Held in Cordova, Alaska, the Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival is a bird watcher’s dream come true. Hundreds of thousands birds migrate to the delta for your sighting pleasure.
Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival
Held every May, the Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival is the place to be if you want to view shorebirds. Literally millions of birds migrate to the delta on the way to breeding grounds throughout the Arctic. The little town of Cordova knows a good thing when it sees it.
The Copper River Delta is essentially a refueling spot for the migrating birds. As you probably know, migrating birds will haul tail when the migration urge overcomes them. Many of these birds will fly for days on end until they must have food. In the grand plan, Mother Nature has arranged for the river delta to be the fast food stop for these birds.
Due to the frenetic pace undertaken by the migrating birds, food becomes a major issue. As they arrive at the Copper River Delta, they land and eat…and eat…and eat. It is the rare opportunity where you get to see so many birds grounded for such a long period of time. Put another way, it is a deluxe bird watching opportunity.
Birds
So, what can you expect to see on the delta? With so many birds, I’m not going to go into specifics other than to say you can see a wide variety of Loons, Grebes, Herons, Swallows, Yellowlegs, Tattlers, Sandpipers, Swans, Chickadees, Wrens, Ducks, Thrushes, Magpies, Warblers, Alcids, Finches, Jaegers and Turns to mention only a few. Put another way, you won’t run out of things to see.
Getting There
Getting to Cordova isn’t the easiest of things to do. You’ll have to fly in from Anchorage, Juneau or Seattle. Alternatively, you can hop on one of the Alaskan ferries, but need to look into the specific mechanics involved.
It is the rare day indeed when a birder can view millions of birds in their natural habitat. The Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival offers you that day every year.
Building your own birdhouse is an ideal activity which the whole family can take part in. The right birdhouse can attract a wide variety of birds and can make your garden come alive.
You may be surprised but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to birdhouses. There are several issues to deal with and various additions you can implement to increase the functionality of the birdhouse.
Read the following tips to help you build your perfect birdhouse.
Placement If you don’t provide the right habitat for birds, it will be very hard to attract any remarkable birds to your birdhouse. Before building your birdhouse, a little research on your part can’t hurt. Observe the types of birds which regularly visit your yard and then you can make a more informed decision in whether or not you need to do some additional work to attract birds. If you would like to attract more species of birds to your yard, it’s easy to do so. Birds are naturally attracted to water so it’s a fantastic idea to add a birdbath to your yard. Adding more trees and fruit shrubs will also make a huge difference to the birds you attract. When you’re happy with the yard, it’s time to find a location for your birdhouse. Place it near a tree or bush, as it will be a good landing place for birds before they enter the house.
Which Wood Pine, redwood, cedar and spruce are all suitable types of wood for building a birdhouse. Make sure the wood you are using has not been pressure treated nor has not been painted with a paint containing lead – otherwise the toxic chemicals found can harm the birds that visit your birdhouse. Also it’s best to use wood that’s at least inch thick. Not only will your birdhouse be strong but the thicker wood will act as insulation.
Ventilation It’s important to allow sufficient ventilation for birds in the birdhouse. Either drill small holes inch large just below the roof, or an easier way is too simply leave a gap between the roof and walls.
Drainage To ensure that water doesn’t build up inside the birdhouse, drill small holes in the bottom of the birdhouse and also make the roof sloped.
Protection There’re a few natural dangers, which could harm the birds using your birdhouse. Firstly place the house no lower than 5 feet above the ground, so cats, dogs and raccoons will not be able to harm the birds. If using posts for the birdhouse, it’s recommended that you use metal posting. If you decide to use wood, you should wrap metal sheeting around the posts this will also protect the house from animals.
Also if possible, place the house away from swift winds and direct sunlight.
Cleaning and Monitoring Some birdhouses make it really difficult for anyone but birds to get inside. When building your birdhouse, make sure there is a large enough space for easy access. The best method is to make the top or side of the birdhouse hinged so you can easily gain access to the birdhouse for cleaning and monitoring.
By keeping the above points in mind, you are well on your way to building a great birdhouse that’s going to attract a variety of marvelous birds. If you have children, get them involved too; no doubt they too will enjoy making a house for the birds!
By Darrell Knox
What are platform bird feeders you may be wondering and what is their purpose with feeding birds? Well to put it simply a platform bird feeder is designed for birds who like to eat bird seed off of the ground. Platform bird feeders can be places slightly above ground, or the can be mounted off a deck a tree or a stump. You can also order a platform pole mount to mount your platform bird feeder on a pole. The main difference between hanging bird feeders and platform bird feeders is that with a hanging bird feeder the bird seed is dispensed through a crack or a small opening in the bird feeder. With a platform bird feeder the bird seed is placed on a platform, or a plate and the birds peck the food from a pile or scattering. With a platform bird feeder, or a tray bird feeder the birds that are attracted depends on the seeds, but if you are using a platform bird feeder, or fly thru feeder then you may end up seeing a cardinal and other various birds. Platform bird feeders can also be squirrel proof. By having your platform bird feeder hang, squirrels are less likely to reach your bird seed, saving you money and allowing the various birds to eat. Some platform bird feeders, or tray bird feeders come with a screen big enough for the birds beaks, but too small for the hands of the squirrels, this is a great feature. Platform bird feeders and tray bird feeders also know as ground bird feeders are easy to maintain and clean, and will bring different types of birds to your backyard than that of a hanging bird feeder. If you decide to buy a platform bird feeder, be sure that you have an adequate location in your yard before you make the purchase.
By Pam Caouette
Pam Caouette is the main author for http://www.aplusbirdfeeders.com Visit http://www.aplusbirdfeeders for more great information on wild birds and bird feeders.
Bird Nesting Information- Find out how to build and properly care for your nest box…
A bird’s nest provides an environment for it’s eggs to develop during a birds breeding season. Although nests are considered words of art in some certain species of birds, many birds may not build a nest for laying of their eggs. Instead, the birds may lay their eggs directly into a hole in the ground. All birds prefer and require different nest sizes and shapes. Birds also use many different building materials to construct their ideal nest. Some may use sticks and twigs, while others may use spider webs. It is extremely important where a nest is placed. Protection from the extreme temperatures and the predators is necessary. Birds, by natural instinct, know how and where to build their nest, and make it a safe and comfortable environment for their young. The most safe of nest boxes would be that of a woodpeckers. Woodpeckers make their ideal nests directly into tree trunks or branches. There is no accurate way to design a birds’ nest. All birds favor is a safe and secure place which protects them from the weather and predators. Some bird species prefer a certain location and type of nest, so the nest box can be constructed to meet those specific needs. At the end of each breeding season, the nest box should be taken down and scolded in hot water to clean it an remove any unwanted parasites. Never use cleaning solutions to clear your nest box of filth, the chemical agents may become trapped in the nest and kill your birds. Nest cleaning should be done between October and November.
By Neisha Bjorklund
Neisha Bjorklund is the webmaster for http://www.abirdskingdom.com. Take a look at our competitively priced large selection of high quality nesting boxes.
Bird migration is a fascinating phenomenon that has intrigued humans for centuries. The picture is now becoming clearer on how these creatures get from colder climates to more temperate climates every year. According to an article by Charles Walcott, Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, and former director, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, it is through a combination of: 1) sighting features like rivers, coastlines, and mountain ranges; 2) monitoring the Earth’s magnetic field (apparently using not only their visual system but also tiny grains of a mineral called magnetite in their heads); 3) they observe the stars and use the sun for guidance; 4) smell; and 5) probably by simply following their neighbors as large flocks migrate. It is thought that, at least in some birds, they have a way to overcome the problem of true north vs. magnetic north deviations. This is believed to be done by recalibrating their internal magnetic compass with star navigation during rest stops. If the rest stops aren’t long enough the birds get lost. Different types of flying techniques also play a major role in the migration of birds. The most basic being the technique of flapping and flying until they reach their destination. It is used by geese and many other birds.
Some birds such as hawks and vultures will “soar” by using thermals. Thermals are updrafts caused by solar heating. Since the thermals are present only during daylight hours and commonly over relatively level terrain, it leads to huge concentrations of migrating birds.
There are also birds that will flap their wings long enough to gain altitude then glide until they need to gain altitude again.
Other birds will flap their wings long enough to gain altitude then fold their wings to go into a closed wing glide. These are birds whose wings would create to much drag if left unfolded.
Happy birding!
By John Wilton
SpeakBeak.com helps birders discover information about birding, bird identification, migration, habitat, conservation, tours, optics and much more. Find out more at www.SpeakBeak.com !
This content is provided by John Wilton. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
Bird watching is a popular hobby especially for families where every member of the family can take part regardless of your age or budget as it is a relative inexpensive outdoor activity. It is also not affected by your geographical location as bird watching can be done anywhere in the world in the great outdoors. For those who love birds and are eager to learn more about them, observing these birds in their natural habitat and discovering the different spectacular species is what bird watching is all about. What a sight it is when an eagle soars above the canyons, or a hummingbird hovering close to some pretty summer flowers or a flock of gold and blue macaws fluttering their bright blue wings in the trees.
Unlike many outdoor activities such as fishing or mountaineering which require expensive equipment, bird watching does not cost the earth. Additional gadgets may enhance the experience and help in gathering observational data for research purposes but they are not a necessity. Anyone can bird watch from a chair by the window of a flat, others who are more adventurous can hike to the far corners of the earth to catch a glimpse of some of the more exotic and rare species. It is usually done by using the naked eye and for those who would like to get a better view of the birds, they would use binoculars. Speciality books on birds with rich illustrations are easily available at bookstores and libraries, making bird watching a very accessible hobby for everyone.
Bird Watching Is Not Science
It is very common for bird watching enthusiasts to be very knowledgeable about the different species of birds in the world but this does not make them a scientist. They do not study the birds by scientific methods. They simply take great enjoyment in watching, observing and listening to the different birds, they engage in this activity purely as a favourite pastime. Some are quite happy to observe the birds that visit their backyards, others travel far and wide to observe as many birds as possible around the world. Many bird watchers will get up at the crack of dawn to see what type of birds might appear that day as birds like to look for food in the early morning.
There are many national and international organizations devoted to this hobby. Members of these organizations exchange helpful tips and information to enhance the experience of other fellow bird watchers. Some local bird watching hobby groups are formed to observe and make records of the birds that are in their area.
By Douglas T Adams
Birds are the most visible form of wildlife, they are found in every part of the world that is not permanently covered by ice, and you can see them in any weather, any time of day or night, anywhere you go. Whether you live in the country or the city, there are birds nearby, 835 species of birds spend at least part of the year in North America. You can go out looking for birds or attract them to your home. Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities all around the world. The Verb ‘To Bird’ would serve as an excellent jumping off point for a feature, which highlights the growing popularity of birding. More than 70 million Americans are feeding and watching backyard birds.
Success in bird watching is, to a large extent, based on location, either by venturing to locations or habitats where birds are plentiful, or by devising ways to attract birds to your own back yard. Birds seen at a distance may be enjoyable to watch, but the true excitement of the hobby is greatly enhanced when you can see the birds up very close. Some of the most useful tools that enhance your bird-watching experience are those that makes birds easier to see in striking detail.
There are numerous ways to participate in the hobby of birding. Aside from simply viewing birds in nature, avid enthusiasts engage in numerous other activities. Some of those may include: feeding birds, providing nesting sites or birdhouses, growing specialized plants and gardens to attract birds, traveling to nature sanctuaries and other bird-watching locales, keeping lists and notes on birds seen in the wild, making diagrams and sketches and spending hours trying to snap the perfect photograph of a favorite bird species. In order to enhance your beautiful experience of bird watching in winter one can learn bird’s song. Birds’ strongest senses are sight and hearing, and they have evolved ways to communicate and to recognize their own species by using signals based on those two senses. Because we are also creatures of sight and sound, we can tap right into all the fascinating distinctions of color and shape that birds embody, and just as naturally we can appreciate the sounds that are so important in their lives. As you begin to recognize bird songs, your own backyard will become a much more interesting place.
For me, it was like gaining supernatural vision, being able to see through the leaves and around buildings. I was amazed at how many birds were all around me and how much I had been missing out on. To broaden your bird-watching experience beyond your own backyard, consider incorporating some bird-rich locales into your next vacation. Serious bird enthusiasts actually plan trips around visiting bird sanctuaries, nature parks and other natural locations where they can view birds in large numbers, in diversity of species and in their native habitats. Traveling to a region of the country other than the one in which you live will allow you to see species you may have never seen before.
Try to observe the birds so they don’t know you are there. Move slowly, make as little noise as possible, and keep your distance. Going too close to a nest or repeatedly scaring a bird off its nest can cause the parents to abandon their nest leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators. Do not touch the eggs or young birds. Avoid trampling fragile natural areas to get a closer look. Stay on paths and trails. Don’t litter. Now once you have started on the bird watching its important to build bird house, start the proper bird-feeding all year around, provide them with water either through bird bath or providing water specially in extreme weathers. In this way the birds would be attracted and would keep coming back to the backyard.
By Paul Duxbury
Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation with a wealth of experience in personal development, management development, e-learning and operational management. In addition he owns PK eBooks (http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk) and has just published a series of Bird Watching eBooks which can be found at http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk/birding_for_everyone.htm
If you want to see lots of birds in your yard, give some thought to whether or not your property includes good bird shelter. Birds need shelter from the elements just as we do: when the weather’s cold, hot, snowy, rainy, or windy, they need to find places where they can be comfortable and wait it out. They also need places to hide from predators such as prowling cats, snakes, and birds of prey. Trees of all shapes and sizes provide shelter for birds. The spreading boughs of hardwood trees make shade on sunny days and block the rain on rainy days. Bushes provide similar shelter near the ground and make good places for birds to hide from danger. The warmest bird shelter, good for cold midwinter nights, is the evergreen tree. Birds can get right in near the center of the tree and be out of the wind. Just one bushy evergreen tree can shelter lots of small birds. So if you have trees, don’t cut them down, and if you don’t, consider planting some. They’ll provide shade and shelter for you too, and break the wind. In windy places, a line of trees, planted perpendicular to the prevailing wind, will protect your home and create friendly backyard bird habitat. Plant small shrubs too; they usually grow quite quickly, and will provide good shelter for birds in a season or two. Even low leafy plants, like hostas, and perennial flowers will provide some bird shelter. Another way to provide bird shelter and improve your backyard bird habitat is to build a brush pile. When you clean up your yard, simply throw all your small brush, branches, and woody plants into a heap helter skelter. The messier the better, because this will create lots of airspaces inside the pile – cavities that are ideal shelter for birds. Make the pile two or three feet high and just keep adding to it over the years. You can back it up to a rock wall, fence, or other vertical structure to provide additional support and shelter. If all else fails, consider leaving small holes under the eaves of sheds and outbuildings, and access holes under decks and stairs. These places provide snug bird shelter during extreme weather – and you may even get some birds nesting in interesting places!
By Rosemary Drisdelle
Rosemary Drisdelle is a freelance writer specializing in science writing and creative non-fiction. She is the “Birds” writer at Suite101
I love looking at history and seeing how those in the past saw things. This is especially true when it comes to nature and birds in particular.
My latest dive into the past came up with some really interesting views on bird migration!
Long ago people struggled for an explanation of where birds went when they would disappear in the Fall and reappear in the Spring. Since no one had a clue, they made up what they thought were reasonable explanations.
For instance, Aristotle believed the European Robin transformed itself into the Redstart every Fall, and then transformed back to itself come Spring!
Some, like Linnaeus (noted naturalist in the 1700’s) believed swallows hibernated in the mud at the bottom of streams and lakes. In fact, up until the middle of the 1500’s, everyone believed swallows hibernated. There was no reason to doubt it.
The most interesting item I found was an essay published in 1703 in England that claimed swallows flew a sixty day trip to the moon and hibernated till Spring. It wasn’t written as a joke. The person seriously believed it.
These types of beliefs continued until the 1800’s. What caused the change? Naturalists had been able to explore the world more fully, and came to understand that birds went South for the Winter and North for the Summer. It was at this point, that migration became an accepted reality.
Nowadays, the focus is on how birds navigate during migration. The following are 6 fascinating ideas in circulation.
Idea 1: Family Tradition! Birds know where to migrate because their parents show them which direction to go.
Idea 2: Birds With a Compass! Since the earth is a giant magnet, birds use the magnetic field like a compass to guide them. It’s rather like they have their own frequency to fly by.
Idea 3: You Smell Funny! There are those who believe that some birds use their sense of smell to guide them to their particular flyway! I pity the bird whose allergies are acting up. Maybe that’s why some birds end up in places they’re seldom seen! Just kidding.
Idea 4: Don’t Forget the Sunglasses! Some believe the sun’s position guides them.
Idea 5: Now Where Did I Put My Sky Chart? Some believe that there are birds who might use the star constellations to determine their flyway.
Idea 6: Hey! I Know That Place! Lastly, many birds are able to keep on course because they recognise different landmarks.
In the past, bird migration wasn’t understood because travel in those days was so limited. In the present, even with all our technology and ease of transportation – we still don’t understand it all.
So, take a look in the past for yourself! You never know what exciting things you’ll discover to share with your kids around a campfire or out on a nature walk!
By Yo Coleman
Over the past 27 years, the author has been an amateur ornithologist and a wildlife scientist. If you’d like to learn more cool stuff about birds, check out her blog at Pelican’s Post!
Bird watching is growing in popularity as a hobby that gets people outdoors and increases appreciation of nature, as well as being a great stress reliever. This blog will help you to be equiped with all you need to enjoy this great recreational pastime.
