A'MJ; I N G S P A i^ MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Members and Friends of RRF: I will be blunt: RRF NEEDS MONEY! Over the last 23 years, I have watched RRF grow from a thought in someone's mind to a thriving organization of almost 1,200 members world-wide. And it is still growing! However, impeding our progress has been a chronic lack of funds. Too many times we have debated holding our annual conference at a given locale based on the local committee's ability to make money for our organization. While some of our award funds are growing nicely, others are not. For example, if we cannot inject some badly needed funds into the Andersen Award, we may soon see the demise of an award which honors our top student papers each year in memory of William C. Andersen, a former enthusiastic RRF and student supporter. The Journal of Raptor Research and Wingspan barely pay for themselves. Often, exciting and valuable projects are delayed or shelved indefinitely because we lack the funds to make them a reality. In short, our efforts to help raptors world-wide are hamstrung by a perpetual shortage of money. We badly need an endowment fund! If you think that I am merely asking you to dig into your own pockets to help RRF out in return for a tax receipt, well, you are partly right. But, there are many other ways you can help RRF financially without depleting your own bank account. Here are some plans already in action and some suggestions for new ventures. I have always been impressed with the fund-raising efforts of The Peregrine Fund, Inc.; The Raptor Center in Minnesota; and the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. If you are aware of a corporation, foundation, or philanthropist who might be a target for an RRF proposal either for a specific project or for our endowment fund, I would like to hear about it. Bear in mind that it is not enough just to say, "Why don't you try so-and-so ... ?" Charitable organizations generally like to tag their donations to specific projects, particularly those promising high public profile. Our success will be much improved if you can provide a contact. For example, does anyone in the U.S. have a connection with The Eagles, a famous rock group with environmental interests? I am willing to write to them on behalf of RRF, but I need a contact. If you ai'e a senior RRF member, have you considered bequeathing some or all of your estate to RRF? If you have a successful investment background, perhaps you could share some secrets with RRF. The American Ornithologists' Union has done remarkably well in both these regards and now has an endowment fund worth millions WINGSPAN of dollars! If all of the above are too far out of reach for you for the time being, consider helping out RRF on a more local basis. Hold a bake sale, raffle, or walkathon and donate the proceeds to RRF. Encourage budding wildlife artists seeking profile to donate a certain portion of their profits to RRF. Finally, here are two concrete fund-raising projects RRF members are working on right now. Next year at our fall meeting in Savannah, Georgia we intend to hold a silent auction. These events have been known to raise thousands of dollai’s. We are looking for items preferably with some connection to nature (e.g., bird books, artwork, optical equipment, clothing, trips, boats, vehicles). Contact Edmund Henckel at 717-897-6863 after November 1. 1996 if you can help out with donated items or in some other capacity. From a commercial perspective, Ed Henckel is also looking into creating some RRF patches ("crests" to my Canadian colleagues), and Jemima Parry-Jones is producing a new RRF lapel pin to be sold with profits going into a newly created endowment fund. A natural spin-off is the heightened profile RRF receives. Always remember though, that money is only a means to an end. For RRF, we have established the end; the conservation of raptors throughout the world. Now we need to find the means. David M. Bird THE RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. (FOUNDED 1966) OFFICERS* PRESIDENT: David M. Bird SECRETARY: Patricia A. Hall PRESIDENT-ELECT: Michael N. Kochert TREASURER: Jim Fitzpatrick VICE-PRESIDENT: David E. Andersen BOARD OF DIRECTORS* INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR # I : Massimo Pandolfi INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR #2: Michael McGrady CANADIAN DIRECTOR: Gordon S. Court MOUNTAIN & PACIFIC DIRECTOR: Karen Steenhof CENTRAL DIRECTOR: Robert N. Rosenfield EASTERN DIRECTOR: Brian A. Millsap DIRECTOR AT LARGE # 1 : DIRECTOR AT LARGE #2: DIRECTOR AT LARGE #3: DIRECTOR AT LARGE #4: DIRECTOR AT LARGE #5: DIRECTOR AT LARGE #6: * As of January 1, 1997 Patricia L. Kennedy John A. Smallwood James Bednarz Cesar Marquez Reyes Petra Bohall Wood Lloyd F. Kiff Wingspan is distributed twice a year to all RRF members. It is also available to non-members for a subscription rate of $10 per year. The Journal of Raptor Research (ISSN 0892-1016) is published quarterly and available to individuals for $30 per year and to libraries and institutions for $50 per year from: The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc., 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings, MN 55033 USA. Add $3 for destinations outside of the continental United States. Persons interested in predatory birds are invited to join The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. Send requests for information concerning membership, subscriptions, special publications, or change of address to: Jim Fitzpatrick, Treasurer, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings, MN 55033 USA. SEPTEMBER 1996 RMF ELECTION RESULTS, 1996 A total of 291 ballots was cast, representing 27% of the RRF membership. Results are as follows: President-Elect: Michael Kochert Vice President: David Andersen International Director #1 : Massimo Pandolfi Eastern Director: Brian Millsap Director At Large #3 : James Bednarz Director At Large #6: Lloyd Kiff FIRE DAMAGES WORLD CENTER FOR BIRDS OF PREY Late in the evening, on June 9, 1996, fire swept through the Imprint Barn at The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. In a matter of minutes, the entire building was engulfed in flames and destroyed. The Imprint Barn was a 19-chambered wooden pole barn with a metal exterior that measured 34' X 88'. Careful advance planning, alert staff, on-site fire fighting equipment, and rapid responses by World Center staff and the local fire department all helped contain the fire to the Imprint Bam. Even so, biologists and fire fighters had to battle a grass fire ignited by the intense heat. At the time of the fire, the bam housed 10 behaviorally imprinted falcons: six aplomado falcons and four peregrine falcons. All perished in the blaze. Three male peregrine falcons that died provided semen for about half of the World Center's annual production of that species. This year, probably 50 young were produced with semen from them. The male aplomado falcons were less productive, but most were younger falcons and potentially important for future aplomado falcon production. There were only two known wild nesting pairs of aplomado falcons in the United States this spring. Needless to say, the falcons' deaths are a tremendous loss. As Dr. Bill Burnham, President of The Peregrine Fund, put it, "It was more than the death of ten falcons, it was the loss of ten friends that we have invested thousands of hours and considerable emotion in." However, no egg-laying falcons were lost, and although the dead males were the source of semen for many of the females that did not copulate. World Center biologists can forcibly (vs. voluntarily) obtain semen from most of their non-copulating mates. Also, since most of the young from this year's falcon production had not been released and eggs were still hatching, The Peregrine Fund had the ability to hold back birds to replace the imprint falcons. Fire investigators attribute the blaze to spontaneous combustion of cleaning materials. Remains of two, 5- gallon buckets suggest that there probably was a linseed-oiled rag in the bottom one, with an empty bucket set inside it. The bam had just been thoroughly cleaned in the days before, and the walls of each falcon chamber treated with linseed oil. Linseed oil is used to reduce weathering of the chambers' interior. Insurance is expected to cover about half of the replacement cost of the building and equipment contents. The Peregrine Fund hopes to raise the remainder of the required dollars through private sector donations. Those who wish to make a contribution can contact: The Peregrine Fund, World Center for Birds of Prey, 566 Flying Hawk Lane W, Boise, ID 83709. 3 WINGSPAN NEW REPRESENTATIVES FOR RRF COMMITTEES by David M. Bird, President There are many ways to serve the Raptor Research Foundation besides getting elected as an officer or a member of the Board of Directors. In fact, if you are interested in serving in either of the former capacities, participating on an RRF committee is an excellent springboard! As of the Boise meeting this past August, a number of changes in RRF representation have been implemented. While Susie Ellis continues to represent RRF to the best of her abilities on the highly active Ornithological Council which meets three to four times a year in W ashington, D . C . , we need a second representative so that RRF is always present at these important meetings. If you are interested, please contact me. In Boise, RRF agreed to become part of the fledgling North American Banding Council, and thanks go to Peter Bloom and Buzz Hull for agreeing to represent us. Our critically important Membership Committee has unfortunately often been represented by a single member, currently Richard Clark. Jemima Parry-Jones has signed on to help him, but we need more members! Please contact Dick Clark if you are interested. Nancy Read and Betsy Hancock could certainly use more help with the Education and Rehabilitation Committee. Contact either of them if you are interested. RRF has a new web site thanks to Robert Hole, Jr. While Karen Steenhof has offered to assist him in refining our home page, it is in our best interests to have our own web master. If you are familiar with the Internet and want to help RRF in this regard, please contact me. Finally, James Bednarz as chairman of our Conservation Committee is promising to make this a highly active committee for RRF. He will be assisted by Keith Bildstein, Michael Collopy, Susie Ellis, Allen Fish, James Fraser, Brian Millsap, Steve Sheffield, Karen Steenhof, Petra Bohall Wood, and Reuven Yosef. If you want to help RRF, all you have to do is ask me how. RRF APPOINTS SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR At the 1996 Annual Meeting, the RRF Board of Directors appointed Daniel E. Varland to serve as Special Publications Editor. This will reduce the workload of the RRF Editor-in-Chief, who currently manages special publications in addition to the Journal of Raptor Research. Dan has been a member of RRF since 1978. He has B.S. and M.S. degrees in zoology from Eastern Illinois University, and was a community college biology instructor for 1 1 years before returning to school for his doctorate. Dan received his Ph.D. in animal ecology from Iowa State University; his research was a study of the post-fledging stage in the American kestrel. Dan currently works as a wildlife biologist for Rayonier, a timber company with 1.5 million acres of forestland in Washington state, the southeastern U.S., and New Zealand. Dan can be contacted at; Northwest Forest Resources, Rayonier, P.O. Box 200, 3033 Ingram Street, Hoquiam, WA 98550, phone: 360-538-4582, fax: 360-532-5426, e-mail: daniel.varland@rayonier.com. SEPTEMBER 1996 RRF LIFE- MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS CLAMFIED ■ At the 1996 Annual Meeting in Boise, the RRF Board of Directors voted to clarify the benefits of Life Membership in RRF. Those who are currently (as of August 13, 1996) Life Members or have made at least one payment toward Life Membership will receive free publications and free registration to North American RRF conferences for the rest of their lives. Those who become Life Members after the Boise meeting will receive free publications but not free conference registration. It was never the Board’s intention to include free conference registration as a benefit of Life Membership. However, the expectation of free conference registration prompted the enrollment of some current Life Members. The Board's decision honors this expectation while recognizing the serious financial burden that continuing free conference registration would place on RRF. There are currently 21 RRF Life Members; three others had made at least one payment toward Life Membership as of the Boise meeting. . . KETTLE CORRECTIONS Some RRF members have noted that their addresses, telephone numbers, and expertise were not correctly reported in the recently updated Kettle. Additionally, an unknown number of copies of the Kettle were misbound. To correct these problems, the following steps should be taken. Errors Please review your Kettle listings and notify Richard Clark, RRF Membership Committee Chair, if there are errors that need to be corrected. Corrected listings will be published as an insert in the March 1997 Wingspan. Corrections should be returned by December 15, 1996 to: Richard Clark, Department of Biology, York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA 17405-7199, phone: 717-846- 7788 xl405, fax: 717-849-1619, e-mail: rclark@ycp.edu. Misbound Copies If you received a misbound Kettle, Allen Press will provide a replacement copy free of charge. Requests for replacement copies should be made to: Scott Perry, Allen Press, Inc., 810 10th Street E, Lawrence, KS 66044, fax: 913-843-1274, e-mail: sperry@allenpress.com. WINGSPAN RRF COMMENTS ON CONDOR RECOVERY 7 March 1996 Mr. Michael Spear Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eastside Federal Complex 911 11th Avenue Portland, OR 97232-4181 Dear Mr. Spear: I am writing on behalf of the Raptor Research Foundation to express concern about the proposed reclassification of the California Condor in the Los Padres National Forest region to lOj, and about the potential for a delay in the Grand Canyon condor release. The Raptor Research Foundation consists of more than 1100 professional biologists, conservationists, and managers. Our organization has been an interested participant in condor management discussions for many years. We believe classifying the Los Padres National Forest (California) population as an experimental population is a mistake for several reasons. First, the population is extremely small. Because of the condor's life history (long lived, low reproductive rate) the species is particularly sensitive to human- induced mortalities. Thus, a very low human-induced mortality could have serious adverse effects on the population. Moreover, because of the limited genetic base of the population, we should make every effort to minimize mortalities. Second, we think creating an experimental population in Los Padres National Forest, an area where the species was recently extant, but was removed for conservation purposes, is a very dangerous precedent. This proposed action raises the image that removal of the last of a rare species by federal agents may have been contrived to circumvent protection under the Endangered Species Act. Finally, we think retroactively reclassifying any species sets a very dangerous precedent. No doubt this would open the door to reclassification of all species that have been reintroduced to parts of their range. The bald eagle populations in New York and Tennessee come to mind. Though we oppose lOj status in the Los Padres National Forest region in California, we think this status would be appropriate for the population in Arizona, as this area has not been recently occupied. We have recently been informed that the planned release in Arizona may be delayed due to concern that the lOj status does not cover nearby areas in Utah. We suggest that the most reasonable solution to the problem would be to enlarge the area in which the condor population would be considered experimental to include nearby communities in Utah. We believe that it would be a tragedy if, after the considerable effort and expense of this program, the release in Arizona was delayed. SEPTEMBER 1996 We appreciate your consideration of our concerns. We (I or other appropriate representatives of the Raptor Research Foundation) would be happy to discuss this with you further if you like. Sincerely, Jim Bednarz, Ph.D. Chair of the Conservation Committee The Raptor Research Foundation USFWS RESPONDS TO RRF’S CONCERNS On August 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) informed RRF Conservation Committee Chair Jim Bednarz that RRF's comments on condor recovery had been considered. As of this time, USFWS has "tabled" any further consideration to reclassify the California population of condors as experimental and non-essential (i.e., lOj). Condors in California will remain classified as endangered. USFWS has recently reached agreement with communities in southern Utah concerning specific wording related to the lOj status of condors to be released in northern Arizona. With this agreement, the final rule determining the lOj status of the Calfomia condor is currently being written and may be published in the Federal Register early this fall. Once the rule is published, the release program for condors in northern Arizona will be implemented immediately. 1996 HAWK MOUNT AIN-ZEISS RAPTOR RESEARCH AWARDS Each year Carl Zeiss Optical, in conjunction with Hawk Mountain, funds research on birds of prey through a research grant. Candidates throughout the world submit prospective research projects for consideration. The 1996 Hawk Mountain-Zeiss Research Award recipients have been selected: Dave Anderson, a master's degree candidate at Boise State University, Idaho, and Paul Salaman, a doctoral degree candidate at Oxford University, England. Anderson will use his grant to support research on raptors as indicator species in the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras. Salaman will use his grant to support a study of the ecology and conservation of the plumbeous forest falcon in Columbia. Zeiss’ commitment to raptor research will continue each year through the Hawk Mountain-Zeiss Raptor Research Award. This year marks the eighth year for the award. For more information, contact Keith L. Bildstein, Director of Research, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, RR2, Box 191, Kempton, PA 19529. ISlSitl/lm WINGSPAN FIRST JOINT ANNUAL MEETING AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION Boise, Idaho, August 13-17, 1996 RRF held its 1996 annual meeting in conjunction with the 1 14th Stated Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, at Boise State University, from August 13-17, 1996. The meeting was attended by over 900 registrants. Weather in Boise during the meeting was hot and sunny, with temperatures rising to almost lOOT by late afternoon. The scientific program began with a keynote address by Dr. Ian Newton on "Some Findings from Large-scale Research in Avian Ecology." The remainder of the scientific program featured 445 presentations: 319 15-30 minute lectures and 126 posters organized into two separate sessions. Presentations specifically dealing with raptors accounted for 29% of the program, although actual numbers of raptor papers (96) and posters (33) were greater than numbers presented last year in Duluth (70 and 19, respectively). The meeting featured several symposia: Perspectives on Avian Aging: the Proximate Meets the Ultimate, Raptor Monitoring Techniques, Research Needs for Avian Conservation Biology, Current Issues in Avian Parental Care, The Evolving Role of Zoos and Aquariums in Avian Conservation and Science, and Conservation and Ecology of Raptors in the Tropics. Some raptor papers were organized as part of these symposia and as sessions on Raptor Ecology, Tropical Raptors, Raptor Migration, and Raptor Morphology, while many others were dispersed throughout the rest of the program. The meeting was perfectly organized and run, down to the smallest detail. Examples of the Local Committee's attention to detail included a high-quality soft case to hold programs and materials, banquet and drink tickets that stowed neatly into the backs of necklace-style name tags, and a coin- operated copy machine positioned near the announcement board, so that announcements could be copied and immediately reposted, Each meeting registrant received a beautiful, limited-edition, Erica Craig art print of a golden eagle. Concurrent papers began and ended on time, there was plenty of common space (including comfortable sofas and chairs) in which to meet with colleagues, and two on-site cafeterias were within two minutes' walk of the lecture halls. Meeting participants were lavishly fed. Registrants on a tight budget would scarcely have had to buy a meal during the meeting. Breaks featured huge bowls of mixed fresh fruit, platters of brownies and gourmet chocolate chip cookies, and trays of bagels with cream cheese. Evening poster sessions included numerous strategically placed "feeding stations" with fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, and cheeses, while caterers circulated throughout the hall with trays of hot hors d'oeuvres. There was no excuse to go away hungry from the poster sessions! The meeting concluded with an awards banquet at Boise's new Centre-on-the-Grove convention facility. Participants enjoyed an excellent dinner complete with complimentary wine. After dinner, AOU President Richard Banks and RRF President David Bird presided over awards ceremonies. Finally, those with enough energy danced away the evening to the music of House of Hoi Paloi. SEPTEMBER 1996 Without doubt, the 1996 meeting ranks among the most productive, well-run, and enjoyable RRF meetings ever held. The Local Committee, under the leadership of Marc Bechard and Alfred Dufty, did a superb job. RESOLUTION RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION AND AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION THANK YOU TO THE LOCAL COMMITTEE OF THE 1996 JOINT MEETING WHEREAS, the 1996 joint annual meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union and the Raptor Research Foundation was successful, stimulating, and entertaining for all who participated, and, WHEREAS, the Committee on Local Arrangements, co-chaired by Marc Bechard and Alfred Dufty did an impressive job of organizing the 1996 meeting, finding comfortable accommodations, organizing an excellent series of general papers, poster papers, and special symposia; and having one of the best catered conferences many of us have ever attended, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board Members, Officers, and General Membership of the AOU and RRF thank the Local Hosts, especially Boise State University^ and thank the Committee for Local Arrangements for all their hours of hard work, which made this annual meeting truly an outstanding event. , 1996 RRF AWARD RECIPIENTS by Petra Bohall Wood, Chair, Awards Committee Tom Cade Award (Selection Committee: Brian James Walton, Chair; Steve Sherrod; Jack Barclay; Christian Saar) The Tom Cade Award recognizes an individual who has made significant advances in the area of raptor propagation and/or reintroduction of raptors. Recipient: Mr. Cal Sandfort, The Peregrine Fund, Inc. Fran and Frederick Hamerstrom Award (Selection Committee: David E. Andersen, Chair; Rick Knight; Karen Steenhof) The Fran and Frederick Hamerstrom Award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to raptor ecology and natural history. Recipient: Dr. Jon M. Gerrard, M.D., Ph.D., F.C.R.P.; Professor, University of Manitoba; Member of Parliament, Portage-Interlake; Secretary of State for Science Research and Development (Canada). James R. Koplin Travel Award (Selection Committee: Patricia Hall, Chair; Robert Lehman; Robert Rosenfield) Recipient: Ruth Tingay, Intern at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, "Philopatry and Interyear Nest Site Fidelity in American Kestrels near Hawk Mountain, PA." WINGSPAN Stephen R. Tally Memorial Grant (Selection Committee: Kimberly Titus, Chair; Bob Murphy, Robert N. Rosenfield) The Stephen R. Tully Memorial Grant is given to support research, management, and conseiTation of raptors, especially to students and amateurs with limited access to alternative funding. The end^of- September application deadline was retained for this grant. The 1996 recipient will be announced in the March 1997 Wingspan. Leslie Brown MemoriaTGraiit (Selection Committee: Jeffrey Lincer, Chair; Dean Amadon; Gary- Duke; Richard Howard; Alan Kemp) The Leslie Brown Memorial Grant is given to support research and/or the dissemination of information on raptors, especially to individuals carrying out Work in Africa. The original September application deadline was retained for this grant to allow more complete international participation. The 1996 recipient will be announced in the March 1997 Wingspan. Dean Amadon Grant (Selection Committee: Clayton M. White, Chair) The Dean Amadon Grant is given to support research in the field of raptor taxonomy, especially to students and amateur’s with limited access to alternative funding. Recipient: Samantha L Rayroiix, Senior Honors Student, Colorado State University, "Morphometric Variation of Five Northern Goshawk Populations in North America." 1995 LESLIE BROWN MEMORIAL GRANT Simon Thomsett of Nairobi, Kenya is the recipient of the 1995 Leslie Brown Memorial Grant. Simon is currently working with The Peregrine Fund, Inc. in a joint program with the Ornithology Department of the National Museums of Kenya for the conservation of raptors. His interest in raptors was greatly influenced by the late Dr. Leslie Brown whom he accompanied on some field trips to Eagle Hill. Simon has visited Eagle Hill regularly since -1979 and witnessed, dramatic land changes that have had a negative impact on the natural fauna of the region. However, Eagle Hill still has a remarkable number of resident raptors. Simon intends to use the Leslie Brown Memorial Grant to increase local awareness by building a small education libraiy at .Gataka Primary School at the foothills of the hill. He hopes to complete this project by June 1997. SEPTEMBER 1996 PROJECT INTERNATIONAL COLLEAGUE : by Richard Clark, Chair, Membership Committee The Project International Colleague (PIC) program was designed and put into place at a time when international currency exchange was a problem both for potential members of The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. as well as for the Foundation itself Much of this problem disappeared when the Foundation made it possible for membership dues to be paid with certain credit cards. Problems associated with potential international members for whom the dues were prohibitive still exist. That was the main reason for developing the PIC program. Now, the question of how long a sponsor should plan on supporting an international member by paying their dues is being asked, as is the question of how long should a sponsored international member reasonably depend on a sponsor to pay their dues. The RRF Board of Directors discussed this at the 1996 annual meeting and came up with the following guidelines: 1. A membership for a single year is not reasonable. 2. A three-year minimum seems to be reasonable, with a five-year period being desirable. 3. The sponsor should notify the colleague he/she is sponsoring the year before he/she terminates the sponsorship so that the colleague has an opportunity to obtain alternate funding for his/her membership. 4. In most cases, sponsors would very much like to hear from the colleagues that they are sponsoring. Some suggestions are: a) send your sponsor a thank-you note acknowledging your receiving the membership, b) send your sponsor a letter telling about your involvement, research, work with, or interest in raptors, and/or c) send your sponsor copies of any publications that you may have produced dealing with raptors. There are currently about 35 PIC memberships being sponsored for RRF, and the program has been very successful. With continued caring for raptors and our colleagues, and with some common courtesy, the program should continue to be successful and perhaps even expand. Potential sponsors please see page 104 in your 1996 edition of the Kettle for a sponsorship form and instructions. CALIFORNIA CONDORS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AT WORLD CENTER FOR BIRDS OF PREY For the first time since the 1970's, two California condors are available for public viewing at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. The Interpretive Center is open to the public every day except Monday. For more information, contact: The Peregrine Fund, World Center for Birds of Prey, 566 Flying Hawk Lane W, Boise, Idaho 83709, or call Jeff Cilek at 208-362-381 1. WINGSPAN THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: , BIOLOGY & CONSERVATION OF OWLS OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 5-9, 1997 In February 1987, an international conference on the biology and conservation of northern forest owls was held in Winnipeg under the auspices of the Manitoba Department of Natural Resources. International inquiries suggested that a second symposium in 1997 would prove a welcome forum for discussion of progress in biology and management of owls and their habitats. Ten years of new research and management expertise, some of which originated as a result of the 1987 event, will have accumulated by 1997. Hence, the Department decided to organize and host a conference of broader scope to include all owls of the Northern Hemisphere. The meeting will feature scientific paper sessions, poster sessions, workshops, field trips, exhibits and an owl art display, films and videos, as well as a banquet and social gatherings. The tentative schedule is as follows: Wednesday, February 5: evening registration, wine and cheese reception Thursday, February 6: registration, presentations, informal films/videos/slides Friday, February 7 : presentations, banquet Saturday, February 8: presentations, field trips, evening workshops Sunday, F ebruary 9 : field trips, workshops The symposium will be held at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel, 288 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0B8, Canada, phone: 800-268-1133, fax: 204-947-1129. To obtain special symposium lodging rates, reservations for the Delta Winnipeg must be made before January 5, 1997. Alternative accommodations are available at several other nearby hotels. Air Canada is offering airfare and car rental discounts to symposium participants; to obtain the discount, mention reference number CV970038 when booking reservations. Air Canada may be contacted via the following phone numbers: 800-361-7585 (U.S. & Canada), 250131 (Frankfurt), 7314980 (Geneva), 081-7592636 (London), 1-432 01200 (Paris), 0222-5861909 (Vienna), and 2110777 (Zurich). Information about Winnipeg can be obtained from Tourism Winnipeg (800-665-0204). To register for the symposium or obtain additional information, contact: Owl Symposium, Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3, Canada, phone: 204-945-7465, fax: 204-945-3077, e-mail: mbcdc@lic.gov.mb.ca. Basic registration is $35* for students and $50* for other participants; registration increases by $15* after December 1, 1996. Basic registration includes symposium proceedings. Three field trips are available: Marsh/Prairie Owling (February 8, $25*), Boreal Forest Owling (February 9, $25*), and Winnipeg Area Trip (February 8 or 9, $20*). The February 8 banquet and dance is $30*. * Canadian funds SEPTEMBER 1996 ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING MEETINGS 1997 February S-9 SECOND INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OWLS OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE Winnipeg, Manitoba ■ ' Contact: Owl Symposium, Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Box 24, 200 Salteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3, Canada, phone: 204-945^7465, fax: 204-945-3077, e-mail: mbcdc@ lic.goy.mb.ca September 21-23 FORUM ON WILDLIFE TELEMETRY: INNOVATIONS, EVALUATIONS, AND RESEARCH NEEDS Snowmass, Colorado The Forum will immediately precede The Wildlife Society's Fourth Annual Conference. It is intended to provide an opportunity for research biologists and engineers to discuss new telemetry technologies and methods, field evaluations of equipment and techniques, and directions future development should take to meet telemetry research needs. Session topics are: 1) Innovations in transmitting and receiving systems, 2) Attachment techniques: methods and evaluations, successes and failures, 3) Collection of physiological and environmental data using telemetry, and 4) Data processing and analysis. A separate evening poster session will emphasize demonstrations and hands-on displays. Individuals interested in giving an oral presentation, poster, or demonstration should send a title and brief (2-4 sentences) description of the subject to the contact below by I February 1997; a full abstract will be required by 1 May 1 997 for those accepted. Please include name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address if available. Contact: Jane Austin, Northern Prairie Science Center, 8711 37th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401, phone: 701-252- 5363, fax: 701-252-4217, e-mail: jane_austin@nbs.gov. October 30 - November 1 RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION Savannah, Georgia Contact: Steve Hein, Center for Wildlife Education, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, phone: 912-681-083 1 , fax:912-681-1779. POSITIONS AVAILABLE RAPTOR CAPTURE AND BANDING V OLUNTEERS The International Birding Center in Elat, Israel, is conducting a migrating raptor banding project in the environs of Elat from mid-February to mid- May, spring 1997. The study aims to understand the migratory status, physical condition, and other aspects of raptors migrating through the region. All potential volunteers are urged to apply at the earliest- the number of places is limited. Volunteers are required to help in building traps and in the capture and handling of raptors. Previous experience with raptors and ringing is a plus. Accommodation and basic subsistence will be provided. Details may be obtained from: Dr. Reuven Yosef, Director, I.B.C.E., P.O. Box 13 WINGSPAN 774, Eikt 88106^ Israel, phone: 912 - 1 - 6374276, fax: 972-7-^6367002, e-mail: shanik@BGUMAIL.BGU.AC.IL RESEARCH INTERNS aie needed at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary from April-July and mid- August to mid-December 1997. Successful applicants will work as part of an international team of 4-5 research, education, and monitoring interns that helps conduct the Sanctuary's education and research programs. Research interns are involved in many aspects of Sanctuary research, including both field and library research, data management, and analysis of the Sanctuary's databases. Fall interns work on projects involving (1) raptor migration ecology and management of the Sanctuary's long-term raptor migration database, (2) wintering ecology of raptors, (3) data management, and (4) analysis of existing databases. Spring interns work on projects involving (1) Appalachian landscape ecology, (2) raptor breeding biology, (3) data management, and (4) analysis of existing databases. Research interns live on-site in a three-bedroom, five-intem apartment. Interns receive a $375 (after taxes) monthly stipend for their work. Letters of interest and requests for application forms should be sent to: Keith L. Bildstein, Director of Research, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, RR 2 Box 191, Kempton, PA 19529. WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST position is open to work on Santa Catalina Island, California. The primary duty will be to oversee an ongoing program studying the reproductive biology and pesticide relations of nesting bald eagles. The position will last from 15 January - 1 September 1997, but may lead to extended employment. Duties will include supervising three or more field technicians, assisting in collecting of field data, data management, and report preparation. Applicant should have an M. S. in wildlife biology or related field. Physical capability to conduct rigorous fieldwork, excellent interpersonal and writing skills, a good work ethic, and the ability to work both as part of a team and independently are required. Experience with telemetry, boats, and firearms is a plus. Compensation includes $3, 050/month, health benefits, and on-island transportation. Applications should include a cover letter, vita, and the names and telephone numbers of at least three references familiar with the applicant's skills. Materials will be accepted to 1 December 1996 or until a qualified candidate is found. Send application materials to: David K. Garcelon, Institute for Wildlife Studies, P.O. Box 1104, Areata, CA 95518. PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE ’’AUSTRALIAN BIRDS OF PREY: THE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF RAPTORS” This new, 240-page book by Penny Olsen features chapters on "Introducing Raptors," "Australia's Raptors," "Raptor Ecology," "Raptors as Predators," "Raptor Reproduction," "The Healthy Raptor," "Studying Raptors," "Raptors and Humans," and "Conservation and Raptors." In 9 V 2 " x 12" format, the book contains 220 color photographs and 80 drawings. It may be purchased directly from the publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2715 Charles Street N, Baltimore, MD 21218, phone: 800-537-5487, fax: 410-516-6998. ’’VERACRUZ: RIO DE RAPACES” Veracruz is home to the world's largest migration of raptors. Nearly 4 million raptors of 20 species funnel every spring and fall through a narrow corridor formed by the central volcanic mountains converging on the gulf eoastal plain. This new educational workbook by Sandra L. Mesa Ortiz, Liliana 14 SEPTEMBER 1996 Coronado Limon, and Sharon M. Gaughan highlights the raptor migration and the plant and animal communities that occupy 19 different habitat types in this tropical Mexican state. Published in Spanish, the workbook consists of chapters on the environment, plants and animals, and habitats of Veracruz, as well as the raptor migration. Each chapter is followed by a short self-test on key concepts. Those interested in obtaining a copy of the workbook can contact the publisher: Pronatura, Capitulo Veracruz, Museo de Ciencia y Tecnologia s/n, Ave. Murillo Vidal, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, A.P. 399.91000, phone/fax: 52-28-128844, e-mail: verpronatura@laneta.apc.org. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE ENTERTAINING SLIDES SOUGHT FOR SAVANNAH MEETING Based on feedback I've received, everyone seemed to enjoy my brief narrated slide shows at the Duluth and Flagstaff RRF meetings. Because of the joint meeting with AOU, I did not do a show in Boise. However, I intend to get back on track in Savannah! While I do have plenty of my own, I am seeking slides of humorous situations involving birds of prey and the people who study them. The slides do not have to represent well-known persons in raptor biology, although that does tend to make them more delicious! I will return all slides to donors. Please send them to me at the address below before October 1, 1997. Depending on the response, I may have to be selective. Many thanks to those of you who sent me slides in anticipation of a show in Boise; I will save your contributions for Savannah. David M. Bird, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada. WHO TOOK THAT PHOTO? Will the person who took a photo of two trucks, with a goshawk license plate next to a pinon jay license plate, at the 1994 RRF meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona please contact or send a copy of the photo to: Pat Hall, 436 David Drive E, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. WINGSPAN CONTRIBUTIONS The Raptor Research Foundation wishes to thank the following people who contributed material to this issue of Wingspan: Jane Austin, Jim Bednarz, Patricia Biddle, Keith Bildstein, David Bird, Richard Clark, James Duncan, Jim Fitzpatrick, David Garcelon, Patricia Hall, Doug Howell, Mike Kochert, Jeff Lincer, Fred Lohrer, Karen Lutto, The Peregrine Fund, Eric Stolen, Dan Varland, Petra Bohall Wood, and Reuven Yosef. . Wingspan welcomes contributions from RRF members and others interested in raptor biology and management. Articles and announcements should be sent, faxed, or e-mailed to: Leonard Young, Editor, 5010 Sunset Drive N W, Olympia, WA 98502-1576 USA (phone/fax: 360-866- 8039; e-mail: wingspan@msn . com) . The deadline for the next issue is 7 February 1997. 15 C WINGSPAN SEPTEMBER 1996 Biddle, P. B. 1996. DO LANDUSE PATTERNS INFLUENCE BURROWING OWL NEST SITE SELECTION IN NORTHEASTERN COLORADO? M.S. Thesis, Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins. 45pp. Howell, D. L. 1995. HOME RANGE CHARACTERISTICS, FORAGING ECOLOGY, AND DIET OF RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS {BUTEO LINEATUS) IN A MANAGED PINE FOREST IN THE GEORGIA PIEDMONT. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Georgia, Athens. 93pp. Stolen, E. D. 1996. ROOSTING BEHAVIOR AND FORAGING ECOLOGY OF BLACK VULTURES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. Univ. Central Florida, Orlando. 156pp. WINGSPAN 5010 Sunset Drive NW Olympia, WA -985024576 USA Non-profit Organ. u.s. . POSTAGE PAID Olympia, WA Permit No. 169