Becoming a Citizen-Scientist

Since signing up for eBird (www.ebird.org), being a citizen-scientist has become something that has been increasingly on my mind.  A couple of weeks ago, an opportunity presented itself.  A local New Haven Park, Beaver Ponds Park (link) was look for people to monitor a couple of bird boxes that went up.  The opportunity was one that I did not want to pass up.  The task is simple and the park itself is one that worth spending time in.  The park has received a lot of attention from lots of groups including a very active group of local neighbors.  Seeing the park getting such care and invest makes for a good place for people and birds.

Since I volunteered to monitor some nest boxes, I wanted to get to know the Park and its seasons.  If I want to do the best job I can, this means becoming familiar the park, its birds, and its habits.  Having been to the park, many times before I was excited to return and begin to become reacquainted with the park.  I've seen Least Terns, Green Herons, and American Coot all at this site.  I am hoping to be able to see how the park changes with the seasons and how the birds and other animals adapt to the seasons.  I am going to try to dedicate a blog to the park once a month until July 2014.  This should provide a real good look at the changes in the park.

I want to be able to contribute to the world of birds and birding and this project is one little way that I can help.  While there are lots of people adding their efforts and time to the world of birding and I know that my project is but a small one.  I feel that I do need to contribute beyond just listing on eBird.  Not saying that's not important, but I can apply myself and my skills in other ways.  I intend to do just that so that I can starting giving back to something that has given me so much.  Until then, get outside and bird!

Can you find the Carolina Wren?

Eastern Phoebe

A Soaring Raptor

A Blue Jay

Hairy Woodpecker

2013 Year List: 265

Book Review: Refuge

(C) Terry Tempest Williams and Random House

I recently finished Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams.  What a wonderful book from beginning to end.  Tempest Williams seamlessly combines the struggles of her daily life with those of the natural world around her.  Tempest Williams begins the book by talking about the the Salt Lake and the Great Basin.  The book clearly outlines what makes that ecosystem so unique, the fact that it is a closed water cycle.  The Great Basin's biodiversity has impacted Tempest Williams in her writing and her life.

The intersections of life struggles and environmental struggles are woven together in incredible fashion.  Without giving too much away, the life around the Great Basin and home life faced different but related struggles.  The slow but constant rise of the Great Salt Lake threatens the many different habitats that so many birds and animals depend on.  I don't want to give too much away, but Tempest Williams work does an excellent job portraying the frailness of life and the balance of the ecosystem with a tremendous use of words and tone. This is a must read!

Terry Tempest Williams - The Coyote Clan