As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) this year, our core bird protection law is facing its most serious threat in a century of existence. Last month, the Trump administration released a legal opinion that it now interprets MBTA to only cover hunting and will no longer enforce incidental [...]
The Conservation Column By Pepper Trail The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is the world’s most comprehensive law protecting birds. Enacted in 1918 and revised several times since, it covers all North American native bird species with the exception of upland game birds (turkeys, grouse, and quail), making it illegal for anyone to [...]
The Ocean: Threats and Prospects Presented by Daphne Fautin and Bob Buddemeier Daphne Fautin has a Ph.D. in zoology from UC Berkeley. She became a marine biologist at the University of Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. She was Curator and Director of Research at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, then Professor of Ecology [...]
By Vince Zausky, Dec. 16, 2017 Medford Christmas Bird Count We had pretty chilly weather to begin around 8:15 a.m. with some fog and 24 degrees. It was warmer by late in the a.m. and probably hit mid-50's by 2 or 3 p.m. At the upper sewage ponds, we usually have a lot of waterfowl [...]
(Note - The Medford paper has listed the WRONG LOCATION for this event. Please note that it continues to be Denman Wildlife Area. See you there Feb. 7). On Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, the First Wednesday Bird Walk will move to the Denman Wildlife Area, and all future walks will take place there. Walks begin [...]
Audubon Christmas Bird Counts are a special part of American history. Here are five reasons to join in a Rogue Valley Audubon count: Two counts to choose from - Medford and Ashland. Prove to the birds that you can spend all day outside in winter too. Explore a new part of the county with a dedicated birding team. [...]
Here's a first look at several items that will be available for sale at the Dec. 2 Holiday Potluck. The current Chat newsletter has a list of more items on Page 12. Come and enjoy an evening of food, festivity and friends, as we raise money to fund our education and conservation [...]
Recent research suggests that the challenges bird communities already face are exacerbated by climate change. As climate change brings shifts of habitats, birds can be among the first to tell the story of climate trends. Just like the canary in a coal mine, they may alert us to what is happening and what the future [...]
Saturday, 30, 2017 Leader: Brandon Breen A beautiful, sunny, clear day. Poison oak was in full red fall color. Species Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) [...]
The October 2017 Conservation Column by Pepper Trail We Learn a Little More about the Trump Administration’s Monument Plans On Sept. 17, the Washington Post published a leaked copy of the text of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s “Final Report Summarizing Findings of the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act.” This was provided to the [...]
