Issue 4, November 2016
Stockbridge
Audubon
www.stockbridgeaudubon.org
Representing Northeast Indiana
Presidents Words
By Cynthia Powers
It's been a good year for Stockbridge! We've
succeeded in our Bicentennial challenge, to
see at least 200 bird species in Indiana on our
official Stockbridge field trips (John
Winebrenner will report the official total
later.) Two members have taken on important
tasks: Phil Wixom is keeping our website up
to date, and Rodger Rang is now compiling
the Bird Notes column that Jim Haw started
many years ago. Our field trips have been
planned by an energetic committee headed by
Ed Powers. And lastly, our long running Fort
Wayne Christmas Bird Count will continue,
with Margit Codispoti as compiler aided by
Eric Helfrich.
Thanks to all who pitched in when needed!
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P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46867
BIRD NOTES
July 25 November 13
By Rodger Rang
Many, if not most, northeast Indiana
birdwatchers, past and present, have
participated in Stockbridge Audubons bird
field trips at one time or another. These
outings often sparked increased interest in our
feathered friends, and many of those
participants then became avid birders. This
result is due in no small part to the organizer
and leader of most of these trips, Jim Haw,
whose knowledge and enthusiasm for the
passion he generously shared with all.
But Jim also devoted much time and effort in
providing another activity that most club
members look forward to with anticipation
reading his regular column Bird Notes in
the Stockbridge newsletter. Jim has spent
countless hours collecting data on the bird
records of our NE Indiana counties How
many of what species? Where? When? By
whom? Of what significance? And he gladly
and generously then shared the results of his
burgeoning database with the rest of us
through his column.
Now that Jim has decided to step back from
birding (we all hope not permanently), the
Stockbridge board has chosen to allow me a
chance to write this column (again, we all
hope not permanently). But I dont claim to
be able to fill his shoesmuch less his muck
boots. For one thing, I cant personally cover
the widespread area, providing regular records
from all of our counties as Jim did so
enthusiastically and thoroughly. For that
reason, please forgive the slight Allen County
bias of the following article. And please get
out there and find some good records that I
can include in the next issue!
All that said, I humbly submit this first
column in Jims honor:
Late nesting and post-breeding staging: A
record of Northern Bobwhite near Bill
Hubbards Adams Co. home on Nov. 7 was
noteworthy, as were the large numbers of
Double-crested Cormorants frequenting the
Serv-All Ponds, Allen Co., peaking at 145 on
Sep. 17 (Rodger Rang). And wader numbers
likewise began a slow but impressive build-up
in southwest Allen County early in period,
with peaks of 62 Great Egrets at Serv-All on
Aug. 18 (Josef Geisler) and 11 Black-
Crowned Night-Herons at Eagle Marsh on
Sep. 11 (Betsy Yankowiak, Monarch Festival
preppers), with two juveniles still there on
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Oct. 21 (Phil and Jake Wixom). The last
reports of G. Egret were of a single birds at
Pigeon River FWAs Area D Marsh (Laura
Gilbert) and near the home of Barb Derr (and
Katie) in SW Allen Co., both on Nov. 3, latest
non-wintering birds by seven days. Also of
interest was the good showing of fish-eating
raptors at Salamonie Reservoir on Sep. 17,
when Stockbridge Audubon tallied 4 Ospreys
and 9 Bald Eagles.
Bells Vireo records included 2 birds near
Dallas Lake (July 26) and 1 bird at Area D
Marsh (Aug. 18), both in LaGrange Co. (Sam
Plew), and an additional bird at Eagle Marsh
on Aug. 20 (Rang). Sedge Wrens, nearly
absent early in the summer, made the hoped-
for late-season showing when northern
breeders stopped in northeast Indiana on their
way south to attempt second nestings. Eagle
Marsh birds were first noted on July 30 (3
birds; Rang), but that number increased to 5
by Aug. 14 (Bob Guth), with 4 still there on
Sep. 17 (John Winebrenner, Lisa Silvey) and
the latest report there of 1 bird on Oct. 2
(Rang). Other records included 2 at
Limberlost Swamp and 1 at Loblolly Marsh,
both at (or near) the Adams/Jay County line,
on Aug. 26 (Stockbridge Audubon field trip).
Blue Grosbeaks continued their fine showing
with singing individuals noted at the Serv-All
recycling site, Allen Co., on Aug. 22 and
along Welker Rd. in Huntington Co. on Aug.
25 (Rang), as well as at Limberlost on Aug.
26 (Stockbridge). Less exciting, but
nonetheless interesting, were the evening
gatherings of House Sparrows at the west end
of Eagle Marsh, peaking at 1000 (bleh!) on
Aug. 8 (Rang).
Non-songbird migration: The duck
migration, overall, was fairly pitiful, but we
had some waterfowl highlights, nonetheless.
75 Greater White-fronted Geese was a very
impressive number at Eagle Marsh on Oct. 16,
earliest by three days for NE IN (Brian Wood,
photo), and another individual was noted at
Salamonie Reservoir on Oct. 29
(Winebrenner). Pigeon River hosted the lone
Snow Goose of the period on Oct. 3 (Karen
Brown), while 3 Trumpeter Swans were
reported near Carroll High School, Allen Co.,
on Oct. 22 (Jeff and Patrick Ormiston,
photos), with another 2 birds in LaGrange Co.
a day later (Plew). And Stockbridge ended its
fall field trip schedule with a bang when the
group, on its outing at Hurshtown Reservoir in
northeast Allen Co., tallied a rare inland
record of Red-throated Loon (1) on Nov. 13.
An Osprey patronized Eagle Marsh
intermittently with records beginning Oct. 4
(Eric and Mary Helfrich) and ending Oct. 29
(Rang). Broad-winged Hawks gathered in
their usual impressive numbers, as noted by
200+ birds on Sep. 24 (home of Stephanie
Wagner) and 100+ birds the following day
(home of Greg Majewski), both in Allen
County. And a single bird near Foster Park,
Allen Co., on Oct. 14 (Majewski) was eight
days past the typical migration window for
that species in NE Indiana. Other raptors
reported were a dark-phase Rough-legged
Hawk on Nov. 11 and a Golden Eagle on
Nov. 1, both in LaGrange Co. (Plew), while a
Merlin was yet another treat offered up by
Eagle Marsh, with records on Oct. 2 (Steve
Kiermaier, photo), Oct. 4 (Helfrichs), and Oct.
13 (Rang, Little River trail guide volunteers),
all likely the same bird? The only Peregrine
Falcon records for the period were both at
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Eagle Marsh on Oct. 4 (Brian Wood, 1 bird,
photo; and Helfrichs, 2 birds). Common
Gallinules had a late nesting at Pigeon Rivers
Area D Marsh with a juvenile still present on
Nov. 4 (LeRoy Miller, photo). This helps
explain the Eagle Marsh record of this species
on Nov. 5 (Rang), latest by 18 days for NE
Indiana.
Shorebirds provided some nice recordsif
you could find the mud. Plew reported 8
American Golden Plovers in LaGrange
County on Aug. 29, and Jeff McCoy found
both a Spotted Sandpiper at Woodburn
Sewage Ponds on Oct. 28, one day shy of the
record late-date, and an Upland Sandpiper in
LaGrange Co. on Sep. 7, latest by 16 days.
And hot on the heels of providing the
excellent record of 12 American Avocets on
July 25, Eagle Marsh shined again on Aug. 13
with a flock of 9 Hudsonian Godwits (Ed and
Cynthia Powers, Rang, Dave Reichlinger), a
number very impressive for an inland site and
NE Indianas 6th record and earliest fall date
by 25 days. Other shorebirds reported for the
period included a Ruddy Turnstone in
LaGrange Co. on Aug. 27 (Ben Miller),
multiple records of both Bairds Sandpiper
and Stilt Sandpiper in the Eagle Marsh area
(McCoy, Rang, Wagner) and at puddles in
LaGrange County (John Harley, McCoy,
Plew), and a Long-billed Dowitcher at Eagle
Marsh on Oct. 10 (McCoy).
A July 27 note of 2 Bonapartes Gulls at
Eagle Marsh (Rang) provided another casual
summer record for the species, and the only
terns reported for the period were 1 Caspian
Tern at Serv-All on Sep. 5 (Powers, Helfrichs)
and 1 Black Tern at Eagle Marsh on Sep. 8
(Rang).
Songbirds and such: A Yellow-billed
Cuckoo found at Dallas Lake County Park in
LaGrange Co. on Oct. 9 (Doug Selzer) was
still present on Oct 16 (Plew), providing a
new late-date for NE Indiana by 3 days, and
the only Black-billed Cuckoo report came
from Fox Island County Park, Allen Co., on
Sep. 21 (E. Powers). Flocks of Common
Nighthawks were reported in SW Allen Co.
on Aug. 25 (Wagner, 100+ birds) and in NE
Allen Co. on Aug. 26 (Wixom, 100+ birds)
and on Oct. 6 (Wixom, 10 birds). Plew
reported the only Olive-sided Flycatchers of
the period, one bird in LaGrange Co. and
another at Chain OLakes State Park, both on
Sep. 5. And a singing Alder Flycatcher at
Eagle Marsh on Aug. 15 (Rang) was latest for
NE Indiana by 2 days. Also of interest was a
nice flight of Eastern Kingbirds on Aug. 27,
when Stockbridge Audubon tallied 15
southbound migrants at Limberlost Swamp
just south of Geneva.
Among other songbirds, the only Philadelphia
Vireo record came from Payton County Park,
Allen Co., on Oct. 1 (Stockbridge), but Blue
Jays posted decent numbers on Sep. 24 when
another Stockbridge field trip tallied 255 of
the diurnal migrants at Fox Island. Late
swallow reports came from Rang at Eagle
Marsha Barn Swallow on Oct. 22, latest by
one day, and 8 Tree Swallows on Oct. 25, two
days short of the current late-date.
Noteworthy warbler reports were fairly
skimpy but included a couple records of the
much sought-after Golden-winged Warbler
Aug. 27 at North Twin Lake in LaGrange Co.
(B. Miller) and Sep. 10 in southern Allen Co.
(S. Wagners yard). The sparrow migration
was also mediocre, with a report of Nelsons
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Sparrow from Limberlost Swamp on Sep. 3
(Terri Gorney) the only highlight of that
group. But a report from Fox Island of a
Scarlet Tanager on Nov. 1 (C. Powers), latest
by 11 days, was quite notable. And among
the thousands of blackbirds streaming through
our area this fall, a record of 100 Bobolinks at
Eagle Marsh on Aug. 31 (Rang) was
exceptional.
Early winter stuff: By early October,
birdwatchers noted with equal delight and
disgust the arrival of our first Dark-eyed
Juncos of the season, but other harbingers of
winter elicited mostly positive reaction. The
areas first Snow Bunting made an appearance
on October 30 at Hurshtown Reservoir
(Stockbridge), where it seemed to please most
viewers, and reports of Purple Finches
reaching our latitude were generally well
received. Among the numerous records of the
latter species were 2 birds at Eagle Marsh on
Oct. 21 (Wixoms) and 2 birds at Fox Island on
Oct. 24 (Clara Conroy). And dont get me
started on Red-breasted Nuthatches, so far this
seasons biggest invasion story. Beginning
with the first reports at the homes of S.
Wagner (Sep. 11) and Marisa Windell (Sep.
16), the number of records from enthusiastic
posters has grown impressively, and that
species can now be found in many locations
throughout our NE Indiana counties. In fact,
if you grab a snack and just sit down
anywhere out-of-doors in our corner of the
state, one of those nasal little cuties just might
plop down right beside you. Just be prepared
to share those sunflower seeds youre
munchin on.
How They Got Started in Birding John Winebrenner
by Dave Reichlinger
Note: I chose to write about John as a tribute to the man who mentored us both, Ted Heemstra.

John has been birding for thirty years. He started out on his own, and was making very slow
progress for the first year. He then read about an upcoming Stockbridge Audubon field trip.
That was when he met Ted, who was always very helpful to novice birders. Ted had started up
the Noble County Big May Day Bird Count, and John has been doing it ever since, and is now
the county compiler.

Birding has taken him, along with his wife, Lisa, around the country. They are looking at
making an Alaska trip next year. He is closing in on his 600th life bird. John is especially fond
of birds of prey, and served as a raptor rehabilitator for a number of years. He was part of the
group that established Peregrine Falcons in downtown Fort Wayne. He also serves on the
Stockbridge board.

2017 Christmas Bird Counts

FORT WAYNE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Saturday, December 17, 2016
(Sunrise will be at 8:00am and sunset at 5:14pm)
Christmas Bird Counts are held each year to collect data on wintering bird populations and for
the enjoyment of participants. The Fort Wayne count is held in a 15-mile diameter circle (an
internationally standard rule) in northern Allen and southern DeKalb Counties. Participants
divide into field parties of two to four, each with at least one experienced leader, to count all
birds identified by sight or voice in a designated section of the circle. Parties drive county roads
slowly and walk where public lands or permission from landowners permit. Beginner birders
are welcome.
You can participate in a field party for the day, or for half a day, morning or afternoon. There is
no fee for participation. Most all-day and morning participants meet inside Halls Restaurant,
corner of Coliseum Blvd. and Lima Rd. by 8:00 a.m. Some of us arrive in time to have
breakfast at Halls before 8. Some parties meet at a location designated by the leader and go out
earlier to find owls at daybreak. Afternoon-only participants will join their parties at lunch at a
time and location designated by each party leader. Be sure to dress for the weather, including
waterproof, warm boots for wet or snowy conditions. Pack a thermos and snacks. Your party
leader will inform you if you need to bring a sack lunch or if your group will meet with others
at a fast food restaurant for lunch.

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Persons who live in the count circle can also participate by counting birds at their feeders and in
the yard but must make arrangements beforehand with the count compilers.
You are encouraged to attend a free CHILI SUPPER following the count starting at 5:00 p.m.
(we plan to eat between 5:00 and 5:30) at the Learning Center at Salomon Farm Park, on the
south side of DuPont Rd. between Lima Rd. and Coldwater Rd. It is a fun gathering where we
share the days experiences and join in compiling the days list. It is a tradition for each group
to keep secret their best birds seen until the end of the list compiling.
If you plan to join in the count as a field observer or feeder watcher, or if you would like further
information, please contact the compilers, Margit Codispoti: magpii2@yahoo.com (260-456-
1996) or Eric Helfrich: conqur1066@gmail.com (260-693-3246) by December 10. Also, tell
us if you are coming to the chili supper.
GENE STRATTON-PORTER CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT (INSP)
When: Saturday, December 17, 2016
Gene Stratton-Porters life-long love of the birds of Northeastern Indiana is the perfect match
for a Christmas Bird Count!
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 OLakes State Park.
Our CBC will maintain a static date 12/17, so you can mark your calendar for years to come!
Well have a hot lunch for participants in the Carriage House Visitors Center at 12 noon in
order to do a preliminary species count and warm up. You may participate early that morning
with owling, feeder watching or visiting the many wetlands and preserves in our count circle.
Please register before 12/14 by contacting Tiffany Conrad at tconrad@indianamuseum.org for
more information and for your designated birding location. Its always fun to pre-scout to get to
know the lay of the land and what birds you might see that day. Dress warmly with appropriate
apparel and if you need any field guides or binoculars, just let Tiffany know shes got extras
of most anything you might need.
PIGEON RIVER CBC
The Pigeon River Christmas Bird Count will take place on Sunday, December 18, 2016. This
count is located mostly in Lagrange County, but also a small section of Western Steuben County.
It includes all of the Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area. Anyone interested in participating
must contact Mark Weldon by December 11, 2016, by phone at 260-493-2005 (please dont call
after 8:00pm) or by email at weldonfamily3@comcast.net. Because hunting season will still be
in progress, all participants are strongly advised to wear something that is colored hunter orange.
POKAGON CBC
Changes are afoot this year, but Fred Wooley again will be the compiler. Final details have yet
to be worked out; however, Fred states that Thursday, December 29, 2016 is the most likely date.
He will contact those who participated in the past. Anyone wishing further information may
email him at fwooley@frontier.com.
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TIPPECANOE CBC
Tippecanoe Audubon Society will hold its annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December
31, 2016. This bird count is held in Kosciusko County with the center of the 15 mile circle at
Oswego, IN. For details and to volunteer contact compiler Dave Hicks at 260-982-2471 or
djhicks@manchester.edu.
SANJO (Southern Adams Northern Jay and Ouabache) CBC
Everything is the same as last year for SANJO CBC on Sunday, January 1, 2017 - this is the
second year of the circle which was previously the Adams County Count.
Limberlost Visitor Center
200 E. Sixth Street (at US 27)
Geneva IN
Meet at 8:00 am at the Limberlost Visitor Center if you want before doing out to your territory.
Last year we had the Mississinewa Audubon Society join us for the first time. Twelve of their
members covered Ouabache State Park. Members of that chapter are great cooks - they bought a
veritable feast.
Chili lunch will be at noon at the Limberlost Visitor Center for all birders in the territory and
feeder counters. Please join us. Meet members of area Audubon chapters. Last year we had
Mississinewa, Robert Cooper, Stockbridge, Amos Butler, and the old Cardinal Club helping
with the count. Ages ranged from 16-89. New birders welcome.

Terri Gorney, compiler; bandtgorney@aol.com

SOUTHWEST ALLEN CBC

The second official Southwest Allen CBC will take place on Monday, January 2, 2017. This
circle includes many natural areas including Fox Island County Park and Little River Wetlands
properties such as Eagle Marsh, as well as four small ACRES preserves. Compiler is Cynthia
Powers, 638-4291 or zzedpowers@aol.com. Contact her by Dec. 28 to be assigned to a
party. We will meet this year at Fox Island County Park nature center at 8 a.m. to pick up
maps; breakfast items will be available courtesy of the Fox Island Alliance. Cars may be left
there as you go out in teams to cover your assigned territory. Then meet back at Fox Is. about
noon; we will have chili to supplement your packed lunch. (Thank you, Brett and Lori!) At
that time we'll summarize the birds seen so far; then you may go out to finish your area, watch
your home feeders (if you're within the count circle) and report back by e-mail at the end of the
day.

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

Return Service Requested

|Stockbridge Directors and Officers|

Inside this issue:
Cynthia Powers, President 638-4291
Presidents Words Eric Helfrich, Vice President 260-693-3246
Margit Codispoti, Secretary 456-1996
Rodger Rangs Bird Notes
Dave Reichlinger, Treasurer 432-9431
John Winebrenner: How I Sandy Schacht, Director 260-356-3681
Got Started in Birding Julie Henricks, Newsletter Editor 638-4375
Jim Haw, Director Emeritus 485-7802
Christmas Bird Counts: all Ed Powers, Membership 638-4291
Mark Weldon, Director 427-6806
of the area activities
Terri Gorney, Program Chair 490-6725
And lots of other neat stuff! John Winebrenner, Director 260-414-4866
Stephanie Wagner, Director sewsings328@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________________________________

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Mail to: Stockbridge Audubon Society, P. O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, IN 46867