Learn about Arizona's migrating waterfowl

The Payson Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is offering a unique seminar provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Migratory Game Bird Supervisor, Mike Rabe, on waterfowl natural history and identification.

The class will include a slideshow and presentation, followed by identification of waterfowl in Green Valley Park. Participants should bring binoculars if they have them, but extras will be available.

Space is limited, so register today. Registration is open through Jan. 12, 2010, the class is from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19. It is open to all ages. The fee is $5 per person.

BLM offers free guided bald eagle hikes

Bald eagles migrate annually to the Cache Creek Natural Area in Northern California's Lake County each October, where the raptors stay until mid-April. To celebrate the majestic birds return to the area, the Bureau of Land Management is hosting free guided hikes to view the wintering bald eagles on most Saturdays in January and February. The walks will take place at 10 a.m. on Jan. 16, 23 and 30, and Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Those interested in participating should contact the BLM Ukiah Field Office at (707) 468-4000 to reserve a spot for a specific date. Early reservations are recommended as each trek is limited to 25 people and space fills up quickly.

The four-mile hike takes about three to four hours and does include a steep, 600-foot climb in the first mile. Participants should wear sturdy hiking boots and dress for cold weather. They should also bring binoculars (most eagle sightings are from a distance), water, and lunch, as none will be provided. Hikes will be canceled if it is raining.

Zion National Park looking for volunteer birdwatchers

Zion National Park is looking for volunteers to participate in its Christmas Bird Count on December 19. The more the volunteers know about birds the better. The count area is 15 miles in diameter (about 177 square miles). In the 2008 count, 5,474 individuals of 85 bird species were counted in Zion and vicinity. Information is passed along to the National Audubon Society.

To volunteer or to find out more information, contact Claire Crow at 435-772-0212 or claire_crow@nps.gov. The park is in Southern Utah, about 2.5 hours drive from Las Vegas.

Wind Cave National Park Christmas bird count Sunday

South Dakota's Wind Cave National Park will host its annual Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 13.

The event, like many others throughout the National Park System, is patterned after the National Audubon Society’s effort to document trends in wintering bird life throughout the United States. The count area will include all of Wind Cave National Park and areas of the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park.

“This annual activity helps us document winter bird life in the park and surrounding area,” said Wind Cave Superintendent Vidal Davila. “Information from the count is added to the park’s bird database and provided to the South Dakota Ornithological Union.”

People wishing to participate should meet at the park visitor center at 8 a.m. Participants are asked to dress warmly, bring a lunch, field guides and binoculars, something to share for dinner and a place setting. Participants will return to the park’s VIP Center at 4:15 p.m. to compile results and share in a potluck dinner. For more information, contact Barb Muenchau or Dan Roddy at (605) 745-4600.

Squirrel Buster Plus frustrates squirrels away from feeders

If you've had a problem with squirrels raiding your bird feeders, the Squirrel Buster Plus will shut out these pesky thieves. Guaranteed squirrel and large bird proof against red and gray squirrels, as well as grackles, starlings, doves, etc.

Dishwasher safe design easily cleans to maintain a safe and healthy feeder that is built to take the attempts of frustrated squirrels. Made of ABS and polycarbonate resins, it is rust-proof and has powder-coated aluminum and stainless steel components.

Openings in the bottom section of the feeder (shroud) align with seed ports, providing birds access to the seed. When a squirrel climbs onto the feeder, its weight automatically forces the shroud down, closing the seed ports. Squirrels and large birds are foiled but not harmed in any way. You can use a variety of bird seed such as cracked corn, mixed seed, peanut bits, safflower seed, sunflower kernels and sunflower seed. The feeder can be hung from trees or hooks and has a three quart seed capacity.

The Squirrel Buster Plus is available on various Birding Web sites and at Amazon.com.