january 2009 wingbars newsletter atlanta audubon society
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
1/12
Panel of Judges Selects NewAtlanta Audubon T-shirt Design
We are pleased to announce the winner of our first Atlanta AudubonT-shirt design contest.
Woody Hickcox of Decatur, Georgia, submitted the winning entry, awatercolor of a Scarlet Tanager with the Atlanta skyline in thebackground. Congratulations, Woody! The design will be used on our newofficial AAS T-shirt, which should be available for sale in mid-January.
Judging was based on creativity, overall design and representation of AASs mission to promote theenjoyment and understanding of birds and to conserve and restore the ecosystems that support
them.
We want to thank each of the AAS members who submitted their artwork. There were some greatentries. Many thanks also to our judges: Giff Beaton, Tom Howick, Steve Phenicie, Barbara Tarpleyand Donna Wensink.
Look for more information about how you can purchase this special AAS T-shirt.
SPEAKER SERIESwith Ted ReissingSaving the Worlds Critically
Endangered Birds3 PM, Sunday, January 11, 2009
Island Ford Unit of Chattahoochee River
National Recreational Area
ATLANTAAUDUBON SOCI
Box 29189Atlanta, GA 303
www.atlantaaudubon
AAS OFFICEand Information
770.913.051
GOS RARE BIRD AL
770.493.886
January 2009
Volume XXXV, Issue 1 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D Perch.............................
Shorebird Workshop.....
AAS Legacy Club..........
Warbler Workshop ........
Field Notes....................
Field Trips......................
Southern Birding Trails .
Spotlight Wendy Weathe
Volunteer Opps..............
A Million Thanks............
Ivory-Billed Woodpecke
Master Birder Grads .....
Memorial Gifts ..............
Sullivan Memoriam.......
2009 Photo Contest .......
Classifieds....................
GAs Declining Birds .....
Membership..................
Great Backyard Bird Count
HappyNewYear
The Atlanta Audubon Societys board and staff wish you good tidings in 2009.
We will have some very exciting news for you in the next issue ofWingbars, and we are beginningthe new year with more of our successful Speaker Series presentations Ted Reissing in January
and Charlie Muise in February. Ted and wife Kay have traveled extensively, so his program will offer
us an opportunity to travel outside of our geographic area and see the bigger picture of birds in
crisis. Charlies presentation will be about the natural history of the fascinating (and some say cute)
Burrowing Owl from his field work in the high desert of Idaho, so put February 22 on your calendar.
As always, we are very grateful to you, our members, for your loyal support. Our Fall Appeal and
membership campaign are off to a running start, and we will share those results with you in the near
future.
In 2008 our country and AAS made history. With the help of many volunteers, our accomplishments
were many, but the work for the programs we put in place will continue. Thus, we welcome your
continued commitment and ideas as we go forward.
The Board and Staff of Atlanta Audubon Society
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
2/12
Board of Directors2009
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar770.993.9579
OfficersPresident Vacant
President-elect VacantTreasurer Deanna Helie
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan404.298.8825
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley404.687.0079
DirectorsConservation Dave Butler
Education Marge Igyarto678.398.0569
Field Trips Vacant
Membership Darlene Moore404.633.9361
CommunicationsBarbara Tarpley404.687.0079
Publicity Vacant
Volunteers Nancy Hamilton404.874.2338
At Large
Jay Davis404.624.4973
Victor WilliamsEarthshare Representative
---
WebsiteJim Flynn
Wingbars EditorMary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664
ProofreadingSteven Phenicie
Design & LayoutCopy Preparation 770.939.2002
Newsletter deadline is the first of
the month for material to bepublished the following month.
Please submit articles as MS-Word [email protected].
E-mail 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.
Perch
2 Atlanta Audubon Soci
As we begin the New Year, with it is bound to be some changes. For Atlanta AudubonSociety, it brings to a close another term of office by two of our Board members EllenMiller, our president, and Kelly Hopkins, our conservation chair.
As the old adage goes, time flies when you are having fun! Decidedly, Ellen and Kellymanaged to make the jobs fun for themselves, and they helped us enjoy our involvement as
well. But interspersed in the flurry of activities, there was hard work, physical as well asmental. Ellen and Kelly helped Atlanta Audubon Society move forward in its mission. Sinceit would take more space than this article allots to cite their many accomplishments, wehope instead each of you will remember certain events or programs in which youparticipated and thank them individually for their efforts. The AAS membership appreciatethe progress we have made under their leadership, and we look forward to theircommitment in other areas. We know from their past endeavors that their presence will nogo unnoticed simply because they have stepped out of the limelight of a board position.
As we go to press, we are looking for a volunteer to replace Ellen Miller, as well as areplacement for the president elect position that was vacated by Allyson Read. We want totake this opportunity to thank Allyson for the informative Speakers Series programs she
scheduled, as well as the other behind-the-scenes work that the position required. We aredisappointed that she is unable to step forward as the 2009-2010 president.
We are pleased that Dave Butler will be taking over the reins of conservation director fromKelly Hopkins. Dave is employed with the DeKalb County Office of Parks Bond andGreenspace and is uniquely positioned to promote our conservation efforts in 2009-2010.Dave has been leading field trips for three years, and we know that many of you haveenjoyed the outings that he has arranged with our dedicated field trip leaders.
Will Your Employer Make A Contribution for
Your Volunteer Hours to AAS?
Employer matching for your volunteer efforts is anotherimportant way you can support Atlanta Audubon Societyand make a significant statement about how you valuewhat we do in the community.
Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta alsorealize the importance of giving back to the communityand are getting involved by matching their employeesvolunteer hours with a cash donation.
Participating in your employers matching program is a
simple process. Check with your human resourcesdepartment about forms and procedures and send yourinformation to: Matching Gifts Coordinator, AtlantaAudubon Society, Box 29189, Atlanta, Georgia 30359.Well do the rest.
Your support ensures that our work in the
community continues today andflourishes tomorrow.
Matching
Contributions
Through
Volunteering
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
3/12January 2009
AtlantaAudubon
Socie
LegacyClubJoin us as a charter memof the AAS Legacy Club bincluding Atlanta Audubin your bequests.
Your gift to Atlanta AuduSociety ensures our long-ability to manage theresources necessary to
preserve and protect metAtlantas birds and theecosystems that support thWhile cash donations aremost popular form of supa variety of options exist,
from charitable gift annuand more.
Question: What is thadvantage of giving ainsurance policy to th
Atlanta AudubonSociety?
Answer:A simple waymake a substantialcharitable contributiois to give an existing linsurance policy to
Atlanta Audubon Sowhen it is no longerneeded for your famiprotection. Another wis to purchase a newpolicy, naming Atlant
Audubon Society as towner and beneficiary
We can help memberwho would like tocontribute to AAS in way, by designing aspecial program.
For more informationcontact Art Hurt [email protected]
SHOREBIRD WORKSHOP 2009
QUESTION: Where can you watch critters that date back350 million years lay their eggs and then watch a greatstampede of birds feasting on the eggs?
ANSWER: Right on our Georgia coast.
Experience a spectacular birding event: migratingshorebirds fueling up for their trip to the Arctic. Observehundreds of migrating shorebirds including Red Knots,Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers,Marbled Godwits, Ruddy Turnstones, and wading birds, upclose and in breeding plumage. You can see all this if youparticipate in AASs 2009 Shorebird Workshop. This uniquefield trip is timed with the laying of horseshoe crab eggsduring the full moon in May.
The two-part workshop will have a class session onSunday, March 8, 2 PM to 4 PM, taught by GeorgannSchmalz, AASs resident ornithologist, at the Blue HeronNature Preserve and coastal weekend field trips on May 9and 10 led by Brad Winn, a wildlife biologist with the DNR,and Lydia Thompson, a coastal naturalist. There will be afull day of birding on Saturday, May 9, and half day ofbirding on Sunday, May 10. The weekend will include a boat
trip to St. Catherines Sound (weather permitting) and field trips to the South Beach on JekyllIsland and Goulds Inlet on St. Simons Island.
The cost (excluding food and lodging) is $135 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon; $160 for NAS-assigned members; and $185 for non-members. Your payment confirms your reservation. Thistrip will be limited to 15 participants
To register or get more information, contact Lisa Hurt: e-mail: [email protected];phone: 770.934.7660.
2009 WARBLER WEEKENDWORKSHOP
Atlanta Audubon Society is again pleased to announce the2009 Warbler Weekend Workshop. This will be a two-partworkshop consisting of a comprehensive class session anda weekend field trip. The 2-1/2 hour class session onSunday, April 5, from 3 to 5:30 PM, will be conducted by ourwarbler authority, Giff Beaton, at the Blue Heron Nature
Preserve. The weekend field trips on May 16 and 17 will beled by Leslie Curran and Theresa Hartz in the north Georgiamountains where its possible to find 20+ species ofwarblers, many of which will be singing on their breedinggrounds.
The cost (excluding food and lodging) is $135 for Friends ofAtlanta Audubon; $160 for NAS-assigned members; and$185 for non-members. Your payment confirms yourreservation. This trip will be limited to 12 participants.
To register or get more information, contact Lisa Hurt. E-mail: [email protected]; phone: 770.934.7660
Hooded Warbler
Photographer: Giff Beaton
Shorebirds feeding on Horseshoe crab eggs on
Georgia Coast
Photographer: Clay George
Canada Warbler
Photographer: Giff Beaton
Shorebirds in flightPhotographer: Clay George
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
4/124 Atlanta Audubon Soci
ATLANTA AREA
GEESE THROUGH PLOVERS A GREATER WHITE-
FRONTED GOOSE was a rare find at the E. L.
Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton Co. on 1
Oct. (PF). Rare for the Atlanta area were single
AMERICAN BITTERNS at the Chattahoochee
River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) on 4
Oct. (ChL) and at Henderson Park (HP) in DeKalb
Co. on 13 Oct. (JSe, et al.). Four WOOD STORKS
were still at the Reeves Wetlands near
Stockbridge on 1 Oct. (PR). SZ recorded an
excellent count of 878 TURKEY VULTURES flyingover the Chattahoochee Nature Center on 18
Oct. Extremely rare was a sighting of an adult
NORTHERN GOSHAWK at the CRNRA on 22 Oct.
(CS). Unfortunately the bird could not be
relocated even though other birders were on
location within just a few minutes of the initial
sighting. Single PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen
in the Stockbridge area on 1 Oct. (PR), in
downtown Atlanta on 9 Oct. (JMa), and at Little
Mulberry Park (LMP) in Gwinnett Co. on 18 Oct.
(BrB). A SORA was a good sighting at the CRNRA
on 5 Oct. (KB et al.). The only rare shorebird wasa BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER at Lake Acworth on 1
Oct. (CS).
CUCKOOS THROUGH VIREOS A BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO was quite a good spot in Fulton Co. at
the Chattahoochee River on 19 Oct. (PH). BL
reported that a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD that
appeared at his house on 10 Oct. of last year
made its first appearance this year on 7 Oct.
Three YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were
reported from the CRNRA on 1 Oct. (StC, SyC)
and single birds were seen at the CRNRA on 4
Oct. (KB et al.) and at HP on 5 Oct. (HG et al.). A
LEAST FLYCATCHER was reported from the
CRNRA on 3 Oct. by CS. There were a total of 13
reports of PHILADELPHIA VIREOS ranging from 2
Oct. through 18 Oct. Most of the reports came
from the CRNRA and HP. A late NORTHERNROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was seen at HP on 5
Oct. (HG et al.). Small numbers of SEDGE and
MARSH WRENS were reported from the CRNRA
Sparrow Fields from 1 Oct. through 18 Oct.
(m.ob.) plus a few birds were also seen at HP
(m.ob.).
WARBLERS The hottest spot for warbler
migration was at HP. The peak count of
TENNESSEE WARBLERS came from HP with 112
on 5 Oct. (HG et al.). There were a total of 12
reports of NASHVILLE WARBLERS mostly coming
from the CRNRA and HP from 1 Oct. through 21
Oct. The peak count was four on 4 Oct. at HP
(PB et al.). The peak count of MAGNOLIA
WARBLERS was 46 at LMP on 13 Oct. (LThe).
PALM WARBLERS peaked at HP with 36 on 13
Oct. (JSe). Downtown Atlanta provided the high
count of AMERICAN REDSTARTS with 20+ on 9
Oct. (JMa). Rare warblers at HP were a
CONNECTICUT WARBLER on 3 Oct. (TH) and an
immature MOURNING WARBLER on 5 and 6 Oct.
(JSe et al. and CK). HG et al. had a good count of
14 HOODED WARBLERS at HP on 5 Oct. and JMi
had a female WILSONS WARBLER at HP also on5 Oct.
SPARROWS THROUGH DICKCISSELS The
Sparrow Fields at the CRNRA played host to a
number of rare sparrows with a CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW on 19 Oct. (PMc et al.), a
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW on 18 and 19 Oct. (KB
et al., JG) and HENSLOWS SPARROWS from 18
Oct. through 25 Oct. (m.ob.). The peak count
was three on 21 Oct. (StC et al.). There were six
reports of LINCOLNS SPARROWS from 2 Oct.
(CaL, JSe), through 25 Oct. (PMc). Two
DICKCISSELS were found at the CRNRA on 19
Oct. (StC) and were relocated on 21 Oct. by StC,
et al.).
GEORGIA AREA
SCOTERS THROUGH VIREOS WC had good
finds in SW GA with a SURF SCOTER at West
Point Dam (WPD) on 29 Oct. and a BROWN
PELICAN at the Walter F. George Dam on 7 Oct.
RM had a good count of 64 WOOD STORKS plus
an AMERICAN AVOCET at the Phinizy Swamp in
the Augusta area on 1 Oct. Very exciting haw
reports were an adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK
the Eufaula NWR (ENWR) on 21 Oct. (WC) and
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK in Gordon Co. on 29 O
(JSp). There were a few reports of SANDHILL
CRANES moving through the state, but no lar
numbers were reported. An adult LESSERBLACK-BACKED GULL was reported from the
WPD on 8 Oct. by WC.A possible LONG-EARE
OWL was heard in the Macon area on 27 Oct
(TMc). A possible ALDER FLYCATCHER was se
at WPD on 6 Oct. by EB. A BELLS VIREO was
banded at Jekyll Island on 5 Oct. by CP, et al
There were four reports of PHILADELPHIA
VIREOS from 2 Oct. through 13 Oct. with the
peak count of three coming on 2 Oct. at
Standing Boy WMA (WC).
SWALLOWS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS A CAV
SWALLOW was a good report from the Altam
Waterfowl Management Area near Darien on
Oct. (JGa). A WINTER WREN was early at the
ENWR on 7 Oct. (WC). There were four report
NASHVILLE WARBLERS from 6 Oct. through 2
Oct. (m.ob.).WC had a good count of 44
COMMON YELLOWTHROATS at the ENWR on
Oct. A rather rare WILSONS WARBLER was s
in Jackson Co. on 5 Oct. (JF). Some rare
sparrow reports included a CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW at Carters Lake on 10 Oct. (MM),
HENSLOWS SPARROW in Catoosa Co. on 7 O
(DH), a LINCOLNS SPARROW at OxbowMeadows in the Columbus area on 11 and 27
Oct. (WC), and nine WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROWS in Gordon Co. on 20 Oct. (JSp).
Three BREWERS BLACKBIRDS were a rather
rare find in Gordon Co. on 20 Oct. (JSp).
CONTRIBUTORS Eric Beohm, Brandon Best
Ken Blankenship, Bob Braxton, Patrick Brisse
Walt Chambers, Stan Chapman, Sylvia Chand
Leslie Curran, Nathan Farnau, Jim Flynn, Pet
Followhill, John Galvani, Hugh Garrett, Johnn
Green, Teresa Hartz, Jackie Heyda, David Hol
Pierre Howard, Lisa Hurt, Cheryl Kanes, Caro
Lambert, Chris Lambrecht, Bill Lotz, Jeff
Madsen, Trey Mccuen, Patty McLean, Ruth
Mead, Max Medley, Jenny Michaels, Peggy a
Terry Moore, Chris Pitman, Paul Raney, Chuc
Saleeby, Jeff Sewell, Adam Smith, Joshua
Spence, Ted Theus, Luke Theodorou, Stacy
Zarpentine and Gene Zielinski.
Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Roswe
GA 30075 [email protected]
October Field Notes by Terry Moorez
October wasnt that bad of a
month with a pretty good
numbers of migrants, especially
at Henderson Park in DeKalb Co.
Rare sparrows were found along theChattahoochee River and good
numbers of some of the rarer migrants such as
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and Philadelphia
Vireos were reported.
The Atlanta area hit 165 species for the month
(average = 153.5) to bring that year-to-date
total to 251 (average = 239.8). The Georgia
area came in with 224 species (average =
239.4) which brings the year-to-date total to
334 which is better than the average of 326.6.
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
5/12
Q: What specierecently dethron
the Arctic Tern athe bird with the
longest migratio
See page ___ for the answ
January 2009 5
Saturday, Jan. 3
Piedmont Park (City of Atlanta)Sponsored by the Piedmont Park Conservancy andAAS
Novices and children are invited. We bring binoculars
or those who want to borrow them.Marilyn Harris
Birding focus: Residents
Directions: These directions may vary. Check update
on website.
The Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Room isocated at the corner of Piedmont Ave. and 12th St.
From south of Atlanta, take the I-75/85 connector
north to Pine St. (Exit 249B). Go straight on Pine,
crossing Peachtree St. Turn left on Piedmont Ave.Travel about 1 mi. to 12th St.From northwest of
Atlanta, take I-75 south to 16th St. (Exit 250). Gostraight, crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th St.
Turn left on 10th. Travel 1/2 mi. to Piedmont. Turn lefton Piedmont to 12th St. Due to street closings,
including 10th and 14th St. Exits from I-75 S., consider
exiting at Northside Drive.From northeast ofdowntown, take I-85 south to 17th St. (Exit 84).
Continue straight, crossing 14th St. Follow directionsabove.
Field Trips Compiled by Dave Butler
Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwisenoted). We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced
birders! Please check the Atlanta Audubon website(www.atlantaaudubon.org) for January field trips
that may be scheduled.Sketch by Anne McCallum
SOUTHERN
BIRDING TRAILSBy Kenn Kaufman
For the next few months, Wingbars will present information on a number of
birding trails in the southern United States. A complete list of the trails can be
found in Audubon Magazine published by the National Audubon Society.
Linking the high points of the peninsula and
the Florida Panhandle, the Great FloridaBirding Trail lives up to its name with
sheer magnitude stretching some2,000 miles and including almost500 sites and with the quality
of the birding it offers. Beprepared to see huge
concentrations of Floridas most
famous water birds, includingflocks of wintering teal, pintails,and other ducks in the marshes ofthe Panhandle, teeming colonies of Sooty
Terns and Brown Noddies on the DryTortugas, and noisy treetop nesting groups of
Wood Storks at Audubons Corkscrew SwampSanctuary. If youre lucky, you might catch
specialties, too, like the elegant White-
crowned Pigeon, the elusive buffy-toned
Mangrove Cuckoo, and the Black-whiskeredVireo, all birds of Caribbean or tropical
affinities. Droll Burrowing Owls blinkbeside their burrows, and graceful
Swallow-tailed Kites swoop and
circle above the cypress stands.This trails biggest star by far,
the Florida Scrub-Jay, is a
striking blue bird found nowhereelse in the world. These jays have
a reputation for being practicallyfearless of humans, so your odds of
seeing at least one if not a constellationsworth are quite good. For more
information: call the Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission at 850.488.8755 or
visit www.floridabirdingtrail.com.
The Wilsons Sis a member owhat family: DGrouse, PloverSandpiper?
Great Florida Birding Trail
Check OutThis Websithttp://www.aou.org/checklex.php3. The Checklist of N
American Birds by the Ame
Ornithologists Union (A.O.U
lists 2,048 bird species wit
scientific and English name
from the A.O.U. North Chec
Area. If you need to check
desired scientific name, thi
works well just use the
command, usually under th
menu in most browsers, to
a particular bird in the list.
The geographic area cover
includes North and Central
America from the North Po
the boundary of Panama an
Colombia, including the adj
islands under the jurisdictio
the included nations; the
Hawaiian Islands; Clipperto
Island; Bermuda; The West
Indies, including the Baham
Islands, the Greater Antilles
the Leeward and Windward
Islands in the Lesser Antille(ending with Grenada); and
Swan, Providencia, and Sa
Andrs Islands in the weste
Caribbean.
See last page for ans
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
6/126 Atlanta Audubon Socie
A Million Thanks!Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its
volunteers. As always, we extend our gratitude to ALL of our
volunteers, but would like to send a special thank you to the following
individuals this month.
As we kick off 2009, we must thank Barbara Tarpley, Mary Ann Hindesand Steven Phenicie for doing a sensational job of pulling together Wingbars
each month over the past year. The newsletter is a tremendous amount of work, and we are soincredibly grateful to them. We are extremely proud ofWingbars and believe it is a wonderfulmember newsletter. Our publication would not be possible without their volunteer efforts.
Many thanks go toArt Hurt and Panos Kanes for their work on our new Legacy Club. Art hasbeen the driving force behind its establishment, and Panos has provided us with critical legaladvice. Besides getting the Legacy Club up and going, Art has helped with the design of our newLegacy Club brochure and with writing the monthly Legacy Club column in Wingbars.
For many years, Atlanta Audubon Society has been lucky to have terrific volunteer, MarkJernigan. Month after month, Mark has diligently prepared the minutes of our board meetings. Itis tedious and necessary work and is greatly appreciated. We are extremely grateful to Mark fordoing a tremendous job.
Our volunteer in the spotlight this month wasformerly the spotlighter. Wendy Weathers hasbeen writing the monthly column spotlightingAAS volunteers for Wingbars since July 2007.
While growing up in the Atlanta suburbs, Wendywas inquisitive and wanted to know the namesof the birds that visited her familys backyard.She attributes her interest in birding to herparents who always put out bird feeders. Theynow have a pond in their backyard and continueto get all types of birds from hummers,woodpeckers, owls, hawks, finches, cardinals,chickadees and titmice to water fowl such asmallards and geese. Their special friend is aGreat Blue Heron, nicknamed Big Bird by theformer owners of the home. Her favorite placeto bird is still her parents backyard in Norcross.
Wendy commented, their neighborhood backsup to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, butamazingly they get a variety of wildlife notjust the birds, but coyotes, fox and deer.
Wendy passed along some of her favoritebirding stories. When I was in eighth grade, myfamily took a vacation to Jamaica. We went tosee the Bird Lady in the mountains outside ofMontego Bay. My Dad got to feed ahummingbird. It perched on his finger as he fedit sugar-water from a Jack Daniels mini-bottle.Along that line, my Dad raised mealworms oneyear to feed the bluebirds. We also had a
phoebe that would eat the worms out ofour hands. That is a special
feeling.
Wendy has been birding for about 10 years anhas recently purchased a home in Norcross. Slooks forward to putting out feeders and seeiwhat birds she can attract. As for her favorite
bird she thinks Eastern Bluebirds arestrikingly beautiful and fell in love with the sowhite doves in Sevilla, Spain. Remembering hencounter with the white doves in Spain, Wentold an amusing story: I mentioned the whitedoves in Spain. While in high school and on mfirst trip to Spain, my classmates and I weresitting outside at a caf observing the flocks opigeons. As we were leaving, my friend realizone had pooped on her shoulder. Its a funnymemory now. Im glad it wasnt me, though! old wives tale says if bird droppings land onyour head, it is a sign of good luck. We certain
wish Wendy good luck with her new home anhope lots of birds come to her feeders.
Wendy is an insurance adjuster for a third paradministrator and handlesliability claims for Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. AASappreciates her time andhard work as acontributing writer forWingbars. Herreplacement, starting withthe February issue, will beLynn Waldvogel and David
Kuechenmeister.
Spotlighting... Wendy WeathersBy Mary Ann Hindes
Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Volunte
Corner Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Volunte
Wendy WeathersPhotographer: Connie Wea
olunteerOpportunities
ompiled by Carol Hassellhoto Contest Help
We desperately need help with an
mportant job for this years photo
ontest setting up a Paypal account
or AAS. We would like to have a way
or our photo contest participants to
ay for their entries with Paypal. Are
ou a techie who could help with this
ob? If so, contact Catharine Kuchar,
What YOU can do to help theeorgia Important Bird Areasrogram!he Georgia IBA Coordinator, Charlie
Muise, needs one or more persons
with talent and interest in creating
osters and/or other display items.
ell be making presentations at
arious venues in the coming months
nd needs visual material a
ortable presentation system that can
e changed from time to time and
ventually a permanent display. We
will cover the cost of materials, but of
ourse we will also happily accept in-
ind donations.
Armchair Activists Coordinatorre you interested in public policy and
rotecting bird-friendly habitat? Do you
ke to mobilize people around critical
sues? Do you like to use the Interneto communicate? Armchair Activists
re a critical component of our
rassroots program, and we need a
oordinator. The coordinator wil l
esearch critical issues that affect
irds and send summary information
o the Armchair Activists listserv on
what action to take,e.g., sending
etters to congressman, calling
enators, etc. While this is an ongoing
ole, there is more activity in the
eginning of the year when the
egislature is in session. If you have
bout five hours per month that you
an volunteer, contact Kelly Hopkins at
[email protected] or04.660.3166.
Audubon Adventuresoordinatorcoordinator is needed to contact
metro area teachers to solicit requests
or National Audubon Society-created
uarterly newsletters designed for use
n elementary classrooms. During the
chool year or at its end, you would
eed to follow up to see how the
materials were used. All supplies and
nstructions are provided. Contact
Marcia Klenbort,
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
7/12January 2009 7
When we saw the notice about Dr.
Geoffrey Hill of Auburn University being
in Macon in November to discuss the
search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in
the Florida panhandle, it reminded us
that Atlanta Audubon Society member
David Cree accompanied Dr. Hills
research team last January, so we asked
him to relate his experience forWingbars.
After a 10 minute conversation with
Bobby Harrison here in Atlanta in January2006 at a bird store supply convention, I
decided to go to Arkansas to look for theIvory-billed Woodpecker. Bobby even
drew me a map showing exactly where hefirst sighted the bird. Plus he gave me allsorts of tips on how to bird this bird.
Over the next year or so I did my best tosee if I could find someone to travel with
me to Arkansas on this search for theGrail Bird. No success. It was then that I
earned of the other guys a teamfrom Auburn University led by
ornithologist, Geoffrey Hill, who alongwith Tyler Hicks and Brian Rolek, hadobserved an Ivory-billed Woodpecker
while kayaking the western side of theChoctawatchee River north of Panama
City, Florida, on May 21, 2005. Since thattime, there have been over 20 reported
sightings.
My goal was then to go to Florida. Ithought a lot less publicity surrounding
this discovery means fewer birders in theswamps, plus maybe they would allow me
to be trained as a volunteer and actuallywork with them in their search. That logic
motivated me enough to actually pick upthe phone and call Dr. Hill at Auburn. Iwas pleasantly surprised by his affable
manner and excitement over the fact thatI was a bird photographer with
professional grade equipment. Dr. Hillinstructed me to get in touch with Brian
Rolek, the coordinator of the Auburnresearch team. Brian was happy to learnof my birding and photographic ability,
which led him to accept my request to bea volunteer for a week with his team. I
also advised him that my good birding
friend, Brock Hutchins, also of AtlantaAudubon, would accompany me withamplified directional sound listeningequipment with a recorder. That clinched
it! So, we scheduled a week in January2008 to meet at the Swamp HQ of the
search team along the ChoctawatcheeRiver.
Upon our Sunday PM arrival at the cabin,no one was there. They were all out in the
field. However, folks soon began to slowlyarrive and, eventually, Brian. We
exchanged pleasantries and then beganthe serious business of orientation. Briancovered all the nuances of entering and
exiting kayaks. How to paddle, watersafety, use of the mandatory compass and
the GPS unit items at the top of the listof what we learned. Quite frankly, the
swamps in this area are VERY dangerous,and it is VERY easy to get lost. Manyhave! Also, rubber boots are a must, but
waders are even better. Next, we wentover maps and grids of areas that Brian
wanted us to search. Careful attention to
bark scalings and large tree cavities wereto be noted and marked with the GPS. Ofcourse, any visuals of an Ivory-bill were tobe duly reported and radioed in ASAP! We
also had to fill out daily reports.
We were greeted with 33 degree weatherour first morning in the assigned searcharea. It was FREEZING!!! Not fun for
kayaking around in the swamps. The veryfirst thing I observed about Ivory-billed
territory was its remoteness and theincredibly dense forest that exists in these
swamps. After less than 10 minutes offthe launch area at Tillys Landing, one
could not tell where one had been. Evein a somewhat protected area like Lost
Lake because of the recent heavy ra the current was swift and controllin
ones direction was difficult. Branchesand logs were everywhere in the waterplus the trees themselves made even
kayaking difficult. Without Brocks abilwith the GPS unit, we would have easi
gotten lost. I will admit, there were a feoccasions when I truly did panic as I lo
sight of Brock in the dense forest and whaving trouble even establishing soundcontact with him. This is NOT the kind
birding for the weak or faint of heart. Iwas truly a great adventure, but not on
would recommend for the casual birde
Each day was a new learning experienwhether we were walking on dry land kayaking the wetlands. The drill was th
same: listening and waiting, looking anpraying!! Camera and binoculars at the
ready in an instant! Each evening wewould return to the Swamp HQ. Theresearchers were always very busy. Fo
countless hours, they would sift througthousands of time-lapsed photos gathe
each day from their strategically placedtree mounted cameras. Or, they would
listen to all the recorders also treemounted throughout the target searchareas. It was fascinating watching and
learning all that is involved in thisscientific effort to obtain conclusive
evidence of the existence of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. My greatest
disappointment was, of course, that weneither heard nor saw THE BIRD!
By a stroke of good fortune, one day I into Mike Collins (rocket scientist
mathematician) down on one of thecreeks. He has seen an IBWP as close
25 feet. His search reports and videos aon his website at www.fishcrow.com.Mikes documentation is meticulous. H
knowledge extraordinary! Take a look.
Dr. Hill, Brian and the search team are
preparing another assault on theChoctawatchee River again this month
Once again, they will diligently work toobtain that one photo to offer to the
world the irrefutable proof that the LorGod Bird is among us!!! It would beawesome if it was mine.
In Search of the Elusive Ivory-billed WoodpeckeBy David Cree
Brock Hutchins emerging from thicket
Photographer: David Cree
Brock Hutchins listening for a Kent Call
Photographer: David Cree
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
8/128 Atlanta Audubon Socie
Memorial GiftsLast spring, the Atlanta Audubon Society established a memorial fund in honor of Dr. Joseph Greenberg, and we have continued toreceive contributions throughout the year from birders who are grateful for the influence Joe had in their lives Bill Blakeslee,Gail Russell, Jeannie Wright and others. We are also grateful for a donation from Sylvia Chandler, a dear friend of Ginny and FrankMcCamey. Sylvia was unable to participate in this years Birdathon, but she still turned to one of her loyal sponsors, JeffreyBlankenship, and more than matched his contribution, earmarking it in memory of Frank.
Below is the obituary of another friend of Atlanta Audubon, Robert Sullivan. His family has honored his regard for theenvironmental endeavors of Atlanta Audubon Society and Audubon of Florida by requesting donations in lieu of flowers. Bob hasbeen remembered by his colleagues at Kovak and Company, McKenneys Mechanical Contractors and Engineers and EmorysDepartment of Human Genetics, as well as other friends. We are very appreciative and extend our sincere condolences to wifeMary and son Owen.
In MemoriamRobert T. (Bob) Sullivan, age 54, died October 30, 2008. Bob started
birdwatching at the age of 14. He was one of the legions of people
initiated into the pleasures of birdwatching through a local chapter of
the Audubon Society in his case, the Orange Audubon Society of
Central Florida. He went on to get a biology degree from Rollins College
(Winter Park, Florida) and a M.S. from the University of Florida-
Gainesville in Entomology and Nematology. He coordinated the
Econlockhatchee Christmas Bird Count in Central Florida for several
years and worked on the Florida Breeding Bird Atlas before moving to
the Atlanta area in 1993. After moving to Georgia, he also worked on
the Georgia Breeding Bird Atlas project. In addition to pursuing his
lifelong interest in birds and natural history, he collected data on cran
flies and their behavior for over 25 years. At the time of his death, he
provided technical support for the Human Genetics Department at Emory University. He is
survived by his wife Mary and son Owen. A memorial service was held on November 10th at
the Unitarian Church in Roswell, Georgia. Memorial donations may be made to the Atlanta
Audubon Society, P. O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359 or to the Audubon of Florida, 444
Brickell Ave., Suite 850, Miami, FL, 33131, Attn: Vicky Johnston.
Thanks to the vision of Georgann Schmalz, former
three-term AAS president, education chair and
communications director, and help from instructors
Lisa Hurt, Diane LaCole, Tim Keyes and others, Atlan
Audubons innovative Master Birder program thrives
Atlanta Audubon now boasts over 130 Master Birder
since the beginning of this great program in 2002.
Another Master Birder Class GraduationWelcome to the 15 new graduates of the
fall 2008 Master Birder Program.
Fall 2008 Class Master Birders
(L to R): Beckie Hawkins, Diane LaCole (instructor), Tim Keyes (instructor), Stuart Arey,
Stanley Tate, Joey Giunta, David Kuchenmeister, Lora Tate, Harriette Hoyt, Varda Lobanov,
Mary Bachner, Kristy Dunbar,Linda Wagner, Terri Lindsay, Lynn Waldvogel, Diane Schellack,
Asami Kawahara, instructors (on floor) Georgann Schmalz and Lisa Hurt
Photographer: Art Hurt
Robert Sullivan in the Big Bend
Country, TexasPhotographer: Mary Sullivan
Nearly half of the
migratory songbird
species in America
are declining. Help us
reverse this trend.
and Act for SongbirdsTODAY!!
www.actforsongbirds.orgVISIT
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
9/12January 2009 9
KEY DATESEntries must have been photographed since January 1, 2008 and must be received by midnight on Feb. 23, 2009.All entries will be displayed at the Speaker Series event to be held on the weekend of March 21-22. Ribbons andgreat prizes will be awarded at the event. All entries will be judged prior to the Speaker Series event.
Check Out the Atlanta Audubon Web Site Soon for More Information atwww.atlantaaudubon.org
Let the CompetitionBegin...
Prizes subject to change if availability issues arise.Adobe prizes cannot be upgraded to later editions in the future.
A t l a n t a A u d u b o n S o c i e t y
2 0 0 9 A n n u a l P h o t o g r a p h y C o n t e s t
Check Out This Years Categories and Fantastic New Prizes:
N First PrizeBirds in Portrait: 8 x 42 Raptor Binoculars by Eagle Optics; retail value $149.00 (sponsored byEagle Optics)
N First PrizeBirds in Motion: Adobe Photoshop CS4; retail value $699.00*N First PrizeAnimals: Florida Space Coast Outdoor Adventure Package for 2; retail value over $300 (last year
this prize included two complimentary registrations to the 2009 Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival; giftcertificate to Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant; airboat ride; kayak tour of Merritt Island; admission to theKennedy Space Center and a gift certificate to Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach)
N First PrizeHabitat: Smith & Hawkens life-size pair of cranes rendered in steel with hand-hammered detail; retailvalue $189.00 (sponsored by Smith & Hawken)
N Georgia Youth: birdJam Maker East and the Stokes CDs East; retail value $100 (sponsored by birdJam)N Judges Choice: $250 cash prizeN Grand Prize: Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Premium (includes products like inDesign, Photoshop Extended,
Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, etc.); retail value $1,799.00.* Also includes the opportunity to haveyour photograph printed on the Atlanta Audubon Society official picture postcard for 2009!
Criteria for judging include:
Originality Overall impact Composition Technique Presentation Difficulty
Photographs will be judged in the following categories:
Birds in Motion (no man-made elements, unless natural behavior, must convey the original dynamic motion of the bird
or birds ); Birds in Portrait (no man-made elements, unless natural behavior, i.e. perching on a fence, may shownesting, stalking, or roosting activity) Animals (all living creatures, other than birds; no man-made elements); Habitat(flora and fauna in their natural environments, landscapes or panoramas); Georgia Youth (18 and under Georgiaresidents in any category above); and Judges Choice.
Submission Details and Rules:N Please visit Atlanta Audubons Web site for rules and more details: www.atlantaaudubon.org
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
10/1210 Atlanta Audubon Socie
CLASSIFIEDS
Rates for 2.5 x 2.5 ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent with the conservation and birding mission of Atlant
Audubon Society. Ads may be accepted via e-mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 770.913.0511 if you have questions. Send payment
WingbarsAds, Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at [email protected].
10 Atlanta Audubon Socie
Bird Songs of GeorgiaCD now available.
Email Georgann Schmalz [email protected] or visit
www.birdingadventuresinc.com
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
P.O. Box 921455, Norcross, GA 30010
Website: www.workshopcreations.com
E-Mail: [email protected]: 770-448-5363 Fax: 770-448-5363
Affordable Housing
and Feeders for
Birds, Bats and
Butterflies
Workshop Creations, Inc.
Basic, functional and long-lasting
cedar products
Order on our website:
800-289-1132www.eagleoptics.com
EAGLE OPTICS RANGER SRT
EAGLE OPTICS
OPTIC OUTFITTERS
YOUR SOURCE FOR A FULL LINE OF
BINOCULARS AND SPOTTING SCOPES
FROM ALL MAJOR MANUFACTURERS
Securing the Future for Metro-Atlantas BirdsIf you havent had a chance to make a donation to support Atlanta Audubon Societysconservation efforts, now is the time! Join others as
your contribution will reap dividends for years to come towards creating, promoting and preserving bird-friendly habitat.
Yes! I would like to support Atlanta Audubon Society with a contribution.
Donation amount enclosed: $_______________
Donors giving $250 or more receive a one-year IndividualSupporting Membership in Atlanta Audubon Society.
2008 Annual Fund Donor Categories:Bald Eagle ($1,000 or more)Great Blue Heron ($500-$900)Red-headed Woodpecker ($250-$499)Rose-breasted Grosbeak ($100-$249)White-throated Sparrow ($50-$99)Supporter ($1-$49)
I would like to receive more information on Atlanta AudubonSocietys new Legacy Club program on planned giving. A newbrochure outlining the details of the club is now available.
I do not wish to have my donation recognized in the newsletter,Wingbars.
Mail this form to Atlanta Audubon Society,
Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
We thank you for your generous support!
Check enclosed (Please make check payable to AtlantaAudubon Society)
Visa MasterCard AMEX Discover Diners Club
Credit Card #________________________________________
Exp. Date (MM/YY) __________________
Signature ___________________________________________Card Verification No.* _______
Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr. Other _________________
Name _____________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________
City _______________________________________________
State ________________________ Zip ____________
Phone ___________________________
E-mail Address ______________________________________
Your gift is tax deductible as provided by law.
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
11/12January 2009
Wingbars is mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Society members receive an
ntroductory 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,
ou willnot receiveAudubon magazine.
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 Atlanta Audubon Society
BENEFITSOF
MEMBERSHIP 11 issues
(July/Augustcombined) of
WingbarsNewsletter
Friends discounton classes, tripsand special even
Use of the AASlibrary
Agreattaxdeduction!
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
J Interested in volunteering with AAS
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.
Now Available!
You can now renew yourmembership online. Just vis
our Web site atwww.atlantaaudubon.org
and go to the membership pag
join via the Web. We are excito be able to offer this new
service to you!
The Eastern Meadowlark has declined 82%in Georgia over the past 40 years. Between1966 and 2005, the birds populationdeclined at a rate of 4.2% per year inGeorgia.
The Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna, is
a stunning bird with a brown back and a brightyellow breast with a black V-shaped marking.Males and females look alike, and the bird isapproximately the size of a robin. It isdistinguished from its western counterpart,
the Western Meadowlark, almost exclusively byits melodic song and location.
Common in spring and summer in grasslands, meadows and prairies,the Eastern Meadowlark is often seen on the ground or singing from afence post or other prominent perch. It breeds from March to Augustin Georgia and creates an elaborate ground nest, woven out of grassand often well hidden in thick vegetation. The meadowlark is
sometimes the victim of the Brown-headed Cowbird, whose parasitic
behavior includes laying its eggs in other species nests.
The Eastern Meadowlarks diet consists mostly of insects, includingcrickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars and grubs. It captures its preyusing a technique called gaping where it probes into matted grasswith a closed bill and then spreads it open, exposing the vegetation
the awaiting insects.
It appears to prefer managed fields and farmlands with more grassand fewer woody stems. Grazed and mowed sites tend to providebetter habitat than less frequently disturbed old fields with taller
vegetation. These sites may attract meadowlarks to nest, but thenests are often unsuccessful because harvesting and mowing candestroy the eggs or young before fledging occurs. In Georgia, EasteMeadowlarks can be found throughout much of the state with theexception of the metro-Atlanta area and heavily forested areas likenortheast Georgia and the Okefenokee Swamp and adjacent areas
Source: : Declining common bird findings based on National Audubon SocCommon Birds in Decline: A State of the Birds Report, with additional figu
from the Georgia DNR.
Georgias Common Birds in DeclineEastern Meadowlark
Eastern Meadowlark
Photographer: Giff Beaton
-
8/9/2019 January 2009 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
Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit
501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are tax deductible to
the fullest extent allowed by law.
The recently formed GeorgiaNature PhotographyAssociation will hold itsfirst annual meeting at
7 PM on January 17 at theChattahoochee Nature Center, featuring
keynote speaker Charles Glatzer, owner and host ofShoot the Light Instructional Photographic
Workshops. For more information, go towww.gnpa.org.
GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
ITS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3!1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more day
of the count, February 13 to 16. You can count for longer than that if youwish. Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like one day, two
days or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each day. You can also submitmore than one checklist per day if you count in other locations on that day.
2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species thatyou see together at any one time. You may find it helpful to print out yourhttp://gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/checklist to get an idea of the kinds of birds you
likely to see in your area in February. You could take note of the highest number oreach species you see on this checklist.
3. When youre finished, enter your results through
gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/input. Youll see a button markedSubmit Your Bird Checklist on the website homepage beginning on the first day of the count(February 13). It will remain active until the deadline
for data submission on March 1.
Answer: SootyShearwater
Answer:Sandpiper(Scholopacidae)