No grousing about birds this spring
Consider monitoring prairie grouse from a public viewing blind in Minnesota or the Dakotas.
Birds
Birders descend on Lake Erie shore to spot rare songbirds
The marshes, woodlots, meadows, and natural areas along the Lake Erie shoreline are a collecting point for hundreds of thousands of songbirds.
This turkey season, keep an eye out for ‘other’ birds, too
Ohio is a major migratory corridor for many species.
For birders, May is Christmastime in Michigan
The return of Michigan’s migratory birds from their southern wintering grounds is cause for celebration, and in May, many celebrate by heading to the fields, forests and wetlands to view these colorful harbingers of spring. “I love birding in May,” said Andrew Simon, a Macomb County resident and avid birder. “It’s the peak of migration and marks the return of…
Bird survival tactics for spring blizzards
Birdwatchers across the northern United States have watched with concern, and awe, as wildlife cope with last weekend’s record-breaking snowstorm.
Six men accused of luring, smuggling 400 protected birds
The birds included cardinals, rose-breasted grosbeaks, indigo and painted buntings, and house finches.Six men are accused of trapping and smuggling over 400 protected birds in the past four years, according to an investigation by the Miami U.S. attorney’s office. The men used solar-powered electronic bird calls to attract the birds to trees that were coated with adhesives, the U.S. attorney’s…
Migration madness signals the heart of the birdwatching season
And thanks to technology, we now have access to more bird movement information than ever.
As peak spring migration looms, ‘Seek’ new nature game apps and tools
Clever new apps pique interest in the out-of-doors via smartphones for kids and adults alike.
Help bluebirds and other native birds via the Sparrow Swap
Research program uses volunteer citizen scientists to monitor status of invasive house sparrows in North America.
Contemplating the cost of migration as first signs of nesting season appear
Heading to warmer climes creates massive risks and large rewards for birds of all shapes and sizes, but living in north country year-round is no picnic either.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane – nope, another bird: 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count takes off
The 21st GBBC kicked off today (Friday, Feb. 16) and runs until Monday, Feb. 19 in backyards – and beyond – across the country.
One ‘size’ doesn’t fit all: Match feeders to birds’ feeding habits
Ornithologists tell us birds only get about 20 percent of their food needs from backyard feeders, but these feeders can be very important during periods of extreme cold or when ice covers food sources.
What a ‘lark’ to feed wild birds free food
Feeding birds, where legal, doesn’t have to cost a lot of money when other alternatives are available.
A great new year for birdwatchers chasing northern owls
Birders clearly are witnessing an irruption of great gray and boreal owls in places like Minnesota’s Sax Zim Bog this winter.
Great Backyard Bird Count a fun, worthy mid-winter activity
Watching birds for as little as 15 minutes could add to the scientific base of knowledge.
Unique bird behavior from winter visitors: redpoll holes
Bird-watchers might see migrants tunneling into local snowbanks to avoid the season’s wind and cold.
If you fill the feeders, they will come
Take your bird-feeding responsibility seriously.
Wisconsin sees record number of Kirtland’s warbler nests
But the birds are particular about where they nest, which contributes to the uncertainty about their stay in Wisconsin.
Massive Great Lakes birding irruptions of the redpoll kind
Keep your feeder full, and pick up one or two of these charismatic, hungry species for your birder life-list during the coldest days of winter.
Snowy owls showing up in some not-so-familiar places this winter – including Kansas
(Photo by Bill Diers)WICHITA, Kan. — It’s somewhat rare to see a snowy owl in Kansas. But you may have a better chance this year than most to catch a glimpse of one. They are popping up at various locations around the state. Snowy owls have been seen at Cheyenne Bottoms, by the Jeffrey Energy Center, near Lindsborg and north…
Snowy owl numbers up considerably in Iowa
(Photo by Bill Diers)SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Snowy owl sightings are up and Sioux City television station KTIV reports that an estimated 50 and 75 snowy owls are in Iowa this winter – considerably higher than an average winter, when there are about 10 snowy owls in the state. Wildlife officials say it’s part of a cycle every four to…
Reports of two whooping crane sightings have these birders on a mission
Whooping cranes are still working their way back from the brink of extinction. The population has grown from fewer than 20 birds in the mid-1940s to almost 850 birds today, according to the foundation.GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Two endangered whooping cranes have bird enthusiasts searching all over north Florida for a glimpse of the rare, elusive birds. The Gainesville Sun reports…
In Minnesota, unusually high number of injured snowy owls being treated
(Photo by Bill Diers)ST. PAUL, Minn. — Wildlife experts say they are treating more injured snowy owls than usual this year in Minnesota. The owls have flown thousands of miles from the Arctic and are being spotted in higher numbers in parts of the northern U.S., including around the Great Lakes, to the delight of local bird watchers. But that…
Watch now for the Townsend’s solitaire in western Great Lakes region
Irrupting owls attract the cameras and headlines, but this Western species has been appearing more frequently during Christmas bird counts in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Indiana seeing rare, historic snowy owl irruption
The Indiana Audubon Society is alerting owl fans of a historic invasion of the all-white, snowy owl that is taking place in Indiana. The usually absent arctic owl only visits Indiana during cyclical “irruptions” occurring every four to five years. Early reports from around the state indicate that large numbers of snowy owls are flocking in from the far north….
Bird alert: Snowy owl sightings on the rise in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin wildlife officials say it should be a good winter for sighting snowy owls. The Journal Sentinel reports that at least 69 individual snowy owls had been spotted statewide as of Nov. 20. That compares to three found in the state at this time last year and 82 for the winter of 2015-16. Snowy owls are considered among…
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