It has taken a few days, for me to identify the latest additions, to the backyard, Rock Wrens. Busy little birds!

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/rock_wren/id

Birding today - Thompson's Harbor State Park
 

I am either a little too early or a little too late for peak spring migration in northern Michigan. I didn't see nearly the number of bird species that I have in the past few years at this park on Lake Huron. I compared my field notes from the last few years, I saw easily triple the amount of birds two years ago at this park at about the same point in May. We've had some weird weather here the last few weeks, so I don't know if that's screwing with migration this year or what.

Here's my list from today, though. Nothing I don't already have on my life list:

American Redstart
Nashville Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Purple Finch (female only)
Ring-necked Ducks
Common Tern
Red-tailed Hawk
Palm Warbler
Great Blue Heron (that stood statue-still while a yearling deer walked up to it, only to fully spread its wings to scare the deer away when it was less than a yard away -- very cool!)
Wild turkeys (including a male displaying for a female)
And I heard ruffed grouse drumming

Two years ago, I saw at least 6 more warbler species at this park, and flocks of white-crowned sparrows.

Maybe it's all wrens who are such industrious lil fellers. Around here Carolina wrens abound and will constantly be building nests in and around where you are working. I think they like the co-worker aspect of homebuilding.

I was out in the yard ( at our old place) clearing out a shed and moving stuff from the back porch to the shed. So, the little guys attempted 3 nests that day. One in the shed, one on the back porch and one in one of the holes that run along the top of the truck bed. LOL!

They would always build a little nest in one of my planter boxes too, so we got babies every year.

This year a sparrow has built a nest in Christie's pink hanging begonia! Makes watering a little tricky!:wateringgarden:

[IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...egoniaeggs.jpg[/IMG]


Not a great photo but these are the girls' "begonia eggs"!! We'll try to get some shots when they hatch!!

I spotted one of these yesterday at Emma Long Park here in Austin. Held quite still so I was able to see it very clearly. I did NOT take this picture, though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...d_Titmouse.jpg

http://sdakotabirds.com/species/phot...le_finch_1.jpg


At our feeder yesterday, a purple finch!

here is the letter you will receive if a rehabber-
 

May 8, 2010

Dear Volunteer,

We are writing because you indicated that you were a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. We have been advised that all rehabilitation efforts are being coordinated through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with Tri-state Bird Rescue & Research. Please see the message below from USFWS, which we have been asked to forward to you. We will continue to communicate with you about additional ways you can help as they arise.

Sincerely yours,
Audubon's Oil Spill Response Team

REQUEST FOR WILDLIFE PARAPROFESSIONAL INFORMATION

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research (Tri-State) who is contracted by British Petroleum to provide wildlife assistance for species who may be impacted by the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Service recognizes Tri-State’s expertise in wildlife oil spill response and, while many wildlife organizations and individuals have expressed interest in providing their assistance, all rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the Service and Tri-State. Coordination is vitally important for recovery and research efforts, and specific safety requirements and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation.

The Service and Tri-State have designated a Paraprofessional Coordinator (PPC) to compile a list and organize scheduling of potential responders providing the information requested below. Paraprofessionals located within the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas will have first preference in scheduling and will be scheduled for efforts located within their home state. If you are located outside of these states and are interested in providing wildlife assistance, please submit the same requested information. All responders will be contacted by the PPC when their assistance is needed.

State rehabilitation organizations, permitted wildlife rehabilitation organizations or private rehabilitators can help now by providing the following information if you would be available to assist in the oil spill response efforts. You must include your name, address including city and state, phone number (prefer cell phone and alternate numbers), email address, if you have prior oil spill experience, and how far you can travel, as well as:

a. If you are a Rehabilitator with at least 6 months of experience;
b. What species you have experience with, i.e. wading birds, raptors, pelagic seabirds, waterfowl, etc. It would also be beneficial to know if you are a veterinarian or an avian veterinarian, a veterinary technician, or a well-seasoned rehabilitator;
c. If you have a minimum of 4 hours of HAZCOM certification;
d. If you have Rabies pre-exposure shots;
e. Your availability. (this can be a rough estimate by identifying dates available)

Please direct inquires or any calls about your interest in providing wildlife assistance to fw4ppc@fws.gov or to 404/679-7049.

A paraprofessional is defined as individuals that:

Either possess, or work directly under a person possessing, an active permit or authorization related to the species to be worked on;
Are affiliated with a wildlife organization working within the Wildlife Branch of the Incident Command Structure (ICS),or are a staff member of a wildlife Trustee agency;
Agree to work under, and abide by, appropriate planning documents prepared by the Unified Command (such as Site Safety Plan, Incident Action Plan, public affairs requirement, etc.) and
Have a working knowledge and experience (at least 3 months) with the general protocol, procedures and safety hazards associated with working on the species of question.
All oiled wildlife calls should be directed to the Wildlife Hotline at 1-866-557-1401 so we can coordinate recovery/rescue.

It is important that you please avoid going to affected areas or handling wildlife until you are part of a coordinated response effort. Thank you in advance for your assistance and for your willingness to help America's wildlife.

Robin Red Breast
 

Awesome pics StoneFinn! Thanks for sharing them! Hope you sleep well!

wading birds - new world vultures are a relative-
 

http://animals.jrank.org/pages/459/W...TERISTICS.html

to storks and ibis.

* .. .
The New World vultures were moved into this group with the wading birds because they are more closely related to storks than they are to hawks and eagles, but many people still think of all vultures as birds of prey.

All of the ciconiiforms (birds in the order Ciconiiformes) have big bills and long necks, bulky bodies with short tails, long legs and toes, and large, broad wings. They are all medium to very large birds, and males and females look alike. Very few of these birds have colorful feathers—most are combinations of gray, brown, black, or white. But many of the wading birds and vultures have bare parts on their heads, necks, and legs that are very colorful .. . *


there's a VERY good book i would suggest to anyone interested [in new world vultures/old world are covered]- raptors, the birds of prey, an almanac of hawks, eagles, and falcons of the world- scott weidensaul.

thank you for the beautiful image, stone finn!

jobs/internships/scholarships/volunteers
 

wow!
 

Another thing for the *To Do* list..

grin...