Newsletter of the Northern Arizona Audubon Society ™ Volume XLIX • Number 6 • Sept. - Oct. 2021 September & October Programs Cruising for Seabirds Do your eyes glass over as you turn the pages of a field guide when Nests and Nestlings of the Mogollon Rim you come to the section containing pelagic birds? You know, those birds that require you In the spring and early summer of 2016, Katherine worked as to board a rocky boat and head out into the an ornithological field technician searching ocean, being in fear of tossing your cookies? for nests and measuring nestlings as part of Well, look no further-- Rich Armstrong will an ongoing research study of the life history make those birds easy for you. Come hear strategies of temperate and tropical songbirds. him give a fast-paced humorous presentation Ornithological research often requires long about going to sea to see seabirds in the sea. hours in the field, delicate hands, and an intense From a small boat to birding from a cruise passion for birds. Katherine will share a day in ship, you’ll learn about the 40 birds in North the life of a nest searcher and nestling measurer, America--albatrosses, shearwaters, storm the tools and work required for collecting petrels, and alcids; all of which require you to leave dry land. Both of field research, and a glimpse into the lives of these types of ships have advantages and disadvantages in seeing the many nesting bird species found along the Mogollon Rim. these wonderful birds, and don’t forget the whales and dolphins.
The Pinyon Jay: Note: 3rd Wednesday of November - Member’s Night An Iconic Denizen of Pinyon Pine Woodlands Member’s Night happens at the Sedona Library on Wednesday Nov. 17, 2021, at 6:00 pm. We are truly thankful to be back together The pinyon jay is a conspicuous and highly social species again and what better way than to have our members share in the which ranges widely in pinyon pine and monthly program. The NAAS meeting for November will feature other coniferous woodlands. It’s also a you as the guest speaker! While only planned for Sedona, those species which has experienced significant ATR may join in too. You get the floor for up to 5 minutes. Submit population declines over the last several up to five photos (they don’t have to be yours) via email to Nanette decades. In this talk, we’ll review some at [email protected]. These slides will be projected interesting facts about pinyon jays, current onto the screen. No photos necessary—just tell us a story. The conservation efforts, and results of NAAS photos do not have to be birds, but anything nature related is pinyon jay surveys conducted around Flagstaff in 2021. fine. Deadline to submit photos is Nov. 14. Thanksgiving themed snacks will be served. Social time 5:30. Program starts at 6:00.
Katherine Ruffenach - “Nests and Nestlings of the Mogollon Rim” Sedona, September 22nd, Wed.- Public Library at 6:00 pm, Snacks at 5:30 Flagstaff, September 28, Tues. – 7:00 pm – Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church
Anne Pellegrini - “The Pinyon Jay: An Iconic Denizen of Pinyon Pine Woodlands” Flagstaff, October 26th – Tues. – 7:00 pm – Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church
Rich Armstrong - “Cruising for Seabirds” Sedona, October 27th, Wed. – Public Library at 6:00 pm, Snacks at 5:30 Locations: TBD: Due to rise in COVID cases at the time of publishing, we are unsure if the Monthly Program Meetings will be held in person or via Zoom (and Facebook Live). Check the NAAS Website and Facebook page for updated information about the location and times of Monthly meetings. https://www.northernarizonaaudubon.org or https://www.facebook.com/Northern-Arizona-Audubon Society-678850928825284
All monthly Facebook Live programs (Sept, 2020 to May, 2021) are archived on the NAAS Facebook page Page 2 BlackHawk Watch
our tent and will be reaching out to students at NAU President’s Message to help everyone have the opportunity to enjoy birds August 2021 as they are our most abundant “watchable wildlife.” President’s Report To that end, we are so pleased to announce that Board Member, Roy Big things are afoot at NAAS. COVID didn’t May, has created a Grant program stop us. We’ve been working behind the scenes to for Native American students make NAAS more effective in our Community. at Northern Arizona University First: NAAS ventured into the world of Social “… to encourage and support Media in a bigger way. We continued to up our game field research that will enhance by holding an August training by experts Heather knowledge and conservation of Arizona avifauna, Herman and Maya Rappaport who taught us how to especially on Native American reservations.” See our make fun and engaging photos and videos to post. website for the details. Check out our Facebook page and our Instagram for Field Trips are back! Please log onto the NAAS posts from new contributors. We are sharing more website to see the schedule and always check the than ever before. Please contact us if you want to website and our Facebook page in case there are any share anything about birds or your birding adventures! changes before you go!: Second: We are embarking on a long-term https://northernarizonaaudubon.org/NAAS/naas- plan for use of funds NAAS has accumulated. We are calendar/ looking to not only preserve habitat and help birds; https://www.facebook.com/Northern-Arizona- but to ensure the future of our Chapter by enticing Audubon-Society-678850928825284 younger birders to join Audubon. National Audubon It’s truly as exciting a time for our Chapter as I has five focus areas; one of which is Equity, Diversity can remember. We’ve got a chance to do more to help and Inclusion (EDI). NAAS would like to broaden those who help birds!
This year, a total of 27 people participated in the three weeding days, Good-bye Knapweed and together, they contributed 67 hours of weeding. A whopping 70 bags Christina Vojta of weeds were hauled out of the area and burned in the county incinerator. These were LARGE bags, too—the four-foot tall, 42-gallon size. This Six years ago, diffuse knapweed—a noxious weed—dominated the sounds like a lot of weeds, but is a lot less than the hundreds of bags that uplands around Kachina Wetlands’ ponds. Other noxious weeds that were collected in past years. abounded included spotted knapweed, scotch thistle, and bull thistle. The next time you visit Kachina Wetlands, take your eyes off the Together, these weeds accounted for a whopping 75 percent of the birds for a moment and look at the native grasses and wildflowers around vegetation surrounding the ponds. Those who tried to go birding in the you. Yes, there are still a lot of “weeds” out there, but they are not trouble summer found it nearly impossible to walk the wetland trails due to the makers. In fact, some of them, like sunflowers and mullein, are beneficial to thigh-high weeds. birds, providing seeds and look-out posts. Fortunately, the weed situation has greatly changed since those days. Thank you to everyone who participated in the weeding events this Kachina Village Improvement District (KVID) received a two-year grant year. Nobody alone can take on a task this large, but together, we can from Arizona Fire and Forestry in 2017 to get the weeds under control make such a difference. And together, we have! in a major way. To do this, KVID contracted with Natural Channel Design, which is the local engineering firm that played a key role in restoring Picture Canyon. A plan was laid out to treat the entire 70-acre area through a combination of herbicide spraying, weeding, and planting of native grasses and wildflowers. Now, knapweeds and thistles occupy less than 10 percent of the vegetation, and the prevalence of these bad guys decreases with each year of effort. After the grant expired, KVID decided to continue the contract with Natural Channel Design so that the noxious weeds would not move back in. A single herbicide treatment for the entire area costs $10,000, so this is a major commitment. As steward for Kachina Wetlands, I organize three weeding events per summer as part of the three-pronged management approach. Each year, I am pleased to see the interest in removing weeds that is shown by Audubon members as well as people from the local communities of Flagstaff, Mountainaire, Kachina Village, and Forest Highlands. Each person has a personal love for Kachina Wetlands and is willing to spare a few hours to keep the area looking beautiful. “Audubon members Debbie McMahon and Gisela Kluwin.” Page 3 BlackHawk Watch
Yardie Award Recipient Announcement Interesting Websites Enjoy looking at these websites, a YouTube Series, During the past year and a half of dealing with Covid, and a documentary this summer. one of the few bright spots has been the growing number of people whose appreciation of nature and all things outdoors https://www.audubon.org/menu/press-room has greatly increased. Of the many ways to enjoy nature, the This is a National Audubon Society news page that is constantly being up- most basic might be to simply observe what goes on around dated. Please take a few minutes and visit it often. your own home. We have always had feeders at our house, but we added more this year and installed a game camera. https://www.audubon.org/joy-of-birds Birds bring us happiness in so many ways—especially in trying times. Deer, coyotes, javelina, bobcats and racoons all pass through Whether you’re just looking for a lift, unable to enjoy the outdoors, or in des- or by in greater numbers than we knew. perate need of distraction, look no further than this National Audubon page. On December 9, 2020, we added bird species number 125 to our yard list. We live in the Village of Oak Creek along National Audubon Society also has an article about the fascinating Netflix the 13th Fairway of the Sedona Golf Resort. One of the key documentary, Dancing Birds, that will make you smile: https://www.audu- elements of our bountiful yard list is that the house overlooks bon.org/news/in-netflixs-dancing-birds-we-see-other-side-bizarre-avian- spectacle the pond on that fairway. Over 30 species on our list are directly attributed to the pond, including 17 species of ducks. https://thebirdersshow.com On the plaque that Nanette presented to me on her second The Birders Show is a YouTube Series for everyone that loves birdwatch- 30th birthday, there are three birds. There is bird number 124, ing, nature, travel, and adventure. a Sandhill Crane that landed in the fairway next to our house right at sunset. Never an easy bird in Yavapai County, it was https://ebird.org/quiz/ perhaps our best yard sighting until number 125 showed Practice your skills and help science using your Cornell Lab eBird account. up in December, Ruddy-Ground Dove! This bird visited our https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ feeders irregularly for several This website page has live cams and Virtual Birding Around the World with months. The third bird on the videos, quizzes and sounds. plaque is Golden Eagle, a bird that was photographed https://www.birdnote.org/ next to our house feeding on This is a public media program that brings hope and joy to people with two- minute shows each day. a wigeon. We were not home, and only found a few remains of the wigeon the next day. Good Birding Everyone! We are proud to be a supporter of the Nanette Armstrong presenting Northern Arizona plaque to Whit Manter Audubon Society Producing and mailing IN MEMORIUM the “BlackHawk Watch” newsletter Debbie Compton We are sad to report that Debbie passed away on Aug. 3. She had been struggling to get her life back after being critically injured when she was struck by a car in a parking lot in ★ Full Service Printing Bulk Mailing - Our staff is up-to-date June. Debbie owned Five Star Printing and created ★ on postal regulations for efficient High Speed Copying delivery at the lowest possible rate. and printed The BlackHawk ★ Digital Color Copying ★ List Maintenance ★ Bulk Permits Watch for many years. She ★ Graphics & Layout ★ Presort Service also helped with NAAS brochures and other printing ★ Automated Bar-Coding ★ Zip +4 ★ needs we had. She supported NAAS by running an ad Full Bindery Services ★ Delivery to the P.O. for her business in every newsletter. We always will be 2708 N. Fourth St., Ste. F 3 & 4 thankful for her contributions to our chapter. Flagstaff, Arizona 86004 A memorial service will be held at (928) 526-1650 fax ★ [email protected] Norvel Owens Mortuary on Saturday, (928) 526-5011 September 18, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Page 4 BlackHawk Watch
Staying Connected at Northern Arizona Audubon Society Spotlight on Behavior (includes updated information) ψ INTELLIGENCE π Here’s how we are staying connected at Northern Arizona Audubon Society (NAAS): “Birdbrain” – now that is certainly a misnomer – consider it a Website: http://www.northernarizonaaudubon.org In addition to rich compliment! David Sibley writes that “a bird’s experience visiting the website, you can subscribe to get email updates about is far richer, more complex, and more ‘thoughtful’ than I’d new content and articles. On the home page of the website, complete imagined”. Birds are making decisions all the time: planning, the box in the bottom right corner with your name and email address. remembering and solving problems that indicate a wide range Eblast emails from NAAS, usually twice per month of smart behaviors. Studies suggest that birds can perform many complex behaviors because their forebrains contain Facebook: Northern Arizona Audubon Society (check this page a lot more neurons than previously thought. We are familiar frequently for updates) https://www.facebook.com/Northern-Arizona- Audubon-Society-678850928825284/ with, and in awe of, brilliant adaptations through evolution. All monthly Facebook Live programs (Sept, 2020 to May, 2021) are Thanks to the observations of scientists and birders alike, archived on the NAAS Facebook page here are some fascinating and certainly intelligent behaviors.
National Audubon Society, our chapter’s parent organization, is at https://www.audubon.org • Nest building: multiple decisions go into the approach, timing, location, technique and materials depending The BlackHawk Watch (BHW) newsletter is published September, on local conditions, changes in climate and November, January, March, and May. Articles are welcome from members and non-members. Send proposed articles and questions circumstances in their lives as well as other species. to Jenny Barnes (Editor) at [email protected] by the 15th of the • Birds are clever, curious, playful and innovative. month preceding the publication month. Crows are known to place nuts on roadways waiting for cars to crush them. Chickadees can store up to NOTE: The BHW is posted to the NAAS website in color with live links. Click the green buttons at the bottom left corner of the home page to 1000 seeds in a day for later use and not only access either the current newsletter or an archived newsletter (back remember each location but the individual quality of to 2011). The print version of the BHW will eventually be replaced by that seed. They are harbingers of danger producing an online version distribution. mixed-species flocks. Instagram Titmice exhibit multi-faceted decision-making at “Bringing you closer to the people and the things you love.” Follow feeders balancing benefits with costs. Jays know the NAAS on its new Instagram. Look for beautiful and fun photos of our “intentions” of other jays. people and birds. • Communication through sight, sound, movements, Meetup Groups: Flagstaff Birders. Sedona Birders. postures, flight, cooperation with others for safety, “Meetup is a platform for finding and building local communities. breeding efforts, territory and food sources. But what People use Meetup to meet new people, learn new things, find about feelings? Do birds feel love, fear, pride, joy, support, get out of their comfort zones, and pursue their passions, sadness and anger? Are they sneaky? Does instinct together.” Download the App and join the two new Meetup groups: Flagstaff Birders & Sedona Birders to learn about spontaneous, motivate feelings? Spend some time in the field informal bird watching events that fit into your schedule. observing birds and you might conclude there is a lot more going on that meets the eye. And instead of reading about birding, why not write some news of your own? We would enjoy hearing your birding stories to entertain and encourage others. Topics could include Lately, scientists have taken a new look at behaviors they how you started birding. Did you have a spark have run past for years and dismissed as anomalies or set bird? What would you consider your strongest aside as abiding mysteries. What they have found is upending interest or expertise and what resources or tools traditional views of how and why they communicate, court, did you learn from? Where are your favorite birding spots or vacations that you have enjoyed forage and survive and the remarkable strategies and most? Do you have a story about tracking down intelligence underlying these activities. Abilities we once a rare bird? And of course, there is always the considered unique to us, the sole domain of clever mammals. interesting backyard bird watching story and how you have made your home Cool fact: a high-tech instance of bird ingenuity is western landscapes attractive to birds. gulls with geolocators travelling 60 mph for 75 miles before Please send your stories here: returning the same route to their nests. Turns out they were [email protected] We will do some editing, if needed, hitching a ride on garbage trucks bound for an and will post a photo or two with it. organic composting facility. BlackHawk Watch Page 5
FIELD TRIPS Above The Rim (ATR) FIELD TRIPS Below The Rim (BTR), Due to rise in COVID cases at the time of publishing, please check Due to rise in COVID cases at the time of publishing, please check the the NAAS Website-Calendar, Facebook page and Meetup for updated NAAS Website Calendar and Facebook page for updated information about possible changes to field trips; including additions! Join the new information about possible changes to field trips. Also spontaneous bird Meetup Group: Sedona Birders to find spontaneous bird walks! walks may arise! Check the calendar and Meetup often.
Sedona Wetlands Sunday September 5th, 8-915 am. Meet at September 17th - Picture Canyon. Meet at 730 am at Picture the Sedona Wetlands parking lot at 8 and we will do a just over an Canyon.Bring your binoculars, water, rain jacket. There are hour walk out to the big pond and back. Great trip for beginners. portable toilets at the trailhead. The walk will take about 2.5 We hope for shorebirds and migrants. Rich Armstrong will lead. [email protected], 928-282-3675. to 3 hours, easy walking. All vaccinated members and non- members are welcome. Please confirm participation with Debbie Sedona Wetlands Sunday September 12th, 8-915 am. Meet at McMahon either by text message or email. Telephone: 928-707- the Sedona Wetlands parking lot at 8 and we will do a just over an 0610. Email: [email protected] hour walk out to the big pond and back. Great trip for beginners. We hope for shorebirds and migrants. Rich Armstrong will lead. . Meet in [email protected], 928-282-3675. September 25th, Kachina Wetlands 8 - 11 am the parking area at the north end of Tovar Trail (the Kachina Bubbling Ponds, Wednesday, September 15th, 7-10 am. Meet Wetlands parking area.) Bring water, hat, sunscreen, binoculars at dirt parking lot, no restrooms. We will troll around the ponds if you have them. The route is handicap accessible (flat dirt and walk the Black Hawk Trail and riparian corridor for migrants road, suitable for wheelchairs). Approximately 2 miles total. No and the usual cast of resident characters. Bring binoculars, hat, restrooms. Leader: Kay Hawklee; [email protected]; 432- water, snacks and scope if you want. Lisa Grubbs will lead: 703-0007. [email protected]; 928-592-3684
Sedona Wetlands Sunday September 19th, 8-915 am. Meet at October 1st- Scholz Lake, take the Parks exit and go south. the Sedona Wetlands parking lot at 8 and we will do a just over an Meet at the Texaco at Parks at 8 am. We will travel in our hour walk out to the big pond and back. Great trip for beginners. own vehicles to Scholz Lake thru garland prairie to the lake. We hope for shorebirds and migrants. Rich Armstrong will lead. We will make a few stops on our way to the lake. Bring water to [email protected], 928-282-3675. drink, food to eat, rain jacket, your binoculars, and if you have a Jail Trail, Saturday September 25th, 8 - 11 am. Meet at the spotting scope you can bring that also. There are portable toilets parking lot in Old Town Cottonwood. We’ll look for tree dwelling at the trailhead into the lake. This outing will probably last 3-5 and riparian birds. Bring binoculars, hat, water, and snack. hours. All vaccinated members and non-members are welcome. Encourage a friend to join you. Kristen Rothrock will lead. Please confirm participation with Debbie McMahon either by [email protected], 928 634 3633 text message or email. Telephone: 928-707-0610. Email: ds_ [email protected]. Sedona Wetlands Sunday October 3rd, 8-915 am. Meet at the Sedona Wetlands parking lot at 8 and we will do a just over an hour walk out to the big pond and back. Great trip for beginners. October 10th —Picture Canyon. Meet at 730 am at Picture We hope for shorebirds and migrants. Rich Armstrong will lead. Canyon. Bring binoculars, water, and rain gear. There are [email protected], 928-282-3675. portable toilets at the trailhead. The walk will take about 2.5 to 3 hours, easy walking. All vaccinated members and non-members Bubbling Ponds, Wednesday, October 6th, 8-11 am. Meet are welcome. Please confirm participation with Terry Blows: at dirt parking lot, no restrooms. We will troll around the ponds and walk the Black Hawk Trail and riparian corridor for migrants [email protected] and the usual cast of resident characters. Bring binoculars, hat, water, snacks and scope if you want. Lisa Grubbs will lead: October 22nd– Duck ponds (on ebird called Walnut Lakes) [email protected]; 928-592-3684 near Campbell Mesa. Meet at 8 am. There are NO toilets at this location. We will walk around the duck ponds which will (Don’t forget Global Big Day, October 9th. eBird all day and take about 2 hours. Bring binoculars, water to drink and rain report your results to Rich Armstrong) jacket. All vaccinated members and non-members are welcome. Sedona Wetlands Sunday October 17th, 8-915 am. Meet at Please confirm participation with Debbie McMahon either by the Sedona Wetlands parking lot at 8 and we will do a just over an text message or email. Telephone: 928-707-0610. Email: ds_ hour walk out to the big pond and back. Great trip for beginners. [email protected] We hope for shorebirds and migrants. Rich Armstrong will lead. [email protected], 928-282-3675. Be sure to check out the brand new Meetup Groups: “Flagstaff Bubbling Ponds, Wednesday, October 27th, 8-11 am. Meet Birders” and “Sedona Birders”. A couple of enterprising NAAS at dirt parking lot, no restrooms. We will troll around the ponds members, Jake Abel and Maya Rappaport, formed a Meetup group in and walk the Black Hawk Trail and riparian corridor for migrants Flagstaff for birding at convenient times for those who work. They are and the usual cast of resident characters. Bring binoculars, hat, “... an inclusive group, so people of all backgrounds, lifestyles and water, snacks and scope if you want. Lisa Grubbs will lead: perspectives are highly encouraged to participate.” We’ve formed this [email protected]; 928-592-3684 for Sedona too. It’s spontaneous and adventurous. Pass the word! Page 6 BlackHawk Watch
and intimidating, even preying on other large owls such as Birding Magic after Sundown the Great Gray Owl. It is sometimes nicknamed the Tiger Owl because of this ferocity. Its repetitive low hooting is Birding at night can be one of the most rewarding familiar to most and the call used in a lot of movies. The forms of birding. The thrill of being out in the field at night Snowy Owl is an arctic owl, found mainly in the tundra of plus the need for additional birding skills can make this North America. However, its search for food has driven it activity a fun challenge. as far south as Oklahoma, northern Alabama and central One of the ways to call in owls is through imitation California. of their calls. Some calls are very simple like the calls of The smaller owls include two species in the Aegolius the Northern Saw-whet Owl and the Northern Pygmy Owl. genus: the Northern Saw-whet Owl and the Boreal Owl. Their calls consist of simple and repeated toots. Others are The Northern Saw-whet, while small, has a large head for more difficult such as the Western Screech Owl, but some its size and a monotone whistle. The Boreal Owl is a bird of birders can be surprisingly good mimics with practice! the spruce and fir forests of North America and Europe. The second and easiest way to call in owls is with These smaller owls are in their own genus: the Burrowing recordings from birding apps. You can also download calls Owl which can be seen in the Chino Valley standing from citizen science audio sites such as www.xeno-canto. outside its burrow in open fields; the Northern Hawk Owl org. Beware not to overplay tape recordings and harass which is rarely seen south of the Canadian border; the Elf the bird, especially if you have already seen it and it has Owl which is seen in the United States in the summer in flown off. Avoid recalling a bird that has flown off simply extreme southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas; and the for the sake of getting a better or longer view. Use sounds Flammulated Owl, found in high elevation pine forests of the sparingly and only to get an initial response. Also, be very West. It has a soft, monotonous alert, as some owls are incredibly territorial and can get into call. an attack mode upon hearing a call in their territory! The Whiskered, Western and A useful tactic to locate an owl’s call is to cup your Eastern Screech Owls are the hands behind your ears to assist in concentrating the sound. three members of the Megascops Watch for eye shine, too. Look for silhouettes against the genus. The Whiskered is smaller sky and listen for an owl’s feet as it lands on branches. than the screech owls and can Patience and quiet are your best allies when out in the be found in southern Arizona. woods at night. The two species of pygmy owls Let’s do a quick review of the owl family, many of found in North America are the which can be found in Arizona. All of the owls in North Northern Pygmy Owl and the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. America are in the family Strigidae or true owls, except for These two owls are smaller than seven inches, yet the one representative in the family Tytonidae, the Barn Owl. Northern Pygmy has been known to prey on Mourning The Barn Owl has a heart-shaped face that appears white Doves! Both species have false eyespots on the backs of when light shines on it (avoid shining lights in owl’s eyes, their heads. The Northern Pygmy Owl favors oak & conifer though!).When the silhouette of the Barn Owl is visible, it woodlands. The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl inhabits extreme is obvious that the wings are longer and more pointed than southern Arizona and Mexico. other owls. Often found close to human habitation in rural Two of the four best locations for viewing North areas, it is unlikely to be confused with other owls. It has a American owl species are in Arizona. The Santa Rita and slow, silent moth-like flight. Chihuahua Mountains host Elf owls, Spotted owls, Western There are two species in the genus Asio: the Short- and Whiskered Screech owls, Great Horned owls, Northern eared Owl, which has very short tufted ears that are seldom Pygmy owls and even the occasional Flammulated and visible, and the Long-eared Owl, which has an orange face Barn Owls. One of the best owling sites in the country is and long ear tufts. The Short-eared Owl is one of the only Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota which offers excellent viewing owls that can be seen hunting during the day, particularly at for northern species of owls (Great Gray, Northern Hawk twilight and is the most aerial owl. It could be confused with Owl and Boreal Owl). Probably the best owling in North the Northern Harrier for this reason. Unlike its cousin, the America is to be had on Amherst Island in Ontario, Canada, Long-eared Owl does not fly during the day and only makes because it is possible to see ten species of owls there! an appearance in absolute darkness. It has an upright and A topic for another time is the other night birds: slim silhouette and is found deep within forests. herons, nighthawks and nightjars. But for now, grab The largest North American owls are the two species your headlamps and phone apps and head out for some found in the genus Bubo. The Great Horned Owl is huge exquisite night magic in the desert and woods of Arizona. BlackHawk watcH InformatIon ... Page 7 Page 7 BlackHawk Watch NAAS Directory Officers Kip Stransky Kendra Noone Sandra McCullough Douglas LeVasseur Officers Joyce Batezel Jonathan Montgomery Charles Combs Kathy Reitzel President • President MatthewKay HawkleeCrozier [email protected] Joan Steninger Karen Morris Jennifer Barnes Todd Hooe Secretary Sue Ordway [email protected] Tina and Peter Richard Lowery Kristen Rothrock Michele Howell • Vice-President Dennis Tomko Treasurer Julie Wills [email protected] JANIE Whitley-Angerbauer AGYAGOS Nancy McDonald JED &Roy-Janet ILA FULKERSON May CindyCECELIA Correll OVERBY • Secretary Vacancy LyndaRON McEvoy & GLO AULER Kathy Reitzel RICHARDGary Botello HALL KarenELLEN LeDonne ROSHER DavidCATHI Myers BORTHWICK & KENMargrit WALTERS & Alan Novack CELIAWendy HOLM Tooker DorritMR. Karasek & MRS. DAVID Directors • Treasurer At LargeJoan Stoner JamiePETER Guy CASPER Beverly Sass Chip & Kathy Kreig BlankenshipSHERRY Nancy Boulay Sue Ordway GERRI & Norton/Davis SAM HOUGH Joseph Carver Brent Bitz [email protected] M. AUSTIN & E. GARRISON Directors Ellen Fairchild Brent Bitz DEANJohn & KATE Kinnamon JOHNSON PeterKARIN Motyka SLAVEY John Hildebrand [email protected] GregoryBRENT Cunningham BITZ David & Jeanne Sherry JIM LOGANKay Hawklee SherryLINDA Mangum SOGGE • Brent Bitz • Nanette Armstrong • Karin Slavey Dennis Tomko [email protected] GlennFRANK Condon & LINDA BRANDTVicki & Keith Hedrick KARENMaryHelen MALIS-CLARK Dunn JamesCARY Bartlett THOMPSON • Roy May • Jenny Barnes • Patti Greeneltch HeatherMATTHEW Hofling CROZIER Pat Scott WHIT EmilyMANTER Renn BarrieZACK Todd ZDINAK Suzy Clemenz [email protected] HarrietGREG Braun CUNNINGHAM E. / M. Garrison/Austin DR. VERADiane HafemanMARKGRAF Karen & Doug Rumble • Rick Moore DanielCECILE Jessen DECHAMBRE Ron & Glo Auler Keith Oswald Carol Covington Gina Zappia Michael Durgain LYNDABeverly McEVOY Hagerman Kelly Isley Publicity ATR and Program Chair MELISSA & GRANT DUNSTAN Committee Chairs Scott & Bonnie Johnson June & Bruce Johnson LORETTAGary VerburgMOGAN Martha McCartney Phyllis Kegley [email protected] SammiPETER Williams FRIEDERICI & MICHELEChristina Vojta JAMES LINDAJohn NICHOLAS Sherman Melody Pawlowicz • Membership Karin Slavey Richard Armstrong Debbie Brown Paul Holmgren Melissa Dunstan Linda Lee Norma Sneider Jeffrey Foster Tori Marshall Publicity • Hospitality/Programs BTR Kristine FollettATR [email protected]/Roy May Bill Verdery Karin Slavey Bernice Hall James Wittke • Hospitality/Programs BTR Nanette Armstrong Joan DeweyTo see whenPam Kochyour membershipWilliam Root expires,Cory look & Jerry Shaw at • Education Patti Greeneltch Susan Bollingerthe date nextCelia to Holm your addressHeather on Hofling your newsletter.Susan Meyer Field Trip Committee Chair Dennis Kuhn Donald Hahn Robert Bowser June & Bruce Johnson BTR• Editorial – Dena Greenwood [email protected] Barnes Nanette Piper Jennifer Blue & Gerald Snyder Jeff Tanner Linda Sporrer Rick Moore Eileen Nauman Dawn Whitman ATR• ACAC – Zack Representative Zdinak [email protected] Tomko Purchase Northern Arizona Audubon Society birding guides on our Kathi Feher Elly Sands Alice Madar Joan Stoner • Webmaster Dennis Tomko Roy Morris website:Kristin Cryer www.northernarizonaaudubon.org.Katherine Glaser Ellen McAlister Education Committee Chair - Open Katherine Hilton David Hayes Susan Bryan Kristin Cryer • Conservation Brent Bitz Jane JacksonBirding the FlagstaffMimi Murov Area (includingColleen thePeck Grand CanyonBarbara Hirt South Rim, Conservation Committee Chair - Open Barbara Dickinson Joan Prefontaine Gregory Griffin Carol Lichtenberg Sanctuary Stewards Peter Runge Navajo andJanis Hopi Watts Lands), or BirdingBill Verdery Sedona and theRobert Verde & Beverly Valley Brooks Julie Paez Jed Fulkerson Ellen Rosher Chip & Kathy Norton/ Publications • Steward Bubbling Committee Ponds: Chair Rob Gibbs Susan Schroeder Wayne Fischer Charlie Schudson Davis Debbie Compton [email protected] Brittain Davis Kevin Rand Patricia Foster John Kinnamon • Steward Sedona Wetlands: Rich Armstrong Barbara Caballero OnlyAnn Beck $14.95Lori Kruse Amy Zimmermann • Steward Kachina Wetlands: Christina Vojta Nina Fry Jackie Klieger & Laura Huenneke Jody & Jeanie Humber Membership Committee Chair Janell Leland Kathy Dunham Joan Dewey Melanie Vuicich-Mallis • Steward Picture Canyon: Roy May Have a story you would like BTR – Barbara Hirt [email protected] Our heartfelt thanks to those who have joined and renewed! We are putting ATR – Helen-Marie and Paul Holmgren your membership feesto to share? good use protecting birds and their habitats. Monarch [email protected], Waystation [email protected] Update 8/21/21 To see when your membership expires, look at the date next to your address • The BlackHawk Watch is published bi-monthly September through May. Standing Committees and Projects • Articles are welcome fromon members your newsletter. and non-members. Send proposed Hospitality Committee articles by email to Debbie at [email protected] Deadline for copy is The Page Springs Fish Hatchery Visitor Center has been closed to visitors the 15th of the month. since early ATR in– Betty the CovidKahrl pandemic. [email protected] But that hasn’t stopped a dedicated crew of BTR volunteer – Nanette gardeners Armstrong from [email protected] showing up every week from March to November to maintain the Audubon-sponsored Book Sales pollinatorBrent gardensBitz by [email protected] parking lot. Their hard work and patience have finally paid off. Last week, a worn and Webmastertattered female Monarch found the garden and laid aDennis few hundred Tomko tiny [email protected] eggs on four of the five native milkweed species in the garden. Four Page Springs Sanctuary TWO GREAT STORES days later, the eggs hatched and now the caterpillars Matthew Crozier, steward [email protected] UNDER ONE ROOF! are ravenously feeding on the milkweed leaves. In aboutPicture another Canyon week or Sanctuary so, each caterpillar will leave its milkweedTiffany Trunnell, host and steward crawl around [email protected] until it finds a suitable place to pupate-- something tall like the fence postsSedona or the eavesWetlands of the Preserve storage Sanctuarycontainer. Ten days to two weeks later, an adultRich ArmstrongMonarch will, steward eclose from [email protected] chrysalis. The adult will likely feed on allVerde the native Valley nectar-rich Bird and gardenNature plants Festival before Representative flying off to find a mate. Nanette Armstrong [email protected] is still time for one more generation WE CARRY GIFTS AND PRODUCTS THAT before the migration begins. Tagging data show that Monarchs who leave our region HELP BRING YOU CLOSER TO NATURE, TO from September - November will either fly YOUR LOVED ONES, AND TO YOUR FAITH. west to overwinter at coastal preserves in California, or south toBirders, mountain preserves Go to in northernarizonaaudubon.orgcentral Mexico. The wind speed and direction likely dictate which way they end up going. The pollinatorand gardens check support for new several Fieldbutterfly Trips species on the as calendar! well as bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. All this would not have been possible without support from Audubon, the hatchery staff, and especially the volunteer gardeners.Check out We our are wonderful looking forward website to at the ... day when the Jay’s Bird Barn Hallmark Open Mon-Sat 9am to 6pm gardensnorthernarizonaaudubon.org are open to the public again. We all love to share the stories of 1490 S. Riordan Ranch St. (928) 774-1110 the pollinators with visitors, and watch their eyes light up in amazement. next to Michael’s in the www.jaysbirdbarn.com Tell your friends Sprouts shopping center Find us on Facebook Denise Gibbs, Monarch Conservation Specialist, https://www.monarchwatch.org/cs/ Non-profit BLACKHAWK WATCH U.S. Postage Northern Arizona Audubon Society PAID PO Box 1496, Sedona, AZ 86339 Flagstaff, AZ Permit No. 163
Have you visited our web site? northernarizonaaudubon.org ✁
Join Us! Northern Arizona Audubon Society JOIN members also become members of Northern Arizona Audubon Society N o r t h e r n the National Audubon Society. Please enroll me/our household as a Chapter Member of A r i z o n a NORTHERN Joining is simple. Just fill out this Northern Arizona Audubon Society (NAAS). ARIZONA form, add your check, and mail it in. Name: ______AUDUBON Address: ______Please enroll me as a member of Northern Arizona City, State, Zip______AUDUBON TODAY! Audubon and the National Audubon Society. Phone: ______Northern ArizonaCon n Audubonecting w Societyith Na t (NAAS),ure a non- Email: ______Connect with Nature Special Introductory Adult/Family Membership profit 501(c)3 organization, exists to support amis- $20 * for a NEW, 1-year membership. sion and lives and breathes by membership partici- If you prefer to join or renew on line, please go to our website in Northern Arizona SAVE $15! at http://www.northernarizonaaudubon.org/>membership ✁ pationC andH donations.APTE RYou,A asC anT Iindividual,VITIE areS the vital component of our organization. You will find Enclosed: that you areI supportingMIGH a Tstrong,EN activeJO Yorganization When you become a member of the ____ Individual $25 Check here if this is a that is making a difference in our world. The NAAS Northern Arizona Audubon Society, Name (Northern Flicker) change of address Board would like to better serve our membership. you join your neighbors in learning Tell us why you are a member of NAAS? What Address ____ Family $40 Check here if this is a renewal benefits do you get from being a member? As a about - and enjoying - the spectacular (Gambel’s Quail) member, what would benefit you more? Please natural world that surrounds us, you ____ Supporting $100 send your thoughts to [email protected] educate children and adults about Phone (Blackhawk) birds, other wildlife, and the Number Please make checks payable to NAAS and mail to: importance of their habitats, and you Northern Arizona Audubon Society E-mail Membership Chair, NAAS advocate for responsible public policy address PO Box 1496, Sedona, AZ 86339 northernarizonaaudubon.org for the conservation and restoration of I am interested in Volunteer opportunities Tell your friends wildlife habitat. And we have FUN! Please make your check out to National Audubon Society and send it with this application form to: Northern Arizona Audubon member benefits: Membership Chair � Participate in guided Field Trips NorthernArizonaAudubon Society � Attend informative monthly Speaker P.O.Box 1496 Programs Sedona,AZ 86339 � Take Tours to special Nature Places � Provide Support for Nature Education � Help Protect Wildlife Habitat Northern Arizona � Receive world’s leading nature and *$15 for students & senior citizens (62+) AUDUBON SOCIETY conservation publication — Audubon magazine P.O. Box 1496 � Sedona, AZ 86339 Keep up with Chapter activities thru Blackhawk Watch Newsletters Chapter Code: B02 7XCH