Author Archives: Amy

Rare Bird Seen Near Lawrence Kansas

“A white-tailed bird that is native to Central and South America has caused a stir by showing up near Lawrence. Bird watchers are flocking to the Lawrence are hoping to see the White-tailed Kite. Bird experts say it’s only the third documented sighting of the bird in Kansas.” Read the full article at WIBW.

White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) bird El Chorro Regional Park, San Luis Obispo, CA, 12 Feb 2011
White-tailed Kite, El Chorro Regional Park, San Luis Obispo, CA, 12 Feb 2011 by mikebaird, Creative Commons on Flickr

Posted in Aside, North America, Rare / Vagrant | 1 Comment

UK Raptors Boom While Eagles & Harriers Persecuted

“Britain’s birds of prey are doing better than ever before in modern times – with two notable exceptions. Many of the 15 species of eagles, buzzards, hawks and falcons that currently breed in Britain are on an upward curve, expanding both their numbers and their range, some spectacularly.” Hen harriers, which live on heather moorlands, come into conflict with grouse-shooting, while two golden eagles have been poisoned in Scotland in the past six months. Read the full story Birds of prey boom – but eagles and harriers still face persecution in the Independent.

Posted in Aside, Endangered, Europe | Leave a comment

Pigeon Deaths Put A Damper On Festival

A festival in Texarkana, Texas was spoiled as pigeons nose-dived into the pavement, dead. Other pigeons were discovered dying on city sidewalks after they ate poisoned corn. At least 25 sick or dead birds were collected by authorities. CapitalOne Bank had hired an exterminator to remove pigeons from their property after a bird got into the building and defecated on a customer. The poisoned corn was meant to sicken the birds and encourage them to roost elsewhere. Read the full story FALLING DEAD PIGEONS MAR CITY FESTIVAL in the Tyler Paper.

Posted in Aside, North America, Pigeons! | Leave a comment

New Bird Species Discovered In India

“A striking multi-colored bird has been discovered in India’s remote northeast, making it the first ornithological find in the country in more than half a century, experts said on Tuesday. The Bugun Liocichla, scientifically known as Liocichla bugunorum, a kind of babbler, was discovered in May at the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India’s hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China. Experts verified the Bugun Liocichlas as a new species and the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature then approved the name.” Read the full story New bird found in India after more than 50 years at Reuters.

Posted in Aside, India | 1 Comment

Sugar Factory Closures Threaten Lapwings In Great Britain

“The closure of two sugar factories could have a devastating impact on one of England’s most rapidly declining farmland birds. Lapwings are attracted to farms growing sugar beet, nesting and foraging on the bare earth between plants in the spring and summer and feeding on the winter stubble. But their habitat is under threat following recent reforms to the heavily subsidized EU sugar regime, intended to reduce its high cost and its negative impact on developing countries.” Read the full story Sugar factory closures leave bitter taste on the RSPB website.

Posted in Aside, Europe | Leave a comment