Critter News

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Tags: marine life whales us endangered species.

Endangered Species 100

Endangered Species Whales Whaling Marine Life 100

Critter News

JANUARY 24, 2009

A brief story with two subjects I love, whales and the Azores. On 5th January 2009 a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) was seen 5 miles south of Faial Island in the Azores by biologists from Whale Watch Azores and the University of the Azores (UA). Tags: oceans right whale azores whaling.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling Rights Endangered Species 100

Critter News

JANUARY 26, 2009

First wolves, then polar bears, now beluga whales. At issue is the population of {the Cook Inlet beluga) whales, which were put under the protections of the Marine Mammal Protection Act eight years ago, which scientists argue hasn't sped their recovery: Palin begs to differ.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling Polar Bears Alaska 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2024

They are ridiculously unafraid of people there – so the cynic in me suspects that swan meat is not regarded as tasty by the Japanese (another explanation, that the Japanese just like animals too much, can presumably be discarded given the country’s very principled approach in insisting on the right to kill whales).

China 199

China Iceland Whales Whaling 199

10,000 Birds

APRIL 23, 2013

Northern Humpback Whales visit the waters surrounding Isla Isabel every year to mate and its not unusual to see dozens of these cetaceans breaching and whacking their tales on the ocean surface. Swimming with a whale shark on the boat-trip to Isla Isabel. A Brown Booby, one of three booby species to be found on the island.

Whales 256

Whales Whaling Sharks Marine Life 256

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2015

Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast is designed to be a quick, handy resource for use on whale watching and one-day pelagic trips. But, I did take many photos, and used the book, in spurts during the trip and more closely afterward, to identify three seabird species, two expected (Sooty and Black-vented Shearwaters) and one a surprise.

Dolphins 162

Dolphins Porpoises Whales Whaling 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

And besides, it’s nice to see something that isn’t the same 12 (now 13) species of seabird (plus Molly Meep Meep, a Black Brant ) There may not be as many as in October, but they are there, and they can be cool. The seas were glass still, and far out we could see whales, dozens of the things. A Humpback Whale.

Whales 157

Whales Whaling Sharks Bats 157

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Additionally, there are still a few regularly-occurring Pacific pelagic species that I have never seen. The boat is called the Legacy and it is an 80 foot whale watching vessel that generally seats 115, but takes about 70 for birding trips. But I always enjoy trips out on the water and it had been several years since my last one.

San Diego 147

San Diego Los Angeles Cooking North Carolina 147

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2016

The Ross Sea is the most productive stretch of water in the Southern Ocean, teeming with large predatory fish, whales, seals, penguins and other animals that form the last intact marine ecosystem on Earth. There are 11 species of birds that breed in the Ross Sea region. Enough History – Back to the Future. Finally – the Seabirds.

Russia 162

Russia Penguins Whales Whaling 162

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2014

Whales are cows. The point is, of course, that whales are not cows. Whales emerge from within the larger group of mammals that includes cattle, deer, pigs, camels, with camels being the most deeply rooted. (So You should have said whales. Even though whales are cows. Meanwhile I have a few random thoughts.

Camels 195

Camels Whales Whaling Apes 195

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2014

I actually have many targets, in a way, a I want to see lots and lots, but there is one species that the reason that the trip is even happening, the animal that has been pretty much the top of my animal bucket list for well over a decade. It’s a species that has bedeviled and bewitched me over the years. A beaked whale.

Sharks 169

Sharks Leopards Snow Leopard Whales 169

10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2013

It took me awhile, but I managed to get on quite a few, especially when the boat slowed down to go check out some Humpback Whales and a huge number of Common Dolphins. Sooty Shearwaters and a Western Gull fly back the aftermath of a Humpback Whale breaching. Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae. It was amazing.

Whales 150

Whales Whaling Dolphins California 150

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

A little longer than its predecessor (by eight pages to be exact), the East Coast guide is your handy dandy, pocket-sized, all-in-one guide to the seabirds, marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, and other creatures you are likely to encounter on pelagics or whale watching trips, from Bar Harbor, Maine to Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida.

Pennsylvania 156

Pennsylvania Texas Whaling Whales 156

Critter News

DECEMBER 2, 2011

They sued the National Marine Fisheries Service for excluding captive killer whales from listing under the Endangered Species Act. The federal complaint focuses on a whale named Lolita, who was captured more than 40 years ago, and has been held at the Miami Seaquarium.

Animal Legal Defense Fund 100

Animal Legal Defense Fund Miami Ethical Treatment Whales 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Because, let’s face it, when you get off that plane and look at those severe volcanic landscapes and then find yourself face to face with one of the islands’ four mockingbird species, you’re not going to think, “Oh, look, lava and a mockingbird.” The updating of the text is very important.

2006 236

2006 Tortoises Sea Lions Porpoises 236

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2019

As always, I was the first to the platform and in the light northwest wind and under a full moon I sipped my coffee and willed birds to make some noise so I could start checking off species. Eventually, an Eastern Towhee che-winked and I had my first species for the day. The moon was impressive as it sank down to the horizon.

Pelicans 126

Pelicans Whaling Whales New York 126

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

We were woefully under-prepared in terms of planning – which almost kept us from meeting our friends – but we were also surprised and thrilled to learn that not only were Gray Whales migrating past the lighthouse, but Elephant Seals were lounging on a nearby beach! Migrating Gray Whales. Point Reyes is a magical place.

Seals 179

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 179

10,000 Birds

JUNE 5, 2016

As it was when a small pod of Gervais’ Beaked Whales, small whales that look like bulked up Bottlenosed Dolphins tolerated our approach and allowed us to have a surreal experience with this mysterious marine mammal. Up until the middle of last century, this species of whale was only known from the remains of beached individuals.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling North Carolina Mammals 100

Critter News

FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Do whales deserve constitutional protection against slavery? PETA went on to request that the whales be freed and released to a habitat better suited to their needs. SeaWorld’s attempts to deny [orcas] the protection solely based on their species is the same kind of prejudice used to justify any enslavement. On Wednesday, U.S.

PETA 100

PETA San Diego Ethical Treatment Whales 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 8, 2019

According to eBird, there have been approximately 270 species seen at the hotspot that includes the harbor. Bonus : A couple of years earlier, a blue whale washed up several miles south of Half Moon Bay, at Bean Hollow State Beach. Sequoia Audubon Society has an excellent overview of the hotspot.)

San Francisco 125

San Francisco Portland Whales Whaling 125

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2012

As pigeons go it is very large, measuring up to 50 cm, and it is one of two species of pigeon endemic to New Zealand. Unlike the rare Parea the Kereru is a relatively common species as does particularly well around Wellington, where they are often seen flying round in search of fruit and leaves.

New Zealand 174

New Zealand Whales Whaling Collecting 174

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2013

It has also found its way to Japan where it is considered to be an invasive species. Now and then individual catfish of various species hunt nearer the surface and larger catfish such as the American Channel Cat will take a duck or other water bird. It is sometimes known as the European Catfish. Cucherousset, J., Boulêtreau, S.,

Fish 197

Fish Whales Whaling France 197

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2011

They can walk forwards unlike other species that can only walk sideways and form large armies. Soldier Crabs My biggest excitement this week on my bike was chasing three Humpback Whales ! They were absolutely everywhere on low tide and although I have seen them before on other beaches I had not seen them in this area before.

Whales 251

Whales Whaling Turtles Birds 251

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

Africa has more than its fair share of storks, with 8 of the world’s 19 species gracing the continent. Furthermore we have another very special stork-like bird, the regal Shoebill , previously known as the Whale-headed Stork but now placed in its own family. It is also related to Wood Stork of the Americas and Milky Stork of Asia.

Africa 231

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 231

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 16, 2020

I am shocked to be writing this post already, and doubly shocked that I’ve seen six new species for Queens since I guessed what my next five Queens birds would be just eight months ago, back in March. Eastern Whip-Poor-Will : It’s kind of amazing how rarely this species is reported in Queens. I’ll make it three!

New York City 150

New York City Birds New York Blackbirds 150

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

The inscrutable species frustrated me and I found myself especially stumped by the difficulty I had distinguishing them, and wildly mystified by the excitement they inspired in my fellow-birders. We later signed up for a whale and birdwatching tour with Captain Wayne , who had a smallish 12-person boat. Happy puffins.

Puffins 178

Puffins Whales Whaling Bald Eagle 178

Critter News

FEBRUARY 21, 2010

Eleven of them signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) pledging to protect the whale sharks. The participants also agreed to advance the protection of seven shark species that needed protection—the Basking Shark, Great White Shark, Whale Shark, Spiny Dogfish Shark, Porbeagle Shark, and Shortfin and Longfin Mako Sharks.

Sharks 100

Sharks Philippines Whales Whaling 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2013

Like several species, breeding Peregrines were extirpated during the height of the DDT era but have reclaimed their island domain in more recent years. The Channel Islands have all sorts of species and subspecies that are endemic to the islands, including mammals, reptiles, plants, and of course birds, many of which are nonmigratory.

California 159

California Sea Lions Whaling Whales 159

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 23, 2013

Birds are less compelling to human interest than our fellow primates, in many regards, but surely they are more arresting than a big wad of tentacled whale chow. Birds are less compelling to human interest than our fellow primates, in many regards, but surely they are more arresting than a big wad of tentacled whale chow. Unexplained!

Apes 159

Apes Primates Woodpeckers Whales 159

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 9, 2016

If you aren’t the one driving it’s worth keeping an eye out for Southern Right Whales wintering in the bay (the road is rather to twisty to be looking if you’re driving). But my target was, and I managed to find, a handful of Bank Cormorants, the only local species that had eluded me till that point. A sensible sign.

South Africa 124

South Africa Penguins Africa Whales 124

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

One is the sea canyon that comes close to shore, ensuring plenty of pelagic species can be found close to shore. The canyon also brings Dusky Dolphins and Sperm Whales close in, and has turned Kaikoura from a sleepy fishing village on the Picton to Christchurch road into a premier ecotourism site. This lovely bird is Westland Petrel.

Albatross 171

Albatross New Zealand Dolphins Whaling 171

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 28, 2014

It’s almost a bucolic place; sea turtles nest on the beaches, Humpback Whales and bat rays frolic just offshore, and you can buy the freshest fish from the panga fisherman at Punta Lobos every afternoon. Judging by the number of people I know who have been there at one time or another, you might find yourself there some day.

San Jose 210

San Jose California Whaling Whales 210

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2013

Two hours after getting off the boat after checking out Sperm Whales we were off again out to find some albatross. It wasn’t quite winter yet, with all the species that brings, but already some summer species like the Hutton’s Shearwater and Salvin’s Albatrosses were gone.

Albatross 164

Albatross New Zealand Fur Seals 164

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2011

This Yellow-crowned Amazon was not quite as vociferous as his Central American cousins And like many of these birds, I too love to spend time beneath the water – there are few things better than free diving or scuba diving with dolphins, whale sharks or coral reef fish.

Sharks 184

Sharks Thailand Dolphins Whaling 184

Critter News

JULY 21, 2010

With some 400 species estimated to be at risk — from the tiniest oil-eating bacteria to shrimp and crabs, endangered sea turtles, brown pelicans and sperm whales — experts say the impact of oil and chemical dispersants on the food chain has already begun, and could grow exponentially.

Marine Life 100

Marine Life Sea Turtles Whales Whaling 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 16, 2011

It is much stranger and illustrative of the ways of evolution to point out that whales are a form of “hoofed animal&# (unlikely but true). Also, there are reasons why statements like this are scientifically incorrect even if there is ‘some truth’ to them.

Birds 266

Birds Marsupials Primates Whales 266

Critter News

MARCH 13, 2010

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or Cites that opened in the Qatari capital on Saturday will be discussing 42 proposals during the next two weeks. Interesting to see Japan and Australia united on some issues, in contrast to their conflict over whaling. Oh look, more meetings. From Al Jazeera.

Marine Life 100

Marine Life Agenda Polar Bears Monaco 100