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Mckees Rocks Bird Watch
A few weeks ago, male Baltimore Orioles returned to McKees Rocks from
Central and South America. Several days later the females caught up with
them. The males burst into a feathery pyro-technical display like tiny
firecrackers; belting out their unusual song. Years ago, Ralph Bell applied
the phrase burn the furniture! to their song. Joan Tague, average birder
extraordinaire, has modernized their phrase to pooh, pooh, kicky-pooh!
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Baltimore_Oriole/id
Baltimore Orioles are songbirds or passerines. They are grouped into the
family of birds known as Blackbirds or Ictirids. The term Ictirids is
translated “jaundiced ones” and refers to the brilliant yellow feathers worn
by the male blackbirds.
How did the Baltimore Orioles get their name? They wear the same black
and orange colors as the coat of arms adopted by George Calvert, the first
Lord Baltimore. This crest included a shield representing his paternal family
of black and yellow combined with the red and white colors of his maternal
family, the Crosslands. There is, however, some dispute that the red and
white colors are actually those of the Mynne family, the family name of
Anne Calvert, wife of George Calvert.
When I first began birding the Baltimore Oriole’s name was changed to the
Northern Oriole. Now it is once again called the Baltimore Oriole. Why?
Well, the Baltimore Oriole’s range overlaps with that of a western blackbird
called the Bullock's Oriole. The two different species mate in the Great
Plains where their territories overlap and produce young hybrids. Thus,
the two species were considered to be one species and their names were
changed to the Northern Oriole much to the chagrin of the baseball team in
Maryland. Recently, studies of the oriole genus indicate that they are
indeed two distinctive species and are entitled to receive the status of
their own individual names.
Ictirids visit us to reproduce. Our spring days give them longer hours of
daylight in which to find food for their babies. Shorter nights mean the
babies only need to fast for a few hours before they break their fast. They
nest, breed and fledge while contributing to the diversity of our forests and
back yards. The males court the females with their pooh, pooh, kicky-pooh
song and exaggerated aerial displays. They repeatedly bow and stretch,
showing off their orange belly, black back and orange rump. The receptive
female along with her mate will defend their small territory. The pair will
communicate through calls and song. The female weaves her pendulous
nest suspended from a branch near the top of a tree. She will use fibers of
grapevine, grasses, and milkweed. Back in the day when horses were
common orioles would weave long horsehairs into their nests. Orioles
tend to return to the same tree year after year, but will always build a new
nest. They like the American Sycamore trees in Mt. Calvary Cemetery and
Silver Star Meats parking lot and the Norway Maples along Locust Street.
Females will lay 3 to 6 pale blue eggs with dark splotches. Within 14 days
or so, the eggs hatch to reveal tiny gargoylian embryos. Five days later,
their feathers begin to poke out. The babies resemble pathetic Chia Pet
knock-offs – a face that only a mother or a wildlife rehabilitator can love.
The babies and their feathers grow very quickly. The nest is a very
vulnerable place for them to be. The parent orioles can only acquire food
every fifteen minutes for 3 – 6 babies while they fend off predators for a
very short period of time. Five days after the first pin-feathers appear, the
young leave their nest and must learn how to fly, find food and defend
themselves.
Baltimore Orioles eat insects, spiders and especially fruit. I lure them to my
yard with a shallow dish of grape jelly. Sometimes I slice an orange in two
and jam both halves onto twigs protruding from my Rose of Sharon shrub.
Pears, cherries, apples, and melons are all yummy staples to the Baltimore
Orioles’ diet.
In the blink of an eye, the stingy window of migration will send these
astounding visitors back to their homes in the tropics. These tiny babies,
hatched in May and June will depart as well, leaving nothing behind but the
tender memories we hold dear to our hearts.
Photos by Chuck Tague
For more information about spring migration visit the Nature Observer blog
at
http://web.me.com/kingrail/Natureobserver/Blog/Blog.html
Central and South America. Several days later the females caught up with
them. The males burst into a feathery pyro-technical display like tiny
firecrackers; belting out their unusual song. Years ago, Ralph Bell applied
the phrase burn the furniture! to their song. Joan Tague, average birder
extraordinaire, has modernized their phrase to pooh, pooh, kicky-pooh!
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Baltimore_Oriole/id
Baltimore Orioles are songbirds or passerines. They are grouped into the
family of birds known as Blackbirds or Ictirids. The term Ictirids is
translated “jaundiced ones” and refers to the brilliant yellow feathers worn
by the male blackbirds.
How did the Baltimore Orioles get their name? They wear the same black
and orange colors as the coat of arms adopted by George Calvert, the first
Lord Baltimore. This crest included a shield representing his paternal family
of black and yellow combined with the red and white colors of his maternal
family, the Crosslands. There is, however, some dispute that the red and
white colors are actually those of the Mynne family, the family name of
Anne Calvert, wife of George Calvert.
When I first began birding the Baltimore Oriole’s name was changed to the
Northern Oriole. Now it is once again called the Baltimore Oriole. Why?
Well, the Baltimore Oriole’s range overlaps with that of a western blackbird
called the Bullock's Oriole. The two different species mate in the Great
Plains where their territories overlap and produce young hybrids. Thus,
the two species were considered to be one species and their names were
changed to the Northern Oriole much to the chagrin of the baseball team in
Maryland. Recently, studies of the oriole genus indicate that they are
indeed two distinctive species and are entitled to receive the status of
their own individual names.
Ictirids visit us to reproduce. Our spring days give them longer hours of
daylight in which to find food for their babies. Shorter nights mean the
babies only need to fast for a few hours before they break their fast. They
nest, breed and fledge while contributing to the diversity of our forests and
back yards. The males court the females with their pooh, pooh, kicky-pooh
song and exaggerated aerial displays. They repeatedly bow and stretch,
showing off their orange belly, black back and orange rump. The receptive
female along with her mate will defend their small territory. The pair will
communicate through calls and song. The female weaves her pendulous
nest suspended from a branch near the top of a tree. She will use fibers of
grapevine, grasses, and milkweed. Back in the day when horses were
common orioles would weave long horsehairs into their nests. Orioles
tend to return to the same tree year after year, but will always build a new
nest. They like the American Sycamore trees in Mt. Calvary Cemetery and
Silver Star Meats parking lot and the Norway Maples along Locust Street.
Females will lay 3 to 6 pale blue eggs with dark splotches. Within 14 days
or so, the eggs hatch to reveal tiny gargoylian embryos. Five days later,
their feathers begin to poke out. The babies resemble pathetic Chia Pet
knock-offs – a face that only a mother or a wildlife rehabilitator can love.
The babies and their feathers grow very quickly. The nest is a very
vulnerable place for them to be. The parent orioles can only acquire food
every fifteen minutes for 3 – 6 babies while they fend off predators for a
very short period of time. Five days after the first pin-feathers appear, the
young leave their nest and must learn how to fly, find food and defend
themselves.
Baltimore Orioles eat insects, spiders and especially fruit. I lure them to my
yard with a shallow dish of grape jelly. Sometimes I slice an orange in two
and jam both halves onto twigs protruding from my Rose of Sharon shrub.
Pears, cherries, apples, and melons are all yummy staples to the Baltimore
Orioles’ diet.
In the blink of an eye, the stingy window of migration will send these
astounding visitors back to their homes in the tropics. These tiny babies,
hatched in May and June will depart as well, leaving nothing behind but the
tender memories we hold dear to our hearts.
Photos by Chuck Tague
For more information about spring migration visit the Nature Observer blog
at
http://web.me.com/kingrail/Natureobserver/Blog/Blog.html
____________________________________________________
Wings Over the Rocks - Baltimore Orioles by Susanne Varley
Wings Over the Rocks - Baltimore Orioles by Susanne Varley
May 2009 Life, in my
estimation, is a
combination juggling act,
crap-shoot and Forrest
Gump’s proverbial “box
of chocolates.”
Whenever I minimize the
juggles and crap, and
maximize my box of
chocolates life is good!
Springtime in McKees
Rocks is always a box of
chocolates. You never
know what you’re going
to get.
estimation, is a
combination juggling act,
crap-shoot and Forrest
Gump’s proverbial “box
of chocolates.”
Whenever I minimize the
juggles and crap, and
maximize my box of
chocolates life is good!
Springtime in McKees
Rocks is always a box of
chocolates. You never
know what you’re going
to get.
____________________________________________________________
McKees Rocks pay tribute to one of its own
| All Hail the Chief |
__________________________________________
Celebrating the heralded pitchman with Billy Mays Day
Celebrating the heralded pitchman with Billy Mays Day
September 20, 2009 Billy Mays Day was held at the Sto-Rox Stadium to
honor the life of Billy Mays, to benefit the well known local charity Focus On
Renewal, and to spread good cheer and sunshine - just like Billy Mays.
News stories links are listed to the right under the Living Directory, make
sure to check them out after seeing all the Billy Mays Day event photos
below.
honor the life of Billy Mays, to benefit the well known local charity Focus On
Renewal, and to spread good cheer and sunshine - just like Billy Mays.
News stories links are listed to the right under the Living Directory, make
sure to check them out after seeing all the Billy Mays Day event photos
below.
____________________________________________________
Billy's brother Randy Mays talks to the local media.
Billy's brother Randy Mays talks to the local media.
| Billy Balloons were everywhere! |
| Clowns, Billy T-Shirts & Raffle Tickets |
| The Amazing Sto-Rox High School Marching Band |
| Great Performances including: Sarah Miller & Some Young Dancers |
__________________________________________________
The Historical Society booth with the blockbuster
McKees Rocks/Stowe Book.
The Historical Society booth with the blockbuster
McKees Rocks/Stowe Book.
| McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation |
____________________________________________________________
Prop Donations Needed
Actors Civic Theater is looking for a few items for its next production 'Our
Town:'
Two small drop leaf tables (preferably round) with at least three chairs for
each table
24 old, wooden folding chairs (that can be painted)
Two wooden six-foot ladders (that can be painted)
Various men's suits/hats; ladies' dresses/hats, and children's clothes
(vintage/early 1900s era)
If you would like to donate any of these items, please contact Jim Critchfield
at 412.771.3052 or jcritchfield@forstorox.org - thank you.
Prop Donations Needed
Actors Civic Theater is looking for a few items for its next production 'Our
Town:'
Two small drop leaf tables (preferably round) with at least three chairs for
each table
24 old, wooden folding chairs (that can be painted)
Two wooden six-foot ladders (that can be painted)
Various men's suits/hats; ladies' dresses/hats, and children's clothes
(vintage/early 1900s era)
If you would like to donate any of these items, please contact Jim Critchfield
at 412.771.3052 or jcritchfield@forstorox.org - thank you.
____________________________________________________________
US Census Bureau Needs YOU!
The hourly wage for enumerators is $15.25 per hour, .50 per mile,
Veterans are given 5 / 10 point preference points on the basic skills test
and you work in your own neighborhood so you do not have to travel far
from home.
A sample of the type of basic skills test can be found online at
www.2010censusjobs.gov A person may take the actual test as many times
as they'd like to obtain the score they prefer. The test is 28 questions. A
passing grade is getting 10 of the 28 questions correct.
Call 1-866-861-2010 for more details.
____________________________________________________________
Youth Creating Change - Voices of Youth Competition
Sto-Rox High School student Terrance Moses' project 'Building PEACE
through the Arts' has been selected as one of seven finalists in the Voices
of Youth competition sponsored by the Pittsburgh and Grable Foundations.
Voting is open to the public until March 12. Please show your support for
promoting peace in the Sto-Rox community while engaging youth through
the arts. The three winning projects will be announced March 15.
Cast your VOTE: http://www.pghvoicesofyouth.com/vote.
US Census Bureau Needs YOU!
The hourly wage for enumerators is $15.25 per hour, .50 per mile,
Veterans are given 5 / 10 point preference points on the basic skills test
and you work in your own neighborhood so you do not have to travel far
from home.
A sample of the type of basic skills test can be found online at
www.2010censusjobs.gov A person may take the actual test as many times
as they'd like to obtain the score they prefer. The test is 28 questions. A
passing grade is getting 10 of the 28 questions correct.
Call 1-866-861-2010 for more details.
____________________________________________________________
Youth Creating Change - Voices of Youth Competition
Sto-Rox High School student Terrance Moses' project 'Building PEACE
through the Arts' has been selected as one of seven finalists in the Voices
of Youth competition sponsored by the Pittsburgh and Grable Foundations.
Voting is open to the public until March 12. Please show your support for
promoting peace in the Sto-Rox community while engaging youth through
the arts. The three winning projects will be announced March 15.
Cast your VOTE: http://www.pghvoicesofyouth.com/vote.
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© Copyright 2010 McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation. All rights reserved.
