TH TENNES E WARBLER Newsletter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society December, 2004 Editor, Theresa Graham PRESIDENTS MESSAGE The Fall Meeting and Symposium was attended by over 40 TOS members from across the state. Winston Walden organized the morning hikes which were led by Barbara Stedman, Douglas Downs, Mike Hawkins, Nancy Layzer and Winston. About 95 species were seen including twelve species of warblers. The afternoon symposium, which was organized by Chuck Nicholson and introduced by Charlie Muise in Chuck’s absence, included papers on Saw-whet owls, the effects of selective timber harvests at the Tennessee Wildlife Refuge, the importance of Ephemeral Ponds for bird habitat, a report on the Tennessee Wildlife Heritage Trust, tree selection and energy demands of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and finally a discussion by Mike Roedel, State Ornithologist, on what TWRA is doing for birds and the Tennessee’s State wildlife grants. The format of the new printing of Tennessee Field Check List was discussed. Mike reported that over 30 individuals had written him expressing their thoughts. In the evening, Ken Dubke presented a slide show talk on the return of ospreys to Tennessee. It was great to hear Ken discuss the increase in nesting pairs of these beautiful birds in state. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of the meeting. Rick Knight and Jay Desgrosellier have completed their terms as members of the Bird Records Committee. Dean Edward and Dick Preston have replaced them on this most important committee. Mike Todd will continue as Secretary until the new Tennessee Bird List is completed. Charlie Muise and Susan McWhirter have agreed to serve on the Conservation Policy Committee. Susan replaces Gaynell Perry who has resigned from the committee. Special recognition was given to Dev Joslin who has moved to Costa Rica for his service as TOS Representative to the Cumberland Alliance. Please remember to nominate suitable sites for IBA’s (Important Bird Areas). Mike Bierly is the contact person. On a more sober note, Mac McWhirter, TOS Treasurer, presented a financial report which is reproduced later in this issue of The Warbler. I ask all members to read the report and be ready to discuss the financial future of our society at the Spring Meeting. It is time to start thinking about nominations for the Distinguished Service Award. Any member or chapter may do so. Jim Ferguson, JimSueFera@aol.com is the chairmen of the committee. Ruth Luckado luck@cafes.net and Chuck Nicholson are the other members of the committee. All are former recipients of the award. Please make plans to attend the Winter Meeting and try to take part in Christmas Bird Counts. Finally, a very Merry Holiday Season and Happy New Year to you all. Virginia Reynolds trevnold@midsouth.rr.com The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 2 TOS SPRING MEETING MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005 The Memphis Chapter extends its invitation to all TOS members across the state to attend the TOS Spring Meeting, to be held April 29, 30 and May 1 , 2005. Not only will we be celebrating 75 years of the Memphis Chapter, but also 90 years of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. The meeting will be headquartered at the Holiday Inn (901-388-7050 or 800-465-4329) off 1-40 at the Sycamore View exit . This is exit #12, the last exit before 1-40 runs into the 1-240 loop. The hotel is holding rooms for TOS members through March 30, 2005. Mention your TOS membership for the special rate of $61 .00 per room, plus tax. Members are encouraged to make reservations well in advance of that time, as there are always many activities in Memphis during the spring. We consider the group rate that Holiday Inn is offering to be a bargain. However, there are other motels nearby. Alternate lodging choices at the Sycamore View exit include: Red Roof Inn - 901 -388-61 1 1 or 800-843-7663 Hampton Inn - 901 -388-4881 or 800-426-7866 Motel 6 -901 -382-8572 All the weekend’s indoor events will be held at the Holiday Inn. There will be a reception with refreshments on Friday evening, April 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. Field trips will depart from the hotel parking lot on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The TOS board meeting will take place Satruday afternoon. The banquet will be at 6:00 Saturday night. The registration fee for the weekend event will be $1 5.00. Cost for the banquet will be $20.00. All are encouraged to send payment by April 10. Send checks to Carolyn Bullock, MTOS Treasurer, 4746 Cole Road, Memphis, TN 381 1 7. The dinner will consist of grilled chicken; please notify Carolyn if interested in a vegetarian option. Our speaker will be well-known birder and author Paul Baicich. Paul Baicich is a former member of the board of the American Birding Association. For several years, he organized ABA conventions and was editor of the club’s premiere magazine, Birding. Mr. Baicich has also edited 14 ABA Birding Guides and co-wrote A Guide to Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds (1 997). Field trips Saturday will include the best birding locales in Shelby County, namely, Shelby Farms, Shelby Forest and the famous “pits” in the Ensley area. There should be many shorebirds at Ensley, including nesting Black- necked Stilts. Shelby Forest should be productive for woodland migrants, and for breeding species that include Mississippi Kites, Fish Crows, and both Cerulean and Swainson’s Warblers. Shelby Farms, located very close to the inn, offers varied habitat for many species of both fields and woods. Bobolinks and Lincoln’s Sparrows are quite likely there. Painted Bunting is possible at both Shelby Farms and at Ensley. Sunday will provide an opportunity to check these areas again depending on interest and in case of unusual finds. A trip to Hatchie NWR, about an hour’s drive northeast of Memphis and just off of 1-40, is planned for Sunday, if water levels permit. Hope to see everyone at Memphis in the spring! Rob Peeples President, Memphis Chapter TOS The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 3 2005 WINTER MEETING 2005 Winter Meeting January 28-30, 2005 - Best Western, Dayton, TN - coordinated by members of the Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Bristol chapters. Yuchi, Hiwassee, and other area fieldtrips are being planned for Saturday and Sunday mornings. A round-table discussion with TWRA non-game representatives is being planned for Saturday afternoon/evening. There will be no formal business meeting. Best Western Dayton 7835 Rhea Co. Hwy., U.S. 27 North Dayton, TN 37321 Reservations: 1 -800-437-9604 (Ask for TOS rate) Single: $45.00 + tax Double: $49.00 + tax From 1-75, Exit 49, TN State 30 West Chattanooga - 36 miles From 1-40, Exit 347, U.S. Flwy. 27 South Knoxville - 80 miles Nashville - 139 miles Yuchi Refuge is a unique 2,500 acre tract on the Tennessee River, with three miles of riverfront, 1 ,000 acres of wetland and 1 ,500 acres of upland forest. It is located 45 miles northeast of downtown Chattanooga and 56 miles southwest of downtown Knoxville, in Rhea County. Yuchi Refuge is 4 miles downstream from Watts Bar Dam and 12 miles upstream from Fliwassee Wildlife Refuge. The Bend is home to almost every species of wildlife native to the region. It is especially important for sandhill cranes and waterfowl. The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 4 Owen Award for American Kestrel Research Using Stable Isotope Analysis The Knoxville Bird Club has made a J.B. Owen Award of $500 to support the project on Stable-isotope feather analysis and foreign band encounter comparisons of wintering American Kestrels in similar habitats west and east of the Southern Appalachians. The senior investigator for the project is Dr. Samuel H. deMent of Greenwood, SC. David F. Vogt of Chattanooga co-authored the project proposal, and Keith A. Hobson of Saskatoon, SK Canada is co-investigator. The purpose of the proposed research is to determine proportions of migrant versus resident American Kestrels in the two study areas, using analysis of hydrogen isotope levels in feathers. The isotope levels are related to the areas where food was consumed while the feathers were grown. The isotope technique does not replace banding, since it cannot trace a bird to an exact location. However, the recovery of a banded bird is a rare event, and it can take decades to accumulate data. Stable-isotope analysis provides similar dispersal and migration data, but at a far greater rate. In essence, every bird that is captured for a feather sample is equivalent to a band recovery. Among other uses, the data from this project could be applied to American Kestrel conservation efforts, through increased understanding of Kestrel migration and dispersal patterns. The study period will encompass the next three winter seasons. Project deliverables will include an article to be submitted to The Migrant or other ornithological journal and/or a presentation at a Fall TOS meeting. Marie Oakes Treasurer, Knoxville Chapter TOS FALL COUNT RESULTS DUE All results for the recent fall North American Migration Count and any traditional fall counts are now due to the state compiler. As always, these results need to include the effort data. These are: miles and hours by car (or other method as canoe, horse, etc.), foot, and owling; number of feeder watchers and feeder hours; the times of the count (as 0700-1830); the weather conditions; and number of parties and observers, including their names. ALL of these effort data are standard requirements for ALL bird counts in Tennessee. Please send the results to: Ron Hoff, 282 Hackworth Lane, Clinton, TN 37716 or email the results to me at: rondollv@esper.com . Thanks for your help and participation. It is much appreciated. Ron Hoff TOS state compiler v ) The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 5 Tennessee’s New Watchable Wildlife Stamp Buy the new (( Watchable Wildlife Stamp” and invest in Tennessee’s future For the first time ever, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Heritage Trust, is offering a collectible stamp featuring nongame wildlife. The image on the new stamp is a Carolina Wren, repro- duced from a beautiful painting by noted Tennessee wildlife artist, Johnny Lynch. Proceeds from the sale of stamps will be dedicated to programs that conserve, protect and restore nongame wildlife and their habitats. To order your stamp(s), please fill out the form below and return it to the TWRA central office in Nashville. Actual size is 1-3/8 ” x 2” Actual stamp is full color 2004 Watchable Wildlife Stamp Carolina Wren, by Johnny Lynch stamp(s) @ $10 per stamp = block(s)* @ $40 per block = sheet(s)* @ $300 per sheet = Handling charge $ 1 .00 Grand total (check or money order) *block = 4 stamps; sheet = 30 stamps NAME: PHONE: ( ) ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP: Mail this order form to: TWRA Wildlife Stamps, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204, Attn: Melissa Raulerson The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 6 CHAPTER. NEWS GREENEVILLE CHAPTER - Guest speaker Wallace Coffey of the Stephen Russell Chapter in Bristol addressed the group on October 2. Accompanying his talk with slides, Wallace offered a splendid overview of important happenings in northeast Tennessee birding over the last forty-five years, including banding projects and raptor work. Many thanks, Wallace, for a great evening. Highlights of the Chapter’s fall count, held on September 18, included Horned Grebe (rare in Greene County), Cattle Egret, Common Merganser (rare in the county), Eurasian Collared- Dove (new county resident), Philadelphia Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, and Wilson’s Warbler. Other significant observations in fall have included Peregrine Falcon, Sora, Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Northern Waterthrush (high numbers), Connecticut Warbler, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. This year’s Christmas count is scheduled for Monday, December 27. The Monday date was chosen in hopes of attracting participants from other chapters. Anyone wishing to join the count should contact Don Miller (423-639-4100; raincrow@xtn.net ) for further details. Don Miller The JOHN SELLARS TOS of Lebanon met on October 1 6. The group was treated to a talk and slide presentation on China by Dr. Ralph Brinkhurst. He visited China twice during the 1 980’s during his studies on oligochaetes. Bird Reports include good sightings of Magnolia Warblers on Fall Bird Count and in Lawrence County recently. Palm Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, White-throated Sparrows (Berry’s), Bewick’s & Carolina Wrens (Walker’s), all four thrushes (Brinkhurst’s) at the “waterer” recently. Last Ruby-throated Hummingbird was sighted Oct 11 by the Walker’s. It was noted no Song Sparrows have been sighted yet. Two notes of interest observed by members include the strange sound made by the Black Vultures flying in low, near the ground, as they venture to the nearby electric towers to roost at night & the amusing fact of how agitated Tufted Titmice become if sunflowers seeds are trapped in the ‘possum trap! Possibilities of future Field Trips include Wheeler NWR in Alabama, Pace’s Point (TN) this Fall and maybe Reelfoot Lake in January. The club reconvenes at the Turrentine home in Bedford County with a short trip to Bedford Lake in November for duck viewing & any other bird treats. Our Bird Count is tentatively set for Dec 28th. Melissa Turrentine The MEMPHIS CHAPTER has voted to move its monthly meeting location from the Botanic Garden to the Lichterman Nature Center, starting January 2005. A contribution of $500 has been pledged by the club to support chapter member Knox Martin’s Raptor Rehabilitation Center. Thirteen of our members participated in the Shelby County Fall Migration Count on September 18. There were 1 1 9 species found, including Osprey, Sora, Upland Sandpiper, Black-billed Cuckoo and Alder Flycatcher. We are busily preparing for the upcoming spring state meeeting. For details, see page 2. Rob Peeples The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 7 CHAPTER. NEWS STEPHEN M. RUSSELL CHAPTER - Bristol Bird Club (BBC) - Birding activities have continued to occur at a brisk pace for our club as our members lead club field trips and respond to the call of duty when area festivals and such are in need of field trip leaders. Our club has been very active throughout the Tri-City community and beyond. July was FunFest time in Kingsport, TN and our membership turned out to participate with the invited general public in two field trips sponsored by our club and Ward’s Feed Store of Kingsport. Mary Erwin led the first of these field trips along a paved trail within Bay’s Mountain Park trail system. Morning light was reflected beautifully from the proud chest of a Scarlet Tanager perched over the small lake there. Our second FunFest venture took place along the Holston River on Kingsport’s Greenbelt led by Bill Grigsby. This trip received media attention via Kingsport Times News. Reporter Kari Ratliff joined our walk and interviewed several participants. News photographer David Grace published a Kingsport Times News cover photo featuring members Jami, Kami, and Sam Cross. The bird of the trip was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo which marked a lifer for some. Also in July members participated in bird walks conducted during the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, VA. Wallace Coffey and Larry McDaniel led independent trips on the Virginia Creeper Trail and at Raven Ridge Campground on Clinch Mountain respectively. The Mendota Virginia second annual Hawk Festival called upon our club to aid in the delivery of information and guided field trips to the Mendota Fire Tower to educate participants and expose this hidden gem to those interested as a “hot spot” for hawk migration counting. Ron Harrington served as the point person for our club on this event and did a fine job in coordinating the resources and timing necessary for a successful event. Club Vice-president Larry McDaniel led a field trip to this site for our club one week prior to the festival events and passed along a scouting report of sorts to heighten interest in the upstart Hawk Festival. National media covered several of our chapter members when Turner South Network visited our area for an episode of The Natural South detailing the bog ecosystem prevalent in Shady Valley, Tennessee. Wallace Coffey spent many hours in pre-tape production conversation with the network. At air time members Coffey, Chris O’Bryan, Todd Eastin, and Lyn Eastin served our club proud with a delightful insight to little known habitat and inhabitants as their interviews were shot on location. Many of our members have added birds to their life list while searching in the wake of weakening tropical storms, of which three passed in September. Following safety guidelines discussed on internet listservs, namely Bristol Birds and Tennessee Birds, birders found Hurricane Frances delivered a bounty including: 1 4 Red Knots, a potential record high number for our state, a single Whimbrel, and of course the now famous SOOTY TERN. Hurricane Ivan did not go unnoticed as he dropped off Lesser Black-backed Gull. This was the first record occurrence for our local five county region. Many shorebirds were reported in our area following Hurricane Jeanne, yet, this storm was not associated with type of rarities reported above for the previous tropical systems leaving their mark in Northeast Tennessee. Mid September marked the occurrence of the Annual Bristol Bird Club Banquet held this year at The Centre’ in Bristol, TN. Following an opening invocation and blessing voiced by Sam Cross attendees enjoyed a multi-star meal, a world class birding adventure presented by Peggy Spiegel, and many door prizes. A Presidential Citation was awarded to Wallace Coffey for meritorious service to the Bristol Bird Club during the banquet. A special collection of funds were raised to aid the Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) in their effort to recover from the devastation brought by Hurricane Ivan forcing the cancellation of their scheduled fall meeting on Dauphin Island. Coffey was instrumental in having the TOS offer an invitation to the AOS to join us for our fall meeting. The result was a very thankful declination from the AOS. Special thanks are in order here for the entire staff of The Centre’ for hosting a wonderful event and to our own Treasurer, Janice Martin, who enjoyed a “working” social event as she dutifully collected and counted the currency involved with the event and the special collection. Her load was lightened by our newly appointed Assistant Treasurer, Ron Harrington. Wildlife Weekend at Steele Creek Park in Bristol enjoyed having our club represented with an information exhibit provided by Wallace Coffey, field trip led by Rack Cross, and a bird banding exhibition by Richard Lewis. Member Chris O’Bryan serves as a Jr. Naturalist at the park and presented his Eastern Spiny Softshell turtle research as well. The BBC continues a strong wave of activity with no relief in sight! Rack Cross The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 8 CHAPTER. NEWS The HIGHLAND RIM CHAPTER of the Tennessee Ornithological Society meets monthly at various locations within a 3 to 4 county range. These alternate meeting places enable members from distant locations to eventually have a meeting near their home. In the 2004-2005 year, the following officers will serve: President, Lisa Trail; Vice-President, Dwain Adams; Secretary, Linda Ward; Treasurer, Vida Sherwood; Newsletter Provider, John Bruner and Directors, Ruth Luckado, Lisa Trail, and Dwayne Adams. Our handbook is compiled and published by Dwain Adams. This year the handbook was dedicated to Wilfred C. (Bill) Graeler, a longtime outdoorsman, devoted birder, and wonderful family man. Our chapter members sorely miss him. The following field trips are planned for the HRTOS during this year: September 18, 2004 - Hawk Watch, Sewanee, TN - Counting hawks and comparing their numbers during migration helps reveal trends that are occurring in the environment in both breeding and wintering areas. October 9-10, 2004- Fall TOS Meeting, Cookeville, TN October 16, 2004- Big Sit - During the Big Sit, the participants stay in a place of their choice for an hour and count every bird that is seen. November 1 3, 2004- Water Bird Field Trip-Due to the close proximity of two large lakes in our area, we are able to observe species of duck, grebe, geese, and other varieties of migrating water fowl. Mid December, January, and February- Roadside Raptor Survey - Sixty two mile routes were set up years ago to be used by the HRC/TOS to sample raptors within his area. Raptor activity at the time of observation and location on the route are noted. December 18, 2004-Christmas Count - Members of the HRC/TOS have participated in this Audubon bird count for many years. The count is performed by volunteers who spend the day counting all the birds they find in a circle which is 15 miles in diameter and centered on the southwest shore of Woods Reservoir. This circle is divided into 8 pie slices with a team taking each of the slices. A Weekend in January, 2005 - Eagle Count- Routes around Woods Reservoir, Tims Ford Lake and Normandy Lake February 22, 2005- Woodcock Courting Display, Old Camp Forest Road near Tullahoma This field trip involves the observation of the male woodcock courting ritual, which involves complex calls, and unusual spiraling flying and diving patterns. March 26, 2005 - Spring Flower Walk, Sewanee, Tennessee April 1 6, 2005 - Spring Outing - John and Lois Bruner’s farm on Old Salem/Lexie Road Near Belvidere, TN On this field trip, which encompasses a farm, open fields, woods, a stream and pond, various species of birds are observed including vultures, wild turkeys, small birds of every variety, and at times, water birds. April 23, 2005- Spring Migratory Bird Count - The Spring Migratory Count has been conducted by the HRC/TOS for many years. An individual or a team while driving or walking a course keeping track of all species and number of individual birds seen takes the count. Records are kept on number of observers, time spent, mode of transportation, miles driven or walked, etc. April 29-May 1 , 2005- Spring TOS Meeting, Memphis, Tennessee Linda Ward & Dwain Adams Contributors to George Mayfield memorials since the last publication: 8/14/04 East Rutherford High School Faculty Wick Halliday 9/14/2004 Eddie H and Anna W Wilson Phyllis J Coble Anna M Wessels Columbia Chapter TOS The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 9 CHAPTER. NEWS KNOXVILLE CHAPTER Barbara Finney has posthumously received the state TOS Distinguished Service award. Plans are to present the award to her family members at the next chapter meeting. After discussions with the City of Knoxville officials, Knoxville Chapter TOS has “adopted” Sharps Ridge and the JB Owen Overlook. During a workday at the ridge on Saturday, October 23, over a dozen chapter members unveiled the adoption signs, picked up litter, removed graffiti, and worked to slow the spread of invasive plants. Go to http://www.tnbirds.org/KTOS- SRadopt.htm for more details. The next workday will be held Saturday, November 20. The Knoxville Chapter has recently broken with tradition in a couple of ways. First, a regular meeting was held during August this year with a presentation by Mark Campen on the Turkey Creek Wetland Nature Park in west Knox County. This is the 58-acre mitigated wetland area near the new Baptist Hospital West and Wal-Mart and is adjacent to 1-40 at Lovell Road. Another break with tradition - the annual fall picnic this year was held at the Knoxville Zoo where members and guests were treated to a private after-hours tour of the new aviary and other bird enclosures by our own Mark Armstrong. Thanks, Mark! At the fall picnic Brice and Beverly Gilmer were presented with a plaque thanking them for their gracious hospitality and for hosting the fall picnic at their home for nearly the past 20 years! Thanks, Gilmers! The day after hurricane Ivan came through East Tennessee our own Dean Edwards found several species of shore bird fallout at Cherokee Dam. Quite exciting! A Black-necked Stilt has been visiting Louisville in Blount County recently and has been viewed by several KTOS members. The Knoxville Chapter has started selling shade grown, fair trade organically grown coffee at the chapter meetings. It is roasted and packaged by a local company with our own chapter logo on the bag. The Knoxville Chapter has drafted proposed By-Laws that were distributed to all members for comment. Revisions were incorporated and a vote is to be called for at the next regular meeting to adopt the By-Laws. About 10 Knoxville Chapter members attended the annual fall state TOS meeting at Cookeville - a good time was had by all! Thanks to everyone who worked to organize this event and the wonderful field trips. Kathy Bivens Your thin-necked silhouette Sits against a cream colored sky As you light on the smallest of branches Causing curiosity among those watching you they marvel how big you are and how your awkward landing causes the wave of spindly limbs not giving way to your lanky body. You remain stately and silent. . . Ready to settle in for a warm autumn night. Crane to some Heron to others Perhaps you are Really a slate blue knight Of watery castles Seeking armored fish & slithering snakes for your prisoners. M Turrentine The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 10 Why the special coffee? There are a few important facts about the coffee we’re (Knoxville Chapter) selling: 1 ) It’s shade grown. There are 2 methods of growing coffee. One is to completely clear and burn an area of forest, then plant “sun coffee.” This coffee, of varying levels of palatability, is heavily sprayed with pesticides, and is the only plant grown on a plot of land. Few organisms thrive here. One benefit is that a lot more coffee can be harvested per unit of land. The other way is to clear out the understory and plant shade-tolerant varieties of coffee. This is a “higher- quality, lower-yield” method that produces better coffee, and allows many more organisms, including birds, to live. It also requires much less use of chemicals. 2) It is certified as fair trade. This means that third party organization guarantees a higher amount of the money we pay goes directly to the land owners, growers, and other workers, and less of it goes to international conglomerates. This reduces coffee’s equivalent of “sweat shops” and ensures those farmers will stick with shade grown, and be less tempted by the short-term financial temptation of sun coffee. 3) Our decaf is obtained by the Swiss-water process, which uses far fewer toxic chemicals. While there is little evidence that these chemicals (used in the big name decaf coffees) are dangerous to coffee drinkers, buying coffee processed in this manner means we are encouraging the production, transportation and use of some dangerous substances. 4) This coffee is imported, roasted, ground, and packaged by a small, local business. John Clark’s Vienna Coffee Company is based in a small building on US 411 in Maryville. He imported and roasted coffee as an aficionado and hobbyist for years before putting out his shingle as a businessman. He has recently received several local awards for quality. We sell 3 blends - 1 decaf & 2 regular. Regular: $7 for 12 oz ground Decaf: $8 for 12 oz ground Price includes TN sales tax, but not shipping. For more information contact Charlie Muise cmmbirds@vahoo.com or call (865) 977-8429 before 9pm We Take Our Coffee Green Central American coffee industry rebounds by going green A global surplus of coffee five years ago sent the Central American coffee industry into a tailspin, but it is gradually recovering by focusing on high-quality beans — which in many cases means organically grown. In that rarest of things, a genuine win-win situation, the industry is being helped by an odd coalition including large U.S. coffee corporations, international conservation groups, U.S. aid agencies, and Central American governments. The U.S. government sees aid as a way of encouraging financial stability in nearby nations; conservation groups see it as a way of encouraging biodiversity and reducing erosion, both enabled by organic coffee farms; U.S. coffee corporations see it as a way of ensuring a steady supply of high-quality coffee, which is in high demand these days; and Central American governments see it as a way of reducing unemployment and social unrest. The assistance available to farmers willing to go organic also enables them to pay higher salaries and offer more health benefits. Straight to the source: The Washington Post, Mary Jordan, 17 Oct 2004 http://arist.org/cai-bin/forward.pl7forward id=3357 The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Page 11 TENNESSEE IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM The Important Bird Areas program (IBA) is part of an international effort to identify the most critical bird habitat. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has partnered with the National Audubon Society (NAS) to compile a list of sites in Tennessee. NAS is the U.S. partner with Birdlife International, the organization that created the international IBA program. For more information on the national and international effort go to http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba An IBA must meet one of the requirements in the Criteria For Site Selection and be nominated. The nominated site is then submitted to the Technical Committee for review and approval. A link has been established on the TWRA web site for the Tennessee IBA program. Criteria requirements, nomination form, progress, and end results will be posted on this site. The nomination form and criteria requirements can be accessed at http://www.state.tn.us/twra/tnbirdareas.html You are encouraged to submit sites for nomination. Michael Bierly is the Tennessee coordinator. Contact Michael at 61 5-292-4783: mlbierlv@bellsouth.net : and 5211 Kentucky Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209-2006. Book Shelf Dear Hawk Watcher: I am pleased to announce that the new, revised and updated edition of Guide to Hawk Watching in North America (Globe Pequot Press, 2004) is now back in print and available as a Falcon Guide. The ISBN is 0-7627-2670-9. It is available from the publisher at www.GlobePequot.com . book sellers in Canada and the USA, and on-line booksellers. There are 460 sites where raptor migrations, or wintering Bald Eagles, can be visited to see these birds in the USA or Canada with descriptions of the sites and directions for visiting them. Some of the sites are illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Included are some experimental sites along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and the marvelous Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. This is the first update and revision of this book since it was pub- lished originally in 1979 by Penn State University Press. The new Globe Pequot Press edition is a paperback and priced modestly. JHF ~ kiiulil 1 . rlt'tr ia:I nan Guide to Hawk Ifltatchiig in North America Sincerely, Donald S. Heintzelman donsh@enter.net The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Tennessee Ornithological Society Statement of Revenues and Expenditures For the Period - January 1 , 2004 to October 6, 2004 Revenues Dues & Membership Fees Institutional memberships Individual memberships Total Dues & Membership Fees 7 , 967.00 8 , 057.00 Individual Contributions 896.00 Miscellaneous Income Sales of collateral materials Investment income Interest on savings & temporary investments Dividends & interest from securities Total Investment Income Realized & Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Change in market value of investments Realized & Unrealized Gain (Loss) Total Revenues 5 , 468.95 5 , 474.29 ( 3 , 374 . 52 ) ( 3 , 374 . 52 ) 11 , 083.77 Expense Grants & Donations Donation - Radnor Lake Organization memberships Total Grants & Donations General Expenses 2 , 000.00 250.00 2 , 250.00 430.36 Publication Expenses The Migrant Printing costs Layout costs Mailing expenses Back issues Total for The Migrant The Tennessee Warbler Printing costs Mailing expenses Total for The Tennessee Warbler TOS Web Site Total Publication Expenses Total Expenses Excess Expenses over Revenues 3 , 369.80 2 , 072.50 1 , 108.87 6 , 636.04 2 , 183.22 400.99 2 , 584.21 239.60 9 , 459.85 12 , 140.21 ( 1 , 056 . 44 ) The Tennessee Warbler December, 2004 Tennessee Ornithological Society Balance Sheet October 6, 2004 Assets Morgan Stanley Mutual Funds 214,422.56 216,935.79 Total Assets Liabilities and Equity Liabilities Pledge payable - Friends of Radnon 2,000.00 Equity Accumulated reserves - prior year 215,992.23 Net loss year-to-date (1 ,056.44) Total Equity 214,935.79 Total Liabilities and Equity 216,935.79 REGISTRATION FORM - TOS SPRING MEETING APRIL 29 - MAY 1, 2005 Name(s) Address TOS Chapter: $ for Registrations @ $15 each $ for Dinner Reservations @ $20 each $ Total amount enclosed. Make Check payable to Memphis TOS Vegetarian Meal? Yes □ No □ Mail registration form and check to : Carolyn Bullock 4746 Cole Road Memphis, TN 38117 CarolynBullock@aol.com “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 FEBRUARY 28™ DEADLINE The deadline date for the April issue of The Tennessee Warbler is February 28 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 j