Just thank Willie

So, I caught this quick article on comcast.net...

Parrot honored for warning that girl was choking

DENVER — A parrot whose cries of alarm alerted his owner when a little girl choked on her breakfast has been honored as a hero.

Willie, a Quaker parrot, has been given the local Red Cross chapter's Animal Lifesaver Award.

In November, Willie's owner, Megan Howard, was baby-sitting for a toddler. Howard left the room to use the bathroom and the little girl, Hannah, started to choke on her breakfast.

Willie repeatedly yelled "Mama, baby" and flapped his wings, and Howard returned in time to find the girl already turning blue.

Howard saved Hannah by performing the Heimlich maneuver but said Willie "is the real hero."

"The part where she turned blue is always when my heart drops no matter how many times I've heard it," Hannah's mother, Samantha Kuusk, told KCNC-TV. "My heart drops in my stomach and I get all teary eyed."

Willie got his award during a "Breakfast of Champions" event Friday attended by Gov. Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper.

As I read, so many thoughts ran through my brain...

Wow, what a wonderful story... what a wonderful bird!

Would our dog, Allegra, provide the same life saving service or would she just wag her tail and knock the choking child to the floor with her tail's massive force?

I wonder what the child was eating?

Perhaps, we need a bird?

Can parents/caregivers not even go to the bathroom without fear of causing death? Must we all have a parrot to ensure the safety of the next generation?

Is it any wonder, I am the distracted birder?

Despite my somewhat irrational thought process, I am always delighted to see a positive avian story make a headline.

Go, Willie!!!!!

Winter Storm

A Quick Look at Jug Bay

I made a quick stop and walk at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. Among a few birds not worth mentioning (Titmouse, Crow, Vulture), I saw my first warbler of the season. A Yellow-rumped Warbler flittering through the trees. This is a good time mention my favorite bird nickname/alias: the Butterbutt.

Another wasted weekend

In another example of the distracted birder:

I seriously planned on doing the backyard bird count. Here's what happened. Day 1, I worked and came home to my two children and 5 minuted later, 5 year old twins that we were to watch till Sunday. Day 2 and 3, try keeping up with all four kids. Since I'm used to two, four kids is more than I easily handle. With all that in mind, I figured there was day 4 since I had off work and the twins would be home. Alas, I got hit with a nasty stomach virus and spent nearly all day laying down or asleep. Damn.

When can a bird sighting be counted?

Now, I've heard several people explain when you can count a bird sighting to your list. Life list or whatever. On a podcast, I've even heard a photographer, Scott Bourne, say that he doesn't count it unless photographed. So, does it require a certain amount of time in order that the bird can be clearly IDed?
I personally go with my own honor system. Though, I have been yelled at by others when I am driving and call out "Ptarmigan!" on the side of the road. Of coarse, I didn't stop driving and everyone was saying, "What", "Where", or "No you didn't". This is usually followed with a friendly name calling session.But, its with friends, so its OK.
I felt very certain that it was a White-tailed Ptarmigan from my quick look and considering we were in the alpine of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
I go back to my point of limited time / limited opportunity. At the time of this sighting, we were driving back to our cabin with a car full of 2 families. Including a 1 year old and two 4 year olds. In days past, it seemed less troublesome to quickly pull over and stalk back for the second look.
The "Distracted Birder" does the best he can with limited fuss.

Cedarhurst on the Bay

Did a little drive-by birding in Cedarhurst on the Bay. There is a road in the community that has a good look over the Chesapeake. Clear views within the comfort of the car's side window. Saw a few Buffleheads, Red-breasted Mergansers, and a Hooded Merganser. Although the road viewing is convenient, I can see why the community did not fair well with hurricane Isabell.

The iPhone

I know this isn't related to birding directly, but, I recently got an iphone. I'm still learning all the uses it can provide. Two things I found of use: iBird is an iphone app that gives a field guide on your phone. I'm very intrigued, but haven't shelled out the 20 bucks. They do have a regional version for less. But really, who wants to limit themselves to "Backyard". The other really cool thing is Google maps on the phone. Its has opened my awareness to what is over the patch of trees. Figuratively.
More to come.