Potomac
Valley
Volume 23, Issue 6
Meeting Programs
March 9 – Land Use and Water Quality
Joe Hankins, Director, The Conservation Fund Freshwater Insti-
tute, will present on land use and water quality. This presentation
will bring these issues home. The speaker has recently been in the
Martinsburg Journal concerning efforts to upgrade the watershed
protection status of Rocky Marsh Run to a level 2.5.
Join us for an interesting presentation and discussion on a topic
of individual and community concern. This will be a chance to see
how this important topic relates to a local area many of us know.
April 13 – The Mountaintop Removal
Road Show
Dave Cooper of Lexington, Kentucky, presents a stunning slide
show about the impacts of mountaintop removal on coalfield com-
munities. The show features traditional Appalachian mountain mu-
sic and shocking aerial photos of decapitated Appalachian moun-
tains.
PVAS/NCTC Premier Event –
“Remembered Earth”
New Mexico’s high desert is a captivating land-
scape of sacred mountains, redrock canyons and
vast, serene plateaus. In Remembered Earth, film-
maker John Grabowska examines the natural his-
tory of the region and its place in the mythology
of the American West, with its conflicted juxtaposition of wilder-
ness, ancient ruins, living cultures and the energy industry.
Providing a compelling interpretation of American land ethics is
Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian author N. Scott Momaday, who nar-
- Premier Event continues on page 4
Potomac Valley Audubon Society is people dedicated to preserving, restoring,
and enjoying the natural world through education and activism.
Audubon
Society
March 2005
Field Trips
Saturday March 12
We will be making a trip to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Ref-
uge on the Eastern Shore in Delaware. This is one of the prime
birding areas on the Eastern Shore and while it will be a long day—
a 3 hour drive each way—it should give us a good list for the day.
The Snow Geese should still be there along with various ducks,
harriers, and maybe an eagle or two. In the surrounding areas we
will go looking for short eared owls in the late afternoon. We would
like to leave very early Saturday morning (approx. 5:00 a.m.) to be
there in the early morning and probably will not leave until dusk.
For those who want to spend the weekend, the refuge is easily ac-
cessible from Dover, Delaware, where there are many motels. To
sign up or for more information, call Ken or Patsy Hunter at 304-
725-3936 or phunter@npca.org
Sunday, March 20, 8:00 a.m.
We’ll celebrate the first day of spring with a trip to Nolans Ferry
on the C & O Canal and explore the fields and ponds at Lily Pons in
Maryland. The section of the C & O at Nolans Ferry has open fields
and an area of mature woods that often yield interesting birds. The
fields and ponds at Lily Ponds could yield sightings of various ducks,
great blue herons, and migrating shorebirds. Two years ago we had
10-12 snipe, along with various land birds. We’ll be doing a fair
amount of walking so bring your waterproof walking shoes or boots.
We will meet at the WV Visitors Center parking lot on Route 340
across from the entrance to Harpers Ferry National Park. If you
need directions, let me know, phunter@npca.org or 304-725-3936,
and I’ll be happy to send them.
- Programs continues on page 3
1
News from Yankauer Nature Preserve · · ·
Wildflower Festival–Saturday, April 16
Join us at Yankauer Nature Preserve for our first Wildflower Fes-
tival from 11-4, in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Yankauer. Enjoy
guided walks for kids and adults, face painting, music, art, goodies,
and of course, a beautiful array of spring wildflowers at their peak.
Held rain or shine! Volunteers are always appreciated for leading
walks, making and serving treats, and lots of other helpful tasks!
Contact Kristin for details about what’s needed! More event details
in the April newsletter!
Audubon Discovery Camp ’05
We are pleased to announce that we have hired Danny Carter of
Shepherdstown to be our camp director at Yankauer this summer.
(Suzi Taylor, last year’s camp director, is having a baby in June!)
Danny is a graduate of Shepherd College’s education program and
is currently teaching gym at The Country Day School. This year,
we will be serving children ages 6-12 and the daily schedule will be
9-3. The cost is $85/week unless otherwise noted. The dates and
themes will be:
June 13-17 “Earth Keepers”
June 20-24 “Clues from the Clouds”
June 27-July 1 “Habits of Habitat”
July 5-8 “Rocks Rock!” (4-day week for $75)
July 11-15 “Whatology?”
July 18-22 “W.O.W.!” (Wonderful Outdoor World)
For more information about what each week holds and registra-
tion information, go to our website: www.potomacaudubon.org or
call 304-676-3397. Internship and junior counselor opportunities
are available and we love volunteers to lend a hand. Please help us
spread the word!
In the Watershed…
Watershed interns Steve Shaffer and Rachel Gray have started
teaching in the schools! Each intern will visit the same classrooms
seven times through the spring semester, providing ten hours of pro-
grams to roughly 400 children. This month, fourth graders enrolled
in the program are learning about watersheds and where the water
goes once it leaves their school.
Help Wanted!
Want to sponsor a summer intern?
2 interns: $2,000
1 intern: $1,000
Contact Kristin at 304-676-3397
or PVASmail@aol.com for more information.
Donate a Car – clunker or otherwise
We’ve seen your car, but we still want it!
Contact Kristin at 304-676-3397
or PVASmail@aol.com for more information.

Annual Appeal Falling Short!

For whatever reason (the economy? the Asian tsunami relief effort?) the response to this year’s annual appeal for donations to
PVAS’s Yankauer Fund is lagging.
Our goal for 2005 is $13,000. But so far we are $5,000 short of that
goal. In comparison, by this time last year we only had $2,000 more to
The funds we raise through our annual appeal are raise.
essential to the Yankauer Preserve’s educational
The good news is that it’s not too late to help make up this shortfall:
programs in particular. … But we may be hard-
the appeal doesn’t officially end until April 1.
pressed even to maintain current programming
levels if giving does not pick up. So if you haven’t given yet, please do so now if you can. If you’ve
already given, please consider giving a bit more.
The funds we raise through
our annual appeal are essential
to the Yankauer Preserve’s educational programs in particular. The demand for these pro-
grams is at an all time high, and we were hoping to expand them this year. But we may be
hard-pressed even to maintain current programming levels if the level of giving does not
pick up.
We really need your help! Checks should be made out to “PVAS—Yankauer Fund,” and
sent to PO Box 578, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. We’re enclosing a pre-addressed enve-
lope for your convenience. Or, if you’d rather donate a vehicle or appreciated securities,
give us a call at 304-676-3397.
Thanks in advance for your continuing support of our programs.

Diana L. Mullis Jean Neely

President Development Chair

2
Open Board Positions
– Come Spread Your Wings
Beginning in June 2005, you can spread your wings a little more.
All you need is a little passion for the natural world, be it birds,
flowers, trees, trails or treasures for young minds (and old ones
too!). PVAS is on the brink of exciting new changes and now is the
time to let us know that you can join the new team of PVAS Board
of Directors. For a two year term, you can make these changes
possible for our community. It only takes two hours a month to
attend a board meeting and a little more to fulfill the duties of a
board position, much of which can be done at home. We love fresh
and not-so-fresh faces. As part of Audubon, you will be part of an
environmentally responsible, non-profit organization that enjoys a
positive and prestigious community image.
If you can be on our new team,
PVAS BoD, contact Diana Mullis
at your earliest convenience at 304
267-3482 or dianamullis@aol.com.
You can also contact the current
board member in any position for
more information. (See last page)
Nominees will be on the May 2005
ballot and voting will be held at the
May Spring Dinner.
Which of following positions
tickle your feathers? Contact us
today and let us know:
President Vice President Secretary
Newsletter Editor Field Trip Chair Education Chair
Fundraising Chair Program Chair Hospitality Chair
Come soar with us! We’ll be waiting for your take off!
– Diana Cummins
-Programs continued from page 1
Sunday March 27, 8:00 a.m. – Amphib-
ian Field Trip
Meet at the Food Lion in Inwood just off I-81 and Rt. 51 at
8:00am.
Join Cheryl Jennings and others as we explore vernal pools at
Sleepy Creek WMA and environs for amphibians. We will begin at
Staufer’s Marsh and after checking that out we’ll head up to Sleepy
Creek, we will stop along the way to explore vernal pools and look
for evidence of breeding frogs and salamanders. Cheryl will share
her knowledge and take time to look things up in field guides and
learn on the spot. We will have a spotting scope and microscope so
we will be ready for anything! It will be a slow paced trip, as we
poke around in the woods, so plan on bringing a snack. We should
be done by noon. Facilities are limited to the outdoors. Some areas
may be wet so you might want to bring along some boots or old
shoes and if it has been very warm bring along mosquito repellant.
Bring your curiosity and knowledge to share and let’s go exploring!
Any questions please call Cheryl at 304-724-6891 or
graysquirrel@frontiernet.net
THE POTOMAC ARTS FESTIVAL
UPDATE
Hundreds of beautifully designed “Call to the Artist” postcards
have been mailed and distributed. The
application form is now available on line
at http://www.potomacaudubon.org/
artfestival/artfestival.html.
Mark your calendars now for this
exciting weekend of October 28-30,
2005 at The National Conservation
Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.
There will be a gala opening night party on Friday, October 28, you
won’t want to miss as well as The American Film Festival that is
also taking place that weekend at NCTC.
MARCH
Excerpt from Wonderful West Virginia
Printed with permission of West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
March 2005
By Scott Shalaway
March is a peculiar month-part winter, part spring. If you are
itching for spring, relying strictly on the calendar to mark the change
of seasons can lead to disappointment. Instead, look to nature. Here
are some easy-to-recognize harbingers of spring in the Mountain
State.
Gaunt, hungry deer remind us that fall and winter food supplies
are nearly exhausted, and new spring foods aren’t yet available.
Mammals can at least rely on the last remnants of winter body fat,
but food shortages can be particularly stressful for birds. Birds can’t
build layers of fat to get them through tough times the way mam-
mals can, so every day poses a new energy challenge. Furthermore,
the seasonal metabolic demands of molt, territorial defense, and nest-
ing activities, which we may witness, compound the impact of de-
clining natural food supplies.
Along the edges of country roads, watch for coltsfoot, a bright
yellow wildflower that at first suggests a dandelion. In swampy ar-
eas, skunk cabbage pushes skyward as spring nears. …
Birds’ vocalizations also provide early signs of spring. Carolina
wrens begin singing before winter’s end. Chickadees, titmice, rob-
ins, cardinals, and white-breasted nuthatches all seem to celebrate
the return of blue skies and sunshine with their voices. Song spar-
rows begin marking the boundaries of their territories with music.
From the woods the gentle drum of downy woodpeckers and the
hammer of pileated woodpeckers signal the arrival of spring.
And, of course, there’s the matter of migration. Turkey vultures
usually return in February and lilt across the sky. Kestrels appear
once again, and grackles, red-winged blackbirds, and a few fox spar-
rows return to feeders. Killdeer begin showing up in yards, parks,
and other open habitats.
Fortunately, the best is yet to come. On one of these nights, I’ll
hear a woodcock “peent” and glimpse a silhouetted view of its aerial
dance. By the end of March, field and chipping sparrows will join
the backyard chorus, and bluebirds will probably incubate their first
clutch of eggs.
3
Audubon Support for Grassroots
Impact on PVAS
As reported in the February 1 release
of Audubon Newswire, the Audubon
Board of Directors heard and thoroughly
discussed the recommendations of the Ad
Hoc Chapter Committee. The Board re-
affirmed the tremendous value of Chap-
ters as partners in our shared conserva-
tion mission and the Board’s support for
strengthening, empowering and investing
in the Audubon Grassroots Network.
“Chapters are an essential part of the conservation work of Audubon,
and enhancing the Chapter relationship is critical,” said Board Chair
Carol Browner. Based on the discussion, specific direction was given
to the Planning and Finance and Conservation Committees for the
FY06 budget process. The Finance Committee was directed to main-
tain baseline funding at the FY05 level (approximately $875K) as a
predictable source of revenue for Chapters, and to provide increased
collaborative funding for conservation programs of 20% over FY05
funding (approximately $175K). Priorities and allocation of new
collaborative funds to Chapters are to be determined through con-
sultation between the Chapters and State Programs or Chapter Ser-
vices in each state.
While this news release indicates movement in the right direc-
tion, it does not resolve issues critical to PVAS as reported in the
September 2004 issue of Valley Views, “NAS Tackles Chapter Re-
lations,” and Jean Neely’s article in the October 2004 issue, “What’s
All the Buzz about Audubon Membership?” PVAS is among the
group of Audubon chapters that operate without a state office. Those
that have closely watched the discussion of National Audubon Soci-
ety support for chapters know that the emphasis is on state affiliated
chapter organizations. While the recent meeting does pledge sup-
port for all chapters at existing levels for the next year, we must all
recognize that NAS support for PVAS has eroded to the extent that
it is a relatively small percentage of our operating needs. Any in-
creases in FY06 funding directed by the NAS Board are tied to
collaborative funding for conservation programs (of which PVAS is
not currently a recipient).
In recent years PVAS has been forced to stand on its own feet.
While I applaud the commitment of the NAS Board, it would not be
prudent to rely on it as a white knight that will or can keep PVAS in
a position to continue the good work that is ongoing. As you saw in
the October issue of Valley Views, the board is working on a PVAS
chapter membership. The board also came to the realization that we
must rededicate and revitalize PVAS so that we can support the
concerns and interests of NAS and also move forward with our own
programs and issues.
The action of the NAS Board and Ad Hoc Chapter Committee is
good news. As a member of the PVAS board, I can assure you that
you’ll be hearing more in the future on how we can operate with less
reliance on the National Audubon Society and stay true to our goals.
– Wayne Braunstein, Newsletter Editor
4
Revised Valley Views
Mailing Label
PVAS members will now get some additional information on their
Valley Views mailing label. The labels will include the expiration
date of their membership. As is our policy, issues provided during
the renewal grace period of 90 days will have the word “EXPIRED”
on the label.
Expiration Date
Member Name
Address
City, St ZIP Code
If you have any questions, contact the Membership Chairs,
David or Mary Sue Eldridge, at 304-876-2337 or e-mail
deldridg@citlink.net.
Patuxent Wildlife Art Show and
Sale
David Allen Sibley is coming to town! Arrangements have been
made for the popular artist/author of the newest and most powerful
series of birding field guides to be Featured Artist/Author at the
upcoming “16th Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show and Sale,” April
1-3, 2005, at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, Patuxent Research
Refuge, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, Maryland.
Sibley will do a book signing on Friday, April 1, 2005, at the
Artists Reception (tickets for this evening reception are $30.00 per
person) and the next day, the first day of the public show, Saturday,
April 2, 2005, from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. (Admission to the art
show is free.)
Patuxent’s 12,750 acres between Baltimore and Washington are
very special in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It was here
that much of Rachel Carson’s research was done leading to the pub-
lication of “Silent Spring” in 1962. It is here that researchers man-
age the captive breeding colony of the endangered whooping cranes
(Grus americana). Here is where research is ongoing for migratory
waterfowl populations as well as environmental toxicity studies.
Here is where Chan Robbins works.
Jerry Persall, Chairperson
-Premier Event continued from page 1
rates selections from his environmental essays. Clips from Holly-
wood Westerns filmed in the area are interspersed among the spec-
tacular landscape images, supported by a hypnotic orchestral score
by Academy Award winner Todd Boekelheide (27 minutes).
PVAS has agreed to co-sponsor another event at and with the
National Conservation Training Center. We were asked by John
Grabowska if we would co-sponsor the premier of his new film titled
“Remembered Earth.” It’s showing on Earth Day, April 22, at
NCTC. It’s a Friday evening. The time will be announced later.
Presidents Perch
Hi Everyone –
Do you think March will come in like a
lamb or a lion? Seems we’ve had plenty of
wind this winter, and a real variety of weather!
Patsy, Ken and others must think spring is
coming though, because they have lined up some wonderful field
trips to get us out and about to look at birds, amphibians and any-
thing else that we can find (see page 1).
I’m busy starting tomato and pepper seeds and thinking about the
garden as we cycle into spring. We are also cycling into a new
PVAS year, and looking for people to fill several Board positions
(see page 3). We are involved in many new and exciting projects at
our Yankauer Nature Preserve, and want to continue to provide
interesting educational opportunities for our membership through
our monthly programs, field trips, summer camps and other events.
Please consider donating some of your time and expertise by volun-
teering for a Board position (call me or anyone on the Board). It is
very rewarding to have a part in bringing good things to our com-
munity.
Many thanks go to the National Conservation Training Center
for co-sponsoring the inspiring author and speaker, Dr. Thomas
Dunlap, for our February program. Hope you were able to join us.
If you didn’t make that meeting, don’t fret, our next meeting is March
9 and our speaker is Joe Hankins (page 1).
All these seed catalogs sure have me thinking about spring, and
those little wrens are singing their hearts out! There has been a lot
of wind this winter, so I’m thinking March will come in like a lion …
guess we will know real soon. Come join our March adventures.
Diana Mullis, President
Summer Camp Scholarships
It’s almost time to get in gear to award our Summer Camp Schol-
arships for 2005. We hope to send at least two deserving students to
summer camp in 2005. We also hope to sponsor some youths to our
Audubon Discovery Camp at the Yankauer Nature Preserve. Through
the annual birdseed sale and other fundraisers, we’ll be sending stu-
dents to premier camps for the experience of a lifetime.
Applications will be available in the next few weeks on our Web
site, http://www.potomacaudubon.org/. They will also be available
at our regular meetings at the Leetown Science Center. If you know
of any young people that would be good candidates to receive our
scholarship you can get an application form to them or have them
get in touch with Diana Mullis, 304-267-3482, or e-mail her at
dianamullis@aol.com. Also, don’t forget to pass this along to any
youth leaders that might know of some good candidates.
As in the past, we welcomed sponsors to help defray the cost of
these scholarships. If your company or employer would be willing
to help out with financial support, we’ll be able to send even more
young students to these environmentally friendly learning camps.
These youth will become stewards of the earth for future genera-
tions. Let’s help them to get off on the right foot.
Never a Dull Week in the Potomac
Watershed.
Water main battles, rural legacy, hauntings, hermaphroditic
fish and — endangered species protection for the Northern
Snakehead!! — Great Falls and PG County water mains may spur
higher rates of development, Virginia legislature tries to flush the
flush tax, western commissioners think an endangered snakehead
listing is just desserts, the Bassmaster weighs in on endocrine dis-
rupters, and the invasive species in the Basin may include ghosts
and things that bump in the night.
Check out: www.savethepotomac.org/Potomacnews.html
New to National Audubon Website
– Birding Basics
New York, NY, February 18, 2005 – Audubon has launched
“Birding Basics”, a new feature on Audubon.org, this week. It pro-
vides useful tips for beginning birders, just in time for the Great
Backyard Bird Count. These include information on buying binocu-
lars, how to select and use bird guides, where to look and how to
listen for birds, and opportunities to get involved with birding and
more through Audubon Chapters, Centers, and Citizen Science
projects.
Visit “Birding Basics” at www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/
bird_watching/index.shtml.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE, JOIN PVAS TODAY!
When you join PVAS, you automatically become a member
of the National Audubon Society.
Your membership includes:
♦ One year (six issues) of award-winning Audubon
Magazine
♦ Eight issues of Valley Views, PVAS’s newsletter of field
trips, programs, and local issues
♦ Advance notice of all PVAS events
ENCLOSED IS MY CHECK FOR:
$20 Individual SPECIAL OFFER, 1st time members only!
$35 Individual (renewal)
$15 Seniors and full-time students.
Make checks payable to
National Audubon Society.
Mail to:
Membership Chair, PVAS
P.O. Box 578
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Name____________________________________
Address__________________________________
________________________________________
City______________________St___ ZIP_______
Chapter Code Y54
5
 NON-PROFIT ORG.
Potomac Valley Audubon Society
US Postage
P O Box 578
Shepherdstown, WV 25443 PAID
Return Service Requested Permit No. 30
Shepherdstown, WV

A proud partner of the United Way of

Berkeley and Morgan Counties,
DATED MATERIALS
United Way of Jefferson County, and the
Combined Federal Campaign.
MAIL TO:

http://potomacaudubon.org

March 2005 Printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper Volume 23, Issue 6
The Potomac Valley Audubon Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second
Wednesday of each month, September through April, in the auditorium at the
USGS Leetown Science Center, Letown/Kearneysville, WV. Programs are free
and open to the public. For additional information about PVAS or its programs
and activities, please call any of the board members listed her or see http://
potomacaudubon.org. PVAS serves the Easter Panhandle of West Virginia and
neighboring Washington County, Maryland.

PVAS Officers and Board Members

President: Diana Mullis 304 267-3482 ......................................................... dianamullis@aol.com
PVAS BOARD Vice President: Diana Cummins 304 728-0345 ................................................ montex@frontiernet.net
The PVAS Board Secretary: (Open Position)
Treasurer: Jane Vanderhook 304 876-6993 ............................................. janehook@frontiernet.net
meets the first Conservation: Andy Vecchio ....................................................................... thevecchios@hotmail.com
Wednesday of Education: Karen & Bob Fuegi 304 229-3737 .................................................... rfuegi@citynet.net
Field Trips: Patsy & Ken Hunter 304 725-3936 .................................................. phunter@npca.org
the month Hospitality: Susan Brookreson 304 263-2823 .............................................. brookre@earthlink.net
(Sept.-June) at Membership: Mary Sue & Dave Eldridge 304 876-2337 .................................. marysuee@citlink.net
Newsletter: Wayne Braunstein 304 728-7181 ............................................ wbraun1@peoplepc.com
Shepherd Col- Programs: Fiona Harrison 304 724-7458 ............................................... h_f_harrison@yahoo.com
lege, Snyder Publicity: Peter Smith 304 876-1139 ....................................................... pvsmith@frontiernet.net
Hall, Room 317, Fundraising: (Open Position)
International: Bill Belton 304 258-3067 ........................................................ wbelton@direcway.com
7PM. These Yankauer liaison: Rodney Woods 304 263-4286 .................................................... rpwoods@adelphia.net
meetings are Special Contacts
open to all PVAS Director of Yankauer: Kristin Alexander 304 229-9771 .......................................... Kaemail730@aol.com
Newsletter Publisher: David Miller 304 263-3130 ............................................. cdmillermart2@juno.com
members. Web Master: Kathy Bilton ...................................................................................... kathy@fred.net
PVAS Wildlife Rescue Coord: Diana Mullis ............................................. 304-267-3482 & 304 724-4500(day)