tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84435424927527225572024-03-10T23:23:48.118-04:00 Birds 'n Such<br>
<i> A blog about bird watching, gardening and the natural world. </i>Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-91149939538132227822013-02-09T21:09:00.001-05:002013-02-10T10:19:50.894-05:00Not So Lousy Bird Walk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I</span> always try to teach the importance of nature to my kids but it’s tough at times competing with today’s distractions. I’m not sure who, or how it came about, but my kids recently asked me to take them birdwatching. With all the distractions of computers and video games they’re normally into, I jump at the opportunity to take them to the woods when given the chance. <br />
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I believe it was my son Jonathan who asked first, and my daughter Morgan followed his lead like younger siblings often do. My only concern, as with most kids, was getting them up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday and out of the house by 7. Once that was accomplished, the rest of the morning seemed like a piece of cake. <br />
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It just so happened that the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/">Great Dismal Swamp NWR</a> was having one of their so called “Lousy Bird Walks” on Saturday. It’s not really “lousy,” but on a winter walk sightings can be a bit unpredictable. The turnout was small, consisting of me, my two kids and two refuge guides. It seemed as if we had the whole woods to ourselves. <br />
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The morning started off great, especially after spotting one of my favorite birds – the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-headed_woodpecker/id">red-headed woodpecker</a>. Don, the refuge’s wildlife biologist, said that the red-headed woodpeckers have really made a comeback in the swamp over the last couple years and being seen in areas of the swamp that they weren’t typically established before. <br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-headed_Woodpecker" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img alt="RHWP" border="0" height="331" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7fJRi3YssWY/URcBQ-09gdI/AAAAAAAADdo/ZWlbK0svOF4/RHWP5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RHWP" width="345" /></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><em><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo from </span></strong></em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wikipedia</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">, the free encyclopedia</span></strong></em> <br />
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Red-headed woodpeckers don’t act quite like most other woodpeckers – they’re adept at catching insects in the air, and they eat lots of acorns and beech nuts, often hiding away extra food in tree crevices for later. Unfortunately they’re numbers have been in declined over the past half-century because of habitat loss and changes to its food supply. (Ref: <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-headed_woodpecker/id">Cornell – All About Birds, Red-headed Woodpecker</a>). <br />
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One woodpecker that’s not in decline is the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/id">red-bellied woodpecker</a>. We saw several of these during our morning walk. Morgan was excited when she spotted one all by herself. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G3HMi7i9L7c/URcBRqv4IjI/AAAAAAAADdw/0ptYvbERCEk/s1600-h/MP%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MP" border="0" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sx3tMZ_TSprnjNTgm6q1K4CQwcB6qSkPXvwiKsu9Kw0060L_n2Je6qyskIw5AabOLWNOwK_7syeq5L-kHidqy7AqsYaf6FusbXZl9laqUIO0_9AwQ8TY9XuOyD9_BOQmDrt49BrLE-NT/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MP" width="347" /></a> <br />
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At times throughout our 2-hour hike things got a little slow, but the kids managed to keep themselves entertained. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CzAuXeI37Q8/URcBStZ4V7I/AAAAAAAADeA/Gyk1GH3S1AQ/s1600-h/JP-MP%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="JP-MP" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rp0KqKwqkv0/URcBS8Vdf_I/AAAAAAAADeI/8hbKaCv7LX0/JP-MP_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="JP-MP" width="423" /></a> <br />
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Other cool birds we spotted were yellow-crowned kinglets, fox sparrow, red-breasted nuthatch, winter wren, hermit thrush and a few other more common birds. The morning ended just as it began, with another sighting of a red-headed woodpecker. <br />
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Unfortunately, most young children today do not have as many direct experiences with nature. If you get an opportunity, experience and explore the great outdoors with your child — you’ll be glad you did! <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4S2L0RjiRLQ/URcBTn91EWI/AAAAAAAADeQ/wVKustZP1EQ/s1600-h/MP2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MP2" border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QaIRr9h6QjzG638OjtD3aPo5naI0g3akTHWe1IE_iAwY-RV5QKbw-AOaMIs5H71nSp-reUnL4KQbfEGik2CMfnOsaXZm4fqzqBUdtbqDnyZ4b0-IB7luErm46OAh996fCLnGUUQP6v_q/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MP2" width="441" /></a> <br />
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Check out “Why Kids Need Nature” – <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/why-kids-need-nature1">http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/why-kids-need-nature1</a> <br />
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Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-51584840724681054172013-02-04T06:24:00.001-05:002013-02-04T21:53:52.344-05:00Winter Wildlife Festival–Trip to the Bay (Part 1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: medium;">D</span>espite the cold and snow, this year’s <a href="http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/Pages/winter-wildlife-festival.aspx">Virginia Beach Winter Wildlife Festival</a> was a successful event. This was the fourth year of the event and my first time attending. The festival, put on by the <a href="http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/Pages/default.aspx">Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Department</a>, takes place each year in late January, which coincides with the migration of winter ducks and geese into the area, as well as other sea and shore birds that winter along the coast of Virginia. It’s also a great time to spot humpback whales and/or harbor seals just off the coast. However, wildlife is unpredictable and there’s no guarantee what you may see; but if you can tolerate the weather, chances are pretty good that you won’t be disappointed.<s></s> <br />
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The event kicked off on Friday (2/25) with a trip to the <a href="http://www.cbbt.com/">Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT)</a>. The CBBT, located where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, is considered the world's largest bridge-tunnel complex. From shore to shore, the Bridge-Tunnel measures approximately 18 miles and consist of more than 12 miles of low-level trestle, two 1-mile tunnels, two bridges, 2 miles of causeway, and four manmade islands. These manmade islands are great look-out spots for viewing wildlife and its where our day began. <br />
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Even with temps in the mid-30s, the wind was mild, making it bearable for most of the day. Our first stop along the bridge was the 2nd island. That’s where we got good looks (with binoculars) at various sea ducks. <br />
Here’s a mix of surf, black and white-winged <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoter" target="_blank">scoters</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4cnw8HWZQWw/UQ-aKkcKOVI/AAAAAAAADbM/yxUBs9Y6eRA/s1600-h/scoters%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Surf, Black, White-winged scoters, sea ducks" border="0" height="310" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-npZGTGRNLDw/UQ-aLdZOIQI/AAAAAAAADbU/7m-65HcHbGM/scoters_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scoters" width="445" /></a> <br />
A few long-tailed ducks were also present in the distance. These are some of my favorite ducks.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v3aknQzVEu4/UQ-aLxbKR0I/AAAAAAAADbc/7gSUCNrNkhg/s1600-h/Long-TDucks%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Long-tailed ducks, sea ducks, Chesapeake Bay" border="0" height="358" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tOJGKjM_YaY/UQ-aML3xRwI/AAAAAAAADbk/qPw0q59ZwSQ/Long-TDucks_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Long-tailed ducks" width="439" /></a> <br />
Here’s a purple sandpiper feeding along the rocky edges of the island.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D5xistNBFC8/UQ-aMnVi69I/AAAAAAAADbs/8bugiXpedWc/s1600-h/PurpSandpip%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="purple sandpiper" border="0" height="397" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KnqK2lm_Vg0/UQ-aNK35yFI/AAAAAAAADb0/zK1KTy56pTs/PurpSandpip_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="purple sandpiper" width="429" /></a> <br />
I was excited to get a new life bird at this stop – the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-necked_Grebe">red-necked grebe</a>. Unfortunately, because of its distant out from the bridge, I didn't get any photos of the bird.<br />
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From here, we rode a few miles further up the bridge to the 3rd island. This is where we all got to see what many of us came for – the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbor_seal" target="_blank">harbor seals</a>! <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-At-EyTXxujE/UQ-aNe7dg8I/AAAAAAAADb8/GxXz2jF6Zow/s1600-h/Seals3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Harbor Seal, Chesapeake Bay" border="0" height="328" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dzyZztD8xGc/UQ-aOFzvI3I/AAAAAAAADcE/lZx88gqdp-w/Seals3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seals3" width="441" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yK6kuXVNugg/UQ-aPLaRL7I/AAAAAAAADcM/BxcBYSpjyts/s1600-h/Seals2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Harbor Seals, Chesapeake Bay" border="0" height="317" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KpZat4RBoKU/UQ-aPuHP3yI/AAAAAAAADcU/uzlJ2aXkJUg/Seals2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seals2" width="441" /></a> <br />
A few years ago this was a rare sight, but now it’s not uncommon to spot harbor seals along the bay between the months of October and April. They like to hang out on the rock jetties of the manmade islands, and sometimes venture further inland looking for food.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vbzb5Pa3KJI/UQ-aQBlxWZI/AAAAAAAADcc/dcjjrKhnR3A/s1600-h/seal1%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Harbor Seal, Chesapeake Bay" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NjJ8NOzGCIw/UQ-aQzgOn5I/AAAAAAAADck/-LqWD6NIoEk/seal1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="seal1" width="443" /></a> <br />
Harbor seals grow to about 6 feet in length and reach up to 250 pounds. Most have a blue-gray back with light and dark speckling over their bodies. Those native to the Atlantic are generally smaller than those in Alaska and the Pacific Ocean.<br />
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Other sightings were a little more common along the bridge island, like these double-breasted cormorants mixed in among the various gulls – ring-bill, herring, great black-back and least black-back. We also spotted a few <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Gannet">northern gannets</a> flying over-head as well.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OwlVEb8QOEg/UQ-aRQAwGPI/AAAAAAAADcs/LwwAaTBsy-A/s1600-h/gulls2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="double-breasted cormorants, gulls, Chesapeake Bay" border="0" height="332" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jJHPODTNJ0s/UQ-aRwuazEI/AAAAAAAADc0/XkSkRxNx7p8/gulls2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="gulls2" width="453" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q1hXVoNpJgo/UQ-aS7SWERI/AAAAAAAADc8/Qm1ui0tX3jE/s1600-h/gulls%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gulls, Chesapeake Bay" border="0" height="308" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-frYxh1CJhRg/UQ-aYfCk-kI/AAAAAAAADdE/VrIj5zEDPPM/gulls_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="gulls" width="454" /></a> <br />
More seals where spotted along the edges of the 4th island and a few red-breasted mergansers were diving in and out of the water as well.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1A8jsXZuBBk/UQ-aY0JOi2I/AAAAAAAADdM/n_9_cYF7qVY/s1600-h/RBMergs%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Red-breasted merganser, Chesapeake Bay" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QCiA-7tPC9Y/UQ-aZAbtjpI/AAAAAAAADdU/sEbcHR7AYgI/RBMergs_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="red-breasted merganser" width="454" /></a> <br />
From here we traveled to Virginia's Eastern Shore for a lunch-break at <i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sting-Rays-Restaurant-Eastern-Shore-Virginia/181121321911630">Sting Rays</a></i>, a local favorite, and to re-grouped for our next venture to Fisherman’s Island. More about that in my next post!</div>
Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-70055177505101161282013-01-16T21:54:00.001-05:002013-01-16T21:54:05.084-05:00Preparing for Spring – January Heat Wave<p> <font size="4">T</font>his is the time of year most gardeners begin to <a href="http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_02/gardining_by_mail/">browse seed catalogs</a> and dream of warmer days ahead. Typically, January is the month that winter really settles in and delivers its coldest, nastiest weather. However, this past weekend was anything but. Temperatures reaching into the mid-70s provided all the motivation I needed to get outside in the garden. <p>My garden to-do list is always long and one quick look around the yard confirmed that. Regardless, I decided to focus my attention on the spring vegetable garden. While planting is still a ways away, there are things that can be done now to get the soil conditioned for the spring planting season. This is the time to put all those shredded leaves I’ve collected this fall to good use. Leaves are packed with trace minerals and when added to the garden, leaves feed earthworms and beneficial microbes. They lighten heavy soils and help sandy soils retain moisture. And best of all, they’re free! <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J92Q3UPQs7w/UPdnvkKV9nI/AAAAAAAADaM/p6mCpf4xhs4/s1600-h/Leaves1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Leaves" border="0" alt="Leaves, garden" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MRvgBz3uss8/UPdnwCTuJjI/AAAAAAAADaU/zo71zVciRZI/Leaves1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="296"></a> <p>Once piled on the garden, I lightly work them into the soil. This will help them break-down even faster. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hQDql_LWkSM/UPdnw3njBZI/AAAAAAAADac/9YJ633ZdJC4/s1600-h/Leaves2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Leaves" border="0" alt="Leaves, garden" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9RHMsDAHcXs/UPdnxcZUvxI/AAAAAAAADak/or5thKTDSUg/Leaves2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="304"></a> <p>In addition to adding organic matter to the soil, turning the soil this time of year helps to keep winter weeds from becoming established and unearths burrowing pest that will hopefully be lapped up by the birds. <p>And speaking of birds – be sure to keep those feeders cleaned and stocked with fresh birdseed. Birds are more dependent on seed this time of year and can really benefit from our feeders, not to mention the satisfaction that we get from watching them!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08BC0bbdjsR9-Y6HEwfaL23heuT6mI6CGBPB2bYhXmVt3Zwg2vt5Fw1g-D7DmxrwIPD6unhr7DjSTrTsNyzcitPfUKw78WvF8AYoRlWHbClPPjkDApcF_krud7_2S4h_KHvDj2HZa1Xmx/s1600-h/carolina%252520chickadee%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Carolina chickadee" border="0" alt="Carolina chickadee, Suet bird feeder" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PUUb0pZ48RA/UPdnyyOtaGI/AAAAAAAADa0/1A0NIPu_UaY/carolina%252520chickadee_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="412"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Carolina chickadee</font></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-17702919833113100032012-09-03T18:34:00.001-04:002012-09-03T18:34:29.939-04:00Late Season Hummingbirds<p> <font size="4">I</font>t wont be long before the rest of the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/lifehistory">Ruby-throated hummingbirds</a> will be leaving my yard and traveling south to warmer regions for the winter. Many of the adults, especially males, have already left for the summer.</p> <p>They have been very active in the garden and around my feeders this summer, but I never get tired of watching them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EtXV8sBO8jQ/UEUwW63QtBI/AAAAAAAADAo/br2u4eFub0g/s1600-h/Ruby-throated%252520hummingbird%252520at%252520feeder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Ruby-throated hummingbird at feeder" border="0" alt="Ruby-throated hummingbird at feeder, bird" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b9gQ2LpKMjk/UEUwXIy7Q8I/AAAAAAAADAw/Bim-PTKhxHg/Ruby-throated%252520hummingbird%252520at%252520feeder_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="319" /></a></p> <p>Many think that hummingbird feeders should be removed this time of year because it will interfere with their fall migration. For those unaware, that’s a myth. Hummingbirds will still migrate even if you don’t take down the feeders on Labor Day<strong>.</strong> It’s not the availability of food; it’s in response to hormonal changes, which are triggered by decreasing length of daylight.</p> <p>Unless we get an early freeze, I’ll keep my hummingbird feeders up until Thanksgiving. It’s not uncommon to see migrating hummingbirds here in SE Virginia in late fall on warm days. They welcome the extra nourishment to help fuel their long flights.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dYi7sICZNTU/UEUwX-InjaI/AAAAAAAADA4/D349KS9s-n0/s1600-h/Ruby-throated%252520hummingbirds%252520at%252520feeder%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Ruby-throated hummingbirds at feeder" border="0" alt="Ruby-throated hummingbirds at feeder, birds" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gxPwiih9eMQ/UEUwYHJayqI/AAAAAAAADBA/NKb6mTumwM0/Ruby-throated%252520hummingbirds%252520at%252520feeder_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="353" /></a></p> <p>In fact, hummingbirds will often return to the same feeder on the next trip north or south, just to see if it’s still there. Studies indicate that hummingbirds have great memories.</p> <p>The recipe for hummingbird nectar is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar (no substitutes). I heat mine in a pot on the stovetop until the sugar is dissolved, and store any extra in a pitcher placed in the refrigerator. And don’t add red dye to the mixture<em>.</em> Most feeders are already red. If it’s not, tie a red ribbon or place a red bow on the feeder until they find it. Once they find it, they will keep coming back as long as it’s kept clean. Also, be sure to replace the sugar water in the feeder every few days.</p> <p>An alternative to feeders is the use of flowers to attract hummingbirds – especially flowers that continue to bloom until frost. Check out some of their favorites in my garden right now.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vEWfaZhBi68/UEUwY8TimII/AAAAAAAADBI/mWK7lXgyyzw/s1600-h/Cardinal%252520Climber%252520Vine%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cardinal Climber Vine" border="0" alt="Cardinal Climber Vine, Cypress Vine, Hummingbird" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxeQKKtwBqnhXA30tswZ6lyVF6w-6u3ZYweVOFMC1Ra2fYPMRFHFUWAGPkLEj5Vtbe_NZwxFhMPEoZsPOua8qkulxQfit0e9y4N5Wfphyphenhyphenu4hGoKoFGKu0sW_JVswuwSTIi0DnQ6EERUav/?imgmax=800" width="453" height="336" /></a></p> <p>Cardinal climber, also referred to as cypress vine, can twine 20 feet or more, but the little red tube like flowers are pretty small. The hummers are thankful that the flowers are still in bloom.</p> <p>Nearby the cardinal climber is another favorite, <em>Salvia guaranitica,</em> ‘Black & Blue’ salvia.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-66v84gVHWOU/UEUwZvpIWeI/AAAAAAAADBY/bslZIvxFbXI/s1600-h/Salvia%252520guaranitica%252520Black%252520%252526%252520Blue%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Salvia guaranitica Black & Blue" border="0" alt="Salvia guaranitica, Black & Blue salvia, Hummingbird" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ewJn2TS6L8/UEUwaF_V_GI/AAAAAAAADBg/4vxigZxrdRg/Salvia%252520guaranitica%252520Black%252520%252526%252520Blue_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="327" /></a></p> <p>Another salvia that’s on the menu is <em>Salvia microphylla,</em> 'Hot Lips' salvia.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v8F8TmJ-76s/UEUwawXZbaI/AAAAAAAADBo/0kN3qbre9vI/s1600-h/Salvia%252520microphylla%252520%252527Hot%252520Lips%252527%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'" border="0" alt="Salvia microphylla, Hot Lips salvia, Hummingbirds" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xLg6mYCSy7g/UEUwbVplBoI/AAAAAAAADBw/YV3G1YC-fV4/Salvia%252520microphylla%252520%252527Hot%252520Lips%252527_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="330" /></a></p> <p>And probably their favorite in my garden at the moment is <em>Lonicera sempervirens,</em> Coral honeysuckle<em>.</em></p> <p><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dj96MyKw6Q0/UEUwb_7sr-I/AAAAAAAADB4/gR287QTnV-Q/s1600-h/Lonicera%252520sempervirens%252520Coral%252520honeysuckle%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Lonicera sempervirens Coral honeysuckle" border="0" alt="Lonicera sempervirens, Coral honeysuckle, Hummingbird" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H4TpASzssa0/UEUwcQk0B1I/AAAAAAAADCA/J3bO0uv2LNY/Lonicera%252520sempervirens%252520Coral%252520honeysuckle_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="339" /></a></em></p> <p>Whether you provide a feeder or flowers to attract hummingbirds, take time to enjoy them in your own yard and enjoy the rest of your Labor Day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u12b27qavds/UEUwciT5QeI/AAAAAAAADCI/c-tD5RdMmGI/s1600-h/Hummingbird%252520silhouette%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Hummingbird silhouette" border="0" alt="Hummingbird silhouette, Ruby-throated hummingbird" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vsrDxLamp0w/UEUwdGYolaI/AAAAAAAADCQ/rpSQwThyfxE/Hummingbird%252520silhouette_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="320" /></a></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-11628210046329694012012-08-26T09:06:00.001-04:002012-08-26T09:06:05.846-04:00Lots Going On<p> <font size="4">A</font>s some may have noticed, my blogging frequency has been a bit inconsistent over the last year. I’ll admit to it, but won’t make any excuses. It’s just the way things go sometimes. While content has been a little slow on the blog, I have been staying active (outside of my day-time job) with various other projects and personal goals – and on that note, I would like to share some of my latest accomplishments over the last year or so.</p> <p>My latest and current involvement is with the Virginia Master Gardener Program. I’ve always enjoyed and had a love for gardening ever since I was a child working in my dad’s garden. Now, as a Master Gardener, it’s an opportunity to share that joy and knowledge with others in my community.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hort.vt.edu/mastergardener/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 11px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="VCEMG" border="0" alt="VCEMG" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UGUj_MuqB_M/UDofLTZIbVI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/7_IvOPWhr7o/VCEMG4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="151" height="159"></a>I’m officially half way through the program after completing the 50 hours of classroom training. Interns are required to volunteer an additional 50 hours during their first year before becoming an official certified Master Gardener. It may sound like a lot but the hours are easy when it’s something you enjoy doing, and the volunteer opportunities are endless. I’ve already racked up quite a few hours already and see no issue completing the requirement way ahead of schedule. If interested in learning more about the Master Gardener program visit your local <a href="http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/" target="_blank">Cooperative Extension</a> office or website.</p> <p><a href="http://www.tidewatermn.org/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 11px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="VMNLOGOtidewaterchapter" border="0" alt="VMNLOGOtidewaterchapter" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADFIX-_gPTRPZff_k1gFBWqK4w9Kfj1DFYXRe9YDQaCmP-pjFl0K6yzV8Kg7BCv22H-KqJHnUJEYoWYK56Vnxq_UJ_QA92jLZPQHN2uRw6DcPDdWSFKuEGVT1OC5g57hXBNT-Ip1IBuWf/?imgmax=800" width="125" height="100"></a>Prior to entering the Master Gardener class, I completed the a similar curriculum that’s more focused on the natural history of Virginia, known as the <a href="http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/" target="_blank">Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program</a>. As an amateur naturalist looking to learn more, I knew this training was meant for me.</p> <p><font color="#000000">For those unaware, the Master naturalist program is a volunteer program consisting of</font> educators, citizen scientist and stewards helping to conserve and manage its natural resources and public lands. The program is organized into regional chapters that are overseen by statewide committees. My local chapter is the <a href="http://www.tidewatermn.org/" target="_blank">Tidewater Master Naturalist (TMN)</a>. The basic training course is tailored to fit its local environment and community, so no two courses are exactly the same.</p> <p>Similar to the Master Gardener program, the process for becoming certified typically takes 6 to 12 months and requires the completion of classroom training and then completing the required 40 hours of approved volunteer service. If you’re from VA, check out a list of local chapters in your area <a href="http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/chapters.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Most other states offer this program as well.</p> <p>I signed up for evening classes last spring and leaped in with others that shared the same enthusiasm about nature as I did. My favorite part of the class was the field training. Our class was involved in lots of fun activities like hiking the trails in <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fir.shtml" target="_blank">First Landing State Park</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EApYBO-YzM0/UDofMSX4qNI/AAAAAAAAC_o/_GA-MYWAoVc/s1600-h/Hike5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Hike" border="0" alt="Hike, First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, VA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEvYUcBx_o6v30dINfgDQRZyku6C20vCu0ei6llp-_g6zHBmC-W3EMC3OfNlLhZr2odX7co2vbAimi_-Ip5-M6gh5PVhpJBPRYhU6VEs02kbspP-JLf0nt0XGCahpsCDp9dhEJQDLxOGd/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="341"></a></p> <p>While there, we met up with a group of folks from the <a href="http://www.cvwo.org/" target="_blank">Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory</a> to witness and learn about their bird banding program.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRBJ8Rh_wPqEZgrvhDZ_TDPYy0r8Iiq3y0SUi8zrnCCZ9-IDAMWf97j04qi8CAS3nHoQd_9wnrloCB_6uZxYTKalefgX08L_LxSqBCCnRiINWilrZsspFlKELW0brmIva4CC_Zq5AconC/s1600-h/YellRump5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="YellRump" border="0" alt="Yellow-rumped warbler" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SagTgdUqUXk/UDofNzN6ZVI/AAAAAAAADAA/N7D4kV0PuA4/YellRump_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="339"></a></p> <p>Another field trip had us birding with local legendary birder <a href="http://www.birdsnsuch.com/2010/03/bobs-big-year.html" target="_blank">Bob Ake</a> in the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/" target="_blank">Great Dismal Swamp</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--X0Cyo1_qbw/UDofOviS7oI/AAAAAAAADAI/CRayfaCzTIg/s1600-h/DSwamp5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Dismal Swamp" border="0" alt="Great Dismal Swamp, Hiking" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bYWIKtkeM2U/UDofPODz7yI/AAAAAAAADAQ/tOc_m9ERTHQ/DSwamp_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="332"></a></p> <p>I still have more hours to complete prior to certification, but the fun has just begun!</p> <p>Explore the opportunities in your own community to see if one or both of these programs would be a good fit for you.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Visit us on Facebook:</strong></p> <p><em>Suffolk Master Gardener Association:</em><a title="https://www.facebook.com/SuffolkMasterGardeners" href="https://www.facebook.com/SuffolkMasterGardeners"><em>https://www.facebook.com/SuffolkMasterGardeners</em></a></p> <p><em>Tidewater Master Naturalist: </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TidewaterMasterNaturalist"><em>https://www.facebook.com/TidewaterMasterNaturalist</em></a></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-79494460560987380492012-08-11T16:49:00.000-04:002012-08-11T17:04:56.602-04:00Sunflowers in the Garden<p> <font size="4">O</font>ne of my favorite summertime annuals is the sunflower. Sunflowers come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. They begin blooming in late summer and provide lots of color at a time when lots of other blooms begin to fade. However, the main reason I enjoy growing them in my own garden is for their wildlife value.</p> <p>Sunflowers are great companion plants planted near a vegetable garden. They attract lots of pollinators as well as other beneficial insects that help contribute to the overall health of the garden. They also attract lots of butterflies and would make a great selection for the butterfly garden as well. As sunflowers mature, birds, especially finches, love to feed on their protein-rich seeds. It’s an all-around great summer annual for the attracting wildlife to the garden.</p> <p>Many varieties nowadays come in various colors and have more than one bloom on the stalk, like these <a href="http://parkseed.com/product.aspx?p=00963-PK-P1" target="_blank">‘Sunny Babe’ Sunflowers</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qXqhbZidmgY/UCbI4zoT80I/AAAAAAAAC-M/Ssr0DTt2mWY/s1600-h/Sunny-Babe6.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Sunny Babe" border="0" alt="Sunny Babe Sunflower" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n-aeaj4khoU/UCbI5eMs0GI/AAAAAAAAC-U/kyc-sxEk6Io/Sunny-Babe_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="321"></a></p> <p>A new sunflower I added to my own garden this year is Tithonia, aka Mexican Sunflower (<em>Tithonia rotundiflora</em>). While it is related, it’s not a sunflower in the conventionally known sense. It’s slightly shorter in height and has larger, bushier leaves coming out of its stem. The center part of the flower is yellow as opposed to the regular sunflower's brownish color. Many compare the flower to the looks of a dahlia, but the color ranges in different varieties are only found in the red-yellow-orange portion of the spectrum. It’s native to Mexico and Central America.</p> <p>This flower is an excellent attractant for butterflies, hummingbirds and lots of other pollinators.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wpOrnyYOLao/UCbI5wU4cPI/AAAAAAAAC-c/l2ZEJaPYkuY/s1600-h/Msunflower-Swallowtail6.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title=" Mexican Sunflower" border="0" alt="Tithonia, Mexican Sunflower, Tiger Swallowtail" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ApjFdEDsF4A/UCbI6dfmH6I/AAAAAAAAC-k/sLgM1KIOW6g/Msunflower-Swallowtail_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="324"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yL7g5Lvj1fk/UCbI6uc5g3I/AAAAAAAAC-s/xGGQ0_TUSag/s1600-h/Msunflower4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Tithonia Sunflower" border="0" alt="Tithonia, Mexican Sunflower, Butterfly" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5_ATAE30UjQ/UCbI7DsVJ2I/AAAAAAAAC-0/KjuXM1ebCZU/Msunflower_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="313"></a></p> <p>These guys grow to a height of 5 to 7 feet! I’ll definitely be saving seeds from these for next year.</p> <p>This was a volunteer sunflower that came up near my birdfeeder filled with sunflower seeds. Notice the large shaped disk.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7K4fQ2MXMik/UCbI7p3PmqI/AAAAAAAAC-8/JTQeUkVi5_k/s1600-h/lgsunflower7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Large Sunflower" border="0" alt="Large Sunflower, Sunflower seeds" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ukHUodmI6zY/UCbI9z2FnvI/AAAAAAAAC_E/xpjo_B0cuo4/lgsunflower_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="331"></a></p> <p>This sunflower was definitely bred for seed production. This variety (unknown) would make an excellent choice for attracting birds to the backyard. I’ll try to save some of these seeds for next year if the birds don’t beat me to it first.</p> <p>Sunflowers are an all-time garden favorite that provide that feel-good cheery aspect to the garden. They are remarkably tough and easy to grow. Give them a try in your own garden.</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-18858706108553581782012-02-12T16:29:00.001-05:002012-02-12T16:29:27.848-05:00In Search of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker - Birding Palmetto-Peartree Preserve<p><font color="#464646"> <font size="4">O</font>ne of</font> my favorite places to get away and escape is North Carolina's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Banks" target="_blank">Outer Banks</a>. The two-hour southeasterly drive from my home in Virginia through rural North Carolina makes it easily accessible for a long day or weekend trip. In addition to a wealth of marine life, Eastern North Carolina is home to a variety of other animals like deer, black bear, alligators and the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/redwolf/" target="_blank">endangered red wolf</a> – not to mention the hundreds of bird species that live and migrate through the area.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wIXeoYB7uuk/TzgvK3wzmiI/AAAAAAAAC80/vzCwMz7NFyk/s1600-h/Whitetail%252520Buck%252520on%252520Bodie%252520Island%252520Refuge%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Whitetail Buck on Bodie Island Refuge" border="0" alt="Whitetail Buck, Bodie Island Refuge, marsh" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TLHVhlDJbOc/TzgvLVyW4XI/AAAAAAAAC88/ezMoT3BXs6o/Whitetail%252520Buck%252520on%252520Bodie%252520Island%252520Refuge_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="384"></a><font size="1"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><strong>Whitetail Buck</strong></font></p> <p>The Outer Banks is also home to one of my favorite events, <a href="http://www.wingsoverwater.org/" target="_blank">Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival (WOW)</a>. The week-long event held each November celebrates the natural wonders of the area and offers many opportunities to explore the diversity there. Events held during the week range from birding in the historic <a href="http://elizabethangardens.org/" target="_blank">Elizabethan Gardens</a> to experiencing an evening out in the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge listening to howls of the endangered red wolves. Somewhere in between all that falls the outing to <a href="http://www.palmettopeartree.org/" target="_blank">Palmetto-Peartree Preserve (aka P3)</a> in search of the rare <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-cockaded_Woodpecker/id/ac" target="_blank">Red-cockaded Woodpecker</a>.</p> <p>The nearly 10,000 acre preserve, located in Tyrrell County North <font color="#464646">Carolina, is home to approximately 2 dozen clusters (families) of the rare red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). I’ve visited P3 on two separate occasions since attending the WOW</font> festival and have been fortunate to see the RCW on both visits.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dk3lLv3wJlE/TzgvL2M2w7I/AAAAAAAAC9E/Ubu-ZBKUwlo/s1600-h/RCW1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RCW1" border="0" alt="Red-cockaded Woodpecker, palmetto-peartree preserve" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uUMdFSmslC8/TzgvMcCpNHI/AAAAAAAAC9M/fCHZpgumv44/RCW1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="327"></a></p> <p><font color="#333333">These birds were once common throughout the southern US, totaling more than a million clusters. Today there are fewer than 20 thousand individuals.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QiT-6JgHp2U/TzgvMqvL5RI/AAAAAAAAC9U/POYvJDuHyx8/s1600-h/RCW2%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RCW2" border="0" alt="Red-cockaded Woodpecker, palmetto-peartree preserve" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T1q3z-o6Bvc/TzgvNHvrRhI/AAAAAAAAC9c/8D5GYirbMeU/RCW2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="363"></a></p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333">Unlike most woodpeckers, the red-cockaded typically excavates nest and roost cavities in living trees (pines) and may occupy them for decades.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333">They </font><font color="#333333">leave their cavity around sunrise each morning to forage for insects in the nearby trees.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#333333"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-172X5AakJn4/TzgvNTB8RPI/AAAAAAAAC9k/DyipzIq5Azk/s1600-h/RCW%252520in%252520cavity%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RCW in cavity" border="0" alt="Red-cockaded Woodpecker, palmetto-peartree preserve, nest cavity" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fzx_pxBDQW4/TzgvNxVIKsI/AAAAAAAAC9s/MhJQKO3y18Y/RCW%252520in%252520cavity_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="361"></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333">Look closely at the above photo and you can see the RCW peeking out of the cavity. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333">RCWs limited habitat of open mature pine forest, preferring the longleaf pine above other pine species, has played a major part in its decline. Over time, the longleaf pine ecosystem slowly disappeared from much of its original range. Early European settlement, commercial tree farming, and agriculture eventually lead to the disappearance of the RCW habitat, and as a result the RCW numbers fell. They were officially listed as endangered around 1970.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333">Efforts to bring this bird back has been tough, but somewhat successful due to conservation efforts to restore and protect what’s left of their existing habitat.</font></p> <p align="left">Be sure to check out <a href="http://www.palmettopeartree.org/" target="_blank">Palmetto-Peartree Preserve</a> on the web to learn more, and find out how you can explore the wild and wonderful side of this region of North Carolina.</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-30018613829962567542012-01-31T05:50:00.001-05:002012-01-31T05:50:37.903-05:00Birding Craney Island<p><font color="#000000">It isn't much to look at when it comes to islands from a human perspective, but to the birds, Craney Island is a sanctuary, and in turn has become a favorite hot-spot for bird watching.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The man-made dredged peninsula disposal site consist of 2,500 plus acres located in Portsmouth, Virginia where the James and Elizabeth River come together. Shallow ponds cover much of the island.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l39bG9ugW_Y/TyfHaWZXIDI/AAAAAAAAC6U/JMxTRg8GrFY/s1600-h/craney14.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="craney island" border="0" alt="craney island, island" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IJhsIZQjDUA/TyfHauSRBhI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/EgGpN3q03CE/craney1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="324"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">For the most part, Craney Island is an industrial area made up of material dredged from the local channels and ports in the Hampton Roads area. The site was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s and is still managed by them today.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Over the years Craney Island has become a vital food, nesting and rest stop for many migrating birds. Fortunately the corps, working with local conservationist, have recognized the area as an important region for many bird species and work to co-exist with them.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">I was excited to tag along with the</font> <a href="http://www.vabeach-audubon.org/" target="_blank">Virginia Beach Audubon Society</a> <font color="#000000">group on a field trip to Craney Island last month. Despite the blustery chilly weather that day, we weren't disappointed. Right out the gate we spotted a bald eagle, and from there it only got better. We split up into small groups, jumped in our designated vehicles and toured the island in true caravan style – sometimes stopping every few feet to look at birds.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000">We were fortunate to see a wide variety of birds ranging from</font> raptors to songbirds, and lots in-between. I was even fortunate to get a lifer on the trip. Below is </font><font color="#000000">just a few of what we saw on Craney. Note that some of the photo’s were taken by club members as noted above each photo.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">We start out with <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Shoveler/id/ac" target="_blank">northern shovelers</a>. We saw lots of these ducks feeding in the ponds. They use their highly specialized bill (from which their name is derived) to forage for food</font><a>.</a></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="northern shovelers" border="0" alt="northern shoveler, duck" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IWUG6ntiSZ4/TyfHayX3XZI/AAAAAAAAC6g/C2o0S8oVxXA/northern-shovelers_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="340"></p> <p><font color="#000000">The below photo of <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Wigeon/id/ac" target="_blank">American wigeons</a> was taken by our trip leader Steve Coari.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uQ4Lv4pXgcI/TyfHbd8ataI/AAAAAAAAC6s/dJ4jbR89tkg/s1600-h/American-Wigeon5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="American Wigeon" border="0" alt="American wigeon, duck" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nzu5Fd68So0/TyfHb5TwgBI/AAAAAAAAC60/CYIa4dnRnHk/American-Wigeon_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="296"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Lots of <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Gannet/id/ac" target="_blank">Northern gannets</a> were flying along the edges of the island out over the James River. It’s fun to watch these seabirds plunge-dive for fish from high above. This is a juvenile Northern gannet.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GHmgTJhq3D0/TyfHcZdX_vI/AAAAAAAAC68/GFLo0-HEpWA/s1600-h/NGannetJuv5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Northern Gannet Juvenile" border="0" alt="Northern Gannet Juvenile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3JZcoeFzebY/TyfHcuX_HcI/AAAAAAAAC7E/jlM3kIRBCtY/NGannetJuv_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="378"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Below is an adult gannet about to take a nose dive. Photo by Keith Roberts.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fx09DR62sA8/TyfHdEHJRkI/AAAAAAAAC7M/HMiRQ9tDE3A/s1600-h/NGannetDive4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Northern Gannet Diving" border="0" alt="Northern Gannet Diving" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-92Y9QKQoHwg/TyfHdQEH7uI/AAAAAAAAC7U/QSPzmyfgSrs/NGannetDive_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" height="296"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">One of my favorite raptors is the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/id/ac" target="_blank">Northern harrier</a> (below). It’s often seen gracefully gliding low over open fields and marshes.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-raPlevRLqEE/TyfHeLfm3oI/AAAAAAAAC7c/QyM-lE-i_o0/s1600-h/NHarrier5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Northern Harrier" border="0" alt="Northern Harrier" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ecxqGk6QmS4/TyfHefqTjTI/AAAAAAAAC7k/lmb6QvGag48/NHarrier_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="486" height="330"></a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">And this was my one <u>lifer</u> for the day – the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-throated_Loon/id/ac" target="_blank">red-throated loon</a> (in non-breeding plumage). The red-throated loon is the smallest of the loons and winter here along our shores. Photo by Keith Roberts.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mYBxmTQgMuI/TyfHe0VP5EI/AAAAAAAAC7s/1nyQixVPGrY/s1600-h/RTLoon6.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="red-throated loon" border="0" alt="red-throated loon, non breeding plumage" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FdUTYawPIkI/TyfHfHl1V4I/AAAAAAAAC70/PwAzBI7_2eY/RTLoon_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="367"></a></font></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000">Below is a complete bird list for the day, topping out at 37 species.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">American Crow<br>Brown Headed Cowbirds<br>Belted Kingfisher<br>Eastern Meadowlark<br>Mockingbird<br>Savannah Sparrow<br>Song Sparrow<br>E. Starlings<br>Yellow-rump Warbles<br>Downy Woodpecker<br>Bald eagle (Immature)<br>Peregrine Falcon<br>Coopers Hawk<br>Red Tailed hawk<br>Northern Harrier<br>Common Loon<br>Red-Throated Loon<br>Horned Grebe<br>Black Duck<br>Bufflehead<br>Canvasback<br>Mallard<br>Northern Shoveler<br>Ruddy Duck<br>Green Winged teal<br>American Widgeon<br>Northern Gannet (adults and Immature)<br>Tundra Swan<br>Killdeer<br>Sanderling<br>Forsters tern<br>Great Black Backed Gull<br>Herring Gull<br>Ring-billed Gull<br>Brown Pelican<br>Great Blue Heron<br>Cormorants</font></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-77290326538735231542012-01-13T05:47:00.001-05:002012-01-13T05:47:29.299-05:00New Year Juncos and Favorite Birds of 2011<p>Happy New Year! Like many, I always look forward to the new year. I’m not sure exactly why, I’m definitely not getting any younger. For me, I think it’s the feeling of having a fresh start – a new chance to get it right. If I could just stick to all those new year promises that I make to better myself (aka resolutions) , then all would be grand. However, we all know how that usually turns out.</p> <p>As a birdwatcher, the new year brings promise of exciting new adventures and the hope of new life bird or two. The first bird sightings of the new year for me was the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/dark-eyed_junco/lifehistory/ac" target="_blank">dark-eyed junco</a>. Junco’s are not the most exciting of the songbirds, but they are one of my favorite winter-time birds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mMsQPIyYGCI/TxALn7yCumI/AAAAAAAAC3g/_-G1qPZGaJM/s1600-h/DE_Junco5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Dark-eyed Junco" border="0" alt="Dark-eyed Junco, Bird" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B8nPAPc1ZvY/TxALoYYrgEI/AAAAAAAAC3o/QD_ihtL9qk8/DE_Junco_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="339"></a></p> <p>Dark-eyed juncos arrive in my area with the first cold spell of the season (usually late October) and spend the first few months of the new year with us. Many associate there arrival with the first snowfall of the season (aka snowbirds), but since our area doesn’t get all that much snow the first cold front will have to do.</p> <p>Juncos are ground feeding birds so be sure to toss a little bird seed on the ground when filling your feeders. I keep a small bag of white proso millet, one of their favorite, on hand just for that purpose.</p> <p>With that said, I would like to recap and share a few of my favorite birds, including some lifers, of the past year. Note that I said ‘favorite birds’, <u>not</u> favorite photographs of birds. I clarify because many of my bird photos leave much to be desired. Birds can be quite uncooperative at times.</p> <p>First up is the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). I’ll take any photo I can get of these guys. The primary habitat of the RCW, the<br>longleaf pine ecosystem, has all but disappeared. This reduction of suitable habitat has caused the number of RCWs to dramatically decline. They are currently listed as endangered and today there<br>remains approximately 14,000 birds scattered throughout the southeast.</p> <p><font size="1">[Click on any photo to enlarge]</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cE6HlevWQX0/TxALo96ciRI/AAAAAAAAC3w/1quMndhyPsI/s1600-h/RCW7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RCW" border="0" alt="Red-cockaded woodpecker, bird, endangered" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OVBeAQULyY4/TxALpD4upiI/AAAAAAAAC34/GOrKXIa054Y/RCW_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="361"></a></p> <p>Here’s a lifer I got the opportunity to get in the marshes of the Outer Banks of North Carolina this past fall – the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Saltmarsh_Sparrow/id/ac" target="_blank">salt marsh sparrow</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WAvo8npaUdM/TxALp48E9HI/AAAAAAAAC4A/GpIXxlNSj3E/s1600-h/SM_Sparrow4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SM_Sparrow" border="0" alt="Salt Marsh Sparrow, Bird" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vc-UPLSVN5Q/TxALqal2JpI/AAAAAAAAC4I/zaZDf_rEnWc/SM_Sparrow_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="381"></a></p> <p>Another 2011 favorite bird was the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Gannet/id/ac" target="_blank">Northern gannet</a>. This one is a juvenile. Northern Gannets spend most of their life at sea.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbYrUFW2eGbv0vfJA_1VvYdaoxu7tN0MywjdQXFNRZ7Nh5D8hvQpithMfnuJJBBnhI95mqxBVKQHay23ILtk7D69SIyHVjsKnM14toLMY4PeOK2xT8R19ZskaTVQLZIV8WXLa8-gOvKXf/s1600-h/northern-gannet-juv4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="northern gannet (juv)" border="0" alt="Northern Gannet Juvenile, sea bird" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLEpBHTMfmYhZlPk2m4Vg81gHyxVDgl7Oy6BySAi4DuVwnxi77KCviF_znQjlmq1kBB5edQAH51es0glEyHdb0b7UQ-qjHxk4gFTamMHNlgZO7W-ypkuuOJTPFuZc_dEW3PnLjGQmYt0L/?imgmax=800" width="425" height="330"></a></p> <p>And while we we’re talking marine birds, check out this large group of <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brown_pelican/id/ac" target="_blank">brown pelicans</a>. There’s nothing all that unique about seeing a few brown pelicans, but what was impressive to me was the large number of pelicans in one place. This photo was taken this past fall on a pelican rookery located on one of the barrier islands in North Carolina.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm9hd-VtVjXJrpXzogwGg_AuLi1wLkVoyCnJxOExA_fJv4D6xwyqtaBqyFWuT9YBA2fPrCpPVUUJ8uwE4OaeDKLeIEy6lF2hXpGDY2RFAox49AojXTGLRvNxcZowb-TywgnMbJV1bmyY8/s1600-h/B_pelican4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="B_pelican" border="0" alt="Brown Pelican, Bird, Outerbanks, island" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JcWKSJIHZ9Q/TxALseIXJRI/AAAAAAAAC4o/1M2lRi8Rx4I/B_pelican_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="293"></a></p> <p>It may be tough to tell, but there’s an <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_redstart/lifehistory/ac" target="_blank">American redstart</a> singing in the photo below. This photo was taken in the Dismal Swamp this spring and was another lifer for me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7zIDeTqimV4/TxALtKl_QzI/AAAAAAAAC4w/X8ujK5GluLk/s1600-h/Am-redstart4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Am redstart" border="0" alt="American Redstart, Bird" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ifhS2DbncM/TxALtSW0G7I/AAAAAAAAC44/VHJkyfSmvSE/Am-redstart_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="294"></a></p> <p>One of my favorite little woodland songbirds is the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Nuthatch/id/ac" target="_blank">brown-headed nuthatch</a>. This was the first photo I ever got of one of these birds. They’re so small and never sit still!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pwv3PhATUp0/TxALt48ngFI/AAAAAAAAC5A/Iqo7BvEI9Uc/s1600-h/BH_Nuthatch4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BH_Nuthatch" border="0" alt="Brown-Headed Nuthatch, Bird" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R4Eehkw_QYY/TxALuSMA3DI/AAAAAAAAC5I/FBPqR9rVthw/BH_Nuthatch_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="335"></a></p> <p>Here’s a <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-shouldered_hawk/lifehistory/ac" target="_blank">red-shouldered hawk</a> sitting on my Christmas décor in my front yard. At least someone likes my decorations.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O82Ozubcmg0/TxALu2La4tI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/h8ohluz_pfE/s1600-h/RS_Hawk5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RS_Hawk" border="0" alt="Red-shouldered hawk, Bird, Raptor" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-errBTR3p7Sw/TxALvMPM_CI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/lUGQS38jBV4/RS_Hawk_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="411"></a></p> <p>Last, but not least is this group of <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_goldfinch/id/ac" target="_blank">American goldfinches</a>. These birds were captured by my <a href="http://www.wingscapes.com/" target="_blank">Wingscapes Birdcam</a> this past spring.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_UNtB7D-tGE/TxALvodSx1I/AAAAAAAAC5g/REKStPR5OOM/s1600-h/WSBC09096.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Am_Goldfinch" border="0" alt="American Goldfinch, Bird, Bird feeder, Bird seed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4qf5TXDUN20/TxALv3X8HxI/AAAAAAAAC5o/M9YmTtWtBGg/WSBC0909_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="328"></a></p> <p>Thanks for stopping in and taking the tour with me. Good luck on your own birding adventures this year.</p> <p>Again, Happy New Year!</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-44742155457992192922011-12-22T06:03:00.001-05:002011-12-22T06:03:30.239-05:00Mistletoe: Not Just for Kissing<p> <font size="4">T</font>is the season for mistletoe! Most would agree that the Christmas season and mistletoe go hand in hand. I remember my dad shooting it out of the trees when I was a youngster.  According to folklore, after every kiss under the mistletoe one of the berries was plucked, and once all the berries where gone, there was no more kissing.</p> <p>American mistletoe can be found all throughout eastern and southern forest of the US, and is especially fond of maple trees. It’s unveiled each year when the last of the leaves fall from the trees and reveal their clumps of green, ball-shaped foliage growing among the tree branches.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b70m4dP5Y3k/TvMOfqGE9TI/AAAAAAAAC3I/gXn-SThVtjE/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nfXudLZ75eU/TvMOfwcj7JI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/yhIw8ljCYWs/clip_image002_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="223" /></a></p> <p>There’s more to mistletoe than just holiday tradition. Believe it or not, it plays an important part in our ecosystem. Mistletoe is a host plant for the <a href="http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Atlides-halesus">great purple hairstreak butterfly</a>, and is the only plant that its larva will eat.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Atlides-halesus" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="grtprplhrstrk61304-2338" border="0" alt="grtprplhrstrk61304-2338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YgCSj2n0hLs/TvMOgV6r9sI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/ryypRFU9nrw/grtprplhrstrk61304-2338%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="167" /></a></p> <p>Mistletoe is also a good winter food source for birds. Birds feast on the female mistletoe’s white berries, which are toxic to humans, and then spread the sticky seeds to other trees through their droppings. From there it takes root into the tree. It’s considered a hemiparasite because it doesn’t live entirely off the tree. Mistletoe generates its own photosynthesis; however, it does depend on the tree for its food and water, enough so that the tree could die from a heavy infestation – but in most cases, that’s not the case.</p> <p>For the most part, this unique native is harmless and its benefits to wildlife and our holiday enjoyment outweigh its potential invasiveness.</p> <p><strong>I want to personally wish everyone a happy and safe holiday!!</strong></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-35106544360321204052011-11-06T10:05:00.001-05:002011-11-06T10:05:55.852-05:00Trip to the Zoo - Rhino Hornbill<p> <font size="4">T</font>he zoo has always been one of my favorite places to visit, even as an adult it remains at the top of the list. I especially enjoy going there knowing that new animals have arrived, such as the case with <a href="http://www.virginiazoo.org/" target="_blank">Virginia Zoo’s</a> new pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RdRQKP7oXJY/TraiRGq7lpI/AAAAAAAAC1s/_V-4tONgeK8/s1600-h/HB1%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HB1" border="0" alt="HB1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SKJN55As0RA/TraiRrC9IMI/AAAAAAAAC10/aZ7IuMmQYNY/HB1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="349"></a></p> <p>It looks almost prehistoric doesn’t it?</p> <p>Rhinoceros hornbills are native to southeastern Asia where they are currently under extreme pressure for survival due to deforestation and poaching (for there feathers). Rhino Hornbills are an indicator species in their range and their absence indicates a poor ecosystem. They eat a variety of fruit and play a vital role as important seed dispersers for Southeast Asian tropical forest ecosystems.</p> <p>That’s why programs such as <a href="http://www.aza.org/species-survival-plan-program/" target="_blank">AZA’s Species Survival Plan Program</a> (AZA stands for Association of Zoos and Aquariums) work hard with accredited Zoos and other organizations to manage and conserve threatened or endangered species.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qBQw9cDk6vw/TraiSWSWzGI/AAAAAAAAC18/x2zguROiewU/s1600-h/HB2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HB2" border="0" alt="HB2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-db-KwzfVNB8/TraiS_2S_KI/AAAAAAAAC2E/9tKdy2Ekihs/HB2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="384"></a></p> <p>These juveniles became part of the Virginia Z0o last November. The goal of the zoo is to establish a breeding pair among the two birds. They are only 3 years old right now and become reproductively mature at the age of around 6 years. In captivity, it’s important to attempt pairing these birds early so they can build their relationship/bond.</p> <p>Like with most other hornbills, the male has orange or red eyes, and the female has whitish eyes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DYiVnMkZ-Us/TraiS-zRwWI/AAAAAAAAC2I/XQ_opIHSPKQ/s1600-h/Rdeye%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rdeye" border="0" alt="Rdeye" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AOUrEHL8iQ8/TraiTisrdlI/AAAAAAAAC2U/OEeeudnEYuw/Rdeye_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="224"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_7go6uvJcyBaGM27jLkzt267xFx70-UcmJ0Di1kngnCJFokpaO2j-dTCuqxeh_VA8TPOuofshO-8t6i3intE-Ur3YoD7UPCtCVOgfOjvXnnqE__BDfZAGpgt3h5Ly8Mv5Z0vXqedTDyK/s1600-h/Wheye%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Wheye" border="0" alt="Wheye" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LXkahRRkRpg/TraiUOjDHkI/AAAAAAAAC2k/wlNzzQxN3aM/Wheye_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="197"></a></p> <p>One of the other distinctive characteristics of hornbills is the presence of the “casque”, a structure on top of the bill that is unique to hornbills. All hornbills have some type of casque, but few are as impressive as the rhinoceros hornbill. The purpose of the casque is not entirely clear but it is thought to play a role in amplifying sound and used in mating behavior as well.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LIUQmpOOqLI/TraiUT6tCbI/AAAAAAAAC2s/0UqV1ANtsKs/s1600-h/HB3%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HB3" border="0" alt="HB3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-60Fo5xVUjz0/TraiU6sHU9I/AAAAAAAAC20/qT9jevrIwpQ/HB3_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="382"></a></p> <p>I found it interesting that Hornbills are the only birds in which the first two neck vertebrae (the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_(anatomy)">axis</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_(anatomy)">atlas</a>) are fused together; this is obviously due to the extra weight from the bill they carry around.</p> <p>It’s still early, but all indications from the zoo show that they’re getting along well and seem to be happy in their new environment.</p> <p>This post was submitted to this weeks edition of <a href="http://birdfreak.com/bird-photography-weekly-167/" target="_blank">Bird Photography Weekly (#167)</a>. Be sure to stop by and check it out.</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-53367476351194081922011-10-29T09:16:00.001-04:002011-10-29T23:59:27.434-04:00My Virginia Gardener Blog<p> <font size="4">I</font> wanted to write a quick and slightly overdue post to publicize another blog I’ve been contributing too since the beginning of this year. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of the State-by-State Gardening Publication team as one of their bloggers for the state of <a href="http://statebystategardening.com/va" target="_blank">Virginia</a>, alongside my blogger pals <a href="http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_03_summary/" target="_blank">Les</a> and <a href="http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_01_summary/" target="_blank">Jan</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://statebystategardening.com/" target="_blank">State~By~State Gardening</a> has been publishing state gardening magazines for 11 years and provide quality magazines that have proven to be useful tools for gardeners in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.</p> <p>Now, in addition to the magazine, each state has its own set of <a href="http://statebystategardening.com/blogs/" target="_blank">online garden bloggers</a>. Here’s a link and logo to <a href="http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/va/blog_02_summary/" target="_blank">my Virginia garden blog</a> (also located on the right side bar of this blog). </p> <p><u><font color="#83d265"></font></u><a href="http://vagardener.com/birdsnsuch" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Birds 'n Such at Virginia Gardener" alt="Virginia Gardener, Birds 'n Such" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJGtIYsioZ1RMsLm8myyON9MPlBgvTDC1eTXtlGTaIbWjmujyIOzFM_Wxtt7dTXuqVb3FRFVls9c8azea4u3RUkaQTL20lsP-ECO7naVkgHxHnZEg_PtLRffTVj854XSXlUq0zCSezvQE/s237/VA-02-BirdsnSuch-Pulley.jpg" width="246" height="213"></a></p> <p>If you enjoy reading and learning about nature and gardening, be sure to stop by and check out my blog there, along with some of the other great blogs there as well. It doesn’t matter whether you live in one of these states or not, there’s something present for everyone that appreciates gardening.</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-66387102913802463282011-09-21T06:18:00.001-04:002011-09-21T06:18:44.011-04:00Close Encounters<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lnA3sPFCXa0/Tnm5-2s5YRI/AAAAAAAAC0w/3ugCTqgooAw/s1600-h/Mantis14.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mantis1" border="0" alt="Mantis1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OWkoE_b8w3A/Tnm5_NwKSjI/AAAAAAAAC00/BASpMuhoBG4/Mantis1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="305"></a> <p>What a cool insect – looks like something from an alien movie doesn’t it? I’ve always liked <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis" target="_blank">praying mantises</a>, they seem so cool and sophisticated. <p>Mantises are at the top of the insect food chain and will eat just about anything it can grab and hold with its powerful front legs. It didn’t take me long to realize why this particular praying mantis was stalking the area. Yes, it may be hard for some to comprehend (even myself), but these insects are capable of taking down a hummingbird if given the opportunity. <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mXdmsqye7OU/Tnm5_XXAj4I/AAAAAAAAC04/VsYWK5ztDBY/s1600-h/Mantis212.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mantis2" border="0" alt="Mantis2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q9bWyUtZeUM/Tnm5_31GhlI/AAAAAAAAC08/L3x-ZF87bZM/Mantis2_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="388"></a> <p>Hummingbirds passing through my area now are very active, franticly feeding and bulking up for their long journey south for the winter; but this large female praying mantis (above) has her own agenda. She will be laying eggs soon and could use the extra nutrition herself. <p>Out of curiosity I watched as a cautious hummingbird approached the feeder, while the mantis watched closely and tried to angle itself in a position to attack. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w35pIr4A6uY/Tnm6AoOBMLI/AAAAAAAAC1A/rUIRKlLrDYc/s1600-h/Mantis36.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mantis3" border="0" alt="Mantis3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qJbIPHg60Qo/Tnm6A0PCf8I/AAAAAAAAC1E/YhgUmlGwLuY/Mantis3_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="325"></a> <p>There are lots of species of mantis’s, but the one in these photos is the Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis). It’s a non-native insect introduced to North America in the late 1800s to aid in pest control. The Chinese Mantis can grow to a length of more than 6 inches. Our native mantis’s are about half that size when fully grown making it easy to distinguish between the two. <p>Situations like this in nature don’t normally affect me, it’s just part of the circle of life and the way nature balances itself out. However, this particular insect is non-native, and it’s also stalking a man provided food source that's been put out for the birds. Under those circumstances, I feel as if I’m somewhat responsible for the birds safety. I guess one could argue that it’s no different than hawks that stalk backyard birdfeeders, but in the hummingbirds case, it’s just a matter of relocating the feeder to a safer location. And that’s what I did. <p>Just remember to always keep an eye out on your feeders to ensure that they’re in a safe location for the birds. Things will happen beyond our control but at a minimum we can at least eliminate the obvious dangers. <p>There’s an article on the Birdwatchers Digest Site titled “<a href="http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/hummingbirds/mantis-hummer.php?sc=migrate" target="_blank">Praying Mantis Makes Meal of a Hummer</a>”, along with photos. If your not too sensitive to such things like this <a href="http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/hummingbirds/mantis-hummer.php?sc=migrate" target="_blank">be sure to check it out</a>!</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-88200518953880624172011-09-08T21:34:00.001-04:002011-09-08T21:34:46.055-04:00Surviving Irene<p>After experiencing a couple hurricanes and a few more close calls in my lifetime, the anticipation of Hurricane Irene wasn't a welcomed one. I wasn’t that worried about the storm itself, but more so the dreaded aftermath that such a storm can leave behind. Experiencing the wrath of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Isabel">Hurricane Isabel</a> in 2003, I know the kind of damage that these winds and rains can bring.</p> <p>Although not entirely the event that the news media made it out to be in our area, Irene was a storm to be reckoned with that flooded many low-lying areas and unfortunately took several lives. Damage in our area was mostly due to falling trees, which as a result, kept us in the dark for 5 days. Being without electricity definitely makes you realize the little things that we often take for granted. But I’m thankful nevertheless, it could have been much worse. With the exception of some minor siding damage to the house, and being without power for a few days, I’m pleased to report all is well with me and my family. </p> <p>Here’s one of the many downed trees in our area –</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ejboZ4W8buQ/TmltJcicMvI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/d8ph94l-TB4/s1600-h/Tree14.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tree1" border="0" alt="Tree1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEffFPqgXGplpRZdYntj2G-xIpqv1eHBMeFDy8qUWnC5HKfXU3kgYoASbApup8nBTTiv60IGCIlQxd9LbZBBtu63SbGiev3Vrs_dmBEDHFrD5SsbOq9jGRaSy9adiA7IKgFjQ0fvl-EiIc/?imgmax=800" width="434" height="340" /></a></p> <p>This unfortunate family had one tree fall on their house, causing major damage, and to add insult to injury, a second one (shown below) fell across their front yard knocking down power lines that fell into the street and blocked the entrance/exit of their driveway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vc6Kzvced9Q/TmltKb886-I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/uTsJvpGIyGU/s1600-h/Tree25.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tree2" border="0" alt="Tree2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7LYv7UhFbkg/TmltK2HhviI/AAAAAAAAC0c/nX0_XYQduN4/Tree2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="280" /></a></p> <p>For many, the rain from Irene was a welcome site. Normally this isn’t the type of rain that you would wish for, but for many local farmers who have been dealing with below normal rainfall for the last couple of summers welcomed it. Better yet, the rainfall from hurricane Irene contained most of the forest fire in the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/">Great Dismal Swamp</a> that has been gagging everyone in the area for a good part of the summer. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YDEZO98Keqs/TmltL0x31DI/AAAAAAAAC0g/5H-yMrRzfmM/s1600-h/DS%252520Fire%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DS Fire" border="0" alt="DS Fire" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BzBCWlw1UOk/TmltMWJx4OI/AAAAAAAAC0k/W8sO99Ie3pE/DS%252520Fire_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="345" /></a></p> <p>If interested, more Dismal Swamp fire photos are available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Northeast Flickr account: <a href="http://bit.ly/ohNf6s">http://bit.ly/ohNf6s</a></p> <p>Believe it or not, there are still a few smoldering areas in the swamp, but hopefully the latest rains we’ve been getting this week (remnants of hurricane Lee) will help put an end to the remaining flare ups.</p> <p>If you’re a hard core birdwatcher, hurricanes can offer one the opportunity to see some rare birds, especially along the coast. Strong winds blow many pelagic birds off their course, driving them closer to the coast, offering opportunities to spot them in areas that they normally wouldn’t be. You can read about some of the cool birds that were seen as a result of hurricane Irene <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/after-tropical-storm-irene-a-bounty-for-birdwatchers/">here</a>.</p> <p>Here’s a quick photo (below) I took of a <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/house_finch/id">house finch</a> (sorry for the poor quality) taking cover during the storm on our back porch up next to the house. A pair of house finches hung out most of the day there surviving the storm. Birds are very sensitive to changes in air pressure and know instinctively to take shelter. A sharp drop in barometric pressure alerts them that a big storm is on the way. This photo kind of gives you an idea what a lot of these little birds go through in times like these – not only do birds have to deal with the harsh heat of summer and freezing winters, but events like hurricanes can be costly to small birds. Read more about the effects of hurricanes on birds here: <a href="http://www.birding.com/hurricanes.asp">http://www.birding.com/hurricanes.asp</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NbkMGl1DsDs/TmltM84hDVI/AAAAAAAAC0o/yjLyOqi97yI/s1600-h/House%252520Finch%252520during%252520Hurricane%252520Irene.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="House Finch during Hurricane Irene" border="0" alt="House Finch during Hurricane Irene" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sLrqNjmAmc8/TmltNRqDQfI/AAAAAAAAC0s/sJGptVv36VI/House%252520Finch%252520during%252520Hurricane%252520Irene_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="329" /></a></p> <p>And while we’re talking birds and hurricanes, check out this really cool video about a <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whimbrel/lifehistory" target="_blank">bird</a> that got caught up in the middle of hurricane Irene and survived:  <a title="http://youtu.be/wlbCZG-wGuY" href="http://youtu.be/wlbCZG-wGuY">http://youtu.be/wlbCZG-wGuY</a></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-18088787116801338302011-07-07T22:20:00.001-04:002011-07-07T22:20:17.732-04:00Lessons from the Purple Martin Field Day<p>Last weekend I look a little road trip up to the northern part of my state (VA) to attend the 17th annual <a href="http://www.purplemartinfieldday.org/">Purple Martin Field Day</a>. It was my first time attending and despite the 2 hour, 45 minute drive I had a great time. It’s a small festival, but what it lacked in size it made up for in quality.</p> <p>As a somewhat new Purple Martin landlord I’m always seeking to learn more about the hobby and meet people in the “business” that’s willing to share their knowledge and experience with beginners like myself. It’s a rewarding hobby but establishing and maintaining a healthy Purple Martin colony can be difficult, not to mention, very frustrating at times. That’s why it’s great to meet with individuals to discuss issues and realize that I’m not alone.</p> <p>The featured speaker, Lance Wood, is an expert on Purple Martins and has published several articles about them in national publications. Mr. Wood has expanded his colony from four pairs of Purple Martins 20 years ago, to more than 130 nesting pairs today – wow! He shared his knowledge, techniques and best equipment available for successful martin attraction and management.</p> <p>During the lectures we enjoyed watching hundreds of purple martins soaring overhead and feeding their young.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-17NwNE7e-bc/ThZpS_85p9I/AAAAAAAACx4/se_guXNoCGI/s1600-h/PM1%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="PM1" border="0" alt="PM1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z7UP8jPDpwo/ThZpTXKV_xI/AAAAAAAACx8/rsjm985fHP8/PM1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="316" /></a></p> <p>I won’t go into the detail on everything discussed, but if anyone reading this is considering, or would like to start their own purple martin colony the three basis things a person must have, according to Lance, is knowledge, some up-front funds to get started, and ‘moxie’; meaning the courage to do a few unpleasant things (like eliminating non-native competitive species like <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/house_sparrow/id" target="_blank">house sparrows</a> and <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/european_starling/id" target="_blank">starlings</a>).</p> <p>As for the martins themselves, they require housing that’s erected in open spaces, away from tall trees and buildings but near human dwellings, quality housing that wont <a href="http://www.purplemartinfieldday.org/ProtectingMartinHousingFromWindstorms_document2010-04-07-160948.pdf">fail in strong winds</a>, and adequate protection from predators such as owls, hawks, snakes and raccoons. Read more about the standards for Purple Martin Housing <a href="http://purplemartin.org/downloads/HousingStandards.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.purplemartinfieldday.org/ExperiencesAndInnovations,OneLandlord'sIdeas_document2010-04-07-161104.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Lance’s recommends natural gourds for purple martin housing, but if that’s not available, good quality plastic gourds will do fine. You can read about his thoughts on gourds <a href="http://www.purplemartinfieldday.org/PMCA_article_2009.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eLEdony-prQ/ThZpUIV_B0I/AAAAAAAACyA/YMv0vHRAQow/s1600-h/PM2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="PM2" border="0" alt="PM2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e4gL8UHpUvE/ThZpYLg0wAI/AAAAAAAACyE/uSngFXKY0So/PM2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="351" /></a></p> <p>One of the best ways to get started and learn is to visit the <a href="http://purplemartin.org/">Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA)</a> and read some of the publications and other useful information on there site. PCMA also has a <a href="http://purplemartin.org/update/92mentor.html" target="_blank">mentor program</a> set up by region with contact information of experienced purple martin landlords in your area to help answer any questions you may have.</p> <p>If you meet the basic requirements for purple martins, consider putting up houses for these birds. They are wonderful to have around and the effort is well worth it.</p> <p>Also in attendance was Ron Kingston sharing his expertise on Eastern Bluebirds. Ron is best known for his invention of the Kingston Stove Pipe Baffle. If you have <a href="http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/nestboxplans.htm" target="_blank">bluebird nesting box(s)</a> in your yard be sure they’re protected from predators such as rat snakes and raccoons. <a href="http://www.sialis.org/baffle.htm#stovepipe" target="_blank">Kingston Stove Pipe baffle</a> is a great option and very easy to make. It will also work well on purple martin mounting poles.</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-45496307716926537142011-05-24T08:00:00.001-04:002011-05-24T08:01:35.373-04:00Wild Birds Unlimited Giveaway Winner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I want to thank everyone who participated in my recent <a href="http://www.birdsnsuch.com/2011/05/wbu-product-review-and-giveaway.html">Wild Birds Unlimited Giveaway</a>. I’m happy to announce that the winner was <strong>Julie G</strong>! Congrats Julie, and I hope you enjoy your new <a href="http://shop.wbu.com/products/productdetail/part_number=1044/567.0.1.1">Medium Quick-Clean Finch Feeder</a> – I know I have really enjoyed mine.<br />
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Julie blogs over at <a href="http://naturessplendor-julie.blogspot.com/">Nature’s Splendor</a>. If you get a chance stop by her blog and check it out – she has some great stuff there!!</div>Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-6930802222121609632011-05-18T10:22:00.000-04:002011-05-18T10:22:16.869-04:00Wild Birds Unlimited Giveaway Reminder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">For those that may have missed it, or just haven’t had the chance to participate, there’s still time to get your comments in on <a href="http://www.birdsnsuch.com/2011/05/wbu-product-review-and-giveaway.html">my Wild Birds Unlimited product giveaway</a>. Whether you’re a regular reader of this blog or just happened to stop by, anyone can participate. A winner will be chosen on 5/20/11, so be sure to get your comments in before the end of the day on Thursday, 5/19.<br />
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Here is the link - <a href="http://www.birdsnsuch.com/2011/05/wbu-product-review-and-giveaway.html">http://www.birdsnsuch.com/2011/05/wbu-product-review-and-giveaway.html</a></div>Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-77529592295336038922011-05-15T00:06:00.001-04:002011-05-15T00:06:45.533-04:00May Flowers – Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day<p><font size="4"><strong> </strong>I</font>t has been a few months since I last participated in <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2008/02/getting-involved-with-garden-bloggers.html" target="_blank">Carol’s monthly Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day (GBBD)</a>, but I’m glad to finally be back! It’s not that I haven't wanted to participate, its just after moving into a new home 5 years ago with virtually no landscaping in place, its been tough coming up with blooms to show off each and every month. As many gardeners know, the challenges of adjusting to a new place can be overwhelming at times.</p> <p>I have to admit that most of the struggles have been with myself, trying to figure out what goes where, what combinations work best, and what plants do best in semi-sandy topsoil in mostly full sun. I've spend the last couple years amending the soil in my garden beds by adding various organic matter to it. After some success’s and a few failures here and there, the garden is finally starting to come together. I still have a long ways to go and a lot to accomplish yet but that’s the fun part about gardening; right?</p> <p>With that said, here are a few of my favorite blooms in the garden right now:</p> <p>First is the ever so hardy native Blanket Flower (<em>Gaillardia aristata</em>). A hardy, drought tolerant perennial. It thrives in full sun in well-drained areas (perfect for my landscape). This plant will spread by reseeding if you allow the seed heads to completely dry prior to trimming.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RL71lEkI/AAAAAAAACwo/SxnjskMljL0/s1600-h/BlkFlower%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BlkFlower" border="0" alt="BlkFlower" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlf-waW9UNnMaxXGhVeJwQHlUKtAWsG4b2nvsJmgaYp3ly73rl_YAjhsV0sTRY1pNg9pVInsw83hcK0FsWWjLV5L4kL4-ANGsSrI9I-vp8fGC0J2g_kd66CMjOL1qs0mTsQK9K-TMaKad/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Not far away is another care-free easy perennial to grow – Yarrow (<em>Achillea millifolium</em>).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RNnohvhI/AAAAAAAACww/_yJw8xZ0wcg/s1600-h/Yarrow%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Yarrow" border="0" alt="Yarrow" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt3DnK_CHyy1WxhPO70rGYJWvvPRWAg_ESxUj5bMErfQ1WARHlii6y2uP4_GsFiBobbnnak_ycxxiHG-ak1-XHdJgX07gJGRIB6ySs9rau53jc8AYwYhOYAlPnSkmlp6fITT7bE5vOxkf/?imgmax=800" width="408" height="302" /></a></p> <p>Combined with the yarrow is some Dianthus (<em>Dianthus caryophyllus</em>) ‘carnation’. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9ROo1drJI/AAAAAAAACw4/yattGkg_jeI/s1600-h/Dianthus%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Dianthus" border="0" alt="Dianthus" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RO87qDqI/AAAAAAAACw8/gHVo_2jiQHM/Dianthus_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="304" /></a></p> <p>This next one is quickly becoming a favorite ground cover of mine – ‘Cranesbill’. I’m not sure of the cultivar. I dug up a clump of it from my dad’s house a little over a year ago and it has begun to spread nicely in my garden bed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RPSIcsJI/AAAAAAAACxA/rzh0SeJTpkI/s1600-h/C-Bill%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="C-Bill" border="0" alt="C-Bill" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RP91Z78I/AAAAAAAACxE/m6t-QQQ_6z0/C-Bill_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="307" /></a></p> <p>One of my favorite combinations in my front-yard flower bed is the ‘Gold Mound’ Spirea mixed with my Knock-out roses.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RQfVwC6I/AAAAAAAACxI/yVkGx9axbO0/s1600-h/Spirea%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spirea" border="0" alt="Spirea" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RQz9gAhI/AAAAAAAACxM/CVrJRndlRis/Spirea_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="311" /></a></p> <p>Another view…similar shaded blooms with contrasting foliage.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RRQu4oQI/AAAAAAAACxQ/XeYNUZH-DII/s1600-h/KORoses%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="KORoses" border="0" alt="KORoses" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RR-eYmfI/AAAAAAAACxU/oXj2yEHqUUc/KORoses_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="314" /></a></p> <p>Here’s a nice, easy to grow native shrub, Virginia Sweetspire (<i>Itea</i> <em>virginica</em>) 'Henry's Garnet'.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RSQqGNwI/AAAAAAAACxY/rh-gU-xVJ1A/s1600-h/VASweetSp%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="VASweetSp" border="0" alt="VASweetSp" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RSjZatKI/AAAAAAAACxc/Bab8LxmuDXQ/VASweetSp_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="330" /></a></p> <p>Below are the blooms of ‘Walker’s Low’ Catmint (2007 Perennial Plant of the Year).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RTGeb59I/AAAAAAAACxg/yGGCsIiDiLg/s1600-h/CatMint%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CatMint" border="0" alt="CatMint" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RTUJc0MI/AAAAAAAACxk/KancSXMGWEo/CatMint_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="313" /></a></p> <p>This ‘Michael Dodge’ viburnum below was planted two years as a young 5” plant. This is the first year it has  bloomed. It produces bright golden berries in late summer. Mix this in the garden with the purple berries of the American Beautyberry (<em>Callicarpa americana</em>) and you’ll have a show-stopper for sure.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RUOfWx1I/AAAAAAAACxo/UgusX2h05tA/s1600-h/MDVib%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="MDVib" border="0" alt="MDVib" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RUXQYUrI/AAAAAAAACxs/AgVuIyRByf8/MDVib_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="336" /></a></p> <p>Lets not forget the blooms in the vegetable garden. Below are the blooms of my sugar snap peas. My daughter and I check these plants daily for the sweet edible pods they produce and usually eat them before they ever make it to the house.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RU1Gy9uI/AAAAAAAACxw/VNt7P5LkfIo/s1600-h/Peas%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Peas" border="0" alt="Peas" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Tc9RVGZyTyI/AAAAAAAACx0/ST5u8KJ7en0/Peas_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="326" /></a></p> <p>Thanks for stopping by to view some of the blooms in my garden. If you want to see more be sure to visit <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">Mays Dreams Gardens blog</a> for this month’s <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2011/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2011.html">Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day</a><b></b>.</p> <p><strong><font size="3">Also, be sure to participate in my giveaway (<a href="http://www.birdsnsuch.com/2011/05/wbu-product-review-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">see May 6th post below</a>) for a chance to win any one product from <u>Wild Birds Unlimited</u> up to $50!!! Runs through May 20th!</font></strong></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-44232967088148063552011-05-06T06:51:00.005-04:002011-05-09T13:22:24.216-04:00WBU Product Review and Giveaway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">D</span>on’t you just love <a href="http://www.wbu.com/education/goldfinches.html">American Goldfinches</a>? No matter how often you see them, the male’s bright yellow plumage this time of year is an instant head turner. Like most bird species, the female’s plumage is a bit less colorful than the males, but nevertheless they are always fun to have around the yard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sd0QDDYLOW4kRfhFQS2nTjH3vLNfRtCzLC6UuTIdrUHYc3WsZOy-nlVHNZsKax7rDhaPtIUI_Lg89refPnTS9-o92A0yDNN_GT7MTzZcHWBZ8nyEP3l9v6hiMG_axjmC0RNzQKbkUfQ2/s1600/GFinch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sd0QDDYLOW4kRfhFQS2nTjH3vLNfRtCzLC6UuTIdrUHYc3WsZOy-nlVHNZsKax7rDhaPtIUI_Lg89refPnTS9-o92A0yDNN_GT7MTzZcHWBZ8nyEP3l9v6hiMG_axjmC0RNzQKbkUfQ2/s400/GFinch1.jpg" width="367px" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>I’m excited to share that the bird feeder in this post is my new <a href="http://shop.wbu.com/products/productdetail/part_number=1044/567.0.1.1">Wild Birds Unlimited Medium Quick-clean Finch Feeder</a>. As you can see, the goldfinches wasted no time acclimating themselves to it. The seed is easily added from the removable top cover and the reinforced metal feed port makes it safe and easy for the finches to dine on the Nyjer (thistle) seed.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBvsTeoDW52TnPmGvaM8K_HE1WmfOXZPoSFGPqK3M179p01H7BNktkGH54qNGPbECC2Kk3wsENHcZULy450MuL_AMyn1XnJIBXrJ7sx9cNoq74bDbIazz3zbRsWHamgcCcY9GRdWlzlLa/s1600/GFinch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBvsTeoDW52TnPmGvaM8K_HE1WmfOXZPoSFGPqK3M179p01H7BNktkGH54qNGPbECC2Kk3wsENHcZULy450MuL_AMyn1XnJIBXrJ7sx9cNoq74bDbIazz3zbRsWHamgcCcY9GRdWlzlLa/s400/GFinch2.jpg" width="328px" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>One of my favorite things about this feeder is how easy it is to take apart. Two buttons on either side release the base from the tube for emptying old food and providing a one, easy step method for quick cleaning.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lt84iI-cqgQKq1fFOLZKH6O6Upjb-fio_Q1yXxXSTZvQ9h9AeckrrOtq5ysb91L8qlKw8mEGxhzBk1q7XwsjDIyZzkoXB9iI_WX7ILvJBMsJorbWHHqjRhcmwDlbNGJsQH4ba1c2rRwv/s1600/GFfeeder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lt84iI-cqgQKq1fFOLZKH6O6Upjb-fio_Q1yXxXSTZvQ9h9AeckrrOtq5ysb91L8qlKw8mEGxhzBk1q7XwsjDIyZzkoXB9iI_WX7ILvJBMsJorbWHHqjRhcmwDlbNGJsQH4ba1c2rRwv/s320/GFfeeder.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Keeping your birdfeeders clean is a must, but can present problems because many bird feeders on the market today aren’t designed with that in mind. A feeder not properly cleaned often can become contaminated with droppings and moldy birdseed, creating a habitat for unwanted parasites and harmful bacteria.<br />
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Like many of Wild Bird Unlimited (WBU) products, it’s backed by a lifetime guarantee that includes squirrel and raccoon damage (which is known to happen from time to time).<br />
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WBU was gracious enough to let me try this feeder out in my backyard at no charge, and you too can also have one of these feeders for FREE or any other WBU product up to $50.00 (US only).<br />
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Yep, that’s right! WBU is has generously allowed me to make this offer to one of my lucky readers. To participate just browse <a href="http://www.wbu.com/">their website</a> or the product links below, pick out any one item $50.00 or less and let me know what you’ve picked out (including item number will help) by leaving it in the comments below this post (one comment per person). I will determine a winner via help from the website <a href="http://andrew.hedges.name/experiments/random/pickone.html">“Random Thing Picker”</a> .<br />
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I will contact the winner to gather shipping information and pass it, along with what you have chosen, to my WBU contact and they will ship the product to you at no charge. A winner will be chosen on 5/20/11 so be sure to get your comment in by then!<br />
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You can choose this feeder or select from one of many of the other products and accessories that WBU offers. For you convenience I have added links to their products below. Have fun browsing and GOOD LUCK!<br />
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<a href="http://shop.wbu.com/products/productdetail/WBU+Slide/Flex+Bino-System+Binocular+Strap/part_number=1813/567.0.1.1.25222.25758.0.0.0?pp=12&">Binocular Strap</a><br />
<a href="http://shop.wbu.com/products/category/Seed/567.0.1.1.42042.23446.0.0.0">wild bird seed</a><br />
<a href="http://shop.wbu.com/home/index/567.0.1.1">thistle seed</a><br />
<a href="http://shop.wbu.com/home/index/567.0.1.1">nyjer seed</a><br />
<a href="http://shop.wbu.com/home/index/567.0.1.1">black oil sunflower seed</a><br />
<a href="http://shop.wbu.com/products/category/Suet+Feeders/567.0.1.1.25206.25753.0.0.0">suet feeder</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shopwbu.com/products/category/567.0.1.1.25206.0.0.0.0">wild bird feeder</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shopwbu.com/products/category/Window+Feeders/567.0.1.1.25206.25756.0.0.0">window bird feeders</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shopwbu.com/products/category/567.0.1.1.83170.0.0.0.0">birdacious</a><br />
<a href="http://shop.wbu.com/products/category/Finch+Feeders/567.0.1.1.25206.25755.0.0.0">finch feeders</a><br />
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Other WBU Links:<br />
<a href="http://www.wbu.com/">Wild Birds Unlimited Newsletter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/wildbirdsunlimited">Wild Birds Facebook Page</a></div>Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-34712105299937063942011-04-19T21:36:00.001-04:002011-04-19T21:36:26.248-04:00Upcoming Events and a Contest<p> <font size="4">J</font>ust a quick post to remind everyone that’s local or going to be in the VA/NC area during the 2nd week of May to stop over and visit the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/" target="_blank">Great Dismal Swamp NWR</a> for its 5th Annual Birding Festival. The event starts on Thursday the 12th of May thru Saturday the 14th. There will be guided bird and nature walks, bird banding demonstrations and various workshops. Saturday (14th) will be family fun day that will include children activities, live music, food and more. I’ve had a great time at this event in the past and looking forward to it again next month. Check out their website for more details.</p> <p><a href="http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="GDS%20BF%20logo%20no%20datefor%20web" border="0" alt="GDS%20BF%20logo%20no%20datefor%20web" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Ta44lXmcvUI/AAAAAAAACwI/nayf1Y1d2CU/GDS%20BF%20logo%20no%20datefor%20web%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="171" height="104" /></a></p> <p>The Dismal Swamp is a great place to bird this time of year. During the spring migration, thousands of warblers pass through the swamp on the way to their summer breeding grounds. Many birds, like the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prothonotary_Warbler/id" target="_blank">prothonotary warbler</a> and <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Redstart/id" target="_blank">American Redstart</a> will stay and nest on the refuge. Although not that great, here’s a photo I took of a redstart last weekend in the Dismal Swamp:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Ta44lwCzEhI/AAAAAAAACwM/fHB2XsOIIAI/s1600-h/redstart%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="redstart" border="0" alt="redstart" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/Ta44mPSHbvI/AAAAAAAACwQ/p40mx_yME3o/redstart_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="307" /></a></p> <p>I got a sneak preview last weekend, along with my <a href="http://www.tidewatermn.org/" target="_blank">Master Naturalist group</a>, when we all went birding there with local birding expert <a href="http://bobsbirds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bob Ake</a>. We had a nice encounter with two <br /><a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/barred_owl/id" target="_blank">Barred Owls</a> who responded to Bobs call (by mouth) and some good looks at Prothonotary Warblers, American Redstarts, and a Belted Kingfisher to name a few. Bob is excellent at identifying birds by ear so he helped us identify a few singing birds like the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Louisiana_Waterthrush/lifehistory" target="_blank">Louisiana Waterthrush</a> and the ever elusive <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swainsons_Warbler/lifehistory" target="_blank">Swainson's Warbler</a> that was calling nearby, but unfortunately never showed itself. </p> <p><strong>And for another bit of upcoming news…</strong></p> <p><em>Birds ‘n Such</em>, for the very first time, will be featuring a <strong>contest and giveaway sponsored by </strong><a href="http://www.wbu.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Wild Birds Unlimited</strong></a>. All the details will be available in my next post in a couple of days. STAY TUNED, you don’t want to miss it!</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-51112084578520834832011-04-11T08:03:00.003-04:002011-04-11T15:21:04.102-04:00Website UpdatesI'm currently in the process of making some design changes to the blog over the next few days, so if things look a little out of whack that's the reason. Thanks for your patience!Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-24008019098379603362011-03-31T20:33:00.006-04:002011-03-31T22:48:04.076-04:00Bringing Nature Home–Lecture by Doug TallamyI recently had the opportunity to hear Douglas Tallamy speak at a local event sponsored by the <a href="http://www.vnps.org/shr">South Hampton Roads Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society</a> and hosted by <a href="http://ww2.vwc.edu/">Virginia Wesleyan College</a>. You may know of Tallamy from his popular book titled <i>Bringing Nature Home – How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants</i>. Tallamy is also a science professor, gardener and naturalist on an awareness campaign to spread the word about the benefits of native plants and preserving our biodiversities.<br />
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Tallamy, speaking to a full audience, brought to light many issues that face modern suburbia landscapes today, and presented a convincing case for protecting our current “wild” places, as well as adding new ones right within our own properties. He raised some thought-provoking questions and challenges, along with detailed facts and statistics to back up his message. His message challenged each of us to evaluate our own backyards and ask ourselves if we’re doing enough to sustain wildlife, preserve biodiversity, and making the most of local native plants within the garden.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdNxkvEiI/AAAAAAAACtA/lBeD50Owafs/s1600-h/clip_image002%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image002" border="0" height="291" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdOEQ-lxI/AAAAAAAACtE/QrZh3Bnvjz0/clip_image002_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image002" width="185" /></a><br />
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Sustainable, in natures sense, is defined as an area capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting its natural resources or causing severe ecological damage. Tallamy explained that an area is either sustainable or its not, nothing in-between. Throughout the country we have cleared land to build our homes, but have failed to replenish the surrounding landscapes, leaving only small habitat patches for our wildlife to sustain itself. As a result, biodiversity needed to run our ecosystems cannot survive long term being sustained by these small “habitat patches”. “It’s not about humans disappearing” Tallamy said, “It’s about sharing the Earth”.<br />
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We all enjoy nature, but tend to pick and choose what we like about it. Even as gardeners, we often favor plants that are so called ‘pest free’. Many go as far as believing that we’ll still be alright if the things we don’t like about nature ever disappeared, never to return. Tallamy strongly disagrees, and believes that all aspects of nature are needed. The benefits of plants and animals go far beyond what we could ever imagine. A staggering statistic Tallamy shared showed that we have already removed approximately one-half of the plants on this planet. That’s pretty scary considering all that plants do for us. And as plants decline so do the animals that depend on those plants for food. Plants depend on animals as well. The <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/" target="_blank">U.S. Forest Service</a> estimates that up to 80% of all plant pollination is done by animals, and many of those pollinators are slowly disappearing as well – habitat loss being the major factor. Beginning to get the picture? It’s a balancing act. If one end is affected, so is the other. Tallamy said to think of plants and animals around you as “rivets” that hold your environment together.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdOaR9fhI/AAAAAAAACtI/Feojpdyixro/s1600-h/clip_image004%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image004" border="0" height="277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdO_-4UKI/AAAAAAAACtM/8t4zWz8a2CY/clip_image004_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image004" width="382" /></a><br />
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Biodiversity, simply put, is the diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat. A healthy biodiversity is set up with its own checks and balances known in nature as redundancies among species. That is several species doing the same job to benefit nature. It sounds strange, but it’s a good thing. It’s like natures own backup system. If one species disappears another one steps up to fill in. The problem comes into play when all of a sudden there’s only one or two species available to do a specific job, and if one or both disappeared, that job doesn’t get done, leading to “ecosystem failure”. For instance, just think about what would happen if all our pollinators disappeared and the effect it would have on the food we eat, among other things. “Always remember that biodiversity is an essential non-renewable natural resource”, said Tallamy.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdPJTEmJI/AAAAAAAACtQ/nIdVSAtXhCQ/s1600-h/clip_image006%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image006" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdPpw0v1I/AAAAAAAACtU/TQ-HwtK7tj0/clip_image006_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image006" width="292" /></a><br />
We have sacrificed biodiversity for our own needs by creating large, fancy lawns to fit in with our neighbors. We have cleared our native landscapes and replaced them with turf lawns and other non-native exotic species that don’t support the insects, caterpillars, and butterflies, causing birds and other creatures to work harder in search of food. This trend sounds concerning and not something that the everyday gardener would necessarily think about. However, Tallamy believes that we can reverse most of the damage thus far by creating natural areas and returning native plants back into our landscapes.<br />
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Plant diversity is the key to attracting birds and other wildlife back into our gardens, but unfortunately not all plants are created equal in their ability to provide food. Statistics show that native plants appeal more to our native insects and other animals more so than non-native (alien) plants. These are the plants that attract the native insects and caterpillars that in turn attract the birds and frogs that eat the caterpillars and insects; and so on.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdQAK-xjI/AAAAAAAACtY/cCdDTn9lZ1E/s1600-h/clip_image008%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image008" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdQY0kEYI/AAAAAAAACtc/iOU2uDXkbSE/clip_image008_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image008" width="384" /></a><br />
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Even among natives, plants aren’t equal in their ability to support food for wildlife; so why not plant the ones that are the best since, according to Tallamy, we’re playing catch-up. Tallamy offers several lists on <a href="http://bringingnaturehome.net/">his website</a> that he recommends based on the plants ability to support various insect species. He offers lists for both <a href="http://bringingnaturehome.net/native-gardening/woody-plants">woody</a> and <a href="http://bringingnaturehome.net/native-gardening/herbaceous-plants">herbaceous</a> plants; or download the <a href="http://copland.udel.edu/~dtallamy/new_xls/webplants.xls">complete Excel Spreadsheet</a> that separates the list even further within the various tabs of the workbook. Did you know that the oak tree alone supports 534 butterfly/moth species? Who knew?<br />
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So, go ahead and begin to turn your landscape into “bird food factories”, as Tallamy put it, if you want birds in your yard that will feed and reproduce. Remember it is insects, not berries or seeds that most birds prefer, especially in the spring and summer months of the year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjllwj888p7wvVJDGG5_m9Cu6tmbOn-f9cZM5FHEXmdDo40RJNBHX9PMMswfO1zNgtHqUub1XkG7oqHGLyVRy1K5ktH6NI3VppeXTHv_yNKBvm8bsWzlv7Mn_7J8klChiHzwGGRwzgndo/s1600-h/clip_image010%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image010" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TZUdRAXElBI/AAAAAAAACtk/IlyjF2b5Ymk/clip_image010_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image010" width="387" /></a><br />
I’m not judging anyone for having a nice lawn, or recommending anyone to pull out all their non-native plants. I just wanted to communicate Tallamy’s message and give gardeners something to think about moving forward. Maybe we can all evaluate our landscapes and make small adjustments here and there that would benefit the local wildlife and the environment.<br />
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Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife. It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference. In this case the “difference” will be the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America and the ecosystems that sustain them (Tallamy, 2007).<br />
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To learn more, pick up a copy Doug Tallamy’s Book: <b><i>Bringing Nature Home – How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants</i></b><i>.</i><br />
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This post was submitted to <a href="http://thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/">Jan's</a> <em>Gardeners Sustainable Living 2011 Project</em>. Click on the link below to check out all the details:<br />
<a href="http://thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/2011/03/gardeners-sustainable-living-2011-win.html">http://thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/2011/03/gardeners-sustainable-living-2011-win.html</a>Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-60213672106685379342011-02-20T10:20:00.001-05:002011-02-20T10:20:17.785-05:00Mad Grackles and Kissing Finches–Counting Birds<p> <strong><font size="4">H</font></strong>ave you been counting the birds? For those unaware, today is day #3 of the <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/" target="_blank">Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)</a>. It only takes a minimum of 15 minutes to note what birds you’ve seen. Why not consider taking a little time to help count a few of the winter birds in your yard. Check out the above web address for details.</p> <p>I spent a couple hours off-and-on yesterday hanging out on my back deck counting birds. The best part for me however was having my 6 year old daughter sitting beside me for the first half-hour or so with her own tally sheet writing down and observing the birds she saw. I helped her with most of the identifications, but other than that she did the rest.</p> <p>Here’s her tally sheet….isn't it cute?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExHLY28AI/AAAAAAAACrc/0QOIIGkzuOg/s1600-h/MPs%20List%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="MPs List" border="0" alt="MPs List" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExHVlhx4I/AAAAAAAACrg/8Qncv_EUxY4/MPs%20List_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="386" /></a> </p> <p>The GBBC even has a special website for kids that offers puzzles, coloring pages and more…<a title="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids" href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids">http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids</a></p> <p>We enjoyed watching a variety of birds visit the backyard feeder as well as a few birds that were just passing through.</p> <p>When I wasn’t watching, my <a href="http://www.wingscapes.com/" target="_blank">Wingscape Birdcam</a> was doing the job for me. I had it pointed at my platform feeder for most of the day. Below are a few of my favorites.</p> <p>No shortage of American Goldfinches in my backyard this winter…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExHvw4IXI/AAAAAAAACrk/mdhh44_KZ60/s1600-h/Goldfinch2%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Goldfinch2" border="0" alt="Goldfinch2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExHy2ClOI/AAAAAAAACro/-5_6bv9SCeQ/Goldfinch2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="282" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExIbHpZ5I/AAAAAAAACrs/6op_1CNQDaA/s1600-h/Goldfinch%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Goldfinch" border="0" alt="Goldfinch" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExIhWUANI/AAAAAAAACrw/bcsVLk-ID-8/Goldfinch_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="277" /></a></p> <p>Here’s one of my favorite visitors – the Pine Warbler:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExJGBYdXI/AAAAAAAACr0/jshv9t7n0AI/s1600-h/PWarbler%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="PWarbler" border="0" alt="PWarbler" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExJoVl4NI/AAAAAAAACr4/7PaXh03NBjg/PWarbler_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Here’s a Common Grackle. Doesn’t he look ticked off?? Maybe he doesn’t like his photo being taken while eating…?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExKP_6baI/AAAAAAAACr8/FL6Y1Mm2RqY/s1600-h/Grackle%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Grackle" border="0" alt="Grackle" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu8F4EnggNkviRf-zo3pjbcKOJEY9ir7CGg_lQgIwcGsMXPWx0180xr2_p2p9JM8bRc-uhbYCiSED0MvzzAkmFCzXX7Y1jnLs80cFrVhMslOGWhERevhWpSWwxAbiisMvmb7FEO4ZB-N5/?imgmax=800" width="390" height="359" /></a></p> <p>My favorite of the day was the kissing House Finches below.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExKxagi5I/AAAAAAAACsE/hY8djZd5xEg/s1600-h/Hfinch%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Hfinch" border="0" alt="Hfinch" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExLB4YeYI/AAAAAAAACsI/1vnnR4Mibqs/Hfinch_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="286" /></a></p> <p>Their not really kissing. The male (right) is passing a seed to the female (left). A lot of bird do this during their courtship.</p> <p>Okay, lets not be greedy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExL5fjhXI/AAAAAAAACsM/ePtPlZbayGk/s1600-h/Hfinch2%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Hfinch2" border="0" alt="Hfinch2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TWExMJhiBcI/AAAAAAAACsQ/WYGJPifuJ0s/Hfinch2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="293" /></a></p> <p>The Birdcam is still set up so hopefully I’ll capture a few more interesting photos today!</p> <p>If you get any interesting photos during this years Great Backyard Bird Count be sure to submit them to the website photo gallery. You may just have a winner -  <a title="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/photo-contest-rules" href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/photo-contest-rules">http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/photo-contest-rules</a></p> <p>So, what kind of birds have you been seeing in your backyard?</p> <p><font size="2" face="Aharoni">This post was submitted to this weeks edition of </font><a href="http://birdfreak.com/bird-photography-weekly-130/" target="_blank"><font size="2" face="Aharoni">Bird Photography Weekly (#130)</font></a><font size="2" face="Aharoni">. Be sure to stop by and check it out.</font></p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-66248243532191527932011-02-13T10:33:00.001-05:002011-02-13T10:33:29.972-05:00National Bird-Feeding Month<p> <font size="4"><strong>F</strong></font>or those unaware, February is National Bird-Feeding month. During this month, individuals are encouraged to provide food, water and shelter for the birds. As many already know, February is also one of the toughest months for our wild birds, and that’s why this month was chosen.</p> <p>National Bird-Feeding month was originally introduced in 1994 by congressman John Porter (R-IL). The goal is to provide food, water and shelter for the wild birds, and as a result, promote backyard bird feeding as an entertaining and educational experience for both children and adults. </p> <p>Bird feeding also provides a much needed break from today's stressful lifestyles. Below is a Carolina Chickadee enjoying a suet snack.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TVf5v6__okI/AAAAAAAACrE/WjWdefhvWzY/s1600-h/CChick%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CChick" border="0" alt="CChick" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TVf5wZHQ0JI/AAAAAAAACrI/QPSZ_l5_6N8/CChick_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="371" /></a></p> <p>Each year, a new theme for National Bird-Feeding Month is selected by the <a href="http://www.birdfeeding.org/" target="_blank">National Bird-Feeding Society (NBFS).</a> The theme for 2011 is<strong> "Most Wanted - America's Top Ten Backyard Birds"</strong> and features ten species from the east and west that are among the most popular to attract.</p> <p>Here are the top ten backyard birds east of the Rockies: American Goldfinch, Chickadee (Black-capped/Carolina), Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch. With the exception of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, who feed on nectar, the top ten birds eat bird seed.</p> <p>Be sure to check out their site for more information. Throughout the month, NBFS will be providing tips and techniques to help create a successful bird feeding/watching experience.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TVf5w5FlRiI/AAAAAAAACrM/nRsaoRC9WYY/s1600-h/Mockbd%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mockbd" border="0" alt="Mockbd" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TVf5xDDkBXI/AAAAAAAACrQ/6y0t1Mejpr0/Mockbd_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="299" /></a><font size="1"><strong></strong></font></p> <p><font size="1"><strong>Northern Mockingbird (above)</strong></font> </p> <p>Whatever your reason may be for feeding birds, attracting America’s ‘Most Wanted’ backyard birds to your yard will be an enjoyable experience, it’s a pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.</p> <p>And don’t forget about the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) coming up February 18 – 21. Anyone can participate, from beginning birdwatchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on any one day, or you can count birds for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun and easy – and it helps the birds to! For details check out the GBBC website - <a title="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/" href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/">http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TVf5x53YZ4I/AAAAAAAACrU/zxSUPvsN0a8/s1600-h/NCard%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NCard" border="0" alt="NCard" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TVf5yaYZH5I/AAAAAAAACrY/wZjcQRAbUMg/NCard_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="301" /></a></p> <p>It’s a great month to educate people about the hobby of  birdwatching and how much fun it is to feed the birds.</p> <p>Have a great weekend and be sure to visit Birdfreak's <a href="http://birdfreak.com/bird-photography-weekly-129/" target="_blank">Bird Photography Weekly (#129)</a> to see more bird photos!</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443542492752722557.post-44220637568023031162011-01-17T01:16:00.001-05:002011-01-17T01:16:30.589-05:00Lousy Bird Walk<p> <font size="4"><strong>O</strong></font>n Saturday I headed out to the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/" target="_blank">Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge</a> for a morning bird walk. The guided walks offered there in winter are referred to by the refuge staff as “Lousy Bird Walks” because most of the fall migrants have moved through and the remaining birds have moved into deeper cover. But don’t be deceived, there’s still lots of birds and other wildlife to see. Winter can be a great time to walk the trails because most the foliage has dropped, leaving the wildlife more exposed for better viewing – not to mention, NO mosquitos!</p> <p>Despite the name and the chilly temps, Saturdays walk was anything but lousy. We saw quite a few birds including a lifer for me – the <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Orange-crowned_Warbler/lifehistory" target="_blank">orange-crowned warbler</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/orange-crowned_warbler/id"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="AM_orange_cr_warbler_2_L" border="0" alt="AM_orange_cr_warbler_2_L" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_37Zh_xAWjoI/TTPevXC8JbI/AAAAAAAACq8/-PqvsnOekG4/AM_orange_cr_warbler_2_L%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="201" /></a></p> <p><font size="1"><strong>This photo was taken from </strong></font><a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/orange-crowned_warbler/id" target="_blank"><font size="1"><strong>Cornell’s All About Birds</strong></font></a><font size="1"><strong> webpage.</strong></font></p> <p>The orange-crown warbler winters on the refuge as well as a few other areas along the southern half of the Virginia coast line. It’s a small warbler with dull winter colors.</p> <p>Other interesting birds spotted that morning were – yellow-rump warbler, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, northern flicker, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina and winter wrens, brown creeper, American goldfinch, hermit thrush and robins.</p> <p>In addition to the birds, we also walked up on four white-tail deer that stood about 30 feet from us. They stood their ground  for a few seconds before disappearing in the woods. Unfortunately,  I was so focused on not forgetting my binoculars that morning I forgot to bring my camera with me.</p> <p>Leaving the refuge that morning also offered some interesting birding. Just a few miles up the road I spotted a barred owl, pileated woodpecker, American kestrel and a Northern Harrier. All in all not a bad day. If only I had not forgotten that dang camera!</p> <p>Many parks and refuges offer organized bird walks routinely. Take the time and go if you get the chance. It’s a great opportunity to get out and observe the birds and other nature up close. The next one at the Dismal Swamp NWR will be February 5th.</p> Alan Pulleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784439710406781235noreply@blogger.com2