Birdfest 2015 Special Presentations Birdfest 2015 Special Presentations Birdfest 2015 Special Presentations Birdfest 2015 Special Presentations Saturday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m. Kurt K. Burnham, D.Phil. President, High Arctic Institute “Birds & Bergs: 24 years of avian research in Greenland” Focused on peregrines and gyrfalcons www.higharctic.org Sunday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m Kathi & Michael Rock Madison, Wisconsin Learn how to attract hummingbirds by planting annual and perennial plants. www.hummingbirdgardening.net the Sand Bluff Birder the official newsletter of the Sand Bluff Bird Observatory March 2015 President’s Message President’s Message President’s Message President’s Message Sand Bluff Bird Observatory volunteers are ready for the spring season. Mother Nature seems to have other plans, so net opening will start sometime in March. For more information, check our website at www.sandbluff.org or visit us on Facebook and Twitter. During 2014, our all-volunteer force donated 7,499 hours while banding birds, collecting data, and providing educational programs. After nets were taken down in late November, vol- unteers analyzed banding records, carried on with committee projects, conducted the annual meeting, attended training ses- sions to improve skills and prepared for the upcoming season. In the last newsletter, I noted that Sand Bluff Bird Observa- tory was named a recipient of the Carroll H. Starr Endowment Challenge VII by the Community Foundation of Northern Illi- nois. Through the generosity of the Holley Foundation, SBBO successfully reached the C.H. Starr Challenge goal and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois awarded $5,000 to the endowment fund. We are truly thankful to the Holley Fam- ily and CFNIL for their vision and support for SBBO’s future. Additionally, Sand Bluff Bird Observatory has been awarded a Community Opportunities Gift Matching Challenge by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to help pro- mote growth of the endowment fund. When successfully com- pleted, this challenge goal of raising $15,000 by December 2016 will be matched by the CFNIL by $1 for every $3 raised. To date, our generous donors, supporting SBBO and its mis- sion in perpetuity, have donated over $1,000 to the Endowment Fund. The SBBO Endowment Fund provides Sand Bluff Bird Ob- servatory with a stable yearly distribution to provide for nets and supplies necessary for banding operations. The endowment fund also ensures that you will be supporting SBBO and its mission for generations to come. By supporting the endow- ment, you join SBBO in believing that people need to under- stand the natural world in order to preserve it. My deepest thanks to all volunteers and supporters of Sand Bluff Bird Observatory. As partners, we work together to pro- tect bird species through research and education. We look for- ward to your visit soon! ———Anna Gray President SBBO Interested in becoming a VOLUNTEER? Please show up – tell the bander that you are interested in becoming a Volunteer, and we will get you started on an exciting and very satisfy- ing journey! Or, call Lynda: 815-629-2781 for more information. Longevity In Birds Longevity In Birds Longevity In Birds Longevity In Birds by Lee G. Johnson, Master Bander Some species of birds occur at the banding station year after year. This gives us the opportunity to learn how long they live. The following are some, but not all, of the oldest birds retrapped at the station. Band # Band # Band # Band # Species Species Species Species Banded Banded Banded Banded Retrapped Retrapped Retrapped Retrapped Elapsed Yrs Elapsed Yrs Elapsed Yrs Elapsed Yrs 0912-69149 Blue Jay 10/7/2001 10/20/2012 11 0851-99300 B-h Cowbird 6/13/1967 4/25/1982 15 8081-45541 B-h Cowbird 5/9/1996 5/20/2007 11 8081-44930 Grey Catbird 5/11/1997 8/12/2007 10 0971-56559 Grey Catbird 5/25/1973 5/11/1984 11 0961-12261 Grt. Cr. Flycatcher 5/28/1983 8/20/1994 11 0842-66674 Rd-bld Woodpecker 5/7/1981 5/9/1992 11 8081-44706 R-b Grosbeak 5/19/2001 5/13/2011 10 0871-94551 R-b Grosbeak 9/21/1979 5/13/1990 11 0921-08060 R-b Grosbeak 8/31/1980 5/17/1001 11 Long Long Long Long-eared Owl eared Owl eared Owl eared Owl December 3, 2014—Last night Bob Chapman called from the band- ing station stating that he had trapped a Long-eared Owl and, of course, I drove out to take pictures. Bob has been working very hard to get our owl numbers up and last night he also trapped the 101st Northern Saw-whet Owl of the 2014 sea- son as well as the first LEOW in 3-4 years. —Report by John Longhenry Long-eared Owl Photos by John Longhenry
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Birdfest 2015 Special PresentationsBirdfest 2015 Special PresentationsBirdfest 2015 Special PresentationsBirdfest 2015 Special Presentations
Saturday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m. Kurt K. Burnham, D.Phil.
President, High Arctic Institute “Birds & Bergs: 24 years of avian research in
Greenland” Focused on peregrines and gyrfalcons
www.higharctic.org
Sunday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m Kathi & Michael Rock
Madison, Wisconsin Learn how to attract hummingbirds by planting
annual and perennial plants. www.hummingbirdgardening.net
the Sand Bluff Birder the official newsletter of the Sand Bluff Bird Observatory March 2015
SSSSand Bluff Bird Observatory volunteers are ready for the spring season. Mother Nature seems to have other plans, so net opening will start sometime in March. For more information, check our website at www.sandbluff.org or visit us on Facebook and Twitter. During 2014, our all-volunteer force donated 7,499 hours while banding birds, collecting data, and providing educational programs. After nets were taken down in late November, vol-unteers analyzed banding records, carried on with committee projects, conducted the annual meeting, attended training ses-sions to improve skills and prepared for the upcoming season. In the last newsletter, I noted that Sand Bluff Bird Observa-tory was named a recipient of the Carroll H. Starr Endowment Challenge VII by the Community Foundation of Northern Illi-nois. Through the generosity of the Holley Foundation, SBBO successfully reached the C.H. Starr Challenge goal and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois awarded $5,000 to the endowment fund. We are truly thankful to the Holley Fam-ily and CFNIL for their vision and support for SBBO’s future. Additionally, Sand Bluff Bird Observatory has been awarded a Community Opportunities Gift Matching Challenge by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to help pro-mote growth of the endowment fund. When successfully com-pleted, this challenge goal of raising $15,000 by December 2016 will be matched by the CFNIL by $1 for every $3 raised. To date, our generous donors, supporting SBBO and its mis-sion in perpetuity, have donated over $1,000 to the Endowment Fund. The SBBO Endowment Fund provides Sand Bluff Bird Ob-servatory with a stable yearly distribution to provide for nets and supplies necessary for banding operations. The endowment fund also ensures that you will be supporting SBBO and its mission for generations to come. By supporting the endow-ment, you join SBBO in believing that people need to under-stand the natural world in order to preserve it. My deepest thanks to all volunteers and supporters of Sand Bluff Bird Observatory. As partners, we work together to pro-tect bird species through research and education. We look for-ward to your visit soon!
———Anna Gray President SBBO
Interested in becoming a VOLUNTEER?
Please show up – tell the bander that you are
interested in becoming a Volunteer, and we will
get you started on an exciting and very satisfy-
ing journey! Or, call Lynda: 815-629-2781 for
more information.
Longevity In BirdsLongevity In BirdsLongevity In BirdsLongevity In Birds by Lee G. Johnson, Master Bander
SSSSome species of birds occur at the banding station year after year. This gives us the opportunity to learn how long they live. The following are some, but not all, of the oldest birds retrapped at the station.
DDDDecember 3, 2014—Last night Bob Chapman called from the band-ing station stating that he had trapped a Long-eared Owl and, of course, I drove out to take pictures. Bob has been working very hard to get our owl numbers up and last
night he also trapped the 101st Northern Saw-whet Owl of the 2014 sea-son as well as the first LEOW in 3-4 years. —Report by John Longhenry
Fall 2014 Banding Report TrendsFall 2014 Banding Report TrendsFall 2014 Banding Report TrendsFall 2014 Banding Report Trends ——-by Lee G. Johnson, Master Bander
F F F Fall banding produced higher-than-average totals. Neotropical migrant totals were much higher than we have seen for many years. Numbers for birds that winter here or just a little further south, for the most part, were lower. Our Northern Saw-whet Owl total was good, largely due to the extra effort in this area by Robert Chapman. The nesting Henslow’s Sparrows were joined by Clay-colored Sparrows and we captured some just out of the nest. We did not band any Savannah Sparrows this fall which is quite unusual. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak total of 54 is an all-time high for any season since we started banding. Several Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds were surprising for fall. A Northern Parula was the most unexpected warbler. In all probability the most exciting bird of the fall was a hybrid Red/Yellow-shafted Flicker.
FALL 2014 STATISTICS WITH 10 YEAR COMPARISONSFALL 2014 STATISTICS WITH 10 YEAR COMPARISONSFALL 2014 STATISTICS WITH 10 YEAR COMPARISONSFALL 2014 STATISTICS WITH 10 YEAR COMPARISONS
“WHO are these people, Part 2?”“WHO are these people, Part 2?”“WHO are these people, Part 2?”“WHO are these people, Part 2?” by Lynda Johnson
LLLLast newsletter I told you about two early SBBO people who returned. Now I’ll tell you “who the heck are Bob and Bart Chapman?” In the spring of 1973, Bob Chapman was 12 years old and in the 7th grade. Bill Miles brought him out to Sand Bluff Bird Banding Station…Bob’s first memory of Lee John-son is Lee standing in ice water putting up nets. (Oh, does that sound familiar?) Bob’s Dad had encouraged him to be a “tough guy” and participate in sports – a familiar theme back then – but
Bob’s heart was in bird watching and all things re-lated to birds. His mother was friends with Bill Miles’ wife, so Bob was allowed to come out to Sand Bluff with Bill, a very early volunteer at the station. Bob also went to North Central Illinois Ornitho- logical Society (Bird Club) meetings with Bill, and met
Milton Mahlburg at Burpee Museum of Natural History. He joined the Environmental Club at Kennedy Jr. High School, and he participated in two Eagle Counts at Eagle Valley with Jack Armstrong. He especially loved learning to trap hawks with Lee. Bob credits all of these early encounters with Bill, Lee, Milt, Jack, NCIOS and the Environmental Club at school with influ-encing his career choice to be a biologist. He worked at the San Diego Zoo, Houston Zoo, Sea World, and a zoo in Costa Rica – working with incubating and raising birds – including cranes, and had many amazing experiences. His DNA accounts are cited in “Birds of North America.” He also filmed Whiskered Screech Owls and Whitney’s Elf Owl – first time, ever, filmed fledging! Sadly, we say “good-by and good luck” to Bob; he has just started a new job with Hawk Watch International, searching for Golden Eagle nests in Utah and banding and radio tagging young. Come back, again, some day, Bob! Bart Chapman, Bob’s younger brother, met Dr. John Clark at Burpee Museum (Milt’s assistant). Dr. Clark encouraged Bart and his friend to visit Sand Bluff with Bob, because they, too, were interested in birds and nature. Then Dr. Clark helped Bart
Bob and Bart Chapman—SBBO Photo
Educational Opportunities For Classes And Groups Educational Opportunities For Classes And Groups Educational Opportunities For Classes And Groups Educational Opportunities For Classes And Groups
C C C Classroom teachers, or group leaders of youth and adult organizations, we welcome your visits. After a winter like this one, shake off the snow and plan spring activi-ties involving birds, habitats, adaptation, and migration. We can furnish a list of possible birds to expect. Weekdays, we ask for a $3 donation per student, or $50 minimum, for a small group. Weekends, during regular banding hours, a group of 10 or more can schedule a “group pres-entation” with a $3 donation per person. Smaller groups may join the general visitors. Call Lisa Weckerly (pictured), 815-621-0607, to reserve your spot. Allow 1½ hours to watch the banding process and visit the nets.
Photo by John Longhenry
Who are these peopleWho are these peopleWho are these peopleWho are these people, cont. and friend to make a display for Burpee Museum on “Mist Netting of Birds.” Bart also credits Bill Miles with encouraging him at the station, too. From 1976 – 1980, Bart visited SBBO several times observing the banding and hawk trapping with Bob. Bart said he and his friend played for hours fishing at Lake Wood Hills and following the creek to Page Park and then all the way to Kent Creek in downtown Rockford. He credits his early experiences at Sand Bluff plus messing around with the creeks as what inspired him to love nature and to become a water resource engineer! He left the area for many years, but returned about three years ago, which is when he showed up at SBBO again. He is in-volved with the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology, and is currently helping them with a Breeding Bird Atlas project. He also enjoys birding trips with WSO members. He has recently moved to Madi-son, Wisconsin, and plans to become more involved with the band-ing operation. Welcome back, Bart! By now, I trust you have gotten the message…these young peo-ple were greatly encouraged to love all things about the natural world, including birds. It’s one thing for “us older folks” to love all that, but we need to be mindful of sharing our passion of nature and birds with young people, too. Otherwise, who will carry on the torch? You can’t “save” something if you don’t “love” it first. Come on out to Sand Bluff Bird Observatory this spring. We are open every weekend, Saturdays, dawn to dark; Sundays dawn to noon, as soon as the weather permits putting up the nets. Bring your favorite young person, too.
PLEASE HELP US ... in any way you can PLEASE HELP US ... in any way you can PLEASE HELP US ... in any way you can PLEASE HELP US ... in any way you can Our non-profit organization survives because of private contributions of time and money from friends just like you. Please examine the list below and help us continue our important banding program by making your contribution!
Name (please print) Address City State Zip + 4 Telephone (days) (evenings) (e-mail)
Please return this form to: Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, P. O. Box 2, Seward, Illinois 61077
Enclosed is a (tax-deductible) contribution of
$50.00 (Net Sponsor)
$5.00 (Subscriber)
$25.00 (Supporting Member)
$100.00 (Sustaining Member)
$15.00 (Donor)
I’d like to learn more about volunteering, please call me!
Please contact me to schedule a program/tour for my group!
to honor ______________________________________
in memory of __________________________________
Enclosed is a (tax-deductible) donation
for the Sand Bluff Bird Observatory Endowment Fund
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