Friday, July 27, 2007

Loose Feathers #108

Piping Plover (US Fish and Wildlife Photo)

News and links about birds, birding, and the environment
  • The Scotsman reports that removal of invasive tree mallow at a puffin colony has restored the colony after a series of disastrous breeding seasons. Tree mallow blocks the entrances to burrows where puffins nest.
  • If you live along a major migration route for purple martins, you may see massive flocks of them at this time of year.
  • Plover news: spring storms delayed the breeding season at Cape Cod; four nests on Long Island produced eleven chicks; a plover patrol volunteer from Massachusetts describes his work.
  • An article from Newburyport chronicles the changing abundance of grassland birds in Massachusetts.
  • Rescuers have pulled hundreds of penguins from oil slicks along the eastern coast of South America over the last few weeks. The slicks are due to spills and illegal dumping.
  • The Endangered Species Act continues to be a center of controversy after more than 30 years on the books. The latest fights have erupted over political meddling in listing decisions.
  • The red knot will not be listed as an endangered species despite clear evidence that it needs protection because other unlisted species are in greater need.
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