Today’s bucket contains an assortment of bits of greenish news and a citizen science action item.
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers. All are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. |
1) There is real citizen science to do, right now. This year's Great Backyard Bird Count is 2/12 through 2/15. It has its own web page: gbbc.birdcount.org. It is like those in previous years, and for potential newbies, somewhat like like feederwatch, if you engage in that.
You can use eBird and your eBird account For reporting. If you've never done it, you can set up an eBird account at eBird.org or a GBBC specific GBBC account at gbbc.birdcount.org. The birdcount.org site also has links to download Merlin - a great little bird identification assistant, the Audubon Birds App for all devices, another ID tool, and a mobile eBird app. Some instructions here: GBBC Instructions (4 page pdf)
2) Bad News: An insect pest that infects citrus plants with a non-treatable lethal bacterial infection has made its way north to the Bay Area, but, as of yet, no further.
Known as the Asian citrus psyllid (pronounced sill-id), the insects were detected in Daly City and Pacifica three months ago. Some 64 square miles of San Francisco and San Mateo County, and 173 square miles around San Jose and southern Alameda County, are now quarantined to prevent the citrus trees or their leaves and branches from being moved out of the area.”
The insects and the bacteria they carry are harmless to humans and animals, but they swiftly destroy all types of citrus: orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangerine and mandarin, as well as kumquats and pomelos, which citrus gardeners often graft onto their trees. The bacterial disease causes the tree's leaves to turn yellow and its fruit to be distorted and bitter tasting.
SF Gate - Asian Citrus Psyllids
If you live in the Bay Area and have citrus trees, keep an eye out for small sucking insects looking like those on this page: psyllid pictures
3) A Warning: Climate change threats to pets - an alert for pet owners:
SF Gate recently had an article that enumerated many ways in which climate change is threatening pets by changing the threats to pets. It cannot reasonably be summarized, at least not by me, so I am merely suggesting that pet owners take a look at it. Climate Change and Pets
(This information will also be posted as a stand alone column titled Climate change threats to pets - an alert for pet owners)
4)Good News:
According to the following SF Gate article, there is growing interest in community microgrids, especially those based on renewables and green technology.
Driven by power outages and savings, towns look to microgrids
I might be late getting here.
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"Spotlight on Green News & Views" will be posted every Saturday at noon Pacific Time and every Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.
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Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.
Thank you.