Lesser Prairie-Chicken. Eastern Towhee. Birding in AZ. Go Birding, Peru. Birds Declining. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Hog Island Camp

For your perusal on "Winged Wednesday".


Lesser Prairie-Chicken


"This smaller, lighter-colored cousin of the Greater Prairie-Chicken has declined dramatically in recent decades, primarily due to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. It now occupies less than 15 percent of its historic range, and despite being a Candidate Species for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1998, remains unlisted.
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken prefers rather arid, mid-grass prairie of dwarf shrubs and mixed vegetation.  Males display on leks (courtship grounds) of up to 40 birds in the spring; nesting females require a canopy of grasses for successful nesting and raising young.  This habitat has been increasingly whittled away by overgrazing, drought, and oil and gas development, which continue to place remaining habitats for this species at risk. The clearing of land for wind development poses a significant new threat, since these birds will not tolerate habitat disturbance near lekking and nesting areas.
Legislation introduced as an add-on to the most recent round of budget bills tried to place a moratorium on new Endangered Species Act listings, which would have prevented the Lesser Prairie-Chicken from ever gaining ESA protection, but it was defeated following a public outcry and action by ABC and other groups. However, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken is now facing another, more specifically targeted amendment aimed at blocking its listing, which could be considered by Congress later this year. "
To help ABC conserve this and other declining U.S. bird species, click here!
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Eastern Towhee Portrait
"I really like this one, especially the opening scene. In this video portrait, I've combined footage of several individuals. Note the considerable variation in song from clip to clip. The "classic" song sounds like "drink your teeeee." The call sounds like "tchweee" or "tow-weee"."  By Lang Elliott – Director of Website:  

"We are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit with the mission of celebrating nature near at hand. Our primary focus is on the common birds, frogs, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates of eastern and central North America.
Featuring superb high definition videos and sound recordings, our goal is to provide inspiration and resources for:
Children and Parents Exploring Nature Together,  Beginner Naturalists of All Ages,  Outdoor Educators and other Teachers.  Please visit our web site http://www.musicofnature.org/ and become "A Friend of Nature."  "
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Birding: Big Business in Arizona
"Birding has a multi-billion dollar economic impact in southeast Arizona and one of its biggest supporters and promoters is celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year. The Tucson Audubon Society was established in 1949.
It began as as birdwatching organization but has expanded to include multiple areas including education, conservation, recreation and information. We talk to members of this organization as well as birders who share their passion for this international hobby."

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Jane Alexander - Go Conservation Birding

"American Bird Conservancy and its partner groups have established a network of reserves to conserve some of the world's rarest birds. Many of the reserves feature ecolodges where you can stay, see the spectacular birds, and support their conservation. See http://www.conservationbirding.org/ to plan your next exotic birding adventure. "
Jane Alexander is an avid birder and supporter of bird conservation. This video will greet visitors at ECOAN's reserves in Peru.

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Alarming Declines Among Many Common Birds

Eastern Meadowlark
What's happening to birds we know and love?  New York, NY -
"Audubon's unprecedented analysis of forty years of citizen-science bird population data from our ownChristmas Bird Count plus the Breeding Bird Survey reveals alarming declines for many of our most common and beloved birds.
Since 1967 the average population of the common birds in steepest decline has fallen by 68 percent; some individual species nose-dived as much as 80 percent. All 20 birds on the national Common Birds in Decline list lost at least half their populations in just four decades.
The findings point to growing impact from the many environmental challenges our birds face, from habitat loss from development, deforestration, and conversion of land to agriculture, to climate change. Only citizen action can make a difference for the birds and the state of our future.

Which Species? Why?
The wide variety of birds affected is reason for concern. Populations of meadowlarks and other grassland birds are diving because of suburban sprawl, industrial development, and the intensification of farming over the past 50 years.
Greater Scaup and other tundra-breeding birds are succumbing to dramatic changes to their breeding habitat as the permafrost melts earlier and more temperate predators move north in a likely response to global warming. Boreal forest birds like the Boreal Chickadee face deforestation from increased insect outbreaks and fire, as well as excessive logging, drilling, and mining.
One thing these common species all share is the grim potential to become uncommon -  unless we all take action to protect them and their habitat. Browse the species and learn what you can do to help."    Published: Jun 15, 2011
From:  http://birds.audubon.org/newsroom/news-stories/2011/alarming-declines-among-many-common-birds
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Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Strawberry Plains Celebrates Hummingbird Migration with Festival

"From September 9th–11th, the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, MS, will host the 12th annual Hummingbird Migration Celebration & Nature Festival. Native plants and feeders at Strawberry Plains help hummingbirds pack on the extra fuel for the Gulf crossing, which takes about 22 hours. Visitors can see hummingbirds from inside Davis House, as they flit through the gardens of Strawberry Plains.  But nothing beats seeing these birds up close as they are captured and banded by Bob Sargent and his team. Audubon experts at the festival will describe how people can help these tiny flyers return another year. "    By Bill Stripling.  From: National Audubon Society
Read more

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 Audubon Hog Island Camp in Maine Celebrates 75th Anniversary

"One of the nation’s greatest environmental education success stories will be celebrated August 20 as Audubon’s Hog Island Camp marks 75 years of connecting people with nature. “There’s only one Hog Island and it represents something special for so many people,” said Audubon president David Yarnold. “Hog Island is a breeding ground for optimism. People’s lives are changed when they see how birds lead us to ecosystems and they hold a special place in their hearts and souls for nature – and for Hog Island. Most important, Hog Island fuels our passion for teaching others about the world we’ve been entrusted to protect.” "      Read More

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Yesterday:

Ray and I talked early on the phone, and he would have worked, but I was hoping that I would be going to get the Maytag washer from the repair place, so Ray said he had other things to do there. 
Therefore, I wasn't expecting Ray, but the doorbell rang while I was busy de-worming the dogs and cats.  It was "The Kling-On Kid" from the other day.  When I opened the door, I had several syringes of measured creamy liquid  ( http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1862&S=0&EVetID=0 )  in syringes with no needles in my hand ready to shove down some throats.  The Kid says "Are WE working today?", I was dumbfounded.   I said  "There is no 'WE', as I can't have extra people here, that is why I haven't had Jay up here since the other day".  So he left, probably wondering what I was doing with the syringes!!

The job that I wanted to do yesterday, would be a job for Jay as he is the tallest, and doesn't have a bad back like Ray.  Jay called wanting to work, and I told him that The Kid had been up here, and Jay could work for a bit, but if The Kid showed up, I would take Jay home.  So Misty and I went to get Jay. 
While we were waiting for him, Misty and I walked down to the boat ramp area near them.  A new 16' wide mobile home was being brought onto a lot near there the other day, so we looked for it's location.  As far as I knew, all the lots down there were occupied, but they had slicked it in to a 30 ft. wide lot. The restrictions are different on the waterfront lots, and it's steps were right up against the neighbor's covered cement patio.  That's close!  Maybe the neighbor put it there?

Jay and I sorted out the sheets of paneling and board foam insulation that had been stored in the RVport while we were working on the cargo trailer. It couldn't be returned as it was cut to get it in the minivan, so I am stuck with it.  It was in the way in the RVport, and it needed to find a new home. 

We found an area in the guest house attic, and I handed it up the stairs to him.
As the front of the guest house attic is open on the front, the foam board had to go in my attic, as it would be more protected from cats, raccoons and such, who love to rake their claws on foam board.
 
That board insulation can be used on the sunny side of the workshop, when we get 'a round to it'.   I already have one… picture of my "A Round Tu-It"!

When it was time for me to call about the washer, Mark said that he should have it ready today.