Birding News #22

:: The Nihoa Millerbird returns to Laysan Island after a 100-year absence

:: Some “bad egg” nature photographers disturbed nests at Frank Lake, near High River, Alberta

:: More from Alberta and also the Northwest Territories, north of Alberta’s tar sands — a new report from nine Canadian, American, and Scottish scientists convened by the California-based Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy says the area’s 30,000 acres of tailings ponds pose a serious threat to the Mackenzie River basin (three times the size of France) in the event of a breach, posing a risk to wildlife, including the world’s only wild Whooping Cranes, which breed in nearby Wood Buffalo National Park.

:: The Dorset (UK) Wildlife Trust wants visitors to its 42 reserves to stop using birdsong apps for pishing, because it’s disturbing nesting birds and their young.

:: Cats vs. birds — or cat lovers vs. bird lovers — in an article from New York Magazine by Jessica Pressler on the fall-out following publication of the recent paper, “The Impact of Free-Ranging Domestic Cats on Wildlife of the United States”.

:: A new study is following Atlantic seabirds, including American Oystercatchers and Common Terns, to help site wind turbines

:: An article by author Jonathan Franzen for National Geographic about the slaughter of birds in the Mediterranean

Great posts in birding blogs this week:

:: From Sharon at Birdchick: Drunk Birds

:: From Nicholas at Hipster Birders: Things That Fly, Slither, Hop, and Scurry in the Swamp

:: From Julie at Nature’s Splendor: Jelly Bellies 

:: From the ABA blog: Open Mic: The Field Glass Ceiling, by Brooke McDonald on women and birding, a very hot topic this past week (be sure to read through the more than 100 comments, too)

:: From Mia at On the Wing Photography: A Mountain Bluebird Tribute to Fathers

Feathers on Friday

If you would like to join me for my Feathers on Friday meme, please put the link to your blog post in the comments and I’ll add the link to my post.

Here is a picture of my lifer, a Common Nighthawk I saw two weeks ago. This photo was taken by Brian who he sent his to me because mine was very pitiful! (Thank you, Brian!)

I was excited to see the Nighthawk because it is a lifer and because, if you don’t already know, the American Birding Association “Bird of the Year” for 2013 is the Common Nighthawk!

A Common Nighthawk,

What Is Your Pet Playing With?

I went with my mother to Wal-Mart last week so she could check out the nursery for plants, and on the way outside we went through the pet section where we noticed these. Almost as “interesting” as the concept is the product name — “Natural Instincts”. Oh no!

I think the plush toys are suppost to represent an American Robin, House Wren, and an American Goldfinch (not very life-like representations if you ask me, which is probably all for the best!),

To leave you with something nicer than the bird-unfriendly pet toys, here’s a beautiful rose we saw at one of the nurseries,

Birding News #21

:: A Boston Globe article about Ray Brown’s Talkin’ Birds radio show (I was thrilled to be interviewed for it), by Linda Matchan! PS You don’t have to be in Massachusetts to listen (I listen online whenever I can)…

:: How the rooster lost his penis

:: The Calgary Herald profiles legendary Calgary naturalist, Gus Yaki

:: 15 newly-described species of birds have been discovered in the Amazon Rainforest!

:: A new bait created to resemble horseshoe crabs, which is good news for the crabs and migrating shorebirds on the East coast.

:: Superb Lyrebirds of Australia match their songs to specific dance moves

:: Did you know that one Purple Martin banded, and tagged with a geolocator last year at the Ellis Bird Farm in Southern Alberta, clocked more than 21,000 km on her migration route?

:: Some Canadian scientists believe that Purple Martins are declining because their migration misses the peak for insects in the Spring.

Great posts in birding blogs this week:

From Kathie at Kathie’s Birds: The Quail Saga Continues

:: From Sam at Two Birders and Binoculars: Interview with Bird LEGO Creator Extraordinaire — Thomas-Poulsom

:: From Liam at Colorblind Birder: Being a Colorblind Birder

:: From Timothy at Backyard Chirper: Common Backyard Birds Nesting Information

:: From Jeff at the ABA Blog: Remembering Betty Petersen 1943 – 2013

:: From Jeff at The City Birder: What is an Empidonax Flycatcher??

New Bird Canada Blog Post

My monthly post is up at the Bird Canada blog, about what to do — and what NOT to do — if you find a baby bird at this time of year. Come over and join us!

A fledgling Barn Swallow,

Feathers on Friday

If you would like to join me for my Feathers on Friday meme, please put the link to your blog post in the comments and I’ll add the link to my post.

I took this photo last month. It’s my first good photo of a Willet (digiscoped)!

Wild Bird Wednesday: Yellow-headed Blackbird

This male Yellow-headed Blackbird was singing and displaying for the females at the slough (pond) across the road from my house and I digiscoped this photo of him.

Today, I’m linking up with Stewart for his Wild Bird Wednesday. So be sure to read through all the other bloggers’ posts with their wonderful wild birds.