april 2008 wingbars newsletter atlanta audubon society

Upload: atlanta-audubon-society

Post on 29-May-2018

218 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    1/12

    ATLANTAAUDUBON SOCI

    Box 29189Atlanta, GA 303

    www.atlantaaudubon

    AAS OFFICEand Information

    770.913.051

    GOS RARE BIRD AL

    770.493.886

    April 2008

    Volume XXXIV, Issue 4 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

    I N S I D Presidents Perch..........

    2007 Annual Report......

    Field Notes....................

    Field Trips......................

    Volunteer Opportunities

    Spotlight Marge Igyarto

    A Million Thanks............

    Giff Beaton Trip.............

    Scholarship Winners.....

    Hemlock Project Update

    Tundra to Tropics ..........

    In Memoriam ................

    Legacy Club ..................

    Classifieds....................

    Fall Appeal Thank You ..

    GAs Protected Birds.....

    Membership..................

    Websites .......................

    Birds in the Park 2008Come Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day

    at Piedmont Park, Saturday, May 10, from 9 AM to 1 PM

    In partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and the Piedmont Park Conservancy, theAtlanta Audubon Society will host Birds in the Park, a family-oriented educational program.This event coincides with International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), a nation-wide celebrationof nearly 350 species of migratory birds, their fantastic journeys between nesting habitats andnon-breeding grounds and conservation efforts throughout the United States and LatinAmerica.

    International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) was created in 1993 by the Smithsonian MigratoryBird Center and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and is now under the direction of theNational Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Celebrations areheld throughout the western hemisphere during spring in Canada and during the fall in theU.S., Mexico and Central America.

    During this event Atlanta Audubon Master Birders, naturalists and local conservationorganizations will lead talks and interactive sessions on backyard birds, birding basics, habitat,migration, bird-friendly plants and more. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the wonder ofbirds.

    This free event for families, youth and adults features activities for all ages including: How to create a backyard habitat Binoculars and how to use them Bird sounds and songs Meet and greet birds of prey Arts and crafts projects, such as bird-house and bird-feeder building Migration games Free product raffles

    Directions: The activities will be near the Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Roomlocated at the corner of Piedmont Ave. and 12th St. From south of Atlanta, take the I-75/85

    connector north to the Pine St. Exit (Exit 249B). Go straight on Pine, crossing Peachtree St.Turn left on Piedmont Ave. Travel about one mile to 12th St. From northwest of Atlanta, take I-75 south to the 16th St. Exit (Exit 250). Go straight, crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10thSt. Turn left on 10th St. Travel about a half mile to Piedmont. Turn left on Piedmont to 12th St.Due to street closings, including the Exits to 10th and 14th Streets from I-75 S., consider exitingat Northside Drive. From northeast of Atlanta, take I-85 south to the 17th St. Exit (Exit 84).Continue straight, crossing 14th St. Follow directions above.

    Annual Birds in the Park ProgramNeeds Volunteers to help with One-Day Event

    In order to make the 2008 Birds in the Park event as successful as last year,if not more so, we need volunteers. We need YOU!

    Please contact Sue Sturges at [email protected] or Marge Igyarto at [email protected].

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    2/12

    For the last several months Ive been spending a

    lot of time in the Boca Raton, Florida, area on

    business. This is not my favorite part of the

    countrytoo many people especially in thewinter, too much glitz and glamour, nightmares

    of hanging chads from the 2000 Presidential

    election, etc. But, there is always some

    consolation in these trips, such as driving down a

    traffic-clogged, four-lane road and having a Wood

    Stork fly over at thirty feet or pulling into the

    hotel parking lot and having Monk Parakeets

    sitting on the wires overhead, but on a recent trip

    I discovered a place that made me actually want

    to go back.

    The place is called the Wakodahatchee Wetlands

    and is in Delray Beach, just north of Boca Raton.Signs tell you that in the Seminole language

    wakodahatchee means created waters, which is

    a perfect name for this urban oasis. The Palm

    Beach County Water Utilities Department took

    fifty acres of land they owned and turned it into a

    wetlands ecosystem used to further purify

    treated waste water, similar to the way Newman

    Wetlands works here in the metro Atlanta area.

    The water utility pumps approximately two

    million gallons of treated waste water into the

    wetlands every day. There are five different kinds

    of habitat: open pond, emergent marsh, shallowshelves, forested wetlands and islands with

    shrubs and snags. A three-quarter mile

    boardwalk winds through the various habitats

    and gives fabulous up-close views of birds and

    other wildlife. And there are lots of birds!

    The Anhingas were nesting when I was there. A

    few were still on eggs, but most had chicks of

    various sizes, some almost ready to fly and some

    still very young. It was cold for that area, in the

    40s at night, and watching an Anhinga mom

    wrap herself around her chicks late in the day to

    keep them warm for the night and coming back

    early the next morning to find her still shelterinthem was amazing. And, when I say watching

    them, I mean they were no more than fifteen fee

    away. Wakodahatchee Wetlands is a mecca for

    photographers. I had Purple Gallinules at ten fe

    and closer, Blue-winged Teal at similar distance

    a Limpkin at perhaps thirty feet and even an

    Anhinga sitting on the rail of the boardwalk

    drying its wings as I walked by. The website for

    the Wetlands says 140 species of wildlife have

    been seen and, then in a different part, says 140

    species of birds. So, not sure which is correct

    (after all this is Palm Beach County and countinis apparently not their strong suit), but either

    way there are large numbers of easy to see bird

    This is the third water-utility created wetlands I

    have visited, and they are all wonderful for

    birding. I guess we and the birds are lucky that

    water needs to be purified and that there are

    forward thinking people out there. Of course

    there are the Newman Wetlands and E. L. Huie

    Ponds near Atlanta, Arcata Marsh in Arcata,

    California, and now Wakodahatchee Wetlands in

    Florida. Lets hope more utilities will pursue eco

    friendly practices to produce clean water.Thank you for all you do for the birds and goo

    birding!

    Board of Directors2008

    Executive Director Catharine Kuchar770.993.9579

    [email protected]

    President Ellen Miller404.355.8892

    [email protected]

    President-elect Allyson Read404.510.8281

    [email protected] Deanna Helie

    [email protected]

    Recording Secy Mark Jernigan404.298.8825

    [email protected]

    Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley404.687.0079

    [email protected]

    DirectorsConservation Kelly Hopkins

    [email protected]

    Education Marge Igyarto678.398.0569

    [email protected]

    Field Trips Dave Butler404.580.3917

    [email protected]

    Membership Darlene Moore404.633.9361

    [email protected]

    CommunicationsBarbara Tarpley404.687.0079

    [email protected]

    Publicity Vacant

    Volunteers Nancy Hamilton404.874.2338

    [email protected]

    At Large

    Jay Davis404.624.4973

    [email protected] Williams

    Earthshare Representative770.423.1012

    [email protected]

    WebsiteJim Flynn

    [email protected]

    Wingbars EditorMary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664

    [email protected]

    Design & LayoutCopy Preparation 770.939.2002

    [email protected]

    ProofreadingSteven Phenicie

    770.849.0391

    [email protected] deadline is the first of

    the month for material to bepublished the following month.

    Please submit articles as MS-Word [email protected].

    Email attachments, if possible.

    Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta

    Audubon Society and is published 11 times a

    year. 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 reflect 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

    Wakodahatchee Wetlands

    2 Atlanta Audubon Soci

    Q:Whatspeciesrecentlydethroned

    theArcticTernasthebirdwiththe

    longestmigration?

    Seepage___fortheanswer See page 10 for answer

    Q: Once considered onespecies, by what namewas the Eastern Towheeand Spotted Towhee

    formerly known?

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    3/12

    The Executive Director column by Catharine Brockman Kuchar will run every other month.

    So, look for her next column in the May edition of Wingbars.

    From the Executive Directorby Catharine Brockman Kuchar

    April 2008

    Information onthe 2007 Annual Report

    2007 was an amazing year for Atlanta Audubon Society, filledwith many exciting educational programs, special events andongoing conservation efforts to protect birds and other wildlife.

    Through the dedication of our incredible volunteers, along witha very hard-working and motivated board, we accomplishedsome amazing things. As we think about what we have done

    over the past year, none of it would have been possible withoutthe dedicated involvement of our members and supporters.

    We have prepared Atlanta Audubon Societys first, full-lengthannual report that goes into detail on the various highlights of

    our accomplishments including:

    N Conservation initiatives

    N Educational opportunities

    N Community outreach

    N Reaching out to the next generation

    N Building community through volunteerism.

    N Summary of financials

    N List of our supporters

    Atlanta Audubon members enjoying the birds.

    A Green Heron strikes a pose.Photo by Art Hurt

    We invite all of

    our members

    and supporters

    to view the

    complete 2007

    Annual Report

    by visiting

    AtlantaAudubon

    Societys Web

    site and

    downloading

    the complete,

    six-page,

    detailed report.

    www.atlantaaudubon.org

    As we look to 2008 and beyond, we will continue to create a strong organization making adifference in our region, while always being dedicated, responsible financial stewards of the

    support entrusted in us.

    We hope you will take a moment to read aboutour successes in the full-length version

    available on-line at www.atlantaaudubon.org,and take pride in knowing that you helped playan important part in making it happen. Thankyou for a great year!

    Volunteers work at the Sanctuary Tour.

    Photo by Cathy Harman

    AAS volunteers at a festival at Charlie Elliott.

    Photo by Victor Williams

    SAVE THE DA2008 Backya

    Wildlife SanctuTourSaturday,

    September

    This year the wildlife san

    tours are at homes in

    Smyrna area in the nort

    quadrant of Atlanta. C

    Wingbarsor our websi

    volunteer opportunit

    including coordinating

    sale of tickets, working

    for 2 12 hour shifts, e

    For information,

    contact Nancy Hamil

    ([email protected]

    jacqueline.mcrae@comc

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    4/12

    ATLANTA AREA

    GEESE THROUGH LOONS Two GREATER WHITE-

    FRONTED GEESE were seen in Bartow Co. on 15 Jan.

    (JSp) and again on 17 Jan. (MMc). An immature

    TUNDRA SWAN was discovered on the J.W. Smith

    Reservoir (part of the E.L. Huie Land ApplicationsFacility [ELHLAF] in Clayton Co. on 5 Jan. (CL et al.).

    The bird remained on the reservoir at least until 27

    Jan. (K&LT). Other good sightings from the J.W. Smith

    Reservoir on 5 Jan. were a REDHEAD and a COMMON

    GOLDENEYE (CL et al.). Rare for an inland area was a

    RED-THROATED LOON at Lake Lanier on 27 Jan.

    (BBe).

    ANHINGA THROUGH CRANES One or two ANHINGAS

    spent the month on Shamrock Lake which is part of

    the ELHLAF (CL et al.). An AMERICAN BITTERN was a

    good find at the ELHLAF (Site G) on 24 Jan. (CL et al.).

    Seven SANDHILL CRANES were seen on the ground in

    Bartow Co. on 17 Jan. (MMc). A flock of 30 SANDHILLCRANES was seen in the Northlake area heading

    north on 29 Jan. (MW).

    HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH SISKIN Winter

    HUMMINGBIRDS were well represented with a female

    CALLIOPE which spent the entire month at a Lilburn

    feeder (R&SK), a female BROAD-TAILED

    HUMMINGBIRD returned to a Mableton feeder on 20

    Jan. and remained there for the rest of the month

    (LW), and single RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS in Lilburn

    on 1 Jan. (R&SK) and in Buckhead on 2 Jan. (BL).

    RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were still being seen

    by many observers during the month in what has to

    be the largest invasion in many years. A SEDGE WREN

    was an unusual sighting at Panola Mtn. in DeKalb Co.on 5 Jan. (CM). RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have been rather

    hard to find the past few years, so a flock of 150-200

    in DeKalb Co. on 13 Jan. was an interesting

    observation (P&DB, HG). MMc reported a good-sized

    flock of BREWERS BLACKBIRDS in Bartow Co. on 17

    Jan. BL noted one PINE SISKIN in Buckhead on 2 Jan.

    GEORGIA AREA

    GEESE THROUGH DUCKS A ROSSS GOOSE was

    discovered in Floyd Co. on 5 and 6 Jan. (fide OK).

    AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS have been pretty difficult to

    find so a flock of 16 in Hall Co. (Chicopee Woods

    Lake) on 21 Jan. was quite interesting (JF). AtCumberland Island on 18 Jan., CS reported 12 SURF

    SCOTERS, one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and two

    BLACK SCOTERS. Inland, a rarer sighting from Ft.

    Yargo State Park were one SURF SCOTER, one BLACK

    SCOTER, four WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and a LONG-

    TAILED DUCK on 21 Jan. (BBe). Unfortunately the

    birds only spent that one day at the park. At Carters

    Lake, MM had a flock of nine SCOTERS on 22 Jan. He

    was able to identify one SURF SCOTER, three WHITE-

    WINGED SCOTERS and 1 BLACK SCOTER. Two other

    WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen in Whitfield Co.

    on 10 Jan. by DH. Two COMMON GOLDENEYES were

    seen along the Andrews Island Causeway on 1 Jan.

    (DC, RW, TMi).

    PELICANS THROUGH CRANES CS reported a flock of

    13 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on Cumberland Island

    on 18 Jan. A rather amazing sighting was that of both

    a BROWN PELICAN and an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN

    at the Walter F. George Dam at the same time on 27

    Jan. (J&MC). A REDDISH EGRET on Cumberland Island

    on 18 Jan. adds another winter record of this species

    to the Georgia list (CS). Another unusual sighting was

    that of a LIMPKIN seen near Cordele at the GA

    Veterans Memorial State Park on 3 Jan (fide KB).

    There were a good number of SANDHILL CRANES

    reported, among which were 300-400 in the

    Mashallville area on 3 Jan. (PB, TeMi), 1000+ at

    Banks Lake between Thomasville and Waycross on 9

    Jan. (BC) and five headed north over Kathleen on 28

    Jan. (BF). As more and more WHOOPING CRANES are

    added to the eastern migratory flock, we will be

    seeing more and more records of this endangered

    species. This years class of young birds made it

    through GA, finally, on or about 29 Jan. which is quite

    late. Two birds not associated with this years flight

    showed up in the Carrollton area on 11 Jan. (LR).

    SHOREBIRDS THROUGH GULLS JSe and CL had a

    great count of 1266 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS on St.

    Catherines Island on 28 Jan. The SNOWY PLOVER,

    previously reported from Jekyll Island, was seen

    throughout the entire month by many observers.Another good shorebird count was that of 925

    SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS on St. Catherines Island on

    28 Jan. (JSe, CL). On 28 Jan, at Little St. Simons

    Island, B&DZ had three LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, 14

    PIPING PLOVERS, 65 MARBLED GODWITS, and 50

    AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS. Either a very early or

    overwintering PECTORAL SANDPIPER was seen at

    Oxbow Meadows in the Columbus area on 11 Jan. by

    WC. Four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen in

    Macon Co. on 18 Jan. by PB and HG. A rare inland

    adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on

    Clark Hill Lake on 21 Jan. by JF.

    DOVES THROUGH KINGBIRDS SW had a single

    WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Savannah on 9 Jan. and

    on 26 Jan. A number of observers reported SHORT

    EARED OWLS from the owl fields near Cobb durthe month. The GREEN-BREASTED MANGO, previo

    reported from a Dublin feeder, continued there for

    entire month (m.ob.). The SAYS PHOEBE near Cob

    and the VERMILION FLYCATCHER at the Eufaula NW

    both being reported previously, lingered through th

    end of the month (m.ob.). A WESTERN KINGBIRD w

    found at the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Are

    (AWMA) near Darien on 6 Jan. (RC).

    PIPITS THROUGH SISKINS WC had counts of 500

    AMERICAN PIPITS at Oxbow Meadows on both 20

    26 Jan. At the AWMA two CLAY-COLORED SPARRO

    were found on 1 Jan. (DC, RW, TiM) and one was

    there on 11 Jan. (DM). Another CLAY-COLOREDSPARROW was seen in the Cobb area on 13 and 1

    Jan. (SB,PH, CR). Cobb was also host to a large

    number (50+) VESPER SPARROWS on 1 Jan. (JSe,

    CL). The previously reported SMITHS and LAPLAN

    LONGSPURS at Marshallville became more and mo

    difficult to locate, and they evidently vacated the a

    around 6 Jan. If anyone has better dates for their

    staying later, please let me know. One male YELLO

    HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen in Dooly Co. on 6 J

    (JT) and two males in Houston Co. on 12 Jan. (fide

    KB). A couple notable flocks of RUSTY BLACKBIRD

    were 150-200 in the Marshallville area on 3 Jan. (

    TeMi) and 250 at Oxbow Meadows on 26 Jan. (WC

    BBi). There were several reports of BALTIMOREORIOLES wintering in the state, but no impressive

    numbers. A RED CROSSBILL was reported from

    Carters Lake on 3 Jan. by MM. There were a num

    of reports of PINE SISKINS in the state, but the hig

    count was 101 at Blue Ridge on 5 Jan. (TS).

    CONTRIBUTORS Steve Barlow, Brandon Best, Bil

    Birkhead, Ken Blankenship, Patrick and Donna Bris

    Buddy Campbell, Walt Chambers, Diana Churchill,

    Roger Clark, John and Margaret Cole, Neal Cronic,

    Marion Dobbs, Carla Finley, Jim Flynn, Bryan Fobb

    Hugh Garrett, Phil Hardy, David Hendrix, Dan

    Hinnebusch, Steve Holzman, Owen Kinney, Nathan

    Klaus, Rick and Sandy Krause, Carol Lambert, BillLotz, Ed Maioriello, Patty McLean, Mark McShane,

    Max Medley, Terry Miller, Tim Miller, Darlene Moore

    Peggy and Terry Moore, Charlie Muise, Clive Raine

    Larry Ross, Jeff Sewell, Chris Skelton, Joshua Spe

    Tom Striker, Luke and Karen Theodorou, Jim

    Throckmorton, Dan Vickers, Steve Wagner, Russ W

    Lois Williams, Marianna Wilson, and Bob and Deb

    Zaremba.

    Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Roswell, GA

    30075 [email protected]

    January Field Notes by Terry Moorez

    January was a pretty good month

    for birding as we had a lot of

    the previously discovered rare

    birds to stay around. The Atlanta

    area totaled 113 species whichcompares very well with the

    average of 107.3.The Georgia area came in at

    212 species which also is better than the

    average of 199.7.

    4 Atlanta Audubon Soci

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    5/12

    Field TripsCompiled by Dave Butler

    April 2008

    Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted).We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced birders!

    Please check the Atlanta Audubon Website (www.atlantaaudubon.org)for the additional field trips and/or changes that may be scheduled.

    Saturday, April 5, Dave DeckerGwinnett Environmental & HeritageCenter (Gwinnett County)2200 Clean Water Drive, Buford, GA(near Mall of Georgia)Meet at 8 AM at GE&H CenterBirding Focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: From I-85, take Exit 115 (Buford Dr./GA Hwy 20) and travel west toward Buford toPlunketts Rd. Turn left and continue straight toClean Water Dr. Turn left on Clean Water Dr. andcontinue straight to the Center. From I-985, takeExit 4 (Buford Dr./ GA Hwy 20) and travel Easttoward Lawrenceville to Plunketts Rd. Turn rightand continue straight to Clean Water Dr. Turn lefton Clean Water Drive and continue straight to theCenter. From Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, turnnorth onto Satellite Boulevard to Woodward MillRoad. Turn right, cross over I-985, and staystraight to Plunketts Rd. Turn left and staystraight to Clean Water Dr. Turn right andcontinue straight until you get to the Center.

    Saturday, April 5,Mikell JonesPiedmont Park (City of Atlanta)Meet at 8 AM at the Piedmont Park ConservancyCommunity RoomBirding focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: These directions may vary. Checkupdate on Web site.The Piedmont Park Conservancy CommunityRoom is located at the corner of Piedmont Ave.and 12th St. From south of Atlanta, take the I-75/85 connector north to the Pine St. Exit (Exit249B). Go straight on Pine, crossing Peachtree St.

    Turn left on Piedmont Ave. Travel about one mileto 12th St. From northwest of Atlanta, take I-75south to the 16th St. Exit (Exit 250). Go straight,crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th St. Turneft on 10th. Travel about a half mile to Piedmont.

    Turn left on Piedmont to 12th St. Due to streetclosings, including Exits to 10th and 14th Streetsfrom I-75 S., consider exiting at Northside Drive.From northeast of downtown, take I-85 south tothe 17th St. Exit (Exit 84). Continue straight,crossing 14th St. Follow directions above.

    Sunday, April 6,Patty McLean, Joy CarterMercer Wetlands (DeKalb County)Meet at 8:30 AM in the parking lot at theColumbia Building on WoodcockBirding Focus: Migrants, waterfowlThe Mercer Wetlands (named for MercerUniversity), a new hotspot inside I-285, is astretch of floodplain and wetlands within sight ofI-85 and along North Fork Peachtree Creek.Waterfowl, woodpeckers and warblers along withsparrows, raptors and all your favorite residentsare abundant in this oasis of nature surroundedby business parks and the university.Directions: From I-85 North, take theShallowford Rd. Exit and continue north alongthe access road. Go approx 1.25 miles and turnright onto Woodcock. Go to the last building(Columbia) on the left and pull into the parkingarea along Woodcock. From I-85 South, take theChamblee-Tucker Exit and turn left over the

    freeway. Continue a short distance down the hilland take the Flowers Rd. exit to the right. Go ashort block and take the first right ontoWoodcock.

    Wednesday, April 9Saturday & Sunday, April 19 & 20Tuesday through Thursday,April 22, 23, 24Dawson Forest WMA, Atlanta Tract(Dawson County), Georgann SchmalzMeet at 8 AM (dont be late!!!) inside the gate atthe wetlands and perhaps carpool to other tractsof Dawson Forest WMA, Sosebee Cove, DeSotoFalls State Park or other mountain destinations.Birding focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: From the I-285/GA 400interchange, drive approximately 35 milesfrom the I-285/GA 400 interchange to DawsonForest Rd. Turn left (west) on Dawson Forest Rd.Drive 4 miles, crossing over GA Hwy. 9 andcontinuing two miles to the Dawson ForestWMA.

    Saturday, April 12, Dave ButlerClayton County WaterAuthority/Newman WetlandsCenter/E.L. Huie Land Application(Clayton County)2755 Freeman Rd., Hampton, GA 770.603.5606Meet at 8 AM in the parking lotBirding focus: Migrants, waterfowl

    AAS partnering with Keeping It Wild, part ofWilderness Society's Eastern Forest Programcreated in 2005 to bring together members of

    diverse conservation communities in order topromote better stewardship for the natural landsin our areaDirections: I-75 Northbound, take Exit 221(Jonesboro Rd). Turn west on Jonesboro Rdtowards Lovejoy. Stay on this road 6.3 miles toFreeman Rd. on the right. Turn right on FreemanRd. at the traffic light and travel 1.3 miles to theCenter on the left. I-75 Southbound from Atlanta,take Exit 235 (Tara Blvd/Hwy. 19/41). Travelsouth towards Jonesboro/Griffin. Stay on thisroad for 8 miles to Freeman Rd. on the left. It isthe next left after the traffic light at S. MainStreet. Look for the railroad crossing and theFreeman Road Water Production Complex on theleft. After turning left onto Freeman Rd., travel2.5 miles to the Center on the right. From I-20East of Atlanta, take I-285 South (or West) to I-675 (Exit 52). Continue south on I-675 until itmerges into I-75 and stay on I-75 to JonesboroRd. (Exit 221). Turn right on Jonesboro Rd.towards Lovejoy and stay on this road for 6.3miles to Freeman Road on the right at trafficlight. After turning right onto Freeman Rd., drive1.3 miles to the Center on the left. Note:

    Jonesboro Rd. becomes McDonough Rd. whenyou cross into Clayton Co.

    Wednesday, April 16 & 23Saturday, April 19Sunday, April 27Kennesaw Mountain (Cobb County),Giff Beaton

    Meet at 7:30 AM in the parking lot at entranceBirding focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: From Atlanta drive north on I-75 8miles beyond I-285; turn right at exit 267B; follothe signs for US 41 for about a mile; turn rightonto US 41 at the stoplight; drive 0.6 miles nortto the second traffic light; turn left on Bell's FeRd.; take first right onto old US 41; drive 1.1 miand turn left onto Stilesboro Rd. and then animmediate left into the parking lot.

    Saturday, April 19, Jeff MadsenClyde Shepherd Nature Preserve(DeKalb County)Meet at 7:45 AM at the Nature Preserve entranBirding focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: From I-285 N or S: Take Highway Stone Mt. Freeway exit, west toward Decatur.Highway 78 passes North DeKalb Mall. Atintersection of Highway 78, North Decatur Rd.and Medlock Rd., take right on Medlock Rd.Follow Medlock Rd. 1/4 mile to MedlockElementary School; go right on Wood Trail LanGo through one stop sign, travel another 200

    yards to Preserve entrance. From I-75/I-85 N orFrom I-85 north or south take North Druid HillExit, east toward Decatur. After approx. 3 milego right on Hwy. 78 (at North DeKalb Mall).Follow directions as above.

    Saturday, April 26, Dave ButlerDavidson Arabia Mountain NaturePreserve (DeKalb County)Meet at 9 AM at 3787 Klondike Rd., LithoniaBirding focus: Migrants, residents

    Directions: From the west (Atlanta, Decatur):Take I-20 East to Evans Mill Rd. Exit 74. Make turn for over 1/2 mile, pass the Dairy Queen, thturn right onto Evans Mill Rd. at the secondtraffic light. Note the road becomes Woodrow when Evans Mill Rd. makes a right turn. Do noturn on Evans Mill, but stay straight on Woodrountil it ends at Klondike Rd.; turn right. Drive 1miles to the main (North) parking lot on yourright (0.2 mile after the caution light). From theeast (Conyers, Covington): Take I-20 West toEvans Mill Rd. Exit 74. Turn left from the exitramp onto Evans Mill Rd, and proceed toWoodrow Dr. as above.

    Saturday, April 26, Chris ShowalterFernbank Forest (DeKalb County)Meet at 8 AM at the Fernbank Science Center ithe side parking lot near the observatoryBirding focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: Fernbank Science Center is locateat 156 Heaton Park Dr., Atlanta, GA 30307.From I-285, take Stone Mountain Expressway(US 78) toward Decatur. It becomes Scott Blvdturn right at Coventry Rd., then left at first ligh(Heaton Park Dr). From downtown Atlanta, takPonce de Leon east toward Decatur and turn lon Artwood before the overpass RR bridge, theright on Heaton Park Dr. The Science Center ison the left.

    Sketch by Anne McCallum

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    6/126 Atlanta Audubon Soci

    A Million Thanks!Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its

    volunteers. As always, we extend our unending gratitude to ALL of ouvolunteers, but would like to send a special thank you to the followingindividuals this month:

    Atlanta Audubon Societys Photo Contest would not be possible if itwerent for the hard work and dedication ofMichael Clifford.Michae

    single-handedly manages the contest including overseeing the entries,planning the event and helping with the judging. It is a giant task. We

    cant thank him enough!

    We are extremely grateful toWendy West, who oversaw this years SparrowWorkshop. Wendy coordinated the event and pulled it off without a hitch. Her efforts on thisprogram were invaluable.

    Many thanks toAnne McCallum, artist extraordinaire, for providing the new Carolina Chickadeebird sketch for the field trip listings page. Anne is a wonderful artist who does many birdillustrations and paintings. We appreciate her adding a special new touch to Wingbars.

    Marge Igyarto has been volunteering with

    AAS since she attended the Master Birder

    Class in 2005. She helps certify backyardsanctuaries and assists with the annual

    picnic and holiday banquet. She is currently

    the Education Chair and gives support to

    other volunteers for programs such asbirding workshops, Master Birders classes,

    Learning About Birds, scholarships and

    Audubon Adventures. She also helps the

    IMBD Coordinator, the Speakers Bureau andattends monthly AAS board meetings.

    Birds have always fascinated Marge. When

    she was a little girl, she would go fishing

    with her father on the Chain of Lakes in

    Illinois. She said, The waterfowl and

    kingfishers were a real treat for us. Shebecame more involved with birding in 1976

    when she married. She and her husband

    were stationed in Virginia, where she foundsome wonderful sanctuaries.

    Like many birders, her favorite bird is

    usually the one she is looking at. However,

    last year when she was on the Merritt Island

    field trip she observed a Crested Caracarathat she said was a pretty remarkable bird.

    One of her favorite birds is the Tufted

    Titmouse, which was one of the first feeder

    birds that she identified. She added, They

    are friendly, dependable, entertaining andfashionable (gray is the new black!).

    Marges favorite place to bird

    in Georgia is the Blue Ridge

    Mountains where she has a weekend cabin.

    She and her husband have a fabulous time

    birding there. The thick forests, rivers, lakesand elevation bring lots of species to the

    area, she explained.

    She is able to do quite a bit of international

    travel through her husbands job. Right

    outside their hotel in Taiwan were FormosaBilbils. Marge said, It is a lovely bird with a

    very melodic voice. I was listening to it and

    started thinking the singing was too perfect.

    After breakfast, I went outside and observeda Buddhist monk who was using a special

    device to call them in.

    Marge is also pleased to share her passion

    with others. Shes happy that her son, Pete,and her daughter-in-law have taken upbirding at their home in Pennsylvania.

    Marge lives in Smyrna and is currently asubstitute teacher.

    She had careers as

    a registered nurseand a science

    teacher. She is

    also involved with

    volunteeractivities for

    Master Gardeners

    of Cobb Countyand theChattahoochee

    Nature Center.

    Spotlighting... Marge IgyartoBy Wendy Weathers

    Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Voluntee

    Corner Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Voluntee

    Marge Igyarto hiking in Blue

    Ridge, GA.

    Photographer: Dave Igyarto

    olunteerOpportunitiesase Check the AAS Website for moreiting volunteer opportunities.

    mpiled by Carol Hassell

    nnabe A Playwright?es your chance. LEARNING ABOUTDS seeks to create a MIGRATION SKIT!experience necessary! Create a skit fors (2nd through 5th graders) to perform,wing the needs and challenges facingrating birds as they make the big tripk up north in the spring to their breedingunds. It should last only about 5 minutesying time. Interested? Contact Marcianbort or Marilyn [email protected] [email protected]).

    n Barrel Workshop Coordinatorwill sponsor a workshop at Island Fordk this summer featuring how toemble a rain barrel.A volunteer isded to coordinate logistics for this

    rkshop. If you are interested and for moreormation, contact Kelly [email protected] or4.660.3166).

    d Picture Compiler eating A Teaching Tool

    would like to have an organized file ofd pictures to use to show participantsous types of birds, different qualities of

    ds, and so on when we go into schools topresentations.We are looking for

    meone willing to take charge of findingd pictures and organizing them into ag system for volunteers to use. If

    erested, contact Catharine B. [email protected]).

    uglasville Clean-up Day Coordinator

    you know that Atlanta Audubon Societyns 184 acres of greenspace inuglasville? We want to organize a cleanday on the property this spring or

    mmer. There are several folks who live inuglasville who help monitor the propertyus, and we would like to formalize thisup. We need someone to organize thent, e.g., coordinate logistics, promote thent, etc. This opportunity will requireween 15-25 hours over the course oferal months. If you are interested,

    ntact Kelly [email protected] or4.660.3166).

    unteer Opportunities in a Festivalod: Festivals and Events this Springou are interested in representing AAS atous festivals and events, we will provideAAS display and appropriate handouts,ails and directions!me of these include:ril 12: Saturday--Fayette County Earthy celebration, Fayetteville, GA. Setup:0 AM. Breakdown: 3:30 PM.ril 19: Saturday--Captain Planetndation's Earth Day Kids Fest,

    attahoochee Nature Center. Setup: 9 AM.akdown: 3 PM. Focus is on hands-onvities for kids.y 1: Thursday--Horticultural Expo at

    epherd Center, 6:00 to 8 PM.ase contact Nancy [email protected]) if you arerested in any of these or otherpenings.

    It is very important that you report your Volunteer Hours.TIMEWell Spent

    TIMEWell Spent

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    7/12April 2008

    In the March edition of Wingbars, we outlined the great trips

    available with our new Guided Birdathon Teams (more details are

    available on website at www.atlantaaudubon.org). One trip for

    which we needed to provide the date for was Giff Beatons Warbler

    Wranglers. Giffs trip will be Sunday, April 20, from 7 to 11 AM at

    Kennesaw Mountain. If you are interested in signing up for this trip

    or any of our Guided Birdathon Trips, please contact our office at

    770.913.0511.

    Guided Birdathon Update:

    Trip with Giff Beaton

    Atlanta Audubon Society has awarded four scholarships for 2008 to the Hog

    Island Audubon Camps in Maine. Mary Nevil, a media specialist with

    the DeKalb County School System, and Bill Wagner, a park

    ranger/environmental educator with the Reynolds Nature Preserve,

    are recipients of the Louisa Echols Scholarship. Alex Caille, age 13, and

    Reba Rice, age 14, are the recipients of the Edward Barnsley Scholarship.

    Eight adults and seven children applied for these awards, and the Scholarship Committee hadto make some tough decisions, as the applicants were all very strong. Thanks to Marilyn

    Harris, Nancy Hamilton and Kit Robey for their diligent work on the scholarship committee.

    Scholarship WinnersBy Barbara Giebelhaus

    As one of our on-the-ground habitat conservation efforts,

    Atlanta Audubon Society volunteers will be photo monitoring

    hemlock trees in at least six sites at Cooper Creek and

    Mulkey Gap in the Chattahoochee National Forest in UnionCounty to collect data to help determine the impact of the

    Sasi beetles on the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) and the

    corresponding impact on the hemlocks.

    Jim Wentworth, a wildlife biologist in the Blue Ridge Ranger

    district, and his team will be releasing small Sasiscymnus tsugae (Sasi) beetles, natural

    predators of the HWA, as a biological control method to save the hemlocks from the HWA,

    which is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.

    In February, 19 AAS volunteers along with 15 Lumpkin Coalition volunteers were in

    Dahlonega to learn the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid photograph sampling protocol from Dr.

    Joseph Culin, the department chair of entomology, soils and plant sciences at Clemson

    University. The Sasi beetles are produced in several beetle labs in Georgia, and the AAS

    volunteers had the opportunity to tour the brand new lab at North Georgia College and State

    University, which will produce the beetles being released in the Chattahoochee National

    Forest.

    If you have property in North Georgia and see evidence of the HWA, i.e., white egg casings on

    the bottom of your hemlock branches, refer to this website for information on what you can

    do: http://www.lumpkincoalition.org/issues/hemlocks/homeowners.html. Also please see the

    Lumpkin Coalitions public service announcement about their HEMLOCK HELP HOTLINE at

    www.lumpkincoalition.org or call 706.864.4787. If you are interested in joining a Hemlock

    Project Team, contact Kelly Hopkins at [email protected] or 404.660.3166.

    Hemlock Project UpdateBy Kelly Hopkins

    2008 WARBL

    WEEKEND

    WORKSHOP

    If you are interestethis exciting worksput your name on

    waiting list in case tis a cancellation!!!!

    more information, coLisa Hurt. Emai

    artlisahurt@bellsoutPhone: 770.934.76

    Volunteers learning photograph sample

    protocol.

    Photographer: unknown

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    8/128 Atlanta Audubon Soci

    Bird conservationists will be interested to knowthat Georgia was well represented at the Fourth

    International Partners in Flight Conference in

    McAllen, Texas, February 13-16. Several people

    from Georgia attended and gave posters andpresentations: Robert Cooper and Sara

    Schweitzer from the University of Georgia, Peter

    Range and Chuck Hunter from the U.S. Fish &

    Wildlife Service, Nathan KIause andTim Keyes of the Georgia

    Department of Natural Resources

    and me. As there were 600attendants, there may have beenmore people from Georgia that I

    didnt get to see. How exciting to be

    a part of this conferenceto be

    there with colleagues from Georgiaand to meet new people who

    traveled all the way from Canada or

    Paraguay. I was even able to practice speaking

    Spanish with my new friends from Ecuador!

    My presentation, From the Okefenokee to thePantanal, Shared Species and Experiences

    Leading to Site Conservation, compared these

    two Important Bird Areas and Ramsar Sites(wetlands of global significance) from the 27species we shareresident wading and marsh

    birds, migrating shorebirds and raptors (see

    Table 1) to local grassroots efforts to protect

    these vital ecosystems, such as the P.O.G.O.

    effort (Pinhook, Osceola, Greater OkefenokeeThe session I spoke at was entitled Important

    Bird Areas and Community-based

    Conservation.in which there were nine

    speakersfour from Latin America, four fromthe United States and one from Canada. It wa

    exciting to hear from professionals who are

    working on land and bird conservation from

    across the hemisphere. I particularlyliked a talk entitled, Working with Lo

    People: Experiences and Lessons

    Learned from Two IBAs from Paraguby Jose L. Cartes, Alberto Yanosky aE. Cabrera.

    Georgias birds and the work we do

    protect them and their habitat can on

    benefit from these connections as w

    continue our work in local, regional global bird conservation. We are a pa

    of the bigger picture! Your contributions will

    work toward advancing the goals of the Georg

    IBA Program in education and outreach,affecting government and policy (such as the

    effort to protect Jekyll Island), data collection

    monitoring Georgias IBAs and day-to-dayoperations of the program. To support theGeorgia IBA Program, please make your chec

    payable to Georgia IBA and send to the follow

    address: Mary Elfner, Georgia IBA Coordinato

    32 Flinn Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.

    Tundra to Tropics:Connecting Birds, Habitats and Peopl

    Fourth InternationalPartners in Flight Conference

    By Mary Elfner

    Common Name Scientific Name

    Pied-billed Grebe Podylimbuspodiceps

    Anhinga Anhinga anhinga

    Great Egret Ardea alba

    Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

    Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea

    Snowy Egret Egretta thula

    Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticoraxnycticorax

    American Wood Stork Mycteria americana

    Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

    Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

    Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

    Osprey Pandion halietus

    Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus

    Mississippi Kite Ictiniamississippiensis

    Common Name Scientific Name

    American Kestrel Falco sparverius

    Limpkin Aramus guarauna

    Purple Gallinule Porphyrulamartinica

    Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

    Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

    Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria

    Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia

    Common Snipe Gallinago gallinagoparaguaie

    Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

    Vermillion Flycatcher Pyrocephalusrubinus

    Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

    House Wren Troglodytes aedon

    House Sparrow Passer domesticus

    Table 1. Shared species Okefenokee and Pantanal

    AAS was featured in the

    February 28 edition of

    National Audubon

    Society's Audubon in

    the News:

    Atlanta Audubon Receives

    Technology Grant from

    AT&T(Article details a

    grant Atlanta Audubon

    Society received from

    AT&T to improve its

    echnology infrastructure;

    Catharine Kuchar-

    Brockman, executive

    director of the chapter, is

    quoted).

    The Georgia IBAprogram is a

    cornerstone ofAAS's

    conservationagenda.

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    9/12

    Legacy Club

    April 2008

    In MemoriamBy Lolly Lederberg

    Atlanta Auduboners, our dear friend, Dr. Joseph Greenberg, passed away on February 24, 2008, inOakland, California, where he was under Hospice care for the last several months.

    As many of you know, Joes classes at Evening at Emory are legendary. When I came to Atlanta in 19from the Virgin Islands, giving up my medical practice to be near my daughters family, I was ready fsomething new and decided that the class on Birds of Georgia would acquaint me with the Southeaand offer me a new challenge. I knew about diving, snorkeling and most fish, but nothing aboutbirding. Little did I know when Joe sought my help with arranging the birding trips associated with

    classes that it would open up a whole new world for me. Beginning in 1985, he took his classes to faflung placesChurchill, Newfoundland, California, Texas, Arizona and Montana. During the daylighhours, he would teach us birding, but at night he introduced us to his other lovefoodwhileinstilling in us a sense of family that we have become.

    Joe was a Pied Piper. With his owl call, he could bring in birds and fill the trees. He would call the birds in over our heads foclose-up identification, which was phenomenal in and of itself, but Joe dedicated his storehouse of energy to the hundreds pupils who became officers of his beloved Atlanta Audubon Society, Christmas Bird Counters, atlas surveyors and field tripleaders. During the last year he served as Field Trip Director, he organized 110 field trips! When his son, Russ, returned froChiapas, Mexico, and told Joe about the coffee plantation shade trees that provide bird habitat, Joe started a movement inAtlanta to promote drinking shade-grown coffee. With help from his dedicated committee, he received a grant that furtheredthe knowledge of the public at large about the difference they could make for the birds by influencing coffee drinkers in themarket place.

    The emergencies of the last five years seemed only brief interruptions in his lifeepisodes that would have felled anyone el

    yet he would always continue on and earned himself the nickname, the Energizer Bunny. When he could no longer lead hclasses of 20-30 people, I and several of his former students continued to take him for nearby birding trips and filled his birdfeeders, which provided so much joy for him.

    Joes ability to inspire the love and wonder of birds was inspiring and will be hard, if not impossible, to replace. One of hisSGC committee members remarked at the AAS meeting on the day he passed, We have lost two of the giants in the birdingworld," referring to Joe and Frank McCamey. His children, too, have lost their larger than life influence and each played a rothat helped sustain himRuss with the Shade-Grown Coffee movement, Marti when he relocated to the assisted livingarrangement, David and Peter with visits that were highlights in Joes life, and Doug who was devoted to Joe and relocatedhim to California where he could keep a watchful eye on his care.

    Please join his family in celebrating his life at a memorial service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911Cliff Valley Way, Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, April 27, at 3 PM. A reception will follow. For more information on Joesdistinguished career, please read his obituary in the March 5 and 16 editions of The Atlanta Journal Constitution. In lieu oflowers, the family requests contributions to the Atlanta Audubon Society's education fund.

    Joe Greenberg

    Photo by Doug Greenberg

    Atlanta Audubon Society announces the creation of its new

    Have you reviewed your Last Will and Testament lately? We hope you will consider including Atlanta Audubon Society your bequests.

    Atlanta Audubon Society has enjoyed gratifying success because members recognize the value of having their efforts, antheir personal financial support, serve at a local level. Our auspicious beginning has shown us the importance of planninfor the perpetuation of our organization and its mission. It has led us to consider ways to ensure future growth andstrength, in order to enhance our influence on the environmental movement in general and to continue our efforts onbehalf of the protection of birds and their habitat. One way an individual member is able to help sustain our long-term

    health is through membership in the Atlanta Audubon Society Legacy Club.As lifes conditions change, periodic review of ones Will is recommended, and we are suggesting that members, as theyreview the provisions of their Wills, consider remembering Atlanta Audubon by the inclusion of a bequest. Such gifts wstand as enduring commitments to the on-going protection of birds and their habitats.

    Generations beyond ours will lead AAS into the future, and they will face challenges that we can only imagine. Ouractions today, in the form of current or deferred gifts, will help our successors meet those challenges with a strong andinfluential organization. We ask that you join us as a Charter Member of this new and exciting venture as we build thisLegacy Club for the perpetuation of Atlanta Audubon Society. Please contact us for information.

    Art HCatharine B. Kuch

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    10/12

    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 e-mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 770.913.0511 if you have questions.

    Send payment to 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

    W en You Come

    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

    Bird Songs of GeorgiaCD now available.

    Email Georgann Schmalz [email protected] or visit

    www.birdingadventuresinc.com

    Answer: SootyShearwater

    Answer:Rufous-sided Towhee

    Bald Eagle ($1000 or more)

    Anonymous

    White-Throated Sparrow ($50 - $99)

    Susan Brogdon

    Kenneth Costilow, Jr.

    Karen Debrot

    Jennifer Woodall

    Supporters ($1 - $49)

    Enid H. & Richard Guilmartin

    Additional Fall Appeal Thank YousIn the February issue ofWingbars, we listed over 100 individuals who gave so generously

    to our first appeal to support Atlanta Audubon Societys conservation efforts to

    Create, Promote and Preserve Bird-Friendly Habitat.

    In addition to those names, we would also like to thank the following people for their donations to the appeal.We are grateful to you for your support.

    Black OilSunflower

    20% off any 20# bag of birdseedwith Audubon Membership Card

    Proud Supporters of Environmentally ConsciousOrganizations in our Local Community.

    Wild Bird Centers

    Cumming 2825 S. Vickery St. 678-456-6900

    Dunwoody2472 Jett Ferry Rd 770-396-3353

    Johns Creek3630 Peachtree Pky 770-813-9476

    Peachtree City 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-2473

    WWW.Wildbird.com

    Buford 2725 Hamilton Mill Rd.

    800-289-1132www.eagleoptics.com

    2120 W. Greenview Dr.

    Middleton, WI 52562

    Your source for a full line ofbinoculars and spotting scopefrom all major manufacturers

    Down East Spring Birding FestivalInformation on the 5th Down East Spring Birding Festival, May 23-26, is now on the

    registration page at www.downeastbirdfest.org. If you want a registration packet maileyou, call 207.733.2201 or e-mail [email protected] with your mailing address.

    Participants find over 150 birds each year. The 4-year total is 208 different birds. Howmany will you find? Birding will be great in 2008!!

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    11/12April 2008

    Wingbarsis mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Society

    members receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a

    Friends of Atlanta Audubon member. Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include

    membership in the National Audubon Society. Thus, you will notreceiveAudubonmagazine.

    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.

    Join the Atlanta Audubon Society

    BENEFITS

    OF

    MEMBERSHI

    11 issues(June/Julycombined) ofWingbars

    Newsletter

    Friends discounton classes, tripsand special even

    Use of the AASlibrary

    Agreattaxdeduction!

    Thanks to allof you for your suppo

    and enthusiasm.

    Getting to Know Georgias Protected Birds:Wilsons Plover

    The adult Wilsons Plover (Charadriuswilsonia) is about 17.5-20 cm (7-8 inches)n length. The crown of its head, cheek,

    back and top of the wings are brown. The

    white on the forehead tapers into a line

    hat extends over the top of the eye to theback of the head. The throat, breast,

    abdomen and underside of the wings are

    white with a white collar extending to the

    back of the neck. Wilsons Plovers are

    ound breeding on the Atlantic Coast fromNew Jersey to northern South America

    and the Caribbean Islands and on the

    Pacific Coast from California to Panama

    and northern South America. Most winterin Florida and the Gulf Coast, however, a

    few overnight on Georgias barrier islands.

    A Wilsons Plovers diet consists of

    crustaceans, especially fiddler crabs,shrimp, insects and spiders. This speciesnests on beaches above the high tide line

    near sand flats and sand dunes where the

    sand is interspersed with small pieces of

    broken shells and pebbles. Nests aredepressions in the sand that are scraped

    out by the male, often near clumps of

    grass, small shrubs or similar vegetation.

    Loss of nesting habitat to beachfront

    development; destruction of adults, nestsand young by humans and vehicles;

    disturbance by humans and pets; and

    predation by wild, feral and domesticated

    animals are the greatest threat to the

    species. Wilsons Plovers are particularl

    vulnerable to disturbances by humans apets since several of the sand spits and

    small barrier islands are used as nesting

    sites, and these same sites are heavily

    traveled by recreational boaters as picnand rest areas. Heavy foot traffic in the

    vicinity of nests may lead to abandonm

    by the adults. Pets, particularly dogs, m

    kill adults and young or destroy the egg

    Wilsons Plovers are rare according tothe state status and are not listed at the

    federal level. A rare bird is a species tha

    may not be endangered or threatened b

    which should be protected because of iscarcity.

    Source: Georgia Department of NaturResources, Protected Animals of Georg

    J Make check payable to:Atlanta Audubon SocietyMembership DirectorP.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359

    J Please charge my credit card:

    JAmexJ Diners Club J Discover J MasterCard JVISA

    _______________________________ _________Card Number Expiration Date

    J Renewal J New Membership

    Name _____________________________________

    Address ___________________________________

    City____________________ State ___ Zip ______

    E-mail ____________________________________

    Phone_____________________________________

    J Basic Membership

    J Individual ...........................................$25

    J Family................................................$35

    J Student..............................................$15

    J Contributing Membership ...............................$50

    J Supporting Membership ...............................$100

    J Donor Membership ......................................$250

    J Patron Membership......................................$500

    Receive an official Atlanta Audubon T-shirt

    J Benefactor Membership............................$1,000

    Receive above plus autographed copy

    Birds of Atlanta

    Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society

    J Please send me information on planned giving opportunities through Atlanta Audubon Societys Legacy Club

    J Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars

    It is Atlanta Audubon Societys policy not to share or sell our mailing list. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us.

  • 8/9/2019 April 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

    12/12

    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

    OFFICEat Dunwoody Nature Cen

    5343 Roberts Drive

    Dunwoody, GA 30338

    770.913.0511Send all mail for

    AAS to:PO Box 29189

    Atlanta, GA 3035

    400DunwoodyVillage

    M

    t.Ve

    rnon H

    wy.

    Mt.Vern

    on Hwy.

    ChambleeDunwo

    ody

    Rd.

    Chamblee

    DunwoodyRd.N.Shallowfo

    rdRd

    .

    Ash

    ford

    Dunwoody

    Rd.

    Pe

    achtree

    Dunw

    ood

    y

    Rd

    .

    Spaldin

    g Drive

    SpaldingDrive

    Rob

    erts

    Rd

    .

    RobertsR

    d.

    Till

    y

    MillRd

    .

    Tilly

    Mill

    Rd.

    NorthridgeRoad

    Peachtree

    Rd.

    Pe

    achtreeRd.

    Exit 30

    Exit 30

    CotillionRd.

    285

    UPCOMING

    Birds in the Park

    9AM to 1PM

    Piedmont Park

    May 10

    Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit

    501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are tax

    deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

    For a great introduction to observing NEXRAD images of migrating birds visit the Clemson University Radar Ornithology website

    http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/birdrad/ and http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/.

    Volunteers Requested for Eastern Painted Bunting Population Assessment and Monitoring Project

    Spurred by recent population declines, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    and U.S. Geological Survey is participating in a four-state (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina) program to monitor the

    eastern population of the Painted Bunting (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/point/pabu/). If you are interested in assisting this effort or for

    additional information contact: Chris Depkin, Georgia DNR, 843.384.4244, ([email protected]) or Bran Winn, Georgia DNR, 912.262.3128,([email protected]).

    NASA plans for new launch facility on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is starting an environmental assessment of a new commercial launch facility

    that could impact 200 acres of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a draft of which should be released in mid-July. The public will have

    30 days to review and make comments. For additional information, go to: http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/projects/ksc-cvlc.htm

    Nightjar Survey Network

    According to Mike Wilson with the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary, volunteer participation by

    conservation-minded citizens, biologists and other like-minded groups in adopting and conducting survey routes is critical for insight to

    Georgias nightjar populations. If you are interested in helping the Nightjar Survey Network (www.ccb-wm.org/nightjars.htm) collect data

    on the population distribution and population trends of nightjars across broad regions of the United States, please contact: e-mail:

    [email protected].

    REMEMBER

    BIRDATHONAPRIL 19 MAY 10

    Check out these Websites: