December 2009

Volume XXXV, Issue 11 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

“For the Birds” I N S I D E

2009 Photography Contest ..2
Holiday Card Making Workshop
Foster’s Wine Grant .............3
Thursday, December 17, 7 PM to 9 PM
Christmas Bird Count...........3
Want to learn how to make some fun holiday cards? Take some time out of the busy Legacy Club .........................3
holiday season for a relaxing evening of card making. We will create four different
Field Notes - September .....4
holiday cards with bird themes using a variety of scrapbooking techniques including
stamping, paper piecing, etc. Field Trips.............................5
Spotlight - Jim Flynn .............6
The workshop will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17, from 7 PM to 9 PM in AAS’s
education center at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Buckhead. The class is open to A Million Thanks..................6
everyone and is a beginner/intermediate level class. The instructor is AAS Executive Volunteer Opportunities.......6
Director Catharine Kuchar, who is an avid scrapbooker/card maker and is currently In Appreciation.....................7
working on illustrating a children’s book using paper piecing techniques. Space Coast Birding ............7
This is a hands-on workshop and therefore the class size is limited to 10 participants, Book Reviews ......................8
so sign up before the Dec. 14 deadline (a reservation is required). The cost per student Earth Watch Trip...................8
is $15 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon and $20 for non-members. To reserve your place
TogetherGreen Grant............9
in the class, please call 678.973.2437. You may pay by credit card or send a check to
4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. Classifieds..........................10
CBC Count Circle................10
Space Coast Ad ...................11

HOLIDAY EVENT FOR Membership........................11

FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
Tuesday, December 22, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Blue Heron Nature Preserve
Would you like to enjoy some fun activities
with your children without having to stand
in lines and fight with Atlanta traffic? The
Blue Heron Nature Preserve and Atlanta
Audubon Society are offering a nature-
inspired event for the holidays.
As the seasons change, so does the weather.
Birds and other wildlife have to find ways
to adapt to their surrounding environment.
During this two-hour activity, your children
will have fun while learning about the basic
needs of animals and plants, and how they
can help the wildlife in their yards make it
through another winter.
Join us for art activities, a nature walk and
hot chocolate at the BHNP/AAS educational
building at 4055 Roswell Road. You will
Southern Birding Trails.........12
meet other families in the neighborhood
and learn more about the natural history of
the land at Buckhead’s hidden natural jewel.
ATLANTA
This event is a fundraiser for our new
butterfly garden, a joint project of the
AUDUBON SOCIETY
Blue Heron Nature Preserve and 4055 Roswell Road
Atlanta Audubon Society.
Atlanta, GA 30342
For: Children ages 2 to 6 years.
(An adult must accompany the
child/children.)
Cost: $5 per child.
On-site parking available.
678.973.2437
Limit 30. You must have a reservation. www.atlantaaudubon.org
Bring your payment on the day of the event.
RSVP to Nancy Jones or Jack White at
404.814.8228 or
nancyjljones@mindspring.com.
GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
770.493.8862
 Board of Directors Get Those Cameras Ready!
2009
Officers
President Stacy E. Zarpentine Atlanta Audubon Society
404.219.5869
nuthatch3@aol.com 2010 Annual Photography Contest
President-elect Carol N. Hassell
770.945.3111 Check Out This Year’s Great Prizes:
chassell@mindspring.com x First Prize—Birds in Portrait: 6.5 x 32 Raven Binoculars by Eagle Optics
Treasurer x First Prize—Birds in Motion: 6.5 x 32 Raven Binoculars by Eagle Optics
Vacant
Sandhill Cranes by 2009 Grand Prize Winner, Jo Ginn x First Prize—Animals: Eagle Optics Denali 8 x 42 Roof Prism Binoculars
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
404.298.8825 x First Prize—Habitat: Vortex Pro GT Tripod Kit
markajernigan@bellsouth.net x First Prize—Georgia’s Grassland Birds (2010 Conservation Category)*: Atlanta Audubon
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley KEY DATES Society “Fun Pack” (includes Pajaro original field bag with AAS patch, AAS license plate, AAS
404.687.0079 t-shirt, Peterson Field Guide’s “Eastern/Central Birding by Ear” CD set, and a copy of “Sibley’s
atlpiaf@aol.com Entries must have been photo- Birding Basics”)
Directors graphed since January 1, 2009 x Judge’s Choice: Eagle Optics Denali Spotting Scope Package (sponsored by Eagle Optics)
Conservation Dave Butler and must be received by midnight x Grand Prize: **Adobe Photoshop CS4. Also includes the opportunity to have your photograph
404.580.3917
dabutler700@comcast.net on February 22, 2010. printed on the Atlanta Audubon Society official picture postcard for 2010!
Education Marge Igyarto Criteria for judging include:
678.398.0569 All entries will be displayed at the Ɣ Originality Ɣ Overall impact Ɣ Composition Ɣ Technique Ɣ Presentation Ɣ Difficulty
igyar@earthlink.net
March 21 Speaker Series event.
Field Trips Stanley Chapman Ribbons and prizes will be Photographs will be judged in the following categories:
stancha@aol.com
awarded at the meeting. All Birds in Motion (no man-made elements, unless natural behavior, must convey the original
Membership Vacant
entries will be judged prior to the dynamic motion of the bird or birds); Birds in Portrait (no man-made elements, unless natural
Communications
March Speaker Series event. behavior, i.e. perching on a fence; may show nesting, stalking or roosting activity) Animals (all
Barbara Tarpley
404.687.0079
living creatures, other than birds; no man-made elements); Habitat (flora and fauna in their
natural environments, landscapes or panoramas); Georgia’s Grassland Birds (see list of
atlpiaf@aol.com
Our judge for the 2010 competition eligible birds* below); and Judge’s Choice.
Publicity Beth Giddens
770.792.3712
is well-known photographer Sponsored by
beth.giddens@att.net Richard J. Green of Down To
Volunteers Nancy Hamilton Earth Portraits * Birds that are eligible for entry in the “Georgia’s Grassland Birds” (2010 Conserva-
404.874.2338 tion Category) include: Northern Bobwhite, Bobolink, Yellow-breasted Chat, Horned
Lark, Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Indigo Bunting, Sandhill Crane, Grasshopper
Check out the Atlanta Audubon
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net
Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Field Sparrow, Wilson’s Snipe, Loggerhead Shrike, Prairie
Warbler, Henslow’s Sparrow, Barn Owl, Vesper Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Short-
At Large website shortly for more eared Owl, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Upland Sandpiper.
Jay Davis information at
404.624.4973 ** Prizes subject to change if availability issues arise.
webtoad@earthlink.net www.atlantaaudubon.org **Adobe prize cannot be upgraded to later editions in the future.

JoAnn Jordan
678.488.8022
jordan.joann@gmail.com
Victor Williams
Earthshare Representative
770.423.1012 Matching Contributions
72064.1017@compuserve.com Another Important Way to Support
Atlanta Audubon Society
Staff
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar
770.993.9579 Your contributions to Atlanta Audubon Society make a
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org significant statement about how you value what we do in
Education Coordinator Emily Toriani-Moura the community.
404.661.6613
AtlantaaudubonED@gmail.com Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta also
Administrative Coordinator Sally Davis realize the importance of giving back to the community
770.216.9680 and are getting involved by matching their employees’
atlantaaudubon@comcast.net donations to non-profit organizations. By asking your
Website employer to back your commitment to AAS, you are
Jim Flynn making your contribution even more meaningful!
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
Wingbars Editor Participating in your employer’s matching gifts program
Mary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664 is a simple process. Check with your human resources
mhindes@bellsouth.net
department for forms and procedures. Send your infor-
Proofreading
Steven Phenicie
mation to Matching Gifts Coordinator,
770.849.0391 Atlanta Audubon Society
swlphenicie@bellsouth.net 4055 Roswell Road
Design & Layout Atlanta, GA 30342
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
incoming@copyprep.com Your support ensures that our work
Newsletter deadline is the first of in the community continues today
the month for material to be
published the following month. and flourishes tomorrow.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to
mhindes@bellsouth.net.
E-mail attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society and is published 11 times a
year. We feature news, upcoming events,
meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you
Mission Statement:
will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect policies
Protecting Georgia's birds and the habitats that sustain them
of the Atlanta Audubon Society.
through education, conservation and advocacy.
2 Atlanta Audubon Society
 AAS Receives Grant from Foster’s Wine Estates
to Support Phase Two of the
Atlanta BeltLine Project Atlanta
Atlanta Audubon, along with partner Trees each of the remaining seven sites detailing Audubon
Atlanta, received a major grant from Foster’s threats to habitat and target species; 2) creating Society
Wine Estates in support of phase two of our
Atlanta BeltLine project. The $24,000 grant will
be used to restore critical habitat for wildlife
the remaining seven educational pieces for each
neighborhood site; and 3) completing two on-
the-ground restorations projects.
Legacy
and birds along a six-mile urban corridor. We hope to have strong citizen participation and
Foster’s Wine Estates is the parent company of
Beringer Vineyards, Chateau St. Jean, Penfolds,
Rosemount, Stags’ Leap, and several other
increased awareness by local students and
residents of the unique natural features
surrounding them. Our goal is to increase
Club
wineries. The grant awarded to Atlanta environmental stewardship and have a Join the AAS Legacy Club by
Audubon is part of Foster’s community substantial impact for birds and wildlife in each including Atlanta Audubon
investment program that has donated to more neighborhood along the Atlanta BeltLine. in your bequests.
than 700 non-profit organizations over the past We are extremely grateful to Foster’s for making Your gift to Atlanta Audubon
year. the continuation of this project possible. Society ensures our long-term
Our key project objectives for phase two ability to manage the
include 1) developing an assessment plan for resources necessary to
preserve and protect metro
Atlanta’s birds and the
ecosystems that support them.
Atlanta Christmas Bird Count Slated for December 20, 2009 While cash donations are the
most popular form of support,
By Bob Zaremba a variety of options exist,
from charitable gift annuities
The longest running citizen science survey in the the comeback of the previously endangered Bald and more.
world, Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count Eagle and significant increases in waterfowl
(CBC), will take place between Dec. 14, 2009 and populations, both the result of conservation efforts. The Questions and
Answers section has
Jan. 5, 2010. From Alaska to Antarctica, tens of “Each CBC volunteer observer is an important
generated additional
thousands of volunteers will add a new layer to over contributor, helping to shape the overall direction of inquiries about Atlanta
a century of data vital to conservation. Scientists rely bird conservation,” says Geoff LeBaron, Audubon's Audubon's Legacy Club.
on these data to better understand how birds and the Christmas Bird Count director. We would be happy to
environment we share are faring. Just like canaries in Richard Parks, in an article in the December 2002 answer any questions
the coal mines, birds serve as early indicators of concerning ways you could
GOShawk, described the early history of the Atlanta help ensure future efforts
problems that can eventually affect people and Christmas Bird Count. According to Dick, the first of AAS in protecting birds
wildlife. Data from Audubon are at the heart of Atlanta count took place in 1903, making it one of the and their habitat. Contact
several scientific reports. CBC data informed the first oldest counts in the country. The first count, us to see if we can help you
State of the Birds report issued earlier this year by performed by a single observer, was the fourth with your plans.
the U.S. Department of the Interior. CBC analysis also highest in the country, with 30 species recorded and Contact Art Hurt at
fueled Audubon’s report that climate change is 556 individuals. Counts were held in 1905, and artlisahurt@bellsouth.net
already having an impact on birds across the beginning in 1911 counts were held for most years or Catharine Kuchar at
continent. with the exception of an interruption during World kucharc@att.net.
The CBC began in 1900 when the founder of Bird- War I. These early counts laid the foundation for the
Lore (the progenitor of Audubon magazine), Frank current counts throughout the state.
Chapman, suggested an alternative to the “side hunt” The Atlanta Christmas Bird Count is sponsored by the
in which teams competed to see who could shoot the Atlanta Audubon Society. In 1974 the current count
most game, including birds. Chapman proposed that circle was moved to its present location, which is
What do chick-
people “hunt” birds only to identify, count and record centered in Marietta, Cobb County, near Due West
rearing Common
them. These “binocular brigades” often brave winter’s
Q: Moorhens, Red-
Elementary School. If you are interested in
chill, ice and snow to record changes in resident
cockaded
recently Woodpeckers,
participating in this year’s count on Sunday, Dec. 20, What species
Florida Scrub-Jays,
populations and ranges. “When Frank Chapman please contact me at bobzarem@bellsouth.net or call dethroned
Chimney
ArcticSwifts and
started the Christmas Bird Count, it was a visionary 770.422.5830. See Pg. 10 for other Georgia CBCs. the Tern as
Brown-headed
act,” said National Audubon Society President John For up-to-date scheduling, go to the bird with the
Nuthatches have in
Flicker. “No one could have predicted how important longest migration?
common?
http://www.gos.org/cbc/cbc.html.
the CBC would become as a resource and tool for
conservation.” CBC data also help document success
See
Seepage ___ for
page the answer
9 for answer
stories. The Christmas Bird Count helped document Sources: The National Audubon Society; GOShawk

December 2009 3
Answer: Sooty
 September Field Notes
Torrential rains during the last
half of the month caused much
flooding and misery in the
state. The only good news was that
this much rainfall caused excellent
shorebird habitat to be made
available, especially at sod farms which are
scattered around the state. Read on for some
of the highlights of the shorebird migration.
The Atlanta area recorded 156 species
(average = 161.5) to bring the year-to-date list
to 234 (average = 237.6. The Georgia area
reported 221 species (average = 220.2) to
bring that year-to-date list to 321 (average =
324.6).
ATLANTA AREA
HERONS THROUGH RAILS – A YELLOW-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON was rather late in Bartow Co. on 9 Sept.
(KB, NF). SB reported a group of three WHITE IBIS over
Atlanta on 5 Sept. Highly unusual was a SWALLOW-
TAILED KITE over Ball Ground on 3 Sept. (JM). The peak
count of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS was 53 over Roswell
on 13 Sept. (SZ). Two PEREGRINE FALCONS in Bartow
County on 26 Sept. was a wonderful sighting (PB, HG).
Probably one of the most unusual reports was that of a
BLACK RAIL at Panola Mtn. on 30 Sept. during a work
party to eradicate foreign vegetation (NK).
SHOREBIRDS – The AMERICAN AVOCET previously
reported from Bartow Co. was seen again on 4 Sept.
(RC) and 5 Sept. (TF). JS, HG and PB found six
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS in Bartow Co. on 8 Sept.
KB, RC and NF had a total of seven there the same day.
The last report was one bird at the same location on 27
Sept. (B&DZ, et al.). Some other interesting shorebird
sightings were an UPLAND SANDPIPER in Bartow Co.
on 8 Sept. (KB, RC, NF), a SANDERLING in Forsyth Co.
on 17 Sept. (JF) and two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS
at the E. L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in
Clayton Co. on 17 Sept. A number of STILT
SANDPIPERS were seen at the ELHLAF with four
starting on 14 Sept. (NF) and a peak of six on 17 Sept.
(CL). One additional STILT SANDPIPER was seen in
Forsyth Co. on 17 Sept. (JF). Two BUFF-BREASTED
SANDPIPERS were found in Bartow Co. on 9 Sept. (KB,
NF). The peak count was four in Bartow Co. on 13 Sept.
(NF) with the last report of three birds on 27 Sept.
(B&DZ, et al.). An immature RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
was found in Forsyth Co. on 22 Sept. (JF) and was last
seen on 23 Sept. by PMcL and KM.
NIGHTHAWK THROUGH WAXWING – Several observers
reported groups of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS moving
through the area from 12 Sept. through 22 Sept. with
totals of generally 160-200 (m.ob.). Reports of OLIVE-
SIDED FLYCATCHERS came from the Mercer Wetlands
on 2 Sept. (PMcL) and the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area (CRNRA) on 18 Sept. (MD) and
again on 19 Sept. (KB, et al.). Single YELLOW-BELLIED
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
FLYCATCHERS were found at the Newman’s Wetlands
Center on 10 Sept. (CL), at Henderson Park (HP) on 14
Sept. (HG, et al.) and at the CRNRA on 19 Sept. (KB, et
al.). Single LEAST FLYCATCHERS were seen at the
Suwanee Creek Greenway on 6 Sept. (BB), at HP from
3 Sept. until at least 14 Sept. (HG, et al.). An additional
bird was seen at the CRNRA on 22 Sept. (KB). Other
interesting reports were a MARSH WREN at the Clyde
Shepherd Nature Preserve on 29 Sept. (StC) and a
CEDAR WAXWING at the Little Mulberry Park on 4 Sept.
(BB).
WARBLERS THROUGH TANAGERS – There were two
reports of the hybrid BREWSTER’S WARBLER with one
bird being found on or about 9 Sept. at HP and seen
through 14 Sept. (NF). Another bird was seen at the
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve on 17 Sept. (LH).
Interesting warbler reports included 12 TENNESSEE
WARBLERS at HP on 30 Sept. (HG, et al.), a NASHVILLE
WARBLER at HP on 13 Sept. (JSe), 15 CHESTNUT-
SIDED WARBLERS at HP on 14 Sept. (HG, et al.), 11
MAGNOLIA WARBLERS at HP on 30 Sept. (HG, et al.),
11 AMERICAN REDSTARTS at HP on 14 Sept. (HG, et
al.), and a CONNECTICUT WARBLER at HP on 14 Sept.
(HG, et al.). WILSON’S WARBLERS were well reported
with two at HP on 12 Sept. (PMcL), one at HP on 13
Sept. (JSe), and two at the CRNRA on 14 Sept. (NF). NF
had a decent count of 14 SCARLET TANAGERS at
Kennesaw Mtn. National Battlefield on 13 Sept.
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH WADERS – BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCKS continue to expand their numbers
with approximately 30 in Dougherty Co. on 7 Sept. (WS,
MMa) and 47 at the Altamaha Waterfowl Management
Area near Darien also on 7 Sept. (KB, RC).
Approximately 15 SNOW GEESE were reported from
Oconee Co. on 2 Sept. (fide MF). Five TRICOLORED
HERONS were rather rare in Baker Co. on 3 Sept. (WS).
Peak wader counts included five REDDISH EGRETS on
Little St. Simon’s Island (LSSI) on 14 Sept. (CM, ScC),
100 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS on Raccoon Key
on 5 Sept. (BL, et al.) and 104 ROSEATE SPOONBILLS
in Glynn Co. on 6 Sept. (KB, RC). Seventy-three WHITE
IBIS were rather unusual in the Marshallville area on 21
Sept. (WC).
KITES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – A late MISSISSIPPI
KITE was seen in Polk Co. on 26 Sept. (PB, HG). Single
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were seen in Dougherty
Co. on 1 and 13 Sept. (WS). A good count of seven
PIPING PLOVERS was reported from LSSI on 14 Sept.
(CM, ScC). UPLAND SANDPIPERS were spotted in
Dougherty Co. from 1 through 13 Sept. with the peak
count of four coming on 13 Sept. (WS). Always a good
bird for GA was a LONG-BILLED CURLEW on LSSI on
14 Sept. (CM, ScC). BW, TK and SH had an impressive
count of 2500 RED KNOTS on Wolf Island NWR on 1
Sept. A single BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was seen at
Bostwick Sod in Morgan Co. from 18 Sept. (MF)
through 20 Sept. (JN). WS had a nice count of eight
STILT SANDPIPERS in the Albany area on 21 Sept.
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were reported from
Emanuel Co., Glynn Co., and the Perry and Albany
areas by a number of observers.
GULLS THROUGH TERNS – Five LAUGHING GULLS were
quite unusual in the Marshallville area on 21 Sept.
(WC). WC had a rare FRANKLIN’S GULL at the West
Point Dam on 29 Sept. but the rarest gull by far was
the adult SABINE’S GULL in Murray Co. on 22 Sept.
(JSp). A number of other observers were able to see
the bird, but unfortunately it had left by the next
morning. JMcN, et al. had an impressive count of 18
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS at Gould’s Inlet on 6
Sept. Also a very rare occurrence was an ARCTIC TERN
at Gould’s Inlet on 6 Sept. (KB, RC, JMcN, MMcS).
WHIP-POOR-WILLS THROUGH WHEATEARS – JF
recorded as many as 34 WHIP-POOR-WILLS in Greene
and Hancock Counties on 7 Sept. JF also had a rare
WARBLING VIREO in Habersham Co. on 13 Sept. There
were seven separate reports of PHILADELPHIA VIREOS
from 8 Sept. through 30 Sept. with the peak count of
four coming from Carter’s Lake on 27 Sept. (PMcL, et
al.). Four PURPLE MARTINS were late at Carter’s Lake
on 22 Sept. (JF). An extremely rare NORTHERN
WHEATEAR was reported from Nannygoat Beach on
Sapelo Island on 8 Sept. (JK). Hopefully this sighting
will be documented as it would be only the second
record for GA.
FLYCATCHERS – There were a number of reports of
Empidonax flycatchers during the month. ACADIAN
FLYCATCHERS were of course noted in reasonable
numbers, but the sightings of YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHERS and LEAST FLYCATCHERS were quite
unusual. There were a total of five reports of YELLOW-
BELLIED FLYCATCHERS from 5 Sept. through 29 Sept.
There were a total of four LEAST FLYCATCHER reports
from 3 Sept. to 22 Sept. Most of these sightings were
of single birds, but there were occasionally multiple
reports from the same location (m.ob.).
WARBLERS – A hybrid BREWSTER’S WARBLER was
reported from the Albany area on 29 Sept. (AA, MMa).
WC had a number of good reports from the Columbus
area with a NASHVILLE WARBLER on 29 Sept., 20+
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS at Pine Mtn. on 14 Sept.,
21 AMERICAN REDSTARTS on 29 Sept., and four
SWAINSON’S WARBLERS on 16 Sept. TT, also reporting
from the Columbus area, had five SWAINSON’S
WARBLERS on 10 Sept. Single WILSON’S WARBLERS
were seen in Catoosa Co. on 6 and 24 Sept. (DH) and in
the Albany area on 29 Sept. (AA, MMa).
CONTRIBUTORS – Katharine Andregg, Alan Ashley,
Steve Barlow, Zack Barrow, Brandon Best, Ken
Blankenship, Walt Bowman, Patrick Brisse, Rachel
Cass, Walt Chambers, Stan Chapman, Scott Coleman,
Mark Davis, Nathan Farnau, James Fleullon, Jim Flynn,
Terry Forbes, Mark Freeman, Liz and Hugh Garrett,
Stacia Hendricks, David Hollie, Lisa Hurt, Jessie Kanes,
Tim Keyes, Nathan Klaus, Carol Lambert, Bill Lotz, Mary
and Gavin MacDonald, Melissa Martin, Patty McLean,
Joel McNeal, Mark McShane, Jenny Michaels, Kathy
Miller, Darlene Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore, Charlie
Muise, James Neves, Bill and Karla O’Grady, Steve
Parrish, Wayne Schaffner, Jeff Sewell, Steve Slayton,
Adam Smith, Joshua Spence, Ted Theus, Eran Tomer,
Gene Wilkinson, Brad Winn, Bob and Deb Zaremba, and
Stacy Zarpentine.
Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Ct., Roswell, GA 30075
– tsmoore@bellsouth.net
 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 December field trips
Sketch by Anne McCallum
that may be scheduled.

If you are interested in leading a field trip and/or volunteering to help with the Field Trip Committee, have ideas of
where you would like to go and/or feedback about leaders or trips, please e-mail Stan Chapman, Field Trips
Coordinator, at stancha@aol.com.

We encourage carpooling. If you are
coming from the Atlanta area and are
willing to take riders or if you wish to ride
with someone (and share expenses),
please e-mail Stan Chapman at
stancha@aol.com and include your name,
location and phone number(s) for Murray
County trip by 8 PM Wednesday, Dec. 2
and for Rome trip by 8 AM Thursday, Dec.
10, at which times Stan will send a master
list of drivers and riders so everyone can
make their own arrangements.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 AM
Piedmont Park (City of Atlanta)
Sponsored by the Piedmont Park
Conservancy and AAS
Matt Ward
Meet at the Piedmont Park
Conservancy Community Room,
Piedmont Ave. and 12th St.
Children accompanied by a parent are
invited.
Birding focus: This trip is an excellent
way for beginners to learn about birds
found in the forest and adjacent pond.
Directions: From south of Atlanta: Take
I-75/85 N to Exit 249B/Pine St. Go straight
on Pine St., crossing Peachtree St. Turn left
on Piedmont Ave. Travel about 1.0 mi. to
12th St. From northwest of Atlanta: Take
I-75 S. to Exit 250/16th St. Go straight,
crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th
St. Turn left on 10th St. Travel 0.5 mi. to
Piedmont Ave. Go left and travel about 1.0
mi. to 12th St. From northeast of
downtown: Take I-85 S to Exit 84/17th St.
Continue straight, crossing 14th St. Follow
directions above. From MARTA Arts
Center station, walk south 1.5 mi. to 14th
St., turn left (east) and walk two blocks to
Piedmont Ave., then turn right and walk
south two blocks to 12th St.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 AM
Carter’s Lake area, Murray County
(near Ellijay)
Sandy Pangle (cell 770.656.3298) and
Joshua Spence
Meet at the Carter’s Lake Re-
regulation Dam parking area.
Birding focus: Bald Eagle, Red-breasted
Merganser, Common Loon, Winter Wren,
Bonaparte’s Gull and many sparrows,
raptors and waterfowl. We will scope out a
couple of places on the lake, walk the
songbird trail and nearby sparrow field
and, depending on time and preference,
bird nearby Pine Chapel Road. There is a
$3 parking fee at one of these locations.
Directions: From I-285, take I-75 N to
Exit 293 and follow U.S. 411 N for
approximately 27 mi. to the intersection
with GA 136 in Ranger where there is a gas
station and Ralston’s Corner store. Turn
right (east) onto GA 136, go 0.5 mi. to old
U.S. 411, turn left (north) and go 0.7 mi.,
turn right into the recreation area by the
dam.
Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 AM
Chattahoochee Nature Center
(Fulton County)
Stacy Zarpentine (cell 404.219.5869)
Meet at the store of the
Chattahoochee Nature Center,
9135 Willeo Road, Roswell.
Birding Focus: Winter birds including
waterfowl, kingfishers and herons along
the river, and raptors, kinglets, waxwings,
sparrows and wrens, among many other
species.
Directions: From Roswell Rd./U.S. 19
heading north from Atlanta or I-285: At the
first traffic light after crossing the
Chattahoochee River, turn left onto Azalea
Dr. At the second traffic light, turn left onto
Willeo Rd. CNC is located 0.5 mi. on the
right. From GA 400 Northbound, take Exit
6/Northridge Rd. and bear to the right,
going back over the freeway. Immediately
after crossing over GA 400, turn right onto
Dunwoody Pl. Follow for 1.2 mi. to
Roswell Rd., turn right and follow the
directions above. From GA 400
Southbound, take Exit 6/Northridge Rd. At
the end of the ramp, travel straight through
the traffic light onto Dunwoody Pl. Follow
Dunwoody Pl. for 1.2 mi. to Roswell Rd.
Turn right and follow the directions above.
Sunday, Dec. 13, 8 AM
Rome, GA, area
Owen Kinney (cell 706.346.4874) and
Marion Dobbs
Meet in the parking area of
Hermann Hall, a large brick building at
Berry College.
Birding Focus: Bald Eagles, harriers and
kestrels, and many types of waterfowl and
early winter songbirds. Habitats include
open agricultural zones, beaver swamps,
mountain longleaf pine stands, several
wetland areas and open water at Garden
Lakes. We will bird campus sites (Possum
Trot and the Old Mill area) and move on to
Garden Lakes.
Directions: From I-285, take I-75 N to
Exit 290 and follow GA 20 W toward Rome
for 2.4 mi. Turn left (west) onto the ramp
to U.S. 41 N/U.S. 411/GA 20 W/GA 3 N/Joe
Frank Harris Pkwy. and follow for an
additional 3.0 mi. Merge onto U.S. 411/GA
20 W and follow for 16.7 mi. Turn right
onto GA 1 Loop N/GA 746 N /Veterans
Memorial Hwy. and continue to follow GA
1 Loop N for 8.0 mi. Make a slight right
turn onto the Martha Berry Hwy./U.S.
27/GA 1 for 0.7 mi., turn left into the main
entrance to Berry College and follow the
road to the traffic circle—enter the circle,
take the second exit, and follow the road a
short distance to the parking area beside
Hermann Hall (large brick building).
Sunday, December 20
Marietta, GA
Christmas Bird Count
Bob & Deb Zaremba (770.422.5830)
See pages 3 & 10

December 2009 5
Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner
Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
4
olunteer
Opportunities
Compiled by Carol Hassell
Publicity for upcoming field
trips
Are the field trips your favorite
AAS activity? They are the top-
rated activity we offer, according
to our members. And we’ve got
several field trips scheduled in
December. Help us spread the
word about these trips by
contacting local newspapers, bird
and nature stores, bulletin boards,
mailing lists, etc.—anywhere
where people interested in bird
walks might see them. Or you can
help coordinate with members of
the Field Trip Committee to spread
the word about upcoming trips in
other ways. Contact Field Trip
Committee members Sylvia
Chandler, sg422@bellsouth.net, for
publicity other than newspapers
and Pam Higginbotham,
phigginb@comcast.net, for
newspaper publicity.
Be an emissary—lead
beginners' walks
Leaders teach participants the
very basics of birding. You don’t
have to be an A1 birder, just share
your knowledge by acquainting
newbies to birding and helping
them identify common birds.
Contact Stan at stancha@aol.com
to arrange locations and times.
Interested in leading a bird
walk next spring at Williams Mill
Park in Flowery Branch (Hall
County), an AAS Backyard Wildlife
Sanctuary? Dates and times are
flexible. Contact Stan Chapman
(stancha@aol.com) and
Roz Schmitt (770.531.3953 or
rschmitt@hallcounty.org).
Freedom Park Bird and Butterfly
Garden is looking for volunteers
for occasional one- or two- hour
workdays.
Contact Carol Vanderschaaf at
cvanderschaaf@bellsouth.net.
6 Atlanta Audubon Society
• Volunteer
Spotlighting... Jim Flynn
By Lynn Waldvogel
Tis the season ... to take up birding! Yuletide is be the AAS webmaster.
fast approaching and with it comes the 110th As such, he takes
Christmas Bird Count, the longest running information created by
wildlife census conducted by thousands of board members, project
volunteers throughout the Americas. Back in directors and other
1976, Jim Flynn, the webmaster for Atlanta volunteers and formats it
Audubon Society, read about an upcoming for the web. Jim also
Christmas Bird Count in the Erie Daily Times. leads an occasional field
A few months before Jim, who had always been trip for AAS, serves as
interested in nature, had come across one of the webmaster and Happy Birder Jim Flynn
Peterson’s field guides at the home of his Aunt secretary for the Photographer: Cathy Flynn
Edith. He was drawn to an account of the Checklist and Records
Double-crested Cormorant—Jim had learned in Committee for the Georgia Ornithological
school that the Chinese had used cormorants to Society and has managed websites to assist
fish. He was surprised to find that cormorants Department of Natural Resources biologists
could be found in Erie where he lived; he with photo selection for state wide atlases, such
thought this fact was pretty cool. That session as Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia and the
with the field guide sparked the birding bug, so upcoming Breeding Bird Atlas of Georgia.
when Jim read about the Christmas Bird Count, Jim’s favorite places to bird in Georgia change
he hopped right on it. with the seasons. When pressed to pick a single
Actually, Jim hopped on his bike and rode eight favorite he named the Altamaha River area, a
miles through the snow (we are talking Erie, PA, critical habitat located in southern Georgia for
snow) to Presque Isle State Park, a key location Bald Eagles, Swallow-tailed Kites and Red-
for the Erie count. As hoped, Jim was able to cockaded Woodpeckers. As for Jim’s favorite
meet up with other birders who quickly bird, that’s a hard one. “I’ve had so many great
welcomed him to the flock. They stowed his experiences, I don’t know where to even start! I
bike in the trunk of a car, and he spent the rest probably don’t have a favorite bird species, but I
of the afternoon with the group and doubled his do have a favorite bird family—Ducks.”
life list. As Jim says, “From that point on, I was So for those readers who want to help cultivate
really hooked.” the next generation of birders, leave those field
A resident of Cumming, GA, Jim is a network guides lying around when youngsters come to
architect designing online communication visit and encourage beginning birders to join the
networks. That expertise, Christmas Bird Count community. Those simple
combined with his love of steps have led to 33 years of birding memories
birding, makes him a natural to for our webmaster Jim Flynn.
A Million Thanks!
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its
volunteers! As always, we extend our unending gratitude to ALL of
our volunteers, but would like to send a special thank you to the
following individuals this month.
We can’t thank volunteer and recent Master Birder graduate, Donna
Wensink, enough for getting out the 2010 membership mailing. She
stuffed over 800 envelopes and got them ready to go to the post office.
Donna, you’re the best.
Our Master Birder program is one of the most important educational opportunities provided by
AAS. Our program would not be possible if it were not for the amazing instructors who work so
hard. Many, many thanks go to Lisa Hurt, Georgann Schmalz, Diane LaCole and Charlie
Muise. We think all of you are wonderful.
Many thanks to Victor Williams, an AAS board member. He helped us put up our new bird
feeder and bird house, which were graciously donated by Bob May and Lee Baker of Workshop
Creations. Victor does a lot of handy work on the grounds of our new home and in the preserve,
and we really appreciate his efforts.
 In Appreciation
By Nancy Hamilton
As 2009 draws to a close, so does my two year-term as Atlanta
Audubon Society’s volunteer coordinator. It has been a
challenging experience, but one that I have enjoyed immensely.
I’ve had the privilege of recruiting and coordinating, thereby
getting to know many AAS members who volunteered for such
popular events as the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour, the
Open House at our new home at the Blue Heron Nature
Preserve and our annual holiday and auction parties. I’ve also
coordinated volunteers for various events such as Earth Day,
International Migratory Bird Day and activities at shade-grown
coffee venues, as well as arranging for volunteer speakers to
represent AAS at various organizations. It is a full-time job!
All I can say is that we have the best and most diversely skilled
volunteers of any nature group in Atlanta! Thank you, thank
you, thank you to each of you who has volunteered, thus
helping our organization attain its mission. AAS is run almost
exclusively by our volunteers, a remarkable feat considering all
that we do. While there are too many wonderful volunteers
members to name, some folks deserve special recognition.
Carl Tyler, before me, wanted to track our volunteers and the
hours they gave to AAS and to thank them. He invited Pam
Higginbotham to format a database to do just that. She has
worked tirelessly on this project for well on four years! Building
on what Carl created and working with Catharine Kuchar and
Barbara Tarpley, we designed the volunteer page in Wingbars to
highlight the Time Well Spent by volunteers, Thanks a Million
acknowledgments of volunteers, the spotlighting of an
individual volunteer, and a listing of special volunteer
opportunities for members.
Carol Hassel created the monthly e-mail blast of volunteer
opportunities for Master Birders, which has been immensely
helpful in communicating with interested volunteers. Having
Sally Davis in the AAS office allowed for better communication
with members about administrative volunteer activities and
requests from outside organizations. We created a
downloadable request form for events and festivals and posted
it on our website to facilitate our outreach activities, and now
Emily Toriani-Moura has expanded the programmatic
opportunities for volunteers to promote and support the AAS
mission.
The role of volunteers as well as our ability to recruit and
communicate with them has grown as AAS has moved forward
in our goal of becoming a larger presence in the metropolitan
Atlanta community. When I first began managing special events
three years ago, we had limited strategies for contacting and
recruiting volunteers, and the number of active volunteers was
quite small in comparison to all we did. Today, with the
leadership of Catharine Kuchar, her staff and the AAS board,
volunteers and volunteer opportunities can be more aptly
matched, and this creates a bright future for all of us.
I will truly miss my colleagues on the board, a great group of
committed volunteers, but I look forward to finding my place as
an active volunteer off the board. I would encourage each of
you to do the same. On or off the board, we all have the
opportunity to share with others the enjoyment of birds by
learning their identities and participating in the conservation of
their wildlife habitats.

The 13th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival

January 27 to February 1, 2010
Presented by the Brevard Nature Alliance and timed to coincide with peak activity for wintering bird
populations in Florida, this event has something of interest for everyone—more than 250 activities
including classroom presentations, an exhibit center with over 70 exhibitors, an art competition with
$1,600 plus in prizes, a silent auction, the Raptor Project, field trips, water adventures, a pelagic boat
trip and more.
Blessed with diverse habitats and favorable climate, Florida's Space Coast is among the best birding
locations in North America. More than 330 species of birds have been seen here including many
coveted species such as Florida Scrub-Jay, Crested Caracara, Snail Kite, Limpkin, Roseate Spoonbill,
Reddish Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Black Rail, Painted Bunting, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Bachman's
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Sparrow, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Glaucous Gull, Iceland (Kumlein's) Gull, Thayer's Gull and more.
Area, a very “birdie” area and
historically home to the Timucuan Outstanding birding and wildlife-watching sites include: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge,
Indians for several centuries Canaveral National Seashore, Enchanted Forest Nature Sanctuary, Port Canaveral and 30 local Florida
Photographer: DeeAnn Kiesel
birding trail locations—38 within a one-hour drive of Titusville.
Field trips, seminars, workshops and keynote presentations are led by a consortium of local, national and international talent. The
2010 festival will feature: David Allen Sibley, Kim and Kenn Kaufman, Pete Dunne, Jessie Barry, Jeff Bouton, Victor Emanuel, Kevin
Karlson, Paul Lehman, Barry Lyon, Reinier Munguia, Michael O’Brien, Clay Taylor, Bill Thompson III, Joanne Williams, Christopher
Wood, Louise Zemaitis and over 90 other ornithologists, biologists, scientists, historians, naturalists, photographers, and others.
Visit www.nbbd.com/fly to review scheduled festival activities, registration information, accommodations, birds and wildlife seen
during the 2009 festival, and more. Contact Neta Harris, 800.460.2664 or festival@brevardnaturealliance.org.

December 2009 7
 Book Review by Grant McCreary
Books for Beginning Birders
Here are a few books that will greatly aid beginners (or anyone, for that matter) in their quest to become a better birder.
For the most part, these books won’t help you identify a particular bird. But they will give you a firm foundation to make quicker and more
accurate identifications in general. What’s more, they will help you better enjoy and get more out of the pursuit of bird watching.

Pete Dunne on Bird Watching by Pete Dunne
Dunne provides many tips and suggestions, but
more than anything else he clearly introduces
what this birding thing is all about, from bird
feeding to pelagic trips. As a bonus, you get all
of this with the author’s trademark wit and
humor. This is more than a treasure trove of
information from one of our foremost birders,
it’s also a fun read.
National Geographic Birding Essentials by
Jonathan Alderfer and Jon L. Dunn
This covers more technical, but still crucial,
topics than Dunne and Connor, such as the parts
of a bird and molt. Many great color photos
illustrate the concepts.

The Complete Birder: A Guide to Better Birding
by Jack Connor
Even though this is older and out-of-print, it’s
worth tracking down. Although there is some
overlap with the other books, this one provides
an overview of the birding seasons and
information on some problematical families like
warblers and gulls. Personal anecdotes and lively
writing keep it interesting.
Sibley’s Birding Basics by David Allen Sibley
This is a great guide, but contrary to the title I
think intermediate and even advanced birders
will get more out of this than beginners. If the
rest of these books haven’t satiated your desire
for birding know-how, then turn here next.

For an expanded list of recommended books on birding, go to www.birderslibrary.com/features/books_for_beginning_birders.htm.

Earthwatch Trip
By Steve Phenicie
Ever thought about how bird populations are affected by the number
of small animals in a particular area? Over the summer I got the
chance to participate in a study designed to, among other things,
determine just how many small mammals were populating an area of
about a half a square mile in a remote part of Nova Scotia. The trip
was sponsored by Earthwatch, an organization that funds scientific
research of various types around the world and makes use of
volunteers to conduct its projects. The principal investigators were Dr.
Christina Buesching and Dr. Chris Newman of England’s Oxford
University.
To determine how many animals were populating the area, we had to
set traps—two-part metal boxes consisting of an entry tunnel and a
nesting chamber. Inside of each box we placed a wad of grass, some
bird seed and a slice of apple. Going through the bush, we set 50
traps in rows of 10 each, with about 10 meters between traps. The
traps had to be checked twice a day over a stretch of two weeks.
We hoped to catch chipmunks, voles, lemmings, shrews, mice and
squirrels. Each of the 14 volunteers got a chance to grab the animals
(with nary an eek!) and place them in a plastic bag so they could be
weighed and various data recorded. A bit of fur was trimmed so we
would know/recognize the animal if it were caught again. We then
returned them to the place in the forest where they were captured and
released them.
With one particular chipmunk, we noticed that a botfly larva was
starting to worm its way out of her abdomen. When we caught her a
second time, she had somehow lost
most of her tail. She quickly picked up
the name “Stubby.” Our leaders told us
that chipmunks can shed their tails to
escape a predator, although they will not
regrow. Like some career criminals, she
was caught again and again. Each time
the botfly larva was closer to working its
way out of her body. Finally, on the last
time we caught her, the larva fell out and
was retrieved by the principal
investigators. It had not hatched by the Steven hamming it up:
Photographer: Alexandria Stainov
time our expedition was over, but they
told us they planned to name the botfly
“Gordon.”
In the end, we captured all of the target animals except squirrels, and
more than one species of several of them. And what did our work
determine? The principal investigators told us that populations of
small mammals appeared to be down this year—not good news for
birds such as owls and goshawks, which depend on an ample supply
for their livelihood.
If you think that you, too, might like to tromp through rugged terrain
setting mouse traps in just about any kind of weather, it is not too late.
The trip will be offered nine times next year from March to December.
For more information, check the Earthwatch website,

8 Atlanta Audubon Society

 AAS Wraps Up TogetherGreen Grant
for 2008-2009
Atlanta Audubon, working with its partner Trees Atlanta,
wrapped up its work on the TogetherGreen grant that we
received last year. We focused on giving a voice to the wildlife
and birds living along the Atlanta BeltLine, engaging in
innovative, on-the-ground conservation projects in the
Warehouse Row and West Connection neighborhoods and
actively involving citizens in these unique neighborhoods.
With support from TogetherGreen, Atlanta Audubon Society
completed phase one of our project, supporting 7 of the 14
neighborhoods (all in the southern half of the Atlanta BeltLine).
This phase incorporated both habitat goals of reducing the
threat to habitats (and identified wildlife/bird species) and
restoring habitat for the wildlife/bird species.
We were successful in achieving the following project
objectives:
• developed an in-depth field analysis and plan of the unique
wildlife/bird species
What is the for
Atlantaeach of Arboretum?
BeltLine and the seven “natural habitats”
(identified habitats/neighborhoods: West Connection, The Atlanta BeltLine is being
implemented to connect 45
Atlanta neighborhoods and
Warehouse Row, Southern Way, The Confluence, New South, 40 city parks with transit,
trails, greenspace, and new development along 22 miles of historic rail
Piedmont Park and Entrenchment Creek);
segments that encircle the city’s urban core. The BeltLine is attracting
and organizing some of the region’s future growth around transit, trails,
and parks, helping to change the pattern of regional sprawl and leading
to a vibrant and livable Atlanta with an enhanced quality of life. The
• worked with Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta BeltLine to make
Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum is an outdoor, living tree museum following
the path of the BeltLine around Atlanta’s city center. The BeltLine
recommendations on future planning that would be both
Arboretum will include planting and care of fourteen unique tree
collections; provide educational programming to all neighborhoods
and constituents; and serve as a corridor of scientific research and
bird- and wildlife-friendly;
education. The first section of BeltLine Arboretum is open in Atlanta’s
West End; the balance will be built over the next twenty years. The
BeltLine Arboretum will be a success when everyone in Atlanta can
• conducted four restoration projects in the West Connection
identify their neighborhood by the trees that surround them, and
therefore understand the value of trees in an urban environment.
www.beltline.org
and Warehouse Row neighborhoods including
Atlanta Audubon Society
o
Atlanta Audubon Society is the region’s
a special planting project with low-income students from
primary education and conservation group
dedicated to birds. Educational programs,
Brown Middle School (also did pre- and post-testing with
conservation initiatives and community
outreach are at the heart of the organization.
Atlanta Audubon provides the community
the students) with important educational opportunities
including field trips, workshops, the exclusive
o
Master Birder Program, birding camps for young people and
a planting project in the West Connection neighborhood
scholarship programs. Individuals and communities are engaged in
unique ways to directly impact the conservation of birds. Atlanta
Audubon’s conservation work focuses on “Creating, Promoting
o
and Preserving Bird-Friendly Habitat,” and includes overseeing the
a planting project in the Warehouse Row neighborhood
Georgia Important Bird Areas program, monitoring eastern hemlock
trees to combat the hemlock woolly adelgid in the North Georgia
o
Mountains, managing the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Certification
an invasive plant removal project in the West Connection
program, and serving as the steward for a 183-acre wildlife
sanctuary. Protecting the birds that we love is the most important
thing we do. www.atlantaaudubon.org
neighborhood;
Answers: Wildlife in Your Neighborhood
1. Eastern Gray Squirrel (often raids the nests of many types
of birds)
• developed seven beautiful and informative educational
2. Virginia Opossum (nocturnal and North America’s only
marsupial—mammals of which the females have a pouch)
3. Green Tree Frog (females can lay up to 400 eggs in shallow
pieces—one for each of the seven natural neighborhoods
water)
4. Eastern Chipmunk (its diet consists of grains, nuts, birds’ eggs,
small frogs, fungi, worms and insects)
focusing on the unique habitat/wildlife of the area.
5. Raccoon (walking on all four feet with an arch in its back
and non-retractable claws, it uses the whole sole of the foot
“heel to toe” as it walks, like humans)
Additional printed material will be developed in the coming
The Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum Natural Neighborhood Series was written and
produced by Atlanta Audubon Society, 2009. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
years; these educational pieces are a vital step in building
recognition and community around the natural neighborhoods
along the Atlanta Beltline. They will serve as an important part
of the conservation agenda to reduce threats and engage
December 2009
audiences in citizen participation and environmental
stewardship. These neighborhoods already have “built-in” target
audiences with many educational facilities (schools—
elementary/high school—and universities such as Morehouse
College, Spelman College and Georgia Tech).
In the seven “natural neighborhoods” we focused on
highlighting habitat issues for wildlife/birds that will serve as
the model for replication in the seven remaining neighborhoods.
We believe we have brought a specific conservation voice to
this project that is so important to the future of Atlanta.
Many thanks to Charlie Muise for working on our assessment
report and to Laura Woods, who did an outstanding job of
designing of our educational pieces.
Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum Natural Neighborhood Series Warehouse Row
Exploring YOUR
Natural Neighborhood
What is Unique About
the Warehouse Row Warehouse Row
Natural Neighborhood? Symbolic Bird
Trees Atlanta The Warehouse Row natural neighborhood is a
narrow right-of-way segment between rows of
Trees Atlanta is a nationally Northern Cardinal
recognized citizens group dedicated
to protecting and improving
warehouses and the stretch of trail that follows the
road. Neighborhoods in the Warehouse Row area
Although it is not Georgia’s official state bird, the Northern
Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, is a brilliantly-colored, year-
include Westview, Cascade Road, Oakland City and
Atlanta’s urban forest by planting,
conserving and educating. Trees in urban areas provide a number of West End. Trees in this neighborhood will have high
round favorite that is the official bird for seven other states.
The Northern Cardinal is a sexually dimorphic species,
economic, health and social benefits and are essential for clean air, visual impact that can be appreciated while traveling meaning that members of the opposite sex look different
storm water management, erosion control, noise absorption, bird
and wildlife habitat, and more. Since 1985, Trees Atlanta has planted
faster than walking speed. This landscape of motion
also features ancient and primitive trees that have
from one another. The male is a brilliant red, and the female
is primarily gray with red on her wings and head. Both sexes
and distributed 75,000 trees. Trees Atlanta programs include sport a red crest, a long tail, a black mask and an orange/red
existed for a long time.
NeighborWoods, volunteer-based planting and care of trees 6-10 bill (gray on immature birds). The cardinal song is a series
feet tall; Large Trees, planting and care of trees 10-15 feet tall; Forest This special natural neighborhood not only provides of ascending
sharp notes.
Restoration, a program that teaches citizens about the problems trails and an important tree canopy (see “What are
The omnivorous
of invasive species and how to evaluate, manage and improve WKH%HQH¿WVRIWKH7UHHVLQ0\1HLJKERUKRRG"´
community green spaces; Neighborhood Arboreta, a program that
places identifying markers next to neighborhood trees along with
inside), but it gives birds and wildlife suitable green
VSDFHWRWKULYHDQGÀRXULVK6SULQJDQGIDOOPLJUDQW
Northern
Cardinal’s diet
includes seeds,
a self-guided walking tour map of the area; and Education, offering
Q: What species
species of birds will rest and refuel here before fruits, and
programming year round to teach citizens about the importance of
trees. Trees Atlanta does not just plant trees…we plant communities.
traveling on. Birds and other wildlife that make this
DUHDWKHLUKRPH\HDUURXQGZLOODOVREHQH¿WIURPWKH
invertebrates.
The female builds
recently dethroned
www.treesatlanta.org a nest of broken
Warehouse Row natural neighborhood. Thanks to
About the Photos VWXGHQWVDW%URZQ0LGGOH6FKRROZKRSDUWLFLSDWHGLQ
and bent twigs
that is three to four
the Arctic Tern as
Cover: a native habitat restoration project near Rose Circle, meters above the Northern Cardinal by Jim Wilson
Luna Moth, Monarch Caterpillar, Monarch Butterfly and \RXZLOO¿QGPDQ\FRPPRQELUGVKHUHLQFOXGLQJ ground. The eggs, which
Blue Grosbeak by Dan Vickers; Bald Cypress by Steve Sanchez Yellow-rumped Warblers, Cedar Waxwings, Red- are grayish white or speckled, are often removed by Brown-
the bird with the
headed Cowbirds. On average, only a quarter of cardinal
Inside Left Panel: headed Woodpeckers and American Robins. Other
Ginkgo and Dawn Redwood by Steve Sanchez; nests produce fledglings.
Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, and Raccoon by Dan Vickers;
wildlife might include deer, foxes, beavers, squirrels,
longest migration?
chipmunks, raccoons, opossums, along with various Northern Cardinals are common visitors in inhabited areas
Green Tree Frog by Darlene Moore
such as parks and yards. They are often seen attacking
types of reptiles and amphibians. A box turtle was
Design by Laura Woods
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reflections of themselves in mirrors and windows. This bird,
with its striking colors and territorial behavior, deserves
GLIIHUHQWWLPHVRIWKHGD\DQG¿QGZLOGOLIHVFXUU\LQJ credit for inspiring many people to pick up a field guide and
begin to enjoy the wonderful world of birds.
along, sharing your natural neighborhood.
This publication is made possible
through the generous support of:
See page ___ for the answer
The young of previous
seasons assist
Answer: in chick
Sooty
rearing.
Shearwater
9
 CLASSIFIEDS
Rates for 2.5” x 2.5” ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent with the conservation and birding mission
of Atlanta Audubon Society. Ads may be accepted via e-mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 678.973.2437 if you have questions.
Send payment to Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.
Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.

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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
that truly are, houses,
hummingbird stuff,
Bird Songs of Georgia
great books, Audubon
optics, & hard to find
CD now available.
hardware. Plus – 100’s
of Ravensburger Puzzles,
Email Georgann Schmalz at
Music of the Spheres
Chimes & a huge
georgannschmalz@windstream.net
selection of educational
toys and
or visit www.birdingadventuresinc.com
games for kids!

Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards

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

COUNT CIRCLE COMPILER(S) COUNT CIRCLE COMPILER(S) COUNT CIRCLE COMPILER(S)

Monday, December 14, 2009
Piedmont NWR-Rum Terry Johnson 478.994.1438
Creek WMA TJWoodDuck@aol.com
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Lake Oconee Steve Holzman 706.613.9493 ext 229
steve_holzman@yahoo.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
Harris Neck NWR Contact: Dot Bambach 912.598.3764
dotbam@bellsouth.net
Compiler: Steve Calver 912.927.6726 Okefenokee NWR
James.S.Calver@sas02.usace.army.mil (date is tentative)
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Athens Mary Case 706.548.3848
mecase@uga.edu
Eugenia Thompson 706.227.9328
eroberthom@bellsouth.net
Augusta Anne Waters 706.793.2788
birdannelady@earthlink.net
Cumberland Island Sheila Willis: by invitation
Macon Marie Amerson 478.746.5697
jaamerson@cox.net
Peachtree City Brock Hutchins 770.486.3715
brockhutchins@bellsouth.net
St. Catherines Island Emil Urban: by invitation
Sunday, December 20, 2009 Monday, December 28, 2009 (continued)
Atlanta (Marietta) Bob & Deb Zaremba 770.422.5830
Savannah Contact: Dot Bambach 912.598.3764
bobzarem@bellsouth.net
dotbam@bellsouth.net
Chattahoochee N.F. Johnny Parks 706.937.7163
Compiler: Steve Calver 912.927.6726
Songbird Mgmt. Area ringgold_birdchaser@juno.com
James.S.Calver@sas02.usace.army.mil
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
To Be Scheduled
Carters Lake Josh Spence 706.629.4325
Albany Alan Ashley 229.439.8232
spencejoshua@bellsouth.net
alanashley42@bellsouth.net
Saturday, December 26, 2009 Blue Ridge Robert Kimsey 706.492.5667
Sheila Willis 912.285.0419 robtkzga@bellsouth.net
swillis@wayxcable.com Callaway Gardens Cory Croft 706.663.6745
Monday, December 28, 2009 ccroft@callawayonline.org
Columbus Sam Pate 706.327.2574
Bainbridge/Lake Seminole Oscar Dewberry 229.246.1890
spate@brookstoneschool.org
boscar@mchsi.com
Dalton Phil Riner 706.226.0956
Dublin Bob Sargent 478.397.7962
karen.phil@windstream.net
bob.sargent@robins.af.mil
Eufaula NWR, AL/GA Sam Pate 706.327.2574
Amicalola Falls Georgann Schmalz 404.245.7273
spate@brookstoneschool.org
georgannschmalz@windstream.net
Lake Blackshear Terry Johnson 478.994.1438
Theresa Hartz 678.936.0785
TJWoodDuck@aol.com
jthartz50@GMAIL.COM
Sapelo Island William Dopson: by invitation
Floyd County Owen Kinney 706.234.6248
okinney@darlingtonschool.org
Glynn County Mike Chapman 912.262.6370
mikelchap@bellsouth.net

10 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Join Atlanta Audubon Society
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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, Renew Online!
you will not receive Audubon magazine. You can renew your membership
online by visiting our website at
If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below. www.atlantaaudubon.org and
linking to the membership page.
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.
We are excited to be able to offer
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. this service to you!

Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society

o Make check payable to: o Basic Membership
Atlanta Audubon Society o Individual ...........................................$25
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December 2009 11
 SOUTHERN BIRDING TRAILS
By Kenn Kaufman
A complete list of the trails can be found in Audubon Magazine published by National Audubon Society.

Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma

Comprising 13 separate loops in Oklahoma’s western half
of the state, the trail calls for weeks of exploration.
Prepare to be surprised by the diversity of
landscapes and their associated birds. Flocks of
blue-gray Pinyon Jays swarm across the slopes
of the far west’s rugged Black Mesa country;
elusive Black-capped Vireos and Rufous-
crowned Sparrows chatter from thickets in
the southwestern Wichita Mountains; and
Snowy Plovers and stately American Avocets
parade across the glistening flats of the Great Salt
Plains. During spring and fall, clouds of Franklin’s
Gulls circle over the fields en route to or from the
northern prairies. Winter flocks of bold Harris’s Sparrows,
black-faced and pink-billed, swarm through the riverside
thickets. Come anytime in the warmer months, and
you’ll be greeted by Oklahoma’s state bird, the
gorgeous Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, pale with
salmon-pink tinges and streaming tail feathers.
Summer is also the time for Mississippi Kites,
graceful acrobatic raptors that are perhaps
more numerous here than anywhere else,
shelling and diving above cottonwood groves on
the plains. For more information:
www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlifetrails.htm or
call the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation
Department at 800.652.6552

285 Send all mail to:

.
ATLANTA

lvd
400
It’s not too late to:

lB
nd
Roswell Road

I
ee
htr
AUDUBON SOCIETY

ac
Pe
Blue
Join us for fun December activities including our Sunday, Heron
Nature
Dec. 6, Holiday Party & Silent Auction at Five Seasons Brew- Preserve
4055 Roswell Road
ing’s inside location (deadline for registration is Nov. 30
by calling the AAS office). 75
Atlanta, GA 30342
85
West
Paces
Volunteer for an AAS Board of Directors position for 2010. Ferry
Piedmon

Renew your AAS membership online and check with your

East 678.973.2437
Road

Paces
t Ro

Ferry
employer regarding Matching Contributions.
htree

ad
Peac

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for an education on lichen at our Office located

Jan. 21 Speaker Series. Malcolm Hodges and Sean Beech- in Buckhead at the
ing will be our guest speakers. There’s also a follow-up work-
shop at Kennesaw Mountain on Jan 23. For more details,
Blue Heron Nature Preserve
see the January issue of Wingbars and/or AAS website.

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. POSTAGE
Atlanta Audubon Society PAID
4055 Roswell Road • Atlanta, GA 30342
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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