September 2009

Volume XXXV, Issue 8 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

Good News for Cerulean Warblers in Georgia I N S I D E

Salton Sea............................2
By Charlie Muise Birds and Wings...................2
In early May I assisted Jim Wentworth of the U.S. increase in populations of Chestnut-sided Warblers, Education Coordinator .........3
Forest Service (USFS) and Nathan Klaus of Georgia Hooded Warblers, Kentucky Warblers, Worm-eating
Annual Appeal......................3
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Warblers and American Redstarts. So far, CERW
conducting surveys of their habitat management have not occupied any of the control (untreated) Colombia Trip .......................3
areas along Ivy Log Gap Road and Cooper’s Creek sites or any part of the monitored Duncan Legacy Club .........................3
within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Ridge/Cooper’s Creek area.
Beginning in 2001, the Georgia Important Bird Field Notes - May ................4
Volunteers, organized in part by the GA IBA
Areas (GA IBA) Program has assisted in DNR and Program, have played a critical role documenting Field Notes - June ...............5
USFS efforts to manage for the increasingly rare locations of CERW from the project’s inception.
Cerulean Warbler (CERW). Work began with Field Trips.............................6
Preliminary data collected by volunteers resulted in
intensive surveying followed by small patch cuts in much earlier surveys than previously believed Spotlight Pam Higginbotham ..7
these two areas to try to mimic the structure of old- necessary by several experts, which in turn resulted
growth forest interspersed with large treefall gaps Time Well Spent ..................7
in the highest CERW counts. Specifically, it was
along these two areas. The purpose is to find these citizen scientists who learned that the males A Million Thanks..................7
whether birds would occupy new habitat, and if so, are holding territory and singing when spring foliage
how long it would take them to find it. While CERW Warblers Sing ......................8
is still emerging. By the time traditional surveys are
is the target species, it is hoped that other songbirds conducted, many of the males have found mates Master Birder Program........8
requiring a well-developed canopy structure will and have stopped singing. This information would
benefit as well. Bird Artistry..........................9
not have come to light without our volunteers,
The sites were chosen for their elevation, aspect including Betty Belanger, Ken Blankenship, Rachel Merritt Island Trip.................9
and forest type, which are similar to those occupied Cass, Dot Freeman, Pierre Howard, Darlene Moore Classifieds..........................10
by CERW in other parts of Georgia. Ivy Log Gap and Georgann Schmalz.
Road in particular was chosen because CERW have Birds in Decline....................11
The next step will be to determine if CERW begin
been observed there since at least the 1920s. With occupying the other cuts along Duncan Ridge in the Membership........................11
the help of the GA IBA Program and Georgia Cooper’s Creek WMA. To our knowledge there
birders, these sites were surveyed for three years Sparrow Workshop ..............12
weren’t any CERW in these areas when the cuts
prior to treatment. Sites already hosting CERW were made. But the news from Ivy Log Gap Road is
were not treated. Twenty to thirty percent of the very encouraging, and these
trees were removed from each ten-acre treatment
site by a commercial logger, and the proceeds from
cuts may yet prove to be a
useful tool for the
ATLANTA
the timber sale covered all project costs. Because
CERW tend to occupy the largest trees in an area,
these were carefully marked and left standing. Four
conservation of our fastest
declining warbler. AUDUBON SOCIETY
years later, CERW now occupy at least half of the This work was supported in
part by donations to
P. O. Box 29189
cuts along Ivy Log Gap Road. CERW are notoriously
difficult to detect because they sing infrequently Georgia’s Nongame
Conservation section (buy a
Atlanta, GA 30359
and only very early in the season, but it is likely that
CERW occupy eight of the ten cuts along Ivy Log tag) and the Georgia www.atlantaaudubon.org
Gap Road this year if casual observations are added Important Bird Areas
to the official counts. We have also documented an Program (make a donation). Cerulean Warbler
Photographer: David Cree
AAS OFFICE
and Information Line
Please be sure to check page 10,
which includes information about the new 678.973.2437
AAS field bag that is available from Pajaro,
along with a very important volunteer GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
position for 2010.
770.493.8862
 Board of Directors
2009
The Salton Sea Experience
Officers By Jordan Budnik, AAS/ABA Scholarship Winner
President Stacy E. Zarpentine
404.219.5869 Burning alive—two words not generally associated with a birding
[email protected]
President-elect Carol N. Hassell
conference and certainly not words that should find themselves in an article
770.945.3111 about my recent experience. I wouldn’t have thought so myself either. How
[email protected]
Treasurer
could a scholarship sending me to the American Birding Association (ABA)
Vacant Young Birders’ Conference in San Diego, California, prove anything but a
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
404.298.8825
dream come true? I could gush about the incredible boat ride to Santa Cruz
[email protected] Island or I could weave a tale about the Island’s Scrub Jay, and both would
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley
404.687.0079 be acceptable articles. However, one experience left a burning (pun
[email protected] intended) impression.
Directors
Conservation Dave Butler Though being from Georgia grants me immunity to humidity, the dry heat
Jordan Budnik with Red-tailed
404.580.3917 and direct sunlight of southern California felt completely alien to me. We
[email protected] Hawk at Zoo Atlanta
Photographer: Julie Budnik hopped out of the vans that had transported us across the desert,
Education Marge Igyarto
678.398.0569 binoculars poised and skin coated in sunscreen. An unwelcome blast of heat hit me like a slap to
[email protected]
Field Trips Stanley Chapman the face as I emerged from the van’s shade into the 100-plus-degree sunlit Salton Basin. We fanned
[email protected] out on the escarpment by the saline lake only to meet an unexpected resident of the Salton Sea. As
Membership Darlene Moore
404.633.9361 the severely parched earth crunched beneath our feet, little white flies rose up in swarms and took
[email protected] to landing on every inch of our sweat-covered bodies. Buzzing in ears, eyes, noses and mouths,
Communications
Barbara Tarpley
nothing would deter them. After seconds of swatting futilely, most accepted the unpleasant
404.687.0079 sensation and went about birding, disgust etched passively on each face. I gritted my teeth, flicking
[email protected]
Publicity Beth Giddens
crushed flies from my field journal’s pages and picking them off my binoculars’ lenses.
770.792.3712
[email protected] We began at the water’s edge, scopes and binoculars pointed out to groups of shorebirds in the
Volunteers Nancy Hamilton distance. As I stood there beneath the brutal newly-risen sun, a constant cloud of flies around me,
404.874.2338
[email protected] something very much like a birding epiphany struck me. My ornithology teacher and mentor, Mr.
At Large Chris Showalter, had once said there were days when he had traveled all of several yards an hour
Jay Davis through thick foliage for the sake of birding, but I hadn’t grasped the message. It took a 227-feet-
404.624.4973 below-sea-level desert, stepping over dead fish and hordes of flies to really put into perspective
[email protected]
JoAnn Jordan
what my mentor said. Ultimately, it gave me a moment of clarity to say, “It was worth it.” I
678.488.8022 encourage any birder to go out and have a Salton Sea experience, one that pushes the body and
[email protected]
mind to the brink. I can now say with certainty that birding is my greatest love and passion.
Victor Williams
Earthshare Representative
770.423.1012
[email protected]
Staff
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar
Lots of Fun at the
770.993.9579
[email protected]
Education Coordinator Emily Toriani-Moura
Birds and Buffalo Wings Evening Walks
404.661.6613
[email protected] Next walk is Wednesday, September 23, at 6:30 PM
Administrative Coordinator Sally Davis
770.216.9680 We had our first walk in July, and it was a blast. Don’t miss your chance to join us for this fun
[email protected]
evening event of bird watching, wildlife viewing and a relaxing casual walk. We’ll meet in the
Website
Jim Flynn parking lot at Buffalo Wild Wings on Mansell Road. From there, we’ll pick up the path to the Big
[email protected] Creek Wetlands Park trail. Afterwards, for all those interested, we’ll head inside Buffalo Wild
Wingbars Editor
Mary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664 Wings for some buffalo wings and fun with fellow birding friends. The event is free (food/drinks
[email protected] will be on your own) and open to everyone who hates to get up early in the morning and all those
Proofreading
Steven Phenicie early birds too. Buffalo Wild Wings is donating 10% of our purchases after the walk to
770.849.0391 AAS. Thanks Buffalo Wild Wings! Note: The event will not be held if it is raining.
[email protected]
Design & Layout
Directions: Traveling north on GA 400, get off at the Mansell Road exit and turn right. Go through
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002 the light at North Point Parkway and past the Benihana restaurant, turn right into the Buffalo Wild
[email protected]
Newsletter deadline is the first of
Wings parking lot on your right. Traveling south on GA 400, take the Mansell Road exit and turn
the month for material to be left. Go under the GA 400 bridge and follow the directions above. The address is 2375 Mansell
published the following month.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to Road, Alpharetta.
[email protected].
E-mail attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society and is published 11 times a
year. We feature news, upcoming events,
Mission Statement:
meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you
will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
authors and do not necessarily reflect policies
of the Atlanta Audubon Society. conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.
2 Atlanta Audubon Society
 Our New Education Coordinator
We are pleased to welcome Emily Toriani-Moura, the new education
coordinator for Atlanta Audubon Society. Emily will work part time at our
new office and education center at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve. She
loves birds and will be an excellent addition to the AAS team.
Emily is a graduate of the University of Georgia, with a B.S. in forest Atlanta
resources (emphasis in wildlife biology and environmental assessment). She Audubon
was previously at the Cobb County Water System serving as the education
programs assistant. She has been a naturalist at the Chattahoochee Nature
Society
Emily Toriani-Moura
Photographer: Vicki Culbreth
Center and a research technician at the Tall Timbers Research Station where
she studied the Bachman’s Sparrow. Emily plays soccer and is fluent in
Portuguese and near fluent in Spanish. Welcome, Emily!
Legacy
Our Annual Appeal—Your Gift Matters!
Club
Join us as a charter member
A letter is being mailed to you asking you to give to this year’s AAS annual appeal. Besides your
of the AAS Legacy Club by
membership contribution, our annual appeal is the only other time in the year that we ask for your including Atlanta Audubon
financial support. We recognize that we are in tough times, but we want you to know that your gift in your bequests.
really does matter and is greatly needed and appreciated.
Our annual appeal supports AAS’s education efforts in our community. It is a very exciting time, Your gift to Atlanta Audubon
Society ensures our long-term
and we are planning many wonderful programs and services in education including adult
ability to manage the
workshops (advanced and beginners) and the creation of new materials/programs for underserved resources necessary to
minority communities, an important group of fellow Atlantans often without environmental preserve and protect metro
programs and materials. Atlanta’s birds and the
New for our appeal this year, we will thank our donors with special “Bird Bucks.” When you send ecosystems that support them.
in your donation card, you can redeem your Bird Bucks for fun AAS merchandise. We will also be While cash donations are the
most popular form of support,
holding a drawing for everyone who makes a gift of any amount and returns their Bird Bucks to
a variety of options exist,
AAS. Our drawing will be for a set of matted bird prints, photographed and donated by board from charitable gift annuities
member, Darlene Moore. All donors will be recognized in Wingbars and—for the first time—will be and more.
listed on our new donor display board at Atlanta Audubon’s office and education center.
What can you Redeem for your Bird Bucks? Question: What is a
charitable lead trust and
$1,000 or more gift, receive a free Pajaro field bag with special AAS bird patch
how can it benefit me
$500 - $999 gift, receive a free AAS T-shirt and AAS?
$250 - $499 gift, receive a free AAS license plate
$249-and-under gift, your “Bird Bucks” go into a drawing for a set of two amazing matted Answer: A charitable lead
bird prints by Darlene Moore trust is a popular
(All individuals giving gifts of over $250 will also be put into our drawing for the prints that method of reducing or
will take place on December 15.) avoiding estate and gift
taxes, while transferring
We hope that you will be able to support our work in the community. Your gift matters and your large amounts of assets
support is critical. to children and/or
grandchildren. The trust
would pay AAS a stream
AAS International Birding Trip: Colombia of non-taxable income
for a period of years, and
January 15 to January 23 or 24 then the income and
principal would be
AAS is proud to be putting together a special trip to Colombia organized by birding guru, Ted
transferred to whomever
Reissing. Colombia has the largest number of bird species (1,884), including 76 endemics. The trip the donor desires. AAS
would include at least two days at El Paujil and perhaps an attempt to see the Yellow-eared Parrot. can refer you to a
We would hope to see at least 400 species during the 10-day trip. If interested, contact Catharine professional advisor for
Kuchar at [email protected] more information.

For more information

contact Art Hurt at
[email protected].

September 2009 3
 May Field Notes by Terry Moorez

TANAGERS THROUGH SISKINS – GB, et al., had some the BROWN CREEPER. KB and BB found several in Rabun
excellent counts at KMT on 1 May with 12 SUMMER Co. during the month. KB also found a GOLDEN-
TANAGERS, 52 SCARLET TANAGERS and 22 ROSE- CROWNED KINGLET in Rabun Co. on 9 May for a rare
The month of May was a pretty BREASTED GROSBEAKS. Also at KMT was a LINCOLN’S occurrence.
good month with some SPARROW on 2 May (MMcS, AH). DICKCISSELS were
widely reported from Bartow, Newton and Walton WARBLERS – A NASHVILLE WARBLER was a good spot in
impressive counts of migrants Catoosa Co. on 2 May (DH). Some good counts of
counties. The peak counts of six came from Bartow Co.
early in the month, a very fine on 14 May (KB) and Walton Co. on 17 May (JF). A few warblers were received including 21 BLACK-THROATED
pelagic trip from Charleston into PINE SISKINS lingered into the month with the last bird GREEN WARBLERS in Union Co. on 9 May (JF), 14
being reported from south Fulton Co. on 13 May (CS). BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS in Union Co. on 4 May (KB),
Georgia waters, plus a number of 20 PRAIRIE WARBLERS in the Dawson Forest on 9 May
reports of species that are proving to be rare GEORGIA AREA (TH), 12 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS in the Athens area on 7
May (JMcN, et al.), 16 AMERICAN REDSTARTS in the
breeders in NE Georgia (Brown Creeper, Red- OSPREY THROUGH DUCKS – Rare for Murray Co. was an Athens area on 7 May (JMcN, et al.), three AMERICAN
breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned OSPREY on 15 May (JP). Two SWALLOW-TAILED KITES in REDSTARTS in Quitman Co. on 31 May (JSe, CL) which is
Bulloch Co. were a good spot on 27 May (BL) as was a further south than usual, and 14 PROTHONOTARY
Kinglet). late NORTHERN HARRIER in Burke Co. on 17 May (LS). WARBLERS in the Athens area on 28 May (JN). A number
Good counts of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS of SWAINSON’S WARBLERS were reported from around
The Atlanta area came in right on the averages included 40+ at the Altamaha Waterfowl Management the state with the peak count of eight coming from
with 162 species for the month (average = Area (AWMA) near Darien on 2-4 May (NF) and 17 in the Rabun Co. on 3 May (KB). Other interesting reports were
162.0) to bring the year-to-date list to 215 Savannah area on 7 May (JJ). Late duck reports were a 17 OVENBIRDS in Union Co. on 9 May (JF), a
single RING-NECKED DUCK at Vogel SP on 12 May (DF) CONNECTICUT WARBLER in Catoosa Co. on 2 May (DH),
(average = 214.8). The Georgia area came in and single RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS in Towns Co. single MOURNING WARBLERS (both on 9 May) in the
at 243 species (average = 234.0) to bring that on 12 May (MD) and in Catoosa Co. on 27 and 28 May Athens area (JMcN) and also at the Okefenokee Swamp
year-to-date list to 307 (average = 303.4) (DH). (SW, et al.), 19 HOODED WARBLERS in Union Co. on 9
GROUSE THROUGH TROPICBIRDS – A good sighting from May (JF), and 20 YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS in the
Fannin Co. was a RUFFED GROUSE on 16 May (JB). The Dawson Forest on 9 May (TH).
ATLANTA AREA last report of a PACIFIC LOON from Lake Richard B. SPARROWS THROUGH BUNTINGS – There were several
Russell was a bird seen there on 24 May (LS). Late for reports of LINCOLN’S SPARROWS being seen with one in
GEESE THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – A SNOW GOOSE, the coast was a HORNED GREBE at Ft. Pulaski on 15 May the Rome area on 2 May (fide SH), two in Union Co. on 4
reported several times during the winter and spring, was (GB, et al.). Pelagic species recorded from along the May (KB), one in Barrow Co. on 7 May (MF), and one in
still in Newton Co. on 24 May (PB, TMi). Very unusual for shore included a dead SOOTY SHEARWATER on Catoosa Co. on 12 May (DH). Single WHITE-CROWNED
an urban area was a NORTHERN BOBWHITE in Decatur Cumberland Island on 24 May (PL) and two WILSON’S SPARROWS were reported from Athens on 2 May (JMcN,
on 12 May (FL). Four WILD TURKEYS in northern Fulton STORM-PETRELS off Cumberland Island on 25 May (JF, RH), and one in Union Co. on 4 May (KB). TH had a good
Co. on 7 May were also unusual (PeM). PB and TMi had EH). A great pelagic trip out of Charleston, but primarily count of 24 INDIGO BUNTINGS in the Dawson Forest on 9
an ANHINGA in Walton Co. on 24 May and CLa, et al., had into Georgia waters, yielded the following species and May. A PAINTED BUNTING was out of its usual range in
three LEAST BITTERNS at the E.L. Huie Land Application counts: 32 BLACK-CAPPED PETRELS, one BERMUDA Jackson Co. on 2 May (fide JSe).
Facility (ELHLAF) on 3 May. An adult LITTLE BLUE HERON PETREL, two CORY’S SHEARWATERS, one GREATER
was seen in the Roswell area on 9 May (PeM). Back at SHEARWATER, one AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER, 28 DICKCISSEL THROUGH SISKIN – There were a number of
the ELHLAF, CLa, et al., had 36 COMMON MOORHENS on WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS, one WHITE-TAILED reports of DICKCISSELS with the peak count being three
3 May and JSe had a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on 22 TROPICBIRD and one RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD. If the to four in Oconee Co. on 18 May (MF, CLu). The peak
May. Up in Bartow Co. on 24 May, CT had two BAIRD’S BERMUDA PETREL is documented and accepted by the count of BOBOLINKS was “hundreds” at the Phinizy
SANDPIPERS and one female RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. Checklist Committee, it will be the first record for the Swamp in the Augusta area on 2 May (LS, et al.). There
state of GA. were also scattered reports of RED CROSSBILLS from the
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH THRUSHES – A WILLOW
mountain counties with the peak count of five plus
FLYCATCHER was first reported from Henderson Park in PELICANS THROUGH TERNS – A BROWN PELICAN was coming from Rabun Co. on 24 May (PMcL). Small
DeKalb Co. on 22 May (CM, et al.) and remained in the seen at the Walter F. George Dam on 30 May (JSe, CLa). numbers of PINE SISKINS were seen in the northern
area at least until 29 May (PMcL). The SCISSOR-TAILED Interesting heron sightings included a TRICOLORED counties through the end of the month (m.ob).
FLYCATCHER which has frequented the McDonough area HERON at the Phinizy Swamp on 2 May (LS, et al.), two
for the past few years was seen there on 9 May (DV). On TRICOLORED HERONS at the Eufaula NWR on 8 May (WC) CONTRIBUTORS – Jason Baumgardner, Giff Beaton,
1 May, GB, et al., counted 67 RED-EYED VIREOS at and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON in Hall Co. on 11 Brandon Best, Annette Bittaker, Ken Blankenship, Patrick
Kennesaw Mtn. National Battlefield Park (KMT) in Cobb May (ER). Rare for an inland area was a BLACK-NECKED Brisse, Joy Carter, Walt Chambers, Stan Chapman, Vickie
Co. CLa, et al., had an impressive count of 65 CAROLINA STILT in Morgan Co. on 7 May (JSe). A PURPLE DeLoach, Nate Diaz, Marion Dobbs, Doris Cohrs, Leonard
WRENS at the ELHLAF on 3 May. A GRAY-CHEEKED SANDPIPER was late at Tybee Island on 15 May (GB, et Dupree, Nathan Farnau, Jared Fisher, Jim Flynn, Dot
THRUSH seen at Henderson Park on 13 May was one of al.). Rare for the state were a BLACK-HEADED GULL at Freeman, Mark Freeman, Dan Furbish, Richard Hall, Phil
the very few reported this month (JSe). St. Catherines Island on 10 May (LHu) and an ARCTIC Hardy, Theresa Hartz, Andy Hester, David Hollie, Steve
TERN on Cumberland Island on 24 May (PL). Holzman, Earl Horn, Liz Horsey, Lisa Hurt, Jim Jackson,
WARBLERS – Good counts of warblers at the KMT
Tim Keyes, Carol Lambert, Fred Land, Vanessa Lane,
included 15 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, 26 FLYCATCHERS THROUGH KINGLETS – KB found as many Patrick Leary, Bill Lotz, Carole Ludwig, Jeff Madsen,
PALM WARBLERS and 47 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, all on as five LEAST FLYCATCHERS in Rabun Co. on 3 May. A Steve Mammoser, John McClatchey, Patty McLean, Joel
1 May, by GB, et al. At Henderson Park, JSe found two female SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was reported from McNeal, Mark McShane, Kathy Miller, Terry Miller,
CONNECTICUT WARBLERS on 13 May, and the birds McDuffie Co. on 8 May (LD). JF had a good count of 28 Darlene Moore, Pamela Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore,
remained in the area at least until 26 May (JSe). Another RED-EYED VIREOS in Union Co. on 9 May. JSe and CLa Charlie Muise, James Neves, Sandy Pangle, Johnny
CONNECTICUT WARBLER was found at the CNN Center found large numbers of CLIFF SWALLOW nests in SW GA Parks, Irvin Pitts, Ed Rigel, Tim Rose, Chuck Saleeby, Lynn
on 28 May (JM). A single MOURNING WARBLER was on 30 – 31 May with a total count of about 150 nests or Schlup, Jeff Sewell, Steve Slayton, Lois Stacey, Luke and
found at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in DeKalb so. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are proving to be Karen Theodorou, Cindy Tobin, Dan Vickers, and Sheila
Co. on 20 May by JSe. CLa, et al., had a good count of rather uncommon breeders in north GA with as many as Willis.
24 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS at the ELHLAF on 3 May. seven birds found in Rabun Co. on 3 May (KB). In addition
Reports of WILSON’S WARBLERS were a single bird at to the Rabun Co. birds, one was found in Fannin Co. on Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Ct., Roswell, GA 30075 –
KMT on 8 May (SC), in Atlanta on 9 May (DF) and at 29 May (JP). Rather interesting was a BROWN-HEADED [email protected]
Henderson Park on 13 May (PMcL). NUTHATCH found at 2700 feet in Union Co. on 9 May
(JF). Another uncommon to rare breeder in north GA is

4 Atlanta Audubon Society

 June Field Notes by Terry Moorez

GEORGIA AREA documented nesting of the species in Georgia (KB, DV,

RC).
WHISTLING-DUCKS THROUGH EGRETS – Although the
The most interesting sightings
Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area (AWMA) near WARBLERS THROUGH SISKINS – Interesting warbler
during the month came from reports included one BLUE-WINGED WARBLER in the
Darien consistently reports the largest numbers of
northern Georgia where some BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS, there were some Dawson Forest on 14 June (PMcL), an adult and
of the rarer breeding species were reports from other locations. which included four birds young BLUE-WINGED WARBLER at Piedmont NWR on
noted. They included Red-breasted in the Thomasville area on 5 or 6 June (YS), one bird 21 June (PMcL, KM), five singing male BLACK-
Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter at Reed Bingham State Park on 7 June (MMa, WS) THROATED GREEN WARBLERS at Pine Mt. in Harris
Wren, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. Nesting and four in the Albany area on 14 June (MMa, WS). Co. on 2 June (WC), two CERULEAN WARBLERS on Ivy
Two very odd duck sightings were a GREEN-WINGED Log Gap Road in Rabun Co. on 8 June (MD, SB), a
was confirmed for the Golden-crowned Kinglet
TEAL in Macon on 12 June (TI, KC) and a RED- SWAINSON’S WARBLER in Lamar Co. on 7 June (JSe,
as photos were taken of a couple of young CL), four OVENBIRDS in Emanuel Co. on 7 June (MH)
BREASTED MERGANSER in Catoosa Co. on 1 June
birds. Way to go! (DH). On a 14 June pelagic trip out from Tybee Island, and one OVENBIRD at Yuchi WMA in Burke Co. on 13
The Atlanta area reported 104 species KB. et al.. reported one CORY’S SHEARWATER, two June (LS). Good sparrow and bunting counts were 20
WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS and two NORTHERN BACHMAN’S SPARROWS in the Albany area on 22
(average = 107.0) to bring the year-to-date list
GANNETS. REDDISH EGRETS were seen both on Jekyll June (DM, et al,), 12 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS in
to 216 species (average = 217.6). The Georgia Murray Co. on 13 June (TH, GS), and 100 INDIGO
Island and Gould’s Inlet during the month by many
area found 185 species (average = 181.9) to observers. BUNTINGS in the Albany area on 22 June (DM, et al.).
bring that year-to-date list to 309 (average = DICKCISSELS were widely reported with the most
309.0). SPOONBILLS THROUGH GULLS – There were a interesting report of four in Murray Co. on 13 June
number of reports of ROSEATE SPOONBILLS from (TH, GS). Winter holdovers were a PURPLE FINCH in
along the coast with the peak count of 17 coming Dawson Co. on 3 June (GS) and a PINE SISKIN in
ATLANTA AREA from the Marshes of Glynn Park in Brunswick on 13 Fannin Co. on 3 June (TS).
June (JSe et al.). That, however, was somewhat
DUCKS THROUGH FALCONS – An interesting report eclipsed by the number of inland sightings which CONTRIBUTORS – Teresa Adkins, Daina Bazemor,
from the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) included one bird in Bulloch Co. on or about 5 June Annette Bittaker, Sterling Blanchard, Ken Blankenship,
in Clayton Co. was two female HOODED through at least 12 June (BBr), two birds in Miller Co. Brenda Brannen, Patrick Brisse, Rachel Cass, Walt
MERGANSERS seen there on 18 June (CL). Also seen on 6 and 12 June (TA), one bird in Atkinson Co. on 13 Chambers, Ken Cheeks, Ken Clark, Mark Davis,
at the ELHLAF (Newman’s Wetlands) on 13 June was June (AB) and five birds back in Miller Co. on 22 June Nathan Farnau, Jim Flynn, Theresa Hartz, Mal Hodges,
a WOOD STORK (CL). OSPREYS are rather rare along (DM, BL). CM had two WOOD STORKS in Dooly Co. David Hollie, Liz Horsey, Pierre Howard, Ty Ivey, Carol
the Chattahoochee River this far north so a report of and one in Houston Co., both on 9 June. Rare for the Lambert, Zelia Lebeau, Steve Livingstone, Bill Lotz,
seven near North Springs High School in north Atlanta immediate coastal area was a MISSISSIPPI KITE at the Jeff Madsen, Melissa Martin, Patty McLean, Mark
on 21 June was quite interesting (ZL). There were Marshes of Glynn Park on 13 June. (JSe, et al.). An McShane, Max Medley, Kathy Miller, Darlene Moore,
definitely young birds involved, but whether this immature BALD EAGLE was an interesting sighting in Peggy and Terry Moore, Charlie Muise, Johnny Parks,
represented one or two nests is unknown. A possible Gilmer Co. on 5 June (NS) as was a PEREGRINE Jeff Sewell, Wayne Schaffner, Georgann Schmalz,
rare dark morph of the BROAD-WINGED HAWK was FALCON at Rabun Bald on 12 June (PH). Other good Nedra Sekera, Regi Sonnen, Lois Stacey, Yvonne
seen and photographed at Lake Allatoona on 27 June sightings were three pairs of WILSON’S PLOVERS at Stimson, Tom Striker, Deanna Taylor, Lydia Thompson,
(DT). Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen over Jekyll Island, each with a single chick, and a RING- Kathy Tickner, Dan Vickers, Gene Wilkinson, and Victor
downtown Atlanta on 4 June (LH). and a single bird BILLED GULL in Gordon Co. on 28 June (MMe). Williams.
was seen in the same general location the next day
(JM). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH KINGLETS – Interesting Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Ct., Roswell, GA 30075
flycatcher reports were a couple of WILLOW – [email protected]
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH DICKCISSELS – A WILLOW FLYCATCHERS in Blairsville on 6 June (MMcS), two to
FLYCATCHER was a rare find in Henry Co. on 27 June three LEAST FLYCATCHERS in Rabun Co. on 6 June
(HG, PB). LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES are an uncommon to (MMcS, JSe) and an adult SCISSOR-TAILED
rare sighting in the Atlanta area. This month we had FLYCATCHER in Murray Co. on 13 June (TH, GS). PH
three reports: on 7 June JF had three birds in Coweta had an impressive count of eight COMMON RAVENS
Co., on 10 June VW saw one in Bartow Co. and on 28 at Rabun Bald on 12 June. There were a number of
June, T&PM saw one in Henry Co. This last sighting reports of species which make Georgia their

Name the six

was significant in that TM has been running this southernmost breeding location. The species are RED-
Breeding Bird Survey route for 34 years and has
Q: most widely
BREASTED NUTHATCH (reported from Rabun and
consistently recorded LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES

distributed land
Fannin counties plus the Cohutta Wilderness Area), a What species
somewhere along the route. Always good birds for the recently dethroned
bird species that
BROWN CREEPER (Rabun Co.), WINTER WREN
Atlanta area were one to two DICKCISSELS in the Arctic Tern as
breedmigration?
on every
(Brasstown Bald) and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET
Spalding Co. on 7 June (JSe, CL) and several birds in the bird with the
continent except
(Dade and Rabun counties). One of the GOLDEN-
Bartow Co. during the month (m.ob.). longest
Antarctica.
CROWNED KINGLETS which was found in Rabun Co.
on 20 June was carrying food and was photographed
with young birds, which provided the first See page ___ for the answer
See last page for answer

September 2009 Answer: Sooty 5

Shearwater
 Field Trips Compiled by Stan Chapman

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

If you have some expertise in birding and leadership and are interested in leading a bird walk, please e-mail the
field trip coordinator, Stan Chapman at [email protected].

Wednesday, Sunday and Thursday, September.

September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 September 6 and 17 Directions: From Atlanta, take I-75 S beyond I-
Henderson Park, Tucker, DeKalb County Clyde Shepherd Nature Center, Decatur, 285 to Exit 235, US 19/41/Tara Blvd. Drive south for
Hugh Garrett will be leading Wednesday walks at DeKalb County 8.2 mi. to and turn left on Freeman Rd. The
this park throughout September and October. Lisa Hurt Newman Wetlands Center is 2.2 mi. on the right.
Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot. Bring Meet at 8 AM at the entrance at corner of Pine
waterproof and sturdy footwear for walking on Bluff Drive and Wood Trail Lane. Saturday, September 19
muddy, wet and/or hilly terrain. Sometimes the trails are wet, so it is advisable to Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee National
Birding focus: Henderson Park has a lake, some have waterproof footwear. Recreation Area
marshy areas and woods. It has been a great site Birding focus: Clyde Shepherd has boardwalks Ken Blankenship
in recent years for fall migration. Birds found in over the wetlands with an observation deck and Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot of the
September have included Yellow-bellied wooded paths along the creek. It can be excellent Interstate North Parkway entrance to Cochran
Flycatcher, Golden-winged Warbler and sometimes for migrants and hawks and may have Wood Ducks Shoals. There is a $3 parking fee (or annual pass)
hundreds of Tennessee Warblers among many and herons if enough water is present. at this site. Bring waterproof footwear for walking
others. Directions: From I-285 N or S on the east side of on wet grass.
Directions: From downtown Atlanta: Take Atlanta: Take Exit 39A, Hwy.78/Stone Mtn. Birding focus: Cochran Shoals has a diverse
I-75/85 N to I-85 N to Exit 96, Northcrest/ Freeway west toward Decatur. Hwy.78 merges with habitat of river, fields and forest that is very
Pleasantdale Rd. After traveling a short distance Lawrenceville Hwy/US 29) and passes North attractive to many species of migrant birds. It is
on the access road, turn right onto Pleasantdale DeKalb Mall, after which it changes to Scott Blvd. one of the best places in Atlanta to see Red-
Rd., which becomes Tucker Norcross Rd. and then Just past the QT station on the right, take headed Woodpeckers, Great Blue Herons, and
Chamblee Tucker Rd. (CTR), heading south. Keep Harrington Rd. for 0.6 mi., turn right onto Wood many uncommon birds have been found there
going straight on CTR south and do not make a Trail Lane and follow Wood Trail Lane until it during recent fall migrations. For detailed
right turn onto CTR going west. Do not turn onto makes a 90 degree turn to the left and becomes descriptions, see Ken Blankenship’s website
Livsey Drive, but rather turn right onto Livsey Pine Bluff. From downtown Atlanta: Take I-75/I- www.wingsoverga.com/CobbCountyBirdingSites.ht
Road, which is 2.9 mi. from the intersection of I-85 85 N to I-85 N to Exit 89, North Druid Hills Rd. ml#CochranShoals.
access and Pleasantdale (a small brown sign for Turn right at the end of the exit ramp to go east Directions: From I-75/85: take I-285 to Exit 22,
Henderson Park is at the turn.) Follow Livsey Rd. toward Decatur. North DeKalb Mall will be on the Northside/Powers Ferry Rd. Going west on I-285,
until it ends and turn left into the park. Pass a right after approx. 3 mi. At that point, turn right turn right at the first traffic light onto Interstate
parking lot on the left and just past the soccer onto Lawrenceville Hwy. and follow directions North Pkwy. Stay on this road as it curves west
field, turn into the parking lot on the right, 0.3 mi. above. through an intersection and crosses the river to
from the park entrance. the parking lot immediately on right. Going east
Tuesday and Thursday, on I-285, continue east at the exit to the second
Saturday, September 5 September 8 and 10 traffic light, then turn left (north) and cross the
Piedmont Park (City of Atlanta) Sponsored by Georgann Schmalz bridge over I-285 and continue through the traffic
the Piedmont Park Conservancy and AAS Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, light on the other side onto Interstate North Pkwy.,
Marilyn Harris and Marcia Klenbort Atlanta Tract, Dawsonville, Dawson County then continue with instructions above.
Meet at 8 AM at Piedmont Park Conservancy Meet at 8 AM at the wetlands just inside the gate.
Community Room, Birding focus: Dawson Forest is an outstanding Saturday, September 19 and 26
Piedmont Ave. and 12th St. location for wetland birds, fall migrants and Wednesday, September 23 and 30
Children accompanied by a parent are invited. arriving winter residents. It is one of the best Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park,
Birding focus: This trip is an excellent way for locations in north Georgia for warblers and Stilesboro Rd., Kennesaw, Cobb County
beginners to learn about early fall migrants found sparrows. Giff Beaton and/or Chuck Saleeby
in the forest and adjacent pond. Directions: From I-285 Atlanta: Go north on GA Meet at 7:30 AM at the entrance to the mountain
Directions: From south of Atlanta: Take 400 for 36.6 mi. Turn left on Dawson Forest Rd. at road adjacent to the parking lot.
I-75/85 connector north to Exit 249B/Pine St. Go the North Georgia Premium Outlet, which is 6.6 Birding focus: Kennesaw Mountain is one of the
straight on Pine, crossing Peachtree St. Turn left mi. past Hwy. 369. (Hwy. 369 is the first traffic light best places in the eastern United States to find fall
on Piedmont Ave. Travel about 1 mi. to 12th St. on GA 400.) Drive 3.9 mi. along Dawson Forest Rd. migrants in September, including warblers,
From northwest of Atlanta: Take I-75 S. to Exit to GA 9 and continue for another 1.5 mi. to the tanagers, vireos, thrushes and flycatchers.
250/16th St. Go straight, crossing 14th St. Follow gate into Dawson Forest WMA. Directions: From Atlanta: Take I-75 N to Exit 269,
the signs to 10th St. Turn left on 10th St. Travel 0.5 Barrett Pkwy. Go west on Barrett Pkwy.
mi. to Piedmont Ave. Go left and travel about 1 mi. Saturday, September 12 approximately two mi. to Old Route 41 and take a
to 12th St. From northeast of downtown: Take I- Newman Wetlands Center and E.L. Huie Land left. (Look for a little brown sign on the right at
85 S to Exit 84/17th St. Continue straight, crossing Application Facility, Clayton County that intersection pointing left to the battlefield.)
14th St. Follow directions above. From MARTA Jeff Sewell and Carol Lambert Go 1.3 mi. and turn right on Stilesboro Rd., then a
Arts Center station, walk south 1.5 mi. to 14th St., Meet at 8 AM at the parking lot of the Newman quick left into the visitor center parking lot.
turn left (east) and walk two blocks to Piedmont Wetlands Center, 2755 Freeman Rd., Hampton.
Ave., then turn right and walk south two blocks to Birding focus: Newman has a boardwalk through
12th St. the wetlands adjacent to forest habitat. Huie is an
excellent site for birds of ponds and open areas,
and interesting shorebirds are often seen in

6 Atlanta Audubon Society

 2009 Tour Properties
Get ready for an amazing This year the tour is between
Peachtree City and Downtown Fayetteville.
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary #1 214 Smokerise Trace, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269
Tour south of the city! This three-acre property is owned by a Georgia Certified Land
Professional and Georgia Master Gardener. Over 125 bird speci
have been recorded by its birding enthusiast owner (605 life
count). A one-acre hardwood forest on the property plus a 10-
adjacent forest harbor additional species of birds/mammals/re
#2 233 Smokerise Trace, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269
This acre and a half professionally maintained property has a
attraction a backyard almost completely consisting of the mos
beautifully constructed waterfalls, ponds and meandering cree
Atlanta Audubon Society Be prepared to be delighted by this whimsical garden.
proudly presents the #3 Two Doves Farm, 380 Ebenezer Church Road, Fayetteville,
Georgia 30215
Walk these 15 acres in the heart of Fayette County and see th
2009 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour progress being made as these owners work hard to preserve our
natural resources and our environment while growing organic
Saturday, September 12th, 2009 vegetables. You can purchase native plants and and take
produce
home some ideas of plants to grown in your own gardens.
9am – 4pm
#4 Sams Lake Bird Sanctuary, Old Senoia Road, Fayetteville,
Georgia 30214
Special features include two HGTV featured gardens, including Ferrol Fayette County’s newest nature preserve is a 56-acre delight
senses built on land donated by Drs. Ferrol and Helen Sams of
Sams’ property, an organic farm where you can purchase produce Fayetteville. The lake area hosts many species of birds and
and plants, a breath-taking nature preserve and backyard sanctuaries birds’ nests.

with water features

more!and #5 Turnipseed Nursery Farms, 685 Glynn Street South, Fayetteville,
Georgia 30214
Formerly a working farm, the ten acres have evolved into a wo
way to show folks how flowers and trees can look in a garden
Ticket price: $15 on the day of the tour or Walk around the lake where Green Herons return to raise their
and watch out for the Kingfisher. Enjoy the swans,
$12 in advance and for AAS members then take in the sculptures and artwork created by its
(Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult) owner on show in the garden area. The nursery was
founded in 1936, but it is now only open to the public
Buy your advance tickets right away by
With support from: in the spring.
calling our office at 678-973-2437. S #6 355 Beauregard Blvd, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214
Superlatives fail to describe this incredible 30-plus
You can pay for your tickets over the phone using your credit card, and
natural woodland garden. The gardens may well
we will either email you a pdf. ticket to run off or mail you a ticketacre
to bring
be the oldest in the County and have been featured
the day of the event. On the tickets
day ofwill
the be
tour,
available on HGTV’s “A Gardener’s Diary.” Famed novel-
only at our primary ticket sites—214 Smokerise Trace and 355 ist, Ferrol Sams, and his wife Helen have only
4055 Roswell Road
Beauregard Boulevard
. TICKETS PURCHASES ARE LIMITED to once before opened their gardens to the Atlanta,
public. GA 30342
these two sites or in advance. 678-973-2437
www.atlantaaudubon.org
 Driving Directions:
Please visit the sanctuaries in either order!
Tickets will only be on sale at sites #1 and #6 on the day of the tour.

To start near Peachtree City: To start near Fayetteville:

Take I-85 south from downtown Atlanta and take exit 61/GA74, go left. Drive 7.5 miles and Take I-75 south from downtown Atlanta and get off at Exit 237A/GA85 and head south
turn left onto N. Peachtree Pkwy. Go almost 1 mile and turn left onto Tinsley Mill Road, turn left to Riverdale. Drive 13.5 miles then turn right onto Beauregard Blvd. Sanctuary #6 355
onto Smokerise Trace. Sanctuaries #1 and #2 are about a half mile on the right. Continue along Beauregard Blvd is on your right. Pull in to the driveway and park on the grass. Continue
Smokerise Trace, turn left onto Smokerise Point/Sumner Rd. At GA54/Lanier Ave (a 4 lane south on Beauregard Blvd and turn left onto Grady Avenue. Turn right onto GA85/Glynn Street.
road), turn left and then right onto Ebenezer Road. Drive just over a mile and turn left onto Sanctuary #5 685 Glynn Street is on your right. Turn in and park in the first parking lot.
Ebenezer Church Road. Sanctuary #3 will be on your right. Go up the long driveway and park Continue south on GA85/Glynn Street and turn right onto Ramah Road. At the stop turn left
at the house. Leave the farm, turn right out of the driveway and turn left at the stop sign onto onto Redwine Road then left again onto Old Senoia Road. Sams Lake Sanctuary #4 is on
Redwine Road. Turn right onto Hawn Road, and at the 3-way stop turn right onto Old Senoia your left. Turn right out of Sams Lake and turn left onto Hawn Road. At the stop, turn left onto
Road. Sanctuary #4 is about a 14 mile on your left. Turn right out of Sams Lake and then right Redwine Road. Turn right onto Ebenezer Church Road and look for Sanctuary #3 on your left.
onto Redwine Road. Turn right onto Ramah Road and left onto GA85/Glynn Street. Sanctuary Come up the long driveway and park up at the house. Leaving the farm, turn left onto Ebenezer
#5, Turnipseed Nursery Farms, 685 Glynn Street will be on your left, park in the first parking lot. Church Road. Turn right onto Ebenezer Road then left onto GA54 east/Lanier Ave. Drive a
Turn right out of the parking lot head south and turn right on Ramah Road. At the stop turn right half mile and turn right onto Sumner Rd/Smokerise Point. After just over a half mile, turn right
on Redwine Rd, which changes names to Beauregard Blvd. Turn left into Sanctuary #6 355 onto Smokerise Trace. Sanctuaries #1 and #2 are both about another half mile down on
Beauregard Blvd and park on the grass. To continue to I-75 follow Beauregard to the stop. Smokerise Trace. To return to Atlanta on I-85 continue along Smokerise Trace, go right on
Turn left onto GA85 and drive 13.5 miles north to join I-75 north to Atlanta. Tinsley Mill Rd, right on the N. Peachtree Pkwy, and right onto GA74/Joel Cowan Pkwy, which
takes you to I-85 exit 61.

Have Trouble Reading the Small Text of the Directions? Visit our Web site at www.atlantaaudubon.org for a LARGE TEXT printable version of the map and directions.
Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
Spotlighting... Pam Higginbotham
By David Kuechenmeister TIME
Pam Higginbotham is in
our “volunteer spotlight”
When Pam’s husband learned about the Hawk Watch
in Cape May, New Jersey, he took her there for their Well Spent
for the September 2009 vacation in 1999. Then, in 2000, Pam went back to
edition of Wingbars. Cape May for the week-long hawk identification
Compiled by Pam Higginbotham
When asked how she got class with Pete Dunne and Pat and Clay Sutton. The This month our volunteering efforts
hooked on volunteering following year, Pam went to Veracruz, Mexico, with concentrate on the Backyard Wildlife
for AAS, Pam explained, the Suttons to see the unforgettable “River of Sanctuary Tour, Atlanta Audubon Society’s
“a long-time friend from Raptors” and has been hooked on birding ever since. annual event that features some of the
Fernbank Museum of Pam has also been to Ecuador, the Galapagos finest backyards in our Backyard Wildlife
Natural History Islands, Alaska, Trinidad/Tobago, southeast Arizona, Sanctuary program. Dedicated volunteers
recommended me to Carl Newfoundland and Colorado (Prairie Chickens) on contribute a considerable amount of time
Pam Higginbotham Tyler five years ago. Carl, her quest to see the unseen and build her “life list.” and effort to make this successful venture
Photographer: Diane Jones then AAS’s volunteer Pam lives in the Northlake-Tucker area close to possible year after year. Two hundred and
director, charmed me Henderson Park, but her favorite and most frequent thirty-four hours (234) hours were devoted
into volunteering for AAS, and I’ve been place to bird is her backyard where she has recently to our 2008 tour.
volunteering ever since.” In addition to serving on been enjoying baby Cooper’s Hawks begging for
the Volunteer Committee and Field Trips Committee, food. Last year, Pam had her yard certified as a Jacqueline McRae is heading up our
Pam keeps track of all volunteer hours for AAS. You Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary by AAS. Sanctuary program, and there are many
might say she’s a “volunteer’s volunteer.” This is a certifiers and volunteers who support her
Pam has been lucky enough to participate in the and AAS—not only in making the annual
vital function for the viability of AAS, as the World Series of Birding five times and has many
information Pam tracks is needed to document tours possible—but also in certifying
fond memories of this event. During one such event, backyards all over metro Atlanta all year
volunteer commitment when AAS applies for grant Pam fondly recalls an amazing and unforgettable every year. These committed volunteers
money. “All hours are important to document,” Pam owl encounter. “It was about 10 PM and we had not contributed an additional 256 hours last
points out. “The name of each volunteer can be kept seen or heard any Barred Owls, although we were in year in evaluating and advising
confidential, if requested, and committee chairs are an area where one of my teammates knew Barred homeowners what’s best for our feathered
responsible for tracking all hours in their area and Owls were present. Two of my teammates started friends and other wildlife.
sending that information to me on a monthly basis.” hooting to see if we could get a response. Did we
Pam then enters the information into a spreadsheet ever! I felt the air move over my head ever so Thanks to all of the following for jobs well
and sorts it according to the volunteer director’s slightly, then we heard a Barred Owl call. We looked done:
needs. Pam also gathers volunteer information from at each other and asked the ‘human hooters’ if they
Georgia Birders Online (GABO), from critical Anita Chilcutt Marge Igyarto
had hooted ... and no one had. Then we felt another
function sheets that are collected by the AAS staff Barb Battalion Marilyn Harris
bit of air move and, directly over our heads, BOTH
and from the executive director’s monthly reports. owls started calling. Not to be outdone, two more Carol Hassell Martina Gosha
When it comes to birds and birding, Pam stated, “I’ve Barred Owls came in and the four owls proceeded to Carol Vanderschaaf Mary Kelly
always loved birds and continue to feed them in my do their ‘monkey chatter’ calls within 10 feet of Dave Chamberlain Nanette Dooley
backyard, but I’ve only been into ‘serious’ birding for where we stood. Magic ... pure magic.” Nathalie Kinkade
Mr. & Mrs.
about 10 years.” When Pam and her husband would Pam, we’re going to take a cue from the owls and Eddie Hatchett Page McDonald
drive to visit her in-laws who lived in Elberton, give a heartfelt HOOT to you! Thanks for all your Pat Sully
Georgia, they had a great way to pass the Frank Hiller
important contributions to AAS, especially in Patricia Williams
time. “We loved to count hawks along keeping up with all the volunteer hours that are so Gary Wehner
the way and 31 was our record.” Penny Stanley
important to our organization! Georgann Schmalz
Renee Hopf
Georgie Ferraro
Russ Mikan
Graham McDonald
Sally Davis
A Million Thanks! Jackie Miller
Jacqueline McRae
Sally Hodges
Sharon Brekke
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers. Jane Blaisdell
As always, we extend our gratitude to ALL of our volunteers, but would like to Stephanie Hart
Janelle Kovner
send a special thank you to the following individuals this month. Steve Phenicie
Janet Sage
Susan Bruenig
A big thank you goes to Carl Tyler for donating a beautiful Audubon print of Joni Atkinson
Red-headed Woodpeckers to AAS for our new office. It is a wonderful addition to Suzanne Norman
Joy Carter
our space, and we are extremely grateful. Another big thank you goes out to Stella Tom Blaisdell
Joyce Bentley
Wissner for donating a printer, which will be used by our new education coordinator, Judy Renault
Tom Painter
Emily Toriani-Moura. Kathy Phillips
Victor Williams
Many thanks to Anita Chilcutt for helping Sally Davis set up our new library at the Blue Heron Leona Munch
Nature Preserve. Anita helped unbox and organize many books and reference materials. Thanks, Anita! Leslie Curran
New board members, Beth Giddens and JoAnn Jordan, have really hit the ground running. Besides
serving on the board and helping to rewrite our mission statement, Beth and JoAnn have done a * If we have overlooked anyone, please let
tremendous amount of work helping to publicize our 2009 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour. Thanks us know so that can correct our oversight.
so much.

September 2009 9
 Singin’ in the Rain: Warblers in Drizzly Weather
By Mary Ann Hindes
Eight intrepid participants endured rainy weather in mid May to hear and see some
marvelous singers who were flitting and dancing in the verdant woods and fields of north
Georgia. No, we didn’t see Debbie Reynolds or Gene Kelly, but the soggy group of determined
birders netted 82 species including 19 species of warblers. We especially enjoyed the
performances of the Swainson’s Warber on Burrells Ford and the Worm-eating Warbler on Ivy
Log Gap Road.
The excellent leaders of the AAS Warbler Workshop, Leslie Curran and Thersa Hartz, were
quite surprised at the tenacity of the participants among whom were plant as well as birding
enthusiasts. The orange flame azaleas and the mountain laurel were in full bloom, and when
we weren’t birding, we were identifying plants. The trip for some even included a trip to a
Warbler Weekend Participants
Photographer: Joann King
well-stocked nursery in Blairsville.
The group’s love of birding was certainly evident, and I found it wonderful that one of the
participants had plans to take her ten-year-old grandson to Michigan specifically to see the Kirtland’s Warbler, a rare and
endangered member of the wood warbler (Parulidae) family.
Atlanta Audubon workshops are a great way to learn about migratory birds as well as resident birds. A Warbler Workshop, ably
taught by Giff Beaton, preceded the weekend of birding. His slides and handouts prepared the class for the outing in north
Georgia. Don’t miss out on these marvelous and educational birding opportunities. Visit the AAS website for information on
upcoming trips—the early bird gets the worm.

Master Birder Program Fall 2009

DATES: October 13 to November 19, Each Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
FIELD TRIPS: Each Saturday Oct. 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14
The Master Birder Program for fall 2009 will be conducted at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta. The
course fee of $210 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon ($240 non-members) includes lectures, textbook, audio CDs and all other
materials and handouts.
This is an introductory course in ornithology and is designed to provide participants with bird identification skills and general
knowledge of birds, their life histories and habitat requirements. The Master Birder Program contains eleven two-and-one-half
hour lectures and five Saturday field trips. Participants are expected to attend all lectures and field activities. Upon graduation,
each Master Birder is expected to complete volunteer service for Atlanta Audubon 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 and bird
conservation.
For information and questions, e-mail Georgann Schmalz at [email protected] or call 404.245.7273.
To register, send your check payable to Atlanta Audubon Society, Master Birder Program, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.
Please include the information below:
! !
Master Birder Program Fall 2009

NAME _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
PHONE Home: __________________________________________ Cell: ______________________________________________

E-MAIL ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OCCUPATION __________________________________________________________________________________________________

SPECIFIC AREAS OF INTEREST _________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Bird Artistry by Beth Giddens

Marilyn Harris Paints Birds

from Travels and Home
“I enjoy the process of painting birds,” Nicaragua the Golden-winged Warbler and Collared Trogon were
says Marilyn Harris, a longtime AAS added to her life list and painting oeuvre. Marilyn has also taken
member and volunteer with the birding trips to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico and, most
Learning About Birds program for recently, to Trinidad where she saw a nocturnal Oilbird.
school children. Currently, part of the Marilyn is also inspired by the birds in her yard. She has painted
process involves Tuesday evening several pieces that include a “Goddess of the Birds,” a standing
painting sessions at the North Decatur goddess figure with a bird head surrounded by local birds such
Presbyterian Church on Medlock as a Scarlet Tanager, Painted Bunting, Eastern Bluebird, White-
Road, where she joins other artists breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee. In
like Woody Hickcox to work on a landscape version using the goddess motif, a woman is seated
projects and technique. In the last in a garden with resident birds perched close by on tree limbs;
year, her work has resulted in a set of all gaze toward the goddess figure located in a niche in the
charming note cards featuring garden wall. No doubt this piece comments on the serenity and
reproductions of her paintings. They enjoyment that watching birds in the backyard offer to many of
Marilyn Harris attest to the simple wonder people
Photographer: Beth Giddens us.
bring to watching birds; at turns the
paintings feature birds’ distinctive Retired from a career of teaching writing and literature at the
shapes and plumage or observers’ rapt attention as they gaze at high school and college levels, Marilyn has pursued painting and
the birds nearby. travel. Painting birds with watercolors and, these days, with
acrylics because they offer “eye-popping color” has proved to be
The subjects for her realistic watercolors of birds often come both fun and rewarding. To see a selection of Marilyn’s paintings
from her travels. Her trip to Panama led to paintings of the Long- go to her Picasa page at http://picasaweb.google.com/
tailed Silky Flycatcher and Resplendent Quetzal. In Ecuador she marilynsbirds/PaintingsForCards?feat=email.
saw and then painted a Blue-throated Sabrewing, and in

Annual Merritt Island Birding Trip

The Atlanta Audubon Society will again sponsor a two manatee, Bald Eagle, Wood Stork, gopher tortoise and
day/three night trip to Merritt Island National Wildlife eastern indigo snake. Combined with the Canaveral
Refuge in Titusville, Florida, on January 15, 16 and 17, 2010. National Seashore, the refuge supports the world’s largest
Located east of Titusville, Merritt Island has the distinction population of Florida Scrub Jays. Offering varied birding
of being the home of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310
Canaveral National Seashore and a national species of birds. The field trips around the
wildlife refuge. refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is the second and wading birds. There will be opportunities
largest refuge in Florida. With its surrounding to view other species such as rails, Florida
waters, this refuge offers a sanctuary for an Scrub Jays and other wildlife.
abundance of plants and animals from both The trip leaders will be Theresa Hartz and
temperate and tropical climate zones. Along its Lisa Hurt. The cost of the trip (NOT including
western edge is the Indian River Lagoon, North food or lodging) will be $175 for Friends of
America’s longest and most biologically diverse estuary. Atlanta Audubon members; $205 for NAS-assigned
The refuge consists of 140,000 acres of salt marsh, members; $230 for non-members. This trip is limited to 12
freshwater impoundments, brackish estuaries, hardwood people. There will be a pre-trip orientation meeting and
hammocks, pine flatwoods and scrub. Due to the diverse short workshop on Sunday, December 6, at the AAS office
habitats, Merritt Island remains unsurpassed as a refuge for at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve from 3 to 5 PM.
endangered wildlife. It supports more threatened and For reservations or more information contact Lisa Hurt by
endangered animals (21 species) than any other single phone or email: [email protected]; 770.934.7660.
refuge in the continental U.S., including the Florida Your payment will confirm your reservation.

September 2009 11
 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 678.973.2437 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].

Available Now and For a Limited Time!!

Atlanta Audubon Society’s Special Pajaro Original Field Bag
We are pleased to present this field bag—with a special AAS patch sewn onto the flap by the folks
at Pajaro. It is perfect for any birder, naturalist or hiker and a great way to show off your support
for Atlanta Audubon Society.

The Original Pajaro Field Bag is perfect for carrying binoculars, field guides, travel books, compact
camera, maps, checklists and so much more. The always-handy field bag is equipped with easy-to-
use pockets: full-size pocket in back of field bag holds trail maps, etc; secret pocket inside flap seals
with Velcro; main pocket holds large binoculars or field guides; front pocket is ideal for field
guides, notepads or trail map; and zippered, expandable front pocket holds compact binoculars or
small camera or film.
Order your field bag today! Coordinators needed for
It makes an amazing gift and is a great way to support our organization.
Holiday Party and Silent Auction
Price: $34.95 each We need an assistant for our Holiday Party volunteer to help
Available in green/black and as a waist pack or locate a restaurant and choose a menu for our annual
shoulder bag with belt loop December event. The AAS staff will handle the reservations
and the restaurant will handle the food and setup.
Call the AAS office at 678-973-2437
to place your order (credit cards accepted). We need two to three people to help our volunteer with the
Should be available for pick-up in approximately 3-4 weeks.
Each field bag comes with We will order the bags in groups and the manufacturer will sew auction. This is an important fundraiser for Atlanta Audubon
this special AAS patch on the patches and ship them back to us. Society, so help us make it another successful event.

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When You Come

To The Mountains -
Ask about the new Birder’s Guide to Fannin County!
We feature Cole’s seed,
squirrel-proof feeders
Bird Songs of Georgia
that truly are, houses,
hummingbird stuff,
CD now available.
great books, Audubon
optics, & hard to find Email Georgann Schmalz at
hardware. Plus – 100’s
of Ravensburger Puzzles, [email protected] or visit
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selection of educational
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Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards

611 E. Main St. • Blue Ridge, GA 30513
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12 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Georgia’s Common Birds in Decline
Brown Thrasher
In Georgia, the Brown Thrasher has declined 35% over the defender of its nest, even striking people and other animals hard enough to draw
past 40 years and is slowly declining throughout most of its blood. In the past, farmers believed that the breeding of the Brown Thrasher was a
range. TIME
signal of the arrival of spring and a sign to begin planting crops.
The Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum, is a large, rusty-
brown bird with white underparts and heavy black streaking,
Well Spent
The Brown Thrasher has a special place in Georgia’s heart. In 1928 Georgia’s
school children selected the bird to represent the state. Seven years later the
and a distinctive yellow eye that helps distinguish it from the Governor of Georgia signed a proclamation declaring it the official state bird, and in
Wood Thrush. Males and females look alike. The Brown 1970 the Georgia General Assembly officially adopted it.
Thrasher is one of the mimic birds, like the Northern Leroy Giles is fortunate to have a resident Brown Thrasher that he’s been
Determined Brown Mockingbird and Gray Catbird that can imitate the calls of
Thrasher observing. He writes, “It has been quite amusing over the past couple of weeks
Photographer: other birds. It has a very extensive song list with over watching our resident Brown Thrasher trying to get to our suet feeder. He started
Leroy Giles 1,000 variations and usually repeats its songs in two or out dive bombing, but of course couldn’t latch on. Then he started coming at the
three note phrases. It is extremely secretive and most likely feeder from the bottom and eventually was able to grasp the side, but still couldn’t
got its name from how it forages for food. The Brown Thrasher uses its long hold on. Finally, he was able to hold on momentarily, thrashing about and quickly
curved bill to thrash leaves and debris out of the way hoping to uncover its primary falling off as you can see from the photo (Ha!), but he was sometimes able to get a
diet of insects. taste of the suet. He has finally learned how to land and hang on long enough to
The Brown Thrasher is found in the eastern United States and is a permanent get a bite, which he then takes to my porch railing to devour, then again returns to
resident in all of Georgia. The breeding season begins in late March, and the bird the feeder.”
will usually have between two and six eggs. The cup-shaped nest is constructed out Source: Declining common bird findings based on National Audubon Society’s “Common Birds
of twigs, dead leaves and other grasses. This species is also an aggressive in Decline: A State of the Birds Report,” with additional figures from the Georgia DNR.

Join Atlanta Audubon Society

Wingbars is mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Society members receive an
introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a Friends of Atlanta Audubon member.
Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the National Audubon Society. Thus, Now Available!
you will not receive Audubon magazine. You can now renew your
membership online. Just visit
If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below. our Web site at
www.atlantaaudubon.org
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359. and go to the membership page to
join via the Web. We are excited
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. to be able to offer this new
service to you!
Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society
o Make check payable to: o Basic Membership
Atlanta Audubon Society o Individual ...........................................$25
Membership Director o Family................................................$35
BENEFITS
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359 o Student..............................................$15 OF
o Please charge my credit card:
o Contributing Membership...............................$50 MEMBERSHIP
4 11 issues
o Amex o Diners Club o Discover o MasterCard o VISA

o Supporting Membership...............................$100
_______________________________ _________
Card Number Expiration Date (July/August
o Renewal o New Membership
o Donor Membership ......................................$250 combined) of
Name _____________________________________ Wingbars
o Patron Membership......................................$500 Newsletter
4 Friends discounts
Address ___________________________________ Receive an official Atlanta Audubon T-shirt
City____________________ State ___ Zip ______ o Benefactor Membership............................$1,000 on classes, trips
E-mail ____________________________________ Receive above plus autographed copy
and special events
4 Use of the AAS
Birds of Atlanta
Phone_____________________________________ o Interested in volunteering with AAS
o Please send me information on planned giving opportunities through Atlanta Audubon Society’s Legacy Club library
o Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars
4A great tax
It is Atlanta Audubon Society’s policy not to share or sell our mailing list. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us.
deduction!

September 2009 13
 Sparrow Workshop

Are those little brown birds testing your birding skills? Identifying sparrows can be both
challenging and enjoyable. Come join us for the Sparrow Workshop, a two-part workshop
consisting of a classroom session (Saturday, December 5, 3 PM to 5:30 PM at the AAS office at
the Blue Heron Nature Preserve) and a field trip (Saturday, December 12, 8 AM at the Panola
Mountain State Park).
Charlie Muise will be the instructor for the classroom session, as well as the field trip
leader. Charlie is the Georgia Important Bird Areas coordinator and is a federally-licensed
bird-bander. Charlie will unravel the mystery of identifying sparrows in Georgia, including
pointing out places where the field guides may lead you astray. In past years attendees have seen the White-crowned
Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow and other wintering birds. The field trip will include helping Charlie band sparrows and
Q: What
other birds at Panola species
Mountain in areas normally closed to the public.
The cost will be recently dethroned
$55 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon members; $80 for NAS-assigned members; and $105 for non-
members. the Arctic Tern as
the bird with the
A reservation is required for the workshop and can be made by contacting Wendy West by email
longest migration?
[email protected]. Wendy will inform you where to mail the check when you register. Your check
confirms your registration. The number of participants will be limited, so register early.
See page ___ for the answer

Answer: Barn Owl,

Peregrine Falcon, Osprey,
GreatShearwater
Egret, Cattle Egret

4Check Out ...

Answer: Sooty
and Glossy Ibis.
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Birds and Buffalo Wings Preserve
4055 Roswell Road
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour 75 Atlanta, GA 30342
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(We need volunteers)
Master Birder Workshops
West
Paces
Ferry 678.973.2437
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Sparrow Workshop East

Send all mail for
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Annual Merritt Island Birding Trip

ad

AAS to:
Peac

Holiday Party & Silent Auction

(We need volunteers) PO Box 29189
Atlanta, GA 30359

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. POSTAGE
Atlanta Audubon Society PAID
P.O. Box 29189 • Atlanta, GA 30359
Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit
Atlanta, GA
501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are tax deductible to Permit #917
the fullest extent allowed by law.

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