The Birders Report

Northern Pintails In Flight photo by Larry Jordan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will hold a national media teleconference to announce the 2010 “State of the Birds Report,” which this year focuses on the effects of climate change on migratory bird populations in the United States.

Taking part in the teleconference will be Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, USFWS Assistant Director Migratory Bird Program Paul Schmidt, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Executive Director John Fitzpatrick, The Nature Conservancy Director Mark Tercek, and American Bird Conservancy State of the Birds Science Team Members.

The report is a collaborative effort of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (U.S. Committee), American Bird Conservancy, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Klamath Bird Observatory, National Audubon Society, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, and U.S. Geological Survey.

The teleconference will be held on Thursday, March 11th at 2:45 EST.  For more information on the teleconference, check the Department of the Interior website here.

As stated in the 2010 report, “Global climate change is altering the natural world in ways we are only beginning to understand.  One message emerges loud and clear, only committed collective action can protect nature’s resources. It is up to us to safeguard birds, their habitat, and the environment we all share and depend on for our own lives and those of future generations.”

Click here for a copy of the “State of the Birds 2010 Report” or click on the link in the right column to go to the “State of the Birds” website.

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, Redding, California photos by Larry Jordan

The Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay Exploration Park, located in Redding, has become a well known landmark in Northern California offering a myriad of activities and learning opportunities for people of all ages.  The Sundial Bridge spans 700 feet across the Sacramento River and soars 217 feet into the air (click here for the facts and figures pdf file).

This vast playground includes a museum, botanical gardens and Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp which includes a butterfly house, an amphitheater where outdoor wildlife shows are performed and a playground for kids too (see the map here).

Hermit Thrush

This area is also a haven for birds.  There is oak savannah habitat offering many passerine species  as well as many shorebirds and waterfowl that can be observed along the river and adjacent ponds.  There is now a paved path (part of the Sacramento River Trail) from the park entrance meandering around the south side of the park, through the trees, past secluded ponds to the Sacramento River.  The path continues along the river, returning you back to the Sundial Bridge.

Common Merganser

On the north side of the bridge there are several trails that traverse hundreds of acres, the most famous being the Sacramento River Trail.  Walking through these giant oak trees near the river is where I found this nesting Ash-throated Flycatcher last summer.

Ash-throated Flycatcher

And right near the museum the other day, on the river trail, I was treated to a close-up look at one of the two Bald Eagles nesting on the south end of the river trail, next to highway 44.  Either Patriot or Liberty flew directly over my head and perched in a cottonwood tree just above the trail.

You can see a live webcam of Patriot and Liberty here.  They are incubating 3 eggs now which are estimated to hatch between March 25 and the 28th.  You can get the latest news on the Redding Eagles here.  And see more great photos from around the world at That’s My World!

Anna’s Hummingbird Female Being Courted photos by Larry Jordan

Spring is in the air in Northern California even though it is still a couple of weeks away.  Anna’s Hummingbirds, as I stated in an earlier post, nest early and thus avoid competition from other hummingbird species.  They may begin nesting in November or December but these two appear to be ready now.

As I walk into the backyard I here the distinctive “chirp” of the male Anna’s Hummingbird performing his dive display.  The sound is actually created by the male spreading his tail at a speed of up to 60 miles per hour.  Watch this 1 minute video.

The object of the dive display may be a female prior to mating or it may be a territorial display used to chase out another hummingbird.

When I heard the “chirp” Brigitte said “the hummingbird is right here.”  I slowly walked to where she was gardening and followed her pointing finger to this female, perched nearly on the ground, just a few feet from where she was working.

I ran to the back porch to get the camera and came back.  The bird was still there.  She was not moving other than to look up occasionally (presumably at the male).  I slowly closed in for a better photo, hoping not to alarm her.  She was not interested in me.  Then I understood why.

The male Anna’s Hummingbird flew down and performed a “shuttle display” about a foot away from the female and directly in front of her.  On sunny days like today, the male’s dive display is oriented so that the sun is reflected from his crown and gorget.  Impressive isn’t it?

She watched as he shuttled back and forth on the other side of a temporary nylon netting, displaying his glistening gorget in the sun.  Then he came closer to her, still displaying…

She watched him closely…

And then he chased her, as she most likely led him to her nest that she has been building for several days now, to mate.  Ah, springtime in the backyard, exquisite.

To see more about Anna’s Hummingbird courtship and nesting behavior you can watch this 3 minute video from Britannica.com.

For more great bird photos, check out Bird Photography Weekly and the Friday Ark.