Issue 4, November 2020
Stockbridge
Audubon
www.stockbridgeaudubon.org
Representing Northeast Indiana
President’s Words: Diversity in
Audubon
By Cynthia Powers
Recently the “Central Park Birding
Incident” has hit the news again. Last
Memorial Day, Christian Cooper, an
African American board member of the
local Audubon affiliate, challenged Amy
Cooper (no relation), whose dog was
running unleashed in Central Park, New
York City. Amy is a white woman who
called the police, claiming she felt
threatened. News of this incident was
eclipsed by the George Floyd episode on
the same day, which had a more tragic
outcome.
All the events of that day led to much soul
searching among Americans of good will,
and particularly at National Audubon.
Apparently other Black birders have had
similar experiences. This led to the
establishment of Black Birders Week, held
the first week of June. American Birding
Association, Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
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P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46867
and others, also supported the movement.
(Not incidentally, National Audubon has
reminded us that John James Audubon was
himself a slave owner!)
Stockbridge Audubon has always been
welcoming to all, and I am sure this will
continue. After all, it is clear that the
world needs more birders! Let’s all
resolve to do our part.
That said, if I see anyone littering, all bets
are off!
Stockbridge Audubon is now on Instagram!
Follow us at @stockbridgeaudubon (and don't
forget to DM us with any Northeast Indiana
bird photos you have taken, and you could be
featured).
Upcoming Programs and Events
Project FeederWatch runs from Nov.
14, 2020 to April 9, 2021.
Details on all of the area Christmas bird
counts can be found later in this
newsletter!
Armchair Birding
By Lorenzo Kleine
The timing of the pandemic outbreak this
past spring opened up a lot of time in my
schedule during the most exciting time of
year—spring migration. While I fully took
advantage of this fantastic opportunity to
spend most of my days in the field, by the
time June rolled around...I was a bit
“birded out”. I think we all go through
lulls in our enthusiasm for birds, but it’s
nothing to be embarrassed of! There are
ways to connect with birdlife without even
stepping outside. The Allen County Public
Library has been acquiring quite a few new
books on birds during the past few months,
so I’ve been checking them out and
learning some new things to rebuild my
motivation to go birding. These are my
armchair birding recommendations, were
published this year, and are all on loan
from the library! No purchase necessary.
Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find
and Save the World’s Largest Owl by
Jonathan C. Slaght
Prior to picking this book up, I had
mistakenly thought Snowy Owls were the
world’s largest owls, but this distinction
actually belongs to the Blakiston’s Fish
Owl. This owl species had been rarely
studied before the author decided to center
his Ph.D. around learning its habitat and
life cycle through field study over a span
of years. The majority of the book follows
the successes, failures, and hijinks of the
field season in the Russian Far East, and is
full of colorful and memorable characters
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(owls included). The connection the author
establishes with this elusive and
impressive owl species strikes the reader
as unlikely, yet wholly genuine—his care
and focus in learning as much as possible
about Blakiston’s Fish Owls is a story we
rarely hear in how conservation efforts are
born.
American Birds: A Literary Companion
edited by Andrew Rubenfeld and Terry
Tempest Williams
This title caught my eye because it has a
lot to do with how I started birding. In
college, I took a course led by a literature
professor on birds, where he married the
ecology and identification of birds with
poetry. During that course, something
clicked inside me and I turned into a
budding bird enthusiast. This collection of
prose and poems on the wide variety of
birds living in our country highlights the
myriad ways of seeing, describing, and
experiencing birds in the written word.
Getting to revisit some of the poems I
hadn’t read since college and finding some
familiar favorites in these pages made for a
“walk down memory lane”. I highly
recommend this anthology to anyone
wishing to think about birds in a new way.
A couple personal favorites include “The
Oven Bird” by Robert Frost and
“Sandpiper” by Elizabeth Bishop.
Pacific Flyway: Waterbird Migration
from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego by
Audrey DeLella Benedict, Geoffrey A.
Hammerson, & Robert W. Butler
The most striking element of this book is
its design. The pages are wide and for
good reason: the full-color photographs
gracing almost every page are breathtaking
and capture in exquisite detail the lives and
migrations of the West Coast’s waterbirds.
While most of the book centers on birds as
seen in North America and their stories, an
effort is made to connect the global scale
of the migrations undertaken by arctic
breeders such as geese, ducks, shorebirds,
grebes, and loons. The intercontinental
lifestyle of these birds is fascinating and
reminds us that a good number of our
avian friends spend most of their time in
places very unlike our corner of Indiana.
Six New Birds to My Yard List
By Terri Gorney
In 2009, I started keeping a life list of birds
(butterflies, dragon and damselflies soon
followed). I also kept a yard list for birds.
In late 2002, I moved into my current
home in suburban Fort Wayne. I am on a
pond with seven other homes. It had only
grass. No trees or landscaping. Very
monoculture. Shortly after I moved
landscaping and trees were planted. Over a
few years, I dug up more of the yard and
planted more native plants.
I place bird feeders and a heated bird bath
with two nesting boxes for blue birds (one
year I had house wrens in the one box) on
my lot. I had a family of blue birds the first
year. They raised four young. Within a
couple years, I had robins building nests in
the one tree.
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One of my favorite yard birds was a Ross’s
goose. I was looking out one morning at
the pond to see a Ross’s goose with the
mallards. The mallards regularly come to
the feeders and so did the Ross’s goose.
Unfortunately, he stayed only a couple of
hours.
This year I added six species to the yard
list: brown creeper, pewee, Baltimore
oriole, bay-breasted warbler, warbling
vireo, and a bald eagle. I wonder if I
missed them in the past because I was at
work. One benefit this spring was working
from home part of the day and being able
to enjoy birds that stopped by
unexpectedly in April and May.
October 30, a pine siskin came to the
feeder. I noted one in 2009 on my list.
My humble small suburban lot now has a
list of 56 bird species.
If you recently joined National Audubon
Society, you’re receiving this complimentary
newsletter because you are automatically
granted membership in the local Stockbridge
chapter when you join National. If you would
like to continue receiving the letter, which is
produced four times a year, please call Ed
Powers at 260-638-4291 or email him at
zzedpowers@aol.com and let him know
whether you would prefer a paper or emailed
version. (Telling him just once is sufficient.) If
you don’t wish to continue receiving the
newsletter after the first issue, don’t do
anything and nothing further will be sent to
you.
________________________________________
___
Shade-Grown Coffee Can Benefit
Stockbridge www.woodwarblercoffee.com.
Are you searching for just the right gift for
that coffee lover on your holiday list? If
so, Noblesville’s Wood Warbler Coffee
might hold the solution to your dilemma.
Eco-friendly, ethically grown whole-bean
and ground coffees are available in 12-oz.
packages; 5-lb. bags of whole beans also
may be ordered. Each item purchased
under the “Conservation Partners” tab and
the Stockbridge Audubon logo will result
in a donation to Stockbridge (10% of the
purchase price). To learn more, go to
2020-2021 Christmas Bird Counts
GENE STRATTON-PORTER CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
When: Thursday, Dec. 17; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Gene Stratton-Porter SHS; 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN 46784
The GSP CBC encompasses a number of wonderful properties including the ACRES’ Detering and
Lonidaw nature preserves, the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, Bixler Lake Park in Kendallville, and the
Chain O’Lakes State Park.
Plan: Please register by 12/14 by contacting Tiffany Parker at tmparker@indianamuseum.org for more
information and for your designated birding location. It’s always fun to pre-scout to get to know the lay of the
land and what birds you might see that day. We will not be gathering for lunch as we’ve done in years past.
Teams should be members of the same household if birding by vehicle. Groups are welcome to bird together by
foot but should follow social distancing practices and carpool separately to each location. Once the count is over
volunteers should email their data by 12/22.

FORT WAYNE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Saturday, December 19, 2020 (Sunrise will be at 8:02 a.m. and Sunset at 5:15 p.m.)
Greetings Everyone!
Hard to believe it's time to plan for the Fort Wayne Christmas Bird Count.  This year the count will be held on
Saturday, December 19th.  National Audubon has asked that we run “a COVID-19 safe and socially distanced
CBC.” In order to do so they ask that we cancel all in-person compilation gatherings, wear masks, socially
distance in the field, carpool only with family or social “pod” groups, and comply with all state and local
guidelines. 
For the Fort Wayne CBC, this means that we will not hold any of our usual gatherings, morning, lunchtime, or
evening.  And we, as compilers, will not assign people to teams, but ask that if you want to participate, you form
your own team of 2-4 people from family or friends within your safe group. Or you may decide to participate
alone. It is also possible to participate as a feeder watcher or backyard birder if you live within the count circle. 
In order to comply with National Audubon’s CBC protocol we must still divide up our circle among participating
teams or individuals, assigning teams to specific areas within our 15-mile diameter count circle. And we must

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know in advance if you want to participate by watching a feeder. 
Please let us know as soon as possible that you will participate and with whom. The hard deadline for informing
us will be December 1st to give us enough time to divide up the count circle and to get the necessary information
to you before count day.
Thanks, 
Margit Codispoti, magpii2@yahoo.com
Eric Helfrich, conqur1066@gmail.com

PIGEON RIVER CBC

The Pigeon River Christmas Bird Count will take place on Sunday, December 20, 2020. If interested in
participating, please contact Joe Smith. His email is Joe.smith@kidszoo.org and his phone number is 260-427-
6246. Because hunting season will still be in progress, all participants are strongly advised to wear something
that is hunter orange in color.

TIPPECANOE CBC
The Tippecanoe Audubon Society Christmas Count will be Saturday, December 26th, 2020.  The 15-mile-
diameter count circle is centered at Oswego, Indiana in Kosciusko County. Birders of all skill levels are welcome.
The compiler says that “Since we'll be doing the form and data exchange by email, potential participants should
get in touch with Dave Hicks at djhicks@manchester.edu or 260-982-2471”. 

POKAGON CBC
The 41st Annual Pokagon Christmas Bird Count will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020. On December 28,
birders in predetermined teams will disperse into a 15-mile diameter circle, the center being the center of Steuben
County, to count both species and numbers of birds.   Due to Covid-19 precautions, the count will be conducted
slightly differently this year. Participants will NOT gather at Pokagon State Park to divide into teams and head
into the field, as done in the past. Teams will be determined in advance and team leaders will be mailed CBC
materials ahead of time. It will be up to each team to determine how they wish to bird in their respective areas.
Each team will meet at a site determined by the team leader and from there carpool, if they feel comfortable doing
so, or car caravan, safely stopping at birding sites they determine. Covid safety protocols are well known to all by
now and should be followed in vehicles and in the field (masks, social distancing, etc…)
Birders should bring their own birding optics and dress for a day in the field. Participants should also bring a sack
lunch to enjoy in the field, or their team may wish to make other lunch arrangements on their own.  To register,
contact Fred Wooley at 260-495-3307 or 260-243-0513 (cell) or E-mail fwooley@frontier.com. Registration
deadline is earlier this year, December 14, to allow time to form teams, distribute materials, and for teams to be
in contact and make their plans. Updated for 2020.

SANJO (Southern Adams, Northern Jay and Ouabache) CBC

SANJO CBC is scheduled for January 1, 2021. I think we are all looking forward to the new year and what better
way to start than with the bird count. SANJO CBC is the old Adams County CBC. It is in southern Adams,
northern Jay and western Wells County. 
Due to Covid-19 and NAS restrictions we will not have our usual chili lunch at the Limberlost Visitor Center. As
compiler, I will leave it up to the individuals as to their groups or teams. I want everyone to feel comfortable and
safe. The Limberlost Visitor Center will be open in the morning for bathrooms and as a meeting location. 
Limberlost Conservation Area has plenty of good territory for everyone. New counters are always welcome.  
Feeder counters are welcome. If you live within the 15 mile radius circle, you are welcome to count birds in your
yard. Great fun family activity. 

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Terri Gorney   bandtgorney@aol.com   
compiler for SANJO CBC

SOUTHWEST ALLEN CBC

This year our count will be on January 2, but will be different because of Covid-19.  National Audubon's
guidelines say we should not have group gatherings, so our usual chili lunch is out.  That was the best part, in my
opinion.  Nevertheless, the birds will still be here!  And will need to be counted.
Probably we will depend heavily on backyard feeder watchers.  They will need to be located within the circle.  So
please recruit your neighbors.  They will need to sign up with me before Christmas as we must be sure that each
area only gets counted once.  I will also attempt to make sure that Fox Island, Little River properties, and the
ACRES sites are covered by small groups of watchers, probably in family groups.  The feeders at Fox Island will
also be available but with Covid restrictions.
The good news is that some "irruptive" species have already been seen in early October.  These include Pine
Siskins and Red-breasted Nuthatches.  Maybe Purple Finches, and can we even hope for Evening Grosbeaks?  Or
Snowy Owls?
BE AWARE THAT COVID MAY CAUSE UNFORESEEN CHANGES IN PLANS, SUCH AS CANCELING
IT.
Feeder counters should list the largest number of each species that they see; also estimate the amount of time
spent.
Cynthia Powers 638-4291
zzedpowers@aol.com
Compiler for SW Allen CBC

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 |Stockbridge Directors and Officers|
Inside this issue:
Cynthia Powers, President 260-638-4291
President’s Words
Julie Henricks, V.P. & Newsletter Editor 260-638-4375
Terri Gorney, Secretary & Program Chair 260-490-6725
Armchair Birding
Eric Helfrich, Treasurer 260-693-3246
Six New Birds to My Yard Margit Codispoti, Director 260-456-1996
Lorenzo Kleine, Director lorenzo.kleine@gmail.com
List Greg Majewski, Director_________________gamajewski@gmail.com
Ed Powers, Membership 260-638-4291
Area Christmas Bird Counts Dave Reichlinger, Director 260-432-9431
Sandy Schacht, Director Emerita 260-356-3681
Plus More Neat Stuff! Stephanie Wagner, Director sewsings328@gmail.com
Phil Wixom, Webmaster_________________a28n28@yahoo.com
Andrew Wolfe, Director jawwolfe@gmail.com

We welcome new members using the form below (or apply online). To speed your service and save us postage, mail renewals directly to National
Audubon, using the form that they provide. Any questions relating to membership? Ed Powers, Membership Chair, will be glad to help!

Online new membership requests: https://action.audubon.org/donate/chapter-membership?chapter=H09

Or mail the following form:

National Audubon Society/Stockbridge Audubon Chapter Membership Application H09

I want to join Audubon! Enclosed is my check payable to the National Audubon Society.

Name YEARLY MEMBERSHIP:

Individual/$20 Family/$20
Address ________________________________

City/State/Zip________________________________

Mail to: National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., New York, NY 10014