21 September 2019
When Kevin and I met dark and early at SpruceHaven on Saturday morning, we were pretty sure that our nets would not produce much, with overnight conditions perfect for passerine migration, and little reason for birds to hunker down overnight. And (remarkably!) we were right.
Very noteworthy, however, was a Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus), a species seldom observed, and one which we are fortunate to trap in migration in the fall, but in very small numbers, frequently just a single bird. This individual was in an advanced stage of moult.
The other species of note, a common species mind you, was a Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), the first ever caught in our nets. This is probably a resident bird and we will keep our eyes open for a bird with a band on its leg at the feeders in the winter.
All species banded 21 September: Black-billed Cuckoo (1), Black-capped Chickadee (2), Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Song Sparrow (5), Common Yellowthroat (1). Total: 10 individuals of 5 species.
Recently, I came across a quote attributed to the great sculptor, Henry Moore. He said, "The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for your whole life. And the most important thing is - it must be something you cannot possibly do."
My thoughts immediately turned to that inspirational young Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg, barely more than a child and not quite a woman, who has inspired the world, with her message of environmentalism, and her challenge to the established order.
There are those cynics who dismiss her, politicians who display nothing but their short-sighted ignorance, sarcasm and boorishness, those who choose to ignore science and do harm, but the world has embraced, and will continue to embrace, this dynamic, thoughtful, committed, passionate young advocate, who works tirelessly for all of us.
You were a great sculptor Henry Moore, but in one fundamental way you were wrong. Greta will get it done.
The Nuthatch is tough, and so is Greta Thunberg, David. She is only 16 years old, but she inspires many people all over the world. Sarcasm hits back. The report who came today about the climate should wake up they who still sleeps...
ReplyDeleteIt should, Marit, but I will not hold my breath.
DeleteHello, Great captures of the Black-billed Cuckoo. I have never seen the Black-billed Cuckoo. The Red-breasted Nuthatch has always been a favorite of mine. I hope to see the Nuthatch return to my yard this winter. I am a fan of Greta, we need more young people just like her. BTW, T.rump shows his true colors bullying Greta, he should be ashamed. Wishing you a great day!
ReplyDeleteI don't think he knows what shame is, Eileen.
DeleteI always love seeing the birds you band.
ReplyDeleteYouth who stand up for a cause always have critics. Maybe they make adults ashamed of their cowardice, and they should! Greta is remarkable, but so are all the kids “taking up arms” and standing with her in the photos seen after climate strike. hope they can shame the adults in power into paying attention.
You are quite right, Cynthia. Kudos to all the other kids too.
DeleteFascinating work with the birds and wonderful photos. Greta is a very courageous and determined girl, and has moved more in a few months than most politicians in years. And as for D.T. - words fail me. What an ignorant and hate filled man. Best wishes from Rhineland, Valerie
ReplyDelete.
Ignorant and hate-filled barely even begin to describe him.
DeleteLovely bird images. We sometimes get Red-breasted Nuthatches this far south in winter. They are always welcome visitors. We enjoy the Black-billed Cuckoo's cousin, the Yellow-billed, here in summer. Love that Henry Moore quote and I am totally in awe of Greta Thunberg and all the young people like her who are passionate about saving the planet. They are our hope.
ReplyDeleteYellow-billed Cuckoo is found here too.
DeleteI really, really hope that Greta does get it done. Despite the nay sayers. We NEED her to get it done, and I hope that the support she receives reaches tsunami levels. Soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved the bird photos too.
Preciosas capturas amigo David y una de ellas ese maravilloso cuco de pico negro me encanta.
ReplyDeleteEn cuanto a Greta Thunberg, maravillosa y hacen falta muchas más. No tenemos derecho de hipotecar el futuro de esa gente joven y dejarles un planeta inhabitable, el futuro es de ellos y no nuestro, espero que la gran mayoría de gente joven tomen cartas en el asunto y se cree un movimiento mundial que no pare para doblegar a tantos insensatos gobernantes. Espero poder ver un pequeño punto de luz al que aferrarnos y dar la batalla ahora más que nunca.
Un grande abrazo compadre y mi buen amigo David.
OH nice bird the BBCU! I felt Ms Thunburg's speech was very compelling, and she was spot on with your accusations!
ReplyDeleteWonderful bird images, David. Greta is a fine example of someone determined to make a difference regardless of what ignorant people say. She's taking on the world to get the message out, how can anyone not admire her.
ReplyDeleteBanding birds must be so difficult in its delicacy! I admire that.
ReplyDeleteWonderful selection of bird photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteGreta is inspiring in so many ways... as are all your bird posts! YAM xx
Wonderful bird shots!
ReplyDeleteShe is a remarkable young woman. We need to listen to her.
David - I am encouraged by the momentum that has been achieved as a result of this one young woman. There is hope, and it is translating into action in many places across the globe!
ReplyDeleteI am sure Greta will go far.
ReplyDeleteThese young people who are showing such strength and conviction in their beliefs are fighting for their future and that of the next generation. So it is sad to see Greta and others like her ridiculed.
ReplyDeleteHi David.
ReplyDeleteNice that you could ring new species.
Greeting from Patricia.
ReplyDeletePoznaj wymowę
The Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) is a beautiful tiny bird that sees it in a park near my home.:)
Hello David, That Black-billed-Cookoo is amazing and makes a great header on your blog. The birds kept a low profiele for ringing but than you had some special ones. The Red-breasted Nuthatch is as I understand also a bird not much seen. I hope it will come and visit you in your garden.
ReplyDeleteThan Greta, she dous all in her power to make leaders of the world understand the situation we are heading to and in some cases are already in. But it was sad to see that the arrogant ones are not taking her serious. And make jokes about her. It is shameful. And she should be protected from these horrible deniers like Trump.
After the burning of the forests in Brasil, it again burns now in Borneo Indonesië. And still no one dous any thing. I fear the coming years.
Regards,
Roos
Great post !!Love the birdsyou have ringed..About Gretha..I really do not what to say..many children are very afraid here now after her speach..There are not soo many talks about her here i scandinavia most of it is negative..So what should i say..I think every one of us should do what we can ..It is quite shocking in 5o years it will all be gone..the ice in the norht..also my city Bergen will be under much water because ot the high level of water due to the ice melting..it is very very sad..People only think money and use each other..We should buy less..eat more fish(I have fish for dinner 5 days a weak )and so on and on..I think the earth is going into a new fase..like it was before..and sadly we can not do anything about it,,may be prevent it for a while..100 years..I hope the new ones come up with a new solution and new thinking that can reverse it..Ok this is just my thinking..Iam very very concerned about it..So -i think its is great you show this post..Greetings Anita
ReplyDeleteI am both surprised, shocked perhaps, and disappointed that Greta is being maligned in Scandinavia. Every advocate for social or environmental change faces its harsh critics, but is usually vindicated and they become heroes of history. Think only of Rachel Carson and Martin Luther King, Jr to name just two such crusaders. Both were attacked mercilessly but history has proven them right.
DeleteLove seeing the close us of your birds caught for ringing. Sad that not everyone does not think the same way as Greta Thunberg, she is amazing. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteThe future needs thousands of Greta.
ReplyDeleteYay, Greta. She is amazing. I think of her and the Parkland, Florida kids who take on gun control and I have hope for the future, assuming we have a planet for them to live on.
ReplyDeleteLove the birds and the fact that you do these things.
Och David, du har en uppgift som du tagit dig an med ödmjukhet, kunskap och arbete för att bidra till en bättre tillvaro för världens fåglar, du har all min respekt och beundran för det du gör. Det tar en livstid att lära sig allt du kan om fåglar och deras liv.
ReplyDeleteOch Greta, det är otroligt allt det som har skett runt denna tös. Det började för endast ett år sedan när hon ensam satt sig framför Riksdagshuset varje fredag med sin hemmagjorda lilla plansch - skolstrejk för klimatet.
Vi har förnekare här också och de är mycket aktiva på nätet. Jag är mycket, mycket upprörd över vad dessa äldre herrar (ja, tyvärr är det så) skriver om Greta. Det är konspirationsteorier, hennes psykiska hälsa ifrågasätts, hon är ett offer för någon som i bakgrunden tjänar pengar på henne etc. etc. Numera skrivs allt skräp på nätet men detta har passerat alla gränser och är mycket obehagligt. Hon beskylls för att skrämmas och kallas alarmist, detsamma som IPCC beskylls för.
I går kom den senaste IPCC rapporten och den i sig är skrämmande. Hur skall vetenskapen kommunicera sina upptäckter om de inte kan tala om vad som sker? Att en vetenskap ifrågasätts är för mig oerhört skrämmande och jag kan inte förstå hur det har kunnat gå så långt, vetenskapen som gett oss så mycket.
This muzzling of science is the most disturbing fact of all, Gunilla. I think it was inevitable that Greta would be attacked and her motives questioned, but she seems tough and I am sure she will rise above it all. She has 100% of my respect and admiration.
DeleteHi David - so good see the black-billed cuckoo and the little red breasted Nuthatch - I hope you catch sight of her/him later in the season.
ReplyDeleteGreta and the science ... she is courageous and certainly we all need to be looking after our planet - it has seen worse times ... but we need to survive too ... take care - cheers Hilary
Seamos Todos más responsables con el planeta. Este no es el mundo que quiero dejar a mis descendientes. Me gusta un lugar más limpio David.
ReplyDeleteLindos pajarillos.
Un abrazo.
You are making a very good job banding the birds. I have never seen a cuckoo. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteBlack-billed Cuckoo might take the honours for rarity value, David, but in my opinion it's way behind the Red-breasted Nuthatch in the 'attractive' stakes.
ReplyDeleteGreta is doing an absolutely wonderful job in waking up the world to the crisis we are all facing. Her resilience to the hate she is stirring up in some quarters is nothing short of miraculous - and those that are expressing that hate are helping us pinpoint where the root of the danger lies. I'm beginning to think that there might now be hope, but still desperately concerned that there is too much inertia in governments and industry preventing action as urgently as it is needed.
This cuckoo was pretty ragged, Richard, due to advanced moult. Once it has completed that phase it will look pretty grand. But as you say the nuthatch is very attractive.
DeleteHola David, buenas noches.
ReplyDeleteEnhorabuena por el anillamiento del Coccyzus erythropthalmus, una hermosa ave que ojalá algún día reporten la anilla vista en Colombia, Panamá, etc.
También felicitaros por el hermoso Sitta canadensis que a lo mejor lo ves en tu ya famoso patio de tu casa.
Un abrazo desde Galicia,
Rafa.
Yes to Greta and the Children's Strike that happened last Fri all over the world...I think the young people have force of right behind them. Much the same as when we (Americans) finally got out of VietNam with the peace movement.
ReplyDeletePreciosos esos pájaros. Greta está haciendo una gran labor, para el mundo. Besitos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little bird the nuthatch is.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever actually seen a cuckoo, though we hear them often here in the Spring.
i have heard greta speak, she is a bright, intelligent young girl. but in my humble opinion, her delivery could be better, a little softer. she has great intent and may one day be the hero you speak of. trumps statement was misreported as he said she is a "bright young girl with a promising future" i don't think she is being attacked mercilessly. and by the way, i agree!!
ReplyDeletei have always admired the educated woman who can get their message across in a dignified way. a way in which people listen and want to follow and get involved!!
She is sixteen years old, for God's sake. Her message is far, far more important than her delivery, which I found to be impassioned and sincere. If you think she is not being attacked mercilessly just read the accounts of attacks on her that imply she is deranged, is on someone's payroll, has a hidden agenda....and so on. As for people listening and getting involved look at the events happening around the world today, all as a result of Greta. As for Trump's statement it was filled with sarcasm and vitriol, like most of what comes out of his mouth. Rachel Carson, one of the greatest, perhaps THE greatest environmentalists in all of history, was attacked in the same way - and she was a well-educated scientist with the very opposite of a harsh delivery. I am not quite sure what you say you are agreeing with.
DeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of a black-beaked cuckoo and with you I always see beautiful new species (for me then). I always think that's great to see :-)
The girl Greta Thunberg, has unleashed a great deal in various groups. She is acclaimed but also maligned by various authorities. Anyway, she has released something from many.
Dear greetings, Helma
Greta's doing a fine job (and what sort of person attacks a child anyway?) but she won't achieve anything on her own. It will take a huge effort, and considerable sacrifices, by all of us. Similarly if we fail to arrest global warming it will not be down to just a few politicians however misguided they may be.
ReplyDeleteI am quite sure that Greta is under no illusions that she can do it alone. Could Mahatma Gandhi? Could Mikhail Gorbachev? Could Rachel Carson? But they were the important catalysts for change. And Greta will be too. You are correct that it will not be attributable to just a few politicians, but we have a right to expect leadership from the people we elect to - hmm - lead. Some of the recent choices we have made stagger the imagination.
DeleteBeautiful ringing images, and Greta Thunberg, there is a great girl, she may change others, but, the likes of Don Trump, don't want to change.
ReplyDeleteHello, David! Beautiful closeups of the Black-billed Cuckoo and the Red-breasted Nuthatch. I say kudos to Greta, she does have a great message for all of us. Thanks for linking up and sharing your post! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend! PS, thank you for the comment!
ReplyDeleteI love your banner and it's neat to see the Cuckoo! We have them here I've been told but haven't seen one yet! Enjoy your weekend...I know you will!
ReplyDeleteGreat post David! Beautiful species of birds!
ReplyDeleteAnd a deep bow for Greta!
How dare we .....!
Regards Maria
Very nice photos of this beautiful birds. Nice header. Greetings Caroline
ReplyDeletePrecious dedication of you and Kevin to the birds, the coal see it in my garden and I liked to recognize it.
ReplyDeleteAlso the dedication of Greta, the young woman willing to shake the established to change things, she and many young people who follow her will inherit a polluted planet if it remains the same, it is logical that they worry, but their struggle is also everyone's, we have to get politicians to act in favor of solving climate change as soon as possible.
A hug.
It seems the Greta is worrying a lot of very rich, rather old, powerful white men - well done her I say!
ReplyDeletecheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Sorry David. I think the child is being used by dark forces. She does not inspire me but simply make me angry that adults can use children in this way.
ReplyDeleteI could not disagree more, Phil. Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me. Like discussions of politics and religion, probably better put aside.
Deletehttps://www.melaniephillips.com/weaponisation-western-children/
DeleteThis seems like classic conspiracy theory stuff, Phil, with its rant about a plot to destroy capitalism and our way of life. Let's agree to put this whole topic aside, because we are obviously at diametrically opposite ends of it.
DeleteCuckoo photos are excellent.
ReplyDeleteI admire Greta Thunberg, I watched her perform at the New York Climate Summit.
Greetings:)
That girl is an example for all of us. Give yourself 100% if you believe in something even if it seems impossible.
ReplyDeleteGreatings,
René Smits
Thank you, René.
Delete