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Transcript of November 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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8/9/2019 November 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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ATLANTAAUDUBON SOCI
Box 29189Atlanta, GA 303
www.atlantaaudubon
AAS OFFICEand Information
770.913.051
GOS RARE BIRD AL
770.493.886
November 2007
Volume XXXIII, Issue 11 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D
Presidents Perch..........
From the Exec Dir.........
Field Notes....................
Field Trips......................
Merritt Island Refuge ...
Volunteer Corner ..........
Freedom Park ...............Spotlight Mark Jernigan
Youth Bird Education....
A Million Thanks...........
Fernbank Forest ...........
Classifieds.....................
Books of Interest..........
GAs Protected Birds.....
Membership..................Sparrows Workshop .....
Come One, Come All!Atlanta Audubon Holiday BanquetDecember 7, 2007
6 PM wine and beer (cash bar) 7 PM scrumptious dinnerSilent auction throughout the evening
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta
The cuisine will be great. Ask anyone who came last year. You can make theauction a success. Please donate goods or services such as birding stuff,art with a nature flair, weekend getaways, landscape design for birding,wonderful bird books, etc. Your treasure may be the perfect gift for a fellowbirder. Come with checkbook in hand and prepare to have fun.
To register, contact the Audubon office at 770.913.0511. Send your check for$25 per person to Sally Davis, 3904 Ashford Lake Ct., Atlanta, GA 30319today to reserve your space. To volunteer to help with the banquet or todonate something for the silent auction, contact Sally Hodges [email protected].
Election of Officers for 2008-2009
Report of the Nominating Committeeby Kelly Hopkins
The nominating committee is honored to present the ballot of candidates for Atlanta Audubon Societys officersand board of directors for the 2008-2009 term. Several current board members have extended their terms byone year, and a few have offered to take on new board roles. Please join me in recognizing all of our currentboard members and thanking them for their contributions over the years.
I would like to especially recognize the board members who will be stepping down at the end of the year: ArtHurt, Lisa Hurt, Marcia Klenbort, Georgann Schmalz and David Yon. Each has made a significant personalinvestment in Atlanta Audubon Society and will leave a tremendous legacy. I am honored to have served on theboard with all of them.
We are excited that several new candidates are included on the ballot. Volunteers are the currency of strongnonprofit organizations. If you are interested in serving on the board or you would like to nominate someone,please contact Kelly Hopkins ([email protected]). We are still looking for a co-chair for the educationcommittee.
The membership will vote on the ballot of candidates at the Holiday Banquet December 7.
Position / Term Name
Officers
President 2008 ..................................................Ellen Miller
President Elect 2008 .................................... ..Allyson Read
Treasurer 2008-2009.................... ..................Deanna Helie
Recording Secretary 2008-2009 ..................Mark Jernigan
Corresponding Secretary 2008-2009..........Barbara Tarpley
Past-President (ex officio) 2008......................................n/a
Directors
Communications 2008-2009......................Barbara Tarpley
Publicity 2008 ........................................Denese Van Dyne
Volunteers 2008........... ...............................Nancy Hamilton
Position / Term Name
Conservation 2008 ........................................Kelly Hopkins
Co-Chairs Education: Adult & Youth
2008-2009 ..................................................Marge Igyarto
Vacant
Membership 2008-2009 ..............................Darlene Moore
Field Activities 2008 ..........................................Dave Butler
Special Events 2008-2009 ........................................Vacant
At Large
At Large: EarthShare
& Speakers Bureau 2008-2009 ....................Victor Williams
At Large 2008-2009 ..........................................Jay Davis
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This morning I saw a Wild Turkey at our place
in Jasper County. I heard a ruckus, and when I
looked out I realized the ruckus was being
created by one of our regular Wild Turkeyvisitors. There is an army of turkeys in the area,
with a few foraging around our yard regularly.
This morning the turkey appeared to be heading
for some millet which, in spite of the drought,
had come up where I scatter seeds for winter
sparrows. Our dog was lying close by the millet,
which highly offended the turkey as it could not
get to the millet without having a close
encounter of the dog kind; hence the ruckus.
At the time Europeans came to this country,
there were between 7 and 10 million turkeys,
with that number dwindling to 30,000 in the
early 1900s. Today, in sharp contrast to what
has happened with many of our bird species,
there are approximately 7 million Wild Turkeys
with numbers continuing to increase.
How did that happen?
From what I read, there were some efforts at
restoration and conservation of Wild Turkeys in
the 1950s, but the real success came with the
formation of the National Wild Turkey
Federation in 1973. At that time, there were
approximately 1.3 million turkeys. So, insomething over 30 years and in spite of human
expansion, pollution, habitat destruction and
hunting, the number of turkeys has increased
almost sixfold. Currently, the Wild Turkey
Federation has 584,000 members and has raised
$238 million for conservation, restoration and
habitat enhancement. Wow! Now I know that
the Wild Turkey Federation also promotes and
is made up of hunters, but by any measure I
know of they are an extremely effective
conservation organization, which leads me to
my point.
Much of the success of the Wild Turkey
Federation comes from its focus on working
with any agency, group, or individual who wan
to revive turkey populations. It seems to me
that those of us interested in bird conservation
generally can take a lesson from this attitude.
While I dont have an interest in hunting, I do
have an interest in turkey populations. So an
organization like the Wild Turkey Federation is
on my list of groups I want to cooperate with
and support. Have you heard the saying, The
enemy of my enemy is my friend? Other group
that I see as good guys include Ducks
Unlimited and Quail Unlimited. With wetlands
for ducks, open habitat for quail and forests fo
turkeys, think of all the additional species that
benefit from the actions of these groups.
To be as effective and successful as possible,
we birders must partner with a wide variety of
organizations and individuals with whom we
may not agree on all items but who want to
reverse the decline of bird species. This is how
the power of numbers can be leveraged to
achieve real strides in influencing policy makeand raising money for bird and habitat
conservation to ensure that the birds we love t
see are visible for generations to come.
Thank you. And I hope you get to see a Wild
Turkey soon
Board of Directors2007
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar770.993.9579
President Ellen Miller404.355.8892
President-elect Vacant
Treasurer David Yon404.513.9806
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley404.687.0079
DirectorsConservation Vacant
Education Marcia Klenbort404.874.9826
Field Trips Dave Butler404.580.3917
Membership Art Hurt770.934.7660
CommunicationsGeorgann Schmalz706.216.5012
Publicity Denese Van Dyne404.406.9324
Special Events Nancy Hamilton404.874.2338
Volunteers Vacant
At LargePast PresidentKelly Hopkins404.622.1888
Jay Davis404.624.4973
Lisa Hurt770.934.7660
Victor WilliamsEarthshare Representative
---
WebsiteJim Flynn
Wingbars EditorGrace Trimble 404.351.0518
Design & Layout
Copy Preparation [email protected]
ProofreadingMim Eisenberg
Newsletter deadline is the first ofthe month for material to be
published the following month.Please submit articles as MS-Word to
gmtrimble @mindspring.com.Email attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the monthly newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society. We feature news, upcoming
events, meetings, field trips and projects. We
hope you will join us. Opinions expressed are
those of the authors and do not necessarily
eflect policies of the Atlanta Audubon Society.
Mission Statement:
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.
Presidents Perchby Ellen Miller
Wild Turkeys and Lessons Learned
2 Atlanta Audubon Soci
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olunteerOpportunitiGET INVOLVEIN ATLANTAAUDUBON
We invite you to volunteerwith these Atlanta Audubonprograms.
PublicityHelp us get the word out throlocal media about our field trand workshops.Contact: Denese Van Dyne404.406.9324
MembershipHelp with mailings tomembership.Contact: Art Hurt
770.934.7660
EventsRepresent Audubon at speciafunctions and displays.Contact: Nancy Hamilton404.874.2338
EducationVolunteer for a variety ofeducational programs. Weprovide training workshops.Contact: Marcia Klenbort404.874.9826
Wildlife Sanctuary
Support the preservation ofgreenspace in Atlanta.Contact: Jacqueline McRae
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.
It is an important time in the history of
Atlanta Audubon Society. As we look to
expand our efforts, we are holding our first-ever fundraising appeal to support our
conservation work. It is an exciting time.
Since its first days, Atlanta Audubon has
been committed to conservation. Our efforts
have included a variety of important
programs and activities always focused on
the organizations mission to promote the
enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
conserve and restore the ecosystems that
support them. As we look to the future, we
believe it is important to find a way to make
the greatest impact for their protection.
To do this, we have developed a new guiding
focus: Creating, Promoting and
Preserving Bird-Friendly Habitat. This
new guiding focus will mean that we are
committed to bird-friendly habitat by:
1) creating and enhancing green space and
the role individuals can play in this process;
2) promoting the importance of habitat
protection and educating the public that
birds matter; and
3) preserving and protecting bird-friendlyhabitat from uncontrolled growth and over-
development.
This will happen through a variety of
programs and work throughout the region.
Some of the work we currently do in
conservation includes the Backyard WildlifeSanctuary Certification program and annual
tour, Georgias Important Bird Area (IBA)
Program, Armchair Activists, Shade-Grown
Coffee campaigns, Birds Matter pamphlet
and on-the-ground conservation. With such
low overhead and administrative costs, we
are able to maximize each dollars
effectiveness in making a difference in these
important conservation areas. Our work will
continue to expand these and other
important conservation programs.
In October, you should have received aspecial mailing from Atlanta Audubon
Society. In it you will find a more detailed
account of our new guiding focus and what
exactly this means for the conservation of
the birds that we love. We need your
financial support to continue our work and
to expand our conservation efforts in our
new focus creating, promoting and
preserving bird-friendly habitat.
It is our hope that all Atlanta Audubon
Society members will contribute at some
level. Every dollar counts during thisimportant appeal. Help us make a difference
for tomorrow and beyond.
From the Executive Directorbby Catharine Brockman Kuchar
Kicking Off Our Fall Appeal Program:
We Need You!
November 2007
Atlanta Audubon Society is looking for your support! Your contribution to Atlanta Audubon Society will reap dividends for years to come towards creating, promoting andpreserving bird-friendly habitat. Cut out this form and mail in your donation to Atlanta Audubon Society, 2007 Annual Fund to Protect Bird-Friendly Habitat,PO Box 29189, Atlanta, Georgia 30359
Yes! I would like to support Atlanta Audubon Society with a contribution.
Donation amount enclosed: $_________
Donors giving $50 or more receive a one-year Individual Supporting Membership in AAS.
Annual Fund Donor Categories:Bald Eagle ($1,000 or more)Great Blue Heron ($500-$900)Red-headed Woodpecker ($250-$499)Rose-breasted Grosbeak ($100-$249)White-throated Sparrow ($50-$99)Supporter ($1-$49)
I have made or am considering making a gift to Atlanta Audubon Society in my estate plans.
I do not wish to have my donation recognized in the newsletter, Wingbars.
We thank you for your generous support!
Check enclosed(Please make check payable to Atlanta Audubon Society)
Visa MasterCard
Credit Card #_____________________________________Exp. Date (MM/YY) __________________Signature ___________________________________Card Verification No.* ______*The Card Verification Number is printed on the signature area on the back of your card (the last thredigits only).
Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr. Other ___________ Name ______________________________________________Address _____________________________________________City ________________________________________________State ________________________ Zip __________Phone ___________________________E-mail Address _____________________________________
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ATLANTA AREA
KITES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS It has become
evident over the past few years that both
MISSISSIPPI KITES and, to a lesser extent,
SWALLOW-TAILED KITES wander into the
Piedmont in late summer. This year was no
exception, as there were several reports this
month, with the most interesting being two
SWALLOW-TAILED KITES and 50 MISSISSIPPI
KITES in Spalding County on 10 Aug. (EB).
Several UPLAND SANDPIPERS were reported
from Spalding County on 17 Aug. for a rare
sighting by EB. Single STILT SANDPIPERS
were seen at the E.L. Huie Land Application
Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton County on 27 Aug.
(EB) and in Bartow County on 29 Aug. (BZ),
and five birds were in Bartow County on 30
Aug. (KB). A BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was
a rare find at the ELHLAF on 27 Aug. (EB).
NIGHTHAWKS THROUGH WARBLERS A
number of observers reported low numbers of
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS during the month, but
the highest count reported was 255 at the
Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell on
31 Aug. (SZ, ZL). An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
was an excellent sighting at Kennesaw
Mountain National Battlefield (KMT) on 28
Aug. (B&DZ et al.). The peak count of RED-
EYED VIREOS was 13 at KMT on 23 Aug. (BZ).
EB reported as many as 100 HORNED LARKS
in Spalding County on 17 Aug. Back at KMT,
one NASHVILLE WARBLER was seen on 24
Aug. (B&DZ), and seven CERULEAN WARBLERS
were spotted on 23 Aug. (BZ). Most of the
usual early migrant warblers were seen at
KMT during the month, but generally their
numbers were in the low single digits.
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH SHEARWATERS BLACK-
BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS continued their
presence along the Georgia coast, with at
least 14 in the Darien area on 25 Aug. (JSe). A
female RING-NECKED DUCK was a good find
in the Phinizy Swamp area near Augusta on
11 Aug. (LS). BBe and DF found three
COMMON LOONS on north Georgia lakes on
22 Aug., with two on Lake Nottley and one on
Lake Blue Ridge. On a pelagic trip out from
Tybee Island, BZ et al. recorded four BLACK-
CAPPED PETRELS, 14 CORYS SHEARWATERS,
two AUDUBON SHEARWATERS and one
GREATER SHEARWATER.
PELICANS THROUGH HARRIERS Three
BROWN PELICANS were an interesting find at
the Lake Walter F. George Dam (LWFGD) on 25
Aug. (EB, MB). In the Brunswick area, JSe
counted 27 ROSEATE SPOONBILLS on 25 Aug.
Both species of KITES were widely reported,
with the most interesting sightings being a
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE north of Macon on 3
Aug. (TI) and a MISSISSIPPI KITE in Gordon
County on 20 Aug. (DF, BBe, AS). An early
NORTHERN HARRIER was seen in Morgan
County on 29 Aug. by MMc.
SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS Three
BLACK-NECKED STILTS (two adults and one
young) were seen at the Altamaha Waterfowl
Management Area near Darien on 25 Aug. by
JSe. Inland, EB and MB saw 3-4 WILLETS at
the LWFGD on 25 Aug. The peak count of
UPLAND SANDPIPERS at the Marshallville Sod
Farm was 28 on 4 Aug. (JSe, BL, DV, BZ).
Interesting sightings from the Carters Lake
area were a SANDERLING on 28 and 29 Aug.
(MMe, B&DZ) and as many as three BAIRDS
SANDPIPERS on 28 and 29 Aug. (MMe, B&DZ).
Two STILT SANDPIPERS were found at the
LWFGD on 25 Aug. (EB, MB). BUFF-BREASTED
SANDPIPERS were found at the Marshallville
Sod Farm with the peak count of eight com
on 24 Aug. (JSe). Along the coast, JSe had
three LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and
three GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS at Tyb
Island on 25 Aug. On the previously mentio
pelagic trip, BZ et al. had 15 BRIDLED TERN13 SOOTY TERNS and 35 BLACK TERNS.
Inland, EB and MB had 56+ BLACK TERNS
LWFGD on 25 Aug.
DOVES THROUGH DICKCISSELS A COMMO
GROUND-DOVE was quite a rare find in
Murray County on 20 Aug. (DF, BBe, AS). Th
best count of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS was
in Gordon County on 29 Aug. (JSp). An adu
male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD appeared at a
Dawsonville feeder on 12 Aug. (GS). Anothe
good find was an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERthe Columbus area on 24 Aug. (WC). A male
DICKSISSEL was seen in Greene County on
April (JN et al.).
CONTRIBUTORS Giff Beaton, Betty Belang
Eric Beohm, Michael Beohm, Ken and Rach
Blankenship, Bill Boyd, Walt Chambes, Jim
Flynn, Dot Freeman, David Hedeen, Ty Ivey,
Carol Lambert, Zelia Lebeau, Bill Lotz, Joel
McNeal, Mark McShane, Max Medley, Darle
Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore, Michael
Parrish, Lynn Schlup, Georgann Schmalz, JSewell, Joshua Spence, Lois Stacey, Ann
Stewart, Dan Vickers, Bob and Deb Zaremb
and Stacy Zarpentine.
Have an interesting bird to report? Contact
Terry Moore at [email protected].
August Field Notes by Terry Moorez
The hot, dry conditions in Georgia
continued during the entire
month of August.This, coupled
with no strong fronts, led to a very
mediocre month bird-wise. Just aquick look at the months numbers
and youll get the feeling that it was difficult to
get out and scare up even a few species.
The Atlanta area recorded 131 species
(average 137.9), to bring the year-to-date total
to 232 (average 225.2). The Georgia area came
in at 191 species (average 201.8), to bring that
year-to-date total to 322 (average 314.2).
4 Atlanta Audubon Soci
Q:Whatspecies
recentlydethronedtheArcticTernasthebirdwiththe
longestmigration?
Seepage___fortheanswerSee page 10 for answer
Q: Who said:Birding, after all, is
just a game. Goingbeyond that is what isimportant.
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Field TripsCompiled by Dave Butler
November 2007
Piedmont Park (Fulton County)
Saturday, November 10,Marcia KlenbortMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Resident birdsDirections: The Piedmont ParkConservancy Community Room is locatedat the corner of Piedmont Ave. and 12thSt. From south of the city, take the I-75/85connector north to the Pine St. Exit (Exit249B). Go straight on Pine, crossingPeachtree St. Turn left on Piedmont Ave.Travel about one mile to 12th St. Fromnorthwest of downtown, take I-75 south tohe 16th St. Exit (Exit 250). Go straight,
crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10thSt. Turn left on 10th. Travel about a halfmile to Piedmont. Turn left on Piedmonto 12th St. From northeast of downtown,ake I-85 south to the 17th St. Exit (Exit
84). Continue straight, crossing 14th St.Follow directions above.
Bear Creek Reservoir(Jackson County)Friday, November 9,Darlene Moore and Cheryl KanesMeet at 10 AMBirding Focus: WaterfowlBear Creek Reservoir is located about 1.5
hours northeast of Atlanta. We will meet athe public fishing area off of GA 330 and
bird several locations around the reservoir.We hope to see some scoters. If you havea scope, please bring it.Directions: From Atlanta take I-85 Northo GA 316 East towards Athens. Go 30
miles and turn left on GA 211 towardsStatham. Follow GA 211, then turn rightonto GA 82 for 0.7 miles. It becomes GA330. Stay on GA 330 for approximately 4miles. The public fishing area is on theright. The GPS coordinates of this locationare as follows: 33.992645, -83.514794.
Enter them in Google Earth for detaileddirections and pictures. Map can be foundn DeLorme, p. 22, G-1. Please contact
Darlene at 404.274.7390 if you are lost orate.
Phinizy Swamp(Richmond County)Saturday, November 10,Bill LotzMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Waterfowl and songbirdsDirections: From Atlanta, take I-20 East
to Augusta. Take exit 196A, Bobby Jones
Expressway. Take Bobby JonesExpressway to Exit 10 (Doug BarnardParkway/Bush Field Airport). Turn right,toward airport. Travel just under one mileuntil you see the wastewater treatmentplant on your left. Turn left just past theplant onto Lock & Dam Rd. Travel justunder one-half mile until you see a smallhouse on the left. Just past the house, lookfor the Phinizy Swamp Nature Parkentrance sign on your left. Turn left anddrive 200 feet. The parking area is on theleft.
Brunch and Birds at LullwaterPark on Emory University Campus(DeKalb County)Wednesday, Nov 14,Darlene Moore and Cheryl KanesMeet at 11:30 AMBirding Focus: Songbirds, waterfowl onlakeLullwater Park is the greenspace areawhich surrounds the presidents house atEmory. We will meet at the park entrance,which faces Clifton Ranger District, nearthe intersection of Clifton Ranger Districtand Haygood Rd. Please feel free to dropby on your lunch break. If you miss us,
call Darlene at 404.274.7390, and we willtell you our current location. Parking oncampus can be challenging and usuallyrequires a fee if you are not a student oremployee of Emory. Please use the visitordecks and do not park illegally, as you riskbeing towed and/or ticketed. The closestparking deck is the Michael St. deck.Michael St. intersects with Clifton near theentrance to Lullwater Park.Directions: From I-285, take Exit 40, E.Ponce de Leon Ave., toward Clarkston.Turn right on E. Ponce de Leon. Go onemile. Turn right on N. Decatur Rd. Go 3
miles. Turn right on Haygood Dr. Turnright on Clifton Rd. Michael St. will be onthe left. The entrance to Lullwater Parkwill be on the right.From downtown Atlanta, take FreedomPkwy. toward the Carter Center. Continuepast the Carter Center to Moreland Ave.Turn left on Moreland Ave. Go 1.6 miles(Moreland becomes Briarcliff Rd.) Turnright on N. Decatur Rd. Pass throughroundabout. Turn left on Clifton Rd. Goapproximately one-half mile. Michael St.will be on the left. The entrance to
Lullwater Park will be on the right.
West Point Dam (Troup County)Friday, November 16,Darlene Moore and Cheryl KanMeet at 10 AM at the West Point DamVisitors Center, 550 ResourceManagement Dr., West Point, GA 31833706.645.2937.Birding Focus: Waterfowl and gullsDirections: From Atlanta take I-85 Souto Exit 2. Go west on GA Hwy. 18 for 1miles to the town of West Point. Turn ronto US 29/GA 14 for 3.3 miles toResource Management Dr. and turn lefThere is a large brown sign for West PoLake here. The Visitors Center is at 1.6miles on your right. Delorme Map Grid24, F-2. Please bring your spotting scopyou have one.
Chattahoochee River NationalRecreation Area, Cochran ShoalUnit (Fulton County)Thursday, November 29,Darlene Moore and Cheryl KanMeet at 9 AMBirding Focus: SparrowsDirections: Cochran Shoals is locatedthe west bank of the Chattahoochee, junorth of I-285 (about "10 oclock" on th
Perimeter).Directions: From I-285 eastbound: TakExit 22, Northside Dr., New Northside Powers Ferry Rd. Go to second trafficlight and go left onto New Northside DUse through lane to pick up InterstatNorth Pkwy. Unit will be 0.8 miles on thright after crossing the Chattahoochee.From I-285 westbound: Take Exit 22,Northside Dr., New Northside Dr., PowFerry Rd. Go right on New Northside DUse through lane to pick up InterstatNorth Pkwy. Unit will be 0.8 miles on thright after crossing the Chattahoochee.
Please wear shoes that can get wet andlong pants, as we will be walking throuhigh grasses in the sparrow field. Pleasbe sure to bring $3 for the parking fee(exact change, please).Please be certain to meet at the InterstNorth parking area, if you are at theColumns Dr. area, you are not in thecorrect spot and will not find us.
Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted).We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced birders!
Please check the Audubon Website for other field trips not listed here.
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Atlanta Audubon Society will again sponsor a two-day/three-night trip to Merritt IslandNational Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida, on January 18, 19 and 20, 2008. Located ea
of Titusville, Merritt Island has the distinction of being the home of NASA's Kennedy SpaCenter, a wildlife refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is the second largest refuge in Florida. It and its surroundiwaters offer a sanctuary for an abundance of plants and animals from both temperate an
tropical climate zones. Along its western edge is the Indian River Lagoon, North Americalongest and most biologically diverse estuary.
The refuge consists of 140,000 acres of salt marsh, freshwater impoundments, brackishestuaries, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods and scrub. Due to the diverse habitats,Merritt Island remains unsurpassed as a refuge for endangered wildlife. It supports more
threatened and endangered animals (21 species) than any other single refuge in thecontinental U.S., including the Florida manatee, bald eagle, wood stork, gopher tortoise a
eastern indigo snake. Combined with the Canaveral National Seashore, the refuge suppor
the world's largest population of Florida scrub jays.Offering varied birding opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310 species ofbirds. The field trips around the refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl and wadbirds. There will be opportunities to view other species such as rails, scrub jays and othe
wildlife.
The trip leaders will be Theresa Hartz and Lisa Hurt. The cost of the trip (NOT including foo
or lodging) will be $155 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon members, $180 for assigned membeand $200 for non-members. This trip is limited to 12 people.
There will be a pre-trip orientation meeting and a short workshop on Sunday, December 2,2007, at the Dunwoody Nature Center, 3-5 PM.
For reservations or more information contact Lisa Hurt by phone (770.934.7660) or e-m
([email protected]). Your payment will confirm your reservation.
Travel to Merritt Island National
Wildlife Refuge
with Atlanta Audubon
Volunteers are what make Atlanta Audubon Society such an amazing organization. We rely ovolunteers in virtually every area of the organization in order to be successful. We are alwa
looking for individuals who want to get involved. Check out some of our current volunteeropportunities below. Additional volunteer opportunities can be found on the Web site at
www.atlantaaudubon.org. We need you!
2008 Birds in the Park Coordinator Needed
Atlanta Audubon is seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to help us coordinate another successful Bi
in the Park in May of 2008, scheduled to coincide with International Migratory Bird Day. Because
event was planned and held last year, most of the work ahead of the event has been completed(including the various stations, supplies, etc.) We are looking for someone to work with the PiedmPark Conservancy in planning and conducting this great event. If interested, please contact Marci
Klenbort at [email protected].
Working Committee Members Needed
As you know, Atlanta Audubon Society is a member organization of Earth Share of Georgia (imagi
United Way, but for the environment). As a member organization, we work to support Earth Sharewhat they do. They have asked us to spread the word that they are looking for individuals who arinterested in helping serve on the working committee for their annual big Earth Day events
(Leadership Breakfast and Party in the Park). If you are interested in getting involved or havequestions, please contact Madeline Reamy of Earth Share at [email protected]
Volunteer Corner
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As a volunteer for the Atlanta
Audubon Society, Mark
Jernigan has participated in
and hosted peel and sticks
for Wingbars, which involves
affixing address labels to the
newsletters, and has
coordinated an Adopt-A-
Mile litter control project in
eastern DeKalb County for the
society. He has been recording secretary on the
board since 1994, attending board meetings,preparing the minutes and maintaining
historical documents.
Mark has been birding since the late 1980s. He
calls himself more of a casual birder. He
doesnt usually keep track of how many he
sees but enjoys watching them for the fun of it.
He says its a good excuse to be outside and
learn something new. He adds, Birds can be
quite entertaining as well as
interesting to watch.
His favorite place to bird in
Georgia is Jekyll Island.
That is where he found a
Painted Bunting, the rarest
bird he has seen. You can
also find his favorite bird
there, the Brown Pelican.
Mark says, They are graceful as they skim
along above the water.
He shared a favorite memory of a trip to
Yellowstone National Park, of being among the
mud pots and watching a couple of Mountain
Bluebirds feeding on the ground. He called it a
grand view.
Mark lives in Clarkston and works in
regulatory compliance at a consumer goods
company.
Spotlighting... Mark Jernigan
ts been a long, hot summer at the Freedom Park Bird and Butterfly Garden. Weve planted only native
plants, but in this drought, even they, young as they are, still need water. We couldnt have kept things
going without the generous help of Jim Satcher, neighbor to the garden, who let us use his spigot in
hese arid times.
Most of our plants have made it through. Many, such as the arrowwood, AmericanBeautyberry and viburnum have berries on them now. The Golden Fleece
Goldenrod is blooming. The Joe Pye Weed, Purple Coneflowers and Black-eyed
Susans are running their course, with lots of seeds available. Many thanks go to
Dorothy Dabbs and Martha Treadwell, Atlanta Audubon members, who helped to
keep the garden watered and weeded. We did lose our Swamp Azalea and our
Cardinal Flowers to the drought, but all in all the garden did pretty well under the
circumstances.
More planting takes place in October. Phil Edwards, president of the DeKalb
Master Gardener Association, has lots of plants ready to go into the ground. As of
his writing, we are waiting for approval from the City of Atlanta Parks
Department to expand the garden to the next driveway. If we dont get that
approval, we will use the plants to fill in the present garden. We hope to have MaryLin Elementary School students involved in planting again, as well as volunteers
from Hands On Atlanta.
Fall is a great time to plant native plants. One of the best places to get native plants is at the Georgia
Perimeter College Botanical Garden at 3251 Panthersville Rd., in Decatur, 678.891.2668.
We can still use more volunteers at the garden, especially in later fall, when our new plants will need
watering fairly regularly.Please contact Carol Vanderschaaf at [email protected] or
404.373.0295.
Happenings at the Freedom ParkBird and Butterfly Garden
Dont forget
Birds ofAmerica
November 2 &
See October 20
Wingbars,for more
informatio
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8/9/2019 November 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
8/128 Atlanta Audubon Soci
Atlanta Audubon Society Members
Support Important
Youth Bird EducationAvid Wingbars readers learned last month about the Audubon-funded Barnsley scholarship to Hog
Island, Maine. Did you know that Atlanta Audubon also funds other youth education closer to home?
more than eight years, Birdathon funds have provided scholarships (Vernocy Scholarship) forBrookhaven Boys & Girls Club members to attend nature camps at Dunwoody Nature
Center. This summer 10 campers joined DNCs Junior Naturalist camp, held at Broo
Run park. Educators Melanie Sgrignoli and Jennifer Herrmann planned a week ful
fieldwork in the natural sciences, with liberal doses of fun. Some of the activities
included nature journaling, collection table work, creek day, forest blind projec
pit traps, migration map and crafts.
The 10 campers were David Duy Nguyen, Ariel Edmonds, Jazmine Gil, Salamaw
Moges, Donari Yahzid, Cornelia Torres-Hamlin, Eileen Gonzales, Afiya Evans,
Lizaremi Luna-Sousa and Donta Johnson.
Part of our mission is to conserve and restore the ecosystems that support birds. Bytraining these future citizens, voters and birdwatchers, Atlanta Audubon ensures that i
mission will thrive far beyond their week of Junior Naturalist camp. Dunwoody Nature Cente
greatly appreciates the financial support Atlanta Audubon provides, as well as the administrative help
Bobby Dunn, Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club Executive Director, and their able
driver/confidant/chaperone, Guy Maspin.
A Million Thanks!Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers. As always,we extend our unending gratitude to all of our volunteers but would like to send a special
thank you to the following individuals this month:
Rhett Smithplays a very important role in Atlanta Audubonsdatabase management work. We would like to send out a
special thank you to Rhett this month for helping us put
together our first fall appeal database list. It took Rhett a
lot of time to prepare the list and we are extremely
grateful.
It requires a lot of work to pull an issue of Wingbars
together each month. Proofreading is an important
part of that. We are lucky that volunteer,MimEisenberg, does such a terrific job. Mim carefully goes
over the newsletter every month to check for typos,
grammatical mistakes, etc. We are lucky to have Mims
expertise.
Each month after the printer pulls together our newsletter, we need to get labels on them
and organize the bulk mail. We are extremely lucky to always have a group of wonderful
people to help us out. We are especially grateful to Tom and Jane Blaisdell and hersister,Kathy. Virtually every month they come and help us out. We couldnt do it withoutthem.
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At 65 acres, Fernbank Forest is one of Georgias smaller IBAs, but its impact is great. Locatedin the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country, it is an undisturbed, mixed hardwoodforest. Because it is also an urban, old-growth forest, it is an oasis of habitat for neotropicalmigratory and resident birds.
The importance of Fernbank Forest as habitat in a sea of change cannot be overstated.Imagine you are a Wood Thrush (a species of conservation concern at the continental level bythe National Audubon Society) just migrating in from Central America. You search for yourplace to land but have trouble locating your habitat because most of it has changed over thepast year. Forests have been replaced by subdivisions. Youre one of the lucky Wood Thrushes ifyou find Fernbank Forest so that you can rest and go about your life. According to David A.Sibley, major population declines for the Wood Thrush and Veery are attributed to loss ofhabitat on both wintering and breeding grounds, as well as loss of stopover habitats duringmigration (The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, 2001).
Other species use this unique forest as well: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated BlueWarbler, Worm-eating Warbler (another species of conservation concern at the continental
level), Hooded Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Because we cant all have a FernbankForest as our back yard, one thing you can do to help wild birds and wildlife in general in youryard is to consider landscaping for wildlife. Planting just a few trees in your landscape canserve as migratory stopover places in spring and fall for some species. In order to do this, learnabout native plant groundcovers, vines, shrubs and trees and implement a native plantlandscaping plan. You can learn more about this topic by visitinghttp://fsc.fernbank.edu/Birding/landscaping.html. Consider planting drought-resistant speciesin this time of severe watering restrictions.
According to the Fernbank Natural History Museum Web site, Visitors to Fernbank Forest cansee firsthand the primeval beauty of forestland as early explorers and southern NativeAmericans did hundreds of years ago. Trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns are labeled forvisitors. Animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, crows, woodpeckers, blue jays, box turtles and
snakes live undisturbed in their natural environment. Many species of protected migratorybirds also thrive within Fernbank Forest.
You can join the Fernbank Forest staff for organized family walks. Find out more by visitinghttp://www.fernbankmuseum.org/programs_events/family/index.aspx.
What are you waiting for? Step outside and take a walk at Fernbank Forest. And dont forgetyour binoculars. Keep a list of species seen and enter your bird list onto eBird(www.ebird.com), a project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We want a permanent record ofthe species seen on Georgia IBAs, and eBird is a great tool to do that. Good data helps us tocontinue to raise awareness and protect the 49 IBAs in Georgia that represent greater than 2million acres.
For more information about the Georgia IBA program and what you can do to help, contact Mary Elfner,Georgias IBA Coordinator, at [email protected].
Georgias Important Bird Areas:
Fernbank Forest
AAS field trip participants enjoy a
morning at Huie.
Photos by Cathy Harman
Fernbank Forest
Worm-eating Warbler
Wood Thrush
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8/9/2019 November 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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CLASSIFIEDSRates for 2.5 x 2.5 ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent with the
conservation and birding mission of Atlanta Audubon Society. Ads may be accepted via mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 770.913.0511 if you have questions. Send payment tSally Davis, Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at [email protected].
10 Atlanta Audubon Soci
en ou ome
To The Mountains -Ask about the new Birders Guide to Fannin County!We feature Coles seed,squirrel-proof feedersthat truly are, houses,hummingbird stuff,great books, Audubonoptics, & hard to findhardware. Plus 100sof Ravensburger Puzzles,Music of the SpheresChimes & a hugeselection of educationaltoys andgames for kids!
Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards
611 E. Main St. Blue Ridge, GA 30513(706) 258-BIRD (2473) blueridgebirdseed.com
EcuadorBirding in Paradise February 2008
Visit www.birdingadventuresinc.comfor more information
or email Georgann Schmalz [email protected]
JavaJoe Java Co.Shade Grown - Fair Trade Organic
Start your day with fresh roasted coffee
Choose from our international selection of
coffees and start enjoying a great cup of
coffee today! Decaf. coffee is Swiss Water.
Fresh RoastFresh CoffeeFair Price
www.javajoejavaco.com
Costa Rica Photo Tours
Mountains, volcanoes, cloud forest,waterfalls, lakes, rainforest, rivers, dry
forest, scenic valleys, the sea. Peopleand nature. By land and water. One ortwo weeks. Trips personally led by
Darcy Pino and Costarican crew.
Call 678-524-6302 ore-mail [email protected]
for more information.
www.darcysphotography.com
BOOKS OFINTEREST
Atlanta Audubon memberKatharine Crawford Robeyschildrens picture book,Hare and the Big Green
Lawn, has won anendorsement from theNational Wildlife FederationNWF). In May, NWF chose
her book as its book-of-the-month. Its now available onhe NWF Web site library.
n the story, Hare movesaway from the country to amall house with a big yard.
He doesnt like his big greenawn and wont tend it, inpite of what neighbors
Skunk, Bobcat and Ravenay. But Hare has a plan. He
hopes, hops and waits. His
neighbors love the result,or Hare has brought themall back to their own roots,as well as his. Hare hasgrown a meadow. At theend of the book there is ahort article on how to grow
your own meadow.Published by Rising MoonBooks/Northland Publishersand illustrated inwatercolors by LarryMacDougall, the book isavailable from Amazon.comand most bookstores.
Also published in 2006 is ananthology by MilkweedEditions that contains ahort story by Katharine
Crawford Robey, "Tiger ofhe Air." The story is about
a boy who finds a GreatHorned Owls great hornedowls nest in his great auntsyard. The book is called TheSouth Atlantic Coast and
Piedmont, a Literary FieldGuide. It is edited by SaraSt. Antione and is availableonline at Amazon.com androm the publisher directly.
Katharines story is set inAtlanta where she, too,ound a nest of Great
Horned Owlets.
Answer: Sooty
Shearwater
Answer:Roger Tory Peterson.
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8/9/2019 November 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
11/12November 2007
Wingbars is mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Societymembers receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a
Friends of Atlanta Audubon member.
f you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below.
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org.Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the NationalAudubon Society. Thus you willnot receiveAudubon magazine.
Join the Atlanta Audubon Society
Make check payable to:
Atlanta Audubon Society
Membership Director
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
J Renewal J New Membership
Name _____________________________________
Address ___________________________________
City___________________________ State _____
Zip Code _____________
E-mail ____________________________________
Phone_____________________________________
J Basic MembershipJ Individual ...........................................$25J Family................................................$35J Student..............................................$15
J Contributing Membership ...............................$50
J Supporting Membership ...............................$100
J Donor Membership ......................................$250Receive an official
Atlanta Audubon T-shirt
J Patron Membership......................................$500Receive a T-shirt and signedcopy of Birds of Atlanta
J Benefactor Membership............................$1,000Receive all of the above plus a signed ..framedprint of Charles Harpers Missing Migrants
Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society
J Please do not share this information with any other organization
J Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars
BENEFITS
OF
MEMBERSHI
12 issues ofWingbarsNewsletter
Friends discounton classes, tripsand special even
Use of the AASlibrary
A great taxdeduction!
Thanks to allof you for your suppo
and enthusiasm.
Getting to Know Georgias Protected Birds:American Oystercatcher
The American
Oystercatcher(Haematopus
palliatus) is a
large, boldly
patternedshorebird thatreaches 40-44
cm (16-17 in.)n length, with an expected lifespan of 10-
20 years. Its dark brown back contrasts
with a black head and neck, red eye-ringand yellow iris to make it distinctive from
other shorebirds. As is common amongoystercatchers, American Oystercatchers
are sexually dimorphic, the female beingarger and heavier than the male.
This special bird inhabits coastal beaches.
The breeding range of the eastern race
extends from Massachusetts to southernFlorida and along the Gulf Coast fromFlorida to Mexico. This species nests on
all of Georgias undeveloped barrier
islands, although with varying success.Incubation requires 24-27 days, and bothsexes participate. Oystercatchers are
solitary nesters and defend nestingterritories, but the size of the territoryvaries with habitat characteristics.
An American Oystercatchers dietconsists of crabs, marine worms, oysters
and other mollusks. Notable behavioralcharacteristics of the American
Oystercatcher are frequent preening, atendency to walk rather than fly and deftforaging techniques. Adept at locating
open mussels and oysters, an American
Oystercatcher will quickly stab the bivaand separate the top and bottom halvesconsuming the soft contents.
The American Oystercatcher is conside
rare according to the state of Georgialisting and does not have federal status.rare bird in Georgia means that the
species may not be endangered orthreatened but should be protectedbecause of its scarcity. Egg collection,
predation of chicks and young, habitatloss and disturbance of nests by human
and domestic animals have traditionallybeen significant threats to the birds.
Source: Georgia Department of Natura
Resources, Protected Animals of Georg
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8/9/2019 November 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S.POSTAGE
P A I D
Atlanta, GA
Permit #917
Atlanta Audubon SocietyBox 29189 Atlanta, GA 30359
Wingbarsis printed on recycled paper
ATLANTA
AUDUBON OFFIat Dunwoody Nature Cen
5343 Roberts Drive
Dunwoody, GA 30338
770.913.0511
Send all mail forAAS to:
PO Box 29189Atlanta, GA 303
400DunwoodyVillage
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wy.
Mt.Vern
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ChambleeDunwo
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DunwoodyRd.N.Shallowfo
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Dunwoody
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NorthridgeRoad
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Exit 30
Exit 30
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285
Upcoming
HolidayBanquetDecember 7,
2007
Sparrows Workshop
Are those little brown birds testing your birding skills? Identifying sparrows can be both
challenging and enjoyable. To improve your sparrow identification skills, join us for the
popular Sparrows Workshop. This two-part workshop consists of a classroom session on
Sunday, January 13, from 2 to 4:30 PM at the Dunwoody Nature Center and a field trip on
Saturday, January 19, at 8 AM at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield. Tim Keyes
will be the instructor for the classroom session as well as the field trip leader.
Tim is an excellent instructor and is a renowned wildlife interpretive specialist. He will
offer many valuable tips for identifying sparrows that are found in Georgia. In past
years, attendees have seen White-crowned Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow and other wintering birds during the field trip part
of the workshop.
The cost will be $35 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon (chapter only members), $60 for assigned members and $75 for
non-members.
A reservation is required for the workshop and can be made by contacting Wendy West by e-mail or phone:
[email protected] or 404.218.8141 (office number). Your check confirms your registration. The number
of participants will be limited.