Posts
Razorbill / Photo by Richard Toller
Bird and birding news
- Some female birds evolve showy plumage similar to males if they belong to especially social species and compete for mates.
- Satellite transmitters have provided some information about the difficulties of migration. Raptors crossing the Sahara sometimes stop, change course, or turn around and head back.
- Crows seem to prefer roosting near humans in urban areas during the winter months.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to begin an experiment in removing Barred Owls from Northern Spotted Owl habitat to reduce competition for the endangered owl species. Barred Owls may be either shot or trapped and relocated. If it is successful in the trial areas, the program may be expanded throughout the Northern Spotted Owl's range.
- Meanwhile, wildlife officials in Connecticut are trying to determine who fatally wounded a Barred Owl in an illegal trap.
- According to DNA analysis, South American neotropical birds only moved north into North America after the establishment of a land bridge between the two continents. The exchange occurred about 3-4 million years ago.
- During the Cold War, restrictions on travel kept many exotic birds out of Eastern Europe, even as they were being imported into the West.
- A lawsuit blocked a Trap-Neuter-Release program for feral cats in Los Angeles until the completion of an environmental review to determine its effects on birds and other wildlife.
- NJ Audubon published its most recent edition of New Jersey Birds (pdf) online. A few of my sightings from last winter are included.
- Net Results: House Sparrow Madness
- Field of View: Whooping Crane shot, reward offered
- 10,000 Birds: What Is a Bird's Crop?
- IBRRC: Update on Algae-slimed Pacific NW Birds
- Sibley Guides: Kingbirds, nightjars, and the perception of bird sounds
- SC Trails's Blog: Making a (Bird) List, Checking it Twice
- BSI Blog: Carbon-specialist Birds in Florida
- The government of Manitoba announced that it would preserve 4000 square kilometers of boreal peatland as part of its climate change strategy.
- Meanwhile, the oil sands operations along in the Athabasca River in Alberta release much more pollution from polycyclic aromatic compounds than reported into local watersheds.
- Google Earth is providing scientists with remote sensing tools to help monitor deforestation. Loss of natural habitats is a major driver of climate change and loss of biodiversity.
- Deforestation in tropical areas is especially problematic because fragmentation decreases the ability of natural habitats to soak up carbon dioxide.
- Some estimates for the cost of cutting greenhouse gas emissions run into the trillions, but some reduction methods like energy efficiency should save money. When reading such estimates, keep in mind also that the cap-and-trade program for controlling pollution turned out to be cheaper than advertised.
- BirdLife argues for preserving ecosystems as an important part of climate change adaptation. This has benefits both for wildlife and for humans.
- The UK's Met Office is predicting that 2010 will be the hottest year on record, partly due to El Nino and partly to climate change.
- An interview explores the psychology of climate denial.
Also, there is a new blog carnival devoted to reptiles and amphibians, the House of Herps. Submit links by December 15 for inclusion in the first edition.
