|
BBA3 began gathering data on January 1, 2020, and will continue for five years. I recently learned that Cristina Niciporciukas, Adkins volunteer and birder extraordinaire, recently joined the team of volunteers. Oh behalf of Cristina, I request that any readers who know of or find nesting raptors, especially owls, to pass the information to me. The location of nesting Barn Owls is especially important because they are strictly nocturnal and difficult to find. Please note: the location of any nesting raptors or owls should never—repeat, never—be announced to a wide audience. Nesting owls are sensitive to disturbance. The guidance for all birders is "Do No Harm!"
Even though we are in the coldest part of winter, Cardinals began singing in my yard a week ago. It was the familiar "wacheer wacheer wacheer" song. Listen here. As the birds' bodies respond to the lengthening days by producing hormones for the upcoming breeding season, the song areas in their brains enlarge and develop. Adkins employees Lisa and Michelle report that Cardinals are attacking their car mirrors in the parking lot, a sure sign that the birds are already trying to establish territory by chasing off that strange cardinal in the mirror.
Spring is in the air for birds. For us, maybe not so much.
Please contact me with any questions and any raptor nesting information for Cristina. Jim Wilson ([email protected]).
Jeobirdy Answer: This local bird is the only regular brood parasite (lays eggs in other birds' nests).
Jeobirdy Question: What is the Brown-headed Cowbird? Their eggs have been found in 220 different species nests, including some, like a Mallard nest, where the eggs have no chance of survival.
| 
