spring 2007 mobile bay audubon society newsletters

8/9/2019 Spring 2007 Mobile Bay Audubon Society Newsletters

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Mobile Bay

Audubon Society

Winter 2006

A Chapter of the National Audubon Society Since 1971

Volume XXVI No.1

inter 2006Spring 2007

The Alabama Department of

Conservation and NaturalResources (ADCNR) is supportinglegislation in the upcoming statelegislative session that will increasehunting and fishing license fees.As part of that legislation, a newlicense the Alabama WildlifeHeritage License is also beingproposed. By voluntarilypurchasing a Wildlife HeritageLicense, conservation-minded Alabamians can become stewards

of wildlife by supporting wildlifehabitat improvement and speciesconservation. License sales willsupport on-the-ground wildlifebiology, research and habitatenhancement.The proposed cost of $10 annuallyper person for the WildlifeHeritage License will permitlicensed Alabama residents to dothe following:

Freshwater fish statewide with ahook and a line from the bank;

Fish in Wildlife and FreshwaterFisheries (WFF) operated publicfishing lakes (daily permitrequired);

Hunt small game, exceptwaterfowl, on WFF WildlifeManagement Areas (WMAs) withno hunter safety course required;

Target practice on WFF

Wildlife Heritage License Will

Demonstrate Good Stewardshipmanaged public shooting ranges;

andBe counted in the licensecertification for both Wildlife andSport Fish Restoration federalfunds to help generate moremoney for state wildlife habitats.The Alabama Department ofConservation and NaturalResources promotes wisestewardship, management andenjoyment of Alabamas naturalresources through five divisions:

Marine Police, Marine Resources,State Parks, State Lands, andWildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.To learn more about ADCNRvisit www.outdooralabama.com.

During the week of January 22-

26, Tom Sterling, wildlifenaturalist and photographer,showed his film, The Marsh, AQuiet Mystery, in 10 schools.The film emphasized theimportance and need to save andprotect this prime wildlife nurseryarea. During the Question andanswer period after each showing,many questions were raised by the

School Wildlife

Film Week

students concerning theprotection of this importanthabitat. Planting seeds of goodconservation practices in the

minds of students today will helpthem make better decisionstomorrow.The film was shown at DodgeElementary School, MobileChristian Middle School, ClarkMagnet School, SummerdaleElementary School, Vigor HighSchool, St. Lukes EpiscopalSchool, Hollingers IslandElementary School, St. Ignatious

Catholic School and Hall MiddleSchool. We thank Lloyd Scott,director of the EnvironmentalStudies Center, for his help insetting up the public schoolschedule.Thank you to those who weredinner hosts for Tom: AnitaBryant, Nadine and Britch Lovell,John Dindo and John Winn; andto Laurie and Charlie Bailey whograciously open their home to

Tom for the week.We appreciate and thank thesponsors who make thisworthwhile program possible:Degussa Corp., DuPont Agricultural Products, CibaSpecialty Co. and Mr. and Mrs.John WinnElizabeth Williams

Film Coordinator


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Board ofDirectors

2006

Two Chances to Meet One of the Worlds

Greatest Photographers

National Geographic Photographer-in-

Residence,

David DoubiletConsidered by editors, peers and colleagues to be one of the worldsbest photographers, David Doubilet, Contributing Photographer-in-Residence for National Geographic Magazine, will be in Mobile,Alabama, this May to appear on behalf of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab(DISL) Foundation. Mark your calendars now for these incredibleevents this spring: May 3, 2007 from 6:30 pm until 9:30 pmCocktails with the CrittersFive Rivers, Alabamas Delta Resource Center Mobile Causeway

Mobile, AlabamaTickets to Cocktails With the Critters are $75 eachMr. Doubilet has donated one of his limited edition works ofphotographic art, Stingrays, Grand Cayman, which will be thecenterpiece of an auction that features cruises, fishing trips, condopackages, river boat tours and many unique items donated by localbusinesses and individuals. The evening will also offer crustaceans,libations and entertainment! May 4, 2007 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pmWater Planet - A Look Beneath the Surface:Seas of Africa and a Journey Across the PacificSpringhill College, Byrne Memorial Hall

Mobile, AlabamaTickets to Water Planet- a Look beneath the Surface are $15Mr. Doubilet will take us along on photographic expeditions for a lookbeneath the oceans. This is a multi-media presentation that will feature160 photographs from expeditions across the seas of Africa and thePacific Ocean. Following the presentation, David will be available tosign copies of his books.To order tickets or for more information on these events, call (251)861-8710.

These very tall, long-necked, long-legged, white-bodied andENDANGERED birdsmigrated through BaldwinCounty this winter. Thestate of Florida has areintroduction program forthese very rare birds.Photoby Dr. Bill Summerour

Whooping Crane Grus americana


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Birdathon 2007tis the season once again, Birdathon season!

What: BirdathonBirding for fun and fundsWhen: Any 24-hour period this spring.Where: Any place you find birds. Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan are prime birding spots.

For many years people have been strolling, walking and running for worthy causes. Our society counts birds!Our Birdathon funds are used to place Audubon Adventures in 4th and 5th grade classrooms. AudubonAdventures is a complete science curriculum kit that the students and teacher can use all year. The goal of Audubon Adventures is connecting students to nature.

We are asking each member to participate in this worthwhile endeavor. Think how many students we couldreach is each member gave at least $10.00. A $40.00 donation will provide a kit for one classroom that theteacher can use all year.To be a participant in the 2007 Birdathon, heres what you do:

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Your contribution is Tax DeductiblesThank you for participatingElizabeth WilliamsBirdathon Coordinator(251) 643-7257

I want to be a part of this fun/fund raising, worthwhile program.

I pledge ________ for each species counted

Enclosed is my one-time gift of ________

Name: Pone:

Address:

Make check payable to Mobile Bay Audubon Society and place in the enclosed envelop or mail toMobile Bay Audubon Society, P O Box 483, Fairhope, AL 36532.


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Calendar

MarchBoard Meeting 6:30 p.m. General Meeting 7:30 p.m. Australia presented by Dr. Bill

Summerour. Five Rivers, Alabamas Delta Resource Center. Directions from I-10: take Exit 30, goeast on the US 98 Causeway East toward Spanish Fort (away from downtown Mobile). Pass theBlue Gill Restaurant and Eds Shed Restaurant. Take a left at the sign for the Division of Wildlifeand Freshwater Fisheries onto Five Rivers Drive.

Field trip to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center to observe nesting Bald Eagles as well aswading birds and neotropical migrants. We will tour the Pascagoula River and the extensiveestuarine marsh on a pontoon boat. Meet at Government Street Baptist Church in Mobile at8:30 a.m.. There will be a $23 per person fee. Limited to 20 people. The boat tour will last twohours: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. For reservations call John Borom at 251-990-0423.

Board Meeting 6:30 p.m... General Meeting 7:30 p.m. Historical Ecology of the Weeks BayWatershed presented by Eric Brunden, Stewardship Coordinator, Weeks Bay National EstuarineResearch Reserve. Five Rivers, Alabamas Delta Resource Center. Bring a friend.

Hummer Bird Study Group-Bird Banding at Fort Morgan. The spring banding season begins andends on April 13. Dawn to mid-afternoon. The banding site is free and open to the public,although there is a fee to get onto the Fort property. Contact Bob or Martha Sargent at 205-681-2888 or [email protected].

The Great Louisiana BirdFest is held each spring when many species are migrating through

Louisiana from Mexico and South America. BirdFest includes birding trips, Southern food,hospitality and workshops. Visit www.northlakenaturecenter.org for more information aboutbirding trips and to register, or call 985-626-1238.

Wild Wings Migration Discovery Festival on the Mississippi Coast. For more information aboutbirding trips or to register call Dr. Mark LaSalle 228-475-0825.

International Migratory Bird Day Celebration 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. Dauphin Island, CadillacSquare Park: Interpretive bird walks, childrens activities, sales, conservation displays. Sponsoredby the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries Inc. Contact Dr. John Porter 251-861-2141.

Dauphin Island Birdathon for Americas Birdiest City/County Competition. See http://

www.coastalbirding.org for details.

Alabama Ornithological Society Spring Meeting. Dauphin Island Chamber of CommerceBuilding. See http://www.bham.net.oas/ for details and registration.

Earth Day Celebration at Five Rivers, Alabamas Delta Resource Center. Literature, events andactivities for all ages. For more information, call Amy King at 251-621-1216.

Bird-a-thon: any 24 hours of your choosing.

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May

Suet is the fatty tissue of cattle and sheep and is animportant source of ready energy for many species ofbirds, particularly in the colder winter months of theyear. Many species of birds get suet from deadanimals in nature.The Marvel Meal recipe provides an easy way to makeand provide backyard birds with this source of foodand will attract a wider range of birds to your yard.

Marvel Meal Recipe1 cup smooth peanut butter1 cup vegetable shortening1 cup white flour (not self rising)3 cups yellow cornmeal (not self rising)Mix ingredients together well. Place on trunk of atree, branch, post or other solid object where birds canfind and reach it. Store unused Marvel Meal in aclosed container in the refrigerator.

Suet

North Alabama Birding Festival. Scheduled during the spring migration, it includes workshops,seminars and field trips. For more information call 256-350-2028

Kids Fishing Day. Safe Harbor Pond. 8:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A joint project of the Weeks BayReserve Foundation and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Free.

For more information callWalter Ernest

at 251-990-5004.

Board Meeting 6:30 p.m. General Meeting 7:30 p.m. Coastal Bird Research presented by Dr.Mark Woodrey, Research Coordinator, Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve inMississippi. Five Rivers, Alabamas Delta Resource Center. Bring a friend.

Annual Picnic at Lovell farm pond in Loxley4:00 p.m. The picnic will be a fish fry with slawand baked beans provided. Bring anything of your choosing to add to it. Bring a friend and achair. The Lovell pond is on Baldwin County Road 64. Go toward Buris Market from 59 or98. Go west approximately 1/2 mile. There will be signs displayed to guide the rest of the way.For further information call 251-964-5387.

Field trip to Gaillard Island in Mobile Bay to observe nesting Brown Pelicans as well as gulls,terns, and Black Skimmers. Meet at Beachcomber Marine supply at Dog River in MobileCounty. Going south, take the first left at Dog River Bridge. There will be a $15 per person fee.Limited to 20 people. 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. For reservations, call John Borom at 251-990-0423.

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June


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NationalAudubonSociety

MobileBayAudubonSociety

POBox483

Fairhope,AL36532

www.mobilebayaudubon.org

Non-ProfitOrg.

USPOSTAGE

PAID

Fairhope,AL

PermitNo.24

A 1-year subscription (6 bi-monthly issues) of our chapter newsletter.

Automatic membership in National Audubon Society, and a 1-year subscription (4 issues, one per

quarter) of Audubon, its award-winning magazine.

Admission to Audubon Centers across the country.

A 10% discount on products at select Audubon Nature Stores and more!

Mobile Bay Audubon Wants You!Every membership supports Audubons vityal efforts to protect birds, wildlife and natural habitats.

As a member, youll become an important part of our dynamic chapter and receive a host of benefits including:

Make check payable to National Audubon Society and mail to: National Audubon Society,Membership Data Center, P O Box 52529, Boulder, CO 80322-2529

Name:

Address:

City/ST/Zip:

Telephone:

Chapter Code: A01 7XCH

Yes! I want to join Mobile Bay Audubon and National Audubon Societry!____$20 - 1 year Introductory Rate

_____ $15 - 1 year Student/Senior Rate

_____$30 - 2 year Special Rate

_____$1,000 - Individual Life Membership

_____ $1,500 - Dual Life Membership

_____My check is enclosed _____Please bill me

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir

spring 2007 mobile bay audubon society newsletters

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