February 14, 15 & 16 (Friday evening – Sunday morning)
Instructor:
William Mueller was Director of the Western Great Lakes Bird & Bat Observatory until his retirement in October of 2019. He is currently serving on the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative’s Steering Committee and is the co-chair of the Issues Committee. He has had many other leadership roles in bird conservation projects, including serving as Conservation Chair of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (2002 – 2012), as co-chair of the Midwest Aerial Insectivore Working Group, and as Project Coordinator for the Milwaukee BIOME Project.
The Course:
This workshop will review the winter ecology of several representative vertebrates at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Saukville Field Station. Topics to include: snow/ice conditions and effects, small and medium-sized mammals found in winter, birds found in winter, Chionophiles, and Chioneuphores – how these groups compare, adaptations of small birds and mammals to cold and snow (environmental cues which trigger physical and/or behavioral changes in animals – photoperiod [day length] and average daily temperature; weight loss/gain; changes in plumage/pelage), and thermoregulation in birds and mammals. We will also explore these strategies for winter survival: hibernation (torpor/dormancy), migration, and “toleration” (stay active and adapt), the role of “brown fat” in winter physiology and countercurrent insulation.
The class will meet on 2/14 5-8pm, 2/15 8:30am-4:30pm, and 2/16 9am-12pm.
Recommended materials:
Please bring a laptop or tablet to the first class. Class handouts will be provided at the first class.
Suggested Reading:
Some suggested readings will be referenced, and online readings given, but there will be no required textbook.
Lodging Accommodations & Food:
The workshop fee does not include overnight accommodations. Participants wishing to stay overnight in our Farmhouse may reserve a bed in a shared space at a cost of $20 per night. Bed space is limited so be sure to reserve early. Alternatively, the Saukville Field Station can also provide you with a list of nearby places to stay. An optional catered lunch is provided at cost for an additional charge and will include vegetarian and gluten free options. Meal plan should be ordered at the time your registration is submitted. Contact fieldstn@uwm.edu for more information.
Workshop fee: $100.00. Available for 1.4 CEU. Not offered for college credit.
Registration: Click the link here to register using a credit card. For other payment options please contact sceinfo@uwm.edu.