record numbers of birds of prey poisoned in Scotland.
Birds that were pets and released in their native Australia are teaching their wild counterparts human words.
Download the podcast theme song, "The Cinnamon Funk."
The "Happy Feet" penguin that swam up onto the New Zealand shore starving, underwent some wildlife rehab and was released with a satellite transmitter has disappeared. Go check out the Sunbathing Birds gallery at Bird Watching Magazine--the titmouse looks disturbing!
In really nice news, fewer migrating birds were trapped in the 911 Tribute of Lights. Unlike last year when at least 10,000 migrating birds became trapped in the lights.
Wind tunnels reveals how birds stay hydrated during migration. I'm so relieved I don't have to migrate.
Several common loons breeding in the Upper Midwest are sporting satellite transmitters in order for researchers to study the migration through the Great Lakes toward their southern winter homes. By using satellite tracking devices implanted in the loons from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Michigan Upper Peninsula, USGS scientists expect to learn information about avian botulism essential for managers to develop loon conservation strategies.
I had a guest post over on the Skepchick blog--I'm so honored!
This is where I'll be next week. From the American Birding Association Blog: Crazy female burrowing owl does 2 broods--1100 miles apart!
Oklahoma should really look at the lesser prairie-chicken as an economic opportunity, not an economic bust. There's a lesser prairie-chicken festival--Leks, Treks and More!
It's hawk migration time--find a Hawk Count near you!
Big Year news--lots of discussion about below:
A Swainson's hawk in the snow?
WildBird magazine makes an appearance in the movie!
Jim Parsons is supposed to play a bird blogger. Who is he? Have you ever seen a bird blogger in a beret?
Also Greg Miller (played by Jack Black in the film) has his own blog...and his own line of shirts:
Big Year news, we have a Trailer:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCBAP2wId5M[/youtube]
And Audubon Magazine has an article with all 3 stars. Steve Martin assures us they are respectful to birders...
Crows tested with snakes and teddy bears.
If you are remotely interested in whether or not birds have fingers or thumbs, you'll love this article.
Another great reason to buy a Duck Stamp: Bird Watcher Supply, Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company and Dawsonville Wild Birds Unlimited have agreed to offer a 10% discount to their customers who display the current duck stamp. Promotion continues through the end of December, 2011.
Here's an article about Sandy Komito, this is the guy who is portrayed by Owen Wilson in The Big Year Movie. Also, Mark Obmascik is now on Twitter and posted this photo for a new book cover (above), could this be a movie poster preview?For those interested, here's a blog post from when I spoke with a man who sat through an early preview several months ago.
Minnesota man charged with excessive bird feeding gets probation.
Record flock of sociable lapwings reported!
Birdspot has a shop up temporarily--includes harlot shirts!
Hurricane Irene Bird News:
Bird migrates through Hurricane Irene (must read).
New York Time article on birders birding post hurricane.
Zen Birdfeeder writes about the birds in her yard during Tropical Storm Irene.
eBird's breakdown of Hurricane Irene's birds.
Reader feedback from Kevin Collison: "You frequently mention birding groups efforts to attract more birders (members). I have one, tell them to stop being so hard on hunters. Most hunters, like myself, have a love for nature too. I love hunting, birding, and nature photography." Interesting RADAR image from Saturday night of bird migration and Hurricane Irene:
Birders are excited about hurricane birds and all kinds of terns and even a tropic bird have been reported.
A wayward red-tailed hawk got caught in a New York City apartment building and the rescue team tried to lure it out with bread. Really, guys, bread? Thanks for the news, Space Doggity.
A specimen collected in the 1960s proves to be an undocumented (and world's smallest) shearwater. It hasn't been seen since, is it extinct or hidden among other shearwaters? Here's a photo of the Bryan's shearwater specimen.
In less depressing news, there's a common murre nest on the Channel Islands that hatched chicks for the first time in 100 years! Yay! See sometimes conservation efforts CAN work.
A contest for musician/bird look alikes.
Brits at a pub were apparently eat crow (of sorts). A Rook Salad is now off the menu. Here's a followup story on what exactly you are allowed to eat wild bird wise in the UK. Man, I thought the Migratory Bird Treaty was hard to explain. Careful what swift saliva you're eating in birds nest soup.
Kellogg you're really making me not want to eat Froot Loops (and that's hard to do). Kellogg goes after a non profit the Maya Archaeology Initiative an educational group in Guatemala for infringing on Toucan Sam. Here are the 2 logos side by side. Kellogg is being a jerk:
Maya Archaeology Institute appears to be using a Toco Toucan (which isn't native to Guatemala) and I suspect Kellogg's Toucan Sam is unidentifiable but shows characteristics of Keel-billed Toucan and Blue Plate Mountain Toucan.
Sony is releasing binoculars that can record HD video...in 3D. Will these be any good? This guy needs to try and take a rose-breasted grosbeak out of a mist net--how hard do birds bite?
Man arrested for feeding birds near Bob Hope Airport.
Job opportunity for anyone who desires getting in to the suet industry.
Why is that dead bird wearing a transmitter?
Enter the Swarovski Digiscoper of the Year Contest! For realz, you should!
A penguin that was found WAY off course in New Zealand is getting a lift back towards its flock. Here's a counter point to the story. Someone posted it on the Birdchick Facebook wall and I think didn't get the reaction from me he was expecting. More buzz is coming out about Big Year, this movie writer is not sure birdwatching can be funny. Meanwhile, it looks like Fox has finally made their official movie page live.
An article about ptarmigan and how being faster makes you better at mating...glad I'm not married to a ptarmigan.
Popular Internet photos this week: Bald Blue Jay and albino Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Book I'm loving this week is Avian Architecture
