Monthly Archives: January 2007

Whooper Swan Newest Dutch Breeding Bird

by Amy Posted on 14 January 2007

In 2006 the Netherlands gained not only the White-tailed Eagle as a new local breeder, but also the Whooper Swan.

Whooper Swans have been winter guests in the Netherlands for years. Every fall Whoopers come to the Netherlands from the north to spend the winter months. By the end of March most have flown back to their breeding homes in the north and northeast of Europe.

In 2005 a Whooper Swan nest was found in the province of Drenthe. Though four eggs were laid, none lived to hatch. In 2006 the nest was used again. This time, two chicks survived to fledge.

Source: Wilde zwaan nieuwe broedvogel in Nederland

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Posted in Netherlands | Leave a comment

Missouri Town Uses Nonlethal Pigeon Removal

by Amy Posted on 9 January 2007

The Marquette Tower in downtown Marquette, Missouri used to be home to dozens of roosting pigeons. Their waste and noise was becoming a nuisance to pedestrians in the area so authorities are now employing two non-traditional methods to get rid of the birds.

A large device broadcasts the sound of birds in distress over the rooftops. And ‘spiders’, metal poles that move in the wind or when pigeons touch them, have been installed. Since installation, the number of pigeons roosting in the area has dramatically dropped.

Read more.

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Posted in North America, Pigeons! | Leave a comment

Tropical Birds Moving North

by Amy Posted on 5 January 2007

In the 1950’s, the farthest north a Ringed Kingfisher was ever seen was Mexico. In the early 1970’s, a Ringed Kingfisher nest was discovered in south Texas.

The Green Jay is another species that used to come no farther north than Mexico’s tropical forests. Today, they are known to breed in central Texas.

Read more in the article Expert: Birds flee to beat the heat.

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Posted in Aside, Rare / Vagrant | Leave a comment