Showing posts with label Pesticides. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pesticides. Show all posts
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Sunday, September 2, 2018
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Northern Rough-winged Swallow
These uncommon brown swallows nest in sandbanks, road cuts, soft cliffs, or in crevices of manmade structures where they can gain purchase. The young birds in the video were waiting to be fed, and it gave a nice view of them gaping. Juveniles also have cinnamon-colored wingbars. They are solitary nesters, and sometimes several pairs will nest somewhat near one another, which is not as close as Barn Swallows. They prefer open areas with open substrate, but don't always nest in commercially made structures.
Nesting from April through July, they are single brooded, and it tends to be rarest in the southwest part of Oklahoma, but likely nests in the open woodlands with nearby water. Sometimes they use old kingfisher, squirrel, or Bank Swallow holes that are still useable. They have a twig nest at the end of a burrow, which the female incubates for about two weeks. Both parents feed the young, who leave the nest in about three weeks.
Northern Rough-winged Swallows
Boomer Lake Park, 2017
Summer residents in nearly the entire country, the white undertail coverts are seen while they are in flight, and their shorter, square tails are also noted during that time. The leading edges of the outer primaries lack the barbules that most birds have, hence the name "rough-winged."
They feed over water more often than not, and are excellent for low level flight over varied terrain. They are found from sea level to six thousand feet, often snatching insects from the top of the water.
Northern rough-winged Swallow
Patagonia Lake SP, AZ 2018
The species has declined over the past four decades, likely caused by pesticides, pollutants, climate change, and insecticides. All of these factors have also been affecting other birds like other swallows, swifts, nightjars, and flycatchers. In view of this, there are many questions affecting the health of the air, or aeroecology, another ecological system.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the Birds of Southeast Arizona:
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/05/birding-on-shoestring-american.html
Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the Birds of Boomer Lake:
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/04/springs-migrants-have-been-dropping-in.html
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Let's Get the Lead Out
Lead is a heavy metal and one of the most dangerous metals that has not been fully outlawed by
this country, even in the twenty-first century. Hunters are generally aware that the ammunition that
they use contains lead or they don't pay any mind, just by simply looking at the round. Since lead is very soft, it is very apparent that if the fired round has been damaged when it strikes bone or soft tissue, there is a problem.
Ducks and other game birds, like pheasant, are hunted for food and if the shot is lead based, this substance will get into the consumer's body and bloodstream when the contaminated meat is ingested. What makes matters compounded, is if the animal struck still lives. It is in a weakened state, losing blood, and will end up as prey for another animal, or as a carcass for an eagle or a vulture. If you watched the video above, you'll easily see what that Bald Eagle had for symptoms.
Lead poisoning is not pretty, glamorous, something to discuss at the dinner table, or pleasant to endure. Lead causes blindness, seizures will result, the body becomes emaciated, and weight loss is imminent. Lead builds up in the body and over time, fewer eggs will be laid, the affected animal's mortality will be higher, and if a chick manages to hatch, its development will be greatly retarded. With the size difference of an adult and chick, rest assured that the chick will die if the parent continues to live during its development.
Granted, the cost of leaded versus steel or copper rounds are comparing apples to oranges, but the cost difference to keep your family and yourself safe are negligible in comparison.
Another sport that is even more dangerous is going fishing if lead sinkers are used. If those sinkers are lost through entanglement, which many are, a fish will eventually consume them. Fish can get lead poisoning, too, with the same lethargic debilitation. If a fish-eating mammal can get easy prey with that fish instead of a healthy fighter, the animal will go after the easy prey first. That mammal can also acquire lead poisoning as well. I'm sure that you comprehend that whoever eats a contaminated body with lead will also suffer for it. It may not be right away, depending upon the weight of the subject eating the animal or fish with lead. That also means that shellfish in the ocean can be contaminated for the same reasons.
The list can go on. If one purchases an old house with lead pipes, the drinking water will be contaminated. Have the home inspected by a licensed inspector that will take his or her time in giving you the truth on the residence if you are not certain on what to look for.
It is nice to go to antique stores once in a while, but bear in mind that some of the furniture may be covered with lead paint, old homes might have chipping paint that could very well be lead based. Modern paint does not chip, it comes off in sheets and feels like plastic. As you know, anything will go in a baby's or young child's mouth.
We use leaded gasoline in lawnmowers and other three-cycled engines. Some of this gas is still being sold in Colorado and other surrounding states. If this fuel leaches into the ground, it will contaminate the soil where you might grow vegetables that you might eat. Oil will do the same thing, especially around oil and natural gas drilling equipment that might be on your property.
Also airplane fuels still contain lead and to convert the engines to unleaded gas would cost five figures, which most aircraft owners do not find cost effective.
Don't eat food out of pewter or glazed pottery, which also means not to cook in it, either.
Our pesticides also contain trace elements, as does some of the ground on our property. If you happen to reside in an area with lead and arsenic in the soil, don't use it for farming, raising a few animals, or growing vegetables. If there is any doubt, provide a soil sample to your local co-operative extension service and have it tested.
As human beings, we have an easier chance of not eating poison or heavy metals because we have intelligence and the ability to read about dangers in our environment. Birds and other animals do not, so we must take action for them.
Do your part for passing laws for lead free ammunition. You will save a lot in the long run, including your life or someone that you love.
Manufacturers and Retailers For Lead-Free Ammunition:
http://www.leadfreehunting.com/buynow
Where to Get Non-Lead Sinkers:
https://www.amazon.com/Maurice-Sporting-Goods-NL-ES-10-Sinker/dp/B07D6WY1ZK
https://www.cabelas.com/category/Non-toxic-Fishing-Weights/104464080.uts
http://bosstin.com/
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Sunday, May 20, 2018
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Friday, January 12, 2018
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
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