The Leaflet, March - April 2003

Off the Beaten Path by Bob Kissel

From our recent board meetings, it is clear that the time has come for your Sassafras Audubon Society to "go public." We strongly believe that the need for environmental education, advocacy and conservation has never been more important at the national, regional and local levels.

As I am writing this column, our two largest National Forests, the Tongass and Chugach in Alaska, are under heavy attack in Congressional budget hearings. Riders to the Appropriations bill seek to eliminate established wilderness and roadless protection while also adding "backdoor" funds to conduct prep work for oil leasing, currently prohibited in the Arctic NWR. Regionally, Governor O'Bannon recently announced the new terrain route for I-69 despite broad-based objections from citizens, local politicians, and federal agencies. And locally, the just-elected Monroe County Planning Commission gave approval for a subdivision in the eastern part of the county whose access road will be in a ten year flood plain!

In its infancy in the early 1970s, SAS was publicly active in addressing environmental concerns of that day. Some 30 years later, environmental and conservation issues have changed little, and in fact have become more complicated and remain potentially as divisive. Although the number of environmental groups has grown substantially in the past 10 years, Sassafras has steadily and quietly weighed in on issues such as the management plan for the Hoosier National Forest or the Roadless Area Conservation rule in national forests.

This issue of the Leaflet would suggest the direction Sassafras is moving, including increased member participation (Bill Overlease’s article), sharing our expertise of nature (Eagle Weekend), growing our Endowment fund (Spring Feeder Cleaning and Silent Auction/Raffle), and acting as a fulcrum for environmental stewardship (Arctic NWR and BEDC presentations). Our role in school-based environmental education is an equally critical issue we continue to re-examine.

In essence, SAS needs to consider a move beyond our historic all-volunteer structure to one that has a paid Executive/Development director, physical office space and a phone number. We also need to coalesce our efforts with similarly-minded organizations and public entities to broaden the impact. Sassafras Audubon has the expertise, the people and the energy to lead important environmental and conservation efforts as an inclusive, broad-based organization. That will happen only with the permission and commitment of all SAS members in the community we call home.

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Join Us March 26 for a Special Presentation on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

On Wednesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Monroe County Public Library, your Sassafras Audubon Society, in partnership with the Indiana chapter of the Alaska Coalition, invites you to a very special presentation on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). For many years this pristine wildnerness in extreme northern Alaska has been the focus of intense political and economic pressure to allow oil drilling in what is the U.S.' last true wilderness area. Filmmaker Jeff Barrie and a native Alaskan from the G’witchin people of north coastal Alaska will provide information and a visual tour of the Arctic NWR.

Mr. Barrie traveled to this remote part of the 49th state in 1996 to document life in G’witchin villages, the Prudhoe Bay oil fields, and the wildness of the ANWR. His documentary Arctic Quest: Our Search for Truth has been shown on PBS stations nationwide. The Arctic Refuge has over 19 million acres of pristine mountains, forest, tundra, and coastal plain. The Refuge provides habitat for wolves, grizzly & polar bear, musk oxen, over 140 species of nesting and migrating birds, and the 129,000 strong Porcupine Caribou herd. The caribou calve and nurture their young only on the 1.5 million acre coastal plain, exactly where oil drilling is proposed.

The G’witchin (meaning caribou) people depend on this caribou herd for subsistence as well as reflecting their people's tradition and lifestyle. The G’witchin have lived in harmony with this harsh environment for over 20,000 years! To these native Alaskans, the ANWR's coastal plain is the "sacred place where life begins". Protecting the Arctic Refuge is so critical to the G’witchin that they leave their native home and travel to the "Outside" (lower 48 states) to tell their story.

This 100 mile stretch of coastal plain in the ANWR is the last and only 5% of Alaska's North Slope that remains closed to oil exploration. Oil companies and their political allies have and continue to push for opening this minute section of the ANWR, despite the objection of U.S. scientists, the G’witchin people, and a majority of Americans who favor full wilderness protection of the Refuge. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that drilling in this fragile area of the ANWR would yield perhaps six months of oil at current U.S. demand levels. Sassafras Audubon hopes you will join us for this important educational program.

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Audubon Adventures Thanks

SAS wishes to thank the Dana Corporation for its sponsorship of an Audubon Adventures classroom at Burris Elementary in Mitchell. We greatly appreciate the Dana Corporation's support of this valuable environmental education program.

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Do You Love Nature?

Would you like to help bring nature into the classrooms of area grade schools? The Sassafras Audubon Society is looking for help in creating an Education Program. Volunteers of any ages are needed for a variety of tasks including planning, program presentation, outreach, and materials. If you are interested in donating some of your time to help further the mission of your local Audubon chapter, we would love to have your help!! For more information or to volunteer contact Staci Radford-Vincent at (812) 278-8346. Thank You!!

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SAS Calendar March / April 2003

All outings and programs are free and open to non-members.

Saturday March 22, 2003 Trip To Muscatatuck NWR

Join us as we caravan from Bloomington to Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, where we'll enjoy a morning in one of southern Indiana's best wetland areas. We'll look at some of the waterfowl migrants that use this stopover point on their trek northward each spring. We'll also see what other kinds of early spring migrant birds we can find. Muscatatuck is also the focal point of Indiana's River Otter reintroduction program and these playful animals are occasionally spotted in the refuge. We'll meet in the northeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot on East Third Street in Bloomington at 7 a.m. From there, we'll caravan to Muscatatuck, which is near Seymour. We'll return by early to mid afternoon. Be sure to dress for the unpredictable spring weather, and you may want to bring a snack or beverage. For more information, call Mike Clarke at 332-8886.

Wednesday, March 26, 2003, 7:00 p.m. March Program: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

SAS and the Indiana chapter of the Alaska Coalition invite you to see and hear an important perspective on the future of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The national debate currently underway will decide whether petroleum exploration and extraction will be allowed in ANWR. Join filmmaker Jeff Barrie and a member of the G’witchin tribe for a visual tour of ANWR. See article for more details. All are welcome to this free event in Room 1C of the Monroe County Public Library; refreshments will be provided.

Saturday April 5, 2003 Evening Timberdoodle Trek at Flatwoods Park

Join Monroe County Naturalist Cathy Meyer at one of the county's best-kept secrets, Flatwoods Park, for an early evening's search for the elusive American Woodcock. Woodcocks (sometimes called Timberdoodles) are normally quiet skulkers of the forest floor. They are rarely seen except in their mating season when they become almost conspicuous with an elaborate courtship flight. Flatwoods Park is excellent woodcock habitat and these birds have been seen performing their courtship ritual here on early spring evenings. We'll also listen to hear which spring frogs are becoming active and we'll keep our eyes out for any other creatures of the evening. We'll meet near the parking lot at Flatwoods Park at 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions or need directions to Flatwoods, call Mike Clarke at 332-8886.

Saturday April 19, 2003 Monroe County Migrants

The interesting thing about bird migration in Monroe County in April is that you never know what will turn up. We will spend this April morning enjoying the spectacle of bird migration and the budding of spring with Jim and Susan Hengeveld at various Monroe County locations. In the past, mid-April in Bloomington has seen a diverse collection of migratory birds from sapsuckers to warblers, shorebirds to Broad-winged Hawks. With any luck, we'll see them all. We'll meet at 7:00 a.m. in the northeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot on East Third Street in Bloomington. We should return by noon. For more information, call Mike Clarke at 332-8886.

Friday, April 25 – Sunday, April 27 The Annual Wildlfower Foray

There will be hikes and sessions on photography, plant identification, plant uses, fungi, butterflies, boat trips, evening programs, and more. Of special interest to SAS members is a bird hike at Yellowwood Lake Saturday at 6:15 a.m. For details, contact the T. C. Steele State Historic Site, 988-2785; e-mail tcsteele@bloomington.in.us; or visit the web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/docs/events/wildflower.htm

Saturday, April 26, 2003 Spring Feeder Cleaning Fundraiser

Mark your calendars! 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 26.

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 time, but it won't make your feeders look brand new. We reserve the right to refuse feeders that are too delicate to withstand the cleaning process. Also, we regretfully cannot accept hummingbird feeders.
Check with your friends and neighbors about bringing their feeders when you bring yours!

April 30, 2003, 7:00 p.m. April Program: Birding 101 with Susan and Jim Hengeveld

Spring is the best time to get outside and see the amazing variety of birds that return to and migrate through Southern Indiana each year. Ornithologists Susan and Jim Hengeveld will present an introduction to the identification of birds that can be seen in this area when spring is in the air. They will also provide tips on the best birding spots in and around Monroe County. The event will be held in Room 1C of the Monroe County Public Library; refreshments will be provided.

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April 16: Presentation to the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation

Sassafras Audubon has been asked by the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) to present about SAS, our area's natural history and diversity and the economic impact of ecotourism. President Bob Kissel and former Board of Director members Susan Hengeveld and Ross Brittain will host this information and visual presentation to the BEDC Wednesday, April 16 at 8:00 a.m. at Bloomington's Convention Center. We hope to spotlight SAS' contention that the environmental diversity in our area is a viable and important economic resource that requires careful conservation and stewardship.

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March 29: SAS Booth at the Sycamore Land Trust Garden Show

On March 29, the Sycamore Land Trust (SLT) will host their 4th Annual Garden Show at the Bloomington Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Exhibitors will cover a broad cross section of not-for profit organizations and businesses involved with outdoor, environmental and gardening activities. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free. Sassafras Audubon Society will have a booth as part of this spring celebration. We encourage SAS members to stop by and say hello, encourage a friend to join Sassafras, and learn about the great land preservation efforts of the Land Trust. We hope to see you at SLT's Garden Show later this month!

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May 3: Monroe County Parks and Recreation Birdathon

Who will challenge the Prothonotary Wanderers for first place in Birdathon XIII? Last year, Jim and Susan Hengeveld, SAS President Bob Kissel, and Lee Sterrenburg found 134 species within Monroe County on one day in May. The combined total for all 6 teams participating was 162, lower than the best year when 179 species were counted.

This year the Monroe County Birdathon will take place May 3 and birders of all abilities are invited to form teams of 3-6 people and test their skills in the field in a 24 hour marathon of birding endurance. The entry fee is $15 per person and includes a t-shirt, maps, checklists, and final tally. Can't find a team? Call Cathy Meyer and she will try to match you up. Teams may solicit pledges for the environmental cause they choose. We suggest making SAS the beneficiary of your efforts and the team raising the most money for SAS will be recognized. There are prizes from Wild Birds Unlimited for the highest tally and for the best rookie effort, so don't worry if you haven't done this before. Teams must register by April 20 at Monroe County Parks and Recreation, 119 W. 7th St. Call Cathy with questions at 349 2805 or e-mail cmeyer@co.monroe.in.us.

Everyone is invited to the tally pitch-in dinner Sunday May 4 at Woodcrest Apartments, 2600 East Second Street at 5:00 p.m.

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Third Annual Silent Auction and Raffle

Spring is just around the corner and that means it's time for SAS' Third Annual Silent Auction and Raffle. We'll start our auction display at Bloomingfoods East on May 9 for a week of bidding. At Noon on May 17 we'll join the Earthfest festivities at Karst Park where we'll conclude Auction bidding and draw Raffle winners at 3:00 p.m. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at several places around Bloomington and from SAS board members. As always, we'll have a great variety of donations from local restaurants, wildlife products, personal services, artwork and scrumptious food items. All benefits from this year's Silent Auction & Raffle will grow SAS' endowment fund, the source of our support for local conservation and education projects.

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The Lake Monroe Christmas Bird Count: Not Bad All Things Considered by Don Whitehead

The annual Lake Monroe Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 14, 2002. This represented the 27th consecutive year for Sassafras Audubon's Lake Monroe Count. The reasonably cooperative weather resulted in 53 participants working in 12 teams, thus providing wonderful coverage for our count circle.

Our expectations were not high, given that much of the shallow water area around the lake was frozen and our recent scouting efforts had been disappointing. Furthermore, it was not a "winter finch" year; hence we were not expecting Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and feared we might not get Red-breasted Nuthatch.

However, despite this, we did quite well. We tallied 90 species, our lowest total in six years and well below our all-time high of 109 (1997), but still well above the total counts for the first 11 years of our CBC.

Although we missed a number of birds that we would normally get (or ones seen in the few days before the count) (for example, Turkey Vulture, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Shoveler, Golden Eagle, American Woodcock, Winter Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brown-headed Cowbird), we still tallied a number of good birds, notably Double-crested Cormorant (5), Red-shouldered Hawk (2), Rough legged Hawk (1), Bald Eagle (35), Ruffed Grouse (2), Sandhill Crane (31), Common Snipe (4), Northern Saw-whet Owl (6), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2), Eastern Phoebe (1), Horned Lark (547 - highest count ever), Red-breasted Nuthatch (3 - very low), Hermit Thrush (4), American Pipit (61 - highest count ever), Chipping Sparrow (1), Savannah Sparrow (1), Lapland Longspur (6), Rusty Blackbird (5), and Brewer's Blackbird (1).

The highlight of the count was the male Brewer's Blackbird found by Ross Brittain in the wetlands at the end of Friendship Road. This represents only the third time we have recorded this species on the Lake Monroe CBC. The "Fields" teams (headed by Lee Sterrenburg and Jim and Susan Hengeveld) "saved our bacon" by recording the only Rough-legged Hawk, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Pipit, White crowned Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, and Common Grackle (and over 500 of the Horned Larks).

Interestingly, counts of Blue Jays, Crows, and Rock Doves were well below the totals for the past few years - perhaps a function of West Nile Virus? The House Finch count (15) was the lowest since 1990 and the House Sparrow count (52) was the lowest since 1995.

We added no new species to our 27 year tally, so our total species count still stands at 141 species. Pretty remarkable for this latitude in the winter.

Thus, in retrospect, it was wonderful day, although the paucity of birds made it hard work for all of the teams. Our tally of 90 species is a tribute to the tenacity of all of the participants and the team leaders.

Once again the count concluded with our traditional pot-luck dinner hosted by Henry Wahl. As always great food, lots of fun, and a wonderful host.

My sincere thanks to all who participated. Your work helped us to a great tally under difficult conditions. Hope to see you all next year.

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Highlights of the 16th Annual McCormick's Creek Christmas Bird Count by Sandy Belth

January 4th started out clear and cold, with a low of 15°F, eventually reaching a high of 38°F. Snow cover was from 2-4 inches. This year we had 23 participants in 6 parties. Despite the low numbers of waterfowl seen because all the still water in the count circle was frozen, we still managed to tally 62 species, shy of our count high of 70. Highlights of the count included three Turkey Vultures, three Bald Eagles, one Rough-legged Hawk, one Merlin, two Common Goldeneyes, one Northern Saw-whet Owl, one Winter Wren, and one Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Of note was an unusually high count of 21 Brown Creepers, 16 of which were found by one party in McCormick's Creek State Park. We also recorded an all time high of 55 Red-tailed Hawks. The day was rounded off by the traditional potluck and tally. We thank all participants for making this another great count.

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Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge Christmas Bird Count

Despite terrible conditions, 28 people including SAS members Jim Brown, Jess Gwinn, and Cathy Meyer braved the rains and participated in the 2002-2003 CBC at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, Seymour IN, on New Years Day. No doubt the weather contributed to the numbers being down from past counts, but the lack of winter finches throughout the region was also a factor. Counters totaled 63 species for a total of 2366 birds. Highlights would include 3 Bald Eagles, 30 Red-headed Woodpeckers, 79 American Robins, 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 16 Northern Mockingbirds. Notable misses would include Tundra Swan, Barred Owl and certain fairly reliable species of waterfowl.

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Outings Reports

January 25: Bald Eagle Outing to Lake Monroe

A chilly morning and a frozen lake threatened to make this outing a little less exciting than usual for the seven people that joined Don Whitehead in search of Bald Eagles and other winter birds at Lake Monroe. That threat was quickly dismissed by a rare Northern Goshawk found by the group on the Fairfax peninsula. Also at Fairfax, we were treated to the beautiful sight of six Bald Eagles, all of which eventually ended up standing on the ice in a group near a carcass. A number of waterfowl were also found in a small area of open water including Black Duck, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser and 245 Canada Geese. In all it was it was a great morning's outing and was well worth braving the January chill!

February 8-9: Eagle Watch Weekend

SAS participated in the February 8 - 9 Eagle Watch Weekend at the FourWinds Resort and Marina on Lake Monroe with an inside informational booth and our usual Eagle finding expertise. Although many Eagle weekend attendees were from out of town, people stopped by our booth to pick up a Leaflet, ask birding questions, and share their Eagle viewing experiences. True to SAS form, the "booth-people" (Cathy, PJ, Ron, Fred, and Bob) started a day list of birds seen from the window at our table, totaling 1 immature Eagle, many Common Goldeneye, and 14 other species.

During the main Eagle viewing hours on Saturday afternoon, Sassafras birders were out in force, despite the coldness of the day and the biting of the constant wind. Jim and Susan Hengeveld were the anchors on the marina loop while Sandy Belth, Mike Clarke, Dawn Hewitt and Lee Sterrenberg "hung" at the Fairfax beach. And then there was Dan Leach, past VP and current secretary of Indiana Audubon Society, all by his lonesome with his 2 scopes on the Fairfax peninsula. The Bald Eagle total was 10, with birds flying over, perched across the lake, and on the ice, near and far. The delight in the faces of adults and especially children who saw a Bald Eagle in the wild for the 1st time made it worth the hours in the icy wind. Other species noted Saturday were Pied-billed Grebes, Common Merganser, 1 Black and 4 Turkey Vultures, a single Horned Lark, and Red-shouldered (1), Cooper's (1), and Red-tailed (5) Hawks.

On Sunday morning, the Hengevelds joined wildlife artist Bill Zimmerman to lead 40 birders around the Fourwinds and Fairfax beach areas. They saw Coot, an adult male Northern Harrrier, an immature Red-shouldered Hawk, a Brown Creeper, and a 1st year Bald Eagle perched just off the Fourwinds deck! SAS' Eagle Watch weekend involvement is guaranteed to grow in 2004 as your President won a fine winter jacket as a door prize from Sunday's Exotic Feline Rescue program!

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British Isles Birding by Bill Overlease

Since 1972 Edith and I have been regular visitors to the British Isles to study local flora and plant communities, but usually in the summer when birds are quiet. Last spring we traveled during breeding season in late May and June to learn common British Isle birds, their songs and behavior.

Our bird survey began in Dublin, Ireland at the National Botanical Garden where we found excellent birding. Our first birds encountered included Blackbird, Collared Dove, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Robin (European), Rook, Swift, Wren, Wood Pigeon, and more Magpies than any other spot visited. We also were quite interested in a report of wild mistletoe on some of the Botanical Garden's trees. For two years we looked for this plant throughout Southern Ireland without success. With the help of the Garden's staff, we found several hundred plants on several tree species, apparently the entire population of mistletoe in Ireland! In spite of the folklore and legends, mistletoe does not appear to be native to Ireland.

From Ireland we flew to London and then by train to Penzance in Cornwall, near Land's End. Since we were on and near the ocean, seabirds were all around, including many Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls and Gannets sailing in the wind. We also were excited to find our first wild colony of Venus Hair Fern, growing by the hundreds on a wet cliff face near St Ives by the Sea. After 30 years of search in England, we gleefully jumped up and down on the beach. Who knows what people thought of us!

From Cornwall, we took the train to Windmere and Grasmere in the Lake District, home to William Wordsworth. We found Chaffinch with its buzzy call and finch-like song and Jackdaws in small noisy flocks on chimneys and house tops. We also found less common birds such as Little Owl and our only Pied Flycatcher and had a great look at a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Barrow's park in Ambleside. We worked for several days to differentiate the similar songs of the Mistle and Song Thrush. Closer to water, we saw Common Gull, a single Common Sandpiper, our first Great Tits (chickadee), Oystercatcher, and Sand Martins at a stream cut bank. In the open and heather-covered fields we watched a Short-eared Owl fly low while Curlews called. On one of the lakes we will fondly remember our only Black-throated Diver (loon) and on the wild moors of Northern Scotland the mournful call of the Cuckoo. We understand from local "twitchers" (birders) that the Cuckoo is no longer common in England.

Heading south from Scotland, we visited Yorkshire and Yorkshire Dales where we found good birding in many parks, estates, and city residential areas. We saw Black Swan, several Blue Tits, Pheasant, many Coots and our first Greylag Goose. Our most unusual find was Ruddy Duck, a species that local birders said have been established on nearby estates and also has spread to the Continent. The flat, rich open farmland, waterways, and estates of Anglica commonly held Chaffinch, Chiffchaff (warbler), Pied Wagtail, Starlings, and two Yellowhammers (bunting). Waterbirds included Common Tern, Egyptian and Canada Goose, Moorhen, Mute Swan and the distinct Great Crested Grebe.

Our next destinations were Cambridge, Oxford, and Windsor Castle. The parks, canals, university campuses and Windsor Castle grounds provided very good birding along with wonderful history and delightful architecture. We saw only two Grey Herons despite numerous canals and ponds. We also added Long-tailed and Blue Tits, Tree Creepers, Song Thrush and Swifts. Our last stop was London. With its development several hundred years old, the parks, estates, and Kew Botanical Gardens provided exciting birding as well as a wonder of trees and flowers. We saw many Tufted Duck, Black headed Gulls, Carrion Crow, and Graylag and Bar-headed Geese. In Kew Gardens we were fortunate to see seven Rose-ringed Parakeets. Suprisingly we noted few House Sparrows in contrast to our prior visits when we saw hundreds. In fact, we didn't see a single House Sparrow in all of London! Our first British isles dedicated birding trip yielded many exciting life birds. We look forward on our next trip "across the pond" to expand our British birds list to include more avian rarities.

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Volunteers Wanted For Feeder Cleaning

TIME: three-hour shifts between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

We need people to staff the feeder cleaning. Tasks include taking in feeders and money (a dry job), pre-soaking and cleaning feeders (a damp job), steam-cleaning feeders, pressure-washing feeders, and overseeing drying and pickup (another dry job). Waterproof gear including footwear and gloves are recommended for volunteers doing the actual cleaning. Simple on -the-job training, convivial companionship, and satisfaction from contributing to a worthwhile project and organization provided.

To volunteer for the event or to request more information, please call Cathy Hiatt, 339-7388.

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last updated 30-Oct-2004