E cobon
September 2009
No. 302
Newsletter of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society
Audubon Refuge Keepers
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Bill Nicol
As I enter my second year as president of the
local Audubon Society Chapter, I am pleased to
report that the chapter remains fiscally sound and
poised to have another successful year. You can
tell summer is drawing to a close. School has
opened, people who have left for the summer are
wandering back, Jack Colcolough and others are
seeing the first migrating birds, and it is time to
renew our meeting schedule. Charlotte White
promises a good slate of programs and we antici-
pate a great year. Kay Hodnet has put together a
varied Field Trip Program for the season witch
includes several places that we have not been to
in several years.
We do have vacancies in a couple key areas.
We still need people to chair the Legislative,
Publicity and Public Relations, and Sales
Table Committees. A couple of key Board
Members have announced that this is their last
year. Fran Baer will be stepping down as Trea-
surer and Charlotte White as Program Chair
at the end of this fiscal year. If you can help with
any of these functions or have any questions
about what is involved please contact me or one
of the Board Members listed on page two of this
newsletter.
Finally, in order to cut costs, we are transi-
tioning the newsletter to the internet. Starting
with this issue, it will be posted on our website:
www.hiltonheadaudubon.org. People who have
provided Nan Lloyd with their e-mail address
will be notified to go to the website to view the
newsletter. Those of you who have not provided
Nan with an e-mail address will get the newslet-
ter by snail mail. However, mailing the news-
letter will cease by the end of this calendar
year unless you have advised Nan that you do
not have a computer or do not use e-mail. So if
you haven’t already done so, send your e-mail
address to nan@nanhiltonhead.com. You can
also reach her at 843-363-2092.
See you at the meetings and please bring a
friend.
september Program
PAY ATTENTION FOR A DIFFERENT TIME AND
PLACE FOR THE AUDUBON SEPTEMBER MEETING !
We are still having a picnic this year, only it will be in September instead
of May! The meeting will be ON September 15, Tuesday, at Mary Ann Peeples
Pavilion at Honey Horn at 5:00 p.m. Come at 5 p.m. and do a little birding, eat
at 6 p.m. and hear our speaker, Michael Marks at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 per per-
son. We have moved the meeting a week later to accommodate the late summer
returnees.
Audubon will provide napkins, drinks and
several types of chicken. But attendees will bring
the rest of the meal. Those with last names begin-
ning with A - AM, please bring a side dish or salad.
Those with last names beginning with N - Z, please
bring a dessert.
To have a green picnic and minimize trash, please
bring plastic dishes, table ware and glasses for
yourself that you can take back home, wash and re-
use. Paper plates and implements will be provided
for those who cannot bring reusable materials.
Michael Marks, the President of Coastal Dis-
covery Museum, will talk to us about their projects
and potentials for collaborative projects.
To make reservations for this meeting, call Bill Nicol at 671-4721, or write to
him at pennst63@aol.com.
LET'S SEE A GOOD TURN OUT FOR THE BEGINNING OF THIS NEW
AUDUBON YEAR OF LEARNING, VOLUNTEERING AND BIRDING!
COME TO THIS MEETING AND BRING A FRIEND!
FIELD TRIPS by Kay Hodnett
We have set up our first two outings for this year:
1) On September 22nd we will visit Nimmer Turf and Tree Farm in Ridgeland.
With habitat for many ground birds shrinking, sod farms are often the best
place to find them. We may see American Golden Plovers and Upland Sand-
pipers, for example. After forming carpools, we will leave the Moss Creek
Village parking lot at 8:00 am and plan to begin birding at Nimmer about 8:45
am with Barry Lowes as our leader.
(FIELD TRIPS Continued on page 2)
 HHI Audubon FIELD TRIPS by Kay Hodnett (con't from Page 1)
Board of Directors:
President 2) On October 8th we will go to Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary, located
Bill Nicol 671-4721
along the Savannah River south of Augusta. Paul Koehler, a naturalist and director
Vice President
Ken Neitzke 705-3970 of the center, will be our guide. We will be driving from hot spot to hot spot, so this
Treasurer would be a good trip for those to able to do a lot of walking. The sanctuary contains
Fran Baer 686-6348
Recording Secretary ponds, pine forest, swamps and hardwood forest, so there is quite a variety of birdlife,
Marianne Currie 681-2525 including 29 species of warblers. Accessible restrooms are available, as are picnic
Corresponding Secretary
Sherman Barker 342-6596 tables, so bring a lunch. We will leave Moss Creek Village parking lot at 7:00 am
Members‑at‑Large sharp in order to start birding at Silver Bluff a little after 9:00 am. This will be a full
Howard Costa 842-9447 day trip; we should return to Moss Creek by 5:00 pm.
Jim Currie 681-8525
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Barry Lowes 671-3537 I will bring directions for both trips to our Honey Horn picnic on September
Nan Lloyd 363-2092 15th, as well as to Moss Creek Village on the day of each trip. I will have sign-up
Betty Walter 842-7147
Joan Wilson 837-2874 sheets at the picnic. You may also sign up by calling me at 342-7485 and leaving a
Committee Chairpersons: message with name and telephone number.
Adopt-A-Refuge (Pinckney)
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Audubon Newhall Preserve
Joan Shulman 842-9246 Friends of the Savannah Wildlife Refuges (FSCWR)
Bird Walks/Field Trips By Karen McGinty
Kay Hodnett 342-7485
Bird House Construction The Friends Group is up and running. A 9 member board was elected in March.
Jim Collins 671-1240
Jim Currie 681-8525 We could not have planned for a group of individuals with more geographic diversity
Bird Seed Sale and abundance of talents. Four of the board members are from South Carolina, Allyn
Ed Nash 681-5725 Schneider serving as vice president, Twila Gray, James Garner, and Karen McGinty,
Christmas Bird Count
Barry Lowes 671‑3537 Treasurer. Five members of the board are from Georgia, Dr. Rick Shields, President,
Education Dot Bambach, Secretary, Dr. Wasil Khan, Hunter Hurst and John Crawford. Each
Mary Jane Major 342-5804
member of the board has volunteered to chair a committee. Now we just need com-
Historian
Betsy Pehrson 689-2243 mittee members to help make ours one of the best Friends Group in the US. That is a
Hospitality tall challenge.
Thea Luba 785-3214
Legislation There are over 200 Friends groups with at least one group representing each of the
OPEN 50 states. HHI Audubon began its relationship with the Savannah National Wildlife
Membership
Thea Luba 785-3214 Refuge Complex (SNWRC) when we became a part of the Refuge Keeper Program
Newsletter Circulation established by the National Audubon Society many years ago. HHI Audubon adopted
Marianne Currie 681-8525 Pinckney Island NWR as their refuge. A close relationship has existed between our
Newsletter Editor
Joan Wilson 837-2874 group and Pinckney Island NWR over the years. Clem Dietze, a Pinckney volunteer
Programs and a member of the HHI Audubon board, presently serves as liaison with the SNWRC
Charlotte White 837-4597
staff. The Refuge Keeper Program has given way to the Friends Group as a separate
Publicity & Public Relations
OPEN organization working on behalf of the seven refuges in the Savannah Complex. As
Sales Table a non-profit 501(c)(3), Friends Groups can advocate for the refuges as well as raise
OPEN
Shorebirds/Conservation
funds for projects on the refuges. We have lots of ideas on things to be done.
Howard Costa 842-9447 With the opening of the new Visitor Center at the Savannah NWR in January
Special Projects
Richard Shulman 842-9246 2010, the Friends Group has taken on a huge challenge—to open a Nature Store, The
Sun City Representative Gator Hole. The Gator Hole will be setup and staffed by volunteers from the Friends
Kevin Cahill 705-3570
Group. I hope many of you will help us out. In particular, we need help from those of
Wetlands/Conservation
Sally Krebs H: 757-2973 O: 341-4690 you who have worked in business as we setup the store. The nine of us on the board
Website: www.hiltonheadaudubon.org have zero experience in retail business so we could use your expertise. Also, we are
The Ecobon is a monthly publication (September through May) of recruiting volunteers to run the store and be salespersons. If you would like to apply
the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society. Subscription is a benefit
of membership. Direct inquiries to P.O. Box 6185, Hilton Head to be a volunteer, you can call me at 681-8498. Profits from the Gator Hole will help
Island, South Carolina 29938 or call one of the above officers
or chairpersons. fund projects on all seven of the refuges in our complex. This is for the wildlife that
all of us are interested in conserving and enjoy watching. Visit our website, www.
coastalrefuges.org. Think about joining our team—we need you.

Page 2 September 2009

NOTES FROM THE NEWHALL PRESERVE
by Joan Shulman
Rain, seemingly falling every day this summer, has kept the
Preserve very green and very lush. Every grass blade, flowering
plant, and shrub appears to grow inches each week. It is tough to
keep up with the needed mowing and trimming.
We can tell that the Preserve attracts a steady stream of visitors
because we have to replenish the supply of Trail Guides at least
once a week. Many visitors write comments in the Visitors’ Book-
-usually thanking Audubon for taking care of this special place.
Others comment on the turtles in the pond or the mosquitoes.
Soon the fruits of the Beauty-berry (Callicapa americana, also
called French mulberry) bushes will be in full color--a deep ma-
genta. Two large specimens border the parking lot. Do drop in to
take in the sight.
We will conduct four guided walks in October in the Preserve.
Details will be in the October Ecobon.
Trail Monitors are needed for each remaining month of the
year. Please help us out. Call me at 842-9246. It is a very easy job
and takes only about an hour a week.
Royal terns at Tomkins Island during Nesting Survey in May 2009
Semi-palmated Sandpiper feeding on Horseshoe Crab egg.
~ Photos above courtesy of Howard Costa
September 2009 Page 3
recent AREA bird sightings
by Jack Colcolough
Our rainy hot summer has passed and we are off to a good
start for our fall migration. Some of our fall warblers and
wintering shorebirds have already been showing up.
Early first-of-the-season (FOTS) warblers already sighted
included: Uncommon Prairie and Yellow Warblers as well as
Prothonotary, Black& White and Palm Warblers and American
Redstart, Northern Parula and Common Yellowthroat. Let’s
hope that this start will be a lead-in a great migration like we
had last fall when we tallied a ‘best ever’ thirty warbler spe-
cies.
The highlight bird of our summer was the rare Roseate
Spoonbill. We had at least eight reports in our area as well
as many others in SC, NC and GA. This bird is apparently
widening its range in recent years. The uncommon Pine Siskin
had a huge irruption into the South this past spring but only
two sightings were reported on HHI.
Uncommon birds reported during the summer included:
Shallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites, Purple Gallinule, Wild
Turkey, Loggerhead Shrike,Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Ameri-
can Bittern. Other good summer finds were: Black-necked
Stilt, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Painted & Indigo
Buntings, Whimbrel, Orchard Oriole, Least Bittern and Red-
headed Woodpecker.
Late last spring reports (No Ecobon issued during the
summer) for RARE birds were: Purple Sandpiper, Whip-poor-
will, Red-necked Grebe, Solitary Sandpiper, American White
Pelican and Hooded & Worm-eating Warblers. Uncommon
late spring birds included: White-winged Scoter, Red Knots,
Piping Plover, Northern Gannets, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and
Bob White. Other good spring finds were: Bobolink, American
Redstart, Horned Grebe and Spotted Sandpiper.
Thanks to our many reporters of area bird sightings: Barry
Lowes, Howard Costa, Karen/Mike McGinty, Doris Stoner,
Doris McCullough, Dave Lovett, Carole Jorgensen, Peter
Zachmann, Dottie Bass, Dianne/John Faucette, Clem Dietze,
Kay Hodnett, Fran/Denny Baer, Miriam Waterhouse, Judy
Lundin, Jim Grove, Wendy Hansen, Annette Houseman,
Carlos Chacon and a number of visitors.
To report a rare, uncommon or first-of-the-year or -season bird
sighting, please e-mail: BirdingFriends@yahoogroups.com or
call 290-1508 and leave a message stating species, location
and date of the 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.
HELPING THE BIRDS
Many of you know that veterinarian Dr. Benjamin Parker of Bluffton treats injured birds. On occasion his office has a require-
ment to transport injured birds, mostly raptors, to the Raptor Center in Charleston. The injured birds are secured in transportation
containers that will fit in most cars. The Raptor Center people will usually meet you halfway. If you can help in the transportation
effort, please call Marthi in Dr. Parker’s office at 757-1112 and have her put you on the list of people to call when they have an
injured bird transportation requirement.

Hi Birders,
Attached is an interesting
e-mail and photo from a
photographer visitor to HHI
on a Piping Plover shot taken
here.
Good Birding, Jack C.
HHI, SC

Here is a photo of a South

Carolina Piping Plover that
Michigan Audubon ran on
their magazine cover. Dave
Lovett helped me confirm it.
(It was my first PP.)
Best wishes,
Wayne Pope

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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 September 2009

 Beautiful Homes Deserve
Beautiful Landscaping.
Your source for plants that will attract birds
and butterflies to your garden!
Mon.-Fri.
Hilton Head 8:30 A.M.-5 P.M.
785-3848 Saturday
9 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Bluffton ® Sunday
837-3848 the greenery, inc. 12-4:30 P.M.

Jim Kern (founder of the FloridaTrail)

Feeders, Nest Boxes,
Seed, Field Guides,
Bird Baths, Gifts,
Toys & Much More
 National Park.
Nikon, Bushnell,
Brunton & Meade Optics
Audubon Society Members
always 10% discount storewide!
J-2 Village at Wexford • Hilton Head Island • 785-4311
and Rich Kern (wildlife film-maker) are
looking for additional conservation-
minded partners to buy 486 acres of
virgin cloud forest in the Savegre Valley
adjacent to the new Los Quetzales
Prime nesting habitat for the quetzal.
170 bird species. Botanical paradise.
Hiking, fishing, horseback riding in
the valley. Elevation 8,000 ft.

Festival Centre at Indigo Park

45 Pembroke Dr., Suite 130 A house for use by the 22 partners will
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 be built on a small, cleared portion.
843-681-4461

• Binoculars & Spotting Scopes • Custom Seed Blends

• •
•
Field Guides
Nature Books •
Bird Feeders & Houses
Bird Baths & Fountains Total Cost: $27.5K per partner
• Nature Gifts • Water Gardening Supplies

We Bring People And Nature Together®

Visit us at www.wbu.com For more info contact:
JimKern@thekernco.com

Comforting, affordable, quality care Comforting, affordable, quality care

conveniently close to home conveniently close to home
Place your ad here!
Call Clem Dietze for more information
O: 681-3033
H: 837-2612
190 Pembroke Drive ΠHilton Head Island, SC 29926 190 Pembroke Drive ΠHilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 682-5050 Πwww.hhisurgery.com (843) 682-5050 Πwww.hhisurgery.com

September 2009 Page 5

 302 Issue #:
Hilton Head, South Carolina 29938
P.O. Box 6185
Hilton Head Island Audubon Society Organization:
Monthly Sept.-May Frequency:
September 2009 Issue Date:
Ecobon Title:
Permit #39
Hilton Head Island, SC
PAID RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
U.S. POSTAGE Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29938
Non Profit Organization
P. O. Box 6185
Ecobon

SEPTEMBER ~ OCTOBER 2009 Calendar

0
SEPTEMBER BE Q U ESTS
If you wish to honor a family
Thurs. Sept. 10 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm member or friend with a memorial
gift, or remember the Audubon Ne-
Tues. Sept. 15 Monthly Meeting at Honey Horn ....................... 5:00 pm whall Preserve or the Hilton Head
Island Audubon Society in your will,
octoBER your gift may be in the form of secu-
rities, cash, life insurance, real estate,
or other property.
Thurs. Oct. 8 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm
Contact your own estate planner
Tues. Oct. 13 Monthly Meeting at the Seabrook ...................... 7:30 pm or our Audubon Chapter at P.O. Box
6185, Hilton Head Island, South
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 September 2009