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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1. Sale of Raptors and Migratory Bird Parts
2. Impact of Natural Disasters on Birds
3. Fewer Snowmobiles - Cleaner Air
4. Wyoming Conservation Congress

MARCH PROGRAM

Stan Harter, Wildlife Biologist with the Casper District of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, will be our speaker at the March 5th meeting. Many of us know Stan through the Greater sage-grouse Lek counts that are conducted each spring. Stan is originally from Kansas where he began his career and was a member of the Audubon Council of Kansas. Stan will be bringing us up to date on the status of the Greater sage-grouse and the plans that are being developed to track the health of the grouse population in Wyoming and specifically in the Bates Hole area.
 

Come join us on Friday, March 5, 2004 at 7 PM at the Basko Building (Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building) at 777 West First Street. (I have recently been informed that Murie will be able to continue meeting at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission facility after the new building is completed.) We will probably be meeting in the new building for the April 2004 meeting, watch for details next month. As always, the program is free and open to the public, bring a friend and come join us. (Submitted by Bruce Walgren, Program Chair)

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

I enjoyed this year's banquet. John Acorn is an entertaining speaker, and I won't ever look at a deer crossing sign like I used to. I must say that Wyoming uses a much more deer-like silhouette than do other areas. I think we ought to see who is observant when looking at field guides. Has anyone found the three-footed titmouse? I looked, but either I am not observant or I don't have the right field guide.
 

With the Banquet behind us, it is time to think of spring and how much fun bird watching is. We are going to run the bird class differently this year. In the past, the bird class lasted for 10 or more weeks. People are too busy to commit that much time, so we are going to run one class a month, except for May. The birding opportunities are just too great for one class in May, we will have TWO! (Go to class list is here.) You will be able to pick and choose what topics interest you and attend just those classes. Also, the objective is to teach how much fun birding is, not over-whelm people with all the birds that can be found in Wyoming. Whether you watch the birds at your feeder, take walks in places like EKW, or just enjoy the outdoors, being able to identify the birds you see really adds to the enjoyment. We hope that having just one class and related field trip each month will allow more people to either start birding or to enhance their skills. Please let me know how this monthly bird class works for you. I would appreciate any ideas on how to improve the bird classes. (Submitted by Stacey Scott, President)

BIRD NOTES

The Great Backyard Bird Count took place on February 13-16; I hope you all had an opportunity to submit at least one report. Internet users can access reports at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Admittedly, it's not the most scientific data, but still there is a lot of interesting information to be perused: maps showing report locations, list of 10 most frequently reported birds, lists of towns reporting for each state/province with species numbers - you can then go to each town to see the species reported and their numbers, most numerous birds reported, cities reporting the most species, and more. Also, check out the "Learn About Birds" feature. There you can find ID tips, habitat management info, gear choosing tips, and online bird guide/species accounts. Plus, you can retrieve info on the GBBCs in past years.
 

Interesting birds reported recently include 2 Barrow's Goldeneyes, a Long-tailed Duck, and a female Hooded Merganser at Grey Reef, a few Common Redpolls at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek in Casper, 7 Eurasian Collared-Doves in Glenrock, and a Varied Thrush at Chuck Lyford's east of Glenrock. Also, Jean Adams in Sundance had a Snow Bunting in her yard (feeding with a flock of Horned Larks), an Oregon x slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco, and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches; she also continues to have large number of Common Redpolls coming to her feeders.
 

Don't forget to get your county list totals (125 or greater) to me so we can get them compiled and reported back to everyone. Yard Birds - The Yard Bird list for January totaled 79 selections (77 different species) from 19 states plus the Yukon Territory. The #1 specie picked was the Northern Flicker, followed by Sharp-shinned Hawk, with Common Redpoll in third place. It's interesting to note that 34 woodpeckers were reported (5 species) and 20 small hawks (4 species) - probably checking out the feeder buffets.
 

GET YOUR NEWSLETTER ON THE WEB

Well, duh, you are doing that right?  But the below paragraph is in the snail mail version of Plains & Peaks and I don't want you to fell that you missed something.  However, on behalf of Murie Audubon Chapter's bank account, we thank you very much for choosing to get your newsletter here.  But just incase you are checking out the online version, read on. - Editor
 

Send me an email message if you would like to save Murie money on printing and postage costs and receive your newsletter via Murie's website. Your name will be dropped from the newsletter mailing list only. We have 36 members who have opted to receive their newsletter via the web.  Editor

NOTES FROM MURIE AUDUBON'S CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Sale of Raptors and Migratory Bird Parts - A Sheridan area man has been convicted in federal court for felony possession and sale of raptor and migratory bird parts. The investigation began in 2001 after a concerned citizen discovered an eagle carcass northeast of Sheridan and reported it to Dayton game warden Alan Osterland, who then found four more dead eagles and two dead hawks. Mickey Gorden Wolf, a Northern Cheyenne Indian, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Cheyenne May 20, 2003 on four counts for felony sale of migratory birds and one misdemeanor count for illegally possessing and transporting migratory birds. Wolf transported 3 Bald Eagles, 1 Golden Eagle, and 2 Rough-legged Hawks from Montana into Wyoming. A search warrant served on Wolf's residence found parts from eagles, hawks and other protected birds. Wolf had been manufacturing Indian crafts using the bird parts and selling the products to Sheridan area stores (he was not making the items for use in religious ceremonies). Wolf was sentenced to 15 months incarceration and ordered to pay $1,350 in restitution and $100 in special assessments. Area business owners and a rancher were cited under federal misdemeanor regulations with possession with intent to sell and fined $250 each. Osterland cited US Fish & Wildlife Special Agent Roy Brown of Lander and Assistant US Attorney Lisa Leschuck for their part in the investigation. "Cooperation between law enforcement agencies is a key, along with concerned citizens and outdoor enthusiasts, reporting violations, suspicious activity and possible violations," Osterland said. "These reports can stop poachers and those taking advantage of the resources we strive to protect."   (from Wyoming Game & Fish News Release, January 29, 2004)

Impact of Natural Disasters on Birds
Project FeederWatchers reported changes in the numbers of birds after the widespread fires in the western US in the summer of 2002. Of special note were Clark's Nutcrackers, Pinyon Jays, and Steller's Jays. The survival of these coniferous forest species depends on the health of the pines - and conversely, the maintenance of the pine habitat depends on these birds who, besides consuming the seeds, cache large numbers that later sprout and regenerate the forests (these corvids are noted for their ability to remember many of their cache sites, but enough are missed to continue new tree growth). Ironically, fire also helps regenerate healthy forests by burning mature stands and releasing seeds from the cones to germinate. Thus, fire suppression has also had an impact on these birds. The recent drought in the west had decreased conifer seed production, in addition to that, drought-stressed trees are more susceptible to bark beetle infestations. So these birds have been hit with a triple whammy - drought, beetles, and fire. As a result, many FeederWatchers in the West reported increases in the numbers of birds at their feeding stations. One of those reports came from Jim and Gloria Lawrence here in Casper. Getting occasional Pinyon Jays in their yard, in 2002 Jim and Gloria reported that Pinyons came and stayed for about 3 weeks. Another statistic noted by The Birds of North America - approximately 1.2 million hectares of pinyon/juniper woodland were converted to grazing land between 1950 and 1964. Birds' fight for survival continues to get tougher and tougher - as does our fight to help them.
(from BirdScope, Winter 2004)

Fewer Snowmobiles - Cleaner Air
Because of the snowmobile phaseout in Yellowstone National Park, the park rangers do
not have to wear their respirators for the first time in many years, and the Park Service reports that so far none of its employees have become ill from the snowmobile exhaust.

Wyoming Conservation Congress
CONSERVATION CONGRESS IN PINEDALE
MARCH 26-27

WOC and conservation partners will host a Conservation Congress in Pinedale on March 26-27 addressing the impacts of oil and gas development in the Upper Green River Valley.
 

The gathering will feature keynote speeches by prominent guests, targeted workshops, outings and aerial tours of the Upper Green. A confirmed keynote speaker is sixth-generation rancher Tweeti Blancett from the San Juan Basin of New Mexico. She will relate her experiences with oil and gas development on the ranch she and her husband own and run.
 

Field trips will take place on March 26th with meetings, workshops and keynote speeches on the 27th.  (From the Wyoming Outdoor Council website) (Submitted by Donna Walgren, Conservation Committee)

NOTES FROM FEBRUARY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

1. Monthly bird classes are planned for the last Thursday of the month at the Garden Creek Center. (For more info, contact Stacey Scott, Rose-Mary King, Chris Michelson, or Bruce Dudley.)

2. February 2004 marks the 50th anniversary of our Audubon organization; we will plan a celebration event - any ideas, thoughts, etc. are welcome.

3. Murie may sell tickets for the Duck Derby (held the weekend after Labor Day) as a chapter fundraiser.

4. Birdathon is coming up in May - start thinking about forming birding teams and getting pledges.

5. Election of officers and board members will take place in May - everyone needs to be thinking of possible candidates; relay any ideas to any member of the Murie Board.

6. A Spring Seed Sale had been scheduled for Saturday, February 21.  (Submitted by Donna Walgren, Recording Secretary)

GWYN MCKEE RECEIVES MURIE AUDUBON CONSERVATION AWARD

Gwyn McKee is the President of the Board of Directors of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. She has been a member of Wyoming Wildlife Federation for several years and a member of their Board since 2001.

Gwyn has worked as a wildlife biologist with a private firm in Gillette since 1994. In that capacity, she has worked to maintain the highest ethics and standards possible to protect wildlife, particularly with the ongoing Coalbed Methane Development in the Powder River Basin. She also helps with BLM eagle counts.
 

She enjoys hiking, bicycling and big game hunting. This past September, Gywn assisted a member of the Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America in a successful hunt for pronghorn.
Many of us also know Gwyn's husband, Mark Winland, who, for the past few years, has been the leader of National Wildlife Federation's Adopt a Lek program here in Wyoming.

Murie Audubon's Conservation Award is presented to individuals, agencies, and/or organizations that exhibit a passion for the conservation for wildlife and the environment. Murie presented Gwyn with the Conservation Award at the annual Banquet on February 7, 2004.  (Submitted by Bruce Walgren)

MURIE AUDUBON BANQUET 2004

The annual banquet is once again history and we hope that all of you that attended had a great time. I, for one, will never look at a deer crossing sign the same again!
 

WE ARE 50 YEARS OLD!!!

In February, 1954, a small group of people got together to form an organization "dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, plants, soil, and water in relationship to human progress." Since they were to be affiliated with the National Audubon Society, they called themselves the Wyoming Audubon Society, Casper Chapter.
 

The charter members were: Mary Arnold, Travis Look, Alice Bennett, Mrs. Dean C. Morgan, F. Howard Brady, Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Pummill, L. R. Burkhart, Lucy Rognstad, Mrs. Pearl Burns, Dr. and Mrs. Oliver K. Scott, Mary Dille, Helen Sherard, Mrs. L. R. Earnshaw, Mildred O. Snyder, Rose (Forrister) Earnshaw, Maury M. Travis, E. Sue Gloriod, Mrs. Myra B. Waltman, Mrs. Edith Hegwer, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Warkley, Victor Jacquot, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Yant, Elmer E. Johnson, Howard Yant, R. B. Lange.
 

The president of the fledgling organization was Dr. Oliver Scott. The group went on field trips throughout the year (Dr. Scott and the Laytons frequently led winter birding outings), and was also interested in photography, geology, botany, and archaeology. Besides the annual Christmas Bird Counts, they scheduled yearly "Nature Weekends" at Story in June. Wyoming Audubon was pro-active in Wyoming conservation issues, following legislation on the state and national level. In addition, the group maintained the area along Garden Creek between 23rd and 25th Streets (denoted as Audubon Park) with tree and shrub plantings and semiannual cleanups.
 

As other chapters were being formed in Wyoming, it became necessary to change the name of the organization in order to avoid confusion. It was decided to name the Casper chapter after the late Olaus Murie. Olaus and Mardy Murie were well-known conservationists living and working in the Jackson Hole area. The Murie Audubon Society was officially granted chapter participation by the National Audubon Society on June 1, 1971.
 

We are in the process of planning a celebration in honor of our organization's 50th birthday. Anyone interested in helping with this please contact any Murie board member; we welcome all ideas, comments, etc. This is a significant milestone and we want to do something special to commemorate it. (Submitted by Donna Walgren)

HOSPITAL REPORT

Murie Audubon rehabilitators have been very busy both with birds and the holidays.

The following is a list of the birds received from October 16, 2003 to February 16, 2004.
Am. Kestrel, Am. Tree Sparrow, Canadian Goose, 5 Golden Eagles, 2 Great Horned Owls, Merlin, N. Flicker (R-Shafted), N. Flicker (Hybrid), 2 Prairie Falcons, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, Ruddy Duck, Trumpeter Swan.

Birds being held for future release or education are the following:
Am. Crow, Am. Kestrel, Blue Jay, 2 Ferruginous Hawks, 4 Great Horned Owls, 5 Golden Eagles, N. Saw-whet Owl, 3 Prairie Falcon, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, Short-eared Owl, W. Kingbird

(Submitted by Merlyn Herold, [Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.] reporting for all of Murie's rehabilitators.)
(Ed.'s note: Merlyn, I'm sorry I misplaced your article for Jan.'s newsletter.)
 

Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc has a new website.

REMEMBERING RON LUND

From Ann Hines:  Ron Lund was a MAN among men. I had the great pleasure of knowing Ron for several years. Not a close association, but my memories of him are that he was one of the finest, gentlest and sweetest men that I have ever known. It was another pleasant memory associated with Murie Audubon. Ron served for several years as treasurer for Murie. It was during that time that I came to know him. I will always be thankful for that association.

I don't think he ever forgot any person that he knew. He always greeted me whenever we met. The last time that we met was when we both were waiting for a doctor's appointment. We chatted for some time and he never mentioned his illness. In my memory he was a FINE GENTLEMAN.

From Donna Walgren:  I only had one opportunity to work with Ron. We were both working with a group from Paradise School, going with the class on a hike on the Platte River Pathway from the Holiday Inn up the hill around North Casper. He was doing the history of the area and I was doing the nature study. I have to confess that I was listening with one ear to his discussions with the kids - he was so interesting, and you could see that both he and the kids were very comfortable with each other, and it was great to see how enthralled they were with what he was saying. He was one of those people that you not only learned about the topic he was discussing, but you could also learn techniques for teaching and relating to others.

2004 BIRDING CLASSES

Bruce Dudley, Education Coordinator of Audubon Wyoming, and Murie Audubon is offering the following classes for the 2004 year. If you have any questions, please call Bruce at (307) 473-1987 or email.

All classes will be on Thursday evening and field trips on Saturday morning unless otherwise noted.
 

ACGC is Audubon Center at Garden Creek in Casper, WY.
 

Feb. 26 "OWLS", 6:30 - 7:30 pm, class at ACGC followed by owling field trip - Instructor - Gloria Lawrence, Murie Audubon member, raptor rehabilitator and experienced bird.

March 25 "WATERFOWL", 7- 8:30 pm, class at ACGC, Instructor - Dominic Domenici, biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
March 27 field trip, 9:00 am, meet at ACGC, go to Grey Reef.

April 22 "RAPTORS", 7 - 8:30 pm, class at ACGC - Instructor - Stacey Scott, Murie Audubon President and experienced birder.
April 24 field trip, meet at ACGC at 8:00 am, back at noon. Areas visited will be Boxelder Road and along the Laramie Range.

May 6 "SPARROWS", 7 - 8:30 pm, class at ACGC - Instructor - Chris Michelson, Murie Audubon Treasurer and experienced birder.
May 8 field trip - meet at ACGC - time and areas visited TBA.

May 27 "WARBLERS", 7 - 8:30 pm, class at ACGC - Instructor - Ann Hines, Murie Audubon Education Chairman and experienced birder.
May 29 field trip - meet at ACGC - time and areas visited TBA.

June 25 (Friday) "FLYCATCHERS", 7 - 8:30 pm, class at ACGC - Instructor - Stacey Scott, Murie Audubon President and experienced birder.
June 26 field trip - meet at ACGC 8:00 am, back at noon. Coal Mountain Rd., Little Red Creek area and Muddy Mountain.

July 22 "SHOREBIRDS", 7 - 8:30 pm, class at ACGC - Instructor - Chris Michelson, Murie Audubon Treasurer and experienced birder.
July 24 field trip - meet at ACGC - time and areas visited TBA.

August 19 "BATS", 6 - 8 pm, place of class TBA, field trip to ACGC following class.

September 23 "GALLINACEOUS BIRDS", 7 - 8:30 pm, class at ACGC - Instructor - Stacey Scott, Murie Audubon President and experienced birder.
September 25 field trip - meet at ACGC at 8 am

October 28 "FIELD EXPERIENCES", 7 - 8:30 pm, class at ACGC, Instructor - Bruce Dudley, Education Coordinator for Audubon Wyoming

November - Gull Trip to Colorado - sponsored by MAS

(Submitted by Editor)

AUDUBON NEWSWIRE

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 3, FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Attention Chapters: Audubon Magazine Seeks Chapters That Work with Birds of Prey for Potential Inclusion in Upcoming Issue

New York, NY, Thursday, February 19, 2004
Audubon Magazine seeks Chapters experienced in working with birds of prey. Chapters' and their individual members' experiences are sought for potential inclusion in an upcoming article, particularly in the following areas: raptor rehabilitation, using birds of prey for education, assisting conservation programs by monitoring the nests of threatened or reintroduced species, or any other work with raptors.

If your Chapter (or member individual)has information to pass on, please contact Audubon magazine via e-mail. Please put "Birds of Prey" in the mail's subject line and send responses to Audrey Colyar, Assistant to the Editors.

AND YOU THOUGHT YOU HEARD OF EVERYTHING

Bill owns a company that manufactures and installs car wash systems. (Magic Wand Car Wash Systems, just in case you want to buy one.) Bill's company installed a car wash system in Frederick, Md. Now understand that these are complete systems, including the money changer and money taking machines.

The problem started when the new owner complained to Bill that he was losing significant amounts of money from his coin machines each week.
He went as far as to accuse Bill's employees of having a key to the boxes and ripping him off. Bill just couldn't believe that his people would do that, so they setup a camera to catch the thief in action. Well, they did catch him on film!


That's a bird sitting on the change slot of the machine.


 

The bird had to go down into the machine, and back up inside to get to the money!

That's three quarters he has in his beak!

 

Another amazing thing is that it was not just one bird - there were several working together. Once they identified the thieves, they found over $4000 in quarters on the roof of the car wash and more under a nearby tree.

(Ed.'s note - So if the intrepid European Starling can "rip-off" the car wash guys, do we birders have any chance what so ever of protecting our suet/peanut butter mixtures and BOSS feeders?)

RECYCLE PRINTER INK CARTRIDGES

Don't forget to bring your used printer cartridges to the next General Meeting on November 7th to recycle. Or you can call or email Rose-Mary (307-577-0568, rking7453@bresnan.net) and I will pick them up from you. We will be paid from $1 - 5 for each cartridge sent in to US Recycling.

Several of you have contributed your used cartridges and I will be sending in a box of them soon. THANKS!

(From the Audubon at Home website)

AMPHIBIAN DEEP FREEZE

Winter arrives in the Arctic, the temperature drops, and the Wood Frog responds accordingly. That is, it freezes. First it drifts into a deep sleep, then its heart stops, its breathing stops, and most of the water in its body turns to ice. The Wood Frog becomes, for all intents and purposes, a frog-shaped Popsicle. But when spring arrives some months later, an interesting thing happens: the frog thaws, and its hearts starts to pump again, its breathing resumes, and the animal is soon hopping, croaking, mating -- enjoying all the amphibian pleasures life has to offer.

What's the Wood Frog's secret? Well, slow cooling is important. If the animal's temperature were to drop too quickly, it wouldn't have time to secrete substances like glucose that protect its internal organs from dehydration while frozen. Slow cooling also allows the water inside the frog time to shift position. The more water that collects in the hollow cavities within the abdomen, for example, the more room there is for the water to expand as it freezes. If too much water remains in the organs, however, blood vessels will rupture as the temperature drops, and the animal will never wake from its slumber.

Description 1 3/8-3 1/4" (3.5-8.3 cm). Pink, tan, or dark brown, with prominent dark mask ending abruptly behind eardrum. Light stripe on upper jaw; sometimes light line down middle of back. Dorsolateral ridges prominent. Dark blotch on chest near base of each front leg. Belly white, may have dark mottling. Toes not fully webbed; male has swollen thumbs.
Voice A series of short raspy quacks.

Breeding Early spring, before ice has completely melted from water. Egg masses are attached to submerged vegetation

Habitat Moist woodlands in eastern areas; open grasslands in western; tundra in the far north.

Range Widespread throughout northern North America.

Discussion: The only North American frog found north of the Arctic Circle.  Primarily diurnal. In the colder parts of its range, the Wood Frog is an explosive breeder. Swarms of pairs lay fertilized eggs within 1 or 2 days, then disappear into the surrounding country. It may venture far from water during summer, and hibernates in forest debris during winter.

(From eNature.com's Wildlife online)

Ophidiophobia

Do you know what Ophidiophobia is? If you scream and drop your mouse on the floor when you see the picture below, then you have a good idea what the answer is!

Ophidiophobia is an irrational fear of snakes. Many people, perhaps a majority, claim to loathe or dislike these limbless reptiles.  I don't know if I have Ophidiophobia but I have no love for snakes!!!!!!

(From eNature.com's Wildlife online - Click to learn more about why snakes get such a bad rap.)

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