AT Opportunity: Raptor Week-a virtual seminar series

Raptor Week
August 12 – 16, 2024
12:00 – 1:00 P.M. CST – Virtual via Zoom
Bonus Sessions August 12 & 13th – 1:00 – 2:00 P.M.
Registration Fee:
All-Access Pass: $35
Single-Access Pass: $15
Raptor Week offers participants the opportunity to discover more about the wonderful world of raptors! Our third annual week-long series of virtual seminars is curated to provide science-based knowledge, offer ID tips and techniques, and foster engaging discussions. Speakers will present topics covering raptor identification techniques, current, compelling raptor research, tips and tricks for photographing raptors, and more. This in-depth learning experience is not to be missed!
All virtual seminars will be recorded and made available for later viewing by participants. Seminars will have auto-captions and will be provided with recordings.
The funds raised through these virtual birding seminars support our youth program, Rio Diablo Birding Camp.
The virtual event link will be distributed via email 24 hours prior to the event’s commencement. For late registrations made after this 24-hour window, a final email containing the link will be sent at 11:30 a.m. before each day’s program.
*Seminars will be recorded for later viewing by registered participants.
To ensure access to the seminar recordings, please register for the event by the deadline on August 16, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Please note that access to the seminar recordings will not be available to those not registered for the event.
The funds raised through our virtual birding seminars support our youth program,
Rio Diablo Birding Camp.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! REGISTER HERE
Questions? Please email agrilife.birding@gmail.com.
If you are a Texas Master Naturalist, our educational seminars, birding trips, and some special events may count for Advanced Training!
Raptor Week – TMN AT Request Info – 2024
SEMINAR LINEUP
Monday – August 12, 2024
Raptor Identification
Ben Skipper, Birding speaker for Raptor Week, 2024Dr. Ben Skipper — Professor at Angelo State University
Presentation Summary
Raptors are a captivating group of birds that draw significant interest from both casual and dedicated birdwatchers. Identifying these birds can be challenging due to their various plumage morphologies, similarities between species, and the fleeting nature of raptor behavior. However, by focusing on a few key field marks, body postures, and unique species traits, birdwatchers can quickly enhance their raptor identification skills and develop a deeper appreciation for these magnificent creatures.
Biography
Dr. Ben Skipper is an Associate Professor of Biology at Angelo State University. His research focuses on the population genetics of raptors and songbirds, bird-prey interactions, and the evolution of song dialects. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Skipper specializes in the urban ecology of Mississippi kites and other urban raptors, making significant contributions to understanding their habitats and behaviors.
BONUS SESSION: Ususual Raptor Plumages: Albinism, Melanism, Hybrids, Amelanism and Others
Bill Clark, Birding speaker for Raptor Week, 2024Bill Clark — Chairman of RAPTOURS’ Board of Advisors
Presentation Summary
Raptors don’t always match their field guide illustrations. Join us for a fascinating talk featuring photos of North American diurnal raptors with unique plumages, including albino, partial albino, amelanistic, melanistic, and hybrids. We’ll also discuss long-billed syndrome, methane burner casualties, and more. Perfect for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and wildlife photographers!
Biography
With more than 50 years of experience, Bill Clark is a renowned photographer, author, researcher, and lecturer specializing in birds of prey. He dedicated five years as the Director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Raptor Information Center, publishing numerous articles on raptors.
Bill has traveled the globe to study and photograph these majestic birds and has led countless raptor and birding tours for Raptours, now run by his colleague Sergio Seipke. Since 2002, Bill has called the Rio Grande Valley home, where he regularly teaches raptor field identification and biology courses and delivers captivating lectures.
His published works include field guides on raptors in Europe, Mexico, Central America, and Africa, as well as co-authoring the “Photographic Guide to North American Raptors” and the revised “Peterson Guide to Hawks.” Bill continues his research on Harlan’s Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, and Harris’s Hawk, contributing valuable insights to the field.
To download pdf’s of one or more of the four draft presentations on his work on Harlan’s Hawk, go to: http://www.globalraptors.org/grin/ResearcherResults.asp?lresID=155
And scroll down to ‘Publications’ and click on ‘pdf’ after one of the four titles. All publications follow.
Some of his later papers deal with raptor taxonomy. Bill has a personal goal to see and take photographs of all the world’s diurnal raptors.

Tuesday – August 13, 2024
Natalie Rugg, Birding speaker for Raptor Week, 2024Western Screech-Owl Occupancy In The Face Of An Invasive Predator
Natalie Rugg – USDA ARS Corvallis Forestry Laboratory
Presentation Summary
Due to habitat fragmentation and the novel presence of barred owls, a large generalist predator, increasing concern for western screech-owl populations led to their listing as a species at risk in two Canadian provinces. Here, we describe the distribution of western screech-owls in US Pacific Northwest forests and document an observable impact by barred owls.
Biography
Natalie Rugg has been immersed in the field of bioacoustics since earning her B.S. in Biology from California State University, Chico, in 2017. Her passion for ornithology began much earlier, inspired by her mother, a Wildlife Biologist. Today, Natalie is a US Forest Service Ecologist and leads the audio validation lab at the Pacific Northwest Research Station’s Bioacoustics Lab. She focuses on enhancing multispecies monitoring techniques and integrating passive monitoring technologies into active conservation efforts.

Romey Swanson, speaker for Raptor Week, 2024BONUS SESSION: The Wonderful Wild of Texas: Our Owls
Romey Swanson – President of Texas Ornithological Society
Presentation Summary
Join Romey to learn about the wonderful diversity of owls found throughout Texas. We’ll discuss the fascinating life histories of these species while virtually exploring the habitats and conservation efforts they require to thrive in the Lone Star State.
Biography
Romey Swanson, a Certified Wildlife Biologist with nearly two decades of experience, specializes in wildlife conservation across Texas Hill Country and West Texas mountains. He holds a Master’s in Wildlife Ecology from Texas State University and has led numerous bird conservation projects. An expert in identifying over 200 Texas bird species by song or sound, Romey currently serves as President of the Texas Ornithological Society, Vice President of the Texas Herpetological Society, and Executive Director of the Devils River Conservancy. His extensive expertise and dedication make him a pivotal figure in Texas wildlife conservation.

Wednesday – August 14, 2024
Population Demographics and Habitat Use of Gray Hawks in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas
Mike Stewart is a speaker for Raptor Week, 2024.Mike Stewart – PhD Student, Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Presentation Summary
Mike Stewart will discuss his ongoing Gray Hawk research that began in 2020. He will cover how he captures Gray Hawks and the banding process. He will also highlight what his research has uncovered so far as well as what he is currently working on.
Biography
Meet Mike, a retired Army veteran with a passion for birding that spans over two decades in the eastern U.S. and Texas. Armed with an M.S. in Biology from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Mike now resides in Alice, Texas, where he continues his research on Gray Hawks as a student at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He shares his home with his wife, Yvette, and their Green-cheeked Conure, Greenlee.

Thursday – August 15, 2024
The Ra