Monthly Archives: February 2006

Guided Nature Walks In Holland Avoid Waterfowl

by Amy Posted on 20 February 2006

Park rangers in the Netherlands are changing their guided walks in order to avoid areas where waterfowl congregate. They are also stopping guided walks which would normally pass through fields where large groups of geese or ducks live. These are some of the measures taken by the Dutch park service against the spread of bird flu.

A spokesperson said that since last fall the park rangers have been paying special attention to the health of the birds in the parks of the Netherlands. Every dead bird has also been carefully examined.

Besides the changes made to the guided walks program, the park service (Staatsbosbeheer) has also asked all volunteers who are working in the poultry industry to cease their volunteer activities.

Along with other Dutch agencies, the park service has noticed a sharp increase in the number of reports of dead birds they receive.

The park service and other agencies responsible for natural areas have a plan of action ready in case the H5N1 virus is found in the Netherlands, which might just be a matter of time. One such measure will be to close off certain areas to visitors.

Source: Natuurexcursies mijden watervogels zo veel mogelijk

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Dutch Bird Experts Oppose Fox Hunt

by Amy Posted on 20 February 2006

Foxes rob nests of the black-tailed Godwit, and because of that the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality wants hunters to be able to shoot the mammals beginning April 1. Bird experts oppose the plan.

Bird research organization SOVON, along with the countryside-management NGO Landschapsbeheer Nederland, conducted a study on the predators of meadow birds. As part of the study, Black-tailed Godwits were monitored with cameras. The full results of the study will be presented on 11 March.

A spokesperson has said that the research will not support the hunting of foxes. There is a great variety in the predators which threaten the godwits. Ermines, buzzards and seagulls are also preying on the godwits. The cameras even caught a domestic dog plundering a godwit nest. In addition there are areas where foxes live where they do not prey on protected birds.

Source: ‘Besluit om vos af te schieten voorbarig’

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Rare Kiwi Bird Hatches At U.S. National Zoo

by Amy Posted on 19 February 2006

A North Island brown kiwi — an endangered bird — hatched at the zoo on Feb. 13 and was the second kiwi to hatch in the zoo’s 116-year history, zoo officials said. The National Zoo is one of just four zoos in the world to breed the flightless, nocturnal, burrowing birds outside of New Zealand.
read more | digg story

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Water Brings Birds Back To Indian Bird Park

by Amy Posted on 18 February 2006

After three years of drought in India’s Keoladeo Ghana National Park, water levels are again at their ideal level and the migratory birds are back – and they’re staying.

Each year thousands of birds spend the winter months in the park, near the town of Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Birds migrate from far away locations including Europe, Siberia, Mongolia and China. At least 230 different species of birds overwinter in the park.

A good monsoon season last year has again filled the wetlands in the parks with enough water to sustain the abundant bird life. And park officials say that because of the water, the birds are staying in the park longer than usual this year.

The park gets its water from the Gambhir River, which is controlled by a dam. The dam diverts water for agricultural use. The park requires 550 million cubic feet of water each year to maintain normal levels. In 2004, the government diverted water meant for the park to local farmers. Because of this the park was only supplied with 18 million cubic feet of water. The land turned dry and most of the birds relocated to alternative locations with ample water, up to 100 km away from Keoladeo.

This year, an increase in the number of birds remaining in the park has also meant an increase in human visitors. The park is located on nearly 30 square kilometers of wetland, forest and scrubland. Declared a protected sanctuary in 1971, it is one of the most popular natural parks in India. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sources:
Keoladeo National Park on Wikipedia
Migratory birds attract huge crowds at Rajasthan’s Keoladeo Park

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WIngs: Tips For Preventing Bird Window Collisions

by Amy Posted on 17 February 2006

The Wisconsin Humane Society has recently launched the campaign WIngs: Wisconsin Night Guardians for Songbirds. The campaign focuses on the prevention of bird window collisions.

Birds may be confused by reflected landscapes in windows and crash into them. They might also see through a building’s windows on both sides and think they can fly through as if going through a tunnel. Night-migrating birds also may be confused by brightly lit buildings and fly towards them or around them until they become exhausted.

Here are some tips on how to prevent needless bird injuries and deaths from window collisions.

1. Close curtains to prevent the tunnel effect.
2. Apply window clings or ribbons to windows.
3. Install bird feeders very close or very far from windows.

There are more practical tips to be found on the WIngs website.

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Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral Florida

by Amy Posted on 17 February 2006

The fourth annual Burrowing Owl Festival will take place in Cape Coral, Florida this Saturday, February 18.

Cape Coral is the home to Florida’s largest population of Burrowing Owls. The birds, among the smallest of owls, grow to approximately 9 inches in height. They make their homes in new or existing burrows in the ground. They are active in daylight and during the night.

The nesting season for the owls starts in mid-February and lasts until July. Since the birds live on and under the ground, domestic cats and dogs, as well as foxes, pose a threat.

The birds are protected by Florida state law and a permit is required if construction is to destroy an empty owl nest. Cape Coral has a “Starter Burrow” program to help residents who want to attract the birds to their property.

Events planned for this year’s festival include educational programs with live owls; workshops on digging starter burrows; nature walks; and an appearance by mascot Bob the Burrowing Owl. The event takes place at Rotary Park and admission is just $1 for visitors over 12; children are free. For more information see the website of the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife.

Sources:
Burrowing Owls – the Cape’s Other Greatest Asset
The Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral, Florida
Official bird gets boost

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Dutch Safety Authority: More Dead Bird Reports

by Amy Posted on 16 February 2006

In recent days, Dutch citizens have been more likely to report sightings of dead ducks, geese and other birds. That is according to a statement made by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) on Wednesday. The media attention on the bird flu virus has made people more alert.

Since the discovery of the H5N1 virus in European countries, including Italy and Greece, dozens of dead bird reports have been called in each day in the Netherlands, according to the inspection division of the interior cabinet (AID). Back in January, the number of reports was about one per week.

Last fall the AID opened a hotline (045-546-6230) which people can use to call in dead bird reports. The dead birds are picked up by the VWA and are tested for the flu virus if necessary. So far the virus has not been found in any birds in the Netherlands.

Source: VWA: meer meldingen dode vogels

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Birdlife Finland Launches New Campaign, Website

by Amy Posted on 16 February 2006

Birdlife Finland launched a new website this week, www.etelasuomenmetsat.fi, designed to highlight the need to save the forests in the south of the country. The website, in Finnish, Swedish and English, features information on seventeen forests in southern Finland which are currently unprotected.

According to the website of BirdLife International:

“Birds such as Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus, Capercaille Tetrao urogallus, and the White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopus leucotus, as well as hundreds of insects, plants and fungi have already become extinct or are rare in the region directly as a result of clear cutting and modern forestry methods that leave little room for wildlife or for visitors.”

Source: New website to safeguard Finland’s forests

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