Posts
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| Osprey / Credit: Phil Bonn/USFWS |
- As of last Thursday, rescuers have recovered 329 oiled birds from the Galveston Bay oil spill, with at least another 500 oiled birds sighted but not captured.
- The first few captive-bred California Condors released to the wild had behavioral problems, which has led the conservationists running the program to change their rearing techniques.
- EDGE released its top 100 list of endangered bird species, many of which are receiving no conservation attention or are poorly documented. You can see the full list (with photos) at the EDGE website.
- In related news, a study used DNA to rank species by their evolutionary distinctiveness. It is accompanied by an interactive website where you can check which species are most distinctive in your area. In my area, Osprey seems to be the most evolutionarily distinct species even though it is very common. Australia is home to 96 bird species among the top 10% most distinct birds.
- The US Fish and Wildlife Service reopened the public comment period for its proposal to list the Red Knot rufa subspecies under the Endangered Species Act. Those who wish to comment may submit comments at regulations.gov through May 19, 2014.
- CLO has a new site for learning about feathers.
- The Smithsonian gardens in Washington now feature five sculptures of extinct birds.
- Since its initial discovery, the Black-throated Blue Robin has only 58 sightings, but there are indications that the population may be more abundant than it seems.
- If you go out on a spring night in the right habitat, you may hear the courtship songs of American Woodcock.
- Zoologic: Why Do Birds Sing in the Morning?
- Extinction Countdown: Killifishes Killed Off: 2 Fish Species May Be Extinct in the Wild
- Bug Eric: The Bagrada Bug
- Invasivore: Species profile: “Bradford” (or Callery) pear
- Bird Ecology Study Group: Slaty Flowerpiercer’s feeding strategy to steal flower nectar
- South Jersey Butterfly B/Log: Photo Forum 2: Suffering with Sulphurs
- Yesterday was the 199th anniversary of the eruption of Mount Tambora, one of the most disastrous volcanic eruptions in recorded history.
- Adapting to climate change for coastal cities will require learning to live with the sea rather than fighting against it.
- Recycling electronics remains very difficult, in part because the recoverable metals are present in such small amounts.
- Salamanders play an important role in the carbon cycle.
- Late winter storms did very little to replenish California's water supplies.
- The Quino Checkerspot has managed to change its range and food plants in response to climate change.
- Local residents are fighting against a proposed dam that would flood much of the South Mountain Reservation in Essex County.
