How carbon emissions affect the birds: Changes seen

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 22 October 2009 14:03

For some years now, ornithologists have been discussing the impact of climate destabilization on bird populations everywhere, notes Patrice Gillespie of the local Sierra Club chapter.

“To help raise awareness of how shifting and more extreme weather patterns are adversely affecting migrations, food sources and breeding habitat, some of 350.org’s International Climate Day of Action events being planned for this Saturday around the world have highlighted birds.”

In the Norwalk River Valley, birders will gather Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Wilton’s Allen’s Meadows, one of Connecticut’s 25 best birding spots during fall migrations, to check on fall migrants.

At that location, Sunrise Birding’s Luke Tiller and the Connecticut chapter of the Sierra Club will arrange a 350.org photo that underscores local support for carbon emissions reductions that will help restore the carbon dioxide content of the earth’s atmosphere to a sustainable, more climate-friendly proportion of 350 parts per million.

“The photo — centered around the number 350 formed on the grass of Allen’s Meadow with white safflower seed — will be posted at www.350.org with thousands of others from more than 150 countries,” Patrice said. “The hoped-for result would be an effective world-wide program of carbon emissions reductions after government representatives meet in Copenhagen in December to work out the details of a meaningful climate treaty — a workable Phase II to the Kyoto protocol.”

Allen’s Meadows is just north of Wilton High School on Route 7, on the west side of the road beyond the playing fields, near the community gardens and the treeline.

“Birders are asked to wear dark clothing so that the number 350 is the focal point of the photo,” Patrice said.

The event will be held rain or shine.

For more info, please call Luke Tiller of Sunrise Birding at 203-981-9924 or Patrice Gillespie of the Sierra Club at 203-216-5938.

Sweet tooth

“I was surprised to look out my window one late August day to see a squirrel hanging from his toes, tipping our disc hummer feeder and sipping the nectar,” writes Gail Jaroff of Chappaqua, N.Y.  “Is this unusual?  I’ve never seen it before and have been feeding hummingbirds for years. I noted the plastic flowers had been gnawed off the bulb feeder as well.”

Many wild creatures have a sweet tooth — and will take advantage of our hand-outs if they can reach them. The squirrel, however, may simply have been thirsty and looked on the feeder as a source of drink — albeit more tasty than the average puddle.

Coming Up

Fall Migrants, with Luke Tiller and Sierra Club, Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Allen’s Meadows, just north of high school, Route 7, Wilton, 203-216-5938.

Allen’s Meadows, migrating songbirds at Wilton hotspot, Sunday, Oct. 25, Audubon Greenwich to carpool by 8 meet the group in Wilton; RSVP required; call Brian at 203-869-5272x221.

Chestnut Ridge Hawk Watch, trip to Arthur Butler Sanctuary in Bedford, Saturday, Oct. 31, 1 to 4 p.m., meet at 1 at Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, to carpool/get directions; RSVP Ted  203-869-5272x230.

Autumn Migration Bird Walks, every Saturday, 7 to 8:45 a.m., in October, meet at Fairchild Sanctuary, North Porchuck Road in Greenwich, free, 203-869-5272 x221, greenwich.audubon.org

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, trip, Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 to 3, Audubon Greenwich, RSVP Ted 203-869-5272 at x230.

Bird Walks with Luke Tiller, to register, sunrisebirding.com/walks.htm; 203-981-9924, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

First Sundays, birding at Greenwich Point with Meredith Sampson of Wild Wings, and other guides, meet at the second concession stand, 203-637-9822.

Copyright (c) 2009 by Jack Sanders. Send sightings or comments to: jackfsanders [at sign] yahoo.com, or to Bird Notes, Box 1019, Ridgefield, CT 06877; or call 203-438-1183, extension BIRD (2473), and leave a message with your report, spelling your first and last names and telling us your town. If you need help identifying a bird, try your local nature center. If you find an injured bird, call wildlife rehabilitator Darlene Wimbrow of Redding, 203-438-0618, Wildlife in Crisis of Weston, 203-544-9913, or Wild Wings of Greenwich, 203-637-9822. The columnist’s website is www. sandersbooks. com.

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