Maine-birds is an email forum devoted to the discussion of birds and birding in the state of Maine. The primary function of the list is to provide an efficient means of reporting wild bird sightings in the state.
Thursday 31 August 2017
[Maine-birds] Fwd: Harvey's impact on wildlife refuges and birds
Thought it might be of interest as we will be seeing more hurricanes-
Plus, why birds form flocks and 11 Big Day lessons. And our October issue is now on newsstands!
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Thursday, August 31, 2017
Attwater's Prairie-Chicken photographed by George Lavendowski/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Harvey and Wildlife
It's too soon to say what the final impact of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey will be on birds, bird habitats, and conservation groups. But so far we know that at least 10 federal refuges are closed, a popular hummingbird festival was cancelled, and conservationists are concerned about the winter home of Whooping Cranes and the status of the Attwater's Prairie-Chicken, a bird found in only two Houston-area locations.
Many species of birds — shorebirds, sparrows, chickadees, and others — form flocks, and it's easy to see why. Birds find safety in numbers and can spend less time watching for threats when they're in groups. Not only does feeding in a flock allow more time for each bird to feed (and less individual time looking for predators), a flock will discover more food sites than an individual can. Founding Editor Eldon Greij explains.
Birder on a boardwalk photographed by Dimitrina Lavchieva/Shutterstock
Big Day Lessons
Every month from January 2013 to January 2016, birder Beau Schaefer did Big Days in Lake County, Illinois, where he lives. He missed only three months out of those 36, and while he simply enjoys Big Days, he also learned much from them. "Admittedly, they're not for everyone, but I think doing one would make anyone a better birder," he writes. Schaefer offers us his top 11 Big Day lessons.
BirdWatching magazine, October 2017. Cover photo by Alan Murphy
Pick up our latest issue
The October 2017 issue of BirdWatching is available now at Barnes & Noble and other newsstands, as well as on digital platforms such as iTunes, Kindle, and Google Play. The cover story is about the 50-year-long decline of American Kestrel populations and the scientists who are working to turn around the bird's fortunes. The issue also features profiles of California Condor and Blackpoll Warbler, as well as a delightful look at the breathtaking autumn swarms of North America's smallest swift, the nondescript Vaux's Swift. Plus, you will find four birding hotspots, tips for identifying cormorants, conservation news, and more.
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