Thursday, March 27, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tropical Birds Night--Wednesday, March 26
FREE PROGRAM. All public welcome.
Laramie Audubon Society’s Tropical Birds Night. Come and chase away any lingering winter blues with an evening focused on tropical birds and birding. Sophie Osborn will introduce us to the tropics, tropical diversity, and some iconic tropical bird families. Then several Audubon members will share photos and travel stories from their tropical journeys.
Wednesday, March 26
UW Berry Biodiversity Center, Corner of 10th and Lewis St
6:30pm Bird Chat & Refreshments in lobby
7:00pm Program begins in auditorium
Laramie Audubon Society’s Tropical Birds Night. Come and chase away any lingering winter blues with an evening focused on tropical birds and birding. Sophie Osborn will introduce us to the tropics, tropical diversity, and some iconic tropical bird families. Then several Audubon members will share photos and travel stories from their tropical journeys.
Wednesday, March 26
UW Berry Biodiversity Center, Corner of 10th and Lewis St
6:30pm Bird Chat & Refreshments in lobby
7:00pm Program begins in auditorium
 |
| Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris) by Julie Hart |
Monday, March 24, 2014
Sage Grouse Lek Trek, Saturday, March 29, 5:00 a.m.
It's nearly April and the Sage Grouse are strutting their
stuff. Weather permitting and if the roads are passable, Laramie Audubon
Society will be heading out to the lek north of town on Saturday morning, March
29. We will most likely have to walk about a mile in to the lek and a
mile back out. It will be cold in the early morning with a cold wind
blowing. So dress plenty warmly, wear your walking boots and be prepared
to carry in your scope.
Please call 307-760-9518 for more information or if you have any questions.
Vicki Henry
Meet at 5:00am at the Eppson Senior Center parking
lot, Curtis St. & 3rd St. We will carpool to the grouse display
ground at 5:10 SHARP. Please call Vicki at 307-760-9518 if you plan on
attending and for weather/road updates.
If the road is impassable from snow/mud/rain/pooling, the
trip will be rescheduled to Sat., April 5, same time, same place. Road
update will be available on Thursday evening at 8pm (March 27). Please
call to see if the trip has been postponed.
It is about a 35-minute drive to the lek so gas up ahead of
time. You will probably need 4WD and/or a high clearance
vehicle. Bring snacks, water, hot beverage, spotting scope if you have
one, and binoculars. You can take photos but we will not get any closer
to the lek than about 1/4 mile so as not to disturb the mating rituals.
We are usually back in Laramie by 7:30am or 8:00 am, just in
time for the Plains Lakes Tour by Libby Megna.
Please call 307-760-9518 for more information or if you have any questions.
Vicki Henry
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Spring Migration Under Way
Despite the recent cold weather and snow, spring migration is already under way around Laramie. Some warm weather created open water patches on many of the local lakes and ponds, and ducks have already started filling them. Redhead (Aythya americana) appear to be one of the most abundant ducks arriving back, but many other species are also showing up, including Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), American Wigeon (Anas americana), Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca), and Canvasback (Aythya valisineria), among others.
In addition to the returning waterfowl, gulls, dominated by California Gulls (Larus californicus), are also showing up on many of the lakes in the area. Some early songbird migrants are also returning, most notably Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) at many marshes, and Cassin's Finches (Haemorhous cassinii) in the foothills. In addition to new arrivals, many resident species are also showing clear signs of spring, as many can be heard singing loudly across town, setting up territories and attempting to attract mates.
Get out and enjoy these early migrants, and get ready for the arrival of many more in the coming weeks and months as spring migration continues to march onward.
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
 |
| Redhead - Lake Hattie, Albany Co. |
In addition to the returning waterfowl, gulls, dominated by California Gulls (Larus californicus), are also showing up on many of the lakes in the area. Some early songbird migrants are also returning, most notably Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) at many marshes, and Cassin's Finches (Haemorhous cassinii) in the foothills. In addition to new arrivals, many resident species are also showing clear signs of spring, as many can be heard singing loudly across town, setting up territories and attempting to attract mates.
 |
| California Gull - Albany Co. |
 |
| Cassin's Finch - Albany Co. |
Get out and enjoy these early migrants, and get ready for the arrival of many more in the coming weeks and months as spring migration continues to march onward.
Note: all photos in this post are © Shawn Billerman
Thursday, March 6, 2014
New family of Passerines
 |
| Spotted Wren-Babbler (Elachura formosa) |
A unique family of birds containing just one species has been discovered by researchers.
Scientists investigating families within the Passerida group of perching birds identified 10 separate branches in their tree of life.
The analysis also revealed that the spotted wren-babbler sat on its own branch and was not related to either wrens or wren-babblers.
Experts recommend the distinctive bird should now be referred to as Elachura.
Read more at BBC Nature.
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
 |
| Herring, Great Black-backed, and California Gulls at Lake Hattie |
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
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