April 2010 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

April 2010

Volume XXXVI, Issue 4

ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D E
GOS Guided Tour ..................2 First Time Birders ................2 Annual Report ......................3 Field Notes - January ..........4 Field Trips.............................5 A Million Thanks..................6 Volunteer Opportunities.......6 Conservation Days...............6 Merritt Island.......................7 Bird Journal ........................7 Sculpting Birds....................8 Great Workshops.................8 Trust for Public Land ...........9 Classifieds..........................10 Membership........................11 Book for Georgia Birders ...12

AAS Goes to Colombia
By Ted Reissing
Now that the narco-terrorists have been brought under control, birders are flocking back to Colombia. With almost 10% of the world’s bird species (more than twice as many as can be found in the entire U.S.) and about 75 endemics, this country is a natural target for listers. In addition, the top bird conservation group in the country, ProAves, has developed a series of 15 preserves to protect specific birds and created lodging facilities to house visitors. Because of all these developments, AAS put together a trip to do some serious birding in Colombia and the results of this outing are highlighted here. Delta flies directly from Atlanta to Bogotá daily and the four-hour flight arrives just after 9 PM (there is no time change when we are on standard time). If you do start in Colombia’s capital city, an early morning visit to a local park can reveal eight to 10 good lifers including the endemic Bogotá Rail. From there it is usually about an eight-hour motor trip to one of the major preserves. For this tour we chose El Paujil, the prime site for the critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow. Very few outsiders have seen this bird in the wild, but after a couple of days of climbing steep trails in 95°F and Blue-billed Curassow 90% humidity, we were fortunate to see two birds that flew directly Photographer: ProAves over our heads. These had been flushed by one of our guides. This large bird (the size of a turkey) has been hunted extensively for food and as a result is super wary of humans. Other great birds we picked up in this area included Black-fronted Wood-Quail, White-tailed Trogon, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Beautiful Woodpecker and Black-throated Mango. Another long drive through Medellín (the former drug cartel city) brought us to the Loro Orejiamarillo Preserve that was established to save the Yellow-eared Parrot. This bird is also on the world’s critically endangered list because the fronds of its favorite nesting and feeding trees are used for Palm Sunday celebrations. A campaign begun a few years ago to save these trees (by substituting other types of fronds) has been totally successful and the birds are now readily seen in the preserve. The nearby city of El Jardin actually holds a festival in honor of this parrot. A few of the other species seen here included Cock-of-the-Rock Tourmaline Sunangel, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Spillman’s Photographer: ProAves Tapaculo, White-capped Tanager and Gold-fronted Whitestart. And just five minutes outside the city is one of the best leks (male display areas, sort of like the basketball court at your local YMCA) in the world for spotting the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. We saw six males displaying. We then went back to Medellín to fly to Santa Marta on the north Caribbean coast. Air travel within Colombia on Avianca is very good and the airports are quite modern. One lifer, the Bicolored Wren, was actually gained at lunch in the Santa Marta airport. From the city we traveled up the “worst road” in Colombia to the El Dorado Preserve. There is an excellent lodge at this site with a view of the highest mountains in the country, some of which are part of the preserve. There are about 20 endemics in the area and in a couple of days of birding we picked up 14 of them including Santa Marta Screech Owl, White-lored Warbler and Rusty-headed Spinetail. In addition Band-tailed Guan, White-tipped Quetzal, Masked Trogon and Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush were added to our sighting list. We flew back to Bogotá from Santa Marta and then home to Atlanta. During our eight days of birding we saw over 200 species. The greater part of three days was spent targeting the endangered birds mentioned, and we were not attempting to build numbers during these times. However, there are still many sites in Colombia waiting for Atlanta birders, and we will be returning. If you have an interest in another group going to this special birding country, please let the AAS office know.

ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
4055 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30342

678.973.2437
www.atlantaaudubon.org

GOS RARE BIRD ALERT

770.493.8862

Board of Directors 2010
OFFICERS
President Carol Hassell 770.945.3111 [email protected] President-elect Vacant Co-Treasurers Ellen Miller 404.847.5260 [email protected] Tom Painter 404.524.8833 [email protected] Recording Secy Mark Jernigan 404.298.8825 [email protected]

SPEAKER SERIES
THE FLIGHT PATH OF THE GEORGIA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
April 15 7:30 PM to 9 PM Location: AAS Education Center at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta Across from Pike Nurseries
Join us for our Speaker Series on April 15 for a guided tour through the workings of the Georgia Ornithological Society (GOS). Dr. Bob Sargent, wildlife biologist, biology teacher and current president of GOS, will speak about the mission, operations, successes and evolution of the society. Bob notes that since the 75th anniversary of the founding of GOS is fast approaching, it seems only fitting that we should take a moment to look back at the road the society has traveled, to recall what the detours taught us and to hazard a hypothesis as to where this current road will lead us. It wasn’t so long ago when the verb “birding” didn’t exist, when bird study was the domain of ornithologists and the professionally well-to-do. Little was known about the natural history of common bird species in those days, the Breeding Bird Survey did not exist, and listing had not yet become all the rage. As past president of Oconee Rivers and Ocmulgee Audubon Societies, Bob has been afforded the Dr. Bob Sargent unique opportunity to study in depth how the function of birding and ornithological GOS President societies differs and yet can be quite similar and has spent considerable time thinking about how the two entities can come together to accomplish what are generally mutual goals. His presentation will recall the founding of GOS, will describe how the society evolved under the influence of both ornithology and birding, and will explore how the mission of the organization remains relevant and vital in rapidly-urbanizing modern Georgia.

DIRECTORS
Conservation Dave Butler 404.580.3917 [email protected] Education Vacant Field Trips Stanley Chapman [email protected] Communications Vacant Public Relations Beth Giddens 770.792.3712 [email protected] JoAnn Jordan 678.488.8022 [email protected] Volunteers Vacant

AT LARGE
Joy Carter 404.622.0605 [email protected] Jay Davis 404.624.4973 [email protected] Pam Higginbotham 770.939.3592 [email protected] Harriette Hoyt 770.650.8501 [email protected] David Kuechenmeister 404.822.8089 [email protected] Victor Williams Earthshare Representative 770.423.1012 [email protected]

First-time Birders
By Cynthia Bohannon-Brown
On an unusually warm February morning, fourth-grade students at R. T. Smith Elementary School in Clayton County were introduced to the perils of migrating birds through Flute’s Journey by Lynne Cherry. This enchanting book took the students through the struggles and triumphs of a little wood thrush named Flute as he traveled from his birthplace in Maryland to the rainforest of Costa Rica and back home again. Flute’s Journey inspired these students to don binoculars for the first time as they actively watched native birds near their own schoolyard. As the students observed the birds up close, they needed little prompting to use their field guides to identify their high-flying neighbors. Though no migratory birds were seen that day, many Bluebirds and American Crows were counted and their every movement was carefully observed by these novice bird-watchers. As the students eagerly shared their experiences, they were obviously thankful for the resources that made it all possible. A copy of Flute’s Journey, individual binoculars, field guides and numerous other items were assembled and made available to educators by the Friends of Feathered Flyers, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Melvin L. Newman Wetlands Center. Carol Lambert of Newman Wetlands hopes that more teachers learn about these kits and borrow them to use in their own classrooms. Similar Friends of Feathered Flyers Bird Activity Boxes are available throughout our state at various sites (http://www.georgiawildlife.com/education/educator-resources). As children become more caring of the Earth and its animals, eco-friendly educational resources can serve as catalysts for introducing them to the diverse habitat of birds.

STAFF
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar 678.973.2437 [email protected] Education Coordinator Emily Toriani-Moura 678.973.2437 [email protected] Administrative Coordinator Sally Davis 678.973.2437 [email protected] Website Jim Flynn [email protected] Wingbars Manager Diane Hawkins-Cox 404.909.9095 [email protected] Wingbars Editor Susan Milne 404.502.5496 [email protected] Proofreading Steven Phenicie 770.849.0391 [email protected] Design & Layout Copy Preparation 770.939.2002 [email protected] Newsletter deadline is the first of the month for material to be published the following month. Please submit articles as MS-Word to [email protected]. Email attachments, if possible. Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta Audubon Society and is published 11 times a year. We feature news, upcoming events, meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect policies of the Atlanta Audubon Society.

Photographer: Cynthia Bohannon-Brown

Mission Statement:
Protecting Georgia’s birds and the habitats that sustain them through education, conservation and advocacy.
Atlanta Audubon Society

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From the Executive Director by Catharine Brockman Kuchar

AAS 2009 Annual Report
It was another exciting year for Atlanta Audubon Society. Our biggest undertaking included settling into our new home at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Buckhead. Our location gives us critically-needed office space, a classroom, education center and outdoor areas for bird walks, observations and on-the-ground conservation projects. We also hired our first Education Coordinator, Emily Toriani-Moura, and she has been a fabulous addition to our team. We produced a beautiful publication on Georgia’s common birds in decline, along with seven educational pieces on different neighborhoods along the BeltLine Arboretum. We also began work to grow our educational programming including more workshops and speaker series events. We created a new Facebook page, annualized our membership to cut down administrative costs, developed our Strategic Plan for 2010-2012, updated our mission statement, and revamped our by-laws. It certainly was a big year to “get educated and get involved.” In the report you will read highlights of our accomplishments in the following areas: N Conservation initiatives N Educational opportunities N Community outreach N Building community through volunteerism N Summary of financials We also believe in maintaining integrity and transparency in our financial practices and being wise and good stewards of the contributions and support that we receive. We strive to use our funds in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible, a commitment illustrated by the fact that 88 percent of our operating expenses went directly to our public outreach and education efforts. We expended less than one percent on fundraising efforts that drive our operations and 12 percent on management and general operations for such things as rent, insurance, etc. 2009 Revenue Total = $202,764
Contributions/Memberships/Grants = $145,277 Investment Income = $25,721 Program Income = $29,997 Merchandise Sales, Advertising & Misc. = $1,769 (2007 total: $139,814; 2008 total: $162,373)

2009 Expenses Total = $199,709
Conservation/Education/Outreach = $174,240 Member Dev./Fundraising = $973 Management/ Gen. Expenses = $24,495 (2007 total: $102,152; 2008 total: $121,513)

We are proud of our many accomplishments and are gratified in knowing that everything we did was possible because of our supporters, volunteers and Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society. Thank you for another great year!

We invite all of our members and supporters to view the complete 2009 Annual Report by visiting Atlanta Audubon Society’s Web site and downloading the complete, five-page, detailed report.

April 2010

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January Field Notes
What a month for birding in GA! Not only did we score well in the total species seen in both the Atlanta and GA areas but we also had well-documented reports of three mega-rarities. Read the following details for Ivory Gull, Buff-bellied Hummingbird and Virginia’s Warbler. The Atlanta area came in with 122 species (average = 110.4) and the GA area came in with 212 species (average = 203.7). Both were outstanding efforts by Georgia birders.

by Terry Moorez

find in Bartow Co. on 23 Jan. (B&DZ). Small numbers of LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen in Bartow Co. at least until 23 Jan. (B&DZ). PMcL and KM had a good count of 100+ BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS in Bartow Co. on 3 Jan. EB reported a BALTIMORE ORIOLE in DeKalb Co. on 9 Jan. and BL had a PINE SISKIN in the Buckhead area on 4 Jan.

GEORGIA AREA
WATERFOWL – The Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area near Darien continues to be the hotspot for BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS as evidenced by the 52 seen there on 9 Jan. (B&DZ, LG). A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was reported from Floyd Co. on 25 Jan. by JSp. A TUNDRA SWAN was found in Floyd Co. on 13 Jan. and remained there at least until 25 Jan. (JD). The previously reported flock of COMMON EIDERS at Sea Island continued there at least until 9 Jan. (three birds by JF and EH). A female COMMON MERGANSER frequented Carter’s Lake from 4 Jan. at least through 12 Jan. (MM et al.). GREBES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – Three EARED GREBES were reported from the Rum Creek WMA on 2 Jan. (TMcc) and three others were seen at the West Point Dam (WPD) on 26 Jan. (JF). One AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was on St. Simons Island on 1 Jan. (JSp) and 15-20 were on Sapelo Island on 13 Jan. (DC). PF had a couple rare winter records from Jekyll Island with a REDDISH EGRET on 13 Jan. and a ROSEATE SPOONBILL on 11 Jan. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen in Floyd Co. on 23 Jan. (DR) and a PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at WPD on 26 Jan. (JF). Only a couple reports of decent numbers of SANDHILL CRANES were received with 150 in Berrien Co. on 1 Jan. (WS) and 100 in Pike Co. on 5 Jan. (LR). On a 15 Jan. pelagic trip out from Tybee Island a group of birders counted 72 RED PHALAROPES (DM et al.). GULLS THROUGH RAZORBILLS – A THAYER’S GULL was reported from WPD on 26 Jan. (fide JSe). This is a very rare sighting but pales in comparison to what comes later. An immature GLAUCOUS GULL was an excellent sighting at Tybee Island on 18 Jan. (EM). On the 15 Jan. pelagic trip out from Tybee Island four RAZORBILLS were seen (DM et al.). But the bird that truly rocked the birding world was an adult IVORY GULL which was found at WPD on 15 Jan. by WC. Luckily the bird remained in the area for a few days before it unfortunately fell ill and died on 29 Jan. (fide JSe). Not only is this the first record for GA but is most likely the southernmost record for this species ever. Another thing that ist interesting about this bird is that it was an adult whereas most IVORY GULLS that venture into the US are immature birds.

ATLANTA AREA
WATERFOWL - PMcL and KM reported six GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE in Bartow Co. starting on 3 Jan and continuing at least until 23 Jan. A SNOW GOOSE was also seen in the same area on 3 Jan. (PMcL, KM). A ROSS’S GOOSE was a rare find along the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) on 9 Jan. (CB). At the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton Co., JSe reported at least two NORTHERN PINTAILS starting on 20 Jan. plus CL had 200 GREEN-WINGED TEAL on 12 Jan. also at the ELHLAF (CL). Rather rare for the Atlanta area were three CANVASBACKS at Lake Acworth on 9 Jan. (CS) and two CANVASBACKS in the same area on 28 Jan. (CS). Other interesting sightings from Lake Acworth were 225 HOODED MERGANSERS on 9 Jan. (CS) and a COMMON MERGANSER on 12 Jan. (SP). JSe had a rather remarkable count of 360 RUDDY DUCKS at Lake Varner on 14 Jan. FALCONS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – A PEREGRINE FALCON was a great find in Bartow Co. on 16 Jan. (JN, RH, VL). There were six reports of SANDHILL CRANES, mostly heading south although some of the later birds were already heading north. A total of approximately 390 birds were reported. A SPOTTED SANDPIPER was seen at the CRNRA on 9 Jan. (CB). HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH SISKINS – A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was seen in the Buckhead area on 3 Jan. (BL). In Bartow Co. JSp had at least 40 HORNED LARKS on 13 Jan. JSe reported a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH in his Tucker yard on 1 and 16 Jan. PMcL had a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER at Lake Horton on 1 Jan. Interesting sparrows from Henry Co. included three LE CONTE’S SPARROWS on 20 Jan. (JSe, HG) and single birds on 23 and 25 Jan. (JSe). Also seen in Henry Co. were single LINCOLN’S SPARROWS on 20 Jan. (JSe, HG) and 25 Jan. (JSe, BL). Five WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were a good

HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH THRUSHES – A female BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD made a surprise visit to a feeder on St. Simons Island on 5 Jan. (fide RT). The bird remained there until 28 Jan. and was seen by many observers. This is the second record for the species in GA with the first one being a one day wonder. Three PURPLE MARTINS were seen at Reed Bingham State Park on 30 Jan. (WS). There were several reports of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES in northern GA with the peak count of three found in Fannin Co. on 5 Jan. (RB). The SWAINSON’S THRUSH previously reported from St. Simons Island was seen again on 2 Jan. in the same location (MC). WARBLERS THROUGH SISKINS – A VIRGINIA’S WARBLER (GA’s second record) appeared at a Valdosta feeder on 15 Jan. and remained there through the end of the month (JSw). Needless to say many observers saw the bird thanks to the hospitality of the Swiderski’s. An OVENBIRD was a good find in Brantley Co. on 10 Jan. (TH). A rare find was a SUMMER TANAGER in the Dublin area on 23 Jan. (LJ). JSp had a good count of 35 VESPER SPARROWS in Gordon Co. on 7 Jan. SB found a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and a HENSLOW’S SPARROW in Evans Co. on 19 Jan. Another HENSLOW’S SPARROW was found in Paulk’s Pasture on 1 Jan. by JSp. Two different PAINTED BUNTINGS were reported from the Glenville area on 9 Jan. by GW. A young male DICKCISSEL was seen at Sapelo Island on 27 Jan. (DC). There were several reports of BALTIMORE ORIOLES around the state with the peak count being four in the Glenville area on 19 Jan. (GW et al.). A few PURPLE FINCHES were reported with the peak count of 40 coming from Washington Co. on 23 Jan. (LS). PINE SISKINS were also reported in low numbers with the peak count of four coming from Fannin Co. on 19 Jan. (TS). CONTRIBUTORS – Michael Barrett, Sandy Beasley, Eric Bowles, Charlie Bostwick, Roy Brown, Walt Chambers, Mike Chapman, Doris Cohrs, Jeff Dixon, Priscilla Fleshman, Jim Flynn, Hugh Garrett, Lex Glover, Johnnie Greene, Richard Hall, David Hollie, Ted Holloway, Earl Horn, Liz Horsey, Lance Jones, Eugene Keferl, Carol Lambert, Vanessa Lane, Bill Lotz, Ed Maioriello, Trey Mccuen, Patty McLean, Mark McShane, Max Medley, Kathy Miller, Darlene Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore, James Neves, Bill O’Grady, Sandy Pangle, Dan Roper, Larry Ross, Chuck Saleeby, Robert Sattlemeyer, Wayne Schaffner, Lynn Schlup, Jeff Sewell, Adam Smith, Joshua Spence, Tom Striker, John and Kate Swiderski, Lydia Thompson, Rusty Trump, Gene Wilkinson, and Bob and Deb Zaremba.

Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Ct., Roswell, GA 30075 – [email protected]

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Atlanta Audubon Society

Field Trips

Compiled by Stan Chapman

Sketch by Anne McCallum

Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted). We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced birders! Please check the Atlanta Audubon Website (www.atlantaaudubon.org) for April field trips that may be scheduled.

If you would like to lead a field trip, volunteer to help with the Field Trip Committee, contribute ideas for places to go, or give feedback about leaders or trips, please email Stan Chapman, Field Trips Coordinator, at [email protected]. Generally speaking, field trips take place rain or shine. However, particularly in the winter, there is always a possibility of snow and ice or extreme cold, in which case a field trip may be canceled or changed. Any changes will be reflected on the Atlanta Audubon Society Facebook page and, if possible, on the website, www.atlantaaudubon.org.
Saturday, April 3, 8 AM Buford Fish Hatchery, Cumming, Forsyth County Grant McCreary (cell phone 770-265-8458). Meet at the parking lot inside the gate to the hatchery. Birding Focus: Winter residents, spring migrants, and birds of the river and lake. Some birds that might be found include Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Common Loon, Rough-winged Swallow, Purple Martin, and some early vireos and warblers. Notes and Directions: This trip will include birding along a nature trail leading to the river and hatchery and birding around Lake Lanier. Directions from Interstate 85/985: Travel west on GA Highway 20. After you cross the Chattahoochee River you will turn right onto River Club Dr. (you will be entering a subdivision - look for the DNR hatchery sign). Travel approximately 1/2 mile on River Club Dr., turn right onto Trout Place Road (at the second hatchery sign). The hatchery is through the gate at the end of the road. Directions from GA 400: Travel east on GA Highway 20 for approximately 4 1/2 miles, turn left onto River Club Dr. (into the subdivision) and follow the directions above. Saturday, April 3, 8 AM Piedmont Park, midtown Atlanta George King Meet at the Piedmont Park Conservancy building, corner of Piedmont Ave. and 12th St. Birding Focus: Early migrants and winter and permanent residents. Notes and Directions: This trip is especially good for beginners, children and families, who are invited on all AAS trips. A few extra pairs of binoculars will be available to borrow. Directions: From south of Atlanta, take I-75-85 north to Pine St. (exit 249B). Go straight on Pine, cross Peachtree St. and then turn left onto Piedmont Ave. Travel about one mile to 12th St. From northwest of Atlanta, take I-75 south to Exit 250 and follow the signs to 10th Street. Turn left onto 10th and follow it 1⁄2 mile to Piedmont Ave. Turn left onto Piedmont, and follow it for 1⁄2 mile to 12th St. From northeast of Atlanta, take I-85 south to Exit 84, and follow the signs to 10th Street. Turn left onto 10th, and then follow the directions above. From MARTA, get off at the Arts Center station, walk south to 14th St., turn left (east) and walk two blocks to Piedmont Ave., and then turn right and walk two blocks to 12th St. (1.2 miles). Turn right onto Roswell Road. At the first traffic light after crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea Drive. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Willeo Road. CNC is located one-half mile on the right. From GA 400 southbound: Exit Northridge Road (exit #6). At the top of the ramp is a traffic light. Travel straight through the traffic light onto Dunwoody Place. Follow Dunwoody Place until it intersects with Roswell Road (1.2 miles) and follow the directions above. DeKalb Mall on your right. At that point, turn right on to Lawrenceville Highway, which is also Highway 29. After 0.6 miles, right past the QT station, turn right on to Harrington Road and follow directions as above.

Saturday, April 3, 8 AM Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA Stacy Zarpentine (cell phone 404-219-5869) Meet at the front of the center. Birding Focus: Birds of the river and surrounding woodland, including waterfowl, sparrows, and hawks. Directions: From Roswell Road (U.S. 19), heading north from Atlanta or from the Roswell Road exit off of I-285). At the first traffic light after crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea Drive. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Willeo Road. CNC is located one-half mile on the right. From GA 400 northbound: Exit on Northridge (exit #6) and bear to the right, back over the expressway. Immediately after crossing over 400, turn right onto Dunwoody Place. Follow Dunwoody Place until it intersects with Roswell Road toward Decatur. After approx. 3 miles, you will see North

Saturday, April 10, 8 AM Williams Mill Greenspace Park, Hall County Peter Gordon Meet at entrance parking lot of Williams Mill Greenspace Park, 6166 Black Jack Road, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 Wednesdays, April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 8 AM Birding Focus: Spring migrants and residents of woodlands (weekly Wednesday walks to continue through May 12) and grasslands. Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee River NRA Notes and Directions: This trip is jointly sponsored with Hugh Garrett Elachee Nature Center, where Peter Gordon is Education Meet at the kiosk at the north end of the parking lot of the Director, and with Hall County Parks and Leisure Services. If Interstate North Parkway entrance to Cochran Shoals. There you intend to come, please register no later than April 3 by is a parking fee of $3 (or annual pass) at this site. calling 770-965-7140. Directions: From Atlanta, take I-85 Birding focus: Cochran Shoals has a diverse habitat of river, north and bear left at Exit 113 to get on I-985 toward fields and forest that is very attractive to many species of Gainesville. Follow for 8 miles and take the Friendship Road resident and migrant birds, the number of which should exit (#8) and turn right onto Friendship Road. Follow for 1.9 continue to increase until the end of April. It is one of the best miles, and then turn left onto Swansey Road. After 0.8 miles, places in Atlanta to see the Red-headed Woodpecker, as well turn right onto Blackjack Road. Go approximately .75 miles. as several species of raptors and swallows. Philadelphia Vireo Turn right into the entrance/parking lot of Williams Mill is found annually, and the Prothonotary Warbler usually nests Greenspace Park. here. Many other species of warbler, several vireo and flycatcher species, as well as Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Saturday, April 10, 7:45 AM Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee WMA often can be found. Notes and Directions: Note that considerable walking is Herb Wollner See note of April 7 for birding focus, park fee, and directions. involved, some of which might be on wet grass. Directions from Atlanta: Take I-285 to the Northside-Powers Ferry Rd. Note that this walk begins at 7:45 AM, while the Wednesday exit (exit 22). Going west on I-285, turn right at the first light walks at the same site begin at 8 AM. onto Interstate North Parkway. Stay on this road as it curves Sunday, April 11, 7:30 AM west, through an intersection and crosses the river. After crossing, the parking lot is an immediate right. Going east on Newman Wetlands Center and E.L. Huie Ponds, I-285, continue east at the exit to the second light, then turn Clayton County Malcolm Hodges left (north) and cross the bridge over I-285 and continue Meet at Newman Wetlands Center parking lot, 2755 Freeman through the traffic light on the other side onto Interstate Road, Hampton, GA. North Parkway, then continue with instructions above. Birding Focus: Early songbird migrants, resident forest birds, spring waterfowl migrants and shorebirds. Thursday, April 8 and Thursday, April 22, 8 AM Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, DeKalb County Directions: From Atlanta, take I-75 south beyond Lisa Hurt I-285 to US 19/41 (Tara Blvd., exit 235); drive south for 8.2 Meet at the entrance to the preserve at the corner of Pine miles to Freeman Road and turn left. The Newman Wetlands Bluff and Wood Trail in Decatur. Center is 2.2 miles down Freeman Road on the right. Birding Focus: Clyde Shepherd has a boardwalk over a pond and wetland, and woodland trails. Spring migrants, including Saturday, April 17, 8 AM Fernbank Forest at Fernbank Science Center, warblers, vireos, and tanagers may be seen. DeKalb County Notes and Directions: Bring waterproof footwear, as trails can be wet. Directions: From I-285 N or S on the east side of Chris Showalter Meet at the parking lot area of Fernbank Science Center Atlanta: Take Highway 78, Stone Mtn. Freeway exit, west (which is different from Fernbank Museum), Heaton Park toward Decatur. Highway 78 merges with Lawrenceville Highway (also called U.S. 29) and passes North DeKalb Mall, Drive, Atlanta, GA. Birding Focus: Fernbank has an extensive forest in an inafter which it changes name to Scott Blvd. Shortly, you will pass the QT station on your right. Just past this station, turn town location and paved paths through the woods. It is excellent for woodland birds, including warblers and vireos, right at the next street, Harrington Road. Follow it for 0.6 miles and turn right on to Wood Trail Lane. Follow Wood Trail and is one of the best locations in the area to see thrushes a short distance until it makes a 90 degree turn to the left and and Pileated Woodpeckers. For the first two hours of all the Audubon Society walks, the forest will be closed to all except becomes Pine Bluff. The entrance to the refuge, where the group will meet, is at this corner. From I-75-I-85 N or S: From those who meet for the Audubon walk. Directions: From I-285 on the east side of Atlanta, take the I-85 north or south, take North Druid Hills Road exit, east
Continued on page 10

April 2010

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Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer

olunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Conservation Days
The Georgia Important Bird Area Program is organizing two different volunteer events in which YOU can help birds and other native wildlife.

Friday, April 2
Help us to remove Chinese privet at Joe Kurz WMA in Meriwether County. Last year we killed a lot of this nasty invasive plant, and we can already see positive results! The privetkilling party starts as soon as bird banding ends, at about 2 PM. Feel free to arrive early to see some bird banding.

Saturday, April 10
Help to re-establish a trail around the AnsleyHodges Impoundment at Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area in Glynn County. The trail will be used by birders, hunters and anglers, as well as the management staff. We hope to have members of each of these groups join in. We will work from 9 AM until 3 PM. Some of us will arrive at dawn to do a bit of bird watching and see the beautiful sunrise.

GOT SEED?
The birds at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve need your help! W e are looking for volunteers to “adopt a month” for filling the feeders around our building. One 20-40 lb. bag is all that would be necessary. Please call 678-973-2437 to adopt a month.
Question:

At each event we’ll provide light snacks and a big cooler of water, along with some tools. It would help if some volunteers could also bring a tool or two, as well as gloves. Dress for whatever weather we have that day and bring a bottle or thermos for water. Please contact Important Bird Areas Coordinator Charlie Muise: [email protected] http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/iba/ These programs are made possible by grants from Toyota, TogetherGreen, Georgia Ornithological Society, the Southern Company and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

A Million Thanks!
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers! As always, we extend our unending gratitude to ALL of our volunteers, but we would like to send a special thank you to the following individuals this month. We would like to send out a message to all of the amazing volunteer photographers who contribute so much to our organization. As many of you have seen, we have been fortunate to create many beautiful publications recently, including “Birds Matter,” “Georgia’s Vanishing Treasures,” our latest membership brochure, and the seven educational pieces on Atlanta’s BeltLine Arboretum for our TogetherGreen grant. These publications would not be possible without the generosity and talent of these amazing bird and wildlife photographers. Not only do they help us keep our design costs down by offering their amazing work to us, but they are also the heart and soul of the publications, bringing our pieces to life. These photographers make an important contribution to our organization and we ask you to join us in thanking them for everything they do: Cynthia Bohannan-Brown, Cathy Harman, Darlene Moore, Steve Sanchez, Todd Schneider, Dan Vickers, Jim Wilson, Tom Wilson and the Department of Natural Resources.

Which North American bird is the most specialized feeder, and on what does it feed?
See page 7 for answer

Don’t Forget about our Binoculars Fundraiser
We are conducting a small fundraiser to purchase 20 pairs of child-friendly binoculars (6.5 x 32 Eagle Optics Ravens) for our educational programs at the Blue Heron and off-site at schools and with community groups. We would like to be able to purchase binoculars that will be easier for young people to use and enjoy. For every pair we purchase, Eagle Optics will donate a pair. We would like to raise $1,190 for this effort. If you would like to contribute, please send a check to Atlanta Audubon Society, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342 and write in the memo line: “Binoculars Fundraiser.” We will send you a thank you letter and acknowledgement for your tax-deductible donation.

6

Atlanta Audubon Society

Flight of Fancy: A Trip to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
My Favorite Birds:

By Mary Ann Hindes
My Favorite Places to See Birds:

Can one’s imagination match reality? What if one’s expectations come true? How many lifers can a fairly novice birder accumulate in two days? Why do birders flock to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and why does The Roseate Spoonbill is one of many Merritt Island marvels Atlanta Audubon offer Photographer: Jim Flynn a trip to this area each year? Let me explain why a visit to Merritt Island might be even better than you imagine. Merritt Island is on the eastern coast of Florida, south of New Smyrna Beach and about 50 miles east of Orlando. During the nineteenth century, citrus growers and a trickle of homesteaders gained a foothold in the area. In the twentieth century the burgeoning space program, which started on the barrier island just to the east of Merritt Island, was becoming too large and needed additional area for expansion. So in 1963 the federal government completed the purchase of nearly 220 square miles of land, dune, water and marsh, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began building what is now the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Only a small expanse of land was actually needed for launch pads and other facilities; the rest was set aside as a buffer zone. The entire tract was designated the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, with public access to about half the area. A large portion of land is also shared with Canaveral National Seashore. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 140,000 acres of beaches and dunes, estuarine waters, forested and non-forested wetlands, impounded wetlands, and upland shrublands and forests. The refuge supports over 1,000 plant species and over 500 wildlife species, including a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and neotropical migratory birds. The most productive birding spots are the refuge impoundments. The refuge manages more than 70 impoundments, and the perimeter dike road is open and maintained around many of them. These dike roads provide an excellent place to view wildlife. The seven-mile Black Point Wildlife Drive through restored salt marsh is an amazing place to bird. I’ve told you the facts, but now I want to tell you about the experience—why birding there is so extraordinary, a flight of fancy. What wonders might one encounter while visiting this remarkable wildlife refuge? In mid-January, our group totaled 102 species for the two-day trip. We saw Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Great Egret, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, a huge flyover of Roseate Spoonbill, White and Glossy Ibis, and the lovely Black-crowned Night-Heron. We saw

Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, even Eurasian Wigeon. A nesting Bald Eagle and eaglets and a nesting Great Horned Owl, with tufts of feathers wafting in the wind, were also breathtaking treats. We got a very close and long look at a Sora and a Clapper Rail—both hiding in the vegetation on one of the trails. Then there were the Willet, Marbled Godwit, four species of gull, and the elegant American Avocet swinging its long upturned bill through the shallow water to catch a well-earned meal. There is an outstanding visitor information center off State Route 402, and a short orientation trail is located behind the visitor center; we viewed nesting Osprey at the very start of this trail.

My Bird Journal
Name: ___________________________

This journal is a publication of Atlanta Audubon Society, inspired by our friends at Birmingham Audubon Society in Alabama.

“My Bird Journal”
Included in this month’s Wingbars is a special journal insert for kids. Simply pull the insert out of Wingbars, make as many copies as needed, fold where indicated inside, and enjoy! It can be used by kids interested in learning about birds on their own or by teachers in their classrooms and is especially useful for kids who are participating in this year’s Georgia Youth Birding Competition. “My Bird Journal” is also available as a pdf file for free download on our education page on the website at www.atlantaaudubon.org. Let’s share the joy of birds with our young people. They are our future conservationists and leaders.
Answer: Most likely, the endangered Florida Everglade Snail Kite, depending almost exclusively on the apple snail.

Not all birds use marshes so a series of trails is routed through the major habitats of the refuge. Two trails (Scrub Ridge and Pine Flatwoods) provide the best place to see Florida Scrub-Jays, a species found only in Florida. The Florida Scrub-Jay was classified as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1987. This imperiled bird is considered a good indicator of scrub quality, and high densities indicate well-managed scrub habitat. An estimated 2,500 Florida Scrub-Jays can be found on the refuge, according to government sources. Our group was fortunate to get long looks at several of these fine-looking jays. They were all banded and Art Hurt cleverly commented, “Floridians love their Scrub-Jays so much that they give them all bracelets.” We also visited a wetland area south of Merritt Island. The Viera Wetlands is part of Brevard County’s wastewater reuse system. Here we got up-close views of a pair of Mottled Ducks and a lengthy look at a Limpkin. Black-crowned Night-Herons were basking quite close to alligators, and cormorant were “hanging out to dry” nearby. We also had great views of Crested Caracara, which is the national bird of our neighbor to the south, Mexico. Unfortunately, the Masked Duck that had been sighted earlier in the week failed to appear for our group on Sunday. We certainly tried to find that masked stranger—but to no avail. However on a last-minute return to the wetlands, three of our group did spot the elusive duck on Monday. It was certainly no “flight of fancy” that many of our group had so many “lifers” in just two days of birding. We were delighted to view so many fanciful birds taking flight in an area where space shuttle flights are often the center of attraction. If you want to experience a birding trip to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with other AAS members, sign up for next year’s trip. Remember to watch for workshop opportunities for shorebirds, warblers, and sparrows. Thanks to Lisa Hurt and Theresa Hartz, who led the 2010 trip and planned the afternoon class. Hopefully, these expert birders will lead the trip again in early 2011—a great time to plan an escape to the warmth of central Florida.

April 2010

7

Sculpting Birds from Concept to Finish
Saturday, June 19 — 10 AM to 2 PM
Would you like to learn more about the travels of the great naturalist and explorer, William Bartram? Would you like to learn how to sculpt a bird out of clay? Then this workshop is for you!
Chris Wilson, a wildlife sculptor, will not only talk about his meditations on and inspiration from his ancestor, William Bartram, he will also lead you through the process of creating your own original piece of art. Chris has won over 100 First Place awards and 82 Best in Show awards for his sculptures. He has taught art classes at Kennesaw State University (KSU), created over 100 sculptures in public and private collections, and recently finished a commission for “Midnight Watch,” a monumental size bronze owl statue on the KSU campus. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to sculpt a clay bird with such a talented instructor! Charge: Location: $85 Friends of AAS/$105 Non members AAS Education Office at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342

Space is limited and registration is required. Please contact Emily Toriani-Moura at (678) 973-2437 or [email protected] to register.

William Bartram and “Midnight Watch” Photographer: Unknown

Attention Avid Learners: Mark your Calendar for these Great Workshops!
March 20 and April 10— Exploring Nature through Art Drawing Workshops with Atlanta Artist, Carol Sutherland
The first workshop of this three-class series was a true delight! Students learned the basic concepts of line and value as they created value scales, traced hawk illustrations, and drew ivy leaves. The atmosphere was Detail from “Ti Leaves” by uplifting and the Carol Sutherland instructor was inspiring. Even if you missed the first class, you may still join us for the next two classes of this drawing series. We will learn depth of field, charcoal and still life drawings next. See our website for a complete class description. Time: Cost: 10 AM to 3 PM $85 Friends of AAS/$90 non-members and a discount for signing up for both classes. Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, 4055 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, GA 30342

April 6 & 10—Wetland Plant Management Workshop
Chattahoochee Nature Center wetland Photographer: Henning Von Schmeling

May 27—Tree Identification Workshop
How well do you know your trees? Tree ID skills will aid you not only with finding birds in their natural habitat, but also with describing birds’ locations to others you are guiding. Understanding the relationship between a bird species and its preferred tree (e.g., Cedar Waxwing and berryproducing trees or Nuthatches and pine trees) helps us to understand their behaviors and habitats more intimately, giving us a greater sense of appreciation. Join us on Thursday, May 27 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM as Chris Showalter teaches about identifying trees by leaf, bark, shape and habitat, as well as bird/plant associations. Cost: $35 Friends of AAS/$45 nonmembers.

Wetlands play many different roles in our environment, from filtering pollutants and controlling floods to providing nursery grounds and stopover locations for many valuable plant and animal species. Our wetlands are disappearing steadily over time, with negative impacts from habitat loss and invasive species. This fun and educational workshop will prepare you to become involved in wetland conservation and restoration efforts! Section 1: Plant ID 101 at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) with Henning Von Schmeling Section 2: Plant Propagation 101 with Henning Von Schmeling and Lisa Cole Section 3: Field Trip and Hands-on Removal Training at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve with Dave Butler and Walter Bland The line-up of instructors for this workshop is unbeatable. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn practical ways to make a difference in the natural areas of your community. April 6, 10 AM to 4 PM; April 10, 9 AM to 1 PM Cost: $100 CNC & AAS members $125 non-members Location: Sections 1 & 2 at Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell, GA Section 3 at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, Decatur, GA Time:

Chris Showalter Photographer: Tony Madden, Fernbank Science Center

8

Atlanta Audubon Society

Spotlighting ... The Trust for Public Land
By David Kuechenmeister
This month Wingbars is spotlighting an organization whose efforts have had far-reaching impacts on the birding community and have contributed to the conservation of many thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in Georgia and elsewhere. Meet The Trust for Public Land, an organization that is not as well known as one might expect, yet whose mission and activities have meshed well with that of AAS and the greater birding community. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit land conservation organization whose stated mission is to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, rural lands and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. For more than 37 years TPL has been conserving land and protecting important natural and cultural resources throughout the United States, including sites in Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean. During that timeframe, TPL has worked with willing landowners, community groups, and other nonprofits, plus national, state, and local agencies. Together, they have completed nearly 4,000 land conservation projects in 47 states plus the Virgin Islands, covering more than 2.8 million acres of land. This includes conservation projects that have enhanced or added to over 50 national parks in today’s 84 million-plus acre system. The land conserved has helped protect important wildlife habitat, water resources, environmentally sensitive landscapes and notable cultural resources while affording recreational and educational opportunities to the general public. birding “hotspots.” TPL is not classified as a “land trust,” per sé, since its mission isn’t to “hold” land or conservation easements in perpetuity. Rather, TPL’s mission is to help conserve land in perpetuity for public benefit by helping to make land transactions happen and to ensure that the most appropriate long-term steward ends up with the land or easement. TPL conveys conservation land and easements to many different long-term stewards including land trusts, federal agencies, state agencies, cities and counties. So what does TPL actually do, you ask? TPL’s goal is to enable public agencies to acquire important lands at a fair value. TPL works closely with the agencies’ standards and processes for establishing an independent fair Dog River Park in Douglas County market value for Photographer: David Swann targeted properties. TPL acquires land in its own name, assuming all the risks of ownership as well as the costs associated with buying, holding, and selling land. TPL does not operate as a broker or an agent of governmental agencies, but rather as a principal and risk-taker, supporting the agencies’ independent decision-making process. The bulk of TPL’s federal work has been with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service. TPL also has a long history working with state agencies to help create new state parks and expand existing ones. TPL works only with willing sellers, including individuals, families, corporations and developers. For owners of conservation lands, TPL can make commitments timed to landowners’ needs, negotiate in confidence, and often provide substantial tax benefits. TPL is able to act swiftly when government agencies often cannot. TPL’s government affairs and fundraising staff often can help assemble funding to make a conservation transaction work. Since 1994, TPL has helped states and communities craft and pass over 330 ballot measures, generating almost $25 billion in new conservation-related funding. Although TPL does not generally intend to own and manage land over the long-term like The Nature Conservancy or the many land trusts TPL partners with, TPL pulls all the pieces together, structures the acquisition and conveyance transactions and ensures that the land will be conserved for its intended purpose in perpetuity. TPL’s role has been invaluable to federal and state agencies as well as cities and counties anxious to protect rapidly diminishing natural resources, including critical wildlife habitat. In many cases TPL has helped acquire lands that connect already-protected areas within parks, preserve iconic views, or maintain recreational access to some of our most treasured parklands. Sometimes TPL will split out the interests in land it acquires and convey the conservation easement interest to a land trust and the restricted fee interest to a county or city for a passive recreation park. Many of the projects TPL has taken on were brought to TPL’s attention by concerned citizens who became aware of “at risk” or high resource value properties that needed to be conserved. Among the more than 21,000 acres TPL has helped conserve in Georgia since 1990 are habitats important to resident bird populations as well as migrants. Some notable examples that birders regularly frequent include: Cumberland Island National Seashore (Camden County) - 2,195 acres Cloudland Canyon State Park (Walker and Dade) - 2,000-acre assemblage Bond Swamp (Bibb County) - 959-acre assemblage Chattahoochee National Forest (Rabun, Stephens, Jasper and White) - 2,299-acre assemblage Constitution Lakes (DeKalb County) - 51 acres Sawnee Mountain Preserve (Forsyth County) - 643-acre assemblage Dog River Park (Douglas County adjacent to Dog River Reservoir) - 801 acres Kennesaw Mountain NBP (Cobb County) - 35-acre addition near summit (+16 acres pending) Little Mulberry Park (Gwinnett County) 485-acre assemblage Chattahoochee River NRA - 23 projects totaling 817 acres to date with additional projects pending TPL was an early endorser of the Atlanta
Continued on page 11

Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Forsyth County Photographer: David Swann

Much of the land conserved by TPL becomes parkland or protected natural areas ranging in size from less than one acre to many thousands of acres. Most of this protected land includes wildlife habitat important to many different species of birds and includes a number of

April 2010

9

CLASSIFIEDS
Rates for 2.5” x 2.5” ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent with the conservation and birding mission of Atlanta Audubon Society. Ads may be accepted via email, preferably in .pdf format. Call 678.973.2437 if you have questions. Send payment to Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. Send ads via email to Catharine Kuchar at [email protected].

Affordable Housing and Feeders for Birds, Bats and Butterflies
Basic, functional and long-lasting cedar products

When You Come To The Mountains Ask about the new Birder’s Guide to Fannin County!

Workshop Creations, Inc.
Order on our website:

We feature Cole’s seed, squirrel-proof feeders that truly are, houses, hummingbird stuff, great books, Audubon optics, & hard to find hardware. Plus – 100’s of Ravensburger Puzzles, Music of the Spheres Chimes & a huge selection of educational toys and games for kids!

Website: www.workshopcreations.com E-Mail: [email protected] Tel: 770-448-5363 Fax: 770-448-5363

Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards 611 E. Main St. • Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 258-BIRD (2473) • blueridgebirdseed.com

P.O. Box 921455, Norcross, GA 30010

Field Trips

Continued from page 5

Stone Mountain Expressway (U.S. 78) exit west toward Decatur. At North DeKalb Mall, it merges with and becomes U.S. 29, also called Scott Blvd. After about four miles, go straight through a major intersection with Clairemont Avenue, and then take the third right on to Coventry Road. From Coventry, turn left at the first light onto Heaton Park Drive, and you will see the Science Center 0.1 miles ahead. From downtown Atlanta, take Ponce de Leon Ave east toward Decatur. 4.2 miles east of Peachtree Street, turn left from Ponce de Leon on to Artwood Road. Go for 0.2 miles and turn left on to Heaton Park Drive. The Science Center is 0.1 miles ahead. Saturday, April 17, Wednesday, April 21, Saturday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 28, 7:30 AM Kennesaw Mountain Giff Beaton and/or Chuck Saleeby Meet at the entrance to the mountain road adjacent to the parking lot. Birding Focus: Kennesaw Mountain is one of the premier spots for finding migrating birds anywhere along the east coast. There have been as many as 20 species of warblers seen on the best days, and the mountain is excellent for vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, the Baltimore Oriole, and many other birds. Note and Directions: The group plans to walk up the road to the top of the mountain. The gate to the parking lot may not open until 7:30 AM. Parking has been available on the side along Old Route 41. Directions from Atlanta: Take I75 to exit 269, Barrett Parkway. Go west on Barrett Parkway approximately two miles to Old Route 41 and take a left. (Look for a little brown sign on the right at that intersection pointing left to the Battlefield.) Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Stilesboro Road, then a quick left into the visitor center parking lot. Sunday, April 18, 7:30 AM Dawson Forest WMA Atlanta Tract and north Georgia mountains Georgann Schmalz (cell phone 404-245-7273) Meet at the wetland just inside the gate of Dawson Forest. Birding Focus: The group will first bird Dawson Forest at the wetland, including the power line, fields and forest, which are excellent locations for lingering winter sparrows and incoming neotropical migrants and summer residents, along with herons, woodpeckers and hawks. At 8:30, we will carpool from Dawson Forest to Sosebee Cove and

along Ivy Log Gap Road near Blairsville. Both of these higher elevation locations are excellent nesting sites for many species of flycatchers, warblers, as well as vireos, Scarlet Tanagers, and other songbirds. Directions: From Atlanta, go on GA 400 north 36.6 miles from I-285. Turn left on to Dawson Forest Road at the North Georgia Premium Outlet, which is 6.6 miles past Highway 369. (Highway 369 is at the first stop light along 400.) Drive 3.9 miles along Dawson Forest Road to GA 9 to the stop sign, and continue straight for another 1.5 miles to the gate into Dawson Forest. The wetlands are just inside the gate. Tuesday, April 27, 7:30 AM (or join the group at the observation deck overlooking the pond as late as 8 AM) Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, DeKalb County Stan Chapman and Pam Higginbotham See entry for Clyde Shepherd for April 8 for birding focus and directions. Thursday, April 29, 8 AM Henderson Park, Tucker, DeKalb County Jeff Sewell Meet at the second parking lot from the entrance, which is on the right just past the soccer field and adjacent to the tennis courts. (The first parking lot is on the left.) Birding Focus: Spring migrants, including warblers, vireos and thrushes. The park has a lake, some marshy areas, and good woodland habitat. Notes and Directions: Bring waterproof and sturdy footwear for walking on muddy, wet, and/or hilly terrain. Directions: From downtown Atlanta, take I-75/85 north to I-85 north and follow I-85 just past I-285 to exit 96, Northcrest/Pleasantdale Road. After traveling straight a short distance on the access road, turn right onto Pleasantdale Road, which becomes Tucker Norcross Road and then Chamblee Tucker Road (CTR), heading south. Keep going straight on CTR south and do not make a right turn onto CTR going west. Also, do not turn onto Livsey Drive, but rather turn right onto Livsey Road, which is 2.9 miles from the intersection of I-85 access and Pleasantdale. (You will see a small brown sign for Henderson Park at the turn). Follow Livsey Road until it ends and turn left into the park. The parking lot on the right where we meet is 0.3 miles from the park entrance.

Bird Songs of Georgia CD now available.
Email Georgann Schmalz at [email protected]
or visit www.birdingadventuresinc.com

Field Trips Sponsored by Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
Atlanta Audubon Society has a cooperative relationship with Oconee Rivers Audubon Society centered in Athens. As a service to our members, both publicize the walks of the other so as to increase the opportunities for all. Please see the Oconee Rivers Audubon website, http://www.oconeeriversaudubon.org and click on “upcoming” for their scheduled walks. Directions are available from the “Hotspots” tab on their website. Their April schedule is as follows: April 3: Sandy Creek Park 8 AM-11 AM: meet at the last parking lot on Campsite Drive across the dam; the gates open at 8am. April 10: Whitehall Forest 8 AM-11 AM: meet in the driveway at the end of South Milledge Road (go through T-junction with Whitehall Road into Whitehall Forest). April 17: Sandy Creek Nature Center 8 AM-11 AM: meet at the Allen House parking lot (the first lot on the left) April 24: Charlie Elliott 7 AM-1 PM: meet at the Shops of South Athens parking lot by the Waffle House on South Milledge near the bypass.

10

Atlanta Audubon Society

The Trust for Public Land
BeltLine, commissioning the critical 2004 Garvin study, The BeltLine Emerald Necklace: Atlanta’s New Public Realm. Even before the City of Atlanta had identified funds to purchase land, TPL began acquiring sites for parks along the mostly abandoned 22-mile loop of historic railroad that encircles downtown and midtown Atlanta. After four years of work, TPL’s partnership with the city and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. has resulted in 33 transactions representing 82 acres of new urban parks at a cost of over $44 million. TPL’s front-end work to help integrate greenspace, trails and transit connecting 47 historic neighborhoods has helped pave the way for follow-up opportunities and efforts. Of particular interest is the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum being spearheaded by Trees Atlanta in partnership with AAS to establish bird friendly projects, environmental education and community outreach.

Continued from page 9

The Georgia office of TPL, along with its many conservation partners, has been involved in a signature initiative referred to as The Chattahoochee River Land Protection Campaign since the initiative’s inception in the mid-1990s. The goals of the campaign were to protect water quality and to ensure continued recreation along the river by establishing a “green” corridor from the north Georgia mountains to Columbus. TPL and its partners raised over $160 million for the campaign and together have protected over 150 miles of riverfront land -- more than 16,000 acres -- for parks and trails. More than 20 public agencies, including 11 counties, have committed to long-term stewardship and management of the lands preserved through this initiative, which will help ensure the protection of critical wildlife habitat and support long-term opportunities for the birding community. TPL acknowledges and

applauds the efforts of its conservation partners that contributed to the overwhelming success of The Chattahoochee River Land Protection Campaign, including the Chattahoochee Nature Center, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Fund, Georgia Conservancy and Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. The next time you visit one of Georgia’s birding hotspots or protected natural areas, remember that the odds are good that TPL or another conservation organization had a hand in its protection. For more information about TPL go to www.tpl.org. For more information about this article or to pass along thoughts you have regarding threatened land that should be conserved for public benefit, please contact David Kuechenmeister at 404-873-7306 ext. 275.

Join Atlanta Audubon Society
Wingbars is mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Society members receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a Friends of Atlanta Audubon member. Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the National Audubon Society. Thus, you will not receive Audubon magazine. If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below. Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. J Make check payable to: Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342 J Please charge my credit card:

Renew Online!
You can Simply renew your membership go to online by visiting our website at www.atlantaaudubon.org and www.atlantaaudubon.org linking to the membership page.

and click on We are excited AAS Online! Join/Renew to be able to offer this service (located underto you!logo) the

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April 2010

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A Useful Book for Georgia Birders
By Grant McCreary
The Breeding Bird Atlas of Georgia Edited by Todd M. Schneider, Giff Beaton, Timothy S. Keyes, and Nathan A. Klaus
From 1994 to 2001, over a thousand birders scoured the state of Georgia looking for breeding birds. It took the better part of 10 years, but now the data they collected has been analyzed and distilled into The Breeding Bird Atlas of Georgia. It was worth the wait. The Atlas contains an account for each bird found breeding in Georgia during this period, 182 species in all. A full two-page spread is allocated to each account, with the text and a color photograph on the left-hand side, along with a map and graphs on the right. The text covers habitat, life history, distribution, status and conservation information in general, but particularly as it applies to the bird in this state. This state-specific information is especially interesting. For instance, it’s intriguing that the Cerulean Warblers breeding in the Ivylog-Gumlog area use habitat that is unusually open compared with the preferred habitat elsewhere in their range. Besides the obvious management implications, that’s a nice puzzle for some enterprising researcher to tackle. I was also pleased to see that subspecies information is included where appropriate. The large, color maps plot the breeding occurrences in great detail, with symbols denoting possible, probable, and confirmed records. You can learn much just by browsing through the maps – I hadn’t realized that Worm-eating Warblers bred south to the Fall Line, and possibly even below it! For most species, there is also a table of sampling information and a population trend graph using data from the Breeding Bird Survey. As if this weren’t enough, an extensive introduction covers the survey methodology, Georgia’s ecoregions and habitats, changes in bird distribution, and conservation. It should be noted that, though the photos are excellent and fairly large, this is not intended for use as a field guide. Besides, with its large dimensions and hefty weight, you’d have to hire a porter to carry this into the field for you! A wealth of information that’s a pleasure to immerse yourself in, the Atlas will be an indispensable tool for any Georgia birder.