E COBON
November 2009
No. 304
Newsletter of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society
Audubon Refuge Keepers
NOVEMBER PROGRAM ~ by Charlotte White
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 pm at the Seabrook
By Bill Nicol
At their November meeting, the Board
of Directors will appoint a nominating com-
mittee to recruit a slate of officers for the
2010-2011 meeting year. They will make
this appointment earlier than usual because
they anticipated a significant increase in
requirement for officers and Members-
at-Large. So far we will need to recruit a
President, Vice-President, Treasurer and at
least one new Member-at-Large. The suc-
cessful operation of our chapter depends
on our members volunteering to fill these
important positions.
We also have several Committees that
need a chairperson. Charlotte White will
step down as Program Chair and we have
existing vacancies for the Publicity and
Public Relations, and Sales Table Chairs.
Barry Lowes may not be able to continue as
the Christmas Bird Count Chair next year.
All of these committees are important for
the effective and successful operation of
our chapter.
If you choose to help out with any of
these positions, you will not be left alone.
All members of the Board will asset in any
way they can to make you successful. They
will not tell you what to do but will provide
guidance. If you have any questions or can
fill any of these positions please contact
any of the existing Board Members.
See you at the meeting and bring a
friend.
Protecting Critical Sites for Migrating Birds throughout the Hemisphere;
Audubon’s Approach
Matt Jeffery speaks about National Audubon Society’s International
Alliances Program.
The International Alliances Program was formed within National Audubon
Society in 2006 as a way to address the conservation needs of habitats that
U.S. birds rely upon during their annual migrations between the US and
Latin America and the Caribbean. As the name would suggest, IAP aims
to address critical conservation needs by forming linkages and partnerships
between Audubon (National, State, Chapters etc.) and local organizations and
communities that conserve globally recognized Important Bird Areas (IBAs).
By building the capacity of these groups, sharing knowledge and experiences,
and helping resource the conservation action projects needed Audubon is
making a significant difference.
Within the Americas around 12% of the 4,255 bird species are threatened
with extinction according to BirdLife International, and many more are showing
significant decreases in population. The Wood Thrush has declined 40% over the
last 40 years across its range. Many believe that the issues are primarily caused
by problems in the wintering grounds. Ever wonder where Painted Buntings
migrate to and what the challenges are that they might face? Or Piping Plovers
that winter further south? Come and learn more about Audubon’s international
work and how together we might work with local organizations or communities
to ensure our birds’ return for generations to come.
Matt Jeffery has worked with animals his whole life and has been involved
in the conservation field since 1998. The stepson of an animal keeper in England,
Matt spent his childhood at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks. He
worked alongside his stepfather as a child and young adult and assisted at home
with the hand-rearing of tigers, wolves, lions, and a handful of other exotic
animals. Matt’s understanding of – and commitment to – conservation was
solidified while living in Southeast Asia from 1998 to 2001. Spending a year
in Thailand and more than two years in Cambodia, he worked for a variety
of conservation organizations, including Conservation International. Matt has
worked for Audubon since July 2006 straddling both the International Alliances
Program and Education and Centers. However, he is now working full time
for Audubon’s International Alliances Program as the Program Manager. Matt
holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from King’s College, University
of London, and lives in Maryland with his wife, daughter and son.
To hear more about this program and what various Audubon groups are
doing to participate, come to the meeting WITH A FRIEND, on Tuesday,
November 10 at the Seabrook, at 7:30pm.
 HHI Audubon FIELD TRIP TO TYBEE ISLAND by Kay Hodnett
Board of Directors:
President On Wednesday, November 11, Howard Costa will be our guide for an afternoon on
Bill Nicol 671-4721 Tybee Island, where we hope to see Black-backed Gulls, Red-throated Loons, and
Vice President
Ken Neitzke 705-3970 especially Purple Sandpipers - which winter on the Tybee jetties.
Treasurer
Fran Baer 686-6348 We will meet at Moss Creek Village at noon to form carpools. From Moss Creek
Bill Nicol 671-4721 take 278 to 46, drive through old-town Bluffton on 46, turn left onto 170 South, then
Recording Secretary
Marianne Currie 681-8525 left on 17 South, and go over the Savannah River. Take the first exit off the bridge
Corresponding Secretary onto Oglethorpe Ave., then left onto MLK Blvd. and right onto Bay Street. After
Sherman Barker 342-6596 half a mile get in the left-hand lane, which turns into General McIntosh Blvd. At the
Members-at-Large
Howard Costa 842-9447 bottom of the hill on McIntosh, turn left at the light onto President St. After 6 miles
Jim Currie 681-8525 this blends into US 80 and becomes Island Expressway, which takes you to Tybee.
Clem Dietze 837-2612
Barry Lowes 671-3537
Nan Lloyd 363-2092 We will meet on the beach near the Tybee Lighthouse and Museum parking lot.
Betty Walter 842-7147 Once on Tybee go 2 miles and turn left on Campbell, which dead-ends at Van Horn.
Joan Wilson 837-2974
Go left on Van Horn and almost immediately turn right onto Meddin Drive. The
Committee Chairpersons: parking lot is only two-tenths of a mile up Meddin on the right, but the entrance is
Adopt-A-Refuge (Pinckney)
Clem Dietze 837-2612 sandwiched between Gulick St. on the right and Tom Lynch Loop on the left. Turn
Audubon Newhall Preserve into the parking lot and drive around back. There is a parking fee booth but parking
Joan Shulman 842-9246
may be free this time of year. On the backside of the parking lot there are public
Bird Walks/Field Trips
Kay Hodnett 342-7485 restrooms that are sometimes open and sometimes not. From the parking lot take the
Bird House Construction wooden walkway over the dunes to the beach. From there we will walk north to the
Jim Collins 671-1240
Jim Currie 681-8525 jetties.
Bird Seed Sale
Ed Nash 681-5725 We may visit several other hot spots on the island as well. Bring snacks, binoculars,
Christmas Bird Count and a jacket, as it can be windy. Scopes would be useful. I will bring maps of Tybee
Barry Lowes 671-3537
Education to Moss Creek Village. We should be back to Moss Creek by 6 PM. To sign up for
Mary Jane Major 342-5804 the trip call Kay Hodnett at 342-7485 or email sallyportk@gmail.com
Historian
Betsy Pehrson 689-2243
Hospitality
Thea Luba 785-3214
Legislation
OPEN
Membership
Thea Luba 785-3214
Newsletter Circulation
Marianne Currie 681-8525
Newsletter Editor
Joan Wilson 837-2974
Programs
Charlotte White 837-4597
Publicity & Public Relations
OPEN
Sales Table
OPEN
Shorebirds/Conservation
Howard Costa 842-9447
Special Projects
Richard Shulman 842-9246
Sun City Representative
Kevin Cahill 705-3570
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 Painted Bunting at Pinckney Island - Courtesy of Fran Baer
one of the above officers or chairpersons.

Page 2 November 2009

NOTES FROM NEWHALL PRESERVE
by Joan Shulman
Want to do some gardening in November? Join us for a
Work Day in the Preserve on Saturday, November 14, at 9:00
A.M. We usually work for two or three hours. Any amount of
time you can give will be appreciated. Bring gloves, clippers,
loppers, and small saws. We will be concentrating on taking
out small, unwanted trees and other vegetation around the
pond. For more information or to volunteer, call Jim and
Marianne Currie at 681-8525. Please turn out to help spruce
up the Preserve. Remember the old saying: “Many hands make
light work.”
In early October at least three alligators--one small and two
medium-sized--were seen in the pond. Hope they don’t eat too
many turtles.
AllCare Tree delivered wood chips that they spread over
the main trail. For awhile, visitors had to climb over or find a
way around the piles. Then, Jim Currie came to the rescue and
created a path on one side.
We had two people participate in the walk on October 8 and
seven on October 15. They were impressed by the good plant
identification signs prepared by Mary Alice Walker.
Early in October several people reported seeing an oven bird
near the juncture of the Main and Branch-Wood trails.
The holly trees near the pond are full of berries. They should
be showing a lot of red very soon. The magnolia tree looks
magnificent, as always.
Thank you to Ron Howenstine for monitoring the trails in
October.
Happy Thanksgiving. The Preserve is a good place for
walking off holiday meals.
OCTOBER FIELD TRIP REPORT
by Jack Colcolough
Our Audubon took a field trip to the Silver Bluff Audubon
Center near Jackson, SC on October 8. Director and naturalist
Paul Koehler there led the trip around the 3100-acre sanctuary
on a beautiful day for birding. We sighted 32 bird species,
visiting various hot spots throughout the site. It was our first
visit to this location.
Highlights of the trip were: Migrating Pectoral Sandpiper,
Red-headed Woodpecker, Black & White Warbler and
migrating American Redstart.
Birds sighted that were arriving for the winter included:
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Harrier, White-breasted
Nuthatch, Eastern Phoebe and Northern Flicker.
Other good birds found were: Migrating American Robin,
Eastern Wood Pewee. Canada Goose and a flock of Northern
Rough-winged Swallows and plus common species.
November 2009
RECENT AREA BIRD SIGHTINGS
by Jack Colcolough
Our Fall Migration has been super and it’s not over yet!
We have amassed 23 warbler species to date and 13 other
migrants. Our winter birds continue to arrive during this
very active birding month.
Rare migrant warblers reported this month were: Blue-
winged, Bay-sided, Swainson’s, Hooded and Chestnut-sided.
Other good warbler finds reported included: Magnolia,
Black-throated Blue, Yellow-throated, Yellow, Prairie, Black
& White, Ovenbird, Northern Parula and many American
Restarts plus others.
Other rare migrants sighted were: Red Crossbill,
American Golden Plover, Roseate Spoonbill, Upland
Sandpiper, Scarlet Tanager and Solitary Sandpiper. Other
uncommon migrants reported : Horned Lark, Peregrine
Falcon, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood
and Swainson’s Thrushes and Yellow-throated Vireo.
Arriving first-of -the-season birds included: American
Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and
White-throated Sparrow. Other good birds reported were:
Wild Turkey, Summer Tanager and Painted Bunting.
Five returning Bald Eagle sightings were reported as
well as 100 migrating Turkey Vultures.
Many thanks to all reporting their sightings during this
very busy birding month: Barry Lowes, Kay Hodnett, Doris
McCullough, Nan Lloyd, Dottie Bass, Richard Shulman,
Fran/Denny Baer, Susan/Kelly Murphy, Royce Hough, Jim
Grove, Buddy Campbell, Mary Alice Cruise and a number of
visitors.
To report a rare, uncommon, first-of-the-year or -season,
or out-of-season bird sighting, please e-mail: BirdingFrien
ds@yahoogroups.com or call 290-1508. Please state your
name, bird species, date and location of your sighting. If e-
mailing, please feel free to write the group any comments.
hjkl
Remember to save this date: December 8, 2009, for our
yearly Social with refreshments before our important meet-
ing. We look forward to sharing the cookies and other goodis
that our members bring. Call Thea Luba for any information
or questions at 843-785-3214 or thealuba@adelphia.net
P.S. Remember the December Meeting begins at 7:00 pm
Page 3
BRIGHT MALES and FEMALES
Orioles have long been a focus for scientists
interested in why birds have evolved immature
plumages and sexual dimorphism. If you think about
the more tropical species of orioles that do not migrate
- and there a several of them- both the males and
females are usually bright; these species don’t have
the dull female plumage.
The orioles fitting this pattern that are most
familiar to North Americans are the Altamira and
Audubon’s: males and females are essentially alike. It
turns out that these orioles are territorial year-round,
and females help in territory defense. To be adequately
intimidating to an opponent, you probably need the
bold, malelike plumage! Also, these birds invest
considerable time in finding a mate which they keep
year-round and for many years, so it is important for
both sexes to mate with experienced birds - the bright
“I know what I’m doing” plumage in both sexes helps
here (from “Age and Sex in Songbirds” by Alvaro Jaramillo)
FISHING BOAT STREAMER LINES
Seabirds will follow fishing boats, often looking
to take bait attached to longline fishing hooks. These
birds, often hooked and pulled underwater, will drown
in their feeding attempts.
In 2003 and 2004, fishing vessels in Alaska
began using highly visible streamer lines and other
avoidance devices to keep seabirds avay from longline
fishing gear. These streamers proved to be effective
in scaring away many seabirds. Earlier this year, the
Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association, representing
longline captains in the halibut and sablefish fisheries
of Washington, Oregon and California waters, started
using similar streamers. The voluntary program is
being watched carefully, and seabird conservationists
are hopeful. (from Bird Watcher’s Digest, July 2009)

Orchard Oriole

Courtesy of Fran Baer

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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 TO:. U50
National Audubon Society, Chapter Membership Data Center, P.O. Box 51001, Boulder, CO 80322-1001 C9ZU500Z

Page 4 November 2009

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

NOVEMBER ~ DECEMBER 2009 Calendar

NOVEMBER 0
Thurs. Nov. 5 Board Meeting at the Seabrook ........................... 2:00 pm
B E Q U E S T S
Tues. Nov. 10 Monthly Meeting at The Seabrook ..................... 7:30 pm If you wish to honor a family
member or friend with a memorial
Weds. Nov. 11 Field Trip to Tybee Island ............................... 12:00 noon gift, or remember the Audubon Ne-
whall Preserve or the Hilton Head
DECEMBER Island Audubon Society in your will,
your gift may be in the form of secu-
rities, cash, life insurance, real estate,
Thurs. Dec. 3 Board Meeting at the Seabrook .......................... 2:00 pm
or other property.
Tues. Dec. 12 Monthly Meeting and Social at the Seabrook ... 7:00 pm Contact your own estate plan-
Refreshments ner or our Audubon Chapter at P.O.
Box 6185, Hilton Head Island, South
Sat. Dec. 19 Christmas Bird Count ....................................... All Day Carolina 29938.

Sharing your estate with Audubon

not only reduces the taxes on your es-
tate but will help protect birds, wild-
Monthly meetings of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society are regularly scheduled life, and their habitat in the years to
at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, in the come.
Auditorium at the Seabrook, 300 Woodhaven Drive. Members and guests welcome!

Page 6 Printed on recycled paper November 2009