June 2009 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

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June 2009

Volume XXXV, Issue 6

ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D E
EarthShare ...........................2 Field Trip Leaders ................3 Legacy Club .........................3 Field Notes...........................4 Field Trips.............................5 Spotlight Tim Keyes .............6 Time Well Spent ..................6 A Million Thanks..................6 Statistics ..............................7 Birding with Seniors ............7 Armchair Birder ...................8 Electronic Mailing Lists .......9 Invasive Plants.....................9 Classifieds..........................10 Birds in Decline....................11 Membership........................11 Southern Birding Trails.........12

2009-2010 AAS Officers and Board
Atlanta Audubon is growing and maturing, and our new board members reflect a wonderful mix of talents and backgrounds. We previously announced the election of President Stacy Zarpentine, President-elect Carol Hassell, and board members Stan Chapman, director for field trips, and Dave Butler, director for conservation. At our April meeting, the board approved the nomination of Beth Giddens as director for public information and public relations and added JoAnn Jordan as an at-large member. Following are biographical notes on our talented individuals selected for this term. Stacy, our new president, is a Master Birder and frequent field trip leader for AAS. Her passion is her volunteer work with raptors at Chattahoochee Nature Center. She has had sometimes fascinating, sometimes frightening experiences with these birds. She is an accomplished photographer as you can see from her Indigo Bunting photo featured with this article. Stacy lives in Roswell and is employed with Wachovia Bank. Carol, our president-elect, has played a volunteer role for AAS for some time. She is a Master Birder and writes the Attention Master Birders newsletter (a wonderful resource to assist Master Birders in earning their required hours while they help AAS in the community). She is an articulate voice for conservation and is well informed on environmental matters. Carol is employed with the Georgia Piedmont Land Trust (formerly Gwinnett Open Land Trust). She recently ran for the office of Gwinnett County commissioner and will quickly tell you why your one vote counts. She lost the nomination by a very narrow margin. Stan, our director for field trips, made spring migration so exciting this year. He is doing a super job coordinating field trips as evidenced by the many and varied trips. We even added pages to the April issue of Wingbars to publicize the trips. Stan is providing key information about which species are likely to be found in certain habitat. He lives in Decatur and is retired from the Emory School of Medicine where he was a psychologist for almost 30 years. He semi-retired 13 months ago and now works on a contract basis with The Emory Clinic. Dave, too, is a Master Birder. He is probably a more familiar board member, having been birding with you as director for field trips for three years. Dave lives in Decatur and is employed with the DeKalb County Office of Parks Bond and Greenspace, a distinctive position for the director of conservation. Most of you are familiar with Beth because of her wonderful Bird Artist Profiles. She is an associate professor of English at Kennesaw State University. She is perfect for the director of public information and public relations with her superior writing skills as well as other credentials. Beth is a Master Birder and most recently served on the Sustainability Committee with Carl Tyler, Nancy Hamilton, Jay Davis, Allyson Read and Pam Higginbotham. She lives in Marietta. JoAnn received her graduate degree in social work from Arizona State and holds a certificate in web page design and a degree in professional writing from Kennesaw State University. Her capstone project (Master’s Thesis) includes an approach that our Sustainability Committee hopes will permit AAS to develop an education program, called “The Atlanta Audubon Society Discovery Center at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve.” Jo Ann lives in Roswell and is the communications director at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Beth and JoAnn will work as a team, which will come naturally as Beth supervised JoAnn’s capstone program at KSU. Thanks to their incredible efforts on behalf of the Sustainability Committee and Atlanta Audubon, the board is resolved to move ahead on one of the first steps they recommended in the wellpresented recommendation: We are seeking an education coordinator. Learn more about our exciting plans in an upcoming issue. Let’s welcome these committed individuals and support them during their term of leadership.

ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
P. O. Box 29189 Atlanta, GA 30359
www.atlantaaudubon.org

AAS OFFICE
and Information Line

678.973.2437
Indigo Bunting
Photographer: Stacy Zarpentine

GOS RARE BIRD ALERT

770.493.8862

Board of Directors 2009
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar 770.993.9579 [email protected]

EarthShare of Georgia wins a 2009 Environmental Award from the Atlanta Business Chronicle
ATLANTA (April 9, 2009) EarthShare of Georgia was awarded a 2009 Environmental Award from the Atlanta Business Chronicle in the Green Giving category. This award recognizes a significant donation by a philanthropic or nonprofit organization to an outstanding environmental cause that has demonstrated a significant benefit to the environment. EarthShare of Georgia was recognized for its efforts related to raising funds through workplace campaigns, more than $3 million since 1992. EarthShare of Georgia offers citizens one smart and simple way to care for our air, land and water. As Georgia’s only dedicated environmental fund, EarthShare partners with businesses and employees to support 60 leading environmental organizations through workplace campaigns, Earth Day and other activities. For more information on how you and your company can help carry on the Earth Day message throughout the year, call EarthShare of Georgia today at 404.873.3173, or visit www.earthsharega.org.

Officers
President Stacy E. Zarpentine 404.219.5869 [email protected] President-elect Carol N. Hassell 770.945.3111 [email protected] Treasurer Deanna Helie 770.457.4403 [email protected] Recording Secy Mark Jernigan 404.298.8825 [email protected] Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley 404.687.0079 [email protected]

Directors
Conservation Dave Butler 404.580.3917 [email protected] Education Marge Igyarto 678.398.0569 [email protected] Field Trips Stanley Chapman [email protected] Membership Darlene Moore 404.633.9361 [email protected] Communications Barbara Tarpley 404.687.0079 [email protected] Publicity Beth Giddens 770.792.3712 [email protected] Volunteers Nancy Hamilton 404.874.2338 [email protected]

Get Those Cameras Ready...
AAS is proud to announce a new category for next year’s 2010 photography contest…

2010 Conservation Category: “Saving Georgia’s Grassland Bird Species”
Since the beginning of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in the 1960s, grassland breeding birds have shown some of the steepest population declines of any birds. Grassland ecosystems are dependent on periodic disturbance for habitat maintenance. Historically, grazing by native herbivores and fires were the agents responsible for maintaining grassland areas. However, the elimination of native herbivores, development of fields, widespread fire suppression, and conversion for agriculture have greatly altered grasslands in Georgia. A special award/prize in next year’s photo contest will be given to the 1st place winner in this new category. Bird photos taken in Georgia that will be accepted in this category are:
Northern Bobwhite Eastern Meadowlark Blue Grosbeak Prairie Warbler Vesper Sparrow Buff-breasted Sandpiper Bobolink Indigo Bunting Field Sparrow Horned Lark Northern Harrier Yellow-breasted Chat Sandhill Crane Wilson’s Snipe Henslow’s Sparrow Short-eared Owl Dickcissel Grasshopper Sparrow Loggerhead Shrike Barn Owl Upland Sandpiper

At Large
Jay Davis 404.624.4973 [email protected] JoAnn Jordan 678.488.8022 [email protected] Victor Williams Earthshare Representative 770.423.1012 [email protected]
Northern Bobwhite by Darlene Moore

Photos must be taken between January 1, 2009 and March 15, 2010.

--Website Jim Flynn [email protected] Wingbars Editor Mary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664 [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]. E-mail attachments, if possible. Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta Audubon Society and is published 11 times a year. We feature news, upcoming events, meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect policies of the Atlanta Audubon Society.

Announced in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 05/17 Service Bulletin. Congratulations!
Jack Boyette is graduating from Glennwood Academy. Jordon Budnik was awarded an AAS/GOS scholarship to attend American Birding Association’s Youth Birders Conference.

The male species of what Q: What be duck canspecies recently dethroned identified by its the Arctic body and brownish Tern as the bird with the gray head with a longest migration? green eye patch and white crown?
See last page for answer See page ___ for the answer

Mission Statement:

A

To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.
Atlanta Audubon Society

2

A Round of Applause for our Field Trip Leaders

Atlanta Audubon-led field trips and bird walks provide members with exciting opportunities to visit birding hot spots around the metropolitan Atlanta area. These trips help us fulfill the part of our mission to promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds. We were thrilled to offer so many great field trips. Did you know that from January through May we offered over 55 birding opportunities? We want to express our thanks to our hard-working field trip coordinator, Stan Chapman, his team, and the seasoned as well as new field trip leaders. Our trips would not be possible without their dedication and commitment. Atlanta Audubon would like to give a big thank you to these leaders: Jason Baumgartner Giff Beaton Brandon Best Ken Blankenship Dave Butler Walt Chambers Jay Davis Dot Freeman Hugh Garrett Marilyn Harris Theresa Hartz Andy Hester Joel Hitt Lisa Hurt George King Marcia Klenbort Carol Lambert Mark McShane Max Medley Al Mercer Trecia Neal Chuck Saleeby Georgann Schmalz Jeff Sewell Chris Showalter Lloyd Snyder Joshua Spence Eran Tomer Matt Ward Herb Wollner Stacy Zarpentine

Legacy Club
Join us as a charter member of the AAS Legacy Club by including Atlanta Audubon in your bequests. Your gift to Atlanta Audubon Society ensures our long-term ability to manage the resources necessary to preserve and protect metro Atlanta’s birds and the ecosystems that support them. While cash donations are the most popular form of support, a variety of options exist, from charitable gift annuities and more.

Atlanta Audubon Society

Source: Wikipedia

Question: What are the benefits of a charitable trust? Answer: Do you own low-yielding assets like real estate or securities that have appreciated in value? Is your objective to sell those assets and reinvest in higher yielding income investments? A charitable trust may help to eliminate capital gains taxes that you could incur, reduce or eliminate estate taxes, and give you a current tax deduction. AAS can refer you to a professional advisor for more details. For more information contact Art Hurt at [email protected].

Freedom Park Bird and Butterfly Garden
Candler Park Neighborhood corner of North Avenue and Candler Park Drive
You won’t see this Cairns Birdwing, but if you volunteer for an occasional one to two hours of gardening, chances are that you will see some butterflies just as pretty. If interested, e-mail Carol at [email protected]

2009 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Saturday, September 12
Atlanta Audubon Society is planning a fantastic fall tour on the south side of Atlanta in Fayetteville/Peachtree City. Look for more information, including the “surprise” sites, in upcoming editions of Wingbars.

Volunteers: We need you! If you are interested in volunteering for this year’s tour, please contact Jacqueline McRae at [email protected].

June 2009

3

March Field Notes
March was a rather dull month with few noteworthy birds being discovered. The Atlanta area recorded 129 species (average = 122.8) to bring the year-to-date total to 144 (average = 141.2). The Georgia area came in with 204 species (average 199.5) to bring that year-to-date list to 227 (average = 239.2.)

by Terry Moorez

ATLANTA AREA

DUCKS THROUGH HERONS – PMcL had a good count of eight REDHEADS at the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton Co. on 14 March. Rather unusual for an urban area were eight WILD TURKEYS in Roswell on 14 March (LB). Interesting sightings from Lake Varner in Newton Co. were a REDTHROATED LOON on 30 March (MMcS) and an EARED GREBE on 6 March (JSe) and again on 9 March (MMcS). JF had an amazing count of 821 COMMON LOONS at Lake Lanier on 29 March. Single ANHINGAS were reported from Shamrock Lake (part of the ELHLAF) on 4 March (CaL) and another in Cobb Co. on 7 March (DH). Single AMERICAN BITTERNS were seen at the Mercer Wetlands from 21 March at least through 27 March (JW) and other reports came from the Big Creek Greenway on 22 March (G&NB) and from the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) on 29 March (KB, NF). An early YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at the CRNRA on 17 March (HG et al.). OSPREY THROUGH WARBLERS – A couple OSPREYS appeared to be using a cell phone tower near North Springs High School as a nesting platform in early March (SZ). A bird which appeared to be a dark morph of a RED-TAILED HAWK (HARLAN’S HAWK) was seen at

the ELHLAF on 13 March by JSe and CaL et al. SZ had a good count of 86 migrating TURKEY VULTURES over Roswell on 6 March. In the Roswell area SZ counted 353 SANDHILL CRANES on 6 March and ME had 65 on 7 March. Several AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were found at the CRNRA on 4 March (JH et al.). A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was seen in the Buckhead area on 8 March (BL). Early arrivals included a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER in Tucker on 15 March (CL, JSe), a NORTHERN ROUGHWINGED SWALLOW in Canton on 4 March (DF), two BARN SWALLOWS at the ELHLAF on 13 March (CaL, JSe), and a PRAIRIE WARBLER at the CRNRA on 24 March (HG et al.).

reported on 7 March (PMcL et al.). An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen in the Darien area on 6 March (SP). GK had a good count of 45 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS on Jekyll and St. Simons Islands on 6 March. JSe had an early PECTORAL SANDPIPER in Walker Co. on 24 March. OWLS THROUGH CROSSBILLS – A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen in Stewart Co. on 5 March (BL). An early BARN SWALLOW was seen in the Rome area on 2 March (MD). A BEWICK’S WREN was an extremely rare sighting from the Dalton area on 28 March (MM). Unfortunately the bird did not remain in the area to be seen by others. Rare sightings included a LINCOLN’S SPARROW at Harris Neck NWR on 8 March (NF), a dead YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD found two miles west of Perry on 28 March (fide JSe), and a RED CROSSBILL in Rabun Co. on 7 March (KB et al.). CONTRIBUTORS – Jerry Amerson, Greg and Natalie Bailey, Lia Berez, Ken Blankenship, Walt Chambers, Marion Dobbs, Mim Eisenberg, Nathan Farnau, Jim Flynn, Dan Furbish, Hugh Garrett, David Hedeen, Jackie Heyda, Gene Keferl, Carol Lambert, Chris Lambrecht, Bill Lotz, Patty McLean, Joel McNeal, Mark McShane, Max Medley, Peggy and Terry Moore, Steve Parrish, Dan Roper, Jeff Sewell, Jim Urban, Joe Weissman, and Stacy Zarpentine. Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Ct., Roswell, GA 30075 – [email protected]

GEORGIA AREA

GEESE THROUGH MERGANSERS – A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was reported from Crawfish Springs in NW GA on 29 March (PMcL). Two immature TUNDRA SWANS made an appearance in Walker Co. on 21 March (fide JF) and they remained there at least until 29 March (JU). A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was a good find in the Columbus area on 5 March (WC). At least one and sometimes two female COMMON GOLDENEYES were reported from the Arrowhead Fish Hatchery on 7 March (DR) and 8 March (MD). Two other COMMON GOLDENEYES were seen at Carter’s Lake on 15 March (KB et al.). JA et al. had an excellent count of 58 REDBREASTED MERGANSERS at Rum Creek on 14 March. LOONS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – On 27 March MMcS had one RED-THROATED LOON at Bear Creek Reservoir and on the same day, JMcN had 170 COMMON LOONS at the same location. The GREAT CORMORANT previously reported from the Walter F. George Dam was last

4

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 June field trips that may be scheduled.

Note: We encourage carpooling to and from out-of-town field trips. If you are coming from the Atlanta area and are willing to take riders or if you wish to carpool (and share expenses), please e-mail Stan Chapman at [email protected] and include your name, location, phone number(s) by 8 PM on the Wednesday preceding the trip at which time he will send a master list of participants for everyone to make their own arrangements. Birding focus: This trip is an excellent way for beginners to learn about breeding summer birds found in the forest and an adjacent pond. Directions: From south of Atlanta, take I75/85 connector north to Exit 249B/Pine St. Go straight on Pine, crossing Peachtree St. Turn left on Piedmont Ave. Travel about 1 mi. to 12th St. From northwest of Atlanta, take I-75 S. to Exit 250/16th St. Go straight, crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th St. Turn left on 10th. Travel 0.5 mi. to Piedmont Ave. Go left and travel about 1 mi. to 12th St. Due to street closings, including the 10th and 14th St. Exits from I-75 S., consider exiting at Northside Dr. From northeast of downtown, take I-85 S to Exit 84/17th St. Continue straight, crossing 14th St. Follow directions above. From MARTA Arts Center station, walk south 1.5 mi. to 14th St., turn left (east) and walk two blocks to Piedmont Ave., then turn right and walk south two blocks to 12th St. Saturday, June 6, 7:30 AM North Georgia Mountains (multiple sites) Ruth Marley Meet at the Byron Reece parking area at the Blood Mountain trailhead on the eastern side and bring plenty of water. If you wish to carpool and share expenses, please e-mail Pam Higginbotham at [email protected] by 8 PM, Wednesday, June 3, at which time she will send a list of drivers and riders to make their own arrangements. Birding focus: Blackburnian, Blackthroated Green, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Yellow-throated, Black-and-white, Yellow, and maybe Canada Warblers, American Redstart, Veery, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee and Eastern Phoebe, among others. Directions: From Atlanta and north end I-285, take GA 400 N to its end at Dahlonega, stay on US 19/129 N for 21 mi. At that point, you will see the Walasi-Yi Center on your right at Neels Gap. Proceed 1.5 mi. north to the well-marked entrance to the Byron Reece parking area on your left, which is a left turn off US 19/129 between Dahlonega and Blairsville in Union County. We will bird around the parking area until 8 AM. After we’ve tightened up the group into the least number of vehicles, we’ll proceed to Sosebee Cove where we will bird by walking the 0.25 mi loop to Wolfpen Gap, Cooper Creek and Lake Winfield Scott. (There’s a $4 admission fee.) At noon, we’ll stop at the picnic area for lunch. (Please bring something to eat.) For those who wish to continue birding, we’ll proceed along GA Hwy. 180 and then move onto Suches to the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery before returning to our meeting place to reclaim vehicles. Ruth is willing to go on to Brasstown Bald if anyone wishes to look for higher elevation birds. Saturday, June 27, 8 AM Chattahoochee Nature Center Stacy Zarpentine Meet at the Chattahoochee Nature Center store, 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. The field trip will end about 10 AM. Birding Focus: Some of the common birds sighted are Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ospreys, and swifts and swallows over the river. Directions: From Roswell Rd./U.S.19 heading north from Atlanta or I-285: At the first traffic light after crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea Dr. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Willeo Rd. CNC is located 0.5 mi. on the right. From GA 400 Northbound, take Exit 6/Northridge Rd. and bear to the right, going back over the freeway. Immediately after crossing over GA 400, turn right onto Dunwoody Pl. Follow for 1.2 mi. to Roswell Rd., turn right and follow the directions above. From GA 400 Southbound, take Exit 6/Northridge Rd. At the end of the ramp, travel straight through the traffic light onto Dunwoody Pl. and follow the directions above.

Hugh Garrett (Second from Right) with birders at Cochran Shoals Unit CRNRA
Photographer: Herb Wollner

Saturday, June 6, 8 AM Chattahoochee Nature Center Stacy Zarpentine Meet at the Chattahoochee Nature Center store, 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. The field trip will end about 10 AM. Birding Focus: Some of the common birds sighted are Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ospreys, and swifts and swallows over the river. Directions: From Roswell Rd./U.S.19 heading north from Atlanta or I-285: At the first traffic light after crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea Dr. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Willeo Rd. CNC is located 0.5 mi. on the right. From GA 400 Northbound, take Exit 6/Northridge Rd. and bear to the right, going back over the freeway. Immediately after crossing over GA 400, turn right onto Dunwoody Pl. Follow for 1.2 mi. to Roswell Rd., turn right and follow the directions above. From GA 400 Southbound, take Exit 6/Northridge Rd. At the end of the ramp, travel straight through the traffic light onto Dunwoody Pl. and follow the directions above. Saturday, June 6, 8 AM Piedmont Park (City of Atlanta) Sponsored by the Piedmont Park Conservancy and AAS Matt Ward Meet at the Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Room located at the corner of Piedmont Ave. and 12th St. Binoculars will be supplied. Children accompanied by a parent are invited.

June 2009

5

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

Well Spent
Compiled by Pam Higginbotham

TIME

Spotlighting... Tim Keyes
By David Kuechenmeister
On April 26, 34 teams of young birders ranging in age from 4 to 18 gathered at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center to celebrate the culmination of the 4th annual 24-hour Georgia Youth Birding Competition. Priceless (Tim and Molly) Over 200 species Photographer: Alice Keyes were seen or heard by the 126 participants, and the event raised about $1,200 for conservation. Tim Keyes, who is the focus of our volunteer spotlight, has much to be proud of since he started this annual competition four years ago to engage kids in birding and wildlife conservation and for good reason. Kids will eventually become adults, and many will end up in leadership positions—making key decisions that will have a direct impact on land development, land conservation, habitat protection and other activities that will influence the very survival of the birds we love and enjoy. Virtually everything Tim does professionally and on a volunteer basis revolves around birds and is of considerable benefit to our birding community. As a wildlife biologist for the Georgia DNR in the nongame conservation section, Tim’s professional focus is on nongame bird research, monitoring, conservation and education. His various research projects and bird surveys on stateowned lands are helping to guide management practices that will preserve bird populations of interest to birders and vital to a diversity of ecosystems. His work with the Forestry Wildlife Partnership helps to educate and encourage big timber companies with huge land holdings to utilize best practices and manage their timber resources in ecologically responsible ways that benefit wildlife, including birds. This is important work given the fact that over 90% of Georgia’s landscape is in private ownership, and timber companies own the largest tracts that provide critical habitat for many bird species. Tim has also spent a significant amount of time over the past three years helping finish the Breeding Bird Atlas, which is now in press and should be available February 2010. Additionally, Tim helps with the monthly Wingbars article, Georgia’s Common Birds in Decline and previously the Getting to Know Georgia’s Protected Birds. He was a key contributor for Atlanta Audubon’s timely publications, Georgia’s Vanishing Treasures and Birds Matter. If this weren’t enough, the multi-talented Keyes helps teach the annual Master Birder Class. How could we forget Tim’s demonstration of Bernoulli’s Principle using the funnel and
continued on page 8

Don’t forget to report your volunteer hours.

February-March Task/Event Hours
Administrative 30 Master Birders Newsletter 4 Corresponding Secretary 20 9 Membership Website and ListServ 52 Volunteer Coord/Admin 55 Education 7 LAB 104 Photo Contest 135 GA IBA 18 Conservation 144.5 4 Shade Grown Coffee 176.5 Field Trips Financial Management 40 Peel & Stick 19 Board of Directors hours 31 Wingbars 161 Speakers 16.5 20 Special Events TOTAL 1046.5

A Million Thanks!
It is important your volunteer hours are reported to phigginb@comcast, as these are used for grant applications, etc.
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers. As always, we extend our gratitude to ALL of our volunteers, but would like to send a special thank you to the following individuals this month.

Bird Quote:
“A man who never sees a bluebird only half lives.” -- Edwin Way Teale

Many thanks go to Lucinda Headrick for her wonderful outreach efforts for AAS. Lucinda gets the word out about our work and teaches others about birds and gardening for birds through special presentations all around town. Thanks, Lucinda. Being able to effectively communicate with one another is central to AAS’s success. We would like to thank volunteer, Harriette Hoyt, for the time she spent organizing and developing our electronic mailing lists. These lists are critical to our ability to reach out to volunteers, Master Birders and board members. We are grateful to Harriette for everything she is doing on this special project. Wendy West plays such an important role at AAS. She is one of the central volunteers behind the success of our many workshops. She put our Sparrow Workshop together, making it, yet again, another big success. Thank you, Wendy, for everything you do.

6

Atlanta Audubon Society

Interesting Statistics
By Nancy Hamilton
Our very capable Pam Higginbotham maintains the records on our volunteer hours, and she compiles these in a manageable system. This month she was kind enough to spend additional time crunching the numbers in a different format than we have been using in Wingbars for the last few months. We hope that restructuring this data will give you an added dimension to consider as to how strong is the commitment of our members to Atlanta Audubon. We frequently highlight how important volunteers are to the Atlanta Audubon Society, emphasizing that our contributions to birds, the environment and to our community would be impossible without each and every one’s dedication. Sixty-eight members spent 1,046.5 hours during the months of February and March educating the general public about our mission and its importance in making the world a better place to live. Based on the commonly accepted standard rate in translating volunteer hours for the independent sector, that’s $20,407. However much I like the idea of translating the volunteer hours into cash—to get folks to think about the direct value of the time spent in different areas, the indirect value is huge—the pleasure of birding, the enjoyment of birds, the learning that takes place. It’s hard to assign a value to these satisfying activities. Below we highlight the highest ranking volunteer hours, but just as important as these are the others not mentioned specifically, such as peel & stick volunteers, administration, including the board meetings attended by our directors, updating our Website, keeping our financial records in order (40 hours), and providing speakers for garden clubs and other venues. Organizing field trips is one of our most important endeavors, so we are not surprised that the field trip director and leaders contributed 176.5 hours in February and March. Converted to dollars that’s $3,442. Please take time to note these individuals and thank them for helping us find those birds at just the right time. (See A Round of Applause for our Field Trip Leaders in this issue.) Conservation came in second with 144.5 hours (worth $2,818) contributed by 15 individuals including Dave Butler who is the conservation director. These individuals come from all walks of life and represent varied interests. Developing and producing Wingbars and creating and maintaining the Website came in with 144.5 hours and 52 hours, respectively, and that’s not counting CopyPrep’s in-kind contribution—hours Deb & Judy spend helping us produce an accurate and interesting newsletter for which there’s no additional charge. The photo contest, highlighted in the May issue, represented 135 hours of volunteer time. At a $19.50 per hour average, you can see the value added contribution for Michael Clifford’s expertise, as well as the others who provided us with a first-hand opportunity to see quality photography. The committee (Michael Clifford, Joy Carter, Carl Tyler, Chris Willis) have already met and decided to add a new category to promote conservation for the 2010 contest. With our focus on grassland birds (see our latest brochure, Georgia’s Vanishing Treasures), it makes sense to choose “Saving Georgia’s Grassland Bird Species” to be included with Birds in Portrait, Birds in Motion, Animals, Habitats and Georgia Youth, as well as our Judge’s Choice and Grand Prize. We don’t always hear about the day-to-day accomplishments of our LAB (Learning about Birds) team including Marcia Klenbort, Marilyn Harris and Kit Robey. Marcia was named Volunteer for the Month of January at the Cochran Mill Nature Center, in part because of her Beginning Birding workshop. These leaders, with help from others including Anita Chilcutt and her sister, Lisa Hurt, and her husband, Art, prepared the materials used to educate our youngsters. They reported 104 hours or $2,028 value-added dollars. A decided bargain, don’t you think? Even with this level of commitment, we need help from more of you. Please periodically review the needs posted on our Website and in Wingbars. The sense of a job well done is very gratifying and will be two-fold—for you and for AAS.

Birding with Seniors
By Marge Igyarto
Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to give a talk on gardening for birds at Mercer University’s Senior University. It is a wonderful program for people aged 55 and older. For a very reasonable fee, participants may choose from a vast array of classes on topics ranging from travel, the arts and drama and literature. They take two classes per quarter, and each class meets twice a week. I was part of a gardening series and focused on how to create a bird-friendly habitat. I stressed the fact that even if space is limited, containers and hanging baskets are always an option. I always encourage the use of native plants whenever possible. I shared a lot of printed material including our newest publication, Georgia’s Vanishing Treasures. My audience was a delightful group of folks. They were smart, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I believe that senior citizens have much to offer in support of our bird friends. Several people came up to me afterwards and said that they have always enjoyed feeding birds, etc., but my talk piqued their interest in learning more, especially about the species that are in decline. I hope it was a worthwhile experience for them. It certainly was for me.

Matching Contributions Through Volunteering
Will Your Employer Make A Contribution for Your Volunteer Hours to AAS?

Employer matching for your volunteer efforts is another important way you can support Atlanta Audubon Society and make a significant statement about how you value what we do in the community. Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta also realize the importance of giving back to the community and are getting involved by matching their employees’ volunteer hours with a cash donation. Participating in your employer’s matching program is a simple process. Check with your human resources department about forms and procedures and send your information to: Matching Gifts Coordinator, Atlanta Audubon Society, Box 29189, Atlanta, Georgia 30359. We’ll do the rest. Your support ensures that our work in the community continues today and flourishes tomorrow.

June 2009

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Book Review by Beth Giddens
The Armchair Birder: Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds by John Yow
(University of North Carolina Press, 2009)
Did you know that bobwhites roost in a tight circle on the ground with their heads facing outwards? That House Wrens that have failed to reproduce sometimes feed the young, as well as the adults, of other species? That some of the Brown-headed Cowbird’s most common targets for brood parasitism such as Author John Yow the Yellow Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, American Goldfinch, and Scarlet Tanager cope with an unwelcome Cowbird egg by building a new nest on top of it for their own eggs? These interesting facts and many more concerning the behavior of backyard birds are included in The Armchair Birder, a new book by John Yow, a freelance writer based in Acworth, Georgia, and an Atlanta Audubon Society member. With a droll tone and self-effacing persona reminiscent of novice New England farmer and essayist, Noel Perrin of First Person Rural fame, Yow gives readers insight into the lives of 42 common bird species in essays that blend anecdote, observation and the best of classic bird writing and contemporary research. The book is perfect for birders who want to go beyond species identification; it provides highly readable and amusing accounts of how the birds that we see every day eat, sing, mate, build nests and raise their young. In addition, because the author is a Georgian, the essays focus on Southeastern seasonal changes, landscapes and species.

Spotlighting Tim Keyes (continued)
ping-pong ball or the “cool facts” he would share on the birding field trips. The list goes on, but we’ll save that for another time. Tim credits his love of the outdoors and birds of prey to his father, who had a lifetime fascination with raptors. Tim’s interest in birding grew during a college field trip to Newfoundland and Labrador where he observed massive Northern Gannet colonies at Cape St. Mary on the Avalon Peninsula. Tim remarked, “I got hooked on birding in 1993 as a junior in college and have been birding ever since.” This has included conducting fieldwork in Minnesota, Virginia, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Portugal and, of course, Georgia. Tim continued, “then there were the traveling birding trips (my wife called them something else) to Costa Rica, Ecuador, Australia, Holland, Spain, Switzerland, British Columbia, California, Arizona, Texas and Colorado (where we spent our honeymoon).” Tim recalled, “I am a big fan of cold weather so my favorite birding adventure was owling in Minnesota during the great owl “invasion” four or five years ago. My cousin, two friends and I flew to Minneapolis, rented a car, and spent four days birding in northeastern Minnesota from Sax-Zim Bog up to the Gunflint Trail and all along Lake Superior. The birds were amazing: from Boreal Owl to Northern Hawk Owls and abundant Great Grays to Hoary Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing and both woodpeckers found in boreal habitat. The weather was frigid and one day dropped to 56 degrees below zero. At one lodge, we stopped for coffee and they sent us back outside with boiling cups of water to fling into the air. The water crackled and froze before it hit the ground. My cousin had hiking boots with no insulation so we would get out of the car, chase down whatever bird we were looking for, then sprint back to the car. He would then take off his boots and I would sit on his feet to try to help warm them up. I can still feel the chill of his feet just thinking about it. Fortunately, we all survived with no frostbite. Another highlight of that trip was learning about Priceline. One time we went into the nicest hotel in Duluth and Steve Holzmann used the lobby computer to book us rooms at about half the standard rate, then used the hotel printer to print our vouchers.” I think Steve and Tim could probably teach William Shatner a few tricks. Tim, his wife Alice and 17-month-old daughter Molly (who can say “owl” and imitate the call) will soon be moving from Atlanta to Brunswick, Georgia, where Tim will be coordinating much of the coastal bird work for the DNR involving Swallowtailed Kites, Wood Storks, Painted Buntings and shorebirds. Anyone interested in a cute 2/1 in Ormewood Park? Tim says he’s very excited about getting to work with a different suite of birds and living on the coast. I’m sure we’ll be hearing about new youth birding teams emerging from the Brunswick area, like the “Brunswick Buntings,” next April when the 2010 Youth Birding Competition is held. Thanks, Tim, for all your many contributions to AAS, birds and birding. We wish you, Alice and Molly all the best with your move to the coast. We hope you will still make periodic visits to Atlanta to impart your knowledge, cool demonstrations and humor during Master Birder Classes and local field trips.

8

Atlanta Audubon Society

Update for AAS Members Concerning Electronic Mailing Lists
By Barbara Tarpley
Many of you are familiar with the electronic mailing lists that AAS has used for years, thanks to the efforts of Helena Wood. Helena has turned over the reins of this task to Harriette Hoyt, who will be assisting us in maintaining the lists for the AAS Board of Directors, the Master Birders, the Volunteers and the Armchair Activists. This communication tool is the most effective way for us to distribute informative details and requests for help on a timely basis. So, in the coming weeks, you will see inquiries from us as we work to update our server files with new and corrected e-mail addresses. If you wish to continue receiving e-mails, there’s no action necessary. But for those of you who do not presently receive communications from us in this manner, please send us an e-mail at www.atlantaaudubon.org indicating that you would like to be added to our Volunteer list (where you can be notified of volunteer opportunities) and/or the Armchair Activists list (to learn about public policy issues related to birding, protection of habitat, the environment, etc.) Atlanta Audubon Society is very active in the community, especially in the spring and fall seasons, so we need help with festivals and the many other activities we support. Nancy Hamilton and her committee look forward to your support in whatever volunteer activity suits your particular area of expertise. Armchair Activists, as the name implies, influence public policy when they have some free time. As an Armchair Activist, you can help us by calling or writing state and/or national legislators to persuade or dissuade their backing for legislation that affects the environment, etc. We are still looking for a coordinator who can help us rebuild this grassroots effort by keeping us apprised of important issues. Should you have any questions about this effective conservation tool, please contact Dave Butler at dabutler700@comcast.

Invasive Plants: Bird Friend or Foe?
By Dave Butler
Kudzu, privet, English ivy, honeysuckle: these and many other plants are common throughout the Southeast, particularly in the Atlanta area. They are non-native AND invasive, meaning that they spread rapidly, usually forcing out native plant species that cannot compete with the newcomers. Good for birds? Bad for birds? According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “invasive species are a primary threat to America’s 94-million-acre* National Wildlife Refuge System and Audubon Important Bird Areas.” The Fish and Wildlife Service says that invasive species are the single greatest threat to the refuge system, causing “widespread habitat destruction” and “contributing significantly to the decline of trust species.” Around the country, invasive plants take over 14 million acres per year and 4,300 acres per day on public lands alone. Purple loosestrife kills sedges, cattails and bulrush, thus, crowding out native plants that provide food and cover for waterfowl. Melaleuca infested approximately 500,000 acres in south Florida, destroying nesting habitat and reducing food sources for birds. Some areas of the country have passed laws prohibiting the sale of some of the most invasive plants and other jurisdictions are considering similar legislation. More nurseries are offering native species and phasing out non-native plants in their stores. Native plants that provide food and shelter for birds include American Holly, Southern Red Cedar, Beautyberry and Virginia Creeper.

Monocultures formed by exotic plants make poor bird habitat. Birds need a variety of plant Do your part to control non-native plants in species for food and nesting sites. We’ve all seen your yard and neighborhood. Cut ivy at the the endless expanses of kudzu covering trees property boundary and trim privet to keep it and fields, English ivy smothering forest floors, from producing seed or replace these plants and privet infesting floodplains. Although many with natives. Volunteer at your local park or at birds eat the fruits of privet and ivy (thereby Even a Pretty Name: AAS’s adopted forest at Blue Heron Nature spreading more seed), the spread of these plants Pueraria lobata (Kudzu) Source: Wikipedia Preserve to help remove invasives. Also learn reduces the variability of diet and provides less more about invasive plants by visiting the food value than native plant foods. Insect populations may also be reduced in numbers and variability Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Website at www.gaeppc.org. of species, which results in less food for birds. Invasive plants may have fruit that is actually toxic to birds. Other *now 95-million-acres per NWRS. wildlife species are also greatly impacted.

June 2009

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 e-mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 770.913.0511 if you have questions. Send payment to Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359. Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at [email protected].

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

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!

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

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

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

Workshop Creations, Inc.
Order on our website:

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

Premier

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Blue Ridge, Georgia
Phone: 1-877-376-5032 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cabinsinblueridgega.com

Vacation Rentals

AAS would like to thank the Knollwood Elementary School’s Bird Club, The Brown Thrashers, for their donation. The young team collected pledges for the Georgia Youth Birding Competition on April 26 and raised $111.80 for our organization. Many thanks to these young birders and Mary Nevil for their support.

Thank You! Knollwood Elementary!

P.O. Box 921455, Norcross, GA 30010

10

Atlanta Audubon Society

Georgia’s Common Birds in Decline
Whip-poor-will
In Georgia, the Whip-poor-will has declined 23% over the past 40 years. With its brown speckled plumage, the Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, is one of nature’s most well camouflaged birds. Most humans only see this bird’s red eyes glowing in Whipporwill Artist: Anne McCallum reflected headlights on or next to roads. A bird of the night, its unmistakable Whip-poor-will song can be heard at dusk or dawn and during a moonlit night. The Whip-poor-will prefers open, dry deciduous woodlands that provide ideal habitat for feeding and breeding purposes. As it forages at night—primarily at dusk and dawn—it consumes nightflying insects, such as grasshoppers and mosquitoes. As a result, humans benefit from the Whip-poor-will’s environmental service as they help control unwanted pests. Against the moonlit sky, it will also hunt for moths and beetles by detecting their silhouettes against the sky. Unlike many other birds that create a typical nest, the Whip-poorwill nests under a shrub or tree, nearly always laying two eggs on a thin bed of leaf litter on the forest floor. The eggs and chicks are very well camouflaged and are ready to fledge within 20 days of hatching.

Well Spent

TIME

In Georgia the Whip-poor-will is rarely found in the southern half of the state. It is a common summer resident in the Georgia mountains and Piedmont region, with a few occurrences in the Upper Coastal Plain region. Scientists have a lot of difficulty tracking the birds because of their elusive nighttime behavior. Between 1966 and 2005, the bird’s population has declined approximately 3% per year in the Southeast, losing nearly 23% of its population in Georgia over the past 40 years.
Source: Declining common bird findings based on National Audubon Society’s “Common Birds in Decline: A State of the Birds Report,” with additional figures from the Georgia DNR.

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, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359. You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. J Make check payable to: Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359 J Please charge my credit card:

Now Available!
You can now renew your membership online. Just visit our Web site at www.atlantaaudubon.org and go to the membership page to join via the Web. We are excited to be able to offer this new service to you!

Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society

J Basic Membership J Individual ...........................................$25 J Family................................................$35 J Student..............................................$15 J Contributing Membership...............................$50 J Supporting Membership...............................$100 J Donor Membership ......................................$250 J Patron Membership......................................$500 Receive an official Atlanta Audubon T-shirt J Benefactor Membership............................$1,000 Receive above plus autographed copy Birds of Atlanta J Interested in volunteering with AAS

J Amex J Diners Club J Discover J MasterCard J VISA _______________________________ _________
Card Number Expiration Date

 11 issues

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
(July/August combined) of Wingbars Newsletter

J Renewal J New Membership Name _____________________________________ Address ___________________________________ City____________________ State ___ Zip ______ E-mail ____________________________________ Phone_____________________________________

 Friends discounts  Use of the AAS A great tax
deduction! 11 library on classes, trips and special events

J Please send me information on planned giving opportunities through Atlanta Audubon Society’s Legacy Club J Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars
It is Atlanta Audubon Society’s policy not to share or sell our mailing list. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us.

June 2009

SOUTHERN BIRDING TRAILS
By Kenn Kaufman
A complete list of the trails can be found in Audubon Magazine published by National Audubon Society.

Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail, Texas
The Texas Panhandle’s high plains might seem flat at first glance, but the endless horizons, hidden canyons, broad playa lakes, and rugged mesas create an indelible portrait of America’s wideopen spaces. Shallow wetlands on the plains provide seasonal stopovers for migrating plovers and sandpipers, traveling between the Q: What Arctic and the South American pampas, whilespecies recently serving as winter quarters for noisy hordes ofdethroned the Arctic Sandhill Cranes by the tens of thousands. Here Tern as the Old West, you can visit scenes straight out of the bird with the longest migration? like big prairie dog towns, where you might spot a Burrowing Owl, a Ferruginous Hawk, or a flock of Mountain Plovers. In summer Scaled Quail give their___ for thescraping See page hoarse answer
Answer: Answer: Sooty American Wigeon
Shearwater
285

calls from fence posts, while brown-toned Cassin’s Sparrows and flashy Lark Buntings perform fluttering flight songs over the grasslands. In winter, flocks of longspurs swirl above the same flats—and watch for a hunting Prairie Falcon in close pursuit. For some birders, the prize will be a Lesser Prairie-Chicken. This rare grouse has vanished from some former haunts, but in the Panhandle you can still marvel at the males performing their bizarre stomping and hooting dances at dawn. For more information: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/wildlife_trails/plains/ or call the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512.389.4800.

Roswell Road

Please note our NEW telephone number and street address in North Buckhead.

Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Pe

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nd lB

400

ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY OFFICE
85

lvd .

75
West Paces Ferry
t Ro Piedmon
Peac htree Road

at Blue Heron Nature Preserve 4055 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30342

East Paces Ferry

678.973.2437 Send all mail for

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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AAS to:
PO Box 29189 Atlanta, GA 30359
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Atlanta, GA Permit #917

Atlanta Audubon Society
P.O. Box 29189 • Atlanta, GA 30359
Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Wingbars is printed on recycled paper

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