American Woodcock

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- In the wild, some species go all out to woo their mates in spring with noisy and colorful shows. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s national wildlife refuges are great places to see or hear them.

Here are a few examples of species to look for at refuges across the country:

The male Attwater’s prairie chicken — a member of the grouse family — does a jig and makes a “booming” sound by filling orange air sacks on the sides of its neck. The daytime spectacle is popular with visitors every March and April at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, established to protect habitat for the critically endangered bird. See and hear booming here. This year’s annual Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Festival takes place April 14 and 15.

Further north, the American woodcock — also known as the timberdoodle — puts on a striking “sky dance” after dark. Starting at the end of March, the male woodcock leaves its cover for open fields, where it calls to females with a series of sharp “peent”s. Then it suddenly flies up, twittering, in a widening spiral, floats briefly and dives zigzag back to earth. You can follow it with a flashlight. In his book A Sand County Almanac, famed conservationist Aldo Leopold wrote of the woodcock’s sky dance: “Since we discovered it, my family and I have been reluctant to miss even a single performance.” Spring woodcock walks are favorites at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Vermont and Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island. American woodcocks can also be found at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Maine, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey and other refuges. Hear a courting woodcock here.

At Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri, White River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, and elsewhere, the grey tree frog makes a racket to attract females in spring breeding season. Beginning in early April, it inflates its vocal pouch to balloon-like proportions and emits a melodic trill. University of Missouri researchers recently found that the male calibrates his love song to attract mates with matching chromosomes. See and hear a grey tree frog calling here.

And along the Delaware Bay, the annual coming ashore of thousands of horseshoe crabs to spawn is a tourist attraction in May and June. Male horseshoe crabs crowd along the water line to vie for arriving females. A male grabs onto a mate and rides ashore, where she deposits her eggs in the sand and he fertilizes them. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware and Cape May National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey are good spots to watch the show. See a video here.

The National Wildlife Refuge System includes more than 2,500 miles of land and water trails. There is at least one national wildlife refuge in every state and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities. National wildlife refuges are dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. The nation’s 556 national wildlife refuges and other units of the Refuge System, plus 38 wetland management districts, offer a wide range of wildlife-dependent recreation — from fishing, boating, hunting and hiking to wildlife observation and photography, nature interpretation and environmental education. Refuges offer many programs and events geared to families and children. These include festivals, junior naturalist classes, boating and fishing instruction, crafts and more.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.

Bird Feeding Staples - Black Oil Sunflower Seed Is Magic Mix

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK, AR --(Ammoland.com)- Feeding birds in yards enthralls many thousands of Arkansans every winter.

When they are ready to move up a notch from using bags of mixed seed from discount stores and groceries, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission suggests, there are two effective steps to take.

1. Black oil sunflower seed.
2. Magic Mix.

Using these, the backyard bird feeder gets many more varieties of visitors. The ratio of wanted versus unwanted species like house sparrows and starlings increases sharply.
Black oil sunflower seed is available from farm supply outlets, garden centers and bird specialty stores. Magic Mix is something you concoct at home.

It’s simple. Like making a stew or chili, there are all sorts of variations to Magic Mix, and no one insists you have to go by a recipe or formula. Magic Mix is a name that came from somewhere years ago, and capitalizing it just seems logical, although it’s not a brand name by any means.

Magic Mix is lard, peanut butter and cornmeal. You can add other things. Exact proportions aren’t needed. Just mix it so it looks and feels right.

In a large mixing bowl, blend in lard and peanut butter, using more lard than peanut butter. A pastry blender works well or you may prefer other kitchen tools you have on hand. Then gradually mix in cornmeal to reach a consistency somewhere in the vicinity of Play-Do or muffin mix. It needs to be fairly stiff and solid but moldable and not crumbly. You’ll use a goodly amount of cornmeal.

It will be greasy. You’re using lard. If the greasiness bothers you, wear latex gloves, but you can wash hands later.

A very rough guide on proportions is two parts lard, one part peanut butter, one part cornmeal. Some Arkansans toss in a handful of flour also, saying this small addition helps the mix achieve the preferred consistency.

To get the Magic Mix to the birds, just put it out anywhere above the ground. Purchased or homemade suet feeders work well. So does pressing a handful of Magic Mix into the bark of a tree.

Hanging log feeders are heavily used in some yards. These are just sections of a fence post with several large holes drilled and a sturdy screw eye placed in one end. Then it is wired or hung on a bent-out coat hanger form a tree limb.

To make several of these log feeders, buy a cedar fence post from a lumberyard, fence company or a farm supply store. A six-foot post can be cut into six sections, each a foot long.

Secure an inch-and-a-half spade bit in an electric drill or drill press and bore staggered holes about an inch deep around the post. Four holes to a section are about right. Below and slightly to one side of each large hole bore a quarter-inch hole. Insert a three-inch piece of wooden dowel into each of these small holes for perches. Don’t glue the dowels in place because they will rot and break before the cedar deteriorates. Pull out the stub of dowel and replace it with a new one.

Use a good-sized screw eye and put it in the center of the top of your feeder. Screw it all the way down. Then use a wire or coat hanger and hang the feeder after it’s filled with Magic Mix. These cedar feeders will last for years.

Michigan Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center “Michigan Birds” Photo Contest

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- The Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon is holding a “Michigan Birds” photo contest.

Submit a favorite photo from last year or take a trek through the woods, fields or wetlands this winter or spring and try your hand at capturing the beauty of a native Michigan bird. The deadline for submission is at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 27.

From bird feeders to lakeshores, there are many places to find photo-worthy subjects. Some examples include cardinals, chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, American goldfinches, bald eagles, ospreys, wild turkeys, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, sandhill cranes and barred owls. Michigan has a very large, diverse group of birds. During any season, birds can be seen in every corner of the state in all types of habitats. Some common non-native species that will not be accepted into the contest include mute swans and all types of domestic or exotic fowl such as farm-raised chickens or geese.

Entries are limited to two photos per person. Photos must be securely matted without a frame or glass, with a minimum size of 8 x 10 inches and maximum size of 11 x 16 inches. An entry fee of $3 per photo must accompany each submission. Please include photographer’s name, address, email, phone number, name of the bird and location where the photo was taken on the back. This contest is intended for amateurs only; the works of published photographers will not be considered.

An impartial team of volunteers with knowledge of photography will judge the photos. Winners will be announced May 5. Three winners will be chosen. First, second and third place winners will receive gift cards of $100, $50 and $25 respectively. The contest is sponsored by the Gillette Nature Association in conjunction with the association’s annual Spring Blooms in the Dunes event held May 5 and a weeklong observance of International Migratory Bird Day, in cooperation with Ottawa County Parks, which will include programs and hikes scheduled for May 5-12. For more information on these events and other programs and hikes scheduled to highlight birds of Michigan, go to www.gillettenature.org or www.miottawa.org/parks.

Photos may be submitted by mail or delivered to: Gillette Nature Association, 6585 Lake Harbor Road, Muskegon, MI 49441. Winning photos will be on display at the Gillette Visitor Center through June 20. Entries may be picked up on or after June 20; those not picked up within two months will become property of Gillette Nature Association.

Questions may be directed to Elizabeth Brockwell-Tillman, park interpreter, at 231-798-3573. The Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center is one of 10 visitor centers managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnrvisitorcenters for more information.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- When Richard Crossley spoke at this year’s Georgia Ornithological Society meeting, the acclaimed birder and photographer noticed the number of youth in attendance.

Crossley also noticed that each one he asked said their interest in birding began with Georgia’s Youth Birding Competition, said Tim Keyes, who coordinates the annual birdathon.

Now on a nationwide book tour, Crossley is mentioning the Youth Birding Competition as a way to get youth interested in birds. All of which certainly fits the event’s intent, according to Keyes, a wildlife biologist with the Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section.

“I think it’s giving kids an opportunity to get outside and learn about the natural world in an exciting way that catches their attention,” he said.

It also points participants toward the long-term goal: an interest in conservation, Keyes said.

The 24-hour competition sponsored by DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, The Environmental Resources Network Inc. (TERN) and other partners returns for its seventh year on April 27-28, 2012. A banquet and awards ceremony will be held April 28 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Mansfield.

Teams register in age divisions varying from kindergarten to high school (participants compete against other teams their age, in four age divisions). Teams can also volunteer to raise money for conservation organizations on a per-bird or lump sum basis.

Some 25 teams from preschool ages to teens and ranging from first-timer birders to veterans saw or heard scores of bird species and raised nearly $1,500 during the 2011 competition.

The deadline to register for the 2012 event is March 31. The competition starts at 5 p.m. Friday, April 27, and ends at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28. Groups may use as much or as little of that time to count as many birds as possible throughout Georgia.

Although teams may start birding anywhere in the state, they must turn in their checklists at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center by 5 p.m. Saturday. While judges examine and score checklists, participants will be treated to a live animal show followed by an awards banquet packed with prizes.

The Youth Birding Competition also includes a T-shirt Art Contest – enter by March 5 – and nature journal category. Participation in the birding competition is encouraged but not required to submit artwork for the T-shirt Art Contest. Taking part in both is free, aside from the optional cost of overnight lodging.

Competition sponsors include Atlanta Audubon Society and the Georgia Ornithological Society. For more information about registering for the Youth Birding Competition, visit www.georgiawildlife.org/getinvolved or contact Lacy Mitchell at Charlie Elliott Conference Center, (770) 784-3152 or lacy.mitchell@dnr.state.ga.us. Tim Keyes, at (912) 262-3191 or tim.keyes@dnr.state.ga.us, can answer questions about the competition.

For more information on the T-shirt Art Contest, visit www.georgiawildlife.org/YBCTshirtArtContest or contact art contest coordinator Linda May at (706) 557-3226 or linda.may@dnr.state.ga.us.

A snowy owl photographed near Burns, Oregon in December. Snowy owls live in the arctic and are only rare winter visitors to the state. - Photo courtesy of Charlotte Ganskopp

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

SALEM, Ore --(Ammoland.com)-Fourteen species of owls can be seen —and heard— in Oregon. From the tiny sparrow-sized northern pygmy owl to the great horned owl with its powerful talons to that rare visitor the snowy owl, they delight and amaze.

To help Oregonians learn about the state’s owls, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has produced a new fact sheet, Whooooo Am I? Designed primarily for kids, it is the third in a series of flyers that is popular with Oregonians of all ages.

The fact sheet provides a description and photograph of each of Oregon’s 14 owl species and tells where they live. The flyer is available in the Living with Wildlife section of the ODFW website.

“We have wonderful species of owls in the state,” said Andrea Hanson, ODFW Conservation Strategy coordinator. “Learning about owls is the first step in knowing where you might hear or see one.”

Some of the facts in the new educational flyer:

• Most owls are nocturnal, hunting for insects, fish, frogs, birds, mice and other small mammals in the night
• Owls have large eyes so they can see in dim light
• Owls cannot move their eyes up, down or sideways, but they can rotate their heads 270 degrees!
• Owls do not build nests; instead, they use tree cavities, nests created by other species, naturally occurring structures or made-made nest platforms

Oregon Owls In Need Of Conservation
The flammulated, short-eared, northern spotted, western burrowing and great gray owls are identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy as species of conservation concern. The northern spotted owl is listed as threatened under both the federal and state Endangered Species acts. Visit the Conservation Section of ODFW’s website to learn more.

Download the flyer from ODFW’s website.
Other flyers in the series are Batty for Bats and Frogs are Cool.
For a print copy, email odfw.info@state.or.us

The Loyalsock Game Farm in Fall.

Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania --(Ammoland.com)- For the first time since 2004, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will offer public tours of its four game farms. Guided tours are scheduled to begin at noon and conclude by 3 p.m., rain or shine, at the game farms in Armstrong, Crawford and Lycoming (two farms) counties on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2.

“The tours are designed to provide the public an opportunity to learn more about the Game Commission’s game farms and our pheasant propagation program,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.

“While pheasants are not a native species to Pennsylvania, or the United States for that matter, the Game Commission’s pheasant-stocking program provides a tangible product for the license buyer, heightens the hunting experience – especially for youth – at a time when wild pheasant populations are low and is a valued service for many sportsmen.”

Tour stops will include hatcheries, brooder houses, and rearing, “grow-out” and over-wintering pens. Workshop discussions will focus on objectives in propagation management, including sportsmen’s organizations participating in raising day-old chicks provided by the farms to increase local hunting opportunities and surplus day-old hen chicks that are sold to the public.

Also, after registration and before taking the tour, visitors may view a brief DVD highlighting farm operations throughout the year.

When visitors arrive on tour dates, they will be asked to register before game farm personnel take them on a guided tour. In order to maintain biosecurity and minimize human contact with the birds, visitors will be asked to remain with tour groups.

Since budget cuts in 2005, the agency has been raising 100,000 ring-necked pheasants annually at the Game Commission’s four game farms and releasing them on State Game Lands and other public lands under cooperative agreement.

“In recent years, the Game Commission has invested in many game farm improvements,” Roe said. “And, thanks to recent revenues from Marcellus Shale-related gas leases on State Game Lands, the agency plans to increase its production level to distribute 200,000 birds during the 2012-13 hunting seasons.”

Goals for the pheasant propagation program are found in the agency’s pheasant management plan, which can be viewed on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by putting your cursor over “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the page, then clicking on “Hunting” and then choosing “Pheasant” from the “Small Game” listing.

Tour dates and directions to the game farms are as follows:

• Loyalsock Game Farm: Sunday, Sept. 25, Lycoming County, 136 Game Farm Rd., Montoursville, PA 17754. The game farm is five miles north of Montoursville on Route 87. Tour starts at the hatchery.
• Northcentral Game Farm: Sunday, Sept. 25, Lycoming County, 1609 Proctor Rd., Williamsport, PA 17701. The game farm is 23 miles north of Montoursville on Route 87. Tour starts at the office/hatchery of the Proctor (northern) farm.
• Western Game Farm: Sunday, Oct. 2, Crawford County, 25761 Highway 408, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403. The game farm is 3.5 miles east of Cambridge Springs on Route 408. Tour starts at the office/hatchery.
• Southwest Game Farm: Sunday, Oct. 2, Armstrong County, 217 Pheasant Farm Rd., New Bethlehem, PA 16242. The game farm is two miles south of New Bethlehem off Routes 66/28. Tour starts at the office/hatchery.

Ohio Department Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Young peregrine falcons across Ohio have fledged, marking the end of the 2011 nesting season.

There were 39 sites with territorial pairs, of which 34 nests produced eggs. There were an additional five sites with single peregrines present.

This year there were 34 nest sites where an estimated 111 eggs were produced; 26 of those nests hatched young falcons and 24 sites fledged 67 juveniles successfully. The 2011 hatch rate was 70 percent, up slightly from 2010 (67 percent). Additionally, there were two new sites with territorial pairs across the state this year from the 37 pairs in 2010.

The first pair of peregrines nested in Ohio in 1988 at the Commodore Perry Hotel in Toledo. From 1989-1993, along with several other Midwestern states, the Ohio Division of Wildlife hacked 46 birds throughout the state. Peregrine falcons were delisted as a federal endangered species in 1999, and down-listed in Ohio to state threatened in 2008. Peregrines remain on the state threatened list and the Division of Wildlife continues to monitor the population.

Ohio’s peregrine falcon program is supported by the state income tax check-off program, donations to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund, and sales of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, and the cardinal license plate. Individuals wanting to donate can also make an online contribution at wildohio.com.

Matching federal funds are provided through the State Wildlife Grant Program for this project and other wildlife diversity efforts of the Division of Wildlife that target species of greatest conservation need.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- The now-renowned Wilmington Falcon Cam Peregrine Falcons are finishing flight school and soon to disperse to new horizons, capping an outstanding and intriguing season for thousands of cam viewers – and of course for the falcons’ parents.

Last week, all five of the falcon chicks left their nest site atop the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington.

Two of the eyasses (as falcon chicks are known), both males, are now flying free above the city while their two sisters have been translocated to West Virginia as part of a regional effort to restore the Peregrine falcons to their native habitat. (Unfortunately, one of the males was not successful in his first attempts at flight and died trying.)

In mid-March, DNREC Falcon Cam watchers were delighted to see the resident pair produce their first clutch, a whopping five eggs, all of which later hatched. Typical clutches are three to four eggs, but these falcons were making up for a failed mating season in 2010. And in doing so they exceeded expectations to give cam viewers continuous thrills over the next three months. (A complete chronology of this year’s falcon cam action can be found at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/Pages/Peregrine_Falcon_Cam.aspx.)

In the early evening hours of May 26 came another aspect of wildlife management for the Peregrine Falcons – four of the chicks received leg bands so they could be monitored and identified wherever they fly. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) raptor biologist Craig Koppie did the banding, assisted by falcon aficionado Kim Steininger who has been watching and photographing the Wilmington Peregrines for several years. Each of the four chicks received a silver USFWS migratory bird band with an identifying number on one leg and a color band (black over green with numbers and letters) on the other leg.

During the first week of June, the youngsters transitioned from chicks to fledglings as they took flight for the first time. For two of the males, all went well and they are currently flying around the city, preparing to start life on their own. Unfortunately, the third male was found dead near the ground floor of the Brandywine Building – it’s not known how the fledgling died, but the city can be a dangerous place for a young falcon on the ground.

The two sisters also had their struggles early on, as both ended up grounded on city streets. After several attempts to place one of them back on the roof of the Brandywine Building – and with the other still lacking fully-developed tail feathers – both were taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research Center near Newark. There, both birds were given a clean bill of health. But having been rescued from the busy streets of Wilmington and it not being in their best interest to fledge in the confines of Tri-State’s facility, the females were given a new aerial opportunity in more natural settings in West Virginia – through an ongoing reintroduction effort known as hacking.

After DNREC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists conferred over their situation, the young Wilmington females were selected to begin a new adventure, joining other young Peregrine Falcons from New Jersey and Delaware. The two Wilmington females were transported to a cliffside hacking site near the New River Gorge, W. Va.

Urban Peregrine Falcon fledglings, particularly those that nest on tall buildings or bridges, face many dangers in their environment. Often, weather and wind events or poorly-timed attempts at flight can lead to mortality. The two Wilmington females have a better chance at survival in their natural habitat. They will be temporarily kept in a protective cage, provided food, and closely monitored – all while biologists stay concealed monitoring them. The young falcons will get acclimated to their new surroundings for several days during which time they will also observe other recently released falcons coming to the hack site to feed and interact.

“Hacking has its greatest potential for success when groups (six or more) of similar-aged young are released together,” USFW S raptor biologist Koppie said. “The success of reintroduction was dependent in part, on an adequate food supply provided at the release site, thus allowing minimal energy expenditure by the falcon young. With enough food, the young can sustain an optimal energy level for engaging in ‘play’ with other falcons, including tail-chasing, capturing song birds and harassing vultures.”

Once the Wilmington females are released, they will join their new siblings in learning to forage through this playful interaction. Still, while basking in this natural habitat, the young falcons nevertheless face danger such as great horned owls, but they have a far safer environment in other respects, away from busy city streets where danger lurks in the form of tall buildings, glass windows, traffic, and electrical utilities.

Cliffs provide a natural place for them to develop their flight, with many tiers of ledges to land rather than the steep face of a building and no plate glass windows to accidentally fly in to. In addition, by releasing these falcons at the hacking site, biologists hope that the site will be imprinted on the birds, and that they will return to similar surroundings in the future, further restoring the regional population of Peregrine Falcons.

“It’s a great honor that the Wilmington falcons can contribute to the recovery of the species in its natural range,” Division of Fish & Wildlife biologist Anthony Gonzon said. “With luck, we will see our Wilmington girls again with their own nests in the wilds of West Virginia.”

And as for the ongoing exploits of the Peregrines on the DNREC Falcon Cam? Wait’ll next year – but certainly not because the season just ended fell short in any sense. “The same as the hundreds of online watchers, I too was captivated by the drama of the parents and their young, from egg laying to fledging,” said Bill Stewart of the Delmarva Ornithological Society, one of the webcam partners, along with DuPont’s Clear Into the Future program. “One could not help but become almost parentally attached! Although selfishly saddened to see the two girls leave Wilmington, smart and wise wildlife conservation became the guiding light in an attempt to provide our falcons the best chance for a successful life.” Only time will tell if an encore performance is in the nest box for the Wilmington Peregrine Falcons in 2012, but they certainly had viewers on the edge of their PC screens for three months this year.

For more information on the falcons, contact Anthony Gonzon, 302-735-8673, or Craig Koppie, 410-573-4534.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

BRUNSWICK, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Some brown pelicans rescued from the Gulf oil spill last summer and released in Georgia not only returned to the state this spring, they are nesting and raising young here.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources biologist Tim Keyes recently spotted eight of the pelicans nesting in a large pelican colony on Little Egg Island Bar, a state-managed natural area in Glynn County. The birds originally from Louisiana are marked by colored leg bands.

At least seven of the nests have chicks. “So far, they look great,” said Keyes, who works with DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section.

A brown pelican rehabilitated from last year’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico watches over chicks on Georgia’s coast. A Georgia DNR biologist is monitoring eight nests involving rescued pelicans released last summer in the state. The birds originally from Louisiana are marked by colored leg bands. Photo credit: Tim Keyes/Georgia DNR

Efforts to clean and relocate the pelicans once soaked with oil from the BP spill raised questions about whether the large waterbirds would survive and whether they would fly back to contaminated areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Oiling can also affect reproduction.

While the pelican sightings are a hopeful sign for those particular birds, Chuck Hunter with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said there are still many unanswered questions about the impacts of the oil on the pelican population in general, as well as specific questions about the pelicans spotted in Georgia.

“These birds, no matter how clean, likely still have some oil in their internal systems and females especially may pass this contaminant on to the chicks,” said Hunter, chief of the Service’s Division of Planning and Resource Management for the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Southeast. “But this does tell me that it’s possible for some oiled birds to reproduce. Whether or not these chicks will fledge and survive to reproduce successfully themselves is also unknown and would take many years to determine.”

More than 1,200 birds were rehabilitated and released in Georgia, Florida, Texas and upstate Louisiana. Of those, 699 were brown pelicans, 140 of which were released in Georgia last June and July.

In the months during and after the BP oil spill that began April 2010, more than 7,000 other birds were collected dead, or died soon after. Hunter said an unknown number of additional birds were most likely exposed to oil and never recovered, either because they died at sea or in remote locations on the coast.

Keyes said the Georgia nests have two to three chicks each – normal for brown pelicans – and at least one parent sporting a leg band. The chicks have been given a health checkup and biologists are awaiting results of blood work. Keyes also banded some of the chicks so they can be tracked after leaving the nest.

“We’ll be visiting each of the eight nests weekly and monitoring the chicks, hopefully to the point we can say if they successfully fledged,” he said.

The young birds will start flying in about five weeks.

Of the pelicans released in Georgia, Keyes documented about 25 in the state this year. None were seen in December or January. It’s likely the pelicans migrated out of the area and returned to Georgia by mid-March.

Georgia DNR’s mission is to sustain, enhance and protect Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources. The Nongame Conservation Section, part of the DNR Wildlife Resources Division, is charged with conserving the native diversity of nongame animals, rare plants and natural habitats, including endangered and threatened species. The Nongame Conservation Section receives no state appropriations, depending instead on fundraisers such as the bald eagle and hummingbird license plates, as well as grants and direct contributions. Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com . The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service is both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for its scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on the Fish and Wildlife Service’s work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

ATLANTA, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Four new falcons will soon be eligible for drafting, riding the air currents that swirl around their high-rise home in downtown Atlanta.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials recently examined and banded the four young peregrine falcons in a nest outside the offices of McKenna, Long & Aldridge, 51 floors up in the SunTrust Plaza building.

Law firm chairman Jeff Haidet said the same two falcons have been nesting on the balcony for five years. The number of young this spring only increased his excitement and pride.

“This is the first year that the pair has produced four babies … and it’s always a special treat to observe their transition from hatching to flying,” Haidet said.

Two or three falcons hatched each of the previous years. Before this pair of parents, peregrines fledged foursomes outside the firm in 1999, 2000 and 2005. The 2011 nestlings will be flying within two weeks.

Peregrines are possibly the world’s fastest animal, diving at more than 200 mph to nab pigeons, ducks and other birds in mid-air. The nest at SunTrust Plaza is one of only two confirmed in Georgia. The other is in midtown Atlanta.

Jim Ozier, a program manager with DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section, occasionally hears reports that suggest there are other peregrine nests in metro Atlanta. He encouraged residents who see the falcons in pairs or possibly tending a nest in the spring to notify his office, (478) 994-1438 in Forsyth.

Peregrines were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species because of a successful population recovery effort, but Georgia still lists the birds as rare. Historically, the only known nest in the state was at Cloudland Canyon in the early 1940s. Peregrines were apparently absent for several years during and after the DDT era.

DNR normally offers a web camera view of the nest at McKenna, Long & Aldridge, thanks to the law firm and a grant from The Garden Club of Georgia. The equipment needs upgrading, and the hope is to re-establish the behind-the-scenes look at Georgia’s highest-flying falcons in 2012.

This year’s clutch hatched in mid-April. The nestlings leave the nest at about 5 weeks old. Life can be hard for them in metro Atlanta. Hazards vary from traffic to large windows. A peregrine hatched at the firm last year was found days later suffering from trichomoniasis, a parasitic disease of young birds. The falcon was rehabilitated by Kathryn Dudeck of the Chattahoochee Nature Center and released.

Georgians can conserve endangered and other nongame wildlife such as peregrines through buying a bald eagle or ruby-throated hummingbird license plate, or donating directly to the Georgia Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund. Wildlife plate sales and direct contributions provide vital support for the DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section, which receives no state general funds for its mission to conserve wildlife not legally hunted, fished for or trapped, as well as rare plants and natural habitats.

Visit www.georgiawildlife.com for more information, or call Nongame Conservation offices in Social Circle (770-761-3035), Forsyth (478-994-1438) or Brunswick (912-264-7218).

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

LEWES, Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- Volunteers who would like to learn more about Delaware’s endangered piping plovers and other beach-nesting birds.

Find out how they can join DNREC’s monitoring team are invited to attend a training session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Biden Center at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.

The session, which is free of charge, will begin with refreshments and a slideshow, followed by a discussion on the monitoring program and how volunteers can help to ensure that our beachnesting shorebirds are given the peace and quiet they need to successfully rear their chicks.

Weather permitting, the group will finish out the session by going out to the Point at Cape Henlopen to look for piping plovers and other shorebirds that will likely be out on the tidal flats feeding. A few birding scopes and pairs of binoculars will be available for use, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own optics if they have them.

Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey hopes the session will draw both new and seasoned volunteers in good numbers to help DNREC staff in their efforts to protect beachnesters and educate the public.

“Volunteers are a critical component of our protection efforts. When posted at the boundaries of the nesting areas, they can help explain to the public facts about the breeding birds and the importance of keeping closed areas free of human disturbance. Without having volunteers to supplement the coverage that our staff can provide, many people might never have the chance to better understand how humans can make a difference in the breeding success of beach-nesting birds,” Bailey said.

Pre-registration is encouraged, but attendees also will be accepted at the door. Park entrance fees will be waived for volunteers attending the training by notifying the fee booth attendant. For more information, please contact Wildlife Biologist Matt Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- The fifth annual Ornithological Congress of the Michigan Bird Conservation Initiative will be held at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, starting Wednesday, April 6, through Saturday, April 9.

The Congress is being held jointly with the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and the Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Participants may attend any of the symposia, workshops, talks, and events hosted by any organization on the days for which they register.

“We’re very excited about this year’s Ornithological Congress. Several representatives of nationally recognized programs will be in attendance to discuss their projects with Michigan’s conservation community,” said Lori Sargent, a nongame wildlife biologist with the Department of Natural Resources.

The Congress provides an opportunity for organizations, agencies, and individuals to develop partnerships for current and future projects. “No one organization can conserve all of the birds in Michigan,” according to Chair Keith Harrison, “but the connections made at the Ornithological Congress helps pool resources and achieves larger goals.”

The annual Ornithological Congress is an opportunity for conservation-minded individuals to come together to discuss issues of importance for bird conservation, share information about research projects, and build partnerships to better address threats to bird life in Michigan. The Congress is open to all; attendance at past Congresses included professional wildlife biologists, students, hunters, and birders. The dress code for the event is casual. The primary goal of the event is providing a forum for conservation connections to be made and information to be shared.

The Ornithological Congress will include symposia on social networking, and sessions on the Kalamazoo River oil spill, and climate change. Speakers from The Nature Conservancy, the Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan Audubon Society, and Michigan State University will be discussing the impacts of the Kalamazoo River oil spill and tall towers on wildlife and what can be done about them. There will also be the annual owl prowl, silent auction, poster sessions and food.

In addition, there will be concurrent meetings with the American Fisheries Society and the Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society.

“This is a great opportunity for our members to share information and work together to conserve the state’s wildlife,” said Karen Cleveland, DNR wildlife biologist and president of the Michigan Chapter of the Wildlife Society. “So many conservation issues are relevant to all species, not just birds.”

For more information about the Ornithological Congress, contact Karen Cleveland at 517-241-4250 or clevelandk1@michigan.gov, or go online to www.mibci.org and click on Ornithological Congress. Pre-registration is preferred, but not required.

North Central Michigan College is located at 1515 Howard St., just off of US-31, in Petoskey.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

SPONSORS

• DTE Energy
• The Forestland Group, LLC

DONORS

• Binder Park Zoo
• Karen Cleveland
• Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division
• Tom Funke
• Kalamazoo Nature Center
• Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
• Kingman Museum
• Michigan Audubon Society
• Mike Sanders
• National Wild Turkey Federation, Michigan Chapter
• Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
• Terry Rich, Partners in Flight
• Dick Wolinski

ORGANIZERS

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources
• Michigan Department of Transportation
• Michigan Audubon Society
• Kalamazoo Nature Center
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Hey kids, do you like birds and love to draw or paint?

Georgia’s sixth annual Youth Birding Competition is offering a T-shirt Art Contest for resident children and teens. Many famous ornithologists were bird artists when they were young, so perhaps you could be the next John James Audubon, Roger Tory Peterson or David Allen Sibley!

A winner will be picked from each of the following age categories: primary (pre-K-second grade), elementary (third-fifth), middle school (sixth-eighth) and high school. One winner will be awarded the grand prize – their artwork will appear on the 2011 YBC T-shirt and they’ll receive a $100 gift card to Michaels. The three other winners will each receive a $50 Michaels gift card, redeemable for art supplies.

Entering is easy. Participants must draw or paint their favorite Georgia bird on paper or sheet canvas (at least 8-by-10 inches but no larger than 11-by-17 inches). Mail it in a large envelope – flat, not folded – in time to be received by 4 p.m. March 1 to: GA DNR-WRD, YBC T-shirt Art Contest (Attn: Linda May), 2065 US Hwy. 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.

On a separate piece of paper, gently attached to the back of the artwork, include the participant’s name, school, age, grade level, mailing address, phone number, parent or teacher’s e-mail address and the species name of the bird depicted. The illustrated bird must be a wild species and native to Georgia. Please make sure the bird is the main focus of the artwork, and draw or paint its features as accurately as possible. Also keep in mind that rich colors will show up better on a T-shirt than faint pencil drawings.

Only one entry per person is allowed, and it must be the child’s artwork. Participation in the Youth Birding Competition is encouraged but not required to submit artwork for the T-shirt Art Contest.

Competitors in the birding event can pick up their submissions at the April 17 banquet at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, where select artwork will be displayed and winners announced.

Artwork from children and teens who do not take part in the Youth Birding Competition can either be picked up at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield during normal business hours or returned by mail – but only if a large, self-addressed envelope with four first-class stamps is included with the submission.

The 2011 Youth Birding Competition starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and ends at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 17. Groups may use as much or as little of that time to count as many birds as possible throughout Georgia. Although teams may start birding anywhere in the state, they must turn in their checklists at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center by 5 p.m. Sunday. While judges examine and score checklists, participants will enjoy a live animal show followed by an awards banquet packed with prizes.

For more information on the T-shirt Art Contest, visit www.georgiawildlife.com, click on the “Get Involved” tab and then the “YBC T-shirt Art Contest” link (www.georgiawildlife.com/node/950). You can also contact art contest coordinator Linda May at (770) 918-6792 or linda.may@dnr.state.ga.us.

The same web site includes Youth Birding Competition details, including how to register a team for this exciting event. You can also contact the competition coordinator Tim Keyes at (912) 262-3191 or tim.keyes@dnr.state.ga.us.

BRIEFLY: WILD FACTS: BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

Even if you’re not a biologist, you can help monitor bird population health. How? By participating in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count! Sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, this citizen science event is set for Feb. 18-21. Just count birds from a favorite place (perhaps your yard or a nature center) for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the days. Record the highest number of each species you see together at any one time. Then enter your checklist at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. By combining your count information with other nationwide data, the Great Backyard Bird Count provides an early warning system for birds in need of conservation help.

WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, environmental outreach coordinator with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.

Carolina Chickadee - Ken Childs

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are encouraging bird and nature fans throughout the state to join tens of thousands of everyday North American bird watchers for the 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), Feb. 18-21.

A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, this free event is an opportunity for families, students, and people of all ages to discover the wonders of nature in backyards, schoolyards, and local parks, and, at the same time, make an important contribution to conservation.

Participants count birds and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org.

“These types of activities provide the citizen-scientist with an opportunity to help wildlife,” said Doug Gross, Game Commission biologist. “Anyone who can identify even a few species can contribute to the information wildlife managers use to decide where to invest limited resources in land conservation, as well as habitat improvement or protection.

“Additionally, this is a great opportunity for beginning bird watchers to hone their skills, and for all participants to enjoy the winter landscape.”

Participants are asked to count birds for at least 15 minutes on at least one day of the event and reporting their sightings online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Additional online resources include tips to help identify birds, a photo gallery, and special materials for educators.

“Last year, the GBBC was a very popular event in Pennsylvania, with 4,878 checklists submitted,” Gross said. “The places with the most checklists were Pittsburgh, with 156 submissions; Erie, with 106; and Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, with 76. Many small towns were also represented in the total effort.

“A total of 132 species were reported by Pennsylvania participants in 2010. More Canada geese (37,870) were reported than any other species, but dark-eyed junco was reported most frequently (3,816 lists) by winter backyard watchers than any other species in the state. The finch invasion just did not happen in the winter of 2010, but this winter we hear reports of pine siskins at many locations and an increasing number of common redpolls, especially in the north.”

Gross also noted that there were more reports of short-eared owls throughout the state.

“The February dates allow us to count some early migrants, as well as some semi-hardy ‘hangers on’ that have lasted the winter in some yards,” Gross said. “For those extra-interesting birds, keep an eye on areas that are well-protected from the wind, especially conifers, and where there are winter-persistent fruits and berries. Juniper berries and sumac fruit clusters are magnets for hungry songbirds including bluebirds and robins. Water is always an attractant for birds, too, and backyard water gardens seem to bring in many species not usually seen where there is snow and ice.”

Gross also encouraged those submitting reports to the GBBC website to also contribute bird sightings by registering at Pennsylvania eBird, a birding website managed by the Game Commission. To submit sightings, go to the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on “Wildlife” in the menu bar at the top of the page, then choose “Birding” and then click on “Pennsylvania eBird.”

“The Game Commission was the first state wildlife agency to host and manage a state eBird website, which is dedicated to helping birders throughout North America and the world record their bird observations and improve our understanding of the use of bird habitat and seasonal bird activities,” Gross said.

The data collected helps the Game Commission and other wildlife researchers understand the importance of particular locations to birds and bird population trends, information that is critical for effective conservation. These efforts enable everyone to see what would otherwise be impossible: a comprehensive picture of where birds are in late winter and how their numbers and distribution compare with previous years. In 2010, participants turned in new record of more than 97,200 checklists, creating the continent’s largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded. Checklists came in from all 50 states in the U.S. and from all 10 provinces and three territories of Canada. Participants reported 602 species in 11.2 million individual bird observations.

Each year, in addition to entering their tallies, participants submit thousands of digital images for the GBBC photo contest. Many are featured in the popular online gallery. Visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc to learn more.

Weather Conditions Lead To Deaths Of Migrating Songbirds

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- DOVER (Nov. 2, 2010) – A significant number of songbirds were silenced last week in Delaware when their southerly migration ran afoul of circumstantial weather conditions that led to their flying into glass windows causing mortal injuries to nearly a dozen species of thrushes and sparrows, common and rare birds alike.

As a cold front moved into the northeastern United States on the night of October 28, conditions were perfect for a mass migration of songbirds throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. After almost a week in which no strong bird migratory movements had been detected across Delmarva, many songbirds seized on the coming cold front to depart ahead of it, leading to a historic fallout of migrants in Delaware. Reports from birders indicate that migrant songbirds, particularly sparrows and thrushes, had descended on Delaware in record numbers as they worked their way south for the upcoming winter. Unfortunately, their epic migration also provided a glimpse into the dangers that many migratory birds face along their journey.

Just after daylight Friday morning, Oct. 29, shopkeepers, residents, and visitors of Rehoboth began noticing a number of dead birds along the boardwalk. Their concern led them to contact the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, which got through to the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section. Later, as he identified photos of some of the dead birds as thrushes, Anthony Gonzon, a wildlife biologist with the Division’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, knew immediately that something disturbing had happened in the resort beach town.

For Gonzon, finding one or two dead songbirds almost anywhere would not be surprising, but an initial report of 12-15 birds at a localized site was highly unusual – especially occurring away from large cities where tall buildings and the potential for birds to strike windows would be much more prevalent.

Joined by Sr. Cpl. Tommy Penuel of the Division’s Enforcement Section and officers from the Rehoboth Police Department, Gonzon searched the Rehoboth boardwalk and side streets for dead migrants, eventually turning up 60 dead songbirds representing 11 different species. Counted among them were 20 White-throated Sparrows, 17 Hermit Thrushes, along with uncommon species such as the Lincoln’s and Nelson’s Sparrows.

Nearly all of the birds had injuries consistent with window or building strikes. Others had already been scavenged by cats and other birds, but all were found in proximity to those that had died as a result of collision. Sites along the northern half of the Rehoboth boardwalk resulted in the greatest number of mortalities. Windows along that stretch showed obvious signs of avian impacts, several with dead songbirds having fallen directly below them. While there were likely far more dead birds than searchers found at the time, between boardwalk residents and maintenance workers removing and discarding some birds and scavengers taking others, the actual number of mortalities is difficult to speculate.

All of the events leading to this mortality event might never be truly understood, but Gonzon ironically pegged it in the larger picture to perfect migration weather patterns.

“I’d received word from several sources that migration on Thursday night (Oct. 28) would be historic in terms of the sheer number of birds on the move,” he said. “Given that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of birds were passing by and descending on us very early Friday morning, and with winds blowing out of the north-northwest, birds coming off Cape May and crossing over to Delaware may have been forced a bit further south. This would result in a landfall at or about Rehoboth Beach.”

As exhausted birds reached the Delaware coast during the predawn period, lights and reflections from buildings and glass could disorient them, resulting in strikes. Because birds fly lower over water as they descend upon reaching land, it’s possible that buildings and glass along the boardwalk were directly in their path. Gonzon also noted that ominously perfect conditions aligned for the unfortunate mortality, and that until those conditions coalesce again, Delaware would likely not see an event like this anytime in the near future.

Unfortunately, there are no easy preventatives for birds striking buildings or glass. Because birds often cannot see glass or comprehend the difference between a flyway and a reflection, bird strikes on glass are implicated as one of the most significant causes of mortality for migrants. Mortality estimates from glass strikes range from a conservative 100 million annually to nearly 1 billion.

“However, we can do some things to reduce the impacts of this type of mortality,” Gonzon said. “Decreasing the use of building and window lighting during peak migration periods and using bird-safe glass can help to reduce the number of strikes. The use of exterior window treatments such as pull down shades also can reduce or eliminate reflectivity, and prevent birds from striking.”

In the early 1960s, the eastern bluebird was hanging on for dear life

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- In an effort to garner appreciation for wildlife, especially the state’s bluebird population, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s webcasting of a live video feed from a bluebird nestbox on the grounds of its Harrisburg Headquarters now is providing a glimpse into an active nest.

To view the live feed, visit the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the “Bluebird Nestbox Cam” icon under the opening photo in the center of the homepage.

“After several weeks of nest building and waiting, the bluebird nestbox camera now is allowing viewers to follow along with an active nest that presently contains five recently laid bluebird eggs,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.

“The best way to get Pennsylvanians – in fact most Americans – excited about wildlife is to show them what makes wildlife so irreplaceable and priceless.

“We decided to set-up and use this live webcast to help us educate the public about the importance of wildlife, how to make backyards friendlier to wildlife and also provide a way for folks to simply get closer to bluebirds. Last year, it was a huge hit, and we expect that the broadcasting of this year’s activities again will be well received.”

Launched last year, the bluebird camera was the agency’s first foray into the world of live nest camera feeds. It provides a color video feed plus audio from the bluebird nestbox quarters, which is situated near the agency’s headquarters. A live feed also is broadcast to a monitor in the agency’s lobby.

New this year is the installation of an infrared video camera, which will enable visitors to tune in after dark, too.

Steps are taken to deter house sparrows from using the nestbox by mounting monofilament fishing line from the roof over the entrance hole, which compels sparrows to stay away. Bluebird nestboxes placed close to buildings almost always attract competition from sparrows, which annually chase native bluebirds from nestboxes and nesting cavities.

“In the early 1960s, the eastern bluebird was hanging on for dear life,” said Dan Brauning, Game Commission Wildlife Diversity Section supervisor. “The species was suffering from a European invasion of house sparrows and European starlings. Today, it’s not hard to imagine the harm that would come from releasing starlings and house sparrows in New York City during the 1800s. But back then, at a time when people were trying to reverse declining songbird populations, it seemed like the right thing to do in New York.

“The starling spread quickly across America. Released in 1890 and 1891, starlings were building nests in California by the 1940s. What our forefathers didn’t expect, in addition to the rapid range expansion of these alien species, was that they would almost immediately begin competing with bluebirds and other beneficial songbirds for cavity nesting sites.”

Bluebirds were enjoying a satisfying existence around 1900. It is when some ornithologists believe Pennsylvania’s bluebird population was at its largest, because fully two-thirds of the Commonwealth was farmland. But the runaway populations of starlings and sparrows would begin to compete with and ultimately cripple the bluebird’s ability to secure adequate nesting.

The species’ problems would be further compounded by farmlands reverting to forestland or being swallowed by development, the increased use of pesticides, and the replacement of wooden fence-posts with metal posts.

By 1960, the bottom was ready to fall out, and the Game Commission and many other conservation agencies and organizations launched an aggressive campaign to rescue the species.

With the aid of its Howard Nursery, the Game Commission manufactured inexpensive bluebird nestboxes and bluebird nestbox kits for the public to place afield. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts became involved, as well as 4-H Clubs, schools and Audubon chapters. Bluebirds became the poster child for efforts aimed at getting people to do something for wildlife in their backyards.

“Today, bluebirds are back in a big way, even in the southeastern counties, where they compete heavily with large populations of house sparrows,” Brauning said. “It’s fair to say that our bluebird population is stronger today than it has been in 50 years. With time and continued assistance from caring Pennsylvanians, it seems likely bluebirds will continue to prosper.”

For more information on bluebirds, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Wildlife” in the menu bar in the banner, then choose “Bluebird” from the listing under the “Wild Birds and Birding” section.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(AmmoLand.com)- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould today announced revisions to the list of bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

Species appearing on this list are governed under migratory bird hunting and permitting regulations concerning most aspects of possession, transportation, sale, purchase, exportation, and importation of protected species.

The list, last updated in 1985, incorporates the latest taxonomic and scientific data for migratory birds. The changes include 186 new additions and 11 subtractions, bringing the total number of species protected under the MBTA to 1007.

“This update to the list of federally protected birds reflects the best available science on bird taxonomy and distribution and will help us improve management of our nation’s migratory birds,” said Gould.

“The new list benefits researchers, hunters, conservationists, state agencies, tribal governments, and birdwatchers by extending federal protection to all migratory bird species native to the United States while highlighting advances and changes in bird taxonomy that have accumulated since the list was last published.”

The Service is the primary federal agency responsible for managing migratory birds. Federal migratory bird regulations, including the list, implement the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which in turn implements treaties with Canada, Mexico, Japan and Russia. All species included on the list are considered federally protected, and governed by federal regulations limiting take (from the wild), possession, and other use.

The newly revised list reflects the addition of species based on new evidence of their occurrence in the United States or its territories. The revisions also remove species no longer known to occur within the United States and change some names to conform to accepted usages.

The changes also reflect taxonomic revisions to the bird taxa of North America published by the American Ornithologists’ Union and changes in the Migratory Bird List incorporate name changes and revisions moving some species from one taxon to another.

The final rule can be found online at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/.

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(AmmoLand.com)- Delaware’s frigid temperatures, high winds and recent snowfalls can be difficult for the more than 40 species of wintering songbirds that share our state’s nature resources.

Their food sources – nuts, seeds, and berries – are harder for these small birds to locate and reach, especially when covered with large accumulations of snow.

To help songbirds survive this winter, follow these tips:

• Provide a variety of seed types and regularly clean bird feeders.
• Locate feeders near cover and out of the wind so that the birds will have a place to go to escape the elements and predators.
• Suet can be a great resource during harsh weather events. Suet is a high energy, pure fat resource. Purchase pre-made suet cakes at your local retail store or search the internet for directions on how to make your own.
• Water can be hard to find, but you can provide warm water in a bowl or pan near your feeders. Heated birdbaths are also available. If you have concerns about birds bathing and then freezing, fill the container deep enough to prevent bathing.
• Use extra caution while driving. While there is snow on the ground, birds may feed along the borders of roads where the snow has melted and exposed seeds and other food sources.

According to Anthony Gonzon, wildlife biologist with the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the majority of wintering birds in our area are well adapted to make it through these challenging days. “Birds have the innate ability to track and locate food resources – if one area is covered by snow, they will move to another and continue searching until they find a food source that is accessible.”

Although some birds may perish in extreme conditions, a bird’s body is well adapted to keep it warm even when everything around it is freezing. Feathers act as natural insulators; as birds “fluff up,” they trap air between layers to retain heat. Fat stores from the high-energy foods that birds consume during the warmer weather further help them to maintain their body temperatures.

For more information on Delaware’s wild birds, contact Anthony Gonzon at 302-653-2880.

Alpen 711 20X50 Mini Spotting Scope

Alpenoptics.com

Rancho Cucamonga, CA --(AmmoLand.com)- With 48 million Americans reporting they watch birds around the home and on trips, chances are there’s a birder in your life who would love to get a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope this holiday season.

The good news is you can surprise that special someone with high quality binoculars and scopes from Alpen Optics and stay within your budget.

Alpen Optics is known for its superior quality optical products and great features and accessories at affordable prices. You can find Alpen’s products, which are backed by a limited lifetime factory warranty, at online stores or official dealers near you.

Monoculars are a great gift for young bird watchers. Alpen’s 8×25 and 10×25 waterproof monoculars are perfect for small hands and faces. They are lightweight, compact and can stand up to tough conditions. At a MSRP of about $80, they provide clear, crisp viewing for beginning birders.

Backyard birders will appreciate Alpen’s 8×42 wide angle binoculars. If you watch birds from the comfort of your armchair, you want top viewing performance without paying extra for features you don’t need such as waterproofing. The 8×42 non waterproof binoculars carry an MSRP of about $53 yet will offer bright, sharp viewing of the birds at your backyard birdfeeders.

If you’re buying binoculars for someone who is more serious about their wildlife watching hobby, consider Alpen’s 8×42 or 10×42 waterproof models. Also, shop for fully multicoated optics for maximum light gathering properties so you can bringin all the color and detail you need to ID birds even in low light conditions. At MSRPs ranging from $180 to $400, you can get top notch glass at a great value.

Alpen Optics spotting scopes are the ultimate tool for getting up close and personal with the world of birds whether it’s mockingbirds nesting in your yard or eagle watching at a wildlife refuge. MSRPs can range from just over $200 up to about $1,200 depending on what features are most important to you. If you want something a bit more portable for viewing from your car at the local park, check out Alpen’s compact spotting scopes. With an easy-to-use window car mount, you’ll be checking out birds on the fly.

For more information about Alpen Optics, visit their website www.alpenoutdoor.com or www.alpenoptics.com, or call 877-987-8370.