| MURIE AUDUBON SOCIETY CASPER, WYOMING |
| VOLUME 43 - ISSUE 3 MONTHLY PUBLICATION MARCH 2009 |
CALENDAR
March 3—Bd. Mtg.—7PM—ACGC
March 13—Gen. Mtg.—7PM—OGCC Bldg.
March 14—Field Trip
March 23—April newsletter articles deadline
April 7—Board Meeting
April 10—General Meeting
April 11—Field Trip
April 23, 30, May 7—Bird Id Class 101
Every Thursday—Brown Bag Lunch with the Birds—12Noon—ACGC
Click HERE to return to Index page
TABLE OF CONTENTS - (Click on title to go directly to article. Click on "frog" at end of article to come back HERE)
Rob Arlen of Casper will be the guest speaker at Murie Audubon’s March membership meeting.
Rob plans to cover some of the interesting aspects of amphibian physiology and ecology, their role in wetland ecology, and some of the basics of wetland science as well.
Rob is a lifelong herpetologist and has "herped" throughout the Midwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, as well as the Rocky Mountain region. He holds a BS degree in forestry from Colorado State, a MSc in ecology from the Colorado School of Mines, and a certificate in Wetland Science and Management from the University of Washington. He has taught biology, environmental science and ethics, and information technology at the University of Phoenix, and has given presentations in herpetology and science for numerous groups. He is currently a software developer for the State of Wyoming, and is doing research in parasitology at the University of Wyoming at Casper.
The program will be on Friday, March 13 at 7pm at the Oil & Gas Conservation Commission Building at 2211 King Blvd. As always, the program is free and open to the public!!
BRUCE WALGREN—PROGRAM CHAIR
Murie members and friends treasure the time spent at the Audubon Center on Garden Creek, whether relaxing inside the comfortable building while watching birds through large plate glass windows, browsing on a variety of wildlife publications, admiring the exhibits or strolling along the tree-shaded bird trail that winds upstream from the Center. The story of how this gem became available to the public is worth telling.
In the early 1990’s, Jim and Audrey Bailey, who own property straddling the Garden Creek drainage between Garden Creek Road and Casper Mountain Road, signed a 450-acre conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy. Jim had long been interested in outdoor education. With the blessing of The Nature Conservancy, the Baileys negotiated a lease with the National Audubon Society for use of the property and existing building, essentially a three-way partnership with Audubon, the Baileys and Conservancy. The building became the state office of Audubon Wyoming, an arm of National Audubon, and subsequently known as the Audubon Center at Garden Creek, currently leased by National Audubon for a nominal fee plus payment of utilities. Bruce Dudley was the first Director of the Center.
When the state office relocated to Laramie in 2006, Audubon Wyoming hired Ken Keffer as a Community Naturalist to staff the Center, serving until February 2008 when he left for work on the east coast. His uncle, Larry Keffer, started volunteering at the Center in 2005 and eventually became a paid employee on a quarter time basis, now working with our current Community Naturalist, Jessica Ryan.
The Murie Audubon Society has free use of the Center for its meetings and classes, in return providing volunteers to help with the Center’s educational mission, building and ground maintenance, and bird feeding. From time to time Murie contributes money to help with specific programs.
JIM BROWN—PRESIDENT
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS
We are pleased to welcome the following new and renewing members!
NEW MEMBERS
Rawlins: Virginia Bush, Kay Williams,William Davis, and Peggy Karstoft
Saratoga: Diana Noilen
Casper: Barbara Baer, Patricia Wollerman, Ida Anderson, and Susan Grill
Mills: Shaumbra Shreve
Douglas: Debbie Conklin
Moorcroft: Ellen Blakeman
Jackson: Carolyn Burke, Dorothy Noone, Joann Wetzel, Edward Taylor, and Mona Sobieski.
RENEWING MEMBERS
Yellowstone National Park: Katy Duffy
Rawlins: Vernon Whitfield
Baggs: Linda Fleming
Casper: Ann Tollefson, Jim Miller, Sylvia Kirschenmann, Carl Closs, James Degroot, C. McCorkle, Grace Jenkins, and Donald Updike
Bar Nunn: Bill & Ann Cochran
Jackson: Barbara Van Genderen, Susan Foster, Bill Guheen, Annie Furrer, John Hess, Mary Lenich, and Joe & Susan Moore
Wilson: Stephen Unfried and Karen Hobbins.
NEW FRIENDS OF MURIE
Casper: Kathy Davis, Joe & Dee Bicek, Ellen & Dan Schreiner, Dwaine Wagoner, Lisa Fujita, Sarah Bucklin, Brian Oliver, and Evert & Tammy Brown.
RENEWING FRIENDS OF MURIE
Glenrock: Ruby MacRae
Casper: Dale Von Riesen, Marcia Lynch, and Lorraine James.
We welcome you all and encourage you to participate in any of our activities. Feel free to contact any Officer or Board Member should you have any questions or suggestions.
BRUCE WALGREN AND JAN WHITNEY
(Editor’s Note: If any of you would like to receive your newsletter via our website saving us printing, postage & paper costs (www.murieaudubon.org), please email me—rking7453@bresnan.net. )
Here in Wyoming, we are officially still in the season known as “winter.” But in birding phenology we are in the early stages of spring migration – a few Red-winged Blackbirds have been reported in Casper, as have some Ring-billed Gulls, and a Turkey Vulture was sighted in Buffalo, to note a couple indications.
In his column in Living Bird magazine, Jack Conner suggests that, from a birding perspective, there could be more “seasons” in a year – for instance, when Great Horned Owl pairs are heard hooting their duets, or when your favorite warbler returns, or when fledgling robins are out of the nest but still begging from their parents. I might add – when the Common Nighthawks are back, or when the Swainson’s Hawks are gathering to migrate southward.
The pursuit of birding can lead one to think of “seasons” in more defining terms than the traditional spring/summer/fall/winter chronology. The point that Mr. Connor makes is that most birders are good phenologists. (If you weren’t already familiar with the word phenology, you have probably now figured out that it refers to the timing of biological events.) And of course, biological events are not just bird activities; everyone who enjoys the outdoors is familiar with a variety of things – the blooming of spring flowers, the birth of antelope fawns, etc. Mr. Conner quotes a bumper sticker seen on the vehicle of a fisherman: “Life begins when fishing season starts.”
How many “seasons” do you count in a year? What names do you like to use to refer to them? Maybe we can make up an “outdoor calendar.” DONNA WALGREN
NOTES FROM FEBRUARY’S BOARD MEETING
1. Jess Ryan outlined Together Green’s “Pennies for the Planet” project for kids. She also talked about the Audubon Center’s need for donations of household and office items (both of these topics were noted in February’s Plains and Peaks). She also said she would welcome participation from anyone who would like to help with PSAs on K2 television about Audubon Wyoming’s various projects. The Center would also welcome any prospective donors to come and visit the Center.
2. Murie’s Together Green committee is focusing on the Garden Creek ecosystem and the area’s human impact on it, and the committee is looking for a coordinator (to be paid).
3. The Bates Hole Sage Grouse Working Group reported that the sage grouse game farm issue is still a major concern. There are also questions about the impact of wind farms.
4. The Board voted to request that the Wyoming Community Foundation fund be managed as an endowment fund with no invasion of principal.
5. The Board agreed to donate $1,000 to pay the second half of the Audubon Center’s museum consortium dues.
6. Murie has purchased a new bulb for the multimedia projector.
ACTING SECRETARY—DONNA WALGREN
On Saturday, Feb. 14th, 10 Murie Audubon birders obtained permission to visit the Dave Johnston Power Plant near Glenrock to observe waterfowl. The day was mostly overcast and cool (temps ranged from 26 to 30 degrees) – and we were lucky to have a bit of a decrease in the February winds. We met at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek and car pooled to the power plant.
We saw a nice variety of waterfowl species: Mallard, Gadwall, Common Goldeneye, American Wigeon, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Canada Goose, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Redhead, and American Coot. We also saw one lone American Robin and a muskrat in the reeds at the water’s edge.
On the way down and back, we found several raptor species – Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, and Ferruginous Hawk, plus Common Ravens, Black-billed Magpies, and the usual assortment of European Starlings, House Sparrows, and Rock Pigeons. DONNA WALGREN
Donna Walgren, Stacey Scott, J. P. Cavigelli
Saturday, March 14, 1:30 PM - We will meet at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek for a bird trip to Gray Reef and the Alcova area. There should be lots of ducks, and maybe even some Mountain Bluebirds. Call Stacey Scott at 262-0055 for any additional details.
Saturday, April 11, 5:30 AM - We will meet at the east side Safeway parking lot to view the sage-grouse strutting at the Hat 6 lek. Some people like to watch the evening strutting, but the show is so much better before sunrise that it is really worth getting up. With all the development around the lek, I'm not sure how many more years we will have sage-grouse at this location. If you haven't seen this spectacular show, you ought to take advantage of it now. Call Stacey Scott at 262-0055 for any additional details. STACEY SCOTT—FIELD TRIP CHAIR
We took used printer cartridges into Staples here in Casper and received credit to be applied to a “rewards account.” We will use this credit to make purchases for the Audubon Center at Garden Creek and Murie Audubon. There may be better “deals” out there, but as yet we have not found them (if anyone knows of any, please let us know). This is relatively easy and convenient because we don’t have to mail anything, just take it to the store. Any of you can do this, or if it is easier, you can get the cartridges to us and we can use the credit toward items for Murie and the Center. BRUCE & DONNA WALGREN
(Ed.’s Note: This is an excellent idea! I, too, just this month, started taking printer cartridges to Staples but haven’t received my first check. This would be a great way to purchase needed office supplies for ACGC or I could use my check for ink cartridges for the printing I do at home for Murie.
You can bring in up to ten cartridges a month per Rewards customer. You will receive a check back once a month—$3 per cartridge. Staples will accept all brands of ink and toner cartridges - I found this out after I'd taken the newsletter to be printed.
Let's start bringing our used ink cartridges to the monthly meetings and pool our efforts!)
Here in Wyoming the temps. have climbed somewhat, but we know that winter isn’t finished with us yet. However, some increase in bird activity does hint at spring being “just around the corner.” An early Turkey Vulture was seen in Buffalo, and in Casper, Red-winged Blackbirds were reported in Paradise Valley and a few Ring-billed Gulls were sighted in JTL ponds near the Dump. We also received a report of an early Whooping Crane with the Sand-hills in Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin. And in Sundance, the Adams feeders’ Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches have been replaced by large numbers of Common Redpolls.
A species split may be coming for the Western Scrub-Jay. Several years ago the Scrub-Jay was split into 3 species: Florida Scrub-Jay, Western Scrub Jay, and Island Scrub-Jay. Now DNA research indicates that the Western Scrub-Jay has two very distinct forms: the California form and Woodhouse’s form. The divergence of these two forms is so strong, that the researchers are suggesting the split.
January yard birds – For the month of January, Wayne and I received 186 yard bird selections from 19 states plus the Yukon, with 67 different species reported. Numbers of raptors, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and juncos are still being seen, but now increasing reports of robins are noted (maybe spring is just around the corner). Northern Flicker and Bald Eagle tied for most reported species. Second place was Downy Woodpecker. Third place was a tie between Common Redpoll and Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Casper: Ed Reish – Black-capped Chickadee, Jim Brown – Northern Flicker, Pat Classen – Black-capped Chickadee, Cecil Foote – Blue Jay, Chris Michelson – Steller’s Jay, Pineview School – Eurasian Collared-Dove, Jan/Ed Whitney – Common Redpoll, Rose-Mary King – Townsend’s Solitaire, Casper College Greenhouse – Red-tailed Hawk, Arlene Carr – Black-capped Chickadee, Garden Creek Audubon Center – Rough-legged Hawk; Stacey Scott – Dark-eyed Junco (gray-headed), Miller/Naginey Family – Yellow-rumped Warbler, Bruce Walgren – Northern Flicker, Donna Walgren – Downy Woodpecker; Buffalo: Deane Bjerke – Common Redpoll; Dubois: Anna Moscicki – Common Redpoll; Douglas: Bruce Walgren – Northern Shrike; Midwest: Donna Walgren – Rough-legged Hawk.
Thanks to all who helped with the Yard Bird Project in January!! 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. Good Birding!! DONNA WALGREN
The 23rd Murie Audubon Society Annual Banquet and Fundraiser to now a part of our history. A very positive part of our history judging by the feedback I have received!
Through the bird house auction and favorite artist vote benefitting Audubon Center at Garden Creek, we raised $920! The success of this auction is due to the tireless work of Ann Hines and all the artists. Ann was also responsible for the publicity that was in the Casper Journal written by reporter, Carol Crump (thanks so much to Carol and the Casper Journal!).
J. P. Cavigelli & Lisa Fujita were voted as the favorite artists for their “totem pole” bird house.
I hope during all the greeting, buying raffle tickets and bidding on the auction items, that you paused a moment to hear Anastasia's Fault. Their blue grass and Celtic music mixtures were delightful. Ensemble members consist of Paul & Rhondasue and their talented family. Rhondasue says it is their daughter’s, Anastasia, fault that their musical group was started.
It was, also, an added bonus to have the Audubon Wyoming Board and Staff in attendance. Thanks, guys, for scheduling your board meeting on the weekend of our banquet!!!
Francis & Janice Bergquist's photography was a delight and an inspiration! It was a privilege to create the Power Point presentation for them with the added bonus of having time to drool over each photograph! Remember to mark your calendars for the Wings Over Carbon County Birding Festival in Saratoga, WY, June 5-7. It is a great festival hosted by a congenial and gracious bunch of birders!
Pastor Brian Oliver, our MC, was
new to most of you and new to birding enthusiasts. I’m very thankful that
Pastor Brian had healed from two accidents in the previous month so that he
could return to his pastoral duties as well as husbandly & fatherly duties and
could join us for the evening along with his wife, Chris. Otherwise I would
have had to step in and I wouldn’t have been nearly as poised or entertaining.
Those who helped set-up and clean-up—a really big thank you. If I name you, I will leave someone out and that would be unforgiveable. You know who you are—your help was greatly appreciated!
Many thanks go to those who sold raffle tickets. I’m not sure who you all were but I knew the tickets were in “selling-good” hands! I didn’t need to worry on that score.
That’s what great about Murie’s volunteers! Even if I can’t remember who all helped and who did what, you were there and that’s what counts the most!!!!
Many thanks, also, to Chris Michelson for handling all the money and paying the bills.
The success of the evening is due to the hard-working members on my committee—Jim Brown, Ann Hines, Laurie Fletcher, Bruce & Donna Walgren, and Brenda Baalhorn. Thanks for doing a super job! Give each other a pat on the back!
Does anyone know Mary Norman? She was the winning bidder on Sunrise Curiosity and didn’t claim it following the end of the banquet. I have called a Mary Norman listed in the phone book on Indian Scout Drive and left a message, but haven’t received a response. ROSE-MARY KING—BANQUET CHAIR
THANK
YOU, ARTISTS!!!
I wish that all of the people who
decorated those WONDERFUL bird houses for the banquet could have either been a
fly on the wall or a mouse hiding under
the dinner table to hear the comments praising the work done on the houses.
I don't have the words to express
our gratitude to the following people whose work we so enjoyed: Claudette
Mowery, Laurana Brink, Linda Gilliland, Joyce Rogers, Joan Odasz, Carolyn
Rodgers, June Calmes, Emma Narotzky, Barbara Jones, Lori Klatt, Jeremy Jones,
Mary Lou Morrison, Sharon Merschat, Hank Washut, Jim Kopp, Linda Lyman, Gretchen
Hogan, Karen Anfang, Cathy
Szymczak, Ingrid Burnett, Nancy Stichert, Aubrey Valdez, J.P. Cavigelli and
Lisa Fujita. These talented people raised over nine hundred dollars for the
Audubon Center at Garden Creek. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANN
HINES—BANQUET CENTERPIECES CHAIR
BART REA and conservation are interchangeable. An independent geologist by trade and naturalist by avocation, Bart came to Casper with the Stanolind Oil Company, later Amoco, after a tour with the Navy during the Korean War era. Although curiosity about birds dates back to grade school in Pennsylvania, he became seriously interested in the 1950’s when lured into birding as a serious hobby by Dr. Oliver Scott. At the time of a widely publicized eagle kill in Jackson Canyon west of Casper, Bart and his wife, Liz, found themselves in the middle of a court case which eventually resulted in regulations that helped eagle populations recover. They kept the evidence in their freezer. The case helped prompt President Nixon to ban the use of predator poisons on public lands.
Bart’s interest in conserving open spaces in Natrona County during the boom years of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s led to service as a member of Natrona County’s planning and zoning board, which made efforts to limit commercial development along the Alcova highway west of Casper and designed the Casper Mountain Plan to maintain the integrity of it’s landscape as viewed from Casper. He served on the Board of the Platte River Parkway, a wonderful way of introducing the public to the riparian environment while protecting riverside vegetation and wildlife habitat.
Bart served on the National Audubon Society Board for 12 years and is serving on the Audubon Wyoming and Murie Audubon Society boards. He served on the Board of what is now the Wyoming Outdoor Council. The Wyoming Community Foundation has benefited from his advice, both statewide and local. Bart was active with the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Agricultural Land Trust and is a member of the Boone & Crockett Club.
FRED EISERMAN was inducted into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame in September of 2008. A memorable part of his acceptance speech was “to get things done you sometimes have to be a trouble maker”. There was a lot of pressure on Fred to make this speech, because the other three inductees, including Jim Bridger, were unable to enlighten us with their remarks!
After serving in the Navy in both the European and Pacific theater during WWII, Fred went on to receive his degree in wildlife management from Utah State University in 1950. That same year he began his career as a fisheries biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, a career that was to span 28 years. He worked his way up the promotional ladder to the positions of district fisheries supervisor and fisheries management coordinator. He was instrumental in inventorying and surveying fish habitat and served on the Wyoming Legislative Interim Committee for stream preservation. His many accolades included induction into the Hall of Excellence of the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Conservation Award from the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. For more than 20 years he served on the Platte River Parkway Board of Trustees.
Among his friends, co-workers, and Murie Audubon Society Board co-members, Fred has inspired enormous respect for his knowledge of the land, improvement and management of same, and his ability to explain interactions of natural and manmade processes that shape the environment in terms understandable to the layman. By doing so, Fred has been able to implement his vision by enlisting the support of environmental professionals and laymen. "Habitat" was Fred's passion before it became a household word.
In his “retirement,” he serves as an aid at the Casper College Werner Wildlife Museum, helps at the Western History Archives and actively participates in the Library of Congress veterans interview program.
Jim Brown reading presentations
Bart Rea & Fred Eiserman
Seed Sale—Feb. 7, 2009.
Left to right—Bruce Walgren, Larry Keffer, Chris Michelson.
MURIE AUDUBON BOARD CONTACT INFORMATION
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