The annual Cape Cod Lake and Pond Waterfowl Survey will take place on December 6 and birding volunteers are needed to help record the different ducks, geese and waterfowl in the region, according to the Cape Cod Times. The survey will cover 12 sites during the day, ranging from Woodneck Beach to Childs River, and the event is expected to take approximately six hours. Hooded mergansers, ring-necked ducks, great blue herons and other bird species should be on hand.

Many nature preserves and conservation groups organize bird counts during migration periods or after birds have settled into their winter habitats. These counts provide a record of the previous breeding season's success and can support conservation initiatives and other actions throughout the year. Contact your local nature centers, birding groups and wildlife management offices for information about planned counts in your area.

Hooded Merganser
Photo © Steve Ryan

Two U.K.-based organizations, BirdLife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), have recently released a study indicating that commercial tuna fishing may be killing albatrosses and other endangered seabirds as quickly as one bird every five minutes, according to Scientific American. South Atlantic populations of the birds, in particular, are under the greatest threat.

Fortunately, several methods can be used to minimize commercial fishing's impact on seabirds. Dyeing bait so it is difficult for birds to see, fishing at night when birds are less active and deploying ribbons at the surface of the water, above the fishing lines, to deter birds from approaching are all effective techniques.

It is hoped that raising awareness of the critically endangered status of these seabirds can help encourage more responsible fishing and better conservation initiatives worldwide.

Tristan Albatross
Photo © Michael Clarke Stuff

Montana birders were flying high earlier this month as they enjoyed a visit from a lesser black-backed gull, a European gull species regularly seen in the northeast but rarely found in the west, according to the Great Falls Tribune. For more than a week the gull was sighted at West Bank Park in Great Falls, where it mingled with a flock of ring-billed gulls - common gulls throughout the United States in the winter.

The lesser black-backed gull has only been recorded twice previously in Montana, both times in 2008.

The fall migration season is an excellent time to spot unusual bird species as they travel from place to place, occasionally getting lost during their extensive journeys and delighting birders in areas far removed from the birds' regular ranges. What unique birds have you seen this fall? Share your sightings in the comments!

Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Photo © Mike Scott

It's time to bundle up when you see this week's featured bird: dark-eyed juncos prefer cold climates and are often called "snowbirds" because they are common winter feeder birds, where they will monopolize your millet.

Dark-eyed juncos are also fascinating because they have quite a few plumage variations, from the plain gray slate-colored junco of the east to the Oregon junco of the west with its black hood and rufous sides. A greater number of junco variations can be found in the west, from gray-headed to red-backed to pink-sided birds.

What juncos visit your feeders in the winter? Share your sightings and junco tips in the comments!

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco
Photo © Gary Irwin