"If you take care of the birds, you take care of most of the environmental problems of the world."
Thomas Lovejoy
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~News and Upcoming Events~
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Show your support for PFA by joining the growing community of members! Click ❤️ Here
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September 5th PROGRAM: Emily Groves will speak about her experience at the 2024 Cornell Lab Young Birders Event
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September 7th Volunteer: Carl Nellis Day of Service - 9:00 am Jerome
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September 14th FIELD TRIP: American Falls Reservoir Shorebirds - 7:00 AM departure from the Barnes and Noble parking lot
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September 21st Garden/Yard Tour ~ Learn how to turn your yard into a place that is welcoming to birds - more info soon
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Birds and Beans Coffee - The Most Sustainable Coffee You can Buy!
~Sept 5th Pick-up~
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By choosing to purchase Smithsonian certified bird-friendly coffee, you are supporting bird conservation and family farmers throughout the Americas. Organic and Fair Trade, this coffee is grown in the shade, under a canopy of native trees with shrubs and plants that provide critical refuge for migratory and local birds, as well as the rich flora and fauna of the tropical forest. In short, this great tasting coffee rewards in the cup and helps ensure that the birds we all love return every spring. | |
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September Program
The Cornell Lab Young Birders Event 2024
with Emily Groves
Thursday
September 5th, 2024
7:00 PM
Room 201, Shields Building
CSI
This will be an IN-PERSON program
ZOOM link available:
https://csi.zoom.us/j/2730389966
| Hello, my name is Emily Groves. I am a blind birder, beginning my senior year in high school, who has lived in three states: Iowa, Utah, and of course Idaho. I have been birding for 7 years. I recently went to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Young Birders Event, a 4-day opportunity for 16 teenagers from around the world to connect with and learn about careers in ornithology. I have been asked to present about this event, and my birding story. | Emily learning to use a parabolic microphone | |
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Saturday, September 7th, 2024
9:00 am
Idaho Central Credit Union Park - North East Corner
300 E Main
Jerome, ID
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American Falls Reservoir
Shorebirds and More
Saturday, September 14th, 2024
7:00 AM Meet-up
Barnes and Noble Parking Lot
The area around American Falls Reservoir provides diverse habitat for a variety of birds and is a great place to visit in the fall when migrating birds use the area to rest and refuel as they head south.Shorebirds are among the first migrants to come through in August and September.
Shorebird identification can be difficult, especially because many shorebirds breed in the Arctic and the only time we see them in southeastern Idaho is during the fall when they are in non-breeding and juvenile plumages. Minute differences in shape, size, and feeding strategy help observers correctly identify them. Our Field trip to American falls will provide multiple opportunities to puzzle over and identify the species present, if water levels are appropriate and mudflats are exposed. I hope we will see Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least, Western, and possibly Baird's Sandpiper, along with gulls, Wilson's Phalarope, Western Grebe, and many more! Get up early and join us! Bring binoculars, Spotting Scope if you have one, snacks, water, lunch, appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, and a little patience (needed for identifying sandpipers)!!
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We'll be spending most of the day surveying as many birding hotspots as possible - Hotspots may include Willow Bay Marina, Falls View Cemetary, the Dam, American Falls Hatchery, Aberdeen Sportsmen's Park, Sterling Wildlife Management Area,Springfield Bottoms, and McTucker Ponds. If you need to get home early, this may not be the trip for you!
Planned Route
Idaho Birding Trail - Southeast descriptions and maps of Hotspots - https://idfg.idaho.gov/ibt/southeast
Shorebird Yardstick - A great tool to help gauge the relative sizes of shorebirds - the very first step in shorebird identification
Below find a list from eBird of possible species we might see. Sorry, the links to the birds don't work.
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From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Click the link above to read the full article, watch some great little videos, and be inspired to do some good in the world to help out the birds
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1. Make Windows Safer, Day and Night
These simple steps save birds: On the outside of the window, install screens or break up reflections—using film, paint, or Acopian BirdSavers or other string spaced no more than two inches high or four inches wide.
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2. Keep Cats Indoors
A solution that’s good for cats and birds: Save birds and keep cats healthy by keeping cats indoors or creating an outdoor “catio.” You can also train your cat to walk on a leash.
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3. Reduce Lawn, Plant Natives
Add native plants, watch birds come in: Native plants add interest and beauty to your yard and neighborhood, and provide shelter and nesting areas for birds. The nectar, seeds, berries, and insects will sustain birds and diverse wildlife.
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4. Avoid Pesticides
A healthy choice for you, your family, and birds: Consider purchasing organic food. Nearly 70% of produce sold in the U.S. contains pesticides. Reduce pesticides around your home and garden.
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5. Drink Coffee That’s Good for Birds
Enjoy shade-grown coffee: It’s a win-win-win: it’s delicious, economically beneficial to coffee farmers, and helps more than 42 species of North American migratory songbirds that winter in coffee plantations, including orioles, warblers, and thrushes.
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6. Protect Our Planet from Plastic
Reduce your plastics: Avoid single-use plastics including bags, bottles, wraps, and disposable utensils. It’s far better to choose reusable items, but if you do have disposable plastic, be sure to recycle it.
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7. Watch Birds, Share What You See
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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. fully supports
National Audubon Society's statement on
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. believes that everyone has the right to enjoy birds, the outdoors, and a healthy and safe environment. In order to fulfill our mission to educate the general public about birds, bird watching, and preservation/improvement of the environment that birds and bird watchers share, we will work to include everyone, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, age, or disability. We are committed to building an equitable, diverse, anti-racist, accessible, fun, and inclusive organization that supports birds, and the people who watch them, in our community.
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CHECK THIS OUT!
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
An incredible resource for anyone (young to old) who wants to learn more about birds!
"Whether you’re a bird lover, an educator, or a student, interactive courses and multimedia-rich resources will lead you into the fascinating lives of birds, from birding basics to comprehensive ornithology."
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Learn More About Birds with These Courses
FREE - $130
Start at your level.
Go at your own pace. There’s something for every bird enthusiast.
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Watch a Short Video
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A curated collection of educational videos from Cornell Lab
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Play games Powered by Birds
FREE
Birds are awesome. Play games that explore flight, song, dance, feathers, and so much more.
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Listen to a Lecture
FREE
Keep learning with this curated collection of videos from the Cornell Lab. Each is about an hour long.
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