Shirley Farrell, Pre S I D E

Volume LIX, Number 1 September 2006

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E Shirley Farrell, Pres i d e n t Summer birding trips are few times rare bird species around the rently carrying the strain, I worry and far between. I just came in from state. that people may kill migratory birds a joint excursion of the Birmingham Birmingham Audubon Society out of fear. I have listed two web- Audubon Society and the River needs your help!! Each year we have sites that carry updated information Region Bird Club (a chapter of the th r ee bird counts. Here’s your about Avian Flu. You can go to the AOS) to the Prattville area to see chance to be a citizen scientist and Center for Disease Control - kites. The sun stayed tucked behind help provide information for scien- ht t p : / / w w w. c d c . g o v / f l u / a v i a n / g e the clouds to make the morning tists to use about the bird species n-info/facts.htm or to The Cornell bearable as we stood in a hay field and numbers in our area. Counts are Lab of Ornithology - on a late July day. What a spectacu- a great way to learn birds by sight ht t p : / / w w w. b i rd s . c o r n e l l . e d u / b i r d- lar sight to see over 30 Swallow- and song but I will warn you, we flu for updates. Ac c o r ding to the tailed Kites perform aerial maneu- move quickly to get through the ter- Cornell Lab of Ornithology “To date, vers over the fields as they caught ritory before the day ends. Mostly, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus and ate June Bugs on the wing. this birding is by car with little to has not been found in birds or These birds were gorging them- moderate walking. It is much easier people in North America. Even in selves to prep a r e for their long than one of our birding trips. Mark ar eas where the virus has been migration. Remind me why we your calendars to join us on found, there have been no docu- don’t have more birding trips dur- Sa t u rd a y , September 30, 2006, for the mented reports of humans contract- ing the summer? Fall Bird Count; Saturda y , December ing the virus from wild birds, except I can’t wait for the new year of 23, 2006, for the Christmas Bird for an unconfirmed report that BAS to begin. We have great speak- Count; and Saturda y , April 28, 2007, patients in Azerbaijan may have ers coming to the meetings and lots for the Spring Bird Count. After a become ill after defeathering swans. of birding trips planned. Continuing day of counting birds, we gather at a In most cases, humans have the new “tradition,” we will have home to share snacks and compile become infected after close contact two birding trips a month. Our our species totals. For more informa- with diseased poultry, products, or twice-a-month birding trips were tion check out the calendar in this contaminated surfaces, i.e., close well attended last year. The first issue or call Greg Harber at 251- contact with large amounts of virus field trip of the month, generally the 21 3 3 . shed by infected birds. This is very first Saturday of the month, is a local This summer several teachers di ff e r ent from how bird watchers half-day birding trip in or arou n d have told me that their principals and biologists interact with birds . ” Birmingham. You would be sur- will not let them feed birds at school Please help get the message out prised to see how many diffe re n t an y m o r e due to the “threat” of to others. It is safe to continue feed- avian neighbors we have in the city Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Vir us or ing and watching birds without con- limits. The second field trip is Bi r d Flu epidemic. My fear is that tracting the disease. ar ound the third weekend of the the average citizen will turn their I look forward to see all of you at month and takes us one to two back on nature and the birds due to a field trip or meeting this year! hours away from Birmingham to see this threat. While there are no wild the diffe r ent, unusual, and some- bi r ds in North America that are cur- SoSo For the Record Sightings May 8 through July 30, 2006 By this time last year hurricanes had already stirred up some exciting (displaced) birds. This year a drought is the top news. However, intense atlasing has stimulated summertime birding. A full report will, no doubt, be given la t e r , but one interesting discovery was the extended range of Tree Swallows. They were found nesting at Logan Martin Lake 4 June (PF) and at two locations near Ashville 18 June (GH,PR,JG). Tree Swallows were also observed feeding young at Indian Lake Estates 27 June (HHK birding class). The Sargents report rec o r d numbers of hummers at their forty feeders. The 29 July BAS field trip led by Tommy Pratt and Greg Harber to the Prattville/Autaugaville area prod u c e d Mississippi (24) and Swallow-tailed (34) Kites. A nice surprise was a 1st year Painted Bunting. Obviously, a br eeding sign for that locality. Other birds sighted were:

5/8 Mississippi Kite; Eurasian Collared-Dove (4) 7/19 Sandpipers- Spotted, Least (20), and Pectoral; “at my feeder, first year”; Rose-breasted Lake Purdy (HW,A C , J G ) . Grosbeak (6); Montevallo (MB). 7/30 Magnolia and Canada Warblers (early?) Clay 5/27 Brown Pelican (6)!!; Lake Logan Martin (JI). (B S , M S ) .

6/3 Eurasian Collared-Dove; Riverchase Parkway Contributors: (P F ) . Tom Blankenship, Mac Braid, Alice Christenson, Paul Franklin, Jessica Germany, Greg Harber, Mary Hines, 6/4 Cedar Waxwing (5); Warblers- Yel l o w , Catherine Hodges, John Imhof, Helen Kittinger, Rick Blue-winged, and Swainson’s; Pell City (PF). Ki t t i n g e r , Tommy Pratt, Elouise Raffe r t t y , Pelham Rowan, Bob and Martha Sargent, Harriett Wri g h t . 6/27 House Wre n ; Roebuck (CH,HHK). Please submit sightings for October FF at least five days 7/4 White Ibis, imm (2); Marion Fish Hatchery; be f o r e September 1st deadline to Ann Miller, 520 Mississippi Kites (5); Lakeland Farms Yor k s h i r e Drive, Birmingham, Al. 35209. (H H K , R J K , T B ) .

7/ 1 1 White Ibis (25+); Wood Storks (10); Fosters, (HHK birding class).

Fall classes at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. To register by phone, call the BBG Education Department at 414-3950.

Individual or Family Class Individual or Family Class Name That Bird: Basic Bird I.D. The Marvelous Monarchs Four Tuesdays (plus numerous weekend field trips) Sa t u r d a y , September 9, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 ~ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Instructor: Larry Quick, Executive Director, Aldridge Gardens Instructor: Greg Harber, Director, Audubon Mountain Wor k s h o p $12 Members/$24 Non-Members President of Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries Children free with paid adult $64 Members/$128 Non-Members The migration of Monarch butterflies is one of nature’s most Limited to 25 astounding feats. Each year hundreds of millions of these delicate yet Are you interested in the birds around you? Interested enough to determined insects travel from as far away as Canada to spend the win- learn more about them, such as how to identify the dozens and dozens ter outside Mexico City in fir trees high on a volcanic mountain range. of species present in the South? Join Greg Harber, past president of For months they gather en masse waiting for spring to begin their jour- Birmingham Audubon Society, as we cover topics such as choosing and neys home. Larry Quick recently experienced this intriguing natural phe- using the best binoculars for birding and selecting the best field guide nomenon in person and will share his photos and Monarch experiences. (bird book). Then we’ll use lectures and field trips to help you learn to Each participating family will receive a butterfly egg or caterpillar along recognize birds by their field marks and GIS. (You have to sign up to find with its appropriate host plant. out what these terms mean.) In this season of changing beauty, what could be better than a little “serious fun?” Learn some ornithology, meet new people, see new places, and learn lots about the birds around you. continued on page 11 SE P T E M B E R MO N T H LY ME E T I N G David Frings, Dire c t o r Oak Mountain State Park Interpretive Center T h u r s d a y, September 21, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. Birmingham Zoo Auditorium

Alabama native David M. Frings is the dire c t o r and was elected mayor of the City of A l a b a s t e r. He of the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center (OMIC). is now serving his second term in office. David The mission of the Oak Mountain Interpre t i v e and his wife, Jennifer, have been married since Center is to promote appreciation for Oak 1982 and have three daughters, Haley, Holley and Mountain State Park as a natural habitat and to H e i d i . p rovide a hands-on interactive educational experi- As Director of OMIC, Frings hopes to develop ence that enables children and adults to learn a facility that will allow the visitor to experience about Alabama’s biodiversity, students and teach- and understand the specialized natural enviro n- ers to re s e a rch its wonders, and all visitors to ments that we have in central Alabama. “By understand the importance of environmental stew- understanding nature, we develop an appre c i a t i o n a rdship. of the environment that will ultimately lead to David was born in Jefferson County and was a p reservation of our plants, animals, and habitats.” 1973 graduate of Shades Valley High School. He Frings adds, “ OMIC will be a unique field station has had a love for nature and the enviro n m e n t for learning in that we will have a concentrated since childhood, spending many hours exploring emphasis on environmental training for high the mountains, rivers, and caves of A l a b a m a . school and college. In addition, OMIC will have Frings graduated from the University of A l a b a m a indoor and outdoor exhibits that will inform visi- in Birmingham in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science tors and elementary age school groups on our d e g ree in geology and a minor in biology. Frings e n v i ronment.” joined Alabama Power Company after graduation Attend and enjoy this program Please come and worked for more than 29 years in various geo- early at 6:45 to socialize and enjoy some re f re s h- logic positions until his re t i rement from Southern ments. As always, guests are welcome. Company in March, 2006. During his Southern Company care e r, he became a licensed geologist in ~Hans Paul, Alabama. David decided to enter politics in 2000 V P P ro g r a m s A sneak preview at the programs for the remainder of the year: Oct. 19 Nelson Brooke Feb. 15 Paul Johnson Black Warrior Riverkeeper Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity N o v. 16 Wi l l a rd Bowers C e n t e r Alabama Power Company M a r. 15 Dan Dre n n e n Dec. 5 J e rome Jackson An Update on the Wa t e rc ress Darter Christmas Banquet April 19 Members Favorite Slides Jan. 18 John Porter Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries

Homewood Forest Preserve Hikes Friends of Shades Creek and the Homewood Environmental Commission invite Birmingham Audubon Society members and guests to participate in the Sunday afternoon nature walks on The Homewood Forest Preserve. The walks are held on the first and third Sunday afternoons of October, November and December and Februa r y , March and April at 2 p.m. Meet in the eastern parking lot of Homewood High School. Topics are varied and include bird walks, salamander walks, insect walks and more. For more information call Hans Paul, 807-7357. S E P T E M B E R F I E L D T R I P S Russell Bailey, Jr. Memorial Labor Day Field Trip Mo n d a y , September 4, 2006--Lake Purdy The end of summer is soon upon us, and that means it is time once again for our annual Labor Day field trip to Lake Purdy . Russell Bailey led this trip for many years and we shall sorely miss him as we continue this fine tradition in his memory. Please plan to join us at 8:00 a.m. at the Coxe Creek bridge on AL 119, approximately 2.25 miles east of the US 280 intersection. After birding the Lake Purdy vicinity the group will continue looking for migrating sh o re b i r ds at nearby birding destinations, to be selected. Trip Leader: Frank Farrell, 815-3554.

Sa t u r d a y , September 9, 2006 Oak Mountain State Park The Birmingham Audubon Society’s 1/2-day field trip in September will be to Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County. The Birmingham Audubon Society, in support of the new Interpretive Center operated by Samford Un i v e r s i t y , has agreed to help develop a new bird list for the park. Theref o r e, our goal on this trip will be to visit a variety of habitats within the park, looking for migrating warblers, tanagers and thrushes. You will note on the BAS calendar that we plan to visit the park at least once in each season to give us a better understanding of the year- round distribution of birds within the park. We will meet 7:00 a.m. at the park visitor center, located on the right outside the park entrance on John Findlay Drive. To reach the park exit I-65 at Cahaba Valley Road/AL 119 (exit #246) and travel west one block, to the first tr a f fic light. Turn left here and follow this road back under the interstate to the 4-way stop sign. Turn left and drive to the visitor center parking area on the right. Bring drinks, insect repellant, sunscreen, a pair of sturdy walking shoes, and your binoculars. If you’d like to bring your lunch, we will eat lunch in the front room at The Wildlife Center and watch the birds coming to the fe e d e r s . Trip Leader: Gr eg Harber, 251-2133

Sa t u r d a y , September 23, 2006 Monte Sano State Park and Hays Nature Preserve

Monte Sano State Park and Hays Nature Preserve are located in north Alabama near Huntsville. Plans are to arrive about 8:30 am at Monte Sano to start the day. Monte Sano is wooded and should be good for typical woodland bi r ds such as woodpeckers, thrushes, tanagers, warblers and our little friends: the nuthatches, chickadees and wr ens. Bring a lawn chair so that at lunch we can picnic at an overlook that provides a dramatic view of the valley and look for migrating raptors. In the afternoon we will drive to Hays Nature Preserve south of Huntsville on US 431. This preserve was donated by the Hays family and is situated on the banks of the Flint River. There are several trails through some excellent warbler habitat.

De p a r t u r e Plans: LEAVE at 7:00 a.m. from parking lot of North Gate Village Shopping Center. Directions: Take I-65 north to Exit 271, Fieldstown Road. Turn right, go one block and the shopping center will be on the right with Goody’s and Dollar Tree. A Ha r dees and other places for breakfast are just past the shopping center.

To meet us at Monte Sano State Park about 8:30 am: I-65 North to I-565 into Huntsville. Turn south off I-565, Exit 17, onto Memorial Parkway/US 231 and take second exit to Governors Drive (US 431 follows Memorial Parkway to the North and Governors Drive to the East). Drive east, turn left off Governors at the Monte Sano State Park sign onto Monte Sano Blvd. Continue to another Monte Sano State Park sign and turn right onto Nolan Avenue, which goes into the park. Drive past the Picnic area to the Park Office and Store. Upon entering the park our first stop will the Office and Store res t ro o m s .

Bring drinks, lunch, a full tank of gas, insect repellant, sunscreen, walking shoes, lawn chair and rain gear.

Trip Leader: Frank Farrell, 815-3554. 42nd Annual BAS Fall Bird Count Sa t u r d a y , September 30, 2006 Sa t u r d a y , September 30th will be the date for our 42nd Information on other Counts Annual Fall Bird Count. We will cover as much of 71st Birmingham Christmas Bird Count Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and southern Blount counties as Date: Saturday, December 23, 2006 possible, with as many count parties as we can field. The Host: Ty Keith lingering effects of this summer’s drought are sure to Compiler: TBA bring many migrating songbirds to your watering holes. 42nd Spring Bird Count Therefore, if you are not able to assist us in the field, Date: Saturday, April 28, 2007 please count the birds at your feeders and water features Host: Elberta Reid and report them to us. Compiler: TBA If you have participated in a count previously or know the name of the party leader for the area where you would Ma k e plans now to attend any or all of these counts. li k e to help, contact them to be sure that you are included! All BAS members and friends, whether beginning or exp e - If you are interested in joining a count party but don’t rienced birders, are encouraged to join us! know any leaders, please call me at 251-2133, and I will ~Greg Harber, for the Bird Counts Committee put you in touch with a party leader. Be sure to pack a lunch, your binoculars and field guides. I encourage you to join us but do remember that spending an entire day in the field can be tiring. At the end of the day we will gather to compile our results, swap stories and share our adventures of the day. Real rarities will need a good story for sure! Maureen Shaffer will host the compilation at her home at 2313 Chestnut Road, located just off Shades Crest Road about ha l f - way between US 31 and US 280. Be sure to grab a bite to eat before we get started around 7:00 PM. If you need detailed directions call Maureen at 822-8728. See accompanying map.

THE EXP E R I E N C E OF HOG ISL A N D Debbie Dumais Close your eyes. Imagine that you as together you meet distinct warblers restoration efforts for one bird species are embarking on a boat trip to a 330- for the first time. The Yel l o w - r u m p e d known as the Puffin Project, literature acre island. As you step onto the boat, War b l e r , the Black-throated Green connections and personal sketches with you intuitively know that this journey War b l e r , and the Northern Par u l a nature shared by activist Lynne Cherry , will change your life. You settle down entertain you with their songs in the a stroll with the historical footsteps of on a seat and the boat begins crossing trees and their dances in the sky. You Roger Tory Peterson at Medowak Muscongus Bay. You feel the cool ocean check them on your bird list of the Village, the innate survival of orga n i s m s breeze brushing your face, the warm island so you will remember these new exposed to the elements at low tide, sun melting away your worries, the acquaintances. monarchs dependent upon milkweed crisp ocean aroma tickling your nose, The bell rings prior to each meal for survival, the sensory discoveries dur- and gulls overhead laughing a welcome and you consume Chef Yanni’s specially ing rain on a 3-mile hike through inter- to a magical place. That place is Hog prepared entrees that he prepares with mittent chest high ferns on the moss- Island, Maine, home of the Maine pride as part of his environmental con- covered floor of the spruce forest, and Audubon Camp - a Workshop for science. Daily, you eagerly attend class- one family’s concern for an island that Educators. es taught by uniquely qualified instruc- was purposely preserved for future gen- No w , open your eyes and you are tors in their fields of expertise. They erations. there with me - a teacher selected to share their passions about the environ- You understand why Hog Island attend on a BAS scholarship. The ment with such strong dedication that magically transformed you. It needs experiences on the island will open you embrace their sincere crusade to you as much as you need it. It needs more doors of environmental opportuni- ma k e a difference. you to support a conservation mission in ties than you ever thought possible. You think about your students, fam- your environment wherever you are. Every morning you are awakened by an ily members, and others and you persis- Thanks to the efforts of the Eastern Phoebe that seems to be calling tently write each tidbit of information Birmingham Audubon Society I will “see-me” instead of “fee-be”. You join in a journal to share later. For exa m p l e , ma k e a difference and will carry Hog other educators from around the nation you purposely note the following: the Island with me always. Bi r mingham Audubon Society Calendar of Events 20 0 6 - 2 0 0 7 September 2006 5 Christmas Banquet - Vestavia March 2007 1 Flicker Flashes articles due, Country Club, 1 Flicker Flashes articles due, October issue Dr . Jerome Jackson, speaker April issue 4 Russell Bailey, Jr. Memorial 16 Christmas Bird Count -Wheeler 3 BA S 1/2 day Field Trip, East Lake Bird Walk, Lake Purdy NW R Park, Ruffner Mountain and 9 BA S 1/2 day field trip, 23 Christmas Bird Count - Roebuck Springs Oak Mountain State Par k Birmingham (71st) 6 Conservation Committee 12 Conservation Committee meeting 26 Christmas Bird Count - meeting 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Gu n t e r s v i l l e 15 Board Meeting, (BZA) 5:45 p.m. 21 Board Meeting, Birmingham 30 Christmas Bird Count - Gulf General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. Zoo Auditorium (BZA) 5:45 p.m. Sh o r e s Dan Drennen, USFWS, An General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. Update on the Watercress Darter David Frings, Oak Mountain S.P 17 BA S Field Trip, Perry Lakes Park & Interpretive Center Lakeland Farms, Perry County, AL 23 BA S Field Trip, Monte Sano SP and Hays Nature Preserve, April 2007 Huntsville, AL 1 Flicker Flashes articles due, 30 42nd Annual BAS Fall Bird Count May/June issue 7 BA S Sanctuary Workday (1/2 day) October 2006 10 Conservation Committee 1 Flicker Flashes articles due, meeting 7:00 p.m. November/December issue January 2007 14 Family Bird Walk - Birmingham 7 Family Bird Walk - 1 Flicker Flashes articles due, Zoo 7:30 a.m. Birmingham Zoo, 7:30 a.m. February issue 20 - 2 2 AOS Spring meeting - Dauphin 10 Conservation Committee meeting 6 BA S 1/2 day Field Trip, Oak Island, AL 7:00 p.m. Mountain State Par k 26 Board Meeting, (BZA) 5:45 p.m. 13 - 1 5 Alabama Ornithological Society 9 Conservation Committee meeting General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. meeting, Dauphin Island, AL 7:00 p.m. “Members Favorite Slides” 19 Board Meeting, (BZA) 5:45 p.m. 18 Board Meeting, (BZA) 5:45 p.m. 28 42nd Annual BAS Spring General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. Bird Count Nelson Brooke, Black Warrior Dr . John F. Por t e r , Dauphin Island Ri v e r k e e p e r Bird Sanctuaries May 2007 19 - 2 2 Alabama Coastal Birdfest, 20 BA S Field Trip, Lake Guntersville 4- 6 North Alabama Birding Festival, Fairhope, AL SP De c a t u r , AL 28 BA S Field Trip, Fort Tou l o u s e - 26 - 2 8 Alabama Ornithological Society 10 - 1 3 30th Annual Audubon Mountain Jackson NHP, Wetumpka, AL meeting, location TBA Workshop - Mentone, AL 19 BA S Field Trip and Campout, November 2006 February 2007 Coleman Lake, Talladega N.F. 4 BA S 1/2 day Field Trip, Moss 1 Flicker Flashes articles due, Rock Pre s e r v e March issue June 2007 7 Conservation Committee meeting 3 BA S 1/2 day Field Trip, 9- 1 0 Bankhead National Forest point 7:00 p.m. Lake Purdy count and campout 16 Board Meeting, (BZA) 5:45 p.m. 6 Conservation Committee 16 BA S Field Trip, Aliceville Swamp General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. meeting 7:00 p.m. Willard Bowers, Alabama Power 15 Board Meeting, (BZA) 5:45 p.m. July 2007 Co . General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. 28 BA S Field Trip, Prattville & 18 BA S Field Trip, Wheeler NWR, Dr . Paul Johnson, Alabama Aquatic Au t a u g a v i l l e De c a t u r , AL Biodiversity Center 17 BA S Field Trip, Pigeon Mountain August 2007 December 2006 WMA, Georgia 4 BA S Field Trip, Gainesville & 1 Flicker Flashes articles due, Al i c e v i l l e January 2007 issue 2 BA S Sanctuary Workday (1/2 day)

~ For more information call the Birmingham Audubon Society at 879-7709 or visit www.birminghamaudubon.org ~ BIR M I N G H A M AUD U B O N IN EDU C AT I O N 20 0 6 - 2 0 0 7 The Birmingham Audubon Society is pleased to announce that we are offering to local teachers again this fall, mini-grants of up to $250, as well as “Audubon Adventures,” a free environmental education program for grades 3-6. The financial support for these programs comes from the Diana Stobert Sessions and Paul Trammell Sessions, Jr. Fou n d a t i o n that was established by the late Tram Sessions to assist BAS in fulfilling its education and conservation mission.

Mini-grant Program Application deadline: September 30, 2006 BA S offers these mini-grants to help fund field trips, class- know how or where to begin, Birmingham Audubon recom- room speakers, and projects such as school gardens, bird feeding mends for guidance the Alabama Wildlife Federation Schoolyard stations, outdoor classrooms, ponds, nature trails, or other types Habitat Certification Program. The AWF provides guidebooks of natural habitats. On our website at www.b i r m i n g - and consultants who come to the schools to assist teachers and ha m a u d u b o n . o r g (click on Grants and Scholarships), you will their classrooms in designing and organizing outdoor projects. find the application as well as contact information and descrip- Birmingham Audubon Society president, Shirley Far rell, partici- tions of the outstanding education programs at the following pated in this program and is happy to discuss it with anyone places that we recommend for field trips and speakers: the interested. The butterfly garden and pond which she and her Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Zoo, the students designed and constructed at Clay Elementary, funded Cahaba River Society, Camp McDowell Environmental Center, in part by BAS mini-grant funds, is a model of participatory Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, the Southern Environmental environmental education. Center at Birmingham Southern College, and the Alabama Teachers can also use mini-grant money to participate in Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park. the Classroom Feeder Watch Program sponsored by the Cornell For teachers who would like to use the mini-grant money to Laboratory of Ornithology. Information about this is also found create gardens and wildlife habitats at their schools, but do not on the BAS website.

“Audubon Adventures” Notification deadline: September 15, 2006 This environmental education program for grades 3-6 is nationwide and thousands in the Birmingham area have enjoyed provided FREE to classrooms in the Birmingham area. this program. Developed for the National Audubon Society by professional See www.a u d u b o n . o r g/edu/aa for more information and environmental educators, “Audubon Adventures” consists pri- FAQ ’ s . marily of a student newspaper that presents well written arti- If you teach 3rd, 4th, 5th. or 6th grade and would like for cles, attractive pictures, and interesting activities about birds, your classroom to receive “Audubon Adventures”, email Stan wildlife, and their habitats. It is easily implemented and can be and Dana Hamilton at [email protected] requesting integrated into the Alabama Reading Initiative program. that you be enrolled in the program. Include your name, email “Audubon Adventures” comes to the teacher in the fall, address, school’s name, school address, and the grade that you packaged as a Classroom Kit that contains a teacher guide and teach. The deadline to notify the Hamiltons is September 15. 32 copies of 4 issues of this award winning newspaper. That is to say that every child receives a copy of each newspaper! The program is used by classroom teachers, after-school program coordi- ~Ann Sweeney nators, special education instructors, language arts teachers, and Chairman, Education Committee home schoolers. Since the inception of the “Au d u b o n Adventures” program in1984, over 7 million school children

How To Submit Articles For Publication If you would like to submit an article to Flicker Flashes, or We also welcome information to be included in updates to the BAS Web page, please follow one of the methods detailed the BAS web page. Items to be considered need to be submitted be l o w . Please adhere to the submission deadlines listed in the el e c t r o n i c a l l y , if possible. Please attach your text or word pro- BA S Calendar of Events found elsewhere in this issue. We wel- cessing file to an e-mail message addressed to Ernie Stokely at: come all contributions: trip reports, reflections on an interesting es t o k [email protected]. Attached files can be in the following encounter with the natural world and other items of general formats: text, Microsoft Word, or Wor d P erfect. Files that origi- in t e r e s t . nate on the Macintosh or the PC can usually be handled, but if The preferred method would be to send the articles as an you attach Macintosh files to your e-mail, be sure to turn com- attachment to an e-mail message. Send them to Greg Harber at pression “off” and to select AppleDouble mode for the attach- this address: [email protected]. You may also “snail ment. Material received in hard copy will also be considered for mail” your typewritten article, or an article stored on a Mac inclusion on the Web page if time and schedules permit. compatible disk, to: Greg Harber, Assistant Editor Flicker Flashes 2906 Highland Avenue S. Apt. #5 Birmingham, AL 35205-1911 BIRMINGHAM AUDUBON SOCIETY O F F I C E R S A N D C O M M I T T E E S 2 0 0 6 - 2 0 0 7 OF F I C E R S HO N O R A R Y DIRECTORS Peg McGowan Pre s i d e n t Ho n o r a r y Directors include all Past Ethel Owen Shirley Farrel l ...... 81 5 - 3 5 5 4 Pr esidents and other members who, by reason of services ren d e r ed over a long CO N S E R VATI O N Pre s i d e n t - e l e c t period of time to the Society, have been Frank Farrell, Co - C h a i r . . . . .81 5 - 3 5 5 4 Louise Ayer Tom m i e ...... 42 8 - 9 6 5 2 elected as Honorary Directors advise Ann C. Tate,* Co - C h a i r (Air Quality) and consult with the Board on all mat- 96 7 - 0 3 0 4 Vic e - P r esident, Conserva t i o n ters presented before it, and have all Alice Christenson ...... 59 5 - 0 3 0 6 Frank Farrel l ...... 81 5 - 3 5 5 4 rights and privileges of Direc t o r s Shirley Farrel l ...... 81 5 - 3 5 5 4 except the right to vote, and except El b e r ta Reid ...... 87 9 - 1 9 3 5 Vic e - P r esident, Prog r a m s that they shall not be counted in deter- Ann Sweeney ...... 87 9 - 7 1 2 7 Hans Paul ...... 87 1 - 0 6 6 6 mining the presence of a quorum . Ro b e r t G. Tat e ...... 96 7 - 0 3 0 4

Trea s u re r Ge o r ge A. Blinn CONSTITUTION AND BY-L AW S Ma r y Flint Wal d r i p ...... 96 9 - 1 6 3 6 Ro b e r t E. Burks Ro b e r t G. Tate, * Ch a i r . . . .96 7 - 0 3 0 4 Alice Christenson Assistant Trea s u re r , Membership Ho w a r d M. Einspahr Pelham Rowan ...... 97 0 - 0 8 4 4 Paul Franklin WAL TER COXE RESEARCH Gre g o r y J. Harber FU N D Re c o r ding Secret a r y Dan C. Holliman Michael Russell,*Ch a i r (716) 829-2790 Anita Faucett ...... 83 6 - 3 7 2 7 David Larsen Scot Duncan Amy Mason. Gre g o r y J. Harber Co r responding Secret a r y James V. Peavy, Jr. Dan C. Holliman Lida Hill ...... 87 1 - 7 7 9 0 John Randolph Ken Marion El b e r ta G. Reid Buzz Peavy Flicker Flashes Editor Michael Russell Ma r y Flint Wal d r i p Bianca J. Allen ...... 85 4 - 5 2 2 3 John Swan Ann Sweeney ED U C AT I O N Ann C. Tat e Ann Sweeney, Ch a i r ...... 87 9 - 7 1 2 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ro b e r t G. Tat e Alice Christenson ...... 59 5 - 0 3 0 6 The Board of Directors includes all Pe r cy Thigpen Frank and Shirley Farrel l . . .81 5 - 3 5 5 4 Of ficers, the two immediate Past Ha r riett H. Wri g h t Audubon Adventures Pr esidents, Direc t o r s - A t - L a r ge and Stan & Dana Hamilton,* Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs CO M M I T T E E S Co - C h a i r s ...... 95 1 - 5 6 3 0 whose names are designated by an (*). Audubon Mountain Wor k s h o p Bo a r d meetings are held at 5:45 p.m. at BIRD COUNTS & SURVE Y S Gr eg Harber ...... 25 1 - 2 1 3 3 the Birmingham Zoo Auditorium Paul H. Franklin, Co m p i l e r . .98 8 - 8 4 1 8 Educational Vid e o s be f o r e each membership meeting. David George, Co m p i l e r . . . .47 7 - 5 0 7 4 Anita Faucett ...... 83 6 - 3 7 2 7 Gre g o r y J. Harber, Co m p i l e r 25 1 - 2 1 3 3 DI R E C T O R S - A T-L A R G E Sh a r on Hudgins, Co m p i l e r . .47 7 - 5 3 9 0 FIELD TRIPS Di re c t o r s - a t - L a r ge, not less than two Ty Keith,* Co - C h a i r ...... 85 3 - 0 5 3 7 nor more than five, are elected by the BI R D AT H O N Frank Farrell, Co- Chair . . . .81 5 - 3 5 5 4 membership at the Annual Lee and Cathy Nick,* Ch a i r .87 0 - 5 7 3 7 Membership Meeting. FI N A N C E CA M P O U T S Ma r y Flint Waldrip, Ch a i r . .96 9 - 1 6 3 6 Alice Christenson John and Sheri Robinson, * Ch a i r Shirley Farrel l Jean Folsom ...... 87 7 - 3 8 5 5 Dana Hamilton Ethel Owen Stan Hamilton Er nie Stokely CHRISTMAS BANQUET Gre g o r y J. Harber Lou Bailey,* Co - C h a i r ...... 87 9 - 9 9 8 8 Edith Hunt IM M E D I A TE PAST PRESIDENTS Lee Brew e r ,* Co - C h a i r . . . . .82 3 - 3 6 9 5 Hans Paul John Swan ...... 93 3 - 6 4 6 9 Gussie Arne t t El b e r ta Reid Ann Sweeney ...... 87 9 - 7 1 2 7 Ma r y Brew e r Ka t h r yn Rowan Denson Burnu m Pelham Rowan Jinksie Burnu m Ann Sweeney Gre g o r y J. Harber Ro b e r t G. Tat e Kay Kinnear FLICKER FLASHES SA N C T U A R Y PROPERTY Peg McGowan Bianca J. Allen, Ed i t o r . . . . .85 4 - 5 2 2 3 Ellen McLaughlin,* Co - C h a i r 59 5 - 0 8 0 6 Ethel Owen Gre g o r y J. Harber, As s ’ t Editor John Swan, Co - C h a i r ...... 93 3 - 6 4 6 9 Ann Sweeney ...... 25 1 - 2 1 3 3 Alice Christenson Vir ginia Thrasher Hans Paul, Pro g r a m s ...... 87 1 - 0 6 6 6 Kap and Clyde Garmo n Louise Ayer Tom m i e Ty Keith, Field Tri p s ...... 85 3 - 0 5 3 7 Ethel Owen Bi r d Counts, Count Committee Compiler Ann and Bob Tat e WATERCRESS DARTER NWR, Ann L. Miller, For the Record .87 9 - 7 7 0 8 Augusta and John Vos s AR K Frank Farrell, Co n s e rv a t i o n . .81 5 - 3 5 5 4 Ma r y Flint Wal d r i p Frank Farrel l ...... 81 5 - 3 5 5 4 Ca r olyn & Linton Battle HO S P I TA L I T Y SPEAKER’S BUREAU Bob Burks Jean Cecil Foster, Co - C h a i r .54 1 - 0 6 8 4 Ha r riett H. Wright,* Ch a i r . .96 7 - 0 9 5 5 Dianne & Tom Clark Peg McGowan, Co - C h a i r . . .82 2 - 1 0 3 3 “B i r ds in Your Garde n ” David George “W ith an Autumn Accent” Sh a r on Hudgins INTERNET AND WEB PAG E “Wi l d f l o w e r s ” Er nie Stokely Er nie Stokely,* Ch a i r ...... 25 1 - 4 4 5 5 “A Walk into Spring” Ann & Bob Tat e Rob Brew e r Louise Ayer Tom m i e Paul H. Franklin ...... 98 8 - 8 4 1 8 LI B R A R I A N “B i rd s ” Bi r mingham Audubon Web Page Kay Kinnear,* Ch a i r ...... 32 4 - 0 9 5 6 “N a t u r e Photography” ww w. b i rm i n g h a m a u d u b o n . o r g “B i r ds of Prey ” MAIL SERVICES AND BAS Please consider volunteering your time TE L E P H O N E Gre g o r y J. Harber ...... 25 1 - 2 1 3 3 and talents on any of these committees. Ann L. Miller,* Ch a i r ...... 87 9 - 7 7 0 8 “B i rd s ” Ours is an all-volunteer chapter and “B i r d Wal k s ” we rely on our members to accomplish ME M B E R S H I P our chapter’s goals. You may call the Edith U. Hunt,* Ch a i r . . . . .96 7 - 9 4 3 0 Sh a r on Hudgins ...... 47 7 - 5 3 9 0 individual committee chairman or Ann Jessica Germa n y , Co - C h a i r “Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries” Sweeney (879-7127) for further infor- Lida Hill ma t i o n . Pelham Rowan Helen H. Kittinger ...... 56 0 - 0 7 7 8 “Wi l d f l o w e r s ” AUDUBON MOUNTAIN “N a t u r e Tra i l s ” WO R K S H O P “N a t u r e Photography” Gre g o r y J. Harber, * Di re c t o r 25 1 - 2 1 3 3 “Scenic Alabama” Ken Marion, Academic Direc t o r “Audubon Adventures ” Hans Paul, Admin. Co - C h a i r 87 1 - 0 6 6 6 “B i rd s ” Jessica Germa n y , Admin. Co-Chair Edith Hunt Anne G. Miller ...... 66 3 - 7 9 3 0 Betty Susina* “Urban Wil d l i f e ” Young Naturalists “Urban Rehab” Sh e r yl Bishop and Beverly Cole, Co - “W ildlife Rehabilitation” Ch a i r s Patsy Scott ...... 99 5 - 5 5 0 2 PART N E R S - I N - F L I G H T “Help Bring Back the Bluebirds ” Dianne and Tom Clark Dana and Stan Hamilton Betty Susina ...... 82 2 - 3 4 1 9 Gre g o r y J. Harber “B i rd s ” “Help Bring Back the Bluebirds ” PR O G R A M S Hans Paul, Ch a i r ...... 87 1 - 0 6 6 6 Ro b e r t G. Tat e ...... 96 7 - 0 3 0 4 “Wi l d f l o w e r s ” PU B L I C I T Y Ma u r een Shaffe r ,* Ch a i r . . .82 2 - 8 7 2 8 SPRING TOUR El b e r ta Reid,* Ch a i r ...... 87 9 - 1 9 3 5 RE S O L U T I O N S Kap Garmon, Co - C h a i r . . . . .87 1 - 4 8 7 5 Donald Sweeney,* Ch a i r . . .87 9 - 7 1 2 7 Jessica Germa n y , Co - C h a i r . .59 5 - 0 8 1 4 Jean Folsom Gre g o r y J. Harber Dee King Fo r ty-first Annual BAS Spring Bird Count Sa t u r d a y , April 29, 2006 One hundred thirty-eight species were recorded on the 41st BAS Spring Bird Count in Jefferson, St. Clair and Shelby Counties. In addition, 3 count-week birds were noted, including a pair of American Woodcocks! Twenty-four observers in 9 parties spent 89.75 hours (1.5 hours owling) in the field, 23.5 miles on foot. Temperatures ranged from an early morning low of 60 to an afternoon high of 73. Sky conditions were changeable, with a cloudy start to the morning, becoming partly cloudy and finally overcast. There was a light rain in the afternoon. Winds were from the southeast at 10-20 mph, gusting even higher. Special thanks go to our compilation host, Maureen Shaffer. Compiler: Greg Harber. Canada Goose ...... 14 1 Rub y -throated Hummingbird ...... 10 Tennessee War b l e r ...... 11 Wood Duck ...... 40 Belted Kingfisher ...... 12 Northern Par u l a ...... 12 Ga d w a l l ...... 5 Red-headed Woo d p e c k e r ...... 21 Yellow War b l e r ...... 3 Ma l l a r d ...... 74 Red-bellied Woo d p e c k e r ...... 64 Chestnut-sided War b l e r ...... 4 Blue-winged Tea l ...... 8 Downy Woo d p e c k e r ...... 34 Magnolia War b l e r ...... 4 Northern Shoveler ...... 2 Hairy Woo d p e c k e r ...... 2 Yel l o w -rumped War b l e r ...... 26 Wild Tur k e y ...... 9 Northern Flicker ...... 6 Black-throated Green War b l e r ...... 3 Northern Bobwhite ...... 2 Pileated Woo d p e c k e r ...... 11 Blackburnian War b l e r ...... 1 Pied-billed Grebe ...... 16 Eastern Woo d - Pe w e e ...... 6 Yel l o w -throated War b l e r ...... 7 Double-crested Cormorant ...... 49 Acadian Flycatcher ...... 8 Pine War b l e r ...... 45 Great Blue Heron ...... 44 Empidonax Species ...... 1 Prairie War b l e r ...... 24 Great Egret ...... 47 Eastern Phoebe ...... 80 Palm War b l e r ...... 43 Cattle Egret ...... 30 Great Crested Flycatcher ...... 71 Blackpoll War b l e r ...... 4 Green Heron ...... 21 Eastern Kingbird ...... 95 Black-and-white War b l e r ...... 6 Black-crowned Night Heron ...... 1 Loggerhead Shrike ...... 6 American Red s t a r t ...... 2 Yel l o w -crowned Night Heron ...... 12 White-eyed Vireo ...... 53 Prothonotary War b l e r ...... 3 Black Vul t u r e ...... 15 Yel l o w -throated Vireo ...... 22 Worm-eating War b l e r ...... 4 Turkey Vul t u r e ...... 55 Blue-headed Vireo ...... CW Sw a i n s o n ’s War b l e r ...... 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk ...... 2 Red-eyed Vireo ...... 52 Ov e n b i r d ...... 1 Co o p e r ’s Hawk ...... 9 Blue Jay ...... 67 Louisiana Wat e r t h r u s h ...... 8 Red-shouldered Hawk ...... 15 American Crow ...... 31 1 Kentucky War b l e r ...... 18 Broad-winged Hawk ...... 5 Fish Crow ...... 3 Common Yel l o w t h r o a t ...... 27 Red-tailed Hawk ...... 17 Purple Martin ...... 69 Hooded War b l e r ...... 27 American Kes t r e l ...... 1 Tree Swallow ...... 5 Yel l o w -breasted Chat ...... 46 So r a ...... 4 Northern Rough-winged Swallow . . . .16 3 Summer Tan a g e r ...... 31 Common Moorhen ...... 1 Cliff Swallow ...... 42 Scarlet Tan a g e r ...... 15 American Coot ...... 14 Barn Swallow ...... 25 3 Eastern Tow h e e ...... 13 2 Ki l l d e e r ...... 55 Carolina Chickadee ...... 11 6 Chipping Sparrow ...... 56 Greater Yel l o w l e g s ...... 3 Tufted Tit m o u s e ...... 12 9 Field Sparrow ...... 9 Lesser Yel l o w l e g s ...... 2 White-breasted Nuthatch ...... 24 Savannah Sparrow ...... 12 Solitary Sandpiper ...... 2 Brown-headed Nuthatch ...... 52 Swamp Sparrow ...... 2 Spotted Sandpiper ...... 10 Carolina Wre n ...... 11 4 White-throated Sparrow ...... 17 Least Sandpiper ...... 15 Marsh Wre n ...... 3 Northern Cardinal ...... 28 5 Peep Sandpiper ...... 2 Rub y -crowned Kinglet ...... 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak ...... 58 Pectoral Sandpiper ...... 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ...... 69 Blue Grosbeak ...... 27 American Woo d c o c k ...... CW Eastern Bluebird ...... 19 6 Indigo Bunting ...... 11 5 Caspian Ter n ...... 1 Vee r y ...... 1 Di c k c i s s e l ...... 1 Rock Pig e o n ...... 73 Sw a i n s o n ’s Thrush ...... 1 Bo b o l i n k ...... 35 Eurasian Collared-Dove ...... 7 Wood Thrush ...... 29 Red-winged Blackbird ...... 28 8 Mourning Dove ...... 36 5 American Rob i n ...... 20 3 Eastern Meadowlark ...... 36 Yel l o w -billed Cuckoo ...... 10 Gray Catbird ...... 27 Common Grackle ...... 22 1 Great Horned Owl ...... 1 Northern Mockingbird ...... 21 7 Brown-headed Cowbird ...... 83 Barred Owl ...... 6 Brown Thrasher ...... 76 Orchard Oriole ...... 26 Common Nighthawk ...... CW European Starling ...... 32 0 Baltimore Oriole ...... 5 Ch u c k - w i l l ’ s - w i d o w ...... 9 American Pip i t ...... 3 House Fin c h ...... 68 Wh i p - p o o r- w i l l ...... 2 Cedar Wax w i n g ...... 60 5 American Goldfinch ...... 75 Chimney Swift ...... 98 Blue-winged War b l e r ...... 2 House Sparrow ...... 77

Observers (party leaders in boldface): Sheila Bancroft, Mary Lou Miller, Martha Dagg, Jeff Pribble, Elouise Raffe r t y , Al a n Yes t e r , Ann Miller, Alice Christenson, Cheryl Horncastle, Sallie Brice, Helen Kittinger, Rick Kittinger, Ty Keith, Lee Brew e r , Pelham Rowan, Greg Harber, Jessica Germany, Edith Hunt, Mary Waldrip, Frank Farrell, Shirley Farrell, Harriett Wri g h t , Sharon Hudgins, David George . Fall classes at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. To register by phone, call the BBG Education Department at 414-3950.

Individual or Family Class, Children ages 6+ The Saturday field trip is at the Individual or Family Class Going to the Birds: Bird Watching Birmingham Botanical Gardens, one of the BBG Night-Time Connections (Night Hike) for the Entire Family premier birding sites in central Alabama during Fri d a y , November 3 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Class: Thursday, September 21, 6-8 p.m. spring and fall migration. Bring binoculars if you Rain Date: Saturday, November 4 Field Trip: Saturday, September 23, 8-10 a.m. have them. BBG will have a few to loan. Instructor: David Hollaway, Senior Naturalist, Field Trip Location: BBG McDowell EC Rain Date for Field Trip: Sunday, September Classroom introduction, then out into The 24, 2-4 p.m. Individual or Family Class Ga r d e n s . Instructor: Greg Harber, Birmingham Decorating for the Birds! Children free with paid adult attending Audubon Society Sa t u r d a y , October 21 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. $10 Members/$20 Non-Members $12 Members/$24 Non-Members Instructor: Beverly Vogt, Owner, Wild Birds Registration deadline: November 1 One child 6+ free with one adult attending Un l i m i t e d Come walk wild in the dark at the BBG $3 for each additional child Materials fee of $3 included. Total $15 for a fun, new experience exploring Alabama’s Limited to 20 adults Members/$30 Non-Members beautiful biodiversity. David Hollaway, aka “Big Does your family participate in one of the Children free with paid adult attending Dave” from Camp McDowell, will help you most popular outdoor recreational activities in Limited to 20 adults hear natural sounds of the night, touch nature’s America? Bird watching brings the entire family While you are enjoying the many tasty textures, and experience the amazing smells of together while adding a new dimension to treats that abound this coming holiday season, night with lots of giggles and hand-holding. every trip to the local park, the beach, or a do n ’t forget to share some goodies with the This is a chance for families and children to be favorite vacation destination. Discover which birds. Decorating for our feathered friends and night-time naturalists! Awesome! birds are in your garden, how to select binocu- other wildlife is an activity the whole family can lars and field guides, and when and where to en j o y . Class members will make a fresh cran- look for our feathered friends. Get tips on how berry and popcorn garland, a pine cone feeder, to attract birds to your garden with feeders, and see Beverly Vogt demonstrate how easy it water features and birdhouses. is to make suet muffins and stuffing, grapefruit and bagel feeders, and wild bird seed cookies.

clip along dotted line ~ Membership Application ~ Birmingham Audubon Society/ National Audubon Society

Na m e : ______Ad d r ess: ______City:______State:______Zip:______Phone: ( ) ______

Membership Levels: ❏ Introductory membership ~ $20.00 ❏ Regular membership/Renewals ~ $20.00 Includes quarterly subscription to Audubon The National Audubon Society handles magazine and 8 issues of Flicker Flashes, membership renewals through their the chapter newsletter. Membership Data Center. Contact them at Senior (62 & older) and student (full-time) 1-800-274-4201 or write them at memberships available for $15.00. P.O. Box 52529, Boulder, CO 80322-2529. (P re f e r r ed method of payment for all new members is Submit renewals directly to NAS. th r ough the chapter, using this form).

❏ My check for $______is enclosed.

Please make check payable to: National Audubon Society Mail this form and check to: Birmingham Audubon Society P. O. Box 314 Birmingham, A L3 5 2 0 1 Birmingham Audubon Society * AOO 7XCH8 Se p t e m b e r Oc t o b e r

1 Flicker Flashes articles due 1 Flicker Flashes articles due 4 Russell Bailey, Jr. Memorial Bird Walk, 7 Family Bird Walk - Birmingham Zoo, Lake Purdy 8:00 a.m. 9 BA S 1/2 day Field Trip, Oak Mtn. 10 Conservation Committee meeting State Par k 7:00 p.m. 12 Conservation Committee meeting 13-15 Alabama Ornithological Society meeting, 7:00 p.m. Dauphin Island 21 Board Meeting, Birmingham Zoo 19 Board Meeting, (BZA) 5:45 p.m. Auditorium (BZA) 5:45 p.m. GeneraMeeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. General Meeting, BZA 7:00 p.m. Nelson Brooke David Frings 19-22 Alabama Coastal Birdfest, Fairhope 23 BA S Field Trip, Monte Sano SP and 28 BA S Field Trip, Fort Tou l o u s e - Jackson Hays Nature Preserve, Huntsville NH P , Wetumpka, AL 30 42nd Annual BAS Fall Bird Count

Birmingham Audubon Society A Chapter of the National Audubon Society No n - P rofit Org. P.O . Box 314 U.S. Pos t a g e Birmingham, AL 35201 PAI D Permit No. 3794 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Birmingham, AL

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Flicker Flashes is published eight times a year by the Birmingham Audubon Society. Editor: Bianca J. Allen (205) 854-5223 Asst. Editor: Greg Harber (205) 251-2133