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WELCOME TO EONS BIRDING GROUP
Thank you for stopping by for a visit. If you haven't already, please join our group where we share our birding sitings whether in our own backyard, feeder or in the field, photos, tips, articles, and ask questions. This group is for the enthusiastic birder where together we learn about all birds we love and protect.
Brown Pelicans Need Our Help
Despite the continued threats to brown pelicans and hundreds more wildlife species in the Gulf, the Senate is stalling on a piece of legislation called the RESTORE Act that will help wildlife recover from the 2010 oil spill.
Without your voice, the RESTORE Act may not make it across the finish line.
Be a voice for the brown pelican--ask your senators to pass legislation that will help restore the Gulf.
Brown pelicans in the Gulf were just starting to nest when the Deepwater Horizon well exploded in April 2010, and in just one day that summer, biologists found 300 oiled pelicans on a single small barrier island.
The full impact of the oil disaster on pelican populations may never be known. Biologists remain concerned about the long-term impacts of the dispersed and submerged oil on the pelican's food chain and nesting grounds.
Scientists are even more concerned about an additional threat--habitat loss. Already, many barrier islands important for pelicans are now home to "noise cannons" designed to scare birds away from the oiled shorelines.
The brown pelican has waited long enough--add your voice in support of restoring the Gulf today!
The best hope for brown pelicans in the Gulf right now is to attach this common-sense language to a must-pass piece of legislation. These next two weeks will be critical for putting pressure on the U.S. Senate to make this happen.
BP and the other oil companies will pay serious fines for their role in the oil spill. However, unless Congress passes legislation directing how these penalties should be spent, the money from these fines may not be used to restore the Gulf.
Help brown pelicans in the Gulf--add your voice in support of legislation to help restore their habitat today.
Thanks for all you do for wildlife!
view link
Without your voice, the RESTORE Act may not make it across the finish line.
Be a voice for the brown pelican--ask your senators to pass legislation that will help restore the Gulf.
Brown pelicans in the Gulf were just starting to nest when the Deepwater Horizon well exploded in April 2010, and in just one day that summer, biologists found 300 oiled pelicans on a single small barrier island.
The full impact of the oil disaster on pelican populations may never be known. Biologists remain concerned about the long-term impacts of the dispersed and submerged oil on the pelican's food chain and nesting grounds.
Scientists are even more concerned about an additional threat--habitat loss. Already, many barrier islands important for pelicans are now home to "noise cannons" designed to scare birds away from the oiled shorelines.
The brown pelican has waited long enough--add your voice in support of restoring the Gulf today!
The best hope for brown pelicans in the Gulf right now is to attach this common-sense language to a must-pass piece of legislation. These next two weeks will be critical for putting pressure on the U.S. Senate to make this happen.
BP and the other oil companies will pay serious fines for their role in the oil spill. However, unless Congress passes legislation directing how these penalties should be spent, the money from these fines may not be used to restore the Gulf.
Help brown pelicans in the Gulf--add your voice in support of legislation to help restore their habitat today.
Thanks for all you do for wildlife!
view link
When to Go Birding
By Melissa Mayntz, About.com Guide
There is never a bad time to go birding, but some times are better than others. Knowing the best times to see birds each day and each season can help birders see a greater number of birds more easily, getting better views to enjoy every bird in their field of view.
Please go here to learn more and find out when it's best to go birding in your location:
view link
There is never a bad time to go birding, but some times are better than others. Knowing the best times to see birds each day and each season can help birders see a greater number of birds more easily, getting better views to enjoy every bird in their field of view.
Please go here to learn more and find out when it's best to go birding in your location:
view link
Gyrofalcon in southern California
SAN JACINTO: Off-course Arctic gyrfalcon draws bird watchers
BY JANET ZIMMERMAN
BY JANET ZIMMERMAN The Press Enterprise STAFF WRITER
jzimmerman@pe.com
Published: 07 February 2012 10:28 PM
RelatedWEBLINK The Cornell Lab of Ornithology gyrfalcon facts
Bird watchers from as far away as San Jose and New Mexico braved gray skies and cold winds near Lake Perris on Tuesday, hoping to be among the lucky ones to catch a glimpse of a gyrfalcon that has taken up residence there. The Arctic animal has never been seen in Southern California, ornithologists said.
The taupe-and-white bird of prey — the world’s largest falcon — was first spotted at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, south of Highway 60, on Jan. 15.
Mark Chappell, a UC Riverside biology professor who snapped numerous photos of the bird that day, said he couldn’t believe his eyes. In fact, the sight was so rare he thought it was an oversized peregrine falcon.
The gyrofalcon has been seen daily in the area and is actively feeding on the local population of wintering coots. This is the furthest south one has ever been spotted. The nearest sighting was in Tulare County, 400 miles to the north.
BY JANET ZIMMERMAN
BY JANET ZIMMERMAN The Press Enterprise STAFF WRITER
jzimmerman@pe.com
Published: 07 February 2012 10:28 PM
RelatedWEBLINK The Cornell Lab of Ornithology gyrfalcon facts
Bird watchers from as far away as San Jose and New Mexico braved gray skies and cold winds near Lake Perris on Tuesday, hoping to be among the lucky ones to catch a glimpse of a gyrfalcon that has taken up residence there. The Arctic animal has never been seen in Southern California, ornithologists said.
The taupe-and-white bird of prey — the world’s largest falcon — was first spotted at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, south of Highway 60, on Jan. 15.
Mark Chappell, a UC Riverside biology professor who snapped numerous photos of the bird that day, said he couldn’t believe his eyes. In fact, the sight was so rare he thought it was an oversized peregrine falcon.
The gyrofalcon has been seen daily in the area and is actively feeding on the local population of wintering coots. This is the furthest south one has ever been spotted. The nearest sighting was in Tulare County, 400 miles to the north.
GRACKLE CACOPHONY
JIM CONRAD’S NATURALIST NEWSLETTER
Issued from Hacienda Chichen Resort adjoining Chichén
Itzá Ruin in Yucatán, MÉXICO
February 6, 2012
*****
GRACKLE CACOPHONY
A cacophony is a loud, harsh or strident noise, so
that's exactly the right word to describe the early-
morning and late-evening callings of Great-tailed
Grackles. If at early morning or late evening you've
ever been in a Mexican or Central American park,
probably you've heard their screeching, clacking
chatter and whistles, and not forgotten it.
Last Sunday morning beside the garbage dump just south
of Pisté I was a little late to hear the grackle
chorus there at full cry, but there was enough to hint
at a full-blown grackle cacophony. If you can view
YouTube videos, you can hear what I heard at
view link
The video part is uninteresting. Probably it's best to
close the eyes and just listen.
Issued from Hacienda Chichen Resort adjoining Chichén
Itzá Ruin in Yucatán, MÉXICO
February 6, 2012
*****
GRACKLE CACOPHONY
A cacophony is a loud, harsh or strident noise, so
that's exactly the right word to describe the early-
morning and late-evening callings of Great-tailed
Grackles. If at early morning or late evening you've
ever been in a Mexican or Central American park,
probably you've heard their screeching, clacking
chatter and whistles, and not forgotten it.
Last Sunday morning beside the garbage dump just south
of Pisté I was a little late to hear the grackle
chorus there at full cry, but there was enough to hint
at a full-blown grackle cacophony. If you can view
YouTube videos, you can hear what I heard at
view link
The video part is uninteresting. Probably it's best to
close the eyes and just listen.
Brooklyn NY
image is by Jean Gazis
Wherever you are -- be all there.
-- Jim Elliot
One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
It is our choices … that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
J. K. Rowling
Maumee Bay Lodge
and Conference center in Oregon, Ohio. BSBO’s volunteers for the 3rd annual Biggest Week in American Birding scheduled from May 4 - 13, 2012. If you live near Maumee and are interested in volunteering, please go here for particulars:
view link
view link
Whooping Cranes-decision to take to Wheeler Wildli
Whooping cranes to be released in Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
By Dennis Sherer Staff Writer
Members of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership have decided where to release a flock of juvenile whopping cranes that have spent this winter in northwest Alabama.
The nine birds, which were raised in captivity, will be released in Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur.
The birds were being led on an assisted migration from Wisconsin to Florida when bad weather, a government investigation and a reluctance of birds to continue flying south halted their journey in northern Winston County.
The cranes, which were being led to Florida by pilots flying ultralight aircraft, arrived in Franklin County on Dec. 11.
Rain or gusty winds prevented the ultralight aircraft from flying for almost two weeks. The migration was then put on hold to allow Operation Migration employees and volunteers to go home for the holidays.
The migration remained on hold as the Federal Aviation Administration investigated a report that Operation Migration, the group leading the birds to Florida, paid its pilots. Federal rules prohibit ultralight pilots from being paid to fly the small aircraft.
Operation Migration officials contend the pilots volunteer their flying time, but are paid for other duties, such as helping care for the birds. Federal Aviation officials granted the organization a waiver Jan. 9, allowing this year’s migration to continue.
When the migration resumed, repeated attempts to continue the trip to Florida was able to advance the journey only 15 miles into northern Winston County.
Details about the release at Wheeler Refuge are being finalized.
By Dennis Sherer Staff Writer
Members of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership have decided where to release a flock of juvenile whopping cranes that have spent this winter in northwest Alabama.
The nine birds, which were raised in captivity, will be released in Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur.
The birds were being led on an assisted migration from Wisconsin to Florida when bad weather, a government investigation and a reluctance of birds to continue flying south halted their journey in northern Winston County.
The cranes, which were being led to Florida by pilots flying ultralight aircraft, arrived in Franklin County on Dec. 11.
Rain or gusty winds prevented the ultralight aircraft from flying for almost two weeks. The migration was then put on hold to allow Operation Migration employees and volunteers to go home for the holidays.
The migration remained on hold as the Federal Aviation Administration investigated a report that Operation Migration, the group leading the birds to Florida, paid its pilots. Federal rules prohibit ultralight pilots from being paid to fly the small aircraft.
Operation Migration officials contend the pilots volunteer their flying time, but are paid for other duties, such as helping care for the birds. Federal Aviation officials granted the organization a waiver Jan. 9, allowing this year’s migration to continue.
When the migration resumed, repeated attempts to continue the trip to Florida was able to advance the journey only 15 miles into northern Winston County.
Details about the release at Wheeler Refuge are being finalized.
He Walked Away From Me. . .
More pictures of Mallards along the Mississippi River in the first reply. . .
Latest on Whooping Cranes in Bama...
Well, last report seems to have not worked out. An article in today's local paper is that the cranes are still stranded. Rest of article in reply.
