October 2006

Volume XXXII, Issue 10 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

Georgia’s Important Bird Areas

Presented by Jim Wilson, I N S I D E
Georgia Important Bird Area Coordinator
Brook Run Park Theater President’s Perch ...........2
4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody 30338
From the Exec Dir ..........3
Sunday, October 8, 2 PM -- Note new place and time Meet Clark Rushing........3

H ow much do you know about the

Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program?
Currently there are 46 IBAs in Georgia, with
one of them, the Altamaha River Delta, being
considered for Global Important Bird Area
status.
Please join Atlanta Audubon on October 8 to
get the latest information on Georgia’s
Important Bird Areas Program. For those of us
who don’t know, Jim will review the origins of
this vital bird habitat program and how saving
habitats fits into our conservation of the birds
themselves. Jim will also discuss the Georgia
Program in terms of what’s been done to date
and what is being done currently and will
bring us up to date on plans going forward. In
addition, Jim will give us concrete information
on what we can do to contribute.
Jim Wilson is from Pensacola, Florida, and
received his B.S. in physics from the
University of Florida. After four years as a
naval aviator, he went on to obtain an M.S. in
radiation biophysics, and then a Ph.D. in
neurophysiology from the University of
Virginia. He was a researcher and teacher at
Emory University before taking an early
retirement to pursue bird activities. He served
Field Notes .....................4
Field Trips.......................5
on the Atlanta Audubon board of directors for
12 years, serving variously as conservation
Merritt Island ..................5
director, vice president and president. While Avian Flu .........................6
conservation director, he launched Georgia’s
Armchair Activist program and had 350 people Leaving the Nest .............7
involved with it. His interest in bird
conservation led him to become the Important
Classifieds .....................8
Bird Areas Coordinator for Georgia in 2000. Sparrow Workshop ........8
He is a bird photographer and has published
2006 Festival of Cranes .9
five books on birds, including Common Birds
of Atlanta, which is for novice birders who Membership ..................9
want to know about the common birds in their
own backyards. He has also been president of
AWARE (Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort)
and participates in Shetland Sheepdog rescue
as a foster “parent.” Fortunately for him, his
wife of 36 years, Kay, also loves animals.
Also at our October meeting we will introduce
Catharine Brockman Kuchar, new executive ATLANTA
director for Atlanta Audubon.
AUDUBON SOCIETY
Come meet Catharine and help us celebrate
this milestone for Atlanta Audubon Society. Box 29189
Atlanta, GA 30359
www.atlantaaudubon.org

Our Apologies AAS OFFICE

Wingbars apologizes if you received your September 2006 issue late. Every once in a while, and Information Line
something out of our control just happens to the normally smooth and efficient production of
the newsletter. You will be pleased to know that starting this month, Wingbars will be posted to
the Atlanta Audubon Web site as soon as possible before going to the printer. This will afford
770.913.0511
you advance information of upcoming activities, meetings and field trips. You will also see the
photographs in color. Look in your mailbox for your newsletter before the first of each month GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
and for the Web site edition about a week before that.
770.493.8862
 Board of Directors
2006
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar President’s Perch
770.993.9579
kucharc@bellsouth.net
by Kelly Hopkins
Officers
President Kelly Hopkins
404.622.1888
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net
President-elect Ellen Miller
404.355.8892
AAS Commitment to Conservation
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com
Treasurer David Yon
This month I want to highlight some of our coordinates this program that helps raise
404.513.9806 conservation initiatives. First let me introduce public awareness of the connection
yonkers13@comcast.net
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
Clark Rushing, our new conservation chair. between migratory birds and the habitat of
404.298.8825 Clark replaces Charlie Haynes, who helped us traditional coffee farms.
markajernigan@bellsouth.net
formulate the conservation goals in our • Wildlife Sanctuary Program - Jacqueline
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley
404.687.0079 strategic plan. I would like to recognize McRae heads this program that promotes
atlpiaf@aol.com Charlie again for all his support in this arena.
Directors
and certifies wildlife sanctuaries, an
Conservation Clark Rushing It is going to be fun having Clark on the board, important commitment to conserving and
crushing05@gmail.com
404.373.8585 since he was one of Lisa Hurt's students. protecting our environment. I hope you
Education Marcia Klenbort Clark has become increasingly interested in were able to participate in last month's
404.874.9826 ornithology over the past few years. Birding Wildlife Sanctuary Tour.
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net
Field Trips Dave Butler
has become one of his favorite pastimes, and • Armchair Activists - Marian Gordin is also
404.580.3917 he hopes to go to graduate school to continue new to the Conservation Committee and is
dabutler@co.dekalb.ga.us
Membership Art Hurt
his education. Welcome, Clark, to the Atlanta heading up this critical component of our
770.934.7660 Audubon Society. grassroots efforts. Welcome aboard, Marian.
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net
Communications and Past President Many initiatives are part of the Conservation • Georgia Environmental Council - Lucinda
Georgann Schmalz Committee: Headrick is the AAS rep on this council.
706.216.5012
georgannschmalz@alltel.net • IBA - Jim Wilson is the Georgia Important
Publicity Dave Decker
• EarthShare Georgia - Victor Williams is our
770.938.3467 Bird Area Coordinator. Please come to our representative with this organization.
m.decker1@comcast.net October monthly meeting to learn more
Special Events Nancy Hamilton about this important conservation program If you are interested in getting involved with
404.874.2338 the work of the Conservation Committee,
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net and how you can get involved.
Volunteers Carl Tyler contact Clark Rushing,
404.634.3892 • Shade-Grown Coffee - Jane Brann crushing05@gmail.com.
cwt1@mindspring.com
At Large
Jay Davis
404.624.4973 New Kiosk at Garden Lakes IBA
webtoad@earthlink.net
Denese Van Dyne
404.406.9324 This work crew recently put up the kiosk
denesevandyne@yahoo.com at Garden Lakes Important Bird Area near
Lisa Hurt Rome, Georgia. Thanks to the precise
770.934.7660
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net preparation of the various parts by Jerry
Victor Williams Pevey (second from the right), the whole
Earthshare Representative
770.423.1012
rig went up in about an hour, including
72064.1017@compuserve.com getting the holes dug, roof attached and
---
IBA Program Consultant cement poured. Thank you, volunteers!
Jim Wilson 770.602.1679 Pictured from left to right are Art Hurt,
gaiba@bellsouth.net
Eric Lindberg, Marion Dobbs, Jerry Pevey
Website
Jim Flynn and Jim McDermott.
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
Wingbars Editor
Grace Trimble 404.351.0518
gmtrimble@mindspring.com
Design & Layout
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
copyprep@mindspring.com
Proofreading
Mim Eisenberg
mim@wordcraftservices.com
Newsletter deadline is the first of
the month for material to be
published the following month.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to
gmtrimble @mindspring.com.
Email attachments, if possible. Mission Statement:
Wingbars is the monthly newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society. We feature news, upcoming
events, meetings, field trips and projects. We
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
hope you will join us. Opinions expressed are
those of the authors and do not necessarily
conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.
reflect policies of the Atlanta Audubon Society.

2 Atlanta Audubon Society

 From the Executive Director
by Catharine Kuchar
I am excited and thrilled to be serving as
your Atlanta Audubon Society executive
director. This is an amazing time in the
history of our organization. Today we move
forward, working together, to make Atlanta
Audubon even more successful in promoting
the enjoyment and understanding of the birds
that we love and conserving and restoring
the ecosystems that support them.
During my first weeks on the job, I have been
simply astounded at the incredible work that
this organization has accomplished through
the hard work of its volunteers. Did you
know that we offered 53 field trips over the
last year? Or that we conducted numerous
educational workshops for adults and
children? Did you know that more than 200
Armchair Activists helped advocate on behalf
of programs and policies that support the
protection of birds and their habitats? Or
that volunteers certified approximately 45
properties through our Wildlife Sanctuary
Certification?
Those are just a few of our accomplishments.
All of these achievements happen because of
the efforts of dedicated volunteers. When
you think about that, it’s amazing. Volunteers
label and put in the mail each edition of
Wingbars. Volunteers enter new member
information in our database. Volunteers
promote events and develop programs.
Everything we’ve accomplished, volunteers
have done it. Last year, 142 individuals
logged more than 4,500 hours of volunteer
time.
Meet Our New
Conservation Board Chair
Clark Rushing has joined the Atlanta Audubon
board as conservation chair. He grew up in
Decatur and graduated from Marist School.
After high school, he attended Princeton
University, where he majored in ecology and
evolutionary biology. His thesis examined the
impact of beach nourishment on loggerhead
sea turtle nesting success on Bald Head Island,
North Carolina. Currently he is working for the
U.S. Environmental Protection Administration
October 2006
✔ olunteer
Opportunities
Wow! All of this hard work and dedication GET INVOLVED
boils down to our love for our feathered
friends. We work hard because we can’t IN ATLANTA
imagine our world without them. AUDUBON
What about my own interest in birds? I
We invite you to volunteer
definitely don’t qualify as a birder yet, but with these Atlanta Audubon
undoubtedly I love birds. When I think about programs.
it, I guess it’s because of my grandmother, for
whom I was named (in case you were Monthly Programs
wondering where the unusual spelling of We need your hospitality
assistance to bring refreshments
“Catharine” comes from). I’m not sure
to the monthly meetings.
anyone could love someone more than I Contact: Ellen Miller at
loved her. She, too, was not a birder, but she 404.355.8892
adored her “friends” and enjoyed watching
Publicity
their antics in the backyard. She taught me Help us get the word out
the names of the most common birds and through local media about our
wouldn’t hesitate to tell me a bit of bird field trips and workshops.
trivia. How much was fact or fiction I have Contact: Dave Decker
770.938.3467
yet to learn. So here I am, at this special
place in my life where I have the opportunity Membership
to devote my work to these wonderful little Help with mailings to
membership.
(and not so little!) creatures. Amazing!
Contact: Art Hurt
To all of the Friends of Atlanta Audubon, I 770.934.7660
thank you for your contributions to our Events
work. To our volunteers, I thank you for Represent Audubon at special
allowing me to serve you. For those who functions and displays.
haven’t volunteered before, I invite you to Contact: Nancy Hamilton
join me in diving right in and discovering the 404.874.2338
joys of this amazing organization. Education
Volunteer for a variety of
Together we will all take Atlanta Audubon to
educational programs. We
new heights. provide training workshops.
Contact: Marcia Klenbort
404.874.9826
Wildlife Sanctuary
Support the preservation of
greenspace in Atlanta.
Contact: Jacqueline McRae
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net
Conservation
Become an Armchair Activist
and keep updated on legislative
action both locally and nationally.
as a project manager in the Superfund program. Contact: Clark Rushing
404.373.8585
While he has always been interested in the
natural world, he says he has become Office and Phone
Answer the AAS hotline and
increasingly interested in ornithology over the assist visitors to our office at
past few years. Birding has become one of his the Dunwoody Nature Center
favorite pastimes, and he hopes to return to Contact: Ellen Miller
graduate school to pursue a career in ecology 404.355.8892
and ornithology. Important Bird Areas Program
Help distribute information,
monitor input, network
throughout the state with
IBA participants.
Contact: Jim Wilson
770.602.1679
3
 July Field Notes
July was another good month
for birding in Georgia. We
beat all the averages and even
set a new record for the year-to-
date count for the Atlanta area.
Best birds were a Limpkin in the
Atlanta area and a large flock of Black-
bellied Whistling Ducks along the coast. The
Atlanta area recorded 120 species for the
month (average 114.9) to bring the year-to-
date list to 235 (average 198.5; previous
record was 231). The Georgia area came in
with 193 species (average 173.9) to bring
that year-to-date list to 311 (average =
305.2).
ATLANTA AREA
GEESE THROUGH IBIS – The SNOW GOOSE
previously reported from Spalding County
was still there as of 24 July (EB). PB and HG
found at least one and maybe two
NORTHERN SHOVELERS at the E.L. Huie
Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton
County on 22 July. In Spalding County, EB
reported two HOODED MERGANSERS on 25
July. Rare for the Atlanta area was an adult
PIED-BILLED GREBE with six young at the
ELHLAF on 2 July (JS, CL). ANHINGAS must
be more common in the Atlanta area than
previously thought, as evidenced by two
adults with chicks in Spalding County on 1
July (EB, MI) and another bird in Rockdale
County on 19 July (EB). Another rare
sighting for the Atlanta area was a
TRICOLORED HERON at Lake Horton on 28
July (EB). There were quite a few reports of
immature WHITE IBIS in the area, with the
peak count of 33 coming from Lake Horton
on 27 July (EB).
OSPREY THROUGH LIMPKIN – CL reported
an OSPREY nest at the ELHLAF with two
young on 4 July. Rare hawk sightings
included a MISSISSIPPI KITE in Spalding
County on 1 July (EB), three SHARP-
SHINNED HAWKS in Bartow County on 22
July (JS, BL), two AMERICAN KESTRELS at
the ELHLAF on 8 July (JS, CL) and two
PEREGRINE FALCONS over downtown
Atlanta on 5 July (JM). The number of
COMMON MOORHENS at the ELHLAF
peaked at 25 birds (9 adults and 16 chicks)
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
on 15 July (CL). Elsewhere, a single
COMMON MOORHEN was seen in Spalding
County on 1 July (EB). Two AMERICAN
COOTS were seen at Lake Horton on 1 July
(EB). A very rare LIMPKIN was seen at Lake
Blalock at the ELHLAF from 6 through 11
July (CL). Surprisingly, this bird was seen in
the same area where one was seen a couple
years ago.
SANDPIPERS THROUGH DICKCISSEL – A
SPOTTED SANDPIPER seen at Lake Horton
on 1 July by EB was either an early migrant
or a very rare breeding bird. A flock of 23
BLACK TERNS was seen in Bartow County
on 28 July by KB. Rare for the Atlanta area
was a COMMON GROUND-DOVE at the
ELHLAF on 22 July (PB, HG). An adult
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was reported
on 24 July along I-285 south of Atlanta, but
the exact location was not clear (fide DF).
The first CERULEAN WARBLER and
AMERICAN REDSTART of the fall migration
were seen at Kennesaw Mountain National
Battlefield Park on 20 July (BZ). EB had a
good count of 10+ GRASSHOPPER
SPARROWS in Spalding County on 1 July.
KB had an excellent count of five
DICKCISSELS in Bartow County on 23 July.
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH STORKS – PS reported
as many as 40+ BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCKS at the Altamaha
Waterfowl Management Area near Darien on
1 July. Many of the birds appeared to be
paired off and were mating. Several
observers reported them later in the month
from the same area. On a boat trip out from
the Savannah area to the R2 Tower on 20
July, RW had a CORY’S SHEARWATER and
four AUDUBON’S SHEARWATERS. KB had a
good count of 30 AMERICAN WHITE
PELICANS at the Andrews Island Causeway
near Brunswick in early July. One ANHINGA
was seen at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center
in Jasper County on 9 July (CL), and JA, PaH
and TI had a count of 23 ANHINGAS in the
Macon area on 22 July. Good counts of
herons and storks included three REDDISH
EGRETS at Jekyll Island in early July (KB),
approximately 800 CATTLE EGRETS in
Upson County on 30 July (EB, MBeo), 275+
WHITE IBIS in Tattnall County on 23 July
(GW) and 89 WOOD STORKS near Douglas
on 20 July (TW).
KITES THROUGH LIMPKIN – There were a
good number of reports of both SWALLOW-
TAILED and MISSISSIPPI KITES this month,
with the peak counts being 10 SWALLOW-
TAILED KITES near Glennville on 26 July
(GW) and 30 MISSISSIPPI KITES at Oxbow
Meadows near Columbus on 2 July (WC).
Two AMERICAN KESTRELS were a fairly rare
sighting in Rabun County on 2 July (JS, CL).
A rare breeding record for the VIRGINIA
RAIL came from Skidaway Island where, on
24 July, CM saw an adult and small chick.
LIMPKINS were reported from the
Chickasawhatchee Wildlife Management Area
near Albany, with four birds on 2 July and
three on 22 July (WS) and one or two birds
at Reed Bingham State Park on 4 July (CP).
SANDPIPERS THROUGH SPARROWS – KB
reported three UPLAND SANDPIPERS from
sod farms in Macon County on 24 July, and
EB and MBeo had 24 at the same location on
30 July. Very early was a LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHER in the Lake Seminole area on
29 July (EB, MBeo). The highest count of
BLACK TERNS was 13 at Lake Walter F.
George on 26 July (KB). PiH had a LEAST
FLYCATCHER in the Suches area on 3 July at
a low elevation of 2114’. DV recorded three
COMMON RAVENS in Blairsville and two at
Brasstown Bald on 8 July. Two CEDAR
WAXWINGS were seen in the Suches area
on 3 July (JS, DV), and one bird was quite
unusual in Oconee County on 24 July (MF).
Rare for the Columbus area were three to
four GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS on 2 July
(WC).
CONTRIBUTORS – Jerry Amerson, Michael
Bender, Eric Beohm, Michael Beohm, Ken
Blankenship, Patrick Brisse, Walt Chambers,
Dot Freeman, Mark Freeman, Hugh Garrett,
Paul Hoinowski, Pierre Howard, Ty Ivey, Mike
Ivie, Carol Lambert, Bill Lotz, Jeff Madsen,
Carol McClelland, Peggy and Terry Moore,
Chet Powell, Wayne Schaffner, Jeff Sewell,
Paul Sykes, Dan Vickers, Russ Wigh, Gene
Wilkinson, Todd Womack and Bob Zaremba.
Have a sighting of interest? Report it to Terry
Moore at tsmoore@bellsouth.net.
 Field Trips
Compiled by by Dave Butler

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
(DeKalb County)
Thursday, October 5, Lisa Hurt
Sunday, October 15, Lisa Hurt
Meet at the parking lot at 8 AM
Birding focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: From I-285 N or S: Take Highway 78,
Stone Mt. Freeway exit, west toward Decatur.
Highway 78 passes North DeKalb Mall and
continues up hill past Banner Ford. At
intersection of Highway 78, North Decatur Rd.
and Medlock Rd., take right on Medlock Rd.
Follow Medlock Rd. 1/4 mile to Medlock
Elementary School; go right on Wood Trail Lane.
Go through one stop sign; travel another 200
yards to Preserve entrance.
From I-75/I-85 N or S: From I-85 north or south
take North Druid Hills exit, east toward Decatur.
After approx. 3 miles, go right on Highway. 78 (at
North DeKalb Mall). Follow directions as above.
E.L. Huie and Newman Wetlands Center
(Clayton County)
Saturday, October 7, Dale Hardee
Saturday, October 21, Malcolm Hodges
Meet in the parking lot at 8 AM
Birding focus: Shorebirds, migrants
Directions: Take I-75 south beyond I-285 to US
19/41 (Tara Blvd., exit 235); drive south for 8.2
miles to Freeman Rd. and turn left. The Newman
Wetlands Center is a mile or so down Freeman
Rd. on the right after a sharp turn. The Center’s
interpretive building is not open on Saturdays
after August; however, restroom facilities are
available near the parking area. These trips are
co-sponsored by the Clayton County Water
Authority. Call the Wetlands Center for
information about birding at both sites:
770.603.5606. Visit www.ccwa1.com for more
information.
Dawson Forest (Dawson County)
Saturday, October 7, Georgann Schmalz
Meet at gate at 8 AM
Birding focus: Migrants, residents
Directions: From Atlanta, go north on GA 400
for 30 miles beyond I-285. The first stop light is
GA 369. Continue 6.6 miles to Dawson Forest Rd.
and turn left. Drive 3.9 miles to GA 9, and
continue another 1.5 miles to the gate of Dawson
Forest.

Travel to Merritt Island with Atlanta Audubon

The Atlanta Audubon Society will again sponsor a two-day, three-night trip to Merritt Island
National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida, on January 12, 13 and 14, 2007. Located east of
Titusville, Merritt Island has the distinction of being the home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the
wildlife refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is the second largest refuge in Florida. It and the surrounding waters
offer a sanctuary for an abundance of plants and animals from both temperate and tropical climate
zones. Along its western edge is the Indian River Lagoon, North America's longest and most
biologically diverse estuary.
The refuge consists of 140,000 acres of salt marsh, freshwater impoundments,
brackish estuaries, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods and scrub. Because of
the diverse habitats, Merritt Island remains unsurpassed as a refuge for
endangered wildlife. It supports more threatened and endangered animals (21
species ) than any other single refuge in the continental U.S., including the Florida
manatee, Bald Eagle, Wood Stork, gopher tortoise and eastern indigo snake.
Combined with the Canaveral National Seashore, the refuge supports the world's
largest population of Florida Scrub Jays.
Offering varied birding opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310 species of birds. The
field trips around the refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl and wading birds. There will
be opportunities to view other species such as rails, scrub jays and other wildlife.
The trip leaders will be Theresa Hartz and Lisa Hurt. The cost of the trip (NOT including food or
lodging) will be $150 for Friends of Atlanta Audubon members; $175 for assigned members; $195
for non-members. This trip is limited to 12 people.
There will be a pre-trip orientation meeting and short workshop on Sunday, December 10, 2006, at
the Dunwoody Nature Center from 3-5 PM.
For reservations or more information contact Lisa Hurt by phone or e-mail:
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net; 770.934.7660. Your payment will confirm your reservation.

October 2006 5

Volunteers Wanted:
Learning About Birds
Want to join educators like
Mary Nevil in bringing a love
of birds to other young
people? Learning about Birds
(LAB) is one of Atlanta
Audubon’s most important
environmental education
programs. Thanks to funding
from the Georgia Department
of Natural Resources’
Watchable Wildlife Division,
Atlanta Audubon can expand
the program to 12 new
classrooms and nature
centers, bringing the total
number of LAB outlets to 20.
The expansion has also
increased the need for
volunteers.
Volunteers are needed to
assemble and create materials
and to become trained to train
teachers and help them get
started in classrooms and
after-school programs.
Marcia Klenbort and Marilyn
Harris coordinate the program.
To volunteer, contact them at
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net
or marilynh@mindspring.com.
6 Atlanta Audubon Society
Avian Flu
The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and
Interior announced in August that routine
surveillance has indicated the presence of H5
and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples
from two apparently healthy wild non-migratory
Mute Swans in Michigan. Testing has ruled out
the possibility of this being the highly
pathogenic H5N1 strain. Test results thus far
indicate this is low pathogenicity avian
influenza. Genetic analysis of the virus
conducted at USDA's National Veterinary
Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa,
suggests that it is similar to a low pathogenicity
strain that had been previously detected in
North America.
It is possible that these birds were not infected
with an H5N1 strain but instead with two
separate avian influenza viruses, one containing
H5 and the other containing N1. Confirmatory
testing underway at NVSL will clarify whether
one or more strains of the virus are present, the
specific subtype, as well as pathogenicity. These
results will be made public when the testing is
completed.
The two swans were among 29 that were culled
as a part of population control for this exotic
species at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in
Michigan. Previous North American records of
low pathogenicity H5N1 include a Mallard in
Wisconsin (1975), an unspecified wild bird in
Canada sometime between 1962 and 1981,
sentinel ducks in Minnesota (1981 and 1985), a
Ring-billed Gull in Pennsylvania (1983), a
Mallard in Ohio (1986) and two Mallards in
Manitoba, Canada (2005).
DeKalb School Librarian
Encourages Young Birders
Mary Nevil, an AAS member and media
specialist at Knollwood Elementary School, has
grown her bird club by putting a feeder outside
her library window and encouraging students to
see who visits. She joined Learning About Birds
last school year and began an informal bird club
with students both before school and after
school.
In August, Mary wrote, “Knollwood would like
to participate in Learning About Birds again this
year. The boys and I have already started
meeting. We took a little walk around the school
yesterday and talked about the birds we'd seen
over the summer. Josue was very excited about
having seen a Pileated Woodpecker. Several had
seen catbirds, and Steven saw a towhee.
The FWS, USGS and other cooperating agencies
continue live bird sampling in Alaska, with work
ongoing at more than 30 sites. Live bird
sampling is underway in the lower Pacific
Flyway, focusing on migrating shorebirds and
waterfowl in conjunction with pre-season
banding efforts. That Arctic-nesting shorebird
species migrate across the Pacific Ocean each
year has been known for some time, but not
until lately did biologists learn how such flights
were accomplished. On August 6, the first of
nine Bristle-thighed Curlews fitted with satellite
transmitters embarked on its southern
migration from a staging site on the Alaska
Peninsula. On August 12, after 160 hours in the
air, the bird landed in French Polynesia, a
distance of 8,800 km from its starting point.
Satellite tracking data indicated that not only
was the flight non-stop but that the bird
apparently adjusted its flight path to find
favorable winds en route, traveling at one point
1,000 km east of a direct route. USGS Alaska
Science Center biologists also placed satellite
transmitters on seven nesting Bar-tailed
Godwits, a high-priority species for sampling for
avian influenza and one thought to have an even
longer nonstop migration than the Curlew.
Results from this effort will contribute to our
understanding of how wild birds may be
involved in the spread of avian influenza. Winter
work will involve deployment of additional
satellite transmitters on these birds to help
define northward routes and connectivity to
Asian habitats.
Natwoine's parents gave him his own pair of
binoculars, and he had also noticed an owl on
the way to school. Josue and Jose each have a
fourth grade brother they have invited, and we
had two new fifth graders. I gave them the
challenge of finding nighthawks over the
weekend.”
Kudos to Mary and her growing band of birders.
You don't have to be a member of AAS to
participate in Learning About Birds. Interested
or know a teacher or nature center leader who
might be interested? Find out more by e-mailing
AAS education chair Marcia Klenbort or Marilyn
Harris (see sidebar.)
 Leaving the Nest
By Kyle Mullen
Our house is an Atlanta Audubon
Society Wildlife Sanctuary. We have a lot
of bird activity here, including Pileated
and Red-headed Woodpeckers,
American Goldfinches and Red-tailed
Hawks. On the wall in our carport, we
have a wooden birdhouse that is used
each year by various kinds of birds. This
year, there was a family of wrens in
there.
There were two parents and four babies.
For some time we saw the parent birds
flying in and out of the birdhouse,
feeding the baby birds caterpillars and
other kinds of bugs. Sometimes we
heard a lot of cheeps from the
birdhouse. The babies might have been
making those noises. When we watched
the mother bird feeding the little ones,
she would cling to the front of the
birdhouse and peek her head in to feed
the babies, and the other parent would
sit on the power line near our house and
make warning noises that sounded like a
hissing-chittering mix. We loved
watching them.
Sometimes, when we were in the garage
while the parents were looking for food,
we would see the baby birds peek their
little heads up. We saw their beaks while
Crow Researcher Looking for Information
Cynthia Chan is studying bird behavior and
conservation at Georgia Southern University
in Statesboro. She is currently designing a
master's thesis project to study the impacts of
environmental pressures (including urban
noise) on calls in both American and Fish
October 2006
they were waiting for food. That was
truly amazing.
A few days ago, we spent a long time
watching the birds. It turned out to be
the day they left their nest. Later, we
were leaving the house and noticed two
of them in our bushes. They were finally
flying out of the nest.
One of our cars had the windows rolled
part way down. When we walked by, we
saw some movement in the back of the
car. A third little bird had apparently
gotten into the car through one of the
windows. The bird was in a canvas bag
full of stuff. When I opened the trunk,
my dad moved the bag to let the bird
out. Just as he did that, the bird came
flying out of the car, scaring us all! We
saw the fourth bird hopping in the grass
across the front yard.
I felt good that the birds were grown up
and finally leaving the nest. We all felt
good about that Mother bird’s little
babies were all grown up. The birds
were so amazing to watch.
Kyle Mullen is 14. He wrote this article
a few months ago, the day the wrens
left the nest. His father Frank is a
freelance photographer and took the
photographs.
Crow populations. This research requires
recording calls from both species across a
variety of locations throughout the
southeastern United States. Please contact
her with any information about the
whereabouts of crow congregations such as
roosts, nesting sites or feedings sites. Include
GPS coordinates for such sites if known;
otherwise, good directions will suffice.
Individuals providing information that can be
used in this research will be prominently
acknowledged for their contribution in any
future publications alongside their state and
local ornithological societies. Contact
Cynthia at CynthiaT.Chan@gmail.com.
7
 CLASSIFIEDS
Rates for business card size ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent
with the conservation and birding mission and agenda of Atlanta Audubon Society.
You may also design your own ad. Call for pricing.
Send ads and payment to:
Wingbars Ads Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359

When You
When You Come Black Oil
To The
To TheMountains
Mountains Sunflower
Visit the best bird store
in North Georgia! 20lb Bag $7.00 always
We have fresh Cole’s with Audubon Membership Card
seed and a HUGE
array of squirrel-proof Proud Supporters of Environmentally
feeders, Bushnell optics,
hard to find hardware, Conscious Organizations in our Local
great books (including
ABA Guides), stained Community.
glass, unique gifts & the
best candles you’ve Wild Bird Centers
ever smelled!
Cumming –– 2825 S. Vickery St. 678-456-6900
Dunwoody—2472 Jett Ferry Rd 770-396-3353
Johns Creek—3630 Peachtree Pky 770-813-9476
Under the big maples in downtown Blue Ridge
611 E. Main St. • Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 258-BIRD (2473) • blueridgebirdseed.com
WWW.Wildbird.com

CANINE SHOWCASE
& WILD BIRD INC.
1874 Piedmont Ave. Suite 101-A
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
404•875•0611
We’ve moved to a bigger and better location.
We are located in Piedmont Pointe next to Einstein Bagels on
Piedmont Road. We are expanding our already great selection
of bird supplies to include:

• Swift Binoculars
• Droll Yankee Feeders
• Coveside Houses
• Garden & Yard Art

Sparrow Workshop
In case you missed it, here again are the details of the upcoming Sparrow
Workshop.
The Sparrow Workshop is a two-part program consisting of a classroom
session on Sunday, November 5, from 2 to 4:30 PM at the Dunwoody
Nature Center and a field trip on Saturday, December 2, at Charlie Elliot
Wildlife Center in Mansfield. Tim Keyes will be the instructor for the
classroom session as well as the field trip leader.
Tim is an excellent instructor and is a renowned wildlife interpretive specialist. He will
give many valuable tips for identifying sparrows that are found in Georgia. In past years,
attendees have seen White-crowned Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow and other wintering birds
during the field trip part of the workshop.
The cost will be $35 for members of Atlanta Audubon, $60 for assigned members and $75
for non-members.
A reservation is required for the workshop. Contact Wendy West by e-mail or
phone: wendygrw@mindspring.com or 404.218.8141 (office number). Your check
confirms your registration. The number of participants will be limited.

8 Atlanta Audubon Society

 2006 Festival of the Cranes in New Mexico
Check

✔
The 19th Annual Festival of the Cranes runs from November 14 to 19, 2006, at the Bosque del
Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Located at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert, the
refuge consists of 57,191 acres that straddle the Rio Grande approximately 20 miles south of Out
Socorro, New Mexico.
The heart of the refuge is about 12,900 acres of moist bottomlands, of which 3,800 acres are This Web
active floodplain of the Rio Grande and 9,100 acres are areas where water is diverted to create
extensive wetlands, farmlands and riparian forests. The rest of Bosque del Apache NWR is made Site!
up of arid foothills and mesas that rise to the Chupadera Mountains on the west and the San
The 5th edition of the
Pascual Mountains on the east. Most of these desert lands
are preserved as wilderness areas. National Geographic Field
Guide, edited by Jon
The festival will feature more than 100 events, including
great birding opportunities; workshops on photography, Dunn and Jonathan
drawing, paper cutting and cacti; tours covering geology Alderfer, is set for
on Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and historic sites on publication in early
the Camino Real; plus arts and crafts, and wolf and raptor November. You can pre-
displays. order a copy of this
For more information check significant revision at ABA
www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane or Sales, www.abasales.com
call 505.835.2077.

Join the Atlanta Audubon Society BENEFITS OF

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members receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a
Friends of Atlanta Audubon member. ✔ 12 issues of
If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below. Wingbars
Newsletter
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. ✔ Friends discounts
Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the National on classes, trips
Audubon Society. Thus you will not receive Audubon magazine.
and special
events
Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society ✔ Use of the AAS
Make check payable to:
Atlanta Audubon Society
Basic Membership library

Students and Seniors (60+)...........$15
Membership Director
Individual .......................................$25 ✔A great tax
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
Family ............................................$35

Contributing Membership..........................$50
deduction!

Renewal
New Membership

Supporting Membership..........................$100 We have over
Name_____________________________________
Donor Membership .................................$250
Receive an official 700 Friends of
Address ___________________________________ Atlanta Audubon T-shirt Atlanta Audubon

Patron Membership.................................$500 Memberships –
City___________________________ State _____ Receive a T-shirt and signed
copy of Birds of Atlanta formerly called
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Benefactor Membership .......................$1,000 “Chapter-only”
Receive all of the above plus a signed framed Memberships.
print of Charles Harper’s “Missing Migrants”
E-mail ____________________________________
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October 2006 9
 October 2006
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 Field Trips 7
Field Trip E.L.Huie,
Clyde Shepherd Dawson Forest
8 AM 8 AM

8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Monthly Program
Colonial Coast
Birding & Nature
Festival

15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Field Trip Field Trip
Clyde Shepherd AAS Board AAS Meeting E.L. Huie
8 AM 8 AM
Meeting

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31
Field Trip - Clyde
Halloween Shepherd Nature
Preserve

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NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
Atlanta Audubon Society PAID
Box 29189 • Atlanta, GA 30359
Atlanta, GA
Permit #917

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