Here's something our cameras haven't seen very often.

falcon on the level above the nest box

Gee, I missed something?? Nice. I'm slacking.

and a take off

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zukhoyden/5439277006/#secret9c0dfb89b2in/set-72157626032488824/ Cool wading bird.

Kielder Water & Forest Park is the most tranquil spot in the UK according to the CPRE, but when it comes to animals it is like Piccadilly Circus.

Martin Davison, a Forestry Commission ornithologist, will lead the way by giving nature fans chance to see the goshawk’s amazing courtship display on 5 and 6 March.

The bird, once persecuted to extinction and which reappeared in Kielder in the 1960s, is one of the rarest in the UK and a special licence is required simply to visit its nest.

Every year Martin rings chicks, noting down their weight, wing measurements and state of health. And now he has to perform another delicate procedure - taking mouth swabs!

The samples are being used in a new project to analyse the bloodlines of Kielder’s goshawk chicks.

Blood tests carried out 20 years ago found that the local population derived from a single female – presumably the one which arrived in the forest 50 years ago.

Experts want scientific proof to confirm that new bloodlines have since come into the forest, adding to the DNA pool. Martin explained:

“It’s an interesting project, but very much in its early days. We expect the results to confirm that the bird is drawing on a wider gene pool of unrelated birds. That is important because it makes for a healthier and more viable population. Goshawks are magnificent birds and it’s good see the population is stable.�

While the science may be fascinating, it’s the sheer spectacle of male goshawks bidding to impress potential mates with a thrilling “sky dance� that will beguile people. Walks take place at 10.30am and 1.30pm (5 March) and 9am to 12 noon (6 March). Booking is required on 01434 220242 and the cost is £6 adults, £5 concessions and £16 for a family of four.



Surfbirds news

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Outdoors/Archives/2011/Valentines-Nature-Crafts.aspx Some fun for mom and the kiddies to make.

[as much as 50 pounds per robin-sized bird.]

In Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park, February is a lean time for songbirds. Most birds that have not migrated south are simply hunkered down until spring. Yet for gray jays, February is the start of the breeding season. This month, on well-hidden nests, females will be sitting on their clutches—three or four pale green, speckled eggs—while snow piles up all around.

Their secret? Hoarding food. Over summer and fall, jays collect food—lots of food, as much as 50 pounds per robin-sized bird. “They cache insects, berries, mushrooms and bits of flesh that they pick from carcasses,� says Dan Strickland, the park’s former chief naturalist. This strategy has worked well for eons.

But a decades-long study coauthored by Strickland has found that gray jays are now suffering population declines and a shrinking range as global warming heats up the natural “refrigerator� that once kept their perishable food fresh. Annual air temperature in the park has been increasing by about 0.7 degrees F. per decade. Over the past 25 years, the birds’ population has dropped by half. And habitat that once supported breeding jays is now abandoned.

Stanford University biologist Terry Root, author of several publications on how climate change affects birds, says the gray jay study stands out as one of the first examples of a range contraction—rather than expansion—due to global warming. “Many studies have shown that with rapid warming, bird species show distributional changes,� says Root, “but the changes we’ve seen have been almost exclusively expansions on the poleward side of species’ ranges.�

Iconic northern bird: The gray jay is as much an icon of the dark spruce-fir forests as the moose and the wolf. People love the tame and cheeky birds, which hop into campsites to beg for handouts. According to legend, their nickname, “whiskey jack,� comes from the Algonquin Indian name for a mischievous forest spirit.



National Wildlife

A Google search turned up an interesting tidbit. Mario's restaurant is listed as an Italian Consulate.

So let me get this straight.  The Daniele family, which works for the Italian government, wants to sue the citizens of New York for a million dollars because the national symbol of the United States of America is nesting on their property. One has to wonder how they will use the money.

Shaky! Get outa here!!!

So... make a move, do we? Or just let it sit and let the bad publicity take over?

(Wonder if he is pals with Berlusconi, that paragon of virtue... no, I cannot spell that, but I think people get it...)

I'd be honored to have a Bald Eagle at my place of business. Tell me that wouldn't draw attention? What a beautiful sight that would be. Can anything be done?

[There's only 1 couple I'd to see together. This is why I started watching just about 8 years ago. I hope where ever Mariah & Kaver are, they are happy. I can't help but wonder.]

There's only 1 couple I'd  to see together. This is why I started watching just about 8 years ago. I hope where ever Mariah & Kaver are, they are happy. I can't help but wonder.

to you all!

Fascinating Kris. A master candle carver. Pretty Wick-ed!

!!! Both Adults in view
February 13, 2011 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:

A quick check on the downtown nesting sites.

All three downtown nesting sites had two adult peregrines in view. King St. had both adults sitting on the south service area this morning. Yesterday a huge industrial crane had been lifting heavy machinery into the building.  Today, the crane was one street east, and kept the peregrines on watch.

!!! Both Adults in the area
February 13, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:

 A quick spot check on the 3 downtown nesting locations, had both adults on site.

Today, both adults were sitting on the east side of 120 Adelaide St, across the street from the Sheraton Centre Hotel.

!!! Both adults on site
February 13, 2011 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
Linda Woods Reports:

A quick spot check on all 3 downtown nesting locations had both adults on site.

Today, 2 adult peregrines were sitting on the east side of the hospital in the far north ledge.

http://massapoag.zenfolio.com/p253485766/h182299d3#h1beaf18f

as per Dana's tweet at 12:20

Mr T on ledge

[WanderingFalcon (Carol P.):]

WanderingFalcon (Carol P.): They are so close, they could lean over and preen each other. They are directly cove nestbox. If Archer returns, I believe there will be ...

Link:
http://twitter.com/WanderingFalcon/statuses/36801648974110721

be what......a fight!!! Was wondering about that before, will Beauty join in and help MR T? Oh wish he would leave soon so no battles will occur. Remember poor Mariah, how she got ganged up on. Mr. T is cute but needs to find a new home or old home, if he has one. Is he even old enough to breed? I know, we just have to wait.

If Danny thinks I'm ever setting foot in Bazil again, he's got another think coming. The same goes for Mario's, The Crab Shack, and the car wash he wants to build in Brighton. 

Bravo!

Horrid little man! Stupid little judge! May they both be pooped on from a great height.

 OK, now I'm laughing hard for the first time in 4 days! 

I have seen this and he acts just like a Wolf. He knows just what they are thinking and how to deal. Quite amazing and quite strange at the same time. Not sure I'd eat that raw meat but he does. ICK