What wildlife do you see on your rides?

[PamNY]

The monk parakeet nest that I watch was destroyed recently. Neighborhood gossip says it was vandalism -- that a "group of men" came with ropes and sticks and brought it down.

I don't know if that's true -- the nests do occasionally fall when they get too heavy. Either way, it's sad and I miss my cheery, friendly buddies.

The monks are trying to build on lights at a nearby football field, and they'll probably be chased away. Life isn't easy for these little guys.

[PamNY]

As I feared, the monk parakeets were allowed to build nests on the football field lights for two months and now they've been taken down. It's the worst possible thing for the birds -- to be homeless just as it's getting cold.

I am writing letters to the park administrators, but the harm is done. It's so hard to advocate for these birds. Since they are subject to poaching, it's not a good idea to publicize even the general area where there nests are located.

In happy news for birdwatchers, a prothonotary warbler has settled in at the main branch of the public library. He (or she) is eating very well and getting a lot of online attention from the bird bloggers. More photos here.

[emily_in_nc]

As I feared, the monk parakeets were allowed to build nests on the football field lights for two months and now they've been taken down. It's the worst possible thing for the birds -- to be homeless just as it's getting cold.

I am writing letters to the park administrators, but the harm is done. It's so hard to advocate for these birds. Since they are subject to poaching, it's not a good idea to publicize even the general area where there nests are located.

In happy news for birdwatchers, a prothonotary warbler has settled in at the main branch of the public library. He (or she) is eating very well and getting a lot of online attention from the bird bloggers. More photos here.

Good for you on the letter-writing, but a very sad story. Sigh...poor birds.

Stunning photos of the beautiful warbler - wow!

[azfiddle]

Javalinas are not uncommon in the desert outskirts of Tucson, Arizona. I enjoy them from a distance, as they are unpredictable, don't smell too great and big enough that you wouldn't want to tangle with one on a bike.

This morning I stopped to give one a healthy distance as it slowly crossed a major street on my ride. The traffic on the other side of the road still waited as it looked back across the road- and then I saw a tiny javalina baby (javalinette?) very cautiously and tentatively picked its way across the street where the mama javalina was waiting and looking very protective.

In case you don't know about javalinas....http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/game_javelina.shtml

I didn't take this picture, but it was this tiny! http://tinyurl.com/27qryv9