Blog for the Birds

N.H. Audubon Society taking bird survey

The NH Audubon Society wants to know the effect of heavy snows this winter are having on birds in the state.  They want volunteers to count birds in their yard for comparative checking against last years data. Last year saw relatively little snow. You can access the survey at the link below.

New Hampshire Audubon Society

Long Eared Owls show up in Downtown Chicago

Chicago area bird watchers are seeing a rare sight this winter.  The ordinarily reclusive Long Eared Owl seems to be showing up more and more in common places such as a park in downtown Chicago. When you consider what the primary food source is for owls is, this might not be such a good thing. One of the Owl’s favorite treats is a nice delicious rat. The abundance of these reclusive owls might mean an abundance of rats!

Bird watchers in Chicago getting rare treat this winter

Yellow Rail Goes off Track

Birders in the San Francisco bay area had an interesting sighting; a Yellow Rail. Only thing is, this bird is native to the Gulf Coast - oops wrong coast!  Arrowhead Marsh is a popular stopover on a west coast migration path called the ‘Pacific Flyway’ and it’s also popular spot for bird-watchers. The watchful birders saw this anomaly and the news quickly spread!

Rare bird draws admiring flocks

Atlantic City Patrons drive Seagull War

Atlantic City’s boardwalk has a problem with Seagulls.  They have become bold and fearless in their scavenging ways. Snatching those hot dogs and burgers out of people’s plates as the ‘victims’ helplessly watch. But how did the gulls get this bold? Seagulls are somewhat fearless by nature. They’re like the squirrels of the skies - give them a crumb and they’ll come back for the whole loaf!  They’re made more bold by feeding and if Atlantic City really wants to help control the problem, perhaps they should consider levying fines for feeders?

Atlantic City wages war on seagulls

Botulism Taking Toll in Great Lakes

The Great Lakes Bird ‘Die off’ has been identified as Botulism chain reaction. The key lies in the non native populations of zebra mussels and round gobies which apparently arrived in the Great Lakes by way of ballast tanks from ships during the 1980’s. They’re an invasive species and have created a new food chain. Zebra mussels filter naturally occurring botulism and other toxins from the water. Gobies eat the mussels, and birds eat the gobies. This is affecting many species of birds in the Great Lakes region.

Botulism takes fatal toll on thousands of Great Lakes birds

PetSmart’s Psittacosis Problems Grows

It was reported in Minnesota last month, but the problem with PetSmart’s bird has taken on a wider scope. Arizona based PetSmart has suspended selling birds in about three fourths of their approximately 1000 locations in North America. They have tracked the problem to an un-named vendor source in Florida. There are still no reported human infections thankfully.

Disease leads PetSmart to suspend bird sales in 46 states

Say’s Phoebe Spotted in Florida

Say’s Phoebe has been spotted in Florida and is creating a bit of a stir. While these birds are common west of the Mississippi, sightings in Florida are rare. Prior to last month’s sighting, the bird had not been recording in Florida since 1975. We might just chalk this up to the bird getting lost along its way, but it sure is a rare listing for Florida birders!

Bird-counters report rare sighting of Say’s Phoebe

California Wind Power’s Dirty Little Secret

During the 1980’s wind turbines starting appearing in Northern California. They ushered in a new direction in renewable energy and offered a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. With that they are seen as a weapon in the battle against global warming. But the fast spinning turbines have a darker side: birds fly through them and are massacred by the fast spinning blades. Birds that include endangered species like the Golden Eagle.

There was an agreement reached that promised to reduce deaths of raptor species by 50 percent within three years. It also called for the shutdown or relocation of the 300 most lethal windmills at Altamont (there are approximately 5,000 total). But the review committee appointed to monitor this situation says they plan is not on course for this reduction and is calling for more shutdowns or relocations.

The Deadly Toll Of Wind Power

Use Native Plants for your Bird Habitat

Setting up a bird habitat is a little more than just a feeder or two and a house. Think habitat. The most important part of a bird habitat are the plants and trees in your yard.

Chances are you already have what your birds want - native plants and trees. Don’t bother with plants and trees that aren’t native to your area. Stick with native varieties because these are the types of plants and trees the birds in your region have evolved with. They are likely to provide the food sources as well as the shelter your native birds are seeking. Use a mix of trees and shrubs as well as some flowering plants for insects (aka food for birds).