May 2019 - July 2019
Field Trips
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.... 4 Volunteers and Fundraising
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News
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WESTERN CUYAHOGA AUDUBON
4310 Bush Ave. Cleveland, OH 44109
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(216) 741-2352
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info@wcaudubon.org
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www.wcaudubon.org
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WHAT IS A COAC?
By Nancy Howell, Board member of Western Cuyahoga Audubon and the Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters
“It is imperative that Audubon chapters, like Western Cuyahoga Audubon, affiliated organizations, and individuals - “speak in a common voice” and continue to lead the way - as the founders of COAC envisioned.”
Perhaps you have attended a WCAS program meeting, looked at the WCAS website, or glanced through
The Feathered Flyer
newsletter and have run across the letters COAC. The acronym stands for the
C
ouncil of
O
hio
A
udubon
C
hapters of which Western Cuyahoga Audubon is a part. In its early years the organization was called Ohio Audubon Council and was begun “to coordinate the thoughts and programs of the Audubon chapters and affiliates of Ohio, to speak in a common voice on important conservation issues, to act as a sounding board for various and common problems among Audubon chapters and affiliates, in some cases to consolidate efforts in field activities, to act as a liaison with the National Audubon Society and, to act as a center for the dissemination of information.” That statement has withstood the test of time. As with many organizations, COAC has had its ups and downs. At its strongest, 19 Audubon chapters were part of the organization, covering more than 60% of urban, suburban and rural areas of Ohio. When COAC had a 12 year hiatus due to changes in leadership, a number of chapters struggled. Today, 15 Audubon chapters remain covering less than 30% of the state. The organization asks - why? Was it the lack of people stepping up and keeping up with changes? With today’s political climate, with environmental concerns, with so much social media, Audubon, as an environmental organization, needs to be leading the way. It is imperative that Audubon chapters, like Western Cuyahoga Audubon, affiliated organizations, and individuals - “speak in a common voice” and continue to lead the way - as the founders of COAC envisioned.
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wcaudubon.org The Feathered Flyer 1
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wcaudubon.org
May 2019 - July 2019
Photo: Springfield Bog by Tom Fishburn.
(...continued from page 1)
A revitalized COAC needs Western Cuyahoga Audubon, affiliates with like-minded missions, it needs individuals to step up. The present Mission Statement of COAC says, “COAC is to aid chapter development in strength, growth, and leadership through dialogue and networking between the Chapters, affiliates, individuals, and the National Audubon Society; and to provide an independent, collective voice of Ohio chapters and affiliates in all Audubon affairs”. We at WCAS have been a driving force in rejuvenating COAC by running and participating in workshops, joining in conference calls, having our members on the COAC Board. In addition, WCAS will communicate with all of our chapter members and guests to bring aboard individuals and organizations who want to help make a difference. Audubon is not just for birds, but encompasses the entire system that birds, wildlife that
we
need. Clean water, clean air, food not tainted with herbicides or pesticides, and a safe place to live. Birds are the enjoyment for many, but they are also environmental barometers. Please consider raising your hand
…
your voice and your thoughts
…
and join us, Western Cuyahoga Audubon, in making the Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters that collective voice. Subscribe to the COAC Social Network for updates and connect to new opportunities.
BIRD WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS >>>
Photos (left to right): May Birders by Penny O’Connor; Bluebird by Ray Burns; Cloud Burst Birding and Mirror Tree by Penny O’Connor.
Second Saturday Bird Walks at Rocky River Nature Center
UPCOMING DATES: May 11, 2019 / June 8, 2019 / July 13, 2019
Ken Gober, Dave Graskemper, and Bill Deininger lead walks on the second Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM on trails around the Rocky River Reservation, home of the Rocky River Important Bird Area. New to birding? Grab some binoculars and join us. You’ll be amazed how fast you can learn birds by sight and sound. Walks begin at the Rocky River Nature Center parking lot, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH and are provided at no charge to the public.
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wcaudubon.org The Feathered Flyer 2
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wcaudubon.org
May 2019 - July 2019
> Tue, May 14, 6:30 PM
Early Evening Bird Walk at LENSC
Date & Time: Tue, May 14, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. Location: Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, 28728 Wolf Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140 Target Species: Warblers, Barred Owls, Red-headed Woodpeckers
Description:
The southern shore of Lake Erie is one of the principal stopovers for migrating warblers in need of rest and refueling enroute to their nesting grounds in Canada. We’ll walk the woods and fields of Huntington Reservation. Chances are very good for a look at nesting Barred Owls and Red-headed Woodpeckers.
> Sat, June 15, 7:00 AM
Hotspot Field Trip
Date & Time: Sat, June 15, 2019 at 7:00 a.m. Location: North Olmsted RTA Park-n-Ride, 5575 Great Northern Blvd, North Olmsted, OH 44070 Leader: Tim Colborn Target Species: Nesting Grassland Birds
Description:
Mid-June is prime nesting time for grassland birds. Leader Tim Colborn will take us to grassland hotspots in Northeast Ohio. Where? Leader's choice, depending on best opportunities to see these birds based on current conditions and sightings.
> Sun, August 4, 8:00 AM
Field Trip to Howard Marsh Metropark
Date & Time: Sun, August 4, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. Location: 611 S. Howard Rd. Curtice, OH 43412 Leader: Tim Colborn Target Species: Migrating Shorebirds
Description:
Elegant migrating shorebirds grace the Lake Erie marshes on their way south after nesting in the Arctic. Howard Marsh is about 90 miles from the west side of Cleveland. It is a new addition to the Toledo Metroparks. Restored wetlands host more than 100 species in July and August, including multiple species of shorebirds.
Answers to Bird Quiz: 1. Grosbeak 2. Puffin 3. Flicker 4. Crane 5. Cowbird 6. Cardinal 7. Emu 8. Crossbill 9. Blue Jay 10. Tree Swallow
Above: Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
by David Lewis. Above: Red Knot
(Calidris canutus)
by Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia Commons. Above: White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
by Tom Fishburn. Above: L
esser Yellowlegs
( Tringa flavipes )
by Kathy Murphy.
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wcaudubon.org The Feathered Flyer 3
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