20-Apr-23, 07:31:57 AM
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Whooper update
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on: 17-Dec-09, 07:29:27 AM
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Date: December 17, 2009 - Entry 2 Reporter: Joe Duff
Subject: LOSSES COVERED Location: Hardin Co. TN
Few of us at Operation Migration have the luxury of having only one responsibility. Along with working with birds, we have the added obligation of school presentations, equipment design or aircraft maintenance, and more. Of all the jobs that a non-profit requires of its staff and volunteers none are as challenging as raising the funds needed to make it all happen.
There are those with a natural talent for engendering benevolence in others. Born with the capacity to inspire people to support a worthwhile cause they are in high demand and as rare as Whooping cranes. Teaching birds to migrate and leading them south takes hard work and lots of patience, but is not rocket science. Fundraising however requires pure talent.
After struggling all year to generate enough money to cover our costs it seem counterintuitive to ask you to stop, but that is what we are about to do.
Operation Migration is blessed with a munificent support base who follow our slow progress south. With each obstacle we face, or setback we endure, our Craniacs step forward and dig deeper to help us meet the challenge of the day.
The break-in at the hangar in Necedah is an example of that support. The senselessness of that act angered many people, and motivated some to send in donations to cover the losses. As a non-profit we are unable to collect money for the personal property that Brooke, Bev, Richard and Geoff lost, but then we started to receive checks endorsed directly to them.
An article in Canada’s largest newspaper prompted a donation from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, a donation large enough to pay for the damaged wings. Between the Necedah Lion’s Club, the Juneau County Crime Stoppers and two OM supporters the reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators is now up to $3000.
Although the break-in is still disturbing, we have now received enough money to cover all of our losses, OM's and those of our team members. We would like to thank you all for your kindness and generosity.
In fact we will be returning some of the personal checks with a letter expressing our sincere thanks. In good conscience we can not accept any more donations for the losses incurred as a result of the break-in, but that does not mean we are fully funded for all the rest of our expenses. We still have half the migration to complete (MileMaker has 300+ unsponsored miles) and next generation will begin hatching in less than 5 months. Your support is critical to safeguarding Whooping cranes and we are truly grateful.
Date: December 17, 2009 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie
Subject: REWARD TRIPLED FOR INFORMATION ON SHOOTING Location: Hardin Co. TN
Wildlife law enforcement agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources continue their joint investigation of the shooting of Whooping crane 217*. She is the First Family matriarch, who, along with mate 211, are the only Whooping cranes in the Eastern Migratory Population who thus far have successfully reared young.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents are conducting a joint investigation into the shooting incident which took place near the town of Cayuga in central Vermillion County, Indiana. In addition to the Endangered Species Act, Whooping cranes are protected by state laws and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
It was announced yesterday that in addition to the initial $2500 reward posted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, contributions from two organizations have tripled the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who shot and killed 217*.
Defenders of Wildlife, a national non-profit conservation organization, and the Indiana Turn in a Poacher or a Polluter Program have each donated $2,500 bringing the total reward monies to $7,500.
Anyone with information should call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources 24- hour hotline at: 1-800 TIP IDNR
(800-847-4367), or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 317-346-7016. Callers can remain anonymous.
“To kill and abandon one of 500 remaining members of species shows a lack of reverence for life and an absence of simple common sense,” said John Christian, FWS Assistant Regional Director for Migratory Birds. “It is inconceivable that someone would have such little regard for conservation.”
Date: December 16, 2009 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie
Subject: PREDICTING Location: Hardin Co. TN
We have a much improved forecast for tomorrow. Without wanting to jinx things, it looks like a sure bet that we'll be leaving Hardin County, TN for Franklin County, AL in the morning.
Once again, here's the flyover site information. The viewing location is off 13780 Hwy 69 South, Savannah, TN on the property of Horse Creek Wildlife Refuge and Animal Sanctuary. Use the entrance marked 'North Gate' (which will be opened by 6:45am) and follow the road in and to the right going down the hill. Turn right where the sign says Watermelon Hill, and proceed up the hill to the viewing stands.
Date: December 16, 2009 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie
Subject: MIGRATION DAY 62 Location: Hardin Co. TN
Wish I had better news. We had a nice cold 22F this morning and what we thought were reasonable surface winds out of the NNE. What we were unsure of was if the cranes and planes could handle the strength of the NE winds aloft (~20mph).
The pilots left for where the trikes were hangared at the Savanah airport a few miles away. Then camp became a ghost town as the rest of us headed out to take up our positions. The three attempts it took to get out of this site last year were in the forefront of all our minds as we pulled away.
Chris Gullikson's last words to me before I left for the flyover site were, "If it's as rough as I think it might be, folks could be in for a long viewing period." In short, he meant it could be quite a rodeo. As it turns out there was no rodeo, in fact no flying whatsoever. Joe called from the airport to say conditions were so poor that it was not even worth putting a test trike up.
Richard, who was last year's lead pilot out of this location, would have been on lead again today. He's been taking our good natured ribbing about it being because he needs the practice, with a grin.
Today will be Down Day #5 in Hardin County, TN. C'mon Tennessee...let our Whooping cranes go!
Note to CraneCam viewers: We pulled the camera trailer out last evening in anticipation of a launch this morning as it could have presented a danger to the birds. In anticipation of a launch tomorrow morning we are not re-deploying it today, but will take advantage of having it back in camp to re-charge the batteries and do some routine maintenance. Broadcast tomorrow will be via the hand-held and the TrikeCam - assuming a flight of course.
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24227
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / It's a bird, it's a plane ... it's a dog? (OMG)
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on: 17-Dec-09, 07:22:32 AM
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Michelle McCarten's dog, Sadie, is recovering after an owl swooped down and took her pet on a 20-block flight before dropping the animal. A passerby was able to shoo the owl away and whisk Sadie to safety.
Of all the incredulous tales that turn up in the Quad-Cities, none that I know of can match this … A dog falling from the night skies.
And it’s true, too!
Sadie, a petite-sized Pomeranian, landed next to a Davenport street last weekend after surviving a flight of about two miles, clutched in the talons of a great horned owl.
As the owl flies, Sadie’s flight covered between 24 to 30 city blocks. She was scruffed up, but suffered nothing worse than bruises and a broken tail.
Sadie’s owl-napping saga began when her owner, Michelle McCarten, and friends were watching fireworks a week ago Saturday in the Village of East Davenport. Sadie was spooked by the booming, jumping off McCarten’s porch at 2216 E. 12th St., and fleeing into a nearby woodsy area. McCarten and friends called and searched. No luck.
What they didn’t realize was that a giant owl known to perch in the area had grabbed Sadie.
Sadie became the flying dog. She was soaring over east Davenport, destined to become a late-night snack for the owl. But the owl lost its grip. Sadie plunged to earth.
“I had stopped for the sign at East 29th and College when this dog came flying out of the sky right in front of my Jeep — right out of the sky,” says Jamie Padden, Davenport. “It dropped out of nowhere.”
The owl followed, ready to snatch back its lost snack.
Padden was horror-struck to see the little dog scrambling to get away.
“I opened my car door and ran screaming at that owl,” she says. “It was after the dog.
“That owl was so big I swear that its wings spread halfway across the street. That sounds overdramatic, but it’s true.”
Padden shooed the owl away and scooped up the whimpering dog. She took it home, gave it a bath, and called Davenport police to report that she had just picked up a dog that had been dropped from the sky by a great horned owl.
Barb Elmore, a police service generalist who took the call from Padden, says her first thought was “That is one lucky dog.”
While the police department gets lost animal calls all the time, Padden’s report was the first of its kind, Elmore said.
“Í knew that no one would believe me,” Padden says, “so I left my phone number, in case anyone called about a missing dog. That little dog was so scared that I took her to bed with me that night. She was frantic, shaking.”
Next morning, Sadie’s owner and a friend, Kris Overstreet, resumed their search. They called Davenport police and were given Padden’s number.
“We called immediately,” McCarten says. “It sounded like my dog. Jamie brought her to us and I cried. It was my Sadie.”
McCarten pieced together the tale of Sadie’s wild ride, something that is confirmed by a Quad-City ornithologist. Rick Crouch of Wild Birds Unlimited doesn’t question that Sadie was grabbed by a great horned owl.
“They are big, strong birds that stand 24 inches from feet to tip of head. They have a great capacity to lift,” Crouch says. “They are nocturnal, hunting by night, easily picking up rabbits, cats or small dogs. They have a strange appetite for skunks.”
Sadie, still shaky, is happily home with her owner. She has bruises and tenderness around her hind quarters where her tail was broken.
“She’s nervous. I’m giving her an aspirin a day. She’s comfortable,” McCarten says. “Getting her back is my best early Christmas present.”
ONE VERY LUCK DOG!!!!
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24230
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Falcon solves problems with pigeons at railway station (UK)
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on: 16-Dec-09, 11:10:55 PM
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Keighley Railway Station
8:40am Wednesday 16th December 2009
A winged avenger has solved a long-running pigeon problem at Keighley railway station.
The flying pests are being slaughtered by a peregrine falcon that has taken up residence nearby. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has been plagued by pigeons for many years.
A spokesman said: “Despite our best efforts they have roosted and bred under the station bridge.
“They cause a serious nuisance with droppings and debris on tracks, rolling stock, staff and passengers.”
The spokesman said the law did not allow railway volunteers to shoot or poison birds.
He said: “A peregrine falcon has decided they make a wonderful supply of free lunches.
“Station staff have noticed an increase in feathers where the peregrine has swooped and eaten its prey.”
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24232
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Azalea is home for the holidays
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on: 16-Dec-09, 02:28:20 PM
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Azalea left Virginia’s Northern Neck last week and headed to Virginia Beach. Her flight path passes over the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Did anyone see her in the gardens last Thursday? If she did stop at the nest, it was a short stopover before continuing south to the North Landing River. The river is channelized in the northern section connecting to the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake via the Intracoastal Waterway. I’ve never been on this section of the river, but from the map it appears undeveloped with lots of marshy habitat (see a photo of the river here).
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24233
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Re: Links To Videos of Canadian Peregrine Foundation at The Toronto Motorcycle Show
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on: 16-Dec-09, 11:02:05 AM
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Nova was received from a breeding facility..the breeding facility in Wainright Alberta Canada which was responsible for the captive breeding program for birds released to the wild back when Peregrine conservation started. Recently CPF lost their grande dame of their education program Qtesh. She was over 20 years old. She had been in the Wainright facility as one of the breeding birds who produced many young for release. She was retired to CPF some years ago. When they heard of Qtesh's passing,they offered us a new Peregrine to "take her place". Nova was that bird. He was born(I always say that...hatched of course) in captivity and we accepted him happily. He was acclimated to people and is now a full and valuable member of our feathered educational team.
It's sad that you lost Qtesh-always sad to lose a matriarch like her! But I'm glad Nova was available to carry on her work! |
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24235
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Wild grouse enticed to mating with sexy Fembot
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on: 16-Dec-09, 06:48:25 AM
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One of America's strangest mating rituals, the chest-puffing, squeaking dance of the sage grouse, is getting closer attention, thanks to a pretty little fembot. The sage grouse, which is sort of like a more interesting type of chicken, has long captivated scientists as well as tourists because, of its elaborate mating habits. A group of researchers have infiltrated the grouse world using a custom-designed "fembot" -- a robotic bird on wheels with a camera nestled in her breast. During breeding season, males gather in open areas called leks, which can be found throughout most of the rural West. The males puff their chests, strut like peacocks, and make throaty whistling sounds, all in an effort to attract females, who walk around the lek and survey the goods. Gail Patricelli, an animal behaviorist at the University of California-Davis, is now reviewing four mating seasons' worth of video recordings captured by a fembot she designed, according to Science Nation, a National Science Foundation publication. The fembot is basically half a sage grouse body attached to a small audio recorder, a microphone and a camera. Scientists use a remote control to roll her out on a small train track set up on the lek. Like the creepy feminina machinas in Austin Powers, a little bob of the head is enough to get the males' attention. Their ensuing fights and bizarre displays are then caught on film. The Environment, Robot of the Week, Rebecca Boyle, birds, fembots, grouses, mating, mating habits, robots, sex, Video Part of the reason the fembot is so successful is that male sage grouses are particularly randy, hoping to mate with as many females as they can, as often as possible. The female grouses are the picky ones, blowing off most suitors. Researchers estimate only about one in 10 male sage grouse mate in a given season. The ones who do mate are veritable prairie players -- Patricelli told Science Nation that the top male in her study mated 47 times in one season. Sage grouse studies could provide a model to better understand the evolution of animal communication, Patricelli said. "It helps us understand the evolution of very basic behaviors like social skills and social interactions and two-way conversations, and how these evolve by the process of sexual selection," she said. http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid3924348001?bctid=56313794001 video Caption: Oh behave |
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24236
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / New downtown Ithaca visitor not a vegetarian
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on: 16-Dec-09, 06:39:58 AM
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The sighting of a young Cooper's hawk in downtown Ithaca on Monday is not out of character for the bird, which has been known to make a living hunting in cities, said a Cornell University ornithologist.
Kevin McGowan of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology said the bird is typically a forest-dweller and eats primarily other birds, like pigeons and starlings. It's not uncommon to see Cooper's hawks prowling around bird feeders.
"It's pretty fun to be able to see these things right outside your window," he said.
The Cooper's hawk was one of several species that felt the effects of DDT and overhunting, McGowan said. But over the past two decades, the population has seen a resurgence, more than doubling its range in New York since 1980.
Related
Lang Elliott, a local naturalist and nature sounds archivist, said the bird was guarding a recent kill Monday morning at the DeWitt Mall.
"Most people like these birds because they're magnificent and they're a native species," Elliott said. "We think that one had a pigeon, but by the time I saw it, it was just a pile of flesh. It's just sort of nice that it perched there and let everybody look at it."
Caption: A juvenile Cooper's hawk calls out about 11 o'clock Monday morning from its perch on the Cayuga Street side of the DeWitt Mall building in downtown Ithaca. The hawk was crouched over its prey for more than 40 minutes while passersby stopped to look through cameras and binoculars before it resumed eating.
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greetings Aafke
but OMG he is handsome....thanks so much. OK now we all know that Nova is doing great. THANK YOU!!!!!!
Thought you might've come up and enjoyed the scenery! 
it. 
