MURIE AUDUBON SOCIETY                                                    CASPER, WYOMING
VOLUME 38 - ISSUE 5                     MONTHLY PUBLICATION              MAY 2004

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CALENDAR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FROM THE PRESIDENTS DESK

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NOMINATIONS FOR 2004-2005

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THE SEASONS OF TORREY VALLEY

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MURIE'S VOTE FOR AUDUBON REGIONAL DIRECTOR

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A DISCUSSION OF ROBIN-SPEAK

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NOTES FROM APRIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

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NATURE NOTES

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STATUE REVIEW OF GREATER SAGE-GROUSE

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BATES HOLE/SHIRLEY BASIN LOCAL SAGE-GROUSE WORKING GROUP

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HOSPITAL REPORT

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WYOMING COUNTY BIRD LISTS

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2004 BIRDING CLASSES

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DON'T YA WANT SOME COOIN' IN YOUR HOME?

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BROWN-CAPPED ROSYFINCH SURVEY DAY IN THE SNOWY RANGE IBA

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BIRD FESTIVALS

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FIRST CASPER BIRD FESTIVAL

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SARATOGA/PLATTE VALLEY FESTIVAL OF BIRDS

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MONTANA'S FIRST BIRDING CLASSIC

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TURTLE MOUNTAIN BIRDING FESTIVAL

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POTHOLES AND PRAIRIE BIRDING FESTIVAL

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SMITH RIVER BIRDING AND FISHING ADVENTURE

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WYOBIRDS LIST HAS CHANGED

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SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY OF BARBARA BROWN

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MAPS - BIRD BANDING PROGRAM

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK


Over the last two years, I have learned how this organization functions. It really doesn't matter who is President, we have active individuals who do the real work. When I first came back from Alaska, I was very impressed with the quality of the programs. I have been a member of three different Audubon Chapters, and had never seen programs that are as consistently entertaining and interesting. Not only is Bruce Walgren responsible for these programs, but also he and Donna really do a large share of the work that makes our Chapter productive. If you look closely at almost every activity of the Chapter, you will find that Bruce and Donna did the lion's share of the work.
 

Peg Cullen chairs the Annual Banquet. I knew that was a lot of work, but never appreciated how much effort it takes until I became President.
 

Ann Hines handles the Audubon Adventures, is very active helping organize our bird identification classes and also teaches some bird classes.
 

Rose-Mary King is our Newsletter editor and set up Murie's web site. If you have access to the Internet, you ought to look at this web site. I find it very easy to follow, and it is up to date. Many Murie members have helped Rose-Mary fold the newsletter when the RSVP volunteers were unavailable.
 

Chris Michelson, our Treasurer, writes a weekly column for the Star-Tribune, and is active with the bird classes both as an organizer and teacher.
 

Frank and Lois Layton and Merlyn and Lynn Herold run the bird hospitals, a more than full time job, and help out where ever they can.
 

Jan Whitney is in charge of getting the Newsletter in the mail. She does such a good job that I have never even had to help.
 

Sophie Bogart, Chris Michelson, Liz Rea, Pat Claussen, Merlyn Herold, and Rose-Mary King fill the feeders at Audubon Center at Garden Creek year-around. Bart Rea has helped those feeding by removing the snow on the road during the winter months.
 

There are many other individuals who lead field trips, count sage-grouse, conduct breeding bird surveys and help in all sorts of different ways. In addition, all those who are members help us with finances and in giving us enough members so that we can have influence when it comes to helping birds. To all of you, I say thank you for making my job more enjoyable and easier.

STACEY SCOTT

NOMINATIONS FOR 2004-2005

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS
President - Rose-Mary King
Vice-President - Nomination accepted from the floor.
Recording Secretary - Donna Walgren
Treasurer - Chris Michelson
Corresponding Secretary - Lois Layton

DIRECTORS
2005

Bruce Walgren, Peg Cullen, Stacey Scott, Stan Harter
2006
Bob Yonts, Merlyn Herold, Sarah Ramsey

Nominations for any of the above offices will be accepted from the floor at the General Meeting on May 7, 2004.
 

The following Committee Chairpersons (a non-elected position) have agreed to serve another year.
PROGRAM CHAIR - Bruce Walgren
CIRCULATION/MEMBERSHIP RECORDS - Jan Whitney
EDUCATION CHAIR - Ann Hines
NEWSLETTER EDITOR and Webmaster - Rose-Mary King
HOSPITALITY CHAIR - vacant (are you interested?)
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE - Bruce & Donna Walgren and Stan Harter
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR - vacant (are you interested?)

Rose-Mary King - Nominations Chair

THE SEASONS OF TORREY VALLEY


Dick and Jane Vander Weyden, directors of Trail Lake Ranch, near Dubois, will present a slide program entitled The Seasons of Torrey Valley on May 7 at 7 PM at the May General Meeting.

This historic ranch, also called Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp, has been continuously used for environmental and conservation education since soon after it was homesteaded in 1919. The Vander Weydens will share a bit of ranch history from the 1920s through the present, including the 15 or more years the facility was the site of the "Audubon Camp in the Rockies" program. They also will update us on the current opportunities for people to learn and share at the ranch. Slides will focus on the natural history, birds, mammals and other creatures that share this place Dick and Jane now call home.

Dick and Jane are Michigan natives and have worked at Trail Lake Ranch for several years (some years as volunteers); they returned last year as care takers and are now the Directors. Dick's slides are always a treat to see, so don't miss a chance to see the beautiful Torrey Valley of Wyoming.

For more information about Trail Lake Ranch, check out their web site

Come join us on Friday, May 7, 2004 at 7 PM at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building (The Basko Building) at 2211 King Blvd. Please note that we will be meeting at the new building on the Platte River Commons. The new building is just to the east of the BP Amoco refinery office building; take King Blvd off of 13th street near the fairgrounds.

As always, the program is free and open to the public, bring a friend and come join us.
 

BRUCE WALGREN

MURIE'S VOTE FOR NATIONAL AUDUBON REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Each chapter gets one vote for the regional director of Audubon. Because we have over 500 members, we get two votes. The two people running are Roger C. Wolf, a largely retired lawyer from Arizona, and Richard W. Denman, a retired CPA from Utah.
 

Mr. Wolf seems to have more experience running a chapter, but both say that membership and chapters are Audubon's biggest asset. I will send a copy of the candidate statements to anyone who wants one. Mr. Wolf can be contacted by E-Mail or 520-882-9633.

 

Mr. Denman can be contacted by E-Mail or 801-278-3313.


Murie's Board will have to decide how we are going to cast our two votes, so please talk to a Board member about the candidates so that we may cast your votes.

A DISCUSSION OF ROBIN-SPEAK

It's 4:20 a.m. and that robin is singing again! Yes, they are definitely back and making their presence known to all in the neighborhood. The American Robin is one of the most common birds in North America (from northern Alaska to Mexico), and most everyone has seen and heard this bird. But have you wondered what robins are "saying"?
 

In most bird species, vocalizations are used to announce their territories and to attract mates. However, for robins, territoriality doesn't seem as pronounced as it is in most birds. They defend their nesting area, but they usually share their foraging territory. When robins arrive on their breeding grounds, the males begin to proclaim territory. The song everyone is most familiar (the one that you hear early in the morning), the "cheeriup, cheerily, cheeriup" song, is sung by male robins early and late in the day. Donald Stokes notes that this vocalization seems to be sung most often just before the young hatch though I have noticed that the guys in my neighborhood have been singing the "cheeriup" song ever since they arrived.
 

But there are other calls given by robins, and each vocalization does have a particular meaning or intent. One of these is the "teek-call" - a short, high-pitched call given by both males and females. This call is usually given in situations of possible danger. It may be repeated several times along with some tail flicking.
 

Another call you might hear is the "tuk-tuk-call." This is a slower series of low-pitched notes, again given in situations of possible danger or perhaps some disturbance, for instance, when you are approaching too close to the nest. This call is also frequently accompanied by tail flicking.
 

The "teacheach-call" or "whinny-call" is a rapidly repeated series of harsh notes that seems to be used in the context of various situations. Both males and females give this vocalization any time of the year.
 

A call you might have mistaken for that of a Cedar Waxwing is the "eee-call" (given by both male and female). This is a high thin whistle that Stokes reports being used by birds flying to the communal roost in fall and winter. However, I have also heard immature robins making this sound while sitting in trees and shrubs (or on the fence) in our yard. Usually some adult birds were in the vicinity. Since Stokes categorizes this as a social behavior vocalization, this could be a way for the young birds to keep in touch with each other (and with the adults).
 

You have probably heard all of these vocalizations, but perhaps didn't pay much attention. So, the next time you hear a robin talking, see if you can figure what the bird is saying!!

DONNA WALGREN

NOTES FROM APRIL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

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The Wyoming Audubon Chapter Relations Committee would still like to have a chapter get-together; the Cheyenne chapter's annual camp-out in June at Friend Park, Medicine Bow National Forest may serve as this event.

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May Field Trips - May 8 - Birding Class field trip (emphasis on sparrows), will go to EKW; meet at Garden Creek Center. May 31 - Murie group Birdathon. Wildflower field trips are also being planned and a possible butterfly field trip. [Check Murie's birding hotline, 265-BIRD, and our website, for announcements.]

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Peg Cullen has learned that the tentative date set for the 50th Anniversary Celebration the Izaak Walton Building will not be available.

NATURE NOTES

Signs of Spring are popping up everywhere: the robins are back (and singing!), waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes are moving north, snipe are winnowing, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds are establishing territories in the marshes. Out in the prairie: phlox and townsendias are blooming, sand lilies will soon be in full flower, and Mourning Cloak butterflies are emerging from hibernation. There is much to savor and enjoy as we move into this new season. We are planning various field trips - looking for birds, wildflowers, and butterflies. We also welcome suggestions for other field trip "topics." When these outings are scheduled, the info will be put on the bird hotline (265-BIRD) and Murie's website.


Yard Birds - March's yard bird list totaled 182 selections (82 different species) from 22 states plus the Yukon. The top pick was again the American Robin, Spotted Towhee was 2nd, and Western Bluebird and Dark-eyed Junco tied for 3rd place.
In Wyoming:
Casper:
Doris Von Holdt - Pine Siskin, Dick Von Holdt - Chukar, Jim Lawrence - Cinnamon Teal, Gloria Lawrence - Greater Yellowlegs, Stacey Scott - A., Rose-Mary King - Cedar Waxwing, Liz Rea - Evening Grosbeak, Bart Rea - Mallard, Bruce Walgren - Prairie Falcon, Donna Walgren - Merlin; Cheyenne: Barb Gorges - Sharp-shinned Hawk; Douglas: Billie Snell - A. Goldfinch, Melody Kuecks - Turkey Vulture; Dubois: Anna Moscicki - Great Blue Heron; Fort Laramie: Alice Williams - Horned Lark; Garland: Nancy Ryan - Sandhill Crane, Pat Ryan - Mourning Dove; Riverton: Suzanne/Bob Hargis - Spotted Towhee.
 

Thanks to all who helped with the March Yard Bird Project. Migration is under way; keep those binoculars handy!! Send your April selection to Donna Walgren (ph. 234-7455), 4311 S. Center St., Casper, 82601, or email Donna.
 

Other Bird News - 6th Annual Lander Bird Festival May 8th - activities throughout the month of May; contact Andrea Cerovski for info (332-7723, ext. 232 or E-mail Andrea.)


Wyoming's North American Migration Count will be held May 8, 2004; Andrea Cerovski is coordinating this.  Migration count form, click        ../../../New page/north_american_migration_count.htm
Audubon Wyoming Birding Festival in Casper, June 4-5; for more info., call 235-3485 or go to Audubon Wyoming's website. Registration forms are also available Here on Murie's website.
 

Breeding Bird Survey Routes Available in Wyoming - if you can identify birds by sight and sound, the Wyoming BBS program can use additional volunteers. For more info, contact Andrea Cerovski, (332-7723, ext. 232 or e-mail Andrea), or Laurie Van Fleet, (307) 332-2688.


To find out what birds are being seen around the state - and other conservation-related news, call 265-BIRD (in Casper), 1-888-265-BIRD (outside of Casper).

 

DONNA WALGREN

U.S. FISH and WILDLIFE SERVICE to INITIATE a STATUS REVIEW of the GREATER SAGE-GROUSE

The US Fish & Wildlife Service has determined that substantial biological information - loss, fragmentation, and degradation of sage-grouse habitat due to wildfire, invasion of non-native plants, livestock management, agricultural conversion, herbicide treatment and mining and energy development - exists to warrant a more in-depth examination of the status of the greater sage-grouse.
 

Based on the status review, the Service will make one of three possible determinations:
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Listing is not warranted in which case no further action will be taken.

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Listing as threatened or endangered is warranted. In this case, the Service will publish a proposal to list, solicit independent scientific peer review of the proposal, seek input from the public, and consider the input before a final decision about listing the species is made. Generally, there is a one-year period between the time a species is proposed and the final decision.

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Listing is warranted but precluded by other, higher priority activities. This means the species is added to the Federal list of candidate species, and the proposal to list is deferred while the Service works on listing proposals for other species that are at a greater risk. A warranted but precluded finding requires subsequent annual reviews of the finding until such time as either a listing proposal is published, or a not warranted finding is made based on new information.

The full press release can be found at Fish & Wildlife website.  Acrobat Reader needed - get a free download HERE.

BATES HOLE/SHIRLEY BASIN LOCAL SAGE-GROUSE WORKING GROUP

Our second meeting will be May 20th at 9:00 AM in the Casper Office of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, 3030 Energy Lane, Suite 100, Casper, WY 82604, (307) 473-3400. The meetings are open to the public, and a public comment period will be provided. For more information, contact Stan Harter at the address below.
 

Sage-grouse lek surveys will continue through early May. The Casper area record for males observed on a lek in the past 5-6 years has been broken again, by Dr. Doug Crowe at Bates Creek Reservoir. A lek there had 130 males last week, the most observed there since the 1981, when 186 males were reported. Overall, sage-grouse numbers in the Casper area appear to be up from the last few years, with some leks showing record numbers of males. However, some others seem to be sharply down from recent years, possibly indicating localized problems such as habitat loss, drought, and West Nile Virus. A full update will be available this summer when all lek data is compiled for this spring and complete comparisons may be more appropriate.


Stan Harter, Wildlife Biologist
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
3030 Energy Lane, Suite 100
Casper, WY 82604
(307) 473-3411
E-Mail Stan Harter

HOSPITAL REPORT


Since February 16th, the activity at Murie Audubon Hospital (Frank & Lois Layton) and Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. (Merlyn & Lynn Herold) has been the following: Birds received: A. Robin, Bald Eagle, 2 - California Gull, 2 - Ferruginous Hawk , Horned Lark, House Finch, Merlin, Redhead, Red-tailed Hawk, Long-eared Owl.
 

Birds being held for future release: Bald Eagle, Blue Jay, 3 - Ferruginous Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Long-eared Owl, 3 - Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcon, 2 - Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawk, Mourning Dove, Merlin.
 

Birds Released: Great Horned Owl, Redhead, 2 - Golden Eagles later in April or early May.
Birds held for Education are the following: A. Crow, A. Kestrel, 2 - Great Horned Owls, N. Saw-whet Owl, 2 - Prairie Falcons, Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl, W. Kingbird.
 

MERLYN HEROLD

WYOMING COUNTY BIRD LISTS

Here are the county life list totals that we have received through 12/31/03.
Albany County

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138 - Steve Dinsmore, Starkville, MS

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134 - Joe Fontaine, Corvallis, OR

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130 - Billie Snell, Douglas, WY

Converse County

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215 - Billie Snell, Douglas, WY

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143 - Bruce Walgren, Casper, WY

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143 - Donna Walgren, Casper, WY

Crook County

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257 - Jean Adams, Sundance, WY

Fremont County

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130 - Donna Walgren, Casper, WY

Goshen County

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183 - Steve Dinsmore, Starkville, MS

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171 - Joe Fontaine, Corvallis, OR

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161 Billie Snell, Douglas, WY

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138 - Bruce Walgren, Casper, WY

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137 - Donna Walgren, Casper, WY

Laramie County

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208 - Joe Fontaine, Corvallis, OR

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195 - Steve Dinsmore, Starkville, MS

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158 - Bruce Walgren, Casper, WY

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158 - Donna Walgren, Casper, WY

Natrona County

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323 - Chris Michelson, Casper, WY

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283 - Bruce Walgren, Casper, WY

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283 - Donna Walgren, Casper, WY

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192 - Lois Layton, Casper, WY

Platte County

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134 - Steve Dinsmore, Starkville, MS

Sweetwater County

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145 - Will Cornell, Rock Springs, WY

Uinta County

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256 - Tim Gorman, Evanston, WY

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 Bruce.


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.
 

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 - pending

 

 

 

(Submitted by Editor)

DON'T YA WANT SOME COOIN' IN YOUR HOME?

The Casper College Greenhouse needs to find a new home for 2 Ringed-necked Turtle Doves. For info, contact Donna Walgren by phone 234-7455 or by E-mail.

BROWN-CAPPED ROSYFINCH SURVEY DAY IN THE SNOWY RANGE IBA

Join the Laramie Audubon Society in the first attempt to count and map sightings of the Brown-capped Rosyfinch on the Snowy Range on July 10, 2004.
 

In November 2003, Wyoming Audubon designated a site on the Snowy Range as one of Wyoming's most important areas for birds. The island of tundra above timberline was nominated by the Medicine Bow National Forest for its value as habitat for Wyoming's only breeding population of the Brown-capped Rosyfinch. The area is also home to a population of pikas that has been isolated from others of its species for hundreds of years, and may be a distinct subspecies. White-tailed Ptarmigan were present in the past, but the state wildlife databases contain no reliable records since the late 1970's.
 

The Brown-capped Rosyfinch has a very limited global range, breeding only in the Snowies and on mountain peaks in Colorado and northern New Mexico. If the warming trend continues, their mountain islands of habitat are likely to shrink and to be invaded by avian riff-raff currently excluded by the harsh conditions. These changes would threaten the future of these Rosyfinches, especially in places at the edge of the range, like the Snowies.
 

When seen feeding on bright snow, Rosyfinches may appear to be a solid dark color. In better light, they are seen to sport light pink flanks and rumps, and to flash pink in the wings when they fly. In spring and summer, the birds often feed at the edge of snowdrifts, where seeds that were blown onto the snow pack during winter emerge from the melting cover of snow. Spring winds blow insects from lower elevations that settle onto the snow where they are visible to birds gathering food for their nestlings. Nests are well hidden in talus and in shallow crevices in a rock face.
 

Breeding on the highest mountaintops and wintering in adjacent valleys, these tough little birds are true Wyoming residents.
 

The first step in helping this population stay alive is finding out basic facts- how many birds are there, and where do they feed and nest. So please join us for our initial survey of the Snowy Range's Rosyfinches.
 

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When: Saturday, July 10, 9:00

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Where: Forest Service Visitor Center, on WY 130, just over 1 mile west of Centennial WY. We will have a training session by Dave McDonald (on recognition by sight and sound). The group will divide into teams and will select areas to be searched.

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What to expect: Be prepared to hike through snow in places (though this year's low snow pack and warm weather may leave less snow than usual). The birds are not in predictable locations, i.e., considerable walking may be required. You may be sitting still to observe birds at a specific site, so be sure to have warm clothes along.

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What to bring: Binoculars and/or spotting scope; a field guide; maps; all your birding friends. Warm clothes (including wind protection), food, water.


For more information or updates: please contact Pat Dolan (745-1490) or Rhett Good.

BIRD FESTIVALS


FIRST CASPER BIRD FESTIVAL June 4-5, 2004 - Birders of all experience are invited to the first ever Birding Festival in Casper, Wyoming. Enjoy a reception Friday evening, a BBQ Saturday night, and lots of birding in between!


Friday evening, check in to the Radisson Hotel and meet your fellow festival attendees! The birding starts as early as 6:00 AM on Saturday at the Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park followed by a ceremony dedicating the park as an Audubon Important Bird Area. Then mosey on up to Casper College for some presentations on birds. Feel free to explore the sites around Casper or just relax at the hotel until the Saturday evening Spiritrider Chuckwagon Jamboree at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek, 101 Garden Creek Rd. Take a ride with Cattle Kate in a horse-drawn wagon, have a guided interpretive bird walk or walk the Center's multiple birding trails on your own. Afterwards, enjoy a barbeque with all the fixin's and real western entertainment!!!!!


FESTIVAL COST: Adults - $10 Children 17 & under - $5 Family - $25


BBQ DINNER: Adults - $30 Children 7-17 - $15 Children 6 & under - $5. Reservations are required for the Chuckwagon Jamboree by May 21st.


A block of rooms has been reserved at the Radisson Hotel under the name "Audubon Society". Reservations must be made at the hotel by May 15th to receive the block room rate. Call 307-266-6000. Get your registration forms today by calling Audubon Wyoming, 307-235-3485, or logging onto Audubon Wyoming Website.

SARATOGA/PLATTE VALLEY FESTIVAL OF BIRDS - June 5-6, 2004 Snowy Mountain Range and surrounding areas Saratoga, WY 82331, Phone 866-828-8855, Fax 307-326-8850, E-Mail.

MONTANA'S FIRST BIRDING CLASSIC - May 28-June 1, 2004 - Central and NE Montana - Billings, MT 59103, Phone: 406-962-3798, E-Mail.
 

We will travel west and north to Bedoin NWR, seeing prairie grassland birds during the peak of migration. Raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl as well as nesting birds can be seen along the Missouri and Milk Rivers. We will then travel east to Medicine Lake NWR for more specialties. 2-day ext. offered on Yellowstone River around Billings. We are fundraising for operation of our new conservation education center along the Yellowstone River. Come and enjoy watching our migrating and nesting birds and friendly Big Sky country. Your leaders are friendly too. We look forward to your visit.

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BIRDING FESTIVAL - May 21-23, 2004 - MSU-Bottineau Campus - Bottineau, ND 58318 - Phone: 800-542-6866 - Fax: 701-228-5614 - E-Mail.


Mark your calendars for the weekend of May 21 to 23 this year, when Minot State University at Bottineau will host the premier three-day Turtle Mountain Birding Festival. Guided field trips will begin at Lord & Mac 226 Lake National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, travel to J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, and to prime birding locations in the Turtle Mountains on Sunday. Paul Konrad, birder, ornithologist, and former editor of WildBird magazine, will be the keynote speaker on Saturday evening, when he will present an exciting 2-part slide program entitled Birding Hotspots Around the World and Dakota Bird Photography Highlights. All lodging and meals for the Turtle Mountain Birding Festival will be provided on the MSU - Bottineau campus. Activities will begin Friday and continue through Sunday.

POTHOLES AND PRAIRIE BIRDING FESTIVAL - June 11-13, 2004 - 210 Tenth St SE • Jamestown, ND 58401 • Phone: 800-921-2473 • Fax: 701-252-4837 • E-Mail


Packed full of great birding activities for all ages and levels, this year's festival includes bus tours guided by birding experts, informative seminars presented by professionals and casual socials where you can rub feathers with the whole flock.
Birding Drives Dakota, PO Box 26, Jamestown, North Dakota 58402-0026, Phone: 701-952-5871, Toll-Free: 888-921-2473, Website

SMITH RIVER BIRDING AND FISHING ADVENTURE

Join Hank and Carol Fischer and bird expert Dick Hutto for a five-day wildlife viewing and fishing adventure down Montana's most spectacular stream, the Smith River. It's a 60-mile float through an incredible limestone canyon with cliffs towering hundreds of feet above the river. Trout fishing is terrific and the birding opportunities (especially for raptors) are outstanding. For details Visit Website.

Hank and Carol (authors of the Paddler's Guide to Montana and the Montana Wildlife Viewing Guide) have been down the river more than 20 times and can take you to their favorite places. Hank is a nationally recognized conservationist who was a leader in Yellowstone wolf restoration (he's also the author of Wolf Wars). He worked for 25 years as Defenders of Wildlife's Northern Rockies director and currently works for the National Wildlife Federation. Dr. Dick Hutto has been an ornithology professor at the University of Montana for 25 years and has hosted the PBS television show "BirdWatch". He'll bring along a mist net to capture songbirds and lead us on an after-dark outing to look for owls (and possibly snipe!).

The trip will be run in association with Glacier Wilderness Guides, who will supply river equipment, tents, sleeping bags and memorable meals. At least two professional fishing guides will be along on the trip. Carol specializes in teaching women how to fly fish.

The trip dates are June 30 to July 4. The price is $2395 (all inclusive). For complete information and details please check out the Fischer Outdoor Discoveries website.
Fischer Outdoor Discoveries is also leading a wolf and bear trip to Yellowstone Park from June 4-10 that includes considerable birding (last year we saw approximately 75 species, including bald and golden eagles, great horned owls and a peregrine falcon -- all on their nests with young, viewable without disturbance).

Please see the website for details of the above trips as well as other planned trips or write Fischer Outdoor Discoveries, Hank and Carol Fischer, 1534 Mansfield Ave., Missoula, MT 59801 or call (406) 549-0761

peak viewBIRDWATCHING CAMP OUT AT FRIEND PARK CAMPGROUND


Cheyenne-High Plains Audubon members are hosting a birdwatching campout weekend on June 18-20 at Friend Park Campground in the Medicine Bow National Forest Pitch a tent at the campground or stay in a Douglas motel.
 

Saturday morning at 6 a.m. there will be bird walk around the campground and then at 9 a.m. we'll meet at the campground to head out for a day trip with Tim Byer, USFS biologist, to look at burn areas and other forest habitat. Pack lunch, water and rain gear.
 

At 1 p.m. you may choose to meet back at the campground to join members of the Wyoming Native Plant Society for a plant walk to look for Laramie Columbine.
 

At 6 p.m. we'll meet with WNPS folks at the campground for potluck. After dinner we'll have a potluck campfire program. You are welcome to share anything special you know about Laramie Peak and its plants, animals, history, etc.
 

Sunday at 6 a.m. we can explore the local vicinity again before packing up and birding our way home--or first making the 10-mile round trip hike to the top of Laramie Peak.
 

Of the 11 campsites at the Friend Park campground, located at the Laramie Peak trailhead, eight will be reserved for our groups. Please contact Barb Gorges, 307-634-0463 or by E-Mail by June 14 to reserve one of these reserved sites. Regular campground fees apply. Disbursed camping is available anywhere a quarter mile outside the campground.

WYOBIRDS LIST HAS CHANGED

Welcome birders! There are about 70 of us subscribed to the list right now with birders representing all four corners of Wyoming and many places regionally, nationally, and a couple internationally. This list has already proven to be a great tool for documenting birds and just keeping in touch with birders around the state/region. Unlike before, attachments are allowed (and encouraged...I've seen some talent!!!), but try to keep them under 250KB. There is a virus filter within the program, so if an attachment is questionable, it will be filtered and subject to revision by myself. Most of you know how to post. Simply send your message you wish to be seen by all WYOBIRDS subscribers to WYOBIRDS@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM. If you prefer to view this list online, simply visit Archives/Wyobirds. From the online version you can see the archives, post to the list, subscribe to the list, or leave the list.

I am more than willing to answer any questions...don't hesitate to E-mail me.

Here is the generic description listed online for the list. WYOBIRDS is a medium by which birders can post birds seen in Wyoming, upcoming bird related events, keep in contact with other birders, post photographs of birds in Wyoming, ask questions and keep abreast of bird related news. Basically, if it relates to birds in the state of Wyoming, it is welcome for posting to WYOBIRDS.

WYOBIRDS@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
William Cornell [willcornell@ONEWEST.NET] - list manager

SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY OF BARBARA BROWN


Murie Audubon notes the passing of Barbara Brown and we wish to extend our sympathy to the Brown Family. We first got to know Barbara and Jim through the Bird Class and enjoyed their company on field trips and at our membership meetings. She will be missed.

DONNA WALGREN

MAPS - BIRD BANDING PROGRAMBlue-headed Vireo being banded


Training Agenda: May 27, 2004 - 7 AM - Meet at Audubon Center at Garden Creek in Casper. 101 Garden Creek Rd.
7:05-9:00 AM: Introductions and overview lecture on bird safety, the ethics of banding, how to use the banding text, filling out the data forms. Review problems form pervious year.
9 AM: Put up mist nets and begin banding
9 AM - 12 pm: Run banding station, learning how to remove birds form nets, bird handling, age, sex and band birds, releasing birds, and recording the required information on the data sheet.
12 PM: Learn how to take down mist nets and properly close banding station. Question and answer period.
12:30: End of Training
**Garden Creek Banding Dates:
Period 4: June 9, 2004 (first banding date)
Period 5: June 16, 2004
Period 6: June 23, 2004
Period 7: July 7, 2004
Period 8: July 14, 2004
Period 9: July 21, 2004
Period 10: August 4, 2004 (last banding date)
**All dates are tentative and subject to change due to weather and/or schedule conflicts!

ALISON HOLLORAN
 

BIRDATHON

Murie Audubon Chapter's birdathon will be May 31st. This is a fund-raiser for Murie so get your teams together and your sponsors lined up. Your team can go on your own or you can join up with the larger group. The early birders will meet at the eastside Safeway at 5:00 am. We will check the Hat Six lek and birding spots on up the road pending access. Late birders can join up with the early birders at 7:00 AM at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park (bring coffee and donuts!)

HAVE A GREAT BIRDING SUMMER!!!!!

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