Tuesday, March 3, 2009
I love writing and I love birds, but I no longer have time to write about birds. Just the way it is. Please continue to read the great websites along the sidebar.
Adios!
Adios!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Stimulus
Hey, here's a quick news update. The stimulus package, which will likely be signed by President Obama very soon, will include (finally) some serious funding for the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency which will (hopefully, is the money earmarked?) use the funds to fix some of the problems at our National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges and with drinking water systems. Although, and of course, the money is not enough to fully address the enormity of the problem, I'm glad so finally see a step in the right direction.
Read the AP story here.
Read the AP story here.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Dog Bar Gulls
Okay here's a look at the gulls I see on this breakwater. Click on the picture to enlarge.
1,2 - These are first or second winter Glaucous Gulls. I know it's not fair, but you're just going to have to trust me on that. I was there.
3,4,5,6 - These are non-adult Iceland Gulls
7 - adult Iceland Gull
8 - adult Greater Black-Backed Gull
9 - one of many non-adult Greater Black-Backed Gulls
10 - one of many adult Herring Gulls
11 - one of many non-adult Herring Gulls
12 - now, this is tougher. I know I saw Ring-Billed Gulls on that breakwater. Patrick left a comment below to that effect. However, I'm not sure I can find any in this picture. Look, I'm no gull whiz, but I'm stumped. My best guess is number 12, which may be a dark adult Ring-Billed, but is more likely a Herring Gull. If you are better at gull IDs than I, weigh in.
1,2 - These are first or second winter Glaucous Gulls. I know it's not fair, but you're just going to have to trust me on that. I was there.
3,4,5,6 - These are non-adult Iceland Gulls
7 - adult Iceland Gull
8 - adult Greater Black-Backed Gull
9 - one of many non-adult Greater Black-Backed Gulls
10 - one of many adult Herring Gulls
11 - one of many non-adult Herring Gulls
12 - now, this is tougher. I know I saw Ring-Billed Gulls on that breakwater. Patrick left a comment below to that effect. However, I'm not sure I can find any in this picture. Look, I'm no gull whiz, but I'm stumped. My best guess is number 12, which may be a dark adult Ring-Billed, but is more likely a Herring Gull. If you are better at gull IDs than I, weigh in.
Friday, January 30, 2009
What Gulls Do You See?
This is a picture of the Dog Bar breakwater, outside of Gloucester, Mass. As a guy used to seeing only white-winged gull at a time, I as amazed at how many were on this single breakwater. How many white-winged gulls can you find? (Click to enlarge)
While I'm at it, here are a lot of other, better pictures taken by Doug Hitchcox from our Mass/Ivory Gull trip last weekend. Why are there no Ivory Gull pictures? Because when we finally got to Plymouth, the bird was, like, a mile out and the arctic wind was blowing at 400 miles per second, slicing through my skin and turning my marrow into icicles. Hey, we saw it, though. Other than that slight disappointment, it was a great day.
Lapland Longspur
White-winged Crossbill
Iceland Gull
Tons of gulls following a fishing boat
While I'm at it, here are a lot of other, better pictures taken by Doug Hitchcox from our Mass/Ivory Gull trip last weekend. Why are there no Ivory Gull pictures? Because when we finally got to Plymouth, the bird was, like, a mile out and the arctic wind was blowing at 400 miles per second, slicing through my skin and turning my marrow into icicles. Hey, we saw it, though. Other than that slight disappointment, it was a great day.
Lapland Longspur
White-winged Crossbill
Iceland Gull
Tons of gulls following a fishing boat
Labels: birding, gulls, massachusetts
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Bird-Related Sports Uniform Designs: Part 2
In the world of bird-related sports teams, the Baltimore Orioles stand head and shoulders above the rest. Not only is their logo among the most ornithologically-accurate of all the sports teams (except for the eye and bill color), but they are the only team whose name is the same as the whole species' common name. Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Orioles.
It's a great idea, and one that more cities have unfortunately not taken advantage of. Why can't I go catch a California Towhees football game? Who wouldn't want Key West Quail Dove season tickets?
Although there's no good reason for these teams not to exist, there's also no reason I can't use my imagination to invent them. So here we go. Based on my previous post about current bird-related team uniform redesigns, here are the plumage-based uniforms of some teams I'd like to see:
The Carolina Chickadees
A pretty sharp-looking ball team, if I do say so myself. I like the peach-gray combination. The pants could be either gray or white, I suppose.
California Condors
California Condors are a no-brainer. It's a big, intimidating bird. It's endangered. As you can see in the photo above, they've got their own uniform numbers already! I would be terrified of a team wearing the above uniforms. Actually, it looks like the team already exists (although I don't know how good the unis are): the Southern California Condors Mixed-martial Arts squad.
California Gulls
Okay so the Gulls maybe aren't as tough as the Condors, but I think gulls match the laid-back beach attitude of SoCal pretty well. Plus, I can't pass up a chance to make a baseball cap with gonys spots.
Other potential California birds are the California Gnatcatcher, Thrasher and Towhee. These birds don't really, in my opinion, have plumages that translate well into uniforms. Sorry, guys.
Oregon Juncos
Oregon, I assume, is a good place for a hockey team. This bird translates into a pretty cool uniform.
Connecticut Warblers
Cape May Warblers
If Cape May, NJ had a pro team they'd have to be the Warblers, right? Not my best artwork, but I think it'd be a cool helmet in the right hands.
Myrtle (Beach, S.C.) Warblers
I really like being able to use the armpit and back sections of this jersey to mimic the yellow sections of the Myrtle Warbler, the Eastern race of the Yellow-rumped Warbler.
American (University) Oystercatchers
Note the bird's red eye as reflected on the top button of the hat.
Canada Warblers
Of course the Canadian team would be a hockey team. A real sharp jersey I think.
If any other artists out there have other designs you like, or uniforms for any of the other possible bird teams out there, let me know!
It's a great idea, and one that more cities have unfortunately not taken advantage of. Why can't I go catch a California Towhees football game? Who wouldn't want Key West Quail Dove season tickets?
Although there's no good reason for these teams not to exist, there's also no reason I can't use my imagination to invent them. So here we go. Based on my previous post about current bird-related team uniform redesigns, here are the plumage-based uniforms of some teams I'd like to see:
The Carolina Chickadees
A pretty sharp-looking ball team, if I do say so myself. I like the peach-gray combination. The pants could be either gray or white, I suppose.
California Condors
California Condors are a no-brainer. It's a big, intimidating bird. It's endangered. As you can see in the photo above, they've got their own uniform numbers already! I would be terrified of a team wearing the above uniforms. Actually, it looks like the team already exists (although I don't know how good the unis are): the Southern California Condors Mixed-martial Arts squad.
California Gulls
Okay so the Gulls maybe aren't as tough as the Condors, but I think gulls match the laid-back beach attitude of SoCal pretty well. Plus, I can't pass up a chance to make a baseball cap with gonys spots.
Other potential California birds are the California Gnatcatcher, Thrasher and Towhee. These birds don't really, in my opinion, have plumages that translate well into uniforms. Sorry, guys.
Oregon Juncos
Oregon, I assume, is a good place for a hockey team. This bird translates into a pretty cool uniform.
Connecticut Warblers
Cape May Warblers
If Cape May, NJ had a pro team they'd have to be the Warblers, right? Not my best artwork, but I think it'd be a cool helmet in the right hands.
Myrtle (Beach, S.C.) Warblers
I really like being able to use the armpit and back sections of this jersey to mimic the yellow sections of the Myrtle Warbler, the Eastern race of the Yellow-rumped Warbler.
American (University) Oystercatchers
Note the bird's red eye as reflected on the top button of the hat.
Canada Warblers
Of course the Canadian team would be a hockey team. A real sharp jersey I think.
If any other artists out there have other designs you like, or uniforms for any of the other possible bird teams out there, let me know!
Labels: birding, birds, sports, uniforms
Friday, January 16, 2009
Bird-Related Sports Uniform Redesigns: Part 1
I really didn't want to do this yet, but I just got excited and couldn't stop.
While writing a couple posts on bird-themed sports logos for 10,000 Birds I got to thinkin' about a couple things. First, I wondered what it would be like if sports teams modeled their uniform designs on the uniform designs (aka plumages) of their mascots. What if the Philadelphia Eagles dressed like Bald Eagles?
Philadelphia Eagles
Although I suppose they could be the Golden Eagles, I think Bald Eagle plumage translates better into a uniform. It's pretty simple: A white helmet with a yellow facemask paired with a brown and white jersey. I think it actually looks pretty good: it's dignified but still intimidating. If I were on the team, I'd wear red gloves to mimic a pair of blood-stained talons.
Atlanta Thrashers
The Thrashers have one of the worst logos in sports. I think it's because Brown Thrashers (the state bird of Georgia) are basically brown, buff and white and because they average sports fan is likely less familiar with Thrashers than, say, Cardinals or Eagles. Bullsnarky, I say. You designers just weren't being creative enough. Work around a bit with those buff, brown and white colors and you've got yourself a pretty snappy little jersey. Toss a few brown spots down the sides to mimic the chest streaks of Brown Thrashers and you've done yourself a sartorial AND ornithological favor.
Toronto Blue Jays - Compare with actual
St. Louis Cardinals- Compare
Baltimore Orioles - Compare
Okay so I didn't like the baseball template as much, but here are the three designs. The Orioles and Blue Jays jerseys really aren't too much far from uniforms that the teams have worn in the past. Baseball caps are good for bird-themed teams because you can use the bill to mimic the, well, bill. So, the Orioles now have a metallic-gray brim and the Cardinals have a pinkish brim.
Okay well that's all for current teams, but stay tuned for Part 2 where I answer the age-old questions: What would the uniforms of the Carolina Chickadees look like? What about the California Condors? The American (Univ.) Oystercatchers? And more?!
While writing a couple posts on bird-themed sports logos for 10,000 Birds I got to thinkin' about a couple things. First, I wondered what it would be like if sports teams modeled their uniform designs on the uniform designs (aka plumages) of their mascots. What if the Philadelphia Eagles dressed like Bald Eagles?
So I found a bunch of uniform templates online and made some crude redesigns of current teams. Here's what I've got:
Although I suppose they could be the Golden Eagles, I think Bald Eagle plumage translates better into a uniform. It's pretty simple: A white helmet with a yellow facemask paired with a brown and white jersey. I think it actually looks pretty good: it's dignified but still intimidating. If I were on the team, I'd wear red gloves to mimic a pair of blood-stained talons.
Atlanta Thrashers
The Thrashers have one of the worst logos in sports. I think it's because Brown Thrashers (the state bird of Georgia) are basically brown, buff and white and because they average sports fan is likely less familiar with Thrashers than, say, Cardinals or Eagles. Bullsnarky, I say. You designers just weren't being creative enough. Work around a bit with those buff, brown and white colors and you've got yourself a pretty snappy little jersey. Toss a few brown spots down the sides to mimic the chest streaks of Brown Thrashers and you've done yourself a sartorial AND ornithological favor.
Toronto Blue Jays - Compare with actual
St. Louis Cardinals- Compare
Baltimore Orioles - Compare
Okay so I didn't like the baseball template as much, but here are the three designs. The Orioles and Blue Jays jerseys really aren't too much far from uniforms that the teams have worn in the past. Baseball caps are good for bird-themed teams because you can use the bill to mimic the, well, bill. So, the Orioles now have a metallic-gray brim and the Cardinals have a pinkish brim.
Okay well that's all for current teams, but stay tuned for Part 2 where I answer the age-old questions: What would the uniforms of the Carolina Chickadees look like? What about the California Condors? The American (Univ.) Oystercatchers? And more?!
Labels: birds, sports, uniforms
Monday, January 12, 2009
Interview with Peter Vickery on Ptarmigan in Maine
I was messing around on the internet yesterday and came across the 1905 Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society. It's pretty interesting reading, both because it's nice to see that people a century ago were just as passionate about birds as we are, and to compare what birds were being seen then and now (check out the writer on page 11 excitedly relating the increasing numbers of Mallards).
Birdist: Maine ptarmigans are mentioned by John J. Audubon as having been taken by Theodore Lincoln of Dennisville, ME and in the 1905 Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society as having been found in Kenduskeag. Are there other old records of ptarmigan being found in the state? What do you think of the authenticity of these early reports?
Peter Vickery: Both Knight (Birds of Maine, 1908) and Palmer (Maine Birds, 1949) list the Kenduskeag bird. This record was published in the AUK 9:300.
Audubon's account has been discredited, as it true for many of his distributional remarks.
This is part of the Willow Ptarmigan account from our book:
"Palmer (1949) noted that Audubon (1834:528) mentioned that Willow ptarmigan occurred in Maine. 'No doubt this report, generally believed to be erroneous, furnished the basis for inclusion of this bird in the Maine fauna (Palmer 1949:171).' ... Audubon apparently stated that Theodore Lincoln, of Dennysville, Washington County had shot as many as seven birds in one day. Everett Smith (1882-83:224) communicated with Lincoln on this subject and stated that Lincoln 'informed me that he could not remember ever finding the ptarmigan in Maine, and that ‘probably Mr. Audubon referred to those shot further North. Mr. Lincoln speaks of the Canada Grouse [Spruce Grouse], as ‘spotted grouse,’ and it is my belief that the incident of the seven birds shot in one day near Dennysville, Me. related by Mr. Audubon, was probably referable to the ‘spotted’ or Canada Grouse.’ (Palmer 1949:171-172)”
The other records include: Sherman Mills in 1951, Harpswell, 1977, Brooks in 1990, Great Chebeague Island, 2000.
I paused, though, at a sentence on page 3 discussing the taxidermy collection of Mr. Manly Hardy: "Among the Maine novelties is the specimen of Willow Ptarmigan taken at Kenduskeag..."
Iiiiinteresting, I thought. I had thought before about ptarmigan in Maine and wondered whether they could, or had ever, been established in the state. Researching a bit more, I discovered a quote from none other than John J. Audubon claiming that Theodore Lincoln of Dennisville (the father of Thomas Lincoln, for whom the Lincoln's Sparrow is named) had shot several ptarmigan in the state and knew where to find others.
With my interest rolling, I sent a message out to my local listserve looking for other information on ptarmigans in the state. Luckily one of the first to respond was Peter Vickery, one of Maine's most respected birders and, according to another respondent "the source of all things historical." Peter did indeed know of a handful of Maine ptarmigan records, and agreed to take time away from working on a book of Maine Birds to talk with me about them.
Birdist: Maine ptarmigans are mentioned by John J. Audubon as having been taken by Theodore Lincoln of Dennisville, ME and in the 1905 Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society as having been found in Kenduskeag. Are there other old records of ptarmigan being found in the state? What do you think of the authenticity of these early reports?
Peter Vickery: Both Knight (Birds of Maine, 1908) and Palmer (Maine Birds, 1949) list the Kenduskeag bird. This record was published in the AUK 9:300.
Audubon's account has been discredited, as it true for many of his distributional remarks.
This is part of the Willow Ptarmigan account from our book:
"Palmer (1949) noted that Audubon (1834:528) mentioned that Willow ptarmigan occurred in Maine. 'No doubt this report, generally believed to be erroneous, furnished the basis for inclusion of this bird in the Maine fauna (Palmer 1949:171).' ... Audubon apparently stated that Theodore Lincoln, of Dennysville, Washington County had shot as many as seven birds in one day. Everett Smith (1882-83:224) communicated with Lincoln on this subject and stated that Lincoln 'informed me that he could not remember ever finding the ptarmigan in Maine, and that ‘probably Mr. Audubon referred to those shot further North. Mr. Lincoln speaks of the Canada Grouse [Spruce Grouse], as ‘spotted grouse,’ and it is my belief that the incident of the seven birds shot in one day near Dennysville, Me. related by Mr. Audubon, was probably referable to the ‘spotted’ or Canada Grouse.’ (Palmer 1949:171-172)”
The other records include: Sherman Mills in 1951, Harpswell, 1977, Brooks in 1990, Great Chebeague Island, 2000.
Birdist: Here is Audubon's quote about the Maine ptarmigan:
Peter Vickery: As I understand the situation, Audubon attributed the shooting to Lincoln, who specifically stated that he didn't shoot ptarmigan in Maine. Seems very clear to me.
Also, how likely is it that anyone would shoot 7 ptarmigan in a day in Maine, even in the 19th Century? That's inconceivable.
Birdist: I see, so it's accepted that Lincoln and "the hunter" are the same person. It seems to me that from that passage Audubon could be referring to two different people, but I will certainly defer to those who have done a more thorough study of Audubon's work that I have.
Where do you think these birds came from?
Peter Vickery: I doubt that ptarmigan bred in Maine in recent post-glacial times but that they might well have been breeding in Maine as the glaciers receded, perhaps 5 - 8 K years ago. But that's just supposition.
It seems clear that these birds are misdirected migrants. Interior populations of ptarmigan make substantial migrations south in late fall, traveling hundreds of miles. Most Maine records occur in spring when these birds should be migrating north. No one is clear why some of these birds fly in the wrong direction, but it seems to be the case with many species of birds, including ptarmigan.
I would add that there is a single record of Willow Ptarmigan for Massachusetts. This record was initially dismissed as a captive bird but is now generally viewed as a legitimate vagrant.
Birdist: I'm intrigued by the Great Chebeague bird from 2000. Were you one of the lucky few to see this bird? Do you believe it was of wild origin? Based on your "reverse migration" idea for Maine ptarmigan records, do you think this bird came to Casco Bay after mistakenly flying too far south (much like fall migrants on Cousin's Island)?
Although I have not seen this beautiful bird within the limits of the United States, I feel assured that it exists in the State of Maine, as well as in the northern districts bordering on the great lakes. THEODORE LINCOLN, Esq., of Dennisville in Maine, shot seven one day, not many miles from that village; and the hunter who guided me to the breeding-grounds of the Canada Grouse assured me that he also knew where the "Red-necked Partridge" was to be found. The places which he described as frequented by them, seemed to bear as near a resemblance to those in which I found the species in Labrador and Newfoundland, as the difference of latitude and vegetation could admit.If we rule out Lincoln's birds as mistaken Spruce Grouse, we still have the "hunter" who, although providing nothing except hearsay, makes a clear distinction between Canada [Spruce] Grouse and "Red-necked Partridge." Have you come across anything about this "hunter" in your research or know anything more about this story?
Peter Vickery: As I understand the situation, Audubon attributed the shooting to Lincoln, who specifically stated that he didn't shoot ptarmigan in Maine. Seems very clear to me.
Also, how likely is it that anyone would shoot 7 ptarmigan in a day in Maine, even in the 19th Century? That's inconceivable.
Birdist: I see, so it's accepted that Lincoln and "the hunter" are the same person. It seems to me that from that passage Audubon could be referring to two different people, but I will certainly defer to those who have done a more thorough study of Audubon's work that I have.
Where do you think these birds came from?
Peter Vickery: I doubt that ptarmigan bred in Maine in recent post-glacial times but that they might well have been breeding in Maine as the glaciers receded, perhaps 5 - 8 K years ago. But that's just supposition.
It seems clear that these birds are misdirected migrants. Interior populations of ptarmigan make substantial migrations south in late fall, traveling hundreds of miles. Most Maine records occur in spring when these birds should be migrating north. No one is clear why some of these birds fly in the wrong direction, but it seems to be the case with many species of birds, including ptarmigan.
I would add that there is a single record of Willow Ptarmigan for Massachusetts. This record was initially dismissed as a captive bird but is now generally viewed as a legitimate vagrant.
Birdist: I'm intrigued by the Great Chebeague bird from 2000. Were you one of the lucky few to see this bird? Do you believe it was of wild origin? Based on your "reverse migration" idea for Maine ptarmigan records, do you think this bird came to Casco Bay after mistakenly flying too far south (much like fall migrants on Cousin's Island)?
[Note: Here's a website with pictures of the Chebeague ptarmigan and some information on other Maine sightings.]
Peter Vickery: Yes I did see the bird and have no doubt that it was a misguided vagrant.
The origin of the Great Chebeague ptarmigan was fully consistent with the reverse migration pattern, so that's what I think happened with this bird. ø
Peter Vickery: Yes I did see the bird and have no doubt that it was a misguided vagrant.
The origin of the Great Chebeague ptarmigan was fully consistent with the reverse migration pattern, so that's what I think happened with this bird. ø
Labels: audubon, maine, Peter Vickery, ptarmigan
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