Editor: Cheryl Trine
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NUMBER 186, OCTOBER 2008
ORGANIZATION NEWS
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
GRANTS AND AWARDS
PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE
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
ONLINE ACCESS FOR RAPTOR RESEARCH–The editorial staff of the Journal of Raptor Research is pleased to announce the availability of online access to all Journal of Raptor Research articles. Issues of Journal of Raptor Research from Volumes 1 - 39 (1967 - 2005) are now available free of charge on the SORA website (Searchable Ornithological Research Archive – URL: http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/). SORA is an open-access electronic journal archive for the major North American ornithological journals. Issues of Journal of Raptor Research from Volume 40 - 42 are available online through BioOne.2 (URL: http://www.Bioone.org) for everyone with institutional access to BioOne. In addition, all members of the Raptor Research Foundation now have free, full-text access to the Journal of Raptor Research (2006--current issue) through BioOne. A link and directions for access are provided on the Raptor Research Foundation website for your convenience. Special thanks to the Board of Directors of the Raptor Research Foundation for their support, to members who donated issues, and to Carl Marti for website expertise.
NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP CLASSES of Fellow and Elective Member of the AOU are due 15 Mar 2009. 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 2009, available on the AOU web site (URL: http://www.aou.org/nominations.php3) or from the Secretary, SARA R. MORRIS, Department of Biology, Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208 USA (PH: 716 888 2567, FX: 716-888-3157, EM: aousecretary@aou.org). For ELECTIVE MEMBER nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare ballot packets to be sent to current Fellows and Elective Members in May 2009. Ballots must be returned by mail to the Secretariat by three weeks before the Stated Meeting (i.e., by 22 Jul 2009) and the names will be announced at the Business Meeting of Members in Philadelphia, PA. For FELLOW nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare packets to be sent to current Fellows in May 2009. Voting will take place at the Fellows Meeting on 12 Aug 2009.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR AOU AWARDS:
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 12 Apr 2009. Officers to be elected will be Secretary, Treasurer, and four Elective Councilors. The election will occur by electronic and postal ballots prior to the meeting. At the conclusion of the 127th Stated Meeting, Edward H. Burtt, Jr., will begin his second year as President and John R. Faaborg will begin his second year as President-elect. The Bylaws of the AOU require that the Secretary and Treasurer be elected or re-elected annually. The incumbent Secretary (Sara R. Morris) is willing to stand for re-election, however the incumbent Treasurer (Frank B. Gill) will be stepping down. 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 127th Stated Meeting in 2009 are André Desrochers, Patricia J. Heglund, Jeffrey R. Walters, and David W. Winkler. Continuing to serve in 2009-2010 will be Elective Councilors Bonnie S. Bowen, Mary Bomberger Brown, Janis L. Dickinson, Robert C. Fleischer, Geoffrey E. Hill, Rebecca L. Holberton, Amanda D. Rodewald, and Bridget J. M. Stutchbury. 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).
THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION held its 126th Stated Meeting in Portland, Oregon, at the Hilton Portland and Executive Towers, 4-9 Aug 2008. SUSAN HAIG chaired the Committee on Local Arrangements, and DOUGLAS ROBINSON chaired the Committee on Scientific Program. There were 1012 registrants, including 361 students. The program included 4 plenary lectures, 131 papers in 23 symposia, and 652 contributed papers (423 oral papers and 229 posters). Highlights of the meeting include the following:
TRAVEL AWARDS from the AOU, COS, and SCO were granted to 105 students to help defray expenses for transportation to the annual meeting. The AOU Committee on Student Awards is pleased to announce the winners for 2008: ALLISON ALVARADO, UCLA; SUSAN BALENGER, Auburn U.; ANDREA CAROLINA BAQUERO L., U. de los Andes; BLAKE BARTZEN, U. Saskatchewan; SHELLEY BAYARD DE VOLO, Colorado State U.; CHRISTA BECKMANN, U. Sydney; KIMBERLY BEDDIA, Rowan U.; THOMAS BENSON, Arkansas State U.; MARK BIDWELL, U. Saskatchewan; MELISSA BLUNDEL, Humboldt State U.; ALISON BOYER, U. New Mexico; DAVID BRADLEY, U. Windsor; KATHERINE BREWSTER, U. Saskatchewan; GUSTAVO SEBASTIAN CABANNE, U. Sao Paulo; ALAINE CAMFIELD, U. British Columbia; MATT CARLING, Louisiana State U.; RICHARD CHANDLER, U. Massachusetts; ZAC CHEVIRON, Louisiana State U.; EUNICE CHIN, Trent U.; SANTIAGO CLARAMUNT, Louisiana State U.; EMILY COHEN, U. Southern Mississippi; GABRIEL COLBECK, Washington State U.; ROSS CONOVER, Iowa State U.; DAN COULTON, U. Saskatoon; KRISTEN COVINO, U. Maine; NICOLE CYR, Wellesley College; NICO DAUPHINE, U. Georgia; WILLIAM DELUCA, U. Massachusetts; ROBERT DOBBS, Queens U.; KIMBERLY DOHMS, U. Regina; ROI DOR, Tel Aviv U.; LISA EGGERT, Clemson U.; HEATHER FARRINGTON, U. Cincinnati; RYAN FISHER, U. Regina; CLINTON FRANCIS, U. Colorado; SAMANTHA FRANKS, Simon Fraser U.; SARAH FRENCH, UC Riverside; SARAH FREY, U. Vermont; JANINA FULLER, Louisiana State U.; JULIE GARVIN, Maui Forest Bird Recovery; GREGORY GEORGE, West Virginia U.; MATTHEW GIOVANNI, U. Nebraska; JUAN PABLO GOMEZ, Universidad de los Andes; URI GRODZINSKI, Tel Aviv U.; MÉLANIE GUIGUENO, U. Manitoba; SKYE HAAS, N. Michigan U.; SAMUEL HACHÉ, U. Moncton; ZACHARY HANNA, UC Berkeley; LORI HARGROVE, UC Riverside; ERIN HEWETT, Virginia Tech; MIKAELA HOWIE, William & Mary; FRODE JACOBSEN, U. Maryland; CARA JOOS, U. Missouri; MIRAN KIM, U. Glasgow; SCOTT KIMBALL, Ohio State U.; DANIKA KLEIBER, U. British Columbia; JOSHUA KUHLMAN, U. Southern Florida; MICHELLE LABBE, U. Massachusetts; QURESH LATIF, UC Riverside; MYUNG-BOK LEE, UC Riverside; ANDREA LINDSAY, Ohio State U.; REBECCA LOHNES, Cornell U.; SCOTT LOSS, U. Minnesota; LAUREN MACDADE, Ohio State U.; ELLEN MARTINSEN, U. Vermont; PATRICK MCELHONE, West Virginia U.; BAILEY MCKAY, U. Minnesota; AUSTIN MERCADANTE, Auburn U.; CHRIS MERKORD, U. Missouri; LUCIANO NAKA, Louisiana State U.; ZOLTAN NEMETH, U. Southern Mississippi; JACQUELINE NOOKER, Wartburg College; NICOLE ODELL, UC Davis; KARAN ODOM, U. Windsor; KEVIN OH, U. Arizona; MARIA GABRIELA PALACIOS, Iowa State U.; MICHAEL PARRISH, U. Georgia; UTKU PERKTAS, Hacettepe U., Turkey; ANNA PETERSON, U. Minnesota, Duluth; LARS POMARA, U. Texas; LETITIA REICHART, Washington State U.; MICHELLE RENSEL, U. Memphis; ORIN ROBINSON, U. South Alabama; DUSTIN RUBENSTEIN, UC Berkeley; MARIA CECILIA SAGARIO, U. Buenos Aires; JOSEPH SANDS, Texas A&M; KARI SCHMIDT, Columbia U.; DANIEL SHUSTACK, Ohio State U.; CHRISTY SLAY, U. Arkansas; BRIAN SMITH, U. Nevada-Las Vegas; LAUREN SMITH, Ohio Wesleyan; JINELLE SPERRY, U. Illinois; CYNTHIA SPIESS, Southern Illinois U.; RACHEL SPRAGUE, U. Montana; RACHEL STURGE, U. Maryland; MARCELA SUAREZ-RUBIO, U. Maryland; ALLISON SUSSMAN, U. Delaware; NATHAN TARR, North Carolina State U.; COREY TARWATER, U. Illinois; CHRISTOPHER TEMPLETON, U. Washington; ROBIN VIJAYAN, National Inst. for Advanced Studies, India; HARUKA WADA, Virginia Polytech U.; JOHN WITHEY, Smithsonian Tropical Res. Inst.; NATALIE WRIGHT, U. Florida; and LINDSAY YOUNG, U. Hawaii.
THE AOU COMMITTEE ON NOMINATION OF FELLOWS AND ELECTIVE MEMBERS is beginning their work of preparing nominations for 2009. Any AOU member who would like to put forward a name for consideration by the committee should contact the chair of the committee, TOWN PETERSON (EM: town@ku.edu), by 15 Jan 2009.Return to Top
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JOHN JAMES AUDUBON: AMERICAN ARTIST AND NATURALIST Traveling Exhibition–The art and aesthetic legacy of John James Audubon continue to amaze and inspire new generations. The John James Audubon Museum and State Park in Henderson, Kentucky has organized an exhibit, being circulated by Art Services 2000 Ltd., that is scheduled to visit 11 locations across the United States from 2008-2011. The exhibition traces Audubon’s life and development as an artist (1785-1851) and features 60 Double Elephant Folio-sized, hand colored engravings from his masterwork, The Birds of America. Also included in the exhibition are original oil paintings, personal letters, documents, photographs and personal artifacts from Audubon’s life. Different venues will include various additional exhibits, speakers, etc. For example, the Ella M. Sharp Museum in Jackson, Michigan (URL: http://www.ellasharp.org), that hosts the exhibit from 1 June - 31 August 2009, will feature wood carvings from the Andy Andrews Collection and decorative taxidermy mounts from the Museum’s collections. Also, Storyteller and author Brian “Fox” Ellis, in the persona of John James Audubon, will bring history, ecology, art and literature to life. Plan to see this nationally traveling exhibition, which is currently at The Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Mississippi until 5 January 2009. Besides Jackson, Michigan, the 2009 schedule includes Shreveport, Louisiana and Lufkin, Texas. To see the complete tour schedule through 2011 and obtain more information, see http://www.artservices2000.com/exreq.html.
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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.
CORRECTION–We apologize for the typo in the address for subscribing to Ornith-L. The correct address is: LISTSERV@SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU.
NEGOTIATIONS ON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SPECIMEN POLICY–Following after a successful "summit" meeting between representatives of the National Park Service, including NPS Director Mary Bomar, and representatives of taxonomic societies and the museum community, lawyers for the Department of the Interior met in late July with representatives of the Field Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the American Museum of Natural History and the Ornithological Council to try to resolve longstanding concerns about the NPS policy pertaining to the ownership of scientific specimens collected in the National Parks. We identified all policy and practical aspects to be addressed, and proposed solutions. The specific proposals are now under discussion within the ornithological and museum communities and within the Department of the Interior. We hope to bring the discussion to a successful conclusion within the next several months.
ENDANGERED SCIENCE–The Department of the Interior has proposed a new regulation that would weaken implementation of the Endangered Species Act. This proposed regulation applies only to other federal agencies, under a part of the ESA called "interagency cooperation" but commonly known as the "consultation process." This provision is intended to assure that federal agencies do not cause harm to species protected under the ESA. Specifically, the law requires that, "Each Federal agency shall, in consultation with and with the assistance of the Secretary, insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency (hereinafter in this section referred to as an "agency action'') is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat of such species which is determined by the Secretary, after consultation as appropriate with affected States, to be critical, unless such agency has been granted an exemption for such action by the Committee pursuant to subsection (h) of this section. In fulfilling the requirements of this paragraph each agency shall use the best scientific and commercial data available." Under this proposed regulation, the USFWS would allow the action agencies to make the initial determination that their action would not likely impact species protected under the ESA. The technical term for this decision is "not likely to adversely affect" or "NLAA." This is highly problematic because most federal agencies have little or no scientific expertise. Therefore, the "NLAA" decision, which is inherently a biological question (or set of questions), would be devoid of science. The Ornithological Council is working with the Society for Conservation Biology and The Wildlife Society to write detailed comments. Given our role as scientific societies, we are focusing on the impact of the proposed regulation on the biological aspects of the process. The American Ornithologists' Union - our largest member society - has been encouraging us to take an active role and to take such measures as we feel will be most effective in speaking for scientific ornithology. NOTE: the deadline for submitting comments was 15 Sep 2008; though many organizations have requested an extension, at the time this item was submitted, the deadline had not been extended. Check Ornith-L, OCNET, or BIRDNET for updates.
ACT FOR SONGBIRDS–U.S. Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) have introduced legislation to reauthorize the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA). The bill - H.R. 5756 - would fund projects to meet the growing needs of neotropical migrants, many of which are in rapid decline. NMBCA is the only federal U.S. grants program specifically dedicated to the conservation of neotropical migrant birds that is available Americas-wide. It has a proven track-record of success, having supported 225 projects in 44 U.S. states/territories and 34 other countries since its inception in 2002. The reauthorization bill proposes a significant increase in maximum appropriations, increasing from the current $6 million/year to $20 million/year. Currently, many more grant applications are received than can be funded, so many worthwhile projects go unsupported. This increase in the NMBCA is crucial in helping achieve international bird conservation goals. Please ask your representative to co-sponsor this important legislation. You can use a form on the American Bird Conservancy website (URL: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5400/t/2205/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=284) or you can find your representative using the House of Representatives website, then sending your own message through his or her webform (URL: http://www.house.gov/).
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NEW ENGLAND BIRD SPECIMENS SOUGHT: The Hog Island Audubon Center in Maine, the oldest such center in the U.S., is seeking to expand its existing bird skin collection, which focuses on resident and migrant species of coastal and interior New England. As one of the field ornithology faculty, I'd be interested in hearing from collections managers with appropriate skins they might wish to deaccession (i.e., duplicate skins, skins without data, etc.) and donate to the center's collection. Prepared skins only, please, not unprepped specimens. Email me (EM: scottweidensaul@verizon.net).
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECT MALLARD BLOOD AND CLOACAL SAMPLES–I am building a set of markers for the mallard genome, in order to be able to ask questions about the genetic structure of mallard populations, in turn to investigate avian influenza evolution. I require hunters that will volunteer to take blood samples and cloacal swabs from ducks shot during the fall 2008 hunting season. Samples are required from 20-40 individuals from each of a number of areas in North America (west, central and east). Sample collection is simple and comes in a postage-paid kit that requires two swabs and a short form to fill in. Contact information for willing hunting organizations can be sent to (EM: Holly.Middleton@ec.gc.ca).
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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 any time, and are posted free of charge. Please send submissions to Ornithological Newsletter Editor, Cheryl Trine, (EM: ctrine@andrews.edu).
AN E-LIST SERVICE is available. Subscribers to this list will receive the same new announcements that appear on-line. E-list members often receive these announcements before they are posted on-line. To subscribe, send the following message to: <lyris@cornell.edu>, in the body of the message type: join Birdjobs-L “your name”. The subject line should be blank. Please use the “plain text only” e-mail format option, include your own name in the message, and put quotation marks around your name.Return to Top
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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 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 1 Nov 2008 and will be reviewed by a panel of five judges from four countries with expertise in owl conservation, education, rehabilitation, and research. Winners will be individually notified by December to allow time for travel arrangements to be made, and will be made public in mid January. Awards will be presented at the International Festival of Owls in Houston, Minnesota, USA on Saturday, 7 Mar 2009. Sponsors of the 2009 World Owl Hall of Fame include: World Owl Trust, Center for Biological Diversity, Global Owl Project, Owl Research Institute, Raptor Education Group Inc., Gray Owl Fund, Owl Stuff, and International Festival of Owls. For more information about the World Owl Hall of Fame and to download nomination forms visit (URL: http://www.festivalofowls.com) or contact the Houston Nature Center [PH: 507-896-HOOT (4668), EM: nature@acegroup.cc].
SEA DUCK JOINT VENTURE -- Solicitation of Proposals for Funding and/or Endorsement, FY09. The Sea Duck Joint Venture (SDJV) is a partnership-based conservation program under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan that promotes the conservation of sea ducks by providing greater knowledge for effective management. Seed money for SDJV projects/studies is currently available through the USFWS. We are seeking proposals that advance our understanding of sea duck biology, ecology, and status from interested parties. Up to $170,000 is available for new projects in FY09. The complete RFP, proposal format, evaluation criteria, and other information are posted on http://seaduckjv.org. Proposals must be received by 29 Sep 2008.
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ERRATA: The book in the June issue by Christopher Norment identified as Man vs. Wilderness, is, in fact, entitled RETURN TO WARDEN'S GROVE: SCIENCE, DESIRE AND THE LIVES OF SPARROWS. Based on three seasons of field research in the Canadian Arctic, Christopher Norment's meditation on science and nature, wildness and civilization, is marked by reflection on timeless questions and keen observations of the world and our place in it. A more complete description is provided in the June issue of the Ornithological Newsletter (URL: http://www.osnabirds.org/on/184.htm#pub). Contact: University of Iowa Press (EM: uipress@uiowa.edu, URL: http://uipress.uiowa.edu).
THE WHITE-CHEEKED GEESE: Taxonomy, Ecophysiographic Relationships, Biogeography and Evolutionary Considerations, Vol. II, Dr. H. C. Hanson, 2007. Avvar Books. 700 + xxii pages, hundreds of maps, tables, morphometric diagrams, b&w photos; ISBN: 0-9708504-2-5 (softcover $25, hardcover $75). The book includes descriptions of populations in the Mid-Continental, Intermountain and Chukchi-Bering-North Pacific Coastal Regions as well as 10 chapters on biogeography and evolution. The 2 volume set is the culmination of 50 years of investigations conducted by Dr. Hanson on one of the most popular birds on the continent. Contact the Revegetation and Wildlife Management Center, Inc., 203 South Palm Drive, Blythe, Ca. 92225, or on line from Avvar Books (URL: http://www.avvar.com).
ATLAS OF THE BREEDING BIRDS OF ONTARIO, 2001-2005. M.D. Cadman, D.A. Sutherland, G.G. Beck, D. Lepage, and A.R. Couturier (eds.). 2007. Bird Studies Canada, Environment Canada, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and Ontario Nature, Toronto, xxii + 706 pp. The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas involved five years of intensive research involving more than 150,000 and two additional years of data analysis to produce a comprehensive atlas of the 286 bird species that breed in Ontario. To learn more or to order your copy, visit http://www.birdsontario.org.Return to Top
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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
2nd WORKSHOP on “Understanding and Reversing Population Declines in the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Powdermill Nature Reserve, Avian Research Center, Rector, PA 9-11 Oct 2008. “Now that we have captured people’s attention, how do we best move forward to save the species?” The program is being developed through the International Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group. We will also feature a Rusty Blackbird banding mini-workshop on the final day. Visit the International Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group home page for workshop information, materials from previous workshops, and working group background (URL: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Research/Rusty_Blackbird/twg.cfm)
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. 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.
32ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE WATERBIRD SOCIETY. 5-8 Nov 2008 on South Padre Island, Texas. Three full days of scientific sessions are planned. Eight symposia have been confirmed. An array of exciting field trips is planned--South Texas is a Mecca for bird watching. There will be both pre- and post- meeting field trip opportunities, so plan on a couple extra days in the area. For more information, please go to our conference web page (URL: http://www.bio.txstate.edu/wbs2008/).
*THIRD NORTH AMERICAN SEA DUCK CONFERENCE to be held in Québec City, Canada, 10-14 Nov 2008. All information on the conference is available on the web site (URL: http://www.seaduckconference2008.org). You may register on-line (URL: http://www.seaduckconference2008.org/registration.html). Hôtel Château Laurier will be the conference headquarters. Attendees must call the hotel directly to make reservations and must specify the appropriate event number to obtain preferential rates. 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).
THE XII CONGRESS OF THE MESOAMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION will take place in San Salvador, El Salvador from 10 – 14 Nov 2008, with the topic “Conservation of Mesoamerican Biodiversity in the context of development and climate change” (URL: http://smbcelsalvador2008.com/). Two major symposia are being organized: Bird Monitoring in Mesoamerica: Results and Conservation Implications:, organized by MARIAMAR GUTIERREZ, (EM: mariamar@salvanatura.org); and Bird Declines in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean: Fact or Myth?, organized by WAYNE ARENDT, (EM: waynearendt@mac.com).
*BIRD CONSERVATION ALLIANCE (BCA) FALL MEETING, Migration Matters, Building Support for Migratory Bird Conservation, 12 Nov 2008, at The Nature Conservancy World Headquarters in Arlington, VA. We will discuss: the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (current projects funded by the act; are they working and what projects are needed to address issues facing migratory birds); our capacity to engage the general public in bird conservation issues and campaigns; and how we can work together to gain more funding for conservation work concerning migratory birds. We will look at regions throughout the Americas and explore current and possible partnerships - what works, what doesn’t, and what we want. More meeting details posted at http://www.birdconservationalliance.org. Contact ALICIA KING (EM: aking@abcbirds.org, PH:202-255-5816) for more information
FOURTH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BIOGEOGRAPHY SOCIETY, 8-12 Jan 2009, Mérida, México. Invited symposia will feature talks on the biogeography of disease, patterns and processes in biotic transition zones, disjunct distributions in Asia and America, and the biogeography of species extinction. Attendees are invited to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations. The conference will also include workshops, field excursions, and social events. Registration, contact, and additional information may be found at: http://www.biogeography.org
36th PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP MEETING will be held in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan from 22-25 Feb 2009 at the Hakodate Kokusai Hotel, Hokkaido Hakodate, Japan. This special overseas meeting seeks to bolster our pan-Pacific ties with our Asian colleagues. The meeting includes a symposium titled “Working Beneath the Surface: New Approaches in Examining the Interplay of Biomechanics, Physiology and Behavioural Ecology in Diving Seabirds”. Special paper sessions will include: 1) Status and Conservation of Endangered and Threatened Seabirds in the Western Pacific; 2) Conservation of Albatross Species in the Central and North Pacific; and 3) Seabird Bycatch in Pacific Commercial Fisheries. Registration due 31 Oct 2008. For details, visit the PSG website (URL: http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/). Additional meeting details will be posted to the website as they become available.
5th INTERNATIONAL HORNBILL CONFERENCE, 22–25 Mar 2009, Singapore Botanic Gardens. Sponsored by the National Parks Board Singapore, and Hornbill Research Foundation, the theme of the conference is ‘Hornbills and the Challenges of the Future’. More information is available at http://rafflesmuseum.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/5th-international-hornbill-conference-2009/ Website will soon be operational, but in the meantime contact msnbc@singnet.com.sg for expressions of interest.
2ND PAN-EUROPEAN DUCK SYMPOSIUM to be held in Arles, Camargue (Southern France), 23-26 Mar 2009, sponsored by The French National Game and Wildlife Agency (Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage). All aspects of dabbling-, diving- or seaduck ecology will be considered. Scientists from non-European countries are welcome. Interested people are welcome to join the mailing list to be kept informed regularly. To join the mailing list or for any further information please contact us (EM: matthieu.guillemain@oncfs.gouv.fr). Conference web page: http://www.oncfs.gouv.fr/evenements/duckssymposium.php.
SEABIRD GROUP 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE will be held in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, on 27-30 Mar 2009. Papers on all aspects of seabird research and conservation will be welcomed; in addition to keynote presentations, there will be a special session on ‘Seabird Success Stories’. The Chairpersons of the Organizing Committee are ERIC STIENEN (Research Institute for Nature and Forest: INBO) and JAN SAYS (Flanders Marine Institute: VLIZ). Address general queries, abstracts and registrations to the Conference Secretariat EM: seabirdconf2009@vliz.be). Additional information is on the websites (URL: http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk and http://www.vliz.be/conferences/seabirdconference2009.be).
THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY and THE ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS will be held jointly 8-12 Apr 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA. The meeting, hosted by the National Aviary and Powdermill Nature Reserve, will be held at the Hilton Pittsburgh and the National Aviary. Abstract submission will open in autumn 2008 and a conference website will be on-line in summer 2008. Ideas for workshops and symposia are currently being accepted. The local host, TODD KATZNER, may be reached at the Department of Conservation and Field Research, National Aviary, 700 Arch St., Allegheny Commons West, Pittsburgh, PA 16212, USA (PH: 412-323-7235 x210; EM: todd.katzner AT aviary.org).
THE 79TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Tucson, Arizona, 15-18 Apr 2009. Scientific sessions will occur on Friday and Saturday, 17-18 Apr, and the Board of Directors will meet 15-16 Apr. A link to the meeting Web site will be available soon at http://www.cooper.org.
*THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION will hold its 127th Stated Meeting in Philadelphia, 12-15 Aug 2009. The meeting, co-hosted by Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania, will take place on the UPenn campus. Dr. Robert Curry, Villanova University, is the Chair of the Committee on Local Arrangements; Dr. David White, UPenn, is the Local Host. The conference will feature three days of contributed scientific papers, posters, invited speakers, and symposia; evening events hosted by the Philadelphia Zoo and the Academy of Natural Sciences; special activities for students; and field trips before and after the conference, showcasing especially the peak of shorebird migration. Accommodations at UPenn will include suite-style dormitory rooms and hotels adjacent to campus. The meeting’s location will provide easy access to the many historical and cultural attractions of Philadelphia—the “birthplace of American ornithology.” Proposals for symposia and workshops should be submitted by 1 Oct 2008 to DR. CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, Chair of the Scientific Program Committee (EM: ckwillia [at] udel.edu). For additional information about the conference, visit the AOU meetings web page (URL: http://www.aou.org/meetings/index.php3).
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 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.
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! 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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HARRISON "BUD" TORDOFF died 23 July 2008 at 85. He was a life member of the AOU, which he joined in 1944. He was elected an Elective Member in 1951, a Fellow in 1957, and President in 1978. He was also a member of AFO since 1988, COS since 1951, RRF since 1944, and WOS since 1947. Tordoff was an ecology professor at the University of Minnesota, served as director of the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History, and worked since the 1980s to get peregrines flying in the Midwest again.
The AOU Secretary has recently been informed of the deaths of the following AOU members:
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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:
O'LEARY, BETTY. EM. beoleary@charter.netReturn to Top
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THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS of the Society journals and the month of mailing are: Auk, 2008, Vol. 125, #3 (Aug); Condor, 2008, Vol. 110, #2 (Aug); J. Field Ornith., 2008, Vol. 79, #2 (Jun); Raptor Res., 2008, Vol. 42, #2 (Jun); Waterbirds, 2008, Vol. 31, #2 (Jul); Wilson J. Ornith., 2008, Vol. 120, #2 (May). 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 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.
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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
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