Posts
Rock Sandpiper / USFWS PhotoNews about birds
- Brown pelicans nesting on the Farallon Islands in California have reached a 40-year peak, with 5,856 pelicans on Southeast Farallon Island.
- However, about 130 juvenile brown pelicans were discovered starving along California's Pacific beaches. The cause may be inexperience with foraging. The pelicans are being taken to the International Bird Rescue Research Center for treatment.
- A Connecticut farm hires a falconer to scare starlings away from its blueberry crop. The falconer uses a Lanner Falcon. (via)
Hornbills appear to be declining in Malaysia as a result of habitat loss.- A study of people who maintain and monitor purple martin nests found that many of them did it for their own satisfaction rather than strictly for the birds.
- The safety of birds of prey continues to be a point of contention in Scotland. Some landowners want the law changed. Meanwhile, hen harrier chicks were found crushed in Skye.
- Wyoming has identified 12 core areas for sage grouse protection. Any development there will be subject to restrictions.
The USFWS has proposed delisting the Hawaiian hawk, or 'io, under the Endangered Species Act. A public comment period on the proposal (pdf) is open through October 6.- Trawl fishing in South Africa may kill up to 18,000 seabirds per year. Most deaths result from collisions with wires trailing from the boat.
- Dead penguins are washing up closer to the Equator than ever before. Scientists suspect that climate change is making sea currents stronger and pushing penguins farther off course.
- Scientists have discovered the parasite linked to Proventricular Dilation Disease, which kills parrots and exotic birds.
- The Nightjar: NYS Breeding Bird Atlas: Whip-Poor-Will
- Birdist: Delaware Wind Project
- Roundtop Ruminations: Hawks, Hawkwatchers and Wind Turbines
- No Ceiling: Dusky Grouse
- Dig Deep: 5th August, 2008: Tanjung Tokong
- BES Group: Red-bearded Bee-eater: Green above, black below
- A new study confirms the hypothesis that a warmer climate will bring more powerful rain storms.
- More studies are showing the benefits (to humans) of conserving entire ecosystems, rather than just threatened species. One such study focuses on the invasive species brought into the Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and the effect that has had on fisheries.
- The Nature Conservancy has created a mapping system to show how climate change will affect biodiversity. (It is not clear how one accesses the system.)
- I and the Bird #81
- Tangled Bank #111
- Linnaeus' Legacy #10
- Carnival of the Blue #15
- Birds in the News #142
- Festival of the Trees #26
