One more thing for us to monitor and keep track of!

Absolutely BF, we don't need that!

[Canadian Peregrine Foundation In winter]

Canadian Peregrine Foundation In winter, the rossting habits of peregrine prey changes as they seek out warmer spots out of the wind and congregate where people feed them. Peregrines will alter their habits as well and so oftentimes are not at the nest site itself but still in the area. Kendal tends to hunt north of the nest building and to the east as well. It will be late February to early March before the wild peregrines start to hang out closer to home.

Beauty's looking for her shadow too or maybe just some breakfast!

"Six more weeks of winter it will be."

Yes, officially from Phil himself!

http://www.visitpa.com/groundhog-day-live-stream  See if Phil sees his shadow. Live from Gobbler's Knob!! These people PARTY!!!

Our crocuses are already blooming, so I've declared it Spring.  I hope the plants aren't sorry for deciding to start up three weeks early...

Yup, the news said that's a bad thing! Too many plants are blooming then when Winter finally hits....well!!

From the National Wildlife Federation - stunners!

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/PhotoZone/Archives/2011/2011-National-Wildlife-Photo-Contest-Winners.aspx

I'm stunned!! 

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - Preliminary testing of a dead peregrine falcon in Tung Chung and a dead black-headed gull in Yuen Long have tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 1), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.

On January 30, the dead peregrine falcon and black-headed gull were found and collected in the park of Seaview Crescent, Man Tung Road, Tung Chung and Chun Yin Square Playground, Yuen Long respectively.

Peregrine falcons are rare winter visitors to Hong Kong, while the black-headed gull is a common visitor.

The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead peregrine falcon was found, but four chicken farms are within three kilometres of where the dead black-headed gull was found.AFCD staff inspected the farms and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. These farms will be put under enhanced surveillance.

In view of these cases, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been sent to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented.

The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

"People should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them.

The public can call 1823 for follow-up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over imported live poultry as well as live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.



The Department of Health will keep up with its health education to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.

The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.

All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.

Health advice is available from the "H5N1 Health Advice" on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk .

   

Friends of Blackwater NWR
We're excited to announce the sighting of a relatively new bald eagle nest right near the end of the Wildlife Drive at Blackwater Refuge. We conferred with our supervisory biologist and our ranger, and they believe it is a new nest. What's great about the nest is it's just to the left of the road and in full view of any photographers who happen to be on the Drive. On Sunday, we saw a female eating on the nest and a male in a nearby tree, so we hope they'll be on eggs soon.

[Officials determining fate of Norfolk Botanical Garden eagles]

Officials determining fate of Norfolk Botanical Garden eagles

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Wildlife-officials-determining-fate-of-Norfolk-Botanical-Garden-eagles--138513869.html

UPDATE

The Garden of Eagles
From a second report on WVEC: "VDGIF says they agree with the findings of a wildlife hazard assessment and working on a solution that does include taking the nest down."

still there

OK-is it my eyes-or my computer?  Has the background on the left...donate/shop buttons etc...always been pinkish?

It's a light gray with a slight reddish tint but nowhere near as pink as what is being displayed on your computer. Do you have a color management profile enabled?

Mine is light greyish! I see no red or pink!

Cool! Quick somebody go grab one for me and we'll dine on Jeannes' lasagna or my friend Tesas' ziti with meatballs while we watch! 

    Go for it!!

Wow, you named "Hope", how sweet is that!! 

It was real sweet 

It's an "Honor" to name a Falcon! 

Hope was fitted with a transmitter, Sad to say they never found either.

OMG!!