Mississippi
Thousands of pelicans nest just north of the QC, but erosion is threatening the rare phenomenon
It is the one documented location of pelicans nesting on the higher half of the Mississippi River. Nonetheless, the sandy islands they nest on are shortly disappearing.
THOMSON, Sick. — Simply north of the Quad Cities, a handful of islands have gone to the birds.
Since 1992, colonies of white pelicans started making the annual journey as much as the Mississippi River’s Lock and Dam 13. Then in 2007, the birds made historical past.
“It was the very first nesting that we have ever seen on the principle river channel, the higher Mississippi River,” mentioned Ed Britton, the Savanna District Supervisor for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Higher Mississippi River Nationwide Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Within the years which have adopted, it stays the solely documented occasion of the birds nesting proper in the midst of the river’s major higher channel. To take action, the pelicans collect on massive, sandy islands. Surrounded by waves, the eggs are plopped proper onto the seaside.
One such island, formally often known as Cormorant Island (and colloquially known as ‘Hen Poop Island’) is among the hottest. Roughly a thousand birds are likely to their younger on its barren floor, akin to a glorified sand dune, with out bushes or buildings to dam out the solar.
“I’ve checked up and down the river and it is form of distinctive. We do not actually perceive why they’re right here,” Britton mentioned. “However they’re such majestic birds.”
Right this moment, the native nesting colony has ballooned into the hundreds. Pelicans stick collectively in massive teams, usually sharing their nesting areas with sorts of herons, egrets, geese, and extra.
“They used to return in late April and go away by early October, however now they’re coming in March – as quickly because the ice comes out – and so they’re staying till November,” Britton mentioned. “So I believe they discovered a house that they like.”
Up shut, the birds had been cautious of our Information 8 cameras and reporters, however nonetheless curious. With 10-foot wingspans, billowing beaks, and a nasty technique of repelling undesirable guests (pelicans will vomit when you get too shut), the prehistoric-looking creature might be intimidating. Nonetheless, the enormous birds additionally appeal to numerous guests and onlookers to the river yearly.
Over time, the wildlife refuge has additionally helped put up and keep a webcam on one of many nesting islands in partnership with the Stewards of the Higher Mississippi River Refuge. You possibly can verify in on the birds by way of that digicam, right here.
“They’re actually a fairly chook,” Britton cooed, as he boated as much as one of many major nesting islands. “Quite a lot of of us come to the river to see pelicans.”
Nonetheless, the pelicans’ river properties are being threatened a bit extra annually.
“Now, due to the lock and dam system, the excessive water ranges, and notably the excessive flows, wind and wave velocity, it is eroded a lot of the world,” Britton mentioned.
Rising quantities of flooding and extreme climate, together with the devastating 2019 flood, have chipped away on the birds’ islands.
“At the very least half an inch per 12 months of silt is rising beneath the water,” Britton mentioned. The refuge has additionally observed elevated sedimentation alongside the shorelines, leaving the river’s islands to take the complete drive of the wind and waves.
“And so they’re all sand so in the event that they have no riprap safety, they usually will not survive out right here,” Britton mentioned.
In truth, two of the islands the pelicans had been nesting on have already been misplaced to the weather.
“Woodroves Island was a a lot bigger island that was most likely 5 instances bigger and filled with bushes,” Britton remarked. “Now simply a few limbs are all that is left. That is typical of what is occurred to the islands out right here.”
One other in style pelican publish was Gomers Island. However at the moment, all that is left of the as soon as bird-covered mound are a couple of tree limbs breaking above the waterline.
To assist, the refuge has been working with the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers to create protected islands for the birds. In truth, it is how one of many pelicans’ favourite nesting spots got here to be.
“That is really known as Pelican Island and you may see why,” Britton laughed, declaring a small island lined in almost a thousand large, white birds. “In 206, this was constructed by the Military Corps of Engineers.”
When the corps dredged a close-by a part of the principle river channel, hundreds of cubic yards of sand had been pumped three miles south, to create the horseshoe-shaped island. Riprap was then positioned throughout the bottom of the mound, defending the sand from wind and waves.
“With out some sort of riprap safety for the sand islands, they don’t seem to be going to make it in the way forward for this river,” Britton mentioned.
In that case, the birds would both have to maneuver on to a brand new nesting floor or danger the predators lurking alongside the shorelines.
“There’s lots of dredge materials. So this was one method to beneficially use it to offer a wildlife habitat,” Britton mentioned.
Now, the hope is to proceed discovering artistic options to the pelican’s downside, so as to preserve these birds of a feather flocking collectively, proper in the midst of the Mississippi River, for a few years to return.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — From the moment Jeff Lebby arrived in Starkville, the first-time head coach has preached that a show is coming to Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs certainly put on a show for game one of his tenure, as MSU had 450 yards of total offense and ran away with a 56-7 victory on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky. It gave the coach his first career win and kicked off a new era of football.
“One of the coolest things for myself and my family, the fans showed out. Over 10,000 students showed up and hung with us through the rain. They did an unbelievable job creating the energy,” he said.
All three phases scored for the Bulldogs with touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams.
On offense, quarterback Blake Shapen debuted the new scheme with a 15 of 20 showing as the Baylor transfer found the end zone three times through the air and had 247 yards. On the ground, Shapen led the team with seven carries for 44 yards and a rushing score.
“I felt like it was a good day for us,” Shapen said. “There are obviously some things we can clean up and get better at, but overall it was a great start to the season. I’m just thankful for this opportunity at a new place and I know a lot of guys feel that way.”
The Bulldogs (1-0) had four wide receivers score touchdowns as Jordan Mosely had five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown and Kevin Coleman had five catches for 88 yards and a score. Coleman also had five punt returns for 117 yards.
MSU scored touchdowns on its first two possessions before a rain storm dampened the progress. The Bulldogs were back in the end zone in the second quarter on a Creed Whittemore 41-yard end around and then back-to-back touchdown passes to Coleman from 23 yards away and freshman Mario Craver for 54 yards.
Special teams got in on the mix with a blocked punt from JP Purvis — recovered by Craver — and another true freshman in defensive back Elijah Cannon who had a 51-yard pick-6.
“It’s fun to see those guys go out there and make some plays. It’s a players’ game, players have got to make the plays,” Lebby said. “Fun for our sideline, fun for our guys to be able to see them make plays late in the game like this.”
EKU (0-1) scored a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half but was held scoreless in the final two frames. The Bulldogs allowed 130 second half yards. Despite running 19 more plays than State (76-57) the Colonels were outgained 450-285 with the Bulldogs averaging 7.9 yards per play.
“There are plenty of things that we have to clean up. We’ve got to play better, we’ve got to play cleaner,” Lebby said. “So much good, but so much to clean up. That was the message in the locker room.”
BIG PICTURE
EKU: The Colonels were simply overmatched, but the Colonels have a manageable schedule coming down the line.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have been searching for excitement and the team has it – at least for game one. State picked up nearly 500 yards of offense and showed explosiveness on that side of the ball as Lebby’s offense did its thing. There is a rough schedule on the horizon, but it appeared fun again for the Bulldogs.
UP NEXT
Eastern Kentucky travels to Western Kentucky on Sept. 7.
Mississippi State travels to Arizona State on Sept. 7.
Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter!
Copyright 2024 WTOK. All rights reserved.
A commercial passenger bus driving through Mississippi on its way to Mexico ran off a highway and overturned early Saturday, killing seven people and injuring dozens. The accident occurred on Interstate 20 east of Vicksburg, CNN reports. A total of 37 people were taken to hospitals in Vicksburg and Jackson, the Mississippi Highway Patrol said. A 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister were among those killed, per the AP. “Anytime you have people injured or killed, it’s tragic, but when you have a situation like this where you have multiple fatalities and multiple injuries, it makes it even worse,” said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.
The bus, a 2018 Volvo, is owned by Autobuses Regiomontanos, which transports passengers between Mexico and the US, a company spokesperson said. The company is based in Monterrey, Mexico, Miranda Fernandez said. Its website lists several US locations; it’s not clear where the trip had originated. “All of the passengers go through proper immigration checkpoints and must show their passports or visas to enter either Mexico or the United States,” Fernandez told CNN. (More bus accident stories.)
Mississippi
What channel is Mississippi State football vs EKU on today? Time, TV schedule for Week 1 game
Mississippi State football opens the 2024 season with FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
The Bulldogs open Year 1 of the Jeff Lebby era with a lot of unknowns. Saturday’s game will be a good chance to find some answers.
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen will make his first start in maroon and may have a big season in Lebby’s offense.
Here’s how to watch the Mississippi State football vs. Eastern Kentucky game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:
Mississippi State vs. EKU will broadcast nationally via streaming on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season. Kevin Fitzgerald and Charlie Strong will call the game from the booth at Davis Wade Stadium. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service.
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
- Start time: 5 p.m. CT
The Mississippi State football vs. Eastern Kentucky game starts at 5 p.m. CT Saturday from Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.
Clarion Ledger reporter Sam Sklar’s prediction: Mississippi State 50, Eastern Kentucky 10
Saturday will be a celebration of sorts for Lebby’s first game. The Bulldogs will come out hungry with something to prove on offense after last season. MSU will grab a big lead early and Blake Shapen won’t need to play a single snap in the fourth quarter.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Aug. 29
- Odds: N/A
- O/U: N/A
- Money line: N/A
- Aug. 31: EKU, 5 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC Network+
- Sept. 7: at Arizona State, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Sept. 14: Toledo, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU
- Sept. 21: Florida, 11 a.m. on ABC or ESPN
- Sept. 28: at Texas, TBD
- Oct. 5: OPEN DATE
- Oct. 12: at Georgia, TBD
- Oct. 19: Texas A&M, TBD
- Oct. 26: Arkansas, TBD
- Nov. 2: UMass, 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network
- Nov. 9: at Tennessee, TBD
- Nov. 16: OPEN DATE
- Nov. 23: Missouri
- Nov. 29: at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. on ABC and ESPN+
- Dec. 7: SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, 4 p.m. on ABC
- Record: 0-0
- Aug. 31: Mississippi State, 5 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC Network+
- Sept. 7: at Western Kentucky, 6 p.m. on ESPN+
- Sept. 14: West Georgia, 5 p.m. on ESPN+
- Sept. 21: Morehead State, 5 p.m. on ESPN+
- Sept. 28: Robert Morris, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
- Oct. 5: OPEN DATE
- Oct. 12: at Southern Utah, 3 p.m. on ESPN+
- Oct. 19: at Abilene Christian, 3 p.m. on ESPN+
- Oct. 26: Utah Tech, 2 p.m. on ESPN+
- Nov. 2: at Tarleton State, 6 p.m. on ESPN+
- Nov. 9: Central Arkansas, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
- Nov. 16: at Austin Peay, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
- Nov. 23: North Alabama, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
- Record: 0-0
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our cove
Grandmother killed after man jumps off freeway bridge in Southern California
5 memorable visits to Detroit by presidential candidates on Labor Day
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin secures Rs 400 crore investment in San Francisco visit | Chennai News – Times of India
Miami has a star at QB in Cam Ward and a confident team capable of special things
Dallas’ new city manager is already set up for failure
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Gold Star families slam Kamala Harris for 'playing politics' over Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery
Locals survey damage after flooding in eastern Romania
Former US President Trump hints at support for Florida ballot measure legalising recreational marijuana – Times of India
Trump impersonates Elon Musk talking about rockets: ‘I’m doing a new stainless steel hub’
Oasis fans struggle to secure tickets for band’s reunion tour
-
Connecticut1 week agoOxford church provides sanctuary during Sunday's damaging storm
-
Technology1 week agoBreakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip
-
Politics1 week ago2024 showdown: What happens next in the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump face-off
-
News1 week agoWho Are Kamala Harris’s 1.5 Million New Donors?
-
Politics1 week agoTrump taunted over speculated RFK Jr endorsement: 'Weird as hell'
-
Politics1 week agoVivek Ramaswamy sounds off on potential RFK Jr. role in a Trump administration
-
World6 days agoPortugal coast hit by 5.3 magnitude earthquake
-
Politics1 week agoHouse GOP demands elite universities counteract 'dangerous' anti-Israel protests in the fall semester