February 2018

February- 2018 is The Year of the Bird, a 12-month celebration of birds and raising awareness of the threats birds face around the world.  Organized by National Geographic, the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Bird Life International and dozens of other partners, nature centers, conservation groups.  Through 12 months of storytelling, science research and conservation efforts, these efforts will examine how our changing environment is driving dramatic losses among bird species around the globe and highlight what we can do to help bring birds back. Each month will include a call to action. Every February participating organizations participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Source:  National Audubon Society.  www.audubon.org                                                      
 Maybe in February 2019 we can do a GBBC in Elk Rapids!_ Royce Ragland
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 February 1-One day last week while sipping his morning coffee, my husband was watching a Hairy Woodpecker hammering the suet cake on the tree outside our window in Meadowview Commons.  In seconds a hunting hawk swooped in, taking the woodpecker to the ground.  After 3 or 4 stomps with its talons, the hawk sailed away with the dying woodpecker dangling.  This happened in seconds, so the hawk's identity wasn't verified, likely the more common Red-Tailed Hawk. Part of Life's Circle in an instant. _Linda Travis
 
February 14-“That’s a fox out there!”  Walking along the shoreline, I was surprised when a driver pulled over and pointed to a dark spot moving across the frozen bay.  It really was a fox. _Terri Reisig.
 
February 15-Why Birds Matter.  “It’s not just what they do for the environment-it’s what they do for our souls”.  National Geographic Magazine, February 2018. _  Copy available in Elk Rapids District Library.