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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Native Sumacs Provide Well For New Mexican Desert Birds


www.lcsun-news.com/story/life/sunlife/2018/02/25/naturally-speaking-sumacs-birds/361873002/

One Million Birds a Year Illegally Killed in Iran


https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/25/one-million-birds-killed-illegally-iran-wetland-wildlife-site

Make Your Own Suet Feeder For Backyard Birds


https://www.pressherald.com/2018/02/25/how-to-make-a-suet-feeder-for-your-backyard-birds/

022518 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake


www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-crazy-weather-but-birds-are-survivors/article_ab1832b5-5bc4-5393-b14b-623e6537611a.html

http://www.theadanews.com/oklahoma/news/column-crazy-weather-but-birds-are-survivors/article_1b751587-73bd-519b-8af5-006531ded4a6.html

Monday, February 12, 2018

North Wales Police Shows Cruelty to Birds Is a Big Problem


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/birds-cruelty-hedge-trimming-warning-14278751

Just Sent to Scott Pruitt of EPA

I am writing to urge you to protect pollinators and our environment from the many harms of neonicotinoids. In January 2017 the EPA concluded that three of the nation's most commonly used neonics (clothianidin, thiamethoxam and dinotefuran) pose significant risks to bees. And yet these toxic pesticides are still allowed for widespread use in the United States. That's unacceptable.
In 2016 the most comprehensive global assessment of pollinators ever conducted found that 40 percent of pollinating insects are threatened with extinction. The study specifically named neonicotinoids as a significant driver of wild pollinator declines. That's why the EPA should stop the careless use of these controversial pesticides in keeping with the best available science. Pollinators are responsible for 1 out of every 3 bites of food that we eat and provide ecological benefits beyond measure. They're critical to our survival — and that of countless plants and animals.
Neonicotinoids have already been banned by the European Union and on all U.S. wildlife refuges, so it's time we treat our pollinators better and expand this ban nationwide. If the EPA acknowledges that neonicotinoids pose significant threats to bees, it shouldn't allow their continued use.
Studies have been showing since 1962 when Rachel Carson began researching additives to nature such as these, that this was horrors to come in the making.  Her study was a book called "Silent Spring."  There was a sequel to that written later with the popular death cocktails at the time, but more on a chemical note.
As a chemist and ornithologist, I assure you that you are not only killing the 3-B's (birds, bats, and bees), you are also killing people.  Cancers have tripled since then, just like our populations have doubled, but any way you look at it, it is a nightmare that George Orwell discussed in the book "1984," shockingly published in 1949.  It was meant to be science fiction many believed, but it was the truth, as you can see for yourself.
Now, we have even more powerful cocktails of demise and if allowed to continue, they will only get worse, until all the B's have been eradicated and farmers are pollinating with toothpicks and cotton swabs.  That is NOT science fiction.  I strong suggest that you heed my call instead of giving in to the pesticide industry, the pharmaceuticals, ad nauseum.  We know quite well that government will not bite the hand that feeds it, but let's face it, you and yours are only human, too.
Let the nightmare end.  Yours could just well be starting tonight while you attempt sleep.

Prince Edward Island (Canada) Held Surprising Marsh Species Last Spring


https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/community/uncommon-birds-surprise-technicians-monitoring-peis-wetlands-185226/

Sunday, February 4, 2018

January's Birds of Boomer


                                                           Greater White-fronted Goose


                                                         Red-bellied Woodpecker


                                                            Adult Cooper's Hawk


                                                            Northern Mockingbird


                                                         Female Belted Kingfisher
                                                   

                                                                  Brown Creeper


                                                               Red-shouldered Hawk


                                                                 Northern Cardinal
                                                                on bradford pear tree
             

                                                             Red-shouldered Hawk


                                                               Ring-necked Duck


January 2018

The weather was very unsettled and very dry this month.  However, there were a few warmer
and springlike days where there was a little action.

The White-fronted Goose was on Boomer Creek just off Goose Island with a Canada Goose pal, and there appeared to be more Cackling Geese than usual for the month, even though there was so little
cold weather.  There lake barely froze this winter.

This also means that it is highly likely that with unseasonable weather there will be a greater amount of feeder bird illness this winter.  This will bear watching and most likely a lot of feeder cleaning and seed changing to keep up with this problem.

Hawks have been visiting the area frequently, so there could be a need to stop feeding for a period of time, as songbirds could easily fall victim to a swift and hungry hawk.

A few ducks have been visiting with us on and off, for they prefer colder weather.

Many songbirds seem to be affected by the springlike weather that has been with us.  Will we have an early spring with early birds?  Time will tell, but it appears rather probably.  Now all we need is a few
good rains to give us a good crop of spring fruit.

Limpkins Relish Invasive Aquarium Apple Snails in Louisiana


http://www.dailycomet.com/news/20180203/bird-that-feeds-on-local-invasive-species-spotted-in-terrebonne

020418 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-staying-hopeful-for-winter-birds/image_c75bc0ef-41d0-5b20-a7fc-d88e3d7d25ed.html

Kestrel Facts For New Birders


https://www.courierpress.com/story/life/columnists/sharon-sorenson/2018/02/04/birds-american-kestrels/1080923001/