August 2007

Volume XXXIII, Issue 8 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

2007 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour

Don’t Just Attend, Volunteer! INSIDE
Saturday, September 8, 2007 9 AM–4 PM President’s Perch...............2
From the Exec Dir..............3
A Million Thanks ................3
Field Notes.........................4
Field Trips...........................5
By The Way ........................5
This year’s popular Atlanta Audubon Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour is conveniently located
in the City of Atlanta in the Virginia-Highland, Ansley Park, Candler Park and Kirkwood Ossabaw Island ................6
neighborhoods. All five sanctuaries were reclaimed from the scourge of non-native plants.
Out in the Field .................7
These areas are now full of flowers, shrubs, trees and ground covers, as well as water sources,
feeding stations and nesting sites. The variety and number of birds and animals are remarkable Sanctuary Workshop .........7
given the proximity to the hubbub of downtown Atlanta.
New Publication!...............8
Five In-Town Havens. Purchase your tickets and begin your tour at any of the five
sanctuaries that have been transformed into urban wildlife havens. A tour flyer with a map and Master Birders ...................8
directions will guide you to the other locations.
“The Dell” on Barksdale Drive in Ansley Park and Jr Birders Camp.................9
adjacent to 75 Maddox Drive, Atlanta, GA 30309 Classifieds.......................10
196 17th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
2275 First Ave NE, Kirkwood (Atlanta), GA 30317 GA’s Protected Birds........11
422 Candler Street N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307
1096 North Virginia Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306 Membership....................11

Discount Advance Tickets Available. Tickets are $15 on the day of the tour or $12 in Birds Matter.....................12
advance and for Atlanta Audubon members. Advance tickets are available Ashe-Simpson
Garden Center, Hastings Garden Center, Smith & Hawken at Peachtree Battle, Pike Family
Nursery (4020 Roswell Road) and Pike Family Nursery (2101 LaVista Road).
Volunteers Tour Free of Charge. We really need your help on this important day, so please
ATLANTA
contact Jacqueline McRae at jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net to get involved. AUDUBON SOCIETY
Native Plants for Sale. The Georgia Native Plant Society will have plants for sale at The Dell,
which is also a great location for a picnic lunch. Other exhibits, booths and birders will also be
Box 29189
at The Dell. The Dell is a city park with an entrance on Barksdale Drive just off The Prado. Atlanta, GA 30359
Parking on Barksdale Drive is in a central location for walking between the two Ansley Park www.atlantaaudubon.org
backyard wildlife sanctuaries.
Learn How to Make Your Home a Sanctuary. Every day, Atlanta loses some 50 acres of
greenspace to development. You can help counterbalance that trend by turning your yard into a
AAS OFFICE
sustaining habitat with shelter, food, water and nesting sites. Learn what’s involved in the and Information Line
Conservation section of www.atlantaaudubon.org, and talk with experts and sanctuary owners
during the tour. From small to large and overgrown to manicured, almost any property can be
770.913.0511
enhanced to provide better habitat for the birds and wildlife around us. It is time to turn green!
Don’t miss your chance to tour some of Atlanta’s finest Backyard Wildlife Sanctuaries while
GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
supporting your Atlanta Audubon Society at the same time. The tour is generously sponsored
by BB&T, birdJam, Earth Share of Georgia, Patagonia and Toco Instant Printing.
770.493.8862
 Board of Directors
2007
President’s Perch
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar by Ellen Miller
770.993.9579
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
Officers
President Ellen Miller
404.355.8892
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com We Have Work To Do
President-elect Vacant
Treasurer David Yon
I’m sure most of you know that National and Conservation Stamp with holder for only
404.513.9806 Audubon Society recently released its report $17. Send a self-addressed envelope with two
yonkers13@comcast.net called Common Birds in Decline, based on an (2) 1st class stamps and your check for $17
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan analysis of 40 years of annual Christmas Bird payable to GOS to: GOS-Duck Stamp, P.O. Box
404.298.8825
markajernigan@bellsouth.net Count and Breeding Bird Survey data. The 181, North High Shoals, GA 30645.
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley report received a great deal of national media Support Bird Related Organizations of Your
404.687.0079 coverage and showed, among other things, a
atlpiaf@aol.com Choice: Since you are receiving this newsletter,
surprising and dramatic decline since 1967 of you have chosen to join and support the
some of our more common birds. (And it does programs of Atlanta Audubon Society. We thank
Directors not mention the plight of our less common
Conservation Vacant you! Atlanta Audubon and other conservation
Education Marcia Klenbort
birds.) For more information on the report, see organizations advocate for reasonable and
404.874.9826 Catharine Kuchar’s column on page 3 and check responsible laws and regulations affecting birds
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net out the National Audubon Society Web site. and their habitats. We take great pride in
Field Trips Dave Butler
404.580.3917 The Message? We have work to do! educating children and adults about birds. We
dabutler@co.dekalb.ga.us I recognize that sometimes the obstacles facing support a variety of conservation initiatives.
Membership Art Hurt healthy bird populations seem insurmountable. Your support, both in donations, time or both is
770.934.7660
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net We ask ourselves, “What can an individual do, absolutely vital in enabling Atlanta Audubon to
Communications anyway?” But remember, individuals can and do continue working for the protection,
Georgann Schmalz make a difference. Look at Bill Gates or Ralph understanding and enjoyment of birds.
706.216.5012
georgannschmalz@alltel.net Nader or the handful of women who started Participate in Citizen Science Projects:
Publicity Denese Van Dyne MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). I There are numerous opportunities to participate
404.406.9324 believe making a difference in any area of our in citizen science projects that produce vital
denesevandyne@yahoo.com
lives or in the world requires focus, passion and information concerning birds, their habits,
Special Events Nancy Hamilton
404.874.2338
persistence, and I believe that Atlanta Audubon distribution and needs. Many of these projects
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net members have these qualities in abundance. are coordinated and supported by National
Volunteers Vacant Here’s a reminder of some of the things you can Audubon, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and
do to help. state and federal governments. Projects include
At Large Can You Say Duck Stamp? Duck Stamps have Project Feeder Watch, the Great Backyard Bird
Past President generated more than $700 million that have Count, Christmas Bird Counts, Breeding Bird
Kelly Hopkins
404.622.1888 been used to protect 5.2 million acres of Surveys, local projects such as the Loggerhead
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net wetland habitat. Duck Stamps cost $15, with 98 Shrike Project in Georgia and many more.
Jay Davis cents of every dollar going directly toward the Make Your Yard Bird Friendly: Birds need
404.624.4973 purchase or lease of wetland habitat. As an
webtoad@earthlink.net clean water, fresh food and shelter. You can
added bonus, your duck stamp serves as your provide those items in a variety of ways in your
Lisa Hurt
770.934.7660 entrance pass to national wildlife refuges for own backyard. Remember, native plants provide
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net the current year. Buying a duck stamp each year more food for birds than introduced plants
Victor Williams is absolutely one of the best and easiest things since the native birds and plants evolved
Earthshare Representative
770.423.1012 you can do to help a wide variety of bird together. Cut down on the use of insecticides.
72064.1017@compuserve.com species. Don’t just buy a stamp. Display it when One of the benefits of birds is that they eat
--- you’re in the field. Wear your stamp with pride,
Website
insects. If there are no insects, there is no food.
and let others know that you support habitat And insecticides kill more than insects.
Jim Flynn
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org conservation. The Georgia Ornithological
Wingbars Editor Society is selling the Migratory Bird Hunting The birds thank you.
Grace Trimble 404.351.0518
gmtrimble@mindspring.com
Design & Layout
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
copyprep@mindspring.com
Proofreading
Mim Eisenberg
mim@wordcraftservices.com
Newsletter deadline is the first of
the month for material to be
published the following month.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to
gmtrimble @mindspring.com.
Email attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the monthly newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society. We feature news, upcoming
events, meetings, field trips and projects. We
Mission Statement:
hope you will join us. Opinions expressed are
those of the authors and do not necessarily
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
reflect policies of the Atlanta Audubon Society. conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.

2 Atlanta Audubon Society

 From the Executive Director
by Catharine Brockman Kuchar
4 olunteer
Opportunities
GET INVOLVED
When Common Isn’t So Common Anymore IN ATLANTA
You may have recently read about or heard Society’s century-old Christmas Bird Count AUDUBON
several stories in the news about some of the program, in which many of our members
most common birds that are becoming less regularly participate, and results of the We invite you to volunteer
frequently sighted in much of the United annual Breeding Bird Survey conducted by with these Atlanta Audubon
States. Twenty common birds -- including the the U.S. Geological Survey. Other household programs.
Northern Bobwhite, the Field Sparrow and names on the list of diminishing bird
the Boreal Chickadee -- have lost more than populations are the Common Tern, Ruffed Publicity
half their populations in the past 40 years, Grouse, Common Grackle and Rufous Help us get the word out through
according to National Audubon Society’s Hummingbird. local media about our field trips
research. And like the proverbial canary in and workshops.
Atlanta Audubon will soon begin work to
the coal mine, the health of a region’s bird Contact: Denese Van Dyne
increase awareness among metro residents of 404.406.9324
population is often a harbinger of the health the common birds in decline in Georgia. It is
of other wildlife and of human populations as important that all of us not only become Membership
well. educated on what birds are quickly Help with mailings to
The statistics are unbelievable. For example, diminishing in numbers, but also understand membership.
Contact: Art Hurt
the report shows the current Northern the importance birds play in the natural
770.934.7660
Bobwhite population is 5.5 million, down world. Birds do matter!
from 31 million in 1967. That’s a decline of 82 Throughout the year, Atlanta Audubon works Events
percent in the past four decades. There are Represent Audubon at special
on many different educational programs and
currently about 1.2 million Whip-poor-wills functions and displays.
conservation efforts. In September, for Contact: Nancy Hamilton
now, down from 2.8 million 40 years ago, a 57 example, our Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary 404.874.2338
percent decline. Researchers say many Tour gives visitors an opportunity to explore
factors play into the decline in bird numbers, various gardens and acquire some valuable Education
including intensification of agriculture, other ideas about what they can do to provide Volunteer for a variety of
loss of habitat, pesticides, invasive species educational programs. We
food, water, shelter and nesting sites for
and global warming. provide training workshops.
birds. Every small thing that each of us can Contact: Marcia Klenbort
The Audubon Society created its list of do will help keep our common birds 404.874.9826
“common birds in decline” by analyzing common—which is exactly the way we like
annual sighting data from the Audubon them. Wildlife Sanctuary
Support the preservation of
greenspace in Atlanta.
Contact: Jacqueline McRae
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net
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 are grateful to Lucinda Headrick who has, on many
occasions, done special talks around town for Atlanta
Audubon Society. Lucinda speaks to garden clubs, civic

Q: sWhat
eiceptwo
organizations and other groups wanting to learn more about

songbirds are known to

what we do and about birds and bird watching.
s tahW :Q
impale their uneaten
denorhted yltnecer
prey
saon
nraeTthorn?
Atlanta Audubon Society’s 2007 Summer Junior Birder
Camp would not have been possible without the volunteer citcrA eht
efforts of Sandy Miller and Marilyn Harris, who pulled together this special eht htiw drib eht
camp in June for rising fourth and fifth graders. They did an amazing job. (See
?noitargim tsegnol
page 9.)
See page 10 for answer
Each month Grace Trimble, Wingbars editor, pulls together another great issue rewsna eht rof ___ egap eeS
of our newsletter. It is an incredibly important job that requires a lot of
dedication and hard work. Our newsletter would not be what it is today without her
support and effort.

August 2007 ytooS :rewsnA 3

retawraehS
 May Field Notes
Although the actual number of
migrants coming through
Atlanta and Georgia during the
month wasn’t huge, we did have
excellent coverage, which meant
that we found all 37 of the regularly
occurring warbler species. The most
interesting was the large number of
CONNECTICUT WARBLERS, a species that we
generally only get one or two of during
migration. Read on to see how many were
seen. It will amaze you.
The Atlanta area recorded 170 species
(average 160.1) to bring the year-to-date list to
224 (average 210.3). The Georgia area came
up with 251 species, which beats the previous
record of 249. The average for the month is
232.4. The year-to-date total came to 314,
which ties our previous record. The average for
the month stands at 300.4.
ATLANTA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH HERONS – Rare duck sightings
included a SURF SCOTER in Spalding County on 1 May
(TB), a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at the E.L. Huie Land
Application Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton County
beginning on 5 May (DHa et al.) and going through at
least 12 May (PB, HG) and a female RED-BREASTED
MERGANSER at the Chattahoochee River National
Recreation Area (CRNRA) in northwest Atlanta on 28
May (JF). Rare reports of the AMERICAN BITTERN came
from the Buford Fish Hatchery on 6 May (RT) and two at
Site G of the ELHLAF (ELHLAF-G) the same day (CLa et
al.). Single YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were
seen at the CRNRA on 10 May (BL et al.) and on 25 May
(DHod). Another bird was seen at the Clyde Shepherd
Nature Preserve (CSNP) in DeKalb County on 25 May
(PMc), and four were seen in DeKalb County on 19 May
by PB and JSe.
RAILS THROUGH TERNS - At the ELHLAF-G, CLa et al.
found nesting COMMON MOORHENS and AMERICAN
COOTS on 6 May. CLa et al. had five SEMIPALMATED
PLOVERS along with four WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS
at the ELHLAF on 6 May. The last report of WHITE-
RUMPED SANDPIPERS at the ELHLAF was six on 19
May (PB, JSe). In Forsyth County, JF had a single
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on 5 May and again on 7
May (with EH), plus a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER on 5
May. B&DZ found a rare female plumaged RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE in Bartow County on 29 May. At the
ELHLAF CLa et al. had a CASPIAN TERN on 6 May and a
LEAST TERN on 25 May.
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS – GM found a
singing ALDER FLYCATCHER in the Cumming area on 8
May, and the bird was last reported from there on 10
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
May (B&DZ). The male SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
that has made its home on a power line tower in the
McDonough area was reported by several observers
during the month. As of this time no female has been
reported. A rare WARBLING VIREO was found at the
Buford Fish Hatchery on 6 May (KT et al.), and it was
seen there the next day by JF and EH. The peak count
of RED-EYED VIREOS was 53 counted at the Kennesaw
Mountain Battlefield (KMT) in Cobb County on 6 May
(GB et al.). Single SEDGE WRENS were seen in Spalding
County on 1 May (EB), at the CSNP on 1 May (SC) and
at the CRNRA on 6 May (KB et al.). The peak count of
WOOD THRUSHES was 10 at KMT on 2 May (GB et al.).
At least 12 CEDAR WAXWINGS were still in Gwinnett
County on 28 May (SS).
WARBLERS – At least one and sometimes two
NASHVILLE WARBLERS were seen at KMT from 1 May
through 4 May (GB et al.). Peak warbler counts from
KMT included ten BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS
on both 5 and 6 May (GB et al.) and 13 BLACKPOLL
WARBLERS on 5 May (GB et al.). A SWAINSON’S
WARBLER was a good find at the CSNP on 5 May (LH).
An amazing number of at least six CONNECTICUT
WARBLERS was reported during the month. At least one
and possibly two were at the CRNRA on 5 May and 6
May (MDa, TR, K&RB), one was at the Buford Fish
Hatchery on 7 May (JF, EH), one was in Atlanta on 9
May (TK), two were at the CRNRA on 10 May (BL et al.),
one was in Decatur on 19 May (JB), one and maybe two
were at the CSNP from 18 May (HG) through 20 May
(SB), one was at the Jones Bridge section of the CRNRA
on 20 May (K&RB), and one was at the CSNP on 25 May
(PMc). WILSON’S WARBLERS were also reported much
more commonly than usual. Single birds were seen at
KMT on 5 May (GB, BZ et al.), at the CSNP on 6 May
(SC), one in the Cumming area on 9 May (JF, EH, SB)
and one at KMT on 15 May (GB et al.). TK had a very
impressive count of eight CANADA WARBLERS in the
Atlanta area on 9 May.
TANAGERS THROUGH BOBOLINKS – The peak count for
SUMMER TANAGERS was 10 at KMT on 1 May and for
SCARLET TANAGERS, 21 on 5 May (GB et al.). Rare
sparrow sightings included a HENSLOW’S SPARROW at
the CSNP on 5 May (JSs) and single LINCOLN’S
SPARROWS in Marietta on 1 May (B&DZ), one in
Spalding County on 1 May (EB) and one in Cumming on
12 May (SB). Peak counts from KMT were 13 ROSE-
BREASTED GROSBEAKS on 2 May (GB et al.) and 19
INDIGO BUNTINGS on 6 May (GB et al.). DICKCISSELS
were reported from several locations, with two birds in
Spalding County on 1 May (EB), one in Bartow County
on 4 May (KB), one at ELHLAF on 5 May (fide CLa), one
back in Spalding County on 8 May (EB) and one in
Henry County on 12 May (PB). The best count of
BOBOLINKS was 250 in Bartow County on 5 May (JT).
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH PLOVERS – The number of BLACK-
BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS continues to increase at
the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area near Darien,
as evidenced by the 40+ seen there on or about 21
May (TS et al.). A female HOODED MERGANSER with 10
young was seen at the Arrowhead Fish Hatchery on 4
May by DR. From the same area, SB reported six half-
grown young on 19 May. DF reported an adult RUFFED
GROUSE with five chicks along Ivy Log Gap Road in
Union County on 8 May. Very odd for the location was
an ANHINGA in Dawson Forest on 2 May (JF). The peak
count of MISSISSIPPI KITES was 72 in the Columbus
area on 26 May (WC). A LIMPKIN remained at the Reed
Bingham State Park on 29 May (C&PK). Very unusual
was the report of a WILSON’S PLOVER at the Carter’s
Reregulation Lake on 29 May by MM.
CUCKOOS THROUGH WAXWINGS – A BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO was reported from Reed Creek Park near
Martinez on 6 May (EZ). Interesting flycatcher reports
were an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER in Oglethorpe
County on 7 May (MF), five WILLOW FLYCATCHERS in
Blairsville on 19 May (GS), two WILLOW FLYCATCHERS
in Stephens County on 26 May (JF), two LEAST
FLYCATCHERS in Rabun County on 19 May (JF,EH) and a
GRAY KINGBIRD in the Savannah area on 21 May (SW).
At least two CLIFF SWALLOWS were observed along US
17 where it crosses the Ogeechee River on 23 May
(MB). Possible nesting is expected, which would
probably be the most southern nesting for this species.
JF and EH had two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES in NE
GA on 19 May for a good sighting. A pair of CEDAR
WAXWINGS was possibly building a nest in Oconee
County on 28 May (CLu).
WARBLERS THROUGH SISKINS – JSp had a good count
of four BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS in southern Murray
County on 26 May. A NASHVILLE WARBLER was a good
find in Whitfield County on 3 May (AS). Two CERULEAN
WARBLERS were noted along Gum Log Gap Road in NE
GA on 19 May (DF). Rare warbler reports were a
CONNECTICUT WARBLER in Calhoun County on 8 May
(AA, CE), another CONNECTICUT WARBLER in Catoosa
County on 17 May (DHol) and a MOURNING WARBLER in
the Dawson Forest on 7 May by JF and EH. A
DICKCISSEL was seen in Gordon County on 6 May by
KB, and the peak count of BOBOLINKS was 150 in
Jasper County on 5 May (EM). A SHINY COWBIRD was a
rare visitor to a McIntosh County feeder on 27 May (BC).
Two RED CROSSBILLS were seen in Union County on 28
May (PB, HG), and a PINE SISKIN was seen in Fannin
County on 30 May (TS).
Contributors – Alan Ashley, Steve Barlow, Giff Beaton,
Betty Belanger, Eric Beohm, Tim Bethune, Ken and
Rachel Blankenship, Patrick Brisse, Michael Brothers,
Jerry Brunner, Walt Chambers, Stan Chapman, Bob
Churi, Mark Davis, Marion Dobbs, Charles Erwin, Jim
Flynn, Dot Freeman, Mark Freeman, Hugh Garrett, Dale
Hardee, David Hodgson, David Hollie, Earl Horn, Lisa
Hurt, Cheryl and Panos Kanes, Tim Keyes, Robert
Kimsey, Nathan Klaus, Carol Lambert, Bill Lotz, Carole
Ludwig, Patty McClean, Grant McCreary, Mark
McShane, Max Medley, Ellen Miller, Peggy and Terry
Moore, Jeff Sewell, Joshua Spence, Dan Roper, Tim
Rose, Larry Ross, Georgann Schmalz, Steve Slayton,
Adam Smith, Tom Striker, Karen and Luke Theodorou,
Dave Tichner, Jim Throckmorton, Rusty Trump, Steve
Wagner, Bob and Deb Zaremba and Eugene Zielinski.
Have an interesting bird to report? Contact Terry Moore
at tsmoore@bellsouth.net.
 Field Trips
Compiled by Dave Butler

Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted).
We welcome everyone from advanced birders to beginners!
“Going
Please check the Audubon Website for other field trips not listed here.
Once,
Dawson Forest WMA, Atlanta Tract We will walk a flat gravel road near the cabins.
(Dawson County)
Tuesday, August 7, Georgann Schmalz
$3 State Park entrance fee. Going
Wednesday, August 8, Georgann Schmalz
Meet at 8 AM
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
(DeKalb County) Twice…”
Birding Focus: Migratory and summer Saturday, August 25, Lisa Hurt
songbirds. Thursday, August 30, Lisa Hurt
Directions: Drive approximately 35 miles from Meet at 8 AM
the I-285/GA 400 interchange to Dawson Forest Birding Focus: Migrants, residents
Rd. Turn left (west) on Dawson Forest Rd. Drive Directions: From I-285 N or S: Take Highway
four miles, crossing over Hwy. 9 and continuing 78, Stone Mt. Freeway exit, west toward
two miles into the WMA. Meet inside the gate at Decatur. Highway 78 passes North DeKalb Mall
the wetlands. We will bird both the paved and and continues up hill past Banner Ford. At
gravel road to the Etowah River. intersection of Highway 78, North Decatur Rd.
and Medlock Rd., take right on Medlock Rd.
Amicalola Falls State Park Follow Medlock Rd. 1/4 mile to Medlock
(Dawson County) Elementary School; go right on Wood Trail Lane.
Saturday, August 25, Georgann Schmalz Go through one stop sign; travel another 200 Atlanta Audubon is
Meet at 8 AM yards to preserve entrance. looking for interesting
Birding Focus: Migratory songbirds. From I-75/I-85 N or S: From I-85 north or south items, services and
Directions: The park is located 15 miles take North Druid Hills exit, east toward Decatur. ideas to make the silent
northwest of Dawsonville on GA Hwy. 52. Take After approx. 3 miles, go right on Highway 78 auction at the Atlanta
GA 400 north. Turn left on GA Hwy. 53 (west) to (at North DeKalb Mall). Follow directions as Audubon holiday party,
Hwy. 183 right (north) to Hwy. 52 right (east). above.
December 7, a huge
Meet at the Visitors Center inside the entrance.
success.

Last year, a bird iPod, a

weekend get-away and
Matching Contributions an owl house were
Another Important Way to Support among the many fun
Atlanta Audubon Society and useful items for bid.
Your contributions to Atlanta Audubon Society make a Do you have something
By The Way highlights information, announcements, short updates and miscellaneous
significant statement about how you value what we do in
items. If you have brief items of interest to Friends of Atlanta Audubon members, please you can offer?
send them to the editor. the community.
Do you have a request
Visit NANPA’s Photo Blinds Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta also (and hopefully a willing
As you embark on your summer vacations, field trips and other realize the importance of giving back to the community donor?)
photo opportunities, think about visiting one of the 34 photo and are getting involved by matching their employees’
blinds that North American Nature Photographers Association donations to our organization. Please e-mail
has funded in the nation’s wildlife refuges. These blinds offer By asking your employer to back your commitment, you Sally Hodges at
unique view on an array of landscapes and wildlife. are making your contribution even more meaningful! swhodges2@earthlink.net
The association wants to promote how wonderful these blinds with your ideas and
Participating in your employer’s matching gifts program contributions.
are for nature photographers. To do that, they ask you to share
is a simple process. Ask your human resources office for
your images taken from the blinds. Please e-mail any images a matching gift form, complete your part,
you would like to share to Annette Rogers, director of Local birds will
and send it to: Matching Gifts Coordina-
communications, at arogers@resourcenter.com, for possible benefit.
tor, Atlanta Audubon Society, Box 29189,
inclusion in promotion and fundraising efforts to support the Atlanta, Georgia 30359. We’ll do the rest.
Refuge Blind Program.
For a full list of NANPA’s photo blinds, visit Your support ensures that our work in
www.nanpafoundation.org/blinds.php. the community continues today and
flourishes tomorrow.

August 2007 5
 IBA Dedication of Ossabaw Island
State Heritage Preserve
By Alison Huff, Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
Tropical storm Barry may have drenched the state when it blasted
through, but it could not dampen the excitement of those who were
on Ossabaw Island for a milestone dedication. About 50 brave
souls crossed Ossabaw Sound to attend the Important Bird Area
on Huff
s by Alis (IBA) ceremony, Georgia’s thirteenth site to be included in this
Sketche
national registry of exceptional wildlife habitats. The ceremony on
June 2 highlighted Georgia’s IBA program and Ossabaw Island’s
distinction as being the state’s first Heritage Preserve. Guest speakers
included Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner
Noel Holcomb, National Audubon Society’s IBA Director John Cecil
and Debbie Buckner (D-Columbus), representative of the 130th House
District. Georgia’s new IBA coordinator, Mary Elfner, coordinated the
entire event.
Georgia’s Ossabaw Island is a pristine barrier island about 20 miles
south of Savannah. The legendary Eleanor Torrey West, whose family
sold the property to the State of Georgia in 1978, still lives on the
island, accompanied by a sturdy band of semi-wild Sicilian donkeys
that roam free. More than 16,000 acres of tidal marshes make ideal
habitat for feeding egrets, herons, stilts, rails, ibis and other
waterfowl. An additional 9,000 acres of dry ground support tall pines,
palms and hardwoods in maritime, second-growth forests. These
forests are rich habitats for more than a hundred species of nesting
birds and migrants. Many ponds, salt-water creeks, a shallow river and
beaches round out the complex geography.
Fifteen people lingered overnight in Ossabaw Island’s two-story lodge
after the IBA dedication ceremony, having weathered several hours of
horizontal rain from Barry’s bluster. The skies cleared, the winds
calmed to gentle breezes and Painted Buntings returned to the porch
feeders. A small wild pig made a dash through the yard. A Great Egret
lifted off from the nearby marsh. Resurrection ferns that had hung
brown and limp on the sturdy branches of the live oaks were brilliant
green again. The visitors, grateful for the short but invigorating
sojourn on this island paradise, gathered their belongings for the boat
trip back to the mainland.
If you would like more information on the Georgia Important Bird
Areas Program or if you want to volunteer in any way to help this
conservation effort, please contact Mary Elfner, Georgia IBA
Coordinator, at gaiba@comcast.net.

Recommended Web sites for additional information:

National Audubon IBA — www.audubon.org/bird/iba/index.html
Georgia IBA Program — www.atlantaaudubon.org/aaswww/iba/iba.htm
The Ossabaw Island Foundation — www.ossabawisland.org
Photos by David Farmerie
DNR for Ossabaw Island —
georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=225

6 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Out in the Field with Atlanta Audubon
By Dave Butler, Director of Field Activities
Atlanta Audubon-led field trips and bird walks provide members with exciting opportunities to
visit birding hot spots around the metropolitan Atlanta area. These trips help us fulfill the part
of our mission to promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds.
Backyard
We also know how important our field trips are to you. The 2007 Member Survey showed that
our “Field Trips” section in Wingbars is the area that members enjoy most. Members also
Wildlife
ranked field trips as number one in their “importance in attending or supporting” among
Atlanta Audubon activities and initiatives and in “the value of the various programs or
Sanctuaries
initiatives that AAS offers.” We also discovered that more than 70 percent of you participate in
at least one Atlanta Audubon-led field trip a year.
From January through June, we conducted 23 field trips with more than 375 participants. In
addition, we held a training session for new field trip leaders at the Clyde Shepherd Nature
Preserve in February. Field trip locations included Kennesaw Mountain, Rock Creek Park, Big
Creek Parkway, Piedmont Park, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, E.L. Huie Water Treatment
Facility, Fernbank, Mill Creek Nature Center and various sections of the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area. Along the way, participants observed many birds. For example, at
Kennesaw Mountain—an Audubon Important Bird Area—birders were lucky enough to see 24
species of warblers during the April 29 field trip. That’s amazing! At the E.L. Huie Water
Treatment Facility, participants saw a Lincoln’s Sparrow and a White-winged Scoter.
Of course, our field trips would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our
field trip leaders who make it all possible. Atlanta Audubon would like to give a big thank you
to our leaders and assistants during this term:
Giff Beaton Malcolm Hodges Bill Lotz
Jerry Brunner Earl Horn Chuck Saleeby
Jay Davis Pierre Howard Georgann Schmalz Please volunteer during the
Dave Decker Lisa Hurt Jeff Sewell
Jim Flynn Art Hurt Chris Showalter Backyard Wildlife
Dale Hardee Terry Johnson Bob Zaremba Sanctuary Tour.
Marilyn Harris Carol Lambert Deb Zaremba
Saturday September 8,
We hope that you will join us as we get into full swing for this fall’s migration and more
exciting field trips. If you are interested in helping us lead a field trip or being an assistant 9AM to 4PM
field trip leader, we need you. Please contact Dave Butler at dabutler@co.dekalb.ga.us
Shifts are 2.5 hours long and
will earn you a free ticket for
the tour.
Sanctuary Certification Workshop
One of the most satisfying missions of the Atlanta Audubon Society is helping people help To volunteer for a shift,
birds and other wildlife. The Wildlife Sanctuary Certification Program was established in the
late 1970s and has created backyard wildlife sanctuaries throughout north Georgia. The please e-mail
number of certifications is limited only by the availability of qualified people to help certify
properties with visits and consulting. jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net.

On Sunday, September 15, from 3–6 PM, we will conduct a workshop on becoming a Wildlife
Sanctuary Certifier. Basic information on the habitat requirements of wildlife, the criteria for
All sanctuaries are in town.
certification and guidelines in the process of certification will all be presented.
The cost to you? Nothing except your time and commitment to visit and consult with
homeowners who are looking for advice and information that either creates or enhances their
property to be more valuable to birds and other wildlife.
For more information or to register for this workshop, contact Georgann Schmalz at
706.216.5012 or georgannschmalz@alltel.net. Existing wildlife sanctuary certifiers are
welcome to attend as a refresher and to meet other certifiers. Location: TBA.

August 2007 7
 Announcing Atlanta Audubon’s Exciting
Educational Publication, BIRDS Matter!
In January, a small group of volunteers began work on a new publication for Atlanta Audubon Society
called BIRDS Matter! For six months these volunteers pulled the information together. In June, BIRDS
Matter! came to life when it rolled off the presses at Georgia Power Company.
The publication is an educational and conservation piece that explains why birds matter and what
individuals can do to make a difference. Most people appreciate the beauty and wonder of birds, yet
many don’t understand the important role birds play in our lives and the world. BIRDS Matter! explores
these various roles, including how birds help disperse seeds, pollinate flowers and control pests. The
publication also shows how birds help clean up the environment, provide important ecosystem services,
give us important indications of what is happening in the natural world and add economic value to a
region through bird-watching activities. The publication also includes numerous fun facts, great photos
and specific things almost anyone can do to make a difference for the birds. Atlanta Audubon will
distribute the full-color, 16-page booklet at festivals, workshops, speaking engagements and other
events.
Atlanta Audubon Society would to thank Georgia Power Company for their generous support for BIRDS
Matter! by donating the printing for the publication. In addition, Atlanta Audubon thanks the numerous
individuals involved in making BIRDS Matter! a reality, including Kelly Hopkins, Tim Keyes, Ellen Miller,
Georgann Schmalz, Barbara Tarpley and Denese Van Dyne who served on the volunteer committee
responsible for creating BIRDS Matter!
Additional thanks to Catharine Brockman Kuchar for developing the concept for this publication and to
the photographers who gave permission for Atlanta Audubon to use their amazing work. They include
Georgann Schmalz, Todd Schneider, Dan Vickers, Jim Wilson and the staff of Georgia Department of
Natural Resources.
Many thanks to Laura Woods, graphic designer, for bringing BIRDS Matter! to life, and to Victor Williams
and Mim Eisenberg and the many Atlanta Audubon members who made this publication possible
through their support.
Visit the Atlanta Audubon Web site, www.atlantaaudubon.org,
to find a list of the ways that everyone can make a difference.

ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

Master Birder course Master Birder Program Fall 2007
content includes
DATES: October 9–November 15
•Classification and
DAYS: Each Tuesday and Thursday
identification of birds TIME: 7 PM–9 PM
•Guide to birding equipment FIELD TRIPS: Each Saturday 8 AM, October 13, 20, 27 and November 3, 10
The Master Birder Program for fall 2007 will be conducted at the Chattahoochee Nature Center at 9135
•Bird songs and calls
Willeo Rd., Roswell, GA 30075. The course fee of $210 ($240 for non-members of Friends of Atlanta
•Attracting birds and Audubon) includes lectures, textbook, audio CDs and all other materials and handouts.
backyard wildlife habitat This is an introductory course in ornithology and is designed to provide participants with bird identification
•Anatomy and physiology skills and general knowledge of birds, their life histories and habitat requirements. The Master Birder
Program consists of 11 two-hour lectures and five Saturday field trips. Participants are expected to attend
•Bird ecology all lectures and field activities. Upon graduation, each Master Birder is expected to complete volunteer
•Bird behavior service for Atlanta Audubon each year.
For information and questions, contact Georgann Schmalz at georgannschmalz@alltel.net or 706.216.5012.
•Flight and migration
To register, send your check, payable to Atlanta Audubon, to Georgann Schmalz, 152 Willow Oak Lane,
•Bird conservation Dawsonville, GA 30534. Please include your name, mailing address, day and evening phone numbers, email
address, occupation and any specific areas of interest.

8
Atlanta Audubon Society
 Audubon
Junior Bird Camp 2007
By Marilyn Harris and Sandy Miller
Camper Jack was so obsessed with dissecting his owl pellet that he
kept on even when the real owl was in front of him. The rest of the
campers? The highlight for them was when the Red-tailed Hawk
squirted during the raptor show.

Fourth and fifth graders participated in the Junior Bird Camp at

Oakhurst Park the week of June 11-14. Under the auspices of the
Decatur Children and Youth Services summer camp program, 14 of
their campers learned bird skills and received their Junior Birder
badges.

Sandy Miller and Marilyn Harris led the camp, modifying the lesson
plans from earlier camps (thanks especially to Judy McStravick) and
the LAB (Learning about Birds) program for a different milieu and
clientele. The camp was planned by Marcia Klenbort, the education
chair for AAS, who had to leave town for a family health emergency.

Both Lisa Hurt and Mary Neville helped in leading bird walks.
Kathleen Bancroft, Nancy Hamilton and Catharine Kuchar helped
lead activities during the camp. The camp ended with Raptor day,
with Monteen McCord from Hawktalk, showing her Screech and
Great-horned owls and a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk.

A grant to the Atlanta Audubon Society from the Georgia

Department of Natural Resources, Watchable Wildlife Division,
provided funds for materials in the LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS
program for the school year that just ended. Mary, Kathleen and
Marilyn are LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS program leaders in some of
the 10 LAB schools.

Of the 48 campers from Decatur Recreation at the pavilion at

Oakhurst, the oldest 14 came to the Atlanta Audubon’s birding camp.
The campers learned the common birds of Atlanta and bird anatomy,
used binoculars on three bird walks, dissected owl pellets, practiced
with field guides and took field guides and T-shirts home.

Sandy Miller said, “Our wonderful City of Decatur counselors were

Natalie and Matt. Kathy was the site director for that camp. She
worked behind the scenes to make sure our part of the camp had
some quiet time, for example when Hawktalk was there.” Our
thanks to Decatur Parks and Recreation for giving us the
opportunity to work with these fine young people, especially Claire
Miller for using some of her grant money for camp materials.

August 2007 9
 CLASSIFIEDS
Rates for business card size ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent
with the conservation and birding mission and agenda of Atlanta Audubon Society.
You may also design your own ad. Call for pricing.
Send ads and payment to:
Wingbars Ads Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359

When You Come Black Oil

To The Mountains - Sunflower
20lb Bag $7.50 always
Ask about the new Birder’s Guide to Fannin County!
We feature Cole’s seed,
squirrel-proof feeders with Audubon Membership Card
Proud Supporters of Environmentally
that truly are, houses,
hummingbird stuff,

Conscious Organizations in our Local

great books, Audubon
optics, & hard to find

Community.
hardware. Plus – 100’s
of Ravensburger Puzzles,

Wild Bird Centers

Music of the Spheres
Chimes & a huge
selection of educational
toys and
games for kids! Cumming –– 2825 S. Vickery St. 678-456-6900
Dunwoody—2472 Jett Ferry Rd 770-396-3353
Johns Creek—3630 Peachtree Pky 770-813-9476
Peachtree City – 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-2473
Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards

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

CANINE SHOWCASE
& WILD BIRD INC.
1874 Piedmont Ave. Suite 101-A
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
404•875•0611
We’ve moved to a bigger and better location.
We are located in Piedmont Pointe next to Einstein Bagels on
Piedmont Road. We are expanding our already great selection
of bird supplies to include:

• Swift Binoculars
• Droll Yankee Feeders
• Coveside Houses
• Garden & Yard Art

Panama!
October 3-11, 2007
Q: What species Canopy Tower and the Canopy Lodge
recently dethroned
the Arctic Tern as $1640 per person
the bird with the double occupancy
longest migration?
($200 single supplement). Price includes 8 nights lodging,
Branch Banking & Trust birding guides, transfers and most meals.
See page ___ for the answer
Group size is limited to 10.

Answer: Northern
For additional information and to be put on the list for a space,
Shrike and Sooty
Loggerhead Shrike
Answer: contact: ellen.miller@eclipsys.com
Shearwater

10 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Getting to Know Georgia’s Protected Birds:
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
The Red-cockaded
Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
is typically 20 cm (8 inches) in
length. These small
woodpeckers were once
common in mature pines forests
throughout the southeastern United
States, from eastern Texas and Oklahoma
to the Atlantic Coast, north to Missouri,
Kentucky and Maryland. The current
range is much reduced and fragmented
due to loss of habitat.
Historically, this species probably
occurred throughout Georgia where
suitable open, mature pine forests were
found, except in the Appalachian
mountains. Now Georgia has only five
remaining population centers that
comprise 94 percent of the state’s Red-
cockaded Woodpecker population: Fort
Benning, Fort Stewart, Okefenokee
National Wildlife Refuge, Piedmont
National Wildlife Refuge/Brender
Experimental Forest/Oconee National
Forest and several private quail
plantations spread across Thomas and
Grady counties.
A Red-cockaded Woodpecker’s diet
consists of ants, wood roaches, wood-
boring beetles and other insects, spiders,
millipedes and invertebrates found on and
within pine bark. They occasionally eat
corn earworms, fruits and seeds.
Interestingly, unlike other woodpeckers
which excavate cavities almost entirely in
dead wood, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers
make their roosting and nesting cavities
almost exclusively in living pine trees 60
to 80 years old or older.
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are
cooperative breeders. They exist in family
groups that typically consist of an adult
breeding pair and one to three helpers
that are male offspring from previous
years. All members of the group assist in
caring for young and each family group
requires 60 to 600 acres of habitat
depending on the quality.
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are
“endangered” according to their state and
federal status. This means that the species
is in danger of extinction throughout all or
part of its range. Destruction and
fragmentation of required mature pine
forest habitat has been their greatest
threat. The species has been virtually
eliminated from most private land by
incompatible management practices such
as clearing, agriculture, urbanization and
short-rotation pine silviculture.
Source: Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, Protected Animals of Georgia

Join the Atlanta Audubon Society

Wingbars is mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Society
members receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a
Friends of Atlanta Audubon member.
If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below.
BENEFITS
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
OF
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. MEMBERSHIP
4 12 issues of
Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the National
Audubon Society. Thus you will not receive Audubon magazine.
Wingbars
Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society Newsletter
Make check payable to:
o Basic Membership 4 Friends discounts
o Individual ...........................................$25
Atlanta Audubon Society
on classes, trips
Membership Director o Family................................................$35
o Student..............................................$15 and special events
4 Use of the AAS
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
o Renewal o New Membership o Contributing Membership...............................$50
o Supporting Membership...............................$100 library
o Donor Membership ......................................$250 4A great tax
Name _____________________________________

Address ___________________________________ Receive an official

Atlanta Audubon T-shirt deduction!
City___________________________ State _____ o Patron Membership......................................$500
Receive a T-shirt and signed Thanks to all
Zip Code _____________ copy of Birds of Atlanta
o Benefactor Membership............................$1,000
of you for your support
E-mail ____________________________________ and enthusiasm.
Receive all of the above plus a signed ..framed
print of Charles Harper’s “Missing Migrants”
Phone_____________________________________
o Please do not share this information with any other organization
o Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars

August 2007 11
 Birds Matter…. Down by the Shore
By Lydia C. Thompson, Birding Ambassador for the Georgia Coast
When I lived in Atlanta I thought of the Georgia coast as a retreat. I still do. Why?
Shore birds…Whimbrels, Dunlins, Sanderlings, Red Knots, Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers,
just to name a few, for the list could go on almost forever.
Wherever I am, I have to take time to see if I can find these amazing birds. They capture my imagination. Why would I care about these
doughty brown birds that often are seen with their bills buried in the mud? They appear to be hurrying, scurrying here and there with no
plan in mind. The reality is they have a job, and that job is to eat. They must triple their weight here on our coast.
Think about the challenging flight they have ahead of them. These small birds are going to fly from here to the Arctic. They don’t do this
journey in little spurts like we do when we travel. These birds are going to take off from our coast and fly until they run out of energy or
reach their nesting grounds.
What we know is that our coast is one of those special places where these shorebirds come to rest and fatten up. Much of our coast has
been left undeveloped until recently, so these birds went about their lives without a much notice.
Today there is more and more pressure from people to develop and live on the coast. These people want to get out on the water. They do
not understand why the birds are there, so these fuel stops are disturbed. As these places disappear, so do the birds. Also, there are fewer
quiet places for us to escape to. Places like Jekyll Island are very special, not just to the state but along the entire Atlantic coast, for it is a
fine example of how we can live with these amazing birds.
Come experience why birds matter in this natural retreat. A great time to come find out more about the Georgia coast and Jekyll is during
the Georgia Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival, October 12-14, 2007. Mark your calendar now.
Visit Lydia’s blog at www.coastalgeorgiabirding-lydia.blogspot.com/

Nort
hridg
e R oad
Ro
ATLANTA
be
rts
Rd

AUDUBON OFFICE
.

Upcoming SpaC
ldin
gD
rive Spalding
D rive
Rober

ha
mb
lee at Dunwoody Nature Center
ts R

Du

Wildlife nw
d. Rd.

o
5343 Roberts Drive
od
y

y.
on Hw
M t.
Vern Dunwoody, GA 30338
Sanctuary Tour 400

Peachtree R 770.913.0511
Tilly

Dunwoody
Village
.
wy Ch
M

nH am
ill R

no ble

September 8 Ver d.
Ashford Du

d.
eD
Peachtree Du

Send all mail for

.
Mt

un
wo
od
yR
d.
nw oody Rd.

Til

N.
ly M

AAS to:
Sh
P eachtree Rd

all
nw o

ow
ill R

f
ody Rd.

ord

d.

Cotillion
•Exit 30 PO Box 29189
Rd

Rd.
.

285
.

•Exit 30
Atlanta, GA 30359

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
Atlanta Audubon Society PAID
Box 29189 • Atlanta, GA 30359
Atlanta, GA
Permit #917

Wingbars is printed on recycled paper