MURIE AUDUBON SOCIETY                                              CASPER, WYOMING
VOLUME 43 - ISSUE 1                 MONTHLY PUBLICATION          JANUARY 2009

CALENDAR

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SAGE-GROUSE AND THE RED DESERT

Mac Blewer, Audubon Wyoming’s grassroots organizer, will be the guest speaker at the January membership meeting of the Murie Audubon Society.

The first half of the presentation will be about the Red Desert landscape.  The Desert hosts an impressive diversity of bird life, the largest desert elk herd in North America, the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer Trails, and numerous wilderness quality landscapes. 

The second half of the program will be on Audubon’s Sagebrush Conservation Initiative and the need to protect our sagebrush landscapes; we will also show video produced by Steve Chindgren about the Greater Sage-Grouse.  Through all the seasons of the year, Chindgren documents the life of the sage-grouse in its arid environment west of the Wind River Mountains, as well as other wildlife he encounters there.  Sage-grouse no longer occur in several of the western states they once inhabited; and Wyoming is now one of its last strongholds.  But even here, their numbers are decreasing.  Sage-grouse are one of several bird species that are sagebrush obligates, meaning they only occur where sagebrush is found.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see this incredible documentary!! 

Mac came to Audubon with a long history of community outreach and grassroots coordination. He was the Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Outdoor Council for six years and served as National Wetlands Campaign Organizer for the National Audubon Society in Washington, D.C. Mac has also worked for the National Wildlife Federation and the National Parks Conservation Association on various public lands protection issues. He has a BSc. Honors Degree in Environmental Biology from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.  When he is not birding or hiking, he spends time exploring the Red Desert or resting up at his off-the-grid cabin in Lander.

The program will be on Friday, January 9 at 7 pm at the Oil & Gas Conservation Commission Building at 2211 King Blvd.  As always, the program is free and open to the public!!  PROGRAM CHAIR - BRUCE WALGREN

 

PRESIDENTIAL PONDERINGS

As mentioned in last month’s “Ponderings,” committees play an important role in the operation of the Murie Audubon Society.  The Eagle Fund Dispersal committee, under the leadership of Bruce Walgren, is neither a sum of money distributed by eagles nor a scattering of large birds of prey.  In reality the committee comprises sober humans charged with the task of allocating to licensed bird rehabilitators money derived from fines levied by the Federal District Court for illegal taking of birds by individuals and corporate entities, e.g. shooting, electrocution, drowning in uncovered pits, etc.  The Court has designated the Murie Audubon Society as a vehicle for disbursing these funds, amounting thus far to several thousand dollars.  Bruce and committee members Chris Michelson, Rose-Mary King and Jim Brown meet quarterly to review expenses submitted by licensed bird rehabilitation facilities operating in Wyoming, of which four are quite active (Gillette, Cody, Jackson and Riverton-Lander area).  A fifth, maintained for years in Casper by the Laytons, is less active due to Frank’s death and Lois’ health problems.   Many Murie members will remember Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation, a bird rehab center operated in Casper by Merlyn and Lynn Herold until a May heavy wet snowfall destroyed their flight barns three years ago. Expenses submitted by rehabilitators include food (dead rodents are expensive), veterinary fees, medicine, transportation costs, facility maintenance and many more.  In the best of all worlds there would be no illegal bird kills, but as long as there are, it’s nice to know that debts paid to society are being put to beneficial use.   PRESIDENT – JIM BROWN

 

THOSE OFF-COLORED CANADA GEESE

For a number of years during the fall and winter in eastern Wyoming, Canada geese with varying degrees of white or brown plumage that usually is gray or black in color have been observed, with several being bagged by hunters.

I checked with other States and Provinces in the Central Flyway and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the occurrence and distribution of these off-color Canada geese. These birds with abnormal plumage coloration have been identified by such handles as piebald, bar-breasted, and Quill Lakes geese.

The occurrence of off-color Canada geese has been reported from virtually all areas of the U.S.  It seems to be increasing in frequency and some people believe this color variation is somehow related to captive stock breeding and lineage of many locally raised Canada geese.  We should expect to continue seeing more piebald coloration’s in Canada geese as local breeding populations continue to increase.

 While banding small Canadas on the breeding grounds in the Northwest Territories during the early 1990s, crews would see 1-3 off-color birds out of about 1200 geese handled.  This would vary from white blotches just about anywhere on the body, to just a few on the head, sometimes extending the cheek patch in bizarre directions.  In some, even the legs and feet would be piebald.

Nebraska reports that geese with this coloration are showing up everywhere. They are observable in many places including Kearney and the Sandhills.  They are considered a trophy in Pierre, South Dakota. The folks in Pierre tagged them “Quill Lakes” geese.  Meaning they come from Quill Lakes area of Saskatchewan.  Off-color Canada geese also occur at Mud Lake in Saskatchewan.

Numerous off-color Canada geese have been seen in North Dakota.  Many are thought to have resulted from Canada/domestic goose crosses.  They also see giant Canadas developing extensive white plumage - usually patchy.  This has been observed in captive flocks and attributed to persistent human selection for light breasted birds and birds with white eyebrows to be used for breeding stock - to perpetuate the “Giant” Canada goose characteristics.  These birds have been known to develop white primaries, white neck coloration and even large patches on the breast.

During 1997, some folks hunting at Lake Ohae, in North and South Dakota, killed a Canada goose that they tagged “bar-breasted”. They also called the birds Quill Lake geese.  These geese are characterized by a white streak extending down from the check patch through at least a portion of the black neck, a few (or one) white feather on the leading edge of the wing (generally it looks like the first primary), and a white “bar” across the lower chest just before the white underbelly.

Abnormal plumage colorations in birds are caused by a lack or excess of pigments in one or more feathers.  In the case of the off-color Canada geese discussed here, albinism is probably the mechanism at work.  Albinism is caused by the reduction or absence of pigments in feathers.  In the complete absence of pigments, the feathers’ structure refracts light, giving white.  The pigments may also be absent from the irises and from the normally featherless, colored skin parts of birds. There are four degrees of albinism in birds.  Partial albinism is the degree seen in our off-color Canada geese.  Partial albinism is when the pigments are reduced, or one or more is absent, from the parts of any or all three areas - plumage, irises, and skin.  Of the four degrees of albinism, partial albinism is the commonest.   It frequently involves certain feathers only, and it is often symmetrical, each side of the bird being affected in the same way.  Albinism may have a genetic basis and be inherited.  It may also be spontaneous, developing in an individual bird as a result of some physiological disturbance.

The light-colored crow seen in the Torrington area for the last several years probably is the result of imperfect albinism, when all the pigments are reduced (diluted), or at least one of the pigments is absent, in any or all three areas - plumage, irises, and skin.

Albinism is a widely observed trait among many animals and plants in which a single gene difference results in albinism - the absence or marked reduction of pigment. What has happened is a change in DNA genotype through the rare process of mutation and/or the expression of phenotype.   Phenotype is the visible properties of an organism that are produced by the interaction of the genotype and the environment.

But, the high occurrence of abnormal color variation in Canada geese may be attributed to man’s selection for “colorful” plumage in captive flocks.  During the 1940s and 50s there were a number of captive flocks of Canada geese in North America.  These flocks provide the breeding stock for reintroduction efforts during the 1960s and 70s.  The reintroductions have been so successful that in some locals the geese are now known as nuisance geese.  LARRY ROBERTS (water fowl biologist with the Wyo. Game and Fish)

 

BIRD NOTES

Here in Casper cold weather has arrived with a vengeance, but we are finally getting temps above zero.  We haven’t had these below zero temperatures for a few years, (and some of us are having trouble getting used to them again!!).  We are in the midst of the Christmas Bird Count season, and it will be interesting to see how these cold fronts affect the CBC results.  (Be sure to look at Chris Michelson’s report on Casper’s CBC.)  

Also of interest are the piebald Canada Geese observed along the North Platte by Robin Kepple (information specialist for Wyoming Game & Fish).  You can see Robin’s photos of these geese elsewhere in this newsletter, along with a very interesting article by Wyo. Game & Fish waterfowl biologist Larry Roberts.   

November birds – For the month of November, Wayne and I received 193 yard bird selections from 14 states plus Madagascar, Iraq, and the Netherlands with 81 different species reported.  We are still getting lots of reports of Steller’s and Blue Jays, juncos, and raptors (8 species of hawks and 3 species of owls).  One interesting sighting was a Blue Jay/Steller’s hybrid in Grantsdale, MT.  There was also a very late Brown Thrasher hanging around a Casper yard for a week.  Dark-eyed Junco and Sharp-shinned Hawk tied for most reported species.  Second place was another tie between Blue Jay and Steller’s Jay.  Pileated Woodpecker was third, and in fourth place were 8 species commonly seen at this time of year:  Clark’s Nutcracker, Bald Eagle, American Goldfinch, Northern Shrike, Black-capped Chickadee, Great Horned Owl, Northern Flicker, and Hairy Woodpecker.   

Casper: Jim Herold – Steller’s Jay, Pat Classen – Downy Woodpecker, Cecil Foote – Mountain Chickadee, Chris Michelson – Steller’s Jay, Lois Layton – Brown Thrasher, Ann Hines – Indigo Bunting, Doris Von Holdt – Common Redpoll, Rose-Mary King – Steller’s Jay, Casper College Greenhouse – Hairy Woodpecker, Dick Von Holdt – Mountain Chickadee, Barb Yonts – Northern Flicker, Bob Yonts – Dark-eyed Junco, Sandy/Miguel Leotta – Steller’s Jay, Pineview School – Golden Eagle, Jake Skovgard – Northern Harrier, Bruce Walgren – Common Raven; Garden Creek Audubon Center:  Jess Ryan – Common Redpoll, Donna Walgren – Downy Woodpecker, Chris Michelson – Common Redpoll; Buffalo:  Deane Bjerke – Brown Creeper; Dubois: Anna Moscicki – Northern  Shrike; Evansville:  Donna Walgren – Common Goldeneye; Evanston:  Patti Gorman – Eurasian Collared-Dove, Tim Gorman – Common Redpoll; Glenrock:  Bruce Walgren – White-breasted Nuthatch; Midwest:  JP Cavigelli – Short-eared Owl; Riverton:  Suzanne Hargis – Bonaparte’s Gull, Bob Hargis – Blue Jay; Sundance:  Jean Adams – Bald Eagle.

Thanks to all who helped with the Yard Bird Project in November!!  We are waiting for your reports of birds seen in December; and we wish you a good birding year in 2009!!  Send your bird notes and yard bird reports to Donna Walgren, 4311 S. Center St., Casper, WY  82601, or email to Piranga@bresnan.net, or phone 234-7455.             DONNA WALGREN

 

MURIE’S CBC RESULTS 2008

Murie’s 61st CBC was held on Dec. 20, 2008 under less than ideal conditions.  The temperature did get above zero in a couple of places for a period during mid day but in most areas remained below zero all day.  Noteworthy for the count were 2 Trumpeter Swans, 1 Savannah sparrow, 2 Northern Bobwhites and 8 Pine Grosbeaks.  The number of Wild Turkeys and Eurasian Collared-doves are still increasing.  21 Common Ravens were a new high.   

Canada goose – 2,430; Trumpeter Swan – 2; Gadwall – 4; Am. Widgeon – 13; Mallard -1,310,  Am. Green-winged Teal – 6; Redhead – 1; Lesser Scaup – 6; Common Goldeneye - 138; Hooded Merganser – 2; Common Merganser – 37; Dusky Grouse – 6; Wild Turkey -148; N. Bobwhite – 2; Bald Eagle – 22 (16 Ad., 6 Imm.); N. Harrier – 4; Sharp-shinned Hawk – 4; Red-tailed Hawk – 20; Ferruginous Hawk – 4; Rough-legged Hawk – 13; Golden eagle - 27 (16 Ad., 11 Imm.); A. Kestrel – 1; Merlin – 1; Prairie Falcon – 2; Am. Coot – 1; Rock Pigeon – 746; Eurasian Collared-dove – 324; Mourning Dove – 6; Great Horned Owl – 16; Belted Kingfisher – 2; Downy Woodpecker – 23; Hairy Woodpecker – 7; N. Flicker - 128 (127 red-shafted, 1 yellow-shafted); N. Shrike – 1; Steller's Jay – 16; Blue Jay – 74; Clark's Nutcracker – 13; Black-billed Magpie – 135; Am. Crow – 49; Common Raven – 21; Horned Lark – 33; Black-capped Chickadee – 149; Mtn. Chickadee – 128; Red-breasted Nuthatch -11; White-breasted Nuthatch – 12; Townsend's Solitaire – 33; Am. Robin – 720; European Starling – 2,593; Bohemian Waxwing – 185; Cedar Waxwing – 187; Am. Tree Sparrow – 2; Savannah Sparrow – 1; Song Sparrow – 9; Dark-eyed Junco - 130 (Oregon - 8, pink-sided - 6, slate-colored - 18 unknown - 98); Gray-crowned Rosy Finch – 5; Pine Grosbeak – 8; Cassin's Finch – 11; House Finch – 656; Red Crossbill – 29; Pine Siskin – 11; Am. Goldfinch -23; Evening Grosbeak – 46; House Sparrow – 3,095. 

Total count species - 63

Total individuals - 13,838.

CHRIS MICHELSON – COMPILER

 

THANK YOU, CBC PARTICIPANTS

We would like to thank all those who braved the below-zero temperatures on Saturday, Dec. 20, making our Christmas Bird Count a success. 

Field observers:  Chris Michelson, Robin Kepple, JP Cavigelli, Dwaine Wagoner, Stacey Scott, Jess Ryan, Ron Ryan, Bart Rea, Tom Rea, Ken Keffer, Bob Yonts, Craig Yonts, Larry and Kathy Keffer, Kent and Meg Sundell, Pat Dixon, Vicki Pollock, Joe and Marie Scott, Ben and Elizabeth Scott, Bruce and Donna Walgren, Doug Crowe, Sean Riley, Sophie Bogart, Betty Rickman, Ann Hines, Kathy Knapp, Nancy Stichert, Emma Narotzky, Jacob Narotzky, and Cerek Jimeniz. 

Feeder watchers:  Jan Scott, Margo Spurrier, Ken Hoff, Terri Narotzky, Frank and Muriel McNeely, Liz Rea, Frank Odasz, Rose-Mary King, Bobbie Roberts, Donna Wichers, Doris and Dick Von Holdt, Terry Rasmussen, Laurie Longtine, Dick Buelt, Frank Vayo, Arlene Carr, Earline Hittel, Jim and Kathi May, Pat Classen, Cecil Foote, and Starla Mammon.

Thank you for all your help!!!                           DONNA WALGREN

 

RIVERS AND WILDLIFE CELEBRATION

 Come see the greatest crane migration spectacle in the world!

 Audubon Nebraska presents the 39th annual Rivers and Wildlife Celebration, to be held Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, 2009, in Kearney, NE. Timed to coincide with the annual migration of 500,000 sandhill cranes and millions of waterfowl through central Nebraska, this annual wildlife festival is for anyone interested in experiencing one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth and learning more about the natural world in a friendly and informal atmosphere.

Featured speakers for this year’s event are: 

Field trips to the best birding hotspots in the area are led by local birding experts throughout the festival. The highlight is a full-day birding trip with Pete Dunne on Sunday, March 22. Other full-day and half-day trips will take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to the Rainwater Basin and other migration stopovers. Tours may also include stops at local prairie-chicken booming grounds and prairie dog towns.

There will also be trips to viewing blinds along the Platte River at Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary at sunrise and sunset. Witnessing Sandhill cranes leave from and return to the River up close is an event no birder should miss. Field trips have limited space, so participants are encouraged to register early.

Other conference highlights include Brian “Fox” Ellis, who portrays John James Audubon; a photography workshop with Randy Hampton and Joel Sartore; a free crane behavior class; and lots more.

To obtain a registration brochure, call or write Audubon Nebraska, P.O. Box 117, Denton, NE 68339; 402/797-2301; Nebraska@audubon.org. Brochures can also be downloaded at Audubon Nebraska.

Additional crane viewing information can be obtained from Rowe Sanctuary, 308/468-5282;  or Rowe Sanctuary.

The Rivers and Wildlife Celebration is presented by Audubon Nebraska, Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary, and the Nebraska Partnership for All-Bird Conservation.

For complete schedule and registration:  Audubon Nebraska; 402/797-2301

 

AUDUBON ADVENTURES

Thanks to Keith James for sponsoring a classroom of Audubon Adventures.    EDUCATION CHAIR—ANN HINES

 

THANK YOU, PAINTERS!

 Our project for the decoration  of bird houses has gone extremely well.  We have nineteen houses out for decoration and prospects for more.  We will list the names of those doing the decorations at a later date.  The participation has been wonderful.

Remember, these birdhouses will be our centerpieces at the banquet, as well as in a silent auction as a fund-raiser for ACGC.    BANQUET COMMITTEE MEMBER—ANN HINES

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