Are Bird Migration Pathways Going Off ?
Ross’ gull at the Red Hill Marina, at the south end of the Salton Sea, Imperial County, in southern California on Nov. 17.
This small white gull with an ordinary name had bird watchers flocking to the Salton Sea for what they call a "mega-rarity" this month.
The Salton Sea, a 35-mile-long lake stretching across the Imperial and Riverside county line, is a popular stop for birds heading south, and Guy McCaskie, co-author of Birds of Salton Sea, believed he spotted a Ross' gull there a week ago.
The appearance of the arctic bird nearly 100 miles east of San Diego would be the first reported in California and would place it hundreds of miles farther south than it had ever been seen.
The gull, which normally breeds in Siberia or Greenland, rarely appears south of Alaska, and is only spotted in even the northern part of the lower 48 states every few years.
McCaskie had seen the bird several times on trips to Canada and Alaska and had seen hundreds of pictures, so despite his amazement he had little doubt it was a Ross' gull.
Still, he wanted witnesses, so he quickly called local bird-enthusiast friends who lived nearby, who appeared and took pictures. He reported his sighting on the Internet news group Calbirds the night of Nov. 17.
By Sunday morning, bird watchers from around the state were racing to the Salton Sea where numbers of birdwatchers swelled to about 150 people jostling to see the oddity.
Those who arrived later than dawn Monday were too late. The gull flew off around 6:30 a.m.
FACT :
Climate Change Impacts on Migratory Species
Changes in range have been widely documented in all species, with distributions of most shifting towards the poles. In the UK the incidence of ‘southern’ species, such as the Little Egret (a bird), Loggerhead Turtle and Red Mullet (a fish) is increasing. The wintering areas of bird populations are changing as a result of climate-driven changes in migratory behaviour. In response to warmer temperatures, many waders, such as the Ringed Plover, are now wintering on the east of Britain (closer to their breeding grounds) rather than the west coast. Increasing numbers of European Blackcaps are now migrating west to Britain rather than south to Africa, and Chiffchaffs are remaining in the UK over winter (rather than migrating south).
The act of migration itself is becoming more difficult due to climate change. For example, many migratory birds use the Sahel region of Africa to refuel before making the northerly crossing of the Sahara Desert. Decreased rainfall and over-grazing is causing increased desertification in this area, leading to declines in a number of species such as the Whitethroat. Further declines in trans-Saharan migrants are expected to increase with further climate changes.
I]Sources and photograph courtesy ENN e-zine and http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=321231&Category=23 and BTO web : reproduced under the GNU free license agreements.[/I]
Thanks!
LaurenD
Great post, as always, Lilla. Did the bird get lost, or is there something more serious taking place?
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There is so much to write about... God therei s so much going on... the planet is really changing now... daily! I was just reading about a massive iceberg that is floating up towards New Zealand...
It's alarming, truly...I will keep them coming...
...thanks for reading...
Lilla...
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...yes much more serious and not magnetic poles... here's a little bit of info, just to give you a general direction...(pardon the pun)*lol*
See Info added to bottom of main post on migration facts
~~oOo~~
Gives me chills and reminds me of that movie, [I]The Day After Tomorrow... I don't know if it'll happen that fast, but the next 70 years will be the most amazing time to be alive... or not?
Many are still laughing at Noah, I think...
Lilla...
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A wonderful article and true.
Love the bird and the water, it's a great picture.
katyzzz
Just one word of response will do, helps your votes, otherwise I'd let you off altogether.
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...yes a really nice picture and it is the quick-quip or the dead... indeed! *lol* money may not mean soo much to so many soon either....thanx
zzzya
Lilla...
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We do need to make a difference!
Jessicca
p/s : love the pic of the Ross Gull
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...sorry to sadden anybody...
but the truth is clear...
we do need to make a difference,
the time is now...not near...
... each drop saved,
each hour a light bulb is not lit,
every piece of packaging avoided,
one plastic bag recycled,
...methane and garbage avoided...
every piece ...every one thing...
conserve it now...make do
it's time to try and trick mother earth,
into thinking there's not really 6 billion of us...
but only two....
Lilla...
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Applause to you!
Well, tricking mother earth that we are only two would really be a great challenge. lol...
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But no, climate change isn't really happening.
The next few decades will be an interesting time.
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*nodding my head* ...
my heart is very sad about it,
but I think your words fine ...
...the Mayans' believed that 2012
was when we'd walk the line...
collect some tin foods,
get a torch that doesn't need batteries,
find a small radio that does...
get some thermal underwear,
and a warm coat or two...
maybe install an open fire place
because soon,
...you'll never know...
what the weather might do...
if you live on the coast,
ensure you have a dinghy,
or a small little tin boat,
....even if it's the bath tub,
you're gonna need something that floats...
It sounds funny, doesn't it?
...tragedy always does... but
It's not a joke...
...I really wish it was...
change is in the air,
...ready or not!
Lilla....
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Yes, it's close isn't it, although I'm not totally convinced the Mayan's had it right... but from what I've read about the Mayan calendar, it certainly seems accurate to end our current civilisation - another will follow, don't worry too much... just another great cycle completing itself. The trouble is, it usually means a huge reduction in population... a must really for each epoch.. we are not the first there either...but as KylieW says... a very interesting few years to come climate wise...
I will bring news daily of the big changes as they are anticipated and/or actually occur...
Lilla...
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Yes, please feel free, the more people that start to realise the truth, the better... glad to be of help...
Lilla...
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Know that I will definitely stay tuned with the news. Well, it is now up to us humans to feel:
1. "Shit" scared.
2. Don't care a damn. Life is short.
3. Make a difference.
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Most people probably swing between all three...what do you think?
Learning Something Everyday
I too was kind of dwell in the modern culture until I met up with members of the choir in the local church I am attending. They shown me how beautiful nature can still deliver, and of course, they are the (3) category, though they are often (1). ^_^
I just hope that everyone have a balance between (1) and (3), because of (1) they can be aware of it and proceed to (3) instead of (2).
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You crack me up Jessica... so true... be (1) but don't let that stop you from passing (2) and implementing (3)... perfect yourself in the small things... care enough to make a difference in your home... people won't know, you won't be a hero... but you'll know and there is a saying that I always loved;
'You know when you are doing things right, because everyone will wonder if you've done anything at all!" ... and yet it is exactly these types of philosophies and people who leave legacies in their wake...
I feel great now if I can save one silly little plastic garbage bag from being wasted... and I still enjoy the modern world as much as the next person, I like my gadgets too btw... but I don't dispose of them every two years because "I should." I have a hand mixer that I use for making pancake mix that I've had for .... wait for it.... ummm... ooh this is embarrasing *giggle*...let me see... 30 years!!! My girls love it... it's retro-red and totally vogue again and chugs away like there's no man-yaana!
Why would I buy a new one?
I did a post on this subject of your favourite old object that you wouldn't part with... and answered people in rhyme... it is interesting what people won't throw away... myself included.
Yes I'm big on preservation, conservation and using initiative and making do... in fact I get a kick out of it... funny though this mentality actually sees me wanting less... hmmm, something about : Waste Not, Want Not... I know you are exactly the same and am often amazed Jessica by the things you tell me about walking to work and conserving water... as I said, a warrior sistah!
I hope there are more, although judging by the heat wave and fire haze in outer-northern fringes of Brisbane today today... forget it... I think we are all too late and it's back to your No 1 !!! *frown* mind you I won't mind if it snows tomorrow... that would be something!!
Seriously though Jessica... It is extremely hot here today and humid... I'm melting here at the machine with two fans going...
- not conserving energy at all -
Lilla...
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You can try to put a small tub of water in front of the fan. try to level it if you can. If you can put some ice cubes in the small tub of fan i think it is better.
The fan will blow through the water and create a breeze that might cool you down.
My mom used to do that when she put us to afternoon naps during hot humid weather. It is no air cond but it does cool the place down a little.
Perhaps you can try that out?
Glad that I have brighten up your day with my humour. Though it is funny, but sadly it is true.
And you know what? Older electrical items actually last longer as they were created strictly for quality. Unlike the junks that will die itself in a few years and you just can't help it by getting one and creating more trash.
Speaking of trash... I have started cleaning up my room again (after quite an embarasing issue) and I realised that I have loads of megazines that I only need a few page for referece (IT mostly). I started sparing 2 hours packing up since Sunday, tearing the pages up, distribute between the dried rubber paste (that binds the book) and the paper. Tie them up and be ready for the recycle man to come and pick them up.
Cheerio
Jessicca
I am considering cycling to work. After I save enough to get my friends 2nd hand bicycle. But because of the thunderstorm here (in Kuala Lumpur) I still have to drive to work as I had to work late these days. What a bummer.
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I guess I'm old fashioned... or I like suffering, can't quite work it out sometimes... *lol*
The sky is grey now but not from clouds...? Must be bushfires... smells like it...
It is too hot to ride a bike here now until March brings the cooler southerly winds... the paper recycling sounds good... way to go!
Learning Something Everyday
As I am fighting my way out of sleepiness (because of the cool aircond and rain here) I tried to check out more about 2012 and Mayan Calendar.
There were a lot of arguments of the Mayan calendar, but a lot out there believed that it will be the end of the world, some believe it is the beginning of a new era...
Then I came to this site...
* The Mayan Elder Speaks *
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1011
I noticed that the sentence "During 2012-2013 there will be a great comet and a red comet. We are all creatures of the earth, but in space there are others. Comets might fall elsewhere. These are not predictions of death.But a great illness will come from pollution."
I see what it is being said and it can be quite true, because from what you are reporting this would probably happen faster if we keep polluting everywhere.