May 2008

Volume XXXIV, Issue 5 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

UPCOMING SPEAKER SERIES I N S I D E

Birds of the Longleaf Forest President’s Perch...............2
From the Exec Dir..............3
Jim Cox, Ornithologist Legacy Club .......................3
Tall Timbers Research Station Field Notes.........................4
Sunday, June 22, 2008, 3 PM
Field Trips...........................5
Island Ford Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area
Bird Scopes.......................5
Longleaf pine forests were one of the dominant woodlands found in the Time Well Spent ................6
southeastern United States. Today, less than three percent of these majestic
forests remain, and most remaining forests contain trees that have been Spotlight Victor Williams ...6
harvested many times over the past centuries. The extent of loss suffered by A Million Thanks................6
longleaf forests makes them one of the most endangered ecosystems in
North America. Georgia’s IBA .....................7
The Wade Tract Preserve is a 200-acre (85 ha) old-growth longleaf forest in GOS Honors J. Wright ........7
southwest Georgia that is managed by Tall Timbers Research Station. The Learning About Birds .........8
Wade Tract Preserve is one of only a handful of old-growth stands that has for
decades been managed with fire. It is also the only stand specifically dedicated to Education Report ...............8
research purposes. The history of research conducted on the Wade Tract, Field Guide.........................8
coupled with the extreme rarity of this old-growth forest type, have led nature
writers such as Charles Seabrook with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to list 29th Photo Winners ...........9
the site as one of the most important ecological tracts in North America, if not the world. Classifieds.......................10
At the Speaker Series on Sunday, June 22, Jim Cox, ornithologist with Tall Timbers Research Premium Memberships...10
Station, will discuss the history of this rare forest and describe some of the unique lessons
learned about Bachman’s Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatches and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers GA’s Protected Birds........11
in a setting that is as close as we can come to the conditions William Bartram saw when he Membership....................11
passed through the region in the late 1700s. In addition to writing scores of technical research
articles, Jim Cox is author of the feature article on the Bachman’s Sparrow appearing in the 2008 Sanctuary Tour .......12
May/June issue of Birding (published by the American Birding Association) and has published
an essay describing the special history of the Wade Tract, which is available on-line at
http://www.talltimbers.org/images/wt/JCEssay.pdf. ATLANTA
The Speaker Series program will be at the Island Ford Park located at the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area. There is a $3.00 user fee, and the parking lots are on the left before
AUDUBON SOCIETY
the Visitors Center with closer parking at the end of the road. See directions below. Box 29189
Directions: Going north on GA 400, take Exit 6
(Northridge Rd.). Coming off the exit, turn right Atlanta, GA 30359
(west) and stay in the right lane, crossing over
GA 400. Turn right (north) onto Dunwoody Pl.
www.atlantaaudubon.org
Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Dr. Turn right (east)
and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on
your right (Island Ford Pkwy.). Continue down AAS OFFICE
the parkway until you see the Visitors Center.
Going south on GA 400, take Exit 6 (Northridge and Information Line
Rd.). Continue straight ahead (north) at the
traffic light onto Dunwoody Pl. Go 0.5 miles to
Roberts Dr. Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to
770.913.0511
the park entrance on your right (Island Ford Wade Tract Preserve
Pkwy.). GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
770.493.8862
 President’s Perchby Ellen Miller
Board of Directors
2008
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar
770.993.9579
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
Officers
Abundance in the Heartland
President Ellen Miller
404.355.8892 Each year in spring 80 percent of the world’s dawn and return to the river at sunset. The staff
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com Sandhill Crane population spends time in and volunteers do an excellent job and the
President-elect Allyson Read
404.510.8281 Nebraska along a 40–50 mile stretch of the Platte guides are knowledgeable. The cranes, of course,
read.allyson@gmail.com
Treasurer Deanna Helie
River valley. Fossils of cranes that are nine are the stars of the show and what a show, with
770.457.4403 million years old have been discovered in thousands flying in and out, dancing, squabbling,
aas_finance@yahoo.com
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan Nebraska. courting, all the while calling, purring, whistling
404.298.8825
markajernigan@bellsouth.net Toward the end of the Sandhill Crane season, and bugling. It made standing in a frigid blind
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley
Whooping Cranes of the Aransas flock often stop before daylight well worth the effort!
404.687.0079
atlpiaf@aol.com on their migration to Canada. In addition to the As awed and thrilled as I was by my visit, one
cranes, millions of migrating ducks and geese use item in the brochure struck me and reminded me
Directors
Conservation Kelly Hopkins the same general area. And shorebirds by the of what Audubon is all about. It showed the
404.622.1888 thousands can be seen in the fall. Talk about an migration routes of cranes fitted with satellite
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net
Education Marge Igyarto important bird area! transmitters in Nebraska. The routes, when
678.398.0569
igyar@earthlink.net I had read about the crane phenomenon for years viewed together, had the shape of an hourglass
Field Trips Dave Butler
and decided to make the journey to Nebraska with the birds funneling through this small area
404.580.3917
dabutler@co.dekalb.ga.us this year to see for myself. I was not in Nebraska. The reason for the funnel is that,
Membership Darlene Moore
disappointed. At the time I was there, an due to man-made changes to the surrounding
404.633.9361
djmoore67@bellsouth.net
estimated 400,000 Sandhill Cranes were in the areas, this is the only remaining suitable habitat.
Communications
Barbara Tarpley area! There were also large congregations of When you are awestruck by birds, think about
404.687.0079
atlpiaf@aol.com various geese although I was told the really big what you can do to help make sure remaining
Publicity Vacant flocks had already moved on—wow, what I saw habitat such as the Platte River, the
Volunteers Nancy Hamilton
404.874.2338 were pretty big! The cranes spend about a month Chattahoochee River in Atlanta, or your
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net resting and refueling for the second half of their backyard is suitable for birds so that future
At Large migration, and they can be seen and heard generations can also experience the wonder.
Jay Davis
404.624.4973 anytime of the day or night. During their time in
webtoad@earthlink.net
the Platte River valley, they feed during the day
Victor Williams
Earthshare Representative in the surrounding fields and wet meadows and Matching Contributions
Another Important Way to Support
770.423.1012
at night roost in the river, which is wide and Atlanta Audubon Society
72064.1017@compuserve.com
--- shallow with lots of sandbars. Your contributions to Atlanta Audubon Society make a
Website significant statement about how you value what we do in
Jim Flynn The Rowe Audubon Sanctuary in Gibbon the community.
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
Wingbars Editor consists of almost 1,500 acres along the Platte Hundreds of companies in and around Atlanta also
Mary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664 River and is managed for cranes and waterfowl. realize the importance of giving back to the community
mhindes@bellsouth.net and are getting involved by matching their employees’
Design & Layout The sanctuary offers guided visits to blinds on donations to our organization.
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
copyprep@mindspring.com the river to see the cranes leave their roosts after By asking your employer to back your commitment, you
Proofreading are making your contribution even more meaningful!
Steven Phenicie Participating in your employer’s matching gifts program
770.849.0391
swlphenicie@bellsouth.net is a simple process. Ask your human resources office for
a matching gift form, complete your part,
Newsletter deadline is the first of and send it to: Matching Gifts Coordina-
the month for material to be
published the following month. tor, Atlanta Audubon Society, Box 29189,
Please submit articles as MS-Word to Atlanta, Georgia 30359. We’ll do the rest.
mhindes@bellsouth.net.
Email attachments, if possible. Your support ensures that our work in
the community continues today and
Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta
flourishes tomorrow.
Audubon Society and is published 11 times a
year. We feature news, upcoming events,
meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you
will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect policies Mission Statement:
of the Atlanta Audubon Society.
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.

2 Atlanta Audubon Society

 From the Executive Director
by Catharine Brockman Kuchar
Springtime Means Lots of Activity for AAS
Springtime is probably the best time of year for
bird lovers. We get the chance to enjoy all the
wonder of birds, especially in the mornings when
the air seems filled with unending bird songs.
There are not enough hours in the day to take it
all in.
Of course for Atlanta Audubon Society,
springtime means lots and lots of activities. I
want to tell you about just a few things we are
doing as we fulfill our mission this spring in our
three core areas of education, conservation and
community outreach:
• Birds in the Park: Celebrating International
Migratory Bird Day will be held on
Saturday, May 10, from 9 AM to 1 PM in
Piedmont Park. The event is a family-
oriented educational program. During the
day Atlanta Audubon Society volunteers,
naturalists and local conservation
organizations will lead talks and interactive
sessions on backyard birds, birding basics,
habitat, migration, bird-friendly plants and
more.
• On Saturday, May 3, the Youth Birding
Competition will come to a close at the
Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, as young
people from across the state report what
birds they encountered during the 24-hour
competition period. Atlanta Audubon
Society is proud to be a sponsor of this
year’s event, providing ribbons for all of the
participants as well as prizes for the
younger groups. We will also have
volunteers helping at the event that day, all
of whom will have the opportunity to enjoy
watching young people get excited about
their experiences. They are, after all, our
future teachers, researchers and
ornithologists.
• That same day we will be taking part in a
meeting of Audubon societies from across
the state of Georgia. The purpose of this
gathering is to begin a dialogue on how our
organizations might work together to have a
statewide impact on conservation and
education.
May 2008
• Once again Atlanta Audubon Society was a
featured guest on AM 1620’s Animal Hour
radio show on Tuesday, April 15. This time
Legacy
we were able to take “live” calls, answering
listeners’ questions on everything from
creating bird-friendly backyards to species
Club
identification.
Join us as a Charter Member
• Springtime always means numerous field of the AAS Legacy Club by
trips. In March, we held eight field trips to including Atlanta Audubon
sites all around the region including Society in your bequests.
For more information
Dawson Forest, Fernbank Forest, Piedmont contact Art Hurt at
Park, etc. In April we held over 17 field artlisahurt@bellsouth.net.
trips! We also have field trips scheduled for
May. These activities are an important Question: Why and
community outreach effort for Atlanta how often do I need to
Audubon Society and a great way to give update my Last Will
participants a wonderful birding and Testament?
experience.
Answer: Life conditions
• Our conservation teams continue to do change. Children grow
important work in north Georgia. They are up and have different
working hard to collect data to help needs. Some sons or
determine the impact of the Sasi beetles on daughters may be
the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and the independent with few
corresponding impact on the hemlocks. responsibilities, while
others may have
• Our special workshops this spring include
dependents and
the 2008 Warbler Weekend Workshop, as
obligations. Births,
well as the always popular Shorebird deaths, marriages and
Workshop. These educational programs divorces change
give participants an excellent opportunity priorities. Health
to learn in-depth birding subjects. problems or good
These are just a few of the things we are doing fortune may change
this spring season. I must emphasize all of it circumstances. Tax laws
change. Executors
wouldn’t be possible without the amazing
and/or beneficiaries
volunteers that help support our work
may die or become
throughout the region. We are truly fortunate to estranged. A desire to
have such hardworking AAS members. I hope make a long-range gift
you are able to stop and smell the roses and take to a deserving
advantage of the great outdoors during this organization is a reason
wonderful time of year. It is, after all, for the for a change. Thus,
birds! Wills should be
reviewed every three to
five years.
"It is not what we have as a
nation that makes us great, it is
how we use it."
Theodore Roosevelt
3
 February Field Notes
February turned out to be an
excellent month for birding.
There were still lots of birds left
over from January plus a few new
ones that caused some excitement
such as the Ash-throated Flycatcher
and Black-headed Grosbeak.
The Atlanta area recorded 111 species
(average = 99.2) to bring the year-to-date total
to 124 (average = 115.3). The Georgia area
had 185 species (average = 185.1) to bring
that year-to-date total to 220 (average =
211.5).
ATLANTA AREA
SWANS THROUGH EAGLES – The TUNDRA SWAN
found back in Jan. on the J.W. Smith Reservoir
(part of the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility
[ELHLAF] in Clayton and Henry counties) was seen
there off and on during the month of Feb. (m.ob.).
CaL had a good assortment of waterfowl at the
ELHLAF on 13 Feb. with 260 GADWALL, 27 BLUE-
WINGED TEAL, 150 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 200
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 100 RING-NECKED DUCKS
and 60 LESSER SCAUP. A somewhat rare sighting
was that of a male NORTHERN PINTAIL at the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
(CRNRA) on 8 Feb. (PHo). Good numbers of
CANVASBACKS (7) and REDHEADS (12) were seen
in Fayette Co. on 18 Feb. (PB, HG). A COMMON
GOLDENEYE was seen in Clayton Co. on the same
day (PB, HG). Two RED-THROATED LOONS were
unusual for Lake Lanier on 2 Feb. (MMc). At
Shamrock Lake (part of the ELHLAF), one or
sometimes two ANHINGAS were seen during the
month (CaL). An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was spotted
in Spalding Co. on 21 Feb. (EB).
CRANES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – This was a
great month for seeing SANDHILL CRANES. There
were a minimum of 21 separate sightings totaling
approximately 9400 birds. The largest number by
far was the 6600 seen in NW Cobb Co. on 12 Feb.
by CS. I believe this is the highest count ever in the
Atlanta area. A SPOTTED SANDPIPER seen at the
CRNRA on 29 Feb. by TMo was probably a
wintering bird rather than an early migrant.
HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH ORIOLES – There were
quite a good number of wintering hummingbirds
during the month. A female BLACK-CHINNED
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
HUMMINGBIRD was confirmed in Decatur on 22 record of this western species if this sighting is
Feb. (KT) and another BLACK-CHINNED was last accepted by the Checklist Committee. Two PURPLE
seen in Locust Grove on 2 Feb. (JW). A female MARTINS were seen in the Americus area on 3
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD was last seen in Lilburn Feb. by PHa.
on 15 Feb. (R&SK). The BROAD-TAILED
TANAGERS THROUGH SISKINS – A WESTERN
HUMMINGBIRD in the Mableton area was seen
TANAGER was an excellent find at Skidaway Island
through the end of the month (m.ob.). A NORTHERN
on 7 Feb. (fide SB). MMc and MMed had an
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was rather early at
impressive count of ten HENSLOW’S SPARROWS at
Lake Acworth on 29 Feb. (SP). An immature male
Paulk’s Pasture on 17 Feb. Two possible SMITH’S
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was seen off and on at
LONGSPURS were reported from Fite Bend Road
a Dunwoody feeder at least until 23 Feb. (fide JSe).
(Gordon Co.) on 28 Feb. (Mmed). At the Dublin
This bird was first seen back in mid Jan., but did
feeder hosting the MANGO, there were several
not come to the attention of the birding community
BALTIMORE ORIOLES reported and one immature
until Feb. A male BALTIMORE ORIOLE was a good
male BULLOCK’S ORIOLE early in the month (PM,
find in Grant Park on 14 Feb. (PN).
LJ). A rather astounding count of 85+ PURPLE
GEORGIA AREA FINCHES came from Washington Co. on 26 Feb.
(LS). Several observers reported RED CROSSBILLS,
GEESE THROUGH DUCKS – Three GREATER WHITE-
mostly in Fannin and Gilmer counties. The peak
FRONTED GEESE were reported from Monroe Co.
count of 14 came from Cherry Log on 26 Feb. (PP).
on 27 Feb. (DA) and an even rarer BRANT was
MMc had a nice count of 20+ PINE SISKINS in
seen at Tybee Island on 7 Feb. (BrB, JGra). Five
Fannin Co. on 7 Feb.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL were early in Murray Co. on 2
Feb. (JSp). Inland reports of SCOTERS included OBSERVERS – Dan Adrien, Jerry Amerson, Alan
seven WHITE-WINGED and two SURF SCOTERS at Ashley, Steve Barlow, Eric Beohm, Kelly Bettinger,
Clark Hill on 9 Feb. (MMc et al.). Another WHITE- Bill Boyd, Ken Blankenship, Brenda Brannen, Bob
WINGED SCOTER was seen at the Charlie Elliott Braxton, Patrick Brisse, James Brooks, David
Nature Preserve on 16 Feb. (JM et al.). Back at Brown, Walt Chambers, Bob Cheek, Vicki DeLoach,
Clark Hill on 17 Feb., GZ counted two SURF and Marion Dobbs, Larry Edmonds, Lisa Finnicum, Jim
nine WHITE-WINGED. Also at Clark Hill the same Flynn, Bryan Fobbus, Hugh Garrett, Jim Gilreath,
day, GZ reported a nice flock of 17 CANVASBACKS. Zaroga Goff, Peter Gordon, Jackie Gray, Johnnie
Two COMMON GOLDENEYES were seen in Lumpkin Green, Phil Hardy, Liz Horsey, Pierre Howard, Mike
Co. on 2 Feb. by MMc. Ivie, Laurie Jackson, Terry Johnson, Cheryl Kanes,
Nathan Klaus, Rick and Sandy Krause, Carol
GREBES THROUGH CRANES – Two EARED GREBES
Lambert, Chris Lambrecht, Fred Land, Bill Lotz, Hal
were seen at Lake Juliette on 23 Feb. by MMc and
Massie, Patty McClean, Joel McNeal, Mark
Mmed. One AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was seen
McShane, Max Medley, Mary Meyer, Terry Miller,
at Woodruff Dam on 23 Feb. by JF and B&DZ. A
Darlene Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore, Phillip
REDDISH EGRET seen in Chatham Co. on 18 Feb.
Northman, Sandy Pangle, Patty Park, Parrie Pinyan,
was a rare winter sighting (fide RW). There were at
Chuck Saleeby, Lynn Schlup, Georgann Schmalz,
least 20 separate reports of SANDHILL CRANES
Jeff Sewell, Stephen Sorensen, Joshua Spence,
totaling approximately 5800 birds. The highest
Karen and Luke Theodorou, Eran Tomer, Dan
count was 2000+ near Culloden by NK.
Vickers, Lynda Wiggins, Russ Wigh, Julie Williams,
OWLS THROUGH MARTINS – Several observers Vicki Williams, David You, Bob and Deb Zaremba
reported SHORT-EARED OWLS at the “owl fields” and Gene Zielinski.
near Cobb. The highest count was eight or nine on
Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Court, Roswell, GA
28 Feb. by PHa. The GREEN-BREASTED MANGO
30075 tsmoore@bellsouth.net
continued at a Dublin feeder for the entire month
(m.ob.). A RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was
banded in the Americus area on 29 Feb. (PHa, TJ).
The VERMILION FLYCATCHER, previously reported
from the Eufaula NWR, was seen at least until 24
Feb. (WC). An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was
discovered in Baker Co. on 16 Feb. and was last
seen on 23 Feb. (AA, ZG). This would be the second
 Field Trips
Compiled by Dave Butler

Field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise noted).
We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced birders!
Please check the Atlanta Audubon Website (www.atlantaaudubon.org)
Sketch by Anne McCallum for the additional field trips and/or changes that may be scheduled.

Saturday, May 3 and May 10
Chris Showalter
Fernbank Forest (DeKalb County)
Meet at 8 AM at the Fernbank Science Center
in the side parking lot near the observatory
Birding focus: Shorebirds, Migrants, residents
Directions: Fernbank Science Center is
located at 156 Heaton Park Dr., Atlanta, GA.
From I-285, take the Stone Mountain Freeway
(U.S. 78) toward Decatur, which becomes
Scott Blvd. Turn right at Coventry Rd., then
left at the first traffic light (Heaton Park Dr).
From downtown Atlanta, take Ponce de Leon
east toward Decatur. Turn left on Artwood
just before the overpass railroad bridge, then
go right on Heaton Park Dr. The Science
Center is on the left.
Saturday, May 24
Carol Lambert and Jeff Sewell
Clayton County Water Authority/E. L.
Huie Water Treatment Facility
ELHLAF (Clayton County)
Meet at 8 AM in the parking lot of the CCA
office
Birding focus: Migrants, residents
Directions: I-75 Northbound, take Exit 221
(Jonesboro Rd). Turn west on Jonesboro Rd
towards Lovejoy. Stay on this road 6.3 miles to
Freeman Rd. on the right. Turn right on
Freeman Rd. at the traffic light and travel to
the CCA office on the left. I-75 Southbound
from Atlanta, take Exit 235 (Tara Blvd/Hwy.
19/41). Travel south towards
Jonesboro/Griffin. Stay on this road for 8.2
miles to Freeman Rd. on the left. It is the next
left after the traffic light at S. Main Street.
Look for the railroad crossing and the
Freeman Road Water Production Complex on
the left. After turning left onto Freeman Rd.,
travel 1/4 miles to the CCA office on the right.
From I-20 East of Atlanta, take I-285 South (or
West) to I-675 (Exit 52). Continue south on I-
675 until it merges into I-75 and stay on I-75 to
Jonesboro Rd. (Exit 221). Turn right on
Jonesboro Rd. towards Lovejoy and stay on
this road for 6.3 miles to Freeman Road on the
right at traffic light. After turning right onto
Freeman Rd., travel to the CCA office on the
left. Note: Jonesboro Rd. becomes
McDonough Rd. when you cross into Clayton
Co.

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 Latest on Birding Scopes

By Carl Ty l e r
The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology makes countless contributions to the field of bird study. One of the
most useful is its series of objective reports on birding optics. The most recent appears in the Winter
2008 issue of The Living Bird. The article by Ken Rosenberg, Cornell Lab’s Director of Conservation
Science, offers an evaluation of 36 scopes grouped by cost with the rank of quality for each scope given
within each of three cost categories. Thirty birders tested each scope. Some of them have participated
in the World Series of Birding, while others were novices.
While the table showing the characteristics and average ratings of each scope is important and unique, Kowa Scope
the author’s narrative on Choosing a Scope gives the basics for birders considering their first investment
in a scope. In fact, it has useful reminders for those thinking about upgrading one of the tools essential to birding. He then reviews the Best of the Best.
You would be right if you thought that the best must equal most expensive! Both the author and I were surprised to learn that of the 15 scopes in this
category (all priced at more than $1,500 each), the ones that performed best were made by Kowa (the top two) and Swarovski (the third and fourth rated
in terms of overall quality). Ken Rosenberg was sufficiently surprised at these findings that he did additional personal field testing on the top two Kowa
scopes before giving final comments. He makes a persuasive case.
The discussion of scopes intended for use in both birding and astronomy adds special interest. One, the Questar Birder Scope, is the most expensive
listed anywhere in the table. Unfortunately, its overall score gave it a rank of 11 among the 15 most expensive scopes; it would have been fourth among
the 10 mid-priced group. Rosenberg points out that this scope has changed little since the 1960s. Others have made changes in lens coating and design
that led to images that are better defined and brighter, including the Tele Vue-85 Evergreen, one of the other crossover birding/astronomy scopes; it
ranked fifth in the top group behind the two Kowa and Swarovski scopes.
The mid-priced ($1,000 to $1,500) and budget (less than $1,000) groups include pleasant surprises just as the highest priced group. The tests and tips
for all of these scopes are so numerous that I suggest any birder serious about acquiring a new scope consider two steps:
1) Read the article in The Living Bird (pp. 42-47 of the Winter 2008 issue), and
2) Find a dealer who is willing to let you test several that have the price and features most important to you.
The author, Ken Rosenberg, offers additional information at the magazine’s website, www.livingbird.org.

May 2008 5
 Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer

TIME Spotlighting... Victor Williams

By Wendy M.Weathers
Well Spent Victor Williams has been volunteering with in the Florida Everglades and visiting the
AAS since he joined in 1993. His past famous Anhinga Trail. He was taking
Compiled by Pam Higginbotham
activities include festival volunteer, peel and pictures of wildlife in the area when they
Jan. & Feb.
Name Hours Task/Event stick volunteer, envelope stuffer, committee noticed a small warbler in the grass beside
Anonymous 22.5
Barb Bataillon 10 Wildlife Sanctuary & member, program speaker, field trip leader, the trail. There was a group of
HWA Class
Mark Bataillon 6 HWA Class event photographer, vice president and photographers nearby, but not all of them
Jane Blaisdell 3 P&S Wingbars
Tom Blaisdell 3 P&S Wingbars president. Currently, Victor is an at-large were busy so they asked one of the
Ken Boff 6 HWA Class
Dave Butler 10.5 Field trip admin., Board mtgs., board member, the Earth Share of Georgia gentlemen if he had time for a question. They
AAS HQ search
Joy Carter 6 HWA Class representative for AAS and head of the inquired which of the warblers it was. Victor
Anita Chilcutt 6.5 P&S Wingbars &
LAB Program Speaker’s Bureau. said, “The gentleman readily explained that it
Michael Clifford 125 Photo Contest
Sandy Cottrell 6 Misc. admin. He became interested in birding on trips to was a Palm Warbler and described its field
Leslie Curran 2 Wildlife Sanctuary Program
Jay Davis 8.5 HWA Class & Board mtgs. see relatives in Florida. They started visiting markings for us. He was very pleased and
Katherine Davis 6 HWA Class
Patti Davis 6 HWA Class bird-related locations such as the J.N. “Ding” happy to answer bird-related questions
Sally Davis 6 HWA Class
Mim Eisenberg 10 Proof Wingbars Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Corkscrew because normally he only got technical
Ken Estes 6 HWA Class
Jim Flynn 60 AAS Website Admin. Swamp Sanctuary, the Merritt Island photography-related questions.” It turned out
Kathryn Fouts 1.5 Peel & Stick Wingbars
Beth Giddens 3 Misc. admin. National Wildlife Refuge and the Florida they were talking
Barbara Giebelhaus30 Scholarship Committee
Pat Gooding 6 HWA Class Everglades. He said, “You can’t help but get with the renowned
Nancy Hamilton 16.5 Vol mgmt., Board mtgs.,
Scholarship Comm. interested in birding when you spend time at nature
Cathy Harmon 4 AAS Photographer
Marilyn Harris 17 LAB, Scholarship Comm., these and similar locations.” Victor has been photographer Art
Field Trip
Theresa Hartz 26 Merritt Island NWR Workshop birding since 1989, but remembers seeing Morris of Birds as
Carol Hassell 4 Master Birder Newsletter
Deanna Helie 97.5 Financial management & his first Red-headed Woodpecker in his Art! “We had
Board mtgs.
Pam Higginbotham 31 Volunteer Hours Admin. family’s backyard during his early teens. learned the field
Mary Ann Hindes 40 Wingbars Editor
Kelly Hopkins 57.5 HWA & Class, Conservation Victor does not have a favorite place to bird marks of a Palm
issues, Board mtgs., Exec.
admin. in Georgia. Instead it’s “wherever there are Warbler from an
Allison Huff 22 IBA Program
Art Hurt 30 P&S, Merritt Is. NWR Wkshp., birds!” The bird he likes best is the Indigo expert.”
Admin.
Lisa Hurt 26 Merritt Island NWR Workshop Bunting. Victor is a
Marge Igyarto 12.5 Education, Scholarship, Board
mtgs. consultant in the
Mark Jernigan 7.5 AAS Board mtgs. & minutes Victor shared a story about a Victor Williams hiking in Rocky
Cheryl Kanes 12 Field Trips telecom industry
Tim Keyes 13 Birds in Decline Proj., camping trip that he and his Mountain National Park.
Sparrow Wkshp. and lives in West Photographer: Moe Cairns
Nathalie Kinkade 6.5 HWA Class, Who’s That Bird wife took to Long Pine Key
Proj. Cobb County.
Marcia Klenbort 42 Scholarship Comm., Who’s
that Bird Proj. LAB, P&S
Wingbars & Articles, Admin.
Chris Lambrecht 6 HWA Class
Amy Leventhal 8 WB article, HWA Class
Patty McLean 6 HWA Class
Jacqueline McRae 28 Wildlife Sanctuary Program
Max Medley
Mary Menz
6 Field Trip
4.5 IMBD Plans, P&S Wingbars
Who’s that Bird Proj., Admin.
A Million Thanks!
Ellen Miller
Sandy Miller
42 Various Exec. Admin.
4 P&S Wingbars, Board mtgs.
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because
Steven Phenicie
Allyson Read
8 Proof Wingbars
23.5 Various Exec. Admin., Board
of its volunteers! As always, we extend our unending
mtgs. gratitude to ALL of our volunteers, but would like to send a
Dan Roberts 6 HWA Class
Robin Roberts 6 HWA Class special thank you to the following individuals this month:
Kit Robey 11 LAB Program, Scholarship
Committee, P&S Wingbars
Georgann Schmalz 12 Hemlock Proj., Animal Hour Each year the IRS requires a very long and detailed tax form
Radio Show Learning GA for non-profit organizations (known as the 990). Many thanks
Birds songs
Karen Siener 6 HWA Class to David Yon, Atlanta Audubon Society’s former treasurer, for
Ann Stewart 6 Field Trip
Barbara Tarpley 87.5 Comm. Dir., Cores. Sec.,
Board mtgs.
taking charge and filing our 2007 form. It was an incredible amount
Larinda Tervelt
Carl Tyler
6 HWA Class
26 Misc. admin.
of work; we can’t thank David enough!
Denese Van Dyne 2.5 Board Meeting
Matt Ward 3 Field Trip In last month’s edition of Wingbars, we announced the winners of our four scholarships for 2008.
Wendy Weathers 6 Wingbars Spotlighting Articles
Gary Wehner 24 Wildlife Sanctuary Program Barbara Giebelhaus headed up the scholarship committee and did a terrific job of organizing
Wendy West 20 Sparrow Workshop
Victor Williams 4.5 Earth Share GA & Board mtgs. this important project for Atlanta Audubon Society. Thanks, Barbara, for your incredible effort
Judy Yuknavech 76 IBA Program
this year.
Total Hours
Jan & Feb ‘08 1,253 Many thanks to Georgia State University student, Amanda Knapp, for doing a special research
P&S Wingbars= Peel and Stick project for us examining what other organizations are doing around the country to get young
HWA=Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
people interested in birds. Her work will help us as we think about and expand Atlanta
It is important your volunteer hours are reported to
phigginb@comcast, as these are used for grant Audubon’s educational programming.
applications, etc.

6 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Georgia’s Important Bird Areas Program
By Kelly Hopkins

The Georgia Important Bird Areas (IBA) program is a

cornerstone of the conservation committee at AAS.
Mary Elfner, Georgia IBA Program Coordinator, has
recently accepted a new job heading up the Virginia

Q:seWhen discussing
tahW :field
IBA program. Mary has graciously agreed to serve a

marks, what is defined

dual role as the Georgia and Virginia IBA Coordinator iceps Q
through the spring to enable us ample time to find a dasenthe
orhfeathers
ted yltninecthe
er
shoulder region?
qualified replacement.
sa nreT citcrA eht
“I can’t tell you how much your support has meant to me this past year,”
eht htiw drib eht
expresses Mary. “Georgia is a wonderful state with incredible natural resources,
and I will be continuing to support the Georgia IBA program. Thank you for the ?noitargim tsegnol
opportunity you gave me.”
Under Mary’s leadership, the Georgia IBA program has focused on sustainable rewsnSee
a ehpage
t rof 10
___for
eganswer
ap eeS
funding, on-the-ground conservation, data entry, site dedications and outreach.
Georgia IBA volunteers have collected and entered bird survey data in the
national IBA database. Both Judy Yuknavech and Allison Huff have been instrumental in this
effort. Based on these data, Altamaha River Delta and the Cumberland Island National A Must for
Seashore have received Global IBA status. Six other sites are pending approval for global IBA
status from National Audubon Society.
ytooS :rewsnA your Reading
retawraehS
Mary has worked hard to broaden support for the program beyond AAS and to engage
List
various stakeholders statewide, including Georgia Ornithological Society, Oconee Rivers by Lucinda
Audubon, Ogeechee Audubon and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. We are Headrick
deeply grateful for all of Mary’s contributions and wish her and her family much success and
happiness in Virginia. Bridget Stutchbury, a
professor of biology at New
York University in Toronto,
has written a very important
book, Silence of the
Songbirds. She also wrote an
GOS Honors Former AAS Treasurer article for the Sunday, March
30, edition of The New York
By Barbara Tarpley Times, entitled Did Your
Shopping List Kill a
At their winter meeting in Bainbridge, Georgia, the Songbird? In this article, she
Georgia Ornithological Service presented the Earle R. talks about the mysterious
Greene Memorial Award to Jeannie B. Wright for her decline in bobolinks and
outstanding service as their treasurer for the past 13 other migratory birds that
years. may be attributable to
pesticides used in Latin
Jeannie also served as treasurer for the Atlanta
America that have been
Audubon Society from June 2001 to December 2005,
restricted or banned in the
along with assuming other responsibilities prior to
United States. She urges us
that time. The “old timers” can remember her
to put products like organic
regularly passing out the clipboards at our meetings, bananas and coffee (better
Bob Sargent (R), GOS President, presents Jeannie Wright seeking volunteers for the Peel & Stick activities that yet, shade-grown) on our
with Earle R. Green Memorial award, as John Swiderski she hosted, as well as participating in many other
(L) looks on. bird-friendly grocery list.
Photographer: Dan Vickers
volunteer activities.
Jeannie has been a devoted Atlanta Audubon member, and we are very proud of her.
Congratulations, Jeannie!
* The GOS spring meeting is scheduled for May 16 to 18 in the north Georgia mountains at the
Old Clayton Inn in Clayton. Deadline for meeting registration is May 6. Go to www.gos.org.

May 2008 7

LEARNING
ABOUT BIRDS
By Marcia Klenbort
Meet Ms. Peggy Martin,
kindergarten teacher at M.
Agnes Jones Elementary
School.
Photographer: Marcia Klenbort
When I went to meet Peggy,
she couldn’t wait to show me
her $5 purchase from a
Goodwill store: Audubon’s Birds
of America (The Audubon
Society Baby Elephant Folio)—
it even fits in her LAB bin!
She started a LEARNING
ABOUT BIRDS group with the
children who stay after school
until their parents pick them
up. This is her volunteer time
at the school. On Wednesday,
Feb. 27, she taught Common
Birds and Parts of a Bird to the
first 20 children in that group
and followed each week
thereafter with the rest of the
children.
While I was at the school, I met
the acting principal, who is
none other than Cedric, a math
teacher with whom we left
some LAB supplies in 2004. He
was pleased to tell me that he
still uses them when he
teaches summer school at
West Manor Elementary. He’ll
now share them with Peggy.
Thanks to Kelly, Jo and
Marilyn—all good memories
from M. Agnes Jones where
our LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS
program started in 2004!
8 Atlanta Audubon Society
Education Report By Marge Igyarto
The Learning About Birds Program (LAB)
continues to thrive. Marcia Klenbort and Marilyn
Harris have been involved with some evening
programs (Science Nights) at area schools, and I
handled a program at the Garden Hills Elementary
School on March 31. The Northside Women’s Club
is helping this school set up a habitat for birds.
Seventy-five very enthusiastic fourth graders
learned how to recognize some of our common
backyard birds by their appearance, habitats, calls
and songs.
The Education Committee is becoming very busy
with requests at this time of year. There are several
festival events throughout the spring and summer,
so if you could spare a few hours for the following
events or others we have scheduled (see our
website) contact Nancy Hamilton at
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net.
Birds in the Park: Celebrating International
Migratory Bird Day will be held Saturday, May 10,
from 9 AM to1 PM in Piedmont Park. It should be
another great event this year especially since it will
be held near Piedmont Park’s Green Market. If you
can volunteer, please contact Sue Sturges,
New Photographic Field Guide Provides an Excellent Foundation for Beginners: A
Review of National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Birds of North America
By Mary Menz
The merits of field guides are often discussed
among birders, naturalists and science educators
alike. Questions of a new guide’s usefulness abound.
Should a guide feature paintings and illustrations of
birds or feature photographs of the real thing? How
much detail about habitat, behavior, plumage and
distribution is provided in the guide? There is not
one good answer to these questions as each birder
has his or her own requirements that define a
decent guidebook. And if their libraries are like
mine, most people have numerous sources they rely
on for bird identification, not to mention all other
things ornithologically-related.
Regardless of the number of volumes in my own
library, I am always compelled to review yet another
guide to see if it might add substance to my
collection or be suitable as a gift. Like other
reviewers I compare a new guide to one that I like
and use a lot—noting how the species are
organized, whether examples of birds in flight are
provided, and any unique features of the book that
sway my decision to purchase it.
One of my favorite features of the National Wildlife
Federation (NWF) Field Guide to Birds of North
America (ISBN 978-1-4027-3874-6) is the abundance
of photographs of birds in their natural habitat.
More than 750 species are depicted in 2,000
beautiful color photographs. Other features
include—
• Photo captions that highlight important field
markings
sturgess@nwf.org, or Marge Igyarto,
igyarto@earthlink.net. If you are unable to
volunteer, we would love for you to come and visit
the festival.
Audubon Adventures Coordinator
Coordinator needed to contact metro area teachers
to solicit requests for National Audubon Society-
created quarterly newsletters designed for use in
elementary classrooms, then follow up to see how
the materials are being used. All supplies and
instructions are provided. Contact Marcia Klenbort,
404.874.9826 or marcia.klenbort@comcast.net.
Learning About Birds Resources Page
Compiler
One volunteer is needed to assemble the More
Resources page of the Learning About Birds
notebook. This is the last topic in the 67-page
notebook of instructions for the LAB activities for
teachers and leaders of third, fourth and fifth
graders. What we want to do is develop an
annotated list of some useful books, videos (DVDs),
CDs and websites for the teachers and leaders.
Contact Marcia Klenbort, 404.874.9826 or
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net, for more details or
to volunteer for this fun job.
Chattahoochee Nature Center June 20, July 3,
July 18, July 31. Four different people (or someone
interested in doing all four days) are needed to lead
one-hour bird walks with seventh graders.
Contact Marge (igyarto@earthlink.net).
• Habitat descriptions
• More than 600 maps that show
each bird’s range in every
season
• A complete glossary of terms
• Illustrated drawings that show
visible plumage and parts of
the head and beak
One of the more unique
features of this guide is its
informative front matter. In its introduction, author
Edward S. Brinkley describes the parts of a bird, a
discussion of plumage and molt variations, a natural
history of birds and a guide on how to bird and how
to identify birds. It is a conservation-minded
approach to meeting the beginner birder’s needs.
This guide includes the approximately 580 species
of North America’s breeding birds, as well as about
180 non-breeding birds that regularly or at least
commonly visit North America. This guide does not
follow the strict—and ever-changing—sequencing of
species advocated by the American Ornithologists’
Union (AOU). Instead, this guide groups birds of
like structural features (such as shape of body and
bill) together to assist the beginning birder’s
identification skills.
So would I add this guide to my own library? Yes, so
that I can reference it with my many nieces and
nephews who want to chat about the birds they’ve
identified since I gave them their very own copies!
 29th Annual Photo Contest… and the Winner is…
It was another great photo contest event! On Sunday, March 16, Atlanta Audubon members and guests turned out at the Pike
Family Nurseries’ corporate office in Norcross to enjoy the many amazing photographs submitted this year and to hear who
won the fantastic prizes in the 29th Annual Photo Contest.
Our judge, Larry Winslett, a professional photographer, was also on hand to talk about the competition. Judging was blind, and
Larry did not know the names of the entrants until after the rankings were completed. This year we
Larry Winslett, Photo introduced two new categories: Georgia Youth (for young Georgia residents 18 years and younger) and
Contest Judge, with Humor. Like last year, the photo contest entries were all digital. Michael Clifford was again the techno-
Ellen Hopkins wizard behind the computer applications and online registration that made registering easy and the photo
contest engaging for the participants. This year we had 505 individual entries, and they were received from as far away as
Australia!
Additionally, the attendees were treated to a special presentation by Charlie Muise, who talked about the basics of bird
banding and his own projects around the state.
The winners (in order by category) of the 29th Annual AAS Photo Contest are: Charlie Muise

GRAND PRIZE: ANIMALS: Honorable Mention GEORGIA YOUTH

Winner (based on points) Honorable Mention (Trevor Hodgson, Winner
(Trevor Hodgson, (Georgann Schmalz, Fredon, New Jersey) (Quinlan Kuhn,
Fredon, New Jersey) Dawsonville, Georgia) Third Place Winner Roswell, Georgia)
(Don Saunders, Our 9-year old winner won an
Kennesaw, Georgia) iFlyer Birdsong Scanning Wand
Second Place Winner (sponsored by Wild Bird Centers)
(Bonnie Heim,
Katherine, NT, Australia) HUMOR:
First Place Winner Winner
(Brad Wilson, (Amy Levad,
Marietta, Georgia) Decatur, Georgia)
Son accepts Grand Prize for father,
Trevor Hodgson, from Pam Higginbotham Humpback Whale, breaching Brad won Smith & Hawken’s life-
Monterey, CA size pair of cranes rendered in
Trevor won a two-night stay at the steel with hand-hammered detail
Marriott Residence Inn Cape Honorable Mention (sponsored by Smith & Hawken)
Canaveral Cocoa Beach, including (George Hardaloupas,
breakfast, plus Florida Space Coast Cumming, Georgia) BIRDS:
Outdoor Adventure Package for Third Place Honorable Mention
two. The Space Coast package this (Michael Bartell, (Bonnie Heim,
Katherine, NT, Australia) Baby Western Screech-owls
year included: Dunwoody, Georgia)
Two complimentary registrations Second Place Honorable Mention Amy won the Backyard birdJam
to the 2009 Space Coast Birding (Trevor Hodgson, (Todd Fibus, East CD (sponsored by birdJam)
and Wildlife Festival Fredon, New Jersey) Atlanta, Georgia)
First Place Third Place Winner JUDGE’S CHOICE:
$100 in gift certificates to Dixie (David Hodgson,
(Trevor Hodgson, Winner
Crossroads Seafood Restaurant Lilburn, Georgia)
Fredon, New Jersey) (Charles McRae,
Loughman Lake Lodge airboat Trevor won a Day Hiking Package, Second Place Winner Marion, South Carolina)
ride for two including Shocklight Trekking (Charles McRae, Charles won the Original Pajaro
A Day Away Kayak Tour for two Poles, Daypack with Hydration Marion, South Carolina) Field Bag waist pack with a copy
at Merritt Island National Wildlife System and Daypack first aid kit First Place Winner of National Wildlife Federation’s
Refuge (sponsored by REI) (Tom Wilson, new Field Guide to Birds of North
Four admissions to the Kennedy Woodstock, Georgia) America (sponsored by Pajaro and
Space Center Visitors Complex HABITAT: Tom won a pair of 10x42 Vortex National Wildlife Federation)
Honorable Mention Diamondback binoculars
$50 gift certificate to Ron Jon (sponsored by Eagle Optics)
(Don Saunders,
Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach
Kennesaw, Georgia)

Thanks to everyone for entering the contest and congratulations to our winners. Also, many thanks, as well, to this year’s wonderful sponsors.
Winning photos are now available for viewing online.
Visit www.atlantaaudubon.org and click on the link on the home page for 2008 Photo Contest results.
Speaker Series Photographs: Cathy Harman

May 2008 9
 CLASSIFIEDS
Rates for 2.5” x 2.5” ads are $20/month or $45/quarter. Ads must be consistent with the conservation and birding mission of
Atlanta Audubon Society. Ads may be accepted via e-mail, preferably in .pdf format. Call 770.913.0511 if you have questions.
Send payment to Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.

When You Come

To The Mountains -
Ask about the new Birder’s Guide to Fannin County!
We feature Cole’s seed,
squirrel-proof feeders
that truly are, houses,
hummingbird stuff,
great books, Audubon
Bird Songs of Georgia
optics, & hard to find
hardware. Plus – 100’s
CD now available.
of Ravensburger Puzzles,
Music of the Spheres
Email Georgann Schmalz at
Chimes & a huge
selection of educational
georgannschmalz@alltel.net or visit
toys and
games for kids!
www.birdingadventuresinc.com

Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards

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

Black Oil
)"/%4 '3&& #*3%*/( Sunflower
4HEFULLY ADJUSTABLE 1"+"30
XBJTU QBDL ISTHEPERFECT
XBJTU
QBDL 20% off any 20# bag of birdseed
BIRDERgSCOMPANIONIDEALFOR with Audubon Membership Card Your source for a full line of
CARRYINGFIELDGUIDESBINOCULARS Proud Supporters of Environmentally Conscious binoculars and spotting scopes
MAPSETC&EATURESSEVENPOCKETS Organizations in our Local Community. from all major manufacturers
Wild Bird Centers
SOYOUCANCUSTOMIZEITTOYOURNEEDS 
s!VAILABLEINALLBLACKNAVYBLUEBLACKORFOREST
GREENBLACK!LSOAVAILABLEASSHOULDERBAGWBELTLOOP Buford –– 2725 Hamilton Mill Rd. www.eagleoptics.com
s-ADEIN53!OF#ORDURA2IPSTOP3IZEXX Cumming –– 2825 S. Vickery St. 678-456-6900
Dunwoody—2472 Jett Ferry Rd 770-396-3353 800-289-1132
/RDERBYPHONE Johns Creek—3630 Peachtree Pky 770-813-9476
     ,AS (UERTAS 2D Peachtree City – 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-2473 2120 W. Greenview Dr.
ORVISITPAJAROCOM ,AFAYETTE #! 
WWW.Wildbird.com Middleton, WI 52562

Premium Membership Renewals Strengthen

Atlanta Audubon
By Art Hurt
In the first quarter of 2008, funds provided by our members who opted for our
premium membership renewals ($50 or more) helped AAS achieve its community
Q: What species outreach goals (e.g., additional scholarships) and supported numerous education
recently dethroned programs (e.g., Learning About Birds) and conservation initiatives (e.g., our Birds
the Arctic Tern as Matter booklet, Important Bird Area work). Furthermore, the extra funds allowed us
to produce important handout materials and support all aspects of what we do in our
the bird with the
community.
longest migration? In addition to Student, Individual, and Family level memberships, we have been
Branch Banking & Trust pleased to receive the following premium memberships:
See page ___ for the answer Contributing Memberships ($50 level) 41
Supporting Memberships ($100 level) 14
Donor Memberships ($250 level) 1

Answer:
Several other members have chosen to renew at random levels above these suggested

Scapulars
ones.
Answer: Sooty
Shearwater We would like to acknowledge the generosity of these members and thank them for
their support.

10 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Getting to Know Georgia’s Protected Birds: Gull-billed Tern
From old German Encyclopedia
The Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon
nilotica) is a stocky, medium-sized tern
33-38 cm (13-15 in.) in length with black
legs and feet. The feathers of the body are
white, the wings are light gray above, and
during the summer the head has a black
cap that extends from the bill down the
back of the neck. The bird’s distinguishing
feature is its thick, gull-like black bill. The
Gull-billed Tern has a world-wide
distribution, breeding at locations in
Europe, Asia, northwestern Africa,
Australia and North America. In North
America, it breeds in scattered localities
along the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey
to Florida, across the coast of the Gulf of
Mexico to Texas and south into Mexico.
A Gull-billed Tern’s diet consists of
terrestrial and aquatic animals: primarily
insects, lizards, crustaceans, small fishes,
and the chicks of other tern species
(including the Least Tern). They are agile
flyers and forage for insects over salt
marshes and beaches using a “hawking”
technique. Small prey may be eaten in
flight. Terrestrial prey is picked up from
the surface by flying terns at the bottom of
a steep dive. This tern is also known to
steal fish from other tern species.
The Gull-billed Tern is “threatened”
according to the state status and is not
listed at the federal level. A threatened
bird is a species that is likely to become
endangered in the foreseeable future
throughout all of parts of its range.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many of
these birds were killed for their feathers,
which were used to decorate women’s
hats. Through conservation and public
education efforts, laws were passed to
prevent killing of herons, egrets and terns,
but their numbers have never rebounded
extensively. Today, the Gull-billed Tern is
not abundant anywhere in North America.
Nest disturbance and loss of habitat to
beach-front development are major
threats. They often nest with Black
Skimmers on highly dynamic spits or
small islands near inlets. These areas are
often subject to human recreational use
leading to disturbance of colonies.
Source: Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, Protected Animals of Georgia

Join the Atlanta Audubon Society

Wingbars is mailed only to Friends of Atlanta Audubon. All new National Audubon Society
members receive an introductory copy and can continue to receive this newsletter by becoming a
Friends of Atlanta Audubon member. Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include Now Available!
membership in the National Audubon Society. Thus, you will not receive Audubon magazine. You can now renew your
membership online. Just visit
If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below. our Web site at
www.atlantaaudubon.org
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359. and go to the membership page to
join via the Web. We are excited
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. to be able to offer this new
service to you!
Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society
o Make check payable to: o Basic Membership
Atlanta Audubon Society o Individual ...........................................$25
Membership Director o Family................................................$35
BENEFITS
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359 o Student..............................................$15 OF
o Please charge my credit card:
o Contributing Membership...............................$50 MEMBERSHIP
4 11 issues
o Amex o Diners Club o Discover o MasterCard o VISA

o Supporting Membership...............................$100
_______________________________ _________
Card Number Expiration Date (July/August
o Renewal o New Membership
o Donor Membership ......................................$250 combined) of
Name _____________________________________ Wingbars
o Patron Membership......................................$500 Newsletter
4 Friends discounts
Address ___________________________________ Receive an official Atlanta Audubon T-shirt
City____________________ State ___ Zip ______ o Benefactor Membership............................$1,000 on classes, trips
E-mail ____________________________________ Receive above plus autographed copy
and special events
4 Use of the AAS
Birds of Atlanta
Phone_____________________________________
o Please send me information on planned giving opportunities through Atlanta Audubon Society’s Legacy Club library
o Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars
4A great tax
It is Atlanta Audubon Society’s policy not to share or sell our mailing list. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us.
deduction!

May 2008 11
 2008 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Save the Date! 2008 Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour Saturday, September 6
We have already certified 14 properties so far in 2008 thanks to the
tremendous efforts of the AAS certifiers. Congratulations to the proud
owners of official Atlanta Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries in Atlanta,
Decatur, Ellenwood, Kennesaw, Marietta, Smyrna and Stone Mountain.
We need volunteers for the upcoming Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary
tour that will be held this year in the Smyrna area. We are very
excited to incorporate this northwest quadrant of Atlanta to our ever-
growing list of backyards that we have toured during this annual
event, which has proven to be a very successful outreach program
Sharon Brekke and Georgi Ferrero pose
for photo op at 2007 Backyard Wildlife for Atlanta Audubon. The volunteers and homeowners love it, and much
Sanctuary Tour. of its success year after year is due to the efforts of our invaluable coordinator,
Photographer: Cathy Harman Jacqueline McRae, as well as the other volunteers who support her in planning and
executing the fun-filled day.
One of the important jobs for the tour is the Ticket and Sales Manager. This volunteer opportunity involves
contacting nature and garden centers to sell tickets in advance of the Sept. 6 tour. Additionally, the manager will
create the tickets; make money boxes for the backyard sites on the tour; count the receipts from the tour and
analyze the sales and attendance data. The volunteer will be working closely with the Backyard Wild Sanctuary Tour
team.
Please contact Nancy Hamilton at nlhamilton@bellsouth.net if you are interested in the Ticket or Sales Manager
position or Jacqueline.McRae@comcast.net for all other opportunities.

SPEAKER SERIES LOCATION MAP

June 22

UPCOMING Island Ford

Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area
Atlanta, GA
Nort
h ri d g e
R o ad
Ro
ATLANTA
AUDUBON
be
rts
Rd
.

Birds in the Park

R
Bee rive
ob

c h Cr eek
gD Spalding
ert

ldin
OFFICE
s

D ri
Dri

SpaC ve
Rober
ve

 ha
mb
lee
GA-400

t
Riv

sR

Du
ersi

nw
at Dunwoody Nature Center
d.
de D

9 AM to 1 PM
od
rive

Legend
yR

…
on Hw y. 5343 Roberts Drive
d.

" Trail

400
Vern
 Bridge
Mt.
Dunwoody

Peach tree R

Village Dunwoody, GA 30338
!
( Trail Marker k
Sum m erbr ook C ree
Tilly

Roads
: Streams y. Ch
Hw
M

770.913.0511
an y am
Is

d F or d P k w n
ill R

: Contours 25 Ft
l

Ve r no ble d.
Ashford Du

Piedmont Park
River
d.
"
) eD
Peachtree Du


.

un
Mt

Park Boundary

"
)
wo
Canoe Ramp od
yR
Send all mail for
Road
Information Private d.
nwoody Rd.

Til

Picnic Tables N.
Ro

ly M

Sh
P e a c h t r ee Rd
ad

Parking
all
nwo
Blo

ow
ill R
eek

Picnic Pavilion
ck

f
ody Rd.
ed

AAS to:
Cr

Restrooms

May 10
ord

d.

le Cotillion
tt

w
He

285
Pets on Leash
•Exit 30
Rd

Rd.
Ranger Station

.
.

Bookstore
Fishing Area •Exit 30 PO Box 29189
You may obtain a copy of this map Revised September 2006
by visiting parks website at
www.nps.gov 0 0.125 0.25 0.5 Miles
Atlanta, GA 30359

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
Atlanta Audubon Society PAID
Box 29189 • Atlanta, GA 30359
Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit
Atlanta, GA
501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are tax Permit #917
deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Wingbars is printed on recycled paper