For the Birds
(Feb. 12, 2009) It’s a pleasure to see poetry, especially about birds, published in the North Coast Journal(“Foot of Del Norte Street,” Feb. 5). However, the “grackles” in the poem are undoubtedly Brewer’s Blackbirds, as grackles have been sighted in Humboldt but a handful of times and “readle-cak” is a valid translation of the blackbird’s call.
We birders are a particular lot (“peculiar,” some might opine) about matters relating to avian accuracy. For some birders, the compulsion for correctness is such that they keep a list of biogeographic anomalies, such as the maniacal call of an Australian Laughing Kookaburra being heard in the soundtrack of a movie that takes place in southern California. A more in-depth exploration of “Ecological Literacy and Why It Matters” can be found in my November 2008 column at www.rras.org.
I can’t help but add that we birders (who are fans of the fastest-growing outdoor sport in America) cringe when seeing otherwise well-intentioned articles with the headline “For the Birds.” The phrase is both derogatory and unimaginative. Skilled writers can do better!
— Tom Leskiw, Eureka
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Old Town Arcata
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Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
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