Presentations by Adrian Binns

BIRDING TOPICS

What’s in a Name? The Origins of Bird Names
From Avocet to Yellowlegs, from accipiter to zenaida ……..who deemed these words to be the correct bird names? What do they mean? Where did these words come from and why were they chosen? Are they always a perfect fit? Are they politically correct? We will also take a look at the whimsical, strange and occasional fantasy connection behind the origins of some bird names.

The Lighter Side of Biding
Journey around the world as I take a light hearted look at the intriguing observations and amusing tales (that appeal to my twisted sense of humor) that I have witnessed or been part of while leading tours to many wonderful birding destinations.

Ornithological Study
3 different avian topics will be discussed - Dispensing of Fecal Sacs; Gynandromorphy, a fascinating look at a rarely seen aspect of nature; and look at the recent avian Newcomers to the Delaware Valley

Kenya: A Wildlife Safari
Few places can boast such a rich variety of birds and mammals. The mammals are legendary, the diversity of birds unparalleled. We visit some of Kenya’s finest reserves including the soda lakes of the Rift Valley where a million flamingos can be seen while Fish Eagles, kingfishers and Goliath Herons can be found around the freshwater lakes; the western rain forests where hornbills and turacos can be seen side by side; to Samburu where bustards, Secretary Birds and Bateleurs scour the arid acacia habitat and the Mara – the Africa of everyone’s dreams, with thousands of ungulates on the open plain, a perfect place for predators. This wildlife safari is the next best thing to being there!

Bharatpur: India’s Bird Paradise “The Crown Jewel of Asia”
A short distance south of the Taj Mahal in India lies a stunning 29 sq km national park, known simply the world over as Bharatpur. The heart of this reserve is its wetlands, an artificial habitat that was created by diverting water into a natural depression, which became the duck-hunting grounds of the maharajahs and British nobility during the early 20th century. In 1956 it became a bird sanctuary and within 10 years the guns were silenced. In 1985 the park was declared a World Heritage site and is now one of the world’s premier wetland. Surrounded by woodland and savannah, the ruling force of this ecosystem is the monsoon, which triggers nesting for over 130 species. A superb array of birds and mammals including the only wintering site for the Siberian Crane in the Indian subcontinent can be found here.

Morocco: Birding the Edge of the Sahara Desert
In the northwest corner of Africa lies Morocco, a land of magnificent scenery and colorful people - from the wetlands of the Atlantic coast, over the snow capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the edge of the Sahara desert, makes this an exciting and interesting country to visit. Within the birding boundaries of the Western Palearctic, Morocco holds not only a good variety of endemic species, and true rarities such as the Bald Ibis, but also easy access to several of the sought after desert dwellers.

Britain’s Seabird Colonies
Britain’s majestic shoreline hosts some of the most important and easily accessible seabird colonies in the world. No less than 19 species call this home -including staggering numbers of auks, along with a large percentage of the world’s population of Storm-Petrels, Shags and Great Skuas as well as the world’s largest Gannet colony. We will visits some of the more critical sites; see why these species thrive around the British Isles; understand how so many different species can coexist within such a small space and explain the perils that these seabirds face.

Inviting Winter Birds to your Backyard
Find out what you can do to entice birds and turn your backyard into an avian haven, during the winter months. We will discuss feeders and feeding; nest and hibernation boxes; plants and landscape design; ponds and bird bathes; common species, and the winter visitors you are likely to and would like to attract.
Note: this program is geared towards the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States.

The Dry Tortugas: Spring Migration
Visit one of North America’s premier birding destinations, 70 miles west of Key West, during the height of spring migration. Nearly all the eastern wood warblers pass through these islands along with many other passerines; a Caribbean vagrant is always possible and it is home to an impressive seabird colony of Sooty Terns and Brown Noddy's.

South Florida and the Dry Tortugas
This presentation visits all of South Florida’s birding habitats as well as internationally known sites such as “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Everglades National Park and seven small islands 70 miles west of Key West collectively known as the Dry Tortugas, during spring migration. Florida’s sub-tropical climate makes it unique as a number of species such as Smooth-billed Ani, Florida Scrub-Jay, Snail Kite, Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Noddy, Sooty Tern and Masked Booby are found nowhere else within the United States. Along with the Miami “exotics” South Florida is one of North America’s premier birding destinations.

South Florida in Winter
As one of North America’s premier birding destinations we’ll focus on the habitats and locations that entice people to this part of the country in winter. Florida’s sub-tropical climate makes it unique, as a number of species such as Smooth-billed Ani, Florida Scrub-Jay and Snail Kite along with the “Miami exotics” are found nowhere else within the United States.

The Owls of Eastern North America
Our fascination with these often heard but seldom seen nocturnal species has been going on for centuries. Learn about the life, special adaptations, habitats, irruptions, prey, vocalizations and problems that face the 12 species of owls that are likely to be encountered in eastern North America.

"The Paradise Islands" : Trinidad & Tobago
Journey through the rainforests, savannahs, wetlands and palm-lined beaches for Trinidad and Tobago, to find out why these paradise islands are the perfect introduction to the incredible diversity of bird life found in the neo-tropics.

SHORT TRAVELOGUES ~ 15-20 minute presentations that can be combined

The Dry Tortugas: Spring Migration
Visit one of North America’s premier birding destinations, 70 miles west of Key West, during the height of spring migration. Nearly all the eastern wood warblers pass through these islands along with many other passerines and it is home to an impressive seabird colony.

South Florida
Florida’s sub-tropical climate makes it one of North America’s premier birding destinations. A number of species such as Smooth-billed Ani, Florida Scrub-Jay, Snail Kite and Spot-breasted Oriole are found nowhere else within the United States. Unique habitats such as pinelands, West Indian hardwood forests and the Everglades entice many species.

Northern India: Birds and Tigers of the Raj
A short distance from the Taj Mahal lies a stunning wetland, known simply the world over as Bharatpur. Further west in Rajasthan is Ranthambhore a major tiger preserve and we’ll head north into the foothills of the Himalaya. See why this combination makes this part of the world a major destination.

Kenya: A Wildlife Safari
Few places can boast such a rich variety of birds and mammals. The mammals are legendary, the diversity of birds unparalleled. We visit some of Kenya’s finest reserves including the lakes of the Rift Valley, western rain forests, Samburu’s arid acacia habitat and the Mara – the Africa of everyone’s dreams.

Trinidad & Tobago: Paradise Islands
Travel through the rainforests, savannahs, wetlands and palm-lined beaches of Trinidad and Tobago, to find out why these small paradise islands are the perfect introduction to the incredible diversity of bird life found in the neo-tropics.

Morocco: Birding the edge of the Sahara
Journey through time in an exotic corner of North Africa, a land of magnificent scenery and colorful people as we travel from the wetlands of the Atlantic coast, and over the snow capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the edge of the Sahara desert.

The Galapagos: Darwin’s Enchanted Islands
With a constantly changing geological landscape as a backdrop to these magical islands we encounter endless wildlife untainted by fear. This natural abundance of fauna from tortoises, sea lions and marine iguanas to waved albatross, penguins, flightless cormorant, the famous finches and the comical blue-footed booby, make this a very alluring destination.

LANDSCAPING TOPICS

Attracting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Only one hummingbird resides east of the Mississippi – the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Find out why you might just be missing out on sighting this tiny jewel. Learn about the amazing life cycle; sugar solutions; how to design the prefect garden to attract them and what plants they find irresistible.

Butterfly Gardening
One of the easiest ways to attract wildlife and add color to your yard is to plant the correct nectaring flowers and host plants that will attract butterflies. This program describes life cycle of a butterfly; the butterflies that you are likely to encounter in the Delaware Valley as well as the necessary plants that you will need to be a successful butterfly gardener.

Landscaping for Wildlife
Though the larger picture of habitat destruction and suburban development continues at an alarming rate, we can help re-establish native plantings to our small half-acre and establish not only a paradise for ourselves but a haven for wildlife. Suggestions for plantings and design as well as all aspects of attracting wildlife will be covered in this presentation highlighting the birds, butterflies and animals that can be found in the Delaware Valley.