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Conservation Concern: 13 Million Acres in the Western Arctic Are at Risk
Read more details and respond if you are inclined. Our conservation chair, Board member David Voigts believes there is oil that can be pumped without removing the protections that were given to these special areas. Comments are needed before August 4th.
Read more details and respond if you are inclined. Our conservation chair, Board member David Voigts believes there is oil that can be pumped without removing the protections that were given to these special areas. Comments are needed before August 4th.
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| Yellow-headed Blackbird Photo by Dan Cohen |
Sweet Marsh
92 species observed
Click this link to see the species
that were observed.
Thanks to all who joined us for this beautiful day of birding.
Use this link to print a pledge form or make an online donation.
Any and all contributions are appreciated!
In the Sky - June 2025
Of special interest in June will be Mars moving closer to and passing very close to
Regulus, the brightest star in Leo (the Lion), before moving farther away. - Enjoy, David Voigts
"Nothing says summer quite like the song of Red-winged Blackbirds"
- David Allen Sibley, author of bird guides and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.
- David Voigts (I did research on Redwings and Yellowheads.)
Monarchs Threatened
by David Voigts
One of the anticipated events of spring is the arrival of migrating monarch butterflies, but in recent years their number has declined greatly. Much of this loss has been caused by a great reduction in the abundance of milkweeds, the required food of monarch larvae, as a result of intensive farming practices. However, the warming climate also plays an increasingly important role.
It has been shown that very warm spring temperatures, such as those experienced recently in the southwestern states, will kill monarch larvae. In one study, temperatures above 97 degrees caused significant larval mortality and temperatures above 84 degrees led to developmental delays, resulting in decreased adult body mass and a less likely chance of survival.
Temperature also triggers the start and speed of monarch migration, and warm temperatures can cause a mismatch between monarchs and their milkweed host plants. This has led to limited reproduction. In addition, hot and/or dry conditions can reduce the quality of milkweeds as food for larvae.
With all these threats to monarchs, it is important to do what we can to help them survive. Even a backyard waystation of milkweeds for larvae and nectar producing plants to provide food for migrating adults will help.
Embrace the Night
by David Voigts
by David Voigts
It is no secret that If you live in a city or town, you see fewer stars. The reason for this is that light escapes from where it is needed and forms a dome of light overhead. Although not obvious, this waste light brightens the night sky far into the country. Only a few places are far enough away from cities to be truly dark.
Waste light does more than reduce the number of stars that we see, it has effects that are far-reaching. For example, most birds migrate at night, and they are increasingly being affected by light. They have been known to circle a bright light source until they drop from exhaustion. Others are attracted to lights and crash into windows or other light sources.
Insects are also affected. One study found that there was a 60% decline in nighttime pollinator visits to flowers and crops. The brightening night can even affect humans by disturbing our circadian rhythms, which can cause sleep disorders, obesity, depression, and more.
While governments are encouraged to take measures to reduce light pollution, we can take action in our homes. Even drawing the curtains at night to keep our light indoors will help.
NEW! See Dan Cohen's Nature Communications Substack on our "Links" page. Dan shares stories and photos about nature, conservation and the environment.
Find an injured bird or animal? Call Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project 319-939-4635
Note: As of Dec 2024 BHWRP is not accepting sick or injured waterfowl due to the avian influenza outbreak found in Iowa.
Find other wildlife rehabilitators.
New to Birding?
Check out this great new brochure from Iowa Audubon that gives you all the information about enjoying the activity of watching birds!
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Bird Flight Patterns and Music Concert Program
You are now able to access the online concert video and curriculum (see link and password below-posted with permission by the copyright holder).
The link provides the full concert video and online curriculum with activities, lessons, extra musical performances, composer interviews and educational games. This resource will remain active through June 2022 (for one year), so utilize it for your programs, personal edification working with your children or grandchildren to teach them about music and birds!
You are now able to access the online concert video and curriculum (see link and password below-posted with permission by the copyright holder).
The link provides the full concert video and online curriculum with activities, lessons, extra musical performances, composer interviews and educational games. This resource will remain active through June 2022 (for one year), so utilize it for your programs, personal edification working with your children or grandchildren to teach them about music and birds!
Bird Flight Patterns and Music Link: https://nbsymphony.org/bird-
Password: BFPMC (case sensitive)
Subscribe to the PRAS YouTube Channel if you are interested in watching recordings of our past Zoom meetings for which we have permission to post for viewing.
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Email praudubon@gmail.com to request password for email; we won't post it here online.
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