insect declines and their effects

A new paper on insect declines has sparked worldwide interest:

More than 75 percent decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in protected areas

 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0185809

 And more than that, how it influences bird populations, and why we're interested: https://wglbbo.org/aerial-insectivores

Please join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1581381955435390/
(This Discussion Group has been built over 2 1/2 years to 87 members; are you one yet?)

Please help us expand this effort.

learn about the Rusty Blackbird

One of North America's fastest-declining songbirds, the Rusty Blackbird is the focus of several studies and initiatives. Learn more at http://rustyblackbird.org/ - the website of the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group.

my favorite trees this fall

 

Information about the red maple (Acer rubrum)

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j170

raptor watches at Forest Beach Mig. Preserve

This past week, we had one of the first good raptor days of the fall, at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve, in Ozau. Co.

On the NW winds:

Swainson's Hawk - Ph. by Arthur Drobniak, via Wikim. Commons

Swainson's Hawk (1 light morph adult)
Red-tailed Hawk 23
Turkey Vulture 15
Bald Eagle 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 4
Northern Harrier 1
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Kestrel 1

More such days will be possible, with the right weather conditions. Notice will be posted here!

more about Chimney Swifts

 

Nesting Chimney Swift: ph. USNPS, Wikim. Commons

Learn about Chimney Swifts this fall - go the website of the WI Chimney Swift Working Group, at http://www.wiswifts.org/videos-from-swift-night-out-events/ and see video of swifts at autumn roost locations.

Learn about Chimney Swift towers - replacements for capped chimneys: http://nc.audubon.org/news/build-your-own-chimney-swift-tower

In Wisconsin and other northern states, two things can help your tower to be more successful
a) insulation (Due to our frequently-cool spring weather, tower designs from southern states are often not sufficiently insulated. To offset this, add insulation in your tower design-and-build phase.)

b) use of playback recordings as an attractant (As with Purple Martins, starting a new colony/swift nesting site can be greatly aided by deploying a recording of swift vocalizations.)

Learn more at
WI Chimney Swift Working Group: http://www.wiswifts.org/

Facts about declining aerial insectivores:
https://wglbbo.org/aerial-insectivores

Join the Midwest Aerial Insectivore Discussion Group, on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1581381955435390/

news from BirdLife International

Learn about BirdLife International, their work, and news, at http://www.birdlife.org/

Nighthawk watches this week Tues and Wed - Forest Beach Migratory Preserve

Join us at 6:50 pm on either or both Tuesday or Wednesday evenings (Aug29 and 30), at the Bill Cowart Memorial Raptor Watch platform, at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve. In the parking lot just south of the building, there will be a map posted at the kiosk, with the location of the raptor watch platform (for anyone who has never been here before). Large flights of nighthawks have already been seen in areas north of us, and this last week of August is usually the peak time at our location. (26 August was a good night in 2013, for example:http://futureofbirds.blogspot.com/2013/08/nighthawk-watch-aug-26-2013-forest.html). Other species already on migration may also be seen.