E cobon
January 2008:
No. 288
Newsletter of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society
Audubon Refuge Keepers
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Howard Costa
Happy New Year. Thanks to Barry Lowes for
the best Christmas Bird Count (CBC) program ever.
Barry’s contributions to our chapter go well beyond
t he hours of hard work he gives us on CBC, the
board, and various programs during the year. The
knowledge he shares with us, and the inspiration
he gives us all, has value that cannot be measured.
Thanks again Barry. It was so nice to see our meet-
ing room overflowing with members, guest, and
enthusiasm. Let’s keep hold of the momentum and
ride it well into the New Year. I hope to see simi-
lar numbers of members and guest at our January
meeting with speaker Mark Musselman, education
director for Beidler Forest.
I also hope to see great support for our January
field trip to the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey
Horn. If you haven’t yet visited the museum at its
new location, this is the perfect opportunity to get
acquainted with our island’s fabulous new asset.
The staff and supporters have worked hard and have
had great success with the move to Honey Horn.
Hilton Head Island Audubon Society has always had
a good relationship with the museum, hopefully we
can build on the past and have successful partner-
ships in the future. Carlos Chacon, natural history
coordinator, has expressed an interest in working
with us to enhance the property for birds. Some of
you have already offered to sponsor bluebird boxes
on the property, but more are still needed. Call me
if you would like to help. Also, I hope HHIAS will
sponsor a program to plant native grasses to at-
tract buntings and grosbeaks this spring. It would
certainly be nice to achieve success on a project of
that sort.
As always, membership, membership, mem-
bership. If you haven’t found a friend to bring to
a meeting yet, keep trying. We can accomplish so
much if we keep our organization strong. See you
next time, with a friend.
January Program ~ by Charlotte White
Tues. January 8, 2007, 7:30 pm at the Seabrook
The speaker for the January meeting will be Mark Musselman, Educa-
tion Director for Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. As most HHI
Audubon members know, Beidler, a swamp sanctuary, is owned and oper-
ated by the National Audubon Society. It is also the office center for South
Carolina Audubon staff. A busy place visited by many of us, Mark will
bring news about educational projects there as well as information about a
new SC Audubon web site. He will emphasize various Audubon projects
for teaching and challenging youth about nature and about conservation.
Mark’s father was in the Air Force, so Mark says he attended 15 schools
before graduating from high school in Brussels, Belgium. He earned a
BA from the University of South Carolina and then served in the Marines.
Later, he earned a Masters in Arts in Teaching and taught school. He has
worked at Beidler Forest since 2004. He lives in Summerville with his
wife, Anna, and two daughters.
HHI Audubon has long been active in birding and conservation educa-
tion. But we always want to know more about how to educate both others
and ourselves about this focus of Audubon. So come, Tuesday, January 8
WITH A FRIEND to the 7:30 pm program and learn more about Beidler
and about Audubon education.
FIELD TRIPS~ by Bill Nicol
In January our trip will be to the newly opened Honey Horn. The trip
will be on 16 January 2008 and will be from 8 a.m. until noon. Our guide
will be Carlos Chacon and will include a quick tour of the main building.
The intent is to familiarize our members with Honey Horn so they will feel
comfortable birding on their own in this unique part of our Island. If you
are interested in going, please contact Bill Nicol at 671-4721 or pennst63@
aol.com.
In February we will return to Bear Island to view some of the birds
prior to the spring migration. The trip is scheduled for Thursday, 7 Feb-
ruary 2008 and the Bear Island portion will last to 12:30 pm. This time
we will ride in a wagon and get a guided tour. The trip is limited to 25
participants. After lunch for those of you who wish to remain, we will
bird the Donnelley area. Please contact me if you wish to go.
March will be a yet undetermined local trip. Any suggestions are
welcome. In April we will go to the Webb Wildlife Management Area.
Information on these areas is in your Birder’s Guide to Hilton Head Island
and the Low Country.
 HHI Audubon CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT - 2007 by Barry Lowes
Board of Directors:
President While it is still too early to give a final definitive report, I think it is im-
Howard Costa 842-9447
Vice President
portant to let people know some of our deep concerns about the continuing
Bill Nicol 671-4721 decrease in the number of birds being seen in our area.
Treasurer
Karen McGinty 681-8498 The early result of this year's count bear out our concerns. Most of the
Fran Baer 686-6348
Recording Secretary
people conunting reported that birds were relatively scarce and in a number
Steve White 837-4597 of areas that had been rich in numbers in previous years, actually registered
Corresponding Secretary zero this year.
Polly Herron 342-6129
Members‑at‑Large
Jim Currie 681-8525 I don't think we should generalize at this early date, but it will be most
Marianne Currie 681-8525 interesting to learn if other count areas throughout the Americas experi-
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Barry Lowes 671-3537 enced this same phenomenon.
Nan Lloyd 363-2092
Betty Walter 842-7147 We did see a considerable number of species and this can be misleading
Joan Wilson 837-2874
if you don't factor in that we were only seeing one or two of each species.
Committee Chairpersons:
Adopt-A-Refuge (Pinckney) We will have the count in detail for you in the next issue.
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Karen McGinty 681-8498
Audubon Newhall Preserve
Joan Shulman 842-9246
Bird Walks/Field Trips
NATURE NOTES
Bill Nicol 671-4721 What's In A Name - All egrets are herons, although not all herons are egrets.
Bird House Construction
Jim Collins 671-1240 The name "egret" comes from the French 'aigrette', meaning a little heron.
Bird Seed Sale The great egret is best known for its feathery plumes or 'aigrettes' which
Ed Nash 681-5725
Christmas Bird Count now mean the tuft of feathers as well as the bird itself. It lives in North and South
Barry Lowes 671‑3537 America and was almost hunted to extinction in Florida.
Education
Betsy Pehrson 689-2243 Egrets are devoted parents, a devotion cruelly exploited by egret hunters in
Historian the nineteenth century. Egret plumes were in great demand for ladies' hats, and
June Collins 671-1240 greed coupled with vanity pushed the price of feathers to twice that of gold. Parent
Hospitality
Thea Luba 785-3214 egrets won't leave their young even if in danger themselves. In 1892 130,000 egret
Legislation 'scalps' were sent to milliners in New York.
Nicola Jordan 681-5664
Membership But at the turn of the century women boycotted hat feathers "in the name of
Thea Luba 785-3214 Motherhood", and insurance companies cancelled coverage for feather factories.
Newsletter Circulation
Marianne Currie 681-8525 In 1913, an act of Congress restricted the use of plumes in hats. Embroidered
Pat Marks 689-6876 "Audubon hats" were promoted by the Audubon Society, but like all fashions they
Newsletter Editor
Joan Wilson 837-2874 came and went. The Audubon Society, however, continued to grow, and has been
Programs protecting birds from ourselves ever since.
Charlotte White 837-4597
Publicity & Public Relations
Clem Dietze
Sales Table
837-2612 AUDUBON MEETING PARKING
Dorothy Gibb 686-6406 Frequently there is not sufficient parking for the numbers of people who
Shorebirds/Conservation
Howard Costa 842-9447
attend our evening meetings at Seabrook. Unfortunately, this has resulted
Special Projects in our members parking on the grass, in resident-only parking lots or occa-
Richard Shulman 842-9246 sionally damaging Seabrook property.  Seabrook has an arrangement with
Sun City Representative the Holy Family Catholic Church that their rear parking lot may be used if
Ken Neitzke 705-3970
Wetlands/Conservation needed for an event.  There is a gate that connects the two.  It is requested
Sally Krebs H: 757-2973 O: 341-4690 that, if you can, use the church parking lot.  Car pooling to our meeting is
Website: www.hiltonheadaudubon.org suggested.  Someone who cannot walk the distance could be dropped off at
The Ecobon is a monthly publication (Sep- the main entrance of the Seabrook House.  Therefore, there should still be
tember through May) of the Hilton Head Island
Audubon Society. Subscription is a benefit of a few spaces left for those individuals who drive and cannot walk from the
membership. Direct inquiries to P.O. Box 6185,
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29938 or call
parking lot.  No one should park on the grass or in the resident or employee
one of the above officers or chairpersons. parking lots.
Page 2 January 2008

~ Photo above courtesy of Peter Zachmann
TO CONNECT WITH NATURE
In February, volunteers throughout the U.S. and Canada are
invited to “Count for Fun, Count for the Future!”
Millions of novice and accomplished bird watchers can
make their fascination with nature add up for science and for
the future during the 11th annual Great Backyard Bird Count,
led by Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. During
“Presidents’ Day” weekend, February 15–18, 2008, anyone
can count birds from wherever they are and enter their tallies
online at www.birdcount.org. These reports create an exciting
real-time picture of where the birds are across the continent and
contribute valuable information for science and conservation.
“These volunteers are counting not only for fun but for the
future,” said Tom Bancroft, Chief Science Officer for Audubon.
“It’s fun to see how many different kinds of birds can be seen
and counted right in your backyard or neighborhood park. Each
tally helps us learn more about how our North American birds
are doing, and what that says about the health and the future of
our environment.”
“The GBBC is a great way to engage friends, family, and
children in observing nature in their own backyard, where they
will discover that the outdoors is full of color, behavior, flight,
sounds, and mystery,” said Janis Dickinson, Director of Citizen
Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
People of all ages and experience levels are invited to take
part wherever they are—at home, in schoolyards, at local parks
or wildlife refuges, even counting birds on a balcony. Observers
count the highest number of each species they see during at least
15 minutes on one or more of the count days. Then they enter
their tallies on the Great Backyard Bird Count web site www.
birdcount.org. The web site provides helpful hints for identify-
ing birds.
January 2008 Page 3
recent AREA bird sightings
by Jack Colcolough
Winter has arrived and most of our winter birds are show-
ing up.
The highlight of our month was Audubon’s trip to the
Savannah River Spoils Site, always a fantastic birding out-
ing with Steve Calver as our expert leader. We saw 96 bird
species including many rare and unusual birds. Highlights
of the trip were the following rare birds: Roseate Spoonbill,
American White Pelican (~350), Wilson’s Phalarope, Harle-
quin Duck and Eared Grebe. Significant other birds included:
Sedge Wren, Vesper Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler and
American Avocet. Other good birds including many ducks and
shorebirds were: American Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Glossy
Ibis, Ruddy Duck, Caspian Tern, Northern Waterthrush, Dark-
eyed Junco, Black-necked Stilt and American Kestrel.
An immature Golden Eagle was spotted on Daufuskie
Island as well as several Bald Eagles in the area.
A rare Clay-colored Sparrow was found on HHI.
Hummingbirds reported were: Black-shinned, Rufous,
Ruby-throated and a rare Calliope on nearby James Island.
First-of-the-season (FOTS) reports were: Purple Finch,
American Goldfinch, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Yellow-throated
Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, American Robin, Prairie Warbler
and Hermit Thrush.
Thanks to all reporting these sightings: Peter Zachmann,
Doris Stoner, Bob Burns, Doris McCullough, Miriam Water-
house and all the Spoils Site birders.
To report a rare, unusual or FOTS bird
sighting, e-mail jackcolcolough@aol.com,
call 815-4054 or send a blank e-mail to:
BirdingFriends-subscribe@yahoogroups.
com to join our birding group and report
the bird.
Santee Birding and Nature Festival
Please mark your calendars for April 18-20. This is the
first Santee Birding and Nature Festival, upon which we plan
to build. I am excited that there will be such a variety of
choices in the first year. For those of you who have not heard
Rudy Mancke speak, he is quite an inspiring nature speaker.
Photos taken during this festival can be entered into the
Audubon SC photography contest as well as photos taken at
Audubon’s Francis Beidler Forest and Silver Bluff Audubon.
http://www.fws.gov/santee/Santee-birding-festival-2008.pdf
LEGISLATION & REGULATION by Niki Jordan
At the national level, Audubon is headlining several issues, but the two most prominent are ecosystem restoration and a viable clean energy
future. In November ’07 Audubon heralded a major victory in the passage of the Water Resource Development Act by an impressive margin
in both houses of Congress. The bill provides for restoration of the Everglades and protection of numerous valuable ecosystems, including the
Gulf Coast, the Mississippi River, and the Great Lakes. Although President Bush vetoed the bill, the margin in Congress easily provided for an
override – the first for this administration. However, funding for the Act must now be approved during the coming appropriations process.
In early December there is less optimism about the success of a historic energy package that is stalled in the Senate after its passage in the
House. The strong energy bill includes renewable electricity standards (RES) of 15% by the year 2020, improvements in car and truck fuel
economy, i.e. corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, and an environmentally friendly renewable fuel standard (RFS). Audubon
says it could save consumers billions at the pump and on energy bills, as it reduces global warming pollution. If the Senate still has not passed
this bill by the time you receive this “Ecobon,” let Senators Graham and DeMint hear from you.
Audubon continues to push for actions that protect the Alaskan wilderness and the Endangered Species Act, as well as those that address
global warming. Updates can be found in the “Issues & Action” section of Audubon’s web site: www.audubon.org.
Here in SC the Assembly is scheduled to reconvene January 8, 2008. Meanwhile a variety of groups including fishermen, rural residents
and conservationists are joining together on a regulatory issue. They are urging SC’s Dept. of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
to oppose the Santee Cooper electrical utility’s plan to build a coal-burning plant in the Kingsburg area of Florence County on the banks of
the Pee Dee River. Opponents of the plant are concerned about air pollution (smog and soot), as well as water pollution from mercury, which
is already a documented problem for most of the river’s tributaries. Because of errors in the draft permit, DHEC has extended the public
comment period for the draft Prevention of Significant Deterioration air quality construction permit and Preliminary Determination for the
proposed plan. Written public comments will be accepted through 1-22-08. Include the Public Notice #07-095-PSD-N-H-CE, if you write
to DHEC (2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201 or FAX 803-898-3323). To keep abreast of what is happening with environmental legislation
and regulation in SC, see www.scccl.org. Contact information for HHI and Bluffton legislators:

SC Senator (District 46): The Honorable Catherine Ceips

608 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, SC 29202-0142
6032-6032-6032 CEIPS@scsenate.org U.S. Senators
1207 Bay St., Beaufort, SC 29902 843-524-2020 The Honorable James DeMint
340 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20510
SC Representatives 202-224-6121 web site: www.demint.senate.gov
District 123 – The Honorable Richard Chalk, Jr.
404C Blatt Bldg., Columbia, SC 29211-1867 The Honorable Lindsey Graham
803-734-3067 – ChalkR@schouse.org 290 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20510
15 Goldfinch Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843-842-5985 202-224-5972 web site: www.lgraham.senate.gov
District 118 – The Honorable Wm. “Bill” Herbkersman U.S. Representative (District 2)
434B Blatt Bldg., Columbia, SC 29211-1867 The Honorable Addison “Joe” Wilson
3063-3063-3063 HerbkersmanB@schouse.org 212 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515
151 Gascoigne Bluff, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-757-5424 202-225-2452 web site: www.joewilson.house.gov
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Please Note: Current members are encouraged to use this membership form to sign up friends, relatives, and neighbors as new
members. Our Chapter benefits significantly from a “return of dues” from National if our local form is used for new memberships

National Audubon Society Chapter

Membership Form  New  1 YR. - $20  2 YRS. - $30
NEW MEMBERS ONLY  Senior  1 YR. - $15  2 YRS. - $30
 Junior  1 YR. - $15  2 YRS. - $30
Name _ ______________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________________State__________ Zip_ ________________
Phone__________________________ Preferred First Name(s) ____________________________
Full Year Resident ______ Part Year Resident ______ I/We first joined Audubon in _______________
Mail a check payable to National Audubon Society U50
National Audubon Society, Chapter Membership Data Center, P.O. Box 51001, Boulder, CO 80322-1001 7XCH

Page 4 January 2008

2008 BIRD SEED SALE NOW IN PROGRESS! by Ed Nash
Our annual bird seed sale starts on the day after New Years and runs to March 15 at Wild Birds Unlimited in Indigo
Park plaza. This is the primary fund-raiser for our Chapters’ support of local Audubon educational and conservation pro-
grams in Hilton Head. Enclosed in just this issue of The Ecobon is an order form for your use. We are asking that every
member purchase their annual supply of seed, or at least a bag or two NOW! Wild Birds will record your order and you
can pick up Fresh seed whenever you need it. This support is vital to our commitments of Audubon Adventures (a nature
magazine by Audubon for kids in middle school), the Pinckney Island Preserve and the Boys and Girls Club nature library.
Please help!

Festival Centre at Indigo Park Feeders, Nest Boxes,

45 Pembroke Dr., Suite 130 Seed, Field Guides,
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Bird Baths, Gifts,
843-681-4461
Toys & Much More

• Binoculars & Spotting Scopes • Custom Seed Blends Nikon, Bushnell,
• Field Guides • Bird Feeders & Houses
• Nature Books • Bird Baths & Fountains
Brunton & Meade Optics
• Nature Gifts • Water Gardening Supplies Audubon Society Members
always 10% discount storewide!
We Bring People And Nature Together®
Visit us at www.wbu.com J-2 Village at Wexford • Hilton Head Island • 785-4311

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THURSDAY - LIVE MUSIC

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LOCATED OUTSIDE HILTON HEAD PLANTATION

PLAN YOUR VACATION WITH A TRAVEL EXPERT Beautiful Homes Deserve

Clem Dietze Beautiful Landscaping.
President HHI Audubon 2005-06 & Board Member Your source for plants that will attract birds
Counseling Travelers for over 44 years and butterflies to your garden!
Now in association with Island Travel
Island Packet's winner - Favorite Travel Agency Mon.-Fri.
Hilton Head 8:30 A.M.-5 P.M.
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785-3848 Saturday
Cruises - Escorted (near Sam's Club) 9 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
& Independent Tours 681-3033 Bluffton ® Sunday
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clemd@hargray.com 837-3848 the greenery, inc. 12-4:30 P.M.

January 2008 Page 5


288 Issue #:
Hilton Head, South Carolina 29938
P.O. Box 6185
Hilton Head Island Audubon Society Organization:
Monthly Sept.-May Frequency:
January 2008 Issue Date:
Permit #39
Ecobon Title:
Hilton Head Island, SC
PAID
U.S. POSTAGE Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29938
Non Profit Organization
P. O. Box 6185
Ecobon

JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY 2008 Calendar 0

B E Q U E S T S
JANUARY
If you wish to honor a family
Tues. Jan. 8 Monthly Meeting at The Seabrook...................... 7:30 pm member or friend with a memorial
gift, or remember the Audubon Ne-
Thurs. Jan. 10 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm whall Preserve or the Hilton Head
Weds. Jan. 16 Honey Horn Field Trip.....................8:00 - 12:00 noon Island Audubon Society in your will,
your gift may be in the form of secu-
rities, cash, life insurance, real estate,
febrUARY or other property.

Thurs. Feb. 7 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm Contact your own estate planner
or our Audubon Chapter at P.O. Box
Tues. Feb. 12 Monthly Meeting at The Seabrook...................... 7:30 pm 6185, Hilton Head Island, South
Feb. Bear Island Field Trip.......................To be announced Carolina 29938.
Sharing your estate with Audubon
not only reduces the taxes on your
estate but will help protect birds,
Monthly meetings of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society are regularly scheduled wildlife, and their habitat in the years
at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, in the to come.
Auditorium at the Seabrook, 300 Woodhaven Drive. Members and guests welcome!

Page 6 Printed on recycled paper January 2008