See the Field Trips page for details.
Bird migration forecast maps
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| American Goldfinch with photobombing bee! Photo by John McCormick |
"It's Not Nice to Mess with Mother Nature:
Weather, Climate, and Global Warming"
by Dr. Robert Dise, UNI Professor of History
Links to the climate change maps mentioned in Dr. Dise's presentation are now posted on the Links page.
The recording of this fascinating program is now posted on the PRAS YouTube channel; it begins at the 14:27 minute mark.
Water droplets are more abundant in clouds affected by wildfire smoke but, surprisingly, those clouds are less likely to produce rain and may contribute to drought conditions in the Western US, a study in Geophysical Research Letters suggests. Scientists say the droplets inside the affected cumulus clouds are much smaller and less likely to collide with each other to produce rain than those in clouds formed under normal conditions.
Full Story: Science News (9/9)
Also, the star to the upper right of Jupiter is in Aquarius (the Water
Bearer). That shows how jammed together these two constellations are.
Enjoy -- David Voigts, PRAS Board Member
Found in my mother's desk drawer -
"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour" -
and we did during our recent trip.
Get a printable Bird-A-Thon pledge form and return your pledges to:
Craig Rash 105 Woodland Springs Road, Denver Iowa 50622
Thank you again for your Bird-A-Thon donations; your support and efforts help PRAS in making a difference to our communities.
Donations accepted till October 15, 2021; any and all donations appreciated!
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| Song on a Wire - Wikimedia Commons |
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)
Optics Drive-Support Initiatives Across the World
Donate old optics for birding initiatives in El Salvador or Uganda - See Birding Co-op's website for more details.
The Birding Co-op Promotes Diversity
One of PRAS's goals for 2021 is to promote diversity in our organization and in birding and conservation activities. Here is an organization that deserves a look. The Birding Co-op is a grassroots organization that promotes inclusivity in the global birding community by creating accessible travel experiences that foster meaningful connections among birders and nature enthusiasts while supporting communities through responsible tourism practices, advocating for social liberties, and advancing science-based environmental changes.
One of PRAS's goals for 2021 is to promote diversity in our organization and in birding and conservation activities. Here is an organization that deserves a look. The Birding Co-op is a grassroots organization that promotes inclusivity in the global birding community by creating accessible travel experiences that foster meaningful connections among birders and nature enthusiasts while supporting communities through responsible tourism practices, advocating for social liberties, and advancing science-based environmental changes.
Monarch Tagging in Buchanan County
Pre-registration is required at www.buchanancountyparks.com.
There is a registration fee of $4 per person or $10 per family.
Buchanan County Conservation’s annual fall Monarch Taggings are scheduled for Saturdays, September 4th and 18th at 1 pm each day. Due to the uncertainty of where nectaring flowers will be blooming, locations are yet to be determined.
Contact Naturalist Sondra Cabell for more details.
Denver Public Library Garden Is New Monarch Waystation
Our library garden is an official Monarch Waystation. Monarch Waystations provide milkweed, nectar plants, and shelter for monarchs throughout their annual cycle of reproduction and migration. Thank you to the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society for their support in helping the library achieve this goal and their continued support of projects in the Denver community.
Take inspiration from the Denver Public Library and join the effort to help preserve Monarch Butterflies by certifying your garden as a Monarch Waystation.
Want to learn more about monarchs and how each of us can make a difference, check out this new book: Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201 Mile Journey Following The Monarch Migration by Sara Dykman available at the Hawkeye Community College Library. Any member of the community may check out books from the Hawkeye CC Library; stop in and get a library card and peruse this book and others on the new book shelf. Note: Sara Dykman will be our featured speaker for our January 2022 PRAS meeting!
Click the link above to read the article about UNI's Dr. Jeff Tamplin and his research about this iconic turtle species.
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| Osprey at Greenbelt Lake - Waterloo Photo by John McCormick |
Find an injured bird or animal? Call Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project 319-277-6511
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.
Contribute to our Flickr Photo Stream
Go to this URL: https://www.flickr.com/
Click "Login"
Click "Login"
The email address associated with PRAS's account is: praudubon@gmail.com
Email praudubon@gmail.com to request password for email; we won't post it here online.
Save the UN and PWD so it is quick and easy the next time you upload photos.
Click the Upload icon (looks like cloud with an arrow) and follow prompts.
Here is Flick's help page for uploads.
Click the Photos link on the above navigation bar to see photos.
Find us on Facebook
We share information about field trips, local sightings, fun and interesting photos and stories about birds, nature, the environment, etc. on our Facebook page. Check it out and like us and "share" our posts.