September 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

8/9/2019 September 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

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ATLANTAAUDUBON SOCI

Box 29189Atlanta, GA 303

www.atlantaaudubon

AAS OFFICEand Information

770.913.051

GOS RARE BIRD AL

770.493.886

September 2008

Volume XXXIV, Issue 8 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

I N S I D Presidents Perch..........

Geltner Santucary.........

IBA.................................

Hemlock Fest................

AAS Legacy Club..........

Field Trips......................

Master Birders..............

Learning About Birds....

Spotlight Judy Yuknavec

Volunteer Opportunities

A Million Thanks............

Field Notes ...................

T-Shirt Design Contest..

Fall Course Offering......

Birdathon ......................

Freedom Park Garden....

Classifieds....................

Greenberg Mem. Fund..

Membership..................

Sparrow Workshop.......

If you want to learn more about birding with binoculars or if you are looking for birding optics,you will have a special opportunity on Saturday, October 4, to expand your knowledge and try

a variety of equipment. This is an excellent chance for you to directly compare the best of what

is currently available in birding optics, and you can even make a purchase right there on thespot.

In partnership with the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we welcome Eagle Optics, the largestindependent sports optics dealer in the USA. One of their representatives will make an hour-

long presentation on the Introduction to Birding Optics. Here, you will learn about binocularsand spotting scopes, what to look for when making your selection, how to use the optics and

which will work best for you.

Afterwards Eagle Optics will have a display of binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, digiscoping

and camera adapters from Nikon, Zeiss, Leica, Pentax, Swarovski, Vortex, Audubon and others,including Eagle Optics own line.

We hope you will join us at this special event and learn more about how you can enjoy nature

up close.

Introduction to Birding OpticsSeminar and Open House

Saturday, October 4

Chattahoochee Nature Center10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Seminar

11:00 AM to 3:30 PM Open House

Start your morning birding at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and afterwards

visit five sanctuaries on the AAS annual tour that are located in the Mableton/Smyrna area allwithin 15 miles of each other. Later in the day, head back to Kennesaw for the specialsatellite and bonus sites. Here are the locations:

1. 708 Vinings Estates Drive, Mableton 30126 (Ticket Location)

2. 800 Reed Road, Smyrna 300823. 738 Reed Road, Smyrna 300824. 3410 Atlanta Road, Smyrna 30080

5. 2668 Brown Circle, Smyrna 30080Satellite site: 1649 Stoddard Circle, Kennesaw 30152 (Ticket Location)Bonus site: Smith-Gilbert Arboretum, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw 30152

Tickets are $12 in advance for Friends of Atlanta Audubon members and $15 the day of thetour, which includes free admission to the Smith-Gilbert Arboretum. Call 770.913.0511 for your

ticket, and we will e-mail it in PDF format for you to print and bring with you for admission.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Tickets will be available for sale only at 708 Vinings Estates Drive and

1649 Stoddard Circle on the day of the tour.

Dont Forget to Experience

AAS 2008 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary TourSaturday, September 6, 9 AM to 4 PM


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Late last year my company moved its Atlantaoffices to the Ravinia Office Complex located off

Ashford Dunwoody Road at I-285. For those of you

who are not familiar with the area, there are threelarge office buildings and a hotel. In between thehotel and the offices is a wooded area with a pond,streams, etc. The pond is fairly large and built suchthat the sides are rock walls going straight downabout two feet or so into the water.

My office is on the eleventh floor of one of thebuildings and overlooks the pond, so of course Ifrequently check to see what birds might be around.Early in the spring I began seeing a pair of Mallardsand some Canada Geese hanging around, beggingfood from people eating lunch, and generally doingwhat city ducks and geese do. Shortly thereafter Inoticed a board about 2 x 6 on the edge of the

pond, which was anchored by rocks so that one endwas in the water and the other on dry land.Inquisitive minds want to know: Whats the

purpose of the board and who put it there? It surelywould not be for the ducks and geese, as they couldeasily fly from the water to dry land. Frominteraction with facility and property management

people during my years in corporate America, I hadto believe the board was approved or placed thereby the property management people. I figured itsbeing there had to be for a purpose, but what wasthat? One Friday, with predictions of stormyweather for the weekend, the board disappeared,but it was promptly returned to its place in the

pond by Monday morning. I never saw a personnear the board, but someone was clearly its keeper.

Eventually the Canada Geese moved on toapparently greener pastures, but the pair ofMallards stayed and so did the board. As youve

probably guessed, the Mallard drake left at somepoint, the female Mallard subsequently gave birth,and soon I saw two ducklings swimming along with

mom in the pond. Could the board be there for theducklings? Yes! It seems that was its purpose, as Ibegan to see the ducklings walk up the board to g

from the water to dry land. Maybe mom showedthem how to use the board their first time, I dontknow, but it became a regular sight to see mom anducklings sitting out of the water next to the boarwith the ducklings occasionally going up and dowthe board. As the ducklings grew, they continued tuse the board. Not much time went by until theywere as big as mom and could fly in and out of the

pond, though often they still used the board. Nowall three mom and the two kids are gone andguess what. As soon as the ducks left, the boarddisappeared. The rocks that anchored it in place astill there, ready to be used next year, Im guessing

So what is my point to all of this? There are lots of

people out there who go to a great deal of troublethought and effort to help birds. Many of these

people probably dont belong to Audubon andprobably are not birders as such. But they are therand want to help. So lets be good ambassadors aneducators for birds. You never know who is payinattention. Thanks for all you do, and good birding

And, by the way, if anyone knows who put theboard out, please let me know. Id love to meet thebird-friendly person.

Board of Directors2008

Executive Director Catharine Kuchar770.993.9579

[email protected]

President Ellen Miller404.355.8892

[email protected]

President-elect Allyson Read404.510.8281

[email protected] Deanna Helie

[email protected]

Recording Secy Mark Jernigan404.298.8825

[email protected]

Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley404.687.0079

[email protected]

DirectorsConservation Kelly Hopkins

[email protected]

Education Marge Igyarto678.398.0569

[email protected]

Field Trips Dave Butler404.580.3917

[email protected]

Membership Darlene Moore404.633.9361

[email protected]

CommunicationsBarbara Tarpley404.687.0079

[email protected]

Publicity Vacant

Volunteers Nancy Hamilton404.874.2338

[email protected]

At Large

Jay Davis404.624.4973

[email protected] Williams

Earthshare Representative770.423.1012

[email protected]

WebsiteJim Flynn

[email protected]

Wingbars EditorMary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664

[email protected]

Design & LayoutCopy Preparation 770.939.2002

[email protected]

ProofreadingSteven Phenicie

770.849.0391

[email protected] deadline is the first of

the month for material to bepublished the following month.

Please submit articles as MS-Word [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.Mission Statement:

To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to

conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.

Presidents Perchby Ellen Miller

Mystery in Dunwoody

2 Atlanta Audubon Soci

Atlanta Audubon Society VolunteerEvent at the Geltner Wildlife Sanctua

Many thanks to the 24 volunteers who spentthe morning of July 12 picking up trash and

posting notices to remove deer stands atAtlanta Audubon Society's wildlife sanctuarylocated on Anneewakee Road in DouglasvilleThis pristine 184-acre sanctuary was donatedto AAS by Geraldine Geltner.

After filling three trucks with trash, tires, oldfurniture and various other items, the

volunteers enjoyed a delicious barbecue picnat Sweetwater Creek State Park. Despite the

heat and the wasps, everyone had a good timAnother clean-up day will be scheduled inOctober to remove the deer stands on the

property. If you would like more informationregarding the sanctuary or the next clean-upday, e-mail Kelly Hopkins [email protected].


3/14September 2008

AtlantaAudubon

Societ

Legacy

ClubJoin us as a charter membof the AAS Legacy Club byincluding Atlanta Auduboin your bequests.

Your gift to Atlanta AuduSociety ensures our long-tability to manage theresources necessary to

preserve and protect metrAtlantas birds and theecosystems that support th

While cash donations are most popular form of suppa variety of options exist,

from charitable gift annuiand more.

Question: How will acharitable gift affect estate? Can I actuallyget tax advantagesthrough a charitablebequest?

Answer: Lifetime (intvivos) gifts can proviincome tax benefits, well as estate taxbenefits. Gifts made your Last Will andTestament(testamentary gifts) csave estate taxes andthus preserve assets ffuture generations.Gifting can be simpl

or complex dependinon your circumstancAtlanta AudubonSociety can refer youprofessional advisersyou so desire.

For more informationcontact Art Hurt [email protected].

New IBA Coordinator

Atlanta Audubon Society welcomes

Georgias new Important Bird AreasCoordinator, Charlie Muise. You will behearing more from Charlie and what is

happening with the IBA program in theupcoming issues of Wingbars.

Congratulations, Charlie.

The Georgia IBA Program is the Cornerstone of AAS

Conservation Agenda

The Savannah Presbytery has given AtlantaAudubon Society a grant of $5,000 to supportGeorgias Important Bird Areas Program for

coastal conservation efforts.The Presbyterys M.K. Pentecost Ecology TrustFund Committees mission is to promote andsupport ecological stewardship of naturalresources. Its origins began with the generosityand vision of Atlanta attorney and Presbyterianelder, M. K. Pentecost, Jr., who served as anexecutive of the Presbytery of Georgia and on thestaff of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery during the1980s and early 1990s. He loved the church andrevered Georgias coastal beauty, with its intrinsicrestorative ability.

Mr. Pentecost established a charitable remainderunitrust with the Presbyterian Church USAFoundation for the Presbyterys ministry ofenvironmental justice and ecological stewardshipof natural resources, including marine and

wildlife. The funds are to be used in promotingthe support of conservation efforts, educationand studies in key environmental issues of

endangered ecosystems and ecological projectsthat are approved by the Presbytery. The trustfurther sets out that the funds are to be used for

promoting the protection of wetlands, controllingerosion or other destructive forces, restrictingactivities in construction that damage theenvironment, eliminating the useless destructionof marine life and/or wildlife, controlling waterquality and maintaining beach areas forresponsible relaxation and refreshment.

We are thrilled to have the support of theSavannah Presbytery for Georgias Important Bird

Areas Program, states Charlie Muise, GeorgiasIBA coordinator. It will make a tremendous

difference in helping us protect Georgias birdsand their habitats.

Savannah Presbytery SupportsImportant Bird Areas Program

The annual benefit fundraiserto help save North Georgiashemlock trees is currentlyseeking sponsors for theevent. Lumpkin Coalition, theorganizer of this event, is a100% volunteer 501(c)(3)

charitable organization andhas no paid staff members.

We need to join together! Theclock is now ticking on almostall of Georgias hemlockstands. Massive loss of thesetrees will be seen within thenext 10 years if we are notsuccessful in the battle againstthe Hemlock Woolly AdelgidBeetle (the invasive aphid-like

species) that is killing the hemlocks. One hundredpercent of the monies raised goes to further the

hemlock cause, the majority of which supportsgood predator beetle-rearing labs at NorthGeorgia College and State University, theUniversity of Georgia and Young Harris College.For more information, please visit the websitewww.lumpkincoalition.org, or e-mail ForestHilyer at [email protected] or call

706.265.5282.Donations may be made payable to the LumpkinCoalition and mailed to 3865 DawsonvilleHighway, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Credit cards areaccepted through PayPal at the website.

Note: Georgann Schmalz will be at theHEMLOCKFEST 2008 and will be happy toanswer questions regarding Atlanta Audubons

participation in the hemlock festival. E-mail KellyHopkins at [email protected] for moreinformation on AAS ongoing hemlock monitoring

project in the forests of north Georgia.

HEMLOCKFEST 2008 (November 7 to 9)

Charlie Muise with Northern Saw-

whet (believed to be the first ever

banded in Georgia)Photographer: Tracey Muise

DONT LET THIS

HAPPEN TO YOUR

TREES!

SUPPORT OUR

GRASS ROOTS

EFFORT!

Damaged Hemlock

TreePhotographer:Courtesy

Lumpkin Coalition


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Field TripsCompiled by Dave Butler

Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted). We welcomeveryone from beginners to advanced birders! Please check the Atlanta Audubo

website (www.atlantaaudubon.org) for additional September field trips that may bscheduled.

Sunday, September 7Georgann SchmalzDawson Forest WMA,Atlanta Tract (Dawson County)Meet at 8 AM at the wetlandsBirding focus: Warblers, tanagers,thrushes and other migrantsDirections:From the I-285/GA 400nterchange drive approximately 35 miles

north and turn left (west) on DawsonForest Rd.; drive another 4 miles (crossingover GA Hwy. 9) and continuing 2 milesnto the WMA. Meet inside the gate at the

wetlands.

Wednesday, September 17 & 24Saturday, September 20 & 27Giff Beaton/Chuck SaleebyKennesaw Mountain(Cobb County)

Meet at 7:30 AM in the parking lot atentranceBirding focus: Migrants, residentsDirections:From Atlanta drive north onI-75 for 8.4 miles beyond I-285; turn rightat Exit 267B; follow the signs for US 41 forabout 1 mile; turn right onto US 41 at thetraffic light; drive 0.6 miles north to thesecond traffic light; turn left on BellsFerry Rd.; take first right onto old US 41;drive 1.1 miles and turn left on StilesboroRd., then take an immediate left into theparking lot.

Saturday, September 21Lisa HurtClyde Shepherd Nature Preserve(DeKalb County)

Meet at 8 AM at the CSNP entranceBirding focus: Migrants, songbirdsDirections:From I-285 N or Stake Ex39A (Hwy. 78/Stone Mtn. Freeway) westoward Decatur. (Hwy. 78 passes NorthDeKalb Mall.) At intersection of Hwy. 7North Decatur Rd. and Medlock Rd., taright onto Medlock Rd. and drive 1/4 mto Medlock Elementary School; go righon Wood Trail Ln. through a stop sign atravel another 200 yards to the preserveentrance.

From I-75/I-85 N or S: take Exit 89(North Druid Hills Rd.) east toward

Decatur. After approximately 3 miles, gright on Hwy. 78 (at North DeKalb MallFollow directions as above.

Sketch by Anne McCallum

The Master Birder Program for fall 2008 will be conducted at theChattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA. Thecourse fee of $210 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon ($240 non-members) includes lectures, textbook, audio CD, other materialsand handouts.

This introductory course in ornithology is designed to provideparticipants with bird identification skills and a general knowledgeof birds, their life histories and habitat requirements. The MasterBirder Program consists of twelve 212-hour lectures and fiveSaturday field trips. Participants are expected to attend all lecturesand field activities.

Upon graduation, each Master Birder is expected to completevolunteer service for Atlanta Audubon Society each year.

Master Birder course content includes: Classification and identification of birds Guide to birding equipment Bird songs and calls Attracting birds and backyard wildlife habitat Anatomy and physiology Bird ecology Bird behavior Flight and migration Bird conservation

For information and exact agenda, [email protected] or call 404.245.7273.

Master Birder Program Fall 2008DATES: Each Tuesday and Thursday, October 7 through November 13

TIME: 6:30 PM to 9 PM

FIELD TRIPS: 8 AM, Saturday, October 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8

Master Birder Program Fall 2008To register, send your check payable to Atlanta Audubon Society to Master Birder Program, P. O. Box 29189, Atlanta,GA 30359. Please also include the information below.

NAME _______________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________________

PHONE (HOME) ______________________________ (CELL) ______________________________

E-MAIL ______________________________________________________________________________

OCCUPATION ___________________________________________________________


5/14September 2008

WHO LED THE ACTIVITIES?The heroes and heroines in AAS growing LEARNINGABOUT BIRDS program are the folks who lead theactivities with their students. Who are they? They areeachers and environmental educators, two are

parents who volunteer and three are AAS members.Teachers and leaders from the seventeen sites (four

nature centers, one city park, 10 public schools, oneprivate school and one home school group) adapt theAtlanta Audubon Society LEARNING ABOUT BIRDSmaterials and activities to their own purposes.Theyconduct LAB activities in their classrooms, in after-school clubs, on nature walks and, in one case, on aield trip taking inner city kids to Jekyll Island.Annventive and industrious group, the teachers andeaders added gardens, bird feeders, bird houses andart projects to the materials we provided. All exceptone of them want to continue the program in thecurrent school year. We are excited about theirachievements in 2007-08, and we look forward toworking with them in the months ahead.

HOW MANY STUDENTS PARTICIPATED LASTSCHOOL YEAR?Thanks to survey replies we received from leaders of6 out of 17 sites, we can report that 1,165 children

and 10 adults participated in LEARNING ABOUTBIRDS activities during the last school year.Theearning groups were quite varied.At one schoolsscience club, 12 to 15 students met weekly for asemester. At another school, 146 children had at leastone session with LAB activities.

WHAT DID KIDS LEARN/ENJOY MOST IN LEARNINGABOUT BIRDS?When we asked this question of last years teachersand leaders,here is what they told us:

The matching game, identifying the common birdsof Atlanta, and the migration card game, wherekids plotted the migration course of a particularbird through the Americas. Claire Hayes,Dunwoody Nature Center, DeKalb County(Kindergarten, early elementary)

Doing something special together, getting outsidewith the binoculars, learning to use a field guide.The kids who were able to go on the Georgia YouthBirding Competition trip enjoyed that the most.Mary Nevil, Knollwood Elementary School, DeKalbCounty (Grades 3, 4, 5)

We loved using the binoculars you supplied.We hada great session on learning to use binocs and birdguides. Each group did the food web game

exercise always a favorite. Each sessiondissected owl pellets, another favorite. We spentone session drawing birds and discussing [JohnJames] Audubons art (see illustrations). We starteach session with bird stories (usually an anecdotalevent involving a bird sighting or experience fromthe students week away from school).We focuseda lot of attention on hawks, owls and a colony ofChimney Swifts next to the schools parking lot.Wealso fill our feeders every week and take a quickwalk in the woods to see what birds we can spot.Buddy Goodloe, Glenwood Academy, Decatur

Schools. (4th and 5th grade bird clubs) They loved dissecting the owl pellets and listening

to the owl sounds that I downloaded off theInternet. Sheri Pisaturo, Contenders Home School,Gwinnett County (Kindergarten to 6th grade)

The kids enjoyed seeing if they had the correctanswers when they filled in the bird identification

sheet. (I went over the answers after I gave them afew minutes to figure out things on their own.)Probably the most enjoyable activity was the owlpellet dissection. Christina Marr, Mill Creek NaturePreserve, Gwinnett County (3rd grade)

They enjoyed learning about birds across the USA.Peggy Martin, M. Agnes Jones,Atlanta Schools(K-1 after school group)

Dissecting the owl pellets. Using binoculars outside.Staring at the stuffed Barred Owls the AASvolunteer brought to our class. (They stared back!)Ellen Powell, Bolton Academy, Atlanta Schools(4th grade),

Dissecting the owl pellets was intriguingly effective.The kids were grossed out, but could not backaway from the pellets. Giggles and eeeewwwand gross were always followed by cool andawesome. Brittany Camp,Arabia MountainNature Preserve

The food web game. That activity is the one I usemost because it is the easiest to integrate into ourother topics. Mary Nevis, Cochran Mill NatureCenter

The 5th graders loved looking through binoculars atwater birds around the lakes and sloughs when wetook them to Jekyll Island. Challengers learnedhow to operate binoculars and how to use birdidentification charts to identify different species ofbirds.They also used the binoculars to gaze at the

night sky. Students were able to clearly see Mars,Jupiter, Saturn,Venus and Mercury, as well as themajor constellations visible in the November sky. Richard Hatcher, Campbell Challenge Program,

Atlanta Public Schools The kids loved it allseeing the stuffed owls,

learning about local Atlanta birds and using thebinoculars to go bird watching on our discoverywoods trail. Dissecting owl pellets was also aHUGE hit! Anna Conrad,Trinity School

The 5th graders liked the visiting AAS stuffed owlsand learning about habitats in our schoolyard. Our4th graders learned much about water vs.terrestrial habitats by taking a tour of the ClydeShepherd Nature Preserve on Earth Day. For the

third year, our 2nd and 3rd graders thoroughlyenjoyed watching the nesting bluebirds in theMedlocks Childrens Garden and Wildlife Habitatfeed their young.These students were also treatedto watching the fledglings learn to fly. CamilleWarren, Parent, Medlock Elementary School

Our environmental clubs after school studentsloved the bird kits, especially the matching cardgame and dissecting the owl pellets. StephanieGwinn, Parkside Elementary School

Owl pellets, seeing the stuffed owls were thefavorite activities. Marsha Francis,Science Club,

Margaret Fain Elementary School We played the bird identification game until ou

got really good at identifying the common birdAtlanta. Barbara Leath, Collier Park,Atlanta

WHATS NEXT FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAValuable help from the Watchable WildlifeProgram. We are pleased that the Georgia

Department of Natural Resources has again awaus funds to purchase materials for the LEARNING

ABOUT BIRDS activities bins. All the currentparticipants will need more owl pellets to dissecteach), and well be creating additional bins for thnewcomer participants.

Correlating our curriculum to the Georgiastandards.At three sites, teachers have volunteto correlate the LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS curriculto the Georgia state standards. At the kindergartelevel, Peggy Martin at M.Agnes Jones Elementareager to teach birds all year and will link thekindergarten standards.Dawn Stephen, a newcowith LAB and special education teacher at Drew

Elementary Charter School, will work on the 3rd standards,and Mary Nevil, LAB leader at KnollwoElementary, will correlate 4th grade standards. Thcorrelations will be particularly useful to teacherswant to incorporate LAB activities into their scienteaching.In May and June, AAS volunteers brought LEARN

ABOUT BIRDS materials and activities to counselowho taught in summer camps at ChattahoocheeNature Center and at Piedmont Park Conservanchave not yet conducted an evaluation to see howmany campers were reached by this activity.

AAS volunteers who create materials, assemble assist in training and then help out in classrooms

next in line for appreciation as we pass out kudothose who make the LEARNING ABOUT BIRDSprogram happen. During the last year, Marilyn HaMarge Igyarto, Kathleen Bancroft and Kit Robey wsteady helpers.Another dozen volunteers workedmaking materials.

LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS Results from 2007-08 School YearBy Marcia Klenbort

Glenwood Academy LABStudents Sketches


6/146 Atlanta Audubon Socie

A Million Thanks!Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization

because of its volunteers! As always, we extend ourunending gratitude to ALL of our volunteers, but wouldlike to send a special thank you to the followingindividuals this month:

We cant thank new volunteer Rachel Smith McMurrayenough for stepping up and digging in her heels to create our

new Legacy Club brochure. Rachel did an amazing job of taking alot of information and pulling together a concise, easy-to-read and

very beautiful brochure. Thanks, Rachel.

A big thank you goes to the Clean-up Day crew at Atlanta Audubon Societys WildlifeSanctuary in Douglas County. Volunteers did a tremendous amount of work in removing trashthat has accumulated on the property and posting notices to remove deer stands. Many thanksgo to Kelly Hopkins, too, for organizing and making the event possible. What a major effort!

Marilyn Harris is always stepping up to support AAS education efforts. Just recently sheworked with Marcia Klenbort to conduct bird training for counselors at the Piedmont ParkConservancy, as well as leading a special program for a group of seniors at William H. ReynoldsMemorial Nature Center. Thanks, Marilyn, for everything you do.

Judy Yuknavech began volunteering with AAS

in September 2002, working with the GeorgiaImportant Bird Areas (IBA) Coordinator, Jim

Wilson. Today, she is the data coordinator forthe Georgia IBA Program. She edits the birding

counts for species on the threatened birds listsfor NAS. As she reviews the birding counts,she enters them into the Audubon IBA

database, which is used for maintaining site,species, criteria and attribute data. Judy takes

several years of birding data and compiles itaccording to the needs of the IBA coordinator.

Species data must be presented when a newarea is being considered for IBA status.

Judy always enjoyed watching birds, but itwasnt until 1992, when she moved to her

present home in Suwanee, that she got seriousand began to keep track of the species of birdsthat she and her husband see. However, she

says she is not a traditional birder because shedoes not keep personal records and counts.

She has several stories to share about birdsshe encountered in her backyard, where they

have several feeders, birdbaths and amplenesting places. One is about an orange bird for

which she hunted a picture in her bird booksfor weeks, trying to identify it. It

wasnt until she took the picture

and showed it to Jim Wilson that she was ab

to identify it as a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Afew years ago, she had a Rufous Hummingb

spend time at their feeder. She contacted thepresident of the Georgia Hummer Study

Group, Rusty Trump, who came to her hometo photograph, capture, weigh and tag it. Whhe finished he allowed her to release it, whic

she said was a very special experience. Hfavorite story is of an adolescent female Red

bellied Woodpecker that could not figure ouhow to land on a mesh peanut feeder. It wou

hover, seemingly flying backwards a fewinches. Judy said, It was an awesome sight.They stepped away and then heard a terrifyi

screech. They hurried back to find the

woodpecker hanging onto the side of thefeeder roaring intriumph. They named her

Noisy, and it stuck. So,they began calling all theRed-bellied Woodpeckers

Noisies.

Judy is retired from LucentTechnologies, where shewas a software engineer.

Spotlighting... Judy YuknavechBy Wendy Weathers

Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Volunte

Corner Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Volunte

Judy YuknavechPhotographer: Richard Yuk

olunteerOpportunities

ompiled by Carol Hassell

ew WingbarsColumniste would like to find someoneterested in doing a short columnery other month (five or six issues

er year) for Wingbars, profiling afferent local artist whose workas some type of focus on birdsainting them, building birdouses, etc.). This would be yourry own column to create. Ifterested, please [email protected].

rmchair Activists Coordinatore need someone who can spendproximately five hours per month,imarily when the legislature is inssion, researching critical issuesat affect birds. A summary ofur research would then be sent toe participants of our committee,ho will call their senators or sendtters to their congressmeneking their support. If you areterested, contact Kelly Hopkins [email protected] or04.660.3166.

udubon Adventuresoordinatore need someone to contact metrolanta teachers to solicit requestsr National Audubon Society-eated quarterly newsletters

esigned for use in elementaryassrooms. During the school termat its end, you would need tolow up to see how the materialsere used. All supplies andstructions are provided. Contactarcia Klenbort,[email protected].

rant-writing Assistantur new Georgia IBA Coordinator istting the ground running withrious fundraising efforts. Dontss this opportunity to work with

harlie and our Conservationrector, Kelly Hopkins, on ourrategy to match the $57K grantom the National Fish and Wildlifeundation and The Southern

ompany. If you are interested inlunteering about five hours ofur time, contact Kelly Hopkins at

[email protected] or04.660.3166.

ease check the AAS Website for moreciting volunteer opportunities and askur employer to MATCH your hoursee Page 10).


7/14

ATLANTA AREA

PELICANS THROUGH HAWKS A very rare sighting forthe Atlanta area was an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN atLake Acworth on 29 May (fide JSe). Single AMERICANBITTERNS were seen in NE Atlanta on 8 May (BC) and atthe E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) inClayton Co. on 10 May (CL et al.). A LEAST BITTERN wasalso seen at the ELHLAF on 10 May (CL et al.).An adult

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen in theBlalock Lake area of the ELHLAF on 3 May by PB andHG.YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were reportedfrom both the Chattahoochee River National RecreationArea (CRNRA) by KB and the Mercer Wetlands areaduring the month (PMc). Interesting hawk sightingsincluded a MISSISSIPPI KITE in Forsyth Co. on 4 May(JF), three MISSISSIPPI KITES at Kennesaw MountainNational Battlefield Park (KMT) in Cobb Co. on 4 May(CB), and a MERLIN in the Cartersville area also on 4May (HG,PB,TM).

RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS - A KING RAIL was seenat the CRNRA several times during the month (m.ob.).NF had an excellent count of 70 LEAST SANDPIPERS at

the ELHLAF on 1 May. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERSwere widely reported with two in Bartow Co.on 11 May(BZ, et al.), six in northern Forsyth Co. on 12 May (JF),two at the ELHLAF on 13 May (LS), seven in Forsyth Co.on 18 May (JF) and three in Bartow Co. on 21 May (KB).A DUNLIN was seen in Bartow Co. from 3 May through11 May (MMcS). One STILT SANDPIPER was seen inForsyth Co. on 7 May (JF) and nine were at the ELHLAFon 18 May (NF). On 11 May, MMcS and BW saw asingle SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER in Bartow Co., andBZ, et al., saw six in a different part of Bartow Co.Asingle WILSONS PHALAROPE was found in Bartow Co.

on 10 May (MMcS) and two were seen there on 21 May(KB).

CUCKOOS THROUGH WRENS A BLACK-BILLEDCUCKOO was a good report from Cherokee Co. on 8May (fide RT). Two WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were seenand heard at the Little Mulberry Park in Gwinnett Co. on

23 May (PMcL, JC). The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERthat has spent the past few summers in Henry Co. wasseen there again on 10 May (JF).The highest count ofRED-EYED VIREOS at the KMT was 53 on 6 May (GB,etal.). KB had a couple good wren observations at theCRNRA with two SEDGE WRENS on 1 May and oneMARSH WREN on 19 May.

WARBLERS Some good warbler reports from the KMTincluded single NASHVILLE WARBLERS on 2 and 4 May,11 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS on 1 May,17YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS on 1 May, ten BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS on 1 May and 13BLACKPOLL WARBLERS on both 1 and 5 May (GB,B&DZ). Sightings of our rarer warblers included aCONNECTICUT WARBLER at the ELHLAF on 10 May (CLet al.) and a MOURNING WARBLER at the ClydeShepherd Nature Preserve from 12 through 14 May (NF,et al.). Ten HOODED WARBLERS was a good count at theKMT on 1 May (GB).WILSONS WARBLERS were wellreported with single birds at the KMT on 5 May (GB), atthe Little Mulberry Park on 12 May (BB) and anotherback at the KMT on 15 May (GB).

TANAGERS THROUGH DICKCISSELS The best count ofSCARLET TANAGERS was 21 at KMT on 5 May (GB).Rather late was a SAVANNAH SPARROW at the CRNRAon 12 May (KB).The best count of INDIGO BUNTINGSwas 19 at the KMT on 6 May (GB).Very rare for theAtlanta area was a male PAINTED BUNTING reportedfrom Henry Co. on 6 May (fide PH).

GEORGIA AREA

WHISTLING DUCKS THROUGH KITES The AltamahaWaterfowl Management Area near Darien is the bestplace to find BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS in GAas evidenced by the 27 seen there on 19 May (TS).Afemale HOODED MERGANSER with six chicks was seenin Floyd Co. on 9 May (DR). Eleven AMERICAN WHITEPELICANS were seen in the Jekyll Island area on 14 May(LH). Two CATTLE EGRETS were a good find in GordonCo. on 22 May (JSp). MISSISSIPPI KITES seem to beexploding in numbers compared to what we expectedfrom previous years.Two were seen in Forsyth Co. on 2May (AS), two were seen in Murray Co.on 8 May (JSp)but these were overshadowed by the 300-400 seen in

Monroe Co.on 17 May (CM).

SHOREBIRDS An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was anextremely rare spring sighting at Tybee Island on 11 May(DC). A rare inland SANDERLING was seen atMarshallville on 11 May (NF). Rare for the Columbusarea was a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on 12 May(WC). Other interesting sightings from Marshallville on11 May were a STILT SANDPIPER and 12 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS (NF).

DOVES THROUGH KINGLETS TK found a WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Telfair Co. a few miles south of Mcon 21 May.A late YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER wareported from Clarke Co.on 14 May by MP. A LEASTFLYCATCHER was back at its normal location aroundSuches on 2 May (GM).The only PHILADELPHIA VIREwas one in Whitfield Co. on 17 May (MM). There we

very impressive number of rare birds found in extremnortheastern GA during the month.All of these arepotential or actual breeders.We look forward to seemore details of these sightings in The Oriole. On 1 MFR had a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH at Burrells FoRabun Co..Also in Rabun Co., KB and MM had two BREASTED NUTHATCHES on 24 May.BROWNCREEPERS were reported with two birds at Burrells on 1 May (FR), one in Rabun Co. on 11 May (KB),ananother one in Rabun Co.on 29 May (KB,PH).AtBrasstown Bald, JMcN had a WINTER WREN on 24 and in Rabun Co. KB had a GOLDEN-CROWNEDKINGLET on 11 May.

WARBLERS There were a number of reports of som

of our rarer warblers.DH had a CONNECTICUTWARBLER in Catoosa Co. from 5 through 7 May. TwoCONNECTICUT WARBLERS were seen and heard atSandy Creek Nature Center in the Athens area on 10May (JN).Another CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seethe Standing Boy Wildlife Management Area on 15 M(WC). Two WILSONS WARBLERS were seen in WhitfCo. on 13 May (AS), one WILSONS WARBLER was snear Blairsville on 18 May (AS et al.), another WILSOwas seen in Catoosa Co. on 19 May (DH) and a finawas seen in Whitfield Co. on 21 May (AS).

DICKCISSEL THROUGH SISKIN There were a numbof reports of DICKCISSELS throughout the middle pathe state with the peak number of at least five comifrom Monroe Co.on 7 May (CM).Laurens Co. playedhost to a large number of BOBOLINKS with at least 2being seen on 4 May (GS et al.). Four RED CROSSBIwere seen at Brasstown Bald on 28 May (JH et al.) atwo were seen in White Co. on 30 May (JM). JM alshad two PINE SISKINS in White Co. on 26 to 27 May

CONTRIBUTORS Steve Barlow, Giff Beaton, BrandoBest,Ken Blankenship, Patrick Brisse, Chris Borg, JoCarter, Walt Chambers, Bob Cheek,Diana Churchill,Nathan Farnau,Jim Flynn, Mark Freeman,Hugh GarJim Hanna, Jackie Heyda,David Hollie,Pierre HowaLanny Hoyal,Tim Keyes,Carol Lambert, JohnMcClatchey, Grant McCreary,Patty McLean, Joel McMark McShane,Max Medley, Darlene Moore,PeggyTerry Moore, Charlie Muise, James Neves,Michael

Parrish, Paul Raney, Frank Renfrow, Dan Roper, TimRose,Georgann Schmalz, Jeff Sewell,Adam Smith,Lloyd Snyder, Joshua Spence,Ann Stewart, Tom StRusty Trump, Becky Valentine, Bill Wiggins,and Bob Deb Zaremba.

Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Roswell, GA30075 [email protected]

May Field Notes by Terry Moorez

There was some carry over from

the exceptional last four days of

April, but by around 7 May most

of the good numbers of migrants

had dwindled quite a bit. However,there were a good number of

sightings of some of our rarer warblers as

these tend to be later migrants.Also, there

were a number of reports of our very rare

breeders from the northeastern part of the

state which included Red-breasted Nuthatch,

Brown Creeper, Winter Wren and Golden-

crowned Kinglet.

The Atlanta area recorded 169 species

(average = 160.5) to bring the year-to-date

total to 229 (average = 211.9).The Georgiaarea came in with 232 species (average =

234.6) to bring the year-to-date list to 305

(average = 302.9).

September 2008


8/14

June Field Notes by Terry Moorez

8 Atlanta Audubon Soci

ATLANTA AREA

GREBES THROUGH SANDPIPERS At least one

pair of PIED-BILLED GREBES along with youngwere seen at the E.L Huie Land Application

Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton Co. for the entire

month (CL). A GREAT WHITE HERON was

identified by HG on 22 June at the Koger

Center Wetlands in NE Atlanta. The bird

remained there at least until 29 June (PMcL)

and was seen by many. Also at the Koger

Wetlands was an adult YELLOW-CROWNED

NIGHT-HERON off and on during the month

(PMcL). Other YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-

HERONS were reported from the

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Areaoff and on during the month and another bird

at Shamrock Lake (part of the ELHLAF) from

17 through 24 June (CL). Other interesting

sightings from the ELHLAF included a couple

NORTHERN BOBWHITES on 7 and 21 June

(CL), families of COMMON MOORHENS and

AMERICAN COOTS during the month, ten

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS on 1 June

(MMc, BC), and three WHITE-RUMPED

SANDPIPERS on 2 June (MMc, BC).

WAXWINGS THROUGH DICKCISSELS Very

rare for the Atlanta area during the summerwas a CEDAR WAXWING seen in southern

Henry Co. on 15 June by P&TMo.There was

more than the normal number of NORTHERN

PARULAS reported this month. One bird was

at the Newman Wetlands Center (part of the

ELHLAF) at least until 24 June (CL), P&TMo

had a bird singing in the Roswell Area Park on

14 June, and PB reported as many as four on

28 June in the northeastern quadrant of the

Atlanta area. A population of OVENBIRDS was

discovered in Gwinnett Countys Little

Mulberry Park with about 20 birds being

recorded there on visits on 4 and 11 June

(BB). A DICKCISSEL was reported from south

Fulton Co. on 3 June (fide JSe).

GEORGIA AREA

DUCKS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRD In addition

to the normal sightings of BLACK-BELLIED

WHISTLING-DUCKS at the Altamaha Waterfowl

Management area near Darien, there were

reports of two in the Savannah area on 20

and 21 June (JP) and two at the Phinizy

Swamp area near Augusta on 24 June (RM). A

COMMON LOON remains at Long Pond in the

Lake City area as it has for the past 12

months (JA). On a pelagic trip on 18 June out

from Charleston, SC, but into GA waters, ND

reported the following totals: 41 BLACK-

CAPPED PETRELS, two BAND-RUMPED

STORM-PETRELS, 14 WILSONS STORM-

PETRELS, eight AUDUBONS SHEARWATERS,

10 CORYS SHEARWATERS and 17 GREATER

SHEARWATERS. Very unusual was a sighting

of an immature NORTHERN GANNET in St.

Andrews Sound on 26 June (TMo). Six

AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were reported

from Jekyll Island on 20 June (LT) and again

on 26 June (P&TMo). An inland report for

BROWN PELICAN came from the Walter F.George Dam on 29 June (WC). A

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was seen over St.

Andrews Sound on 25 June by C&PK.

HERONS THROUGH SANDPIPERS There were

several reports of YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-

HERONS at the Arrowhead Fish Hatchery in

Floyd Co. during the month (RW, MM).As

many as 21 ROSEATE SPOONBILLS were seen

along the Andrews Island Causeway near

Brunswick on 1 June (JMcN). Nine

MISSISSIPPI KITES were a good find in the

Athens area on 21 June (MB). Very unusual forsuch a mid-summer date was the sighting of

two MARBLED GODWITS at Jekyll Island on 27

June (P&TMo). DC had some interesting

shorebird sightings on 4 June on Tybee Island

where she saw five RED KNOTS and 300

SANDERLINGS. MM reported finding three

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at Carters Lake

on 2 June.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS A

LEAST FLYCATCHER was reported from Ra

Co. on 5 June by PHo. Interesting BLUE-

HEADED VIREO sightings were a single bird

Piedmont NWR on 1 June (TMcC) and six i

Jasper Co. on 8 June (JF). JF also had a go

count of 19 HORNED LARKS in Dooly Co. o15 June. Single RED-BREASTED NUTHATC

were reported from the Blood Mountain are

on 11 June (StC, SlC) and from Fannin Co.

7 June (MW). A GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGL

was a very rare summer sighting in Rabun

on 28 June (KB, JH, MMcS). A VEERY was

heard singing in the Athens area on 6 June

(GN). ST had as many as 8-10 CEDAR

WAXWINGS in Carroll Co. on 26 June.

WARBLERS THROUGH CROSSBILLS

Interesting warbler sightings included a

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER at theFDR SP on 26 June (NK), two AMERICAN

REDSTARTS in Morgan Co. on 8 June (JF),

OVENBIRD in Jasper Co. on 8 June (JF), an

five+ OVENBIRDS in the FDR SP on 26 Jun

(NK). Also at the FDR SP were 4+ SCARLET

TANAGERS on 26 June (NK). There were

several reports of DICKCISSELS around the

state with the peak count of four coming fr

Sumter Co. on 3 June (PHa). A male

BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen in the Augus

area on 6 June and was joined by a female

7 June (CS). There were several reports ofRED CROSSBILLS in the northern tier of GA

counties during the month. The peak coun

was 11 in Rabun Co. on 22 June (K&RB, M

CONTRIBUTORS Julius Arial, Steve Barlow

Betty Belanger, Michael Bender, Brandon B

Ken and Rachel Blankenship, Patrick Briss

Walt Chambers, Sylvia Chandler, Stan

Chapman, Bob Cheek, Diana Churchill, Nat

Dias, Jim Flynn, Hugh Garrett, Jim Hanna,

Hardy, Pierre Howard, Cheryl and Panos

Kanes, Tim Keyes, Nathan Klaus, Robert Ku

Carol Lambert, John McClatchery, TreyMcCuen, Patty McLean, Joel McNeal, Mark

McShane, Ruth Mead, Max Medley, Peggy

Terry Moore, Charlie Muise, Gretchen Nare

James Pagan, Charles Scarborough, Jeff

Sewell, Steve Slayton, Stan Tate, Lydia

Thompson, Richard White, and Morris

Williams.

Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Rosw

GA 30075 [email protected]

June was a rather average month

even though we did generally

beat our ten year averages.

There were a few rare birds seen,

but certainly nothing like the Green-breasted Mango which graced us

for such a long time this winter. The Atlanta

area recorded only 103 species (average =

106.7) to bring the year-to-date list to 230

(average = 215.4).The Georgia area came in

with 186 species (average = 180.3) to bring

that year-to-date list to 314 (average = 307.8)


9/14September 2008

Do you have an artisticflair? Would you liketo see your creationon Atlanta AudubonSocietys newofficial T-shirt? Ifso, enter our T-shirt

contest today! AtlantaAudubon Society wouldlike to create a new

official T-shirt for the organization. We present T-shirts to members who contribute their time at acertain level and for prizes, as well as sell them tomembers and supporters like you to benefit AAS.Instead of just putting any ordinary artwork on thefront of the T-shirt, we thought it would be fun tohold a contest to determine what design would beon our official new T-shirt.

The rules are simple:

IArtwork should include a bird(s) and can be

done using any type of medium (colored pencil,watercolor, charcoal, oil painting, etc.).

IAll artwork must be submitted as the artistsoriginal design.

IJudging will be based on creativity, overalldesign and representation of AAS mission.

I The contest is open to any age participant.

IJudges or their family members are ineligible to

submit artwork for the competition.

IAAS staff is ineligible to enter the contest orwin.

I Mailed entries must be postmarked by October15, 2008.

I The winner will be chosen by November 10 and

posted on our website soon thereafter.

I The winning design will become the property ofthe Atlanta Audubon Society, and all entriesmay be displayed in Wingbars and/or on thewebsite.

I When sending your entry, please include yourfull name, e-mail address, physical address anda phone number where we may reach you.

I You may send a high-quality scan of yourartwork to [email protected], or youmay e-mail us at this address to ask where youcan send in your hard-copy submission to ourmailing address. We will work with the winner

to get a high-quality scan done of the artworkfor printing. (We cannot return artwork that issubmitted through the mail.)

Dont miss out on taking part in this fun event! Notonly will our winners artwork be featured on thenew AAS T-shirt, but the winner will be featured inan artist profile of an upcoming issue ofWingbarsand will also receive three free T-shirts.

Take Part in the AAS

T-Shirt Design Contest

This fun beginners workshop stresses learning birdidentification techniques, developing good habits inthe field, and recognizing birds by song or call. Ifyou are just getting started in birding and want tolearn more, this workshop is for you. Theworkshop includes a lecture, handouts, activitiesincorporating bird identification, the use of fieldguides and binoculars, and a field trip where youcan practice your new skills.

Georgann Schmalz will be the instructor for theclassroom session and field trip. She is anoutstanding birder who conducts numerousworkshops, programs and birding tours. She wasthe ornithologist at Fernbank Science Center formore than 25 years and is responsible foroverseeing Atlanta Audubon Societys MasterBirder program.

The workshop is Saturday, November 15, from8:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the Chattahoochee Nature

Center. The cost is $60 for Friends ofAtlanta Audubon and members of theChattahoochee Nature Center, $65 forall others. Participants will receive afree copy of the new four-set CD series,Bird Songs of Georgia: An Audio Guideto Recognizing and Learning GeorgiasBirds. The number of participants islimited to 12.

Call Sally Davis at 770.913.0511 tomake your reservation. Your check or

payment by credit card will confirmyour registration. Reservations not paid48 hours prior to the beginning of theworkshop will be canceled and theopening given to another individual onthe waiting list.

Registration begins September 15 at11:00 AM.

Fall Course Offering:

An Introduction to BirdingSaturday, November 15, 8:00 AM to 12 Noon

Wanted:

3 to 4 Judges

the T-Shirt

ContestWe need a team of 3 people who are willinparticipate on a paneljudge the T-shirt desi

contest. The panelmembers responsibiwill include meeting ojudge the competitionselecting a winner. Eathe judges will receivefree T-shirt for particiin the event.

We would like for onemember of the panel coordinate receipt of artwork (having the amailed or e-mailed toaddress and bringingthe day of judging). Pbear in mind that if yointerested in submittiartwork for the compyou should NOT sign be a judge. If interestplease e-mailCatharine.Kuchar@at

dubon.org.

Designyour

artworkto

gohere!

Q:WhatspeciesrecentlydethronedtheArcticTernas

thebirdwiththelongestmigration?

Seepage___fortheanswer See page 10 for answer

Which species of owlmakes a "skiew" call(resembling thewhetting of a saw)when alarmed?


10/1410 Atlanta Audubon Soci

It was another great year for AAS annual Birdathon, and a BIG thank you goes to all whoparticipated this year. As many of you know, Birdathon is an important fundraiser for AtlantaAudubon Society, as it supports our education efforts including:

increasing the number of schools participating in Audubon Adventures providing scholarships

expanding our LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS program supporting Georgias Youth Birding Competition

offering birding workshops throughout the year making more field trips available to the public providing important education programs through our Speaker Series programs

funding the annual Birds in the Park celebration, and so much more.

Below are the results to date* for 2008. AAS is grateful for the time, expertise and dedication ofthese participants and all of the pledges supporting them. The total raised: $4,800.

First, thank you to our Guided Birdathon Trip Leaders:

Lisa Hurt, Birdathon BuntingsLisa raised a whopping $1,136 through her guided trip and he

personal Birdathon efforts and contribution.

Georgann Schmalz, Birding Adventures ClubGeorgann raised $832 through her guided tripand her personal Birdathon efforts and contribution, plus her Birding Adventures Clubteammates.

Jay Davis, Ridge and Ravine RaptorsJay raised $264 through his guided trip and his Ridge aRavine Raptors teammates.

Giff Beaton, Warbler WranglersGiff raised $150 through his guided trip.

Darlene Moore, Wing RidersDarlene raised $125 through her guided trip and contribution.

Many thanks to everyone who made a contribution to Birdathon:Big Birders ($500+)

Kelly HopkinsAnne McCallum

Ellen Miller

Other ContributorsAnonymous (26 individuals) Joann Miller

Leslie Diamond Connie Morelle

John Duke and Friends Sue and Robert MyersMarilyn Harris Mary Nevil

Claire Hayes Jane RobertsonCarol and John Hopkins Judy and Nick Sauro

Chuck Hunter Georgann SchmalzArt Hurt (DeHaven Builders Corp) Charles Seabrook

Cheryl Kanes Jane Kapler Smith

Dan May Travis StoryEd McCallum Vicki and Victor Williams

James S. McCallum Wild Birds Unlimited of WoodstockJeannette McClure

* Every attempt has been made to include all contributors and participants in

each category and to correctly identify them. We apologize if we have overlooke

anyone. Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any

concerns.

2008 Birdathon Results

Name AmountLisa Hurt $1,136

Ann McCallum $900Catherine Capps $500

Georgann Schmalz $832Jay Davis $264

Name AmountVictor Williams $173

Giff Beaton $150Allyson Read $139

Darlene Moore $125

Top Birdathoners for 2008:

FunBirdathonBirdingFacts

sa Hurts Birdathon Bunting

uided team saw 53 species

hile birding in two places:yde Shepherd Nature

reserve and Henderson Park.

he All Womens Birding

ust team saw 156 species on

ay 3.

ay Davis guided trip

embers saw 68 species.

nne McCallum and John

uke found 79 species in

ayton County and at

ennesaw Mountain, including

Blackburnian Warbler,

ackpoll Warbler and Orchard

riole.

obin Roberts birded coastal

eorgia, Butler Island, Harris

eck and Tybee Beach and got

2 species, including many

horebirds.

ola Neal saw 17 species

om her deck in Lilburn on

ay 2.

ichael Morales saw 23pecies in his backyard in

ennesaw, including a Red

rossbill and Sharp-shinned

awk.

Will Your Employer MakeA Contribution for

Your Volunteer Hours to AAS?

Employer matching for your volunteer efforts is anotherimportant way you can support Atlanta Audubon Societyand make a significant statement about how you valuewhat we do in the community.

Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta alsorealize the importance of giving back to the communityand are getting involved by matching their employeesvolunteer hours with a cash donation.

Participating in your employers matching program i s asimple process. Check with your human resourcesdepartment about forms and procedures and send yourinformation to: Matching Gifts Coordinator, AtlantaAudubon Society, Box 29189, Atlanta, Georgia 30359.Well do the rest.

Your support ensures that our work in the

community continues today andflourishes tomorrow.

Matching

Contributions

Through

Volunteering


11/14September 2008

Mockingbirds overthrown the bluebirdsrule! Yes, the mockingbirds have beenpushed off of their perch on the bluebirdbox, and the bluebirds have established anest. The bluebirds were seen feedingtheir young this week. The robins havealso crowded the mockers off the birdbath. The garden is no longer Mockingbird

Hill. Tra la.Now in Bloom: Wine Cups, PurpleConeflowers, St. Johns-wort, Rising SunTickseed, Butterfly-weed and Larkspur.Butterfly Garden Planting: We planteda special butterfly garden in the thirddriveway of the garden area on May 10.After we prepared the soil, we sowedseeds of butterfly-attracting flowers (manyof which have since sprouted). MasterGardener Phil Edwards later plantedamong these native butterfly-attractingplants: Fennel, Butterfly-weed, Beebalm

and Parsley. Thanks to volunteers GailTodd, Pandra Williams and StellaChamberlain for their help. HighlightedPlant: In the garden we have two St.Johns-wort (Hypericum frondosum)plants, a drought-tolerant deciduous shrubthat is native to the southeastern UnitedStates and usually occurs on rocky hills orin limestone glades and barrens. The plantwas named for St. John the Baptistbecause it blooms around the day of hisfeast. It has been used as a treatment fordepression and is said to help indecreasing alcohol intake. It does best infull sun, but will tolerate partial shade andprefers some shade in the hottest climates.It grows two to four feet tall, with aboutthe same width. It likes well-drained soil.It sports bright yellow flowers late springto early fall. It can be propagated bycuttings or sowing seeds outside in thefall. The Gray Hairstreak butterfly lays itseggs on St. Johns-wort. Caterpillars eatthe foliage, and adult butterflies sip theflowers nectar.

Bird News:A Chipping Sparrow visitedthe garden earlier this month. This littlebird is a full- time resident in this area andis often seen eating seeds under thefeeders. Its easily identified by its rustycap and ground foraging habit. Its chip,from which it gets its name, can also helpwith identification. Chipping Sparrows

build their cup-shaped nests in trees orvines up to eleven feet off the ground.They can have two broods per year,averaging four eggs per brood. This birdmight be nicknamed the camel bird, as itcan live on dry seeds without drinkingwater for up to three weeks (The Birders

Handbook, Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye,imon and Schuster, 1988). Seen near thegarden recently: Red-headedWoodpecker, American Robin, ChimneySwift, White-breasted Nuthatch, EuropeanStarling and that ol NorthernMockingbird. Also the pool is open! Thebird bath had some visitors shortly after Iadded fresh water the other day _ a TuftedTitmouse and two Mourning Doves.Butterfly News: Butterflies are around inforce this month. The Cabbage White(Artogeia rapae) and Gulf Fritillary(Agraulis vanillae) are frequenting gardenareas even as I write this article. CabbageWhites are hereby outed as non-native,having been introduced in Canada in 1860.Theyve since spread all over NorthAmerica. Theyre those white butterflies(about 112 inches in size) with one or two

white spots on their wings and slightlycharcoal wing tips. The Gulf Fritillary,about 212 inches in size, is a bright orangebutterfly with black spots. It rangesthroughout the southern United States. Itsfavorite nectar plants are phlox and ntana(National Audubon Society Field Guideto North American Butterflies, Alfred A.Knopf, 1998). Passion-flower (Passifloraincarnata) vines are one of its larval hostplants, which we just planted in thegarden.

Workday June 6:Volunteers BobSattelmeyer, Cecilia Marrero, PandWilliams, Dorothy Dabbs, PhilEdwards and I watered and weeded thgarden, cleaning the adjoining sidewalAlso 20 new plant markers were addedPandra had invited Connie Gray,Ecological Resource Specialist with

DeKalb County, to see the garden, andgave us some great input. Thanks, too,Janea Boyles for again helping with gwater, who by the way runs TheMercantile in Candler Park, which usessustainable local ingredients preparean environmentally conscious way. (www.themercantileatl.com for compleinformation.) Also thanks to JenniferWest, who donated some bricks that wused to heighten the wall of the butterfarea and to Robert McLeod, who hasbeen watering the garden when he canwith his own gray water.

Help, help! We can always use some hwith watering and weeding. If youd likbe signed up for a workday or would bwilling to water occasionally, please e-me at [email protected]. If happen to be passing the garden, feel fto deadhead the flowers or pull up somcrab grass or other weeds. Or if you han extra gallon of gray water, our plantcan always use a cool drink (couldnt wall?). Thanks for your time, and goodgardening, good birding and goodbutterflying.

Good links:http://www.ecoaddendum.org

(Ecoaddendum is a project spearheadeby Pandra Williams to bring native planback to the Metro Atlanta area.)

http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications

Thanks to Tom Painter for this mostuseful link to a guide for Georgias natiplants.

Freedom Park Garden (June 17)

Gulf FritillaryPhotographer: Carol Vanderschaaf

Wine CupsPhotographer: Carol Vanderschaaf

Eastern BLuebirdPhotographer: Carol Vanderschaaf


12/14

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].

W en You Come

To The Mountains -Ask about the new Birders Guide to Fannin County!We feature Coles seed,squirrel-proof feedersthat truly are, houses,hummingbird stuff,great books, Audubonoptics, & hard to findhardware. Plus 100sof Ravensburger Puzzles,Music of the SpheresChimes & a hugeselection of educationaltoys andgames for kids!

Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards

611 E. Main St. Blue Ridge, GA 30513(706) 258-BIRD (2473) blueridgebirdseed.com

Answer: Sooty

Shearwater

Answer:Northern Saw-whet

Owl

AtlantaAudubonPhotoContestCo

-Coordinator

Weneed avolunteerwithITexperiencetoserveasco-coordinat

orofthe 2009

AtlantaAudubonSocietyPhotoContest.The co-coordinator w

illworkwithMichael

Cliffordtolearntheinsandoutsofthephoto contest(usingth

econtestsoftware,

the judgingprocess, etc.),aswellas assistinginmanagingthe200

9Photo Contest

competition.Wewantsomeonewhoiswillingto learn theropeswithMichaels

guidance andtakeovermanagingthe2010PhotoContest.

ThisisanextremelyimportantvolunteeropportunityforAAS.

Without anew

coordinatorcomingon boardforthe2009contest, wewillbeu

nable tohold the

2010competition, so wewouldwelcomeyourassistance.

Ifinterested,pleasee-mailMichaelClifford,ourphotocontes

tcoordinator,

[email protected].

Bird Songs of GeorgiaCD now available.

Email Georgann Schmalz [email protected] or

visitwww.birdingadventuresinc.com

P.O. Box 921455, Norcross, GA 30010

Website: www.workshopcreations.comE-Mail: [email protected]: 770-448-5363 Fax: 770-448-5363

Affordable Housing

and Feeders for

Birds, Bats and

Butterflies

Workshop Creations, Inc.

Basic, functional and long-lasting

cedar products

Order on our website:

12 Atlanta Audubon Socie


13/14September 2008

Wingbarsis 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 aFriends of Atlanta Audubon member. Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include

membership in the National Audubon Society. Thus, you will notreceiveAudubonmagazine.

f you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below.

Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.

You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org.

Join Atlanta Audubon Society

BENEFITSOF

MEMBERSHIP 11 issues

(July/Augustcombined) of

WingbarsNewsletter

Friends discounton classes, tripsand special even

Use of the AASlibrary

Agreattaxdeduction!

J Make check payable to:Atlanta Audubon SocietyMembership DirectorP.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359

J Please charge my credit card:

JAmexJ Diners Club J Discover J MasterCard JVISA

_______________________________ _________Card Number Expiration Date

J Renewal J New Membership

Name _____________________________________

Address ___________________________________

City____________________ State ___ Zip ______

E-mail ____________________________________

Phone_____________________________________

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

Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society

J Please send me information on planned giving opportunities through Atlanta Audubon Societys Legacy Club

J Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars

It is Atlanta Audubon Societys policy not to share or sell our mailing list. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us.

Now Available!

You can now renew yourmembership online. Just vis

our Web site atwww.atlantaaudubon.org

and go to the membership pag

join via the Web. We are excito be able to offer this new

service to you!

Joseph Greenberg Memorial FundThis past spring, Atlanta Audubon Society honored the memory of Dr. Joseph Greenberg byestablishing the Joseph Greenberg Memorial Fund for Education, which will be used for counselor andteacher training, among other things.Dr. Greenberg passed away on February 24, in Oakland, California. His Evening at Emory classeswere legendary, and his ability to inspire the love and wonder of birds was something that everyonewho knew Joe will never forget. It is for these reasons and many others that the Board of Directors of

Atlanta Audubon Society decided to establish the fund.As of August 1, AAS has received more than $1,250 in memorial funds. Supporters include:

We are grateful to everyone who has made a contribution in Joes honor. If you would like to make a donation, please makeyour checks payable to Atlanta Audubon Society and mail to P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.Add a note in the memo line that your monies are intended for the Joseph Greenberg Memorial Fund.

Diane C. BarnsleyJohn M. Beard, Jr.

Sandra L. BraggJerry Brunner and Laurie

Findlay

Joan D. CroninD. Dale Davis

Carol A. HolllidayPatty and Brock HutchinsYvette (Lolly) Lederberg

Didi and Rober Didi MannsAnn H. Miller

Barbara C. TarpleyBette and Edwin Turlington

Marianna Wilson

Jane WullbrandtGeorgia Mountains

Unitarian UniversalistChurch

Joe Greenberg

Photo by Doug Greenberg


14/14

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S.POSTAGE

P A I D

Atlanta, GA

Permit #917

Atlanta Audubon SocietyBox 29189 Atlanta, GA 30359

Wingbars is printed on recycled paper

ATLANTA

AUDUBON

OFFICEat Dunwoody Nature Cen

5343 Roberts Drive

Dunwoody, GA 30338

770.913.0511Send all mail for

AAS to:PO Box 29189

Atlanta, GA 3035

Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit

501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are tax

deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Would You Like to Save Trees?And save AAS time and monies

in the process??If so, you can opt out of receiving yourmonthly newsletter by mail and insteadread Wingbars on-line. Just send us a

message at [email protected].,and well do the rest. The current issue isposted at www.atlantaaudubon.org at the

beginning of the month.

Are those little brown birds

testing your birding skills?

Identifying sparrows can be both

challenging and enjoyable. Comejoin us for the Sparrow

Workshop and well help.

This is a two-part workshop

consisting of a classroom

session on Saturday,

November 22, from 2:00 PM

to 4:30 PM at the Dunwoody Nature Center and an 8:00 AM

field trip on Saturday, December 6, at Charlie Elliot

Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. Tim Keyes will be

the instructor for the classroom session as well as the field

trip leader. Tim is an excellent instructor and a renowned

wildlife biologist. He will share valuable tips for

identifying sparrows that are found in Georgia. In past

years, attendees have seen the White-crowned Sparrow,Vesper Sparrow and other wintering birds during the field

trip.

A reservation is required and can be made by calling

Wendy West at her office (404.218.8141) or e-mailing her at

[email protected]. The cost is $55 for Friends of

Atlanta Audubon; $80 for NAS-assigned members and $105

for non-members. Your check confirms your registration.

Wendy will inform you where to mail your check. The

number of participants will be limited, so register early.

SPARROW WORKSHOPSaturday, November 22, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Field Trip: Saturday, December 6, 8:00 AM

September 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

Documents