BIRD NOTES ~ August 10, 2009

 

Bird Notes

 

Red-necked Grebe

We kayaked Lowell Lake in Londonderry today, 8-6-09. Saw one lone Red-necked Grebe out in the middle of the lake!

---JoAnne Russo

 

 

Bald Pates

We have noticed a couple of Red-winged Blackbirds with balding on their heads and necks.  Has anyone else seen this?  What causes this balding?  

---Susan James, Guilford, VT

 

 

Retreat Meadows

Today (8/6) at the Meadows we watched 9 juvenile Common Mergansers cavorting in the West River and diving along the eastern shoreline. On one of the sandbars a lone Great Egret was stalking a lunch entrée. A Great Blue Heron was also present at the opposite end of the island. On 8/7 the number of Common Mergansers in that group had increased to 14.

 

 

South Pond Loon

Just a reminder that the resident Common Loon at South Pond is still there, keeping the fish in constant jeopardy. It's quite successful. It also is fairly comfortable with people in boats and if someone wants to get a good photo they may want to give it a try. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job with Bird Notes.

---Charlie La Rosa, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Spotted Owl News

Following pressure from American Bird Conservancy and other groups, the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that the Bureau of Land Management will withdraw a controversial logging plan affecting federal forests managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon. The Secretary also announced that decisions by the previous administration to reduce designated critical habitat and establish a recovery plan for the Northern Spotted Owl were also being reversed. A new Northern Spotted Owl recovery plan will now be developed.

---American Bird Conservancy

 

 

Flicker

by Nancy Jo Gambacurta

 

Do Flickers Flick? Do Ravens rave?

Can Razorbills give you a shave?

 

Do Dippers dip? Do Pipits Pip?

And what made Poor Will get the Whip?

 

I want to know if Kingbirds reign?

I wonder if most Loons are sane?

 

Have Killdeers ever killed a deer

Or Mourning Doves produced a tear?

 

Are Bitterns bitter, Crossbills cross?

Do Grouse complain about their boss?

 

Are Creepers creepy, Scrub Jays clean?

Do Kinglets search to find a queen?

 

And are the Game Birds really game

For all implied by that false name?

 

The lesson found within this fable

Is one can’t trust in any label

That’s given without sure consent

Of the poor soul for whom it’s meant.

 

Please keep us abreast of what birds you are seeing, whether at home or on a trip in or out of the Windham County area.

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart