|
Issue #3, August 2004 Representing Northeast Indiana P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46864 |
 |
"Going Bats" (just in time for Halloween)
|
Issue #3, August 2004 Representing Northeast Indiana P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46864 |
|
"Going Bats" (just in time for Halloween)
Date: October 17, 2004 Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Nature Center
Pokagon State Park
Speakers: Ann and Bob Walton
It's a tradition now that Stockbridge has its fall meeting at Pokagon State Park. This year, we're trying a later time, so members from Fort Wayne and farther will have more time to get there.
Longtime members, Ann and Bob Walton will present a primer on bats. Following an introduction of bat facts and myths, the Waltons will present a slide program on various bat species, particularly those indigenous to NE Indiana. Afterwards, using slides, they will describe their experiences with bat rehabilitation.
A small display of mounted specimens will be provided for a close-up view of these winged shadows of the night. It may even be possible for one or two educational bats to accompany them.
Over the past two years the Waltons have received over 61 injured, orphaned or stranded bats of 6 different species. Additionally, 11 pups were born during captivity. To date, 33 have been returned to the wild, with another 11 well on their way to being released.
So please plan on joining us in October for what promises to be a very entertaining presentation.
If anyone needs directions to the nature center at Pokagon State Park, call the nature center at 260-833-2012.
Fall Field Trip Schedule
May Day Count Results
"Big Sit" Bird Count Oct. 10 (Birding's Most Sedentary Event!)
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you stayed in one spot and let the birds come to you? If so, then the "Big Sit" is for you! The "Big Sit" was dreamed up by the New Haven Bird Club in Connecticut as a sort of spoof on the "Big Day" contests where people rush all over a state trying for the most species. For a "Big Sit" the observers sit in a 17-foot diameter circle and record all the birds they see. Of course, it helps if the circle overlooks great habitat, and has lots of creature comforts for the birders, such as restrooms, comfortable seating, etc. We chose the deck behind the Fox Island Nature Center. We can sit under the roof overhang and overlook the pond. In 2002 we had 31 bird species and had about twice that many visitors. Come join us! Just drop in whenever you can, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hello to everyone in Stockbridge! I'm honored to be your president for the coming year, and hope that as fall approaches, some Audubon events will catch your interest.
As of this writing, I'm back in the office after a vacation week spent working in the yard. Though I didn't have much time just to sit and enjoy the birds, they made their presence felt anyway. The chipping sparrows scolded each time I approached their nests; the bluebirds called mournfully from the orchard; the horned larks and killdeers piped up from the bean field; the hummingbirds buzzed nearby. Some of my favorites, the barn swallows, chattered excitedly as they careered back and forth over the lawn. Their more sedate tree swallow cousins hovered noiselessly almost within reach, waiting for me to leave the vicinity of their nest box. Would you believe that two tree swallows and four barn swallows did such a good job of scooping up bugs that I didn't see a mosquito all week, even though we received five inches of rain?
I would say that's a pretty good return on my investment of a nest box and an open barn door, wouldn't you?
Have fun as you think of all the ways that birds make your life more enjoyable.
April 1-July 20
Spring migration was disappointing from the observer's point of view, but probably good for the birds. Just as peak numbers of songbirds reached northeast Indiana, a week of warm weather and southerly winds occurred. Songbirds flew right over us to the nesting grounds. The rarity of the spring was a Yellow Rail at Salamonie Res. Apr. 27 (Jeff McCoy, Steve Doud, Jim Haw). The most out-of-place bird was a Virginia Rail on the fourth floor of a downtown Ft. Wayne parking garage Apr. 6 or 7 (John Winebrenner). American Bitterns were found at Fox Is. Apr. 22 (McCoy) and Pigeon River Apr. 29 (Jerry Smith). A Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Chain O' Lakes State Park Apr. 20-26 was a modern first for Noble County (Sandy Schacht et al). A Ross' Goose was at Pigeon River Apr. 1-4 (Frannie Headings et al). Notable among shorebirds were a Willet at the National ServAll wetland on Engle Rd., Ft. Wayne, May 2-4 (Steve Ekblad, Rodger Rang et al) and Wilson's Phalaropes at the Woodburn sewage ponds May 5 (Haw) and Engle Rd. wetland May 16 (Rang). The only Connecticut Warbler was at Fox Island May 15 (Stockbridge field trip). Worm-eating Warbler was found at Franke Park Apr. 18 (Haw) and Apr. 30 (Headings, Rang)
A number of individuals set record-early arrival dates this spring: Acadian Flycatcher at Franke Park Apr. 30 (Rang, Headings); Alder Flycatcher at Fox Is. May 11 (Rang); 2 Blue-headed Vireos, Fox Is. Apr. 17 (Stockbridge); Prothonotary Warbler, Franke Park Apr. 18 (Joe & Kevin Steinmetz); Magnolia Warbler, Fox Is. Apr. 29 (Marisa Windell et al); Summer Tanager, Fox Is. Apr. 22 (Schacht et al). Record late dates were set by 2 Cattle Egrets at Engle Rd. May 22 (Rang); a Stilt Sandpiper in Allen Co. May 23 (Haw); and 13 Lapland Longspurs at the Woodburn sewage ponds Apr. 29 (Haw).
Summer brought a nesting attempt by a pair of Ospreys at Pigeon River which apparently failed. A Least Bittern was at Pigeon River June 29 (Haw). An Upland Sandpiper near Huntertown, Allen Co. July 5 (Haw) was unexpected. A Ruddy Duck at the Woodburn sewage ponds July 2 (Haw) to 19 (Josh Christian) was out of place. There were more unusual songbird reports than in most summers, the most unusual being a Magnolia Warbler at Pokagon July 3 (Brad Bumgardner, Doug Rood, Fred Wooley), a second summer record for northeast Indiana. Also south of normal nesting range were Blue-headed Vireos at Pigeon River May 31-June 3 (Rood et al) and at Pokagon July 8 (Haw et al), and a Black and White Warbler at Salamonie River State Forest June 23 (Haw). Black-throated Green Warbler is increasing as a summer resident; witness one at Pokagon June 16 (Bumgardner), 2 at Chain O' Lakes June 26 (Schacht et al), and 2 in Salamonie River State Forest July 3 (Haw, Schacht). Canada Warbler was again found at Pigeon River June 26 (Lee Casebere). In addition to the long-established Pine Warbler at Pokagon, one was at Pigeon River May 31-June 7 (Rood et al).
|
Bird of the Month: Scarlet Tanager By Warren Mead |
Of all the neo-tropical migratory birds that visit our area during spring and summer, the Scarlet Tanager (piranga olivacea) is arguably the most striking in appearance. When in their breeding plumage, the males of this species sport a vivid, bright red body with jet-black wings and tail. I remember seeing a male Scarlet Tanager while on my 3rd grade class picnic. The image was so vivid, I remember it clearly to this day. As usual in nature, the female Scarlet Tanager has much more subdued coloration of olive/yellow green with dark-to-black wings and tail. After the breeding season, the male molts to a color scheme similar to that of the female. Juveniles also look like the adult females. . |
Insects are the primary food of these tanagers but they will also eat fruits and berries.
The song of the male Scarlet Tanager has the "caroling" characteristic of a Robin, but is not as clear as the Robin's song. It is often stated that a Scarlet Tanager sounds like a Robin with a sore throat. The call of the Scarlet Tanager sounds like: "chip-burr".
Spotting a Scarlet Tanager is a rather rare treat, as they usually stay high in the canopy of the woods, where their nests are located and where they most often hunt for bugs.
At the end of summer and into early fall, these beautiful birds begin their migration back to the tropical forests and are usually gone by mid-October, at the latest.
My wife and I saw a Scarlet Tanager at Pokagon State Park last spring during the peak of the migration. I had just commented to her as we were hiking that: "I sure would like to see a Scarlet Tanager" and it was not three minutes later, that a brilliant male appeared! I tried "asking" for other birds, but the Scarlet Tanager was the only one to cooperate!
Sources:
Birds of Indiana; R.E. Mumford & R.E. Kelly
Natl Audubon Soc. Field Guide to N. American Birds-Eastern
Peterson Field Guide&emdash;East
Nat'l Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of N. America
Birds of Indiana; S. Tekiela
Smithsonian Handbook to Birds of N. America; F.J. Alsop III
Stockbridge Directors & OfficersJulie Henricks, President........................638-4375
Gary Tieben, Vice President……...……493-7058
Warren Mead, Treasurer ..…………….485-1844
Dick Hurley, Secretary...........................484-8380
Art Eberhart, Director..............................260-665-2421
John Winebrenner, Director....................373-2904
Ted Heemstra, Director…………………484-4385
Sandy Schacht, Director………………...260-356-3681
Cynthia Powers, Director and Newsletter Editor….......638-4291
Jim Haw, Rare Bird Alert & Field Trip Coordinator.....485-7802
Ed Powers, Membership..........................638-4291
Dave Reichlinger, Director……………...432-9431
Ed Powers says to remember to send your renewals directly to National Audubon in the envelope they provide. New memberships should now send their form and money directly to National Audubon Society, Chapter membership Data Center, P.O. Box 51001, Boulder, CO 80322-1001. It's important that new members mention the Stockbridge Chapter number, HO-9, on the form, as the local chapter gets a share of the dues money if it gets credit for the new member. The form on already has this number on it
We welcome new members using the form below. To speed your service and save us postage, mail renewals directly to National Audubon, using the form that they provide. Any questions relating to membership? Ed Powers, Membership Chair, will be glad to help!
HO-9 National Audubon Society/Stockbridge Audubon Chapter Membership Application HO-9
I want to join Audubon! Enclosed is my check payable to the National Audubon Society.
|
|
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES - IND. HO-9 |
|
|
Individual/$20 .............Family/$20 |
|
|
Student/$15 .............. Sr. Citizen/$15 |
|
|
Lifelong/$1500 .............. ...HO-9 |
Mail to National Audubon Society, Chapter Membership Data Center, P.O. Box 51001, Boulder, CO80322-1001.
Home Page | About Stockbridge | Newsletter | Field Trips | Links | National Audubon
