[The Baltimore Sun]

Shade-grown coffee may cost more than brew from beans grown on a clear-cut, sun-drenched plantation.  But apparently it's not just the forest you're saving by paying a little extra for your caffeine fix.

A review by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center of more than 50 studies from Central and South America to Indonesia finds more and more different species of birds on farms raising coffee in the shade than on cleared plantations.

There's also more bird habitat (aka trees and shrubs), better pest control (birds eat bugs and caterpillars) and better pollination (bees), not to mention improved erosion control and carbon sequestration with all the trees and roots there.

Farms growing coffee the old-school way, in the shade of trees, isn't as good for birds as an untouched forest, Smithsonian folks acknowledge.  But they say it's a lot better than clearing the forest out altogether to maximize coffee production in full sun. 

You may be wondering: Why should a Baltimorean care about having more birds in Central and South America?  Well, some of our favorite "local" songbirds birds spend their winters south of the border, including the Baltimore oriole.  And the fall migration season is in full swing now.  Think about that the next time you ask for a cup of Joe.

Smithsonian has devised its own "Bird Friendly" standards for coffee, which go a bit beyond just "fair trade" and organic.  The Baltimore Coffee & Tea Co. in Lutherville and Caffe Pronto Coffee Roastery in Annapolis are among only about 40 roasters nationwide that carry beans grown to the center's "Bird Friendly" standards, according to its website. 

The Baltimore Sun

[BC, have a very FUN day and hope you enjoy all your little bird friends.]

BC,  have a very FUN day and hope you enjoy all your little bird friends.

Two ursine tales for today... the first one about a Montana woman who saw off a black bear by wielding a zucchini (aka courgette)...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11401167

And this one about another stowaway! This time, it's a cub stuck on a train in Canada.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11401171

A Zucchini, is that all it takes? Lucky Collie and woman. Tough lady.

The bear cub was lucky she was supported the whole ride, could have been disastrous for the little gal. Thanks Bobbie.

Yup, I agree!

Master Falconer entertains at Fairfax birthday party.

Thursday, September 23, 2010    

Master Falconer Mike Dupuy entertained at Christoph Mueller's birthday party on Saturday, Sept. 18. Mike's interests in falconry began after reading ‘My Side of the Mountain’ by Jean Craighead George when he was 9.


Party guests listen as Mike Dupuy shares information about his two falcons. He brought with him Hollywood, a saker falcon, and Fearful, a hybrid gryfalcon and peregrine falcon.

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=344446&paper=63&cat=104 More pics here

The RSPB indicated concern over an unconfirmed report a known Peregrine site may have been targeted in Londonderry last January and over the presence of bird control agent Alphachloralose in a dead rabbit in Tyrone last October.
The group said the Red Kite, White-Tailed Sea Eagle and Peregrine falcon were some of the most majestic of our native birds.
Yet last year, 12 of them were poisoned, trapped or shot, demonstrating that in Northern Ireland, bird of prey persecution is alive and well.

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/Peregrine-persecution-a-concern.6546996.jp Whole story

mayonaise is also effective in releasing a little birds feathers from a glue trap that the idiots place in their gardens to catch mice.

People actually do that? Sheesh. I don't like to kill anything and I won't, (not even a snake)!

When I was a kid (45+ years ago!) I remember having stink bugs around in central NY in the Rome area, but I haven't had the pleasure of running into one since then.  I was hoping maybe they were extinct!

No, their STINCT alright! There's one on my screen right now! YUCK!

http://media.causes.com/ribbon/906178 Check it out here.

How The Turtle Hospital and other rescue organizations use an easy-to-get, safe and effective kitchen condiment to clean oiled sea turtles.

Yeah, that's what I'm talkin about. Got some nice cold Guinness in my fridge, I'll have to let it warm up. Better warm, with a shot of whiskey/baileys. Irish Car Bomb! Yummy.

visiting Roch. Gen. Hosp. today and saw what I think was female  p. falcon not close enough to see any bands etc.

Mariah maybe?!

I wish she would show herself!

Wow, from Thought of the Day to stink bugs.  How did that happen?  

I love seeing how quickly things go off topic.   

We're bad huh?

What are stink bugs? Guess I have been away too long, as I do not remember these... tho I have heard that bedbugs (now, that really is a "Big Ick") are thriving... peeeee-yuuuuuu!

Bed Bug epidemic going on here right now. NY is giving away beg bug kits. How awful is that?

Little Stinkers....bad boys! STINK BUG!!

[Happy Arthur's Day Bobbie!]

Bobbie, I have Guinness Ireland on my fb page, I've been reading all about it. How cool!! Guinness is my Fav beer!

 Breithlá shona duit Arthur

Seems like all of Ireland is having one big party today!

Pick your Pub party destination!

Happy Arthur's Day Bobbie!

       Happy Arthurs Day Bobbie and Donna only you could find a pub locator!   

LOL MAK, wish I lived in Ireland, no snakes and plenty of Guinness! Perfect habitat for me.

NEW YORK — New York's lit-up skyline, which brightens the nocturnal cityscape delighting residents and tourists alike, is a menace to migrating birds, say ornithologists calling for the lights to be dimmed.

Bird lovers said illuminated buildings confuse migrating birds, who find it hard at night to distinguish between bright electric lights and those of the celestial variety.

During their spring and fall migrations, birds are mostly nocturnal travelers and tall buildings make it difficult for them to chart their course.

"At night, birds use the moon and the star map as a compass," said Dr Susan Elbin, ornithologist and director of conservation for the New York City Audubon society.

"When the sky is overcast or the moon is new, strong artificial lights coming from the city will distract them," she said.

"Any kind of deviation from their flight pattern could mean that the birds get exhausted and crash into something. Or they may just wind up fluttering, waiting to recover, and then take off into a glass pane reflecting the sky," Elbin said.

The Audubon Society is asking New Yorkers to turn off their lights at night during peak migration season, from September 1 to November 1.

It is the fifth year that Audubon has made the request of city officials and residents, and the group boasts a growing list of participants.

Buildings agreeing to hit the dimmer switch this year include some of New York's most iconic, including the Time-Warner Center, Rockefeller Center, and the Chrysler building.

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