that's 1/2 the population!

http://cowracommunitynews.com/viewnews.php?newsid=1340&id=15

VOLUNTEERS conducting bi-annual swift parrot surveys are aflutter after discovering a 1000-strong flock in the Bodalla State Forest near Moruya, on the New South Wales South Coast.
The swift parrot (right) is listed as endangered, both nationally and in New South Wales, and at last count the population was estimated at fewer than 2000 birds.
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Bio-diversity conservation manager, Mike Saxon, says volunteer Julie Morgan of the Eurobodalla Natural History Society found the flock.
“We don’t know how long they will stay, but this is half the world’s population of swift parrots and the largest flock seen in living memory,� says Mr Saxon.
“Swifts are a beautiful bird and this season’s prolific spotted-gum flowering event appears to have attracted them to the South Coast.�
Volunteers across NSW, Victoria and Queensland hold surveys each May and August to count the birds.
Swift parrots spend the cooler months on mainland Australia before returning to Tasmania to breed during summer.
Mainland swift parrot surveys are co-ordinated by Chris Tzaros of Birdlife Australia.
Mr Tzaros also co-ordinates the Swift Parrot National Recovery Program.
“This is the second time in the last four years that the bulk of the swift parrot population has occurred on the NSW South Coast, highlighting the importance of this region,� he says.
“I have utmost appreciation for the hundreds of volunteers who help search for swift parrots.�
People interested in participating in swift parrot surveys should ring Birdlife Australia on 1800 665 766.
People spotting a swift parrot should contact their nearest NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service office or Birdlife Australia.
Swift parrot picture courtesy Chris Tzaros.

[MAKfalcon (MAK):]

MAKfalcon (MAK): O sneaks back to base then takes off meets B over river rolls upside down and bam we have our first witnessed food transfer!

Link:
http://twitter.com/MAKfalcon/statuses/235690485526700033

  AWESOME!!!

http://youtu.be/RmodGrclnlM

A cuckoo found dying in a garden which was nursed back to health in Surrey (UK) is flying to Italy later - by plane.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-19252645

Great story, poor girl, happy ending! Thanks

This picture is love and devotion.

http://kdvr.com/2012/08/13/man-floats-with-dog-to-ease-its-pain/

Pure motivational! Very touching! Thanks jeanne 

We love our falcons in New Zealand, and I'm not just talking about the cars...

While all sorts of land-speed records were challenged, broken and contested last week during the Olympics, the human speeds simply pale in comparison to one of our endangered birds of prey.

The native falcon or karearea is the cheetah of the New Zealand bird fauna, reaching speeds of up to 200kmh - only a bit slower than the world's fastest, the peregrine falcon, which can reach upwards of 240kmh (making it the Usain Bolt of the animal kingdom!).

There are three variants of falcons: the small, dark bush falcons of the North Island, and in southwestern habitats as far down as Greymouth; the paler eastern falcons found in large areas of the South Island, especially east of the Southern Alps; and the southern falcons found in Fiordland, Stewart Island and, yes, even the Auckland Islands.



Karearea are simply amazing little hunters. The girl falcons are bigger than the boy falcons and can catch and eat different prey as a result (a female falcon has no hassles with a rabbit). Regardless of their size disparity, all falcons can take down animals larger than themselves. Falcons have been quite adaptable, and can exist in all kinds of habitats including pine forests. Sadly there are only a few thousand left. Where they suffer is where there are predators (because they are ground nesters), and sadly where there are people - who don't perhaps understand how lucky we are to have this amazing aerial predator in New Zealand - and who intentionally harm them (often by shooting).

However, there are some pretty amazing people in New Zealand who have dedicated their lives to protecting our birds of prey, educating the public about how special they are and rehabilitating injured birds. Hats off to the team at Wingspan, who turn 20 this year! This incredible endeavour has been a labour of love for Noel Hyde and Debbie Stewart and the team, and I have to say for anyone visiting Rotorua, a trip to Wingspan to watch the falcons fly is not to be missed. Happy Birthday guys!  If you want to know more about falcons, falconry and how they rehabilitate these amazing birds, I'll leave it to Noel and Debbie to explain it...

http://youtu.be/Sc2Z7Ea_iXk

In Our Nature

[mkjfrj]

mkjfrj Are these all initials for something? 

Looks like Beauty on Mercury

DC (?) on OCSR?

http://youtu.be/sc7pB6VvJT8

Run a Red Light, get a ticket.

http://www.cityofrochester.gov/redlight/   

Oh that is so sad. Poor baby. One week makes a difference! Sorry Bonnie.

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/08/10/top-25-wild-bird-photographs-of-the-week-19/

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/ealing-news/local-ealing-news/2012/08/10/greenford-rioter-gets-longer-sentence-after-scam-64767-31595114/

http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2012/08/san-francisco-airport-marriott-waterfront-hotel--barn-owls/821757/1  Some unexpected guests recently checked into the Marriott hotel near the San Francisco airport: six (adorable) baby barn owls.

http://www.captivacurrent.com/page/content.detail/id/519964/Living-Sanibel--Snail-Kite.html?nav=5011