DARE TO BIRD

Tonight on CBC David Suzuki hosted a fantastic program called "Grasslands: A Hidden Wilderness." It dealt mainly about the decline of Canada's grasslands birds but also other animals that are suffering such as the Swift Fox, Black-footed Ferret, Bison, Grizzlies and Pronghorn. The footage of the Greater Sage-Grouse is especially beautiful. It is well worth a watch. We really have changed our prairie landscape to quite devastating effects but the people in the film working to protect the habitat and animals give me some hope. If you missed it on CBC you can watch it for free on their website at this link HERE .

If you have a Netflix subscription you can watch a new 40 min documentary entitled "Birders." I watched it and it's fantastic. It deals with the issue birds are facing along the south Texas/Mexican border and how Trump's wall will negatively effect them. I stayed at the Alamo Inn featured in here and have been to many of the hotspots listed. Watch the trailer here: It is available to stream now on Netflix for all subscribers. *An aside -  if you haven't heard there is new fascinating research on Barn Owls that proves that moonlight allows white-plumaged Barn Owls to hunt better by stunning their prey longer.*

Berylline Hummingbird in Portal - Photo: Melissa Hafting I have been following some of the rarities being seen in Southeastern Arizona lately and there were 3 that had my mouth watering. I love hummingbirds and have ALWAYS wanted to see a Berylline and White-eared and when I knew there was some long staying individuals I was intrigued. When I noticed the Common Crane which I dipped on in June was still present I thought it would be worth a trip. I looked for a seat sale but it was a fortune from Vancouver due to the long weekend but there was a cheap flight for only 200$ Cad out of Bellingham so I grabbed that and flew to Mesa.   Ilya had wanted to join me but due to work conflicts he couldn't. It was my first time flying into this airport and won't be my last. It couldn't have been easier a tiny airport and you walk right out to your rental car. No big shuttle buses and long waits like at the large PHX terminal. Plus this airport is way closer to the birds in south...