September-December 2004 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter

8/9/2019 September-December 2004 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter

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Vol. XXV1I No.1September-October 2004

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPERc

DELAWARE AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC.A State-wide Chapter of National Audubon

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

CO A S T DA Y 2004 DE B U T S T H E P I P I N G PL O V E R SU I T E

PIPING PLOVERS POISEDFOR PREMIER PERFORMANCE

PR E S E R V I N G OU R

NA T U R A L ST A T E

DE L A W A R E

AU D U B O N

The Piping Plover Suite will make itsworld debut at Coast Day 2004.Commissioned by the Delaware

Audubon Society, sponsored by theBrandywiners, Ltd., and composed byScott Roewe, this four-minutesymphonic work is intended to helpraise awareness of the plight of thePiping Plover.The piece will bepresented live at Coast Day by theCape Henlopen Community Bandunder the direction of Barry Eli.TheIntroductory Narrative will be read byDr. Carolyn Thoroughgood,Dean ofthe University of Delawares College

of Marine Studies.

Composer Scott Roewe will behonored at a reception hosted byDelaware Coastal Programs and theDelaware Natural Heritage Programat 2:00 pm in the DNREC tent.

Ann Rydgren, the driving force behindthe Suite, which has been years in theplanning, has long held that,Peopleare more often moved to action byart than by science. With theassistance of longtime friend andfellow educator Barbara Roewe, thetwo aim to take this musical messageinto the classroom.

Described as An interdisciplinaryproject for mathematics, language arts,science and performing arts, the

package available from DelawareAudubon includes a ResourcePacket/Study Guide and an audio CD.By listening to the CD and using theresources provided,The students willunderstand the concept ofenvironmental conservation usingdifferent disciplines, such as science,research,computer literacy, language,and performing arts. The purpose ofusing this musical composition is tomotivate students to create stories,poems, drawings, posters, websites,brochures, theatrical presentationsand/or skits which communicate the

plight of the Piping Plover and inspirepositive actions.

The Piping Plover, which makes itshome along the Atlantic coastline, is athreatened and endangered species.Delaware beaches host several nestingpairs every year.

It is hoped that the Piping PloverSuite, based on the call of this shyand gentle bird,will be a rallying cryheard near and far.

The Piping Plover Teacher ResourcePacket is available from: DelawareAudubon Society, Inc., P.O. Box 1713,Wilmington, DE 19899. Please include$5 remittance or download it FREEfrom the Delaware Audubon website,.

Annual Bird Seed Day ..................11

Backyard Wildlife..............................7

Bird Tales............................................7

Books of Interest ..........................12

Calendar ............................................4

DE Audubon Welcomes..............4,7

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

More than Just Birds........................5

News & Views ......................6,8,9,10

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

Site Seeing ........................................ ..5

Thank You! ...................................... ..5

What You Can Do ..........................3

IN THIS ISSUE


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1Delaware Audubon Society

2004-2005 Officers

and CommitteesIf there are any issues that you think Audubon should

address that you feel strongly about, please writeIssues, P.O. Box 1713, Wilmington, DE 19899, or call

the office at (302) 428-3959. Chairpersons canalways be reached through the office answering

machine (302) 428-3959.

Honorary Chairman of the Board........................................Russell W. Peterson

President ......................................Asha IyengarVice President ............................Ann RydgrenSecretary ......................................Ellen WrightTreasurer......................................Mark Martell

Conservation Committees:Environmental Advocate ........................OpenDredging ......................................Leslie SavageNest Box Projects ..........................Peggy Jahn

Armchair Activists ..................................OpenAdopt-a-Wetland

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

................................................Dorothy MillerImportant Bird Area Program

....................................................Ann Rydgren

Programs Committee ............................OpenPublicity CommitteeInternet: ................................Fred [email protected] ..............................................OpenRecords ......................................Dave BrannanEducation Committee ..............Kathy TidballSocial CommitteeAnnual Dinner......................Nancy FramptonField Trips Committee....................Peggy JahnPublications Committee ..........Ann Rydgren

Finance CommitteesFundraising:Grants ....................Mark MartellFundraising:Bird Seed Sale

................................Mark and Susan MartellFundraising: Birdathon

......................Maud Dayton & Ruth HoldenFundraising: Silent Auction........Asha IyengarFundraising:Wildlife Sanctuary..............OpenFundraising:Piping Plover SuiteAnn Rydgren

Directors for service until 2005:Peggy Jahn Leslie SavageDirectors for service until 2006:Dorothy MillerDirectors for service until 2007 John Knox Tom ShueyFred Breukelman

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w WEB SITE

http://www.delawareaudubon.org

w MAILING ADDRESS:

Delaware Audubon Society

P.O. Box 1713

Wilmington, DE 19899

w TELEPHONE:

302-428-3959

w DELAWARE AUDUBON SOCIETY E-MAIL:

[email protected]

We can receive contributions

through your United Way payroll

deduction designation. Our

United Way designation number

is 9017.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Delaware Audubon Society is pleased to announce thepublic debut of the Piping Plover Suite, an original musicalcomposition by Mr. Scott Roewe,on Sunday, October 3, atCoast Day in Lewes.We have planned several activities inconjunction with the performance from 12:00 to 12:45.Wecordially invite attendees to be a part of this historical event!

This project has been many years in the making, and thanks tothe unfaltering efforts of Ann Rydgren and Scott Roewe, it isfinally coming to fruition.The Suite is an educational programavailable to teachers throughout Delaware via our website. Itincludes a narrative, CD, background information, and themusic itself. It is a cross-curricular program which can beadapted to any grade level.We hope that students will learnabout this very threatened species and assist in its recovery inDelaware.

Please join us in the long-awaited debut of this movingcomposition!

Asha Iyengar

VISIT DELAWARE AUDUBON'S WEBSITE

http://www.delawareaudubon.org.Sample educational, informative articles and features. Order books and other goodies

from the Marketplace. Search the archive of past articles. Visit our photo gallery.Survey legislative updates and Action Alerts. Email policy makers.

The Audubon 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.

Co-editor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ann Rydgren

Co-editor and Contributing Writer:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Leah Christmas

Assistant Editor: . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara RoeweDesign & Layout : . . . . . . . . . .Maryellen F. Birk

Printing: . . . . . . . . .Sprint Quality Printing, Inc.

Delaware Audubon Society, incorporated in

1977, is a state- wide chapter of the National

Audubon Society.

COAST DAY 2004SUNDAY, OCTOBER 311:00 AM - 5:00 PM

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWAREHUGH R. SHARP CAMPUS

700 PILOTTOWN ROAD, LEWES, DE


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SUPPORT DELAWARE AUDUBONS ANNUAL BIRD SEED DAY!

Place your order today and pick upyour seed on Saturday, October 23.See pages 10-11 for more information.

Preserve Our Natural State

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

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CONSERVATION AWARD NOMINATIONS

It is that time of year for the Delaware Audubon Society to receive nominations of

individuals who have made significant efforts and contributions in our environmentalcommunity.The Audubon Conservation Award will be presented at our annualdinner.

The Audubon Board wishes all Delaware Audubon members to have theopportunity to participate in the nominating process.

The Award may be granted to a volunteer for their significant contribution, orunusual service in environmental affairs, for a period of years. Past recipients havebeen Peggy Jahn, Lynne Frink, Gwynne Smith, Rick West, Jacob Kreshtool,Til Purnell,Don Sharpe, Barbara Lundberg, Leah Roedel,Ruth Ann Minner, Joseph Biden,Winston Wayne, Russell Peterson, Grace Pierce-Beck, Dorothy Miller, Edward W.Cooch, Jr., Lynn Williams,Thomas Sharp,Ann Rydgren,Albert Matlack, and WarrenLauder.

To make a nomination, please fill out the following form and return to:AwardDelaware Audubon SocietyP.O.Box 1713Wilmington, DE 19899

Nominations must be received before November 15, 2004.

2005 NOMINATION FORM

Nominee Name: ....................................... ........................................... ..................................

Nominee Phone Number: .......................................... ........................................... .............

Title/Position:..........................................................................................................................

Address: ....................................... ........................................... ............................................ ....

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

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

Nominator Phone Number:................................................................................................

Address: ....................................... ........................................... ............................................ ....

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

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

Please provide several brief sentences stating why the nominee should be considered for thisaward. Detailed information may be required at a later date if the Awards Committee acceptsthe nomination. This form may be copied if you need more forms.

VOLUNTEEROPPORTUNITIES

Join the fun! Meet new people!Do a great thing!

WE NEED YOU!

WILDFLOWERSWildflower enthusiast for specialarea in Dover.

WELCOME WAGONFun loving, creative person neededto recruit and integrate new

members.

MARKETING/RECRUITMENTNeed someone with a Type Apersonality and marketingexperience who is willing to helpthe environment in Delawarethrough member recruitment,targeted marketing and advertisingfor our annual birdseed sale,general member solicitation, andexpanding our annual appeal.

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY

Team of two people with 146 yearsof combined life experience wishesto hand off Adopt-a-Highwayactivity to team of four with 146years or less life experience. Inother words,were getting too oldto do this!

Please call 302-428-3959and leave a message if you areinterested in helping.

Volunteers

Make ItHappen!


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Calendar

Please call Field Trip leaders ahead of time and register. You will be notified if any changes arise.Most trips are half-day. Dress according to the weather and ask leader if waterproof boots, etc.,are needed.

SEPTEMBER

19 Sunday 7 AMDelmarva Ornithological

Society. Fall raptor &passerine migration, Cape

May, NJ, Higbee Beach. Meetat the canal parking lot (dirtlane, farthest lot) at Higbee

Beach. Full day. Please callJason Guerard 813-951-0807

to RSVP and for directions.

OCTOBER

3 Sunday 11AM to 4 PM

COAST DAY

Come hear the PremierPerformance of the Piping

Plover Suite at noon. See youat our Audubon booth!

College of Marine Studies inLewes.

10 Sunday 8 AM

The Birds of Grass Dale.

Especially for BeginningBirders, a walk looking at fall

migrants. Meet at picnic tablesnear Grass Dale parking lot,

Fort DuPont State Park,Delaware City.Ann Rydgren, 302-235-0242.

23 Saturday

9 AM -1 PMBird Seed Pick-up Day

Delcastle County Park. BirdSeed orders must be picked

up today. For information,please call 302-428-3959.

24 Sunday 9 AMBombay Hook

Entrance fee. Half-day trip.Bombay Hook is an

internationally knowndestination for birders, rightin our backyard! Meet in the

parking lot next to theInformation Center. Please

call Peggy Jahn if you intend togo, 302-378-6474.

NOVEMBER

7 Sunday 9 AM

Adopt-a-Highway pick-upon Creek Road, Newark.Come lend a hand for a

couple of hours and enjoybeing outdoors with congenial

people. We will be workingon Creek Road from

Wedgewood Road to WhiteClay Drive. Bring your ownwork gloves. A pointed stick

for picking up pieces of paperis a handy thing to use. Dress

for the weather and bring alunch and binoculars for

birding afterwards, if youwish. Any questions? Call theAudubon office, 302-428-

3959. Meet at the ChambersHouse Visitor Center north

of Hopkins Bridge Road onCreek Road.

14 Sunday 9 AMConowingo Dam

Bald Eagles and WaterBirds

Meet in the parking lot at the

first overlook. This is a half-day trip. Dress for theweather, as it is always coldernear the water. You may want

to bring your lunch andtelescope. Please call Peggy

Jahn if you intend to go, 302-378-6474.

DECEMBER

12 Sunday 9 AMBombay Hook

Ducks and Geese Plus?There is an entrance fee.Meet in the parking lot next

to the Information Center.This is a half-day trip. Please

call Peggy Jahn if you intendto go, 302-378-6474.

DE AUDUBONWELCOMES...

New Board member

John Knox

NAME: John D. KnoxCOUNTY OF RESIDENCE: New CastleDELAWARE AUDUBON MEMBER SINCE:2004OCCUPATION:Technical Support,J. P. Morgan ChaseCURRENT READING: The Da VinciCode by Dan Brown.Read two newspapers daily.HOBBIES: Reading; gardening;community support; anything PC

related.MY ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS:Pollution, recycling efforts, andthe fact that Delaware is thecancer capital.MY PHILOSOPHY IS BEST DESCRIBEDAS: Hope for the best but preparefor the worst.EARLIEST NATURE INTEREST: Catchingfrogs, toads,and turtles as a child.MOST SATISFYING BIRDING ORNATURE MOMENT: I just bought a

new house in October 2003 anddiscovered that there are fiveCardinals that live in a tree justbeyond my back fence.

Whether you are a new or longtimeDelaware Audubon member, let us hear

from you! Tell us about yourself! Send

your answers to the above questions [email protected] for possible

use in a future issue of the Journal. Besure to include Delaware Audubon

Welcomes in the Subject line.


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The Silent Auction this year offered agreat variety of items and lots of fun!Please visit our donors and thankthem for supporting DelawareAudubon.

We appreciate the generosity of thefollowing donors:

Brandywine YMCACameras, Etc.

Delaware Theatre Co.Harrys Savoy GrillHorizon Helicopters, Inc.Wild Birds Unlimited

Ruxana BhattiSenator Joseph BidenConnie DelPizzoPeggy JahnWarren LauderMark Morehead

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News & Views

INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP OFFERFor $20.00 Receive Membership to

National Audubon Society and Delaware Audubon SocietyJoin NOW and receive a FREE navy blue backpack!

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

City _________________________________ State ___________ Zip ___________

Phone ( ) __________________________________________________

Referred By__________________________Date ____________________________

Please make a l l checks payable to : National Audubon SocietySend this application and your check to:

Delaware Audubon Society

P.O. Box 1713, Wilmington, DE 198997XCH

D90

JOIN DELAWARE AUDUBON NOW!

S ITE SEEING

This column will suggest Internetwebsites that may be of interest to

readers.If you have a favorite that you

think will interest others, pleasecall us at 302-428-3959

or send the address to us [email protected].

Learn about the prospects ofGlobal Warming from Pentagonmodels.

MORE THAN JUST BIRDS...

A Hummingbird Garden

Having recently moved from in-townNewark to suburban north Wilmington,we took advantage of a larger yard todevelop a Hummingbird Garden.Weplanted Salvia, Bee Balm,Tiger Lily,Lantana,and other Hummingbirdfavorites,and hung two feeders.Resultswere rapid.Within days of putting up thefeeders in June, Hummingbirds werevisiting them, and they came all summer.

They are evidently intelligent:Oneremembered the location of a feeder Ihad moved three weeks before.Theydont seem to mind the presence of agardener and will even fly in for a closerlook.Famously pugnacious, they chaseoff other birds,even much larger ones,and engage in sparring matches withbees and wasps.

Delaware and Hummingbirds have long

been intertwined. It was in ChristianaHundred that DuPont presidentCrawford H. Greenewalt (1902-1993)began his landmark photographic studiesof Hummingbirds in flight.To capturethem in midair, as had never been donebefore, he used an ultrafast camera thatsnapped pictures when theHummingbird flew into a beam of lightshining on a photocell.He also built awind tunnel with a feeder at one end,adjusting the fan until he could correctlycalculate (again for the first time)Hummingbirds speed in flightnearly30 m.p.h.Another former DuPonter ismaking a major contribution today:H.Ross Hawkins, who founded TheHummingbird Society in 1996, withheadquarters at 249 East Main Street inNewark.There are more than 2,000members in all 50 states and 26 foreigncountriesevidence of tremendousworldwide interest in these fascinatingbirds.

W. Barksdale Maynard


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News & Views

Now that the last of this years eightsurviving Piping Plover chicks is flying,Cape Henlopen State Parks GordonsPond beach will reopen to the publicon Monday,August 30, and the historicnesting habitat on the ocean side ofthe Point will reopen on Wednesday,September 1.The bayside beach at thePoint will remain closed until October1 for use by shorebirds migratingsouth for the winter.

Despite getting off to a good startwith 12 active nests, this was adisappointing nesting season forDelawares endangered beachnesters,said Marnie Pepper, the Division of Fishand Wildlifes Piping Plover monitor.The parks Red Foxes were majorculprits, causing Plover parents toabandon more than half the nests.

Of the 19 chicks that hatched, therewere 6 fledglings from 7 Gordons

Pond nests and two fledglings from 5nests at the Point of the Cape. In 2003,14 chicks fledged, the most sinceDNREC began keeping records.

Piping Plovers return to Delaware inMarch or early April and build theirnests in the sand between the dunesand the water.According to Pepper,this practice puts the species in dangerfrom beachgoers, pets, and predators.Both eggs and the young birds are sowell camouflaged that they are indanger of being stepped on orotherwise disturbed by humans.Off-road vehicles also can degrade their

habitat and destroy their nests.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service putthe Atlantic Coast population of PipingPlovers on its list of threatenedspecies in 1986.According to thefederal agency, only 1,190 nesting pairsremained on the East Coast in 2000a level that puts these birds in dangerof extinction.

The Department of Natural Resourcesand Environmental Controls Piping

Plover Recovery Program has been ajoint effort of the Division of Fish andWildlife, the Division of Parks andRecreation, and the Division of Soiland Water Conservation for 15 years.

PIPING PLOVER SUMMARY

Total nests: 12Total chicks fledged: 8

GORDONS POND

GP-1 nest = 4 chicks; none fledgedGP-2 nest = 4 chicks; 2 fledgedGP-7 nest = destroyed by fox

GP-8 nest = abandoned;only had1 eggGP-9 nest = destroyed by foxGP-10 nest = 4 chicks; nonefledgedGP-11 nest = 4 fledged

THE POINT

PNT-3 nest = 3 chicks; 2 fledgedPNT-4 nest = abandoned; probablydue to fox harassmentPNT-5 nest = abandoned; probablydue to fox harassmentPNT-6 nest = abandoned; probablydue to high tidePNT-12 nest = destroyed by fox

P IPING PLOVER 2004 REPORT Holly Niederriter, DNREC Endangered Species Specialist

BLUEBIRD BOXES

To help you appreciate and understand nature, Delaware Audubon has available byorder well-constructed pine nest-boxes with a shingle roof, a wire mesh insert forinsect protection, and an easy front opening.Designed by Warren Lauder, this boxhas proven to be one of the best.

Nest boxes should go up in February before Bluebirds return to nest.

Help Delaware Audubon and help the Bluebirds come back. Priced at $25, we aresure you will be pleased with this box.Order now for yourself and your friends.

Downstate members can pick up their boxes from Dennis Foley near Milton, DE.Please arrange for pick-up when you call Fred Jahn,302-378-6474.

ORDER NOW FOR CHRISTMAS DOWNSTATE PICK-UP AVAILABLE

You can order Bluebird boxes whenyou order your bird seed! See page 11.


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Bird Tales . . .OF CORMORANTS AND ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

This morning, on the south side of Smyrna, a Mystery Waterfowl flew overmy car in the direction of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.We haveall heard the joke about deer knowing to cross the road at Deer Crossingsigns.This bird passed overhead at the intersection bearing the directionalroad sign to Bombay Hook.

Some people strum air-guitar with Aerosmith. Others play mini-golf andpretend all eyes are on them at St.Andrews in Scotland. For fun, I assumedmy best bird-authority persona and pronounced him a Cormorantbecause, as I thought to myself,he looks like onethough I have no ideawhat one looks like.After returning home and checking several sources Ilearned he was indeed an adult Double-crested Cormorant. Call it blindluckthough I wasnt sitting in a blind but in a bright green coupe.

This happened to me once before, years ago.While watchingJeopardy! aparticular clue left me, uh, clueless.Thomas Aquinas! I blurted at the TVscreen.There was no hunch followed,no tugging in the gut, just the seizingof the nearest, handy, mental object.As it turned out, the correct Jeopardy!question was:Who is Thomas Aquinas?

I have never forgotten that moment, and I will not forget this one, either,

whether it was the spirit of Roger Tory Peterson whispering in my ear thismorning or the author ofSumma Totius Theologiae.

Mary Leah Christmas

ELLEN WRIGHT S BACKYARD WILDLIFE

As Joey happily munches on grass, he doesnt seem to notice the Brown-headed Cowbird standing watch on his back. Joey is my horse. I think Joeyis quite happy to have the Cowbird on his back since it eats any fly thatlands on him.

Joey and my other horse,True, are accompanied by Cowbirds most of thetime while they are grazing.A group of 5-10 Cowbirds walk near thehorses or sometimes ride on their backs as they graze and eat the insectsthat are disturbed by the horses.

Brown-headed Cowbirds are nest parasites and only reproduce by layingtheir eggs in the nests of other birds.They do not build their own nests.Cowbirds eggs usually hatch first.This results in the Cowbird chicksdemanding more food and nest space than the host chicks.The host chicksdont always survive. Even though the Cowbirds cause problems for otherbirds by taking over their nests, Joey and True are very grateful for thenatural fly control.

DE AUDUBON

WELCOMES...

New Board member

Thomas Shuey

NAME: Thomas ShueyCOUNTY OF RESIDENCE: New CastleDELAWARE AUDUBON MEMBER SINCE:2004OCCUPATION:Senior Product EngineerHOBBIES: Gardening; fishing;

Kiptopeke camping trips;hiking.MY ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS:Delaware Bay water quality, and youname it. If it is a concern to theenvironment, it is my concern.EARLIEST NATURE INTEREST:Camping with my parents from agetwo.MOST SATISFYING BIRDING OR NATUREMOMENT: Years spent hiking theColorado Rockies.Camping trips toKiptopeke State Park,VA.

Whether you are a new or longtimeDelaware Audubon member, let us hear

from you! Tell us about yourself! Send your

answers to the above questions [email protected] for possible use

in a future issue of the Journal. Be sure toinclude Delaware Audubon Welcomes in

the Subject line.

News & Views


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Grass Dale is a unique area where at

least six different habitats are found

within a 100-yard radius.Woods, tidal

marsh, fresh water pond,hedgerows,

meadow and scrub habitats can be

observed by walking around the

existing quarter-mile track. In

combination, the variety and richness

of these habitats make Grass Dale very

attractive to wildlife. Such easy access

GRASS DALE SUMMARY 2003 Ann Rydgren, Project Manager

News & Views

F INANCIAL SUMMARY FOR: 2003Balance Sheet: 31 December 2003 BalanceAssets:Cash and Investments 34,798.43

Fund Liabilities:Unrestricted General Fund 31,160.98Restricted Funds: 3,637.45

34,798.43

Fund Activity Statement:

General Fund - Beg Bal 31,536.29+ Restricted Funds closed 2,773.25+ Contributions 17,600.13- Expenses 20,748.69Net Fund Change: -375.31

General Fund - End Bal 31,160.98

Restricted Funds - Beg Bal 12,393.30+ Contributions 0.00- Expenses 5,982.60- Closed Funds to General 2,773.25Net Fund Change: -8,755.85

Restricted Funds - End Bal 3,637.45

to an abundance of wildlife makes

Grass Dale an ideal teaching tool.

Delaware Audubon made 27 visits toGrass Dale in 2003 for a total of 168+person-hours.

Species or sub-species noted for thefirst time in 2003 are: Slime mold,Earthworm,Lone Star tick, SpottedTurtle, Eastern Wood-peewee and

Winter Wren.The highest number ofbird species seen in one data-collectingperiod in mid-June was 56.The catalogof flora and fauna now totals 136 bird,84 plant, 48 insect, 16 mammal, 10amphibian,1 minnow, 1 crustaceanspecies and 1 invertebrate and 1fungus. Data is available by request on aCD in an Access database.

Although Bayberry bushes continue tothrive in the Sector 4 field (originally a

field of Multiflora Rose and then ameadow of Goldenrod), the field isnow being overrun by an invasiveshrub, Elaeagnus umbulata a.k.a.AutumnOlive.The number of PurpleLoosestrife plants has dwindled to 2plants from over 100 in 2001.

Special thanks are due to Peggy Jahnand Andy Urquhart for their time andperseverance during all kinds of

weather to collect data for this projectand to Dave Brannan for hisdetermination in getting such excellentpictures of the flora and fauna at GrassDale.Thanks, also, to John Savage for alhis help in fine-tuning the Accessdatabase.We greatly appreciate thecooperation of Superintendent BeckyWebb and her staff at Fort Delaware-Fort DuPont State Park in giving usevery possible assistance for this long-term project.

WE HAVE EXAMINED THEFINANCIAL RECORDS OF THE

DELAWARE AUDUBON SOCIETYFOR THE YEAR 2003 AND FINDTHEM TO BE IN EXCELLENT

CONDITION AND HAVE NO

COMMENTS.

DAVEBRANNANFREDJAHN


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News & Views

All of our boxes are designed byWarren Lauder, and these nestingboxes have produced a bumper cropof young.Although wet, damp weatherprevailed, the food crop forconsumption was excellent.Deerfieldproduced the highest population ofyoung Bluebirds we have experienced.The area continues to be the best inNew Castle County, if not the entirestate.The golf course is surrounded by

undeveloped parkland of woods andfew houses. Housing brings HouseSparrows and Starlings into an area.

We have placed a type of wire cageover the entrance holes to preventsnakes and raccoons from taking theyoung.The birds have adapted withoutany problems.

Buena Vista is moving right along as agood location.Next Spring, we willplace wire cages over the entrance

holes there.A big THANK YOU toour volunteers for the Buena VistaBluebird Trail.They made the entireprogram a success.Thanks to:Julia Lawson and Dolores Whitely,Jennifer Christy and husband Peter,Robert Mentzer and Diane Crom.

Sometimes Bluebird eggs vary in color,and we have white eggs.Years ago, inthe 1970s, I had a pair of nestingBluebirds with white eggs at WhiteClay Creek State Park.This year, wehad a pair at Buena Vista that producedtwo clutches of white eggs.

We have grave problems at the DuPontgolf course with House Sparrowsinvading the boxes.We keep removing

them as many as four times before theyget the message.The best locationthere is the Nemours course that isaway from all the surrounding houses.

The Purple Martin scouts arrived earlythis year and suffered the problemsassociated with cold,wet weather.Themajority arrived in April and hadsuccessful nesting.

The Artesian Water Company siteproves to be the best one we have.

The surrounding marshes are a greatdraw.The four houses with fourgourds placed on each one have filledup well.The gourds are the first theyselect. Starling-proof entrance holeshave helped keep the Starlings out.While some House Sparrows get in,

we remove them at each visit.The Agriculture Farm at the Universityof Delaware,Newark, has a smallcolony of Purple Martins with twohouses with gourds.

We have found that gourds areselected before the houseapartments. This may go back totheir early history when the Indiansplaced natural gourds around for the

birds to nest in. In the western part ofthe United States, the birds nested intree cavities and they still do in a fewareas.

I understand the Purple Martins arehaving a difficult time on theirwintering sites in South America.Thebirds like the city parks and all thelocal lights around at night. Becausethe birds collect in huge colonies andmove in to stay, their droppings arecausing problems.Some towns are

cutting down the trees in their parksto get rid of the birds.

It appears we need a sanctuary withlights to protect this species in theirwintering areas. I will issue updates onthis problem as I learn more.

NEST BOX PROJECT 2004 Peggy Jahn,Manager, Nest Box Project.

NEST BOX SUMMARY

PURPLE MARTIN RESULTS:Peggy Jahns yard..........................................................................................58 fledgedArtesian Water Company..........................................................................97 fledgedU. of D. Agriculture Farm, Newark ........................................................33 fledged

BLUEBIRDS RESULTS:

MBNA Deerfield Course ........................................................................103 fledgedDuPont Country Club................................................................................37 fledgedBuena Vista................25 Bluebirds,13 Tree Swallows, 25 House Wrens fledged

Fifty-one visits were made by volunteers to all the sites combined.


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News & Views

WALDEN CELEBRATESSESQUICENTENNIAL

August 2004 marked thesesquicentennial of the publication ofThoreaus Walden.What better way tocelebrate this literary event than byreading?

Walden by Henry David ThoreauThe Walden Woods Society

has produced aspecial 150th Anniversary illustrated

edition of Walden.

Walden Pond: A History*by W. Barksdale Maynard

A Place of My Own: The Education

of an Amateur Builder

by Michael Pollan

Tiny, Tiny Houses

by Lester Walker

The Tiny Book of Tiny Houses

by Lester Walker

Cabins: A Guide to Building Your

Own Nature Retreat

by David R. Stiles, Jeanie Stiles, DavidStiles

Rustic Retreats:

A Build-It-Yourself Guide

by David R. Stiles, Jeanie Stiles

* See page 12,BOOKS OF INTEREST

MARK YOUR CALENDARS !

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23DELAWARE AUDUBON S ANNUAL BIRD SEED DAY

The Delaware Audubon Society greatly appreciates every purchase you make duringthe annual Bird Seed Day event.Your support is important because the proceedsfrom the sale support the Audubon Adventures Program. The Audubon AdventuresProgram provides free environmental education kits to all Middle School studentsand their teachers throughout the state.

At the request of our membership,we also offer custom built, pine, DelawareAudubon Bluebird box houses for sale, along with the top selling A-6 Droll Yankeesbird feeder. Send in your order form and payment today! Support Bird Seed Day!

Attracting birds to backyard feeders is a wonderful way to bring Nature into ourlives and the lives of our children. Below is a handy reference to help you make thebest selection of bird seed to order:

T YPES OF SEEDS & THE BIRDS THAT LOVE EM

Black Oil & Striped Sunflower

Blue Jay, Chickadee,Grackle, Evening Grosbeak,Finch (American,Gold, House,Purple), Sparrow (House, Song,White-Throated,White-Crowned) Mourning Dove,Northern Cardinal,Tufted Titmouse

Sunflower Nutmeats (No Husks)American Goldfinch, Sparrow (House and White-Throated)

DE Audubon Mixed Premium (Oilseed, cracked corn, peanut hearts, white millet)

Attracts many species

Medium Cracked and Whole Corn

White-Throated Sparrow, Dark-Eyed Junco,Cardinal,Mourning Dove, Sparrow

Niger (Thistle)

Finch (Gold,House,Purple),Mourning Dove, Sparrow (Song,While-Throated),Dark-Eyed Junco

Safflower

White-Throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,Mourning Dove

Peanut Hearts

Common Grackle, House finch, Mourning Dove, Sparrow (Song,White-Throated,White Crowned)

White Millet

Dark-Eyed Junco,Mourning Dove, all species of Sparrow, House Finch, NorthernCardinal


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WE RE LOOKING FOR SOME SEED MONEY!

BIRD SEED DAY: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23Place your order now for Delaware Audubons annual Bird Seed Day and beat the October 15 deadline.

11

Please use this form or make copies. Pass out copies of the forms to your friends

We hope, with your help, to make this years sale our best ever!

BIRD SEED DAY ORDER FORM

Size Type of Seed Quantity Price* Total

25 lb. Black oilseed ................ 11.50 $ ..................

40 lb. Black oilseed ................ 18.00 $ ..................

25 lb. Striped sunflower ................ 15.00 $ ..................

50 lb. Striped sunflower ................ 28.00 $ ..................

25 lb. Sunflower nut meat ................ 23.00 $ ..................

25 lb. Delaware Audubon Premium Mix ................ 13.50 $ . .................

50 lb. Delaware Audubon Premium Mix ................ 24.00 $ . .................

25 lb. Cracked corn ................ 8.00 $ . .................

50 lb. Cracked corn ................ 13.50 $ ..................

25 lb. Whole corn ................ 7.50 $ ..................

4 lb. Thistle (niger) seed ................ 5.00 $ ..................



25 lb. Safflower ................ 19.00 $ ..................

5 lb. Peanut hearts ................ 8.00 $ ..................

25 lb. White millet ................ 9.50 $ ..................

12 oz. Suet cake (High energy) ................ 1.50 $ ..................

12 oz. Suet cake (Peanut butter) ................ 2.50 $ ..................

Bluebird House, Pine ................ 25.00 $ ..................

Droll Yankees A-6 bird feeder ................ 23.00 $ . .................

................ (Subtotal) $ ..................

Yes! I want delivery. Here is my donation of $10 or more $ ..................Enclosed is my check payable to Delaware Audubon for (Total) $ ..................

I will PICK UP my order between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

on Saturday, October 23 at Delcastle County Park.

Name ........................................................................................................................................................

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

Telephone ................................................................................................................................................

I will be able to help on Bird Seed Day, October 23,

between the hours of ..............................and ............................

I dont need any seed this year, but here is my donation of $ ..................

Please mail this order form to: Birdseedc/o Tom Shuey

137 Bernice Drive

Bear, DE 19701

Thank You for Your Support!

Bird Seed Day is Audubons mainfund-raiser. Proceeds from the sale enableus to continue vital programs and initiativessuch as establishing an Audubon Wildlife

Sanctuary.

To order a winters supply of bird seed,fill out your order form and

MAIL ITwith a check made payable to DelawareAudubon Society, to:

Birdseed

c/o Tom Shuey137 Bernice DriveBear, DE 19701

IT MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 15.

OR

ORDER BY PHONE before October 1Call 302-428-3959, leave a message. Wewill call you back, take your order, total it

up for you. Send a check, made payable toDelaware Audubon Society, for the total to

Birdseedc/o Tom Shuey137 Bernice DriveBear, DE 19701

IT MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 15.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND DONTFORGET TO PICK UP YOUR ORDER!

October 23 between 9AM and 1PMat Delcastle County Park, located off ofMcKennans Church Road.We have no way of storing seed thatpeople forget to pick up. Seed not picked

up by 1:00 pm will be donated to Tri-StateBird Rescue and Research.

OR

USE OUR DELIVERY SERVICEIf you live above the canal in New CastleCounty take advantage of our specialdelivery service. For a donation of $10 or

more your seed will be delivered to yourdoor.

We Can Use Your Help

If you can spare some time on Bird SeedDay , we can use your help shuffling papers,calling out orders, and generally having agood time. Even an hour of your time willhelp.


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12

BOOKS OF INTEREST

Walden Pond: A History.

W. Barksdale Maynard.Oxford University Press, 2004.416 pp., illustrated.

W. Barksdale Maynards Walden Pond: AHistoryis a deep map. That term wasthe subtitle of William Least Heat-Moons PrairyErth, the 1991 best-sellerhailed by critics as our modern-dayWalden. While Heat-Moons paean tothe prairie was a deep map likened toThoreaus Walden, Maynards bookprovides us a deep map of WaldenPond itself.

Heat-Moon plumbed the historical,

sociological, and geological depths of aremaining corner of Kansas prairie, aplace far removed from Concord,Massachusetts. Maynards book doesthe same, but pitches camp right at thesource. Our knowledgeable guide, staffin hand, helps us read the runes ofNature (Thoreau) and those ofhumankind.As Maynard writes,Walden is...a text rife with secrets andartifice, its complex utopian andreformist ideas couched in a seeminglysimple story about a man living in theforest.Maynards map reveals Walden,andWalden Pond, in its satisfyingchronological strata of chapters, fromthe 1820s and into the dot-org era.Addressed are such things as thetranscendental community inConcord;Thoreaus friendships withAlcott, Emerson, and Channing;Waldenin the broader context of Thoreauslife and literary fabric; analyses ofWalden by scholars and historians; and

some of the other individuals inspiredto seek a life in the woodsincluding Delmarvas own GilbertByron.We are also shown WaldenPond itself, through the seasons and

over the years.This literary Mecca andpopular recreation area has longteetered between the competingforces of conservation andcommercialism.Grassrootorganizations have fought to make itsfuture secure.

Maynard places the reader at a vantagepoint from which to view thedeparting past and inrushing present.Thoreau situated himself similarly.Maynard observes that Thoreau livedon the very edge of [town] in orderto see its foibles more clearly, fleeingto the woods to better understandcivilization.... Such perspectives are

exactly what we need, but present uswith the paradox of Walden Pond:Byvisiting, we run the risk of besmirchingthe place. Maynard reminds us,As isoften the case in Thoreau, the fact ofhuman disturbance in the landscapefueled new observations. There ismuch beauty to be seen; however, letus be keen observers who strive toleave no trace.

An educated visitor is a respectful

visitor.This reviewer recommends allforthcoming editions ofWalden besold as a set, shrink-wrapped withMaynards remarkable book.

About the Author:

W. Barksdale Maynard teachesarchitectural history at Johns Hopkins

University and the University of Delaware.He has served as a consultant for The

Walden Woods Project and was a visitingscholar at the Thoreau Institute at Walden

Woods. He is a longtime member of

Delaware Audubon as well as a contributorto the Delaware Audubon Journal.

MLC

September-December 2004 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of September-December 2004 Delaware Audubon Society Newsletter