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Cooper's Hawk captured in midst of five-year,17,500-mile odyssey between
Iowa and Mexico
Many raptors conduct amazing long-distance journeys during spring and autumn
migration, but on Oct. 7, ornithologists Jon Stravers and David Kester captured
a bird that is a true champion long-distance flier. Stravers and Kester found an
adult female Cooper's Hawk at their raptor banding station which is located on
private property just north of Effigy Mounds National Monument on a hillside
next to the Mississippi River. The hawk had been previously banded as a
second-year bird on Oct. 14, 2000, at a raptor banding station near the town of
Jalapa in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, about 54 kilometers northwest of the
city of Veracruz along the Gulf of Mexico. The distance between these two
banding stations is approximately 1,750 miles. "This is an amazing return since
most raptors die during their first year or life, perhaps as much as 70 percent,"
said Audubon's Stravers. "Since this bird was probably born in 1999, and we
assume it hatched and nested each spring some place north of our banding
station, this recovery represents a bird that had survived five migrations to
the tropics and back." This story has a personal note because Ernesto Ruelas,
the director of Pronatura - a conservation organization in Eastern Mexico -
banded this particular Cooper's Hawk. Ernesto and Stravers have been friends for
many years and upon receiving the information in late October of when, where and
by whom the hawk had been banded, Stravers became quite excited. "It's really
gotten us juiced up for our banding efforts here," said Stravers, who noted that
due to other commitments his energy for banding had waned a bit. Stravers said
that Dave Kester has been the one who has "really pushed" the banding efforts
here at the station north of Effigy Mounds. "This is one smart bird," said
Stravers about the intrepid Cooper's Hawk. "She is also in really good shape and
came in on the pigeon fast and hard. This [the capturing of the banded hawk] has
put some gas back into us." Because the hawk was captured on Oct. 7, relatively
late in the migration season, Stravers said that she probably came from quite a
ways farther north. Also, because she was first banded in the year 2000 by
Ernesto on Oct. 14, she may migrate far south of Veracruz, perhaps all the way
to the tropical climate of Costa Rica, Panama or even the Amazon rain forest.
Thus, the raptor may, in fact, travel far more than the 1,750 miles between
Effigy Mounds and Veracruz. The recent capture of the banded hawk, a relatively
rare event for Stravers, reunited him through a brief e-mail conversation with
Ernesto, whom Stravers had last seen nearly 10 years ago. Ernesto is pursuing
his PhD in Missouri and Stravers said that he may travel to Missouri for a visit
in the near future. Ernesto first came to the United States in 1989 and worked
with Stravers in the Goshute Mountains of Nevada at a raptor banding station
operated by Hawkwatch International. The Goshute site is one of the major raptor
migration sites in the Western United States, and it is situated on the eastern
edge of the salt flats that border Great Salt Lake. At this site, Ernesto
learned about raptor migration techniques including comparative count
procedures and raptor trapping and banding techniques. His English was not so
good; Jon's Spanish was even worse, but they managed to communicate and formed a
lasting friendship. At that time, Ernesto knew that a significant raptor
migration occurred during the autumn along the eastern coast of Mexico, but
prior to his experience in the United States, he did not have the experience nor
expertise to accurately document or describe the migration. While at the Goshute
site, where several individuals lived in tents in the wilderness, the seasoned
Stravers and the novice Ernesto each gained valuable experience while also
having a great time. "One time we caught 112 hawks in one day," said Stravers. "It
was nuts. We had hawks everywhere." They probably could have caught about 150
hawks, Stravers said, but they had to shut down twice in order to band, take
measurements and record information about all of the hawks they had on hand. In
contrast, Stravers noted that the capture of 15 hawks in one day here in the
Driftless Area would be quite huge. After his experience in the Goshutes,
Ernesto returned to Veracruz and began the process of setting up a raptor
migration project. He subsequently documented the main path of raptor migration
through this region. In the mid-90s, he reported that he and his co-workers had
observed over 2 million raptors migrating past his station in a single season,
which made this the largest number of raptors ever reported from any single
migration point anywhere in the world. Some raptor migration researchers in the
United States were skeptical at first, and a group of biologists traveled to
Veracruz to scrutinize Ernesto's work the following year. They subsequently
recorded an even higher count and reported that Ernesto and his co-workers had
indeed underestimated the amount the raptor migration. Because of Ernesto's work
in Veracruz, and the verification of the massive raptor migration point,
Stravers, some years later, was able to locate another huge migration point
along a large ridge in Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica visiting his daughter a
few years ago, Stravers used maps to determine a point where he thought hawks
would be flying to from Veracruz and other areas. After an arduous journey in
sweltering heat, the last 12 miles of which he walked while carrying a large
backpack, Stravers' efforts were rewarded when he looked up and saw a vast
amount of raptors flying in from every direction and spiraling overhead in huge "kettles"
at many different altitudes. Native Costa Ricans of that region, of course, have
always known about the migration point. Nevertheless, after Stravers made his "discovery"
known to the scientific community, a large raptor banding and counting station
was set up on the site. With the ongoing efforts to understand the mysteries of
migration, the current information derived from this year's Oct. 7 capture of "Ernesto's"
banded Cooper's Hawk near Effigy Mounds helps to enhance the connection between
the Mississippi River Flyway and the migration route between the United States
and the tropical rain forests. This banding return also provides some
interesting information on survival rates within raptor populations. Another
recovery has also proven helpful. Stravers and Kester have received information
on a Red-tailed Hawk that had been banded at their station in Northeast Iowa on
Sept. 22, 2003. The bird was recovered dead on Oct. 11, 2003, in Southeast
Missouri only a few miles away from the Mississippi River (just south of Cape
Girardeau, Missouri). The distance between these two points is approximately 430
miles. Background on the raptor banding station in Northeast Iowa The
distinctive features of the Driftless Area that make it so beautiful and
compelling high steep rock bluffs, deep valleys, forested slopes, and the
overall proximity to the Mississippi River are also the factors that
contribute to this region being prominent in the scheme of autumn raptor
migration. The rock bluffs deflect the winds and create favorable updrafts while
the pockets of thermally heated air rise out of the valleys during midday. These
favorable wind conditions actually help raptors do the work of migration. At the
same time, the north-south linear nature of the Mississippi River Valley creates
a favorable line that helps "lead" the birds during migration. The forested
slopes provide favorable resting and night roosting habitat for many migrating
birds. Consequently, the Driftless Area is prominent in raptor migration and
probably has been for eons. In the autumn of 1982, Jon Stravers established a
day-to-day monitoring of raptor migration through this region, and with the help
of the staff at Effigy Mounds, established a raptor banding station in the south
unit of Effigy. Since that initial effort, Stravers has moved the operation of
the banding station to the north unit of Effigy, and eventually to a hillside
just north of the National Monument. With the help of Dave Kester and other
volunteers, he has continued this effort to understand and document raptor
migration through this region. The migration monitoring during 2004 will
continue until mid-November.
2,860 voters pack the polls
Residents of Prairie du Chien take their civic duties very seriously. According
to city administrator Gary Koch, the city has generally higher voter
participation than the statewide average. And in a state like Wisconsin that
consistently has some of the highest voter participation rates in the nation,
that's saying something. Yesterday afternoon and evening, workers at the polls
confirmed that voter participation was up. Of the 3,300 registered voter in the
City of Prairie du Chien, 2,860 voted in yesterday's election. Voter traffic
varied throughout the day, but several city polling places reported lines
outside the doors that began before the 9 a.m. start time. Others said that
traffic increased during the after work hours. Steady traffic was seen
throughout the day. Election day is a long day for poll workers, but many return
to the job year after year. "It hasn't been a bad day," said Betty Cejka, a
worker that the Second Aldermanic District polls at the Prairie du Chien Museum.
This was her 13th year working at the polls. Her co-worker, Lavonne Laskoski,
said that she enjoyed meeting all of the new people in the neighborhood. All of
the poll workers were pleased to see the high voter turnout even though it meant
a long night for them. Poll workers at sixth aldermanic district polling station
at the United Methodist Church counted over 100 newly registered voters at their
station, and this was consistent with what other stations that reported many
newly registered and first time voters. About 498 people had voted there by 6:15
p.m., an hour and 45 minutes before the polls closed. "We'll be here until
midnight at least," sighed a poll attendant, considering the job ahead.
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson
addresses Republican faithful at local rally
State senate candidate Dan Kapanke, standing, introduces U.S. Sec.
of health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, seated center.
About 75 people, many families with their children in tow,
braved the sharp wind and persistent drizzle Saturday to attend a rally
for local Republican candidates headlined by U.S. Sec. of Health and
Human Services, and former Gov. Tommy Thompson. The rally was held in
one of the buildings at the Design Homes manufacturing facility on north
Marquette Rd., in Prairie du Chien. Randy Weeks, owner of Design Homes,
acted as host and emcee of the event. Attending the rally were the slate
of local Republican candidates for state and federal offices, including
Lee Nerison, Dan Kapanke and Dale Schultz. The rally had the air of a
family reunion, as nearly all of the people attending were local
activists in the Republican Party. Part of the purpose of the event was
to recognize the hard work and energize people who are involved in a
72-hour final drive to get out the vote. "We're in the ninth inning in
this election, and the candidates have done all they can do," said Dan
Kapanke. "The rest is up to you." Dale Schultz introduced Thompson to
the crowd. "Politics is about relationships, and southwest Wisconsin has
no better friend than Tommy Thompson," he said. Thompson, clearly at
ease and in familiar territory, took the microphone. He praised the
candidates on the stand with him and President Bush. Thompson emphasized
Bush's message of national security, and said that the President would
support the MILC compact that acts as a safety net for low dairy prices.
Thompson also had kind words for local Republican chairwoman Linda
Hanson. "She's a charmer, but a doer," said Thompson. In a brief
interview, Thompson also addressed questions about two issues that could
have a significant impact on the region: the availability of flu vaccine
and additional financial help for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance
Program (WHEAP). WHEAP helps low income families with heating bills.
With skyrocketing heating fuel costs this fall, more money for the
program will likely be needed. According to Thompson, his office is
taking steps to create solutions for both problems. The Dept. of Health
and Human Services has acquired 5.2 million doses of flu vaccine from a
German manufacturer. When the vaccine is approved by FDA, it will be
shipped to the U.S., said Thompson, in time for this flu season.
Thompson also said that he will be asking Congress for an additional
$18-19 billion for heating assistance nationally; if approved some of
those dollars would be avaialble to the WHEAP program. In Wisconsin in
2003, 27 percent of children are in families that are eligible for WHEAP
funding.
Local teacher attends exclusive NASA Institute
Dennis Lenzendorf visits the extremophiles lab at NASA's Ames
Research Center. From left Lenzendorf, Bob Roney, staff Yosemite
National Park and Dr. Lynn Rothchild, NASA microbiologist. Dennis
Lenzendorf and Wyalusing State Park ranger Scott Johnson saw an exhibit
of the Mercury space capsule that was used early space flight by
NASA.
Dennis Lenzendorf admits that he is a person who was not particularly
interested in space. As a biology teacher at Prairie du Chien High
School and a park ranger at Effigy Mounds National Monument, his
attachment to earthly things came, well, naturally. But after spending a
week at NASA's (National Aeronautic and Space Administration) Ames
Research Center in California, he says he has a new appreciation of
outer space, and Earth's relationship to it. Lenzendorf, a 33-year
veteran teacher, and Wyalusing State Park ranger Scott Johnson, were the
only Midwesterners selected to participate in the week-long Earth to Sky
Institute out of a group of only 28 people, mostly National Park Service
(NPS) personnel. The Institute was a pilot program to bring together NPS
people who are expert educators with NASA scientists to familiarize them
with some of NASA's activities in Earth and Space Science. In turn, the
NPS people shared their skills in educating the public with scientists
who are unfamiliar with the skills necessary in communicating and
sharing complex topics with others. The Ames Research Center located
south of San Francisco in the heart of the Silicon Valley technology
corridor. It is one of the most important of NASA's ten research
centers. Science developed at Ames has been used used in every space
mission. Lenzendorf was very impressed with the facility. "We has NASA's
top scientists working with us," he noted, still a little awed by the
experience. Participants stayed at a beautiful lodge on the grounds of
the research center, and attended free of charge. Security at the
facility was very tough, Lenzendorf said. Topics discussed in sessions
and during the tours of the facility included astrobiology,
extremophiles and global warming, among many others. Astrobiology, as
Dennis explains it, is the study of the very origins of life and the
definition of life. If we can understand it here on Earth, we can
understand it if we find it elsewhere in the Universe. Astrobiology
looks at the simplest forms of life, such as microbes. "We know a lot
about many other animals," said Lenzendorf, "But we know virtually
nothing about microbes." This is where the biologist in him gets
excited. Some of the most interesting microbes on Earth are now being
discovered in places where scientists used to believe life could not
exist, places such as hot springs at Yellowstone National Park, deep sea
thermal vents and even deep beneath the surface of the Earth's crust,
underground. If microbes participated in extreme sports, these critters
would be the champs. These microbes are called Œextremophiles' by NASA
scientists, because they can live in extremely hostile environments. "One
of the things I was surprised at, is how they're trying to understand
the Earth better through space," said Lenzendorf.
Extremophiles were discussed as part of a tour of a greenhouse at the
Ames Center were the scientists are growing microbial mats. The mats
contain thousands of different organisms that grow together forming a
thick mat with many layers which Lenzendorf likened to a jello salad.
Participants in the Institute were required to develop an educational
program as a result of what they learned at the Ames Center. Lenzendorf
chose the topic of climate change and the resulting changes in human
culture as his topic to develop into an interpretive program that he can
use at Effigy Mounds.
Lenzendorf knows how climate change affected the Native Americans who
lived here during the last 10,000 years. He noted how the warming after
the end of the last Ice Age led people to change their society from
nomadic hunters to the eventual development of agriculture and a complex
culture. "No scientist said that global warming is not happening. Some
believe that it is partly natural; but all of them believe that is
partly due to [human induced] CO2 emissions," said Lenzendorf. "Our
culture, our way of life could be significantly changed," he noted. He
also wants to tie in cultural traditions and Native American stories
about celestial events. As an example, he explained how a tremendous
meteor shower that occurred in 1833 remained in the stories and cultural
memory of Native Americans long after the event occurred. It is
intangible things, like stories, said Lenzendorf, that touch people's
emotions and help them feel connected to a place. Lenzendorf plans to
complete the research for his new interpretive program by Spring, 2005.
Attending the Earth to Sky Institute was an unforgettable experience for
Lenzendorf. "It was a tremendous learning environment," he said. "I was
fortunate to get to go." |
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