From the monthly archives:

April 2007

American Bird Conservancy

by The Birdfreak Team on April 17, 2007

Part of the Bird Conservation Alliance

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. It is the only U.S.-based, group dedicated solely to overcoming the greatest threats facing birds in the Western Hemisphere. A growing human population, consuming ever greater resources, is critically impacting bird populations through habitat destruction, direct mortality from such harmful practices as the unwise use of pesticides, and the introduction of destructive species including domestic cats. ABC believes adequate resources exist to overcome these threats, and that unifying people, organizations, and agencies around common approaches to priority issues is the key to success.

ABC is a great organization that is leading many great causes to help birds. One of these is the Cats Indoors campaign. Feral cats (and house cats allowed to roam outside) are a serious threat to our wild birds. For a ton of info about feral cats and their effects on birds, check out Bird Advocates blog.

The ABC facilitated the Bird Conservation Alliance, the Alliance for Zero Extinction, and Important Bird Areas (among other projects).

We encourage all birders and conservationists to join the American Bird Conservancy.

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A Break From Birding

by The Birdfreak Team on April 16, 2007

It’s not often that we aren’t talking about birding or conservation but last night we got news that one of the Dobermans we were sponsoring passed away. She was 14, abandoned at age 13 because her owners didn’t want to deal with her medical problems - treatable medical problems. At fourteen, this Doberman lived a long life and at the end was loved by a foster family. However, there are many Dobermans (and other dogs) that are in need - abused, neglected dogs that are abandoned and need help.

Over 12 years ago we were blessed by a stray Doberman that appeared out of no where on a cold night. Her name was Baby and we often went birding together. In March she succumbed to bone cancer. We have since rescued another Doberman, a friendly puppy that was dumped by the airport.

Arizona Doberman, a mixed breed full of energy

The point is we love Dobermans and it is disgraceful that people abuse dogs and treat them like property. Dobermans constantly get a bad rap - they are often protrayed as aggressive, blood-thirsty heathens that are only worthwhile of being guard dogs. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Dobermans are some of the sweetest dogs out there and deserve to be respected as thus. Many people had crossed our Doberman’s path and discovered how sweet and gentle she was. There are many organizations out there that help disadvantaged Dobermans and we support Special Needs Dobermans.

In Memory of Baby Doberman, September 1994 to March 2007

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Barred Owl on the Prowl

by The Birdfreak Team on April 15, 2007

It was nice to get out again today when the weather was actually sunny and what might qualify as being “warm”. Sandhill Cranes were finally spotted - a nice flock of a dozen flew over and landed in a farmer’s field.

There are still plenty of Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creepers, etc. fluttering about. Most of the neotropical migrants are most likely still stockpiling south of us. The highlight today was a Barred Owl. He responded to my “Who Cooks For You?” immitation and eyed us before departing.

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Midwest Crane Count

by The Birdfreak Team on April 15, 2007

Yesterday we participated in the Midwest Crane Count, an annual count headed by the International Crane Foundation.

The Birdfreak Team split into two groups.

The event began at 5:00 AM and we were greated by a surprised Song Sparrow as we headed in the dark to our designated location.

The early morning sounds were wonderful - we had Woodcocks “peenting” and Wilson’s Snipes winnowing all around us. A lone Sora called out but we of course were focusing on cranes. We totalled twelve different “sessions” of calls of Sandhill Cranes. No Whooping Cranes but a week or so earlier four were spotting flying over Winnebago.

Our other group saw four Sandhills fly over but heard none! They did spot three Northern Harriers and heard many of the same birds including a Barred Owl.

It was well worth waking early and sitting in the cold. The count only lasted a couple hours but was sure a lot of fun.

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The Nature Writers of Texas

by The Birdfreak Team on April 13, 2007

There’s a really cool blog about the great outdoors in Texas called the Nature Writers of Texas. Reading through it I found a great post about one of the coolest backyards in the world. If you’ve been to Pharr, you know where this is!

We went there in April of 2005 and plan to return soon! This is where I saw a Blue Mockingbird. Texas truly is great!

Blue Mockingbird

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Spring Brings in the Blogs

by The Birdfreak Team on April 12, 2007

Here are a few recent posts from other birding blogs:

Being the lover of the southwest that we are, we would like you to check out Aimophila Adventures’ post on Catalina State Park. Rick Wright got a beautiful shot of the Saguaro Cacti, with a Gilded Flicker on top! His blog is always a good read.

Far, far away from our U.S. state of Illinois is a cool Australia blog, Trevor’s Birding. Trevor writes extremely well and posts about some wonderful places such as Granite Island, Victor Harbor.

Another Birdfreak favorite is Hondubirding, por el Amor a las Aves -For the Love of the Birds- Daniel Germer had a really great post on Snow Geese Migration.

Also, check out Mon@rch’s Nature Blog for his great photos such as an Osprey and really really cute Tree Swallows.

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