august 2007 wingbars newsletter atlanta audubon society
TRANSCRIPT
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8/9/2019 August 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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ATLANTAAUDUBON SOCIE
Box 29189Atlanta, GA 3035
www.atlantaaudubon.o
AAS OFFICEand Information L
770.913.0511
GOS RARE BIRD AL770.493.8862
August 2007
Volume XXXIII, Issue 8 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D E
Presidents Perch..........
From the Exec Dir.........
A Million Thanks ...........
Field Notes....................
Field Trips......................
By The Way ...................
Ossabaw Island ...........
Out in the Field ............
Sanctuary Workshop ....
New Publication!..........
Master Birders..............
Jr Birders Camp............
Classifieds....................
GAs Protected Birds.....
Membership..................
Birds Matter..................
2007 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary TourDont Just Attend, Volunteer!
Saturday, September 8, 2007 9 AM4 PM
This years popular Atlanta Audubon Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour is conveniently locatedin the City of Atlanta in the Virginia-Highland, Ansley Park, Candler Park and Kirkwoodneighborhoods. All five sanctuaries were reclaimed from the scourge of non-native plants.
These areas are now full of flowers, shrubs, trees and ground covers, as well as water sources,feeding stations and nesting sites. The variety and number of birds and animals are remarkablegiven the proximity to the hubbub of downtown Atlanta.
Five In-Town Havens. Purchase your tickets and begin your tour at any of the fivesanctuaries that have been transformed into urban wildlife havens. A tour flyer with a map and
directions will guide you to the other locations.
The Dell on Barksdale Drive in Ansley Park and
adjacent to 75 Maddox Drive, Atlanta, GA 30309
196 17th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
2275 First Ave NE, Kirkwood (Atlanta), GA 30317422 Candler Street N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307
1096 North Virginia Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306
Discount Advance Tickets Available. Tickets are $15 on the day of the tour or $12 inadvance and for Atlanta Audubon members. Advance tickets are available Ashe-Simpson
Garden Center, Hastings Garden Center, Smith & Hawken at Peachtree Battle, Pike FamilyNursery (4020 Roswell Road) and Pike Family Nursery (2101 LaVista Road).
Volunteers Tour Free of Charge. We really need your help on this important day, so pleasecontact Jacqueline McRae at [email protected] to get involved.
Native Plants for Sale. The Georgia Native Plant Society will have plants for sale at The Dell,which is also a great location for a picnic lunch. Other exhibits, booths and birders will also beat The Dell. The Dell is a city park with an entrance on Barksdale Drive just off The Prado.
Parking on Barksdale Drive is in a central location for walking between the two Ansley Parkbackyard wildlife sanctuaries.
Learn How to Make Your Home a Sanctuary. Every day, Atlanta loses some 50 acres ofgreenspace to development. You can help counterbalance that trend by turning your yard into a
sustaining habitat with shelter, food, water and nesting sites. Learn whats involved in theConservation section of www.atlantaaudubon.org, and talk with experts and sanctuary ownersduring the tour. From small to large and overgrown to manicured, almost any property can be
enhanced to provide better habitat for the birds and wildlife around us. It is time to turn green!
Dont miss your chance to tour some of Atlantas finest Backyard Wildlife Sanctuaries while
supporting your Atlanta Audubon Society at the same time. The tour is generously sponsoredby BB&T, birdJam, Earth Share of Georgia, Patagonia and Toco Instant Printing.
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Im sure most of you know that NationalAudubon Society recently released its reportcalled Common Birds in Decline, based on an
analysis of 40 years of annual Christmas BirdCount and Breeding Bird Survey data. Thereport received a great deal of national mediacoverage and showed, among other things, asurprising and dramatic decline since 1967 ofsome of our more common birds. (And it doesnot mention the plight of our less commonbirds.) For more information on the report, seeCatharine Kuchars column on page 3 and checkout the National Audubon Society Web site.
The Message? We have work to do!I recognize that sometimes the obstacles facinghealthy bird populations seem insurmountable.We ask ourselves, What can an individual do,
anyway? But remember, individuals can and domake a difference. Look at Bill Gates or RalphNader or the handful of women who startedMADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). Ibelieve making a difference in any area of ourlives or in the world requires focus, passion and
persistence, and I believe that Atlanta Audubonmembers have these qualities in abundance.Heres a reminder of some of the things you cando to help.
Can You Say Duck Stamp? Duck Stamps havegenerated more than $700 million that havebeen used to protect 5.2 million acres ofwetland habitat. Duck Stamps cost $15, with 98
cents of every dollar going directly toward thepurchase or lease of wetland habitat. As anadded bonus, your duck stamp serves as yourentrance pass to national wildlife refuges forthe current year. Buying a duck stamp each yearis absolutely one of the best and easiest things
you can do to help a wide variety of birdspecies. Dont just buy a stamp. Display it when
youre in the field. Wear your stamp with pride,and let others know that you support habitatconservation. The Georgia OrnithologicalSociety is selling the Migratory Bird Hunting
and Conservation Stamp with holder for only$17. Send a self-addressed envelope with two(2) 1st class stamps and your check for $17
payable to GOS to: GOS-Duck Stamp, P.O. Box181, North High Shoals, GA 30645.
Support Bird Related Organizations of YouChoice: Since you are receiving this newslette
you have chosen to join and support theprograms of Atlanta Audubon Society. We thanyou! Atlanta Audubon and other conservationorganizations advocate for reasonable andresponsible laws and regulations affecting birdand their habitats. We take great pride ineducating children and adults about birds. Wesupport a variety of conservation initiatives.Your support, both in donations, time or both iabsolutely vital in enabling Atlanta Audubon to
continue working for the protection,understanding and enjoyment of birds.
Participate in Citizen Science Projects:There are numerous opportunities to participain citizen science projects that produce vitalinformation concerning birds, their habits,distribution and needs. Many of these projectsare coordinated and supported by National
Audubon, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology andstate and federal governments. Projects includProject Feeder Watch, the Great Backyard BirdCount, Christmas Bird Counts, Breeding BirdSurveys, local projects such as the LoggerheadShrike Project in Georgia and many more.
Make Your Yard Bird Friendly: Birds needclean water, fresh food and shelter. You can
provide those items in a variety of ways in youown backyard. Remember, native plants providmore food for birds than introduced plantssince the native birds and plants evolvedtogether. Cut down on the use of insecticides.One of the benefits of birds is that they eatinsects. If there are no insects, there is no food
And insecticides kill more than insects.
The birds thank you.
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
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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
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
We Have Work To Do
2 Atlanta Audubon Soci
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olunteerOpportunitiGET INVOLVE
IN ATLANTA
AUDUBON
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 Hurt770.934.7660
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 SanctuarySupport the preservation of
greenspace in Atlanta.Contact: Jacqueline McRaejacqueline.mcrae@comcast.
You may have recently read about or heardseveral stories in the news about some of the
most common birds that are becoming lessfrequently sighted in much of the UnitedStates. Twenty common birds -- including theNorthern Bobwhite, the Field Sparrow andthe Boreal Chickadee -- have lost more thanhalf their populations in the past 40 years,according to National Audubon Societysresearch. And like the proverbial canary inthe coal mine, the health of a regions birdpopulation is often a harbinger of the healthof other wildlife and of human populations aswell.
The statistics are unbelievable. For example,the report shows the current Northern
Bobwhite population is 5.5 million, downfrom 31 million in 1967. Thats a decline of 82percent in the past four decades. There arecurrently about 1.2 million Whip-poor-willsnow, down from 2.8 million 40 years ago, a 57percent decline. Researchers say manyfactors play into the decline in bird numbers,including intensification of agriculture, otherloss of habitat, pesticides, invasive speciesand global warming.
The Audubon Society created its list ofcommon birds in decline by analyzingannual sighting data from the Audubon
Societys century-old Christmas Bird Countprogram, in which many of our members
regularly participate, and results of theannual Breeding Bird Survey conducted bythe U.S. Geological Survey. Other householdnames on the list of diminishing birdpopulations are the Common Tern, RuffedGrouse, Common Grackle and RufousHummingbird.
Atlanta Audubon will soon begin work toincrease awareness among metro residents ofthe common birds in decline in Georgia. It isimportant that all of us not only becomeeducated on what birds are quicklydiminishing in numbers, but also understandthe importance birds play in the natural
world. Birds do matter!Throughout the year, Atlanta Audubon workson many different educational programs andconservation efforts. In September, forexample, our Backyard Wildlife SanctuaryTour gives visitors an opportunity to explorevarious gardens and acquire some valuableideas about what they can do to providefood, water, shelter and nesting sites forbirds. Every small thing that each of us cando will help keep our common birdscommonwhich is exactly the way we likethem.
From the Executive Directorby Catharine Brockman Kuchar
When Common Isnt So Common Anymore
August 2007
A Million Thanks!Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers! As always, weextend our unending gratitude to all of our volunteers, but would like to send a special thank youto the following individuals this month:
We are grateful to Lucinda Headrick who has, on manyoccasions, done special talks around town for AtlantaAudubon Society. Lucinda speaks to garden clubs, civicorganizations and other groups wanting to learn more aboutwhat we do and about birds and bird watching.
Atlanta Audubon Societys 2007 Summer Junior BirderCamp would not have been possible without the volunteer
efforts ofSandy Miller and Marilyn Harris, who pulled together this specialcamp in June for rising fourth and fifth graders. They did an amazing job. (Seepage 9.)
Each month Grace Trimble, Wingbars editor, pulls together another great issueof our newsletter. It is an incredibly important job that requires a lot ofdedication and hard work. Our newsletter would not be what it is today without hersupport and effort.
Q:Whatspecies
recentlydethronedtheArcticTernas
thebirdwiththelongestmigration?
Seepage___fortheanswerSee page 10 for answer
Q: What two
songbirds are known toimpale their uneatenprey on a thorn?
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ATLANTA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH HERONS Rare duck sightingsincluded a SURF SCOTER in Spalding County on 1 May(TB), a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at the E.L. Huie LandApplication Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton Countybeginning on 5 May (DHa et al.) and going through atleast 12 May (PB,HG) and a female RED-BREASTEDMERGANSER at the Chattahoochee River NationalRecreation Area (CRNRA) in northwest Atlanta on 28May (JF). Rare reports of the AMERICAN BITTERN camefrom the Buford Fish Hatchery on 6 May (RT) and two atSite G of the ELHLAF (ELHLAF-G) the same day (CLa etal.). Single YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS wereseen at the CRNRA on 10 May (BL et al.) and on 25 May(DHod). Another bird was seen at the Clyde ShepherdNature Preserve (CSNP) in DeKalb County on 25 May(PMc), and four were seen in DeKalb County on 19 Mayby PB and JSe.
RAILS THROUGH TERNS - At the ELHLAF-G,CLa et al.found nesting COMMON MOORHENS and AMERICANCOOTS on 6 May. CLa et al. had five SEMIPALMATEDPLOVERS along with four WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS
at the ELHLAF on 6 May. The last report of WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at the ELHLAF was six on 19May (PB, JSe). In Forsyth County, JF had a singleWHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on 5 May and again on 7May (with EH), plus a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER on 5May. B&DZ found a rare female plumaged RED-NECKEDPHALAROPE in Bartow County on 29 May. At theELHLAF CLa et al. had a CASPIAN TERN on 6 May and aLEAST TERN on 25 May.
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS GM found asinging ALDER FLYCATCHER in the Cumming area on 8May, and the bird was last reported from there on 10
May (B&DZ). The male SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERthat has made its home on a power line tower in theMcDonough area was reported by several observersduring the month.As of this time no female has beenreported. A rare WARBLING VIREO was found at theBuford Fish Hatchery on 6 May (KT et al.), and it wasseen there the next day by JF and EH.The peak countof RED-EYED VIREOS was 53 counted at the Kennesaw
Mountain Battlefield (KMT) in Cobb County on 6 May(GB et al.). Single SEDGE WRENS were seen in SpaldingCounty on 1 May (EB), at the CSNP on 1 May (SC) andat the CRNRA on 6 May (KB et al.). The peak count ofWOOD THRUSHES was 10 at KMT on 2 May (GB et al.).
At least 12 CEDAR WAXWINGS were still in GwinnettCounty on 28 May (SS).
WARBLERS At least one and sometimes twoNASHVILLE WARBLERS were seen at KMT from 1 Maythrough 4 May (GB et al.). Peak warbler counts fromKMT included ten BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERSon both 5 and 6 May (GB et al.) and 13 BLACKPOLLWARBLERS on 5 May (GB et al.).A SWAINSONSWARBLER was a good find at the CSNP on 5 May (LH).
An amazing number of at least six CONNECTICUTWARBLERS was reported during the month. At least oneand possibly two were at the CRNRA on 5 May and 6May (MDa, TR, K&RB), one was at the Buford FishHatchery on 7 May (JF, EH), one was in Atlanta on 9May (TK), two were at the CRNRA on 10 May (BL et al.),one was in Decatur on 19 May (JB), one and maybe twowere at the CSNP from 18 May (HG) through 20 May(SB), one was at the Jones Bridge section of the CRNRAon 20 May (K&RB), and one was at the CSNP on 25 May(PMc). WILSONS WARBLERS were also reported muchmore commonly than usual.Single birds were seen atKMT on 5 May (GB, BZ et al.), at the CSNP on 6 May(SC), one in the Cumming area on 9 May (JF, EH, SB)and one at KMT on 15 May (GB et al.). TK had a veryimpressive count of eight CANADA WARBLERS in the
Atlanta area on 9 May.
TANAGERS THROUGH BOBOLINKS The peak count forSUMMER TANAGERS was 10 at KMT on 1 May and forSCARLET TANAGERS, 21 on 5 May (GB et al.). Raresparrow sightings included a HENSLOWS SPARROW atthe CSNP on 5 May (JSs) and single LINCOLNSSPARROWS in Marietta on 1 May (B&DZ), one inSpalding County on 1 May (EB) and one in Cumming on12 May (SB). Peak counts from KMT were 13 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS on 2 May (GB et al.) and 19INDIGO BUNTINGS on 6 May (GB et al.). DICKCISSELSwere reported from several locations,with two birds inSpalding County on 1 May (EB), one in Bartow Countyon 4 May (KB),one at ELHLAF on 5 May (fide CLa), one
back in Spalding County on 8 May (EB) and one inHenry County on 12 May (PB).The best count ofBOBOLINKS was 250 in Bartow County on 5 May (JT).
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH PLOVERS The number of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS continues to increase atthe Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area near Darien,as evidenced by the 40+ seen there on or about 21May (TS et al.). A female HOODED MERGANSER with 10young was seen at the Arrowhead Fish Hatchery on 4May by DR.From the same area, SB reported six half-
grown young on 19 May. DF reported an adult RUFFGROUSE with five chicks along Ivy Log Gap Road inUnion County on 8 May. Very odd for the location waan ANHINGA in Dawson Forest on 2 May (JF).The pecount of MISSISSIPPI KITES was 72 in the Columbusarea on 26 May (WC). A LIMPKIN remained at the ReBingham State Park on 29 May (C&PK).Very unusuawas the report of a WILSONS PLOVER at the Carter
Reregulation Lake on 29 May by MM.CUCKOOS THROUGH WAXWINGS A BLACK-BILLEDCUCKOO was reported from Reed Creek Park nearMartinez on 6 May (EZ). Interesting flycatcher reportwere an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER in OglethorpeCounty on 7 May (MF), five WILLOW FLYCATCHERS iBlairsville on 19 May (GS), two WILLOW FLYCATCHEin Stephens County on 26 May (JF), two LEASTFLYCATCHERS in Rabun County on 19 May (JF,EH) anGRAY KINGBIRD in the Savannah area on 21 May (SW
At least two CLIFF SWALLOWS were observed along17 where it crosses the Ogeechee River on 23 May(MB). Possible nesting is expected, which wouldprobably be the most southern nesting for this speciJF and EH had two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES inGA on 19 May for a good sighting. A pair of CEDARWAXWINGS was possibly building a nest in OconeeCounty on 28 May (CLu).
WARBLERS THROUGH SISKINS JSp had a good coof four BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS in southern MurraCounty on 26 May.A NASHVILLE WARBLER was a gofind in Whitfield County on 3 May (AS). Two CERULEAWARBLERS were noted along Gum Log Gap Road inGA on 19 May (DF). Rare warbler reports were aCONNECTICUT WARBLER in Calhoun County on 8 Ma(AA, CE), another CONNECTICUT WARBLER in CatoosCounty on 17 May (DHol) and a MOURNING WARBLEthe Dawson Forest on 7 May by JF and EH.ADICKCISSEL was seen in Gordon County on 6 May b
KB, and the peak count of BOBOLINKS was 150 inJasper County on 5 May (EM).A SHINY COWBIRD wrare visitor to a McIntosh County feeder on 27 May (Two RED CROSSBILLS were seen in Union County oMay (PB, HG), and a PINE SISKIN was seen in FanninCounty on 30 May (TS).
Contributors Alan Ashley, Steve Barlow, Giff BeatonBetty Belanger, Eric Beohm, Tim Bethune, Ken andRachel Blankenship, Patrick Brisse, Michael BrothersJerry Brunner, Walt Chambers, Stan Chapman, BobChuri, Mark Davis, Marion Dobbs, Charles Erwin, JimFlynn, Dot Freeman,Mark Freeman, Hugh Garrett, DHardee, David Hodgson, David Hollie, Earl Horn, LisaHurt, Cheryl and Panos Kanes, Tim Keyes, Robert
Kimsey,Nathan Klaus,Carol Lambert, Bill Lotz, CaroLudwig, Patty McClean, Grant McCreary, MarkMcShane, Max Medley, Ellen Miller, Peggy and TerryMoore, Jeff Sewell, Joshua Spence, Dan Roper, TimRose, Larry Ross, Georgann Schmalz, Steve Slayton
Adam Smith, Tom Striker, Karen and Luke TheodoroDave Tichner, Jim Throckmorton, Rusty Trump, SteveWagner, Bob and Deb Zaremba and Eugene Zielinsk
Have an interesting bird to report? Contact Terry Moat [email protected].
May Field Notes by Terry Moorez
Although the actual number of
migrants coming through
Atlanta and Georgia during the
month wasnt huge, we did have
excellent coverage, which meant
that we found all 37 of the regularlyoccurring warbler species.The most
interesting was the large number of
CONNECTICUT WARBLERS, a species that we
generally only get one or two of during
migration. Read on to see how many were
seen. It will amaze you.
The Atlanta area recorded 170 species
(average 160.1) to bring the year-to-date list to
224 (average 210.3). The Georgia area came
up with 251 species, which beats the previous
record of 249.The average for the month is
232.4. The year-to-date total came to 314,
which ties our previous record. The average for
the month stands at 300.4.
4 Atlanta Audubon Soci
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Field TripsCompiled by Dave Butler
August 2007
Dawson Forest WMA, Atlanta Tract(Dawson County)Tuesday, August 7, Georgann SchmalzWednesday, August 8, Georgann SchmalzMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migratory and summersongbirds.Directions: Drive approximately 35 miles fromhe I-285/GA 400 interchange to Dawson Forest
Rd. Turn left (west) on Dawson Forest Rd. Drivefour miles, crossing over Hwy. 9 and continuingwo miles into the WMA. Meet inside the gate athe wetlands. We will bird both the paved and
gravel road to the Etowah River.
Amicalola Falls State Park(Dawson County)Saturday, August 25, Georgann SchmalzMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migratory songbirds.Directions: The park is located 15 milesnorthwest of Dawsonville on GA Hwy. 52. TakeGA 400 north. Turn left on GA Hwy. 53 (west) toHwy. 183 right (north) to Hwy. 52 right (east).Meet at the Visitors Center inside the entrance.
We will walk a flat gravel road near the cabins.$3 State Park entrance fee.
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve(DeKalb County)Saturday, August 25, Lisa HurtThursday, August 30, Lisa HurtMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: From I-285 N or S: Take Highway78, Stone Mt. Freeway exit, west towardDecatur. Highway 78 passes North DeKalb Malland continues up hill past Banner Ford. 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 Lane.Go through one stop sign; travel another 200yards to preserve entrance.From I-75/I-85 N or S: From I-85 north or southtake North Druid Hills exit, east toward Decatur.After approx. 3 miles, go right on Highway 78(at North DeKalb Mall). Follow directions asabove.
Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted).We welcome everyone from advanced birders to beginners!
Please check the Audubon Website for other field trips not listed here.
Going
Once,
GoingTwice
Atlanta Audubonlooking for interesitems, services a
ideas to make the auction at the Atla
Audubon holiday pDecember 7, a hu
success.
Last year, a bird iP
weekend get-awayan owl house we
among the many and useful items fo
Do you have someyou can offer?
Do you have a req(and hopefully a w
donor?)
Please e-mailSally Hodges a
swhodges2@earthlinwith your ideas a
contributions.
Local birds wi
benefit.
By The Way highlights information, announcements, short updates and miscellaneous
items. If you have brief items of interest to Friends of Atlanta Audubon members, please
send them to the editor.
Visit NANPAs Photo BlindsAs you embark on your summer vacations, field trips and other
photo opportunities, think about visiting one of the 34 photo
blinds that North American Nature Photographers Association
has funded in the nations wildlife refuges. These blinds offer
unique view on an array of landscapes and wildlife.
The association wants to promote how wonderful these blinds
are for nature photographers.To do that, they ask you to share
your images taken from the blinds. Please e-mail any images
you would like to share to Annette Rogers, director of
communications, at [email protected], for possible
inclusion in promotion and fundraising efforts to support the
Refuge Blind Program.
For a full list of NANPAs photo blinds, visit
www.nanpafoundation.org/blinds.php.
Matching Contr ibutionsAnother Important Way to Support
Atlanta Audubon Society
Your contributions to Atlanta Audubon Society make asignificant statement about how you value what we do inthe community.
Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta alsorealize the importance of giving back to the communityand are getting involved by matching their employeesdonations to our organization.
By asking your employer to back your commitment, youare making your contribution even more meaningful!
Participating in your employers matching gifts programis a simple process. Ask your human resources office fora matching gift form, complete your part,and send it to: Matching Gifts Coordina-tor, Atlanta Audubon Society, Box 29189,Atlanta, Georgia 30359. Well do the rest.
Your support ensures that our work inthe community continues today andflourishes tomorrow.
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Tropical storm Barry may have drenched the state when it blastedthrough, but it could not dampen the excitement of those who weon Ossabaw Island for a milestone dedication. About 50 bravesouls crossed Ossabaw Sound to attend the Important Bird Area
(IBA) ceremony, Georgias thirteenth site to be included in thisnational registry of exceptional wildlife habitats. The ceremony onJune 2 highlighted Georgias IBA program and Ossabaw Islandsdistinction as being the states first Heritage Preserve. Guest speakeincluded Georgia Department of Natural Resources CommissionerNoel Holcomb, National Audubon Societys IBA Director John Ceciland Debbie Buckner (D-Columbus), representative of the 130th HouDistrict. Georgias new IBA coordinator, Mary Elfner, coordinated thentire event.
Georgias Ossabaw Island is a pristine barrier island about 20 milessouth of Savannah. The legendary Eleanor Torrey West, whose fami
sold the property to the State of Georgia in 1978, still lives on theisland, accompanied by a sturdy band of semi-wild Sicilian donkeysthat roam free. More than 16,000 acres of tidal marshes make idealhabitat for feeding egrets, herons, stilts, rails, ibis and otherwaterfowl. An additional 9,000 acres of dry ground support tall pinepalms and hardwoods in maritime, second-growth forests. Theseforests are rich habitats for more than a hundred species of nestingbirds and migrants. Many ponds, salt-water creeks, a shallow river abeaches round out the complex geography.
Fifteen people lingered overnight in Ossabaw Islands two-story lodafter the IBA dedication ceremony, having weathered several hours horizontal rain from Barrys bluster. The skies cleared, the windscalmed to gentle breezes and Painted Buntings returned to the porcfeeders. A small wild pig made a dash through the yard. A Great Egrlifted off from the nearby marsh. Resurrection ferns that had hungbrown and limp on the sturdy branches of the live oaks were brilliangreen again. The visitors, grateful for the short but invigoratingsojourn on this island paradise, gathered their belongings for the botrip back to the mainland.
If you would like more information on the Georgia Important BirdAreas Program or if you want to volunteer in any way to help this
conservation effort, please contact Mary Elfner, Georgia IBACoordinator, at [email protected].
Recommended Web sites for additional information:
National Audubon IBA www.audubon.org/bird/iba/index.htmlGeorgia IBA Program www.atlantaaudubon.org/aaswww/iba/iba.htmThe Ossabaw Island Foundation www.ossabawisland.orgDNR for Ossabaw Island georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=225
IBA Dedication of Ossabaw IslandState Heritage Preserve
By Alison Huff, Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
Photos by David Farmerie
SketchesbyAlison
Huff
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Atlanta Audubon-led field trips and bird walks provide members with exciting opportunities to
visit birding hot spots around the metropolitan Atlanta area. These trips help us fulfill the partof our mission to promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds.
We also know how important our field trips are to you. The 2007 Member Survey showed thatour Field Trips section in Wingbars is the area that members enjoy most. Members also
ranked field trips as number one in their importance in attending or supporting amongAtlanta Audubon activities and initiatives and in the value of the various programs or
nitiatives that AAS offers. We also discovered that more than 70 percent of you participate inat least one Atlanta Audubon-led field trip a year.
From January through June, we conducted 23 field trips with more than 375 participants. Inaddition, we held a training session for new field trip leaders at the Clyde Shepherd Nature
Preserve in February. Field trip locations included Kennesaw Mountain, Rock Creek Park, BigCreek Parkway, Piedmont Park, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, E.L. Huie Water Treatment
Facility, Fernbank, Mill Creek Nature Center and various sections of the Chattahoochee RiverNational Recreation Area. Along the way, participants observed many birds. For example, atKennesaw Mountainan Audubon Important Bird Areabirders were lucky enough to see 24
species of warblers during the April 29 field trip. Thats amazing! At the E.L. Huie WaterTreatment Facility, participants saw a Lincolns Sparrow and a White-winged Scoter.
Of course, our field trips would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of ourfield trip leaders who make it all possible. Atlanta Audubon would like to give a big thank you
to our leaders and assistants during this term:
We hope that you will join us as we get into full swing for this falls migration and more
exciting field trips. If you are interested in helping us lead a field trip or being an assistantfield trip leader, we need you.Please contact Dave Butler at [email protected]
Out in the Field with Atlanta AudubonBy Dave Butler, Director of Field Activities
Giff BeatonJerry Brunner
Jay DavisDave Decker
Jim FlynnDale Hardee
Marilyn Harris
Malcolm HodgesEarl Horn
Pierre HowardLisa Hurt
Art HurtTerry Johnson
Carol Lambert
Bill LotzChuck Saleeby
Georgann SchmalzJeff Sewell
Chris ShowalterBob Zaremba
Deb Zaremba
BackyardWildlife
Sanctuarie
Please volunteer during
Backyard Wildlife
Sanctuary Tour.
Saturday September 8
9AM to 4PM
Shifts are 2.5 hours long
will earn you a free ticke
the tour.
To volunteer for a shif
please e-mail
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast
All sanctuaries are in to
Sanctuary Certification WorkshopOne of the most satisfying missions of the Atlanta Audubon Society is helping people help
birds and other wildlife. The Wildlife Sanctuary Certification Program was established in the
late 1970s and has created backyard wildlife sanctuaries throughout north Georgia. Thenumber of certifications is limited only by the availability of qualified people to help certify
properties with visits and consulting.
On Sunday, September 15, from 36 PM, we will conduct a workshop on becoming a WildlifeSanctuary Certifier. Basic information on the habitat requirements of wildlife, the criteria for
certification and guidelines in the process of certification will all be presented.
The cost to you? Nothing except your time and commitment to visit and consult with
homeowners who are looking for advice and information that either creates or enhances theirproperty to be more valuable to birds and other wildlife.
For more information or to register for this workshop, contact Georgann Schmalz at706.216.5012 or [email protected]. Existing wildlife sanctuary certifiers are
welcome to attend as a refresher and to meet other certifiers. Location: TBA.
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Atlanta Audubon Society
Announcing Atlanta Audubons ExcitingEducational Publication, BIRDS Matter!
In January, a small group of volunteers began work on a new publication for Atlanta Audubon Society
called BIRDS Matter!For six months these volunteers pulled the information together. In June, BIRDS
Matter!came to life when it rolled off the presses at Georgia Power Company.
The publication is an educational and conservation piece that explains why birds matter and what
individuals can do to make a difference. Most people appreciate the beauty and wonder of birds, yet
many dont understand the important role birds play in our lives and the world. BIRDS Matter!explorethese various roles, including how birds help disperse seeds, pollinate flowers and control pests.The
publication also shows how birds help clean up the environment, provide important ecosystem servic
give us important indications of what is happening in the natural world and add economic value to a
region through bird-watching activities.The publication also includes numerous fun facts, great photo
and specific things almost anyone can do to make a difference for the birds.Atlanta Audubon will
distribute the full-color, 16-page booklet at festivals, workshops, speaking engagements and other
events.
Atlanta Audubon Society would to thank Georgia Power Company for their generous support for BIRD
Matter!by donating the printing for the publication. In addition,Atlanta Audubon thanks the numerous
individuals involved in making BIRDS Matter!a reality, including Kelly Hopkins,Tim Keyes, Ellen Miller
Georgann Schmalz, Barbara Tarpley and Denese Van Dyne who served on the volunteer committee
responsible for creating BIRDS Matter!
Additional thanks to Catharine Brockman Kuchar for developing the concept for this publication and t
the photographers who gave permission for Atlanta Audubon to use their amazing work. They include
Georgann Schmalz,Todd Schneider, Dan Vickers, Jim Wilson and the staff of Georgia Department of
Natural Resources.
Many thanks to Laura Woods, graphic designer, for bringing BIRDS Matter!to life, and to Victor William
and Mim Eisenberg and the many Atlanta Audubon members who made this publication possible
through their support.
Visit the Atlanta Audubon Web site, www.atlantaaudubon.org,to find a list of the ways that everyone can make a difference.
ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
Master Birder Program Fall 2007
DATES: October 9November 15DAYS: Each Tuesday and ThursdayTIME: 7 PM9 PMFIELD TRIPS: Each Saturday 8 AM, October 13, 20, 27 and November 3, 10
The Master Birder Program for fall 2007 will be conducted at the Chattahoochee Nature Center at 913
Willeo Rd.,Roswell, GA 30075. The course fee of $210 ($240 for non-members of Friends of AtlantaAudubon) includes lectures, textbook, audio CDs and all other materials and handouts.This is an introductory course in ornithology and is designed to provide participants with bird identificaskills and general knowledge of birds, their life histories and habitat requirements.The Master BirderProgram consists of 11 two-hour lectures and five Saturday field trips. Participants are expected to atteall lectures and field activities. Upon graduation, each Master Birder is expected to complete volunteerservice for Atlanta Audubon each year.For information and questions, contact Georgann Schmalz at [email protected] or 706.216.To register, send your check, payable to Atlanta Audubon, to Georgann Schmalz, 152 Willow Oak Lane,Dawsonville,GA 30534.Please include your name, mailing address, day and evening phone numbers,address, occupation and any specific areas of interest.
Master Birder course
content includes
Classification and
identification of birds
Guide to birding equipment
Bird songs and calls
Attracting birds and
backyard wildlife habitat
Anatomy and physiology
Bird ecology
Bird behavior
Flight and migration
Bird conservation
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Camper Jack was so obsessed with dissecting his owl pellet that hekept on even when the real owl was in front of him. The rest of thecampers? The highlight for them was when the Red-tailed Hawksquirted during the raptor show.
Fourth and fifth graders participated in the Junior Bird Camp atOakhurst Park the week of June 11-14. Under the auspices of theDecatur Children and Youth Services summer camp program, 14 ofheir campers learned bird skills and received their Junior Birder
badges.
Sandy Miller and Marilyn Harris led the camp, modifying the lessonplans from earlier camps (thanks especially to Judy McStravick) andhe LAB (Learning about Birds) program for a different milieu and
clientele. The camp was planned by Marcia Klenbort, the educationchair for AAS, who had to leave town for a family health emergency.
Both Lisa Hurt and Mary Neville helped in leading bird walks.Kathleen Bancroft, Nancy Hamilton and Catharine Kuchar helpedead activities during the camp. The camp ended with Raptor day,
with Monteen McCord from Hawktalk, showing her Screech andGreat-horned owls and a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk.
A grant to the Atlanta Audubon Society from the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, Watchable Wildlife Division,provided funds for materials in the LEARNING ABOUT BIRDSprogram for the school year that just ended. Mary, Kathleen andMarilyn are LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS program leaders in some ofhe 10 LAB schools.
Of the 48 campers from Decatur Recreation at the pavilion atOakhurst, the oldest 14 came to the Atlanta Audubons birding camp.The campers learned the common birds of Atlanta and bird anatomy,used binoculars on three bird walks, dissected owl pellets, practicedwith field guides and took field guides and T-shirts home.
Sandy Miller said, Our wonderful City of Decatur counselors wereNatalie and Matt. Kathy was the site director for that camp. Sheworked behind the scenes to make sure our part of the camp hadsome quiet time, for example when Hawktalk was there. Ourhanks to Decatur Parks and Recreation for giving us the
opportunity to work with these fine young people, especially ClaireMiller for using some of her grant money for camp materials.
AudubonJunior Bird Camp 2007
By Marilyn Harris and Sandy Miller
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CLASSIFIEDS
Black Oil
Sunflower20lb Bag $7.50 always
with Audubon Membership Card
Proud Supporters of EnvironmentallyConscious Organizations in our Local
Community.
Wild Bird CentersCumming 2825 S. Vickery St. 678-456-6900
Dunwoody2472 Jett Ferry Rd 770-396-3353
Johns Creek3630 Peachtree Pky 770-813-947
Peachtree City 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-247
WWW.Wildbird.com
Rates for business card size ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistentwith the conservation and birding mission and agenda of Atlanta Audubon Society.You may also design your own ad. Call for pricing.Send ads and payment to:
Wingbars Ads Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
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
1874 Piedmont Ave. Suite 101-AAtlanta, Georgia 30324
CANINE SHOWCASE& WILD BIRD INC.
4048750611
Weve moved to a bigger and better location.
We are located in Piedmont Pointe next to Einstein Bagels on
Piedmont Road. We are expanding our already great selection
of bird supplies to include:
Swift Binoculars
Droll Yankee Feeders
Coveside Houses
Garden & Yard Art
Panama!October 3-11, 2007
Canopy Tower and the Canopy Lodge
$1640 per persondouble occupancy
($200 single supplement). Price includes 8 nights lodgibirding guides, transfers and most meals.
Group size is limited to 10.
For additional information and to be put on the list for a spa
contact: [email protected]
Branch Banking & Trust
Answer: SootyShearwater
Answer: NorthernShrike andLoggerhead Shrike
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8/9/2019 August 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
11/12August 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 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:Red-cockaded Woodpecker
The Red-cockadedWoodpecker (Picoides borealis)is typically 20 cm (8 inches) inlength. These small
woodpeckers were oncecommon in mature pines forestshroughout the southeastern United
States, from eastern Texas and Oklahomao the Atlantic Coast, north to Missouri,
Kentucky and Maryland. The currentange is much reduced and fragmented
due to loss of habitat.Historically, this species probablyoccurred throughout Georgia whereuitable open, mature pine forests wereound, except in the Appalachian
mountains. Now Georgia has only fiveemaining population centers that
comprise 94 percent of the states Red-cockaded Woodpecker population: FortBenning, Fort Stewart, Okefenokee
National Wildlife Refuge, PiedmontNational Wildlife Refuge/BrenderExperimental Forest/Oconee NationalForest and several private quailplantations spread across Thomas andGrady counties.A Red-cockaded Woodpeckers dietconsists of ants, wood roaches, wood-boring beetles and other insects, spiders,millipedes and invertebrates found on andwithin pine bark. They occasionally eatcorn earworms, fruits and seeds.Interestingly, unlike other woodpeckerswhich excavate cavities almost entirely indead wood, Red-cockaded Woodpeckersmake their roosting and nesting cavitiesalmost exclusively in living pine trees 60to 80 years old or older.Red-cockaded Woodpeckers arecooperative breeders. They exist in familygroups that typically consist of an adult
breeding pair and one to three helpersthat are male offspring from previousyears. All members of the group assist icaring for young and each family grouprequires 60 to 600 acres of habitatdepending on the quality.Red-cockaded Woodpeckers areendangered according to their state anfederal status. This means that the specis in danger of extinction throughout allpart of its range. Destruction andfragmentation of required mature pineforest habitat has been their greatestthreat. The species has been virtuallyeliminated from most private land byincompatible management practices suas clearing, agriculture, urbanization anshort-rotation pine silviculture.
Source: Georgia Department of NaturaResources, Protected Animals of Georg
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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
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Birds Matter. Down by the ShoreBy Lydia C. Thompson, Birding Ambassador for the Georgia Coast
When I lived in Atlanta I thought of the Georgia coast as a retreat. I still do. Why?
Shore birdsWhimbrels, Dunlins, Sanderlings, Red Knots, Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers
just to name a few, for the list could go on almost forever.
Wherever I am, I have to take time to see if I can find these amazing birds. They capture my imagination. Why would I care about these
doughty brown birds that often are seen with their bills buried in the mud? They appear to be hurrying, scurrying here and there with no
plan in mind. The reality is they have a job, and that job is to eat. They must triple their weight here on our coast.
Think about the challenging flight they have ahead of them. These small birds are going to fly from here to the Arctic. They dont do this
journey in little spurts like we do when we travel. These birds are going to take off from our coast and fly until they run out of energy or
reach their nesting grounds.
What we know is that our coast is one of those special places where these shorebirds come to rest and fatten up. Much of our coast has
been left undeveloped until recently, so these birds went about their lives without a much notice.
Today there is more and more pressure from people to develop and live on the coast. These people want to get out on the water. They do
not understand why the birds are there, so these fuel stops are disturbed. As these places disappear, so do the birds. Also, there are fewe
quiet places for us to escape to. Places like Jekyll Island are very special, not just to the state but along the entire Atlantic coast, for it is
fine example of how we can live with these amazing birds.
Come experience why birds matter in this natural retreat. A great time to come find out more about the Georgia coast and Jekyll is durin
the Georgia Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival, October 12-14, 2007. Mark your calendar now.Visit Lydias blog at www.coastalgeorgiabirding-lydia.blogspot.com/
Upcoming
WildlifeSanctuary Tour
September 8