Big Muddy Sessions
On the second Tuesday of each month, we're teaming up with Friends of Big Muddy and the Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge to host presentations featuring experts in biology, ecology, history and more focused on the Missouri River.
Next Presentation:
Bottomland Bird Banding
Monitoring avian productivity and survivorship
Presented by Andy Forbes, MDC
Tues., October 14, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Friends of Big Muddy, Missouri River Relief and Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge are proud to announce that our October 14 educational program will feature MDC Avian Ecologist Andy Forbes.
The wetlands and bottomland forests of the Missouri River Valley are havens for migrating and resident birds of all types. From neotropical migrants to flocks of crows and turkey vultures, from large waterfowl to the smallest warbler, this ecosystem provides necessary stopovers for these often troubled species.
Keeping tabs on these mobile species is a difficult task that transcends state and national boundaries. A cooperative effort between federal and state agencies as well as local volunteers has been attempting to gather real, on the ground data on avian productivity and survivorship.
At our October 14 installment of the Big Muddy Sessions, Missouri Dept. of Conservation Avian Ecologist Andy Forbes will give an overview of the successes and challenges of this program, called Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS). Centered at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, the project has involved two years of bird-banding using groups of volunteers. In order to continue the project, Forbes is looking for more interested volunteers. This is a great opportunity to learn about real science on the ground and find out how you can help.
Andy Forbes is an Avian Ecologist with Missouri Dept. of Conservation. Prior to coming to Missouri in 2002, he worked on a variety of bird related-projects, including Red-cockaded Woodpecker managment in North Carolina, neotropical migrant research in Louisiana, and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow research in Rhode Island. His presentation will give an overview and synopsis of the bird banding project started in 2006 at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, through the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program.
The talk, hosted by Friends of Big Muddy, Missouri River Relief and the Big Muddy NFWR will be held at 7 p.m., October 14, at the Bryant Cabin at the Overton Bottoms North Unit of the Big Muddy Refuge.
Named after J.C. Bryant, the original manager for the Big Muddy refuge, the cabin was acquired by the refuge in 2007 as part of a 500 acre parcel they purchased to add to Overton Bottoms North. It was built to be used as a hunting cabin by the former owners. However the term "hunting cabin" doesn’t do justice to this beautiful, 2,000+ square foot, three bedroom house with all hardwood interior paneling and a huge deck overlooking the Missouri River floodplain. It makes a perfect meeting place for Friends of Big Muddy and we are grateful to refuge staff for allowing us to use this facility for our programs.
Directions -
To get to the Bryant Cabin, take the Overton/Wooldridge exit off I-70 (exit #111, the first exit west of the Missouri River bridge at Rocheport). Go north about 300 feet to the "T" intersection and turn left on Highway 98. Go west seven tenths of a mile and turn right on Brady Lane (the first road to the right). In six tenths of a mile, Brady Lane curves ninety degrees to the right. Go straight on the gravel drive, going past the Loesing parking area and through the open gate. The lane follows the ridge around to the cabin. A map is on the refuge web site, and the Bryant Cabin is in the dark "closed area." Just ignore the closed area signs, as you have special authorization for these programs to enter the area.
All programs are open to the public. You do not need to be a member of either organization to participate.We hope you can come and learn more about the Missouri River!
