Fall-Winter 2018
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Photo by Julie Price NEWSLETTER FOR BIRD CONSERVANCY OF THE ROCKIES FALL/WINTER 2018 NUMBER 53 CChasinghasing tthehe ‘‘CoolestCoolest BBird’ird’ - tthehe SSequel!equel! TThehe questquest continuescontinues toto uuncoverncover tthehe mmysteriesysteries ooff tthehe BBlacklack SSwiftwift by William Bevil, Communications Manager he aerodynamic form, blade-like wings Early analysis of the data is remarkable. For T and jet black coloration of the Black Swift the fi rst time, we can see Black Swift foraging (Cypseloides niger) make it a beauty to behold. fl ights during the breeding season. Some trips Their reclusive nature and tendency to nest averaged up to 60 km away from the nesting in extremely difficult-to-reach places (high site and covered a larger area than anticipated. elevation waterfalls and rocky cliff faces) only add to their reputation for elusiveness. The data also provides a partial view of the Deploying a wing activity data logger on a Black bird’s 2017 fall migration, revealing that it Swift at Zapata Falls. Photo by Rob Sparks stayed close to the western coastline all the way to South America. Unfortunately, the data logger fi lled before reaching the Get Inspired! final destination. For future deployments, we’ll reduce the frequency of data points collected, enabling us to obtain locations over a longer time span. That information is vital because we still don’t know exactly where they go in Brazil. 2012 devices were accurate only to within +/-100 Black Swift. Photo by Todd Patrick miles. With today’s tech, Until just six years ago, the Black Swift was we can pinpoint much one of the last birds that breeds in the U.S. more precise locations and Canada with a completely unknown winter across a Black Swift’s Visit our Black Swift campaign page: destination. It was then that Bird Conservancy full annual cycle—on the (then RMBO), along with partner biologists breeding grounds, during birdconservancy.org/blackswift Carolyn Gunn and Kim Potter, confi rmed the migration, and at the GPS “backpack” Your support fuels our efforts to help location of their wintering grounds—over 4,000 wintering grounds. understand the conservation footprint miles away in lowland rainforests of Brazil. A 2016 study of European Common Swifts needed to conserve Black Swifts We still have much to learn about Black revealed they stayed aloft for 10 months of in Colorado and beyond. Together, Swifts. According to Partners in Flight, their the year, eating and sleeping on the wing. Bird we can ensure a future where the population has declined by 94% between 1970 Conservancy is collaborating with the team ‘Coolest Bird’ continues to soar and 2014, and the causes are still unknown. that led this research, and using the same through the skies! Bird Conservancy is advancing the quest using devices to study Black Swifts in Colorado the latest technology to fi ll critical information and beyond. gaps that can help inform conservation efforts across these birds’ range. We are off to a great What mysteries will be uncovered about Black For more information about our Black start. In July, our Black Swift monitoring team Swifts in 2019? We are excited about what Swift monitoring, contact Rob Sparks recovered a GPS tag from a swift tagged last next year will bring. You—our partners and ([email protected]) year at Box Cañon near Ouray, CO. supporters—make the discoveries possible! FFromrom tthehe DirectorDirector A SSummerummer ooff DDiscovery!iscovery! THE PRIMARY SOURCE ield season always brings interesting stories The Primary Source is the member newsletter and updates, but this year has been particularly of Bird Conservancy of the Rockies eventful. I’m excited to be sharing the news with you—our supporters—who along with our amazing Board of Directors staff make the discoveries possible! Larry Modesitt, M.B.A., CQE, CTP, Chair Yvette Martinez, B.A., Vice-chair I’ll begin in Northeastern Colorado, where, after Peter Ampe, Esq., J.D., Secretary several weeks of intensive nest searching and Jim Strickland, B.S.G., Treasurer observation, our full cycle monitoring team confi rmed Juvenile Baird’s Sparrow at Soapstone David Charles, M.D. that Baird’s Sparrows were breeding at Soapstone Prairie. Photo by Andy Bankert Eileen Dey, B.S. Prairie Natural Area. Jack Ferguson Geoffrey Geupel, B.S. It’s a remarkable fi nding, as it is the fi rst breeding record in Colorado and the heart of their Grady Grissom, Ph.D. breeding range is hundreds of miles away in northeastern Montana, western North Dakota, Eric Lane, M.S. and southern Canada. This discovery is also heartening news because it indicates that this David Otis, Ph.D. grassland specialist species, whose population has declined roughly 77% since 1966, has the Nathan Pieplow, M.Ed. ability to successfully colonize and nest in habitat quite far from its typical range. Our grassland D. Jean Tate, Ph.D. bird research continues, both on the breeding and wintering grounds, as we seek to learn more Ed Warner, M.S., L.H.D. about migration routes, survival factors and habitat needs. We also look forward to continuing to engage partners to help support Baird’s Sparrow habitat in Colorado. Tammy VerCauteren - Executive Director [email protected] To the south in New Mexico, our Science Director Luke Visit www.birdconservancy.org for staff list. George joined Central New Mexico Audubon Society members Jill Wussow and Raymond VanBuskirk for a MMainain OOfffi cces:es: challenging, 12,000-foot elevation hike into the craggy 14500 Lark Bunting Lane peaks of Wheeler Peak Wilderness in search of Brown- Brighton, CO 80603 capped Rosy Finches. (303) 659-4348 Nesting at extremely high elevations, these birds are also 230 Cherry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521 steeply declining in number, possibly due to low snowfall (970) 482-1707 in the mountains and increasing temperatures. In 2016, 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Bird Conservancy launched a program aimed specifi cally (308) 633-1013 at studying this species in the Rocky Mountains in the hopes of getting more data to aid in their conservation. The Primary Source refers to a bird’s primary feathers which power its fl ight. The scouting party discovered a small population nesting near Williams Lake, the first record of this You, our members, Friends, volunteers and Brown-capped Rosy Finch partners are the primary source of Bird at Wheeler Peak Wilderness species breeding in New Mexico in nearly 30 years. While Conservancy’s power to accomplish its Area in New Mexico. Photo by signifi cant, their future remains imperiled. Hopefully this mission to conserve birds and their habitats. Raymond VanBuskirk discovery will lead to strategies to help ensure they remain part of the natural heritage of New Mexico and beyond. EEditingditing aandnd ddesign:esign: William Bevil, Communications Manager Last but not least, our work with Black Swifts continues Bird Conservancy’s tradition of providing leadership GGoo PPaperlessaperless and expertise as we seek to decode the mysteries of If you prefer to receive an population declines and conserve iconic species. electronic-only version of this newsletter, please email This newsletter is fi lled with stories of discovery, [email protected] engagement and collaboration. I’m fi lled with pride, and also gratitude for the support that you, our supporters to update your subscription preferences. and partners, make possible and the dedicated team of staff that tirelessly work to advance our knowledge AAdvertisedvertise iinn TThehe PPrimaryrimary SSourceource and conservation efforts for birds across the West. We Looking to promote your business and help celebrate these milestones with you and look forward to Black Swift. conserve birds and their habitats? Ad rates continuing the journey! Photo by Rob Sparks start at just $50 with distribution to over 500 members and supporters! Contact us to learn more: [email protected] 2 THE PRIMARY SOURCE A Ruddy Duck at Prewitt Ranch. Photo by Kelsea Holloway. CComingoming togethertogether ttoo mmeeteet cchallengeshallenges Across the West, habitat is changing. Examples include land developers and energy companies who share an interest in Like it or not, the secret’s out about our responsible stewardship of natural resources. beautiful western landscapes, agreeable Two success stories worth mentioning are climate and healthy lifestyles—and people our collaborations with Whiting Petroleum and businesses are moving into the Rocky (highlighted in the sidebar) and our Mountain region at a record pace. With all of partnership with Sterling Ranch, a new this growth comes development and increased housing development outside of Denver. use of natural resources. Energy production facilities dot the horizon, whether it’s natural Diverse partnership brings gas, oil or wind power. Food production exceptional results is also booming and huge areas of native prairie grassland are being converted for row What can you get when you crop agriculture. People and commercial combine willing landowners, operations also require signifi cant amounts of nonprofi ts, federal government water, a precious commodity in the arid West. and an oil and gas company? Beautiful, healthy wetlands fi lled with birds! A recent collaboration between Bird Conservancy is working with Sterling Natural Resources Conservation Ranch to conserve Burrowing Owls and other Service, USFWS Partners for Fish & grassland birds. Photo by Tasha Blecha. Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, Colorado Visit our website to read the full story: Open Lands and Whiting Petroleum birdconservancy.org/breakingnewground enabled us to enhance and restore wetlands at Prewitt Ranch outside Greeley, Colorado. These and similar partnerships are bringing people together to share resources, expertise Wetlands are important to a healthy and leadership to achieve common goals. landscape. Birds rely on these Colorado is forecast to receive three million areas for replenishing nutrients new residents in next three decades.