NATURE
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Broad-winged hawk survives a close encounter (with a tractor trailer)
AUTUMN ACTIVITY
The bluebirds come to our home in the spring, but most of all in September when they are busy flying around going in and out of our bird boxes and having a bath in the bird bath. A lot more activity from the blue jays and robins which have returned in greater numbers during September to feed on berries. The male hummingbirds have gone, but the females are busy as ever fighting over who will control the two feeders on our front porch. Regina Puhalski NEW SEASON IS ALMOST HERE
The 27th season of Project FeederWatch begins Nov. 9, 2013. We will start shipping feeder kits soon. If you haven’t signed up yet, do so as soon as possible (see below). Please note that only participants registered for the 2012-2013 season are able to log in at this time. After Nov. 1, all participants registered for the 2013-2014 season will be able to log in and set up their count site We will start shipping research kits for Canadian participants in October. Early kits are shipped by bulk mail, so delivery times vary from one to four weeks. If you have not signed up yet, please do so soon to assure that your kit arrives before the season starts. If you have already signed up and have not received your kit by Nov. 1, please contact us at pfw@birdsbirdscanada.org or phone toll-free 1-888-448-2473. COLOUR MARKED SHOREBIRDS
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, southbound shorebird migration is well under way.
JIM FERGUSON Scene from the Hawk’s Eye Many shorebird species that nest in the Arctic have already begun their journeys to wintering grounds in Central and South America. Researchers have used colour marking techniques to help them obtain reports on birds such as sandpipers, plovers, yellowlegs and snipes as they travel to other areas. If you encounter shorebirds as part of your bird watching activities in the weeks to come, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for colour bands and/or colour flags on their legs. Visit the Environment Canada website, www. ec.gc.ca to learn more about the flag colours used by various countries and for instructions on how to report sightings of colour banded shorebirds. THEY NEED SPACE
If you have been out birding you will notice the flocks of European starlings and swallows, perching on hydro and telephone wires. You will also notice that they seem to be evenly spaced along the wire. This is not a random situation, LUCY HASS/METROLAND this is done on purpose. The birds require a certain amount of space wherever they go. Even while feeding in flocks they maintain a small space between them. This reduces the number Greg and son Jake Redmond of Arnprior were among the spectators at the Raptor show of hostile encounters that use up energy needed at the Renfrew Fair Saturday afternoon. Below, the eagle was a hit with the crowd. for migration and may even result in injury.
A bird’s eye view
INJURIES
Mark Boisvenue saw two male loons on Astrolabe Lake at Logos Land in an aggressive encounter this week and later found a dead loon floating in the water. Aggressive encounters may result in one of the birds being killed and we suspect that this is what happened in this case. Territory is extremely important when the birds are incubating eggs and when the young are learning to swim and capture their own food. The birds will meet in a neutral area of a lake or river and no aggression is shown; it is only near the nesting sites that encounters between males become vicious. Enjoy your birding. Ila and Jim Ferguson, 5313 River Road, RR 5, Renfrew, Ont., K7V 3Z8. Phone 613-432-2738 or email jamesh@nrtco. net
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18 The Renfrew Mercury EMC - Thursday, September 12, 2013
R0022279898
Don Anderson witnessed a broad-winged hawk involved in a close encounter with a tractor trailer. He said that the bird did not strike the vehicle but may have been stunned by the sharp turn it had to make to avoid a collision. The bird fell to the side of the road and did not move. Don returned to where the bird landed and he found no blood, the bird did not flop around as if it had a damaged wing and its eyes were alert and bright. Other than remaining very still the hawk appeared unharmed. To evade any further injury Don placed the bird away from the busy highway out of harm’s way. Once it had recovered from the experience it would seek its own protection, shelter and food. Hawks are very sensitive to handling and are best left on their own to recover if there is no visible damage or broken parts.