Trip report: Montane birding

It was snowing steadily in Laramie when we headed out to Albany for montane birding--perfect weather for finding winter finches! We went to the Albany Lodge to get breakfast and watch birds at their feeders.

The feeders were completely unoccupied when we first arrived. The kind staff at the lodge put out more seed--and Brian had a secret sunflower stash that he contributed as well. We waited and waited for birds to appear...but it turned out that ordering breakfast was the solution! A flock of 100+ Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches came in as soon as we stopped watching intently.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. Photo by Laurel Armstrong.

We were also treated to great looks at Pine Grosbeaks, Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees; solid entertainment for two hours while we reveled in delicious eggs, hashbrowns, breakfast burritos, etc.

Photo by Laurel Armstrong.

On our way out, we walked up the road a bit to check the feeders at the bright turquoise house (private property; view from the road only). The same species were present plus a hardy Song Sparrow!

Our full eBird list is here.

Trip Report - 2019 Annual Snow Tracking Trip

The 23rd of February 2019 animal snow tracking field trip to Chimney Park led by Dr. Gary Beauvais was attended by 19 individuals on skis or snowshoes.  Moose, fox/coyote, squirrel, snowshoe hare, and mouse tracks were located even though light overnight snow covered older animal tracks.  This variety of wildlife gave the group a sample of how the animals moved across the snow environment.  Gary spent the day discussing forest and winter ecology of the area including how the recent fire will alter the future forest composition.  Mountain Chickadees were heard while a brown tree creeper and hairy woodpecker were observed.  On the way traveling to and from Chimney Park a road killed mule deer was observed being fed upon by a bald eagle, a golden eagle and at least 20 ravens and 10 magpie.

Evening Program - Short-eared Owls

Wednesday evening (February 27th), Zoe Nelson will update LAS on the results of the Western Asio Flammeus Landscape Study (WAfLS).  WAfLS is a citizen science project designed to gather information to evaluate the population status of Short-eared Owls.  Such information is needed by conservation practitioners who want to design management actions that will reverse Short-eared Owl population declines.  This eight-state program engages citizen scientists to gather critical survey data, enabling a rigorous assessment of the status of the species.  Zoe is the Wyoming state coordinator for WAfLS. 

Arrive early for Bird Chat (and refreshments!) starting at 6:30 p.m. in the ground floor lobby of the Berry Center. The talk itself begins at 7 p.m. in the adjacent ground floor auditorium (Room 138). The Berry Center is located on the University of Wyoming campus at the corner of 10th and Lewis Streets. Note that the parking lot across the street from the Berry Center is no longer available, so please plan to park on the adjacent streets.    

Photo (Northern Pygmy-Owl) courtesy of Shawn Billerman.  LAS is always looking for great bird photos to use in this blog and on our Facebook page - if you have some, please let us know!

Winter Tracking Trip - Saturday, February 23rd

Gary Beauvais, Director of the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, will lead us on a snowshoe/cross-country ski trek through forest and riparian areas at Chimney Park (destination is snow-dependent) on Saturday, February 23rd. During this 11th anniversary of Gary’s field trip we’ll learn how to identify winter animal tracks and unravel the many mysterious signs that are written into the winter snow. We will also be shown/updated on the existing knowledge of the natural history of the winter environment.

We will gather at Coal Creek Coffee (downtown - 110 E. Grand Ave.) at 8 a.m. before leaving for the field trip. Expect to be back to Laramie at approximately 1 p.m. (those with their own transportation may leave at any time). Chimney Park is a USFS site and requires a $5 per carload fee for parking. Alternate/backup date in case of bad weather is March 2.

Please email us at laramie.audubon@gmail.com if you have questions about any field trips.

Evening Program: Lake Tanganyika Ecosystem

Join LAS at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30th for our first evening program of 2019: Lake Tanganyika Ecosystem!

Africa's Great Lakes are renowned for their extraordinary diversity of cichlid fish. Jimena Golcher-Benavides's research focuses on how this diversity has come to be in Lake Tanganyika, Africa's inland sea. Jimena is a PhD candidate in Dr. Catherine Wagner's laboratory within the Program in Ecology at the University of Wyoming. Through her talk she will narrate her experiences working in remote Tanzanian villages and raise awareness on unique fish fauna and the fragile ecosystem that holds it.

Arrive early for Bird Chat (and refreshments!) starting at 6:30 p.m. in the ground floor lobby of the Berry Center. The talk itself begins at 7 p.m. in the adjacent ground floor auditorium (Room 138). The Berry Center is located on the University of Wyoming campus at the corner of 10th and Lewis Streets. Note that the parking lot across the street from the Berry Center is no longer available, so please plan to park on the adjacent streets. (image courtesy of Jimena Golcher-Benavides).

Drew Pearson Arnold, 1947 - 2018

The Laramie Audubon Society was saddened to learn of the recent death of Drew Arnold.  Drew joined the LAS board in 2000, within the first year of its organization in May 1999. In 2002 Drew was elected President of LAS and after serving in this position for two years then served as Vice President through 2005. 

While giving much of his time working on the various issues that came before Laramie Audubon during these years, Drew championed, in coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, access to and protection of Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  Following his service on the board, Drew continued to support LAS and, when possible, continued to bird the Laramie area. 

According to the obituary published in the Laramie Boomerang, in 1989 Drew was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis: "In 2011, needing full time care and warmer weather, Drew made a bold move to Mexico.  While in Mexico, Drew continued to have tremendous impact on the people around him and transcended his physical limitations with a genuine faith and commitment to live life fully to the end.  He added to his life list of 1,100 birds, helped to found a Christian school and [helped] fund raise for local kids to attend, advocated for wage increases of the workers at Los Labradores (and saw their salaries double), mentored and discipled many and played host to a steady stream of visitors." 

Drew died on November 8th, 2018 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  A full obituary has been published in the Laramie Boomerang: www.laramieboomerang.com/obituaries/drew-pearson-arnold/article_beb69307-3e71-5cbd-8dbd-08b4bf2010fb.html

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO TAKE PART IN THE 119th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

The Laramie Audubon Society will again take part in a 100-year-old Christmas tradition, the annual Christmas Bird Count. Volunteers are welcome to join in the count with the LAS chapter as it conducts the Albany County Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 16.  This will be the 41st count of the Albany County circle. Volunteers are needed to help count every bird present in the 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) at 7:30 am on the day of the count to get data forms and team assignments. Some teams walk, while others drive through the territory. Volunteers will reconvene at The Grounds Internet and Coffee Lounge (171 N. 3^rd St.) 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).

If you miss this event (or can't get enough birding in December!) considering heading to Cheyenne for the Cheyenne High Plains Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count on December 29th! 

November Newsletter, Including Election Overview

The November 2018 newsletter is now available.  If you are planning to vote at the meeting tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 28th), you may want to read the article regarding the election and the potential new board members.  (see Newsletters/Reports page) (Ferruginous Hawk photo courtesy of Shawn Billerman)

Evening Program - Small Grants Recipients and Elections (Wed. 11/28, 7 pm)

Please join us this coming Wednesday, November 28 for talks by two of our most recent Small Grants recipients.  Stephanie Winters, MS student in the Ecosystem Science and Management Department at will discuss Linking soil ecology with vegetation management to optimize restoration efforts of ponderosa pine after wildfires.  Paul Dougherty, PhD student in the Program in Ecology will discuss his research regarding avian hybrid zones.
 

In addition, we will be voting for new board members during this meeting. Only current LAS members are eligible to vote.   

As usual, we will meet in the Berry Center auditorium.  On-street parking near the building is free; note that the parking lot formerly located across the street from the Berry Center has been removed.  Bird chat and refreshments begin at 6:30 pm, and the talks will begin at 7:00 pm.

Laramie Plains Field Trip, Saturday, November 10th (8 a.m.)

Meet us at Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse (107 E. Grand Avenue) for a trip around the Laramie Basin.  We'll hit various hotspots for fall migrants and winter resident birds, with a focus on raptors, waterfowl and grassland birds. 

Departing at 8 a.m., we hope to have the carpool caravan return to Laramie by noon.  Those with their own transportation are, of course, free to head home earlier!  Minimal walking, but lots of camaraderie on this trip!

Remember the warm clothes, snacks, water, sunscreen, binoculars, etc.

(Mountain chickadee photo courtesy of Shawn Billerman)

Evening Talk: Cassia Crossbill - Wednesday, October 31, 6:30 p.m.

LAS welcomes Craig Benkman, Professor in Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming on Halloween at the Berry Center (corner of 10th and Lewis Streets) - Bird Chat and Snacks at 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Benkman's talk at 7 p.m.

What is so special about the Cassia Crossbill? The absence of red squirrels can account for many unique features of the South Hills and Albion Mountains, Idaho, including why the Cassia Crossbill evolved there, why it is considered a distinct species, and even why certain birds are so abundant and perhaps why the pine beetle outbreak was not as extensive as elsewhere. Dr. Benkman will discuss these findings and others that he and his associates have uncovered over the last 20 years studying the Cassia Crossbill.     (PHOTO: Female Short Hills Cassia Crossbill, courtesy of Craig Benkman)

Hutton Lake Nest Box Work Trip - Saturday, October 27th (8 a.m.)

We're heading to Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge Saturday (October 27th) to clean out the nest boxes.  The Girl Scouts of Laramie have been monitoring the boxes all summer, reporting the results to Cornell's national NestWatch program (https://nestwatch.org/).  We'll open each box to remove the nest materials and make simple repairs, where needed.  This is great chance to learn about the program and do a little birding at Hutton. 

Meet at Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse at 8 a.m. to coordinate carpools and get a snack. Bring warm clothes, water, WORK GLOVES, a scraper/putty knife (don't worry if you don't have one - we'll have extras), and binoculars.  Many people will likely remain at Hutton to bird after the work is complete - we'll plan the carpool groups to suit various schedules!