The BLUEBIRD

THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

VOLUME XLVI, Number 3 SEPTEMBER, 1979

The Audubon Society o f Missouri Founded 1901

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

in 1901 and affiliated with The National Audubon Society. It is dedicated to the preservation and protection of birds and all wildlife forms and habitat, to the education of the citizenry toward appreciation of the natural world, and to working for wise conservation practices related to people and wildlife.

OFFICERS

President . . . . . . . . . . Jim Rathert 1308 Wilson Avenue, Columbia, 65201

Vice-President . . . . . . . Miss Vickie McDonald Route 7, Box 285 A, Springfield, 65802

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

Secretary . . . Mrs. JoAnn Garrett Route 4, Box 395A, Pleasant Hill, 64080

EDITORS

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

Bird Survey Editor James D. Wilson Conserv. Dept., P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102

Conservation Editor . . . . . . . James P. Jackson 103 Terry Lane, Washington, 63090

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Dr. Lyle Pursell . . Rolla 11iss Bonnie Dunlap Jefferson City Dr. David Easterla Maryville Dr. Keith Evans Columbia Dr. Leo Galloway st. Joseph Paul Bauer . . . . . . . . . . Florissant Mrs. Rebecca Matthews . . . . Springfield Harry Gregory . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City Dr. James H. Shaddy Kirksville Nathan Fay (Honorary Director) . . . . Ozark Floyd Lawhon (Honoary Director) St. Joseph

COVER AND HEADINGS BY DAVID PlANK

The Bluebird VOLUME 46, Number 3 September, 1979

FROM

TNE PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE

By Jim Rathert

Perhaps no other publication could provide a better forum for the discussion of the following subject. The subject is the Eastern bluebird -- our state bird and the namesake of our publication.

It's certainly no secret that the bluebird has been and is continuing to experience difficulties. The long term decline is related to destruction of habitat, that is "the clean farming syndrome" and also competition for nesting sites with house sparrows and starlings. In the short term, the past three severe winters have compounded the situation. In the past several decades the population trend has been declining both rangewide and here in Missouri. Rangewide Breeding Bird Survey data show a decrease in the number of bluebirds per route from a high of 4.2 in 1967 to a low of 2.9 in 1974. Statewide, Missouri data shows a slightly higher population but also reflect this alarming decrease.

The stark habitat of the Bootheel offers little to bluebird and practically none are present Extreme N.W. Missouri unfortunately is not far behind. The real heart of the bluebird range in our state is the Ozark Plateau and its borders. Even there, where conditions are at their best, slight declines have been noted.

Well, fortunately all does not appear hopeless. There are people throughout the U.S. and here in

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Missouri working to solve the problem.

A University of Missouri graduate student, Rick Sinnot with funding from the Missouri Department of Conservation Natural History Section is studying the effects of the usually severe winters in Missouri and elsewhere. One aspect of the project is the designing and field testing of well insulated roosting boxes. The results of this project should provide private citizens as well as government .land management agencies with the much needed information to help save the bluebird.

On the national scene, a relatively new organiza-tion, The North American Bluebird Society, is working to reverse the downward trend. The society's research committee is also studying new designs for nesting and roosting boxes. The education committee's objective is to develop slide programs, lectures and other mediums to disseminate information concerning the bluebird's problem. Annual membership in this organization is $10 with student and senior citizen discounts. For further information contact:

The North American Bluebird Society Box 6295 Silver Spring, Maryland 20906

These two projects along with the efforts of thousands of Bluebird trail volunteers will hopefully spell a brighter future for this valuable species.

M.D.C. IS GOING FORWARD

With a new chairman, Robert Aylward of Kansas City, and with the prestigious American Motors group conservation award under its belt, the Miss-ouri Department of Conservation forges ahead with its program of service to hunters, fishermen, the public and others-- including birders and flower lovers. The newly reorganized commission, with its new officers, Aylward, chairman; G. Andy Runge of Mexico, vice-chairman, and J. Ernest Dunn, Jr. of Kansas City, secretary, was to meet Aug, 20 at the Bennett Spring Park, and will meet the membership at its Fall Conference Sept. 7 - 9 at Camp Rising Sun, Lake Ozark State Park, We are C.F.M. affiliates.

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CONSERVATION COMMENTS by James P. Jackson

Missouri Wilderness - The good news is that, by virtue of the much publicized RARE II process, four areas within the Mark Twain National Forest were rec-ommended by the U.S, Forest Service for immediate pro-tection. Therefore, a bill is now up for passage in Congress to_ give the following areas complete, perman-

·ent protection: Bell Mountain, 8530 acres in Iron County; Piney Creek, 8,430 acres in Barr and Stone Counties; Rockpile Mountain, 4,170. acres in Madison County, and Devil's Backbone, 6,830 acres in Ozark County. The bill has a good chance for passage,

The bad news is that the Paddy Creek area, 6,888 acres in Texas County, was assigned to further study, on the singular recommendation of Rep, Richard Ichord, in whose district it is located, This, in spite of the fact that it was supported for wilderness by the other members of Missouri's congressional delegation along with the areas which received full support. It should be noted that Rep. Ichord is the one person who has to date prevented Irish Wilderness, which is our largest potential area, from being officially des-ignated wilderness.

ALASKA LANDS - In spite of resounding approval of 360 to 65 by the u.s. House of Representatives -- and for the second time -- a strong Alaska Lands bill is certain to face strong opposition in the Senate. The big problem currently is a co-ordinated effort by oil, mining and lumber interests to sway the Senate into believing that "locking up" Alaska lands will make 'the energy crisis more threatening than it already is,But in fact, the Alaska Lands bill passed by the House excludes more than 90% of all sedimentary basins having either "high potential" or "favorable" geologic characteristics for oil and gas production, Valuable mining and timber lands also are excluded, When writting your two senators to support a strong Alaska Lands bill, do get the following points across: 1) that you favor S.222, the bill sponsored by Senators Durkin, Nelson and Roth and 16 other environmentally concerned senat-ors; 2) that you strongly oppose S.l176, the Gravel-Stevens bill to disestablish the 17 new national man_

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uments designated by presidential action in Decem-ber of 1978, Our senators, who will be strongly pressured by negative lobbying interests, must be made aware that Alaska's federal lands do not be-long to oil, mining and lumber interests, which haveexploitation as their only goal,

THE YEAR OF THE RIVER - The Missouri Caucus for --- ---- -- --- -----Environmental Education has declared 1980 the "Year of the River" -- the Missouri River, that is, Their effort is a public awareness program to focus on the environmental, historical, cultural and r e c r e a -tional values of the Mighty Mo. As most of us are aware, the Missouri has been diked, constricted by levees, and its floodplain almost completely clear-ed of any natural habitat. It is now time for ut to let the Army Corps of Engineers and other similar forces know that we can no longer tolerate ditching such a unique natural resource. Anyone interested in working for "The Year of the River" should talk to MOCEE Vice-President Jim Cooper, Schott Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101

THE MARTHASVILLE OAK -- There was much publicity earlier this year about the state champion chinquapin oak which was girdled by vandals in their effort to force a solution to a Missouri Highway Department decree, That decree, which generated a storm of con-troversy, had been presented in the form of a choice: either build a badly needed bridge over Charrette Creek or save the oak, A bridge graft, performed by University of Missouri horticulturists in April, has since persuaded the Highway Department to leave the wounded tree alone, Though it may not ultimately sur-vice the grafting effort -- a noble experiment --this tree watcher can report that in August 1979, the old chinquapin does offer generous shade for highway oonstruction. w o r k e r s It still lives on!

B A R N OWL I ~ JEFFERSON CITY -Sidney and Katherine Wade will have for our ears

at the Fall Roundup at Camp Rising Sun the record-ing Katherine made of a barn m<l in their spacious back yard. She couldn't see the bird, our treasurer reports, but she'll bring along the proof of this unusual find,

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Spring Survey Compiled by Jim Rathert, Jim D. Wilson and

Tim Barksdale

March 1,. 1979 through May 31, 1979

Cold temperatures lingered well into the period and the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers flooded early in March due to ice and snow melt and remained high inundating most shorebird habitat. A warming trend occurred about March 18-27 in several areas of the state. April and May were both cooler than normal which held back many migrants.

No St. Louis reports were received, unfortunately. Individual reporters are encouraged to summarize and submit their reports for this area.

Leading the list of rarities was the second state record and first nesting record of great-tailed grackles. Other unusual sightings include: w h i s tling swan, yellow rail, long-billed curlew, whimbrel, red knot, laughing gull, barn owl, and black-headed grosbeak.

LOONS THROUGH IBIS - The only loons reported were again in the central and western portions of the state. Very late was a single observed at Little Dixie Lake- May 26 (B.G.).

Grebes appeared on time and in about normal numbers. Eight eared on March 25 at Fellows Lake was considered unusual for that area (Fide C. B.) .A horned grebe at Licking sewage lagoons (here-after L.S.L.). April 1 was unusual (D.H.) Late horned grebes were at Maryville sewage lagoons (hereafter M.S.L.) 1- May 13 (T.B., R.B.,et al.)

a n d 2- May 15 (T.B., M.R., D.E.). Pied-billed grebes remained to nest in several

Missouri locations, but pair near Springfield on May 31 was unusual (R.M.). Pelicans peaked at 1800+

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on S.C.R. (T.B., F.L.). Early was the double-creasted cormorant at Lake Jacomo March 13 (N .M.). One hundred ) seventy-five were observed migrating near Skidmore, Nodaway County on April 27 (TB). Thirty-eight was the high count at Aldrich (AB, WH). Sixteen cormor-ants at Thomas Hill Reservoir was high for May 14 (JR). Little blue herons were "scarce" in western Missouri (TB, NJ). Swan Lake produced an early cattle egret March 30 (RB) . A snowy egret 10 mi S. of St. Joseph on April 8 was Lawhons earliest spring date. Another was reported at Schell-Osage (here-after S.O.) on May 5 (NM). Yellow-crowned night herons were only reported from Rosendale - 1 - May 12 (JH) and 2 - May 26-27, Jack Fork - Current Rivers (HS). Least bitterns do not appear to be doing well. Numbers have been low for several years and this year does not seem to be an exception: 1 - Big Lake Marsh, Holt County May 17 (FL) and 2 in same location on May 24 (TB). An American bittern-appeared at S.C.R. April 26 (TB) but phenomenal was the sight of 17 rising out of long slough at S.C.R. May 15 at dusk (MR, DE, TB). No other areas reported them. A glossy ibis.was at S.C.R. May 18 (TB). Two white-faced ibis were at S.C.R. May 12 (MR, DT, TB) and 1 through May 15 (TB, etal.).

WATERFOWL THROUGH RAILS - Mute swans are now regular on lakes and ponds around Springfield, and a pair with 2 downy young were noted at Lake Spring-field May 20 (Fide CB). Three whistling swans were reported in Shannon County; on the Current River March 5 (RL) - western reporters noted the early March movement of geese and few were found after this. Two hundred seventy-five thousand snow geese were concentrated in Holt and Atchison counties on March 11. Cinnamon teal were noted at S.C.R.: 2- April 3-5 (photos, TB), 1- May 10 (FL) 1- May 13 (FB) . Lingering ducks were: lesser scaup 1 - 5/15 -Springfield, ringnecked d u c k s 2 - May 15 near Big Lake. Holt County, 2 canvasbacks May 8 at S.C.R., 2 very late bufflehead drakes at M.S.L. May 13 (TB, RB, et al.), and one red breasted merganser at S .C .R. May 18.

Mississippi kites seem to be going well as indicated by its presence in both S.E. and S.W. Missouri. Three were sighted west of Springfield

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April 25 (Vicki McDonald et a l . ) and a pair May 28 at Cape Girardeau (MG). The sightings in S .W. Missouri should be watched as these kites could easily begin breeding there.

Accipiters moved through inconspicuously except 6 sharp-shinned hawks, April 7-8 at Roaring River (KH). An accipiter at S.C.R. May 14 was late (MR, TB). Only 5 cooper's hawks were reported statewide.

The largest broad-winged hawk flight was 30+ at Columbia (RB). The paucity of red-shouldered hawk reports seems note worthy. Dan Hatch f a i l e dto find any in the area around Licking. Three were seen riear Springfield on April 28 (CB, et al), and one at Roaring River May 4-6 (JG, LW, et al.). Swainson's hawk were well represented in western Missouri. The earliest was one in Cass County April 8 (JG; the last May 20 (FL). High counts were 10 at S.C.R., April 12 (MR, DT) and 6 at same location April 13 (TB). Swainson's may be nesting due to May 4 sightings near Springfield (RM). The latest rough-legged hawk was one at S.C.R. April 12 (TB). Two golden eagles were reported: 1 at S.O. on March 4 (KH, NM) and 1 adult 5 mi. S. of S.C.R. The same day (TB) late bald eagles were 4 imm. At Little Bean Marsh April 11 (JW) and 1 imm. at S.C.R. April 12 (TB). Late marsh hawks were at S.C.R. May 13 (female) (FB) +May 17 (male) (TB). Ospreys were sparsely sighted (5); t h e earliest at Aldrich April 16 (Fide CB), the last S.C.R. May 8 (TB). Five peregrine falcons were sighted: 1 April 9 and 26 at s.c.R. (TB), 1 near Rocheport April 30 (JR, 1- S.C.R. May 6 (JH, HS), 1 (female) May 8 S.C.R. (TB) 1 (male) May 10 S.C.R. (TB). Merlins were not so common: One in Barton County, April 5 (JR) and one at Montrose on May 6 (CH, KM) what appears to be a bad winter for bob-white quail apparently allowed fair numbers to survive. Current farming practices are sure to hurt this species further. Prairie chickens continue to do well in southwest areas, as turkeys do state-l ~ i d e . One hundred sandhill cranes were photographed at the Reed Wildlife Area on March 15 (BEA) and seen

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over nearby Unity Village the same day (LNJ. The only king rails reported were two at S .C .R. May 9 (TB). Virginia rails were reported daily at S.C.R. May 1-13 in the cordgrass prairie (TB). What could become an annual occurrence with new refuge practices was the observation of 7 yellow rails on April 17 during the burning of several hundred acres of prairie (TB).

CHARADRIIFORMES - Unsurpassed in years were the conditions at Squaw Creek which produced a conserva-tive estimate of 300,000 shorebirds from April 2 through the end of period (TB). \Vater levels were dropped for levee construction in the main pool but occasional rains replenished water levels, maintaining excellent mudflats. By May 20, the main pool had dried but the northwest pool was prime, All togethel' 33 shorebird species were observed here this season.

Semi-palmated plovers peaked at S.C.R. May 9 at 375 (TB). Piping plovers peaked May 1 with 10 at S.C.R. (TB). Additional observations· include 1 near Rocheport May 6 (JR), and 2 S.C.R. May 7 (HS). A possible mountain plover was observed briefly at S.C.R. April 16. But could not be relocated for positive identification (TB). Over 500 golden plovers in 5 flocks were obs,erved in Barton County April 5 (JR). Unusual w ere 10 at C .S. L. May 3 & 4 (DH).

High count of black-bellied plovers was SO at S.C.R. in late May (FL). Eighty-seven ruddy turn-stones passed through S.C.R. from May 9 through May 24. Peak was 22 May 13 (TB, RC, JR, et al.). The long-billed curlew at S.C.R. April 10 was the first in several years (TB). Outstanding were 7 wimbrels at S.C.R. May 19 (FL, MR). This appears to be the largest single flock in Missouri since the turn of the century! Twelve w i l l e t s were noted at S.C. R. April 29 (JR, RB, et al.). Five at Jacomo May 10 (N.M.) and 1 at Bolckow May 11 (J.H.) were good, Seven thousand + yellow-legs May 4 and 1,000+ greater yellow-legs on April 12 were peak numbers at S.C.R. (TB). Six red knots at S.C.R. May 23 was a very high Missouri count (photos, TB). Six thousand five hundred pectoral sandpipers May 8 and 5,000+ white-rumped sandpipers May 17 were peak numbers at S.C.R. (TB et al.).

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Baird's sandpipers peaked at 200+ April 23 (TB) and 200+ April 29 (JR, RB, et al). Several hundred Dunlin migrated through S.C.R. during period near peak of 84 on May 8 (TB). Long-billed dowitchers arrived late 22 on April 19. Peaking on May 10 with 500+ 23 at L.S.L. was unusual May 3-4 (DH). Short-billed dowitcher were late May 11 but suddenly peaked with 300+ May 15 at S.C.R. when NO long-billed were observed (DE, . TB). Interestingto note is the arrival o f a stilt sandpiper on May 8 and their rapid peak o f 300+ on May 10 and 13 (TB, JR, KB, et al.). Their association in migration has long been noted (the shorebirds of North America 1967, Palmeret al.). Eight western sandpipers were at S.C.R., April 23 and 25 and 2 on the 28th (TB). Fourteen marbled godwits were noted from April 12 to May 23 with maximum of 3 on latter date (TB, et al.). A nearly hudsonian godwit arrived on April 3. The species peaked at 650+ on May 13 (TB, RB, JR, et al.) with over 500 present daily from May 10-16 (TB, MR, DE). Sanderlings staged one of the best migrations in years, peaking at 100+ on May 11 (TB), and approxi-mately 150 on May 13, (JR, RB, TB). During this period it was fantastic to watch groups of 35-40 run back and forth across the extensive mudflats. American avocet peaked at 20 on May 1. Wilson's phalarope peaked at 156 at S.C.R. on May 1 (TB) and 150 were present May 5-6 (HS, LM). Three northern phalaropes arrived at S.C.R. on May 15 (MR, DE, TB). Twenty-seven were seen through May 24 with peak on May 20 with 7 (TB). (Conditions for gulls were also outstanding at S.C.R. where they fed on mollusks, crustaceans, and dying fish.) Photos were· taken of a possible California gull on April 9 at S.C.R. (TB), unfortunately bird only swam so leg color was not observable. Ringbills built up from 200+ on April 2 to 1500+ from April 9-18, they maintained 48-100+ through end of period. An adult laughing gull was observed with 7 franklins on May 9 (TB). Boneparte's gulls peaked at. 100+ on April 10 at S.C.R. On March 24 Dorothy Thurman found an adult franklin's gull in the Venture Store parking lot in Springfield. Peaking at 102 on April 20 at S.C.R. franklins lingered with up to 95 on May 20 (TB). This is unprece .dented for N.W. Missouri (Pers. Comm. MR, FL, DE).

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Forty-four common terns migrated through S.C.R. from May 1/10 peaking with 13 6n May 17 (TB). Least terns were reported from Springfield 1 - May 6 and 3 -May 13 (NF). Black terns were low.

CUCKOOS THROUGH VIREOS -cuckoo at Columbia May 9 (BG) May 15 (CB).

Rare was black-billed and one at Springfield

Roadrunners again suffering reductions due to the severe winter; all observations should be reported.

A barn owl was photographed at S.C.R. April 3 (TB) . Later were a long-eared owl April 15 (FL, MR, TB- photos), and a short-eared owl April 17 (TB) both at S.C.R. A chuck-wills-widow was at Springfield May 12 where it has been unreported for four years (RM).

A yellow-bellied sapsucker appeared May 29 in Springfield (Fide, CB).

Western kingbirds appear to be holding their own in their favored areas, but scissortails seem to be expanding with a high count of 12 at the Reed Area, April 17 (BB). And one at Van Meter State Park May 12 (CH, et al.). A yellow-bellied flycatcher was reported at Van Meter May 12 (LM et al.) . Two reports of alder flycatcher were received: 1 at Jacomo May 15 (CH) and one at Columbia May 27 (BG) . Since this species was "split" from the willow flycatcher its status is little known. All reports should be carefully documented from now on. Late olive-sided flycatchers were at Harrisonville May 26 (NM) and Whetstone Creek WLA, Callaway County, May 29 (RB, TB). Two very early house wrens appeared at Karl Slagle's Columbia home March 19. Carolina wrens do not appear to have been further decimated by this year's winter as reports remained in low numbers but ranged from St. Joseph (FL), Kansas City (CH, BB), Roaring River (JG, LW), Montauk State Park (DH) to Mingo (BE, HS). Mockingbirds seem to be in much the same state as southern Missouri individuals seem low but stable. The species is now so low in N.W. Missouri that it does not appear to be breeding here (TB). Wood thrushes were well up from last year. A late swainsons thrush

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was observed in Columbia May 28 (BG). Eastern blue-birds are in very low numbers. Winter severity and "clean" fanning practices continue to erode the population of our state bird. Where were water pipits this spring? Only two reports received: 1 on April 4 at Drexel Lake (JG) and l'on May 6 at Montrose (CH, KH). Six white-eyed vireos at S.C.R. May 10-13 appeared to be over shoots since they could not be relocated after this date (TB, RB, et al.).

WARBLERS-THROUGH FRINGILLIDS- (Generally observers commened on the excellent warbler migration. Lawman termed it the best in years.) If the swainson's warbler is not to disappear in the state as a breeding species (as red-cockaded woodpecker and brown-headed nuthatch have along with others some management program must be seriously attended to by state departments holding land with appropriate habitat within its boundaries. N o n e were found at Big Oak Tree State Park this spring (JR, JW, PH). One male was present at Mingo for almost a week starting on May 18 (photos -- JW, et al.) before disappearing. Another was sighted at Stony Battery Lodge on Big Creek in Iron County, May 26 (MG, Fide, BE). Very rare in N.W. Missouri was a singing blue-winged warbler May 13 at McCormack Wood, Holt County (TB, RB, et al.). Cape May warblers put in appearances with 2 at Van Meter May 12 (CH, et al.) and one adult male at Dobbins Woods, Nodaway County, May 13 (IA, TB, RB). Single black-throated blue warblers were noted at Trimble April 26 (JA), a female at Forest Park, St. Louis (RaB et al.) and an adult male at St. Joseph May 20 (FL, SR).

Pine warblers were noted on Taney County May 3 (CB, et al.) and at S.C.R. May 10 (TB). A rare palm warbler was on pin taif point at S.C.R. May 11 ( ~ B ) . Connecticut warblers were heard in Dobbins Woodland: 1 - May 13 (TB, RB, e t al.), and 2 - May 15 (TB, MR) .The only hooded warblers reported were at Roaring River May 5 (JG et al.) and at Rockwoods Reservation May 24 (MG, Fide, BE). Yellow-headed blackbirds appeared to only be breeding at Lake Contrary and Big Lake (FL, TB). The event of the period was the second sighting of great-tailed grackles for MissouriMay 15 of 1 male and 3 females in the marsh at the N.W.

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corner of Big Lake (TB, MR, DE). By May 22, 10 nests with eggs and young had been found (MR, TB). Photos were taken by several individuals as the first nesting record for this species was confirmed. Details will be published later.

Excellent details were submitted for the north Kansas City male black-headed grosbeak present from May 2-5 (photos VD, MOB). The bird was attracted by a sunflower feeder, and a hybrid rose breasted x black headed was also here to end of period. An evening grosbeak was at Columbia March 7 (RL) and several were seen at Ozark through April 20 (RM) .

Pine siskins were sporadically sighted with most reports from Kansas City. Hatch noted them feeding on elm fruits with a variety of other species in Texas County. Two in Kansas City, May 13 were fairly late (DH). _A singing savannah sparrow was out of its usual range at Whetstone Creek May 24-29 (RB, TB). It is thought that this individual was unable to attract a mate and left. Late LeConte's sparrow were observed almost daily at S.C.R. up to May 16, when 1 was still present (TB), Several Henslow's sparrows were singing at Tabervi lle Prairie Apri 1 22 (JR et al). Four were spotted at Mora Prairie May 16 (JR) and the species was again commonly found at Whetstone Creek WLA (RB, TB). Phenomenal, was the discovery of 3 calling males at S.C.R. April 23 for the 1st N.W. Missouri record of Henslow's in over 20 years (TB - pers. comm. FL), They were confirmed by Kansas City birders and again on May 13 (RB, IA, TB et al). This species is increas-ing in suitable dense grasslands in Missouri. Vesper sparrow were at S.C.R. in good numbers with up to 24 on April 3. A very late tree sparrow was at St. Joseph April 15 (FL), A clay-colored sparrow was sighted in Columbia April 26 (JR) and the species peaked at 12 on May 6 at S.C.R. (TB), Ninety-eight fox sparr·ows were at S.C.R. April 2 and the last swamp sparrows were in the moist prairie there May 11 (TB). A very late Lapland longspur female was at Taberville Prairie May 6 (CH, KH),

For listing of contributors, uncorroborated reports and corrigendum see Page 17.

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AN INVITATION: MEET YOUR FELLOW BIRDERS, BOTANISTS AND ROCK HOUNDS AT CAMP!

The map printed below will help you find your way to a fine weekend of enjoyment of our Missouri outdoors at the Annual Fall Conference of the Audubon Society of Missouri at Camp Rising Sun, Lake of the Ozarks State Pk,

Veterans of this long-running affair know that even if it rains it's still a good place to be for fun and fellowship, renewal of old friendships and making of new acquaintanceships rich with promise, and maybe even a little bit of learning of the kind that doesn't hurt.

The program on the next two pages gives the details, but it can't tell you of those four delicious "all-you-can-eat country-cooked meals prepared by Mrs;Mildred Boessen and her friendly crew. We regret that that ol' debbil inflation forces an increase in cost to $20 for adults and $15 for children under 12 ($25 and $18 if you don't pre-=register, so Be Smart and send i t in!).

Mail the convenient form on Page 28 to Treasurer Katherine Wade, 2114 St. Louis Rd. Jefferson City 65101.

T o C a m d e n t o nAnd I - 4 4

R o u t e s

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BoatRamp

LAKE OF THE O z a r k sSTATE PARK

AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI (

ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE

CAMP RISING SUN

LAKE OF THE OZARKS STATE PARK October 6 and 7, 1979

WHAT IS HAPPENING: Friday, October 5: Camp Rising Sun facili-ties open after 4 p.m. Informal fellowship among early arrivals. Volleyball. No meal provided. Coffee, maybe.

Saturday, October 6: Breakfast (optional. Cost: $3 extra). Camp Registration (Before noon if possible) Informal nature walks in woods or at lake shore, swimming et al, Lunch: Noon, Dining Hall. Free time,

Volleyball Afternoon program (Details next page) Annual Business Meeting (Next page) Dinner: (Dining Hall) Free time. Evening Program: (Details next page)

Sunday, October 7 Breakfast (Outdoor worship service) Field Trips to several areas, your choice DINNER (Noon) Dining Hall

WHAT TO Bring: Casual clothes, walking shoes, light jacket and rainwear, swim s u i t. Sleeping bag or sheets and blanket; pillow (cabin, bed .and mattress provided). Personal items (soap, towels etc. Flashlight, hand lens, camera, film, nature

guides, BINOCULARS!

COST: Includes registration, housing,

"'Pre -regis tra ti on Registration at camp

A d u l t s25

4 meals: Under 12

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To pre-register send form on last page of The Bluebird with at least $5 ($3 for chil-dren) or preferably the total amount by Sept. 24 to Katherine Wade, 2114 St. Louis Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101

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AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE SATURDAY INDOOR ACTIVITIES

1:30 p.m. Meeting of all officers and directors

2:30p.m. Meeting of the Missouri Audubon Conservation Committee. Open to officers or representativ-es of all Chapters of NAS which are affiliated with the Audubon Society o f Missouri.

4 P.M. Annual Business Meeting

Election of officers Resolutions for Conservation action. Bring your

ideas and suggestions. Candidates for Audubon Camps in 1979, Bring names

of your nominees.

7:30P.M. Evening Program

Announcements Theme: BIRDS AND BIRDING FOR BIRDERS

Trumpeter Swans in Alaska - A color slide story by Harold Burgess, Refuge Manager (on special assignment) with the u.s. Fish & Wildlife Service, on his successful birding trips to the nesting sites of the rare Trumpeter· Swans.

Saving ·the Birds of Prey -Walter Crawford, Jr., Ornithologist and Director of the Raptor ' Rehabilitation Project at the Tyson Research Center in Eureka, Mo., will present a slide pro-gramillustrating all aspects of their efforts to save and breed hawks and owls, Several student helpers will support this energetic presentation displaying living proof of their successful efforts.

UNUSUAL U.S. BIRDING ADVENTURES -Paul Bauer, past president of Missouri Audubon, and freelance photo-grapher, will present a collection of color bird slides from selected birding trips. These birds and trips range from the White-tailed Tropicbird at Dry Tortugas Island off the southern Florida Keys, to Hawk-owl and Boreal owl in Minnesota, to Black-footed Albatross, Harlequin Duck and many sea birds seen on West Coast pelagic trips. Included are numerous South-western birds photographed while living 17 months in California.

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THE TRUMPETERS MAY RETURN !

It is quite likely that trumpeter swans will migrate down the Missouri River Valley again this fall. Birders should watch for them, if they wish to add a new state bird to their life lists,

A family of 6 trumpeters visited the Hill (Missouri) Reservoir Area in December pen and two cygnets were illegally killed, arently the cob and 2 cygnets survived,

Thomas 1978. A but app-

The adult female had been banded as a local cyg-net at the Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge in Aug -ust 1972.

It is estimated that about 20% of the Lacreek area flock of 150-200 trumpeters move out of that area each winter. About 100 have been banded since 1960 and 49 have been collar-marked, These neck collars are yellow with one of the series 51-TY-89-TY inscribed in black. The symbols can be read with a spotting scope. These collars should help distinguish trumpeters from the smaller whistling swans, which if marked should carry either red or black collars.

Trumpeter swans also are being marked with orange collars in Alberta, and with green collars at Red Rock Lakes, west of the Great Divide in Montana. Please report any swan sightings to me at 100 N.E. 59th Terrace, Apt. 2-A, Gladstone, Mo. 64118, Also, telephone (816) 454-7252 or 374-6166,

Harold H. Burgess LOWRY CITY BOY MAKES GOOD

He's only 34, but he's been birding 24 years, and Steve Hilty, who came from Lowry City to attend many Missouri Audubon Society gatherings, soon will have his field guide to the birds of Colombia ready, It is the country with the largest number of species and Steve has seen about 1,350 of the, more than any other birder, says Ira Joel Abramson of Bird Bonanzas of North Miami, Faa. Steve impressed him mightily on leading his first tour for that group. Steve lived in Colombia two years while with the Peace Corps, and has his Ph.D from the University of Arizona, The 6 ' 3" redhead was "turned on" to birding on a trip to the dental office of Dr. Frank Throm in Kansas City, whose office walls were lined with bird prints,

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(Continued from Spring Survey report on Page 12)

UNCORROBORATED REPORTS •

1 goshawk 3/1-2 MOB Reed Area 1 snowy plover 5/13 FB S.C.R. 50 western sandpipers 5/6-7 HS S.C.R. 12 western sandpipers 5/13 FB S.C.R. 20 least terns 4/25-26 JA Trimble 1 northern sh r ike 3/11 TB Bigelow 1 swainson's warbler 4/17 Stephens Cleveland 10,000 Brewer's

blackbirds 3/11 KH,NM Butler

CONTRIBUTORS

IA - Ike Adams JH - Jack Hilsabeck JA - Jim Allinder CH - Chris Hobbs AB - Al Banfield KH- Kelly Hobbs TB - Tim Barksdale WH- Woody Holloway FB - Felicia Bart NJ - Nanette Johnson RaB - Rose Ann Bodman RL - Richard LaVal CB - Catherine Bonner FL - F!oyd Lawhon BB - Bonnie Brown RM- Rebecca Metthews RB - Robert Brundage NM - Norman McLaughlin DE - David Easterla LM - Lloyd Moore BEa - Beth Eastman LN - Louise North BE - Bill Eddleman JR - Jim Rathert JG - Joann Garrett MR - Mark Robbins BG - Bill Goodge HS - Harold Smith MG - Mark Goodwin DT - Drew Thate DH - Dan Hatch DTh - Dorothy Thurman PH - Paul Heye LW - Lilyan Warner

JW - Jim Wilson

CORRIGENDUM

On page 12 of Vol. XLVI, No. 2 (June 1979), 4 merlins were incorrectly reported from the James A. Reed Area, when in fact 1 individual was seen 4 times.

17

---

RIVERS AREN'T JUST FOR CANOEISTS by Rebecca Matthews

Two names, "Jacks Fork" and "Current River", have long had magic powers to conjure up visions in my mind of cool, c r y s t a l streams in beautiful surroundings. However, the visions were second hand--produced by photos in newspaper or magazine and words of canoeists extolling the virtues which the two streams offer to floaters.

Could nature-loving landlubbers share some of these beauties? We decided to find out.

Leaving Springfield late one June afternoon, my husband and I set out to visit the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This park in south-central Missouri was established in 1964 and is administered by the National Park Service. It consists of a strip of land in public ownership along both banks of the Current River and its Jacks Fork tributary for a distance of 134 miles. There amid the scenic river backdrop many important historical structures are preserved.

It was beginning to get dark when we,arrived at our first stop, the Alley Spring campground. We found a comfortable campsite under a large shady tree for our little "Pixie Rig."

A w h i p - p o o r - w i l l was not in the least intimidated by the numerous campers. He was singing loudly when we arrived and continued throughout the night. In the far distance I could occasionally hear the song of his cousin, the Chuck-wills widow

The relative quiet of the night gave way in the pre-dawn hour to a chorus of birds that called me from sleep. I slipped quietly from the camper, showered away the l.ast bit of sleepiness, dressed quickly and was ready for the day.

Near the bath house I heard a song which I couldn't identify, Finally, I saw a bit of movement in a tall tree and caught sight of a bird' s tail flashing a black "T" and bright orange spots on the sides, I was de-lighted with an American Redstart. The Missouri Check List of Birds indicates that he is a common summer resident, but at home he disappears with the other spring warblers.

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A path invited me to follow, and very soon Ifound myself out of the woods and on a gravel beach,

A Waterthrush lighted on a rock just a few feet from where I stood on the bank of the beautiful Jacks Fork River. Seeing me he flew to the other shore of the clear sparkling stream and began probing the edge. The mirror-smooth surface created a perfect image, and I watched not one, but two, bobbing in characteristic fashion. The brown spots on his white breast and creamy stripe above his eye were as clear on the upside down bird as on the original.

As I retraced my steps I was surrounded by birds. They were active and vocal. Following the "shpee-shpee" sound of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher I discovered his pretty little nest. It looked much like a knot on the tree limb,

Orchard orioles were numerous. Some'times they looked almost black until the sun caught them, lighting that deep burnt orange breast. Near our camper in the park a twittering of young birds called our attention to a nest at the top of a small tree in a clump of leaves. There a dark oriole fed his little yellow offspring. Later, in another place, I watched as a second-year male, still in yellow-green with a black bib, shared with his mate the task of feeding their fledgling.

After breakfast we drove a short distance, then stopped to walk along a cool green woodland path which led up the spring branch to where Alley Spring gushes forth 81 million gallons of water daily from the base of a high cliff. The mill pond is beautiful and sup-plies water power for the old mill which is still in operation.

Back in the Pixie Rig we drove to Owls Bend camp-ground, a distance of about 18 miles. This primitive campsite provided us a spot with a crystal stream just a few feet from our back step. A few yards from our camper was the spot where the old Powder Mill Ferry, now abandoned, had once served.

One of the motivations for our trip had been pro-vided in an article by John Wylie in the Missouri Con-servationist. He wrote of Blue Spring in such glowing terms that we were anxious to visit it. Near the camp

19

grounds we found hiking signs directing us to the spring Following them we were guided along a delightful riverside trail.

The flowers were wonderful. A large patch of lizard tails grew from a marshy spot. Tall white spikes nodded gracefully above a mass of green leaves. There were bright pink wild roses and both orange and yellow jewel weed. A yellow flower, which I later decided was fringed loosestrife grew beside the path. The tall flower stalks produced several delicate five-petaled blossoms, each facing downward, as though too shy to lift its head.

Birds were all around us. Indigo Buntings were everywhere, and there were many species of warblers. Once I noticed a small yellow bird which I couldn't identify. Its slightly unkempt appearance should have told me it was a juvenile, but I didn't realize that until a parent came to feed him. Then I recognized them as Blue-winged Warblers.

After walking almost a mile and a half we reached our destination. It was worth every step of it. Blue Spring lies at the base of a tall flower and fern covered cliff, Welling up from its 200-foot depth is the bluest blue water we had ever seen. The setting was perfect, natural, The quiet surface of the round pool belied ·the tremendous quantity of water which pours from the spring, but watching the lively stream below as it races and tumbles, you can believe that it is Missouri's sixth largest spring, The spring, with 17 acres surrounding it is owned by the Missouri Depart-ment of Conservation and maintained by them as a natural area. Our visit to Blue Spring was the high-light of our two day trip,

The next day we visited Two Rivers, a campground located near the spot where the Current River is joined by its tributary, the Jacks Fork. It was a lovely p l a c e .

The habitat there was different, and in a somewhat overgrown field I heard the song of a prairie warbler. I made a squeaking noise, and almost immediately he flew into a small locust tree right beside me. He was so tiny--a mere four inches long. The pretty yellow and black w a r b l e r flitted constantly from. one small tree to another, quite undisturbed by my presence,

20

As we traveled on Mo. 19 north of Eminence the flowers along the road were unusually attractive, In contrast to the golden yellow of the black-eyed Susans poke-a-dotting the road banks there were clumps of deep purple verbena. Occasionally masses of lavender wild bergamont would be seen against a back drop of deep orange milkweed. There were flowers I didn't recognize and which aroused my curiosity, but when you're driving on a curvy, shoulder less road with a dou-ble yellow line at its center you don't stop to inves-tigate wild flowers!

We were impressed by our visit to Round Spring, which is quite properly named. Later in the day we visited the Pulltite Spring campground. There we watched as hundreds of canoeists floated down the Cur-rent River. Many stopped, for that is a favorite resting and camping area. From there we headed home, We had been away from home only a little more than 48 hours, but it had been a refreshing experience.

For those who love nature--its flowers, itsbirds, its springs, its hills, its wildlife--and who think that the Ozark National Scenic Riverways are only for people who love boating, a trip there will prove to be a delightful surprise. Whether for one day, a week or longer, you'll enjoy what Missouri offers in the Ozark Riverways.

For information in planning your trip write to Superintendent, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Box 490, Van Buren, MO 63965. The maps of the two rivers with many historical highlights are most interesting.

Springfield News & Leader, July 2, 1978 MISSOURI IS TRADING TURKEYS

Last fall hunters took 4,389 turkeys in the forests of Missouri, followed by nearly 14,000 in the spring hunting season, a modern record bag. But there are still enough birds left, says John Lewis, turkey biologist for the M.D.C., for another good season Oct. 17-31 for gun hunters, and Oct, 1-Nov. 16 and Nov. 26-Dec. 31 for archers. And there are still enough that we cansend 170 turkeys to Indiana in return for as many as 500 ruffed grouse, Missouri also will get 45 grouse from Ohio in two years, and will send them 25 turkeys this winter. There are hopes this once-native bird can be restored here,

21'

ESTHER O'CONNOR ENCOUNTERS POISON IVY The young wom:on 's face was red and swollen. She

was applying ice packs to her eyes. "Is there any way I can get rid of poison ivy?" she asked in des-peration. I replied that I had seen an ad for some sort of spray for eliminating it, but even as I spokea picture of the Red-bellied Woodpecker feeding on the white berries on a cold winter day carne to mind and I wondered aloud about the niche filled by poison ivy in the environment and whether we really want to be completely rid of it, After some discussion the young people in the Youth Conservation Corps agreed with me that it would not be wise to exterminate it.

In spite of the serious skin irritation suffered by most people, including me, when they come in con-tact with it, it does not have the same effect on wildlife. The book AMERICAN WILDLIFE AND PLANTS, by Martin, Zirn and Nelson, lists 55 species of birds that feed on the berries, primarily in winter, when other food is scarce. Some of the birds in our area that benefit are Bob-white, Bluebird, Catbird, Crow, Chickadees, Purple Finch, Yellow-shafted Flicker,Fox and White-throated Sparrows, Junco, Mockingbird, several Woodpeckers, Myrtle Warbler and Carolina Wren. Undoubtedly there are times when this food is crucial to the survival of a bird population.

At the present time there is little if any use made of the sap of the poison ivy; however the plant is related to the Japanese Lacquer tree, which is the source of the Japanese black lacquer. The sap of the poison ivy may, eventually, be similarly valued.

And rnosqui toes At the meeting of gardeners, o n e man was talking

about his trip to a northern Canadian lake, bragging about the number, size and flavor of the fish caught there. "But," he said, "they ought to spray for those mosquitos, They are the largest I ever heard of, and they will eat you alive." That the size and number of mosquitos had anything to do with the size and number of the fish had not occurred to him. Perhaps the char he caught on a hook had not fed directly on the mas -quito larvae, but they fed on the smaller carnivorous killifish and minnows which did feed on the wrigglers, and the wrigglers were thereby one link in the food

22

chain. between the microscopic plant life and other organic material which nourished them, and the prized panfish which the man had traveled so far to find,

Much has· been written about mosquitos, their role as carriers of disease, their control or exterminat-ion, Only now and then has some author suggested that there might be some other role for them in the bio-logical community,

C, Brooke Worth, in "Summer ' s Remarkable Scourge" in the July 1979 Audubon Magazine, says, "Mosquitos :Man d o e s not want them, But what of other forms of life? Every organism has a place somewhere in the web of the eaters and the eaten. Mosquito larvae consume algae and similar micro-organisms, and are in turn de-voured by dragonfly nymphs and carnivorous fish. In southern swamps, alligators, eagles and wading birds are the final beneficiaries in this succession of feeders," The fact that the female must have a blood meal before she can produce her eggs is discussed at 1ength in many articles, but, the fact that the male feeds on nectar is disposed of in a siLgle sentence, Yet, the role of the male in carrying pollen from flower to flower may be crucial to the survival of certain plants, and these plants to an ecosystem,

And ragweed! -The physician w a s urging weed control, He was a

specialist in allergies, full of compassion for his patients who were suffering from hay fever, "Ragweed should be exterminated on a national basis," he arg-ued. "There is no excuse for a civilized country per-mitting a plant that causes so much misery to exist."

One can sympathize with the patients, but had the good doctor considered the overall role of the rag-weeds in the ecosystem, he might have taken a more moderate stand, According to AMERICAN WILDLIFE AND PLANTS, by Martin, Zim and Nelson, the seeds of the common annual ragweed are rich in oil, and the great numbers produced, some of which remain on the plant into winter, make it one of the most valuable of all winter foods for the ground-feeding birds, I t provi-des 25 to 5 0 % of the food for the Bob-white, the Common Redpoll, the Harris Sparrow and White-throat-ed Sparrow, 52% for the White-crowned S p a r r o w ; 1 0 to.

23

25% for several others such as the Goldfinch, Junco Horned Lark and other winter sparrows.

Common ragweed is the first plant to come up on land that bas been denuded of plant.cover, and the Giant ragweed helps to stabilize the banks of many streams. Joseph A. Cocannouer in WEEDS, GUARDIANS of the SOIL, says, "It is possible that no s o i l im-proving weeds in the United States exce 1 the rag--weeds."

According to Steyermark in "THE FLORA OF MISS-OURI," the Giant ragweed was used in medicine as

an astringent in chronic catarrhal infections, and, I quote: "The early bluff-dwellers of the Ozarks cultivated the sp.ecies for thr fruits, which, in their cultivated strains, were of larger size than the modern wild type," Who knows, in some millenium to come, this weed, producing seeds rich in oil, may again become an important food for mankind, I n the meantime it plays its invaluable, if unmeasured, role in the complex systems that compose our environ-ment.

---Esther O"Connor Burroughs Audubon Society of Kansas City

YOU CAN SOON WALK INTO WELDON SPRING!

With 7,230 acres, theWeldon Springs tract lying between Busch Wildlife Area and the 2,575 acres of Howell Island soon will be open to the public, with the Missouri Department of Conservation hoping for w a l k - i n use this winter. Acquisition of the $12.4-million area from the University of Missouri came only after long negotiations, but now Missourians have nearly 17,000 acres of contiguous varied habi-tat to enjoy, Howell Island and Weldon Springs both were bought with money from the conservation sales tax, and are within 25 miles of downtown St. Louis. The long-favored Busch area is an August A. Busch Memorial. A co-ordinated management plan is next,

"Having 22 square miles of wildlife lands on the doorstep of a large city is aboslutely unique in Miss-ouri and perhaps in the country," said Larry Gale, dir-ector of the Missouri Conservation D e p a r t m e ~ t .

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THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT IN MISSOURI

Three subspecies of the chat range across all of North America, from southern Canada into Cent-ral America, Only the eastern subspecies, Icteria virens virens, occurs in Missouri. It ranges from South Dakota to New Hampshire southward to Texas and Florida, wintering from central Mexico south to western Panama. Casual winter records occur in most of the summer range all the way to Newfound-land.

Several characteristics make the Yellow-breast-ed Chat unique among the North American wood w a r b l ~ ers (Parulidae), It is the largest warbler (up to 7.5 inches long with a wingspan up to 10 in,), has a large thick bill, unusual foot scutellation, a diverse courtship display, and an unmatched song. However, it is easy to recognize and one of the few warblers whose plumage is similar throughout the year.

Not only is the song of the chat the most ver-satile among the Parulids, but it is also the most continuous. Chat song is a combination of 7 phrases at a rate of about 20 phrases/minute. With its sev-eral alarm calls, the chat has an outstanding rep--ertoire. Singing by territorial males begins to dim-inish by the end of June. Ghats, like cuckoos, are reported to sing just before storms, and are often heard singing in the middle of the night,

In spring males tend to arrive on the breeding territories about a week ahead of the females. The early-arriving males often establish a much larger territory than they are capable of defending as other males become established in the area, Removal experiments have indicated that a large "floating" population exists; therefore, the number of breed-ing males in an area is limited by the resistance of the established males. Territory boundaries vary during breeding season and territorial intrusion is common, Chat territories normally range from 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 acres, Territorial males have specific and predictable daily routines, although many may not

25

be mated, Several types of pair bonds are exhibited by chats: simple monogamy, successive monogamy, pol-ygamy, and possibly polyandry,

Breeding habitat is usually in an early success-ional stage characterized by dense, low vegetation, Clearcuts in the Ozarks provide exceptional habitat. Several study plots on two recent (less than 5 years old) clearcuts on the Mark Twain National F o r e s tshowed the chat to be the most common bird, The most commonly associated species, in descending order of their recorded frequencies, were the indigo bunting, white-eyed vireo, rufous-sided towhee, brown-headed cowbird, field sparrow, goldfinch and prairie warbler. Of special interest were two male chestnut-sided warblers recorded in May and June of 1978, They app-eared to have established territories on opposite sides of one of the clearcuts, although it was not determined if they had mates.

Old home sites and brushy fields also are comm-only used, particularly in bottom lands, Chats are noted for utilizing small portions of apparently homogeneous or similar habitat, so they often seem to be clumped in groups or loose colonies.

Nests are bulky, constructed of coarse grasses, leaves and bark, with a lining of finer grasses. A nest is usually 1 to 5 feet above the ground, gen-erally in thick vegetation. Eggs are white with ch-estnut and lavender specks, sometimes forming a wreath around the large end. Clutches of 3 or 4 are e q u a l l y common, later clutches tend to be smaller, although showing a greater success rate, The most significant factor affecting nesting success is predation. Cowbirds often parasitize chat nests. Al-though chats will sometimes destroy the nest, other times no effect has been noticed on the growth of the young chats.

Incubation period ranges from 8 to 15 days. Only the female incubates the eggs, although the male will provide food for her. Chats are quiet and sec-retive about their nests, and often seem to desert them on little provocation, Both parents feed the

26

young, often by regurgitation during the first few days. Chats keep the nest clean, commonly eating excretory capsules, More than one brood a season is rare.

Chats generally winte.r in Central America, utilizing the same type of scrubby growth they l i k e so well here. Migration is probably around the Gulf instead of across it, as in many other warblers.

The chat was tentatively placed on the Blue list (November issue, American Birds) in 1976 for the first time. Several regions(northe r nand western) recommended listing. Additional regions joined in recommending listing on the 1977 list and it is again listed for 1978,

Breeding Bird Surveys in recent years have ind-icated a fairly stable chat population in Missouri. Cf the five geographical provinces found in Miss--ouri, chats are most common in the Ozarks, and least common in North Missouri:

Ozarks Bootheel Western Prairie East Central North

Average chats per route

12.68 5.38 3.28 2.20 0.70

By Charles Putnam, Biological Technician, North Central Forest Exper-iment Station, USDA-Forest Service, Columbia, Mo.

USE YOUR AUDUBON HOTLINE TO KEEP UP!

The new Washington office of the National Audubon Society, at 1511 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, exists to serve members. To get its reports, write "Outlook:" there, giving your congressman's name, your district, and the areas in which you are int-erested, Better still, call its hotline number at (202) 783-1920, at any time for a recorded report on environmental issues. It's only 40¢ after 11.

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Notes and Feathersthat fall on the editor's desk

H u g h G . H a d l e y , Editor

Conservation Federation members and all Missouri outdoors lovers are saddened at the death in Kansas City July 14 of the vice-chairman of the Conservation Commission, Robert E. Talbot, 54, of Joplin. He suffered an apparent heart attack, Mr. Talbot, an avid fisherman and duck hunter, was president of Talbot General Wire Products, He was appointed by the former Gov, Christopher Bond, An-other recent loss is in the death June 23 in Springfield of W. H. (Ted) Butler, 81, who helped organize the Conservation Federation, was its exec-utive secretary from 1938-1943, and served three terms as president.

Support Design for Conservation

ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE - PRE-REGISTRATION FORM October 6 and 7, 1979

We'll be there! Here is $ registration fee ($5 for adults, $3 for children) for the follow-ing persons. We understand this will apply on the total of $20 for adults or $15 for children under 12**Pre-registration bargain! Four meals and lodging!

NAME ADDRESS

**Cos t at camp without pre-registration:

$25 for adults, $18 for children,

Please mail by Sept, 24 to our treasurer, Katherine Wade, at her home address, 2114 St. Louis Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.

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AUDUBON ORGANIZATIONS IN MISSOURI

NA Audubon Society of Missouri

M Audubon Club of Springfield Springfield N Bootheel Audubon Society . . . . Kennett M,N Burroughs Audubon Society Kansas City M,N Ch.ariton 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

. . . Seda 1 i a-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_ . .. iO.OO

Contributing , ....... . Benefactor ......... . *Affiliate (Individual} , *Affiliate (Organization}

+ + Patron (life Member) ... $100.00

$20.00 50. DO 3.00

12.00

* An organization in accord with the purposes and activities of the Audubon Society of M i s s o u r i 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 Bluebirdis the official quarterly publication of the AudubonSociety of Missouri. Articles essays and stories on all phases of natural hfstory and conservation are invited and will be printed within the limits of available space. Copy to be used should reach the editor by February l, May 1, August 1, or November 1 for the next fssue.

Mter 10 Days return to Audubon Society of Missouri c/o Mrs. JoAnn Garrett Rt. 4, Box 395A Pleasant Hill, Mo. 64080

ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAID Pleasant Hill, Mo.

Permit No. 44