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Do you have an iPhone or Android based phone?
The Seattle Times has an article introducing different apps for outdoor use.
It includes reviews of
- iBird Explorer (Western),
- Audubon Wildflowers,
- Scats and Tracks,
- Starwalks (Nightsky),
- M-Hikes and a
- National Park Tour guide.
Check it out here.
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Vaux's swifts are considered an indicator species for the health of old growth forests, where they naturally roost. The dark-brown birds have nearly white throats and chests, and named for the 19th century scientist, William S. Vaux (pronounced vawks). Because of their foot structure, they can't perch. They spend daylight hours in flight, consuming insects. At night, they cling inside snags or chimneys that protect them from hawks, owls and other predators.
Some biologists fear they are in decline, says Mary Coolidge, assistant conservation director at the Portland Audubon Society. "But historical data have been too scant to say for sure." A group of volunteer bird counters are trying to fix that.
200 volunteers from Canada to Mexico gather information for an Audubon Society project started in 2008. Data is compiled at www.vauxhappening.org. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, the Monroe School District and Washington Tweeters, a birding online list, contribute to the project.
Click here to read more about the project on The Oregonian website.
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Friends of Fox Creek, an all volunteer organization with whom WHAS has partnered on projects, has been awarded a $46,000 grant from Oregon Fish and Wildlife to improve Fox Creek fish habitat by adding large, woody debris. Read more here about the efforts in Rainier, OR.
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A recent commentary in the Oregonian presents a limnologist's perspective on the future of Mt St Helens, arguing in favor of continuation of long-term research projects and for granting the monument National Park status.