Kris! I'm so happy you found me! You know both the joys and the bureaucracy first hand. I'm glad I can give you a bit of the former when you're buried in the latter. : )
Thanks for sharing this with me! I hadn't seen it and it IS a fascinating read. It's great when new technologies add to our ever-evolving understanding (and appreciation) of the complexities of bird behavior.
I love the heralding of Spring with the Robins you capture so beautifully! I so agree with the necessity to double and triple check all plant material including seeds for pesticides, including systemic. Wonderful writing Sophie!
Thank you for the kind words, Dana! You're so right about checking for pesticides! You probably know this better than most. For years I didn't realize that some of the nursery plants I was planting likely had been grown from neonicotinoid-coated seeds. These systemic poisons were therefore harming the very pollinators I was trying to help. Still, better to gain some ecological awareness late than never at all!
I am guilty of sometimes ignoring the birds I most frequently see - THANK YOU for reminding me that there is beauty in every bird, mysteries to discover, and lessons to be learned. I LOVE your imagery and your tips on how we can all help - even in small ways.
I think we all take certain birds for granted at times. But sometimes they remind us, as you stated so beautifully, "that there is beauty in every bird, mysteries to discover, and lessons to be learned." Thank you!
Sometimes it's the birds that were in abundance in dozens visiting everyday like sparrows but are now a rare sight. Finches in all their coats of many colours are, mostly, gone! We used to hear woodpeckers daily, now never!
The World is changing but not for the better!
I have three birdfeeders out but it now takes about four to five days for just one to be emptied; they all used to be cleared-out in two to three days!
I was just watching a lone Robin in one of the trees in my yard, a yard that has not suffered the perils of neonicotinoids. I hope that some day, soon, they will be illegal! I don't know of any efforts to address this via legislation. I wonder if there are cities in the US where they have been banned. Thanks for reminding us of the beauty in common birds!
Thanks, Micki! The Saving America's Pollinators Act would address some neonicotinoid concerns. Unfortunately, the bill has been introduced multiple times (the last time in 2023) and it keeps getting shelved. Eugene, Oregon was the first city to ban the use of neonics on city property (in 2014). Other cities that followed suit include Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon. I think 11 states have restricted some consumer uses of neonics. New Jersey, Maine, and Nevada appear to have the strongest laws so far.
Sophie, as always, it is such a pleasure to hear the voice of pure joy embedded in your writing. And I echo Susie's comment: your blog posts are a delightful way to interrupt the bureaucratic processes of my day-to-day.
Thank you, Sophie for the robin post! "My" American Robin couple are back this week, they are very vocal and always let me know they are here! They have a brood (or two) in the tree in my yard every year. I LOVE ❤️ them. I don't use any herbicides or pesticides in my yard and provide them with filtered water in their bath. The Xerces Society is a great organization to check out for programs and tips on helping invertebrates live a happy, healthy life which in turn helps birds as well.
Thank you, Jonna! I am so happy to hear about your yard robins and how much you enjoy them! They're getting royal treatment from you, just like the condors did! I'm not surprised. : ) You're right--The Xerces Society is a great organization! Thanks for the reminder that I should check out their site more regularly for tips on helping our beleaguered but oh-so-critical invertebrates.
We have robins throughout the year but other delightful small birds that we have as regular visitors are, Long Tailed Tits, Bluetits, Blackcap, and slightly larger are the Blackbirds (the male is jet black, the female dark brown and thrush and a good bit larger are Jay's, Jackdaws and Woodpigeon and the occasional Sparrowhawk. However, I think your robins are more finely coloured than ours!
Thank you! Seeing your adorable European Robin in 2015 was a delight for me! Your tiny robin is part of the Old World flycatcher family, while our much larger American Robin is part of the thrush family. I love your enchanting "regulars"!
Kris! I'm so happy you found me! You know both the joys and the bureaucracy first hand. I'm glad I can give you a bit of the former when you're buried in the latter. : )
Thanks for sharing this with me! I hadn't seen it and it IS a fascinating read. It's great when new technologies add to our ever-evolving understanding (and appreciation) of the complexities of bird behavior.
I love the heralding of Spring with the Robins you capture so beautifully! I so agree with the necessity to double and triple check all plant material including seeds for pesticides, including systemic. Wonderful writing Sophie!
Thank you for the kind words, Dana! You're so right about checking for pesticides! You probably know this better than most. For years I didn't realize that some of the nursery plants I was planting likely had been grown from neonicotinoid-coated seeds. These systemic poisons were therefore harming the very pollinators I was trying to help. Still, better to gain some ecological awareness late than never at all!
I am guilty of sometimes ignoring the birds I most frequently see - THANK YOU for reminding me that there is beauty in every bird, mysteries to discover, and lessons to be learned. I LOVE your imagery and your tips on how we can all help - even in small ways.
I think we all take certain birds for granted at times. But sometimes they remind us, as you stated so beautifully, "that there is beauty in every bird, mysteries to discover, and lessons to be learned." Thank you!
Sometimes it's the birds that were in abundance in dozens visiting everyday like sparrows but are now a rare sight. Finches in all their coats of many colours are, mostly, gone! We used to hear woodpeckers daily, now never!
The World is changing but not for the better!
I have three birdfeeders out but it now takes about four to five days for just one to be emptied; they all used to be cleared-out in two to three days!
Not good is it!! xx
I was just watching a lone Robin in one of the trees in my yard, a yard that has not suffered the perils of neonicotinoids. I hope that some day, soon, they will be illegal! I don't know of any efforts to address this via legislation. I wonder if there are cities in the US where they have been banned. Thanks for reminding us of the beauty in common birds!
Thanks, Micki! The Saving America's Pollinators Act would address some neonicotinoid concerns. Unfortunately, the bill has been introduced multiple times (the last time in 2023) and it keeps getting shelved. Eugene, Oregon was the first city to ban the use of neonics on city property (in 2014). Other cities that followed suit include Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon. I think 11 states have restricted some consumer uses of neonics. New Jersey, Maine, and Nevada appear to have the strongest laws so far.
Thanks, Sophie! Maybe we should get a legislator to introduce a state ban!
Thanks Sophie. What a welcome excuse to interrupt my bureaucratic work on a rainy Friday!
So glad I could give you that excuse! Birds do seem to have quite a welcome way of interrupting our work! : )
Sophie, as always, it is such a pleasure to hear the voice of pure joy embedded in your writing. And I echo Susie's comment: your blog posts are a delightful way to interrupt the bureaucratic processes of my day-to-day.
I thought this a fascinating article. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/03/20/what-makes-birdsong-beautiful-scientists-are-using-ai-figure-it-out/
Thank you, Sophie for the robin post! "My" American Robin couple are back this week, they are very vocal and always let me know they are here! They have a brood (or two) in the tree in my yard every year. I LOVE ❤️ them. I don't use any herbicides or pesticides in my yard and provide them with filtered water in their bath. The Xerces Society is a great organization to check out for programs and tips on helping invertebrates live a happy, healthy life which in turn helps birds as well.
Thank you, Jonna! I am so happy to hear about your yard robins and how much you enjoy them! They're getting royal treatment from you, just like the condors did! I'm not surprised. : ) You're right--The Xerces Society is a great organization! Thanks for the reminder that I should check out their site more regularly for tips on helping our beleaguered but oh-so-critical invertebrates.
We have robins throughout the year but other delightful small birds that we have as regular visitors are, Long Tailed Tits, Bluetits, Blackcap, and slightly larger are the Blackbirds (the male is jet black, the female dark brown and thrush and a good bit larger are Jay's, Jackdaws and Woodpigeon and the occasional Sparrowhawk. However, I think your robins are more finely coloured than ours!
Lovely to read your stories. xx
Thank you! Seeing your adorable European Robin in 2015 was a delight for me! Your tiny robin is part of the Old World flycatcher family, while our much larger American Robin is part of the thrush family. I love your enchanting "regulars"!
Great post, Sophie! And it’s nice to experience your first robin of the season with you. Good tips on helping birds, too!
Thanks, Brandon! This year's first robin sighting certainly was a memorable one for me! : )