New Species of Bird Discovered

In an unexplored mountain forest in northern Columbia a new colorful species of bird has been discovered. The red-crowned Yariguies brush-finch, named for the indigenous tribe that once lived in this area is a close relative to the yellow-breasted brush finch with the only difference being a solid black back and no white markings on its wings. I find it very exciting to know that there are still species of animals that are still yet to be discovered, but with the continuing loss of critical habitat there may be some unknown species that we may never know existed.

Saving Canada's Boreal Forests

Help save Canada's boreal forests that provide the vast areas needed by migrating birds. 30% of North America's songbirds and 40% of its waterfowl migrate here to build nests and rear their young. On the NRDC's (National Resource Defense Council) website it states that:

"Until recently the wildest stretch of the forest along the border of Manitoba and Ontario was in danger of losing these nesting grounds to new hydropower development. But in May 2005, the Manitoba government announced that it will seek alternative routes for proposed hydro transmission lines that would have cut through the forest. Yet until the government grants permanent protection to the region, the threat of transmission lines, roads, mining and logging remains."
The NRDC has joined other environmental groups in an urgent campaign to save this area. Go here to urge the Manitoba government to protect First Nations land in the boreal.

SORA

If anyone is interested in finding bird based scientific articles in Ornithological journals for research or reading there is a searchable site called Searchable Ornithological Research Archive (or SORA) that enables you to search seven different journals. They Include The Auk, Condor, North American Bird Bander, Pacific Coast Avifauna, Studies in Avian Biology, and Wilson Bulletin. You get entire articles, not just summaries and you can download them (pdf format). I have the link listed in my link list at the right or just click here.

An Unfortunate Find

Bobcats have always been a favorite of mine. I've set up remote cameras and hiked trails in search of this elusive cat in the Turkey Creek area of the Big Thicket which is perfect habitat for them. Rich in diversity it provides ample prey such as rabbits, voles, squirrels, deer and a million different ways to hide. I have found their sign in the way of scat, tracks, and scrapes, so I know they're there, it just that they haven't yet decided to present themselves to me. It's just a matter of patience. Then finally I come across one, but not in the way I had hoped. While driving down Highway 69/287 that courses through this area I spotted something along its edge. As I drove past I immediately knew it wasn't one of the usual road-killed animals I've come across. Not a raccoon, opossum, or armadillo. I instantly knew by the makings of its fur that it was something different....something elusive. As I turned around I could see the spotting on her belly and her "bobbed" striped tail and instantly knew what it was. I hate seeing any animal dead, but something such as this, something as stunning and secretive as this sincerely breaks my heart. What was she doing before she was killed? Hunting? Roaming? Did she have kittens to tend to? As we humans continue to effect climate change and encroach on what's left of their territory we will see more and more of this. I can only hope that the next one I come upon will be lazily alseep atop the limb of an ancient oak or padding its way through the thicket in search of a meal.