June 2007

Volume XXXIII, Issue 6 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

28th Annual Photo Contest the Best Yet

Giff Beaton’s Introduction to Dragonflies and I N S I D E
Damselflies Was Added Treat
President’s Perch ...........2
From the Exec Dir ..........3
Thanks a Million.............3
Field Notes .....................4
Field Trips.......................5
In Memoriam..................6
Youth Birding..............6-7
Giff Beaton, Michael Clifford and Charles Needle, Michael Clifford congratulates Grand Prize Winner, Julie Hodder,
by Mim Eisenberg by Mim Eisenberg Volunteer Corner............8
On a cold, windy Sunday afternoon hopeful photographers and eager Atlanta Audubon Help Wanted ...................8
members turned out at the Pike Family Nurseries’ corporate office in Norcross to see the
entries and find out who won the fantastic prizes in the 28th Annual Atlanta Audubon Society Birds in the Park ............9
Photo Contest. Those who came got a double treat, as Giff Beaton, master birder and superb
photographer, shared with the audience his newest book and passion, Dragonflies and Amphibians ....................9
Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast. Classifieds ...................10
We were most fortunate to have Charles Needle, professional nature photographer, again serve
as the judge for the photo contest. Judging was blind; Charles did not know the names of the GA’s Protected Birds ....11
entrants until after the rankings were completed. He gave lots of tips and suggestions to would- Membership ................11
be winners and the many amateur photographers in the audience, as did Giff in his slide
presentation of dragonflies and damselflies. Our thanks go to both Charles and Giff for their Birds Matter .................12
continued on Page 5

Upcoming: AUDUBON SPEAKER SERIES ATLANTA

Ted Reissing AUDUBON SOCIETY
Presentation on Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia: Box 29189
One of the Top Birding Destinations in the World Atlanta, GA 30359
July 15, 3 PM, Pike Family Nurseries Corporate Office; Norcross
Malaysia is struggling to protect its incredible natural
www.atlantaaudubon.org
environment. There is one spot on Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu, that
unquestionably has the most diverse ecology on earth, with more
than 500 species of birds, many of them spectacularly beautiful and
AAS OFFICE
endemic. A session on these creatures alone would be worthwhile. and Information Line
This area also has more than 1,000 species of orchids and more
ferns than the entire African subcontinent. This program also
770.913.0511
covers six other national parks and World Heritage sites. After
viewing the incredible beauty of the many Malaysian bird species,
GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
it’s easy to see why this is one of the top birding destinations in the world. Come to the next event in the
Atlanta Audubon Speaker Series not only to see some knock-out birds, but also to learn more about one of the
emerging economic dynamos of the world.
770.493.8862
 President’s Perch
Board of Directors by Ellen Miller
2007
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar
770.993.9579
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
Officers
President Ellen Miller
404.355.8892
Birding on Business
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com For those of us who travel on business, there gives excellent directions and even tells how
President-elect Vacant
are several downsides, such as spending way much time you need in order to visit the site.
Treasurer David Yon
404.513.9806 too much time in airports or waking up and The book is available through the American
yonkers13@comcast.net
trying to figure out where you are. But in Birding Association and is called Birders
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
404.298.8825 terms of birding, the upsides include having Guide to Metropolitan Areas of North
markajernigan@bellsouth.net birding trips at least partially paid for by the America. Also, the Internet is a great source of
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley
404.687.0079 company and getting to bird in areas where information. Many Audubon Society chapters
atlpiaf@aol.com you wouldn’t necessarily go on your own. advertise their field trips on the Web, and a
Directors Luckily there are birds everywhere. number post maps of birding areas, giving
Conservation Vacant
Education Marcia Klenbort I figured out several years ago that I can often detailed information on species to be
404.874.9826 expected, directions, any hazards to be aware
marcia.klenbort@comcast.net find a few hours, occasionally tack on an extra
Field Trips Dave Butler day or stay over the weekend to do some of and other helpful information. I’ve found
404.580.3917
birding in the area where I’ve traveled on too that asking people I’m working with often
dabutler@co.dekalb.ga.us
Membership Art Hurt business, so I almost always take binoculars leads to some excellent and surprising
770.934.7660
on business trips. Even if I end up looking at information.
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net
Communications Boat-tailed Grackles in a hotel parking lot in Last summer I was in Mountain View,
Georgann Schmalz Boca Raton, Florida, I still get to see California, and asked some people I was
706.216.5012
georgannschmalz@alltel.net something I don’t regularly see. working with where might be a good place
Publicity Vacant close by to see some birds. They suggested a
Special Events Nancy Hamilton
And usually the birding is much more
404.874.2338 productive than grackles in a parking lot. I park just a few miles from our location, called
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net
recently returned from a trip that worked out Shoreline Park. They said there was some sort
Volunteers Vacant of a bird area across from the golf course. I
great. I had to be in the San Francisco area on
At Large went, and it turned out that the “some sort of
Past President business, so I took a few vacation days and
Kelly Hopkins went to a birding festival in northern California bird area” was an area being managed for
404.622.1888
hopkins_kelly@bellsouth.net called Godwit Days. I got to see Spotted Owl, Burrowing Owls. Sure enough, there were
Jay Davis Marbled Murrelet and a total of 10 life birds. owls standing around on a burrow. In January
404.624.4973
The airfare to and from San Francisco was I was in the same area and had two hours, no
webtoad@earthlink.net
Lisa Hurt paid by my company, and I only had to pick up more, to bird. I returned to that same park and
770.934.7660
the cost of transportation up the coast, plus got my life Eurasian Wigeon.
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net
Denese Van Dyne hotel and meals for the days of the festival. So if you’re traveling on business or to visit
404.406.9324 Pretty good deal! And if you’re interested, this friends or relatives, take your binoculars. You
denesevandyne@yahoo.com
Victor Williams is a great birding festival with 100 or so field get to see a bit of the area that you might not
Earthshare Representative trips and seminars in a beautiful area just otherwise see and often get to see some
770.423.1012
72064.1017@compuserve.com north of Eureka, California. fabulous birds. And while you’re at it, let
--- people you come in contact with know that
Website
I’ve found that there are a number of resources
Jim Flynn for finding places to bird while traveling on they have great birds in their part of the world
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
business. There is a book of birding sites in that are well worth saving.
Wingbars Editor
Grace Trimble 404.351.0518 metropolitan areas around the country that
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
hope you will join us. Opinions expressed are
Mission Statement:
those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect policies 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
✔ olunteer
Opportunities

Why We Need to Get More Young People GET INVOLVED

IN ATLANTA
Interested in Birding AUDUBON
I was lucky enough to have a small role that support them. “Promoting the
during the 2007 Youth Birding Competition enjoyment and understanding of birds” is We invite you to volunteer
with these Atlanta Audubon
banquet in April, an event that Atlanta particularly important for young people.
programs.
Audubon helped sponsor. The kids were Atlanta Audubon is working hard at offering
having a blast, and it was so energizing to see fun, educational programming geared at
Publicity
them get so excited about birds. Their young people. We offer our Learning About Help us get the word out
excitement is actually something that we all Birds program, which provides interactive through local media about our
need to take very seriously. bird activities for teachers to use in class or field trips and workshops.
Contact: Denese Van Dyne
As you know, we count on our good birders after school at the third, fourth and fifth 404.406.9324
to lead our field trips, conduct workshops, grade levels. We also conduct a Junior
Membership
monitor bird populations and so on around Birders Camp in June, hold our Birds in Help with mailings to
the state. In our 2007 Member Survey we the Park day at Piedmont Park in May and membership.
award the Barnsley Scholarship aimed at Contact: Art Hurt
found that our members are aging. Almost 45 770.934.7660
percent have been members of Atlanta deepening the birding skills of a young
person. Events
Audubon for more than seven years, and half Represent Audubon at special
are over the age of 55. Not to anyone’s It is important that we get young people functions and displays.
surprise, we need to get more young people excited about birds at an early age so that Contact: Nancy Hamilton
404.874.2338
involved in birding. someday they will be the ones to lead field
trips, conduct workshops and monitor our Education
AAS’ mission is to promote the enjoyment
Volunteer for a variety of
and understanding of birds and to bird populations. We need them, and so do
educational programs. We
conserve and restore the ecosystems the birds! provide training workshops.
Contact: Marcia Klenbort
404.874.9826
Wildlife Sanctuary
Support the preservation of
greenspace in Atlanta.
Contact: Jacqueline McRae
A Million Thanks! jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net
Office and Phone
Answer the AAS hotline and
assist visitors to our office at
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing the Dunwoody Nature Center
Contact: Ellen Miller
organization because of its volunteers! As 404.355.8892
always, we extend our unending gratitude to Important Bird Areas Program
all of our volunteers, but would like to send a Help distribute information,
special thank you to the following individuals monitor input, network
this month: throughout the state with
IBA participants.
Allyson Read created a new, much-needed, table-top Contact: Jim Wilson
display board for Atlanta Audubon Society. With the help of 770.602.1679
some friends, Allyson added beautiful new pictures to the board and informational
blocks. In addition, she created a new "bin" of materials to bring to festivals along
with the board.
David Paddock volunteered to take on the big task of tabulating and analyzing the
data of Atlanta Audubon Society’s 2007 Member Survey. With 131 returned surveys
to go through, David had a major task. The findings will be released in upcoming
editions of Wingbars, thanks to David’s efforts.
Michael Clifford made AAS’ 28th Annual Photo Contest a reality because of his
commitment and hard work. Michael organized all of the entries, and oversaw the
judging process and the April 15th event. It was an enormous task.
June 2007 3
 March Field Notes
All in all, March was a pretty
good month for birding.
Spring migration was well
underway by the end of the
month, and quite a few of the good
winter birds stayed around to be
recorded during the first part of the month.
Among the new sightings for the month, the
Western Grebe and the Broad-billed
Hummingbird were probably the best
reports.
The Atlanta area came in with 120 species
for the month, which is right on the average
of 120.2. That brings the year-to-date total
to 145, which is a good bit higher than the
average of 136.9. The Georgia area tallied
193 species (average 196.7) to bring that
year-to-date total to 241 (average 233.5).
ATLANTA AREA
GEESE THROUGH DUCKS – BL, JH, PB and HG
reported as many as 12 GREATER WHITE-
FRONTED GEESE plus one SNOW GOOSE from
Floyd Creek Church Road in Bartow County on
3 March. Another SNOW GOOSE was found at
the DeKalb Reservoir on 14 March (WC), and
the bird remained there for at least several days.
A ROSS’S GOOSE was seen in Douglas County
on 11 March (PB) and 17 March (MF). PB had
an excellent count of 200 GADWALLS in
Coweta County on 11 March. Other good duck
sightings included a female GREATER SCAUP at
the DeKalb Reservoir on 18 March (JS, CL), a
female COMMON GOLDENEYE in Forsyth
County on 19 March (JF), three RED-
BREASTED MERGANSERS at Sweetwater Creek
State Park in Douglas County on 25 March (PB,
HG) and 125+ RUDDY DUCKS at Lake Horton
near Fayetteville, also on 25 March (PB, HG).
ANHINGA THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – Two
ANHINGAS seen in Spalding County on 26
March continued a series of observations from
that section of the Atlanta area (MI). Always a
rare sighting, an AMERICAN BITTERN was seen
from 28 March through 31 March at the E.L.
Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in
Clayton and Henry counties (CL). Single GREAT
EGRETS were seen at the Newman Wetlands
Center (NWC) of the ELHLAF on 10 March
(AM), and another was seen in DeKalb County
on 15 March (PB). Both SORAS and COMMON
MOORHENS were recorded at the ELHLAF
during much of the month (CL). There were just
a few reports of SANDHILL CRANES, with 31
seen at the ELHLAF on 1 March (CL), 10 in
Bartow County on 3 March (BL, JH, PB, HG)
and a small flock in the Lilburn area on 20
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
March (BB). There were as many as 22 LEAST
SANDPIPERS at the ELHLAF on 24 March (PB),
and TK found an AMERICAN WOODCOCK plus
a chick in southwest Atlanta on 26 March.
HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS –
The male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD previously
reported from Decatur remained there at least
through 18 March (PW). The BROAD-TAILED
HUMMINGBIRD previously reported from the
Mableton area was still there as of 21 March
(RW). GB et al. had a good count of nine
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS at Kennesaw
Mountain Battlefield Park (KMT) in Cobb County
on 24 March. TMo had a fairly early NORTHERN
WATERTHRUSH at the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area on 23 March. CL had a
MARSH WREN at the NWC on 8 March and
again on 12 March. A GRASSHOPPER
SPARROW was a good find in Newton County
on 18 March (PB, TMi). Single BREWER’S
BLACKBIRDS were reported from Bartow
County on 3 March (BL, JH) and at the ELHLAF
on 24 March (PB).
GEORGIA AREA
GEESE THROUGH DUCKS – One SNOW
GOOSE was reported from the Lake Hartwell
area on 3 March by KT. An immature male
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was found at Garden
Lakes in the Rome area on 2 March by MD, and
the bird continued there at least through 23
March (MM, DH). Other reports of the species
included two at Clark Hill Reservoir on 18
March (JF, EH), and the bird previously reported
from the Bear Creek Reservoir, along with a
BLACK SCOTER, was still there on 22 March
(MF). Quite a rare sighting was a LONG-TAILED
DUCK at Clark Hill Reservoir on 18 March (JF,
EH). A COMMON GOLDENEYE was found in
Whitfield County on 3 March by JF and EH. One
COMMON MERGANSER was still at the
Southwire Lake in Carrollton on 11 March (PB).
LOONS THROUGH IBIS – A single RED-
THROATED LOON was seen at Rum Creek on 3
March (TMc), again on 7 March (JH) and finally
on 25 March (SB). One to two RED-NECKED
GREBES were seen during the month at Clark
Hill Reservoir from 2 March through 27 March
by several observers. A WESTERN GREBE was
seen off Cumberland Island on 20 March by PL.
Photos were taken of this quite rare visitor to
Georgia. A BROWN PELICAN was unusual in
the Lake Park area of South Georgia on 3 March
(JA). Interesting heron and ibis observations
included an AMERICAN BITTERN at the
Arrowhead Fish Hatchery in Floyd County on 22
March (JD), a GREAT EGRET in the Rome area
on 3 Mach (JF, EH), a TRICOLORED HERON at
the Eufaula NWR on 24 March (WC), a
REDDISH EGRET on Little St. Simons Island on
8 March (PH, NVL) and 1,500 to 2,000 WHITE
IBIS at Paulk’s Pasture on 19 March (GK).
RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – JF and EH
recorded two VIRGINIA RAILS and a SORA in
Murray County on 3 March. There were just a
few reports of SANDHILL CRANES during the
month. Eight birds were seen in Whitfield
County on 3 March (JF, EH), 90 were in
Valdosta on 9 March (PHi), 95 were at Carter’s
Lake on 12 March (JSp), and a small flock was
in Lamar County on 20 March (JO). Very
interesting was the report of three WHOOPING
CRANES near Perry on 28 March (fide JO).
Interesting shorebird reports were 25 PIPING
PLOVERS on Little St. Simons Island on 8
March (PHo, NVL) and an UPLAND
SANDPIPER in the Athens area on 29 March
(CS).
HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH CROSSBILLS –
Georgia’s second record of a BROAD-BILLED
HUMMINGBIRD came from Camden County
when an adult male visited a feeder there on 3
March (PMc fide GK). Early swallow reports
were six ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS at
Oxbow Meadows in the Columbus area on 2
March (WC) and one BARN SWALLOW at
Garden Lakes on 3 March (JF, EH). JF and EH
reported a very high count of seven BROWN
CREEPERS at the Salacoa State Park on 3
March. An interesting number of GOLDEN-
CROWNED KINGLETS was the 20 at the
Chickasawhatchee WMA on 4 March (WS).
Interesting warbler sightings were a LOUISIANA
WATERTHRUSH in Talbot County on 10 March
(JF, EH) and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT in the
Augusta area on 17 March (LS). A good find
was 10 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS in
Morgan County on 31 March (PB). The
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE and the WESTERN
TANAGER in the Dublin area remained there at
least through 17 March (SS). Three RED
CROSSBILLS were seen in Fannin County on 29
March by NS.
CONTRIBUTORS – Julius Ariail, Steve Barlow,
Giff Beaton, Bill Boyd, Patrick Brisse, Walt
Chambers, Jeff Dixon, Marion Dobbs, Jim
Flynn, Mark Freeman, Hugh Garrett, Jim Hanna,
David Hendrix, Phyllis Hiers, Earl Horn, Pierre
Howard, Mike Ivie, Daniel Jacobson, Gene
Keferl, Tim Keyes, Carol Lambert, Nick Van
Lanen, Patrick Leary, Bill Lotz, Chris Feeney
Martinez, Anne McCallum, Trey McCuen,
Patricia McMillan, Max Medley, Terry Miller,
Peggy and Terry Moore, Jim Ozier, Wayne
Schaffner, Nedra Sekera, Jeff Sewell, Chris
Shelton, Steve Slayton, Josh Spence, Lois
Stacey, Karen Torghele, Pat White, Rick
Williams, Gene Wilkinson, Bob and Deb
Zaremba and Eugene Zielinski.
Have an interesting bird to report? E-mail Terry
Moore at tsmoore@bellsouth.net.
 Field Trips
Compiled by Dave Butler

Dilemma
For a list of this month’s field trips, please visit By Art Hurt
the Atlanta Audubon Society Web site at
How do you feel, poor
little bird
www.atlantaaudubon.org Flying back to Atlanta
to nest,
That developers took all
As always, our field trips are open to the public and free (unless otherwise
the trees and the
noted). We welcome everyone from advanced birders to beginners!
shrubs
And the bulldozers got
all the rest?
28th Annual Photo Contest Where used to be
continued from page 1.
poplars, maples, and
time and presentations. For photographers and Cam Myhrvold of Medina, Washington, was pines
nature lovers, it was an incredible afternoon. awarded a Florida birding trip based upon his Dogwoods and
humorous picture of an Antarctic bird. The sycamores too,
This year the photo contest was all digital. As a
Grand Prize was based on points, and Julie It’s K-Marts and
result and with the low entry fee of $2 per
Hodder was declared the winner. She received a Wal-Marts
image and the outstanding prizes, the number
two-night stay at the Marriott Residence Inn, And we’ve-
of entries skyrocketed. Michael Clifford again
Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach, Florida, plus the got-it-all marts.
was the techno-wizard behind all the computer
Space Coast Outdoor Adventure package. What are you going to do?
applications and online registration that made
the photo contest both easy and engaging for What’s next? If you would like to help with next
Where are you going to
participants. This year we had 59 entrants, year’s contest, please contact Michael Clifford
lay your eggs,
compared to 16 last year. Altogether 472 at mjclifford@hotmail.com. Some suggestions
And find the food for
individual images were entered, versus 133 last for making the contest even better include
your chicks?
year. Michael did a superb job, and we changing the rules regarding captive animals to
With ball parks and
appreciate his creative solutions for the contest. reflect the difficulty of shooting animals and
mall parks
birds, developing web–based software to help
Catharine Kuchar, our executive director, hit And we’ve-
contestants post images and pay entry fees,
the ground running and secured wonderful paved-it-all parks,
adding a humor category or award and
prizes for the winning participants. Special It looks like you’re in a fix.
thanks to her and to the sponsors she secured renaming the Habitat category to Landscapes.
for the photo contest: Courtyard by Marriott, Look for the announcement for the 2008 Atlanta Called progress by some,
Eagle Optics, Florida Space Coast, Audubon Photo Contest in the fall. expansion by others,
Marriott Residence, REI and Smith & Until then, keep snapping those pictures. Some say it’s
Hawken. all for the best.
Winners in the 28th Annual AAS Photo Contest But what does that
are, in order, by category: gain you?
It doesn’t sustain you;
Animals: Brad Wilson, 1st Place; Julie Hodder,
You still have no place to
2nd Place; Michael Bartell, 3rd Place; Denise
nest.
Gaskill and Mindly Leeds, Honorable Mention.
Habitat: Ron Hold, 1st Place; Don Saunders,
seiceps tahW :Q So here you are with a
2nd Place; Mim Eisenberg, 3rd Place; George
Q:deno1903,
In rhted which
yltnectwo
er straw in your beak,
Hardaloupas and Michael Bartell, Honorable
birds were the most Straw for a nest to be
Mention. Birds: David Hodgson, 1st Place; Julie sa nreT citcrA eht used,
Hodder, 2nd Place; David Hodgson, 3rd Place; sought after for Perched on a street lamp,
Julie Hodder and Cam Myhrvold, Honorable eht htiw drib eht
apparel? Over an exit ramp,
Mention. ?noitargim tsegnol Alone and
The Best in Show was changed this year to awfully confused.
“Judge’s Pick,” and no points were offered. See page 10 for answer
rewsna eht rof ___ egap eeS

June 2007 5
 In Memoriam:
Harriet DiGioia
By Pierre Howard
Georgia birders have lost an
irreplaceable friend with the
passing of Harriet DiGioia on
April 10, 2007. She was an
irrepressible and stalwart
personality who introduced a
lot of young people to birding.
She also was a strong voice
within the National Forest
Service for bird-friendly
management practices on the
Chattahoochee National
Forest. I remember the first
time that I met her was on a
Chattahoochee National Forest
Christmas Bird Count back in
the mid-1990s. At that time I
was on a quest to see a Red-
Crossbill in Georgia, and she
often got them on her CBC
counts, unless I was there.
She and I trooped around the
Cohuttas for many days
looking for them. I think that
when I finally saw one, she
was quite relieved, as were my
other birding friends. Now
they didn't have to hear any
more about crossbills. She
said, "Now you can pester us
about another species!"
Harriet was a fighter for what
she believed was right. It was
not easy to be a woman in the
U.S. Forest Service, and she
had her challenges being
short of stature and a bit older
than some of the personnel.
There were times when she
had to fight for the right to be
in a truck by herself in the
mountains enforcing the law.
What she found out was that
the people she encountered
who were in violation of some
law or regulation were so
taken aback by this cheerful
but strict grandmotherly
figure, all they ever said to her
was "Yes ma'am." We will
miss Harriet DiGioia, but we
will remember her for what
she was and for what she gave
to others -- a lifetime of
enjoying birds and in some
cases, advocating for the
preservation of their habitat.
6 Atlanta Audubon Society
Second Annual Youth Birding
Competition Draws 25 Young Teams
By Tim Keyes
A tired but excited group of kids descended
upon Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center April 29
at the conclusion of the second annual Youth
Birding Competition. Many had crossed the
state from the Coast to Kennesaw, some
running on only a few hours of sleep. They
had spent some or all of the preceding 24
hours trying to find and identify as many
birds in Georgia as they could. For these 24
hours, adults were relegated to chauffeurs
and could not help locate or identify birds in
any way.
The awards ceremony was a wonderful
tribute to a young and growing group of
Georgia birders. The skills developed and
demonstrated over the weekend competition
were truly inspiring and represented
thousands of hours of studying and birding.
(For those who share my concerns, this
represents thousands of hours not in front of
TV’s, video games and computer screens.) The
excitement of seeing a room full of almost
100 young birders from age 4 to 18 was
enough to keep me smiling for weeks.
By all measures, the Youth Birding
Competition has grown since last year,
expanding from 17 teams with 68 kids to 25
teams with more than 100 participants. The
winning species count grew from 100 species
last year to 126 species this year. We gave
away 20 pairs of binoculars and many other
great bird-related prizes.
Teams came from Bainbridge, Valdosta,
LaGrange, Suwannee, Macon, Athens, Atlanta
and elsewhere. We had a huge number of new
birders competing for the first time this year.
Sixteen of 25 teams were new to the
competition. Our biggest growth was in the
Pre-Elementary School Division, which grew
to four teams and was composed of kids from
4-9 years old.
For those teams that returned from last year,
it was amazing to see how they have
improved. The Kinglets, our youngest team
last year identified 23 species; this year they
spotted 102. This would have been a winning
total last year, beating our champion middle
and high school teams. The Homeschool
Hummers, champions of the Elementary
School division both years, increased their
count from 92 to 113 species. The Kestrels
improved from 43 to 63 species, the
Thunderbirders from 82 to 123, and the
Goofbald Eagles from 59 to 91. Our winning
team was the Golden Eagles, who found 126
species. These kids are finding and identifying
far more species of birds in a day than most
adults will recognize in a lifetime.
What excites me most about this event cannot
be expressed by numbers, but by the fun that
these young people have outdoors and the
great birds they find and appreciate. Some
incredible birds were found this year,
including Yellow-headed Blackbird (by a pre-
elementary team), Swallow-tailed Kite, Least
Bittern, American Bittern and many more.
One team even saw a Bald Eagle eating a
Great Egret. Just as great was seeing the
excitement of a team that found a hatchling
Yellow-bellied Slider (a turtle) as it was
working its way to the pond, and hearing a
mother explain that her seven-year-old had
memorized 102 bird songs.
Several teams made their own shirts, my
favorite of which were the Invincible
Ivorybills, who had black shirts, with the
white stripes indicative of Ivory-billed
Woodpeckers running down their backs, and
red bandannas on their heads. The front of
the shirts read “U wish U were on Our Team.”
The Youth Birding Competition has become a
wonderful outlet for kids already hooked on
birds, and a great chance for other kids to get
their first taste of birding, whatever their total
species count. We will certainly be running
this event next year and would welcome more
involvement. So please help spread the word
to kids and potential mentors. My thanks go
to all the team mentors and volunteers who
made the event a success, as well as the
Atlanta Audubon Society which was a
sponsor.
TEAM DIVISION SPECIES MONEY RAISED
Brownie Thrashers Pre-elementary 18
The Wood Thrushes Pre-elementary 47 $40.00
Birds of a feather Pre-elementary 51 $388.40
Homeschool Herons Pre-elementary 58
Rockin Robins Elementary 23
Brown Thrashers Elementary 29 $25.00
–boys
Brown Thrashers Elementary 31 $25.00
–girls
Chaotic Kestrels Elementary 51
Eagle Eyes 1 Elementary 70
Southern Searchers Elementary 70
The Lightning Eagles Elementary 80 $111.00
The Kinglets Elementary 102
Homeschool Elementary 113
Hummers
Valdosta Vultures Middle 33
The Wingwatchers Middle 41 $182.00
Eagle Eyes 2 Middle 45
Invincible Ivorybills Middle 53 $202.00
Eagle Eyes 3 Middle 56
The Kestrels Middle 63 $491.75
Caracara Cousins Middle 98
The Thunderbirders Middle 123
Marietta Merlins Middle 124 $372.80
Goofbald Eagles High School 91 $233.25
Golden Eagles High School 126

Brown Thrashers at the Youth Birding

Competition Banquet
This team from Knollwood Elementary School had a
wonderful time, and it was a great experience for
the kids. The team spotted about 30 species, along
with a baby turtle, a tiny frog, a snake, rabbit and
salamanders. They had a stone skipping
competition, climbed a tree and walked in the
woods. They also raised $50 to send to Operation
Migration, and each team member received a Sibley
guide. The team’s best birds were Eastern Kingbird,
Participants of the Youth Birding Competition examine Great Blue Heron and Killdeer.
the bird checklist at Charlie Elliott.
Mary Nevil, an Atlanta Audubon member and teacher
at Knollwood who uses Learning About Birds in her classroom, was leader of the
Brown Thrashers. This is the only Learning About Birds team that went to the Youth
Birding Competition this year. We are certainly inspired by their good work.

June 2007 7
 Help Wanted:
Do You Qualify?
Will You Help?
WANTED: Person with
graphic design skills for
creation of brochure and
new promotion pieces. Final
product to be produced this
summer. Compensation:
Satisfaction for a job well
done in service to Atlanta
Audubon. Contact Art Hurt,
artlisahurt@bellsouth.net.
WANTED: Person with
experience and knowledge in
producing a monthly
newsletter, including editing,
cut and paste, layout and
production. Training starts
immediately. Could lead to
"Editor-in-Chief."
Compensation: Your name
prominently displayed in
every issue. Contact
georgannschmalz@alltel.net.
WANTED: Accounting-wise
person to run Quick Books,
make deposits, produce
reports and provide other
bookkeeping functions.
Compensation: A position on
the Atlanta Audubon Society
Board of Directors, plus the
gratitude of the entire
organization. Contact:
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com.
WANTED: Education
Chairperson to chair the
committee, which
administers the various
education programs put on
by AAS. Compensation:
Knowing that you are
spreading knowledge of
birds and birding to young
and not-so-young. Contact:
Hopkins_Kelly@bellsouth.net
.
8 Atlanta Audubon Society
Volunteer Corner We need YOU!
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,
and 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.
AAS Photographer Scholarships Coordinator
Do you like to take photographs? We are looking A one-year position, the Scholarships coordinator
for someone interested in being the official AAS announces and publicizes the opportunity to apply
photographer. If interested, please contact for the adult and youth scholarships, recruits and
Catharine Kuchar at trains a small committee to review the
Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org. applications and interview the applicants, informs
winners of their good fortune and reminds them
Calendar of Events Coordinator of their obligations to AAS upon returning from
We are looking for a volunteer to help us get our camp. To volunteer, contact Marcia Klenbort at
field trips, events, etc., in the local calendar of marcia.klenbort@comcast.net.
events around town. We will provide you with a
list of contacts with deadline dates, etc., and you Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program
will simply submit the listings. The position is for We are looking for volunteers to work three-hour
one year and would require approximately 1 to shifts on Saturday, September 8, during the
1.5 hours per month. If interested, please contact Wildlife Sanctuary Tour. We are also looking for
Catharine Kuchar at help with the certification of properties. If
Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org. interested, contact Jacqueline McRae at
jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net
Birdathon Coordinator
We need a coordinator for our annual Database Update
Birdathon—a fun AAS event and an important We regularly need someone to do data entry into
fundraiser for the organization. Being Birdathon our database. You can work from home. High-
coordinator is easy and fun and involves speed Internet access is required. Keeping the
determining dates for Birdathon, publicizing the database current is critical. For more information,
event, securing prizes to be awarded, answering contact Art Hurt at artlisahurt@bellsouth.net.
questions, etc. If interested, please contact Ellen
Miller at Ellen.Miller@Eclipsys.com.
Shade-Grown Coffee
The Atlanta Audubon Shade-Grown Coffee Committee has been working since 1996 to increase
public awareness of the connection between neotropical migratory birds and
traditional coffee farms. As a volunteer effort, our
campaign aims to educate consumers about the positive
role that shade coffee plays in the conservation of
songbird habitat in the Latin American coffee-producing
countries.
For more information and coffee sources, visit
www.atlantaaudubon.org. To volunteer for committee
activities, contact Jane Brann
(jtbrann1@bellsouth.net or 404.237.3542)
 Birds in the Park

Chattachoochee Nature Center volunteer, Joey Giunta, displays a Red-shouldered Hawk

to the IMBD crowd.
A volunteer from the Chattahoochee Nature
Center holds a rehabilitated female Red-
shouldered Hawk at the May 6 Birds in the
Park program put on by the Atlanta
Audubon Society and Piedmont Park
Conservancy. Birds in the Park, an
International Migratory Bird Day event,
drew 500 visitors. Fifteen stations, operated
mostly by 30 Atlanta Audubon Society
volunteers, entertained and taught children
and adults alike the value and joy of
migrating birds and our common Atlanta
birds as well. Five other nature
organizations participated. Thanks to all
who participated:

Anita Chilcutt Jane Brann Lenny Borg Scottie Johnson

Anne McCallum Jackie Heyda Mary Kelly Victor Williams
Barbara Tarpley Jim Wilson Marilyn Harris Cliff Lutton
Carol Vanderschaaf Joy Carter Melody Swierski Sally Davis
Ellen Miller Judy Candler and her son, Evan Sally Hodges
Georgann Schmalz Kathleen Bancroft Nancy Hamilton Marcia Klenbort
Jay Davis Kelly Hopkins Sandy Miller Catharine Kuchar

Amphibians of the Wetlands

Friday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Newman Wetlands Center, Clayton County
As most spring
and summer
birders at the
Newman
Wetlands
Center know,
the wetlands
are filled with
the music of frogs as well as birds. DNR
herpetologist, John Jensen, will lead an
evening walk through the wetlands trail,
identifying the night calls and collecting
specimens. The walk will be preceded by
an indoor program on our frogs,
salamanders and methods to monitor their
presence and abundance in our streams
and wetlands.
This is a fun way to learn the various frog
calls and more about these wonderful
indicators of watershed stability. There is a
25-person limit, and reservations are
required.
Call or e-mail Carol Lambert at the NWC
at 770-603-5606 clambert@ccwa1.com.
The Newman Wetlands Center is located at
2755 Freeman Road in Hampton.
For more information, visit www.ccwa.us
(Wetlands Center).

June 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
Ask about the new Birder’s Guide to Fannin County!
We feature Cole’s seed, 20lb Bag $7.50 always
squirrel-proof feeders with Audubon Membership Card
that truly are, houses,
hummingbird stuff,
great books, Audubon
Proud Supporters of Environmentally
optics, & hard to find
hardware. Plus – 100’s
Conscious Organizations in our Local
of Ravensburger Puzzles,
Music of the Spheres
Community.
Chimes & a huge
selection of educational
toys and
Wild Bird Centers
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
Downtown Blue Ridge & Inside Mercier Orchards
Peachtree City – 1211 N. Peachtree Pkwy 770-631-2473
611 E. Main St. • Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 258-BIRD (2473) • blueridgebirdseed.com WWW.Wildbird.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

Panama!
October 3-11, 2007
Canopy Tower and the Canopy Lodge
$1640 per person
double occupancy
($200 single supplement). Price includes 8 nights lodging,
birding guides, transfers and most meals.
Answer: Great and Group size is limited to 10.
Answer:
Snowy Sooty
Egrets were
Shearwater
killed for their plumes
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: Bachman’s Sparrow
The Bachman’s Sparrow is about 15 cm
in length with a long rounded tail. They
are found throughout much of the
southeastern United States in mature
open pine woods, regenerating clear-
cuts, old pastures with a dense ground
cover of grasses and forbs or palmetto
scrub. In Georgia they are primarily
found in the southern Piedmont and the
Coastal Plain, with occasional reports
from the northern Piedmont and
mountains. Their diet includes
invertebrates, like beetles,
grasshoppers, crickets, millipedes,
snails and spiders; seeds of grass,
sedges and some forbs gleaned from the
ground surface. Nesting usually starts in
March or April. The female lays three to
five eggs in a nest she constructs at the
base of a grass clump, small shrub or
pine seedling.
Bachman’s Sparrow is a "rare" bird
according to the state’s status. This
means that the species may not be
endangered or threatened but should be
protected because of its limited
numbers. It is important to note that
state listed species don't enjoy the same
habitat protection that federally listed
species do.
Generally, Bachman’s Sparrows are
found in older pine stands (60-plus
years) with widely spaced trees.
However, maintaining lower basal areas
within younger stands can provide
suitable conditions for grass and forb
growth, and consequently for the
sparrows. Regular burning is needed in
pine woods habitats, and often in fields,
to keep shrubs and saplings from
becoming too dense, thereby inhibiting
herbaceous ground cover. The federal
Breeding Bird Survey has documented a
7 percent decrease per year in
Bachman’s Sparrow populations over
the last 30 years.
Bachman's Sparrows can be found
throughout the year on Fort Benning
and Fort Stewart, two Georgia IBAs that
will be nominated this year for Global
IBA Status, partly due to the fact that
the Bachman's Sparrow occurs on
them. Bachman’s Sparrow has also been
found in Dawson Forest, Pine Log
WMA; Mayhaw, Rum Creek, Yuchi, Doe
Run Natural Areas, Chickasawhatchee,
River Creek, Clarks Hill, Di-Lane, Grand
Bay and Lake Seminole WMAs.
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.
BENEFITS OF
If you are not a Friend of AAS, please take this opportunity to fill out and return the form below.
MEMBERSHIP
Atlanta Audubon Society Membership Director, P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359.
You can also join online: www.atlantaaudubon.org. ✔ 12 issues of
Enrollment as a Friend of Atlanta Audubon does not include membership in the National Wingbars
Audubon Society. Thus you will not receive Audubon magazine.
Newsletter

Friends of Atlanta Audubon Society ✔ Friends discounts

Make check payable to: on classes, trips
Atlanta Audubon Society
Basic Membership and special

Individual .......................................$25
Membership Director
Family ............................................$35 events
P.O. Box 29189, Atlanta, GA 30359
Student ..........................................$15
✔ Use of the AAS

Renewal
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Contributing Membership..........................$50
library

Supporting Membership..........................$100
Name_____________________________________

Donor Membership..................................$250 ✔A great tax
Address ___________________________________ Receive an official deduction!
Atlanta Audubon T-shirt
City___________________________ State _____
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Receive a T-shirt and signed Thanks to all
Zip Code _____________ copy of Birds of Atlanta of you for your

Benefactor Membership........................$1,000 support and
E-mail ____________________________________ Receive all of the above plus a signed framed enthusiasm.
print of Charles Harper’s “Missing Migrants”
Phone ____________________________________

Please do not share this information with any other organization

Do not acknowledge my gift in Wingbars

June 2007 11
 Birds Matter….Out on the Trail
By Margie Cohen, American Hiking Society

Birds Matter More than 75 million Americans hike, and their reasons vary from connecting to nature to enjoying exercise
to bird watching. Hiking remains one of the most popular outdoor activities because it is a terrific nature-
based recreational activity for a lifetime of health and fitness and because hiking can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds and
physical ability.
Many of you venture beyond your backyard to observe and learn about the birds of Georgia (and areas further afield). To explore the habitat,
flora and fauna that create your birding experience, you hike on trails – in county parks, state parks, national forests, national parks and other
public and private lands. You may identify yourself as a hiker and observe birds along your rambles. Or you may be a birder and hike to reach
unique areas that allow you to discover, see and hear birds that enthrall you.
I love to hike and have been hiking Georgia’s trails for over 20 years. For me, hiking is a journey of exploration. I rouse my physical self and
immerse myself in nature. And nature awes me – every trail and every trip.
The hiking experience connects all of us. And yet I am always surprised, in meeting folks along the trails, by the expectation that hiking trails
just ‘happen’ and are well tended. Surprising to many is that hiking trails don’t just happen. They need to be designed, built, maintained,
supported and protected. Hiking trails are there for you because the community wants them and citizens like you get involved.
I encourage all of you, for whatever reasons you enjoy hiking, to get involved. Volunteer to help clean up and maintain your favorite trails.
Contact your local and state representatives and let them know how important hiking trails and natural corridors are to you. Introduce hiking
and birding to a friend or to your children and share your passion. Enthusiasm is contagious. Pass it on!
For more information, visit www.AmericanHiking.org.

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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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