January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1

We promote the enjoyment, understanding,and preservation of birds, other wildlife, and habitat through education, advocacy, and fellowship.

President’s Message The week before Thanksgiving, I once again heard mention of the great “eagle versus turkey” debate. You probably have heard it. According to the oft told story, Benjamin Franklin, while on the committee with Thomas Jefferson and John Adams that was charged by the Continental Congress to design the Great Seal for the fledgling United States, wanted the turkey to represent our country. Don’t believe it. It never happened that way. This is one of the great American myths.

Our Great Seal, with the majestic Bald Eagle as its centerpiece, was

adopted in 1782.THE It wasthrasherNewsletter not of The until Richmond ourAudubon Society Centennial, nearly 100 years later, Bald Eagle • photo by Len Smock that the first story arose that Franklin had openly advocated for the turkey. He had not, but there is a bit of truth to the myth. Franklin did write a letter in 1784 to his daughter, Sarah, in which he stated that the turkey would have been a better choice because it was “a bird of courage,” was “a more respectable bird,” and “a true original native of America.” The eagle, however, was “a bird of bad moral character” and “does not get his living honestly,” a reference of course to the eagle’s habit of robbing ospreys of their catch. Would Franklin have preferred the turkey? Yes. Did he advocate for it? No. A few other tidbits along this line. Back in 1775, Franklin wrote that the Rattlesnake would be an appropriate symbol of the “temper and conduct of America.” Fortunately, he had moved on from that thought when working with Jefferson and Adams. Also, a later committee charged by IN THIS ISSUE Congress to President’s Message 1 consider the Great Seal, Wild Turkey by Bob Schamerhorn Member Meeting Information 2 made mention From The Editors • Article: The Wetlands 3 of possible symbols being the rooster, a dove, or a phoenix Article: The Wetlands Cont. 4 in flames. A rooster! Really? And as a final note of trivia. Field Trips 5 Eight states have incorporated an eagle into their state Field Trips Cont. • RVA Film Festival 6 seals, while Louisiana’s symbol is the brown pelican and a Hopewell Christmas Count 7 phoenix rising up represents the great state of Hawaii. Member Photos 8 About RAS • RAS Board & Committees 9 Len Smock - RAS President - 1 - January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1

RAS MEMBERS’ MEETINGS WHEN: RAS membership meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM (except June, July, August and December). Come early for coffee, cookies and conversation beforehand starting at 6:30 PM. WHERE: Held at St. Luke Lutheran Church • 7757 Chippenham Pkwy., Richmond, VA at the corner of Custis Road and Chippenham Parkway unless noted. VISIT: www.RichmondAudubon.org for actual dates, times and for additional information.

January 16th

program: “Winning for Conservation”THE thrasherNewsletter of The Richmond Audubon Society Mary Rafferty has been on successful environmental campaigns such as stopping uranium mining and getting coal ash moved. What are her insights on successful campaigns as they relate to the issues before the General Assembly this year? Mary is the Executive Director on the Virginia Conservation network.

February 20th meeting program: “The Nature of Ecuador” RAS’s own Paul Bedell will be presenting his sightings and experiences from his very recent travels and adventure to this far northwest region of South America.

Gould’s Jewelfront - photo by Naseem Reza Napo Sabrewing - photo by Naseem Reza

- 2 - January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1

From The EditorS Please check out the article on another RVA birding Hotspot, written by Caroline Coe with input from Mary Arginteanu. The Wetlands holds a special place in the hearts of birders partly because of the number of rarities reported from this relatively small park: Cerulean Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, American Bittern, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat and more. Of the 189 species reported on eBird, 79 species have pictures that can be seen at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L525710/media?yr=all&m=

THE thrasherNewsletter of The Richmond Audubon Society A couple of weeks back, as I opened our front door, I noticed a large blackish bird on the ground pecking at Pileated Woodpecker - by Naseem Reza the base of our very large tulip poplar tree. Instinctively I grabbed my camera and got a few shots of the female Pileated Woodpecker that continued to forage around the base of the tree. Once she left, I inspected the tree and much to our dismay the great tree was rotting from the ground up. Since the tree had a distinct lean towards our nearby house, we had no choice but to have it taken down in pieces. Even today, my wife Lou and I see the gap in our front yard and miss the familiar scene that we had become used to seeing over several decades. Of course the tree was big even in 1984 when we moved in. Counting of the growth rings of the trunk, it appeared to be 73 years old. Perhaps our feathered friend did us a favor by pointing out something we would have never notice. Eastern Bluebird by Naseem Reza If you have ideas to improve the content of this publication, please share it with us at: [email protected]. Bob Schamerhorn & Naseem Reza - Co-Editors

BIRDING SITE: The Wetlands By Caroline Coe There is no birding location in the Richmond area more “Richmond Audubon” than the Wetlands section of the James River Park. In the Early 1980’s, Ralph White, Park manager, working with Richmond Audubon, Sierra Club and several other environmental groups, wrestled with the City to keep out a city leaf and stump dump and to protect this natural space. Today you can enjoy a walk in this quiet park section bordered by a neighborhood, the James River on the north side, the Pony Pasture Park to the west and Willow Oaks golf course to the east. As you enter along the trail leading from parking on Landria Drive you pass thru mixed woods and come out into a meadow. From here you have wonderful options. The Gadwall by Naseem Reza

- 3 - January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1 meadow has sparrows, wrens, bluebirds and Indigo Buntings and more in spring and summer. There’s a small pond ahead with 3 blinds to view out looking for ducks in the winter and herons all year. From here you can head straight out to the James River, there you can sit on the “Larry Robinson bench” and watch the activity, perhaps sandpipers at the river’s edge or Bald Eagles over the trees. The Bufflehead love to ride the riffles diving constantly for food in the winter. The trail loops east along the river and heads over towards the golf course, or travels back southTHE to thrasherNewsletter of The Richmond Audubon Society circle the meadow. These old pines and deciduous trees are home to the Great Horned Owl. In the spring the trees, river’s edge and meadow are feeding stopovers for many migratory species of warblers, vireos, flycatchers as well as resident woodpeckers, chickadees and others. E-Bird checklists for the month of April over the years have listed 150 species of birds (189 species Barred Owl by Bob Schamerhorn overall). The path that leads off to the west towards Pony Pasture crosses a bridge over a small creek. This has always been Barred Owl territory. Parents and young owls are often spotted or heard along the creek. The swamp to the north side of the entrance path has a boardwalk to cross the water and there are wonderful summer nesting birds such as White- eyed Vireos and Common Yellowthroats. The James River Park Wetlands earns its name and fine reputation. There are wet areas all around - boots are always a reasonable footwear option - and many birds can be found all year long.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo by Naseem Reza

Winter Wren by Naseem Reza

- 4 - January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1

RAS Field Trips Check the RAS Listserv or the RAS website for information and any late breaking news about field trips or join our MEET-UP GROUP: www.meetup.com/RAS-Meetup/ January January 5, 8:00 AM - Sunday - Bryan Park. Meet Rex Springston at Shelter #1 at about a half-hour after sunrise. Socialize with the group at Stir Crazy Cafe afterwards. Contact Rex at [email protected] for more information. January 11, 8:15 AM - Saturday - Dutch Gap. Meet Lewis Barnett at the Henricus Historical Park parking lot. Contact

THE thrasherNewsletter of The Richmond Audubon Society Lewis at [email protected] or (804) 920-4723 for more information. January 18, 8:00 AM - Saturday - T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge and Floodwall. Let’s go gulling! Walk the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge and Floodwall to look for winter birds along the river in downtown Richmond. Meet Arun Bose at the foot of T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge on Browns Island in the City of Richmond (37.5319375,-77.4452367). Contact Arun at [email protected] for more information. January 25, 7:19 AM - Saturday - Larry Robinson Winter Count. This informal survey of the birds of the James River Park System has been a long-time tradition of bringing in the new year with birds and friends. This is our second year honoring Northern Shoveler at Dutch Gap by Bob Schamerhorn long-time Richmond Audubon member and friend to nature, Larry Robinson, whom we lost in September, 2018. Contact Julie Kacmarcik at [email protected] to join a team. Meet for the compilation at the Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe in Scott’s Addition (3015 Norfolk St, Richmond, VA 23230) at 10:30 AM. FEBRUary February 2, 7:45 AM - Sunday - Bryan Park. Meet John Fones at Shelter #1 at about a half-hour after sunrise. Socialize with the group at Stir Crazy Cafe afterwards. Contact John at [email protected] for more information. February 8, 8:15 AM - Saturday - Dutch Gap. Meet Lewis Barnett at the Henricus Historical Park parking lot. Contact Lewis at [email protected] or (804) 920-4723 for more information. February 15 - Saturday - Great Backyard Bird Count. Join Tyler Turpin for a few special local trips to contribute to the National Audubon Society’s 23rd annual count. This is a much less formal, less rigorous affair than our other counts. Contact Tyler at [email protected] for trip information. 1) 8:00 AM - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Meet Tyler in the rotunda of the visitor center. The usual entrance fee will be waived for count participants. Lewis Ginter will also be offering a variety of family- oriented activities related to birds and birding until around noon. Contact Heather Veneziano at [email protected] for more Lewis Ginter event information. 2) 10:15 AM - James River Park, Brown’s Island. Meet Tyler in the Brown’s Island parking lot on Tredegar St. 3) 11:45 AM - James River Park, Pony Pasture. Meet Tyler in the Pony Pasture parking lot on Riverside Dr. February 14, 15 and 16 - Coastal Virginia Birding Trip. Join Wes Teets for our second annual “pilgrimage” to the far reaches of the Commonwealth’s coastal plain, including locations not normally accessible to the public. Join us for any or all segments. Make your own overnight accommodation reservations as needed. 1) February 14 - Friday - Hampton Roads and lower Eastern Shore. Contact Wes at fieldtrips@ richmondaudubon.org or (540) 521-5379 for more information. 2) February 15, 8:00 AM - Saturday - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Beach Road. An entrance pass will be required for the refuge trips ($20 for 7 days; more options available at the fee station and visitor

- 5 - January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1 center). Meet in the parking lot of the refuge’s main visitor center. We’ll scope the marshes and coves for waders, shorebirds, and waterfowl. 3) February 15, 3:00 PM - Saturday - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Beach Road, WIldlife Loop. Meet in the Wildlife Loop parking lot. We’ll do a brief run of the loop before the next segment. 4) February 15, 4:30 PM - Saturday - Saxis Wildlife Management Area. We’ll depart directly from the Wildlife Loop, but can be joined along Hammock Rd. near Saxis. We’ll be watching for owls and rails. 5) February 16, 9:00 AM - Sunday - Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT). We will meet up with the police escort at the south pay- plaza parking lot. Participation is limited for these trips, so advance Purple Sandpiper by Bob Schamerhorn registration is required (there will be a wait list, if it fills up). This is a great place to look for unique species likeTHE Purplethrasher NewsletterSandpiper of The Richmond andAudubon SocietyGreat Cormorant, as well as a variety of seabirds and waterfowl, without a boat. To register, complete the second page of the form at: http://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2011RevisedINDIVIDUALBirdingApp.pdf and send it to Wes by Friday, January 17. We recommended you either fill the form digitally or complete it by hand and scan or photograph it to submit by email. If you are unable to do this, contact Wes for a mailing address. The CBBT trip is limited to 15 participants. The normal bridge tolls apply, but RAS will cover the cost. 6) February 16, -1:00 PM - Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to False Cape State Park (tram tour). We’ve commissioned a private tour to stop where we like along the dykes to look for rails, bitterns, and waterfowl. The trip will end by 5:00 PM. Contact Wes to secure a seat. We’re limited to 24 participants. Entrance fees to the refuge are not collected this time of year, and RAS will cover the cost of the tram ride. February 23, 8:00 AM - Sunday. Byrd Park. Meet Paul Bedell at the parking area on the east side of Shields Lake, across from the Maymont Nature Center. The park, with its three ponds, has been one of the best and most convenient areas within city limits to observe winter waterfowl. We might visit the Pump House area afterwards. Contact Paul at [email protected] for more information.

Fri. Feb 7 - Thurs. Feb 13, 2020 ALL FILMS FREE (no tickets required) See www.rvaeff.org for Times, Location and Film Info. The 10th Annual RVA Environmental Film Festival (RVA EFF) will showcase over 15 local and national films selected to raise awareness of environmental issues relevant to the Richmond region, our nation, and our “Bird of Prey” planet. The festival will be held at different venues each night. sponsored by the richmond auduBon society The festival will take filmgoers on a cinematic journey to learn how humans, the fifth element, are changing the planet and experience wild Africa, from the blistering heat of the Namib Desert and the Nyiragongo Volcano to the green Philippine jungle on to the shoreline of the Red Sea. They’ll also discover the worldwide Biophilic Model Cities Project and hear both heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of regenerative farming. Films will also bring solution-oriented messages of hope with the goal of inspiring Richmond area audiences to promote planet health individually or through a local environmental group of their choice. As an advocate for preservation of birds, other wildlife and habitat, RAS is sponsoring The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s award-winning documentary, The Bird of Prey. The film weaves stunning natural history footage of the critically endangered Great Philippine Eagle with the remarkable story of wildlife cinematographer Neil Rettig and a small group of conservationists from the Philippine Eagle Foundation who work tirelessly to save the bird from extinction.

- 6 -

RICHMOND Environmental FILM FESTIVAL

RVAEFF.org January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1

Hopewell Christmas Count 2019 This year’s Hopewell Christmas Count was held on December 15 as part of the longest running citizen science project ever in its 81st year! Volunteers recorded 115 species of 48,896 individual birds. Fortunately the weather cooperated with a chilly daybreak, giving way to milder day time temperatures. A stiff westerly breeze hindered some locations. Overall highlights; 20 species of waterfowl, 7 species of warbler (a count high), 9 species of sparrow (+ Towhee and Junco), and 9 species of hawks were recorded. Notable species:

THE thrasherNewsletter of The Richmond Audubon Society Greater White-fronted Goose - 4. Previous, 1, 1998, 1, 2000, Count Week - 1, 2007, 9, 2014 American Wigeon - 209, good, High Count 300 in 2000 Hooded Merganser - 280, good HC 360, 1989 Common Merganser - 16, respectable for recent years. HC 277, 1988 Common Loon - 3 = HC, 1982 Pied-billed Gebe - 20 = HC 1980 American Kestrel - 9, encouraging count with sustaining number from 2018. HC 35, 1990 Merlin - 1 Pine Warbler by Naseem Reza Wilson’s Snipe - 3 low, HC 64, 1976 American Woodcock - 20 good for recent years. HC 42 - 2002 Eastern Screech Owl - 6, good. HC 8, 1989 Northern Saw-Whet Owl - 1 reported. No description or documentation (Hypothetical, first for count) Short-eared Owl - 1, 10th record, HC 5 - 1989 Eastern Phoebe - 35 High Count, previous 34, 2010 Raven - 1 reported, 2nd for count. Fish Crow - Count Week (not included in total species count) Sedge Wren - 1, 5th record, previous 1979, 1983, 1989, 1994 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 173 good, HC 178, 1973 American Robin - 2,018, (1,430 from single count of birds going to roost) HC, 4,949 2005 Brown Thrasher - 25 = HC 25, 1989 Yellow Warbler - 1 new to count (photographed - at Hopewell City Marina) Pine Warbler - 11, HC, 12, 1993 Black-and-white Warbler - 2, HC 3, 2014 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Savannah Sparrow - 255 good, HC 355, 2017 Lincoln’s Sparrow - 1, 5th record, previous 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014 White-crowned Sparrow - 3 low, HC 57, 1976 Rusty Blackbird - 1 low, HC 200, 2011 Baltimore Oriole - 3, HC - 8, 1979, 2015 House Sparrow - 54, good for recent years, HC - 255, 1968 Thanks to all the birders who helped on count day. As always, this project is not possible without all of the volunteers, who’s collective efforts make the count; and all the birds count. Many thanks. Until next year, arun Bose - Hopewell CBC coordinator on behalf of Richmond Audubon Society,

- 7 - January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1

MEMBER PHOTOS: WInter

THE thrasherNewsletter of The Richmond Audubon Society

White-throated Sparrow by Charles Woodrich Song Sparrow by Larry Tipton

Sharp-shinned Hawk by Jerry Uhlman Blue Jay by Bob Coles

Golden-crowned Kinglet by Lori Schamerhorn Ruffed Grouse by Julie Kacmarcik - 8 - January/February, 2020 • Volume 47, Issue 1

OFFICERS & COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE RICHMOND AUDUBON SOCIETY President Len Smock [email protected] First Vice President Mary Elfner [email protected] Second Vice President Wes Teets [email protected] Secretary Lori Schamerhorn [email protected] Treasurer Eileen Geller [email protected] Bird-a-Thon Chair Lewis Barnett [email protected] Conservation Chair Patty Bell [email protected] Cyberspace Chair Lee Williams [email protected] Development Chair VACANT Education Chair Kathy Louthan [email protected]

Field Trips Chair Wes Teets THE thrasherNewsletter of The Richmond Audubon Society [email protected] Hospitality Chair Lynne Evans [email protected] IBA/VABBA2 Rep. Ellison Orcutt [email protected] Legislation Chair James Shelton [email protected] Membership Chair Lewis Barnett [email protected] Past President Eileen Geller [email protected] Programs Chair Kim Harrell [email protected] Publicity Chair Diane Jadlowski [email protected] Thrasher Co-Editors Naseem Reza & Bob Schamerhorn [email protected] Youth Chair Ellison Orcutt [email protected]

ABOUT THE RICHMOND AUDUBON SOCIETY Richmond Audubon Society (RAS) is a chapter of The National Audubon Society (NAS). Becoming a member of either Society enrolls your membership in both (NAS and RAS by zip code). Renewals are processed through The National Audubon Society. AUDUBON SOCIETY AFFILIATES: Chapter of the Virginia Society of Ornithology (VSO) and the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN). Membership Application MAILING ADDRESS: Richmond Audubon Society Yes, enroll me (us) as member(s) of both P.O. Box 26648 • Richmond, VA 23261 National Audubon and Richmond Audubon Societies at the address below, at the PHONE (Message Line): 804-601-4917 introductory rate of $20.00. WEBSITE: www.RichmondAudubon.org A subscription to the NAS “Audubon” FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/RichmondAudubon/ magazine is included. MEET-UP GROUP: www.meetup.com/RAS-Meetup/ Name______TWITTER: www.twitter.com/@RichmondAudubon Address ______LISTSERV: www.freelists.org/list/va-richmond-general City ______NONPROFIT: RAS is a registered nonprofit 501 (C) (3) charitable State______ZIP ______organization. Donations are tax deductible. Phone ______NEWSLETTER: “The Thrasher” is issued bimonthly (January, E-mail ______March, May, July, September, November.) Submissions due Make check payable to: by the 10th of the month prior. The newsletter is available for National Audubon Society download (PDF) online at www.RichmondAudubon.org. for Individual/Family Membership RAS BOARD MEETINGS: Second Thursdays of January, March, write “X53”as the memo. May, July (annual strategic planning session), September, Send check and application to: and November. Board Meeting start times and locations vary, Richmond Audubon Society members are welcome to attend, contact the President or P.O. Box 26648, Richmond, VA 23261 Secretary in advance. X53 - 9 -