Raptors of Whatcom County – Their Ecology, Behavior, and Environmental Needs

Overview:  In this talk John Bower will give an overview the raptors that call Whatcom County home.  He will discuss their natural history, behavior, food, and predators, as well as their population status.    He will also focus on the main environmental issues affecting local raptors and discuss the best way to maintain / increase raptor populations in Whatcom County as well as noting local rehabilitation efforts for injured or sick raptors

Bio:   John teaches field biology, ecology, natural history, evolution, environmental issues, and folk music performance at Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Western Washington University.  His current research involves repeating important components of the 1970’s MESA census to document recent marine bird population changes in inshore marine waters.  His past research includes conservation biology of seabirds and the endemic Juan Fernandez Firecrown hummingbird on Chile’s Isla Robinson Crusoe, and acoustic communication in birds and whales.