43 Snapperfest is Turtle Torture
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 20, 2011
Julie Zickefoose has a great post about the atrocity happening right now in Indiana. Get over to her blog and TAKE ACTION! Asides
Indiana Related Topics 
Another Whooping Crane Shot
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 2, 2012
Yet again a Whooping Crane has been shot and killed in Indiana. Let’s hope that this time the perpetrator gets more than a $1 fine. Asides
Endangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest by Matt Williams
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 25, 2019
Yet that is not the overall impression that I came away with while reading this solid and attractive new title from Indiana University Press. Focusing on an often under-appreciated portion of the continent, the book showcases forty species found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio – but perhaps not for long. Endangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest by Matt Williams – Indiana University Press, $29.00.
Alpha Dogs on NatGeo WILD
4 The Love Of Animals
FEBRUARY 7, 2013
If you met Kenny and team on the street, you’d never expect that this group of beer-drinking, motorcycle-driving, tattoo-covered guys from small-town Indiana would be some of the world’s finest law enforcement trainers. Have you ever wondered what goes into the training of hero dogs? Alpha Dogs , which premiers tomorrow on NatGeo WILD, will show you! Alpha Dogs goes behind the scenes of Vohne Liche Kennels (VLK), one of the premiere K-9 training facilities in the world.
The Gas Station Bird
10,000 Birds
JUNE 13, 2021
You can own a gorilla in Indiana, but not a bear in Michigan. Above is a gorgeous photo of a Cooper’s Hawk by Ingrid Taylar. The bird is just chilling out, waiting for the urge to fly. The bird below is also waiting, but not to fly.
Calling all Dogs: Celebrate National Dog Day with Free Ice Cream August 25
4 The Love Of Animals
AUGUST 21, 2012
Best Friends Pet Care is a leading national pet care company and offers boarding, daycare, grooming and training at 42 locations across 18 states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
Canines Go for the Gold at Doggy Olympic Games Across the U.S.
4 The Love Of Animals
JULY 27, 2012
Canine athletes are jumping through hoops to capture the gold at Doggy Games in Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Texas. London isn’t the only town where athletes are bringing home the gold this week. Best Friends Pet Care ( www.bestfriendspetcare.com ) is hosting its own version – the Doggy Olympic Games — at more than a dozen locations across the U.S. Just check out these amazing doggy athletes!
How To (And Not To) Transport Wild Birds
10,000 Birds
APRIL 18, 2021
Jan Turner, in Indiana, had her own Happy Meal delivery: “Two infant cottontails brought by a father and son.” I am so happy to be back on 10,000 birds – I have missed Mike and Corey and my fellow Beat Writers!
Sentencing for Bird Killers
10,000 Birds
APRIL 18, 2011
An Indiana man, Wade Bennett, and a minor have pled guilty for their involvement in the shooting and killing of a critically endangered Whooping Crane way back in 2009, and been sentenced to probation and the paying of fines and fees. Thee is still no information on the more recent killings of the majestic birds. In a completely unrelated case, a South Dakota man, Randy Albers, pled guilty to charges related to poisoning Canada Geese on his farm and was sentenced to a year of probation.
Purple Finches vs House Finches
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 11, 2013
When I was kid, I tried to turn every House Finch we had in Indiana into a Purple Finch. Trying to figure out if one is a little bit more raspberry red from another was the id of choice as the local bird ladies told me. I was also trying to see how far down the pink coloration went on the body. The above bird is clearly a male House Finch. But now that I live some place where we get Purple Finches regularly, there is no question on how to tell them apart.
Come On Hollywood
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 5, 2016
He loves the Willow Ptarmigan so much that he often uses their calls in his movies, such as Jurassic World and Indiana Jones : Raiders of the Lost Ark. A few weeks ago, I settled down into the couch with my husband to watch a little television before bed. One of my favorite shows is The Big Bang Theory, a quirky sitcom about scientists living in California.
The Flight of the Vultures
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 22, 2014
But the turkey vultures would certainly leave the places we saw them – Montana, North Dakota, Illinois and Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio and eventually New York – and head south. The only bird we saw in every state was the Turkey Vulture. No vast kettles, yet, only ones and twos. Maybe only to the southern borders of the same state in the case of some of the Pennsylvania birds, maybe down beyond the limits of the US through Central America for the westerners.
Animal Minds
Animal Ethics
MARCH 18, 2007
Their guest is Colin Allen of the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington. The March 11, 2007 episode of the Stanford University radio program "Philosophy Talk" focuses on animal minds. Stanford Philosophy Professors John Perry and Ken Taylor host the show. Also featured on the show are Dr. Irene Pepperberg and her African gray parrot Alex. The episode provides a fascinating look into the nature of animal minds and animal cognition.
What is the State Bird of North Carolina?
10,000 Birds
APRIL 28, 2015
In addition to North Carolina, six other states have named the cardinal their state bird, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio. When birders in the eastern United States see a flash of red up in the canopy or deep inside nearby bushes, more likely than not those crimson feathers belong to the iconic Northern Cardinal.
Stamping the First Robin of Spring
10,000 Birds
MARCH 10, 2015
But apparently Fred was not alone because over the last three years quite a few people from Michigan, Ontario, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska have chimed in to say that they too, grew up stamping robins and some mentioned passing it on to their children and grandchildren. Now that winter’s fury is melting beneath more moderate temperatures here in the northeastern United States my thoughts have turned to spring.
Snowy Owl Invasion!
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 2, 2013
Birders in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Maryland, and Virginia are all enjoying Snowy Owls , but none as much as the North Carolina birders, who are enjoying their first and second Snowy Owls in thirteen years. Snowy Owl in Queens, New York, 1 December 2013.
Parity
Animal Ethics
DECEMBER 12, 2008
The Indiana Daily Student wrote an article today encouraging people to kill and eat man's best friend! Someone sent me a link to this student op-ed column. The sender wrote: This is outrageous! The author isn't advocating that we eat dogs. The author is pointing out the inconsistency of eating cows and not eating dogs (or rather, caring about dogs but not caring about cows). The following three propositions are inconsistent: 1. It's morally permissible to eat cows.
The Last Few Rays Before Extinction
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 5, 2013
The work stands as a tribute to something already long vanished, a ghost of her Indiana childhood. Gene Stratton-Porter ( Photo used with the permissions of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites ). Author Sherrida Woodley thinks deeply about dearly departed birds. She’s contemplated California Condors here before, but Passenger Pigeons seem to resonate most with her.
What is the State Bird of Alaska?
10,000 Birds
APRIL 5, 2016
They have been used not only in Jurassic World, but also in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark , despite the latter movie’s setting in the jungle! Though many people joke that the mosquito is the Alaskan state bird, in fact it is the much more pleasant Willow Ptarmigan. In 1955 – before Alaska was a state – the Territory’s leaders in charge of drafting a constitution allowed schoolchildren to choose what would eventually become the state bird.
Kentucky: First in Crane Hunting?
10,000 Birds
MAY 21, 2011
photo by Cyndi Routledge Dr. Gassett, 30,000 people come to one wildlife area in Indiana ( Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Area) each year just to watch these big gray birds. Everywhere cranes gather, from New Mexico to Indiana to Tennessee, people come to watch them. As part of my effort to keep concerned wildlife enthusiasts informed about the proposal to hunt Eastern Flyway sandhill cranes, it is my duty to tell you that there’s another vote coming up.
Guest Post: Susan Wilson
4 The Love Of Animals
MARCH 3, 2010
He’d come from Indiana, seemed nice and quiet, very well behaved. Today we have a great guest post from author Susan Wilson. She has a new book out (which I am reading right now) called One Good Dog. One Good Dog is the story of a man who is down on his luck, and a dog who is all out of chances. Together they discover the true meaning of salvation, redemption, and unconditional love. It already has me drawn in! I also wanted you to know about the Who’s Your Good Dog Campaign.
Snowy Owl Mania!
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 5, 2013
Not to be outdone, Indiana Dunes Birding has a report on the Snowy Owls in the Hoosier State. As we might have already mentioned here on 10,000 Birds, this year is shaping up to be a historic year in terms of a Snowy Owl irruption. And because birders are often bloggers, the amount of material that has already been published regarding this invasion of big, white owls from the north is pretty impressive.
Arrowood Farm Brewery: Bramble Farmhouse on Raspberries
10,000 Birds
MARCH 20, 2020
WELCOME, welcome, little stranger, Fear no harm, and fear no danger; We are glad to see you here, For you sing “Sweet Spring is near.” ” Now the white snow melts away; Now the flowers blossom gay: Come dear bird and build your nest, For we love our robin best. “To
10,000 Birds goes eBirding
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 13, 2018
However, most states have less than 100 species, including: Missouri (98); Wyoming (97); Delaware (83); Massachusetts (81); Maine (76); Louisiana (73); Maryland (62); Idaho (57); Georgia (54); Nevada (53); South Carolina (49); Vermont (34); Alaska (34); New Hampshire (31); Indiana (27); Kansas (23); Tennessee (17); Ohio (16); South Dakota (14); Montana (11); Arkansas (8).
Get Thee To A Wildlife Rehabilitator
10,000 Birds
FEBRUARY 28, 2014
The state of Indiana has been soliciting comments for a bill which would make the above scenario legal for 90 days, creating an uproar among those who are licensed to care for injured and orphaned wildlife. Why does this little Screech Owl look so horrified? It’s not because of the color of the carpet, although I was probably wearing the same expression when I first saw it. It’s because she’s in a house, she’s scared to death, and she wants her mother.
Big Years in 2013
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 9, 2013
Greg Majewski is a relatively new birder but he is not letting that stop him from trying to reach 250 species in Indiana this year. On a Big Year, every species counts equally, even the lowly House Sparrow. Last year saw quite a few big year records fall to dedicated birders. There are, of course, more big years happening this year. What records will fall in 2013? The following is not an exhaustive list, of course, but hopefully we will learn of more big years in the comments.
How to Know You’re Raising a Birder
10,000 Birds
APRIL 12, 2011
Both she and her brother Mason love spending time outdoors, but Ivy is more likely to interact with the environment for its own sake, rather than as a setting for a Tusken Raider attack or Indiana Jones adventure. Those of us with a keen appreciation for the natural world worry about how to instill the same passion in our children. We come up with terrific ideas and expose our progeny to all manner of flora, fauna, and habitat hoping that something deep and abiding will take root.
Review: Levenhuk Karma PRO 10×42 Binocular
10,000 Birds
JUNE 8, 2016
Plus they managed to survive a momentary lapse of reason on the beach at Indiana Dunes relatively unscathed.). Click the image above for what I call “Still Life With Dylan” When it comes to binoculars, I’ve long been devoted to my trusty Monarch 8x42s. They feel great, they function beautifully, and they’ve seen me through most of my best birding days. But just as in a good romantic relationship, it’s natural to wonder what one might be missing.
Snapper by Brian Kimberling
10,000 Birds
APRIL 19, 2013
Our guide through the woods and towns of Indiana is one Nathan Lochmueller, who looks back to tell the tale of a coming of age that involves a lot of crawling through the woods on breeding-bird surveys, a lot of beer, and a few scrapes with implacable forces like the law, armed KKK members, and snapping turtles. Today, I defend my thesis.
Serbia – birding overview of a year in the Central Balkans
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 16, 2018
As Serbia is not a large country (about the size of Portugal or Austria; or the US states of Indiana or Maine) and the infrastructure is reasonably well developed, it is possible to explore it in about a week and, with some advance planning and guidance from the local experts, build up a list of 80 to 90 species in winter and 120 to 140 in the spring. Serbia has 317 eBirded species so far, or 89% of the 356 in the national checklist.
The Wildlife Rehabilitator’s Wish List
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 9, 2013
I’d like a hit squad to visit the people who call me in the middle of dinner or at 3 AM to tell me they have a baby raccoon they found two weeks ago,” wrote Kathy in Indiana. It’s August, and first on the menu is: Fried Rehabber. Summer is high season. The general public is out and about, birds and animals are raising their young, and human/wildlife interaction is at its peak.
Kathy Hershey: Parker, the Playground’s Vulture
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 12, 2016
Today’s blog was written by Kathy Hershey, co-founder of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators in Hope, Indiana. The voice on the other end of the phone was panicked. There’s a huge bird chasin’ the kids around the trailer park! You better do something about it, or we’re gonna shoot it!”. It was happening again … Parker was back. Parker was an adult Turkey Vulture who enjoyed playing with children.
Want to Escape the Heat? Go Birding in Costa Rica!
10,000 Birds
JUNE 24, 2017
We have a lot of mountainous land and it’s way cooler up in them hills than down by the coast or back in the heat-stricken states of Indiana, Virginia, and nearly every other state and province south of Alaska. These days, temperatures are soaring across much of the USA. While summer is indeed the hottest time of the year, there’s a noticeable difference between 80 degrees and 90 or 100.
2013 Big Year Update
10,000 Birds
APRIL 16, 2013
Greg Majewski is hoping to reach 250 species in Indiana this year, a relatively modest goal but one that is fitting for a new birder. European Starlings count as much as any other bird on a big year. Now seems like a good time to look in on the birding big years happening in 2013 to see how folks are doing as they tear around their county or region or state or province or country trying to see as many birds as possible before 1 January 2014.
My Favorite Release
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 24, 2014
We let a one-eyed Bald Eagle go after a year of battling state officials in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. So I asked seven wildlife rehabilitators, “Tell me your favorite (or one of your favorites) release story – the kind that makes you keep going, in spite of everything.”. “A
We’re Not Racists, So Why Aren’t There More Birders Of Color?
10,000 Birds
JULY 13, 2011
I grew up in Indiana and a phrase that I remember hearing was, “I’m not a racist, but have you ever noticed that…&# and whatever followed the “but&# was the most horrifically racist thing you could imagine.
Flying Dinosaurs: A Review by a Triceratops Fan
10,000 Birds
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
No, not a reality show, the history of paleontology in the United States is apparently livelier than the Indiana Jones movies.) Marsh, who feuded in the 19th century, and today’s superstar, the young, prolific Chinese Xu Xing, “China’s answer to Indiana Jones.”
KwaZulu-Natal
10,000 Birds
MARCH 13, 2012
mi (almost exactly the same size as Indiana), it is one of the smaller provinces of South Africa, but is the second most densely populated with over 10 million inhabitants. “ There is, perhaps, no better place in the world for birds than this country.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes 2015 Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges
10,000 Birds
JUNE 17, 2015
Indiana. June 9, 2015 – It’s deja vu all over again. The latest press release from the USFWS. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today announced as part of Great Outdoors Month the agency is proposing to expand fishing and hunting opportunities on 21 refuges throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System. The proposed rule also modifies existing refuge-specific regulations for more than 100 additional refuges and wetland management districts.
Best Bird of the Year 2013
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 27, 2013
My fiance and I drove nearly two hours to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in rural Indiana to watch them come in for the evening. The end of the year is nigh and birders the world over are looking over their checklists and reminiscing about their amazing sightings and devastating dips. As 2013 draws to a close we here at 10,000 Birds thought that it would be a great idea if we, like we did in 2010 , 2011 , and 2012 , shared our Best Birds of the Year.
That Awkward Moment With Feral Cats and Family
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 16, 2013
Most of my family lives in Indiana, but thanks to social media we can easily keep in touch. I took my furlough due to the government shut down as a chance to go down to Indiana and visit my family. I come from a large family: five sisters, two brothers and almost everyone has kids. They are all wonderful people and they are all animal lovers. But I’ve learned we love animals in very different ways.
The Black Album: Black Birders, Blackpoll Warblers, Black-tailed Godwits, Black Flamingos, and more
10,000 Birds
APRIL 25, 2015
Indiana teacher raises the bar for newbie birders everywhere by finding the state’s first record of a Black-tailed Godwit. After a long hiatus that included a new cat, a new apartment, and enough time with the in-laws to last me quite awhile, here’s a rundown of April’s bird news: Funny, sad, and thought-provoking … an African-American ornithologist’s video tips for birding while black. Even more thought-provoking is the original article from which it sprang.)
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