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PROJECT FEEDERWATCH is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locations in North America. It is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with the National Audubon Society, Bird Studies Canada, and the Canadian Nature Federation. FeederWatch helps scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. Anyone with an interest in birds can participate! FeederWatch is conducted by people of all skill levels and backgrounds, including children, families, individuals, school classes, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers, and bird clubs. There is a participant fee, and all FeederWatchers receive a research kit and the Lab's quarterly newsletter, Birdscope... Read On | ||||
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By Jim Robbins HELENA, MT-- Even after wolves were hunted, trapped and poisoned out of existence in most of Montana, lone predators continued to haunt sheepherders. There was the White Wolf of the Judith Basin, hunted for 15 years, and the Ghost Wolf of the Little Rockies. “These things became mythological,” said Ed Bangs, the Fish and Wildlife Service recovery coordinator for the Rocky Mountains. “Some people said they had supernatural powers.” They were, however, wolves. Wildlife officials are not sure what the latest phantom livestock killer was. For 10 months, ending in November, an elusive animal that federal officials assumed was a feral dog went on a killing spree in remote north-central Montana, slaughtering dozens, perhaps hundreds, of sheep and injuring many more. It was shot and killed from an airplane Nov. 2 by federal wildlife officials. Nearly two months later, the biological evidence is inconclusive. “A large canid that resembled a wolf is all I can say,” said John Steuber, director of Wildlife Services in Billings, Mont., the federal agency that killed the animal. “Beyond that, it would be hard for me to make a call”... Read On | ||
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By Steve Pollick FREE-RANGING cats and other predators of wild birds may come under increasing scrutiny--and perhaps some control--under a cooperative program that the American Bird Conservancy launched last month. Dubbed Project Predator Watch, the effort is intended to engage bird watchers and other nature observers in investigating the impact of stray, feral, or otherwise unattended cats and other bird predators. "Scientists estimate that free-roaming cats and other predators kill hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians each year," stated George Fenwick, president of the ABC. The organization, based in Washington, DC, works to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. "Any citizen can participate in Project Predator Watch and provide valuable information needed to... Read On | ||
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My Food...Not Yours! This Golden Eagle attacked a fox as it lunched on a deer carcass in Finland. The amazing photo was made by Pekka Kompe. To see the result of the attack look at the last photo in this blog. (Oops! Last week the duck in this space was identified by the photographer as a Harlequin. It really was a Mandarin Duck. We regret the error.) For more nature
photographs, see
the Gallery on WindStar's web site and Nature's Best Photographs Album in the American Wildlife Blog. | ||
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IN ADDITION to all the terrific nature photographs by Michael Smith such as the 'Mad Bluebird', we have a complete line of No/No birdfeeders. The all metal construction will last for years with no cleaning needed. The simple wire mesh design will feed 15 to 20 birds at a time and holds over 6 lbs. of black oil sunflower seed in this Hourglass feeder, the most popular seed for wild birds. We have many other No/No models--all ready to ship immediately. Makes a great gift! Find more nature products in the Nature Shop | ||
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Ruffed Grouse Attacks ATV ON NEW YEAR'S DAY Joe Disque and his wife were out riding their ATV 4- wheeler. It was a beautiful warm winter day in Elk County, Pennsylvania. "We were traveling along an old gas line that was extremely muddy when our front end sunk into the mud," he said. "Using the 4 wheel drive/all wheel drive mode on my Kodiak 450 I got us out. All of a sudden a Ruffed Grouse attacked us. I was afraid he was rabid or something," says Disque. "I immediately hit your website. Were we in danger? Did we disturb a nest or something? Could the bird be rabid?" (Ruffed Grouse by Andy Jensen) Check out the
answers Mr. Disque received and add your own comments on the American
Wildlife Blog.
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That's it for this week. Be sure and sign up for the American Wildlife Blog for the latest commentary and please feel free to add comments of your own. Have An EXCELLENT Day in your WILDLIFE HABITAT! (Fox retreated)
 Tom Patrick Email: wildlife@windstar.org
Phone: 301-293-3351
Web &
Blog: http://www.windstar.org |
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