February 2019 Field Notes
From Our President: All Animals Are Smart, But in Different Ways
Posted on Sunday, March 31st, 2019
A recent article published in The Atlantic prompted a good discussion among LCAS Board members. The article, “A Journey Into the Animal Mind,” can be seen at: tinyurl.com/y2mwpbdo
It is only partially about crows, but includes many examples of animal consciousness and learning. It is a story of the Jain sect in India, which is an ancient religion whose highest commandment forbids violence not only against humans, but also against animals. The Jains run a Birds Hospital in Delhi, India.
Conservation Column: Support Efforts to Ban the Use of Harmful Pesticides in Oregon
Posted on Sunday, March 31st, 2019
Most of us are aware of the alarming decline in populations of pollinators and other beneficial insects. This affects all of us, our food supply, and the birds that we love. In addition to habitat loss, pesticides use is a major culprit. Recent investigations have found pesticide residue everywhere, in the body tissues of people and animals, in the food we buy at our supermarkets, and even (sorry about this) in our beer and wine.
Noah Strycker: Birds of the Photo Ark--Program Meeting, Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 pm at UO Lawrence Hall Room 177
Posted on Sunday, March 31st, 2019
Noah Strycker, now a world-renowned birder, grew up in Lane County. He went on to study birds on six continents, with field seasons in Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Australia, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, and the Farallon Islands.
Date:
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 7:30pm
Location:
UO’s Lawrence Hall, Room 177
Vaux’s Swift Watch – April 19, 2019
Posted on Sunday, March 31st, 2019
We know we can expect the Vaux’s Swifts to arrive with a warm wind from the south sometime between early April and early May. What we don’t know is exactly when. The timing of the migration has varied recently, with the birds coming through earlier, which makes it hard for humans to know when to have a party to celebrate their arrival!
Date:
Friday, April 19, 2019 - 7:45pm
Third Saturday Bird Walk--April 20 8:00 am
Posted on Sunday, March 31st, 2019
Don Holtgrieve will lead a walk through some of the property managed by the MacKenzie River Trust. Details will be posted on the LCAS Facebook page: facebook.com/pages/Lane-County-Audubon-Society/330177413824, and on the website: laneaudubon.org.
Date:
Saturday, April 20, 2019 - 8:00am
Announcements
Posted on Sunday, March 31st, 2019New Lane County-focused Birding List Available,
A Reason to Celebrate,
Thank Yous
Big Thank Yous to:
Experienced Birders Needed for Breeding Bird Surveys
Posted on Friday, March 29th, 2019
If you can identify most of this region’s birds by sound, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) would be grateful for just a couple days of your time this year, between late May and early July. There are 2 routes within about an hour’s drive of Eugene which need a volunteer: Green (west of Roseburg) and Blue River (east of Springfield). Locations of these and other “Vacant Routes” can be viewed by zooming in to the Oregon map at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/RouteMap/Map.cfm
Or contact me for details.
Action Alert: Help Stop Raven Killing in Eastern Oregon
Posted on Tuesday, March 12th, 2019
We are sharing an important action alert from Portland Audubon. Please consider signing.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking permits to kill up to 1,500 Common Ravens in Baker County over the next three years.
The birds will be killed using poisoned eggs, a food source for both ravens and other species. The young of the poisoned birds will be left to starve to death in their nests and non-target species will also be put at significant risk of poisoning.