Yep, Spring is sprouting and popping out all over around the habitat! In my preveios blog I shared some of the wonderful spring happenings going on  around here now, but I forgot to  include some nature photos ....  so here are a few  nature shots I have caught lately:

Moma squirel says "welcome to our habitat!"



pomogranate tree shoots and blooms

 


  
  

blooms of the aloe vera 

 
 

 

lantana 


prim rose wildflower



purple wilds



candis lilly




corn plants



wild grass 
  

lizzard comes out for a drink 



blending in ... 


sunset through the trees
 

 

Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest."
~A Land of Plenty ~Douglas William Jerrold

Happy Spring Adventures!!!

 ßïrÐß

Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥  

Most of the  Goldfinches have moved on , as have the flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers. They have been replaced by new birds. Like the hummingbirds, water thrush, Pyrrhuloxia , hooded warbler, Oriole, a flock of boat tailed grackles, and a flock of red-winged blackbirds.

We have had up to five "Ruby-throated Hummingbirds,  and one Buff-bellied Hummingbird comming to the nectar feeders and buzzing all around in the blooms of the red- Salvia that grow wild here. They also like the blooms of the yellow- Aloe vera ,  pomegranate , Lantana, and the Cactus. The orange- Trumpet vines will be in bloom for them soon, and it is definately one of thier favorites.

The   Black-headed Oriole has tried to sneak drinks from the feeder with the hummingbirds , but they are not interested in sharing and they try to persuade him to move back to his own ( Oriole) feeder, by making repeated sky dives all around the Oriole's head. It is quiet funny to see but makes me sort of feel sorry for the Oriole ... maybe he just doesn't want to eat alone... ( big smile)

The  Northern Waterthrush is a funny site to see too, the way he bounces his tail up and down constantly. He waddles around the borders of the pond all day, and snatches up all the insects he can find along the top of the water. Since these guys are usually found close to rivers and streams it's a real treat to think our tiny pond has tanspired into a make believe river for the lil' guy. At least temperarily, anyway.

Another amusing visitor has been the Hooded Warbler, which is sooo tiny and sooo quick, that it is really hard to keep up with. He is bright yellow with olive wings and patches of black on his head and throat. He is partial to a piece of vine fencing that stands in a back corner of the habitat . Since the vines haven't grown in yet , it is easy for him to dart in and out of the little squared wiring and swoop up mouthfuls of tiny flying insects along the way.

But the rarest bird visitor has got to be the Pyrrhuloxia ! I had read an article in the local newspaper that a small flock of Pyrrhuloxia's were sighted about a hundred miles north of Corpus Christi, at Choke Canyon Nation Park and lots of folks had been gathering up over there to try to catch a glimpse of one, but with my busy schedule lately, I knew there would be no way to make it over there. So imagin my suprize when I first caught a glimpse of a male Pyrrhuloxia at one of the feeders here in the habitat!!
I had to do a double... and tripple -take just to be sure of what I was seeing. At first it looked like a female cardinal with faded colors, but then I noticed the large yellow (parrot -shaped) beaks. And when I zoomed in closer , on the camera, I was able to see the red triangular markings around his eyes and down his breast. He comes almost everyday to the hanging feeders and water, but he is a very evasive guy and scares easily.

Have you ever heard a flock of red-winged blackbirds? They seem to sing constantly, all at the same time , but not nessesarily all in the same key. Some just blurt out a sharp , short whistle, and some sound like they are saying "purple peeee-ple", in very shrill, high- pitched shrieks.
Well a flock of more than a 100 have been visiting the habitat and there are so many of them that they over-run the feeders and waters. They like to puff up thier breast and flare thier wings open to show the bright red shoulder patches, and they have scared many of the other birds away with this aggressive behavior.

The Boat-tailed Grackles are here too but they usually only come in the mornings for a short drink before heading out into the field to scavenge for food. Soon all the blackbirds will spread out and start to claim thier territories, and many will move on, and only a few will be left here. At least that is what they usually do...

But for right now , the habitat is full of Spring Celebration, with non-stop birding action and I find it hard to sit here and write with all the joyfull bird songs echoing around me, So I think I will join them and keep my eyes open for any new species to pop in. Because ya just never can tell what may stop by the habitat this time of year...

 Birdbits Habitat is certified through the National Wildlife Federation.. Check out their site for some great tips and resources on gardening for wildlife  .
I hope that you all have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy some of the wonderful Nature and Wildlife adventures that only spring can bring! 

 See some photos I have taken  around the habitat below ....

ruby throated hummingbird



oriole comes to the hummingbird feeder

black hooded warbler



black hooded warbler

water thrush

 

Pyrrhuloxia


Pyrrhuloxia



redwinged blackbird flock



red winged blackbird

 

boat tailed grackle 


 boat tailed grackles on the line

Happy Spring!!!
ßïrÐß
Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥

Well it's been five long days and still no sighn of papa Pritty, so the chances of his returning back home are getting very unlikely, despite all of our efforts to lure him back. I tried everything I could think of , driving around the nieghborhood looking hi and low, even got my nieghbors to help in the search.

Put up flyers on the community bullitin board, this is a small town so it was pretty easy to get the word out. I sat his mate, (mama Pritty), outside in thier cage to call for him, and I sat one of thier other cages out , with the doors open and food and water waiting inside. I Also put some of his food out on the roof and other high places that he may spot from above... but still no sight of the lil' guy.

The last 3 days of rain didn't help in the search much, but the trees and other plants drank it all up and used it to produce plentiful, green, foilages which will provide better food and shelter for him. I went over to the palm tree that has the nesting monk parakeets, thinking that even though the monks are quiet a bit larger , they are most simular to his breed, so maybe he decided to hang out with them awhile ... but there was no sighn of him there either.

 However, I did notice that there was a pair of tiny chicadees sharing one of the bottom nesting holes with them. And to see the big monks sharing thier tree and enormous nest with those tiny birds, makes me think they perhaps may tolerate papa pritty if he did drop by. They are very loud and sound simular to him so I figure this will eventually draw him to them. Who knows maybe one of these days I will look up in the sky and see my lil blue birdy flying solo with a flock of them green monk parakeets.

 All I want is for him to be safe healthy and happy. He has always wanted to be free every since the first day I got them so maybe it was meant to be, and maybe he is happly hopping through the trees and tasting every new plant he comes across , just having a great ol' time . At least that is the way I like to picture him now.

Mama pritty is missing her mate and lonely so I may eventualy try to find her another companian, but it is much too soon for that now. But I did find a link that may help when that time comes...found some helpful links about this if you want to check them out.

 suite 101- finding a mate for a lonely pet lovebird

 http://pet-birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/finding_a_mate_for_a_lonely_pet_lovebird

mama and papa right after we first got them...

mama and papa pritty

papa

I want to thankyou all for your support and encouraging words, I never could have gotten through this with out ya'll

Safe and Happy Pet and Critter Journies to you all!

ßïrÐß

Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥

Little Bird Lost!

As some of you may know already , I have pet birds. I had a set of lovebirds for about two years now, my sister gave them to me as mature birds that had rarely been handled and although they were relocated from west Texas to South Texas, they settled in and seemed to adjust to thier new environment just fine.
 
Last year they even decided they were comfortable enough with their surroundings to call it home and raise a family. Unfortunately , maybe because they were young and inexperienced, the babbies never made it to hatchlings. For some reason the papa bird- (papa pritty), aborted the eggs from the nest just before they were to hatch. Up until then he devotedly tended to mama bird- (moma pritty), taking beakfuls of seed to her in the nest ,mouth feeding her, and warming the eggs if she ever left it. But she rarely left the nest at all when there were eggs. But for some reason right at the very end of the incubabation period  papa pitty turned into a "meanie" and kicked out all the eggs.
 
Before long they started breeding again and this time I seperated them, putting him into a smaller cage beside the mamas'. But once again the babbies were kicked out right before their hatch time... this time it was by moma Pitty, and despite the fact that she had sat on them diligently for days , barely leaving the nest for a quick bite or drink once in a while.
 
She left small beak marks that punctured the fragile shells, just as the papa had done previosly, while trying to abort them from the nest. I have done alot of research on this and still have no real answer as to why, so if anyone has had similar experiences with thier birds , or has any information on this I would be very interested in hearing about it .
 
Papa Pritty  was always the curious one and a great escape artist. He had gotten out of his cage several times by sliding through the bars or jarring the doors open with his beak. And when we tried to pin or tie the door shut, he would chew through the clothespin or wire. He even chewed through the screening we had tried to use as  an enclosure to the cage. Nothing could really detoure hime , he just always wanted to be free. Usuauly he only escaped out into another area inside the house, then later, when he was ready to be caught, he would let us put him back in the cage...
 
But unfortunately two days ago he got out of his cage and out of the back door! At first he just investigated the porch, so thinking I may could catch him before he flew far,  I grabbed the towel to catch him with, but by the time  I turned back around ... he had flown up to the trumpet vine and over the roof and then over the top of the roof...  in a fash he was gone and although I have looked high and low ...there is no sighn of lil papa Pritty.
 
 I am just heart broken. I feel terrible , my stomache is all tied up in knots because I am terrified of what will become of him, not being used to the wild , having to find his own food , and even worse ... his ability to avoid predaters. I have searched the whole nieghborhood , calling for him and spoke to my neighbors to alert them incase they may spot him.. And I left his cage out with food and water and left moma out in her cage on the porch to call for him as well, but no luck... I cannot tell you how sorry I feel that this happened and how important it is to protect your pet birds from escaping out into the wild.
 
Since I do have a wildlife habitat and many birds are attracted to it , I am hoping he will be drawn back here for food and water. But there may be a chance that he has decided to join the other parot type birds , namely the wild "monk parakeets" that fly over the habitat several times a day on thier journies around town. The flock of over a hundred live in a nearby palm tree that they have built a community nest in. If he did take up with them he would sure stand out , being the only blue bird in a flock of greens so it would be pretty easy to spot him.
 
I have had visits to the habitat from fisher lovebirds, very simular to mine, and from a yellow parakeet, wich really seem out of place in the wild like that, but they were healthy and surving well so there is always a chance that papa Pritty can make it out there in the big wide world all alone . I think If any bird could, he could, because of his persistant personality. But I am not giving up hope on him returning to the only home he has ever known and back to his life long companian who is missing him so deeply.

In my personal oppinion I think birds should not be caged , and all things that are meant to be free should be. I only excepted the birds to give them a better environment than they were living in at the time. There are far too many unwanted pet birds already out there so if you do decide to get one , please consider adoption. Many birds are given up by their owners for various reasons and are in search of a good home. My mom has adopted two birds for just this reason and I adopted a set of parakeets about 6 months ago because the owners had bought another pet and tired of caring for them.
 
While I was looking for more information on losing a pet bird, I found some useful links that may be very helpful in preventing anything like this from happening to yours:
 

escaped pet birds
http://www.suite101.com/blog/rdrisdelle/escaped_pet_birds
 

when your bird escapes outside
 http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/birdinformation/escape.php 
 
 
 
 
ßïrÐß
Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥

Early Monday morning I had to take my dog, Sugar (an eight year old pitt bull ), to the vet where she was scheduled for surgery. Two years preveious she had a tumor on her mammory gland removed. The vet  thought they had caught it early and removed it all , but unfortunatly it came back, which was the reason for the early morning vet visit and repeat surgury.

The first time this was done, she had complications and lost alot of blood so they had to keep her an extra day, but this time she was out and ready to come home in just a few hours. She came through it all fine even though I was a little worried because of the problems before, and also Sugar has other health issues to consider, like artheritis , she is just like me, we don't heal and boost-back as easy as we used to when we were younger...   (big smile)

Here's some photos of Sugar and her ordeal...
 

This is why she had to have the surgery

 
 
This is after the surgery ...

and this is how she looked when I told her she had to have another surgury!

 Yyou can find out more about Dog Breast Cancer and how to prevent it from the links below:

mammary glands
http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=159&med=1

 how to care for a Dog Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
http://www.ehow.com/how_2050606_care-dog-diagnosed-breast-cancer.html

Mammary Tumors (Cancer) in Dogs
 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1638&aid=460

ßïrÐß
Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥

Yep  this time of year is always full of new critter activity. Some of the birds just drop in for a short visit to grab some food, drinks and a short rest before continuing along the migrational journies, like the cedar waxwings I showed you in my previos post. The winters here are very mild, almost like summer and the tropical climate provides lots of natural food resources so some birds hang out here all through the winter.The local birds that are here year round even change thier habits and start comming in small flocks instead of individually. With all the new and old bird visitors now the habitat is like a crouded restuarant , and very enteraining to watch. So I thought I would share a few more photos ...

yellow rumped warblers
are still hoppin' all around!

yellow warbler
 two pairs of them buzz through the branch tips cleaning out all the lil' bugs and spiders for me

goldfinch
I love hearing their dainty songs echo all around . The flock is huge this year and I say " the more, the merrier!"

titmouse
 these lil guys are great big comedians, hanging upside down and doing flips along the branches. And the way they hammer through the seed nuts with thier beaks to get to the heart of the nuts is pretty amazing
 

wren
loves to hop along the garden boundries, plucking  goodies out from under all the stone and wooden borders

woodpecker
 They gather up mouthfulls of seeds and nuts and stash them in every lil' nook and cranny they can find. They have so many hiding places I don't know how they keep up with them all !
 

robin and woodpecker
A few robins have started trickeling through, this one shares a drink with the woodpecker

greenjay
These guys drop in two to three times a day and they are the loudest and most colorful birds on the scene right now. They make repeated trips down to the feeders, grabbing large mouthfulls of seed and nuts then fly back up into the tree to eat and tuck away any extras for a later snack.

female cardinal
Although the cardinals are here year round, I never tire of their beauty 

 

Squirel
Squirells are just so fun to watch, like a little child - they must explore everything!
 

squirel
If I forget to leave them out a peanut treat  they will come right up to the back door to remind me ...

 

lizzards
there are alot of these guys hiding amongst the old vinages and shrubberies. These are "anos" and they have the ability to adapt thier skin colorations to their surroundings, so they can be brown like these one minute... and bright green the next. I think these two are blending in with thier surroundings pretty well... 

It's a beautiful day here , the air is full of happy bird song ... I think they are asking me to come out and join them  so you all know where I will be... 
 
Happy nature and wildlife trails to you all!

ßïrÐß
Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥
 

Happy New Year to us and all the critters!!!

Here is a look back in reveiw of some of the issues that have threatened or affected our wild life and natural habitats around the world  the past year. I along with many others, have  sent petitions  to President Bush and other State representatives. I  fight for the wildlife because they can not speak for them selves, and I can not bear the thought of losing any more wildlife or their habitats.  I want future generations to be able to experience nature ,and wildlife as I have been lucky enough to do .That is why I  work to not only preserve what we have , but to restore vanishing habitats  and other vital resources that have been lost, stripping us all of our natural heritage. Most of these lands are public and belong to each and every one of us.

 Here is my year in review , starting with the most recent:

 
e- Environmental Defense Fund 12-08
Reducing air pollution from coal-fired power plants

A federal appeals court in Washington temporarily reinstated a plan to reduce air pollution from coal-fired power plants.
Needless to say, this is a big win for clean air in America. The EPA has estimated the rule would prevent 17,000 deaths annually by 2015.

Wilderness Society 12-08
Utah Lease Sale

These lands contain vast numbers of historic sites, intricate fragile rock formations and countless remote canyons that symbolize the wildness of the West.
 Cherished wild lands in Utah's red rock canyon country, including Nine Mile Canyon and Desolation Canyon, may yet be saved from oil and gas drilling.

Just days after The Wilderness Society and six other conservation groups brought a lawsuit to protect 100,000 acres of wilderness quality lands from leasing, the BLM announced that, while it would sell the leases in these areas, it would temporarily halt the issuance of the leases until January 19 - the final full day of the Bush administration.

Members of Congress called on President-Elect Obama to cancel the lease sales altogether.  Federal regulations are clear that the administration can cancel any lease it determines has been improperly issued.

Defenders of Wildlife 11-08
Defenders in Action...

...Stopped planned wolf hunts in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies.

Our lawyers successfully argued in court to restore vital federal protections to wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies. And while in its waning days the Bush/Cheney Administration continues the push to eliminate these protections, your support helped us save hundreds of wolves that otherwise could have died in planned wolf hunts.
 
...Secured important protections for polar bears threatened with extinction.

This year, the polar bear finally won protection under the Endangered Species Act after tens of thousands of Defenders activists called on federal officials to list this arctic ice king.

...Successfully urged our Senators to include and fund the Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act through comprehensive climate change legislation considered by the Senate. And many more have contributed to our important legal efforts to protect vital polar bear habitat, prevent polar bear trophy hunting and stop Governor Sarah Palin, Safari Club International and others from allowing these majestic animals to be killed.
 
...Won vital new protections for some of the world’s most endangered whales.

Fighting opposition from Vice President Cheney’s office, we helped win new protections for endangered right whales threatened by ship strikes. And despite Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s strong opposition, Defenders successfully argued for much-needed protections for the Cook Inlet beluga.
 
...Protected sea otters and other marine wildlife off the coasts of California.

...Defenders of Wildlife’s California staff led a successful fight to pass new legislation that will improve oil spill clean-up and save wildlife. Defenders also led efforts to secure more than $250,000 each year in vital state funding for sea otter research and protection.
 
...Lent our voices to the fight to protect Yellowstone’s bison from senseless slaughter, and secured safeguards against the use and misuse of deadly poisons that have inadvertently killed millions of birds, restore funding for our National Wildlife Refuges, and much, much more.

Gulf Restoration Network
Cyprus Trees 11-08

"In response to announcements made by Wal-Mart, Lowe's, and Home Depot and to the fact that we are stopping illegal logging, our monitoring flights have shown cypress logging activities gradually come to a halt in coastal Louisiana." - Dean Wilson, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper.

Woohoo! Our combined efforts have already saved countless trees. Protecting cypress forests in Louisiana is a great first step, but there is still a hike in front of us. As we celebrate the intact forests of Louisiana, cypress logging continues to occur in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and undoubtedly other places we don't know about. And a long-term commitment to Louisiana's forests is still lacking.

Sierra Club 11-08
Stopping Coal Plants

We have won a major decision; the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will no longer be able to ignore global warming pollution caused by coal-fired power plants.

We've stopped virtually all new coal plants dead in their tracks.
This ruling means new and proposed coal plants (over 150 have been proposed in the last two years) must now go back to the drawing board to address their carbon dioxide emissions.

With coal as the single largest cause of our nation's global warming pollution, this is a critical step to ensuring a clean energy future.

Audubon Society 11-08
Environment Wins in State Ballot Initiatives

Three states — Missouri, Minnesota, and Florida — passed statewide ballot initiatives that will provide tremendous benefits to the environment. Audubon also supported a fourth initiative in Colorado, which was defeated in the face of massive funding from the oil and gas industry.

MISSOURI
More than a year of hard work paid off, as Missouri became the 27th state to adopt a Renewable Electricity Standard, or RES. Under the RES, Missouri's four investor-owned electric utilities, including Kansas City Power & Light, must acquire at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021. It is projected to save Missourians $331 million in electric bills over the next 20 years and the reduction in carbon emissions will have the same effect as removing 2 million cars from our roads.

MINNESOTA
Minnesotans overwhelmingly voted to amend the state constitution to significantly boost investment in natural resource stewardship across the state. With a slight increase in the state sales tax (3/8ths of 1%), Minnesota will now be able to invest $300 million annually for the next 25 years in projects such as protecting and restoring water quality; protecting wetlands, prairies, and wildlife habitat; investing in parks and trails; and supporting the arts.

FLORIDA
Passed by an overwhelming 68% of voters, Amendment 4 for land conservation exempts lands with conservation easements from property taxes and allows lands managed for water and wildlife benefits to be taxed according to use. These incentives have the potential to help protect millions of acres of habitat. The legislature will need to implement Amendment 4, and Audubon will work to ensure that the measure is carried out as intended and is not subject to abuse.

COLORADO
Audubon and other conservation groups, including the Nature Conservancy, the Colorado Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, and the Trust for Public Land, worked to pass Amendment 58 to address the critical need for more funding for land, water, and wildlife in Colorado. The amendment, supported by the governor, would have ended an outdated $300 million a year subsidy to the oil and gas industry and put the money towards conserving Colorado's land, water, and wildlife; fostering renewable energy projects; and tripling the amount of money available for financial aid for college. Not surprisingly, the oil and gas industry poured $11 million into an ultimately successful bid to defeat the amendment.

Wildernes Society 10-08
A quieter Yellowstone?

Quieter times will soon be upon the oldest national park in country, thanks to a monumental decision last month by a federal court to throw out a Bush Administration decision to authorize nearly 550 snowmobiles per day in the beloved park.

In September, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia invalidated the Bush decision, finding that it violated the conservation mission of the National Park Service. The court also found that the decision did not respect the Park Service's own scientific conclusions that snowmobile usage significantly increases noise and unhealthy exhaust, disrupts the experiences of visitors and harasses the park's wildlife, including bison, which are already stressed throughout the harsh Wyoming winters.

The Park Service must now develop a plan to immediately reduce snowmobiling to a level that ensures the protection of clean air, tranquility and wildlife, ideally cutting the number by more than half this year and then phasing down over the next few years.

Audubon 10-08
Congress Passes Incentives for Clean and Renewable Energy

After nearly a year of political infighting, Congress finally passed into law a much needed package of clean and renewable energy tax incentives earlier this month. The tax package, which included many important tax extensions for renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, was a last minute addition to the economic recovery package. Many of the tax extensions in the package were set to expire at the end of the year.

These tax incentives are critical for sustaining ongoing investments in clean energy technologies. Such investment creates new jobs, bolsters local economies, and moves us away from our dependence on dirty fossil fuels that contribute to global warming. In addition to investments in renewables like wind, solar, and geothermal, the package also included incentives for manufacturing more energy efficient appliances, increasing efficiency in our homes, and incentives to make it easier to buy more fuel efficient vehicles.

Audubon 10-08
Great Lakes Compact Signed by President

On October 3, shortly after Congress approved the Great Lakes Compact by an overwhelming majority, President Bush signed the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, endorsing sweeping protections for the Great Lakes that culminate a decade's worth of work by Audubon and other conservation organizations, government agencies, businesses, the public, as well as countless local, state, and federal leaders.

The Great Lakes Compact is a landmark international agreement that will prevent mass export to water-thirsty states in the Southwest as well as foreign nations around the globe. The Great Lakes contain more than 90% of the fresh surface water in the United States, and 20% of the world's supply. However, scientists estimate that only 1% is naturally replenished by rain, snow melt, and groundwater each year. The Compact will help protect this one-time gift of the glaciers.

Audubon 10-08
House Passes No Child Left Inside Act

 Environmental education received a major boost on September 19th, when the House approved the No Child Left Inside Act of 2008 by a vote of 293-109. The legislation would authorize major new funding for states to provide high-quality, environmental instruction. Funds would support outdoor learning activities both at school and in non-formal environmental education centers, teacher training, and the creation of state environmental literacy plans.

Wilderness society 10-08
Ike's distruction

 In addition to the human toll, three national wildlife refuges were in Ike's path, and saw the devastation of key staging areas for hundreds of species of migratory birds. Our staff is working with Congress to get federal funds to help damaged refuges.
wilderness society

Gulf restoration network 10-08
Environmental Fallout from Ike

Sadly, it became apparent that Ike's destructive power had a big impact on the Gulf Coast environment. The Associated Press reports that "at least half a million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico." The storm also "destroyed at least 52 oil platforms" while severely damaging 32 other platforms. In the face of a natural disaster of this scale it is impossible to fully protect industrial infrastructure and oil and gas installations. As the national debate over offshore drilling continues, we must remember the real environmental impacts that will accompany increased offshore drilling.

Union of concerned scientist 09-08
Victory on alfalfa case

In an opinion issued September 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the reversal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) approval of Roundup Ready herbicide-tolerant, genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa. In a landmark decision, the Appeals Court agreed with the lower court that the USDA had not adequately considered either the economic impact on organic and conventional alfalfa farmers from inevitable contamination of their crops by GE alfalfa or the environmental harm from herbicide-resistant weeds. The case was brought by the Center for Food Safety.Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle.
http://ucsaction.org/ct/-1MS6j71H46E/

Gulf Restoration Network 9-08
EPA Makes Historic Decision to Protect Wetlands

The EPA took the final step to veto the Yazoo Pumps Project, an antiquated Army Corps of Engineers project that would have destroyed over 200,000 acres of wetlands in Mississippi, including habitat for the endangered Louisiana black bear.
  This is only the 13th time in history that the EPA has used its veto authority to protect wetlands, and this is by far the most destructive project ever stopped.  You can read the news story here. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122040280744093353.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Union of concerned scientists 08-08
Off-label use of cephalosporins banned by FDA

In an important victory for public health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned all off-label uses of two generations of cephalosporin antibiotics in food animals. These drugs are approved for use to treat respiratory infections in livestock and prevent infections in chicks, but veterinarians, like doctors, often prescribe medications for uses other than their official purposes. The FDA stepped in to ban this off-label use because these cephalosporins are particularly valuable to human medicine and because scientific studies showed that off-label uses posed a risk of creating antibiotic-resistant diseases. Read a press release about the ban from the Keep Antibiotics Working coalition (pdf), or read an article about it from Bloomberg.com.
William Webb - about.com

Ontario's Government Announces Good News for Birds 07- 2008

Ontario's government recently announced great news for many of North American's breeding birds. Premier Dalton McGuinty led the Ontario Government in committing to protect a huge swath Canada's Boreal Forest – one the planet's largest remaining intact forest ecosystems. This landmark conservation decision protects more than 225,000 square kilometers (approximately 86,900 square miles) – or 55 million acres – of Canada’s Boreal Forest.

The Boreal Forest provides habitat for more than 300 breeding bird species, along with a large diversity of other wildlife including caribou, bears, and wolves. An estimated 70% of all Yellow-rumped Warblers breed in the Boreal Forest. This vast forest also plays an important role in absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and thus reducing the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, the Boreal Forest faces growing threats from mining, logging, and drilling.

This fantastic decision by the Ontario Government was in response the work of organizations like the Boreal Songbird Initiative and a letter sent to the Canadian government by 1500 scientists advocating for protection of 50% of the Boreal Forest. It is a great step forward in the fight to save birds, protect biodiversity, and reduce climate change.

Audubon 07-08
"Hurricane Highway" Officially Closed

Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a controversial navigation channel that funneled storm surge into New Orleans and greatly worsened flooding, is still one of the biggest threats to the city, but that is about to change. Creating and maintaining the MRGO also destroyed more than 20,000 acres of coastal wetlands that could have reduced Katrina's storm surge and spared lives. Scientists from Louisiana State University estimate that the wall of water that hit New Orleans moved at 8-10 ft/sec through sections of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet—3 to 4 times faster than it would have over natural wetlands. Last fall, we let the US Army Corps of Engineers know that the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet must be properly closed to protect the City of New Orleans and valuable wetlands. As of last week, the MRGO is officially, legally de-authorized, and a plan for ecosystem restoration is on the horizon.

Audubon 07-08
Victory for Our Beaches and Coastlines

On Wednesday, June 11, on a party line 9-6 vote, the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee rejected an amendment from Rep. John Peterson (R-PA) that would have allowed oil exploration from 50 miles to 200 miles offshore and allowed oil and natural gas leasing activities to begin along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Audubon opposes opening up the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to drilling due to the risk of severe oil spills and pollution that could devastate wildlife and ecosystems and severely weaken coastal economies that are dependent on recreation and tourism. Although supporters of the amendment argued that drilling offshore would help to lower gas prices, the truth is that oil could not be brought to market for at least seven years and even then would have no significant effect on gas prices at the pump. Americans deserve real solutions to high gas prices that provide relief now and protect our coastal waters, beaches, and economies. 

Audubon 07-08
Sage Grouse Victory in Wyoming

The head-long rush for energy development on Western federal lands has long raised Audubon concerns about the fate of declining sage grouse populations. Administration-backed leasing for coal bed methane, oil, and gas development seemed destined to force a long, difficult showdown between development and environmental interests with habitat and grouse likely to disappear as the battle raged.

Audubon Wyoming, and ultimately the full resources of Audubon, stepped into the fray with a better approach. We focused on identifying and saving the most important grouse habitat while allowing some compatible development activities to proceed. Late last month, the federal Bureau of Land Management adopted a critical part of the recommendations resulting from Audubon efforts, including thousands of public comments submitted by our dedicated advocates.

The BLM will limit the number of coal bed methane pads permitted on leases in the Powder River Basin to only one for every 500 acres. It's believed that similar restrictions will be extended to all Wyoming leases sold in the month of June. While by no means a complete solution to the development problem, these changes represent a step in the right direction in safeguarding sagebrush habitat. A big thank you to everyone who submitted comments.

Defenders 07-08
A Big Win for Wolves --

A federal judge has restored endangered species protections for wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies.

The ruling by a district court judge in Montana could save the lives of hundreds of wolves by stopping this fall's planned wolf sport hunting seasons in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.  

Sierra Club 6-08
Victory for Sierra Club and the Giant Sequoias!

Just a week ago we saw the end to the Sierra Club’s three year long battle with the timber industry, preventing them - once and for all - from logging in the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

The win came at the 11th hour, as the Sierra Club legal team prepared to appear in the Ninth Circuit court to argue the last case standing, a last-ditch appeal by the timber industry, regarding commercial logging in the Monument. But on the eve of the hearing, they abandoned and withdrew their appeal - putting the final nail in the coffin of this very drawn out case - and putting an end to the pillage of these iconic trees.

Beginning in 1901, when John Muir lobbied for the expansion of Sequoia National Park to encompass the entire range of the giant sequoia, the Sierra Club has advocated for the protection of giant sequoia ecosystems in their entirety. And after years of fighting to keep our towering Sequoia trees safe from the timber industry's saws, we have finally won. Thanks to this hard-earned victory, our children and grandchildren will be able to stand in awe of these noble giants for generations to come.

Audubon 5-08
Teshekpuk Lake Saved from Drilling!

On Friday, the Secretary of Interior announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would defer additional oil and gas leasing around Teshekpuk Lake in the northeastern part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) for at least 10 years. The decision came with the release of a final revised environmental statement and activity plan for Northeast NPRA, after a lawsuit blocked a controversial September 2006 lease sale for Teshekpuk Lake. Thousands of Audubon supporters had submitted public comments on the revised environmental impact statement, Audubon activists attended BLM hearings to protest the drilling plans, and Audubon Alaska and the Audubon Policy office have worked any and all angles to keep oil drilling out of this special area. The Teshekpuk wetlands provide breeding, molting, and resting habitat for more than one million migratory birds and are the most important goose molting habitat in the entire Arctic.
http://audubonaction.org/ct/EdsUuNY1sXAy/teshekpuk

Amendment to Allow Arctic Drilling Defeated in Senate
 
On Tuesday, May 13, Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Pete Domenici (R-NM) offered a damaging "Drill Everywhere" amendment to flood insurance legislation being considered by the Senate. The amendment, which would have allowed dirty, polluting oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as off of America's coastlines, was soundly defeated in bipartisan fashion!

The oil industry's friends in Congress needed 60 votes to pass the misguided amendment, but fell far short as the amendment was defeated by a vote of 56 to 42. Nearly every Democrat and 7 Republicans voted for protecting the Arctic Refuge and America's coasts from oil drilling. Audubon activists played a key role in this victory—every member of Congress who received calls from Audubon voted right!

UPDATE: Settlement Protects Piping Plovers on Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Our efforts to protect the wildlife at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore have resulted in a successful settlement with the National Park Service. The compromise resolves a lawsuit which challenged the Park Service to protect wildlife from the impacts of beach driving along the Seashore. The total number of colonial waterbirds nesting on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches declined significantly from 1995, from a high of 1508 nests in 1997 to only 212 nests in 2007 or a decline of 86% in ten years. Last year's breeding season was the worst on record. The agreement will safeguard wildlife while still allowing residents and visitors to enjoy fishing, surfing, beach driving and other activities at the Seashore.
http://audubonaction.org/ct/m7sUuNY1sXAm/northcarolina

Bill to Protect Migratory Songbirds Introduced in House

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) has provided hundreds of grants for pro-active, on-the-ground conservation projects benefiting America's native migratory birds. Audubon was one of the lead authors of the NMBCA when it was first enacted in 2000, and played a lead role in shepherding the bill through Congress when it was reauthorized last year at a higher funding level. Now Audubon is again working with our partners to strengthen the NMBCA and increase its conservation reach through increased funding. Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) and Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) have introduced legislation ( HR 5756) to increase the funding level for this important program from $6.5 million to $15 million. Audubon strongly supports this bill and applauds the leadership of Congressmen Kind and Gilchrest.

Union of Concerned Scientists 6-08
Clean Vehicles

 Last year’s fuel economy success recently came under threat when the Bush administration attempted to undermine the effectiveness of the new law. The administration also backed automaker allies as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson blocked state authority to regulate global warming pollution from cars.
http://ucsaction.org/ct/sdMS6j71sY4t/

Food and Environment
In April, UCS issued a landmark report—CAFOs Uncovered: the Untold Costs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations—examining the economic, health, and environmental costs we are paying as a society for these huge crowded facilities. The report demonstrates that smaller, less damaging operations often can be as cost effective as CAFOs. It also outlines important policy changes needed to protect our food, health, environment, and communities, and to support smarter alternatives for food production. UCS has also weighed in on a proposed new label on meat from “naturally raised” animals and continues to push for legislation to end the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed.
http://ucsaction.org/ct/s7MS6j71sY4g/

Scientific Integrity
This spring,  Congress passed major legislation that will help federal government scientists protect the U.S. public from unsafe toys and other products. A new report exposing pervasive political interference at the Environmental Protection Agency leads the charge for agency reform, while a new call-to-action lays the groundwork for restoring integrity to government science under a new administration. Next week, we'll testify twice on Capitol Hill about political interference in science.
http://ucsaction.org/ct/x7MS6j71sY4W/

Invasive Species
In April, we urged our representatives to protect our nation’s waters from aquatic invasive species by voting in favor of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008.  Even when faced with a veto threat from the president—the bill passed the House in a landslide victory, 395 to 7! “Title V” of the bill will help prevent ships from inadvertently transporting potentially damaging plants and animals from one port to another.
http://ucsaction.org/ct/xdMS6j71sY4O/

Sierra Club 6-08
A California Treasure Protected

After years of legal wrangling, the Sierra Club and partner groups this month announced a deal to protect the largest contiguous parcel of land designated for conservation in California history -- 240,000 acres of stunningly diverse landscapes on the privately owned Tejon Ranch south of Bakersfield.

At 375 square miles, the preserve of desert, woodlands, and grasslands is eight times the size of San Francisco and nearly the size of Los Angeles. It also ties together several diverse habitats -- meaning that native wildlife and plants in Southern California will have a better chance to adapt to climate change.

Wilderness Society 6-08
Court Protects Public's Land

Kane County, Utah, broke the law when it adopted an ordinance encouraging off-road and other vehicles to use routes closed by federal land managers in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and in a designated wilderness area. A U.S. District Judge in May found that Kane County also violated the Constitution by posting dozens of road signs in the places Monument managers had closed to vehicles to protect sensitive wildlife habitat, archeological treasures, and wilderness values.

"The judge's ruling sends a clear message that the county's actions were illegal," said Kristen Brengel of The Wilderness Society. "Encouraging illegal off-road vehicle use can seriously harm the very natural and cultural resources and values that make the Grand Staircase so spectacular."

Defenders of Wildlife 5-08
Florida Forever

The Florida legislature unanimously approved funding for Florida Forever. Thanks to programs like Florida Forever, the state has purchased and protected more than 2 million acres of land for conservation and recreation, including vital habitat for Florida's wildlife.

We saved Alaska’s voice by helping to defeat Governor Sarah Palin’s legislation that would have cancelled a vote this summer on the state’s brutal aerial wolf hunting program -- a program that Alaskans have voted down twice before.
 
We gave bison a break in Montana, by writting messages to Montana tourism officials expressing outrage over the senseless slaughter of bison outside Yellowstone National Park. Last week, Governor Brian Schweitzer announced a deal to create a much-needed winter corridor for these icons of the American West.

We spoke out to support efforts to return the once-thought-to-be-extinct black-footed ferret to their land. And last December, the Fish & Wildlife Service came through, releasing the first black-footed ferrets to be seen on the Kansas prairie in 50 years.
 
We protected the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Defenders rallied our conservation partners and local residents to save the Refuge, home to snow geese, tundra swans and the world’s only wild population of red wolves. Thanks to this near constant pressure, the U.S. Navy abandoned plans to build a harmful landing field near this important refuge. 

Union of concernced scientists 1-08
EPA libraries will reopen

Congress has allocated $3 million in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2008 budget to reopen its closed libraries. The EPA must report its progress to Congress within three months.

As you may recall, in late 2006, UCS sounded the alarm that the EPA had begun hastily closing its network of scientific libraries, effectively preventing EPA scientists and the public from accessing vast amounts of data and information on issues from hazardous waste to air pollution. In the process, documents were destroyed and library equipment was sold off. 

In response, over the course of several weeks, We directed a steady stream of phone calls to EPA headquarters. And we demanded that the agency immediately stop its plans to close more libraries.

The calls earned UCS an invitation to meet with EPA officials to discuss the status and future of the EPA library system. UCS joined the American Library Association, several scientific societies, and leaders in Congress in calling for the EPA to reopen its library system and create a clear and transparent plan to make information available electronically. Shortly thereafter, the EPA temporarily suspended its closure plans until a better solution could be found.

The value of the library system
In order to fulfill its mission to protect human health and the environment, the EPA must rely on accurate, up-to-date scientific information as well as the findings of earlier studies. To make the best scientific determinations, scientists need access to information regarding the health effects of toxic substances, records of environmental change over time, impacts on specific regions or communities, and other issues.

These are only a few of the issues that affected our wildlife and nature this year, there are many more . The following Conseravation Organizations are a great way to keep up with what is going on with our nature and wildlife  around the globe. And it's simple to voice your oppinion and make a difference in our world!

The Wilderness Society 

The Wilderness Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving American wilderness. Our mission is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water, wildlife, beauty, and opportunity for recreation and renewal provided by pristine forests, rivers, deserts, and mountains.

The Defenders of Wildlife 

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. 
 

The National Wildlife  Federation

National Wildlife Federation inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.We have been working to protect America's wildlife since 1936.We represent the power and commitment of four million members and supporters joined by affiliated wildlife organizations in 47 states and territories.We channel the energy of thousands of volunteers from all walks of life to take action because they care about wildlife.We unite Americans in their shared value of wildlife.

The National Audubon Society 

Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

The Union of Concerned Scientists

is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

The Gulf Restoration Network

The Gulf Restoration Network is a diverse network of individuals and local, regional, and national groups committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the resources of the Gulf of Mexico region for future generations. Founded in 1994, the GRN has members in each of the five Gulf states. 

e- Environmental Defence

Environmental Defense is a leading national nonprofit organization representing more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, we have linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society's most urgent environmental problems.

.

You can find alot more Organizations that defend our Wildlife and Natural lands on my resources page as well.

Here is to another year of accomplishments and victories! And to all the  conservational groups and individual people that fight so hard for our wildlifes and natures, and arm us with the valuable information and resources needed to make possative changes in our world,  I would like to say ... THANKYOU!!!

ßïrÐß

Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥

This update  gives me some hope...  News from the Defenders of Wildlife

 In early 2009, the International League of Conservation Photographers plans to send a team of world-renowned photographers, with writers, filmmakers, and scientists to the borderlands of the United States and Mexico to document the wildlife, ecology, and effect of immigration and the border wall on this landscape. This region is a shared conservation treasure of international importance that harbors some of the most biodiverse landscapes on the continent. Many species here are found nowhere else in the US, and nowhere else in Mexico and some are found nowhere else on Earth.

This map, courtesy of Defenders of Wildlife, shows some of the critical wildlife corridors that are being disrupted by the construction of 670 miles of wall along the US-Mexico border. For more information on this issue, please go to Defenders website.

 The borderlands of the United States and Mexico harbor a hidden gem. These remote wildlands that stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico across the belly of North America provide safe haven for many wild species of plant and animals. Because much of the landscape around this international border has remained isolated for so long, many relatively intact and continentally rare ecosystems endure here—including Arizona’s last free flowing river, the San Pedro; some of the last undeveloped grasslands on the continent in the Janos/Hidalgo area along the New Mexico border; the single most diverse birding area in the United States along the Lower Rio Grande river, and habitat and migration corridors for some of both nation’s most imperiled species including the jaguar, Sonoran pronghorn, ocelot, bighorn sheep and Mexican gray wolves.

The more people  understand  the consequences of building this wall the better our chances will be of  finding a different  solution to the real problem and stop this devestation of our wildlife and our lands that are essentential to us all .

Another good way to find out more about this:

Refuge Watch

And my related posts:

 Border Wall disasterous for Wildlife September 22, 2008 (with Videos)

 Border Fence june 8-2007

 Breaking the law to Build the wall "a historic travesty" july 14-2007

ßïrÐß

Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥

I haven't made it over to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge yet but hopefully I will soon because these are really amazing beauties to watch...

Reported by Tom Stehn
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

The second aerial census of the 2008-09 crane season was conducted November25, 2008 in a Cessna 210 piloted by Gary Ritchey of Air Transit Solutions of Castroville, Texas with USFWS observers Tom Stehn and Darrin Welchert.Weather conditions were ideal during the 5.4-hour flight with sunshine andlight winds.  Located were 228 adults + 38 juveniles = 266 total.

This 266 total matches the peak population in the 2007-08 winter. The conditions at Aransas this winter do not look very good.  The wolfberrycrop seems notably lower, perhaps a result of the summer drought.  Although some blue crabs were found on a count conducted November 10th, the cranes initially seemed to be foraging more on fiddler crabs.  This suspectedminimal amount of food resources was indicated by the 41 whooping cranes seen on uplands during today’s census flight. 

 A prescribed burn of around 2,500 acres conducted on Matagorda Island on November 15th held 24 whooping cranes, with 17 on unburned uplands.  The use of unburned uplands this time of year is indicative of less than ideal food resources in the marsh.  Bay and marsh salinities are around 30 parts per thousand, forcing the cranes to make daily flights to freshwater to drink.  Forty-five cranes were found at fresh water sources during the census flight.

Here's the full report  and a detailed  explanation of numbers located and additional cranes in the flocks that I found to be very interesting ...   birdRockport.com

And I recieved this post from my friend, Mom = *Family First* , thanks for sharing this news on this flock of Whooping cranes as well. I'm hoping that the weather stays good and they continue they have a safe journey this year .

 Fourteen whooping crane chicks reached Kentucky on their ultralight-guided migration from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin to Chassahowitzka and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuges along Florida's Gulf Coast. These majestic birds, the tallest in North America, left Necedah refuge on Oct. 17 following four ultralight aircraft. Kentucky is one of the seven states the ultralight-guided migration will fly over before reaching Florida.

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, an international coalition of public and private groups, is conducting this project, now in its eighth year, in an effort to reintroduce this endangered species in eastern North America. Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, on Nov. 29, on migration day 44, favourable weather allowed them to continue their southward journey to Marshall County, Kentucky, with a 63-mile, two-hour flight.

 "This is an exciting year for the reintroduction project with the addition of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in the Florida panhandle," said Sam D. Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "We wish the intrepid pilots of Operation Migration all the best with the new route as they enter the Southeast, and hope for a safe and speedy arrival at St. Marks and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.

There are now 68 migratory whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North America - including the first whooping crane chick to hatch in the wild in Wisconsin in more than a century. Each fall, pilots from Operation Migration lead a new generation of whooping cranes behind their ultralight aircraft to wintering grounds in Florida. The cranes will make the return flight on their own to the Upper Midwest in the spring.

 The ultralight-led flock from Necedah NWR passed through Wisconsin and Illinois. It will fly through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia to reach the wintering locations in Florida. The duration of the migration is completely dependant on weather. It is unknown how long it will take the team to reach their final destination.

Last year's journey lasted 97 days. To help speed the migration and improve safety for the birds and the pilots, a new route was developed this year that takes the team around the Appalachian Mountains rather than over them. For the first time, they will pass through the state of Alabama.

In addition to the 14 ultralight-led birds, biologists from the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and the Service reared six whooping cranes at Necedah NWR. The birds were released in the company of older cranes from whom the young birds will learn the migration route. This is the fourth year WCEP has used this Direct Autumn Release method, which supplements the ultralight migrations.

Hand reared Whooping cranes that take part in the ultralight and Direct Autumn Release reintroductions are hatched at the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Md., and at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wis. Chicks are raised under a strict isolation protocol and to ensure the birds remain wild, handlers adhere to a no-talking rule and wear costumes designed to mask the human form.

Most of the reintroduced whooping cranes spend the summer in central Wisconsin, where they use areas on the Necedah NWR, as well as various state and private lands. Reintroduced whooping cranes have also spent time in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and other upper Midwest states.
Target of 125 cranes The Whooping Crane Recovery Team has established a target number for this reintroduction. Once there are at least 125 individuals, including 25 breeding pairs, migrating in this eastern corridor the population could be considered self sustaining. With 68 birds now in the wild and another 20 soon to be released this project is well past the half way mark.

In the 1940s Whooping cranes were on the verge of extinction in the 1940s. Today, there are only about 500 birds in existence, 350 of them in the wild. Aside from the 68 Wisconsin-Florida birds, the only other migrating population of whooping cranes nests at the Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories of Canada and winters at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas Coast.

 A non-migrating flock of about 30 whooping cranes lives year-round in central Florida. The remaining 150 whooping cranes are in captivity in zoos and breeding facilities around North America. Whooping cranes, named for their loud and penetrating unison calls, live and breed in wetland  areas, where they feed on crabs, clams, frogs and seeds. They are distinctive animals, standing five feet tall, with white bodies, black wing tips and red crowns on their heads.

 WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please give them the respect and distance they need. Do not approach birds on foot within 600 feet; try to remain in your vehicle; do not approach in a vehicle within 600 feet or, if on a public road, within 300 feet. Also, please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you. Finally, do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view whooping cranes.

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership founding members are the International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration Inc., Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and National Wildlife Health Center, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and the International Whooping Crane Recovery Team.

Many other flyway states, provinces, private individuals and conservation groups have joined forces with and support WCEP by donating resources, funding and personnel. More than 60 percent of the project's estimated $1.6 million annual budget comes from private sources in the form of grants, public donations and corporate sponsorship.

My past blogs related to The Whooping Cranes...

Geese,Cranes,Egrets,Starlings,Goldfinches and Warblers 12-06

Sad news for Whooping Cranes in Florida 2-07

Happy wing flaps to you all !

ßïrÐß

Çhêrï§hïñg WïlÐlï£ê åñÐ ñ况rê êvêr¥ Ðå¥