October 2004 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2

Coeur d’Alene Chapter of the National Audubon Society

BIRDING BY CANOE IN THE COMING EVENTS BOARD MEETING ARCTIC

DATE: October 18, Monday Bill Gundlach TIME: 4:30 p.m. PLACE: Mt. West Bank-125 Ironwood Dr.

OCTOBER PROGRAM

DATE: October 18, Monday TIME: 7:00 p.m. PLACE: First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside PROGRAM: "Bill and Feather Malformations in Birds" SPEAKER: Judy Hoy Judy Hoy is a wildlife rehabilitator in Montana who has been noting deformities in birds and mammals for a number of years. Some researchers believe that certain deformities are occurring at increasing rates in wild populations. Ms. Hoy will describe the types of deformities encountered, and ways in which she attempts to correct some of them. Join us for this thought-provoking presentation. Photograph by Anne Poe ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROJECT My wife Joan and I love to take long wilderness canoe Saturday, October 2 trips, especially in the Canadian Arctic. However, this year SEE PAGE 2 FOR INFORMATION Joan was unable to go on such a trip, but I decided to do one

Visit our website: www.cdaaudubon.org with our friends Mike and Anne Poe of Sandpoint. Our trip in July of this summer was on the Baillie and Back Rivers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, rivers that Joan and me had previously canoed in 2002. These rivers are located over 300 miles northeast of Yellowknife and form the northwest boundary of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary. They are north of the tree line, in true arctic tundra country known as the Barrenlands. This country is especially appealing to Joan and I and others who love canoeing in remote areas, where the environment is pristine, the vistas are large and open, and the chances of seeing wonderful wildlife are high.

After much preparation of canoes, equipment and packs, including three weeks of food plus seven days reserve in case of bad weather, we headed north to Yellowknife in my van with two canoes on top. This city of 18,000 on the edge of the Great Slave Lake is our starting point for flying out to the Barrenlands and it is a busy place at the Air Tindi Floatplane Base on the waterfront where we chartered a Cessna 208 Caravan. Final preparation included renting a satellite phone and stopping at the Canadian Wildlife Service Office so I could pick up 25 official NWT/Nunavut Bird Checklist Survey forms.

Additional Pictures of Bill's Arctic Trip are featured on our website Continued on Page 4 2 THE BIG SIT confirmation. However, any new bird seen or heard while "If you sit in one place long BIRD TRACKS enough, eventually every species confirming the original can't be of bird will pass by." counted unless it's seen from an We are participating in the "anchor" who stayed behind in Twelfth Annual New Haven Bird your circle, or when you return to Audubon Members make a Club's, "The Big Sit!"- co- your spot. difference sponsored by SWAROVSKI 5) The participants can work in OPTIK! Sunday, October 10, shifts. No one person needs to ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY 2004. This is our fourth year to be there throughout the whole Big Sit! The area can be left and PROJECT participate in this event. See the field trip page for how to returned to as frequently as Saturday, October 2 participate. desired, but you must be sure to return to the exact spot each The BIG SIT! is like a Big Day, or a Bird-a-thon in that the time. object is to tally as many bird 6) The same circle must be used species as can be seen or heard for the entire Big Sit! within 24 hours. The difference 7) The Big Sit! Will begin at lies in the area limitation (17 foot 12:00am midnight on October 12 circle) from which you'll be and ends in 24 hours. (Unless allowed to observe. This free there is a volunteer for night event is open to all individuals & duty, we will do dawn to dusk). every club in every state in every country. WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED There are 3 categories: (A REMINDER) 1) Best Overall Count (Most species seen by a single circle - Wild Birds Unlimited is wins our commemorative T-shirt) donating 10% of their sales from 2) Best State Count (Highest Audubon members to our Oh, how time flies. Summer is combined total from circles Audubon Chapter. This is a gone and it is again time to get within a state - wins state pride. "win-win" situation. It benefits our stretch of Highway 95 in 3) The Big Prize!: Swarovski our Audubon Chapter and it good order. This is our third Optik is offering $500 to the encourages members to try the round and it is always circle who finds the "Golden Wild Birds Unlimited products. interesting to see what turns up. Bird". (A random drawing-we If you have been in the store you In years past, Idaho's first lady could win!) know their products are all first placed envelopes along state RULES: class. There are some great gift highways containing $100 as 1) Observations can be made items as well as good quality incentive for groups to join in this from any area within the seed, feeders, birdbaths and program. Unfortunately, this is state/country you live, or wish to other useful items for backyard no longer done but I always represent. bird watching. look for the wayward twenty 2) Observations can only be The Wild Birds Unlimited dollar bill. We will meet at 8:30 made from within a 17-foot store is at 296 W. Sunset Ave. a.m. on October 2 at the diameter circle. #22, Coeur d'Alene. When you intersection of Highway 95 and 3) There's no limit on how many go there be sure to identify Fairmont Loop Rd. for the people can occupy the area yourself as an Audubon member traditional muffins and juice, (other than the obvious spatial so that our chapter gets credit. distribution of vests and bags, limitations). Bring some chairs. Thank you Irv and Helen and then go for it! Participants Have a picnic or barbecue. Stephenson, owners of Wild should wear long pants and Welcome passers-by and their Birds Unlimited, for your sleeves. Plan on around two contributions to your list. contribution to our chapter and hours and be thinking of ways to 4) If a bird is seen or heard from for providing quality bird spend the extra $20. within the circle but is too distant products and friendly service. For info call Judy Waring at to identify, the circle can be left 765-5378. to get a closer look for Continued on page 7 THE FISH HAWK HERALD 3

OCTOBER FIELD TRIPS

FIELD TRIP INFORMATION

1. Please register with the leader ahead of time.

a. It helps the leader plan the trip.

b. You will be informed if the trip time or location is changed or if the trip is canceled.

2. Fees: (to be paid to the driver of the car) $5.00 - all day trips, $3.00 - 1/2 day trips.

3. We sometimes use radios to communicate between cars. If the radios are used we are asking participants to

contribute $1.00 toward batteries.

THE BIG SIT

DATE/TIME: October 10, Sunday / sign up for a sit time

LOCATION: Mica Bay Platform

LEADER: Shirley Sturts, 664-5318

ACTIVITY: As a group effort we are counting birds at Mica Bay from dawn to dusk. Contact

Shirley to sign up for a time. You can sign up for a 2 hour shift or (shorter-longer time period).

There is no limit to the number of people we can have at one time. We would like to spread

participants out over the entire day to get as much coverage as possible.

Bring a chair, binoculars, bird book, scope (if you have one), water, food and your enthusiasm.

See the article on page 2 or more information.

CRANBERRY BOG CANOE ADVENTURE

DATE: October 17, Sunday

TIME/ MEET: Fernan Lake Forest Service parking lot at 7:30 a.m., or 8:00 a.m.

at Rose Lake,I-90 junction

LEADER: Dick Cripe 665-0010

ACTIVITY: We have done this trip for the past three years, but there is interest in repeating it. Canoe

across Killarney Lake to Hidden Lake and pick cranberries from old private bog. Wear high rubber boots.

Bring lunch. We will return mid-afternoon. This trip does not require that you have a canoe, but you must

canoeing experience. Indian summer will be here!

BROWN BAG BIRDING TRIP

DATE: October 19, Tuesday

TIME/MEET: 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. at Independence Point

LEADER: Lynn Sheridan - leave messages for Lynn with Kris Buchler 664-4739

ACTIVITY: This is the time of the year we start looking for unusual gulls. Common year round are Ring-

billed and California Gull. The Herring Gull is commonly seen during the winter. We will be looking for

the uncommon and rare gulls e.g. Mew, Thayer's, Glaucous, and Glaucous-winged. A variety of waterfowl

are often seen. We will walk along the beach as far as time permits.

MICA BAY SURVEY

DATES: October 27, Wednesday (Note Change of weekday)

TIME/MEET: 8:00 a.m. at Fairmont Loop and Highway 95

LEADERS: Shirley Sturts, 664-5318 - Kris Buchler, 664-4739 - Corinne Cameron, 664-0344

ACTIVITY: We spend about 3 hours twice a month counting birds in the Mica Bay area. Beginner birders

are encouraged and welcome to join us.

TRAIL OF THE COEUR D'ALENES BIKE TRAIL

DATE: Oct. 30, Saturday

TIME/MEET: Fernan Forest Service parking lot at 7:30 a.m. or cafe at Rose Lake, I-90 junction at 8:00 a.m..

LEADER: Dick Cripe, 665-0010

ACTIVITY: We will ride bikes from Medimont to Harrison and back again birding along the way (about 20

miles round trip). We Should see various waterfowl and shorebirds. Bring lunch or can buy lunch in

Harrison. The bike ride is not difficult, but dress in layers. All day. Let us know if you need help getting

or transporting a bicycle.

To volunteer to lead a trip, or to suggest places to go, call or email Lisa Hardy 682-4808 or

[email protected]

THE FISH HAWK HERALD 4 BIRDING BY CANOE IN activities required on such trips. also saw musk oxen, wolves, So, up until this year the many caribou, grizzly bears, and THE ARCTIC Canadian Wildlife Service only lots of arctic ground squirrels. Continued from page 1 got a handful of official Beautiful wildflowers are checklists from me, plus my abundant in the lush tundra species lists and generalized vegetation. We also saw the information on numbers and sites where the Inland Inuit lived locations of birds seen. This in centuries past, including tent year I decided to make the effort rings, meat caches, kayak to compile a daily checklist of all stands and stone hearths. The birds seen, including starting paddling was mostly fun, the and ending coordinates from my rapids not too hard, and we had GPS, distance traveled, and no portages. other information requested The highlight of our trips was Photograph by Anne Poe After loading the plane and discovering an Arctic fox strapping our two nested canoes denning area on one of our I first learned of the checklist on the pontoon, we left walks. We were able to sit it the survey in 2000 when I found Yellowknife at 9:00 p.m. on July middle of this area and be totally some at the visitor center in 8th, with the sun still high in the entertained by seven foxes Inuvik, NWT, in the Western sky. First we flew over rocky playing and running around. Arctic prior to our Horton River shield landscape with trees and canoe trip. The checklist survey hundreds of lakes, gradually is a volunteer program that leaving the trees behind. You hundreds of researchers, can't believe the number of lakes tourists, government staff, and and water in this country. I have lodge owners have participated read that 40% is covered with in since 1995. The survey water. After a 2 1/2 hour flight database as of 2003 contained we reached our headwater lake approximately 70,000 and the pilot found a nice sandy observations from 7000 point to land near and taxi up to. checklists. The Canadian It was still only slightly dusky at I was able to keep track of Wildlife Service provides survey that hour with the sun slightly the birds identified and counted, data to researchers when below the horizon. After the and I filled out the checklist in requested and that year plane left we were on our own the evening in camp. Some of provided data to update range for the next 24 days and 260 the flying ducks were a maps in David Sibley's two new miles of river. books: The Sibley Field Guide to challenge to identify, as were Our canoe trip this year was some other small birds, but the Birds of Western (and Eastern) good one, as all trips in this process was fun and enjoyable, North America. country are in our opinion. We and I'm glad I made the effort. I On our previous four arctic had hot to cold weather, calm to saw 36 species of birds as canoe trips, I have kept species very windy, easy paddling to follows: Red-throated Loon, lists of all the birds we have hard paddling to not being able Yellow-billed Loon, Snow seen, starting on our Thelon to paddle due to wind, some Goose, Canada Goose, River Trip in 1997. However, rain, and even some smoky Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, on our Horton River trip I did skies from fires way south in Long-tailed Duck, Black Scoter, submit some checklists, Saskatchewan. And of course White-winged Scoter, Common especially of what I thought were there are always the bugs, lots Goldeneye, Red-breasted more unusual sightings such as and lots of mosquitoes and black Merganser, Rough-legged a Harlequin Duck pair and a flies - fine and pleasant miseries Hawk,, Gyrfalcon, Rock Say's Phoebe far beyond their if you will - but if you are Ptarmigan, Sandhill Crane, ranges shown in the field guides. prepared it's ok. American Golden Plover, Counting birds all day or even On this trip we had some Semipalmated Plover, Least part of a day always seemed to great wildlife sightings and Sandpiper, White-rumped be a lot of effort in addition to all interactions, especially of a Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, the paddling and camping wolverine and arctic foxes. We Red-necked Phalarope, THE FISH HAWK HERALD 5 Parasitic Jaeger, Long-tailed species of landbirds in North coverage of all landbirds; and Jaeger, Herring Gull, Arctic Tern, America. 3) expanding the assessment to Common Raven, American Pipit, Of particular focus are the include another 450 species of American Tree Sparrow, 100 species included on the PIF landbirds that breed largely in Savannah Sparrow, White- Watch List that face combination Mexico. To obtain copies of the crowned Sparrow, Lapland of threats to their habitats, Plan, contact Terry Rich, Longspur, Smith's Longspur, declining populations, small , or Common Redpoll and Hoary population sizes, or limited Ken Rosenberg, Redpoll. distributions. Of these, 28 . Our canoe trip ended on species require immediate action See also The American Bird August 2nd with a safe landing to protect small, remaining Conservancy Website and pick-up of the three of us at populations, and 44 others are in www.abcbirds.org Pelly Lake by our pilot and need of direct management to plane, and a beautiful flight back reverse long-term declines. The ORIGINS OF BIRD to Yellowknife. I wasn't able to Plan also highlights 161 turn in my checklists that day “Stewardship Species” (some NAMES because it turned out to be a also included on the Watch List) Taken from: Words for Birds: A Lexicon holiday in Canada (1st Monday in that are particularly of North American Birds with Biographical Notes August). Anyway I have since representative of landscape mailed in my checklists and feel characteristics in each portion of SAY'S PHOEBE good about it. Any birder's the continent and whose needs Sayornis saya headed "North of 60"to that part should be considered in (Editors note: This is one of the of Canada are encouraged to conservation planning. birds that Bill Gundlach saw on his contact the Canadian Wildlife Population estimates for all Arctic canoe trip. It is rare for our Service and participate in the species of landbirds and area but Steve Lindsay added it to NWT.Nunavut Bird Checklist population objectives for Watch our Kootenai County Big Year List Survey. You might end up with List and Stewardship Species when he saw one in Mica Bay, CDA a new sighting - it's happening - set forth in the Plan are major Lake, May 1. ) birds are moving further north. advances. These innovations "Sayornis - A Hellenism for You can visit their webpage at allow measurable population www.pnr-rpn.ec.gc.ca/checklist objectives to be set for direct 'Say's bird.' Thomas Say the "Wildlife Nature" section conservation action at various (b.1787) was another of the under "Migratory Birds'" geographic scales. The Plan eminent naturalists of Birding and canoeing in the stops short of proposing habitat Philadelphia. He came from a family of physicians who Arctic is fun. objectives, as these can best be maintained a lucrative determined by partners working apothecary in connection with Partners in Flight on the ground. Another novel contribution is their practice. His mother was Releases North an assessment of the adequacy the granddaughter of John Bartram, and it is suggested that of long term population trend American Landbird monitoring data. Species are it was through this lineage that Say's interest in natural history placed into four categories: Conservation Plan was acquired. He did not go to From American Bird Conservancy Bird those with adequate data, those college but studied pharmacy Calls Vol. 8, No. 1 March 2004 having inadequate data, species with his father. Fortunately for without data, and species with the study of entomology in the Partners in Flight (PIF) has inadequate geographic United States, a pharmacist's just completed its North coverage. shop opened by Say and a American Landbird Conservation Important next steps include: partner, went bankrupt. Plan, written by scientists from 1) devising ways to “step down” At this point, Say took to the United States, Canada, and the population estimates and living at the Philadelphia Mexico. The Plan provides, for objectives to smaller geographic Academy of Natural History, of the first time, a continental scales for validation with which he was on of the founding synthesis of priorities and independent data; 2) completing members. His poverty was such objectives that will guide a plan for Coordinated Bird Continued on page 6 conservation actions for 448 Monitoring to ensure adequate THE FISH HAWK HERALD 6 American Kestrel frolicking in ORIGINS OF BIRD PRIEST RIVER AND the air. Joe has seen grizzly NAMES LAKE AREA bear close to his house. He Continued from page 5 September 11, 2004 Field Trip plans to put up about 50 bluebird that he subsisted on 75 cents houses around his property. Joe per week, yet his father was said Roland Craft truly is a fine conservationist. to be 'one of the richest men in On the way back south we Philadelphia'! We had 7 people attending took the road going to the east In 1816, he began his great this field trip to not only look for side of the lake, stopping at the work, American Entomology. In birds but also to check this area Dickensheet Campground on 1818. He traveled to Florida for inclusion in the Idaho Birding the river. We did not stay long with Ord, Maclure and Peale Trail. Participants were Kris but noted this area is very good where he collected for himself Buchler, Lisa Hardy, Janet riparian habitat for birds. and the Academy. His abilities Callen, Bill Gundlach, Roland We plan to check Huff Lake and were so generally well known Craft, and Darrell and Carolyn access into Bismark Meadows in that he was made Curator of the Lewis. The weather was on- the spring. American Philosophical Society and-off rain. This entire tour encompassed in 1821 and Professor of Natural Our first stop, on Route 41, such a variety of habitats that History at the University of was Blanchard Lake where we interesting birds can be seen Pennsylvania in 1822. In the saw Greater and Lesser year around. interim, he had served as Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Great Blue zoologist on two expeditions in Heron, American Coot, Bald BIRDING WITH A the West. Eagle, Mallard, Red-necked The first two volumes of the Grebe, Green-winged Teal, BROWN BAG American Entomology came out American Crow and Osprey. 9/21/04 in 1824. He edited Bonaparte's Stops were also made at the Lynn Sheridan American Ornithology in 1825, visitor’s center at the Albeni Falls after which he retired to New Dam and the Corps of Engineers Karen Linnane, Bob Flagor (, Harmony, Indiana to join the Mudhole Campground. Spotted Steven and Nels Johnson, and utompian community established were Rock Pigeons, Great Blue Roland Craft met me near the there by Robert Owen. He Heron, and Common Raven. Blackwell Island Park for a continued to travel extensively in Next, we traveled north from nature walk. It was bright and the United States and Mexico Priest River on Route 57. We sunny as we walked the paths collecting specimens of insects visited the Hanna Flats Cedar and boardwalks. No aquatic and shells. The third volume of Grove south of Nordman where birds were seen in the creek or his American Entomology was we enjoyed very large old- river, except for a Belted published in New Harmony growth Western Red cedar and Kingfisher watching for a meal. (1827), as were all six volumes Western White Pine. Birds With sharp young ears and eyes of his American Conchology observed were American Robin, we identfied: Song Sparrow, (1830-1834). He died shortly Vaux’s Swift, Pine Siskin and Northern Flicker, Pileated after the last volume of the Black-capped Chickadee. Woodpecker, California Quail, Conchology was published An exceptional stop was Redwing Blackbird, Black- made at Joe Hawley’s property capped Chickadee, Red- Phoebe - Here used probably near the Reeder Bay Road. breasted Nuthatch, and Pine oromatopoeically, but in With the help from the Natural Siskin. Overhead Ring-billed mythology Phoebe was a Resource Conservation Service Gull, Cedar Waxwing and a Titaness as well as a title for (a Federal Agency), Joe is falcon --Kestrel or Merlin?? Diana, the moon goddess. In converting low-lying farmland were added to our list. Greek, as Phoibe, she back to wetlands. The habitat is Apples, elderberry, bequeathed the Delphic oracle varied, with woodlands close by. hawthorne, chokecherry and to Apollo, also known as We saw Turkey Vulture, Steller’s snowberry made fruity displays, Phoeus, the sun god. The Jay, Song Sparrow, Finch sp, while blue flax, orange poppy, Greek source of the name is Northern Flicker, Downy and yellow composites phoibos, 'shining.' " Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, brightened the ground. Red-tailed Hawk and a family of Thank you friends. THE FISH HAWK HERALD 7 * Financial report end of fiscal OBSERVATON POST BIRD TRACKS year: $5202.66 in account. 2004 Kootenai County Big Year. * Our letter to Gov. Kempthorne, Steve Lindsay and I decided to put our re logging of large trees in lists together, making our total to date Continued from page 2 protected forest, generated a 197 as of Sept. 23. THREE MORE SPECIES NEEDED TO REACH OUR negative response. GOAL OF 200. THANKS TO *Pete Chase proposed a topic Ross' Goose, Cougar Bay, May 1, WOODPECKER SURVEY for our future consideration: Cell Steve Lindsay PARTICIPANTS towers vs. Birds. Western Screech-Owl, Post Falls, June , Steve Lindsay *Lisa requested that board A big Thank Semipalmated Plover, Lane Marsh, meetings be held on the same You to all who Aug. 24, Lisa Hardy, Kris Buchler, day as the general meeting, to Roland Craft, Bill Gundlach participated in nd save her a 2 trip "over the hill". woodpecker Western Sandpiper, Land Marsh, Aug. surveys this 24, Lisa Hardy, Kris Buchler, Roland Craft, Bill Gundlach year. The FARMER’S MARKET Say's Phoebe , Mica Bay, CDA Lake , chapter will August 28, 2004 receive $800 May 1, Steve Lindsay for this year's Janet Callen Clark's Nutcracker, 10 Tubbs Hill, Sept. 15, Bill Gundlach work Coeur d’ comprised of Marsh Wren, Thompson Lake, March Alene 28, Steve Lindsay eight Pileated Woodpecker Audubon surveys and nine Black-backed American Pipit, 5 Hardy Loop near made an Cataldo, Sept; 14, Lisa Hardy Woodpecker surveys. The appearance targeted species was found on 3 OTHER SIGHTINGS at the Common Loon, 33 mouth of Windy of the 4 Pileated routes, and 2 of Farmer’s Market again this year, 5 Black-backed routes. The Bay, CDA Lake, Sept. 20, Jenny Taylor courtesy of the management of American Bittern, 1 Boundary Creek Forest Service has told us that the market. Lynn Sheridan’s they will continue to fund this WMA, Aug. 19, Rex Sallabanks, beautiful note cards were a big Colleen Moulton (this species has work in the future, so think about attraction, as well as other items become rare for North Idaho volunteering for a survey next on display. September spring. Volunteers are always Blue Jay X Steller Jay hybrid 3 (with newsletters were also popular 2 Steller Jay) Pine Ave. CDA . Sept. 3, welcome, irregardless of skill with many people expressing Nancy Mertz level. Participants this year were interest in our chapter and what Gray Jay, 3 Armstrong Hill, CDA Sept. Pat Anderson, Kris & Ed Buchler we do. Lynn, Jan Severtson 11,12&22, Ed Buchler (and Blizzard), Roland Craft, and I talked birds and birding Wilson's Warbler Arrowhead Road, Richard Cripe, Bill Gundlach, and all things related with a CDA, Sept. 7, Theresa Potts Lisa Hardy, Elen Scriven, Jan & great number of visitors. Even Herb Severtson, Judy Waring though the fair opened at 11:00 and Gail Worden. Thank you! QUOTE OF THE MONTH a.m. that day and the weather was rather cool in the a.m. our "Life should not be a journey to SUMMARY OF BOARD booth was well attended. the grave with the intention of Thanks Lynn and Jan. MEETING ON 9/14/04 arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but * Incoming President Lisa Hardy rather to skid in sideways, welcomed new board members: champagne in one hand - Laura Bayless, Pete Chase, "If I were to make a study of the strawberries in the other - Jennifer Soules, and Corinne watching birds, body thoroughly Cameron. Shirley Sturts, Kris tracks of animals and represent them by plates, I should conclude used up, totally worn out and Buchler and Judy Waring are with the tracks of man" screaming WOO HOO retiring from the board. - What a Ride! Henry David Thoreau Unknown THE FISH HAWK HERALD