Oct-Nov 2004 WingBeat Cullman Audubon Society Newsletter
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Transcript of Oct-Nov 2004 WingBeat Cullman Audubon Society Newsletter
8/9/2019 Oct-Nov 2004 WingBeat Cullman Audubon Society Newsletter
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/oct-nov-2004-wingbeat-cullman-audubon-society-newsletter 1/4
Coming attrac-tions
• October 12: Meeting
7PM. Falcons.
• October 17: Field
Trip. 6:30AM. Lo-
cal Sites.
• November 9: Meet-
ing 7PM. Conserva-
tion.
• November 20: Field
Trip. Wheeler Wild-
life Refuge.
• December 19: All
day. Christmas Bird
Count.
November Meeting 2
November Field Trip 2
Program Schedule 3
Field Trip Schedule 3
Night Field Trip Re-port
4
Inside this issue:
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004
Cullman Audubon SocietyPO Box 1444
Cullman, AL 35056
Volume 9, Issue 1
WINGBEAT
Francene Van Sambeek, Editor
WELCOME
FALL!
OCTOBER 17TH FIELD TRIP-LOCAL SITES BY JIMMY WELLSSince Hurricane Ivan’s rampage, our scheduled trip to Dauphin Island, has been cancelled. But in the true spirit of bird-
ers everywhere, we will carry on. Jimmy Wells has put together a great birding trip of local sites. This will be a similar loopas was done last October, but with a new twist. We will be visiting Tune Farms, which is an organic farm located behind theTrade Day parking lot. Features of the farm include a pond, open fields, woods, and a large beaver swamp. It's been an ex-
cellent spot to bird, and when asked, the owners were thrilled with the prospect of a club visit. The owners will be providingcoffee and talking to the group about their farm.
So the game plan for this field trip will be in two stages. First, meet at the Stuckey's located at the intersection of Hwy 31and I-65 at exit 318. We will leave at 6:30 AM, carpooling to the beaver swamp where we called up the owls last year. We'llcheck a few other spots, then return to Stuckey's at 8:00 AM to meet any sleepyheads that want a later start. From there,we will head to Tune Farms, grab a cuppa joe, then tour the farm. After that, another loop around Lacon/Falkville, endingaround noonish. Anyone wanting to continue further, we can head up to the sinkholes in Leighton for an afternoon session.
Remember all are welcome to these FREE birding field trips!
OCTOBER 12TH MEETING: DAVID NEWBY, MASTER FALCONEROn Tuesday, October 12th, 2004, David Newby, Master Falconer, will be the Cullman Audu-bon Society’s featured speaker. Mr. Newby is a Master Falconer and will be doing a live birddemonstration for our group. This is a must-not-miss chance to be up close to thesemagnificent birds of prey.
The meeting starts at 7 PM and will be held in the old Science Building on the campusof St. Bernard Prep School. See page 3 for a map and directions. Birding doorprizes
2004-2005 CULLMAN AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS By David Pylant
The Cullman Audubon Society is planning a busy year of field trips. With a
great depth of local experts serving as guides and exciting birding hot spots to
visit, anyone attending a field trip is sure to enjoy themselves. Our field trips are
children-friendly experiences, so parents bring your junior birders along for the
trips! The following field trips have been tentatively arranged for this year’s schedule:
October 17, 2004 Lacon, Tune Farm
November 20, 2004 Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge December 19, 2004 Christmas Bird Count
January 16, 2005 Guntersville/Spring AOS meeting
February 19, 2005 Talladega National Forest
March 13, 2005 Bankhead National Forest
April 23, 2005 Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
May 15, 2005 Local Sites/Culpepper Farm
Please look for future monthly postcards and newsletters detailing where to
meet and more details regarding each field trip. See ya there!
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Page 2 WINGBEAT
2004-2005 Officers/ Committee Chairs
OFFICERS:President : Henry Beeler
(W) 256-739-0455 900 Shady Lane
(H) 256-739-3436 Cullman, AL 35055
Immediate Past President : Jerry Jacob
(H) 256-734-6775 251 CO RD 1401
(W) 256-775-1389 Cullman, AL 35058
(F) 256-734-6288 [email protected]
Vice-President : Neal Culpepper
(W) 256-739-1389 545 CO RD 1169
Cullman, AL 35055
Secretary/Treasurer : Julia Bright
(H) 256-784-6277 546 Holmes Drake RD
(W) 256-352-8036 Falkville, AL 35622
COMMITTEE CHAIRS:Conservation/Research: David Pylant
(W) 256-352-8242 403 9th St SE
(H) 256-734-5716 Cullman, AL 35055
Program: Neal Culpepper
(W) 256-739-1389 545 CO RD 1169
Cullman, AL 35055
Education: Vince Meleski
(W) 256-974-6166 121 CO RD 1415
(H) 256-739-4589 Cullman AL 35058
Field Trip: David Pylant
(W) 256-352-8242 403 9th St SE
(H) 256-734-5716 Cullman, AL 35055
Publicity: Julia Bright
(H) 256-784-6277 546 Holmes Drake RD
(W) 256-352-8036 Falkville, AL 35622
Electronic communications: Jimmy Wells
(W) 256-734-3894 210 CO RD 469
(H) 256-739-0933 Cullman, AL 35057
Newsletter : Francene Van Sambeek
(W) 256-352-8036 266 CO RD 699(H) 256-775-6407 Cullman, AL 35055
[email protected] (F) 256-352-8038
Christmas Bird Count : Jimmy Wells
(W) 256-734-3894 210 CO RD 469(H) 256-739-0933 Cullman, AL 35057
Membership: Rachel Moody
(W) 256-737-2259 1194CO RD 1043(H) 256-747-8040 Cullman, AL 35057
Bird Rescue: Robert Lindsey
(cell) 256-636-0208
Earth Day: OPEN
Cullman Audubon Website: www.cullmanaudubon.com
National Audubon Website : www.audubon.org
NOVEMBER 9TH MEETING: CONSERVATION For the November 9, 2004 meeting of the Cullman Audubon So-
ciety, we are pleased to have Mike Roden with the US Soil andConservation Service, as our featured speaker. Given the impor-tance conservation plays in birding, this will be a great meeting toattend.
The meeting starts at 7 PM and will be held in the old ScienceBuilding on the campus of St. Bernard Prep School. See page 3 fora map and directions. Birding doorprizes given away afterthe meeting.
Newsletter deadlines: 20th of the odd numbered months for publication in the next news-
letter. Send to Francene Van Sambeek at the address or email listed to the left. Please
include “Audubon” in the subject line.
NEED MORE BIRDING TRIPS? Georgia's Colonial Coast Birding & Nature Festival, a three-day
event celebrating wildlife, will be held from October 8-10, 2004 at
Jekyll Island. Field trips are planned to many different natural areasin coastal Georgia. The Festival is supported by GA. Dept. of Natural Re-
sources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Georgia Ornithological Society, localAudubon Societies & Jekyll Island, Georgia's Jewel.
The field trips will include locations such as Cumberland Island National
Seashore, Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, Black beard Island, Al-tamaha Waterfowl Management Area, Andrews Island, Fort Stewart, Sapelo
Island, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, DOT spoils site in S.C.,
Coastal Marsh Ecology pontoon trip and many other sites.
There will be a variety of seminars such as shorebirds, gulls and terns,warblers, hummingbirds, birding by ear, bird photography, digiscoping
(digital cameras), butterflies, creating backyard habitats and more. "The
Rookery" which is fun and free, is an interactive exhibit hall, located in the
Jekyll Island Convention Center. It will offer live raptors shows, children'sprograms and over 50 exhibitions including nature artists, photographers,
conservation organizations, optic companies and much more. This is an ex-cellent opportunity for "hands on" shopping and testing of binoculars and
digital cameras from experts.
Friday will start off with a birding contest along the Georgia Coastal Bird-
(Continued on page 3)
NOVEMBER 20, 2004 FIELD TRIP: WHEELERWILDLIFE REFUGE
With this great natural resource available to us just up the road, howcould we not schedule a field trip to Wheeler Wildlife Refure.
We plan on meeting November 20th at 7:00 AM at the entrance of thepark. There are numerous trails through the park, but wear good footwearfor the hikes.
Look for the postcard reminder next month if there are any changesto this field trip. Remember all are welcome to these FREE birding fieldtrips!
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Page 3 WINGBEAT
C o t t a g e D
r i v e
Highway 278 East
S a i n t B
e r n a r d A v e
R i c h
a r d A v e N
E
Auditorium, Old Science Building
E i g h
t M i l e C
r e e k
Ave Maria
Grotto
Holly PondCullman
ST. BERNARD PREP SCHOOL
2004-2005 CULLMANAUDUBON
PROGRAM/SPEAKERSby Neal Culpepper
The Cullman Audubon Soci-
ety is planning a busy year of
activities. Through a combina-
tion of guest speakers and fieldtrips the local chapter of the Na-
tional Audubon Society is em-
phasizing the environment and
what citizens at the local level
can do to have a positive impact.
The following speakers have
been arranged for this year’s
schedule:
October 12, 2004 David Newby, Master Falconry, Live Bird Demonstration
November 9, 2004 Mike Roden, US Soil and Conservation
December 14, 2004 Christmas Party Social
January 11, 2005 Charles Pinkston, Alabama Coop. Extension, Fire ants
February 15, 2005 Pete Conroy, Jacksonville St. University, Live Owls
March 8, 2005 Arnold Caylor, Organic Gardening,
Auburn Experimental Substation
April 12, 2005 Bob Keefe, Forest conservation and the coffee bean,
Whole Earth Store
May 10 , 2005 Officer Elections/End Of Year Social
The meetings begin at 7 PM and are open to the public. We meet in the old
Science Building on the campus of St. Bernard Prep School. See below for a
map and directions. Birding doorprizes given away at the end of every
meeting! For more information, contact Henry Beeler at 256-739-3438 or
Neal Culpepper at 256-739-1389.
More birding trips. (Continued from page 2)
ing Trail. Join us Friday evening for the"Toasting and Boasting about The Coast" festi-
val kick-off social, featuring a talk by expert
birder and former Georgia Lt. Governor Pierre
Howard. The festivities continue on Saturday
night, with a low country boil dinner banquet,followed by our keynote address from noted
ornithologist and professor Ralph "Rocky"
Gutierrez, speaking about the Spotted Owl.
There are fees for field trips and seminars. En-
try to "The Rookery" is free. For more informa-tion call 1-877-4JEKYLL, Pat Metz 912-652-
4415 or check the festival website www.
coastalgeorgiabirding.org.
AUDUBON NEWSWIRE HAPPENINGSAugust 9, 2004 - The National Audubon Society applauded Delaware
State Natural Resources Secretary John Hughes and Delaware officials
for banning the sale and possession of live snakehead fish. Audubonhad called upon 14 states, including Delaware, to ban possession and
sale of the snakehead fish. Snakeheads are aggressive predators thatscientists fear could decimate native fish populations and disrupt the
natural ecological balance of rivers and lakes. In the past four months,
fourteen northern snakehead fish -- including two females full of eggs --
have been found in the Potomac River of Maryland and Virginia,
prompting concern that the species may have established a breeding
population that could grow dramatically and impact the ecological bal-
ance of the river and its entire watershed. "Delaware officials have rec-
ognized the potential ecological impact of this invasive species that(Continued on page 4)
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Cullman Audubon SocietyPO Box 1444Cullman, AL 350 56
SEPTEMBER 25TH FIELD TRIP REPORT-NIGHTTIME RUNNINGS BY JULIA BRIGHT
It was not a dark and stormy night. It was a clear, calmnight, illuminated by the moon as it soared over the hori-
zon. Dr. Randy Haddock, Field Director, Cahaba River
Society, and a rugged band of adventurers set out for athree hour cruise.
The day- September 25th, 2004.
The time- dusk, peak mosquito time.
The location- the Cahaba River, just above the dam of
the Birmingham Water Works.
The purpose- the noble quest for knowledge.Five canoes cut through the water, the first “womaned”
by Francene Van Sambeek and Julia Bright, followed by
David Pylant and Henry Beeler, Neal Culpepper and Jimmy
Wells, Booty Richter and son. Dr. Haddock and Derrick Amason paddled in the rear of the formation, either to pick
up survivors or to flee faster.
The first river inhabitant encountered was not at all
pleased with the passing flotilla. A large beaver swamstraight at the first canoe, slapped the water with it’s tail
then headed to shore with a final slap to ensure that wewere aware of it’s displeasure at the interruption. Calls of
owls and other nocturnal creatures echoed across the river.
Jimmy had brought his CD player to attract potential birds
and persuade them to answer back. The natives obviouslyconsidered the CD’s lyrics sufficient and did not feel the
need to respond in kind. One large owl of undetermined
species flew overhead and disappeared into the canopy of trees. Numerous bats and large flying insects skimmed theriver’s surface.
As the darkness increased, the glowworms emergedalong the river banks. The water works’ inlet pumps were
our designated turn around spot. As we gathered at the
turn, careful not to become part of Birmingham’s drinking
supply, Randy illuminated us on the illustri-ous life of the lightning bug and the general
workings of the river’s ecosystem.
AUDUBON HAPPENINGS (Continued from page 3)
would be both severe and irreversible," said Mike Daul-
ton, assistant director of government relations for the Na-
tional Audubon Society. "Delaware is leading these 13states without bans in taking every precaution to make
sure these harmful species are not introduced to rivers
or lakes anywhere in their state. We are heartened thatthey are the first to ban snakehead fishes, and we are
hopeful that the remaining states will follow their lead."
Visit http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/
local/2004/07/31delawareputssna.html for more informa-
tion.
August 28, 2004- Mississippi birders have something
new to crow about - Audubon Mississippi and its part-
ners have published the state's very first birding trail
map, which is now available to the public. The full-
color, 4" x 9" foldable map highlights more than 50 bird-
ing hotspots throughout Mississippi's six southernmostcounties, and includes sites on the mainland as well as
sites accessible only by boat. The map is available free
of charge at the state's 12 Welcome Centers, and uponrequest from the offices of Mississippi Division of Tour-
ism, Audubon Mississippi, and the Mississippi Coast
Audubon Society. A minor shipping fee may be applied
for maps supplied upon request.
The Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail map wasmade possible through the Power of Flight Grant Pro-
gram, a partnership of Southern Company and the Na-
tional Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The program pro-
vides funding for on-the-ground habitat conservation
and education programs that protect birds within theservice territories of Southern Company's operating com-
pany affiliates, including Mississippi Power,
which served as the local administrator of the
grant. For more information, please contact
Audubon Mississippi at 601/661-6189.
You can learn more about birding trails nationwide by
visiting National Audubon's new birding trails website
at http://audubon.org/bird_trails.