Since early summer sees the peak of nesting activity for many bird species in Minnesota., it is also the season when baby birds are especially vulnerable. Predation from avian and mammalian predators usually reaches its peak at this season, and juvenile birds and fledglings tend to be particularly vulnerable to collisions with glass windows, moving automobiles, and the chilling effects of cool, wet weather. Curiously, however, an equally great threat to baby birds often comes from well-meaning people who routinely find baby birds on the ground and at once assume they are either orphans or somehow in trouble. Most often, this is not the case at all. Young birds routinely leave their nest before they are able to completely fly. It's during this period that the recently fledged wobbly little flyers are often noticed by unsuspecting and well-meaning people who believe them to be orphans. Parent birds will generally tend their young even if they are on the ground after leaving a nest prematurely.

The lesson here is simple. In general, it is best to leave baby birds alone if found on the ground. If the nest-site is known, then gently replace the baby in its nest and leave it alone. In most cases, the parent will find it and will care for it. Don't immediately bring a baby bird home and try to feed it, because not only is it against the law to do so for most species, but also it is a labor intensive chore that is far better left to its natural mother.

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Two decades have passed since the release of Kenn Kaufman's first FIELD GUIDE TO ADVANCED BIRDING; Kaufman has now produced a second edition with the subtitle, "Understanding What You See and Hear."

In this new iteration, Kenn Kaufman shares with readers not only "An Integrated Approach to Field Identification of Birds", but also a series of chapters ranging from the traditional principles and pitfalls of identification and how birds are built, to aspects of plumage, molt, and feather wear. There is also a useful survey of the techniques and resources available for learning bird identification. Ultimately, however, it is Kaufman's ever-skillful use of digital photography and illustrations, combined with his fluid and easy-to-read text and studded with relevant examples that make this an outstanding resource for birders of all levels. His years of personal experience combined with a keen ability to distill complex information into an understandable format make this a valuable new contribution to field birding. The sections on gull, flycatcher, and sparrow identification alone justify reading this book. We highly recommend this new title from Houghton Mifflin (2011).

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These items are taken from the most recent issue of the Birding Community E-bulletin, received by email today by a long list of interested, active and concerned birders dedicated to the joys of birding and the protection of birds and their habitats.

You can find the complete June bulletin and an archive of past E-bulletins on the website of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA): www.refugenet.org/birding/birding5.html