Dr. Joanne Stolen:
"It is always a treat to see bald eagles. Not only is it a national symbol, but it is a magnificent bird, so distinctive with its white head. The name “bald” comes from the word piebald, and refers to the white head and tail feathers.
In the past several weeks there have been a lot of pictures posted of bald eagles on Facebook and reported local sightings of bald eagles. I came across a website of “Fun Things to do in Summit County” and one of them is: watch bald eagles. We see them regularly around Dillon Reservoir and a nesting pair has been seen recently nesting on the shores of Green Mountain Reservoir. During the winter up to 1,200 bald eagles spend the season in the area around Pueblo. Colorado Parks and Wildlife holds an annual “Eagle Days” festival there in February.
Like all raptors, the bald eagle is a powerful, graceful flier. Soaring on thermal convection currents, it can reach speeds of up to 35-43 mph when gliding and flapping.
When an eagle flaps its wings, most of the power for flight comes from the downward stroke of the wings. The muscles that pull the wings down are much larger than the muscles that pull the wings up. The flight muscles account for half of the bird's total weight...." (Read more? Click title)
Showing posts with label Summit Outside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summit Outside. Show all posts
April 8, 2012
February 13, 2012
SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News/Summit Outside "How to love a dead tree"
Dr. Joanne Stolen:
"We bemoan all the dead lodgepole pines killed by the fungus introduced by the beetle in our area, but where there is death there is also life and sustenance. Dead trees provide vital habitat for more than 1,000 species of wildlife. Dead wood contributes to biological richness as substrate, cavity sites, foraging sites, shelter and cover. Last week I wrote about a lichen species (Usnea) that prefers to grow on dead trees. This lichen provides food for deer and nesting materials for birds.
There are terms used by wildlife biologists for dead wood. A “snag” is the name for dead trees that are left upright to decompose naturally. When a snag (or part of a snag) falls on the ground it becomes a “log.”
Who uses dead wood? Birds are the most obvious creatures, as they use limbs, branches and logs for perching, foraging and nesting materials. Birds, such as ruffed grouse, will use logs for drumming and courtship displays.
In many forests, 30 to 45 percent of the bird species are cavity nesters. In North America alone, 55 avian species nest in cavities. Birds that use cavities in trees are divided into several categories. Cavity-nesting birds are classified as “primary excavators” — those which can excavate hard wood; “weak excavators” — those species which can excavate soft, dead wood; or “secondary cavity-users” — those which can utilize existing cavities. Another 80 animal species depend upon previously excavated or natural tree holes for their nests..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"We bemoan all the dead lodgepole pines killed by the fungus introduced by the beetle in our area, but where there is death there is also life and sustenance. Dead trees provide vital habitat for more than 1,000 species of wildlife. Dead wood contributes to biological richness as substrate, cavity sites, foraging sites, shelter and cover. Last week I wrote about a lichen species (Usnea) that prefers to grow on dead trees. This lichen provides food for deer and nesting materials for birds.
There are terms used by wildlife biologists for dead wood. A “snag” is the name for dead trees that are left upright to decompose naturally. When a snag (or part of a snag) falls on the ground it becomes a “log.”
Who uses dead wood? Birds are the most obvious creatures, as they use limbs, branches and logs for perching, foraging and nesting materials. Birds, such as ruffed grouse, will use logs for drumming and courtship displays.
In many forests, 30 to 45 percent of the bird species are cavity nesters. In North America alone, 55 avian species nest in cavities. Birds that use cavities in trees are divided into several categories. Cavity-nesting birds are classified as “primary excavators” — those which can excavate hard wood; “weak excavators” — those species which can excavate soft, dead wood; or “secondary cavity-users” — those which can utilize existing cavities. Another 80 animal species depend upon previously excavated or natural tree holes for their nests..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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