2013 and beyond

It's pretty simple: the most birds seen or heard from one's yard during 2013 will be the "winner". Want in? O.k....then do it despite that.

2013 promises to be a lot less mean but still a carbon-free birding competition, even if slightly less exciting than a MEGA x EPIC hybrid.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

End of days continue in the North Woods

So my predawn year-yard tick came in the form of a singing Winter Wren from the back of the Haas Tract. This is not a regular visitor to the Hill, I think its been a few years since I've had one here, a fact some of you might think is unusual, till I saw no one else even has this bird yet this year and I'm the most northerly participant of this little Fete we run here. 

So what is really amazing is, that I'm reporting this bird on March 25 from Marquette. Had not a couple other local birders had a WIWR early last week from the local lake-side park, my little brush-troglodyte would be the earliest MQT County record by several days, with only one previous March record in the last 8 years (ie, the duration Ive been keeping a FOS arrival database...).

Having just returned from a bird conservation conference, I may be laying it on a bit thick here, but I'm depressed with all that has happened to bird populations and all the work we have yet to do, and as wonderful as the sound of a singing Winter Wren is, I just can't help but feel the sadness that there are changes afoot that could of been avoided had we just had some foresight in regards to climate change.

oh yeah, that's right we did. That intell has just been ignored or discredited for the last 20+ years....

Ok- Im off the soapbox... lets get back to making fun of Caleb!

4 comments:

  1. It was nice to see you two face to face for once, SWKA and SKHA! If only it could have lasted longer... Back to the yardbird grind!

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  2. yeah totally agreed duder, we don't spend enough time together. Might I add, I love your Yooper beard! Now you look like a REAL birder.

    However, one small quibble....
    Don't think it went unnoticed, your quietly slipping out without saying goodbye to anyone. Do it again and we'll break your fingers....

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