 |
| Herring, Great Black-backed, and California Gulls at Lake Hattie |
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
February Program - Wednesday
Join us this Wednesday, February 25th for a workshop on difficult bird identification. With spring migration right around the corner, come learn about tricks to identify some difficult groups, such as gulls and shorebirds. Shawn Billerman, a PhD candidate in Matt Carling's lab at the University of Wyoming, will walk you through the identification of the gulls and shorebirds of Wyoming. Shawn has become familiar with Wyoming birds over the past 4 years, and has been birding for the past 18 years. For his PhD research, Shawn is studying hybridization in sapsuckers in the Pacific Northwest, and has broad interests in ecology and evolution in birds. Come join us for an evening of identification tips in preparation for spring migration, which will be underway in a matter of weeks.
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
Monday, February 24, 2014
Record Eagles Counted in the Powder River Basin
Sixty-two volunteers spent the morning of Jan. 11, 2014 searching for bald and golden eagles across the Powder River Basin. Their efforts were part of the nationwide Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey, coordinated locally by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Buffalo Field Office.
Volunteers counted 239 bald eagles, 91 golden eagles, and 24 eagles of undetermined species, on new and established survey routes along more than 1400 miles of public roads. Sightings of several other raptor species were also reported, the most common being rough-legged hawks and red-tailed hawks.
The Midwinter Bald Eagle survey has been conducted in the Powder River Basin since 2006, with 119 eagles counted in that year. The 2007 through 2013 surveys found 300, 162, 269, 288, 290, 304, and 310 eagles, respectively. These survey totals vary due to the number of routes covered in each year, but are also influenced by weather and the availability of food sources including carrion, prairie dogs, and rabbits.
Golden eagle observations were reduced slightly from 2013, while bald eagle numbers increased from last year. It is unknown why there was a shift in numbers seen in the Powder River Basin. The strong winds along some routes during this year’s survey may have caused golden eagles to stay closer to the ground, making them less visible from roadways. Bald eagles were primarily seen perched in trees and feeding on carrion. Additionally, a substantial number of eagles were counted along newly added survey routes.
The BLM relies heavily on area volunteers to complete the survey, and once again had a high level of participation. All established survey routes were covered, and additional routes were added to include interested members of the public. Volunteer support makes the midwinter survey a success, and many volunteers, like Dick McCuistion, participate annually. “I’m a retired wildlife biologist, and it gives me satisfaction to see the bald eagle re-establishing itself and thriving in its Wyoming winter range. It’s nice to play a small part in this endeavor, and it’s fun to do. My wife and I look forward to participating every year,” said McCuistion.
While hundreds of bald and golden eagles are seen in the basin during the winter months, only a few stay year-round. Approximately ten to twelve bald eagle pairs nest in the area. A greater number of golden eagles remain in the Powder River Basin to breed. The additional winter populations migrate north in March and April, returning to northern Canada and Alaska. The information gathered by the survey is used by wildlife researchers and managers nationwide, but is also valuable on the local level. The data collected helps the BLM to determine important habitats in the Buffalo Field Office resource area, which consists of Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties.
The national Midwinter Bald Eagle survey effort began in 1979 as an effort to identify wintering habitat and develop a total population index for the eagle population in the lower 48 states. Collecting eagle data over the long-term has allowed analyses of population trends that help to monitor the health of the species as a whole.
Other regions of the state participate in this yearly survey as well. Wildlife professionals from the BLM, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service help coordinate local surveys in the following BLM resource management areas, national forests, and national parks: Casper, Cody, Kemmerer, Lander, Newcastle, Pinedale, Rawlins, Rock Springs, and Worland BLM Field Offices, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Medicine Bow National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. The BLM Cody and Worland Field Offices have been participating in the survey since the late 1980’s, resulting in over 20 years of data that has been used in national population trend analyses.
If you are interested in volunteering next year, or would like additional information, contact Charlotte Darling at 307-684-1045 or Darci Stafford at 307-684-1144. For more information on the national program and its results visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bird Initiative website.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.
-- BLM –
Volunteers counted 239 bald eagles, 91 golden eagles, and 24 eagles of undetermined species, on new and established survey routes along more than 1400 miles of public roads. Sightings of several other raptor species were also reported, the most common being rough-legged hawks and red-tailed hawks.
The Midwinter Bald Eagle survey has been conducted in the Powder River Basin since 2006, with 119 eagles counted in that year. The 2007 through 2013 surveys found 300, 162, 269, 288, 290, 304, and 310 eagles, respectively. These survey totals vary due to the number of routes covered in each year, but are also influenced by weather and the availability of food sources including carrion, prairie dogs, and rabbits.
Golden eagle observations were reduced slightly from 2013, while bald eagle numbers increased from last year. It is unknown why there was a shift in numbers seen in the Powder River Basin. The strong winds along some routes during this year’s survey may have caused golden eagles to stay closer to the ground, making them less visible from roadways. Bald eagles were primarily seen perched in trees and feeding on carrion. Additionally, a substantial number of eagles were counted along newly added survey routes.
The BLM relies heavily on area volunteers to complete the survey, and once again had a high level of participation. All established survey routes were covered, and additional routes were added to include interested members of the public. Volunteer support makes the midwinter survey a success, and many volunteers, like Dick McCuistion, participate annually. “I’m a retired wildlife biologist, and it gives me satisfaction to see the bald eagle re-establishing itself and thriving in its Wyoming winter range. It’s nice to play a small part in this endeavor, and it’s fun to do. My wife and I look forward to participating every year,” said McCuistion.
While hundreds of bald and golden eagles are seen in the basin during the winter months, only a few stay year-round. Approximately ten to twelve bald eagle pairs nest in the area. A greater number of golden eagles remain in the Powder River Basin to breed. The additional winter populations migrate north in March and April, returning to northern Canada and Alaska. The information gathered by the survey is used by wildlife researchers and managers nationwide, but is also valuable on the local level. The data collected helps the BLM to determine important habitats in the Buffalo Field Office resource area, which consists of Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties.
The national Midwinter Bald Eagle survey effort began in 1979 as an effort to identify wintering habitat and develop a total population index for the eagle population in the lower 48 states. Collecting eagle data over the long-term has allowed analyses of population trends that help to monitor the health of the species as a whole.
Other regions of the state participate in this yearly survey as well. Wildlife professionals from the BLM, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service help coordinate local surveys in the following BLM resource management areas, national forests, and national parks: Casper, Cody, Kemmerer, Lander, Newcastle, Pinedale, Rawlins, Rock Springs, and Worland BLM Field Offices, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Medicine Bow National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. The BLM Cody and Worland Field Offices have been participating in the survey since the late 1980’s, resulting in over 20 years of data that has been used in national population trend analyses.
If you are interested in volunteering next year, or would like additional information, contact Charlotte Darling at 307-684-1045 or Darci Stafford at 307-684-1144. For more information on the national program and its results visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bird Initiative website.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.
-- BLM –
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Bird Banter Archive
Barb Gorges with Cheyenne Audubon has recently begun archiving all of the Bird Banter articles she has written over the years. I've just added her blog to our list of favorites on the right hand side of our site.
--
Dear Wyobirders,
I've decided to archive my Bird Banter columns at
www.CheyenneBirdBanter.wordpress.com, in a blog format.
My columns are archived somewhat through the WTE website, and newer ones are
in the Wyobirds archives, but this way I (and you) can use the blog's Search
function to find out when I last mentioned a bird species, or researched a
topic. And the information is also available to the public and isn't just
deteriorating in my file drawer of clippings.
After 15 years, there are over 200 columns and as it takes
some time to format them, I've decided to aim to post them in groups, by
month, since bird topics are somewhat seasonal. I just finished posting all
the February columns, 1999-2014 (though there will be another one to post
next week).
I will continue to send Bird Banter to Wyobirds whenever a
column gets published. But you can also go the blog and sign up to get an
email from WordPress whenever a new one is posted. Or you can pass the
information on to your friends if they would like to subscribe to the blog.
Be warned that for the next 11 months, I will be averaging
20 posts a month (there were a few years when Bird Banter appeared every two
weeks), so if you sign up for the automatic email, you are going to see all
of those old columns. However columns prior to 2014 will have an update
statement at the top. The last 15 years have been a terrific revolution in
how we contact people and get information. Plus, bird names have changed,
and so have some bird issues.
As always, I look forward to your comments and replies,
whether you post them at the blog or reply to my emails.
Thanks,
Barb
P.S. My garden columns are archived at
www.CheyenneGardenGossip.wordpress.com. There were only two years'
worth so I was able to post all of them in January and now there will be
only one a month.
--
Dear Wyobirders,
I've decided to archive my Bird Banter columns at
www.CheyenneBirdBanter.wordpress.com, in a blog format.
My columns are archived somewhat through the WTE website, and newer ones are
in the Wyobirds archives, but this way I (and you) can use the blog's Search
function to find out when I last mentioned a bird species, or researched a
topic. And the information is also available to the public and isn't just
deteriorating in my file drawer of clippings.
After 15 years, there are over 200 columns and as it takes
some time to format them, I've decided to aim to post them in groups, by
month, since bird topics are somewhat seasonal. I just finished posting all
the February columns, 1999-2014 (though there will be another one to post
next week).
I will continue to send Bird Banter to Wyobirds whenever a
column gets published. But you can also go the blog and sign up to get an
email from WordPress whenever a new one is posted. Or you can pass the
information on to your friends if they would like to subscribe to the blog.
Be warned that for the next 11 months, I will be averaging
20 posts a month (there were a few years when Bird Banter appeared every two
weeks), so if you sign up for the automatic email, you are going to see all
of those old columns. However columns prior to 2014 will have an update
statement at the top. The last 15 years have been a terrific revolution in
how we contact people and get information. Plus, bird names have changed,
and so have some bird issues.
As always, I look forward to your comments and replies,
whether you post them at the blog or reply to my emails.
Thanks,
Barb
P.S. My garden columns are archived at
www.CheyenneGardenGossip.wordpress.com. There were only two years'
worth so I was able to post all of them in January and now there will be
only one a month.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Do bird feeders help spread disease?
The bird feeder in your backyard may seem like a pleasant and
innocuous way to attract wildlife. But feeders could also increase the
transmission of parasites among certain city birds, a study in PLOS ONE suggests.
Read more....
Read more....
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Mid-winter events
Thinking about planning your garden for this summer?
Audubon Rockies has a new program to help you be a habitat hero! Plant native species and attract wildlife species to your yard with their ideas. Already have a wildlife-friendly yard? Map it with YardMap.
Looking for a citizen science project to get your kids excited about nature in the middle of winter?
Consider watching and counting the birds at your or a neighbor's bird feeders with the Great Backyard Bird Count. Opening day is this Friday, Feb 14th (closes Feb 17).
Want to get out and explore winter wildlife?
Take your friends and family on a special outing with a tracking expert from the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. This Saturday we are hosting a wildlife tracking trip to Chimney Park, about 45 min southwest of town. Meet at the downtown Coal Creek at 8 am to carpool. Bring binoculars, snacks, water, and skis or snowshoes. Learn how to read the signs that wildlife leave behind!
Audubon Rockies has a new program to help you be a habitat hero! Plant native species and attract wildlife species to your yard with their ideas. Already have a wildlife-friendly yard? Map it with YardMap.
Looking for a citizen science project to get your kids excited about nature in the middle of winter?
Consider watching and counting the birds at your or a neighbor's bird feeders with the Great Backyard Bird Count. Opening day is this Friday, Feb 14th (closes Feb 17).
Want to get out and explore winter wildlife?
Take your friends and family on a special outing with a tracking expert from the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. This Saturday we are hosting a wildlife tracking trip to Chimney Park, about 45 min southwest of town. Meet at the downtown Coal Creek at 8 am to carpool. Bring binoculars, snacks, water, and skis or snowshoes. Learn how to read the signs that wildlife leave behind!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Laramie Christmas Bird Count Results
The Laramie Christmas Bird Count was held on December 14, 2013 this winter. Seventeen volunteers braved the cold, blustery conditions and counted 34 total species, with 3,050 individuals, down from previous years. By far the most numerous bird counted was Mallard, coming in with 1,031 individuals. Other good counts came from Rock Pigeons, House Sparrows, European Starlings, American Crows, and Common Ravens, all with over 100 counted.
Other highlights included a good diversity of raptors, with Bald and Golden Eagles, Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, Ferruginous, and Rough-legged Hawks, as well as two Merlins and two Prairie Falcons. Three Northern Shrikes were also recorded. However, songbirds were generally way down, with low counts of both chickadees and sparrows.
These results generally agree with results coming in from other Wyoming Christmas Bird Counts, with generally low counts of many birds, perhaps owing to an early season cold snap. As we continue into the winter, many typical winter birds are still absent from Wyoming or present in only very small numbers, such as rosy-finches. Normally found in good sized flocks in the foothills, rosy-finches are all but absent from most areas of the state.
Hopefully birds will begin to show up before too long. Many waterfowl and gulls begin arriving around Laramie around mid-March, with spring migration picking up steam through April and May. So, get ready for some exciting birds soon! Until then, stay warm!
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
Other highlights included a good diversity of raptors, with Bald and Golden Eagles, Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, Ferruginous, and Rough-legged Hawks, as well as two Merlins and two Prairie Falcons. Three Northern Shrikes were also recorded. However, songbirds were generally way down, with low counts of both chickadees and sparrows.
 |
| Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) - Albany Co., WY |
 |
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) - Nassau Co., NY |
These results generally agree with results coming in from other Wyoming Christmas Bird Counts, with generally low counts of many birds, perhaps owing to an early season cold snap. As we continue into the winter, many typical winter birds are still absent from Wyoming or present in only very small numbers, such as rosy-finches. Normally found in good sized flocks in the foothills, rosy-finches are all but absent from most areas of the state.
 |
| Gray-crowned Rosy-finch - Laramie Co., WY |
Hopefully birds will begin to show up before too long. Many waterfowl and gulls begin arriving around Laramie around mid-March, with spring migration picking up steam through April and May. So, get ready for some exciting birds soon! Until then, stay warm!
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
Monday, January 27, 2014
January LAS Meeting
Laramie Audubon Society will kick off its 2014 program series on Wednesday, January 30th with a presentation on Ecosystem Engineers, Wetlands, and Amphibian Diversity by University of Wyoming student Vicky Zero. Vicky, a Master's student in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, will discuss her research on the distribution of local amphibian populations, particularly in relation to beaver presence and activities. Vicky studied northern leopard frogs, boreal chorus frogs, and tiger salamanders at Pole Mountain wetlands in 2012 and 2013.
 |
| Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata) - Churchill, MB |
In addition to using traditional methods of surveying amphibians, Vicki also used an emerging technique that uses environmental DNA collected in water samples to detect the presence of these amphibians. Come and find out what she learned about the factors that determine why our local amphibians occur where they do.
As always, our meetings will take place in the Berry Center Auditorium on UW Campus. The reception begins at 6:30 PM, with our talk beginning at 7:00 PM. Please join us to learn more about our local amphibian species.
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
As always, our meetings will take place in the Berry Center Auditorium on UW Campus. The reception begins at 6:30 PM, with our talk beginning at 7:00 PM. Please join us to learn more about our local amphibian species.
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Project SNOWstorm
With the recent unprecedented Snowy Owl invasion throughout eastern and central North America, ornithologists have taken the opportunity to learn more about the owls that are showing up. Major questions about Snowy Owl biology stand to be addressed with a recent collaborative effort, dubbed Project SNOWstorm.
One of the major aims of Project SNOWstorm is to attach lightweight tracking devices to Snowy Owls that are captured to track their daily movements. This will help answer basic questions, such as when Snowy Owls actually hunt on their wintering grounds, and how far they roam on a day-to-day basis. These lightweight devices transmit data via cellular networks, with the ability to store hundreds of thousands of localities until close enough to a cell tower to send the data. Not only will we be able to see daily movements of Snowy Owls, potentially gathering data on movements for years, but by catching birds, researchers can learn about the health and condition of the birds that are showing up so far south of their normal range, and be able to say whether these are adult or young birds. To that end, Project SNOWstorm is also asking birders and photographers to submit their sightings, especially photographs that show the spread wings and tails of Snowy Owls, as that is the most useful way to age and sex an owl, to get an idea of what owls are showing up where.
To accomplish all of these goals, and to take full advantage of the Snowy Owl irruption of 2013-2014, Project SNOWstorm is looking for donations to help fund the purchase of additional tracking units. To see how you can help, see their website here.
If you were wondering on the choice of name for the project, and why "SNOW" is capitalized, SNOW is the four-letter code for Snowy Owl used by bird banders and birders.
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
One of the major aims of Project SNOWstorm is to attach lightweight tracking devices to Snowy Owls that are captured to track their daily movements. This will help answer basic questions, such as when Snowy Owls actually hunt on their wintering grounds, and how far they roam on a day-to-day basis. These lightweight devices transmit data via cellular networks, with the ability to store hundreds of thousands of localities until close enough to a cell tower to send the data. Not only will we be able to see daily movements of Snowy Owls, potentially gathering data on movements for years, but by catching birds, researchers can learn about the health and condition of the birds that are showing up so far south of their normal range, and be able to say whether these are adult or young birds. To that end, Project SNOWstorm is also asking birders and photographers to submit their sightings, especially photographs that show the spread wings and tails of Snowy Owls, as that is the most useful way to age and sex an owl, to get an idea of what owls are showing up where.
 |
| Snowy Owl - Nassau Co., NY |
 |
| Snowy Owl - Nassau Co., NY |
To accomplish all of these goals, and to take full advantage of the Snowy Owl irruption of 2013-2014, Project SNOWstorm is looking for donations to help fund the purchase of additional tracking units. To see how you can help, see their website here.
If you were wondering on the choice of name for the project, and why "SNOW" is capitalized, SNOW is the four-letter code for Snowy Owl used by bird banders and birders.
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
Friday, December 20, 2013
Snowy Owl Irruption in Eastern North America
The eastern United States and Canada are in the midst of a massive Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) invasion. Unlike the irruption a couple years ago, this event seems to be limited to the Atlantic Coast and Great Lakes region, with large numbers of owls showing up as far west as Minnesota, Illinois, and North Dakota. Snowy Owls are even showing up as far south as North and South Carolina, with one report even coming from Bermuda! Despite the restricted range of this winter's irruption, incredible numbers of birds are showing up. One particularly impressive report comes from Bruce Mactavish in Newfoundland, where over 300 Snowy Owls were found in a small area of coastline (you can read more about this here).
This Snowy Owl invasion has caught the attention of many people, with articles even appearing in the New York Times, which you can see here. Another extremely informative and interesting article about the impressive Snowy Owl flight is on the eBird homepage. In this article, you can see the extent of this year's Snowy Owl distribution compared with last winter, which was not an invasion year. The maps are striking.
I was lucky enough to see some of the Snowy Owl excitement on a recent trip home to New York for the holidays. The first bird we encountered in the early morning light was still actively hunting from atop a power pole right next to the road. We were able to watch the bird from a respectable distance without disturbing it while it actively searched the dunes for prey before eventually taking flight to roost for the day.
The second bird picture below was encountered roosting in the dunes along the beach. This was one of two birds we saw at this site. Many of these coastal sites throughout the Northeast are currently harboring one or more Snowy Owls, where they haven been observed preying on mice, rats, rabbits, and even birds such as pigeons and ducks (Parmelee 1992).
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
References:
Parmelee, David F. 1992. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/010
This Snowy Owl invasion has caught the attention of many people, with articles even appearing in the New York Times, which you can see here. Another extremely informative and interesting article about the impressive Snowy Owl flight is on the eBird homepage. In this article, you can see the extent of this year's Snowy Owl distribution compared with last winter, which was not an invasion year. The maps are striking.
I was lucky enough to see some of the Snowy Owl excitement on a recent trip home to New York for the holidays. The first bird we encountered in the early morning light was still actively hunting from atop a power pole right next to the road. We were able to watch the bird from a respectable distance without disturbing it while it actively searched the dunes for prey before eventually taking flight to roost for the day.
 |
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) - Suffolk Co., NY |
The second bird picture below was encountered roosting in the dunes along the beach. This was one of two birds we saw at this site. Many of these coastal sites throughout the Northeast are currently harboring one or more Snowy Owls, where they haven been observed preying on mice, rats, rabbits, and even birds such as pigeons and ducks (Parmelee 1992).
 |
| Snowy Owl - Nassau Co., NY |
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
References:
Parmelee, David F. 1992. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/010
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Fall Migration: A Recap
Fall migration in the Laramie area was very busy this year. The fun kicked off as early as July, with the earliest migrants, shorebirds, started moving. The earliest shorebird migrants that show up in July are generally failed breeders. Shorebird migration peaks in mid to late August, but continues well into September and even October.
 |
| Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) - Albany Co. |
 |
| Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) - Albany Co. |
 |
| Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) - Albany Co. |
 |
| Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) - Albany Co. |
 |
| Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) |
 |
| Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) - Albany Co. |
 |
| Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) - Albany Co. |
 |
| Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) - Albany Co. |
 |
| Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) - Albany Co. |
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
The latest binocular review from CLO is out
If you are looking for a holiday gift for a birder in your life or if you are considering a personal upgrade, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's latest binocular review is out. This is a one-stop shop for comparing many models in difference price categories so you can hone in what you need. They've added a new price category and reviewed over 100 binoculars. Check out their top picks here.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Christmas Bird Count - December 14th
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PART IN AUDUBON’S 114th
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
The Laramie Audubon Society will again take part in a 100-year-old Christmas tradition, Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, which mobilizes more than 70,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,300 locations. This wildlife survey effort provides important information about birds and their habitats to scientists and conservationists.
Volunteers are welcome to join in the count with the Laramie Audubon Society chapter as it conducts the Albany County Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 14. This will be the 36th count of the Albany County circle. Volunteers are needed to help count every bird present in a 15-mile diameter circle around Laramie on the day of the count. Novices are welcome and will be paired with more experienced bird watchers.
Volunteers can call ahead (307-286-1972) or meet at Coal Creek Coffee (110 E. Grand) at7:30 am on the day of the count to get data forms and team assignments. Some teams walk while others drive through portions of the count circle. Volunteers will reconvene at The Grounds Internet and Coffee Lounge (171 N. 3rd St.) at 12:00 pm to drop off morning reports and to regroup if continuing in the afternoon.
Volunteers should wear warm, layered clothing and boots, and bring water, snacks and binoculars if they have them. Bird feeder watchers are also welcome. Volunteers are invited to a chili supper where results will be compiled beginning at 4 pm at the home of Shay Howlin, event organizer. Potluck items welcome, but not required. Please contact Shay Howlin if you would like to be assigned a route early, would like forms for feeder watching, or have any questions (307-286-1972; wolfhowlin@gmail.com).
 |
| Gray-crowned Rosy-finch, Laramie Co., WY (2013) |
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
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