Monthly Archives: February 2006

Belgian Bird Group: Feeding Birds Doesn’t Disturb Natural Behavior

by Amy Posted on 3 February 2006

There is nothing wrong with providing food to migrating birds who are temporarily residing in the lowlands, according to a press release from the Royal Belgian Group for the Protection of Birds on Thursday. If the right type of food is provided, it can even save the birds. Extra, human-provided fodder does not insure that the birds will stop their natural migration.

The group did, however, caution that overfeeding of birds should be avoided, because wild birds will seek a balance in food sources. Several studies have indicated that birds prefer to find their food naturally, if the circumstances are favorable. Providing food in the winter time temporarily improves the birds? food situation in time when finding food naturally is more difficult, for example when it is freezing or natural food sources are covered in snow. Seeking food naturally in these circumstances is more difficult for the birds and thus will save the animals energy if people provide them with food.

Source: Vogels voederen verstoort het migratie-evenwicht niet

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Europe, Yard Birds | Leave a comment

Goose Hunting Legal Again In Netherlands’ Friesland

by Amy Posted on 3 February 2006

After four years of protection, goose hunting is again legal in the northern Dutch province of Friesland. The government there has granted 1400 permits to hunt geese.

Each winter geese come to the Netherlands, some after a journey of thousands of kilometers, to spend the winter in the milder climate. According to the province, the hunt will protect agricultural lands from damage caused by the birds, although it will be allowed to shoot birds in flight as well as those residing in farmers? fields. Also according to the province, the birds who survive the hunt will learn which in which fields they should not land.

Source: Friesland als eindstation

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Aside, Law, Netherlands | Leave a comment

Estonian Oil Slick Disaster For Area Birds

by Amy Posted on 2 February 2006

A 20-ton, 35-kilometer long oil spill off the coast of Estonia could kill up to 5,000 birds, according to environmentalists. The spill occurred on Saturday. By Wednesday more than 800 dead birds were found along the Estonian coast. Birds coated in oil have also been found on the southwest coast of Finland. Read more about the spill and about the dead birds on Yahoo! News.

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Aside, Europe | 1 Comment

India To Reroute Canal To Save Rare Bird

by Amy Posted on 2 February 2006

The first Jerdon’s Courser bird was discovered in central India in about 1848. Sightings thereafter were sporadic and the bird was believed to be extinct since about the turn of the century. In a story more impressive than the current Ivory-Billed Woodpecker phenomenon in the United States, the Jerdon’s Courser was redisovered in Andhra Pradesh in 1986. (The Ivory-Billed was thought extinct for “only” 60 years). This February, the government in Andhra Pradesh will insure that a proposed canal project will avoid the only known habitat of this rare bird. Read the story Decision brings hope for India’s rarest bird at BirdLife International.

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Aside, India | Leave a comment

Pigeons Saved From Fiery Death

by Amy Posted on 2 February 2006

A short circuit caused a four-alarm fire in the Belgian town of Lovendegem Monday night. The fire began in an unoccupied garden shed. But next to the shed stood a pigeon house. Fortunately, the pigeons were saved.

According to the homeowner, “We were sitting at the table when our youngest son came to tell us that smoke was coming from our shed. At first we did not believe him.” The child persisted and the homeowners finally saw the smoke for themselves.

The family tried to put out the fire themselves by beating the flames. There were two garden hoses in the yard, but one was too short and the other was completely frozen.

Meanwhile, some flames reached the trees and shrubs around the shed. The fire threatened the nearby pigeon keep, where the innocent birds sat behind locked doors.

The homeowners continued their effort, trying to keep the flames from reaching the pigeons. Neighbors informed the fire department, who arrived with four fire trucks. Two police cars were also at the scene.

The fire department got the fire under control and the pigeons were saved. Unfortunately, the family lost all of their garden furniture and some other personal belongings.

Source: Duiven gered van vuurdood

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Europe, Pigeons! | Leave a comment