November/December 2005 ISBN: 1531-2283 Volume 39, No.6 NEWSLETTER OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF GREATER DENVER New trail and bird blind at Chatfield Wetlands Thanks to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado—project completed in one day t was a chilly, overcast morning on We are extremely grateful to Center at Chatfield, check out our new September 24, but that did not stop Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and trail. Because the wetlands are a sensi- IVolunteers for Outdoor Colorado. Colorado State Parks for helping mak- tive wildlife area, we just ask that you Over 150 people volunteered to spend ing this project a reality. This new trail is stay on trail—taking only photos and their Saturday building a new trail and part of Phase 2 of the Audubon Center leave only footsteps, as the saying goes. bird blind at the Chatfield Wetlands. By development. ASGD has already pre- We ask that people refrain from taking 4 p.m. the crusher fine trail (about 1/3 sented a teacher’s workshop on wetland bicycles, horses or pets into the wet- mile loop) was complete and the last ecology and environmental education lands (there are miles of other trails at boards were nailed onto the blind. As at the site! This spring we will be intro- the park where all these things are al- if that wasn’t enough, volunteers also ducing school children to the magic of lowed). If you have a group and would planted about 1,200 native wetland wetlands through school field trips. like a naturalist-led hike, please call the plants. If you are hiking at the Audubon office at 303-973-9530. Photos left: VOC volunteers work to get the trail surface prepared for the crusher fine gravels. Right: Volunteers begin constructing the bird viewing blind and creating the trail that leads visitors into the blind. Photos by Kent Wiley, ASGD board member. Get involved with conservation work Adopt an IBA (Important Bird Area) for Pawnee National Grasslands by Charles Thornton-Kolbe ow can birders and other conser- port conservation efforts to protect and ardship process, we hope to avoid and vationists get involved with bird expand bird habitat at the Pawnee Na- address any threats to birds and/or bird Hand other wildlife conservation tional Grasslands. The group will moni- habitats at this Important Bird Area. at the Pawnee National Grasslands (PNG) tor the site, assess conservation issues, YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL WAYS! located in northeast Colorado? develop a conservation plan (building CONSERVATION WORK PROJECTS: The Several Audubon organizations are off existing plans of the Pawnee National PNG has several projects which will help working together with the Pawnee Na- Grasslands), and help implement that tional Grasslands administration to sup- plan. Through this more proactive stew- Getting involved Continued. on page 7 November/December 2005 Page 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE– As 2005 draws to a close, many of us will be planning family gatherings over the holidays. These last months of the year bring opportunities to celebrate with our 9308 S. Wadsworth Boulevard families and friends and to gather everyone around the holiday table for food, fel- Littleton, Colorado 80128 303-973-9530 • Fax 303-973-1038 lowship and fond memories of other times and other places. Often, our thoughts www.denveraudubon.org turn to loved ones who have passed on, but whose influence can still be felt in our ASGD STAFF lives. Executive Director Susan Smith The Audubon Society of Greater Denver, more a circle of like-minded friends than [email protected] a close knit family, holds dear the memories of those who have led the way with Office Manager Rhonda Shank their environmental efforts. [email protected] Program Instructor One of those leaders was Lois Webster, a Denver Public Schools teacher, and a Laura Steigers driving force in forming an Audubon Chapter in Denver. Under Lois’ leadership [email protected] and with the help of her many friends, the chapter grew. Today, many of us who knew Lois remember her dedication and commitment, and to honor her memory ASGD OFFICERS & DIRECTORS President Doris Cruze we make a donation to a special fund set up in her name. The Lois Webster Fund, [email protected] now in its eleventh year, provides grants to researchers working on conservation 1st Vice President Jerry Raskin projects. [email protected] 2nd Vice President Ann Bonnell A contribution to the Lois Webster Fund, the Brick Campaign for the Audubon [email protected] Center, or Denver Audubon is a wonderful way to honor or remember a family Treasurer Carol DeStefanis member or friend who has touched your life and demonstrated the very best ef- [email protected] forts to preserve, protect, or teach others about nature and the environment. Secretary Polly Reetz [email protected] Lavonne Axford Tom Easley [email protected] Melvin E. Emeigh [email protected] Jo Evans [email protected] Senator Ken Gordon [email protected] Allison Hilf [email protected] Arlene Raskin APPLAUSE FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS [email protected] Allen Stokes [email protected] OFFICE SUPPORT: Nancy Abramson, Willa Brunkhorst, Vincenza DeStefanis, Jeanne Kent Wiley McCune, Betty McGinnis, Carolyn Roark [email protected] ADOPT-A-PLATTE SURVEY: Ellie Jones, Joyce Quigley, Peggy Roberts, Betsy Weitkamp, MISSION Ralph & Emilie Wiersma ASGD is a nonprofit group dedicated to maintaining the health of natural ecosystems through education, politi- SEPT / OCT WARBLER MAILING: JoAnn Bushnell, Marc Goodbody, Helen Hale, Harry cal action, scientific research and land Hubbard, Jeanne McCune, Betty McGinnis, Vi Nicholson, Ruth Schoening, Barbara preservation, with primary focus on birds, other wildlife and ecosystems of Shissler, Frank Shissler the South Platte River watershed. SPRING APPEAL FOLLOW-UP MAILING: Harry Hubbard, Betty McGinnis, Vi MEMBERSHIP Nicholson, Ann Stark FRIENDS OF ASGD receive the Warbler and additional membership benefits. Mem- bers of the National Audubon Society SCHOOL & YOUTH PROGRAMS: Doris Cruze, Carol Larsen, Urling Kingery, Jeanne in the Denver Metro Area receive com- McCune, Arlene Raskin, Polly Reetz, Carolyn Roark plimentary copies of the The Warbler. The Warbler is published bimonthly by the BUILDING NEST BOXES: Fred Griest & Doug Hodous Audubon Society of Greater Denver (ASGD). Editor C. Dale Flowers BIRD SKIN PREPARATION: Jeanette & Rebecca Duerksen Flowers & Associates, Inc. [email protected] November/December 2005 Page 2 TRAVEL, FIELD TRIPS, CLASSES & PROGRAMS To Register for Trips & Classes Call the ASGD Office at 303.973.9530 Join FRIENDS of ASGD and Receive Discounts on Field Trips and Classes View Photos and Read Reviews from Trip Participants in Our Trip Scrapbook Online at www.denveraudubon.org/scrapbook.htm – FIELD TRIPS – – TRAVEL – Walk the Wetlands FAMILY BIRDING IN SOUTHEAST DATE: Sunday, Nov. 6 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 9 a.m. ARIZONA WITH NORM LEWIS July 29 to August 4, 2006 LEADERS: Hugh and Urling Kingery (303-814-2723) Bob Brown, and Doris Cruze Why not take the children along to one of the most produc- Pre-registration: Not necessary tive birding spots in the United States? Adults and children FEE: None will be thrilled to see elf owls, elegant trogan, spotted owl, and MEETING PLACE: Parking lot beside Audubon Center at Chat- flame-colored tanager. We have timed this trip to maximize field. From C470 and Wadsworth, go south on Wadsworth 4.4 our opportunities miles. Turn left onto Waterton Road. Turn left immediately to see humming- into the first parking lot, at the Audubon Center sign. birds, including magnificent, vio- DESCRIPTION: We will hike along the South Platte River and let-crowned, and look for winter birds such as raptors, ducks, and seed-eating blue-throated. A perching birds. We always find surprises. Dress in layers for the few rarities are weather. Bring binoculars, field guide, water, and a snack. also bound to show up. Norm Lewis, our birding – TRAVEL – guide, will help us find over ten spe- cies of humming- bird and many Wiskered screetch owls in Ramsey Canyon Point Pelee, Kirtland’s Warbler other Arizona spe- peer out of their nest. and Spring Eastern Migrants cialties. The great thing about all of these birds is that we will have a chance to share our appreciation (and views) of them Saturday, May 20 to Sunday May 28, 2006 with our children. by Allison Hilf This trip is designed for families with children from first There is nothing like seeing many of North America’s eastern warblers in their spectacular breeding plumage. Hearing the birds singing their beautiful songs on a bright spring morn- ing can be spellbinding. The numbers of individual migrants should be impressive as well as the number of species. Twenty five to 30 plus species of warbler are possible. Join us as we look for many of North America’s eastern warblers including the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler. With Joey Kellner as our guide, some of North America’s greatest migrant traps including Point Pelee and Crane Creek will be explored as we look for warblers, cuckoos, bitterns, rails and shorebirds. A typical day will find us birding early in the morn- ing with a light breakfast “on the go,” lunches will be either sit-down or take-out depending upon location and how the migration is going that day. Dinners will always be sit-down and relaxing. After dinner we’ll tally the day’s list and talk A young birder watches wiskered screetch owls in Ramsey Canyon. about the birds seen and what the next day has in store. If to sixth grade (older siblings are encouraged to come along) there is interest, night birds may be listened for at several loca- and will provide all family members numerous opportunities tions.