[I don't know how to send a message on my own. Piggy-backing on Donna's. Sorry. Lola Good one, Lola! Haha!]

I don't know how to send a message on my own.  Piggy-backing on Donna's.
Sorry. Lola 


Good one, Lola! Haha!

From the Marcotte blog... Most unusual.

http://php.democratandchronicle.com/blog/birds/?p=3625

[Government introduces poisoning ban on birds of prey]

At last - hope this means that things will improve.

Government introduces poisoning ban on birds of prey

18/10/2010 - 08:00:49
Tough new laws to stop the poisoning of birds of prey being reintroduced to Ireland come into force today.

Regulations against the use of bait to poison or stupefy birds or animals have been unveiled by Environment Minister John Gormley.

He said the regulations would address the poisonings which resulted in the deaths of 12 eagles and other birds of prey earlier this year

“I am very concerned that these poisoning incidents could damage the projects to re-introduce the golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and red kite which are being funded by my department,� said Mr Gormley.

“Such actions are irresponsible as well as illegal and they give a very negative image of Ireland’s farming and tourism sectors, nationally and internationally.�

Conservationists have warned ambitious plans to reintroduce golden eagles are at risk after a spate of poisonings.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said there was no pesticide registered or approved in the Republic of Ireland for poisoning of birds or foxes.

Alphachloralose, which was previously registered and commonly used to kill crows, is now only registered and approved in Ireland for the control of mice.

Mr Gormley said: “The reintroduction of these magnificent eagles and kites into Ireland will further enhance Ireland’s environmental reputation for respecting its wildlife and enable us to harness the associated social, cultural and economic benefits.

“We now call on everyone to respect the law and protect these birds of prey, which are of real economic value to the rural communities in the release areas.�

Agriculture officials said while foxes, mink and crows can be a serious problem for farmers, there are a variety of effective methods available to keep numbers in check.

Anyone caught poisoning a bird can be fined up to €5,000 and or imprisoned for up to 12 months.

The programme to reintroduce the golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and red kite was launched in 2001, with golden eagles breeding in Co Donegal and Wicklow this year.

However 12 large birds of prey have been found poisoned in the past year, including golden eagle, red kite, white-tailed eagle and buzzard. Tests revealed the most common poison used has been alphachloralose.

Bill and I spent the day at Letchworth State Park this past Wednesday, having lunch with an old friend at the Glen Iris Inn and then touring around taking pictures.  For those who've been there and for those that have never seen our hidden gem, here's an album that I put together.  Enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/2axjh8h

A lifetime favourite place with our family. We loved hiking there, and were always fascinated by Mary Jemison. As little girls, my sisters and I gazed longingly into the windows of Glen Iris - and when we grew up... we went! How was the foliage, Kris? Will there be any left by the time I get home next week?

[WanderingFalcon (Carol P.):]

WanderingFalcon (Carol P.): Right at us! Veering up within a few feet of us and over the woods behind us heading west. WOW!

Link:
http://twitter.com/WanderingFalcon/statuses/27545715360

Her special "Fly-past for Friends". Lucky you!

One of the news casts here said it was a scary time but then showed all these students taking the bear's picture!  There is even a facebook page!  The kids have named the bear "Gibbs" because he was near Gibson dorm and have left messages like "sleep tight little bear." 

Sooooo pleased that Gibbs' rescue/relocation went better than the one last year when the unfortunate bear was treed, tranquilised, fell, and died. I was so angry, as they let people in the neighbourhood just hang around and watch him. He was obviously terrified, poor critter.

Interesting. A comparison of attitudes in the UK, the USA and Canada.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/43384/britons-call-for-hunting-ban-americans-and-canadians-reject-it/

A steppe grey shrike has been spotted in mainland Scotland for what is believed to be the first time.

Eight-year-old schoolgirl Xanthe Funnell saw the bird at the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

RSPB Scotland said it was possible the bird had been blown on strong winds from somewhere south of Kazakhstan.

The steppe grey shrike is most commonly found in southern Europe and north Africa.

Xanthe - whose father Dominic is the reserve's manager - said she was excited by the find.

Excited? You think? Clever girl!

Are the shrikes in the US? Here, they call them Butcher Birds. No natives in IRL but I've seen them on the Continent - splendid birds.

[MAKfalcon (MAK):]

MAKfalcon (MAK): I followed B over 2 City Hall. She is on 2nd arm of FCT. What a beauty!

Link:
http://twitter.com/MAKfalcon/statuses/27534669274

Has The Archer shot through?

[“If we didn’t have the active bird-scaring devices,� Soles told KGW, “they would clean out our whole vineyard.�]

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Flocks-of-hungry-birds-feast-on-vineyard-grapes--105051029.html  video

“If we didn’t have the active bird-scaring devices,� Soles told KGW, “they would clean out our whole vineyard.�

If the birds could be taught to just pick 'em, they'd be in biz!

Ruff!       Thanks Bobbie!   

Isn't it??

(What's really "ruff", tho... no word from Donna today. Must be some spectacular spackling going on...)

LOL Bobbie....spackling, I wish. Yeah, I'm not feeling too good, think it was bad Chinese last night. Been up since 3am with horrible pains in me belly. Pretty bad for me when I can't even drink my morning cup of coffee. Blah! I did read the CATS though. Thanks.

Poor you, Donna. Get better. But DO check out some top-quality yoghurt. Or, if you are like some who cannot stand the stuff, get to the drug store and buy some acidophilus tablets. Great for the old beneficial "intestinal flora". The White Witch of Wicklow has spoken!

Seriously - I head for yoghurt every time the tummy protests... half-hour later, you are good to go.

  I hope Donna doesn't read this, she's already got an upset stomach! Me too now.   

OT a bit... Yoghurt, Donna! Yoghurt! The best you can get! None of that full-of-additives stuff (which still tells you how healthy it is!).

And MAK - yeah!

Ruff!       Thanks Bobbie!   

Isn't it??

(What's really "ruff", tho... no word from Donna today. Must be some spectacular spackling going on...)

The pictures are priceless.  I love the expression on mom's face and the baby with his mouth open when he sees her!  so cute!

I don't know of any comparable bird in the USA... anyone who sees one for the first time is in for a treat. We found a nest in Galway years back - tiny little thing made with spiders' webs and moss. Charming all round.

What's the BAS?

I was wondering about that too, Jeanne. Also wondering why they would not be interested in their Peregrines! Buffalo Audubon Society, perhaps??