The Ornithological Newsletter On-Line

ORGANIZATION NEWS

NOMINATIONS FOR AOU OFFICERS AND ELECTIVE COUNCILORS must be received by the Secretary four months before the Stated Meeting. Thus, this year nominations are due 6 Apr 2007. Officers to be elected by electronic and postal ballots prior to the meeting, will be Secretary, Treasurer, and four Elective Councilors. The Bylaws of the AOU require that the Secretary and Treasurer be elected or re elected annually. At the conclusion of the 125th Stated Meeting, Erica H. Dunn will begin the second year of her two year term as President, and Edward H. Burtt, Jr., will begin the second year of his two‑year term as President‑Elect. The incumbent Secretary (Sara R. Morris) and Treasurer (Frank B. Gill) are willing to stand for re‑election. Of the total of twelve Elective Councilors, four are elected annually to serve terms of approximately three years, beginning at the close of the Stated Meeting. Elective Councilors to be replaced at the conclusion of the 125th Stated Meeting in 2007 are Peter P. Marra, Kathy Martin, Terrell D. Rich, and Kimberly A. Sullivan. Continuing to serve in 2007‑2008 will be Elective Councilors Reed Bowman, Robert L. Curry, André Desrochers, Patricia J. Heglund, Helen F. James, Thomas W. Sherry, Jeffrey R. Walters, and David W. Winkler. The procedure for nominating AOU officers and Elective Councilors is outlined in the Bylaws (Art IV, Sec 2). "Each Fellow and Elective Member shall be invited to nominate to the Secretary, persons for President‑Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Elective Councilors. These nominations shall be received by the Secretary four months before the Stated Meeting. Nominations for all officers and Elective Councilors must be accompanied by documented consent of the nominee." Nominations may be submitted in writing, or electronically to the Secretary, SARA R. MORRIS, Department of Biology, Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY USA (PH: 716-888-2567, FX: 716‑888‑3157, EM: aousecretary@aou.org).

NOMINATIONS FOR AOU MEMBERSHIP CLASSES OF Fellow and Elective Member of the AOU are due 6 Apr 2007 (4 months prior to the Stated Meeting). Fellows and Elective Members are encouraged to submit nominations of deserving colleagues. Following its official charge to supplement nominations, the Committee on Nomination of Fellows and Elective Members will prepare only a few nominations, and thus timely submissions from members are imperative. Nominations and full supporting information are to be supplied by the nominators. Lists of current Fellows and Elective Members are available on the AOU website (URL: http://www.aou.org/membership/special.php3). Nominators seeking to endorse a nominee must first obtain the instructions and forms for 2007, available on the AOU web site (URL: http://www.aou.org/nominations.php3) or from the Secretary, SARA R. MORRIS, Department of Biology, Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208 USA (PH: 716 888 2567, FX: 716‑888‑3157, EM: aousecretary@aou.org). For ELECTIVE MEMBER nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare ballot packets to be sent to current Fellows and Elective Members in May 2007. Ballots must be returned by mail to the Secretariat by three weeks before the Stated Meeting (i.e., by 18 Jul 2007) and the names will be announced at the Business Meeting of Members on 9 Aug 2007 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. For FELLOW nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare packets to be sent to current Fellows in July 2007. Voting will take place at the Fellows Meeting on 8 Aug 2007.

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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE RAPTOR INFORMATION SYSTEM (RIS) is a free, Internet‑based catalog of over 38,000 references about the biology and management of birds of prey. The collection includes reprints of published papers and a significant amount of "gray literature" in the form of popular articles, theses, dissertations, unpublished government reports, and progress reports. The system is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey. We have developed a survey to gain insights from the community of users and potential users of this library resource as we consider changes to the system. It is important to understand how these changes could affect library users and what services matter the most to them. We would appreciate you taking a few minutes to respond to the nine survey questions via the web link found at http://ris.wr.usgs.gov. Thank you!

WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING POPULATION DECLINES IN THE RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Euphagus carolinus) will be held at the Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research in Stoneville, MS 12‑13 Apr 2007. The program will include oral presentations, panel discussion, posters, and focused break‑out sessions on the natural history, ecology, and population trends in this mysteriously declining species. The goal is to further develop the research and management strategies aimed at understanding and reversing the severe long‑term decline in RUBLs. If you are interested in attending or presenting a poster or paper, we need to know soon so we can develop the optimal meeting logistics. Please send statements of interest or inquiries to RUSS GREENBERG (EM: GreenbergR@si.edu). Information about registration and logistics are being finalized and will be coming out soon.

BIO-NAVIGATION WORKSHOP–The Institute of Navigation is hosting a technical meeting relating to Animal Navigation and Technology, 23‑24 Apr 2007 at the Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA. Topics will include: “Navigation of Homing Pigeons: A Case Study of GPS‑recorded Tracks” by W. Wiltschko, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; “How Birds Perceive and Use Compass Information from the Magnetic Field” by W. Wiltschko, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; “Chemical Plume Tracking Behavior in Animals and Mobile Robots” by M. Willis of Case Western University. Additionally, a short course/tutorial on “The Basics of GPS” will be taught for those interested in bio‑navigation which will focus on the basic operation of GPS; GPS error sources and methods to remove or reduce errors and GPS modes of operation. The course will address areas that support research in bio‑navigation. The animal navigation section of the meeting is being chaired by DR. KENNETH LOHMANN of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For full conference program please visit (URL: http://www.ion.org/meetings/am2007program.cfm). Meeting details: For registration and hotel information please visit (URL: http://www.ion.org/registration/?conf_type=%225IKS%0A). The meeting is being hosted by The Institute of Navigation, a non‑profit 501(c)3 dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of navigation. For more information on the Institute please visit our web site: http://www.ion.org

EAGLE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE (ECA)–Thirty‑two specialists from 10 countries on four continents met in Oropesa, Spain (24‑28 Oct 2006) to discuss the alarming worldwide situation for eagles. As the workshop discussions proceeded, it was realized that there was value in forming a consortium of like‑minded eagle specialists who would integrate their knowledge, scientific expertise and other resources to benefit wild and captive eagles. The participants formed the ‘Eagle Conservation Alliance’ (ECA), with a mission of ‘acting to conserve eagles worldwide’. The ECA’s mission will be met by: enhancing the management of existing populations; recovering and, when appropriate, reintroducing eagles to nature; conducting basic and applied research; providing advice and technical support; developing and distributing education materials; communicating and sharing news; fund-raising for priority initiatives; and building capacity (training) in science and eagle management. The workshop (organized by Drs. Juan Manuel Blanco and Ursula Hofle) was co‑sponsored by the Aquila Foundation/Center for Studies of Iberian Raptors, SeaWorld/Busch Gardens‑Conservation Fund, Zoological Society of San Diego, Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center, Fort Worth Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo and the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. The Second Annual ECA Workshop will take place in Sep 2007 at Africam Safari, Puebla, Mexico. Individuals interested in more information on ECA should contact JUAN MANUEL BLANCO (EM: uhofleh@wanadoo.es), FRANK CARLOS CAMACHO (EM: fcamacho@africamsafari.com.mx) or DAVID RIMLINGER (EM: Drimlinger@sandiegozoo.org).

WORKSHOP: ADVANCED AGING AND SEXING OF PASSERINES WITH PETER PYLE, May 14‑18, 2007 ‑ Please join the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) and Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS), in cooperation with the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP), for an advanced aging and sexing of passerines workshop. Peter Pyle, IBP Biologist, and author of The Identification Guide to North American Birds, Part I, will be the primary instructor. The action‑packed week will consist of presentations, specimen study, mist‑netting, banding, and processing at multiple locations on the central coast of California, and field trips to renowned birding locations. Participants will be trained in a variety of methods pertaining to identification, aging, and sexing of landbirds in the hand and in the field. Cost is $750 ($650 early registration, by 2 Apr). Breakfasts and lunches are included; lodging not provided. For more information and registration forms please see our website (URL: http://www.sfbbo.org/ccfs/LandbirdWorkshop.htm) or contact JESSICA GRIFFITHS, Big Sur Ornithology Lab (EM: jessicagriffiths AT ventanaws.org).

RAPTOR WORKSHOP (Revised Dates): Two 3‑day workshops entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" will be offered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs Research Station and Loren Ayers of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Sessions are scheduled for 13‑15 and 20‑22 Jun 2007. Receive first hand experience working with live raptors: capturing, handling and banding techniques, broadcast call surveys, tree climbing, rappelling, telemetry equipment and more. This course can be taken for credit through the University of Wisconsin ‑ Stevens Point. Registration is $350. Space is limited so call early. For more information and a registration form visit http://www.RaptorResearch.com.

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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.

ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL SEEKS EDITOR FOR REVISION OF GUIDELINES TO THE USE OF WILD BIRDS IN RESEARCH–The Ornithological Council is about to embark on a major revision of its Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research. We seek an editor‑in‑chief whose job will be to assure quality (completeness and accuracy) of the content, primarily through a traditional peer‑review process. Thus, the editor‑in‑chief will be responsible for (a) identifying section editors who will be responsible for literature searches and the drafting of new text for each section; (b) identifying reviewers for each section; (c) developing clear guidance for the review process; and (d) determining, in consultation with the section editors, what changes or additions to make in response to the peer reviews. The editor‑in‑chief will also be responsible for selecting a style and citation guide to assure consistency among sections and will be responsible for the overall quality and clarity of the text, including copy editing. Logistical support will be provided by the executive director of the Ornithological Council, including management of the process and the budget, compilation of appendices, front matter, and formatting for internet publication. The qualifications for this position include: a Ph.D. in ornithology, zoology, wildlife biology, animal behavior, or a related field; research experience with live birds; experience as a peer‑reviewer; previous editorial management experience that involved working with multiple reviewers and meeting deadlines such as an editor of a scientific journal, symposium volume or book; relevant publications in peer‑reviewed scientific literature; and a good overview of ornithological research involving live birds and knowledge of the people conducting various kinds of research involving live birds. An honorarium of $1,500 is available. The anticipated duration of the project is 18 months.

ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL, AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY, AND SMITHSONIAN ORNITHOLOGY INITIATIVE TO CO‑SPONSOR THIRD ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BIRDWALK–In conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day, the Ornithological Council will partner with the American Bird Conservancy and the Smithsonian Ornithology Initiative to organize the third annual Congressional Birdwalk. Originally conceived of by OC Chair David Blockstein, this event gives members of Congress, their staff, and members of the Administration an opportunity to appreciate birds. Scott Weidensaul has agreed to serve as our celebrity trip leader this year.

SIGNIFICANT STAFF DEPARTURES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE– Ornithologist Jim Tate, who served as the Science Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior for nearly six years has retired from the Department of the Interior. Dr. Tate applied his expertise to the Everglades Ecosystem Restoration efforts, the Study of Environment Arctic Change, and invasive species policy, all the while keeping his eye on issues affecting birds and ornithological research. In recent weeks, several key USFWS staffers have retired. Among them were Deputy Director Marshall Jones and biologist John Trapp, a mainstay of the Division of Migratory Bird Management. In Jones' long career, he had served as the Chief of the CITES Management Authority and was the Assistant Director for International Affairs. He also did tours of duty in the Divisions of Endangered Species and Federal Aid. John Trapp's many responsibilities included the periodic updates of the List of Migratory Birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Both will be missed. David A. Smith, Chief of the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, also retired, and, like Jones and Trapp, will be a hard act to follow. Sadly, we will also miss Andrea Gaski, Chief of the Division of Management Authority (CITES), who passed away unexpectedly in January. Dr. Gaski devoted her entire professional career to the conservation of wildlife. Before she joined the USFWS, she served as an officer of TRAFFIC for thirteen years. She began her federal service with U.S. Fish & Wildlife in 1999.

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ISSUES FINAL RULE REGULATING TAKE OF MIGRATORY BIRDS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE–Several years ago, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Audubon Society of the Northern Marianas Islands sued in federal court to stop the Navy from conducting practice bombing on the island of Farallon de Medinilla, on the basis that the Navy had not obtained a Migratory Bird Treaty Act take permit from the USFWS. However, the USFWS had refused to issue a permit to the Navy, on the basis that the agency does not issue permits for "incidental take" i.e., take that occurs incidental to the conduct of an otherwise lawful activity. MBTA permits are available only for deliberate take (e.g., scientific collecting, raptor rehabilitation, and so on). After a federal court ruled in favor of the Center for Biological Diversity, Congress stepped in and exempted the military from the requirements of the MBTA when conducting "military preparedness exercises." The Congressional mandate (Section 315 of National Defense Authorization Act of 2003) required the Dept. of the Interior to propose a regulation that would permit the DOD to take birds of species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act incidental to military preparedness exercises. That rule was proposed in Jun 2004. Comments submitted by the Ornithological Council focused on the lack of baseline population assessment or post‑bombing monitoring; without these data, it could never be known if the threshold level of population impact that would allow the USFWS to order a cessation of the bombing had been reached. We also suggested that the proposed threshold of "significant adverse impact on the sustainability of a population of migratory bird species of concern" was too high. Therefore, the Ornithological Council was pleased to see that the final rule, published 28 Feb 2007, modified the rule to reflect these concerns. First, the USFWS changed the threshold to "significant adverse effect on a population of migratory bird species'' And changed the definitions of ``population'' and ``significant adverse effect'' accordingly. The threshold is now defined as, "an effect that could, within a reasonable period of time, diminish the capacity of a population of migratory bird species to sustain itself at a biologically viable level. A population is ``biologically viable'' when its ability to maintain its genetic diversity, to reproduce, and to function effectively in its native ecosystem is not significantly harmed. This effect may be characterized by increased risk to the population from actions that cause direct mortality or a reduction in fecundity. Assessment of impacts should take into account yearly variations and migratory movements of the impacted species." In addition, the final rule provides that the Secretary of the Interior can withdraw the authority to take migratory birds if "The Armed Forces fail to conduct mutually agreed upon monitoring to determine the effects of a military readiness activity on migratory bird species and/or the efficacy of the conservation measures implemented by the Armed Forces." While it obviously would have been better to require monitoring in all cases, as a prerequisite to the authority to take migratory birds, rather than "mutually agreed upon monitoring," this is a significant improvement from the rule as originally proposed.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CIPAMEX–The Ornithological Council is pleased to congratulate its member society, CIPAMEX, on its 60th anniversary! To celebrate, CIPAMEX is planning a number of lectures and public events, including a photography contest.

NEWS OF OC BOARD MEMBERS ‑ We are sorry to say farewell to Greg Butcher, who was one of two representatives of the Association of Field Ornithologists. We are very pleased to welcome Jill Deppe to the Board; Dr. Deppe will fill a long‑vacant seat representing the Cooper Ornithological Society. In recent months, OC Chair David Blockstein has brought his expertise and energy to the effort to help save the habitat of the critically endangered Grenada Dove (Leptotila wellsi), which is imperiled by plans to sell the Mt. Hartman National Park to a developer who would like to build a luxury hotel. Blockstein was the first scientist to study the species. His recommendations led to the creation and protection of the park, and he is trying to help the government of Grenada to understand that the loss of this 155‑hectare park is extremely likely to lead to the extinction of the Grenada Dove, the national bird of Grenada.

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PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

ERRRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES OF TIDAL MARSHES: EVOLUTION, ECOLOGY, AND CONSERVATION (Studies in Avian Biology No. 32, Greenberg, Maldonado, McDonald, and Droege, associate eds.) is now available for $24 from the Cooper Ornithological Society (URL: http://www.cooper.org/COS/SAB_listing.html). Papers in this volume focus primarily on the biogeography and evolution of taxa that have colonized coastal marshes from upland habitats; behavioral, morphological and physiological adaptations to marsh life; and the challenges to sustaining populations of these often threatened species and subspecies. The volume features 19 chapters and a synthesis. An emphasis has been placed on a broader synthesis crafted by multiple investigators and a more‑than‑one estuary approach. The book is 339 pages, with soft covers, illustrated with the artwork of Julie Zickefoose and 19th century landscape artist Martin Johnson Heade.

BIRD POPULATIONS, Volume 7–The Institute for Bird Populations (IBP) is pleased to announce publication of Volume 7. Beginning with this issue, the journal will be available to all by accessing http://www.birdpop.org. Articles can be downloaded as pdf files free of charge. IBP, however, would appreciate financial support for Bird Populations, which includes the following categories of membership: $35 individual, $50 institution, and $15 student and senior. Volume 7 includes a re‑vitalization of publication of the Breeding Bird Census(appearing also in future volumes), as well as continuing MAPS reports and reports from the BTO's integrated avian monitoring programs; also an analysis of how temporal scale affects perceptions of trends in nearctic‑neotropical breeding bird communities, a history of publications from the Breeding Bird Census, and a before‑after analysis of a major disturbance to a northern forest. For inquiries regarding IBP or membership contact DAVE DESANTE (EM: ddesante@birdpop.org); for those regarding publication in Bird Populations contact the editor, DAVID AINLEY (EM: dainley@penguinscience.com).

WILDLIFE OF NORTH AMERICA: A NATURALIST’S LIFELIST, Whit Bronaugh, 2006. University of Florida Press. ISBN: 0-8130-3012-9, cloth $29.95. This volume includes all 4000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies found in the United States and Canada. Each species listing includes the common and scientific name, conservation status, and space to record details of the sighting. Wildlife of North America offers a complete checklist and journal to record a lifetime of observations, and also contains information on biodiversity, zoogeography, and current taxonomy to acquaint the lifelister with North American fauna, as well as information on extinct species that can be seen at museums. Available from local booksellers or direct by calling 1-800-226-3822.

Birders' Exchange, a program of the American Birding Association, is pleased to announce the availability of its Spanish language version of the highly acclaimed book, A NEOTROPICAL COMPANION, AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ANIMALS, PLANTS AND ECOSYSTEMS OF THE NEW WORLD TROPICS by John Kricher. Birders' Exchange plans to distribute copies of the book at no cost to individuals and organizations throughout the neotropics. Copies of the book will be distributed by volunteer couriers in the U.S. traveling to Latin America. For information on how to obtain a copy (or copies) of the book please contact: BETTY PETERSEN, Birders' Exchange Program Director (EM: bpetersen@aba.org) or ELISSA LAVOIE, Birders' Exchange Coordinator (EM: elavoie@aba.org).

WATERBIRD POPULATION ESTIMATES, Fourth Edition–In this publication, Wetlands International sets the global standard in presenting estimates of the numbers and trends of waterbird populations throughout the world. This fourth edition is available now and provides a comprehensive update on information last provided in 2002 and summarizes population data on 878 waterbird species. The data includes information on where individuals live, how many individuals exist and whether numbers are increasing, stable or decreasing. By Wetlands International, 2006, 239 pp. ISBN (10 digit) 90‑5882‑031‑9; (13 digit) 978‑90‑5882‑031‑0. Available from Natural History Book Service, 2‑3 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5XN, United Kingdom (EM: customer.services@nhbs.co.uk, URL: http://www.nhbs.co.uk).

ONTARIO BREEDING BIRD ATLAS available–Scheduled for publication in September 2007, the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas will be a valuable conservation and research tool, and profits from the sale of the book will go toward bird conservation projects in Ontario and Canada. The book will contain over 700 full color pages of photographs, maps, and charts showing current distribution and abundance, and distribution changes in the last 20 years, for the 300 species breeding in the province. To place an order, or to obtain more information including sample accounts showing anticipated page layout, visit the atlas' website (URL: http://www.birdsontario.org/).

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MEETINGS

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.i-o-c.org/IOComm/index.htm.

* in this section indicates new or revised entry

VIII NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS, Maturín, Estado Monagas, Venezuela, 13‑19 May 2007. The Neotropical Ornithological Society (NOS) and the Venezuelan Ornithologists' Union (UVO) (the local host), are pleased to announce the VIIIth Neotropical Ornithological Congress (NOC). The Congress will honor the memory of William H. Phelps and William H. Phelps Jr., pioneers of Venezuelan Ornithology. For further information, see http://www.nocvenezuela.org or http://www.neotropicalornithology.org

2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, will be held at the Holiday Inn in Moscow, Idaho, 19‑23 Jun, 2007. All details of the meeting, including on‑line registration, accommodations, travel tips, etc., can be found on the official meeting website: (URL: http://www.dfa.uidaho.edu/ceis/conferences/cooper/default.asp). This site will continue to be the source of the most up‑to‑date information concerning the conference, including details of the scientific program as it evolves. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the conference organizers, KERRI VIERLING, Chair of the Local Committee, and STEVE KNICK, Chair of the Scientific Committee.

16TH REGIONAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE CONSERVATION AND STUDY OF CARIBBEAN BIRDS, 18‑24 Jul 2007, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The meeting, organized locally by the Puerto Rican Ornithological Society (La Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña) will feature technical paper sessions, symposia, workshops and Working Group meetings on bird research, management and conservation work in the Caribbean, as well as mid‑ and post‑conference field trips to enjoy Puerto Rico's rich bird life. Visit the society website (URL: http://www.scscb.org) and click on "News" for forthcoming information.

THE ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS' 2007 MEETING will be held at the University of Maine in Orono 26‑29 Jul 2007. Information about the meeting, pre‑ and post‑meeting trips, and the Gulf of Maine region will be available on the AFO website (URL: http://www.afonet.org/) soon. Contact REBECCA HOLBERTON, Laboratory of Avian Biology, Dept. Biological Sci., Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME 04469 (EM: rebecca.holberton@maine.edu, PH: 207‑581‑2526), for more information.

125TH STATED MEETING OF THE AOU will be held at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 8‑11 Aug 2007. Information about the meeting can be found on-line (URL: http://www.aou.org/meetings/2007/index.php3).

RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION and HAWK MIGRATION ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA JOINT CONFERENCE IN 2007. The RRF 2007 annual conference will be held in conjunction with the HMANA tri‑annual conference in Allentown, Pennsylvania, hosted by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association. The conference dates, 12‑16 Sep 2007, are timed to enjoy the annual broad‑winged hawk and osprey migration through eastern Pennsylvania with daily counts of over 1,000 birds possible. The meeting will be held at the Fogelsville Holiday Inn Conference Center, strategically located near the base of the Kittatinny Mountain, a world‑renown flyway for raptors and songbirds. Field trips to several migration watch sites such as Hawk Mountain, Bake Oven Knob, Cape May, are planned. A special symposium on the status of North American Raptors will be held on Saturday and Pat and Clay Sutton will deliver the keynote address on Thursday. A symposium on the American Kestrel is planned for Thursday. For further details contact local organizing committee chair LAURIE GOODRICH (EM: Goodrich@hawkmtn.org) or check the website (URL: http://www.hawkmountain.org).

*IV INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BREEDING BIRDS IN CAPTIVITY, 12 ‑ 16 Sep 2007, Toronto, Canada. It will be 20 years since the last conference of its kind, held in Los Angeles in 1987. Much has changed in the world of aviculture, zoology, ornithology and conservation. It is our goal to again bring forward the wealth of information, experiences and socialization these conferences had years ago and to honor one of the centuries greatest assets to our community – Dr. Jean Delacour. Symposium topics will vary greatly, however an emphasis will be placed on the role of aviculture in the conservation of avian biodiversity and the educational aspects and potential of birds in captivity. Various natural history and husbandry issues will be covered extensively. For more information visit (URL: http://www.isbbc.org/).

*THE 2007 Meeting of the SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS / SOCIÉTÉ DES ORNITHOLOGISTES DU CANADA will be held 27‑29 Sep 2007 at the Queen’s University Biological Station on Lake Opinicon, Ontario, Canada. Information and updates on registration, accommodations and abstract submission will be posted regularly to the SCO / SOC website (URL: http://www.sco‑soc.ca/). For more information, contact local host JOE NOCERA, Biology Dept., Queen’s Univ., Kingston, ON, Canada, K7L 3N6 (EM: nocerajj@biology.queensu.ca, PH: 613‑533‑6000, ext 77593).

*The 27TH MEETING OF THE PRAIRIE GROUSE TECHNICAL COUNCIL will be held in Chamberlain, South Dakota, 8 -10 Oct 2007. The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) gather the Technical Committee to identify, discuss, and implement management issues of prairie grouse; (2) provide an atmosphere where managers and biologists working with prairie grouse can gather and exchange information; (3) promote information sharing from current research; and (4) foster the integration of science into the implementation of management for prairie grouse. We are issuing a call for papers and posters to be included in the meeting scientific sessions. Abstracts should be no longer than 1 page (single spaced). Electronically (MS Word format) submit your presentation title and abstract to: KC JENSEN, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007 (EM: kent.jensen@sdstate.edu). If there are questions you can contact KC at (PH: 605)688‑4781. The deadline for submission of abstracts for inclusion in the scientific sessions is 1 Aug 2007. Information on travel, lodging, and other conference information can be found on the conference web page (URL: http://wfs.sdstate.edu).

*WORLD OWL CONFERENCE: Owls, Ambassadors for the Protection of Nature in their Changing Landscapes will be held in Groningen, The Netherlands, 31 Oct – 4 Nov 2007, and is hosted by Birdlife International in The Netherlands, the Global Owl Project and the World Owl Trust. A workshop on Owl Survey and Monitoring Techniques will be held on 31 October followed by three days of science, one day birding and evening social events. If this does not sound like enough, embark on a post‑conference tour to see more birds or to get a taste of the cultural heritage of The Netherlands. You will have an opportunity to meet hundreds of Dutch Owl enthusiasts during the Dutch National Owl Study Day, hosted by the Dutch Barn Owl and Little Owl Protection Working Groups. Please check out our website for further details and tell others about this event. We hope to see you there! http://www.worldowlconference.com

*4th BIENNIAL AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE–Call for Papers and Expressions of Interest: The Fourth Biennial Australasian Ornithological Conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia, 3-5 Dec 2007. This conference provides a regular forum for the exchange of information and ideas between avian researchers and conservationists throughout the Australasian region. The venue will be the University of Western Australia. The Western Australian group of Birds Australia (RAOU) will host the conference. Post‑conference field excursions will be available. An Invitation: You are invited to express your interest in attending this conference, and presenting a paper by visiting http://www.birdswa.com.au/aoc2007 or by writing to the conference coordinator: S. MATHER, Birds Australia Western Australia, 167 Perry Lakes Drive, Floreat, WA 6014 Australia (EM: aoc2007@birdswa.com.au; PH: +61 (0)8 93896416).

4TH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS IN FLIGHT CONFERENCE will be held 13‑16 Feb 2008, at the new McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas. The conference theme will be Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People, which will be shared with International Migratory Bird Day (URL: http://www.birdday.org/) for 2008. The focus of the conference will be international connections of all sorts that further bird and habitat conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. Concurrent paper sessions will focus on issues in bird conservation and will be of two types, 1) standard sessions typical of scientific society meetings, and 2) sessions followed by a facilitated discussion session. The goal of each of the latter sessions will be to produce a strategic action plan to be distributed to all partners within weeks of the conference. There will also be keynote speakers, vendors, social events, a poster session, a variety of single‑ and multi‑day birding field trips, and a proceedings that will include papers developed from posters. Details will be posted on the Partners in Flight web site (URL: http://www.partnersinflight.org) and distributed through various bird conservation listservs as they develop. In the mean time, contact TERRY RICH with inquiries (EM: terry_rich@fws.gov).

*THIRD NORTH AMERICAN SEA DUCK CONFERENCE will be held in Québec City, Canada, on 10‑14 Nov 2008. This international conference is open to all researchers, managers and others interested in sea ducks. It will be hosted by the Canadian Wildlife Service (Québec Region), in partnership with the non‑profit organization Regroupement QuébecOiseaux. Additional information on the conference is available on the following web site (URL: http://www.seaduckconference2008.org). All relevant information regarding the conference should normally be available at the proper time through the above web site. For additional information, please use the following contacts: MICHEL ROBERT (Chair of the Organizing committee; EM: michel.robert@ec.gc.ca, PH: 418‑649‑8071); JEAN‑PIERRE L. SAVARD (Chair of the Scientific committee; PH: jean‑pierre.savard@ec.gc.ca, PH: 418‑648‑3500).

*RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 29 Sep ‑ 4 Oct 2009, Scotland. The RRF 2009 annual conference will be held overseas for the first time, to reflect the global interests of its membership. Hosted by the Scottish Raptor Study Group, this event will be held in an exclusive hotel in the small town of Pitlochry, central Scotland, with a full program of scientific presentations, workshops and seminars. Social events include the hire of a nearby castle for an evening party, and fieldtrips will include the spectacular west coast island of Mull for eagles, otters and lochs. The conference website is currently under construction. Delegate numbers are limited to 300 so early booking advisable. For further details visit (URL: http://www.rrfconferencescotland2009.org) or contact local organizing committee chair RUTH TINGAY (EM: dimlylit100@hotmail.com).

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