Groups ponder fate of bird with a fowl reputation

By Andrew Marra

The purple swamphen looks positively chicken-esque as it stalks through the marsh: feathered, feckless and full of wide-eyed chicken innocence.But is it fowl or foe?

Maybe both, experts say. The exotic bird, which is quickly gaining prominence in Palm Beach County wetlands, has some environmentalists worrying about its international reputation for eating bird eggs and ducklings.

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Ridgefield is one of my favorite places to go birding. Several years ago, a friend took me there early in the morning. Edi was my birding mentor if you will. It was early spring and cool. I was beginning to get a little bored - I wanted to see something new!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something stir…and then it was gone…but was it? I stood looking at the stand of reeds for the longest time…and then I saw it…an American Bittern. Normally they stay well hidden amoung the cattails and bullrush, so I was delighted to see one.

Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge | American Bittern

Every year I’m delighted to watch the hummingbirds that visit our feeders. This year, we have one on the deck where we can watch them while we too are having our breakfast.

I have birdhouses and birdfeeders all over the property. However, for some reason I seemed to have missed the idea of a hummingbird house! Here’s more information….

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The Joys And Benefits Of Hummingbird Houses
by Keith Londrie

These days bird-watching has escalated as “baby boomers” and other groups are aging and taking to the quiet life. This includes not only reading, contemplation, and thoughtful conversation, but also bird watching. Bird watching is a fastly growing form of entertainment that used to be reserved for a special breed of person.

One of the most curious, fascinating birds to be seen are hummingbirds, and for this, a bird house specifically designed to their species is a perfect way to attract this rare, exceptional creature to one’s yard. Hummingbird houses attract these wonderous creatures for your viewing and listening pleasure.

Hummingbirds are the world’s smallest birds. For this reason, along with some of their habits and unique flying abilities, they have garnered much attention through the years. It is the dream of many bird watchers to have a small showing of these creatures on a regular basis. The best way to do this is to have some hummingbird houses on site. A well kept hummingbird house will bring much satisfaction to not only the birds themselves, but to the people watching these wonderous creatures.

Hummingbird houses, like their occupants, are small. They can be so small, in fact, that their houses are relatively hidden from view. This is fine for many people as it is the bird itself that they wish to view, and so such houses are sometimes placed at the inner part of a branch, close to the tree trunk.

Of course, one need not place the houses only on a tree as hummingbird houses also go well hanging from the overhangs and gutters of houses, along with off of shrubs, poles, and other such free-standing plants and structures that are tall enough to preclude an incursion by cats.

By their size, hummingbird houses can be made from almost anything that is much larger than an adult human’s hand. This includes small boxes, gourds, tin cans, and milk cartons. The basics of such homes are simply an enclosure with a small hole that will allow access for these tiny birds. On that note, the homes can be specific to this species by making the hole only large enough for hummingbirds (though some other small species might be able to also finagle their way in too, such as finches).

To add to the attractive nature of such a home, place the structure near to flowers that are frequented by hummingbirds. Further, by offering a feeder, hummingbirds will be predisposed to make a visit. A word of warning is offered about this, however. The drink that hummingbirds consume is not mere sugar water, and to offer sugar water only can be harmful to hummingbirds as they can acquire a fungus in their beaks that can be a mere nuisance or even deadly. To avoid this problem it is best to purchase hummingbird nectar.

Keith Londrie II is a well known author and bird expert as well as the owner of http://www.about-bird-houses.info/ - a unique collection of information about our fine feathered friends.

I love the area I live in…especially this time of year. We are on the Pacific Flyway…and each year at this time we get tens of thousands of shorebirds migrating through. It’s spectacular to watch.

While the birds are already hear, the official Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival begins next week. Read more about my neck of the words and this magnificent event!

Yes…now you can be a part of the scientific team! If you live in Georgia (though check with your local extension office to see if they need help as well.

“If you see a bird with a fat tick stuck to its face, you may be able to help in a research project. What the scientists want you to do is send them the ticks.”

Read more about this….Scientists Asking for Favor: Send Ticks

Do you ever wonder which bird is singing that beautiful note you are hearing? I do that all the time.

When looking at various bird guides, they always include something to give you an idea of what that sound will sound like. But…I don’t know about you…but it never sounds like I read it. Besides, usually, I ONLY hear the bird, not see it.

One of my favorite bird songs is made by the RedWing Blackbird. I just get thrilled every time I hear it. But it just does not sound like chortle-deeeeee.

I have a cd that plays sounds and identifies birds, but I don’t find it useful. Since I don’t know what bird I’m hearing, it makes no sense to listen through both CD’s to find the sound of one bird.

So…other than taking an expert at sound identification out with you every time, how did you learn the bird songs? What resources do you use?

I’m looking forward to hearing your responses.

The ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is taking place February 17–20, with a special opportunity to “Count Birds with a Buddy!” The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are asking birders to share their passion with someone new to this wonderful pastime. At the same time, every participant contributes to scientific knowledge by joining the only count that creates a mid-winter snapshot of what the birds are doing across North America.

“People can take as long as they like watching birds as part of their GBBC day,” said Dr. Paul Green, Audubon’s director of Citizen Science. “Most important is that people get outdoors and have fun counting the birds they see. Then they can be amazed at the results they produce on the GBBC website; the animated maps are especially great.”

No fee or advance registration is necessary. Participants note the highest number of each species they see at any one time and enter their sightings online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. The web site also includes instructions and bird watching tips. The count is run by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with sponsorship by Wild Birds Unlimited.

In 2005, birders sent in more than 52,000 checklists, with a record-breaking 613 species and more than 6.5 million birds counted. By visiting the results pages at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, participants can see what was reported in their own towns or across the continent, and read what scientists found about the changing numbers and distributions of birds. This year’s information could help show how birds may have been affected in areas stricken by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as update what we know about declining species such as Rusty Blackbird and Painted Bunting.

Something new for bird watchers this year: the first-ever GBBC contest will generate some friendly competition. Awards will be given to states, provinces, and localities that submit the most checklists. Participants can also enter a photo contest by taking pictures of birds during the event and sending them for posting on the GBBC online photo gallery.

For further information, and to find out more for your locations, visit the Audobon Society and check out local chapters.

Many of the birds that visit feeders and baths may stay and nest in nearby trees. Most of them, including cardinals, doves and orioles, don’t nest in boxes. You can still help them by considering their food and shelter requirements in your landscape plans.

More than two dozen North American birds nest in bird houses. The following descriptions will help you determine which birds might visit your neighborhood.

Read more to find out which birds you can attract with nest boxes….

Birders keep lists. It’s in their nature

They keep lists of the total number of species catalogued in a lifetime. They keep North American lists. State lists. Neighborhood lists. Day lists. They keep “man powered” lists of the birds they’ve seen while on foot or bike. Some even keep lists of the species they’ve spotted mating.

Read Up Earl with the Birds….