August - September 2008 Newsletter
 

Upcoming Programs / Field Trips

Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 9:00 A.M.
Field Trip : Chiwaukee Prairie Bird Walk

Meet at 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. From Hwy 32 in Kenosha, go east on 116th Street. Take Marina Road south to 121st Street and turn right (west).

Wednesdays: August 27, September 3 and 10, 2008 - 5:30 P.M.
Field Trips : Bird Walks at Colonial Park

Rick Fare will be your guide to locating and identifying the local and migrating birds.  His expertise will give you insights into many species while enjoying a walk in this beautiful park.  Colonial Park is located at the end of West High Street (six blocks west of Northwestern Avenue) in Racine.

Highlights of Hoy Projects in 2008

Hoy hosted three Beginning Bird watching classes during the spring and summer. They were held at River Bend nature Center, Racine Zoo and Racine Public Library. A total of 39 people attended the two hour sessions. The introductory class covered the topics of basic bird ID, best birding spots in Racine and Kenosha, selection and use of binoculars, and birding reference works and organizations. Our thanks go out to Rick Fare, Keith Kennedy and Helen Pugh for making these presentations as a community service.

Chimney Swift Counts
August 8, 9, 10
September 12, 13, 14

A SWIFT NIGHT OUT is a continent-wide effort to raise awareness about and encourage interest in Swifts. It has become a favorite late summer event for professional and amateur birdwatchers alike.

As summer draws to a close and the swifts have finished raising their young, these fascinating aerial acrobats begin to congregate in communal roosts prior to their migration in the fall. Some roosts may consist of an extended family group of a half a dozen birds or so, but the larger sites can host hundreds or even thousands of swifts!

Here is how it works: Keep your eyes to the skies at dusk in late July and watch for areas where swifts are feeding. Look for a tall shaft, chimney or similar structure to locate where Chimney Swifts roost in our area.

This year, on one night over the weekend of August 8, 9, 10, and/or September 12, 13, 14 observe the roost starting about 30 minutes before dusk and estimate the number of swifts that enter. When you have your number, email it to DWA@austin.rr.com and eBird.org.  That's all there is to it!

Include the following information:
--Number of swifts counted
--Date, Time, Location
--Broad description of the site, e.g. school, warehouse,
residence, Chimney Swift Tower, etc.
--Weather conditions may also be reported

Thursday, September 4, 2008 River Bend Nature Center 3600 N Green Bay Road - Racine 5:30 P.M. - Bird Walk 7:00 P.M. - Program - Kirtland's Warbler in Wisconsin
Chuck Hagner, Editor of Birder's World magazine, will speak on the recent discovery of nesting Kirtland's Warblers in Wisconsin, his first hand experience from their wintering grounds in the Bahama Islands archipelago, and what the future may hold.
	The Kirtland's Warbler population had hit a low of 167 singing males as recently as 1987 but since have made a steady rise as documented through annual surveys in Michigan and now other neighboring US States and Canadian Provinces.     Surveyors last year recorded nearly 1,700 singing males which equates to as many as 3,400 total (male and female) Kirtland’s Warblers in existence.

Here are a couple sources of information about Kirtland's Warbler.
http://adirondacklandtrust.org/magazine/spring2006/features/art17226.html
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_12202-32591--,00.html
http://www.birdersworld.com/brd/default.aspx?c=ss&id=41

Friday, September 19 - Sunday, September 21, 2008
Mississippi River Raptor Trip

Camping at one of the state parks along the Mississippi River is an option, as is staying at the cabin of one of our members.  The group will rendezvous on the River Saturday to witness the fall migration in progress.  Our main goal will be to see a "kettle" of Broadwings.  Where we will rendezvous will be determined in part by the wind.  The Southwest part of the state has many rich, "birdy" areas for investigating (i.e. Nine Springs in Madison, Bakkens Pond by Lone Rock, Arena Boat Landing, etc.).  These could easily be visited on route.  A more complete listing will be available as the date approaches, and details will be worked out when the group forms.  Please register for this trip with Helen Pugh at 262.637.4359.

Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Buzz About Bees
River Bend Nature Center
3600 N Green Bay Road - Racine
7:00 P.M. - Program

Do you like carrots? How about cucumbers, broccoli, onions, cranberries, blueberries, apples, muskmelons, avocados, almonds or cherries? These crops, among others, can’t grow without honeybees, and a mysterious die-off of these hard-working pollinators could put $15 billion worth of U.S. crops at risk - not to mention put a damper on your diet. Come and hear what Tim Fulton, a local beekeeper, has to say about his experience with bees.

Saturday, October 11, 2008
Canoe Trip on the Root River
1:00 - 3:00 P.M. (Meet at 12:45 P.M.)

Enjoy a relaxing paddle surrounded by the wonderfully rich fall colors along the banks of the Root River, while Hoy Audubon experts help us locate fall migrating birds.  We’ll meet at the nature center at 12:45 and canoe from 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. The cost for River Bend
Nature Center and Hoy Audubon members is $7.  The public is invited at $10.  River Bend Nature Center will provide the canoes, paddles, and life vests.  Bring your binoculars and cameras--if you dare--and a drink and perhaps some skeeter juice.

Reservations are required; call River Bend Nature Center at 639-0930.  See you there!

Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Buzz About Bees
River Bend Nature Center
3600 N Green Bay Road - Racine
7:00 P.M. - Program.

Thursday, November 6, 2008
Robust population estimation and habitat analysis of
Butler ’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) in Wisconsin
River Bend Nature Center
3600 N Green Bay Road - Racine
7:00 P.M. - Program

Eric Hileman is the director of conservation, education, and animal welfare at the Racine Zoo, where he has worked for more than ten years. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside and is currently enrolled in a M.S. Biological Science program at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He has conducted field research in Wisconsin, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. Since 2004, Eric has co-instructed the undergraduate tropical herpetology field course at the La Suerte Biological field station in Limon, Costa Rica.

Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) is a small, stout-bodied snake of 38.0 to 73.7 cm total body length, making it the smallest of five Wisconsin congeners. It ranges from central Ohio to central Indiana northward through eastern Michigan and the southernmost edge of Ontario , with isolated populations occurring in central southern Ontario and southeastern Wisconsin.

Fragmentation and loss of suitable habitat as well as concerns over possible hybridization with eastern plains gartersnake (T. radix), with which it is sympatric along the southern fringe of its Wisconsin range, prompted the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to list T. butleri as state threatened in 1997. It is also listed as threatened in Ontario and state threatened in Indiana . Since its designation in Wisconsin , the protection afforded to T. butleri has been a major source of conflict and debate between conservationists, politicians, landowners, and land developers over how to maintain a balance between economic development and preservation of its habitat.

The primary objective of this study is to estimate T. butleri populations within three suitable habitat patches using robust mark-recapture methodologies as density estimates are key missing data in the current conservation strategy. A second objective of this research is to identify and characterize biotic and abiotic factors within survey sites that influence population density and spatial distribution. Collected data will be extrapolated to infer density estimates for all habitat patches within the state of Wisconsin and their potential for supporting sustainable populations. The results of this study will aid the current conservation strategy for this threatened species.

Thursday, December 4, 2008
Holiday Potluck and Winter Birds
River Bend Nature Center
3600 N Green Bay Road - Racine
5:30 P.M. - Doors open and snacks
6:00 P.M. - Potluck
7:00 P.M. - Program

Bring a dish to share and your own dinnerware. We will also hear Hoy Audubon updates, how you can help on the next Christmas Bird Count in mid December and view slides on birds we can expect to see. We’ll finish the evening with some holiday songs!

Other Upcoming State Events / Field Trips

The following events / field trips are not sponsored by Hoy Audubon Society
but have been included here for those interested in
attending. We'll discuss at our regular meetings if anyone would like to
carpool to any of the below events.

WISCONSIN SOCIETY FOR ORNITHOLOGY

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (WSO) field trips are open for anyone to attend.  For a listing of 2008 Field Trips, click here.

Organic and Fair Trade Coffee For Sale

Organic and shade grown coffee provides invaluable habitat for our neotropical migrants as compared to that full sun monocultures which require chemicals. Coffee that is slow to grow and slow to ripen, as in shade grown coffee, better converts its starches to sugars and is richer in flavor. Fair trade certified coffee also guarantees the people working a fair wage and good working conditions.  A 12oz. bag of regular ground or bean coffee is $10.  A portion of the proceeds support Hoy Audubon.  Available at our general meetings.

New Annual Renewal Date for Hoy Audubon Society Chapter Membership***

Annual renewals for Hoy Audubon Society “Chapter Supporter” memberships will now be due on July 1 of each calendar year. This simplifies the renewal process for everyone and insures that all members continue to receive our bi-monthly newsletter for information on current programs and field trips. To renew your Chapter Supporter membership for 2008/2009, please send in a check for $12 (payable to Hoy Audubon Society). Your local chapter membership also helps to support local Hoy Audubon projects in our area such as our Bluebird restoration projects, beginning birding classes, and bird walks. Please note: if you have submitted Chapter Supporter dues ($12) for 2008 in the past 6 months (January-June), you are considered to be in full membership for 2008/2009.

To continue your national membership and the Audubon Magazine subscription with National Audubon Society (NAS), please refer to information you receive from NAS. NAS only members will receive the Hoy Audubon Society newsletter twice a year.

Chapter Supporter Dues are $12 per year.

Name_____________________Address__________________________City_____________ State__________Zip________
Phone_____________ Send dues to P. O. Box 044626, Racine, WI 53404

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Yes   No e-mail:__________________________________________

Would you like to be added to our email list for reminders on programs, field trips, etc?   (Your email will be not be disclosed)

Purchase a gift membership in Hoy Audubon

Enroll a friend or relative as a member of Hoy Audubon Society. Gift memberships are a wonderful way to help our club grow.  Plus, they introduce others to the benefits of belonging to Hoy, such as field trips-both local and distant, informative programs at the monthly meetings, and social events, including the annual picnic and Holiday party.

Federal Duck Stamp

On July 1, a new Federal Duck Stamp became available at post offices, national wildlife refuges, some national retail chain stores, and various sporting-goods stores nationwide. The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, which is the Duck Stamp's official name, has been a magnificent success story in its 70-year history. Started in the mid-1930s, to address a major crisis in bird conservation and wetland habitat loss, the stamp has been used as a highly effective funding mechanism for our refuge system, having accrued over $670 million and having been used to secure more than five million acres of valuable wetland habitat for the system. About $25 million a year is currently collected through yearly stamp sales. Proceeds from the $15 stamp go into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, used to purchase valuable wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System. (Indeed, about 98 percent of the revenue from the stamp goes through the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to purchases these refuge wetlands.)

Wisconsin Bird Checklist 

   The club has a limited number of the new version of the checklist and of the checklist with migration charts. The migration charts show , on a week by week basis, what the likelihood is of seeing a particular species. These will be available free of charge to members at the monthly meetings.  
 

Last updated - 08/19/2008