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November 3, 2004

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.

November 1, 2004
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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