An activity strictly for the birds

So is it "birding" or "bird watching"...what is the correct terminology?


An activity strictly for the birds

Life's Lessons from Birds and Nature

It's always fun to read read about young people getting involved in birding.

Birder's lessons of life from nature

Kingfisher hairdos part of birding expo

Kingfisher hairdos part of birding expo: "North Alabama Birding Festival"

Truly a family affair! If you are in the area, check it out.

Happy Birding!

New Birding Blog

Over the past few days, this blog had been tagged as a splog (spam blog) and had been locked by Google. While I certainly appreciate their efforts to keep slogs down to a minimum, I was also frustrated in my in ability to add content for our readers.

That said, in addition to this blog, we've added a new one that will be attached to Birding Mania, called Birding Mania News!

For at least the time being, and perhaps in the long run, we will keep both blogs going. I guess there is enough to write about when it comes to bird watching and all things "birder", it will not be too difficult.

In the meantime, Happy Birding!

Sandhill Cranes - 500,000 of them are waiting for you!

Right now, until the first part of April, you can visit the Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska from the comfort of your computer and see first hand 500,000 Sandhill Cranes!

You can watch them, listen to them, and interact with others on the forum.

Who's doing this...National Geographic of course.

Here are the best viewing times:

March 21-March 27
Morning: 6 a.m.-7:45 a.m. CT
Evening: 6:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m. CT
(450,000-500,000 cranes expected along an 80-mile [130-kilometer] stretch of the Platte River)

March 28-April 3
Morning: 5:50 a.m.-8:30 a.m. CT
Evening: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. CT
(500,000 cranes expected along an 80-mile [130-kilometer] stretch of the Platte River)

April 4-April 10
Morning: 6:30 a.m.-9 a.m. CT
Evening: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. CT
(100,000-400,000 cranes expected along an 80-mile [130-kilometer] stretch of the Platte River)

Where: CraneCam

Cost: Priceless!

Don't miss it!

Spring migration has begun

Though spring starts next week, it's already here! This morning I woke to the Canda Geese flying overhead as they have begun their migration north. Robins have returned and yesterday I noted several killdeer, seemingly looking for nesting grounds.

On the west coast here we are on what is called the Pacific Flyway. Literally millions of birds will pass over the roof of my house (or very near by) on their annual migration.

Just a few hours north of here is beautiful British Columbia. They have incredibly wonderful areas for watching this migration happen...here is one article on just that.

Survivors - the birds

When one things of Los Angeles, CA one does not think of biriding in that city. I know...I've spent enough time there. You have traffic, smog, people, more traffic, noise and traffic. So imagine my surprise to find people birding in LA...right in the middle of the city!

I'd class these birds survivors! Read on.....

Flights of fancy
Angelenos might see the city as a concrete jungle, but to nearly 500 species of birds and those who watch them, it's a rustic aviary.
By Hugo Martín, Times Staff Writer
March 9, 2006

'DO you hear that?' Bob Shanman asks fervently as he leads a dozen bird-watchers toward a clump of shrubs in the Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve in Torrance. 'That's them!'

His followers, mostly middle-aged birding enthusiasts, rub the sleep out of their eyes as they traipse through one of Southern California's last vernal marshlands, a 50-acre enclosure of marshes and grasslands, ringed by urban sprawl."

Continue.....Flights of fancy - Los Angeles Times

Travel To Uganda - A Kingdom Of Birds

Lots of birders plan vacations specifically to see birds. While I've not done exactly that, I do make it a point to go bird-watching where I go.

One place that has not been on my radar for birding is Africa. What a mistake. The more I ready about Africa, the more excited I become. Right now, I work with a woman from Tanzania, and I've spent hours listening to her talk about the wonders of her country....another place that is now high of my list of places to visit.

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Travel To Uganda - A Kingdom Of Birds: "

Uganda is an equatorial country with an amazing diversity of Habitats. Truly a Kingdom of Birds, Uganda hosts over 1000 bird species, both Albertine Rift endemics as well as rarities with half of the species known on the African continent, and over 10% of those on record throughout the entire world. For a birding safari, Uganda is a perfect destination."

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I suppose this should have been on my radar. The end of last year, National Geographic magazine was operating a 24/7 wildlife cam at a watering hole in Botswana. I was completely enthralled watching the animals come and go to this particular watering hole - which included many birds - many which were obviously new to me.

So the next time you think of a birding vacation - or any vacation - think of the wonders of Africa.

Golf Course to become habitat for birds

The Ponderlodge Golf Course (Cape May, MA) is the first - and hopefully not the last - to return habitat back to the birds.

You can read it here: Cape golf course goes to birds for open space

What is really important about this step is it will bring us back into balance. Right now, we are loosing wildlife habitat at an alarming rate. While we as people want spaces for our lives and own pleasures, it's essential that we attempt to return to more of a balanced world. The earth, just like our bodies, does best when we are in balance.

To do your part on a mare local level, you can provide space for birds and other wildlife in your own backyards. You can get more information on how to do that at BirdingMania.com