Why I thought I saw the Pelican’s flying about this weekend and the Blue Heron every morning on the way to work.

When naturalist Norman Betts ventured out alone on Boulder’s first Christmas Bird Count in 1909, the 12 species he reported included just four mallards and no other ducks, geese, diving birds or herons.

Fifty years later, 13 Christmas Count participants fared quite a bit better, finding 11 duck species and a single pied-billed grebe (but still no geese!). On last year’s 99th anniversary Boulder count, 106 participants reported 7,545 ducks and geese comprising 19 species, 26 grebes comprising four species, eight cormorants and 15 great blue herons.

It’s clear that local numbers of wintering aquatic birds have skyrocketed, but why?

Mid-20th-century reservoir construction and gravel mining created new habitat for wintering ducks, geese and diving birds, which were uncommon here 100 years ago. However, these bodies of water tended to freeze over in December. Recent industrial activity and warming winter temperatures have thawed some of them out.

Boulder Christmas Count coordinator Bill Schmoker cites the 1964 completion of the modern Valmont power plant and adjacent reservoirs, which receive warm water discharges from the plant, as a boon to aquatic birds.

“This now keeps a large body of open water available year-round, even during the coldest winters,” Schmoker said. “Stretches of Boulder Creek below the wastewater treatment plant also stay open all winter.”

What role might climate change play? During the past two decades, Boulder has experienced a series of mild winters, with mean daily temperatures running 2 degrees above the previous average. Warmer temperatures mean more ice-free water for aquatic birds.

Some birds previously rare in winter have begun to show up regularly, including double-crested cormorants and eared grebes. White pelicans now linger in Boulder County into December.

When I saw them wheeling about I discounted it since I would have thought that they would have flown south months ago.

Neil Gaiman on Audio books this morning on NPR.

Extended question with David Sedaris.

Watching folks break their NDA to the STO CB by posting in the wrong forums, hopefully this will weed out the idiots and give me a shot at it. =P

A new Bailey White story…

and the fantastic David Sedaris Santaland Diaries story.

Always worth listening to solely for his Billie Holiday imitation.

Had a great time at the HK’s for turkey day, much fun and food, and the one thing about Turkey Day at the HK’s is that a day or two later your hungry again. Though I did forget to ask Dave “Dorian Grey” Southerland why the Flagstaff Star was turned on a week early this year. Thank you Dave and Margie.

Did some shopping yesterday because my email was flodded with tauntingly good prices on things. So, new UBS and 1.5tb external back up drive for a total of $150 at Best Buy. Eddie Bauer sent me an email saying that the Henley’s I have been wanting to replace the ones that finally worn out after ten years were on sale for $19.95 instead of $34.95 with the added bonus of 25% off if bought in store…wootastic!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Poor Kittehs.

One of the must visits at both the GABF and the Brew at the Zoo (wich sadly sucked this year) is the Dry Dock Brewery booth. Today NPR did a nice little report on the Brewery.

November 23, 1963 was the first episode of Doctor Who and still going strong 31 seasons later.

So thanks to Verity Lambert for the Whovian goodness.

Well, it looks like the crazy drunk morning wingnut’s bill board buddy “went rogue” yesterday and decided to add to his birther bill board from last month. He was interviewed by David Sirota friday morning about it, so I expect him to be on the crazy drunk wing nut’s show or the Dynamic Doofi’s show next week, for far more a favourable enviroment.

Charlotte Gainsbourg, with Beck producing. Here’s hoping that the entire album is as in the same ball park as the single.

Charlotte Gainsbourg – Heaven Can Wait from Charlotte Gainsbourg on Vimeo.