February, 2014 Volume 53, No.

7
published monthly September April, bi-monthly May August by GRAC, 6152 Georgeann Ct., Belmont, MI 49506-9783!

On the web: www.glsga.org/grac Information: GRAC.information@glsga.org

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February Meeting Notes

Date: Time: Location: Speaker: Topic: Monday, February 24, 2014 7:00 PM social; 7:30 PM program Orchard View Church Ranger Steve Mueller Birds and Life at Ody Brook Sanctuary

Presidents Corner

by Madeline Heibel

Ody Brook Nature Sanctuary has been managed to enhance biodiversity. It is located in the headwaters of Little Cedar Creek with both upland and wetland habitats. The sanctuary added five acres in 2011 to further protect the floodplain. Nature trails meander the property with bridges crossing the creek. Ponds, stream, field and forest comprise the splendor. Brook trout enter the sanctuary in spring. Green Herons, Wood Ducks, American Woodcocks, three species of owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Gray Catbirds, Blue-winged Warblers, Eastern Towhees and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks attest to habitat variety. Many Orders of insects thrive and create conditions suitable for bird abundance. Ranger Steve was Director of the Howard Christensen Nature Center for most of his career but worked as a national park ranger at Bryce Canyon in Utah where he continues to conduct field research. His background includes teaching at middle and high school, then Brainerd Community College and Bemidji State University in Minnesota. He is now retired from full time work at Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Center but continues consulting work through Ody Brook Enterprise. Please join us for this free program and take home the message that everyone can make his or her own life more enjoyable and healthy while helping nature thrive at home and in wilderness.

David Yarnold, CEO of National Audubon, says, Birds are running out of places to live and things to eat. Jonathan Lutz, Executive Director of Michigan Audubon, has some ideas how we can help to correct that situation. One of his ideas is to make a commitment to drink shade grown, not sun grown, coffee. Jonathans idea led me to do some interesting research and here are a few things I learned. The plight of migratory birds is frequently identified with shade grown coffee because shade grown coffee farms are small ecosystems, second only to tropical rainforest in terms of biodiversity. These farms act as an oasis for over 150 species of migratory birds whose populations have declined 50 percent in just the last twentyfive years. The bird decline is primarily due to habitat destruction caused by cutting trees to create full sun coffee plantations, which have 95 percent fewer bird species than their shaded counterparts. The change from shade grown to sun grown coffee was done to increase production and make more money but it has a devastating effect on birds and the environment. It requires high doses of pesticides and chemical fertilizers and it results in soil erosion, water runoff and soil depletion. Next to tobacco, sun grown coffee is sprayed with more chemicals than any other product consumed by humans. Shade grown coffee is most often organically grown, free of chemical use. In 1996, the movement to support shade grown coffee was sparked by the Smithsonian Institutes Migratory Bird Center, which gathered environmentalists, farmers and coffee companies to address the problem and promote awareness of shade coffee. My own search for a place to buy coffee led me to Kingmas Market on Plainfield where I bought a bag that is from Higher Grounds Trading Company that says shade grown, organic and fair trade. If you have found a place near you where you can buy shade grown coffee please share that information so people can find a source close to their home.

Board Meeting Notice

The next GRAC Board meeting will be held Monday, February 24, 2014 at 6:00 PM in Orchard View Church at 2777 Leffingwell Avenue NE. All interested members are invited to attend. For membership information contact assistant treasurer Mary Austin at the address, phone number or E-mail on the back of the Caller or see website www.glsga.org/grac.

Deadline for March newsletter articles: March 1, 2014.

(send to Linda Damstra)

Birdathon Planning Under Way!

Birdathon will be here before we know it. (Can you hear those warblers calling you?) Its not too early to get your team organized and reinvigorated for the competition. It is also time to start asking for pledges from family and friends to support our mission of environmental education. Competitive counting begins (pre-Dawn) Saturday, May 3, so be sure to schedule some time on your calendar to be outdoors with your team(s). We can use some assistance on the weekend of May 17. This is a great time to meet birding enthusiasts and some wonderful Aquinas students! If you have questions, contact Jill Goodell or Rob Peters. Jill: jillgoodell@yahoo.com Rob: lrp003@aquinas.edu

February 2014 Marys Membership Musings

MAS News

by Wendy Tatar The following information is from the Michigan Audubon newsletter, Chapter Connection for February 2014. Great Backyard Bird Count The 17th annual GBBC will be held February 14-17. Data collected from bird watchers worldwide is used to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. For details and information on how to participate in this important count, visit the website: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/. On the site you will also find results from the 2013 count. Michigan Bird Conservation Workshop The Michigan Bird Conservation Workshop will be March 20-22, 2014, at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, MI! Audubon Chapter members, backyard birders, amateur ornithologists, eBird users, beginning birders, expert birders--EVERYONE interested in birds and bird conservation will benefit from this workshop. This years workshop theme is Michigans Birds in a Changing Climate and will feature keynote talks from Jon Allan, Director of the Office of the Great Lakes; and Peter Sinclair, nationally-recognized climate change activist based in Midland. More than 20 presentations will feature the work of non-profit leaders, agency personnel, and university students and faculty. Online registration opens mid-February at naturecenter.org Or register by calling Chris Lockhart or Sara Roman at (269) 381-1574 ext.32. Michigan Audubon Supports the Rusty Blackbird Blitz Once considered very common to abundant in eastern North America, the Rusty Blackbird population has gone into free fall, declining by an estimated 85 to 95 percent since the 1960s. Although scientists have made huge strides in understanding Rusty Blackbirds on their breeding and wintering grounds, we know surprisingly little about the migratory requirements and habits of this species. To address these questions, Michigan Audubon is helping promote a Spring-time Rusty Blackbird Migration Blitz. The Blitz will challenge Michigan birders to seek out the elusive Rusty Blackbird during spring migration. Michigans Spring Migration Blitz will kick off March 1 and continue through mid-April. Volunteers who are interested in participating should contact Conservation Director, Tom Funke: tfunke@michiganaudubon.org, or USFWS Endangered Species Biologist, Vince Cavalieri: vincent_cavalieri@fws.gov. Grand Rapids Audubon Club

by Mary Austin, Assistant Treasurer/Membership Chairperson Cabin Fever? GRAC has a solution for that! With our brutal winter, many of us have been hibernating in our houses. GRAC has many ways that you can overcome cabin fever! The most effective way is to become involved in one (or more) of GRACs numerous activities and events. First of all, volunteer to be a member of the Board. People are needed for positions on the Executive Council and as committee chairs for the Scholarship Committee, Audubon Adventures and People Feeders. No, this invitation is not for someone else this invitation is for YOU! Contact our current President Madeline Heibel, or current Nominating Committee Chairperson Tom Leggett, for more information about Board opportunities. Another way to beat the winter blues (and cabin fever) is to make a donation to one of the following: Maher Sanctuary, Scholarship, Junior Audubon, Audubon Adventures or the General Fund. There is an immense feeling of satisfaction in giving a gift to one of these worthy causes. Many organizations have an end-of-the-year appeal for donations. Consider this a beginning of the calendar year appeal! You can make a difference now at the beginning of the year with your financial contribution. If you are an individual with a Life Membership, remember that GRAC can still use your financial support consider making a donation to one (or more) of the GRAC causes. Another way to become involved is to join us for a field trip! Youll be increasing your knowledge about birds and nature. Youll share an enjoyable time with fellow birders. And - youll be overcoming cabin fever by stretching those legs and getting some exercise. Join us at the next GRAC membership meeting! We have Ranger Steve Mueller as our guest speaker at the February 24 meeting. Ranger Steve will keep us riveted with stories about the birds, wildlife and nature on his own piece of environmental heaven at his Odybrook property. And now on to other matters - A warm welcome is extended to our newest members of the GRAC family. We say hello to Judson and Nancy Grassmid of Saranac. We look forward to seeing them at the next GRAC membership meeting and on upcoming field trips.

Spring Fundraiser

Think: Garage Sale! All this snow and cold will soon retreat, and our urge to hibernate will be replaced with the urge to clean out all that stuff we collect over time. We are planning to have a club Garage Sale just prior to our April meeting. The plan is for members to bring items they can donate to the club garage sale, and bring money to shop from the useful, interesting or beautiful items collected. All this will take place from 6:307:30 PM on April 28. Bring one item or several items. At the end of the meeting you can reclaim what didnt sell, or leave it and we will donate to an organization to be announced. We can have fun, raise a little cash, and donate to those in need, all at the same time. www.glsga.org/grac

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February 2014 GRAC Field Trips February through March

On the GRAC website you will find a complete list of all Field Trips: www.glsga.org/GRAC. Call Steve Minard (616) 942-7165 if you have a spot you would like to show to the group. Watch the Caller or check the website for future trip announcements. February 22, 2014, Saturday, 8:00 AM Leader: Steve Minard Winter Field Birding This is planned a winter trip to search for winter birds such as Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike and Snow Bunting. These can be quite nomadic and hard to find, so well try to cover lots of territory to look for them. Well search fields in northern Ottawa County and Muskegon County northwest of Grand Rapids. Well probably check some of the Crockery Creek bottomlands looking for Red-shouldered Hawk. If conditions permit, well try to include the Muskegon Wastewater in our search. Expect to spend most of the time in the car searching the fields for anything different. Bring your CB or Family radio if you have one and well try to keep in touch between cars. Birders of all skills are welcome. Essentials: Meet at the Boy Scout Headquarters west off Walker Rd. just north of I-96 at 8:00 AM. We plan to bird until noon; you may want to bring a snack to hold you over until lunch. Safety Hazards: Cold weather and slippery winter driving are the main hazards. As with winter trips in particular, bad weather may cancel the trip. Driving in a caravan can be hazardous. Get directions from the leader for travel to the next stop. Please exercise caution on the roads at all times, and watch the car ahead of you when driving in a caravan. Designate a passenger to handle all radio or phone communications while in a car. March 1, 2014, Saturday, 8:00 AM Leader: Tom Leggett Early Spring on the Paul Henry Trail This is planned as an early spring trip for early migrants, and hopefully migrating hawks, along the Paul Henry Trail on the south east side of Grand Rapids. This is a paved trail that provides a wooded corridor through open fields running into second growth woods. Depending on the weather and number of participants, we may want to shuttle some cars to the far end of the trail for the return trip. Time should permit an extension to Paris Park off 60th St. east of Wing Ave. This park is bottomland along Plaster Creek with mature trees, swamp, creek and open corridors. With a good variety of habitats, expect a good variety of birds. If time permits, a further extension to the Ford Airport for waxwings and field birds is planned. Essentials: Meet at the Paul Henry Trail Parking Lot on the south side of 52nd St. opposite Stauffer at 8:00 AM. Plan to shuttle some cars to the parking lot on Wing Ave. This should be a morning trip. You may want to bring a snack to hold you over until lunch. Safety Hazards: Weather can be highly variable this time of year. Watch the weather forecasts and dress appropriately. Slippery walking and driving conditions should be the main hazards. Please exercise caution on the roads at all times, and watch the car ahead of you when driving in a caravan. Designate a passenger to handle all radio or phone communications while in a car. Grand Rapids Audubon Club March 29, 2014, Saturday, 9:00 AM Leader: Jim Ponshair Bluebird Box Cleaning At the Muskegon Wastewater One way we can help our local nesting birds is by providing places for them to nest. Jim has aided the birds for many years with a number of bluebird box trails at the Muskegon Wastewater. This adds up to a large number of boxes and we need a good size group to clean out all these boxes every year. The annual bluebird box cleaning is a great way to learn your way around the Muskegon Wastewater. Its also a good way to learn about bluebird boxes, how to clean them, and see how the type of box and habitat affects who uses the box. Since were at the Wastewater, we usually see some good birds while we work. You may even get to meet mice or Flying Squirrels up close and personal. And you get to help the bluebirds, swallows, chickadees, wrens and other birds that use the boxes. Meet at the Maple Island Rd. entrance to the Muskegon Wastewater System. There, the group will split up to clean out boxes in different areas. Well plan a group lunch at nearby Morrows Restaurant on the corner of Apple Ave. and Maple Island Rd. Following lunch, a birding extension is planned to the nearby Muskegon State Game Area to look for early migrants. This can be an all day trip, or you can head out before or after lunch. For all the carpenters and builders out there, Jim needs more bluebird boxes. Boxes suffer damage over the year and new boxes are always needed. Call Jim Ponshair if you have new boxes to donate. Essentials: Meet at the Maple Island Rd. entrance to the Muskegon Wastewater System at 9:00 AM. This is a bit north of White Rd. Come dressed for the weather. Bring your spotting scope if you have one and bring some tools (screwdrivers, pliers, hammer and nails) and gloves for cleaning out the bluebird houses. Safety Hazards: Driving in a caravan can be hazardous. Get directions from the leader for travel to the next stop. Please exercise caution on the roads at all times, and watch the car ahead of you when driving in a caravan. Designate a passenger to handle all radio or phone communications while in a car.

Smart Gardening Conference 2014

Register now for Kent/MSU Extension Smart Gardening Conference to be held Saturday, March 8, 2014 in conjunction with the West Michigan Home and Garden Show. Featured speakers for the conference are Melinda Myers, nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host and author; Dr. George Bird, MSU Entomologist to speak on Smart Soils; Chuck Martin, Dow Gardens Horticulturist to speak on Practicing Phenology; and Doug Tallamy, Professor and Chair of Dept. of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at University of Delaware and author of Bringing Nature Home. Deadline for conference registration is February 28 or until full. Cost is $59.00 per person and includes a ticket to WM Home and Garden Show. To register, contact Ginny Wanty: Kent/MSU Extension (616) 336-3108 Horticulture Department or email Ginny Wanty 775 Ball Avenue NE wanty@anr.msu.edu Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.glsga.org/grac

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February 2014 New Years Day Field Trip

by Steve Minard The leader was a little late on this cold morning. It was about 8 degrees with a North wind at 5 to 10 mph. We played Eastern Screech Owl calls at the Conservation Club, Seidman Park, Goodwillie Environmental School, three stops on 3 Mile Rd. and 4 Mile Rd. without success. On 5 Mile Rd. we tried Barred Owl calls without any luck. Finally, we tried 6 Mile Rd. in Townsend Park. Here, on the east side of the park our calls attracted what sounded like 2, possibly more, Eastern Screech Owls calling back from different directions. One of the Eastern Screech Owls flew past us to one tree, and then back to a tree in the open where we got some wonderful looks at it. Finally it tired of the deception and flew off. With dawn on its way, we headed back to Ada for food and warmth at McDonalds. Out the windows we watched the House Sparrows in the bushes. When we headed back out, 14 American Crow flew by shortly followed by 2 adult Bald Eagle. After a short drive to the covered bridge we hopped out and started seeing birds. Three Black-capped Chickadee, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, and 1 Downy Woodpecker were in the near trees. Down river were 53 Mallard and 4 Mute Swan. On the far side of the bridge we heard a Carolina Wren call, but never saw it. When we checked the trees here, there were Eastern Bluebird sitting here and there; we tallied 6. While we checked out the bluebirds, a Blue Jay and a Tufted Titmouse hopped by on the tree branches. Down low by the river and under the deck were a Dark-eyed Junco and an American Tree Sparrow. We continued by heading down Fase Rd. to check the feeders. Today it was quiet and we only added 3 Northern Cardinal and 1 American Goldfinch. Next stop was Briarcliffe Rd. just north of the Humpback Bridge. Here we added 1 Mourning Dove and 6 European Starling. South of the bridge, we checked out Bridgewater Rd. A fair amount of activity added 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Redbellied Woodpecker along with 6 repeat species. We didnt add anything new on the river at Cascade either below or above the dam. So we headed back to the Grand River at McGraw Park. Scott spotted a Pileated Woodpecker flying off to the east and a couple of us saw the yellow rump on the Yellow-rumped Warbler. We heard flickers and at least 1 quick look at the white rump of a Northern Flicker. On the river, 4 Common Merganser drifted by the ice chunks in the river. Heading back towards the cars, 2 adult Bald Eagles flew over the ridge to the south. We couldnt tell if these were the same eagles from Ada or not. A bit later, 2 immature Bald Eagles showing scattered white on the under side of the wing, also flew to the east. We drove east and about 1 mile east spotted 1 immature Bald Eagle, likely 1 of the prior 2 seen earlier. Our next goal was the Lowell Airport where a Snowy Owl was seen on the count the prior Saturday. One American Crow, 9 Dark-eyed Junco, 2 Northern Cardinal, 1 Blackcapped Chickadee, 1 Tufted Titmouse, 1 American Tree Sparrow, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Blue Jay and 1 Downy Woodpecker later, we headed to the Flat River. Just below the Power House we got a look our first House Finch for the day, but no waterfowl were on the open water. We wandered up the east side of the Flat River and crossed the river on the Fallasburg Covered Bridge. On Biggs Rd., 8 Rock Pigeon wrapped up our birds for the morning. Participants: Steve Minard, James Cross, Bill Craig, Roberta Craig, Scott Hutchings, Mike Yuon, Carson Nickel and Eric Nickel.

A Call to Serve

2014 GRAC Field Trip Schedule

GRAC is looking for members to fill spots on its Executive Committee for 2014-2015. If you can serve as President or in another position, contact Tom Leggett (616) 249-3382.

Allegan State Game Area Field Trip

January 25, 2014 by Steve Minard I hope no one actually made it to this trip, I didnt. On the late news Bill Stefan reported drifting snow over M-40 and that 58th St. by Fennville was closed. Both of these are part of our standard route. I dont think Allegan County runs their plows at night, and the snow was still coming down. I planned to get to Hudsonville anyhow, but after digging the driveway out from the eight plus inches of snow, it was too late to get there in time. It was a good day to stay home.

March Program Preview

On Monday, March 31 at 7:30 PM, the Grand Rapids Audubon Club program will feature Tom Funke who is the Director of Conservation for the Michigan Audubon Society (MAS). Tom will highlight conservation efforts to save the Cerulean Warbler. MAS is leading efforts to monitor the Cerulean Warblers presence in several globally significant Important Bird Areas (IBAs), some of which are in Michigan. Please join us and bring a friend or two. Grand Rapids Audubon Club

The following is a list of the scheduled field trips for the remainder of the year. Date Trip/Leader February 8 Millenniium Park Winter Birding/ Tom Leggett February 22 Winter Field Birding/Steve Minard March 1 Early Spring on the Paul Henry Trail/ Tom Leggett March 29 Bluebird Box Cleaning at the Muskegon Wastewater/Jim Ponshair April 19 Spring Marsh Birds and Hawks/ Steve Minard April 26 Millennium Park/Tom Leggett May 1 Thursday Morning at Reeds Lake/ Bill Sweetman May 6 Tuesday Evening at Reeds Lake/ Steve Minard May 8 Thursday Morning at Reeds Lake/ Bill Sweetman May 10 Spring Migration Count/Steve Minard May 13 Tuesday Evening at Reeds Lake/ www.glsga.org/grac

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February 2014 A Short History of Maher Sanctuary 1977-2013, part 1

by Chris Baer, Historical Archives Chairperson In 1977 Grand Rapids Audubon Club learned through President John Ham and Nature Conservancy President John Will that Dr. James Maher wanted to gift acreage to a suitable group. John Ham presented a plan to steward the property to a GRAC general meeting at which a vote was taken to obtain the property was approved. Meanwhile, Ken Hayes, an attorney in Grand Rapids, became president of GRAC and determined that we could not accept title to real estate and must incorporate to legally do so. A special meeting was held to vote on incorporation of the club as a Michigan non-profit organization as of October 27, 1978 and our first board of directors which included: John Ham, Al Huisjen, John Will, Edith Jarvi, Charlotte Runnels, Kay Dodge, John Donaldson, Thomas Meaney, Dorothy Brant and Key Hayes. Incorporation did not mean that we could accept gifts without being subject to federal income tax. We would have to be recognized as a federally exempt organization. President Hayes started the process of this important step. A timetable was set up but it became clear that we could not accomplish our goal in time. At a meeting with John Will, Dr. Gebben, Ken Hayes and John Ham, Dr. Maher made it clear that GRAC was his choice to receive his gift. He was willing to allow the procedure of using Michigan Audubon as a straw man to accept legal title in the calendar year 1978. Doing this would allow the Mahers to receive a tax benefit for that year. As soon as GRAC, Inc. could claim a 501c(3) status, the gift would be transferred. Parcel by parcel, Maher Sanctuary was deeded to Michigan Audubon, a Michigan non-profit corporation, and its stewardship given to GRAC. A total of 80 acres would eventually be transferred. The first parcel of 12.6 acres was valued at $22,680.00 which was almost double what the entire 80 acres went for 6 years prior to that. This long 80 acres measures 2,640 ft. along 108th St., 1,320 ft. on Woodschool Rd., with the exception of a farm home which measures 480 ft. on Woodschool Rd. and 596 ft. on the south line. The habitat is diverse with upland, fields, bog, marsh, swamp, pond and an area of third or fourth growth deciduous trees along the west side. Caine Creek meanders near the west area and eventually joins Cold Water River, a prime trout stream. The property was named in honor of Dr. James T. and Helen Maher as the Maher Audubon Sanctuary. The rustic log sign still exists near the corner of Woodschool and 108th St., and was recently moved (about 2010) from a wooded setting where it could not be seen to a more visible site in the marsh. John Ham and John Barr were the first chairs of the Sanctuary Committee and in 1980 GRAC president Ed Post and the board of directors voted to develop the property for general use. Bill Sweetman was then appointed Sanctuary chairman and over saw the stewardship for several years. Bluebird houses were put up by John Donaldson. A list of plants was completed by Susan Crispin and Edith Jarvi in 1979. Trails were made and signed along with boundaries. Plans were made in May of 1986 for the construction of a board walk over marshy areas and two foot bridges. In 1987 Maher chair Helen Spore, with the help of a local teacher and an official from the Michigan Job Youth Corps started the process of qualifying for funds to partially pay for the boardwalk. Club members voted for the improvement and set up a fund for contributions by members. In the October 1988 Caller, Helen Spore encouraged members to Buy a Board for $3.00 each. The Youth Corps finished 1,000 ft. of railroad ties and boardwalk the following summer. Many contributors for the boardwalk were local businesses. (Helen Spore and Fran Hunt were instrumental in making the path through the woods a success.) In the summer of 1989 wood chips were put down on the paths by the Youth Corps and a map of the Sanctuary paths, boardwalk and other features was completed. The map we have today is the original one. Dr. Maher, our Sanctuary Friend died in February 1990. Next month: A Short History of Maher Sanctuary, Part 2 V. The owls neck got caught in the V and wedged. The owl was hanging limply by the neck. The skin was ripped and the neck seemed to be broken. My hopes are the owl died instantly instead of hanging helplessly wedged by the neck. Now that it is dead, I wonder about its mate and the plans that were made. It is breeding season. Owl pairs have probably found some advantages and some disadvantages to the two plus feet of snow we recently received. The snow surely affected their hunting and daily routine. Males are currently catching prey to present to females. Nest selection and refurbishing has been underway. Territory boundaries are most certainly being claimed and posted with vigilant calls and patrols. What now? Was it the male or female that died? What emotional strain will envelop the remaining owl? January is a hard month without the loss of a mate. (Nature Niche continued on page 6) www.glsga.org/grac

Ranger Steves Nature Niche

Owl Relationships by Ranger Steve Mueller I wonder about the important relationships. Sunday morning I stopped at Ody Brooks road entrance where I saw a dead bird. At first I thought it was a ruffed grouse but quickly realized it was a gray phase eastern screech owl. I drove on to church. During silent prayers I prayed for Greg and Cindi in regards to what is appearing to be a terminal cancer for Cindi. Then I prayed for the owl that lost its life and also for its family that will miss it. I received a call this January from a man that found a Great Horned Owl dead in the snow while he was snowmobiling. Upon retrieving the owl he realized it died what most would think was a strange death. The owl was flying close to the ground and flew into a grape vine. The vine branched into a Grand Rapids Audubon Club

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February 2014 Junior Audubon

by Kim Bradley-Davidson and Bethany Sheffer As you are all aware Wendy Tatar and Penny Folsom finished leading the Jr. Audubon program last fall and have since passed the torch onto Kim Davidson and myself, Bethany Sheffer. Both of us are extremely enthusiastic about the natural world and cant wait to share that enthusiasm with the families involved with the Jr. Audubon program! For those of you who are reading this and are thinking Who the heck are these people? check out our blurbs below to see who we are, what drives us nuts about nature and why were excited about the upcoming 2014 Jr. Audubon season! Hey, guys! My name is Bethany Sheffer and Im originally from a pretty small town called Gladstone - all the way up in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Some of you may have traveled up there to go camping, hiking, or to visit Mackinac Island. Im currently a part-time student at Grand Valley State University and am studying nonprofit organizations so that I can one day either start or work in an organization that protects birds and their habitats. I also work full time at the Cook Arts Center, which is a really awesome place where kids and adults can take all kinds of different classes like dance, music, painting, drawing, sewing, and more after school during the week. Im really passionate about birds and enjoy watching them, studying them, drawing them, and keeping domesticated birds as companions. I have two grey cockatiels that I love dearly whose names are Greybird (male) and Sonic (female). Greybird will be 19 this year and Ive had him for nearly his whole life (and almost all of mine, too!)! Im really looking forward to sharing my love and knowledge of birds with the Jr. Audubon kids this season. Im sure well learn a lot from one another! Hi, everyone! My name is Kim Davidson and I am a Grand Rapids native. I grew up enjoying all the flora and fauna that West Michigan has to offer! I am a full time horticulturist at Ironwood Golf Course in Byron Center and also stay busy during the fall college semesters working part-time as an adjunct faculty member co-instructing landscape plant identification courses and assisting with other courses for the Michigan State University Landscape and Lawn Management program in Grand Rapids. I am a MSU Extension Master Naturalist and Michigan Certified Green Industry Professional. I am also a member and the newsletter editor for the Grand Rapids Chapter of the national Wild Ones native plant organization. Needless to say I am a total nature nut and love to be outdoors gardening, birding, exploring, and learning! My husband and I love to watch all the birds that visit our backyard and places of employment. We also enjoy traveling and taking in all the different species of birds, plants, and animals that inhabit the world around us. I am looking forward to meeting all of the adventurous, smiling faces of the Jr. Audubon kids at our upcoming 2014 programs and sharing in their interest of birds and the great outdoors! Please check out our website at www.glsga.org/grac and our new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jraudubon to see what we have planned for the 2014 season! Our first program titled March Munch and Meander! takes place March 16 at the Hudsonville Nature Center from 1:30 - 4:00 PM. Check out the upcoming March Newsletter on our website for further details. If you know of any children / families that would be interested in joining the Grand Rapids Junior Audubon Club please have them check out our website for information on membership!

Pass the word around! The Grand Rapids Junior Audubon Club inspires kids to become AWESOME BIRDERS and SO MUCH MORE!

(Nature Niche continued from page 5) Males are surely offering food to females at this time and females are expecting it. The female may have already begun egg laying and will be sitting tight to the nest waiting for her mate to bring nourishment. The forest must sound empty to her without the nightly hoots of her mate. People often think we are the only ones that experience emotional loss and associated loss of contributory sustenance when a spouse dies. In nature niches many species help sustain mates, especially during the breeding season. When a mate suddenly disappears without a trace, the emotional strain must be great. No one notifies the family member of what happened. Only in a few social species do others comfort and assist the grieving. Personal survival demands require the owl continue valiantly. For the owl, a lone female left to survive will probably continue but her eggs may never hatch. Exposure Grand Rapids Audubon Club

while she hunts might be too great and the embryos will likely never develop. Life is hard and has its emotional traumas. Anyone who has witnessed a birds nest raided, an ants food taken, or a persons body wither from disease knows each experiences emotion. Emotion may be quantified and even dismissed by some scientific standards, but the perceptive will know there are many realms of reality. Ants, owls and people share the experience of living. We are all of the same DNA. Our perceptions and emotions are different only in degree with links dating back to the beginnings of life. I wonder about the important relationships. Natural history questions or topic suggestions can be directed to Ranger Steve (Mueller) at Ody Brook, 13010 Northland Dr., Cedar Springs, MI 49319-8433, Phone: (616) 696-1753 or by E-mail at: odybrook@chartermi.net. www.glsga.org/grac

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February 2014
February 8 Field Trip: Millennium Park Winter Birding with Tom Leggett 22 Field Trip: Winter Field Birding with Steve Minard 24 GRAC Board Meeting (preceding the general membership meeting) 24 General Membership Meeting Program: Birds and Life at Ody Brook with Steve Mueller March 1 Deadline for March newsletter articles 1 Field Trip: Early Spring on the Paul Henry Trail with Tom Leggett 16 Junior Audubon Meeting Program: March, Munch and Meander at Hudsonville Nature Center 29 Field Trip: Bluebird Box Cleaning at the Muskegon Wastewater with Jim Ponshair 31 GRAC Board Meeting (preceding the general membership meeting) 31 General Membership Meeting Program: Birding for Conservation: Cerulean Warblers with Tom Funke

Discover Millennium Park Grand Rapids Audubon Club Membership Application

Name _____________________________________________ Street _____________________________________________ City ______________________________________________ State / ZIP+4 _______________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________ Email _____________________________________________

Grand Rapids Audubon Club has been invited to participate in 2014 Discover! Millennium Park to be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 from 10:00 AM 3:00 PM on the parks Hansen Nature Trail. The event is sponsored by Kent MSU Master Naturalist Program, Kent County Parks and KCP Foundation and it is an event to promote appreciation of the green spaces in our community. Mark your calendar and watch for details on how you can participate in a future Caller.
GRAC Board Meetings are held at 6:00 PM prior to each months general membership meeting. Junior Audubon Meetings are held Saturdays at various locations. Contact Kim Davidson at bradle88@hotmail.com for more information. General Membership Meetings are held the last Monday of the month (Sept. May) at 7:30 PM at Orchard View Church on Leffingwell NE. December (Christmas Bird Count) and May (Annual Banquet) meetings are held at different locations and times. Upcoming field trip information is published in each newsletter. See the GRAC website for the complete field trip list. Any additions or deletions to the above calendar will be noted in future issues of the newsletter.

!
Individual $ 20.00 Family 25.00 Senior (65+) 12.00 Student (14+w/ID) 12.00 Sustaining 30.00 Patron 60.00 Individual Life Membership 400.00 Donation (General Fund, Jr. Audubon, Sanctuary,
Scholarship, Audubon Adventures, etc.)

___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ $___________

Serving You

GRAC Board and Committee Chairpersons are listed below for convenience.
Grand Rapids Audubon Club Board of Directors and Special Committees The Board of Directors consists of the Executive Council, the Immediate Past President and Chairpersons of the Standing Committees. In addition to the Board Of Directors, Special Committees and Resident Agent are also listed below. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 5 officers + 4 elected board members President Madeline Heibel Vice President Bea Verburg Secretary Cande Elchroth Treasurer Norm Sevensma Assistant Treasurer Mary Austin Board Member Larry Burke Board Member James Cross Board Member Scott Hutchings Board Member Phil Willemstein IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT (non-voting member) Ed Bolt 2010/2011, 2011/2012 STANDING COMMITTEES Per 2013 GRAC Bylaws, there are 19 Standing Committees. Each committee chairperson is a voting member of the Board. Committee names shown are per bylaws. Audio/Visual Robert Riepma Bird Reports Tom Holt Caller Editor Linda Damstra Caller Publisher Becky Kuhn Christmas Count SteveMueller / Field Trips Steve Minard Finance Jill Goodell Fund Development Bea VerBurg Historian Chris Baer Hospitality Henry Raad / Rosemary Radius Junior Audubon Kim BradleyDavidson / Bethany Schaffer Library Norine and Jim Shea / Fidencio Paradez Maher Sanctuary Chris Baer Membership Mary Austin Nominating Tom Leggett Publicity Bea Verburg / Mary Remer Scholarship Open Website Fred VanOeveren SPECIAL COMMITTEES / CHAIRPERSONS (non-members of Board of directors in this capacity) Audubon Adventures Open Insurance Jill Goodell RESIDENT AGENT Larry Burke

Total Make checks payable to: Grand Rapids Audubon Club, Inc. Send application and check to: Mary Austin, Assistant Treasurer 2021 Valentine, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525-2922

Check your preferred method of receiving the newsletter: ! I prefer to receive the Caller by mail. ! I prefer to read the Caller online at the GRAC website upon receiving an E-mail notification that the new issue is available. (Usually 10-14 days before the print version arrives by mail.)
Membership dues and contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

February 2014 Caller

Grand Rapids Audubon Club

Page 7

www.glsga.org/grac

Grand Rapids Audubon Club 6152 Georgeann Ct. Belmont, MI 49306-9783 Return Service Requested !! !

DATED MATERIAL PLEASE RUSH Ten Issues per year Published monthly except May and July

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 18

Grand Rapids Audubon Club

President: Madeline Heibel (363-8382) 2000 Valentine NE 49525-2966 E-mail: GRAC.president@glsga.org Vice President / Programs: Bea Verburg (676-2446) 7010 Conservation NE Ada, MI 49301-9530 E-mail: GRAC.vicepresident@glsga.org Secretary: Cande Elchroth (874-8419) 7035 Cannonsburg Rd. NE Belmont, MI 49306-9641 E-mail: GRAC.secretary@glsga.org Treasurer: Norm Sevensma (949-8928) 2612 Hampshire Blvd. SE 49506-4772 E-mail: GRAC.treasurer@glsga.org Assistant Treasurer / Membership: Mary Austin (361-7993) 2021 Valentine NE, 49525-2922 E-mail: GRAC.membership@glsga.org

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Newsletter Editor: Linda Damstra (361-8216) 2488 Appleton NE, 49525-3171 E-mail: GRAC.newsletter@glsga.org Publisher: Becky Kuhn (785-7072) 6152 Georgeann Ct. Belmont, MI 49306-9783

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To Report Bird Sightings: Tom Holt (821-6614) 12055 Lymburner Ave. Sparta, MI 49345-8473 E-mail: thomasjholt32@yahoo.com