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NUMBER 129, April 1999
ORGANIZATION NEWS
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
GRANTS AND AWARDS
PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE
PERSONAL EXCHANGES
MEETINGS
NEWS OF MEMBERS
THE FLOCK: SPECIAL SECTION
VISIT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF NORTH AMERICA:
OSNA - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/OSNA/
AOU - http://pica.wru.umt.edu/AOU/AOU.html
AFO - http://www.afonet.org/index.html
COS - http://www.ets.uidaho.edu/coop/cooper/coshome.htm
WS - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/CWS/index.html
RRF - http://catsis.weber.edu/rrf
WOS - http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/wos.html
BIRDNET - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/
THE NEW EDITION OF THE FLOCK is scheduled for publication in mid-summer of 1999. The Flock is a biennial membership directory of The American Ornithologists' Union, The Association of Field Ornithologists, The Cooper Ornithological Society, The Raptor Research Foundation, The Waterbird Society, and The Wilson Ornithological Society. Names of members in good standing and address information provided by them upon membership renewal during the 1 Sep 1998 - 31 Aug 1999 renewal cycle are included in The Flock. Any changes to the information provided by members should be sent to: OSNA Business Office, Allen Press, P. O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-8897 USA. Members who wish not to be listed in the 1999 edition of The Flock should indicate so by contacting the Business Office at the above address.
MEMBERS who have sent address and other changes of information to the Ornithological Newsletter for publication should also forward those changes to the OSNA Business Office.
THE COLONIAL WATERBIRD SOCIETY officially changed its name 14 Jan 1999, to The Waterbird Society. This name change reflects a broadening of our interest beyond colonial-nesting birds. The society's focus will be expanded to include the biology and ecology of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other water birds, whether colonial or not, since many important questions and methodologies are relevant to all aquatic birds. Already an international society, The Waterbird Society welcomes membership from all countries, recognizing that many of these species have widespread distributions and the ecological questions and conservation issues must be viewed from continental, if not global, perspectives. Beginning with Volume 22 (1999), the name of the society's journal will change to Waterbirds. The journal's scope will be expanded to publish scientific articles on aspects of the biology and conservation of the world's water birds, including seabirds, wading birds, shorebirds, and waterfowl.
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS of the Waterbird Society are CHRISTINE CUSTER, treasurer, and KEVIN BROWN, TED DAVIS, ALAN MACCARONE, and STEVE KRESS, councilors. The 1999 annual meeting date has been changed to 25-30 Oct. in Grado, Italy.
AOU RESOLUTIONS for consideration at the 1999 annual meeting can be sent to DAVID BLOCKSTEIN, Ornithological Council, 1725 K. St. NW, Washington, DC 20006-1401; <OC@CNIE.org>. Send either draft language or a topic for consideration along with accompanying references. See BIRDNET for copies of resolutions approved in recent years.
NEW WATERBIRD JOURNAL--Starting with volume 22, Colonial Waterbirds will become Waterbirds, expanding its focus from colonial seabirds and wading birds to all waterbird subgroups, including ducks, shorebirds and solitary seabirds. Emphasis will be on papers that illuminate general principles of waterbird biology across subgroups, major advances concerning individual subgroups, or comparisons of subgroups. The journal will also focus on rare or little known species. Papers may be on ecology, physiology, behavior, population dynamics, evolution, management or conservation, with a preference for papers of interest to a wider spectrum of the waterbird community. For instructions to authors or to submit papers, please contact: Professor DAVID DUFFY, Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit/Botany, University of Hawaii, Honolulu HI 96822 USA (dduffy@hawaii.edu or david_duffy@sprynet.com).
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FIELD ORNITHOLOGY COURSE at the University of Minnesota's Field Biology Station at Lake Itasca. This 5-credit U of Minnesota class lasts 5 weeks and provides students with an introduction to ornithological field techniques including censusing and behavioral observations. Identifying birds by sight and sound also constitutes a large part of the course. All class members participate in a field experiment that is written for publication. The course is being taught by Dr. ROBERT ZINK, the Breckenridge Chair in Ornithology (rzink@biosci.umn.edu). For further information about the session (mid June to late July) contact: Dr. DAVID BIESBOER biesboer@maroon.tc.umn.edu, or visit the web page at http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/itasca/.
CAVNET was created in 1995 to provide an avenue for discussion among researchers who study cavity-nesting birds. The moderated internet mailing list provides a forum for discussion of recent literature, current techniques, general inquiries, and other topics related to birds that use holes for roosting or nesting. As of March, 1999 CAVNET members number over 350 individuals and represent 27 countries. To subscribe to CAVNET, send a message to listserv@uvvm.uvic.ca and in the body of the message write "subscribe CAVNET yourfirstname yourlastname". Further information can be obtained from the CAVNET website (http://bio.fsu.edu/~jameslab) or by contacting the list moderator, Eric L. Walters (ewalters@bio.fsu.edu).
RAPTOR SURVEYS, PELLET ANALYSIS: We are offering our accumulated knowledge in raptor ecology and research, to help with monitoring of raptor populations and their diets. Our experienced team has worked with eagles, hawks, accipiters, falcons and owls both on an individual basis and within the framework of long-term ecosystem projects. We have over 10 years of experience in the identification of prey items in both pellets and prey remains. Professional advice is also available on productive strategies for prey remains/pellet collection to best obtain a representative cross section of the raptors diet. See Web Page for more details: http://www.bulkley.net/~doyle/ or Contact: FRANK DOYLE (doyle@bulkley.net), Wildlife Dynamics Consulting, Box 129, Telkwa, B.C. CANADA V0J 2X0
ALEXANDER F. SKUTCH will celebrate his 95th birthday on 20 May 1999. His life and work have inspired and influenced many ornithologists and students. Cards and notes can be sent to him at: A.F. SKUTCH, Quizarra, 939-8000, San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica. He and his wife Pamela have established a trust to fund field research on neotropical birds through the Association of Field Ornithologists. Gifts may be made to the fund in honor of Dr. Skutch's birthday to AFO Treasurer, GEORGE B. MOCK, P.O. Box 393, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Details about the fund will be forthcoming in AFO publications and ON. For more information about Dr. Skutch, e-mail ELISSA LANDRE landre@sun.simmons.edu
AN INTRODUCTION TO FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, BIOSM374/ZOOL 510 Four semester credits. 24 May-7 June. Prerequisites: One full year of college level biology; background in ornithology or vertebrate biology is recommended, but not required. Daily lectures, laboratories, and field work. Total cost $2,000. An introduction to the concepts and techniques of field ornithology with an emphasis on the biology, ecology and behavior of the birds of the Isles of Shoals. Appledore Island provides the perfect setting for studying birds in the field; the Island is the summer home for more than six species of wading and sea birds, and serves as a spring and fall stopover site for over 100 species of migratory birds. Gulls, eiders, herons, and warblers can be observed in a natural setting while they exhibit behaviors associated with territoriality, breeding biology, and predator/prey interactions. Students will learn standard field techniques, including visual and auditory identification, censusing, territory mapping, and banding. Each student will learn how to collect and record data in a personal field notebook. Core faculty: Dr. Sara Morris, Canisius College. For further information contact DR. SARA MORRIS (SHOALS-LAB@cornell.edu), the Shoals Marine Lab at http://www.sml.cornell.edu or call 607-255-3717..
AVIAN MORTALITY AT COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS. This first-of-its-kind workshop on the problem of avian mortality caused by collisions with communications towers (cellular, digital television, and microwave) will be held in conjunction with the 1999 meeting of the American Ornithological Union on 11 Aug at Cornell University's Statler Hotel. The meeting is scheduled from 1:00- 5:30 pm and is intended to review progress in dealing with bird collisions at communications towers. The problem has precipitated much public interest due, in part, to a large kill of Lapland Longspurs on 22 Jan 1998, at a 20-foot communications tower in western Kansas. Various perspectives on the bird kill issue will be presented by industry, the NGO community, state and federal agencies, the ornithological community, academia, and the general public. Various presentations and a panel discussion are planned. Discussions will center around the scientific, legal, policy, and mitigation perspectives. For more information contact Ms. JULIE ST. LOUIS, I&E Specialist, Office of Migratory Bird Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Arlington, VA at 703/358-1824 or e-mail at Julie_St._Louis@fws.gov.
DATA ON THE BIRD EGG AND NEST COLLECTION at Columbia-Greene Community College is now on computer. I will be glad to send lists of specimens by state, and selected specimen data upon request. I can send these lists most easily by email. Contact me by email at: cook@vaxa.cis.sunycgcc.edu. Specimens were collected between the years 1879-1910. The collection includes the number of specimens indicated from the following states, provinces and countries: AK-8, AZ-60, AR-1, CA-195, CO-74, CT-52, FL-25, GA-8, ID-2, IL-7, IN-3, IA-14, KS-1, KY-1, LA-29, ME-30, MD-1, MA-74, MI-5, MN-19, MS-2, MO-2, MT-1, NE-1, NV-1, NH-61, NJ-4, NM-1, NY-49, NC-24, ND-29, OH- 2, OR-31, PA-11, RI-1, SC-8, SD-1, TN-4, TX-82, UT-42, VT-1, VA-11, WA-1, WI-4, Alberta-7, Labrador-15, Manitoba-3, New Brunswick-21, Newfoundland-6, Nova Scotia-2, Ontario-3, Quebec-1, Saskatchewan- 16, Antarctica-2, Bahama Islands-38, Denmark-3, England-17, Finland-6, Galapagos-1, Germany-7, Greece-3, Greenland-3, Hungary- 2, Mexico-51, Poland-3, Russia-8, Scotland-9, Surinam-2, Sweden-2, Turkey-4.
THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA PROJECT continues to make excellent progress toward completion, thanks to extraordinary effort and sustained contributions by hundreds of colleagues. Species accounts are in hand for Volume 11, which will be published by June, and for Volume 12, by the end of the year. To keep BNA on schedule, however, and complete this historic 18 volume project by its deadline in 2002, authors must submit manuscripts on time. BNA is on the home stretch. Species accounts in progress will need to be completed in the next 2 years if they are to be published. Authors not making solid progress on their manuscript should release their species to authors who do have the time and energy for the writing. BNA authors who have not recently contacted the BNA office, please do so (ALAN POOLE, Editor; 1900 Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103; poole@birdsofna.org; 215-567-1195). Updates are appreciated. A few species still need authors: Heermann's Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Arctic Warbler, Bluethroat, Least Storm-Petrel, Common Ringed Plover, Xantus's Hummingbird, Gray Thrasher, and Spot-breasted Oriole. Colleagues who have experience with these species, and/or an interest in writing a life history account for one of them, are encouraged to contact the BNA office.
BIRD BANDING COURSES are scheduled by The Institute for Bird Populations for 10-14 Jun (PA) and 22-26 Jun(central CA) for banders with experience, and 26 Jun-3 Jul (Long Island, NY), 11-18 Jul(AZ), 17-24 Jul (PA), 24-31 Jul (central CA), and 7-14 Aug (WI) for beginners. Costs are $480 for the advanced courses and $570 for the beginner courses; lodging and, for some courses, board are provided for an additional fee which varies by location. Bander training is available free-of-charge for volunteers willing to run existing MAPS stations on military installations in NC, VA, MD, KY, IN, MO, KS, or TX. For more information on banding courses or on the volunteer banding program, contact DAN FROEHLICH at 415-663-1436 (CA) or by Email: dfroehlich@birdpop.org.
BIRD BANDER TRAINING AT THE LESSER SLAVE LAKE BIRD OBSERVATORY (LSLBO). 16-29 May 1999 and another session again 8-21 Aug 1999. (Bird Banding 1): This course has been designed to train people in the capture and marking of birds for individual recognition and scientific purposes. We will work at the LSLBO northern Alberta, Canada in the boreal forest, where students will work with hands on experience and under very close guidance with a Master Bird Bander, one-on-one. This course is intense and intended to teach students banding techniques that are necessary and will assist in the design of their own projects as well as teach the application protocol for submitting interest in a Federal Sub-permit (Scientific Permit to Capture and Band Migratory Birds) to conduct work on approved banding projects, by the Bird Banding Laboratory, of their choice under a Master Bander. Depending on a student's individual progress, the process of applying for a Sub-permit may take as long as three years. Completion of this course will not entitle participants to automatically receive a federal or provincial permit to capture or band birds. However, upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to apply for a Federal Scientific Permit on an approved bird banding project of their choice under the station permit or a Master Bander. Prerequisites: some past banding experience, the ability to identify the more common species found in Alberta (boreal forest) and the desire to be a certified bander is the minimum entry level required for this course. Previous bird identification courses are acceptable. Cost: $600/person. Lodging will be as a group in a campground. All/any concerns should be directed to the instructors for further information and details. Please contact LIBOR MICHALAK @ 604-274-2231, email: pieris@sprint.ca. 8031 Lucas Road, Richmond, BC, V6Y 1G2.
AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION, ABA is now searching for a new person to fill the role of Executive Director, following the departure of Greg Butcher. If you are interested in applying, or know of someone who you think would be suitable for the post, please contact, ISAACSON MILLER, 334 Boylston Street, Ste 500, Boston, MA 02116-3805. PAUL GREEN, Director of Conservation and Education at ABA, is currently also serving as Interim Executive Director.
BIRD BANDING CLASSES for beginners (1-6 Aug) and intermediates (18-23 July) at the Sierra Nevada Field Campus near Yuba Pass in California. Five and a half days, $175; class maximum of 12 taught by 2 instructors (one NABC trainer) and 2 assistants. See our web site, http://thecity.sfsu.edu/snfc, for more information, a bird checklist of the area, accommodations and a listing of other bird courses. Or call JIM STEELE at 415-338-1571.
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NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL
Provided by DAVID E. BLOCKSTEIN, Chair, and ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director, The Ornithological Council, 1725 K St. NW #212, Washington, DC 20006-1401 (202-530-5810; fax 202-628-4311; OC@cnie.org) "Providing Scientific Information about Birds." The Ornithological Council is supported by voluntary individual contributions on the OSNA dues notice as well as memberships from the ornithological societies.
MIKE MCGRADY has been appointed by the Raptor Research Foundation to the OC Board
JEFF SPENDELOW joins Mike Erwin in representing the Waterbird Society, formerly the Colonial Waterbird Society, to the Ornithological Council Board of Directors.
SNOW GEESE UPDATE For several years, researchers have expressed concern about the effect of rapidly-expanding mid-continent populations of Snow Geese and Ross' Geese on Arctic vegetation. Prompted by a report by the Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group of the Arctic Goose Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (Batt, B.D.J., editor. 1997. Arctic ecosystems in peril: report of the Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group, Arctic Goose Joint Venture Special Publication. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. and Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario. 120 pp.) and following a series of public meetings, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concluded that population reductions were needed and undertook to develop appropriate regulatory measures. On 16 Feb 1999, the FWS announced that it would immediately implement both a new rule allowing additional hunting methods and a new regulation allowing states to implement measures to increase the harvest. Twenty-four midwestern and southern states will be permitted to take conservation measures aimed at reducing the population of mid-continent light geese. The rules will give these states the flexibility to allow the use of normally prohibited electronic goose calls and unplugged shotguns during the remaining weeks of their light goose seasons this year, provided that other waterfowl and crane seasons have been closed. States have also been given the authority to implement a conservation order under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that would allow hunters to take light geese outside of traditional migratory bird hunting season frameworks. Both rules will give states a better opportunity to increase their light goose harvests. The FWS is also changing the way it manages national wildlife refuges in the mid-continent region to make them less attractive to snow geese. The Service will seek input from its partners and other interested organizations and individuals to begin to determine the scope and participants for a long-term study of other potential control measures. The Canadian Wildlife Service is currently conducting its own regulatory impact analysis statement on the overabundant light goose problem. The agency has also proposed regulatory changes for the 1999/2000 hunting season for certain provinces that include a number of the same measures that will be taken in the United States. Additional information is available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://www.fws.gov/r9mbmo/issues/snowgse/tblcont.html. The comments filed by The Ornithological Council can be found on BIRDNET (click on the "Expert Help" page)
FY2000 RESEARCH BUDGETS (BRD, FWS, FS). The Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) submitted a budget request for FY2000 (total of $159 million) that is approximately $4 million below actual FY1994 funding levels. There has been no adjustment for inflation, so in actual dollars, if the Congress accedes to this request, BRD will be operating on nearly $24 million less than it did six years ago. The entire USGS budget request is 5% higher than last year's appropriation, but the BRD request is actually slightly lower than the FY99 appropriation. A major change in the USGS budget involves the re-allocation of funds from the four USGS divisions (Biological Resources, Water, Mapping, and Geology) to create a program known as "Department of Interior Science Support." The two components of this cross-divisional program are Place-based Studies (including Great Lakes, Platte River, Yellowstone, and Mojave ecosystems) and Department of Interior priority projects, including amphibian research and monitoring, real-time hazard warnings, a coral reef task force. The steady erosion in BRD funding is being felt in the Science Centers. Some have little or no base research funds and must rely entirely on cyclical funds or contracts with agencies outside the Department of the Interior. Many researchers are now on contract status rather than employee status. The Cooperative Study Units will remain at the same funding level as FY99 if the FY2000 budget request is appropriated. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) budget request seeks approximately $1.6 billion, a record amount that includes a $27 million increase for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Plans and projects encompassed in this request include hiring an additional 87 biologists and other refuge staff, supporting 164 projects on 167 refuges, excluding and controlling invasive alien species, and addressing maintenance backlogs. Migratory bird programs did not fare as well as expected. Although FWS Director Jamie Rappaport Clark has stated that migratory birds are one of the agency's top four priorities for the next two years, the FY2000 budget request includes only a modest increase of $1.8 million to expand migratory bird conservation and monitoring. Also requested is an increase of $288,000 for Migratory Bird Management permit operations. The Multinational Species Conservation Fund includes $1 million for neotropical migratory birds. The Forest Service FY2000 request includes an increase in research funding of $38 million, including a $10.9 million increase for Wildlife, Fish, Watershed, and Air Research, which would be used primarily for threatened and endangered wildlife species. The $16.7 million increase requested for Vegetation Management and Protection Research would be used for non-native invasive plant and animal species research and climate change technology research. Research on forest resources inventory and monitoring would receive an additional $34.6 million.
EXECUTIVE ORDER ON INVASIVE SPECIES--On 3 Feb 1999, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13112, directing Federal agencies to use their authorities to prevent the introduction of invasive species, to control, monitor and to restore native species. The EO establishes a Federal interagency Invasive Species Council (Council), co-chaired by the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce and includes State, Treasury, Defense, Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Council will be directed to create an invasive species management plan. The Secretary of the Interior will establish an advisory committee to provide information and advice for consideration by the Council including recommended plans and actions at the local, state, regional and ecosystem- based levels to achieve the goals of the Management Plan. The Council will act in cooperation with states, tribes, scientific, agricultural and conservation communities and other stakeholders. The Council has seven duties: (1) overseeing implementation of the EO; (2) supporting field- level planning; (3) identifying international recommendations; (4) creating National Environmental Policy Act guidance; (5) establishing an impact monitoring network; (6) developing a web-based information network; (7) preparing a National Invasive Species Management Plan. The Management Plan, which will include detailed goals, objectives and measures of success and will identify needed personnel and other resources, is due within 18 months after the EO is issued and will be prepared in consultation with various stakeholders at the state and local levels. It will be updated every two years with an accompanying public report on success in implementation. The first edition of the Management Plan will review relevant existing programs and authorities, recommended needed measures, and identify legislative needs.
NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION ACT On 6 Jan 1999, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) introduced H.R. 39, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The bill recognizes the need to protect neotropical migratory birds and provides funding for conservation projects, including: 1) protection and management of neotropical migratory bird populations; 2) maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of neotropical migratory bird habitat; 3) research and monitoring; 4) law enforcement; 5) community outreach and education. The funding would provide up to 33% of the project cost. For projects in the United States, the matching funds must be paid in cash whereas the matching share in other countries can be provided in cash or in kind. The bill appropriates $8 million per year for each fiscal year 2000 through 2004, and provides that at least half the funds must be expended for projects outside the U.S. On 19 Jan 1999, Sen. Spencer Abraham (R - Michigan), Sen. Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota), Sen.John Chafee (D- Rhode Island), Sen. Orin Hatch, (R-Utah), and Sen.Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) introduced S. 148, also known as the Neotropical Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Senate bill is essentially the same as the House bill.
COMINGS AND GOINGS AT FWS--Endangered Species Chief LaVerne Smith is stepping down, while Office of Migratory Bird Management (MBMO) Chief Paul Schmidt is now the Deputy Assistant Director for Refuges and Wildlife. Albert Manville, who was the Branch Chief for Policy Coordination and Communication, remains at MBMO, but he is now focusing his attention on seabirds. He is also leading an effort to engage the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration in a joint effort to reduce avian mortality caused by collisions with communications towers. Cyndi Perry will soon re-join MBMO. Her expertise in permitting should help to bring that program current in developing and implementing regulatory and procedural improvements. Dan Petit has left MBMO and is now at the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey out in Reston, where he will be Coordinator for one of the program elements of BRD, "Application of Science to Management."
CASPIAN TERNS FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. In order to protect endangered salmonid species from predation by Caspian Terns, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed to re-locate the tern colony to a different, man-made island. Relying on Francesca J. Cuthbert, Ph.D. and Linda R. Wires' (the authors of the Birds of North America species account of the Caspian Tern) assessment of the Corps' Environmental Assessment, as well as comments authored by Craig Harrison on behalf of the Pacific Seabird Group to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on its Draft Predation Action Plan, OC urged the Corps to defer its decision, rather than proceed with preliminary data and without peer review. The Corps has since issued a Finding of No Significant Impact and plans to proceed with a modified pilot relocation project this year.
THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT (AWA) regulations presently do not apply to birds (or rats and mice). Several organizations and individuals have petitioned the USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/Animal Care program to amend the definition of "animal" in the AWA to eliminate the express exclusion of birds, rats, and mice. In a Federal Register notice dated 28 Jan 1998 (64 FR 4356), APHIS requested comments on this petition. APHIS has taken the position that the Secretary of Agriculture (through the delegation of AWA authority to APHIS) has broad power to include or exclude certain animals in the regulation. It appears, based on the Federal Register notice, that the primary reason APHIS has excluded these taxa is a lack of resources (funding and inspectors) to carry out additional enforcement. APHIS believes that extending AWA coverage would significantly affect overall AWA enforcement. Furthermore, APHIS asserts that at least 90% of rats, mice, and birds being used in biomedical research are already protected by the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Animal Welfare Assurance required of research institutions receiving PHS funding. Private accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International involves inspections and reviews of accredited laboratories that meet or exceed the animal care standards set out in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, a publication of the National Research Council. The Ornithological Council would also like to hear your views on the subject (by e-mail to epaul@dclink.com or by fax to 301-986-5205). You may also wish to comment to APHIS directly. If you choose to comment directly, please take the time to read the full Federal Register notice. It can be found at www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a990128c.html. (Scroll down to Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). Additional information on the Animal Welfare Act and regulations can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/new/aw.html. DEADLINE: March 29,1999. Comments should be submitted to Docket No.98-106-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unite 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Send an original and three copies and state that the comments refer to Docket No.98-106-1. Comments will also be accepted by Internet. Use the form found at http://comments.aphis.usda.gov. Electronic comments need only be submitted once.
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, under the leadership of its new Director, Dr. Rita Colwell, is organizing its environmental portfolio under the theme: Biocomplexity in the Environment (BE). According to NSF, "BE describes an NSF wide set of increasingly coordinated activities in environmental science, engineering, and education. It includes both focused initiatives and core research programs aimed at fostering research on the complex interdependencies among the elements of specific environmental systems and the interactions of different types of systems. NSF's FY 2000 investment for BE totals about $670 million, an increase of $70 million over the FY 1999 level of approximately $600 million." "BE reflects the evolution of NSF thinking about how NSF-supported research on the environment can best take advantage of opportunities provided by advances throughout science and engineering and, at the same time, be most valuable to the developing program of federal activities related to the environment. It incorporates and provides greater context for the suite of activities described in earlier years under the rubric Life and Earth's Environment. The key connector for BE activities is complexity - the idea that research on the individual components of environmental systems provides only limited information about the behavior of the systems themselves. Careful attention to the interplay among components is critical to obtaining the level of credible predictive information on which management and regulatory decisions must be made. It is also critical to advancing the fields of research that focus on environmental challenges." "Three overlapping and highly interactive categories of research activity describe NSF's ongoing efforts related to the environment: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics; Environment and the Human Dimension; and Global Environmental Change. In all of these, resources are committed to development of measurement tools, observatories, databases, predictive models, international connections, integration of education, and other cross-cutting concerns."
A PROVISION IN THE 1999 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL (PL 105-277) requires the Office of Management and Budget to require all federal agencies to require that all data produced under federal research grants made to institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations be made available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. Rep. George Brown (D-CA) has introduced H.R. 88 to repeal this provision of the Appropriations Bill. How to express your views: On 4 Feb 1999, the Office of Management and Budget published a proposed revision to Circular A-110 that would implement the requirement in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Comments should be addressed to F. JAMES CHARNEY, Policy Analyst, Office of Management and Budget, Room 6025, New Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20503. If possible, include a word processing version of comments on a computer disk. Comments may be sent by e-mail to fcharney@omb.eop.gov. If sending comments by e-mail, please be sure to include the name of the organization, full postal address, title of the author, and e-mail address. Deadline for comments on the OMB proposed revision: 5 Apr 1999. You may also want to write to your elected officials to expresses your views on H.R. 88.
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD (NSB), which is the governing body for the National Science Foundation (NSF) has created a Task Force on the Environment for the purpose of assisting the NSF in defining the scope of its role in environmental research, education, and assessment, and in determining the best means of implementing activities related to this area. The Task Force is seeking input and feedback from concerned communities via a web site: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/tfe/ that also provides additional information on the Task Force and its progress to date. Respondents were asked to e-mail their comments to <TFE@nsf.gov> by 28 February 1999 to ensure that the Task Force has an opportunity to consider them in the drafting of their report.
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INFORMATION NEEDED FOR BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA species account. Any unpublished information,
personal observations, and obscure references will be greatly appreciated and acknowledged.
BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecia) and ARCTIC WARBLER (Phylloscopus borealis). All information will be useful.
CRAIG HOHENBERGER, Big Sur Ornithology lab, 20 Asoleado Ct., Carmel Valley, CA 93924, (831-659-7249;
chohenbe@carmelmiddle.org).
NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma imberbe), Information on this species is very scarce.
CHRIS TENNEY, 428 Capitol St., Salinas, CA 93901.
POST-DOCTORAL POSITION sought I am looking for a post-doctoral position. I received my Ph.D. in biological sciences from Université de Montréal last May. In my thesis, I tested Darwin's hypothesis that there is a negative relationship between song complexity and plumage conspicuousness in songbirds. Working with North American species of Emberizidae, Parulidae, Icteridae, Thraupidae and Cardinalidae, I instead found a weak positive relationship between these traits. Songs were taken from recordings and colors from specimens and illustrations in field guides. Various song characteristics were used to measure song complexity. My method for measuring plumage conspicuousness is presented in Can. J. Zool. 75: 1972-1981. I have a good knowledge of Canary 1.1, Ted Garland's PDAP package (which I used to calculate independent contrasts and perform computer simulations of evolution), SAS (for canonical correlation analyses), StatView, Excel and Word. As a T.A., I have also gained experience with strip transects and mist-netting. Since the completion of my Ph.D., I have carried out a bird survey in a suburban forest and I have experimented with a spectroradiometer. To take a look at my resume, write to me at derepeny@magellan.umontreal.ca.
SIGHTINGS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS--I am looking for information on anyone banding Double-crested Cormorants in the southeast or east coast. I have numerous sightings each year of USFWS banded cormorants on a lake in south central Florida. Email me at cmillian@archbold-station.org or phone me at 941-699-0242.
GOLDEN-PLOVERS (Pluvialis fulva and P. dominica) have been banded on Oahu, HI; Johnston Island, Pacific Ocean; and near Nome, AK. Each bird wears a FWS metal band plus some combination of color bands or color flags. Observers are asked to note the colors and exact sequence of all bands or flags on the bird. It is important that we know which leg carries the particular color(s) and, where used together, whether the color band is above or below the metal band. We are especially interested in migration routes and the locations of breeding grounds. Sightings are possible over vast areas including the insular Pacific, Pacific coast, portions of South and Central America, prairie regions of the U.S. and Canada, Alaska, and northeastern Russia. Please send observations with as much information as possible to OSCAR JOHNSON, Dept. Biol., Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59717 (406-994-4548; FAX 406-994-3190; e-mail owjplovers@montana.campuscw.net) or PHILLIP BRUNER, Nat. Sci. Div., BYU-Hawaii, Laie, HI 96762 (808-293-3820; FAX 808-293-3825) or ROBERT GILL, Nat. Biol. Service, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503 (907-786-3514; FAX 907-786-3636).
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS (Pluvialis squatarola) have been banded near Nome, AK. We ask that observers along the Pacific coast be alert to possible sightings of these birds during spring migration. Each bird wears a FWS metal band plus two color bands on one leg, and a single color band on the opposite leg. It is important that we know the exact combination of color(s) carried on each leg. Please send observations with as much information as possible to OSCAR JOHNSON, Dept. Biol., Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59717 (406-994-4548; FAX 406-994-3190; e-mail: owjplovers@montana.campuscw.net) or ROBERT GILL, Nat. Biol. Service, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503 (907-786-3514; FAX 907-786-3636).
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POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
NOTE the printed version of the Ornithological Newsletter no longer contains job advertisements. As of the August '97 issue, the Positions and Opportunities section is available only in the on-line edition. This edition can be accessed directly at http://www.ornith.cornell.edu/OSNA/ornjobs.htm. This job list is edited once a week. Consequently, submissions can be made at any time, and advertisements are maintained until approximately the due date for submissions. Expect the on-line list to change both in content and format in the near future. Also, in the near future a list-serve service will be put into operation that will send job announcements to subscribers via e-mail. Many public libraries provide free Internet access.
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READERS ARE REMINDED that information on deadlines, etc., of grants listed in the third edition of "Grants, Awards and Prizes in Ornithology" is not repeated here. Only revisions of information in that booklet can be reported here, because of space limitations.
WILDLIFE LINKS-REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through a cooperative agreement with the United States Golf Association, requests preproposals for projects that address wildlife conservation needs on golf courses. Areas of interest include: analysis of management and design techniques for increasing biodiversity on golf courses; research to determine if certain habitat characteristics result in wildlife corridors or barriers on golf courses; preparation of management guidelines for specific species or species suites; programs to monitor the success of wildlife habitat conservation programs on golf courses; and the effects of golfer and maintenance activities on wildlife. All projects must address issues of direct management concern to the golf industry, and should provide management recommendations applicable on at least a regional basis. In addition, proposals should indicate that golf courses have been contacted and will be formal project partners. Request should not exceed $25,000 per year, yet multi-year funding is possible. Deadline for preproposals is Friday, 16 Jul 1999. Applicants will be notified by the end of July if a full proposal is requested. Full proposals will be due by September 14, 1999, with funding available in February of 2000. For preproposal guidelines, please visit the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's website: www.nfwf.org or contact KATIE DISTLER, NFWF, via email: distler@nfwf.org.
THE PARTNERS IN FLIGHT AWARDS COMMITTEE announces the winners of the 1998 PIF Investigations, Stewardship, Public Awareness and Leadership awards. The following nine individuals and groups are recognized for their exceptional accomplishments and contributions to the field of migratory bird conservation. Their efforts have furthered the goal of protecting migratory birds and their habitats. PIF wishes to thank Birder's World magazine for their sponsorship of the 1998 PIF awards. Birder's World has been the award sponsors from its inception in 1995. Also, we would like to thanks artist David plank of Salem Missouri for his donation of the signed and numbered purple martin prints used in this years award. Investigations: Sidney Gauthreaux--The rapid evolution of Radar Ornithology, under the leadership of Dr. Sidney Gauthreaux of Clemson University, has revolutionized our understanding of bird migration. It was Dr. Gauthreaux's presentation of radar data at the Wood's Hole Symposium in December 1989 that confirmed a general decline of neotropical migrants. That single presentation propelled PIF to become the focus of wide-ranging bird conservation efforts today. Mississippi alluvial valley researchers and planners group has helped restore thousands of acres of forests for songbirds and early fall water for shorebirds. The Mississippi Alluvial Valley group has clearly influenced the direction and efforts to integrate all bird conservation efforts at the international level has clearly made its mark on the future of PIF. An important publication arising from this group is A land manager's guide to point counts of birds in the Southeast by Paul Hamel et al. Stewardship: The Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation (SWCC) delivers three major stewardship programs in the province: Native Prairie, Streambank and Prairie Shores. The SWCC has secured 186 native prairie landowner voluntary stewardship agreements, representing 70,000 acres. They have conducted inventories of 574 riparian sites in 16 watersheds. They have acquired and improved 28,000 acres of native grassland and wetlands around Quill Lakes while still supporting cattle grazing and the endangered Piping Plover. Ronnie Shell stands out among wildlife professionals by having long focused on how to best integrate the needs of vulnerable nongame birds and traditional management. As manager of the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, Ronnie has aggressively managed the largest population of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in the Southern Piedmont. He has worked with partners, such as the Trust for Public Land, to develop the Ocmulgee Greenway to maintain a continuous mature forest structure in an increasingly fragmented landscape. Public Awareness: Rhonda Millikin of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) works with local community groups, schools and colleges to increase public awareness of songbirds both in Canada and internationally. She has been able to link ongoing research projects such as MAPS and the BBS, with new community-based monitoring. She has developed a vision for the future and is working hard to ensure that the vision becomes reality. Rhonda has spearheaded the CWS landbird monitoring program in British Columbia in recent years. Mark Johns's workshops, articles and consultations across North Carolina have led to the training of 202 individuals in conducting point counts, Breeding Bird Survey routes, migration monitoring and Christmas Bird Counts. Collaborative projects between North Carolina PIF, Weyerhauser and Champion include educational projects and the management of forested riparian buffers on industrial forest land. Mark is continually recruiting volunteers for projects, and has been able to energize his state's partners to realize bird conservation. Leadership: Robert Ford and the Tennessee Conservation League established the "Tri-State Songbird Initiative," which became the Interior Low Plateaus PIF Bird Conservation Plan, one of the first PIF plans written. Bob was a leader in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain Bird Conservation Plan. Bob spear-headed an international partnership between the Tennessee Ornithological Society and the Annabella Dod Birding Club in the Dominican Republic. Because of Bob Ford, managers are seriously adapting songbird habitat management and restoration objectives to the land. Terrell Rich has chaired the Western Working Group for five years and the PIF Management Steering Committee for three. He has organized two international meetings and nine regional meetings, all while working as the Bureau of Land Management's bird program coordinator in the Boise office. He has developed education material and priority species publications. He conducts research on shrub steppe birds. Terry is an eloquent spokesperson and an insightful, effective leader. Terry makes us all realize that the human element is essential to our success. Leadership and Stewardship: Eduardo Santana and the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve group-Eduardo has been instrumental in establishing the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve, and has spent countless hours helping the people of the area understand the importance of this reserve as a conservation centerpiece, a valuable source of drinking water and a biological reserve for endemic and migratory wildlife. Under the outstanding leadership and direction of Eduardo Santana, the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve group has conducted numerous studies on the flora, fauna, ecology, ethnobotany, physiography, ecology and sociology of this reserve. The biosphere reserve is a model illustrating that protecting valuable habitat can be a practical solution to many problems in an area occupied by large numbers of people. Nomination forms for the 1999 PIF Awards should be requested from: BRAD JACOBS, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. E-mail: jacobb@mail.conservation.state.mo.us.
THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY (ABC) announces that the deadline for applications to its Small Grants Program will now be once a year. Proposals are due at ABC's offices in Washington, D.C. by 15 Sep, and applicants will be informed of grant decisions in December. The grant program will continue to provide support for conservation projects conducted in Latin American and the Caribbean. Full details and an application form can be found on ABC's website at www.abcbirds.org.
TRAVEL AWARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL ETHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE: BANGALORE, INDIA, 2-9 Aug 1999. The U.S. Ethological Conference Committee has received a grant from the NSF for partial support (about $1000 each) of travel for younger scientists to attend the XXVI IEC meeting. Younger scientists are defined as those who received their Ph.D. degree between 1994 and 1998 or who will complete their degree during 1999. US citizens and foreign scientists working in a US college or university are eligible. Submit the following items to Dr. H. CARL GERHARDT, Division of Biological Sciences, 215 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 to be received no later than 22 Feb 1999: (a) 7 copies of a 1-2 page CV; (b) 7 copies of an abstract you are submitting or have submitted to the IEC committee; and (c) 7 copies each of two letters of recommendation. Letters are preferably sent separately, but could also be sent by the applicant in sealed envelopes. For those who have not received their Ph.D., the advisor's letter should include the assurance that the degree will be completed during 1999. We hope to notify all applicants of the outcome of their applications well before 1 June 1999. Other questions about this competition should be addressed to Dr. Gerhardt at the address above, by phone (573-882-7219), or e-mail: bioscarl@showme.missouri.edu.
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BETTER BIRDWATCHING CD-ROMs is proud to announce the release of the second CD of the multimedia guide to Colorado birds, Better Birdwatching in Colorado, Volume 2. $39.99 + $1.50 shipping (Colorado residents add 3% sales tax). Better Birdwatching CDs are designed to increase enjoyment of birds by providing information about Colorado birds in the form of text, pictures, audio and video. Highlights on Vol. 2 include: 274 species of doves, owls, goatsuckers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and songbirds. New features on CD#2 are average and extreme arrival/departure dates for migratory species, details about nesting and songs for each species, and sharper and brighter graphics. Discounts available on multiple purchases or for customers who have previously purchased and registered CD#1. Order over the phone by credit card, or send check or money to: Better Birdwatching CD-ROMs, 6161/2 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 1-888-414-2837. To order over the internet, visit http://members.aol.com/birdcdroms or http://www.birdwatching.com. CD#1 is available from http://www.amazon.com and CD#2 will be available there soon. Better Birdwatching CD_ROMS offers a free email support service to help birdwatchers, the Betterbird Listserv. To join, simply send an email to birdcdroms@aol.com requesting membership on the Betterbird Listserv.
"VOICES OF THE WOODCREEPERS" by J. W. Hardy, et al., revised 1998 A third edition of this ARA Records publication is now available. This new edition contains examples of several additional species, including the recently described Brigida's Woodcreeper. For ordering information, please enquire by e-mail: ttaylor@flmnh.ufl.edu, or write to ARA Records, P.O. Box 12347, Gainesville, FL 32604-0347.
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JOURNAL GIVEAWAY Complete run of Auk 1972-1997 and Wilson Bulletin 1976-1997 available for cost of shipping. Email roger@edf.org or telephone 212 879-4885.
FOR SALE: Two copies of the "Papers From the 1987 Conference on Loon Research and Management." Edited by Paul I.V. Strong, published by the North American Loon Fund. Each copy available for $20.00 to cover shipping and handling. Contact TED GOSTOMSKI, SOEI, Northland College, Ashland, WI 54806; (715) 682-1220; LoonWatch@wheeler.northland.edu.
FOR SALE: Stanley Cramp's (ed) "Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa", vols. I-V. Like new with dust covers. $100/vol. $475 for all; "The Birds of Africa", vols. I (Brown et. al) and II (Urban et.al.). Mint condition with covers. $100/vol.; and Farner and King's "Avian Biology", 9 vols. Complete set $495. Buyer pays shipping. Contact RALPH R. MOLDENHAUER, P.O. Box 984, Dubois, WY 82513 (mmoldenh@wyoming.com)
FOR SALE: Auk [Vol 32(3), 39(1,2), 42(1,3,4), 48(1,2,4), 49(1-4), 50(1,2), 51(1-4), 52(2,3,4), 53(1), 58(1-4), 59(4), 60(3), 65(1), 66(4), 67(1,2,3), 68(3), 69(2,3), 70(2,3,4), 71(1,2,3), 72(4), 73(1-4), 75(3,4), 76(2), 77(1-4), 78(1-4), 91-95(1-4), 96(4), 97(4), 98(1-4), 99(1,2,4), 100-105(1-4), 106(1,4), 107(1,2,3)]; Condor [Vol 75-78(1-4), 79(1,4), 80(1-4), 81(1), 82(4), 83(1-4), 84(1,3,4), 85-93 (1-4)]; Wilson Bulletin [Vol 86-90(1-4), 91(1,4), 92(2,3,4), 93-101(1-4), 102(1,2), 103(2)]; Journal of Field Ornithology [Vol 55-56(1-4), 57-58(1-3), 59(1,2,4), 61(1,2,3, suppl)]; Cladistics [Vol 1-5(1-4), 6(1,2,3)]; Systematic Zoology [Vol 1-38(1-4), 39-40(1-2)]. All journals in good condition. Will take best offer + postage. Contact Dr. STEVE SHEFFIELD (sshffld@clemson.edu).
WANTED: We need to purchase Condor Volume 1 to complete our office library collection. Please contact MARK SOGGE (520-556-7311 or msogge@usgs.nau.edu).
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* in this section indicates new or revised entry
EASTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION annual meeting, 16-18 Apr 1999, at the Airport Holiday Inn in Rochester, New York, hosted by Braddock Bay Bird Observatory. The theme is "migration monitoring". For information contact Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, PO Box 12876, Rochester, NY 14612 or ELIZABETH BROOKS <brookser@infoblvd.net>. For information on the Poster Presentation contact MARTHA ZETTEL <Martha_Zettel@urmc.rochester.edu>. A limited number of student travel awards are available which can be used to defray any travel-related expense. Students interested in a travel award should send a letter detailing their requests to: ROY S. SLACK, Chairman, EBBA Student Travel Award Committee, 234 Besaw Road, Phoenix, NY 13135.
4TH INTERNATIONAL URBAN WILDLIFE SYMPOSIUM will be held in Tucson, AZ 1-5 May 1999. It will be co-hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the University of Arizona.For more information, contact: Urban Wildlife Symposium, 325 BSE, School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (http://ag.arizona.edu/urbanwildlife).
BIRD STRIKE '99. The first combined meeting of Bird Strike Committee USA and Bird Strike Committee Canada will be held 9-13 May 1999 at the Delta Pacific Resort and Conference Centre in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. For further information, contact BRUCE MACKINNON, Transport Canada, Safety and Security, Aerodrome Safety Branch, 330 Sparks St., Place de Ville, Tower C, Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0N8 (613-990-0515; Fax 613-990-0508; mackinb@tc.gc.ca
15TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIOTELEMETRY (9-14 May), Juneau, Alaska, sponsored by the International Society on Biotelemetry and hosted by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Auke Bay Laboratory. Conference contacts: 15th Organizing Committee, P.O. Box 35205, Juneau, Alaska 99803 (907-789-6033; Fax 907-789-6094; john.eiler@noaa.gov; www.indstate.edu/isb) Organizing President: John H. Eiler, National Marine Fisheries Service.
*THE 1999 COLORADO FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS ANNUAL CONVENTION will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Ft. Collins, 19-23 May 1999. Great field trips and workshops are planned! All are welcome! WILLIAM S. CLARK, the author of the Peterson field guide, "Hawks", is the keynote speaker and will present his address "Raptor Migration World-Wide" at the evening banquet on Saturday, May 22nd. Bill will be also be teaching beginning raptor ID from 8:00-12:00 noon and advanced raptor ID from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 20th. Registration forms will be available around February 1st. Contact RACHEL KOLOKOFF by phone at 970-495-1751 or by e-mail at hopko@frii.com. Visit the CFO website at: http://www.frii.com/~hopko for the latest information on the convention.
WESTERN FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS will hold their 24th Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, 3-6 Jun 1999. THEODORE G. TOBISH, JR. (2510 Foraker Dr, Anchorage 99517; 907-248-2153; tobishtg@ci.anchorage.ak.us), ROBERT E. GILL, JR. (NBS, Alaska Research Center, 1011 East Tudor Rd, Anchorage 99503; 907-786-3514; robert_gill@usgs.gov), and STANLEY E. SENNER (P.O. Box 102264, Anchorage 99510-2264; 907-278-8012; stan_senner@oilspill.state.ak.us) will chair the Local Organizing Committee. Details about meeting and field trips, and registration information, will be posted on the WFO Web Site (www.wfo-cbrc.org).
*SOUTH DAKOTA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION 1999 Spring Meeting, 4-6 Jun 1999, in Hot Springs, SD, will be held in conjunction with the dedication of The Nature Conservancy's Nathaniel and Mary Whitney Preserve at Cascade Creek. For further information, please contact JOCELYN BAKER at jociebk@hills.net or 3220 Kirkwood Drive, Rapid City, SD 57702.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 10-13 Jun 1999, will be held in Waterville, Maine, at the invitation of Colby College. The local host, W. HERBERT WILSON, may be reached at Dept. of Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901 (207-872-3432, Fax: 207-872-3555, whwilson@colby.edu). WILLIAM E. DAVIS is the Program Chair for the meeting. Anyone with questions about the scientific program or symposia may contact him by e-mail at wedavis@bu.edu or by phone at 617-353-2886.
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF DISTANCE SAMPLING SURVEYS. Two workshops 14-17 Jun and 21-24 Jun 1999, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Presented by Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment (University of St Andrews, Scotland) and Colorado Co-operative Fish and Wildlife Unit. For details, contact RHONA RODGER, Workshop Organizer (rhona@dcs.st-and.ac.uk).
SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, 1999 annual meeting, will be held 17-21 June at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. For information visit www.inform.umd.edu/SCB, or contact David Inouye (di5@umail.umd.edu; 301-405-6946).
THE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING will be held 26 Jun - 1 Jul 1999 at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Plenary speakers include Gail Michener, Lynne Houck, and Steve Nowicki. Symposia include "Educating about Animal Behavior: A Broader Perspective". For further information contact local host, MICHAEL PEREIRA [mpereira@bucknell.edu, (717) 524-1430] or see http://www.cisab.indiana.edu/ABS/index.html].
2ND INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CONGRESS; Wildlife, Land, and People: Priorities for the 21st Century;(28 Jun - 2 Jul 1999) Godollo University of Agricultural Sciences (Hungary) and The Wildlife Society (USA). For information, please contact The Wildlife Society, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 USA (301-897-9770; Fax: 301-530-2471; tws@wildife.org; web: www.wildlife.org/2iwmc.html).
*III CONGRESS, MESOAMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION: All researchers are invited to participate in this week-long congress, 4-9 Jul 1999, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Field trips are offered on 10-12 July. More than 500 participants are expected, from all branches of biology and conservation. The congress provides an important opportunity for foreign researchers looking for local collaborators, national contacts for government permissions, or information on potential field sites, since most participants will be Central American and Mexican. The first day will be dedicated to registration and the inauguration, while the following days will have scheduled papers sessions, symposia and workshops. One day will be reserved to celebrate the annual general assembly of the Society. The objective of the congress is to "Promote the exchange of information and progress in the field of conservation biology." The activities include keynote lectures, open papers sessions, symposia and workshops on specific topics or projects, and poster and audiovisual sessions. There will also be roundtable discussions of topics related to the Society's mission, ecotourism trips (during the weekend of 10-12 July), and cultural activities that will demonstrate the cultural richness of the country. Field trips are scheduled to visit Biotopo del Quetzal, Manchon Guamuchal, Reserva Natural Monterrico, Biotopo Chocon Machacas, Reserva de Biosfera Sierra de Las Minas-Albores, and Parque Nacional Tikal. Papers on any topic related to biology or conservation are welcome, but are especially sought if they match one of six general themes for the congress: (1) Ecology of fragmentation of the tropical landscape; (2) Studies for the selection and conservation of priority areas; (3) Genetics and conservation (taxonomy, phylogenetics, population structure, applied biotechnology, wildlife); (4) Agroecology, integration of agrosystems with wild species; (5) Integration of indigenous knowledge and community participation in the conservation of natural resources; and (6) Land use and planning. The program of symposia, workshops, open papers sessions, plus information on lodging, registration costs, and deadlines, can be seen in the Congress Convocatoria, at the Society's webpage: http://ccb.stanford.edu/mesoamericana/CONGRESO.htm. The deadline for abstracts is 31 Mar 1999 but requests for extensions will be considered. The Congress hosts include Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Centro para la Conservacion de la Biodiversidad de Guatemala, and Fideicomiso para la Conservacion de Guatemala. For more information, contact MERCEDES BARRIOS (Congress Coordinator), Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, or PILAR NEGREROS (Scientific Program Coordinator), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, or ANA CAROLINA ROSALES ZAMORA, Country Representative for Guatemala of the Sociedad Mesoamericana para la Biologia y la Conservacion, Avenida La Reforma 0-63 zona 10, Guatemala. C.P. 01010, (EM: cecon@usac.edu.gt, PH: 502-334-6064; 331-0904 Fax: 502-334-7664. You may also contact the Society's US representative for the latest information in English: MARK BONTA, Louisiana State University (PH: 504-383-1073; EM: mbonta@ibm.net).
SOCIETY OF CARIBBEAN ORNITHOLOGY MEETING will be held 29 Jul - 5 Aug 1999, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Meeting features workshops on environmental education, exotic birds in the Caribbean, and monitoring Caribbean birds. Also, meetings of working groups (West Indian Whistling Duck, Carib. Seabirds), technical sessions, and field trips. For information contact KATE WALLACE (809 238-5345; WALLACEKATE@hotmail.com).
5th WORLD CONGRESS, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY (IALE), 29 Jul-3 Aug 1999, Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA. The theme is "The Science and the Action." For information, e-mail iale@lamar.colostate.edu, see http://lamar.colostate.edu/~iale/Congress.htm, or fax: 970-491-2204.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: 1999 Annual Meeting of the Society of Canadian Ornithologists. The meeting will be held at McGill University, Montreal, 5-7 Aug 1999. The focus is on scientific approaches to saving birds, from gene and species conservation to community-level and habitat studies. Rooms are available on 5 August for public or closed meetings of interested organizations. For information on any aspect of this meeting, contact GILLES SEUTIN, Dept Geography, McGill Univ., 805 Sherbrooke W, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 2K6 (Fax: 514- 398-7437; seutin@felix.geog.mcgill.ca).
*THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION will hold its 117th Stated Meeting at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 8 - 14 Aug 1999. Circular of Information was mailed to AOU members in March. Plenary speaker will be Glen E. Woolfenden on Thu, 12 Aug. There will be four half-day symposia, concurrent with contributed paper sessions, on Fri, 13 Aug, and Sat, 14 Aug: Impact of bird predation on arthropod populations and its implications for ecosystems (organized by Russell Greenberg and Robert Marquis); Citizen Science: Two decades of progress and prospects for the volunteer in ornithology (organized by Richard Bonney); Urbanization and birds: Impacts at multiple ecological scales (organized by Reed Bowman and Kevin McGowan); and Behavioral ecology: Foundations and prospects (organized by Andre Dhondt, Paul Sherman and Stephen Emlen). Any individual or group wishing to conduct a workshop or round table discussion should contact the Local Committee as soon as possible to arrange for space and equipment needs. These activities will be scheduled for Wed, 11 Aug. Organized round-tables include: Data management and access in avian collections (organized by Kevin Winker; ffksw@uaf.edu). North American Ornithological Atlas Committee (contact Sally Laughlin, NORAC Chair, PO Box 157, Cambridge, VT 95444-0157, (802) 644-5651; Chan Robbins, Vice Chair; chan_robbins@nbs.gov), a loose committee of states and provinces involved in atlasing, will hold a full day session Wed with round-tables on various topics, including the repeat atlases now beginning in the Northeast. Avian mortality at communication towers (organized by Bill Evans and Albert Manville; contact Julie St. Louis; Julie_St._Louis@fws.gov) to be held Wed, 11 Aug, 13:00-17:30. Deadline for Student Awards is 7 May 1999. Deadline for Abstract submission is 7 May 1999. See Circular of Information and web page for additional details and for meeting information: http://www.fmnh.org/aou/aoupage.htm. For information on local arrangements contact AOU Local Committee, ATTN: DAVID WINKLER, Section of Ecology and Systematics, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701(dww4@cornell.edu). For information on the Scientific Program contact PETER E. LOWTHER, AOU Program Coordinator, The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd at Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605-2496, (lowther@fmnh.org).
THE VIII BRAZILIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS changed dates to 22-27 Aug 1999. Additional information at our web address: http://ultra.pucrs.br/museu/ornito.
THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY 6TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship through Science and Education (7-11Sep 1999); Austin, Texas USA. Deadline for Call for Papers is 10 Feb 1999. For information please contact The Wildlife Society, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 USA (301-897-9770; Fax: 301-530-2471; tws@wildife.org; web: www.wildlife.org/2iwmc.html)
3RD EURASIAN CONFERENCE OF RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION. Date: 21-26 Sep 1999. Place: Txebor, Czech Republic. Contact address: PETR VOXM ek, Czech Society for Ornithology, Hornomlcholupska 34, CZ-102 00 Prague 10, Czech Republic (phone/fax ++420-2-7866700; cso.vorisek@bbs.infima.cz). Contact person for scientific program: KEITH L. BILDSTEIN, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, Pennsylvania, 19529-9449, phone 610-756-6961, fax 610-756-4468; bildstein@hawkmountain.org.
WESTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION, 1999 annual meeting, Reno, NV 24-26 Sep, hosted by University of Nevada, Reno, Lahontan Audubon Society, and Great Basin Bird Observatory. For information contact ALAN GUBANICH, Department of Biology/314, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557 (775-784-6652; aag@scs.unr.edu).
*BIRD RINGING 100 YEARS 1899 -1999 International Conference on Results and Perspectives of Bird Ringing, Helgoland / Germany (29 Sep - 03 Oct 1999). The conference will be held on the German island Helgoland where regular ringing started by Hugo Weigold, the first director of the Vogelwarte Helgoland, in 1909. The conference will be organized on behalf of EURING and the three German Ringing Schemes by Institut für Vogelforschung 'Vogelwarte Helgoland'.The Scientific Programme will comprise 6 plenaries, 10 symposia, and poster presentations. The plenaries are as follows: F. Bairlein: The use of bird rings in the study of migrations. F. Cooke: The use of bird rings in the study of population dynamics P. Grant: The use of bird rings in the study of life histories J.-D. Lebreton: The use of bird rings in the study of survival S. Baillie: The use of bird rings in management and conservation Y. Le Maho: Beyond bird marking with rings. The following symposia are planned: Migration routes; Migration ecology; Dispersal and population structure; Social behaviour and mating systems; Breeding ecology; Winter ecology; Individual covariates in survival; Beyond rings (radio transmitters, transponders, etc.); Integrated monitoring; Information systems. Each symposium will consist of 5 speakers of which 2 are invited by the convenor(s) and the other 3 will be selected from the list of submitted oral presentations by the convenor(s). Contributed oral papers not selected by the symposia convenors will be automatically accepted as posters. The Conference will be held in the NORDSEE-Halle on the Island of Helgoland. Financial aid will be offered by reduced registration rates. A bird ringing fair will offer exhibitions on ringing materials, radio transmitters, books, optics, etc. It will be on show within the main conference area. The plenaries and the two invited papers of each symposium will be published as an special issue of the journal ARDEA. The joint editor of the Proceedings is LUKAS JENNI, Switzerland. Papers not published in the Proceedings are invited to be submitted to the journal DIE VOGELWARTE which plans to publish a jubilee issue on the occasion of the 100 years of bird ringing. Abstracts of plenaries, symposia papers and poster papers will be published in a conference volume as well as on the conference home page. Abstracts must be submitted to the Local Organizers by 30 June 1999. All abstracts must be in English and should not contain figures or tables. Local Organizing Committee Chair: FRANZ BAIRLEIN & OMMO HÜPPOP, Institut fuer Vogelforschung, 'Vogelwarte Helgoland', An der Vogelwarte 21, D-26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany (Phone: (int) 49-4421-96890; Fax: (int) 49-4421-968955; E-mail: ifv@ifv-terramare.fh-wilhelmshaven.de. Scientific Programme Committee Chair: ARIE VAN NOORDWIJK, Netherlands (noordwijk@cto.nioo.knaw.nl). EURING The European Union for Bird Ringing, President: Fernando Spina, Italy (infsmigr@iperbole.bologna.it). This 2nd Announcement is also available on the 100 Years Bird Ringing home page: http://home.t-online.de/home/O.Hueppop-IFV/ifv_hp.htm
THE VI NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS will be convened by The Neotropical Ornithological Society for 4-10 Oct 1999 (note changed date) in Monterrey and Saltillo, Mexico. The local organizing committee is receiving inquiries on arrangements to hold symposia or other meetings that relate to the study and conservation of Neotropical avifauna. The Web site for the VI NOC, http://www-cestec1.mty.itesm.mx/VICON, will provide registration, abstract presentation and other details available or mail request to ERNESTO C. ENKERLIN, Chair of Organizing Committee: Centro de Calidad Ambiental; Sucursal de Correos J, Monterrey, NL 64849 MEXICO (Fax: 52(8)3596280; enkerlin@campus.mty.itesm.mx).
BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL'S XXII WORLD CONFERENCE will be held 14-17 Oct 1999 and will be preceded by the BirdLife Global Partnership Meeting, both to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
SCALE AND ACCURACY FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT MODELING SYMPOSIUM, 18-22 Oct 1999, Snowbird, Utah, sponsored by Biological Resources Division of the USGS, US Forest Service, Potlatch Corporation, Boise Cascade Corporation, and the Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society. For information contact KATHY MERK, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1141 (208-885-2750; kmerk@uidaho.edu).
*WATERBIRD SOCIETY, 1999 annual meeting date has been changed to 25-30 Oct. in Grado, Italy.
THE RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION 1999 meeting will be held on 3-7 Nov at the Araiza Inn and/or Los Arcos hotel in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico. For further information about the meeting contact RICARDO RODRIGUEZ ESTRELLA, Local Chair, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), km 1 carr. San Juan de la Costa, P.O. Box 128, La Paz, Baja California Sur, 23000 MEXICO. Telephone (112-536-33; Fax: 112-553-43 or 536-25). A probable associated symposium is related to "GIS, Ecology and Conservation of Raptors". For information about this symposium contact Ricardo Rodriguez Estrella or JAVIER BUSTAMANTE, CIBNOR, P.O. Box 128, La Paz, Baja California Sur, 23000 Mexico (112-536-33, Fax: 112-553-43 or 536-25; estrella@cibnor.mx).
THE 23RD INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS will be held in Beijing, China, on 11-17 Aug 2002. Information can be obtained via e-mail <infocenter@ioc.org.cn>, via the internet at <http://www.ioc.org.cn>, or via the home page of the 22nd congress at <http://www.ioc.org.za>. You may register and to submit abstracts via the internet. The following are contact addresses of people responsible for the 23rd Congress in Beijing. Professor XU WEISHU, Secretary-General of the 23rd Congress, Beijing Natural History Museum, 1-1-302, Beijing Science and Technology Commission Apt., Balizhuang, Haidian District, Beijing 100037, CHINA. (PH & FX:+ 86-10-6846-5605; EM:s-g@ioc.org.cn). The Honorable LIU FENG, Assistant Secretary-General of the 23rd Congress, China International Conference Center for Science and Technology, Xueyuan Nan Road, Beijing 100081, CHINA. (PH:+ 86-10-6217-4952; FX: +86-10-6218-0142; EM: liufeng@public.bta.net.cn). Requests to be included on the mailing list for brochures and for information on the 23rd Congress should be sent to the Secretary-General or Assistant Secretary-General of the 23rd Congress. All inquiries about the scientific program of the 23rd congress, as well as comments and suggestions for the general program, plenary lectures, and symposia should be sent to Dr. FERNANDO SPINA, Chair, Scientific Program Committee, 23rd Congress, Instituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, Via Ca' Fornacetta 9, I-40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), ITALY (PH:+39-51-65-12-111; FX: +39-51-79-66-28; EM: infsioc@iperbole.bologna.it). General questions and comments should be sent to Dr. WALTER J. BOCK, President of the 23rd Congress, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, 1200 Amsterdam Avenue, Mail Box 5521, New York, NY 10027-7004, USA. (PH: +1-212-854-4487; FX: 1-212-865-8246; EM: <wb4@columbia.edu>). Inquiries about the International Ornithological Committee should be sent to Dr. DOMINIQUE G. HOMBERGER, Secretary of the International Ornithological Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, 508 Life Sciences Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-1715, USA. (PH: +1-504-388-1747; FX:: +1-504-388-2597; EM: zodhomb@lsu.edu).
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JENNIFER L. BELL, Ph.D. has accepted a position as a research epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Her address is NIOSH, Division of Safety Research, Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch, 1095 Willowdale Road, MS/P-1133, Morgantown, WV 26505-2888. EM: zvd4@cdc.gov.
ROBERT W. BUTLER (EM) has received an Outstanding Alumni Award for 1998 from Simon Fraser University, British Columbia for his "longstanding devotion to wildlife conservation issues and as a scientist in the study of birds and ecology".
CHARLES D. DUNCAN has left the University of Maine at Machias, and the Institute for Field Ornithology which he founded there in 1984, to become Conservation Ornithologist for The Nature Conservancy's Wings of the Americas Program. His new address is: 638 Congress Street #305, Portland, Maine 04101. PH: 207-871-9295; FX: 207-842-6496; EM: cduncan@tnc.org.
ALAN KNOX has left as head of Buckinghamshire County Museum to move to Aberdeen University in Scotland as Manager of the University's Heritage Division. His work address is University of Aberdeen, Heritage Division, King's College, Aberdeen AB24 3SW, UK; PH: +44 1224 272 599,EM: a.g.knox@abdn.ac.uk
DIANE L. NEUDORF has accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Biology and Curator of the Texas Bird Sound Library at Sam Houston State University. Her new address is: Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341. PH: 409-294-1548; FX: 409-294-3940; EM: bio_dln@shsu.edu.
MICHAEL R. NORTH has taken a position as a Regional Environmental Assessment Ecologist with the Minnesota DNR, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401. PH: 218-828-2433; EM: michael.north@dnr.state.mn.us.
DR. HENRI OUELLET died suddenly on 9 January 1999 at his home in Hull, Quebec near Ottawa. Dr. Ouellet's studies lead to the recognition of Bicknell's Thrush as a distinct species. Henri had a distinguished career at the Canadian Museum of Nature and he was the only Canadian on the American Ornithologists' Union Check-List Committee. Many of us will remember Henri for his pioneering work with Picoides. His PhD dissertation, Biosystematics and ecology of Picoides villosus (L.) and P. pubescens (L.), remains one of the most thorough systematic examinations of the genus. He also served as Canada's representative to the International Ornithological Congress and was a permanent member of the executive committee of the IOC. He will be sadly missed by ornithologists around the globe. Our sincere condolences to his family.
JILL M. TERP has left the USGS-BRD San Diego Field Station and has accepted a position as Fish and Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Carlsbad, CA. New address: USFWS, Carlsbad Field Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, CA, 92008 ( 760-431-9440, FX: 760- 431-9618; EM: Jill_Terp@fws.gov).
GEORGE E. WALLACE has accepted the position of Regional Wildlife Diversity Conservation Biologist with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Work: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 3911 Hwy. 2321, Panama City, FL 32409-1658 (850-265-3677; EM: WallacG@gfc.state.fl.us). Home: 1507 Vermont Avenue, Lynn Haven, FL 32444 (850-271-4956; EM: wallace@i-1.net).
DAN WENNY has started a new position with the Illinois Natural History Survey as avian ecologist at a new field station at the Savanna Army Depot scheduled to close in July 2000. His new address is: Illinois Natural History Survey, Lost Mound Prairie Field Station, P.O. Box 241, Savanna, IL 61074. PH: 815-273-3184, FX: 815-273-1148, EM: danwenny@internetni.com.
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THE FLOCK - SPECIAL SECTION
THE FLOCK, the 1997 Membership directory of all six OSNA societies was mailed in June 1997. Please check your listing (especially your e-mail address). To correct your address in the membership database please send the new information to the OSNA Business Office at Allen Press, P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-8897 (913-843-1221; fax 913-843-1274; osna@allenpress.com). To alert your colleagues of your new address information contact the Ornithological Newsletter Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE (address below).
CHANGES/ADDITIONS:
BENEDICT, JOE, Waterfowl Biologist, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm., North Florida Waterfowl Field Station, 8932 Apalachee Pkwy., Tallahassee, FL 32311. PH: 850-488-5878; EM: benedij@gfc.state.fl.us
BROWN, BRYAN T., SWCA, Inc., Environmental Consultants, 230 South 500 East, Suite 230, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 EM: bryanb@swcaslc.com
CRAIG, Dr. DAVID P., 7561 N. Woolsey Avenue, Portland OR 97203. PH: 503-283-8534; EM: dcraig@transport.com
EITNIEAR, JACK CLINTON Director, Center for the Study of Tropical Birds, Inc. EM: CSTBInc1@aol.com
JOHNSTON, DAVID W. EM: fordeboids@erols.com
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All contents copyright © 1999 The Ornithological Societies of North America. All Rights Reserved.