ThinkingAfield.org

Contacts:
Aislinn Maestas, USFWS, 505-248-6599, aislinn_maestas@fws.gov

Tom Cadden, AZGFD, (623) 236-7392, tcadden@azgfd.gov

2019 survey numbers show a 24 percent increase in minimum population

PHOENIX — The wild population of Mexican wolves continues to grow at a healthy pace. The recent Mexican wolf count shows the population of Mexican wolves has increased by 24 percent since last year, raising the total number of wolves in the wild to a minimum of 163 animals.

That number is among the findings of the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT), a task force comprising federal, state, tribal and international partners. From November 2019 through January 2020, the team conducted ground counts in Arizona and New Mexico that concluded with aerial counts of Mexican wolves in January and February.

According to the IFT, the 163 wolves are distributed with 76 in Arizona and 87 in New Mexico. Last year, the team documented 131 wolves at the end of 2018, which was a 12 percent increase from 2017. This population has increased an average of 15 percent annually in the last 10 years. Read more

Regional Director – Michigan

Job Announcement:

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a non-profit, wildlife habitat conservation organization seeks a performance-motivated team player with strong interpersonal skills to engage and manage volunteer activities, event fundraising and major gift fundraising in Michigan. BS/equivalent degree and five years of experience in business, fundraising and volunteer management required. Pro-hunting background is critical. Extensive weekday and weekend travel required. Email letter of interest and resume to jobs@rmef.org by April 4th. Read more

They’re back! The infamous pair of Barred Owls is back nesting in their big nest box in Indiana, and you can monitor their progress as often as you wish through the spring on the Wild Birds Unlimited live cam. The female began incubating after laying her first egg March 9th, followed by the second egg last Wednesday, and the third last Saturday the 14th. You can see the female incubating inside, and there’s even a second camera that permits you to view the occasional action outside the extra-large nest box too.

Although the incubation period may not always be action-packed, it’s great fun to wait for moments of interaction between the owls. As we let the live cam run a while yesterday, the pair began calling and answering one another, which is always exciting. Although the male was out of sight, the incubating female rose up to “duet” for a few moments – sharing another wonderful sound of the wild.

Through the dedication of Jim Carpenter, Founder & CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited, the WBU Barred Owl Cam has introduced generations of people to Barred Owls in his wooded backyard over almost 20 years. You too can watch the entire nesting process as it happens at https://www.wbu.com/owl-cam/ Read more

As North American birds begin their spring migrations northward from wintering areas, stopping at traditional resting and feeding areas for periods of time as they make their way to nesting ranges, our interest in bird migration is piqued. As we see the first migrants appearing and as we anticipate the waves of migrants that will soon follow, let’s examine some simple information about bird migration, especially spring migration, and what triggers birds to make these impressive and dangerous journeys from wintering areas to nesting sites.

Migrating birds can be divided into two groups: obligate migrants and facultative migrants, although these are not black and white divisions – many birds migrate using some aspects of both obligate and facultative migration strategies – but the two definitions are helpful in understanding what triggers a species’ migration.

For obligate migrants, the timing of travel is dictated by instinct. They begin migrating at about the same time each year, regardless of weather. An unusually warm or cool season won’t make them suddenly decide to change their departure dates.

Facultative migrants are more tuned in to the conditions of the moment. They have a standard time period for their migration, but they might alter the timing by days or weeks if the season is warmer than usual, or colder with snow cover later than usual. In short, they are more flexible. Read more