Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
November 19, 1999 Prof documents first black-headed grosbeak in IndianaWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – During the Audubon Christmas Bird Count this December, Indiana birders should keep an eye out for unexpected species, says Barny Dunning, Purdue University professor of wildlife ecology. During last year's count, Dunning and his group were the first to see a black-headed grosbeak in Indiana and to document their find. They reported their sighting in the August issue of the Indiana Audubon Quarterly. "We saw the bird on last year's Christmas Bird Count while walking along a railroad track about a mile west of campus. The bird stayed around for more than two weeks, but has not been seen since," Dunning said. "I doubt that it will reappear, but it is one of those freaky things that sends us birders into the field all the time." Black-headed grosbeaks are commonly found in the western United States, especially in the forested areas of the Rocky Mountains. The one Dunning saw probably got here by mistake during its normal migration. Black-headed grosbeaks have been seen in other eastern states in late fall and early winter, but no previous sightings had been adequately documented for Indiana. This year the Christmas Bird Count celebrates its 100th anniversary. Birders across the nation will be counting during a two-and-one-half-week period just before and after the Christmas holiday. Contact your local chapter of the Audubon Society if you would like to participate. CONTACT: Dunning, (765) 494-3565, bdunning@fnr.purdue.edu Compiled by Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
|
