One of the biggest news stories in recent memory related to birds was about the huge numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds falling from the sky in Arkansas on New Year's Eve and various other reports of large numbers of dead birds from around the world. Rarely does anything involving birds get such media attention, unless it is a story of tragedy or nuisance, but unfortunately it is something that we just expect from mainstream media.

Right now, on the Platte River in Nebraska, thousands upon thousands of Sandhill Cranes are beginning to congregate to prepare for their annual northerly pilgrimage. The International Crane Foundation reports that about 80% of all Sandhill Cranes use a 75-mile long area of the Platte River during spring migration.

The Yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata) is one of the most common winter migrants on both the east and west coast. These warblers prefer coniferous forest, but can also be found in deciduous forest. During the winter, these brightly-colored little birds can be found at back yard feeders.

For birders, catching a glimpse of an Ivory-billed Woodpecker is a life experience that ranks somewhere between catching the Loch Ness Monster and climbing Mount Everest while barefoot. This elusive and very-possibly-extinct species has scientists from around the world dropping their pencils, grabbing their binoculars, and plunging boots-first into the dripping, mossy swamps of Arkansas.

Renewable energy such as solar and wind power has been heralded by many environmentalists as a step towards a more sustainable economy. However, other environmentalists argue that wind farms can also pose threats to migrating birds and other wildlife.