September 2007

Volume XXXIII, Issue 9 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

Caring for Cardinals I N S I D E

by Georgann Schmalz
Wildlife habitat. To a Scarlet Tanager it provides a leafy
President’s Perch...............2
canopy for foraging during migration in the spring. To a From the Exec Dir..............3
Gray Catbird it offers a rich understory for nesting sites
in the summer. To a Northern Cardinal, it does both. A Million Thanks ................3
At one time, metro Atlanta could brag about its Field Notes.........................4
extensive canopy and understory, but the once-prized
cover of tree foliage is disappearing to huge homes and Field Trips...........................5
manicured lawns. Recent analysis of surveys and Wal-Mart Grant ..................6
research shows that even our common residential urban
birds such as Northern Cardinals are declining. Echols Scholarship ...........6
Wooded habitat includes the structure and
composition of the forest. How can you make your property and neighborhood a Volunteer Corner ...............7
better place for birds? Step outside your home and
inventory the treeless patches on your street, including your own front yard. Do you see open Spotlight Art Hurt...............7
spaces with little or no vegetation that add to the loss of bird habitat and diversity in the
neighborhood?
Welcome, Sally..................8

Even a small backyard in an urban neighborhood can lessen this loss if the basic requirements Birdathon 07 ......................8
of food, nesting places and shelter for birds are present. Two features are important in your By The Way ........................9
landscape: structure and composition.
Structure refers to the layering of vegetation in the habitat. Birds forage at all layers, including
Classifieds.......................10
canopy, understory, brush and ground level. The more structural complexity you can offer, the GA’s Protected Birds........11
more birds and other wildlife will be attracted to not only feed, but also nest and raise their
young. Select plantings for various heights to fill in gaps in the vertical layers from ground to Membership....................11
treetops. The density of the landscape is also important. Most birds prefer closed canopies
with good understory for protection from predators. A good ground cover is beneficial,
providing moist soil with insects and earthworms that are eaten by thrashers, thrushes and
wrens.
ATLANTA
Composition involves the beneficial plant varieties that offer food, shelter and nesting to birds.
Choose plants using a bird’s eye, ensuring that each tree, shrub or wildflower is functional.
Look for hard mast, soft mast, flowers and seeds that are available at all times of the year.
AUDUBON SOCIETY
continued on back page Box 29189
Atlanta, GA 30359
2007 Backyard www.atlantaaudubon.org
Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Saturday, September 8 AAS OFFICE
9 AM – 4 PM and Information Line
See August Wingbars and AAS website for 770.913.0511
ticket information,
GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
site descriptions and directions.
770.493.8862
 Board of Directors President’s Perch
2007
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar by Ellen Miller
770.993.9579
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
Officers
President Ellen Miller
404.355.8892
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com The Migrants Are Coming
President-elect Vacant
Treasurer David Yon
As I sit writing this month’s Perch in early farther south. And there are some birds such as
404.513.9806 August, it is predicted to be 97 degrees here in Upland Sandpipers, Barn Swallows, Red Knots
yonkers13@comcast.net
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
Atlanta with a code red air quality alert ... ugh. and Swainson’s Hawks that migrate all the way
404.298.8825 But do you realize that fall bird migration is to southern South America.
markajernigan@bellsouth.net
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley
already in progress for shorebirds, with other So how do birds navigate? We know that birds
404.687.0079 birds coming soon? use a number of methods for determining how
atlpiaf@aol.com
When I first learned that some sandpipers begin to get to their migration destination. These
Directors migrating in early July, I was amazed. I’d always include birds following topographical features
Conservation Vacant
thought migration took place around October. of rivers, mountain ranges and coastlines and
Education Marcia Klenbort
404.874.9826 But if you are a sandpiper flying all the way birds using astronomical features of the stars,
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net
from the Arctic to Argentina, I guess it makes the sun and the Earth’s magnetic field. Many of
Field Trips Dave Butler
404.580.3917 sense to get on the road early. our songbirds migrate at night, which is where
dabutler@co.dekalb.ga.us
For those of you who subscribe to GABO the stars come in. I read an article recently
Membership Art Hurt
770.934.7660 (Georgia Birders Online), you know that various about nighttime “field trips” to the observation
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net
migrating shorebirds were being seen regularly tower of the Empire State Building to see and
Communications
Georgann Schmalz by the end of July, and in early August, Upland hear birds migrating by.
706.216.5012
georgannschmalz@alltel.net Sandpipers were being seen at sod farms Bird migration is an astounding natural
Publicity Denese Van Dyne around the state. The Upland Sandpiper is a phenomenon with numbers of specific
404.406.9324
denesevandyne@yahoo.com bird I “need” for my life list, so next weekend examples which to me are the ultimate in
Special Events Nancy Hamilton will be my first fall field trip. “extreme reality shows.” Take the Bar-tailed
404.874.2338
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net
What do we know about bird migration? As I Godwit, which is a bird that nests in Siberia and
Volunteers Vacant western Alaska. In the fall the bird puts on
learned in Atlanta Audubon’s Master Birder
class, there are a number of triggers which weight until it has about 55% body fat. Its
At Large kidneys, liver and intestines atrophy as it waits
Past President determine the timing of bird migration,
Kelly Hopkins including hours of daylight, air and water for tailwinds and heads south over the Pacific
404.622.1888
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net temperatures and food supplies. I also learned Ocean, not stopping for 6,800 miles until landing
Jay Davis that in the fall ten billion birds of about 400 in New Zealand. If you know of something more
404.624.4973 astounding than that one, let me know!
webtoad@earthlink.net species move south from the Northern
Lisa Hurt Hemisphere. Wow! Scientists also know there So be watching your yards, your local
770.934.7660
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net are birds such as Dark-eyed Juncos that move greenspace, or wherever you bird. The migrants
Victor Williams altitudinally, from higher altitudes to lower are coming, and you can witness this
Earthshare Representative
770.423.1012 altitudes. There are birds such as American phenomenon live and in person. And
72064.1017@compuserve.com
---
Robins that migrate short distances, which is remember, migrants need places to rest and
Website why we have so many in the winter. There are refuel on their travels. Think about what you
Jim Flynn birds that migrate from North America to can do to assure that migrants continue to
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
Wingbars Editor Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and migrate.
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.
Wingbars is the monthly newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society. We feature news, upcoming
events, meetings, field trips and projects. We
Mission Statement:
hope you will join us. Opinions expressed are
those of the authors and do not necessarily
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
reflect policies of the Atlanta Audubon Society. conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.

2 Atlanta Audubon Society

 From the Executive Director
by Catharine Brockman Kuchar
The Art of Birds
Last month, PBS ran a special hour-long
documentary on John James Audubon. It
explored many aspects of the naturalist and
bird artist’s life, including the setbacks and
triumphs of creating the “Birds of America”
more than 178 years ago. The incredible
detail and meticulous work involved to
create it is amazing. Audubon’s ambition and
career have been hailed as genius and are
exemplified in his artistic creativity and the
historical consequence of capturing the
reality of our nation’s wildlife in the early
19th century.
Now, in celebration of the National Audubon
Society, a “Centennial Edition” of John J.
Audubon’s Double Elephant Folio is being
created. Here in Atlanta, we will be lucky
enough to view more than 100 of the
completed images being restored. The
Centennial Edition like the original, “The
Birds of America,” is comprised of all 435
images painted by Audubon. The 435 images
depict 1,065 birds, and each rendering of
each species is painted life-size.
In November, the Atlanta Audubon Society
will be partnering with the Chattahoochee
Nature Center and the Ann Jackson Gallery
in Roswell, Georgia, on a special weekend-
A Million Thanks!
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers! As always, we
4 olunteer
Opportunities
GET INVOLVED
IN ATLANTA
long event surrounding Audubon’s work and AUDUBON
the new centennial collection. In fact, the
artist, Robert E. Hall, who received the We invite you to volunteer
exclusive rights from the National Audubon with these Atlanta Audubon
programs.
Society to restore and reproduce the images,
will be here to talk about “The Birds of
America” and the process for restoring the Publicity
collection. It will also be an amazing chance Help us get the word out through
local media about our field trips
to see these images fully restored, as they
and workshops.
were intended to be seen. Because in years Contact: Denese Van Dyne
past archival quality processes and papers 404.406.9324
were not utilized in the production of
Membership
artwork, time took its toll on the quality of
Help with mailings to
the images, fading colors. No one alive today membership.
has seen the true quality of these works in Contact: Art Hurt
their vibrant colors. The new collection 770.934.7660
boasts the fact that the colors, etc., are
Events
exactly as Audubon created many, many Represent Audubon at special
years ago. We are very excited to be a part of functions and displays.
this event. Contact: Nancy Hamilton
Events include a special, invitation-only 404.874.2338
gallery opening, a bird walk at the Education
Chattahoochee Nature Center, a talk by Volunteer for a variety of
Robert E. Hall and two open houses. Next educational programs. We
month in Wingbars, you will read much more provide training workshops.
Contact: Marcia Klenbort
about this exciting fundraising event for AAS. 404.874.9826
We hope that you will join us.
Wildlife Sanctuary
Support the preservation of
greenspace in Atlanta.
Contact: Jacqueline McRae
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net

extend our unending gratitude to all of our volunteers, but would like to send a special thank you
to the following individuals this month:
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its
volunteers. As always, we extend our unending gratitude to ALL of our
volunteers, but would like to send a special thank you to the following
individuals this month:
We were extremely excited to be getting a new desk for the AAS office.
Unfortunately, when it arrived, it came unassembled in about a million
pieces. With a lot of hard work and lots of patience, our volunteer desk
builders, Scottie (Master Birder) and Jack Johnson, assembled the desk.
This was an enormous task and we are extremely grateful to both of them.
Volunteers are the source for the many amazing things happening at Atlanta Audubon.
Many thanks to Wendy Weathers for agreeing to be our new Volunteer Spotlight writer.
Check out Wendy’s column, where each month she will provide a brief profile of one of
our volunteers.
Tracking volunteer hours is a critical task. Did you know that many foundations and grant
makers require this information to receive funds? They want to know that volunteers are
actively involved in the organization’s success. Our volunteer hours are tracked by Pam
Higginbotham, who tirelessly collects this important information each month.

September 2007 3
 June Field Notes
Although no records were set for
the month in either the Atlanta
area or the Georgia area, the
month turned into a very exciting
one based on the discovery of a
world-class bird for the state.
Joshua Spence found a bird which he felt was
a SOUTH POLAR SKUA on Carter’s Lake and
asked for help in identifying the bird and
documenting its presence. Needless to say,
birders from around the Southeast “flocked” to
Carter’s Lake to see this rare bird, and luckily it
stayed in the area for several days and was
seen by probably a hundred or so birders. Even
the marina personnel got excited about this
bird and tried to feed it, and at last report,
there might even be T-shirts available.
The Atlanta area reported 116 species
(average = 105.1) to bring the year-to-date
count to 225 (average = 213.8). The GA area
came in at 182 species for the month (177.9)
to bring that year-to-date count to 317
(average = 306.4).
ATLANTA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH IBIS – Two male RING-NECKED
DUCKS appeared to be spending the summer at the
E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) ponds
in Clayton Co. during the month (CL, JSe). Other
interesting sightings from the area surrounding the
ELHLAF were three pairs of PIED-BILLED GREBES
with young, several sightings of ANHINGAS during
the month (CL), and at least one LEAST BITTERN on
23 June (CL). Another LEAST BITTERN was found in
Bartow Co. on 9 June by PB, HG and TMo. Back at
the ELHLAF, CL had a CATTLE EGRET on 14 June
and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON on 4 June. A
WHITE IBIS was a good find in Forsyth Co. on 29
June by JF.
OSPREY THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – Three young
OSPREYS along with two adults were seen at
Blalock Lake (part of the ELHLAF) on 15 June (CL).
Also in the area of the ELHLAF, CL saw two young
BALD EAGLES along with the adults, eight nesting
pairs of COMMON MOORHENS, and five nesting
pairs of AMERICAN COOTS. Where there is adequate
habitat, the birds will find it somehow! Interesting
shorebird sightings included three SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPERS in Forsyth Co. on 5 June (JF), two
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at the ELHLAF on 9
June (SB), and a male RED-NECKED PHALAROPE in
Forsyth Co. on 2 June (JF) and 3 June (BBe).
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH DICKCISSELS – The male
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER, which returned to
the Henry Co. power pole for the sixth year, was last
reported on 10 June (MP). Interesting warbler
reports included two BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS in
the Pine Log WMA on 23 June (SS), a NORTHERN
PARULA at the Roswell Area Park on 18 June (PM,
TMo), another NORTHERN PARULA during the month
at the Newmans Wetland Center (part of the
ELHLAF) by CL, two to three BLACK-THROATED
GREEN WARBLERS in the Pine Log WMA in Bartow
Co. on 9 June (PB, HG, TMo), one BLACK-AND-
WHITE WARBLER in the Tucker area on 10 June
(PB), one BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in the
Roswell Area Park on 27 June (PM, TMo) and two
OVENBIRDS in Gwinnett Co. on 3 June by JH. A
singing male DICKCISSEL was a good find in Bartow
Co. on 9 June (PB, HG, TMo).
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH GREBES – BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCKS continue to expand their
presence in Georgia. One was reported from Hall
Co. on 16 June (fide JSe), seven were seen in the
Phinizy Swamp in the Augusta area on 26 and 27
June (fide LS), and 20 were seen at the Altamaha
Waterfowl Management Area near Darien on 30
June (PB, TMi). A SNOW GOOSE was a rare summer
find in Gordon Co. on 26 June (LD). HOODED
MERGANSERS were seen in the Dawson Forest,
with a female and three young being seen on 5
June (JF) and three birds being seen on 23-24 June
by EB. Four RUFFED GROUSE were a good find in
Rabun Co. on 30 June by JF and EH. Single
COMMON LOONS were reported from Carter’s Lake
from at least 11 June through 18 June (JSp, KB)
and from Lowndes Co. from 23 June until at least
30 June (JA). A breeding plumaged HORNED GREBE
was quite a rare find at Carter’s Lake on 24 June
(SB). Single BROWN PELICANS were seen at the
Walter F. George Dam on 3 June (JF, EH) and in Hall
Co. the same day (GA RBA).
FRIGATEBIRD THROUGH SPOONBILL – A female
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was spotted at Jekyll
Island on 18 June by Paul and Anna Catherine
Super. Rare for northwest Georgia were an
AMERICAN BITTERN at Carter’s Lake on 18 June
(MM) and in Murray Co. a CATTLE EGRET also on 18
June by JSp. PB and TMi had a good count of 50+
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS on Jekyll Island
on 30 June. One ROSEATE SPOONBILL was seen in
the Tifton area on 13 June (ZM), and 14 were seen
around Jekyll Island on 30 June by PB and TMi.
KITES THROUGH – WOULD YOU BELIEVE SKUA –
Three SWALLOW-TAILED KITES were seen in the
Tifton area, with one being seen catching a bat
(B&DZ). A LIMPKIN was reported during the month
from the Big Hammock WMA by RC. Four BLACK-
NECKED STILTS were a good find at the Phinizy
Swamp on 26 and 27 (fide LS). A DUNLIN was an
interesting find at Carter’s Lake on 6 June (CK, BV,
DM). Six LAUGHING GULLS were seen at the Walter
F. George Dam on 3 June (JF, EH) and one was seen
at Lake Blue Ridge on 6 June by TS. A FRANKLIN’S
GULL was reported from Carter’s Lake on 18 June
by KB. But the most exciting report was that of a
SOUTH POLAR SKUA from Carter’s Lake starting on
12 June (JSp), with the last report coming on 28
June (fide SS). This species is rarely found in
Georgia, and most of those sightings come from far
offshore. Needless to say, this sighting attracted
many observers from across the Southeast U.S. to
view this extremely rare bird.
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS – A LEAST
FLYCATCHER was found in Union Co. on 2 June by
SB. Two adults and three to four young GRAY
KINGBIRDS were a good find in the Savannah area
on 28 June (SW). Three BLUE-HEADED VIREOS were
rather surprising in Warren Co. on 10 June (JF, EH).
CLIFF SWALLOWS continue to expand their range,
with 75 seen in Clay Co. on 3 June (JF, EH) and 12
or so nests under the US 17 bridge over the
Ogeechee River on 6 June (PR). Two RED-
BREASTED NUTHATCHES were found in Rabun Co.
on 30 June (JF, EH), and a number of observers
reported CEDAR WAXWINGS in the Piedmont area,
indicating an increase in this species’ numbers.
WARBLERS THROUGH CROSSBILLS – Interesting
warbler sightings included 7+ BLUE-WINGED
WARBLERS in the Coosawattee WMA on 4 June
(JSp), two BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS in
the Gainesville area on 1 June (JP), one BLACK-
THROATED GREEN WARBLER on the Berry College
Campus on 22 June (DR), eight OVENBIRDS in
Warren and Glascock Cos. on 10 June (JF, EH), and
one OVENBIRD at the Horse Creek WMA in Telfair
Co. on 5 June (TK, BBl). Very unusual was a DARK-
EYED JUNCO in Glynn Co. on 11 June by GK. Single
DICKCISSELS were reported from Gordon Co. on 6
June and from Murray Co. on 21 June (JSp). A very
late BOBOLINK was seen in the Glenwood area on 7
June (TK, BBl). Very unusual for June were nine
RED CROSSBILLS in Fannin Co. on 12 June (NS).
CONTRIBUTORS – Julius Ariail, Steve Barlow,
Brandon Best, Bill Blackburn, Ken Blankenship, Eric
Boehm, Patrick Brisse, Ray Chandler, Lynda Davis,
Jim Flynn, Hugh Garrett, Phil Hardy, Joel Hitt, Earl
Horn, Liz Horsey, Cheryl Kanes, Gene Keferl, Tim
Keyes, Carol Lambert, Zack Maye, Max Medley,
Terry Miller, Darlene Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore,
John Patrick, Mike Phelps, Peter Range, Allison
Reid, Dan Roper, Nedra Sekera, Jeff Sewell, Steve
Slayton, Jeff Spence, Lois Stacey, Tom Striker, Paul
and Anna Catherine Super, Becky Valentine, Steve
Wagner, and Bob and Deb Zaremba.
Have an interesting bird to report? Contact Terry
Moore at tsmoore@bellsouth.net.

Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted).
We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced birders!
Please check the Audubon Website for other field trips not listed here.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
(Fulton County)
Saturday, September 1,
Stacy Zarpentine
Saturday, September 15,
Stacy Zarpentine
Meet at 8 AM
Birding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: From GA 400 Northbound.
Exit on Northridge Rd.(exit #6) and bear
to the right, back over the expressway.
Immediately after crossing over 400, turn
right onto Dunwoody Place. Follow
Dunwoody Place until it intersects with
Roswell Rd. (1.2 miles). Turn right onto
Roswell Rd. At the first traffic light after
crossing the Chattahoochee River, turn left
onto Azalea Dr. At the second traffic light,
turn left onto Willeo Rd. CNC is located
one-half mile on the right.
From GA 400 Southbound: Exit on
Northridge Ranger District. (exit #6). At
the top of the ramp is a traffic light. Travel
straight through the traffic light onto
Dunwoody Place, then follow the
directions above.
Henderson Park (DeKalb County)
Friday, September 7,
Darlene Moore and Cheryl Kanes
Monday, September 10,
Darlene Moore
Meet at 8 AM
Birding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: From I-285, exit at Lavista Rd
and turn right, north (outside the
perimeter). In about two miles, turn left
onto Chamblee-Tucker Rd. (if you pass
Tucker high school you have missed it). In
approx. one mile look carefully for Livesy
Rd on the left and turn here; there is a
small brown sign for the park here. When
the road deadends, turn left to go into the
park where it changes its name to
Henderson Park Road. We will meet at
the furthest parking lot (a sign will direct
you to additional parking) which is past
the soccer field behind the small lake near
the playground.
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
(DeKalb County)
Friday, September 14,
Darlene Moore
Sunday, September 23,
Lisa Hurt
Saturday, September 29,
September 2007
Field Trips
Compiled by Dave Butler
Lisa Hurt
Meet at 8 AM
Birding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: From I-285 N or S: Take Hwy.
78, Stone Mt. Freeway exit west toward
Decatur. Hwy. 78 passes North DeKalb
Mall and continues up hill past Banner
Ford. At the intersection of Hwy. 78, North
Decatur Rd., and Medlock Rd., take a right
on Medlock Rd. Follow Medlock Rd. 1
mile to Medlock Elementary School. Go
right on Wood Trail Lane. Go through one
stop sign; travel another 200 yards to the
Preserve entrance. Meet at the entrance to
CSNP.
From I-75-I-85 N or S: Take I-85 north or
south. Take North Druid Hills and exit east
toward Decatur. Go approx 3 miles, go
right on Hwy .78 (at North DeKalb Mall).
Follow directions as above.
E.L. Huie and Newman Wetlands
Center (Clayton County)
Saturday, September 15,
Carolina Lane
Meet at 8 AM at the Wetlands Center
Birding Focus: Water birds and
migrating songbirds
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
down Freeman Road on the right, just
beyond the bridge.
Kennesaw Mountain National
Battlefield (Cobb County)
Chuck Saleeby and Giff Beaton
Wednesday, September 19
Saturday, September 22
Wednesday, September 26
Saturday, September 29
Meet at 7:30 AM
Birding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: Take I-75 to exit 269, Barrett
Parkway. Go west on Barrett Parkway
approximately two miles to Old Route 41
and take a left (look for a little brown sign
on the right at that intersection pointing
left to the Battlefield). Go 1.3 miles and
turn right on Stilesboro Road, then a quick
left into the visitor center parking lot.
Fernbank Science Center
(DeKalb County)
Saturday, September 22,
Chris Showalter
Meet at 8 AM
Birding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: From I-285, take Stone
Mountain Expressway (US 78) toward
Decatur; it becomes Scott Blvd; turn right
at Coventry Rd; then left at first light
(Heaton Park Dr). From downtown, take
Ponce de Leon toward Decatur and bear
left after RR bridge, then left on Coventry
Rd. and as above. Meet in the parking lot
on the north side of the Science Center
(located at 156 Heaton Park Dr.) near the
observatory dome.
Davidson Arabia Mountain
(DeKalb County)
Saturday, September 22,
Dave Butler
Meet at 8 AM
Birding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: The address for Arabia
Mountain Nature Preserve is 3787
Klondike Road, Lithonia 30038 Phone
(770) 484-3060. From Atlanta, take I-20
east to the Evan’s Mill Road exit. Take the
exit ramp and access road all the way to
Evans Mill Road and turn right at the light.
Go straight through at the light (the road
becomes Woodrow Road) and travel 1
mile to the stop sign at Klondike Road.
Turn right onto Klondike Road and travel
approx. 1.5 miles. The nature center will
be on the right.
CRNRA Cochran Shoals
(Fulton County)
Friday, September 28,
Darlene Moore
Meet at 7:30 AM
Birding Focus: Migrating songbirds
Directions: Cochran Shoals is located on
the west bank of the Chattahoochee, just
north of I-285, making it easy to find on
the map at “10 o’clock” on the Perimeter.
Take I-285 to the Northside-Powers Ferry
Rd. exit (exit 22). If you are going west on
I-285, turn right at the first light onto
Interstate North Parkway. Stay on this
road as it curves west, through an
intersection and crosses the river. After
crossing, the parking lot is an immediate
right. Please be sure to bring $3 for the
parking fee (exact change please).
5
 Wal-Mart Grant Supports AAS International
Migratory Bird Day Celebration

Wal-Mart has granted $1,000 to the Atlanta Audubon Society in support

of our recent “Birds in the Park!” celebration of the 2007 International
Migratory Bird Day. As part of Wal-Mart’s large Community Grant
Program, this “no-strings attached” grant was awarded by the
Roswell/Alpharetta Wal-Mart specifically to support AAS and the local
community.
Catharine Brockman Kuchar, AAS Executive Director, accepted the
check on behalf of AAS in late July. “Wal-Mart’s Community Grant
Program is terrific for non-profits such as AAS because decisions are
made locally without a lot of bureaucracy. We are very appreciative of
Catharine Brockman Kuchar, AAS executive director,
receives $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart store their generous support,” acknowledged Brockman Kuchar.
manager, Mike Lane.
At the May 6 “Birds in the Park!” festival, jointly-sponsored with the
Piedmont Park Conservancy, AAS hosted more than 500 park visitors on bird walks and more
than a dozen talks and interactive stations covering a wide range of topics, including habitat
conservation, birding basics, wonders of migration, impacts of climate change, how to create a
bird-friendly habitat in a backyard and how to identify birds by sight and sound.
‘“Birds in the Park!’ exposed many non-AAS members to the importance of birds in our
environment,”’ Brockman Kuchar continued. “General community outreach programs such as
this one are crucial to building widespread support for conservation issues. We are already
planning to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day again next year.”
If you or your company makes grants to non-profit organizations such as Atlanta Audubon
Society or if you know of potential grants that would be appropriate for AAS, we would
sincerely appreciate an email to aas.info@atlantaaudubon.org.

Echols Scholarship
by Diane LaCole

I would like to thank the Atlanta Audubon Society

for the scholarship that allowed me to go to Maine
Audubon’s Hog Island camp this July. As a college
professor, I chose the camp for environmental
educators, and I had a wonderful time. We were treated to outstanding
lectures and presentations from other well-known educators, natural
history hikes around the island and harbor cruises to see the local
wildlife.

Everyone’s favorite destination was Eastern Egg Rock, the location of the
famous Atlantic Puffin colony. The camp provided the great opportunity
to meet with other educators and exchange ideas. It was definitely one of
the most rewarding experiences I have had in my career. I will return to
the classroom this fall with some new ideas for teaching and some much
needed inspiration to keep doing what I am doing.

6 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Volunteer Corner
Volunteers are what make Atlanta Audubon Society such an amazing organization. We rely on
volunteers in virtually every area of the organization in order to be successful. We are always
looking for individuals who want to get involved. Check out some of our current volunteer
opportunities below. Additional volunteer opportunities can be found on the Web site at
www.atlantaaudubon.org. We need you! Backyard
Festival Leader and Shift Volunteers Wanted – “Sunday in the Park”
at Historic Oakland Cemetery Wildlife
Each year Atlanta Audubon participates in Historic Oakland Cemetery’s “Sunday in the Park.” The
festival will be held on October 7 from noon to 6 PM. We are looking for a volunteer to be the festival Sanctuaries
leader for this program. In addition, we need four volunteers for shifts, including two people to work
from 11:30 AM until 3 PM and two people to work 3 PM until 6:15 PM. If interested, please contact
Catharine Brockman Kuchar at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.
Girl Scout Bird Walk – Leader Needed
We are looking for a volunteer to conduct a 1.5-to 2-hour bird walk some time in the fall. The group
consists of eight 9-year-old girls, and the area for the bird walk would be around the Northlake, Clyde
Shepherd area in DeKalb County. The time is very flexible. If interested, please contact Catharine
Brockman Kuchar at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
Help Make the AAS Holiday Banquet a Success
Help! We need 10 to 12 volunteers for the holiday banquet on December 7. It’s a great opportunity to
get two or three friends together do something at the banquet. Please contact Sally Hodges at
swhodges2@earthlink.net to lend your much needed assistance for this fun event.
Spend some time in the Freedom Park Bird and Butterfly Garden
Volunteers are needed to help weed and water the garden as well as help with the fall planting. Hours
are flexible. Volunteers would be asked to commit to two hours per month. Contact Carol
Vanderschaaf at carovan@mindspring.com
Scholarships Coordinator
A one-year position, the Scholarships coordinator announces/publicizes the opportunity, recruits and Please volunteer during the
trains a small committee to judge applications, informs winners of their good fortune and reminds
them of their obligations to AAS upon returning from camp. To volunteer, contact Marcia Klenbort at Backyard Wildlife
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net
Sanctuary Tour.

Spotlighting... Art Hurt

by Wendy Weathers
Saturday September 8,
9AM to 4PM

We at AAS thought that you would get interested in learning more until Shifts are 2.5 hours long and
enjoy learning more about our about 25 years ago, when Lisa started
will earn you a free ticket for
volunteers, so we’ll be doing a taking courses and going birding
segment each month featuring regularly. That’s when he followed the tour.
one. This month we are focusing suit.
on Art Hurt, the Membership I asked him what his favorite place to
Director on the Board of bird in Georgia is, and although he To volunteer for a shift,
Directors. His job is to manage had a hard time narrowing it down,
membership retention, seek new Art Hurt canoes in one of his he said Harris Neck comes to mind. please e-mail
members and collect dues and favorite rivers in south Georgia.
The best bird he has ever seen is the
donations. He keeps track of Cock-of-the-Rock in Ecuador and Peru.
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net.
everything via the member database.
A favorite bird story Art described as
Art has been volunteering for AAS throughout “interesting but gory” involves watching a Bald
most of his membership, which dates back to Eagle struggling to stay aloft with a Herring All sanctuaries are in town.
1982. He has done everything from stuffing Gull in its talons. The eagle ended up in the
envelopes, to writing brief articles for Machias River, where it drowned the gull and
Wingbars, to running the Birdathon with his then proceeded to pluck it and devour it
wife, Lisa, and assisting her with field trips and completely.
workshops.
Art lives in Randolph Estates near Northlake
His grandmother identified Mall in DeKalb County. Self-employed, he has a
common birds for him when he small firm specializing in commercial
was a child, but he did not really remodeling and renovations.

September 2007 7
 ATLANTA Welcome, Sally!
AUDUBON AAS is proud to announce the addition of a new
part-time staffer, Sally Davis. She joins AAS as our
SOCIETY new administrative assistant. Sally was previously at
St. Martin’s Episcopal School for 15 years, serving as
Master Birder a teaching assistant and then as the library assistant.
Sally loves birds and was a graduate of the Spring
Program Fall 2005 Master Birder class. We are excited to
2007 welcome her to the organization.

Audubon welcomes Sally Davis,

DATES: our new administrative assistant.
October 9–
November 15
DAYS:
Each Tuesday and Thursday Birdathon
TIME: 7 PM–9 PM

FIELD TRIPS:
2007 Results
Each Saturday 8 AM,
October 13, 20, 27 and AAS would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all who participated in Birdathon
November 3, 10 this year. As many of you know, Birdathon is an important fundraiser for Atlanta
The Master Birder Program Audubon, and all the money that we raise goes directly to support our education and
for fall 2007 will be conservation programs that are conducted throughout the year.
conducted at the
Chattahoochee Nature Below are the results that we have to date. AAS is grateful for the time, expertise and
Center at 9135 Willeo Rd., dedication of these participants and all of their pledges who supported their efforts in
Roswell, GA 30075. The Birdathon 2007.
course fee of $210 ($240 for
non-members of Friends of
Amount Number of
Atlanta Audubon) includes
lectures, textbook, audio CDs Participants Raised Species Seen
and all other materials and
handouts. Georgann Schmalz $1920 167
For information and Lisa Hurt $900 72
questions,
Anne McCallum $890 80
contact Georgann Schmalz at
georgannschmalz@alltel.net Ellen Miller $875 64
or 706.216.5012. To register, Jim Wilson $772 72
send your check, payable to Leslie Curran $706 163
Atlanta Audubon, to Bizzy Birds $660 NA
Georgann Schmalz, 152 Karen Siener
Willow Oak Lane,
Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Patty McLean
Please include your name, Linda Crossett
mailing address, day and Allyson Read $492 45
evening phone numbers, Victor Williams $200 NA
email address, occupation Sylvia Chandler $133 63
and any specific areas of
Babe-breasted Warblers $25 NA
interest

8
Atlanta Audubon Society
 By The Way highlights information, announcements, short updates and miscellaneous items. If you have brief items of interest to Friends of Atlanta Audubon
members, please send them to the editor.

The North American Bluebird wildlife? Come to the certification class on

Society (NABS) invites Saturday, September 15, at 3 PM and
Georgia birders to its 2007 receive information on habitats and how

Q: sWho
eicesaid,
ps ta“If
hW I :Q
convention, “Bluebird to consult and advise homeowners.

had to choose, I would

Partnerships: The Science of Reservations are necessary. Contact
Bluebirds” Sept 20-23 at the Georgann Schmalz at

rather have birds than

Georgia Center in Athens.
Eastern Bluebirds
Keynote speaker and
greatly benefit from bird
convention co-chairperson, Dr.
boxes.
Patricia Adair Gowaty, will
elaborate on Bluebird Partnerships. Authorities will
address House Sparrows, fire ants and paper wasps.
For more details, contact Helen Munro, 910.673.6936
or visit www.NABS2007.com. PHOTO
On Sunday, October 17, the annual Big Sit will take
place. This is much like a Big Day or a Birdathon, in
which the object is to tally as many bird species as
can be seen or heard within 24 hours. The difference
lies in the area limitation. In a Big Sit, observers must
remain inside a 17-foot-diameter circle while they are
tallying birds. For details on the Big Sit, see
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/funbirds/bigsi
t/bigsit.aspx
Save December 7 for the AAS Holiday Banquet.
Great food, company and the famous Silent Auction.
Last year a bird iPod, a weekend getaway and an owl
house were among the many fun and useful items for
bid. We are looking for appropriate items, services
and ideas to make this year’s Silent Auction a great
success. What can you offer? Do you have a request
or a willing donor? Please email Sally Hodges at
swhodges2@earthlink.net with your ideas and
contributions. Local birds will benefit from your
donation.
The Mill Creek Nature Center (Georgia Wildlife
Federation) is having a Bioblitz on Saturday,
September 15, from 7 AM until finished. This Bioblitz
is an inventory of all bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian
and plant species on the property. This is a wonderful
opportunity to network, practice your ID skills and
spruce up your résumé with volunteer hours. Mill
Creek Nature Center is located next to the Mall of
Georgia and encompasses 88 acres of wetlands.
Lunch will be provided. Please contact Christina Marr
(Volunteer and Program Coordinator) at
cmarr@gwf.org
Interested in doing wildlife sanctuary
certifications? Want to help people transform their
property into a wildlife habitat for birds and other
georgannschmalz@alltel.net denorhted yltnecer
airplanes”?
The Driftwood Wildlife Association is
sa nreT citcrA eht
hosting A Swift Night Out wherever eht htiw drib eht
congregating swifts can be found. Upon ?noitargim tsegnol
locating where Chimney Swifts go to roost
in your area, take close notice of a roost-
See page 10 for answer
site starting about 30 minutes before rewsna eht rof ___ egap eeS
dusk. Estimate or count the number of
swifts that enter on one evening over the
weekend of September 8, 9, and 10. When you have
finished your tabulations, send in your results.
For more details, see
http://www.concentric.net/~dwa/page56.html ytooS :rewsnA
retawraehS
West Nile Virus has impacted the populations of
seven common backyard birds: American Robin,
Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Blue Jay,
American Crow, Eastern Bluebird and House Wren.
Crows are one of the hardest hit species, with a 45
percent decline in the Mid-Atlantic region.
For more information, see the study, West Nile Virus
Emergence and Large-Scale Declines of North
American Bird Populations at www.nature.com.
Wetlands & Watershed Festival will be on Saturday,
October 6. For more information, visit
http://www.ccwa1.com/facilities/wetlands.center.aspx
and click on the link to the Creek Currents Newsletter
Summer 2007 .pdf file.
New York City Audubon has just published Bird-
Safe Building Guidelines, a 55-page manual for
architects, landscape designers, engineers, glass
technicians, developers, building managers, city,
state, and federal officials and the general public. It
reveals the magnitude of bird collisions with glass,
describes the conditions that cause these deadly
collisions and suggests guidelines for strategies that
complement the LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Green Building Rating system.
For more information, see
http://www.nycaudubon.org/home/BSBGuidelines.shtml

September 2007 9
 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 Come Black Oil

To The Mountains - Sunflower
20lb Bag $7.50 always
Ask about the new Birder’s Guide to Fannin County!
We feature Cole’s seed,
squirrel-proof feeders with Audubon Membership Card
Proud Supporters of Environmentally
that truly are, houses,
hummingbird stuff,

Conscious Organizations in our Local

great books, Audubon
optics, & hard to find

Community.
hardware. Plus – 100’s
of Ravensburger Puzzles,

Wild Bird Centers

Music of the Spheres
Chimes & a huge
selection of educational
toys and
games for kids! Cumming –– 2825 S. Vickery St. 678-456-6900
Dunwoody—2472 Jett Ferry Rd 770-396-3353
Johns Creek—3630 Peachtree Pky 770-813-9476
Peachtree City – 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-2473
Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards

WWW.Wildbird.com
611 E. Main St. • Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 258-BIRD (2473) • blueridgebirdseed.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

Q: What species
recently dethroned
the Arctic Tern as
the bird with the
longest migration?
Panama!
See page ___ for the answer
October 3-11, 2007
Canopy Tower and the Canopy Lodge
$1640 per person
Answer:
Charles A. Lindbergh
Answer: Sooty double occupancy
Shearwater
($200 single supplement). Price includes 8 nights lodging,
birding guides, transfers and most meals.
Group size is limited to 10.

For additional information and to be put on the list for a space,

contact: ellen.miller@eclipsys.com

10 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Getting to Know Georgia’s Protected Birds:
Wood Stork
The Wood in 13 counties along the coast and across
Stork, Mycteria southern Georgia. Beginning in late
americana, is a summer, they gather into communal
large, long- roosts along the coast. More than 100
legged wading birds may roost at the favored sites, which
bird about 33-44 are used year after year. The birds rest at
inches in height, the roost during high tide and move out
with a wingspan into the salt marsh to feed during low tide.
of 59-65 inches Birds which nested in Georgia have been
and a large, down-curved bill. It is the only tracked south to southern Florida in
true stork that regularly occurs in the U.S. winter. However, in most years, a few
Its breeding range includes the birds remain along the coast in McIntosh,
southeastern U.S., both coasts of Mexico Glynn and Camden counties.
and Central America, Cuba, Hispaniola
and South America from Columbia to A Wood Stork’s diet consists primarily of
Argentina. fish and sometimes amphibians, crayfish
and other small aquatic animals. They feed
In the U.S., Wood Storks breed in Florida, by tacto-location or grope feeding. The
Georgia and South Carolina. Wood Stork birds wade through shallow water, moving
breeding colonies have been documented their partially-opened beak back and forth
beneath the surface. When the bill touches
a fish or other prey, it snaps shut in an
exceedingly quick reflex.
Wood Storks are “endangered” according
to its state and federal status. This means
that the species is in danger of extinction
throughout all or part of its range. As with
other endangered birds, loss of habitat is
the stork’s primary threat. In addition to
direct loss of feeding habitat through
draining and filling of wetlands, the
disruption of the natural cycle of seasonal
drying in southern Florida is believed to
have caused the loss of major breeding
colonies in Everglades National Park.
Source: Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, Protected Animals of Georgia

Join the Atlanta Audubon Society

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members receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a
Friends of Atlanta Audubon member.
If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below.
BENEFITS
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
OF
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. MEMBERSHIP
4 12 issues of
Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the National
Audubon Society. Thus you will not receive Audubon magazine.

Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society

Wingbars
Newsletter
Make check payable to:
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o Individual ...........................................$25
Atlanta Audubon Society
on classes, trips
Membership Director o Family................................................$35
o Student..............................................$15 and special events
4 Use of the AAS
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
o Renewal o New Membership o Contributing Membership...............................$50
o Supporting Membership...............................$100 library
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City___________________________ State _____ o Patron Membership......................................$500
Receive a T-shirt and signed Thanks to all
Zip Code _____________ copy of Birds of Atlanta
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of you for your support
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Receive all of the above plus a signed ..framed
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o Please do not share this information with any other organization
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September 2007 11
 Caring for Cardinals
continued from front page

Canopy flowers of tulip poplars, for example, attract pollinating insects and
therefore warblers, flycatchers and vireos during migration. The dead seeds of
coneflowers provide food for finches, chickadees, cardinals and titmice during the
winter. Fruit of dogwoods, blackgums, mulberries and viburnums are extremely
important to migratory birds in the fall. Even one fruiting tree in your landscape
can attract dozens of birds, including thrushes, tanagers, vireos, woodpeckers and
cedar waxwings. Tangles of dead grape leaves and fall beech leaves attract dead-
leaf foragers such as warblers, wrens and woodpeckers. And don’t forget poison
ivy. Nearly every fruit-eating bird eats the berries and nearly every berry will be gone by winter. It is probably the
number one best plant to have!
Last but not least, provide a safe place for birds. Do not leave dog food outside for opossums, raccoons, Blue
Jays and American Crows to eat. Keep your cat indoors. Try to get your neighborhood to be free of feral cats that
kill your birds. Limit your use of chemicals by using integrated pest controls as much as possible. Break up
reflections in glass windows if they have been hit by flying birds.
Try to see your yard and neighborhood through the eyes of a common bird like a Northern Cardinal. If we can
care for cardinals, we are caring for all birds.
For more information on making your property a wildlife sanctuary and to get more better birds, contact
Jacqueline McRae at jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net

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

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