PNPOCT2009

Mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae, is native to the forests of western North America. Periodic outbreaks of the insect can result in losses of millions of trees. Outbreaks may occur almost anywhere; even windbreak or landscape trees many miles from the mountains may be subject to beetles imported in infested firewood.

Mountain pine beetles develop in pines, particularly ponderosa, lodgepole. Scotch and limber pine. During early stages of an outbreak, attacks are limited largely to trees under stress from injury, poor site conditions, fire damage, overcrowding, root disease, old age or drought. However as beetle populations increase, MPB attacks may involve most large trees in the outbreak area.

Wyoming continues to experience an epidemic of MPB in the mature lodgepole pine and five-needled pine forests. According to the US Forest Service’s 2008 Forest Health Arial Survey, 1.2 million acres of have been affected by MPB, an increase of over 400,000 acres from 2007.

Steve Loose, a Wildlife Biologist with the US Forest Service in Saratoga, WY will be our guest speaker for our October monthly program. Steve will bring us up to date on the status and ecology of this destructive insect on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 7 pm at the Oil & Gas Conservation Commission Building at 2211 King Blvd. The program is free and open to the public!

Program Chair—Bruce Walgren

Presidential Ponderings

Upon entering Edness Kimble Wilkins State Park, you may have noticed a sign that reads "Important Bird Area," perhaps wondering if it means an area where important birds congregate or an important area for birds. I suspect that both apply. Wyoming lies athwart two major migratory flyways and provides a variety of healthy habitats for year-round residents. As described in an Audubon Wyoming publication entitled "Important Bird Areas of Wyoming (compiled by Alison Lyon, 2004), these locales "…are nesting areas, crucial migration stop-over sites, or wintering grounds that provide essential habitat to one or more species of birds during some portion of the year." Size of areas can vary from a few to thousands of acres consisting of private or public lands or both. Depending on location, there may or may not be statutory protection. In 1995, National Audubon started the Important Bird Area (IBA) program with latitude to establish programs state-by-state. In 2001, Audubon Wyoming solicited nominations for IBA's from a variety of sources, subsequently reviewed by prominent ornithologists, who over the years have approved upwards of 40 areas across the state. Criteria include: a) sites (meaning individual or in aggregate) important to endangered, threatened, or species of special concern; b) sites important to high conservation priority in Wyoming; c) sites of rare or unique habitat; d) sites where significant numbers of birds assemble for breeding. IBA’s adopted by Murie Audubon Society are Edna Kimble Wilkins State Park, Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge, Soda Lake/Yant's Puddle (to differentiate from Soda Lake near Pinedale), and Jackson Canyon, the latter a roosting spot for eagles. Murie members conduct bird counts in these areas and are alert to projects that can be done to improve habitat. Your help is essential and appreciated. Developers and extractive industries (including wind) are encouraged to consider impact of projects within or adjacent to IBA's. Thanks to Bob Yonts for providing background resources and information for these "Ponderings." President—Jim Brown

BIRD NOTES

Red-winged and Brewer’s Blackbirds along with Common Grackles are definitely making their presence known around Casper. Flocks of the birds are visiting neighborhoods and feeders, “serenading” us with their “chuck calls,” squeaks and whistles. Kettles of Turkey Vultures are seen circling overhead. (Last week I came out of the Casper College greenhouse and saw 27 TVs circling above.) Migrating warblers are moving through the state - Yellow-rumps, Townsend’s, and Wilson’s Warblers; Jean Adams reported a Kentucky Warbler in northeast Wyoming. Other interesting sightings include a White-winged Dove in Torrington and 20-plus Chukars in Casper near the West-side Wal-Mart. The season of fall migration is always an interesting time of year.

On a different note, when Bruce Bennett in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory sent his yard bird, he mentioned that while they had been away on a canoe trip, a grizzly had killed a moose calf and buried it in their yard. Their neighbor left a note that the conservation officer had dug the calf up and removed it, so they could probably expect a visit from an upset grizzly.

August yard birds – For the month of August, Wayne and I received 206 yard bird selections from 18 states plus the Yukon, with 93 different species reported. As is usually the case in August, lots of hummingbirds were reported, along with Black-headed Grosbeaks, various species of warblers, and Common Nighthawks grouping to move south. 8 species of warblers and 5 species of hummers were reported. But the no. 1 bird for August was the Black-headed Grosbeak. The no. 2 spot went to the Rufous Hummingbird. Black-capped Chickadee was in third place, and another hummer, the Black-chinned, was fourth. No. 5 on the list was the Common Nighthawk.

Wyoming Yard Birds

Casper: Jim Herold – Common Grackle, Pat Classen – Black-capped Chickadee, Cecil Foote – American Kestrel, Brigid Herold – Northern Flicker, Chris Michelson – Black-headed Grosbeak, Rose-Mary King – Black-capped Chickadee, Gloria Lawrence – Townsend’s Warbler, Jim Lawrence – Red-breasted Nuthatch, Barb Yonts – Rufous Hummingbird, Bob Yonts – Black-capped Chickadee, Ed Reish – Blue Jay, Ann Hines – Black-headed Grosbeak; Dubois: Anna Moscicki – Rufous Hummingbird; Douglas: Billie Snell – Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bruce Walgren – Sandhill Crane, Donna Walgren – Upland Sandpiper; Evanston: Patti Gorman – Black-chinned Hummingbird; Lovell: Glen Olsen – American White Pelican; Riverton: Suzanne Hargis – Blue Grosbeak, Bob Hargis – Lark Sparrow; Sundance: Jean Adams – Common Nighthawk; Table Rock: Tim Gorman – Peregrine Falcon.

Casper: Jim Herold – Common Grackle, Pat Classen – Black-capped Chickadee, Cecil Foote – American Kestrel, Brigid Herold – Northern Flicker, Chris Michelson – Black-headed Grosbeak, Rose-Mary King – Black-capped Chickadee, Gloria Lawrence – Townsend’s Warbler, Jim Lawrence – Red-breasted Nuthatch, Barb Yonts – Rufous Hummingbird, Bob Yonts – Black-capped Chickadee, Ed Reish – Blue Jay, Ann Hines – Black-headed Grosbeak

Thanks to all who helped with the Yard Bird Project in August!! 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!!!

NOTE: Summer is waning and every day seems more like fall. If you have not yet had the opportunity to get out and enjoy the fall foliage, do take the time to do so. The rabbitbrush is in full bloom, as is the curlycup gumweed, and most of the sagebrush species. Here in Casper, we can look up at Casper Mountain and see the yellow colors of the aspens, and the skunkbrush (or, as some prefer to call it – three-leaf sumac) is changing into shades of red and orange. Donna Walgren

RAPTOR ID FIELD TRIP

Murie Audubon’s and Audubon Wyoming’s co-sponsored Raptor ID class on September 10 was well attended by over 20 people; a good mixture of members and new birders. Jim & Gloria Lawrence shared their experience of raptor ID as well as many photos. The follow-up field trip on September 12 around Casper proved quite good. Species seen were Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier and Red-tailed Hawks at Yant's puddle. Behind the airport. Sandhill Cranes, many Swainson's Hawks (including one very light morph juvenile), an excellent view of a second year Cooper's Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier were sighted. On returning a kettle of a dozen Turkey Vultures were seen right at the airport.

Thanks so much, Jim & Gloria, for your leadership in the classroom and in the field.

(Submitted by Jim Lawrence & Rose-Mary King)

FALL BIRD FEEDING

As fall migration picks up, we are having more visitors to our feeders; and the increased number of birds usually means a greater amount of scattered, soiled seed and accumulation of droppings. All of which creates conditions for disease organisms to breed and pass from bird to bird. This type of situation is more likely to occur with platform-style feeders. Using platforms is perfectly acceptable, and some birds prefer this type of feeder (especially the ground-feeding species); but they do need to be watched and cleaned more frequently. There will be seed dropped out of tube feeders also, but usually not to the same extent. (However, if feeding a mix that contains a lot of seed varieties that most birds do not care for, such as sorghum, flaxseed, and wheat, these seeds will be quickly dropped to the ground.) The kinds of seeds popular with most species of birds coming to feeders are black oil sunflower, white proso millet, and fine cracked corn – with black oil sunflower being the top favorite. In fact, you can make your own mix by purchasing these three varieties and combining in approximately equal proportions, though you may want to increase the sunflower amounts, especially during winter to supply the extra fat and protein needs at this time.

Other possible food offerings include peanuts (in the shell – jays love them, or shelled), orange, grapefruit, or apple slices, raisins, grape or apple jelly, pieces of bread, cooked potato. If anyone has other methods and ideas on bird feeding and supplying water, we would be very interested in hearing about them. You can give me a call (307-234-7455) or send me a note (4311 S. Center St., Casper 82601) or email Piranga@bresnan.net.

Another feeding method consists of scattering seeds on the ground; this gives the ground-feeding species (like juncos, towhees, sparrows, and doves) a chance to partake of your offerings. But it is best to put out smaller quantities that will be cleaned up quickly before spoiling or become contaminated by fecal material. Plus, it’s a good idea to rotate the areas where you scatter the seed.

The occurrence of dead birds is usually an indication of disease as a result of poor sanitation and lack of cleanliness in the areas where birds feed, drink and bathe. This can be especially critical in cold weather when birds crowd together looking for food and unfrozen water.

All feeding and watering equipment should be cleaned as needed using a 10% household bleach solution, then rinsed thoroughly. Also, in the event that you do find dead birds in your yard, dispose of them using rubber gloves and plastic bags.

Many of us enjoy feeding and watching birds, but there are responsibilities that go along with it. The coming cooler weather will be pushing more birds our way – enjoy the activity!!! Donna Walgren

AUDUBON ADVENTURES

The Audubon Adventures for the 2009-10 school year should have arrived in the classrooms. We have 14 new enrollees for this year and 12 new teachers last year signed up again this year. We have a total of 79 people receiving AA for this school year. You have been very supportive of this program for MANY years and it is greatly appreciated.

Dwayne Wagoner has sponsored one classroom. Two or more classes were sponsored by Audrey and Jim Bailey, Chris Michelson, and Barb and Bob Yonts. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Education Chair - Ann Hines

SUNFLOWER SEED SALE

Noland Feed has once again been able to find seeds at a reasonable price for us and allowed us to sell seeds out of their storage facility. Noland Feed is on the corner of Ash Street and Industrial Ave, look for a large overhead door at the south side of the old Arrowhead Meat Processing building on Industrial Avenue east of the Noland Feed storefront (between Ash Street and David Street).

We will be offering 50# bags of black oil sunflower seed for $16 per bag. You need not pre-order your seeds unless you wish. If you wish to purchase seeds but will be out of town on the day of distribution, let us know and we can make arrangements for later pickup. Also, if you are unable to handle the 50# bags, let us know and we can make arrangements for delivery within the Casper area.

Many of you may be participating in the weekly Brown Bag Birding at the Audubon Center. If you do not feed birds, but enjoy watching them at the Center, you may want to consider donating seeds to the Center. We can deliver your donation and let them know of your contribution. Seed distribution will take place from 9 AM until 1 PM on October 10.

For more information, or to order seeds, please contact Bruce Walgren at 234-7455 or bruce_walgren@bresnan.net. Bruce Walgren

GREETINGS FROM ACGC

Classroom visits have begun, and with it, a renewed sense of purpose for this special place. The students’ excitement at seeing birds at the feeders, or grasshoppers hopping, or the scat of the pronghorn and the barrage of questions from inquisitive minds, reminds me of the importance of outdoor experiences.

Since I last wrote, I made a trek east to visit family and to attend a meeting of Audubon Center directors from around the country. It was a time of inspiration and humility as I learned of programs and met people who work tirelessly to improve habitat, restore populations and connect people with nature. I bring greetings from John Flicker and many others who are glad for Audubon’s presence in Wyoming. Our work in this community matters... not only here in Wyoming, but throughout the country and around the world.

October Activities at the Center:

16th—12:00 Noon Senior Circuit—Sponsored by the Museum Consortium and the Senior Center; seniors will visit area museums and enjoy a program tailored to them. Be watching the paper for more details.

24th—25th: Wilderness First Aid and recertification for Wilderness First Responder. Sponsored by Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS and Audubon Wyoming. We are lucky to be having this course offered right here in Casper and taught by Community Naturalist Dusty Downey. The cost is $200. For registration information you can call the center or email Lynn Jones at ljones@audubon.org.

31st—6:00pm – 8:00pm Hoot and Howl with Nature Halloween event—ACGC. It’s a multi-generational celebration of owls, spiders, coyotes, bats, and decadent desserts. It will be educational, fun, and a partial fundraiser for the Center. Fire up the ovens and get out the mixing bowls to stir up some spooky (or not so spooky) treats. We’ll have a bake sale and perhaps raffle off a dessert or two.

00 Noon Senior Circuit—Sponsored by the Museum Consortium and the Senior Center; seniors will visit area museums and enjoy a program tailored to them. Be watching the paper for more details.

ACGC Director—Wanda Peters

REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE

An Update for Natrona County Residents

Wyoming and particularly in Casper can be a frustrating endeavor, however, there are opportunities to rid yourself of some things that you aren’t sure what to do with and don’t want any more. Beginning October 1, 2009, Natrona County residents will be able to recycle most plastics by taking them to any recycling depot in the city of Casper. There will be two bins for plastics at each depot, one for plastics numbered 1, 3-7 and one specifically for milk jugs (#2 natural plastics). Most plastic containers can be recycled – throw away all lids/caps & pumps, empty the container, rinse the container and crush the milk jugs before bringing them to the depot. There are a few exceptions: plastic bags, wrappers shrink wrap and Styrofoam are not accepted. Also peanut butter containers, honey bottles, syrup containers and motor oil bottles cannot be accepted as they carry residue even after they have been cleaned. If you have been saving your plastics for a long time and have large quantities, please bring them to the balefill facility depot so as not to overwhelm the local depot.

Other recyclable materials accepted at the local depots are: aluminum, white office pack paper, magazines and catalogs, phone books, newsprint, corrugated cardboard, and glass (brown, green and white).

The City of Casper has 9 recycling depots at the following locations:

•KWHS (E. 12th St. and Trojan Dr.)

•Meals on Wheels (E. 12th St. and Lowell St.)

•North Casper (1700 East K. Street)

•Balefill (1886 North Station Road)

•Rocky Mountain Sporting Goods (1351 CY Avenue)

•South end of Sunrise Shopping Center (39th St. and Poplar St.)

•Denis Drive (Highway 220 and Wyo. Blvd. near the Shell gas station)

•East side Wal-Mart (4400 E 2nd St)

Household Hazardous Materials and Electronics

Generally, most household hazardous wastes and electronics are accepted year-around at the City of Casper Balefill / Landfill at no cost from residents of Natrona County. These wastes will either be properly disposed of or recycled when possible. These items are accepted Monday through Saturday 7:30 AM to 4 PM at the landfill. You will be asked to fill out a form listing any hazardous wastes when you bring these items to the facility and will then be directed to the appropriate area to unload the waste.

Accepted Household Hazardous Wastes

Aerosols, Pesticides, Antifreeze, Photography Chemicals, Batteries, Radiator Flushes, Car Wax, Rug Shampoo, Cleaners, Spot/Rust Removers, Degreasers, Solvents, Deodorizers, Used Oils, Furniture Polish, Wood Preservatives, Paints, Smoke Detectors, Gasoline, Mercury, Poisons, Fluorescent Bulbs.

Not on this list? Call the Solid Waste Division at 235-8246 for more information on what materials are acceptable or if you are a business and have large quantities of waste. You may need an appointment for certain wastes, call 235-8246 if you are unsure.

Electronics

Any item that plugs in or uses batteries: Televisions, Computers, Monitors, Digital cameras, Gaming systems, GPS units, Etc.

There is no charge to bring your discarded electronics to the landfill. Again, if you aren’t sure, call 235-8246 for more information. You may learn more about recycling in Casper at the City’s website

Bruce Walgren

E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS

We want to keep our membership up-to-date with the latest activities of Murie, i.e. meetings, field trips, classes, seed sales, etc. Most of the time these activities are listed in the monthly newsletter, but sometimes an activity is organized after the newsletter comes out or we schedule something during the summer. To that end, we are compiling a group list of members’ emails to send out notices of an up-coming activity. If you would like to receive notices of up-coming new activities or a reminder notice for a published activity, please send you email address to Bruce Walgren (bruce_walgren@bresnan.net) who will manage this list and send out the notices. He has a great way of protecting the addresses and your email program will think you are getting a message from Bruce and not block it as spam because it is going to a lot of addresses (at least that is the theory!)

Rose-Mary King

NEWSLETTER FOLDERS NEEDED

Do you have 1-2 spare hours a month and can help fold the newsletter. We have a great time and the more folding, the less time it takes. Usually we fold the last or first week of the month. I will call you the day before and we fold at ACGC.

Rose-Mary King

OCTOBER FIELD TRIP

Meet in the eastside Safeway parking lot on October 31st at 7:00am and depart shortly after that. There may be construction around the ponds in Buffalo which may not allow us to visit them. We will go to Healy Reservoir and then take the back road up to Lake Desmet. All of this is, of course, weather dependent. Assume about a half day.

Chris Michelson

MURIE BOARD MEMBER FRED EISERMAN HONORED

On the afternoon of September 11, officials of the Platte River Parkway Trust, present and past employees of Wyoming Game and Fish, Ambassador Tom Stroock, and friends and family of Fred Eiserman gathered by the river near the upstream end of the restored Pump House to christen a new boat ramp in Fred’s honor. The inscription on the plaque reads: “FRED M. EISERMAN BOAT RAMP Dedicated for the many years of service to the Platte River Parkway Trust and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.” Congratulations, Fred!

Jim Brown

WHO ARE BIRDS NAMED AFTER?

Continuing from last month’s newsletter:

Cabot’s Wren—It has received its common name from the discoverer and describer.

Cahoon’s Wren—Named in honor of J. C. Cahoon, who first discovered it at Sonora, Mexico, May 13, 1887.

Cairns’s Warbler—Named in honor of John S. Cairns, who first discovered and described it.

Cassin’s Purple Finch— Collected by Dr. Kennedy, January 22, 1854, at Pueblo Creek, NM, and named in honor of John Cassin, ornithologist

Cassin’s Sparrow—Discovered by Dr. Woodhouse at San Antonio, April 25, 1851, and named in honor of John Cassin, ornithologist.

Clarke’s Grebe—Named in honor of J. H. Clark, who first discovered it in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Clarke’s Nutcracker— Discovered on the Lewis and Clarke expedition and named in honor of General William Clarke.

Cooper’s Hawk—Named for William Cooper, of New York.

Cooper’s Henhawk— Named in honor of Dr. Cooper who obtained the first specimen in 1855 in Santa Clara Valley, California.

Cooper’s Sandpiper— Named in honor of William Cooper, who first discovered it at Raynor, South Long Island, May 24, 1833.

Cooper’s Tanager—Dedicated to Dr. J. G. Cooper, so well known for his research in the Natural History of Western North America.

Cory ‘s Shear-water—It has received its English name from the discoverer and describer of the species.

Cory’s Least Bittern— Cory says, “When I described this bird in 1886, I gave it no English name. The committee of the AOU have since honored me by giving it my name.”

Costa’s Hummingbird— Named by M. Bouriur in honor of M. le Margins Costa de Beauregard.

Couch’s Kingbird—Named in honor of D. N. Couch, who first discovered it in New Lew, Mexico.”

Coue’s Flycatcher—Named in honor of Dr. Elliot Coues, who first discovered it at Fort Whipple, Arizona, August 24, 1864

Cuvier’s Kinglet—In honor of the scientist in General Zoology, Baron Cuvier.

Douglas’ Crested Quail—Found by Douglas in Upper California.

Douglas’ Snipe—Nuttall says, “The only known specimen was killed on the banks of the Columbia in Oregon by Mr. Douglas, whose name it bears.”

Everman’s Ptarmigan— Named in honor of Prof. B.W. Everman, who first brought this ptarmigan to the notice of naturalists.

Feilner’s Owl—Named in honor of John Feilner, who discovered it at Fort Cook, North California, August 23, 1860.

Fisher’s Petrel—Named in honor of Mr. Fisher, who first discovered it on Kodiak Island, June 11, 1882.

Floresi’s Hummingbird— Named in honor of Mr. Floresi, who presented a specimen to the late Mr. George Loddigs.”

Forbush’s Sparrow—In honor of E. H. Forbush, of Watertown, Mass.

(From Why Birds are so Named by Katie M. Roads in the Wilson Bulletin #80—named after ornithologist Alexander Wilson)

Editor—Rose-Mary King

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