Name Our Elf Owl! A Contest!
by Gail Garber, Executive Director
Of all owls on the planet, the
Elf Owl (
Micrathene whitneyi) is the absolute smallest! Standing 5.75" tall, and weighing in at about 35 grams (about as much as a smallish mouse), these diminutive owls are the size of sparrows.
The species is found in the southernmost reaches of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona as well as southward into Mexico, where they are obligate cavity nesters, often using saguaro cacti where those occur, as well as oak and sycamore trees. Their population is in decline due to habitat development for homes and agriculture and from invasive species of plants, especially salt cedar. Only an estimated 150,000 individuals remain, and the teeny owl is listed as endangered in California.
"Our" Elf Owl was found in Tularosa, NM, which would be just about the northernmost limit of that species' range. He was rescued and taken to the
Alameda Park Zoo in Alamogordo, NM, where examination revealed a fracture of the left wing along with contusions along the wing structure. They transferred him to us, where Lisa Morgan, rehabber-extraordinaire, took him under her wing so to speak. Working in tandem with Dr. Daniel Levenson of
Southwest Veterinary Medical Center, they used therapy to try to return extension to the injured wing and restore his power of flight. However, it was not to be. He is strictly an insectivore, dining only on crickets and mealworms, making him ounce to dollar, the most expensive bird on our team.
He was permitted to us just a few short weeks ago, and remains in training under the excellent care of Lisa, who is a veritable "owl whisperer." But, he still lacks his official Hawks Aloft name. We are turning to you, our valued members for those suggestions. Here's the rules:
- The name has to be educational in some way, either about the location, the species, or his injuries. That helps our audiences connect with this tiny bird.
- Email your name suggestion to Gail no later than December 31.
We will compile a short list of names and present to you in the January online newsletter, where you will be able to cast a vote for your favorite name. We will announce the winner(s) in the February issue. Winners will receive a free T-shirt, featuring our newest design, "Owls of New Mexico," where the little Elf Owl is featured.
The images above were taken by Larry Rimer and are intended to give you an idea of the size of this owl. Clockwise from upper left: Sitting on Lisa's hand; standing next to a small apple; perched in a cavity; and perched alongside our educational Flammulated Owl, Flame.
|
|
Owls of New Mexico!
We are pleased to introduce our brand new T-shirt, featuring images of our avian ambassadors and nearly every single species of owl that might be found in our state. Designed by Scott Lowry, this unique T-shirt is the perfect gift for a loved one during the holidays. After all,
whoooo doesn't love owls?!
The shirt comes in both long and short sleeves. All shirts are $30 and can be ordered on our website or can be picked up at the office. Ladies sizes are available in short sleeves; all long-sleeved shirts are unisex, and we also have youth sizes in short sleeves.
|
|
Happy Holidays!
Our offices will close Friday, Dec. 20 at 5 pm and re-open on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 to allow our staff to spend time with their families
Some of us will be working remotely, so if you need something, the best way to reach any of our staff is via email.
|
|
Arlette Miller
Volunteer of the Year 2018
Arlette has a super human ability to do it all. She's been volunteering at Hawks Aloft for awhile now, wearing many hats along the way. She's done field research, for example and, earlier this year stepped up into the volunteer position of Raptor Rescue Dispatcher. (As anyone who has assumed that role knows--it's like a full-time job.)
A lifelong outdoorswoman, Arlette enjoys hiking and camping, so naturally, she took quickly to birding. What keeps this super woman motivated? Learning! In Raptor Rescue, everyday is different, and there are infinite opportunities to explore new places, meet new people, and learn about the many species of bird that inhabit our beautiful state.
Thank you, Arlette, for all that you do! You are truly an inspiration!
|
|
Fall Field Time!
by Trevor Fetz, Ph.D.
Lead Avian Biologist
Since we don't conduct any bird surveys during the fall, most of my time was spent entering and analyzing data. But, I was able to escape into the field on a number of days to collect vegetation data. We are collaborating with TetraTech on a project funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to compare current avian and vegetation characteristics with those present during the early-1980's Middle Rio Grande Biological Survey (Hink and Ohmart 1984). In general, Hawks Aloft is responsible for the bird data for this project and TetraTech is responsible for the vegetation data. But, one aspect of the vegetation data we needed to replicate, creating foliage density profiles using the MacArthur board technique, is a bit of a lost art. Developed by Robert and John MacArthur in 1961, this technique involves measuring the distance to a 50% loss of visibility due to foliage density at different heights and in different directions from a given point. Ultimately, calculations based on the measurements collected in the field can be graphed to create a profile of the vegetation height and density of a desired location.
The MacArthur board technique is seldom used these days, so most biologists don't know how to do it. But, I learned it from my Master's advisor at Southern Oregon University and also used it in my dissertation research at New Mexico State. Thus, I was tasked with gathering and analyzing foliage profile data for this project. The process can be slow and tedious, but the real advantage was the opportunity to escape the monotony of staring at a computer screen all fall and getting out into the bosque. It was nice to have field time while the Neotropical migrants were moving out and the wintering bird species were moving in.
|
|
Flying Through Fall!
by Amanda Schluter,
Biologist
This fall has flown by! I always worry I’m going to get bored when I’m not in the field during the “slow” season, but my schedule was just as busy as ever this fall.
Once again, Hawk Aloft participated in Bosque del Apache’s Festival of the Cranes on Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17. Gail and I lead a Raptor Tour of the Refuge, followed by a Raptor ID Class on Friday. We also hosted an outreach booth at the visitor center and helped refuge visitors identify birds on the flight deck. With the help of our staff and wonderful volunteers: Mary Bruesch, Mary Chappelle, Rebecca Ezechukwu, Karen Kennedy, Chellye Porter, Larry Rimer, Dianne Rossbach, and Allison Schacht, the booth was very successful!
On the flight deck, the weather was terrific and we were treated to amazing views of Snow Geese and other birds. Volunteers Chuck Brandt, Ruth Burstrom, Niels Chapman, Ed Chappelle, Jerry Hobart, and Chellye Porter helped at the flight deck, identifying birds for many curious visitors. With Bald Eagles scaring up the more than 6,000 Snow Geese, a male Hooded Merganser displaying for an uninterested female, and a Wilson’s Snipe foraging for invertebrates, everyone had an enjoyable time on the flight deck.
We always appreciate our hard working volunteers, but this time of year really drives home how incredibly important they are to our mission. Without their help we wouldn’t be able to do events like Festival of the Cranes.
Snow Geese photo by Katrina Hucks
|
|
Discover the Darien
& Canal Zone of Panama
with Hawks Aloft and Canopy Family!
November 9-18, 2019
|
|
We are excited to offer our newest adventure destination tour – Discover the Darien region of Panama! Mark your calendars for November 2019.
Panama, a biologically and culturally diverse country connects North and South America. It is a haven for wildlife watchers of all kinds, especially birders. The Canopy Family has operated ecotourism lodges in Panama since 1999. Their mission is “to share the nature, history and culture of the Republic of Panamá with passion and enthusiasm, focused on customer satisfaction and guided by the principles of conservation and social responsibility.”
This trip will be lead by Gail Garber, Executive Director, and Katrina Hucks, Avian Biologist. Katrina worked as a hawk migration counter at Canopy Tower in Panama prior to beginning work at Hawks Aloft.
Trip Highlights
- Look for Harpy Eagles! (as of this writing a new nest has been found with indications that the pair is incubating eggs)
- Visit the Darién region of Panama, a vast area of the eastern part of the country with no
roads and diverse wildlife. Stay at the Canopy Family’s Canopy Camp
- Explore local culture, including a native Embera village
- Take time to photograph the amazing wildlife that includes not only birds, but a vast array of other wildlife from butterflies to monkeys and reptiles
- Relax and enjoy rainforest-level views from the famous Canopy Tower.
Hawks Aloft has offered trips to Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, and other international destinations at least once a year to experience diverse wildlife and new cultures. Join Hawks Aloft and the Canopy Family on the trip of a lifetime!
Trip limited to 12 participants with three trip leaders. (Only 8 spots remain)
|
|
Let it SNOW by Katrina Hucks, Raptor Rescue Coordinator
It’s cold in central New Mexico, despite the winter solstice being not quite here! When the weather is cold, several songbird species are considered “irruptive”–meaning that during years where food is scarce, they become nomadic in search of a better food source. In addition to songbirds, some raptors, such as the Snowy Owl, also become nomadic in response to prey availability. Last year was a great chance for many people to see Snowy Owls in the US. Snowy Owls will often come south into the northern parts of the US, but as of 2014, Snowy Owls have been recorded in 35 of the 50 US states, including Hawaii! Considering only one state, Alaska, has a breeding population of Snowy Owls, that is a
lot of states with at least one sighting! Snowy Owls show up in tundra, vast fields, and even beaches! I remember being one of the lucky few to see a Snowy Owl nestled into some dune vegetation in Florida a few years back. While Snowy Owls have been recorded in many US states, none have been seen in the majority of the Southwest. Maybe this is the year New Mexico sees its first Snowy Owl. Scan large fields and you just might be lucky enough to see one this winter!
Snowy Owl image by Doug Brown
|
|
Help support our non-releasable raptors through our Adopt-a-Raptor program. Hawks Aloft houses and cares for 25 permanently disabled raptors (and one corvid!). Our Avian Ambassadors travel throughout the Southwest, helping us to educate the public about how to help protect these beautiful animals. We provide them with top-quality housing, food, and medical care for their entire lives. It costs an average of $2000/mo. just for their food. When you adopt a raptor, you help feed our birds, make home improvements, and provide veterinary care for one avian ambassador of your choice. Prices range from $35-$100 depending on the species.
Click here to Adopt a Raptor
such as Flame, our very tiny Flammulated Owl, photographed here by Larry Rimer. When you adopt a Hawks Aloft raptor you will receive:
- A one-year Hawks Aloft membership
- An Adoption Certificate
- An information sheet about the individual bird you have adopted
- Exclusive access to video updates about your bird
- Your choice of:
A professional 8×10 photo of your bird, or
A stuffed Audubon Bird with realistic vocalizations
|
|
Escape to Bird Island, by Maggie Grimason, Senior Editor
We paddled out from the dock into Clearwater Bay, skirting mangrove patches to avoid larger vessels headed into the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. Kayaking from Clearwater, Florida—which touches both the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay—dolphins milled and we searched the sea grass in the shallowest areas for seahorses. We soon pulled our kayaks onto a spit of sand that looked out at what is called Bird Island.
Cormorants drifted about and an Osprey stood watch near the shallows. The footprints of Blue Herons were still impressed into the sand, and in the low boughs of trees on the island proper were hundreds of Brown Pelicans with their long bills tucked toward their feet.
Brown Pelicans are ubiquitous across the Gulf coast of Florida, but they were still magical to see, resting on every wood piling in the water and every pier extending seaward. For me, a longtime desert dweller who doesn’t get to the ocean often, they were fascinating, and I took the opportunity to learn as much as I could about them.
These seabirds are one of three pelican species found throughout North America and are common along the Atlantic coast from the northernmost tip of South America to Nova Scotia. Of the species of pelican found throughout the world, they are the smallest. They mainly feed on fish, as well as the occasional amphibian, which made this stretch of bay seem to be completely ideal habitat for them to congregate. Beyond dolphins leaping in the distance, fish occasionally grabbed a fly from the top of the calm water, and in the shallowest stretches, schools of fish swam apace with our boats.
As we looked out at Bird Island, blue crabs scuttled around our beached kayaks and our guide described how the Brown Pelicans in the trees ashore would soon begin their nesting season. It’s actually illegal to set foot on Bird Island and, despite the development all around the area—there were high rises and overpasses skirting the water everywhere—this small stretch of premium property is, as it should be, reserved for the birds.
Brown Pelican image by Doug Brown
|
|
Support Hawks Aloft by Shopping at Smith's!
Many of you have long been Hawks Aloft supporters, and a good number of you have also been longtime Smith’s shoppers. For those not in the know, the grocery chain has a program that provides a small kick-back quarterly to nonprofits when their supporters link their shopper’s cards to the organization.
The company recently changed their policies regarding the program—so even if you’ve signed up in the past, you may need to do it again! The good news is that it is easy to do.
2)
Either create an account or sign-in to an existing one
3)
Once logged in, click on “Account Summary” on the left sidebar
4)
From there, scroll down to “Inspiring Donations Program” and click “Enroll”
5)
A searchable list will come up, you can either search for “Hawks Aloft” or enter our ID number for the program, GL430
6)
Shop using your card and now that every time you do so, you help out Hawks Aloft!
We appreciate your ongoing support in this, and so many other capacities!
|
|
*Check out intakes and thank-you's after the Photographer's Gallery*
|
|
Photographers Monthly Gallery - Editors Choice
We are exceptionally fortunate to have a host of photographers that provide world class images to Hawks Aloft for our use. Without this alliance, our publications, slide presentations, and social media would be remarkably drab. We thank all the photographers who make these generous donations. We've selected four images from different long-time contributors for this gallery.
Are you interested in being a featured photographer? If so,
contact Gail.
- Immature Aplomado Falcon, from the days when the Peregrine Fund had a hack site on the Armendaris Ranch, owned by Ted Turner. Photographed by David Powell.
- Juvenile Northern Harrier, photographed by Larry Rimer in his back yard.
- The tiny Costa Rican Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium costaricanum), photographed by Greg Basco. This diminutive owl inhabits the high, misty cloud forests of Costa Rica and western Panama. This owl had hunted a large-footed finch that was too big to manage! I sat down and waited silently as the owl struggled with its prey on the ground. Finally, it was able to grasp the prey and fly away unsteadily, stopping for just a second on a low branch. Though forced to use a high ISO and a slow shutter speed, I got the shot!
- Cooper's Hawk, stooping on photographer Tony Giancola.
|
|
Thank You to our November Donors!
Charles Brandt
Cindy Lou Brannon
Mary Bruesch
Debbie Caffery
Niels Chapman
Carter & Susan Cherry
Vickie Dern
Amy Estelle
Marion Fisher
Denise Fligner
Gloria Gallegos
Gerald Hobart
Melissa Howard
Richard Lutz
Sue Lyons
Douglas Maahs
Maurice & Greggorita Mackey
Patricia Marshall
Dave Parsons
Lori Pivonka
David Powell
Hildegard Reiser
Allison Schacht
Alwyn & Sunel VanderWalt
Tracey Wolfert
Geraldine Yarne
|
|
Our Veterinarians and Rehabilitators
Kariana Atkinson, DVM
Mary & Ed Chappelle
Linda Contos, DVM
Cottonwood Rehabilitation Center
Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Eye Care for Animals
Ray Hudgell, DVM
Gavin Kennard, DVM, DACVO
Daniel Levenson, DVM
Mike Melloy, DVM
Lisa Morgan
New Mexico Wildlife Center
Bob Peiffer, DVM, PhD
Petroglyph Animal Hospital
Kathleen Ramsay, DVM
Santa Fe Raptor Center
Southwest Veterinary Medical Center
Samantha Uhrig, DVM
Ventana Animal Clinic
Wildlife Rescue of New Mexico
|
|
November Intakes
Greater Roadrunner – Broken legs
Golden Eagle – Electrocution
Cooper’s Hawk – Head trauma
Cooper’s Hawk – Dead on arrival
Great Horned Owl – Shot in wing
Cooper’s Hawk – Unable to fly
Cooper’s Hawk – Broken wing
Prairie Falcon – Wing injury
Cooper’s Hawk – Dead on arrival
Great Horned Owl – Unable to fly
|
|
Raptor Rescue Team
Nirankar Ambriz
Victoria Ambriz
Daniel Archuleta
Mary Bruesch
Ed Chappelle
Mary Chappelle
Joanne Dahringer
Shannon Harrison
Ty Horak
Denise Inight
Jeannine Kinzer
Arlette Miller
Laura McCammon
Bill McCammon
Evelyn McGarry
Julie Morales
Eliane Notah
Chellye Porter
Amanda Rael
Larry Rimer
James Robinson
Anita Sisk
Bruce Sisk
Davedda Thomas
Tony Thomas
Frank Wilson
|
|
Field Survey Teams
Chuck Brandt
Wendy Brown
Mary Bruesch
Ed Chappelle
Gill Clarke
Ed Clark
Charles Cummings
Vicki Dern
Roger Grimshaw
Fred Hashimoto
Joan Hashimoto
Jerry Hobart
Kay Jackson
Bob Kipp
Maurice Mackey
David Meyerson
Arlette Miller
Glenda Moore
Natalie Nunez
Bonnie Long
Dave Parson
Chellye Porter
Donna Royer
Susan Russo
Renee Robillard
Sam Sanborn
Allison Schacht
Martin Schelble
Dianne Schlies
Lisa Schluter
Mary Smith
Mary Walsh
Christie Wilcox
Steve Youtsey
|
|
Education and Outreach
Chuck Brandt
Mary Bruesch
Ed Chappelle
Mary Chappelle
Rebecca Ezechukwu
Evelyn McGarry
Arlette Miller
Chellye Porter
Elizabeth Roberts
Allison Schacht
Anita Sisk
Bruce Sisk
|
|
|
6715 Eagle Rock Ave NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
|
|
|
Who We Are
Gail Garber,
Executive Director
Trevor Fetz,
Lead Avian Biologist
Ellie Althoff,
Education Coordinator
Angela Green,
Office Manager
Maggie Grimason,
Senior Editor
Katrina Hucks,
Avian
Biologist and Raptor Rescue Coordinator
Amanda Schluter,
Biologist
|
|
|
|
Our Board of Directors
Carter Cherry,
Chair
Mary Chappelle, Treasurer
Terry Edwards,
Director
Alwyn VanDerwalt
, Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|