Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 1980)
The Heppner Gazette-Times, Meppner, Oregon, Thursday, December 18, 1980-NINE Local group to take part in Christmas bird count The annual Ruggs-Hardman ChriHtrmis Bird Count put on by Urn Henur High School Fi'l(J Biology cluss will he held on Dec. 22, 19110, The count will he one of 13(10 similar counts tuken from riuwini io uanranor, unci from Alutika to Venezuela, during the period between Dec. 20 and through Jan. 4. Thin year marks the 81st anniversary of the original Christmas Hird Count, taken on Ohri.strmiK Day, KMX), by an Intrepid group of Ktrollers in 25 locations, mostly around ma jor northeastern cities. Since then the annual event has grown from its original 25 locations to Its present 1 ,300, and the total participants from 27 to an estimated 34,000. The RuRgs-Hardman count dates back to 17 and averages around 45 to 50 .student and adult birders. This year every Canadian province, every American state, many Central American countries, and numerous West Indies Islands will submit their results to the National Audubon society, which su pervises the affair and pub lishes all the counts in its journal "American Birds." The count itself is undoubt edly the big birding event of the year, and for some groups, it means days and weeks of strategy, planning, and logis tics In trying to amass, in a single calendar day, the biggest possible list of birds in the designated area. By tra dition, the "count area is a circle of 15 miles in diameter, or roughly !77 square miles. The Ruggs Hardman count is centered at Porcupine Ridge Road and Highway 207 outside of Ruggs. Within the circle of land and water, count organizers at tempt to field as many competent birders as they can, who are grouped Into "parties," each with a section of the circle, or points on the map, which they alone will search. There is no limit to the number of participants. Last year Oakland, Calif., fielded 43, and there were 23 counts with 100 or more participants. There seems almost no limit, either, to the numbers of birds Christmas counters can find in the circles. Obviously, at the Christmas season, the warmer climates hold an enormous advantage, as do all counts near salt water. In 1979 the count in the Atlantic area of the Panama Canal Zone scored highest with 320 spe cies: the highest U.S. counts in 1979 were Freeport, Texas, and San Diego. Calif., who tied with 217. By contrast, Bethal, Alaska, at 26 degrees, found only four species. At least 55 of mm Prices effective December 17 thru December 22, 1989. caiiEosiia c3E.vi Rival 3Vi Quart Slow cooker that lets you cook all day long even if you can't be there. He. 3100 Reg. 13.99 I M W'WbW rmr? r n nnnnr? I lS2GSr 'Bi waffles or grilling sandwiches IJMLMllh WQlipgl andmre n)(n ' Tjt - fff'' other treats. Stock up at this low price. I i n v, . -w,.1 - m-,-- 1 ifWr i6 d m jtlllfcl CAC3DSES 1 t$l fevS Ounce iiDw I I A JnUfd rggT Assorted kinds and types of hard I Cr'sif jtyhkj I I vVriftk candy. Your choice of a large ri SJ selection- '-q-::'q;(' i 1 AfID CUSHIONS VS fVYy - W - Lew tack mni Spill Seats 17". Etnch Stat 29"- IEEE STAND To stand your tree in and keep moisture in the pan below. Rts. 2.3f Motional Sifvtr FLAli'JAQE SET Ttf2' I 3 popular designs to choose (fi . . lt$M Uom-50 plece 90,8 Reg. 20.97 I I m ft flu mm Spongier CMIDY CAKES Peppermint candy canes for decorating and eating. All kids love them. Box ot 24. CITATION STEni'JAFlE Wine glasses in Te.rCk.kei assorted sizes and styles to use for affl I5CI holiday dinners or for "fi giving. CjJ 4fc CMNMfor SUiQL-A-CIIQL For beautiful curls In just minutes. 699 200 499 DIGITAL SCALES Bathroom scales that have a digital readout. Accurate and precise. Easy to read. Rf. J4.99 Hortktm ELECTRIC BLAI1ICET Full size single con trol electric blanket to keep you warm on even the coldest nights. 4 in- N. 45405 ' 170I2DER HOUSE Rocking horse on springs that children will delight over. Reg. 49.99 GIFT TAGS Tags for making all your gifts easy to remember who they belong to by labeling them. rH SACJTA STOCIOIIG For filling up with all your special little presents. Red and white fuzzy stockings. Rg. 1.99 ft fataravff PICTIIQE CLOCIIS Assorted sizes and designs to choose from. Pretty pictures covered with glass. ' Itf. 24.99 1,152 counts In the U.S. listed 150 or more species, almost all of them in the balmier climes of California, Texas, and Florida. The Ruggs-Hardman count averages around 50 to 55 species a year. All this information will be gathered, edited, and publish ed in the July 1981 issue of "American Birds" whose ed itors organize and run the annual extravaganza. Apart from its attraction as a social, sporting, and competitive event, the annual count sheds much light on the early winter distribution of the different species of our native birds, where they are, and what number. All counts are open to competent birders: for infor mation on your nearest count, contact Steve Brownfield at 676-9696. " Navy fireman from Boardman completes basic Navy Fireman David D. Hug. son of Delmer and Barbara Hug of Route 1, Boardman, has completed recruit training at the Naval Training Center, San Diego. During the eight-week training cycle, Hug studied general military subjects de signed to prepare him for further academic and on-the-job training in one of the Navy's basic occupational fields. Included in his studies were seamanship, close-order drill, Naval history and first aid. Personnel who complete this course of instruction are eligible for three hours of college credit in physical education and hygiene. A 1977 graduate of Riverside High School, Hug joined the Navy in August, 1980. Have a poison -free Christmas The Oregon Poison Control and Drug Information Center, based at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Cen ter, urges everyone to have a safe holiday season without trips to the emergency room. These are some of their suggestions: Keep Christmas plants out of reach of youngsters. Poin settias, holly, mistletoe and most greens (juniper, cedar, fir) can be harmful, if swallowed. - Be aware of potential dangers in toys. Sharp edges, points, small parts and wiring on electrified toys can be dangerous. Also, don't give a toy to a person of the wrong age. - Toddlers are attracted to the Christmas tree, but don't let them play with the tinsel, lights or bulbs. - Gifts of perfume, cologne and aftershave are enticing to the little ones, too. The packaging and smells are appealing, but they are poisonous. - Spiked egg nogs and punches containing alcohol should not be left out for the little ones. Too much can cause serious illness and even death. -Thaw the Christmas turkey in the refrigerator, or in cold water (in a water-tight wrap per), and wash hands before dressing the bird. The stuffing should go in just before roasting, and should be re moved when the bird is done. Be sure the turkey is thor-' oughly cooked, and don't let the cooked meat, gravy or stuffing sit at room temper ature. For more details about how to have a safe holiday, the staff of the Poison Center will be happy to answer questions. Please call University Rela tions for more details. REMEMBER THE NEEDY Don't forget the needy at hol iday time. Old clothing in good condition, small toys and canned food are all things which i will make someone's Christmas brighter.
