 | | |  Each day from my kayak or the weathered chair by the lakefront dock at our rented vacation house on Lake Sunapee, I would listen to the haunting call of the loons, watch them carry their young, dive, and reappear to gulp and swallow the sunfish that my grandson was learning from his older cousin how to catch and release.
When my envy of the owners’ home on quiet Herricks Cove subsided, I realized for the first time that the loons, which I must drive hundreds and hundreds of miles to see, are actually someone’s backyard birds! The world of backyard birds is where most of us snatch our time in nature. In fact, in this August issue of RCC’s Bird Watch and Wonder, we lead off with a report on Amanda Lamberson’s study that found that in urban San Antonio there are surprisingly numerous bird species and that they thrive, in part, because of the backyard food, water and ministrations of us humans.  And so, as summer relents and autumn inches down the East Coast, I am content to return to backyard Bethesda. As I write, a Ruby-throated hummingbird hovers and drinks from the scarlet cardinal flowers that blaze outside my window. My hummer is active and visible because it is preparing for an amazing marathon migration. As it heads south some 3500 miles to Central America, its iridescent green and glimpses of living ruby will bring wonder and joy to many. Even if for some short, hovering moments at their flowers, my tiny, two-ounce hummingbird will be a bedazzling backyard bird.   Our “Books” section this month will turn your own backyard birding into reflections and revelations as you observe closely the species who share your life and home. Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard by Joan Strassman, who teaches about birds and biology at Washington University, developed the art of slow birding with her students as they wandered and watched and wrote about just three common species on campus. Their curiosity, desire for knowledge, and appreciation of the science of bird species and their ecosystems took off like a startled mourning dove. Similarly, Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds by Sophie Osborn tells the story of following and watching just three bird species – Peregrine Falcons, Hawaiian Crows, and California Condors. Osborn’s focus means that we can observe how birds with individuals traits and personalities emerge so that these endangered creatures are no longer abstractions. To help you focus your attention on the wonders in your backyard this fall, we offer tips on making bluebird boxes, and even which fruit and berry trees to grow to attract and nourish the birds. And, in “Bird Lore,” you’ll be amazed how close observation and a lasting love of avian activity has impressed our own Ross Feldner enough to assemble the Olympic champions of the bird world – the fastest fliers, the deepest divers, and more. And, in our “Action and Advocacy” section,” be sure to check out stories of people who have successfully acted to save our birds from the dangers of tall and lighted buildings. And, take heart that in Pittsburgh where, because of DDT and other pesticides, there were no bald eagles or osprey reported in Allegheny County by the state’s very first Breeding Bird Atlas for 1983-1989, they now abound. Today, thanks to citizen and scientist action, osprey and eagles are bountiful along the water and in the skies, making awe inspiring appearances over the backyards of Pittsburgh. As Rachel Carson put it, “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” | | | | | | | |  Bob Musil is the President & CEO of the Rachel Carson Council and author of Rachel Carson and Her Sisters: Extraordinary Women Who Have Shaped America’s Environment (Rutgers, 2016) and Washington in Spring: A Nature Journal for a Changing Capital (Bartleby, 2016). He is also the editor of the forthcoming annotated edition from Rutgers University Press of Rachel Carson’s Under the Sea-Wind with his Introduction, updated marine science, and historic and contemporary illustrations and photographs. | | | | | | UTSA Study Finds Large Variety of Bird Species Live in San Antonio, Bolstered By Backyard Bird Feeding Bird feeding is a commonly practiced recreational activity in urban areas in the United States, resulting in a multi-billion-dollar industry. According to ecologists, urban development is frequently found to have negative effects on diverse bird communities, and whether bird feeding can increase the presence of our feathered friends in urban yards remains unclear. | | | | | | | | What’s the Best Book or Field Guide For Bird Identification? A good field guide is one of the most important tools to help identify birds. Traditionally, field guides took the form of books, often quite big books, that for field use could be heavy or vulnerable to wetting on rainy days. Nowadays there are also some great smartphone apps as well, making bird ID fit into the palm of your hand. Many people rely on both books and apps to identify birds; below are some of our favorite guides for North America. | | | | | | | | When Do Hummingbirds Leave? As Migrations Starts, How to Spot the Flitting Fliers As summer vacations wrap up and kids return to school, one small bird is preparing for a monumental journey. Hummingbird migration season gets underway in August, sending the birds flying to warm destinations thousands of miles away to last out the cold winter months and bringing bird-watchers new opportunities to catch sight of them on their trip. | | | | | | | | Ospreys and Bald Eagles Soar in Latest PA Breeding Bird Atlas Survey Armed with superior eyesight and sharp talons, both large raptors almost magically detect and pluck fish from local waterways regularly. Those fishing spectacles were rare not too long ago in the city: The state’s first Breeding Bird Atlas, covering 1983 to 1989, detected no osprey or bald eagle nests in Allegheny County. That was during a time when both birds were federally endangered or threatened because of the effects of the pesticide DDT and other factors. | | | | | | | | These Birds Have Their Own Beach. Their Human Neighbors Want In. Every summer, a neighborhood in Queens loses its beach to piping plovers, an endangered shorebird. Some residents want it back. Sections of the Rockaway Peninsula, a coastal strip of land in southern Queens, look like beach towns more than the concrete and steel landscape of much of New York City. On a mile-long stretch of the boardwalk in Edgemere, a neighborhood in the Rockaways that was a thriving resort destination a century ago, you can still see open skies, dunes and the ocean. | | | | | | | | The Need for Speed – The Fastest Birds in North America Now that the Olympics are over I thought it would be a good time to showcase the fastest birds in America. Birds rely on speed to catch prey, raise a family and elude predators. It also means you can be the first to find a food supply or the best nesting area. Here are the speed champions at flying, building a nest, raising young, running, diving and other avian Olympic events. | | | | | | | | | | These 5 Birds Are All Winners in the Migration Games The world’s best athletes impress us with their prowess at the Olympics. But have you heard about the 50,000 mile annual marathon of the Arctic Tern or the 100-mile-per hour sprint of a Whimbrel? From the tiniest hummingbird to the largest albatross, migratory birds are masters of endurance. Much like the world's greatest athletes currently competing in the Olympics, thousands of bird species from around the globe undertake awe-inspiring feats that are beyond our comprehension. | | | | | | | | Senate Swoops in, Centuries Late, to Name Bald Eagle National Bird In the rush toward recess last week, the Senate moved to correct an oversight that many Americans might not even be aware of when lawmakers passed a bill to designate the bald eagle as the national bird. Since it was engraved on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, the eagle has been universally assumed to be the country’s national bird, just as the Baltimore oriole is the state bird in Maryland and the robin is so named in Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin. | | | | | | | | Birds That Attack Humans Bird attacks on humans are usually an action intended to protect territory or the young. It’s rarely pure aggressive. It’s not uncommon for a bird to attack because it mistakes something (like a person) for food. There are over 5,000 reported attacks by crows on humans. On a beach island in Massachusetts, a woman found herself occasionally dive-bombed by squawking birds. She was eventually forced to wear hats. (Some birds remember faces!) | | | | | | | | Bringing Back the Bluebirds I let down the front wall of the bluebird house, the gateway to the inside of the box, and saw four eggs – three blue and one white – in the tiny nest woven from grasses. Oh, wow! The previous day there had been nothing but the nest. And now the female bluebird had slipped in without me noticing, and quickly and efficiently, laid her eggs. We did it! Now we have bluebird eggs, I thought. I’d given up hope that this was going to happen. I’d found the brightly colored boxes at the Amish bird seminar last spring. | | | | | | | | Fruit And Berry Trees To Grow In Your Yard That Birds Love Growing fruit and berry trees is a great way to attract a diverse range of birds to your yard, while also contributing to the well-being of our feathered friends. In fact, planting bird-friendly trees is one of the most satisfying ways to help birds sustain themselves, especially through winter when food for these winged creatures can be scarce. Having a yard full of birds can also help to control insect populations because they often feed on common plant pests. Types of trees that produce delicious delights that birds love to feast on include black cherry, crabapple, and pawpaw trees. | | | | | | | | Over a Billion Birds Die After Striking U.S. Buildings Each Year — Maybe Many More The death toll is probably much higher than previously thought, U.S. researchers said. Light pollution that lures birds to urban areas is a particular problem. The majority of birds that are injured or stunned hitting buildings don’t recover, a new U.S. study has found, which could push estimates for the number of birds killed flying into buildings far above 1 billion a year. | | | | | | | | Windows Kill Birds. Could Legislation for 'bird-friendly' Windows Help? Nestled high above Cornell University’s campus, over 30 red-tailed hawk chicks have hatched, fed, and taken flight. They’re all part of one feathered family, raised by their mother, a hawk named Big Red. Big Red and her brood have been the stars of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s bird cam since 2012. “They see what's happening in the nest all the way from when that egg is laid to when it's hatching,” said Dr. Miyoko Chu, the communications director for the lab. | | | | | | | | Climate Poses Greatest Threat to North American Birds A number of factors put birds at risk, from pesticides to pollution to habitat loss, but none have as great an effect as climate change, researchers have found. In a recent study published in Global Environmental Change Advances, researchers found climate change plays the greatest role in ongoing bird declines in North America. That’s particularly true for specialist birds with specific habitat and diet needs. | | | | | | | | Some Birds ‘Win’ and Some ‘Lose’ with Sea Level Rise, Expert Says Global sea level rise is accelerating every year due to climate change, and it could threaten the very existence of some coastal bird species. High tides are becoming higher because of sea level rise, allowing storm surges to push saltwater farther inland towards saltwater marshes and upland forests. When saltwater floods these coastal ecosystems, it can cause significant changes to the vegetation that birds rely on for food and shelter. | | | | | | | | How Climate Change Will Affect Birds in Maryland Highly and moderately vulnerable birds may lose more than half of their current range—the geographic area where they live—as they are forced to search for suitable habitat and climate conditions elsewhere. Below, find out which of the birds that nest or spend the winter in your area are most vulnerable across their entire range. Some birds may lose range outside of your state, making the protection of their current habitat in your area even more important. | | | | | | | | The Art of Birds, The Science of Birds Art and science are two great human endeavors driven by parallel forces: our persistent curiosity and our vivid imagination. Both have long found a home at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Art and science might be humankind’s two most noble enterprises, and they have lived culturally hand-in-hand ever since our first applications of paint to depict animals, people, and action on the walls of caves. | | | | | | | | Slow Birding The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard By Joan E. Strassmann A one-of-a-kind guide to birding locally that encourages readers to slow down and notice the spectacular birds all around them.
Many birders travel far and wide to popular birding destinations to catch sight of rare or “exotic” birds. In Slow Birding, evolutionary biologist Joan E. Strassmann introduces readers to the joys of birding right where they are.
In this inspiring guide to the art of slow birding, Strassmann tells colorful stories of the most common birds to be found in the United States—birds we often see but might not have considered deeply before. For example, northern cardinals thrive in the city, where they are free from predators. White brows on a male white-throated sparrow indicate that he is likely to be a philanderer. This essential guide to the fascinating world of common, everyday birds features: - detailed portraits of individual bird species and the scientists who have discovered and observed them
- advice and guidance on what to look for when slow birding, so that you can uncover clues to the reasons behind specific bird behaviors
- bird-focused activities that will open your eyes more to the fascinating world of birds
Slow Birding is the perfect guide for the birder looking to appreciate the beauty of the birds right in their own backyard, observing keenly how their behaviors change from day to day and season to season. Click here to purchase | | | | | | Feather Trails:
A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds “[This book] deserves to be read widely, because it is only in coming to understand these animals, suggests Osborn, that we can choose to love and help them.”—New Scientist
The story of one woman’s remarkable work with a trio of charismatic, endangered bird species—and her discoveries about the devastating threats that imperil them.
In Feather Trails, wildlife biologist and birder Sophie A. H. Osborn reveals how the harmful environmental choices we’ve made—including pesticide use, the introduction of invasive species, lead poisoning, and habitat destruction—have decimated Peregrine Falcons, Hawaiian Crows, and California Condors.
In the Rocky Mountains, the cloud forests of Hawai’i, and the Grand Canyon, Sophie and her colleagues work day-to-day to try to reintroduce these birds to the wild, even when it seems that the odds are steeply stacked against their survival. With humor and suspense, Feather Trails introduces us to the fascinating behaviors and unique personalities of Sophie’s avian charges and shows that what endangers them ultimately threatens all life on our planet. More than a deeply researched environmental investigation, Feather Trails is also a personal journey and human story, in which Sophie overcomes her own obstacles—among them heat exhaustion, poachers, rattlesnakes, and chauvinism. Ultimately, Feather Trails is an inspiring, poignant narrative about endangered birds and how our choices can help to ensure a future not only for the rarest species, but for us too. “An intimate look at the wonder and effort needed for working with endangered species in the wild. [Osborn’s] matter-of-fact writing style and wry humor make the reader part of the action.”—Booklist (starred review) Click here to purchase | | | | | | | | | | Black-necked Stilt This is one of the most easily recognized birds in America with its long, bright pink legs and striking black and white coloration. Black-necked Stilts are often found in the same areas as the American Avocet—mainly shallow water in open country, mudflats and marshes, but with a preference for fresh water. Their diet is mostly insects and crustaceans that live near or on the surface of the water such as flies, beetles, shrimp, crayfish, snails and at times tadpoles and small fish. | | | | | | | | Momentary Meditations are published every Monday to awaken what Rachel Carson called “the sense of wonder” and what Albert Schweitzer called “a reverence for life.” Looking deeply into our interdependence with all life on earth helps us know what we must do. In our harried world, these meditations are meant to serve as a renewable resource for compassion and love. Tapping Through Tapping through life’s hard surfaces you’ll find all the nourishment you need, if just only to hang on. | | | | | | | | Fall Flyway Festival Celebrates Birds and Native Plants This September, Birds Georgia will celebrate the Fall Flyway Festival with a host of in-person and virtual events to celebrate native plants and the key role they play for birds and other wildlife. The month-long celebration will include a variety of workshops and events designed to help Georgians learn more about gardening for birds and other wildlife using native plants. | | | | | | | | ABA Birding Festivals A comprehensive list of birding festivals nationwide. From the Sandhill Crane Festival in Arkansas to the Everglades Birding Festival in Florida you will probably find a birding festival near you on this easy to use chronological list. | | | | | | | | The August 2024 issue of Bird Watch and Wonder was produced by Ross Feldner | | | | | |  The Rachel Carson Council Depends on Tax-deductible Gifts From Concerned Individuals Like You. Please Help If You can. | | | |  Sign Up Here to Receive the RCC E-News and Other RCC Newsletters, Information and Alerts. | | | | | | | | | | | |
