Editor: Cheryl Trine
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NUMBER 180, OCTOBER 2007
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
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.wilsonsociety.org
BIRDNET - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/index.html
OUTSTANDING STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARDS were presented for the first time ever at the 2007 annual meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists held at the University of Maine in Orono, 26‑29 July. JULIA MACKENZIE, Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, UK, was awarded best poster presentation, for her poster entitled "Impact of non‑native flora on breeding success of Blue and Great Tits." Among oral presentations, honorable mentions went to BRENT HORTON, University of Maine, for his talk, "Corticosterone as a factor in parental behavior in male White‑throated Sparrows" and to JASON TOWNSEND, SUNY‑Syracuse, for his talk, "Bicknell's Thrush overwinter ecology in the Dominican Republic". Outstanding oral presentation awards went to SUSAN B. SMITH, University of Rhode Island, for her talk, "Influence of diet and food availability on fuel use and storage in songbirds during autumn migration in Rhode Island" and ANDREA TOWNSEND, Cornell University, for her talk, "A test of the genetic benefits hypothesis for extra‑pair paternity in the American Crow." The AFO wishes to thank Wiley‑Blackwell Publishing Co., W.H. Freeman Publishing Co., Sinauer Publishing Co., Oxford University Press and Princeton University Press for donating prizes, and also wishes to thank the many judges who contributed their valuable time judging these presentations at the meeting. The AFO donated several 2‑year AFO memberships towards the awards. Student papers comprised over a third of the total number of presentations at July's meeting. The quality of the research and presentation was exceptionally high. Student presentation awards will be a regular and prominent feature of annual AFO meetings in the future.
THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION held its 125th Stated Meeting in Laramie, Wyoming, at the University of Wyoming, 7‑11 Aug 2007. CRAIG W. BENKMAN chaired the Committee on Local Arrangements, and DAVID B. MCDONALD chaired the Committee on Scientific Program. There were 553 registrants, 214 of them students. The program included 3 plenary lectures, 33 papers in 6 symposia, and 349 contributed papers (237 oral papers and 112 posters). Highlights of the meeting include the following:
The 126th Stated Meeting of the AOU will be held in Portland, OR, 4‑9 Aug 2008.
NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP CLASSES OF Fellow and Elective Member of the AOU are due 10 Mar 2008. 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 2008, 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 April 2008. Ballots must be returned by mail to the Secretariat by three weeks before the Stated Meeting (i.e., by 16 Jul 2008) and the names will be announced at the Business Meeting of Members on 8 Aug 2008 in Portland, Oregon. For FELLOW nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare packets to be sent to current Fellows in May 2008. Voting will take place at the Fellows Meeting on 5 Aug 2008.
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 4 Apr 2008. Officers to be elected will be President‑Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and four Elective Councilors. The election will occur by electronic and postal ballots prior to the meeting. At the conclusion of the 126th Stated Meeting, Erica H. Dunn will complete her two‑year term as President, and Edward H. Burtt, Jr., will begin his two‑year term as President. The Bylaws of the AOU require that the Secretary and Treasurer be elected or re‑elected annually. Both 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 126th Stated Meeting in 2008 are Reed Bowman, Robert L. Curry, Helen F. James, and Thomas W. Sherry. Continuing to serve in 2008‑2009 will be Elective Councilors Bonnie S. Bowen, André Desrochers, Robert C. Fleischer, Patricia J. Heglund, Geoffrey E. Hill, Bridget J. M. Stutchbury, 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 14208 USA (PH: 716‑888‑2567, FX: 716‑888‑3157, EM: aousecretary@aou.org).
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR AOU AWARDS:
THE WEBSITE FOR THE PORTLAND, OREGON, 2008 JOINT MEETING of the American Ornithologists' Union, the Cooper Ornithological Society, and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists (6-9 Aug 2008) is now available (URL: http://www.pdxbirds08.org). The call for symposia and workshops has already been posted, and abstract submission via the website will be available soon. Registration information and the online registration system will be available by the end of the year.
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ORNITHOLOGICAL WORLDWIDE LITERATURE (OWL) is an indexed compilation of bibliographic citations that pertain to ornithology and come from the periodic, worldwide scientific literature. In the 21st Century, published scientific information that cannot be found at a later date is information lost to science. Ornithologists must be able to find all papers related to our science. Now ornithologists around the globe can access this important resource at no cost via the OWL web site, http://www.birdlit.org. Results of all bibliographic searches are downloadable to a spreadsheet or database. OWL currently adds nearly 6,000 literature citations each year to the database, which already contains more than 75,000 citations back to about 1990. One of OWL's particular strengths is that it covers periodicals and other publications not typically included in other searchable databases. The OWL depends upon a cadre of volunteer abstractors and editors around the globe who review their respective journals and compile the citation records. We are constantly looking for more volunteers to help in this effort. If you are interested in helping, please contact the project manager (information below). The more abstractors working on this effort and the more serials that are regularly being reviewed and abstracted, the more valuable a resource for ornithologists around the world. Worldwide, about 100‑125 abstractors are reviewing 400‑700 serials. Each is responsible for all the ornithological papers in a particular journal. Abstractors may submit data either via a spreadsheet template file (i.e., fill in the empty cells for author, year, title, citation, etc.) or by a direct ONLINE entry form at our web site. It takes approximately one afternoon a year to cover one medium sized journal with 20‑30 papers of interest to ornithologists. For a current list of journals in need of abstractors or for more information, contact KENNETH P. ABLE, Project Manager (EM: Kenable@hughes.net).
BBS MEXICO RECEIVES NMBCA FUNDS ‑ In May of 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Grant Program (NMBCA) awarded $56K to Mexico's National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) to kick‑start the expansion of the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) into Mexico. The BBS is the flagship wildlife surveillance program for the U.S. and Canadian governments and provides large‑scale, long‑term population data for over 400 of North America's breeding bird species. To date, the ability of the BBS to document the population status of >100 species whose ranges extend into Mexico has been limited to only the U.S and Canadian portions of their ranges. This new initiative, coordinated by CONABIO, the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the Canadian Wildlife Service, aims to improve coverage of shared avian species as well as to develop a collaborative framework with the Mexican government and other partners to track populations of their own endemic species through the expansion of the BBS. For more information, please visit http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/bbsnews/MeetingProducts/Index.html or contact HUMBERTO BERLANGA (EM: hberlang@xolo.conabio.gob.mx).
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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.
SECTION EDITORS NEEDED FOR GUIDELINES TO THE USE OF WILD BIRDS IN RESEARCH - The Ornithological Council is embarking on a major revision of its Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research. We are still in need of section editors to (a) review existing text to identify errors, omissions, and generally evaluate the adequacy of the text; (b) conduct or oversee the conduct of thorough literature reviews; and (c) draft new text. The sections for which editors are sought are: (a) trapping; (b) marking; (c) transport; (d) housing and captive breeding; (e) minor manipulative procedures; and (f) major manipulative procedures. The qualifications for this position include: a Ph.D in ornithology, zoology, wildlife biology, animal behavior, or a related field (students nearing completion of doctoral degrees will be considered); research experience with live birds; 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. To apply, send a letter of interest to JEANNE FAIR, Ph.D, 156 County Road 113, Santa Fe, NM 87506 or by e-mail (EM: jmfair@global-conservation.org). Specify the section or sections for which you would like to be considered and describing your experience with the kinds of techniques described in that/those section(s). Honoraria are available. The anticipated duration of the project is 18 months.
NEW INTERIOR EXECUTIVE FOR WATER AND SCIENCE - On 16 July, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced that Kameran L. Onley will assume responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, a position that includes responsibility for the U.S. Geological Survey, the research agency of the Department of the Interior. Onley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University in Economics with a minor in Biology and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Clemson University. Onley has been Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Interior since January 2006, serving as the principal advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on environmental policy issues. Before coming to the Interior Department, Onley served as the Associate Director for Environmental Policy at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Onley currently serves as the Chair of the South Florida Restoration Task Force, Co-Chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, and the principal DOI member of the Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration. At the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), she advised the CEQ Chairman, the White House and members of the Executive Office of the President on environmental policy issues, particularly those involving ocean, coastal, and fisheries policies. Most notably she was responsible for leading the interagency ocean policy group in the development of the President's "U.S. Ocean Action Plan." Onley formerly served as the associate director for the Regulatory Studies Program at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. In the past Onley worked as an economic research assistant at the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research at Tarleton State University on water issues associated with the dairy industry. Born and raised in Seattle, Wash., she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle University in Economics with a minor in Biology and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Clemson University.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS extends its deepest sympathies to Irene Pepperberg on the sudden and tragic loss of her famous, brilliant research companion and beloved friend, Alex, who died suddenly on 7 September 2007. Alex came into the life of Dr. Pepperberg, a longtime OC Board Member representing the Cooper Ornithological Society, from a pet shop in 1977 and quickly took over her life by teaching her all he knew about cognition and communication. Alex achieved fame on the little screen by upstaging Alan Alda in an episode of Scientific American Frontiers on PBS. The front page of the New York Times Science Times featured Alex in 1999. That same year, Dr. Pepperberg published /The Alex Studies/, a comprehensive review of her decades of learning about learning from Alex. Many other television appearances and newspaper articles followed. What Alex taught Dr. Pepperberg about cognition and communication has been applied to therapies to help children with learning disabilities. Dr. Pepperberg continues her work with Alex's two avian companions, Griffin and Wart. To help support this research, please consider making a donation in Alex's memory to The Alex Foundation, c/o Dr. Irene Pepperberg, Department of Psychology/MS-062, 415 South Street, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454.
NEW CITES REGULATIONS PUBLISHED - The first major update and compilation of regulations implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1977 was published on 23 Aug 2007 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These rules have a direct impact on ornithologists who import or export scientific specimens or live birds for use in research. The extensive revisions and additions clarify procedures and provide an easy-to-use guide to the requirements for international trade in plants and animals regulated by CITES. CITES provides varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 species of animals and plants, including parrots, raptors, hummingbirds, and myriad other bird species. International trade in CITES species is regulated by the 172 countries, including the United States, that are signatories to the 1973 treaty. The final rule, published in the Federal Register, incorporates measures adopted by CITES member nations over the past three decades and reflects consideration of more than 340 public comments received by the Service in response to the proposed rule, published in April 2006. Among the revisions are several technical changes suggested by the Ornithological Council to clarify and simplify the import and export procedures and requirements for researchers, particularly with regard to genetic material and subsamples. The regulations become effective on 23 Sep 2007, and will be available online at http://www.fws.gov/international/
POLICY WORKSHOP OFFERED BY CIPAMEX, ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL - At the request of its member society CIPAMEX, the Ornithological Council has organized a public policy workshop to be held at the annual conference of CIPAMEX. Speakers will address the role of scientific societies in public policy, including policies that affect science and policies pertaining to bird conservation. The speakers will include CIPAMEX president Raul Ortiz Pulido, past CIPAMEX president Patricia Escalante, Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, director of Mexico's National Commission on Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), Juan Carlos Cantu of Defenders of Wildlife, and OC Executive Director Ellen Paul. The workshop will be held 9 Oct 2007 as part of the program of the 7th Congresso para el estudio y conservación de la aves en México (CECAM). For more information, see (URL: http://www.huitzil.net/CECAM2007.html).
BUYING FISH AND SEAFOOD AT THE GROCERY STORE - can be a complex decision-making process; apart from the sustainability, health, and cost issues, the myriad bird-related issues can be paralyzing. Did the ship that caught that halibut use longlines? Did it use methods to prevent seabirds from diving on the bait and drowning? Were birds killed pursuant to protect the fish in the aquaculture ponds? Were ducks and seabirds drowned in the near-shore gill nets? Were mangroves destroyed to create shrimp ponds? Whole Foods Markets has been working to incorporate these concerns into its seafood quality standards. The seafood quality coordinator for Whole Foods Market has been consulting with the Ornithological Council to identify experts on the impacts of aquaculture and commercial fishing on birds. We hope that our help will allow Whole Foods Market to help simplify our fish and seafood purchases and, more importantly, help reduce the impact of fish and seafood production methods on birds.
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EDITOR FOR ORNITOLÓGIA NEOTROPICAL. – The Neotropical Ornithological Society is in search of a new editor for its journal Ornitológia Neotropical. The new editor will replace the current editor who plans to retire from his editorial duties in 2009. Potential candidates should be capable of editing manuscripts in both English and Spanish. An ability to read Portuguese is also useful. The journal is published four times a year with approximately 660 pages per volume based on receipt of 4 to 5 manuscripts per week. The editor is responsible for identifying and communicating with reviewers as well as making final decision on manuscripts and providing editorial comments. The editorial board may be enlisted to assist with the review process or suggest appropriate reviewers. The society is presently exploring the possibility of making the journal available online to its membership. Those interested in the position of editor or those who wish to suggest names as candidates for a new editor should contact JOSEPH M. WUNDERLE (EM: jmwunderle@gmail.com).
GREAT HORNED OWL SOUND RECORDINGS from across the entire range of the species are needed for a vocal study to determine regional variation in territorial hooting and document the complete vocal repertoire. Especially needed are recordings of territorial hooting from Central America, South America, Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Recordings of less common vocalizations of the species from anywhere in their range would also be particularly helpful. Even low quality recordings can be of use. Contact KARLA KINSTLER (EM: kenkarla@acegroup.cc, PH: 507‑896‑3436), 19268 Perkins Valley Dr, Houston, MN USA, if you have recordings you would be willing to contribute to this study.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: BIRD NOTES FROM PALENQUE, CHIAPAS. Many thanks to those who responded to our call last year for field notes from Palenque for our study of long‑term changes in the bird community in response to deforestation. We have compiled presence/absence data from most years from 1970 to present; however, we are missing data from 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1987, and 1998. Moreover, our data from 1970, 1973, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000 could stand to be bolstered. We would appreciate any field notes from these years, including simple species lists, that you would be willing to share. Also, any pre‑1970 notes will add to our baseline data, and notes from years not mentioned may add species for those years. Please send your notes to MICHAEL PATTEN (EM: mpatten@ou.edu), Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, 111 E. Chesapeake Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73019.
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The Positions and Opportunities section is available only in the on-line edition. This information can be accessed from the Ornithological Newsletter Home Page (http://www.osnabirds.org/on), or directly at (http://www.osnabirds.org/on/ornjobs.htm). Submissions can be made at any time. Please send submissions to the Ornithological Newsletter Editor, Cheryl Trine, (EM: ctrine@andrews.edu). This posting service is free of charge.
AN E-LIST SERVICE is available. Subscribers to this list will receive lists of new job announcements in their email. These are the same announcements as will appear on-line.To join the Birdjobs-L e-list, send the following e-mail message to <lyris@cornell.edu>: join Birdjobs-L "your name". Where your name (include the quotation marks) is the name you want to be available to the list's administrators. Leave the subject line blank. Send this message from the e-mail address where you want to receive the e-list's messages. The message must be sent in plain text, that is, no formatting, font styles, or HTML code. Your name must appear in double quotes. You leave the e-list by sending message "leave BirdJobs-L" to <lyris@cornell.edu>.
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FOR INFORMATION ON CONTINUING GRANTS PROGRAMS relevant to ornithological research, visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/Grants/index.html.
THE INTERNATIONAL OSPREY FOUNDATION (TIOF) is seeking applications for its 18th annual grant program to support research activities of a graduate student primarily focusing on osprey. However, work with other raptor species may be considered. The award recipient will be expected to provide a report on his or her research and use of the funds within one year of receiving the grant. To apply, send a project description of no more than two pages, an itemized estimate of expenses, and the name and address of the graduate supervisor. This project description and estimated budget, along with a cover letter giving whatever personal data you wish to furnish, will serve as your grant application. No further documents are required. Applications must be submitted by 31 Jan 2008, to : TIOF Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 250 Sanibel, FL 33957-0250. The grant will be awarded on 31 Mar 2008.
THE WORLD OWL HALL OF FAME IS SEEKING NOMINATIONS of both owls and humans who have made tremendous strides toward making this world a better place for owls. Nominees may be living or deceased and may reside anywhere in the world. Self‑nominations are accepted. Nominations must be received by 11 Jan 2008. Winners will be announced at the International Festival of Owls in Houston, Minnesota, USA on Friday, 29 Feb 2008. Sponsors are also being sought. For more information about nominations or sponsorships, contact the Houston Nature Center (PH: 507‑896‑4668, EM: nature@acegroup.cc), or go to the "Activities" section of the International Festival of Owls website (URL: http://www.festivalofowls.com) and click on “World Owl Hall of Fame”.
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NEOTROPICAL RAPTORS, Bildstein, Keith L., David R. Barber, and Andrea Zimmerman, eds. 2007. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. 365 pages, 8.75" x 5.87", softcover, $28.00 (including surface mail). Neotropical Raptors, published by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on behalf of the Neotropical Raptor Network, represents the proceedings of the 2nd Neotropical Raptor Conference, held in Iguazú, Argentina in June of 2006. The 365‑page book contains 29 complete papers and 80 bilingual abstracts, together with numerous black‑and‑white photos, figures, and tables. The book‑‑the first to focus entirely on Neotropical birds of prey and owls‑‑offers new information on the group's natural history, breeding biology, migrations, rehabilitation, and conservation. Written by experts in the field and designed to enhance our knowledge of birds of prey in what is arguably the most raptor‑diverse biogeographical realm in the world. Order from: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Bookstore, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529 USA (EM: bookstore@hawkmountian.org, PH: 1‑610‑756‑6000).
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN BREEDING BIRD SURVEY: 2006‑2010. U.S. Geological Survey, 2007. Circular 1307; 19 pages + front matter, 8 1/2" x 11", full color illustrations. The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has played a critical role in identifying at risk bird species and informing biologically sound avian conservation and management decisions for over 40 years. The result of an intensive 2005 programmatic review, the strategic plan documents the collective input of numerous partners and stakeholders and presents a consensus plan including two major goals, 5 strategies, and 13 objectives as well as 36 individual action items that will guide the BBS towards providing scientifically credible status and trends measures well into the future. The USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and Mexico's National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity are pleased to offer this document both online in pdf format (URL: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/bbsnews/MeetingProducts/Index.html) and in print. Print requests should be directed to KEITH PARDIECK (EM: kpardieck@usgs.gov).
FIFTY UNCOMMON BIRDS OF THE UPPER MIDWEST, by Overcott, Nancy; watercolors by Dana Gardner. 2007. University of Iowa Press. 128 pp. ISBN: 1-58729-590-3, $34.95 cloth. In this illustrated companion to their Fifty Common Birds of the Upper Midwest, which provided a new appreciation of the not-so-ordinary beauty and lives of familiar birds, Gardner and Overcott celebrate the rarer birds of the Upper Midwest. The selected species include some of those that may be uncommon because of dwindling population; they may be common elsewhere but not in the Upper Midwest; they may be abundant one year and absent the next; and species that are usually present but are seldom seen. Watercolors of each chosen species are paired with text that portrays its life cycle, its vocalizations and appearance, and its habitat, food, and foraging methods as well as migration patterns and distribution. Available at bookstores, or directly from the University of Iowa Press by phone at 800-621-2736 or online at http://www.uiowapress.org.
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FREE JOURNALS to good home: Auk vol. 107‑120; Condor vol. 91‑present; Wilson Bull. vol. 101‑present; J. Field Ornith. vol. 65‑74. You pay shipping. DIRK BURHANS (EM: burhansd@missouri.edu).
FOR SALE: Six SME‑AFS amplified playback speakers manufactured by Saul Mineroff Electronics for sale, in excellent condition and not used in wet weather conditions (see http://mineroff.com/nature/afs.htm for detailed specifications). Contact BETH HAHN via email (EM: bahahn@gmail.com)
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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.i-o-c.org/IOComm/index.htm.
* in this section indicates new or revised entry
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. Information on travel, lodging, and other conference information can be found on the conference web page (URL: http://wfs.sdstate.edu).
30th ANNUAL CONVENTION, NORTH AMERICAN BLUEBIRD SOCIETY “NABS 200: Bluebird Partnerships ‑ Science of Bluebirds”, 20‑23 Sep 2007, at the University of Georgia Center of Continuing Education, Athens, GA. For additional information and on-line Registration forms, visit the NABS website (URL: http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org) or contact HELEN MUNRO (EM: nabs2007@nabluebirdsociety.org, PH: 910-673‑6936). Pre, Mid and Post Conference field trips which include the Aquarium in Atlanta, the State Botanical Gardens and Stone Mountain will also be available to Registrants.
9th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF RESEARCH ON THE COLORADO PLATEAU will be held on 29 Oct ‑ 1 Nov 2007 at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. The conference focuses on research and resource management efforts related to the physical, cultural, and biological resources of the Southwestern United States, with a special emphasis on the Colorado Plateau. For the Call for Papers, and additional information visit the conference website (URL: http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/cprs/news_info/meetings/biennial/2007/index.asp#maincontent) or contact SCOTT DURST (EM: scott.durst@nau.edu).
31st ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WATERBIRD SOCIETY will be held 30 Oct – 3 Nov 2007 at the Historic Building of the University of Barcelona, Spain. Three full days of scientific sessions are planned, including 6 symposia (contact information listed for symposia with openings remaining): “Waterbirds as Indicators of Global Change”, “Avian Diseases: The Role of Waterbirds” (MIKE ERWIN, EM: rme5g@cms.mail.virginia.edu), “Spatiotemporal Distribution of Seabirds in Offshore Marine Environments” (JACOB GONZALEZ‑SOLIS, EM: jgsolis@ub.edu), “Phylogeography and Population Genetics of Seabirds: Implications for Conservation” (ELENA GOMEZ‑DIAZ, EM: elegomez@ub.edu), “Rice and Waterbirds: Science, Management, and Conservation” (KATHY PARSONS, EM: parsonsk@manomet.org), and “Comparative Demographics of Temperate and Tropical Roseate Terns”. The meeting also will feature plenary addresses by Dr. John Croxall (“From Local Science to Global Conservation: Perspectives from Southern Ocean Seabirds”) and Dr. Keith Hobson (“Isotopic dabbling in the lives of Waterbirds”). Field trips are planned to various areas along the Mediterranean coast, including one full‑day excursion to the rice fields of the Ebro delta, an important breeding and feeding site for herons, egrets, ducks, waders, shorebirds, gulls, flamingos, coots, and moorhens. Registration information can be accessed through the Society’s web page on BIRDNET, or directly at http://www.wbs2007.org. For more information about the scientific program, contact DAVE SHEALER (EM: david.shealer@loras.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, 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, and a post‑conference tour. 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 at the University of Western Australia in Perth, Western Australia, 3-5 Dec 2007, hosted by The Western Australian group of Birds Australia (RAOU). Post‑conference field excursions will be available. For more information visit http://www.birdswa.com.au/aoc2007 or by write 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).
68TH MIDWEST FISH AND WILDLIFE CONFERENCE in Madison, Wisconsin, 9‑12 Dec 2007, Monona Terrace Convention Center on the shore of Lake Monona just blocks from the State Capitol, the University of Wisconsin campus, and downtown dining and night life. Conference theme: Be The Change: Manage Locally, Conserve Globally. What we do locally on our individual fish and wildlife properties or on private lands in our own states can and will have an effect on Midwest regional fish and wildlife populations and their habitat. We invite attendees to explore ways to put their individual management actions into a larger context to benefit all fish and wildlife across the Midwest. Please visit our website early and often to keep track of the call for papers, registration details, and to learn more about the exciting program as it takes shape (URL: http://midwest.ncd‑afs.org/).
*INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRIDESCENCE, 6-9 Feb 2008: The School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University is pleased to announce an integrative 4‑day conference on iridescent colors in nature, entitled 'Iridescence: More than Meets the Eye'. The goal of this conference is to connect diverse groups of researchers for cross‑disciplinary discussions on iridescent coloration, identify new avenues of research, and explore the potential for iridescence to provide novel insights in fields as divergent as materials science, sexual selection and primary science education. We are pleased to announce that the following invited speakers have confirmed their participation: Dr. Stephanie Doucet, Dr. Helen Ghiradella, Dr. Roger Hanlon, Dr. Darrell Kemp, Dr. Kevin McGraw, Dr. Daniel Osorio, Dr. Richard Prum, Dr. Ronald Rutowski, Dr. Matthew Shawkey, Dr. Mohan Srinivasarao, Dr. Doekele Stavenga, and Dr. Peter Vukusic. For more information, including deadlines for abstract submission, registration, and applications for student travel grants, please visit the conference website at: http://sols.asu.edu/rti/frontiers/iridescence. Feel free to contact the conference organizers with any questions at (EM: animalcoloration@gmail.com) or contact LISA TAYLOR at (EM: Lisa.A.Taylor@asu.edu, PH: 480-965‑2593).
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, shared with International Migratory Bird Day (URL: http://www.birdday.org/) for 2008, is Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People. 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. Abstracts for contributed papers are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is 10 Sep 2007. Details will be posted on the Partners in Flight web site (URL: http://www.partnersinflight.org). In the mean time, contact TERRY RICH with inquiries (EM: terry_rich@fws.gov).
12TH BIENNIAL ALASKA BIRD CONFERENCE will be held in Fairbanks, Alaska, 4‑7 Mar 2008. Suggestions for pre‑conference workshops, special sessions, and associated meetings are now being accepted. Conference details will be posted on the Alaska Bird Observatory website as they become available (URL: http://www.alaskabird.org). For further details contact local organizing committee chair NANCY DEWITT (EM: :ndewitt@alaskabird.org).
5TH ASIAN RAPTOR SYMPOSIUM of The Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network (ARRCN) 3‑6 Apr 2008, in Tam Dao National Park, Vinh Phuc province, Vietnam. The Symposium theme is Raptors and Local People in Asia. The focus of the Symposium will be on international connections of Raptor experts and conservationists throughout the world. Three concurrent sessions will be held including 1) Oral presentations, 2) Lectures and, 3) Posters. The goals of the sessions are to exchange information, update technologies, enhance cooperation between scientists, and raise awareness of local communities. Details are posted on the ARRCN website (URL: http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~raptor/index.htm) or contact LE MANH HUNG with inquiries (EM: Hungniltava@yahoo.com).
*THE 21ST BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE TRUMPETER SWAN SOCIETY (TTSS) will be held at the High Country Inn in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, 17‑20 Apr 2008. The biennial conferences of TTSS provide the only public forum in North America that brings together private citizens and conservation groups, policy makers, swan managers, and researchers to examine the status and needs of Trumpeter Swans in the U.S. and Canada and to work together to make all populations secure. The 21st conference will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of TTSS and will focus on the history of TTSS and the history of trumpeter swan conservation. Special attention will also be given to be the status, management and conservation of Trumpeter Swans in western Canada and Alaska. Presentations will examine the restoration accomplishments and lessons learned, the challenges and discuss the future challenges to trumpeter swan conservation. In addition, the Conference will include sessions on the biology, habitat concerns, and management of Trumpeter Swan populations in North America. Papers and posters on the biology and management of Tundra Swans and Mute Swans or their interactions with Trumpeter Swans are also invited. The conference will occur during the Yukon Territory annual Celebration of Swans that will occur from 12‑20 April 2008. Conference attendees are encouraged to come early and enjoy the celebration events. Information on the 2007 celebration will give you an idea of the activities to expect: http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/Swan%20Haven.html. We strongly encourage the private partners, agency managers and biologists involved in Trumpeter Swan restoration, management, and research to participate. If you are interested in making a presentation at the 21st Conference, please contact JOHN CORNELY (EM: johncornely@msn.com, PH:303‑933‑9861) or MADELEINE LINCK (EM: ttss@threeriversparkdistrict.org, PH:763‑694‑7851) for additional information, including presentation guidelines and submission dates.
THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, will be held 18‑20 Apr 2008 in Mobile Alabama, an important trans‑Gulf migration site. This will be a joint meeting with the Association of Field Ornithologists. The local host, FRANK MOORE, may be reached at the Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Box 5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 USA; (PH:: 601‑266‑4748; EM: Frank.Moore@usm.edu).
CONFERENCE AND CALL FOR PAPERS: Ingestion of Spent Lead Ammunition: Implications for Wildlife and Humans. Convened by The Peregrine Fund, 12‑15 May 2008, At Boise State University, Boise, Idaho. The goal of the conference is to promote a better understanding of ingested spent lead ammunition as a source of lead exposure and to reduce its effect on wildlife and humans. For details, visit (URL: http://www.peregrinefund.org/Lead_conference/), or contact: The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, Idaho 83709 (PH: 208-362‑3716, EM: tpf@peregrinefund.org).
JOINT MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, AND THE SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS ‑ will take place 6‑9 Aug 2008 in Portland, Oregon. This meeting will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the AOU and special events are being planned to celebrate this notable event. A website is in preparation and will be used for abstract submission and registration. Members will receive an e‑mail notification as soon as the website is available. The meeting organizers are planning a green meeting. Among the measures being taken to reduce the carbon cost and other environmental impacts of the meeting are the selection of a Green Seal Lodging Property (the Hilton Portland). To save paper and costs, the Circular of Information will be mailed only to members who do not use e‑mail. The hotel and nearly all events associated with the meeting are all accessible via the MAX rail (public transportation; free in the downtown area). Numerous special events for students, including receptions and a special luncheon are planned. Meeting partners include: Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Portland, U.S. Geological Survey, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Zoo, Portland Audubon Society, and the Audubon Society of Corvallis.
*THIRD NORTH AMERICAN SEA DUCK CONFERENCE will be held in Québec City, Canada, on 10‑14 Nov 2008. Hosted by the Canadian Wildlife Service (Québec Region), in partnership with the non‑profit organization Regroupement QuébecOiseaux. New information on the conference is now available on the web site: 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).
THE RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 29 Sep ‑ 4 Oct 2009, Scotlandwill 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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HORACE H. JETER of Shreveport, LA, died in January 2007. He was a life member of the AOU since 1946, life member of the COS since 1950, and life member of WOS since 1950. He was very active in bird studies in Louisiana, and, in 1950, he originated the Shreveport Christmas Bird Count the oldest, continuously run CBC in the state of Louisiana.
BROOKE MEANLEY died 19 Aug 2007 at the age of 92. He became a member of the AOU in 1935, was elected an Elective Member in 1952, and was elected as a Fellow in 1974. He was also a member of the WOS since 1950 and the AFO since 1983. As a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Brooke Meanley spent nearly twenty years researching birds in the Chesapeake Bay area.
KENNETH C. PARKES died on 16 July 2007 at the age of 84. He served as curator of the Section of Birds at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History from 1965 until his retirement in 1996. He published over 500 articles and was well known for his work on molt and plumages of birds. Ken was a life member, past President, and active council member of the WOS, which he joined in 1946. He was also a life member of the AOU. He joined the AOU in 1947, was elected an Elective Member in 1953, and was elected a Fellow in 1961. He was also a life member of the COS since 1947, a member of the AFO since 1983, and a member of the Waterbird Society since 1977.
HENRY W. PELZL, life member of the AOU since 1965, life member of the WOS since 1968, and member of the COS since 1967, was killed in a car accident on 5 December 2006.
JAN ROGER VAN OOSTEN, life member of AOU since 1958, life member of COS since 1959, and life member of WOS since 1961, died of a blood clot on 1 May 2005. He was a former director of the Woodland Park Zoo.
The Secretary of the of the AOU was notified recently of the deaths of the following members:
GREGORY B. CUNNINGHAM of Davis, CA. Member of AOU since 2001.
PHYLLIS L. HURLOCK of Honey Brook, PA. Life member of AOU, COS, and WOS, which she joined in 1957, 1958, and 1959 respectively.
KATHERINE G. MCNAUGHTON of St. Petersburg, FL. Life member of AOU, WOS, and AFO, which she joined in 1976, 1973, and 1983 respectively.
ELSIE RICHEY of Hayward, CA. Member of AOU since 1982, COS since 1982, and WOS since 2001.
J.D. SHEERAN of Clifton Park, NY. Member of AOU since 1993.
EDWARD D. SPINGARN of Washington, DC. He joined the AOU in 1924 and was a life member.
HENRY T. WIGGIN of Brookline, MA. Life member of WOS, COS, and AOU, which he joined in 1941, 1944, and 1945 respectively.
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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:
BROWN, MARY BOMBERGER. Program Coordinator, Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership, 153C Hardin Hall, University of Nebraska, 3310 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, NE 68583‑0931. PH: 402-472‑8878, EM: MBROWN9@unl.edu
ROBINSON, DOUGLAS A., JR. School of Science, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA 50588. PH: 712-749‑2294
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THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS of the Society journals and the month of mailing are:Auk, 2007, Vol. 124, #3 (Jul); Condor, 2007, Vol. 109, # (Aug); J. Field Ornith., 2007, Vol. 78, #3 (Sep); Raptor Res., 2006, Vol. 41, # 2 (Jul); Waterbirds, 2007, Vol.30, #3 (Oct); Wilson J. Ornith., 2007, Vol. 119, #3 (Sep). Numbers follow at about 3-month intervals. If you are missing an issue, please contact OSNA. New members receive the first issue of the volume year. Please check your address label to confirm membership information and address.
THE NEXT NEWSLETTER will be issued in December. Items you wish to have included must reach the Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE, 3889 E. Valley View, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 (PH: 269-471-7886; EM: ctrine@andrews.edu), by 1 November 2007. Submittal by email (in the body of the email message‑‑not an attached file) or on diskette (PC format: WordPerfect or ASCII) with hard copy; e‑mail preferred. Items sent to the OSNA office may not reach the Editor in time. Items with a deadline date should be submitted at least 4 months in advance of that date to allow time for response.
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The Ornithological Newsletter (ISSN 0274-564X) is published bimonthly by the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA) in electronic and paper forms. Membership dues in any OSNA Society include $3.50 for the cost of publication. Separate subscriptions are not available. For application to membership, write the OSNA office, 5400 Bosque Blvd., Suite 680, Waco, TX 76710.
Questions, comments and notices can be sent to Cheryl L. Trine, Ornithological Newsletter Editor at ctrine@andrews.edu
All contents copyright © 2007 The Ornithological Societies of North America. All Rights Reserved.