september 2007 wingbars newsletter atlanta audubon society
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8/9/2019 September 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
September 2007
Volume XXXIII, Issue 9 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D
Presidents Perch..........
From the Exec Dir.........
A Million Thanks ...........
Field Notes....................
Field Trips......................
Wal-Mart Grant .............
Echols Scholarship ......
Volunteer Corner ...........
Spotlight Art Hurt..........
Welcome, Sally.............
Birdathon 07.................
By The Way ...................
Classifieds.....................
GAs Protected Birds.....
Membership..................
Caring for Cardinalsby Georgann Schmalz
Wildlife habitat. To a Scarlet Tanager it provides a leafy
canopy for foraging during migration in the spring. To aGray Catbird it offers a rich understory for nesting sitesin the summer. To a Northern Cardinal, it does both.
At one time, metro Atlanta could brag about itsextensive canopy and understory, but the once-prized
cover of tree foliage is disappearing to huge homes andmanicured lawns. Recent analysis of surveys and
research shows that even our common residential urbanbirds such as Northern Cardinals are declining.
How can you make your property and neighborhood abetter place for birds? Step outside your home and
inventory the treeless patches on your street, including your own front yard. Do you see open
spaces with little or no vegetation that add to the loss of bird habitat and diversity in theneighborhood?
Even a small backyard in an urban neighborhood can lessen this loss if the basic requirementsof food, nesting places and shelter for birds are present. Two features are important in your
landscape: structure and composition.
Structure refers to the layering of vegetation in the habitat. Birds forage at all layers, including
canopy, understory, brush and ground level. The more structural complexity you can offer, the
more birds and other wildlife will be attracted to not only feed, but also nest and raise theiryoung. Select plantings for various heights to fill in gaps in the vertical layers from ground to
treetops. The density of the landscape is also important. Most birds prefer closed canopieswith good understory for protection from predators. A good ground cover is beneficial,
providing moist soil with insects and earthworms that are eaten by thrashers, thrushes andwrens.
Composition involves the beneficial plant varieties that offer food, shelter and nesting to birds.Choose plants using a birds eye, ensuring that each tree, shrub or wildflower is functional.Look for hard mast, soft mast, flowers and seeds that are available at all times of the year.
Wooded habitat includes the structure and
composition of the forest.
2007 BackyardWildlife Sanctuary Tour
Saturday, September 8
9 AM 4 PM
See August Wingbars and AAS website forticket information,
site descriptions and directions.
continued on back page
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As I sit writing this months Perch in early
August, it is predicted to be 97 degrees here in
Atlanta with a code red air quality alert ... ugh.
But do you realize that fall bird migration isalready in progress for shorebirds, with other
birds coming soon?
When I first learned that some sandpipers begin
migrating in early July, I was amazed. Id always
thought migration took place around October.
But if you are a sandpiper flying all the way
from the Arctic to Argentina, I guess it makes
sense to get on the road early.
For those of you who subscribe to GABO
(Georgia Birders Online), you know that various
migrating shorebirds were being seen regularlyby the end of July, and in early August, Upland
Sandpipers were being seen at sod farms
around the state. The Upland Sandpiper is a
bird I need for my life list, so next weekend
will be my first fall field trip.
What do we know about bird migration? As I
learned in Atlanta Audubons Master Birder
class, there are a number of triggers which
determine the timing of bird migration,
including hours of daylight, air and water
temperatures and food supplies. I also learned
that in the fall ten billion birds of about 400species move south from the Northern
Hemisphere. Wow! Scientists also know there
are birds such as Dark-eyed Juncos that move
altitudinally, from higher altitudes to lower
altitudes. There are birds such as American
Robins that migrate short distances, which is
why we have so many in the winter. There are
birds that migrate from North America to
Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and
farther south. And there are some birds such a
Upland Sandpipers, Barn Swallows, Red Knots
and Swainsons Hawks that migrate all the way
to southern South America.
So how do birds navigate? We know that birds
use a number of methods for determining how
to get to their migration destination. These
include birds following topographical features
of rivers, mountain ranges and coastlines and
birds using astronomical features of the stars,
the sun and the Earths magnetic field. Many o
our songbirds migrate at night, which is where
the stars come in. I read an article recently
about nighttime field trips to the observation
tower of the Empire State Building to see and
hear birds migrating by.
Bird migration is an astounding natural
phenomenon with numbers of specific
examples which to me are the ultimate in
extreme reality shows. Take the Bar-tailed
Godwit, which is a bird that nests in Siberia an
western Alaska. In the fall the bird puts on
weight until it has about 55% body fat. Its
kidneys, liver and intestines atrophy as it waits
for tailwinds and heads south over the Pacific
Ocean, not stopping for 6,800 miles until landin
in New Zealand. If you know of something moastounding than that one, let me know!
So be watching your yards, your local
greenspace, or wherever you bird. The migran
are coming, and you can witness this
phenomenon live and in person. And
remember, migrants need places to rest and
refuel on their travels. Think about what you
can do to assure that migrants continue to
migrate.
Board of Directors2007
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar770.993.9579
President Ellen Miller404.355.8892
President-elect Vacant
Treasurer David Yon404.513.9806
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley404.687.0079
DirectorsConservation Vacant
Education Marcia Klenbort404.874.9826
Field Trips Dave Butler404.580.3917
Membership Art Hurt770.934.7660
CommunicationsGeorgann Schmalz706.216.5012
Publicity Denese Van Dyne404.406.9324
Special Events Nancy Hamilton404.874.2338
Volunteers Vacant
At LargePast PresidentKelly Hopkins404.622.1888
Jay Davis404.624.4973
Lisa Hurt770.934.7660
Victor WilliamsEarthshare Representative
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WebsiteJim Flynn
Wingbars EditorGrace Trimble 404.351.0518
Design & Layout
Copy Preparation [email protected]
ProofreadingMim Eisenberg
Newsletter deadline is the first ofthe month for material to be
published the following month.Please submit articles as MS-Word to
gmtrimble @mindspring.com.Email attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the monthly newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society. We feature news, upcoming
events, meetings, field trips and projects.We
hope you will join us.Opinions expressed are
those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect policies of the Atlanta Audubon Society.
Mission Statement:
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.
Presidents Perchby Ellen Miller
The Migrants Are Coming
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olunteerOpportunitiGET INVOLVE
IN ATLANTA
AUDUBON
We invite you to volunteerwith these Atlanta Audubonprograms.
PublicityHelp us get the word out throlocal media about our field trand workshops.Contact: Denese Van Dyne404.406.9324
MembershipHelp with mailings tomembership.Contact: Art Hurt770.934.7660
EventsRepresent Audubon at speciafunctions and displays.Contact: Nancy Hamilton404.874.2338
EducationVolunteer for a variety ofeducational programs. Weprovide training workshops.Contact: Marcia Klenbort404.874.9826
Wildlife SanctuarySupport the preservation of
greenspace in Atlanta.Contact: Jacqueline McRaejacqueline.mcrae@comcast.
Last month, PBS ran a special hour-longdocumentary on John James Audubon. It
explored many aspects of the naturalist andbird artists life, including the setbacks andtriumphs of creating the Birds of Americamore than 178 years ago. The incredibledetail and meticulous work involved tocreate it is amazing. Audubons ambition andcareer have been hailed as genius and areexemplified in his artistic creativity and thehistorical consequence of capturing thereality of our nations wildlife in the early19th century.
Now, in celebration of the National AudubonSociety, a Centennial Edition of John J.
Audubons Double Elephant Folio is beingcreated. Here in Atlanta, we will be luckyenough to view more than 100 of thecompleted images being restored. TheCentennial Edition like the original, TheBirds of America, is comprised of all 435images painted by Audubon. The 435 imagesdepict 1,065 birds, and each rendering ofeach species is painted life-size.
In November, the Atlanta Audubon Societywill be partnering with the ChattahoocheeNature Center and the Ann Jackson Galleryin Roswell, Georgia, on a special weekend-
long event surrounding Audubons work andthe new centennial collection. In fact, the
artist, Robert E. Hall, who received theexclusive rights from the National AudubonSociety to restore and reproduce the images,will be here to talk about The Birds ofAmerica and the process for restoring thecollection. It will also be an amazing chanceto see these images fully restored, as theywere intended to be seen. Because in yearspast archival quality processes and paperswere not utilized in the production ofartwork, time took its toll on the quality ofthe images, fading colors. No one alive todayhas seen the true quality of these works intheir vibrant colors. The new collectionboasts the fact that the colors, etc., areexactly as Audubon created many, manyyears ago. We are very excited to be a part ofthis event.
Events include a special, invitation-onlygallery opening, a bird walk at theChattahoochee Nature Center, a talk byRobert E. Hall and two open houses. Nextmonth in Wingbars, you will read much moreabout this exciting fundraising event for AAS.
We hope that you will join us.
From the Executive Directorby Catharine Brockman Kuchar
The Art of Birds
September 2007
A Million Thanks!Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers! As always, weextend our unending gratitude to all of our volunteers, but would like to send a special thank youto the following individuals this month:
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of itsvolunteers. As always, we extend our unending gratitude to ALL of our
volunteers, but would like to send a special thank you to the followingindividuals this month:We were extremely excited to be getting a new desk for the AAS office.Unfortunately, when it arrived, it came unassembled in about a million
pieces. With a lot of hard work and lots of patience, our volunteer deskbuilders, Scottie (Master Birder) and Jack Johnson, assembled the desk.
This was an enormous task and we are extremely grateful to both of them.Volunteers are the source for the many amazing things happening at Atlanta Audubon.Many thanks toWendy Weathers for agreeing to be our new Volunteer Spotlight writer.Check out Wendys column, where each month she will provide a brief profile of one ofour volunteers.Tracking volunteer hours is a critical task. Did you know that many foundations and grantmakers require this information to receive funds? They want to know that volunteers areactively involved in the organizations success. Our volunteer hours are tracked by PamHigginbotham, who tirelessly collects this important information each month.
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ATLANTA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH IBIS Two male RING-NECKEDDUCKS appeared to be spending the summer at theE.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) ponds
in Clayton Co. during the month (CL, JSe). Otherinteresting sightings from the area surrounding theELHLAF were three pairs of PIED-BILLED GREBES
with young, several sightings of ANHINGAS duringthe month (CL), and at least one LEAST BITTERN on23 June (CL). Another LEAST BITTERN was found inBartow Co. on 9 June by PB, HG and TMo. Back atthe ELHLAF, CL had a CATTLE EGRET on 14 Juneand a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON on 4 June. AWHITE IBIS was a good find in Forsyth Co. on 29June by JF.
OSPREY THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Three youngOSPREYS along with two adults were seen at
Blalock Lake (part of the ELHLAF) on 15 June (CL).Also in the area of the ELHLAF, CL saw two young
BALD EAGLES along with the adults, eight nestingpairs of COMMON MOORHENS, and five nestingpairs of AMERICAN COOTS. Where there is adequatehabitat, the birds will find it somehow! Interestingshorebird sightings included three SEMIPALMATEDSANDPIPERS in Forsyth Co. on 5 June (JF), twoWHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at the ELHLAF on 9June (SB), and a male RED-NECKED PHALAROPE inForsyth Co. on 2 June (JF) and 3 June (BBe).
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH DICKCISSELS The maleSCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER, which returned tothe Henry Co. power pole for the sixth year, was lastreported on 10 June (MP). Interesting warbler
reports included two BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS inthe Pine Log WMA on 23 June (SS), a NORTHERNPARULA at the Roswell Area Park on 18 June (PM,TMo), another NORTHERN PARULA during the month
at the Newmans Wetland Center (part of theELHLAF) by CL, two to three BLACK-THROATEDGREEN WARBLERS in the Pine Log WMA in BartowCo. on 9 June (PB, HG, TMo), one BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in the Tucker area on 10 June(PB), one BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in theRoswell Area Park on 27 June (PM, TMo) and twoOVENBIRDS in Gwinnett Co. on 3 June by JH.Asinging male DICKCISSEL was a good find in BartowCo. on 9 June (PB, HG, TMo).
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH GREBES BLACK-BELLIEDWHISTLING-DUCKS continue to expand theirpresence in Georgia. One was reported from HallCo. on 16 June (fide JSe), seven were seen in thePhinizy Swamp in the Augusta area on 26 and 27June (fide LS), and 20 were seen at the AltamahaWaterfowl Management Area near Darien on 30
June (PB, TMi). A SNOW GOOSE was a rare summerfind in Gordon Co. on 26 June (LD). HOODEDMERGANSERS were seen in the Dawson Forest,with a female and three young being seen on 5June (JF) and three birds being seen on 23-24 Juneby EB. Four RUFFED GROUSE were a good find inRabun Co. on 30 June by JF and EH. Single
COMMON LOONS were reported from Carters Lakefrom at least 11 June through 18 June (JSp, KB)and from Lowndes Co. from 23 June until at least30 June (JA). A breeding plumaged HORNED GREBEwas quite a rare find at Carters Lake on 24 June(SB). Single BROWN PELICANS were seen at theWalter F. George Dam on 3 June (JF, EH) and in HallCo. the same day (GA RBA).
FRIGATEBIRD THROUGH SPOONBILL A femaleMAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was spotted at JekyllIsland on 18 June by Paul and Anna CatherineSuper. Rare for northwest Georgia were anAMERICAN BITTERN at Carters Lake on 18 June
(MM) and in Murray Co. a CATTLE EGRET also on 18June by JSp. PB and TMi had a good count of 50+YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS on Jekyll Islandon 30 June. One ROSEATE SPOONBILL was seen inthe Tifton area on 13 June (ZM), and 14 were seenaround Jekyll Island on 30 June by PB and TMi.
KITES THROUGH WOULD YOU BELIEVE SKUA Three SWALLOW-TAILED KITES were seen in theTifton area, with one being seen catching a bat(B&DZ). A LIMPKIN was reported during the monthfrom the Big Hammock WMA by RC. Four BLACK-
NECKED STILTS were a good find at the PhinizySwamp on 26 and 27 (fide LS). A DUNLIN was ainteresting find at Carters Lake on 6 June (CK, BDM). Six LAUGHING GULLS were seen at the Wa
F. George Dam on 3 June (JF, EH) and one was sat Lake Blue Ridge on 6 June by TS.A FRANKLINGULL was reported from Carters Lake on 18 Junby KB. But the most exciting report was that of a
SOUTH POLAR SKUA from Carters Lake starting 12 June (JSp), with the last report coming on 28June (fide SS). This species is rarely found inGeorgia, and most of those sightings come fromoffshore. Needless to say, this sighting attractedmany observers from across the Southeast U.S.view this extremely rare bird.
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS A LEASTFLYCATCHER was found in Union Co. on 2 June
SB. Two adults and three to four young GRAYKINGBIRDS were a good find in the Savannah aron 28 June (SW).Three BLUE-HEADED VIREOS wrather surprising in Warren Co. on 10 June (JF, E
CLIFF SWALLOWS continue to expand their rangwith 75 seen in Clay Co. on 3 June (JF, EH) and or so nests under the US 17 bridge over theOgeechee River on 6 June (PR). Two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were found in Rabun Con 30 June (JF, EH), and a number of observersreported CEDAR WAXWINGS in the Piedmont areindicating an increase in this species numbers.
WARBLERS THROUGH CROSSBILLS Interestingwarbler sightings included 7+ BLUE-WINGEDWARBLERS in the Coosawattee WMA on 4 June(JSp), two BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERSthe Gainesville area on 1 June (JP), one BLACK-
THROATED GREEN WARBLER on the Berry CollegCampus on 22 June (DR), eight OVENBIRDS inWarren and Glascock Cos. on 10 June (JF, EH), aone OVENBIRD at the Horse Creek WMA in TelfaiCo. on 5 June (TK, BBl). Very unusual was a DAREYED JUNCO in Glynn Co. on 11 June by GK. SinDICKCISSELS were reported from Gordon Co. onJune and from Murray Co. on 21 June (JSp). A vlate BOBOLINK was seen in the Glenwood area oJune (TK, BBl). Very unusual for June were nineRED CROSSBILLS in Fannin Co. on 12 June (NS)
CONTRIBUTORS Julius Ariail, Steve Barlow,Brandon Best, Bill Blackburn, Ken Blankenship, EBoehm, Patrick Brisse, Ray Chandler, Lynda Dav
Jim Flynn, Hugh Garrett, Phil Hardy, Joel Hitt, EaHorn, Liz Horsey, Cheryl Kanes, Gene Keferl, TimKeyes, Carol Lambert, Zack Maye, Max Medley,Terry Miller, Darlene Moore, Peggy and Terry MoJohn Patrick, Mike Phelps, Peter Range,AllisonReid, Dan Roper, Nedra Sekera, Jeff Sewell, StevSlayton, Jeff Spence, Lois Stacey, Tom Striker, Pand Anna Catherine Super, Becky Valentine, StevWagner, and Bob and Deb Zaremba.
Have an interesting bird to report? Contact Terry
Moore at [email protected].
June Field Notes by Terry Moorez
Although no records were set for
the month in either the Atlanta
area or the Georgia area, the
month turned into a very exciting
one based on the discovery of a
world-class bird for the state.Joshua Spence found a bird which he felt was
a SOUTH POLAR SKUA on Carters Lake and
asked for help in identifying the bird and
documenting its presence. Needless to say,
birders from around the Southeast flocked to
Carters Lake to see this rare bird, and luckily it
stayed in the area for several days and was
seen by probably a hundred or so birders. Even
the marina personnel got excited about this
bird and tried to feed it, and at last report,
there might even be T-shirts available.
The Atlanta area reported 116 species
(average = 105.1) to bring the year-to-date
count to 225 (average = 213.8). The GA area
came in at 182 species for the month (177.9)
to bring that year-to-date count to 317
(average = 306.4).
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Field TripsCompiled by Dave Butler
September 2007
Chattahoochee Nature Center
(Fulton County)Saturday, September 1,Stacy ZarpentineSaturday, September 15,Stacy ZarpentineMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: From GA 400 Northbound.Exit on Northridge Rd.(exit #6) and bearo the right, back over the expressway.mmediately after crossing over 400, turn
right onto Dunwoody Place. FollowDunwoody Place until it intersects withRoswell Rd. (1.2 miles). Turn right ontoRoswell Rd. At the first traffic light aftercrossing the Chattahoochee River, turn leftonto Azalea Dr. At the second traffic light,urn left onto Willeo Rd. CNC is located
one-half mile on the right.From GA 400 Southbound: Exit onNorthridge Ranger District. (exit #6). Athe top of the ramp is a traffic light. Travel
straight through the traffic light ontoDunwoody Place, then follow thedirections above.
Henderson Park (DeKalb County)Friday, September 7,Darlene Moore and Cheryl KanesMonday, September 10,Darlene MooreMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: From I-285, exit at Lavista Rdand turn right, north (outside theperimeter). In about two miles, turn leftonto Chamblee-Tucker Rd. (if you passTucker high school you have missed it). Inapprox. one mile look carefully for LivesyRd on the left and turn here; there is asmall brown sign for the park here. Whenhe road deadends, turn left to go into the
park where it changes its name to
Henderson Park Road. We will meet athe furthest parking lot (a sign will directyou to additional parking) which is pasthe soccer field behind the small lake nearhe playground.
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve(DeKalb County)Friday, September 14,Darlene MooreSunday, September 23,Lisa HurtSaturday, September 29,
Lisa Hurt
Meet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: From I-285 N or S: Take Hwy.78, Stone Mt. Freeway exit west towardDecatur. Hwy. 78 passes North DeKalbMall and continues up hill past BannerFord. At the intersection of Hwy. 78, NorthDecatur Rd., and Medlock Rd., take a righton Medlock Rd. Follow Medlock Rd. 1mile to Medlock Elementary School. Goright on Wood Trail Lane. Go through onestop sign; travel another 200 yards to thePreserve entrance. Meet at the entrance toCSNP.From I-75-I-85 N or S: Take I-85 north or
south. Take North Druid Hills and exit easttoward Decatur. Go approx 3 miles, goright on Hwy .78 (at North DeKalb Mall).Follow directions as above.
E.L. Huie and Newman WetlandsCenter (Clayton County)Saturday, September 15,Carolina LaneMeet at 8 AM at the Wetlands CenterBirding Focus: Water birds andmigrating songbirdsDirections: Take I-75 south beyond I-285to US 19/41 (Tara Blvd., exit 235); drive
south for 8.2 miles to Freeman Rd. andturn left. The Newman Wetlands Center isdown Freeman Road on the right, justbeyond the bridge.
Kennesaw Mountain NationalBattlefield (Cobb County)Chuck Saleeby and Giff BeatonWednesday, September 19Saturday, September 22Wednesday, September 26Saturday, September 29Meet at 7:30 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: Take I-75 to exit 269, BarrettParkway. Go west on Barrett Parkwayapproximately two miles to Old Route 41and take a left (look for a little brown signon the right at that intersection pointingleft to the Battlefield). Go 1.3 miles andturn right on Stilesboro Road, then a quickleft into the visitor center parking lot.
Fernbank Science Center
(DeKalb County)Saturday, September 22,Chris ShowalterMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: From I-285, take StoneMountain Expressway (US 78) towardDecatur; it becomes Scott Blvd; turn rigat Coventry Rd; then left at first light(Heaton Park Dr). From downtown, takPonce de Leon toward Decatur and bealeft after RR bridge, then left on CovenRd. and as above. Meet in the parking lon the north side of the Science Center(located at 156 Heaton Park Dr.) near tobservatory dome.
Davidson Arabia Mountain(DeKalb County)Saturday, September 22,Dave ButlerMeet at 8 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirdsDirections: The address for ArabiaMountain Nature Preserve is 3787Klondike Road, Lithonia 30038 Phone(770) 484-3060. From Atlanta, take I-20east to the Evans Mill Road exit. Take exit ramp and access road all the way t
Evans Mill Road and turn right at the liGo straight through at the light (the roabecomes Woodrow Road) and travel 1mile to the stop sign at Klondike Road.Turn right onto Klondike Road and travapprox. 1.5 miles. The nature center wibe on the right.
CRNRA Cochran Shoals(Fulton County)Friday, September 28,Darlene MooreMeet at 7:30 AMBirding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: Cochran Shoals is locatedthe west bank of the Chattahoochee, junorth of I-285, making it easy to find onthe map at 10 oclock on the PerimeteTake I-285 to the Northside-Powers FerRd. exit (exit 22). If you are going westI-285, turn right at the first light ontoInterstate North Parkway. Stay on thisroad as it curves west, through anintersection and crosses the river. Aftercrossing, the parking lot is an immediaright. Please be sure to bring $3 for theparking 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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Wal-Mart has granted $1,000 to the Atlanta Audubon Society in suppo
of our recent Birds in the Park! celebration of the 2007 Internation
Migratory Bird Day. As part of Wal-Marts large Community Grant
Program, this no-strings attached grant was awarded by the
Roswell/Alpharetta Wal-Mart specifically to support AAS and the loccommunity.
Catharine Brockman Kuchar, AAS Executive Director, accepted the
check on behalf of AAS in late July. Wal-Marts Community Grant
Program is terrific for non-profits such as AAS because decisions are
made locally without a lot of bureaucracy. We are very appreciative
their generous support, acknowledged Brockman Kuchar.
At the May 6 Birds in the Park! festival, jointly-sponsored with the
Piedmont Park Conservancy, AAS hosted more than 500 park visitors on bird walks and mor
than a dozen talks and interactive stations covering a wide range of topics, including habitat
conservation, birding basics, wonders of migration, impacts of climate change, how to creatbird-friendly habitat in a backyard and how to identify birds by sight and sound.
Birds in the Park! exposed many non-AAS members to the importance of birds in our
environment, Brockman Kuchar continued. General community outreach programs such
this one are crucial to building widespread support for conservation issues. We are already
planning to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day again next year.
If you or your company makes grants to non-profit organizations such as Atlanta Audubon
Society or if you know of potential grants that would be appropriate for AAS, we would
sincerely appreciate an email to [email protected].
Wal-Mart Grant Supports AAS InternationalMigratory Bird Day Celebration
Catharine Brockman Kuchar, AAS executive director,
receives $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart store
manager, Mike Lane.
Echols Scholarshipby Diane LaCole
I would like to thank the Atlanta Audubon Society
for the scholarship that allowed me to go to Maine
Audubons Hog Island camp this July. As a college
professor, I chose the camp for environmental
educators, and I had a wonderful time. We were treated to outstanding
lectures and presentations from other well-known educators, natural
history hikes around the island and harbor cruises to see the local
wildlife.
Everyones favorite destination was Eastern Egg Rock, the location of the
famous Atlantic Puffin colony. The camp provided the great opportunity
to meet with other educators and exchange ideas. It was definitely one of
the most rewarding experiences I have had in my career. I will return to
the classroom this fall with some new ideas for teaching and some much
needed inspiration to keep doing what I am doing.
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Volunteers are what make Atlanta Audubon Society such an amazing organization. We rely onvolunteers in virtually every area of the organization in order to be successful. We are always
looking for individuals who want to get involved. Check out some of our current volunteeropportunities below. Additional volunteer opportunities can be found on the Web site at
www.atlantaaudubon.org. We need you!
Festival Leader and Shift Volunteers Wanted Sunday in the Park
at Historic Oakland CemeteryEach year Atlanta Audubon participates in Historic Oakland Cemeterys Sunday in the Park. The
festival will be held on October 7 from noon to 6 PM. We are looking for a volunteer to be the festivaleader for this program. In addition, we need four volunteers for shifts, including two people to work
from 11:30 AM until 3 PM and two people to work 3 PM until 6:15 PM. If interested, please contactCatharine Brockman Kuchar at [email protected].
Girl Scout Bird Walk Leader NeededWe are looking for a volunteer to conduct a 1.5-to 2-hour bird walk some time in the fall. The groupconsists of eight 9-year-old girls, and the area for the bird walk would be around the Northlake, ClydeShepherd area in DeKalb County. The time is very flexible. If interested, please contact CatharineBrockman Kuchar at [email protected]
Help Make the AAS Holiday Banquet a SuccessHelp! We need 10 to 12 volunteers for the holiday banquet on December 7. Its a great opportunity toget two or three friends together do something at the banquet. Please contact Sally Hodges [email protected] to lend your much needed assistance for this fun event.
Spend some time in the Freedom Park Bird and Butterfly GardenVolunteers are needed to help weed and water the garden as well as help with the fall planting. Hoursare flexible. Volunteers would be asked to commit to two hours per month. Contact CarolVanderschaaf at [email protected]
Scholarships CoordinatorA one-year position, the Scholarships coordinator announces/publicizes the opportunity, recruits andtrains a small committee to judge applications, informs winners of their good fortune and remindsthem of their obligations to AAS upon returning from camp. To volunteer, contact Marcia Klenbort [email protected]
Volunteer Corner
BackyardWildlife
Sanctuarie
Please volunteer during
Backyard Wildlife
Sanctuary Tour.
Saturday September 8
9AM to 4PMShifts are 2.5 hours long
will earn you a free ticke
the tour.
To volunteer for a shif
please e-mail
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast
All sanctuaries are in to
We at AAS thought that you wouldenjoy learning more about ourvolunteers, so well be doing a
segment each month featuringone. This month we are focusing
on Art Hurt, the MembershipDirector on the Board of
Directors. His job is to managemembership retention, seek newmembers and collect dues and
donations. He keeps track of
everything via the member database.Art has been volunteering for AAS throughoutmost of his membership, which dates back to
1982. He has done everything from stuffingenvelopes, to writing brief articles for
Wingbars, to running the Birdathon with hiswife, Lisa, and assisting her with field trips and
workshops.
His grandmother identified
common birds for him when hewas a child, but he did not really
get interested in learning more untilabout 25 years ago, when Lisa startedtaking courses and going birding
regularly. Thats when he followedsuit.
I asked him what his favorite place tobird in Georgia is, and although he
had a hard time narrowing it down,he said Harris Neck comes to mind.
The best bird he has ever seen is theCock-of-the-Rock in Ecuador and Peru.
A favorite bird story Art described asinteresting but gory involves watching a Bald
Eagle struggling to stay aloft with a HerringGull in its talons. The eagle ended up in the
Machias River, where it drowned the gull andthen proceeded to pluck it and devour itcompletely.
Art lives in Randolph Estates near Northlake
Mall in DeKalb County. Self-employed, he has asmall firm specializing in commercialremodeling and renovations.
Spotlighting... Art Hurtby Wendy Weathers
Art Hurt canoes in one of his
favorite rivers in south Georgia.
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Atlanta Audubon Society
Welcome, Sally!AAS is proud to announce the addition of a newpart-time staffer, Sally Davis. She joins AAS as ournew administrative assistant. Sally was previously atSt. Martins Episcopal School for 15 years, serving asa teaching assistant and then as the library assistant.Sally loves birds and was a graduate of the Spring
2005 Master Birder class. We are excited towelcome her to the organization.
ATLANTA
AUDUBON
SOCIETY
Master Birder
Program Fall2007
DATES:
October 9
November 15
DAYS:
Each Tuesday and Thursday
TIME: 7 PM9 PM
FIELD TRIPS:Each Saturday 8 AM,
October 13, 20,27 and
November 3, 10
The Master Birder Program
for fall 2007 will be
conducted at the
Chattahoochee Nature
Center at 9135 Willeo Rd.,
Roswell,GA 30075.The
course fee of $210 ($240 for
non-members of Friends ofAtlanta Audubon) includes
lectures, textbook,audio CDs
and all other materials and
handouts.
For information and
questions,
contact Georgann Schmalz at
or 706.216.5012. To register,
send your check, payable to
Atlanta Audubon, to
Georgann Schmalz,152
Willow Oak Lane,
Dawsonville,GA 30534.
Please include your name,
mailing address, day and
evening phone numbers,
email address, occupation
and any specific areas of
interest
Audubon welcomes Sally Davis,
our new administrative assistant.
AAS would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all who participated in Birdathon
this year. As many of you know, Birdathon is an important fundraiser for Atlanta
Audubon, and all the money that we raise goes directly to support our education an
conservation programs that are conducted throughout the year.
Below are the results that we have to date. AAS is grateful for the time, expertise an
dedication of these participants and all of their pledges who supported their efforts i
Birdathon 2007.
Amount Number of
Participants Raised Species Seen
Georgann Schmalz $1920 167
Lisa Hurt $900 72
Anne McCallum $890 80
Ellen Miller $875 64
Jim Wilson $772 72
Leslie Curran $706 163
Bizzy Birds $660 NAKaren Siener
Patty McLean
Linda Crossett
Allyson Read $492 45
Victor Williams $200 NA
Sylvia Chandler $133 63
Babe-breasted Warblers $25 NA
Birdathon
2007 Results
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8/9/2019 September 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
9/12September 2007
By The Way highlights information, announcements, short updates and miscellaneous items. If you have brief items of interest to Friends of Atlanta Audubon
members, please send them to the editor.
The North American Bluebird
Society (NABS) invites
Georgia birders to its 2007
convention, BluebirdPartnerships: The Science of
Bluebirds Sept 20-23 at the
Georgia Center in Athens.
Keynote speaker and
convention co-chairperson, Dr.
Patricia Adair Gowaty, will
elaborate on Bluebird Partnerships. Authorities will
address House Sparrows, fire ants and paper wasps.
For more details, contact Helen Munro, 910.673.6936
or visit www.NABS2007.com. PHOTO
On Sunday, October 17, the annual Big Sit will take
place. This is much like a Big Day or a Birdathon, in
which the object is to tally as many bird species ascan be seen or heard within 24 hours. The difference
lies in the area limitation. In a Big Sit, observers must
remain inside a 17-foot-diameter circle while they are
tallying birds. For details on the Big Sit, see
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/funbirds/bigsi
t/bigsit.aspx
Save December 7 for the AAS Holiday Banquet.
Great food, company and the famous Silent Auction.
Last year a bird iPod, a weekend getaway and an owl
house were among the many fun and useful items for
bid. We are looking for appropriate items, services
and ideas to make this years Silent Auction a great
success. What can you offer? Do you have a request
or a willing donor? Please email Sally Hodges at
[email protected] with your ideas and
contributions. Local birds will benefit from your
donation.
The Mill Creek Nature Center (Georgia Wildlife
Federation) is having a Bioblitz on Saturday,
September 15, from 7 AM until finished. This Bioblitz
is an inventory of all bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian
and plant species on the property. This is a wonderful
opportunity to network, practice your ID skills andspruce up your rsum with volunteer hours. Mill
Creek Nature Center is located next to the Mall of
Georgia and encompasses 88 acres of wetlands.
Lunch will be provided. Please contact Christina Marr
(Volunteer and Program Coordinator) at
Interested in doing wildlife sanctuary
certifications? Want to help people transform their
property into a wildlife habitat for birds and other
wildlife? Come to the certification class on
Saturday, September 15, at 3 PM and
receive information on habitats and how
to consult and advise homeowners.Reservations are necessary. Contact
Georgann Schmalz at
The Driftwood Wildlife Association is
hosting A Swift Night Out wherever
congregating swifts can be found. Upon
locating where Chimney Swifts go to roost
in your area, take close notice of a roost-
site starting about 30 minutes before
dusk. Estimate or count the number of
swifts that enter on one evening over the
weekend of September 8, 9, and 10. When you havefinished your tabulations, send in your results.
For more details, see
http://www.concentric.net/~dwa/page56.html
West Nile Virus has impacted the populations of
seven common backyard birds: American Robin,
Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Blue Jay,
American Crow, Eastern Bluebird and House Wren.
Crows are one of the hardest hit species, with a 45
percent decline in the Mid-Atlantic region.
For more information, see the study, West Nile Virus
Emergence and Large-Scale Declines of North
American Bird Populations at www.nature.com.
Wetlands & Watershed Festival will be on Saturday,
October 6. For more information, visit
http://www.ccwa1.com/facilities/wetlands.center.aspx
and click on the link to the Creek Currents Newsletter
Summer 2007 .pdf file.
New York City Audubon has just published Bird-
Safe Building Guidelines, a 55-page manual for
architects, landscape designers, engineers, glass
technicians, developers, building managers, city,
state, and federal officials and the general public. Itreveals the magnitude of bird collisions with glass,
describes the conditions that cause these deadly
collisions and suggests guidelines for strategies that
complement the LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Green Building Rating system.
For more information, see
http://www.nycaudubon.org/home/BSBGuidelines.shtml
Eastern Bluebirds
greatly benefit from bird
boxes.
Q:Whatspeciesrecentlydethroned
theArcticTernasthebirdwiththe
longestmigration?
Seepage___fortheanswerSee page 10 for answer
Q: Who said, If Ihad to choose, I wouldrather have birds thanairplanes?
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8/9/2019 September 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
10/12
CLASSIFIEDS
Black Oil
Sunflower20lb Bag $7.50 always
with Audubon Membership Card
Proud Supporters of EnvironmentallyConscious Organizations in our Local
Community.
Wild Bird CentersCumming 2825 S. Vickery St. 678-456-6900
Dunwoody2472 Jett Ferry Rd 770-396-3353
Johns Creek3630 Peachtree Pky 770-813-947
Peachtree City 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-247
WWW.Wildbird.com
Rates for business card size ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistentwith the conservation and birding mission and agenda of Atlanta Audubon Society.You may also design your own ad. Call for pricing.Send ads and payment to:
Wingbars Ads Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
10 Atlanta Audubon Soci
W en You Come
To The Mountains -Ask about the new Birders Guide to Fannin County!We feature Coles seed,squirrel-proof feedersthat truly are, houses,hummingbird stuff,great books, Audubonoptics, & hard to findhardware. Plus 100sof Ravensburger Puzzles,Music of the SpheresChimes & a hugeselection of educationaltoys andgames for kids!
Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards
611 E. Main St. Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 258-BIRD (2473) blueridgebirdseed.com
1874 Piedmont Ave. Suite 101-AAtlanta, Georgia 30324
CANINE SHOWCASE& WILD BIRD INC.
4048750611
Weve moved to a bigger and better location.
We are located in Piedmont Pointe next to Einstein Bagels on
Piedmont Road. We are expanding our already great selection
of bird supplies to include:
Swift Binoculars
Droll Yankee Feeders
Coveside Houses
Garden & Yard Art
Panama!October 3-11, 2007
Canopy Tower and the Canopy Lodge
$1640 per persondouble occupancy
($200 single supplement). Price includes 8 nights lodgibirding guides, transfers and most meals.
Group size is limited to 10.
For additional information and to be put on the list for a spa
contact: [email protected]
Answer: SootyShearwater
Answer:Charles A. Lindbergh
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8/9/2019 September 2007 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society
11/12September 2007
Wingbars is mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Societymembers receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a
Friends of Atlanta Audubon member.
f you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below.
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org.Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the NationalAudubon Society. Thus you willnot receiveAudubon magazine.
Join the Atlanta Audubon Society
Make check payable to:
Atlanta Audubon Society
Membership Director
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
J Renewal J New Membership
Name _____________________________________
Address ___________________________________
City___________________________ State _____
Zip Code _____________
E-mail ____________________________________
Phone_____________________________________
J Basic MembershipJ Individual ...........................................$25J Family................................................$35J Student..............................................$15
J Contributing Membership ...............................$50
J Supporting Membership ...............................$100
J Donor Membership ......................................$250Receive an official
Atlanta Audubon T-shirt
J Patron Membership......................................$500Receive a T-shirt and signedcopy of Birds of Atlanta
J Benefactor Membership............................$1,000Receive all of the above plus a signed ..framedprint of Charles Harpers Missing Migrants
Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society
J Please do not share this information with any other organization
J Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars
BENEFITS
OF
MEMBERSHI
12 issues ofWingbars
Newsletter
Friends discounton classes, tripsand special even
Use of the AASlibrary
Agreattaxdeduction!
Thanks to allof you for your suppo
and enthusiasm.
Getting to Know Georgias Protected Birds:Wood Stork
The WoodStork,Mycteriaamericana, is alarge, long-legged wadingbird about 33-44
inches in height,with a wingspanof 59-65 inches
and a large, down-curved bill. It is the onlyrue stork that regularly occurs in the U.S.ts breeding range includes theoutheastern U.S., both coasts of Mexico
and Central America, Cuba, Hispaniolaand South America from Columbia toArgentina.
n the U.S., Wood Storks breed in Florida,Georgia and South Carolina. Wood Storkbreeding colonies have been documented
in 13 counties along the coast and acrosssouthern Georgia. Beginning in latesummer, they gather into communalroosts along the coast. More than 100birds may roost at the favored sites, whichare used year after year. The birds rest at
the roost during high tide and move outinto the salt marsh to feed during low tide.Birds which nested in Georgia have beentracked south to southern Florida inwinter. However, in most years, a fewbirds remain along the coast in McIntosh,Glynn and Camden counties.
A Wood Storks diet consists primarily offish and sometimes amphibians, crayfishand other small aquatic animals. They feedby tacto-location or grope feeding. Thebirds wade through shallow water, movingtheir partially-opened beak back and forth
beneath the surface. When the bill toucha fish or other prey, it snaps shut in anexceedingly quick reflex.
Wood Storks are endangered accordinto its state and federal status. This mean
that the species is in danger of extinctiothroughout all or part of its range. As wother endangered birds, loss of habitat ithe storks primary threat. In addition todirect loss of feeding habitat throughdraining and filling of wetlands, thedisruption of the natural cycle of seasondrying in southern Florida is believed tohave caused the loss of major breedingcolonies in Everglades National Park.
Source: Georgia Department of NaturResources, Protected Animals of Georg
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8/9/2019 September 2007 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 OFFIat Dunwoody Nature Cen
5343 Roberts Drive
Dunwoody, GA 30338
770.913.0511
Send all mail forAAS to:
PO Box 29189Atlanta, GA 303
400DunwoodyVillage
M
t.Ve
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wy.
Mt.Vern
on Hwy.
ChambleeDunwo
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Rd.
Chamblee
DunwoodyRd.N.Shallowfo
rdRd
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Ash
ford
Dunwoody
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Pe
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Dunw
ood
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Rd
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Spaldin
g Drive
SpaldingDrive
Rob
erts
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RobertsR
d.
Till
y
MillRd
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Tilly
Mill
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NorthridgeRoad
Peachtree
Rd.
PeachtreeRd.
Exit 30
Exit 30
CotillionRd
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285
Canopy flowers of tulip poplars, for example, attract pollinating insects and
therefore warblers, flycatchers and vireos during migration. The dead seeds ofconeflowers provide food for finches, chickadees, cardinals and titmice during thewinter. Fruit of dogwoods, blackgums, mulberries and viburnums are extremely
important to migratory birds in the fall. Even one fruiting tree in your landscapecan attract dozens of birds, including thrushes, tanagers, vireos, woodpeckers and
cedar waxwings. Tangles of dead grape leaves and fall beech leaves attract dead-leaf foragers such as warblers, wrens and woodpeckers. And dont forget poison
ivy. Nearly every fruit-eating bird eats the berries and nearly every berry will be gone by winter. It is probably thenumber one best plant to have!
Last but not least, provide a safe place for birds. Do not leave dog food outside for opossums, raccoons, Blue
Jays and American Crows to eat. Keep your cat indoors. Try to get your neighborhood to be free of feral cats thatkill your birds. Limit your use of chemicals by using integrated pest controls as much as possible. Break up
reflections in glass windows if they have been hit by flying birds.
Try to see your yard and neighborhood through the eyes of a common bird like a Northern Cardinal. If we can
care for cardinals, we are caring for all birds.
For more information on making your property a wildlife sanctuary and to get more better birds, contact
Jacqueline McRae at [email protected]
Caring for Cardinalscontinued from front page
Upcoming
Birds of America eventbenefiting Atlanta
Audubon,
Nov. 2-4