You
may call Vicki Henry at 760-9518 after 7am on Saturday, Feb., 21, or watch for
an email announcing the postponement.
Information about birds, birding, and how to protect birds in the Laramie, Wyoming area, including our local Habitat Heroes program.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Feb. 21 Field Trip - depends on weather -- Please read message below.
The weather may not cooperate with our field trip on Saturday
morning. If it is snowing on Saturday morning at 7:30am, or if the roads
are icy between Laramie and Chimney Park, we will postpone our snow
tracking trip to Sunday, March 1, meeting at Coal Creek Coffee at 8am, then
carpooling to Chimney Park.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Snow Tracking Field Trip at Chimney Park on Saturday morning, February 21
Join us on a Snow Tracking Field Trip this Saturday, February 21.
Bring your cross-country skis or snowshoes and wear your layered winter
clothing. Gary Beauvais, Director of the Wyoming Natural Diversity
Database, will lead us on a trek through the snow at Chimney Park (USFS).
Gary will show us various tracks in the snow and help us learn to identify who
made the tracks. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors on a winter
morning.
Snow tracking field trip. Photo by Julie Hart. |
There is a $5 fee per vehicle at the trailhead unless you have an annual pass. If you have one, be sure to display your pass on your dashboard.
If you have any questions, you may call Vicki at 307-760-9518.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Upcoming talk by Shawn Billerman
Our next evening meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday January 28th at 6:30 pm in the Berry Biodiversity Center auditorium. After mingling and refreshments, Shawn Billerman will continue his Difficult Bird ID series at 7 pm with a session on sparrows, longspurs, and finches. We will learn how to identify these tricky species so we're ready for spring migration!
McCown's Longspur, Albany Co. WY. Photo © Shawn Billerman. |
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Whose feather is it?
Have you ever found a bird feather and wondered what species it came from? The Forensics Lab of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can help with their Feather Atlas. You can compare your feather to similar feathers by choosing 1) a pattern and 2) the most striking color from an array of choices. Then browse through high quality pictures to determine which feather matches yours! You can also browse through their library of images by common name or taxonomy.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Brambling in Carbon County
On the morning of November 21st, Francis and Janice Bergquist discovered a strange bird coming to their feeder. After sending a photo to Matt Fraker, word quickly went out that they were hosting a Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) at their feeders, a finch native to much of Europe and Asia. While regularly encountered during migration on Alaskan islands in the Bering Sea, with double-digit flocks sometimes being recorded, Brambling are very rare anywhere in the lower 48 states.
Like other "winter" finches of North America, such as crossbills and redpolls, some years are definitely better for Brambling in the lower 48 than others. This year seems to be just such a year, with at least two found in Washington, one in northern California, one in Montana, and one as far east as Ontario. Hawaii even got their first record of Brambling when a flock of 15 was discovered. So, when I got a phone call that a Brambling was found in Wyoming, I wasn't too surprised.
Pending acceptance by the Wyoming Bird Records Committee, this represents the third time Brambling has been found in the state, with both of the other records coming in November of 1985, another "irruption" year for the species.
Over the weekend, a bunch of graduate students at the University of Wyoming here in Laramie made the trek to Saratoga. We were treated to wonderful views of this beautiful little finch. Over the course of the hour we were watching the bird, it hung out in the large spruce next to the house, in mixed company with House Sparrows and House Finches, and would feed on the ground. In between foraging bouts, the Brambling would hide in the dense cover of the spruce, trying to avoid being noticed by the Sharp-shinned Hawk that was constantly patrolling the feeders. Many thanks to the Bergquists for graciously allowing birders to come see this beautiful bird.
Brambling - Carbon Co., WY, © Libby Megna |
Like other "winter" finches of North America, such as crossbills and redpolls, some years are definitely better for Brambling in the lower 48 than others. This year seems to be just such a year, with at least two found in Washington, one in northern California, one in Montana, and one as far east as Ontario. Hawaii even got their first record of Brambling when a flock of 15 was discovered. So, when I got a phone call that a Brambling was found in Wyoming, I wasn't too surprised.
Pending acceptance by the Wyoming Bird Records Committee, this represents the third time Brambling has been found in the state, with both of the other records coming in November of 1985, another "irruption" year for the species.
Brambling - Carbon Co., WY, © Shawn Billerman |
Over the weekend, a bunch of graduate students at the University of Wyoming here in Laramie made the trek to Saratoga. We were treated to wonderful views of this beautiful little finch. Over the course of the hour we were watching the bird, it hung out in the large spruce next to the house, in mixed company with House Sparrows and House Finches, and would feed on the ground. In between foraging bouts, the Brambling would hide in the dense cover of the spruce, trying to avoid being noticed by the Sharp-shinned Hawk that was constantly patrolling the feeders. Many thanks to the Bergquists for graciously allowing birders to come see this beautiful bird.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Red Knot Listed as Federally Threatened
Big news came out of the US Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday, December 9 when they announced that the rufa subspecies of the Red Knot (Calidris canutus) would be listed as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The US Fish and Wildlife Service sites extensive coastal development along the East Coast of the United States and climate change as two important factors contributing to the drastic, rapid decline of this incredible species.
The rufa Red Knot is one of the most incredible long-distance migrants on the planet, with some individuals regularly migrating 18,000 miles in a single year from their breeding grounds in the high Canadian Arctic to their wintering grounds in Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina ("Moonbird" is part of this subspecies) . In the spring, huge flocks of Red Knots migrate north, stopping at traditional stopover sites along the East Coast of North America to fuel up not only for the rest of their journey to the arctic, but also to gain important resources for the breeding season (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2013). One of the most famous stopover sites for the Red Knot is coastal Delaware Bay in Delaware and New Jersey, where Red Knots gorge themselves on horseshoe crab eggs. Regular surveys at sites along Delaware Bay, as well as wintering sites in Chile and Argentina documented drastic declines in the early 2000s, with populations declining 75%. Many of these declines in the early 2000s were attributed to excessive horseshoe crab harvesting, reducing their food source at key stopover sites. While populations have stabilized recently, future coastal development and habitat changes due to future change may be detrimental to the Red Knot (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2014).
To read more about the listing of the Red Knot and other fun facts about Red Knots, visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service's website here.
Red Knot (Calidris canutus) - Tompkins Co., NY (photo © Jay McGowan) |
The rufa Red Knot is one of the most incredible long-distance migrants on the planet, with some individuals regularly migrating 18,000 miles in a single year from their breeding grounds in the high Canadian Arctic to their wintering grounds in Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina ("Moonbird" is part of this subspecies) . In the spring, huge flocks of Red Knots migrate north, stopping at traditional stopover sites along the East Coast of North America to fuel up not only for the rest of their journey to the arctic, but also to gain important resources for the breeding season (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2013). One of the most famous stopover sites for the Red Knot is coastal Delaware Bay in Delaware and New Jersey, where Red Knots gorge themselves on horseshoe crab eggs. Regular surveys at sites along Delaware Bay, as well as wintering sites in Chile and Argentina documented drastic declines in the early 2000s, with populations declining 75%. Many of these declines in the early 2000s were attributed to excessive horseshoe crab harvesting, reducing their food source at key stopover sites. While populations have stabilized recently, future coastal development and habitat changes due to future change may be detrimental to the Red Knot (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2014).
To read more about the listing of the Red Knot and other fun facts about Red Knots, visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service's website here.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Volunteers needed for 115th Christmas Bird Count
Common Redpoll. Photo © Shawn Billerman. |
Volunteers can call ahead (307-286-1972) or meet at Coal Creek Coffee at 7:30 am on the day of the count to get data forms and team assignments. Some teams walk, while others drive through their territory. Volunteers will reconvene at The Grounds Internet and Coffee Lounge at 12:00 pm to drop off morning reports and regroup for those continuing in the afternoon.
Volunteers should wear warm, layered clothing and boots, and bring water, snacks and binoculars if you have them. Feeder watchers are also welcome. Volunteers are invited to a chili supper where results will be compiled beginning at 4 pm the home of Shay Howlin. 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. Photo © Shawn Billerman. |
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Proposed Wyoming Toad Conservation Area
The area along Old Laramie River road, which falls under the proposed Wyoming Toad Conservation Area, is the best habitat in Albany County for Chestnut-collared Longspurs. Photo (c) Shawn Billerman. |
The Service needs to see a big show of support for our local refuges and wildlife for this project to go through. So, please come to a public meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 5:30 pm at the Albany County Fairgrounds. The Service will provide more information about the project and try to gauge how much support there is for wildlife conservation in the Laramie valley. Let's show the agency how much we care about our birds, our own Wyoming toad, and other local wildlife by attending this Thursday's meeting.
If you can't attend the meeting, USFWS is requesting public comments via email (wtca_comments@fws.gov) or US mail:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Attn: Amy Thornburg, Planning Team Leader
134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300
Lakewood, CO 80228
For more information about the proposal, see the USFWS's site, USFWS's news release, a short pamphlet explaining the proposal, or the in-depth Draft Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Do you have 5-10 minutes and internet access?
Be a citizen scientist! These 2 fun and interesting projects need your help.
© Project Nightjar |
Project Nightjar
investigates how birds use camouflage and their surroundings to evade
predators. See the world with the vision of a mongoose, monkey, or genet
(a relative of cats and mongooses) and try to spot the camouflaged
birds or their eggs. Are you fast enough to join the top 10?
© Condor Watch |
Condor Watch
uses remote cameras to monitor condors for signs of lead poisoning. By
identifying tagged individuals and recording feeding behavior, you can
help researchers and possibly save a life of one of these amazing birds!
Friday, November 21, 2014
Parade of Plumage Challenge
The National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Biodiversity Institute, and the University of Wyoming Museum of Vertebrates have teamed up to bring you the Parade of Plumage Challenge. The goal of the challenge is to get folks to identify birds in French artist François Nicolas Martinet's bird engravings. The National Museum of Wildlife Art is currently displaying 98 of Martinet's engravings, many of which either lack species names, are misidentified, or have outdated names. Some of the world's leading ornithologists have identified these birds, and now its your turn!
To participate, visit this site: http://paradeofplumage.com/
Contest rules are available on the website. Fantastic prizes are available to those who identify all of the species correctly.
To participate, visit this site: http://paradeofplumage.com/
Contest rules are available on the website. Fantastic prizes are available to those who identify all of the species correctly.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Board meeting
We will hold a board meeting this Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 pm. We will meet in room 227 of the Berry Center. Our board meetings are open to the public; if you are interested in the behind-the-scenes of the Laramie Audubon Society, feel free to join us.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Upcoming talk by Tim Banks
The last speaker for this fall is our very own Tim Banks. Please join us for his talk entitled
"Sandhill Crane Natural History and Behavior (and More!)" next Wednesday, 19 November at the Berry Center
auditorium. We will also hold board member elections during this meeting; if you are a member of the Laramie Audubon Society you can vote to confirm or oppose election or re-election of board members. If you can't attend the talk, you can vote online here.
Schedule of events
6:30 pm - Mingling and refreshments
7:00 pm - Election of board members
7:15 pm - Sandhill Crane program
Below, Tim gives us a sneak peek of his talk.
~~~
Cranes are the stuff of magic, whose voices penetrate the atmosphere of the world's wilderness areas, from arctic tundra to the South African veld, and whose footprints have been left on the wetlands of the world for the past 60 million years or more. - Paul Johnsgard
Standing up to 46 inches tall and with a wingspan of six feet, a sandhill crane is an impressive bird. Put together 500,000 of them during the peak of spring migration in central Nebraska, and you have one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife spectacles in North America. That alone may make a road trip to view these magnificent birds well worth the effort, but there is much, much more to their story.
For one thing, these birds have charisma! They dance, they bicker, they fight--sandhill cranes, like all cranes, are social and their interactions suggest that there is a lot more drama within the flock than you might imagine at first glance. The more you know about their behavior, the more fascinating these birds become.
The goal of this talk is to introduce you to some of "the rest of the story" of cranes in North America, to inspire you to take a trip to see them, and to entertain you with amusing anecdotes about just how the speaker came to learn some of these things. You will learn, for example, how this guy contributed to a lifetime of fascination with cranes.
Schedule of events
6:30 pm - Mingling and refreshments
7:00 pm - Election of board members
7:15 pm - Sandhill Crane program
Below, Tim gives us a sneak peek of his talk.
~~~
Sandhill Crane. Photo © Tim Banks. |
Standing up to 46 inches tall and with a wingspan of six feet, a sandhill crane is an impressive bird. Put together 500,000 of them during the peak of spring migration in central Nebraska, and you have one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife spectacles in North America. That alone may make a road trip to view these magnificent birds well worth the effort, but there is much, much more to their story.
For one thing, these birds have charisma! They dance, they bicker, they fight--sandhill cranes, like all cranes, are social and their interactions suggest that there is a lot more drama within the flock than you might imagine at first glance. The more you know about their behavior, the more fascinating these birds become.
The goal of this talk is to introduce you to some of "the rest of the story" of cranes in North America, to inspire you to take a trip to see them, and to entertain you with amusing anecdotes about just how the speaker came to learn some of these things. You will learn, for example, how this guy contributed to a lifetime of fascination with cranes.
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