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August 2024

Listen to My NPR Interview

August 16, 2024

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On Tuesday evening, my Screech Owl Companion co-author Scott Weston were guests on "Bird Calls," an NPR program out of Shreveport. Host Cliff Shackelford, Scott, and I could see one another on Zoom while we chatted.

Above is a shot I grabbed with my iPhone while we were waiting for Scott to log in. That's Kiara Lafitte of the great "Bird Calls" tech team in the foreground on the left, me on the right, and Cliff -- a real screech owl aficionado and inventor of the Owl Shack nestbox -- below with the earphones.

You can  hear the show  by going here:

https://www.redriverradio.org/show/bird-calls/2024-08-12/bird-calls-orange-crowned-warbler

and then clicking

Screenshot 2024-08-16 at 9.36.30 AM

The segment with Scott and me starts at 6:30... If you look across the top, you can see where you can slide the tab and fast-forward through the opening (which is about birds mating for life -- or not -- and Orange Crowned Warblers:

Screenshot 2024-08-16 at 9.41.16 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by at 09:43 AM | | Comments (0)

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If You Find a Dead Raptor...

August 16, 2024
FW logoEarlier this month,  I got a text from Bergen County Audubon's Don Torino about two dead Red-Tailed Hawks in Tenafly.
 
Don thought rat poison might be involved, and told me in case I wanted to investigate. 
 
When I looked into it, I learned that the raptors, found on different properties, had been dead for more than a week -- too late to determine the cause of death.
 
That was a shame, because in addition to rat poison, the West Nile Virus is creeping up again, and there are concerns about the avian flu.
 
In the meantime, what should you do if you find a dead raptor? (Believe me, I hate writing about this).
 
Here’s some helpful advice on dealing with wildlife mortality, from Dr. Patrick Connelly, state wildlife pathologist with the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection:  

This summer, there has been an uptick in raptor deaths that is linked to higher-than-average West Nile Virus rates.

If you should come across a dead bird, you can carefully dispose of the carcass (more on that below).
 
You also can reach out to NJDEP Fish and Wildlife program’s Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics at (908) 735-6298. However, if the death appears to be a criminal incident, contact DEP’s Conservation Police at 1-877-WARN-DEP.

One of the greatest concerns regarding the disposal of dead wildlife, including raptors, is avian influenza. The NJDEP recommends taking as many precautionary measures as possible, including:   

* Wear gloves and a mask, and avoid direct contact.
 
*Use a shovel or other tool to pick up the carcass.

*Double- or triple-bag the animal’s remains. Reach out to your local municipality for guidance on whether the bagged carcass can be placed in regular trash. If your municipality has an animal control officer, the officer may be available to retrieve a carcass.
 
* If it is allowed in your municipality and you are comfortable burying the bird on-site, ensure it is at least 3 feet in the ground to prevent the carcass from being accessible to scavengers. Avian flu can be spread to other birds and mammals (and pets) that consume the infected remains. 

*Wash hands and arms thoroughly afterward. If five or more dead birds are found at a site over a short period of time, you can call the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services N.J. hotline at (908) 735-5654. A representative will respond during business hours and complete avian influenza testing, if warranted. 
 
To reach Dr. Connelly, wildlife pathologist with the New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife program’s Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics, email [email protected].   

Posted by at 08:36 AM | | Comments (0)

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State Line Lookout: Calm Before the Storm

August 14, 2024

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The official State Line Hawk Watch begins on Tuesday, Sept. 5, and runs through Friday, Nov. 15.

When I was there yesterday at midday, the hawk watch area was the calm before the storm, but the skies had plenty of action, including a marvelous aerial display by the two resident Peregrines (no sight of the juveniles).

Brian Kenney was there as well, and he saw one of the adults dive-bomb one of two juvenile Bald Eagles flying low over the Hudson while I went to get my camera. (Arrgh!) I did the Peregrines strafe a Red-tail in the distance. Also saw an Osprey or two and a Red-shoulder.

On a walk along the wall also came across a small pellet. and a Wild Turkey that did not appear to be migrating as it was headed north along the wall.

 

 

 

Posted by at 12:04 PM | | Comments (0)

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