Just A Chirp

Grosse Pointe Audubon Autumn 2010

Grosse Pointe Audubon’s Endless Summer

Even though the calendar
says it’s not officially autumn
for another couple of weeks,
it sure feels like the season is
already changing. The angle
of the sun is noticeably lower,
and the evening breeze
carries a chill.
In an attempt to keep the
summer vibe going, Grosse
Pointe Audubon will present
three programs this fall that
will feature the warmth of
the sun.
We kick off the year with
a visit from Jeff Lange, who A Galapagos Tortoise photographed by Mike Florian.
will be visiting us all the way made that follows a loon Lange was scheduled to give
from Petoskey. Lange will be family through the summer his presentation to Grosse
presenting a movie that he nesting season. If you recall, See Autumn, Page 2

Autumn Schedule
Sept. 20 – “The Uncommon Loon”
Jeff Lange filmed and produced a movie that follows a northern Michigan loon family through a
nesting season. Jeff will visit us all the way from Petoskey to narrate the film and answer questions
afterward.
Oct. 18 – “Galloping Through the Galapagos and Mainland Ecuador”
Grosse Pointe Audubon’s own Mike and Judy Florian will share their adventures on their trip to
the amazing Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. Highlights will include their boat trip to the Galapagos
Islands, as well as birding on mainland Ecuador. Mike will share his many photographs of the birds
and other wildlife observed on this wonderful trip.
Nov. 15 – “Birds, Mammals, People and Places of Southern Africa”
Travel to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa with Barb Baldinger.
Some of the places we'll visit are the waterholes of Etosha National Park, the Caprivi Strip, the
Okavango Delta,Victoria Falls, Liwonde National Park and we'll see a colony of African Penguins
near Cape Town, South Africa.

PAGE 1
 Autumn, continued from Page 1
Pointe Audubon last February, but the meeting
was snowed out. By popular demand, Lange
was re-scheduled for a month when the chance
of snow is significantly reduced. Reduced, yes,
but this is Michigan...
In October, Grosse Pointe Audubon’s own
Mike and Judy Florian will give a presentation
on two places where summer never ends: the
Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. The
presentation will, of course, feature Mike’s
photography. (See photo of tortoise on front.)
November’s meeting will feature Barb
Baldinger’s program on birding in (mostly
warm) Africa. Many of you already know Barb,
as she is a member of Macomb Audubon and
has on occasion attended our meetings.
So, as the days grow shorter and the
evenings grow cooler, come join us for fun,
good conversation, an occasional quiz and
great speakers. Sur)oards are optional.
We Are the Champions
In a record-setting day, the Grosse Pointe
Woods team of Rosann Kovalcik and Martin
Blagdurn braved the rain to win their second
straight Grosse Pointe Birding Challenge by a
wide margin on Saturday, May 22.
The Kovalcik and Blagdurn team recorded
67 species of birds for a total of 89 points. The
second place team, Mike and Judy Florian of
Grosse Pointe Park, recorded 44 species for a
total of 70 points. The Grosse Pointe Farms
team of Mark O’Keefe recorded 42 species for
45 points, while the Grosse Pointe City team
of Bill Rapai recorded 32 species for 34 points.
A team receives one point for each species of
bird it sees, plus one additional point for each
species of bird that it records exclusively.
Three of the four teams received five points
for seeing the year’s “bonus bird,” which was
the Yellow Warbler.
The competition is sponsored by Grosse
Pointe Audubon, and the rules are simple.
Teams have between 5 a.m. and noon to record
as many bird species as possible within the
boundaries of their respective cities. The teams
gather at a predetermined spot at noon sharp,
and a team is docked one species for each
minute they are late. The challenge was started
in 2005 as a fun competition among members.
Altogether, the four teams found 79 species
of birds in the Grosse Pointes. The two biggest
surprises of the day were pleasant and
disappointing. A Northern Waterthrush,
recorded in Grosse Pointe Farms by O’Keefe,
was a great find, but none of the teams was able
to find a Carolina Wren.
The new Grosse Pointe Birding Challenge
trophy will be presented to the Grosse Pointe
Woods team at the Sept. 20 meeting.
Bye-Bye, Birdie
With birds heading south, fall is a great time
to visit the Ford House for the bird walks
sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited. Join
Rosann Kovalcik and Martin Blagdurn for the
monthly walks on Sept. 25, Oct. 30 and Nov. 20.
The Sept. 25 walk starts at 7:30 a.m. and the
October and November walks start at 8 a.m.
There is a $7 fee. Call (313) 884-4222 to register.
Dues-be, dues-be, dues
Wouldn’t it sound great if Frank Sinatra
sang it? You’d be so moved that you’d
immediately get out your checkbook. So,
pretend that Old Blue Eyes is crooning to you,
and pay your dues.
And let it be known that Grosse Pointe
Audubon appreciates and thanks those who
have contributed a few extra dollars above and
beyond. You did it your way!
Inky, Dinky, Do...
We want your ink cartridges and old cell
phones! Grosse Pointe Audubon recently
earned more than $2o0 by sending an
assortment of those those two items to a
California firm for recycling. Please bring these
items to our meetings and deposit them in the
box. Your waste will help keep Grosse Pointe
Audubon in the black.
PAGE 2
 Seven Ponds Nature Center
Call (810) 796-3200 for more information or to
register for programs.
Heritage Harvest Days
September 18-19, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Featuring arts and crafts, a children’s tent,
magicians, nature walks, prairie wagon rides,
face painting, farm animals, a butterfly tent, used
book sale, music, and more!
Fall Bird Walk #1
September 22, 8:00 a.m.
Our weekday bird walks continue this fall.
During this first session we will be on the
lookout for fall warblers passing through on
their way south, as well as other migrants, such
as vireos, thrushes, and sparrows. Bring
binoculars and your field guide. Fee: $5.00
(members $3.00).
Invasive Plant Workday #1
September 26, 2:00 p.m.
We will be working on non-native, invasive
plants in the nature center. This is a great
chance to earn community service or master
gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves.
Curious Canoers of Seven Ponds
October 2, 10:00 a.m.
Fall colors will reflect our way through the
water as we travel by canoe this fine day. What
a great way to spend time looking at the natural
world. Use your canoe or one of ours. Please
register in advance. Limited to eight canoes.
Minimum passenger age of five years old –
minimum paddler age of 10 years. Fee: $5.00
($3.00 members).
“Hairs,” Tendrils, and Suction Cups
October 3, 2:00 p.m.
Vines have amazing adaptations which enable
them to reach to the sun. Let’s wander in
search of these often misunderstood plants.
Fall Bird Walk #2
October 6, 8:00 a.m.
Our second fall bird walk will take us in search
of white-throated and white-crowned
sparrows, rusty blackbirds, kinglets, warblers,
and other migrants. Bring binoculars and your
field guide. Fee: $5.00 (members $3.00).
Paddle the Ponds at Sunset
October 8, 6:00 p.m.
Expect the unexpected as the sun descends and
critters start moving. We may even be treated
to a lovely sunset! Use your canoe or one of
ours. Please register in advance. Limited to eight
canoes. Minimum passenger age of 5 years old –
minimum paddler age of 10 years. Fee: $5.00
($3.00 members).
Invasive Plant Workday #2
October 10, 2:00 p.m.
We will be working on non-native, invasive
shrubs in the nature center. This is a great
chance to earn community service or master
gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves.
Birdseed Saturday
October 16, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This one-day event will feature a number of
activities related to watching, feeding, and
enjoying the birds. There will be several
presenters throughout the day including Joe
Rogers with his birds of prey. The Rookery
Bookstore will have an excellent variety of
birdseed and bird feeders, as well as a great
selection of nature related gifts including
books, DVDs, CD’s, puppets, and more. There
will also be a bake sale put on by the Stingers.
Jonathan Woods Walk
October 17, 2:00 p.m.
Let’s check out the heron rookery now that the
young have left, while we learn why we are
treated to fall’s bounty of color. We will carpool
from the center’s building to explore our
satellite property.
Fall Bird Walk #3
October 20, 8:00 a.m.
Our final fall bird walk will take us in search of
red-breasted nuthatch, kinglets, dark-eyed
junco, Lincoln’s sparrow, purple finch, and other
species. Bring binoculars and your field guide.
Fee: $5.00 (members $3.00).
PAGE 3
JUST A CHIRP

AUTUMN 2010

About Grosse Pointe Audubon

Bill Rapai, president, (313) 885-6502 or BRapai@aol.com
Sylvia Sanders, vice president, (313) 886-0869
Mark O’Keefe, treasurer, (313) 884-7472 or Birds891357@aol.com
Joanna Pease, representative to Seven Ponds Nature Center, strixvaria@sbcglobal.net
www.gpaudubon.blogspot.com
Grosse Pointe Audubon meets in the Annex of the Pointe Unitarian Church at 17150 Maumee,
between St. Clair and Neff in Grosse Pointe. Social hour starts at 7 p.m. and the meeting starts at
7:30. Our meetings are free and open to all, so bring a friend!

Grosse Pointe Audubon

443 St. Clair
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230