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November/December 2014, Volume 54, No. 4
published monthly September – April, bi-monthly May – August, November - December
by GRAC, 6152 Georgeann Ct., Belmont, MI 49506-9783 On the web: www.glsga.org/grac Information: [email protected]
President’s Corner November Meeting Notes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Speaker:
Topic:
Monday, November 24, 2014
7:00 PM social; 7:30 PM program
Orchard View Church
Jeff Neumann, Owner, GR Paddling
Adventures in Northern Tanzania
Jeff is a master electrician and retired professor of
electronics from GRCC. He has always loved the outdoors,
and retired from teaching to start a new business called GR
Paddling, which provides customized canoe and kayak trips
on Grand Rapids area lakes and rivers.
In the late summer of 2004, Jeff had the opportunity to
join two GRCC colleagues and a student on a trip to
Tanzania, Africa. While the primary purpose of the trip was
to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, they also had the opportunity
to engage in several African safaris in northern Tanzania.
The group was able to tour and camp in the Great Rift
Valley, Arusha National Park, the Lake Manyara region in
Tarangire Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti –
experiencing and learning about African wildlife.
Join GRAC member Jeff as he shares his memories,
pictures and stories of this one-in-a-lifetime trip!
GRAC meets at 7:00 PM for social time followed by the
free program at 7:30 in Orchard View Church at 2777
Leffingwell Ave. NE. Bring a friend and guests are always
welcome.
Board Meeting Notice
The next GRAC Board meeting will be held Monday,
November 24, 2014 at 6:00 PM at Orchard View Church at
2777 Leffingwell Ave. NE. All interested members are invited
to attend.
Notice: There will be NO December Board meeting.
Deadline for January newsletter articles: January 4, 2015
(send to Linda Damstra)
by Scott Hutchings
The Joy of Birding in the Rain
In September, I was birding the Allegan State Game Area
in an intermittent drizzle. The color of the day was dark gray
and any reasonable person would’ve stayed indoors. But I had
the day off and it looked like my one chance to do any serious
birding that week, so I braved the cold and the wet. I was
rewarded with Bluebirds, a male Pheasant, 48 Sandhill Cranes
and a Raven.
I thought back to the first field trip I went on. It was March,
hovering around 32 degrees, with occasional sleet. When I
met the group at the Grand Haven south pier in the first light
of dawn, I concluded we must be crazy. Although, there were
a hundred fishermen there ahead of us. We saw loons, grebes
and winter ducks. I think I got a lifer or two. It was a great day.
All the times I’ve birded in rain, or looked for owls in
single-digit temperatures in total darkness on January 1st, or
hiked in 90-degree heat, really don’t matter. If I saw birds, I
remember it as a good day.
Have a good day.
Thank You
GRAC thanks Alice Paredez for supplying our October
social time with fresh fruit, cheese and mini muffins, and
Carol and Al Sabatini for bringing and serving beverages.
Thank you as well to all who have signed up to be people
feeders. We are covered now through January, but are seeking
volunteers for these meetings: 2 for February, 1 for March and
1 for April. If you are willing to help out, contact Bea Verburg
at (616) 676-2446 or E-mail: [email protected].
Thank You II
At the October meeting, some lucky attendees went home
with a little extra. We thank those who donated these items to
be given away in the drawing at the end of the meeting. They
included: a hummingbird tile, an owl figurine, a log suet
feeder, a bag of deluxe sunflower seed (Thank you, Cascade
Chow Hound!), bluebird deck of cards, notecards, bell
seed/suet feeder and a pad of stationery.
For membership information contact assistant treasurer
Mary Austin at the address, phone number or E-mail on the
back of the Caller or see website www.glsga.org/grac.
November/December 2014
Ranger Steve’s Nature Niche
Easter Egg Bird
by Ranger Steve Mueller
What you call it is not as important as what you enjoy
about it. In spring this bird leaves Michigan’s cozy, balmy
winter residence for regions to the north where it will nest.
Some people call them “snow birds.” Small flocks of the
Dark-eyed Junco are seen throughout the winter but they head
northward in April. Some linger well into May.
They are gone from our area during summer. My first
sighting this Fall was October 10 when one arrived in the
yard. Within a week several were present. They prefer open
woodlands so many of our neighborhoods are desirable
habitat. Similar to us, they prefer fields with scattered trees
and thicket borders. It is easy to be a good neighbor to these
small active sparrows.
Take time to look closely when they are near bird feeders
to notice the pink bill and their charcoal dark heads. They
have gray backs and sides but their bellies are white. They
also have outer white tail feathers that flash as they walk or
hop about the yard. The white tail feathers are usually visible
in flight. Notice the moderate long tail. Females have a
brownish back but it is not obvious, so separating sexes is not easy.
When I was first learning birds, the junco reminded me of
an Easter egg that had been dipped in dark gray coloring.
Only the portion that was not dipped remained white so I
began referring to it as the Easter Egg Bird. I wonder how
many people remember dipping eggs? When my daughters
were young, we referenced them as the Easter Egg Bird but
the girls learned the name Dark-eyed Junco also. The
descriptive Easter Egg Bird name was more memorable and
fun for us. It was an enjoyable way to help them learn to
Mary’s Membership Musings
by Mary Austin, Assistant Treasurer/Membership Chairperson
We’re moving into the holiday season and the time of the
Christmas Bird Count. Some of us are beginning to change
our birding habits. Some of us will take to the indoors and do
much of our birding through our windows, from the comfort
of our warm living rooms.
For some of us, it will be the time to curl up to read a good
book on birding, watch a birding DVD or bring our birding
records up to date. Still others of us might be planning for the
warmer months by constructing birdhouses or feeders or by
designing gardens to attract our feathered hummingbird friends.
There are some of us, of course, who have
become “snowbirds” and have headed south
for warmer birding opportunities. The fact is,
that even when we are forced inside by
changing weather conditions here in
Michigan, we can enjoy our birding hobby.
By the way, if you are one of our
“snowbirds” who receive a mailed copy of the Caller and
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
observe the wonderful variety of shape, form, and color in
nature niches. We spent family time outside observing and
enjoying while experiencing the natural wonders around us.
There are several subspecies of juncos
across North America. In Michigan and the
East, the Slate-colored Junco subspecies is
normally the only one present. They tend to
hop but will walk about the ground while
foraging seeds. Watch how different
species move about uniquely. During summer about half of
their diet is insects. Young are raised on an even higher
percentage of insects. Insects are important for successful
rearing of young for most songbirds.
Juncos are a winter treat that offers variety from the regular
summer birds. They appreciate the open yards that have
scattered conifers and deciduous trees where they can take
shelter. When they return north in spring to breed, they select
open areas among conifers and hardwood trees.
Nesting occurs northward from Cadillac well into Canada’s
open forested areas. I have seen Juncos remain near the
Howard Christensen Nature Center during summer and
suspect there could be some nesting this far south. They nest
on the ground near logs or other objects that help conceal the
location.
While you stay nestled in the house this winter, keep
feeders full and enjoy the variety of feathered neighbors that
stop by for a meal. Your yard can provide entertaining activity
all winter when you provide food and shelter.
Natural history questions or topic suggestions can be
directed to Ranger Steve (Mueller) at Ody Brook, 13010
Northland Dr., Cedar Springs, MI 49319-8433, Phone: (616)
696-1753 or by E-mail at: [email protected].
wish to receive your Caller at your secondary address, please
let me know. I already have the winter addresses for many of
our snowbirds. Just let me know of your winter address (and
the months that you are away from Michigan), and I’ll arrange
to have the newsletter mailed to your alternate address. You
can, of course, elect to have an E-mail notification when a
new issue of the Caller is available and avoid any interruption
in receiving the Caller.
Welcome to the newest members of the club:
Peter Bergren of Walker, Marve Branch of Grandville and
Suzanne Bouchard of Grand Rapids.
Thank you to those individuals who have made special
donations to GRAC:
General Fund: Bette and Ken Frieswyk
Junior Audubon: Marlene Cook
Maher Sanctuary: Chris Baer
Looking for a nature-related Christmas gift? Consider the
gift of a membership to the Grand Rapids Audubon Club for
your loved one or friend.
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November/December 2014
2014 Kent County Christmas Bird Count Saturday, January 3, 2015
Time: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
C
A
D
F
Lowell
Honey Creek
E
Ada
Wittenbach / Wege Center 11715 Vergennes Lowell, MI 49331 G
2014 Christmas Bird Count
Kent County: Center at 2 Mile & Honey Creek Roads
Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 7:30 AM
by Tom Leggett
Join us on January 3, 2015 at Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Center, 11715 Vergennes Rd. in
Lowell, Michigan 49331. Field teams depart at 8:00 AM with
friends and knowledgeable birders. Return around noon for
lunch. Joan Heuvelhorst has agreed to prepare a hot lunch as
last year. Cost is $5.00. Or you can BYO. At 5:00 PM we
gather to tally section findings. Choose to participate part or
all day.
Participation is free but donations are encouraged to
support the National Audubon Program.
Let’s have a great time gathering data useful for tracking
bird locations and species abundances. We have a long
history of contributing citizen science efforts to support
*Important information:
The CBC is in the middle of our count week that consists
of three days before and after the count day of January 3. In
this case, as our count day is at end of the whole count period
(Count period runs from December 14 to January 5.), there
are not three days after, rather only to the end of the count
period timeframe of January 5. Birds seen during our count
week and not on the day of the count can be added to the list
as count period only. No total of individuals is necessary,
unless it is a bird that needs details.
Also, feeders at your homes that are within the count circle
should have someone counting at least some of the day. This
will add valuable totals to the Individuals Total for the day
and sometimes a bird not seen in the field that day. These incircle feeders are important as if a blizzard shuts down field
participation, then feeders or yard counts will keep the count
open for the year—a restricted count is still a valuable count.
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
Lincoln Lake
B
Bailey
M-21
ADA
Vergennes
From Grand Rapids: east on M-21 (Fulton St.) through Ada; just
after crossing the Grand River bridge turn left (north) onto Pettis;
take the first right (east) onto Vergennes St.; about five miles to the
Wittenbach/Wege Center.
From North US 131: exit 101 M-57; east about ten miles to
Lincoln Lake Rd.; turn right (south); follow Lincoln Lake Rd.
about 20 miles to traffic signal at Vergennes St.; right (west) about
one mile to the Wittenbach/Wege Center.
From the South: Lowell exit; north on Alden Nash through
Lowell on the same road (the name changes); about 2 miles north
of Lowell to traffic signal at Vergennes; turn left (west) about one
mile to the Wittenbach/Wege Center.
Also see the GRAC website for directions and map.
If your property and feeders are in the count circle, let me
know that and what section you live in. An address will help
me locate the section you are in and a phone number will be
helpful as well. If the field count has to be shut down, the
count will still go on; I will call persons who gave me feeder
information from within the circle.
Also, let me know who will be feeder only counters on
count day.
Direct inquiries to Tom Leggett.
Tom: (616) 249-3382 E-mail: [email protected]
Page 3
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November/December 2014
GRAC Field Trips
January through February
Here is the field trip line up for start of 2015. We are
always looking for additional field trips. Call Steve Minard at
(616) 942-7165 if you have a spot you would like to show to
the group. Watch the Caller for future trip announcements.
January 1, 2015, Thursday, 6:00 AM
Leader: Steve Minard
New Years Day in Kent County
Get your bird list for 2015 started in Kent County. We will
start at 6:00 AM to look for owls in the Cannonsburg State
Game Area and vicinity. At dawn, we will shift to looking for
winter passerines, waterfowl and hawks. Birders of all skills
are welcome to join us and start their bird list for 2015.
Essentials: Meet at the downtown Ada parking lot near the
McDonald’s Express by 6:00 AM. (Turn off M21 by Amway
and look for the parking lot to the east.) We plan to finish
around 11:30 AM. Dress for cold weather and bring a snack
or warm beverage to keep you fueled up.
Safety Hazards: Cold weather and slippery winter driving
are the main hazards. As with winter trips in particular, bad
weather may cancel the trip. Driving in a caravan can be
hazardous. Get directions from the leader for travel to the
next stop. Exercise caution on the roads at all times, and
watch the car ahead of you when driving in a caravan. Please
have a passenger handle all radio or phone communications
while in a car.
January 3, 2015, Saturday
Leader: Tom Leggett
Kent County Christmas Count
Join us for the annual Kent County Christmas Count. Birders
of all skills are needed to help us cover our 15-mile circle. This
combines fun winter birding with the biggest and oldest citizen
science event. Find the details, including meeting place are on
page 3. Plan to arrive by 7:30 AM to join your group and be out
counting by 8:00 AM.
Essentials: Prepare for cold weather and slippery, snow
covered, roads. You may want to bring a snack and beverage
along to keep you going during the day.
Safety Hazards: Cold weather and poor driving conditions
are the major hazards. Please exercise caution on the roads at all
times.
January 24, 2015, Saturday, 7:30 AM
Leader: Steve Minard
Allegan State Game Area Winter Trip
Explore the Allegan State Game Area, including the Swan
Creek Highbanks and the Todd Farm Unit, for winter birds.
We are going in late January again this year. Bald Eagle and
Rough-legged Hawk are likely to be near the flocks of
Canada Goose at the Todd Farm Unit. Wild Turkey, Northern
Shrike and Ross’ Goose have been found here in past winters.
With luck, winter finches will make an appearance. Bring
your CB or Family radio if you have one and we’ll try to keep
in touch between cars. Birders of all skills are welcome.
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
Essentials: Meet at the McDonald’s in Hudsonville, and car
pool from there. A spotting scope will come in handy on this
trip. A bit of food and a warm beverage will take care of any
hunger pains. We plan to bird until noon; lunch afterwards is
an option.
Safety Hazards: Cold weather and slippery winter driving
are the main hazards. As with winter trips in particular, bad
weather may cancel the trip. Driving in a caravan can be
hazardous. Get directions from the leader for travel to the next
stop. Exercise caution on the roads at all times, and watch the
car ahead of you when driving in a caravan. Please have a
passenger handle all radio or phone communications while in
a car.
February 28, 2015, Saturday, 8:00 AM
Leader: Steve Minard
Winter Field Birding
This is a planned winter trip to search for winter birds such
as Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike and Snow Bunting. These can
be quite nomadic and hard to find, so we’ll try to cover lots of
territory to look for them. We’ll search fields in northern
Ottawa County and Muskegon County northwest of Grand
Rapids. We’ll probably check some of the Crockery Creek
bottomlands looking for Red-shouldered Hawk. If conditions
permit, we’ll try to include the Muskegon Wastewater in our
search. Expect to spend most of the time in the car searching
the fields for anything different. Bring your CB or Family
radio if you have one and we’ll try to keep in touch between
cars. Birders of all skills are welcome.
Essentials: Meet at the Boy Scout Headquarters west off
Walker Rd. just north of I-96 at 8:00 AM. We plan to bird
until noon; you may want to bring a snack to hold you over
until lunch.
Safety Hazards: Cold weather and slippery winter driving
are the main hazards. As with winter trips in particular, bad
weather may cancel the trip. Driving in a caravan can be
hazardous. Get directions from the leader for travel to the next
stop. Exercise caution on the roads at all times, and watch the
car ahead of you when driving in a caravan. Please have a
passenger handle all radio or phone communications while in
a car.
January 2015 Program Preview
Elaine Kampmueller, Grand Rapids Community College
Science Instructor and Audubon member will provide up-todate information on the current status of the Grand Rapids
Peregrine Falcon program on January 25, 2015. In advance
of her program, The State of Peregrine Falcons in Grand
Rapids and Michigan, you may want to check out the
Peregrine Falcon Information link on the Grand Rapids
Audubon Club website. Here you will find information about
recent sightings of the raptors in downtown Grand Rapids as
well as links to other Peregrine Falcon websites and
recommended books that feature birds of prey.
GRAC website: www.glsga.org/grac
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November/December 2014
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Field Trip
GRAC 2015 Field Trip Schedule
October 4, 2014
by Larry Burke
The weather forecast portended a cold and rainy morning
and early afternoon. That did not deter the hardy souls who
turned out for this trip: Jim and Noreen Shea, Mark and
Melanie Moerdyk, Alex Pitt and Jamie Ogilvie.
The area around the parking lot got us off to a good start.
A male Black-throated Blue Warbler was spotted first,
followed by a Cape May Warbler and then a Black-throated
Green Warbler. An Eastern Towhee called from the dense
undergrowth along the dirt road but, true to form, did not
favor us with a view. Further along the road, Alex’s sharp eye
found us a female Scarlet Tanager, certainly a good find at
that time of year. A Brown Creeper also put in an appearance,
as did both species of kinglet. As we moved toward the north
trail, several Yellow-rumped Warblers did a quick passthrough.
The north trail did not yield any noteworthy species aside
from the usual Red-breasted Nuthatches. The lakeshore was
equally unremarkable.
This trip often produces migrating Blue Jays numbering in
the hundreds. That did not happen this time, perhaps due in
part to the weather, which was intermittently rainy. The total
number was between 20 and 30. This trip also usually gives
us migrating American Robins in good numbers. For the
second time in the last three years, we came up with not even
one robin.
Leaving SDSP, we traveled down Blue Star Highway to
Wade’s Bayou in Douglas to see what might be around.
Consistent with the fact that the water level in Lake Michigan
had increased significantly compared to last year, it was
apparent that the same was true of the water level in the
bayou. Last year on this trip, with the lower water level and
some exposed ground, we counted 15 species. This time we
saw only four species, which included three Double-crested
Cormorants.
We finished the trip with 23 species.
2014-15 GRAC Scholarship
Applications for the Harry F. Stiles Memorial Scholarship
are being accepted. The scholarship is awarded to promote
and support nature-related educational opportunities. The
scholarship is awarded for up to $200.00 for an award period.
There are two award periods in a fiscal year: July 1 through
December 31 and January 1 through June 30.
The award is to be used for enrollment in environmental,
biology, or science/nature programs, workshops or courses.
Individuals of all ages are encouraged to apply.
If you have an interest or desire to apply, visit the GRAC
website: www.glsga.org/grac. Or, you may contact Rob Peters
at [email protected] or any GRAC Board member.
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
Date
Trip/Leader
January 1
New Year’s Day in Kent County/Steve
Minard
January 3
Kent County Christmas Bird Count/Tom
Leggett and Steve Mueller
January 24 Allegan State Game Area Winter Trip/Steve
Minard
February 28 Winter Field Birding/Steve Minard
March 28
Bluebird Box Cleaning at the Muskegon
Wastewater/Jim Ponshair
April 18
Spring Marsh Birds and Hawks/Steve Minard
May 5
Tuesday Evening at Reeds Lake/Steve Minard
May 7
Thursday Morning at Reeds Lake/Bill
Sweetman
May 9
Spring Migration Count/Steve Minard
May 12
Tuesday Evening at Reeds Lake/Steve Minard
May 14
Thursday Morning at Reeds Lake/Bill
Sweetman
May 16
Berrien County Warblers Trip/Scott
Hutchings
Our field trip chair, Steve Minard, would like to schedule
more field trips. If you know of a great place to bird and
would like to lead (or co-lead) a trip, contact Steve at (616)
942-7165. Remember: a complete list of all scheduled field
trips are found on the GRAC website: www.glsga.org/grac.
New Caller Editor Sought
by Linda Damstra
With the publication of the November/December 2015
Caller I would like to be able to pass the torch of newsletter
editorship to someone willing and able to continue this
important job. Announcing a year in advance may seem
extreme, but it is to allow time for someone to consider taking
on the job and for training that person.
Required is knowledge of publishing software. The
newsletter is currently published using Microsoft Word for
Mac 2011. It is also easily formatted for Microsoft Publisher
(for PC) and with some care, can be published using the Pages
software by Apple. These are the applications that I know;
certainly there are other publishing applications that can do
the same thing and people with the knowledge and skills to be
able to create a newsletter using them.
If you have an inkling that you might want to take on the
editorship or just want to learn what is involved before
deciding, I would be happy to meet with you and “show” you
what I do to prepare each publication. Let me know.
Phone: (616) 361-8216 E-mail: [email protected]
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November/December 2014
Muskegon State Park Field Trip
Junior Audubon
Midwest Birding Symposium 2015
Junior Audubon website:
October 25, 2014
by Larry Burke
You couldn’t ask for a better late October morning than we
had for this trip. It began overcast but by 10:00 AM we had
full sun, right in line with the forecast. We had a good turnout
with Jim and Noreen Shea, James Cross, Howard Huisman,
Samuel Wakeman, Derrick Kooistra, Jill Goodell, Becky
Kuhn, Scott Hutchings, Robert Goff, Larry Deshane and Jean
Siesener.
We started things off at the Muskegon State Park beach.
Several Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen out over the water. A
swirling flock of 30 or so Snow Buntings came out of the
north, at one point settling down on the sand long enough for
everyone to get good spotting scope looks at them. All the
while, we were seeing formations of ducks flying south.
Unfortunately, they were so far distant that identifying them
to species was speculative at best.
From the beach we moved on to the campground along the
channel and Muskegon Lake. The highlight here was a wellseen pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. Other birds of note along
the road were Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and
Eastern Bluebird. The road ended on the shore of Muskegon
Lake, where we saw a Pied-billed Grebe, several Mute Swans
and fourteen Double-crested Cormorants.
On our way out of the park we stopped at Snug Harbor,
which did not yield any species of particular note. The woods
were quiet but the trail was beautiful in the sunlight. Where
the trail splits, Scott pointed out an unoccupied eagle nest
high in a dead tree.
We then moved on to our last stop, the Muskegon Lake
Nature Preserve. Although things were generally quiet, we
did come upon a large tree that held several Yellow-rumped
Warblers. We also found an American Tree Sparrow on a
feeder at the picnic table/bird banding pavilion.
Congratulations to Sam, the youngest birder of the group,
who added seven species to his life list on this trip. We
finished with a total of 31 species.
http://www.glsga.org/graud/junior_aud/junior_aud.html
The 2015 Midwest Birding Symposium will be held
September 10–13, 2015, in Bay City, Michigan. Still in the
early planning stages, but you can get your name on the list to
receive future updates about the 2015 MBS. Search 2015
Midwest Birding Symposium online and follow instructions
to pre-register.
Bay City is in the center of great birding opportunities with
Tawas Point and the development of the Saginaw Basin
Birding Trail. If you have never attended the symposium, this
is an excellent opportunity to bird the area. If you want to get
involved as a volunteer, contact Scott Hutchings at (616) 454-8013.
If you plan to attend the symposium, James Cross would
like to talk to you about the possibility of catching a ride
along with his son. Contact James at (616) 717-3284.
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
by Kim Bradley-Davidson
and Bethany Sheffer
With winter right around the corner,
that means a brief rest for Junior
Audubon. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed
getting to know our families and have had a blast sharing in
our adventures together this year. From the beginning of the
year at Ironwood Golf Course to the end building bird houses,
we’ve appreciated some neat bird species together; explored
the relationship between birds and plants; discovered the
importance of native habitat; dazzled at diving Peregrine
Falcons; pledged to educate others about the parrot industry;
and constructed bird houses and feeders in a pole barn for our
winter-hardy friends! Who could’ve asked for a more
educational, more fun-filled year? We couldn’t have!
We’d like all of our members to note, however, that
although Junior Audubon will not be having organized
monthly programs throughout the winter season, we will
possibly be hosting one or two events during the months of
December - February. Current members have indicated that
they would like to see something organized during the winter,
so please stay posted so that you don’t miss out on these
winter activities. Outings may involve cross-country skiing, a
wildlife art night, or participation in the Christmas Bird Count
this year. We’ll E-mail and post information on the website
and Facebook page as we solidify these events, so stay tuned!
Last but certainly not least, co-chair Kim Davidson has
decided to step down from co-leading Junior Audubon. We
cannot begin to express how much Kim and all of her
wonderful, extensive talents will be missed. We greatly
appreciate her creativity in developing the club and wish her
well in her endeavors. She will be very, very missed! Please
note that Junior Audubon is looking for another co-chair
to help lead the group for the upcoming 2015 Year. Any
interested candidates can contact Bethany Sheffer directly at
[email protected] or by phone at (616) 430-2283.
Again, thanks for a wonderful year, everyone!
Junior Audubon blog: http://grjaadventures.blogspot.com/
Junior Audubon Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/jraudubon?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
The Grand Rapids Junior Audubon Club inspires kids to
become AWESOME BIRDERS and SO MUCH MORE!
For Sale
James Cross is looking for a buyer for The Sibley Guide to
Birds, 2000 edition. It is in very good condition and he asks
$16.00 for the book. Like his father, David Cross is also
selling a field guide – The National Geographic Field Guide
to the Birds of North America. This 6th edition is in “like
new” condition and David is asking $15.00. If you are
interested, contact James or David at (616) 322-1947.
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November/December 2014
Historical Archives
by Chris Baer, GRAC Historian
In the September 1964 issue of the Caller, GRAC
President Joan Wolfe, praises her hard working board of
directors and their committees “thrashing over ideas for the
coming year.” Joan encourages members to participate in all
aspects of the club. She also felt strongly “that we must work
if we are to save the wildlife we love.” and “…conservation
has many, many facets.” We must all become “actively
involved.” And, lastly, “Make no mistake, the wise use of our
natural resources is a battle which is being lost far more often
than it is being won.”
“Bird Craft” with Alex Hook would be the focus of the
September meeting. Seventeen subjects that would be
discussed included photo and recording equipment, bird
carving, bird books, spotting scopes, nesting records, bird
house plans and bird banding, just to name a few.
Demonstrations would also be included.
The Budget for 1964–1965 was $765.00.
There would be a fall campout at Yankee Springs toward
the end of the month with Mary Jane Dockeray giving an
illustrated talk.
And, did you know, in 1964 we actually rented books and
records to members?
Arlene Sweet had an unusual article of questions and some
answers. “How did you happen to become a birdwatcher?”
Seeing or hearing a beautiful bird? Purchasing a bird feeder?
Or reading a book about birds? For Arlene it was taking car
rides on Sunday afternoons with her mother “pointing out”
different birds along the way.
Michigan Audubon News
“What was the ‘biggest thrill’ as a birdwatcher?” For
Arlene, as most of us, it was many things—a short-eared owl
watching her as she watched a flock of horned larks or a wet,
but happily singing meadowlark after a night of storms.
“What interesting bird behavior have you seen?” A bluebird
house with a pair of bluebirds outside Arlene’s living room
window attracted a house wren that tried to take over the
house. To Arlene’s disgust the male bluebird flew off leaving
the female the only defender. Minutes later, however, the
male came back with another male bluebird and the three
successfully drove off the wren.
“What would you as a member of GRAC like our club to
do?” Own our own nature center? (We have Maher Nature
Sanctuary now.) Use Walkie-Talkeis to better communicate
with other birders in a car tour. (We now have cell phones!)
“What is your favorite bird?” Arlene knows George
Wickstrom prefers peeps; Jim Ponshair likes those hawks and
owls; Ernie Hoover would “walk a mile for a woodpecker.”
Arlene would like all of us to share our experiences like the
above with all of our members by writing a short description
and sending it to our editor.
Arlene Sweet then describes a young person, Pam, who was
an accurate observer who found a chipping sparrow nest with
four small eggs and one that was bigger. Arlene informed her
that the larger egg was from a cowbird and should be thrown
away. Pam was horrified. She did remove it but couldn’t
destroy it and finally decided to put it under her pet pigeon!
Her father discovered the egg placement and doomed the
experiment. We will never know if “a pigeon would succeed
at bringing up a cowbird.”
2015 Birding Tours
by Wendy Tatar, Program Coordinator, MAS
The following is excerpted with
permission from the Michigan Audubon
online newsletter, “Chapter Connections”
for November 2014.
GRAC member, Bill Sweetman, would like members to
be informed of the birding tours that are open to Grand
Rapids Audubon Club members. If you have an interest in a
tour and would like detailed information, contact Bill at
(616) 460-0112 or E-mail: [email protected].
Michigan Audubon Offers Avian Research Grant
Laughing Whitefish Audubon Society, Michigan
Audubon’s chapter in Marquette, is offering a $500 grant to
individuals doing avian research in the Upper Peninsula. The
complete grant application and guidelines for applying are
available on the LWAS website. The grant application must
be received by January 15, 2015.
The 2014 grant recipient was Laurel Hill, a graduate
student in Northern Michigan University’s Biology
Department. Laurel received the funding for research for her
Master’s thesis, Changes in Population and Habitat of Spruce
Grouse on the Yellow Dog Plains. You can view a copy of
Laurel’s grant application on the LWAS website.
http://laughingwhitefishaudubon.org/research-grant/
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
Page 7
• March 26 – April 2, 2015 (7 nights)
Texas: Padre Island, Rio Grand Valley and
Hill Country
• April 9 – 16, 2015 (7 nights)
Central and South Florida: Everglades,
Keys and Dry Tortugas
• April 28 – May 5, 2015 (7 nights)
California: Desert, Mountains
and Coast
• August 4 – 11, 2015 (7 nights)
Southeast Arizona: Deserts, Mountains,
Canyons and Birds
www.glsga.org/grac
November/December 2014
Conservation Corner
by Ed Bolt, Conservation Chairperson
The Conservation Committee has several items on their
agenda for this year. It is a continuation of last year, with a
couple new subjects.
Our list includes, but is not limited to:
• Wind Farm/Wind Turbines at the Muskegon
Wastewater Area
• Long-Term GRAC Relationship with Frederik Meijer
Gardens
• “Getting the Lead Out” of Ammunition
• Miscellaneous Items at Maher Audubon Sanctuary
• Cultivating Grassland Bird Habitat at the former
Butterworth Landfill
• Farmland Preservation
Possible “new” topics:
• Invasive Species
• Oil Industry Topics
o Hydro-fracking
o Diagonal Drilling
o Pipeline under Mackinac Bridge
We would also like to revive the practice of Letter-Writing
for environmental causes. A worthy letter-writing start would
be to encourage the MDNR to purchase (when it becomes
available) the 315 acres of wooded dune land north of the
Kalamazoo River mouth, near Saugatuck Dune State Park.
This rare landscape is currently slated for development by an
Oklahoma tycoon, Aubrey McLendon, into large house lots.
It would be tragic not to save this land for the delicate and
rare ecosystem that it is. If you are interested in writing (And
there is a need!), contact Mary Remer or me for details.
Conservation Committee has set a regular meeting time of
the third Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting is
Tuesday, November 18 at 1:00 PM, at the Yankee Clipper
branch of Grand Rapids Public Library located at 2025
Leonard NE. If you are interested in attending, do let me
know.
Ed Bolt: (616) 453-3822 E-mail: [email protected]
Mary Remer: (616) 805-3531 E-mail: [email protected]
Stories in Nature
Bear Stories, Part I
by Tom Leggett
In the 1970s, when I lived in Manistee, Michigan, my
friend and I decided to fish for jumbo perch off the rocks of
Manistee Lake by Morton Salt and the railroad switch station.
It was one of my best spots. We had heard that a Black Bear
was not wanting to go around Manistee Lake so was slowly
working his way through town between that lake and Lake
Michigan. We parked in the parking lot, then walked the very
thick trail to our fishing spot in daylight.
Of course, we were having a very good evening of fishing
with many jumbo perch, so we fished late, meaning—we had
to walk back to the car in the dark. I was in front. I proceeded
to come face to face with a big, smelly and grumpy bear. Not
able to go forward I softly said to the bear, “Hi, you look
hungry.” I paused quickly in thought, and then continued.
“Have some lunch,” I said as I laid the stringer of perch two to
three feet in front of me. Then I told my friend to go back and
as we moved back I heard the crunching of bones. When we
got to the clearing and the tracks I told Jon, “Tracks to road,
and then to car, and move
quickly and calmly.” My friend
did so, though his limp slowed
him down.
Back at car I said, “Throw
stuff in the car and just get in.”
He did so and as we pulled
away he asked, “What was that
about and where are our fish?”
To which I replied calmly,
“Our fish bought us time to get
away from the bear on the trail.”
Bear Stories, Part II: Bears and Deer Camp
Deer camp is in northern Michigan west of Alpena in the
Atlanta and Fairview areas. One day I was driving through
thick pines and out jumped a black bear, not a deer; it ran like
the wind. Another year we found stumps that the bears had
torn apart looking for ants, etc. We found that its den was in
thick cover not more than 100 yards from my stand; made me
think about my stand that year.
Last year, as I walked back up the two-track to the cabin, I
saw and heard a bear call to something and an answer came to
it. Its cub, which had spent the day in the top of a tall pine
tree, quickly slid butt first down the trunk and hit the ground
running to join momma. He was so cute. Then they went off
hunting for stumps with bugs, I guess.
The thankful receiver bears a
Moral of the story: I was much more
respectfully calmer with a 30/30 deer rifle
in my hands than a stringer of jumbo perch!
plentiful harvest.
—William Blake
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
Page 8
www.glsga.org/grac
November/December 2014
November
24 GRAC Board Meeting (preceding our general membership meeting)
24 General Membership Meeting – Program: Safari in Tanzania with Jeff Neumann
December
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
January
1 Field Trip: New Year’s Day in Kent County with Steve Minard
3 Kent County Christmas Bird Count, Tom Leggett, Coordinator
4 Deadline for January newsletter articles
24 Field Trip: Allegan State Game Area with Steve Minard
26 GRAC Board Meeting (preceding our general membership meeting)
26 General Membership Meeting – Program: The State of Peregrine Falcons in Grand Rapids, MI with
Elaine Kampmueller
February
1 Deadline for February newsletter articles
23 GRAC Board Meeting (preceding our general membership meeting)
23 General Membership Meeting – Program: Michigan Reptiles with Ryan Webb
28 Field Trip: Winter Field Birding with Steve Minard
The GRAC Board wishes the
very best of the Holidays to all
its members!
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
Membership Application
GRAC Board Meetings are held at 6:00 PM prior to each month’s general
membership meeting.
Junior Audubon Meetings are held Saturdays at various locations. Contact
Kim Bradley-Davidson or Bethany Sheffer for more information.
General Membership Meetings are held the last Monday of the month (Sept.
– May) at 7:30 PM at Orchard View Church on Leffingwell NE. December
(Christmas Bird Count) and May (Annual Banquet) meetings are held at
different locations and times. Upcoming field trip information is published in
each newsletter. See the GRAC website for the complete field trip list.
Any additions or deletions to the above calendar will be noted in future issues
of the newsletter.
Name _____________________________________________
Street _____________________________________________
City ______________________________________________
State / ZIP+4 _______________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________
Email _____________________________________________
Serving You
$ 20.00
___________
GRAC Board and Committee Chairpersons are listed below for convenience.
Family
25.00
___________
Senior (65+)
12.00
___________
Student (14+w/ID)
12.00
___________
Grand Rapids Audubon Club Board of Directors and Special Committees
The Board of Directors consists of the Executive Council, the Immediate
Past President and Chairpersons of the Standing Committees. In addition to the
Board Of Directors, “Special Committees” and “Resident Agent” are also
listed below.
Sustaining
30.00
___________
Patron
60.00
___________
Individual Life Membership
400.00
Donation (General Fund, Jr. Audubon, Sanctuary,
___________
Individual
Scholarship, Audubon Adventures, etc.)
Total Amount Enclosed
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
5 officers + 4 elected board members
President – Scott Hutchings
Vice President – John Chronowski
Secretary – Marilyn Pikaart
Treasurer – Norm Sevensma
Assistant Treasurer – Mary Austin
Board Member – James Cross
Board Member – Phil Willemstein
Board Member – Cande Elchroth
Board Member – Phil Pikaart
___________
___________
Nov/Dec 2014
Make checks payable to:
Grand Rapids Audubon Club, Inc.
Send application and check to:
Mary Austin, Assistant Treasurer
2021 Valentine, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-2922
Check your preferred method of receiving the newsletter:
¨ I prefer to receive the Caller by mail.
¨ I prefer to read the Caller online at the GRAC website
upon receiving an E-mail notification that the new
issue is available. (Usually 10–14 days before the print
version arrives by mail.)
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
(non-voting member)
Madeline Heibel 2012-13, 2013-14
STANDING COMMITTEES
Per 2013 GRAC Bylaws, there are
19 Standing Committees. Each
committee chairperson is a voting
member of the Board. Committee names
shown are per bylaws.
Audio/Visual – Robert Riepma
Bird Reports – Tom Holt
Caller Editor – Linda Damstra
Caller Publisher – Becky Kuhn
Christmas Count – Tom Leggett
Conservation – Ed Bolt
Field Trips – Steve Minard
Finance – Jill Goodell
Fund Development – Bea Verburg
Historian – Chris Baer
Hospitality – Henry Raad /
Rosemary Radius
Junior Audubon – Kim BradleyDavidson / Bethany Sheffer
Library – Norine and Jim Shea /
Fidencio Paradez
Maher Sanctuary – Chris Baer
Membership – Mary Austin
Nominating – open
Publicity – Bea Verburg / Mary
Remer
Scholarship – open
Website – Fred VanOeveren
SPECIAL COMMITTEES /
CHAIRPERSONS
(non-members of Board of directors
in this capacity)
Audubon Adventures – Tricia Boot
Insurance – Jill Goodell
RESIDENT AGENT
Larry Burke
Membership dues and contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
Page 9
www.glsga.org/grac
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
6152 Georgeann Ct.
Belmont, MI 49306-9783
Return Service Requested
DATED MATERIAL
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Nine Issues per year
Published monthly except May, July
and December
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit No. 18
Grand Rapids Audubon Club
OFFICERS President:
Scott Hutchings (454-8013)
1417 Pine Ave. NW, 49504-3026
E-mail: [email protected]
Vice President / Programs:
John Chronowski (915-9864)
2515 Elmwood Dr. SE, 49506-4256
E-mail: [email protected]
Secretary:
Marilyn Pikaart (452-9755)
1740 Millbank St. SE, 49508-2668
E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer:
Norm Sevensma (949-8928)
2612 Hampshire Blvd. SE 49506-4772
E-mail: [email protected]
Assistant Treasurer / Membership:
Mary Austin (361-7993)
2021 Valentine NE, 49525-2922
E-mail: [email protected]
THE CALLER STAFF Newsletter Editor:
Linda Damstra (361-8216)
2488 Appleton NE, 49525-3171
E-mail: [email protected]
Publisher:
Becky Kuhn (785-7072)
6152 Georgeann Ct.
Belmont, MI 49306-9783
To Report Bird Sightings:
Tom Holt (821-6614)
12055 Lymburner Ave.
Sparta, MI 49345-8473
E-mail: [email protected]