The Ornithological Newsletter On-Line

ORGANIZATION NEWS

STUDENTS - FREE MEMBERSHIP! The Cooper Ornithological Society is always interested in getting more graduate students involved and provides free student memberships each year. These student awards cover costs of membership for two years and carry full membership benefits including online access to the Condor, providing an important launch into ornithological careers at an early stage. To apply, simply send a CV of the student and a cover letter from the major professor that describes why the student deserves the award. Deadline for receipt of applications is 31 Mar 2008. Send application materials by e-mail or post to: SHELDON J. COOPER, Department of Biology & Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901-8640 (EM: cooper@uwosh.edu).

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).

AOU RESEARCH AWARDS FOR 2008. Instructions for submitting an application for a 2008 AOU Research Award are now available and can be accessed on the AOU homepage (URL: http://www.aou.org) by following the Awards link to the Research Awards page. Questions can be directed to the Chair of the AOU Research Awards Committee either by e-mail (EM: rbowman@archbold-station.org ) or by regular mail: REED BOWMAN, Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Dr., Venus, FL 33960. Applicants must submit ten (10) copies of the completed application form, their proposal and budget, to the Chair by 4 Feb 2008. Applications that do not adhere strictly to the submission guidelines will not be evaluated.

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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHOREBIRD RESEARCH GROUP OF THE AMERICAS Launches New Website–The Shorebird Research Group of the Americas (SRGA) is a consortium of researchers from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and the public interested in the biology and conservation of shorebirds in the Americas. Our purpose is to encourage collaborative working groups, provide communication between individuals and groups, and be a clearing house for emerging ideas and issues related to shorebirds. The group recently launched its new Website (URL: http://www.shorebirdresearch.org/), which further explains the SRGA and provides information about its next meeting, slated to be held in Mexico in Spring 2009. The Website also contains links to species-focused working groups that are exploring potential causes for shorebird declines, and invites those working on shorebird research to provide the SRGA with their brief bio, publications, and Websites describing their work. All are encouraged to explore the new SRGA Website! Send any suggestions you may have for additional material or links to STEPHEN BROWN (EM: sbrown@manomet.org), with "SRGA Website" in the subject line. A Spanish-language SRGA 'mirror site' is currently under development.

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 11-13 and 18-20 Jun 2007. Receive first hand experience working with live raptors: capturing, handling and banding techniques, broadcast call surveys, tree climbing and rappelling, videos surveillance and more. This course can be taken for credit through the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Registration is $350 and space is limited so call early. For more information and a registration form visit http://www.RaptorResearch.com

CALL FOR SYMPOSIA PROPOSALS, 25th International Ornithological Congress 2010 (22-28 August 2010) Campos do Jordão, Brazil. The Scientific Program Committee has been formed and a web page is in place (http://www.i-o-c.org or http://www.ib.usp.br/25ioc). We hope that you will circle these dates on your calendar and plan to attend! The Scientific Program Committee (SPC) invites you to submit symposium proposals for the next IOC. Symposia are aimed at the general ornithologist and provide up-to-date coverage of current ornithological research. Similar to the last IOC meeting, each symposium will include two keynote addresses that should summarize the global progress of ornithological science in the field over the last four years and address priorities for future research. Other speakers will be chosen by the conveners, with guidance from the SPC, and will include persons who have submitted abstracts identifying the particular symposium they would like to join. This is intended to increase global participation and allow new researchers to contribute to symposia. The call for contributed papers (which will come in early 2009) will include a box that contributors can check if they wish to be considered for specific symposia. Please note that symposium speakers cannot give another oral presentation during the congress, but can apply to organize a round table discussion or present a poster. Proposals for symposia must be received on or before 1 Jun 2008. For further information on symposium proposals please see http://www.ib.usp.br/25ioc/2007_Second_circular-Symposia_corrected.doc. If you need more information, please consult the 25th IOC web site http://www.i-o-c.org or http://www.ib.usp.br/25ioc or contact the Secretary General for the Congress by e-mail (EM: ioc2010@ib.usp.br) or by mail at: CRISTINA MIYAKI/IOC 2010, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.

THE FEATHER ATLAS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS is a new web-based resource for the examination and identification of flight feathers (remiges and rectrices). Currently, the website (URL: http://www.lab.fws.gov/featheratlas/) contains high-resolution scanned images of the flight feathers of 80 species, including almost all widespread North American grouse and quail (Phasianidae and Odontophoridae), hawks and eagles (Accipitridae), falcons (Falconidae), New World vultures (Cathartidae), owls (Tytonidae and Strigidae), cuckoos (Cuculidae), pigeons and doves (Columbidae), and woodpeckers (Picidae). Each scan includes a table with specimen data and measurements of feather lengths. Extensive series of scans illustrate the appearance of the flight feathers at various ages in both Bald and Golden Eagles, and age- and sex-related variation in flight feathers of other species is illustrated whenever possible. This is an ongoing project that will continually add new species. Efforts are currently directed toward scanning the feathers of herons, ibis, and allies (Ciconiiformes) for which specimens are available in the collection of the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. We solicit the donation or loan of specimens for this project. If a species from one the families currently covered on the website is not represented, that means we lack a specimen for this purpose. Examples include Spruce Grouse, Swallow-tailed Kite, Zone-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara, Gyrfalcon, White-winged Dove, Williamson’s Sapsucker, and Arizona Woodpecker. We are also interested in obtaining examples of unrepresented plumage types, such as Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk. We welcome inquiries, comments, or suggestions on the Feather Atlas, which may be sent to PEPPER TRAIL (EM: pepper_trail@fws.gov) or through the Contact Us page of the website.

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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.

CONGRESS ACTS TO STRENGTHEN KEY LAWS - While most ornithologists are familiar with laws specific to birds (such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act) and other natural resources (such as the Endangered Species Act), other federal laws are actually key to protecting the processes that assure integrity in the operation of those laws. Before adjourning, the 110th Congress acted to improve the Freedom of Information Act and the law that protects federal employees who "blow the whistle" on agency wrongdoings. Whistle-blowing by dedicated federal agency staffers in the USFWS, BLM, and other agencies have been so instrumental over the past few years in protecting birds when decisions that run contrary to the science have been made. The Senate has now approved legislation to strengthen protections for federal employees who reveal waste, fraud and abuse. The House enacted similar legislation in March, and the two bills will be reconciled when Congress reconvenes in 2008. The bill would protect federal employees who make any disclosure, permit employees to share classified information with members of Congress, and protect whistle-blowers whose security clearances are revoked because of retaliation. It is unclear if President Bush will sign the legislation, or issue another "signing statement" that purports to exempt some or all of the Executive Branch from compliance with some or all of the legislation. The Congress also enacted legislation to improve the Freedom of Information Act, which, since its enactment more than 30 years ago as one of a suite of "open government" or "good government" laws has been very helpful in bird conservation efforts, because it allows organizations concerned about agency decisions to obtain the agency's documents in order to determine if the decision was warranted. Anyone who has filed a FOIA request knows that it can take years to receive the documents. The National Security Archive at George Washington University tracks FOIA requests and has documented requests that have been unfulfilled for 17 years or more. Apparently, one request has been at least partially unfulfilled for 24 years. The new legislation approved by the 110th would toughen the Freedom of Information Act and penalize government agencies that fail to surrender public documents on time. The bill would speed the process of releasing government documents to the public under the FOIA, as the act is known, and broaden the information available to the public. The White House has objected to some of the bill's provisions, but proponents expect it to clear the final hurdle during the congressional recess next week, when bills left unsigned for 10 days can pass without the President's signature.

OPEN ACCESS NOW MANDATORY FOR NIH-FUNDED RESEARCH - The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2007 (H.R. 2764) includes a provision directing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide the public with open online access to findings from its funded research. This is the first time the U.S. government has mandated public access to research funded by a major agency. Scientific societies and publishers tried but failed to have it removed from the appropriations legislation. The law directs the NIH to change its existing Public Access Policy, implemented as a voluntary measure in May 2005, so that participation is required for agency-funded investigators. Researchers will now be required to deposit electronic copies of their peer-reviewed manuscripts into the National Library of Medicine's online archive, PubMed Central. Full texts of the articles will be publicly available and searchable online in PubMed Central no later than 12 months after publication in a journal. The potential impact on journals will vary depending on the percentage of NIH-FUNDED content in the journal and the timeliness of the field. Though most ornithological research is not funded by the NIH, it is expected that this mandate for public access will set a precedent for other federal funding agencies to follow suit on a voluntary basis, and for open access advocates to press for similar legislation for all federal agencies that fund research. The NIH will likely announce the new deposit requirement in a future issue of the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts and perhaps in the Federal Register. It is possible there will be an opportunity to comment on the proposed policy. However, it is likely to go into effect sometime in 2008.

CONGRESS LEAVES LUMP OF COAL FOR SCIENCE - According to the analysis of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Budget and Policy Program, the omnibus funding bill for Fiscal Year 2008 (which actually began on 1 Oct 2007) enacted by Congress on 19 Dec 2007, left little cause for science to celebrate. As a result of threats from the White House to refuse to sign appropriations bills that did not restrict spending to the levels deemed acceptable by President Bush, the Congress retreated from its plans to increase domestic spending, including spending for scientific research. Instead, the federal investment in basic and applied research for FY 2008 will increase by just 1.1 percent to $57.5 billion, less than inflation and far less than earlier congressional appropriations. The federal research investment would decline in real terms for the fourth year in a row. Total federal R&D (including development) would increase 1.2 percent to $142.7 billion. Although most R&D funding agencies would still receive increases, several key R&D agencies would fall behind the 2.4% expected inflation rate. The National Science Foundation will see only a 1% increase in its R&D funding instead of a larger increase, while most National Institutes of Health (NIH) institutes would get flat funding at FY 2007 levels instead of requested cuts. The omnibus bill would restore funding for climate change science and other environmental research in several agencies. Research funding for the Department of the Interior will increase by 5.4% (to $606 million; the President had requested a decrease from FY2007 funding). Overall, the USGS budget will increase to $1.022 billion (+1.9% over FY2007), but details of the amounts available for research were unavailable at the time of this report. However, the National Biological Information Infrastructure would receive an increase of $0.5 million above the budget request for a total of $6.85 million in FY 2008. Also in the biological research account, funding for cooperative research units would be $16.4 million in FY 2008, an increase of $1 million over the budget request.

OC DISCUSSIONS WITH FEDEX PROVE SUCCESSFUL - in removing some restrictions on international shipments of bird specimens. Until recently, FedEx policy prohibited the shipment of certain kinds of animal specimens. When ornithologists brought this matter to the attention of the Ornithological Council, we initiated a discussion with FedEx to determine the reasons for this policy and to determine what measures might be taken to address those issues. As a result of those discussions, FedEx decided that it would accept for shipment all but what they term, "unfinished or unprocessed animals or animal parts." This policy may or may not be implemented by FedEx offices in other countries. We are unaware of similar problems with other international carriers but would appreciate hearing from ornithologists who encounter such obstacles.

WILDLIFE SERVICES FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is renewing its Wildlife Services Federal Advisory Committee and will soon be calling for nominations. Wildlife Services is the agency that manages "problem" wildlife. It used to be known as Animal Damage Control. The charge and purpose from the Committee's charter are as follows: This regulation renews the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on policies and program issues necessary to control damage caused by depredating wildlife to protect America's agricultural, industrial, and natural resources and to safeguard public health and safety.... The duties of the Committee involve advising the Secretary on (a) overall policy and guidance for the operation of the WS program; (b) resources to accomplish the WS mission; (c) impacts of depredating wildlife; (d) public health and safety problems created by birds and other wildlife; and (e) research activities and priorities to address wildlife damage management needs. The Ornithological Council has worked closely with the research branch of wildlife services, whose researchers include ornithologists Mike Avery and Bob Beason. In the past, the Ornithological Council nominated Clait Braun to this committee, and he served two terms (one of them as chair). We are seeking ornithologists who are willing to be nominated for this committee as there is an obvious need to assure that human-wildlife conflict resolution is based on science. Ideally, the individual(s) we nominate will have research and/or management experience in wildlife management and resolution of human-wildlife conflicts. If you are or know of anyone who might be suitable/interested, please contact ELLEN PAUL (EM: ellen.paul@verizon.net) (with an e-mail address, please!).

BIRDNET OVERHAUL - Thanks to OC Board member Bob Curry (who represents the Wilson Ornithological Society) and his two dedicated helpers, OC's website - BIRDNET - is undergoing an overhaul. We hope the new, streamlined look and drop-down menus will help you to navigate our content, which is also undergoing a major review and update. Please visit BIRDNET (URL: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/) and tell us how BIRDNET can better serve your needs as an ornithologist by contacting Ellen Paul (EM: ellen.paul@verizon.net).

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PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

HOW AND WHY SPECIES MULTIPLY: The Radiation of Darwin’s Finches, Peter and Rosemary Grant, 2008. Princeton University Press. 272 pp., 120 color illus, 46 line illus, 3 tables. ISBN13: 978-0-691-13360-7, cloth, $35. This book, focusing on Galapagos finches, explains what we have learned about the origin and evolution of new species and traces the evolutionary history of fourteen different species from a shared ancestor, showing the adaptive change through natural selection on beak size and shape, and divergence in songs. Throughout the volume, Grants show how laboratory tools of developmental biology and molecular genetics can be combined with observations and experiments on birds in the field to gain deeper insights into why the world is so biologically rich and diverse. Princeton University Press (URL: http://press.princeton.edu).

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA BURROWING OWL SYMPOSIUM, edited by J.H. Barclay, K.W. Hunting, J.L. Lincer, J. Linthicum, and T.A. Roberts (vii + 197 pages, ISBN: 978-0-9800011-0-5) has been published as the premiere volume of Bird Populations Monographs (No.1) by The Institute for Bird Populations and Albion Environmental, Inc. Price $25 U.S. (includes tax and shipping). Contains 20 papers about burrowing owl regional status, research, management, policy, and reference information (a bibliography of the Burrowing Owl in California) from the two-day California Burrowing Owl Symposium held in Sacramento, CA during November 2003. Visit http://www.albionenvironmental.com to view the table of contents and to order; or order by calling or emailing (PH: 831-469-9128 EM: info@albionenvironmental.com). Bird Populations Monographs, published by The Institute for Bird Populations, is an occasional journal of dynamic avian demography and biogeography that publishes major works, collections of papers, and proceedings of symposia focused on changes in the numbers, distribution, and ecology of bird populations. Authors interested in publishing a monograph in this series should contact David G. Ainley, Editor, Bird Populations (EM: dainley@penguinscience.com). Editors interested in publishing the proceedings of a symposium or other collection of papers in this series should contact David F. DeSante, Managing Editor, Bird Populations Monographs (EM: ddesante@birdpop.org).

RARE BIRDS YEARBOOK 2008, Erik Hirschfeld, Ed., 2007. MagDig Media Limited, UK. 276 pp., 500+ photos. ISBN 978-0-9552607-3-5, paperback, £18.95. Thisbook focuses on the 189 most endangered birds in the world, spotlighting the often dramatic circumstances which have pushed a large number of species to the brink of extinction, but also highlighting the cases where active commitment and hard work have improved the bird’s prospects. ERIK HIRSCHFELD (EM editor@rarebirdsyearbook.com), or order online (URL: http://www.rarebirdsyearbook.com)

ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF GUATEMALA / Lista Comentada De Las Aves De Guatemala, Knut Eisermann and Claudia Avendaño, 2007. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. 175 pp, 115 maps. ISBN: 84-96553-40-X, paper, $19.50 (available in the U.S. at http://buteobooks.com). Bilingual (English/Spanish) checklist of 725 bird species recorded in Guatemala. This volume also includes information about distribution, status, habitats and endemic species, along with updated distribution maps, information on species to watch for, species of special concern, and erroneously reported species.

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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

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'. 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. Please 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, in McAllen, Texas. The conference theme, shared with International Migratory Bird Day for 2008 (URL: http://www.birdday.org/), is Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People. Descriptions of the 40+ conference sessions, keynote speakers, adjunct meetings and workshops, field trips, and other conference events are now on the conference web site (URL: http://www.partnersinflight.org). We are making a special effort to invite and involve those with an interest in bird education. The new Bird Education Working Group will meet on 12 February, and a special reception for bird educators will be held that evening. Contact TERRY RICH with inquiries (EM: terry_rich@fws.gov).

*35th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP will be held on 27 Feb - 2 Mar 2008 at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, Washington. PSG is a society of professional seabird researchers and managers dedicated to the study and conservation of seabirds. This year's meeting theme is "Seabirds in Marine Ecosystems" and the plenary speakers are John Croxall and John Piatt. The conference hotel is located on the shores of Puget Sound at a time when many species of seabirds, waterfowl and birds of prey abound. For more information, consult the meeting web site at http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org.

12TH BIENNIAL ALASKA BIRD CONFERENCE will be held in Fairbanks, Alaska, 4 - 7 Mar 2008. Conference details will be posted on the Alaska Bird Observatory website as they become available (URL: http://www.alaskabird.org). For further details contact the 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. 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).

*EASTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION and NORTH AMERICAN BANDING COUNCIL will meet jointly, 10-13 Apr 2008, at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie, PA. See http://www.frontiernet.net/~bpbird/eb00004.htm for registration and other details, or contact local host JOHN TAUTIN (PH: 814-833-2090, EM: jtautin@purplemartin.org).

CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY OF GRASSLAND VERTEBRATES CONFERENCE, University of Oklahoma, Norman (15–19 Apr 2008). This conference is co-sponsored by the Sutton Avian Research Center, a unit of the Oklahoma Biological Survey, and the Oklahoma Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The purpose of this special conference is to bring together researchers across study organisms and disciplines in order to share ideas and findings related to grassland ecosystems. Abstract submissions must be received by 15 Feb 2008. For additional information and updates, visit http://www.suttoncenter.org. Please direct queries, proposals, and abstracts to one of the following: DAN L. REINKING, Sutton Avian Research Center, University of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 2007, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74005 (PH: 918-336-7778, EM: dreinking@ou.edu), or MICHAEL A. PATTEN, Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, 111 E. Chesapeake Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73019 (PH: 405-325-5061, EM: mpatten@ou.edu).

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 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. Papers and posters on the biology and management of Tundra Swans and Mute Swans or their interactions with Trumpeter Swans are also invited Information on the 2007 celebration will give you an idea of the activities to expect: http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/Swan%20Haven.html. 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.

*WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY / ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS CONFERENCE 2008—Call for papers. The 2008 joint meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society and the Association of Field Ornithologists will be held 18-20 Apr 2008 in Mobile, Alabama. Visit http://www.wosafo2008.org for conference details and guidelines for submitting abstracts for oral presentations and posters, and for applying for student travel awards. The deadline for abstracts and student travel award applications is 1 Mar 2008. 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. For details, visit (URL: http://www.peregrinefund.org/Lead_conference/), or contact: The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 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 4-9 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. 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 is 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. Please visit the website at http://www.pdxbirds08.org/ for further information. Abstract submission will open in January. 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.

ELEVENTH INTERNATIONAL GROUSE SYMPOSIUM will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada on 11-16 Sep 2008, hosted by the Centre for Applied Conservation Research, Forestry Faculty, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada). This IGS symposium, held every three years, brings together grouse specialists, biologists and wildlife managers from North America, Europe, and Asia. For information on dates, travel, accommodation, scientific program and field tour, please visit the conference website (URL: http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/alpine/IGS2008) or email or phone (EM: Shelagh.Bucknell@ec.gc.ca, PH: 604-940-4642). The symposium will focus on all aspects of grouse biology, research and management with sessions on Population Ecology and Genetics, Habitat and Landscape Ecology, Conservation and Management, and Impacts of Global Warming. Contact KATHY MARTIN (conference chair) to suggest program symposia or special events (EM:Kathy.Martin@ubc.ca).

RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION CONFERENCE on 24-28 Sep 2008. The educational organization Raptors of the Rockies will host the annual meeting in Missoula, Montana. The University of Montana, renowned for its research and education programs in ornithology, wildlife, and wilderness management, is the co-host. The venue will be at the Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park, overlooking the Clark Fork River. Members and non-members are invited to attend. The conference features keynote speakers, paper and poster sessions, a Saturday Raptors in Education Symposium, a Birds and Art Show and a special showing of the Craighead film, Life With an Indian Prince. Missoula is located in west-central Montana, in a line between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, and cultural and natural opportunities abound. The 2008 conference pays tribute to Missoulian John J. Craighead and his late brother Frank C. Craighead, pioneers in wildlife biology, conservation, and American falconry. In their honor, the theme for the week is "The Legacy Lives On." For further details please contact the local organizing committee chair KATE DAVIS (EM: raptors@montana.com; PH: 406-829-6436) or RRF Conference Committee Chair DAN VARLAND (EM: daniel.varland@rayonier.com; PH: 360-538-4582) with Missoula Conference 2008 as subject header. RRF members will receive a mailing with details on the conference and a registration form in March 2008. You may also learn about the conference and register at a conference website (online in 2008, address to be announced).

*CERULEAN WARBLER SUMMIT 3/GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER SUMMIT (21-25 Oct 2008), Bogotá and San Vicente de Chucurí, Colombia. The members of the Cerulean Warbler Technical Group, El Grupo Cerúleo, and the members of the Golden-winged Warbler Working Group, Alianza Alas Doradas, are pleased to announce a meeting devoted to conservation planning for migratory and resident birds of the northern Andes. Location: To be held at the headquarters of the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia, 21-22 October 2008, and in the town of San Vicente de Chucurí and facilities of the Cerulean Warbler Bird Reserve, Colombia, 23-25 October 2008. All persons interested in the conservation of migratory and resident birds in the Northern Andes and management of forest and agroecosystems for birds in the Northern Andes are invited to attend. For further information visit the homepage of El Grupo Cerúleo (URL: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/egc/). For information on logistics and costs of the meeting, please see: http://www.ecoturs.org.

*THE 32ND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WATERBIRD SOCIETY will be held 5-8 Nov 2008 on South Padre Island, Texas. This is the first time that the meeting has been held in the continental U.S. or Canada in the last three years and we are expecting a large turnout of longtime members and students. Three full days of scientific sessions are planned. Two symposia have been confirmed: "Shorebirds" led by Erica Nol and "The Texas-Mexican Ornithological Connection" led by Clay Green. We are requesting suggestions (and leaders) for other Symposia at this time. Please send suggestions to the Chair of the Scientific Program (EM: Chip.Weseloh@ec.gc.ca). We are also considering special sessions for both poster and oral presentations by students. Other suggestions for making our meeting especially attractive for students are welcome. An array of exciting field trips is planned as South Texas is a Mecca for bird watching. Padre Island National Seashore, an 80-mile barrier beach, and Laguna Madre, its protected hypersaline lagoon, are immediately available and abound with wintering shorebirds, waterfowl, gulls, terns, herons and southern residents, such as Reddish Egret, Black-bellied Whistling Duck and others. Also, immediately to the west are the Rio Grande River and Valley. The Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge is the only subtropical refuge in the United States and has such specialties as Green Jay, Plain Chachalaca, Great Kiskadee and others. There will be both pre- and post- meeting field trip opportunities to these areas, so plan on a couple extra days in the area.

THIRD NORTH AMERICAN SEA DUCK CONFERENCE, Québec City, Canada, 10-14 Nov 2008, hosted by the Canadian Wildlife Service (Québec Region), in partnership with Regroupement QuébecOiseaux. All relevant information regarding the conference should be available at the proper time on the web site: http://www.seaduckconference2008.org. 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, Scotland, hosted by the Scottish Raptor Study Group, will be held in an exclusive hotel in 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. 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; early booking advisable. For details see (URL: http://www.rrfconferencescotland2009.org) or contact local organizing committee chair RUTH TINGLY (EM: dimlylit100@hotmail.com).

*25TH INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2010 Call for Symposia Proposals (22-28 Aug 2010) Campos do Jordão, Brazil. The Scientific Program Committee has been formed and a web page is in place (http://www.i-o-c.org or http://www.ib.usp.br/25ioc). We hope that you will circle these dates on your calendar and plan to attend! The Call for Symposia has been issued and may be viewed at: http://www.ib.usp.br/25ioc/2007_Second_circular-Symposia_corrected.doc. Proposals for symposia must be received on or before 1 Jun 2008. For further information, please contact PROF. DR. CRISTINA YUMI MIYAKI, Secretary-General of the 25th IOC (EM: ioc2010@ib.usp.br).

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