october 2007 wingbars newsletter atlanta audubon society
TRANSCRIPT
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8/9/2019 October 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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ATLANTAAUDUBON SOCI
Box 29189Atlanta, GA 303
www.atlantaaudubon
AAS OFFICEand Information
770.913.051
GOS RARE BIRD AL
770.493.886
October 2007
Volume XXXIII, Issue 10 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D
Presidents Perch..........
From the Exec Dir.........
A Million Thanks ...........
Field Notes....................
Trees Atlanta.................
Field Trips......................
Sanctuary Tour .............Holiday Celebration ......
Earth Share of Georgia.
Spotlight Nancy Hamilto
West Side Atlanta.........
Space Coast.................
Hog Island.....................
Classifieds.....................
GAs Protected Birds.....Membership..................
Birds Matter..................
Celebrate the Audubon CentennialCollection and Support Atlanta AudubonIn celebration of the premiere release of the AudubonCentennial Edition of John James Audubons The Birds ofAmerica, Atlanta Audubon Society and the ChattahoocheeNature Center, in partnership with the Ann Jackson Gallery inRoswell, will host a series of special events.
The Centennial Edition, like the original, includes all 435 imagespainted by Audubon. The 435 images depict 1,065 birds, andeach rendering of each species is painted life-size.
Beginning on Friday, November 2, from 6 to 9 PM, during an
elegant reception hosted by the Ann Jackson Gallery, supporterswill meet Robert E. Hall, the artist who received the exclusiverights from National Audubon Society to restore and reproducethe images and the man who has committed himself to restoring
these national heirlooms.
On Saturday, November 3, the public is invited to a bird walk (meeting at 8 AM) exploringthe grounds of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, including the wetlands area and boardwalkalong the river. Afterwards, in partnership with the Chattahoochee Nature Center,AtlantaAudubon Society will host its next Speaker Series Event, The Birds of America, aspecial lecture and workshop with Robert E. Hall. He will bring the works of John JamesAudubon to life. This program will begin at 10 AM in the main building of the ChattahoocheeNature Center.
An Open House will be held at the Ann Jackson Gallery on Saturday, November 3 from 10AM to 8 PM and Sunday, November 4 from noon to 5 PM.
We welcome and encourage all Atlanta Audubon Society members and guests to attend thisunique event on the 3rd. It is a very special day that has been planned, and we encourage youto spend your morning and afternoon with us. You are welcome to attend any portion of theevents but suggest coming for the bird walk, enjoying the Speaker Series event, heading intodowntown Roswell for lunch on the square and then visiting the gallery.
Proceeds from the sales will benefit Atlanta Audubon Society and the Chattahoochee
Nature Center. This is an amazing opportunity to support your Atlanta Audubon
Society.
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is located at 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075. The AnnJackson Gallery is located at 932 Canton Street, Roswell, GA 30075 in downtown Roswell.
Nominations for Atlanta Audubon Society's Board of Directorsby Kelly Hopkins
I am honored to chair this year's nominating committee for Atlanta Audubon Society's board of directors. Thecommittee is working to secure a slate of energetic, willing candidates to continue and expand the great workof our current board members.
The most critical board vacancies for which we seek engaged, interested candidates are next year's boardpresident, the education chair and the conservation chair.
If you are interested in working on the nominating committee, interested in learning more about one of theseboard vacancies or if you want to nominate a candidate, please contact Kelly Hopkins at 404.660.3166 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Serving on Atlanta Audubons board is an enriching and rewarding experience. Volunteer organizations such
as ours can only survive based on the active involvement and dedication of our members.
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If you are reading this, you are obviously
familiar with the Audubon Society and its focus
on birds in this country. Maybe youve also
heard of the Royal Society for the Protection ofBirds in Britain. But are you familiar with
Birdlife International and its worldwide focus
on bird conservation? Do you know that the
Important Bird Area Program, and its equivalent
in other countries, was developed by Birdlife
International and that Audubon is a partner of
Birdlife International?
For any who dont know, and I admit I didnt
until recently, Birdlife International is a global
partnership of conservation organizations
focused on conserving birds, their habitats and
global biodiversity. There are partner
organizations in 100 countries on every
continent. Birdlife International encourages and
facilitates collaboration between bird focused
organizations on regional programs. And if you
wonder how much influence Birdlife
International generates, consider the fact that
the current President Emerita is Queen Noor of
Jordan.
Recently, Birdlife International announced the
biggest, most ambitious and wide-ranging bird
conservation program ever. There arecurrently189 bird species worldwide that are
designated critically endangeredon the brink
of extinction. Birdlife International is looking
for Species Champions to fund already
identified initiatives to save each of the 189
species and their habitats, which of course also
benefits large numbers of additional species.
Species Champions can be for-profit companies,
other kinds of organizations or even individuals.
The Species Champions Program intends to
raise $19,000,000 over the next five years.
According to my handy dandy Internet currenc
converter, one US dollar currently equals abou
one half of a British pound.....so you see whythe program is termed big. The first Species
Champion is the British Bird Watching Fair for
2007. The British Bird Watching Fair, or Birdfa
as it is commonly called, attracted 19,000
visitors in 2006 (bless the Brits) and has a
number of fundraising activities the proceeds
from which each year benefit designated
conservation programs.
To bring the Species Champion Program a littl
closer to home, there are 17 species in North
America that are on the list of 189 critically
endangered species. They include the Ivory-
billed Woodpecker, California Condor, a numb
of Hawaiian species and even Bachmans
Warbler. I thought it was pretty well accepted
that Bachmans Warbler was extinct, but the
explanation is that until all suitable habitat had
been thoroughly searched, the species should
not be designated as extinct. Interestingly, ther
is suitable habitat located in our next-door
neighbor, South Carolina, that has apparently
not been thoroughly searched.
Most of us are probably not in a position tobecome Species Champions, at least on an
individual basis, but we can all contribute in
one way or another to the conservation of bird
species. And speaking for myself, I like knowin
that there are global bird conservation
programs going on and people focused on the
big bird picture. So think about what you can
do to support bird conservation, and Just Do It
Thanks for all you do, and good birding!
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
---
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
eflect 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
Bird Conservation on a Global Scale
2 Atlanta Audubon Soci
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olunteerOpportunitiGET INVOLVEIN ATLANTAAUDUBON
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 Hurt
770.934.7660
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 Sanctuary
Support the preservation ofgreenspace in Atlanta.Contact: Jacqueline McRae
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.
Halloween is just around the corner. Its atime filled with thoughts of scary costumes,trick-or-treating and bobbing for apples. The
stores are filled with items that show off themascots of Halloweengoblins, witches,pumpkins and, yes, even the dreaded spider.
Now, I know that spiders are important tothe environment and there are some peoplewho like them, but I think it is probably safeto say that Im one of the biggest spidersissies on the planet. To say Im terrified ofspiders is a vast understatement. Ive hadarachnophobia since I was young. Now mypoor husband is the victim of my blood-curdling screams when I find one in thehouse. Yes, I hate spiders.
With this highly irrational fear, you can
imagine my delight to discover that somebirds actually eat spiders. Hey, I thought,yet another great reason to love birds.Among spider eaters are chickadees, somewarblers, Blue Jays, Mockingbirds and awide array of wrens, including House Wrens,Marsh Wrens and Bewicks Wren (see relatedarticle on Protected Birds of Georgia). Withan estimated one million spiders per one acreof woodlands, thats a lot of spiders to eatand a critical part of many birds diets.
All of that spider-eating is beneficial to thebirds. There are, of course, the obvious
nutritional benefits, but a new study reveals
there may be something more. Researchersrecently revealed that birds preferentiallyfeed their young spiders containing the
amino acid taurine, which may manipulatethe personality and learning ability of theiroffspring.
Taurine is also found in breast milk andenergy drinks. The beneficial qualities oftaurine include aiding the development ofpremature babies and reducing bloodpressure in human adults, but it has notpreviously been known how taurineinfluences the development of birds.
In a study using Blue Titmice, researcherswere able to observe the long-term impactsof this vital nutrient and found a significantimpact on the personality and memory of the
birds. Those who were fed taurine as chickswere on average much bolder and better atlearning in adulthood than their counterpartswho were not fed the extra taurine. It is thefirst time that scientists have been able tofully explain why birds feed their youngspiders at a particular stage in theirdevelopment and how parents canpermanently alter the behavior of theiroffspring via the food that they select.
Whatever the reasons, it all sounds good tome. So I have only one final message for thebirds this Halloween season, Bon appetit!
From the Executive Directorbby Catharine Brockman Kuchar
Along Came a Spider
October 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 you
to the following individuals this month:
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of itsvolunteers. As always, we extend our unending gratitude to ALL of ourvolunteers, but would like to send a special thank you to the followingindividuals this month:
Membership Chairman and handyman,Art Hurt, did an amazing jobfixing the bookshelves in the Atlanta Audubon office. Many of the
shelves had fallen on top of each other, and Art built new supports foreach shelf. It will really help us organize our books, including library
reference materials that are always available for check-out by our members.
Creating bird-friendly habitat in Atlanta is vital in a city that is growing by leaps andbounds. We are grateful to people like Carol Vanderschaaf, who work tirelessly toprotect special spaces around the area. Carol oversees the Freedom Park Bird andButterfly Garden in town by coordinating volunteer efforts and doing on-the-groundconservation work, including keeping the garden weeded and watered throughout the year.
We are grateful to all our Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour volunteers, and wed like tosend a special thank you to Jacqueline McRae and Nancy Hamilton for all their workon coordinating the tour. It was an enormous task, and the event wouldnt have beenpossible without their effort.
Check OutThis WebsiteNew York Audubon offers a
to learn about migration.
Seehttp://ny.audubon.org/BirdSci_g
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Trees Atlanta will hold its 8th Annual Trees Atlanta Tree Sale Saturday, October 13 at Piedmont Park
The sale offers more than one thousand plants including 200 species of trees, shrubs and tree-friend
vines for purchase by the public. This years tree sale focuses on drought-tolerant shade trees not
typically available at retail nurseries and seldom planted by local landscape companies.
For more information about the Trees Atlanta Tree Sale or Trees Atlanta,
visit www.treesatlanta.org or call 404.522.4097.
ATLANTA AREA
BIRDS A ROSSS GOOSE was a good find in
Forsyth County on 2 July (JF). At the E.L. HuieLand Application Facility, CL had a number of
good sightings, including two summering
RING-NECKED DUCKS, nesting PIED-BILLED
GREBES, single ANHINGAS on 10 July and 25
July, several LEAST BITTERNS on 6 July,
several WHITE IBIS during the month and
nesting COMMON MOORHENS and AMERICAN
COOTS. An additional WHITE IBIS was seen in
Cobb County on 5 July (DHe). In Bartow
County, KB had an early STILT SANDPIPER and
WILSONS SNIPE on 31 July. The WILSONS
SNIPE would probably be a record early datefor the state if documented. Along with a few
other early migrants at Kennesaw Mountain
was a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER on
22 July (GB).
GEORGIA AREA
WHISTLING-DUCKS THROUGH ANHINGAS
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS continue
to increase in Georgia. This month at least two
were seen at the Altamaha Waterfowl
Management Area near Darien on 1 July (PB,
TMi), seven were seen at the Phinizy Swampnear Augusta on 8 July (MMc, BB) and two
were in Lee County on 1 July (MH, CR). A
COMMON LOON was still being seen in
southern Lowndes County on 2 July (JA). At
the Phinizy Swamp, JF and EH saw seven
juvenile PIED-BILLED GREBES and one adult
on 1 July. An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was
seen along the Andrews Island Causeway near
Brunswick on 1 July. An ANHINGA was an
interesting find in Walton County on 7 July
(MF).
BITTERNS THROUGH TERNS Several
observers noted large numbers of LEAST
BITTERNS during the month at the Phinizy
Swamp, with the highest count being around
20 or so. Interesting sightings from Northwest
Georgia were a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-
HERON in Murray County on 8 July (JSp) and
an immature WHITE IBIS at Carters Lake on 9
July (MMe). On 1 July, JF and EH had 225
WHITE IBIS and one GLOSSY IBIS at the
Phinizy Swamp. Eight ROSEATE SPOONBILLS
were seen along the Andrews IslandCauseway on 1 July by PB and TMi. Two
OSPREYS along the Walton/Newton County
line were an interesting sighting (MF).
SWALLOW-TAILED and MISSISSIPPI KITES
were widely reported, with the most
interesting sighting being 18 SWALLOW-
TAILED KITES in Long County on 20 July (GW).
JF and EH had a good count of UPLAND
SANDPIPERS in the Marshallville area on 29
July. At the Walter F. George Dam on 7 July
WC had one LAUGHING GULL and a very
unusual pair of GULL-BILLED TERNS.
HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH CROSSBILLS A
lot of observers commented on the relative
scarcity of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDduring the month. Lets
hope that the species recovers quickly. Two
GRAY KINGBIRDS were seen in the Brunswi
area on 1 July (PB, TMi), and another pair w
young was seen in the Savannah area on 1
July (RW). A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
was a good sighting on 15 July in Banks or
Habersham County (DHa fide MB). Two RED
BREASTED NUTHATCHES were seen in
western Fannin County on 16 July (JSe). Tw
CEDAR WAXWINGS were a surprise in Clark
County on 7 July (ET). In Fannin County KBhad a BREWSTERS WARBLER on 3 July,
JSe had a CANADA WARBLER there on 16
July. One RED CROSSBILL came to a Big
Canoe feeder in Dawson County on 12 July
(JN).
CONTRIBUTORS Julius Ariail, Giff Beaton,
Michael Bender, Ken Blankenship, Bill Boyd
Patrick Brisse, Walt Chambers, Jim Flynn,
Mark Freeman, Dave Hall, Myra Hardy, Dav
Hedeen, Earl Horn, Carol Lambert, Mark
McShane, Max Medley, Terry Miller, Peggy Terry Moore, Jennifer Nealy, Clive Rainey, J
Sewell, Joshua Spence, Stan Tate, Eugenia
Thompson, Russ Wigh, and Gene Wilkinson
Have an interesting bird to report? Contact
Terry Moore at [email protected].
July Field Notes by Terry Moorez
July was a very lackluster month
for birding in both the Atlanta
area and Georgia as a whole.
The very hot and dry weather kept
bird activity as well as birding
activity way down. Lets hope thingspick up a little in August.
The Atlanta area came in with 105 species
(average 116.5) to bring the year-to-date list to
227 (average 218.8). The Georgia area
recorded 166 species (average 176.3) to bring
that year-to-date list to 317 (average 308.2).
4 Atlanta Audubon Soci
8th Annual Trees Atlanta Tree SaleScheduled for Saturday, October 13
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Field TripsCompiled by Dave Butler
October 2007
Carters Reregulation Lake and
Hidden Pond Trail(Murray County)Friday, October 5,Darlene MooreMeet at 9 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirds andwater birdsDirections: Take I-75 north from Atlanta.Take Exit 320 and head east on GeorgiaHwy. 136. At the intersection with US Hwy.411 (landmark is Ralston's Corner BP gasstation), go straight across the highway,pass over a railroad track and travel 0.4miles from the intersection to Old Hwy.411 (there is a brown sign here marking
Coosawattee WMA). Turn left. TheSongbird Trail (Hidden Pond Trail) is athe first recreation area at the dam
forming the reregulation lake just downOld Hwy. 411 on your right. We will meetn the parking area in front of the sign
marking the beginning of the trail. Forfurther information, please seewww.wingsoverga.com.
Dawson Forest WMA(Dawson County)Sunday, October 7, Theresa HartzSunday, October 21,
Georgann SchmalzSunday, October 28,Georgann SchmalzMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: Drive approximately 35 milesfrom the I-285/GA 400 interchange toDawson Forest Rd. Turn left (west) onDawson Forest Rd. Drive four miles,crossing over Hwy. 9 and continuing twomiles into the WMA. Meet inside the gateat the wetlands.
E.L. Huie Water Treatment Facility
(Clayton County)Saturday, October 13,Dale HardeeMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Water birdsDirections: Take I-75 south beyond I-285o US 19/41 (Tara Blvd., exit 235); drive
south for 8.2 miles to Freeman Rd. andurn left. The Clayton County Authority
office is a quarter-mile down Freeman Rd.on the right. The pond complex is acrosshe street. This trip is sponsored by the
Clayton County Water Authority. Call the
Wetlands Center for information about
birding at both sites: 770.603.5606. Visitwww.ccwa1.com for more information.[both sites??]
Georgia International Horse Park(Rockdale County)Thursday, October 18,Darlene MooreMeet at 9 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: From I-20 (east of Atlanta)take Exit 82 and travel north for 3.7 mileson Georgia Hwy. 138. Turn right ontoCentennial Olympic Parkway. In 1.6 miles,
park at a polo field on the right. We willmeet there and bird several locations inthe park. If you are late, contact Darleneby cell phone (404.274.7390), who willdirect you to the groups location. Forfurther information please seewww.wingsoverga.com.
Eufaula NWR Bradley Unit andWest Point Dam (Stewart, Harrisand Troup counties)Sunday October 21,Ken Blankenshipand Darlene Moore
Meet at 6:30 AMBirding Focus: LeConte's Sparrow,Neotropical Migrants, Water birds on thedamDirections: Meet at the ColumbusWelcome Center, Exit 12 on I-185. We willcarpool. Limit of 20 people; all birderswelcome. Bring binoculars, spotting scope(optional), water, snacks. We will explorethis wonderful area of mixed habitats atthe tail end of fall migration. We willhopefully encounter a few late neotropicalmigrants as well as a few early winteringspecies. This trip will involve a fair
amount of walking, but it is all level andalong gravel-covered dikes. Wearcomfortable boots or walking shoes, notflip-flops. After we bird "The Bradley," wewill have lunch, followed by an optionalstop at West Point Lake Dam. Pleasecontact Ken Blankenship [email protected] to reserveyour space. See www.wingsoverga.comfor more details.
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
(DeKalb County)(Old South Peachtree CreekNature Preserve)Saturday, October 27,Lisa HurtMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: From I-285 N or S: TakeHighway 78, Stone Mt. Freeway exit, wtoward Decatur. Highway 78 passes NoDeKalb Mall and continues up hill pastBanner Ford. At intersection of Highwa78, North Decatur Rd. and Medlock Rdtake right on Medlock Rd. Follow MedlRd. 1/4 mile to Medlock Elementary
School; go right on Wood Trail Lane. Gthrough one stop sign; travel another 2yards to Preserve entrance.From I-75/I-85 N or S: From I-85 north south take North Druid Hills exit, easttoward Decatur. After approx. 3 miles, right on Hwy. 78 (at North DeKalb MallFollow directions as above.
CRNRA, Cochran Shoals Unit(Fulton County)Monday Oct 29,Darlene MooreMeet at 7:30AMBirding Focus: Henslow, Lincoln,
LeConte's sparrows and migratingsongbirdsDirections: Cochran Shoals is locatedthe west bank of the Chattahoochee, junorth of I-285 (about "10 o'clock" on thPerimeter).From I-285 eastbound: Take Exit 22,Northside Dr., New Northside Dr., PowFerry Rd. Go to second traffic light andleft onto New Northside Dr. Use throulane to pick up Interstate North ParkwUnit will be 0.8 miles on the right aftercrossing the Chattahoochee.From I-285 westbound: Take Exit 22,
Northside Dr., New Northside Dr., PowFerry Rd.Go right on New Northside Dr. Usethrough lane to pick up Interstate NoParkway.Unit will be 0.8 miles on the right aftercrossing the Chattahoochee.Please wear shoes that can get wet andlong pants, as we will be walking throuhigh grasses in the sparrow field. Pleasbe sure to bring $3 for the parking fee(exact change, please).
Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted).We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced birders!
Please check the Audubon Website for other field trips not listed here.
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Each year, Atlanta Audubon hosts an exciting tour of AAS-certified Backyard
Wildlife Sanctuaries to demonstrate and motivate area residents to create
personal havens for themselves and birds, butterflies and wildlife. It is an
important part of Atlanta Audubons work to create, promote and preserve bir
friendly habitat.
This year's tour was held on September 8 and featured five properties within a
convenient four-mile radius in Virginia-Highland, Candler Park and Ansley Par
Each is unique and includes vital food, water, shelter and nesting sites for bird
and other wildlife that are being pressured by rapid development throughout t
region. The properties have been transformed with a wide variety of native an
other shrubs and trees, flowering and ornamental plants, terracing and other
architectural improvements. One of the sites even had a turtle pond.
Attendance was heightened due to beautiful weather and advance ticket sales
and promotion of the event at Ashe-Simpson Garden Center, Hastings Garden
Center, Smith & Hawken at Peachtree Battle, Habersham Gardens, the Urban
Gardener, Intown Hardware, Ace Hardware at Peachtree Battle and Pike Fami
Nurseries on Roswell Road and LaVista Road. Event sponsors were BB&T,
birdJam, Earth Share of Georgia, Patagonia and Toco Instant Printing. Please
thank these organizations for their support when you next shop with them.
A special thanks to Jacqueline McRae, the coordinator for this event, and Nanc
Hamilton and Denese Van Dyne for their amazing work. Also, many thanks go
to all of our other volunteers who made this event possible: Sue Avalone, Jane
Brann, Sharon Brekke, Joy Carter, Anita Chilcutt, Nanette Dooley, Virginia
Dunbar, Georgie Ferraro, Cathy Harman, Susan Harrison, Sally Hodges, Marily
Harris, Renee Hopf, Kelly Hopkins, Marge Igyarto, Mark Jernigan, Mary Kelly,Teresa Mayes, Anne McCallum, Mary Lou McCloskey, Graham and Page
McDonald, Ellen Miller, Suzanna Norman, Tom Painter, Steve Phenicie, Allyson
Read, Kay and Ted Reissing, Judy Renault, Michael Shadrick, Carol Vanderscha
Prabha Varma and Gary Wehner.
Thanks are also due to this year's tour property owners. "I want to thank each
property owner for creating such compelling and inviting properties and then
generously hosting this year's tour," said Jacqueline McRae, Atlanta Audubon
Wildlife Sanctuary Certification coordinator. "Each of these properties is an
excellent example of what individuals can do to significantly improve the
environment."
Atlanta Audubons Wildlife Sanctuary Certification Program benefits both
homeowners and the community at large. "Each day about 100 acres of forest
farmland in the Atlanta region are developed," said Catharine Brockman Kucha
Atlanta Audubon executive director. "We were delighted that so many people
participated in this year's tour to observe and learn how to create a garden
oasis."
Annual Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary TourShowcases Five Unique In-town Properties
All photos by Cathy Harman
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Earth Share of Georgia pvital role in promotin
environmental educatvolunteerism and char
giving by partnering wbusinesses across GeoSince its founding in 1employees across the
have generously pledgefinancial support and tithe important work of
Share's 61 membeorganizations.
These contributions agrowing exponentially asand more businesses m
place the environmealongside United Way an
approved charities as arecipient of annual emppayroll pledges. United
does not offer workplaceopportunities to environm
organizations like AtlaAudubon Society.
Atlanta Audubon has bemember organization ofShare of Georgia since and we have received
than $77,000 in campcontributions through
important workplace gprogram.These funds hsupport our many educ
and conservation effortsmetro Atlanta area
Earth Share now participmore than 70 governmecorporate campaigns, inc
Cox Enterprises, Inc.,Home Depot, Kaise
Permanente, Emory UnivTurner Broadcasting, C
Atlanta, the Combined FCampaign and the Sta
Georgia. If your companyalready involved with EShare of Georgia and
would like more informplease contact CathariKuchar,Atlanta Audub
executive director, aCatharine.Kuchar@atlant
bon.org.
Nancy Hamilton has been volunteering for
Atlanta Audubon Society for three years. She
has worked on the Education Committee, has
been involved in the summer Junior Bird Camp
with the Decatur RecreationCenter and served on the
Education Scholarship Committee.
For the last two years, Nancy has
been the Special Events Chair on
the Atlanta Audubon Board. She is
responsible for organizing such
events as the photo contest,
picnic, backyard wildlife sanctuary
tour, holiday banquet and the
photo exhibit.
She became interested in birding several years
ago after going on a bird walk at Fernbankwith her husband and Georgann Schmalz. After
that, they all went to Costa Rica and were
hooked. She mused she has not been birding
nearly long enough and chides herself for not
observing birds when she was raising her kids.
She professes that her favorite bird is one you
hear, that you stalk and wait to see. Then, with
luck and persistence, it finally
appears in sunlight and majesty.
Those birds one never forgets.
She stated that identifying a bird by its song is
the best. It finally happens, and her list is
growing. It has taken an untold amount of time
and patience on behalf of AtlantaAudubon trip leaders and fellow
birders to make it happen, but she
says that is one of the marvels of AAS.
She adds that birders are an amazing,
giving group.
Her favorite place to bird is her
backyard. She has added feeders,
birdbaths and bird boxes and planted
bird-friendly flowers, shrubs and trees.
She also loves to go to the E.L. Huie Water
Treatment Facility wetland and the Clyde
Shepherd Nature Preserve because they areclose to home (Virginia-Highland). She said for
fabulous birds, it is still hard to beat the
Georgia coast at migration.
Nancy is officially retired from being the
program director of a nonprofit supporting
public education in Atlanta. She still volunteers
for similar nonprofits and works part time for a
legal team focused on a public education
lawsuit.
Spotlighting... Nancy Hamilton
Nancy Hamilton and Ansley
Hamilton (granddaughter)
Get Involvwith
Earth ShareGeorgia
Celebratethe Holidays with
Atlanta AudubonShare the holiday cheer with your friends and fellow birders Friday,
December 7 at 6 PM for wine and beer (cash bar) and a silent
auction. For your $25, you will experience an exceptional dinner at 7PM. Bring your gift list for shopping the auction. The party will be
held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta.
For reservations, contact the Audubon office at 770.913.0511. Send
your check to Sally Davis, 3904 Ashford Lake Ct., Atlanta, GA
30319 as soon as possible to reserve your space. To volunteer to help
with the banquet or to donate a contribution for the silent auction,
contact Sally Hodges at [email protected].
Don't miss out on the fun!
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8/9/2019 October 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
8/128 Atlanta Audubon Soci
West-side Atlantans:
We Need Your Help
In 1997 Ms. Geraldine M. Scarbrough Geltner donated a 186-acre tract of land on Annewakee Creek
north of Annewakee Road in Douglas County to Atlanta Audubon Society. Working with the Chattowa
Open Land Trust, AAS was instrumental in getting a conservation easement placed on the tract that w
prohibit development of the property.
Annewakee Creek and Crooked Creek run through the property and form Lake Monroe. Industrious
beavers have created their own huge lake with a dam that spans 200 feet. This has created an
undisturbed habitat that is a sanctuary to the ducks, geese, Blue Herons an
other wildlife that live there. The land features gently rolling hills covered w
mature hardwoods, wetlands, creeks and lakes. It is certainly one of the mo
beautiful areas in Douglas County.
Unfortunately, several negative things have been happening on or around th
property, including illegal hunting, ATV usage and the development of an
adjacent tract of land that is resulting in runoff causing pollution in Lake
Monroe.
We are looking for individuals in the Douglasville, west-side area who are
willing to volunteer for a short-term task force to make recommendations t
the Atlanta Audubon board on what steps we can take to protect the property. We have a volunteer to
lead the task force, and we need others to help us out.
For those who participate, we will conduct a field trip to the property to look things over, do some
birding and begin to move ahead. If you are interested, please contact Catharine Kuchar at
[email protected], who will put you in touch with the task force leader.
Annual Space Coast Birding and
Wildlife FestivalPresented by Nikon and the Brevard Nature Allia
the 11th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife
Festival (SCBWF) will be held January 23-28, 200
and is timed to coincide with peak activity for
wintering bird populations in Florida.
Festival organizers have planned 41 field trips, 32
workshops, 55 seminars, 39 photography worksh
and presentations, 70+ exhibitors, 15 kayak
excursions, five well-known keynoters and a pela
trip. Field trips will be led by a combination of loc
authorities and prominent national and internatio
birding tour leaders. Workshop hosts are nationa
recognized experts. Seminar presenters represen
many countries. Visit www.nbbd.com/fly/aas to review field trips, workshops, seminars, keynotes an
other scheduled activities.
Make your festival and hotel reservations early, as field trips and rooms fill fast. Contact Neta Harr
at 800.460.2664 or [email protected].
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8/9/2019 October 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
9/12October 2007
One day last spring, I was outside playing in my yard when my mom called me to tell me I had won the
Atlanta Audubon Scholarship to the Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine. I couldn't believe it, and I
couldn't wait to go! I read books about Maine, and I studied my field guides all summer in hopes of
seeing some new birds that we don't get to see here in Georgia.
Finally, on Sunday, July 29, my mom, my grandmother and I rode the boat from the mainland over to
Hog Island. There were several Common Eiders and Black Guillemots in the harbor, and lots of lobster
buoys too. When we got to Hog Island, we met our counselors and got to see our cabin. I was in Porthole
2. After unpacking, we got to explore the camp and island with our families for awhile. There was an
Osprey nest with chicks right by our cabin.
We hiked around a little and saw some Red Squirrels and a few birds, Northern Parula Warblers, Black-
throated Green Warblers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Black-capped Chickadees and some Juncos. We
visited the Queen Mary lab, where they have several bird skins, animal bones and a touch tank filled
with crabs, sea stars, snails and a lobster. After saying goodbye to my family, we played some games and
got to know the other campers. Most of the other kids lived in the Northeast. I came the farthest to
attend camp! That night I sketched a drawing of a Yellow-rumped Warbler. It's neat to see them in the
summertime.The next day we got up early to go on a bird walk. We saw Arctic Terns and a Greater Yellowlegs at the
beach at Porthole Cove. Tom, who was my favorite counselor, was also a good birder. Our activities that
day included forestry and birding. We learned about the spruce trees and went to a bog. There were
carnivorous plants in the bog that ate bugs! We also went on a boat tour aboard the Puffin V around Hog
Island and some of the other islands. We saw some harbor seals, a beautiful Common Loon and some
more Common Eiders.
On Tuesday, we went kayaking, which was a lot of fun and got really close to some Black Guillemots and
some Double-crested Cormorants. I've never been kayaking before. That was one of my favorite activities
at camp. Later, we hiked around the island some more and played on the beach. That night we had
singing and dancing activities.
Wednesday we went to Eastern Egg Rock Island aboard the Puffin V. We saw bunches of Atlantic
Puffins, Common, Arctic and Roseate terns, Northern Gannets and Herring, Laughing and Great Black-
backed gulls, but unfortunately no Razorbills. We also saw harbor porpoises and more harbor seals. We
learned that the puffins have had good breeding seasons the past few years. On the way back to Hog
Island, we saw a Great Cormorant (which was a life bird for me).
On Thursday, we went on another bird walk. There were a lot of Cedar Waxwings. Later, we went to
nearby Harbor Island on the Puffin V. We had a picnic and hiked around the island. We heard Winter
Wrens and Common Yellowthroats and saw young Black-throated Green Warblers being fed by their
parents. We walked through a cave and climbed on the rocky shore. Harbor Island had a more diverse
habitat than Hog Island, with mixed hardwoods and meadows, instead of mostly evergreens. It was one
of my favorite places we visited. That night we saw lots of shooting stars back on Hog Island.
Friday was our last full day. We did chores and then studied intertidal zones. We saw lots of crabs and
snails. We saw pink algae growing on some snails, and my counselor told me it was called BubblegumAlgae. Later we went to the mudflats and saw a mink there. We used a net to catch fish and crabs to get
a closer look at them and then we released them. We later hiked through the island to the beach, where
we built shelters out of seaweed and sticks. We had a great time! We had a sunset cruise around the
island that night and got great looks at a Bald Eagle sitting on a rock. That night we had a
thunderstorm.
On Saturday morning, the young Ospreys were about to fledge. They were stretching their wings and
calling a lot. I wish I could have seen them go, but it was time to pack up and head back to meet our
families at the dock.
I really loved Maine, and I had a wonderful camp experience. I am really glad I got to go. I learned so much and
met a lot of cool people that cared about nature. I hope to go back to Hog Island one day and go to the Ornithology
Camp. I would like to thank Atlanta Audubon for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
My Trip to Hog IslandBy Luke Theodorou, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Atlanta Audubon Barnsley Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to Luke for winning the Barnsle
Scholarship
Luke Theodorou explores a tide pool
Atlanta Puffins swimming off Hog Island
Common Eiders and Atlantic Puffins
All photos by Luke Theodorou
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8/9/2019 October 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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CLASSIFIEDS
Black OilSunflower
20lb Bag $7.50 alwayswith Audubon Membership Card
Proud Supporters of Environmentally
Conscious 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 770-813-9476
Peachtree City 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-247
WWW.Wildbird.com
Rates for 2.5 x 2.5 ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent with the conservation and birdingmission of Atlanta Audubon Society. Ads may be accepted via e-mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 770.913.0511 if yo
have questions. Send payment to Sally Davis, Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA30359. Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at [email protected].
10 Atlanta Audubon Soci
W en You ComeTo 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
EcuadorBirding in Paradise February 2008
Visit www.birdingadventuresinc.comfor more information
or email Georgann Schmalz [email protected]
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]
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Choose from our international selection of
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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 program
is 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 and
flourishes tomorrow.
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8/9/2019 October 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
11/12October 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 ofWingbarsNewsletter
Friends discounton classes, tripsand special even
Use of the AASlibrary
A great taxdeduction!
Thanks to allof you for your suppo
and enthusiasm.
Getting to Know Georgias Protected Birds:Bewicks Wren
Bewicks Wren(Thryomanesbewickii) is amedium-sizedwren, 12.5-14cm in length,
with aconspicuouslong white
eyebrow stripe and a long tail with whitecorners or spots. It is Georgias only wrenwith uniform whitish-gray underparts andwhite outer tail feathers. The song ofBewicks Wren is much like that of theSong Sparrow in phrasing, but it is higherand thinner and ends on a high trill.Breeding populations of the BewicksWren vary from common and widespreadn the west to uncommon and rare in the
east (Appalachians). In Georgia, only a
few valid records exist for winteringduring the last two decades, and thesehave occurred in brushy areas of thewestern Piedmont and lower Coastal Plainof Georgia.
A Bewicks Wren diet consists of insectsand other invertebrates, including bollweevils, other beetles, leaf bugs, stinkbugs, leafhoppers, treehoppers, scales,ants, wasps, caterpillars, moths,grasshoppers and spiders.
The bird is rare according to the state ofGeorgia listing and does not have federalstatus. A rare bird in Georgia means thatthe species may not be endangered orthreatened but should be protectedbecause of its scarcity.
There is no clear explanation for thedecline of Bewicks Wren in Georgia. Thdecline may be related to increases inexotic, aggressive House Sparrows andEuropean Starlings or even regionalincreases in native House Wrens, Carol
Wrens and Song Sparrows, all of whichcompete for food and nest sites. Evensevere winter weather has been suggestas a cause for regional declines of thiswren. There is some hope that placingnest boxes near the ground in brushyareas could attract this species in Georgas it is known to use nest boxes, mailboxes, and natural cavities readily in otstates.
Source: Georgia Department of NaturaResources, Protected Animals of Georg
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8/9/2019 October 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
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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
400DunwoodyVillage
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285
Upcoming
Birds ofAmerica eventbenefiting Atlanta
Audubon,
Nov. 2-4
Birds Matter. in the MarketplaceWe often think about what we can do as individuals to make the world a better place for the birds th
we love, but working to make a difference can also take place in the world of business as well.When business takes on the responsibility to lessen its impact on the environment, birdsbenefit. These changes can be anything from recycling programs to large endeavors like
advocating for new building designs that lessen bird collisions (a problem that killsaround one billion birds a year).
In Atlanta, we were encouraged to learn about a company whose commitment to the environment could actually help thebirds in two ways: less carbon impact and direct support for Earth Share of Georgia. The company is called Green Expreand is a courier service in metro Atlanta. Starting with a strong commitment to the environment, it began buying hybridelectric cars which are getting 60 miles per gallon in the city and emitting 80 percent fewer pollutants into the air. The cawere really the focal point of Green Express making a difference because they immediately reduce the amount of fuel usedaily, and electric cars are zero-emission vehicles while idling or going below 30 miles an hour. This move to be greenwas major. No courier company in America has switched to a hybrid fleet, making Green Express the first couriercompany in the U.S. to do so.
Also, Green Express made a special commitment to Earth Share of Georgia, of which Atlanta Audubon Society is a memb(see related article, p. 7). For each new account it signs up, $1 of every package delivered for the first year will be donatedto ESG (new accounts must mention Earth Share of Georgia to get the donation).
That money directly benefits Atlanta Audubon Society. Now, thats making a difference for the birds we love! If youd likefind out more about Green Express, visit www.greendelivers.com.