This week in birds - #583

 A roundup of the week's news of birds and the environment:

An American Goldfinch has a snack of crape myrtle seeds.

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You are not imagining it; winters are getting warmer. It's true of the oceans as well where the Great Barrier Reef has suffered a fatal heat wave.

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Humans share many characteristics with whales. It turns out that one of the things we share is menopause.

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For the first time in its documented history, Toronto has a pair of Bald Eagles nesting there.

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Size dimorphism of the sexes is a common trait of mammals but it isn't always the males that are bigger.

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Plant hardiness zones are changing as the climate changes.

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When England's famed "Sycamore Gap" tree was chopped down by vandals, scientists sprung into action to try to ensure that the tree would have a second life.

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The Biden administration has issued a draft proposal to provide protections for the imperiled Greater Sage Grouse.

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Some endangered bats are making a comeback, thanks to their friends, the scientists.

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Here are some winners of British wildlife photography awards.

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This is the American Bird Conservancy's Bird of the Week. It is the Green Parakeet, a native of Mexico and Central America.

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When it comes to the methane released by oil fields, it is even worse than we knew.

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It seems that business is booming for Australia's snake catchers.

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An African tree planting project is making a difference for the environment and for the people who live in it.

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There is an effort underway to reintroduce wolverines to the Colorado wilderness.

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Deforestation and climate change are putting many of North America's lizard species in peril. 

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Playing thriving reef sounds can encourage coral larvae to settle on degraded reefs.

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The Oregon Outback is the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world.

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This coral reef shouldn't really exist but Nature will find a way.

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Margaret Renkl writes of the wild intoxications of spring.

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This "Big Lister" has just documented his 10,000th bird species.

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You might be surprised by the number and variety of species that live side by side with humans in New York City.

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A deep-sea robot has discovered dozens of previously unknown species.

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See the lengths this wildlife worker goes to in order to save a single orphaned fox kit. It gives one hope that the human race might not be totally irredeemable.


Comments

  1. David M. Gascoigne,March 16, 2024 at 6:49 AM

    Thanks for the roundup, Dorothy, my Saturday morning glimpse at a world in jeopardy. Seems that Biden needs to be returned to office if only for his stand on the environment. It’s interesting that Toronto has Bald Eagles nesting there. Here in Waterloo Region, just an hour southwest of there, they are verging on common. Great to see them recover in this way. All the best - David

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersMarch 16, 2024 at 11:53 AM

      The Bald Eagle as well as many other species owe their survival into the twenty-first century to the passage and signing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Regardless of the carnage that might be laid at his feet, we have to give Richard Nixon credit for that.

      Delete
  2. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMarch 16, 2024 at 7:09 AM

    I wonder if you have read any collections of the essays of Margaret Renkl. My writing teacher loves her work and she's always promoting it.

    And, wow, 10,000 bird species!

    I would love to know more about the species who live side by side in big cities and other environments that generally have little animal habitat. I hope scientists are studying them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersMarch 16, 2024 at 12:02 PM

      I always read and enjoy Renkl's essays in the Times, but I've never actually read a collection of hers.

      Animals are amazingly adaptable. Their presence in spaces that are inhabited by and designed for the habitation of humans is remarkable.

      Delete
  3. CathyMarch 17, 2024 at 4:18 PM

    Lots of interesting links to explore, as ever, Dorothy. I really appreciate your taking the time to do this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersMarch 17, 2024 at 7:48 PM

      It's just my bit to try to increase awareness of environmental issues.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMarch 18, 2024 at 9:15 AM

    the "new york is wilder than you think" was an enjoyable read on a monday morning where I notice small signs of spring sitting here at my office desk. appreciate you sharing that, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. thecuecardMarch 18, 2024 at 4:26 PM

    A lot of good articles this past week that you have here. We like Dark Sky Sanctuaries (around Alberta) so the article about Oregon is interesting. And yay for the goldfinch ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersMarch 18, 2024 at 6:27 PM

      Dark Sky Sanctuaries are especially important during migration season.

      Delete

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