Fishy Freefall

Are you ready for tonight's Dropping of the Carp? Oh, to be in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on this New Year's Eve!

A "Colorful" Scourge

AP Article about peacocks taking over Longboat Key in Florida. Click for the environmental message, stay for the references to poop-filled pools and the propensity of peacocks to attack shiny cars.

Some Light Holiday Reading

New from the Bureau of Reclamation: Inspection and Cleaning Manual for Equipment and Vehicles to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species. Who knew there was such a thing as an "Under-vehicle inspection mirror"?

Popping Parakeets

With the headline "Who's a pretty dead boy?" the Times UK announces a ruling allowing the British public to shoot ring-necked parakeets without a permit on their own property. Ring-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri), native to India, were introduced to Britain about 40 years ago. These escapees from the pet trade have since become a part of many parks and other open spaces.

Guam and Coqui

A coqui frog was intercepted on a shipment of plants on its way into Guam from Hawaii. Looks like the frog was caught at the border, so Guam for now remains coqui-free.

Massive Mussels

Zebra mussels, already in one Massachusetts lake, have now been found in the Housatonic River. A report detailing the finds also places ten other water bodies at high risk for invasion.