February 2010

Volume XXXVI, Issue 2 ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY

UPCOMING SPEAKER SERIES I N S I D E

The Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum: Nature Through Art ..............2

What’s in store for 2010? Camp TALON ........................3

February 18 Time: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Thank You, Donors!..............3

Location: AAS Education Center Field Notes - November.......4
at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve
4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta Field Trips.............................5
Across from Pike Nurseries A Million Thanks..................6

Volunteer Opportunities.......6

Classifieds............................7

New Wingbars Team..............7

Have you heard the buzz around town about the Atlanta
BeltLine? Have you taken a tour yet? If you have, you may Membership..........................8

Upcoming Speakers
have noticed the tree plantings along the way. These plantings

and Workshops Insert

are one of the many aspects of the Trees Atlanta program
called the BeltLine Arboretum. The 22-mile Arboretum is
distinctive in its linear expanse, neighborhood connectivity,
and relationship to the proposed BeltLine as it provides a
living corridor for research, education, and native wildlife. It
is more than a “tree museum.”
Robby Astrove, Trees Atlanta Program Coordinator, has
coordinated education efforts and tree plantings along the BeltLine Arboretum where
both residents and developers have the opportunity to plant trees that define the seven ATLANTA
“natural neighborhoods.” The benefits of these efforts are vast, but a few direct
impacts include added shade for recreation, improved air and water quality, AUDUBON SOCIETY
educational opportunities, community connectedness, more greenspace for Atlanta,
and a better habitat for birds and other wildlife.
4055 Roswell Road
Robby has more than 10 years of experience working in both the ecological and Atlanta, GA 30342
educational aspects of environmental education. With an M.Ed. in natural
science/science education and specialized training in non-profit administration from
Western Washington University, he has been a dynamic leader for community projects
at Trees Atlanta. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about his exciting new plans for 678.973.2437
the BeltLine!
www.atlantaaudubon.org
Join the discussion to learn about BeltLine and Arboretum basics and how Atlanta
Audubon, through our TogetherGreen grant and Foster’s Wine Estate grant, is
partnering with Trees Atlanta on bird friendly projects including habitat restoration,
environmental education and community outreach. GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
770.493.8862
 Board of Directors
2010 Atlanta Audubon Society Presents….
OFFICERS
President Carol Hassell
770.945.3111
chassell@mindspring.com
EXPLORING NATURE THROUGH ART
President-elect Vacant
Co-Treasurers
Ellen Miller
404.355.8892
Drawing Workshop Series
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com
Tom Painter
404.524.8833 With Atlanta Artist Carol Anne Sutherland
tompainter2007@yahoo.com
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
404.298.8825
markajernigan@bellsouth.net Dates: February 13, March 20, April 10
DIRECTORS
Conservation Dave Butler Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
404.580.3917
dabutler700@comcast.net Location: 4055 Roswell Road
Education Vacant Atlanta, GA 30342
Field Trips Stanley Chapman (across from Pike Nurseries)
stancha@aol.com
Communications Vacant Learning about the natural world gives us an appreciation for the
Publicity Beth Giddens
770.792.3712 value of all living things. Just as John James Audubon based his
beth.giddens@att.net
study of birds on naturalistic drawing, you can learn more about
Volunteers Vacant
AT LARGE
birds and their habitats by exploring them through close
Joy Carter observation and drawing. While photography is a fine medium for
404.622.0605 capturing meaningful images and personal encounters with
joy.carter@mindspring.com
Jay Davis nature, drawing brings us even closer to our subject. Time, patience and practice are required in
404.624.4973
webtoad@earthlink.net drawing for a sequential skill-building process. Drawing is something everyone can learn and
Pam Higginbotham having a highly experienced instructor like Carol Anne Sutherland can speed up the learning
770.939.3592
phigginb@comcast.net curve.
Harriette Hoyt Carol, a graduate of Agnes Scott College, is a fine artist and art instructor. She has been an
770.650.8501
hrhoyt@bellsouth.net instructor at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center since 1996,
JoAnn Jordan
678.488.8022 and she began the ABG Botanical Drawing Certificate Program in 2002. Carol spent 11 years as
jordan.joann@gmail.com head of the Art Department at St. Pius X Catholic High School and 10 years practicing site-
David Kuechenmeister
404.822.8089 specific art. Her areas of expertise include drawing orchids, tropical birds and botanicals, as
David.Kuechenmeister@tpl.org well as portraits of children and pets. Check out her website at
Victor Williams
Earthshare Representative http://carolannesutherland.tripod.com.
770.423.1012
72064.1017@compuserve.com Basic Black & White Drawing I: February 13
STAFF Basic Black & White Drawing II: March 20
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar
678.973.2437 Basic Black & White Drawing III: April 10
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
Education Coordinator Emily Toriani-Moura These three workshops have been custom-designed and represent the equivalent of a 15-hour
678.973.2437 community education introductory drawing class. They are meant to be taken as a sequential
AtlantaaudubonED@gmail.com
Administrative Coordinator Sally Davis series (See course descriptions and supply list at www.atlantaaudubon.org.)
678.973.2437
atlantaaudubon@comcast.net After this workshop series, we will move forward with more Saturday workshops featuring
Website
Jim Flynn colored pencil drawing, quick sketching techniques, field sketching and more.
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org
Wingbars Manager
Diane Hawkins-Cox
404.909.9095 Workshop charge:
hawkinscox@gmail.com
Wingbars Editor Friends of Atlanta Audubon: $85 per class, $240 for all three
Susan Milne
404.502.5496 Non-Members: $90 per class, $255 for all three
symilne@gmail.com
Proofreading Space is limited and registration is required.
Steven Phenicie
770.849.0391
swlphenicie@bellsouth.net
You may pay by credit card or send your check to 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. Your
Design & Layout payment confirms your reservation. To register or for more information, call 678.973.2437 or
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
incoming@copyprep.com contact Emily Toriani-Moura at AtlantaAudubonEd@gmail.com.
Newsletter deadline is the first of the month
for material to be published
the following month.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to
susanmilne@.
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,
meetings, field trips and projects. We hope you
Mission Statement:
will join us. Opinions expressed are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect policies Protecting Georgia’s birds and the habitats that sustain them
of the Atlanta Audubon Society.
through education, conservation and advocacy.
2 Atlanta Audubon Society
 Get Ready for
Camp TALON
Atlanta Audubon Society is excited to work, once again, with the Georgia Ornithological
Society and the Department of Natural Resources on Camp TALON (Teen Adventures Learning
Ornithology and Nature). AAS will provide scholarships for young people to attend the camp Don’t
Forget:
and will help provide materials.
WHAT? A week-long camp for teens interested in birds and nature. Sponsors include Deadline
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Ornithological Society approaching for
and Atlanta Audubon Society. entering the 2010
WHEN? Tentatively, June 5-11, 2010 AAS Photo Contest

Do you enjoy taking

WHERE? The camp will kick off with a Saturday night get-together at Charlie Elliott

photographs of birds,
Wildlife Center before spending the week based on St. Simons Island. We’ll be

animals and habitats?

birding at Harris Neck NWR, Altamaha WMA, Little St. Simons Island, Ft.

Be sure to enter the

Stewart, Sapelo Island and Jekyll Island.

2010 AAS Photo

WHO? Will host 20 students, ages 13-17
HOW MUCH? About $500 per student, including meals, lodging and transportation. Some Contest. Our deadline
scholarships will be available. A chartered bus will pick up students at Charlie is fast approaching.
Elliott Wildlife Center on the morning of June 6 and will return them on the Entries must have been
10th for a last-night celebration. photographed since
Jan. 1, 2009 and must be
received by midnight on
For more information, call Julie Duncan 770.784.3059, or Bob Sargent 478.397.7962. AAS

Feb. 22, 2010.

Education Coordinator Emily Toriani-Moura will be AAS’s contact for the camp.

All entries will be

A Big Final Thank You to our displayed at the March
21 Speaker Series event.
2009 Annual Appeal Donors Ribbons and prizes will
be awarded at the
meeting. All entries will
Atlanta Audubon Society is extremely grateful to have so many wonderful supporters. Our

be judged prior to the

work in the community would not be possible without you. In previous editions of

March Speaker Series

Wingbars we have recognized our 2009 Annual Appeal Donors. Additional supporters of

event.
our 2009 campaign include:
$1,000 or more
Information, including
Marianne H. Halle Animal Support Foundation, Inc.
rules and regulations and
Ellen Miller
how to enter, can be
Up to $249
found on our website at
Anonymous (x4) www.atlantaaudubon.org.
Kathleen S. Bancroft
Carol Brown
Jay Davis
Elizabeth Giddens
Liz Hornsby

What do
Liane Lacoss

you call a
Mrs. Gene S. Morse
group of
Gregory Nobles
Esther and Jim Stokes owls?
Barbara Tarpley
Emily Winship
NOTE: The winner of our Bird Bucks drawing is Ted Reissing. (All individuals who
made a donation to the annual appeal were put in a drawing to win two beautiful See page 4 for answer
matted bird prints by Darlene Moore). Many thanks to Darlene Moore for her generosity
in donating our Bird Bucks prize. She is an amazing photographer!
February 2010 3
 November Field Notes
November was quite an
interesting month for both
Atlanta and Georgia. Almost
constant coverage of a downtown
Atlanta park led to a large number
of species of late lingering birds.
The Georgia area was lucky to have an influx
of sea ducks along the coast including the
rarely reported Common Eider. Then to cap it
all off, a rare Black-throated Gray Warbler was
found for a few days up in the mountain
region.
The Atlanta area recorded 130 species
(average = 114.2) to bring the year-to-date list
to 243 (average = 243.9). The Georgia area
had 220 species (average = 209.2) to bring
that year-to-date list to 330 (average = 331.7).
ATLANTA AREA
GEESE THROUGH CRANES – A SNOW GOOSE (white
morph) was found in Newton Co. on 7 Nov. (KB, RC).
The most unusual duck sighting was that of a
COMMON GOLDENEYE on Lake Acworth on 9 Nov.
(SP). There were a number of late reports of GREAT
EGRETS in the area with the peak count of eight
coming on 2 Nov. at the E.L. Huie Land Application
Facility (ELHLAF) in Clayton Co. (CaL) and the latest
record coming from Panola Mtn. on 28 Nov. (CM).
There were several high counts of TURKEY VULTURES
with the highest count of 441 coming from the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
(CRNRA) on 1 Nov. (SZ). One VIRGINIA RAIL was a
good sighting at the CRNRA on 1 Nov. (KB, SC) and 47
COMMON MOORHENS was an excellent count at the
ELHLAF on 17 Nov. (CaL). There were a total of 18
separate reports of SANDHILL CRANES during the
month for a total of about 2350 birds. The peak count
was 700 over Roswell on 26 Nov. (SZ). Interesting
shorebird sightings included a SPOTTED SANDPIPER
at the CRNRA on 29 Nov. (NF) and ten LEAST
SANDPIPERS at the ELHLAF on 8 Nov. (KB, RC, NF).
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH GNATCATCHERS – A late
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE was seen at the CRNRA on 1
Nov. by KB and RC. Also seen at the CRNRA were
several SEDGE WRENS early in the month by a
number of observers. Also unusual was a BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER at the Little Mulberry Park in Gwinnett
Co. on 4 Nov. (BrB).
COP MIGRANT TRAP – NF was the first to draw
attention to a number of species (mostly warblers) at
the Centennial Olympic Park that appeared to be
remaining in that small area later than usual. This
brought attention to this park and led to its being
monitored on a daily basis. It’s very difficult to
summarize the bird activity as there were so many
reports, and even though some observers might see
some species, other observers might see others. It
can generally be said that as many as 12-13 species
could be found most days at the park. The species
that were most often seen were TENNESSEE
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE
WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED
BLUE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, PINE
WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED
WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, AMERICAN
REDSTART, OVENBIRD, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT,
HOODED WARBLER, and WILSON’S WARBLER. It will
be interesting to see if this happens again next year
and if the same species are represented.
TANAGERS THROUGH SISKINS – A SUMMER
TANAGER was seen at least until 26 Nov. at COP
(m.ob.). A rare November SCARLET TANAGER was
seen at the CRNRA on 1 Nov. (KB, SC). Our third
TANAGER, and the rarest, was a WESTERN TANAGER
seen in Suwanee on 5 Nov. (RT). Two LE CONTE’S
SPARROWS were a good find in Henry Co. on 19 Nov.
(JSe, HG). Another rare sparrow was a LINCOLN’S at
the CRNRA on 1 Nov. (KB, RC). Very unusual was the
report of three BOBOLINKS in Henry Co. on 24 Nov.
(CaL).The only report of PINE SISKINS was one bird in
Mableton on 12 Nov. (PaM).
GEORGIA AREA
GEESE THROUGH DUCKS – Three SNOW GEESE were
a good sighting at the Reed Bingham State Park on 7
Nov. (WS). Another good sighting was that of a
TUNDRA SWAN in the Augusta area on 21 Nov. (LS).
Two COMMON EIDERS discovered at Sea Island on 7
Nov. were one of the best sightings for the month
(JS). Luckily they remained in the area through the
end of the month and were joined by two other birds
on 27 Nov. (RC et al.). In addition to the EIDERS, there
was a wide variety of SEA DUCKS reported. One
female SURF SCOTER was seen at the West Point
Dam on 2 Nov. (WC) and again on 3 Nov. (DM). Two
more SURF SCOTERS were seen at Carter’s Lake on
11 Nov. (DM, DV, BL) and again on 30 Nov. (MaxM).
Along the coast, five SURF SCOTERS were seen at
Sea Island and St. Simons Island on 16 Nov. (NF). Two
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were also seen in the same
area on 15 and 16 Nov. (NF). Inland BLACK SCOTERS
were reported from the Columbus area – two females
on 12 Nov. (WC) and a single bird at the Lake Hartwell
Dam on 7 Nov. (JF). Along the coast NF et al. had an
impressive count of 7500+ BLACK SCOTERS on 15
Nov. (NF et al.). One female COMMON GOLDENEYE
was seen in the Carrolton area on 14 Nov. (JF).
GREBES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS – A WESTERN
GREBE was reported from Lake Oconee on 6 Nov.
(JK). Twenty AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen
at the West Point Dam on 6 Nov. (RL Rowland).
Another 20 were reported from St. Simons Island on
13 Nov. (LT) and a single bird was seen at the Walter
F. George Dam (WFGD) on 21 Nov. (KB et al.). Also at
the WFGD on 21 Nov. were three BROWN PELICANS
(KB et al.). One REDDISH EGRET was seen by DM et
al. at Gould’s Inlet on 9 Nov. Single GOLDEN EAGLES
were reported from Lake Russell WMA on 7 Nov. (VL)
and from the Piedmont NWR on 29 Nov. (MMcS). Two
VIRGINIA RAILS were a good spot at Carter’s Lake on
1 Nov. (PMcL et al.). There were only four reports of
SANDHILL CRANES with the highest count being 1300
in the Carter’s Lake area on 26 Nov. (MaxM).
Interesting shorebird sightings were 250 KILLDEER in
Early Co. on 4 Nov. (GB), single AMERICAN AVOCETS
in Laurens Co. on 7 and 8 Nov. (LJ) and in the
Columbus area on 11 Nov. (WC), six late PECTORAL
SANDPIPERS at the North GA Turf Farm on 1 Nov.
(PMcL) and 15 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at the
Altamaha WMA on 4 Nov. (GK).
DOVES THROUGH GNATCATCHERS – A single WHITE-
WINGED DOVE was seen at Thalman on 21 and 25
Nov. (GK). Two young BARN OWLS were reported from
the Americus area on 22 Nov. (PMcL et al.). Three
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were seen in Rabun
Co. on 7 Nov. (JSp) and two were seen in Fannin Co.
on 29 Nov. (NS, MG). One SEDGE WREN was seen at
Carter’s Lake on 1 Nov. (PMcL et al.) and an excellent
count of 15 was made at the Eufaula NWR on 23 Nov.
(KB et al.). BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were well
reported with two in Gordon Co. on 1 Nov. (JSp), one
in Athens on 13 Nov. (RH) and one in Floyd Co. on 16
Nov. (RC).
WARBLERS THROUGH SISKINS – Late warblers
included a MAGNOLIA WARBLER in the Athens area
on 3 Nov. (RH), a male BLACK-THROATED BLUE
WARBLER in the Athens area on 4 Nov. (JN), a female
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER also in the Athens
area on 4 Nov. (CJ) and another female BLACK-
THROATED BLUE WARBLER in Darien on 13 Nov. (DC).
A very rare BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was
found in the Ellijay area on 9 Nov. (RB) and the bird
remained there at least until 12 Nov. (m.ob.). Other
late warblers were a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
at Carter’s Lake on 17 Nov. (MaxM), a PRAIRIE
WARBLER at the Eufaula NWR on 27 Nov. (WS et al.),
a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in the Athens area on
13 Nov. (RH), a male AMERICAN REDSTART in the
Albany area on 3 Nov. (MeM) and a WORM-EATING
WARBLER in Union Co. on 1 Nov. (BeB).
SPARROWS THROUGH SISKINS – Some interesting
sparrow sightings included a CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW at the Altamaha WMA on 27 Nov. (BZ), a
HENSLOW’S SPARROW at Paulk’s Pasture in Glynn
Co. on 16 Nov. (NF) and single LE CONTE’S
SPARROWS at the Altamaha WMA on 14 Nov. and one
in the Americus area on 22 Nov. (both by PMcL et al.).
There were several reports of WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROWS with the highest count of 20 at the
Elmodel WMA on 21 Nov. (KB et al.). Two late INDIGO
BUNTINGS were at the Altamaha WMA on 15 Nov. (NF
et al.). Three RED CROSSBILLS were a good find in
Fannin Co. on 29 Nov. (NS, MG). There were few
reports of PINE SISKINS with the highest count of 14
at Big Canoe on 22 Nov. (DY).
CONTRIBUTORS – Giff Beaton, Betty Belanger,
Brandon Best, Ken Blankenship, Ray Brown, Rachel
Cass, Walt Chambers, Stan Chapman, Doris Cohrs,
Leslie Curran, Vicki and Harry DeLoach, Nathan
Farnau, Jim Flynn, Mary Gage, Hugh Garrett, Johnnie
Green, Richard Hall, Bruce Hallett, Theresa Hartz, Liz
Horsey, Pierre Howard, Clark Jones, Lance Jones,
Gene Keferl, Mary Kimberly, Joan Knapp, Gene
Koziara, Dave Kuechenmeister, Carol Lambert, Chris
Lambrecht, Vanessa Lane, Bill Lotz, Melissa Martin,
Patty McLean, Mark McShane, Gordon McWilliams,
Max Medley, Mary Meyer, Kathy Miller, Darlene Moore,
Pam Moore, Peggy and Terry Moore, Charlie Muise,
James Neves, Sandy Pangle, Pam Potter, Dan
Roper,Tim Rose, RL Rowland, Wayne Schaffner, Ilene
Schroeder, Nedra Sekera, Jeff Sewell, Joshua Spence,
Lois Stacey, Lydia Thompson, Rusty Trump, Dan
Vickers, Gene Wilkinson, Richard Williams, Vicki
Williams, David You, Bob Zaremba and Stacey
Zarpentine.
Terry Moore, 13000 Bucksport Ct., Roswell, GA 30075
– tsmoore@bellsouth.net
 Field Trips Compiled by Stan Chapman

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 February field trips
Sketch by Anne McCallum
that may be scheduled.

If you would like to lead a field trip, volunteer to help with the Field Trip Committee, contribute ideas for places to go, or give feedback about leaders or
trips, please e-mail Stan Chapman, Field Trips Coordinator, at stancha@aol.com.
Generally speaking, field trips take place rain or shine. However, particularly in the winter, there is always a possibility of snow and ice
or extreme cold, in which case a field trip may be canceled or changed.
Any changes will be reflected on the Atlanta Audubon Society Facebook page and, if possible, on the website, www.atlantaaudubon.org.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 8:00 AM
Piedmont Park (City of Atlanta)
Marcia Klenbort and Marilyn Harris
Meet at 8:00 AM at the Piedmont Park
Conservancy Community Room located at the
corner of Piedmont Ave. and 12th St.
Binoculars are supplied if you do not have a
pair. 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 on the adjacent pond.
Directions: From south of Atlanta, take the I-
75/85 connector north to Pine St. (Exit 249B).
Go straight on Pine, crossing Peachtree St.
Turn left on Piedmont Ave. Travel about 1 mile
to 12th St. From northwest of Atlanta, take I-
75 south to 16th St. (Exit 250). Go straight,
crossing 14th St. Follow the signs to 10th St.
Turn left on 10th. Travel 1/2 mile to Piedmont.
Turn left on Piedmont to 12th St. From
northeast of downtown, take I-85 south to 17th
St. (Exit 84). Continue straight, crossing 14th
St. Follow directions above. From MARTA, get
off at the Arts Center Station, walk south to
14th St., turn left (east) and walk two blocks
to Piedmont Road, then turn right and walk
south two blocks to 12th St.
Saturday, Feb. 13, 8:00 AM
Newman Wetlands Center and E.L. Huie
Land Application Facility, Clayton County
Carol Lambert and Jeff Sewell
Meet at 8:00 AM at the parking lot of the
Newman Wetlands Center, 2755 Freeman
Road, Hampton, GA 30228.
Birding focus: The Newman Wetlands Center
has a boardwalk through the wetlands
adjacent to forest habitat. Raptors and
woodland and marsh birds are targets. Huie is
an excellent site for birds of ponds and open
areas. It is one of the best spots in the Atlanta
area for waterfowl. For more information
about these sites, you may call the Wetlands
Center at 770-603-5606.
Directions: From Atlanta, take I-75 south
beyond I-285 to US 19/41 (Tara Blvd., exit 235);
drive south for 8.2 miles to Freeman Road and
turn left. The Newman Wetlands Center is 2.2
miles down Freeman Road on the right.
Note: If the weather is particularly foul (as
opposed to fowl!), call 678.758.4551 on
Saturday morning only to find out if the trip is
canceled.
Sunday, Feb. 14, 8:00 AM
Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee NRA
February 2010
Herb Wollner
Meet at 8:00 AM at the start of the trail at the
parking lot of the Interstate North Parkway
entrance to Cochran Shoals. There is a parking
fee of $3 (or annual pass) at this site. Bring
waterproof footwear, for walking on wet grass.
Birding focus: Cochran Shoals has a diverse
habitat of river, fields and forest that is very
attractive to many species of winter birds. It is
one of the best places in Atlanta to see
wintering species or permanent residents such
as Wood ducks, Great Blue Herons, several
raptor species, Red-headed Woodpeckers,
Winter Wrens, and kinglets, among many other
species.
Directions: Take I-285 to the Northside-
Powers Ferry Road exit (exit 22). Going west
on I-285, turn right at the first light onto
Interstate North Parkway. Stay on this road as
it curves west through an intersection and
crosses the river. After crossing the parking lot
is immediately on your right. Going east on I-
285, continue east at the exit to the second
light, then turn left (north) and cross the
bridge over I-285 and continue through the
traffic light on the other side onto Interstate
North Parkway, then continue with
instructions above.
Saturday Feb. 20, 8:00 AM
Bartow County Loop
Ken Blankenship
Meet at 8:00 AM at the Fairfield Inn parking lot
in Cartersville, which is immediately off of
Exit 288 on I-75, about 40 miles north of
downtown, Atlanta. Fairfield Inn, 20 Canyon
Parkway, Cartersville, GA 30120, 770.387.0400
Birding focus: Bartow County has excellent
grassland habitat, (in keeping with 2010 being
the Atlanta Audubon Society’s Year of
Grassland Birds), with targets such as
American Kestrel, Northern Harrier,
Loggerhead Shrike, and Horned Lark. The
Lapland Longspur has been seen along this
loop this winter. This loop also can be
excellent for wintering ducks and geese (with
the possibility of finding a Greater White-
fronted Goose) and also for blackbirds, with
the possibility of Brewer’s Blackbirds. For
more information about birding in Bartow
County, see Ken’s website:
www.wingsoverga.com.
Saturday, Feb. 27, 8:00 AM
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Phil Delestrez (cell phone 404.218.4425)
Meet at 8:00 AM at the Office/Interpretive
Center inside the park. There is a parking fee
of $5 per vehicle.
Birding focus: This state park has a diversity
of habitats. Wood Duck, Red-breasted
Merganser, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Bald
Eagle, Ruddy Duck, Common Goldeneye, and
Osprey are sometimes seen around the deep
reservoir. There are a little-explored grassland
area and some longleaf pines more typical of
south Georgia, which may be productive for
birding. The hiking trails with creeks are
attractive to many wintering woodland
species.
Directions: Take I-20 west from Atlanta, to
exit #44 at Thornton Road, which is the third
exit west of I-285. Turn left onto Thornton
Road and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blair's
Bridge Road, and after 2.1 miles at a 4-way-
stop, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and
proceed to park.
Sunday, February 21, 9:00 AM
Constitution Lakes, DeKalb County
Jay Davis and Joy Carter
Meet at 9:00 AM at the parking lot for
Constitution Lakes.
Birding focus: Target birds include herons,
ducks, hawks, geese, kingfisher and winter
songbirds. There is a boardwalk and
observation deck built around the lakes, with
woodland trails.
Directions: From Atlanta at I-20, take
Moreland Avenue south for approximately 5
miles. Turn left at the light at South River
Industrial Boulevard (Nalley Truck Parts sign
on corner). Turn at first right (almost
immediately) into gravel entrance to
Constitution Lakes (no sign at entrance) and
go to end of drive to gravel parking lot. From
I-285, south side of loop, take Moreland
Avenue exit (Exit #53). Head north on
Moreland Avenue for 1.2 miles. Turn right on
South River Industrial Boulevard and follow
directions above.
Answer:
A
parliament
5
4
Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer

olunteer A Million Thanks!

Opportunities Atlanta Audubon Society is an amazing organization because
of its volunteers! As always, we extend our unending gratitude
to ALL of our volunteers, but we would like to send a special
AAS Festivals Coordinator thank you to the following individuals this month.
Representation at local festivals is
an important way that AAS reaches Thanks so much to Malcolm Hodges and Sean Beeching for
out to new people in the community. providing an amazing speaker series and workshop on lichens
Organizing the requests for us to
participate in these festivals is a
in January. AAS members learned about the fascinating world
very important and critical volunteer of lichens, which are a combination of fungi, algae and
job. The volunteer will receive the cyanobacteria. Lichens cover about eight percent of the earth’s
request forms and send an e-mail surface.
out to our volunteer list asking for
individuals to help at the various Art Hurt is involved in many facets of AAS work. We want to thank him for his most recent
festivals and keep our participation volunteer endeavor of helping to get out our big Legacy Club mailing in January. The Club will be
in festivals organized. This position
requires approximately 5 hours of a critical factor in AAS’s long-term growth and sustainability.
work per month in the spring and In December, AAS held its first Holiday Card Making class. Instructor Catharine Kuchar couldn’t
fall, with 1 to 2 hours a month in the
winter and summer. Without a have done it without the assistance of Pam Higginbotham, who brought supplies that evening
volunteer coordinator taking on this and helped participants create their holiday cards.
position, AAS will have to
temporarily suspend participation in
festivals for 2010. If you can help,
please contact Catharine Kuchar at
aas.info@atlantaaudubon.org.
Removing Wallpaper
Can you help in the office? We are
looking to update our
office/classroom bathroom and
would like to find a volunteer willing
to help remove the wallpaper and
prepare it so we can simply repaint.
If interested, please contact Sally
Davis at 678.973.2437. AAS members enjoy learning
how to make holiday cards
“Attention Master Birders” Photographer: Cynthia
Compiler Bohannon-Brown
Coordinate the almost-monthly
(about 10 issues a year) e-mail
distribution of “Attention Master
Birders,” a periodic notice about
volunteer opportunities which is sent
to all Master Birders. Simply send a
call for activities to the Committee or
Activity Chairs, then compile and

Volunteers Invited!
send to the Master Birder listserv.
This will take about one to two hours

Are you savvy about social networking?

per issue. Interested? Contact

Do you like to stay in touch with the community?

Catharine Kuchar at
aas.info@atlantaaudubon.org.
Volunteer Recognition Coordinator Do you like event planning?
Would you like to work from home?
We are looking for someone to

Your time and talent are valuable to us! The AAS

manage our new Volunteer of the
Month program. The Coordinator will
help manage the selection of the
Publicity Committee is seeking volunteers to help
publicize events and network with the
volunteer and then get out the letter

community. Dedicate as little as 2 hours a month or lots more! For

of recognition, gift, and note in
Wingbars. AAS appreciates our
volunteers so much and we want to more information, please contact JoAnn Jordan at 678.488.8022 or
jordan.joann@gmail.com.
find better ways to thank them. Can
you help? If interested, please
contact Catharine Kuchar at
aas.info@atlantaaudubon.org.
6 Atlanta Audubon Society
 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.

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New Wingbars Team

By Diane Hawkins-Cox
The new year brought a new Wingbars production team to Atlanta Audubon. I am pleased to be your new Wingbars manager. I
am a 281⁄2-year veteran of CNN; I edited copy in the newsroom for 10 years and produced stories and programs on the
science/technology/environment beat for nearly 19 years. I was laid off more than a year ago when CNN dismantled the sci-
tech unit. I’m still looking for a full-time job, but in the meantime I’m launching a copyediting service. I volunteer for an adult
literacy program, and I’m a corporal in the Georgia State Defense Force, where I play flute and piccolo in the band. I also play
in a community band. I love watching birds but I’m certainly no expert. I hope to change that by taking the AAS Master Birder
Class.
Susan Milne is the new Wingbars editor. She is a long-time backyard birder, hiker and nature observer with a desire to expand
her knowledge of birds and the environment. She has worked in both the nonprofit and higher education sectors in Atlanta for
17 years. Currently, she is Operations Manager for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia. She is happy to be a
part of Atlanta Audubon and pleased to be able to jump in and help with such a wonderful newsletter.
Susan and I thank Barbara Tarpley and Mary Ann Hindes for leaving behind a great jumping off point for us. We look forward
to working with proofreader Steven Phenicie, Deb Williams and Judy Watson at Copy Preparation, and all of the leadership
and membership of AAS. Thank you for making us feel welcome.
February 2010 7
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