Winter 2007
Mobile Bay
Audubon Society
A Chapter of the National Audubon Society Since 1971
Volume XXVII No.3
1
Board of
Directors 2007
John Borom, Ph.D., President
P O Box 432 990-0423 (B)
Fairhope, AL 36531 928-5219(H)
Judy Lovell
14750 County Rd 66 251-964-5387
Loxley, AL 36551
3
MBAS Board Mem-
ber Named
Bhutan, The Cloud
Alabama’s Outstand- Kingdom
ing Science Teacher
Anita Bryan, MBAS board
member was recently named
Alabama’s Outstanding Biology
Teacher by the National
Association of Biology Teachers.
Anita teaches physical science and
environmental science at Murphy
High School. She will go to
Atlanta in November to be
honored and accept the award.
Anita is our Mobile County
Audubon Adventures coordinator
and sponsors the student
Audubon Club at Murphy.
We are proud to have this award-
winning teacher on our Board until 1999. The country is now
Tom Sterling, narrator, naturalist,
photographer, has recently made open to visitors allowing us to
three trips to this fascinating explore its breathtaking beauty
country of Bhutan. He has and wonderland of birds. Some
captured the spectacular 600 species have been recorded
landscape, lush rainforests, tin this tiny country. Tom will
glorious monasteries, quaint take us for a walk through oak and
villages, festivals, and wildlife that rhododendron forests and beneath
is unique to the Himalayas. trees festooned with lichens,
Bhutan, nestled between Tibet mosses, ferns and orchids. (Yes,
and India, because of its orchids!)
mountainous terrain, has Join Tom Sterling on Tuesday,
remained isolated from the January 29, as he takes us on this
outside world for centuries— journey to Bhutan, the Cloud
television was not introduced here Kingdom—a true Shangri-la.
Calendar
Dec. 11 Annual Christmas Party and Special Presentation, “Ethiopia–The Gift of the Nile,” presented by
John & Beverly Winn, Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend and a plate of your
special holiday goodies (finger food only) to share.
Jan. 8 Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. General meeting 7:30 p.m. “Grand Canyon National Park, June 2007,”
presented by John Borom. Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. Bring a friend.
Jan. 29 Film: “Bhutan, the Cloud Kingdon,” 7:30 p.m.presented by Tom Sterling. Five Rivers Resource
Center. Bring a friend.
Feb. 12 Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. General meeting 7:30 p.m. “Yellowstone and Grand Teton National
Parks, July 2006,” presented by John Borom. Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. Bring a friend.
4
Great Backyard Bird Count
In February, volunteers throughout the US and Canada are in-
vited to “count for Fun, Count for the Future!”
New York, NY & Ithaca, NY-
People of all ages and experience how the numbers of some birds
Millions of novice and accom-
levels are invited to take part species have changed in recent
plished bird watchers can make
wherever they are--at home, in years, such as a decline in North-
their fascination with nature add
schoolyards, at local parks or ern Pintails and an increase in
up for science and for the future
wildlife refuges, even counting Hooded Mergansers, consistent
during the 11th annual Great
birds on a balcony. Observers with trends from the Christmas
Backyard Bird Count, led by
count the highest number of each Bird Count and Breeding Bird
Audubon and the Cornell Lab of
species they see during at least 15 Survey.
Ornithology. During “President’s
minutes on one or more of the “People who take part in the
Day” weekend, February 15-18,
count days. Then they enter their Great Backyard Bird Count see
2008, anyone can count birds
tallies on the Great Backyard Bird the results of their efforts in the
from wherever they are and enter
Count web site news and in bird conservation
their tallies online at
www.birdcount.org. work taking place across the
www.birdcount.org. These
The web site provides helpful country, said Audubon Education
reports create an exciting real-
hints for identifying birds. Partici- VP, Judy Braus. “Whether the
time picture of where the birds
pants can compare results from counts occur at home, at schools
are across the continent and
their town or region with others, or nature centers, they’re more
contribute valuable information
as checklists pour in from than engaging and education
for science and conservation.
throughout the US and Canada. science activities for young people
“These volunteers are counting
They can also view bird photos and adults, they’re a way to
not only for fun but for the
taken by participants during the contribute to the conservation of
future,” said Tom Bancroft, Chief
count and send in their own digital birds and habitat nationwide.”
Science Officer for Audubon.
images for the online photo gallery Lt. Daniel Britt, who served in
“It’s fun to see how many differ-
and contest. Iraq 16 months, is glad to be
ent kinds of birds can be seen
In 20076, Great Backyard Bird back home in Zimmerman, MN,
and counted right in your back-
Count participants made history, where he and his sons plan to join
yard or neighborhood park. Each
breaking records for the number the GBBC. “We get a bunch of
tally helps us learn more about
of birds reported, and the number birds in our backyard,” Britt said,
how our North American birds
of checklists. Participants sent in “but my oldest son, Daniel, and I
are doing, and what that says
81,203 checklist tallying may cross country ski into the
about the health and the future of
11,082,387 birds of 613 species. Sherburne National Wildlife
our environment.”
“Literally, there has never been a Refuge to count birds there.”
“The GBBC is a great way to
more detailed snapshot of a For more information on how to
engage friends, family, and
continental bird distribution profile participate, including identification
children in observing nature in
in history,” said John Fitzpatrick, tips, photos, bird sounds, maps,
their own backyard, where they
Director of the Cornell Lab of and information on over 500 bird
will discover that the outdoors is
Ornithology. “Imagine scientist species, visit www.birdcount.org.
full of color, behavior, flight,
250 years from now being able to The Great Backyard Bird Count
sounds, and mystery,” said Janis
compare these data with their is sponsored in part by Wild Birds
Dickinson, Director of Citizen
own!” Unlimited.
Science at the Cornell Lab or
Already, the count results show
Ornithology.
5
Mobile Bay Audubon Wants You!
Every membership supports Audubon’s vityal efforts to protect birds, wildlife and natural habitats.
As a member, you’ll become an important part of our dynamic chapter and receive a host of benefits including:
A 1-year subscription (3issues, one per quarter, excluding summer) of our chapter newsletter.
Automatic membership in National Audubon Society, and a 1-year subscription (4 issues, one per
quarter) of Audubon, its award-winning magazine.
Admission to Audubon Centers across the country.
A 10% discount on products at select Audubon Nature Stores and more!
Yes! I want to join Mobile Bay Audubon and National Audubon Societry!
____$20 - 1 year Introductory Rate _____$1,000 - Individual Life Membership
_____ $15 - 1 year Student/Senior Rate _____ $1,500 - Dual Life Membership
_____$30 - 2 year Special Rate
_____My check is enclosed _____Please bill me
Name:
Address:
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Telephone:
Make check payable to National Audubon Society and mail to: National Audubon Society,
Membership Data Center, P O Box 52529, Boulder, CO 80322-2529
Chapter Code: A01 7XCH
“It is not half so important to know as to feel when introducing a young child to the natural world.” Rachel Carson
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