November 2009

Volume XXXV, Issue 10 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

AAS Annual Holiday Banquet and Silent Auction I N S I D E

5 Seasons Brewing Annual Appeal......................2
1000 Marietta Street, Atlanta (Indoor Location) From the Exec Dir ................3
Sunday, December 6 Reception (cash bar) 5:30 PM—Dinner 7:00 PM
Art Opening at Blue Heron...3
Join us for a fun night with fellow birding friends as we enjoy great food and even better
Field Notes - August ............4
company. The Marietta Street location of 5 Seasons Brewing provides a great venue for our
event, and it has a spectacular view of Atlanta’s skyline. Their menu features delicious local and Field Trips.............................5
organic food. Spotlight - Charles Seabrook ..6
Please come and help make our Silent Auction another big success. We have some great items A Million Thanks..................6
on which you can bid, so come with your checkbook or credit card in hand and prepare to have
a blast. (To donate items for the auction, please contact Marge Igyarto at igyar@earthlink.net.) Golden-winged Warbler.......7
We are offering an early-bird special of $25 for those who sign up and pay before the deadline at Dragonflies...........................8
noon Monday, Nov. 16. After that time, the charge will be $30 per person, and we must receive Bird Artistry..........................9
your registration by noon Monday, Nov. 30, after which time no reservations will be accepted.
Classifieds..........................10
Because AAS must pay the restaurant for everyone who registers, regardless of whether they
attend the event or not, cancellations must be made prior to noon Nov. 30 by calling the AAS Colombia Trip.......................11
office at 678.973.2437 to receive a full refund. To register, please contact the AAS office at Membership........................11
678.973.2437 and pay by credit card over the phone. Or, you may mail your check to Sally Davis
at 3904 Ashford Lake Court, Atlanta, GA 30319. Southern Birding Trails.........12
continued on back page

SPEAKER SERIES
New Management Policies for Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons
Where do we go from here?
Thursday, November 19, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM ATLANTA
AAS Office & Education Center at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve AUDUBON SOCIETY
Both the Bald Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon “Endangered” was reduced to “Threatened,”
have stared directly into the face of possible and it was completely removed from the list
4055 Roswell Road
extinction. Both magnificent hunters suffered of threatened and endangered species 12 Atlanta, GA 30342
greatly during the decades in which DDT was years later. In 1999, worldwide captive-bred
used as an agricultural pesticide. Along with release programs also led to the removal of
the impact from black market egg the Peregrine Falcon from these
collectors and illegal hunters, it
seemed as if these birds would not
lists.
Please join Jim Ozier, a wildlife
678.973.2437
survive. However, both the Bald biologist and program manager www.atlantaaudubon.org
Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon with the Georgia Department of
have made remarkable recoveries, Natural Resources Nongame
thanks not only to the protection Conservation Section for an
provided by federal legislation such explanation of how Georgia GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
as the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act of 1940 and the
Endangered Species Act of 1973
wildlife will be affected by the
two new policies recently 770.493.8862
published by the U. S. Fish and
(ESA), but also to the hard work Jim Ozier banding Peregrine Falcon Wildlife Service regarding the
and determination of federal, state Photographer: Rick Lavender, GA DNR taking of these two species.
and local conservationists. In 1995,
the Bald Eagle’s status of continued on page 9
 Board of Directors
2009
Many Thanks to our Supporters Who
Officers
President Stacy E. Zarpentine
Are Helping Make Education a
404.219.5869
nuthatch3@aol.com
President-elect Carol N. Hassell
770.945.3111
Priority in Our Community
chassell@mindspring.com We are extremely grateful to all of those individuals who have contributed $6,225 to this year’s
Treasurer annual appeal in support of AAS’ education efforts in our community. These donations will help
Vacant
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
support the following goals:
404.298.8825
markajernigan@bellsouth.net
• Expand and diversify the number of workshops, classes and seminars
Corresponding Secy Barbara Tarpley • Create new materials/programs for young people in underserved minority communities
404.687.0079 • Increase the number of Speaker Series events
atlpiaf@aol.com
Directors
• Boost our community outreach efforts for groups, clubs and organizations
Conservation Dave Butler • Expand the very popular Learning About Birds program
404.580.3917
dabutler700@comcast.net • Increase support for and participation in the Youth Birding Competition
Education Marge Igyarto • Build upon and expand our scholarship program
678.398.0569
igyar@earthlink.net This year we also introduced our “Bird Bucks” that donors can redeem for fun AAS merchandise.
Field Trips Stanley Chapman
stancha@aol.com We would like to thank the following contributors for their generosity:
Membership Darlene Moore
404.633.9361
$1,000 or more Susan Callaway Woodrow McKay, Jr.
djmoore67@bellsouth.net Carl W. Tyler, Jr. Catherine Capps Ann H. Miller
Communications Barbara Clarkson Sandra & Simon Miller
Barbara Tarpley
404.687.0079 $500-$999 David Criner & Wister Cook Katherine Mitchell
atlpiaf@aol.com
Jerry G. Pevey Johnette & Dave Crum Terry S. Moore
Publicity Beth Giddens
770.792.3712 Jane Seward & Robert Berry Carolyn & Joshua Daniel Mary Ellen Myers
beth.giddens@att.net Dunwoody Woman’s Club Linda S. Outlaw
Volunteers Nancy Hamilton
404.874.2338
$250-$499 Fabrick Architects Elizabeth C. Pendergrast
nlhamilton@bellsouth.net Brian Brackney Barbara Giebelhaus Steve Phenicie
At Large Carol & Scott James LeRoy W. Giles, Jr. Diane & David Pitts
Jay Davis Kelly Hopkins Cathy & Larry Harman Ted Reissing
404.624.4973
webtoad@earthlink.net Art & Lisa Hurt Darryl Harris Stewart R. Roberts, Jr.
JoAnn Jordan Jet & Dennis Lacoss Carol Hassell Donald J. Shure
678.488.8022 Katharine & Ronald Robey Joel Hitt Jerry A. Smith
jordan.joann@gmail.com
Victor Williams
Suzanne & Mark A. Jernigan Dr. & Mrs. James Van Buren
Earthshare Representative Up to $249 Elaine Johnson Waldin Vidal
770.423.1012
72064.1017@compuserve.com Anonymous (8) Jane Knapp Lynn Waldvogel
Staff Lee Baker and Bob May Thomas Lowndes, Jr. Stella & Jack Wissner
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar Diane C. Barnsley Gary Ludi Mr. & Mrs. Robert Yost
770.993.9579
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org Kris Bisgard Katherine D. Marbut
Education Coordinator Emily Toriani-Moura Jane & Tom Blaisdell Anne & Jim McCallum
404.661.6613
AtlantaaudubonED@gmail.com
Administrative Coordinator Sally Davis If you haven’t had a chance to give to this year’s appeal, we hope you will consider making a gift.
770.216.9680 Your gift does matter and is greatly needed and appreciated.
atlantaaudubon@comcast.net
Website If your name has been misspelled, incorrectly identified, or if you believe you were left off the
Jim Flynn list in error (the recognition list above includes donations received by Oct. 12), please let us
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
Wingbars Editor know by notifying us at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.
Mary Ann Hindes 770.497.0664
mhindes@bellsouth.net
Proofreading
Steven Phenicie
770.849.0391
swlphenicie@bellsouth.net
Design & Layout
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
incoming@copyprep.com
Newsletter deadline is the first of
the month for material to be
published the following month.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to
mhindes@bellsouth.net.
E-mail attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society and is published 11 times a
year. We feature news, upcoming events,
Mission Statement:
meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you
will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the
To promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to
authors and do not necessarily reflect policies
of the Atlanta Audubon Society. conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.
2 Atlanta Audubon Society
 From the Executive Director
by Catharine Brockman Kuchar

Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour in

Fayetteville and Peachtree City
our Biggest Success Yet
In September, Atlanta Audubon Society held its
most successful Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary
Tour. Somehow we managed to have an
absolutely beautiful day even though it was
raining days before the tour and, soon after,
Atlanta had its devastating “100-year flood.” We
welcomed over 300 guests, and our proceeds
more than doubled those of past tours.
The residents of Fayetteville and Peachtree City,
along with visitors from Atlanta, immensely
enjoyed the day that included visits to two
HGTV-featured gardens including Ferrol Sams’
property and Turnipseed Farms, Two Doves
Farm (an organic farm where visitors could
purchase produce and plants), a breath-taking
nature preserve and backyard wildlife
sanctuaries with water features and other
attributes. We also introduced a new “passport”
program for children Age 12 and under. After
finding nature-related things at each site, the
youngsters could redeem their passports for
special prize packs. We hope to encourage more
young people to attend our tours in the future.
A very special thanks to Jacqueline McRae, the
coordinator of this event. Without her ongoing
efforts, our tour would never take place. She is
an amazing asset to Atlanta Audubon Society
for managing the tour and for overseeing our
certification process throughout the year.
Thanks also to Nancy Hamilton for organizing
this year’s volunteers and to Cynthia Bohannon-
Brown for taking the photographs of the day.
Cynthia did a wonderful job telling the story
pictorially. Please check out her website at
www.cbbstudios.com. (Click on the “Around
Georgia” link and then the BWS tour page.) We
would also like to thank Mike Swanson for
providing tours of the Sams Lake Bird
Sanctuary.
We are indebted to our volunteers at the various
sites: Joyce Bentley, Leonard Borg, Susan
Breunig, Anita Chilcutt, Sally Davis, Nanette
Dooley, Virginia Dunbar, Anne Foley, Beth
Giddens, Carol Hassell, Pam Higginbotham,
Frank and Patty Hiller, Sally Hodges, Jamie
Holmes, JoAnn Jordan, Marge Igyarto, Nathalie
Kinkade, Janelle Kovner, Janet Lester, Graham
and Page McDonald, Sandy Miller, Anne
McCallum, Susan Norman, Steve Phenicie,
Allyson Read, Emily Toriani-Moura, Victor
Williams and Jennifer Woodall.
We sincerely appreciate the efforts our property
owners put into creating such wonderful and
inviting properties and then generously hosting
this year’s tour. We extend our gratitude to
David Cree for making the tour in Fayetteville
and Peachtree City possible, to Ferrol Sams for
opening his property to the public, and to
Steven Stinchcomb of Turnipseed Nursery
Farms for all of his help.
To learn how you can create an AAS Backyard
Wildlife Sanctuary, visit our website at
www.atlantaaudubon.org.

Art Opening at Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Blue Heron Nature Preserve Opening Night Reception
Friday, November 13, from 6 PM to 9 PM

You are invited to the first art exhibit in the beautiful Blue Heron Nature Preserve (Atlanta Audubon’s new home) on
the evening of Nov. 13. The BHNP hopes to make this a quarterly event to showcase the work of local artists with
themes of nature. The first artist to be featured is Diane Evans who is showing a series of mixed media tree drawings
in the lobby area. In the boardroom will be her collage work, and she will have jewelry, note cards and smaller works
for sale. This is a wonderful opportunity to check out the preserve and to see some amazing art—as well as doing a
little holiday shopping.

November 2009 3
 August Field Notes
Georgia birders were treated to
quite a show this month as
Mississippi and Swallow-tailed
Kites actively hunted over large
fields that had an abundance of
large insects. To watch these
species perform their aerial tricks is certainly
one of the thrills of being a birder. If you
haven’t made it to one of these feeding fields,
make sure you do it next year as it is a once in
a lifetime experience.
The Atlanta area came in with 145 species
(average = 137.5) to bring the year to date list
to 231 (average = 228.6). The Georgia area
had an even 200 species (average = 200.7) to
bring that year to date total to 315 (average =
317.9).
ATLANTA AREA
IBIS THROUGH MOORHENS – CM had seven
WHITE IBIS at Panola Mtn. State Park on 1 Aug.
and CaL had seven at a wetlands area near
Stockbridge on 13 Aug. In addition, CaL had four
WOOD STORKS at the same wetlands area on 8
Aug. There were several reports of small
numbers of MISSISSIPPI KITES in the Atlanta
area during the month (m.ob.). At the E.L. Huie
Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton Co.,
CaL had five adult and three young COMMON
MOORHENS on 11 Aug.
SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS – Unless
otherwise noted, all the following observations
came from Bartow Co. KB had a BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVER on 17 Aug., and NF discovered a very
rare AMERICAN AVOCET that remained in the
area from 24 to 26 Aug. PMcL and KM had one
WILLET, one SANDERLING, six WESTERN and 22
STILT SANDPIPERS on 16 Aug. Two WHITE-
RUMPED SANDPIPERS were seen on 24 Aug. by
DM and BL. In Forsyth Co., JFly had one WHITE-
RUMPED SANDPIPER on 26 Aug. GS, et al., had
two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS on 22 Aug.,
and B&DZ and K&LT had one on 29 Aug. CaL
found two CASPIAN TERNS at the ELHLAF on 25
Aug., and KB had 11 BLACK TERNS in Bartow
Co. on 29 Aug.
DOVES THROUGH BOBOLINK – Two COMMON
GROUND-DOVES were seen in Bartow Co. on 22
Aug. (GS, et al.). The highest count of COMMON
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
NIGHTHAWKS was 185 at the Chattahoochee
Nature Center on 30 Aug. GS, et al., had a good
count of 25 HORNED LARKS in Bartow Co. on 22
Aug. Also in Bartow Co. were 100+ CLIFF
SWALLOWS on 1 Aug. (B&DZ). A WHITE-
THROATED SPARROW in north Cobb Co. was a
rare find on 1 Aug. (WSk). In Forsyth Co., JFly
had a DICKCISSEL on 31 Aug. Back in Bartow
Co., KB, et al., had a BOBOLINK on 22 Aug.
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH STORKS – WSc had as many
as 19 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS (both
adult and non-flying young) in Baker Co. on 20
Aug. A blue phase SNOW GOOSE was an
interesting find in Morgan Co. on 23 Aug. (PMcL,
KM). A RING-NECKED DUCK was a rare find at
Vogel State Park on 4 Aug. (VD). Two reports of
COMMON LOONS were received with single
birds seen in Hall Co. on 14 Aug. (BB) and
another single bird in the Columbus area on 14
Aug. (TT). Inland BROWN PELICANS were spotted
in Macon on 3 Aug. (TMc) and at the West Point
Dam on 27 Aug. (WC). Interesting wader reports
included an AMERICAN BITTERN at the Altamaha
Waterfowl Management Area near Darien on 10
Aug. (NF), a TRICOLORED HERON in Berrien Co.
on 2 Aug. (WSc), two ROSEATE SPOONBILLS in
Baker Co. on 20 Aug. (WSc) and 60 WOOD
STORKS in Baker Co. on 1 Aug. (JFly).
KITES THROUGH FALCONS – Both MISSISSIPPI
and SWALLOW-TAILED KITES were widely
reported during the month. These species
congregate around fields that attract many large
insects such as dragonflies and june bugs. They
catch and devour these insects while in flight. To
say the least they put on quite a show. While
there were good numbers up in the Piedmont in
Newton and Morgan counties, the peak numbers
were found down in Long Co., where teams of
birders made a simultaneous count at three
locations and came up with 135 SWALLOW-
TAILED KITES and 31 MISSISSIPPI KITES on 1
Aug. (GW, et al.). Always a pleasure to see was a
PEREGRINE FALCON seen in Morgan Co. on 16
Aug. (KG).
SHOREBIRDS – MM had a good variety of
uncommon shorebirds at Carter’s Lake on 17
Aug. with four BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, one
WILLET, eight WESTERN SANDPIPERS and two
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVERS were seen 29 Aug., two in
Marshallville by StP and one in Baker Co. by JFly
and WSc. Back at Carter’s Lake, MMcS had five
WILLETS on 2 Aug. UPLAND SANDPIPERS were
well reported with the peak count of 30-40 plus
several hundred PECTORAL SANDPIPERS seen at
Marshallville on 15 Aug. (JSe, BL, DV). Two
RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen in Baker Co. on
3 Aug. (WSc). Back at Carter’s Lake, MMcS had
104 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS on 2 Aug.
Rare shorebirds at Marshallville were a WHITE-
RUMPED SANDPIPER on 19 Aug. (JFle, BF, FH) a
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER on 3 Aug. (JFle) and nine
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS on 14 Aug. (WC).
A previously reported BLACK-NECKED STILT was
again reported from Baker Co. on 2 Aug. (JFly). A
WILSON’S PHALAROPE was found in Baker Co.
on 2 Aug. by JFly).
TERNS THROUGH DICKCISSELS – NF had a good
count of seven GULL-BILLED TERNS along the
Jekyll Island Causeway on 10 Aug. BLACK
TERNS were widely reported with the peak
count of 30 plus 15 COMMON TERNS at West
Point Dam on 27 Aug. (WC). A BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO at Milledgeville on 30 Aug. was a rare
find (StP). At Jekyll Island, TK found a WESTERN
KINGBIRD on 27 Aug. On a trip through SW GA,
JFly had at least 1200 NORTHERN ROUGH-
WINGED SWALLOWS on 2 Aug. GK found a rare
LARK SPARROW on Jekyll Island on 27 Aug. In
Gordon Co. JSp found as many as 13
DICKCISSELS on 4 Aug.
CONTRIBUTORS – Brandon Best, Ken
Blankenship, Walt Chambers, Vicki DeLoach,
Nathan Farnau, Bill Flatau, James Fleullan, Jim
Flynn, Dan Furbish, Krista Gridley, Frank Hougue,
Gene Keferl, Tim Keyes, Carol Lambert, Zelia
LeBeau, Bill Lotz, Trey McCuen, Patty McLean,
Joel McNeal, Mark McShane, Max Medley,
Kathey Miller, Darlene Moore, Peggy and Terry
Moore, Charlie Muise, Sandy Pangle, Steve
Parrish, Joshua Spence, Paul Raney, Ted Roever,
Wayne Schaffner, Georgann Schmalz, Jeff
Sewell, Wayne Skelton, Karen and Luke
Theodorou, Ted Theus, Dan Vickers, Gene
Wilkinson, Bob and Deb Zaremba, Stacy
Zarpentine.
Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Ct., Roswell, GA
30075 – tsmoore@bellsouth.net
 Field Trips
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) for November field trips
Sketch by Anne McCallum
If you are interested in leading a field trip and/or volunteering to help with the Field Trip Committee, have ideas of
where you would like to go and/or feedback about leaders or trips, please e-mail Stan Chapman, Field Trips
Coordinator, at stancha@aol.com.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 AM
Piedmont Park (City of Atlanta)
Sponsored by the Piedmont Park
Conservancy and AAS
Matt Ward
Meet at the Piedmont Park
Conservancy Community Room,
Piedmont Ave. and 12th St.
Children accompanied by a parent are
invited.
Birding focus: This trip is an excellent
way for beginners to learn about birds
found in the forest and adjacent pond.
Directions: From south of Atlanta: Take I-
75/85 N to Exit 249B/Pine St. Go straight
on Pine St., crossing Peachtree St. Turn left
on Piedmont Ave. Travel about 1.0 mi. to
12th St. From northwest of Atlanta: Take I-
75 S. to Exit 250/16th St. Go straight,
crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th
St. Turn left on 10th St. Travel 0.5 mi. to
Piedmont Ave. Go left and travel about 1.0
mi. to 12th St. From northeast of
downtown: Take I-85 S to Exit 84/17th St.
Continue straight, crossing 14th St. Follow
directions above. From MARTA Arts
Center station, walk south 1.5 mi. to 14th
St., turn left (east) and walk two blocks to
Piedmont Ave., then turn right and walk
south two blocks to 12th St.
Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 AM
Jason Baumgardner
Saturday, Nov. 21, 7:30 AM
Herb Wollner
Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee
National Recreation Area
Meet at the parking lot of the Interstate
North Parkway entrance to Cochran
Shoals. There is a $3 parking fee (or annual
pass) at this site. Bring waterproof
footwear for walking on wet grass.
November 2009
Compiled by Stan Chapman
that may be scheduled.
Birding focus: Cochran Shoals has a Directions: From I-75/85: take I-285 to
diverse habitat of river, fields and forest Exit 22/Northside/Powers Ferry Rd.
that is very attractive to many species of Traveling I-285 W, turn right at the first
birds, including ducks, geese, hawks, traffic light onto Interstate North Pkwy.
herons, woodpeckers, wrens, kinglets, Stay on this road as it curves west through
waxwings, blackbirds and sparrows, an intersection and crosses the river to the
among others. parking lot immediately on right. Traveling
Jason’s walk is designed to help beginners I-285 E, continue east at the exit to the
learn more about birds in the area. He has second traffic light, then turn left (north)
just passed beginner status and is eager to and cross the bridge over I-285 and
share his skills with others. continue through the traffic light on the
other side onto Interstate North Pkwy.,
then continue with instructions above.
Atlanta Audubon Society
2010 Annual
Photography Contest
Don’t miss out on entering the 2010 photo contest. We’ll have great prizes—including a special
Grand Prize—and we’ll be introducing a new conservation category, Georgia’s Grassland Birds.
Categories for 2010 include:
First Prize—Birds in Motion
First Prize—Birds in Portrait
First Prize—Habitat
First Prize—Animals
First Prize—Conservation Category “Georgia’s Grassland Birds”
Judge’s Choice
Grand Prize
Criteria for judging includes originality, overall impact, composition, technique,
presentation and difficulty
KEY DATES
Entries must have been photographed since January 1, 2009 and must be received by midnight
on February 22, 2010. All entries will be displayed at the Speaker Series event to be held on
Sunday, March 21. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded at the event. All entries will be judged
prior to the event.
Rules and more details will soon be available on Atlanta Audubon Society’s website:
www.atlantaaudubon.org
.
Look for more information in the January issue of Wingbars.
5
Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
Spotlighting... Charles Seabrook
By David Kuechenmeister
What a pleasure it is to “spotlight”
Charles Seabrook in our November
2009 edition of Wingbars. Charles
needs no introduction to the majority
of our Wingbars readers as many of
us first made his acquaintance years
ago while reading one of his many
interesting environmental columns
featured in the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution. Indeed, after 38 years of
exposure to his highly regarded
Charles Seabrook at John’s Island, SC
Photographer: Robyn Seabrook, Charles’ niece
weekly column, I’m sure many of us
feel a certain kinship. Although
Charles retired as AJC’s science/environmental writer in 2005, he
continues to write his Wild Georgia column, a weekly AJC column he
started in 1994.
When I met with Charles recently at Manuel’s Tavern, one of his
favorite watering holes, he explained that, although he enjoys writing
about all wildlife, about 70% of his columns are devoted to birds. He
also enlightened me as to his purpose: “In my writing, I try to help
readers appreciate and understand the importance of our native
wildlife and natural habitats. If we appreciate them, we will be more
apt to protect them.” That reminds me of the wisdom of Aldo Leopold
from A Sand County Almanac: “We abuse land because we regard it
as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to
which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” If
Charles’ writings have helped his readers to better understand and
connect with nature and with the special places that provide habitat
for our wildlife, then he has done AAS and the State of Georgia a great
service and deserves our deepest gratitude.
Charles has been birding for over 20 years and been a member of AAS
for many years as well. Although not an AAS volunteer per sé, Charles’
contributions to the birding community through his prolific writings
are notable and significant. Charles participates in many AAS bird
walks that take place throughout the year and is also involved with the
Christmas Bird Count. Charles noted that his passion for birds and
native wildlife goes back to his boyhood. When he was just 12
years old, he’d saved up enough money to buy his
very own copy of Audubon’s “Birds of America.”
Charles exclaimed, “For years, it was, and still is,
one of my most prized possessions. I still have it, and it still gives me
pleasure to thumb through it and see Audubon’s paintings for the
umpteenth time.” Charles continued, “I love all birds, especially when
I see them in their natural habitats, but the male Painted Bunting is a
special favorite. Every time I see one, I am amazed that a songbird that
colorful lives in Georgia. And, even though it is one of our everyday
common birds (thank goodness), the bright red Northern Cardinal
never fails to give me a thrill when I see it—even though I might see
one several times a day.” I sense a lot of birders nodding their heads in
agreement.
As one might imagine, after 20+ years of birding and nearly 40 years
writing about nature and birds, Charles has many “favorite” birding
places, although a few stand out. Charles went on to say, “I love to bird
at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, especially when Lisa Hurt leads.”
We ditto that, Lisa! “It’s only a five minute drive from my home. But I
also love to bird the Georgia coast, especially Jekyll Island and Harris
Neck National Wildlife Refuge. I also love the Okefenokee Swamp,
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, Newman Wetlands Center in
Clayton County, the Everglades National Park (FL), Hawk Mountain
(PA), ACE Basin Reserve (SC), the Alabama coast during spring
migration and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (NC) for winter
waterfowl.” Okay Charles, we get it... you’ll bird just about anywhere
there are birds.
Charles shared his favorite birding story, but noted he didn’t think his
wife would concur. A few years ago while driving along a mountain
road in Pickens County, Georgia, he tried to follow the flight of a Red-
tailed Hawk. Well, we all know what can happen when we don’t keep
our eyes on the road and, sure enough, Charles ran their car off the
road into a deep ravine. Neither of them was hurt, and, after much
effort, they finally got a tow truck up the mountain to pull their car
out, which was also “unhurt” except for being streaked with mud. The
take away from that experience and Charles’ motto from that time on:
“Don’t bird and drive.” Sound familiar?
I asked Charles to share his top three tips for birders and here they
are: “(1) Don’t be cheap on binoculars; (2) savor the beauty and
moment of seeing a bird in its natural habitat (don’t worry so much
about your list); and, (3) make yourself learn bird calls—you hear far
more than you see.”

A Million Thanks!
Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because of its volunteers!
As always, we extend our unending gratitude to ALL of our volunteers, but would like
to send a special thank you to the following individuals this month.
Many thanks to Bob May and Lee Baker of Workshop Creations for donating a
beautiful bluebird box and a large fly-through feeder to AAS. They make a wonderful
addition to the grounds outside of our office at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve. We will
enjoy them for years to come.
A million thanks to Darlene Moore, Dan Vickers and Jim Wilson for allowing AAS to use
their amazing photos of birds and other wildlife in our new educational pieces for the Atlanta
BeltLine project with our partner organization, Trees Atlanta. The educational pieces were funded by the
TogetherGreen grant we received last year.
Thanks to Ted Reissing for all his hard work in organizing our international trip to Colombia this coming January.

6 Atlanta Audubon Society

 One of Georgia’s Rarest Breeding
Birds Will Get a Hand
By Charlie Muise
Golden-winged Warbler from www.lilibirds.com
Photographer: David Speiser
The Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA) is in
trouble. It is federally endangered in Canada
and state-listed in most of its range in the
United States. In Georgia the only significant
population resides within the Chattahoochee
National Forest, and some people believe it
should be considered for Federal Endangered
Species status. For a number of years Georgia’s
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and
the United States Forest Service (USFS) have
worked together to try to save this southern-
most group of GWWA. The Georgia Important
Bird Areas Program (IBA) has helped with
monitoring and public education.
On July 17, advocates of the GWWA received
some very good news. Andrew Baker, acting
district ranger of the Chattahoochee National
Forest, announced the decision to authorize
work which was jointly proposed by the USFS
and the GA-DNR biologists. Nathan Klaus,
senior biologist of the Non-Game Commission
of the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources says, “This has been a very long
process. I was worried it would take so long
that we would lose the birds, but I’m happy this
decision was made in the end. I can’t wait to
start this important work.” The decision was
made to go forward with “alternative three”
with some small modifications. This is the
alternative that was preferred by ornithologists
the largest population of GWWA left in Georgia.
They planned management of this species to be
conducted after three years of survey work.
These surveys, completed in 2008, provided a Upcoming
baseline view of GWWA populations for later
comparison. Membership
According to Dr. David Buehler with the Renewals
University of Tennessee Department Forestry,
Wildlife and Fisheries, “GWWA is one of the
most significantly declining birds in eastern Your yearly AAS
North America. It has already been listed in
Canada and has been listed as endangered in
membership renewal
Georgia. Without immediate and significant is coming up!
management attention, it will likely be We will mail out
extirpated from the Appalachians.” Dr. Buehler
reminds us that the top GWWA experts in the renewal notices in
country reviewed and approved the late November.
management during the meeting of the Golden- Please save us time
winged Warbler Working Group in March, 2009.
The final management decision was reached
and postage and
after the USFS read many letters from people renew online now.
across Georgia and consulted with many
groups, including a field day in which
representatives from several organizations Will your employer
walked through the area so that all could share make a matching
ideas. In the end, several modifications were contribution to
made to incorporate concerns held by groups
such as the Southern Environmental Law AAS?
Center (SELC).
The Georgia IBA Program, which operates on Visit
donations and grants, will continue to help
organize monitoring of the area during and www.atlantaaudubon.com
after the treatment phase. If you would like to and go to the
help when work begins this winter, please membership page to
contact Charlie Muise, Georgia IBA
Coordinator, at cmmbirds@yahoo.com or go to renew.
the Georgia IBA website at
www.atlantaaudubon.org/iba.

Which North
and for which the Georgia IBA Program

American bird
lobbied.
Q: has the most
restricted
Nathan was one of the first to document the What species

breeding range,
colonization of GWWA in some very large recently dethroned

how large is its

treefalls caused by the remnants of a hurricane. the Arctic Tern as
the bird with the
range, and where
Partnering with Jim Wentworth of the USFS, he
longest migration?
is it located?
began to monitor what they determined was
See
Seepage ___ for
page the answer
8 for answer

November 2009 7
 From a Novice’s Perspective
By Steven Phenicie

To say that I didn’t know much about dragonflies and

damselflies would be like saying that a glutton doesn’t know
much about wise food choices. But after a summer tour with
dragonfly and damselfly expert Giff Beaton at the Newman
Wetlands Center in Clayton County, I’m not quite as ignorant
as I used to be.
When I showed up for the walk, one of the first things Giff
did was to ask the 20 or so of us how many weren’t very
AAS Fall 2009
knowledgeable about the subject. Although I had expected
Sparrows Workshop Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly everyone except me to be an “in-the-know” type, nearly
Photographer: Darlene Moore
every hand went up. Well, I won’t be the only ignoramus in
Instructor: the bunch after all, I thought. It wasn’t long, however,
Charlie Muise before the group (and I) began to catch on. Once Giff explained the difference between
dragonflies and damselflies, it was fairly easy to differentiate. For starters, dragonflies perch
DATE: Saturday, December 5 with their wings outstretched so they look like a plane headed for takeoff. Their bodies might be
TIME: 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM the width of a pencil. Damselflies are smaller—perhaps the width of a match stick—and seem
PLACE: AAS Education Center appropriately named. With their wings folded up behind their backs, they remind me of medieval
ladies in pointy hats, especially the ebony jewelwing, which is one of the largest damselflies.
Both kinds of flies come in dozens of varieties, with some brightly colored and others less so.
FIELD Saturday,
TRIP: December 12, 8:00 AM Early in the trip Giff pointed out a damselfly nymph that had just crawled out of the water and
Panola State Park was beginning to assume its adult form. It was so unremarkable at that stage of its life that I
might not have recognized it as a living being had he not enlightened us. As we walked along the
COST: $55 boardwalk, numerous varieties with colorful names came into view: the Eastern pondhawk, the
Friends of AAS blue dasher, the slaty skimmer, the prince baskettail, the common whitetail and others. Some
$80 members of the group quickly became so proficient at identification that they were able to tell
NAS-assigned the differences between males and females. Perhaps because I was busy taking notes, I was not
members one of the fast learners.
$105 non-members
At one point, Giff caught a variable dancer damselfly with his net and asked us to look at it from
RESERVATION: E-mail the reverse end of our binoculars. With its bug-eyed head, it could have signed a contract for a
wendygrw@mindspring.com role in a monster movie. Some of the other fun facts Giff told us:
404.218.8141 • The flies are most active in the sun.
A reservation is required. Wendy • Although sensitive to vibration, they are deaf and have great eyesight.
West will inform you where to
mail your check when you • About the only threat to their existence is loss of habitat.
Q: What species
register. • A dragonfly can eat 300 mosquitoes a day.
recently dethroned • The flies spend up to 90% of their lives—typically up to a year—underwater.
FOR MORE INFO:
the Arctic Tern as • The ones we see flying around do so for only two to four weeks before dying.
www.atlantaaudubon.org or
the bird with the
678.973.2437 • A fossil of a dragonfly that lived 290 million years ago is very similar to one that exists today
longest migration?
except that the oldtimer was much bigger.

See page ___ for the answer

As we wove our way through the wetlands, cameras often clicked for the turtles, snakes, birds
and frogs, but clearly the stars of the show—on this day, at least—were the often-ignored
dragonflies and damselflies. I’ll never consider them just buzzy things again.

The endangered
Giff is the author of several books, including Dragonflies & Damselflies of Georgia and the
Kirtland’s Warbler.
Sooty The Southeast. To learn more, go to his website at www.giffbeaton.com.
62 Shearwater
by 80 mile (100x129
Answer:

km) breeding range in

Michigan’s north-central
lower peninsula is one of
the smallest for any
bird not restricted to a
small island.

8 Atlanta Audubon Society

 Bird Artistry by Beth Giddens

A Contagious Joy about Nature:

Mim Eisenberg’s Macro Photography
“I’m fascinated by the inside of
a tulip or raindrops on petals—
the things that children marvel
at and adults forget to notice,”
explains Mim Eisenberg about
the motivation for her macro
photography. One of her shots,
“Luminous,” presents evidence
of this statement: It depicts a
tulip bloom from the
perspective of an ant inside the
cup, encased in deep purple
and magenta petals and gazing
up at towering stamens and
pistil. A viewer is transported
away from the fuss of daily life
Mim Eisenberg and Prized Photo and invited to “wonder at the
Photographer: Beth Giddens
intricacies of nature,” as she
says, because they fill our eyes
with astonishing shapes and vivid colors that demand attention.
One must pause.
A long-time Atlanta Audubon member, former proofreader of
Wingbars, and an accomplished (but very humble) macro
photographer, Mim began taking photographs in the 1980s after
she was inspired on wilderness trips led by the late John Tveten,
renowned naturalist for the Smithsonian Institute. Until about
2005 she shot what she calls “regular photographs,” but then she
bought a digital camera with image stabilization, and her new
camera became “an extension of my body.” She was soon taking
macro photographs of insects, flowers, leaves, and spiders in all
stages of their life cycles during “shoot breaks” from her work as
a freelance editor and transcriber of oral, personal and corporate
history interviews. Many of her shots are in sharp focus,
showing the iridescence of dragonfly wings, the subtle shadings
of flower petals, and the elaborate design of a spider’s web. Once
she mastered her camera, she began using post-processing
software to enhance images and sometimes to apply textures
and filters. These techniques give some photographs the look of
Georgia O’Keefe paintings; they become elegant abstractions of
natural objects. Others emerge as stylized illustrations, nostalgic
takes on botanical prints and field guides.
Though she doesn’t consider herself much of a bird
photographer, her portfolio on Flickr.com argues the contrary; it
shows many sharp and humorous shots of Eastern Bluebirds,
Brown Thrashers, Goldfinches, Eastern Towhees, and other
backyard birds. In addition, she won second place in the “Birds
in Portrait” category of this year’s AAS Photography Contest for
a stunning close-up of a Red-tailed Hawk titled “Reflection in a
Hawk’s Eye.” She has also won awards in contests held by the
Chattahoochee Nature Center and the National Wildlife
Federation. In 2008, a show of her work was held at the gallery
of the Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore in Sandy Springs. To see a
selection of Mim’s recent work, go to
www.flickr.com/photos/mimbrava.
No profile of Mim would be complete without a mention of her
dog Zoe Bear, an almost 11-year-old, black-and-white
Pomeranian who knows 200 objects by name, 24 colors, 52
commands, and has been featured in Reader’s Digest. This
charming, intelligent, and energetic dog has much in common
with her owner. Both are full of life and fun.

Speaker Series
Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons
continued from front page

Jim has been working with Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons since he first started with the Georgia DNR in 1987, but his
interest in these issues began long before that. Jim says that “it has been very gratifying to see both species recover to the point
that they could be removed from the Endangered Species Protection.” He is sure to share some great insight about these two
species with us.
Directions: Traveling south from I-285, our office is located at 4055 Roswell Road just beyond the Blue Heron Nature Preserve
community garden. Look for our driveway on the left that has the new sign directing you to AAS, BHNP and the Little Da Vinci
School. (Pike’s Nursery is farther south on the right.) A volunteer will greet you at the entrance to the building and direct you to
our location on the second floor.

November 2009 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 678.973.2437 if you have questions.
Send payment to Wingbars Ads, Atlanta Audubon Society, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.
Send ads via e-mail to Catharine Kuchar at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.

When You Come

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hummingbird stuff,
great books, Audubon
CD now available.
optics, & hard to find
hardware. Plus – 100’s
Email Georgann Schmalz at
of Ravensburger Puzzles,
Music of the Spheres georgannschmalz@windstream.net
Chimes & a huge or visit www.birdingadventuresinc.com
selection of educational
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Available Now and For a Limited Time!!

Atlanta Audubon Society’s Special Pajaro Field Bag
We are pleased to present this field bag—with a special AAS patch sewn onto the flap by the folks
at Pajaro. It is perfect for any birder, naturalist or hiker, and it is a great way to show off your sup-
port for Atlanta Audubon Society.

The Original Pajaro Field Bag is perfect for carrying binoculars, field guides, travel books, compact
camera, maps, checklists and so much more. The always-handy field bag is equipped with easy-to-
use pockets: full-size pocket in back of field bag holds trail maps, etc.; secret pocket inside flap
seals with Velcro; main pocket holds large binoculars or field guides; front pocket is ideal for field
guides, notepads or trail maps; and zippered, expandable front pocket holds compact binoculars or
small camera or film.
Order your field bag today!
It makes an amazing gift and is a great way to support our organization.

Price: $34.95 each

Available in green/black and as a waist pack or
shoulder bag with belt loop

Call the AAS office to place your order

(credit cards accepted)
Each field bag comes 678.973.2437
with this special AAS

10 Atlanta Audubon Society

 AAS International Birding
Trip to Colombia
Jan. 15 to Jan. 25, 2010
AAS is proud to organize a special international A detailed itinerary with a list of activities and
birding trip to Colombia, coordinated by our very the birding spots that will be visited can be
own birding guru Ted Reissing. Colombia has the found (with links) at
largest number of bird species (1,884) including 76 www.ecoturs.org/gonewiththewind:
endemics, and we hope to see 400 species during Eastern Andes, La Florida, Santa Marta
the ten-day trip. We’ll visit great birding spots such Mountains, El Dorado Bird Reserve, Western
as the ProAves Yellow-eared Parrot Bird Reserve, Andes, Yellow-eared Parrot Bird Reserve,
Minca, Jardín and many other exciting places. Magdalena Valley, El Paujil Bird Reserve.
Cost: $2,300 per person includes all internal If you are interested, please contact Catharine
Colombian flights, hotels and meals with the Kuchar at aas.info@atlantaaudubon.org.as soon
exception of the dinner in Bogotá on the final as possible since only six spaces are available.
night. A single room supplement of $150 is
available for four nights in hotels. Single rooms
are not always available at the El Paujil Reserve.

Join 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 membership in the National Audubon Society. Thus, Now Available!
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, 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. 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
4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342 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 Interested in volunteering with AAS
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!

November 2009 11
 SOUTHERN BIRDING TRAILS
By Kenn Kaufman
A complete list of the trails can be found in Audubon Magazine published by National Audubon Society.

Kentucky’s Audubon Birding Trail

Taken by itself, this is one of the shortest birding trails on
the continent with only three major stops. But it is a
must-see historical complement to the 20 wildlife
trails that wind their way around the Bluegrass
State. It features the area of Henderson where
John James Audubon lived for several years
while beginning his epic Birds of America. By
following the hiking paths in the state park,
you can almost literally walk in Audubon’s
footsteps and perhaps watch descendants of
the very birds that inspired the artist two
centuries ago: kingly wild turkeys, coveys of
Northern Bobwhites, brilliant golden Prothonotary
Warblers and shaggy-headed Belted Kingfishers. Along forest
streams you’re pretty sure to see Louisiana Waterthrushes
bobbing and teetering at the water’s edge, little Green
Herons lurking in the shadows, and hear Red-eyed
Vireos singing repetitive whistled phrases from
the treetops. Farther along the trail, lakes and
marshy sloughs provide a winter home for
migratory waterfowl, including American
Wigeons, American Black Ducks, Mallards, teal
and impressive numbers of Canada Geese. Great
Blue Herons stand at attention along the
shorelines and build bulky stick nests in colonies
high in the trees, just as they did in Audubon’s day.
For more information:
www.trailsrus.com/wildlife/audubontrail.html.

Annual Holiday Banquet

and Silent Auction 285
ATLANTA
continued from front page AUDUBON SOCIETY

.
lvd
400

lB
nd
Roswell Road
OFFICE

I
ee
htr
ac
To volunteer to help with the banquet,

Pe
Blue
Heron
Nature at Blue Heron Nature Preserve
contact Joy Carter at joy.carter@mindspring.com or Preserve
4055 Roswell Road
Kit Robey at katharinerobey@bellsouth.net. 75 Atlanta, GA 30342
85

Directions: 5 Seasons Brewing is centrally located at 1000 West

Paces
Ferry 678.973.2437
Marietta Street, Atlanta, at the intersection of Howell Mill
Piedmon

East
Send all mail for
Road

Paces
Road and Marietta Street in the new Brickworks development.
t Ro

Ferry
htree

ad

Please note that it is a different location than our event AAS to:
Peac

last year, so you won’t have to worry about being cold, as we 4055 Roswell Road
will be in a beautiful, completely indoor facility. Atlanta, GA 30342

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. POSTAGE
Atlanta Audubon Society PAID
4055 Roswell Road • Atlanta, GA 30342
Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent, non-profit
Atlanta, GA
501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are tax deductible to Permit #917
the fullest extent allowed by law.

Wingbars is printed on recycled paper