Braddock Bay

Migrating Sandhill Cranes at Sunrise (NPR)

As the weather grows chilly and the days grow short, birds from the north begin their yearly journey south to winter in warmer climates. When completed, the flight maps of these amazing trekkers can cover thousands of miles. At the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, researchers and citizen scientists seek to learn more, tracking the birds' flight patterns and banding song birds. Below are a couple short but very in videos produced by Flora Lichtman and hosted by NPR's Science Friday on the work done at Cornell and Braddock Bay. Enjoy.

Bird in the Hand to Save Those in the Bush

Bird Banders and Bird Nerds

For those avid birders interested in migration, related links:

North Pairie Wildlife Research Center: Migration of Birds
Zoological Society of Milwaukee: Bird Migration Facts

Cornell Lab of Orinthology: Nocturnal Migrant Fligth Call Research

Wired Science: Build Your Own Bird Tracker

NPR: Cornell Program Helps Public Count the Birds

Bird Radar Images

Project FeederWatch

Audubon Birds and Science

Scientists banding birds at the Braddock Bay Bird Obervatory

Project Spring Alive

Last week, in the middle of a snow, I watched a Robin through the kitchen window as it positioned itself in the old pine tree. Normally I'd say the sighting of the season's first Robin meant Spring had finally made it's arrival. I had to smile at that while I watched the poor thing fluff it's feather's against the cold. Today, the temperatures are mild and the tulips are starting poke through the dirt. More and more signs of spring appear each day.

Naturalists have long observed and charted these changes in seasons and migratory patterns of animals. This is called Phenology. Scientists have found this data to be useful in studying climate change. The US National Phenology Network has begun a program to work hand and hand with amatuer naturalists to collect and share this information. The program is online and easy to use - great for home schoolers, outdoor or youth groups, or the budding naturalist in your family. It is a fun and meaningful way to teach your children a love of the Earth. The tradition was kept by Aldo Leopold who taught his children. We will post updates to our own Project Spring Alive.

Click Here for Phenology web links

Click Here for Sci Fri story on NPR