Avian migration is a complex phenomenon that is particularly difficult to observe as it occurs primarily at night. In North America, 80% of our migratory bird species complete their spring and fall migrations at night. There are many benefits to flying at night which have led to the evolution of nocturnal migration. These benefits include lower wind speeds, higher humidity, fewer active predators, and darkness which provides access to celestial cues that birds use to navigate on these journeys. While the night in which birds evolved to migrate was dark, humans have proliferated light at night across the landscape, which impacts migratory birds in a variety of ways. Dylan and Kelley will discuss the spectacle of avian migration, how we study it at night, and how artificial light at night can be particularly harmful to birds in migration. Dylan and Kelley will also touch on how light pollution has negative impacts on more than just our feathered friends and share recommendations for how you can make your night lighting more ecologically friendly!

Presenter Bio's:

Kelley Boland- Kelley Boland grew up in San Diego, California, and earned her BS in Field & Wildlife Biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Before beginning her graduate studies, Kelley worked in wetland restoration, outdoor education, and wildlife rehabilitation. In fall 2021, she began her MS at New Mexico State University in Dr. Martha Desmond’s lab, studying avian mortality on the White Sands Missile Range. After graduating, Kelley is excited to pursue a career in avian conservation and advocacy. 

Dylan Osterhaus- Dylan Osterhaus is from Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Emporia State University in Kansas with a BS in Biology in 2019. Following his graduation from Emporia State, Dylan moved to Iowa State University where he pursued an MS in Fisheries Biology and studied a federally listed minnow species. Dylan finished his MS in 2021 and shifted his research focus from fish to birds as he moved into a PhD position at New Mexico State University. At New Mexico State, Dylan studies avian migration in the American Southwest using a variety of methods including bioacoustics and weather radar. Following his PhD, Dylan hopes to pursue a career in academia where his research will focus generally on the conservation of migratory birds.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89315178311?pwd=a2VrWVhnL2JQNmY0emh2TFprd1F5Zz09

Meeting ID: 893 1517 8311

Passcode: 082696

Meet Monarch Conservation Specialist Denise Gibbs at the Page Springs Fish Hatchery Visitor Center to learn how you can create a garden on your property for migratory and breeding Monarch butterflies.  After a tour of the Monarch Waystation, you will learn which native milkweeds grow the best in the Verde Valley and which native nectar plants are the most attractive to Monarchs.  Learn how to grow milkweed from seed, and find out where to obtain pesticide-free native plants.  Discover which plant species are best for containers on patios and balconies.  Volunteer gardeners will be tending the garden, so you may chat with them as well.                                                                                                 

Logistics: Limited to 20 participants. Please let Denise know you will be attending at Monarchtagger@gmail.com.  Carpooling suggested.  Bring a folding chair.  Restrooms available.  Outdoors; rain cancels program. 

Join us for a bird walk around the Kachina Wetlands. On this walk we will identify and observe many types of bird present in this type of environment. We will also spend some time focusing on auditory birding. This trip will be appropriate for all levels of birder from beginning to experienced 

Details: approximately two miles on flat smooth dirt path. No bathrooms or water. Being the usual gear (binoculars, water, snacks, sunscreen, and appropriate footwear) If you have any questions contact Sky 

Schipper at skyschipper55555@gmail.com 

Wild and Wonderful Wetlands

In May, Kachina Wetlands are birdy, beautiful, and at their best! Join Northern Arizona Audubon for a 2-mile walk with the opportunity to see a wide variety of songbirds, waterbirds, swallows, and raptors. Plumage is brilliant this time of year, birds are singing, and ospreys are adding sticks to their nest. The field trip leader is Harrison Jones.

Please bring binoculars if you have them, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. Although the route is gravel, it is wheelchair accessible. No bathrooms.

How to get there: From I-17, take the Kachina Village exit, immediately turn right onto Tovar Trail, and follow it one mile to the dirt parking lot at the end.

Any questions? Contact Harry at hjones@birdpop.org

Meet at the Wetlands parking lot at 8. We will do just over an hour looking for migrants & arriving birds. This is a perfect trip for beginners as all will look through a good scope. Rich Armstrong will lead, richarmstrong47@gmail.com. 928-282-3675.