August is always an exciting time of year for eBird—when we update all eBird records with the latest scientific advances in bird taxonomy. New information on species limits can result in increases (splits) or decreases (lumps) in your list totals. Whenever possible, we change your records for you to match the expected species when a split occurs—this is one of the main services we provide at eBird. Expect 2018’s update in the second or third week of August.
Monthly Archives: July 2018
October Big Day—6 October 2018
Global Big Day has set new heights for a single day of birding each of the past four Mays. This massively international collaborative birding event has been so great that we’re having another worldwide eBird Big Day! From hundreds of Ross’s Gulls in northern Alaska to springtime in Australia, South Africa, and southern South America, October brings fun birding to the whole world. Mark your calendar for the first October Big Day: 6 October. Let’s see what we can find together on the first October Big Day!
Stay tuned for more information in coming weeks, and start planning your October 6 birding!
Humans are helping this rare bird learn how to migrate again
The northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) was once a common sight in northern and eastern Africa, the Middle East and portions of southern and central Europe. Today, the bird is critically endangered in the wild. Some 600 individuals reside in Morocco while another semi-wild group of 200 lives in Turkey.
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/northern-bald-ibis-waldrapp-return-europe
https://e360.yale.edu/features/after-a-400-year-absence-waldrapp-rare-ibis-returns-to-european-skies
Six Things I Learned by Scoping Out Baby Birds and Their Parents
From helpless chicks to sassy fledglings, baby birds make quite the journey as they grow. I’ve observed some fascinating behaviors while watching them in the Adirondack wilderness of New York during scouting trips for my avian tours. Studying them for hours from a safe distance helps me understand the trials of surviving in the wild (an important perspective for guides and frankly, anyone who wants to be a dedicated birder). But more importantly, it’s taught me that birds are the hardiest of creatures. Even in their most vulnerable stages, they find ways to stay unscathed—often with a little backup from their parents.
https://www.audubon.org/news/six-things-i-learned-scoping-out-baby-birds-and-their-parents
Preventing disease: What’s the best way to clean your bird feeders?
Preventing disease: What’s the best way to clean your bird feeders?Feeding birds can be a great source of joy, but feeders can increase the risk of disease transmission in the birds we love if feeders are not cleaned adequately. What’s the best cleaning method to prevent the spread of disease? According to an article published in the March issue of The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, researchers at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania recently conducted a study to determine the most effective way to reduce levels of Salmonella enterica enterica bacteria on wild bird feeders.
How to create a dragonfly garden
If you want to attract dragonflies to your garden, there are several ways to create a habitat to bring these brightly colored creatures zooming, hovering and darting across your landscape. Two involve smart planning; the third requires a bit of luck.
https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/how-create-dragonfly-garden
Wildlife Over Waste Clean-up at John Heinz Wildlife Refuge
PennEnvironment is holding a press conference and clean-up on July 25 at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge to highlight the problem of foam litter in our parks and celebrate the introduction of new legislation that would ban single-use polystyrene cups and take-out containers in Pennsylvania. The press conference will include the bill’s sponsor House Rep. Tim Briggs, John Heinz Refuge Manager Lamar Gore, and PennEnvironment’s Conservation Associate, Jessica Bellwoar, who will address the importance of keeping our parks safe, clean places to hike, paddle and play.
https://pennenvironment.webaction.org/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=638
Audubon Pennsylvania Summer Newsletter 2018
Highlights Include:
Letter from Executive Director, Greg Goldman
Native Plants Help Birds Adapt to Climate Change
Elmwood Park Zoo Partnership
The Central Park Effect Film Screening
Ruffed Grouse Help Lead the Way to Healthier Forests
Audubon Launches The Waterthrush Project in Chester and Berks Counties
Alliance for Watershed Education Fellowship
Join Us For The Public Opening Of The Discovery Center