August and hot can be used interchangeably in Colorado. As summer heats up, you may be asking yourself, how can I help our avian amigos stay cool? David Menough, owner of Wild Bird Unlimited of Arvada, offers tips on selecting, placing and attracting birds to a birdbath.
Grassland bird populations have declined more steeply than any other group of North American birds. Since 2006, RMBO has partnered with the City of Fort Collins to inventory and monitor grassland birds on city-owned properties near the Colorado-Wyoming border. These properties represent some of the most significant grasslands in northern Colorado and support populations of more than 20 high-priority bird species. Communications Coordinator Teddy Parker-Renga writes about a day in the field surveying birds on these properties and discusses the impact of the Mountains to Plains Region project.
The shortgrass prairie surrounding RMBO’s Environmental Learning Center provides important habitat for birds and other wildlife. Unfortunately, non-native weeds have invaded the landscape. During field trips to the center this spring, students helped restore the prairie by removing weeds. Educator Emily Snode writes about this service learning component of RMBO’s education programs and the awesome help of all of these Weed Warriors.
Did you know that roughly 60% of the land area in the United States is privately owned? That amounts to a lot of land, about 1.43 billion acres. These lands not only provide the food, fiber, energy and timber that make our nation hum, but harbor some of the most important habitat for birds. Released yesterday, the State of the Birds 2013 report, with contributions from RMBO, focuses on these private lands and their importance for successful stewardship of birds and their habitats in the U.S.
The 2013 spring bird banding season was an eventful one, with a total of 1,341 birds banded between RMBO’s stations at Chico Basin Ranch and Chatfield State Park. Plus, both stations had a recovery!
This summer, as you work on your landscaping, try to select plants that attract wildlife while still enhancing the beauty of your garden. It’s called “naturescaping,” and it can be quite a challenge at high elevations. David Menough, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited of Arvada and a Master Gardener, offers five plant species that are not only beautiful but hardy, fruitful and bird friendly.
RMBO biologists and field technicians are once again preparing to fan out across mountains, prairies and high deserts to conduct breeding bird surveys under the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. Biologist Nick Van Lanen provides an update on trainings for IMBCR surveys, including a rare bird spotted by a crew member – and former RMBO camper – in South Dakota.
On the third Saturday in May, Wildlands Day is held at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. More than a hundred people attended this year’s event to enjoy the abundance of plants and wildlife in the hills of western Nebraska. Educator Maggie Vinson writes about the day and makes a great case for attending the seventh incarnation of the event in 2014.
Binoculars are an essential tool for any birder, but how do you pick out a good pair? There are many factors to consider to make sure you get the best pair for you. David Menough, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited of Arvada, offers tips on selecting binoculars so you get the best birding experience.
RMBO’s field crew discovered its first Mountain Plover nest of the season on May 8. After the cold start to spring, this newly laid nest with a clutch of three eggs was an important find. Biologist Larry Snyder writes about the find and RMBO’s plover nest conservation program on the RMBO blog.
