The Leaflet, March/April 2001
- Off the Beaten Path by Jess Gwinn
- Spring Education/Conservation Fund Drive by Susan Hengeveld
- The 25th Annual Lake Monroe Christmas Bird Count: Good Birds Despite the Fog by Don Whitehead
- SAS Calendar for March/April 2001
- Spring Feeder Cleaning Fundraiser
- Sycamore Land Trust Gardening and Landscaping Show
- Indiana Audubon Society Field Trip
- Become a Tree Expert
- Tree Fest
- Be an Audubon Adventures Sponsor
Off the Beaten Path
The headline from today’s Herald-Times (Feb. 10, 2001, “Arctic Drilling Issue splits Senate”) has proven me a prophet! The ink is barely dry on the US Supreme Court decision giving (emphasis added) the presidency to George W. Bush and he is already behaving as if he has a mandate to dismantle environmental policies in this country. Besides not having actually won the election, GW also doesn’t comprehend that the American people have time after time expressed their desire for stronger environmental protections. In today’s Herald-Times, once again a paragraph starts out with the already annoyingly stale comment, “Bush, a former oilman…” Would that be the same Bush who because of his last name was set up in an oil business by family cronies only to oversee the bankruptcy of the company at the expense of the investors while GW walked away with a tidy wad in his pockets? He apparently has the same attitude towards his latest appointment.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has been called the “American Serengeti.” The ANWR is also hailed as the only fully functioning complete ecosystem left in the entire country. The 1.5 million acre coastal plain of the ANWR, considered the heart of the refuge, is exempted from full wilderness protection. Polar, black and brown bears, musk ox, wolves, millions of birds and the 129,000 strong Porcupine caribou herd all use the ANWR. The annual migration of the Porcupine herd is last great mammal migration left on the continent. The migration is to the coastal plain where animals give birth every year. The herd is also the heart and soul of the 7,000 Gwich’in people who have coexisted with the herd for 20,000 years. These aboriginal people are inhabitants of our country only through geography. They live their lives far removed from our industrialized world. Disrupting the herd would devastate their culture.
For what? Possibly 200 days worth of oil. Current estimates predict a 1 in 100 chance of their being similar amounts of oil in the coastal plain as were in Prudhoe Bay. There is only a 1 in 5 chance of any recoverable oil. Even a superficial look at Prudhoe Bay reveals the environmental devastation brought by the oil industry. OPEC fired a shot over the bow of the US over 25 years ago. Instead of developing a sane energy policy in that time, emphasizing energy efficiency and alternative energy production, what has happened? Our leaders have insisted on an energy policy dependent upon more and more fossil fuel extraction.
Simply raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards for cars to 45 MPH with concomitant increases for trucks would save 2.9 millions barrels of oil a day, more than is imported from the entire Persian Gulf region. Many other options are available to solve our energy problems. Please read the separate article about how to contact your senators and representatives to tell them you want a sane and clean national energy policy.
Spring Education / Conservation Fund Drive
As discussed in the last Leaflet, SAS is undertaking a Spring Education Fund Drive. One of SAS's primary missions is to find ways to advance public understanding of the value and need for conservation of wildlife, wildlife habitat, our natural resources, and the relationship between the intelligent treatment and wise use of these resources to human progress. The ultimate purpose of our fund drive is to start an endowment fund from which annual grants will be awarded. But we need your help to get things started! The proceeds from this year's Birdathon, Raffle and Silent Auction will all go towards this fund. In addition, we have a new event this year—the Chili Cook-off! The Chili cook-off is designed to increase the awareness of our members of our specific goals! Please join us for a low-key afternoon-evening event, learning about the SAS fund drive, and taste some great chilis all at the same time!
SAS Chili Cook-off: April 7th, Karst Farm Park
Curious about what this SAS Spring Education Fund Drive is all about? Frequently our members have little opportunity to hear directly from the board about how fund drive moneys will be spent. We will have numerous displays, as well as boards members on hand, to help answer all of your questions. To make this a success, we ask for your help in spreading the word! Invite your friends, family (kids are welcome!!), and co-workers!
SAS Birdathon: Join in the Fun!
- Join a team: For the past few years, Sassafras Audubon Society has been fielding several teams to participate in the Monroe County Parks and Recreation May Birdathon. All proceeds from SAS teams will go towards our education efforts, including Audubon Adventures and our Conservation Endowment Fund. The more teams we have in the field, the more birds we can find! Birders of all levels are welcome to join a team! We invite you to come and enjoy a crazy day of birding, experiencing the thrill of spring migration like you have never experienced before! Warning: It can become very addicting! To join a team or for more information: Contact Susan Hengeveld @ 988-1671 or shengeve@indiana.edu.
- Pledge your support: Whether you choose to directly participate by joining a team, or whether you would prefer to hear about it secondhand, we ask for you support! Pledge a set amount or pledge per species seen/heard. Challenge the SAS teams to go out and get as many species as possible! Keep in mind, if you are pledging per species, SAS teams’ totals will be combined for a grand species count (ranging between 130-150 species).
- Recruit other pledges: Want to do more? You can help us out even further by recruiting your family, friends, or co-workers to pledge their support for SAS also. Included in the leaflet is a pledge sheet that you can use to help in your efforts. SAS asks that you recruit and then collect from your pledges, and then send the pledge sheet and money (checks only) to Sassafras Audubon Society, Susan Hengeveld, SAS Treasurer, P.O. Box 85, Bloomington, IN 47402.
- Buy a raffle ticket: In conjunction with the May Birdathon, we will once again sponsor a raffle. The drawing will be held during the May 6th Birdathon potluck dinner. Buy 1 raffle ticket for $1 or 6 raffle tickets for $5. All proceeds will go to the educational efforts of SAS. Note: all raffle tickets must be RECEIVED by May 5th in order to be entered into the May 6th drawing.
- Grand Prize: One-week stay in a Fort Meyer’s Beach Condo (airfare not included)
- 2nd Prize: $100 gift certificate to Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington
- 3rd Prize: The new National Audubon Society: The Sibley Guide to Birds
- 4th Prize: Peterson Field Guide: Eastern/Central Birding By Ear CDs
- 5th Prize: SAS totebag
- 6th Prize: SAS t-shirt
- Join us for the potluck: Sunday, May 6th - 4-7pm. Hosted by Henry Wahl at the Woodcrest Party Room at 2606 East Second Street. Regardless of whether or not you participated directly in the Birdathon, we encourage all members to attend the potluck. Meet the birders that went out into the field, hear all of their stories (or tall tales). Just enjoy a relaxing evening talking about birds! For more information, or coordination of dishes, please contact Susan Hengeveld (988-1671) or shengeve@indiana.edu.
The 25th Annual Lake Monroe Christmas Bird Count: Good Birds Despite the Fog
The Lake Monroe Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on Saturday, December 16, 2000. This represents the 25th consecutive year of this enormously successful count sponsored by Sassafras Audubon.
Conditions for the count were miserable. There was dense fog over both the lake and upland sites virtually all day, there was occasional rain, and there was no wind to move eagles and other raptors. The visibility on the lake was particularly bad. There were only a few brief windows when it was possible to see more than 100 yards; thus working waterfowl and gulls was extremely difficult. In addition, much of the shallow water in the refuges was frozen, further limiting waterfowl counts.
Despite these conditions, 49 participants turned out and worked in 11 different teams to cover our count circle. The results were remarkable, despite the terrible conditions. We tallied a gratifying 96 species and 10,027 individual birds. The species tally (96) is the 7th highest in our CBC’s history and represents the fifth year in a row that we have topped 90.
The bird of the day was a Vesper Sparrow found by Jeff and Sandy Belth. This is the first Vesper Sparrow ever recorded on the Lake Monroe count and represents the 146th species recorded in our 25 year history.
Other outstanding birds included Pacific Loon (1; second time in our CBC), Red-necked Grebe (1; second time), Mute Swan (9; third time), Sandhill Crane (66; eighth time), Brown Thrasher (1; fifth time), Lapland Longspur (118; sixth time), and Short-eared Owl (2; third time). Other good sightings included Green-winged Teal (1), Northern Shoveler (5), Canvasback (1), Ruffed Grouse (2), Common Snipe (1), American Woodcock (1; thanks to Jess Gwinn’s dog!), Northern Saw-whet Owl (3), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (5), Eastern Phoebe (2), Hermit Thrush (26), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1), and Yellow-rumped Warbler (36).
Our Bald Eagle count was 11, an extremely low number, undoubtedly reflecting both poor viewing conditions and lack of wind to move birds around. Count Week birds (seen within three days of the count, but not recorded on the count itself) included Redhead, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck (Oldsquaw), Turkey Vulture, and Snow Bunting. A Golden Eagle had been seen just four days before the count.
Thus, in retrospect, this turned out to be a banner 25th count, despite the terrible weather conditions and lack of open water in the refuges. We may well have had the highest species total in the state once again.
My sincere thanks to the 49 birders who braved the elements to make this count so successful. And, as always, our thanks to Henry Wahl, who once again hosted the post-count potluck. It was a great gathering with spirit-warming food and conversation.
At some point during the year I hope to provide you with a summary of the 25 year history of our count; we are currently working on that data base and generating graphics to investigate trends for various species. Hope to see you all again next year as we begin the next 25 years of the Lake Monroe CBC.
SAS Calendar March/April 2001
All outings and programs are free and open to non-members.
March 24, 2001 “Waterfowl, Eagles, Hawks and Early Landbird Migrants”
A half day trip to a variety of wetland sites on both Lake Lemon and Lake Monroe. We should see many species of both surface-feeding and diving ducks, nesting eagles, migrating hawks, and a number of early landbird migrants. Meet on the west side of the parking lot for Bloomingfoods on E. 3rd St. at 7:00 am. For further information call Don Whitehead (339-1782).
April 7, 2001 “Chili Cook-off , Karst Farm Park Commons, 3 – 7 pm”
Come one, come all, bring your friends!! Test the cooking skills of the SAS board, and while you’re at it learn about the ways Sassafras Audubon puts its fundraising moneys to use.
April 14-15, 2001 “Sandhill Cranes, Waterfowl, Marsh Birds, and Spring Hawk Migration”
This is a weekend trip to northern Indiana. On Saturday we will bird Willow Slough (waterfowl and marsh birds) and Jasper Pulaski (Sandhill Cranes, waterfowl). On Sunday we will bird the Lake Michigan shoreline and spend time at the hawk-watch site on the dunes. This is the peak time for movement of hawks along the lakefront. If the winds cooperate, we could have a banner day. We will leave Bloomington very early on Saturday morning and end the day’s birding at Jasper Pulaski to see the evening flight of cranes. People who can spend only the one day in the field can head back to Bloomington. Those who wish to bird Lake Michigan on Sunday will continue to Michigan City (individuals will have to arrange their own accomodations) and we will begin birding the lake at first light on Sunday. To reserve a place on the trip and/or get information on meeting time and place, call Don Whitehead (339-1782).
April 21, 2001 “Spring Feeder Cleaning Fundraiser at Wild Birds Unlimited, Bloomington”
Drop off from 9am–3pm; pick up from 4-5pm. Cost: $3 for small feeders, $5 for large feeders. See article below for details.
April 22, 2001 “Birding the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge”
Join Cathy Meyer for a day of birding the Muscatatuck NWR in search of waterfowl, marsh birds and hawks. Meet at the Kmart East parking lot at 8 am and bring a bag lunch as their are no restaurants on the refuge. Call Cathy if you have any questions (339-8184).
April 28, 2001 “Bluebirds and Butterflies”
Join Ross Brittain for a half day hike in search of early spring butterflies along a stretch of the Adopt-A-Bluebird Program’s bluebird trail. The naturalist’s hike will include information on habitat requirements for butterflies and bluebirds in addition to any other species of birds seen this day. Meet at the Kmart East parking lot at 8 am. Call
May 5, 2001 “May Birdathon”
SAS will once again participate in the Monroe County Parks & Recreation May Birdathon. SAS will be fielding as many teams as possible—please see page one for more information
May 6, 2001 “Birdathon potluck, Woodcrest Party Room, 4-7pm
Hosted by Henry Wahl at the Woodcrest Party Room at 2606 East Second Street. Contact Susan Hengeveld (988-1671) if you want to coordinate dishes.
Silent Auction for Spring Education Drive
May 12th-18th—Viewing of Silent Auction Items at Bloomingfoods on East Third Street
Bloomingfoods East will display our Silent Auction Items for one week. Bidding will begin at Bloomingfoods with final bids taking place on May 19th at Earthfest.
May 19th—SAS Silent Auction at Earthfest at Karst Farm Park
Final bids on all items. Item pick-up from 3-5pm. Call Ross Brittain at 333-2121 for details.
Spring Feeder Cleaning Fundraiser, Saturday, April 21
Sassafras Audubon Society will use high pressure hoses and steam to clean your wood, plastic, and metal birdfeeders at Wild Birds Unlimited of Bloomington on Saturday, April 21.
- Cost: we will charge $3 for small feeders, and $5 for large feeders.
- Drop-off time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Pick-up time: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
We reserve the right to refuse feeders that are too delicate to withstand the cleaning process. Also, we regretfully cannot accept hummingbird feeders.
Remember, cleaning your feeders will help prevent the spread of avian diseases such as salmonella and conjunctivitis. Give your birds a sanitary place to dine by having your feeders thoroughly steam cleaned! Keep in mind that steam cleaning will remove the build-up that has accumulated over the year, but it won't make your feeders look brand new.
To volunteer for the event or to request more information, call Cathy Meyer at 339-8184.
Volunteers are needed to help with the SAS Feeder Cleaning project at Wild Birds Unlimited on April 11 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Helpers will collect money, label feeders, soak, scrub, pressure wash and steam clean feeders, and oversee pickups. Rubber boots and gloves are recommended for cleaning duties. It’s fun! Please contact Cathy Meyer (339-8184 or arcpub@indiana.edu) if you can help with 2-3 hours of your time.
Equipment donations: If you have a pressure washer or wallpaper steamer you would like to lend SAS for the feeder cleaning, contact Ross Brittain at 333-2121.
Sycamore Land Trust/Herald-Times Gardening and Landscaping Show
Bloomington Convention Center
302 S. College Ave., Bloomington, Indiana
Saturday, March 31, 2001
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Keynote speaker: Maryrose Wampler (she will also be signing her new Trees of Indiana book)
Food, door prizes, book sale corner, children’s activities corner, informative talks
Admission $5; children 12 and under free
For more information call toll free (877) 561-0438, e-mail garden show@hotmail.com, or write to Gardening & Landscaping Show, P.O. Box 5582, Bloomington, IN 47407-5582.
Indiana Audubon Society Field Trip April 21, 2001 to Ayrshire Mine in Warrick Co.
Tammy Turner and Midge Lechner will lead us through the Ayrshire Mine area northeast of Evansville. We should encounter a variety of waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, and early grassland songbirds in the extensive reclaimed mining property.
Our meeting place can be reached by traveling south on Interstate I64 to the Lloyd Expressway (State Road 66). Turn west on the expressway to the first stop light where you will find a combinatiion Shell Station and Burger King Restaurant on the right side of the highway. We will meet at 7:00am in the parking lot behind the Shell Station where there is a vacant brown building. This will be a full day trip as other local birding sites will be visited as time allows. Alan W. Bruner, Field Trip Chair, (765) 597-2459.
Become a Tree Expert!
Learn about tree identification, how trees grow, selecting and planting trees, caring for trees, hazard trees, diseases and pests, and more. Participants receive a big binder stuffed with information and have the opportunity to help take care of trees in the community.
Professionals in the field will speak during weekly sessions and guide hands-on practice. Classes meet at Karst Farm Park on Wednesdays from March 21 – April 18 and on April 21.
Registration is $50. $25 will be refunded when volunteer service is completed.
Questions? Call 349-2800. Sponsored by the Monroe County Tree Committee and the Urban Forestry Program of the DNR Division of Forestry.
Tree Fest, Saturday, April 21
Batchelor Middle School, 900 W Gordon Pike
9:00 am Planting Trees for Reforestation: Basic information, demonstration and instruction, hands-on practice
10:00 am Planting Landscape Trees: Choosing the best place in your landscape design, how to plant bare-root seedlings, containerized and balled-and-burlapped trees, tree spades for moving larger trees
11:00 am Community Tree Planting: Your opportunity to help plant 1800 trees to beautify the school grounds and reduce mowing.
Free seedlings to take home and plant.
Want to help kids develop an appreciation for nature? Be an Audubon Adventures sponsor.
Audubon Adventures is an award-winning environmental education program, and for $40 you can provide a classroom with this popular program. To become an Audubon Adventures sponsor, please call or e-mail Kristina Lindborg: (812) 323-8233 or klindbor@indiana.edu.