Hunting Proposal for Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments regarding their proposal to open Hutton Lake NWR to waterfowl hunting.  They are considering three alternatives - (1) no change to current policy (i.e., no hunting); (2) general hunt plus youth hunt (season lasting approximately from mid-September through the end of the year); or (3) youth hunt only (season limited to a single weekend in September).

The USFWS notes that the Refuge’s establishing legislation stipulates that the maximum area that can be opened to hunting is 40%.  The proposal therefore opens only 37% of the total acreage to hunting; however, that area encompasses both Hutton and Hoge Lakes.  Other than Rush Lake, most of the acreage that would remain closed to hunting is either upland habitat or has been dry for many years.  If you are interested in learning more about the proposal or commenting on the proposed alternatives, please reference the USFWS website:  https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/huntfish.php#.  The USFWS is accepting comments through June 21. 

Dawn Chorus - Birding by Ear at Happy Jack

The mountains surrounding Laramie host an exciting diversity of breeding species throughout the summer. This Saturday (May 25th), we will meet at 6 a.m. in the Laramie Mountains to focus on birding by ear: identifying our breeding species by the songs they use to defend territories and attract mates.  Possible species include Yellow-rumped Warblers, Wilson's Warblers, American Redstarts, Cordilleran Flycatchers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Lincoln's Sparrows, and many more. We will meet at the Happy Jack parking lot at 6:00 am.  Expect to walk 1-2 miles.

The Happy Jack Recreation Area lot is the second parking area/access road on the right if you are coming from I-80 - the US Forest Service sign says "Happy Jack."   Note that the Forest Service charges a $5 fee per car to park at this location. 

Hereford Ranch Field Trip (Saturday, May 4th)

We will meet at 7am at Coal Creek Coffee (downtown location: 110 E. Grand Ave.) to coordinate carpools for the drive to Cheyenne. We’ll head to one of the best birding areas in Southeast Wyoming to view spring migrants - a chance to possibly see rarities and some birds more often associated with the Eastern US.  It looks like Saturday will be a beautiful day!

If you plan to meet us there, expect us to arrive around 8:15 a.m.  Note that you may want to visit the gas station on the north side of the I-80/Campstool Road exit on the way to the Ranch, just in case the Ranch's bathrooms are closed! 

Tricky Bird ID

Join us Wednesday evening (April 24th) for our April meeting.  Arrive early for refreshments and bird chat, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  At 7 p.m. Libby Megna will teach us the fieldmarks of commonly misidentified and otherwise tricky species around Laramie. Hone your skills for spring migration! 

As usual, the April meeting will take place in the lobby and auditorium of the Berry Center, which is located on the University of Wyoming campus at the corner of 10th and Lewis Streets.  Note that there is currently limited parking in the immediate vicinity of the building due to construction.

Two Field Trips on Saturday

SAGE-GROUSE LEK.  We'll meet at 5:15 a.m. Saturday (April 20th) at the Eppson Center (1516 N. 3rd Street) to arrange carpools and then leave promptly at OR BEFORE 5:20 a.m. - not the usual LAS leisurely start!  We'll then drive to the Greater Sage-Grouse lek north of Laramie.  We've scouted the access road and are very optimistic that it will be passable on Saturday.  Please bring a spotting scope if you have one!  And binoculars.  And plenty of warm clothes!  We will return in time to join the second trip of the day (see below).

LARAMIE HOTSPOTS.  We'll meet at 8:00 a.m. at Coal Creek Coffee (Downtown location - 110 E. Grand Avenue) and then head out to some of our favorite in-town birding locations.  An easy trip for the beginning or experienced birder.  Attendees should bring their own binoculars, warm clothes, water, and snacks. 

Feel free to attend either trip - or both! 

Art Show and Field Trip

Remember that the opening reception for our art show is tomorrow (THURSDAY) evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Berry Center ground floor lobby (on the UW campus at the corner of 10th and Lewis Streets).  Food, conversation, and art - what great way to spend the evening!  We have work in a variety of media reflecting on the theme A Study in Biodiversity: Showcasing the Richness of Life. 

And then on SATURDAY morning, join us for a trip to Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  Meet at 8 a.m. at Coal Creek Coffee (110 Grand Avenue).  We will carpool from there.  Bring warm clothes!, water, snacks, binoculars and other birding equipment. 

(photo from last weekend's Plains Lakes field trip, courtesy of Laurel Armstrong)

Trip report: Plains Lakes

Despite chilly weather and frozen-over lakes, we had a good morning of birding! Jerry Johnson told me that Hattie and Twin Buttes were completely locked in ice, so we checked Blake's Pond, Meeboer Lake, and Gelatt Lake. Some of us also stopped at Sevenmile Lakes--but if you try this, be very careful as there is no public access and vehicles zoom down 230.

Embarrassingly, I haven't been birding much in Wyoming yet this year so I was hyped by the Red-winged Blackbirds and Western Meadowlarks along Pahlow Lane. Blake's Pond was almost frozen over, but we were treated to great looks at Bald Eagles and Mountain Bluebirds. A few Killdeer huddled in the snow at the edge of the pond. Click here for our complete list.

Mountain Bluebirds. Photo by Laurel Armstrong.

Meeboer Lake hosted a few hundred waterfowl--mostly Redheads and American Coots, but we found a few other species mixed in. The highlight was a Horned Grebe. Click here for our complete list.

As an added bonus, a herd of white-tailed jackrabbits were hanging with the cows along the road to Meeboer.

Photo by Laurel Armstrong.

However, the most exciting birds of the morning--in my opinion--were at Gelatt Lake. As we drove up, a Bald Eagle kicked up the gull flock and it was easy to pick out a Lesser Black-backed Gull! Ultimately, we were treated to five gull species. See our complete list here.

American White Pelicans. Photo by Laurel Armstrong.

Saturday Trip - Plains Lakes

THE PLAINS LAKES TRIP is still scheduled for Saturday morning - meet at Coal Creek Coffee (110 E. Grand Avenue) at 8 a.m.  Bring lots of warm clothes and warm footwear, as well as snacks, water, binoculars, and, if possible, a spotting scope (don't worry if you don't have one, I don't either and other people generally share!).  We plan to be back to town by 1 pm, although people should feel free to return earlier if they have their own transportation. 

Originally, we also had scheduled a trip to the Greater Sage-Grouse Lek for Saturday morning (earlier than the Plains Lakes trip) - THE LEK TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED due to the condition of the access road.  It is possible that we will reschedule the lek visit.

Eagle Banding and Raptor Research (Wednesday Evening Talk)

Wildlife biologist Mike Lockhart, formerly with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, will be giving a talk on Wednesday evening (March 27th) regarding his years afield trapping eagles and other raptors for scientific research projects.  The talk will center more on anecdotal experiences in the field rather than scientific findings, and will discuss interesting events and observed behaviors witnessed for eagles and a variety of other wildlife. 

As usual, the venue is the Berry Center Auditorium, located on the UW campus at the corner of 10th and Lewis Streets.  Arrive at 6:30 pm for birdchat and snacks or at 7 pm for the talk itself; leave yourself plenty of time to find parking - much of the formerly available parking is now obstructed by new construction.

LAS Small Grants Spring 2019

Laramie Audubon Society Small Grants Program

DEADLINE:  April 15, 2019

In keeping with our mission, Laramie Audubon Society (LAS) will offer small grants for conservation and outreach. Conservation grants include conservation and restoration projects as well as scientific research. Outreach grants support projects that increase knowledge and appreciation for birds, other wildlife, and habitats. There are no geographic restrictions for projects, although we focus on funding projects around Wyoming and western North America. Grants will generally be awarded for no more than $500.  Grants are reviewed semi-annually. Current deadline is April 15 (note that this deviates from the usual due date of March 31).

3/9/2019 -- tonight's owling trip cancelled

The high winds and heavy snow fall promise to make owling tonight pretty miserable and birdless, so we've decided to cancel this trip. We may try to reschedule at a later date.

Owling - Saturday Night (March 9th)

Cody (our trip leader) has been scouting the local area and determined that we will go to the Snowies this year (previous announcements indicated a different destination). We will target Northern Pygmy-Owls and Boreal Owls, though Northern Saw-whet Owls are also possible. Folks should also bring snowshoes and skis if they have them -- we may not have to use them much, but it's best to bring them just in case. Cody anticipates that we won't have to travel too far, but we could walk/snowshoe/ski up to 2 miles or so.

Please also bring binoculars, a flashlight or headlamp, lots of warm clothing!, snacks and water.  We will meet at Coal Creek Downtown (110 Grand Avenue) at 6 pm on Saturday, March 9th to arrange carpool groups.  Please consider making a purchase at Coal Creek - they support LAS via continued donations of coffee to our evening programs!