Just A Chirp

Grosse Pointe Audubon Fall 2013

Facing a busy fall with much work to do

From the President: I dont know how many times Ive sat down to write this newsletter and wondered what to say. Thats not a problem this time. Theres lots to cover, so lets get started. Fall meetings start Sept. 16 Our fall schedule starts with a presentation on the Pacic Island of Saipan by our own Annie Crary. Crary was trained as a bird bander at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, Penn., and has traveled around the country and internationally studying avian ecology and behavior. Im looking forward to this Mariana presentation because Crary is trained as an ornithologist Fruit Dove and she has a depth of knowledge and perspective that a casual birder like me lacks. Officers for 2013-14 At the Annual Meeting last April, Grosse Pointe Audubons membership re-elected Bill Rapai as president, Sylvia Sanders as vice president and Mark OKeefe as treasurer. We look forward to serving for another year as your ocers. To 501(c)3 or not to 501(c)3? That is the question! Whether it is nobler to remain an unincorporated social group or to take Grosse Pointe Audubon into an area weve never been before: an incorporated non-prot. For many years we were obligated to support Seven Ponds Nature Center because it was part of Michigan Audubon. I still want to support
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Fall Schedule
Cut out this schedule and put it on your refrigerator to help you remember these important dates. Sept. 16 -- Annie Crary: Exploring Saipan's Avifauna and Natural History. In 2009-10, Grosse Pointe Audubons own Annie Crary was a bird banding biologist on the Pacific island of Saipan. Her presentation explores the rich natural and human history of a tropical paradise. Swim with colorful reef creatures, meet the birds of Saipan, learn the intricacies of avian molt, and discover new, undocumented molt patterns. Oct. 21 -- Michelle Serrin: "A Walk on the Wild Side: Native Plants I Have Known and Loved." Serrin has a half-acre plot in Roseville that she is transforming into wildlife habitat. It has become a pretty good stopover for migratory birds and supports the adage, "If you build it they will come. She will be here to give advice on how you can build your own. Nov. 18 -- Bryn Martin: The Birds of Hawaii. Martin returns to take us on a birding tour of Hawaii and see some of its beautiful birds and their habitats. Bryn teaches high school in Livonia and travels the world in search of birds. ! PAGE 1

From The President, from Page 1 Seven Ponds, but I believe its time to become a non-prot because we should become active in conservation issues. Lake St. Clair, only two blocks from where we meet, is an important wintering grounds for hundreds of thousands of ducks. Invasive species, pollution and climate change are all changing the Great Lakes quickly. I would love to see Grosse Pointe Audubon raise money to support research that will help keep Lake St. Clair a healthy ecosystem. But I cant do it alone. To meet IRS regulations, GP Audubon will need a board of directors, which means some of you will need to volunteer. I am going to build a case for incorporation as the year goes on. I hope that we can talk about it for a few minutes at each meeting and vote on the issue at our annual meeting in April. I look forward to hearing your opinion. Nighthawk watch a success With fall migration gearing up in the last week of August, I sent an email to members telling them to join me on the pier at Ne Park at sunset to watch the Nighthawks migrate. In years past, Ive been able to sit on the pier and watch one Nighthawk after another y over in a procession. Unfortunately, we didnt see any Nighthawks--no idea why they didnt show this year--but we did see an Osprey and sipped on some wine and watched the sun set on a pleasant late summer evening. I hope we can do this again next August. I probably wont make plans until just a few days prior, however. If you want to be included, please make sure we have your correct email address or some other way to contact you. !

Get your holiday shopping done early! The Anchor Bay Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14. See Mike Florian for more details about how you can participate. Go for the day or for just a few hours. Besides, your shopping will be all done on Small Business Saturday, right? Were in the Jack-Pine Warbler! Grosse Pointe Audubon is to be featured in the fall issue of the Jack-Pine Warbler, Michigan Audubons magazine. In every issue, the magazine features the activities of a dierent Michigan Audubon chapter, and nally its our turn. I promise to bring a copy to a meeting as soon as it arrives in my mailbox. Better yet, join Michigan Audubon and get a copy sent straight to you so you wont have to wait! Ideas for speakers? I will start booking for our winter and spring meetings soon. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please see me at a meeting or drop me a line. Believe me, your ideas are welcome. Bird Walks at the Ford House Join Rosann Kovalcik for walks on Sept. 21, Oct. 26 and Nov. 23. There is a $7 fee. Call (313) 884-4222 to register. Your trash, our cash We have switched recyclers. The new one takes Epson, HP, Lexmark and Canon print cartridges. Please bring your old ink cartridges and cell phones to our meetings and deposit them in the box by the front door. Your waste will be recycled for cash that will help keep Grosse Pointe Audubon in the black. Pay your dues! Dictionary denition of Dues: An obligatory payment; a fee. My denition: Money that gets you membership in the coolest, most exclusive club in the Pointes. You wouldnt want to be left out of that, would you? Country club? Yacht club? Cant wear your eld clothes in their fancy clubhouse. PAGE 2

Seven Ponds Nature Center

Call (810) 796-3200 for more information or to register for programs. Heritage Harvest Days SaturdaySunday, Sept. 14-15, 11-5 both days. The 37th annual festival. Antique tractors and cars, music, food, crafts, nature walks, horsedrawn carriage rides. A wonderful family event. Only $6 for adults. Invasive Plant Workday Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. We will remove non-native invasive plants invading the nature center. This is a great chance to earn community service or master gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves. Fall Bird Walk Wednesday, Sept. 25, 8 a.m. Fall migration will be in full swing and we will hope to see white-throated, and white-crowned sparrows, kinglets, warblers, shorebirds, and more. Bring binoculars, snacks, and your eld guide. Fee: $3 (no charge for members). Crisp Air and Changing Times Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m. We will discus the many plants and animals that are timed not by the temperature but by day length. Invasive Plant Workday Sunday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m. We will remove non-native invasive shrubs invading the nature center. This is a great chance to earn community service or master gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves. Mushroom Magic Sunday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m. Some are beautiful, some will kill, and some move along on their own. We never know which mushrooms will be out but we will ! discover as many as we can as we walk the trails. Fall Bird Walk Wednesday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. Our nal fall bird walk will take us in search of red-breasted nuthatch, ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, dark-eyed junco, Lincolns sparrow, purple nch, and other species. This will also be a good morning to look for the elusive pileated woodpecker. Bring binoculars and your eld guide. Fee: $3 (no charge for members). Birdseed Saturday Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. This year will again feature a number of activities related to watching, feeding, and enjoying the birds. We will have a special presenter from the Loon Preservation Association and live birds of prey from the Howell Nature Center. There will also be a huge sale in the gift shop and a bake sale put on by the Stingers. Jonathan Woods Walk Sunday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m. Lets take a walk to enjoy the beauty our forest has to offer us during this splendid time of year. We will carpool from the centers building to explore our satellite property in southern Lapeer County. Curious Canoers of Seven Ponds Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. Fall colors will reect our way through the water as we travel by canoe this ne day. What a great way to spend time looking at the natural world. Use your canoe or one of ours. Register in advance at 810-796-3200. Limited to eight canoes. Minimum passenger age of 5 years old minimum paddler age of 10 years. Fee: $5 ($3 for members) PAGE 3

JUST A CHIRP!

FALL 2013

About Grosse Pointe Audubon

Bill Rapai, president, (313) 885-6502 or BRapai@aol.com Sylvia Sanders, vice president, (313) 886-0869 Mark OKeefe, treasurer, (313) 884-7472 or Birds891357@aol.com Joanna Pease, representative to Seven Ponds Nature Center, strixvaria@sbcglobal.net http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grosse-Pointe-Audubon/145490528869148 www.gpaudubon.blogspot.com Grosse Pointe Audubon meets in the Annex of the Pointe Unitarian Church at 17150 Maumee, between St. Clair and Neff in Grosse Pointe. Social hour starts at 7 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:30. Our meetings are free and open to all, so bring a friend!

Grosse Pointe Audubon 443 St. Clair Grosse Pointe, MI 48230