As I was WINDing my way down the hall, I was WINDering what I could write for this month’s newsletter. WIND I thought of a topic, it just didn’t seem right. It seemed my mind was WINDblown and nothing would spark my interest. It was as if I’d lost my WIND to write. Then, I was blown away with WINDerment! I could write about the WIND!!!! It seems to be much on my mind, in fact all around me, 24-7! So, instead of bemoaning the fact that I walk at a tilt, I clutch the mail tightly when I take it out of the mailbox, or that my bird feeders have blown all around the yard, I decided to see the positive side of living with WIND in Wyoming. The WIND Farms!!! Here are a few facts.

The Foote Creek Rim wind project is Wyoming’s first commercial facility to generate electricity from wind. Located near Arlington, it began commercial operation on Earth Day, April 22, 1999. Strong, steady winds, average winds speeds of 25 mph, mean that the Wyoming Wind Energy Project can provide power more reliably than almost any other wind farm in the country, delivering an average of 43 percent of its peak power year-round. The original Wyoming Wind Project had an output of more than 85 megawatts of electricity, enough for about 27,000 average Northwest homes. Independent consultants conducted a year-long study to find ways to minimize the environmental impacts of the Wyoming wind project, and studies are continuing while the project operates. Several steps were taken to protect birds and wildlife. The wind farm uses tubular towers and buried cables instead of lattice bases and pole-mounted cables, in order to avoid adding new perching places for birds. The large turbines turn slowly and the blades are coated with ultraviolet-reflecting paint to make them more visible to birds. The project site was also moved away from the edge of the rim, in order to avoid areas of high bird use, and it was adjusted to accommodate Native American cultural concerns.

The Wyoming Wind Energy Center, located in Unita County, is the third and largest in Wyoming. Its turbines are capable of powering 43,000 homes. Their blades encompass an area 262 feet in diameter and spin 17 times per minute, slower than most wind turbines but safer for birds and more efficient. Uinta County was chosen because of its relatively high wind speeds and distance from bottlenecks in the electricity transmission system. FPL Energy worked closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wyoming Game and Fish Department to determine best placement of the turbines to reduce danger to birds.

So…..now when the wind blows, I try to think about all the clean electricity produced. Well, I am trying!

President - Rose-Mary King

BIRD NOTES

There is a certain amount of excited anticipation as we move into the new year. What new birds might we see in 2006? In the light of increased reports of Eurasian Collared-Doves, will there be more “unusual” species reported in Wyoming? In our county? The Christmas Bird Count results in our area and the surrounding region did yield some unexpected species and numbers. Here in Casper, we had a particularly high count of European Starlings (4466!!) – not an especially welcome statistic. Our Eurasian Collared-Dove tally was 59 – a high number (not totally unexpected), but cause for thought since this is an introduced species that is rapidly increasing in the state and no one really knows what kind of impact these increased numbers may have. An unusual species reported for our CBC was a Mourning Dove. However, this dove was also seen on the Riverton CBC and the Crawford, Nebraska CBC, and 4 were reported on the December Yard Bird Project – all in Montana. Also surprising were the low numbers of some species – siskins, tree sparrows, and Bohemian Waxwings (zero for the Bohemians!). (Compare this with the February 1969 CBC – 1884 Bohemian Waxwings!)

Observers have already been enjoying 2006 bird activity in their yards and neighborhoods. There have been several accounts of watching Sharp-shinned Hawks check out bird feeders. (And also accounts of squirrels and raccoons checking out the feeders!) Peg Cullen observed a Peregrine Falcon dining in her backyard in Sheridan. Here in Casper, Arlene Carr enjoyed watching Blue Jays eat their fill of peanuts and then proceed to cache the remainder. This behavior-watching is one of the things that attract many people to birding – and it is something one can do from a window in your house.

2006 holds the promise of many interesting and exciting experiences – we just need to take the time to enjoy them. Have a great year!!!!

December Yard Birds – For the month of December, Wayne and I received 186 yard bird selections from 19 states and Yukon Territory with 77 different species reported. Woodpeckers and sparrows are still visiting neighborhoods frequently, along with Sharp-shinned Hawks, (checking to see what is available at the “buffets”), though siskins and goldfinches are still less numerous than usual. Also of note – Eurasian Collared-Doves are being reported more frequently. For December, again the most reported yard bird was the Sharpie; in second place was the Bohemian Waxwing (though all the waxwings were reported in Montana and Idaho – none in Wyoming); with the Northern Flicker in third place. A lot of Dark-eyed Juncos, Blue Jays, and Great Horned Owls were also reported.

Casper: Jan Whitney – Northern Flicker (yel-sh.), Ed Whitney – Evening Grosbeak, Pat Classen – Black-billed Magpie, Cecil Foote – Blue Jay, Chris Michelson – Sharp-shinned Hawk, Jim Herold – Downy Woodpecker, Joanne Odasz – Sharp-shinned Hawk, Frank Odasz – Song Sparrow, Bob Yonts – Blue Jay, Rose-Mary King – American Robin, Bruce Walgren – Common Raven, Donna Walgren – House Sparrow; Buffalo: Deane Bjerke – Cooper’s Hawk; Cheyenne: Barb Gorges – Dark-eyed Junco; Douglas: Billie Snell – Brown Creeper; Evanston: Patti Gorman – Eurasian Collared-Dove, Tim Gorman – Eurasian Collared-Dove; Lovell: Glen Olsen – Brown Creeper; Riverton: Bob Hargis – White-crowned Sparrow; Suzanne Hargis – Northern Goshawk.

Thanks to all who helped with the Yard Bird Project in December!! Hopefully 2006 is starting off with some interesting visitors to your yard; let us know what you are seeing, and pick the bird you most enjoyed seeing, then send your choice to Donna Walgren (ph. (307)234-7455), 4311 S. Center St., Casper 82601, or email to bwalgren_AT_coffeyDOTcom. Thanks again!!

Donna Walgren

SHRIKES IN WYOMING

Driving out past Poison Spider School west of Casper looking for winter birds, I notice a robin-size bird perched near the top of a scraggly tree beside the road. At first glance, it looks like a kestrel; but then the bird flew off with rapid wing beats, showing flashes of white in dark, maybe black, wings. A mockingbird!! No, not at this time of year. Though, there was one reported for the Casper Christmas Bird Count………Anyway, I don’t think those white wing patches are big enough for a mockingbird. That leaves a shrike as the most likely candidate. And, since this is January – it must be a Northern Shrike!

Basic identification points for shrikes is fairly easy – even for those of us who might be considered “bird ID challenged.” I just got the new National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, (I figure I can use all the help I can get!). In a nutshell, it says shrikes are robin-size birds with pale gray upperparts; a heavy, hooked bill; narrow black mask; white forehead; black wings with white patches; light gray under parts; and a long black, white-edged tail. The tricky part is that there are two species of shrikes here in Wyoming that look very similar – Loggerhead Shrikes and Northern Shrikes. The easy part is that basically the Loggerhead is here during the summer and the Northern is here during the winter. The other tricky part is that there are a few weeks in the spring and the fall when both species might be here at the same time. Dr. Oliver Scott writes that Loggerheads start arriving in Wyoming in early April and are all gone by the end of November; and Northerns arrive any time from November 1 on, and can stay till the middle of April. During these times of possible overlap, you need to look a little closer to determine which shrike you are seeing. A good clue is the head pattern – the Northern has a narrower mask with a white forehead just above the bill; the Loggerhead’s mask continues across the forehead with a black forehead just above the bill. Also, the Northern has a longer, more strongly hooked bill.

Shrikes are quite interesting birds – they are basically small raptors, similar to Sharp-shinned Hawks. In fact, their morphology is designed for going after prey – broad wings and long tail, giving them maneuverability and speed, plus the hooked bill and strong jaws. They don’t have the strong legs and talons of a Sharp-shin, but they do quite well with what they have. The shrike diet consists of large insects, small rodents (mice and voles are favorites), reptiles and small songbirds. Like kestrels, shrikes keep watch from a perch in an open area, darting out when prey is spotted (generally referred to as perch-hunting).

Shrikes are also known for the rather grotesque habit of impaling prey items on thorns, barbed wire, or whatever might be handy – earning them the nickname of “butcherbird.” A favorite shrike perch may also be where the bird stores (impaled) prey items; this is the shrike’s larder. A well-stocked larder helps the bird get through periods of bad weather, such as heavy snows. Sibley also notes in his Guide to Bird Life & Behavior that a plentiful larder seems to increase the male’s chances of attracting a mate.

The Northern Shrike spends its summer in the far north, nesting in scattered spruce, alder, and willows on the periphery of the tundra. The migratory movements of this Shrike are quite irregular; they usually spend the winter in southern Canada and northern US, but their numbers vary widely, explaining their designation as an uncommon winter visitor in the States. Their movements southward are primarily motivated by food availability. When the vole populations in the far north crash, invasions of Northern Shrikes into the United States will occur – similar to those of Rough-legged Hawks and Snowy Owls. Sibley notes records of Northerns as far south as Florida and Bermuda.

Shrikes are known for their boldness and perseverance; there are reports of them taking mockingbirds and Mourning Doves, and one larder was found with an impaled Blue Jay. Because of the mice and House Sparrows they are known to dispatch, shrikes are considered to earn their keep. However, they were not always looked upon with such favor; Kenn Kaufman notes that in the 1870’s when the House Sparrow had just been brought over from Europe, wardens were hired to shoot shrikes on the Boston Common to protect the sparrows.

Now is a good time to go out and look for shrikes (they should all be Northerns now), get a good look at them so you can become familiar with their field marks; so when the Loggerheads show up in the spring, you can tell the difference between these two species. (They are still easier than summer sparrows!!)

Dana Spizella

NOTES FROM JANUARY BOARD MEETING

The Board reviewed the form for Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Reimbursement Requests; after a few minor changes, the form is ready to be sent to the rehabilitators around the state.
Fred Eiserman informed the Board that after a third reading, the vegetation on Flood Plain Island has received protection. A letter of thanks will be sent to the City Council thanking them for their support.
With the sale of Goldmark Engineering’s building, the Bird Hot Line that was housed there has been disconnected. Because of the cost to continue operation of the line, the Board decided to support the WYOBirds listserve; because WYOBirds serves the whole state, it is hoped that other Audubon chapters in Wyoming might also help with its maintenance. It will also be necessary to find someone to monitor the listserve.
If the Duncan Ranch is purchased by the State Land Board, some other state lands will have to be sold to meet the “no net gain” rule. It is hoped that important habitat areas will not be for sale; of concern in the Casper area is the Hat Six sage grouse lek. The board will try to find which parcels of land are being considered.
Ken Keffer, the new community naturalist at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek, is starting to plan the bird identification classes to be held at the Center. A committee will be formed. Anyone interested in helping may contact Ken (235-3485).
Stacey Scott announced that the Grant Ranch (also known as the Turtle Rock Ranch) in the Glenrock area would like help in determining the bird species on the ranch and compiling a bird list for the ranch. Stacey is planning a field trip to the area in June, 2006. Anyone who would like to help may contact Stacey (265-6213).

Donna Walgren

FEBRUARY 1969 CBC

Feb. 1969 Plains & Peaks

The final tally for our very successful Christmas count is as follows: 36 Canada geese, 1508 mallards, 1 gadwall, 12 green-winged teal, 1 American widgeon, 67 common Goldeneye, 35 common mergansers, 2 red-tailed hawks, 2 American rough-legged hawks, 1 pigeon hawk, 1 prairie falcon, 5 bald eagles, 43 golden eagles, 1 marsh hawk, 14 sage grouse, 14 blue grouse, 7 chukar, 7 ring-necked pheasants, 1 American coot, 3 killdeer, 13 common snipe, 3 great horned owls, 27 red-shafted flickers, 7 yellow-shafted flickers, 11 downy woodpeckers, 2 hairy woodpeckers, 9 Steller’s jays, 25 pinon jays, 1 belted kingfisher, 206 black-billed magpies, 2 Clark’s nutcrackers, 44 black-capped chickadees, 66 mountain chickadees, 2 red-breasted nuthatches, 1 white-breasted nuthatch, 2 brown creepers, 4 dippers, 23 robins, 9 Townsend’s solitaires, 1 mockingbird, 1 northern shrike, 1884 Bohemian waxwings, 116 starlings, 1 yellow-headed blackbird, 9 Brewer’s blackbirds, 41 house finches, 872 gray-crowned rosy finches, 18 pine siskins, 2 common redpolls, 5 American goldfinches, 207 evening grosbeaks, 3 pine grosbeaks, 5 slate-colored juncos, 58 Oregon juncos, 123 tree sparrows, 3 white-crowned sparrows, 10 Harris’ sparrows, 16 song sparrows, 954 house sparrows, 26 red-winged blackbirds, and 22 horned larks.

Early February Field Notes

There are many pine siskins and a number of robins coming in to the feeders now while the waxwings are beginning to decrease in numbers. A large concentration of mallards are wintering on the River and Dr. Scott reports numerous eagles concentrated west of town. These birds were attracted by the carcasses of dead sheep (they died from natural causes so are safe carrion) and as many as 25 have been seen at one time. Most of these eagles are bald with many immature among them.

Submitted by Donna Walgren

BATES HOLE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

The Bates Hole CBC was taken on January 1, 2006. The following birds were seen:

Great Blue Heron 5

Trumpeter Swan 3

Canada Goose 63

Mallard Duck 169

Gadwall 19

Northern Pintail 3

Green-winged Teal 16

American Wigeon 25

Common Goldeneye 96

Common Merganser3

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1

Copper’s Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 7

Rough-legged Hawk 9

Golden Hawk 24 (Adult 17, imm. 7)

Bald Eagle 9 (Adult 8, imm. 1)

Northern Harrier 5

Prairie Falcon 2

American Kestrel 1

Greater Sage-grouse 103

Ring-necked Pheasant 6

Chukar 9

Gray Partridge 50

Wild Turkey 189

Killdeer 1

Ring-billed Gull 7

Rock Dove 22

Great Horned Owl 12

Red-shafted Flicker 8

Downy Woodpecker 3

Horned Lark 35

Black-billed Magpie 178

Common Raven 6

American Crow 1

Pinyon Jay 114

Clark’s Nutcracker 3

Black-capped Chickadee 12

Mountain Chickadee 3

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Robin 99

Townsend’s Solitaire 12

Bohemian Waxwing 217

Northern Shrike 2

European Starling 214

Western Meadowlark 11

House Finch 42

Gray-crowned Rosy Finch 39

American Goldfinch 30

Dark-eyed Junco 33 (Slate-colored 11, Oregon 16, Pink-sided 3, undetermined 3)

Tree Sparrow 75

Song Sparrow 10

Lapland Longspur 1

House Sparrow 104

Total Species 54

Total Individuals 2115

Compiler Charles Scott

This year’s count was very similar to last year’s . The total species was the same as last year’s while the total individual birds seen was slightly less. The numbers of eagles, sage-grouse, and turkeys were up while the numbers of waterfowl and small land birds were down due to the continuing drought.

Participants in the count were Jim & Gloria Lawrence, J.P. Cavigelli, Ken Keffer, Chris Michelson, and Charles, Stacey, Joe and Pete Scott.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Wyoming County Life Lists

It’s time to send in your life list totals for the counties in Wyoming!! Count up your species totals for each county as of December 31, 2005 and send all that total at least 125 per county. I would like to put the results in the March Plains and Peaks. Mail to Donna Walgren, 4311 S. Center St., Casper, WY 82601, or email to bwalgren@coffey.com. If you have any questions, give me a call (234-7455) or email.

Murie Audubon’s Bird Hotline: in Casper, 265-BIRD, outside of Casper, 1-888-265-BIRD is no longer available. The board is looking at other options.

No General Meeting in February and no field trip has been planned.

March 4th field trip will be an Eagle watch up Jackson Canyon. Meet at 3:00 at the pullout across from the Goose Egg Inn.

MURIE AUDUBON SOCIETY BANQUET - JANUARY 28TH, SOCIAL HOUR AT 5:30, DINNER AND PROGRAM AT 6:30, BANQUET ROOM OF THE CASPER PETROLEUM CLUB. Call Bruce Walgren at 234-7455 for tickets.

IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS OF NEVADA

The Lahontan Audubon Society, BirdLife International, the National Audubon Society, and many Nevada partners announce the publication of Important Bird Areas of Nevada. The book is the culmination of the first four years of the Nevada IBA Program and formalizes the recognition of 38 IBAs found across the state. Underwriters of the book are the US Fish and Wildlife Service – Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, and the Rio Tinto – BirdLife International Program and the Kennecott Rawhide Mine. The book offers an accessible package of information in a readable and companionable voice. First and foremost, the IBA Program is a conservation initiative, and the book describes the importance of each of these landscapes to Nevada’s birds. This includes a description of the salient features of the IBAs, why the sites were selected, and the conservation challenges facing each area.

Highlights of the book are:

38 Important Bird Areas described in detail, including key avifaunal features and conservation needs.
Access information provided for those interested in visiting the IBAs.
Excellent, context-setting information for the Nevada IBA Program, including background on international and national IBA efforts.
Copiously illustrated with 39 maps and more than 50 photographs by Nevada photographers including the author, Bob Goodman, and Dick Barrett.
160 pages presented in 6” x 9” size with bound spine and soft cover.
All proceeds benefit the Nevada Important Bird Areas Program of the Lahontan Audubon Society, based in northwestern Nevada.

Direct sales contact: Jane Burnham, Audubon Sales, 8071 Big River Dr, Reno NV 89506, (775) 677-4178, or e-mail Jane at jburnh_AT_junoDOTcom. Web site. Cost of book is $19.95 + $3.50 postage. Book ISBN 0-9703438-2-5.

EXPANSION OF THE EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE

A new bird has landed on the continent, and it might be coming to your neighborhood soon. Birdwatchers in Florida and other parts of the Southeast may already be familiar with the Eurasian Collared-Dove, but the rest of us ought to be on the lookout as well.

The story of the Eurasian Collared-Dove is captivating. A century ago, this species was found primarily on the Indian subcontinent, although its range extended slightly in Europe, in Turkey. In the early 1900s, however, the species began expanding its range significantly and by 1950 had reached the British Isles. Today, collared-doves are living above the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia.

Eurasian Collared-Doves were introduced into the Bahamas in the 1970s, and their populations soon expanded around these islands. What happened next was unclear. At some point in the 1980s, Eurasian Collared-Doves migrated, without assistance, from the Bahamas to Florida. And because they look much like the Ringed Turtle-Dove, the collared-doves started to spread unnoticed. It wasn't until the mid-1980s that ornithologists realized the suddenly prolific and quickly spreading "turtle-doves" they were watching were actually Eurasian Collared-Doves.

Citizen Science projects such as Project FeederWatch and the Christmas Bird Count provide the unique opportunity to monitor the invasion of a new bird species, such as the Eurasian Collared-Dove from its inception. Furthermore, with nearly 100 years of Christmas Bird Counts accessible in a relational database, we have an unprecedented ability to investigate long-term changes in bird populations.

Wesley M. Hochachka (Article from BirdSource)

Eurasian Collared-Dove
Note gray belly and under tail coverts with more black visible on tail.

(Picture from esaudubon.org/photos/eurasian_collared_dove.htm)

Ringed Turtle-Dove

Note white belly and under tail coverts with less black visible on tail. (Picture from natureali.org/ringeddove.htm)

Eurasian Collared-Dove facts - Native to India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, the dove migrated to Europe in the 17th & 18th centuries and continues to spread its range. It was introduced to the Bahama Islands in 1975, spread to Florida, and is expanding its range across the USA. Populations are established in many eastern and Midwestern states well into the Great Plains region.

The scientific name, Streptopeleia decaocto, literally means a collar (streptos) dove (peleia). In Greek mythology, Decaocto was an overworked, underpaid servant girl. The gods heard her prayers for help and changed her into a dove so she could escape her misery. The dove’s call still echoes the mournful cries of her former life.

These doves are usually resident, frequent villages and towns, and readily come to feeders for seed.

This dove is larger bodied than the native Mourning Dove, and has a distinctly different call, sounding like koo-kooo, koo with the accent on the second beat. The male often makes a display koo sounding like “mair”. Their mating display flight is similar to that of the Mourning Dove, but the JIZZ is different.

Prior to the 1930’s, their range was restricted to southeastern Europe when suddenly, and for no apparent reason, they began to expand their range westward. They first bred in the UK in 1955, and now occur in such extremes as Iceland, Spain, and above the Arctic Circle in Norway (Ehrlich, et al. 1994).

As these birds expand their range in North America, it will be interesting to observe the impact of this introduced species on populations of native birds, and to learn what ecological/geographical barriers finally limit their range expansion.

North America has several open niches created when native species like the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet and other species went extinct. Perhaps this dove will utilize part of the niche left vacant with the passing of the Passenger Pigeon and other bird species.

Eurasian Collared Doves breed nearly year round in their native range. They build a flimsy twig nest in trees, on building ledges, and in thick bushes. Two sub-elliptical, smooth white eggs (30 x 23 mm) hatch in about 14 - 16 days. Young fledge in about 15 - 18 days and leave the nest area at about 21 days. From 3 to 6 broods may be fledged in a breeding season. (From Chipper Woods Bird Observatory website)

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY PUBLIC POLICY SURVEY

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY is seeking public input regarding their priority conservation issues agenda. The survey is available at HERE. Issues covered include Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bird Conservation Funding Programs, River/Coastal Ecosystem Restoration and Wetlands Protection, Endangered Species Act, Farm Bill, Global Warming, Invasive Species, Population and Habitat, and Public Lands Protection. Your board will be discussing these items at our next board meeting and sending in the survey with the board’s recommendations. If you would like to send in the survey with your personal input, please visit the site above. If you do not have home Internet, visit the NC Public Library, or I can mail a copy to you. Rose-Mary King

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