Loose Feathers #445

Swainson's Warbler / USFWS Photo

Birds and birding

• Some California Brown Pelicans have been recorded breeding in the Pacific Northwest.
• Two new hummingbird species were discovered in South America.
• Painters were charged with scaring nesting Peregrine Falcons off the Girard Point Bridge in Philadelphia.
• A study found that the Kakapo relies on plants native to New Zealand.
• A recording captures the sounds of spring migration in Alaska, with a focus on the sounds made by feathers.
• Here is a list of birds that American birders most want to see. I am sure everyone has a different list.

Science and nature blogging

• Not Exactly Rocket Science: The Surprising Closest Relative of the Huge Elephant Birds
• Deep Sea News: The sea is full of life, but not quite that full
• Anything Larus: Reconsidering Tertial Replacement in 1st Cycle Ring-billeds 
• Bug Eric: Long-legged Flies

Environment and biodiversity

• The is evidence of accelerated ice sheet melting at both poles, and the future stability of ice sheets may be further undermined by channels of water running underneath the ice sheets.
• Fender's Blue butterflies, an endangered species, are being released at Finley NWR in Oregon.
• Lake Powell is half empty due to dry conditions.
• Chris Christie is replacing two members of the Pinelands Commission that voted against the proposed pipeline.