The Ornithological Newsletter On-Line

NUMBER 183, APRIL 2008

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 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 FELLOWS AND ELECTIVE MEMBERS should receive ballots for Elective Member nominees in May 2008. Fellows or EMs who do not receive a ballot by 1 Jun should request one from SCOTT GILLIHAN (EM: aouExecutiveOfficer@aou.org; PH: 505-326-1579). 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 6 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 4 Aug 2008.

ARE YOU A LOST ORNITHOLOGIST? If you are a member of any one of the six societies that comprise the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA)–American Ornithologists' Union, Association of Field Ornithologists, Cooper Ornithological Society, Raptor Research Foundation, Waterbird Society, Wilson Ornithological Society–you should check your entry in the Flock - the online membership directory - to be sure it is accurate. If your address or e-mail address is wrong (or inaccurate) you will miss important notices, such as notices about meetings (including the calls for papers!). Go to http://www.osnabirds.org and click on The Flock. If you've forgotten your password, it will be sent to you by e-mail, using the e-mail address you provide when requesting a password reminder e-mail.

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The mission of the WILDLIFE DISEASE ASSOCIATION (WDA) is to acquire, disseminate, and apply knowledge regarding health and disease of wild animals in relation to their biology, conservation, and ecology including interactions with humans and domestic animals. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases is published quarterly and contributing authors and other WDA members work for universities, governmental agencies, zoological institutions, private businesses, and agricultural and livestock agencies throughout the world. To learn more about our organization, visit http://www.wildlifedisease.org. We invite you to join us at the annual WDA meeting in Edmonton, Alberta in August 2008. The theme this year is “Wildlife Diseases: Northern and Western Frontiers” and abstracts will be accepted until 1 May 2008. For more information, please visit our conference website (URL: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/parasites/WDA08/).

DR. ROBIN MCCLEERY died suddenly on 16 Jan 2008 in Oxford, England. He was the webmaster for Ornithological Worldwide Literature (OWL), while being a Departmental Research Fellow at the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology at Oxford University. He studied Great Tits among many other interests in birds. Although he was not a member of any of the organizations of OSNA, his work as OWL webmaster brought him into frequent contact with many OSNA members and friends. He will be missed.

ARE YOU PLANNING TO ATTEND THE AOU/COS/SCO MEETINGS ("PDX08") IN AUGUST? DO YOU BAND BIRDS? Don't miss a very special workshop offered by the U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory. The U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory will offer a special pre-conference workshop on its new banding data program - "BANDIT" - on Monday, 4 Aug 2008. The workshop will be offered at the Portland Hilton, the official meeting hotel from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, in the Studio Theater. If you've never tried Bandit - but want to start - this workshop is for you. If you are using Bandit, and have questions - this workshop is for you. Bring some sample data and a laptop loaded with Bandit (available at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/resources/bandit/Software/index.html). To make the most of this opportunity, please read the Bandit Manual (URL: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/resources/bandit/Documentation/index.html) and practice using the program. The workshop is free, but for planning purposes, please let us know if you think you might attend. Send an e-mail to DANNY BYSTRAK (EM: dbystrak@usgs.gov). Please take note - this is a pre-conference workshop. Please be sure that you plan to arrive on Sunday evening or Monday morning if you plan to attend this workshop.

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

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.

OC NOMINATES RON LARKIN TO FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WIND ENERGY – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2008 announced the formation of a federal advisory committee to help the agency develop siting guidelines for wind energy projects that would help to avoid or reduce the negative impacts of wind energy on wildlife. The Ornithological Council nominated Clait Braun, who was selected but who subsequently was unable to serve. Together with The Wildlife Society and the National Council for Science and the Environment, the Ornithological Council has nominated Ron Larkin, Ph.D of the Illinois Natural History Survey to take his place. The Advisory Committee held its first meeting in late February.

OC AND SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS SUBMIT JOINT COMMENTS on regulations proposed by Canadian Wildlife Service To manage incidental take of migratory birds - The Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada announced in December 2007 that it was planning to revise its regulations that implement the Migratory Birds Convention Act to address the problem of incidental take. As described in the letter soliciting comments, the CWS plans to take an approach that focuses on the conservation of populations, rather than on individual take of birds incidental to otherwise lawful activities. At the request of the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, the Ornithological Council assessed the new approaches proposed by the CWS and drafted comments focusing on the scientific information that would be needed to implement this approach. After input from the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, that organization decided to submit the comments jointly with the Ornithological Council.

OC ENDORSES NOMINATION OF ORNITHOLOGIST TO WILDLIFE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The Ornithological Council was pleased to endorse the nomination of ornithologist Clait Braun to re-join the USDA Wildlife Services Advisory Committee. Dr. Braun previously served two terms on this committee, one as chair. When the committee last sought new members, the USDA chose not to seat an ornithologist. It is hoped that the USDA will again recognize the value of the contributions and viewpoint of an individual who has both scientific expertise and practical experience in collaborative processes that address the competing interests of wildlife and human activities such as agricultural production.

NEW OC BOARD MEMBERS – Mike Braun has joined the OC Board as a representative of the Association of Field Ornithologists and Deanna Dawson has been appointed to represent the Neotropical Ornithological Society.

BROWN PELICAN DECLARED RECOVERED – On 8 February 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove the remaining protected populations of the bird along the Gulf and Pacific coasts, and in the Caribbean, and Central and South America from protection under the Endangered Species Act. The brown pelican was first declared endangered in 1970 under the Endangered Species Conservation Act, a precursor to the current Endangered Species Act. The brown pelican in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and northward along the Atlantic Coast states was removed from the list of endangered species in 1985. Ornithologists, including the Pacific Seabird Group, have endorsed the de-listing.

FIRE DESTROYS SCIENCE BUILDING AT THE UNIVERSIDAD AUSTRAL DE CHILE – The Basic Science Building of the Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile burned completely down in December. The building housed the Institute of Zoology and the Ornithology lab and collection (over 1000 skins which included the Carlos Anwandter collection from the 1850's, eggs, nests, skeletons). Books, data, and dissertations were lost. Institutions and individuals who want to help re-building this collection should contact ROBERTO SCHLATTER (EM: rschlatt@uach.cl)

TWO NEW ONLINE RESOURCES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE 2008 ELECTION – The American Association for the Advancement of Science, in partnership with the Association of American Universities and the Richard Lounsbery Foundation, has started a new Web site devoted to science and technology issues in the 2008 Presidential campaign. The site features the candidates' positions on the major science and technology issues; relevant news stories and published commentaries; survey information; white papers and other reports from policy organizations; election calendars; and a listserv for individuals interested in receiving updates on science, technology, and the election. View the site here (URL http://election2008.aaas.org/). Another site has also come online: Scientists and Engineers for America has just launched the Science Health And Related Policies (SHARP) Network. (URL: http://sharp.sefora.org) The SHARP Network is a wiki-based system that will allow the public to track the positions their elected officials have taken on critical science and health issues. There are already over 500 web pages in the Network including one for every Senator, Congressman, and Presidential candidate. There are also pages with information on key science and health issues and for Senate and House committees. Not sure what your congressman has said or done about global warming? Look it up on their SHARP page.

IMPACTS OF THE FY2008 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL ON THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION – The Coalition for National Science Funding has assessed the impact of the FY2008 appropriations on the National Science Foundation. The NSF received $364 million less in the omnibus legislation than was requested by the President. The major reductions are from the Research & Related Activities account (down $327 million from the request) and Education and Human Resources (down $25 million). Among the impacts found by the CNSF analysis: 1,000 fewer new research grants (15% below request) will be awarded; 230 fewer Graduate Research Fellows (8% below request); more than 3,000 senior faculty researchers, graduate students, post-docs and undergrads in research impacted; and several major solicitations and new facilities delayed for at least a year, and some existing facilities reduced

FIRST LOOK AT PRESIDENT'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 – At first glance, some of the numbers seem promising, though overall, funding for nondefense-related research and development does not increase. The President has requested an 18% increase for the National Science Foundation (from $4 billion in the current fiscal year to $4.74 billion in FY09). However, the increase masks troubling details. Most of this new funding would go the Mathematics and Physical Sciences Directorate under the guise of the American Competitiveness Initiative. The Biological Sciences Directorate would receive a 10% increase, to a new funding level of $675 million. Facilities funding would decline, but at this point, it appears that funding for the continued design of and planning for the National Ecological Observatory Network would be unaffected, in that funding would be provided in the budget of the Biological Sciences Directorate. The President's budget proposes to reduce the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to $969 million which is $38 million below the FY08 enacted budget and $6.4 million below the 2008 President's budget request. Biological research would receive $180.3 million. Although this represents a slight increase over the FY08 appropriations, it is lower than the amount requested for FY08. Biological research and monitoring would receive $145 million, of which $4.5 million would be allocated for the Healthy Lands and Birds initiatives. Of note, the National Biological Infrastructure Initiative would lose $2.9 million reduction, a significant cut for USGS biological information management and delivery.

Return to Top

Return toIssue Index

POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

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>.

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

GRANTS AND AWARDS

FOR INFORMATION ON CONTINUING GRANTS PROGRAMS relevant to ornithological research, visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/Grants/index.html.

HMANA RESEARCH AWARD – The HMANA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the availability of the HMANA Research Award of up to $1000 annually to support field studies relating to raptor migration ecology and behavior, population monitoring, and conservation. Proposals on the following monitoring topics are encouraged for the 2008-09 awards: · New fall migration monitoring sites in the following regions: Pacific states, Great Plains, Adirondacks, southern states (except Texas), western Mexico, Central and northern South America · New spring migration monitoring sites outside of the Great Lakes region · New migration monitoring sites focusing on rough-legged hawks or Swainson's hawks · Winter surveys for rough-legged hawks, ferruginous hawks or eastern golden eagles To apply, submit a proposal no longer than five pages that includes: · background of the applicant(s) and organizations involved; · significance of the proposed research; · location of the study site(s) and the particular raptor species involved; · specific research objectives and methods; and · proposed budget (1 page or less), including other sources of funding or in-kind support. Deadline for proposals is 15 May 2008. Up to two proposals may be funded per year and will be announced by 31 Jul of the year in which application is made. It is expected that for monitoring projects, hourly data will be entered into http://hawkcount.org. All awardees should submit a short paper describing the research project and results to the HMANA journal Hawk Migration Studies within six months of conclusion of the study. Proposals will be accepted by email at (EM: researchaward@hmana.org) or may be mailed to: ERNESTO RUELAS INZUNZA, HMANA, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

RAPTORS IN CAPTIVITY by Lori R. Arent & the Univ of Minnesota Raptor Ctr. ISBN: 978-0-88839-613-6, 8½ x 11, hc, 304 pp.,196 photos, 88 illustrations, 37 color photos of species $49.95. This "rehabber's manual" is a must-have for the novice to the experienced. The volume provides all the most current techniques. Visit our website for further details: http://www.hancockhouse.com/products/rapcap.htm. Also available: Raptor Research and Management Techniques by David M. Bird & Keith L. Bildstein $70.00; Captive Raptor Management & Rehabilitation by Richard Naisbitt & Peter Holz $39.95; Understanding the Bird of Prey by Dr. Nicholas Fox $49.95. For a complete listing visit: http://www.hancockhouse.com/products/RAP_index.htm. ORDERS: Mail, fax, email or phone: Canada: Hancock House Publishers, 19313 Zero Avenue, Surrey BC Canada V3S 9R9 (Can $ = US $). United States: (international) Hancock House Publishers, 1431 Harrison Avenue, Blaine WA USA 98230. FX: 604-538-2262 in NA: 800-983-2262, EM: sales@hancockhouse.com, PH: 604-538-1114 In NA: 800-938-1114 (the most secure way).

JOHN KIRK TOWNSEND. Collector of Audubon's Western Birds and Mammals. By Barbara and Richard Mearns, 2007.Hardback, 290mm x 230mm, 400 pages, approx 350 illustrations (wildlife and habitats, bird and mammal specimens, portraits of naturalists), 11 maps, 4 flow charts, 18 appendices and extensive bibliography. ISBN 978-0-9556739-0-0. Townsend was an ornithologist from Philadelphia who crossed the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River in 1834 and made two visits to the Hawaiian Islands. He returned home with a great haul of bird and mammal specimens used by John James Audubon in the preparation of his magnificent Birds of America and Viviparous Quadrupeds. The authors examine Townsend’s Quaker upbringing, present previously unpublished family portraits, track him on his journey westwards, trace his troubled career, and discuss his association with Audubon and the major contribution that Townsend made to his famous works. The heart of this book is an exciting new presentation of Townsend’s Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains (1839), with a modern zoological commentary, new material from Townsend’s original journal and Audubon paintings of the very specimens that Townsend collected. Amongst the new discoveries were Townsend’s Warbler, Townsend’s Solitaire and numerous small mammals that also bear his name. Essential reading for those with an interest in early Western travels and the Oregon Trail, the wildlife of the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest, the history of ornithology and wildlife art. Available direct from B&R Mearns (URL http://www.mearnsbooks.com). It will also be available from Buteo Books.

SWAN, Peter Young, 2008. Reaktion Books, London. 190 x 135 mm, 200 pages, 94 illustrations, 51 in color. ISBN: 978 1 86189 349 9, paperback, $19.95. This book provides an informative and comprehensive cultural and scientific survey of swans throughout history _ covering swans in art, myth, advertising, science and literature. ORDER directly from our distributor, Grantham Book Services (PH: +44 (0)1476 541 080, EM: cashsales@gbs.tbs-ltd.co.uk). Customers in North America should contact University of Chicago Press, PH: 1 800 621 2736, FX 1 800 621 8476, EM custserv@press.uchicago.edu, URL: http://www.reaktionbooks.com)

THE BIRD SONGS OF EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST, Andreas Schulz and Karl-Heinz Dingler. 819 Species; 19:20 Hours running time; 2817 Recordings. Species are listed systematically according to taxonomical standards and can thus be easily compared. As a novelty and practical advantage, songs and calls of one species are arranged consecutively, however on separate tracks, so that they can be chosen independently. The PDF-booklets provide English, French and German explanations about the sound recordings. When using a PC or MP3-player, this information shows up on the screen while playing. Order-No. : ISBN: 978-3-938147-01-6. Price: EUR 69,95 Homepage: http://www.birdsongs.de.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC WILDLIFE: Birds and Marine Mammals of the Antarctic Continent and the Southern Ocean, 2nd ed., Hadoram Shirihai, 2008. Illus. by Brett Jarrett. Princeton University Press.544 pp., 920 color illus., 128 maps. ISBN: 978-0-691-13666-0, cloth, $55.00. Covering Antarctica, the southern ocean, and the subantarctic islands, this unique guide illustrates all of the region’s breeding birds and mammals with distribution maps and up-to-date species accounts that expertly detail abundance, seasonal status, and conservation prospects. The volume also covers numerous nonbreeding species, migrants, and vagrants, and the sections on albatrosses and petrels have been fully revised to make them current with the latest taxonomic knowledge. Regional chapters describe all of the subantarctic islands, in addition to most of the regularly visited sites in Antarctica, and are accompanied by maps and photographs of each area. These chapters present detailed information on geography, climate, geology, general ecology, and flora. Antarctic Wildlife concludes with information about visiting the area, including weather considerations and landing sites. Available from your local booksellers, or contact: California/Princeton Fulfillment Services, Inc., 1445 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ 08618 (EM: orders@cpfsinc.com, URL: http://www.press.princeton.edu).

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

PERSONAL EXCHANGES

WANTED: Moult and Ageing of European Passerines by Jenni and Winkler, 1994, Academic Press, NY. Will pay any reasonable price for a book in fair condition or better. Contact STEVEN REINERT (PH: 401-444-5588; EM: sreinert@lifespan.org), 11 Talcott Street, Barrington, RI 02806, USA

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

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

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. For additional information and updates, visit http://www.suttoncenter.org. Please direct queries 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: INGESTION OF SPENT LEAD AMMUNITION: Implications for Wildlife and Humans, 12-15 May 2008, Jordan Ballroom, BSU Student Union. Sponsored by The Peregrine Fund, Boise State University, Tufts Center for Conservation Medicine, USGS. The goal of the conference is to explore the potential health hazard from game animals that are hunted with lead bullets or shot and then consumed by humans, or wildlife scavengers and predators. Speakers include: Ellen Silbergeld, Ph.D., Professor, Environmental Health Sciences, John Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health; Jerome Nriagu, Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor, Environmental Health Sciences, and Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan; Milton Friend, Ph.D., Director Emeritus, USGS National Wildlife Health Center; Rhys Green, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, University of Cambridge, U.K.; Mark Pokras, D.V.M., Professor and Head of the Wildlife Clinic, Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine; Vernon Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Guelph, Canada. With up to 80 additional contributed papers and posters; proceedings to be published. For information and registration visit (URL: http://www.peregrinefund.org/Lead_conference). Contact: The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, Idaho 83709 (PH: 208-362-3716, EM: tpf@peregrinefund.org).

2008 ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE WILDLIFE DISEASE ASSOCIATION, 3-8 Aug 2008, to be at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This conference will be held jointly with the American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV) and the Canadian Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (CAZWV). The theme this year is “Wildlife Diseases: Northern and Western Frontiers” and abstracts will be accepted until 1 May 2008. For more information, please visit our conference website (URL: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/parasites/WDA08/).

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 planned to celebrate this notable event. Among 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), the Circular of Information can be downloaded from the meeting website, and 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 http://www.pdxbirds08.org for further information. Abstracts and early registration are due 15 Apr 2008. Meeting organizers include: USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Portland, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Zoo, Portland Audubon Society, and the Audubon Society of Corvallis.

*WESTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION 2008 meeting, 5-7 Sep 2008, in Boise, Idaho. Additional details will be posted on WBBA's website (URL: http://www.westernbirdbanding.org/next-meetings.html) as they become available.

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).

*THE 11th NORTH AMERICAN CRANE WORKSHOP will be held 23-27 Sep 2008 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge Convention Center in the Wisconsin Dells. The workshop is sponsored by the North American Crane Working Group. The workshop will include field trips to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge and tour of the International Crane Foundation. Papers and posters presented at the workshop will be published in a peer-reviewed Proceedings. Abstract submission deadline is 20 Jun 2008. For more information about the meeting and abstract submission, contact JANE AUSTIN (EM: jane_austin@usgs.gov, PH: 701-253-5510).

*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 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 and Workshop on the 2007 book Raptor Research and Management Techniques, 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 more information and to register online, visit http://www.raptorsoftherockies.org/ or http://raptorresearchfoundation.org/. You may also contact KATE DAVIS (Local Committee Chair; EM: raptors@montana.com) or DAN VARLAND (Conference Committee Chair; EM: daniel.varland@rayonier.com) with RRF Conference as the subject.

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.

*CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE THIRD NORTH AMERICAN SEA DUCK CONFERENCE, to be held in Québec City, Canada, on 10-14 Nov 2008. All relevant information (e.g. Paper & Poster Guidelines, Submission Deadline) is now available on the web site: http://www.seaduckconference2008.org. All relevant information regarding the conference is available 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 (EM: jean-pierre.savard@ec.gc.ca, PH: 418-648-3500

*RRF 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - SCOTLAND. For the first time in the society's history, the annual conference (2009) will be held outside of the Americas, to reflect the global interests of the membership. This historic six-day event will be held in Pitlochry, Scotland from 29 Sep - 4 Oct 2009, hosted by the Scottish Raptor Study Group. Social events include an exclusive evening party at a magnificent Scottish castle (to include whisky-tasting and a ceildh) and there are 11 fieldtrip options to some of the country's premiere wildlife sites, including the Isle of Mull and Speyside/Cairngorm Mountains. Numbers are limited to 300 delegates so early booking is advisable. Tickets are selling fast and to date, delegates from 23 countries have already registered. Please visit the conference website to find out how you can register. CALL FOR PAPERS: Papers/posters on any aspect of raptor biology, including behavior, ecology, physiology, or conservation, are solicited. There are also six themed symposia for which abstracts can be submitted (Persecution, Scotland, Haliaeetus, Migration & Wintering, Re-introductions and Conservation Management). Deadline for abstract submission is 1 Jul 2008. Please visit the conference website for information about how to submit your abstract (URL: http://www.rrfconferencescotland2009.org).

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).

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

NEWS OF MEMBERS

DR. GEORGE A. HALL, a retired professor from West Virginia University, chemist, teacher, writer, naturalist, and life-long ornithologist, died in a Morgantown hospital on 28 Feb. He was a Fellow of the AOU since 1985 and a life member of the AOU, COS, WOS, and AFO. In 2007, he was awarded the first Klamm Service Award from the WOS for his many contributions including service as Editor of the Wilson Bulletin and President of the WOS. His most recent publication, which just appeared as Special Publication No. 3 of the Brooks Bird Club: Hall, G. A. 2007. “The Allegheny Front Migration Observatory: A Long-term Bird Banding Project,” incorporates many of the attributes associated with birds for which he is best known: his love of ornithological history, his passion for banding, and his role as a model and mentor for avocational contributions to ornithology.

FRANKLIN MCCAMEY of Decatur, GA, died on 25 Dec 2007. He was a life member of the AOU (since 1961) and a life member of the WOS (since 1963). Frank was instrumental in the establishment of over 30 nature centers, served as President of the Georgia Ornithological Society, and encouraged many young people to pursue careers in environmental education and field ornithology.

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

THE FLOCK - SPECIAL SECTION

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:

DUCKWORTH, RENÉE A. Museum of Comparative Zoology & Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138. PH: 617-384-8437, EM: rduckworth@oeb.harvard.edu

Return to Top

Return to Issue Index

THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS of the Society journals and the month of mailing are: Auk, 2007, Vol. 124, #4 (Nov); Condor, 2007, Vol. 109, #4 (Jan); J. Field Ornith., 2007, Vol. 78, #4 (Dec); Raptor Res., 2007, Vol. 41, # 4 (Jan); Waterbirds, 2007, Vol. 31, #1 (Mar); Wilson J. Ornith., 2008, Vol. 120, #1 (Mar). 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 June. 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 May 2008. 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.

Return to top

Return to Issue Index

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

Ornithological Societies of North America

The Ornithological Newsletter
On-Line

INDEX

VISIT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF NORTH AMERICA

ORGANIZATION NEWS

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL

POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

GRANTS AND AWARDS

PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

PERSONAL EXCHANGES

MEETINGS

NEWS OF MEMBERS

THE FLOCK - SPECIAL SECTION