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Fw: Birds



This interesting piece about a bit of bird migration came to me from my
sister in California.  How she got it, I don't know.  -- Len Pardue,
Asheville NC

>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Robert Tollen <lov2laf@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
>Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 9:00 AM
>Subject: Birds
>
>
>> Here in Key West we have become the lucky recipients of a strong wind. It
>> has blown a slew of tropical Caribbean tiny warblers into our island town.
>>
>> They are so cute and beautiful to look at, and their sounds make everyone
>> happy. It is a rare occurrence, the last time they blew in was after a
>> hurricane two-three years ago.
>>
>> Here is our local newspaper story:
>>
>> Colorful visitors arrive by air
>>
>>
>> BY LINDA GOTTWALD
>>
>> Citizen Staff Writer
>>
>>
>> Like sprightly flying flowers, tiny warblers are sprinkling over the Keys
>> this week as they migrate from the Caribbean to homes across North America
>> to pursue insects and begin their mating season.
>>
>> "It's a joy to walk outside," said wildlife biologist Tom Wilmers, who
>lives
>> on Big Pine Key. "Every bush and tree is filled with these little fellows.
>> What a treat for the Keys."
>>
>> Although the warblers fly over the Keys every year, this week's winds
>caused
>> a major "drop" or grounding," Mark Whiteside, president of the Florida
>Keys
>> Audubon Society said.
>>
>> "I think this is an even bigger drop than we had after Hurricane Georges,"
>> Whiteside said. "I've seen at least 15 species. This reminds us of what a
>> major migration corridor the Keys are."
>>
>> Whiteside said many of the birds, which migrate at night and can fly 20-30
>> mph for eight hours or more, are headed for Canada. He said the warblers
>> usually stay in the Keys for only a day before moving on.
>>
>> "The Keys are an oasis for them," he said. "That's one reason why many
>> people are opposed to large communication towers. Birds become confused by
>> lights and guy wires."
>>
>> The friendly little birds are country bumpkins, though, when it comes to
>> city life. Windows, cars, cats and a thousand other dangers have left a
>> number of them dead, and experts say this is a critical time to keep cats
>> indoors, drive slower and protect the birds from windows.
>>
>> "A typical problem is run-ins with glass windows and doors," said Debbie
>> Brittin, of Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys. "They don't distinguish
>> reflections seen in glass and are frequent victims of head trauma."
>>
>> Brittin said persons finding a fallen bird should place it in a bag and
>> observe it until it flutters, then release it in a safe place. If the bird
>> is hurt or doesn't move after several minutes, it should be brought to a
>> rehab center, she said.
>>
>> Linda Evelyn, whose Key West back yard is filled with the little orange,
>> yellow and blue-streaked birds, said she came up with one solution to
>> protect them from the sliding glass doors in her Florida room.
>>
>> "I cut newspaper strips and taped them so they flutter in the wind and
>warn
>> them," she said. "It seems to work better than decals."
>>
>> As with many Keys residents, Evelyn has delighted in warbler watching.
>>
>> "I actually saw one hop up to a flower and sip the nectar in flight," she
>> said. "I wish they would stay here all year."
>>
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