Just A Chirp

Grosse Pointe Audubon Spring 2011

A question of direction...
From The President
Grosse Pointe Audubon has been
operating on autopilot for several years. We
get together for meetings and an occasional
bird walk, but we haven’t done much about
changing our organization or updating the
way we do business. Recently, however, I had
two discussions that should force us to pause
and consider change. The first of those two
discussions was with Mike Champagne, the
chief naturalist at Seven Ponds Nature
Center, who called last month to discuss
changes there that would affect us.
Grosse Pointe Audubon and Seven Ponds
have always had a close relationship. Several
of our members were instrumental in helping
to establish Seven Ponds, including Patty
Schemm, who gave land to the nature center.
And even though it is not spelled out in our
bylaws, Grosse Pointe Audubon Society was
chartered by Michigan Audubon Society in
1966 to provide financial support to Seven
Ponds. As you know, we send a portion of
your annual dues to Seven Ponds as a
donation.
But Seven Ponds and Michigan Audubon
have recently amicably severed their ties, and
in the process of updating their bylaws, Seven
Ponds is no longer acknowledging its
relationship with Michigan Audubon and its
chapters, and, therefore, is no longer setting
aside seats on its board for representatives of
Michigan Audubon chapters in the region. I
personally do not have a problem with this,
but I do know that Joanna Pease, our
representative to Seven Ponds is looking
See From The President, Page 2

Spring Schedule
Cut out this schedule and put it on your refrigerator to help you remember these
important dates:
April 18—Spring On The Yukon Delta: A Waterbird Paradise. Each spring millions of
waterfowl and shorebirds return to Alaska's Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge to nest
and raise their young. Join birder and photographer David Stimac as he recounts the two
months he spent with researchers at a remote camp at a Black Brant colony at the edge
of the Bering Sea. From Willow Ptarmigan on a wintery landscape to a green tundra
landscape filled with nesting waterbirds, Dave will share his experiences through his
images made during the short subarctic spring.
April 26, May 3, 10,17, 24—Bird walks at the Country Club of Detroit. 6:30-8 a.m. More
information inside this newsletter.
May 14—Our annual trip to Seven Ponds. More information and directions on Page 2.
May 17—Bird walk at Patterson Park. 6:30 p.m. More information inside this newsletter.
May 21—Grosse Pointe Birding Challenge. 5 a.m.-Noon. More information on how to
participate are inside this newsletter. Rules are at gpaudubon.blogspot.com.

PAGE 1
 From The President, from Page 1
forward to continuing to work with Seven
Ponds in some capacity.
The second discussion I had was with
Jonathan Lutz, the executive director of
Michigan Audubon. Lutz says the change in
the relationship between his organization and
Seven Ponds frees Grosse Pointe Audubon
from its obligation to support Seven Ponds. He
is neutral on our group’s decision as to whether
we should continue to support Seven Ponds at
the same level, a reduced level or whether we
should withdraw support altogether and
provide it to another organization.
Although I do not want to turn my back on
our traditional relationship with Seven Ponds,
I do believe that we as an organization should
pause to consider whether we wish to make
changes. The first step in this process will be
to hold a brief discussion at the April 18
meeting to gauge the feelings of the members
of Grosse Pointe Audubon. Unfortunately I
will not be able to attend the meeting that
night, and the meeting will be run by Vice
President Sylvia Sanders. Please feel free to
contact me or Sylvia directly if you are unable
to attend the meeting. Copies of our current
bylaws will be available at the meeting for your
review. Our April 18 meeting will also serve as
our annual meeting and election of officers. We
will be voting on president, vice president,
treasurer and secretary. Secretary? Yes, our
bylaws call for a secretary, even though we have
been operating without one for years. Because
many hands make light work, please consider
running for office or volunteering to help.
Birding for glory
Set your calendar now, and join Grosse
Pointe Audubon on Saturday, May 21, for the
sixth annual Grosse Pointe Birding Challenge.
Teams will be scouring the Grosse Pointe
communities for as many bird species as they
can count. Tabulation takes place at noon at
Panera Bread in the Village, and the winner
takes home a trophy and a feeling of smug
superiority. Join a team for the entire morning
or just for an hour. Sign up for a team at the
April 18 meeting. See the GP Audubon blog for
official rules.
Tuesday morning birders
Grosse Pointe Audubon’s Tuesday morning
walks at the Country Club of Detroit will get
under way on April 26 and continue on May 3,
10, 17 and 24. We’ll start at 6:30 a.m. and finish
by 8 a.m. to get everyone to work on time.
Enter the Country Club’s driveway, turn left in
front of the clubhouse and go down the service
road. We’ll meet at the woods. We will also have
an evening bird walk at Patterson Park on May
17. This walk will start at 6:30 p.m. You do not
need to make a reservation!
Annual Seven Ponds Trip
Our annual trip to Seven Ponds is set for May
14. Meet at the
Nature Center at 10
a.m. for a naturalist-
led bird walk. We
will be gathering
data for the North
American
Migratory Count,
which is also being
held that day. Take
I-696 west to Van
Dyke, which is also
known as M-53.
Turn right and go
north on Van Dyke. Stay to the right and M-53
will turn into a freeway. Take M-53 past the
towns of Romeo and Almont. Stay to the right
and M-53 will turn into a freeway. Take M-53
past the towns of Romeo and Almont. Turn left
on Dryden Road and then go just about 7 miles
to Caulkins Road. Turn left. This road will take
you to Seven Ponds. Meet at the Nature Center
for a 10 a.m. walk led by Mike Champagne.
PAGE 2
 Seven Ponds Nature Center
Call (810) 796-3200 for more information or to
register for programs.
Spring Bird Walk #1
Wednesday, April 13, 8:00 a.m.
Go in search of sandhill cranes, ducks,
swallows, eastern bluebirds, eastern towhees,
blackbirds, and others. All bird watching levels
are welcome. Bring binoculars, field guide, and
dress for the weather. Fee: $5.00 ($2.00 for
members).
North-80 Visitors
Sunday, April 17, 2:00 p.m.
The North-80 is a great place for us to look for
birds which may be migrating through to stop
for a rest and vital energy.
Evening Paddle on the Ponds
Friday, April 22, 6:00 p.m.
Join us for the first trip of the season out onto
the ponds by canoe. Evening is the best time for
wildlife viewing. We never know what we will
find on our explorations, but we always have a
great time. Dress warm as it tends to be chillier
on the water. Pre-register by calling
810-796-3200. Fee: $5.00 per person ($2.00 for
members)
Invasive Plant Workday #3
Sunday, April 24, 1:00 p.m.
We will spend the afternoon working on
removing Dame’s Rocket and Garlic Mustard.
This is a great opportunity for community
service hours and master gardener hours. Bring
gloves and water. We will indulge in a sinful
snack after all our hard work.
Salamander Foray
Saturday, April 30, 9:30 a.m.
Join us for a salamander day of discovery at
Jonathan Woods. We will be looking for many
examples of the six species that reside in the
rich woods while learning about their natural
history and conservation. Meet at Seven Ponds
and carpool to the site. Limit 12 at each
session. Must pre-register by calling
810-796-3200. Fee: $5.00 per person ($2.00 for
members). This same program will be presented
on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m.
NatureFest and Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Invasive Plant Workday #4 and Wildflower Walk
Sunday, May 8, 1:00 p.m.
We will spend the afternoon working on
removing Dame’s Rocket and Garlic Mustard.
This is a great opportunity for community
service hours and master gardener hours. Bring
gloves and water. We will indulge in a sinful
snack after all our hard work.
Spring Bird Walk #2
Wednesday, May 11, 8:00 a.m.
For our second spring bird walk we’ll explore
the center’s trails in search of the many species
which arrive in late April and early May,
including migrating warblers, house wren,
Baltimore oriole, rose-breasted grosbeak, wood
thrush, ruby-throated hummingbird, and scarlet
tanager. All birdwatching levels are welcome.
Bring binoculars, field guide, and dress for the
weather. Fee: $5.00 ($2.00 for members).
Dip Net Delight
Sunday, May 15, 2:00 p.m.
Bring the kids for a family pond dipping session
to discover early spring life under the water.
Wild Lapeer - An Earthday Celebration
Saturday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Seven Ponds will be again co-hosting this event
at The Willows Environmental Center in
Lapeer. Pond activities will coincide with
several family-oriented events. Lunch will be
available with a focus on locally grown foods
and many earth-friendly vendors will offer their
wares. Bring your family and show your support
for the Earth by participating in this fun and
informative day.
PAGE 3
JUST A CHIRP

SPRING 2011

About Grosse Pointe Audubon

Bill Rapai, president, (313) 885-6502 or BRapai@aol.com
Sylvia Sanders, vice president, (313) 886-0869
Mark O’Keefe, treasurer, (313) 884-7472 or Birds891357@aol.com
Joanna Pease, representative to Seven Ponds Nature Center, strixvaria@sbcglobal.net
www.gpaudubon.blogspot.com
Grosse Pointe Audubon meets in the Annex of the Pointe Unitarian Church at 17150 Maumee,
between St. Clair and Neff in Grosse Pointe. Social hour starts at 7 p.m. and the meeting starts at
7:30. Our meetings are free and open to all, so bring a friend!

Grosse Pointe Audubon

443 St. Clair
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230