Monday, May 11, 2009: The Bird-Dinosaur Link
Please join Sacajawea Audubon in welcoming Byron Butler, Ornithologist and our new Program chair. Byron will talk about the evidence for our understanding that birds arose from dinosaurs, and how these discoveries came about. In the process, he will make a few interesting Montana connections to the subject of dinosaurs to birds. Our annual meeting with sweet and savory refreshments will precede the program. Please come join us for light refreshments and an educational and fun program.
Location: First Security Bank West, 670 S. 19th in Bozeman, Downstairs Community Room.
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Our monthly newsletter is now online. Click here to download the pdf file.
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BLUEBIRD TRAIL NEEDS NEST BOXES!
Due to recent vandalism on the Rocky Mountain Road bluebird trail, we are in need of some new bluebird boxes. Seven boxes were destroyed by a thoughtless person with a shotgun. We are able to scavenge enough boxes to replace the damaged ones, but there are others that need to be replaced due to age and old injuries. If you are handy in the workshop, or if you have an unused box to donate, please call Lou Ann Harris at 600-3585. The bluebirds appreciate any help you can give!
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Birdathon! Birding for a Good Cause
As members of Sacajawea Audubon, we all have a common interest; the birds that live around us, and the protection of their habitats. So what a great opportunity we have to participate again in this year's Birdathon. For those of you not familiar with Birdathon, it's birding for dollars and a fun way to raise funds for our chapter. A Birdathon is done within a 24-hour period, any day between May 15th and June 15th. You and your team decide what places to go, and how long you go out for. Each team member collects pledges from family and friends, dentists, doctors, massage therapists, yoga instructors, hairdressers, etc. The possibilities are endless! You can either get pledges per species, or a flat amount. Last year's Birdathon raised over $1,200 with only a few people participating. We can do even better this year.
You can participate by sponsoring a Birdathon team or team member, by taking a Birdathon special field trip (May 9th - East Gallatin Recreation Area), by forming a Birdathon team of your own or joining an existing team.
Prizes will be awarded to the Birdathoner that raises the most money, and to the team that sees the most species. Winners will be announced at the September membership meeting.
For more information, or materials to help get you started, please call Lou Ann at (406) 600-3585 or email: montlou@earthlink.net.
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You, too, can help feather our nest
Can you spare a few hours this fall for the benefit of Sacajawea Audubon and the 2009 Raptor Festival? One of Bozeman's more popular community events, the Raptor Festival draws about 2,000 people each year to hear speakers, meet some engaging raptors, hike to the Hawkwatch monitoring station on the ridge, and participate in educational and interactive displays provided by area environmental organizations. Sacajawea Audubon participates in the festival as part of our outreach activities, each year attracting about two hundred adults and children to our booth featuring an entertaining computerized Bird I.D. program.
How YOU can help: We need one or two Sacajawea Audubon members to take my place in coordinating the set-up and staffing of the SAS booth for the 2009 Raptor Festival, scheduled for Oct. 3-4. Allow 4 to 6 hours in September and early October (computer knowledge is helpful but not necessary). I and other chapter members can provide training and assistance. For more information, please contact Jinnie Milne, 763-5341 (e-mail jstarrmilne@yahoo.com), or Peter Norlander, 222-4646 (email norlander@q.com. -Jinnie Milne