Blog for the Birds

Songbird Ortolan is a Delicacy in France

In France they eat different things, OK…I can deal with that. But a song bird?  Tastes like chicken? So you might wonder does a bird enthusiast eat chicken? This one does and turkey too!  But that’s about where I draw the line.

Tis such a small tiny bird with a lovely song, who could possibly eat such a thing? But fortunately France has outlawed the killing of these birds and if you want to ‘enjoy’ the taste of one you’ll have to break the law. Why not just enjoy them the way they were meant to be enjoyed: with the ears and the eyes?

France Cracks Down on Songbird Delicacy

Walk the Dog, Disturb the Birds

It should come as no surprise that birds don’t appreciate the presence of dogs.  But now we have a scientific study that supports it!  In ecologically sensitive areas, this study might lend support to bans on dogs (leashed or not).

The study was conducted in Australia and cites a 35% reduction in bird diversity and a 41% reduction in numbers when dogs are present.  It also indicated that birds don’t become accustomed over time to the continued presence of dogs.  So if you plan to visit an ecologically sensitive area sometime soon, you may have to leave Rover at home or at the kennel.

Dogs damage native bird life

Rare Birds Being Shot in UK

In 2006, there were 1109 incidents of crimes against wild birds in the UK, which represents a 50% increase over 2005.  According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the increase can be partly attributed to improved reporting procedures but there is still a concern that people are ignoring the legal protection some wild birds are granted in the UK.

Birds of prey such as the goshawk, hen harrier and red kite are among the birds suffering as these species are already threatened.  The 1109 incidents broken down by county are England 627, Scotland 300, Wales 143, Northern Ireland 12, and the remainder not attributed to a country.

Source

Idaho Fires and West Nile Spell Trouble for Sage Grouse

The Sage Grouse may enjoy less hunters this year, thanks to wildfires in the Snake River area of Idaho and some say to West Nile. Fires destroyed several grouse mating grounds this year. Wildlife officials say the sage grouse populations are down 50% in areas untouched by fire.  So this leads to other reasons.

Other reasons for habitat loss include the usual suspects: oil & gas drilling and urban encroachment.  West Nile virus is suspected to also be a contributor to the troubles of the Sage Grouse.  Sage grouse are vulnerable to West Nile virus and when infected have only a 10% chance of survival.

Hunting season is closed in some parts of the state this year, and scaled back in other parts due to the decline in numbers.

Wildfires Impact Sage Grouse