The IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In their own words,
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.
I am pleased to announce the opening of the Birder’s Lounge Online Store! Our initial offering is a selection of bird-themed coffee mugs. 
I want to focus first on the importance of choosing Shade-grown, Organic, & Fair-Trade certified coffees. Shade-grown coffee comes from plants that grow under the canopy of larger trees. This is the coffee plant’s natural habitat, and these habitats support all kinds of wildlife, including birds. Out of the 600 species of North American birds, 340 are neotropical migrants. This means that more than half of the birds we love here in North America are dependent on habitats like those of traditional coffee plantations.1
Organic coffee is grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Fair-Trade certified coffee means that the coffee beans are purchased from farmers at a fair price, enabling them to continue growing coffee beans in environmentally sound ways. It also helps these farmers compete with the coffee growers who cut down entire forests in order to speed the growth of coffee plants, to the detriment of the environment and all of the creatures who depend on the forest habitat.
Another bonus for purchasing only shade/organic/fair coffee is that they taste better!
I have sampled coffees from several roasters who exclusively offer shade/organic/fair coffees. Let me say this, I’d take that job any day! The very best roaster I found is Grounds for Change. Their commitment to providing only the best shade/organic/fair coffees is unrivaled in my estimation. They won the taste test, hands down!
You can learn much, much more about all of this at a blog that I subscribe to, Coffee & Conservation.
I hope you will enjoy a sumptuous cup of coffee from Grounds for Change, in a Birder’s Lounge coffee mug!
In this Year of the Frog, I want to share the smashing success of my efforts to provide habitat for frogs at my home. My frog ponds(2) also provide water to wildlife, breeding grounds for dragonflies and all manner of other pond creatures. At night, their myriad calls provide musical accompaniment to the rest of the nocturnal chorus. Plus, it is a lot of fun for me to sit by and enjoy!
A few days ago, the state of California held its annual Coastal Cleanup Day. The artwork above is from the California Coastal Commission. Lets hope we never see this bird! Read the rest of this entry »
I want to take this time, as hurricane Ike makes its way through Texas, to let everyone know about two bird and wildlife rescue/rehabilitation/sanctuaries that I admire and support.
The International Bird Rescue Research Center, based in California, focuses its efforts on birds and other animals injured by the all-too-frequent oil spills in our seas around the world. This non-profit organization, established in 1971, also helps birds and animals injured by the detritus of the fishing industry. I have not found any reports of oil spills along the Texas Gulf Coast due to storm damage, and I hope that the drilling operations an rigs are not badly damaged.
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation is a non-profit organization located in Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio - near the city of Kendalia. It was founded in 1977 by Lynn Cuny, and has grown from a backyard operation to a highly respected sanctuary of 187 acres. Their commitment to wildlife stresses the need to keep the “wild” in wildlife. I whole-heartedly agree! Read the rest of this entry »
I recently trudged through one of my favorite birding and wildlife places, The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Refuge, in McKinney, Texas. This 289-acre refuge is designated as an Audubon Important Birding Area, and is also where I am learning to band birds. The Heard is the proud host of the oldest and longest-running bird banding station in Texas.
Despite the heat, the weight of my camera gear, and my surprisingly empty can of bug spray - I had a good day. A “good day” for me does not mean that I “got” a bird for my list because I don’t keep a list. A good day for me means that I was able to see a variety of wildlife, marvel at their behavior, and enjoy their beauty. Getting even one or two good pictures to bring home with me so that I can share with friends and family - and here at Birder’s Lounge - makes it an even better day.
This is a path that I walked for the first time. I found it when I came upon a sign near the edge of the wetlands that instructed me to not go beyond that point. I looked to the right and saw the beginning of this lovely, wide path, and headed that way. (turns out it was a service road - who knew?) Read the rest of this entry »
This Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) boldly flew into a sunflower plant, about fifteen feet away from me. According to The Behavior of Texas Birds (2002, by Kent Rylander, University of Texas Press, Austin, TX):
They are generally unwary and easily approached and observed.
Although I was sitting quite still, Read the rest of this entry »
This image is from Camp Fire USA’s Camp El Tesoro in Granbury, Texas. Look for my upcoming series on this great organization!
The bird featured here is a Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis).
This is an iconic scene in Texas, and more oil wells are actually pumping these days. I have no objection to firing up any oil wells in Texas or other places in America that are already built. From a conservation standpoint, the habitat destruction has already occurred. From my standpoint, it seems like a waste to build them and not use them.
I do, however, cringe at the idea of building new oil drilling sites. I wrote this letter to my Senator and Congressman today: Read the rest of this entry »
This Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) is standing watch over his nest, perched on this sprinkler head at a lakeside home in Greenville, Texas. It wouldn’t be so interesting if it were a House Sparrow or a Common Grackle…but you don’t see Prothonotary Warblers just anywhere!! Read the rest of this entry »
designed by: Flash Templates for Top WP Themes
ambercoakley | 
10 7th, 2008| 