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Chickadee Chatter • March 2012Chickadee Chatter

January 2013 Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Newsletter Volume 58 / Issue 1

The mission of the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats, for the benefit of the community, through conservation, education and research.

LHAS Upcoming Programs(More dates and details on pages 6 and 7)

January 7 — Butterflies, Birds, Bison, and MoreDonna Rose Smith will regale us with tales of her close encounters with the flora and fauna in the Greater Yellow-stone basin.

February 4 — Southern New Englandʼs Wild Weather of 2011Meteorologist Tom Alena will take you on a journey through a year unlike any other in memory, with its major tornado, a hurricane, extraordinary snowfall, an all-time high temperature, and the most precipita-tion ever in a calendar year.

March 4 — Livingston Ripley Waterfowl ConservancyA member of the conservancy staff will bring live birds to help educate our audi-ence.

April 1 — Biological Recognizance: The Value of Inventorying and MonitoringJames Fischer, White Memorial’s research director, will present on this topic and the upcoming Bio-Blitz to take place at WMCC on May 31-June 1. This meeting is also our annual spring Potluck Supper.

Presidentʼs MessageBy Fran Zygmont

Looking Ahead to 2013

The close of a successful year of our seasonal activities at LHAS brings exciting thoughts of what 2013 might

hold in store. In the September 2012 edition of the Chickadee Chatter, I provided a recap of our spring and summer events. Many of these were compiled into the annual report we submitted to the National Audubon Soci-ety for our Chapter certification.

In the annual report, we were asked to provide three goals for the upcoming year. I want to take a moment to share them with you and to ask for your support to help us accomplish them.

First, we look to continue collaboration with local environmental and like-minded groups to strengthen our presence in our community and to unify our voice for na-

ture and preservation. We had a successful 2012 with sev-eral collaborative walks and activities with White Memo-rial Conservation Center and Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy. We were also introduced to many local non-profits through the Litchfield Transition Coalition.

Second, we want to improve outreach within our commu-nities to encourage individuals and families to join LHAS and to volunteer their time, because recruitment of new and active members is crucial to our sustainability. We formed an outreach committee in 2012, which generated several good ideas. In 2013 we hope to implement some of them.

Finally, children’s environmental education remains a fo-

Coastal Bird Trip and/or Bird .......................... Rarities Chase! Sunday, Jan. 13

..................................X-C Ski Trip! Sunday, Jan. 20 ....Mid-winter Hike in Barkhamsted! Sunday, Jan. 27

Upcoming Events(See Calendar, pages 6-7, for details)

(continued on page 3)

Save These Dates ...February 15 -18, for the 16th Annual Great Back-yard Bird Count. See more details on page 3.

Chickadee Chatter2 ! January 2013

This newsletter and other LHAS features can be seen IN LIVING COLOR on the LHAS Web page: www.lhasct.org.

LHAS OfficersPresident ! Fran Zygmont ! 860-379-4461Vice President ! Robyn Dinda ! 860-567-0738Treasurer ! Marie Kennedy ! 860-567-5487Rec. Secretary ! Ray Belding ! 860-482-4046Corresp. Secretary Pam Hicks ! 860-491-1417

Board of DirectorsTerri Bianchi ! 2013 ! 860-489-8821David McCullough !2013 ! 860-868-7899Cynthia Phipps ! 2013 ! 860-379-3537Judy Bekasi ! 2014 ! 860-482-0491Angela Dimmitt ! 2014 ! 860-355-3429Nancy Nichols ! 2014 ! 860-354-5114John Baker! 2015! 860-567-8427Nicki Hall! 2015! 860-379-8917Heather Shirlock! 2015! 860-307-8347

Committee ChairpeopleBoyd Sanctuary ! Debbie & Rich Martin* !860-584-5706Conservation ! Nicki Hall ! 860-379-8917Education ! Donna Rose Smith ! 203-706-0474Facebook! Liz Frazier-Zygmont! 860-379-4461Field Trips ! David Zomick ! 860-584-2824Fund Raising ! Janet Baker ! 860-567-8427Historian ! Angela Dimmitt* ! 860-355-3429Hospitality ! Carol Perrault ! 860-589-8023Junior Audubon ! Cynthia Phipps ! 860-379-3537Kalmia Sanctuary ! Bob & Doreen Orciari !860-485-1347Membership ! Doreen Orciari ! 860-485-1347Newsletter ! Diane Edwards ! 860-485-9319Program ! Heather Shirlock ! 860-307-8347Publicity ! Shirley Gay ! 860-482-0819Scholarships ! Marcia McGowan ! 860-274-2089Webmaster ! Fran Zygmont ! 860-379-4461Web Page Design !Rich Martin ! 860-584-5706Wigwam BrookSanctuary ! John Baker ! 860-567-8427

ResearchChristmas Count ! Ray Belding ! 860-482-4046Summer Count ! Bob Barbieri ! 860-482-0033! Dave Tripp ! 860-693-6524* Seeking Replacement

Chickadee Chatter was printed by

959 Migeon AvenueTorrington, CT 06790

860-482-9388www.rainbowpressonline.com

Special thanks to Doreen Orciari and Janet Baker for helping to proof and edit this newsletter.

The next LHAS Board Meeting will be onTuesday, January 15

at 7:15 PMin White Memorialʼs A.B. Ceder Room

The Chickadee Chatter is published in January, March, May, July, September, and November. For the March issue, all articles must be received by the editor no later than February 1.Please e-mail items for publication in the newsletter to Diane Edwards at [email protected] or mail them to her at 68 Shingle Mill Road, Harwinton, CT 06791. Send other business to the appropriate chairperson at LHAS, P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861 or [email protected].

Scan the QR code above with your smartphone to go to www.lhasct.org.

LHAS website QR code

January 2013! ! 3Chickadee Chatter

Welcome New MembersBy Doreen Orciari, Membership Chairperson

..........................................Roger Anderson Torrington.......................................Barbara Bailey Barkhamsted

.............................................Miriam Cable Harwinton....................Lawren & Doug Cherniske New Milford

.......................Kenneth A. Davidson, Sr. New Milford....................................................Leya Edison Goshen

........................................Leila Edwards New Milford.............................................Elliott Fisher Washington

.......................................Jeannine Gallmeyer Riverton......................................................Gary Guest Goshen

.................................................Judy Hamilton Warren...........................................Mark Hanok New Milford..............................................Pam Kiewicz Harwinton.............................................Thomas Little Bethlehem

......................................Vinnie Lovallo New Hartford.................................Catherine McCahill* Harwinton

...................................Penelope Millians New Milford................................Robert E. Monroe* New Milford

...............................................Karen Neri* Torrington............................................Steven Ortiz New Milford

...........................Doug Pfenninger Winchester Center

...........................Carmella Reagan Winchester Center......................................Brian Rosenthal New Milford

..............................................Laine Ruut New Milford...............................................Doris Scherling Norfolk

................................W. Andrew Schnitzl New Milford............................................Donna Scott New Milford

.....................................................Enes Stolfi Litchfield.............................................Jack Straub New Milford

Lynda Wlodarczyk ..................................... Torrington

LHAS membership is now at 756.

If your newsletter is addressed incorrectly or if you fail to receive one, please send a postcard to LHAS, P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT, 06759-0861 or send an e-mail to Doreen Orciari at [email protected].

* Welcome back

MEMBERSHIP President’s Message (continued from page 1)

cal point for 2013. We aim to continue the success of our Junior Audubon program and to provide grants to local schools so kids can learn about, and experience, nature. An additional area of focus is our Audubon Adventures pro-gram; we hope to increase the number of schools that inte-grate this program into their classroom curriculums.

It sounds like a tall order to accomplish these goals in just 12 months, so again, we ask for your support. Thank you!

Great Backyard Bird Count 2013

The 16th Annual Great Back-yard Bird Count will take place Friday - Monday, Feb-ruary 15 - 18. A joint project of the National Audubon So-ciety and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the count in 2012 resulted in observations of 623 species, with 17.4 mil-lion birds observed and 104,000 checklist submis-sions.

The 2013 count will be an expanded project partnership that also includes Bird Studies Canada. In addition, the count will allow anyone worldwide to take part. The Great Backyard Bird Count will integrate with eBird, an online, worldwide bird data collection program that al-lows users to keep track of their sightings and checklists.

To learn more about the Great Backyard Bird Count and how you can be involved, visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

Thereʼs Still Time to Contribute to Our Annual AppealThe LHAS Annual Appeal is still under way. If you haven’t contributed yet but would like to, please send a check, made out to LHAS, to LHAS Annual Ap-peal, P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861. If you have any questions, feel free to call Janet Baker at 860-567-8427 or send an e-mail message to [email protected].

Red-bellied WoodpeckerPhoto: Diane Edwards

Chickadee Chatter 4! January 2013

Pleasures and TreasuresBy David Zomick

When I first began my column years ago, “pleasures” re-ferred to my zest for travel, its endless new experiences and exciting encounters, while bird sightings in remote

and exotic habitats were the “treasures” that I could share with my fellow LHAS members.

Well, my last couple of travel reports were limited to Maine, when I waxed enthusi-astic about Hog Island (a BIG thank-you,

again, to the Board of Directors). Early fall found me once more in marvelous Maine, prowling the North Woods to seek boreal targets (I was lucky to see the elu-sive Three-toed Woodpecker) and going to Bar Harbor for the Maine Audubon pe-lagic program, during which we found sea life aplenty.

So, what to write about now? Nothing, really, I mused. But what about the intrin-sic pleasure and the shared passion of birding, with its attendant rewards of social companionship, lifelong learn-ing, and sensory skill sharpening, along with the invigo-rating and spiritual feelings that naturally attend “losing yourself” in the woods, marshes, and coastlines that abound around us?

I used to focus mostly on the visual beauties of the spring migrants but have gradually made efforts, especially this year, to expand my horizons a bit (and add to my life list!).

These past few months I have made time to:

• bird solo quite a bit more than usual, as well as ask for guidance and assistance from more experienced birders;

• attend workshops; and

• having finally taken the plunge, use my new birding scope to go to new locales and revisit old haunts.

And, boy, have I had fun!

I tried like the dickens to get better at shorebirding (not much success there). I attended the COA workshop on shorebirds and chased (unsuccessfully) Sabine’s Gull down in Delaware, yet I succeeded in seeing many shore-birds (Dunlin, Sanderlings, Red Knots, American Golden-Plover) in brilliant breeding plumage and learning to dif-ferentiate a few peeps.

Sparrows came next, another challenge. I paid attention to my feeders (saw White-crowned, White-throated, etc.); thrashed through local meadows; studied hedgerows and shrubby borders, taking field notes and photos (Field, Grasshopper, immature White-crowned Sparrows, etc.); visited friends’ feeders (Fox Sparrows) and attended a COA sparrow workshop (five Vesper Sparrows and Clay-colored, among others). I was indeed improving my skills. We’ll see what I remember next year — :).

Weeks passed and colder weather came, as did different birds. I volunteered to be a birding pal for a visiting New Zealander and went to Bent of the River. Did we get lucky! Just that morning, after admiring the still dazzling bluebirds, we discovered Evening Grosbeaks at the feeders. What a beautiful, striking bird! We were fortunate to have close, long looks at them. Pine Siskins and Purple Finches persisted, as well. On our way out, I heard a strange mix of sounds that lured me off our path and into a mini-wave of Hermit Thrushes, Carolina Wrens, Downy Woodpeckers,

Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches, Palm Warblers, plus the ubiquitous titmice and chickadees. Very nice.

Next came another bit of schooling to satisfy my “avis-mania” — an excellent COA session on sea ducks and other waterfowl, held at Hammonasset State Park. After reviewing the informatively illustrated ID handouts, we hit the beach and saw most of the species we had just reviewed (Surf and Black Scoters, Common and Red-throated Loons, mergansers, gannets, etc.). After class, as a bonus, two Barred Owls flew in front of us while we walked the woods of Wil-

Red CrossbillPhoto: David Zomick

So, what to write about now? Nothing, really, I mused. But what about the intrinsic pleasure

and the shared passion of birding ...?

(continued on page 10)

Grasshopper SparrowPhoto: David Zomick


In My Garden — A Journal — November 2012By Angela Dimmitt

Another month has flown by, as well as, apparently, the flocks of birds at my feeders a while ago. I have not been able to finish putting the garden to bed, partly because it’s been yucky out, a bit too cold for my aging bones, and partly because I am a procrastinator and love to just sit and look out at the scene. I see bird feeders to the north from the kitchen; lower garden and stream from my east-facing bedroom; lower garden and stream from south-facing living room, my bedroom’s south window, and the den (it’s hard to work on this computer without being distracted); and to the west, the upper garden from the den, dining room, and kitchen. It’s nice to see the stream in several places, now the banks are cleared. The deer have nibbled some of the newly planted shrubs. Ah well. Actually, if I turn 180 degrees from this seat, there are the feeders again. So you see, I do have a problem! Too many windows.

Incredibly, Hurricane Sandy did no damage at all to Meadow Bridge and in fact did me a favor: the remaining leaves on the trees fell off all at once, and those on the lawn, waiting to be raked, were blown off into the woods. Or onto the flowerbeds — not so kind; no fun clearing

them. I had ex-pected the stream to flood, possibly wash the bridge away, but even the rain was neg-ligible. I do feel guilty knowing the horrors and total destruction inflicted on so many people on the coast and also

many up here in Litchfield County from falling trees.

The other story everywhere this month has been the un-usual birds. Fran Zygmont has them at his feeders or seeks them out in the frozen north; along the coast and in eastern Connecticut all kinds of exciting birds are show-ing up. But here in New Milford and on the Housatonic, northern Candlewood Lake, and local ponds, it has been quiet. Like most people, I’ve had flocks of Pine Siskins and a few Purple Finches — but no Evening Gros-

beaks or redpolls, nor indeed Red or White-winged Crossbills. Now the siskins have moved on. A Red-breasted Nut-hatch has come most days. He is a timid fellow; usually they are quite ag-gressive. The two Caro-lina Wrens come and go, and I’ve seen a Brown Creeper nearby several times. During the snow-

storm this week, a female bluebird tried to land on the tube feeder a couple of times, then gave up. I thought she would try the tray with peanut butter pudding and cranber-ries on the side, but no. A Great Horned Owl called every night for a while, at all hours of the night and also day. He must have found a suitable site but no mate.

Had a good laugh back in October: eight hen turkeys were on the back lawn, then moved around the house to the front. I ran to the front door and — please believe me — six young jakes were on the front porch displaying to their reflections in the glass wall. This summer’s poults now teenagers!

I am very glad not to have a firm budget for bird seed this year or I would be in big trouble.

Great Horned OwlPhoto: Terry Spivey, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

A Great Horned Owl called every night for a while, at all hours of

the night and also day.

Wild Turkey© Rssfhs | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

Wigwam Sanctuary Update

By John Baker

All the fields have now been mowed, our costs have been collected, and the chestnuts have been meas-ured for this year’s growth: the tallest is 81", show-ing about a 12" growth. There are now 385 live trees in the orchard.

Our WHIP projects at both Boyd (which we started in 2005) and Wigwam have now been completed, except for 25 native shrubs to be planted next spring in Wigwam’s wildflower area. It appears that the USDA-NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) has curtailed its WHIP programs. (WHIP stands for Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.)

http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

http://www.dreamstime.com/

http://www.dreamstime.com/


Meetings, Bird Walks and Activities

NOTES: Unless otherwise indicated, General Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at the Litchfield Community Center, Route 202, Litchfield, CT. When the first Monday of the month falls on a holiday, the meeting is held on the second Monday. Refreshments are served at 7:00 PM. The meeting starts at 7:30 PM and the program follows. The April and October meetings are Potluck Dinners starting at 6:30 PM. The June meeting is the Annual Meeting and Dinner held at a local restaurant; it begins at 6:00 PM. Our August meeting is the annual Picnic at Boyd Woods Audubon Sanctuary; it begins at 6:00 PM. Board of Directors Meetings are held at the White Memorial Conservation Center (WMCC), located about a half mile south of the Litchfield Community Center just off Route 202.

MEETINGS.............................. ..........................................................................January 7" General Meeting" Monday, 7 PM

Program — Butterflies, Birds, Bison, and More Donna Rose Smith will regale us with tales of her close encounters with the flora and fauna in one of North America’s most visited and interesting ecosystems, the Greater Yellowstone basin. Donna Rose spent the summer living, working, and doing research in Grand Teton National Park. She also explored beyond the boundaries of the park in search of but-terflies, birds, mammals, and plants.

............................ ..........................................................................February 4" General Meeting" Monday, 7 PM Program — Southern New Englandʼs Wild Weather of 2011

From a major tornado, to a hurricane, to extraordinary snowfall, to an all-time high temperature and the most precipita-tion ever in a calendar year, 2011 had it all for the people of southern New England. What are the chances of a year like that again? What were some of the factors that created such extremes? Meteorologist Tom Alena will investigate these questions as he takes you on a journey through a year unlike any other in memory. Tom is the science director at Farm-ington Valley Academy Montessori. For 22 years, he was the meteorologist at Talcott Mountain Science Center in Avon. He holds an M.S. degree in atmospheric physics and enjoys sharing the wonders of our earth with audiences of all ages.

................................. ..........................................................................March 4" General Meeting" Monday, 7 PM Program — Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy

A member of the conservancy staff will be in the company of avian ambassadors. These live birds will be on hand to help educate our audience. Be sure to join us for this special program. The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is dedicated to the protection of waterfowl and wetland habitats through research, education, and conservation action.

................................... ..........................................................................April 1" General Meeting" Monday, 7 PM Program — Biological Recognizance: The Value of Inventorying and Monitoring

James Fischer, research director of the White Memorial Conservation Center, will present on this topic and talk about the upcoming Bio-Blitz to take place at WMCC on May 31 - June 1. This meeting is also our annual spring Potluck Supper, so be sure to bring your own place setting (utensils and plate) and a dish to share.

LHAS Calendar " Winter 2013

MEETING CHANGESOccasionally, it is necessary to cancel or postpone a meeting or event due to inclement weather. If that is the case, check with WFSB TV Channel 3 in Hartford and watch for our listing. It is also broadcast on radio station WZBG at 97.3 FM. But, the best way for us to reach you is by e-mail. If you would like to be added to our e-mail list, please send an e-mail to Janet Baker at [email protected]. Then, all you have to do is to remember to check your e-mail.

January 2013! ! 7

.................................... ..........................................................................May 6" General Meeting" Monday, 7 PM Program — Book talk: Hidden in Plain Sight: A Deep Traveler Explores Connecticut

David K. Leff, author of numerous essays, columns, and stories for the Hartford Courant, Appalachia, and other publi-cations, is a former deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. David will help you find what is hidden in plain sight. He will talk about old milestones, diners, roadside springs, ghost towns, aban-doned cemeteries, and much more. Splendor awaits just beyond your doorstep. Learn how to explore commonplace wonders near at hand.

BIRDING EVENTS AND FIELD TRIPS ........................... ......................................January 13 " Coastal Bird Trip and/or Bird Rarities Chase" Sunday

Join Fran Zygmont for mid-winter birdwatching to look for unusual or rare birds. Registration required, as a last-minute decision will be made on trip location, meeting place, and time (8 a.m. estimated meeting time and allot 3-5 hours for the trip). For more information or to register, please contact Fran at [email protected] or call 860-689-5001.

........................... .........................................................................January 20 " Cross-Country Ski Trip " SundaySki along the Lake Trail on an ice canal into the history of ice manufacturing on Bantam Lake. Meet at 10:30 a.m. in the White Memorial museum parking lot. For more information, call Robyn Dinda at 860-567-0738.

........................... ..........................................................January 27 " Mid-winter Hike in Barkhamsted " SundayJoin Fran Zygmont and Liz Frazier-Zygmont for a hike in People’s State Forest. Learn about the history of the town and enjoy some interesting sights. Some parts of the terrain may be challenging. For more information, please contact Fran at [email protected] or call 860-689-5001.

Chickadee Chatter

The New England cottontail rabbit is listed as a candidate species under the Federal Endangered Species Act, due to an 86% decline in the species’ historic range. In Maine and New Hampshire, the rabbit is already listed as an endan-gered species.

The USDA Natural Resources Conserva-

tion Service’s (NRCS’s) Working Lands for Wildlife

program will assist landowners to create and enhance shrub thicket and early successional forest, which will support the rabbits’ recovery and conservation. In addi-tion, 59 other species, including birds, depend on this habitat and will benefit from this program.

LHAS has recently submitted an application to NRCS. The agency will inspect our property and, with our input, will present a plan of action for our considera-tion. We are under no obligation, but we are interested in what they would propose for our land.

If you want to learn more about this proposal, contact John Baker at 860-567-8427. For more information about the rabbits, visit www.newenglandcottontail.org.

In the field, Eastern cottontail rabbits and New England cottontails look the same. But the former is thriving while the latter is declining. Unlike the non-native, Eastern cottontail, the native New England bunny requires early successional habitats.Photo: Paul J. Fusco, courtesy of Connecticut DEEP

More Early Successional Habitat Needed for New England Cottontails


Junior Audubon Update By Cynthia Phipps, JA Chairperson

Most children love to create and especially enjoy the sim-plest materials, such as sand and water at the beach. Kids also like to pick up sticks, collect shells and pretty stones, and pick flowers. Our Junior Audubon Fairy House con-struction activity taps into what children (and adults) seem to be naturally drawn to, but it is much more than free playtime.

For this project, we meet as a group at a specified time and follow the rule that only non-living natural materials can be used. Also, there is a hidden agenda! Making Fairy Houses provides an opportunity to learn about, and expe-rience intimately on hands and knees, a small portion of

our natural woodland environment with the added attraction of enjoying a small brook.

This year the parents worked with the children, and together they created a wide variety of homes for the little creatures.

A boy, who was not at all into the fairy stuff, made an elaborate snake house that would serve as a protection for the fairy village. Another child made a campground, which included a fire pit so the fairies could roast marsh-mallows. A little girl planted an extensive garden and even provided spaces for storing food for winter. As the chil-dren viewed each other’s work, they decided that they had actually created quite a village. I was impressed by the variety of materials they found and how they managed to put them together to make their projects structurally sound.

At the October general LHAS meeting, when Robyn talked about the children’s enthusiasm while making their fairy houses, there was so much interest that we are con-sidering setting a date for the adults to try their hand at it.

Another recent Junior Audubon activity, which we all en-joyed, was the hike at the Steep Rock Preserve. Dave

McCullough selected this walk for its natu-ral and historic inter-est. After an easy hike along the Shepaug River and an aban-doned railroad track, we came to an old stone tunnel. It was awesome to walk through the tunnel, which had been blasted and cut through solid rock many years ago.

Participants in the Junior Audubon hike at Steep Rock Reservation head for the old stone tunnel. Photo: Liz Frazier-Zygmont

Junior Audubon participants make fairy houses from materials supplied by nature.Photo: Robyn Dinda

Junior Audubon Calendar 2013Junior Audubon provides an opportunity for grade-school children to learn about nature, the environment, and the creatures that live there. It is sponsored by the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society and is FREE. To get on the Junior Audubon e-mail list or for more informa-tion, contact Cynthia Phipps at 860-379-3537, Robyn Dinda at 860-567-0738, or send an e-mail to [email protected].

.......................................................................................January 6 Eagles at Shepaug Dam...........................................................................................February 10 Learn About Birds

..........................................................................................................March 24 Vernal Pools............................................................April 7 Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy

.........................................Summer Activities .Bird Banding, Kayaking, Coastal Birding(continued on page 9)


Junior Audubon Update (continued from page 8)

On the return trip, we crossed the river on a high suspen-sion footbridge. Some took an opportunity to explore the area, while others considered the history of the preserve and imagined well-dressed ladies and gentlemen on a Sunday carriage ride along the river. I think we had more fun on foot wearing jeans and sneakers.

Before checking our watches and hurrying back to the cars, we relaxed and enjoyed a peaceful moment on a lit-tle sandy spot at the edge of the river. This hike had a lot of variety, and many of the parents talked of returning for a winter wonderland walk or a springtime visit.

By the time you read this newsletter, I hope we will have had good views of the Bald Eagles at the Shepaug Dam. Also, we may have checked snow-covered trails at Boyd Woods for the tracks that give us insight into what is hap-pening in our woods when we are not there to watch.

Hog Island Camp Programs for Families, Adults, and Teens

Since 1936, the Audubon Camp in Maine has offered envi-ronmental education programs for adults, teens, families, and conservation leaders on Hog Island in Muscongus Bay, Maine. The sessions are taught by some of the coun-try’s leading birders, scientists, authors, and environmental educators.

Here are the programs for 2013:

• Maine Seabird Conservation: May 31-June 5 and Sep-tember 8-13

• Joy of Birding: June 9-14

• Field Ornithology: June 16-21

• Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens: June 16-21 and June 23-28

• The Arts of Birding: June 23-28

• Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week: July 18-23

• Family Camp: August 20-25

• Fall Migration and Monhegan Island: September 15-20 and September 22-27

For more information about the programs, including prices, visit hogisland.audubon.org or call 607-257-7308, ext. 14.

Note: If you register for a Hog Island program by Friday, February 15, you will receive a 25% discount.

LHAS offers camp scholarships for Hog Island of 50% for adults and 75% for teens. To apply for a scholarship, contact Marcia McGowan at 860-274-2089 or [email protected].

Chickadee Research Opportunity

Gordon Loery, who lives on Alain White Road on White Memorial property and has been connected with White Memorial for some time, is looking for someone who can take over the Black-capped Chickadee study project that he has been con-ducting for years.

He’s willing to donate his home and life savings to the right in-dividual who would continue

his study of chickadees for the long term.

Gordon can be contacted at 860-567-9639.

Regional Versions of BirdLog now available for mobile devices

The online bird data entry website eBird has announced that an app for mobile devices, BirdLog, allows birders to record their observations on a smartphone or tablet and send the data directly to eBird. BirdLog now offers re-gional versions (for Mexico and Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand), in ad-dition to BirdLog North America and BirdLog Worldwide. If you are going to a specific region — say, Belize — you would find the regional version handier than BirdLog Worldwide because the regional version has smaller lists, works faster, and costs a bit less.

eBird is a real-time, online checklist program of the Cor-nell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society that lets birders record the birds they see, track their bird lists, see maps and graphs, share sightings with other eBird users, and contribute to science and conservation.

For more information about eBird and BirdLog, visit www.ebird.org.

Black-capped ChickadeePhoto: www.stockfreeimages.com

lard’s Island. Horned Larks landed at my feet as I ap-proached the parking area, and White-winged and Red Crossbills (the former a life bird) were present in abun-dance.

I also took advantage of visits to my Mom on Long Island, stopping off at storm-damaged Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (it had

just reopened after the horrors of Hurricane Sandy) and Point Lookout, where I literally “studied” in the field, bird guide in hand, truly appreciating all that I could see with my birding scope. Small, dark forms barely dis-cernible in the distance with binoculars could now really be seen and enjoyed, thanks to the marvels of magnifica-tion. I realize this is old hat to my birding buddies who have long possessed such birding optics. For me, it was like “eyes wide open.”

And to top it all, just this past weekend, I accompanied a friend to see the “mega-rarity” (as it has been called by those in the know): Northern Lapwing, in Massachusetts.

We both had seen it in Europe but wanted it for the ABA list, so what the heck, I went along for what proved to be a great day. Not only did this handsome bird come close for excellent looks and photo ops; I cajoled my pal to stop at Worcester Airport, where Pine Grosbeaks had recently been reported feeding on crabapple trees. As soon as we pulled up, I spotted my first one ever amid throngs of robins. Then a flock flew aloft and we found five more Pine Grosbeaks atop a pine. WOW! What a feeling! But wait, the next morning I was privileged to go owling with a local aficionado whom I had not seen in many years. In a dense grove of evergreens, high in the notches of needle-covered branches, he managed to spot, and some-how I located, this huddled feather ball. Although it was asleep, we had nice views of ruddy streaks on its chest and white spotting on the back — my first Northern Saw-whet Owl!

As I have been told, if you don’t go looking, you won’t see it. I agree: “seek and ye shall find” — sometimes! And when you do find that Boreal Owl, Bohemian Wax-wing, or Common Redpoll, CALL me, PLEASE … I want to see it too!

P.S. Just enjoyed a wonderful morning at Doreen Orci-ari’s, loving my premier views of the abundant redpolls in her backyard. Thanks to Ray for the hot tip!


Pleasures and Treasures (continued from page 4)

Illustration: © Judy Ben Joud | Dreamstime.com

Just for laughs …Well, it is not a pretty story — about 200 dead crows near Regina, Saskatchewan, prompting concern about Avian Flu. A bird pathologist examined the remains of all the crows and con-firmed that the problem was definitely not Avian Flu, to everyoneʼs relief. He found that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with trucks, and 2% were killed by car impact.

The province then hired an ornithological behaviorist to determine the reason for the dis-proportionate percentages of truck versus car kills. The behaviorist identified the cause in short order: When crows eat roadkill, they always post a “lookout crow” in a nearby tree to warn the others of impending danger. The lookout crow could say “cah” but not “truck”!

" Author Anonymous

Common RedpollPhoto: www.stockfreeimages.com

http://www.dreamstime.com/judy_info

http://www.dreamstime.com/judy_info


Nature sleeps ’neath winter’s embrace,Hushed, save for a river still flowing,

A bird to its kin bravely calling,A soft breeze through branches blowing,A spruce bough’s snowy load falling,

Caressing the Earth in this wondrous place.- Diane Friend Edwards -

From the Editor

“Fillers” wanted for Chickadee ChatterOccasionally, I have extra space in the newsletter and could use “filler” material — photos, drawings, poems, and so forth — on some aspect of nature. If you think you have something worth publishing, please e-mail it to me at [email protected]. As our annual Members’ Night shows, there are some talented members among us!

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Snowy OwlPhoto: Diane Edwards

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