DOCSLIB.ORG

Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Ontario

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Ontario Photo: Barbara Frei (Bobolink); Russ Chantler (Eastern Meadowlark) Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) & Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) in Ontario Ontario Recovery Strategy Series Recovery strategy prepared under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 2013 Ministry of Natural Resources About the Ontario Recovery Strategy Series This series presents the collection of recovery strategies that are prepared or adopted as advice to the Province of Ontario on the recommended approach to recover species at risk. The Province ensures the preparation of recovery strategies to meet its commitments to recover species at risk under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada. What is recovery? What’s next? Recovery of species at risk is the process by which the Nine months after the completion of a recovery strategy decline of an endangered, threatened, or extirpated a government response statement will be published species is arrested or reversed, and threats are which summarizes the actions that the Government of removed or reduced to improve the likelihood of a Ontario intends to take in response to the strategy. species’ persistence in the wild. The implementation of recovery strategies depends on the continued cooperation and actions of government agencies, individuals, communities, land users, and What is a recovery strategy? conservationists. Under the ESA a recovery strategy provides the best available scientific knowledge on what is required to For more information achieve recovery of a species. A recovery strategy outlines the habitat needs and the threats to the To learn more about species at risk recovery in Ontario, survival and recovery of the species. It also makes please visit the Ministry of Natural Resources Species at recommendations on the objectives for protection and Risk webpage at: www.ontario.ca/speciesatrisk recovery, the approaches to achieve those objectives, and the area that should be considered in the development of a habitat regulation. Sections 11 to 15 of the ESA outline the required content and timelines for developing recovery strategies published in this series. Recovery strategies are required to be prepared for endangered and threatened species within one or two years respectively of the species being added to the Species at Risk in Ontario list. There is a transition period of five years (until June 30, 2013) to develop recovery strategies for those species listed as endangered or threatened in the schedules of the ESA. Recovery strategies are required to be prepared for extirpated species only if reintroduction is considered feasible. Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Ontario RECOMMENDED CITATION McCracken, J.D., R.A. Reid, R.B. Renfrew, B. Frei, J.V. Jalava, A. Cowie, and A.R. Couturier. 2013. Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) in Ontario. Ontario Recovery Strategy Series. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. viii + 88 pp. Cover illustrations: Photo of male Bobolink (left) courtesy of Barbara Frei; photo of Eastern Meadowlark (right) courtesy of Russ Chantler. © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2013 ISBN 978-1-4606-0533-2 (PDF) Content (excluding the cover illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source. Cette publication hautement spécialisée Recovery strategies prepared under the Endangered Species Act, 2007, n’est disponible qu’en anglais en vertu du Règlement 411/97 qui en exempte l’application de la Loi sur les services en français. Pour obtenir de l’aide en français, veuillez communiquer avec Cathy Darevic au ministère des Richesses naturelles au 705-755-5580. i Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Ontario AUTHORS • Jon McCracken (Bird Studies Canada, Port Rowan, ON) • Ron Reid (Couchiching Conservancy, Washago, ON) • Rosalind Renfrew (Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Norwich, VT) • Barbara Frei (McGill University, Montreal, QC) • Jarmo Jalava (ecological consultant, Stratford, ON) • Amber Cowie (Ontario Nature, Toronto, ON) • Andrew Couturier (Bird Studies Canada, Port Rowan, ON) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Funding for the preparation of this recovery strategy was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) through a contract to Bird Studies Canada (BSC). Many thanks to Vivian Brownell (OMNR) for overseeing project delivery. For important technical input, access to literature, technical insights and/or review, the authors especially thank Paul Smith (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs – OMAFRA), Joel Bagg (OMAFRA), Jack Kyle (OMAFRA), Wasyl Bakowsky (OMNR), Vivian Brownell (OMNR), Joe Nocera (OMNR), Chris Risley (OMNR), Don Sutherland (OMNR), and Toby Alexander (United States Department of Agriculture). Development of the recovery strategy benefited from input provided by the dozens of participants who took part in workshops (Appendix A), and by the members of the provincial Bobolink/Eastern Meadowlark roundtable. Drafts of the recovery strategy benefited from review comments provided by the following OMNR staff: Amelia Argue, Erica Barkley, Jodi Benvenuti, Nikki Boucher, Adam Boudins, Graham Buck, Dawn Burke, Stephanie Chan, Eric Cobb, Todd Copeland, Bill Crins, Glenn Desy, Rhonda Donley, Jeremy Downe, Jessica Dunlop, Larry Ferguson, Marie-Ange Gravel, Jennifer Hoare, Patrick Hubert, Anita Imrie, Leanne Jennings, Catherine Jong, Lauren Kruschenske, Lynn Landriault, Greg Lucking, Lauren McDonald, Steve Mills, Gary Nielsen, Lisa Nyman, Kate Pitt, Louise Ritchie, Megan Ritzie, Jake Rouse, Jim Saunders, Carole Seysmith, Jessica Sicoly, Roxanne St. Martin, Al Stinson, Tanya Suggitt, Erin Thompson, Melinda Thompson-Black, Valerie Vaillancourt, Maria VandenHeuvel, Bree Walpole, Pamela Wesley and Katherine Yagi. Helpful comments were also provided by Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service (Madeline Austen, Graham Bryan, Mike Cadman, Angela Darwin, Krista Holmes, Tania Morais, Ken Tuininga, and Kari Van Allen) and Parks Canada Agency (Gary Allen, Kim Borg and Michael Patrikeev). Thanks also for the written comments submitted by representatives from OMAFRA (Helma Geerts, Linda Pim and Peter Robertson), Credit Valley Conservation (Charlotte Cox, Mark Eastman, Adèle Labbé, Aviva Patel and Yvette Roy), Ontario Nature (Anne ii Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Ontario Bell), Ontario Federation of Agriculture (Peter Jeffery), Nature Conservancy of Canada (Dan Kraus and Mark Stabb), and University of Guelph (Danielle Ethier). Adam Smith (Environment Canada) kindly provided results from an updated analysis of population trend data from the Breeding Bird Survey. OMAFRA staff provided graphics and maps related to agricultural statistics. Thanks also to Marie Archambault and Alan Marsh (Environment Canada) and Eva Jenkins (Bird Studies Canada) for additional Geographic Information System services. iii Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Ontario DECLARATION The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has led the development of this recovery strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in accordance with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). This recovery strategy has been prepared as advice to the Government of Ontario, other responsible jurisdictions and the many different constituencies that may be involved in recovering the species. The recovery strategy does not necessarily represent the views of all of the individuals who provided advice or contributed to its preparation, or the official positions of the organizations with which the individuals are associated. The goals, objectives and recovery approaches identified in the strategy are based on the best available knowledge and are subject to revision as new information becomes available. Implementation of this strategy is subject to appropriations, priorities and budgetary constraints of the participating jurisdictions and organizations. Success in the recovery of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in this strategy. RESPONSIBLE JURISDICTIONS Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service Parks Canada Agency iv Recovery Strategy for the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark in Ontario EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) both rely upon grasslands for breeding, have similar breeding distributions in Ontario, often co-occur in the same fields, have similar population trajectories, and face similar threats. Because of these relationships, the two species are represented within a single recovery strategy. Prior to European settlement in eastern North America, Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks nested in native prairies, savannahs, alvar grasslands, beaver meadows, burned-over areas, and areas cleared for agriculture by First Nations. Although most such habitat was destroyed following European settlement, the two species quickly adopted newly-created surrogate grasslands – primarily pastures and hayfields – as nesting habitat. Indeed, were it not for the creation of these agricultural habitats for livestock, the two species may well have disappeared from large parts of their original range. Though still common and widespread, the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark were recently designated as threatened species in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • ROM AR Highlights 2013-2014.Indd
    ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS 2013 | 2014 ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM 2013/2014 1 CONTENTS 2013/2014 HIGHLIGHTS 2 Year in Review 8 Centres of Discovery 4 Exhibition Highlights 9 New Galleries 6 Acquisition Highlights 10 Budget at a Glance 7 Programs & Education 11 Philanthropic Support YEAR IN REVIEW MESSAGE FROM JANET CARDING Director & CEO This year has been a momentous one at the ROM. We shared a remarkable range of exhibitions, beginning the year with Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World, VIKTOR&ROLF DOLLS, Wildlife Photographer of the Year and The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors. The Museum opened two new permanent galleries, The Barrick Gold Corporation Gallery and our recently renovated Gallery of Korea. Beyond our gallery walls there was signifi cant activity with research discoveries, including two from the Burgess Shale and two new species of dinosaurs, as well as new insights on the geology of Mars. In addition, the Museum welcomed Bonnie Brooks as the Chair of our Board of Trustees and Dr. Xerxes Mazda as our new Deputy Director of Engagement. The highlight of the year was our March 19th Centennial celebrations which marked the day one hundred years ago when the ROM opened its doors to the people of Ontario. It was a once-in-a-lifetime celebration and the beginning of our year-long festival of exhibitions, events and programs designed to share your ROM in new and unexpected ways. 100 YEARS OF THE ROM 1,700,000 WEB VISITORS 2 ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM 2013/2014 EXHIBITIONS 19 ON DISPLAY NEW SPECIES 140 DISCOVERED 1,568 BURGESS SHALE FOSSILS 80 SPECIES 96% OF VISITOR SATISFACTION SPIDERS IDENTIFIED ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM 2013/2014 3 EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS MESOPOTAMIA: in the ROM's Department of World INVENTING OUR WORLD Cultures.
    [Show full text]
  • Loggerhead Shrike
    EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GRASSLAND BIRDS: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE Grasslands Ecosystem Initiative Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center U.S. Geological Survey Jamestown, North Dakota 58401 This report is one in a series of literature syntheses on North American grassland birds. The need for these reports was identified by the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV), a part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The PPJV recently adopted a new goal, to stabilize or increase populations of declining grassland- and wetland-associated wildlife species in the Prairie Pothole Region. To further that objective, it is essential to understand the habitat needs of birds other than waterfowl, and how management practices affect their habitats. The focus of these reports is on management of breeding habitat, particularly in the northern Great Plains. Suggested citation: Dechant, J. A., M. L. Sondreal, D. H. Johnson, L. D. Igl, C. M. Goldade, M. P. Nenneman, A. L. Zimmerman, and B. R. Euliss. 1998 (revised 2002). Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Loggerhead Shrike. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND. 19 pages. Species for which syntheses are available or are in preparation: American Bittern Grasshopper Sparrow Mountain Plover Baird’s Sparrow Marbled Godwit Henslow’s Sparrow Long-billed Curlew Le Conte’s Sparrow Willet Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow Wilson’s Phalarope Vesper Sparrow Upland Sandpiper Savannah Sparrow Greater Prairie-Chicken Lark Sparrow Lesser Prairie-Chicken Field Sparrow Northern Harrier Clay-colored Sparrow Swainson’s Hawk Chestnut-collared Longspur Ferruginous Hawk McCown’s Longspur Short-eared Owl Dickcissel Burrowing Owl Lark Bunting Horned Lark Bobolink Sedge Wren Eastern Meadowlark Loggerhead Shrike Western Meadowlark Sprague’s Pipit Brown-headed Cowbird EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GRASSLAND BIRDS: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE Jill A.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Catharines Standard, Aug 12, 2012 I Read the Article in the St
    St. Catharines Standard, Aug 12, 2012 I read the article in the St. Catharines Standard On Friday Aug 10 and would like to provide you the following information that may be of value to understanding the meeting reported “on Monday Aug 13 that Pillitteri Estates Winery is hosting a round table discussion on allowing wineries to discuss issues related to the LCBO with MPP Agriculture critic, Ernie Hardeman”. Approximately 20 invited participants will be allotted 2-3 minutes each to express their opinions and it is to be a closed meeting. Pillitteri Estates agreed to host the meeting as we believe that providing information to all elected officials regarding the positive economic benefits of local VQA wines is invaluable for VQA wine growth. Pillitteri Estates Winery July 4 toured and hosted Minister of Agriculture Ted McMeekin and a group of senior OMAFRA policy advisors for a 3 hour visit to discuss a wide range of issues including greater market access for VQA wines. I believe we all need to work together to obtain growth for VQA wines within Ontario and within the LCBO system. This is needed even more so with a minority government. The importance of growing VQA wines, according to the KPMG study, is that VQA wines provide over $12.56 a litre value add to the economy, Value add is beyond taxation benefits. In a previous study by KPMG the amount for imports is $.67. Going local is an economic benefit to the economy. Blended wines have a value add proportionate to their Ontario content. For this meeting Pillitteri Estates spokesperson and participant will be myself, Jamie Slingerland, and I hope that the amount of time for each participant will be sufficient to educate Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Using Structured Decision Making to Prioritize Species Assemblages for Conservation T ⁎ Adam W
    Journal for Nature Conservation 45 (2018) 48–57 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal for Nature Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jnc Using Structured Decision Making to prioritize species assemblages for conservation T ⁎ Adam W. Greena, , Maureen D. Corrella, T. Luke Georgea, Ian Davidsonb, Seth Gallagherc, Chris Westc, Annamarie Lopatab, Daniel Caseyd, Kevin Ellisone, David C. Pavlacky Jr.a, Laura Quattrinia, Allison E. Shawa, Erin H. Strassera, Tammy VerCauterena, Arvind O. Panjabia a Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, 230 Cherry St., Suite 150, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA b National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 1133 15th St NW #1100, Washington, DC, 20005, USA c National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 44 Cook St, Suite 100, Denver, CO, 80206, USA d Northern Great Plains Joint Venture, 3302 4th Ave. N, Billings, MT, 59101, USA e World Wildlife Fund, Northern Great Plains Program, 13 S. Willson Ave., Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Species prioritization efforts are a common strategy implemented to efficiently and effectively apply con- Conservation planning servation efforts and allocate resources to address global declines in biodiversity. These structured processes help Grasslands identify species that best represent the entire species community; however, these methods are often subjective Priority species and focus on a limited number of species characteristics. We developed an objective, transparent approach using Prioritization a Structured Decision Making (SDM) framework to identify a group of grassland bird species on which to focus Structured decision making conservation efforts that considers biological, social, and logistical criteria in the Northern Great Plains of North America. The process quantified these criteria to ensure representation of a variety of species and habitats and included the relative value of each criterion to the working group.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Meadowlark B168 (Sturnella Neglecter)
    Western Meadowlark B168 (Sturnella neglecter) STATUS: No official listed status. Common resident at low elevations; late summer and fall transient at higher elevations. DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Breeds in grasslands and pastureland from annual grass- land up to chaparral zone, with or without moderate shrub cover, and generally in drier sites. Some upslope movement in late summer and fall. SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Open terrain. BREEDING: Breeds from early February to late July, with peak from late April to late June. Nests in depression on ground, among grasses or other low vegetation. Clutch size from 3 to 7, with mode of 5. TERRITORY/HOME RANGE: Home range same as territory. In Wisconsin, breeding territories ranged from 3 to 15 acres (1.2 to 6.1 ha), with mean of about 7.5 acres (3 ha) (Lanyon 1956). FOOD HABITS: Insects and seeds, gleaned from grasses and live or dead annuals, or from the ground, make up the majority of the diet. Turns over clods and digs in soft earth. OTHER: REFERENCES: Bryant 1914, Grinnell and Miller 1944, Lanyon 1957. 260 Yellow-headed Blackbird B169 (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) STATUS: No official listed status. Rare spring and fall migrant. DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Prefers large, marshy areas with water of considerable depth and patches of open water. Forages in moist, open areas and in marshes; requires marshes only during breeding season. SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Marshes for nesting; open terrain. BREEDING: Possibly breeds in the western Sierran zone at low elevations from mid-April to late July, with peak from late May to mid-July. Nests in emergent vegetation, usually cattails or bulrush, from 0.5 to 3 ft (0.2 to 0.9 m) above water, usually near edge of vegetation farthest from shore.
    [Show full text]
  • Tvontario (Tee-Vee-On-Táre-Ee-Oh) N
    TVOntario (tee-vee-on-táre-ee-oh) n. adjunct to Ontario’s formal education and training systems, on air, online and in print. adj. intelligent; accessible; educational; inspirational. v. increasing self-sufficiency; delivering uncompromising quality. Members make it happen! Annual Report Card 2003–2004 To the Honourable Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Mandate Queen’s Park I take pleasure in submitting the Annual Report of the Ontario Educational Communications Authority (TVOntario) for the fiscal year April 1, 2003, to March 31, 2004. This is done in accordance with Section 12 (1) of the Ontario Educational Communications Authority Act. TVOntario’s mandate is to serve as an adjunct to the formal education and training This Annual Report outlines the milestones we set and our successes in achieving them for the year systems in Ontario, by using television and 2003–04, during which we delivered to the people of Ontario unique services that support the other communications technologies to Government’s top priority of education, and at the same time increased our financial self- provide high quality educational programs, sufficiency. curriculum resources and distance education courses in English and in French. Through the integration of our broadcast and online technologies, and the commitment and vision of a talented staff, TVOntario provides valuable educational resources and learning experiences In 1970, TVOntario was established as the that fulfill the needs of Ontarians. With our focus on formal educational programming and Ontario Educational Communications resources, diversity, innovation, and self-sufficiency at the core of our day-to-day operations, there Authority.
    [Show full text]
  • Jerry Melbye Ph.D. Curriculum Vitae
    Jerry Melbye Ph.D. Research Professor www.jerrymelbye.com Center for Human Identification Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology University of North Texas 760-251-3111 Cell: 760-673-8835 Curriculum Vitae Education BA-University of Washington, Anthropology MA-State University of New York at Buffalo, Anthropology, Thesis: “An Analysis of the Infracranial Material from the Orchid Site” PhD-University of Toronto, Anthropology, Dissertation: “An Analysis of a Late Woodland Population in the Upper Great Lakes” Professional Experience Academic Posts - 2009-present: Research Professor Center for Human Identification Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology University of North Texas - 2006 – 2009: Texas State University San Marcos/Tenured Professor - Anthropology - 2004 – 2006: Texas State University San Marcos/Visiting Professor – Anthropology - 1969 – 2002: University of Toronto, Canada / Professor, Anthropology Citizenship: Dual citizen of Canada and the United States Abstract Jerry Melbye has had and still enjoys a distinguished career of over 3 decades of teaching and research in the field of forensic science and anthropology. Dr. Melbye’s research interests include paleopathology and forensic anthropology with field work experience in Ontario, Labrador, The Yukon, American Southwest and Midwest, Egypt and Mexico. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Within the AAFS, over the years Jerry has served as Section Chair, Section Secretary and has sat on four Academy wide committees. He has aided police forces in the U.S. and Canada for more than 30 years in identifying human remains, providing them with information leading to the apprehension of killers in dozens of murder cases.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidelines for Finding Nests of Passerine Birds in Tallgrass Prairie
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center US Geological Survey 7-13-2003 Guidelines for Finding Nests of Passerine Birds in Tallgrass Prairie Maiken Winter State University of New York Shawn E. Hawks University of Minnesota - Crookston Jill A. Shaffer USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, [email protected] Douglas H. Johnson USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsnpwrc Part of the Other International and Area Studies Commons Winter, Maiken; Hawks, Shawn E.; Shaffer, Jill A.; and Johnson, Douglas H., "Guidelines for Finding Nests of Passerine Birds in Tallgrass Prairie" (2003). USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. 160. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsnpwrc/160 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Published in The Prairie Naturalist 35(3): September 2003. Published by the Great Plains Natural Science Society http://www.fhsu.edu/biology/pn/prairienat.htm Guidelines for Finding Nests of Passerine Birds in Tallgrass Prairie MAIKEN WINTER!, SHAWN E. HAWKS2, JILL A. SHAFFER, and DOUGLAS H. JOHNSON State University of New York, College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210 (MW) University of Minnesota, Crookston, MN 58105 (SEH) U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St. SE, Jamestown, ND 5840 I (lAS, DHJ) ABSTRACT -- The productivity of birds is one of the most critical components of their natural history affected by habitat quality.
    [Show full text]
  • Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 Sponsored by Senators GIROD, STEINER HAYWARD
    79th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2017 Regular Session Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 Sponsored by Senators GIROD, STEINER HAYWARD Whereas many Oregonians feel that it is time to adopt the osprey as our state bird, valuing the raptor as a fitting symbol of Oregon’s rugged independence, strength and resilience; and Whereas other Oregonians favor the western meadowlark, already our unofficial state bird, considering the songbird’s peaceful, mellifluous song to be an emblem of gentle beauty and culture within this state; and Whereas the question of whether the state bird should be a raptor or a songbird presents a false dichotomy; and Whereas sometimes the best answer to an “either-or” question is “and”; and Whereas Oregon is not wholly represented by one climate or region of the state; and Whereas Oregonians, themselves, cannot be categorized as only one type of person; and Whereas a multifaceted Oregon calls for two types of state bird: the state raptor and the state songbird; and Whereas the western meadowlark brings to mind the open fields and meadows spread across the state; and Whereas the osprey evokes Oregon’s lakes, rivers, streams and ocean; and Whereas the western meadowlark’s song and bright colors have delighted generations of Oregonians; and Whereas the osprey in flight, with its striking markings against the sky, causes Oregonians to stop and stare in wonder; and Whereas embracing the excellent qualities of one bird does not derogate those of the other; and Whereas while most states are content to be limited to one state bird, Oregon recognizes the need for another, understanding that there is room in the hearts of Oregonians for two symbolic birds; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: That we, the members of the Seventy-ninth Legislative Assembly, designate the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) as the official state raptor of Oregon; and be it further Resolved, That we designate the western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) as the official state songbird of Oregon.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Conference Program
    Canadian Association of Science Centres 15th Annual Conference • Toronto, ON • May 4–6 Table of contents Message from the President, CASC 1 Message from the CEO, Ontario Science Centre 2 Helpful Information 3 Schedule at a Glance 4 Speakers 6 Program Session Information 8 Tradeshow Exhibitors 16 CASC 2017 Conference Host Thank you to our Sponsors Imagine Exhibitions, Inc. Loblaw Inc. Molson Coors Canada SK Films IMAX® Stratus Vineyards Compass Canada Message from the President CASC Board of Directors PRESIDENT Steve Baker TELUS World of Science Edmonton Edmonton, AB VICE PRESIDENT Tracy Calogheros The Exploration Place Prince George, BC TREASURER Dolf DeJong Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre Vancouver, BC STEVE BAKER, President CASC STEPHANIE DESCHENES SECRETARY TELUS World of Science Edmonton Executive Director, CASC Jeff McCarron The Discovery Centre On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Halifax, NS Association of Science Centres, welcome to Toronto and the 15th Annual CASC Conference. This is the first time PAST PRESIDENT Guy Labine the conference has been hosted by the Ontario Science Science North Centre and we are excited to be able to share this time Sudbury, ON together to engage in open dialogue, high level learning and networking opportunities as well as celebrate the DIRECTOR outstanding contributions and work of those who will be Jennifer Martin recognized during the CASCADE Awards. TELUS Spark Since we gathered together for the 2016 conference Calgary, AB in Vancouver, CASC and its 80+ members and affiliates have welcomed over 8 million visitors to our facilities, DIRECTOR Julie Fisowich providing positive, science-based experiences and Saskatchewan elevating science literacy in our communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Territory Establishment in Red-Winged Blackbirds: Importance of Aggressive Behavior and Experience
    Condor, 81:258-264 0 The Cooper Ornithological Society 1979 TERRITORY ESTABLISHMENT IN RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS: IMPORTANCE OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR AND EXPERIENCE KEN YASUKAWA In this paper I assess the importance of most intense when males attempt to acquire aggression in acquisition of initial breeding their initial territories. Competition be- territory by male Red-winged Blackbirds tween males occurs primarily among birds (Agelaius phoeniceus). The ability to ac- in fully adult plumage, that is, birds who are quire territory is expected to depend upon at least two years old. The existence of con- that portion of male quality determined pri- siderable competition for territories is in- marily by intrasexual selection. dicated by: rapid replacement following re- Darwin (1859, 1871) formulated the the- moval (Orians 1961); high conspecific male ory of sexual selection to account for certain trespass rates (Peek 1971); and defense of apparent exceptions to his concept of natu- suboptimal areas (Orians 1961, Case and ral selection, but evolutionary biologists Hewitt 1963, Robertson 1972, 1973). now realize that sexual selection is a special Male Red-winged Blackbirds establish case of individual selection relating to the territories by taking over unoccupied areas, evolutionary implications of competitive intruding between occupied areas and ex- mating. Most zoologists agree with Darwin panding, or displacing established residents that sexual selection has two phases: intra- (Nero 1956). As defined here, males are sexual, usually in the form of competition “successful” when they possess suitable between males; and intersexual or epigam- nesting sites and are not displaced by other ic, usually in the form of female choice of males prior to the onset of nesting by fe- a mate (Selander 1972, Emlen 1973, Brown males (regardless of whether they acquire 1975, Wilson 1975, but see also Mayr 1972).
    [Show full text]
  • Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella Magna
    Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Breeding Eastern Meadowlarks are normally associated with Unglaciated Plateau (94 blocks), and Glaciated Plateau (69 grasslands such as lightly grazed pastures, hayfields, and re- blocks) regions. Other confirmation included observations of claimed strip mines. These fields may be devoid of woody adults carrying food for young in 96 blocks, 49 reports of recently vegetation or support scattered bushes and small trees. They also fledged young, 41 active nests, and distraction displays by adults regularly occupy fallow fields composed of mixed grasses and in 9 blocks. Most other records pertained to probable breeders, weeds, grassy rights–of–way along highways and railroads, primarily territorial males and pairs occupying suitable habitats. clover–alfalfa hayfields, and grassy fields bordering airports. When their populations were larger, breeding pairs were found in cultivated grain fields, woodland clearings, and fairly open brushy thickets (Trautman 1940), but these habitats are rarely occupied today. These meadowlarks have been common and widely distrib- uted summer residents in Ohio since the 19th century (Wheaton 1882, Jones 1903). They retained this status into the 1930s when Hicks (1935) claimed they were common to abundant in every county. He assigned a similar status to this species along the entire unglaciated Allegheny Plateau (Hicks 1937). Beginning in the 1940s, Eastern Meadowlark populations experienced local declines. This trend continued during subsequent decades as intensive agricultural land use practices eliminated many suitable grasslands (Peterjohn 1989a). Unusually heavy mortality during the severe winters of the late 1970s accentuated this decline, although their numbers recovered somewhat with the return of normal winter weather conditions.
    [Show full text]