Woman 1, Bird 0

For those of you who are wondering about my battle with an errant and very dirty robin, I am happy to report that I think I am winning the war. Physically trying to shoo him away with broom sticks, shovels and sticks did not work BUT hanging a windsock next to the ledge where he liked to perch and bang on the window has done the trick. I need to replace this windsock (which is decorated like a snowman) with an inflatable owl (on order) and that should do the trick.

Imagine my surprise, however, when I read in the paper the following headline: Fewer birds fly south in winter!! And how about this lead sentence: "The American robin, once known as a harbinger of spring, is now a year-round resident here, hunkering down for the winter in thickets." It is always very reassuring to know that I am not crazy for battling a robin in February!!

It turns out that robins are not the only ones who have chosen to winter in the north. According to the National Audubon Society, more than half the birds they track have shifted their ranges significantly to the north. In fact, Audubon says its data, collected by thousands of citizen scientists, "are powerful evidence that global warming is having a serious impact on natural systems."

"The range of habitat of one of the most important indicators in nature--birds--has radically changed," said Phil Wallis, executive director of Audubon Pennsylvania. and while amateur birders have suspected it for years because of sightings just like my robin, it is troubling to see it confirmed on such a large scale.

Apparently Pennsylvania is a critical state for birds making the shift because it serves as a prominent wildlife corridor. So all ye global warming doubters, take heed. Often you have to look no farther than your own back yard to see evidence that we are reeking havoc on the environment. Wildlife author Scott Weidensaul remarks that the report's "red-flag warning are pretty compelling" evidence that we need to re-double our efforts to preserve natural habitats for all species.

"We need to work to preserve them not only for the bird species that are here today, but ones that are going to be here a decade or more from now," he notes. And perhaps then my errant robin will take up residence elsewhere.