C-Notes #1 – Kenyan Conservation, A New Bird, and Help for a Wren
August 30, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
Welcome to the first edition of C-Notes, an ongoing series designed to pull together 2-3 small tidbits of important bird conservation issues.
Do it for Dominic The Small African Fellowship for Conservation, a project conceived by 10,000 Birds, wants to get the word out about a young Kenyan conservationist named Dominic who is working to promote the importance of conservation in his country. Feel free to donate a few dollars towards this cause.
The Smithsonian Institute discovers a new bird species in Gabon, Africa. The bird was first observed by scientists in 2001, but thought to be a juvenile of a different species. The bird is called the Olive-backed Forest Robin, named for its distinctive coloring on its back and rump, although the male also has a bright orange throat.
Audubon Arkansas and Arkansas State University have developed a project that seeks to survey wrens in Arkansas. This citizen science project is calling on interested individuals to help count wrens in Arkansas. The Bewick’s Wren is in decline in Arkansas. Although rare, this species can be found anywhere in the state. To find out how you can report sightings, check out the Arkansas Wren Survey.
Phriday Photo – Flicker for Roger
August 29, 2008
Article in: Photography
This one is for Roger Tory Peterson who changed the world because of this bird.
Northern Flicker
The story of the flicker for those who don’t know it yet:
Very often a single bird will get a person started bird watching. In my case it was a flicker that I saw when I was eleven, which I thought was dead – it was just a bundle of brown feathers. All of a sudden it exploded into life. That was the crucial moment of my life. I was overwhelmed by the contrast between something that was so vital and something I had taken for dead. Ever since that day I’ve felt that birds are the most vivid expression of life. Birds symbolize freedom, and I think that is why bird watching is so important to so many people. – Roger Tory Peterson
Skywatch Friday – Sunset Over the Prairie
August 28, 2008
Article in: Photography
Here is this week’s submission to the fantastic Friday festival known as Skywatch Friday.
Deer Run Prairie as the light fades and the American Woodcocks begin “peent”-ing
Happy 100th Birthday – Roger Tory Peterson
August 28, 2008
Article in: Birding
A hundred years ago, Roger Tory Peterson was born in Jamestown, New York. We hope that Roger Tory Peterson Month will continue his memory in future years to come.
Roger Tory Peterson Month has been a fun time for us. We reviewed (and tested) the new Peterson Field Guide, read a few books about his life, one by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal and one by Douglas Carlson, and talked about All Things Reconsidered, a book Roger Tory Peterson wrote about his birding adventures.
Peterson in the field
Photo courtesy of Houghton Mifflin
We wish we could have met Roger Tory Peterson personally. Our knowledge of him comes only from books and the memories of others; for which we are thankful.
Here is to the hope that there will be a 100 more years of bird conservation. His mission is also ours as we work to conserve birds everywhere. Happy birthday Roger Tory Peterson!!
Next Generation Bird Conservationist – Dakota
You May Need a New Field Guide…
August 27, 2008
Article in: Birding
With the new Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America due out August 28th, it may be time to replace your old guide. If you have a vintage first edition Peterson, or your Sibley looks the opposite as our tattered copy, you may not need a new guide, but hey, there’s always room for one more.
- You may need a new field guide… if your field guide can be in both the front and back seat of your car at the same time
- You may need a new field guide… if your field guide has Oldsquaws, Pitiayumi Warblers, and Olive-backed Thrushes
- You may need a new field guide… if your field guide has been swimming more times than you have
- You may need a new field guide… if your field guide has seen so much sun that the Painted Bunting plate has faded into one color
- You may need a new field guide… if your field guide’s pages are full of dog ears and elephant wrinkles
- You may need a new field guide… if you loaned out your field guide, but do not remember to whom
- You may need a new field guide… if your new puppy discovered your field guide
- You may need a new field guide… if when the wind blows you have to chase after parts of your field guide
- You may need a new field guide… if your field guide once had nearly 400 pages and now has only 300
- You may need a new field guide… if you just plain want a new cool field guide and read our review of the new Peterson Guide to Birds of North America
Photo Lifelist #240 – Chimney Swift
August 26, 2008
Article in: Photography
Chimney Swifts are quite common around Rockford, Illinois but until a few days ago, they had gone uncaptured by our camera. This is still the best shot we got on a gloomy day while watching #239, the Mississippi Kite.
Chimney Swift
Cool fact about Chimney Swifts: “Swifts are among the most aerial of birds, flying almost constantly except when at the nest or roosting at night. The Chimney Swift bathes in flight, gliding down to water, smacking the surface with its breast, then bouncing up and shaking the water from its plumage as it flies away.” – Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds-Chimney Swift
View entire photo lifelist.
