The Birders Report

Acorn Woodpeckers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, White-breasted Nuthatches And More Visit The Waterfall

by Larry Jordan on August 16, 2009

Acorn Woodpecker Male Juvenile photos by Larry Jordan

It’s summertime and the living is easy, as long as you have water! When the temperatures rise in the summer, birds need a good source of fresh water in which to drink and bathe. Birds and mammals alike, have a great need for water to survive. Not only is water the body’s main coolant, it also is the transport medium for nutrients into, and waste products out of, the body.

Black-headed Grosbeak Juvenile

Birds have a slight advantage in that their body temperatures range from 104^o to 108^o Fahrenheit. However, when the ambient temperature gets above the bird’s body temperature, they must lose heat through evaporative cooling. Since they don’t have sweat glands, one way for passerine birds to lower their body temperature is by panting. Another method birds use to lose heat to the environment is to dilate the blood vessels going to their bare, scaly legs.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Perhaps you have noticed that you don’t see too many birds out and about in the heat of the day when the temperatures are high. During these hot summer months, birds will forage early in the morning and in the early evening when the temperatures are more forgiving. During the hottest time of the day, you will find them in the shade or in the water trying to stay cool.

Anna’s Hummingbird Female Juvenile

Providing a fresh water source is not only essential for the health of your birds, it provides you with endless entertainment. Watching as different species of birds fly in and out of your bird bath or fountain, splashing about as their friends look on, or even join in the fun, can be very amusing.

American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin Enjoying The Flowing Water

Western Scrub-Jay Juvenile Getting A Drink

These are just a few of the birds I have coming to my water feature to drink and bathe. For more information on providing fresh water for your birds, read my post on “Waterfalls, Ponds and Fountains – Birds Can’t Resist Moving Water.” Then get on over to Birdfreak to see the rest of the entries in Bird Photography Weekly.

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A Smoky Sunrise Over Northern California

by Larry Jordan on August 12, 2009

Forest Fires In Northern California Give A Fiery Sunrise

The forest fires in Northern California have given us some interesting sunrises but it is always a scary time of year for us. This is a shot of the sun coming up over Mount Lassen.

If you want to see some really cool skies, check out Skywatch Friday and join the fun!

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The Illusive Lincoln’s Sparrow In Flight

by Larry Jordan on August 8, 2009

Lincoln’s Sparrow photos by Larry Jordan

The Lincoln’s Sparrow is somewhat secretive but I was fortunate to capture this one on the auto tour at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge last March. It was singing its beautiful, sweet, bubbling song that you can hear courtesy of Cornell Lab here.

They are a striking, multicolored songbird that stopped me in my tracks when I saw it. I was lucky enough to snap a photo as it flew off. As it flew away, I thanked the little cutie for giving me such a nice view.

To see some really nice bird photos, check out Bird Photography Weekly!

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One Out Of Every Five Americans Watches Birds

by Larry Jordan on August 5, 2009

bird watchers, birders, watching birds

Watching Birds In California photo by Larry Jordan

A report released recently by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows that one out of five Americans watches birds. This activity contributed $36 billion in trip and equipment expenditures generating $82 billion in total industry output to the U.S. economy in 2006, the most recent year of economic data available.

The report titled "Birding InThe United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis," presents information on the participation and expenditure patterns of 48 million birders in 2006. It shows that backyard birding is the most prevalent form of birding with 88% of birders watching birds from the comfort of their own homes. Forty-two percent of birders travel more than a mile from home to bird watch, visiting both private and public lands.

What is a birder? The National Survey uses a conservative definition. To be counted as a birder, an individual must have either taken a trip one mile or more from home for the primary purpose of observing birds and/or closely observed or tried to identify birds around the home.

The report is an addendum to the "2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation," which includes extensive information on wildlife watching, hunting and fishing. Another addendum to this report is "Wildlife Watching in the U.S.: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economies in 2006" detailing the economic impact of all this wildlife watching on our economy. And finally "Wildlife Watching Trends: 1991–2006 A Reference Report," notes that roughly one out of three Americans, or 71 million people, participated in wildlife watching in 2006. More than four times greater than the attendance of all National League Football teams during the 2006 season! That’s a lot of economic influence wielded by nature lovers!

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