Omss Bird: Jul 1, 2011

ABC's Bird of the Week - White-bellied Cinclodes

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Bird of the Week
White-bellied Cinclodes

The White-bellied Cinclodes is the largest and rarest member of its genus, and is only found in treeless bogs or grasslands high in the Andes of central Peru. These birds are usually seen in pairs or small groups.

The primary threats to this cinclodes are illegal peat harvesting (the peat is gathered for mushroom farms elsewhere), mining operations, increased human populations, overgrazing, and free-roaming dogs. Conservation action is urgently needed, and ABC and ECOAN are now exploring opportunities with local mining companies to create new protected areas to enable better management of portions of the birds’ remaining habitat.

In 2007, ABC funded a search of 11 sites in Peru for this species. The search found 12 birds at only three locations, with the highest total (six) at Ticlio Pass. On a trip in June 2011, ABC and its Peruvian partner ECOAN observed fewer birds than usual, along with new signs of habitat degradation.

To view rare video footage of this species, click here.

Help support ABC’s efforts to protect the rare bird species of Peru and other Latin American countries!

Photo: White-bellied Cinclodes by Dan Lebbin; Range Map by ABC

Don't forget to join ABC on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and check out the ABC blog

Plus...

Free Ways to Help American Bird Conservancy Raise Much-Needed Funds: every time you shop at any of 700+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits American Bird Conservancy. It's a free service, and you'll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive's repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account<. And when you search the web, do it through iSearchiGive.com where each search means a penny (or more!) for our cause! Start iGiving at: www.iGive.com/abcbirds & www.iSearchiGive.com/abcbirds

American Bird Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that conserves native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas.

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The Latest from Bird Crafts

Friday Giveaway: $100GC to Casa Divertida!!

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 03:03 AM PDT

For those who don't know them yet, Casa Divertida is a trendy Home Décor and Furnishings online store, specializing in fun, uniquely sourced home accessories, stationery, textiles and interior design pieces to help bring a fresh, happy and funky style to your homes!

They also happen to be one of our fabulous Blog sponsors! And today you'll have the chance of winning yourself a cool $100GC (expect on wall papers) + FREE Shipping to spend as you wish over on Casa Divertida!

Casa Divertida is an European based company, and the brainchild of the talented, Brazilian interior designer expert Gislane Lima, who carefully selects the brands they work with, based on quality of design, but also on their ethical and environmental policies!

Take a look at some of the fabulous and fun, stylish pieces they carry:

For your chance to win, simply visit Casa Divertida online store and tell us what you'd buy with your $100GC if you won (except wallpapers) - OPEN WORLDWIDE!!

For extra entries: Please leave a separate comment for each that you do, otherwise your entry will only be counted once!

* Become a fan of Casa Divertida on Facebook by clicking the "like" button: Then tell us that you are

* Become a fan of Bird's Party on Facebook by clicking the "like" button: Then tell us that you are

* Share this post as many times as you wish on Twitter, Facebook, blog or site (use the widgets on the bottom so this post): Come back and leave the link where you posted it.

A winner will be selected at random after entry requirements checked, on Friday July 8th!

Good Luck everyone! :)

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If you wish to sponsor a giveaway on Bird's Party Blog, there are NO fees!

Get in touch with us to find out more!

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The winner of our $200 Giveaway will be announced later on today on Bird's Party Facebook fan page here.

Styled Shoot: One Party, 2 Styles - Preppy Nautical Party

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:18 AM PDT

Following on from yesterday's post, this French Riviera-inspired, Preppy Nautical Party (also featured on Amy Atlas last week - Thanks you Amy and Lisa!!) was styled using the same Printable Party Collection as our Rustic Nautical Party!!

Check all the red, white and blue details below...

The preppy and quite traditional look was achieved by keeping all the designs and decor elements very "clean", with the use of stripes and a lot of white to give it all a crisp, "Ralph Lauren" vibe! :)

The blue and white stripy backdrop, and white tissue paper poms (via Martha Stewart) helped to bring the design elements together - In the absence of Ralph Lauren, a duvet cover or similar can be used (like in this case)! ;)

You all know how much I loooove handmade, and getting stuck into every aspect of my shoots!! So, the two-tier sponge cake covered with white sugar fondant, embellished with some of the printable cut outs from the Nautical Collection; was a creation of mine. (I think cakes are taking over and slowly becoming a new "part trend" lately!)

First time lucky, did you say?!! Too right!! I have to point out that I purchased ready-rolled sugar paste fondant (online), because there's no way I could risk attempting to make it from scratch again.... Maybe next time I'll be braver! ;)

Anywho, I also used ready rolled fondant in red, white and blue to create the sailboat fondant cupcake toppers (tutorial coming soon). The other cupcake were embellished with the printable cupcake toppers in the shape of sailboats and other nautical icons!

The little sail boats that served as candy dishes are one of my faves additions to the desserts table!! They were such fun to make (and play with in the bath tub afterwards...) - I also owe you a tutorial on that one!

Fabulous decorated cookies by Whatever Whimsy, yummy salt water taffy and caramel balls helped to complete this preppy, Nautical desserts table!

Sooooooo, now that you've seen both our Nautical Party styled shoots, I'd LOVE to hear which style rocks YOUR boat?!! Rustic or Preppy? :)

Party Credits:

Party Styling, Photography and Party Printables: Bird's Party
Decorated Cookies: Whatever Whimsy
Red and White Ribbon on Cake: The Knock Knock Factory
Sailboat Candy Dishes: Tutorial coming soon
Fondant Nautical Cupcake Toppers: Tutorial coming soon

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:09 AM PDT

It has long been thought that a pet can have a beneficial effect on its owner. This is realized almost daily in people who own dogs. Here are some of the health benefits that owning a dog can do for you.

Before we go any further it bears to be noted that dogs function better in the family unit when they are trained. As puppies they are cute but also unruly. Some of their primal instincts dictate that certain dog breeds will try to challenge their owners for dominance. If this urge isn't nipped in the bud in the beginning, your dog could become a behavioral problem.

So, owning a dog and reaping mutual benefits from them will involve training of some sort. This can be done by you, the owner, through crate training and other forms of instructive discipline. Or, it can be done by professionals in dog obedience classes.

Once a dog learns how to behave and work with their owners, the benefits to their health will begin to form. If you are thinking about getting a pet, these reasons may affect your decision.

1. Lower rate of obesity in some dog owners – Dogs like activity. Many dogs, especially large ones, need to be walked several times a day for exercise as well as to use the bathroom. All of those walks are also good for the owner who also improves their cardiovascular health.

2. Calming effect on mood – Sometimes life happens. When it does, coming home to a companion who is waiting and glad to see you can help brighten your mood. No matter what is going on in the outside world, your dog is ready to show their affection. Pets provide unconditional love that can help to combat bouts of depression, sadness and the "blues."

3. Lower stress levels – Just like a soothing bath can help to drain away stress from your body, so can stroking your pet. Spending time cuddling with your dog after a hard day can melt away those stressful thoughts with each pass.

4. Lower cholesterol levels – This is also related to the activity that your dog needs each day. Getting regular exercise can lower your level of cholesterol in the blood. With lower cholesterol, there is also a lower risk of heart disease.

5. Stronger immune system – What saps your immunity? One element is stress. Exposure to long term stress can compromise immunity leaving you open to all sorts of illness. Since dogs help to boost mood and reduce stress, this fact can increase immunity along with regular exercise with your pet.

6. Companionship and long life – As we reach our golden years, a pet can be a constant source of companionship to thwart loneliness. They can bring back new life leading to a longer healthier one for you.

There are many health benefits to owning a pet, especially a dog. Consider those when you are looking for a pet.