E COBON
December 2009
No. 305
Newsletter of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society
Audubon Refuge Keepers
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Bill Nicol
One of the programs that your Audubon
chapter supports in the winter is the Great
Backyard Bird Count. This involves
members of our chapter making presenta-
tions on birds to primarily Middle School
students although some elementary schools
are involved. The presentations are ap-
proximately 30 minutes long and consist
of showing pictures of 20 to 30 birds com-
monly seen in our area in the winter and
telling the students how they can participate
in the count and why it is important. The
volunteers work in teams of two and are
provided an outline and a CD with the bird
pictures. The schools have the equipment
required. The only thing that limits how
many schools (students) we reach is the
numbers of volunteer presenters we have.
The more we have the more students we
can educate. Our program fits in to the Sci-
ence Curriculum in the schools and tries to
show how the birds fit in the environment
and how our conduct can impact their sur-
vival. If you can help, please contact Mary
Jane Major at 342-5804. Any one who has
participated has thoroughly enjoyed the
experience.
The annual Christmas Bird count is on
December 19, 2009 and is an opportunity
for us as citizen scientists to make a signifi-
cant contribution to defining the health of
our bird population. Please donate some of
your time to help our birds.
See you at the meeting and bring a friend.
DECEMBER PROGRAM by Charlotte White
Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at the Seabrook
Remember that our December program starts at 7 PM with a holiday
refreshment party of cookies and drinks. Bring cookies, if you can. The
program will be Barry Lowe’s beautiful picture review of birds of this area.
Each December in preparation for the Christmas Bird Count, Barry
has been presenting a slide show to review the birds of our area. This year
the Bird Count, the great citizen science count that has been going for over
a century, is on Saturday, December 19. In this refresher, Barry reviews
important bird field marks.
Barry reminds us that while we experience great pleasure the year long
in seeing birds, surely we can step up and devote one day to the birds in
participating in this important count. The individual birds we see during
the year may excite us, but the bird count each December is a major source
of information for tracking bird trends and bird environment. You are each
needed in this count! Participation in counting the birds is fun, involves
fellowship and sharpens learning. SIGN UP PLEASE!
Once again, come on December 8 to the Seabrook to this popular pro-
gram. Come WITH A FRIEND AND BE SURE TO COME AT 7 PM to
enjoy the holiday social followed by Barry’s great program.
PS ~ Barry asks again, “Who wants to be the Christmas Bird Count Coor-
dinator in the future?” Or at least, who will step up and volunteer to assist
him in the coordination and see if they will assume that responsibility later?
EARLY NOTICE OF OUR JANUARY FIELD TRIP
by Kay Hodnett
On Tuesday, January
28, we will visit the Sa-
vannah National Wild-
life Refuge to see the
wintering ducks there.
More information will
be given in the January
Ecobon. Save the date.
 HHI Audubon CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Board of Directors:
President
Bill Nicol 671-4721
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Vice President For those who have participated in the past, we thank you. If you have not, then
Ken Neitzke 705-3970
Treasurer for you it is an opportunity to join a group and help to count the number of species and
Fran Baer 686-6348 the total number of birds in your area around Hilton Head. It is also a responsibility
Recording Secretary
Marianne Currie 681-2525 we all assume in order to help in this citizen- science project. It takes at least 150-165
Corresponding Secretary observers to cover all of Hilton Head, the surrounding ocean and a part of Bluffton.
Sherman Barker 342-6596
Members‑at‑Large More than 1000 Bird Count areas throughout the Americas from Alaska to South
Howard Costa 842-9447 America and Hawaii participate. This annual Christmas Bird Count has been going
Jim Currie 681-8525
Clem Dietze 837-2612 on for more than 100 years. (No, I did not participate in the first count!) The data
Barry Lowes 671-3537
Nan Lloyd 363-2092 collected has proven invaluable in the long term study of bird locations, ranges, migra-
Betty Walter 842-7147 tions and especially alarming, the decline of birds generally.
Joan Wilson 837-2874
Committee Chairpersons: Whether you are an experienced birder or a beginner, young or old, you are wel-
Adopt-A-Refuge (Pinckney) come to participate. If you would like to spend all or part of the day helping to count
Clem Dietze 837-2612
the birds, then call Nan Lloyd at 363-2092 or Barry Lowes at 671-3537. We will
Audubon Newhall Preserve
Joan Shulman 842-9246 connect you with a Team Leader. It is that easy to get involved, enjoy a day in the
Bird Walks/Field Trips out-of-doors, the fellowship and the knowledge that you are engaged in this important
Kay Hodnett 342-7485
Bird House Construction citizen -science project. Don't hesitate. Call now! Get Involved! We need your help!
Jim Collins 671-1240 Saturday, December 19, 2009. The birds will thank you.
Jim Currie 681-8525
Bird Seed Sale
Ed Nash 681-5725
671-3537 Barry Lowes, Co-ordinator
Christmas Bird Count 363-2092 Nan Lloyd, Compiler
Barry Lowes 671‑3537
Education

WINTER HUMMINGBIRDS
Mary Jane Major 342-5804
Historian
Betsy Pehrson 689-2243 Just a reminder that although most of our hummingbirds have left for the year, there are
Hospitality always a few that decide to spend the winter with us. Also, over the past several years
Thea Luba 785-3214
some of our backyards have served as winter homes for other species of hummingbirds
Legislation
Sherman Barker 342-6596 such as Black-chinned, Rufous and Calliope. These are more rare, but there is an increas-
Membership ing trend of these species showing up in the southeast in the winter.
Thea Luba 785-3214 To attract winter hummingbirds to your yard leave one or more of your feeders with
Newsletter Circulation your regular mixture of 4 parts water, 1 part sugar in your yard in an area where it is easy
Marianne Currie 681-8525
for you to see. Because of the cooler weather, it is not necessary to clean the feeder quite
Newsletter Editor
Joan Wilson 837-2874 as often but you should still change the nectar once a week.
Programs If you see a hummingbird, first try to get a photo of it. Then keep a careful eye on the
Charlotte White 837-4597 feeder to see if the bird returns again over the next few days. Make note of the time of
Publicity & Public Relations day you most often see the bird and record any trees or shrubs that the bird perches in on a
OPEN
regular basis.
Sales Table
OPEN If you are interested in having the bird banded so that researchers can study the mi-
Shorebirds/Conservation gration patterns and return rates of winter hummingbirds, please email both myself at
Howard Costa 842-9447 dianem2r@gmail.com and Penny Larson at pennylarson@yahoo.com We will notify our
Special Projects regional hummingbird bander, Doreen Cubie who many of you may remember from her
Richard Shulman 842-9246
Sun City Representative program on hummingbirds 2 years ago and the banding work she has done in Sun City.
Kevin Cahill 705-3570 Doreen will schedule a time to come to your backyard with her banding equipment and
Wetlands/Conservation attempt to band your bird.
Sally Krebs H: 757-2973 O: 341-4690 This process does not harm the bird and after Doreen collects her measurements and
Website: www.hiltonheadaudubon.org sample data and bands the bird you will have the thrill of holding and releasing your visit-
The Ecobon is a monthly publication (September through May) ing hummingbird.
of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society.
Subscription is a benefit of membership. Di- Let's hope it's a good winter for hummers in Sun City. As a former host to a black-
rect inquiries to P.O. Box 6185, Hilton Head
Island, South Carolina 29938 or call one of the
chinned, ruby-throat and 4 rufous hummingbirds I can tell you it is a special treat to have
above officers or chairpersons. a hummingbird spend the winter in your backyard.
Good luck, everyone, Diane

Page 2 December 2009

NOTES FROM THE NEWHALL PRESERVE
by Marianne Currie
On a beautiful Fall Saturday, 6 hard-working Audubon
members met at Newhall Preserve to do the annual Fall
Clean-up. This year we installed two new benches and moved
one of the old benches to a new site along the main path into
the Preserve. Rather than do a little bit on a lot of areas, we
limited our gardening efforts to cleaning up excessive plant
growth around the pond, especially where the new benches
were placed. What a difference! Thanks so much to Mary
Alice Walker, Fran Baer, Charlotte White, Jack Colcolough,
and Jim Currie for all their hard work.
If you haven’t been to Newhall recently, now is a good
time to go. There are still a few flowers in bloom, the holly
berries are beautiful, the temperatures are cooler and the bugs
are fewer. It is a beautiful, peaceful place to rest and relax.
Educating our “ Fledglings”!
by Mary Jane Major
We have good news about our 26th season of educating our
“fledglings” with the nation-wide award winning Audubon Ad-
ventures educational program for grades 3-6. This year’s study
kit is titled “Action for Planet Earth”, an exploration of earth
science topics from a conservation perspective. The four com-
ponents to this kit cover water, energy, habitats, and Pennies for
the Planet. Materials include lesson planning and background
information for teachers, student handouts, guide to nature jour-
naling, large classroom posters, hands-on activities, and much
more. Students will learn the science behind challenges we face
regarding our need for, use of, and supplies of energy, water, and
habitat. Give yourselves a big pat on the back for to date our
chapter will educate 24 teachers and 1,077 students right here
in Beaufort County!
JUST A REMINDER
Birdhouses have a
limited lifespan, so check
yours to make sure that
time, weather, and our
friendly squirrels have not
taken their toll on it. This is
a good time to replace old
houses and install new ones
so your feathered friends
will have a cozy place to
shelter this winter, and a
nice fresh abode for next
spring’s nesting season. A
nice birdhouse also makes a
very nice gift.
December 2009
RECENT AREA BIRD SIGHTINGS
by Jack Colcolough
Our migration was another fantastic one this fall! We
sighted a total of 27 warbler species and 12 other migrant
species compared to our “best ever” 30 and 6 respectively
in fall 2008. Our migration was long and lasted late this
year ... from 10/12 to 10/31. More winter birds continue
to arrive in our area.
Rare migrant warblers reported this month included:
Tennessee, Hooded and Bay-sided. Uncommon warblers
were: Blackpoll, Magnolia, Prairie and Orange-crowned.
Other warblers were: Black-throated Blue, Yellow-throat-
ed, Black & White, Common Yellowthroat, many Palms
and American Redstarts as well as arriving Yellow-rumps.
Other migrants reported this month were: Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, Swainson’s Thrush and Blue-headed Vireo. For
a complete list of fall migrants sighted this fall combine
last’s and this month’s Ecobon reports.
Arriving FOTS shorebirds reported included: rare
Purple Sandpiper, rare Lesser and Greater Black-backed
Gulls, endangered Piping Plover, Marbled Godwit and
Sharp-tailed Sparrow plus common species.
Arriving FOTS birds reported were: rare Fox, Song
and White-throated Sparrows, Winter and House Wrens,
American Wigeon, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked
duck, Common Loon, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit
Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Flicker and
Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Other good birds reported were: several Bald Eagles,
yellow-billed Cuckoo, Seaside Sparrow, late Painted Bun-
ting, several Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Gray Catbird
(many) and Purple Gallinule
Thanks to all reporting their sightings during this very
active birding month: Kay Hodnett, Howard Costa, Barry
Lowes, Doris McCullough, Doris Stoner, Miriam Water-
house, Dottie Bass, Peter Zachmann, Fran Baer, Jim Grove,
Richard Shulman and several visitors.
To report a rare, uncommon, first-of-the-year or -season
or out-of-season bird sighting, please e-mail: Birding-
Friends@yahoogroups.com or call 290-1508. Please state
your name, date and location of your sighting and any
appropriate comments.
E-MAIL Reminder
Have you sent your E-mail address in to Nan?
If not, please send it to Nan
at nan@nanhiltonhead.com.
Page 3
Upcoming Programs at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
Through Dec. 11th “Endangered in the Lowcountry” exhibit opens in the Hilton Head Regional Healthcare
Temporary Exhibit Gallery; the exhibit examines some of the animal and plant species that are endangered, with
a capital “E”, meaning that they are protected federally or are noted by the South Carolina Dept. of Natural Re-
sources as being in decline, threatened or at risk. Open Monday through Saturday 9-4:30 and Sunday 11-3 Cu-
rated by the Coastal Discovery Museum
Wed. Dec. 2nd 2:00 pm “Piping Plover Recovery Plan” with Melissa Bimbi of SC Fish and Wildlife on the
protection of Piping Plovers in South Carolina. $5.00 per person. Reservations are required at 843-689-6767 ext
223.
Tues. Dec. 15th 7:30 am. “Birding at Honey Horn” Participants will be led by an experienced bird watcher
around the 68-acre property. With Salt Marsh, Maritime Forest and open fields, you have the opportunity to see
many types of birds. $10.00 per person (12 or older only) Reservations are required at 843-689-6767 ext 223.
Thurs. Dec. 17th “The Art of Floyd Gordon” opens in the gallery at Honey Horn. Gordon’s works in oils and
acrylics have been juried into the Piccolo Spoleto outdoor art show for many years. These works will depict the
landscape of South Carolina. Open Monday through Saturday 9-4:30 and Sunday 11-3.
Tues. Dec. 29th 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. programs; “Lowcountry Reptiles and Amphibians” with Tony Mills from
the Low Country Institute will get you up close and personal with live snakes, turtles, lizards, alligators and other
“herps”. Adult $12 and Child $7. Reservations are required at 843-689-6767 ext 223.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CHAPTER HISTORY
MISSING ECOBON COPIES FOR OUR CHAPTER FILES
Thanks to all of you who answered our last plea for missing Ecobon copies for our files. We still have a few more
missing copies: # 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 158, 178, 181, 193, 206, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300.

Please call Betsy Pherson, historian, at 689-2243 if you can help us complete the file. Thanks!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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 December 2009

 Save the Dates:
BEAUTIFUL HOMES DESERVE GBBC is Coming!
BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPING.
Your source for plants that will attract birds The next Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)
and butterflies to your garden!
takes place Friday, February 12 through Monday,
Mon.-Fri. February 15, 2010. The National Audubon Soci-
Hilton Head 8:30 A.M.-5 P.M.
785-3848 Saturday ety and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are call-
9 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Bluffton ® Sunday ing on everyone to "Count for Fun, Count for the
837-3848 the greenery, inc. 12-4:30 P.M. Future!".
During last year's count, participants turned
in more than 93,600 checklists online, creating
Feeders, Nest Boxes, the continent's largest instantaneous snapshop of
Seed, Field Guides, bird populations ever recorded. We hope you'll
Bird Baths, Gifts,
join us again and help spread the word, since the
Toys & Much More
 success of the count depends on people tallying
Nikon, Bushnell, birds from as many locations as possible across
Brunton & Meade Optics
Audubon Society Members
the continent.
always 10% discount storewide!
J-2 Village at Wexford • Hilton Head Island • 785-4311
NOVEMBER FIELD TRIP REPORT
by Jack Colcolough
Twelve HHI Auduboners weathered a cool, windy and
drizzly afternoon on November 11th at theTybee Island beach
Festival Centre at Indigo Park near its lighthouse and were rewarded with a successful day
45 Pembroke Dr., Suite 130 of birding. Many thanks to an enthusiastic Howard Costa for
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
843-681-4461 leading the trip and Kay Hodnett for organizing it.
Highlights of the trip were two RARE “sought-after”
• Binoculars & Spotting Scopes • Custom Seed Blends shorebirds - the Purple Sandpiper and the Lesser Black-
• •
•
Field Guides Bird Feeders & Houses backed Gull. A lone Purple Sandpiper was finally located and
Nature Books • Bird Baths & Fountains
• Nature Gifts • Water Gardening Supplies positively identified late in the afternoon after much looking
amongst the Ruddy Turnstiles and Sanderlings. Fortunately,
We Bring People And Nature Together®
Visit us at www.wbu.com both the Lesser Black-backed Gull and uncommon Greater
Black-backed Gull were clearly viewed at the same time so
their differences could be compared.
An awesome spectacle there was ~ 500 Black Skimmers
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conveniently close to home
Other good birds found were: Sandwich, Royal and For-
ster’s Terns, Semipalimated Plovers and ~ 50 American Oys-
tercatchers (Several with yellow or black leg ID bands).
Rounding out the birds sighted for the day were: Wil-
let, Brown Pelican, Herring, Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls,
Boat-tailed Grackles, Starling, American Crow, Rock Pigeon
190 Pembroke Drive ΠHilton Head Island, SC 29926 190 Pembroke Drive ΠHilton Head Island, SC 29926
and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
(843) 682-5050 Πwww.hhisurgery.com (843) 682-5050 Πwww.hhisurgery.com

December 2009 Page 5

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

DECEMBER 2009 ~ JANUARY 2010 Calendar

DECEMBER 0
Thurs. Dec. 3 Board Meeting . ................................................... 1:00 pm B E Q U E S T S
at the Jarvis Room, Old Coastal Discovery Museum
If you wish to honor a family
Tues. Dec. 8 Monthly Meeting and Social at the Seabrook . .. 7:00 pm member or friend with a memorial
Refreshments gift, or remember the Audubon Ne-
whall Preserve or the Hilton Head
Sat. Dec. 19 Christmas Bird Count........................................ All Day Island Audubon Society in your will,
your gift may be in the form of securi-
JANUARY ties, cash, life insurance, real estate,
or other property.
Thurs. Jan. 7 Board Meeting . ................................................... 1:00 pm
at the Jarvis Room, Old Coastal Discovery Museum Contact your own estate planner
or our Audubon Chapter at P.O. Box
Tues. Jan. 12 Monthly Meeting at the Seabrook . ..................... 7:30 pm 6185, Hilton Head Island, South
Tues. Jan. 26 Field Trip to the Savannah Wildlife Refuge.......... 8:00 am Carolina 29938.
Weds. Jan. 27 Talk by Barry Lowes at the HH Library........ 12:00 noon Sharing your estate with
Audubon not only reduces the taxes
on your estate but will help protect
Monthly meetings of the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society are regularly scheduled birds, wildlife, and their habitat in
at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, in the the years to come.
Auditorium at the Seabrook, 300 Woodhaven Drive. Members and guests welcome!

Page 6 Printed on recycled paper December 2009