Newsletter of the Northern Arizona Audubon Society
/ Fall 2009
November meetings
The Goatsuckers …
secretive and
misunderstood, yet
highly adaptable birds
Goatsuckers are nocturnal birds
Photo by Gary Romig
that most people hear more often than
see. The name is based on the ancient belief that these
large-mouthed birds suckled on goats’ milk by night;
but their presence near such animals was no doubt
due to the insects hovering about them. While this is
an erroneous folk belief, it is perpetuated today in the
common name of the family of these birds.
Andi Rogers, who did the
wonderful program on Ravens last
year, is returning for this program
you will be certain to enjoy.
Worldwide, there are 70 species
within the family Caprimulgidae
(in Latin, caper means goat and
mulgeo means to milk or suck).
Statewide, we have four species
which include the Common and
Lesser Nighthawks, the Common
Poorwill, and the Buff-collared Nightjar. With their
long, pointed wings, weak feet, and small wide
gaping bills fringed with bristles, these nocturnal and
crepuscular birds also have been called flying insect
traps. Camouflaged by brown, gray, and black coloring
they virtually disappear when perched. Not unlike
most owls, their lofty and downy feathers render their
flight almost noiseless.
While all of the Arizona goatsuckers are adapted to
a wide variety of habitats, temperatures, and elevations,
the Common Poorwill is the only species of bird that is
known to hibernate or go into torpor. This has been
documented to occur in southern and western Arizona.
While this has not been observed frequently, poorwills
have been found in winter, roosting in crevices in
canyons in an obviously torpid state, where they remain
for several months. These hibernating birds maintain
a body temperature of only 95.4-97.2o F (18-19o C),
compared with their normal 135-136.8o F (40-41o C).
Come to the November members’ meetings to
learn the natural history and behavior of these birds as
well as the recent Partners in Flight effort toward their
Volume XXXIX • Number 2 • Nov.-Dec.
west wide monitoring. You too, could be
surveying by moonlight next year!
Andi Rogers is a wildlife biologist
working with the Arizona Game and Fish
Department in Flagstaff. Her current
title is the Habitat Specialist, in which
she works with agencies such as the
Forest Service, the BLM, and the State
Land Dept to provide comment and
evaluations on management projects
such as those pertaining to forest fuels reductions,
grazing and mining issues, transportation, and urban/
rural developments. Her primary responsibilities are
to “act on behalf of wildlife” by providing comments
as to potential impacts these projects may have on
wildlife.
Prior to this position, Andi was the California
condor biologist with the Department and spent
countless hours watching ravens and their brazen
trickery at the Grand Canyon. First and foremost, Andi
still considers herself a raptor biologist. Her main
interests include species such as the northern goshawk,
which is the species that she researched in order to
obtain a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona
in 2002. In addition to the northern goshawk, Andi
has spent a great deal of time working with peregrine
falcon recovery.
Note: remember, the Sedona meeting will be
at the Sedona Library!!!
IMPORTANT NOTICE
SEDONA AUDUBON MEETINGS
ARE MOVING – SORT OF
The meetings in Sedona are going to be held in two different
places this year. Please be sure to check your newsletter each
month for the correct meeting place. In November 2009
we will be at the Sedona Public Library, also we’ll be there
in February, March and May 2010. In January and
April 2010 we will meet at the Jewish Center of Sedona.
Mark your calendars! The speakers will be as interesting and
stimulating as usual.
check out page 4 for
the cbc calendar!!!
 Page 2 News & Newcomers ... B lackHawk W atch

– President’s Corner –
Zackery Zdinak
Fall 2009
So cool to look out at the gardens and feeders in the
Autumn to see the migrant birds moving through day by day.
Via the Northern Arizona Audubon’s Sightings Forum on our
website, we can all share and join in the thrills from near and
far. Take a look if you haven’t in a while, at www.nazaudubon.
com/sightings. Birders like you have posted regional reports
on sightings and movement from Prescott to Page to the White
Mountains. Some bird news comes from backyards and some
from remote canyons. All is welcome.
Now that most neotropical migrants have passed me by,
I’m looking forward to the local resident bird movement. The
sunflower seed is out and already the Dark-eyed Junco flocks
are down from the Peaks showing the winter mix of their forms.
I’m taking time to look through the plentiful White-crowned
Sparrows for an errant White-throated or Golden-crowned
Sparrow. I’ve also put in my personal request to see a Red-
breasted Nuthatch and Williamson’s Sapsucker in my Flagstaff
yard again.
I am also happy to report some wonderful movement within
Northern Arizona Audubon Society: we have three members
who have come to join the Board and assist with our activities!
Kay Clark has graciously offered – and the Board accepted –
her skills as Secretary. Susan Shaw-Minger, who has been
organizing the Migratory Bird Day Festival at Coconino
Community College the past two years, is bringing her
education experience to one of our Educator positions. The
third new comer, Terry Blows, is already at work developing
intriguing field trips. When you meet our newest Board
members and assistants at our meetings, please give them a
warm welcome!
Although some activity slows down with the coming of
winter, NAAS is just getting started! Along with the updates
on our speakers and the Christmas Bird Counts in this issue
of Black Hawk Watch you will get to know our new Board
members, learn about after school education plans for children
and, for those of you already receiving your seed catalogs, we
have a “Gardening for Birds” tour. Yes, in November! What
more could we ask for.
Maybe you do have more we could ask for. With openings
for another Educator Below the Rim and ever welcome
meeting assistants, we’d love to see what you can add to our
local Audubon’s efforts. This is just a beginning. The promise
of Winter is before us!
Zack Zdinak

Welcome Canyon Raptors

Sue Minger
Education Chair
Sue’s love of birds started at a young age when
her dad would take her for walks in the Michigan
woods to observe nature. She pursued a Masters degree in Avian Science
at UC Davis followed by six years of post-graduate research. She later
served as the University’s Raptor Center operational supervisor. In
this role she worked with hawks, owls, eagles and other raptors. “This
was my dream job as I grew to love the rehab and release portion of
my work.” A large component of Sue’s job was educational outreach at
local schools.
Sue and her family moved to Seattle and she continued spreading
the word about bird conservation with a home-based business, “Wild
Bird Expeditions”. She would take school children and community
groups on bird walks in the diverse northwest environment and do
slide presentations on “Unique Characteristics of Birds of the NW”.
Some of Sue’s favorite sightings were flocks of snow geese, trumpeter
swans, snowy owls and gyrfalcons in the Skagit Valley north of Seattle.
Sue also served as Program Manager at the Adopt-A-Stream
Foundation in Everett, Washington which focused on preservation and
restoration of Pacific NW waterways for the benefit of all species.
Sue is trained and skilled in areas such as avian genetics, behavior
and habitat. She is adept at designing backyard habitats attractive to
wildlife, and has given expert testimony to assist government bodies to
assess environmental impact of proposed civil projects.
“I am fortunate to have some free time now to pursue something
that I feel so passionate about. Thank you Audubon for having me as
your new Education Chair, Above the Rim, and I will do my best to
follow in Marcia’s footsteps.”
Will Soar Without
Hawk Watch
This Fall
Though Hawk Watch International has been the site
steward for the Grand Canyon IBA for years, they will not
be conducting regular watches this season due to tight
budgets. Despite this, they do hope to be back next year.
More Information about them and how you can help by
being a hawk watch volunteer can be found at: http://
www.hawkwatch.org/migration/migration.php
Lipan and Yaki Points function as important air space
of a major migratory corridor for raptors. Up to 19 species
have been recorded at least once, and 10,000 to 12,000
individuals average per fall migration season. Hawk
Watch International initiated standardized counts along
the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at Lipan Point in fall
1991, and began a second full-season count at Yaki Point
in 1997. In 2008, a combined total of 6688 raptors were
counted at these points.
The count season extends from late
August through early November. Though the
regular counters won’t be in place, you can
be sure many other birders will be. Head on
up to the Park, meet some new birders and
marvel at the migration spectacle anyway.
 B lackHawk W atch
Field Trips ...
UPCOMING Field trips
Beginners Birding at Walnut Road Lakes
Saturday, November 7
Zack Zdinak, leader
These small artificial lakes along Old Walnut Canyon Road in the
southeast corner of Flagstaff attract a variety of ducks, grebes and other
waterfowl before the freeze over. The waterfowl often attract bald eagles.
A sidewalk around the ponds and close views of the waterfowl make
this location ideal for beginners learning to key ducks, and for children.
If snow free, we’ll also stroll along the forested hillside to look for scrub
and pinyon jays, juniper titmice, woodpeckers and raptors. Plan for two
hours on site. Bring binoculars and bird guide if you got ‘em, water,
snacks and sun gear. I’ll have extra binoculars for use. We will meet
9:00 am for hot drinks at the Mobil gas station on the southeast corner
of I-40 and Country Club Road. This is Exit 201 on I-40, about 3 miles
east of I-17. Any questions, call Zack at 928-774-4229.
For latecomers, you can catch up with us. Drive south on Country
Club about a mile to the second intersection, turn Left onto Old
Walnut Canyon Road, drive to where the pavement ends and the
road turns to dirt. Before the cattle guard you will see the parking
on the Left and the lake on the right. Look for us along the lake’s
sidewalk.
Gardening for Birds
Saturday, November 14
Terry Blows, leader
We will visit the award winning gardens (a National Wildlife
Federation’s Habitat Yard) of Master Gardener, Pam Koch. Her
feeders have attracted over 70 species in the last two years. Pam gets
quality birds at her feeders year round and can boast of having 11
Lewis’ Woodpeckers at the same time! Pam will show us her garden
and feeders, answer questions to stimulate your garden planning this
winter. If we are done early we may visit other sites in the Doney
Park area. Bring cameras, note pad & pen, binocs, water and sun
gear. Meet at 7:30 am in the Safeway parking lot near McDonalds
along Route 89 in East Flagstaff. For more information call Terry
after November 7 at 928-774-8028.
Winter Birding
on Bill Grey Road, Verde Valley
Saturday, December 5
Terry Blows, leader
In these wide open spaces of the Verde Valley’s desert grasslands,
we will search for Sage Sparrow, Brewer’s Sparrow and Sage Thrasher
- birds that usually need some effort to run into. Yuccas, crucifixion
thorn, mesquite and scrub oak add to this habitat where we may
also find hawks, Roadrunner, Bewick’s Wren, towhees, and Western
Meadowlark. Bring birding gear, water, snacks and sun gear. Flagstaff
folks may plan to stop for lunch on the way home. Meet in Flagstaff
at 7:30 am in the southeast corner of Walmart parking lot (along the
fence) to carpool the hour drive. For those in the Verde Valley, meet
at 8:30 at Bill Grey Road and 89A - ¾ mile north of the 89A and
Cornville Road intersection, or a little more than 3 miles south of
the 89A and North Page Springs Road intersection. Call Terry with
questions at 928-774-8028.
Page 3
NAAS Sept/Oct field trip reports
Mormon Lake Field Trip Report
from Sunday, August 30, 2009 - Ken Murphy, leader
Thirteen folks joined me for a pleasant morning of birding out at Mormon
Lake where we ended up finding 37 species. Our first stop was the overlook
with scope views out on the lake of American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis
and Great Blue Heron as well as a couple of unidentifiable gulls. The rest of the
trip was spent walking the southern end of the bluff road where overall passerine
numbers seemed low for the time of year. Migrants were quite sparse but we
saw several Yellow Warblers, Warbling Vireos and Black-headed Grosbeaks
along with one each Virginia’s Warbler, Hermit Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler
and Yellow-breasted Chat. The numbers of Townsend’s Solitaires were good and
was one of the highlights of the trip, the other being raptors with good looks at
Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Peregrine Falcon and American Kestrel.
Holbrook’s Hidden Birding Field Trip Report
from Sunday, September 13, 2009 - Eric Hough, leader
Eleven participants began birding at the Golf Course Rd. wastewater ponds
and at the entrance of the tree farm behind the Hidden Cove Golf Course before
severe thunderstorms hit the area and ended our trip around noon. While heading
back to Flagstaff the torrential downpour was one of the most intense I’ve seen
in Arizona, with water covering I-40 and the surrounding rangelands. Finally a
decent monsoon storm in the area this year!
We ended up finding 69 species, which is pretty darn good for a few hours
of birding at one site in northern Arizona and also considering that we didn’t even
reach the reservoir. The best birds found were a Red-Breasted Nuthatch seen
by most and a male Hepatic Tanager seen by my mom, Elaine (both near the
wastewater ponds). This seems like a very surprising location to find this species
of tanager and makes me wonder where it spent the summer (Chuska Mtns.?,
s. Utah?). A probable Greater White-fronted Goose, 11 shorebirds including 4
Semipalmated Plovers, 5 Red-necked Phalaropes, 1 Wilson’s Snipe, a Western-
type flycatcher (presumably Cordilleran--it seems like Pac Slopes stick to the
deserts in southern Arizona), 6 swallow species including ~10 Bank Swallows,
and FOS White-crowned Sparrows were also notable. As far as non-avian
sightings, Terry Blows found a red-spotted toad burrowing out of the ground. I
would like to thank those that came on the trip today and shared their knowledge
with us. What a friendly bunch!
Bill Williams Mountain Field Trip Report
from Sunday, September 20, 2009 - Phyllis Kegley, leader
On September 20, thirteen people, both from ATR and BTR, drove up
Bill William’s Mountain Rd, birding along the way. The birds were somewhat
disappointing but some of us managed to see the following: Pygmy, White-
breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches; Mountain Chickadee; Brown Creeper;
Steller’s Jay; Northern Flicker; Hairy Woodpecker-heard only; Dark-eyed Junco;
Western Bluebird; Hermit and Townsend’s Warblers; Band-tailed Pigeon;
Common Raven; and House Wren. We also saw accipiter, hummingbird and
empidonax flycatcher species but couldn’t identify the specific species.
The panoramic views were spectacular, especially the one from the fire
tower which some of us ascended. The highlight of the day were 1000’s of a
ladybug species clustered on bushes, trees, and rocks at the top of the mountain.
I did a Google search and found out that the insect was probably Hippodamia
convergens or convergent ladybeetle. One can find a photo on Wikipedia.
Kachina Wetlands Field Trip Report
from Sunday, September 27, 2009 - Tom Linda, leader
A group of seven people enjoyed a beautiful morning at the wetlands. The
place was alive with sparrows, goldfinches and blackbirds. The middle pond
is unfortunately, almost completely dry and the hoped for American Bittern, or
shorebirds, didn’t materialize. However, we enjoyed nice looks at two Virginia
Rails there (a fan favorite was a 3rd Virginia Rail that swam right by us), as well as
an enormous flock of Chipping Sparrow, probably 300-400 birds leaving the grass
and cattail for the pines. We also enjoyed a nice showing of raptors, although the
views were never very good. We’re pretty confident that we saw one each Sharp-
shinned, Coopers, Merlin and Kestrel. A fun time for all, the weather was nice, no
wind and lots of birds, 48 species in all. Thanks to everyone that attended, it was
great birding with you!
See entire reports and species lists on Local Field
Trips forum, ww.nazaudubon.com/sightings
 Page 4 Christmas Bird Count ... BlackH awk W atch

Arizona Christmas Bird Count Schedule By Walter Thurber

[2009-2010]

The National Audubon Society has conducted Christmas bird counts since 1900. Volunteers from across North America and beyond will take to the
field during one calendar day between December 14 and January 5 to record every bird species and individual bird encountered within a designated
15-mile diameter circle. These records now comprise an extensive ornithological database that enables monitoring of winter bird populations and the
overall health of the environment.

Participants are typically assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance. Many counts hold a compilation dinner at the end
of the day where results are tabulated and stories shared. A $5.00 participation fee defrays a portion of the cost of tabulating and publishing the overall
count results. Help is needed on most of these counts, so find one that interests you and contact the compiler for more information.

DATE DAY COUNT NAME COMPILER PHONE E-MAIL

12/14 Mo Salt-Verde Rivers Kurt Radamaker 480-837-2446 kurtrad@mexicobirding.com

12/18 Fr Buenos Aires NWR Bonnie Swarbrick 520-823-4251 x108 bonnie_swarbrick@fws.gov

12/18 Fr Prescott Carl Tomoff 928-778-2626 tomoff@northlink.com
12/18 Fr Saint David Tom Wood 520-432-1388 tom@sabo.org

12/19 Sa Ajo-Cabeza Prieta NWR Curt McCasland 520-387-4992 curtis_mccasland@fws.gov

12/19 Sa Avra Valley Mary Lou Cole 520-578-0114 birdingnana@msn.com
12/19 Sa Martinez Lake-Yuma Henry Detwiler 928-210-6474 henrydetwiler@earthlink.net
12/19 Sa Mormon Lake Elaine Morrall 928-526-1022 elaimorr@npgcable.com
12/19 Sa Nogales Michael Bissontz 520-577-8778 seetrogon@comcast.net
12/19 Sa Pipe Spring Natl. Monument Andrea Bornemeier 928-643-7105 andrea_bornemeier@nps.gov
12/19 Sa Ramsey Canyon Ted Mouras 520-803-0221 tedmouras@mindspring.com
12/19 Sa Santa Catalina Mountains Bob Bates 520-296-5629 batesd@cox.net

12/20 Su Chino Valley Russell Duerksen 928-636-4916 russell.duerksen@azbar.org

12/20 Su Hassayampa River Vanessa Montgomery 623-465-0012 hassayampacbc@hotmail.com
12/20 Su Jerome-Cottonwood Betsy Feinberg 928-203-0676 x11 azbirder@gmail.com
12/20 Su Tucson Valley Larry Liese 520-743-3520 larryliese@prodigy.net

12/21 Mo Elfrida Tom Wood 520-432-1388 tom@sabo.org

12/21 Mo Phoenix-Tres Rios David Powell 602-441-5508 vireo@vireos.com

12/26 Sa Flagstaff-Mount Elden Terry Blows 928-774-8028 terence.blows@nau.edu

12/26 Sa Superior Cynthia Donald 480-283-4515 planres@earthlink.net

12/27 Su Patagonia Abbie Zeltzer 520-604-6320 amindajar@gmail.com

12/28 Mo Gila River Troy Corman 602-482-6187 aplomado@cox.net

12/28 Mo Green Valley-Madera Canyon Michael Marsden 520-269-6240 birdanza@cox.net

12/29 Tu Havasu NWR DeeDee DeLorenzo 928-758-2707 poncho@citlink.net

12/30 We Bill Williams River NWR Kathleen Blair 928-667-4144 kathleen_blair@fws.gov

12/30 We Carefree Walter Thurber 480-483-6450 wathurber@cox.net

1/2 Sa Appleton-Whittell Robert Weissler 520-803-0794 weissler@aves.org

1/2 Sa Dudleyville Doug Jenness 520-909-1529 d_jenness@hotmail.com
1/2 Sa Portal Jackie Lewis 520-558-2287 winjac12@vtc.net
1/2 Sa Sedona Dottie Hook 928-204-1894 dottiehook1@aol.com
1/2 Sa Sierra Pinta-Cabeza Prieta NWR Curt McCasland 520-387-4992 curtis_mccasland@fws.gov

1/3 Su Atascosa Highlands Rich Hoyer 520-325-5310 birdernaturalist@me.com

1/3 Su Camp Verde Anita MacFarlane 928-282-4063 ajmac@macfarlanes.us

1/5 Tu Glen Canyon John Spence 928-608-6267 john_spence@nps.gov

Unknown Payson Dave Hallock 303-258-3672 eldoradh@rmi.net

Unknown Timber Mesa Unknown

Other Nearby Counts

12/19 Sa Puerto Penasco, Sonora, MX Steve Ganley 480-830-5538 sganley@cox.net

1/3 Su Peloncillo Mountains, NM Unknown
 BlackH awk W atch
Volunteer Opportunities ... Page 5

Oak Creek Pollution Volunteer Corner

NAAS could use your help with the following:
To Be Mitigated
submitted by Brent Bitz • Education, both above & below the rim
• Field Trip chair, above the rim
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality • Membership, above the rim
has awarded a $311,603 grant to the Oak Creek Watershed
Council (aka Oak Creek Canyon Task Force) to reduce the • Digging thistle and trash pick up at Logans Crossing
level of E. coli bacteria in the Oak Creek Watershed area. • Trail work and invasive plant removal at Page Springs
In recent years, Oak Creek has been closed several times • Working at our table at various events such as the
each recreation season due to such contamination and, Science Fair; Sustainability Fair and Earth Day.
consequently, has been considered “impaired” by the U.S.
EPA. If you have a skill you think we could use for some
Over a two-year period, commencing at the beginning other project, not mentioned above, please feel free to
of 2010, the grant will be used firstly to develop a watershed contact me to discuss your idea. NAAS is an entirely
improvement plan and then to implement projects to clean volunteer based organization, so the more volunteers
up sources of E. coli. It is anticipated that likely projects we have, the better hope we have of achieving our
will focus on problems associated with faulty septic systems, mission.
municipal storm water runoff, abuse from recreational For more information contact Kathie Satterfield
users, livestock contamination and reducing contamination 928-522-0375 or k.satterfield@yahoo.com
from wildlife.
While the Oak Creek Watershed Council will lead
the project, they will be forming an Oak Creek Watershed LEAVE NO TRACE By Carolyn Loren
Coalition consisting of various interested stakeholders. It is
likely that the Northern Arizona Audubon Society will be The principles are:
approached to see if we have an interest in participating. -Plan ahead and prepare
Stay tuned over the next few months to see how you -Travel and camp on durable surfaces (basically a take-only-photos,
leave-only footprints idea)
can help preserve this birding jewel. -Dispose of waste properly
-Leave what you find
-Minimize campfire impacts
-Respect wildlife
-Be considerate of other visitors

WANTED Since birdwatchers are out and about often, NAAS members could help
spread the word. And that’s always a good thing!!
Membership Chair Assistant
We are seeking a person or persons to assist with Membership,
preferably above the rim (ATR) but not a requirement. If some of the
duties appeal to you, this position can be subdivided. In general, it
would entail: New & Renewing
1. Send thank you notes for donations.
2. Store a copy of the master membership list so it is on more than
one computer. It is in Excel.
3. Provide membership information at ATR monthly meetings.
Members Susannah Johnson
Marlies Allen
4. Greet visitors at ATR meetings and make them feel welcome. June Beasley Jim Mast & Sheryl Houston
5. Collect and send information on new and renewing members Marilyn Berk Marcia & Dave Lamkin
ATR to the Membership Chair. Brent Bitz Steve & Betsy Mckellar
6. Keep the e-mail list updated and send announcements as Gretchen Burgess Margaret Miller
requested by the Board. Kay Clark Ken Murphy
Richard & Roslyn Clark Sue Ordway
If you are interested in helping with any of these, please contact Barbara Carole Coburn & Scott Beck Barbara Osborne
Hirt, Membership Chair, 928-284-3367 or ragalyi- hirt@esedona.net. Dawn Gardner Jan Parrott
Tom Hager Adrienne Pritchard
Gail W. Heyer, M.D. Kathleen Satterfield
Joe & Barbara Hirt Marjorie Schaeffer
Birders, Check the Local Field Trip forum for Thora G. Hodge Mousie Staub
updates, new field trips and trip reports! Helen-Marie & Paul Holmgren Ellen Wade
Barbara Iverson Russell Widner
Go to nazaudubon.com/sightings Terri Nelson & Mark Giger

 Page 6 News & Information ... BlackHawk W atch

New Audubon Center WINTER BEE BLOCK CARE

Opens In Arizona
Submitted by Phyllis Kegley
On Saturday, October 10, the long-awaited Nina
Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center
officially opened with a family-oriented celebration.
Speakers included Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Audubon
President John Flicker, and Diane Enos, President of
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Since
the Salt River restoration project began in 2000, the
number of bird species seen on its banks has grown from
a few dozen to over 200. Flycatchers, owls, roadrunners,
hawks, and herons are now common sights in the area
which was, for decades, a landfill. Advance publicity
included an excellent TV segment with Sarah Porter,
Associate Director of the new Center.
by Dave Smith
Hopefully, everyone who
received a bee blocked at either
the Sedona or Flagstaff meetings
last fall installed them and now
have a lot of plugged holes.
Leaf-cutter bees chew up leaves
into a paste to seal compartments
in each hole. Each compartment
contains an egg and a pollen pack
for the bee larva to feed upon.
Care sheets I have seen from
northern Utah recommend bee
blocks in colder climates to be
stored over winter out of the harsh
wind and cold. Sedona folks can just leave their blocks
out over winter. Flagstaff folks, if possible, can remove
their blocks from the fence or wall they installed on and
place them in a grocery bag (paper please). Fold over the
top and staple shut and keep in your garage or shed until
early spring when the weather isn’t as harsh. DO NOT
bring inside, the larva may mature too fast and you’ll end
up with a bunch of adult leaf-cutter bees with no place to
go because it is too cold outside. (I did that once growing
up with a praying mantis egg case, but that is a different
story).
Remember, solitary bees are not aggressive and do not
sting to protect a hive or bee block. Thank you all who
installed blocks for helping native pollinators.

Debating Two Good Lookin' Birds

After seeing the rough sketch of a bald eagle by Charles Thomson that
Congress approved on June 20, 1782, as the Great Seal of the United
States of America, Ben Franklin wrote in a letter to his daughter, "For
my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen .... I am on this
account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but
looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a
much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America
. . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage …”

Was he promoting the turkey, as is widely interpreted? Or was he

comparing the poorly drawn eagle to the turkey, and then contrasting
their apparent moral attributes? He never published any mention of the
turkey, but he did advocate the rattlesnake as an appropriate symbol in
print. Look up Franklin’s full letter about the eagle and turkey, and
see what you think.
 BlackHawk W atch
Information ... Page 7

Northern Arizona CBC Dates ...

December 19 – Mormon Lake CBC Officers
NAAS Directory
compiler: Elaine Morrall 928-526-1022 President Zack Zdinak 928-774-4229 naas@lifedraw.com
elaimorr@npgcable.com Previous Pres. Phyllis Kegley kegleyphyllis@hotmail.com
Vice President Karin Slavey 928-282-9688
December 19 – Pipe Spring Natl. Monument Secretary Kay Clark
compiler: Andrea Bornemeier, 928-643-7105 Treasurer Kathie Satterfield 928-522-0375
K.Satterfield@yahoo.com
andrea_bornemeier@nps.gov
Directors at Large
December 20 – Jerome CBC Anita MacFarlane David Smith Brent Bitz
compiler: Betsy Feinberg
AZbirder@gmail.com Standing Committee Chairs and Co-chairs
Programs Phyllis Kegley
December 26 – Flagstaff/Mt Elden CBC Field Trips
compiler: Terry Blows 928-774-8028 Below Rim Dena Greenwood naturalists@sedona.net
terence.blows@nau.edu Above Rim Terry Blows terence.blows@nau.edu

January 2 – Sedona CBC Publications

Above Rim Bryan Cooperrider bryan@coopsmaps.com
compiler: Dottie Hook
Below Rim Kim Fofana
dothook1@aol.com Conservation
Above Rim Jim Logan
January 3 – Camp Verde CBC Below Rim Roger Radd webmaster@nazaudubon.com
compiler: Bea Cooley beacooley@aol.com
Contact: Anita MacFarlane 928-282-4063 Education
Above Rim Susan Shaw-Minger susan.shaw-sueminger@npgcable.com
Below Rim Open

IT’S TIME TO RE-LINK Membership

Above Rim Open
If you shop at Bashas’ and have a Bashas’
Thank You Card, it’s time to re-link your card Below Rim Barbara Hirt
with Bashas’ fundraising program. This is a
simple, painless way for you to help support Development Open
Northern Arizona Audubon. With Bashas’
Shop & Give program (formerly Thanks a Million), Hospitality
you can link your Thank You Card to our group. You only Above Rim Linda Hall, Winnie Tanney
have to do it once, and can do it at any Bashas’ checkout or service counter. Below Rim Wilma Morrison
The program begins September 1st and continues through March 31st of
next year. With your help, we can earn up to $5000.00 from Bashas’. Publicity
So go to Bashas’ now and tell them to link your card to our group Above Rim Phyllis Kegley
identification number 28834. Below Rim Open
Tell your neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers to also link their
Thank You Cards to #28834. We can earn 1 percent of the total dollars Special Project Team Leaders
linked to our organization, up to $5000.00. WOW! This is an easy way Web Site Roger Radd webmaster@nazaudubon.com
to support Northern Arizona Audubon. Please be sure to link or re-link.
Or one can re-link online at www.bashas.com/charity.php. Just follow the Newsletter Editor Debbie Compton weehawks@hotmail.com
instructions. Books Sales Above Rim Bryan Cooperrider bryan@coopsmaps.com
Northern AZ Audubon Society - #28834 Books Sales Below Rim Kim Fofana
Historical Records Stephen Hall

n
Audubnoa
VVBNF Kathleen Satterfield 928-522-0375

2010 Audubon K.Satterfield@yahoo.com

Arizo Calendars are here! Volunteer Coordinator / Outreach

2010
Kathleen Satterfield 928-522-0375 K.Satterfield@yahoo.com
Tuzigoot IBA Celia Holm
Now’s the time to pick some up for
Holiday gifts! Birds in this calendar are: Northern Lower Oak Creek IBA Roger Radd webmaster@nazaudubon.com
Cardinal, Vermilion Flycatcher, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red- Anderson Mesa IBA Elaine Morrall
faced Warbler, Flammulated Owl, Pine Grosbeak, Rufous Rio de Flag IBA Bea Cooley Jodi Griffith Jim Logan
Hummingbird, Lewis’ Woodpecker, House Finch, Pyrroloxia,
Summer Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, Flame-colored Tanager,
and Rose-throated Becard.
Northern Arizona Audubon Society
Only $10 each. For sale at our members meetings in
Sedona and Flagstaff. www.nazaudubon.com
Or call Zack at 928-774-4229. Tell your friends
 Non-profit
BLACKHAWK WATCH U.S. Postage
Northern Arizona Audubon Society PAID
Flagstaff, AZ
PO Box 1496, Sedona, AZ 86339
Permit No. 163

Have you visited our web site? www.nazaudubon.com

✁ November Meeting
Join Us! Guest Speaker - Andi Rogers
Northern Arizona Audubon Society “The Goatsuckers … secretive and
misunderstood, yet highly adaptable birds”
Please enroll me/our household as a Chapter
Member of Northern Arizona Audubon Society Sedona - November 18 (Wed)
(NAAS). Sedona Public Library - 3250 White Bear Road
Flagstaff - November19 (Thurs)
Name: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Address: 1601 N San Francisco St.
✁

City, State, Zip

Meetings start at 7:00 pm with social time.
Phone: Formal meeting begins at 7:30 pm.
Email:
(If you wish to be a part of the NAAS email list)

Enclosed:
Check here if this is a
$15 for 1 year
change of address
$25 for 2 years
$35 for 3 years Check here if this is a
renewal • The BlackHawk Watch is published bi-monthly September
through May, and is sent to members of the Northern
Please make checks payable to NAAS and mail to: Arizona Audubon Society as a membership benefit.
Membership Chair, NAAS • Articles are welcome from members and non-members. Send
PO Box 1496, Sedona, AZ 86339 proposed articles by email to Debbie at weehawks@hotmail.com
Deadline for copy is the 10th of the month.