E cobon
March 2009
No. 299
Newsletter of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society
Audubon Refuge Keepers
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE MARCH Program
By Bill Nicol
The primary way the Hilton Head
Audubon Society communicates with its
members is through the ECOBON. E a c h
month we print 650 copies and distribute
525 copies by snail mail and 125 copies to
various locations on the island. Our budget
for Fiscal Year 2008/2009 for printing and
mailing the ECOBON including labels and
bulk mail postage is $6270. As you know,
many local organizations are getting away
from snail mail and are using the internet to
distribute their newsletters. You also know
that postage rates will increase in the near
future and our expenses will only increase
unless we make a change. Over the past
two years we have asked members who use
the computer to give us their e-mail address
so we can develop a “mailing list”. The
response had been UNDERWHELMING.
Your Board of Directors has an objective
to switch to using the internet to distribute
most of the newsletters beginning Septem-
ber 2009; so we need your support. If you
can get the newsletter by e-mail or can go
to our website to read it, please send your
e-mail address to Nan Lloyd, nan@nanhil-
tonhead.com. She is working closely with
the Hilton Head Island Computer Club for
a smooth transition of our newsletter to the
internet. Some printed copies will be avail-
able to those members who do not/will not
use e-mail.
As I said last month and it bears
repeating, we are in difficult economic
times and many of our local businesses are
struggling. We are all encouraged to sup-
port our local businesses and I especially
encourage you to support the businesses
that support this newsletter by taking out
ads every year. Many of them have been
supporting our organization for years and
it is now time for us to help them out.
by Charlotte White
Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at the Seabrook
Update from Audubon South Carolina
Ann Shahid from the state level, Audubon South Carolina, will visit and speak
to us in March. Ann is Important Bird Areas Coordinator and also Climate and
Energy Outreach Coordinator. Her office is at Audubon Center at Beidler Forest.
From trips to Beidler, many of us remember her skills in identifying birds by sight
and by ear. Ann will speak on a range of information from the state level. She will
give an update on SC Important Bird Areas and bird areas that have been elevated
to Global Status. She will show a short video celebrating Roger Tory Peterson's
100th birthday. And she will talk about Audubon's Climate and Energy Issues and
what we can do to help. She plans to play parts of a tape about bird sounds. And
finally, she will have door prizes from Audubon. A busy meeting!
Ann has worked with Audubon South Carolina for 10 years after 17 years in
education and several other mini-careers. At one time she worked on a shrimp
boat, which she says turned her into an environmentalist. Her hobbies include
organic gardening, kayaking, hiking, baking and bird watching. Watching Rudy
Mancke's "Nature scene" programs from their beginning helped to connect her
more closely with nature. Sighting a Painted Bunting hooked Ann as a lifelong
birdwatcher over 25 years ago.
When asked about what she felt most passionate regarding Audubon, here is
Ann’s answer. “Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems,
focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and
the earth's biological diversity. No other organization more closely fits my per-
sonal philosophy about what we can do to make the earth a better place and how
to act in a non-confrontational style.”
To meet one of our Audubon state level employees and to learn more about
information from the state level of Audubon, come to this meeting on Tuesday,
March 10, WITH A FRIEND, at 7:30 p.m. at the Seabrook, 300 Woodhaven Drive,
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. And is you have never visited our Beidler
Forest Audubon State center, make a point to drive there one day!
OUR MISSION
is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds,
other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity
and the earth's biological diversity.
 HHI Audubon FIELD TRIPS by Kay Hodnett
Board of Directors:
President Once again, the weather was kind to us on our February 12 trip to Bear Island.
Bill Nicol 671-4721 We saw over 60 species, including tundra swan, white pelicans, and about a thousand
Vice President coots swimming in close formation to avoid hawk attacks.
Ken Neitzke 705-3970
Treasurer On March 12 we will travel to the International Center for Birds of Prey, located
Karen McGinty 681-8498 about 15 miles north of Charleston. This is primarily a rehabilitation center for injured
Fran Baer 686-6348
Recording Secretary raptors. It provides an opportunity to view raptors “close up and personal,” making
Steve White 837-4597 it possible to observe their markings and behavior so as to identify them accurately
Corresponding Secretary when they are seen in the wild.
Sherman Barker 342-6596
Members‑at‑Large Sign up for the trip by calling Kay Hodnett at 342-7485 or emailing olivhod2@
Howard Costa 842-9447
Jim Currie 681-8525 aol.com (please include the word “bird” or “Audubon” in the subject line). Bring $12
Marianne Currie 681-8525 entrance fee with you on the trip. If 20 or more sign up, we will qualify for a group
Clem Dietze 837-2612 rate and the charge will be $10 per person. Those wishing to carpool should meet at
Barry Lowes 671-3537
Nan Lloyd 363-2092 the Moss Creek Village parking lot. I will distribute driving directions there and we
Betty Walter 842-7147 will depart at 7:30 AM.
Joan Wilson 837-2874
Committee Chairpersons: At 10:30 AM our guided walking tour of the Center will begin. At 11:30 AM we
Adopt-A-Refuge (Pinckney) will view a flight demonstration. Lunch is available at the nearby Seewee Restaurant,
Clem Dietze 837-2612 and carry-out sandwiches are available at the Seewee Outpost. Restrooms are available
Karen McGinty 681-8498
Audubon Newhall Preserve
on site. After lunch we will have an hour or so to walk around on our own and return
Joan Shulman 842-9246 to look at hawk, vulture, kite, harrier, falcon, owl, or eagle areas. We should be back
Bird Walks/Field Trips at Moss Creek Village by 5 PM.
Kay Hodnett 342-7485
Bird House Construction On April 26 we will visit Webb Wildlife Management Area, about 1 ½ hours from
Jim Currie 681-8525 Hilton Head. Details on this outing will appear in the April Ecobon.
Bird Seed Sale
Ed Nash 681-5725
Christmas Bird Count
Barry Lowes 671‑3537 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AND
Education
Mary Jane Major 342-5804 BIRD SEED SALE
Historian
Betsy Pehrson 689-2243 On Saturday, March 21st there will be a Membership
Hospitality
Thea Luba 785-3214 Drive and Bird Seed Sale at Wild Birds Unlimited.
Legislation Time will be from 10 am to 3 pm. Please come and bring
Kay Hodnett 342-7485
Membership a Friend to help support out educational fundraising.
Thea Luba 785-3214
Newsletter Circulation
Marianne Currie 681-8525

Newsletter Editor
Joan Wilson 837-2874
Programs
Charlotte White 837-4597
Publicity & Public Relations
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Sales Table
OPEN 686-6406

REMINDER TO AUDUBON MEMBERS:

Shorebirds/Conservation
Howard Costa 842-9447
Special Projects The beautiful Swallow-tailed Kites return to our area in March. Please
Richard Shulman 842-9246
Sun City Representative report your sightings to the Citizen-Science Swallow Tailed Kites Count.
Kevin Cahill 705-3570 Report WHERE (latitude and longitude if possible) bird was sighted,
Wetlands/Conservation
Sally Krebs H: 757-2973 O: 341-4690 BIRD ACTIVITY at time of sighting, DATE AND TIME of sighting.
Website: www.hiltonheadaudubon.org Report sightings to:
The Ecobon is a monthly publication (September through May) of ONLINE: www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org
MAIL: Center For Birds of Prey, PO Box 1247, Charleston, SC 29402
the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society. Subscription is a benefit
of membership. Direct inquiries to P.O. Box 6185, Hilton Head

PHONE Toll free: 1-866-971-7474

Island, South Carolina 29938 or call one of the above officers
or chairpersons.

Page 2 March 2009

NOTES FROM THE NEWHALL PRESERVE
by Joan Shulman
As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, the branches
of the Eastern Red Bud tree at the right side of the parking lot
should be filling up with blossoms. It flowers from March to May.
(I am fascinated by how the blossoms are found all along the
branches, not just at the tips.) According to Richard Porcher, an
authority on S.C. wildflowers, “The flowers have an acid-like fla-
vor and are put into salads; . . . .” They can be pickled and “are
good fried in butter or made into fritters.”
The Eastern Red Bud is also known as the “Judas Tree.” A
related species common in the Mediterranean is thought to be
the tree on which Judas hanged himself. According to legend, the
flowers on this tree were white and turned to red--from shame or
from the blood of Jesus.
Another sign of spring is the leafing out of the Bald Cypress
tree at the far end of the pond. It is one of the most significant
specimen trees in the Preserve.
In late March, I start looking for the creamy white blossoms
of the Cherokee Rose. It is at the junction of the Pond Trail and
the North Woods Trail. This rose is native to China and Japan. It
was introduced to South Carolina in early colonial times and has
become naturalized.
The Newhall Preserve Committee is hoping that a few
Audubon members are interested in becoming walk leaders in the
Preserve. It’s not difficult. A basic narrative exists, and the signifi-
cant plants and trees are labelled. The walks carry out part of our
educational mission. Won’t you join us on one of the April walks
to see what is involved? We need your help. Call me at 842-9246
if your are interested.
Thank you to Mary Jane and Bob Major for monitoring the
Preserve trails in February.
Study suggests link between agricultural
chemicals and frog decline
Around the world, amphibian populations are in decline, and
scientists have not been able to figure out why. Now a study of
leopard frogs in Pennsylvania has identified a possible culprit,
and the ramifications are troubling, according to a Penn State
ecologist. Research conducted primarily at Penn State’s Russell
E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in the
summer of 2007 -- described in a recently published article in the
journal Nature -- suggests that chemical pollution can increase
often-deadly trematode (parasitic flatworm) infections in a de-
clining amphibian species.
Memorial Donation
has been received in honor of Jean Williams.
March 2009 Page 3
recent AREA bird sightings
by Jack Colcolough
Winter is moving right along and we’re having a few
hints of spring . We’re hoping for a some early migrants
and a good spring migration.
Our Audubon Society had a successful visit to Bear Is-
land WMA on February 12, sighting 63 bird species. Trip
highlights were many rare Tundra Swans and American
White Pelicans. Other good birds found were Logger-
head Shrike, Orange-crowned Warbler, White-Breasted
Nuthatch, several Bald Eagles and an Eagle’s nest and
Bonaparte’s Gull. All the common ducks were present plus
the Mottled Duck, Ruddy Duck and Northern Pintail.
Rare birds sighted during the month included: Black-
legged Kittiwake and Purple Sandpiper at Tybee Island,
Blue Phase Snow Goose, Black-bellied Whistling Duck
and Fox Sparrow at Savannah NWR, Ross’s Goose in
Savannah, Cave Swallow and Reddish Egret at Fish Haul
Creek and Rufous Hummingbird at Skidaway Island.
Out-of-season birds reported were unlikely Yellow-
throated Vireo, Northern Waterthrush, Barn Swallow and
Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Uncommon bird species sighted were: Pine Siskin in
Shipyard, Purple Finch, Orange-crowned Warbler, Seaside
Sparrow, Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows,
Red-throated Loon, Rusty Blackbird, Common Goldeneye
and American Bittern.
Fifteen endangered Piping Plovers were found on HHI
beaches on the Piping Plover Survey this month. Sighting
contributors were: Bill Nicol, Karen McGinty, Doris Stoner,
Doris McCullough, Dave Lovett, Carole Henderson, Roger
& Shelia Johnson, Peter Zachmann, Russ Wigh, Brenda
Brannonn, several vitsitors, et al.
To report a rare, uncommon or first-of-the-year (FOTY)
or season bird sighting in our area, please e-mail jackcol-
colough@aol.com, call 689-3455 or send a blank e-mail
to: birdingfriends@yahoogroups.com to join the birding
group and report your sighting.
E-MAIL Reminder
Have you sent your E-mail address in to Nan?
If not, please send it to Nan
at nan@nanhiltonhead.com.
BIRDHOUSES
Now is the time to get your birdhouses. We have new and
improved models for 2009 ready for purchase at $30., $45
with steel pole and flange. They are suitable for either
pole or tree mount. Proceeds go to funding our Audubon
activities, including education. Please call Jim Currie at
681-8525 to provide a home for our colorful bluebirds.

“ANIMAL/GOLF STORIES”
by Mary Jane and Bob Majors
* BETTER THAN A MULLIGAN… 11/07
Heidi F. teed it up on the 7th hole, eyed the lagoon that fronted the
green and pounded the ball. The ball appeared to be falling just
short of the green’s bank when there was a great commotion in the
pond, thrashing and splashing, and the ball bounced high into the
air, landed onto the green and rolled some three inches from the pin.
The ball had hit the resident alligator and took the ultimate member’s
bounce. Heidi canned the putt for a two, a “gator-aided birdie”.
*CROWS THAT PLAY GOALIE… 1/08.
Crows are noisy, social, nosy creatures who congregate in colonies,
approach food gathering as though it is a team sport and are drawn
to the bright and gaudy trinkets of civilization. For whatever rea-
son, a cold and dull December, a lack of action, whatever…when
Mike R. hit his approach shot onto the green at the 6th hole, a crow
carefully kicked, nudged and herded the ball across the length of
the green. While Mike missed seeing the event, the group play-
ing ahead of him did not. In fact they waited to tell him about the
“birdie denied by a birdie”.
*THE SKY IS FALLING ~ UH OH, IT’S WORSE THAN THAT…
Just as Gary Y. was returning his golf club to his bag, a huge King
snake with a marsh rat in its mouth fell from an oak tree and landed
15 feet away. At least the King waited for Gary to hit the shot be-
fore leaping, “holy mackerel, skydiving snakes!”
*ALLIGATORS AS PUBLIC TRANSIT.. 4/06.
Early Easter morning, Don W., stood on his deck looking across
the lagoon when a huge alligator drifted by, carrying a Great Blue
Heron as his only passenger, no luggage. He stood and watched in
amazement as the strange pair glided out of sight.
While driving out of one of the gated communities, Charlie W. and
Nancy R. spotted a blackbird using an alligator as a water craft in
the same manner as the Heron. What was it that the fox and the
gingerbread man talked about as they traveled together those many
years ago? “Do you want to sit up here on my snout?”

Three days later, Lori K. hit a drive down the 5th fairway that got We have loved working with you, keep learning about nature and
the same treatment when a crow carefully herded her ball off the remember… there will be a test.
fairway and into the rough; we think it was the same crow and we
Mary Jane and Bob Major
know his name, “nobody scores on Patrick Roy!”
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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 C9ZU500Z

Page 4 March 2009

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299 Issue #:
Hilton Head, South Carolina 29938
P.O. Box 6185
Hilton Head Island Audubon Society Organization:
Monthly Sept.-May Frequency:
March 2009 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

MARCH ~ APRIL 2009 Calendar

0
march B E Q U E S T S
Thurs. Mar. 5 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm If you wish to honor a family
member or friend with a memorial
Tues. Mar. 10 Monthly Meeting at the Seabrook . .................... 7:30 pm
gift, or remember the Audubon Ne-
Thurs. Mar. 12 Field Trip to Internat'l Center for Birds of Prey.... 7:00 am whall Preserve or the Hilton Head
Island Audubon Society in your will,
Sat. Mar. 21 Field Trip at Wild Birds Unlimited
your gift may be in the form of secu-
rities, cash, life insurance, real estate,
APRIL or other property.

Thurs. Apr. 9 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm Contact your own estate planner
or our Audubon Chapter at P.O. Box
Tues. Apr. 14 Monthly Meeting at the Seabrook . .................... 7:30 pm 6185, Hilton Head Island, South
Thurs. Apr. 26 Field Trip to Webb Wildlife Area 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 March 2009