Every bird observation reported makes a difference

Ithaca, N.Y.—Watching birds is a joy unto itself–but you can easily make it mean so much more just by reporting the birds you see to Project FeederWatch. This popular citizen-science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology launches its 29th season on November 14. Whether you’re already a dedicated bird watcher or would like to give it a try, sign up now at FeederWatch.org to support the scientific study and conservation of birds with your observations. Read more

DNR wildlife biologist working with a bear The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for denned bear locations in the northern Lower Peninsula, and is asking those who come across a denned black bear during their hunting, trapping or other outdoor adventures to let the DNR know. Additional black bears, to be fitted with radio collars, are needed for an ongoing bear research project.

“Information gathered from bears assists in managing the black bear population,” said Mark Boersen, DNR wildlife biologist at the Roscommon Customer Service Center. “Currently, we have four female bears being monitored from both air and ground using radio-tracking equipment.” Read more

Whooping cranes, the tallest and one of the rarest birds in North America, will soon be migrating through Oklahoma to their South Texas wintering grounds.

To better understand the migration paths and habitat of this endangered bird, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation works with other member agencies of the Central Flyway Council to track the birds as they pass through the United States. Read more

IDAHO FALLS – On October 9, 2015, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) released two male yearling grizzly bear cubs in a remote portion of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Yellowstone National Park. The yearlings and their mother had been trapped on October 8, near Chester, Idaho. Because of the sow’s prior conflicts and poor body condition IDFG euthanized her after consultation with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The cubs were outfitted with radio collars so that their movements could be monitored.

Before releasing the cubs their body condition was reviewed by by IDFG biologists and a member of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) who determined the yearlings were in better physical condition than their mother and still had a chance at surviving the winter. Closer examination also revealed that both yearlings were male, previous quick examination during prior handling had led to the assumption that there was a cub of each sex.

This week we visit with Duane R. Diefenbach, who works in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and is one of the researchers heading up an ongoing whitetail deer study project in Pennsylvania.

The Deer-Forest study blog is turning heads with the information that is being revealed. The data provides interesting and reliable information about the whitetailed deer. Read more