The Leaflet, January / February 2000
- Off the Beaten Path by Jess Gwinn
- Raptor of the Open Road by Ross Brittain
- Thank you to all who helped with our first feeder cleaning fundraiser!
- Wanted: Conservation Chairperson
- Wanted: Hospitality Chairperson
- SAS Calendar for January / February 2000
- Start Gearing up for the First Birdathon of the Millenium!
- The Roadside Birders by Steve and Candi Bailey
Sassafras Audubon t-shirts are on the way!
We didn't have them in time for the holidays, but they are still in the works for the early part of this year. Stay tuned for details!
Off the Beaten Path
Smokey the Bear. If there is one image the United States Forest Service wants the average citizen to envision when thinking of our national forests and the USFS it is Smokey the Bear. Warm and fuzzy, fighting fires, protecting our national forests. Unfortunately, the truth about the USFS is quite often significantly different than the image. Consider our own Hoosier National Forest (HNF), the smallest national forest in the system. For years, Sassafras Audubon Society (along with other like-minded organizations) has been quarreling with the HNF over numerous management issues. We have sometimes even had to file lawsuits to try to force the HNF to comply with the law. Some of these issues include logging and maintenance of forest openings.
Currently, the HNF is undertaking the creation of a new forest plan, which is required every 10 to 15 years. The last plan was created in 1985 with a major revision in 1991 and a trails revision in the mid 1990«s. According to law, the public is supposed to have input into the crafting of these plans. During the previous plans, this was the case and environmental concerns were heard and sometimes heeded. Judging from the preliminary planning sessions held recently by the HNF, they are trying to either minimize the environmental voice or silence it altogether. The HNF has decided who is allowed a voice at public input sessions. They are doing this by only inviting select groups or individuals to speak. All other comers are only allowed to sit and listen. This is illegal, since by law public meetings are to be held only after a public notice has been given for 30 days. The meetings themselves are supposed to be open to the public - ALL of the public, not just the favored few.
The first few meetings are a perfect example. Roundtable forums were held on November 9 in Martinsville and Corydon. There were 30 individuals invited to attend each forum from many different organizations. Of these 60 groups, less than 20 could be considered environmentally friendly. Despite our years of involvement with HNF issues and being locally based, Sassafras Audubon was not invited to attend. Another forum was held on December 6 in Lawrence County on trails issues. Sassafras was invited to attend this meeting and did. However, of the 12 groups represented, only four could be considered friendly. By environmentally friendly I mean non-extractive and non-destructive. There seems to be a ground swell of support for the notion that every user group has a right to access the HNF, regardless of impact on the forest. The HNF cannot maintain the current infrastructure (trails, roads, etc.) with the lower impact uses currently in place. Increasing the quantity and impact of uses is not an option if we are to maintain any kind of ecological integrity on the HNF.
One thing to note about the above mentioned meetings was the overwhelming number of Off Road Vehicle enthusiasts and other consumptive use groups in attendance in the audience. Environmental representatives were in short order. As much as we would like to think of the USFS as a science-based agency, the truth is that they are a political beast. They sway to the prevailing wind, whether from elected officials or the general public. Unless the general membership of Sassafras Audubon and the other environmental organizations get more involved, the HNF, our forest, is going to undergo some major shifts in management. These changes will be for the worse for the majority of the public who now use the forest, and especially for the forest itself. Please contact Sassafras Audubon to find out how you can get involved. Check our web site for the latest on meetings and updates at http://www.audubon.org/chapter/in/sassafras/conservation.html. We made a positive impact on the last forest plan. We can do it again.
Wanted:
People interested in the future of the Hoosier National Forest. As the HNF undertakes the revision of its Forest Plan in the next two years, we need people who would be willing to attend meetings, write letters, etc. If you are interested, send your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to Jess A. Gwinn, President, Sassafras Audubon Society, P.O. Box 85, Bloomington, IN 47402 or jagmo@prodigy.net. You will then be contacted whenever participation is needed. The opposition is already organized. The question is, can we do better?
Here's your next chance to take action:
January 29, 2000: Listening Sessions, Martinsville, IN and Corydon, IN, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m
The Hoosier National Forest has scheduled two listening sessions to solicit comments from the public on the upcoming revision to their forest plan. The sessions will be organized so that when you arrive you will sign a card and express whether or not you want to speak. Forest Service personnel will then shuffle the cards and randomly draw out names to speak. The speaker will have a few minutes to speak while the FS personnel write down the comments. We need as many people to attend these events as possible to speak for protecting the forest. The opposition to positive change on the HNF has been outnumbering the environmentalists so far at these meetings. By this, I mean ORV enthusiasts and other destructive or extractive users. This is the last chance for comments until the FS publishes the Notice of Intent to revise the Forest Plan. The sessions will be held concurrently in Martinsville and Corydon on January 29 from 1 till 4 PM.
- Martinsville: Senior Community Center, 1369 Blue Bluff Road
- Corydon: Best Western Old Capitol Inn, SR 135 at I-64
You may also send written comments to: Hoosier National Forest, 811 Constitution Avenue, Bedford, IN 47421. Ether comments can be made at www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier.
Raptor of the Open Road
Like many birders I tend to pass the time while traveling the highways and byways of America by counting the raptors I see hunting in the short grasses along the roadside. One of the most common sights is that of an American Kestrel bobbing its tail while perched on a wire or hovering over the median in search of grasshoppers and small rodents. The Blue Jay-sized Kestrel, Falco sparverius, is North America's smallest falcon and one of the few cavity-nesting raptors. Habitat changes to our continent have created ample hunting grounds for Kestrels since grassy fields supply the small creatures that make up the bulk of their diet. However, with the increase of urban sprawl, Kestrels have suffered from a lack of appropriate tree holes to nest in, like most cavity-nesting species, and from an increase in competition with the introduction of European Starlings.
Because of this habitat destruction the National Audubon Society "blue-listed" the American Kestrel as a species at risk, despite the fact that there are 1.2 million nesting pairs throughout North America. In 1983 Ron Andrews and Trent Bales originated the nation's first highway nest box program for Kestrels by placing 20 boxes on the back of information signs posted along I-35 in Iowa. Currently there are 290 boxes dotting every mile of I-35 in the state of Iowa and they have produced more than 6,500 young kestrels over the years. With a 50% occupancy rate by birds that successfully raise young in 70% of the occupied boxes, the Iowa highway nest box program has become the standard for increasing Kestrel populations across the continent. Presently over a dozen states and Canadian provinces have established programs to provide Kestrels with nesting boxes along interstate highways. Here in Indiana a small program was started along I-74 west of Indianapolis in the early 90's. But that is about to change . . .
Wild Birds Unlimited of Bloomington and Sassafras Audubon Society are proud to announce the inauguration of South Central Indiana's own Kestrel Adoption Program. This program is actually an expansion of Wild Birds Unlimited's successful Bluebird Adoption Program for Lake Monroe. I was originally inspired to create this new program by reading an article in the April 1999 issue of Birder's World magazine. After sifting through bureaucratic red tape for nine months I have successfully negotiated a deal with the Indiana Department of Transportation to allow us to mount Kestrel boxes on highway information signs along SR 37. This winter volunteers will be placing nesting boxes on 16 road signs from the Lawrence/Monroe county border to just north of Martinsville. It is our hope that we can establish a network of volunteers to both build boxes and monitor the boxes each year. If we are successful with this "fledgling" effort we can expand the program to other stretches of SR 37 and to other highways in Southern Indiana.
If you would like to help establish the American Kestrel as Indiana's "raptor of the open road," then contact Ross Brittain at Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington (812-333-2121). The newly established Kestrel Adoption Program needs help in building the initial 16 starling-resistant boxes right away. In addition we need people to help monitor the boxes to make sure all is going well with the kestrels and to evict any European Starlings that may create problems. If you have considered volunteering for past SAS projects but didn't feel like picking up trash or building a platform, now is your chance to have a little hands-on work with the wildlife you love. Instructions will be given on how to monitor the boxes in a safe roadside manner. In addition, we intend to band the chicks if we can locate a master bander; if you are (or know) a master bander who might be able to help us, please let us know.
Each Kestrel Adoption costs $30 to pay for necessary materials. If you would like to contribute to the program please send a check payable to Wild Birds Unlimited and note that it is for the Kestrel Adoption Program. If you send us your name and address we will also send you an annual letter to keep you informed on the success of the program. There are a limited number of boxes for the first year but additional materials will be needed for mounting and monitoring the boxes. Together we can create a renaissance for the American Kestrel in Southern Indiana and create more opportunities to enjoy this raptor of the open road.
Thank you to all who helped with our first feeder cleaning fundraiser!
Our very first feeder cleaning fundraiser was a big success, but it wouldn't have been possible without the help of our volunteers. A special thanks to Dave Beery, Rhonda Hine, Cathy Meyer, and last but not least Tom Zeller, along with board members Sandy Belth, Ross Brittain, Steve Cotter, Candice Crutcher, Jim and Susan Hengeveld, Angela Jordan, Vicky Meretsky, and the staff of Wild Birds Unlimited. Because of the overwhelming response, the cleaning had to be extended to two days, and most feeders were not ready as soon as we expected. Thank you too, to the many members and other local residents who paid to have their feeders cleaned, and who waited patiently to pick them up. We plan on holding another feeder cleaning in the spring, and we hope to see you there - either as a volunteer, or a contributor.
Wanted: Conservation Chairperson
Many thanks to Donna McNeely for her service as Conservation Chair. Since other opportunities take Donna out west, we are urgently in need of a Conservation Chair to keep on top of the many important environmental issues that are developing right now. The Conservation Chair will assemble a committee to keep track of important local, regional, and national conservation issues. The committee will then formulate and propose actions for the Board and general membership to take in response. The Chair will attend Board Meetings to keep the Board apprised of these issues, and will oversee chapter efforts to develop conservation objectives and strategies. The Chair will also write articles for the Leaflet on important issues and activities and provide the chapter webmaster with timely information to be included on the web site. Approximate time commitment averages a couple of hours each month, including Board Meetings. For more information or to volunteer, contact Jess Gwinn at 876-8623.
Wanted: Hospitality Chairperson
What a fun job! Sassafras Audubon is in need of a person to coordinate refreshments at our evening programs, about one every month or two. This person would be responsible for assembling a pool of volunteers from which two are picked out for each program. These two volunteers would then make sure that snacks and drinks are provided for during a specific program. After the program the volunteers would be responsible for cleaning up. Approximate time commitment for each program would be two hours. All those interested in serving on this committee, please call Jess Gwinn at 876-8623.
SAS Calendar for January / February 2000
All outings and programs are free and open to non-members.
Saturday, January 22, 2000 "Trip to Dugger and Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Areas and Turtle Creek, Sullivan County, IN"
This will be a half-day outing to visit areas looking for wintering raptors, waterfowl and land birds. There is a chance to see Short-eared Owls and Le Conte's Sparrows. Bring a snack. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the NW corner of the Eastland Plaza parking area behind Ellis Floral on East 3rd St. For more information, call leader Lee Sterrenburg at 333-6368.
Wednesday, January 26, 2000
Join us for the first of this year's program series at the Monroe County Public Library, Meeting Room 1C. Our schedule has not been confirmed yet, so check back for details, or call Program Chair Steve Cotter at 349-3736.
Friday - Monday, February 18-21, 2000 "The Great Backyard Bird Count"
Join National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 18-21, 2000. Help scientists to define the status of birds for a new millennium. The Great Backyard Bird Count was started two years ago on the third weekend of February. In 1998, 14,000 observers told Cornell what they saw. Last winter, 42,000 people identified, counted and reported the birds in their immediate backyards and farther afield, in the Great American Backyard. The GBBC is free and requires no registration. For more information visit http://birdsource.org/gbbc (older web browsers use http://www.birdsource.org).
Wednesday, February 23, 2000
Join us for the second installment in the program series. See above for details.
Saturday, February 26, 2000 "An Evening with Owls"
We will leave shortly before dusk and visit several places where we will play tape recordings of various owl species. Bright lights will be used to spotlight. By reservation only. For details and to make reservations, call Jim and Susan Hengeveld at 988-1671 or e-mail jhengeve@indiana.edu.
Start Gearing up for the First Birdathon of the Millenium!
Just a reminder that it's time to start thinking about the 2000 Monroe County Parks and Recreation Birdathon. This annual fundraising event will once again be on the first Saturday in May. We had six teams in the field last year that saw a combined 179 species. There is always room for more people on the teams or even for more teams! If you would like to be placed on a team or form your own team, contact Jerry Downs (330-0498). Even if you just have a question about how the Birdathon works, give me a call. More details will be in the next Leaflet.