The Roost

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

Bird Watching with Alexa: Beneath the Cage Grate

The other day I was talking with Alexa and I asked her if she might give me some suggestions for a hobby I might pursue. We came to an agreement that bird watching might be a good hobby for me. I could exit right out my window and glide down to the ground below. Alexa could roll out the window and bounce as she hits the ground. We could go bird watching together…- Morty

IMG_20190603_094118 What could possibly go wrong with these two on a field trip? Well, you guessed it, things go hysterically sideways!

Read Morty’s June Beneath the Cage Grate submission to find out how he and Alexa ‘disagree’ on bird watching etiquette!

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

Personality

Anybody who believes that birds don’t have a personality have obviously never had one. It doesn’t take long to see that these extremely intelligent creatures are aware of what’s going on around them. – Sherri Moorer

Bubbles 2019 Sherri’s June Feathered Frenzy submission delves into the mysteries and wonders of parrot personality. What motivates, invigorates and maddens our birds is important for all parronts to understand, acknowledge and address.

Read how Sherri rewards and celebrates the distinctly different yet equally wonderful personalities of Bubbles and Zack in this month’s Feathered Frenzy article.

May 31, 2019

Top 25 Wild Bird Photographs of the Week: Blue — National Geographic Society Newsroom

For many years, scientists have known of how the red or yellow colour of feathers is achieved. These colours come from pigments in food the birds eat, meaning that they are diet based. One of the challenges in avian colour has been to figure out how the #blue colour is achieved. Interestingly, it came to…

via Top 25 Wild Bird Photographs of the Week: Blue — National Geographic Society Newsroom

May 30, 2019

Jared Diamond: Cautiously optimistic over climate change — BBC News – US & Canada

Geographer and historian Jared Diamond on the success of tackling threats like climate change.

via Jared Diamond: Cautiously optimistic over climate change — BBC News – US & Canada

May 30, 2019

Photo Capture # 93 – Boat-tailed Grackles — H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Boat-tailed Grackles “Looking for a cat on a tin roof” © HJ Ruiz – Avian101

via Photo Capture # 93 – Boat-tailed Grackles — H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

May 30, 2019

Hummingbirds in the Real World: evolution, physiology and relationship — GardenRiots

Hummingbirds are clearly fascinating and engaging creatures. They are biological wonders of ‘invention’, little gems that sparkle in their airborne dances through sunlight, with the seductive power to capture the attention of even the most incognizant of us lumbering earthbound humans, including many of those pretty much blind to the natural world. I did not […]

via Hummingbirds in the Real World: evolution, physiology and relationship — GardenRiots

May 30, 2019

Whitewater Lake ISS Trip with Lynnea Parker and Randy Mooi — Manitoba Important Bird Areas Program

Yesterday, May 29th, Randy Mooi and Lynnea Parker headed to Whitewater Lake to carry out International Shorebird Survey (ISS) transects. The day was pretty cloudy, smoke from Alberta creating dull, Mordor-like skies. randy commented as follows: ‘Not the most fantastic day to be at Whitewater, but decent shorebird numbers of a variety of species. Shocking […]

via Whitewater Lake ISS Trip with Lynnea Parker and Randy Mooi — Manitoba Important Bird Areas Program

May 7, 2019

May ’19 Issue of The Roost Online is Here!

IMG_20190505_124303

Find out what Morty, Cheeks and Sherri’s flock have been up to of late, and catch up on current wildlife and environmental issues in this month’s News On The Wing. Also, learn about blogger WildlifeKate on our new Wildlife Blog Watch page.

Happy reading everybirdie!

May 7, 2019May 7, 2019

News On The Wing – May 2019 Edition

The May 2019 Edition of News On The Wing covers a wide range of wildlife, plants, sea life, and woodland-related topics. So grab a cup of java and catch up on the issues affecting and threatening biodiversity on Earth, such as:

Woodland Trust – @WoodlandTrust

Hazel #dormouse numbers have declined by a third since 2000. Help us save the #woodland homes of the #wildlife we love this #spring woodlandtru.st/DT1yt #StandUpForTrees

AND from:

The Wildlife Trusts – @WildlifeTrusts

Offer live food to garden birds to help replace declining natural food supplies. They contain crucial moisture and can be taken back to the nest for chicks. Our friends

@Vinehousefarm

have a range of food and feeders to choose from. wtru.st/2I6vdAg Image: Nicholas Watts

Click here to read the May, 2019 edition of News On The Wing.

May 6, 2019May 7, 2019

Wildlife Blog Watch: WildlifeKate

word cloud A #UKBA19 Nature and Wildlife FINALIST at the UK Blog Awards, WildlifeKate is an excellent blogger, writing and capturing nature from on and around her Staffordshire, UK garden.

Check out her videos of this year’s tawny owl family – currently nurturing two fluffy owlets (unbeknownst to them, growing up on camera). Or, watch the growth and fledge of resident nesting blackbirds.

To visit WildlifeKate’s blog click here or check out her website.

Stay tuned for new additions on our Wildlife Blog Watch page!