July-August 2010
Volume XXXVI, Issue 7
Experience Buckhead’s Natural Side:
AAS Hosts 9th Annual Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Saturday, September 11, 2010 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The greatly reduced lawn in Lisa Frank’s backyard makes way for
drought-tolerant shrubs and trees. (page 6)
Photographer: Lisa Frank
While north Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood may be
best known for its high-end malls and non-stop
development, fortunately, it also remains a lush and
diverse landscape with large lots and rolling topography.
Atlanta Audubon Society’s 2010 Backyard Wildlife
Sanctuary Tour – now in its ninth year – highlights four
private gardens in Buckhead and Sandy Springs. The
tour also includes the chance to explore the 25-acre
Blue Heron Nature Preserve nearby, home to Atlanta
Audubon.
All of the properties are certified as Backyard Wildlife
Sanctuaries by Atlanta Audubon Society, and reflect
each owner’s tastes and interests in providing a
nurturing environment for birds and other wild
creatures through a focus on native plants.
The public is invited to tour fascinating backyard
habitats and a large church property including:
Home of Thaea Lloyd,
570 Valley Lane, Sandy Springs
Thaea Lloyd has been a gardener since childhood. A
focal point of her half-acre lot is a small structure she
calls The Bear House. Its rustic porch with inviting patio
is an ideal place to relax and bird watch.
The heavily planted lot is divided into several outdoor
rooms, each creating a different microenvironment. As
her neighborhood continues to urbanize, Lloyd places
the highest priority on selecting plants that are native
and provide food and habitat for wildlife while also
providing beauty. In the past, plants were selected
simply for their looks.
One highlight is a Washington Hawthorn tree that
attracts hundreds of Cedar Waxwings each winter.
Home of Celia and Don Gilner,
4867 Northland Drive, Buckhead
ATLANTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
I N S I D E
Speaker Series.....................2
2010 Photography Contest ..2
The Gilners have lived on their seven-acre property for President’s Perch.................3
30 years. Anchored by a 1937 granite home, the garden
features a pond, waterfall, Japanese garden and pasture Birding Trails ........................3
with horses bordering Nancy Creek.
Field Notes - April ................4
The pond attracts herons, Mallards, Canada Geese and
Wood Ducks. The pasture with shrubs, bird feeders and Field Trips.............................5
nesting boxes attracts cardinals, bluebirds, hawks,
Brown Thrashers and Pileated Woodpeckers. A Million Thanks..................6
A mature mahonia patch is often used by robins for Binoculars Fundraiser..........6
nesting, while its berries attract many bird species.
Nature Through Art..............7
Native plants such as wild blackberries, elderberries and
alder shrubs also attract birds and wildlife. A generous
LAB Training ........................7
plant buffer around the pond provides cover and shade
for birds, as well as frogs, turtles and fish.
Shorebird Extravaganza ......8
Home of Atlanta Audubon Society, Blue Heron
Nature Preserve, 4055 Roswell Road, North Kite at Kennesaw ................9
Buckhead
Classifieds..........................10
An ideal site for Atlanta Audubon, the 25-acre Blue
Heron Nature Preserve is dedicated to protecting and AAS Classes .......................10
restoring wetlands along and near Nancy Creek. The
focus is on community involvement and education in Bird Brainer.............................10
innovative ways to preserve local green space and
wetland habitat, gain accessibility, stabilize creek banks, Fun in Fundraising ..............11
attract wildlife, and improve water quality along Nancy Membership........................11
Creek.
The Blue Heron Nature Preserve was founded in 2001 Dragonflies.........................12
when a local schoolteacher, the North Buckhead Civic
Association and a developer worked together to set
aside seven acres of floodplain along Nancy Creek.
ATLANTA
Residents, community groups, businesses and students
(continued on page 6) AUDUBON SOCIETY
4055 Roswell Road
An added bonus at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve
during the day of the tour will be the chance Atlanta, GA 30342
to meet two Georgia authors.
From 10:00 AM to noon, award-winning nature writer
Charles Seabrook will sign his book Cumberland Island:
Strong Women, Wild Horses and discuss his upcoming 678.973.2437
book about the ecology of the Georgia coast to be
published later this year.
www.atlantaaudubon.org
From 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, John Yow will sign his funny
and informative new book The Armchair Birder:
Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds. GOS RARE BIRD ALERT
Children’s activities will be held from noon to 1:00 PM.
770.493.8862
 Board of Directors
2010
JULY SPEAKER SERIES LIFE IN THE DARK with Dr. Danté Fenolio
OFFICERS
AND EXHIBITION OF THE WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE
President Carol Hassell
770.945.3111
chassell@mindspring.com
AAS 2010 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
President-elect Harriette Hoyt
404.664.3688 Thursday, July 15
hrhoyt@bellsouth.net
Co-Treasurers
Photo Exhibit and Hors d’oeuvres: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Ellen Miller
404.847.5260 Meeting and Presentation: 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
ellen.miller@eclipsys.com
Tom Painter
Location: AAS Conservation and Education Office
404.524.8833
tompainter2007@yahoo.com
4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342
Recording Secy Mark Jernigan
404.298.8825 One other aspect that these far-reaching
markajernigan@bellsouth.net
environments have in common is the attention of
DIRECTORS
Conservation Dave Butler Dr. Danté Fenolio, the Amphibian Conservation
404.580.3917
dabutler700@comcast.net Biologist at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Danté
Education Vacant is interested in the community of organisms that
Field Trips Stanley Chapman
stancha@aol.com live in and around some of the most challenging
Communications Vacant environments, particularly subterranean species
Public Relations Beth Giddens that inhabit aquifers. He received his
770.792.3712 Knife Fish, Upper Amazon Basin
beth.giddens@att.net
Photographer: Danté Fenolio undergraduate education in Biology and
JoAnn Jordan Environmental Studies from the University of
678.488.8022
jordan.joann@gmail.com California at Santa Cruz and his Masters degree
Volunteers Vacant
in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma.
AT LARGE
Joy Carter
While in Oklahoma, Danté studied Ozark blind
404.622.0605 cave salamanders and forest canopy amphibians
joy.carter@mindspring.com
Jay Davis
in Madagascar. Danté’s Ph.D. came from the
404.624.4973 University of Miami, where he worked with the
webtoad@earthlink.net
Pam Higginbotham
Amphibian Conservation Action Plan to further
Red Hills Salamander, Alabama
770.939.3592 research that could help halt amphibian declines.
phigginb@comcast.net Photographer: Danté Fenolio
Linda Liu With the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Danté helps
liuhafez@gmail.com What do the forest canopies of Madagascar,
to coordinate both local and international
David Kuechenmeister subterranean waterways of the Ozarks, termite
404.822.8089 amphibian conservation efforts and to develop
David.Kuechenmeister@tpl.org mounds of the Brazilian Cerrado, leaf litter in the
captive breeding methods for endangered
Victor Williams Amazon Basin, and the rocky shores of Central
Earthshare Representative species. Danté is finishing a book project about
770.423.1012 Brazil have in common?
72064.1017@compuserve.com the organisms in some of the darkest reaches of
STAFF These locations all host microhabitats with our planet’s biosphere. Come see some fantastic
Executive Director Catharine Kuchar
678.973.2437 taxing environmental conditions, such as photographs as he shares his knowledge of these
Catharine.kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org
drought, lack of sunlight, or a limited water forms of wildlife that live most or all of their
Education Coordinator Emily Toriani-Moura
678.973.2437 supply. Organisms living in these ecosystems lives in the dark. There will be something for
AtlantaaudubonED@gmail.com
Administrative Coordinator Sally Davis
must adapt in order to survive severe wind, everyone in this talk, ranging from rare mammals
678.973.2437 fluctuating water levels or total darkness. Just as to deep sea fish to insects found nearly 100 feet
atlantaaudubon@comcast.net
Website
the long, pointed bill of the dowitcher, ibis and above the Madagascan forest floor!
Jim Flynn sandpiper allows these birds to inhabit areas
webmaster@atlantaaudubon.org Danté will also help us celebrate the talented
Wingbars Manager with food buried beneath the soil surface, the
Diane Hawkins-Cox photographers that won prizes in the various
404.909.9095 lateral line system (a series of sensory organs) of
hawkinscox@gmail.com categories of this year’s AAS photography
the Ozark Cave Salamander aids this creature’s
Wingbars Editor contest. Please join us! No registration is
Susan Milne life in the dark by increased sensitivity to
404.502.5496 necessary. This is a free event open to the public.
symilne@gmail.com vibrations.
Proofreading
Steven Phenicie
770.849.0391
swlphenicie@bellsouth.net
Design & Layout New AAS President-elect
Copy Preparation 770.939.2002
incoming@copyprep.com The AAS Board of Directors has elected Harriette Hoyt to the position of President-elect. Harriette brings
Newsletter deadline is the first of the month her amazing enthusiasm and experience to the Board and we are excited to welcome her to this position.
for material to be published
the following month. Harriette will become President of AAS beginning in 2011.
Please submit articles as MS-Word to
hawkinscox@gmail.com.
Email attachments, if possible.
Wingbars is the official newsletter of Atlanta
Audubon Society and is published 10 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
 President’s Perch
by Carol Hassell

The Natural Order – and a Thank-You

I’ve mulled over recent events, seeking an item or issue that would provide a timely topic for this column.
There’s much that’s not very encouraging, plenty that’s discouraging, and some that’s just plain calamitous.
Yet, today as I go through this less-than-happy mental exercise again, I’m sitting on a porch looking into a
woodland, mostly hardwoods, but with a few pines as well. From here, I’m engulfed in the bustle and noisy
chatter of birds going about their normal ways – incubating a first or second nest, perhaps caring for the Inaugural issue of
hatchlings or keeping an eye on fledglings, or maybe teaching the hungry beggars to find food for themselves. The Oriole, from January 1936

This is an ongoing, orderly beauty. And if I will just sit, listen and watch, I can experience a moment of refuge
and peace. I’ve tapped into the wonder of a natural order that never ceases to amaze me. Oriole
Those of us who care about the well-being of birds – indeed, all wildlife – and their habitats should take the Back Issues
opportunity to tune in to such beauty and peace, even as we do whatever is in our power, individually and Needed
collectively, to ensure the continued healthy existence of birds. We should enjoy them and find a moment of
respite in their orderly processes, but never take them for granted or assume someone else will step forward on The Important Bird Areas
their behalf. (IBA) collection of the
I also take this opportunity to offer a hearty thanks to Emily Toriani-Moura, and to wish her Georgia Ornithological
well as she embarks on an exciting new chapter in her life. Last year Emily was selected as Society (GOS) journal,
the Education Coordinator by Executive Director Catharine Kuchar. Emily brought The Oriole, continues to
enthusiasm, skill and knowledge to this new position. She developed and updated children’s grow. IBA has all issues
educational materials, including Learning About Birds, which will continue to be relevant. dating back to June 1981
She taught children about birds in schools and in such programs as the Beltline Education and most of those back
Partnership. Emily also worked on AAS adult education programs, including the Speaker to March 1976. IBA
Emily Toriani-Moura Series, and created new presentations for community outreach. would love to obtain
older copies. Thanks to
But now Emily leaves with her husband to return to his home country, Brazil, where he will establish a new the generosity of donors,
office for his Atlanta-based employer. Emily plans to continue her work in education and on behalf of birds. We IBA has multiple copies
wish them both well. of many issues and has
sent several to GOS to
fill gaps in its collections.
IBA would also like to
AAS to Establish Birding Trails make issues available to
The Atlanta Audubon Society is developing birding trails for the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Greater Atlanta the various Georgia
Birding Trail Adventures will provide local residents and visitors with many exciting options to see resident and Audubon Societies and
migrant birds while also experiencing many of the interesting and beautiful attractions of the metro area. other ornithology-related
Birding trails were first developed in Texas along the Gulf Coast and have been replicated in many other states groups in the state.
across the nation. Weaving together good birding sites with historic sites, national and state parks, local public Contact Charlie Muise at
spaces, coastlines and lakes, the trails offer a diversity of cultural and natural experiences for all ages and cmmbirds@yahoo.com if
birding abilities. you have any back
issues to donate.
Board members Joy Carter, Stan Chapman, David Kuechenmeister, and Dave Butler are identifying appropriate
sites for the project. The main trail will encompass the entire metro area and may include such well-known
birding sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield, Panola State Park, Newman Wetlands Center and
Cochran Shoals. Each county in the area will have its own birding trail. For example, DeKalb County’s trail could
Question:
include Stone Mountain, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, Constitution Lakes, Fernbank Forest, Henderson Park
and Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, among others. The counties’ visitors bureaus and parks departments, the

Do any
Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Division of DNR will all be invited

birds truly
to join AAS in promoting the trails in brochures and on web sites.

hibernate?
We will be developing maps, signage, information about each site, and photos to provide trail users with the best
experience possible. Our hope is not only to expand birding opportunities in the Atlanta area, but also to
promote the conservation of the natural spaces that provide habitat, nesting sites and food for resident and
migrant birds.
If you know of sites that you think should be included in our trail system, please let us know. Contact Dave Butler
See page 6 for answer
at dabutler700@comcast.net or call the AAS office.

July-August 2010 3
 April Field Notes
By far the best bird of the month
was the Red-faced Warbler
found by Walt Chambers at
Pine Mountain. This is obviously the
first record of this species for GA
and as far as I know, the first for
the East Coast. Although it was seen only for
about 30 minutes, photos were taken of this
very colorful male. Congrats Walt!
The Atlanta area came in with 179 species
(average = 176.5) to bring the year-to-date
total to 210 (average = 201.2). The Georgia
area recorded 243 species (average = 248.0)
to bring that year-to-date total to 296 (average
= 290.3).
ATLANTA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH PELICANS – Interesting duck
sightings included two REDHEADS at Lake Varner on 9
April (JSe, BL, HG), a summering RING-NECKED DUCK
at the E.L. Huie Land Application Facility (ELHLAF) in
Clayton Co. at least through 24 April (fide RT), and a
female HOODED MERGANSER at the Chattahoochee
River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) with six young
on 16 April (DL). COMMON LOONS were noted with a
flyover at Henderson Park in DeKalb Co. on 6 April
(JSe), a single bird at Lake Horton on 13 April (SM) and
13 on Lake Lanier on 26 April (JF). JSe and CL noted a
nesting PIED-BILLED GREBE at the ELHLAF on 18 April.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were reported from Lake
Lanier with 11 birds on 11 April (JP fide JSe) and 40
birds at Sweetwater Creek State Park on 16 April (fide
PD).
BITTERNS THROUGH PHALAROPES – At the ELHLAF
one AMERICAN BITTERN was noted on 24 April (fide RT)
and three LEAST BITTERNS on 18 April (JSe, CL). A
good count of eight CATTLE EGRETS was reported from
Bartow Co. on 25 April (NF). Another good report from
Bartow Co. was a PEREGRINE FALCON on 25 April (NF).
JSe and CL had a couple good counts of 15 SORAS
and 31 COMMON MOORHENS at the ELHLAF on 18
April. Other excellent sightings from Bartow Co. were
single AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS on 2 April (JSe)
and 25 April (MF), an extremely rare BLACK-NECKED
STILT on 11 April (fide JSe), and two WILSON’S
PHALAROPES on 25 April (HG, PB).
CUCKOOS THROUGH WRENS – A BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO was a rare sighting at Henderson Park in
DeKalb Co. on 27 April (fide LR). A WILLOW
FLYCATCHER was heard calling in Fulton Co. on 12 April
by DF. The peak count of 26 RED-EYED VIREOS came
from the Kennesaw Mt. National Battlefield in Cobb
County (KMT) on 29 April (NF). A MARSH WREN was a
4 Atlanta Audubon Society
by Terry Moorez
good find at the ELHLAF on 18 April (JSe, CL).
WARBLERS – For most of the month warblers were at
best average in numbers and diversity. That changed
on 24 April with the passage of a significant front
which brought in a good number of migrants and
yielded counts of 24 species of warblers over the next
few days. The following counts came from KMT unless
otherwise stated: four BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS were
seen on 26 April (BZ), single NASHVILLE WARBLERS
were seen between 11 April and 26 April (m.ob.), 22
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS were seen on 29
April (NF), 25 PALM WARBLERS were counted on 24
April (GB), 24 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were reported on
28 April (BZ), four CERULEAN WARBLERS were seen on
21 April (GB), and 32 HOODED WARBLERS were
reported on 28 April (BZ).
TANAGERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS – The peak count of
SCARLET TANAGERS was 23 on both 25 and 27 April at
KMT (GB, BZ). A male WESTERN TANAGER was a rare
find in Atlanta on 1 April (CH). A small flock of WHITE-
CROWNED SPARROWS was a nice sighting in Bartow
Co, on 9 April (PMcL). The peak count of 42 ROSE-
BREASTED GROSBEAKS came from KMT on 25 April
(GB). Five DICKCISSELS were reported from Rockdale
Co. on 30 April by NF. As many as seven BREWER’S
BLACKBIRDS were seen in Bartow Co. on 2 April (MB).
GEORGIA AREA
DUCKS THROUGH EAGLES – SW had a couple good
counts at the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area
(AWMA) on 24 April with 34 BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCKS and 12 MOTTLED DUCKS. A
CACKLING GOOSE was a good find in Murray Co. on 27
and 28 April (JSp). Rather late was a REDHEAD in
Walton Co. on 29 April (JSe). As many as 50 AMERICAN
WHITE PELICANS were reported from Jekyll Island on
16 April (DS). Good counts of MISSISSIPPI KITES were
35 in the Valdosta area on 28 April (LM), 34 in Bulloch
Co. on 29 April (BBr) and 27 west of Forsyth also on 29
April (PR). A GOLDEN EAGLE was a good find in Floyd
Co. on 1 April (DR).
BITTERNS THROUGH TERNS – There were three reports
of inland AMERICAN BITTERNS with single birds at
Robins Air Force Base on 10 April (BS et al.), one in the
Athens area on 11 and 12 April (B&KO), and one in
Murray Co. on 20 April (JSp). A CATTLE EGRET was a
rather rare sighting in Gordon Co. on 16 April (JSp).
High counts from the AWMA included 230 WHITE IBIS
on 10 April (CM) and 100 GLOSSY IBIS on 9 April (CM
et al.). A very rare WHITE-FACED IBIS was discovered
on Little St. Simons Island on 26 April (DS). LT counted
14 ROSEATE SPOONBILLS on JI on 8 April and some of
the birds were engaging in mating behavior on 14 April.
Five UPLAND SANDPIPERS were seen in Laurens Co. on
20 April (GB, TP). A very unusual sighting was that of a
WHIMBREL in a small tree at West Point Dam on 24
April (JB). Two CASPIAN TERNS were a good report
from Carter’s Lake on 14 April (JSp).
OWLS THROUGH THRUSHES – Single BARN OWLS
were seen in Clarke Co. on 20 April (ET) and in Glynn
Co. on 24 April (PMcL, RM). WC had a good count of
30+ RED-EYED VIREOS at Pine Mt. on 27 April. BBr
reported two HORNED LARKS in Bulloch Co. on 29
April. Four BANK SWALLOWS were seen in Gordon Co.
on 28 April (JSp) and three RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES were found in Whitfield Co. on 12 April
(AS). In the Valdosta area BBer reported between 50 to
100 THRUSHES flying overhead on the night of 25 April.
WARBLERS – There were a total of three reports of
NASHVILLE WARBLERS from the northern part of the
state between 21 and 26 April (m.ob.). Good counts of
migrant warblers included 11 NORTHERN PARULAS on
28 April in the Athens area (JMcN) and 19 CAPE MAY
WARBLERS in the Athens area on 28 April (JMcN), A
rare AUDUBON’S WARBLER was seen in Whitfield Co.
on 28 April (JSp, AS). WC counted 30 BLACKPOLL
WARBLERS at Pine Mt. on 27 April. Back at Athens
JMcN had 16 AMERICAN REDSTARTS on 28 April. SP
had a nice count of six SWAINSON’S WARBLERS in the
Milledgeville area on 14 April. The first ever RED-FACED
WARBLER to be found along the East Coast was
spotted and photographed by WC at Pine Mt. on 27
April. Unfortunately the bird was not relocated for other
observers to enjoy.
TANAGERS THROUGH SISKINS – WC had 25 SCARLET
TANAGERS at Pine Mt. on 27 April and a male
WESTERN TANAGER was reported from the Athens area
on 3 April (AM, MN). A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was a
good find in Clarke Co. on 29 and 30 April (RH). Twenty
INDIGO BUNTINGS was a good count from Pine Mt. on
27 April (WC). There were three reports of DICKCISSELS
with one in Gordon Co. on 28 April (JSp), two in Clarke
Co. on 29 April (JN), and two in Oconee Co. on 30 April
(MF, CLu). MF and CLu reported 500 BOBOLINKS in
Oconee Co. on 30 April. MH had 12+ BALTIMORE
ORIOLES in the Valdosta area on 2 April. Two RED
CROSSBILLS were noted in Pickens Co. on 7 April (fide
GS) and one was in Murray Co. on 18 April (JSp). Three
PINE SISKINS were seen in Harris Co. on 3 April (VW)
and one was in Lamar Co. on 5 April (CM).
CONTRIBUTORS – John Barrett, Michael Barrett, Giff
Beaton, Brad Bergstrom, Brandon Best, Brenda
Brannen, Walt Chambers, Phil Delestrez, Nathan
Farnau, Jim Flynn, Mark Freeman, Dan Furbish, Larry
Gardella, Hugh Garrett, Richard Hall, Margaret Harper,
Charles Haynes, David Hollie, Dennis Lacoss, Carol
Lambert, Bill Lotz, Carole Ludwig, Ruth Marley, Angie
Maxted, Steve Mitchell, Peggy and Terry Moore, Patty
McLean, Joel McNeal, Linda Most, Charlie Muise,
James Neves, Mark Nipper, Bill and Karla O’Grady,
Steve Parrish, Tom Patterson, Jean Pugh, Paul Raney,
Dan Roper, Larry Russell, Bob Sargent, Georgann
Schmalz, Jeff Sewell, Diane Shearer, David Sibley,
Adam Smith, Joshua Spence, Eugenia Thompson, Lydia
Thompson, Rusty Trump, Vicki Williams, Sheila Willis,
and Bob and Deb Zaremba.
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 additional July-August 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.
Note: For up-to-date information about field trips, go to atlantaaudubon.org. It is wise to check this website to make sure no changes have
occurred in the schedule of trips. Trips are commonly added following publication of this newsletter. All trips are open to the public. No
reservations are necessary. Membership in Atlanta Audubon Society is encouraged but is not required to attend these field trips. The only fees
that apply are those charged for entrance to any venue.
Insect repellent, sunscreen, and waterproof footwear are recommended for these summer field trips.
Saturday, July 3 and Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 25 and
Saturday, August 7, 8:00 AM Saturday, August 7, 7:30 AM Sunday, August 15, 8:00 AM
Piedmont Park, Midtown Atlanta Reynolds Nature Preserve, 5665 Reynolds Cochran Shoals Unit of Chattahoochee
Rob McDonough (cell phone 404.754.8159) Road, Morrow, GA 30260 National Recreation Area, Cobb County
Meet at the Piedmont Park Conservancy Building, Anne McCallum and Will Wagner (ranger) Victor Williams (cell phone 678.640.7307)
corner of Piedmont Avenue and 12th Street. Meet at the parking lot for the preserve. Meet at the kiosk at the north end of the parking
Birding focus: Nesting birds of woodlands and Birding focus: A 146-acre tract in the heart of lot of the Interstate North Parkway entrance to
pond, including Red-headed Woodpeckers. Clayton County, Reynolds Preserve hosts a good Cochran Shoals. The address is 1615 Interstate
Notes: This trip is especially good for beginners, selection of resident birds, including the Acadian North Parkway, Marietta. There is a parking fee of
children and families, who are invited on all AAS Flycatcher, Pileated Woodpecker, and Barred $3 (or annual pass) at this site.
trips. Directions: From south of Atlanta, take I- Owl. A wide, level trail leads into the forest and Birding focus: Cochran Shoals has a diverse
75-85 north to Pine Street (exit 249B). Go straight along three ponds. The preserve has been actively habitat of river, fields and forest that is very
on Pine, cross Peachtree Street and then turn left combating invasive plants for the last five years, attractive to many species of resident birds. It is
onto Piedmont Avenue. Travel about one mile to and it is now one of the few places in the Atlanta one of the best places in Atlanta to see the Great
12th Street. From northwest of Atlanta, take I-75 urban area to see a remarkable sample of the Blue Heron and Red-headed Woodpecker, as well
south to Exit 250 and follow the signs to 10th eastern deciduous climax forest. as several species of raptors. There is also the
Street. Turn left onto 10th and follow it _ mile to Notes: Will Wagner will attend the August 7 trip possibility of Indigo Buntings, Common
Piedmont Avenue. Turn left onto Piedmont, and only. Directions: From Atlanta, take I-75 south Yellowthroats, Orchard Orioles, and Prothonotary
follow it for _ mile to 12th Street. From northeast (about 15 miles south of downtown) to exit 233. Warblers.
of Atlanta, take I-85 south to Exit 84, and follow Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Notes: Note that considerable walking is
the signs to 10th Street. Turn left onto 10th, and Highway 54/Jonesboro Road (north). After 0.7 involved, some of which might be on wet grass.
then follow the directions above. From MARTA, miles, turn left at the light onto Reynolds Road Directions: From Atlanta: Take I-285 to the
get off at the Arts Center station, walk south to and go 1.2 miles. The preserve parking lot is on Northside-New Northside-Powers Ferry Road exit
14th Street, turn left (east) and walk two blocks the left—almost immediately after a curve to the (exit 22). Going west on I-285, turn right at the
to Piedmont Avenue, and then turn right and walk left. first light onto Interstate North Parkway. Get in
two blocks to 12th Street. the middle lane and stay on this road as it curves
Sunday, July 18 and west through an intersection and crosses the
Saturday, July 10, 7:00 AM Saturday, August 14, 8:00 AM river. After crossing, the parking lot is an
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, near Charlie Elliott Wildlife Management Area, immediate right. Going east on I-285, continue
Juliette, GA Mansfield, GA (Jasper and Newton east at the exit to the second light, then turn left
Lloyd “Pappy” Snyder Counties) (north) onto New Northside Drive and stay in the
(cell phone 678.296.4463) Ellen Miller middle lane. Cross the bridge over I-285 and
Meet at the park and boat ramp off Juliette Road Meet at visitors center parking lot on Elliott Trail. continue through the traffic light on the other side
in Juliette. Note that the leader will stay at this Birding focus: Charlie Elliott Management Area onto Interstate North Parkway, then continue
location until 7:30 AM, at which time the group includes fields, ponds and woodlands. At this with instructions above.
will carpool to the refuge. time of the year, raptors, herons, flycatchers,
Birding Focus: Nesting species, including Red- meadowlarks, vireos, Summer Tanagers, Orchard Saturday, July 31 and
cockaded Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Cliff Orioles, and Blue Grosbeaks all may be seen. If Saturday, August 21, 8:00 AM
Swallow, Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-breasted migrating Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites Sweetwater Creek SP, 1750 Mount Vernon
Chat, Orchard Oriole, and Bachman’s Sparrow, have been located nearby (as was the case in Road, Lithia Springs (Douglas County)
among many others. 2009), these species will also be targeted during Phil Delestrez (work phone 404.772.5871)
Notes: Bring insect repellent and protection the August 14 trip. Meet at the Office/Interpretive Center inside the
against ticks and chiggers and wear waterproof Directions: From Atlanta, take I-20 east to Exit park. There is a parking fee of $5 per vehicle.
footwear. This trip will run well into the 98/GA11, turn right and follow for 9.5 mi. Turn left Birding focus: This state park, which is the most
afternoon hours, so bring water and snacks. onto Marben Farm Road (spelled “Marbin” in visited day-use in Georgia, contains a diversity of
Directions: From Atlanta, go on I-75 south and some locations) and follow the sign to the visitors habitats, including a large lake, hiking trails along
take exit #186 (Juliette Road). Turn left at the end center, which is at the end of Elliott Trail (a right a creek and through the woods, and a grassland
of the exit ramp and follow Juliette Road for 9.2 turn off of Marben Farm Road). area. Both the scheduled walks should allow
miles. About 120 yards after crossing the railroad observation of resident nesting species, while the
tracks in Juliette, turn right into the park and boat August 21 walk might also reveal some early
ramp JUST BEFORE you reach the river bridge. migrants. Target species include Scarlet and
Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak,
and Osprey.
(continued on page 9)

July-August 2010 5
Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner
Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer Corner • Volunteer
We’re Almost Half Way There
on Our Binoculars Fundraiser:
Won’t You Join Us?
We have raised almost half of what
we need to purchase 20 pairs of
child-friendly binoculars (6.5 x 32
Eagle Optics Ravens) for our
educational programs at the Blue
Heron and off-site at schools and
with community groups. For every
pair we purchase, Eagle Optics will
donate a pair. We would like to raise
a total of $1,190 for this effort. If
you would like to contribute, please
send a check to Atlanta Audubon
Society, 4055 Roswell Road,
Atlanta, GA 30342 and write in the
memo line: “Binoculars Fundraiser.”
We will send you a thank you letter
and acknowledgement for your tax-
deductible donation.
Holiday Banquet
Host Committee
Needed
It is that time of year again to
plan the yearly AAS Holiday
Banquet and Silent Auction in
December. We need a
chairperson, or co-chairs (this
could be a couple), to help host
our event. In addition, we need
other committee members who
can help with planning, event
execution, securing silent
auction items, decorations, etc.
Please help us make our holiday
banquet a reality. We would like
to secure at least 7-8 committee
members and 1-2 chairs to help
host this event.
We will not be able to hold
the event this year without
a committee in place.
If you are interested, please
contact us at
aas.info@atlantaaudubon.org
or call the office at
678-973-2437.
Answer:
Yes, the Common
Poorwill sleeps in a
torpid condition for
up to three months.
6 Atlanta Audubon Society
• Volunteer
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 we would like to send a special thank you to the following
individuals this month.
Many thanks go out to Carl Tyler and Jim Wilson for helping to create
AAS’s first bird photography class coming in August. “Introduction to Bird
Photography” is an eight-hour course (August 21, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM and August
22, 8:00 AM-noon). Carl and Jim have been working hard to make this special
class possible.
We can’t thank Stan Chapman enough for everything he has done over the past spring to organize so
many AAS field trips. Stan is doing an amazing job and we are extremely grateful to him. Thanks, Stan!
Thank you to Stacy Zarpentine for helping to run the “Peeps and Pancakes” walk in May and to Marge
Igyarto for conducting a special “Gardening for Birds and Other Wildlife” talk at the Chattahoochee
Nature Center. Both events were part of AAS’s participation in the City of Roswell’s “Wild in Roswell”
celebration.
Backyard Sanctuary Tour (continued from page 1)
joined forces to help restore the land to its original state, natural beauty of their 25-acre property, an astonishing
removing invasive plants and replacing them with natives. size for a single parcel within the City of Atlanta. Special
Recently, the City of Atlanta purchased two large parcels features include a high canopy of mature trees, dense
nearby that will remain public green space. One is a nine- undergrowth and a wealth of native plants.
acre wetland off Emma Lane and Lakemoore Drive; the Visitors will enjoy a stream, pond, nature trail and a
second is the five-acre former sewer tunnel construction woodland garden known as the Glen. Birdbaths, bluebird
site on Roswell Road. In 2007, the five-acre “architect’s boxes and many plantings are all designed to attract birds
site” at 4055 Roswell Road was purchased by the City, and encourage nesting and migration.
bringing Blue Heron’s holdings to 25 acres.
Led by an active Sustainability Committee, Trinity
Home of Lisa Frank, 4108 Haverhill Drive, members are committed to acting as wise stewards of
North Buckhead creation. Several green initiatives are ongoing. These
The transformation of this property began in the early include offering classes on environmental issues,
1990s from a typical ranch house lot surrounded by open improving energy efficiency in their buildings, supporting
lawn, to an atypical diverse garden landscape, now
several environmental groups and continuing to enhance
beginning to mature. Created by horticulturist Terry May – their property with wildlife preservation in mind.
former superintendent of grounds at the Atlanta Botanical
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the tour
Garden – this is truly a plant collector’s garden featuring
(children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an
unusual trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers.
adult). Advance tickets are available July 1 by calling the
Always planned as drought-tolerant and wildlife friendly, AAS office at 678-973-2437. Tickets can be paid for by
the garden is not watered and no pesticides are used.
phone with a credit card and will be mailed or emailed.
Evergreens provide ample nesting sites while a variety of Advance tickets are available until Wednesday, September
berries and nectar provide food. Pine tree snags attract six 1 at noon. Day-of-tour tickets will be available at sites #1
species of woodpeckers, and brush piles are used as and #5. We encourage you to purchase tickets in advance
shelter. The layered effect of trees, shrubs and so you can plan the tour in the order that suits you best.
groundcovers provides a beneficial environment for birds
Specific directions to each site can be found at
and other wildlife, further supported by the adjacent www.atlantaaudubon.org, or use MapQuest. Large text
mature woodland and nearby Nancy Creek. directions will be available on the AAS site beginning
Plants of particular benefit to birds are a large mass of August 1.
Salvia gauranitica for hummingbirds; berry-producing The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour is one of Atlanta
species such as Cornus alternifolia, Cotoneaster lacteus
Audubon Society’s most important fundraisers.
and several hollies including Ilex latifolia, Ilex glabra and
Ilex ‘Mary Nell’. Special thanks to our property owners for opening their
private sanctuaries to the public, and to volunteer tour
An art gallery in the basement will be open to AAS chair Jacqueline McRae. Questions? Contact Jacqueline at
visitors, showcasing the art of Frank’s late mother Shirlee jacqueline.mcrae@comcast.net.
Frank.
Volunteers are needed to assist visitors at each site. Please
Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road,
call AAS to become a tour volunteer on September 11.
Buckhead
Members of Trinity Presbyterian have long valued the
 Exploring Nature through Art
Saturday Drawing Series with Atlanta Artist Carol Sutherland
This block of three classes represents the equivalent of a 15-hour community education introductory drawing class and will prepare
you for working with colored media and creating quick sketches indoors and out.
Class Times: Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Class Location: AAS Education and Conservation Center at 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342
July 17— August 14— October 16—
Basics of Colored Pencil Art of the Field Sketching
Drawing Quick Sketch You will have fun
Learning basic This class today in the
techniques for colored provides a strong GREAT
pencil can enrich your foundation for outdoor OUTDOORS.
drawing experience. Soft, field sketching. The quick Expect the day to
buttery, wax Prisma color pencils can sketch is a more advanced skill requiring soar by as you find yourself immersed in
produce bright, vibrant color (like acrylic practice and clarity of composition. discovery. You’ll learn to use your
or oil) or they can look light and airy using Experienced artists have mastered “quick viewfinder to frame interesting choices for
a more sketchy approach. We begin with insight” in order to capture the essence of drawing subjects: perhaps the texture of a
some color exercises in fundamental skill a subject with simplicity and economy. tree’s bark, lichens on a log, rocks in the
building, then progress to drawing a small The student can experience this process in creek bed, a composition of leaves on the
leaf. Our major focus will be a small “color a series of skill-building activities drawing ground, or a group of tree forms in the
rich” image of a bird or natural object a variety of subjects. landscape. Select your favorite and begin
drawn with a layering technique. Bring The day will fly by in this quick sketch to observe, study, and then draw!
color-rich images of birds (i.e. Painted intensive. Prior drawing experience is very Your perception and drawing skills will
Bunting, tropical parrot, etc.). helpful. evolve in this class as your instructor
guides and helps you draw the Natural
World.

Please bring lunch and water to all classes.

See supply lists online at www.atlantaaudubon.org.
Cost: Friends of AAS: $75 per class / Non-members: $100 per class
Registration is required and class size is limited. Please visit
www.atlantaaudubon.org or email AtlantaAudubonEd@gmail.com to find
Carol Sutherland demonstrates how to a registration form.
draw a magnolia flower in charcoal. We look forward to seeing you in class!
Photographer: Mary Bartlett

Learning About Birds Training Session for Teachers

Thursday, July 29 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
AAS Education and Conservation Center at 4055 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, GA 30342
Would you like to teach about bird conservation and environmental stewardship in your classroom or after school club? Are you
looking for resources to help teach kids how to identify Atlanta’s birds? Would you like to provide a special nature journal to your
students? Then this workshop is for you! We will show you all of the resources that are available through AAS for you and your
organization. You don’t have to be an ornithologist to teach about birds—anyone can learn!
The workshop is free! A special lunch will be provided and all teachers will receive a supply of special nature journals and pencils for
their students, along with many other valuable resources. Come and meet like-minded teachers and leaders during a fun day of
learning.
You must pre-register for this workshop: Contact Emily Toriani-Moura at 678-973-2437 or AtlantaAudubonEd@gmail.com.
(Veteran LAB kit users are asked to bring their kits for refurbishment.)
We hope to see you on Thursday, July 29. Please let your friends and family members who are teachers know about our special
Learning About Birds training session.

July-August 2010 7
 Shorebird Extravaganza on the Georgia Coast
The AAS Shorebird Workshop of May 15 and 16
actually got underway a couple of months earlier,
with a two-hour presentation—”Shorebirds Made
Easy”—by noted ornithologist and past AAS
president Georgann Schmalz. Georgann’s cram
session and the thick sheaf of hand-outs she
thoughtfully provided had most of us convinced
that—yes!—we would be able to tell a Willet from
a Dowitcher.
Those who arrived early enough Friday evening
had the benefit of a second preparatory session by
DNR Program Manager and shorebird expert Brad
Winn, who would be our leader on Saturday.
Among other gems, we learned from Brad that the
Ruddy Turnstone is the only bird that will dig
horseshoe crab eggs out of dry sand; that the
Long-billed Curlew is alone in its ability to pluck
out the ghost shrimp hidden deep in their
burrows; and that the Whimbrels we would see
were in the process of doubling their body weight
before they resumed their northward migration. Of
special relevance to our expedition, Brad told us
that the horseshoe crabs had been busy laying
their eggs, and that, with any luck, we would get to
witness a “feeding frenzy.”
From our scattered encampments along coastal
Highway 17, we convened at 8:00 AM Saturday and
caravanned to the boat ramp. The sun-baked
locals fishing off the pier must have wondered as
14 binoculared oddballs in cargo pants and big-
brimmed hats clambered aboard DNR speedboats,
wrestled into life jackets, and flew off into St.
Catherines Sound.
The group enjoys the sights in St. Catherines Sound
Photographer: Art Hurt
Minutes later our three boats (piloted by Brad,
Tim Keyes and Adam MacKinnon, of the Georgia
DNR) stopped a few yards off of a long spit of grass
and sand. First to catch our eye was a lone
Whimbrel, standing in lordly fashion at the top of
the sandy rise, his long decurved bill a thing of
wonder. Further along the shore we came upon a
gathering of literally hundreds of Ruddy
Turnstones and Dunlin, all in rich breeding
plumage and waiting patiently for the tide to
recede and expose the banquet below.
At our next stop, a tiny grass island in the middle
of the sound, the wait was over. The horseshoe
8 Atlanta Audubon Society
By John Yow
Off St. Catherines Island, Dunlin have a feast
Photographer: Art Hurt
crabs had done their work, and the promised
frenzy was on in earnest. The little island and the
water’s edge were covered with furiously feeding
Dunlin, Willet, and Dowitchers by the hundreds;
Oystercatchers, Forster’s Terns, Peeps and a
handful of Marbled Godwits for good measure.
We proceeded to St. Catherines Island Bar, a long
crescent of beach littered with horseshoe crabs
that hadn’t made it back into the water. What
more could we see? Well, not hundreds, but
thousands of birds (Brad estimated five- or six-
thousand)—including the renowned Red Knots,
those champions of migration who leave the
southern tip of South America and make their way
to the high Arctic. Seeing these birds rise and turn
in the morning sun, their movements miraculously
choreographed, was a sight to behold.
From the observation deck of the Champney
Island Marsh Project, we scoped out Black-necked
Stilts, Mottled Ducks, and Moorhens—not to
mention the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks,
notable less for their black bellies than for the
beautiful white pattern visible on the tops of their
wings as they soared over the marsh. The marsh
overlook on Butler Island offered one more chance
to spot the elusive Least Bittern. Some said they
got it; others were skeptical. The day’s last light
found us on the beach, at Gould’s Inlet, where we
watched yet more hundreds of birds—Red Knots,
Black Skimmers, Royal Terns, Willet, Turnstones,
Whimbrels, Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls, Black-
bellied Plovers—try to hold their sandbars against
the rising tide.
Then, suddenly, it was dark, and Lisa told Art to
turn on his car’s headlights so we could complete
our checklists.
Sunday’s destination was Jekyll Island, so we
convened at the Visitors Center on the
causeway—behind which, as it happens, is an
observation tower overlooking a stretch of the
island’s beautiful marsh. While we scoured the
grass with our scopes, hoping for a glimpse of rail
or Sora, a pair of Willet put on a lovely aerial
display, showing off their striking black-and-white
wing pattern to full effect. No sooner were they
done than a Roseate Spoonbill cruised low
overhead, an hors d’oeuvre for the smorgasbord
that awaited us.
Black Skimmers at South Beach on Jekyll Island
Photographer: Art Hurt
Our leader was local conservation activist, birder
and bird artist Lydia Thompson, who hoped to find
one of the three pairs of beach-nesting Wilson’s
Plovers she’s been keeping track of—down from
seven, she told us. Those birds failed to make an
appearance, but literally thousands of others
showed up instead. Amidst a vast flock of Red
Knots, Lydia was delighted to see one wearing an
orange band, indicating that it was indeed headed
north from Tierra del Fuego. And here were
hundreds of Black Skimmers, many of which had
flattened themselves on the sand, “trying to stay
cool,” Lydia said. Also part of the congregation
were countless Royal Terns, a few of which were
engaged in . . . harrumph, harrumph . . .
“copulatory behavior.”
Wood Storks nest near the Jekyll Island Amphitheater
Photographer: Art Hurt
Next stop on Lydia’s tour was “the amphitheater.”
(Who knew there was an abandoned, dilapidated
amphitheater on Jekyll?) Our destination was a
small pond in the woods beyond the old structure,
which turned out to be the nest site of Wood
Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Great Egrets, and
other waders. Crowded at the very top of a single
dead pine tree were a half-dozen active Wood
Stork nests, with the big parent birds flying in and
out and, in some cases, quarrelling over which
nesting materials belonged to which bird. In all at
least 40 Wood Storks occupied the premises, along
with perhaps a dozen of the magnificent
Spoonbills. On a dead limb just above the water, a
fine-looking male Anhinga stretched his wings to
(continued on next page)
 Look who saw a Swallow-tailed Kite at Kennesaw Mountain!
By Carol Lambert
On May 15 at about 1:00 PM, a group of Cub Scouts and leaders of Pack 841, Alpharetta,
Georgia, hiking to the top of Kennesaw Mountain from the top parking lot, were thrilled to
see a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring on thermals. Parent Tory Caudle was quick with a
camera and able to get a good photo of the bird.
The sighting was reported to Stan Chapman, AAS field trips
director, who referred it to Jeff Sewell, compiler of the Georgia
Ornithological Society (GOS) Rare Bird Alert. According to Giff
Beaton, author of Birds of Kennesaw Mountain-An Annotated
Checklist,this is the first sighting of this species for the mountain.
He and other regular Kennesaw birders were amazed, thrilled and
envious of the Cub Scouts’ experience.
For more information on the bird species of Kennesaw Mountain,
Cub Scounts of Pack 841 Alpharetta, GA
Photographer: Tom Penhallegon
visit Bob Zaremba’s excellent website, kmt.georgia-birding.com.
Swallow-tailed Kite, Kennesaw
Remember to report all unusual bird sightings to the Georgia Mountain 5/15/10
Rare Bird Alert 770-493-8862 and also, if possible, post it to the Georgia birding listserv, Georgia Birders Photographer: Tory Caudle
Online www.listserv.uga.edu.

Shorebird Extravaganza Field Trips

(continued from previous page)
dry in the sun.
Lydia took her leave after lunch, and the group
was left with one final stop on the itinerary: Woody
Pond at Harris Neck NWR. The first thing we saw
was a young alligator, green from duckweed,
sunning on the bank. We saw gorgeous Wood
Ducks, babies swimming along behind, and
Anhingas, Tricolored Herons, Black-crowned Night
Herons and Moorhens. But the main attraction
was white birds. In the trees along the pond’s
opposite shore and stretching to its end far in the
distance, hundreds, maybe thousands, of Wood
Storks and Great Egrets nested. It was a vast
curtain of white against a background of green, a
sight almost unimaginable, and a most fitting
culmination to a weekend of avian marvels.
Thank you, Lisa and Art Hurt. Thanks also to Brad
Winn, Tim Keyes, Adam MacKinnon, and to Lydia
Thompson, for an incredible shorebird
extravaganza. See you next year.
(John Yow is the author of The Armchair Birder:
Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds.)
The group poses at the Jekyll Island Amphitheater
Photographer: Art Hurt
(continued from page 5)
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 at Blair’s Bridge Road,
and after 2.1 miles, at a 4-way stop, turn left
onto Mount Vernon Road and proceed to the
park.
Saturday, August 21 and
Sunday, August 29, 8:00 AM
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve,
DeKalb County
Lisa Hurt
Meet at the entrance to the preserve at the
corner of Pine Bluff and Wood Trail Lane in
Decatur.
Birding focus: Clyde Shepherd has a
boardwalk over a pond and wetland, and
woodland trails. Some early fall migrants and
nesting species, including warblers, vireos, and
tanagers may be seen. Raptors are commonly
found, and the pond may have herons and Wood
Ducks.
Note: Bring waterproof footwear, as trails can
be wet. If it has rained recently, rubber boots
are advisable. Directions: From I-285 N or S
on the east side of Atlanta: Take Highway 78,
Stone Mtn. Freeway exit, west toward Decatur.
Highway 78 merges with Lawrenceville Highway
(also called U.S. 29) and passes North DeKalb
Mall, after which it changes its name to Scott
Blvd. Shortly, you will pass the QT station on
your right. Just past this station, turn right at the
next street, Harrington Road. Follow it for 0.6
miles and turn right on to Wood Trail Lane.
Follow Wood Trail a short distance until it
makes a 90-degree turn to the left and becomes
Pine Bluff. The entrance to the refuge, where
the group will meet, is at this corner. From I-75-
I-85 N or S: From I-85 north or south, take
North Druid Hills Road exit, east toward
Decatur. After approx. 3 miles, you will see
North DeKalb Mall on your right. At that point,
turn right on to Lawrenceville Highway, which is
also Highway 29. After 0.6 miles, immediately
past the QT station, turn right on to Harrington
Road and follow directions as above.
Saturday, Aug. 28, 8:00 AM
Chicopee Woods, Gainesville, Hall County
Peter Gordon (cell phone 678.617.8826)
Meet at the Chicopee Lake Aquatic Studies
Center parking lot.
Birding focus: Chicopee Woods has a diverse
habitat of forest, streams and wetlands.
Directions: Take I-85 north from Atlanta to
I-985 (exit 113), which is a merge from the left
lane. Follow it about 20 miles to Exit 20. Turn
right at the end of the ramp and go to the first
traffic light. Turn right at the light onto Calvary
Church Road. Stay on Calvary Church Road for
3-4 miles. Look for Chicopee Woods Elementary
School on the left. Chicopee Woods Aquatic
Center and the entrance into the preserve will
be about 0.25 miles farther on the right. We will
meet in the parking lot.
Sunday, August 29, 8:00 AM
Bartow County Loop
Mark McShane
Meet at the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn,
Cartersville, GA.
Birding focus: The timing of this trip coincides
with the southward migration of many species
of shorebirds, and Bartow County is an
excellent area to find sandpiper species. This
loop also traverses good grassland habitat.
Notes: The group will carpool from the
Fairfield Inn. Much of the route through Bartow
County is described in the wingsoverga.com
website. (Click on GA Birding Locations tab.)
Most of it will involve driving to ponds, fields
and a sod farm area. The leader will bring a
scope to share and participants are encouraged
to bring theirs so that everyone can get
excellent views. Directions: From Atlanta,
take I-75 to exit 288 (about 40 miles north of
downtown Atlanta), turn left at the end of the
ramp and park at the Fairfield Inn, 20 Canyon
Parkway, Cartersville, GA 30120.

July-August 2010 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 email, 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 email to Catharine Kuchar at Catharine.Kuchar@atlantaaudubon.org.

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Bird Brainers
P.O. Box 921455, Norcross, GA 30010

Our thanks to the participants in the Wingbars caption

challenge! In our last issue, we asked readers to submit
captions for this screen grab from a website streaming
video of a barn owl nest box. Maria Birdseye thinks this
little owlet is singing, “Oh-h what a beautiful evening!
Bird Songs of Georgia
Oh what a beautiful night!” And Betsy Edmondson, who CD now available.
followed the progress of the barn owls daily and was Email Georgann Schmalz at
struck by how dirty the box seemed (the floor of the georgannschmalz@windstream.net
box was covered with dried up owl pellets and small
animal carcasses), came up with this caption: “Would
or visit
“Oh-h what a beautiful
evening! Oh what a someone please call housekeeping?!? This place reeks!”
www.birdingadventuresinc.com

beautiful night!” We’d love to feature your photos in future Bird

“Would someone please Brainers challenges. (We’re sure they’ll be of better
call housekeeping?!? quality than our screen grab!) Please send them to
This place reeks!” Diane Hawkins-Cox at hawkinscox@gmail.com.

Don’t Forget These AAS Classes!

Becoming a Better Birder Now Introduction to Bird Photography

Saturday, July 24, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM Saturday, August 21, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
AAS Education and Conservation Office Sunday, August 22, 8:00 AM to noon
4055 Roswell Road AAS Education and Conservation Office
Atlanta, GA 30342 4055 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342
$35 Friends of AAS/$45 Non-members welcome $50 Friends of AAS/$75 Non-members welcome
Ornithologist Georgann Schmalz will cover aspects of birding that a Learn how to use your SLR camera to capture creative bird
novice birder usually needs to learn by experience in the field and photographs, and begin your journey to become the nature
often does not. Participants will spend time learning good techniques photographer that you’ve always wanted to be!
of birding in the field such as understanding which part of the tree a During this eight-hour workshop, you will receive photographic
particular bird prefers to forage or how to pick up as many visual cues instruction from Georgia’s first IBA Coordinator, Jim Wilson. Long-
as possible while a bird flits in and out of the foliage. time AAS member and conservation activist Carl Tyler will also discuss
setting up your backyard as a bird sanctuary for photography.
Registration is required for both classes. Please visit www.atlantaaudubon.org to download a registration form.
We look forward to seeing you!
10 Atlanta Audubon Society
 Putting the Fun back into Fun draising
By Harriette Hoy t
What is it you enjoy most about the Atlanta Audubon Society? Is it the bird walks, the seminars, the lecture series? Maybe you are
more into conservation and follow the improvements that AAS is making to the Important Bird Areas throughout Georgia. Continuing
our vital work requires regular infusions of money from grants, donations and fundraising events. With this in
mind….
Mark your calendar: September 11 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
AAS’s largest fundraiser is the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tour—this year on September 11
from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM As part of the Tour, we are fortunate to have two local writers at the
Blue Heron Preserve (BHP) signing their books. Nature writer/journalist Charles Seabrook will
be at BHP from 10:00 AM to noon signing his book Cumberland Island: Strong Women, Wild
Horses. John Yow will be at BHP from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM signing his book
The Armchair Birder: Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds.
The tour is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a day in wildlife-friendly gardens in Buckhead, while
Seabrook’s contributing to AAS by supporting its most important fundraiser of the year. Yow’s Armchair Birder
Cumberland Island
Looking for Fundraising Ideas
What other ways can AAS combine fun with fundraising? How about annual or semi-annual birdseed sales, a quarterly VIP bird walk,
and/or staffing a concession stand at the Verizon amphitheatre? What about a personal gift or a matching dollar-for-dollar grant to show
the way for AAS into the 21st century? Could you fund a scholarship to help further educate local students on birds and the
environment?
What are your ideas? We want to know ! We are listening!
AAS’s Long Range Planning Task Force is ready for your input: just send your ideas to Harriette Hoyt at hrhoyt@bellsouth.net.

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Dragonflies of the Wetlands with Giff Beaton

Sunday, July 25, 8:30 AM
Newman Wetlands Center / 2755 Freeman Road / Hampton, GA 20228
Clayton County Water Authority – Environmental Education www.ccwa.us

Join Giff Beaton, author of Dragonflies & Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast, for a morning walk through the Newman
Wetlands Center trail in Clayton County. We’ll learn identification techniques for the many species of these beautiful insects that play a
crucial pest management role in our environment. The walk is free, but group size is limited & reservations are absolutely
required. Space in this program is limited and all participants must have a reservation. Quiet, attentive children 10 years+ are
welcome. Program participants from 2009 who wish to come again this year will be put on a wait list until July 20, when any available
spaces will be offered. Reservations: 770-603-5606 or email: clambert@ccwa.us

Giff Beaton (left) shows a dragonfly to a workshop participant Halloween Pennant

Photographer: Carol Lambert Photographer: Giff Beaton