TH TENNES E WARBLER Newsletter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society August, 2004 Editor, Theresa Graham PRESIDENTS MESSAGE The Chattanooga Chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary in great style. Highlights include the banquet on Saturday evening on the riverboat and Scott Weidensaul’s talk. All of us are enjoying our t-shirts. It was an outstanding Spring Meeting and the Memphis Chapter has a challenge for next spring. Thanks to the Chattanooga Chapter members for all their hard work. At the annual meeting, Danny Gaddy was voted in as President-Elect. Chris Sloan resigned the position of Treasurer. The Society owes Chris a vote of gratitude for taking on a difficult job and for his hard work. Mac McWhirterwas elected Treasurer. Mac is from Memphis where he is Controller and Assistant Dean for Administrative Services at Rhodes College. He is also a CPA with a great deal of experience in dealing with non-profit organizations and has served as President and Treasurer of the Wolf River Conservancy. Last but not least, he is the husband of former TOS President Susan McWhirter. TOS is very fortunate he has agreed to take the post. You can find his address, e-mail and phone number in this issue of The Warbler. If you are interested in serving on the Finance Committee, please do not hesitate to volunteer. The Executive Committee voted to contribute $2000 toward the purchase of land adjoining Radnor Lake and encouraged the membership and all Tennessee birders to do likewise. The campaign has been successful and the land will be saved. This spring has been a time of great loss for TOS. Barbara Finney and George Mayfield will be greatly missed. Both were past Presidents of TOS, but such service is only a small indication of their devotion to our organization and the countless ways they have served it. The Fall Meeting will be held in Cookeville on October 9-1 0. Additional information can be found in this issue of The Warbler. Please plan to attend as Chuck Nicholson will have put together an outstanding Paper Session and there will be an opportunity to visit some new birding areas. A very special thank you goes to Dan and Laurie Mooney who have offered to be in charge of the Winter Meeting. Mike Roedel and Wallace Coffey have also agreed to help with the meeting. Last fall, Carolyn Bullock and I took part in the Swift Night Out Program. I recommend it without reservation to our membership. All that is involved is finding a suitable chimney and during the early evening of August 13, 1 4 or 1 5 you sit in the comfort of your air conditioned car and count swifts pouring into the chimney. Alternate dates are September 1 0, 1 1 or 1 2. One evening we counted over 900 swifts and several sheriff deputies were very interested in why two women were parked near the county prison in Shelby Farms at dusk. I kept counting while Carolyn explained what we were doing. Additional information can be found on the web site www.chimnevswift.ora . The 2004 Spring Newsletter, which is posted on the site, has all the necessary information. Looking forward to seeing you in October, Virginia Reynolds The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 2 2004 TOS FALL MEETING COOKEVILLE, TN OCTOBER 8 -10, 2004 The 2004 Fall meeting will be held in Cookeville on the weekend of October 8-9-10. The meeting will be held at the Baymont Inn which is located at 1151 S. Jefferson Ave. The deadline for making reservations for a room at the special rate of $ 62.00 is September 30th. In order to receive the special rate, you will need to call the Inn at (931 ) 525-6668 or request reservations by e-mailing < karlacookeville@vahoo.com >. In either case, please mention TOS. Nonsmoking rooms have been requested, but smoking rooms are available. Reservations can be canceled up to the day of arrival. The usual schedule will be followed: Birding hikes in the morning, and a short business meeting and the paper session in the afternoon. There is no advance registration, but there will be a ^ $5.00 charge payable at registration on Friday evening or before the Saturday afternoon meeting. There will be no banquet or dinner meeting. The times for the departure of hikes will be posted on the TOS web site and TN-birds when plans are finalized. You will be able to sign up * for hikes on Friday evening at the Baymont. ({ MEMPHIS TO HOST SPRING STATE MEETING The TOS spring meeting for 2005 will be in Memphis on April 29, 30 and May 1 . The Holiday Inn off 1-40 at the Sycamore View exit in northeast Memphis will be the headquarters for the event. The hotel is now and will be holding rooms for TOS members until March 30, 2005. For reservations call 1 -800-HOLIDAY or (1 )-901 -388-7050. Mention your membership in TOS for the group rate. We encourage TOS members throughout the state to attend, as we will be celebrating 75 years of the Memphis chapter, founded in 1 930. Look for more complete information on the meeting in the next issue of The Tennessee Warbler. Rob Peeples President, Memphis TOS V J NORTH AMERICAN MIGRATION COUNT DATA NEEDED If you have any data for the North American Migration Count this past May, please send these results to me as soon as you can. The data can either be emailed to me ( rondollv@esper.com ) or sent to my home at: 282 Hackworth Lane, Clinton, TN 37716. Thanks to everyone who participated. Ron Hoff TOS state count compiler The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 3 IN MEMORIAM: BARBARA WAYMAN FINNEY Marcia L. Davis Barbara Wayman Finney died at the age of 66 on April 7, 2004 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Barbara contributed to the Tennessee Ornithological Society in many ways during nearly 30 years of membership and served as President from 1989 until 1991 . Born February 13, 1938 in Kingsport, Tennessee, Barbara graduated from high school in Knoxville, attended the University of Tennessee and married James “Jim” Imboden Finney, Jr. from Columbia, Tennessee. Barbara and Jim lived in Columbia for many years. It was while living in Columbia that Barbara became interested in birds. Barbara was a founding member of the Columbia T.O.S. Chapter that was reorganized in 1975 by the late George R. Mayfield, Jr., M.D. and the late Daniel R. Gray, Jr., M.D. George and his wife Cleo were Barbara’s good friends and birding companions. George, as he did with so many novice and experienced birders, passed along his enthusiasm and great knowledge of Tennessee’s birds to Barbara. Barbara soon had her own following with her weekly nature column, “Out the Window”, published in Columbia’s “The Daily Herald”. She served the Columbia T.O.S. chapter as Publicity Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. She was Vice-President in 1 979 before moving to Knoxville in 1 980 where she and Jim operated Fidelity Sales Corporation, a family business started by Barbara’s father. Barbara soon shared her many talents with the Knoxville T.O.S. Chapter. She was elected to serve as Secretary in 1982 and President in 1984. During her term as President of the Knoxville Chapter, Barbara worked with the late Louise Fuller and other chapter members for the eventual establishment of House Mountain State Natural Area. She planned the very successful 1986 joint meeting in Gatlinburg between T.O.S. and the Wilson Ornithological Society. Barbara was elected State Secretary in 1983 and served as State President from 1989 until 1991. Barbara also shared her financial skills and knowledge by serving on the T.O.S. State Finance Committee and by serving as State Treasurer during 1 995. During her term as state President, T.O. S. celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1 990. Work on the Breeding Bird Atlas Project neared completion and T.O.S. contracted with the University of Tennessee Press for the publication of “An Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Tennessee.” T.O.S. embarked on the Tennessee Migratory Bird Project and established the T.O.S. Distinguished Service Awards. Barbara’s husband, Jim, served as editor of “The Tennessee Warbler” when Barbara was President. After Jim’s death, October 7, 1 998, Barbara continued to travel, always accompanied by binoculars, field guide and a camera. Florida’s Captiva and Sanibel Islands were annual winter birding destinations for many years. An accomplished photographer, Barbara rarely missed a daily drive through Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge to check out the birds and look for photo opportunities. In recent years, Barbara enjoyed the birds and cultural attractions in France, Italy, Austria, Hungary and Newfoundland where she went whale watching. She was always looking forward to the next trip and the next opportunity to see new birds and places. Barbara served other organizations as ably as she served T.O.S. She was Elder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Knoxville’s Westminster Presbyterian Church and past President of both Knoxville’s Blount Mansion Association and Columbia’s James K. Polk Memorial Association. The Tennessee Ornithological Society and its members benefited greatly from Barbara’s dedicated service. Those who knew her will remember her for her conscientiousness, perseverance, high standards for excellence in everything she undertook and her unselfish sharing of her time and many talents. Barbara and Jim Finney are buried at Wilkes Cemetery in Culleoka, Tennessee. They are survived by three children: daughter Virginia F. Ellis of Knoxville; sons James “Buddy” I. Finney III and his wife Frazer of Richmond, Virginia and John Wayman Finney and his wife Sandra of Culleoka, Tennessee. And four grandchilden: James I. Finney IV and Stewart D. Finney of Richmond, and Lili Katherine Finney and Larkin Cleary Finney of Culleoka. The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 4 CHAPTER. NEWS STEVEN M. RUSSELL CHAPTER (Bristol Bird Club). Destinations have included Clinch Mountain led by Mary Erwin and Ruth Smith, Roan Mountain led by Larry McDaniel and myself, Rack Cross, and Iron Mountain led by Wallace Coffey and Ron Harrington. This momentum will continue throughout the year as a good looking slate of events have already been calendared. Special events the BBC participated in last quarter include: A BBC hosted named lecture series was begun as Lesley Bulluck and her husband, Jason Bulluck, each gave presentations to inaugurate the Steven M. Russell Graduate Lecture Series, Abingdon Arbor Day Celebration where Ron Harrington and Wynnwood Rehabilitation had raptors on display for educational purposes, Carolina Bird Club hosted Wallace Coffey as one of their featured speakers at Fontana Lake Village, NC, Buchanan County, Virginia Bird Club (BCBC) invited me to give a presentation on bird trapping using the Launched Avian Restraint Utility System (L.A.R.U.S.), Dave Worley also addressed the BCBC recounting a “Texas Birding Bonanza” experienced with Bob Quillen and me. Many BBC members including Don Holt, Wallace Coffey and Larry McDaniel participated in the Elizabethton Chapter’s Spring Count. The BBC held its annual picnic at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, Tennessee on June 12 this year. A great turnout was on hand to enjoy delicious treats and great fellowship. Sam Cross (12) was the youngest member of the Chef’s staff and aided Bill Grigsby in preparing a peach cobbler in a Dutch oven (mmm)! Amid the festivities we took pause to install newly elected officers for the 2003-2004 term. Past President David Worley became Vice-president while Vice-president Larry McDaniel remained so. Janice Martin will continue as Treasurer and Diana Worley was reelected as Secretary. I have been given the privilege of holding the office of President for the BBC this term and look forward to serving the membership in this capacity and working with the talented list of officers named above. Additionally, Presidential appointees include Wallace Coffey as Curator/Editor, Richard Lewis as statistician, Ron Harrington as Assistant Treasurer. As you can tell the BBC is most active at this time with no slowing down scheduled! Upcoming events are in the works including a Fall Banquet with speaker and special presentations for our regularly scheduled monthly meetings. Rack Cross Spring and early summer were an eventful time in Greene County. On April 24, the GREENEVILLE CHAPTER held its annual spring count and tallied 1 28 species, a chapter record. Notable finds included American Bittern, Golden Eagle, Sora, Chuck-will’s- widow, Philadelphia Vireo, and Cerulean Warbler. In addition, higher-than-usual totals were recorded for many species. Other significant observations included the following: Horned Grebe (March 8), Greater Scaup (March 21 ), Common Merganser (6 on March 31 ), Sandhill Crane (March 13), White-rumped Sandpiper (early May), American Woodcock (displaying in a field on the edge of town in March), Osprey (at several sites), Forster’s Terns (4 on April 26), Chuck-will’s-widow (at nine sites, counting those on April 24), Barn Owl (at two locations), Red-headed Woodpecker (at 6 or more sites), Cliff Swallow (35+ nesting birds), Horned Lark (at several sites), Orange-crowned Warbler (April 30), Cerulean Warbler (April 24 and 26), Swainson’s Warbler (two birds in suitable nesting habitat on Viking Mountain in late June), Connecticut Warbler (May 1 0), Kentucky Warbler (at several sites), Wilson’s Warbler (May 1 0), Dickcissel (present for at least the seventh consecutive year at a site in western Greene County), Vesper Sparrow (April 1 and 6), Brewer’s Blackbird (6 on March 21), Pine Siskin (several observations in spring), and Purple Finch (high totals at many sites throughout early spring). The chapter’s fall count is scheduled for Saturday, September 18. Interested parties may contact Don Miller ( raincrow@xtn.net : 423-639-4100) or Jim Holt ( jimbouh@adelphia.net : 423-639-0525) for details. Don Miller The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 5 CHAPTER. NEWS This is the 80 th year for the KNOXVILLE CHAPTER of TOS, so we decided to turn our annual Spring picnic into a big birthday party and homecoming. We celebrated on June 2 at Ijams Nature Center, because of the long-time ties KTOS has with Ijams. HP Ijams was our first president. Over 80 members attended, including several past presidents of both KTOS and TOS. A silent auction conducted that night raised over $1 000, to be split between the JB Owen fund and Ijams Nature Center. We had numerous pictures taken ( see pictures on Page Win this newsletter j, including one of folks who have been members 25 years or longer - being a newbie myself, I was surprised at how many people had been members for so long. It was quite heartening. I am honored to help lead such a strong group, steeped in tradition. Please see the great article by Lyn Bales in “Through the Binoxulars,” available at the TOS web page. We are getting away from some traditions, however. This year KTOS will publish a newsletter and conduct a regular club meeting in August. A number of us decided that just because the birding in east Tennessee is slow in summer, doesn’t mean the socializing, learning and sharing needs to be closed. One of the sad parts of belonging to an organization with such history, is saying goodbye. This spring cherished member Barbara Finney passed away. Please see the memorial for her elsewhere in the Warbler. This fall we’ll be saying goodbye to another very active member - but not for sad reasons. Many of you may already know that Dev Joslin and his wife Harriett are moving to Central America in October. Dev recently stepped down as a TOS Director from our chapter. He will continue on in the TOS Conservation and Research Funding Committee for a while longer. We are all hoping he’ll be able to attend the fall meeting so folks around the state have a chance to wish him Happy Trails. KTOS elections were conducted in June. Current officers are: President: Charlie Muise; Vice President:Tracey Muise; Treasurer: Marie Oakes; Secretary: Kathy Bivens. TOS Directors: Dan Mooney, Laurie Mooney, Chris Welsh, & David Trently All the above are on the KTOS Executive Committee, along with: Jean Alexander & Kim Henry Thanks to our nominating committee of Dean Edwards (Chair), David Johnson and Allan Trently. Charlie Muise See pictures related to this article on Page W of this newsletter The MEMPHIS CHAPTER has elected the following officers for 2004-2005: President: Rob Peeples; Vice President: Linda Zempel; Treasurer: Carolyn Bullock; Recording Secretary: Knox Martin; Corresponding Secretary: Don Preston; Curator: Rob Peeples; Local Directors: Anne Hooper and Margaret Jefferson; State Directors: David Blaylock and Van Harris The club has agreed to sponsor a Cornell bird study program in a local grade school for next year. The Shelby County spring count, held May 8, tallied 141 species, a new high total for the local IMBD. Nineteen observers participated on a day of delightful spring weather. Species of interest found included three Anhingas, a Snowy Egret, two Soras, an American Woodcock, a Black-billed Cuckoo, 25 Cliff Swallows, Mourning Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrows and a Painted Bunting. High numbers were noted for some birds; e.g., 60 Mississippi Kites, 86 Black-necked Stilts, 104 Acadian Flycatchers, 1 30 Tufted Titmice, 1 68 Carolina Wrens, 145 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 219 Tennessee Warblers, 423 Indigo Buntings, and 42 Bobolinks. Rob Peeples The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 6 CHAPTER. NEWS JOHN SELLARS CHAPTER of Lebanon had a fun outing at Radnor Lake in early April. We had a great looks at the Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a Cooper’s Hawk chasing a Broad-wing Hawk pair. We also had a pretty good bird count on International Spring Count Day, although numbers of some water birds were down due to a scheduling conflict at Boxwell. At our April meeting at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, we were treated to a great view of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and heard the Red- shouldered Hawk. Another item of interest was the report from the Walkers & their second nest of white bluebird eggs (3 in the 2nd clutch, 5 in the first). Two members ventured to the wonderful Chattanooga state meeting’s field trips and were rewarded with a life bird of the Virginia Rail. We will resume our scheduled meetings in August. Several will venture out birding this summer, be it in Alaska, New Mexico, or other areas. Anywhere beauty lies, so must a bird be found! Melissa Turrentine This spring the NASHVILLE CHAPTER and TOS helped save Radnor Lake State Natural Area. We helped save a small part of it at least. As most of you know Radnor Lake is one of the best birding spots in Nashville. This spring some property along the south boundary, adjoining the nature trail came up for sale. Development as housing tracts was imminent and Friends of Radnor Lake made a contract to purchase the property within 30 days. Some matching funds were arranged for part of the purchase price, but that left a big chunk of money, $1 50,000 in fact, to be raised in a short amount of time. Our chapter decided to make it our conservation project for the year and pitched in $5000 and individual members added another $1 ,500 to that. On very short notice the TOS conservation committee was able to commit $2,000 to this effort. Thanks to us and many other contributors the total was reached in time to close the deal and keep this section of the Natural Area in tact. The South Cove trail will remain bird and birder friendly. Richard Connors In Memory Knoxville Chapter Barbara Wayman Finney, 66, died April 7, 2004. See full story on page 3. Mayfield-Gray Chapter George Radford Mayfield, Jr., MD, 76, died Wednesday, April 21 , 2004. His father, a founder of Tennessee Ornithological Society, inspired a life- long interest in bird study and conservation. Dr. Mayfield served as State President of the Tennessee Ornithological Society from 1 968-1 970. He also served as Maury County TOS Chapter President for many terms. In 2002, the chapter was renamed the Mayfield-Gray Chapter in honor of Dr. Mayfield and Dr. Dan Gray. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Tennessee Ornithological Society, as well as Honorary Lifetime Membership in the organization. He became a master bird bander in 1978. Dr. Mayfield was very active politically and in com- munity affairs. He was a member of the Tennes- see Conservation Commission and was a staunch defender of environmental causes. He wrote many letters of concern to politicians at all levels. In short, he loved the outdoors and spent many of his healthy days in the outdoors with his family and friends. He particularly loved the warblers of Ten- nessee and spent many days working on locating and showing others these beautiful jewels of na- ture. Survivors include his wife, Cleo Gillund Mayfield of Columbia; two sons, G. Rad Mayfield, III (Kelli) of Ellenboro, N.C.; Mark H. Mayfield (Rebecca) of Manhattan, Kan.; one daughter, Rebecca Pearson of Hollister, Calif.; and six grandchildren. Printed, in part, from the Columbia Daily Herald Full story to appear in future Migrant issue The following contributors have given Memorials to TOS honoring George Mayfield: Mr and Mrs John C. Porter George J. and Margaret C. Heard Ben and Meg Bayless Sammie Andrews Jim and Lenora Parnell Carl C. Gardner, Jr. M.D. The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 7 CONSERVING BIRD HABITATS THROUGH THE CUMBERLAND ALLIANCE Many of you may be unaware that TOS is an official member of the Cumberland Alliance. The mission of this alliance is to conserve and protect the lands and waters of the Cumberland Plateau; to protect the area’s unique natural, cultural and recreation resources; to educate the public about the need for conservation of the Plateau’s wildlands and natural resources; and to promote sustainable human communities and wise stewardship of natural resources there. Members include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service (Big South Fork NP and Obed Wild & Scenic River), TWRA, The Nature Conservancy, U. S. Forest Service (Daniel Boone NF in KY), TVA, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Tenn. Dept, of Environment and Conservation including Tenn. Natural Fleritage Program, Tenn. Parks and Greenways, the Cumberland Trail Foundation, Historic Rugby, Tenn. Citizens for Wilderness Planning, and others. At its most recent meeting just last week (June 22), the Alliance discussed two important issues that are of immediate interest (I should hope) to members of TOS. One action taken was a unanimous vote to become the official sponsor of a huge effort to have the Cumberland Plateau declared a Natural Heritage Corridor by the federal government. Natural Heritage Areas are similar to National Parks (and under the Dept, of Interior), but NHA’s, unlike parks, are populated with local residents whose cultural, historic, and economic traditions are important components. The program is aimed at promoting the area for nature- based and heritage-based tourism by preserving the region’s natural, historic, and cultural resources, and thus promoting rural economic development. Among other advantages, designation as an NHA gives the area the advantage of the National Park “brand” for use on signage, maps, etc., as well promoting investment of public and private funds. Funding for the management of other NHA’s has typically come from a variety of public and private sources, with the federal government only a small part of the mix. The first step will be a Feasibility/Suitability study for eventual presentation to Congress for designation and funding. The study itself will be funded by private grant monies (not by the Alliance, which is only the “official sponsor.”) The second issue of importance to TOS is that the Alliance is putting together maps of areas in immediate need of preservation (especially those currently for sale) based on a number of criteria. Prioritization of which areas are highest on the list for purchase or other means of preservation is a critical but complex task. Each member organization is invited to submit maps of areas of most importance to its constituents. As many of you know, portions of the northern Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee have been determined by nationwide surveys of populations of certain key bird species to have some of the most important breeding areas for both the Cerulean Warbler and the Golden-winged Warbler— if not the most important areas. As TOS’s representative to the Cumberland Alliance, I would like to suggest to the membership of TOS that we put together and present for preservation consideration to the Cumberland Alliance, those areas of the Plateau that are the most critical breeding habitat for these two species. I further propose that this topic be discussed at the TOS Fall Meeting. Dev Joslin The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 8 CONSERVATION POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT Non-native bird species and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act The Conservation Committee prepared the following letter for the President to sign, urging our congressmen to vote in favor of excluding non-native bird species from protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The bill is in response to the need to control an increasing population of Mute Swans in the northeast that are impacting foraging and nesting habitat for native waterfowl. The Honorable Harold Ford, Jr. 325 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 2051 5-4209 Re: Support for H.R. 4114 Dear Congressman Ford: The Tennessee Ornithological Society supports the removal of non-native bird species from protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We support H.R. 4114 and urge you to vote in favor of this bill. The Tennessee Ornithological Society (TOS) is a statewide organization of over 1,000 members and 12 local chapters across the state devoted to the enjoyment, scientific study and conservation of birds. Founded in 1915, our organization is the oldest conservation group in the state of Tennessee. It is the position of the Tennessee Ornithological Society that man-induced introductions of non-native bird species into the wild in the United States provide high risks to the biological niches of our native bird species. This has notably been demonstrated with such introduced bird species as the European Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), and the Mute Swan ( Cygnus olor). Mute Swans were introduced to the wilds of northeastern U.S. in the early 1 900’s as an ornamental species. They have increased dramatically in recent years, primarily in the Atlantic Flyway states to date. They eat large quantities of submerged aquatic vegetation, upsetting the ecosystem. They aggressively defend their nesting territories against ducks, geese, native swans, and people. We therefore urge your support of H.R. 41 14 for excluding non-native bird species from protection, under provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Virginia Reynolds, President Tennessee Ornithological Society Update on Mountaintop Minina issues TOS is concerned with mountain top mining issues for two reasons. The Cumberland Mountains contain lots of surface mineable coal as well as lots of mature hardwood forest that provides habitat for the full suite of high conservation concern forest bird species, most notably the Cerulean Warbler. The Cumberland Mountains contain one of the highest densities of Cerulean Warblers anywhere in their range. In January of this year, TOS submitted comments on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement governing the practice of Mountain Top Mining / Valley Fill in the area from West Virginia to northern Tennessee. Apparently it will be many months before the final EIS is released because EPA/FWS/OSM are still reviewing the 85,000 comments they received on the draft! Mining still continues and there are still several active law suits. The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 9 Update on Mountaintop Mining issues - continued VA is in the process of completing their first draft of the EIS for their coal reserves on Royal Blue WMA. In May, the TVA team preparing the wildlife portion of the EIS was given a presentation and copy of the Cerulean Warbler model and map showing the highest quality Cerulean Warbler habitat that I and Dr. Buehler have been working on. The Draft EIS is planned for release for public comment in October and we are hoping that high quality Cerulean habitat will be designated as “Lands Unsuitable for Mining” and will be excluded from future surface mining leases. Melinda Welton, Conservation Policy Chair FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCH OR CONSERVATION PROJECTS The Tennessee Ornithological Society Conservation and Research Funding Committee would like your help. TOS has earmarked money to be used for funding a research or conservation project dealing directly with birds of Tennessee. There are many projects that would qualify for funding. But apparently not all those researchers and conservationists know about this money. You can help by spreading the world. More information can be found on the state website at: http://www.tnbirds.ora/C&Rarants03.htm This year we have had only two proposals, neither of which was submitted by the deadline published on the TOS web page. One was not funded and the other is still under consideration. We would prefer each year to receive several requests for funding by the deadline, so that we may choose the best. Applications may be sent to the chair. The current members of the committee are: Chuck Nicholson cpnichol@bellsouth.com Dev Joslin idioslin@esper.com Linda Zempel jalvzemp@midsouth.rr.com Friends of Edgar Evins State Park, Inc The Friends of Edgar Evins State Park, Inc. meet the 3 rd Thursday of each month at the Camper Check-In Building at Edgar Evins State Park from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. We are a not-for-profit Tennessee Corporation organized in 2002. Our group provides volunteer support to Edgar Evins State Park thru membership and fund-raising events. 1 00% of all monies received are used to support Edgar Evins State Park. ( The park is east of middle TN - it is on the north side of Center Hill Lake ) Some of our yearly activities include pontoon boat rides, cookouts, wildflower walks, bird walks, and trail building. Ideas and new suggestions are always appreciated! Please join us and help make things happen! Joel Keebler jfkeebler@vahoo.com Charlie Muise (Chair) 865-977-8429 cmmbirds@yahoo.com 2632 Montvale Road Maryville. TN 37803 For further information, please call Margaret Waggoner @931 -858-2446 or email at: Maraaret.waaaoner@state.tn.us or Fount Bertram @61 5-765-5357 or email at: fwbertram@heartoftn.net or Friends of Edgar Evins Park, Inc., P.O. Box 84, Silver Point, TN 38582. The Tennessee Warbler August, 2004 Page 10 KNOXVILLE TOS 80TH BIRTHDAY PARTY AT IJAMS NATURE CENTER KTOS members that have served as either chapter or state presidents. Front row: Tony Koella-TOS 1983-85, Marcia Davis-KTOS 1982-84, Boyd Sharp-KTOS 1975-78, David Trently-KTOS 2001-03, Jim Campbell-KTOS 1965-67 and Bill Yambert-KTOS 1950. Back row, standing: Charlie Muise-KTOS 2003-05, Chuck Nicholson KTOS 1978-80 and TOS 2001-03, Tim Snow-KTOS 1992-95 and Bob Collier-KTOS 1990-92. KTOS’s 80th Birthday Party, members & invited guests. Left to right, front row (sitting in the grass): Chelsea Bennett, Janet McKnight, Meredith Clebsch with Nanner, Emily Cary, Mark Campen, Jerry Hadder, Marie Oakes, Tracey Muise with five-day-old Allan, Charlie Muise and Lyn Bales. Second row (sitting in chairs): Dylan Myrick, Ellen Bean, Grace Foster, Kathy Bevins, Mary Laura French, Tony Koella, Johneta Smith, Autumn Nauman, Betty Reid Campbell, Jim Campbell, Frances Owen, Dee Snyder with Paige, Bill Yambert, Nancy Tanner, Boyd Sharp, Mary Jane Sharp and Mary Carpenter. Back row, two staggered lines standing, left to right: Harold Howell, Carole Gobert, Vic Vaughen, Janet Vaughen, Harriet Howell, James Mason, Bettie Mason, Ginger Goolsby, Marcia Davis, Tony King, Mia Trendy, David Trendy, Carol Lammers, Chuck Nicholson, Julia Scott, Madeleine Hassil, Bob Scott, Cindy Day, Norm Day, Martha Rudolph, Patty Ford, Susan Hoyle, Karen Petrey, Tony Headrick, Stephen Krauss, Louise Collier, Bob Collier, Angela Snow, Tim Snow, Alison McNutt, Howard Chitwood, Ryn Daugherty, Judy Massey, June Welch, Ron Welch, Jean Alexander, David Johnson, Jane Beintema, Bill McNutt, Eileen Wilson, Steve Henry, JoAnn Benard, Kim Henry, Alex Wyss, Rowan Wyss (child on shoulders), Linda Perazzelli, Alane Wyss, Mary Alice Tabor, Jose Vowell and Don Vowell “THE TENNESSEE WARBLER” Published by the Tennessee Ornithological Society P.O. Box 22682 Memphis, TN 38122 PRSRTSTD U.S. Postage Paid Memphis, TN Permit No. 1286 Send Corrections & Change of Address Requests to: The Tennessee Warbler ♦ P.O. Box 22682 Memphis, TN 38122 ♦ treasurer@tnbirds.org N OCTOBER. 31 th DEADLINE The deadline date for the December issue of The Tennessee Warbler is October 31 th . Please submit all articles, announcements, reports and items of interest by this deadline date. Submit Material To: Theresa Graham, Editor PO Box 366, Oakland TN 38060 (901) 465-4263 (home) (901)748-9324 (fax) e-mail: 2graham@bellsouth.net V New Address The new Treasurer Info: Mac McWhirter P.O.Box 22682 Memphis, TN 38122 J i