The

BLUEBIRD THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

VOLUME 48, Number 3 September, 1981

The Audubon Society of Missouri

Founded 1901

PURPOSE The Audubon Society of Missouri is a non-profit statewide society organ ized

in 1901 and affiliated with The Notional Audubon Society. It is dedicated to the preservation and protection of birds and all wildlife forms and habitat, to the education of the c i t i z e n r y toward appreciation of the natural world, and to working for wise conservation practices related to people and wildlife.

OFFICERS

President ............ . J. Marshall Magner 516 Bacon Ave., Webster Groves, 63119

Vice-president . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Keith E. Evans 808 Cornell, Columbia, 65201

Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Katherine Wade 2114 Old St. Louis Road, Jefferson City, 65101

Secretary . . . . Mrs. Alverta Loomis 3110 Hogan Drive, Jefferson City, 65101

EDITORS

The Bluebird ................ Hugh Hadley 1243 West 71st Terrace, Kansas City, 64114

Bird Survey Editor ........... James D. Wilson Conservation Dept., PO Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102

Conservation Editor . . . . . James P. Jackson Route 1, Box 136A, Marthasville, 63357

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Dr. Lyle Pursell . . . . . . . . . . .... Rolla Miss Bonnie Dunlap . . . . . . . . Jefferson City Dr. David Easterla . . . . . . . . . . .. Marvville Jim Rathert .............•.... Columbia Dr. Leo Galloway St. Joseph Paul Bauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Florissant Mrs. Rebecca Matthews . . . . . . . . . Springfield Harry Gregory . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City Dr. James Shaddy . . . . . . Kirksville Nathan Fay (Honorary Director) Ozark Floyd Lawhon (Honorary Director) . . . . . . St. Joseph

(COVER AND HEADINGS BY DAVID PLANK)

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The Bluebird VOLUME 48, Number 3 September, 1981

FROM

THE PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE

By J. Marshall Magner

THE MERAMEC DAM! It is incredible. We are being asked to plough the same ground again, when we should be directing our effort and energy to m a n y new goals in conservation. Three years ago, voters in twelve eastern Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis rejected the Meramec Dam by a vote of 63%. Senators Danforth and Eagleton have introduced a bill to de-authorize the project and dispose of the land acquj_red by the Corps of Engineers. Congressman Young opposes

. this action. We are recommending more letters to Senators John

Danforth and Tom Eagleton, thanking them for their efforts, but encouraging them to strengthen their bill by amendments suggested by the Meramec Heritage Riverway Association. Give more protection to the Vilander Bluff, the most impressive scenery anywhere on the Meramec River. Retain for public use Carter Creek Hollow, the best remaining site for potential park development. Provide for farm leasing in lieu of purchase, so that productive farm units are not broken up. Provide for line of sight or horizon scenic easements. Adjust land prices to inflation to discourage specula-tion. For more details see the August-September issue of 1981 Ozark Sierr an.

The NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY has entered a battle which must be won to prevent the destruction of our national heritage. Our government should be more efficient, but the severe attack o n proven and effective conservation and environmental programs must not be permitted to destroy our land. Stay alert and be prepared to contact Senators Danforth and Eagleton, and _your Representatives, frequently,

THE n a t u r e CONSERVANCY has announced plans to

open an office in St. Louis. Missouri is a key state because of its rich biological a r e a s . T h e projects in the state include Buford Mountain, Clarksville

Island, Onondaga Cave and more than $3 million worth of Missouri prairie.

I LOOK FORWARD to seeing you at the Fall Meeting, September 25-27, at Camp Clover Point. Arrangement details and program information are in the centerfold.

If you have suggestions for individuals to serve as officers or directiors, ways to improve our program or the Society, please contact any of the officers or directors. The Editor appreciates articles and notes for the Bluebird. Copy deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1.

J. MARSHALL MAGNER, President

LOON GETS HIS SIGNALS MIXED UP

Birders in the Kansas City area had an unusual treat this spring. A Common Loon stayed at the Swope Park Lagoon from 3 May through 15 June. The bird was

found in a back yard in nearby Merriam, Kan. late in the evening of 2 May and immediately brought to the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park by Ronald Asher of the Northeast Animal Control Commission of Merriam. It was in full breeding plumage and did not appear to be injured. After being examined by the Zoo veterinarian,

Dr. Roger Brannian, it was released at the lagoon, It seemed to thrive, but made no apparent attempt to leave. On 17 May it was seen flying short distances during boat races in the lagoon, but still did not leave. On that same day it was the bird of the day for the Burroughs Audubon Society's Spring Breakfast bird walk in Swope Park. It was last seen on Monday, 15 June, after a 6-week stay,

Burroughs Audubon, Kansas City Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park

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HARRY GREGORY

LOTS OF GOOD BOOKS HERE OR ON THE WAY

John Karel's review of Leonard Hall's new tome, "A Journal of the Seasons on an Ozark Farm," Tell the truth, it's not exactly new, but a fine reprinting of Len Hall's earlier "Country Year," telling the story of well-known Possum Trot. From the University of Missouri Press, Columbia. Look into it.

With Charles and Elizabeth Schwartz now residents of Idaho, enjoying a well-earned "retirement" with their children, you may want to take advantage of a chance to acquire a new and very special signed and numbered art print by Charlie. His "Bobcat" has been

declared one of the best studies of this elusive pred-ator. The Conservation Federation of Missouri offers it in a signed, numbered edition for just $25, plus $3 for handling. Send to CFM at 312 E. Capitol, Jefferson City.

Another Schwartz book is an expanded version of the "Wild Mammals of Missouri" which has attracted much attention, It is also available from the University_ of Missouri Press at Columbia

Gene Poirot's book, "Our Margin of Life," remains one of the best statements of our obligation to get along with our wild friends. Poirot, a winner of the Master Conservationist of Missouri award, has been honored by the Missouri Conservation Department for his aid with the Ecological Resource Management Mobile Teachers Course for Southern Missouri. That's quite a mouthful, but it means the 82-year-old Poirot took time to help Wendell Jeffery, education consultant for the Conservation Department, with a college credit course offered in a rolling workshop for the state's teachers The Design for Conservation helps out with $112 from the state sakes tax for each teacher enrolled, The teachers also pay $300 for this nugget of learning, "We have twice as many teachers trying to enroll as we can accommodate every year," Jeffery says,

If we're lucky, Jim Jackson will have several copies of "Pulse of the Forest" at the fall roundup, If it metches his great "Biography of a Tree" it will be a winner. Both should be on your shelves, or better, right on your reading table.

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C O N S E R V A T I O n COMMENTS

by James P. Jackson

THE WATT LINE -- By now we have all heard the bad jokes about how the press is getting a lot of wattage from the the new Secretary of the Interior. But make no mistake about it, James Watt is no joke. He is the worst threat to long-term protection of our natural heritage and to our environment that has ever gained a position of power in Washington, D.C. Worse than that, his position of power is sanctioned by President Reagan, who seems to be completely preoccupied with pushing his supply-side economics.

Most of us are already aware of the acts and the threatened plans of Mr. Watt, but a few should be of special interest to us. He wants to eliminate the Land and Water Conservation Fund, intended to finance pur-chases of new areas and private inholdings for the Nat-ional Park Service; instead, he proposes to use this money for park management. However, since he also plans to turn over major control of park activities to concessionaires, we can easily assume this means not using the money for preservation of natural features, but ultimately to build new tourist facilities within the parks. In another sector, he has been temporarily blocked -- thank goodness -- from granting numerous mine exploration leases within the boundaries of the unique Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, in Montana. Along with his zealous desire to open all wilderness areas to mining, Mr. Watt has publicly stated that the Depart-ment of the Interior under his jurisdiction is to serve as the Amicus, or legal friend, of the mining industry within the court of Federal p o l i c y - m a k i n g . In another action, he has ordered the Office of Endangered Species to trim its listing of critical species; he has also pushed for severe funding cuts to the Fish & Wildlife Service, and is even reported to have a "hit list" involving the following five National Wildlife Refuges: Charles Sheldon, Desert, Kofa, Cabeza Prieta and the Charles M. Russell. The list of threats could go on

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and on, ad nauseam. THE HAYAKAWA LINE -- Senate Bill S. 842, introduced

by S. I. Hayakawa (R-Calif.) and Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) would, in essence, prohibit any possible future addit-ions to the National Forests Wilderness System. The timber industry is lobbying intensely for this bill and has already received formal endorsement from the Reagan administration.

THE SANTINI LINE -- House Bill H.R. 3364, named the Mining Supremacy Bill, was introduced by Jim San-tini (D-Nevada) and would allow Secretary Watt -- and future Interior secretaries -- the power to grant an unlimited access to mining and oil drilling activities on on any or all federal lands, It would thus make such activities the dominant use on such areas as national forests, national parks, wilderness areas and wildlife refuges. Amazingly, this bill already has 39 cosponsors in the House; it will surely get much support from Reaganites who currently have control of the Senate.

YOUR LINE -- Your line is as crucial as it should, by now, seem obvious, It is to sit down and write a personal letter to your Senators and your Congressman, denouncing the threats posed to our irreplaceable natural heritage by the wishes of the men of influence who are mentioned above.

+ + + + + FROM OUR AUDUBON CAMPERSHIP WINNER

"Dear Mr. Magner:· What a beautiful spot, and what a fantastic experience! Audubon Camp In the West surpassed my expectations in opportunities offered there, and the high quality of professional staff. I enjoyed two weeks of hiking and exploring in Torrey Valley with experts in botany, aquatics, entomology, ecology, geology and human ecology, I was also able to share in the knowledge and backgrounds of the other campers, coming from all over the United States as we explored for moose, beaver and bighorn sheep. Now that I've been there I truly appreci-ate the opportunity you provided me, and am anxious to share my new knowledge with my students and others. I'm honing mv slides will turn out well so I can show the place off at the Fall meeting.

Sincerely, Route 3, Columbia, Mo. IIA YNA PICKETT

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KEEP THOSE HOTLINES HOT! Tim Barksdale reports things are going well with

the new Missouri Hotline Bird Alert. Paul Bauer says birders in the St. Louis area may contact him at (314) 921-3972 or send a note with your name and telephone number to him at# 4 Club Grounds South Dr., Florissant, Mo. 63033, This will place you on the Rare Bird Missouri Hotline Alert, being co-ordinated by Tim Barksdale.

Tim reports contacts have been established now at Columbia, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Maryville, St. Joseph, P1easant Hill and Farmington, and he is hoping others over the state will respond to his call to set up a truly state-wide Rare Bird Hotline. Badly needed is an observer in the Springfield area. So far, observers include Floyd Lawhon, St. Joseph; Tim Barksdale, Columbia; Sherman Suter, Columbia; Paul Bauer, St. Louis; Phoebe Snetsinger, Rose Ann Bodman and Bill Rudden, Webster Groves; Jim D. Wilson, Jeff-erson City, and JoAnn Garrett, Pleasant Hill, and Bob Lewis, Farmington.

The new St. Louis area reporter for American Birds is Randy Korotev. Notify him at 727-7712 of u n u s u a l

sightings. A NEW BIRDER in the family of our state o r n i t h o l -

agist, and enthusiastic Audubon member, Jim D. Wilson, is son C h r i s t o p h e r , born on August 17 to Jim and Marsha. It is also their wedding anniversary. VISITS BY THE AUDUBON ARK STIR INTEREST

Tom Troy and Diana Tominac of National Audubon have brought the Audubon Ark exhibit to several areas, including Kansas City and Farmington. If you get a chance to see this outstanding exhibit, don't miss it!

LOSS OF FOUR FAITHFUL OUTDOORS LOVERS NOTED

The Hyatt Regency disaster in Kansas City cost the lives of three Audubon members. Lou Bottenberg was a widely known figure in the fields of plant identification, bluegrass music and square dancing, and restoration of musical instruments. Sandra and Carl Huntsucker, Jr., were avid outdoors lovers. Albert Schoonover, long seen behind Jennie's wheelchair at Audubon meetings, died last month. All will be missed.

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CAN IT BE TRUE? SWAN SONG FOR SIBO?

What is apparently the last issue of The Song Sparrow, publication of the Southern Illinois Bird Observatory (SIBO) has arrived. The longtime count co-ordinator in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, Michael Morrison, has moved to 169 South St. John, # 578, Pasadena, CA 91123, and may be contacted there. The 1980 summer bird count is included, and counts will continue, at least in Illinois, under Mark Swan, 540 Haish, DeKalb, IL 60015, and in Indiana under Scott Jackson, 792-133 Heritage Rd. Valparaiso, IN 46383. A compiler for Missouri has not yet volunteered, but persons are requested to contact Morrison. The SIBO organization, after a long and honorable history, has ceased to exist. Two students have been hired to assist in compiling available data on a banding program.

THAYER'S GULL SPOTTED IN IOWA The durable publication, Iowa Bird Life, edited_

by Peter C. Petersen of Davenport, recounts the sighting pn March 18 of two first-year Thayer's Gulls by B. J. Rose at Lake Manawa, near Council Bluffs i.n Pottawattamie eounty. This is a state record. Rose got good photographs, and the sighting was confirmed

by numerous other observations by Thomas H. Kent, Pete Petersen,Tom Shires, Tom Kent and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Armstrong, with other experienced birders from Omaha. The Thayer's Gull has recently been separated by AOU from Herring Gull, but many believe it should be closely associated or lumped with Iceland Gull. It's tough to be trying to build a list under such doings.

Incidentally, the very fine cover on Iowa Bird Life in the June quarter features the nuthatch done this year by David Plank of Salem, Mo., a familiar name to Missouri Auduboners.

CLEANER S T R E E T S S o o n IN COLUMBIA It took four years, but Columbia's "bottle bi l l "

will take effect Oct. 5, with a S-cent deposit required on beverage containers. The ordinance is the first of its kind in the state and will be closely watched. Audubon members should support it wherever possible.

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JUST PEARL AND I, BIRDING TOGETHER

That's the way Floyd Lawhon describes his entire summer of 1981, with birding activity in the St. Joseph area decreasing. But he found much to excite him in his outings, and shares some of it with us here:

Mark Robbins is away at school (Louisiana State University) finishing his studies for his Master's degree. He will be home for the Christmas holidays, and will finish up next spring. Leo Galloway, retired (can it be so?) is still active with his bicycling. It is not unusual for him to ride 100 miles in one day. That, in addition to taking care of a big garden, doing some birding and keeping active with his botany work, keeps time from hanging heavy.

I heard a Carolina Wren singing on June 27, just about 4 miles northwest of St. Joe, and again on July 3, but not since. It is my first in Northwest Missouri since April 15, 1978. The Mockingbirds and Bluebirds seem to be coming back pretty well.

I mention this because so many rare birds seem to be showing up in Missouri in recent years. Maybe it bas always been this way, but it could be because so many active birders are in the field.

Tim Barksdale has been working the last several years_to Bui ld up a rare bird hotline alert and communications system. Most of the larger bird clubs have their own "rare bird alert", but others over the state do not hear of good finds until it is too late.

Those interested can contact Tim at 408 N. William St., Columbia, Mo. 65201. Telephone (314) 443-1929.

I have added many good birds to my Missouri Bird List as a result of getting a call from Dick Anderson, Bill Goodge, Nanette Johnson, Tim Barksdale, David Easterla, Mark Robbins or Leo Galloway, or others. The Squaw Creek Refuge peoplehave been good at informing me of rare species showing up there.

Just to mention a few I could have missed: Black Rail, Barnacle Goose, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Red Phalarope, Whooping Crane, Thayer's Gull, Black-legged

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Kittiwake, Sabine's Gull, Groove-billed Ani, Clarke's Nutcracker, Bronzed Cowbird and Bachman's Sparrow. These are only some of the birds I was called on.

Whenever I find a good species I try to call several of the birders immediately to get the word started. A few of the better ones have been Arctic Loon, White Ibis, Brant, Black-necked Stilt, Para-sitic Jaeger, Burrowing Owl, Mountain Bluebird and Northern Shrike.

Most bird watchers, I believe, keep a list of birds they see on their home property, Many count only the birds they see on their own property or directly overhead. The thought often occurs to me

that the time may come when my birding will be limited to my home grounds. My accumulated list of "home" birds is 153 species, but I count anything that I can identify from my property, even if it is a Whit Pelican in the sky half a mile away, Many of my birds have been seen flying at a distance, such. as three species of geese, sever of ducks and many hawks. Some of the better ones have been Mississippi Kite, Swainson's Hawk, Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon.

My home ison a bit over one acre just inside the northwest corner of St. Joseph. I am about one mile from the Missouri River and in a direct line between Krug Park and a heavily wood ed section of our boulevard system. I think many of my birds com-mute from one of these areas to the other. I see sev-eral water birds because there is a nice size lagoon at each ar ea, A railroad track borders my property

at the back, and because of the weeds on the railroad property I have seen 15 species of sparrows among the finch-type birds. I have also recorded 18 species of warblers at my home. I have many trees, of which the Birch seem to attract many bird. I also have many fruit-producing shrubs and vines.

What I am trying to say is, if I ever come to the point where I will be unable to go birding, I can always bird at home.

3327 Burnside Avenue St. Joseph, Mo. 64505

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Floyd 1awhon

PRAIRIE DAYS ARE LOVELY DAYS, SAYS ESTELLE SNOW May 16 was a perfect day for the Prairie Day

Event -- a slight breeze but not windy --nippy, but not cold -- cloudy, but no rain. An ideal day to walk.

It was my privilege to visit Paintbrush Prairie, 9 miles south of Sedalia, with Uncas McGuire and members o f his botany class from State Fair Community College.

When we arrived at the prairie, about 9 a.m., a str earn of cars already stretched along the graveled road. Conservation agents greeted us at the entrance. We were eight of approximately 1,200 visitors who had come to enjoy this 74-acre jewel along the east side of U.S. 65 that day.

Visitors were asked to confine their footsteps to roads cut through the prairie grass, to diminish the destruction of prairie plants. Very competent guides provided by the Department of Conservation took small groups along the roads, identifying plants, birds and a f e w animals. Questions were asked and answered.

The most spectacular plants seen were Indian Paint-brush, Purple Coneflower, White and Lavender Shooting Star, Short Prairie Rose and Wild Indigo. A very rare and endangered plant --Mead's Milkweed -- had been spotted and marked by conservation workers. Before May 16 they were not aware that it grew on Paintbrush Prairie.

Other interesting plants to be seen were Yellow Star Grass, Violet and Yellow Wood Sorrel, Flowering Spurge, Beardtongue, Cinquefoil, Dewberry, Yarrow, Prairie Parsley, Lousewort, Corn Salad, Resin Weed, Ashy Sunflower, Ratt lesnake MAster, Coreopsis, Goat's Beard, Lead Plant, Wild Phlox, Spiderwort, Wild Straw-berry, Golden Ragwort. New Jersey Tea, Daisy Fleabane, False Toadflax, Mountain Mint, Compass Plant and False Dandelion.

Then the grasses -- a sea of grass! tall, medium and short, stretching as far as our eyes could see --Sundrop Grass, Big and Little Bluestem, Side Oats Grama, Broom Sedge, Indian Grass, Switch GRass and many others.

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Our guide, Jerry Overton, editor of the Missouri Prairie Journal of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, and new president of the Burroughs Audubon Society, told us that Paintbrush Prairie boasted 200 or more of the 400 species of prairie plants found on the prairies of the Inited States, He also told us that if we returned in two weeks we would see many plants not to be seen on that day -- a continuing succession of beauty through the growing season.

Among t h e birds identifiedr'were Bobwhite, Barn Swallows, Upland Plover, Grasshopper Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Killeeer, Meadowlark, Yellow-throated Warbler, Marsh Hawk and Cowbird.

The Conservation Department had native mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian exhibits near the prairie entrance, Publications by the department, the Nature Conservancy and the Prairie Foundation were available.

Our guides showed us the mysterious oval mounda scattered across the prairie, Known as mima mounds, and fairy rings (rings of dark green grass standing out boldly against the prairie floor, they are a

distinctive sight, We enjoyed visiting with the "early-day" fur

traders at their tepee, and hearing their tales of the prairie as it was long ago,

It was encouraging to see the large number of children and teen-agers present -- some walking across the prairie with their parents, others in Scout or school groups or with 4-H leaders. They heard stories of the ancient prairies, and many could see and touch mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds for the first time.

I feel that I speak for most of the visitors when I say we left with a much greater knowledge, respect, reverence and love for the prairie than we possessed when we arrived.

307 Vassar St. Bunceton, Mo. 65237

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ESTELLE SNOW,

THE T r u m p e t e r s MAY RETURN AGAIN

It is possible that Trumpeter Swans will migrate down the Missouri River Valley again this winter.

Birders should watch for them if they wish to add a new state bird to their life lists or wish to help The Trumpeter Swan Society monitor any and all facets of Trumpeter Swan migration.

A family of 6 Trumpeters visited the Thomas Hill Reservoir in 1978. A pen and 2 cygnets were illegally killed there on December 7, 1978, but apparently the cob and 2 cygnets survived. The adult female had been banded as a local cygnet at the Lacreek National Wild-life Refuge in southwest South Dakota in August, 1972. A dozen Trumpeter Swans were also observed feeding in a duck pond near Victoria, Texas during the winters of 1977 and 1978. Although identified as Trumpeters,

they were not reported until ovember 1979, when the local biologists learned the of the migratory flock at Lacreek.

The 1979 and 1980-81 winters were relatively mild and the Lacreek flock did not need to migrate. But, if it is frigid, Trumpeters may be seen again in Texas and Missouri.

Please report any swan sightings to Harold H. Burgess, Route 5, Box 183, Liberty, Mo., 64068, or call him at (816) 781-8598.

+ + + --- Harold H. Burgess

TRUMPETER BROCHURES AVAILABLE The Trumpeter Swan Society has recently issued

a beautiful brochure with three full-color photographs accompanying short stories on the Trumpeter Swan and the Trumpeter Swan Society. Brochures are available from The Trumpeter Swan Society, 3800 County Road 24, Maple Plain, Minnesota 55359, or from the Society's president, Harold H. Burgess, Route 5, Box 183, Liberty, Mo. 64068.

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ADD TO YOUR LIFE LIST AT HACIENDA El COBANO

An intriguing ornithology field tour to Colima, Mexico, and vicinity under N A T I O N A L Audubon Society sponsorship is available. For $785, well below most similar commercial undertakings, National Audubon will give you a rich birding and ecology experience from Nov. 22 through Dec. 1, in superb mountain, ocean, marsh, forest, desert and river habitats. For further information call or write (Ms.) J. Robin Hernbrode, Director, Audubon Ecology Field Seminars, P. 0. Box 3557, Boulder, Colo. 80307. Phone (303) 499-0219. YOU"LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

IS MERAMEC DAM DEAUTHORIZATION A CATCH 22? Senators Danforth and Eagleton have proposed, in

Sen. 1493, a new approach to deauthorizing the badly misbegotten Meramec Dam proposal. It seems possible, finally, that this mistake may be erased from the books, but, as Eagleton points out, there is a bad Catch 22 situation. The Army normally takes a decade to accomplish anything in such situations, wait ing for eight years afterthe final appropriation b e f o r emoving to erase any measure. But, Eagleton says, it is well known that some funds must be spent each year to maintain properties acquired, like the Meramec basin's 28,000 acres now owned by the federal govern-ment. Maintenance costs, naturally, have escalated from $150,000 in FY 1979 to $358,000 in FY 1982. It's easy to just keep on spending money, once you get in the habit. But the Eagleton-Danforth bill has strong support for an immediate deauthorization, and they are committee to seeing it enacted into law. The measure makes adequate provisions for protecting public access to parks, forests and river habitat.

Incidentally, The Conservation Federation of Missouri again acted responsibly in sponsoring the annual cleanup drive on the Meramec and tributaries by volunteers in boots and boats, on August 29. This Operation Clean Stream, going since 1968, h a s become the largest ongoing river cleanup in America, and is cosponsored by Monsanto and the St. Louis Open Space Counci 1. It is worth emulating in forests and meadows.

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AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE CAMP CLOVER POINT

LAKE OF THE OZARKS STATE PARK

September 25-27, 1981

WHAT IS HAPPENING:

Friday, Sept. 25: Camp Clover Point. (Note change of camp!) Facilities open after 4 p.m Informal fellowship a n d birding for early arrivals. Volleyball. AN ADDITION! Friday night meal provided for $3, breakfast Saturday, $3.50.

Saturday, Sept. 26; Breakfast optional, cost $3,50 extra, Camp Registration with Treasurer, Katherine Wade (Before noon if possible, Informal nature walks et al.

Lunch, Noon, Dining Hall. Free time.

Afternoon program: Meeting of officers and Directors, 1:30. Annual Business Meeting, 4 p.m. Election of Officers, Resolutions for Conservation action. Bring your ideas and suggestions. Candidates for Audubon Camp sponsorship.

7:30p.m., Evening Program, Harry Gregory, Program chairman.

Audubon Film, "Time for Survival".

Walter Crawford of Raptor R e s e a r c h

Center, program on reintroduction of Barn Owls from Tyson R e s e a r c h C e n t e r .S l i d e s of more than 50 birds raised from 8 breeding pairs. Harry Gregory, films from his recent trip to view and s t u d y wildlife in India, 1 4

Sunday, Sept. 27: Early birding for early birders. Breakfast, followed by Outdoor Worship Service arranged by Rebecca Matt hews, All welcome. FIELD TRIPS, your choice,

Dinner: Noon in dining hall. Adjournment.

COST: The same high quality meals of recent years will be provided by Mrs. Henry Boessen and her crew, with only a slight increase. PRIOR registration, by September 15, with Katherine Wade, Treasurer, at 2114 Old St. Louis Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101, will now cost $25, up only $2. Students and children $20, Cost AT CAMP, Nonreserved, is $30 and $25, so - 0-o Get your Name in the Pot! This includes your registration, lodging and meals Saturday noon and night, and Sunday breakfast and dinner.

NOTE MOVE to Camp Clover Point! This provides better kitchen facilities with baths in the dormitory buildings. Turn right at last turnoff on old route in Lake Ozark Park. Come, meet old friends!

LAKE OF THE OZARKS STATE' PARK

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s

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Species

S p r i n g Survey MISSOURI

Spring 1981 A m e r i c a n Birds Report

Compiled by Jim Rathert & Jim D. Wilson

March 1 through May 31, 1981

The drought continued generally statewide through the first 10 days of Apri 1. During 1 ate Apri 1 and Mayrainfall was adequate. March and April were slightly warmer than average while May temperatures averaged pleasantly cooler than the mean.

Unusual species included red-throated loon, an.hinga, glossy ibis, cinnamon teal, yellow rail, purple gallinule, snowy plover, marbled godwit, road-runner, and late evening grosbeaks.

No. Location

Common· loon 1 Springfield "full breeding plumage" 1 Thomas Hi 11

Red-throated Loon {DOC) Thomas Hi 11

Horned grebe 1 Thomas Hi 11 1 Thomas Hi 11 3 Fountain Grove WLA

Date

3/29-5/11

5!11 {late)

3/7

3/29 4/5 5/4

Eared grebe Not reported in the Columbia area, but noted as "unusually numerous" in the St. louis Area from 3/20 to 4/19.

Observers

CB, MOB

SS,TB,RB

SS,TB

BG BG SS,TB

39 Holt Co. 5!15 MR,Fl {high)

White pelican 200 350

300-400 150

Double-crested c o r m o r a n t 10 "only report"

Schell-Osage WlA Thomas Hi 11 Swan lake NWR Squaw Creek NWR

Thomas Hi 11

A n h i in ga (DOC) 1 Mingo NWR

Cattle egret

Black-crowned night heron

Yellow-crowned night heron (first spring reports from

S p r i n g f i e l d area since 1976)

Least bittern

ad. male

Normal reports from all over Missouri

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Thomas Hill

Swan lake NWR

ad. Springfield ad. Springfield vicinit} imm.Springfield vicinity

3/21 3/31 4/13 5/14 {late)

4/5

4/19

4!28

5/4

4/11 5/5 5/31

5/4

AB,et.al. JR SS, TB ,IA MR

BG

SS,TW

SS ,JR,RB

SS,TB

DH,CB DnJ AB, et.al.

SS, TB

Speci i e s Lacation d a t e O b s e r v e r s American bittern 4 Swan l a k e NWR 5/4

4/25

SS,TB

Glossy ibis

White-faced ibis

White-fronted goose

Ross' goose

Cinnamon tea 1

White-winged scoter

Hooded merganser

Common merganser

Red-breasted merganser

Black vulture (last 2 sightings north o f rorma 1 range)

Mississippi kite

Goshawk (DOC)

Sharp-shinned hawk

Cooper's hawk

Rough- 1 egged hawk

Golden eagle

Bald eagle

1 (DOC)

1 1

(DOC)

3

1 ad. male

Horseshoe Lake-St. Joseph

swan Lake NWR Squaw Creek NWR

Thomas Hi 11

Squaw Creek NWR

Alton Dam

5/4 5/31

5/13

3/22

4/25

FL

SS,TB FL

JR

FL

M&L Schaefer

2 Squaw Creek NWR 5/1 FL,KJ ad. male

Thomas Hill

3 Springfield 2 Alton Dam

(pair)

2 Thomas Hi 11 (pair)

250+ Thomas Hill 250+ August Busch WLA

1 nest Mingo NWR 1 North Shannon Co. 2 N e a r Rrighton in Southern

Polk Co.

Forest Park Forest Park Forest Park

Near Thomas Hill Res.

3/7

3/7 3/19

5/13 ( 1 ate)

3/29 4/8

5/2 5/6 5/17

5/16 5/20 5/21

3/7

Reported from Springfield as "scarce" 4 N.W. MO- St. Joseph vicinity thru

1 2 1

Busch Wi ldl i fe Area Babler State Park N.W. Mo. - St. Joseph vicinity

period

3/14-19 4/5 thru peri od

SS,TB

DnJ PS

JR

SS, et.al. E. Larson

JW BR JS

RK,BR CS,BH RK

SS,TB

CB FL

BR.PS,MOB RL FL

1 Columbia 3/4 BG apparently scarce every1vhere due to paucity of reports

Thomas Hill imm.

1 pr. Mingo NWR (building nest)

1 Springfield (late) 1 ad Swan Lake NWR

17

3/15

late May

5/12 5/28

SS,TB,IA,BG

JW, fide

WH,RM E M

speci es L o c a t i o n D a t e o b s e r v e r s

Osprey

PeregrineFa 1 con

Merlin

Sandhill crane

King Rail

Virginia rail

Yellow rail (DOC)

Purple gallinule (DOC)

Piping plover

Snowy p 1 over

Ruddy turns tone

White-rumped sandpiper

Baird's sandpiper

D u n in

Buff-breasted sandpiper

M a r b l e d godwit (DOC)

Hudsonian g o g w i t

American avocet

Wilson's phalarope

Northern phalarope

Herring gull

None I

seen in central Missouri Near Busch WLA

unusua 1 !

I I I I

I 1 lad. I

Squaw Creek NWR St. Louis Co. Marais Temps Claire WLA S h a w Arboretum

Mingo NWRTed Shanks WLA Thomas Hill Sq u a w Creek NWR

Thomas Hill Fountain Grove

South of Columbia

Ted Shanks WLA

Brentwood (St. Louis vic.) Ted Shanks WLA

Swan Lake NWR

Mingo tlWR

3 Horseshoe Lake-Springfield 1 Thomas Hill

1 Horseshoe Lake-St. Joseph (DOC) 1 Big Lake State Park

7 Squaw Creek NWR

111 Thomas Hill

10

2 5

2 Thomas Hill

5 S w a n Lake NWR 2 Thomas Hill

7 Near B i g e l o w Marsh(Holt Co.)

4 2 7

4

Alton Dam

Schell-Osage WLA Swan Lake NWR Thomas Hill

Swan Lake NWR

Marais Temps Claire WLA Thomas Hill

B i g e l o w Marsh (Holt Co.)

Rarely seen in St. Joseph area (this year)

18

3/7 4!18 4/2? 4/25-26 4/25

4/18 4/28 5/6 5/14

4/5 ,4/13

3/11 5/16

5/3 5/7

5/4

4/18

4/26 4/28

4/10&12

5/21

5/25

5/13

3/15

5/4 5/13

5/21

4/22

4/19 5/4 5/11

5/4

4/26 5/6

5/21

BG,SS EL KJ TMRK, DvJ RK,PS , M O B

SS ,MOB PC JR MR

SS,BG,IA SS,TB

AK

PS ,MW

R.Bo. MR PS

SS,TB

SS,TW,RB,DM

FL SS,RB,JR

FL

MR

MR

JR

BF,SS

ss JR

MR

CP

CB, et.al. SS, et.al. SS,TB,RB

SS, et.al.

RK JR

MR

FL

S p e c i e s N O . L o c a t i o n _ d a t e ObserversYellow-bi lled cuckoo Jeff City

(early) C o l u m b i a

Black-billed Cuckoo

Roadrunner

Long-eared owl

Short-eared owl

10+ 3 6 1 1

2

Springfield

Forestt Park Columbia

Peck Ranch (Carter Co.)

Busch WLARocky Fork WLA (Boone Co.) Busch WLABusch WLASpringfield

Smartt Field

W e s t e r n Kingbird Columbia Vicinity Columbia Vicinity St. Charles Co.

Scissor-tailed flycatcher

Yellow-bellied flycatcher

willow flycatcher

Alder flycatcher

normal numbers N.W. M O .

1 South of St. Joseph (DOC)

1 Forest Park 1 Springfield 1 Nodaway Co. 1 Farmington 2 Forest Park

3 Springfield

ColumbiaMt. Vernon Columbia Columbia

Olive-sided flycatcher 1 Forest Park 1 Bluff woods (Buchanan Co.) 1 Farmington 1 Mt. Vernon

"unusually large number w e r eseen " Springfield (early}

Columbia

Tree swa 11 ow St. Joseph

Rough-winged swallow Co 1 umbia

Barn swallow Ted Shanks WLA

Purple martin first Jeff City seen

Red-breasted nuthatch Forest Park

19

4/26 JW 4/28 BG 4/30 CB 5/16 RK 5/23&31 BG

Spring KK 1981

3/14 BR,MOB 3!17 ss 3/19 MFG, MOB3/31 PS , M W

4/12 JS, et.al.

,3/30 CP

5/18 AK 5/25 AK 5/25 M&JH

FL

5/15 MR, FL

5/16 RK 5/19 R M5/20 MR 5/26 SD 5/27 RK

5/19 CB

5/16 BG 5/20 MP 5/23 BG 5/24 BG

5/13-16 RK, MOB 5/16 MR 5/20 SD,JW ,BRe 5/20 JR

4/ ll-5/24 CB 5/26 ss

3/25 FL (early)

4/4 BG (early)

3/l BG,SS

3/19 JW

5/16 RK,BR ( 1 ate)

House w r e n

Win t e r 1;ren

sev. 2 1

S h a w Arboretum

Columbia

Callaway Co. SprinQfield Tyson Park Columbia

Carol i n a w r e n Busch Areaseveral Busch Area

2 Shaw Arboretum 1 Near Bagne11 dam1 Jeff City

Still none seen or heard in St. Joseph Area

1 terr. male Columbia

Short-billed marsh wren Columbia

4/18

4!7

3/15 3/22 4/1 4/4

3/16 3/26 4/2 4/11

-4/24 the

May

5/13

Eastern bluebird the strong r e c o v e r y continues statewide

o b s e r v e r s

RK

BG

RWCB DC BG

BK MOB PS J W , et. al. JW, et. al.

FL

BG

BG

JR

Thrushes Observers noted either scarcity or somewhat late migrations

Water pipits

Yellow-throated vireo

Philadelphia

Warbling vireo (late this year)

Black & White w a r b l e r

Prothonotary warbler

Swainson's warbler (DOC)

Blue-winged warbler

(only 2nd record for N.W. MO.)

B r e w s t e r ' s warbler (DOC) (hybrid)

Cape May warbler

Scarce this spring

Columbia 4!18 Shaw Arboretum 4/18

"more commor, than usual at Springfield"

C o l u m b i a first seen 5/2

C o l u m b i a & Springfield observers note this species was more common

Columbia late date 5/25

Columbia 4/26 Forest Park 5/7

St. Joseph 4/4 (early)

2 Shaw Arbortetum 4/18 more common than usual in Columbia & Springfield

S. of Westphalia 5/3

Weldon Springs WLA 4/12 (early)

Bluff Woods WLA (Buchanan Co). 4/16 Columbia 4/18 Columbia 4/29

Forest Park 4/29

3-4 Forest Park 5/9 1 Forest Park 5/16

20

BG RK CB

BG

BG

BG RK

FL

RK BG,CB

JG,LW

RK

MR BG JR

SR,RK,JD

EL, MOB RK

S p e c i e s

Cerulean warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-throated warbler

Connecticut warbler

Mourning w a r ~ l e r

Hooded warbler

Canada warbler

Bobolink

N O . L o c a t i o n on

2 Shaw A r b o r e t u m several Christian Co.

3 1

2 1

1 1 2

Forest Park

Busch W L AFarmington

St. Louis Co. Fares t Park Nodaway Co. Columbia Forest Park

Forest rark Mt. Vernon Forest Park

Fares t Park Fares t Park

Forest Park Mt. Vernon Forest Park

flocks Creve Coeur

1 New Bloomfield 7 Freeman (Cass Co.)

(rna 1 es)

Da t e O b s e r v e r s

4/184/27

4/25

4/12 4/16

5/8 5/9 5/20 5/23 5/23

-5/14 5/20 5/23

5/17 5/23-26

5/13 5/20 5/24

5/2 to mid-May 5/3 5/4

PK CB,RM

CR

RK BRe

BS G&TB,TM MRBG RK

RK MP RK

B Hely RK

RK JR,MP RK

MOB

'SS,TB JJ

Yellow-headed blackbird 3 Columbia 3/24 AK BR,MOB 1 Busch WLA 4/11

(male) 1 Columbia 4/17 1 Marais Temp Claire 4/25

(male)

SS,AK DvJ

Yellow-headed blackbird 7 Near Jeff City 4/26 JH FL reported "down in N.W. MO breeding areas due to

lack of water

Great-tailed grackle "did not return and nest at Big Lake State Park this year since the marsh had dried up MR

Scarlet tanager

Summer tanager

Evening grosbeak

Purple finch

2m, 1f

(DOC) 1m, 1f

6 60

?

? 12

4 miles S.W. of St. Joseph 3/17

Lake Contrary - Near St. Joe 4/16

FL

FL \

Ashland WLA Forest Park

Ashland W L A

Forest Park Callaway Co. Farmington Columbia

Columbia Forest Park

21

4/18 4/21

4/18

BG RK

BG

4/26 RK late April RW 5/11 B L5/2 SS, fide

4/7 BG 4/24 RK

(late)

S p e c i e s No. L o c a t i o n d a t e o b s e r v e r s

Pine siskin 7 Freeman (Cass Co.) 5/6 JJ 2 Columbia 5/8 55 2 St. Joseph 5/15 MR

"small St. Joseph thru end of numbers" period FL

White-winged crossbill Forest Park 3/7 RL

Henslow's sparrow Farmington 5/31 5D not usually reported for this Eastern location

Vesper spa rrow "doing well - scattered pairs throughput N.W. Mo. Pairs located in Nodaway, Holt & Andrew Co." M R

Busch WLA 4/1 VB ? Thomas Hill 4/5 BG

Clay-colored sparrow Columbia 4/29 BG,SS

Harris' sparrow August llusch WLA 3/l RK rare in Eastern Mo"

Lincoln's sparrow August Busch W LA 4/28 RK severa 1 Mount Vernon 5/20 JR,MP

Only 1 report of longspurs this spring.

Smith's Longspur 6 St. Charles Co. 3/30-4/1 CP,MFG

List of Missouri Observers - Spring 1981

IA Ike Adams RL R. Laffey AB Al Banfield EL E. Larson G&TB George & Terry Barker BL Bob Lewis TB Tim Barksdale FL Floyd L a w h o n

RBo Roseann Bodman RM Rebecca Matthews CB Catherine Bonner TM T. McCall RB Robert Brundage EM Ed Moyer VB Viola Bucholtz DM Dave Murphy DC Dick Coles CP Carmen Patterson PC Phil Covington MP Mark Peters SD Steve Di 1 ks JR Jim Rathert JD Jim Durham BRe Bill Reeves JG JoAnn Garrett MRi M. Richardson BG Bi 11 Goodge MR Mark Robbins MFG Mary Frances Goodloe CR C. Roberts DH Dorothy Hagewood BR Bill Rudden BH Bob Hely SR 5k i p Russe 11 WH Woody Ho 11 oway JS Jerry Sauer M & J H M a r g o t and James Holson M&LS M&L Schaefer JK Kenneth Jackson PS Phoebe Snetsinger JJ Joan Jefferson cs Claudia Spener DnJ Dan Jones BS B. Stein DvJ Dave Jones ss Sherman Suter BK B. Kni ckmeyer LW Lilyan Warner RK Randy Korotev TW Terry Weyrauch AK Alan Kridelbaugh MW Mary Wiese KK Ken Kri e w i tz JW Jim Hilson

RW Rea Windsor

22

Species

Summer Survey Summer 1981 American Birds Report

Compiled by Jim Rathert and Jim D. Wilson

June 1 through July 31, 1981

The moderate temperatures and extremely wet condi-tions of summer 1981 are in pleasantly striking contrast to last summer. The temperature at Columbia remained below the century mark and many areas reported the rainiest July on record. Several locales reported o v e r 10" of rain durinq a 24 hour period. The generally favorable weather conditions may have contributed to a slightly greater level of birding activity. This appears to be the case based on the rather impressive list of unusual sightings this summer.

Noteworthy are 20 late white pelicans, 2 fulvous whistling ducks, 2 bald eagles building a nest, a pomarine jaeger, "eastern" western kindbird , alder flycatchers and swainson's warblers. Please read on for the details.

No. Date Location Observer

Loons through Waterfowl

White pelican 6 20

6/7 6/8

Near Mokane ( M o . R.) JW, fide

Least bittern

A m e r i c a n bittern

Snow goose

Fulvous whistling duck

Gadwall

Ring-necked duck

Canvasback

Common merganser

Hawks throu g h Rails

Black vulture

3 nests 6/2 6/20

8 7/2

7/2

7/13

Stockton Res.

Ted Shanks WA Marais Temps Clair Marais Temps Clair

Marais Temps Clair

Sche 11-0sage WA

2 6/2- Ted Shanks WA 6/22

OJ

TB,JW RK MOB

MOB

SS,TB

TB,JW,SS,MOB

1 female 7/31 Tucker Prairie vic. SS

1 male 6/1 Swan Lake NWR SD 6/4 A 1 ton Dam BR

1 male 6!22 Squaw Creek N W R SD

7/l Alton Dam 2 3 7/11 Harbor Point

(St. Chas. Co.)

2 nests June 2 7/12

23

Mingo NWR Ozark Co.

BR TB,SS,et al

TBe SS,TB

Species No. Date location Observer

Mississippi Kite 3 7/31 Mingo NWR JW,TBe

Swainson's hawk 7/30 Springfield JS

Bald eagle 2 still present at dummy nest JW until 6/16

Sandhi 11 crane 2 6/23 Ted Shanks WA JB

King rail 6/27 Marais Temps Clair G & TB

Common gallinule 6/6 M a r a i s s Temps Clair RK

Shorebirds through Terns

Wi 11et 6 6/4 Alton Dam BR,VB

Lesser yellowlegs 15 6/22 Squaw Creek NWR TB,SS

White-rumped sandpiper 4 6/2 Squaw Creek NWR so 1 6/7 Aldrich, MO. DJ

Wilson's phalarope 8 6/2 Squaw Creek NWR so 1 6/22 Squaw Creek NWR SS,TB female

Pomari ne jaeger 1(Doc) 6/9-11 Alton Dam (light phase)

YB ,MS ,BR,MOB

Forster's tern 5 7/13 Sche 11-0sage TB,SS 2 7/28 Springfield NVB ,CB 2 7/31 Little Dixie Lake ss

Common tern 6 7/10 Alton Dam BR Caspian tern 5 6/1 Ted Shanks WA SS,TB,JW

Black tern 2 6/22 Squaw Creek NWR TB,SS 29 7/28 Springfield NVB,CB

Doves through Warblers

Barn owl 2 ad; 6/22 Big lake St. Pk. SS,TB 3 yg.

July Near Farmington BL, et al

Western kingbird 2 6/21 little Bean Lake SS,TB 7 6/22 Big Lake SS,TB 2 ad 6/29 Columbia-MU campus JR,BG,SS 4 yg. (photos & Doc.) (successful nest. By 7/8 2 of the young were perching up to 15 feet from nest.)

Scissor-tailed flycatcher 2 June Near Belgrade SD,BL (Wash. Co.)

June South of Kirksville TB

2 6/27 Near New Bloomfield JW,MAD

24

Species No. Date Location Observer Doves through Warblers (cont'd.)

Willow flycatcher 6/1 S w a n Lake NHR so 6/6 M a r a i s Temps Clair RK

Alder flycatcher 6/22 Bi ge 1 ow Marsh TB,SS 7/14 Spri ngfi e 1 d JS

Carol ina wren 4 6/26 Creve Coeur Lake RK Remains sea rce in Columbia area, common a l o n gJacks Fork and Current Rivers.

Short-bi 11 ed rna rsh wren 2 7/6 Marais Temps Clair ..RK 3 7/31 Tucker Prairie ss

Prothonotary warbler 8 6/20 Creve Coeur RK

Swainson's warbler 6/13 Eleven Point River RC,EL,CP (Oregon Co. )

Worm-eating warbler 2 6/3 Roaring River St. Pk. so 2 6/18 Clifty Creek JW

(Maries Co.) 6/20 Creve Coeur Lake RK

Cerulean warbler 8 6/20 Creve Coeur Lake RK 5 7/3-4 Hawn St. P a k RK

(Ste. Gen. Co.) 5+ 7/12 South of Round Spng. ss

Mourning warbler 6/9 St. Louis Co. AR

Canada warbler 1(Doc) 6/4 Randolph Co. sv Blackbirds through Sparrows

Yellow-headed blackbird 2 6/1 Squaw Creek NWR SD 1 6/9 Rebe 1' s Cove WA GK

(Putnam Co.) green 6/4 South of Protem so male

6/12 South of Protem RC,EL,CP

Henslow's sparrow Sev. June N. end of Thomas TB Terr. Hi 11

Vespers sparrow Sev. 7/1 Tarkio JR

Bachman's sparrow 2 6/4 South of Ava so 6/13 Hercules Glade RC,EL,CP

3 7/13 South of Ava SS,TB

25

Speci_e_s . N o . Date location O b s e r v e r

Uncorroborated Reports

Louisiana heron 6/11 Alton Dam SS,TB

List of Missouri Observers - Summer 1981

YB Yvonne Balsiger G & TB George and Terry Barker TB Tim Barksdale TBe Tom Bell CB Catherine Bonner JB Jack Boyles VB Viola Bucholtz RC Richard Coles SD Steve Dilks MAD Mary Ann Dudley BG Bill Goodge DJ Dan Jones GK Ginny Klomps RK Ra ndy Korotev EL Eugenia Larson BL Bob Lewis CP Carmen Patterson JR Jim Rathe r tAR Andy Roth BR Bill Rudden MS Mickey Scudder JS Jerry Sower SS Sherman Suter NVB Nancy Vandenbrink SV Sarah Vasse JW Jim Wilson

26

TOM CRAIN's SCAUP ON WATERFOWL STAMP This year's state waterfowl stamp was designed

by Tom Crain of Pleasant Hope and features the Scaup. The $3 stamp provides funds for wetland conservation projects in Missouri and Canada and is widely supp-o r t e d by birders as well as hunters. Competition for the 1982 stamp, the fourth in the series, is open through October 15. Missouri artists may get an offical entry form from Waterfowl Hunting Stamp Design, Mo. Department of Conservation, Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.

WHAT NEXT IN BOTHERSOME BUGS?

We may be spared the Medfly, except in the rising cost of everything we eat (except persimmons), but the oak leaf caterpillar now seems to be the next threat to our peace of mind. Ramon Gass, forest ent-omologist for the Conservation Department, says this

may be the year for the next outbreak, with next year to be even worse. T ere was a bad outbreak in 1971, but it was broken up by the caterpillar's natural predator, the parasitic wasp, and Gass hopes the same thing will occur again to keep everything in balance. The huge appetite of the variable oak leaf caterpillar may cause some gaps in our leafy forest canopy, but Gass says, "Since it's native, there are natural controls that sooner or later will start to work."

OUTDOOR SKILLS CENTER IS NOW OPEN

The Lake City Training Center is a 35-acre part of Jackson County's Lake City Park, north of I-70 off Highway 7 on Argo Road, about 2 miles, which was dedicated August 12. Workers in the Conservation Depart-ment of Conservation Butdoor Skills section will work with teachers to train them to pass along instruction in "life sports" such as hunting, birding, canoeing, hiking and fishing that can be enjoyed throighout a lifetime. Lloyd Williams, outdoor skills education specialist in the Kansas City area, will manage it. The center, with target ranges and a classroom, is available for groups, with an archery range and hiking trails for teacher and youth groups. This is another benefit of the Design for Conservation, provided through the 1/8 cent sales tax.

27

Notes and F eatherst h a t fall on the edi tor 's desk

HUGH G. HADLEY, Editor

Is it bad news if you knew it was coming? Anyway, the long-expected drive to cut off funding for the 3-year-old Design for Conservation seems to be near er fruition, with an announcement by Missourians Against the Conservation Tax that it will seek to undo all our

hard work for the Design with a petition drive seeking an election in 1982, Needless to say, Missouri Audubon people will be expected to help man the trenches again to defeat this effort to reverse the people's plainly spoken desire -- for an independent source of funds to acquire and preserve lands for public nature study and recreation.

You can join Operation Clear Stream, the annual cleanup drive on the Meramec River and tributaries. T h i s year's drive was to be held August 29. Next year?

Harry Gregory, Missouri Audubon Vice-president and program chairman, has resumed his former, but upgraded position as Curator of Education for the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park. He has been Curator of Birds and Tropical Habitat. Harry has some challenging new ideas for upgrading the educational program for young people.

The Corps of Engineers has completed its Missouri River mitigation report, and interested persons may receive a free copy from them at 700 Federal Bldg,, Kansas City, Mo. 64106.

Interesting piece by Paul Koenig in the August Conservationist, on our two state urban biologists, Joe Werner of Kansas City and Dave Tylka of St. Louis. They are charged with the task of building and holding public awareness of the needs of wild creatures in the city. From all the reports, both are doing a superb job!

Due to the well known ogre of inflation, your seat at the table at the annual meeting Sept, 26-27 at Camp Cloverpoint will cost $2 more--- $25 for adults, $20 for students or children. That's for advance registration; it's $30 and $25 for those showing up minus a reserva-tion! See program in centerfold for details; Come Along!

Dues Paid? See Katherine Wade, 2114 St. Louis Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101 (314) 635-0402.

2 8

AUDUBON ORGANIZATIONS IN MISSOURI

NA Audubon Society of Missouri

M Audubon Club of Springfield Springfield N Boothee 1 Audubon Society . . . . . . . Kennett M,N Burroughs Audubon Society Kansas City M,N Chariton Valley Audubon Society .... Kirksville M,N. Columbia Audubon Society . . . Columbia M,N Greater Ozarks Audubon Society . . Springfield M Hawthorn Garden Club ........ Jefferson City NA Ladue Garden Club . . . . . . St. Louis M Louisiana Garden Club Louisiana N Mosage Audubon Society ....

. . . Sedalia-Marshall-Warrensburg M New-Mac Bird Club Neosho N Ozark Gateway Audubon Society Joplin M,N Ozark Rivers Audubon Society Rolla M,N River Bluffs Audubon Society . Jefferson City M,NA St. Joseph Audubon Society . . . . St. Joseph M,N St. Louis Audubon Society . . . . . St. Louis M Webster Groves Nature Study Society . St. Louis

N: Chapter. National Audubon Society NA: Affiliate, National Audubon Society M: Affiliate, Audubon Society of Missouri

SCHEDULE OF MEMBERSHIP DUES (All dues should be sent with your name, address and zip to

Mrs. Katherine Wade, 2202 Missouri Blvd., Jefferson City, 65101)

Regular $ 5.00 Family . . . . 6.00 Student . . . 3. 00 sustaining . . 10.00

Contributing Benefactor *Affiliate (Individual) . *Affiliate (Organization)

+ + Patron (Life Member) $100.00

$20.00 50.00 3.00

12.00

* An organization in accord with the purposes and activities of the Audubon Society of Missouri becomes an Affiliate Organization upon payment of dues according to a sliding scale based upon membership: $12.00 for the first 200 members and $12.00 more for each additional 400 members or fraction thereof.

Individuals belonging to an Affiliate Organization may join the Missouri Audubon Society (membership includes a subscription to The Bluebird) for $3.00 provided their dues are remitted through their local treasurer.

The Bluebird is the official quarterly publication of the AudubonSociety of Missouri. Articles essays and stories on all phases of natural history and conservation are invited and will be p r i n t e d within the limits of available space. Copy to be used should r e a c h t h e editorby February 1.- Hay 1, August 1, or November 1 for the next issue.

After 10 Days return to Audubon Society of Missouri c/o Mrs. A1verta Loomis 3110 Hogan Drive Jefferson City, Mo. 65101

\

Ross Silcock RR 2 Malvern IA 51551

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D Jefferson City, Mo.

Pennit No. 233