September 2008

Volume XXXIV, Issue 8 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

Introduction to Birding Optics I N S I D E

Seminar and Open House President’s Perch...............2
Geltner Santucary..............2
Saturday, October 4
IBA......................................3
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Hemlock Fest.....................3
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Seminar
11:00 AM to 3:30 PM Open House AAS Legacy Club................3
Field Trips...........................4
If you want to learn more about birding with binoculars or if you are looking for birding optics, Master Birders ...................4
you will have a special opportunity on Saturday, October 4, to expand your knowledge and try
a variety of equipment. This is an excellent chance for you to directly compare the best of what Learning About Birds .........5
is currently available in birding optics, and you can even make a purchase right there on the Spotlight Judy Yuknavech .6
spot.
Volunteer Opportunities.....6
In partnership with the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we welcome Eagle Optics, the largest
independent sports optics dealer in the USA. One of their representatives will make an hour-
A Million Thanks................6
long presentation on the Introduction to Birding Optics. Here, you will learn about binoculars Field Notes ....................7-8
and spotting scopes, what to look for when making your selection, how to use the optics and T-Shirt Design Contest.......9
which will work best for you.
Fall Course Offering...........9
Afterwards Eagle Optics will have a display of binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, digiscoping
and camera adapters from Nikon, Zeiss, Leica, Pentax, Swarovski, Vortex, Audubon and others, Birdathon .........................10
including Eagle Optics’ own line. Freedom Park Garden.......11
We hope you will join us at this special event and learn more about how you can enjoy nature Classifieds.......................12
up close.
Greenberg Mem. Fund.....13
Membership....................13
Don’t Forget to Experience Sparrow Workshop ..........14
AAS 2008 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Saturday, September 6, 9 AM to 4 PM
ATLANTA
Start your morning birding at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and afterwards
visit five sanctuaries on the AAS annual tour that are located in the Mableton/Smyrna area – all
AUDUBON SOCIETY
within 15 miles of each other. Later in the day, head back to Kennesaw for the special
“satellite” and bonus sites. Here are the locations:
Box 29189
1. 708 Vinings Estates Drive, Mableton 30126 (Ticket Location) Atlanta, GA 30359
2. 800 Reed Road, Smyrna 30082
3. 738 Reed Road, Smyrna 30082 www.atlantaaudubon.org
4. 3410 Atlanta Road, Smyrna 30080
5. 2668 Brown Circle, Smyrna 30080
Satellite site: 1649 Stoddard Circle, Kennesaw 30152 (Ticket Location) AAS OFFICE
Bonus site: Smith-Gilbert Arboretum, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw 30152
and Information Line
Tickets are $12 in advance for Friends of Atlanta Audubon members and $15 the day of the
tour, which includes free admission to the Smith-Gilbert Arboretum. Call 770.913.0511 for your
ticket, and we will e-mail it in PDF format for you to print and bring with you for admission.
770.913.0511
IMPORTANT NOTE: Tickets will be available for sale only at 708 Vinings Estates Drive and
1649 Stoddard Circle on the day of the tour.
GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
770.493.8862

Board of Directors
2008
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar
770.993.9579
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
Officers
President Ellen Miller
404.355.8892
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com
President-elect Allyson Read
404.510.8281
read.allyson@gmail.com
Treasurer Deanna Helie
770.457.4403
aas_finance@yahoo.com
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
404.298.8825
markajernigan@bellsouth.net
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley
404.687.0079
atlpiaf@aol.com
Directors
Conservation Kelly Hopkins
404.622.1888
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net
Education Marge Igyarto
678.398.0569
igyar@earthlink.net
Field Trips Dave Butler
404.580.3917
dabutler700@comcast.net
Membership Darlene Moore
404.633.9361
djmoore67@bellsouth.net
Communications
Barbara Tarpley
404.687.0079
atlpiaf@aol.com
Publicity Vacant
Volunteers Nancy Hamilton
404.874.2338
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net
At Large
Jay Davis
404.624.4973
webtoad@earthlink.net
Victor Williams
Earthshare Representative
770.423.1012
72064.1017@compuserve.com
---
Website
Jim Flynn
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
Wingbars Editor
Mary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664
mhindes@bellsouth.net
Design & Layout
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
copyprep@mindspring.com
Proofreading
Steven Phenicie
770.849.0391
swlphenicie@bellsouth.net
Newsletter deadline is the first of
the month for material to be
published the following month.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to
mhindes@bellsouth.net.
Email attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society and is published 11 times a
year. We feature news, upcoming events,
meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you
will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect policies
of the Atlanta Audubon Society.
2 Atlanta Audubon Society
President’s Perchby Ellen Miller
Mystery in Dunwoody
Late last year my company moved its Atlanta
offices to the Ravinia Office Complex located off
Ashford Dunwoody Road at I-285. For those of you
who are not familiar with the area, there are three
large office buildings and a hotel. In between the
hotel and the offices is a wooded area with a pond,
streams, etc. The pond is fairly large and built such
that the sides are rock walls going straight down
about two feet or so into the water.
My office is on the eleventh floor of one of the
buildings and overlooks the pond, so of course I
frequently check to see what birds might be around.
Early in the spring I began seeing a pair of Mallards
and some Canada Geese hanging around, begging
food from people eating lunch, and generally doing
what city ducks and geese do. Shortly thereafter I
noticed a board about 2’ x 6’ on the edge of the
pond, which was anchored by rocks so that one end
was in the water and the other on dry land.
Inquisitive minds want to know: What’s the
purpose of the board and who put it there? It surely
would not be for the ducks and geese, as they could
easily fly from the water to dry land. From
interaction with facility and property management
people during my years in corporate America, I had
to believe the board was approved or placed there
by the property management people. I figured its
being there had to be for a purpose, but what was
that? One Friday, with predictions of stormy
weather for the weekend, the board disappeared,
but it was promptly returned to its place in the
pond by Monday morning. I never saw a person
near the board, but someone was clearly its keeper.
Eventually the Canada Geese moved on to
apparently greener pastures, but the pair of
Mallards stayed and so did the board. As you’ve
probably guessed, the Mallard drake left at some
point, the female Mallard subsequently gave birth,
and soon I saw two ducklings swimming along with
Mission Statement:
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.
mom in the pond. Could the board be there for the
ducklings? Yes! It seems that was its purpose, as I
began to see the ducklings walk up the board to get
from the water to dry land. Maybe mom showed
them how to use the board their first time, I don’t
know, but it became a regular sight to see mom and
ducklings sitting out of the water next to the board
with the ducklings occasionally going up and down
the board. As the ducklings grew, they continued to
use the board. Not much time went by until they
were as big as mom and could fly in and out of the
pond, though often they still used the board. Now
all three — mom and the two kids — are gone and
guess what. As soon as the ducks left, the board
disappeared. The rocks that anchored it in place are
still there, ready to be used next year, I’m guessing.
So what is my point to all of this? There are lots of
people out there who go to a great deal of trouble,
thought and effort to help birds. Many of these
people probably don’t belong to Audubon and
probably are not birders as such. But they are there
and want to help. So let’s be good ambassadors and
educators for birds. You never know who is paying
attention. Thanks for all you do, and good birding!
And, by the way, if anyone knows who put the
board out, please let me know. I’d love to meet the
bird-friendly person.
Atlanta Audubon Society Volunteer
Event at the Geltner Wildlife Sanctuary
Many thanks to the 24 volunteers who spent
the morning of July 12 picking up trash and
posting notices to remove deer stands at
Atlanta Audubon Society's wildlife sanctuary
located on Anneewakee Road in Douglasville.
This pristine 184-acre sanctuary was donated
to AAS by Geraldine Geltner.
After filling three trucks with trash, tires, old
furniture and various other items, the
volunteers enjoyed a delicious barbecue picnic
at Sweetwater Creek State Park. Despite the
heat and the wasps, everyone had a good time.
Another clean-up day will be scheduled in
October to remove the deer stands on the
property. If you would like more information
regarding the sanctuary or the next clean-up
day, e-mail Kelly Hopkins at
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net.
 The Georgia IBA Program is the Cornerstone of AAS
Conservation Agenda Atlanta
Audubon
New IBA Coordinator Society
Atlanta Audubon Society welcomes
Georgia’s new Important Bird Areas
Legacy
Coordinator, Charlie Muise. You will be
hearing more from Charlie and what is
happening with the IBA program in the
upcoming issues of Wingbars.
Club
Congratulations, Charlie. Join us as a charter member
Charlie Muise with Northern Saw-
whet (believed to be the first ever of the AAS Legacy Club by
banded in Georgia) including Atlanta Audubon
Photographer: Tracey Muise in your bequests.

Your gift to Atlanta Audubon

Savannah Presbytery Supports Society ensures our long-term
Important Bird Areas Program ability to manage the
resources necessary to
The Savannah Presbytery has given Atlanta wildlife. The funds are to be used in promoting preserve and protect metro
Audubon Society a grant of $5,000 to support the support of conservation efforts, education Atlanta’s birds and the
Georgia’s Important Bird Areas Program for and studies in key environmental issues of ecosystems that support them.
coastal conservation efforts. endangered ecosystems and ecological projects While cash donations are the
The Presbytery’s M.K. Pentecost Ecology Trust that are approved by the Presbytery. The trust most popular form of support,
Fund Committee’s mission is to promote and further sets out that the funds are to be used for a variety of options exist,
support ecological stewardship of natural promoting the protection of wetlands, controlling from charitable gift annuities
resources. Its origins began with the generosity erosion or other destructive forces, restricting and more.
and vision of Atlanta attorney and Presbyterian activities in construction that damage the
elder, M. K. Pentecost, Jr., who served as an environment, eliminating the useless destruction
executive of the Presbytery of Georgia and on the of marine life and/or wildlife, controlling water Question: How will a
staff of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery during the quality and maintaining beach areas for charitable gift affect my
1980s and early 1990s. He loved the church and responsible relaxation and refreshment. estate? Can I actually
revered Georgia’s coastal beauty, with its intrinsic “We are thrilled to have the support of the get tax advantages
restorative ability. Savannah Presbytery for Georgia’s Important Bird through a charitable
Mr. Pentecost established a charitable remainder Areas Program,” states Charlie Muise, Georgia’s bequest?
unitrust with the Presbyterian Church USA IBA coordinator. “It will make a tremendous
Foundation for the Presbytery’s ministry of difference in helping us protect Georgia’s birds Answer: Lifetime (inter
environmental justice and ecological stewardship and their habitats.” vivos) gifts can provide
of natural resources, including marine and income tax benefits, as
well as estate tax
HEMLOCKFEST 2008 (November 7 to 9) benefits. Gifts made in
your Last Will and
The annual benefit fundraiser hemlock cause, the majority of which supports
DON’T LET THIS to help save North Georgia’s good predator beetle-rearing labs at North Testament
HAPPEN TO YOUR (testamentary gifts) can
hemlock trees is currently Georgia College and State University, the
TREES! save estate taxes and
SUPPORT OUR seeking sponsors for the University of Georgia and Young Harris College.
GRASS ROOTS event. Lumpkin Coalition, the For more information, please visit the website thus preserve assets for
EFFORT! organizer of this event, is a www.lumpkincoalition.org, or e-mail Forest future generations.
100% volunteer 501(c)(3) Hilyer at forest@lumpkincoalition.org or call Gifting can be simple
charitable organization and 706.265.5282. or complex depending
has no paid staff members. Donations may be made payable to the Lumpkin on your circumstances.
We need to join together! The Coalition and mailed to 3865 Dawsonville Atlanta Audubon
clock is now ticking on almost Highway, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Credit cards are Society can refer you to
all of Georgia’s hemlock accepted through PayPal at the website. professional advisers if
stands. Massive loss of these Note: Georgann Schmalz will be at the you so desire.
trees will be seen within the HEMLOCKFEST 2008 and will be happy to
Damaged Hemlock next 10 years if we are not
Tree
answer questions regarding Atlanta Audubon’s For more information
successful in the battle against participation in the hemlock festival. E-mail Kelly contact Art Hurt at
Photographer: Courtesy
Lumpkin Coalition the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Hopkins at hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net for more artlisahurt@bellsouth.net.
Beetle (the invasive aphid-like information on AAS’ ongoing hemlock monitoring
species) that is killing the hemlocks. One hundred project in the forests of north Georgia.
percent of the monies raised goes to further the

September 2008 3
 Field Trips
Compiled by Dave Butler

Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted). We welcome
everyone from beginners to advanced birders! Please check the Atlanta Audubon
website (www.atlantaaudubon.org) for additional September field trips that may be
scheduled.
Sketch by Anne McCallum

Sunday, September 7
Georgann Schmalz
Dawson Forest WMA,
Atlanta Tract (Dawson County)
Meet at 8 AM at the wetlands
Birding focus: Warblers, tanagers,
thrushes and other migrants
Directions: From the I-285/GA 400
interchange drive approximately 35 miles
north and turn left (west) on Dawson
Forest Rd.; drive another 4 miles (crossing
over GA Hwy. 9) and continuing 2 miles
into the WMA. Meet inside the gate at the
wetlands.
Wednesday, September 17 & 24
Saturday, September 20 & 27
Giff Beaton/Chuck Saleeby
Kennesaw Mountain
(Cobb County)
Meet at 7:30 AM in the parking lot at
entrance
Birding focus: Migrants, residents
Directions: From Atlanta drive north on
I-75 for 8.4 miles beyond I-285; turn right
at Exit 267B; follow the signs for US 41 for
about 1 mile; turn right onto US 41 at the
traffic light; drive 0.6 miles north to the
second traffic light; turn left on Bell’s
Ferry Rd.; take first right onto old US 41;
drive 1.1 miles and turn left on Stilesboro
Rd., then take an immediate left into the
parking lot.
Saturday, September 21
Lisa Hurt
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
(DeKalb County)
Meet at 8 AM at the CSNP entrance
Birding focus: Migrants, songbirds
Directions: From I-285 N or S take Exit
39A (Hwy. 78/Stone Mtn. Freeway) west
toward Decatur. (Hwy. 78 passes North
DeKalb Mall.) At intersection of Hwy. 78,
North Decatur Rd. and Medlock Rd., take
right onto Medlock Rd. and drive 1/4 mile
to Medlock Elementary School; go right
on Wood Trail Ln. through a stop sign and
travel another 200 yards to the preserve
entrance.
From I-75/I-85 N or S: take Exit 89
(North Druid Hills Rd.) east toward
Decatur. After approximately 3 miles, go
right on Hwy. 78 (at North DeKalb Mall).
Follow directions as above.

Master Birder Program Fall 2008

DATES: Each Tuesday and Thursday, October 7 through November 13
TIME: 6:30 PM to 9 PM
FIELD TRIPS: 8 AM, Saturday, October 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8
The Master Birder Program for fall 2008 will be conducted at the Master Birder course content includes:
Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA. The • Classification and identification of birds
course fee of $210 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon ($240 non- • Guide to birding equipment
members) includes lectures, textbook, audio CD, other materials • Bird songs and calls
and handouts. • Attracting birds and backyard wildlife habitat
This introductory course in ornithology is designed to provide • Anatomy and physiology
participants with bird identification skills and a general knowledge • Bird ecology
of birds, their life histories and habitat requirements. The Master • Bird behavior
Birder Program consists of twelve 21⁄2-hour lectures and five • Flight and migration
Saturday field trips. Participants are expected to attend all lectures • Bird conservation
and field activities. For information and exact agenda, e-mail
Upon graduation, each Master Birder is expected to complete
volunteer service for Atlanta Audubon Society each year.
Georgannschmalz@alltel.net or call 404.245.7273. #
Master Birder Program Fall 2008
To register, send your check payable to Atlanta Audubon Society to Master Birder Program, P. O. Box 29189, Atlanta,

NAME _______________________________________________________________________________
GA 30359. Please also include the information below.

ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________________
PHONE (HOME) ______________________________ (CELL) ______________________________
E-MAIL ______________________________________________________________________________
OCCUPATION ___________________________________________________________

4 Atlanta Audubon Society

 LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS
WHO LED THE ACTIVITIES?
The heroes and heroines in AAS’ growing LEARNING
ABOUT BIRDS program are the folks who lead the
activities with their students. Who are they? They are
teachers and environmental educators, two are
parents who volunteer and three are AAS members.
Teachers and leaders from the seventeen sites (four
nature centers, one city park, 10 public schools, one
private school and one home school group) adapt the
Atlanta Audubon Society LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS
materials and activities to their own purposes. They
conduct LAB activities in their classrooms, in after-
school clubs, on nature walks and, in one case, on a
field trip taking inner city kids to Jekyll Island. An
inventive and industrious group, the teachers and
leaders added gardens, bird feeders, bird houses and
art projects to the materials we provided. All except
one of them want to continue the program in the
current school year. We are excited about their
achievements in 2007-08, and we look forward to
working with them in the months ahead.
HOW MANY STUDENTS PARTICIPATED LAST
SCHOOL YEAR?
Thanks to survey replies we received from leaders of
16 out of 17 sites, we can report that 1,165 children –
and 10 adults – participated in LEARNING ABOUT
BIRDS activities during the last school year. The
learning groups were quite varied. At one school’s
science club, 12 to 15 students met weekly for a
semester. At another school, 146 children had at least
one session with LAB activities.
WHAT DID KIDS LEARN/ENJOY MOST IN LEARNING
ABOUT BIRDS?
When we asked this question of last year’s teachers
and leaders, here is what they told us:
• The matching game, identifying the common birds
of Atlanta, and the migration card game, where
kids plotted the migration course of a particular
bird through the Americas. –Claire Hayes,
Dunwoody Nature Center, DeKalb County
Results from 2007-08 School Year
By Marcia Klenbort
Schools. (4th and 5th grade bird clubs)
• They loved dissecting the owl pellets and listening
to the owl sounds that I downloaded off the
Internet. –Sheri Pisaturo, Contenders Home School,
Gwinnett County (Kindergarten to 6th grade)
• The kids enjoyed seeing if they had the correct
answers when they filled in the bird identification
sheet. (I went over the answers after I gave them a
few minutes to figure out things on their own.)
Probably the most enjoyable activity was the owl
pellet dissection. –Christina Marr, Mill Creek Nature
Preserve, Gwinnett County (3rd grade)
• They enjoyed learning about birds across the USA.
–Peggy Martin, M. Agnes Jones, Atlanta Schools
(K-1 after school group)
• Dissecting the owl pellets. Using binoculars outside.
Staring at the stuffed Barred Owls the AAS
volunteer brought to our class. (They stared back!)
–Ellen Powell, Bolton Academy, Atlanta Schools
(4th grade),
• Dissecting the owl pellets was intriguingly effective.
The kids were grossed out, but could not back
away from the pellets. Giggles and “eeeewww”
and “gross” were always followed by “cool” and
“awesome.” –Brittany Camp, Arabia Mountain
Nature Preserve
• The food web game. That activity is the one I use
most because it is the easiest to integrate into our
other topics. –Mary Nevis, Cochran Mill Nature
Center
• The 5th graders loved looking through binoculars at
water birds around the lakes and sloughs when we
took them to Jekyll Island. Challengers learned
how to operate binoculars and how to use bird
identification charts to identify different species of
birds. They also used the binoculars to gaze at the
night sky. Students were able to clearly see Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mercury, as well as the
major constellations visible in the November sky. –
Richard Hatcher, Campbell Challenge Program,
–Margaret Fain Elementary School
• We played the bird identification game until our kids
got really good at identifying the common birds of
Atlanta. –Barbara Leath, Collier Park, Atlanta
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR?
Valuable help from the Watchable Wildlife
Program. We are pleased that the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources has again awarded
us funds to purchase materials for the LEARNING
ABOUT BIRDS activities bins. All the current
participants will need more owl pellets to dissect ($1
each), and we’ll be creating additional bins for the
newcomer participants.
Correlating our curriculum to the Georgia
standards. At three sites, teachers have volunteered
to correlate the LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS curriculum
to the Georgia state standards. At the kindergarten
level, Peggy Martin at M. Agnes Jones Elementary is
eager to teach birds all year and will link the
kindergarten standards. Dawn Stephen, a newcomer
with LAB and special education teacher at Drew
Elementary Charter School, will work on the 3rd grade
standards, and Mary Nevil, LAB leader at Knollwood
Elementary, will correlate 4th grade standards. These
correlations will be particularly useful to teachers who
want to incorporate LAB activities into their science
teaching.
In May and June, AAS volunteers brought LEARNING
ABOUT BIRDS materials and activities to counselors
who taught in summer camps at Chattahoochee
Nature Center and at Piedmont Park Conservancy. We
have not yet conducted an evaluation to see how
many campers were reached by this activity.
AAS volunteers who create materials, assemble bins,
assist in training and then help out in classrooms are
next in line for appreciation as we pass out kudos to
those who make the LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS
program happen. During the last year, Marilyn Harris,
Marge Igyarto, Kathleen Bancroft and Kit Robey were
steady helpers. Another dozen volunteers worked on

Glenwood Academy LAB

Atlanta Public Schools
(Kindergarten, early elementary) • The kids loved it all…seeing the stuffed owls, making materials.

• Doing something special together, getting outside
with the binoculars, learning to use a field guide.
The kids who were able to go on the Georgia Youth
Birding Competition trip enjoyed that the most.
–Mary Nevil, Knollwood Elementary School, DeKalb
County (Grades 3, 4, 5)
• We loved using the binoculars you supplied. We had
a great session on learning to use binocs and bird
guides. Each group did the food web game
exercise — always a favorite. Each session
dissected owl pellets, another favorite. We spent
one session drawing birds and discussing [John
James] Audubon’s art (see illustrations). We start
each session with bird stories (usually an anecdotal
event involving a bird sighting or experience from
the students’ week away from school). We focused
a lot of attention on hawks, owls and a colony of
Chimney Swifts next to the school’s parking lot. We
also fill our feeders every week and take a quick
walk in the woods to see what birds we can spot.
–Buddy Goodloe, Glenwood Academy, Decatur
Students’ Sketches
learning about local Atlanta birds and using the
binoculars to go bird watching on our discovery
woods trail. Dissecting owl pellets was also a
HUGE hit! –Anna Conrad, Trinity School
• The 5th graders liked the visiting AAS stuffed owls
and learning about habitats in our schoolyard. Our
4th graders learned much about water vs.
terrestrial habitats by taking a tour of the Clyde
Shepherd Nature Preserve on Earth Day. For the
third year, our 2nd and 3rd graders thoroughly
enjoyed watching the nesting bluebirds in the
Medlock’s Children’s Garden and Wildlife Habitat
feed their young. These students were also treated
to watching the fledglings learn to fly. –Camille
Warren, Parent, Medlock Elementary School
• Our environmental club’s after school students
loved the bird kits, especially the matching card
game and dissecting the owl pellets. –Stephanie
Gwinn, Parkside Elementary School
• Owl pellets, seeing the stuffed owls were the
favorite activities. –Marsha Francis, Science Club,

September 2008 5
 Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner
4
Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
olunteer
Opportunities
Compiled by Carol Hassell
New Wingbars Columnist
We would like to find someone
interested in doing a short column
every other month (five or six issues
per year) for Wingbars, profiling a
different local artist whose work
has some type of focus on birds
(painting them, building bird
houses, etc.). This would be your
very own column to create. If
interested, please e-mail
Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.
Armchair Activists Coordinator
We need someone who can spend
approximately five hours per month,
primarily when the legislature is in
session, researching critical issues
that affect birds. A summary of
your research would then be sent to
the participants of our committee,
who will call their senators or send
letters to their congressmen
seeking their support. If you are
interested, contact Kelly Hopkins at
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net or
404.660.3166.
Audubon Adventures
Coordinator
We need someone to contact metro
Atlanta teachers to solicit requests
for National Audubon Society-
created quarterly newsletters
designed for use in elementary
classrooms. During the school term
or at its end, you would need to
follow up to see how the materials
were used. All supplies and
instructions are provided. Contact
Marcia Klenbort,
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net.
Grant-writing Assistant
Our new Georgia IBA Coordinator is
hitting the ground running with
various fundraising efforts. Don’t
miss this opportunity to work with
Charlie and our Conservation
Director, Kelly Hopkins, on our
strategy to match the $57K grant
from the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation and The Southern
Company. If you are interested in
volunteering about five hours of
your time, contact Kelly Hopkins at
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net or
404.660.3166.
Please check the AAS Website for more
exciting volunteer opportunities and ask
your employer to MATCH your hours
(see Page 10).
6 Atlanta Audubon Society
• Volunteer
Spotlighting... Judy Yuknavech
By Wendy Weathers
Judy Yuknavech began volunteering with AAS
in September 2002, working with the Georgia
and showed it to Jim Wilson that she was able
to identify it as a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A
Important Bird Areas (IBA) Coordinator, Jim few years ago, she had a Rufous Hummingbird
Wilson. Today, she is the data coordinator for spend time at their feeder. She contacted the
the Georgia IBA Program. She edits the birding president of the Georgia Hummer Study
counts for species on the threatened birds lists Group, Rusty Trump, who came to her home
for NAS. As she reviews the birding counts, to photograph, capture, weigh and tag it. When
she enters them into the Audubon IBA he finished he allowed her to release it, which
database, which is used for maintaining site, she said was “a very special experience.” Her
species, criteria and attribute data. Judy takes favorite story is of an adolescent female Red-
several years of birding data and compiles it bellied Woodpecker that could not figure out
according to the needs of the IBA coordinator. how to land on a mesh peanut feeder. It would
Species data must be presented when a new hover, seemingly flying backwards a few
area is being considered for IBA status. inches. Judy said, “It was an awesome sight.”
Judy always enjoyed watching birds, but it They stepped away and then heard a terrifying
wasn’t until 1992, when she moved to her screech. They hurried back to find the
woodpecker hanging onto the side of the
present home in Suwanee, that she got serious
and began to keep track of the species of birds feeder “roaring in
that she and her husband see. However, she triumph.” They named her
says she is not a traditional birder because she “Noisy,” and it stuck. So,
they began calling all the
does not keep personal records and counts.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers
She has several stories to share about birds
“Noisies.”
she encountered in her backyard, where they
Judy is retired from Lucent
have several feeders, birdbaths and ample
nesting places. One is about an orange bird for Technologies, where she
which she hunted a picture in her bird books was a software engineer.
for weeks, trying to identify it. It Judy Yuknavech
Photographer: Richard Yuknavech
wasn’t until she took the picture
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 can’t thank new volunteer Rachel Smith McMurray
enough for stepping up and digging in her heels to create our
new Legacy Club brochure. Rachel did an amazing job of taking a
lot of information and pulling together a concise, easy-to-read and
very beautiful brochure. Thanks, Rachel.
A big thank you goes to the Clean-up Day crew at Atlanta Audubon Society’s Wildlife
Sanctuary in Douglas County. Volunteers did a tremendous amount of work in removing trash
that has accumulated on the property and posting notices to remove deer stands. Many thanks
go to Kelly Hopkins, too, for organizing and making the event possible. What a major effort!
Marilyn Harris is always stepping up to support AAS’ education efforts. Just recently she
worked with Marcia Klenbort to conduct bird training for counselors at the Piedmont Park
Conservancy, as well as leading a special program for a group of seniors at William H. Reynolds
Memorial Nature Center. Thanks, Marilyn, for everything you do.
 May Field Notes
There was some carry over from
the exceptional last four days of
April, but by around 7 May most
of the good numbers of migrants
had dwindled quite a bit. However,
there were a good number of
sightings of some of our rarer warblers as
these tend to be later migrants. Also, there
were a number of reports of our very rare
breeders from the northeastern part of the
state which included Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Brown Creeper, Winter Wren and Golden-
crowned Kinglet.
The Atlanta area recorded 169 species
(average = 160.5) to bring the year-to-date
total to 229 (average = 211.9). The Georgia
area came in with 232 species (average =
234.6) to bring the year-to-date list to 305
(average = 302.9).
ATLANTA AREA
PELICANS THROUGH HAWKS – A very rare sighting for
the Atlanta area was an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN at
Lake Acworth on 29 May (fide JSe). Single AMERICAN
BITTERNS were seen in NE Atlanta on 8 May (BC) and at
the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in
Clayton Co. on 10 May (CL et al.). A LEAST BITTERN was
also seen at the ELHLAF on 10 May (CL et al.).An adult
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen in the
Blalock Lake area of the ELHLAF on 3 May by PB and
HG. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were reported
from both the Chattahoochee River National Recreation
Area (CRNRA) by KB and the Mercer Wetlands area
during the month (PMc). Interesting hawk sightings
included a MISSISSIPPI KITE in Forsyth Co. on 4 May
(JF), three MISSISSIPPI KITES at Kennesaw Mountain
National Battlefield Park (KMT) in Cobb Co. on 4 May
(CB), and a MERLIN in the Cartersville area also on 4
May (HG, PB, TM).
RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS - A KING RAIL was seen
at the CRNRA several times during the month (m.ob.).
NF had an excellent count of 70 LEAST SANDPIPERS at
the ELHLAF on 1 May. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS
were widely reported with two in Bartow Co. on 11 May
(BZ, et al.), six in northern Forsyth Co. on 12 May (JF),
two at the ELHLAF on 13 May (LS), seven in Forsyth Co.
on 18 May (JF) and three in Bartow Co. on 21 May (KB).
A DUNLIN was seen in Bartow Co. from 3 May through
11 May (MMcS). One STILT SANDPIPER was seen in
Forsyth Co. on 7 May (JF) and nine were at the ELHLAF
on 18 May (NF). On 11 May, MMcS and BW saw a
single SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER in Bartow Co., and
BZ, et al., saw six in a different part of Bartow Co. A
single WILSON’S PHALAROPE was found in Bartow Co.
September 2008
by Terry Moorez
on 10 May (MMcS) and two were seen there on 21 May
(KB).
CUCKOOS THROUGH WRENS –A BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO was a good report from Cherokee Co. on 8
May (fide RT). Two WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were seen
and heard at the Little Mulberry Park in Gwinnett Co. on
23 May (PMcL, JC). The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
that has spent the past few summers in Henry Co. was
seen there again on 10 May (JF). The highest count of
RED-EYED VIREOS at the KMT was 53 on 6 May (GB, et
al.). KB had a couple good wren observations at the
CRNRA with two SEDGE WRENS on 1 May and one
MARSH WREN on 19 May.
WARBLERS – Some good warbler reports from the KMT
included single NASHVILLE WARBLERS on 2 and 4 May,
11 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS on 1 May, 17
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS on 1 May, ten BLACK-
THROATED GREEN WARBLERS on 1 May and 13
BLACKPOLL WARBLERS on both 1 and 5 May (GB,
B&DZ). Sightings of our rarer warblers included a
CONNECTICUT WARBLER at the ELHLAF on 10 May (CL
et al.) and a MOURNING WARBLER at the Clyde
Shepherd Nature Preserve from 12 through 14 May (NF,
et al.). Ten HOODED WARBLERS was a good count at the
KMT on 1 May (GB). WILSON’S WARBLERS were well
reported with single birds at the KMT on 5 May (GB), at
the Little Mulberry Park on 12 May (BB) and another
back at the KMT on 15 May (GB).
TANAGERS THROUGH DICKCISSELS – The best count of
SCARLET TANAGERS was 21 at KMT on 5 May (GB).
Rather late was a SAVANNAH SPARROW at the CRNRA
on 12 May (KB). The best count of INDIGO BUNTINGS
was 19 at the KMT on 6 May (GB). Very rare for the
Atlanta area was a male PAINTED BUNTING reported
from Henry Co. on 6 May (fide PH).
GEORGIA AREA
WHISTLING DUCKS THROUGH KITES – The Altamaha
Waterfowl Management Area near Darien is the best
place to find BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS in GA
as evidenced by the 27 seen there on 19 May (TS). A
female HOODED MERGANSER with six chicks was seen
in Floyd Co. on 9 May (DR). Eleven AMERICAN WHITE
PELICANS were seen in the Jekyll Island area on 14 May
(LH). Two CATTLE EGRETS were a good find in Gordon
Co. on 22 May (JSp). MISSISSIPPI KITES seem to be
exploding in numbers compared to what we expected
from previous years. Two were seen in Forsyth Co. on 2
May (AS), two were seen in Murray Co. on 8 May (JSp)
but these were overshadowed by the 300-400 seen in
Monroe Co. on 17 May (CM).
SHOREBIRDS – An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was an
extremely rare spring sighting at Tybee Island on 11 May
(DC). A rare inland SANDERLING was seen at
Marshallville on 11 May (NF). Rare for the Columbus
area was a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on 12 May
(WC). Other interesting sightings from Marshallville on
11 May were a STILT SANDPIPER and 12 SHORT-
BILLED DOWITCHERS (NF).
DOVES THROUGH KINGLETS – TK found a WHITE-
WINGED DOVE in Telfair Co. a few miles south of McRae
on 21 May. A late YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was
reported from Clarke Co. on 14 May by MP. A LEAST
FLYCATCHER was back at its normal location around
Suches on 2 May (GM). The only PHILADELPHIA VIREO
was one in Whitfield Co. on 17 May (MM). There were a
very impressive number of rare birds found in extreme
northeastern GA during the month. All of these are
potential or actual breeders. We look forward to seeing
more details of these sightings in The Oriole. On 1 May,
FR had a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH at Burrell’s Ford in
Rabun Co.. Also in Rabun Co., KB and MM had two RED-
BREASTED NUTHATCHES on 24 May. BROWN
CREEPERS were reported with two birds at Burrell’s Ford
on 1 May (FR), one in Rabun Co. on 11 May (KB), and
another one in Rabun Co. on 29 May (KB, PH). At
Brasstown Bald, JMcN had a WINTER WREN on 24 May
and in Rabun Co. KB had a GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLET on 11 May.
WARBLERS – There were a number of reports of some
of our rarer warblers. DH had a CONNECTICUT
WARBLER in Catoosa Co. from 5 through 7 May. Two
CONNECTICUT WARBLERS were seen and heard at
Sandy Creek Nature Center in the Athens area on 10
May (JN). Another CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen at
the Standing Boy Wildlife Management Area on 15 May
(WC). Two WILSON’S WARBLERS were seen in Whitfield
Co. on 13 May (AS), one WILSON’S WARBLER was seen
near Blairsville on 18 May (AS et al.), another WILSON’S
was seen in Catoosa Co. on 19 May (DH) and a final bird
was seen in Whitfield Co. on 21 May (AS).
DICKCISSEL THROUGH SISKIN – There were a number
of reports of DICKCISSELS throughout the middle part of
the state with the peak number of at least five coming
from Monroe Co. on 7 May (CM). Laurens Co. played
host to a large number of BOBOLINKS with at least 2500
being seen on 4 May (GS et al.). Four RED CROSSBILLS
were seen at Brasstown Bald on 28 May (JH et al.) and
two were seen in White Co. on 30 May (JM). JM also
had two PINE SISKINS in White Co. on 26 to 27 May.
CONTRIBUTORS – Steve Barlow, Giff Beaton, Brandon
Best, Ken Blankenship, Patrick Brisse, Chris Borg, Joy
Carter, Walt Chambers, Bob Cheek, Diana Churchill,
Nathan Farnau, Jim Flynn, Mark Freeman, Hugh Garrett,
Jim Hanna, Jackie Heyda, David Hollie, Pierre Howard,
Lanny Hoyal, Tim Keyes, Carol Lambert, John
McClatchey, Grant McCreary, Patty McLean, Joel McNeil,
Mark McShane, Max Medley, Darlene Moore, Peggy and
Terry Moore, Charlie Muise, James Neves, Michael
Parrish, Paul Raney, Frank Renfrow, Dan Roper, Tim
Rose, Georgann Schmalz, Jeff Sewell, Adam Smith,
Lloyd Snyder, Joshua Spence, Ann Stewart, Tom Striker,
Rusty Trump, Becky Valentine, Bill Wiggins, and Bob and
Deb Zaremba.
Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Roswell, GA
30075 tsmoore@bellsouth.net
7
 June Field Notes
June was a rather average month
even though we did generally
beat our ten year averages.
There were a few rare birds seen,
but certainly nothing like the Green-
breasted Mango which graced us
for such a long time this winter. The Atlanta
area recorded only 103 species (average =
106.7) to bring the year-to-date list to 230
(average = 215.4). The Georgia area came in
with 186 species (average = 180.3) to bring
that year-to-date list to 314 (average = 307.8)
ATLANTA AREA
GREBES THROUGH SANDPIPERS – At least one
pair of PIED-BILLED GREBES along with young
were seen at the E.L Huie Land Application
Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton Co. for the entire
month (CL). A GREAT “WHITE” HERON was
identified by HG on 22 June at the Koger
Center Wetlands in NE Atlanta. The bird
remained there at least until 29 June (PMcL)
and was seen by many. Also at the Koger
Wetlands was an adult YELLOW-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON off and on during the month
(PMcL). Other YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-
HERONS were reported from the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
off and on during the month and another bird
at Shamrock Lake (part of the ELHLAF) from
17 through 24 June (CL). Other interesting
sightings from the ELHLAF included a couple
NORTHERN BOBWHITES on 7 and 21 June
(CL), families of COMMON MOORHENS and
AMERICAN COOTS during the month, ten
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS on 1 June
(MMc, BC), and three WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS on 2 June (MMc, BC).
WAXWINGS THROUGH DICKCISSELS – Very
rare for the Atlanta area during the summer
was a CEDAR WAXWING seen in southern
Henry Co. on 15 June by P&TMo. There was
more than the normal number of NORTHERN
PARULAS reported this month. One bird was
at the Newman Wetlands Center (part of the
ELHLAF) at least until 24 June (CL), P&TMo
had a bird singing in the Roswell Area Park on
14 June, and PB reported as many as four on
28 June in the northeastern quadrant of the
8 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
Atlanta area. A population of OVENBIRDS was FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS – A
discovered in Gwinnett County’s Little LEAST FLYCATCHER was reported from Rabun
Mulberry Park with about 20 birds being Co. on 5 June by PHo. Interesting BLUE-
recorded there on visits on 4 and 11 June HEADED VIREO sightings were a single bird at
(BB). A DICKCISSEL was reported from south Piedmont NWR on 1 June (TMcC) and six in
Fulton Co. on 3 June (fide JSe). Jasper Co. on 8 June (JF). JF also had a good
count of 19 HORNED LARKS in Dooly Co. on
15 June. Single RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES
GEORGIA AREA
were reported from the Blood Mountain area
DUCKS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRD – In addition on 11 June (StC, SlC) and from Fannin Co. on
to the normal sightings of BLACK-BELLIED 7 June (MW). A GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET
WHISTLING-DUCKS at the Altamaha Waterfowl was a very rare summer sighting in Rabun Co.
Management area near Darien, there were on 28 June (KB, JH, MMcS). A VEERY was
reports of two in the Savannah area on 20 heard singing in the Athens area on 6 June
and 21 June (JP) and two at the Phinizy (GN). ST had as many as 8-10 CEDAR
Swamp area near Augusta on 24 June (RM). A WAXWINGS in Carroll Co. on 26 June.
COMMON LOON remains at Long Pond in the
WARBLERS THROUGH CROSSBILLS –
Lake City area as it has for the past 12
Interesting warbler sightings included a
months (JA). On a pelagic trip on 18 June out
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER at the
from Charleston, SC, but into GA waters, ND
FDR SP on 26 June (NK), two AMERICAN
reported the following totals: 41 BLACK-
REDSTARTS in Morgan Co. on 8 June (JF), an
CAPPED PETRELS, two BAND-RUMPED
OVENBIRD in Jasper Co. on 8 June (JF), and
STORM-PETRELS, 14 WILSON’S STORM-
five+ OVENBIRDS in the FDR SP on 26 June
PETRELS, eight AUDUBON’S SHEARWATERS,
(NK). Also at the FDR SP were 4+ SCARLET
10 CORY’S SHEARWATERS and 17 GREATER
TANAGERS on 26 June (NK). There were
SHEARWATERS. Very unusual was a sighting
several reports of DICKCISSELS around the
of an immature NORTHERN GANNET in St.
state with the peak count of four coming from
Andrews Sound on 26 June (TMo). Six
Sumter Co. on 3 June (PHa). A male
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were reported
BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen in the Augusta
from Jekyll Island on 20 June (LT) and again
area on 6 June and was joined by a female on
on 26 June (P&TMo). An inland report for
7 June (CS). There were several reports of
BROWN PELICAN came from the Walter F.
RED CROSSBILLS in the northern tier of GA
George Dam on 29 June (WC). A
counties during the month. The peak count
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was seen over St.
was 11 in Rabun Co. on 22 June (K&RB, MM).
Andrews Sound on 25 June by C&PK.
CONTRIBUTORS – Julius Arial, Steve Barlow,
HERONS THROUGH SANDPIPERS – There were
Betty Belanger, Michael Bender, Brandon Best,
several reports of YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-
Ken and Rachel Blankenship, Patrick Brisse,
HERONS at the Arrowhead Fish Hatchery in
Walt Chambers, Sylvia Chandler, Stan
Floyd Co. during the month (RW, MM). As
Chapman, Bob Cheek, Diana Churchill, Nathan
many as 21 ROSEATE SPOONBILLS were seen
Dias, Jim Flynn, Hugh Garrett, Jim Hanna, Phil
along the Andrews Island Causeway near
Hardy, Pierre Howard, Cheryl and Panos
Brunswick on 1 June (JMcN). Nine
Kanes, Tim Keyes, Nathan Klaus, Robert Kuhn,
MISSISSIPPI KITES were a good find in the
Carol Lambert, John McClatchery, Trey
Athens area on 21 June (MB). Very unusual for
McCuen, Patty McLean, Joel McNeal, Mark
such a mid-summer date was the sighting of
McShane, Ruth Mead, Max Medley, Peggy and
two MARBLED GODWITS at Jekyll Island on 27
Terry Moore, Charlie Muise, Gretchen Nareff,
June (P&TMo). DC had some interesting
James Pagan, Charles Scarborough, Jeff
shorebird sightings on 4 June on Tybee Island
Sewell, Steve Slayton, Stan Tate, Lydia
where she saw five RED KNOTS and 300
Thompson, Richard White, and Morris
SANDERLINGS. MM reported finding three
Williams.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at Carter’s Lake
on 2 June. Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Roswell,
GA 30075 tsmoore@bellsouth.net
 Take Part in the AAS Wanted:
3 to 4 Judges for
T-Shirt Design Contest the T-Shirt
Do you have an artistic submit artwork for the competition.
Contest
n
flair? Would you like AAS staff is ineligible to enter the contest or
to see your creation win. We need a team of 3 to 4
Design on Atlanta Audubon
n Mailed entries must be postmarked by October
people who are willing to
your Society’s new participate on a panel to
15, 2008.
artwork to official T-shirt? If
so, enter our T-shirt n The winner will be chosen by November 10 and
judge the T-shirt design
go here! posted on our website soon thereafter. contest. The panel
contest today! Atlanta
Audubon Society would n The winning design will become the property of members’ responsibilities
like to create a new the Atlanta Audubon Society, and all entries will include meeting once to
official T-shirt for the organization. We present T- may be displayed in Wingbars and/or on the judge the competition and
shirts to members who contribute their time at a website.
certain level and for prizes, as well as sell them to
selecting a winner. Each of
n When sending your entry, please include your
members and supporters like you to benefit AAS. the judges will receive a
full name, e-mail address, physical address and
Instead of just putting any ordinary artwork on the a phone number where we may reach you.
free T-shirt for participating
front of the T-shirt, we thought it would be fun to in the event.
n You may send a high-quality scan of your
hold a contest to determine what design would be
on our official new T-shirt. artwork to aas.info@atlantaaudubon.org, or you
may e-mail us at this address to ask where you We would like for one
The rules are simple: can send in your hard-copy submission to our member of the panel to
n Artwork should include a bird(s) and can be mailing address. We will work with the winner coordinate receipt of the
done using any type of medium (colored pencil, to get a high-quality scan done of the artwork
watercolor, charcoal, oil painting, etc.). artwork (having the artwork
for printing. (We cannot return artwork that is
n All artwork must be submitted as the artist’s submitted through the mail.) mailed or e-mailed to your
original design. Don’t miss out on taking part in this fun event! Not address and bringing it on
n Judging will be based on creativity, overall only will our winner’s artwork be featured on the the day of judging). Please
design and representation of AAS’ mission. new AAS T-shirt, but the winner will be featured in bear in mind that if you are
an artist profile of an upcoming issue of Wingbars interested in submitting
n The contest is open to any age participant.
and will also receive three free T-shirts. artwork for the competition,
n Judges or their family members are ineligible to
you should NOT sign up to
be a judge. If interested,
Fall Course Offering: please e-mail
Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaau
An Introduction to Birding dubon.org.

Saturday, November 15, 8:00 AM to 12 Noon

This fun beginner’s workshop stresses learning bird
identification techniques, developing good habits in
the field, and recognizing birds by song or call. If
you are just getting started in birding and want to
learn more, this workshop is for you. The
workshop includes a lecture, handouts, activities
incorporating bird identification, the use of field
guides and binoculars, and a field trip where you
can practice your new skills.
Center. The cost is $60 for Friends of
Atlanta Audubon and members of the
Chattahoochee Nature Center, $65 for
all others. Participants will receive a
free copy of the new four-set CD series,
Bird Songs of Georgia: An Audio Guide
to Recognizing and Learning Georgia’s
Birds. The number of participants is
limited to 12.

dWhich
enorhspecies ofecowl
Georgann Schmalz will be the instructor for the Call Sally Davis at 770.913.0511 to seiceps tahW :Q
makes a "skiew" call
classroom session and field trip. She is an make your reservation. Your check or ted yltn er
(resembling the
outstanding birder who conducts numerous payment by credit card will confirm
sa nreT citcrA eht
whetting of a saw)
workshops, programs and birding tours. She was your registration. Reservations not paid
the ornithologist at Fernbank Science Center for 48 hours prior to the beginning of the eht htiw drib eht
when
?noitalarmed?
more than 25 years and is responsible for workshop will be canceled and the
overseeing Atlanta Audubon Society’s Master opening given to another individual on argim tsegnol
Birder program. the waiting list.
The workshop is Saturday, November 15, from Registration begins September 15 at
8:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the Chattahoochee Nature 11:00 AM. rewsnSee
a ehpage
t rof 10
___foreganswer
ap eeS

September 2008 9
ytooS :rewsnA
Fun 2008 Birdathon Results
Birdathon It was another great year for AAS’ annual Birdathon, and a BIG thank you goes to all who
participated this year. As many of you know, Birdathon is an important fundraiser for Atlanta
Birding Audubon Society, as it supports our education efforts including:
Facts • increasing the number of schools participating in Audubon Adventures
• providing scholarships
Lisa Hurt’s Birdathon Bunting • expanding our LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS program
guided team saw 53 species • supporting Georgia’s Youth Birding Competition
while birding in two places: • offering birding workshops throughout the year
Clyde Shepherd Nature • making more field trips available to the public
Preserve and Henderson Park. • providing important education programs through our Speaker Series programs
• funding the annual Birds in the Park celebration, and so much more.
The All Women’s Birding
Below are the results to date* for 2008. AAS is grateful for the time, expertise and dedication of
Bust team saw 156 species on
these participants and all of the pledges supporting them. The total raised: $4,800.
May 3.
First, thank you to our Guided Birdathon Trip Leaders:
Jay Davis’ guided trip
• Lisa Hurt, Birdathon Buntings—Lisa raised a whopping $1,136 through her guided trip and her
members saw 68 species.
personal Birdathon efforts and contribution.
Anne McCallum and John • Georgann Schmalz, Birding Adventures Club—Georgann raised $832 through her guided trip
Duke found 79 species in and her personal Birdathon efforts and contribution, plus her Birding Adventures Club
Clayton County and at teammates’.
Kennesaw Mountain, including
• Jay Davis, Ridge and Ravine Raptors—Jay raised $264 through his guided trip and his Ridge and
a Blackburnian Warbler,
Ravine Raptors teammates.
Blackpoll Warbler and Orchard
Oriole. • Giff Beaton, Warbler Wranglers—Giff raised $150 through his guided trip.
• Darlene Moore, Wing Riders—Darlene raised $125 through her guided trip and contribution.
Robin Roberts birded coastal
Georgia, Butler Island, Harris
Neck and Tybee Beach and got Top Birdathoners for 2008:
82 species, including many Name Amount Name Amount
shorebirds. Lisa Hurt $1,136 Victor Williams $173
Lola Neal saw 17 species Ann McCallum $900 Giff Beaton $150
from her deck in Lilburn on Catherine Capps $500 Allyson Read $139
May 2. Georgann Schmalz $832 Darlene Moore $125
Jay Davis $264
Michael Morales saw 23
species in his backyard in Many thanks to everyone who made a contribution to Birdathon:
Kennesaw, including a Red Big Birders ($500+)
Crossbill and Sharp-shinned Kelly Hopkins
Hawk. Anne McCallum
Ellen Miller

Matching Other Contributors

Contributions Anonymous (26 individuals) Joann Miller
Through
Volunteering
Leslie Diamond Connie Morelle
John Duke and Friends Sue and Robert Myers
Will Your Employer Make A Contribution for Marilyn Harris Mary Nevil
Your Volunteer Hours to AAS?
Claire Hayes Jane Robertson
Employer matching for your volunteer efforts is another
important way you can support Atlanta Audubon Society Carol and John Hopkins Judy and Nick Sauro
and make a significant statement about how you value Chuck Hunter Georgann Schmalz
what we do in the community.
Art Hurt (DeHaven Builders Corp) Charles Seabrook
Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta also
realize the importance of giving back to the community Cheryl Kanes Jane Kapler Smith
and are getting involved by matching their employees’
volunteer hours with a cash donation.
Dan May Travis Story
Participating in your employer’s matching program is a
Ed McCallum Vicki and Victor Williams
simple process. Check with your human resources James S. McCallum Wild Birds Unlimited of Woodstock
department about forms and procedures and send your
information to: Matching Gifts Coordinator, Atlanta Jeannette McClure
Audubon Society, Box 29189, Atlanta, Georgia 30359. * Every attempt has been made to include all contributors and participants in
We’ll do the rest.
Your support ensures that our work in the
each category and to correctly identify them. We apologize if we have overlooked
community continues today and anyone. Please e-mail Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org if you have any
flourishes tomorrow.
concerns.

10 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Freedom Park Garden (June 17)
Gulf Fritillary
Photographer: Carol Vanderschaaf
Mockingbirds overthrown – the bluebirds
rule! Yes, the mockingbirds have been
pushed off of their perch on the bluebird
box, and the bluebirds have established a
nest. The bluebirds were seen feeding
their young this week. The robins have
also crowded the mockers off the bird
bath. The garden is no longer Mockingbird
Hill. Tra la.
Now in Bloom: Wine Cups, Purple
Coneflowers, St. John’s-wort, Rising Sun
Tickseed, Butterfly-weed and Larkspur.
Butterfly Garden Planting: We planted
a special butterfly garden in the third
driveway of the garden area on May 10.
After we prepared the soil, we sowed
seeds of butterfly-attracting flowers (many
of which have since sprouted). Master
Gardener Phil Edwards later planted
among these native butterfly-attracting
plants: Fennel, Butterfly-weed, Beebalm
and Parsley. Thanks to volunteers Gail
Todd, Pandra Williams and Stella
Chamberlain for their help. Highlighted
Plant: In the garden we have two St.
John’s-wort (Hypericum frondosum)
plants, a drought-tolerant deciduous shrub
that is native to the southeastern United
States and usually occurs on rocky hills or
in limestone glades and barrens. The plant
was named for St. John the Baptist
because it blooms around the day of his
feast. It has been used as a treatment for
depression and is said to help in
decreasing alcohol intake. It does best in
full sun, but will tolerate partial shade and
prefers some shade in the hottest climates.
It grows two to four feet tall, with about
the same width. It likes well-drained soil.
It sports bright yellow flowers late spring
to early fall. It can be propagated by
cuttings or sowing seeds outside in the
fall. The Gray Hairstreak butterfly lays its
eggs on St. John’s-wort. Caterpillars eat
the foliage, and adult butterflies sip the
flower’s nectar.
September 2008
Wine Cups
Photographer: Carol Vanderschaaf
Bird News: A Chipping Sparrow visited
the garden earlier this month. This little
bird is a full- time resident in this area and
is often seen eating seeds under the
feeders. It’s easily identified by its rusty
cap and ground foraging habit. Its “chip,”
from which it gets its name, can also help
with identification. Chipping Sparrows
build their cup-shaped nests in trees or
vines up to eleven feet off the ground.
They can have two broods per year,
averaging four eggs per brood. This bird
might be nicknamed the camel bird, as it
can live on dry seeds without drinking
water for up to three weeks (The Birder’s
Handbook, Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye,
imon and Schuster, 1988). Seen near the
garden recently: Red-headed
Woodpecker, American Robin, Chimney
Swift, White-breasted Nuthatch, European
Starling and that ol’ Northern
Mockingbird. Also the pool is open! The
bird bath had some visitors shortly after I
added fresh water the other day _ a Tufted
Titmouse and two Mourning Doves.
Butterfly News: Butterflies are around in
force this month. The Cabbage White
(Artogeia rapae) and Gulf Fritillary
(Agraulis vanillae) are frequenting garden
areas even as I write this article. Cabbage
Whites are hereby outed as non-native,
having been introduced in Canada in 1860.
They’ve since spread all over North
America. They’re those white butterflies
(about 11⁄2 inches in size) with one or two
white spots on their wings and slightly
charcoal wing tips. The Gulf Fritillary,
about 21⁄2 inches in size, is a bright orange
butterfly with black spots. It ranges
throughout the southern United States. Its
favorite nectar plants are phlox and ntana
(National Audubon Society Field Guide
to North American Butterflies, Alfred A.
Knopf, 1998). Passion-flower (Passiflora
incarnata) vines are one of its larval host
plants, which we just planted in the
garden.
Eastern BLuebird
Photographer: Carol Vanderschaaf
Workday June 6: Volunteers Bob
Sattelmeyer, Cecilia Marrero, Pandra
Williams, Dorothy Dabbs, Phil
Edwards and I watered and weeded the
garden, cleaning the adjoining sidewalk.
Also 20 new plant markers were added.
Pandra had invited Connie Gray,
Ecological Resource Specialist with
DeKalb County, to see the garden, and she
gave us some great input. Thanks, too, to
Janea Boyles for again helping with gray
water, who by the way runs The
Mercantile in Candler Park, which uses
“sustainable local ingredients” prepared in
an “environmentally conscious” way. (See
www.themercantileatl.com for complete
information.) Also thanks to Jennifer
West, who donated some bricks that we
used to heighten the wall of the butterfly
area and to Robert McLeod, who has
been watering the garden when he can
with his own gray water.
Help, help! We can always use some help
with watering and weeding. If you’d like to
be signed up for a workday or would be
willing to water occasionally, please e-mail
me at cvanderschaaf@bellsouth.net. If you
happen to be passing the garden, feel free
to deadhead the flowers or pull up some
crab grass or other weeds. Or if you have
an extra gallon of gray water, our plants
can always use a cool drink (couldn’t we
all?). Thanks for your time, and good
gardening, good birding and good
“butterflying.”
Good links:
http://www.ecoaddendum.org
(Ecoaddendum is a project spearheaded
by Pandra Williams to bring native plants
back to the Metro Atlanta area.)
http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications
Thanks to Tom Painter for this most
useful link to a guide for Georgia’s native
plants.
11
 CLASSIFIEDS
Rates for 2.5” x 2.5” ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent with the conservation and birding mission of
Atlanta Audubon Society. Ads may be accepted via e-mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 770.913.0511 if you have questions.
Send payment to Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.

When You Come

To The Mountains -
Ask about the new Birder’s Guide to Fannin County!
We feature Cole’s seed,
squirrel-proof feeders
that truly are, houses,
hummingbird stuff,
great books, Audubon
optics, & hard to find
hardware. Plus – 100’s
of Ravensburger Puzzles,
Music of the Spheres
Chimes & a huge
selection of educational
toys and
games for kids!

Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards

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

Affordable Housing
and Feeders for
Birds, Bats and
Butterflies Bird Songs of Georgia
CD now available.
Basic, functional and long-lasting Email Georgann Schmalz at
cedar products georgannschmalz@alltel.net or
Workshop Creations, Inc. visit
www.birdingadventuresinc.com
Order on our website:
Website: www.workshopcreations.com
E-Mail: sales@workshopcreations.com
Tel: 770-448-5363 Fax: 770-448-5363
P.O. Box 921455, Norcross, GA 30010

ontest Co-Coordinator
Atlanta Audubon PhotoC
2009
nce to serve as co-coordinator of the
We need a volunteer with IT experie with Michael
test. The co-coordinator will work
Atlanta Audubon Society Photo Con test software,
of the photo contest (using the con
Clifford to learn the “ins and outs” to Contest
as assisting in managing the 2009 Pho
the judging process, etc.), as well hael’s
Q:eon What is willing to learn the ropes with Mic
e whospecies
competition. We want som
recently
aging the 2010 Photo Contest.
dethroned
guidance and take over man
the Arctic nteeTern as nity for AAS. Without a new
r opportu
This is an extremely important volu
the bird with2009 con test, we will be unable to hold the
the
coordinator coming on board for the
2010 competition, so we woulongest migration?
ld welcom e your assistance.
tor,
Clifford, our photo contest coordina
If interested, please e-mail Michael
at mjclifford@hotmail.com. See page ___ for the answer

Answer:
Northern
Answer:Saw-whet
Owl
Sooty
Shearwater
12 Atlanta Audubon Society
 Joseph Greenberg Memorial Fund
This past spring, Atlanta Audubon Society honored the memory of Dr. Joseph Greenberg by
establishing the Joseph Greenberg Memorial Fund for Education, which will be used for counselor and
teacher training, among other things.
Dr. Greenberg passed away on February 24, in Oakland, California. His Evening at Emory classes
were legendary, and his ability to inspire the love and wonder of birds was something that everyone Joe Greenberg
Photo by Doug Greenberg
who knew Joe will never forget. It is for these reasons and many others that the Board of Directors of
Atlanta Audubon Society decided to establish the fund.
As of August 1, AAS has received more than $1,250 in memorial funds. Supporters include:
Diane C. Barnsley Joan D. Cronin Didi and Rober Didi Manns Jane Wullbrandt
John M. Beard, Jr. D. Dale Davis Ann H. Miller Georgia Mountains
Sandra L. Bragg Carol A. Hollliday Barbara C. Tarpley Unitarian Universalist
Jerry Brunner and Laurie Patty and Brock Hutchins Bette and Edwin Turlington Church
Findlay Yvette (Lolly) Lederberg Marianna Wilson
We are grateful to everyone who has made a contribution in Joe’s honor. If you would like to make a donation, please make
your checks payable to Atlanta Audubon Society and mail to P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
Add a note in the memo line that your monies are intended for the Joseph Greenberg Memorial Fund.

Join Atlanta Audubon Society

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If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below. our Web site at
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September 2008 13
 SPARROW WORKSHOP
Saturday, November 22, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Field Trip: Saturday, December 6, 8:00 AM
Are those little brown birds
testing your birding skills?
Identifying sparrows can be both
challenging and enjoyable. Come
join us for the Sparrow
Workshop and we’ll help.
This is a two-part workshop
consisting of a classroom
session on Saturday,
November 22, from 2:00 PM
to 4:30 PM at the Dunwoody Nature Center and an 8:00 AM
field trip on Saturday, December 6, at Charlie Elliot
Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. Tim Keyes will be
the instructor for the classroom session as well as the field
trip leader. Tim is an excellent instructor and a renowned
wildlife biologist. He will share valuable tips for
identifying sparrows that are found in Georgia. In past
years, attendees have seen the White-crowned Sparrow,
Vesper Sparrow and other wintering birds during the field
trip.
A reservation is required and can be made by calling
Wendy West at her office (404.218.8141) or e-mailing her at
wendygrw@mindspring.com. The cost is $55 for Friends of
Atlanta Audubon; $80 for NAS-assigned members and $105
for non-members. Your check confirms your registration.
Wendy will inform you where to mail your check. The
number of participants will be limited, so register early.

Would You Like to Save Trees? ATLANTA

And save AAS time and monies AUDUBON
in the process?? OFFICE
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