2010 State of the Birds Report

Last year's report was an eye-opener. So it this year's report, focused on the potential impact of climate change on bird populations.

There is really nothing I can say about the report that the report doesn't say for itself. There's a lot of information here.

Good birding!

New Additions to the Texas State Bird List

The Texas Bird Records Committee has added two species to the official state bird list: the Amazon Kingfisher and the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron. Mark Lockwood, the Secretary of the Committee announced the additions on the TEXBIRDS list earlier this week. This brings the total number of species on the list to 636.

You can retrieve a full state list, to include the newest species a the TRBC site.

Good birding!

Missi's Mew

You'll recall I posted about Lila Arnold's efforts to raise $1500 for a mew to house Missi, the first educational bird for Wild Bird Rescue. We're about 1/3 of the way there.

To support the cause, Lila has started a blog about Missi, from Missi's point of view. You can read more at Missi's Mew.

Good birding!

Don't Forget the Wild Bird Rescue Celebrity Roast

The Wild Bird Rescue Celebrity Roast is Friday, March 26, 6:30 PM at the Multipupose Event Center.

This year's guest of honor is State Representative David Farabee. In addition to a nice meal and the roast, there will be both silent and live auctions. I have seen some of the items for the silent auction--good stuff!

Wild Bird Rescue depends upon donations--the baby birds will be coming soon and food bills are staggering.

If you don't already have your tickets to this event, call 940-691-0828. Tickets are $25 each or you can save by inviting your friends and buying a table of 8 for $175.

I'll make it even easier. If you call Wild Bird Rescue and purchase tickets, I will bring them to you if you live in Wichita County. Just tell Bob I am picking them up and give him your address (if you're hard to find, I suggest you also give him clear, idiot-proof directions and a phone number in case I get lost.) How much easier can it be?

In addition to the roast, Lila Arnold with Wild Bird Rescue is trying to raise $1500 to build an educational bird aviary. Our first education bird, Missi, is a one-eyed Mississippi kite and will have to be moved outside soon so we can use the inside aviaries for our babies. Missi has been in training all winter and is ready to start visiting schools to provide education programs. But she needs a nice, roomy home. If you can help, contact Wild Bird Rescue.

Good birding!

Spring Birds Arriving

As mentioned on the 8th, the first purple martin scout was reported a few days ago. I understand from Bob at Wild Bird Rescue that they have arrived there and were fussing to have the house opened.

I saw my first turkey vulture of the spring in Wichita Falls today and I saw my first barn swallow on I-44 between Wichita Falls and Lawton, OK this afternoon.

Good birding!

Purple Martin Scouts Arrive in Wichita Falls

I got an email from Terry McKee that her first purple martin scout was checking out her martin house. I called Bob Lindsay at Wild Bird Rescue to pass the word so he can put up the martin house there.

Now the battle is on to be sure the martin house is not overrun with house sparrows and starlings before the purple martins become established.

Let's hope the martins have an easier time raising their young this year--last year saw a lot of fatalities.

Good birding!

Beautiful Weekend, Wet Monday

You'd know that since I had to spend most of the weekend inside, the weather would be gorgeous. However, the Home and Garden Show was a treat. I very much enjoyed attending the program, "Uncommon Facts About Common Backyard Birds," by John Schaust, Chief Naturalist for Wild Birds Unlimited. What a job!

Anyway, John took the top 20 feeder birds from this region as reported in Project Feederwatch and gave some interesting information about each. Here are a couple of things I learned I didn't know:

- The change in the starling's plumage from winter spots to summer brown is not due to a molt, but rather is a result of breaking off the white tips of small protrusions on the feathers. He said this is also a reason for male cardinals becoming brighter red in the spring.
- Blue jays (as well as blue birds and indigo buntings) are not blue. They are gray. It is the refraction of the light in the feathers that make them appear blue.
- Flocks of juncos are highly segregated by sex in the winter, with the predominantly female flocks migrating further south than the predominantly male flocks.
- The longest lived wild bird in the US (other than pelagic birds) is the mourning dove at 31 years.

I always enjoy listening to others; it is always a joy to learn new things about these fascinating creatures. I did not have a chance to attend John's other presentation on hummingbirds--I am sure it was just as interesting.

Good birding!