January-February 2002 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter

8/9/2019 January-February 2002 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter

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Bird Tales..........................................4

Bluebird Boxes..................................3

Books of Interest................................4

Letter From the President ..................2

Nestbox Report ................................3

Officers & Committees......................2

Silent Auction Alert ..........................3

Site Seeing ........................................3

Thank You! ......................................3

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

DELAWARE AUD UBON SOCIETY, INC.

A State-wide Chapter of National Audubon

D e l a w a r eAu d u b o n Journal

P R E S E R V I N G

O U R

N A T U R A L ST A T E

IN TH I S IS S U E

YO UR E I N V I T E D T O PA RT I C I PAT E I N TH EGR E AT BA C K YA R D BI R D CO U N T 2002!

W E WA N T T O K N O W W H E R E T H E B I R D S A R E

FE B R U A RY 1 5 - 1 8

Now that winter has gripped much of the continent, where are the birds?

Bird populations are dynamic. They are constantly in flux. We want totake a snapshot of North American bird populations, and you can help us.

On the weekend of February 15-18, anyone with an interest in birds andaccess to the Internet should watch their bird feeders and backyards, andcount the maximum number of each of the different bird species he or shesees. For those without feeders, counts can be made in neighborhoods orlocal parks. Participants can spend as little or as much time as they wantcounting birds during the three-day period. They then submit their countsvia BirdSource, which also offers assistance in bird identification, on aneasy to use form.

EV E RY O N ES C O N T R I B U T I O N I S I M P O RTA N T.It doesnt matter whether you identify, count, and report the 5 speciescoming to your backyard feeder or the 75 species you see during a daysouting to a wildlife refuge. The data that you collect will be combinedwith Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch data to give us animmense picture of our winter birds. Each year that these data arecollected makes them more important and meaningful.

Enter your sightings online at http://birdsource.cornell.edu/, throughBirdSource, a joint National Audubon/ Cornell Laboratory of Ornithologyproject.

Curriculum materials for teachers are offered on the web site from late

October through the end of February. This is a great project for schoolchildren.

MA R K T H E S E D AT E S

Mark February 15-18 on your calendar now and participate in The GreatBackyard Bird Count!

Vol. XXIV N o.3

January - February 2002

H appy New Y ear !


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LE T T E R FR O M T H E PR E S I D E N T

Dear Delaware Audubon members:

I would like to tell you that it has been a wonderful yearto be president, but that wouldnt be truthful. It was adifficult year for all of us, but the good people and work

of our chapter makes it easier for me.

The events of September 11 have had a dramatic andpoignant effect on all of our lives and rightfully so. Asthese events have played themselves over the last months,we must also not forget the problems that were herebefore that fateful day.

I was in Washington, D.C. in February, 2001, lobbying for the AmericasRedrock Wilderness Bill. It is for saving the last wildlands on the federal landsunder the Bureau of Land Management in Southern Utah. I had gotten a feelingof the new direction the White House was going. It was away from sound policybased on science back to industrial lobbying policy. It is disappointing that so

much effort and work has been compromised.

Another hot issue was the Roadless Rules policy that the Clinton Administrationhad put in place at the end of his term. The roadless policy would haveprotected the last truly wild unspoiled places that are on National Forest lands.The largest amount of comments ever received on a land issue, 1,300,000comments, came during the public comment period. Eighty percent of thesecomments were for saving these lands. The Bush administration has stoppedimplementation of the new policy and has replaced the head of the ForestService with a new chief who is pro industry. They are having a new commentperiod as they review every bit of the landmark policy.

On the global warming front, the rest of the free world has moved ahead on a

pact to curb the emissions of pollutants that contribute to global warming. It isinteresting to note that 164 nations were present except the nation thatcontributes the most to the problem to the tune of 25% of all the emissions.Thats right folks; the United States abstained from being involved. The BushAdministration said more studies need to be done to find ways to curb it. Rightnow as I write there has not been a time when there is such a high level ofcarbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is the highest record ever in hundredsand hundreds of years.

The Bush Administration has been doggedly pressing to open the NationalArctic Refuge for drilling, which I gather would only exacerbate the problem.

We as environmentalists must ride out what is short sighted in our nationalenvironmental policy as we have done before. These sensitive issues we take onare long-term struggles. We must stay vigilant; we have come a long way andhave further to go. Thanks for being with us through these trying times.

Giving thanks for all your support,Matt Del Pizzo

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Mission Statement:The mission of Delaware Audubon Society is to promotean appreciation and understanding of nature; to preserve and protect our naturalenvironment; and, to affirm the necessity for clean air and water and thestewardship of our natural resources.

DE AU D U B O N SO C I E T Y2001-2002

OF F I C E R S & C O M M I T T E E S

If there are any issues that you think Audubonshould address that you feel strongly about,please write Issues, P.O. Box 1713, Wilmington,DE 19899, or call the office at (302) 428-3959.Chairpersons can always be reached through the

office answering machine - (302) 428-3959.

Honorary Chairman of the Board

Russell W. PetersonPresident Matthew DelPizzo

Vice President Leslie SavageSecretary Annette GarafaloCorresponding Secretary Ellen Wright

Treasurer Mark Martell

CONSERVATION COMMITTEES:

Environmental Advocate Grace Pierce-BeckRecycling Albert DelPizzoDredging Leslie Savage

Proposal/policy Review Dave Chambers

Nest Box ProjectsBeaty Broughton, Peggy Jahn

Armchair Activists Al DelPizzoAdopt-a-Wetland

Peggy Jahn, Kathy TidballWhite Clay Creek Adopt-a-Highway

Dorothy Miller

Important Bird Area Program Ann RydgrenPrograms Committee Matthew DelPizzoPublicity Committee

Internet-Fred [email protected]

Membership Committee Annette Garafalo

Education Committee Kathy TidballSocial Committee

Annual D inner-Nancy Frampton

Field Trips Committee Peggy JahnPublications Committee Ann Rydgren

FIN ANCE COMMITTEESFundraising-Grants Andrew Urquhart

Fundraising-Bird Seed SaleMark and Susan Martell

Fundraising Birdathon

Ruth Holden, Maude DaytonFundraising-Silent Auction Asha IyengarFundraising-Wildlife Sanctuary Open

Fundraising-Piping Plover Suite Ann RydgrenNominating Committee Matthew DelPizzo,

Asha Iyengar, Leslie Savage

DIRECTORS FOR SERVICE UNTIL 2002:

Beaty Broughton Al bert A. D el PizzoPeggy Jahn Kelli MartinLeslie Savage Andrew W. Urquhart

DIRECTORS FOR SERVICE UNTIL 2003Dorothy Miller Grace Pierce-BeckAnn Rydgren

DIRECTORS FOR SERVICE UNTIL 2004:Fred Breukelman David ChambersSheryl Myers Charles Wortman

REPRESENTATIVESSharon Burchenal, Dover ; Kay Tebbens,Mil ford; Till Purnell, Mil lsboro


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Delaware Audubon Society

Membership Package

Choose IF YOUR CONCERNS AND INTERESTSARE LOCAL.

Your $20 membership dues enable you and your family tohave a strong voice in local and state environmental issues.By choosing this option, 100% of your funds stay right here tosupport the programs and initiatives of Delaware Audubonthroughout the state.As a member of Delaware Audubon, you wi ll receive:

Delaware Audubon Journal newsletter(6 issues per year).

Delaware Audubon Package New Membership Form

YES! I want to take advantage of the new Delaware

Audubon membership option!

t I am applying for NEW membership and have chosen the

Delaware Audubon membership package.

t I am currently a member of Audubon and have chosen to

RENEW my membership at the local level only.

t I want a 1 year membership:$20 Individual/Family

t I am enclosing an additional donation to the Delaware

Audubon Society in the amount of $_______________ .

t Enclosed is my check made payable to:

Delaware Audubon Society, Inc.

Name(s) ..................................................................................

................................................................................................

Phone (day) ............................................................................

Phone (evening) ......................................................................

Address ..................................................................................

....................................................Apt # ..................................

City ..............................................State ..........Zip ................

email ..............................................Fax ..................................

Please mail this form, and your dues check to:Delaware Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 1713Wilmington, DE 19899

National Audubon Society Membership Package

Choose IF YOU PREFER TO BECOME PART OF NATIONAL

AUD UBONS CLOUT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES a n dalso be a member of the Delaware Audubon chapter.

When you join the National Audubon Society youautomatically become a member of Delaware Audubon. Themajority of your dues, however, support the NationalAudubon Society, with only a very small fraction allocated toDelaware Audubon to support local programs and initiatives.As a joint National and Delaware Audubon member you willreceive:

A U D U B O N magazine published six times a year byNational Audubon Priority registration for all National Audubon field trips,tours, and classes The privi lege of voting for the officers of National Audubon The possib il ity to serve as a member of the Board ofDirectors and various committees of National Audubon Delaware Audubon Journal newsletter (6 issues per year).

National Audubon Package New Membership Form

t I am applying for NEW membership and have chosen the

National membership package.t I want a 1 year membership at the following level:

(Please circle one) $20 Individual/Family $50 Contributing $100 Sustaining $250 Corporate $500 Patron

t Enclosed is my check made payable to:

National Audubon Society, Inc.

Name(s) ..................................................................................

................................................................................................

Phone (day) ............................................................................

Phone (evening) ......................................................................

Address ..................................................................................

....................................................Apt # ..................................

City ..............................................State ..........Zip ................

email ..............................................Fax ..................................

Please mail this form, and your dues check to:Delaware Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 1713Wilmington, DE 19899

AT T E N T I O N :PR O S P E C T I V E ME M B E R S A N D RE N E W I N G ME M B E R SFO R TH E F I R S T T I M E, YO U HAV E A C H O I C E!

Individuals or families thinking about becoming new members of Audubon and current members planning to renew theirmembership may now choose the membership package that best suits them!


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Preserve Our N atural State

W H A T Y O U C A N D O . . .

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SI L E N T AU C T I O N

AL E RT

All Delaware Audubon members are

on the auction committee.

I need your help! In past years manyof you have made this important andentertaining Audubon fundraiser asuccess. Please help by making adonation of merchandise or servicesfor the auction. Merchants are usuallyhappy to donate a gift certificate oran item to our auction. Restaurants,

theaters, concerts, movies, food, art,crafts and plants are all popular. Becreative and donate your particularskills or a special guided field trip.

Please call Asha Iyengar, 428-3959and leave a message to makearrangements for your donations.

SI T E SE E I N GThis column will suggestInternet websites that may beof interest to readers. If youhave a favorite that you thinkwill interest others, please send theaddress to us, [email protected] call us at (302) 428-3959.

http://www.birdnature.com/index.html The Nutty Birdwatcher is a veryattractive and comprehensive web site for anyone interested in birds andbirding.

h t t p : / / w w w . l i b . w a s h i n g t o n . e d u / s l a / r e f . h t m Natural History ReferenceSources from the University of Washington Libraries. An extensive list of

links to just about anything you can think of in the natural history field,including the collections of natural history museums.

BL U E B I R D BO X E S

To help you appreciate andunderstand nature, DelawareAudubon has available by orderwell-constructed pine boxeswith a shingle roof, a wire meshinsert for insect protection andan easy front opening. Designedby Warren Lauder, this box hasproven to be one of the best.Nest boxes should go up inFebruary before bluebirds returnto nest.

Help Delaware Audubon andhelp the bluebirds come back.Priced at $20.00 for a pine boxand $25 for cedar, we are sureyou will be pleased with thisbox. Order now for yourself andyour friends.

Please arrange for pick-up whenyou call Fred Jahn, 378-6474.

N E S T B O X RE P O RT Peggy Jahn

According to information supplied by Harry Eichbaum: Winterthur - Barbara Fraser reports 80 blue birds fledged Oberod - Lisa Smith reports 50 blue birds fledged Methodist Country House and Delaware Museum of

Natural History - 41 blue birds fledged the Arsht property - 7 bluebirds and 5 titmice fledged

Thank you to Harry, Barbara and Lisa for their dedication and time.

Ralph Magan reports from Killens Pond State Park, between April and the end ofJune 2001:

Blue birds fledged 54 Tree Swallows fledged 46 Carolina Chickadees fledged 53 House Wren fledged 10 House Sparrow fledged 10 Canada Geese fledged 18A big thank you to Ralph for all his work.

Thanks to everyone who purchased birdseed! Our annual birdseed sale was agreat success thanks to the hard work of Mark and Susan Martell and their crewof bag handlers and paper shufflers, Asha Iyengar, Ann Rydgren, Jeff Snook andMike Warner.

Thanks to Vicki Vanneman, daughter of Bonnie Piekarski, for a donation toDelaware Audubon in celebration of her mothers seventieth birthday.

TH ANK YOU


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BO O K SO F IN T E R E S T

TheAudubon Journal is published bi-monthly

by the Delaware Audubon Society. Original

articles may be reprinted without permission.

Please give credit to the Delaware Audubon

Journal and the author.

Editor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ann Rydgren

Assistant Editor: . . . . . . . . . . .Barbara Roewe

Design & Layout : . . . . . . . . .Maryellen F. Birk

Printing: . . . . . . . .Sprint Quali ty Printing, Inc.

Delaware Audubon Society, incorporated in

1977, is a state- wide chapter of the

National Audubon Society.

w WEB SITE

http://www.delawareaudubon.org

w MAILING ADD RESS:

Delaware Audubon Society

P.O. Box 1713

Wilmington, DE 19899

w TELEPHONE:

(302) 428-3959

w DELAWAREAUDUBON SOCIETY E-MAIL:

[email protected]

We can receive contributions throughyour United Way payroll deductiondesignation. Our United Waydesignation number is 9017.

EA G L E 1

Yesterday I decided to occupymy sons (5 and 7 yrs.) withsome sort of outdoor activity.I needed something thatsounded exciting so I cameup with a quest - a quest for aGolden Eagle. Of course theodds were not with me, but itsounded good, and it did getthem interested in taking ahike. So we walked up the hillbehind my house (just north

of Hockessin) around 1:00PM and sat down in thebeach chairs that remainedfrom the Leonid meteorshower the night before. Aswe scanned the sky Iexplained to them all about

how it is possible to see Golden

Eagles at this time of year andhow weather conditions affectmigration and that todayseemed like a good day for sucha quest. After 15 minutes oftrying to get them excited aboutthe Turkey Vultures soaringoverhead I noticed a large birdcoming out of the north, sureenough it was an immatureGolden Eagle. It circled twotimes just above our headsgiving us great views and soared

south. Even though I haveobserved Goldens before at thistime of year in theAshland/Burrows Run Preservearea near Hockessin I was stillamazed at how lucky I was toget one for the boys. Of course I

4B i r dT a l e s . . .

A C O N V O C AT I O N O F EA G L E S Jim White

told the boys it was all skil l.

EA G L E( S) 2

Today I was driving down Route 301just west of Middletown when I saw animmature Bald Eagle rising low abovea field. I stopped and when I got out Isaw 8 Bald Eagles soaring low over thefield (6 adults, 2 immatures). Theycircled, rising high over the field, thenheaded west. I've seen a lot of BaldEagles in the last 20 years but I havenever seen a group this large soaring in

one kettle.

Vital Signs 2001: The Trends That Are

Shaping Our Future.Norton, 2001, 192 p. $13.95

Produced annually by the WorldwatchInstitute, a nonprofit, environmentaland public policy researchorganization, this guide identifiestrends marking social, economic andenvironmental progress - or the lackthereof. Topics span food andagriculture, energy, atmosphere,transportation, health, and the military.

Water: The Fate of Our Most PreciousResource by Marq de Vill iers.Mariner Books, 200, 352 p. $15.00.

De Vill iers provides a globalperspective on potable water suppliesand the impact that people have onthem. He identifies effective water-management policies already in placeand offers ideas for promotingconservation worldwide.

Excerpted from Science News

January-February 2002 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of January-February 2002 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter