Mute swans in New York are driving native ducks and geese from their traditional nesting spots. The swans, natives of Europe and Asia, are being culled by state biologists in an attempt to decrease the population, which has reached about 3,000 birds. Read the full story Attack on bird ruffles feathers.
This part scarecrow, part robot contraption is armed with motion detectors, noisemakers and motion activated sprinklers. Birds won’t dare come near.
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Conservation groups have gone to court to try to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from removing a tiny owl from the endangered species list. The cactus ferruginous pygmy owl — which is only about 6 inches long and weighs less than 3 ounces — has been at the center of a battle between environmentalists and developers for years.
About 100 oil-coated penguins have turned up dead in recent weeks off the coast of Argentina. Environmentalists are searching for the source, but so far no oil spills have been found. About a hundred live penguins have also been found covered in oil. Caregivers are trying to insure their survival.
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Newborn wood duck hatchlings jump 15 feet down from tree nest to join mother in the water – caught on film. Watch the young ducks take the plunge at the National Geographic website.
International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is held every second Saturday in May, this year May 13. The purpose is to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation. The theme this year is Boreal Forest: Bird Nursery of the North.
The Boreal Forest is located across northern parts of Russia, Scandinavia, Canada and Alaska. It covers 6.5 million square miles.
There are 325 species of birds which regularly visit the North American part of the Boreal Forest. This includes residents, winter and summer visitors.
The first IMBD was in 1993. This year, more than 500 events will take place over the United States to commemorate this special day.
Related Link: International Migratory Bird Day
Officers at an outpost police station in India rescued an injured peacock about six years ago, and got themselves a mascot in the process. The wild animal was released into the forest by the police at least two times, but the bird always returned to the police station. The bird, called Sonya, “has a wing span of two meters (and) expresses his joy of living with (the police) through his dance and preference to stay at the outpost.” Read the full story Injured bird visits police, stays on as guest in the Times of India.
The offspring of migratory birds arriving in the Netherlands this spring are starving to death. The chicks feed on caterpillars, but due to earlier spring weather the caterpillar population is peaking before the chicks have a chance to hatch. Read the full story Earlier Spring Starves Migratory Birds at LiveScience.
The Dutch central organization for animal sickness control, CIDC-Lelystad, is receiving fewer dead bird reports. In the past few months the organization has examined 6,382 birds for the deadly H5N1 virus.
Because most migratory birds are now at their summer location, the chance of finding the virus in the Netherlands this season is very small. For this reason, the organization will only examine dead birds when found in groups of 20 or more. In the case of swans, ducks or geese, a group of 3 or more will be examined.
“Demolition of a crumbling grain elevator has been halted as wildlife officials seek to determine for sure whether there are any eggs or chicks inside the nest of a red-tailed hawk discovered at the 210-foot-tall concrete structure.” Read the full story Demolition of grain elevator halted due to hawk nest on the La Crosse Tribune.
