August 31 Field Trip - Snowy Range

High elevation migrants. High elevation spruce forests in the Rockies host an impressive number of birds in early fall. Many of our local breeders (Dark-eyed Juncos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers, etc.) form large mixed species flocks that attract migrating species (including rarities like Tennessee and Nashville Warblers) on their journey south.

On this trip, we will venture to the high elevation forests of the Snowy Range to explore this relatively under-appreciated phenomenon. Expect to do a couple of miles of hiking on trails or dirt roads.

Meet at Night Heron Books (107 E. Ivinson Ave. in downtown Laramie) at 8 a.m. At Night Heron we'll coordinate carpools (and some of us will procure snacks/coffee!).  Make sure to bring food/water, warm clothes, rain gear, birding supplies (binoculars, etc.), sun protection, and sturdy shoes or hiking boots.  We plan to be back to Laramie around 1 pm, but those with their own transportation are free to return earlier or later. 

Gap Lakes Trip Report

The vast majority of us (myself included) missed a great trip last Saturday.  Here's Brian's trip report:

On 13 July 2019 Jimena Golcher-Benavides joined Brian Waitkus during the hike to the Gap Lakes in the Snowy Range.  The unusually large amount of snow this year required walking into the area from Highway 130 doubling the normal length of the hike and could have resulted in the lower number of birds being sighted.  During the walk into the area we reviewed the calls of the Brown-capped Rosy-finch.  While at the south slope of North Gap Lake we heard one Rosy-Finch call but were unable to sight the bird.  In addition to the Rosy-finch call we recorded numerous robin and White crowned sparrow with fewer American Pipit.  One male Peregrine falcon, one male Northern harrier and two Northern flicker were also observed.  Despite the snow and the lower number of birds being observed the great weather gave us a wonderful day in the mountains.

One of the many drifts across the road leading to the Sugarloaf Recreation Area trailhead
(photo courtesy of Brian Waitkus)



LAS returns to Thursday Local Market for Kids' Activities!

We've had a busy summer with kids activities, including nature BINGO and planting pollinator-friendly flower seedlings at Thursday Local Market in Undine Park and monitoring tree swallow nest boxes at the Wyoming Territorial Prison.

Kids of all ages are invited to join us again at the market this Thursday, July 18, from 3 to 6pm at the SE corner of Undine Park. We will have nature BINGO for those intrepid explorers who wish to roam the park looking for birds and bunnies, insects and vegetables, and more. For those who are interested in a more artistic pursuit, learn about birds of the Rocky Mountains, including our own state bird the Western Meadowlark, with coloring pages, or try your skill at finding hidden birds and their eggs in a coloring camouflage "hidden feathers" activity.

Field Trip Saturday - Snowy Range Hike

Join us on Saturday, July 13 for Laramie Audubon’s fourth annual trip to the Snowy Range to hike to the Gap Lakes with hopes of seeing Brown-capped Rosy-Finch.  We will carpool from Coal Creek Downtown, leaving at 7:30 am to the Sugarloaf Recreation Area. 

 

Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (courtesy of Brian Waitkus)

 This past winter was an exceptional year of snow in this area, the road into the Lewis and Libby Lakes parking area remains closed to vehicle traffic due to the eight snow drifts still crossing the road.  We will hike in from Highway 130 approximately 2.3 miles to the Gap Lakes area.  As of Monday, Libby Lake is mostly clear of ice, Lewis Lake is 60% open and South Gap lake is completely ice covered. 

 

The trail from the parking lot is more than 50% still covered with snow and the water in areas is running higher than normal.  It will be interesting to see the yearly weather variations of the Snowy Range and how this affects the local bird life.  The trip to the Gap could take 1.5 hours and with approximately 1 hour near north Gap Lake the total hike could take 4 hours.

 

Birds seen so far this summer include White-crowned Sparrows, juncos, warblers, American Pipits, and robins.  Marmots are in abundance with fewer numbers of pikas.  The snow has retarded the growth of wildflowers so could give a good show.

 

Bring binoculars, rain/windproof clothing and layers suitable for cold/windy weather as well as more clement conditions, sunscreen, insect repellent (was not needed this Monday), snacks/lunch, water, and hiking boots for walking on talus, wet ground, and snow. 

 

If you have questions, please contact the trip leader (Brian) at wildphoto1@juno.com.

Join LAS this Summer for Kids Activites at Thursday Local Market!

Laramie Audubon Society will host kids' activities from 3-6 pm at the Thursday Local Market in the SE corner of Undine Park on June 27, July 18 and August 29.

This Thursday, June 27, join us for Nature BINGO in the park. We will look for birds, including the American robin, Swainsons hawk and northern flicker, along with butterflies, squirrels, spruce trees, and other animals and plants, large and small, with prizes for BINGO. We will also have peat pots, potting soil, and pollinator friendly flower seedlings to plant. Do you know what wild bergamot, or bee balm, looks like? Bring a seedling home to plant, and find out!

Activites will vary throughout the summer, so keep your eyes open on the LAS Blogspot, and LAS and Thursday Local Market Facebook pages.

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.