Few things delight me more than spotting a hummingbird flitting around spring flowers or hovering at a feeder. I know many others who find a special joy in watching these amazing little birds, and we now can turn that wonder into something more scientific.
The National Audubon Society is asking birders and nature enthusiasts across the country to become citizen scientists and help track the health of hummingbird populations with a new app, “Hummingbirds at Home.”
The data that we can collect is way more than scientists could never gather alone.
Every spring, many hummingbirds migrate long distances, eating several times their weight in nectar each day. With the planet slowly getting warmer and flowers blooming earlier, the impact on hummingbirds, which rely on the nectar, could be significant.
Scientists are particularly interested in seeing how the hummingbirds are adapting to these changes, if they are.
“Increasingly, people are seeing the impact of climate change in their own backyards, from early blossoms to extreme weather,” says Audubon chief scientist Gary Langham. “This is a fun, family-friendly citizen science project that works in the classroom or in the kitchen.”
Hummingbirds at Home is free and compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPad Touch. Users will be able to record the species, nectar sources and feeding behavior. Audubon will be able to determine whether the birds are timing their arrival to match the earlier bloom times, and determine whether alternate nectar sources, such as our backyard feeders, are making a difference in hummingbird breeding success and survival.
For more information go to, www.hummingbirdsathome.org, or search for “Audubon Hummingbirds at Home” on your app store.
As Easter approaches, some people’s thoughts turn to bunnies. While it is never a good idea to adopt a pet just to be seasonal, if you’ve got a place in your heart and home for a bunny, there are a lot of rescued rabbits just waiting for a good home.
The Hayward Animal Shelter’s monthly Bunny Bonanza is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the shelter, 16 Barnes Court, Hayward.
Rabbit rescue groups from around the Bay Area will be there with bunnies available for adoption and lots of advice and information to share. If you already have a bunny, the shelter also is offering free nail trims. (Hmmmm, I wonder if I could pass my Chihuahua off as a rare rabbit.)
Looking for information on how to care for them? Contra Costa Rabbit Rescue is having a free Rabbit 101 clinic at 1 p.m. April 12 at Contra Costa Animal Services, 4800 Imhoff Place, Martinez. Topics will include housing, diet, toys, exercise, grooming, spaying and neutering, and pretty much anything you need to know.
Cats in need
Around Christmas, Tara’s mom died, leaving two cats — siblings about 5 years old — without a loving home.
Tara has tried to find someone to take the cats but has had no luck, and the next step for them may be the animal shelter. Tara is really hoping she can find someone who will take them both.
If you can help, email me and I’ll put you in touch with Tara. You can see photos of them on my blog.