"Breeding
Birds on Blackwell Island"
Scott Robinson
The
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) purchased Blackwell Island near Coeur d’Alene,
Idaho in 1994 with Land and Water Conservation Funds and assistance from
Kootenai County’s Lake Mitigation Fund. Its purpose was to develop a
seasonal, day-use recreation facility. During the environmental review
phase, two citizen groups (including Coeur d'Alene Audubon) and two private
citizens appealed the BLM’s decision to develop Blackwell Island for public
recreation. Among other items, the appellants argued that the proposed
development would harm the local wildlife. The
BLM mitigated impacts
to wildlife by (1) waiting until the Memorial Day Weekend to open the boat
launch to public use; (2) planting shrubs and trees for wildlife (with
Audubon's help), (3) leaving 10.7 hectares undeveloped for wildlife, and (4) requiring
dogs to be restrained with a leash. The final decision ruled in favor of
the BLM to proceed with 
development
of the recreational facility. Site preparation began in 2001 and construction
occurred during 2002-03. This study evaluated the breeding birds during
five years before construction with five years during and after construction of
this facility.
Riparian habitats
support higher population densities of birds than other forest habitats.
Recreation sites, particularly campgrounds, can affect breeding birds by (1)
decreasing nesting habitat and (2) increasing human
disturbances. Design, construction, and maintenance of these
sites can remove ground, shrub, and tree cover that provide nesting
structure. Cavity nesters would decline after dead trees are
removed. One research study predicted the densities of 16 species might
decrease and six species would be eliminated, while 12 species might increase,
if woody vegetation was reduced to narrow strips along the streams in
Iowa. Human disturbances, including pet dogs, can interrupt
territorial singing, alter nest defense, and increase energy demands on
birds. The composition of bird species would change as tolerant species
replace less tolerant species. Predation and parasitism of
open-cup nesters may increase as the species composition changes.
Based upon the
observed data, however, the BLM’s recreation facility on Blackwell Island did
not alter breeding attempts of most
birdlife. With few exceptions, the data supports the conclusion
that the before and after samples likely came from the same
population. Moreover, 59% of the species of breeding birds were
common to both sample periods. The major reason for this conclusion
is that many of the mature trees, which also have cavities,
remained standing along the water’s edge after construction was
completed. Replacing knapweed with asphalt and manicured lawn made very
little difference, and allowing ground cover to grow outside the
development benefited ground-nesting species. Moreover, the
wooden boardwalk and viewing decks minimized the potential for
habitat alterations and human disturbances within the riparian-wetlands.
The potential
disturbances from increased human presence were mitigated by their
daily activity. Although many people visited Blackwell Island after
construction, their general pattern was (1) launch the boat early in the day,
(2) park the vehicle and trailer, (3) leave the site to play on
the water, (4) return to the site later in the day, and (5) go
home. A few people would use the picnic tables and restrooms on the site
throughout the day. This study demonstrated that careful planning and
development of recreation facilities can alleviate potential impacts to local
wildlife that inhabits the site.
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2007
YARDLIST CHALLENGE
Lisa Hardy
We had 119 species reported, including
two species new to the 8 year history of the challenge bringing our cumulative
total to 173 species. This year, nine species were seen by all 8 yards, and thirty-seven
were seen in only a single yard. See the website for the complete tabulation.
The new additions to the all-time
challenge list were an American Bittern heard by Robert, and an Anna's
Hummingbird that visited Doug's yard.
We had a scattering of duck and grebe
species, while the game birds and raptors were better represented. Robert noted
that the California Quail population has tripled in his neighborhood in the
last year, and they are becoming pests with regards to his strawberry patch.
The most reported raptor was surprisingly the Osprey, reported from 75% of
yards. Four hummingbird species were reported, including our three breeding
residents, of which the 
Calliope Hummingbird was seen by all.
Lynn had a Blue Jay visit, and the
Warings tallied one of the strange Steller's X Blue Jay hybrid offspring that
were born in their neighborhood. We had all three chickadees, and all three nuthatches,
with Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees, and Red-breasted Nuthatch being
reported from all yards. Shirley noted the only Brown Creeper.
Our most unexpected misses for the year
were in the thrush family - no one reported a bluebird or a Townsend's
Solitaire. We had eight warbler species; Kris reported the only Townsend's and
MacGillivray's, while Doug picked up the only Common Yellowthroat amongst our
reporters.
We had one "Eastern" species
(kingbird), four "Western" (grebe, wood-pewee, flycatcher, tanager),
and four "Northern" (harrier, pygmy owl, flicker, rough-winged
swallow). Most numerous were the "Common" species (seven), and
"American" species (seven), though we also had two
"California" and a "Canada" species. (Sorry to disappoint
the uber-patriots out there, but "American" as used by the
ornithologists refers to Canada and Mexico in addition to the United States.)
We had one "European" species.
Species with "black" in their
name (five) outnumbered the "whites" (three), but the red-, rufous-,
and ruby-tinged species outnumbered all others (nine).
Thank you all for sending in your lists.
I hope you are well along on your 2008 lists by now. I will be glad to send a
checklist to anyone who requests one - I have found it is easiest to keep my
list as a "hard copy" taped on the refrigerator door.
Participants: Kris Buchler, Janet Callen, Robert
Hanson, Jan Severtson, Lynn
Sheridan, Shirley Sturts, Doug Ward,
Phil and Judy Waring.
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FIELD
TRIP TO MALHEUR WILDLIFE REFUGE
(southeastern Oregon)
APRIL 11 – 14 (Friday through
Monday). The refuge has over 320
species of birds and over 60 species of other mammals. A special feature of the spring is to
observe the Sage Grouse in their breeding plumage (on their lek). We would leave early Friday and return on Monday
evening, and would stay in mobile homes at the Refuge headquarters. Cost is estimated to be $200.00 each for the
trip – includes transportation, food, lodging, gasoline, a share of hiring a guide
for ½ day and miscellaneous costs.
There is room for 3 participants plus the driver in one car – if more
people want to go, another car and driver will need to be recruited. Contact Eula Hickam at 661-3228 or ehickam@roadrunner.com
for more information or to sign up. We
should get our reservations in early – this is a popular place in the spring!
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Spring
Migration
Shirley Sturts
March
is the month to start looking for spring arrivals.
There
is a chart on our webpage that lists the first seen and arrival dates for birds
returning from their winter homes. http://cdaaudubon.org/Springarrivals1.htm
Some
birds to look for this month are: (date of earliest arrival date between
2001-2007):
Turkey
Vulture March 25, 2007
Osprey March 16, 2002 and 2006
Tree
Swallow March 4, 2007
Violet-green
Swallow March 1, 2001 and 2006( it has
already been seen in Eastern Washington)
Western
Bluebird March 9, 2005 (there is one location it has wintered in
the past)
Mountain
Bluebird March 7, 2005
Spotted
Towhee March 6, 2001 (it has wintered at some feeders)
Western
Meadowlark March 9, 2005 (it
has wintered some winters
Red-winged
Blackbird (some winter locally but
migrants come back late February early March)
Report
early sightings to Shirley Sturts s.sturts@verizon.net or 664-5318
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BIRDING BASICS
Have
you ever wondered what that bird at your feeder is, or what bird belongs to that
beautiful song you hear every year welcoming in the spring?
Come join us for two
sessions on how to learn the language of birds! These fun filled meetings will
be taught by experienced Audubon members from your local community. Meet new friends and open your eyes to the
wonderful world of birds!
You’ll learn:
• how to look for birds
• where to find different species
• how to listen for birds and learn their
songs
• what equipment to use
• where you can practice your new skills!
These programs are free and open to the public!
Session One:
Regular meeting night - Monday
April 21st
at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church,
521 Lakeside Coeur d’Alene
Session Two:
Regular meeting night - Monday May 19th
at 7:00 p.m. at the same location
If you plan to attend or have questions, please
call Janet Callen 664-1085. Donations
appreciated but not required.
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Living
Within Limits: A Collaboration with Nature
March 1 through April 24, 2008
Human Rights Education Center
Northeast Corner CdA City Park.
The purpose of this
event is to explore issues and possible solutions for balancing quality of life
and environmental limits in the 21st century. To that end the Human Rights Education
Institute is putting together a program to explore these issues and solutions
through programs, presentations, displays, dialogues, panel discussions, visual
and performing arts.
Coeur d' Alene
Audubon is participating with a display about our organization, what we do and
issues important to us. We will also
furnish information about upcoming events, including "Birding Basics"
and invite viewers to join us.
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Audubon meets Community Green Cross
February
29th, 2008
Janet Callen
Community Green Cross
is an non-profit Idaho corporation located in Coeur d' Alene. Its mission is to provide funding for
qualified educational, social and religious programs. It raises funds through
donation and recycling of used textiles.
Since 2005 Green Cross has kept more than 32 tons of textiles from being
buried in the local landfill.
It does not compete
with local thrift stores, but works with the 85% of used clothing that is never
recycled. It takes clean and dry
clothing, shoes, hats, purses, backpacks and other household textiles. The textiles collected are sold to clothing
exporters and to industries that convert them into rags, pet products, moving
blankets, etc. For more information visit the website:
www.greencross.us/greencrosshome.html.
You may have seen a
Green Cross bin at the transfer station.
The company also offers a chance for a non-profit organization to earn
$500 ($400 now) loading a delivery truck.
Today thirteen Audubon members
explored this opportunity. We lifted
garbage bags and boxes full of clothing, household items and even books from a
warehouse into a semi truck. Thanks to
three young men, whom Karen Thurston the originator of Green Cross brought in
to help, our work was done in two hours.
We filled up half of one semi and started on a second and when we left
the warehouse was empty.
I can’t thank enough Kris Buchler, Carrie
Hugo, Jann Kendle, Jan and Herb
Severtson, Roland Craft, Derek Antonelli, Lynn Sheridan, Jerry and Sharon
Hanson, Shirley Sturts and Lisa Hardy.
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NOON TIME BIRDING
February 19th
Lynn Sheridan
While
walking on my way to the far end of Rosenberry Drive, at the shore of Coeur
d'Alene lake, an American Coot walked out of the water onto the sand and began
to scavenge. I have never seen one do that
before. Fifteen Canada Geese were
feeding on the grass and 40 gulls were perched on a long line of usually
submerged pilings.
Near the sawmill, Bill Gundlach joined me. We surveyed the scene, counting over 100 Mallard, many paired up,
chasing others away. A half dozen Bufflehead bobbed up and down with 5 American
Coot swimming nearby. One American Coot
walked up on the snow, surefooted with its large splayed feet.
About 35 Canada Geese were taking splashy baths in the cold water. We
scanned 30 gull, but saw only Ring-necked. American Crow cawed overhead
while Northern Flicker and a Steller's Jay called from the trees.
As we neared the lake, we counted 4
common Merganser, and one each
Double-crested Cormorant, Red-breasted Merganser and Great Blue
Heron. Bill stayed to take photos, while I walked back to my rendezvous
point.
Thank you Bill, for
the company.
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FEBRUARY FIELD TRIP ALONG THE PEND OREILLE
RIVER
February 16
Roland Craft
Bill Gundlach and I
traveled along the northside and southside of the Pend Oreille River between
Laclede and Priest River. The snow was about 18 inches deep with the
temperature right around freezing.
Here are the species
we saw: Common Merganser 20, Hooded Merganser 30, Common Goldeneye 10, Redhead
300, Lesser Scaup 50, Ring-necked Duck 50, Canada Goose 200, American Wigeon 20
, Canvasback 2, Bufflehead 40, Gadwall 2, Great
Blue Heron 1, American Coot 400, Bald Eagle 4-5 adults and about 10 immature,
Common Raven 6. We also saw several
otter in the river and two moose right near the sawmill in Laclede.
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Coeur d'Alene Audubon
Board meeting
FEBRUARY
19, 2008
Lynn
Sheridan
·
Mike Mihelich (Conservation Committee) will
write a letter to the Idaho state agency that is proposing changing the
roadless status of some of our 797,000 acres in the Panhandle, to the effect
that as little change as possible be done.
·
We discussed dates for field trips. Please see that
section in newsletter.
·
Our April and May "programs" will be
"Birding Basics" . Kris
Buchler has made an outline of what will be covered.
·
The Mica Bay Wetland sign that was damaged will be
replaced by Jerry Hansen, with a new one from the Idaho Fish and Game.
·
Elections for officers will be at the May meeting,
6:30pm. Nominees to date are: Ed Buchler for president, Carrie Hugo for
vice-president, Lynn Sheridan for secretary, and Ronn Rich for treasurer.
·
we raised $32.00 at the February meeting from raffle and
silent auction.
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WHAT IS "eBird"?
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
Reprint from eBird Website
"eBird" is
real-time, online checklist program. "eBird" has revolutionized the
way that the birding community reports and accesses information about birds.
Launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon
Society, eBird provides rich data sources for basic information on bird
abundance and distribution.
"eBird's"
goal is to maximize the utility and accessibility of the vast numbers of bird observations
made each year by recreational and professional bird watchers. It is amassing
one of the largest and fastest growing biodiversity data resources in
existence. For example, in 2006, participants reported more than 4.3 million
bird observations across North America.
The observations of
each participant join those of others in an international network of
"eBird" users. "eBird" then shares these observations with
a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, and
conservation biologists. In time these data will become the foundation for a
better understanding of bird distribution across the western hemisphere and
beyond.
"eBird"
documents the presence or absence of species, as well as bird abundance through
checklist data. A simple and intuitive web-interface engages tens of thousands
of participants to submit their observations or view results via interactive
queries into the "eBird" database. "eBird" encourages users
to participate by providing Internet tools that maintain their personal bird
records and enable them to visualize data with interactive maps, graphs, and
bar charts. All these features are available in English, Spanish, and French.
A birder simply
enters when, where, and how they went birding, then fills out a checklist of
all the birds seen and heard during the outing. Automated data quality filters
developed by regional bird experts review all submissions before they enter the
database. Local experts review unusual records that are flagged by the filters.
For further information go to:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/index.html
or http://www.birdsource.org
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BIRD OF THE MONTH
ROCK WREN
Kris Buchler
Last month we learned
about some of the peculiarities of the Canyon Wren. Another lesser known wren in our area is the Rock Wren and it can
be just as hard to find as its cousin.
It, too, can be distinguished by a loud, variable song.
I have only found this bird in two
places. One was in 2005 along the
Centennial Trail just west of the Higgens Point boat docks on the rock faces
above the road. I heard its song while
walking my dog. Both Ed, my husband,
and Jan Severtson returned with me for different visits to see if 
the
bird remained more than a few days. Jan
and I heard a second one singing from a basalt cliff above the boat docks and
US 90. In the last 20 years, Shirley
Sturts has received records from
Farragut State Park, a rock quarry on Blackwell Hill, the North Fork of the
Coeur d’Alene River and northern Benewah County. However, sightings are still
few and inconsistent here. A historical
record from 1898 exists of a possible nesting pair found by J. C. Merrill on
the summit of Mica Peak. He was a major
and surgeon for the U.S Army stationed at Fort Sherman.
My second observation
was witnessed by 14 campers attending the Wildlife Camp organized by the WREN
Foundation, a non-profit that promotes Wildlife research and education. That June of 2006 found us south of Coeur
d’Alene at an old quarry west of Hwy. 95.
We had been observing various songbirds in different habitats. Since this was the perfect habitat for
Canyon or Rock Wren, I broadcast the wrens’ songs. Only seconds of song
brought in a male Rock Wren. The
campers had a wonderful opportunity to observe both the bird and his beautiful
song for several minutes.
My collection of Bent
natural histories bookd came to the rescue again. Apparently the nests of this bird are very hard to find and they
are often placed in holes of earthen banks, adobe walls or walls of stone
buildings or any other structure made of similar materials. They may be built in cavities and small
crevices under loose rocks. Usually the
entrance to the nest is paved with small, flat stones which also may form the
foundation for the nest. If visible,
this stone path may be used to locate a nest.
The path may extend 8-10 inches out from the nest and is created by
stones of various lengths from ½ to 2 inches.
In some cases the stones may be piled so high in front of the opening
that only a bird with the flattened structure of a Rock or Canyon Wren can
enter. One nest was reported to have
over 750 stones piled before its entrance.
This habit of using the stones is not fully understood but there are
several theories.
The nest itself is comprised of grass, bits
of wood, bark, moss and hair. It is
lined with rootlets, hair, wool and spider silk. The monogamous pair builds the nest but the female incubates the
4-8 eggs. These are white and softly
streaked with reddish brown. Both help
feed the young. Like the Canyon Wren,
some birds will add numerous man-made items collected from their territory.
The male Rock Wren
has a large repertoire of close to 100 different songs. His “Ka-whee, Ka-whee,
Ka-whee” carries great distances and is a welcome sound in desolate, arid
places. The volume makes it easy to
hear over other species.
If you see a small
gray bird that bobs its head and inhabits rocky places, listen for a new voice
and enjoy the show. Please submit any
sightings to our Audubon chapter.
(Editors note: Do you have a favorite
bird? You are invited to tell us about
it by writing an article for "Bird of the Month", a regular feature
in the "Fish Hawk Herald". )
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BIRD QUOTE
"In order
to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence."
Robert
Lynd 1879-1949 - Irish Journalist
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