Monday, December 11, 2017
Board meeting
Sorry for the short notice, but we will hold a board meeting today at 5 pm in the second floor conference room of the Berry Center. Our board meetings are open to the public; if you would like to see the inner workings of LAS, feel free to attend!
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Board member elections, Fall 2017
The 2017 Laramie Audubon elections
Kathy
Rittle first became interested in the natural world as a child
exploring her local woods and on family excursions to a Massachusetts Audubon
property. She has an M.S. in Geology from University of Wyoming, and
works at Trihydro assisting with assessment and
remediation of former industrial sites.
She has previously served on the board of the Wyoming Children’s Museum
& Nature Center and has lead youth gardening programs at both the
Children’s Museum and Slade Elementary School.
Since discovering the MAPS banding station during the summer of 2016,
she’s volunteered there at every opportunity.
That experience has fueled her desire to become more involved with the
Laramie birding community.
We have six members running to fill openings on our Board. Candidates are not running against each other--please vote for each candidate based on their individual merit.
2017 Laramie Audubon prospective board members:
Laurel Armstrong started birding with her daughter in May 2016. It has been an
awesome experience and LAS has played a large part in developing her love of
birds. The field trips have been a great source of knowledge as well as a whole
lot of fun. Her academic background is in engineering, but most of her life has
been devoted to being a parent. She is excited to contribute to Laramie Audubon
and the birds of Wyoming in a small way by joining the board.
Art Denison has had a lifelong
interest in birds and has been an Audubon member for over 50 years. He is a retired professor of Physics at the
University of Wyoming, and was manager of a physics group at the Idaho National
Laboratory and Livermore National Laboratory for 30 years. He is a lifelong student, still auditing
classes in ornithology and neurology at UW.
He regularly attends LAS field trips and meetings, and enjoys
participating in the organization. He is
excited at the prospect of contributing more to the Laramie Audubon Society as
a member of the board.
Paul Dougherty started
birding while attending summer camp at his local Massachusetts Audubon
sanctuary as a kid. Over
the years, participating in Christmas Bird Counts and Bird-a-thons helped to
transform his interest in birds into an aspiration for a career in
ornithology. He is currently a PhD
student at the University of Wyoming studying avian speciation. He has enjoyed attending field trips since
moving to Laramie this past fall, and is excited to continue birding with
Laramie Audubon members, and expand his participation in the organization.
Sue Favret started birding
while hiking, and quickly realized how much help others can be in bird
identification. She joined Illinois Audubon and with them monitored bluebird
boxes, worked on habitat improvement, and participated in various other Audubon
activities. She can recount with joy the first personal sightings of a number
of species. She’s running for the board of Laramie Audubon to give back to the
birding community from which she has gained so much.
Zoe Gustafson recently moved to Rock River to work
for WEST Inc as a data analyst. She hopes
to combine her passions of ornithology and statistics into a career as a
Biometrician. Since moving to Laramie,
she has come on some recent fall field trips and has enjoyed learning about all
the bird species in the area. She is
excited to be a part of a group in the community that promotes something that she
loves—avian conservation! She says that
if elected to the board, members can count on her to work hard to make Laramie
Audubon even better.
Kathy
Rittle first became interested in the natural world as a child
exploring her local woods and on family excursions to a Massachusetts Audubon
property. She has an M.S. in Geology from University of Wyoming, and
works at Trihydro assisting with assessment and
remediation of former industrial sites.
She has previously served on the board of the Wyoming Children’s Museum
& Nature Center and has lead youth gardening programs at both the
Children’s Museum and Slade Elementary School.
Since discovering the MAPS banding station during the summer of 2016,
she’s volunteered there at every opportunity.
That experience has fueled her desire to become more involved with the
Laramie birding community.Upcoming talk: Science Cafe with the Chalfoun Lab
Join the Laramie Audubon Society and the Biodiversity Institute next week, Wednesday November 29, for a Science Café featuring work by Dr. Anna Chalfoun and her lab. Chalfoun studies the effects of human disturbance on wildlife.
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| Brewer's sparrow nestlings begging on the Jonah Field Photo by L. Sanders |
 |
| From left to right: Dr. Anna Chalfoun, Tayler Scherr, and Lindsey Sanders. |
As usual, we will meet in the Berry Center auditorium. Parking adjacent to the building is free after 5 pm. Bird chat and refreshments begin at 6:30 pm, and the talks will begin at 7:00 pm.
We will also hold our annual board member elections at this meeting. Members who cannot attend this meeting will be able to vote via an online survey, coming soon to your email.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Upcoming trip: Laramie Valley
This Saturday, November 11, we will take a tour of
the Laramie Valley for whatever birds we can find. There should be lingering waterfowl, and raptor diversity is usually
good in the valley. Join us for the adventure--never know what we might
find!
We will meet at 8 am at Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse to carpool. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and field guides. Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks. We should be back to Laramie around noon; if you can only join us for part of the time, be prepared to drive your own vehicle or coordinate with carpool buddies.
Birders of all levels are welcome! Our trips are free and open to the public.
We will meet at 8 am at Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse to carpool. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and field guides. Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks. We should be back to Laramie around noon; if you can only join us for part of the time, be prepared to drive your own vehicle or coordinate with carpool buddies.
Birders of all levels are welcome! Our trips are free and open to the public.
Friday, November 3, 2017
UW Beast Feast
The University of Wyoming student chapters of The Wildlife Society and American Fisheries Society are hosting their annual Beast Feast on Saturday, November 11th from 5:30 - 9 pm at the Train Depot. See the flyer below for details. This is a great, family-friendly event that supports student involvement in wildlife science and conservation in Wyoming!
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Upcoming talk: Small grants updates
Please join us this coming Wednesday, October 25 for three talks by our most recent Small Grants recipients. Jesse, Courtney and Rebecca received LAS funds to help with their research and outreach efforts. See below for descriptions of their projects.
As usual, we will meet in the Berry Center auditorium. Parking adjacent to the building is free after 5 pm. Bird chat and refreshments begin at 6:30 pm, and the talks will begin at 7:00 pm.
Communicating Science: Lessons from the Field Surveys Podcast by Jesse Alston
Jesse will tell us about the new podcast he started with the help of an LAS outreach grant--Field Surveys. Field Surveys is an ecology and conservation podcast that takes listeners behind the scenes of how ecology and conservation really get done.
Living on the edge: Bird diversity on a grassland/sagebrush ecotone in Thunder Basin National Grassland by Courtney Duchardt
The Thunder Basin National Grassland, situated along the transitional zone ('ecotone') between the Great Plains and sagebrush steppe, is an extremely diverse place. Shaped by disturbances including fire and black-tailed prairie dog grazing, it is home to a surprisingly diverse community of birds including greater sage-grouse, mountain plovers, burrowing owls, and lark buntings (and about 90 more!). Courtney will present a little about the natural history and species diversity of the region, as well as her own research in this amazing landscape.
State of Emergency: Reducing the impacts of natural disasters through restoration by Rebecca Upjohn
Natural events, like hurricanes and wildfires, are essential parts of most ecosystems. As ecosystems are altered through climate change, invasive species and human intervention, the frequency and intensity of these events increases, causing exceedingly more damage to human infrastructure and vital ecosystem services and functions. Restoration ecology plays an important role in developing methods to address these underlying issues, reverse damage to critical habitats, and reduce the impacts of future events.
Photos courtesy of Jesse, Courtney, and Rebecca.
As usual, we will meet in the Berry Center auditorium. Parking adjacent to the building is free after 5 pm. Bird chat and refreshments begin at 6:30 pm, and the talks will begin at 7:00 pm.
Communicating Science: Lessons from the Field Surveys Podcast by Jesse Alston
Jesse will tell us about the new podcast he started with the help of an LAS outreach grant--Field Surveys. Field Surveys is an ecology and conservation podcast that takes listeners behind the scenes of how ecology and conservation really get done.
Living on the edge: Bird diversity on a grassland/sagebrush ecotone in Thunder Basin National Grassland by Courtney Duchardt
The Thunder Basin National Grassland, situated along the transitional zone ('ecotone') between the Great Plains and sagebrush steppe, is an extremely diverse place. Shaped by disturbances including fire and black-tailed prairie dog grazing, it is home to a surprisingly diverse community of birds including greater sage-grouse, mountain plovers, burrowing owls, and lark buntings (and about 90 more!). Courtney will present a little about the natural history and species diversity of the region, as well as her own research in this amazing landscape.
State of Emergency: Reducing the impacts of natural disasters through restoration by Rebecca UpjohnNatural events, like hurricanes and wildfires, are essential parts of most ecosystems. As ecosystems are altered through climate change, invasive species and human intervention, the frequency and intensity of these events increases, causing exceedingly more damage to human infrastructure and vital ecosystem services and functions. Restoration ecology plays an important role in developing methods to address these underlying issues, reverse damage to critical habitats, and reduce the impacts of future events.
Photos courtesy of Jesse, Courtney, and Rebecca.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Upcoming trip: Nest box cleanup
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| Grass, feathers, and poop left behind in a tree swallow box. Photo by L Sanders |
All of the birds using our nest boxes at Hutton and the Territorial Prison have fledged their nests, and the boxes need to be cleaned out for next year. We have a couple of boxes to install at Hutton as well to replace boxes destroyed by cows this summer. After we finished cleaning out boxes at Hutton, feel free to stick around to bird the lakes!
 |
| A tree swallow box in use at Hutton NWR. Photo by L Sanders |
We will meet at 8 am at Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse to carpool. Bring clothes to get dirty, close toed shoes (for cactus!), something to scrape out the boxes with if you have it (like a putty knife), and binoculars. Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks. We plan to be back in Laramie by 11:45 am; if you can only join us for part of the time, be prepared to drive your own vehicle or coordinate with carpool buddies.
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Upcoming trip: Plains Lakes
We will head to the Plains Lakes this Saturday, October 14.
Hopefully we will find a variety of duck species across Blake's Pond, Twin Buttes, and Lake Hattie. Plus, raptor diversity out
on the plains is almost always excellent.
We will meet at 8 am at Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse to carpool. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and field guides. Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks. We should be back to Laramie around noon; if you can only join us for part of the time, be prepared to drive your own vehicle or coordinate with carpool buddies.
Birders of all levels are welcome! Our trips are free and open to the public.
We will meet at 8 am at Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse to carpool. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and field guides. Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks. We should be back to Laramie around noon; if you can only join us for part of the time, be prepared to drive your own vehicle or coordinate with carpool buddies.
Birders of all levels are welcome! Our trips are free and open to the public.
Monday, October 2, 2017
Call for board members
Dear Laramie Audubon members & friends,
As you are probably aware, Laramie Audubon is dependent on the financial support of its members and on the interest of members and friends in our programs, field trips, and other activities. What you may not be as familiar with is the behind-the-scenes work that is done by volunteer board members to keep the organization operational. Board members serve two-year terms, which typically begin in November. This fall we have room for several new board members.
Anyone who is a member of Laramie Audubon, interested in our mission, and willing to donate time to the organization may be a board member. Board members are expected to attend board meetings (approximately three per year) and at least some of our programs. Otherwise, involvement is quite flexible. We generally take a divide and conquer approach!
Three of our board members are retiring this fall and one is on sabbatical, so we are looking for at least four new board members. We have specific vacancies which need to be filled:
1) Membership coordinator – manage database of members, send renewal reminders, coordinate with treasurer
2) Publicity chair – advertise events to our email list, ensure that events are advertised in the Boomerang, compile event descriptions for the newsletter/blog
3) Newsletter co-chair – work with newsletter editor to compile newsletter four times a year, write articles for newsletter or solicit articles from others
We are also looking for folks who are interested in being “odds-and-ends” board members, willing to fill in as needed for various activities: to arrange speakers, lead field trips, contribute articles to our newsletter or blog, or spearhead an outreach program in the community. If you would like become a board member to add a new facet or outreach project to Laramie Audubon, that’s an option as well--we are happy to hear your ideas!
If you are interested in becoming a board member for Laramie Audubon, please let us know at laramie.audubon@gmail.com. Provide a description of relevant experience or interests, explain what you would bring to the board, and note if you would like to fill a position listed above. We will distribute your description to LAS members so that they can be informed when they vote on board members in November. If you have questions before committing to be a candidate, please feel free to direct your concerns our way. If you join the board, your first commitment would likely be a board meeting in December; however, if you would like to get involved sooner we can bring folks aboard as interim members.
Libby Megna
LAS Secretary
As you are probably aware, Laramie Audubon is dependent on the financial support of its members and on the interest of members and friends in our programs, field trips, and other activities. What you may not be as familiar with is the behind-the-scenes work that is done by volunteer board members to keep the organization operational. Board members serve two-year terms, which typically begin in November. This fall we have room for several new board members.
Anyone who is a member of Laramie Audubon, interested in our mission, and willing to donate time to the organization may be a board member. Board members are expected to attend board meetings (approximately three per year) and at least some of our programs. Otherwise, involvement is quite flexible. We generally take a divide and conquer approach!
Three of our board members are retiring this fall and one is on sabbatical, so we are looking for at least four new board members. We have specific vacancies which need to be filled:
1) Membership coordinator – manage database of members, send renewal reminders, coordinate with treasurer
2) Publicity chair – advertise events to our email list, ensure that events are advertised in the Boomerang, compile event descriptions for the newsletter/blog
3) Newsletter co-chair – work with newsletter editor to compile newsletter four times a year, write articles for newsletter or solicit articles from others
We are also looking for folks who are interested in being “odds-and-ends” board members, willing to fill in as needed for various activities: to arrange speakers, lead field trips, contribute articles to our newsletter or blog, or spearhead an outreach program in the community. If you would like become a board member to add a new facet or outreach project to Laramie Audubon, that’s an option as well--we are happy to hear your ideas!
If you are interested in becoming a board member for Laramie Audubon, please let us know at laramie.audubon@gmail.com. Provide a description of relevant experience or interests, explain what you would bring to the board, and note if you would like to fill a position listed above. We will distribute your description to LAS members so that they can be informed when they vote on board members in November. If you have questions before committing to be a candidate, please feel free to direct your concerns our way. If you join the board, your first commitment would likely be a board meeting in December; however, if you would like to get involved sooner we can bring folks aboard as interim members.
Libby Megna
LAS Secretary
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Upcoming trip: Rock Creek Canyon
We will travel to a birding hotspot at the north end of Snowies this Saturday, October 07. During fall migration, the morning flight of birds up Rock Creek Canyon can be really spectacular.
Because it is a bit of a drive to the canyon, we will meet at 7 am at the Eppson Senior Center to carpool. Bring binoculars and field guides, dress for the weather, and bring water and snacks.
Because it is a bit of a drive to the canyon, we will meet at 7 am at the Eppson Senior Center to carpool. Bring binoculars and field guides, dress for the weather, and bring water and snacks.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Trip report: Laramie hotspots
This past Saturday, we checked out two of Laramie's best birding spots: Greenhill Cemetery and the Greenbelt at Optimist Park. Despite chilly temps and overcast skies, the birding turned out to be pretty good.
Greenhill Cemetery was quite active, with a large warbler flock consisting of mostly Yellow-rumped Warblers and Wilson's Warblers. However, we also lucked into a Nashville Warbler. A flock of mixed sparrows, including several Clay-colored Sparrows, foraged in the community gardens. A Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker was present among several individuals of the Red-shafted subspecies. We also managed to get the nuthatch slam: Red-breasted, White-breasted, and Pygmy. In total, we encountered 36 species; our complete list is here.
The Greenbelt was not as birdy, but we did add a few species to our day list. Most notably, we had a distant flyby Lewis's Woodpecker. In total we had 27 species; our complete checklist is here.
Greenhill Cemetery was quite active, with a large warbler flock consisting of mostly Yellow-rumped Warblers and Wilson's Warblers. However, we also lucked into a Nashville Warbler. A flock of mixed sparrows, including several Clay-colored Sparrows, foraged in the community gardens. A Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker was present among several individuals of the Red-shafted subspecies. We also managed to get the nuthatch slam: Red-breasted, White-breasted, and Pygmy. In total, we encountered 36 species; our complete list is here.
The Greenbelt was not as birdy, but we did add a few species to our day list. Most notably, we had a distant flyby Lewis's Woodpecker. In total we had 27 species; our complete checklist is here.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Migration Day at Commissary Ridge
HawkWatch International (HWI) announces the beginning of the 15th season of raptor migration research at the Commissary Ridge HawkWatch, located 25 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, and will be co-hosting a migration celebration event.
This area hosts an amazing migration route for raptors traveling south for the winter, however few people are aware of the treasure in their own backyard. Audubon Rockies, HawkWatch International, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department have teamed-up to provide free public events on October 6 and 7.
Daly Edmunds, Audubon’s Director of Policy and Outreach in CO and WY, talks about Migration Day, October 6 and 7. "Together, we want to raise awareness and appreciation for these species," said Edmunds. "This is the first time we are offering this event and are really excited to be able to offer a variety of events that not only bring live raptors for people to see up close but also gives people an insider’s look at why Commissary Ridge is such an amazing place to see thousands of raptors each year."
For more information, visit www.hawkwatch.org/migrate. Please register for these events so that organizers can stay in touch with you should weather conditions change.
Click here for a downloadable PDF version of the poster.
Migration Day Events Schedule
Friday, Oct 6th – Come enjoy presentations by HWI, Audubon, and WGFD Nongame Biologist Susan Patla. Patla will briefly present about how Game and Fish manages bird (avian) species in WY and about avian species of conservation concern. Snacks will be available as the public learns about the unique migration route that sees thousands of raptors come by Kemmerer every year, and tips shared to help you identify a variety of beautiful birds. Be ready to be amazed at seeing some of these live birds up close! Presentations will take place at the Kemmerer Public Library, beginning at 6 pm.
Saturday, Oct 7th – Start the day with a bird walk at Lake Viva Naughton, 8 am to 10 am. If you have binoculars and/or spotting scope, you are welcome to bring them as we explore the lake and learn about the birds that call it home. Note: Audubon and WGFD will have limited equipment that people can use at the site.
Saturday, Oct 7th – The public is invited to go hawkwatching with experts at Commissary Ridge HawkWatch from 11 am to 5 pm. Participants are welcome to stay as long as they want – to learn about raptor identification and why this area provides such unique opportunities for HWI to conduct migration research. Trapping efforts will be underway and if successful, participants will get to see one or more of these impressive birds up close and learn about measurements collected to help understand the health of our raptors.
This post written by HWI/Audubon Rockies/WYGFD, I just put it up. --Libby
This area hosts an amazing migration route for raptors traveling south for the winter, however few people are aware of the treasure in their own backyard. Audubon Rockies, HawkWatch International, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department have teamed-up to provide free public events on October 6 and 7.
Daly Edmunds, Audubon’s Director of Policy and Outreach in CO and WY, talks about Migration Day, October 6 and 7. "Together, we want to raise awareness and appreciation for these species," said Edmunds. "This is the first time we are offering this event and are really excited to be able to offer a variety of events that not only bring live raptors for people to see up close but also gives people an insider’s look at why Commissary Ridge is such an amazing place to see thousands of raptors each year."
For more information, visit www.hawkwatch.org/migrate. Please register for these events so that organizers can stay in touch with you should weather conditions change.
Click here for a downloadable PDF version of the poster.
Migration Day Events Schedule
Friday, Oct 6th – Come enjoy presentations by HWI, Audubon, and WGFD Nongame Biologist Susan Patla. Patla will briefly present about how Game and Fish manages bird (avian) species in WY and about avian species of conservation concern. Snacks will be available as the public learns about the unique migration route that sees thousands of raptors come by Kemmerer every year, and tips shared to help you identify a variety of beautiful birds. Be ready to be amazed at seeing some of these live birds up close! Presentations will take place at the Kemmerer Public Library, beginning at 6 pm.
Saturday, Oct 7th – Start the day with a bird walk at Lake Viva Naughton, 8 am to 10 am. If you have binoculars and/or spotting scope, you are welcome to bring them as we explore the lake and learn about the birds that call it home. Note: Audubon and WGFD will have limited equipment that people can use at the site.
Saturday, Oct 7th – The public is invited to go hawkwatching with experts at Commissary Ridge HawkWatch from 11 am to 5 pm. Participants are welcome to stay as long as they want – to learn about raptor identification and why this area provides such unique opportunities for HWI to conduct migration research. Trapping efforts will be underway and if successful, participants will get to see one or more of these impressive birds up close and learn about measurements collected to help understand the health of our raptors.
This post written by HWI/Audubon Rockies/WYGFD, I just put it up. --Libby
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