Flying Penguins

From CNN.com

In Brazil, 373 young Magellanic penguins were rescued, rehabilitated and released last weekend after their search for food left them stranded, hundreds of miles from their usual feeding grounds.

Animal-welfare activists loaded the birds onto a Brazilian air force cargo plane and flew them 1,550 miles to the country's southern coast, where a crowd of onlookers celebrated as the penguins marched back into the sea.

"We are overjoyed to see these penguins waddle back to the ocean and have a second chance at life," said veterinarian Dr. Valeria Ruoppolo of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the group that oversaw the rescue.

Magellanic penguins are warm-weather birds that breed in large colonies in southern Argentina and Chile. The young animals then migrate north between March and September, following their favorite fish, the anchovy. The birds are named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who first saw them in 1519. But changes in currents and water temperature apparently confused the juvenile birds, who strayed too far north to the warm beaches of Salvador, Brazil, 870 miles north of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Starting in mid-July, in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahía, "It was just about raining penguins," Ruoppolo said. "There was not much of a food supply. The birds were stranded and emaciated. They had lost all their muscles and body condition."

While occasionally a few birds show up so far north, the unusual sight of hundreds of wayward penguins posed a challenge for animal conservation groups.

Of more than 1,600 penguins that washed ashore in northern Brazil, about half are still alive. That is a fairly good outcome, given the fragile status of young birds on their first migration, said Ruoppolo.

Some penguins are still being cared for, both in the north and south of Brazil. The newly released birds have bands on their flippers so scientists can follow their progress and learn more about their migratory habits.

On Friday, the penguins ready for release were loaded into special crates and put onto the plane for the journey to Pelotas, in southern Brazil. After their first-ever flight, the birds went on a truck ride to the Center for Recovery of Marine Animals, where they rested for 24 hours.

The birds released at Cassino Beach the next day had to meet very specific health criteria, said Ruoppolo.

"Their feathers had to be waterproof, their overall body condition had to be good, their lungs healthy, and they had to be able to catch food," she said.

The youngsters had some adult supervision for their return to the wild. They were released with a small group of adult penguins that had been nursed back to health after surviving an oil spill. Scientists expect the older birds will help guide the little ones to nearby feeding grounds.

Birds and Beers Special Edition in Bellville, Ohio--Oct 17, 2008

Callin' Ohio Birders! There's going to a be a special edition of Birds and Beers in Belleville, OH when I come for the Audubon State Assembly on October 17, 2008!

Birds and Beers
At K.C.'s Steak and Ribs
419-886-2159

6pm - 8pm (or when people go home)

Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities--if you're interested in birds, you're invited. You can meet other birders--maybe find a carpool buddy, ask about where to find target birds, share cool research projects you might be working on, ask a bird feeding question, share life lists--the sky is the limit. It's low key and it's fun.

There are so many people that are doing interesting things bird wise--research projects, banding, writing, etc. and we don't often find out about it on the listservs. I also notice that some of us only have a chance to meet at a stake out bird. This is a chance to get some of us together, have a drink, and talk some birds.

I must say, last night's Birds and Beers got a bit randy--I think it was the best laugh I've had all week. Someone mentioned that they wanted to start a Muskrats and Martinis, which led to discussions of taking Birds and Beers going on the road, watching the birds and sipping a little something. This time of year we could do Coors and Coots. I wondered what we could pair with owls and had trouble thinking of something and then some sweet little thing said she had an idea and wasn't going to say it out loud (and it wasn't a form of alcohol) which degenerated into double entendres of birding lingo. I'm never going to think of casting a pellet the same way again.

We also came up with a birding drinking game. Find an active feeder, fill a hat with the names of birds that are commonly seen there. Everyone draws a name out of a hat and every time their bird species comes to the feeder, they have to take a sip. You'd be in trouble if you drew chickadee, house sparrow, or starling. If a bird shows up that no one has, a player could challenge another player to identify it. If that player cannot, they have to drink from a cup that has a little of everyone's drink in it.

We wrapped it up early so we all had a chance to go home and watch the debate.

Birdchick Say Relax! Watch The Birds At The Feeder & Count 'Em!


You know you would rather watch birds than watch the news about the economy, so why not also do use that relaxing time to contribute to research! Just watch your bird feeders once a week for as little as 15 minutes (or longer if you so choose) and contribute to science.

The 2008-09 season of Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch gets underway November 8 and runs through April 3. You can count the numbers and kinds of birds at their feeders each week and send the information to the Cornell Lab of the Big O. Last season, participants submitted more than 115,000 checklists, documenting unusual bird sightings, winter movements, and shifting ranges- a treasure-trove of information that scientists use to monitor the health of the birds and of the environment.

Scientists learn something new from the data each year, too, whether it’s about the movements of common backyard birds or unusual sightings of rarely-seen species.

Highlights of the most recent season include the largest southward movement of red-breasted nuthatches in the history of the project -part of an expected influx of northern birds that fly farther south when their food supplies run short.

Other northern species showing up in record numbers included common repolls and pine siskins (like the little dudes above that were at Mr. Neil's last winter). Long-term data show some species increasing in number, such as the lesser goldfinch in the Southwest. Other populations continue a downward trend, such as the Evening Grosbeak throughout their range. Once one of the most common species seen at feeders in the northern half of the continent, the grosbeaks are declining for unknown reasons.

Beyond the benefits to birds and science, however, is the benefit to participants. “Nature is not merely an amenity; it is critical to healthy human development and functioning,” says Nancy Wells, Cornell University assistant professor of design and environmental analysis. Her studies find that a view of nature through the window or access to the environment in any way improves a child’s cognitive functioning and reduces the negative effects of stress on the child’s psychological well-being. Wells also notes that when children spent time with nature early in life it carries over to their adult attitudes and behavior toward the environment.

Project FeederWatch welcomes participants of all ages and skill levels, from scout troops and retirees to classrooms and nature center visitors. You can do this--chances are if your read this blog, you watch birds at your feeder anyway, this is just a way of taking it to the next level. If you do not have feeders at your home (get a copy of City Birds/Country Birds and that'll help) or go to your local nature center or refuge, find out if they have feeders, if they plan on participating and offer to volunteer or them.

To learn more and to sign up, visit Project FeederWatch or call the Lab toll-free at (800) 843-2473.

Birds Don't Steer Me Wrong

I have to give some props to one of my new blog supporters.

You may have noticed a new supporter on the side of the blog, Credit River Outdoor Creations. This is actually someone I know--his name is Todd and he's been our mechanic, well since we moved to Minnesota in 1996. We know nothing about car repair and needed someone we could trust. I chose him because when I walked into Amigo Service Center for an oil change, I looked around the waiting room and saw bird houses, a birding calendar on the wall, and some birds painted into the decor. I told Non Birding Bill, "These are bird people, we can trust bird people."

Over the years we've gotten to the know the staff and recently, Todd told me that he started a little birding business selling a bird feeding pole system and a seed storage system. When he described the pole system he was selling, I recognized it right away:

It's the Plymouth Pole system--it was always one of my favorites when I worked at the bird store and a tough one to find. I've installed it at my mom's and at Mr. Neil's and show it my City Birds/Country Birds book. When the pole system is set up correctly with a raccoon baffle, it works really well to keep any manner of critter out of your feeders. It works because the feeders are above five feet and if you put a raccoon baffle on it and the pole is mounted a good 10 feet from a tree, fence, your home, or lawn furniture, it will keep squirrels and raccoons from climbing the pole. And a note, if you're short like me, use Easy Lift hangers to hang your feeders on the pole system, it makes it a cinch to get them down.

So, if your looking for a good sturdy pole system, check out Todd's site--he's a good guy and I appreciate his support for the site.

Birds and Beers Tonight

Hey!

Birds and Beers is tonight at Merlin's Rest! And how did I miss that tonight is another presidential debate? The last Birds and Beers was on Obama's acceptance speech, but we still made it home in time to watch. Sheesh. Maybe this should be the last Birds and Beers until after the election?

So, if already know whick candidate you're voting for or just like to get the highlights of the debate on YouTube or the radio, see you tonight!

Birds and Beers is an informal gathering for people interested in birds to get together, have a beverage, maybe a few eats, and talk some birds. It's open to anyone who might be interested in watching birds to the hardcore lister and anyone in between.

The Difference Of Birds In The Hand

Man oh man, the migrants are all over the Twin Cities right now! The trees are just full of them. Above is one of the many yellow-rumped warblers that can be heard if you listen close for their kiss sounding chip note. I had originally planned to go up to Duluth for some hawk banding, but the winds were supposed to be the worst for banding and the winds in the Twin Cities were pretty good for migrant trapping--Friday at Carpenter was pretty amazing.

And warblers were the main order in the nets. Here's a rather indignant looking yellow-rumped warbler in hand. It's always amazing to me how different birds look in hand. We use mesh bags to hold the birds after they have been taken out of the net. You look through the mesh to figure out what is inside--the species tells you what size band you use. I at first looked at this bird through the mesh and lamented, "Aw, couldn't I have gotten an identifiable bird?" However, the bird fluttered in the bag, and I soon noticed the yellow rump and knew what it was.

We got in a few Nashville warblers too. After this bird was banded, I went to take a photo before letting it go and it just looked so non warbler like-just not feisty enough, almost looks like a child that's been naughty. Many of the birds take on a much different posture in hand than they do the wild.

But, pish at it a few times and it perks right up--feistiness returned.

And then it gives you as mighty a peck as a tiny insectivore can deliver before flying off.

This golden-crowned kinglet is another example--a bird that is full of vim and vigor when hopping about from branch to branch, but completely deflates when in hand.

Check out that buttery-yellow crown, though--drink that in. And again, as soon as this bird was let go, its sassy nature returned.

One of my favorite birds of the day was a brown creeper...or the hunchback. Looking at the above photo, don't you expect it to say in a Peter Lorre voice, "This way, master." But think about the last time you saw a brown creeper...you never see one perched on a branch like a robin, they are always creeping down a tree, perhaps it is essential for their posture.

It's fun to take a close look at all the little bits that make a creeper a creeper--bits that you don't get to see when they are against a tree. Look at how long the toe nails are--each nail is almost longer then the toe itself, essential for life on the side of a tree. Check out that beak, perfect for squeezing into tiny bark crevices to glean spiders and insects. Hm, between the hunch and the diet, this really is the Igor of the bird world.

The tail is pretty incredible too. It's long with pointy feathers, but unlike woodpecker tail feathers, the creeper tail feathers are quite soft. Perhaps the reason is that a brown creeper isn't chiseling into trees like a woodpecker. Strong, stiff tail feathers to prop the woodpecker body are needed if they are hammering open a hole, but a creeper just needs to slink up the bark of a tree.

After getting a bunch of tiny birds that looked small and sad in the hand, it was kind of a treat to get a robust white-throated sparrow with a little bit of an attitude. These birds feel so beefy in the hand and have a bit more kick to their bite, since they need that heavier bill to crack seed shells.

The whole bird is a lovely palette of brown, rust, white, black, yellow and gray. For a brown bird, it's got it going on. Watch for them under feeders (they actually like millet) and around ragweeds, sumac, wild grape, highbush cranberry, mountain ash, dogwoods, and rose hips.

More weekend banding fun to be continued.

Here The Buzz Of Our Bees On MPR

Mr. Neil's interview that was made the day we did our honey harvest is up at MPR: