E cobon
February 2008:
No. 289
Newsletter of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society
Audubon Refuge Keepers
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Howard Costa
If winter is upon us, spring can’t be far behind.
After a rather frigid field trip to Honey Horn, I sure
hope that turns out to be true. Turn out for the trip
was excellent, and I’m sure it is safe to say that all
who attended were impressed with the facilities, the
property, and the possibilities for Hilton Head Island
Audubon at Honey Horn in the future. Thank you
Carlos and Bill for putting the trip together.
We continue to hear about, and experience, the
steady decline of birds. It will be interesting to see if
the Christmas Bird Counts from across the country
report results similar to our own. It is part of our mis-
sion at HHIAS to promote and support conservation.
In these times, it is all the more obvious that it is
something we must do. I am happy to report to you
that the board approved a $300 donation to support
banding studies of song birds on their wintering
grounds, in either Mexico, Central America, or the
Caribbean, for one year. The funds will be matched
by a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service
and the Neotropical Migratory bird Act. Fourteen
of the 25 species being studied occur in our area,
including our beloved painted bunting. Hopefully,
these studies will shed light on their decline.
Once again, we will be doing our part to pro-
mote the appreciation and awareness of birds in
the schools, by presenting programs in conjunction
with the Great Backyard Bird Count. Thanks to
Betsy Pehrson for her continued hard work, and to
Ken Neitzke for stepping up to help organize our
efforts. It is a never ending struggle to fill these
important jobs, and I seem to always pressure the
board members into filling them. If you would like
to be kept in mind for future special projects, please
give me a call. Remember, please bring a friend to
the next meeting, our future is in our new member-
ship. Happy Birding, Howard
January Program ~ by Charlotte White
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 7:30 pm at the Seabrook
Lee Rose, the Clemson Horticulture Agent working at the Beaufort
Country Extension Service, will be our speaker at the February 12th
Audubon meeting. Laura Lee will address the use of South Carolina na-
tive plants to provide food, shelter and nesting materials for wildlife. She
will also explain the importance of the use of native plants as a way to
conserve water quality and quantity. The lecture will address chemicals
and fertilizers that can pollute the land and water. Finally, she will tell
about the new local chapter of the South Carolina Native Plant Society.
Laura Lee, a native of South Carolina, says she has been “gardening
on the coast of South Carolina and swatting sand gnats for more than 30
years.” She attended a number of colleges before finishing with a BS
in Horticulture from Clemson University. As a certified landscape and
nursery professional, she has owned lawn and gardening businesses and
has worked as a retail horticulturist in regional businesses. In 1992, Laura
Lee became a Master Gardener.
Currently, in her position as the Horticulture Agent with Clemson Uni-
versity Beaufort County Extension Service, Laura Lee teaches the Master
Gardener curriculum, oversees county wide horticulture projects, speaks
to schools and community groups, and participates with Storm Water
Utility and Jasper Water and Sewer Authority. In addition to all that, she
is a mother living and gardening on St Helena Island.
Since Laura Lee will be projecting pictures of plants, this will be a
visual as well as informative program. So come Tuesday, February 12th
WITH A FRIEND to the 7:30 pm program and learn more about native
plants of South Carolina and ways to support that ecosystem.
FIELD TRIPS by Bill Nicol
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 Febru-
ary 2008 and the Bear Island portion will last until 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. We plan to carpool from Moss Creek and will
meet there at 8 a.m. Please contact me at 671-4721 or pennst63@aol.com
if you have any questions or wish to go.
Our next trip on 12 March will be an all day trip to Parris Island. Mike
and Karen McGinty are sponsoring the trip. The limit is 6 cars/24 people.
Reservations are required. Please contact me if you wish to go. In April
we will go to the Webb Wildlife Management Area. Information on this area
is in your Birder’s Guide to Hilton Head Island and the Low Country.
 HHI Audubon
Board of Directors:
President
Howard Costa 842-9447
Vice President
Bill Nicol 671-4721
Treasurer
Karen McGinty 681-8498
Fran Baer 686-6348
Recording Secretary
Steve White 837-4597
Corresponding Secretary
Polly Herron 342-6129
Members‑at‑Large
Jim Currie 681-8525
Marianne Currie 681-8525
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Barry Lowes 671-3537
Nan Lloyd 363-2092
Betty Walter 842-7147
Joan Wilson 837-2874
Committee Chairpersons:
Adopt-A-Refuge (Pinckney)
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Karen McGinty 681-8498
Audubon Newhall Preserve
Joan Shulman 842-9246
Bird Walks/Field Trips
Bill Nicol 671-4721
Bird House Construction
Jim Collins 671-1240
Bird Seed Sale
Ed Nash 681-5725
Christmas Bird Count
Barry Lowes 671‑3537
Education
Betsy Pehrson 689-2243
Historian
June Collins 671-1240
Hospitality
Thea Luba 785-3214
Legislation
Nicola Jordan 681-5664
Membership
Thea Luba 785-3214
Newsletter Circulation
Marianne Currie 681-8525
Pat Marks 689-6876
Newsletter Editor
Joan Wilson 837-2874 He and Joan met while working for the Navy and were married 16 years ago.
Programs
Charlotte White 837-4597
Publicity & Public Relations
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Sales Table
Dorothy Gibb 686-6406
Shorebirds/Conservation
Howard Costa 842-9447
Special Projects
Richard Shulman 842-9246
Sun City Representative
Ken Neitzke 705-3970
Wetlands/Conservation
Sally Krebs H: 757-2973 O: 341-4690
Website: www.hiltonheadaudubon.org
The Ecobon is a monthly publication (Sep-
tember through May) of the Hilton Head Island
Audubon Society. Subscription is a benefit of
membership. Direct inquiries to P.O. Box 6185,
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29938 or call
one of the above officers or chairpersons.
Page 2 February 2008
BIRDING TRIP TO PARRIS ISLAND MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT
Wednesday, March 12 at 7:30 am
Meet to carpool at Moss Creek parking lot. Maximum number 24 in 6 cars.
Sign up by calling - Karen McGinty 681-8498
All participants are required to have a photo ID to gain access to the depot.
Join us for a birding trip to Parris Island that has a very diverse environment for
birding. In previous trips to the depot, we have seen 70+ species and birded until
about 1:30 p.m. For those of you who may not want to go that long you can drop out
at any time. We will be stopping at several areas on the depot to bird. Several have
short nature trails and boardwalks for observation. One of the nature trails is at the
site of historic Charlesfort established in 1562 by the French Huguenot Jean Ribaut.
Bring snacks or a sack lunch as there are several picnic areas that we can stop at along
the way. For a checklist for the depot that also shows frequency by month you can go
to the internet address, www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/chekbird/r4/parrisla.
htm <http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/chekbird/r4/parrisla.htm>. We
will also stop at Parris Island Landing to check for shorebirds and Black skimmers.
As Parris Island is an active training facility we are limited to the number of ve-
hicles that we can bring into the depot. Please let me know if you sign up and find you
can not attend so that someone else can take your place.
ECOBON PROFILE by Betty Walter
BILL NICOL
When interviewing Bill for this article,
something vital emerged about our Vice Presi-
dent, more than facts about where he was born
and raised (Western Pennsylvania), where he
went to college (Penn State -degree in Chemi-
cal Engineering) Namely his passion for help-
ing out when needed. He worked for the Navy,
as a civilian, for 33 years, lived in northern
Virginia, the father of two children, played ten-
nis and softball but always volunteers and sup-
ported conservation, served on the local school
board and was active in his Home Owners' As-
sociation. Joan & Bill Nicol
When it became time for retirement, Joan's family on the Island and the ocean she
loved drew them to Hilton Head. They built a house before moving down and
lived in Sea Pines. They have been on the island for eleven years but now live in
Hilton Head Plantation.
Thanks to the Sea Pines Women's Club and a program by Barry Lowes, they
discovered the joys of birding and the Hilton Head Audubon Society, joining in and
learning from the Christmas Bird Count with Dan Mairs' group. Bill has willingly
helped out when needed on our Chapter's board, chairing the Membership Com-
mittee, serving as Treasurer, and now as Vice President and Field Trips Chairman.
In addition, Bill worked with AARP, the Red Cross, and is on the State Board. He
also volunteers at the Coastal Discovery Museum as jack-of-all-trades. (He jok-
ingly calls it the strong back, weak mind approach).
Joan, too, has helped out in so many ways. She volunteers at the Coastal
Discovery Museum front desk, the Red Cross and SHARE. What a record! Their
"help" is needed and appreciated!
NOTES FROM THE NEWHALL PRESERVE recent AREA bird sightings
by Joan Shulman
Although the plants in the Preserve are dormant, the visitors
aren’t. When I was in the Preserve recently, I saw a couple of
families with small children watching the mosquito fish and yel-
low-bellied slider turtles in the pond. Children seem to love to run
around the trails. Every turn seems to suggest a new adventure.
Most visitors who sign the visitors’ book are from out of town.
It is surprising, though, how often I encounter local residents in
the Preserve who have never been there before. Some have lived
on the island for years. They usually say they are showing guests
around the island.
Thanks to Charlotte White for monitoring the trails in Decem-
ber, Joan and Bill Nicol for January, and Fran and Denny Baer
for February.
Recently the Preserve received a pleasant surprise: a substan-
tial bequest from the estate of a man in Colorado. It is nice to
have a cushion of funds for unexpected expenses and special
projects. Apparently he used to visit Hilton Head frequently and
enjoyed the Preserve.
We welcome anyone who would like to be part of the Newhall
Committee. Please become part of the ongoing effort to manage
the Preserve. Call me at 842-9246.
In going through boxes in the Audubon storage unit, Bill Nicol
found copies of an old brochure about the Preserve. It probably
dates from the early 70s. The Preserve, then called The Island
Wildlife Preserve, has changed a lot over the years, but its im-
portance, as expressed by the authors, remains the same.
“As it is now, the Preserve is both an ending and a beginning,
an end to much planning and work by dedicated conservationists,
and the beginning of a place of enduring natural beauty and ever
increasing value and sanctuary to wildlife. We hope that in the
future the Island Wildlife Preserve may also be a sanctuary for all
those who enjoy and wish to preserve our natural areas, . . . .”
AUDUBON MEETING PARKING
Frequently there is not sufficient parking for the numbers of
people who attend our evening meetings at Seabrook. Unfortu-
nately, this has resulted in our members parking on the grass, in
resident-only parking lots or occasionally damaging Seabrook
property.  Seabrook has an arrangement with the Holy Family
Catholic Church that their rear parking lot may be used if needed
for an event.  There is a gate that connects the two.  It is requested
that, if you can, use the church parking lot.  Car pooling to our
meeting is suggested.  Someone who cannot walk the distance
could be dropped off at the main entrance of the Seabrook House.  Rudy Mancke speak, he is quite an inspiring nature speaker.
Therefore, there should still be a few spaces left for those indi-
viduals who drive and cannot walk from the parking lot.  No one
should park on the grass or in the resident or employee parking
lots.
February 2008 Page 3
by Jack Colcolough
Our reported winter sightings have been very good including
several from our recent annual Christmas Bird Count.
The bird of the month was an accidental Snow Bunting
sighted at both Colleton River and nearby Harris Neck. This is
a first ever for our area to my best knowledge.
Rare sightings reported were: Sandhill Crane near Knowles
Island, Henslow’s Sparrow at Pinckney Island, Red-breasted
Nuthatch on HHI and Snow Goose and Common Tern at Savan-
nah River Spoils Site.
The “unusual” category of birds found included: American
Bittern, Redhead, Common Tern, American Pipit, Stilt Sand-
piper, Blue-headed Vireo, Winter Wren, American Woodcock,
White-winged Scoter and Sharp-shinned Hawk.
“Out-of-season” birds seen not usually found here in win-
ter were: Orchard Oriole, Ovenbird, Cattle Egret and Painted
Bunting.
Several Bald Eagles were reported with nests observed at
Indigo Run and Hilton Head Plantation.
Other good finds reported included: FOTS Dark-eyed
Junco, Horned Grebe, American Kestrel as well as many FOTS
common ducks and sparrows at Savannah National Wildlife
Refuge.
Thanks to all reporting these sightings: Barry Lowes,
Howard Costa, Peter Zachmann, Doris McCullough, Karen
McGinty, Bob Wells, Judy/David Russet, Richard Shulman,
Jim Grove, Miriam Waterhouse, Diane Faucette, et al.
To report a rare, unusual or FOTS (first of the season) bird
sighting e-mail jackcolcolough@aol.com, call 815-4054 or send
a blank e-mail to: BirdingFriends-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
to join the group and report the bird.
The Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following
slate of officers for this chapter for 2008 - 2009.
President - Bill Nicol
Vice-president - Ken Neizke
Treasurer - Karen McGinty and Fran Baer
Recording Secretary - Steve White
Corresponding Secretary - Sherman Barker
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Walter, Chair, Howard Costa, Clem Dietze, Nan Lloyd.
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
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
AUDUBON ADVENTURES by Betsy Pehrson
Each year the National Audubon Society offers a program to teachers in grades 3-6 called Audubon Adventures. The program is dis-
tributed in the form of a packet. Each packet consists of a teacher’s manual and four newspapers per student each on a different topic. The
topics change each year. This year’s theme is “Back from the Brink - Success Stories from the Endangered Species Act”. Students will learn
about the successful recovery of the bald eagle, American alligator, grizzly bear, and grey whale and other species that have been brought back
from the brink by the ESA. Each issue contains fun activities, high interest content, hopeful messages, and new features like “Good News
for Planet Earth”, and “Heroes of the Planet” which profiles people who are working to protect wild creatures and places.
Our Hilton Head Island Audubon Society sponsors Audubon Adventures as part of our Outreach-in-Education Program. This year
we have supplied 34 packets to teachers in Hilton and Bluffton schools. Each packet serves 32 students and some teachers are able to use
the newspapers over and over with different classes so the number of students being reached is exciting. We have received many letters of
appreciation from the teachers and students.

Excerpts from teachers’ letters:

“I have enjoyed their use for many years and have always found them to be instructionally informative and effective, as well as entertaining”,
“Love to have those Adventures. We used them extensively last year.”, “Once again, I would love to use the Audubon Adventures Program.
I really appreciate the materials!”, “I will be using this with a maximum of 30 students in one class. I use the material with all my 125
students, but I reuse the magazine newspaper every class, and for several years until they fall apart.” “My kids always enjoy their Audubon
Adventures. Thanks for your continued support!”.

Excerpts from students’ letters:

“I like it because you have to read and then answer the questions”, “I love your magazine because the pictures are great and the activities are
a great way to practice what you’ve learned”, “My favorite thing I learned is that a bumble bee rests on a wood chip. I wish we could have
it again in 5th grade”, “I love the Audubon Adventure because it’s actually fun to learn about the subject it’s talking about...like how cold
bloded animals’ body heat changes to the temperature around it.”, “They are very useful because they are very specific and they summarize
a whole lot of information...like in the one about bees, they summarized all the ways bees are important in just 2 paragraphs!”, “...I liked all
the awesome nonfiction facts and information that the Audubon Adventures has taught our class”, “My favorite parts of the newspapers are
the facts and sometimes you will show how to help animals.”
The cost to our chapter to supply the Audubon Adventures this year was $1552.10. Our future lies in our children and reaching them
at a young age with the knowledge and understanding of the earth and all living things and teaching them how to protect and nurture what
we have is so important. We hope you all agree that this is money well-spent.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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 February 2008

HELPING THE BIRDS REMINDER
Many of you know that veterinarian Dr. Benjamin Parker of
Bluffton treats injured birds. On occasion his office has a require- If you or a friend are not receiving the Ecobon,
ment to transport injured birds, mostly raptors, to the Raptor Center you can read it online at
in Charleston. The injured birds are secured in transportation www.hiltonheadaudubon.org
containers that will fit in most cars. If you can help in the trans- or call Marianne Currie at 681-8525, or
portation effort, please call Ashley Fallis in Dr. Parker’s office at Thea Luba at 785-3214
757-1112 and have her put you on the list of people to call when
they have an injured bird transportation requirement. about the status of membership.

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February 2008 Page 5

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

FEBRUARY ~ MARCH 2008 Calendar 0

B E Q U E S T S
febrUARY
If you wish to honor a family
Feb. 7 Bear Island Field Trip member or friend with a memorial
gift, or remember the Audubon Ne-
Tues. Feb. 12 Monthly Meeting at The Seabrook...................... 7:30 pm whall Preserve or the Hilton Head
Island Audubon Society in your will,
Thurs. Feb. 14 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm your gift may be in the form of secu-
rities, cash, life insurance, real estate,
MARCH or other property.
Contact your own estate planner
Thurs. Mar. 6 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm or our Audubon Chapter at P.O. Box
Tues. Mar. 11 Monthly Meeting at The Seabrook...................... 7:30 pm 6185, Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina 29938.
Weds. Mar. 12 Field Trip to Parris Island.................................... 7:30 am
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 February 2008