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NUMBER 163, DECEMBER 2004
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.osnabirds.org
AOU - http://www.aou.org
AFO - http://www.afonet.org/index.html
COS - http://www.cooper.org/
WS - http://www.waterbirds.org
RRF - http://biology.boisestate.edu/raptor
WOS - http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/wos.html
BIRDNET - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/index.html
THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION asks that its members insure that the OSNA membership data base
contains their current email address. The AOU will be communicating electronically with its members over the coming
months on a number of important issues, including the "Future Directions" planning process that was introduced at the
meeting in Québec in Aug 2004. You can check or update your information in the OSNA membership list by using the
link on the AOU web site (URL: http://www.aou.org/flock.php3 ). If you have problems or need assistance, please
contact the AOU office (EM: AOU@aou.org ).
PHOTOS OF BIRDS AND ORNITHOLOGISTS-The American Ornithologists' Union invites AOU members and other individuals to submit photographs for possible use on the revised AOU web site (URL: http://www.aou.org ). Attractive images that will reproduce effectively at a small size are needed, especially of North American birds. Photographs of ornithologists at work, both in the field and in the lab, are needed for a revised, on-line version of the "Careers in Ornithology" pamphlet. Digital images are preferred, but good slides or prints can be scanned. Credit will be given for photographs used on the site. Contact the AOU Web Coordinator, M. ROSS LEIN (EM: AOUWebCoordinator@aou.org ) for more information or to submit images.
AOU FUTURE DIRECTIONS-Like all professional societies, the American Ornithologists' Union faces a number of challenges and opportunities in the next decade. In order to examine these issues, and to develop a comprehensive plan to engage them, the AOU began a strategic planning exercise in early 2004. A key feature of this exercise is the participation of the membership in determining priorities and actions through an on-going process of feedback. President Jim Kushlan has sent an email letter to all members for whom we have email addresses. This letter describes the history of the strategic planning exercise to date and outlines plans for the future. You can view or download copies of various reports or draft documents in PDF format: AOU Future Directions (Comments Draft, October 2004); AOU Future Directions - Implementation Plan (Comments Draft, October 2004); Preliminary Member Survey. Please submit your comments on these documents to the Committee on Special Affairs (Strategic Planning) to AOUFutureDirections@AOU.org .
GREETINGS FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT OFFICE-Earlier this fall, the OSNA Officers and Board
of Directors selected us to serve as your member services and management office. We at the Schneider Group (SG) are
truly excited about the opportunity to work with you and get to know you on an individual basis. By the time you receive
your newsletter, we will have made the transition and be up and running - and ready to serve you. We will be receiving
and processing renewals, new member applications, address changes, and subscriptions. This also includes orders for
printed versions of The Flock. You can order using your renewal form and, of course, the online directory is always
available to members, and up-to-date with the most current information! We are also setting up a new website and hope
that it will be easier for you to navigate and find the information you need, as well as provide more benefits to you in the
future. Contact information is as follows:
OSNA
5400 Bosque Blvd.
Suite 680, Waco, TX 76710
EM: business@osnabirds.org
PH: 254.399.9636
FX: 254.776.3767
URL: http://www.osnabirds.org
We look forward to working with you and also working with the different societies to improve the services they need from
OSNA to effectively serve their members. Please contact us if you have any comments, to introduce yourself to us, or if
we can be of help! We appreciate the opportunity to serve OSNA. Helen Schneider Lemay, Association Executive
Director.
THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION is pleased to announce that its web site (URL: http://www.aou.org ) has been completely revised. The new pages contain all the information formerly on the site, but this is presented in a more efficient and attractive format. Some additional services are provided, and plans are to add many more in the near future. Please bookmark the site and visit it regularly to view and use these updates. Comments on content may be directed to the AOU Secretary and Web Site Coordinator, M. ROSS LEIN (EM: AOUWebCoordinator@aou.org ).
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COLLABORATORS SOUGHT for Savannah Sparrow study-We are seeking a graduate student, post-doc or faculty researcher interested in taking advantage of a fully color-banded, known-age, known-parentage population of Savannah Sparrows at the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island, NB. After studying this population for 18 years, we are cutting back on our field work for at least a few years to take on other projects. Please contact NAT WHEELWRIGHT (EM: n.t.wheelwright@massey.ac.nz or nwheelwr@bowdoin.edu ) or COREY FREEMAN-GALLANT (EM: cfreeman@skidmore.edu ) if you are interested.
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA ONLINE. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is pleased to announce the launching of BNA Online-now ready for OSNA members to review and subscribe (URL: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/BNA/ ). Building on the foundation of BNA print, BNA Online includes all 18,000+ pages of the original BNA, fully searchable by species and keyword; plus video and sound (from the archives of the Macauley Library at Cornell); plus a rapidly growing collection of digital images. In addition, the online version will be continually updated; recent NSF funding will be used to develop an efficient process for online editing and review. We expect to be fully into the revision process in a year. Stay tuned-information will be posted on the BNA website. Individual subscriptions can be obtained for the bargain price of $40/yr; institutional subscriptions from $450-1100/yr, depending on size; see the BNA site for details. OSNA members are encouraged to subscribe through their institutional libraries.
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NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL
Provided by DAVID E. BLOCKSTEIN, Chair (EM: oc@cnie.org ), and ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director (EM: ellen.paul@verizon.net ), The Ornithological Council. Major funding for the Ornithological Council is provided by its eleven member societies: American Ornithologists' Union, Association of Field Ornithologists, CIPAMEX, Cooper Ornithological Society, Neotropical Ornithological Society, Pacific Seabird Group, Raptor Research Foundation, Society of Canadian Ornithologists, Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds, Waterbird Society, and Wilson Ornithological Society. We also appreciate the support of individual ornithologists.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL-When you receive your OSNA dues notices (or as you renew your memberships online), please consider making a contribution to the Ornithological Council. Most of the support for the Ornithological Council is provided by our eleven member societies. However, support from individual ornithologists is also an important source of funding for OC's efforts to "keep the world safe for ornithology." The Ornithological Council is the only organization that devotes all its efforts to supporting the efforts of ornithologists to develop the scientific understanding of birds. We strive to enhance the ability of professional ornithologists to conduct research and pursue other professional activities and we promote the importance of ornithological information to decision-makers whose actions affect the practice of ornithology and the conservation and management of wild bird populations. If you would like to contribute to the OC, you will find a line on the printed notice, at the top of the column where you will list your dues and contributions to the OSNA societies. You can also contribute via the website if you renew online. The line for contributions to the OC will appear on the same webpage as the society membership dues and contributions. We appreciate your support!
OC RESPONDS TO USDA ADVANCE NOTICE OF PUBLIC RULEMAKING ON RATS, MICE, AND BIRDS-The
Ornithological Council has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (Animal Care program) in response to that agency's advance notice of public rulemaking, that asked the
public to comment on "what regulations and standards are appropriate for [birds not bred for use in research]…and how
we should regulate the care and use of those animals." After soliciting the views of ornithologists, including the 22
members of the OC Board who represent the OC member societies, OC drafted comments that were then circulated to
ornithologists for further review. The comments, which can be found on BIRDNET*, focused on the fact that birds used
in research are already regulated by the system established under the Public Health Service Extension Act and
administered through the National Institutes of Health, and, "any new regulation that does not achieve additional
protection will have no value and is likely to be a deterrent to valuable research." The comments also addressed a number
of specific concerns pertaining to the study of birds in the wild. Finally, we provided a partial list of the wild bird species
studied in captivity (a list of 142 species was compiled from 20 responses to queries posted on Ornith-L, OCNET, and the
Animal Behavior Society listserv) to demonstrate that, "writing husbandry and housing standards is obviously not
practical. It would require substantial experience and expertise with each species. In some cases, the only person who has
that expertise is the scientist who has studied that species in captivity and, in doing so, has determined the optimal or at
least suitable housing and husbandry conditions."
*BIRDNET is hosted by the National Museum of Natural History. At the time of this writing, the NMNH websites were
moving to a new server, so we could not post new material and cannot provide exact URLs to specific pages. However,
all policy matters affecting ornithology can be found by clicking on the link to "Information for ornithologists."
OC SUBMITS COMMENTS ON NIH OPEN ACCESS PROPOSAL AND JOINS DC PRINCIPLES-The National Institutes of Health formally released for comment its proposed "Enhanced Public Access to NIH Research Information" on 17 Sep 2004. The proposal is of concern to nonprofit scientific societies because of the potential impact of open access on journal subscriptions and society memberships. While most nonprofit scientific societies support the concept of open access, each wishes to have the freedom to provide free access to journal articles in a manner that will not jeopardize revenues and that protects the integrity of scientific publications. These societies regard a government-mandated model as untenable, and are particularly concerned about specific aspects of the NIH proposal, which will increase author publication charges substantially and that will, according to some university studies, actually cost more than journal subscriptions. The Ornithological Council recently joined the D.C. Principles, a large coalition of nonprofit scientific societies that strives to increase access to scientific research in a manner that will not jeopardize scientific publishing. Although few ornithologists receive funding from the NIH, the OC is concerned about the proposal because it is likely to serve as a model for other research funding agencies. Therefore, OC submitted comments expressing concerns about the NIH proposal and the potential negative impact on nonprofit scientific societies, on scientists, and on the integrity of scientific publishing. The OC comments can be found on BIRDNET.
OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW COORDINATED BIRD MONITORING REPORT-The Science and Research Committee of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) and a number of federal agency scientists have prepared a report examining the rationale, design, and coordination of bird monitoring. A committee of nine (3 state agency scientists, 3 USGS scientists, and 3 USFWS scientists) prepared the report, which is also under consideration by the U.S. NABCI Committee, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other federal agencies charged with the responsibility to monitor bird populations. The U.S. NABCI Committee has requested comments from the ornithological and bird conservation communities; they ask that individual comments be compiled by relevant organizations for forwarding to IAFWA. The Ornithological Council encourages ornithologists to read and comment on the report, which can be found at http://www.iafwa.org/2004%20Annual%20Meeting/past_annual_meeting.htm or can be obtained from ELLEN PAUL (EM: ellen.paul@verizon.net ). Comments should be send to the Ornithological Council (by e-mail to Ellen Paul) for forwarding to IAFWA. Comments must be received by Nov 30.
U.S. BIRD BANDING LAB considers establishment of a FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE-The U.S. Geological Survey is considering the establishment of an advisory committee for the U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL). Although the Bird Banding Laboratory has made remarkable progress on many fronts over the past year or two, and all indications are that this progress will continue, an advisory committee can still make valuable contributions to the banding program's continuing success. The BBL and the USGS have been very responsive to concerns raised by the OC over the past several years, including the suggestion that such a committee be formed. The OC lauds the USGS and the BBL for taking steps to initiate this committee, especially given that the resources and time and energy of those who manage and oversee the BBL are already stretched thin. It is anticipated that a decision regarding the establishment of such a committee may be made before the end of the year. If approved by the Department of the Interior, the committee members would be appointed by Jan 2005 and the committee would convene shortly thereafter.
CHANGES ON OC BOARD-JimKushlan has been appointed to replace Mike Erwin as one of two representatives of the Waterbird Society. Liana Zanette has been appointed to replace Tony Diamond as one of two representatives of the Society of Canadian Ornithologists. Carolee "CL" Caffrey has resigned and the Cooper Ornithological Society is seeking a replacement to fill this seat.
BIRD CONSERVATION ALLIANCE hopes to encourage the formation of a CONGRESSIONAL BIRDERS CAUCUS-David Fischer, Director of Government Relations for the American Bird Conservancy and Alicia Craig, director of the Bird Conservation Alliance (an ABC-sponsored and facilitated network of organizations, including several scientific ornithological societies) have announced an initiative to encourage the formation of a Birder's Caucus in Congress. David Fischer explains: "Members of Congress may form a caucus in order to pursue common legislative objectives. Currently, there are literally dozens of Congressional Caucuses that address a host of diverse issues. Yet, despite the growing interest in bird conservation and the millions of birdwatchers, there is currently no caucus devoted to bird conservation issues." Ideally, a "bird conservation" caucus would serve as the counterpart to the well-known and highly successful Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus - a bi-partisan group of more than 300 U.S. Representatives and Senators who are allies of sportsmen. The "bird conservation" caucus goals would likely mirror those of the Bird Conservation Alliance. Please contact DAVID FISCHER (EM: dfischer@abcbirds.org ) if (a) you are familiar with members of Congress (and/or their staff) who are interested in bird conservation issues or other bird related activities and/or ( b) you would be willing to contact them to encourage their membership on the bird conservation caucus.
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COMMENTS SOUGHT FOR REVISION of Land Manager's Guide to Point Counts of Birds in the Southeast -The Monitoring Committee of the Southeast Management Working Group, Partners in Flight, is conducting a revision of the point count guidance document used in the Southeast. We seek comments and suggestions for improvement of the guide:A Land Manager's Guide to Point Counts of Birds in the Southeast, by P. B. Hamel, W. P. Smith, D. J. Twedt, J. R. Woehr, E. Morris, R. B. Hamilton and R. J. Cooper. 1996. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-120. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 39 p. Please send your comments and suggestions by 1 Jan 2005 to PAUL HAMEL (EM: phamel@fs.fed.us ), USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 227, Stoneville, MS 38776.
INFORMATION NEEDED ON NEST PREDATION BY COMMON GRACKLES--I am trying to document the occurrence and patterns of nest predation by Common Grackles. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate any personal observations, video confirmations, unpublished data, or obscure references regarding the depredation of eggs or nestlings of any species by Common Grackles. DYLAN MADDOX, 606 E. Healey St., Champaign, IL, 61820 (PH: 217-333-2235; FX: 217-265-0056; EM: jmaddox@uiuc.edu ).
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON GREATER ROADRUNNERS IN CALIFORNIA - I am a grad student at San Diego State University and biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey studying the effects of habitat fragmentation on the Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) in San Diego County (CA) under the supervision of Dr. Douglas H. Deutschman (SDSU) and Dr. Robert N. Fisher (USGS). I have been asked to update the California Partners in Flight Coastal Scrub & Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan's Greater Roadrunner focal species account, available at http://www.prbo.org/calpif/htmldocs/scrub.html . The account, in its current condition, is a very well-written one by Pete Famolaro (Sweetwater Authority), but is in need of updating, especially regarding the population/demographic section. Although my thesis data will fulfill some of the needs, we would be extremely appreciative to receive word of all roadrunner sightings from the rest of the state along with any associated natural/life history data which you are willing to contribute. We are specifically interested in knowing where they are currently living (and in what type of habitat), breeding, and whether there is evidence of an increase/decrease in their numbers there. If available, please provide the location, date (approximation is fine), name of location (as precise as possible) and observer(s), and any behavioral notes. I will continue to accept information indefinitely, but data submitted soon will be very valuable in that they can be included in the account I will finish by the end of 2004. Thank you very much for contacting MARK MENDELSOHN (EM: mmendels33@hotmail.com AND mmendelsohn@usgs.gov ).
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POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
NOTE the printed version of the Ornithological Newsletter no longer contains job advertisements. The Positions and Opportunities section is available only in the on-line edition. This edition can be accessed directly at http://birds.cornell.edu/OSNA/ornjobs.htm . Submissions can be made at any time, and advertisements are maintained until approximately the due date for submissions.
A LISTSERVE has been set up at Cornell University. Subscribers to this list will receive the new job announcements on a regular basis. These are the same announcements as will appear on-line. To subscribe send the following message to: listproc@cornell.edu , "subscribe BirdJobs-L your name". When sending your message, please send using the "plain text only" format option and be sure to include your name in the message. You leave by sending to listproc@cornell.edu "unsubscribe BirdJobs-L".
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FOR INFORMATION ON CONTINUING GRANTS PROGRAMS relevant to ornithological research, visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/Grants/index.html .
MEWALDT-KING STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD-The thirteenth annual Mewaldt-King Student Research Awards will be presented by the Cooper Ornithological Society at the 2005 annual meeting. These $1,000 awards are designated in the memory of L. Richard Mewaldt and James R. King to support research that relates to the conservation of birds. Research may be in any area of ornithology, but studies that involve demographics, breeding biology, or dispersal biology may be particularly relevant, especially if the species is endangered, threatened, or otherwise "sensitive." Studies of species from threatened ecosystems (e.g. old growth forest, wetlands) are also of particular interest. Eligibility: Any graduate student (of any nationality) accepted to or enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral program at a university in the U.S. or elsewhere is eligible to apply. 2005 Application Deadline: Applications must be received by the Mewaldt-King Award Committee on or before 15 Jan 2005. Research proposal format: 1. Cover page bearing the student's name, academic affiliation, mailing and email addresses, the title of the proposal, and the name and email address of the student's major faculty advisor; 2. Abstract (250 words); 3. Introduction, including (a) relevant background, (b) specific hypotheses to be tested or questions asked, (c) relevance of proposed research to conservation biology; 4. Proposed methods, analyses, and timetable; 5. General categories of expenditures and total project budget including current and pending sources of support; 6. Literature cited (follow format used by Condor; see http://www.cooper.org ); 7. Curriculum Vitae (CV). The proposal abstract and text, excluding literature cited, should not be longer than 6 double-spaced pages with a 12-point font and 1 inch (25 mm) margins. CV should be no more than three pages. Application requirements: Materials should be submitted as attachments via email directly to the chair of the committee at the address below. Acceptable electronic file formats are Word, Rich Text Format, and pdf files. Files in other formats will not be accepted. Files should be named using the students last name and first initial (e.g, birdstudenta.doc). Please include "Mewaldt-King" in the subject heading of your email. All applications must be accompanied by a letter of support (submitted separately, email encouraged) from the applicant's major faculty advisor. International students lacking internet access may submit printed copies of their materials and should include a self-addressed envelope to facilitate notification of the committee's decision. Electronic copies submitted on floppy disks via postal service will not be accepted. DR. TARA RODDEN ROBINSON, Chair, Mewaldt-King Award Committee, Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331-3803 USA (EM: tara.robinson@oregonstate.edu ).
JOSEPH GRINNELL STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD FOR 2005 - The Cooper Ornithological Society invites beginning doctoral students to apply for up to two $1000 awards to support "basic" research in any aspect of avian biology. (Projects that deal with conservation issues in avian biology should instead be directed to the Mewaldt-King Research Awards Committee of the Cooper Ornithological Society.) Only graduate students originally enrolled in a doctoral program AFTER August 2003 are eligible for the award. To apply for the award, students should submit one copy of: 1) a short research proposal (no longer than 1800 words), 2) their most current curriculum vitae, and 3) a letter of support from their major faculty advisor. It is encouraged that materials be submitted as attachments via email directly to the chair of the committee: CAMERON GHALAMBOR, Department of Biology,Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 (EM: cameron1@lamar.colostate.edu ). Acceptable electronic file formats are Word, Rich Text Format, and pdf files. Files in other formats will not be accepted. Files should be named using the students last name and first initial (e.g, SmithC.pdf). Please include "Grinnell Award" in the subject heading of your email. All applications must be accompanied by a letter of support (submitted separately, email encouraged) from the applicant's major faculty advisor. International students lacking internet access may submit printed copies of their materials and should include a self-addressed envelope to facilitate notification of the committee's decision. Electronic copies submitted on floppy disks via postal service will NOT be accepted. For specific details of the proposal format and supporting materials visit the Cooper Ornithological Society website (URL: http://www.cooper.org ). Applications post-marked after 14 Feb 2005 will not be considered.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES for Canadian graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The NSERC-funded Research Network on Avian reproduction and environmental change: integrating ecology and physiology has funding available (up to $1800 per person) to support laboratory exchange visits, and participation in Network workshops and technical meetings. Exchange visits between physiologists and ecologists aimed at the development of collaborative projects or grant proposals will be encouraged. Applicants must provide a) a short description of the proposed project (about 250 words) and the aim of the visit, b) start dates, number of days, estimated travel costs and full contact details for the applicant and host, and c) a two-page curriculum vitae. Funding is currently available for 2004-05, i.e. up to 31 Mar 2005, and applications for 2005/06 can now be considered. For further details contact: DR. TONY D. WILLIAMS, Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, (EM: tdwillia@sfu.ca ) or go to the web site (URL: http://www.sfu.ca/biology/faculty/williams/NSERC_bird_network.html ).
FRANCOIS VUILLEUMIER FUND FOR RESEARCH ON NEOTROPICAL BIRDS-The goal of the Neotropical Ornithological Society's Francois Vuilleumier Fund is to award one or more cash grants per year for thesis studies of Neotropical birds to one or several graduate students from any country in Latin America and the Caribbean. The funds are provided to assist thesis research by students, enrolled in an institution in the Neotropics, who have little or no access to funds within their country or at their institution. Awards will be competitive and are expected to be in the range of $500. Students from Latin America and the Caribbean enrolled in a graduate degree program (Masters or Ph.D.) at an institution in the Neotropical Region are eligible to apply. Application Deadline: 10 Dec 2004 (e-mail Receipt); Announcement of Awards: 15 Mar 2005. Further Information: fund information and guidelines are available on the Neotropical Ornithological Society website (URL: http://www.neotropicalornithology.org ). For additional information contact DR. JOSEPH M. WUNDERLE (EM: wunderle@coqui.net ).
NORTH STAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSMITTER GRANT PROGRAM-North Star Science and Technology, LLC and American Bird Conservancy announce the 3rd annual North Star Science and Technology Transmitter Grant Program. There are two major changes in the program effective this year: 1) The grant program will award more transmitters -- a total of eight (8) satellite transmitters (Argos Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTTs), to one or two recipients (8 PTTs to one project or 4 PTTs to each of two projects); and 2) The program is now open to projects throughout the world. PTTs are powerful, cutting-edge tools for the study of bird migration that greatly extend the range over which individual birds can be tracked. Studies using PTTs can teach us much about avian biology and contribute invaluable data for bird conservation. North Star is providing the PTTs in the spirit of giving back to the research community that they serve, with the condition that the resulting data are available for use in an Earthspan's (URL: http://www.earthspan.org ) educational program entitled, "Eye of the Falcon," which uses satellite tracking data to teach young people about bird migration and conservation. American Bird Conservancy (URL: http://www.abcbirds.org ) will handle the proposal submission process, review proposals, and select the winning projects. Please see http://www.northstarst.com for more information and proposal guidelines. Deadline for proposals is 2 Feb 2005. Any further questions about the program can be directed to GEORGE E. WALLACE, American Bird Conservancy (EM: gwallace@abcbirds.org , PH: 540-253-5780 FX: 540-253-5782).
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NEW JOURNAL: The Society of Canadian Ornithologists (SCO) and Bird Studies Canada (BSC) are pleased to announce the launch of a new journal: Avian Conservation and Ecology - Écologie et conservation des oiseaux(ACE-ECO). This will be an open-access, fully electronic scientific journal whose publication is intended to reflect the broader interests of the sponsoring partners and supporting organizations. It will publish papers that are scientifically rigorous and relevant to the bird conservation community, to exacting editorial and production standards, in a cost-effective electronic approach that makes them widely available in real-time. Although ACE-ECO is intended in part to enhance the international profile of Canadian ornithology and applied avian science, contributions will be welcomed from all over the world. ACE-ECO will focus on the conservation, ecology, and status of birds. It is intended to complement other publications, such as traditional ornithological journals, conservation publications, general ecology journals and those focused on specific groups of birds. The name of the journal - Ecology AND Conservation - further defines its intended publication niche. Distinctions between research with origins in "pure" ecology or in "applied" conservation and management are blurring, as ecologists better appreciate the need to address societal issues of practical concern, and managers require research to address ecological uncertainties that underpin conservation efforts.ACE-ECOwill publish papers that report on research in the "radical middle ground" that is simultaneously pure and applied avian ecology. For example, papers will not require a special section on "management or conservation implications", as these will be evident from the nature of the research problem, whether the field be molecular, behavioral, population, community or landscape ecology. The Editors-in-Chief are now finalizing a Board of Associate Editors. The first official call for papers is expected by mid-February 2005. With this announcement, we are asking authors to consider this new journal for papers that meet this philosophical thrust. Our next announcement and the web-site (URL: http://www.ace-eco.org ) will identify the process for electronic manuscript submission.
AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ONTARIO ORNITHOLOGY VOL.1. By Kenneth Walton. ISBN 0-9689389-0-6. 173 pages. There are 4000 reprints on Ontario Ornithology in this first volume. $75.95 U.S. (Make out Post Office Money Order only in U.S. for $85.95 for the book and shipping) to: KENNETH WALTON, 2157 Fillmore Cres., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1J 6A1 (EM: owl1@renc.igs.net ).
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AVAILABLE: J.Field Ornith., complete 1988 - 1994, some issues 2000 - 2003; Condor 1987 - 1992 except Nov 1988;Auk 1980 - 1993, 1997 - 1999, some issues 1994 - 1996, 2000 - 2004. Free, but postage must be paid by recipient. Please contact ANN BOWLES (EM: annb1@san.rr.com ), Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109.
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A 'permanent' meeting list is maintained on BIRDNET ( http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/BIRDMEET.html ) that focuses mainly on meetings of the Societies that are members of the OC, showing the planned sites and dates of ornithological meetings as far into the future as possible. Note that BIRDNET also maintains a site for the International Ornithological Committee, which includes links to past and future Congresses, at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/IOC/index.html .
* in this section indicates new or revised entry
SECOND BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BIOGEOGRAPHY SOCIETY-Our second conference [5-9 Jan 2005 at the U.S. National Conservation Training Center (URL: http://training.fws.gov/ ) in West Virginia] will again be organized around poster presentations and five symposia: Biogeography of Parasites and Infectious Diseases, Biogeography of Exotic Species, Biogeography of Extinctions, Biogeography of Homo sapiens: from Pre-history to the Future, and Biogeographic Responses to Global Change. Oral/poster presentations will be held 6-8 Jan, with pre-meeting workshops on 5 Jan and an optional (behind the scenes) field trip to the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.) on 9 Jan. Check the IBS website (URL: http://www.biogeography.org ) for updates, details and registration information.
THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP and the WATERBIRD SOCIETY will host a joint annual meeting 19-23 Jan 2005 at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon. The schedule, field trips, and registration information will be posted at http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org . Contact FRANCIE CUTHBERT (EM: cuthb001@umn.edu ) or BOB DAY (EM: bday@abrinc.com ) for questions about the scientific program and KATIE O'REILLY (EM: oreilly@up.edu ) for local arrangements and registration information.
82ND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EASTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION will be hosted by Braddock Bay Bird Observatory at the Airport Holiday Inn in Rochester, NY on 15-17 Apr 2005. Information on the paper session, workshops, poster session, accommodations, field trips, and the bucket raffle will be posted as it becomes available on the EBBA website (URL: http://www.pronetisp.net/~bpbird/ ) or contact BETSY BROOKS (EM: ebrooks@bbbo.org ).
THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY and the ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS will hold joint annual meetings 21-24 Apr 2005 in the Washington, DC, area, at the invitation of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the Maryland Ornithological Society. Housing and meetings will be at the Sheraton-College Park, Beltsville, MD. The Chair of the Scientific Program Committee, JAMES D. RISING, Department of Zoology, Ramsey Wright Zoological Labs, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 3G5 Canada, will be happy to have suggestions for symposia. The Chair of the Committee on Arrangements is RICHARD C. BANKS, USGS-PWRC- MRC 111, National Museum of Natural History, P. O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012 (PH: 202-357-1970). A full announcement of the meeting will be mailed in Jan 2005.
ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS, 21-24 Apr 2005-See WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, 15 - 18 Jun 2005. The meeting will be held on the campus of Humboldt State University,
*THE 123RD STATED MEETING OF THE AOU will be held at the University of California-Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA, 23 - 27 Aug 2005. Contact person: STEVE ROTHSTEIN (EM: rothstei@lifesci.ucsb.edu ).
*THE 11TH MEETING ON ARGENTINE ORNITHOLOGY will take place from 7-10 Sep 2005, in the Argentine Museum of Natural History "Bernardino Rivadavia", in Buenos Aires. The conference is organized by Aves Argentina/ Asociacion Ornitologica del Plata. During the 4 day conference participants will be informed on research topics in ornithology and current work in Argentina and other countries, in plenary sessions, symposia, oral presentations, posters and other complementary activities. To obtain the first circular, with information about inscription, plenary sessions, confirmed symposia, datelines for summaries, and an invitation to present new topics for symposia, please contact rao@avesargentinas.org.ar
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL HORNBILL CONFERENCE, Mabula Game Lodge, South Africa, 7-9 Nov 2005. The Ground Hornbill Research and Conservation Project and Three Cities Game Lodges, South Africa, and the Hornbill Research Foundation, Thailand, will host the Fourth International Hornbill Conference at Mabula Game Lodge, South Africa, during the period 7-9 Nov 2005. The scientific program will cover two days, followed by a one-day workshop for the Hornbill Specialist Group of IUCN and Birdlife International. The principal theme of the conference is "The Active Management of Hornbills and their Habitats for Conservation". There will also be a general session to report on other aspects of hornbill biology, and a separate workshop by the IUCN and Birdlife Hornbill Specialist Group to identify conservation priorities.For further details, contact by any of the means below (preferably e-mail): (EM: hornbillconference2005@yahoo.co.uk ; FX: +27 14 734 0013). Postal: Hornbill Conference 2005, c/o The Ground Hornbill Project, Mabula Game Lodge, Private Bag X 1655, Bela-Bela, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
24TH INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS, 13 - 19 Aug 2006, Hamburg, Germany. Call for contributed orals, posters and round table discussions will be posted on the website in Jan 2005 (URL: http://www.i-o-c.org/ ).
*4TH NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE, Veracruz City, Mexico, 2-7 Oct 2006. The 4THNAOC is being organized jointly by the AOU, COS, SCO-SOC, AFO, WOS, WS and CIPAMEX (local host). RRF, PSG, and SCSCB currently are evaluating full participation or presentation of symposia. NOS is also a sponsor. The Steering Committee is co-chaired by CHARLES FRANCIS (EM: charles.francis@ec.gc.ca ) and JOSE LUIS ALCANTARA (EM: jlalcant@colpos.mx ). The Scientific Program Committee will be co-chaired by JOHN R. FAABORG (EM: faaborgj@missouri.edu ) and a distinguished Mexican ornithologist. The Local Committee is co-chaired by ERNESTO RUELAS INZUNZA (EM: ruelas01@prodigy.net.mx ) and JUAN E. MARTINEZ GOMEZ (EM: endemicos_insulares@yahoo.com.mx ). The conference will feature a rich scientific program, symposia, plenary lectures, business meetings of societies, and social activities. Pre- and post-conference activities will include training workshops, and birding, culture, and nature tours. Veracruz is home to a rich avifauna, with over 700 species reported for the state, of which >230 species are Neotropical migrants and >20 species are endemic to Mexico. The conference is scheduled to coincide with the peak of the migration season in the world's largest raptor migration bottleneck. The Circular of Information will be mailed in early 2006. Check the NAOC website for updates on organization (URL: http://www.NAOC2006.org ).
VIII NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS will be held in Jun 2007 in Maturín (Monagas, Venezuela) together with the Unión Venezolana de Ornitología and our Secretary General will be Carlos Bosque.
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EBERHARD GWINNER of Germany, elected a Corresponding Fellow of the AOU in 1975, died on 7 Sep 2004 at the age of 65 following a short, severe illness. Well-known for his work in avian ecophysiology and the control of migratory behavior in birds, Gwinner was Director of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology at the time of his death.
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To correct your address in the membership database please send the new information to the OSNA Business Office, 5400 Bosque Blvd., Suite 680, Waco, TX 76710 (EM: business@osnabirds.org , PH: 254-399-9636, FX: 254-776-3767) or change it yourself online (URL: http://www.osnabirds.org ). To alert your colleagues of new address information contact the Ornithological Newsletter Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE (address below).
CHANGES/ADDITIONS:
MIZRAHI, DAVID. EM: david.mizrahi@njaudubon.org
VICKERY, PETER. EM: petervickery@adelphia.net
WALDO, STEPHANIE. 13188 La Barr Meadows Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949.
ZARWELL, RIC. EM: Ric.Zarwell@mchsi.com
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