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Grand Haven, Michigan April, 2019 Volume 30, Issue 7 Birding by Ear Handout 3 Bird Migration Tracking 6 Eastern Kingbird 4-5 Hummingbird Tracking 9 Monarch Butterfly, etc. 5-8 April 16 LOUTIT DISTRICT LIBRARY 407 Columbus Avenue Grand Haven A trip to Belize: Mayan ruins, motmots, monkeys, and more Presented by Dr. Michael P. Lombardo, Professor of Biology at Grand Valley University Visit OIAS: Homepage: http://www.oias.org Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OwashtanongIslandsAudubonSociety Dr. Lombardo will discuss the natural history of Belize and visits to Mayan ruins during his 2018 trip to Belize with his wife, Leslie. Dr. Lombardo earned his B. S. in Zoology from The Ohio State University and his M. S. and Ph.D. in Ecology from Rutgers University and has been teaching at GVSU since 1991. He has published over 45 scientific papers on the behavior and microbiology of birds including European Starlings, Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds, House Sparrows, and Tree Swallows, served as the Secretary of the Association of Field Ornithologists from 2011-2016, and is a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society. 5-Mංඇඎඍൾ ඉඋඈඋൺආ: Lori Craig - a review of birding magazines Everyone is welcome to OIAS’s programs 7:00 P.M.

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Page 1: Volume 30, Issue 7 Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society-far ...oias.org/Documents/Apr_2019.pdf · Vol. 30 No. 7 Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society-far flowing water April, 2019, Pg

Vol. 30 No. 7 April, 2019, Pg. 1 Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society-far flowing water

Grand Haven, Michigan

April, 2019 Volume 30, Issue 7

Birding by Ear Handout 3 Bird Migration Tracking 6 Eastern Kingbird 4-5 Hummingbird Tracking 9 Monarch Butterfly, etc. 5-8

April 16

LOUTIT DISTRICT LIBRARY 407 Columbus Avenue

Grand Haven

A trip to Belize: Mayan ruins, motmots, monkeys, and more Presented by Dr. Michael P. Lombardo, Professor of Biology at Grand Valley University

Visit OIAS: • Homepage: http://www.oias.org

• Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OwashtanongIslandsAudubonSociety

Dr. Lombardo will discuss the natural history of Belize and visits to Mayan ruins during his 2018 trip to Belize with his wife, Leslie.

Dr. Lombardo earned his B. S. in Zoology from The Ohio State University and his M. S. and Ph.D. in Ecology from Rutgers University and has been teaching at GVSU since 1991. He has published over 45 scientific papers on the behavior and microbiology of birds including European Starlings, Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds, House Sparrows, and Tree Swallows, served as the Secretary of the Association of Field Ornithologists from 2011-2016, and is a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society.

5-M : Lori Craig - a review of birding magazines

EveryoneiswelcometoOIAS’s

programs

7:00 P.M.

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May 21 – 6:00 Potluck, 7:00 Business meeting, member’s digital photos

Excerpts/Synopsis: https://ebird.org/news/global-big-day-4-may-2019 Last year’s Global Big Day set a new record, with 7,025 species in one day.

How to participate • Get an eBird account: eBird is a worldwide bird checklist program that allows Cornell to compile everyone’s sightings into a single massive Global Big Day list and collect the data for scientists to use to better understand birds. • Watch birds on 4 May: Go out all day long. Even 10 minutes in your backyard will help. Global Big Day runs from midnight to midnight. • Enter what you see and hear on eBird: Enter your sightings via our website or download the free eBird Mobile app to submit lists while out birding. Please enter sightings before 8 May to be included in our initial results announcement. • Watch the sightings roll in: During the day, keep an eye on how the lists are growing in different parts of the world from more than 150 countries. Stats will be updated in real-time on our Global Big Day page. Try out the Cornell Lab’s Merlin Bird ID app for help with identification. Make your sightings more valuable: submit complete checklists, keep counts of the birds that you see, and keep multiple checklists throughout the course of your birding—if you get in the car, end that checklist and start a new one when you get to the next location.

May 14 Wetland Watch Program OIAS is having a joint program with Wetland Watch at 7pm at Spring Lake Public Library in honor of Doris Ducey a long-time member and supporter of both groups. Doris passed away on December 3rd.

Al Steinman, Director of GVSU’s Annis Water Resources Institute, will be the speaker https://www.gvsu.edu/wri/director/.

Michael Lombardo

Bald Eagle Judi Manning One day at Harbor Island a Bald Eagle dropped by and landed on a muskrat house. It proceeded to bounce up and down repeatedly on top of the muskrat house. At first, I thought the eagle was trying to scare a muskrat out of the house. As we continued to

watch, we realized it was trying to detach pieces of the muskrat house with its talons. After about five minutes, it lifted off with some cattail-like material and flew to another eagle in the trees. About one-half hour later we drove to the other side of Harbor Island, and there sat the eagle all by itself with some of the cattail still in its talons. This was a four year bird.

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Resources for “Birding by Ear” using today’s tech

Apps for OVERALL ID Sibley’s https://www.sibleyguides.com/about/the-sibley-eguide-to-birds-app/ Audubon Bird Guide https://www.audubon.org/app These apps have bird songs and calls incorporated into them, but you have to “hunt and peck” for each individual call. Apps for AUDITORY ID : iKnowBirdSongs (flip cards)—$9.99 for I Phone only http://iknowbirdsongs.com/ Larkwire – packages start at $3.95/25 Backyard bird songs and run to $44.90/344 North American

“landbird” species and 135 “waterbird” species https://www.larkwire.com/ The Cornell Lab of Ornithology/All About Birds

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/ Go to the Bird Academy section for multiple education offerings, one of which is an offering on how to Identify Bird Song ($59.99). https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/be-a-better-birder-how-to-identify-bird-songs/ Also, check out “Bird Song Hero,” which teaches you bird song by learning to read spectrograms. https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/bird-song-hero/bird-song-hero-tutorial

Apps to ID songs while in the field are a work in progress. These apps have less “stellar” reviews…i.e. 3 stars or less, but may be worth checking out Song Sleuth 2.0 (associated with Sibley’s)-- $9.99 https://www.songsleuth.com/#/

“When you have the app open in recording mode, the mic is always on and recording, but not saving everything. If you suddenly hear a bird start to sing that you want to identify and hit the record button, it will automatically default the start of the recording to the three seconds before you hit the record button,” according to birdchick.com. She adds that “THIS IS NOT AN APP YOU CAN BLUNDER YOUR WAY THROUGH. YOU MUST READ THE DIRECTIONS OR WATCH THE YOUTUBE TUTORIAL before you start to truly understand how it works and how to use it in the field.” To see her full review of this app, please go to birdchick.com and search “Song Sleuth.”

http://www.birdchick.com/blog/2017/2/26/song-sleuth-the-bird-song-id-app?rq=song%20sleuth

BirdNET (associated with Cornell Lab of Ornithology OLD SCHOOL.…..Great CDs, in case you’d rather not use apps

Prepared by Lisa Casler

For those that missed Lisa’s presentation last month, here is her handout.

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Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Usually concealed is a crown of yellow, orange or red feathers. It will raise its bright crown patch, open its beak to show a red gape when it dive-bombs an intruder. This medium-sized passerine is 7.5-9.1 inches long, weighs 1.2-1.9 ounces and a 12-15 inch wingspan. “Tyrannus” means tyrant, despot, or king. They will attack hawks, crows, Red-tailed Hawks, Great Blue Herons, and other birds that pass over its territory. They also attack squirrels and knock Blue Jays out of trees.

The Eastern Kingbird is the most widespread of the kingbirds. They can be found near forest edges on treetops, and on fences and utility wires in the farmland. This long-distance migrant migrates mostly during the day.

Summer: ♦ Prefer larger insects, beating them against a perch before swallowing them whole. ♦ 85% of diet is insects May to September. ♦ Eats mostly flying insects, catching them by flying out from a perch or hovering low over the ground. ♦ Also eat ants, beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers. ♦ Small frogs, which they beat and swallow whole. Winter: ♦ Entirely spent in the South America, mostly in the Amazonian forests. ♦ Found in the forest canopy at edges of lakes and rivers. ♦ Travel in large flocks. ♦ Eats mostly berries. Nests are built by the female mostly in the morning for up to two weeks. The 7 inches across by 6 inches deep nest is sturdily built to withstand inclement weather for an exposed nest in a deciduous tree or large shrub. The male watches the female build the nest to warn her of predators and keep other males away. He defends his territory against other kingbirds. The breeding territory is loosely defined. Pairs usually mate the following year. Sometimes they parasitize each other’s nest so another pair of kingbirds will raise their eggs. The young are fed for about seven weeks by both parents. Their populations have decreased by 47% between 1966 and 2015 according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The decline may be due to (1) habitat loss as cities have sprung up, (2) small farms have returned to forests; (3) insecticides; and/or (4) harmful trash used to build nests [like fishing line]. Crows, Blue Jays, Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus), tree squirrels (Sciurus)* and tree-climbing snakes (Serpentes) take the eggs and nestlings. American Kestrels will catch an adult.

*tree squirrels are squirrels that are found in wooded and urban areas, but not the flying squirrel. .

Judi Manning Adult (all 3)

(Cont. on pg. 5)

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Eastern Kingbird song: A sharp dzee or dzeet. Also a series of harsh, rapid calls: kit and kitter. dawn song #1 dawnsong #2 ringing k'tee call kzeet call

various calls

Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/eastern-kingbird

References: Eastern Kingbird, Cornell University, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Kingbird/overview; https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/eastern-kingbird; Dewey, T. 2009. "Tyrannus tyrannus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed

March 31, 2019 at http://www.biokids.umich.edu/accounts/Tyrannus_tyrannus/ BioKIDS is sponsored in part by the Interagency Education Research Initiative. It is a partnership of the University of Michigan School of Education, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, and the Detroit Public Schools.

Eastern Kingbird . . . cont. from pg. 4

Milkweed There has been a 80% decline in Milkweed populations in the last 20 years. This eduction in milkweed plants is a loss of habitat for the Monarchs.

Invasive swallow-wort recently discovered in northern Michigan is also a threat. It attracts Monarchs that lay eggs on the stems and the caterpillars do not survive. Erwin Elsner, MSU Extension educator said of the 165 butterfly species in Michigan, over half nectar from milkweed flowers. Milkweed is also a food source for bees. Researchers are experimenting with strategically timed mowing of milkweed, finding that milkweed cut at a certain time exposes fresh stems for the Monarchs. Ottawa County Parks has been instrumental in providing food and shelter safe havens in various parks. It will take an effort throughout its whole migration path to help the Monarch population begin to increase. The eastern population migrates from Canada to Mexico through 16 U.S. states from Michigan to Texas.

References: https://www.grandhaventribune.com/Environment/2018/09/10/Monarchs-migrating-through-Michigan-amid-conservation-efforts.html?ci=stream&lp=3&p=1, Alexander Sinn; New Plan aims to reverse monarch butterfly decline, Dan Kennedy, endangered species coordinator, Michigan DNR, 5/14/18, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79137_79770_79780-468753--,00.html

Judi Manning

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Monarch Caterpillars

Excerpts/Synopsis, Caterpillar Heartbeats, Erica Tennenhouse, Scientific American, Aug. 2018, Pgs. 18-19 The millions of migrating monarchs are encountering dwindling habitat milkweed plants to lay their eggs on. Conservationists are creating monarch-friendly spaces along roadsides. A new study finds traffic noise stresses monarch caterpillars. The caterpillars eventually do become desensitized to it. Noise pollution disrupts the lives of birds, whales and other creatures. Andy Davis, a conservation physiologist at the Univ. of Georgia noticed online videos showing roadside Monarchs apparently shuddering as cars zoomed by. “Davis built a custom caterpillar heart monitor, fitting a small sensor into a microscope to precisely measure monarch larvae’s heart rates as they listened to recordings of traffic sounds in the laboratory.” Two hours of highway noise and the hearts of caterpillars beat 17% faster than caterpillars in a silent room. “But the heart rates of the noise-exposed groups returned to baseline levels after hearing the traffic sounds nonstop for their entire 12-day larval development period.” The desensitization could be problematic when they become adults. A rapid stress response is vital for butterflies during their two-month journey to Mexico as they fight wind currents and narrowly escape predators. “What I think is happening [on roadsides] is their stress reactions get overwhelmed when they’re larvae and [could be] impaired when they travel to Mexico,” Davis says. It is unknown if a noisy larval period reduces monarchs’ survival rates but monarch mortality is increased due to collisions with cars.

Judi Manning

On the night of March 27th, Birdcast forecasted the first migration into our area as shown on the map on left. http://birdcast.info/ Gives 3-day forecast.

Above are NOAA radar images at various times on 3/27-3/28 showing eastern US & Great Lakes

Can select regions on left side as well as loop them. NOAA: https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/index.php

http://birdcast.info/live-migration-maps/

Snapshots to left show the radar when the rain was almost here. Yup. Could not sleep so check radar and play DropWords.

Above from app “RadarScope $10 per year enhanced version

Bird Migration Tracking

Black and blue screens show actual birds picked up by radar at time of NOAA radar

NOAA radar images

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Monarch Butterfly Excerpts/Synopsis, The King of Butterflies – The Monarch Butterfly, https://www.monarch-butterfly.com/; https://www.learnaboutnature.com/ Monarchs go through four stages during one life cycle and four generations each year. Each generation is a new butterfly. Life Cycle Four stages: egg, larvae (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly.

In Mexico in February and March, the 4th generation of hibernating butterflies come out of hibernation and finds a mate. They migrate north and east to find a place to lay their eggs. This starts stage one and generation one of the new year.

March and April eggs are laid on milkweed plants. Four days later the eggs hatch. Young caterpillars eat milkweeds for about two weeks. The fully-grown caterpillar then looks for a place to attach itself using silk to begin metamorphosis. During the next 10 days a rapid change happens as the caterpillar parts become a butterfly. After the transformation, the butterfly hatches and flies away. This first generation of butterflies die after laying the eggs for generation number two. May and June the second generation of butterflies hatch; July and August the third generation of butterflies hatch. Both generations have the four stage life cycle and die two to six weeks after emerging as a butterfly. September and October the fourth generation begins. They go through the same process the first, second, and third generations did. However, the fourth generation migrates to warmer climates like Mexico and live for six to eight months until they start the first generation again.

Judi Manning

I released the butterflies after giving them 4 hours to dry the wings. I placed them on nectar flowers.

Released butterfly just before liftoff

J form Two chrysalis stages Just emerged Partially dry

Drying fully developed wings

Photo by Lisa

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2018 Yard Monarch Statistics I found my first 2018 Monarch caterpillar on June 8th, Throughout the summer I bring in varying sizes of caterpillars. I occasionally bring in eggs, if I inadvertently do not see them on a milkweed leaf before I pick it. A male and female butterfly were released on June 27th. The last one I released, a female, was on September 29th. In all I released 175 butterflies. I unfortunately had many mysterious die-offs of various sizes of caterpillars. They would just stop eating and eventually die. This is a good number compared to the last few years: 2017, 41 butterflies 2016, 25 butterflies 2015, 86 butterflies

Judi Manning

Female Male

Monarch Current Numbers Verbatim, Monarch Butterfly Garden, https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/make-this-best-monarch-season-ever/ January 30th, 2019: The eastern monarch population estimate has just been released and there is reason to be optimistic as we await the return of the monarchs for the start of the 2019 butterfly season: a 144% Increase from last season in an area covering 6.05 hectares, or 15 acres. For reference, a football field is about 1.3 acres. With such a massive estimate increase, there’s little doubt this is the biggest eastern monarch population in over a decade. But still…this estimate can be wildly inaccurate.

Judi Manning

Far Flowing Water is published eight times per year. If you would like to contribute a complete article for the next issue, please have your articles to me by May 1st

is a publication of the Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society, Grand Haven, MI. All articles are copyrighted; permission is granted to copy any article in its entirety with author and references attached. Please contact Editor at OIAS.org for other arrangements.

FAR FLOWING WATER

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2019-2020 OIAS Membership Appl icat ion Date S Email:

Name Street City/State/Zip Phone How did you hear about OIAS?

Check Member Type: $18 Individual or Family $30 Contributing $100 Individual Life

My contribution to speaker fees $______________

Make checks payable to: Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society, Post Office Box 1654, Holland, Michigan, 49422

Grand Haven, Michigan

Receive by

email

The newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

This spring the American Robins in our yard are eating grapes and also taking chunks out of the mealworm log feeder. This is the first time I have seen them eat from the feeder.

Hummingbird Tracking. Hummingbirds.net is no longer in use. To track the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the new website is:https://maps.journeynorth.org/map/?year=2019&map=hummingbird-ruby-throated-first

As of 4/4/19. Need to get the feeders out near the end of April.

4/19

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7:00 A trip to Belize: Mayan ruins, motmots, monkeys, and more Dr. Michael P. Lombardo

Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society Judi Manning, Editor P.O. Box 1654 Holland, MI 49422 PLEASE FORWARD ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Mission Statement Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society

a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation

Provide stewardship of local Grand River island wildlife sanctuaries owned by the Michigan Audubon Society; Achieve through education, public recognition of the value and need for protecting and preserving wildlife, plants, soil,

water and other natural resources as well as an understanding of their interdependence; Promote an interest in our native birds and as well as native flora and fauna, and their habitats because of their great

economic, cultural and recreational value; and Aid the Michigan Audubon Society in its study, conservation and research efforts.

Enjoy the birds as they are arriving and passing through this spring. If you see a bird and are not sure what it is or think it should not be here and could be rare, let someone know. On March 30th a birder was birding the Kal-Haven Trail in South Haven and came across a Vermillion Flycatcher.

Map: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Vermilion_Flycatcher/overview