Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Hello Old Friend, Migration Begins

The first signs of migration are abound.  If you subscribe to an email list or alert, you will know that is true.  More and More passerines are arriving as the waterfowl are disappearing.  It is kind of like seeing an old friend when you see a migrant bird that has returned.  I was happy to see that the Piping plovers have returned to the Northeastern Coast.  Seeing them is a great reminder that spring is on its way.

It is also a reminder of how fragile nature can be.  Our natural world is constantly at risk and changing.  Piping Plovers and American Kestrels are two beautiful examples of threaten birds in Connecticut.  Both are suffering due to the loss of habitat along with other issues.  But habitat loss seriously affects these birds.  Plover nest on the beach and Kestrels on open fields.  These are highly prized spaces for development and the birds are the ones who lose their habitat.

This is my Earth Day post of asking you to just be a little more aware of these key and diminishing habitats.  So try to find some time to take a walk through a field or one the beach and try to imagine new ways that we can co-exist and share space with the great diversity species of the world.  Enjoy birding and go birding!

Say Goodbye to the Northern Pintails...

Say Hello to Piping Plovers, a Species of Concern here in CT...

...and American Kestrels

Connecticut DEEP Links
Piping Plover Fact Sheet - Link Here
American Kestrel Fact Sheet - Link Here

10 comments:

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    1. Thank you! I think the Kestrel is one of my favorites. i first spotted this one in my rearview mirror! I had to turn around and get a couple of shots!

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  2. The Piping Plovers are a favorite of mine! They are so cute!

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    1. me too! Sadly many people don't heed the nesting signs and that's one of their greatest dangers

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  3. HI I have never seen Piping Plovers so was lovely to see your shot.

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    1. They are super awesome peeps of the Eastern US! Sadly they are threatened

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  4. We all need to me mindful of how we ourselves can preserve and increase habitat for all wild things.

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    1. I agree! Sadly we look at fields, dirt roads, and beaches, and all many people can see are cement and future subdivisions

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