July-August 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society

8/9/2019 July-August 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

July/August 200

Volume XXXIV, Issue 7 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

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

From the Exec Director.

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

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

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

Dragonflies....................

Time Well Spent ............

John Howell Cox ..........

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

Education Committee...

Classroom Newsletter ..

Simon Sez.....................

Photo Club ....................

Heads Up Downtown .....

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

GAs Protected Birds.....

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

Clean Up Day................

Come and experience Atlanta AudubonSocietys popular Backyard Wildlife SanctuaryTour with all of the sites located in a new part

of town this year close to KennesawMountain National Battlefield Park, a

nationally recognized Important Bird Areaand a great place to visit while youre out this

way. There is a core group of five sanctuarieson the tour with less than 15 miles of drivingbetween the sites, along with a special

satellite site a private sanctuary 18 milesnorthwest and a bonus, the Smith-Gilbert

Arboretum, 15 miles north both inKennesaw.

When property is ignored here in Georgia,many of the invasive species of plants silently

move in and biodiversity is lost. Thisreduction in plant diversity is reflected in thebirding world too birds have very specific

needs when it comes to berries, nuts and

seeds so by restoring these sanctuaries theowners have ensured that many differentspecies of birds and butterflies can still go

through their life cycles here. By taking thesteps to become certified as backyard wildlife

sanctuaries, these birders have taken a much

closer look at what they can do at home tocounterbalance this adverse trend. Our tour ofthese private sanctuaries is a great way foryou to get some ideas for your own garden

and help our birds and wildlife even more.

The experience for this years tour

includes:

Mableton:

1. 708 Vinings Estates Drive 30126Smyrna:

2. 800 Reed Road 30082

3. 738 Reed Road 300824. 3410 Atlanta Road 30080

5. 2668 Brown Circle 30080Kennesaw:

Satellite site: 1649 Stoddard Circle 30152Bonus site: 2382 Pine Mountain Road

30152

Smith-Gilbert Arboretum

Bonus site for ticket holders! The Smith-

Gilbert Arboretum was generously gifted tothe City of Kennesaw last year. This beautiful

13-acre property that is accessible to thepublic on a very limited basis will graciouslyopen its doors for free to anyone

participating in the Backyard WildlifeSanctuary Tour. You will be astounded at how

this private collection of trees and shrubsinitially intended to be a bird sanctuary has

grown into an amazing arboretum.

Tickets are $12 in advance and for Friends of

Atlanta Audubon members and $15 on the dayof the tour. For the first time ever, we are

selling advance tickets by phone starting

July 1. You can pay for your tickets by calling

Continued on page 9

2008 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary TourA Wonderful Experience Just Northwest of the City

9 AM to 4 PM Saturday, Sept. 6Kennesaw/Mableton/Smyrna

John Suveizdis/ Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary

on Reed RoadPhotographer: John Suveizdis

Gretchen and Bob Mussers Backyard Wildlife

Sanctuary on Brown CirclePhotographer: The Mussers


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Dont you love Eastern Bluebirds? They are theultimate bird for if you build it they will come orat least if you build it in the appropriate place they

will come. The appropriate place is open habitatwith little or no understory. As we all know urbanand suburban yards, parks, and most green spacesregularly host bluebirds.

For several years my parents, who live in a ruralarea, had bluebirds that nested in a hanging box infront of their house. The nest box was so close tothe house that my parents could watch all thestages of nesting; courting, territory defense, nestbuilding, feeding, fledglings first flights, etc.Eventually though, the bluebirds stopped nesting inthat box and for several years none nested close tomy parents house. They put up a couple of othernest boxes, but the yard is heavily shaded with huge

old trees and to my parents dismay no bluebirdsarrived. There were bluebirds in the vicinity, as youcould see one or more on wires along the road infront of their house most any hour of the day. Astime went on the lack of nesting bluebirds becamea cause for great concern, and the issue came upfrequently in conversation along with tales offriends who had bluebirds nesting, what kind ofnest box they used, where it was located, and so on.Being the president of Atlanta Audubon it wasbelieved that I had the answers for attractingbluebirds. What good is it to have a daughter who isthe president of AAS if she cant get bluebirds tonest in the yard? So the pressure was on. And to

make matters worse, early in the nesting seasonthis year I had bluebirds busily building a nest at myhouse while none appeared in my parents yard. Atthat point the pressure became unbearable andmuch effort was expended to find the right kindof nest box and a location that was visible frominside their house, but in an area open enough tohopefully be attractive to the bluebirds. A fancynest box on a pole was purchased, a locationdetermined, my dad and I put it up and the watchbegan. Shortly after the box went up a malebluebird was seen investigating! But

thennothing. Weeks went by while nothingoccurred except for a very occasional visit.Consternation that once again no bluebirds would

nest was the mood of the day, and I was feelingseriously inadequate in the bluebird quest. Finally the point of abandoning hope, not one but TWO

pairs were seen fighting over the nest box.Hallelujah!! Every bluebird around wanted to nestin the yard! Once the territory argument wassettled, a pair set up housekeeping and has sinceraised a brood. And, better still, seem to beconsidering nesting again. All is right with the worand my reputation is intact. Whew!

The Eastern Bluebird is a thrush as are AmericanRobins and lots of other species. While I think ofthe male as taking an active role in the wholenesting process, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology tel

me that the males role in nest building amounts todisplays at the nest site to attract the female who then the sole builder. Bluebirds lay 3-7 eggs,incubation lasts 11-19 days and the young fledgeafter 17-19 days. Bluebirds often raise more thanone brood per year. As Im sure you know, in the1960s and 1970s the number of bluebirds was inserious decline. And all because of a lack of placeto nest! Since nest boxes came into wide use durinthe 1980s, the population of bluebirds is in goodshape and continues to increase. This is one of thetrue success stories showing that we really canmake a difference.

I hope you are enjoying the nesting season. Put upcouple of nest boxes for bluebirds and other cavitnesting birds. They will come.

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

The Bluebird Quest

2 Atlanta Audubon Soci

Matching ContributionsAnother Important Way to Support

Atlanta Audubon Society

Your contributions to Atlanta Audubon Society make asignificant statement about how you value what we do inthe community.

Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta alsorealize the importance of giving back to the communityand are getting involved by matching their employeesdonations to our organization.

By asking your employer to back your commitment, youare making your contribution even more meaningful!

Participating in your employers matching gifts programis a simple process. Ask your human resources office fora matching gift form, complete your part,and send it to: Matching Gifts Coordina-tor, Atlanta Audubon Society, Box 29189,Atlanta, Georgia 30359. Well do the rest.

Your support ensures that our work in

the community continues today andflourishes tomorrow.


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AtlantaAudubon

SocietLegacyClub

Join us as a Charter Memof the AAS Legacy Club byincluding Atlanta AuduboSociety in your bequests.

Question: How can Iavoid probate and otcourt costs through Last Will andTestament?

Answer: The laws of State of Georgia makprobating (proving)your Will simpler anless expensive than inother states.

If you die without aWill, the Administraof your estate may berequired to compilecomplex accountingreports, which couldotherwise be waived your Will. Additionala court may direct ththose handling thesettlement of yourestate to post a bondanother item that yo

Will may waive.

For more informationcontact Art Hurt [email protected].

I recently finished reading Richard Louvsfascinating bestseller, Last Child in the

Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, exploring how direct

exposure to nature is essential for a childshealthy physical and emotional development.

Sadly, it also examines the many ways inwhich there is a profound lack of nature inchildrens lives today. Not only are children

over-scheduled and over-stimulated, they arenot going outside to play when they

do have time for free play. As

one young boy states in the book,I like to play indoors better, causethats where all the electrical outletsare. It is a must read for anyone

concerned about the environmentand especially for families. It isnt

possible to delve into everything thatLouv discusses in the book, but

consider these interesting findings:

In the United States, children arespending less time playing

outdoorsor in any unstructuredway. From 1997 to 2003, there was a

decline of 50 percent in the proportion ofchildren ages 9 to 12 who spend time inoutside activities such as hiking, walking,

fishing, beach play and gardening.

Between 1981 and 2003, children lost overnine hours of discretionary time (not spent

in school, child care, etc.) during a typicalweek. They spent less time in unstructured

indoor and outdoor play, and theircomputer use doubled.

According to CDC data, the U.S. population

of overweight children between ages 2 and

5 increased almost 36 percent from 1989 to1999. The CDC found that the amount oftelevision that children watch directlycorrelates with measures of their body fat.

Children ages 6 to 11 spend about 30 hoursper week looking at a television or

computer monitor.

In a 2002 survey, 56 percent of parents inthe U.S. said they were allowed to walk or

bike to school by the time they were 10years old, but only 36 percent of those

same parents allowed their own kids to dothe same.

Overall visits to our National Parks, which

had grown steadily since the 1930s,dropped approximately 25 percent between

1987 and 2003.

Instructors in medical schoolsfind it increasingly difficult to

teach how the heart works as apump because students have solittle real-world experience;

theyve never siphonedanything, never fixed a car,

never worked on a fuel pump,may not even have hooked up

a garden hose. For a wholegeneration of kids, direct

experiences in the backyard,in the tool shed, and in the fields

and woods have been replaced by indirect

learning through machines.From a lack of time to a bogeymansyndrome and fear of the outdoors, from

threats of litigation to a shrinkage of openspaces, there are a multitude of reasons why

there seems to be so few children enjoying theoutdoors anymore. As the author rightly

points out, without that connection to nature,what hope do we have in protecting what isleft of our open spaces for the future? It is

critical we turn off the televisions, scheduleplay time and get our children back outside.

This year, Atlanta Audubon was thrilled to

help sponsor the Youth Birding Competition. Itwas a very important step in getting kids

interested in both birds and nature. We mustall do a lot more. Wont you join us in that

effort?

If There Are No Children Left in the Woods,

Then What?

From the Executive Directorby Catharine Brockman Kuchar


4/12

ATLANTA AREA

DUCKS THROUGH TERNS A male SURF SCOTER was

an excellent find on the J.W. Smith Reservoir south ofAtlanta on 8 April (CL). A total of eleven COMMONLOONS were seen on two DeKalb County reservoirs on

5 April (JSe). Several reports of GREAT EGRETS werereceived with the highest count being six along the

Chattahoochee River north of Atlanta on 20 April (ZL). Itused to be that this species was only seen in theAtlanta area in late summer and early fall. Four CATTLE

EGRETS were seen in Bartow Co. on 27 April (MMc,

BW). There were reports from several observers ofYELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS at the Mercer

Wetlands and also the Chattahoochee River NationalRecreation Area (CRNRA) during the month. Two SORAS

at the CRNRA (NF) on 2 April and four CASPIAN TERNSat the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) byLSn on 16 April were very interesting sightings.

HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH NUTHATCHES The femaleCALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD that frequented a Lilburn

feeder all winter was last reported on 14 April (R&SK).We had some rather interesting weather right at theend of the month which certainly caused a spike in

migrant numbers. Examples of this were the counts ofRED-EYED VIREOS with 46 on 27 April, 42 on 28 April,

41 on 29 April and 56 on 30 April (m.ob.). It was not toomuch of a surprise that there were a few lingeringRED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES after such a huge

invasion this winter. Three birds were still at KennesawMountain National Battlefield Park (KMT) in Cobb Co. on17 April (DB) and the last report for the month came on

25 April (JMi).

WARBLERS A BREWSTERS WARBLER was an

interesting sighting in Forsyth Co. on 30 April (GM).NASHVILLE WARBLERS were very well reported with

one at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve on 19 April

(JMa), one at KMT on 20 April (GB, et al.), one at KMTon 22 April (CS), one at the CRNRA on 23 April (KB), and

two at KMT on 30 April (GB, et al.). All the other highcounts which follow come from KMT: eight BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS on 30 April, 45 YELLOW-

RUMPED WARBLERS on 22 April, 23 April and 25 April,25 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS on 30 April,

23 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS on 30 April, 22 PALMWARBLERS on 19 April, 20 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS on30 April, eight CERULEAN WARBLERS on 21 April, nine

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS on 13 April, sevenWORM-EATING WARBLERS on 22 April, and 15 HOODEDWARBLERS on 21 April (m.ob.).

TANAGERS THROUGH SISKINS Some very interestingcounts came from KMT with 15 SUMMER TANAGERS on

27 April and 67 SCARLET TANAGERS on 28 April(m.ob.). Some rare sparrow reports included a VESPERSPARROW at CRNRA on 3 and 4 April (KB, NF) and a

LINCOLNS SPARROW at Little Mulberry Park inGwinnett Co. on 15 April (BB). There was a good count

of 32 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS at KMT on 30 April

(m.ob.).The peak count of ROSE-BREASTEDGROSBEAKS was 46 at KMT on 27 April (m.ob.). Bartow

Co. yielded several interesting observations with aDICKCISSEL on 24 April (MDa) and as many as 300BOBOLINKS on 29 April (BB).Winter finches were still

around as evidenced by seven RED CROSSBILLS inWoodstock on 13 April and two on 25 April (SA), as

many as 80 PURPLE FINCHES on 5 April in Lilburn(R&SK), and a few scattered reports of PINE SISKINS.

GEORGIA AREA

DUCKS THROUGH PELICANS SP had a good count of

23 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS at the AltamahaWaterfowl Management Area near Darien on 27 April.

WC had a great count of 200 BLUE-WINGED TEAL atthe Bradley Unit of the Eufaula NWR on 6 April. FiveSURF SCOTERS were a rare find in Floyd Co. on 4 April(RW). A female HOODED MERGANSER with as many as

eight chicks was seen at the Arrowhead EnvironmentalCenter in Floyd Co. on several dates during the month

(m.ob.).A good count was ten RED-BREASTEDMERGANSERS at the Bear Creek Reservoir in JacksonCo. on 5 April (TMc et al.). Also at Bear Creek were at

least 100 COMMON LOONS on 5 April (JMcN). OneEARED GREBE was seen at Florence Marina on 6 April(WC). Very unusual was a BROWN PELICAN at the Big

Lazar WMA on 17 April (BM).

BITTERNS THROUGH CRANES An AMERICAN BITTERN

was a good find in Floyd Co. on 21 April (DR). Rare forthe mountain area was a CATTLE EGRET in Fannin Co.

on 20 April (RK). Two GLOSSY IBIS were a good sightingat the Bradley Unit of the Eufaula NWR on 6 April (WC).

A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was a rare observation in

Laurens Co. on 22 April (DM, BV). Rare for the mountainarea was a MISSISSIPPI KITE in Fannin Co. on 26 April(TS et al.). LSc had an excellent count of 40

MISSISSIPPI KITES in Washington Co. on 30 April. TwoSANDHILL CRANES were an unusual sighting on Sapelo

Island on 23 April. (BC).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS The SNOWY PLOVpreviously reported from Jekyll Island was last note

during the week of 17 April by LT. JG had a good coof 36 BLACK-NECKED STILTS at the AWMA on 3 Ap

Very unusual inland was a group of 12 WILLETS at

Garden Lakes in the Rome area on 28 April (GE fideMD). A good count was eight UPLAND SANDPIPERS

Marshallville on 10 April (MMc). Six PURPLESANDPIPERS were seen at Tybee Island on 3 April (D

An inland LAUGHING GULL was seen in the Macon a

on 19 April (TMc). BB had an excellent count of 100BONAPARTES GULLS at Bear Creek on 2 April. Fouradult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen at

Tybee Island on 3 April (DC). Interesting tern reportsincluded two CASPIAN TERNS at Augusta on 26 Apri

(LS), a COMMON TERN at Carters Lake on 19 April(MM), and a FORSTERS TERN in Floyd Co. on 28 Ap(MD).

HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH SISKINS The GREEN-BREASTED MANGO at a Dublin feeder was last seen

or about 10 April (SS). An EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE w

early at Dawson Forest on 1 April (BL, DM). There wseveral reports of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES wit

the latest report being two in Dawson Forest on 7 A(JF). Interesting sparrow reports included a

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW in Fannin Co. on 24 April(NS), a HENSLOWS SPARROW at Standing Boy WMA12 April (WC), a LECONTES SPARROW at the Bradle

Unit of the Eufaula NWR on 6 April (WC), anotherLECONTES SPARROW at Carters Lake on 8 April (JSand a LINCOLNS SPARROW at Oxbow Meadows in

Columbus area on 16 April (WC). Hundreds ofBOBOLINKS were reported from Lamar Co. on 26-2

April (CM). A report of a female YELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRD in the Montezuma area on 9 Aprilblossomed into as many as six birds there at least

through 17 April (m.ob.). Interesting winter finch repincluded eight RED CROSSBILLS near Helen on 26 A(EK), six RED CROSSBILLS at Marble Hill on 29 Apri

(LK), and 25 PINE SISKINS in Fannin Co. on 30 April(TS).

CONTRIBUTORS Sue Aughey, Giff Beaton, BrandoBest, Ken Blankenship,Walt Chambers, Diana Churc

Bob Churi, Mark Davis, Marion Dobbs, GladysEdmundson, Nathan Farnau, Jim Flynn, John GalvanMalcolm Hodges, David Hollie, Lance Jones, Gene

Keferl, Eugene Kelley, Lynn Kenyon, Robert Kimsey,and Sandy Krause, Carol Lambert, Zelia Lebeau, BilLotz, Jeff Madsen, Elizabeth McAlister, Patty McLea

Grant McCreary, Trey McCuen, Joel McNeal, MarkMcShane, Max Medley, Jenny Michaels, Ben Moore

Darlene Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore, Charlie MuiJames Neves, Steve Parrish, Rose Rhodes, Dan RopChuck Saleeby, Lynn Schlup, Nedra Sekera, Jeff Sew

Steve Slayton, Lloyd Snyder, Joshua Spence, LoisStacey, Tom Striker, Lydia Thompson, Becky ValentPat White, Richard White, Bill Wiggins, and Bob and

Zaremba.

Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Roswell, GA

30075 [email protected]

April Field Notes by Terry Moorez

For most of the month numbers

of migrants were about

average, but that changed

dramatically for the last four days of

the month. Some very unsettledweather came into play and really

produced some of the highest counts ever at

spots like Kennesaw Mountain. Check the

numbers for vireos, warblers, tanagers and

grosbeaks to see what were talking about.

The Atlanta area recorded a total of 179

species (average = 172.4) to bring the year-to-

date list to 211 (average = 196.3). The Georgia

area came in at 255 species (average = 241.1)

to bring the year-to-date list to 293 (average =

285.2).



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Field TripsCompiled by Dave Butler

July/August 2008 5

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 July and August field trips that mbe scheduled.

Saturday, July 5Mikell Jones, world-traveledbirderSaturday, Aug. 2,Dan Rohrer, Counselor and BirdTeacher, Piedmont ParkConservancy Summer Camp(Families are especially invited!)Piedmont Park (City of Atlanta)Meet at 8 AM in the parking lot behindQuattros at 12th St. and Piedmont.Birding focus: Migrants, residentsDirections: These directions may vary.

Check update on AAS website.Fromsouth of Atlanta, take the I-75/85connector north to Exit 249B (Pine St.).Go straight on Pine St., cross PeachtreeSt., turn left on Piedmont Ave., and travelabout one mile to 12th St.From northwestof Atlanta, take I-75 south to Exit 250(16th St.) Go straight, follow the signs to

10th St., cross 14th St., turn left on 10thSt., travel about a half mile to Piedmontand turn left on 12th St. Due to streetclosings, including exits to 10th and14th Streets from I-75 S., considerexiting at Northside Dr.From northeastof downtown, take I-85 south to Exit 84(17th St.). Continue straight, crossing 14thSt. and follow directions above.

Sunday, Aug. 24Patty McLean and Kathy MillerLullwater Conservation ParkMeet at 8 AM on Andrews Circle at

entrance to pedestrian bridge crossingrailroad tracks.Birding focus: Residents and earlymigrantsDirections: Lullwater Conservation Parkis the greenspace that surrounds thepresidents house at Emory University.Park at Druid Hills High School (1798Haygood Dr.) and walk north-northeast tothe first traffic light and turn right to thepedestrian bridge into the park. (Streetsignage at the intersection showsRidgewood going in the opposite

direction.) Or, alternatively, use Emory'sMichael St. deck. Michael St. intersectswith Clifton Road near the front entranceto the park.Parking on campus can bechallenging and usually requires a fee if

you are not a student or employee of

Emory. Do not park illegally as you risk

being towed and/or ticketed.

Saturday, Aug. 30Darlene Moore and Bill LotzPhinizy Swamp Nature Park(Richmond County, GA)Meet at 8 AM in parking lot.Birding focus: Painted Buntings andLeast BitternsDirections:From Atlanta, take I-20 eato Augusta to Exit 196A (Bobby JonesExpressway). At Exit 10 (Doug BarnardParkway/Bush Field Airport), turn rightoward airport and travel just under onmile until you see the wastewatertreatment plant on your left. Turn left p

the plant onto Lock & Dam Rd. Travel lthan 12 mile to a small house on the leftand immediately beyond there will be asign to Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Tuleft and drive 200 ft. The parking area ison the left. If you are interested incarpooling from Atlanta, contact Darlenat [email protected] or Bill [email protected].

Darlene Moore plans August trips toPeach (Marshallville and Perry) andBartow Counties when the uncommon

shorebirds start migrating. If you areinterested in carpooling, contact her [email protected].

Sketch by Anne McCallum

Newman Wetlands Centers

Dragonflies of the Wetlands with Giff Beaton

Sunday, July 27, 8:30 AM

Join Giff Beaton, author of Dragonflies & Damselflies of

Georgia and the Southeast, for a morning walk through the

wetlands. Well learn identification techniques for the many

species of these beautiful insects that play a crucial role in

our environment. The walk is free, but the group size is

limited and reservations are required. Quiet, attentive children

10 years and older are welcome. Contact: Carol Lambert 770.603.5606 or e-mail [email protected].

Newman Wetlands Center, 2755 Freeman Road, Hampton, GA

Clayton County Water Authority Environmental Education

Giff Beaton indoctrinating 2007 groupPhotographer: Giff Beaton

Halloween PennantPhotographer: Giff Beaton

Piedmont Park Field Trip, Peatman FamilyPhotographer: Marcia Klenbort


6/126 Atlanta Audubon Soci

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:

Many thanks go to Michael Oakley for doing a terrific job inhelping us create a notebook of various bird photographs to be

used by our volunteers at speaking engagements andpresentations. Michael carefully laser cut out photographs of birds

and placed each bird in its own Word file. He created over 50 files thatwere then run off in full color and placed in the notebook for volunteers.

AAS member, Carl Tyler, has long supported our work in a variety of ways. We thank him foreverything he does for our organization, from big things to small things. Carl is always thinkingof us, even donating beautiful note cards with birds that he photographed for our thank younotes.

When it comes to introducing the public to the work of AAS, festivals are one of the mostimportant. We are grateful to Mary Kelly for always stepping up to the plate to set up and manthe tables at many of our festivals around town. We appreciate everything you do, Mary!

If there were an award for consistency in

volunteering, John Cox would be the firstrecipient. For over 20 years he was the one

who got our newsletters to the post officeevery month! John has been a quiet butsteady force in Atlanta Audubon, and we are

grateful for his dedicated service.

Despite living in Central and South American

countries famous for birds, he didnt beginbirding until 1961 when he moved to

Maryland. During this time he heard about afledging bird club that was organizing to

protect habitat, the Prince Georges AudubonSociety in Maryland. He got involved withthe local conservation effort and enjoyed

many birding trips at the BlackwaterNational Wildlife Refuge and along the

coasts of Maryland and Delaware. Avocetsare some of Johns favorite birds, along with

Guatemalas Quetzal and most recentlymigrant Cedar Waxwings in his back yard.

After retiring in the early 1980s, he returnedto Atlanta when Georgine Pindar, an active

Atlanta Bird Club member and good friendof his sister Malissa, told him about a non-credit class offered by Oglethorpe University

and taught by Frank McCamey.John met some of the early

Audubon members and subsequently

participated in the peel and stick eveningsthat were held at the Stone Mountain home

of Wingbars coordinator, Paula Jones. Tosave her the monthly trips to the CrownRoad postal facility, John offered to deliver

the mail bags on his way home to East Point.Little did he know at the time that he would

continue this activity for the next 20 plusyears! The peel and stick back then wasactually a collate, fold, peel and stick, then

sort for about 20 large mail bags. Ourmembership was based on the ZIP codes in

Metro Atlanta for Audubon magazinesubscribers and numbered as many as 5,000.

John was stalwart and attended almost all of

the monthly events that later moved aroundtown to members

homes. Gatherings atthe homes of Liz and

Linc Roberts andAnselm Atkins were

especially fun, as theyhad convenient workspaces. The

conversations of happyworkers were varied

and lively.

Spotlighting... John Howell CoxBy Virginia Dunbar, Spotlighting Guest Columnist

Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Voluntee

Corner Volunteer Corner Volunteer Corner Voluntee

John Howell Cox

April 2008Photographer: Virginia Dunbar

TIMEWell Spent

Compiled by Pam Higginbotham

March & Aprilme Hours Task/Eventb Bata il lon 4.0 BWS Certi ficat ionBeaton 25.0 Warbler Wkshp.,

Birdathon,Kennesaw Fieldtripse Blaisdell 3.0 Peel & Stick

m Blaisdell 3.0 Peel & Stick Boff 9.0 HWA Projecte Brann 11.0 Zoo Atlanta Arbor Day &

Ptree.Rd. Farmers Mkt.ve But ler 20.5 Board Mtgs.,F ield Tr ip

Admin., FieldtripsCarter 25.0 BWS Certification, HWA

Project, Fieldtripa Chi lcutt 6.0 Peel & Stick and LABDavis 19.5 Board Mtgs., HWA Proj.

Fieldtrips.incl. Birdathonherine Davis 9.0 HWA Pro j.ve Decker 2.5 Pee l & Stick,F ieldtr iprtha Decker 1.5 Peel & Stick nette Dooley 5.0 Fayette County Earth

Day Festival Flynn 45.0 AAS Website

hryn Fouts 1.5 Peel & Stick bara Giebelhaus 15.0 Scholarship Comm.ncy Hamilton 37.5 Board Mtgs.,Volunteer Admin.,

Educ.,LAB, Scholarship Comm.,Mother Earth Day

e Hardee 4.0 Fieldtriprilyn Harris 29.0 BWS Certif., Scholarship Comm.,LAB, Earth Day,Fieldtrip

ol Hassell 4.0 Master Birders Newsletteranna Helie 45.0 Board Mtgs. &

Financial Admin.m Higginbotham 8.0 Volunteer Trackingnk Hiller 4.0 Zoo Atlanta Arbor Dayty Hiller 4.0 Zoo Atlanta Arbor Dayry Ann Hindes 40.0 Wingbars Editingcolm Hodges 4.0 F ieldtr ipy Hodges 21.0 HWA Pro j.,Fayette

County Earth Day Fairee Hopf 4.0 BWS Certificationy Hopkins 56.0 Board Mtgs.,Conservation Admin.

& Articles,HWA Proj.on Huff 5.0 IBAHurt 43.0 Membership admin.,

Warbler & ShorebirdWkshps.,Fieldtrip

a Hurt 28.0 Membership admin., Warbler & Shorebird Wkshps., Fieldtrip,incl.Birdathon

rge Igyarto 24.5 Board Mtgs.,Peel & Stick,Scholarship Comm.,BWS Certif.

rk Jernigan 21.0 Board Mtgs.& Minutesell Jones 2.0 Fieldtripry Kelly 3.0 Captain Planet

Foundation's Earth Proj/m Keyes 13.0 Birds in Dec line Pro j.,ShadeGrown Coffee Exhibit

rcia Klenbort 31.0 Scholarship Comm.,LAB, Fieldtripy Leventha l 17.0 HWA Proj . Madsen 4.0 Fieldtrip

ham McDonald 4.0 Zoo Atlanta Arbor Daye McDonald 4.0 Zoo Atlanta Arbor Day

ty McLean 4.0 Fieldtripqueline McRae 24.0 BWS Certif.& Admin.ry Menz 1.5 Peel & Stick n Miller 58.0 Board Mtgs.,

Exec.Admin.dy Mil le r 19.5 HWA Proj .,Earth Day CNCon Miller 8.0 HWA Proj.

cia Neal 4.0 Fieldtripry Nevi l 3.0 Captain Planet Foundation 's Earth

Proj.anne Norman 8.0 BWS Cert if .ve Phenicie 8.0 Wingbars Proofreadingson Read 14.5 Board Mtgs.,Exec.

Admin., Birdathon Admin.Robey 2.0 Scholarship Comm.n Robinson 10.0 HWA Proj.in Robinson 10.0 HWA Proj.

organn Schmalz 48.0 HWA Proj., Shorebird Wkshp., Animal Hr.,Fieldtrips, incl.Birdathon & Learning

GA Bird Songsnda Sexton 10.0 Coosa River Festivalayne Sexton 10.0 Coosa River Festivalis Showal ter 8.0 Fieldtr ipbara Tarpley 80.0 Bd.Mtgs.,Comm/Corres.Sec'y

Admin.,incl. Wingbars,ShadeGrown Coffee Exh.

Tyler 7.5 Exec. Admin., Wingbarsarticle

ol Vanderschaaf 5.0 Exec.Admintt Ward 2.0 Freedom Park Gardeny Wehner 8.0 Fieldtripricia Williams 9.0 BWS Cert if .tor Will iams 11.0 Bd.Mtgs.,HWA Projecty Yuknavech 48.0 IBAnymous 8.5 Misc.

al Hoursr & Apr 08 1,087: BWS Certification = Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary

HWA Project = Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

the purpose of grant applications, etc., it is important forr volunteer hours to be reported to [email protected].

Continued on page 10



I truly think the impact AAS is having onsummer camps is the EducationCommittees big story for the summer, asyou can see by the examples below! AASand the metro Atlanta school systems, etal., are very fortunate to have thesededicated educators working to make adifference in childrens lives.

LAB partner, the Piedmont ParkConservancy, is holding ten weeks ofEnviroVenture camps this summer.Marcia Klenbort and Marilyn Harristrained 10 counselors, which was

requested by Jason Taylor, theirenvironmental educator.

LAB partner Mary Nevins, educationleader at Cochran Mill Nature Center insouth Fulton County, plans to use herLAB materials for summer camps. Sheborrowed AAS binoculars for their

special week-long bird camp in June. Drew Charter Elementary School andits community partner, Mercy Housing,together with the Y, is offering summercamp experiences. Ever faithful MarilynHarris trained their camp leaders andcounselors in June. Drew CharterElementary School plans to join the LAB

program in the fall.

Barbara Leath, a LAB partner andvolunteer at City of Atlantas AdamsvilleRecreation Center, is presenting LABactivities to the Camp Best Friends.

Kids werent the only summer learnerswho were Learning About Birds fromAAS! Marilyn Harris led a group ofseniors at Reynolds Memorial NatureCenter in June.

On May 29, Nathalie Kincade, Catharine

Kuchar and I met with 30 campcounselors at the Chattahoochee NatureCenter in preparation for their CampKingfisher. The counselors were dividedinto two groups, Nathalie and I focusedon using binoculars and field guides withchildren, along with ways to promotebirding fun for young people, whileCatharine worked with the other groupon bird identification using cards anddoing a matching game. She alsoexplained about the parts of the birdwhich helps with identification. We gaveeveryone a copy of Birds Matter alongwith a binder with basic birdinginformation (including habitat and

planting for birds) and other simpleactivities that can be done with campers.We also have four bird walks planned forthe seventh graders after their overnightat CNC.

We were very well received, and severalof the counselors were interested in

joining Atlanta Audubon. We think thatthere is a need for this type of trainingand will be discussing expanding thisoffering in the future.

AAS Education Committee, Summer Camps AdvocateBy Marge Igyarto

The National Audubon Society produces a

series of four newsletters each schoolyear for classroom teachers throughoutthe country, Audubon Adventures, anature news magazine designed forstudents to study topics in class and takehome the newsletters. These colorfulsheets introduce nature topicsappropriate for two elementary agegroups, grades 3 to 5 and 6 to 8.

Many of the 18 teachers and LEARNINGABOUT BIRDS leaders who ordered thenewsletter for their 2007-08 school termfound them very useful and commented:

Students enjoyed looking at them, and I

put a set in the science lab where it couldbe used, reported Mary Nevil, librarianand LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS partner atKnollwood Elementary School in DeKalbCounty.

Ellen Powell, a teacher at BoltonAcademy in Atlanta, did not receive herclassroom set this year, but used oldAudubon Adventures newsletters asinspiration for homework readingassignments.

Melody Swierski, fifth grade teacher atTritt Elementary School in Cobb County,

used her set for reading and discussing.

Mary Nevins, environmental educator atCochran Mill Nature Center, reported,We havent used our sets yet, but we planto use them during our summer camps.

Camilla Warren, a parent scientist whovolunteers with her local MedlockElementary School in bringingLEARNING ABOUT BIRDS activities totheir students, reported, We read thenewsletters, used the games duringclassroom time and afterwards allowedthe kids to take the newsletters home.The teachers really like the newslettersand know how to use them!

Alas, two teachers who signed up didntreceive their packet from National

Audubon. Other teachers who orderedAudubon Adventures reported that theydidnt have time to use them, orreceived the package too late to use thisterm.

These newsletters are not free! For morethan a decade, Atlanta Audubon Societyhas paid for the newsletters to be sent toteachers in the metro Atlanta area. At acost of $45 per class set, the kit includes32 newsletters on each of 4 topics with

ideas for teacher and student activities.

Teachers who are interested in using classsets of Audubon Adventures in their 2008-2009 classrooms are invited to check outnext years topics on National AudubonSocietys website atwww.audubon.org/educate. To requestthat the Atlanta Audubon Society sponsor

your school, teachers may send a briefrequest by Sept.15 and please include:1. Name, address, phone, e-mail address,

school or nature center2. Address to which Audubon Adventures

should be mailed if different from theabove

3. How you plan to use the sets of

Audubon Adventures4. The age level of students with whom

you work5. The class subject6. Your intent to participate in a brief

evaluation at the end of the school year

Letters should be addressed to:Audubon Adventures CoordinatorAtlanta Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 29189

Atlanta, GA 30359

Atlanta Audubon Society Sponsors Use ofClassroom Newsletters

By Marcia Klenbort, Audubon Adventures Coordinator 2007-08 school year

Assemblers (LtoR) of Match the Birds Activity

at Sully, Jane and Tom Blaisdell and Anita Chilcutthotographer: Marcia Klenbort


8/128 Atlanta Audubon Soci

Of course you remember

Dan May, our volunteer

extraordinaire

especially when it comes

to Shade-Grown Coffee.

Hes now being educated

through the eyes of a

child, his grandsons.

In mid-May, I sent an e-mail to some fellow

Auduboners, asking for asmall aquarium, a largeclear plastic box, orsomething that our

grandson could borrow for a couple of weeks.While visiting, Simon had discovered a caterpillaron one of our parsley plants. We brought it inside

and kept it in a big jar with its favorite food, whichwas immediately devoured so we had to make atrip to the grocery store! Shortly thereafter, thecaterpillar had woven the chrysalis, and webecame the expectant stewards of a butterfly!

This meant we had to start house hunting. Thespecifications for the temporary home were that

the container be large enough for the butterfly tohang from the twig it was on while it dried itswings and to crawl around a bit. Of course,

photographs were a must, so that added anotherdimension to be considered.

Its now late May and heres an update on the grecaterpillar story. After 11 days in the cocoon, weannounce the birth(?)... emergence(?)...whateverof a brand new Black SwallowtailButterfly! Upon discovery of the metamorphosisafter a late night out, Sue and I waited untilmorning when Simon, his sister and dad couldshare in the excitement. We took the aquariumoutside, removed the cover, and the butterfly

perched on the edge for a good 15 minutes beforit flew off, presumably in search of some food, amate, and if a girl some fresh parsley plants onwhich to lay eggs.

We and especially Simon thank everyone for theoffers of containers and words of encouragemenWe thoroughly enjoyed the science project andlook forward to new caterpillars to conquer.Seriously, if you discover a caterpillar and youhave no plans for it, we would love to repeat theexperiment and well take good care of it.

Simon Sez theWonder of Nature is Awesome!

Adapted from Dan Mays E-mail

Caterpillar Empty Chrysalis (cocoon)

Black Swallowtail Butterfly Leaving Home

Simon May, future naturalist

Buy yourTicketsNow!

Purchase yourtickets in

advance for theBackyardWildlife

Sanctuary bycalling

770.913.0511starting July 1.

You can useyour credit card,and we will e-mail your ticketfor admission onthe day of the

tour in pdf

format or youcan pick up atthe Will Call

Station.

Photographer: Dan May

Q:WhatspeciesrecentlydethronedtheArcticTernas

thebirdwiththelongestmigration?

Seepage___fortheanswer See page 10 for answer

True or False: TheSong Sparrow can be

found in every state and

province in North

America.


9/12July/August 2008

Have you evershot aWobbler? Imean, have

you everwanted to

photograph aProthonotary

Warbler (aWobbler ishow they sayit in SouthCarolina)while it is

whacking thedaylights out of

a dragonfly as big as the bird? Full-frameshots that you can blow up to 20 x 24? Youwill want to read on if you are thinking, Idkill for this one! I didnt quite get thedragonfly, but this Wobbler was about 15feet away when I took the photograph at

South Carolinas Magnolia Plantation andGardens. It is just one of the great placesyoull learn about from other nature

photographers when..but Im gettingahead of myself.

First lets talk about nature photography inAtlanta. While there are some greatphotography clubs here like the RoswellPhotographic Society, serious nature

photographers dont have a club of their ownfocused on their area of interest. Its strangewe dont, yet, because Atlanta has a lot ofnature photographers.

Why not have a club full of people that lustafter 600mm. lenses to make little birds bigand who will get up before daylight in zerodegree weather for the perfect shot? A clubfor photographers that share a passion forthe outdoors and love to photograph it birds, mammals, landscapes, you-name-it as long as its outdoors.

I am working hard to attract enough naturephotographers to potentially start a CarolinaNature Photographers Association (CNPA)

chapter here. The CNPA is Carolina-basedwith several regional chapters and over 800members from all over the southeast. With

about 26 trips this year, plus many otherthat members hosted ad hoc, it is a fantaactive organization. For more informatiogo to www.cnpa.org.

About 300 people attended this years thrday annual meeting in Charleston, SouthCarolina, and many great photo trips wearranged for the attendees. Art Morris(www.birdsasart.com) was the keynotespeaker, and in 2009 it will be the famedNational Geographic Society photographFrans Lanting (www.lanting.com) inCharlotte!

If you want a terrific opportunity to shoWobblers, go on great trips and a local cwhere you can meet interesting people wshare a passion for outdoor photographycontact me, Chris Dekle, at 770.888.1663 e-mail me at [email protected]. Let meknow if you would be interested in seeinnature photography focused club in metr

Atlanta and tell me what you think aboutidea.

Photography ClubBy Chris Dekle

our office at 770.913.0511 and using

your credit card. We can e-mail you anadmission ticket in pdf format to printand bring with you the day of the event,

or we can hold it at our Will Call stationocated at Site #1, 708 Vinings Estate

Drive, Mableton, Georgia 30126.PLEASE NOTE that on the day of the

our tickets will be available only atour primary ticket site (708 ViningsEstates Drive) and satellite site (1649

Stoddard Circle). Unlike in previousyears, we will limit ticket purchases to

ONLY these two sites or through

advance ticket purchases. Weencourage you to purchase your ticketsbeforehand so that you can tour the

properties in whatever order suits youbest.

So, come spend the day exploring thesedistinct properties starting with a

bird walk at Kennesaw Mountain in themorning and later lunching indowntown Smyrna all the while

supporting Atlanta Audubon Society.We hope to see you there! Directions

can be found on our website,

www.atlantaaudubon.org, or you canaccess MapQuest, etc.

If you have any questions regarding the

Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour,please contact Jacqueline McRae, who

is again overseeing this years tour, [email protected].

Organizers of the event also needvolunteers to help at the selected sites.If you are interested in volunteering

that day, please call the AAS office at770.913.0511.

2008 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary TourContinued from page 1

Prothonotary WarblerPhotographer: Chris Dekle

On May 13, three male four-week-oldPeregrine Falcon chicks were banded atopthe SunTrust Tower in downtown Atlanta.Jim Ozier, wildlife biologist for the GeorgiaWildlife Resources Division of the Georgia

Department of Natural Resources, overseesthe Peregrine Falcon program and performsthis task annually.

In the past, more protective parents haveactually thumped Jim on his hardhat. But,these particular parents were not soaggressive, however, the chicks were prettyfeisty. Jims comment, The young falconswere quick of foot and beak and passed up

no opportunity to draw blood from theirhandlers. Hopefully they will quickly learn toavoid plate glass windows when they firsttake to the air in a few days. Last year oneof the chicks crashed into a building

window. One of this years fledglingssuffered a broken jaw, perhaps in the samemanner, and is now spending time in rehab.

An interesting find in the nest was thebanded leg of a Homing Pigeon. Birds in the

past have been known to eat Yellow-billedCuckoos and Green Herons. One of the birdswas recently seen taking off from the Jones

Avenue area with prey in its talons. Although

the Falcons can occasionally be seen circthe SunTrust Tower, the skyscrapers preva complete view of their 200mph stoops tresult in dinner.

HEADS UP DOWNTOWNBy Liz Horsey

Peregrine Falcon Flight Silhouettes

normal flight (L); start of a stoop (R)Photographer: Falco-peregrinus-silhouette.svg


10/12

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

Bird Songs of GeorgiaCD now available.

Email Georgann Schmalz [email protected] o

visitwww.birdingadventuresinc.co

Answer: SootyShearwater

Answer:

True

P.O. Box 921455, Norcross, GA 30010

Website: www.workshopcreations.comE-Mail: [email protected]

Tel: 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:

At the end of each evening John and thecorresponding secretary would tabulate

the numbers for each ZIP code andprepare the paperwork for the PostOffice. John would then load up the

trunk and back seat of his car and headoff to the BMEU. After unloading he

would pick up needed supplies for thenext issue bags and tags or boxes and

sleeves, tie cords and forms. His car was

a mini-post office! This continued untilabout four years ago when we acquired

office space at Dunwoody NatureCenter and peel and stick was moved

to a day activity instead of evening.

John also volunteers with other

agencies in Atlanta, having recently

received a 20-year pin from the JimmyCarter Library and Museum. He ushers

concerts at Spivey Hall, makesdeliveries for Meals on Wheels, assistsat The Cathedral of St. Philips

bookstore, participates with the Centerfor Positive Aging (a consortium of 15

churches), and works with theCrossroads Community Ministries post

office, a service for the homeless on th

grounds of St. Lukes Episcopal Churchwhere he is a communicant and a

licensed lay eucharist minister.

Note: John had triple bypass heartsurgery in May. He is homerecuperating, Join us in wishing him a

speedy recovery.

Spotlighting John Howell CoxContinued from page 6

LONG-LEGGED WADERS HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURTBy Liz Horsey

Georgia is one of the few states on the eastern seaboard to have preserved a significant amount of its coasta

marshlands. This is due in part to the provisions of the 1970 Coastal Marshlands Protection Act.

On May 19, the Georgia Supreme Court heard Center for a Sustainable Coast v. Coastal Marshlands Protectio

Committee. This lawsuit deals with the permitting of the Cumberland Harbour marina and associated

development, which is projected to increase current storm water runoff by 17 to 23 million gallons. This would

Georgias largest-ever marina with perhaps 800 boats to be situated directly across from the Cumberland Isla

National Seashore, which could cause damage to many of the states endangered and threatened species. Th

environmental groups attorney, Stephen ODay, quoted the statute, no person shall remove, fill, dredge, dr

or otherwise alter any marshlandswithout first obtaining a permit from the committee ODay argued tha

this degree of upland storm runoff will otherwise alter the marshes. His opponents deny that this statute

contemplates anything other than filling, dredging or draining. Does this imply that otherwise alter has no

meaning? We will have to wait for the Georgia Supreme Court to render its verdict.



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!

Getting to Know Georgias Protected Birds:Bachmans Warbler

Bachmans Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)s a small olive-green bird measuring 11.0-

1.5 cm. (4.25-4.5 in.) in length with bright

yellow underparts. The male has a black bib,black cap, bright yellow forehead, yellowchin and yellow eye-ring. It resembles a maleHooded Warbler with an incomplete hood.The female also has the yellow eye-ring, butis generally drabber with less yellow in the

plumage and lacks any black markings. TheBachmans Warbler has a distinctive song arapid 8-note trill on the same pitch or a rapid

set of buzzes on one pitch.Bachmans Warbler is endangeredaccording to both the state status andfederal status. It is believed to be extinctand, if not, it is probably the rarest of North

American songbirds. This warbler formerlyoccupied a breeding range in the south

Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains extendinginland in flood plains. They leave the U.S.and migrate through Florida and theBahamas to winter in Cuba and the Isle ofPines (n/k/a the Isle of Youth), returning inlate February to early March. It nests incanebrakes, blackberry bushes, vines or

thickets in and along the margins of heavily

wooded mature deciduous swamp forestsand bottomlands.

Their diet during breeding season consistspiders, caterpillars, ants and other insectthat are found in the middle and lower

portions of hardwood trees, shrubs, andvines, and insects, flowers or othervegetation, possibly fruits, during thewintering season in Cuba.

The Bachmans Warbler was at one time afairly common bird within its rather limiterange, however, it has apparently beenunable to adjust to habitat changes. Itsbreeding habitat has been heavily timbereand sometimes extensively drained andconverted to agricultural row crop land anhuman settlements. In addition, loss ofhabitat due to large-scale clearing of foresfor sugarcane plantations in its winter ranin Cuba may have had a tremendous impaon the birds decline.

Source: Georgia Department of Natural

Resources,Protected Animals of Georgia

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

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!

achmans Warblershotographer: Warblers of North America, new York, Appleton

ouis Agassiz Fuertes or Bruce Horsfall (artist), Frank M.

hapman (author)


12/12

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S.POSTAGE

P A I D

Atlanta, GA

Permit #917

Atlanta Audubon SocietyBox 29189 Atlanta, GA 30359

Wingbarsis printed on recycled paper

ATLANTA

AUDUBON

OFFICEat Dunwoody Nature Cen

5343 Roberts Drive

Dunwoody, GA 30338

770.913.0511

Send all mail for

AAS to:PO Box 29189

Atlanta, GA 3035

400DunwoodyVillage

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wy.

Mt.Vern

on Hwy.

ChambleeDunwo

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Chamblee

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rdRd

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Dunwoody

Rd.

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SpaldingDrive

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RobertsR

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Exit 30

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285

Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit

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

deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Clean Up Day at Atlanta Audubon Society's Wildlife Sanctuar

July 12, 8 AM to 1 PM

Participate in the clean up day at Atlanta Audubon's Wildlife Sanctuary inDouglasville (a/k/a the Geltner property), Saturday, July 12, from 8 AM to 1 PM. Wwill remove deer stands and clear trash from this pristine property. After the cle

up, we will have a picnic in Shelter 7 at Sweetwater Creek State Park.

To register for the clean up, leave a message at the AAS office, 770.913.0511, withyour name, e-mail address, telephone and the number in your party who will

participate. Or you can register by sending an e-mail to Sally Davis at [email protected].

Directions to Sweetwater Creek State Park: From I-20 west from Atlanta, take Exit 44 (Thornton Rd.), teft and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blairs Bridge Rd., go 2 miles and turn left on Mount Vernon Rd. Follthe signs to the Interpretive Center/Museum where we will meet at 8 AM and carpool to the property.NOTE, there is a $3 parking fee at Sweetwater.

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.

Documents

July-August 2008 Wingbars Newsletter Atlanta Audubon Society