This week in birds - #682

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

The American Bird Conservancy's Bird of the Week is the Barred Owl. I grew up in a house surrounded by acres of forest and swamp and, as a child, I fell asleep most nights listening to a chorus of Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Screech Owls. Even the occasional Barn Owl. For me it was a lovely, comforting sound. I'm sure it was less so for all the creatures scurrying around in that forest. Barred Owl numbers are actually increasing and their status is considered of least concern.

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El Niño has started up once again and the debate among scientists about whether climate change is intensifying it has started up once again, also. 

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Since the federal government has backed off of "forever chemicals" protections, there is an opportunity for states to step up and some of them are.

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For the first time, solar panels produced more power than coal for the U.S. grid in May.

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Who would have imagined that extreme heat in the climate could affect one's teeth?

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Here are some amazing images of Machu Picchu.

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California's first wildlife crossing is not finished yet, but the mule deer have already discovered it and are using it.

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I've always been fascinated by Venus Flytraps. They are able to snap their traps shut in less than a second and scientists think they have discovered how.

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Salamanders that glow under UV light? Europe's fire salamanders have that ability.

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The National Park Service has acquired 213 acres of land in northern Wisconsin along the edge of Lake Superior and three miles of it will become part of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

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There are efforts to restore and rewild Point Reyes National Seashore in California but how is that best accomplished?

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Sequoyah created a written language for the Cherokee. He is another fascinating individual from Native American history.

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In Australia, male Bowerbirds are collecting human trash to use in their bowers, which they can take months to create.

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Rare deep-sea Goblin Sharks have been observed alive in their natural habitat for the first time.

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A whale graveyard where cetacean remains have been accumulating for five million years has been discovered in the Indian Ocean.

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Turtles and tortoises are being smuggled alive across the Mexico-U.S. border.

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A survey of California's Channel Islands found white abalone living there, the first time they had been seen in five years.

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What happens to rescued pangolins after they are returned to the wild? In Bangladesh, scientists have an opportunity to find out.

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In India, a Black-backed Kingfisher grasps its meal, a small forest lizard or skink in its beak. It will eat well today.