Loose Feathers #464

Mew Gull / Photo by Kristine Sowl (USFWS)

Birds and birding news

• The National Parks Service wants to build a new maintenance building at Sandy Hook, and one of the proposed sites is prime habitat for migrating and wintering birds. There is a public comment period open until October 22.
• A study of biofuel growing sites found that sites growing perennial grasses are far better for birds than cornfields; likewise, fields with a mix of grasses are preferable to monoculture.
• Two environmental groups are suing to restore endangered protections for the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl.

Science and nature blogging

• ABA Blog: News from the ABA Reording Standards and Ethics Committee, Supplemental
• Bug Eric: Return of "Arachtober!"
• Shorebirder: Ghost Sparrow
• Beetles In The Bush: Orange and black on gold
• BugBlog: Hitchhiker crickets 
• The Artful Amoeba: Cosmic Karma: Mosquitoes Have Flying, Blood-Sucking Parasites of Their Own 
• Charismatic Minifauna: Nature Zen: Audio Library of Nature
• Laelaps: Evolution in the Slow Lane

Environment and biodiversity

• In November, voters in New Jersey will decide on a ballot measure to dedicate a portion of the corporate business tax to open space acquisitions. Some environmentalists and policy wonks think this is a bad idea.
• President Obama will declare a portion of the San Gabriel Mountains a national monument.
• New York plans to restore habitat around many of the lakes and ponds in its city parks.
• The marsh boardwalk trail reopened at De Korte Park for the first time since Sandy.