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| Blue-winged Teal / Photo by Jim Hudgins/USFWS |
Birds and birding news
- The Pentagon objected to a provision in the defense bill that would prohibit two grouse species from being listed under the Endangered Species Act, but then changed their minds (or had their minds changed for them).
- Barnacle Geese fly faster and skip stopovers as they migrate north to their breeding grounds in years when spring comes earlier than normal.
- A project is tracking the movements of Common Nighthawks to discover the reasons for their population decline.
- A nonbirder writes about dating a birder.
- The Common Crane population in the UK appears stable and will continue to grow after a 400-year absence.
- A bill to open a new funding stream for wildlife conservation based on energy revenues has bipartisan support in the House and Senate.
- Many animals, including Wild Turkeys and Bobcats, are learning how to live in cities and suburbs.
- A female Common Merganser was photographed with a train of 50 ducklings following her in Minnesota, and recently the number of ducklings increased to 76. The link includes an explanation of why she might be followed by so many.
- Seabird bycatch could be reduced by attaching LED lights to fishing nets.
- Midsummer is the season for shorebird migration and late nesters.
Science and nature blogging
- Corvid Research: Putting the “crow” in necrophilia
- Mia McPherson's On The Wing Photography: Incredible Phalarope Migration Happening Now at the Great Salt Lake
- 10,000 Birds: Exploring the Uncharted Bird World
- Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust: Tracking foxes in the Avon Valley: An update
- Edge Effects: Aldo Leopold and the Science of Seasons on an Out-of-Sync Planet
- BugBlog: How do female dragonflies avoid male harassment?
- Backyard and Beyond: Leaf-cutters
- Feathered Photography: The Novel ‘Revenge’ Of The American Goldfinch
- awkward botany: When Milkweed Kills
- Birding New Jersey: Are Wild Peacocks Deaf?
- The Birdist: Product Review: Wunderbird Gyrfalcon Sweatshirt
Environment and biodiversity
- The Interior Department wants to make major changes in how the Endangered Species Act is enforced, especially for species designated as "threatened." The department also wants to undermine the National Environmental Policy Act, the fundamental law governing how the federal government considers potential environmental consequences of its actions.
- By the end of the century, some South Asian cities may become unbearably hot if climate change remains unchecked.
- Even though Scott Pruitt is gone, the Trump administration will probably continue to undermine the EPA.
- If Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed to the Supreme Court, one of his first cases could concern critical habitat designations for endangered species. Here are some other ways he might affect US environmental law.
- The air in national parks can be as polluted as the air in large cities.
- The invasive Spotted Lanternfly was recently found in New Jersey for the first time, on an Ailanthus tree in Warren County.
- Local communities in northern Kenya are working to protect endangered Grevy's Zebras, which are threatened by poaching and changing agricultural practices.
- A wet spring can lead to a good summer for fireflies.
- Data from the UK shows that connecting fragmented habitats is important for butterfly conservation.
- Two endangered butterfly species will be reintroduced to the Florida Keys this week.
- This Saturday marks the start of National Moth Week, which will run from July 21-29. Submit moth sightings to iNaturalist or other suggested sites.
