Upcoming field trip: Winter birds at Happy Jack

Northern Pygmy-Owl in the Laramie Range. Photo © Cody Porter.

Doug Eddy and Cody Porter will kick off our birding field trips with an expedition to the Happy Jack area for winter birds on March 5.

As usual, we will meet at Coal Creek downtown at 8 am to caffeinate and carpool up to Happy Jack. Cody and Doug will scout out the best locations beforehand; if you'd like to meet us up in the Happy Jack area, you can get last-minute info on where we'll be by emailing us: laramie.audubon@gmail.com

Cody and Doug are excited to try to find the Northern Pygmy Owl, a species that has recently been documented for the first time in the Laramie Range! Also expected are breeding Red Crossbills, all three possible species of nuthatches, and other fun winter birds--especially ones that are taking advantage of the huge ponderosa cone crop this winter.

Appropriate winter clothes and footgear strongly advised; snowshoes not necessary, just good boots.

A view from Happy Jack. Photo by Libby Megna.

Upcoming talk: Shorebirds by Shawn Billerman

The Incredible Natural History of Wyoming's Shorebirds and How to Identify Them
Come join us for our monthly meeting of the Laramie Audubon Society to learn about shorebirds. Shawn Billerman will show us not only how to identify these sometimes challenging birds, but also discuss some of their fascinating natural history. Many species of shorebird that we see here in Wyoming only pass through, on their way too or from their far away breeding and wintering grounds. We will learn a little more about their fascinating journey and how to tell all of these beautiful species apart.

Please note that we will meet in a different location than usual, Classroom Building 222. You can park along 9th Street, but space is often limited. We recommend parking near the Berry Center as usual and walking south to the Classroom Building.

Bird chat with refreshments will begin at 6:30 pm and the talk will begin at 7:00 pm.

The talk is free and open to the public!

Wilson's Snipe. Photo © Shawn Billerman.

Snow Tracking Field Trip, Sat., Feb. 20, 8:00 a.m.

Photo by Julie Hart.

Join us for our annual snow tracking field trip on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Gary Beauvais, Director of Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, will lead us on a snow tracking trip to look for tracks made by mammals and birds. Dr. Beauvais will teach us how to identify what made the tracks while we learn about the behaviors of mammals during cold winter months.

Bring snow-shoes or cross-country skis, whichever you prefer.

Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Coal Creek Coffee, downtown Laramie, 110 Grand Ave., to caffeinate and carpool to Chimney Park Trailhead (USFS) near Fox Park on Hwy 230. Chimney Park is a fee area so bring $5 per carload to park.

This trip lasts several hours so bring plenty of water and snacks and warm outdoor clothes. You may leave at any time if you have your own vehicle. Otherwise, we should be back in Laramie by 1:00 pm.

Call 307-760-9518 for more information. Back-up date for the snow-tracking trip is Feb. 27, if weather is too harsh.

Great Backyard Bird Count - February 12-15, 2016

People all over the world will participate in the 19^th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizen science project launched by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society.  This four-day count involves counting every bird you see in your backyard or recreation area.  Thousands of people participate each year.  The submitted checklists offer great insight into where birds are distributed during this short interval of time and how weather affects various species. 

Simply complete your checklists using the forms provided online, and enter your results electronically onto the e-bird website.  This is a great family, friends or individual project.  Count on all four days, or any of the four days.  The website provides real-time results of all checklists submitted.  Personal photos can be submitted for the Photo Contest.  See photo contest winners at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/ .

Download your forms now and get ready for the 19^th annual Great Backyard Bird Count on February 12-15, 2016.  Go to http://gbbc.birdcount.org/ for more information.