November 2005 Volume 11 Issue 3

Transcription

1 Audubon News November 2005 Volume 11 Issue 3 The threat of long-term population declines of neotropical migrant songbirds, shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds and others is well known. Although the factors that cause declines are complex, there is a broad consensus among scientists that habitat degradation and loss are the major factors affecting breeding grounds, migratory stopovers and pathways, and wintering areas. An essential step in conserving bird habitats is the identification of those places that provide the greatest habitat value and support significant populations or an exceptional diversity of birds. These Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are essential strongholds of avian abundance and diversity. The North Carolina Important Bird Areas program has two primary objectives. The first is to identify those places that are essential to sustaining the diversity and abundance of naturally occurring populations of birds in North Carolina. The second objective is to protect or ensure the appropriate management of these sites for the long-term conservation of birds and their habitats. Curtis Smalling, Audubon of North Carolina s Mountain Region Biologist, will be at our November meeting to bring us up-to-date on the status of this important program in North Carolina. He ll explain why this program is so important and what we can do to support it. See you on Thursday, November 3rd in the fellowship hall of the Sharon Seventh Day Adventis Church (920 Sharon Amity) at 7:30 PM. Get out and Vote!! November 8th Protecting Bird Habitat A vote FOR the Land Purchase Bond on Nov. 8th is a vote for clean water. If you live in Mecklenburg County, one of the four bonds you will consider is the $66 million land purchase bond. About $20 million of this is intended to conserve land in the Mountain Island Lake watershed, which is 1) the drinking water supply for you and 600,000 others; 2) an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA); and 3) site of Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. The remaining money will be used to purchase land for future parks, libraries and schools throughout the county. The cost of land will never be lower than it is today and, at the current rate of development, the land may not even be available for purchase in the future. Conserving land is one of the most effective ways to safeguard our drinking water. Land values continue to escalate in our county. The most cost-effective time to conserve land is now. Based on current development trends, Mecklenburg County will lose more than half of its remaining open space in the next twenty years. If we wait, we will lose the opportunity to protect the natural areas that filter our water and keep it clean. More than 800 acres of watershed near Mountain Island Lake is already permanently protected thanks to the $15 million bond approved by voters in Vote YES for the land purchase bonds on Nov. 8th and encourage your friends, co-workers and neighbors to do so also.

2 Audubon News Page 2 FieldTrips and Events Please remember to contact the trip leaders several days before the trip. If you don t, you may not receive information about last minute changes or cancellations. Also, if we don t know you are coming we might leave without you!! Saturday, October 29th: Owl Prowl - Freedom Park Evening Field Trip. Now a well established tradition, this owl prowl should be a sure thing. Rob Bierregaard has been tracking Barred Owls in the Myers Park area for several years now. He knows where they live! So we should be guaranteed at least one sighting. We will meet at Nature Center parking area at 6:30. Costumes are optional but if you are planning on coming please contact Rob Bierregaard at or rbierregaard@carolina.rr.com. Saturday, November 5th: McDowell Preserve/Prairie I can t think of a better place to spend a crisp Fall morning birding than Mcdowell Nature Preserve, which is located in the southwestern tip of the county. In addition to tall trees ablaze with Fall colors, we hope to see some of the newly arriving winter residents including whitethroated sparrows, yellow rump warblers, sapsuckers, winter wrens, kinglets, hermit thrushes, and brown creepers. All these bird species and more are probable on the handicapped accessible 4 seasons Nature Loop trail located by the parks nature center A covered picnic area nearby is located at tree top viewing height. If you can, bring a lunch and stay for the afternoon session at the Mc- Dowell Prairie restoration site. At the prairie, we will try and kick up some sparrows and other grassland birds while keeping one eye peeled for raptors soaring overhead. Keep in mind this is mostly uneven terrain. We should finish the day by 4pm. We will meet at the nature center parking lot at 8 AM. If planning to attend, contact Dave Lovett at or birdsalot@webtv.net Thursday, November 10th: Huntingtowne Farms Park Part of the Little Sugar Creek greenway system, Huntingtowne Farms Park is almost a daily adventure for fellow MAS members Dean and Vivian Sprehe when they are in town. A broad paved trail follows the not so Little Sugar Creek as it winds its way south through the center of Charlotte providing a vital travel corridor and congregating spot for area wildlife. The abundance of wild grape vines provide a feeding Mecca, and the creek side habitat, grassy borders, and open playing fields all add to the species potential for this park. On my first visit, I immediately encountered a sharp-shinned hawk chasing prey over the soccer fields next to the parking lot. Dean and Vivian will share their treasure with us on this fall morning, so take advantage of their first hand expertise and join us at 9 AM for a fun start to the day. After birding, those interested can join us at Piedmont Family Restaurant on South Blvd. for lunch. Huntingtowne Farms Park is at the very end of Huntingtowne Farms Lane off Park Road, just south of the intersection with Park South Drive. If you are coming, contact Dave Lovett at or birdsalot@webtv.net Sunday, November 13th: Pee Dee NWR When birders think of National Wildlife Refuges places like Pea Island, Chincoteague or Merrit Island spring to mind. Places on the coast. But there are literally hundreds of smaller refuges across the country that protect unique habitat for both flora and fauna. Pee Dee NWR is one of the smaller refuges tucked away in a not so glamorous place - the NC Piedmont. But the refuge is a unique and wonderful place to wander for hours at a time and not see anyone else. Especially this time of the year. One never knows what you might encounter on a field trip to Pee Dee but we should see the vangard of waterfowl, wintering sparrows and perhaps some lingering migrants. There s always the probability of eagles and red-headed woodpeckers. We will meet at the McDonald at Windsor Square [Independence Blvd.] at 7 AM. There will be a fair amount of easy walking so wear comfortable shoes. We will eat on the refuge so remember to bring a lunch, snacks and plenty of water. If you are interested in helping out contact Judy Walker at [leave a message]. Saturday, November 19th: Savannah River NWR Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is one of my favorite birding spots in South Carolina. Robin Carter in his guide Finding birds in South Carolina, gives it his highest rating for fall birding in the state. We will be birding two parts of it

3 Page 3 Field Trips (continued) the weekend of Nov 19th and 20th. Saturday we will explore Pickney Island NWR off the causeway to Hilton Head Island, and Sunday we will drive and bird Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive close to the Georgia state line. Our meeting point Saturday at 12:30 PM will be the parking lot of Pickney NWR. Just before getting on Hilton Head Is., you will be crossing the Pickney Is. causeway. Turn left into the refuge parking lot off the causeway. Pickney consists of over 4,000 acres of mixed maritime habitat. The refuge is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists, with a 2.5 mile road down the middle and several important side trail offshoots. Those who wish to, bring their cycles, but the best birding can be found within a mile walk of the parking area. After our afternoon foray, we will gather at one of the great local seafood spots for dinner and birding camaraderie. Sunday morning we ll meet at 8 AM in the Hilton Head Quality in parking lot and drive to Laurel Hill wildlife drive. The entrance is on the left of US 17 about 1.5 miles past the split of US 17 and US 17A going toward the Georgia state line. We will drive and bird the 4 mile long road, stopping frequently to scan the impoundments and marshes on both sides of the road. Small islands or hammocks are worth exploring for ground birds and other wildlife. Restrooms are located at the start of the drive, A spotting scope is helpful but not essential. Anything could show up on this refuge as evidenced by the Limpkin who visited early spring of We should finish up around 1 PM, allowing for an early arrival back in Charlotte or even a second go of the drive if you are so inclined. Reasonable rates can be had ($59.95) a double at the Hilton Head Quality Inn and Suites or online at Hiltonheadquaityinn.com. Many other hotels and resorts are available in the Hilton Head/Blufton area. Additionally, for early birders able to for a tour of the Port Royal Sound mudflats. This is a wonderful site for shorebirds at low tide but anytime can be productive. Be sure and bring footwear suitable for wet and muddy areas if you want to venture out onto the flats. Marbled Godwits are almost a sure find here!!! If you are going, contact Dave Lovett at or birdsalot@webtv.net. Audubon News Wednesday, Nov. 30: Wing Haven In the heart of Myers Park, enclosed by brick walls, is a hidden three acre world- renowned garden and bird sanctuary. In 1927, Wing Haven was carved out of an old cotton farm by the Clarksons. Now, 75 years later, we can experience their legacy by birding these grounds which were planted specifically to provide shelter, food, and nesting cover for birds. Pools, circulating fountains, and bird baths are all you hear in this quiet residential neighborhood. Join us to explore this wonderland open early this day just for us. There is no admission fee but donations are appreciated. For more information on the history of the gardens, go to winghavengardens.com. Meet in the Wing Haven parking lot [248 Ridgewood Ave.] at 8:30 AM. If going, contact Dave Lovett or birdsalot@webtv.net. PS. A Baltimore oriole liked these gardens so well, it hung around for Christmas count last year!!! Protect the Great Northern Forests The great northern forest is disappearing at the rate of 5 acres a minute.* Is there anything we can do to help stop this? The northern forests of Canada are the nesting grounds of some 3 billion songbirds, which likely account for as many as half of the birds we see regularly in North America.* Much of their habitat is being logged for paper products, which are then used to print mail order catalogues (17 billion a year in the U.S.) and to manufacture household paper products. At the November meeting you can obtain price lists and samples of recycled paper products (paper towels, facial tissue, toilet tissue and paper napkins), which are available at Charlotte area supermarkets. Using recycled paper products and canceling unwanted catalogue mailings are two small but meaningful steps we can take to help the Boreal Forest and its nesting birds. *Source: The Final Frontier, Audubon Magazine, September-October 2005.

4 Audubon News Page 4 Birds in the Piedmont By Harry LeGrand. Important Bird Areas of North Carolina. The most important habitats for breeding birds in the province are various hardwood forests, especially extensive upland forests found in the foothills. Such forests are home to Neotropical migrant breeders such as Worm-eating Warbler, Swainson s Warbler (near the escarpment), Broad-winged Hawk, Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, and many others. Bottomland hardwood forests in the Piedmont are home to other Neotropical migrant breeders such as Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher, Kentucky Warbler, American Redstart, and Prothonotary Warbler. Of course, extensive hardwood forests provide habitat for permanent residents, such as a variety of woodpeckers, in particular the Pileated and Hairy, and raptors such as Barred Owl and Red-shouldered Hawk. The Piedmont receives its share of loing activity and large amounts of land exist in seral stages of forests. Pine forests are common across the Piedmont and host species such as Pine Warbler, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Eastern Wood-Pewee in summer, and mixed species flocks (Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, kinglets, and others) in winter. Early succession clearcuts are important habitats for Neotropical species such as Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Blue Grosbeak, and the abundant forest edges and openings are home to large numbers of Indigo Buntings. For poorly-known reasons, several permanent resident species are decreasing drastically in our old-field habitats, in particular the Northern Bobwhite and Field Sparrow. However, no birds are in more serious trouble in the Piedmont than are the grassland species, which rely on pastures, airports, and other mowed grassy areas for survival. Breeding Bird Surveys have shown steep declines in the Piedmont for the Loggerhead Shrike, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Eastern Meadowlark. Other birds that use open lands such as farmyards, groves, and orchards share mixed Breeding Bird Survey trends. Eastern Kingbirds are declining, whereas Eastern Bluebirds are increasing, thanks to an increase in nesting boxes erected for their use. Because the Piedmont is the most urban of the provinces in the state, a number of birds dependent on man-created habitats occur in large numbers. Some species are clearly increasing, such as American Robin and Chipping Sparrow, whereas most other suburban species such as Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, and Common Grackle appear to be stable or even declining. Nonetheless, there is little concern for the overall populations of such urban species. Another key habitat in the Piedmont is reservoirs and other bodies of water. The province is devoid of natural lakes, with beaver ponds being the only natural source of open standing water. For better or worse, dozens of reservoirs, some up to 20 or more miles in length, have been created in the past few decades. This reservoir construction has drastically affected local birdlife. A few decades ago, wintering waterfowl were scarce in the Piedmont, but now ducks and other waterbirds winter in often large numbers as habitat has become available. Migrating shorebirds frequently drop in at reservoirs with exposed mudflats, particularly in late summer and fall. Waterbirds such as Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Double-crested Cormorant now nest at scattered lakes. A few birds nest under bridges and dams, and the Cliff Swallow is practically limited in the state to nesting at Piedmont reservoirs. As the human population continues to expand in the Piedmont, more and more bird habitats are being lost. Former croplands and pastures are now rapidly being covered with homes. Upscale developments now place homes widely scattered within extensive forests, further fragmenting the forests. Powerlines and new highways bisect forested areas, reducing populations of birds such as Wood Thrush, now in rapid decline in the region. Fortunately, in the past few decades we have seen a major thrust in conservation, with a number of national and regional land trusts assisting local, state, and national agencies and organizations in protecting lands. The Piedmont now has major areas of protected lands, such as Uwharrie National Forest, South Mountains State Park and Game Land, Umstead State Park, Caswell Game Land, and lands surrounding reservoirs such as Jordan Lake and Falls Lake. Many of the monadnocks are protected, such as Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain. But, more protection work is needed, particularly in the foothills region, where there are still extensive forest lands that are unprotected.

5 Page 5 The bobwhite quail has long been considered a symbol of the South. Quail populations have increased, then declined as man and civilization have altered the environment. People still listen for the first bobwhite whistle of the quail to signal the coming of summer. Before the arrival of European settles, quail popluations were probably relatively low, at least in the large unbroken forest that overed much of North America. Early pioneer settlements and family farms provided ideal quail habitat because quail thrived in small fields and forest openings. Quail populations increased until around 1900 and remained high into the mid-1940s. Since then, quail populations have declined because of habitat loss. Quail populations will likely continue to decline as modern agricultural and forestry practices and urban sprawl continue to alter the bobwhite quail s preferred habitat. Quail appear to be drab and rather ordinary, but a close look will reveal color combinations and contrasts. Throat, chin and stripe are white on the cock, buff on the hen. Underparts are tawny and white, Bobwhite Quail blending with chestnut, black and gray. Each breast feather sports a black chevron. Upper parts are a mixture of warm brown, a tinge of Audubon News South s Grouse: Bobwhite deep yellow and shadings of black. The birds can achieve invisibility by merely freezing in light cover. They weigh from 6 to 8 ounces and are about 10 inches long. Bobwhite quail prefer edge cover, or the types of vegetation found around fields, hedgerows and forest openings. The bobwhite quail feeds primarily around fields and forest openings. Ideal habitat consists of a low canopy of weeds and grasses with sparse to moderate ground cover. Quail are gallinaceous birds, that is they dwell on the ground, scratch for their food and have crops and gizzards. Weed seeds, waste grain and insects constitute the backbone of their intake. Quail are gleaners and seed scavengers, never disturbing grain or fruits until they have fallen to the ground. Food habits vary considerably according to season and type of land use they inhabit. Those living in heavily cultivated areas consume more waste grain, while those around woodland fringes take more seeds falling from vines, trees and shrubs. Quail lean heavily on corn, sassafras seeds, lespedeza, ragweed, wheat, foxtail, shattered acorns, insects, ash seeds and soybeans. A tough gizzard and grit are employed to grind the flinty coverings from rough fare. Bits of greenery provide vitamins, minerals and moisture. The first bobwhite whistle is usually heard in early to mid-april and is produced by the male to attract a mate, or to stake claim on a territory, or both. Once the male an female are paired, they usually remain together throughout the breeding season. The paired quail will build a nest on the ground that is typically surrounded by grass and other cover vegetation. When the nest is complete, the hen will lay eggs, usually at the rate of one a day. Incubation takes about 23 days. Although nesting usually begins in May, hens will renest if the first attempt fails or until the breeding season ends. It is not a rarity for one hen to successfully produce two broods of young during one summer. Newly hatched chicks leave the nest immediately to begin feeding on their own. From late summer through winter to breeding season, quail are found in groups of birds called coveys. Quail are gregarious social birds, and coveys are formed for protection and warmth. Quail in a covey roost with their tails together and their heads facing out. Bobwhite quail range includes Wyoming, Minnesota, Ontario, Massachuetts south to Florida and Mexico. The birds are most abundant in the Southeast and lower Midwest. Today, bobwhite quail are found throughout North Carolina, though they are uncommon in high elevations of the mountains. Predators and adverse weather are easily observed factors affecting quail. Less obvious, but more critical, are the effects of competition for living space presented by creeping concrete, housing developments and intensive agriculture. Roaming dogs of every breed destroy nests, as do raccoons, skunks and snakes. Predators and assorted problems do not normally affect quail abundance

6 Audubon News Page 6 Migration Crossword Puzzle Across 3. Poisons used to kill insects and rodents. 7. Many wetland areas, important habitat for migrating birds, are drained for agriculture or. 8. A migrating butterfly 12. The seasonal movement of animals from one area to another. 14. A place which provides water, food, shelter and air for an animal. 16. Domestic kill thousands of birds every year. 17. conditions are a major factor affecting the distance a migrating animal can cover in a day. Down 1. Birds also use the sun, smells, landscape and the Earth s field to help find their way while migrating. 2. The smallest migrating animal. 4. Habitat fragmentation means large areas of land are cut into smaller pieces like isolated in the ocean. 5. The smallest migratory bird. 6. Migration routes run to south in North America. 9. A bird that does not migrate south. 10. Migrating birds head south in the. 11. Most long distance migrants fly at. 13. Long distance fliers often use the to help guide their way. 15. This Arctic bird is the record-holder for long distance migration (16,000 km each way). Mecklenburg Audubon is a chapter of National Audubon. It is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth s biological diversity through education and activism. Meetings are held at Sharon Seventh Day Adventist Church, 920 N. Sharon Amity Rd. on the first Thursday of each month, September - May at 7:30 PM. Audubon News is published monthly from September through May. Local members receive the newsletter via postal mail and/or electronic mail. It is also posted on the Mecklenburg Aubudon web site - meckbirds.org.

7 Page 7 South Grouse (cont.) if their living conditions are adequate, but these losses may assume greater importance if the balance of food and cover is below that required for production and survival. Bobwhite quail populations thrive best in areas in which plant communities are frequently disturbed. Bobwhite populations can be increased through habitat imporvement. This can be achieved by disking strips in the idle fields during late winter, planting food plots, thinning forested land, and prescribed burning. Thinning woodlands along with prescribed burning stimulates food-producing plants and maintains an open timber stand. Thinning and prescribed burning should always be done under the guidance of a trained professional. Quail hunting is a revered tradition in the South. With good habitat, properly regulated hunting does not hurt quail populations because about 80 percent of all quail die within one year or less. Regulated hunting simply takes those birds that would die from other causes through the year. Through private hunter/conservation groups like Quail Unlimited, many hunters are attempting to improve quail habitat to increase populations of the is popular gamebird. The habitat work they perform also helps other wildlife species like rabbits and songbirds. Judy Walker - President birdwalker@mac.com Rob Bierregaard - Vice President rbierreg@ .uncc.edu Larry Barden - Secretary larry@lbarden.com Lucy Quintilliano - Treasurer lucyq@carolina.rr.com Dave Lovett- Field Trips birdsalot@webtv.net Board Members Audubon News Wayne Covington - Bird Count Marek Smith - Membership maresmit@aol.com Louise Barden - Publicity louise@lbarden.com Carol Horton - Hospitality carolahorton@cs.com Andrea Owens - Member-at-large insectogirl@yahoo.com Calendar of Activities Owl Prowl [Evening Field trip[ Sat. 10/29 Important Bird Areas [Monthly Meeting] Thu. 11/3 McDowell Prairie [1/2 day Field Trip] Sat. 11/5 Huntingtowne Farm Park Thu. 11/10 Pee Dee NWR [All Day Field Trip] Sun. 11/13 Savannah River NWR [All Day Field Trip] Sat. 11/19 Wing Haven Wed. 11/30 Monitoring Avian Productivity [Monthly Meeting] Thu. 12/1 Wintering Water Fowl Field Trip Sat. 12/39 Mecklenburg Audubon Society Join now and your membership will be effective until June Because National Audubon has reduced the chapter share of the national membership, Mecklenburg Audubon now must offer a Local Membership to cover the cost of the newsletter, web site and cost of meetings. Name Phone Address [Street, City, ST, and Zip] q Individual Membership [$10] q Family Membership [$15] q Please, save trees and send me[us] the newsletter electronically. q Please, add me to Meckbirds, the local electronic discussion list about birds and the environment. q I [we] would be willing to lead a field trip. q I [we] would be interested in participating in a work day at one of the local preserves. q I [we] would be willing to do a program. Return to: Lucy Quintilliano, Treasurer, Mecklenburg Audubon Society, P. O. Box , Charlotte, NC 28222