My love for prairies runs deep, much like the roots of the interesting plants that make up the prairie ecosystem. Growing up in the “Land of Lincoln”, it took awhile to realize that Illinois had another noble nickname: the Prairie State. Historically, around two-thirds of Illinois was prairie. Today, it is difficult to find prairies
Continue reading American Prairie Reserve – Montana’s Best Kept Secret
“Saving the Kirtland’s Warbler” is one of a series of Science Talks that takes place at the Cranebook Institute of Science. These lectures are done by experts from the Nature Conservancy with this one happening on Thursday, May 5, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. While we won’t be able to make the talk,
Continue reading Saving the Kirtland’s Warbler – Science Talks
The annual midwest crane count took place on April 16th and we were once again in our “usual” spot, a privately-owned area known as Moody Marsh. This year it was just me, Eddie, and my dad. We can’t quite remember, but we have been doing these counts for over 10 years now. Background of Midwest
If you are interested in a new easy way to directly help conservation projects you can now purchase an Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. The cost is fifteen dollars and fourteen of it is used directly for conservation. Each year there a photo contest will determine the image featured. The main reasons to buy the Ohio
Blue Goose Passports are a fun way to record your visits to any of the 563 National Wildlife Refuges you visit. The inexpensive book includes listings for the different refuges, a little about them, and when they were established. Most listings have space for their own distinctive stamp, which you can get for free, usually
Continue reading Blue Goose Passports and the National Wildlife Refuge System
The Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) is a beautiful and bizarre-looking bird of southeast Asia. It uses its casque (helmet) in territorial battles between males. Disgustingly, its helmets are also pursued by poachers for their “red ivory”. This has been decimating the birds population. “Last November, the helmeted hornbill’s conservation status was upped from “near-threatened.” It
Continue reading Helmeted Hornbill Harvesting Could Lead to Extinction
I was considering a post about what to bring to the Biggest Week this year but after talking with Dakota (another Birdfreak but more importantly our “let’s get rid of plastic” advocate) decided to change course just a bit. First off, I really hope to see a lot of people at the Biggest Week in
Continue reading Gearing up for the Biggest Week in American Birding: A Challenge
Wind power. It’s supposed to be good. Clean, healthy – sustainable. The Birdfreaks are very much on board with renewable energy. But there is a huge problem being overlooked when it comes to putting up new turbines: LOCATION MATTERS. Unfortunately along the Lake Erie shoreline in northwest Ohio, the birds are in serious trouble due
