Common Ravens and Greater Sage-grouse are among the most interesting and charismatic species in western North America. The two species have a famously complicated relationship between them; as sage-grouse populations are declining across the range, raven numbers are skyrocketing, and ravens are prolific sage-grouse nest predators. Although ravens and sage-grouse are well studied birds in the west, we are still learning new things about them. Richard will give an overview of both species, including Identification tips and life history information, as well as describe some of his own research into raven-grouse interactions and surprising new evidence of raven behaviors.

Richard Rich is a Master’s student in the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University. He is a member of OSU’s Sage Steppe Habitat Team, whose mission is to advance research and outreach programs that promote healthy sagebrush ecosystems. Richard is also assessing sage-grouse nesting success in eastern Oregon in response to raven management methods.

2024-2025 Speaker Schedule

Hybrid in-person and Zoom meetings
Nov 21 – Richard Rich: “Sage-grouse and Raven Interactions”
Dec 19 – Member Slide Show
Jan 16 – Elakha Alliance: “Returning Sea Otters to Oregon”
Feb 20 – Joel Geier: “Vesper Sparrows”
Mar 20 – Roy Lowe: “Birds of the Andes Mountains”
Apr 17 – Mark Kerstens: “Black-backed Woodpeckers”
May 15 – Jayshaun:Talbert: “Lights Out Corvallis”

If you would like to suggest a speaker for ASC’s 2024-2025 monthly presentations, please contact Mai Kiigemagi at audubon.corvallis@gmail.com.

How to See the Monthly Presentations

The 2023 – 2024 Monthly Meetings will be both in-person and available on Zoom. Unless noted, they will be held in the Corvallis Community Center Chandler Ballroom on NW Tyler Ave. in Corvallis. At 6:30 pm is the social gathering, followed by a business meeting at 7:00 pm, the program could start as early as 7:20 pm, and it lasts about an hour. For those who are viewing the presentation via Zoom, we suggest you tune in at 7:15.

The in-person meetings will also be available on Zoom to ASC members who provided their email address with their membership dues. They will receive an invitation and instructions the day before the webinar. Members may view the presentation on their computers or phones at home. A few days following the meeting, the link to the recording will be posted on the ASC website (see Past Presentations below).

Meetings are open to the general public, although space is limited. Contact audubon.corvallis@gmail.com for information about accessing the program.  More info

Past Video Presentations

To view recorded presentations from December 2022 to May 2023, click on the links below. Some presentations were not able to be archived. Contact

October 2024

Retired biologist Ann Eissinger presented an overview of Great Blue Herons, including life history, habitat, status, monitoring, and conservation efforts. Ann spent over 30 years studying the birds in Washington and continues to volunteer as a science advisor for heron projects in NW Washington. Link to Zoom recording

September 2024

Peter Moore discussed the results of population surveys of three albatross species that nest on Campbell Island, NZ. Removal of non-native Norway rats was completed in 2001 and resulted in population recovery of the albatrosses and other endemic species. Link to Zoom recording

May 2024

Carina Kusaka’s presentation described her research about detecting changes in Tufted Puffin breeding habitat along the Oregon Coast. Her work will determine will help land managers to direct conservation activities where and how they will be most effective. Carina is also the author and illustrator of the children’s book Polly the Puffin.
Link to recording

April 2024

Nikkie Cross shared eBird, which can target and locate new birds wherever you travel, track your life list, and contribute your sightings to help scientists worldwide.
Link to recording

March 2024

Alan Contreras took us on an entertaining tour of how birds were first observed from Lewis and Clark through the 1950s. He also covered the growth of amateur birding and how their sighting enhanced academic and agency protection of habitat and resources.
No Zoom recording available

 

February 2024

Native grasslands in Oregon have have disappeared, leaving only rare patches for butterflies that depend on them. Dana Ross presented an overview of Benton County butterflies, natural history of our local rare species, and other species in Oregon. Link to recording (note that sound is missing for about 10 minutes)

 

December 2023

Six ASC members regaled the audience with armchair tours of places or things that they enjoy. Tom Heath led off with gorgeous birds photos from around Oregon, Richard Hoyer reminisced about his raptor experiences in Alaska and Canada in 1959-1960, and Mark Baldwin braved Idaho and Utah to film prairie chickens and grebes with babies. Steve Cook, who lives next door to Hesthavn, amused and amazed the audience with many no-name cacti he grows at home, Sue Powell sneaked peeks of big cats, lots of crocodiles, even a tapir in part one of a Brazil trip, and co-traveler Bev Clark batted last with a few dozen dramatic birds.
Zoom recording is not available.

November 2023

Stewart Janes’ November discussed how feathers grow, different shapes are produced, patterns such as stripes and bars are embedded into the growing feather, and colors are incorporated. Birds even more special than you may already know!
Link to recording  Recommended reading

October 2023

Dave Kollen has been studying the natural history of bumble bees, which are critical pollinators of wild and agricultural plants. Discover how we can play a role in pollinator conservation, both in general and in our own landscapes and communities.
Link to recording

Dave Kollen has been studying the natural history of bumble bees, which are critical pollinators of wild and agricultural plants. Discover how we can play a role in pollinator conservation, both in general and in our own landscapes and communities.
Link to recording

September 2023

Aaron Groth presented information about using controlled burns to prevent catastrophic wildfires and restore habitats and species that have been degraded. Public concerns must be addressed so people understand the purpose and benefits of the using fire. Link to recording. Follow-up information: FNR Extension In the Woods Podcast with David Lewis and Amanda Rau. Link to podcast
Broad overview of cultural burning the PNW: Link to journal article

May 2023

Dr. Bob Beschta discussed “trophic cascades.” If a top predator is hunted to extinction, what happens to their prey species, and in turn, how do population changes in those prey species affect their forage species? Issues have included how bison affect ecosystem recover and how eradicating large carnivores affect aspen trees. Link to recording

April 2023

Don Boucher and Lisa Milbank converted the lawn on their quarter-acre suburban lot to a garden for both edible and native plants. In April’s presentation, they described the process of making the yard inviting to nesting birds, pollinating insects, and more, and discussed easy ways to add more species richness to any yard. Link to recording