Severson Dells Earth Day Program – California Condor Reintroduction
April 12, 2012
Article in: Bird Conservation
The Severson Dells Nature Center located in Rockford, Illinois is hosting a presentation on California Condor reintroduction to celebrate Earth Day. Time TBA at Rock Valley College in Rockford.
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 21 (time to be announced 11:00-3:00pm Rock Valley College)
California Condor Reintroduction; An Avian Study on the N.W. Coast
Presented by Dan Varland
Sponsored by The David and Neva Burdick Memorial Fund of Severson Dells Nature Center and The Varland Family Trust
Dan Varland of Coastal Raptors will discuss sampling techniques used to monitor Bald Eagles, Common Ravens, and Turkey Vultures in coastal Oregon and Washington. With positive results from these tests, reintroductions of California Condor to this area may follow. As of November 2011, there were 391 California Condors in existence, 209 in the wild and 182 in captivity. Dan will talk about the natural history of the California Condor and the monumental effort to recover the species to the point of removal from the Endangered Species list.
Dan was born and raised in Rockford. He is now the Executive Director of Coastal Raptors, a non-profit organization focusing on research, education and conservation programs for raptors in coastal environments (www.coastalraptors.org). Dan’s research on Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and other raptors along Washington’s coast dates to 1995. A leading expert on the application of visual markers to identify raptors, Dan is senior author of Marking Techniques, a chapter in the 2007 book, Raptor Research and Management Techniques. Working in cooperation with environmental organizations and agencies, in 2011 Dan initiated a new, multi-year study to examine avian health and disease on the Pacific Northwest coast.
Free to attend.
Severson Dells Program – Monitoring Raptors on the Washington Coast
March 29, 2012
Article in: Bird Conservation
The Severson Dells Nature Center located in Rockford, Illinois is hosting a presentation on Washington coast raptors. If you are going to be in the area we encourage you to attend! The program is FREE but you must make a reservation.
From Severson Dells Nature Center:
Monitoring Raptors on the Washington Coast
Friday, April 20, 7:00 p.m.
Presented by Dan Varland
Severson Dells Nature Center
Sponsored by The David and Neva Burdick Memorial Fund and The Varland Family Trust
Washington’s coastal beaches host a diversity of raptors during migration and winter, including Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, Northern Harriers and Gyrfalcons. Since 1995, Dan has been surveying raptor abundance and distribution on three coastal beaches in southwest Washington. Surveys involve the capture and banding of falcons, with a focus on the Peregrine Falcon. In this presentation, Dan will report on the relative abundance and diversity of the raptors of the coastal beaches and describe survey methods and marking techniques. He will share his findings from more than 15 years of research on Peregrine Falcons on the Washington coast.
Dan was born and raised in Rockford. He is now the Executive Director of Coastal Raptors, a non-profit organization focusing on research, education and conservation programs for raptors in coastal environments (www.coastalraptors.org). Dan’s research on Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and other raptors along Washington’s coast dates to 1995. A leading expert on the application of visual markers to identify raptors, Dan is senior author of Marking Techniques, a chapter in the 2007 book, Raptor Research and Management Techniques. Working in cooperation with environmental organizations and agencies, in 2011 Dan initiated a new, multi-year study to examine avian health and disease on the Pacific Northwest coast.
Free but, please call 1-815-335-2915 for reservations.
Review of A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors
December 10, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
Raptors have always impressed us. No other family of birds combines so well fabulous flight with aggressive hunting skills. They are bold and obvious birds to find; some not so obvious to identify.
A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors
Written by Brian K. Wheeler and William S. Clark, two experts on raptors, the text provides extensive coverage and comparisons on what to look for when identifying raptors-perched or in flight. Of course, the text is overshadowed by the 377 color photographs, most of which were taken by Wheeler or Clark. For many species, the photos depict:
- birds in flight
- perched birds
- juveniles
- male and female birds
- subadults
- light and dark phases
Some of the more challenging raptors and also those with numerous subspecies are given a nearly overwhelming representation. There are 46 Red-tailed Hawk photos and 24 shots of Swainson’s Hawks.
A special section is reserved for 14 of the biggest challenges among raptor identification such as:
- Sharp-shinned vs Cooper’s Hawk
- Golden Eagle vs Non-Adult Bald Eagle
- Perched Dark-morph Buteos
- and more!
We love these “family-focused” field guides because it provides an invaluable resource without being encyclopedic or too scientific. A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors is a definite must for every birder’s bookcase.
Rating: 10 of 10 feathers
Princeton University Press
May 2003
198pp
$24.95
