I heard them before I saw them, a soft sound that was familiar but I could not quite place. As the sound swelled it became clear -– Swans! They emerged from the tree line and flew right over my head. Tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) fly in a loose V formation, gracefully swaying like a ribbon high in the sky. I stood mesmerized by the splendor of these migratory birds. A quick estimate by groups of 10 revealed the flock numbered more than 30. Soon they were out of sight as Tundra swans fly ten-thousands of feet high and up to 100 mph with a tail wind.

Nesting during the summer in Alaska and northern Canada near the artic circle, Tundra swans migrate in family groups to spend the winter in the Chesapeake Bay estuaries. The Mississippi river between Alma and Lacrosse, Wisconsin, provides food and rest halfway through their trip. They dine on tubers of arrowhead, wild celery and sago pondweeds in the muddy river bottoms, accompanied by ducks who take advantage of the edible plant materials dislodged by the swan’s powerful legs. When the river freezes toward the end of November, Tundra swans leave Minnesota and continue their journey East.

 Hear the Tundra Swan sound at Cornell Lab’s All About Birds.
November 19, 2010  38 degrees

The spring birdsong chorus ardently fills the morning air and I immediately think of Sonic Bloom.  After witnessed devastating hunger as a young soldier in Korea, Dan Carlson, of River Falls Wisconsin, began a life mission to increase crop production and feed the earth’s people. Through his research, Dan made an amazing discovery. The frequency of morning birdsongs open up the pore-like stomata on leaves, enabling them to transpire out oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide and nutrients in the morning dews. Dan developed a recording that imitates birdsongs, delivered through sound systems set up in fields and orchards. An organic blend of nutrients feeds the plants when sprayed on the open stomata and the plants thrive with reduced need for irrigation. In a world with an ever-growing population, Sonic Bloom has great potential to relieve pressure on Earth's limited water resources. 
For my part, I can encourage the songbirds to visit my yard by providing shelter and food. Come into my garden and sing, little birds, help my plants grow; I humbly acknowledge how little we know about the interconnectedness of all living things. 
Copyright kittycooks, March 27, 2010  52 degrees

There it was, in the silver maple right across the street.  A bald eagle surveyed my street for over an hour.  I am miles from the Mississippi and a 15-minute drive from the nearest lake.  While it is not unusual to see eagles flying over, it was a thrill to have one visit so close.
I have visited the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN to observe the eagles.  Many spend the winter there, fishing and hunting ducks in the ice-free spots on the Mississippi.  It is quite humbling to see dozens of eagles working so hard to find food on a winter’s day; they often miss their target.
The recovery story of our national bird is inspiring. Bald eagles were on the verge of extinction and became classified as endangered in 1967.  DDT was banned in 1972 after Rachel Carson published Silent Spring and raised public awareness to the dangers of this pesticide.  Her book highlighted the fatal thinning of raptor eggshells and spiraling reproductive decline from ingesting DDT through the food chain.  Lead shot was banned in 1991 reducing another leading cause of death; lead poisoning occurred when bald eagles consumed unrecovered hunted waterfowl.  In 2005 the classification was reduced to threatened and in 2007 the bald eagle was removed from the endangered list.  Today, eagles remain fully protected under the migratory bird treaty act regulating hunting, collecting of feathers, or disruption of nesting.  In 1950 there were only 415 nesting pairs; currently scientists estimate 9789 nesting pairs in the United States. 
Bald eagles reach maturity around 5 years, at which time both male and female will display the characteristic white head feathers.  They pair up monogamously for life of their partner and can live up to 30 years in the wild. 
Eagles symbolize strength, courage, fertility, and creation in cultures around the world.  May the great thunderbird forgive us and recover from the harm we have done.
Learn more about eagles here.

copyright Kittycooks 2009

The birds are flocking to my feeders due to the snowstorm blowing in tonight.  Did you know birds can feel atmospheric pressure change in their bones hours before the storm?  This persuades them to fill up on food before the snow begins.   They will hunker down in the evergreens and thickets as the storm blows through.  Remember to fill your feeder with fresh seed and brush away the snow after the storm to help our little friends.  
The annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count occurred on December 12, 2009, in the Minneapolis area.  But if you are a casual birder, home schooler, or classroom, there is still plenty of time to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count scheduled for February 12 - 14th, 2010. You can participate in as little as 15 minutes one or more of the days, fill out your report, submit it online, and help scientists throughout North America track migration patterns and activity of birds.  Check out their web page here:  Great Backyard Bird Count
Enjoy your day!
Copyright kittycooks, December 13, 2009  11 degrees with 0 windchill.