Michigan Audubon Connecting birds and people - September 20, 2013

Featuring: The Osprey
A conservation success story

Breeding Grounds
The Osprey requires large, open areas and calls most of Canada home during the summer months.  Breeding ospreys are found as far north as Alaska, south to Washington and Oregon and east to Michigan and Maine.

Migration Range
Osprey can be found migrating through most of the US, Mexico and northern parts of Central America.

Wintering Grounds
This hawk winters on the coasts in Central America and throughout the entire South American continent, except the southernmost portions of Chile and Argentina.

Size & Shape
Ospreys are large hawks with a unique shape.  Despite their size they have slender features, including long narrow wings and thin legs. The bird measures 21.3 to 22.8 inches in length with a wingspan of 59.1 to 70.9 inches and weighs around 3.1 to 4.4 pounds.

Coloring
Ospreys are whiter than most other raptor species, with white below and brown above.  When soaring you can see the white underneath including the wings which have a prominent dark patch as the wrists (picture right, credit: Roger Eriksson).  The head is white with a broad brown strip through the eyes.

Habitat
Unable to dive any deeper than three feet, Ospreys lean towards areas of habitat with shallow fish-filled water including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, lagoons, swamps and marshes. Nests are located now farther than 12 miles from accessible fish.

Food
These hawks are unique because they are the only hawk species to feed exclusively on live fish(fish make up 99 percent of their diet).  They consume both fresh and saltwater fish that measure between 6-13 inches in length. They also get the majority of their water from eating fish. Osprey are excellent anglers, catching a fish on average every one out of four times, although some possess a 70% success rate.

Behavior
Ospreys are good at soaring and diving but are not as agile as other hawks.  They are mostly solitary birds who prefer to roost alone but may be seen with a small winter flock of six to ten other Osprey. The hawk is not overly territorial and only defends the nest and immediate area rather than a larger territory. Males perform a “sky dance” for females in which they dangle their legs with a fish or nesting material alternating between soaring and slow, shallow wing beats.  His performance can occur as high as 600 feet above the nest site and will last around 10 minutes.

Sound
For the size of the bird their calls are much less intimidating.  Ospreys have high-pitched, whistling voices, sometimes similar to a whistling kettle.

Nests
Nest materials, including bark, sod, grasses, vines, algae, or flotsam and jetsam, are collected by the male and the nest is constructed by the female.  In the first year the pair will usually construct a small nest less than 2.5 feet in diameter and only a mere three to six inches in depth.  After generations of adding to the nest Osprey can have nests as large as three to six feet in diameter and 10-13 feet in depth.  That’s big enough for a human to sit in!

Nest are found on snags, treetops or between large branches and trunks; on cliffs or human-built platforms.  Many buildings now have Osprey Cams.

Conservation Status
Least Concern. However, this wasn’t always the case, populations plummeted in the early 1950’s to 1970’s due to pesticide positioning.  Between New York and Boston along the east coast 90 percent of breeding pairs disappeared. In 1972, the U.S. banned the use of DDT (which made the Osprey’s egg shells too thin to incubate) and populations quickly recovered.  Destruction of habitat also affected the hawk greatly such as the removal of trees and new developments along the coastline.  Now specially constructed platforms have helped the bird’s population.

Interesting Facts

• During the Osprey’s 15-20 year lifespan they may log more than 160,000 migration miles. “During 13 days in 2008, one Osprey flew 2,700 miles—from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to French Guiana, South America.” (Cornell Labs)
• Osprey’s have a reversible outer toe, allowing them to grasps with two toes in the front and two behind. This is unusual among hawks.
• The average time the bird spends hunting for fish is 12 minutes with a above average catch rate.
• According to Cornell, “The name "Osprey" made its first appearance around 1460, via the Medieval Latin phrase for "bird of prey" (avis prede). Some wordsmiths trace the name even further back, to the Latin for "bone-breaker"—ossifragus.”
• The oldest known Osprey was 25 years and two months old.

Your Bird Crew,

Cornell Lab of Ornithology - NestWatch - September 17, 2013

Paint peels from a nest box housing these Tree Swallow nestlings. Photo by Jonathan Morgan.

To Paint, or Not to Paint? NestWatchers often ask if it is safe to use paint or stain to preserve a nest box, so we recently published a new FAQ article about this at NestWatch.org. The controversy lies in the fact that there are no conclusive studies that determine whether residual fumes from paint, stains, or pressure treatment can harm the birds. Some builders argue that it takes longer to paint a box than it does to build a new one, and that paint must be reapplied every few years to be effective. Others point out that trees can be spared if nest boxes are made to last longer. And there are many who claim that the risk from birds overheating in an unpainted box is greater than the risk of toxic fumes. Without peer-reviewed studies on this topic to guide us, we recommend using untreated, unpainted wood to construct boxes because it most closely resembles what the birds would have used before the advent of nest boxes. A well-constructed house should last 10–15  years on its own (cedar, spruce, white pine, and yellow pine are good rot-resistant choices for lumber). Pressure-treated wood has been saturated with a combination of pesticide and fungicide, and therefore, should be avoided as nest box material. Alternatively, you can extend the life of your nest box by gluing all the seams of the non-opening sides before nailing them. Recess the floor about ¼″ to reduce deterioration from moisture. Use only durable materials, especially for the roof, which deteriorates faster than the other panels. You can further protect the box by placing the roof panel such that the growth rings bend down in a "frown" rather than up in a "smile." When the roof begins to warp in the direction of its growth rings (as all solid lumber will do), then it will warp downward and still protect the box from rain. Angled roofs will last longer than flat roofs, but flat-roofed boxes can be mounted at a slight downward angle to shed rain. We do recognize that in hot climates, where daytime temperatures regularly exceed 95°F, some nest box monitors choose to paint the exterior of boxes so that they stay cooler. Proper ventilation and a roof that extends two inches over the sides will help shade the box and protect it from the elements, reducing the need for paint. However, some additional cooling may be gained by painting the roof and exterior walls a light color (white is preferred for Purple Martin houses, but opt for tan, gray, or dull green for other cavity-nesting species as these are less conspicuous to predators). If paint is deemed necessary by the monitor, then it should only be applied to the exterior, never the inside. Even zero- and low-emissions latex paint formulas or oil-based stains can release fumes for months, so if you paint, plan to do so in the fall, which will give fumes time to dissipate throughout the winter as the paint cures.

Thank you for your contributions to science and the birds! Jason Martin, Project Leader Contact Us   NestWatch Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY 14850 nestwatch@cornell.edu

ScienceDaily - Bees - September 10, 2013

The real reason to worry about bees

ScienceDaily - September 10, 2013

Life deep down: A new beautiful translucent snail from the deepest cave in Croatia

Thought for the day - Monday, September 9, 2013

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.”

— Edward Abbey

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/inspiring-nature-quotations-zl0z11zrog.aspx#ixzz2eOur0tbN

Pufferfish - National Geographic - September 5, 2013

What’s a Pufferfish? Explaining Animal Behind Mystery Circles

A guineafowl pufferfish swims in Hawaiian waters. Photograph by David Fleetham, Corbis

A chance encounter with a chickadee

A chickadee struck the back sliding door Wednesday afternoon. I had not heard the strike but the cats did and they huddled around the screen gakking and pacing back and forth. Knowing that Lucy and Gracie were outside, I ran out the door and found the small bird sitting on the ground, stunned. Without hesitation, I picked up the chickadee, cupping it in my hand to prevent it from struggling that could injure a wing or leg.

When I was rehabilitating wildlife, I had found and used frequently a small plastic reptile cage.  The cage had a screened, easily removable cover and clear plastic sides that allowed me to carry wildlife safely with less stress to the animal. Despite the fact that I no longer rehabilitate, I kept the cages and my heavy duty gloves for situations as this.

With bird in hand, I opened the cage lid and lined the bottom with a small pad.  I gently placed the bird inside and replaced the cover. A clean rag was warmed and put under and up one side of the cage and the cage and bird were moved to the living room where it was quiet and free from nosy cats.

With the bird attended to, I returned to making my jam. In a short while I could hear chirping coming from the other room. Picking up the cage, I walked out the front door and removed the cover. The chickadee flew off to resume his life.

I didn’t think much about the episode until later that evening. Rescuing and releasing birds has been something I have done without much thought. It didn’t even occur to me what a great gift I had given to that chickadee and to the other animals that I have rescued, cared for and released. Too often I ponder what my purpose is in the world and I often see myself more as a taker than a giver. That grieves me.  Then I recall the story about the boy and the starfish. When questioned about the futility of rescuing one starfish, the boy responded, “It made a difference to that one!”

Not all of us are destined to be a Nelson Mandela, or a Jonas Salk, or a William Shakespeare. But if each one of us would step up wherever help is needed, what a better world we would have.

For the complete story of the Boy and the Starfish, see: http://eventsforchange.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/the-starfish-story-one-step-towards-changing-the-world/

Sea Otter Return Boosts Ailing Seagrass in California - BBC News - August 26, 2013

By Suzi Gage - BBC News

A sea otter enjoys a crab in California, and helps seagrass in the process

The return of sea otters to an estuary on the central Californian coast has significantly improved the health of seagrass, new research has found.

Seagrass was deemed to be heading for extinction in this region before the otters returned.

But scientists found that the animals triggered a chain reaction of events that boosted the water-dwelling plants.

The research is published in the journal, PNAS.

The urbanisation of California has led to a huge increase in nutrient pollution in coastal waters, from increasing use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers.

It's almost like these sea otters are fighting the effects of poor water quality”

Brent HughesUniversity of California

This is said to be the reason for the dieback of seagrass, which has also been declining worldwide.

This research suggests that the hunting to near-extinction of sea otters in the late 19th and early 20th Century may have exacerbated the problem, and conversely that their reintroduction is helping revive ailing seagrass populations, even in the face of hugely nutrient-rich water.

Links in the chain

The researchers assessed seagrass levels over the past 50 years in the Elkhorn Slough in Monterey Bay, and mapped their increases and declines.

They looked at a variety of changes that may have affected the grass, but the only factor that really matched the changes in seagrass was sea otter numbers.

They theorised that sea otters were eating the crabs which prey upon small invertebrates in the water.

These invertebrates eat a type of algae which blooms when there are more nutrients in the soil. It grows on the leaves of the seagrass, shading them from sunlight and causing them to die back.

This is quite a complex cascade of effects, so the researchers tested out their theory by comparing similar estuaries with and without sea otters, and by doing experiments in the lab, and in the field.

These experiments, which included putting cages that sea otters either could or couldn't access, down on the seagrass, confirmed their hypothesis.

Brent Hughes, lead author of the study, said: "This estuary is part of one of the most polluted systems in the entire world, but you can still get this healthy thriving habitat, and it's all because of the sea otters.

Sea otters have been responsible for improving the health of the seagrass in these estuaries.

"So it's almost like these sea otters are fighting the effects of poor water quality."

Hughes described seagrass as "the canary in the coalmine" in terms of predicting levels of nutrient pollution in the water.

Foundation species

It also acts as a nursery habitat for many species of fish and it uses CO2 from sea water and the atmosphere, thus potentially helping with climate change.

Not only that, but it acts as protection to the stability of the shoreline.

Hughes said: "It's what we call a foundation species, like kelp forest, salt marsh or coral reef. The major problem from a global perspective is that seagrass is declining worldwide. And one of the major drivers of this decline has been nutrient inputs from anthropogenic sources, via agriculture or urban runoff."

These findings are of particular interest at the moment, as a ban on sea otters moving along the coast to southern California was lifted last year. The ban was in place as there was a fear the sea otters would impinge on fisheries in the area.

Hughes told BBC news: "That's important because there's a lot of these kind of degraded estuaries in southern California because of all the urban runoff from places like Los Angeles and San Diego.

"Coastal managers will now have a better sense of what's going to happen when sea otters move in to their systems.

"There's a huge potential benefit to sea otters returning to these estuaries, and in to these seagrass beds that might be threatened."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23814524

Continue reading the main story

Hibernating lemurs hint at the secrets of sleep - Science Daily

Hibernating lemurs hint at the secrets of sleep

Little Scratches in the Night - August 24, 2013, Another Tale From Lightfoot Bay

 The back of the cabin at Lightfoot Bay

We have had unexpected houseguests since our arrival at Lightfoot Bay. Mice have been leaving presents of little brown pellets in the kitchen. Not that was a big deal for one of the nice things about rustic living is the simplicity of meals so we don’t use many pots and pans while cooking. I scrubbed the counters, drawers and reminded Bob to not use kitchen utensils without washing them first. As for the mice, they obviously benefitted from the collection of food items left in the cabin and decided to summer over with the rest of us.

So, hearing scratches outside my bedroom window and in the ceiling at night was anticipated. There must have been a party Thursday evening as the scratching and running continued throughout the night and into the early morning. Friday night was relatively quiet until just before dawn when the scratching resumed outside my window. Curious to see how many mice were sharing my room, I put on my glasses and looked outside. I couldn’t see any mice but in the corner of my eye a dark bird flew out towards the woods behind the house. Now, my curiosity was piqued and I put on my jacket and went outside.

The sky was still dusky, making it difficult to make out clearly the peak of the roof where my room was situated. While I was watching a bat flew out from under the eave, leaving behind a chorus of chattering relatives behind at the house. It all happened so quickly, that I didn’t have time to even raise my binoculars to get a better look.

I am fascinated by bats and had always wanted to work with them while I was a rehabilitator. They are unusual creatures, the only mammals that technically fly (flying squirrels glide through the air so they are not officially flyers). Bats hibernate over winter in buildings, caves and mine shafts and are essential to farmers as bats consume large quantities of harmful insects.

Unfortunately, bats are often seen in negative light to the general public. Scared by stories of vampire bats and incidents of bats tangled in hair, people often will harm these animals needlessly. Added to their poor but misguided reputation, North American bats have been dying in the millions from a fungus carried here from Europe, White Nose Syndrome. White Nose Syndrome describes the physical appearance of the disease, as the fungus covers the nose and face with a white mask. The disease currently has no known cure and is spreading westward from its first identification in New York State now spread into 22 states and five Canadian provinces. (a)  The total financial loss to agriculture due to White Nose Syndrome is estimated at $3.7 billion in 2011 (b). Combined the bat die off with the on-going bee colony collapses and the agricultural industry will be forced to utilize more artificial means to maintain crop levels.  Not a good solution for farmers in terms of additional production costs, families who will be eating more food grown with chemicals and nature that will lose a key player in the cycle of life.

(a)    USGS National Wildlife Health Center, White Nose Syndrome News, Conservation of Pennsylvania’s bats is now ‘survivor management’, July 9, 2013

http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/index.jsp

      (b)   Economic Importance of Bats in Agriculture, Boyles, Cryan, McCracken, Kunz, SCIENCE,

            April 1, 2011

http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Publications/23069a/23069a.pdf

8:12 am, Monday August 26, 2013, Lightfoot Bay

 

Whitetail Deer the morning we left Lightfoot Bay

This is the last morning of the last day here at Lightfoot Bay. The weatherman has forecasted thunderstorms all week and early this morning, he was finally correct. Around two a.m. I could hear thunder off in the distance. Awakened I lain in bed watching the sky brighten and darken through the double-hung window. The wind picked up and soon the rain came down. The droplets bounced off of the metal roof, pinging in a steady rhythm, the rhythm growing louder when suddenly a large thunder boom rocked the house. The boom repeated itself down Keweenaw Bay growing fainter as the echo approached the village of Baraga.  The overture had ended, the rain continued on another couple hours.

It was a needed rain. Like home, the ground and its vegetation are parched. My parents’ front lawn that was lush green over the Fourth of July now is yellow and brown. In this last week of summer, Mother Nature chose to nourish her environment with liquid sustenance.

Unable to sleep, I read the materials Sister Maria had given me when we visited the Bishop Baraga Shrine. Most of the information talked about the missionary work converting the “pagan” Native Americans to Catholicism. But one quote seemed appropriate this night,

“From four to five in the morning and sometimes from three to five, you would find him kneeling…in sweet conversation with his Lord…We have seen him thus…in the dark forest and on the shores of lakes, amidst the roaring storms as well as in his chapel. “ (The Life of Bishop Baraga by Father P Chrystostomus Verwyst, OPM, page 197)

The evidence of the early morning rain was obvious this morning. The rains washed down sand from the two-track road leading to the house and pushed aside the dried white pine needles in its path. Our car that yesterday looked like it hadn’t been washed in months was cleared of the red dirt that coated the car's windows and body. The heat of yesterday has temporarily broken with the rain, leaving a damp chill in the sky.

As I dressed this morning, I began to pack my belongings into their totes. There is no reason to rush this morning as the only item on today’s agenda is the 7 hour drive home. The mail will be delivered today as will the five days of newspapers that have been sitting at the carrier’s house. The cats will anxiously await their freedom from each others’ presence and will be showered with love and attention. As for myself, I leave reluctantly. My time here, once again, was much too short.

 

Fall Migration Series - Spotted Sandpiper - August 23, 2013

Featuring: The Spotted Sandpiper
One of the most notable & memorable shorebirds in North America

Breeding Grounds
The breeding grounds of the Spotted Sandpiper cover a large portion of North America, including most of Canada and the US with the exception of a few of the very southern states.

Migration Range
Depending on the breeding location this shorebird can be observed almost everywhere in North America during migration, except for the southern tips of California and the coastline of the Gulf Coast.

Wintering Grounds
Wintering grounds include most of South America, all of Central America and the southernmost portions of the Gulf Coast states.

Size & Shape
The Spotted Sandpiper is a medium sized shorebird with a relatively short, straight bill, rounded belly and longish tail.  It measures 7.1 to 7.9 inches in length, has a wingspan of 14.6 to 15.7 inches and weighs approximately 1.2 to 1.8 ounces. Typically, the females are larger than the males.

Coloring
During the breeding season the sandpiper displays dark, bold spots against a bright white breast, a dark brown back and orange bill. In flight, it displays a white stripe along its wing.  Non-breeding coloration consits of a plain white belly (no spots) with a grayish brown back and pale yellow bill.

Habitat
The Spotted Sandpiper is the most widespread sandpiper in North America likely due to the many different habitats it can be found in.  Look for this sandpiper anywhere near water - along freshwater streambanks, rivers, ponds, lakes, beaches and particularly on rocky shores. Spotted sandpipers are also found near bodies of water in arid parts of the continent and up into the mountains as far as 14,000 feet above sea level.

Food
Invertebrates make up the majority of this shorebird’s diet; they prefer midges, mayflies, flies (especially their aquatic larvae), grasshoppers, beetles, worms, snails and small crustaceans.  Occasionally they may eat small fish.  Like most sandpiper species they constantly forage for food, probing the sand or mud with their bills, lunging at moving prey and picking insects from plants.

Behavior
Spotted Sandpipers constantly teeter or bob.  The function is unknown but chicks teeter shortly after hatching and continue it for the remainder of their lives.

This species was one of the first species documented in which the roles of the males and females are reversed. Females arrive to the breeding grounds first and establish a territory, she performs courtship displays, defends the nest and is sometimes practices polyandry - having a few different broods with different males.  The male, who is usually smaller, arrives to the territory later, incubates the eggs and raises the young.

Sound
This shorebird uses a distinct weet sound for most forms of communication.  For the courtship song, the sandpiper rapidly strings together about 10 weet calls.

Nests
A pair may begin several nests during courtship, most of which go unfinished.  Once the pair has bonded they construct one nest together.  The nest is typically a two to three inch depression in the soil, lined with dead grass, bark or sticks and is often located 100 yards from a shoreline underneath a shade or broad-leafed plant.

Conservation Status
Least Concern. Spotted Sandpipers are the most widespread breeding sandpiper in North America and their population is stable.

Interesting Facts

• According to Cornell Lab, “Despite the gender roles, male Spotted Sandpipers have 10 times the testosterone that females have. However, that’s only in absolute terms. During the breeding season, females see a sevenfold increase in their testosterone levels, perhaps accounting for their aggression and the overall role reversal between male and female.”
• Male Spotted Sandpipers tend to have more of the hormone Prolactin, which promotes parental care urges.
• The birds habit of teetering has earned it some interesting nicknames: teeter-peep, teeter-bob, jerk or perk bird, teeter-snipe and tip-tail.
• Female Spotted Sandpipers can lay up to five clutches per breeding season.

Your Bird Crew,