Links to Oct. 24 program recordings: Your yard as a bird-friendly habitat
Maintaining Your Yard as a Bird-friendly Habitat
Angie Hong: Author and coordinator for Minnesota’s East Metro Water Education Program
Angie Hong shared advice for creating bird-friendly native landscapes and how to prep your yard for the winter without taking away food and habitat for birds and the insects they eat. She had hints about trees and shrubs are good for songbirds, how to enhance existing gardens with native plants, and where to find resources to get started.
The meeting was in-person at the refuge and simulcast via Zoom. The refuge visitor center is located at 3815 American Boulevard East in Bloomington and is accessible after a short walk from the METRO blue line. All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public.
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It's almost time for the MRVAC Holiday Auction: Save Nov. 14
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter’s holiday auction returns this year Thursday, Nov. 14 at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington!
The auction begins at 7 p.m. Come any time after 6 p.m. to drop off your items to be auctioned, get first pick on low-priced books, get your bidding strategies down, and socialize a bit. There will be snacks and drinks and of course lots of really nifty things up for grabs. Doors open at 6 p.m. The auction ends at 9 p.m. Cash and checks accepted.
Books? Yep, dozens including many different nature topics and some field guides. Art? You bet. There will be bird houses, feeders, and birdseed. Vortex, the optics folks, have donated a nice set of birding binoculars, too.
You can bring your items to be auctioned, too. Or just show up early and volunteer to be a runner or general helper. You also can give one of the board members a shout at MRVAC.ORG. All the proceeds will go toward MRVAC’s grant program, which helps fund local conservation education and birding projects. For more information, check out mrvac.org/news. MRVAC is a 501 (c)(3) organization.
Link to Sept. 26 program: The Birdchick returns to MRVAC from Alaska!
The Birdchick -- AKA Sharon Stiteler -- has returned from a stint in the shadow of Denali in Alaska and she told about it in our MRVAC program Thursday, Sept. 26.
MRVAC welcomed renown writer, raconteuse, and birding guide who told about the difference between "our" shorebirds and Alaska's and much more. (The editors like the moose licking and wine for moose meat trade stories the best.) Here's the link to her presentation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16sIIRLr0OBSqdcTroluPiOBTJM-YLECa/view?usp=drive_web
Link to June 27 program recording: Are There Any True Prairie Birds?
Here's the link to the recording of the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter's program on "Are There Any True Prairie Birds And What Are The Current Dilemmas For Them?"
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Prairie Wildlife Team Leader Greg Hoch says prairies and prairie birds create a puzzling situation for ecologists and ornithologists. The Midwestern prairies are a combination of plants and animals from different parts of the continent with few being unique to this region. This presentation looked at how to define prairie birds and also talked about modern day conservation dilemmas, strategies, and opportunities for grassland bird conservation.
The program was in person Thursday, June 27 with a reception at 7 p.m. and the program at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge's visitor center at 3815 American Boulevard East in Bloomington. This meeting was held in-person and simulcast via Zoom beginning at 7:30 p.m. although there were a number of technical difficulties. Access the audio and video links:
Link to May 23 meeting/program recording: Peregrine Falcon Restoration
MRVAC's April Meeting: U of M ornithology research on urban birds' brains and swan migration
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) invites you to join us for a "Special Report on Ornithology Research at the University of Minnesota" with Simone Maddox and David Wolfson Thursday, April 25. We'll have a reception at 7 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Simone is a researcher and Ph.D. candidate in the Barker Lab and David is a wildlife ecologist and Ph.D. candidate in the Fieberg Lab.
We’ll get a look into some interesting ornithological research at the university with the two speakers. First, Simone will speak about her research investigating the ways that city living affects our local birds, especially their brains. David will report on his research on the annual movement and migration patterns of Trumpeter Swans in the Midwest.
This meeting will be held in-person at the headquarters building's auditorium at the refuge and simulcast via Zoom beginning at 7:30 p.m. The refuge visitor center is located at 3815 American Boulevard East in Bloomington and is accessible after a short walk from the METRO blue line. All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public. To join the Zoom meeting click on this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85625706373?pwd=z4utkZAUa1mwwm1CTdEHhlcDcXQI8o.1
Meeting ID: 856 2570 6373
Passcode: 112650
One tap mobile http://+16469313860,,85625706373#,,,,*112650#
Link to March 28 program recording: Laura Erickson's Birding in Hawai'i
Below are the links (video and audio) to the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter's (MRVAC) March 28 program, a presentation by Laura Erickson on Birding in Hawai'i.
Because of a last-minute conflict, our scheduled speaker had to cancel, but we were fortunate to get Laura Erickson to join us.
Laura just returned from a two-week birding tour of Hawaiʻi, visiting Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and the Big Island. Her big goals before the trip were to 1) learn everything she could about Hawaiʻian birds and the challenges they face; 2) see and photograph a White Tern on the nest; 3) see and photograph a Nēnē, the state bird of Hawai’i; 4) and the beautiful ʻIʻiwi (which non-natives call a Scarlet Honeycreeper). You have to see the resulting photographs!
All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public. The April 25 meeting will be via Zoom and in-person at 7:30 p.m. at the headquarters building at the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. You're also invited to come at 7 p.m. to meet, greet and enjoy snacks and drinks.
Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W1BaL4EfTlAciDc3o6A8FEc4PTQuRWsm/view?usp=drive_web
Audio:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YFwl86tEyCTK3TRcvfQQ2z8BIIKa8lxh/view?usp=drive_web
Links to Feb. 22 MRVAC "Think Like A Raven" recording
Here are the audio and video links for Dr. Marzluff's presentation:
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) invites you to join us for “Think Like A Raven,” a presentation by Dr. John Marzluff, award-winning author and James W. Ridgeway Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington and a National Geographic Explorer Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
This presentation is a culmination of Dr. Marzluff’s work detailing the intertwined lives of ravens, wolves, pumas, and people. The talk will follow the seasons of Yellowstone and the scientific journey to decode the mysteries of raven life. Join us to find out what secrets the birds reveal. This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom only. All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. To join the Zoom meeting click on this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83459406457?pwd=evMSRUzgSnMNeGY6uxrhBxJSEYktRt.1
Meeting ID: 834 5940 6457
Passcode: 754760
--
One tap mobile +16469313860,,83459406457#,,,,*754760#
MRVAC & the Loons (soccer species)
Minnesota Loons major league soccer and MRVAC! Wait. What? Soccer, not the bird? Turns out this year, it’s both.
Loons are something to listen to and look at in wonder – and mark down on our checklists. But this year the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter has teamed up with the Minnesota Loons United Football Club to help each other’s causes. The Loons approached MRVAC saying its fans like the team’s focus on environmental issues. To promote its commitment to the conservation community, the team offered to partner with MRVAC and donate a portion of the fans jersey purchases during the February kickoff month to the chapter for its conservation and grant programs.
We’ve exchanged each other’s digital logos with MRVAC promoting the Loons and the Loons promoting MRVAC’s mission. Saturday, Feb. 17, some of our members and spouses are scheduled to staff a table at the Loons’ Boot Soccer tournament at Allianz Field in St. Paul to preview the Loons 2024 schedule, it’s “kit reveal” and spread the good word about MRVAC. In soccer-speak, “kit reveal” is when the team shows off its jersey and uniform for the first time.
Thanks to the Loons and all our dedicated MRVAC members – and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources folk who gave us some handouts – who worked hard to make this a success. They’ve helped spread the good word about MRVAC’s conservation mission, helped the Loons reach its target market and collected a few bucks for MRVAC’s grant program.
You can read more about the Minnesota Loons UFC here Minnesota United FC (mnufc.com)
Salt Lake Birding Weekend set for April 26-27
The 46th Salt Lake Birding Weekend will take place in Lac qui Parle County over the last weekend in April, with the main count day being Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Last year’s highlights included 67 White-faced Ibises in one location, Black-necked Stilt, Cattle Egret, American Goshawk, Short-eared Owl, and the Grand Slam of Grebes (five species together) on one wetland.
On the evening of Friday, April 26, beginning at 5:30 p.m. birders are invited to stop by Madison Mercantile for a potluck dinner and live music. It is a coffee shop/art gallery with a wine and beer selection.
Birders will meet at the American Legion in Marietta at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 27, with breakfast and coffee, available for a modest fee. They will assemble with guides into caravans for the day. While most of the birding is centered around Lac qui Parle County, they also make their way to sites in Big Stone or Yellow Medicine counties.
Maps and checklists will be provided. After returning to the legion at noon to buy lunch, birders will share their finds and then embark on the afternoon leg of the journey. At 7 p.m. they will meet at the Sons of Norway Lodge in Madison for supper and the final tally. Supper is roasted chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, and pie for $15. Reservations are necessary for dinner with prepayment preferred; please contact Bernice Oelien or Camey Maland, Sons of Norway Lodge, at oelmal@farmerstel.net, (507) 829-0676, or (320) 752-4757. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available upon request via RSVP. Payment at the door without a reservation will be $20 per dinner (limited meal availability).
The Salt Lake Birding Weekend is free and open to all, though advance registration is appreciated, to help us with the planning.
To register, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A9AC2FA5FFCE9-47207084-salt#/
(Thanks to the Minnesota Ornithologists Union for this announcement.)