In today’s world, it’s rare to find wild birds that want anything to do with humans. Whether it’s due to habitat destruction, city lights, or the presence of cats, most birds prefer to keep their distance. However, there is one exception – the purple martins. These shimmery, blackish-bluish swallows native to North America have a …
Colorado River Faces an Invasion of Smallmouth Bass This article originally appeared in High Country News. In July 2022, National Park Service biologist Jeff Arnold made a disturbing discovery while hauling nets through a slough off the Colorado River. He captured three juvenile smallmouth bass, voracious predators that have invaded western waters. It was a …
They are described as walking, stalking, ruthless killers, and they are none other than cats, specifically feral ones. Australia’s minister for the Environment and Water has unveiled a series of ideas aimed at significantly reducing their numbers. Feral cats are known for wreaking havoc on the country’s wildlife, with an estimated annual death toll of …
A worker in China clears invasive plants, including water hyacinth, from a river.Photo: Getty Images (Getty Images) Around 37,000 invasive species have been identified worldwide. According to a groundbreaking report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), a division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), these species cause governments to …
This story was originally published in High Country News . In the serene community rose garden of Grandview, Washington, Amber Betts witnessed the aftermath of an invasive Japanese beetle infestation. The beetle invasion, which had subsided but not disappeared, showcased a few emerald-hued critters feasting on a delicate rose. The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s …
In a troubling development, a yellow-legged hornet has been discovered in the United States for the first time. This particular species, known as Vespa velutina, is invasive and was spotted alive by a beekeeper in Georgia. According to CBS News, if the yellow-legged hornet is not properly controlled, it could cause significant damage to agriculture …
In a groundbreaking move, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has implemented a quarantine covering 79 square miles of Los Angeles County to combat an invasive pest that poses a significant threat to farmers. The quarantine was put in place after more than 20 Tau fruit flies, a species native to Asia, …
This spring, I found myself on the MS Santa Cruz II, capturing the attention of a group of tourists as we observed birds beneath the cliffs of the Galápagos’s largest island. As one of our companions lowered his binoculars, he exclaimed, “Incredible! It’s just like stepping back in time.” I couldn’t help but agree. There …
On the island of Kauai, chickens can be found just about anywhere humans roam. They scurry around parking lots, parks, cookouts, and picnics. Even on popular hiking trails, you’re likely to encounter a lively flock of chickens. They peck at newly planted landscaping and gardens, prompting restaurants to plead with patrons not to feed them. …
Stephen Hampton, a seasoned birdwatcher with over 50 years of experience, recently had an epiphany about the names of certain bird species. Previously, these names held no significance to him, as they were simply entries in the bird book he grew up with. However, a few years ago, Hampton discovered the origin of Scott’s oriole, …