Monthly Archives: July 2008

Giant birds running wild in Germany

by Amy Posted on 30 July 2008

Six Nandus escaped from a farm in Germany eight years ago and began to breed in the wild. The Nandu is also known as the Rhea and stands five feet or taller and weighs 70 lbs or more. They are native to South America and are sometimes referred to as the American Ostrich.

The group of at least 30 feral birds is breeding in a nature reserve south of Luebeck. There is little doubt they are having an adverse affect on native wildlife, but as of now it is illegal to shoot or hunt them. The flightless birds are expanding their range towards the east. Read more here.

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Posted in Europe, Invasive / Non-native, Offbeat | 1 Comment

After 30 years Boreal Owl breeds in the Netherlands

by Amy Posted on 28 July 2008

The Boreal Owl (aka Tengnmalm’s Owl) has raised a brood in the Netherlands for the first time in 30 years, according to the Dutch Forestry Department (Staatsbosbeheer). The Boreal Owl is about the same size as the Little Owl, which is common in the Netherlands.

In 1971 a dead Boreal Owl was found in the Netherlands, and in 1974 and 1977 unsuccessful Boreal Owl nests were seen in the country. Since the mid-1980’s male Boreal Owls have been heard calling, although none had been seen. After a group of interested birders reported hearing males and possibly females calling, the Dutch Forestry Dept. blocked off an area of forest. In April a nest was discovered although both chicks were killed by birds of prey. A second nest was found in June, where apparently at least two chicks survived to fledge.

Source: Na 30 jaar weer ruigpootuil geboren in Nederland

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Posted in Netherlands | 1 Comment

‘The Birds’ Barbie

by Amy Posted on 16 July 2008

Looks like Mattel is planning to release a special The Birds edition Barbie Doll later this year. Based on the Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds, the doll is wearing a lime green suit like Tippi Hedren’s character Melanie Daniels.

'The Birds' Barbie Doll

I’d rather see a Birder Barbie but I guess that market has yet to be tapped. There was a Safari Barbie back in the 1980’s, apparently.

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Posted in Offbeat, Products | Leave a comment

Birds Causing Trouble

by Amy Posted on 12 July 2008

This week I read three separate news stories about wild birds sending people to the hospital. In one case a man died.

A 19-year-old man was distracted by a bird and crashed his car. When I read this headline I assumed it was a birder who got carried away, but it turns out the bird actually flew into his car! He suffered minor injuries.

In the U.K. a woman was attacked by a gull while taking a walk. She came away with three puncture wounds and required a tetanus shot.

Finally, a bird is being blamed for a fatal cycling accident that occurred last month. In Highland Park, Illinois, a man riding a bike was apparently dive-bombed by a Red-winged Blackbird. In trying to evade or ward off the bird, the man fell off the bike and hit his head. He was bought to the hospital where he remained unconscious until his death about two weeks later.

Someone ought to call the cops on these birds. Maybe this Blackbird can help.

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Keoladeo Retains World Heritage Status

by Amy Posted on 8 July 2008

Hurrah! Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, in Bharatpur, Rajasthan state, India, will retain its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was decided at a recent meeting in Canada, following a UNESCO delegation’s visit to the park in March.

We visited Keoladeo for two days during our trip to Rajasthan in 2006. Cycling and walking through the park was a wonderful experience for us as budding birders. I’m sure if we went back, we’d spend more than 2 days there! There was plenty of water in the park when we visited, but recent seasons have seen dry conditions unsuitable for the amazing heronries a watered park can support.

Source: Bird sanctuary retains world heritage status

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Feral Raccoons Threaten Dutch Birds

by Amy Posted on 7 July 2008

The increasing population of wild, feral raccoons living in the Netherlands is a serious threat to Dutch bird life, according to AAP, a sanctuary for exotic animals. The center, located in Almere, is currently caring for over 20 raccoons, its maximum capacity.

Raccoons are an invasive species not native to Europe. Groups are established in the wild in Drenthe, Groningen, and other locations. They are omnivorous, eating everything from shellfish to fruit. They also dine on the eggs of prairire birds, waders and waterfowl.

The masked animals are descendants of escaped or released pets, many originating in Germany.

Source: Wasberen serieuze bedreiging voor weidevogels

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Posted in Invasive / Non-native, Netherlands | Leave a comment

Foto Friday: Gannet in rehab

by Amy Posted on 4 July 2008

Earlier this week we visited the Dutch Wadden island Texel. We spent some time at Ecomare, a visitor center and natural history museum that also has a seal and wild bird shelter. There were several Gannets in the bird enclosure, like this one:

Seven of the Gannets at Ecomare are permanent residents. They help newcomers deal with the stress of being in ‘rehab’. There were four other Gannets in the enclosure that will be released when they are healthy.

Read more about our visit to Texel on our personal blog.

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Posted in Foto Friday (paused), Netherlands | Leave a comment