Arizona Master Naturalist News Web Log ("Blog")

Native Plant Garden Competition 2008

Hello native plant lovers!
The Flagstaff Chapter of the Arizona Native Plant Society is thrilled to announce the 2008 Flagstaff Native Plant Garden Competition, back for another year by popular demand. Attached you will find the application- please read through and send in by July 1st. Application forms can also be found at Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed, Warners Nursery, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, both public libraries, and on our website, www.aznps.org The Arboretum plant sale is Saturday, June 21st, with local nurseries and Mountain Meadow Farm represented, so get your beds ready! Hopefully we are frost free now for at least a few months!

Gardens will be judged in July. The winners will be announced at our regular August speaker event, Tuesday, August 19th. A garden tour of the contestants, in conjunction with the Flagstaff Xeriscape Council, will take place on August 24th. Both events are free and open to the public, though we will be asking for donations this year as a fundraiser.

We are excited to see your gardens, and thank you for participating! Please announce this to others you think might be interested in entering.

If you click on "to continue reading" you will see the application form.

The Judging Committee,

Jessa Fisher
Elaine Ferris
Barb Phillips
Dorothy Lamm

The Flagstaff Chapter of
The Arizona Native Plant Society
Announces
The 2008 Native Plant Garden Competition

The following general guidelines will apply to judging of gardens in this competition:
• Gardens are to demonstrate how plants native to the Colorado Plateau can best be used in a garden setting. A majority of plants used should be native, with some adaptive plants permitted.
• Entries are to be located within the Greater-Flagstaff area.
• Gardeners will be classified as Professional or Non-Professional, with one winner and one runner-up in each category. Winners will receive garden plaques; runners-up will receive certificates.
• Entries may be an entire property or a portion of a property.
• Past winning entries may not be re-entered, but may be included in the Garden Tour.

The timing of the competitive process is as follows:
• Send the completed entry form below to the Arizona Native Plant Society (AZNPS), c/o Elaine Ferris at 5622 Velvet Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 by July 1, 2008.
• Gardens will be visited, photos taken, and entries judged between July 1 and July 31.
• After a slide show of photos of the entries, winners will be announced and awards presented at the Tuesday, August 19 regular monthly program of the AZNPS.
• An AZNPS Garden Tour to entries, with each gardener’s approval, will be held on Sunday, August 24.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL ELAINE AT 928- 527- 3702.
Visit the AZNPS website at www.aznps.org.

AZNPS Garden Competition Entry Form

Gardener’s name ________________ Gardener’s phone number ___________________

Garden’s address _______________ Gardener’s email address ___________________

Gardener’s category: Professional or Non-professional (Circle one, please.)

Note: Gardeners will be contacted to arrange a time for judging. Judges will want to hear about the planning and development of the garden, including the reasons for selection of particular plants.

Condor News Update 1 June 08

Condor enthusiasts--

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife service has recently come out with a California condor status report as of April 30, with the following numbers (likely higher by now since eggs hatch in May):

World Total: 315
CA: 78 plus 6 chicks=84
Baja: 13
Arizona/Utah: 64 not counting chicks (of which we suspect 3 as of May 10, and TWO other possible eggs still to hatch!)

Last update I said we had 63 wild condors in Arizona not counting chicks or youngsters awaiting their first release. I was wrong! Make that 64. On my May 3 chart I actually listed 65 wild condors, but it turns out condor #324/tag 24 had been trapped (again!) months ago for behavioral reasons, and is now awaiting release into the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge
in California. In the 64 wild condors, I include #250 who's still being treated at the Phoenix Zoo for a dislocated shoulder, and #327/tag A7 who is still being held on "time out" in the flight pen at Vermilion Cliffs.

On May 7, Eddie Feltes included the following fascinating tidbit in his "Notes from the Field" at www.peregrinefund.org:

"During this close monitoring, we also have reason to believe that a third
egg is currently being incubated by an unsuspected pair also deep in the
Grand Canyon, that of female Condor 234 and female Condor 280! Both birds
have been observed displaying to each other, and are now making regular
nest switches that always leave one bird sedentary for a few days until the
other bird returns, and then the pattern switches- indicating the switching
of egg incubation duties. Suspicions of this behavior have been further
solidified by placing a very reliable GPS transmitter on female Condor 280
that gives a fixed GPS location of the bird's travels every hour of
daylight. And with this particular unit functioning very reliably (like
clock-work), I thought it to be odd that once the bird traveled to the
possible nesting location and switched out Condor 234, the unit stopped
transmitting--indicating being inside a cave location identical to the
behavior of the other breeding condors that are wearing GPS transmitters.
With a handful of available, breeding-aged male condors in the area, a
situation like this is always possible, unlikely, but as we are seeing,
definitely possible. At the time of writing we have a crewmember
backpacking down in the canyon, searching for a cave location, to confirm
our suspicions of this odd pair."

The nest area has been identified as the Redwall layer (what's new?) below Buddha temple, but at least as of last week the actual cave had not yet been identified. A couple of park visitors actually photographed Condor 234/tag 4 apparently mating with Condor 280/tag 80 at Plateau Point on March 11. Condor 234 played the male role. Blood test results will confirm whether 234 is really a female (and incubating an egg fathered by another condor such as #187?) or whether the studbook is wrong.

So that brings us up to 2 suspected chicks and one suspected egg in the Canyon, plus one egg and one chick in the Vermilion Cliffs. It's looking like the biggest breeding year yet for Arizona! As of last week anyway, NONE of the five suspected eggs or chicks had been confirmed visually; this is all based on the behavior of the adults.

Regarding the death of six-year-old female 281 reported in my last update, Chris Parish of Peregrine Fund has clarified that several coins were the ONLY "trash" in her digestive system. The final necropsy results have not come out as far as I've heard, but the coins sure look suspect. When 11-year-old female 136 died early last May, she had one or two penny
fragments in her digestive tract, and the necropsy results, though inconclusive as to cause of death, did indicate high zinc levels. It appears that the same search for a calcium source that often leads vultures to ingest bone or shell fragments may have led these two breeding females
to ingest coins prior to probable egg laying. Condors in California have fed their chicks bottle caps and other pieces of metal, probably in the same effort to provide calcium for growing bones. All this brings to mind images of the many coins scattered around Mather Point, and the smaller number below Lookout Studio where condors spend so much time. Park staff are working on signage addressing the coin issue, and sorting out how to remove the coins already out there.

Until I know anything new....

Ms. Marker Marshall
Park Ranger--Interpretation
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
voice: (928) 638-7830
fax: (928) 638-7776

Astronomy Notes for June 08

The full moon is on Wednedsay, 18 June. The summer solstice occurs on the 20th, at 5pm AZ time ( 6 pm Navajo time). And 30 June is the 100th anniversary of the Tunguska Event, when a comet or asteroid exploded in the sky over the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in Russia, laying flat around 80 million trees.

Comets:
One comet might possibly be bright enough to see in binoculars: Comet 6P/d'Arrest was officially discovered (by the German Heinrich d'Arrest) in 1851, although it turns out it was recorded in 1678 by Phillippe La Hire. A visible object in 1976, in 2008 it will pass by us at about 1/3 the distance from Earth to the Sun. It is expected to reach between magnitude 8 and 9 in June, but it may reach as much as magnitude 7 by late August.

Near Earth Objects:
No hazardous objects are known in the vicinity of Earth this June. The closest is a meteor/asteroid about 9m, or 20ft, across that passed 3.3 times the distance to the moon on the 3rd of the month.

Meteors:
7 June, Saturday, the Arietids are at peak. Active throughout the month, this is one of several showers occuring at this time, making June a generally good month for meteor watching.
15 June, Sunday, the June Lyrids would peak if they hadn't sort of disappeared. Last observed in 1996, but, you never know...
27 June, Friday, the June Bootids may or may not peak, or even occur. Their source is the comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, which changed its orbit over the last century and no longer crosses the earth's orbit.

Sun and Moon
The Sun has no sunspots at this time. We remain in the trough of the Solar Cycle. I've already mentioned the solstice.

Mercury starts the month in front of the Sun (called "inferior conjunction"). At the June, it will be rising in the morning sky an hour before the Sun.
Venus starts the month in "superior conjunction" (behind the Sun) and won't be visible until July.
Mars, and Saturn are in the evening skies, with Saturn about 5 degrees higher (or East). Jupiter is rising in the eastern sky after sunset. Along with Mars and Saturn, it is nice and bright this month.
Pluto is technically observable with a good 8 inch telescope and a skilled user who has dark skies.

The data and information above is taken mostly from Astronomical Calendar edited by Guy Otwell. Fred Schaaf and Steve Albers produced many of the observations. Alastair McBeath provided the meteor data. Alan Hale provided the comet data. Clifford Cunningham contributed to the NEO data. Some comes from the Space Weather.com website, and some comes from personal logs and observations.

Condor News Update 4 May 08

Condor Enthusiasts - Sorry it's been so long! I've wanted to send out the revised condor chart
with this update, and it's finally ready.

We are currently at 63 wild condors in Arizona/Utah. (That includes one bird, #327/tag A7, currently on "time out" in the flight pen at Vermilion Cliffs after sitting unconcerned right next to the busy South Kaibab trail a few weeks ago. Also #250/tag 50, who is currently at the Phoenix Zoo being treated for a dislocated wing.) The number went from 61 to 65 with
the release of 4 juveniles from Vermilion Cliffs on March 15. Since then, male 282, having been recaptured twice for approaching people, has been transferred to California for a fresh start there. Then on April 23, 6-year-old female 281 was found dead at the release site. Sadly, she'd nested unsuccessfully with 162 this spring and might have become a mother in the next few

years. No necropsy results yet, but she had some trash including coins in her digestive tract which may be related.

Breeding is going well! Study of the birds' behavior along with perusal of the calendar (58 days from lay date when incubation began) leads the biologists to suspect that we have two chicks below the South Rim (neither visible from the Rim unfortunately), and two eggs in the Vermilion Cliffs!
Specifically:
--Male 123 (tag 23) & female 127 (tag 27) are nesting in their old cave in the Redwall in Salt Creek drainage (between Hopi & Mohave Points), where they've successfully raised chick 305 (who later died) in 2003 and #392 in 2005. Eddie reports they are "showing signs of tending to a chick that should have hatched on 15-April."
--Male 187 (tag 87) and female 133 (tag 33) are new breeders in a cave way down in the Redwall below Grandeur Point (just west of Yavapai Point). They are acting consistent with the hatching of a chick on or about April 21.
--Male 158 (no tag, seen sometimes at the South Rim) and female 195 (tag 95) are incubating an egg in a cave near the release site in the Vermilion Cliffs It's due to hatch May 10 if all goes well.
--Male 114 (no tag, and rarely seen at the South Rim) and female 126 (tag 26), after breakage of their first egg this year, laid again in their usual cave in the Vermilion Cliffs on April 25 and are incubating. This egg should hatch 58 days later if all goes well--something like June 23.

Last year's two chicks were both captured, tagged & blood-tested, and immediately re-released, on April 21 & 22. Both seem unphased and have been back to the release (and capture!) site since. In fact both seem to be independent of their parents already and are mingling with the flock, though they may occasionally still beg from and get fed by a parent. The Tapeats Creek chick, #441, is currently wearing blank black tags since his or her capture came up rather suddenly, but they'll soon be replaced by tags marked F1. The Vermilion Cliffs chick, #459, got tag number 59.

Eddie Feltes expects to have his Notes From the Field column at www.peregrinefund.org updated within the next few days, so look for more details there.

The latest overall population numbers I have from the US Fish & Wildlife service are from March 31. Eggs have no doubt hatched since then, plus we've had a mortality here, but at least as of March 31 the numbers were: 299 total, 80 in California (counting 5 in temporary captivity and one wild Southern California chick), and 14 in Baja (counting 7 in temporary captivity). Besides the one chick, there were 6 other eggs being incubated in California as of March 31.

Condors are being seen regularly around the South Rim and are showing up most days for the Condor Talks at Lookout Studio at 4:00 p.m., so enjoy!
(Note that there are no Condor Talks May 6-8 during our Spring Training.)

Ms. Marker Marshall
Park Ranger--Interpretation
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
voice: (928) 638-7830
fax: (928) 638-7776

Astronomy Notes for May 2008

Late again! And I apologize again. But it's not like the information from the month before expires at the end of the month. Comets continue growing brighter or dimmer, and so do the planets, as they are wont to do. But here are the updates plus whatever is new or unique to this May.

Comets:
There are 2 or 3 comets visible to small telescopes in the May skies, around 10-12th magnitude. Those of you with such scopes probably have better sources for coordinates.
Near Earth Objects:
NASA is tracking 5 potentially hazardous objects right now. The closest will be 2008HR3, which should pass by at 3.1 times the distance between the Earth and Moon on 11 May. It is about 50 meters across.
Meteors:
Monday night, 5 May, y'gotcher eta Aquarids. little bits of Halley's Comet, peaking at perhaps

70 meteors per hour as Earth passes through one part of the comet's orbit. (We will pass through another part, causing the Orionids, in October.) There will be a new moon, which is good, but the apparent source, Aquarius, from which the meteors appear to radiate, only rises in the morning about 2 hours before dawn, so the observed numbers may be lower, or you may only catch parts of the trails that will appear to be moving east to west.
Thursday, 8 May is the peak of the eta Lyrids. This is a newly listed shower, predicted from comet theory and some imaging information ( it is derived from comet C/1983 H1 IRAS-Araki-Alcock ). So, be the first on your block! But even the peak date is a guestimate.
Sun and Moon:
A pair of twin sunspots have emerged from behind the sun. They are "tiny" (the dark center of each is about the size of Earth...) but they signal the start of the next "Sunspot Cycle", Cycle 24, which should reach the next "solar max" in 2010 or 2012, bringing increased solar flares, electromagnetic storms, and auroras in the southwest.
Mercury is the big story this month. It is bright in the evening sky, about "even" in the sky with the belt of Orion. It is close to, and higher than, the Pleiades.
Venus is too close to the sun to see.
Mars is about halfway up the western sky at sunset, and smallish. But, on 22-24 May, it will pass right in front of the Beehive Nebula, which will be a very nifty sight in binoculars or telescopes.
Jupiter rises very late (or very early, take your pick) in the eastern sky this month. It begins retrograde on 9 May.
Saturn is very high in the southwestern half of the sky, higher than Mars, in Leo, next to the star Regulus. It happens to halt its retrograde motion on 3 May, and begins to slowly pull away from Regulus. Because Saturn is at a right angle to the sun as seen from Earth, and the rings are also at an angle, it looks very 3-D this month, even though it is not too bright.

The data and information above is taken mostly from Astronomical Calendar edited by Guy Otwell. Fred Schaaf and Steve Albers produced many of the observations. Alastair McBeath provided the meteor data. Alan Hale provided the comet data. Clifford Cunningham contributed to the NEO data. Some comes from the Space Weather.com website, and some comes from personal logs and observations.

Astronomy Notes for April 2008

This month is an even quieter month for casual viewng than March.

Comets:
There are 4 or 5 comets in the southern skies that are potentially visible: 29P/Schwassman-Wachmann-1 is in Gemini, just above the upward-stretched arm of Orion. It is not showing anything right now, but could burst out any time through the end of May. P/Tuttle has been spectacular for months-yet, as I have written here before, no one seems to pay it any heed whatsever. It has faded to near the limit of naked eye visibility, but dips below the horizon this month. 26P/Skjellerup is in Sagittarius in April, with its tail streaming toward the Milky Way. Like all the others, it may be near the limit of visibility, but may brighten suddently. 46P/Wirtanen is high in the sky in Auriga, straight up from Orion and Taurus. It is dimming from its peak at the end of 2007. 6P/d'Arrest should become visible soon, peaking in mid-July. It is located about one "wingspan" west of Aquila, as you face south. Another half dozen or so named comets are in our skies, but are not expected to become visible, if at all, until much later this year.
Near Earth Objects:
There are none expected to come anywhere close to Earth. Just like last month, the closest should be over 6 times further than the orbit of the Moon.
Meteors:
The Lyrids peak on 22 April, but are swamped by an almost full moon. Too bad, because Lyrids tend to leave long persistent trails.
The pi Puppids are derived from comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup. Peaking on 23 April, they are slow and bright. But they radiate from a point far south and again, there will be moonlight interference.
Sun and Moon:
Except for sunspot 988 that disappeared April 4, there has been almost no sunspot activity for three or four months, as we remain at the bottom of the approximately eleven year solar activity cycle. A modest solar wind has excited the auroral zone to expand slightly southward; the southern limits reaching to northernmost Utah.
Planets:
Mercury is bright in the evening sky, appearing out of the glare about half an hour after sunset.
Venus is soon to be lost in the morning sun as it passes behind on the farside.
Mars is high in the SW evening sky. Mars is about a quarter-circle behind Earth on the orbital racetrack. As a result, we see Mars only about 90% full.
Jupiter is low in the SSE at dawn. It is also not quite a full disc.

I apologize for being late again, but it takes some time to go through all the references.
The data and information above is taken mostly from Astronomical Calendar edited by Guy Otwell. Fred Schaaf and Steve Albers produced many of the observations. Alastair McBeath provided the meteor data. Alan Hale provided the comet data. Clifford Cunningham contributed to the NEO data. Some comes from the Space Weather.com website, and some comes from personal logs and observations.

Astronomy Notes for March 2008

This is a relatively quiet viewing month, but there are still bright objects visible, and we will tell you what they are.

Comets:
There is one comet expected in March that might be visible, 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup. This is the most favorable "return" in many years. It has a tendency to brighten just as it reaches closest to the sun, so it will probably be visible to the casual observer around mid-month. Later in the month, it will still be near this point and also closest to Earth. If it brightens at all, it may remain visible for a few more weeks into April.
Near Earth Objects:
There are none expected to come anywhere close to Earth. The closest should be over 6 times further than the orbit of the Moon.
Meteors:
Just one meteor shower is listed, the Gamma Normids, a modest shower radiating from the southern hemisphere and peaking sporadically between 10-17 March.
Sun and Moon:
Except for a single sunspot at the beginning of February, there has been no sunspot activity for two or three months, as we remain at the bottom of the approximately eleven year solar activity cycle.
Issues about time and date are Sun and Moon related. The 9th of March, the second Sunday, observers of Daylight Savings move their clocks one hour forward. In Arizona, this includes the Navajo Nation. In Europe, clocks move forward on the last Sunday of the month. So, for daylight savings observers, two thirds of the year now has noon and midnight occur one hour before the middle of the day and night...
Spring or Vernal Equinox is at 10:48 Arizona time (11:48 Navajo Time) on 20 March, the point where the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, or in other words, when neither the southern or northern hemisphere are pointed toward the Sun. Note that this is not 21 March, which the western Roman Orthodoxy regards as the first day of spring. So lets talk about Easter for a moment. This year's Easter is scheduled for 23 March. This is an unusually early date for Easter. The definition for Easter Sunday is the Sunday after the full moon that is on or after the day of the vernal equinox. But the church equates that to 21 March. Astronomically, this can be 19, 20, or 21 March. The church definition makes it simpler, but Easter Sunday can still range from 22 March through 25 April, using their formula. The next date for a 22 March Easter is 2285, so this year's Easter is about as early as it can get for us. This year, the full moon occurs on Friday, 21 March, which is on-or-after the equinox.
Planets:
Mars is visible almost straight up at sunset. Saturn is east of Mars at this time, and remains visible almost all night long. Mars is fading and is not fully illuminated. Saturn also dims a little in March.
Venus and Mercury buzz around each other like carpenter bees near dawn this month. They will appear about 45 minutes before dawn, only 2 or 3 degrees apart. Neptune is also right there, but faint and lost in the Sun's growing light. Uranus will join these three near the end of the month, but by then, it looks like all of these will be below the horizon at dawn, as the sky proceeds through the celestial year.

I apologize for being late again, but it takes some time to go through all the references.
The data and information above is taken mostly from Astronomical Calendar edited by Guy Otwell. Fred Schaaf and Steve Albers produced many of the observations. Alastair McBeath provided the meteor data. Alan Hale provided the comet data. Clifford Cunningham contributed to the NEO data. Some comes from the Space Weather.com website, and some comes from personal logs and observations.

Arizona's Endangered Condor Flock to Grow

Once a year, people get a rare opportunity in Arizona that very few other places offer: to witness the release into the wild of endangered California condors. The public is invited to attend this year's event on Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m. when four condors will be released at the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

To view the condor release, drive north on Highway 89 out of Flagstaff. Turn left (west) onto Highway 89A toward Jacob Lake and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Drive about 40 miles past Marble Canyon until you turn right onto House Rock Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). Travel about three miles to a shaded viewing area on the right. On top of the cliffs to your east will be the location where the condors are released. The release site is approximately one mile from the viewing point. Several spotting scopes will be available to the public, although participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars or spotting scopes for better viewing.

Grand Canyon Ranger Pat Brown made this summary report on 24 Feb 08:
"I finally have something to report on the California condors. Winter may be a quiet time for us concerning condors, but it is not for the folks who work with these birds. I have divided the update into two sections; one for Arizona and the other for California."

Arizona

The field crew has been working fifteen hour days to test and treat condors for lead poisoning. Although a large portion of the population has been treated, there is good news. Not one

condor has died this past fall or winter. They all made it through the toughest part of the year: hunting season.

Better news, however, is that it is time to find a mate. Condors are beginning to pair up. If you would like to follow the soap opera, please follow the link to the Peregrine Fund's Notes from the Field. Last but not least condor #459, the Vermilion Cliffs chick, has flown to the release site for the first time a little over a week ago. Until then the chick had a convenient nest cave location with ledges and pinnacles nearby plus the parents were bringing in food so there was no reason to fly anywhere.

The Peregrine Fund will be releasing four never before released condors on March 15.

California

The condors in Southern California already have one egg laid in the wild this year. It was probably laid in January. One egg has been laid in the captive population.

The four remaining 2007 wild fledged chicks are all females. This brings the total wild fledged condors in California to six. One fledged in 2004 and one in 2006, but I am not sure that they are all flying in the wild.

It looks like the condor reintroduction program in California is beginning to have some success. Let us hope that this year will be the best yet for the entire reintroduction program.

Annual bald eagle workshop set for Flagstaff

Have you ever wondered where eagles go during the winter? Have you ever seen a bald eagle? Learn more about bald eagles and see them in their natural environment at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Annual Bald Eagle Workshop in Flagstaff on Saturday, Feb. 23.
The free workshop will be divided into two sessions; each one will include a lecture followed by a field trip to observe eagles. The first session will begin at 9 a.m. and the second session at 11 a.m. The lectures will be held at the Arizona Game and Fish Department office located at 3500 S. Lake Mary Rd.

Guest speaker James Driscoll, raptor management coordinator for Arizona Game and Fish Department, will talk about wintering bald eagles, Arizona's resident eagle population and eagle identification. "This workshop has always been a big success here in Flagstaff, and we expect a great turnout again this year," says Arizona Game and Fish Public Information Officer Shelly Shepherd. "It is great to see so many people interested in wildlife in northern Arizona."

Anyone interested in attending will need to register with the Arizona Game and Fish Flagstaff office by calling (928) 774-5045 by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22. Participants are reminded to dress appropriately, bring binoculars, bird field guidebooks, snacks and water.

Desert Bald Eagle Breeding Activity Jan 2008

The Arizona Game and Fish Department winter count survey showed six bald eagle pairs incubating eggs, with an additional 23 pairs demonstrating breeding behaviors, including repairing nests and defending territories. It is expected that these 23 pairs will lay eggs soon. In total, biologists expect as many as 45 pairs of bald eagles to breed in Arizona this year.

"Game and Fish's early monitoring shows a promising level of breeding activity for the bald eagles, so we are encouraged," says Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. "Even so, we will continue to closely monitor the nests to help prevent any failed breeding attempts."

Bald eagles are sensitive to human activity during the breeding season. It can take only 30 minutes for a breeding attempt to fail if a bald eagle leaves the eggs unattended.

Outdoor recreationists are asked to help protect important breeding areas by honoring the closure of 16 areas across the state. Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas from December through the spring to protect the state's 48 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located near popular recreation sites. For a list of closure areas, visit www.azgfd.gov.

Game and Fish biologists are also busy protecting bald eagle breeding efforts following the recent rainstorms. Nests are being monitored as water levels rise, possibly jeopardizing bald eagle eggs. Biologists are prepared to remove eggs from any nest that is in danger of flooding. The eggs would be incubated and hatched at Liberty Wildlife, a local rehabilitation center.

Ft Valley Experimental Forest Centennial Celebration

Save the Date! 7-9 August 2008. The USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) is Celebrating Fort Valley Experimental Forest’s Century of Research, 1908-2008. The Conference will be held August 7-9, 2008 in Flagstaff, Arizona at the High Country Conference Center on the Northern Arizona University campus, and at the Experimental Forest. The purpose of this conference is to highlight the many important, significant aspects of Fort Valley’s research over the past 100 years. Join the celebration. The 3 day agenda includes:

-- A conference full of papers on Ft Valley research,
-- Historical on-site tours,
-- Visits to reasearch sites,
-- 1st day mixer with Fiddlin 'Foresters,
-- Dutch oven cookout.

All links to conference registration, lodging, schedule, list of invited speakers, field trips, posters, etc. can be found here at the special Centennial Celebration web page.

The Ft Valley Experimental Forest was founded on a rainy August day in 1908, the first such site in the US. The Rocky Mountain Research Station now manages 14 experimental forests in the western US.
For more information about the Ft Valley Experimental Forest, see its own dedicated web pages, including a fascinating photographic archive, or image database, other historic publications, and a live webcam out at the forest location.

Arizona Archeology Awareness Month - March

(Phoenix, AZ - February 1, 2008) -- For the entire month of March 2008, the Arizona State Parks and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) are coordinating activities throughout the state for its annual celebration of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month.
For a detailed listing of the events in Northern Arizona, just click on "continue reading: Arizona Archeology Awareness Month" below.

For a detailed listing of all the events throughout the state for the 2008 Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (see complete listing below), call (602) 542-4174 or visit www.azstateparks.com.

NORTHERN ARIZONA EVENTS SCHEDULE BY LOCATION, AND DATE:
^^ Wheelchair accessible
* Suitable for children

CORDES JUNCTION
MARCH 8: (8:30 am)
Interpretive Hike: Richinbar Pueblo. Sponsored by the BLM, Agua Fria National Monument. Reservations required - tour is limited to 25 people. Meet 45 miles north of Phoenix on I-17, at the windmill east of interstate and approximately one mile north of Sunset Rest area. Bring water, lunch, hiking shoes, and sunscreen. High clearance vehicle required and includes a rough hike over rocky ground. Tour may be postponed in the event of bad weather. CONTACT: REM HAWES, (623) 580-5532 or rem_hawes@blm.gov.

CAMP VERDE AREA
WEDNESDAYS IN MARCH: (11 am)
Brown Bag Lunch Talks: Learn about the area's history, prehistory, and other cultural aspects from local experts. Sponsored by the NPS. Montezuma Castle National Monument, 2800 Montezuma Castle Road, Camp Verde. Talks will occur in the Interpretive Circle. CONTACT: PAUL OLLIG, (928) 567-3322 ext 30, Paul_Ollig@nps.gov.

MARCH 8: (7 - 9:30 pm)
· Evening Program: "Who's Afraid of the Dark: Dark Skies at Montezuma Well." Join a Park Ranger for an evening astronomy program and explore the night skies of the Verde Valley where ancient Sinagua lived. Sponsored by NPS. Please bring flashlights and meet at the Picnic area. Montezuma Well National Monument, 5505 Beaver Creek Road, Rimrock. Take exit 293 off I-17; go east on Beaver Creek Rd 4 miles to park entrance. CONTACT: Paul Ollig, (928) 567-3322 ext 30.

March 15: (10 am - 4 pm)
* Indigenous Skills Demonstrations. Join local experts as they demonstrate many traditional skills of the ancient people of the Verde Valley. Demos include rope-making, weaving, fire-starting, and pottery manufacture. Montezuma Castle National Monument, 2800 Montezuma Castle Road, Camp Verde. CONTACT: PAUL OLLIG, (928) 567-3322 ext 30, Paul_Ollig@nps.gov.

MARCH 22: (7 - 10 pm)
^^* Moonlight Walk at Montezuma Castle. Led by Park Archaeologist, Paul Ollig. Sponsored by NPS. Please bring flashlights. Gate opens at 7 pm; moonrise is at 7:55 pm and gate closes at 10 pm. Montezuma Castle National Monument, 2800 Montezuma Castle Road, Camp Verde. CONTACT: REX VANDERFORD, (928) 567-4521.

MARCH 28: (10 am)
* Walk with an Archaeologist. Join the Park Archaeologist to learn the hidden details of what science can tell us about the lives of the ancient Sinagua. Walk will take place at Montezuma Well. Sponsored by NPS Tuzigoot National Monument, 25 W. Tuzigoot Road, Clarkdale. CONTACT: PAUL OLLIG, (928) 567-3322 ext 30, Paul_Ollig@nps.gov.

MARCH 28: (2 pm)
* Walk with an Archaeologist. Join the Park Archaeologist to learn the hidden details of what science can tell us about the lives of the ancient Sinagua. Walk will take place at Tuzigoot National Monument. Sponsored by NPS Tuzigoot National Monument, 25 W. Tuzigoot Road, Clarkdale. CONTACT: PAUL OLLIG, (928) 567-3322 ext 30, Paul_Ollig@nps.gov.

MARCH 30: (11am -12 pm)
*^^Slide Presentation: "A History of Mining in the Verde Valley." Learn about the historic use of minerals from salt to copper, as well as other natural resources; hands on display of minerals available after the talk. Sponsored by the NPS. Tuzigoot National Monument Museum, 25 W. Tuzigoot Road, Clarkdale. CONTACT: PAUL OLLIG, (928) 567-3322 ext 30, Paul_Ollig@nps.gov.

FLAGSTAFF AREA
SATURDAYS IN MARCH: (call for times)
* Discovery Hikes: Wupatki National Monument. (Ages 10 and over.) A different discovery route will be explored each Saturday. Reservations are required. Hike is 2-3 miles long and lasts for 2-3 hours. Bring water and wear hiking boots. From Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 12 miles, turn right at sign for Sunset Crater Volcano - Wupatki National Monuments. Meet at the Visitor Center (21 miles from this junction). CONTACT: MARY BLASING, (928) 679-2365, or Mary_Blasing@nps.gov.

MARCH 9: (12 - 4 pm)
^^* Cultural Heritage Demonstrations. Visit with artists, weavers, basketmakers, Kachina carvers and silversmiths at the Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center. From Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 12 miles, turn right at sign for Sunset Crater Volcano - Wupatki National Monuments. Visitor Center (21 miles from this junction). CONTACT: MARY BLASING, (928) 679-2365, or Mary_Blasing@nps.gov.

MARCH 8 & 9: (10 am and 2 pm)
^^ Walking Tours: Camp Navajo's Indian Village and POW Camp. Sponsored by Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. Archaeologists will lead tours that will give participants the chance to experience two very important and unique historic sites through archaeological investigations, archival research, and oral histories. Meet John Westerlund, author of "Arizona's War Town." Reservations required; call for directions. Meet at the Security Building on Camp Navajo. CONTACT: DAVID LARSEN, (602) 267-2740, or david.larsen@azdema.gov

MARCH 16: (9 am)
* Auto/Hiking Tour: Crack in Rock Ruin. Limited to 25 people (over age 10); reservations are required. This is a 4-wheel drive vehicle tour, but some hiking is involved. An all day event; bring lunch, water, hiking boots. Carpooling may be possible. Meet at Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center. From Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 12 miles, then turn right at sign for Sunset Crater Volcano - Wupatki National Monuments. The Visitor Center is 21 miles from this junction. CONTACT: MARY BLASING, (928) 679-2365, or Mary_Blasing@nps.gov.

FREDONIA
MONTH OF MARCH: (call for dates and times) Archaeology Programs: Sponsored by the Kaibab National Forest. Call for more information. CONTACT: CONNIE REID, (928) 643-8165.

MARCH 15: (10 am)
*Hike: West Bench Pueblo and Condor Release Site. Sponsored by Arizona Strip District BLM and the Kaibab-Vermilion Cliffs Heritage Alliance. Tour a Virgin Anasazi Pueblo on the western edge of Paria Plateau. On the way, stop to view the California condor release site and other sites of interest. Meet in House Rock Valley at junction of Highway 89A and BLM Route 1065 about 13 miles east of Jacob Lake, AZ. Be prepared for a 10 mile drive and 1/3 mile hike. Bring hiking shoes, water, hat and sunscreen. CONTACT: DIANA HAWKS, (435) 688-3266 or Diana_Hawks@blm.gov.

MARCH 22: (2 - 3 pm)
^^* Lecture: "Where A Soul May Speak Aloud: Sharlot Hall on the Arizona Strip." Sponsored by Kaibab-Vermilion Heritage Alliance. Meet at the school Media Center, 222 N. 200 East, Fredonia. Just off Highway 89. CONTACT: ROSE HOUK, (928) 779-2962 or mpcreh@msn.com.

JEROME
MARCH 13: ( 3 PM)
^^* Lecture: "Route 66 Across Arizona," by Richard & Sherry Mangum. Sponsored by the Jerome State Historic Park. This presentation takes you on a nostalgic trip through Arizona examining the history of the "Mother Road." Jerome State Historic Park, 100 Douglas Road, Jerome. Regular Park fees apply. CONTACT: NORA GRAF, (928) 634-5381.

SEDONA AREA
MARCH 2: (10 am - 2 pm)
^^* Prehistoric Culture Demonstrations. Learn about prehistoric technology: fire-starting techniques at 10 am; weaving sandals at 11:30 am; atlatl and dart throwing at 1 pm. Sponsored by Red Rock State Park, Visitor Center Theatre, located 5 miles southwest of Sedona at 4050 Lower Red Rock Loop Road. Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited to 50 people. CONTACT: PAM LANE, (928) 282-6907 or plane@azstateparks.gov.

MARCH 8: (2 pm)
^^* Archaeology Hike: Learn about the prehistoric Sinagua Indians who inhabited the Sedona and Verde Valley over 1000 years ago. Meet in the theater for orientation before the hike. Sponsored by Red Rock State Park, Visitor Center Theatre, located 5 miles southwest of Sedona at 4050 Lower Red Rock Loop Road. CONTACT: PAM LANE, (928) 282-6907 or plane@azstateparks.gov.

MARCH 16: (2 pm)
^^* Presentation: Ancient Trails. Learn about the archaeology of Sycamore Canyon and the study of aboriginal trails through Central Arizona. Sponsored by Red Rock State Park, Visitor Center Theatre, located 5 miles southwest of Sedona at 4050 Lower Red Rock Loop Road. CONTACT: PAM LANE, (928) 282-6907 or plane@azstateparks.gov.

MARCH 30: (2 pm)
^^* Archaeoastronomy Presentation: "How Astronomy and Science Helped Create the Ancestral Puebloan World," by Bryan Bates. Learn about current research into the astronomical world of the ancestral Puebloan people from Chaco Canyon, Wupatki National Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park. Program is sponsored by Benefactors of Red Rock State Park. Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited. Red Rock State Park, Visitor Center Theatre, located 5 miles southwest of Sedona at 4050 Lower Red Rock Loop Road. CONTACT: PAM LANE, (928) 282-6907 or plane@azstateparks.gov.

SPRINGERVILLE
THROUGHOUT MARCH: (call for times)
^^* Tours and Displays: Casa Malpais Museum. Displays of prehistoric ceramics from the site of Casa Malpais. Casa Malpais Museum, 318 East Main Street, Springerville. CONTACT: LINDA MATTHEWS, (928) 333-5375.

MARCH 17: (7 pm)
^^* Lecture: "Current Research at Casa Malpais," by Doug Gann, Archaeologist, Center for Desert Archaeology. Casa Malpais Museum, 318 East Main Street, Springerville. CONTACT: LINDA MATTHEWS, (928) 333-5375.

WILLIAMS AREA
MARCH 5, 12, 19, 26: (7 pm)
Archaeology Presentations: "The Prehistory and History of the Williams Area," by Neil Weintraub, Archaeologist. Sponsored by the Kiabab National Forest. Williams District Ranger Office - call for directions. CONTACT: NEIL WEINTRAUB, (928) 635-5647.

MARCH 8, 15, 22, and 29: (2 pm)
Interpretive Hike: Petroglyphs at Keyhole Sink. Sponsored by the Kaibab National Forest. Meet at the Oak Hill Snowplay area off Route 66 west of Parks, Arizona. Call for directions and meeting place. CONTACT: NEIL WEINTRAUB, (928) 635-5647.

WINSLOW
SATURDAYS IN MARCH: (10 am)
^^* Tour: Interpretive Walk at Homolovi II Pueblo Ruins. Homolovi Ruins State Park protects and interprets Anasazi ruins dating from A.D. 1250-1400. Park Rangers will lead tours of Homolovi II, the largest of the sites, weather permitting. Meet at the Visitor Center and wear comfortable shoes. Homolovi Ruins State Park Visitors Center, 1.4 miles north of Interstate 40 Exit 257, State Route 87 North. CONTACT: KAREN BERGGREN, (928) 289-4106.

MARCH 20: (7 pm)
^^* Lecture: Archaeology (specific topic and speaker to be announced). Sponsored by AAS - Homolovi Chapter and Homolovi Ruins State Park. Homolovi Ruins State Park Visitors Center, 1.4 miles north of Interstate 40 Exit 257, State Route 87 North. CONTACT: KAREN BERGGREN, (928) 289-4106.

MARCH 28: (9 am)
* Tour: Talastima Wilderness and Taawa Petroglyph Area. Tour of cultural and archaeological resources of the Hopi Tribe in Blue Canyon along Moenkopi Wash and of Hopi petroglyph panels along Sandstone Mesa. Hiking shoes, water, and sack lunch. Please RSVP. Will depart from the Hopi Tribal Government Complex in Kykotsmovi. CONTACT: MICAH LOMAOMVAYA, (928) 734-3617 or MLomaomvaya@hopi.nsn.us by March 21.

MARCH 20: (7 - 8 pm)
* Lecture: "Hopi Ancestors Presentation." Multimedia presentations by the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office Archaeology and Ethnohistory Program on Hopi Ancestors, lifeways and former villages across the American Southwest. A discussion on how archaeology and development impact the role of descendant people and their ancestral heritage. Hopi Tribal Government Complex, P.O. Box 123 Hunahne Building, Kykotsmovi. CONTACT: MICAH LOMAOMVAYA, (928) 734-3617 or MLomaomvaya@hopi.nsn.us by March 21.

Astronomy Notes for February 2008

This is another month of good observing like January. In particular, the first week of the month will have some very pretty dawn skies. A good lunar eclipse happens 20 Feb. Read on:
Comets
See last month's notes.
NEOs
Well, TU 24 passed us by at a distance and aspect that was little different than predicted by simple Keplerian two-body calculus. (In other words, local gravity of the moon or earth didn't affect it's solar orbit enough to pull it closer to us.) There are 3 potentially hazardous asteroids passing by in February, but none is closer than about 15 times the distance to the moon. The biggest, 4450 PAN, is about 1.6 kilometers (about a mile) across and should pass by at 16 times the distance to the moon.
Meteors
This is always a weak month for meteors, with the lowest rate for random meteors and only one modest shower, the Alpha Centaurids. This shower should peak on 8 Feb, radiating from the Centauris constellation below the horizon and zipping south to north. The max rate ranges from less than 5 to more than 25 per hour, but this shower is expected to be closer to the former in 2008.
Sun and Moon
After many months of extraordinary quiet, there is a single sun spot crossing the face of the Sun.
Full moon and the last total lunar eclipse until 2010 occurs on 20 Feb. The eclipse will begin as the moon enters the faint outer portion-the penumbra-at 5:35pm in Arizona. It will enter the dark umbral center at 6:43pm Arizona time. Total eclipse will occur from 8:01 until 8:52pm. The last of the eclipse will end at 11:17pm.
Planets
Venus and Jupiter are smack dab next to each other in the pre-dawn morning at the beginning of the month. Mercury zooms past the Sun and climbs toward Venus, and the two planets actually pass each other at the end of the month, appearing about one hour before dawn. Mars is still high in the sky, but shrinking and dimming through the month.
Saturn is in the eastern sky at nightfall all month, best viewed later in the evening, when it has had a chance to rise higher. The globe and rings are a good target for small telescopes.
On 3 February, the tight pair Venus and Jupiter will form one base angle of an equilateral triangle, and the new moon will form the other base angle. Transneptunian asteroid Pluto will form the top angle. This will only give you a place to look. Pluto will be 1000 times more faint than the faintest visible objects.
The data and information above is taken mostly from Astronomical Calendar edited by Guy Otwell. Fred Schaaf and Steve Albers produced many of the observations. Alastair McBeath provided the meteor data. Alan Hale provided the comet data. Clifford Cunningham contributed to the NEO data. Some comes from the Space Weather.com website, and some comes from personal logs and observations.

Astronomy Notes for January 2008

The cold, clear air this January is an invigorating reassurance that the global hothouse will wait a few more months in Arizona. But the chill is too bad for skyward observers. There is so much going on!

For history or calendar buffs, January is always noteworthy. Our Gregorian new year of 2008 starts on the 1st, of course. But this has only been true, and not everywhere even then, since 1582 C.E. (or AD). The Muslim new year of 1429 A.H. is about 10 January. The Muslim day begins at the previous sunset. That evening, the new year begins at the moment when the new moon juuuust becomes visible in Mecca, SA. If it doesn't become visible, the new year may slip a day. The Muslim calendar is lunar based, and new year day moves about eleven days earlier each year. The Julian (or Roman) new year of 2761 A.U.C. (ab urbe condita, "from the city founded") begins on 14 January.
Comets
It is a surprise that Comet Holmes (17P/Holmes) doesn't get more attention. It has been widely visible to the naked eye for over a month. The photo above was taken by Chris Schur in Payson, AZ, and published at www.spaceweather,com. Look northward after dark. A sky map, also published in spaceweather.com, showing the exact location is at the end of this entry. It is almost easier to see in binoculars than telescopes, because the tail plume is so wide.
Near Earth Objects
Object 2007TU24, first spotted on 11 Oct 07 and estimated at 400m across ( the Barringer Crater meteor is estimated to have been about 30m across), is calculated to make it's closest

pass by Earth on 29 Jan at about 1.4 times the distance to the moon. It takes an estimated 2.85 years to circle the Sun. Everything is an estimate because only 54 points of orbital data over the same number of days have been collected so far. That's what makes near earth asteroids so thrilling...they can go from mere blogger footnote to end-of-life-on-earth in 4 weeks!
Meteors
The Quadrantids are expected to peak on 4 January. With a minimal new moon, viewing should be favorable, especially from about 11pm through to near dawn. The max rate, or ZHR (Zenith Hour Rate) should vary from 60-200 per hour. Look in northern Bootes. The shower is named after the 18th century constellation Quadrans Muralis, superceded by Bootes in the late 19th century.
Sun
The Sun is remarkably quiet, even for the Solar Minimum, the bottom of the 11-year sun spot cycle. The are no sunspots at all on the sun right now. Solar winds are light. Auroras, if any, are far to the north, and there are no coronal holes, at least on the earth-facing side.
Astrology Note
On 20 Jan the Sun enters the constellation Capricornus observationally. According to the hopelessly fouled up Astrology system based on a fixed and immoveable sphere revolving around Earth, it enters Aquarius.
Planets
Mercury is high again in January, in relative terms. A bright star in the evening from about 16 Jan til 27 Jan, it will be highest above the evening horizon on 22 Jan. Best observations are about 30 minutes after sunset.
Venus appears in the morning sky about 3 hours before sunrise on 1 Jan, but under 2 hours before on 31 Jan.
Jupiter goes from appearing half an hour before sunrise to under two hours before on 31 Jan. In fact, Venus and Jupiter approach each other all month at the rate of 1 degree per day until 31 January, when these very bright planets will be visible together in binoculars or low power telescopes.
Mars starts January brighter than the brightest star Sirius. It is high in the east at dusk all month, slowing, and then reversing course (retrograde) on 30 Jan. It will get more distant, smaller, and dimmer, so January will be the last best month for observing surface features for some time.
Saturn rises late or mid evening in the east. Its rings are beginning to "open" after being at minimum edgewise tilt in December 07.
If you want a telescopic challenge, a very dim Neptune will be only a third of a degree north, or above, Mercury on 23 Jan in the evening sky.
The data and information above is taken mostly from Astronomical Calendar edited by Guy Otwell. Fred Schaaf and Steve Albers produced many of the observations. Alastair McBeath provided the meteor data. Alan Hale provided the comet data. Clifford Cunningham contributed to the NEO data.

Opportunity to Purchase Artwork and Help Programs

The image above commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret in Arizona. It is available for purchase as a limited edition (20 x 24) print ($40.00) and/or a set of 10 cards ($12.50). The artwork was taken from an original painting by Nanci Harlin, a wildlife artist from Seligman, Arizona. The painting depicts ferrets that were released in the Aubrey Valley, outside of Seligman. The background accurately portrays the prairie, bound by the Aubrey Cliffs, making this print unique to Arizona.

For more information on how to purchase this print or note cards, please e-mail azferret@azgfd.gov or call (928) 422-0155. For more information about the wildlife artist, Nanci Harlin, please e-mail nancyharlin@hotmail.com or call (928) 422-4451.

All proceeds from the sale of the prints and cards will be shared between the black-footed ferret project and the art program for the local schools in Seligman, where Nanci teaches art classes. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds, allocated for the reintroduction effort, will be used for project supplies. Seventy-five percent of the revenue, appropriated to the art program in Seligman, will be used for supplies and other art-related equipment.

Help protect Arizona's bald eagles: Respect closure areas

It's time again for Arizona's bald eagles to begin their breeding activities, and outdoor recreationists are asked to help protect important breeding areas by honoring the closure of 21 areas across the state. Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year, beginning in December, to protect the state's 48 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located near popular recreation sites.

"Even though the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list earlier this year, they still require the public's help to reproduce successfully and flourish in the state," says Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. "Human activity near active bald eagle nests can cause a breeding pair to leave its

eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. It can take only 30 minutes for a breeding attempt to fail."

The bald eagle was federally listed as an endangered species in 1978. According to the USFWS, the birds recovered enough to be removed from the list in August 2007, although their population is estimated to be only 4% of pre-settlement numbers. Part of the reason for the comeback in our state is the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program, which contracts with volunteers to monitor breeding areas, educate the public about breeding area closures and identify situations where intervention might be needed to save an eagle's life.

In December, Arizona bald eagles begin rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. During this time, land and wildlife management agencies enact the seasonal breeding area closures. Bald eagles nest, forage and roost at the rivers and lakes that have become some of Arizona's most popular recreation spots.

However, Jacobson says, "With the public's help and cooperation, we can all take responsibility for ensuring that Arizona bald eagles breed successfully."

SEASONAL CLOSURES

Alamo Lake - A portion of upper Alamo Lake may be closed to boats from Jan. 1 to June 30. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region IV, Yuma, (928) 342-0091.

Lake Pleasant - No vehicle or foot entry is allowed into the Lower Agua Fria Arm from Dec. 15 to June 15. Contact Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, (928) 501-1710.

Verde River below Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is closed to foot and vehicle traffic from Dec. 1 to June 15. Boating through is allowed. Contact Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District, (928) 282-4119.

Verde River near Chasm Creek is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 15. Boating through is allowed. Contact Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, (928) 567-4121.

Verde River near the confluence with Coldwater Creek allows boats to float through, but there is no stopping in the river or landing from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, (928) 567-4121.

Verde River upstream of the East Verde confluence is closed to vehicle and foot traffic from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing is permitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.

Verde River near Mule Shoe Bend allows boats to float through, but there is no stopping in the river or landing allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.

Verde River below Horseshoe Dam is closed to vehicle and foot entry on the southwest side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the southwest side of the river is permitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.

Verde River below Bartlett Dam is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Boating through is allowed. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.

Verde River at the Needle Rock Recreation area is closed to foot and vehicle entry on the east side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the east side of the river is permitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.

Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch is closed to vehicle and foot entry and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District, (928) 467-3200.

Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land, and to boats within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District, (928) 467-3200.

Salt River from Horseshoe Bend to Redmond Flat allows boats to float through, but no landing or stopping in the river is permitted from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, (928) 402-6200.

Salt River near Meddler Point is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land, and to boats within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District, (928) 467-3200.

Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam is closed to vehicle and foot entry on the south side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, (480) 610-3300.

A portion of Becker Lake may be buoyed off to boats and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from Feb. 1 through June 30. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region I, Pinetop, (928) 367-4281.

Luna Lake is closed to vehicle and foot traffic on the north side from Jan. 1 to June 30. Contact Apache National Forest, Alpine Ranger District, (928) 339-4384.

Lynx Lake is closed to vehicle and foot traffic on the east side of the lake from Dec. 1 to June 30. A portion of the shoreline is also buoyed off, restricting boat entry. Contact the Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000.

Lower Lake Mary is closed to vehicle and foot traffic on a portion of the north side of the lake from Jan. 1 to Aug. 30. Contact the Coconino National Forest, Mormon Lake Ranger District, (928) 774-1147.

San Carlos Reservoir from below Peridot is closed to vehicle and foot entry, and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department, (928) 475-4758.

Talkalai Lake on the north side is closed to foot entry and boats from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department, (928) 475-4758.

TIPS FOR VISITING EAGLE AREAS

If you are visiting bald eagle country, an advance call to the local land management agency (USDA Forest Service district, etc.) or the Arizona Game and Fish Department may help you plan your trip to avoid disturbing bald eagles. By following these simple guidelines, we can all help ensure that our living wildlife legacy will last for generations to come:

Enjoy bald eagles from outside the closures, especially during critical nesting times (December to June). These areas are posted with signs and/or buoys, and most have daily nestwatch monitors. Anyone approached by a nestwatcher and asked to cease an activity or leave a closed area should comply. A few good places to see bald eagles without disturbing them (during December and January) are at Lake Mary and Mormon Lake near Flagstaff or on the Verde River Canyon Train in Clarkdale.

Bald eagles protecting an active nest will let you know if you are too close. If a bald eagle is vocalizing and circling the area frantically, you are too close and need to leave the area quickly. Bald eagles incubating eggs or brooding small young should never be off the nest for more than 15 minutes.

Pilots should maintain the FAA-recommended 2,000-foot AGL advisory when flying over bald eagle habitat along the Salt and Verde Rivers, Lake Pleasant and Alamo Lake. These areas are designated on the Phoenix Sectional Aeronautical Map. Special brochures for pilots regarding this advisory can be obtained by calling the Arizona Department of Transportation or the Arizona Game and Fish Department's nongame branch, (623) 236-7506.

Help from anglers is especially needed. Monofilament and tackle has killed two nestlings and has been found in two-thirds of all bald eagle nests in the state. Every year biologists remove this potentially lethal material from nests and entangled nestlings. Ospreys, shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds also succumb to this litter. Do not discard any type of monofilament along rivers and lakes, but recycle it at fishing stores. Keep your monofilament fresh; do not use old brittle line. Make sure to use the correct test line for the fish you are trying to catch. Also, do not cut the line when an undesirable fish is caught and return it to the water with the hook and line attached.

You can help bald eagle research and recovery efforts by reporting any harassment or shooting of bald eagles. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement at (480) 967-7900.

Astronomy Note for November 2007

[Due to extra workload resulting from a serious flash flood in August, the Astronomy notes have been non-existent or abreviated, such as this one, for the final quarter of 2007. Regular astronomical notes are expected to resume in January.-The Naturalist]

Maybe you have heard about the comet visible in the NW sky after nightfall, named Comet 17P/Holmes? It isn't too much more than a smudge right now, but it is certainly far brighter than astronomers had expected. The photo above, published at spaceweather.com, was taken on 8 November by Paolo Berari. Observers this week are excited by what appears to be an explosion and break in the comet's tail. Conditions in the southern Colorado Plateau have not been good for observing lately, but if it does clear up at all, then the following map, also from the spaceweather.com website, shows you just exactly where to look for 17P/Holmes:

Climate History of Flagstaff, AZ - 1950 to 2007

A tremendous compilation and analysis of the climate of Flagstaff over the last 60 years by Richard Hereford, USGS emeritus is available in full at the Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research website using http://www.mpcer.nau.edu/files/flagstaff_climate_history.pdf . Here is an abstract:

What is happening to Flagstaff's Climate?

"Flagstaff is becoming warmer and drier. Estimated average daily temperatures of the Flagstaff area are 2.3 degrees warmer since 1970 and annual precipitation at Flagstaff has been below average for nine of 11 years since 1996. Rising temperatures in the Flagstaff area parallel the increase of global-surface temperatures, particularly the rapid temperature rise since the early 1970's.
Ongoing drought since 1996 is strongly affecting winter, spring, and fall precipitation. Winter moisture has been below average in 11 of the past 12 years, spring was below average in eight of the past 11 years, while fall was below normal in nine of the past 12 years. The precipitation decrease of the three seasons is 44 percent since 1996. In contrast, summer monsoon-related rainfall is unaffected by the on-going drought. Although summer rainfall is more abundant and dependable than winter precipitation, winter moisture is more effective hydrologically. This means that aspects of Flagstaff's environment that require cool-season moisture, particularly the ponderosa pine forest, are increasingly stressed."

                            1860           1880           1900           1920           1940           1960           1980           2000

Condor Chick Fledged!

Condor Enthusiasts--
This year's Grand Canyon (Tapeats Creek) condor chick, #441, has fledged! The youngster was seen above its nest cave at about 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 24. Grand Canyon National Park Volunteer Greg Ringger and Biological Science Technicians Jeremy White and Hattie Oswald saw it and continued to observe it through a spotting scope. This was the first time that anyone had been to check on this remote location since the chick's existence was first confirmed in September, so we don't know when its first flight actually occurred. It was observed taking another short flight (20-30 feet or so) in the area above its Redwall nest cave. It was also seen being fed by its mama,

number 210, exhibiting a healthy appetite! It probably hasn't taken the Big Flight down to the bottom of the Redwall yet, but it has definitely flown and left its nest cave, so it can be officially counted as the 6th Arizona chick to fledge and the 4th within Grand Canyon National Park since the releases began here in December of 1996. (All fledglings are alive and well except for the first, #305, who died back in March of 2005.)

If all goes well, Arizona's 7th fledging should take place around early December when Vermilion Cliffs chick #459 takes its first flight.

The other big piece of California Condor news is that on Saturday, October 13, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act. The new law will require hunters in portions of California where condors are found to use only non-lead ammunition on big game and coyotes, starting July 1, 2008. In Arizona there is no such law, but hunters continue to be encouraged to switch forms of ammunition and hunters on a certain portion of the North Kaibab National Forest are once again being sent coupons good for two free boxes of copper bullets. The new law in California requires that the California Fish and Game Commission look into funding sources to establish a similar program there.

On October 7, four condors were released (#423 & #265) or re-released (#324 and 392) from Vermilion Cliffs. Counting Tapeats Creek fledgling #441 and Vermilion Cliffs chick #459, that brings us up 63 wild condors in Arizona/Utah. I've updated the chart accordingly and attached it below. The count of 63 wild birds includes two that are currently being held for behavioral reasons (#282 and #327).

As of October 1, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the world total of California Condors as 305. California's wild total is 78, counting six birds in temporary captivity as well as three wild chicks and three 2007 fledglings. (Their wild fledglings from 2004 and 2006 are also alive and well.) Baja is at 16, counting two in temporary captivity.

Few condors are being seen around the South Rim these days, and the daily Condor Talks at Lookout Studio have finished for the season.

Issue: Lead Ammunition, Condors and Other Wildlife

Hunters and Condor enthusiasts:

Since the issue of lead ammunition and condors has been so much in the news lately, you may find the following link helpful. It's an excellent 2-page summary of the lead issue by Peregrine Fund scientists.

http://www.peregrinefund.org/pdfs/Commentaries/PositionLeadAmmunition2007.pdf

If you prefer the nutshell version, I found the following sections particularly relevant:

"As these [wild condors] have become more adept at finding and consuming animal remains, the incidence of lead exposure has increased to the point where lead poisoning is now the most frequent cause of death. This is troubling because the naturally slow rate of reproduction in condors renders their populations highly sensitive to even small increases in mortality. Our research has revealed the principal source to be lead from spent bullets and shotgun pellets in the remains of gun-killed animals. Evidence includes (1) associations of lead-exposed condors with deer hunting areas, (2) temporal correlations of high exposure with deer hunting seasons, (3) a radiographic study of rifle bullet fragmentation showing the presence of hundreds of lead particles in whole deer and gut piles, and (4) >15 confirmed cases showing the presence of bullet fragments or shotgun pellets in condor digestive systems. Continued blood testing reveals that the majority of individual condors are exposed each year (90% in 2006), many of which require treatment (70% in 2006); five individuals died of lead poisoning in 2006. Lead exposure is currently so prevalent that the population cannot maintain itself by natural reproduction unless lead incidence in the wild food supply is greatly reduced...."

"Given the extensive evidence that lead exposure from spent ammunition is harmful to wildlife it now appears obvious that responsible society will end the use of lead for hunting throughout much of the world. Accumulating scientific evidence indicates that lead has even more serious consequences than formerly believed. The majority of rifle-killed animal remains left in the field and consumed by scavengers are now known to contain considerable quantities of lead. In addition to condors, the affected species for which data exist include bald eagles, golden eagles, ravens, mourning doves, upland game birds, and more than 50 other species of birds known to be poisoned by ingesting spent bullet fragments and shotgun pellets found in the environment. Indeed, carcasses contain so much lead that hunters must seriously consider whether human consumers of deer meat are not also at risk. Several investigations have found elevated lead levels in subsistence hunter families, a serious issue considering that even small amounts of lead exposure in developing children may substantially and permanently reduce cognitive ability. No one would knowingly want to so expose their families, but right now investigations into rates and consequences of human ingestion of spent ammunition are still in progress."

--Marker

Ms. Marker Marshall
Park Ranger--Interpretation
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
voice: (928) 638-7830
fax: (928) 638-7776

Time for Tarantula Walkabout

Late September and early October brings out the male tarantulas in search of mates. It is common to see them on roads, parking lots, and other open areas, slowly sauntering about, tasting the ground with the tips of their legs (that's right...their sense of taste resides in their feet), hoping to find the cozy nest of a female.
The one in this photo is an Aphomopelma behlei, or Grand Canyon Black, which is the common tarantula in the Flagstaff area. This one was seen at 6500 ft near Walnut Canyon, but a similar guy was seen the same week up at 8500 ft at Hart Prairie.

It turns out to be a little difficult to find good information about our local tarantulas. Most internet references are by, and for, collectors, and lack reliable taxonomic or life history information. Worse yet, many that do have repeatedly copied an outdated entry from a British encyclopedia that uses an obsolete genera, "Eurypelma", which causes confusion.

First Snow? Well, Not Really.

Although it looks like the first snow of the season has arrived on the Peaks, it really hasn't. What you were seeing was "rime ice", not snow. This is pretty common on the higher parts of the Peaks. We had two frontal systems pass through in the last 10 days, each bringing much cooler temperatures. The first one even brought some thunderstorms and rain. These mark the real change from summer monsoons out of the south to winter fronts out of the west. The

temperatures were even colder high up on the Peaks, perhaps near zero degrees fahrenheit (it was 12 degrees F at Ft Valley Sunday 7 Oct). The clouds hiding the upper elevations contained a percentage of supercooled water droplets. "Supercooled" means that they were at temperatues below the freezing level, but were not frozen. They need a nucleation catalyst to begin crystalization. Rime ice forms when such supercooled water droplets strike a surface like rocks or trees, which serve as the catalyst. These droplets freeze on contact and grow into the wind, oddly enough.

Condor News Update 18 Sep 07

Condor News as of September 18 compiled by Grand Canyon Park Ranger Ms. Marker Marshall:

In Arizona/Utah, we're still at 59 wild birds plus 2 chicks = 61 plus #265 who's been released in California but not yet here, plus 9 never-released juveniles. Wild-fledged #392 is still being held, as well as #282, #324 and now #327 for behavioral reasons, currently leaving 55 free-flying birds. (On any given day there may be other birds being captured and
immediately re-released for quick transmitter changes or similar reasons.) But Eddie Feltes mentions that some new birds may be released in early October, so these numbers are likely to change.

The other big news is that the chick in the Deer Creek/Thunder River area

was finally visually confirmed by Tim Hauck of Peregrine Fund on September 9. Not surprisingly, the nest is in a cave in the Redwall Limestone.
Check out photos of the cave area and of the chick in the July-August "Notes from the Field" at the Peregrine Fund web site, www.peregrinefund.org. There's also a photo of #270 being released back into the wild on July 18 (not in August as I'd previously reported), with a healed and functional although still-crooked leg.

Our chicks have studbook numbers now. The Deer Creek chick is #441 and the Vermilion Cliffs chick is #459. #459 is the highest-numbered, hence youngest, California condor in the world until next breeding season, having hatched on June 6. #441 is listed in the studbook as having hatched around April 28, so this chick will reach six months of age around October 28 and should take its first flight within a few weeks either way of that date.

We've still got some condors roosting below Grand Canyon Village most
nights. Eddie Feltes mentions in his July-August "Notes from the Field" that at one point in August there were 42 condors in the Kolob/Zion area of southern Utah, out of 55 free-flying birds. This was a new record for the number of birds in that area, where he writes that "with an ample and consistent food supply and the near-perfect topography for soaring condors, we expect this trend to continue and have had to dedicate a major portion of our monitoring to this region."

Southern California has fledged their third wild chick (first for this year)! This is the first successful fledging of a chick--a female as it happens--in the wild by male AC9 and his mate (who is also unfortunately his daughter). AC9 was the last bird brought into captivity of the original wild condors in California, back on Easter Sunday of 1987. He was released on May 1, 2002, and is the only original wild condor who is back in the wild. (AC2 and AC8, his old mate, were also released but later died, AC2 of unknown causes and AC8 from being shot by a pig hunter.) I'm not sure when the fledging took place; the youngster is not yet 6 months of age. This leaves 3 wild chicks in southern California now and 2 in the
Ventana wilderness/Big Sur area. Not counting AC9 himself, there are now 3 wild-fledged condors in southern California (one from '04, one from '06, and so far as of September 1, one from '07).

A wild condor died of lead poisoning in southern California on August 13, but I'm sticking with "about 306" as the total condor number since the US Fish & Wildlife Service September 1 Status Report lists 305 total but also lists one of the Arizona birds as dead (having disappeared briefly back in March) that in fact is alive and well. With a new release or two, California is up to about 76 wild condors (counting 5 chicks, one new fledgling, and several birds being temporarily held) and Baja is still at 18.

Of California's 5 unfledged wild chicks, 3 are listed in the studbook as having "foster" parents, which is also true of the chick that fledged there in 2006. These are all the result of egg swaps. Each chick hatched in the wild from an egg laid in captivity either at the L.A. Zoo or the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The captive-laid egg was placed in the wild nest cave at the "pipping" (ready-to-hatch) stage, replacing a dummy egg that was placed in the wild nest when the biologists removed the original wild egg. My understanding is that in some cases the original wild-laid egg was fertile but was removed for incubation in captivity due to doubts about the effectiveness of incubation by the wild parents. In other cases it was removed because it was found to be infertile or dead but the biologists chose to let the wild pair have a chance of raising a truly wild chick in place of the captive pair who laid the fertile egg. The Arizona story is
much simpler, as all five of our fledglings and the two current chicks have been raised by their own parents in the wild.

Watershed Maps by County

Which watershed is it?
The new volunteer tracking system requires users to select a specific watershed under the subprogram menu.
A map illustrating watershed boundaries for Coconino County (and other counties) is available at: http://www.srnr.arizona.edu/nemo/index.php?page=maps The map prints out nicely and is a helpful reference. Note that the Arboretum at Flagstaff is located within the Verde River Watershed.

Mexican Gray Wolf Hearings on Status Review

[What follows is the public notice from US Fish and Wildlife about a major review of the status of reintroduced wolves and future reintroductions of wolves in AZ and NM. This a huge opportunity for you as individuals to help move wolf reintroduction forward.
The Experimental Nonessential Population Status (also known as 10J Status) provides a lower bar for protecting individual animals, and it also removes several contentious provisions that normally kick in automatically under the Endangered Species Act...for animals already present in an ecosystem. But 10J status can often make possible reintroductions that would otherwise be politically difficult. This is how the California Condor reintroductions in Arizona were accomplished, and how the Condor management efforts are expected to be expanded throughout their range in Utah, Wyoming, etc.
The big opportunity here is to have the Mexican Gray Wolf 10J status and definition extended to include a much broader area of Arizona (and New Mexico), which in turn would take reintroductions a major step toward reintroductions in whatever expanded 10j area were agreed to. SKH]

The USFWS Announcement:

Southwest Region (Arizona - New Mexico - Oklahoma - Texas) http://www.fws.gov/southwest/

For Release: August 7, 2007
Contacts: Victoria Fox (505) 248-6455 or Elizabeth Slown (505) 248-6909 or 363-9592

Agency to Evaluate Amending its Mexican Wolf Recovery and Reintroduction Program
Welcomes Public Involvement in Scoping Possible Changes

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that it will begin a scoping process to gather input on potential modifications to its rule that established a recovery and reintroduction program for the Mexican gray wolf. The Service established a nonessential, experimental population of the Mexican gray wolf in 1998 and has since introduced more than 90 wolves into Arizona and New Mexico.

A Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Socio-economic Assessment for the Proposed Amendment of the Rule Establishing a Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf in Arizona and New Mexico was published in the Federal Register today. Public meetings will be held in November and December, 2007 throughout Arizona and New Mexico.

All comments and input received from now until the end of the year will be used to prepare a draft proposed rule, a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Socio-economic Assessment. Once drafted, those documents will also go through a public review process.

"This National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping process will provide an incredible opportunity for the public to collaborate in the future of wolf recovery in Arizona and New Mexico," said Benjamin N. Tuggle, PhD, Southwest Regional Director. "Under Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act we are allowed more flexibility to work with communities in managing experimental populations such as the Mexican wolf. We have learned many lessons through the adaptive management process since establishing the program and recognize it is time for adjustments to be considered."

Through this notice and the public scoping meetings, comments or suggestions are being sought from the public, concerned government agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, ranchers, landowners or any other interested parties concerning pertinent issues that should be addressed and alternatives that should be analyzed. To promulgate a proposed rule and prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement, including an assessment of socio-economic impacts all comments and any additional information received will be taken into consideration. All comments, including names and addresses, will become part of the supporting record and will be made public.

The notice can be found on the web at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/. Submit written comments directly to the Service's New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office on or before December 31, 2007, or at any of the 12 scoping meetings to be held in November and December 2007. Send comments to Brian Millsap, State Administrator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. Written comments may also be sent by facsimile to (505) 346-2542 or by e-mail to R2FWE_AL@fws.gov. Guidance on sending comments is in the notice.

Questions regarding the scoping process or development of a proposed rule amending the 1998 final rule should be directed to John Morgart at (505) 346-2525. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Each informal public information session will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., presentation of known issues will be conducted from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and the actual scoping meeting will take place from 6:30 till 9 p.m. Locations are as follows:

November 26, 2007: Flagstaff, AZ
November 27, 2007: Hon-dah, AZ
November 28, 2007: Alpine, AZ
November 29, 2007: Grants, NM
November 30, 2007: Albuquerque, NM
December 1, 2007: Socorro, NM
December 3, 2007: Alamogordo, NM
December 4, 2007: Las Cruces, NM
December 5, 2007: Glenwood, NM
December 6, 2007: Safford, AZ
December 7, 2007: Tucson, AZ
December 8, 2007: Phoenix, AZ

The Service will provide reminder notifications that will include specific address information prior to the public information sessions, issue presentations, and scoping meetings.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 548 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

Mexican Grey Wolf Status for Jun 07

This update on the wolf reintroduction is extracted from the Arizona Game and Fish Department's regular report. For more, go to http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf . A MAP of the locations of the wolves with radio collars, taken from aerial surveillance aircraft in April, May, and June can be seen by clicking on "To continue reading.."
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
At the end of June, the collared population consisted of 26 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among 11 packs and five single wolves. This number is different from last month because: 1) the IFT (Interagengy Field Team) captured an uncollared female wolf, assigned it studbook number AF1056, and designated it the Lofer pack; 2) the IFT trapped and removed single f1028; and 3) f1016 of the Saddle pack is now considered Fate Unknown Female, as it has not be located for the past three months despite search efforts. Additionally, location information for single F923 has been moved from "Arizona" to "New Mexico." Other uncollared wolves are known to be associating with wolves having radio collars, as well as being separate from known packs.

At the end of 2006, there were 59 wolves throughout the BRWRA (Blue Ridge Wolf Reintroduction Area) in New Mexico and Arizona. Of those, 46 were born in the wild.

SEASONAL NEWS
Mexican wolf pups are generally born mid-April to mid-May. The IFT will continue monitoring wolves to determine if females are denning in order to document wild-born pups. Based on location information and wolf observations, the IFT has documented denning behavior in seven packs and possibly in four others.

Astronomy Note For August 2007

Finally! A month with some interesting happenings that we can watch! A lunar eclipse and a good meteor shower.
Jupiter remains high in the SSW and bright. Telescopically, some details of its storms should be visible, too.
Mars begins rising just after midnight by the end of the month. It will be

ruddy red and gaining brighness, but not enough to show surface features. Ironically, the thing to be looking for would be the obscuring of detail by dust storms...
Neptune is just a small dot in telescopes, and Saturn and Mercury are too close to the Sun for viewing.
Venus will also be lost in the Sun a few days into the month. Late in August, it will reappear as the Morning Star, and by the last day of the month, will be visible almost 90 minutes before dawn, aharbinger of autumn.
We have a remarkable total eclipse of the moon this month. It is remarkable due to its unusual length in totality (almost 90 minutes) and its depth of color. It should be especially dark, less than 1/10,000 the brightness of the full moon occuring before and after. It will begin Tuesday, 28 August at 12:52 am Arizona time (1:52 am Navajo Time), and the totality phase will begin 2 hours later at 3:52 am, ending 4:23 am. The final ending of eclipse, when the moon has its last contact with earth's shadow, will be at 6:23 am. Another interesting note: Since local sunrise will be about 6 am, both the Sun and the moon, still in partial eclipse, will be visible at the same time. Hard to say what that may look like.
Of the 5 named Meteor Showers that occur in August, lets talk about the two that count: The Perseids and the Kappa Cygnids.
The Perseids are already active, but should peak on 13 August. No special prediction have been made about this year's appearance, but it will be New Moon, so if weather permits, it should be good observing. The Kappa Cygnids, appearing in the constellation Draco, should peak on Saturday, 18 August. This shower is known for its slow moving, sometimes brilliant meteors, including fireballs.

Managing Motor Vehicle Use In Coconino National Forest

Attend an Open House to learn more about the Forest Service's Travel Management Plan.
This is your opportunity to review the content/maps of the proposed plan and to provide public input on this important issue. Unmanaged ORV use can disturb wildlife, impair watersheds, spread noxious weeds, and lead to conflicts between ORV users and other forest visitors. Meetings are planned for the following dates and locations:

- July 31, Flagstaff, AZ, Sinagua High School, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
- August 1, Happy Jack, AZ, Happy Jack Lodge, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
- August 2, Camp Verde, AZ, Cliff Castle Casino, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
- August 4, Flagstaff, AZ, Sinagua High School, 12:00-5:00 p.m.

For further information, visit:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/projects/tmr/proposed-action.shtml

Condor News Update July 07

Arizona breeding update from Eddie Feltes of Peregrine Fund; forwarded by Marker Marshall, GCNP.

We currently have 2 active condor nests in Arizona. Eddie has actually walked into this year's nest cave at Vermilion Cliffs and photographed the chick of female 126 and male 114! That chick is believed to have hatched on June 7. The cave is about 300 yards away from the cave in which 114 raised his two other chicks. The other active nest is in the Canyon near Deer Creek, about 45 miles west of here. Female 210 and male 134 are behaving just as they should for having a chick there that would have hatched around May 1st. That is, they fly

straight to that spot after filling their crops, and shortly depart again. Apparently a condor chick
two months of age begs constantly and its parents do not feel obliged to put up with it once the chick is fed! This chick has not been visually confirmed, but all indications suggest its existence.

Eddie's May "Notes From the Field" reported 3 active condor nests in Arizona as of June 1, from as many as 6 eggs that may have been laid. Unfortunately, the nest in Dana Butte of female 127 & male 123 has failed since then; most likely the egg never hatched.

Current condor totals:
55 free-flying birds plus 4 temporarily held makes 59 wild birds in Arizona, or 61 counting the 2 confirmed and hypothetical chicks. That does not count one bird (#265) awaiting release in Arizona which actually has been previously released in California. Nor the 9 that are awaiting their first release into the wild.

The July 1 Condor Status Report counts the California condor world total as 306. (Safer to say "approximately 306," as errors do slip through.) This includes our 2 suspected Arizona nestlings, as well as 4 wild nestlings in southern California and 2 in the Big Sur area. If I read it right, one chick from southern CA and one from Big Sur actually came from captive-laid eggs following egg swaps.

Other news:
Some of our condors have been spending time in the past couple of weeks near Topocoba Springs on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, feeding on several dead horses (2 carcasses confirmed, more suspected). 29 condors have been spending time in the Kolob Canyon area of Utah recently. We still have a few condors nearly every day at the Condor Talks at Lookout
Studio at 3:30 p.m., just not the huge numbers we saw a few weeks back. Among the 4 Arizona birds being temporarily held is #270, who has just returned from the Phoenix Zoo after being treated for a broken leg. He should be re-released after a few weeks of building strength in the flight pen.

Redefined Bald Eagle Recovery Announced

With the Bald Eagle Population in the lower 48 states at less than 4% of estimated pre-decline levels, the USFWS has declared victory and gone home.
What if the rest of us used that standard of success? What if the Forest Service only had to

thin 4% of the forest to declare it restored? What if the Park Service only had to allow 4% of the people inside park gates to declare them open to everybody? What if the IRS only had to send out 4% of taxpayers returns to meet its obligations? What if they only sorted 4% of the votes and declared them counted?
All of us would like to use that standard. You could run 5000 feet and declare your marathon time. You could work for 19 minutes and collect a day's wages. The trash collector could hit 4% of their route; the paperboy deliver 4% of their route, and declare the job done. If anyone complained, they could just say that the trend is to deliver more in the future.

To be fair, if Bald Eagle population trends (now increasing) can be sustained without the expense of the additional federal protections, then maybe there will be more biologists available to work on recovery of other endangered species (*snicker*). But if populations decline, or critical habitat disappears without ESA protections, then what? Say "Oops, sorry"?
If the decision is not unanimous among the cooperating agencies whose names are so prominent in the news releases, then why rush the status change?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department version of the story is at this Wildlife News article. Read it and weep.

Astonomy Notes for July 07

The Earth and Sun are at Aphelion this month, Aphelion being that point in our orbit where we are furthest from the Sun (More precisely, this occurs on 6 July.) We are about 5 million kilometers further from the Sun now than at the closest point, Perhelion, which occurs in January.
The warm June nights were certainly been good for stargazing.
Venus, being in an orbit nearer to the Sun, is catching up to Earth in its orbital race lane. Therefore, it will appear to dip closer to the Sun in the evening sky as it begins to pass between us. Venus continues to shine intensely, even though it becomes a

sliver as it wanes, reaching its brightest magnitude in mid-month.

Saturn is also visible near and below Venus at the beginning of July. The first and brightest star to appear in the evening just above (left of) Venus is Regulus. By the end of the month, both Regulus and Saturn will be much lower and closer to the Sun, and may not be visible at all.
Jupiter is still very bright, up in the southern sky.
Mars gets a little brighter during this month, rising in the east around midnight. It is too dim at this time to see any details in your average telescope.
Mercury will be rising about half an hour before the Sun. In telescopes, you might see that it is about 38% illuminated.
The delta Aquarid meteor shower should peak on 26 July, but moonlight will interfere with viewing until the moon sets, only a few hours before dawn.
The Sun remains relatively calm as the Solar Minimum continues. There is currently only one sun spot, which is disintegrating.
There are only two known Potentially Hazardous near-earth asteroids (PHA's) zipping past Earth this month. One about 130 meters across will pass 7.6 LD's (lunar distances) from Earth, and another about 550 meters across will pass 9.3 LD's from us. Another one, 1.2 kilometers across, will pass about 53 LD's from us, but about 20 LD's is considered the limit for "Potentially Hazardous".

Astonomy Notes are gleened from several sources, primarily www.spaceweather.com and the Astronomical Calendar from Furman University.

Astronomy Note for June 07

Full moon on 1 June. What's this? It is full again on 30 June! In the old sense of things, it is merely an unlucky thirteenth full moon for 2007. Since 1957, in the new sense, the full moon on the 30th is a "Blue Moon", which is simply the second full moon in any month.
The Summer Solstice, when the Sun reaches the point where it appears farthest north of the Celestial Equator, occurs at 11:11 am MST on 21 June. This is the time of

longest days and shortest nights, but not necessarily the warmest days or nights, due to a lag in heating the land and sky.
Venus and Mercury reach their greatest "elongation" this month. Elongation is the angular distance from a body from the Sun, as we observe it. Mercury will reach elongation on 2 June, and Venus on 9 June.
Venus passes by many other objects this month, making it a popular viewing object as it passes Castor and Pollux (1 and 2 June), The Beehive Cluster ( 12 and 13 June), Regulus, Saturn, and crescent moon ( forming a lineup on 17 June), and closes in on Saturn during the last week of June. In fact, on 30 June, Venus and Saturn will be close enough to be observed together in binoculars or low-power telescopes, with Venus only showing one third, but still very bright, and Saturn showing 100%, but with the rings nearly edge on.
Jupiter is closest to us on 5 June, when it is visible from just before sunset to just after dawn. It is also at its brightest for the year. This is the time when observers with small telescopes look for rings and belts, including the Great Red Spot.
Mars rises about 2 am.
The Milky Way is starting to tilt up into view, compared to last month, when it was level with the horizon in all directions.
There could be two meteor showers of interest this month. In both cases, pretty much nothing is expected, although both have produced surprising shows in the past. The Lyrids are expected to peak on 16 June, when the moon is new, and the Bootids on 27 June.

Condor News Update 9 May 07

The latest news about the Condor breeding season follows when you click on "Continue Reading..." below:

This condor update is provided solely for the purpose of disseminating information to project cooperators and other interested parties. For media requests, please contact Kathy Sullivan directly at 928-214-1249 or ksullivan@azgfd.gov.

Condor Releases

Three captive-reared condors (327, 366, and 368) were released at the Vermilion Cliffs on Saturday March 3, 2007 along with four condors being temporarily held for behavioral reasons (274, 282, 302, and 329). The public was invited to attend the release, and approximately 100 people were on hand to observe the condors fly from the release pen at 11:00 a.m.

Condor Behavior

Condor 282 was recaptured on April 5, 2007 after the five-year-old was observed perching on man-made structures and showing no fear of tourists at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 282 will remain in the flight pen for several months to break the bird of this behavior pattern and give it time to further mature.

Condor Breeding

Breeding season is well underway. Six nests are confirmed or strongly suspected by pair behavior, with the potential of one addition nest. Nesting is likely to occur in the Grand Canyon, Kaibab Plateau, Colorado River corridor, and Vermilion Cliffs this year. Two of the nesting pairs have produced chicks in the past and two are first time nesters. No nesting is expected in Utah this year since the pair from the Kolob area, condors 248 and 227, both died of lead toxicity this winter.

The first and only visible egg of the season is still being tended by condors 133 and 158 on the east side of the Kaibab Plateau. It is also suspected that female condor 195 may have laid an egg in a cave below this pair’s nest and is garnering some of male 158’s attention. The male has been observed spending time in both nest caves. It is unlikely that either nest will be successful due to these circumstances. Adding further complications, nesting peregrine falcons and juvenile golden eagles in the area frequently stoop the three condors. At the time of this report, condor 195 has ceased interest in the area, but it is still unlikely that 133 and 158 will hatch a viable egg.

Proven breeders condors 123 and 127 are suspected to be nesting in the Grand Canyon again this year. This pair successfully reared condor 305 in 2003 and condor 392 in 2005.

First time nesters, condors 210 and 134 are also believed to be nesting in the Grand Canyon this year. This eight-year-old female and eleven-year-old male have exhibited courtship behavior for the last few years, but behavior this year suggests a legitimate nesting attempt.

Condors 253 and 223 are suspected to be nesting in the Colorado River corridor. This is the first nesting attempt for the pair. 253 is a six-year-old female and 223 is a seven-year-old male.

Condors 114 and 126 are believed to be nesting at the Vermilion Cliffs again this year. This pair produced condor 389 in 2005, and 114 (with condor 149) also successfully reared condor 342 in 2004.

Condors 187 and 136 are expected to nest for their third year on the Kaibab Plateau. This pair has not successfully hatched a chick yet, but their eggs were fertile in both previous nesting attempts.

Condor Lead Exposure and Lead Reduction Efforts

A complete review of condor lead exposure rates and lead reduction efforts from the last five years is reported in the Review of the Second Five Years of the California Condor Reintroduction Program in the Southwest, which is now available on-line at: www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/Documents/SpeciesDocs/CA_Condor/2nd_5YR-07_Final.pdf.

Although voluntary lead reduction efforts resulted in a 50% reduction in spent lead ammunition available to condors within Arizona’s core foraging range (Kaibab Plateau and Arizona Strip) during the fall big game hunting season (similar to 2005), condor lead exposure rates increased during the 2006 season, with 95% of the population testing positive for lead exposure and 70% of the population requiring chelation treatment throughout the year.

An explanation for these results may be that condor foraging on the Kaibab Plateau was more intense in 2006. An early snow pushed the deer to their winter foraging grounds in late October. As a result, early and late season hunts were concentrated on the southwest side of the Kaibab Plateau. Hence, approximately 500 gut piles were also concentrated in this area and the condors responded. Several hunters reported seeing condors perched above or near gut piles and telemetry data confirmed that many birds spent a significant amount of time foraging in the area.

A 50% reduction in lead available to condors is a substantial accomplishment, and an unprecedented achievement the hunting community should be proud of. Recent data suggests, however, that this reduction is not adequate to achieve our goal of a self-sustaining condor population in Arizona and Utah. Therefore, future voluntary lead reduction efforts will be expanded and intensified. Increased outreach efforts are already underway in Arizona and discussions about initiating a voluntary lead reduction program in Utah have begun.

Condor Movements

Condor movements are still concentrated around the Vermilion Cliffs release site and activity around Navajo bridge has been common as well. Increased movements along the Colorado River corridor to the Grand Canyon are occurring. Condor activity at the Grand Canyon, Kaibab Plateau, and the Kolob area of southern Utah is expected to pick up within the next month.

News from California and Baja

The California condor program has reported a total of six nests, with four in southern California (Hopper Mountain area) and two in central California (Big Sur area). Two chicks have hatched thus far; one from a Hopper Mountain nest and one from a Big Sur nest.

The Baja condor program reported its first condor nest this year. A six-year-old female and seven-year-old male nested in an old eagle nest atop a cliff in the Sierra San Pedro de Martir National Park. Project leader Mike Wallace confirmed that the chick hatched last week.

News from the captive flock

Captive pairs are beginning to hatch chicks at the World Center for Birds of Prey, San Diego Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo, and Oregon Zoo. As in the past couple years, all captive-reared chicks will be parent-reared this year.

Condor Numbers

Total population - 285
Captive – 144
Wild - 141
Arizona – 60 (with 3 being temporarily held)
California – 69
Baja – 12

Astronomy Note For May 2007

Sorry to be so late...I forgot.
Where is the Milky Way? Currently it is arrayed such that it is flat to the horizon, forming a belt all around the sky at or below the horizon. If you stand and turn 360 degrees, you are looking in all directions in th Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way has a wisp that pokes up above the horizon in the northeast quadrant, in Cygnus, which happens to be the direction in the galaxy that the solar system is traveling. If you look in this direction, you are looking forward in our galactic journey. The center of the galaxy is then on your right.

Venus remains extra bright and high in the evening sky all month.
Mercury is also in the evening sky. About half an hour after sunset, it will be about 10 degrees above the horizon at the beginning of the month, but definitely visible. It will become higher in the sky until by the end of May it is up almost two hours after sunset and only a little below Venus...but at th same time it will fade to dimness.
Saturn is even higher and to the left of Venus.
Jupiter also appears in the evening this month, but over on the southeastern side of the sky, very low or invisible at sunset, but rising as evening lingers.
Mars is coming up in the morning in May, about 2 and a half hours before the Sun.

Information in Notes is compiled mainly from Astronomical Calendar 2007, Guy Otwell, Editor.

Native Plant Field Trip Wows

The Flagstaff chapter of the AZ Native Plant Society conducted a field trip to the remote eastern rim of Marble Canyon on Earth Day, 22 April 07.

The mission was to locate a rare species of Astragalus called 'Marble Canyon Milkvetch,' (astragalus cremnophylax var. hevronii) and search for a ten year old set of transects that marked and measured the population, which is limited to this amazing location. After locating the site, old and new specimens needed to be

tagged and recorded.
Only six of us made the trip; we could have used two more. After a scenic drive through the painted desert, then alongside the Echo Cliffs, we turned west across Navajo lands to the rim of Marble Canyon.
The first order of business was to admire the spectacular view to the Colorado River and Vassey's Paradise.

The obligatory habitat for the Milkvetch are benches of Kaibab Limestone located on a few promontories that jut into the winds generated by canyon/plateau thermal interactions. These plants are tiny, cushion-shaped, and lodged deeply into the grid-like cracks in the limestone surface.
Daniela Roth of Navajo DNR provided direction to volunteers to find and mark both the transects and individual plants. We flagged, tagged, or recorded plants from ten years ago, or new plants, and at first glance learned a few things. Perhaps half or one third of the plants are still alive after ten years. And there are more plants now than ten years ago, inhabiting a few more cracks. But they are by no means crowded.

The weather was blustery and it rained occasionally. Most of the time it seemed much colder than the 61 fahrenheit shown on my thermometer. Sometimes the sun would break out and the winds pause, rewarding us with photo opportunities and a welcome break.

Condor 5 Year Review Now Available On-line

The US Fish & Wildlife Service has released the completed report on the 2nd 5-year review of the Condor Reintroduction Program in the Southwest. The review was conducted as a joint effort between the USFWS, AZGFD, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) The Peregrine Fund, and BLM. Input was sought and obtained from numerous agencies, local governments, commenters, and open house participants.
The full report, including recommendations, is available by clicking on Arizona FWS Field Office What's New?.

New Developments in the Wolf World

For those of us who follow these things, this is important and significant news:
From an AZGFD news release dated 17 April, 2007:

Mexican Wolf NEPA Scoping to Begin

Two things were clear in both the 3-Year and 5-Year reviews of the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project: (1) the Project boundaries imposed by the nonessential experimental population (10j) rule authorizing the reintroduction are problematic, from almost any perspective; and (2) any meaningful attempt to find better solutions to recurrent wolf management challenges in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area must include, if not start with, revisiting the 10j rule to determine whether and how it might be changed (smaller? bigger? not at all?). There are many issues to examine, but the 10j rule itself is what boxes the Project in and constrains efforts to change how Mexican wolf management operates.

Toward that end, today the Adaptive Management Oversight Committee is pleased to announce

that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a Notice of Intent for the Federal Register, announcing its plans to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and conduct scoping meetings under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) relative to a changing the Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act Final Rule that established a "Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Gray Wolf in Arizona and New Mexico." The EIS will consider, among other things: alternatives to internal and external boundaries of the existing Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area and the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area; and authorization to States and Tribes to issue permits to private individuals to use authorized non-lethal means to harass wolves engaged in nuisance behavior or livestock depredation, or which are attacking domestic pets on private, public, or Tribal Trust lands, and to take wolves in the act of attacking domestic dogs on private or Tribal Trust lands. Tentative locations for the scoping meetings include five locations in Arizona (Alpine, Flagstaff, Hon-Dah, Phoenix, Safford, and Tucson), and five in New Mexico (Alamogordo, Glenwood, Socorro, Grants, Santa Fe). Firm meeting dates and times have not been set, pending final discussions between the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project's Adaptive Management Oversight Committee and the Service on funding, venues, agency roles and participation, and development of public briefing materials, but it is anticipated that dates and times will be announced in the next 30 days.

As plans are formalized, announcements will be made in the Federal Register, Endangered Species Updates like this one, and through other media channels. The Service will be the "action agency" in this highly public and carefully regulated NEPA process, but all AMOC signatory agencies will participate as fully as they can and wish to.

Environmental Education Camps by NAU Centennial Forest

Hi Master Naturalists,

I am pleased to announce that the Northern Arizona University Centennial Forest will be hosting environmental education camps for the entire family this summer. Programs include the Junior Forester Academy, Senior Forester Academy, Outdoor Leadership Academy, our brand new Counselor in Training program plus Forestry Family Camp. Our youth programs are designed to "nurture the love of nature" in kids ages 9-16 and our Forestry Family Camp is a great opportunity for the entire family (down to the age of 5) to get out and discover the beautiful ponderosa pine forest that surrounds Flagstaff, AZ. Attached please find a description of our programs. For more information, please check out our website http://www.for.nau.edu/CentennialForest/content/view/549/759/ or contact me for more details: Cheryl Miller (928) 523-6727 cheryl.miller@nau.edu

Please pass this message along to anyone you think might be interested! Thanks so much!

Cheryl Miller
Northern Arizona University Centennial Forest

Condor News Update 22 April 2007

First, please be informed that the report of the Second Five-Year Review of the Condor reintroduction effort in the Southwest has been completed and is available for review on-line at this US Fishand Wildlife website. It is highly readable and extremely informative.

Secondly, here is an update from GCNP Interpretive Ranger Marker Marshall:

With the release of 3 new birds in addition to 4 re-releases on March 3, the Arizona/UtahCalifornia wild condor population now numbers 60. This includes a fluctuating number of wild birds being temporarily held. For instance #282 (tag 82), who was one of the birds re-released on March 3 following a period of "time out" in the flight pen for bad behavior, was recaptured at Vermilion Cliffs in early April following various escapades around the South Rim. He'll likely be held for a good long while this time! Thus far no Arizona bird has ever had to be returned to the captive breeding program, but this will not be the first time a released condor has had to be re-captured more than once before a bad habit was broken or the bird simply had enough time to grow out of a troublesome stage. 282 is a five-year-old, hence essentially a condor teenager, and should mature a lot in the next year. Or so one hopes!

Read on....

The world total as of April 1 was approximately 280 or 281 (depending what adjustments you make) as reported by the US Fish & Wildlife folks. (60 in AZ/Utah, 72 in California, 13 in Baja California, the rest in captivity.) That already included one nestling; the population may have increased by now as eggs no doubt continue to hatch.

Folks in San Diego County are excited because one of the Baja birds crossed the border into that county during the first week of April. Coincidentally, this 3-year-old female had hatched at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. She became the first wild condor documented in San Diego County since 1910. Perhaps the Baja and Southern California condor populations won't remain isolated from one another much longer....

Folks in the Ventana Wilderness (Big Sur area) are excited to have the first fertile condor egg laid in the wild there in 100 years.

As of Eddie Feltes's Notes from the Field at www.peregrinefund.org dated April 12, there was still a lot of uncertainty about what pairs are or will be nesting in Arizona this year. Two developments since my last update, though: In addition to female 133 & male 158's egg discovered north of the park on Feb 22, there's another egg in a nearby cave laid by female 195, apparently ALSO fathered by 158! It's a long shot that either of these nests will produce a chick at this point, but one can hope. The other definite news is that "the Salt Creek pair", female 127 and male 123, are trading places in a new cave this year. The cave is on the eastern face, towards the southern end, of Dana Butte, in the Redwall Limestone as usual, and visible with a spotting scope from Maricopa Point.

Earth Day Update

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION: EARTH DAY 2007
The City of Flagstaff and the Flagstaff Sustainability Commission present Earth Day 2007

The City of Flagstaff will celebrate Earth Day 2007 on April 21, 2007, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, at Wheeler Park. A wide variety of local organizations and businesses will be on hand, featuring sustainable products and interactive programs for all ages.

Some of the most popular activities in the past have been from Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, brought to you by the Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District. Their enthusiastic staff will be at Earth Day again this year with special events including their bio-bug display, a worm compositing demonstration, and special Earth Day art activities, including a face painter.

Throughout the day, local speakers will present on sustainable activities in our region. Speakers will include Coconino County Supervisor Carl Taylor, David Calley from Southwest Windpower, Wahleah Johns from the Black Mesa Water Coalition, and Flagstaff City Council member Al White.

Local bands will be performing throughout the day, providing entertainment for all the Earth Day participants. Musical acts will include

Second Childhood, the Volunteer String Band, and Nolan McKelvey. All of the sound equipment will be powered by a special biofuel generator!

Several alternative fuel vehicles will be making an appearance at the festival this year, including a Mountainline bus that runs on 20 percent biofuel, a fully electric City vehicle, and the new hybrid car from KNAU Public Radio's Earth Notes. The public can get a closer look at these vehicles and learn about a variety of alternative fuels now available.

Numerous local groups and businesses will provide information on how we can become part of the solution by working for a sustainable future for all of us. There will also be recycling and composting stations at the park with information on how to reduce waste. As part of this activity, the City of Flagstaff will be selling home composting bins and rain water collection barrels.

Earth Day 2007 is sure to be an inspiring, educational, and fun day for everyone. Be sure not to miss it!

Federal Land Management Planning

Our thanks to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for holding informational meetings on how to become involved in the process.

The USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are revising land use management plans and travel management plans statewide. These plans include updated guidelines and rules on how public lands are to be managed (including what activities are permitted), and how and where motorized travel should occur.

The plans could potentially include proposed alternatives that change the way you currently enjoy public lands, particularly with regard to:

Vehicular access and transportation
Designation of open and closed roads
Dispersed camping and/or recreation
Motorized retrieval of lawfully taken big game by hunters
Public input process

Each planning effort includes a public process for providing comments so that your issues are

considered. The different Forest Service districts and BLM field offices are in various phases of the planning efforts. More information can be found on the USDA Forest Service (Southwestern Region) and Bureau of Land Management (Arizona) Web sites.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been working, and will continue to work, to ensure that wildlife habitats, wildlife management, and wildlife-based recreation are considered in each planning effort. However, the public must also be engaged throughout the entire process to ensure that issues important to you are considered.

Informational meetings on how to become engaged in the process

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will host a series of meetings across the state to provide an overview of the Forest Service and BLM planning processes and how you can become engaged.

How do you know if you should be engaged? Review the Forest Service and/or BLM proposed alternatives and ask yourself the following questions:

Access and roads

Where do I go to enjoy the outdoors, and how do I access those areas?
Which roads should remain open and which should be closed?
Will these areas be available to me in the new plan?
What areas are important to access for hunting, wildlife viewing, etc.?
What modes of transport do I enjoy to access those areas?

Camping and recreation

Where and how do I camp now?
Where and how will I be able to camp once these plans are final?
Will I be able to choose my own campsite, or will I be limited to identified sites only?
Will I be able to collect firewood, or will I have to bring it in?

Hunting and game retrieval

How am I able to retrieve downed big game currently? (Motorized, non-motorized, etc.)
Will I be able to camp near where I hunt?
How will the revised plans change or modify those allowances?
Note: Certain designations on BLM or Forest Service lands may dictate the approach to these issues, such as congressionally designated wilderness, national monuments, etc.

Meeting schedule

Informational meetings for Northern Arizona are scheduled for the following dates:

Tuesday, April 17, 6-9 p.m., Flagstaff, Arizona Game and Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.

Monday, April 23, 6-9 p.m., Pinetop, Arizona Game and Fish Department Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.

The meetings will include information on the Forest Service and BLM planning processes; facts about the new policies and direction, from both a statewide and local standpoint; how you can become involved in the process, including the Forest Service and BLM public meeting schedules and comment periods; and resources where you can learn more information. Regional Game and Fish Department staff will be on hand with maps and information on local areas.

Project Budburst needs Master Naturalist Help

CITIZEN SCIENTISTS! Please Help with the Project Budburst Campaign.
Project BudBurst is an annual campaign designed for the public, encouraging citizen scientists to record flowering times in nearby natural areas and neighborhoods. With your help, and that of kids you work with, we will compile phenological information that will be compared to historical records to see how our backyards, parks, and forests are changing. You can do your part by participating in Project Budburst! Please pass this on to teachers and kids across Arizona. UA, the new home of the National Phenology Network, is one of the partners in this fabulous citizen science opportunity. To learn more about this program, check out this Earth And Sky clip: Earth and Sky or read this very good technical description of the program at this Extension web page.
To learn how you can sign up and how to participate, go to www.budburst.org .
Or contact key worker Barron Orr, e-mail: barron@email.arizona.edu
Office of Arid Lands Studies, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Phone: 520-626-8063

Astronomy Note for April 2007

21 April is Astronomy Day. There is a Friday-the-Thirteenth this month, one of two this year.
That is Venus blazing high in the western sky at sunset and way into the evenings.
Saturn is also bright, high up in the SSW at sunset. If you are using a telescope, note that the nice 15 degree tilt of the rings is now starting to close toward edge-on, and won't be this "open" or tilted for 7 years. So take the kids to Lowell Observatory now. Saturn also reaches the end of its retrograde loop, and begins to move eastward against the star background on 19 April.
Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Pluto, and Mercury are in the morning skies, with Jupiter viewable at about dawn, and Mars about two hours before dawn.
The Lyrid meteor shower should peak on about 22 April. Best viewing will be early pre-dawn hours.
What else - Oh, yeah - The New Mexico House of Representatives has voted 70-0 that Pluto is a planet. It is so good that they have diffinitively and decisively resolved this issue.

Couple's tip leads to apprehension of pronghorn poachers

Thanks to keen attention and prompt reporting by a Navajo County couple, Arizona Game and Fish Department officers were able to make a successful antelope poaching case against two people from the Phoenix area. The couple reported a suspicious incident they had just observed and got a cooperative, timely response from the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department and a Navajo County deputy sheriff, as well as Game and Fish.

As the couple drove a paved county road into Snowflake last June, they saw individuals in a vehicle aiming rifles at a doe antelope standing off the road. The witnesses immediately went to

the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department to report the incident, whereupon police officials contacted Paul Greer, wildlife manager in Game Management Unit 3A, who was about 45 minutes from the scene.

Greer says, "During my response time, a police officer was able to stop and detain a vehicle that matched the description given by the witnesses. Had the witnesses not acted so promptly and been observant enough to memorize the vehicle and suspect descriptions, it's likely we would not have been able to make this case."

The officers' investigation of the poaching site found the suspects had shot at the doe several times. They then drove a quarter-mile down the road where they off-loaded their ATVs. Driving cross-country back to the antelope, they took photos of themselves with the doe. They left the animal where it lay and were leaving the area when they were stopped.

Investigation of the doe carcass showed it was lactating when it was killed, indicating it was nursing one or more fawns. Although the officers searched the area for several hours, they were unable to find a fawn, which likely died due to loss of the mother.

Greer's background investigation found the suspects had applied for several years for antelope permits in Arizona. "This is a heinous act," he says. "These people were very much aware of antelope seasons and the state's hunting regulations."

The Snowflake Justice Court found the two guilty of taking big game during a closed season and waste of game meat. The two paid a combined criminal fine of $2,292.

In the coming months, the two suspects will have a hearing before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for possible civil assessments of $750 each and up to a 5-year revocation of their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges.

"Had it not been for the actions taken by the witnesses that day, these individuals may well have repeated their acts of blatant disregard for wildlife and Arizona's wildlife laws," Greer notes. "This is an excellent example of how the public can be the eyes and ears of the department, and can help us maintain the wildlife resources that belong to the citizens of Arizona."

Due to the nature of the offense, the actions taken by the witnesses and their willingness to provide written statements and testify in court, the department paid the couple a reward of $250. The Arizona Antelope Foundation, an Arizona sportsmen's conservation organization dedicated to the welfare of pronghorn antelope, also teamed with the department to match the $250 reward amount with funds of its own and invited the couple to be guests at its annual fund-raising banquet.

Presentation of some recent findings in Restoration Studies

Another in the monthly Community Forest Forum Series:
Tuesday, April 3, 2007, Noon-1:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers (211 W. Aspen Ave.). Dr. Pete Fule', Associate Professor of Forestry and Associate Director of NAU's Ecological Restoration Institute, will present an overview of recent findings in forest restoration studies: long-term restoration experiments in ponderosa and mixed-conifer forests; effects of treatments on reducing wildfire severity (Rodeo-Chedeski fire); pinyon-juniper fire regime; landscape-scale wildland fire use effects; and impacts of diameter caps on restoration effectiveness. Dr. Fule' will briefly touch on and allow time for questions and answers on each topic.
This speaker series is sponsored by the Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership, http://wwwgffp.org .

Opening Day at the Arboretum, 2007

The Arboretum at Flagstaff opens for the 2007 season on Sunday, April 1. To welcome back visitors, admission is free on Opening Day. Visit the 200-acre property to see early blooms in ten acres of cultivated gardens. Walk the Nature Trail and view a wide variety of bird species in native habitats including wetlands, forests, and meadows. Guided tours of the grounds take

place at 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. View native and exotic hawks, owls, and falcons during the afternoon live raptor demonstrations at noon and 2:00 p.m. provided by local rehabilitators, High Country Raptors and supported by Wells Fargo Bank.

The Arboretum is a botanical garden, research center, and nature preserve dedicated to educating the public about the plants and plant communities of the Colorado Plateau. It is located four miles south of Route 66 on scenic Woody Mountain Road in West Flagstaff. The Arboretum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., April through October. For more information visit thearb.org or call (928) 774-1442.

North American Wolf Conference in Flagstaff

The 19th Annual North American Wolf Conference will be held April 24-26 at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona. The conference serves as a bridge to bring together leading wolf biologists, conservationists, livestock owners, depredation specialists, educators, and state, tribal and federal wolf managers to share information ranging from ecological and genetic research, non-lethal techniques to reduce livestock conflicts, and economic and environmental impacts of wolf restoration. Please visit http://www.defenders.org/wolf/conference/ for more details.
Click to hear what the wolves have to say.

Pronghorn Relocation

In an effort to enhance existing populations of pronghorn antelope, the Arizona Game and Fish Department recently relocated a number of the animals from a Prescott area ranch to an area outside Winslow.

On Feb. 7, biologists captured 67 pronghorn (a 3-to-1 ratio of does-to-bucks) at Granite Dells Ranch outside of Prescott and moved the animals to an area near Meteor Crater east of Flagstaff.

"This was first, and foremost, a conservation effort," says Jeff Pebworth, a wildlife biologist with the department's Kingman office. "We took some pronghorn from an area where populations are doing well and moved them to an area where a population is recovering from decline."

Pebworth says the capture operation went smoothly and quickly, which enabled biologists to limit stress on the pronghorn by moving them the same day. Veterinarians at the capture site administered fluids, drew blood to test the herds' overall health, and conducted several ultrasounds on does to see which females were carrying fawns.

The majority of pronghorn were eartagged, and eight were fitted with telemetry collars to allow for continued studies of movement patterns and to aid in locating them. This will allow for Game and Fish Department researchers to understand the types of habitat the pronghorn are using, whether they remain near the relocation site, and how the herd does over time.

AZ Bald Eagle Closures in Effect

Bald eagle breeding areas are protected by dedicated nest watchers. Help them by avoiding eagle closure areas.

It takes a dedicated and diligent group to help ensure the success of bald eagle breeding in Arizona. Camping out for four months and spending all day monitoring the activities of both eagles and people is a critical part of the effort to help protect our state's bald eagles.

"The nest watch program began in 1978, and it's proven very successful in helping Arizona's bald eagle population grow," says James Driscoll, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. "To date, nest watchers have saved the lives of 44 eagle nestlings since the program started."

The Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program began as a weekend volunteer effort by the USDA Forest Service and Maricopa Audubon Society. Now 22 agencies are involved with the program to monitor bald eagle breeding areas under heavy pressure from human recreational activities. The nest watchers protect the eagles while they are nesting and raising young, and they also help educate the public on eagle breeding and closure areas, so people do not disrupt the breeding process.

"It is their job to inform people who venture into closure areas about what they are doing and why it is important," says Driscoll. "Most people are understanding and don't realize they entered into a closed area."

This year's 19 nest watchers began their four-month assignment on Feb. 2. They will watch 10 breeding areas, most along the Salt and Verde rivers in national forests, on Native American lands, and in Maricopa County parks. The contractors will spend dawn to dusk collecting data about the eagles' behavior and notifying rescuers of any life-threatening situations for the birds.

Arizona has 43 breeding pairs of bald eagles.

Condor Update as of 1 March 2007

AZ Master Naturalists were invited to witness the annual Condor Release at Vermilion Cliffs Nat'l Monument on 3 March. Sorry we didn't get the word to you promptly.

The following report was compiled by Kathy Sullivan of AZGFD and forwarded to us by Grand Canyon Interpretive Ranger Marker Marshall.

Condor Breeding

Breeding season has begun. We have the first confirmed egg of the season – this represents the earliest nesting attempt of the AZ/UT reintroduction program. Condors 158 and 133 are nesting on the Kaibab Plateau – in the same nest cave as last year. This is the pair’s second nesting attempt. Their first nesting attempt failed late in the incubation stage last year. The expected hatch date is in mid-April.

Proven breeders condors 123 and 127 are due to nest in the Grand Canyon again this year. This pair successfully reared condor 305 in 2003 (305 has since died) and condor 392 in 2005.

Condors 114 and 126 are also due to nest again at the Vermilion Cliffs. This pair produced condor 389 in 2005, and 114 (with condor 149) also successfully reared condor 342 in 2004.

Condors 187 and 136 are expected to nest for their third year on the Kaibab Plateau. This pair has not successfully hatched a chick yet, but their eggs have been fertile in previous years and the third time could be the charm.

Condor 122 recently lost his mate, condor 119 (see below), however, there is a chance that 122 could repair and nest this year.

Condor Mortality

Four adult condors (119, 227, 232, and 248) died of lead toxicity this winter. Location data

suggests that two of the birds were likely exposed to lead in southern Utah and one was exposed in northern Arizona. The fourth bird foraged in both areas, so could have been exposed in either state. Condor 119 was an eleven-year-old female and a successful breeder (paired with condor 122), producing condor 350 in 2004. Condors 227 and 232 were both six-year old males, and condor 248 was a five year old female.

Condor Lead Reduction Efforts

Sixty percent of the 1,390 hunters eligible (big game tag holders in Units 12A/B and 13A) for Arizona Game and Fish Department’s non-lead ammunition program participated by redeeming their coupon for free non-lead ammunition. Interviews of almost 500 hunters at the Jacob Lake check station indicated that 60% of successful Kaibab Plateau hunters either used non-lead ammunition on their hunt, or removed their entire deer carcass and gut pile from the field. Hunter response towards the condor program and the non-lead ammunition was also extremely positive. It was apparent, however, that not all of the hunters were aware of our lead reduction efforts within the condor range. In response, the Department, The Peregrine Fund, and our partners continue to improve and expand our outreach efforts so the entire hunting community has the opportunity to participate in our conservation efforts.

Fall/winter condor trapping and lead testing was completed in January. The Peregrine Fund is currently analyzing data, and the final lead exposure results will be reported in the Review of the Second Five Years of the California Condor Reintroduction Program in the Southwest, scheduled to be published this spring.

Condor Movements

Winter has arrived in the condor range, and several weather systems moved through the area during the last two months. The majority of the condors’ movements are now concentrated around the Vermilion Cliffs release site and the surrounding lower elevations. There are also many condor sightings at Navajo Bridge and along the Colorado River corridor this time of year. Condor activity around the Kaibab Plateau, the Grand Canyon, and the Kolob area of southern Utah has greatly diminished, however.

News from the captive flock

The Peregrine Fund transferred five 2005 hatch-year condors produced at their breeding facility in Boise, Idaho (World Center for Birds of Prey) to the Vermilion Cliffs release site this winter. These birds will be released sometime in 2007 or 2008, after acclimating to their new environment.

Condor Numbers

Total population - 278
Captive – 146
Wild - 132
Arizona – 57
California – 63
Baja – 12

Astronomy Note for March 2007

Sorry we are late with the March note, but this is another sedate month for amateur skywatching. But it is an interesting month for solar system events.

There was a lunar eclipse on 3 March, coinciding with the Full Moon known as the Crow Moon by some plains indian tribes, the Sap Moon in New England, and Lenten Moon in parts of Europe. Unfortunately, only the last half of this eclipse would have been visible if you were in New England, and less anywhere else in the states. But here it is anyway, photographed by Tunc Tezel in Antalya, Turkey, and posted on Spaceweather.com. Tunc took this series of photos through an 8 inch reflector, which is why the moon appears to be moving the wrong direction.

The moon has just crossed northward over the earth-sun orbital plane, so this is offically eclipse season. Sure enough, there will be a partial eclipse of the Sun on 19 March, up to 88%, but

you'll have to be in Mongolia to see it.
The Moon also just passed Apogee, or the point in its orbit furthest from Earth (about 64 earth radii, on 7 March.
Venus shines brightly in the evening sky, setting 3 hours after sunset. It is about 80% full. (Remember that planets closer to the Sun than us show phases, like the moon.)
Saturn is high in the ESE sky, and has good views of its rings through modest telescopes.
Jupiter rises at about midnight. The Earth, the Sun, and Jupiter form a right angle this month, which means that Jupiter's shadow appears long and to the west. How would you see this shadow? The shadow will frequently be eclipsing Jupiter's moons. Several of these moons are visible in binoculars, and they will pop into the sunlight like car headlights being turned on.
Best viewing is near dawn, when air is still.
Mars is appearing about 90 minutes before dawn in the morning sky.
Mercury is appearing less than 60 minutes before dawn in the morning sky.

Meteor showers are very minimal this month. A shower called the Virginids runs from 25 Jan through 15 April, with several modest peaks. Previous observations hint that there might be a peak in early March-but even that coincides with the full moon. A shower called the gamma Normids peaks around 14 March. Just in case you need a reminder where to find constellation Norma, it's southwest of Scorpio and below the horizon. So scratch that from your March list, too.
In case your name is Caesar, the Ides of March is 15 March. The Vernal Equinox is 21 March (at 5:09 pm Flagstaff time, the Sun crosses the ecliptic into the northern hemisphere.)

Since there is so little else to talk about in this March, let me mention that 2007 is the 23rd Sunspot "minima". In the 11-year sunspot cycle, this is the low point, approaching zero sunspots. 23rd refers to the fact that this is the 23rd cycle since the first peak was recorded in 1761.

This doesn't mean no solar activity! There is one sunspot now, number 946. But a large flare has just blasted through a coronal hole, and a solar stream should hit earth on the 11th of March, creating an Aurora display over Alaska and Scandinavia.

Astronomy Note for February 2007

As you might guess from the picture above by Andrew Ingram at spaceweather.com, the big event for January and February is the spectacular appearance of Comet McNaught, discovered only last year. It is only visible in th southern part of the southern hemisphere, but beautiful photographs from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Tasmania are pileing up. A great photo from Taz, also posted at spaceweather.com, is at the bottom of this entry.

Comet McNaught was discovered so recently that its brightness was almost a complete guess. Its close perhelion (closest point of its orbit around the sun) hinted that it could be bright. But the arrangement of its orbit relative to earth is such that the comet approaches this closest point from behind the sun, zooms close, then departs back behind the sun. So thinking was is might only appear bright in coronagraphs taken by satellite SOHO, if it didn't break apart from its close approach. On 22 January, Comet McNaught was directly in line between the Sun and Earth (conjunction) but 22 degrees south (that would be up in the southern hemisphere.) It passed between Earth and Sun, only about 75 million miles from us. And wow, is it bright! It has been easily visible in daytime.

Venus is the very bright planet visible in sunsets this month. Mercury is over half full on 7 Feb, is bright, and sets half an hour after the sun. By 12 Feb, it is only a quarter full, much dimmer, and sets about 40 minutes after the Sun. Jupiter and Mars are visible in the pre-dawn skies, but not notable in brightness.

February 2nd is Groundhog Day and has a full moon, one of 13 in 2007. (June has two. The second is considered a "Blue Moon" by one definition.)

Two very modest meteor showers are listed for February: the alpha Centaurids peak on 8 Feb, and the delta Leonids peak on 25 Feb.

The Serial Killers in Our Midst

Curled up on the easy chair, or sprawled in the sunshine of the windowsill, they can look so peaceful and benign...
But the estimated 90 million house cats in the US slaughter more than 1 billion birds and other small animals each year. I have rarely met an owner that allows their cat(s) both inside and outside who will acknowledge that their gentle tabby would ever consider killing birds under any circumstances. (Okay, maybe their cat did kill a bird that one time...but that was all.) I have met owners who insist that cats must be allowed to roam and hunt at night to "honor" their cat's "catness".

At the website for the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) there is a new questionnaire, part of a long term research project into the scope and size of this carnage. The questionnaire allows the general public to detail attacks on wildlife by cats and other predators, such as dogs and hawks. These eyewitness reports will allow researchers at the ABC to answer questions such as whether feral or pet cats take a larger toll. By comparing the results to those of previous surveys, scientists will also be able to assess whether the rising popularity of feline is matched by a higher birdy body count.
You can read more about the impact of cats on wildlife and fill out the survey at www.abcbirds.org/cats . Thanks to Constance Holden and Science magazine.

2007 Bald Eagle Workshops by AZGFD

Before you go any further, check out this great "Eagle-Cam" footage from the TV program "Spy On the Wild" by clicking here on Animal Planet.

AZ Master Naturalists and Watershed Stews and Stewardesses, please take note! The annual Bald Eagle Workshop is coming up again soon, and this is your early notice to grab one of the limited spots for attendance.

Demand for this workshop has been so great that last year, AZGFD added a second date, which doubled their capacity. This year (2007) they are going to add a second workshop on each day, doubling their capacity again.

WHO? Arizona Fish and Game Dept (AZFGD), Flagstaff Office, 774-5045, ask for Shelly Shepard, Information Officer, or just tell reception that you want to sign up for the Workshop.

WHAT? Annual Bald Eagle Workshop
Four sessions available, each has the same three parts:
1. Breeding Population in AZ
2. Wintering Population in Northern Arizona
3. Field Trip to view Balds along Lake Mary Rd

WHEN? 17 and 24 FEB 07 (Both are Saturdays.)
First Session begins 9 am .
Second Session begins 1 pm .

Please sign up to attend! This annual workshop is very popular and attendance is limited to the capacity of the lecture hall (about 50 per session). To sign up, please call AZ Fish and Game Dept Flagstaff office at 774-5045 and ask to be signed up for the Annual Bald Eagle Workshop.
Please remember to bring your binoculars or spotting scopes for the field trip! Dress appropriately for walking and bring water. Expect the field trip to last approximately 90 minutes. Expect only heavy rain or snow will cancel, but decision will be made by workshop leaders.

WHERE? Southwest Forestry Science Complex (bldg 82) on South Campus, main floor (room 17 lecture hall).

Premiere of Fossil Creek Documentary to be Held in Phoenix

In an age of increasing energy needs, what would cause Arizona’s largest electric company to voluntarily remove one of its hydroelectric facilities? The answer is an intricate tapestry of many threads, whose story will be revealed at the World Premiere of the documentary - A River Reborn: The Restoration of Fossil Creek on January 14th at the Orpheum Theater in Phoenix. This documentary is produced for Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the Museum of Northern Arizona by 5-time Emmy Award-Winning producer, Paul Bockhorst and narrated by, Cheers! actor Ted Danson. It tells how Arizona Public Service (APS) and environmental advocates overcame the odds to restore this beautiful river to the people of Arizona.

A Collaborative Project
A River Reborn is a joint project of Northern Arizona University, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and Paul Bockhorst Productions. The one-hour documentary was photographed by Emmy Award-winning videographer Douglas Crawford and edited by Rusty Colby. The original music was composed by Paul Morehouse. Support for the production was provided by the National Science Foundation, the USDI Bureau of Reclamation, and the Heritage Program of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, with additional funding from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, the Ecological Restoration Institute, and the Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research at Northern Arizona University.

A River Reborn will air on KAET Arizona Public Television at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2007. It will be distributed to public television stations across the country via satellite by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) in March, 2007.

For further information about A River Reborn and related educational materials, please visit:
www.RiverReborn.org

or contact:
Dr. Stefan Sommer, Executive Producer, A River Reborn
Director of Education, Merriam-Powell Center, Northern Arizona University
(928) 523-4463 / Stefan.Sommer@nau.edu

Geography-Land Use on the Colorado Plateau

Oooo! Here is a really grand web site for anyone looking for a background briefing on the Colorado Plateau, its environments, peoples, places, history, and trends. Full of illustrative photographs and charts, each subject area includes references, and there are sections discussing the tools and research used to learn and describe various conclusions or predictions. Go to Land Use History of Northern Arizona.

Condor Update as of 11 December 2006

Here is the latest summary of California Condor information from Kathy Sullivan of AZGFD and Marker Marshall, NPS Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park. This will probably be the last update until March 2007.

From Marker Marshall:
--The first flight of this year's wild condor chick in southern California took place on October 22. This is California's second successful fledging; we've had five here in Arizona. Of the seven total fledglings, the only fatality was #305 here in Arizona in March of 2005.

--Condor #122 (male of the Battleship nest in other years) is back out in the wild again.

(See attached file: 11_09_06 AZGFD condor update.doc)

Additional news from Kathy Sullivan(as of 9 Nov 06):

Potential 10(j) area expansion
Condors are regularly moving to the west of the current 10(j) non-essential experimental population area boundary in the Cedar City,Utah area. Discussions are underway to propose expansion of the 10(j) area into all of Arizona and Utah and portions of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Nevada. A proposal developed by the Southwest Condor Workgroup and will be presented to the Condor Recovery Team and the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service.

Condor Movements
Condors are continuing to forage around the Kolob area of southern Utah. Activity on the Kaibab Plateau increased slightly in October, with an even greater increase expected for November. Condor activity decreased at the south rim of the Grand Canyon in October, while visits to the release site increased slightly within the same period.

Condor Lead Exposure
Condor 122 was re-released at the Vermilion Cliffs in late-October after finally recovering from a lead exposure incident last March. 122 is doing well and has revisited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, though he has not spent much time with 119 yet. Hopefully the two will reform their pair bond and nest again in 2007.

The big game hunting seasons have commenced in condor range (Units 9, 10, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B) and will continue through December. Lead reduction efforts are well underway with over 6,600 letters mailed to hunters, the continuation of the Department’s free non-lead ammunition program, and increased contact with hunters in the field.

Response from the hunting community has been positive. Early estimates indicate that at least 50% of the deer harvested for the opening ten-day Kaibab deer hunt were taken using non-lead ammunition. Field correspondence with hunters using lead bullets also suggested that many were either packing their gut piles out, taking head or neck shots to ensure a lead free gut pile, or covering their gut piles in the field. Conversations with hunters in the field also revealed a need for improved communication prior to the hunting season – the word still isn’t getting out to everyone. I hope to improve our outreach efforts next year by utilizing the help of our condor coalition partners – local sportsman’s groups.

Field observations and telemetry hits confirmed that the condors on the Kaibab were frequenting areas with the highest density of gut piles. Hunters actually reported seeing condors feeding on deer gut piles. Information obtained through the Department’s check station, allowed us to record general locations of gut piles suspected to contain lead. The Peregrine Fund collected and x-rayed several gut piles, some which were confirmed to contain lead fragments.

Condor trapping and testing has begun. So far only a few birds have shown elevated blood-lead-levels, but we are only a week into testing. Most of the population will be tested and retested within the next few months. Let’s hope that the majority of the gut piles that the birds have found were lead-free.

News from California
“On Sunday, October 22nd, Condor chick 412 fledged successfully from its nest near Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. The bird made a short flapping flight across the canyon and landed on a cliff escarpment. Since then 412 has been making short flights around the canyon near the nest site, with both parents in close attendance. It should be noted this is a new young pair, and the first nesting attempt for both birds. The male is a 5-year-old, the female is 6. It shows that new young pairs can be successful on their first attempt.” It should also be noted that this chick was taken into captivity briefly and underwent surgery to remove impacted microtrash and cow hair. Thanks to the diligent work of the California crew this bird survived and can now thrive in the wild. Congratulations California!

Other news:

Current numbers are roughly:
284 total
61 wild in Arizona
63 wild in California
12 wild in Baja.

The Arizona number had been 60. Then on September 12, three young condors (334 from the 2004 cohort; 387 & 371 from the 2005 cohort) were released. However, two of the original 60 have now been classified as "missing and presumed dead." They are: 7-year-old female #176, last seen in April; and 2-year-old female #353, released this March and last seen in June. That
brings us to 61 wild birds in Arizona, either free-flying or temporarily captured.

In addition, there are still five never-released condors being held at Vermilion Cliffs: one from the 2004 cohort and four from the 2005 cohort. Members of the 2006 cohort of captive-bred birds will arrive some time this winter.

--Last year's Salt Creek chick, #392, has been held at Vermilion Cliffs since capture in late August to avoid any chance of a repeat of 305's fate. When captured (together with its momma, #127), 392 tested high in lead and had to undergo a week of chelation (2 shots per day), a potentially traumatic experience. (See the August "Notes from the Field" at
www.peregrinefund.org.) #127 was free of lead and has since been released. We are still waiting to hear the sex of both of last year's wild chicks, #392 & #389.

I'm off on my winter furlough until February 27; in the meanwhile you can stay posted by checking Thomas Lord's "Notes From the Field" at www.peregrinefund.org. The November notes have just come out, with information on the just-finished hunting season. Allyson Mathis may also send out an update or two in my absence. Have a great winter!

Bald Eagle Closure Areas Go Into Effect -2006

Please help us to protect Arizona's bald eagles
At this time every year, wildlife officials ask for your help in protecting Arizona's bald eagles by honoring the closure of 19 eagle breeding areas in different parts of the state, some near popular recreation areas.

Our state currently has 43 breeding pairs of bald eagles, and various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year, starting in December, in an effort to protect their breeding attempts.

"We want to give these birds every chance to thrive," says James Driscoll, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. "Human activity near active bald eagle nests can cause a breeding pair to leave its eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. It can take only 30 minutes for a breeding attempt to fail."

The bald eagle was federally listed as an endangered species in 1978. The birds have now recovered enough to be considered a threatened species. Part of the reason for the comeback in our state is the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program, which contracts with volunteers to monitor breeding areas, educate the public about breeding area closures and identify situations where intervention might be needed to save an eagle's life.

In December, Arizona bald eagles begin rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. During this time, land and wildlife management agencies enact the seasonal breeding area closures. Bald eagles nest, forage and roost at the rivers and lakes that are some of Arizona's most popular recreation spots, and this time of year, that can be difficult for the birds.

For a list of seasonal closures throughout the state, as well as tips if you visit bald eagle areas, please click here.

You can help bald eagle research and recovery efforts by reporting any harassment or shooting of bald eagles. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement at (480) 967-7900.

Astronomy Note for December 2006

Two or three things for this month:
Moonwise, the full moon this month is the "Long Night Moon" on the 5th.
Planetwise, there is a very close association of planets this month in the southeast sky near dawn.Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars are called a triplet, because they are within a circle of less than 5 degrees wide from the 7th to the 14th, about the width of the visual field for many binoculars. Mars is much fainter than the others. They will be within a circle of only 1 degree on the 10th of December.

Finally, Meteorwise, the Geminids will peak on the 14th. There are 7-8 minor meteor showers expected in December, and most will be washed out by moonlight, including the Geminids, but the moon will come up after midnight, so observation can still be good.
Information for these notes comes primarily from Guy Ottwell, Fred Schaaf, and Alistair McBeath in Astronomical Calendar, Sky Publishing.

Public comment sought on revised draft of Wildlife 2012

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public comment on the revised draft of its “Wildlife 2012” plan, a strategic plan that will guide how the agency manages wildlife, certain recreational opportunities and its own operations for the next six years.

The revised draft can be downloaded from the department’s Web site at azgfd.gov or can be requested by calling the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s funds/planning section at (602) 789-3528.
Written comment will be accepted until Nov. 20, either by e-mail to wildlife2012plan@azgfd.gov or by U.S. mail to Wildlife 2012, c/o Funds & Planning, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023-4399.

This Strategic Plan is a disappointing effort. Running to 23 pages, only one page deals with wildlife management, and one more page discusses the impact of various human activities on managing wildlife. The rest is a collection of information regarding outdoor recreation, legislation and administration, human resources, and other aspects of hierarchical establishment. If it weren't for those pesky animals, it would be the perfect strategic plan.

An initial draft went through an extensive public input process earlier this fall, including six

informational meetings around the state and the opportunity for the public to provide comment.

“We’re giving the public another opportunity to provide written comment on the proposed strategic plan, now that we’ve had a chance to consider the input and incorporate some revisions,” says Bruce Taubert, the department’s assistant director for wildlife management.

The "Wildlife 2012" plan outlines priorities and strategic goals affecting four areas: wildlife management, off-highway vehicle recreation, watercraft recreation and department administration.

A final draft will be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for consideration and approval at the commission’s public meeting Dec. 8-9 at the Embassy Suites, 2577 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix.

Astronomy Note for November 06

There a number of interesting astronomical notes for November, although they do not necessarily translate into viewing opportunities.

The first full moon after the Harvest Moon is called the Hunter's Moon by Englishmen and Hobbits. (The Harvest Moon being the full moon nearest to the Autumnal Equinox.) This year it will be on 5 November. Other names for this full moon are Frost(y) Moon, Beaver Moon, Slim Winds Moon (Navajo), Moon of the Sparrow Hawks (neophytes or initiates - Hopi).

This is a good month to mentally expand your mind's eye view of the Solar System.

Venus, Jupiter, and Mars are swinging around the side of the Sun opposite from us. Mars will begin to be visible at the end of November, rising just ahead of the Sun. But

Mercury will rise sooner and be brighter. (More about Mercury in a moment.)

Saturn is at a place in its orbit relative to Earth that is referred to as the "west quadrature", where Saturn, the Sun, and Earth form a 90 degree angle. So even though the rings are only a little more than edge-on to us, the planet will cast a shadow across them. When this happens, the planet's image has a more 3-D impression. You'll have to use a telescope to experience this.

Mercury will make a regular but infrequent transit across the surface of the Sun on 8 November, the last one for 10 years. This will be a seemingly long event. Mercury will appear to take almost 5 hours to pass across the disc of the Sun. Please do not try to see this without proper protection for your eyes. You might try going to the Space Weather web page listed in our references; they will probably have real time images. If you have proper equipment, which includes an accurate telescope and mount, solar filter, and radio time signal, then you might want to help geodists and astronomers by contributing your observations of the four key transit contacts: When Mercury's leading and trailing edges touch the edge of the Sun, and when they exit the edge of the Sun. If you know how to measure these events to an accuracy of one hundredth of degree, or one arc-second, of long. and lat., then send your observations to The Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, or JohnWestfall@comcast.net . A surprising amount of astronomical data is derived from amateur observations.

After this transit, Mercury will appear to move rapidly away from the Sun. By 25 November, it will rise about 90 minutes before sunrise, and will be especially bright because it will be showing over 60% illuminated. (Like the Moon, Mercury and Venus show waxing and waning phases.)

There are four regular meteor showers in November, and two are promising. The first two are not. The southern and northern Taurids, peaking on 5 and 12 November respectively,will have interference from the Moon's light. The Leonids are expected to peak on 17 November. Derived from comet Temple-Tuttle, this shower may generate well over 100 meteors per hour. The apparent source from which they radiate is Leo's head, which will be visible after 11 pm Arizona time. They are hitting the Earth head-on, and they're fast, bright, and half or more leave persistent trails in the sky.
The Alpha Monocerids should peak on 21 November. Again, look after 11 pm. Eleven years ago, a 30 minute outburst occurred which included about 5 minutes of well over 400 per hour. There may be a decadal periodicity, so it could be worth watching. Monoceros is at the east end of the Milky Way, and just east of Orion.

Lastly for November, note that that the Milky Way is oriented east-west across the sky. As you look up and face southward, you are looking "below" and beyond the disk of our galaxy, and this is referred to as the "southern window". Here you will see the galaxies of our "Local Group". Andromeda Galaxy is straight up in the sky, but still just"below" the Milky Way. If you are using binoculars, it appears as a fuzzy spot.

These notes are derived primarily from the Astronomical Calendar, edited by Guy Ottwell, with observation highlights from Frank Schaaf and others.

First Snow on the Peaks!

First visible snow on the San Francisco Peaks was visible in Flagstaff on 9 October, 2006. This photograph is actually of the second visible snow, a couple days later. According to Snotel electronic reports from the Inner Basin, measurable snow had actually fallen on 6 and 7 October (about half an inch each day). A similar amount was recorded in late September, but that is officially part of last year's (2005-6) precipitation totals.. Last year, first snow was 12 October.
To see a larger image, click on "Continue Reading"...
To see daily reports from the automated Snow Telemetry station (SNOTEL) on the Peaks and elsewhere in Arizona, go to this site: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Arizona/arizona.html .

Thunderstorms Bring Tornadoes

We've had lots of interesting weather this year. No snow at all until March, then spring rains everywhere (except NE Arizona) when it should be dry, a wet monsoon, and then fall rains when when it should be dry. Tuba City gets washed and blow-dried this week. Here (Click on "Continue reading..." ) are a series of 5 photos showing a small tornado moving along I-40 just outside Walnut Canyon National Monument on 18 September. Photos taken looking Northwest. Turkey Hills are on the right, Mount Elden in the distance, left.

Exceptional year for Arizona's eagles

With the breeding season now over, Arizona can celebrate what's turning out to be an incredible year for the state's bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists confirm a record number of eagle breeding areas in the state, as well as a tie with the year 2004 for a record number of eaglets that lived to fledge, or begin flying, in Arizona.

Biologists also found three new bald eagle breeding areas, for a record total of 50. Every year, many eagle breeding areas that are located near popular recreation areas are closed for the breeding season, so the birds' breeding attempts won't be interrupted by human activity. On June 30, the last of these closures was lifted, at the end of a very successful breeding season.

"We are really excited at how this breeding season turned out," says James Driscoll, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. "Forty-two eagle nestlings fledged this year, tying our previous record in this state."

"The success of the season can be partly credited to our fantastic nest watchers," says Kenneth "Tuk" Jacobson, an Arizona Game and Fish bald eagle biologist.

Every year, nest watchers camp out for four months to monitor eagle-breeding efforts in Arizona. The contractors spend dawn to dusk collecting data about the eagles' behavior and notifying rescuers of any life-threatening situations for the birds. Since the program began in 1978, it has helped to save the lives of almost 50 eaglets. This year alone, nest watchers helped to rescue and save four young eagles that otherwise might have died.

The bald eagle was federally listed as an endangered species in 1978. The birds have recovered enough to be listed now as a "threatened species."

October Astronomy Note 2006

The full moon on 6 October is the full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox, so it is officially the Harvest Moon for this year.
Most of the planets are in poor positions for observation. Jupiter is still visible in the evenings, but by the end of the month it will be lost in the setting sun. Saturn doesn't rise until 3 am. Venus and Mercury are on the opposite side of the Sun.
What we do have is a good opportunity to observe the Orionid meteor shower. Active from 2 October through 7 November, they should peak on 21 October, radiating from Orion's club. Orionids are usually very fast but often leave persistent trails.

Notes are derived mainly from the Astronomical Calendar, edited by Guy Ottewell.

September 2006 SW Climate Outlook

The September Southwest Climate Outlook is online. This month's outlook provides recent drought conditions and the latest seasonal forecasts. The feature article discusses Arizona water supply. Go to: http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/climas/forecasts/swconditions.html to see the groovy maps and drought terminology only a climatologist can love. Looking into our crystal ball we see: http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/climas/forecasts/swforecasts.html. Read on, weather geeks; El Nino doth return. Just like a little boy to behave this way, but we'll take it!

Highlights from the September 2006 Outlook

Drought – The record monsoon rains have brought significant short-term drought relief to the Southwest, particularly in New Mexico. Longer-term relief will be dependent on adequate winter rain and snow.

Drought conditions are expected to continue to improve in New Mexico and some improvement is likely in Arizona.
Reservoirs in Arizona and New Mexico were partly replenished by the abundant monsoon rains.

Temperature – Since the start of the water year on October 1, 2005 temperatures over most of the Southwest have been above average.

Precipitation – Since the start of the monsoon season precipitation has been well above average across most of the Southwest. Heavy rainfall has caused extensive flooding in many areas in Arizona and New Mexico.

Climate Forecasts – Experts predict increased chances of warmer-than-average temperatures and above-average precipitation for most of the Southwest during the upcoming winter.

El Niño – El Niño conditions have developed and are expected to continue into early 2007.

The Bottom Line – Some drought relief has occurred due to the abundant rain since the start of the monsoon season, but that relief may be limited to short-term impacts due to the accumulated effects of long-term, multi-year precipitation deficits.

To download a printer-friendly PDF file (3.1 MB) of the September 2006 Outlook, visit: http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/climas/end/packets/septpacket2006.pdf

As always, you can view the latest Southwest Climate Outlook in html format at: http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/climas/forecasts/swoutlook.html

Coconino Nat'l Forest Travel Management Rules

All National Forests are required to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motorized use. The Coconino National Forest is beginning this process. If you care which roads, trails, or areas should be open or closed to motor vehicles, you should get involved.
The forest will have a series of "Open House" meetings in October, followed by Feedback Sessions in November. A schedule for northern Arizona meetings follows:

Open House meetings:

Coconino High, Flag 14 Oct 1:00-4:00 pm
Happy Jack Lodge 16 Oct 5:30-8:00 pm
Cliff Castle Casino 18 Oct 5:30-8:00 pm
Winslow High 19 Oct 5:30-8-:00 pm

Feedback Sessions:

Coconino High, Flag 4 Nov 1:00-5:00 pm
Happy Jack Lodge 6 Nov 3:00-7:00 pm
Winslow High 8 Nov 3:00-7:00 pm
Cliff Castle Casino 9 Nov 3:00-7:00 pm

Coconino National Forest Plan Periodic Revision

The National Forest Management Act of 1976 requires each National Forest to have a master plan and to update it periodically. Coconino National Forest is now entering into the public portion of that cycle. It will hold its first round of public meetings in October and November, the second round in January and March. The CNF will then allow itself a year to revise and refine the plan, and then have a comment period in April thru September 2008. The final plan is not expected to be signed off until March 2009. The public meeting schedule for northern Arizona follows:

Happy Jack Lodge 3 Oct 5:30-8:00 pm
Blue Ridge 14 Nov 5:30-8:00 pm
Sinagua High, Flag 4 Oct 5:30-8:00 pm
15 Nov 5:30-8:00 pm
Winslow High 5 Oct 5:30-8:00 pm
16 Nov 5:30-8:00 pm
Cliff Castle Casino 11 Oct 5:30-8:00 pm
13 Nov 5:30-8:00 pm

“Dying Forests, Living Fires”: Four Writers on the West’s Changing Forests

Fire, drought, bark beetles, human population growth, a global economy?western forests are changing, and so are the people who live in and near them. On Monday, October 2, Northern Arizona University and the Orion Society will host four prominent writers who will read recent work focused on western forests.

From Tamara Ramirez, 928-523-0499; Tamara.Ramirez@nau.edu

“Dying Forests, Living Fires” features:
• William deBuys, professor of documentary studies at the College of Santa Fe.deBuys has worked
actively in land management in New Mexico and has authored several books, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist River of Traps (University of New Mexico Press, 1990).
• Alison Deming, professor of creative writing at the University of Arizonaand the author of a number of books of poetry and prose, including Genius Loci (Penguin, 2005).
• Peter Friederici, assistant professor of journalism at NAU, editor of KNAU's Earth Notes program, and author of numerous articles and books, including Nature's Restoration: People and Places on the Front Lines of Conservation (Island Press, 2006).
• Gary Paul Nabhan, director of NAU's Center for Sustainable Environments and author of numerous books, including most recently Why Some Like It Hot: Food, Genes, and Cultural Diversity (Island Press, 2004).
The authors will be introduced by H. Emerson Blake, executive director of the Orion Society, which publishes the popular journal Orion and engages in other publishing efforts aimed at exploring connections between people and nature.

“For 25 years, Orion magazine has given voice to writers exploring connections between people and nature,” said Gary Paul Nabhan, a member of the Orion Society’s advisory board. “In Flagstaff, it seems appropriate to have the Orion Society host a reading focusing on the forest issues that are of such great interest here."

The reading, free and open to the public, will be held beginning at 7 PM in NAU’s Cline Library Auditorium. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the reading.

The reading will be preceded by a panel discussion examining connections between writing and science. “Writing Science in a Skeptical Age” will be moderated by H. Emerson Blake and will feature Alison Deming, Peter Friederici, and Gary Nabhan. The panelists will discuss the responsibility of writers in bringing science to the public.

“These days science is more a part of our lives than ever,” said Peter Friederici, Southwest correspondent for Orion. “Yet it is also under fire. Whether the topic is climate change, stem cell research, or evolution, scientific research and results are increasingly subjected to political and social pressure. Clearly, journalists and other writers have a vital responsibility in ensuring that members of the public have the information they need as they make decisions about how science is used in the public sphere."

This panel discussion will take place from 3 to 4:30 PM in room 119 at the School of Communication on NAU’s north campus.
Cosponsors for the events include the Orion Society, the NAU Center for Sustainable Environments, NAU School of Communication, NAU Program in Community, Culture, and Environment, NAU Ecological Restoration Institute, NAU Master of Liberal Studies Program, Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon Wildlands Council, Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, and Grand Canyon Trust.

Scorpion Web Pages

Huskerdu!
This is not where I would expect to find it - but here is an excellent reference site for Scorpions by Jan Ove Rein at the Norga teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU) (Norwegian Technical and Life Sciences University). Go to http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/ .
Yours truly has had a couple run-ins with Centruroides excilicauda over the years, and I can tell you, "huskerdu!" was NOT the word that came out of my mouth. The first time was in a severe Haboob near the Estrella Mountains, when a C. excilicauda blew onto my leg. The last time was at Havasupai, when I had a brief but memorable dispute with a C. e. over who had possession of a particular pair of jeans.

Condor Update as of 1 Aug 2006

Condor Fans--

Attached are the latest population numbers from the California Department of Fish and Game. I've taken the liberty of correcting the Arizona numbers to 60 (rather than 58) wild California condors and 8 (rather than 10) pre-release birds, and adjusted the totals accordingly. The number of wild condors in California is lower than I estimated in my last update: apparently the release of six condors at Big Sur in early June had already been included in the June 1 population numbers. And there have been some deaths in the wild this summer as well as quite a few among this year's chicks. (There is still one chick in the wild in southern California--keep your fingers crossed for a successful fledging!) As always, treat these numbers as approximate. The short version: 289 condors total, with 61 in the wild in CA, 19 in Baja, and 60 in AZ.

(See Aug 1 Condor Numbers edited by Marker Marshall, below)

Here in Arizona, I'm happy to say that Condor #134, treated at the Phoenix Zoo for lead poisoning for the last several months, was released back into the wild on July 21. #122 is also back from the Phoenix Zoo, and once he
gains some weight and strength he too will be re-released. For more information, check out Thom Lord's Aug 1 Notes from the Field at: www.peregrinefund.org

CALIFORNIA CONDOR POPULATION SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION
August 1, 2006
(status through July 31, prepared August 2, 2006 )

TOTAL POPULATION 289

CAPTIVE POPULATION 149
Los Angeles Zoo 29 (includes 7 chicks from 2006)
San Diego WAP 29 (includes 8 chicks from 2006)
WCBP Boise 53 (includes 6 chicks from 2006)
Oregon Zoo 20 (includes 2 chicks from 2006)
Mentor birds in field pens 5(#79,226 SoCal ) (64 Baja) (Ventana 155) (OR 36)
Pre-release birds in field pens 5 (CA) 8(AZ)

WILD POPULATION 140
California 61
Wild-fledged 1
Wild, Southern California-released birds 18
Wild, Central California-released birds 41 (2 recent deaths)
Big Sur- 28
Pinnacles- 13
Nestlings in wild nests 1
Baja California 19
Wild, from releases 13 (1 recent death to lead poisoning)
Being held in pre-release flight pen 6
Arizona 60
Wild-fledged 4
Wild, from releases 56
Nestlings in wild nests 0

Wild Production in 2006:
Southern California- Four pairs produced eggs, two nests failed, one nestling died, one pair feeding nestling.
Central California- No verified breeding . 3 possible pairs
Arizona �Three pairs, all failed at egg stage.
Baja-No nesting attempts

Captive Production in 2006:
San Diego Wild Animal Park: 11 eggs laid, 6 hatched successfully, 5 died during incubation
Los Angeles Zoo: 8 eggs laid, one died before hatching; 7 hatched plus one chick from a fertile egg brought in from the wild. One fertile egg transferred to a wild nest.
World Center for Birds of Prey: Fourteen eggs laid, all hatched, 2 to San Diego W. A. P.
Oregon Zoo: 3 eggs laid, all hatched. One chick died, unknown cause.

From California Department of Fish & Game, corrected regarding released/prerelease Arizona condor numbers. �Marker Marshall, 8/4/06

Ms. Marker Marshall
Park Ranger--Interpretation
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
voice: (928) 638-7830
fax: (928) 638-7776

2006 Third Annual Penstemon Festival and Sale

This really nice event is Saturday, August 5, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
And it is free with admission fee

Scheduled Activities:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Penstemon Sales
11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Gardens tours, focusing on Penstemon
10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. Children's activities, including penstemon crafts and face painting
12:00 & 2:00 Live Birds of Prey Programs
3:00 p.m. Penstemon Planting Demonstration

For more information, go to the Arboretum web page for the Penstemon Festival, or call 928.774.1442.

The South has its azaleas. The Midwest has its corn. Maine has the maple, and Portland, Oregon has its roses. Flagstaff? Why not the mighty penstemon?

Penstemons are the largest genus of flowering plants endemic to North America, and more varieties grow around Flagstaff than just about anywhere else. Botanists have classified 272 species throughout the continent, with dozens occurring in the Flagstaff area. So it makes sense that The Arboretum should be the place to honor this uniquely American wildflower.

The highlight of the event will be displays of blooming penstemons in our Courtyard throughout the day. Many of them will be for sale. We will also have special tours of the garden, focusing on our penstemon collection, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Children�s activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including penstemon-themed crafts and face painting. The festival is free with general admission or an Arboretum membership.

August Astronomy Note 2006

For those early risers, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn are coming up just before the Sun in the morning sky this month. Mercury is the one lower and closer to the Sun. The 7th will be a good time to see Mercury, about 45 minutes before dawn.
Note that on the morning of 22 August, 30-40 minutes before dawn, the Moon, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury will appear in a cluster only a few degrees across.
Neptune is at opposition, and is high in the sky at near midnight, making this the best time of the year for viewing this blue planet, if you have a telescope.
In the evening sky are Jupiter and Mars, both getting closer, from our viewpoint, to the Sun as the month progresses.
The Perseid Meteor Shower will peak on the 12th, but a large waning Moon will impact observations.
Data for these notes are mainly obtained from the Astronomical Calendar by Guy Ottewell, Dept of Physics, Furman University.

Condor Update as of 19 July 06

Condor enthusiasts--

Attached below are the latest Condor updates from Marker Marshall, Park Ranger for Interpretation at
Grand Canyon National Park, and Kathy Sullivan of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

From Marker Marshall:

Here are approximate current condor totals, by my calculations. This is based on California Department of Fish and Game numbers for June 1, with corrections for Arizona from Thomas Lord of Peregrine Fund, and updates from California. (They've reported 6 birds released at Big Sur in early June. Also the mortalities of a wild chick, described below, and of one of the newly-released birds, found dead beneath a power

line on July 2.) As written on the latest population report from California, "Numbers reported in the monthly status report should be treated as tentative data"!

World total: 297
Wild population in CA: 71
Wild population in Baja: 15
Wild population in AZ: 60
--This includes #134, soon to be re-released,
#122, still at the Phoenix Zoo, and
# 196, missing since April.
--It does not include the 8 condors in the flight pen at Vermilion
Cliffs, awaiting their first release.
Total wild population: 146
Total captive population: 151.

Summary of this year's breeding:

In Arizona this year, all three nests failed at the egg stage.

In California this year, at one time there were 5 suspected eggs. Their fate:
--Regarding the suspected nest on Big Sur, "One pair...appeared to be setting up camp in a redwood tree. We had an unseasonably strong storm hit in late April that really put a strain on the Redwood pair and they abandoned the nest shortly after." Breeding was never verified.
--Regarding the 4 suspected nests in southern CA:
- The nest of AC-9 and his mate failed around hatching time in April. Severe torrential rains were present around that time.
- Another nest failed May 10, also around hatching time.
- On June 27, the desiccated body of a nearly 3-month-old chick was found below the nest cave that had been successful in 2004. Cause of death unknown.
- That leaves one chick on which to pin all hopes for the 2006 wild breeding season. This egg was hatched May 1, following an egg swap conducted April 29 with an egg from the Los Angeles Zoo that was ready to
start piping. The egg removed from the nest site was fertile; I assume it has since hatched at the L.A. Zoo, to be raised in captivity.

In captivity this year, as of June 1 there were 29 surviving nestlings from 36 captive-laid eggs.

Summary of previous wild nesting successes:

--In Arizona,
- one wild condor (#305) fledged successfully from a Grand Canyon(Salt Creek) nest in 2003, but died in 2005.
- two chicks fledged successfully in 2004 and are doing well in the wild: one in Grand Canyon(Battleship), one in the Vermilion Cliffs.
- two chicks fledged successfully in 2005 and are doing well in the wild. one in Grand Canyon(Salt Creek), one in the Vermilion Cliffs. The Grand Canyon chick, #392, has not yet been captured.

--In California,
- one wild condor fledged successfully in 2004 and is doing well in the wild.

Ms. Marker Marshall
Park Ranger--Interpretation
Grand Canyon National Park

From Kathy Sullivan:

California Condor AZ Update - 10 July 2006

This condor update is provided solely for the purpose of disseminating information to project cooperators and other interested parties. For media requests, please contact me directly at 928-214-1249 or ksullivan@azgfd.gov.

Condor Breeding

The egg of first time breeders, condors 133 & 158 was recovered on 5 June 2006 by Thom Lord, Eric Weiss, and Marty Jenkins of the Peregrine Fund, after the pair finally abandoned their nest cave. The egg was submitted for testing and results indicated the egg was fertile, but the embryo died shortly before hatching. Since it is common for a pair�s first nesting attempt to fail, the fate of this nest was not a surprise, and it�s a very good sign that the pair�s first egg was actually fertile.

The egg of second time breeders, condors 187 & 136 was submitted for testing in late May. Results confirmed this egg was also fertile and the embryo died just prior to hatching � the same fate of their egg last year. Late death embryo is a natural event that occurs in both the wild and captive condor populations. Two of the successful breeding pairs in Arizona failed twice before they produced their first chick. Hopefully the third time will be the charm for this pair also.

Condor Lead Exposure

Condor 122 is still being treated for lead exposure at the Phoenix Zoo and is expected to return to the wild shortly. Condor 134, who was also being treated for lead exposure at the Zoo, was healthy enough for transport back to the Vermilion Cliffs treatment facility for further recuperation in June and will be re-released soon. Thanks to the diligent observations of the Peregrine Fund biologists, the Grand Canyon Helitack crew and biologists, the quick response by AZGFD pilots, and the staff of the Phoenix Zoo, it looks like both these birds will join the Arizona flock again.

A few lead exposure events have occurred this spring/summer, none fatal. It is usual to see a spike in condor lead exposure events each spring, after the forests experience an increase in human activity.

Condor Movements

Condor 392 (the 2005 Grand Canyon chick) expanded its range in June. Peregrine biologists observed the tagless 392 at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon this month, marking the farthest documented flight for this bird. In addition, condor 392 was observed with other condors perched above a deer carcass. Hopefully, one of the bird�s next journeys will take it to the release site and one step closer to receiving a transmitter and vaccination for WNV.

The rest of the condors are still traveling. Biologists are busy monitoring the Vermilion Cliffs, the Kaibab Plateau, the North Rim, the South Rim, southern Utah, and everywhere in between.

The condors didn�t seem to be adversely affected by the 59,000 acre Warm Fire, although the fire restricted biologists� access to the Kaibab and North Rim for a week. The birds simply avoided the fire and smoke during their travels. It�s possible some increased forage (animals killed or displaced by the fire) may be available on the Kaibab Plateau thanks to the fire, which is now 100% contained.

News from California

The two 2006 wild-hatched chicks are still doing well in California. They should be ready to fledge this fall.

Several condors from the Pinnacles release site were exposed to lead after feeding on squirrels shot with lead ammunition. It was also possible that the birds fed on some nearby poisoned squirrels. All birds involved were trapped, treated and released, with no resulting mortalities.

Six captive-reared condors were released at Big Sur on 4 June 2006. Several of the Big Sur birds are still feeding on the beached gray whale.

AZ Native Plant Society Program

Tuesday evening, Dr Andrew Salywon will present a program called "Mustard Mania". He became interested in Mustards while collecting in the SW for the USDA. He has been working with others on an update to Brassicaceae for the Vascular Plants of Arizona project. He currently works for USDA researching potential oilseed crops. His talk will touch on taxonomy, ecology, hybridization, pollination, and invasive aspects of AZ mustards.
This is part of the regular 3rd Tuesday meeting of the AZNPS, from 7-8:30 pm room 313 of the NAU Biological Sciences Building. Please use the Beaver Street entrance.

Governor and advisory council fight real problems from invasive species in AZ

They can threaten our state�s economy, environment and even human health.

They�re invasive species, non-native plants and animals that come to Arizona and cause real harm, and the problems they create are now being addressed by Gov. Janet Napolitano�s Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council.
Arizona is currently dealing with several invasive species problems, including the emergence of roof rats in our urban areas, the competition of non-native crayfish with our native and sport fish species, and the discovery of golden algae in some of our lakes, which causes fish kills.

�Arizona needs to position itself to protect our economy, people and resources in the future,� says Gov. Napolitano, who created the advisory council with an executive order.

The council of experts from both the public and private sector just completed a �Report to the Governor� with recommendations to protect Arizona�s interests from plant and animal species that are brought into our state � both intentionally and unintentionally � and cause harm.

Non-native birds, rodents and insects can bring in human diseases, driving up health care costs. Epidemics of

diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, plague and even the recent spread of West Nile Virus, have been associated with invasive animal species.

The cost of invasive species damage and control to agriculture and forestry in the United States is estimated to be more than $138 billion each year. Invasive plants or weeds can cause reductions in crop production, can compete with native plants and can change an area�s ecology.

�We want to address this issue and come up with some real ways to prevent our local communities from sustaining ecological damage or losing money from species that shouldn�t be in Arizona,� says Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Duane Shroufe, whose agency has been heavily involved in creating the new report. �The report addresses a wide variety of invasive species problems, from the fact that they threaten native wildlife species and add fuel to our state�s wildfires, to their threats to tourism and recreation.�

The new report details seven recommendations for combating the invasive species problem. They include:
1. Establishing an invasive species database and mapping system,
2. Developing a comprehensive statewide invasive species management plan,
3. Establishing an Arizona Center for Invasive Species,
4. Creating an invasive species advisory list,
5. Providing outreach and education on the issue.

You can find more information about the Arizona Invasive Species Advisory Council and a link to its report at azgovernor.gov/ais.

Council members include representatives from the Governor�s Office, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Agriculture, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona State Land Department, Arizona State Parks, Arizona Department of Water Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, The Nature Conservancy, Salt River Project, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Native Plant Society, PETsMART, the Arizona Crop Protection Association, Arizona Association of Conservation District, and the nursery and landscape industry.

AZGFD News Release - New wolf pack roaming eastern Arizona

PINETOP, AZ - A new pack of Mexican Gray Wolves is now roaming eastern Arizona as part of the reintroduction of the endangered species in the region. Last week, wildlife biologists placed the family group of four gray wolves in a temporary holding pen to acclimate them to their new home range near Middle Mountain in the Apache National Forest. The group, called the Meridian pack, consists of an alpha male and female and two 12-week-old pups.
Click to hear what the wolves have to say.

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials report the pack chewed their way out of the nylon mesh, low-impact acclimation pen within five hours of being placed there on July 6. [This is what they are supposed to do-Ed.] Shawn Farry, the department's wolf project field team leader, says the animals are now free-ranging and appear to be doing well.

"With this release, we are attempting to augment the breeding wolf population now in the wild and also to maintain the genetic diversity of the current population," Farry adds. "The Meridian pack joins nine other packs now living in the wild in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in Arizona and New Mexico."

The release site, about 10 miles southwest of Alpine, AZ, has a signed, one-mile public closure surrounding it, ordered by the USDA Forest Service, to protect the wolves from disturbance. The closure will remain in effect while the wolves occupy the area.

Bear attack points out need to be �bear aware� this season

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again advising campers and other outdoor recreationists to be �bear aware� this season in the wake of a recent bear attack on a 14-year-old boy near Hayden and several other bear incidents throughout the state.

Assuming the story is reliable, a young Black Bear attacked and slightly injured the boy, who was camping with three friends on June 11 along the Gila River at a place called Shores Recreation Area. The four boys were sleeping on the ground when the victim woke up to a bear standing over him around 5:30 a.m. The bear swatted the boy, and when his friends were awakened by the incident, they chased the bear off.

The bear was likely attracted to the camping area because of the significant amount of trash surrounding this popular recreation site.

�The incident illustrates the need for the public to take precautions when camping or recreating outdoors, because there is a higher potential for human interactions with bears and other wildlife this year due to the state�s prolonged drought,� says Randy Babb, a Game and Fish information and education specialist. �Bear encounters have been on the increase in several areas of the state.�

The primary cause of most conflicts between bears and people, especially in camping areas, is food. It is prudent for all outdoor recreationists to take the following precautions to minimize potential conflicts with bears and other wildlife:

Never intentionally feed wildlife.
Secure all garbage.
Keep a clean camp.
Do not cook in your tent or sleeping area.
Store all foods, toiletries and other scented items well away from sleeping areas and unavailable to bears.
Wash up, change clothing and remove all scented articles before retiring to your sleeping area.
Walk or jog in groups. Pay attention to your surroundings when hiking, jogging or bicycling.
Supervise your children and keep them in sight.
Keep your pets on a leash � don�t allow them to roam free. Or better yet, leave them at home if you can. Pets can easily get into conflicts with a wide range of wildlife from skunks to coyotes.
If you are confronted by a bear, don�t run. Try to make yourself look as big and imposing as possible. Stay facing the animal. Throw something at it. Speak and let it know you are human. Loud noises can help. Try clanging pans, using air horns, or whatever is available.

Bighorn Sheep Workshop dates announced

The majestic Bighorn Sheep of Arizona will be the feature presentation on consecutive weekends at the Arizona Game and Fish Department�s Kingman regional office.

The annual Bighorn Sheep Workshop offers wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about these sure-footed animals and view them in their native habitat during two separate two-day workshops on July 28-29 and Aug. 4-5.

The Friday portion of each workshop involves mandatory classroom education from 6-8 p.m. at the Kingman Game and Fish office, followed on Saturday by a field trip on the Colorado River from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The sheep-viewing boat trip will depart from Willow Beach. An optional 45-minute tour of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service�s Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery begins at 9 a.m. Saturday before the boat tour.

Registration is limited to 40 people per workshop and is by mail only. �Preference will be given to people who have not attended the workshop in the last two years, but those who have participated are still encouraged to apply for a spot,� says Zen Mocarski, information and education program manager for the department�s Kingman office.

A $20 refundable deposit is required by check made out to Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation.
Send the check to: Sheep Workshop, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409.
Include the names of participants, address, phone, and specify which weekend is preferred. Also, please include a note if you are interested in the tour of the fish hatchery. The deposit is refunded when a person either attends the workshop or calls to cancel at least 48 hours in advance.

The event is limited to those 14 years of age and up.
Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

New Bark Beetle Publications

The University of Arizona Extension Publications has released two new publications on bark beetles that are available on the web.
1. "Firewood and Bark Beetles in the Southwest" http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1370.pdf
2. "Using Insecticides to Prevent Bark Beetle Attacks on Conifers" http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1380.pdf

For more information on bark beetles and Arizona Forest Health, go to: Bark Beetles: Frequently Asked Questions

Forest Re-Opens

By the way, as of 1 July, Coconino Forest is re-opened, with restrictions. Check out the Hart Prairie Tour Guide Sign-Ups under C. Archives by Category over on the right column (scroll down). You will find a trip schedule (and volunteer opportunities.)

Hot enough for ya?

If you've been around the San Francisco Peaks awhile, you know that June has the hottest temperatures here, on average, although by several measures, July has the most "warmth". Daily highs begin to fall slowly after about the 1st of July. Daily lows continue to get warmer until about 1 August. You can use the average daily precipitation to help with that start-of-the-monsoon pool at the office.
To see a larger (readable) version of this graph, click on "Continue Reading..." below.

To find these graphs requires that you do what is called "data drilling": Go to the NWS website (over on the right, under "Places to Find the Big Picture") Click on Flagstaff. On the Flagstaff page, on the left, click on Climate. On the Climate page, click on Local. On the Observed Weather Reports page that comes up, at the top, click the tab labelled Local Data/Records. On the Climate Data page that comes up, click on Climate Averages and Summaries for Arizona. You will then be automatically taken from the NWS site to a Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC) page with a big, green map of AZ. On the left, click on Flagstaff WSO. You'll get a table of temperatures. On the left, click on Daily Temp and Precip. Voila'!

Fire Updates

( Go to the bottom of this entry to see a larger version of this map.)

How do you find first hand information about local or regional fires?

Land managers like the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management tend to have lots of precise and useful information about every fire incident, and that includes the Coconino National Forest. For up to date information about the Brin Fire in the Oak Creek Area, for example, go to the Coconino Nat'l Forest web pages to find discussions, plans, progress, predictions, maps, estimated costs, etc. However, information from Coconino seems slower to appear on the National Situation Reports, sometimes lagging by a full day. Otherwise, and for most fires, we would recommend you go to the National Fire News or the Southwest Coordination Center web pages first.

Coconino National Forest Closes Friday

For Immediate Release
June 19, 2006
( You will probably see this in the paper and on TV tomorrow...)
For more info or updates, go to the Coconino Nat'lForest web pages or contact the Forest Closure Info Center - 928-226-4601

Flagstaff, AZ - As fire danger increases across the Southwest the Coconino National Forest will close to public access and use Friday morning, 23 June, at 8:00 a.m.

Effective Friday, the Coconino National Forest will close to public access. Conditions have warranted closure of the entire national forest. Closures in the past have proven to be an effective means of reducing the number of human-caused fires.

�While campfire and smoking restrictions have been effective in terms of minimizing the number of fires, we are at the point that we cannot afford the risk of any human-caused fires,� says Coconino Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure. �Several recent fires have exhibited extreme fire behavior, including the Woody and Brins Fires. We are not only concerned about the risk to communities and natural resources, we are concerned about the potential difficulties evacuating recreationists from remote areas should a wildfire start.�

Included in the Coconino closures:

All campgrounds, day use picnic areas and cabins on the forest.
All trails on the Coconino National Forest.
All lakes, including Lake Mary, Ashurst Lake, Kinnikinick Lake, Blue Ridge Reservoir, Stoneman Lake.
Cinder Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Area north of Flagstaff.
St. Joseph�s Youth Camp near Mormon Lake.
Arizona Snowbowl Skyride.
All National Forest System Roads will be closed, but all interstates, state and county roads through the Coconino National Forest will remain open.

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Visit this site to learn about damselflies and dragonfles, presented with beautiful photographs. Odonata Central was created by entomologist John Abbott of the University of Texas, Austin, TX and includes information on distribution and taxonomy, and state-by-state checklists with interactive range maps. More besides. Go to odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu .

Eaglet Rescue - AZ Game and Fish Dept News

From AZ Game and Fish Department Wildlife News, 7 June 06:

A rescued eaglet is back in the wild, thanks to the efforts of Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists, volunteers at Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation in Scottsdale, and two vigilant eagle nest watchers who�ve been camping out to protect its nest.

The bald eaglet, which is now about 13 weeks old, fell out of its nest near Sycamore Canyon outside Clarkdale last month. Two eagle nest watchers under contract with the Arizona Game and Fish Department were already camped out in the area to monitor and protect eagle breeding attempts. They called in biologists for a rescue, and when the crew arrived, they found the eaglet to be dehydrated and undernourished.

�This eaglet needed supplemental feeding and special care,� says Kenneth �Tuk� Jacobson, a Game and Fish eagle biologist. �Its parents were apparently not providing enough food to keep the nestling healthy, so we brought the bird to Liberty Wildlife for extra attention.�

The eaglet has been doing much better, since it was taken to the rehabilitation center in Scottsdale. Volunteers there gave it round-the-clock care and plenty to eat.

�It chowed down on everything we gave it,� says Megan Mosby, executive director of Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation. �We concentrated mostly on foods that would fatten the nestling back up.�

With the eaglet looking healthy again, Game and Fish eagle biologists placed it back into its nest high up on a cliff. One of the biologists rappelled down the cliff face to deposit the nestling back where it belongs. Nest watchers in the area will provide supplemental feeding of fish to the eaglet until it�s ready to fly on its own.

Arizona currently has 42 breeding pairs of bald eagles. The Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program helps monitor bald eagle breeding areas that are under heavy pressure from human recreational activities. Contracted nest watchers sleep in a tent on-and-off for four months to help ensure new eaglets� survival. The program has saved the lives of 46 eagle nestlings since it began in 1978. That�s equal to about 10 percent of all the eagles that have lived to fly on their own in Arizona since the program started.

Condor Update as of 2 June 06

An update from Grand Canyon Park Ranger Marker Marshall:

Lots of sightings of condors with full crops in the [Grand Canyon] Village lately. Condor
talks are now at 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and condors are being seen at both programs lately although in general odds are somewhat better at the afternoon program.

Unfortunately there are no condor chicks in AZ this year, as all three eggs failed to hatch. For details on the failure of the two North Kaibab nests, along with updates on last year's chicks , see Thom Lord's "Notes from the Field" below the entry line..

But first, Chris Parish of The Peregrine Fund reports:

"The two adult male condors still in treatment for lead poisoning from last season (122 and 134) are progressing slowly, but still alive! We have high hopes that they will be back in the mix next year to contribute to the breeding effort in the wild. We thank Dr. Orr and the Phoenix Zoo for their efforts in treating these critically ill birds and those who remain in the wild today as a result of their efforts."

Seven-year-old female 196 remains missing (since April), but for now is still being counted as part of the wild population.

So we're still at 60 wild birds in Arizona, and with this year's chicks, somewhere around 300 total. Last I've heard, 4 of California's 5 wild nests were still active, so hopefully California will successfully fledge some wild chicks this fall.

From The Peregrine Fund's web site, www.peregrinefund.org:
May 2006
Notes From the Field
02 Jun 06 Thom Lord

Greetings, Notes from the Field readers! May was another beautiful month in northern Arizona, with warm, sunny days and springtime winds providing the conditions that suit foraging condors perfectly. The Arizona population took full advantage of the favorable weather, with even the most inexperienced birds in the flock traveling extensively throughout the condor range and locating an abundance of wild food. On the Kaibab Plateau alone, we documented groups of birds feeding on carcasses of a cow, a mule deer, and even a bison, which we had never before observed. In addition to the heavy utilization of the Kaibab Plateau by a large percentage of the population, several condors began regularly visiting the Zion region of southern Utah again.

Perhaps the most notable traveler in the group was wild-fledged Condor 389, now about one year old. Condor 389, one of the youngest in the Arizona population, made the 100-plus mile trip from the release site to the Grand Canyon and back a number of times throughout the month of May. In addition, the young condor showed up at Navajo Bridge and at various places on the Kaibab Plateau. Condor 389 was joined in each of these locations by a number of others, both young and old, and spent a steadily decreasing amount of time with its parents. Condor 389�s counterpart, wild-fledged Condor 392, also seemed to be spending very little time with its parents, and was increasingly spotted flying and perched near other birds in the flock. Unfortunately, it is still impossible to determine exactly how far Condor 392 is going, as we still have not yet been able to trap the bird to attach tags and transmitters. Based on what we have been able to observe, however, we expect Condor 392 to make the trip from the Grand Canyon to the release site very soon.

We went into May excited to see what would become of the two active condor nests in Arizona, as both eggs were expected to hatch early in the month. In Condor 158 and Condor 133�s nest on the west Kaibab, it became increasingly clear that the egg was not going to hatch, even though the breeding pair continued to incubate it steadily. They persisted in the incubation throughout the month, over thirty days past the date on which we expected the egg to hatch, and long after there was any hope that it would. It was a bit disappointing that we didn�t get to see Condors 158 and 133 raise a chick this year, but it is not uncommon for pairs to be unsuccessful in their first breeding attempts, and we look forward to seeing them give it another shot next year.

With the failure of Condors 158 and 133�s nest, we were left to focus our nest-watching efforts on the one remaining active nest, that of Condors 187 and 136. We could not see into this nest, so we paid particular attention to the behavior of the breeding pair. Theirbehavior revealed nothing out of the ordinary until near the end of the
month. On 24 May, however, both birds left the cave, flew together for most of the afternoon, and roosted at the release site. If our hatching calculations were correct, we knew that this did not bode well for the possibility of a chick, as a chick would still be too young to spend a night alone without a parent. So, shortly after dawn the next morning, senior crewmember Eddie Feltes and I entered the nest cave to determine exactly what had become of the breeding attempt. Unfortunately, rather than finding a healthy chick, we found an intact egg, weeks past its calculated hatch date. As with Condors 158 and 133, it was a bit disappointing not to have this chick to look forward to, but the rest of the condor population will keep us plenty busy until next breeding season, which is again just around the corner!

June Astronomy Note 2006

Summer Solstice will be on Wednesday at 5:30 am AZ time, or 6:30 am Navajo Daylight Time. According to the hopelessly retarded Astrology charts, the Sun will be entering Cancer, but astronomically it will just be "entering" Gemini from Taurus.
In the evening sky, three bright planets are visible. Mercury sets after sunset. You must wait until the sunset's glow diminishes to see it, though. Being closer to the sun than we are, is has moonlike phases, and it is showing less than half in June, so although it is widely separated from the Sun (in relative terms) it is still a bit dim.
A little higher in the western sky are Mars and Saturn, who will appear bright and very close together this month. Saturn is the brighter of the two planets. Midmonth will be very interesting for telescopes and binoculars, because Mars and Saturn will gradually come closer together, and by 13 June they will be only 1 degree to either side of the Beehive star cluster. On 15 June, Mars will be in the center of the cluster, and on 17 June, Mars and Saturn will be only half a degree apart, and the Beehive will be only one and a half degrees away.
Jupiter will appear in the southern sky at nightfall, and it will be very bright.
For meteor observers, 3 generally weak showers occur throughout the month. Anything can happen, as all three have been unpredictable, but expectations are very low. Arietids are actve all month, but this is mainly a radio/radar shower. June Lyrids, peaking 16 June, are not even on the Working List of Visible Meteor Showers. Finally, the June Bootids, which could produce a peak between 21 and 31 June, have only appeared once in 77 years.

Condor Update as of 25 May 06

Update forwarded by Marker Marshall, Grand Canyon Interpretive Ranger

California Condor numbers as of mid-May:
Still no official numbers from the California Department of Fish and Game, but "around 300" is a safe guesstimate for the total population, as the majority of the year's chicks have usually hatched by the end of May, typically over 30 chicks total.

In Arizona the official number of the wild population is 60. The 60 DOES include the two birds (122 & 134) being treated for lead poisoning at the Phoenix Zoo, and DOES include #196 who has not been seen since April. It does NOT include the chick we suspect has hatched in a nest cave on the
North Kaibab Plateau, where male 187 and female 136 are acting like they may well have a chick although it's too early to be sure. Also it does NOT include the 8 one-and-two-year-old condors still awaiting release in the flight pen at Vermilion Cliffs.

California has about the same number, and Baja has around 14.

California has had 5 wild nests this year, 4 in southern CA and finally one in the Big Sur area in a redwood tree. Four nests are still active, but in southern CA the nest of AC-9 and his mate failed right around the expected hatching date, during a rainstorm. (AC-9 was the last condor brought into the captive breeding program back in April of 1987. Now 26 years of age, he's been back in the wild since May 1, 2002.)
____________________________________________________________

Other Condor News from Kathy Sullivan of the Arizona Game and Fish
Department:
California Condor AZ Update - 15 May 2006

This condor update is provided solely for the purpose of disseminating information to project cooperators and other interested parties. For media requests, please contact me directly at 928-214-1249 or ksullivan@azgfd.gov.

Condor Breeding

Condors 133 & 158 are still incubating their egg in a cave on the North Kaibab Forest, though it appears their nest has failed. The egg was due to hatch in early May. Since the egg in this cave is visible, Peregrine Fund biologists confirmed that the egg did not hatch. This pair will eventually abandon their nest, and likely try again next year. It is common for a pair�s first nesting attempt to result in a failed nest.

Condors 187 & 136 are also tending to their nest on the North Kaibab Forest. This is their second nesting attempt � their first nest failed last year. Biologists cannot see inside this cave, so all observations are based on the pair�s behavior. This nest was due to hatch the second week of May. The pair�s behavior indicates the possible presence of a chick, but we won�t know for sure for a few more weeks.

Condor 119 abandoned her Grand Canyon nest in early April after her mate, condor 122, was transferred to the Phoenix Zoo for lead exposure treatment. Peregrine Fund biologists tried to aid 119 by placing supplemental food
near the nest cave, but incubating an egg solo proved to be an insurmountable task. Condors 119 and 122 were proven breeders and produced a chick in 2004.

Condor Lead Exposure

Condors 122 and 134 are still being treated at the Phoenix Zoo for lead exposure. Both are showing signs of improvement and hopefully can be re-released some time in the future.

Condor Movements

Condor 196 (seven-year-old female) went missing in April. Her last know location was in southern Utah. Aerial telemetry flights have failed to pick up her transmitter signal, which possibly could have failed. She has not returned to the release site in several weeks, though her mate has.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the current hot spot for condor viewing. Several birds have also resumed their seasonal visits to the Kolob Canyon area in Utah. Condor sightings at Navajo Bridge have declined recently. As summer approaches, sightings on the Kaibab should
increase.
____________________________________________________________

The latest Condor TAG Chart for looking up any condor whose tag number you see in Arizona follows below.
Most of the information comes from the studbook records compiled by Michael Mace of the Zoological Society of California.)

Notes on reading the chart:

-Each bird was released at Vermilion Cliffs, except if it says Ventana or Pinnacles it was first released in California, and Hurricane refers to the
Hurricane Cliffs north of the western part of Grand Canyon. Hurricane Cliffs turned out to be disadvantageous since the birds released there lacked the potential mentors they would meet at Vermilion Cliffs, where releases had been going on since 1996.

-Rearing in the captive breeding program can be by the chick's own parents, by a condor hand puppet with another condor always in sight in a nearby cage, or by foster parents if there is a mated pair available without a
chick of their own to raise.

-Those birds that have a GPS satellite transmitter on one wing (recognizable by the little solar panel!) wear a radio transmitter on the other wing. The rest of the birds generally have radio transmitters of different frequencies on each wing Or if the skin at the bird's elbow has been torn (as in 114 and 158) and can no longer hold a tag or transmitter, then a transmitter is placed on a tail feather instead.

Current California Condors in Arizona by Tag #
Updated as of mid-May, 2006

SB# Tag# Age in 06 Sex Bred At: Hatch Date 1st Release Rearing Has GPS Pairings and/or other info
114 None 11 M SDWAP 4/9/95 5/26/97 Puppet �05: with 126, sired 389 at VC. �04: with 149, sired 342 same cave. �03: quad w/ 133, 126, 162. Has lost both tags.
158 None 9 M SDWAP 4/7/97 11/20/97 Puppet Pair w/133. �06: egg on N. Kaibab, didn�t hatch. �05 & �04: pair but no nest. �03 - Possible 3-some w/ 136 and 176.
392 None or 92 1 ? Salt Cr ≈6/5/05 Fledged
Dec22-23 Wild 2nd Salt Creek chick, not yet tagged. Parents 123 & 127.
343 A3 2 F WCBP 5/13/04 10/12/05 Foster Yes
334 A4 2 M WCBP 4/23/04 Puppet Not yet released�one of two left from 2004 cohort.
353 A5 2 F WCBP 6/7/04 3/2/06 Parent
346 A6 2 F WCBP 5/17/04 10/12/05 Parent
327 A7 2 F WCBP 4/11/04 Puppet Not yet released�one of two left from 2004 cohort.
349 A9 2 M WCBP 5/22/04 3/1/05 Foster
366 C6 1 F WCBP 4/16/05 Puppet Not yet released.
387 C7 1 M WCBP 5/21/05 Foster Not yet released.
287 -7 4 M SDWAP 5/17/02 12/20/03
Pinnacles Parent Originally released in CA, re-captured for landing on power poles. Re-released 8/9/05 at Vermilion Cliffs.
296 -6 3 F WCBP 4/10/03 3/20/04 Puppet
314 -4 3 F WCBP 5/15/03 2/4/05 Puppet Yes
293 -3 3 M WCBP 4/4/03 10/16/04 Puppet Yes
350 -0 2 M Battleship ≈5/22/04 Fledged 11/25/04 Wild Yes Wild chick of 119 & 122, Battleship nest visible Hopi Pt. Fledged Thanksgiving Day, 2004. Tagged Oct 25, 2005
302 02 3 F WCBP 4/21/03 2/4/05 Puppet
203 03 7 M WCBP 4/23/99 12/7/99
Hurricane Puppet Yes Captured 4/14/00, re-released 3/12/01 from VC. Siblings 210 and 243. Treated for lead in PHX summer �03.
223 3 6 M WCBP 4/18/00 12/29/00 Puppet Yes Brother to 176.
234 4 6 F WCBP 5/11/00 12/29/00 Puppet
276 6 4 M WCBP 4/23/02 10/4/03 Puppet
227 7 6 M WCBP 4/28/00 12/29/00 Puppet Yes
210 10 7 F WCBP 5/23/99 12/29/00 Puppet Yes �06: pair with 134 until 134 sent to PHX; no nest. Siblings 203 and 243.
316 16 3 F WCBP 5/19/03 10/16/04 Puppet
119 19 11 F SDWAP 3/15/95(oldest in AZ) 5/14/97 Puppet Pair w/ 122. �06: laid egg in new Battleship cave, failed after 122 sent to PHX. �04: mother of Battleship chick 350. �02 and �03 � egg fragments found both years�unknown if either egg hatched. �01: threesome with 123 and 127, first egg in wild (broken).
122 22 11 M LAZ 5/17/95 5/26/97 Puppet Pair w/ 119. �06 sired egg then sent to PHX Zoo for lead treatment; nest failed. �04: sired Battleship chick 350. Father is AC-9.
123 23 11 M LAZ 5/20/95 5/26/97 Puppet Pair w/ 127. Sired 305 in �03 and 392 in �05.
324 24 2 M WCBP 4/8/04 3/1/05 Puppet
126 26 11 F SDWAP 5/2/95 5/26/97 Puppet Yes �05: Pair w/ 114, raised 389, 2nd Vermilion Cliffs chick. �04: held at V.C. to protect 114 & 149�s pair bond. �03: quad w/ 114, 133, 162. Sister to 195. Re-released �99.
127 27 11 F SDWAP 3/31/95 5/14/97 Puppet Yes Pair w/ 123. Mother of male 305 in �03 (died March �05) and 392 in �05, both in same Salt Creek cave. �02: egg at Dana Butte, unhatched after 3 months incubation.
329 29 2 M WCBP 4/17/04 10/12/05 Puppet
331 31 2 M WCBP 4/19/04 3/1/05 Puppet
232 32 6 M WCBP 4/30/00 12/29/00 Puppet Re-released �02 .
133 33 10 F LAZ 5/22/96 12/12/96 Parent Pair w/158. �06: egg on N. Kaibab didn�t hatch. �05 & �04: pair w/ 158 but no nest. �03: Quad w/ 114, 126, 162 - either #133 or #126 laid an egg that got cracked in Vermilion Cliffs cave.
134 34 10 M SDWAP 4/2/96 1/19/97Ventana Puppet �06 pair with 210 until sent to PHX Zoo due to lead poisoning.�03 - Courted 149. Originally released s. CA. Recaptured 6/4/97, re-released Hurricane Cliffs 11/18/98.
136 36 10 F LAZ 5/12/96 12/12/96 Parent Yes Pair w/ 187. �06: NESTING on N. Kaibab. �05 same nest failed just before hatching. �04: paired w/187 but no nest. �03: Possible 3-some w/ 158 & 176.
337 37 2 M WCBP 4/30/04 3/2/06 Foster
241 41 5 F WCBP 4/13/01 12/9/02 Puppet
342 42 2 M VC ≈5/10/04 Fledged 11/23/04 Wild Yes Wild chick of 149 & 114, 1st V.C. chick. Surgery at Phx Zoo to remove foreign objects (stones, sticks) from gizzard Jan �05, nearly 20 days captivity. 149 (died) sired by AC-9.
243 43 5 M WCBP 4/22/01 2/16/02 Puppet Siblings 203 and 210. Re-released 12/9/02 & 10/4/03.
246 46 5 M WCBP 4/29/01 2/16/02 Parent Yes Surgery at PHX Zoo for �infectious mass� Feb �05.
248 48 5 F WCBP 5/8/01 2/16/02 Parent Yes
250 50 5 M WCBP 5/9/01 12/9/02 Puppet Yes Held for approaching people from April 19 to Nov 29, 2003.
352 52 2 F WCBP 5/29/04 3/1/05 Foster
253 53 5 F WCBP 5/11/01 9/25/02 Puppet
354 54 2 M WCBP 6/13/04 3/2/06 Puppet
257 57 5 M WCBP 5/20/01 9/25/02 Parent
162 62 9 M LAZ 4/14/97 11/20/97 Puppet �04 -held at Vermillion Cliffs to protect 114 & 149�s pair bond. �03 - Quad w/ 114, 133, 126. Re-released 1/19/06..
266 66 4 M SDWAP 3/28/02 1/5/04Pinnacles Puppet Originally released in CA, re-captured for landing on power poles. Released Vermilion Cliffs 5/25/05.
368 68 1 F WCBP 4/18/05 Puppet Not yet released.
270 70 4 M SDWAP 4/10/02 11/5/04Pinnacles Parent Originally released in CA, recaptured for landing on power poles. Released at Vermilion Cliffs 8/19/05.
371 71 1 M WCBP 4/26/05 Foster Not yet released.
272 72 4 M WCBP 4/12/02 3/3/03 Parent
273 73 4 M WCBP 4/18/02 11/29/03 Puppet
274 74 4 M WCBP 4/21/02 3/3/03 Foster
275 75 4 M WCBP 4/22/02 10/4/03 Puppet
280 80 4 F WCBP 5/3/02 11/29/03 Parent
281 81 4 M WCBP 5/4/02 3/3/03 Parent
282 82 4 M WCBP 5/5/02 1/9/04 Puppet
383 83 1 F WCBP 5/11/05 Foster Not yet released.
384 84 1 M WCBP 5/15/05 Foster Not yet released.
187 87 8 M WCBP 4/22/98 11/18/98
Hurricane Parent Yes Pair w/ 136. �06: NESTING on N. Kaibab. �05: likewise, same cave, failed. �04 � paired but no nest. Brother to 176 and 223.
389 89 1 ? VC ≈5/28/05 Fledged
11/30/05 Wild Wild chick of 114 & 126: 2nd VC chick. Tagged late March 2006 but still waiting on DNA results for sex.
193 93 8 M WCBP 5/30/98 11/18/98Hurricane Puppet
195 95 7 F SDWAP 2/19/99 11/8/99 Hurricane Puppet Captured 4/11/00, re-released at VC 2/16/02. 126 is sister.
196 96 7 F SDWAP 3/20/99 12/7/99Hurricane Puppet Yes Captured 4/15/00, re-released at VC 3/12/01. Missing: last seen in southern Utah in April.
297 97 3 F WCBP 4/10/03 2/4/05 Puppet
299 99 3 M WCBP 4/17/03 3/20/04 Foster

Has GPS = wearing GPS satellite transmitter as of 5/2/06 (subject to change).
LAZ = Los Angeles Zoo. SDWAP = San Diego Wild Animal Park. WCBP = Peregrine Fund�s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. VC = Vermilion Cliffs.

Tag Backing Colors
119-227 - white or yellow (6 � 11 year old birds)
232-257 - orange (5 and 6 year old birds)
272-282 - green (2002 cohort; 4 year old birds)
291-316 - purple (2003 cohort; 3 year old birds)
324-353 - light blue (2004 cohort; 2 year old birds)
389 � white (rest of 2005 cohort undetermined as yet)

Drought may Force Wildlife into Neighborhoods

AZGFD PHOENIX - Don't be surprised if you see more wild animals around your home in the next few months. Drought conditions may cause creatures like bobcats and coyotes to wander further into town than normal, as they seek out sources of food and water.

"Animals may go into search mode," says Joe Yarchin, urban and watchable wildlife project manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "If they can't find food and water in the forests, mountains and other areas where they normally live, then they head to places where these essentials can be found."

If you do see wild animals in your neighborhood, you should not try to help by feeding them. That can actually wind up doing more harm than good.

"You should never provide food, cover or water for wildlife around your home," says Yarchin. "Animals that receive help from people become habituated to human-occupied areas and can feel too comfortable around humans. That's how many human-wildlife conflicts begin, as some animals become aggressive. Often, the animals that wind up biting or attacking people were previously human-fed. This type of aggressive behavior also puts the animal's life in danger."

Here are some tips for discouraging wild animals from taking up residence in your neighborhood:

--Don't feed wildlife, and remove attractants, including pet food, water bowls and garbage, from around your home.

--Make possible den sites or shelters, including the crawl spaces under homes, unavailable by blocking them with fencing or other devices.

Also, if you see an animal that appears to be injured or orphaned, think twice about picking it up. If you handle an animal and get it used to human presence, you may doom it from being able to survive in the wild in the future. If you find a baby animal on its own, don't assume it's orphaned and in need of your help.

"Usually, the parents are not far away," says Yarchin. "They may be out gathering food or taking a short break from their young, and if you remove the baby, you're actually creating a problem. Also, this time of year, baby birds can be found on the ground. This is typically just a normal part of learning to fly."

May Astronomy Note 2006

The full moon this month, on 13th, is called the Planting Moon or Milk Moon.
Jupiter is visible almost all night and is at its brightest of the year. A small 6 or 8 inch reflector

should resolve belts, zones, and perhaps spots and swirls.
Saturn and Mars move slightly closer to each other and appear in the Western sky in the evenings, with Saturn much brighter.
Mercury has whipped past superior conjunction with the Sun and now appears in the evening sky, near the horizon, visible about 45 minutes or an hour after the Sun has set and the sky has darkened suitably.
Venus becomes about 3/4 full, but is moving away from us, so it dims.

The big deal this month will be a comet. More precisely, whether it still exists. Comet 73P Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (ZW-3) was discovered in 1930. It travels very close to Earth's orbit, but we have often been on opposite sides of the Sun when it has passed our orbit, so it has often been missed. In 1995 it broke into at least 4 pieces. 3 pieces were observed in 2001, nothing since that year. If a large piece still exists, and ZW-3 hasn't been reduced to a tail without a body, it may well be visible to the naked eye, traveling from West to East and descending North to South. It would be closest to Earth (only .07 a.u.'s) on May 13th, the same day that it is same distance from the Sun as Earth is (1 a.u.). It would likely appear as a hazy star, perhaps with a faint tail streaming away from us, but on or about 24-25 May sweeping across us and our sky.

Condor Update as of 14 April 06

From Marker Marshall, Interpretive Ranger, Grand Canyon National Park:
New since Kathy's 12 April update: another nest has been discovered in southern California, with a visible egg. (The female is just six years old, and the male only five!) That brings us to 5 nesting attempts in California so far this year, and 3 in Arizona.

Condors seem to have finally started roosting overnight below Lookout Studio/Bright Angel Lodge again, so there is now a good chance of seeing condors at the Condor Talk. (At least if the warm weather holds? Meets daily in front of Lookout Studio at 3 p.m.) Apparently there is a bighorn sheep carcass near 2 mile corner on the Bright Angel Trail, so at any time of day the Village and the Bright Angel Trail may be good places to look for condors.

California Condor AZ Update - 12 April 2006

This condor update is provided solely for the purpose of disseminating information to project cooperators and other interested parties. For media requests, please contact Kathy Sullivan directly at 928-214-1249 or ksullivan@azgfd.gov.

Condor Breeding

By the end of March, there were three condor nests in Arizona. Condors 133 & 158 were nesting in a cave on the North Kaibab Forest � this is their first nesting attempt. Peregrine Fund biologist Eddie Feltes actually verified this nest by observing the egg inside the nest cave.

Condors 187 & 136 are also nesting on the North Kaibab Forest, utilizing the same nest cave as last year. Last year was their first nesting attempt and the nest failed just before hatching. Hopefully this year they�ll produce a chick. The egg is not visible in this cave, but the adults� behavior indicates that they�re incubating.

The third pair, condors 119 & 122 (parents of condor 350 from 2004) are nesting in the Grand Canyon again, though they chose a different cave this year � verified by a long hike and observations from Peregrine Fund biologist Roger Benefield. The future of 119 and 122�s nest is uncertain however, since 122 is currently in captivity (see lead exposure section).

Condor Releases

Three captive-reared condors (337, 353, 354) were released at the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on 2 March 2006. Three additional condors (232, 241, 273) were re-released after being temporarily held for behavioral reasons. There are currently 58 free-flying condors in Arizona/Utah with 10 birds awaiting release in 2006.

Condor Lead Exposure

One of the three condors being treated for lead exposure, condor 134 is still recovering at the Phoenix Zoo. He has finally started gaining some weight and seems to be on the road to recovery, but he�s not out of the woods yet, since the other two birds being treated eventually succumbed to lead poisoning (see condor mortality below).

Condor 122 was captured on 25 March 2006 after he appeared lethargic. A field blood test indicated lead exposure. He was transferred to the Phoenix Zoo the next day for treatment. 122 was nesting with condor 119 in the Grand Canyon. It is likely that 122 will remain in treatment for several weeks, so the fate of this nest is in question. Supplemental food was placed near the nest for 119, but she may abandon the nest if 122 is not present to help incubate the egg and/or brood the chick.

Lead Reduction Efforts

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and The Peregrine Fund hosted a non-lead ammunition shooting-booth at the Shooting Showcase on 25-26 March 2006 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility north of Phoenix. Federal Ammunition donated approximately 1000 rounds of non-lead rifle ammunition and provided a representative for the event. Rifles were also loaned free of charge by a local gun shop. The booth ran like clockwork thanks to the help of Chris Parish and Eddie Fetes of The Peregrine Fund. Over 500 shooters were educated about the potential effects of spent lead ammunition on condors. The response was positive and we plan to host another non-lead ammo booth next year.

Five hundred and forty letters were mailed to spring turkey hunters drawn for hunts within condor range in Arizona (Units 9, 10, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B). These hunters are being asked to use non-lead ammunition during their hunts. Lead pellets have been removed from the digestive tracts of condors seven times in Arizona, so educating turkey hunters and all potential coyote hunters, in addition to big game hunters, can only help our lead reduction efforts.

Approximately 7,000 lead reduction letters will be mailed to big game hunters this fall, and about 2,000 of these hunters will be eligible for our free non-lead ammunition program.

Condor Mortality

Condor 304 (3 year old male) died on 16 March 2006 at the Phoenix Zoo from complications due to lead toxicity. This bird was trapped late in the fall/winter season due to its late return to the release site. 304 received three rounds of chelation and surgery for crop stasis. A radiograph revealed a lead fragment in the bird�s digestive tract.

Condor 149 (10 year old female) died on 20 March 2006 at the Phoenix Zoo from complications due to lead toxicity. This bird was also trapped late in the fall/winter season due to its late return to the release site. 149 received three rounds of chelation and a blood transfusion. 149 was a successful breeder; she nested in 2004 and produced condor 342.

The Peregrine Fund and AZ Game and Fish are working on developing portable condor traps so birds can potentially be trapped even if they don�t return to the release site.

Condor Movements

Now that the weather is warming up, there are more condors visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spring is also a good time to see the birds around Navajo Bridge (Already reported in the AZ Master Naturalist Blog at this link) and the river corridor. As spring progresses, the many birds will likely resume their frequent visits to the Kolob Canyon area in Utah. As always, the release site is a guaranteed condor hot spot.

News from California

There are four nesting pairs in California � 3 in southern CA, and 1 in central CA. This marks the first nest in central CA since the reintroduction project began. The central CA nest also marks the first condor nest in a tree cavity since the early eighties - the nest is in a giant redwood tree. One of the southern CA nests has likely hatched. The parent�s behavior suggests they are feeding a chick.

Condor Numbers (Approximate)

Total population - 274
Captive � 143
Wild - 131
Arizona � 58 (2 birds being temporarily held)
10 awaiting release
California � 59
11 awaiting release
Baja � 14

Comment Deadline for Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project 5-Year Review

Endangered Species Updates
April 7, 2006

USFWS Solicits Public Comment on Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project 5-Year Review -- Comment Deadline on April 17, 2006


This is a reminder that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife published a request in the Federal Register (Vol. 71, No. 51), on Thursday, March 16, 2006 requesting public comment on the 5-Year Review that the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project's Adaptive Management Oversight Committee completed in December 2005.

Note: Copies of the 5-Year Review are available from USFWS, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, or the Arizona Game and Fsh Department. They can be downloaded from http://azgfd.gov/wolf.

The Service's comment notice was basically as follows:

Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project 5-Year Review

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability of the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project (Reintroduction Project) 5-Year Review under the authority of section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. The 5-Year Review was conducted by the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Adaptive Management Oversight Committee (AMOC). The 5-Year Review and public comment will inform our decision to continue, continue with modification, or terminate the Reintroduction Project. This 5-Year Review should not be confused with status reviews (also called 5-year reviews) conducted under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act. This 5-year program evaluation of the Reintroduction Project is conducted pursuant to a 1998 section 10(j) final rule.

DATES: The comment period for this 5-Year Review closes April 17, 2006. Comments on the 5-Year Review must be received by the closing date to assure consideration.

ADDRESSES: Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE., Albuquerque, NM 87113.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, telephone: (800) 299�0196 �4748; facsimile: (505) 346�2542; or e-mail: FW2ESWolf5YReview@fws.gov

Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Work Group Meeting on April 21

The Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) will hold a public meeting in Pinetop, Arizona on Friday, April 21.

Click to hear what the wolves have to say.
Location: AGFD Regional Office, 2878 East White Mountain Boulevard, Pinetop, Arizona, from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm (Arizona Time).

The meeting will end earlier, if business has been completed.

Participants: AMWG meetings are open to the public. County, federal, state, and tribal agency cooperators involved in the Reintroduction Project will be represented.

Purpose: Public meetings for the Adaptive Management Work Group are part of an ongoing process and commitment by project cooperators to keep the public informed on issues and actions pertaining to the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project.

Agenda: A detailed agenda is available at each meeting. Discussion topics will include, but are not limited to:
* Translocations and New Releases of Mexican Wolves in 2006
* 5-Year Review of the Reintroduction Project: USFWS response to AMOC, and public comment in response to Federal Register solicitation
* Other Business

Note: Information on Adaptive Management Work Group meetings and other issues pertaining to the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project in Arizona and New Mexico is disseminated electronically through a self-subscription newsletter. The subscription form is available at: http://azgfd.gov/signup . Additional information about the Reintroduction Project is available at http://azgfd.gov/wolf and http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov.

Firewise Workshop by UA Extension Service

Firewise and other wildfire related educational workshops are offered by University of Arizona County Extension Offices and by a number of the Cooperators listed on this website. Workshop topics include
Firewise Landscaping,
Creating Defensible Space,
Wildfire Safety,
Wildfire Recovery
and more.

Greater Valle Area Firewise Seminar
Location: Valle Airport (555 S State Route 64, Valle, AZ 86046)
Date: Saturday, 8 April 2006
Time: 8:30 - 12:30
Cost: Free
Contact: Alix Rogstad (520.792.2153 or arogstad@ag.arizona.edu)
Press Release(pdf)
Agenda with Speakers(pdf)

April Astronomy Note 2006

First Sunday an April, or 2 April, at 2 am, most of th US moves their clocks forward 1 hour to Daylight Savings Time. The Navajo Reservation observes this change. The more backward parts of Arizona do not, with the state legislature citing the extreme technical challenge of changing the time on a clock for the average Arizonan.

Saturn remains good viewing object for telescopes. Because it is casting its shadow across its rings, which are already at a good angle for viewing, the rings have a strong impression of depth or dimension.
Mars is now relatively dim compared to the recent past, and is between the horns of

Taurus, which are roughly between and above Orion and Pleiades.
Jupiter is very bright and a good telescopic target. It passes by the star Zubenelgenubi in Libra on 25 April, which I mention only because I love to say "Zubenelgenubi".
Venus is also extremely bright, more remarkable because it is only half-full. It appears early in the morning and is brighter than Jupiter. Venus passes less than 1/3 degree north of dim, blue-green Uranus on 18 April.
Mercury is also visible this month, but only about 10 degrees above the horizon at Arizona latitudes.

There are two expected meteor showers this month. The Lyrids are active April 16-25, with their peak on 22 April, when as many as 90 per hour may streak. Average is about 18. These are generally fast, bright meteors, and 20-25% leave persistent trails. The moon will be less than 1/4 and shrinking at peak time, so conditions will be good. The shower "radiant", or apparent point of origination, will rise about 9:30 pm and keep rising, so that is another positive. The Pi Puppids are active April 15-18, and their radiant is 20 degrees south of Sirius. They are slow but bright meteors, but despite good, dark skies, they are best seen from the southern hemisphere. They may contribute a few streaks to the mid-month show.

California Condors Arizona Update Feb 2006

California Condor AZ Update - 14 February 2006

This condor update is provided solely for the purpose of disseminating information to project cooperators and other interested parties. For media requests, please contact Allyson Mathis, Grand Canyon Park Interpretive Ranger directly at 928-214-1249 or Kathy Sullivan, AZGFD, at ksullivan@azgfd.gov.

Wild-Hatched Condor Chicks:

Condor 389, the 2005 Vermilion Cliffs fledgling, expanded its range in January by visiting the release site for the first time. After initially being harassed by the other condors, Condor 389 established its place in the condor hierarchy, and was observed roosting with other condors at the release site by the end of the month. Condor 389 has also been observed feeding on the calf carcasses at the release site!

Condor 392, the 2005 wild-hatched chick at the Grand Canyon is also doing well. The recent fledgling still remains close to its nest cave and hasn�t made any long flights yet, but it�s only a matter of time before this bird will be gracing Grand Canyon visitors with a close-up view of its untagged wings. Currently, you can view Condor 392 and its parents in the distance from the Mohave Point overlook.

Condor 350 (the 2004 Grand Canyon chick) completed his recovery from a fractured radius at the Vermilion Cliffs rehab facility and Peregrine Fund biologists released him on 19 January 2006. The bird showed no hesitation to fly and immediately took to the sky. Condor 350 returned to the Grand Canyon shortly after his release. While in captivity, blood tests determined that Condor 350 is a male. That makes 3 wild-hatched male chicks so far. Let�s hope at least one of the 2005 chicks is a female!

Condor Breeding:

Breeding behavior for the 2006 season is looking good! It�s likely that Condors 119 & 122, the parents of Condor

350 (HY 2004), will nest again in the Grand Canyon this year. Condors 114 & 126 could possibly nest again at the Vermilion Cliffs this year. Their 2005 chick, Condor 389 has discovered the supplemental food at the release site, and the pair has been observed copulating recently. If they do successfully nest in 2006, this will be the third chick in three years for Condor 114 � quite an accomplishment for a condor! Hopefully Condors 187 & 136 will attempt nesting on the North Kaibab again this year (their nest failed last year). There�s also a possibility for some new pairs to nest, including Condors 133 & 158 and Condors 134 & 210. Some unpaired adults could also surprise us and suddenly pair up and nest this year.

Condor Releases:

Condor 162 was re-released on 19 January 2006 with Condor 350 (see above). Condor 162 was being held for behavioral reasons (interfering with a breeding pair). Hopefully she�ll find her own mate this season.

Condor Lead Exposure and Lead Reduction Efforts:

Trapping and lead testing continued in January. Only one bird remains to be trapped and tested for the fall/winter season. Although blood lead tests indicated several lead exposure events, and some birds required chelation treatments, lead exposure levels showed a decrease this year. This is the first time since testing began that lead exposure rates have decreased rather than increased from the previous year. We hope that the free non-lead ammunition program had something to do with this!

The survey results are in from the free non-lead ammunition program post hunt survey, and the data is encouraging. Over 1,100 Kaibab hunters (46%) returned their post-hunt surveys. We reported the preliminary findings at the AZ/NM Wildlife Society meeting in Flagstaff on February 3rd. Final results will be released to cooperators and the public soon. Good news - we have officially received funding to continue the free non-lead ammunition program for the fall 2006 hunting season!

Condor Mortality:

The carcass of a condor awaiting release (Condor 382) was recovered from the release pen on 09 January 2006. This HY 2005 bird was transported from Boise to the AZ release site in December (see December condor update). Necropsy results indicated that the bird died from fungal pneumonia likely caused by Aspergillius spores. Aspergillius is fairly common in condors and other birds, but rarely leads to pneumonia. All other condors in the release pen received health checks and are being carefully monitored. All appear healthy.

Condor Movements:

There�s finally a little snow in southern Utah! A few condors are still visiting the Kolob Canyon area, however. A handful of condors are also using the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The condors are concentrated around the release site, but can occasionally still be viewed at Navajo Bridge, the North Kaibab Forest, and the Colorado River corridor. We�re still waiting (Feb 14) for the snow in AZ!

News from California and Baja:

Two captive�reared condors were released at the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in southern California. A recently released condor was found dead in Baja from a possible bobcat predation. Necropsy results are pending

Condor Numbers:

Total population - 273
Captive � 146
Wild - 127
Arizona � 59
11 awaiting release
California � 57
Baja � 11
3 awaiting release

Lack of snow in the Southwest

OK, tell me something I don't know.
Snow is important for more than just skiing or snowboarding�it is also a crucial part of the Southwest�s water supply. Spring runoff from melting winter snow is essential for maintaining river volumes and reservoir levels throughout the Southwest. So far this winter, snowfall in the region has been far below average. In Flagstaff, only 1.6 inces of snow has fallen since September 1, 2005�more than 47 inches below average. In New Mexico, snow water content at sites throughout the state ranges from 4 to 35 percent of average. Projections for spring runoff range from 30 to 48 percent of average for many rivers in Arizona. Fortunately, many reservoirs, including those which supply the Phoenix area, still have adequate water from above-average precipitation last winter.

Highlights from the January 2006 Outlook

Drought
* Severe drought conditions now exist in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico. Drought or abnormally dry conditions have expanded to include nearly all of the Southwest, except for extreme northwestern
Arizona.
* Drought conditions are expected to intensify throughout most of the Southwest, due to recent warmer and much drier-than-average conditions.
* The lack of snowpack in most of the river basins in Arizona and southern New Mexico has led to a streamflow forecast of well below average.
* Drought conditions are improved from last year, but many important reservoirs in New Mexico remain below average.

Temperature
* Since the start of the water year on October 1, 2005, temperatures over most of the Southwest have been above average.

Precipitation
* Almost all of the Southwest has been drier than average since the start of the water year, especially during the last two months.

Climate Forecasts
* Experts predict increased chances of warmer-than-average temperatures through July, and below-average precipitation through May.

El Ni�o
* La Ni�a or ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to prevail over the next three to six months.

The Bottom Line
* Drought is likely to persist or intensify over most of the Southwest except for far western Arizona.

Go to: http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/climas/forecasts/swoutlook.html to access more detailed information on our southwest and global climate.

Condor Update as of 1 Dec 2005

Our link to Condor news and updates is limping these days..sorry.

Thom Lord, Peregrine Fund, reports that Condor Chick #350, our buddy from Battleship Rock, was retrieved with a broken wing on 4 November near the Vermilion Cliffs release site, where it recently had been feeding. It was transported to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota for surgery. A complete recovery is anticipated, although #350 spent the rest of November in Minnesota.

Condor Takes Flight - Corrections to Daily Sun

As the Arizona Daily Sun p.2 article dated 6 December 2005 correctly reported, the fledging of the Vermilion Cliffs California Condor chick took place recently in standard condor fashion...an overzealous "romp-and-stomp" near the edge of the cave.
But as sharp-eyed Master Naturalists have pointed out, the photograph accompanying the article is actually a 13 month old picture of condor #350 in it's Battleship Rock nest, posted on this blog on 12 November 2004. The AZ Daily Sun attributes the photo to Debbie Freeman of AZGFD. I requested the photo directly from Chad Olson, then at the Grand Canyon National Park Science Center, and then leading the Park's Condor Nest Watch Program, after viewing it on his digital camera moments after it was taken at Hopi Point. Chad has moved on, and it is not readily possible to recheck whether or how he got this photo from Debbie Freeman of AZGFD, but Chad and I were both taking photos at a steady clip, and as far as I know, never used anyone else's nest photos.
To see the original publication of this photo, along with photographic specifications, go to:
Photo of Canyon Condor Chick
The Daily Sun article correctly reported that the condor chick below the South Rim is being monitored for its imminent fledging.

December Astronomy Note

Mid-December has a lot of things going on...
Minor to modest meteor showers are peaking all month long, with none being standout. This means that general night watching can pay off with frequent falling stars, but no big shows.

Venus is so bright now as of 1 Dec that, in rural Arizona, it casts visible shadows. At magnitude -4.7, it is at peak brightness, even though not a "full" disk. It will rise less high, set sooner, fade in brightness, and the disk will "wane" significantly, by 1 January.

The earliest sunset of the year is on Wednesday, 7 December, but the Winter Solstice is not until Wednesday, 21 December. Why are they not on the same day?

Well, to an interplanetary inertial navigator like Dr Who, they are. Here on your puny planet, clock time attempts to match the period from high noon to high noon by averaging the length of the day. But every day, the earth moves one 365th of the way around the sun, moving high noon to the west by an amount that varies during the year, constantly but predictably, back and forth around the average. The difference in minutes is called "The Equation of Time" by astronomers, geodesists, and space, naval, and aircraft navigators, and most James Bond villains. By true natural solar time, the sun will set 3 minutes later on Dec 7th than 21 Dec. But after we substract "The Equation of Time" (about 7 minutes on 7 Dec, but only 2 minutes on 21 Dec) the sun will set 3 minutes sooner on 7 Dec than 21 Dec, according the the clock on your wall, at 4:35pm.

On 10 Dec, a still-bright Mars becomes stationary at the end of its retrograde motion, and then resumes direct eastward motion.

December is a good month to view Mercury, if you are an insomniac. Its greatest Elongation (apparent distance from the sun,) is on 12 Dec. That means that on mornings around that date, Mercury appears more than an hour before sunrise. On the 12th, it appears at about 5:20 am, almost an hour and 45 minutes before sunrise, and it is two thirds "full" and at magnitude -0.4, pretty bright.

Red Squirrel Count Results for Fall 2005

AZGFD have released the relults of the Fall 2005 headcount for Red Squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis, in the Pinaleno Mountains (Mount Graham). Numbers are up slightly from one year ago, but not by a statistically significant amount. Go to this AZGFD release about the Red Squirrel Count.

Bald Eagle Breeding Closures in AZ, 2005

Arizona Game and Fish Dept have announced the Bald Eagle breeding closures throughout central Arizona. To read more and see the list and area descriptions go to this AZGFD Bald Eagle Notice of Closures.

Condor Update 9 November 2005

Grand Canyon Interpretive Ranger Marker Marshall has forwarded to us the following three separate messages about Condors as of 9 November 2005.
The first is from the latest "Notes from the Field" entry by Thom Lord at www.peregrinefund.org, with news about Grand Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs, and specifically about #350, the fledge from Hopi Point (Battleship Rock).
The second is from Kathy Sullivan, with AZ Game and Fish Department, and provides updates on California birds and also the non-lead amunition program in AZ.
The third item, by Marker Marshall, has additional summary information on Condor populations, both wild and captive, and more on lead ammunition.

First Item:
From Thom Lord's October 2005 "Notes from the Field"

"...we tagged and placed transmitters on three new birds (Condors 329, 343, and 346) for release. On 12 October, these three, along with two birds [282 & 302--MM] that had been held temporarily in captivity, joined Arizona's free-flying population. The new releases seemed to take quite well to their newfound freedom, integrating nearly seamlessly with the existing flock. This release brought the wild population in Arizona up to 60 birds, including this year's two nestlings.

This year's nestlings were the next source of great news in October, with crewmember Vincent Frary making the difficult 24-mile round-trip hike into the Grand Canyon in an attempt to observe the chick there. To everyone's delight, Vince was able to see the chick, now Condor 392, and described it as appearing active and healthy. The other chick, Condor 389, was seen numerous times throughout the month, and also appears to be developing normally. It is possible that at least one chick will have fledged by the time I write the next Notes from the Field, but both should have fledged by the end of December.

Near the end of October, we were finally able to accomplish something that we had set our sights on nearly one year earlier. On 24 October, Vince confirmed that Condor 350, the untagged wild-fledged juvenile from Battleship Rock, had arrived at the release site. As the bird had established a regular pattern of returning to the release site to feed, and was still untagged going into our most crucial time of the year (hunting season), we decided to attempt to trap it. We set up to trap that night, and caught Condor 350 the next morning. Crewmember Frank Nebenburgh and I tagged, took blood for lead testing and DNA analysis, and vaccinated the bird for West Nile Virus, and released it again that evening. Condor 350 roosted at the release site that night, and stayed through the end of the month, feeding and interacting with the rest of the flock. We all breathed a sigh of relief when Condor 350 was finally tagged, as we will now be able to use radio-telemetry and GPS data to track that bird's movements as we track the rest of the flock. Although it was awe-inspiring to have an untagged wild bird in our free-flying population, the information we gain by being able to track each of the condors is invaluable. And, if things go as we expect, we should have two more untagged free-flying birds in the population very soon . . . "

___________________________________________

Note that tag numbers are now in great demand as more and more birds are out there! So Condor 329 is tagged 29, but Condor 343 is A3 (since 243 has Tag 43 locked up); Condor 346 is A6 (since 246 has Tag 46) and last year's Battleship chick, Condor 350, is -0 since 250 is already tagged 50. --MM
___________________________________________

Second Item:
Courtesy Kathy Sullivan of the Arizona Game & Fish Department:

"News from California"

Seven juvenile captive-reared condors were released at Pinnacles National Monument during the month of September. All seem to be doing well in their new habitat.

Two condors died in California this September. The carcass of Condor AC-2 was recovered from Bittercreek NWR on September 27th. AC-2 was one of the original condors captured from the wild back in 1986. He served as a breeder in the captive flock for 19 years and was released back to the wild in June 2005, after he stopped producing chicks in captivity. Biologists hoped that AC-2 would return to his historical roosting areas, which he did. It was anticipated that this bird would encourage the captive-reared release birds to expand their range. The death of AC-2 was a significant symbolic loss for the condor reintroduction program. Unfortunately, the carcass was heavily scavenged, and the cause of death is undetermined at this time.

The carcass of an eight-year-old male condor was recovered from the Hopper Mountain NWR on September 30th. This bird had been missing since September 5th. This was a breeding-age bird, so its death was a considerable loss to the California project. As in the previous case, the carcass was heavily scavenged, and the cause of death is unknown at this time.

Voluntary Lead Reduction Efforts

As of 31 October, approximately 60% of the 2,393 hunters drawn for rifle hunts in AZ Units 12A/B had redeemed their coupons for free non-lead ammunition. After spending opening day on the Kaibab, I also learned that several hunters who did not redeem their coupons due to incompatible calibers purchased non-lead ammunition on their own!

The free non-lead ammunition program ends 15 November 2005. Deer rifle hunts continue throughout the month of November. Let's hope the voluntary conservation efforts of these hunters make a significant difference this year.

Within the next month I will be mailing out post-hunt surveys to determine how we may be able to improve our voluntary non-lead ammunition program in the future. The survey will determine the reasons why some hunters did not redeem their free non-lead ammunition coupons, as well as how the non-lead ammo performed for those hunters who did redeem their coupons. Results should be available later this winter.

Condor Movements

In October, condors were observed at the Vermilion Cliffs release site, the Kolob Canyon area in Utah, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the North Kaibab Forest, and Navajo Bridge. The birds will likely increase their use of the North Kaibab Forest in November, and many of the Kolob Canyon birds are apt to return to the release site with the first major snowfall. The later is especially important since these birds need to be trapped and tested for lead exposure."
_______________________________________________________

Third Item:
Courtesy Marker Marshall, Ranger, GCNP.

Nov 1 2005 Condor Population Highlights: World Total is at 274; Arizona's total is 60 (of whom 3 are on "time out" and two are wild chicks that have not yet fledged, leaving 55 free-flying). In addition, there are five never-released condors still in the flight pen at Vermilion Cliffs.

Here is a link to an article on lead v. non-lead ammunition in the P-Fund Research Library, but soon to be published in peer-reviewed Wildlife Society Bulletin. Bullet Fragments in Deer Remains:Implications for Lead Exposure in Avian Scavengers. Check out the chart on page 9 and the x-ray on page 10 if you want convincing evidence for switching away from lead bullets!

November Astronomy Notes

The skies this month start off with some wonderful stargazing opportunities, with clear skies, evenings not yet frigid, and thin moonlight. The Milky Way streams east to west (west to east?) and a couple planets are very bright and obvious.
November starts off with with the classic, "End of Ramadan" Cresent Moon-and-Venus configuration in the western sky. This is such a beautiful configuration, I don't know why it doesn't hold a larger place in Western or Native American cultures. Venus is hugely bright, thus it is interesting to know that it is in only a "half-Venus" phase(Like a half-moon.)
Also in the evening sky, but 180 degrees away in the eastern sky, is a very bright orange Mars. It is at opposition on 7 November, which means for us that it will be up from dusk till dawn. It is roughly half way through its retrograde motion. It will remain big, bright, and orange all month, but will become noticably dimmer as the month progresses, becoming less bright than Sirius by December. Anyhoo, until then, even a modest telescope wil reveal the large, triangular dark area of Mars called Syrtis major.
Meteor activity is generally good this month. The Taurids, note for good fireballs, continue this month, peaking about

12 November. Leonids and Alpha Monocerotids are also significant, but covered by glare from the moon.

Lets talk a bit more about the Milky Way. Our solar system is located about midway out from the center of the Milky Way in a spiral arm. The Milky Way that we see is the disk of the galaxy. The planets surrounding the Sun circle around it in roughly the same orbital plane, sweeping out a disk as they go. This disk is, in turn, tilted at a steep angle to the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. As a result, the Milky Way appears to rotate around in the night sky as the year goes by. Since the Solar System is not tilted exactly at 90 degrees, we get a better look "above," or "North" of the disk of the Milky Way in Springtime, and "South" of the disk in Autumn. These are called the North and South Windows. So, in November, we get a good look out the South Window, out of and beyond the Milky Way, toward other members of the Local Group of galaxies to which Milky Way belongs, such as Andromeda.

We still have to look through the stars that share our arm of the Milky Way, so it's not like the window is star free. In fact, in most of the sky, there are enough stars to completely overlap and cover the sky. So why isn't the night sky as bright as the day sky? The short answer is: dust. The universe is dusty; dusty enough to dim or block the light from all those stars. It may help to appreciate the vastness of the universe to know that, in spite of outer space being so empty that it is considered a vacuum, there is still enough dust across the miles to block the light of billions of suns.

Wolf Reintroduction Moratorium Dictated

It is sad to report that a moratorium on Mexican Wolf reintroduction has gone into effect for calendar 2006. This moratorium was forced upon USFWS and the other agencies participating in the reintroduction program by US Representative Pearce of NM.

Click to hear what the wolves have to say.

Opponents of the program have tried throughout 2005 to use the 5 year review process, (concerned with reviewing procedures and techniques,) to attack the existence of the program. These opponents, almost exclusively representatives from the NM livestock industry, complained that six public hearings in the towns located nearest to the release area in 2005 were not adequate for opponents to voice objections to the program's existence. After Rep. Pearce called the program representatives to two additional meetings, open only to invited representatives of the livestock industry, they still felt that they had not been heard adequately, given that the reintroduction program still exists.
In response, the reintroduction program team has released a new Standard Operating Procedure, # 0.D. (The full text of all SOP's is available at http://www.azgfd.gov/.) The moratorium procedure states that the primary concern addressed by the moratorium is

"...Opposition to the Mexican Wolf reintroduction program in general, and specifically to the Blue Range Recovery Project."

"In closing, AMOC [Adaptive Management Oversight Committee] notes that the question of whether to enact a moratorium, and the justification for and composition of a moratorium, should have been melded into the pre-existing Five-Year Review, review of relevant Standard Operating Procedures, and development of the Project�s Annual Work Plan for 2006. Thus, the need for, and elements of, any future guidelines for new releases will be discussed as AMOC and the Project�s Interagency Field Team construct Annual Work Plans for each year beyond 2006. These documents will be discussed at AMOC�s quarterly public meetings in Arizona and New Mexico, with ample opportunity for public comment to ensure full consideration of relevant concerns before decisions are made."

New condor treatment facility will help endangered birds

Arizona Game and Fish Department released this announcement 24 October:

With less than 300 California Condors left in the world, it's important to offer the best possible health care to these endangered birds. The Arizona Game and Fish Department and The Peregrine Fund recently worked together to create an advanced, new condor treatment facility in the area of Arizona where dozens of condors live, near the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

News Media
October 24, 2005

"Until now, condors had to be transported to Page, or even as far as the Phoenix area for emergency care," says Kathy Sullivan, a condor biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "At this new facility, we can develop X-rays, do exams and provide rehabilitation to the birds right in the area of Arizona where they live."

The shell of the building was already there, but the new equipment and upgrades at the facility would have been helpful over the summer, when a condor was attacked by another animal, and biologists had to transport the dehydrated, injured bird to Flagstaff for X-rays and to The Phoenix Zoo for antibiotic treatment and attention. Luckily, that condor was quickly located after the attack, thanks to a satellite transmitter attached to its wings. Fast transport and good medical care helped the bird to fully recover.

Biologists from The Peregrine Fund, who monitor the condors on a daily basis, designed and constructed the new climate-controlled treatment facility at Marble Canyon. Their design features an X-ray machine, a laboratory, isolation chambers and a rehabilitation area. A veterinarian from The Phoenix Zoo, Dr. Kathy Orr, has already trained biologists to carry out basic medical procedures and will continue to be involved in the evaluation of condor cases that come into the facility. The new equipment will save biologists valuable time by making it unnecessary to transport the birds more than two hours for X-rays.

"We hope this facility and the tools within will help expedite treatment and provide a more rapid return to the wild for sick and injured birds," says Chris Parish, condor project director for The Peregrine Fund. "The less time they spend in captivity, the better!"

The $20,000 worth of upgrades and equipment to outfit the new condor treatment facility were paid for by the Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund. Arizona voters approved creation of the Heritage Fund in 1990, and all Heritage Fund money comes from Arizona Lottery ticket sales and goes to conservation efforts like protecting endangered species, educating children about wildlife and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation.

California condors have been federally listed as endangered since 1967. In 1982, only 22 condors were left in the world. Biologists captured them in an effort to save and breed the species. Experts now care for the birds and periodically release them in California, Mexico, and Arizona, as the population begins to rebound.

Condors were reintroduced in Arizona in 1996. Sixty of the birds now live in the wild in our state. Visitors can sometimes see the birds, which can have a wingspan of up to 9 1/2 feet, at the Vermilion Cliffs and at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. The condor reintroduction in Arizona is a joint project of several partners, including Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Peregrine Fund, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Kaibab National Forest and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

First Snow-San Fransisco Peaks Fall 2005

The first snow of the coming winter arrived Monday night, hidden in the swirling storm clouds, and revealed Tuesday morning in a clear sky. It is an annual wake up call for many residents and businesses, a reminder to make ready or to finish preparations for cold and snow. Folks within eyeshot of the mountains are a bit charged up on this day, which provides a prominent punctatum in the gradual changes of the season. Conversation about town begins, "Did you see the snow this morning?, with a grin from the inner child.

The first snow on the peaks last year was September 29th. The first snow in Flagstaff was 21 October (5").

October 05 Astronomy Note

Interesting items this month:

-Mars in retrograde (Started 1 Oct, near the Pleides. Will continue for about two months, then revert to prograde motion.) Mars is also at its closest to Earth this month, getting as close as 43 million miles on 29 October, and at its

largest appearance for the next 13 years, although about 20% less than in 2003, which was the closest approach in 59,000 years. It will be much higher in the sky than 2003, so viewing may be even better, or clearer.
-Jewish new year (5766 A.M. started at sunset, 3 Oct).
-Ramadan(started at sunset on 3 Oct).
-Meteors: Draconids (near Polaris, the North Star) peak around 8 Oct. Since their parent comet, Giocobini-Zinner, returns this year, the possibility of a a sudden, super-intense burst exists.
-Full moon, or "Hunter's Moon", will be 17 Oct. (Also a partial lunar eclipse, at about :30 am).
-switch from Daylight Savings Time( will happen 30 Oct).
-Meteors: Orionids (radiating from the "club" of Orion) will peak 21 Oct. Associated with comet 1P/Halley, they may be obscured some by moonlight.

Condor Update as of September 15 2005

You may have read the short notice in the Phoenix paper about the CA Condor chick who died from West Nile Virus.
Here are details of that situation, and an update on the other chicks, and on the program in general:

A three month old wild-hatched California condor chick that died August 25 has tested positive for West Nile Virus. Nest watchers reported a rapid decline in the health of the three month old chick and a team of biologists, a veterinarian and condor keeper attempted to retrieve it from the nest, however it died before it could be treated. The dead chick was promptly sent to the Pathology Department at the San Diego Zoo for a necropsy. The cause of death is believed to be infection with West Nile Virus, complicated by secondary fungal pneumonia. The condor chick hatched in the wild in Ventura County, California on May 19 of this year.

Both parent birds were inoculated with a West Nile Vaccine in June of 2003 and again in June of 2004. With the exception of chicks hatched in the wild all California condors in captivity and in the wild have been inoculated at least once with a vaccine developed especially for condors called DNA West Nile Vaccine. The condors have not had any adverse reactions to the vaccine and subsequent blood tests have shown antibodies in their blood, a sign that the immune system is responding to fight off the disease.

�We know through testing on captive condors that maternal immunity is transferred to the chicks, what we didn�t know was how long it lasted. Because this chick died at just 3 months of age we will attempt to vaccinate wild-hatched chicks in their nests. This will have to be done on a case by case basis providing the nests are accessible,� stated Marc Weitzel, Project Leader for Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which administers the California Condor Recovery Program.

One other wild chick was hatched in California this year; it was removed from the nest when it appeared to be underdeveloped for its age. The chick had ingested trash (small bits of plastic, metal and glass as well as fabric); the chick underwent surgery to remove the trash and may be released next spring. Trash has been found in several other chicks and has caused the death of two chicks since 2001 when California condors first began breeding in the wild. The first wild chick to survive past fledging in California hatched last year. Three chicks have successfully fledged in Arizona and two additional wild condor chicks hatched this year in Arizona are expected to fledge by November.

There are 125 condors now living in the wild in California, Arizona and Baja, Mexico and 151 in captivity at the Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, the Oregon Zoo and the Peregrine Fund�s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. The goal of the California Condor Recovery Plan is to establish two geographically separate populations, one in California and the other in Arizona, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs. The largest bird in North America, condors are scavengers that have soared over mountainous areas of California since prehistoric times, but their numbers plummeted in the 20th Century. Condor numbers declined in part due to loss of habitat and food and from shooting, lead poisoning and toxic substances used to poison predators. Condors were listed as an endangered species in 1967, under a law that pre-dated the existing Endangered Species Act. In 1982, the condor population reached its lowest level of 22 birds, prompting biologists to start collecting chicks and eggs for a captive breeding program. By late 1984, only 15 condors remained in the wild. After seven condors died in rapid succession, it was decided to bring the remaining birds in from the wild for the captive breeding program. In 1992, the Recovery Program began releasing California condors back into the wild.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for coordinating the conservation of the California condor, working with the Los Padres National Forest, California Department of Fish and Game, and several private partners. Private organizations and institutions are not just interested observers, but are active and essential participants in the implementation of the recovery program, contributing personnel, expertise, institutional support, and funding. California condor captive breeding programs are operated at San Diego Wild Animal Park, Los Angeles Zoo, The Peregrine Fund�s World Center for Birds of Prey and most recently the Oregon Zoo. Release programs in California are managed by Ventana Wilderness Society, The US Park Service at Pinnacles National Monument and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge; the Arizona release is managed by The Peregrine Fund: and the Baja release site by the Zoological Society of San Diego.

September 05 Astronomy Note

The temperatures are still good for stargazing this month. There will be three minor meteor showers, peaking on the 1st, 9th, and 19th. A fourth is regarded as a "radio shower", visible only by radar. Interestingly, meteor trails, visible or not, were/are used by the military to bounce radio signals over the horizon.

What this means is that it is still a good month for observing meteors, generally. Just not quite as good as August.

The most striking sight in the sky is the evening dance of Jupiter and Venus, coming as close as one and a quarter degrees at the moment they are closest (called Appulse) on 1 September. They will be moving along gradually each night, passing right by the bright star Spica, in Virgo. Also drifting into the picture will be a sliver of new moon. All these bright objects together will create one of those times that can trick the mind's eye and make these celestial objects seem very close to us.

Mars continues to put on a good show, rising late each evening in the east, but gradually rising earlier, until by the end of the month, it will be rising by 8:30 pm. It will also be getting brighter, first passing Sirius, then Jupiter, in brightness. Still very close physically (well, relatively close,) geographical (martiographical?) features and sometimes weather remain visible through telescopes.

Of course, the Autumnal Equinox occurs this month on the 22nd (at 3:23pm MST, 4:23pm Navajo Nation MDT. The sun is just entering Virgo, astronomically. Astrologically, it is entering Libra, but this is based on grossly outdated tables that ignore the actual appearance of the sky, and are so distorted that they leave out a major portion of the zodiac.

CEU: Fall Flora Workshop, Hart Prairie Preserve

September 17, 10am-3pm The Nature Conservancy will conduct a Workshop on the Autumn Flora of Hart Prairie.

This CEU class is worth 2 credits toward fulfilling your annual requirement of 6 hours per year.

Course Registration is Closed. Applications exceeded available space, and enrollees and alternates have been notified. If you are interested, or did not receive a place, please try again next season...

Located at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the Conservancy's Hart Prairie Preserve is an ideal place to learn about high elevation plants.

This rare wet meadow environment supports a wide variety of uncommon wildflowers, including the scarlet gilia. Conservancy biologist and wildflower expert Greg Goodwin will teach participants how to identify wildflowers through presentations, field exercises, and an interpretive walk. Download event flyer and registration form.

Course Registration is Closed. Applications exceeded available space, and enrollees and alternates have been notified. If you are interested, or did not receive a place, please try again next season...

Registration/Fee
Cost of the daylong workshop is $25 per person, including lunch and materials. Registration deadline is September 1. Contact Rebecca Garrett, the Conservancy�s Northern Arizona Program Coordinator, at (928) 774-8892 ext. 5 or rgarrett@tnc.org.

Astronomy Note for August

This is the meteor month, with 5 named meteor showers. The timing of the moon's phases will make for dark skies during meteor shower activity, but monsoonal skies may not cooperate. Most of these showers are sparse, or have a weak showing predicted this year. But taken together, this is a great month for seeing meteors around the sky.

-Aquarids South, 4 Aug peak. Active now thru 15 Aug Faint, minor shower.
-Aquarids North (delta), 8 Aug peak. Active now thru 25 Aug. Mostly faint meteors.
-Perseids, 12 Aug peak. Active now thru 24 Aug. This could be interesting. Perseids are relatively fast, averaging almost 60 km/hr in the atmosphere, and they are often bright and often leave long, persistent trails. At the "traditional" peak, which should be between 10pm and 1am Arizona time, they average about 100 per hour. However, Perseid peaks are variable, and in some years additional, even bigger peaks, occur before and after the traditional peak, sometimes a difference of a day or more, so it is a good time to be alert when outside late.
-Cygnids, 17 Aug. Active 3-25 Aug. I lied: The peak will be near full moon. Few meteors expected in this shower, but they will come out of the North (Draco) and can be brilliant, slow-moving, and showy.
-Aquarids North(Iota), 19 Aug peak. Active 11-31 Aug. Another sparse shower.
-Planets: Jupiter and Venus are in the evening sky (Venus is lower and brighter) and getting closer to each other (apparently) all month long. Mars rises late in the evening, but is burning bright, and will be as bright as Sirius by month end. With a decent telescope, you can watch the southern icecap melting away as the summer solstice of that part of Mars approaches.

Mountain Short-Horned Lizards Maintaining.

This Mountain Short-horned Lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi, was seen on McMillan Mesa in June. Typical for "horny toads", it has adapted to match the soil color on the mesa top, making it hard to spot. Horned Lizards require Harvester Ants to survive, although

they don't eat Harvester Ants exclusively (anywhere from 30% to 90+% of their diet). This means that invasive ant species, like Argentine Ants or Fire Ants, not only impact native ants, but their predators as well. Native plants and fungi that depend on the Harvester Ants for soil conditions and cultivation are also impacted, as well as the insects, microbes, and rodents that depend on those plants. When diminished, their habitat is succeptible to invasive species. A long chain of interdependence.
Short Horned Lizards give birth to their young "live" as opposed to laying eggs, as most horny toad species do. The little ones are "good to go" at birth, and the mother does not provide any care.
Short Horned Lizards appear to be maintaining their numbers on the Colorado Plateau, based on anecdotal sightings. Other species of Horned Lizards in Texas and California are losing out to development and invasive ants. In Nevada, they are commercially harvested for use in economically critical objects like plastic paperweights.

Arboretum Class: Planting Native Grasses & Wildflowers w/ the Summer Rains

On Saturday, July 16, The Arboretum at Flagstaff is offering the ideal high country gardening class for naturalists. Patrick Pynes and a staff member from Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed will co-teach this class. They will discuss how to choose the best native grasses and wildflowers for your site, how to prepare the soil, and how to plant with seeds or plugs during our brief but intense high altitude summer, working with the summer rains.
They�ll be planting native grasses (blue grama, etc.) and wildflowers (penstemons, lupines, buckwheats, asters, etc.) in a plot here at The Arboretum.
Class will run from 9 am to 1 pm on a Saturday, with a refreshment break. Participants are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens after class.
Fees are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Enrollment is limited to twelve participants.
Be sure to bring appropriate clothing, including a hat, as each class will spend time outdoors.
To register, please contact Rachel Edelstein at (928) 774-1442 x110.
Visit http://www.thearb.org , but there is no further information on their web site.

Too Big for the Wading Pool.

The other mid-June morning, as I passed the window, I saw what I thought was a cat in the bird bath. A closer look revealed what is possibly an adult Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, or possibly a Grey Hawk, Buteo nitidus,taking a sitzbath. It stayed about ten minutes, occasionally fluttering in the standard bathing-bird mode. Smaller perching birds, swooping down to the birdbath, did last minute hard-breaking maneuvers and, occasionally, uncharacteristic barks, as they abruptly realized just exactly what they were about to share the birdbath with.
The hawk has returned several times to this location, just east of Walnut Canyon at 6500ft in the Pinyon-Juniper forest.
See large image by clicking on 'Continue Reading'.

Identification has proven difficult for this amateur. I would distinguish as a Goshawk from others by its overall greys with no browns, and from the Grey Hawk by the dark cap. But it lacks the white, flaring eyebrow of the Goshawk. Noting that the cap isn't really darker than the rest of the body and the ceres are grey, it could be the Grey Hawk, but this bird has white cheeks, unlike the Grey Hawk. And the Grey Hawk is even less common here than the Goshawk, which does nest locally. Maybe an Audubon birder will help us out here?

DEEP IMPACT - Comet Impact Followup

By now, you have seen photos on TV and read details in the papers. But just for the record, click 'Continue Reading' for a high resolution followup photo of the impact on 9p/Tempel 1.

Colorado Plateau Seasonal Weather

Climate Models and observations suggest that the 2005 monsoon may begin between 11 and 16 July.

It may seem that daily tempuratures are climbing at a steady rate, and with two more months of summer yet to come, might pop the bulb on your thermometer. If we were in the midwest, this just might be so.

On the Colorado Plateau, maximum day time temps above 7000ft or so peak in the first week of July. Night time temps lag behind a bit, and max out in the last week of July.
The two graphs below, taken from the Western Regional Climate Center, are for the Flagstaff Airport and Fort Valley, south and north of Flagstaff, respectively. If you visit this site, the Western Regional Climate Center Summaries,you will find similar graphic data for various towns and locations throughout Arizona.

Condor Update as of 28 June 2005

We had three Condor nests started this year in Arizona's Canyon Country, a new record.
The nest on the eastern flank of the Kaibab Plateau failed in late spring. The egg was recovered for an "ovopsy". For whatever reason, the chick did not peck its way into the airsac portion of the egg, which is a necessary step in development as the respiratory requirements of the chick increase.
The nests on the Vermillion Cliffs and in Salt Creek Canyon below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon both appear to be progressing normally. The chick at the Vermillion Cliffs was observed directly for the first time just a few days ago.

Grand Canyon Science Center Biologist Chad Olson has relocated to Wyoming, and a new avian or raptor biologist has not been identified. If you are interested in volunteering for the Condor Nest Watch Program, contact Kari Malen, Volunteer Programs Coordinator for The Grand Canyon Trust AND the Grand Canyon Foundation. Her e-mail is gcvolunteers@yahoo.com . Condor nest watching involves overnight hiking this year...no driving to a comfy overlook for an easy afternoon.

Want to learn about Desert Bighorn Sheep?

This entry is derived from an AZ Game and Fish Department announcement dated 20 June 2005.

If you would like to learn about and observe Bighorn up close, then plan to attend one of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's annual bighorn sheep workshops this summer. The department will host two, two-day workshops on 29-30 July, and 5-6 August.

This is a tremendous and unique opportunity provided by the AZGFD. Master Naturalists should take advantage of it!

The first day of each workshop involves mandatory classroom education from 6-8 pm at the Kingman Regional Game and Fish Office followed by a field trip the second day from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. The sheep-viewing boat trip will depart from Willow Beach on the Colorado River north of Kingman.

The workshops are open to the public, but space is limited to 40 people per session. Preference will be given to those who have not attended the workshop in the last two years, but those who have participated are still encouraged to apply for a spot.

To reserve a spot, a $20 refundable deposit per person is required in the form of a check made out to the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation to help reduce the problem of no-shows. The money is refunded when a person either attends the workshop or calls to cancel at least 48 hours in advance. Wildlife for Tomorrow is a nonprofit group that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Registration is by mail only. Send the check to: Sheep Workshop, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86401. Include the names of participants, their addresses and phone numbers, and specify which weekend is preferred.

Cash donations, which are not mandatory to participate, will be accepted to help offset increasing costs for boat rentals and fuel.

Nobody under 14 years old will be registered for the event. Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

DEEP IMPACT - 3rd of July Comet Crash

NASA has scheduled a special fireworks event for the 3rd of July. A projectile launched from the spacecraft called "Deep Impact" will strike the comet 9P/Tempel 1 at near midnight.

Predictions are that the comet should brighten suddenly, going from 10th magnitude to around 5th magnitude (Each magnitude is 2.5 times as bright as the next. 5 magnitudes is 100 times as bright.) How long the brightening will last is unknown. The comet may not brighten at all, or it could flare, pop, or sparkle.

The impact will occur at 11pm Arizona time (12 midnight Navajo Nation time) Arizonans are in a particularly good location to view the event. Look for comet Tempel 1 by looking in the southwestern sky in the constellation Virgo, a little northeast of the star Spica. This will be about mid-way between the horizon and the highest point in the sky.

The comet will be faintly visible if you have full-sized binoculars or a telescope. The tail will stream to the left, or eastward.

Wilhelm Tempel was an astronomer who discovered many comets in the late 1800's. He discovered Tempel 1 in 1867 (not his first). Tempel 1 was lost for 18 orbits, a record, starting in 1881, after a close encounter with Jupiter. It was rediscovered in 1967, hence the extra part of its name. It orbital period is about 5.5 years, and it is a little less than 4 km long and a little less than 3 km wide. It spins one revolution every 25 hours. The orbit of 9P/Tempel 1 is relatively circular for a comet, with the furthest point from the sun still inside Jupiter's orbit, and the nearest point outside Mar's orbit. It will be right at the nearest point to the sun on July 5th.

The Deep Impact Mission launched about 6 months ago. It will launch the "Impactor" 24 hours before impact, and then make a deflection maneuver to avoid hitting 9P/Tempel 1. Scientists want to make this strike on the comet to learn about the material comets are made of, how consolidated or "clumped together" they are, and how the tails are generated.
For a whole lot more about the Deep Impact mission, go to http://deepimpact.jpl.nasa.gov or http://www.planetarysociety.org/deepimpact/.

June Astronomy Note - Summer Moon

The full moon is 21 June. It is remarkable because it is the lowest "hanging" moon in 18 years. This makes a good time to witness and learn about the odd "Moon Illusion" that makes these low-hanging moons look HUGE.
For a detailed discussion of the "Ponzo Effect" and other theories about why a low-hanging moon looks so large, or so close, check out this Science @ NASA webpage.

Aurora Borealis in Arizona

An severe geomagnetic storm, caused by an enormous explosion on the sun (a Coronal Mass Ejection, technically) last week, peaking on about 15 May 2005, caused an Aurora Borialis at both poles and as far toward the equator as Arizona, where I suppose we could call them Aurora Temporalis. The picture shown here was a ten minute exposure, taken with a special camera setup in Payson, AZ, at about 2 am on the 15th, by Chris Schur. To see more of these wildly colorful photos in time sequence, and to learn much more about these Auroras and how they are measured and captured, go to Chris Schur's website at http://www.schursastrophotography.com/latest74.html

NM Representative Browbeats Wolf Program into Proposing 1 Year Moratorium

Your interest in this issue would be a help.
[And a note to MN's: If the "critical number" of breeding pairs (6) is breached, then reintroductions of captive bred wolves would resume despite the proposed moratorium. So panic is optional. Even so, to read is to weep.]

Direct from USFWS and AZGFD:
Public comment sought on five Mexican wolf reintroduction project standard operating procedures and a proposed moratorium on new releases of captive wolves.
Since 1998, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and five other agencies have been involved in reintroducing the Mexican Gray Wolf to areas of Arizona and New Mexico where the species once thrived.

The cooperating agencies use an adaptive management approach to manage the project, operating as a core team called the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project Adaptive Management Oversight Committee (AMOC). The group has drafted five new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to guide wolf management activities and related decisions regarding the reintroduction project. The new AMOC SOPs address supplemental feeding, roadkill salvage, wolf control, helicopter capture, and aerial monitoring flights. The SOPs are accompanied by a proposed AMOC 1-year moratorium on new releases of captive-bred Mexican wolves that have never been in the wild.

AMOC is inviting interested parties to review the draft SOPs and the proposed moratorium, and provide written comment to AMOC by May 31, 2005(Extended to by July 31, 2005). View the proposed procedures and moratorium here. Individual copies of the SOPs and the proposed moratorium are also available by telephone request to 602.789.3500.

Comment on these documents may be submitted via email to the Mexican wolf reintroduction project mexwolf@azgfd.gov or via postal mail to: Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project, c/o Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attention: Terry B. Johnson, 2221 West Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85023.

Comment must be received by May 31 to be considered.

The agencies cooperating in the Mexican wolf reintroduction project are the Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, and White Mountain Apache Tribe.
.

Weeding this year will pay off for years to Come

This spring and summer is a huge opportunities to whomp the weed populations for this year and many to come.
Why so?
Many of the invasive and exotic weed seeds don't sprout in the year that they drop. They wait for wetter or warmer conditions, and may hide in the soil for years, or decades. This is called the seed bank.
Due to generous precipitation and mild temperatures, all the weedy seed bank accounts are being emptied this year, and nothing held in reserve. Just about all the viable seed has found suitable moisture and temperatures, and will be sprouting to join the big weed season. So this is the opportunity to knock back the weeds and leave little or no seed bank behind.
On the other hand, if we MISS this opportunity, the seed banks will reap their investment, and add decades worth of seeds for future weed generations.

Recent Lizard Encounter

In the upper left, a Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus magister, probably subspecies cephaloflavus, or Orange-headed, gives a hard look and a lot of pushups to the Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, probably subspecies baileyi, or Western, in the lower right.

The Spiny Lizard, down on the ground a meter lower and 6 meters distant,spotted the Collared Lizard up on a boulder and made a hasty approach.
Both lizards are male, judging from coloration, particularly the blue patches on the throat and belly, a trait many lizard genera share.

The Spiny Lizard was clearly intent on meeting this other lizard, but whether it recognized it as male, or even as another Spiny, was unclear. At any rate, he pulled up abruptly as soon as he reached the spot you see in the photo, and launched into serious, almost Marine-style pushups for a short time. Meanwhile the Collared Lizard had his eye on the Spiny, but did not otherwise change his posture of leaning on the pebble mini-bar. After a long staredown, the Spiny and Collared walked off opposite sides of the rock at about the same time. Probably was one of those awkward moments of mistaken identity.

These photos were taken mid-April at Inscription Point, 400 meters from the Little Colorado River due east of Wupatki. The boulder is Moencopi Sandstone at the base of Ward Terrace on the Navajo Nation.

It was the beginning of breeding season for both species, both of which favor broken boulders in limestone or limey sandstones that provide hiding places and sunning surfaces.

It was probably smart for the Spiny Lizard to back off the Collared. Although roughly the same length ( 30-35 cm, or 12-14 in) and the Spiny a bit heavier, the Collared Lizard has a bigger head, bigger jaws, a feisty attitude, and a reputation for a hard bite.

Close ups of both lizards and the original showdown are below. Note the annoyed looks of both lizards. It seems no one wants their picture taken.

Come See the Wolves on Saturday at the Flagstaff Middle School Auditorium

Grand Canyon Wildlands Council, Defenders of Wildlife, and
Mountain Sports/Patagonia invite you to see one of the rare and
great creatures of the wild this Saturday, April 30, when wolves
from a Colorado sanctuary visit the Flagstaff Middle School.

The wolves are part of Mission: Wolf, a program that aims to
provide a refuge for captive wolves and hybrids, help people
connect with wildlife, and stimulate a greater care and respect
for nature.

When: Saturday, April 30, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Where: Flagstaff Middle School Auditorium
Tickets: $5.00 in advance at Mountain Sports in downtown Flagstaff
$7.00 at the door

Children 6-17 are admitted for FREE
CHILDREN UNDER 6 YEARS OLD ARE NOT ALLOWED-SORRY!

"Some peoples' lower jaw drops to the floor when they learn that
a live wolf is about to visit their school or business," says
Kent Weber, founder and director of Mission: Wolf.
"Often the first response is shock. The second is, "do they
bite?" and the third is usually "can I pet the wolf?"

The wolves have been a hit across the country ("A howling
success" - Syracuse Post-Standard), logging tens of thousands of
miles to give people an up-close-and-personal look and shed
light on one of the world's most misunderstood animals. They are
part of a national trend to demystify wolves, help them recover
from the brink of extinction and show them for what they really
are: intelligent, social creatures who make a huge contribution
to the balance of nature.

Click to hear what the wolves have to say.

Mexican Gray Wolves were reintroduced to the Southwest in 1998
and government biologists earlier this year suggested expanding
the area in which they can roam. The wolf population has grown
to more than 50.

San Francisco Peaks Weed Management Area

The San Francisco Peaks Weed Management Area (SFPWMA) will meet on Tuesday, May 3rd, beginning 10am. Hosting will be the Coconino County Cooperative Extension Offices, located at 2304 N. 3rd Street; located just east of Killup School in the Sunnyside neighborhood of East Flagstaff.
This will be an extremely interesting meeting. The key agenda item will be discussing plans for potential application of bio-control agents (insects)to control local invasive weeds.

This will be an extremely interesting meeting. The key agenda item will be discussing plans for potential application of bio-control agents (insects)to control local invasive weeds.

Contact Wade Albrecht for more.

Condor News Update 19 April 05

The latest update from Chad Olson, Biologist with the Grand Canyon Science Center:

The Condor Nestwatch volunteer program is on hold right now, due to a shortage of equipment, which we hope is temporary. Looks like we need about $2K to get back to operating status.

Okay, now onto happier things.

It looks like we finally know what the breeding situation is for the year. We have three nests total, including one in Grand Canyon park, one on the Kaibab Plateau north of the Park, and one on the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. See details below:

Salt Creek (Grand Canyon) Nest: Condors 123 and 127 (Salt Creek pair, and parents of #305) have nested in Salt Creek again. We haven't confirmed the exact nest location yet, but most likely it's in the same cave as in 2003.
Unfortunately, the nest is not visible from the rim, so volunteer nest
monitoring will be dramatically different this year. Still, volunteers willing to hike into the canyon and camp for a few days, are more than welcome.

Kaibab Plateau Nest: Condors 187 (M) and 136 (F). First-time breeding pair. The nest is on the east side of the plateau in the National Forest, and is currently being monitored by The Peregrine Fund.

Vermillion Cliffs NM Nest: Involves condors 114, the father from last year's Vermillion Cliffs chick--and 126--a new breeding female. Condor 114's mate from last year divorced him. So condors 114 and 126 are currently incubating. Last year's chick, #342, is doing well and feeding at the release site.

Finally, the free-born chick from the Battleship Nest last year (#350) is doing well. We are now commonly seeing it around the village area and along the rims.

Condor Update as of 17 April

Post-mortem information on #305, the Salt Creek one-year-old, is that the direct cause of death was starvation. That doesn't explain the underlying cause or causes. #305 had been seen feeding, and even had been fed by his parents until recently, when they began to drive him away from the nest area. Starvation does not preclude lead poisoning, but there are several ailments that condors are subject to that are manifested by the inability to hold down food or lose appetite.

Another bird was in the first week of April, #347, a recently released female. She was also showing lethargy and wasting. She died enroute to Phoenix for examination and treatment.

Investigations continue.

Jaguar in Arizona

Did you know that Jaguar (Pantera onca) roamed the San Francisco Peaks when Lt Beale surveyed the wagon road past near Antelope Springs, now known as Flagstaff?

For a long time, the jaguar was thought to be only an itinerant visitor from Mexico. At any rate, jaguar have taken up residence in Arizona again, and a recovery management team has begun work.

Called the Jaguar Conservation Team, their meeting scheduled for April in Lordsburg, NM has been cancelled, because the main action items from their January meeting ar not ready. These actions are a draft Risk Assessment for trapping and collaring, and a draft outline for a Recovery Strategy. Instead, these will be sent for review to team members for the 28 August meeting in Douglas, AZ.

Updated Bald Eagle Breeding Closures in AZ

Although the small section of Lake Pleasant that had been closed for a breeding pair has been opened as of 1 April, all other closures remain in effect. AZFGD provided these details on 8 April via e-mail:

Every year, the department closes about 19 bald eagle breeding areas during the winter and spring, in order to help protect the birds' efforts to produce young. Human activities and low-flying planes can disrupt breeding attempts. This year, the closure at Lake Pleasant is ending earlier than expected.

"The pair of bald eagles at Lake Pleasant laid eggs twice, but both of the breeding attempts failed," says James Driscoll, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Bald Eagle Management Program. "This particular female eagle is spending her first year paired up with a male in this nest at Lake Pleasant, and sometimes it takes a couple of tries before an eagle can reproduce. We expect better luck next year."

Closures remain in effect at several other locations in Arizona, including sites along the Salt, Verde, San Carlos, and Little Colorado rivers; at several lakes; and at Tonto Creek until June 30. The Lake Pleasant breeding area will close again on Dec. 15 for the next breeding season.

April Astronomy Note

Beautiful skies mark early evening night sky viewing in April. Saturn is high in the western sky, and Jupiter is high in the eastern sky. Before dawn, it becomes Jupiter in the western sky, and Mars in the eastern sky. One small meteor shower this month is obscured by a bright, near-full moon.

Condor News Update 2 April

Quick note: Looks like 4 nesting pairs in Arizona at this point, maybe a possibilty of one more. And it looks like one pair on the Kaibab Plateau is already sitting on an egg! More details as they arrive.

Condor Program Moves Back One Square With the Loss of 305

Very sad news report from Chad Olson of the Grand Canyon Science Center:
"We found Condor #305 dead last Saturday. Recall, this is the wild chick from Salt Creek/2003. We suspect he died sometime around the 19th of March, but the cause of death is still unknown. We recovered the body about 1200 ft below Yavapai Point below the South Rim. The bird will now be sent to the San Diego Zoo for a full necropsy, and I only hope we learn what actually caused the death.

This has come as an absolute shock to everyone involved in the program. Condor 305 was moving around extensively and had even been at the release site and seen feeding recently. I'll let everybody know as soon as more details become available."

Condor Update as of 22 March 05---1st Nest of the Year!

Here is the status of condor breeding activity current as of this date, provided by Chad Olson of the Grand Canyon Science Center to volunteers of the Condor Nest Watch Program:

"Well, several things going on.

First, we may have our first nest of the year. Condors 136 (F) and 187 (M), a new pair, appear to be incubating at a nestsite along the east front of the Kaibab Plateau. The nest is south of the Vermillion Cliffs but north of the canyon. Incubation has not yet been confirmed, but it sounds promising.

As for other potential pairs, we have three:
--- Things are looking good for 123 and 127 (Salt Creek pair) breeding this year. About a month ago they began harassing 305 (their chick from 2003/4 season) and chasing him from the nest area. This coincided with courthship behavior and copulations. About two weeks ago, 305 left the South Rim and flew with a group of other birds back to the release site, where he fed. 305 has since returned to the South Rim but the parents are no longer tolerating him in the area. It seems we can finally say 305 is independent.
--- Next, condors 133 (F) and 158 (M) are likely to breed this year, but still haven't produced anything. If they do, it will likely be on the western side of the Kaibab Plateau.
--- Thirdly, condors 114 (M) and 126 (F) (Vermillion Cliffs pair) are acting as though they may breed. Recall that 114 successfuly bred with 149 last year. 114 is still caring for the chick (#342), but 149 has 100% stopped caring for it. This was apparently caused by the chick disappearing during the time it required surgery in Phoenix--this disappearence mimicked a chick mortality, and the female apparently switched behavioral gears. Although 114 continues to care for the chick, he also seems extremely interested in breeding again, which is definitely possible considering the proximity to the release site."

Mexican Grey Wolf Reintroduction Status-Feb 05

This is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project activities in Arizona and New Mexico for February 2005, taken from the 9 March 05 Endangered Species Update, direct via e-mail.

Click to hear what the wolves have to say.

Additional information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329, or toll free at 1-888-459-WOLF, or by visiting the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's web site at http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov. Past updates may also be viewed on this web site or interested parties may sign up to receive the update electronically by visiting http://azgfd.gov. This update is public property and can be used for any purpose. The reintroduction project is a multi-agency, cooperative effort among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services (USDA-WS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR), the San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT) on the San Carlos Apache Reservation (SCAR), and other supporting organizations including the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF) and Defenders of Wildlife (DOW).

Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: (928) 339-4329 or toll free at 1-888-459-WOLF (9653). To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the Arizona Game and Fish Department's 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at 1-800-352-0700.

Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks the history of all known Mexican wolves. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 18 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) indicate sub-adults, younger than 18 months, or pups. The capital letter "A" preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves.

Definitions: For the purpose of this update, a "wolf pack" is defined as two or more wolves, at least one having a radio collar, which maintain an established territory and are proven breeders. In the event that one of the two alpha wolves dies, the remaining wolf, regardless of pack size, retains the pack name. A "group" of wolves is defined as two or more wolves that travel together on a consistent basis, but are not proven breeders. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that uncollared wolves may form a group or a pack. If they are confirmed through trapping, sightings, or other field methods, they will be included in the appropriate category.

CURRENT POPULATION STATUS

As of the end of February, the collared population consisted of 22 wolves in 10 packs, one group and three lone wolves. Based on other field data, including sightings, tracks and howling, as many as 25-30 additional wolves are distributed among the packs and groups.

In Arizona: Aspen Pack (AF667 and AM512), Bluestem Pack (AF521 and AM507), Cienega Pack (AF487), Hawks Nest Pack (AF486), Iris Pack (AM798), Rim Pack (AF858) and lone wolf M795. Hon-Dah Pack (AM578) and lone wolf F613 are located on the FAIR.

In New Mexico: Francisco Pack (AF511), Luna Pack (AF562 and AM583), Saddle Pack (AF797, and collared pups m860, f861, f862, m863 and m864) and San Mateo Group (AF903). M859 is a lone wolf.

Observation reports of wolves from the public are important, and should be reported immediately as many of the wolves are currently dispersing. All wolf-sighting reports are recorded and evaluated. Please call the toll free number listed above to report a wolf sighting as soon as possible after the sighting. Thank you for your help.

MONITORING

Field efforts focused on monitoring wolf activity, as well as on confirming other uncollared wolves that may exist in the wild. The IFT began daily telemetry flights this month to investigate Mexican wolf predation behavior during winter months. Any carcass located from the air was investigated on the ground to determine if wolves were responsible for the kill, and to document the species, sex, age and condition. During February, the IFT conducted 20 winter-study telemetry flights. Eight additional flights had to be cancelled due to bad weather. The winter study is scheduled to extend into mid-March.

In Arizona: Daily telemetry flights in February, as well as ground tracking, confirmed the Aspen alpha pair using areas typically greater than two miles from the main Blue River corridor. While project personnel documented several crossings from one side of the Blue River to the other, all crossings appeared to be quick and without incident. No nuisance or problem behavior was observed or reported. Therefore, IFT personnel did not attempt to trap for the Aspen Pack during February.

Correction from January's Update: On January 5, in addition to the Aspen pair passing through the Blue River corridor, a resident reported the pair briefly interacting with two dogs through a chain-link fence. Due to darkness, the resident was unable to see the animals, however, telemetry signals and tracks in fresh snow indicated both AM512 and AF667 had approached the fence, and were involved in the interaction. In response to the close proximity of the Aspen Pack, the resident fired two cracker shells. Telemetry signals indicated the pair then moved off and did not return. The resident reported that, upon examination, there was no sign of injury on either of the dogs.

On a February 1 telemetry flight, project personnel documented three wolves with the Bluestem Pack.

Project personnel located Cienega Pack AF487 several miles north and northeast of its traditional home range on a few occasions in February, but it also made movements back south to its traditional use area. Project personnel observed this wolf traveling alone during the February 15 telemetry flight and on February 25.

On February 10, during a telemetry flight, Hawks Nest AF486 was observed on an elk kill with an unknown wolf. AF486 and an uncollared wolf were seen together again on February 15 and February 25. On February 24, project personnel located AF486 and the unknown wolf on an elk calf kill. The IFT suspects that the uncollared wolf with AF486 may be AM619, however, this cannot be confirmed.

On the February 1 telemetry flight, project personnel observed Iris Pack AM798 with an uncollared wolf. On February 21, AM798 was seen mating with an uncollared wolf. During the same telemetry flight, one of the Iris pair wolves was seen walking with a limp, which has been documented at various times over the past several months. On February 10, project personnel observed another wolf with this pack stalking a cow elk. On February 13, AM798 was seen feeding on a cow elk along a heavily used road. While it is likely the elk died as a result of a vehicle collision, it could not be confirmed. On February 25, project personnel observed AM798 and an uncollared wolf rapidly pursuing a coyote. After a significant distance, the chase was abandoned. Interestingly, while no limp could be observed during the chase, the wolf that abandoned the chase first began limping upon slowing to a walk. On February 26, AM798 and an uncollared wolf were again seen on a fresh elk carcass.

Rim Pack AF858 also made movements a few miles north of its typical home range, but returned to its traditional use area a few days later. On February 14, a wolf, possibly AF858, was observed in close proximity to several elk.

On February 13, F613 was located alone on the FAIR near human developments. It had been released singly in January near the Hon-Dah pack in hopes it would replace the pack's alpha female that had been killed. Through the end of February, despite hazing activities, F613 continued to utilize areas near human developments. Such behavior exposes F613 to increased risk of mortality or injury, as well as increasing the chance of interaction with people and dogs. Therefore, the IFT initiated attempts to capture F613. As of the end of February, F613 remained in the wild. The WMAT is developing ongoing management options.

The Bluestem Pack, Hawks Nest alpha female, Iris Pack male, Hon-Dah Pack alpha male and lone wolf M795 remained in their traditional home ranges on either the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests or on the FAIR.

In New Mexico: For most of February, lone wolf m859 remained near the Ladder Ranch Wolf Management Facility, located in New Mexico on the eastern edge of the Blue Range Wolf Recover Area.

The Saddle Pack remained within the Gila National Forest. However, m860 was not located during the February 2 or 14 telemetry flights.

The Francisco Pack and Luna Pack remained in their home ranges within the Gila National Forest, and the San Mateo group remained in its home range in the Cibola National Forest.

INCIDENTS

WS personnel is following up on reports of a suspected uncollared wolf in the Mud Springs area of Arizona after a local resident reported hearing howling in the same general area where large tracks were observed. Additional ground surveys are being conducted in the area, and the permittee has been made aware of the reports.

On February 15, WS and IFT personnel investigated a report by a local permittee of a dead cow in a remote area where the Aspen Pack had been located for several days. The investigation determined that the cow fell from a 50-foot cliff, resulting in a broken back, as well as multiple, large blunt trauma injuries. Significant portions of the cow remained, allowing investigators to look for wounds consistent with wolf depredation activity. However, they found no evidence to indicate wolf involvement prior to post-mortem feeding. They also investigated the possibility that the wolves may have chased the cow off the cliff without making contact. Tracks above the cliff clearly indicated the cow was meandering along a steep, muddy slope prior to falling. In addition, no wolf tracks could be located atop the cliff, and no indication of a chase was apparent from the tracks. While it is possible that the Aspen Pack may have been involved, no evidence could be found to confirm or deny this scenario.

On February 27, WS personnel investigated a dead cow near Vernon that the Iris Pack was seen feeding on. The cow, which had been dead several weeks, was heavily scavenged, and only a skeleton remained. The cause of death was unable to be determined. Daily telemetry flights indicated that the Iris pack had not previously been present near this location during February.

On February 28, the IFT received a report of an interaction with a canid near St. Johns, Arizona. While riding horseback, a 14-year-old boy was attacked by what he described as a wolf-like animal. The boy was uninjured, and although bitten on the front leg, the horse's injuries were minor. No wolves were known to be in the area at the time of the incident. WS personnel are conducting an investigation.

The Snowbowl Effect movie showing at MNA

The event is free but donations are accepted!
Q&A with the director, Klee Benally, afterward.

February Bald Eagle Workshop Filled to Capacity

See the original entry including eaglecam video here:

Both sessions of the Annual AZGFD Bald Eagle Workshops, held 26 February, were completely booked shortly after signup was opened.

Although Master Naturalists had a significant early notice edge, AZMN's were not well represented. A large number of attendees were from the Phoenix area. Some were international visitors.

Three great speakers from the program talked about the life history of bald Eagles, management techniques, and their efforts for Bald Eagle Recovery. All were thoroughly illustrated with photographs and data of eagles and nesting habitat in Arizona. This was followed by a field trip where AZFGD furnished transportation, and staff scouted Bald Eagle locations in advance all along Lake Mary Road, and had spotting scopes set up and trained on eagles before workshop participants arrived. The AZ Daily Sun reporter attending had a good photographic example of the viewing opportunity on its front page the following day, taken from a location by the dam at Lower Lake Mary, seen in the photo above. Snow flurries didn't seem to bother viewers or eagles.

March Astronomy Note

Not a lot of drama scheduled for this month. Saturn is still bright and high in the southern sky after sunset. It will stay this way for pretty much the whole month. Saturn's rings are showing a great angle to us for observation with a low power telescope. It is in retrograde motion until March 21st, when it will resume motion to the east.

Archeology Expo at Fort Verde

March is Archeology Awareness Month.
AZ State Parks is sponsoring the 2005 Archeology Expo at Fort Verde State Historic Park on 4 and 5 March, from 9 am to 5 pm.
For a free map and calendar of events, visit http://www.azstateparks.com. You may e-mail Ann Howard, Public Archeology Programs Director if you have any programmatic questions.

Easy directions: Take I-17 to the Hwy 260 exit and go east a short distance through the town of Camp Verde until you come to Fort Verde State Historic Park.

Mormon Lake is a Lake Again!

Choose the location where these photos were taken:
A: Normandy at high tide?
B: Big Sur?

See more choices, and the answer, below.

C: Oregon Coast?
D: Torrey Pines?

Answer is E: Mormon Lake on 11 February, 2005.
I don't know just when the lake was last full, but I have found one photo that shows Mormon lake at a comparable level from 20 or 30 years ago.

Upper Lake Mary Goes Over the Top

What is this? Boundary waters entering Lake Superior in Minnesota?

Naah. Here are some photographs of the overflow from Upper Lake Mary, only a few miles south of Flagstaff, as it appeared on Saturday, 12 February.

Water filled the entire width of the spillway dam, and in sufficient volume that all the flow did not enter the spillway channel directly, creating a new, broader channel.

This view shows only the southern half of the spillway, but the fact that Upper Lake Mary is 100%+ full is evident. Lower Lake Mary is still somewhat less than total capacity, but it's waters have reached to the dam on Upper Lake Mary.

Coconino NRCD Meeting at Willow Bend

The Coconino Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD) is meeting at 6 pm Monday, 14 February, at Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, 703 E Sawmill Rd, just off Lone Tree Ave.

The public is invited to attend and may offer comments or speak to the board.
The agenda is not on-line, but topics include reports on Technical Services, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership.
Call Willow Bend at 779-1745 for more information.

Mountain Ecosystems, Mountain Cultures, and How to Protect Them

The San Francisco Peaks, seen from all over Flagstaff, are a large part of Flagstaff's culture. Dr. Hamilton will discuss the value of protecting mountain ecosystems and cultures and what it means to our local community.

Wednesday, March 2, 2005
7:00 p.m., Cline Library Auditorium
Dr. Lawrence Hamilton

A panel discussion about the implications for the San Francisco Peaks will follow Dr. Hamilton's talk.

Dr. Hamilton partners with wife Linda Hamilton, in Islands and Highlands, an Environmental Consultancy based in rural Vermont. He is Emeritus Professor of Natural Resources of Cornell University, having taught and researched there for 29 years. In 1993 he completed a 13-year tenure as Senior Fellow at the East West Center's Program on Environment where he worked in the arena of watershed land use, protected areas, tropical rainforest conservation and sustainable land use in small islands in the Asia-Pacific region. He is an active member of the World Commission on Protected Areas, and in that Commission was appointed Vice-Chair for Mountains.

Come and hear why you should be concerned about the future of the San Francisco Peaks!

This event announcement comes from the web pages of the Center for Sustainable Environments.

Snow Photo for 9 Feb 05

There is no particular message to go along with this photograph, except perhaps to remind Master Naturalists that we invite you to submit your photos of the natural landscape, weather, flora, and fauna.

Arboretum Winterfest: A Full Agenda on a Beautiful Day

If you didn't go to The Arboretum Saturday, February 5th, you missed one of the best events of Winterfest, and the only day the Arboretum is open during the winter.
The folks that run "The Arb" put together a delightful and very complete program of events. This entry will only cover some of those activities most directly related to our Master Naturalist pursuits.

Even if there had been NO special programs or activities, it would have been a great day to visit and walk along in the deep snows and observe the plants and animals in their winter mode of operations around the pond, along the paths, or under the trees. Winds were calm, the sun bright, the pines fragrant.

The Arb staff and volunteers had warm drinks and refreshments in the Visitor Center and the Horticulture Building. In both places, juvenile humans could be observed collecting chocolate-covered pretzels in large quantities, some to be eaten right away, and some hoarded in paper cups or pockets, to be eaten later. Obviously a behavioral adaption to those times when chocolate-covered pretzels are scarce.

Filling in on short notice for Tony Nester, out with "The Flagstaff Crud", Dr Nancy Muleady-Mecham provided snowy tours of pond, meadow, and forest in winter, using the opportunities to talk about plant and animal lifestyles in winter.

Dr Gwen Waring also was on hand and led walks that focused on the ways that trees and shrubs cope with the altered availability of water and energy in winter.

Susan Ruble from High Country Raptors, a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in Flagstaff, brought some of her rehab patients to show and discuss. The Harris' Hawk in the photo, Parabuteo unicinctus, was absolutely beautiful.

The Arboretum put together this one-day program at the behest of the Winterfest organizers. Attendance was light, much lighter than last year, with fewer visitors from the valley, based on recollections by staff. After having spent funds for staffing and plowing roads, etc., this was both a surprise and concern to Arb staff. Of course, the beautiful day probably worked against attendance, sending skiers to the Snowbowl, not to mention coinciding with Superbowl weekend. Advertising and scheduling will deserve an extra hard look next year. Having The Arb open for a day or so at the peak of winter is such a good thing, it would be sad to see it left out of the calendar.

January Status of the Mexican Grey Wolves

February 4, 2005 Mexican Gray Wolf Reintroduction Project
January 2005 Status Report Direct via e-mail.

This is a summary of Mexican wolf reintroduction project activities in Arizona and New Mexico. Additional information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329, or toll free at 1-888-459-WOLF, or by visiting the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service�s website at http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov.

Click to hear what the wolves have to say.

Past updates may also be viewed on this website or interested parties may sign up to receive the update electronically by visiting http://azgfd.gov. This update is public property and can be used for any purpose. The reintroduction project is a multi-agency, cooperative effort among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services (USDA-WS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR), the San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT) on the San Carlos Apache Reservation (SCAR), and other supporting organizations including the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF) and Defenders of Wildlife (DOW).

Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: (928) 339-4329 or toll free at 1-888-459-WOLF (9653). To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the Arizona Game and Fish Department�s 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at 1-800-352-0700.

Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks the history of all known Mexican wolves. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 18 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) indicate sub-adults, younger than 18 months, or pups. The capital letter �A� preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves.

Definitions: For the purpose of this update, a �wolf pack� is defined as two or more wolves, at least one having a radio collar, which maintain an established territory and are proven breeders. In the event that one of the two alpha wolves dies, the remaining wolf, regardless of pack size, retains the pack name. A �group� of wolves is defined as two or more wolves that travel together on a consistent basis, but are not proven breeders. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that uncollared wolves may form a group or a pack. If they are confirmed through trapping, sightings, or other field methods, they will be included in the appropriate category.

CURRENT POPULATION STATUS

As of the end of January, the collared population consisted of 22 wolves in 10 packs, one group and three lone wolves. Based on other field data, including sightings, tracks and howling, there could be at least 25-30 additional wolves, including pups and uncollared wolves, distributed among the packs and groups. The current population estimate is 51-56 wolves in the wild.

In Arizona: Aspen Pack (AF667 and AM512), Bluestem Pack (AF521 and AM507), Cienega Pack (AF487), Hawks Nest Pack (AF486), Iris Pack (AM798), Rim Pack (AF858) and lone wolf M795. Hon-Dah Pack (AM578) and lone wolf F613 are located on the FAIR.

In New Mexico: Francisco Pack (AF511), Luna Pack (AF562 and AM583), Saddle Pack (AF797, and collared pups m860, f861, f862, m863 and m864) and San Mateo Group (AF903). M859 is a lone wolf.

Three wolves, Saddle Pack AM732, San Mateo Group AM796 and Francisco AM904, were previously fitted with GPS collars that were inadvertently programmed to self-release prematurely by the manufacturer. These wolves have been removed from the collared population, as they have not been observed since October 22, December 7 and December 22 respectively.

All wolf-sighting reports are recorded and evaluated. Sightings should be reported immediately, so the IFT can can be most responsive in follow-up.

MONITORING

Personnel have ceased trapping to capture uncollared wolves for the winter, but field efforts continue to focus on monitoring wolf activity, as well as on confirming other uncollared wolves that may exist in the wild.

In Arizona: IFT personnel discontinued efforts to capture the Aspen Pack alpha pair in the Blue River corridor eight days after the capture of f872, due to heavy snowfall, flooding and subsequent inability to access traps. Also, at about this time, the Aspen pair changed their behavior and movement patterns, and appears to have relocated outside the Blue River corridor for the time being. Their two movements into the corridor, on January 5 when the pair was seen on a road near a residence and on January 22 when the pair passed through the corridor, have not resulted in a resumption of nuisance behaviors. The few locations by the pair in the Blue River corridor have not established any discernible patterns of use that would allow for an effective resumption of trapping in this area. If the Aspen pair return to the Blue River corridor and resume a pattern of nuisance behavior, trapping will be immediately reinitiated.

On January 19, IFT personnel assisted WMAT personnel in soft-releasing F613 near Hon-Dah Pack AM578. AM578�s mate was found dead last year, apparently from a gunshot wound. The intent is to facilitate a pair bond between these two wolves prior to this year�s breeding season.

On January 25, WS personnel captured m871 on a grazing allotment in Greenlee County. This wolf was released as a pup in July with the Aspen Pack, and slipped its radio collar soon after release. On January 26, Aspen Pack f873 was also captured on the same allotment. The two wolves were involved in three depredations this month. (See �Incidents� below for more information.) Both wolves are being held at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility in New Mexico, and will be evaluated for future translocation.

Recent tracks in snow, found on January 4, indicate five members traveling together in the Cienega Pack.

A telemetry flight on January 7 observed M795 traveling alone east of the Black River.

During a telemetry flight January 31, project personnel again observed Rim Pack AF858 traveling with three uncollared wolves, and observed one uncollared wolf traveling with Iris Pack AM798.

Hawks Nest AM619 has not been located since October 4, despite follow-up aerial and ground efforts to determine its whereabouts. It is now classified as �Fate Unknown.�

The Bluestem Pack, Cienega Pack alpha female, Hawks Nest Pack, Iris Pack male, Rim Pack female and M795 remained in their traditional home ranges in the Apache National Forest, as did the Hon-Dah Pack alpha male on the FAIR.

In New Mexico: Project personnel located lone wolf M859 in the northeast portion of the Gila National Forest (GNF) for part of the month, but it was recently located approximately 30 miles south of its last location, near the Ladder Ranch Wolf Management Facility in NM.

Pup f862 has rejoined the Saddle Pack, and remains within the GNF. However, m860 was not located during the January 14 or 28 aerial telemetry flights, and f861 was not located on the January 28 flight.

The Francisco Pack and Luna Pack remained in their traditional home ranges in the GNF, and the San Mateo group remained in the Cibola National Forest.

Observation reports of wolves from the public are important as many of the wolves are currently dispersing. Please call the toll free number listed above to report wolf sighting as soon as possible after the sightings. Thank you for your help.

INCIDENTS

On January 14, WS personnel investigated a dead cow that M859 was observed feeding on, along side a coyote. WS determined that the cow died while calving about two weeks prior to M859 feeding on it, when M859 was not in the area. The ranch owner and manager were notified.

On January 17, WS received a report from a rancher in Greenlee County that two cows were found severely injured near the location of f873. One cow is being treated for its injuries and may survive, but the other, due to extensive injuries, was destroyed. Two days later, the rancher found the remains of a calf. WS personnel determined that wolves were involved, and began trapping efforts. Hazing activities were not an option as the allotment is too large. WS captured both wolves, Aspen Pack f873 and m871. Project personnel transported them to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility, where they will be evaluated for future translocation.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

On January 19, five wolves at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility were given annual exams. All pairs were separated for the breeding season, except pair M729 and F799. One wolf was taken to the Ladder Ranch facility to be housed for the breeding season.

F613, removed from the wild in August 2003 for nuisance behavior, was captured January 18 at the Sevilleta facility. It was given a physical exam, fitted with a radio collar and placed into a mesh pen on the FAIR.

On January 20, two wolves were captured at the Ladder Ranch facility and given annual exams.

The IFT planned on hard-releasing f872, captured near the Blue River on December 22, to an area near M795 in late January. The intent was to form a pair bond between these two wolves, and to minimize the chance of f872 moving back to the Blue River area. However, when administering a physical exam on January 19, project personnel discovered that it had a puncture-type injury under its collar. The IFT decided to delay the translocation a few weeks until the injury heals.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

The Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Oversight Committee conducted four open houses for the public to discuss the Five-Year Review and the draft Standard Operating Procedures of the Blue Range Wolf Reintroduction Project. The open houses were held January 26 in Truth or Consequences, NM; January 27 in Glenwood, NM; January 28 in Alpine, AZ; and January 29 in Phoenix, AZ. The meetings provided an opportunity for the public to discuss the Project�s Five-Year Review, history, current status, future goals, and the draft standard operating procedures with program biologists and subject matter experts. The Five-Year Review presents an opportunity for the public to comment on the project, and how it is being managed. This document, comprised of a Technical Component, an Administrative Component and a Socioeconomic Component, is available for public review and input at the USFWS website http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov or at the AGFD website at http://azgfd.gov. Comments from the public must be submitted by U.S. Postal mail to the USFWS by March 15, 2005.

PROJECT PERSONNEL

Shawn Farry, hired this past fall as an AGFD Technician, accepted the AGFD Field Team Leader position.

REWARDS OFFERED

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 and the Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican gray wolves. An additional $35,000 is being offered by a variety of public interest groups for a total amount of up to $46,000, depending on the information provided.

Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Mesa, AZ, at (480) 967-7900, Springerville, AZ, at (928) 333-5245, or Albuquerque, NM, at (505) 346-7828; the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263.

Killing a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act, and can invoke criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and not more than one year in jail and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.

February Astronomy Note

Saturn is the bright planet high in the sky almost all night. Green-glowing Comet Macholz is still visible, but has moved to be near the constellation Cassiopeia (The big W). Otherwise, unless you have a relatively toasty observatory to stand in, it is just too cold to observe outside. Hey! Maybe this would be a good time to visit the Lowell Observatory. Get a good look at Saturn to compare with the new photos soon to arrive from spacecraft Cassini. Lowell can use volunteers year-round, indoors and out.

Winterfest at the Arboretum

Don't forget the nifty Winterfest program at The Arb on Saturday, 5 February, 9-5. The Arb is normally closed to the public for winter, but Winterfest is the exception. Check out the program of walks, talks, and sitting by the fire by clicking on this Arb Winterfest web page.

Workshop on Climate Variability Impacts in SW Forests

A Workshop on Climate Variability & Ecosystem Impacts In Southwestern Forests - will be held February 07, 2005 starting at 9:00 am through February 09, 2005 at 4:15 pm.
Join leading scientists and educators to learn more about climate and paleoecology research and address the need for practical tools and information for natural resources managers, decision-makers and the general public.

Click here for a complete agenda.
Price is $120 (That's pretty good as these things go.) plus $50 for an optional field trip and registration is required. The conference location is The Hilton Sedona which is offering a special conference rate.
The workshop is sponsored by Arizona Cooperative Extension Service (ACES), The Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, and The Climate Assessment for the Southwest Project (CLIMAS).
For much more detail about the program, speakers, and sponsors, visit the Gila County Extension Office Natural Resources web page. E-mail conference contact Chris Jones, Gila County Natural Resources Agent at ckjones@ag.arizona.edu, or phone (928)425-7179.

Wolf Reintroduction 5 Year Review

The comment period for the 5 year review of the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project is running out.
Public Meetings of the Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Working Group are currently underway.
An outline of the review process and other program material are available at the AZ Game and Fish Department website.

This is an opportunity to comment the project and how it is being managed. It is not a referendum on whether the program is good/bad/works/doesn't. An outline of the review process and other program material are available at the AZ Game and Fish Department website.

The public meeting on Friday, January 28th is in Alpine, Az, from 6-9 pm. Location is "Old" Alpine School, 42600 Highway 180. Old School is on the south side of 180 across from the library at the top of the hill.
The public meeting on Saturday, 29 January is The Phoenix Zoo, 455 Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Az. (602.286.3803) also from 6-9 pm.
The written comment period extends to 15 March. Please read the project materials at the URL above to learn where to address comments.

January Status of the Condor Chicks

Chad Olson, Raptor Biologist with the Grand Canyon National Park Science Center and manager for the Condor Nest Watch Program provides this update for 20 January 2005:

First of all, #350 is doing great. He/she moved north from the Battleship a little before X-mas and is now hanging out in the inner gorge area of the canyon. We're still able to see it on most days, but since it moved we've had a much more difficult time spotting the little bugger! Otherwise it has done some great flights, and appears great.

As for #305, well nothing much has changed. He is still spending 100% of his time in and around Salt Creek (below The Abyss on the West Rim Drive), but otherwise he appears healthy. The parents have been spending quite a bit of time with him, so everything seems fine. Still, I'm hoping he starts moving around more in the coming weeks.

The other wild AZ chick from 2004--the one fledged at Vermillion Cliffs (#342) --was recently captured because it didn't seem healthy. As it turns out, the bird had developed a blockage in the crop area consisting of sticks, rocks, and hair, and wasn't digesting food. Thus it was weak, dehydrated, and acting lethargic. The Peregrine Fund workers transported #342 down to the Phoenix Zoo where it underwent surgery to remove the blockage, but all went well and the bird is back at the Vermillion Cliffs. Currently #342 is being held in the release pen for observation and hopefully will be released soon. Both parents have relocated it, and they appear 100% ready to continue raising it. As for why it developed such a blockage, it's anyone's guess.

The free-born chick in CA is doing well in spite of the miserable weather over there recently. However, the field crew in southern CA is currently cut off from the field site. The recent storms washed out all the roads leading to the release area and it may be months before the road is passable again. So they're flying people in every couple of days with helicopters. So needless to say, the chick hasn't been watched much recently.

Finally, courtship is just starting up for the year. So hopefully we'll have a better idea of potential nesters within the next 3-4 weeks.
Special note for volunteers and potential volunteers: The Condor Forum Webpage should be back online within the next 2-3 days.I will notify Arizona Master Naturalists when it's back up.
Chad

Bald Eagle Breeding Closures in AZ

Important Bald Eagle Management News:

N AZ Breeding closures Dec-Jun 05,
per James Driscoll, AZFGD BEMC (Bald Eagle Management Coordinator), Phx, 602.789.3581.

--Sycamore Canyon/Verde River 1Dec-15Jun boating only
--Camp Verde, Verde River below Beasley Pt 1Dec-30Jun
These closures are within National Forest, so they can also be contacted for further details about locations, durations, and what type of access is permitted in each section.
Info: Cave Creek Ranger District, Tonto Nat'l Forest
Better yet, see the Closure List online: http://www.azgfd.com/

Comet Macholz Naked Eye Visible

Finally! A celestial event that isn't at oh-dark thirty in the morning!

>Comet Macholz (C/2004 Q2) is best observed at between 9 and 10 pm, and is currently (Jan 1) near "the point" of the constellation Taurus. It is moving "upward" each night, and by Jan 6th, it will be level with and just right of The Pleides. Comet Macholz is visible to the naked eye as a faint, fuzzy green star. With a telescope or maybe good binoculars, you should see the short, thin ion tail pointed away from the sun, and maybe the diffuse dust tail on the side toward the sun. Of course, the tails are actually long, and both point away from the sun. It is our point of view that makes them appear otherwise.
Now all you need is clear sky...
Photo by Jimmy Westlake in Spaceweather.com

Why Did the Elk Cross Under the Road?

Here is a very interesting project and study underway by AZFG in Zane Grey Country near Christopher Creek, between Payson and Heber.

First, ADOT is including some wildlife underpasses along state highway 260. Then, AZFG is evaluating their effectiveness using radio collars and infrared cameras.
For more information, go to this AZFG news item.

Arizona Condor Chicks Take Flight !!

>
Arizona Condor Chicks Take Flight !! Arizona Condor Chicks Take Flight !! Arizona Condor Chicks Take Flight !!

The chicks at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Canyon National Park have fledged.
Read the news flash below from the Grand Canyon Science Center to the observer team (and fans.)

Hey everyone,

It finally happened--350 fledged! On Thanksgiving day at 4:46pm, 350 decided to throw caution to the wind and launch from the nest cave. He/she had seemed anxious several times in the past few days, but what finally pushed him/her to jump seemed to be the lure of 122 perched on the redwall just south of the nest. 350 looked a little unsteady at first, but managed, quite impressively, to glide all the way across the cove to the south of the nest almost 1/4 of a mile before being forced because of difficulty landing on the cliff to turn and descent to the base of the cliff. He/she landed nicely on a large boulder at the base of the redwall just south of the nest. By nightfall, 350 worked its way up on a large boulder where it spent the night.

Congratulations to everyone for your hard work and dedication throughout the year, and I'll make sure to give more details soon. I'll send another message[soon]with more updates. Also everyone is more than welcome to continue monitoring the chick for us, it just means people will have to find it first!

P.S. The Vermillion Cliffs chick (#342) fledged successfully two days ago (Nov. 23). It continues to do well, but hasn't taken any more flights.
>

Colorado River (Wilderness) Management Plan

The National Park Service will hold what the paper called a "meeting", and the radio called an "open house", on Monday the 22nd of Nov., 4 to 8pm at the Lone Tree Campus of Coconino Community College to allow people to see and make comments on the draft of the Colorado River Management Plan, which includes the revised criteria for rafting, powerboating, and helo use in the Grand Canyon. The formal 90 day comment period has commenced. You can download a copy at http:www.nps.gov/grca/crmp , or you can order a CD-ROM at th same website.

Photo of Canyon Condor Chick

Here is a photo of Condor #350 taken Friday, 5 November, by GCNP biologist Chad Olson. Select the "continue reading" for a larger version.

#350 is expected to make its first flight any time between now (about 15 Nov)and the first week of December. 350 is about the size of its parents, and is spending lots of time near the edge and flapping or extending its wings, among its many behaviors. Its feathery integuments are sleek and full as you can see in the photo. It has its subadult plumage colors, including the charcoal colored head and neck. The white band or stripe on one row of coverts on the underside of the wings is just barely visible on the right wing.
Chick #350 and the chick at Vermillion Cliffs NM are both about 2-3 weeks younger than the California chick, #326, that fledged about 1 Nov in Ventura County. Estimates of the hatch dates are continually refined by observation of parental behavior and chick development. This in turn helps refine the predicted fledge dates.

Photo was taken at a horizontal distance of 3 kilometers and a vertical distance of .6 kilometers through a Carl Zeiss spotting scope set at about 70X. The mounted digital camera was set at about 5X. The resulting jpeg file was enlarged by 100%(2X), for a net magnification of approximately 700X.

Condor Chick Fledges in California

The first fledging of a Condor Chick has occurred, in California near Ventura. Read this news release:

NEWS RELEASE November 4, 2004
Contact:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex:
Denise Stockton or Marc Weitzel, (805) 644-5185
Ventana Wilderness Society: Kelly Sorenson 831-455-9514
For Immediate Release:
FIRST FLIGHT OF A WILD CONDOR CHICK IN CALIFORNIA
A wild born condor chick has taken flight; the first wild chick to fly in California in twenty-two years. The chick [#326] slowly began the process of fledging (first flight) by leaving the nest in early September and perching 20-50 feet below the nest cave where it hatched April 9, near the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge in Ventura County. Only very short hopping flights were observed until mid-October, at which time it flew[slipped/fell] 30 feet. Two weeks later [Nov 1]a longer flight of 150 feet was observed, leaving no doubt that the chick had officially fledged. The last wild condor chick to fledge in the wild was in 1982.
The parents are captive released birds from two different release sites, the ten year old male is the dominant male of the southern California flock, and he had two previous nesting attempts that failed. He was released by the US Fish and Wildlife Service�s Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge in Ventura County in 1995. The seven year-old female was released in central California at Big Sur by the Ventana Wilderness Society in 1998, she is one of two Big Sur females that relocated to southern California about three years ago. This is her first nesting attempt.

Condor Numbers Update

Here are highlights of the Condor population, courtesy Grand Canyon National Park Ranger Marker Marshall:

Highlighted numbers from the Nov 1 stats:
World total is still officially 246. (#300/tag 00 is still unaccounted for in AZ as is one of the wild birds in Baja, but one hopes they will re-appear.) AZ wild population is now at 49, since three of the six remaining one-year-olds were released from Vermilion Cliffs on October 16 (#291/tag 91, #293/tag -3, #316/tag 16). Our 49 wild condors = 44 flying + 3 being held at V.C. + 2 nestlings.

[View a complete population table (in Adobe Reader format)for all Condors at the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Condor Site. -editor]

Deer & elk hunting seasons continue intermittently through Dec 9--Read more about that, about what's new with this year's chicks and last year's at Chris Parish's Oct 27 "Notes From the Field" on the Peregrine Fund web site.

November Astronomy Note

November 2004 has the appulse of Venus and Jupiter; the Leonid, South Taurid, North Taurid,and Alpha Monocerotid meteor showers; Saturn goes retrograde, and we get a good look below our galactic wheel.

--Not everything is oh-dark-thirty in the morning this month, but the most visually exciting event is. About 45 minutes before dawn, Venus and Jupiter, will be approaching each other very closely, less than one degree apart on 5 Nov. This closest approach is called "appulse". They are fairly bright right now, so it looks a little like an old pickup driving in the sky.
--The only bright planet in the evening sky is Saturn, rising around 10pm now. Saturn halts its forward motion on the 8 Nov, and begins its "retrograde" motion, actually caused by earth's circling in its own orbit. Saturn will be rising nearer 8pm at the end of the month.
--Four meteor showers this month: Leonids peak Wed, 17 Nov; South Taurids on Fri, 5 Nov; North Taurids on Fri, 12 Nov; (Taurids are known for FIREBALLS!); and Alpha Monocerotids-near the Little Dipper- peak on Sun, 21 Nov.
--If you read the article in the AZ Republic last weekend, they talked alot about Andromeda Galaxy...but they forgot to say why. It's because during November, the Milky Way, our galaxy, appears in our sky running East to West, due to the combined tilts of the Earth's axis and orbit this time of year. This means that we get a good view "below" the wheel or disk of the Milky Way in which we spin. And that is where we find Andromeda.

Winslow Tornado

Photo courtesy ADOT
The local National Weather Service website has a fantastic series of photos of the tornado that touched down east of Winslow just north of I-40 at milepost 262 on 29 Sep. Visit NWS-Flagstaff.

Condor Numbers Update

Condor Update as of October 8, 2004:
Attached below are the October 1 condor numbers, forwarded to us by Marker Marshall, Park Ranger at the Grand Canyon.

They've finally officially given up on #176, missing since February, which brings the worldwide total down to 246 and the total wild population in this area down to 46. That gives us 41 free-flying condors plus 2 nestlings plus 3 birds being held temporarily in the flight pen at Vermillion Cliffs. Other changes: 6 birds were released at Big Sur on September 25, bringing CA's wild population up to 51. It'll soon be 57 if all goes well, since there is a release of 6 condors from Pinnacles National Monument scheduled for October 15. And the AZ population will jump to 49 on October 16 (if things go as planned), when 3 of the 6 remaining one-year-olds are released from Vermillion Cliffs. That's #291 (tag 91), #293 (tag -3), and #316 (tag 16). For tabular statistics on all condors, regularly updated, go to CA Dept of Fish & Game.

After conversations with Chad Olson of Grand Canyon Science Center and Tom Lord of Peregrine Fund I can add a few bits of news. Record numbers of condors--up to 13 or 14 at a time--have been spending time up in Utah this summer and fall, mostly around the Kolob Canyon area, in and around Zion National Park. There have been some range sheep dying, probably related to the drought, on private land in that area. Chris Parish of Peregrine Fund also mentions in his August Notes from the Field (click here to see these) that there are a lot of deer around there, especially in winter, and it stays fairly warm. So it will be interesting to see if that remains a popular spot this winter. Condors have also found several deer carcasses during the recent bow-hunting season on the North Kaibab. Not surprisingly, they've been seen a little less regularly around the South Rim lately.

One of the females released this March 20, #300 (tag 00), has been missing since September 8th. She has been a bit of a loner, so one hopes she's just out on a long solo flight or maybe her transmitters are both dead. If you see her, please call in the sighting to Peregrine Fund at (928)355-2270!

Last year's chick, #305, is mostly hanging out between Mojave Point and the Bright Angel Lodge area. He has been seen with a full crop on several occasions, so apparently he's finding food successfully (although one can't rule out that his parents could be feeding him).

The one remaining chick in the wild in CA and the two here seem to be doing fine. There are some concerns that the chick in CA may well have some trash in its belly based on the foraging habits of its mother. But it seems to be o.k. and it's quite possible that condor chicks can handle a fair amount of trash if there's nothing toxic included and nothing gets punctured. (Zinc toxicity and a punctured gut have killed two nestlings in California in the last couple of years.) The chick in rehab for a broken wing since August seemed to be in excellent health otherwise, despite 35 bottlecaps in its gizzard. The final necropsy on the wild chick that fell and died in August was inconclusive, but showed no sign of toxins other than a somewhat high copper level in the blood. It's quite likely that it died of heat stroke outside the shelter of its nest cave, or possibly from trauma caused by the fall. We'll know more about this year's chicks soon, since the CA nestling should fledge by the end of the month and the 2 AZ nestlings should fledge by the end of November, if all goes well!

--Marker Marshall
Park Ranger--Interpretation
Grand Canyon National Park

October Astronomy Note

This month is yet again a good one for early risers. There are 4 planets in the morning sky. We will see 3 meteor showers. And the last full lunar eclipse for 3 years occurs this month.

The four planets visible in the early morning are Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn. Saturn's shadow is visible across it's own rings through modest telescopes.

Three middling meteor showers occur through the month at times which are essentially moonless. On 6-10 Oct are the Draconids. These are usually very slow moving meteors, and they will be radiating from Draco, which wraps itself around the Little Dipper. From 14-27 Oct are the Epsilon Geminids. Best seen after midnight, these fast meteors will be hard to distinguish from the Orionids which will be active 2Oct-7Nov. The Orionids are debris from Halley's Comet and the twin of the Aquarids shower in May. Orionid meteors often leave long, persistent trails.

On 27 October we have the last full lunar eclipse on earth until August 2007. In Arizona, it will already be in the penumbra at sunset (about 5pm). The shadow will grow darker, or redder, and then at about 6:15pm, the distinct edge of the umbra will appear on the face of the moon. The entire face will be in the umbra, and "total" eclipse will occur at about 7:20pm, early enough to let the kids stay up and watch. The period of totality will last a full 82 minutes before the edge of the umbra reappears.

Daylight Savings ends on the morning of the 31st of October.

First Snow - San Francisco Peaks - 2004

We saw the first snow of the season on the San Francisco Peaks on 01 October. Last year, first snow on The Peaks didn't happen until November 2nd. In 2002, it occurred on October 6th.

Condor Update as of 16 September

The DNA on last year's Grand Canyon chick, #305, is finally in: It's a boy! And #305 is finally recovering from the trauma of being captured and tagged a few weeks ago. Having retreated to his birthplace in Salt Creek Canyon ( the westside of Hopi Pt,) he is now reported flying above and beyond again.

Grand Canyon Raptor Biologist Chad Olson brought back this photo of the chick that broke its wing earlier this summer:

Note the blue cast. This chick is expected to mend, and will probably be released on the same timeline as other captive-reared chicks.

Walhalla Plateau Prescribed Fire

So many things are visible from Hopi Pt, ensuring that Condor Watch Shifts are never boring. Here are photos of the prescribed fire, burning for several weeks now on Walhalla Plateau near the rim and due east of, and across Bright Angel Creek from, the North Rim Complex.

As prescribed burns go, this is a big one, over 3200 acres at the time of this photo on 13 Sep. It was so prominent from Hopi Pt that park rangers came to Hopi Pt to discuss the fire rather than their normal topic, the condors!

Flames were frequently visible well over 100 ft high, perhaps as high as 500 ft, as dead snags erupted and pushed the fire into the crown.

All pictures from Hopi Pt by S Harger, using Sony DSC707. The last picture is at 700X using a combination of 10X camera magnification and 70X telescope magnification.

Condor Update as of 13 September

Chick, #349, stands on rock during late afternoon stomp-and-romp.

September 13 was a busy day for Condor Watch observers at Hopi Point. The father, #122, of the chick, #349, in the Battleship nest came and fed the chick twice on this day. I finally had enough light to try for photos of this event, but winds limited the results.

However, I did get a fair shot of #349 "wing begging" to dad, #122.

#122 on the left, #349 on the right. Note the difference in head color.

Arboretum Field Trip to Dry Lake

Lyn Stevens at The Arboretum at Flagstaff writes:
"We would like to give you a "heads up" on an upcoming activity. On Sept. 22 Cheryl Casey will be leading a staff/volunteer-only hike into Dry Lake. The hike is considered moderately difficult, and participants should wear hiking boots and bring water. We will leave from The Arboretum at 9 a.m.
If you are a registered volunteer at the Arb and would like to go, contact Lyn at lyn.stevens@nau.edu .

September Astronomy Note

This is another month for insomniac Master Naturalists. Venus and Saturn appear in the morning sky, nearly four hours before sunrise at the beginning of the month. Mercury appears now just before dawn, reaches its maximum "elongation" or visual distance from the sun on 10 Sep, when it appears very bright(negative magnitude) just an hour before dawn and almost on top of the star Regulus. All this makes 10 Sep an interesting morning for planet watchers. If you want excitement, check out the Cassini-Huygens Mission, or the Mission to Mars.

Condor News Update

Not good news from California. Last week, a new chick, parented by AC9, the last free condor to be trapped in 1987, fell from its nest ledge and broke a wing.

It was rescued and will recover, but its crop was found full of bottle caps and similar debris, something that has become a grim concern for all wild chicks.

Then, yesterday, another of the three chicks hatched this year in California was found dead. It had jumped or fallen from its nest ledge two days ago, but was alive then and looked alright. An autopsy will be done, but preliminary investigation showed - microtrash, like the other chick - debris in the crop and stomach, although the chick was of normal weight, condition, and feather development.

Meanwhile, the Battleship chick is getting huge. As of today, it is about 80-90% the size of an adult and getting its flight feathers in, although it still has almost no tail. Today it was in fine form, stomping around the nest cave, flapping its wings, napping sprawled like a labrador retriever, jumping on rocks, and peering over the edge into the canyon.

Although both AZ chicks are progressing along just fine, the occurances in CA serve as a reminder that things can change in an instant. Nest watch will continue past fledging, some months away. There are still holes in the Nest Watch Schedule. If you would be interested, you can arrange to do "On the Job Training" with me and then help cover the schedule. Call or e-mail Scott Harger.

Temperature Peak Peek

Did you know that in the Flagstaff area, summertime high temperatures peak and begin to fall in the first week of July, but nighttime lows peak in the last week of July?

This chart from the Western Region Climatology Center shows temp and precip averages of the last 30 years in Ft Valley. Fortunately, it is much more legible at the website.
Way over 200 more weather recording stations around Arizona are available in this and other interesting formats.
You can also click your way to this data via the National Weather Service-Flagstaff link.

Lowell Telescope DEA

The Coconino Nat'l Forest Has released the Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed Lowell Observatory Discovery Telescope at Happy Jack. Lowell Obs picked the site for its stable air and dark sky. The proposal calls for some new construction and also some replacement construction at the site of the shuttered Ranger Station. The package is available for your review and comment on the Coconino Nat'l Forest website. You can submit comments until approximately 12 September to Larry Sears, District Ranger for the Mogollon Rim District, or Carol Holland, Project Leader, at their comments e-mail address, comments-southwestern-coconino@fs.fed.us.

No lyin', a Lion

Here's a photograph of a recent candidate recruited into the USGS cougar-collaring and tracking project:

Recent male cougar (~140lbs) caught and collared by the USGS project out on Anderson Mesa. Photo courtesy Jan Hart. Hangover courtesy USGS. Collar by Ralph Lion.

Astronomy Note for August

Ever seen a "Half-Venus"? For those you guys who are reeeally early risers, a spectacularly bright Venus is visible about 3.5 hours before dawn.

All the more interesting is that it is only a half-Venus. Saturn is also visible a couple hours before dawn. Venus and Saturn will approach each other as the month goes on.
In the evening sky, Mercury is visible, dimly, just after sunset until mid-August. Then it will shoot behind the sun and reappear in the morning sky in September.
Also in the evening dusk are Mars and a very bright Jupiter. Mars is at a point almost opposite last August, when it was historically close to earth, so it is much dimmer now.
At about midnight, straight up in the sky, Uranus and Neptune are both visible, but you will probably need a chart or familiarity with the sky to pick them out.
Lastly, there is the Perseid Meteor Shower peaking in the early (2am AZ time) hours of Thursday, 12 August. This might reach 100 per hour.

Bagged and Tagged

Last year's California Condor chick, #305, which was the first chick fully fledged in the wild since the start of the Condor Recovery Program in the late 80's, has finally been recaptured for data collection and re-released. #305 got it's "wing tags", a radio transmitter and a GPS transceiver. A blood sample was taken, so we should soon know whether it is male or female. Las Vegas line is 3:2 for female.

Native Plant Society Activities

Lupinus ssp and Castilleja ssp Photo Courtesy USDA APHIS
Please check out Arizona Native Plant Society (AZNPS) Activities.

The Northern Arizona chapter of AZNPS has a whole series of very cool, very apropos presentations and field trips this summer, with some serious expertise.
Upcoming events include a presentation and a field trip of the San Francisco Peaks Inner Basin, Native Grasses as Ornamentals, a presentation and field trip on Pack Rat Middens, how to collect native grass seed, etc. Check out their calendar here for dates and descriptions.
They have volunteer projects, too!

Astronomy Note for July

Once in a Blue Moon...

There would be three meteor showers visible next week (Two on the 27th---one in Pisces, one in Aquarius---and one on the 29th, in Capricorn.) BUT they will be glared out by a once-in-a-Blue-Moon event. Actually, they will be glared out by a true "Blue Moon"!
Our full moon of the 31st is the second full moon of this month, which is defined (only since 1980, when a mistake made in 1947 was made legit,) as a Blue Moon. The first full moon of July was on the 2nd of July.
Traditional name for the usually one full moon of July are the "Hay Moon" (mostly European) and the "Thunder Moon" (mostly North American).

Remember Wetter Days

Have you been in Arizona long enough to remember this?

Photo by R. Holm, from N. AZ Audubon

Jacket Fire Southeast of Flagstaff

How to get up-to-date descriptions and maps
depicting the status of this and other fires.

The "Jacket" fire from the I-40 exit 207.

Excellent information, updated frequently, is available
providing maps of fires over 100 acres and showing
progress through time and many other features, with
information not older than 12 hours, and as little as
one hour old. My favorite for following this fire is
Active Fire Maps.
Pick the dot closest to or over the center of the fire you
are interested in. Then you can magnify and pan the
satellite image get a better idea of location in relation
to your home. After you have zoomed in to at least the
6mile scale (This takes awhile...it's a big planet.), to see
the dimensions of the fire, and which part of the fire
area is still burning, select "Fire Detections" and then
select both "MODIS(Last 12 Hours)" and
"MODIS(Last 24 Hours)" at the same time to get a sort of
time-lapse view.

The best, most detailed written fire status is at
Coconino Nat'l Forest. The latest series of bulletins is
under "Forest News" which is the right-hand column of
this page (Click Here to go directly to Forest News).

Forest Off Road Policy

The USFS announced today(July 8) that it has released a draft
version of a proposed national policy on off-road management.

You can check out the draft document itself by clicking here,
or see discussion on this document and its interpretation by clicking here.

San Francisco Volcano Field

15 minute interpretive program at the top
of the Snowbowl ski lift!

San Francisco Volcano Field Relief Map. For more about this subject, click on USGS

The National Park Service and the US Forest Service Partnership Interpretive Program
conduct this talk once each hour, 11 to 4, at the top of the Agassiz ski lift AKA:The Sky Ride.
Contact 526-1157 X273 or 556-0024.

Grand Canyon:Deep Biogeography

Museum of Northern Arizona Summer
Lecture Series 20 July 2004 4pm.

Corvus corax lectures outside the
Ice Cream Parlor at Bright Angel Lodge.

Continuing the 75 year tradition, the Museum
will offer the summer lecture series topic:
Grand Canyon: Deep Biogeography
At the Museum 20 July, 4pm.
Contact 774-5213 or
info@mna.mus.az.us

Penstemon Festival

The Flagstaff Arboretum will hold its first
annual Penstemon Festival 24 July 2004.

P. barbatus Copyright � Robert Sivinski

North America has the most Penstemon species,
and I think AZ has the most in North America.
Anyhoo, the Arboretum at Flagstaff has created
a new zone to display Penstemons, and to
celebrate they are holding the 1st Annual
Penstemon Festival 24 July, 9 to 5.
Contact Rachel Edelstein at 774-1442 or
rachel.edelstein@nau.edu

Condor Watch

Master Naturalist Scott Harger uses a directional
"Yagi" antenna to track a parent California Condor.

Volunteer monitors have been recruited from
several organizations to assist the Peregrine Fund
monitor the nest, located on The Battleship
formation, located between Bright Angel Visitor
Center and Hopi Point, but visible only from
Hopi Point (See next Photo.)

Nest cave is indicated by a circle.

There are holes in the monitor schedule, which
runs from dawn till dusk, when the birds are active.
If you are interested in helping out, contact
Karen Murray, Project Manager at The Grand Canyon Trust
for the Condor Reintroduction Program,
Kmurray@grandcanyontrust.org .
It is tougher than you might think to
watch a hole two miles distant, so shifts are
preferably no longer than 4 hours.

Ole' 27 does a flyby. Now referred to as
SB (stud Book) #127