Issue 1, February 2023

Stockbridge
Audubon
www.stockbridgeaudubon.org
Representing Northeast Indiana P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46867

Vice President’s Words

By Julie Henricks

Hello from lovely rural Ossian, where the

Horned Larks are singing their spring songs
from the barren stubble fields. Or at least, that’s
my story – in reality, they can be heard pretty
much all winter, even in the midst of the snow
and wind. They seem very cheerful, as do the
Darked-eyed Juncos, who arrive here each fall
after deciding that northern Indiana is the place
to be during the winter! You have to love that
kind of “glass half full” optimism.
Dark-eyed Junco courtesy of Terri Gorney Lehman
You’ll find the spring field trip schedule
later in this newsletter. In an attempt to attract Stockbridge Audubon is now on Instagram!
younger people, including families, the trip Follow us at @stockbridgeaudubon (and
committee has planned some shorter and more don't forget to DM us with any Northeast
local jaunts. Please consider yourself invited to Indiana bird photos you have taken, and you
any or all of these outings. Whether you’re a could be featured).
seasoned birder, a complete novice or
somewhere in between, you’ll be welcomed and Sad News
your sightings will be valued. Stockbridge lost a long-serving board member,
dear friend and avid birder when Margit
Happy birding! Codispoti passed away in January. She will be
missed by all who knew her.

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 SANJO CBC
By Terri Gorney Lehman
SANJO (Southern Adams Northern Jay Ouabache)
Christmas Bird Count was part of the 123rd annual
CBC by the National Audubon Society. This was the
eighth year of this circle which was formally the
Adams County CBC. There has been a CBC in
Adams County since 1948.
I was asked to be the compiler by Larry Parker, a
long-time birder from Decatur. He was the compiler
for a number of years. By profession, Larry was a
mail carrier, which is how he started birding. He
noticed birds on his route. Larry passed away in
October 2021 and he is still missed as he
participated in this CBC.
I changed it from a county count to a circle so that
the Limberlost Conservation Area would be included
along with Ouabache State Park. I started the
tradition of a chili lunch at the Limberlost Visitor
Center in Geneva. It gives birders from Robert
Cooper Audubon Society (Muncie), Mississinewa
Audubon Club (Marion) and Stockbridge Audubon
Society a chance to meet and chat.
This year the count was held on December 31. It was
a mild day in the 40s. All the field teams had good
birds and birds that the others did not see. The two
lakes were mostly frozen but the Wabash River and
creeks were flowing.
Highlights include short-eared owl, northern harriers,
rough-legged hawks, red-breasted nuthatch,
golden-crowned kinglets, yellow-bellied sapsucker,
pileated woodpeckers, redheaded woodpeckers,
brown creepers, red-shouldered hawk, sharp-
shinned hawk, northern pintails, Sandhill cranes,
great-horned owl, turkey, white-throated sparrows,
swamp sparrows and a ring-billed gull.
The number of bald eagles in the Geneva area is
increasing. Twenty eagles were recorded on the
count.
Report of the 8th official Southwest Allen
Christmas Bird Count, held 12/31/22
We only had 41 species this year compared to
around 50 in previous years. But it wasn't for lack
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of participants, as we had 25 field observers and 18
feeder watchers, some of whom took short hikes as
well. 4835 individual birds were seen. The highest
number seen was European Starlings (1312!) and
Canada Geese (1118). Also, I was struck by the
number of robins (321) and bluebirds (98). (No
Snowy Owls this year, though.)
Probably the birds of the day were 4 Lesser Black-
backed Gulls seen off the continental divide trail at
Eagle Marsh, by Carolyn and Jeffrey Area, who
included 4 photographs and proper documentation.
Even though the experts at National Audubon
determined that they were really Herring Gulls, it
was still a good sighting. Immature gulls are very
hard to ID especially on a foggy day.
Other birds seen by only one party were the
Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Brown
Creepers, White-Crowned Sparrows, and Belted
Kingfisher all seen by Stephanie Wagner; Red-
breasted Nuthatches seen by Jann Prince and
Kathy Wagner at Peace Farm in Wells County, and
Jerry Smith's Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Eagle
Marsh West also had the only Ring-billed Gull,
seen by Sue Zwierko and Rachel Osborne. Two
Pileated Woodpeckers were seen, one of which
stayed for an hour and a half eating suet at the Fox
Island feeders.
Extra points to the Ariebe family, who included their
children Mae (8) and Walter (5). The world needs
more young birders!
Many of us enjoyed a chili lunch at Fox Island
Nature Center; 33 species were tallied on the
overhead projector by then. Many thanks to Natalie
Haley for opening the gate for us and for our
fantastic chili makers, Brett Fisher and Lori Healey;
also to Stockbridge Audubon for paying for the
ingredients.
Most of the birders were shocked to see the
devastation at Fox Island, which has been closed to
the public since the derecho in June. (Well-
behaved birders have occasionally been given
special permission.)
Christmas Bird Counts began in 1900 and have
contributed valuable data to scientists. So we were
part of a 123-year tradition. The 2023 count is
scheduled for Dec. 30; hope to see you then. Lapland longspur: 730, birds seen by two teams, beat
the record of 300 observed in 1998
Cynthia Powers, compiler
Noteworthy: This was another low year for field
Forty-third Annual Pokagon Christmas Bird observers with just 12. We divided the circle into five
Count areas. Previous Pokagon CBCs have had up to seven
December 28, 2022 areas.
Some birds recorded often in previous counts, but
Count Compiler – Fred J. Wooley, 7848 North missing this year were pied-billed grebe, coot, some
Blackman Road, Fremont, Indiana 46737 260-243-0513 diving and dabbling ducks, all owls, red-headed
- fwooley@frontier.com. woodpecker, pheasant, cowbird, cedar waxwing, yellow-
rumped warbler, and “winter finches.” Ten species were
This year marks the 123rd Annual National Audubon just one individual: Great white-fronted goose by Team
Christmas Bird Count. It is also the 43rd Annual Guth /Keister, ringneck duck by Team Guth/Keister,
Pokagon Christmas Bird Count. bufflehead duck by Team McAfee/Zolman, wood duck
Locality. The count circle is a 15-mile diameter circle by Team Plew, sharp-shinned hawk by Team
with the center being near the center of Angola, Indiana McAfee/Zolman, red-breasted Nuthatch by Team Smith,
(Intersection of SR 20 and CR 100 East). This includes a swamp sparrow by Team Plew, white-crowned sparrow
large portion of Steuben County, the most northeast by Team McAfee/Zolman, fox sparrow by Team Parker,
county in Indiana. The circle this year was split into five and eastern meadowlark by Team Plew.
zones, in which teams of birders searched for and Participants:
recorded species and numbers. Feeder Counters: Rita Smith from her Crooked Lake
Weather and snow/ice conditions: Temperature range home and Beth Parker at the Pokagon State Park Nature
was from 26 degrees F in the morning rising to 43 Center.
degrees F by day’s end. Sky was bright to sunny. Large Field Counters: Bob Guth, Terri Gorney Lehman, Gary
lakes were ice covered. Only open water was in creeks Keister, Paul McAfee, Sam Plew, Cynthia Powers, Ed
and channels. There was slight snow coverage. Visibility Powers, Barbara Schroeder, Walt Schroeder, Jeannine
was good. Wind was from the south 5 to 10mph, gustier Walker, Fred Wooley, and Darci Zolman.
in the morning. Totals for 2022
Canada goose – 2055
Totals: Twelve observers in the field and two at feeders
Greater white-fronted goose – 1
tallied 60 species of birds, two more than last year, but Mute swan – 7
much less than the record year of 74 in 2012, and a total Tundra swan – 10
of 5,898 individuals, slightly more than last year but far Trumpeter swan – 4
fewer than the record of 11,048 of 2013. Mallard – 148
Gadwall – 6
Records: There were no new species this year. The Wood duck – 1
count record stands at 117 species, with one of those Green-winged teal - 4
seen only on count week. Five of the 60 species tallied Ring-necked duck – 1
either tied or set new records for numbers of individuals. Common goldeneye – 6
Trumpeter swan: 4 recorded by Team Guth/Keister Hooded merganser – 9
bested 2 recorded in 2008 Bufflehead – 1
White-fronted goose: 1 recorded by Team Guth/Keister Wild turkey – 67
tied record of 1 for years 2003 and 2020 Great blue heron – 3
Green-winged teal: 4 observed by Sam Plew beat record Turkey vulture – 7
of 1 in 2012 Cooper’s hawk – 4
Sharp-shinned hawk – 1
Winter wren: 2 recorded by Sam Plew tied record of 2 Northern harrier – 2
for 1991 and 1993 American kestrel – 12
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Bald eagle – 4 held this year. (No one was available to be a
Rough-legged hawk - 2 compiler.) The hope is to remedy this in 2023.
Red-tailed hawk – 28
Rock pigeon – 148
Mourning dove – 88 2023 Stockbridge Board Election
Belted kingfisher – 4 Following is the ballot for this year’s election.
Red-bellied woodpecker – 43 The four new candidates have kindly contributed
Downy woodpecker – 47
Hairy woodpecker – 9
some information about themselves:
Northern flicker – 14
Pileated woodpecker – 10 Clara Conroy
Blue jay – 83 I grew up in Louisville, KY, where my father
American crow – 305 instilled in me a love of nature, especially birds.
Horned lark – 52
Snow bunting – 211 Thirty-five years ago, I moved north to Allen
Lapland longspur – 730 County, got married and raised two boys. I have
Black-capped chickadee – 76 worked at the same printing company for most
Tufted titmouse – 32
Red-breasted nuthatch - 1
of that time. In 2019 I graduated from the
White-breasted nuthatch – 62 Indiana Master Naturalist program. I am
Brown creeper – 4 currently on the Fox Island Alliance board of
Carolina wren – 4 directors, serving on three committees -
Winter wren – 2
Golden-crowned kinglet – 2 newsletter, social media and annual meeting of
Eastern bluebird – 24 members. With your approval, I look forward to
American robin – 51 becoming a part of the Stockbridge Audubon
European starling – 467 BOD.
Red-winged blackbird – 6
Eastern meadowlark - 1
Common grackle – 13
American tree sparrow – 134 Hi, my name is Michael Filosa. I am an Air
Dark-eyed junco – 232 Force veteran and a Ball State grad living in Fort
White-crowned sparrow – 1 Wayne. My wife and I really picked up
Song sparrow – 14
birdwatching in 2020 like many but it really
Swamp sparrow – 1
Fox sparrow - 1 turned into a passion for me alongside nature
Northern cardinal – 61 photography. My life has turned into, how can I
House finch – 67 make this vacation revolve around birding?
American goldfinch – 57
House sparrow – 458 Even though I'm newer into this community, my
Total species: 60 life list is up to 254 species. I've been trying to
Total individuals: 5,898 find meaningful ways to spend my free time and
what better way than to grow the Stockbridge
Thank you to all who participated. Thank you to all who chapter!
drove for the day.

Please mark your calendars for Thursday,
December 28, 2023, for the next Pokagon
CBC!
*** Editor’s note: The Fort Wayne count was not
4
My end goal is to get younger people involved.
By doing this, we can create a more
environmentally conscious generation as they
begin to get into roles that allow them to make
change.
Lisa Silvey
I recently retired from Lincoln Financial
Corporation after many years, working primarily
as a Project Manager and Senior Business
Analyst.
In the past, I served on the board of Soarin'
Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation for several years in
various positions which included President and
Treasurer.
My husband, John Winebrenner and I have been
birders for many years and enjoy traveling
throughout the country birding, hiking, camping
and enjoying all that nature has to offer.
As a Stockbridge board member, I hope to help
grow the membership in the chapter and
encourage young people to explore nature and
enjoy the great outdoors.
John Winebrenner
My professional background has been in the
fields of electronics repair and data
communications. I have recently gone into
"semi-retirement" and am thoroughly enjoying
my three-day work weeks!
I have previously served as a Director on the
boards of both Stockbridge Audubon Society
and Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation.
My interest in birding started way back in 1986,
when I attended a naturalist-led bird hike at
Turkey Run State Park.
My wife, Lisa Silvey and I enjoy birding,
camping, and traveling throughout the country,
visiting as many National Parks as we can.
On Stockbridge field trips, I enjoy meeting
beginner birders, and sharing my knowledge
with them, just as more experienced birders
helped me as I was starting out.
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Ballot for Stockbridge Audubon board: to take office
May 2023 (you may vote for all).
___ Clara Conroy
___ Michael Filosa
___ Terri Gorney Lehman
___ Julie Henricks
___ Lorenzo Kleine
___ Greg Majewski
___ Cynthia Powers
___ Lisa Silvey
___ Stephanie Wagner
___ John Winebrenner
___ Andrew Wolfe
Please print off your ballot, mark it, and mail it to Julie
Henricks, 16608 Branstrator Road, Ossian, IN 46777; or
email ossianbirder@gmail.com.
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 Still a Benefit
Noblesville’s Wood Warbler Coffee offers eco-friendly,
ethically grown whole-bean and ground coffees, which
are available in 12-oz. packages; 5-lb. bags of whole
beans also may be ordered. Unfortunately, they have
discontinued the “Conservation Partners” relationship
with Stockbridge. Although we no longer will receive a
portion of the purchase price of one particular blend, the
coffee continues to be a great choice for those who wish
to buy sustainably-grown coffee. Learn more at
https://woodwarblercoffee.com.
 STOCKBRIDGE AUDUBON SOCIETY 2023 SPRING FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are open to all; we welcome beginners. Bring a picnic lunch for all trips lasting past noon. We leave
on time. We carpool for out-of-town trips; sharing gas expenses is appreciated. We can meet people at our
destination or on the way if arranged in advance. Return times are estimates; you can return early if you drive
yourself. Dress for the weather; waterproof shoes or boots are often needed. For further information, contact
the relevant trip leader or Ed Powers, (260) 638-4291, zzedpowers@aol.com.

Sat Mar 4 Franke Park. Meet at 10:00 AM at the BMX parking lot; finish at noon. Leader: Greg Majewski.

Sat Mar 11 Aboite area. Meet at 9:00 AM at LC Nature Park, 9744 Aboite Rd. Woodpeckers, woodland
songbirds, including migrant warblers. Also introduced bison and elk. Finish by noon. Participants will be asked
to sign a waiver for LC Nature Park. Leaders: George Manning and Lorenzo Kleine.

Sun Mar 12 Hurshtown Reservoir. Meet at the reservoir, 16000 Roth Rd, 1 mi S of SR 1 (1.5 mi N of Grabill
Rd) at 3 PM. Loons, grebes, ducks, gulls, maybe Snow Buntings. We circle the reservoir by car, stopping
occasionally to get out and scope the water. Please assemble in the parking lot and arrange for at least three
people in each car. Finish by 5:00 PM. Leader: Ed Powers.

Sat Mar 18 Eagle Marsh. Meet at 6:30 PM at the BSA Scout parking lot at the end of Olde Canal Place
(opposite Lutheran Hospital campus). Shorebirds, herons, swallows, etc. Woodcocks should be displaying at
dusk. Up to two miles on flat trails; boots or waterproof shoes recommended. Finish by 8:30. Leader: David
Ward.

Sat Mar 25 Pigeon River FWA; meet at 8:00 AM at north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of
I-69) or at FWA Hq ½ mi east of Mongo. Waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, songbirds, maybe owls. Return around
5:00 PM. Leader: Sam Plew.

Sun Mar 26 Hurshtown Reservoir. Details same as Mar 12.

Sat Apr 1 Franke Park. Meet at 10:00 AM at the BMX parking lot; finish at noon. Leader: Greg Majewski.

Sat Apr 8 Salamonie Lake; meet at 7:30 AM from northeast corner of Rural King parking lot, US 24 just
west of I-69, or meet us at 8:00 AM at Forks of the Wabash, southwest corner of US 24 and IN 9, Huntington.
Waterfowl, woodpeckers, songbirds. Half birding by car, but up to four miles on foot; some hills, may be
muddy spots. Return around 5:00 PM. Leader: Stephanie Wagner

Sat Apr 15 Downtown Ft Wayne. Meet at 9:00-11:00 AM at the south side of the Wells Street bridge
(Promenade Park). Finish by 11:00. Leader: Greg Majewski.

Fri Apr 21 PFW campus. Meet at 5:00-7:00 PM Enter campus off Coliseum Blvd at N Anthony. Park in the
P-6 public lot near the white pedestrian bridge. Leader: Michael Filosa.

Sat Apr 22 Chain O’ Lakes State Park; meet at 7:30 AM at north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd
(north of I-69), or at the Youth Campground at Chain O’ Lakes at 8:15. Hawks, woodpeckers, migrant
songbirds. Up to five miles on mostly flat trails; may be some wet spots. Return about 4:00 PM. Leader: John
Winebrenner.

Sat Apr 29 Metea County Park, 8401 Union Chapel Rd; meet at 9:00 AM at the Nature Center.
Woodpeckers, woodland songbirds, including migrant warblers. Three or four miles on easy trails; may be
some wet spots. Finish by noon. Leader: Bill Lambert. Park entrance fee of $2 payable at the Nature Center.
6
Sat May 6 Franke Park. Meet at 10:00 AM at the BMX parking lot; finish at noon. Leader: Lorenzo Kleine.

Sat May 13 No local trip. Consider the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. This is a major event in Midwest
birding. For details, go to indunesbirdingfest.com. There are fees for this event.

Fri May 12 through Tue May 16 Another major event is the Biggest Week in American Birding, at Magee
Marsh, east of Toledo on Lake Erie. See biggestweekinamericanbirding.com. There are fees for this event.

Sat May 20 Fogwell Forest, an ACRES property at 9630 Whippoorwill Dr (off Lwr Huntington Rd about ½
mi e of Branstrator Rd). Includes a forest and a restored prairie. Meet at the end of Whippoorwill Dr at 10:00
AM, finish by 12:00. Leader Ed Powers.

Sat May 27 Willow Slough FWA/Kankakee Sands; leave at 6:30 AM from Kroger’s, northwest side of jct. IN
14 west and Scott Rd. Grassland birds and others, some at eastern extreme of their ranges. Return about 7 PM.
Leaders: Dave Reichlinger, Ed Powers.

First Saturday of every month: Franke Park. Meet at 10:00 AM at the BMX parking lot; finish at noon.
Leader: Greg Majewski

American Goldfinch Northern Cardinal

American Tree Sparrow

Photos courtesy of Randy Lehman

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P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, IN 46867

Return Service Requested

|Stockbridge Directors and Officers|

Inside this issue:
Vice President’s Words
Some Local CBC Results
Spring Field Trip Schedule
2023 Stockbridge Election
And lots more good stuff!
Lorenzo Kleine, President lorenzo.kleine@gmail.com
Julie Henricks, V.P. & Newsletter Editor 260-433-6330
Terri Gorney Lehman,
Secretary & Program Chair 260-490-6725
Eric Helfrich, Treasurer 260-693-3246
Greg Majewski, Director_________________gamajewski@gmail.com
Cynthia Powers, Director________________ 260-638-4291
Ed Powers, Membership 260-638-4291
Dave Reichlinger, Director 260-432-9431
Sandy Schacht, Director Emerita 260-433-0245
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: __ $20

Address_____________________________________

City/State/Zip________________________________

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