Just A Chirp

Grosse Pointe Audubon Fall 2011

Unnished Business
From the President: Last spring, we left an important issue unresolved -- we still havent decided what to do about our relationship with Seven Ponds Nature Center. If you recall, I wrote in the spring newsletter that Michigan Audubon and Seven Ponds had amicably severed ties, and that the change would aect Grosse Pointe Audubon. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend our April meeting to lead a discussion on the potential impact of this change. That means we are starting the new year with this issue unresolved.As a reminder, heres the background and why this is important: Grosse Pointe Audubon and Seven Ponds have had a

Seven Ponds Nature Center

close relationship since inception of both organizations. Several of members of a newly founded Grosse Pointe Audubon were
See From The President, Page 2

Fall Schedule
Cut out this schedule and put it on your refrigerator to help you remember these important dates. Sept. 19Michigan green leader Dr. John Hartig will give a presentation on his new book, Burning Rivers: Revival of Four Urban-Industrial Rivers that Caught on Fire. The book explores how four rivers in the Great Lakes basin caught on re because of oil pollution. Today, however, each of these rivers is experiencing substantial environmental improvement and some surprising ecological revival. Oct. 17The World in your Backyard Rick Lieder will conduct a spectacular travelogue tour of the worlds above and below us, featuring insects and birds. From the rhythmic push and pull of delicate wings, to the amazing variety of small creatures around us, beside us, and beneath us, busy in their small, secret world. Nov. 21Bird Banding at Metro Beach Renowned local birder and hummingbird expert Allen Chartier tells us about his bird banding station. Hell explain why we band birds, what is involved with banding at Metro Beach, and have a quiz with photos of in-hand birds. ! PAGE 1

From The President, from Page 1 instrumental in the establishment of Seven Ponds Nature Center, including Patty Schemm, who donated land. If you recall, Seven Ponds recently thanked Patty by partially naming the new interpretive building after her and her husband, Ripley. Even though it is not spelled out in our bylaws, Grosse Pointe Audubon Society was chartered by Michigan Audubon Society in 1966 to provide nancial support to Seven Ponds. As you know, we send a portion of your annual dues to Seven Ponds as a donation. Last spring, I spoke with Jonathan Lutz, the executive director of Michigan Audubon, who made it clear that Michigan Audubon is no longer expecting our chapter to nancially support Seven Ponds. Furthermore he said we were cleared to support another organization -or none at all, if we so chose. Meanwhile, Seven Ponds continues to list Grosse Pointe Audubon as a participating chapter, and Seven Ponds Director Mike Champagne has assured me that he looks forward to continuing his relationship with Grosse Pointe Audubon. So, as your president, I believe we have four options: 1. Do nothing. That means maintaining the status quo in our relationship with Seven Ponds by sending a nancial contribution each year. 2. Withdraw total support and nd another organization to support. 3. Withdraw total support from Seven Ponds and use the money to support Grosse Pointe Audubon. 4.Continue our relationship with Seven Ponds, but at a reduced level of nancial support. As your president, I have an opinion as to which option I would like to see Grosse Pointe Audubon choose, but I would like to hear from you at our Sept. 19 meeting rst. In the meantime, let me know if you have questions. !

GP Audubon is now on Facebook! In an attempt to connect with younger potential members, I have created a Grosse Pointe Audubon page on Facebook. Our page can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Grosse-Pointe-Audubon/ 145490528869148. If youre on Facebook, give us a like. If youre not on Facebook, youre not missing much... Your president admits that he does not know much about Facebook, and is looking for someone who is familiar with it to administer the site for him. Any volunteers? Bird Walks at the Ford House Start your new year o right! Join Rosann Kovalcik for walks on Sept. 24, Oct. 15 and Nov. 12. All walks are at 8 a.m.. There is a $7 fee. Call (313) 884-4222 to register. The Big Year The lm version of Mark Obmasciks book of the same name is set for national release on Oct. 14. Yes, the movie is based on Obmasciks book, but its clear that this is a highly ctionalized, made-for-lm version to increase the drama and laughs. Nonetheless, Grosse Pointe Audubon hopes to have a private showing of the movie at the Okulski Theater in Grosse Pointe Park sometime in mid to late October with a panel discussion. Things will be nailed down only a few days prior to the movie, so stay tuned. Dues Just pay them! Okay, just pay them, please. Ink cartridges = $ We got another $60 check over the summer, so keep donating your old ink cartridges and old cell phones! Please bring these items to our meetings and deposit them in the box by the front door. Your waste will be recycled for cash that will help keep Grosse Pointe Audubon in the black. Epson and HP cartridges only! PAGE 2

Seven Ponds Nature Center

Call (810) 796-3200 for more information or to register for programs. A Walk in Pauls Woods Sunday, September 11, 2:00 p.m. We will explore the shaded shadows of our beech-maple forest to see what hidden critters we may nd. Heritage Harvest Days September 17 & 18, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Invasive Plant Workday #1 Sunday, September 25, 2:00 p.m. We will be working on non-native invasive plants invading the nature center. This is a great chance to earn community service or master gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves. Curious Canoers of Seven Ponds Saturday, October 1, 10:00 a.m. Fall colors will reect our way through the water as we travel by canoe this ne day. What a great way to spend time looking at the natural world. Use your canoe or one of ours and preregister for this event at 810-796-3200. Limited to eight canoes. Minimum passenger age of ve years old minimum paddler age of 10 years. Fee: $5.00 ($3.00 members) Hairs, Tendrils, and Suction Cups Sunday, October 2, 2:00 p.m. Vines have amazing adaptations which enable them to reach to the sun. Lets wander in search of these often misunderstood plants. Fall Bird Walk #2 Wednesday, October 5, 8:00 a.m. Our second fall bird walk will take us in search of white-throated, and white-crowned sparrows, rusty blackbirds, kinglets, orangecrowned warblers, and other migrants. Bring binoculars and your eld guide. Fee: $3.00 (no charge for members). Invasive Plant Workday #2 Sunday, October 9, 2:00 p.m. Family Nature Day Saturday, October 15, 9:00 a.m. to noon This free event will get families outside and having fun in nature. We will have pond dipping at our lakes, walks and seed collecting in our tall-grass prairie. Jonathan Woods Walk Sunday, October 16, 2:00 p.m. Lets check out the heron rookery now that the young have left, while we learn why we are treated to falls bounty of color. We will carpool from the centers building to explore our satellite property. Fall Bird Walk #3 Wednesday, October 19, 8:00 a.m. Our nal fall bird walk will take us in search of red-breasted nuthatch, ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, dark-eyed junco, Lincolns sparrow, purple nch, and other species. This will also be a good morning to look for the elusive pileated woodpecker as the birds may again be using the nature center as a fall and winter foraging area. Bring binoculars and your eld guide. Fee: $3.00 (no charge for members). Evening Paddle on the Ponds Friday, October 21, 6:00 p.m. Join us for a sunset canoe trip through the lake system. We may get a better chance to see wildlife as the evening settles around us. Use your canoe or one of ours. Pre-register. Limited to eight canoes. Minimum passenger age of 5 years old minimum paddler age of 10 years. Fee: $5.00 ($3.00 members) Birdseed Saturday Saturday, October 22, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Featuring a number of activities related to watching, feeding, and enjoying the birds. The Rookery Bookstore will have an excellent variety of birdseed and bird feeders, as well as a great selection of nature related gifts including books, DVDs, CDs, puppets, and more.

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JUST A CHIRP!

FALL 2011

About Grosse Pointe Audubon

Bill Rapai, president, (313) 885-6502 or BRapai@aol.com Sylvia Sanders, vice president, (313) 886-0869 Mark OKeefe, 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