for members of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., ornithological society of the Carolinas Volume 43 May/June 1997 Number 3 Fall Meeting at Historic Coastal Fort On October 3, 4 and 5 we should have productive birding on the grounds of the North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell, located on the eastern tip of Oak Island in Brunswick County near Southport. Ft. Caswell was built 1827-38, and part of the original fort remains. Most of the current buildings date from 1895 to 1902 when it was still used as a fort for coastal defense. The North Carolina Baptist State Convention purchased the 248 acres in 1949, added a few buildings, and renovated the old ones over the next forty years. It is now a very attractive and peaceful campus at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. We will have field trips to areas in Brunswick County: Green Swamp; Sunset, Holden and Long Beaches; Ocean Isle sewage treatment plant; Brunswick Town Historical Site; and possibly Orton Plantation and BaldHead Island. Field trips in New Hanover County that have proven popular at past CBC meetings will also be included: Eagle Island, Greenfield Gardens, Carolina Beach State Park, and Ft. Fisher. We will be concentrating our efforts on migrating warblers and shorebirds. Those who enjoy butterflying will also have excellent opportunities at the Green Swamp and Greenfield Gardens. Although the meeting doesn't officially start until Friday afternoon, registration packets with birding-on-your-own maps will be available Thursday afternoon and evening. There will be organized field trips on Friday as well as Saturday. Our speaker Friday night will be from the Nature Conservancy's Green Swamp Preserve. The Saturday night speaker comes highly recommended as quite entertaining and educational. Peter Stangel is director of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Initiative at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. He will present a fast-paced and uplifting slide show entitled, “The Future of Birds.” Stangel earned a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. He has done research projects on the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Snail Kite, Wood Stork and Wild Turkey. He is an active member of the National Audubon Society and the North American Butterfly Association and is a frequent contributor to various birding and nature publications. Important Information: We have 43 rooms reserved for Thursday night, October 2, and 89 rooms reserved for Friday and Saturday nights. The assembly room rate is $21 per person per night as long as two or more persons share a room. The single occupancy rate is $3 1 per night. There is no tax. This rate includes a user fee charged to all non- Baptist groups. We will be housed in eleven separate cottages and “hotels.” There are 56 rooms with two double beds, 17 rooms with one DB and one bunk set, five rooms with two DB and one bunk set; six rooms with one DB and five rooms with one DB and one twin bed. All rooms have private baths, AC, heat, linens, towels and soap. Six rooms, three each in two cottages, have their baths across the hall instead of in the room. Some cottages have kitchens; all allow food to be brought in. Alcohol is not allowed on the Assembly grounds. If you plan to bring children, please sign up for a room with a bunk set. One cottage has a room with ten bunk beds and a very large bathroom. Although it is not currently reserved for our group; if several singles would like to “bunk” together, we can use this room. There is also a small cottage with only two bedrooms that can accommodate four to eight people. If two couples or families would like to have this together, note this on your registration form. Most cottages are two stories with large porches. All are handicap accessible, but Oceana is one story and ground level with no steps or ramps. It has eight rooms. People needing first floor, easily accessible accommodations should request Oceana or note on their registration form that first floor accommodations are required. The meeting planner will make every effort to accommodate your requests for type of room on a first come first serve basis. Early preregistration for the meeting and rooms is essentia!. Since the club will be responsible ior room assignments and room key distribution. (see Meeting page 4) INSIDE The Traveling Birdwatcher 2 Backyard Birding 3 Spring Meeting Report 5 New Fieid Guide 6 New Members 8 The Traveling Birdwatcher Texas Field Trip for Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl by Eric V. Dean The CBC field trip to South Texas on March 15-17 was a big success despite problems with transportation and weather. We thought surviving the American Airlines threatened strike was a good omen. Not necessarily so. On the afternoon before our departure, we received a call from the rental car company informing us that the requested 12 passenger van would not be available. They offered two smaller vans at the same price. This would just be the beginning. The Raleigh to Dallas flight was slightly delayed, leaving even less time to make the connection to McAllen. Little did we know we would have plenty of time in Dallas. After boarding the plane for McAllen, a mechanical problem was found. We patiently waited for mechanics to assess the situation and try to find a part. Finally after about 30 minutes the announcement was made that the plane could not be fixed. Everyone unloaded and waited for another announcement. A plane would have to be located as a replacement. Six of our party were on this flight. The other two had chosen a different airline and were making their way to McAllen with no problems. When a plane finally arrived, we boarded and took off two and one-half hours behind schedule. This would surely be the end of our bad luck. Not necessarily so. In McAllen we did manage to get everyone into one of the smaller vans, though somewhat crowded. And little did we know at the time, but the sunshine that we left in Raleigh would be the last we saw for the entire trip! It stayed very overcast and damp, alternating between mist, drizzle and rain the entire time. But nothing could dampen the spirits of Our group as we began our adventure. Within a few miles of the airport we had our first Texas bird, a White-tailed Kite, hovering near the highway. We were off to a good start. Our first stop was the Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary, where we saw the expected Buff-bellied Hummingbird. White- fronted Dove, Olive Sparrow, Plain Chachalaca and Green Jays entertained us near the feeders. A bonus Hooded Oriole also put in an appearance. We tried for a reported Tropical Parula near the resaca, but windy conditions during the late afternoon foiled our attempt. Dave did spot a Louisiana Waterthrush from the blind. On leaving, Lamar found a Neotropic Cormorant in a drainage ditch by the road. On to the ranch where we arrived about 30 minutes too late to see the pygmy-owl that had been calling in the yard before our arrival. Oh well, hopefully tomorrow! As we warmed ourselves by the barbecue, we heard the hissing and snapping of a Bam Owl in the palm tree overhead. Illuminated with a flashlight, it returned our inquisitive stares. After a dinner of traditional fajitas, we all retired early in anticipation of thing to come. The next morning we had and early (5:00 a.m.) breakfast and departed for Bentsen State Park. The highlight bird here was a female Blue Bunting that was frequenting the photo blind area along with Indigos. Our group pointed out this bird to Benton Basham, not knowing who he was. We waited for the reported male which never showed, only to learn later that it appeared about 10 minutes after we left the blind. Other birds here included Inca Dove and Common Ground-Dove, Altamira Oriole, Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Kiskadee, Couch’s Kingbird, Long-billed Thrasher and Bronzed Cowbird. Before leaving Bentsen we stopped at the park office and paid homage to the Stygian Owl photos as per John Wright’s instructions. On to Santa Ana for lunch and an afternoon’s birding. We ate our sandwiches under the pavilion and out of the rain. A quick look at Willow Lake failed to find Green Kingfisher (water too muddy). We did see lots of Anhingas, a pair of Cinnamon Teal and our first Black- bellied Whistling-Ducks. A “Bataan” style march to Pintail Lake through the accreting mud revealed lots of swallows including a few Cave. Both least and Eared Grebe were also found. We had great looks at Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. We left Santa Ana early enough to get back to the ranch in time to see our target bird for the trip. Along the way we found Yellow-headed Blackbird, Crested Caracara and a large flock of Black- bellied Whistling-Ducks. And when we pulled up to the house, Ray met us and said that our bird was in sight. We all piled out and got great looks at the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. What a bird! After about 30 minutes of watching it from every angle (including scope filling views), we decided to let it rest and turned our attention elsewhere. Other birds in the yard included scolding Kiskadees, Curve- billed Thrasher and Common Ground- Dove. Within view of the house were a nesting pair of White-tailed Hawks. We also found Vermilion Flycatcher, Bewick’s Wren and Pyrrhuloxia. Ray also showed us the “small” rattlesnake that he was using to train his bird dogs. Brenda was especially eager to get close looks at it striking his boot! That evening after dinner we rode out looking for Pauraques. We didn’t find any sitting on the wet roads, but we did hear several. Monday morning we breakfasted late- 7:00 a.m. The pygmy-owl was up to greet us with the new day. After breakfast we watched him again, then took a driving tour of the ranch. We found a large flock of turkeys that had two strutting males among the group. Near several of the small ponds we again found Vermilion Flycatcher and Redhead, lark Sparrows were particularly abundant. Ray stopped to show us catclaw bush and leafcutter ants. Cactus Wren and Say’s Phoebe were also found. We also saw several Nilgai, an introduced antelope from India. During the drive Mary Lou became interested in taking a job on the ranch when she learned the foreman was soon leaving. The tip (see Pgymy-Owl, page 4) March 8 I got up early and scrubbed some feeders. I sat on the front porch and played my fiddle awhile (the birds like the high notes) then went to the farm supply store for 250 pounds of black oil seed. I refilled the feeders, replenished four suet stations, and adjusted the dripper in the birdbath, a 1940’s hand-me-down with laughing fish for supports, Towhees scratched under the tray feeder. It was sunny, breezy, 74°. Following in the footsteps of my hero, Mrs. Thrasher, I gave my standard whistle (a segment of a Nelson Eddy march tacked onto the opening of the old-time fiddle tune, “Redbird”) to let the birds know the new feed was ready. And out of the hedges they flew. March 27 the Carolina Chickadees decided to make homes in both the chickadee and bluebird boxes. Bummer. No bluebirds this year. Brown-headed Cowbirds appeared. I am eyeing them with suspicion. Early April, George and Judy Halleron, Harbor Island, SC, wrote, “We put up one hummingbird feeder last week when our granddaughter was visiting. Then went away for Easter and returned late on April 1 . On Wednesday, the second a male RT hummer visited the feeder and has continued to feed since. Also on the second, we saw yard bird # 135 - a Red- headed Woodpecker! The White- throated Sparrows are still here. When do they go north?” April 5 in Green Level was sunny and 80° when my first Chipping Sparrows showed up. April 12 the Chimney Swifts moved in the night before and this morning were twittering away. This is our 17th year for swifts in our house, and we love them. T.he Juncos are still here, hanging around a little later than usual. April 13 we saw a Red-tailed Hawk fly over midday with a snake in its beak. A Killdeer and I surprised each other when I walked by the Orient Pear tree. I checked my bluebird box and counted five chickadee eggs in a nest made with dog hair combings and.dryer lint I had set out in the rose bush for them to use. April 15 Cathy Green of Belvedere, SC, says “I was just about to go out and hang up some clothes, and, as I usually do before I open my backdoor, I looked out at the bird feeders to be sure I wasn't Backyard Birding with Martha K. Brinson going to disturb any feeding birds. And on the suet feeder was ‘my’ Downy Woodpecker. I glanced up and had to take a quick second look because perched right above him on the tree was a Red-headed Woodpecker. This probably isn't as exciting for some, but, wow, was he beautiful. It's the first time I really got a close and personal look at one, and he sat there while I studied him through my binoculars (which luckily I keep close at hand at the back door). I always have the Downy and the Red-bellied; I sure hope he's making a home nearby. What a glorious day! Louise Lacoss of Hilton Head Island, SC, wrote in response to a question from an earlier column. “With regard to birds eating Savannah Holly berries, on April 2nd, my daughter-in-law and 1 were in the Newhall preserve here (a 50-acre bird and wildflower area belonging to the local Audubon Society) when we saw a Hock of Cedar Waxwings stripping the berries from a Savannah Holly. However, since most other holly, pyracantha, and other fruits had been finished earlier, it apparently is not a favorite. Hope this is of some interest to the Mitchells. I can’t offer much in the way of backyard items as I live in an apartment in a retirement home. I have a seed feeder and a hummingbird feeder on my balcony, but we have a very limited number of bird visitors.” April 21 1 was out chopping chives in the herb garden around 6:30 p.m. when I thought I heard the sound I’d most been waiting for. I held my breath, listened hard, and there it was again. My wood thrushes had returned for the spring! I tiptoed to get a good, long listen. What a hauntingly beautiful sound. April 24 I happened to be at home today instead of the office, and looking out the window while talking on the phone at 1 1:20 a.m., I saw two male Indigo Buntings, the first for my yard for the season. I was so excited I squealed, probably bursting my friend's ear drum. But what is more, not 10 seconds later, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak male appeared in the same Redbud tree. I could hardly contain myself. I just KNEW the best birds were sneaking in while I Was at the office! I hadn’t heard anyone else mention Rose-breasted’ s in my area so far this year. The indigos ate sunflower seeds, and the Rose-breasted just perched there, grooming during a spring shower. The same day, Will Cook, Chapel Hill, NC, wrote, “Spring is back after a day of winter! This morning I heard migrant Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireos, a Prairie Warbler, and a (returning •breeding?) Wood Thrush from the yard — a 1/3-acre lot in pine woods suburbia in Chapel Hill, NC. The Yellow-throated Vireo is the long-anticipated 100th yard bird! Since it was so busy this morning, I took a long lunch break and birded our old field site near the north end of NC 751 in Durham County. I found a very yellow Palm Warbler, lots of nice-looking Myrtles, a Black-and-White. two Great- Crested Flycatchers, plenty of Red-eyed Vireos, the yellowest While-eyed Vireo I’ve ever seen, a heard-only Rose-breasted Grosbeak, lots of common Yellowthroats and Swamp Sparrows, and a silent Ovenbird. 1 studied a drab Mountain Solitary Vireo (Vireo solitarius alticola) at length. This is the race that breeds in NC, not nearly as contrasty as the Blue-headed race (solitarius) that breeds in the northeastern states (but seen here in spring, fall, and winter). Groundhogs are near the southern edge of their range here, but I saw one bounding to its hole under the bridge where 751 crosses the railroad tracks. Good birding!” (Congratulations to Will on his 100th) (see Backyard, page 4) Pygmy-Owl (continued from page 2) money sounded very good to her. About mid-morning we left for Laguna Atascosa. A large flock of Sandhill Cranes fed in the bare fields on the road in. Along the bayside drive we found all the expected waders including Roseate Spo'onbills, plus a bonus flamingo. Really odd looking, and momentarily confusing, was the partially albino coot. We found the Aplomado Falcons at the hack-tower. Although the look was very distant, Ethel and Eric were satisfied. Others dozed in the van, too tired to even crawl out for a look. It was good the trip was coming to an end. In a very short three days of intensive birding we had experienced the Texas lower valley, scored out pygmy-owl and tallied 135 species. Trip participants included Lamar and Brenda Ashe, Eric & Celia Dean, Mary Lou Eycke, Dave and Ethel Freeh and Janice Siler. Despite the damp weather and frenetic pace, everyone had a good time. Backyard (continued from page 3) April 25 at 3:45 a.m. for the second morning in a row I was awakened by a (boy, was he ever loud!) Barred Owl, who gave his full call for seven rounds,- then nothing more. I slowly eased the bedroom window up so I could hear him better, and I stood, resting my elbows on the sill and looking at the just-past-full moon shining white on the grass. Mid-morning, there must have been 50 . American Goldfinches in the front yard alone, and a dozen crowding onto one small platform feeder. At the window platform, one of the females played King (Queen?) of the Mountain and pecked off every newcomer who tried to join in on the millet. A line of birds waited on the telephone wire to be next at the upside- down thistle feeder. Several dozen White- throated Sparrows mingled with a single Yellow-rumped Warbler. What a year it has been for the White-throats. Never have so many stayed so long in my yard, and I’ve heard many others say the same Meeting (continued from page 1) registration in June or July is requested if at all possible. Reservations and full payment must be received at CBC Headquarters no later than August 28. Any rooms not confirmed by August 28 will be released back to the Assembly to be used by other groups. Anyone canceling their room reservation after September 1 will forfeit up to $14.50 per night. For those who do not wish to stay at the Assembly, there are several motels on Oak Island: Port Motel, 4821 Long Beach Rd., Southport, 910-457-4800; South Winds Motel, 700 Ocean Dr., Yaupon Beach, 910- 278-5442; Captains Cove Motel, 6401 E. Oak Island Dr., Long Beach, 910-278- 6026; Driftwood Motel, 604 Ocean Dr., Yaupon Beach, 910-278-6114; Island Resort, 500 Ocean Dr., Yaupon Beach, 910-278-5644. In Southport: Indian Oak Inn B&B, 120 Moore St., 1-800-5 13- 3996; Riverside Inn B&B, 106 W. Bay St., 1-800-457-1152; Cape Fear Inn, 308 W. Bay St., 910-457-5989. The meeting thing. The five Chickadees were bom today. May 3 a pair of Great Blue Herons flew over. One had nesting material in its beak. May 8 Bob and I came home from work about 7:15 p.m. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I said, "I hear something new!" We grabbed the binoculars and scanned the treetops. There, high in the sweet gums, moving from branch to branch and occasionally circling in a brief swoop above the trees, were six Great -crested Flycatchers! The flycatchers, who were joined by our Chickadees and several Downies, were unswayed by Scooter's jealous barking (why are my humans looking UP instead of at me?). We watched for half an hour before the mosquitoes made mincemeat of us, down there in the lowground. This crop of six was a special treat. James H. Coman III of Piney Creek, NC, writes, “I wish to officially, and humorously, challenge my old friend Merrill Lynch’s record of 139 ‘yardbirds’ in two years with 162 species that I have observed on my farm since 1986.” James registration fee for those not staying at the Assembly will include the user fee charged to all non-Baptist groups. Detailed travel directions and information about meals available at the Assembly will be included in the July/August Newsletter. There will be a separate preregistration for meals as well as field trips. • However, please do not wait on this information to register for the meeting if you plan to stay at the Assembly. Call Gail Lankford at 919-833-7741 (in evenings before 9:00 p.m.) or 919-212- 7406 (anytime) for further information. sent in his impressive list and described Stoney Knob as a working farm of 174 acres in northwestern Alleghany County with pastures, hardwoods, ponds, streams, springs, and 120 ewes, near New River. James is mindful of water quality, wildlife cover, arid variety of plantation so it is no wonder he has such diverse bird and mammal populations. James admits his farm is larger than most backyards so we’ll let Merrill keep the “yard crown” for ‘96, and James can have the ’97 “farm crown” — until someone else tops him! Now I hope I’ll hear from more of you about the birds in your backyard. — Martha 4300 Green Level Road, Apex, NC 27502 . (5/9/97) CBC Rare Bird Alert (704) 332-BIRD Carolina Bird Club E-Mail Directory Adams, Mike & Janet Campbell, Susan Dean, Eric Charlotte, NC Raleigh, NC Goldsboro, NC mga@ppab.com PraxisNC@aol.com edeangld@icomnet.com Andrews, Eddie Carlson, Brad Dech, Philip J. Charlotte, NC Winterville, NC Jacksonville, NC EDDIE.ANDREWS@firstunion.com BRAD_CARLSON@US.WFL.COM dech@nternet.net Atkins, Van Charleston, SC vatkins@awod.com Carpenter, Kathleen Sinclair Charlotte, NC kescarp@ix.netcom.com DeNeve, Doug Winston-Salem, NC anewsome@ix.netcom.com Baldwin, Karen Greenville, NC ENBALDWI@ECUVM.CIS.ECU.EDU Carter, Derb & Ann Raleigh, NC derbc@cphl.mindspring.com Disher, David & Susan Winston-Salem, NC DDISHER @concentric.net Barber, Lynn Raleigh, NC DALYBAR@aol.com Ceselski, Andrea Irmo, SC andreac@sparnet.spar.sc.edu Dodge, Greg Durham, NC cbirdpro@ ix.netcom.com Barden, Larry & Louise Charlotte, NC isbarden @ unccvm.uncc.edu Coffey, Wallace Bristol, TN jwcoffey@tricon.net Douglass, Mary G. Walterboro, SC mgd @ lowcountry.com Bardsley, Jim & Marilyn Lumberton, NC bardsley@sassette.uncp.edu Conway, Walton Boone, NC goldencc@boone. net Eastman, Caroline Columbia, SC eastman@CS.Sc.EDU Beasley, Jim & Phyllis West Columbia, SC PBeas10646@aol.com Cook, Will Chapel Hill, NC cwcook@acpub.duke.edu Eley, Chris & Carol Raleigh, N CASE32765@aol.com Beckstrom, Lisa J. Charlotte, NC ljbeckst@unccvms.uncc.edu Copeley, Leto Durham, NC Icopeley @ msn.com Emmitt, Randy Rougemont, NC birdcr@concentric.net Boyd, Richard C. Beaufort, NC rcboyd @ coastalnet.com Covington, Joseph Raleigh, NC Jcovington@aol.com Fiala, Kent Raleigh, NC SASKLF@VM.SAS.COM Boykin, Kate Raleigh, NC KATEBOYKIN@aol.com Crumley, George L. Charleston, SC crumleyg@citadel.edu Fischer, Carol Cary, NC cdf21003@glaxowellcome.com Brinson, Bob & Martha Raleigh, NC martha_brinson @ ncsu.edu Dabbs, Evelyn Mayesville, SC edabbs@ FTC-I.net Fisher, Bert Durham, NC ALMAAF@SYSA.ADM.DUKE.EDU Byrd, Chuck Durham, NC cbyrd@ASDean.Duke.edu Davis, Ricky Zebulon, NC RJDNC@aol.com Fisher, Joe Chapel Hill, NC Joefisher@aol.com Carolina Bird Club E-Mail Directory Fleming, Bryce Southern Pines, NC weymouth@pinehurst.net Hendrickson, Herb Greensboro, NC HENDRICK@goodall.uncg.edu LeGrand, Harry Raleigh, NC Harry_Legrand@ mail. ehnr. state, nc. us Forsythe, Wayne Hendersonville, NC WForsythe@a-o.com Higgins, Katherine Mint Hill, NC katherine.higgins@ccmail.bsis.com Lewis, Bob Tarrytown, NY RLEWIS@MURRAY.FORDHAM.EDU Franklin, Peggy Hendersonville, NC jgcraig@juno.com Hofacker, Charles H. Hendersonville, NC chhofacker@juno.com Lynch, Merrill Apex, NC mlynch@tnc.org Fuller, Wade & Kathy New Bern, NC fuller@coastalnet.com Hudson, Jack & Dorothy Pisgah Forest, NC jrhudson@CITCOM.NET McFerren, Heather Plymouth, NC wamcferr@eastnet.educ.ecu.edu Galizio, Joseph Mark Kure Beach, NC GALIZIO@UNCWIL.EDU Huggins, John & Becky Pisgah Forest, NC WOODBRIDGE@citcom.net McKay, John K. Taylors, SC 70714.1661 ©CompuServe. COM Garret, Buddy Jacksonville, NC medxam@onslowonline.net Huggins, John, Jr. & Bobbie Mt. Pleasant, SC HUGMAX@msn.com Mitchell, Susan Pisgah Forest, NC sachem@citcom.net Griggs, Jerry Columbia, SC griggs@ math.sc.edu Irvin, Wayne & Fran Southern Pines, NC Wlrvin145@aol.com Moore, Jim & Nell Richlands, NC jandnmoore@juno.com Halleron, George & Judy Harbor Island, SC geojudy@islc.net Johnson, David Leicester, NC 74541 .1076@CompuServ.COM Moseley, Lynn Greensboro, NC MOSELEYLJ @ rascal.guilford.edu Harden, Rachel Yadkinville, NC RAharden@aol.com Johnson, Jerry Irmo, SC ICBirds@msn.com Mulhollan, Paige & Mary Bess Hilton Head Island, SC paigehh @ hargray.com Harris, Stephen R. Greenville, SC srharris@ mindspring.com Kalat, James & Ann Raleigh, NC kalat @ Poe.coe.ncsu.edu Mullins, Rosalyn L. Richlands, NC hummer@onslowonline.net Hart, Paul & Mary Lillington, NC ravenroc@foto.infi.net Kaplan, Dan Raleigh, NC dkaplan@med.unc.edu Newsome, Ann Winston-Salem, NC anewsome@ix.netcom.com Hartley, Scott Southern Pines, NC weymouth @ pinehurst.net Kopka, Len & Ginger Simpsonville, SC 721 02.3356@CompuServe.COM Olsen, Anne L. & Blane Monroe, NC aolsen@wingate.edu Heavner, Dave Winston-Salem, NC HEAVNED@rjrt.com Lankford, Herman & Gail Raleigh, NC hlankfor@wolf.ces.ncsu.edu Page, Richard Beaufort, SC rapage @ hargray.com Carolina Bird Club E-Mail Directory Passmore, Barbara Rowe, Matthew Smith, Michael Valdosta, GA Boone, NC Roanoke, VA passmore @ mail.datasys.net rowemp@appstate.edu ibird@roanoke.infi.net Payne, Rick Sanderson, Bill Southern, Sterling & Linda Durham, NC Asheville, NC Apex, NC RPAYNE@icagen.com BSANDERSON@unca.edu Sterling_Southern @ ncsu.edu Perkinson, Joanna Schultz, Mike Stewart, James & Cathy Durham, NC Durham, NC Hillsborough, NC jlperkin@wtcc-gw.wake.tec.nc.us mschultz@acpub.duke.edu cathy. stewart@ reichhold.com Persmark, Magnus Shaffer, Steve Tatum, Edith Chapel Hill, NC Springfield, VA Durham, NC persmark~em@glaxowellcome.com AFshams@dia.osis.gov JLTATUMJR@aol.com Piephoff, Taylor Shahid, Ann Thomas, Steve & Barbara Charlotte, NC Charleston, SC Ayuor, SC PiephoffT ©aol.com shahidrad ©charleston. net sty pe @ sccoast . net Pippen, Jeff & Anne Sharp, Linda Thompson, Simon Durham, NC Greenville, SC Skyland, NC jspippen@acpub.duke.edu nljsharp@worldnet.att.net fence@teleplex.net Plummer, Todd & Catherine Shields, julia Todd, Les Durham, NC Chapel Hill, nC Durham, NC plummer@mail.duke.edu jshields@med.unc.edu les@acpub.duke.edu Presley, John & Charlotte Shuler, Ned & Teddy Tove, Mike Raleigh, NC Beech Island, SC Cary, NC jfpresle@wtcc-gw.wake.tec.nc.us nshuler@ix.netcom.com mtove® intercenter.net Pulcinela, Nick Sinclair, Mark & Thea Tufford, Daniel L. & Cindy Swarthmore, PA Hickory, NC Columbia, SC NPulcinela@aol.com tsinclair@twave.net dtufford@scsn.net Pullman, Liz & Jim Skeate, Stewart Tyndall, Patricia Durham, NC Banner Elk, NC Wake Forest, NC Pullmans@aol.com skeate@bobcat.lmc.edu PTEARN@aol.com Pulsipher, Susan & Lewis Slack, Roy S. Tyndall, Russ Linden, NC Phoenix, NY Wake Forest, NC puls@foto.infi.net Slack@ reddragon.com Fitzbew@aol.com Ristroph, Betsy Smith, Clyde & Laura Vankevich, Peter Charleston, SC Raleigh, NC Washington, DC ristrophb@charleston.net Smith82534@aol.com pmva@loc.gov Roberson, Russell & Ruth Smith, Marek Walker, Judy Durham, NC Charlotte, NC Charlotte, NC ROBERSON@TUNL.TUNL.DUKE.EDL J maresmit@unccvm.uncc.edu jwalker@email.uncc.edu Carolina Bird Club E-Mail Directory Ward, James & Frances Oriental, NC jwl 118@coastalnet.com Watson, John & Libba Southern Pines, NC weymouth@pinehurst.net Weigley, Ira F. & Ellen Hendersonville, NC irafw@juno.com Welch, Edmund Woodbridge, VA 1 03670. 1 570@ CompuServe.COM Wilkins, Kenneth W. Jr. New Bern, NC kwilkins@coastalnet.com Williams, Brenda Chapel Hill, NC brawl @ mindspring.com Willis, Les Suffolk, VA cwillis@infi.net Wing, Grey Raleigh, NC WingG@aol.com Wolk, Robert G. Raleigh, NC RGWolk@aol.com Wood, Bob West Columbia, SC Bobwood@ix.netcom.com Wright, John & Paula Greenville, NC JWright@Skantech.net or pijwrigh@eastnet.educ.ecu.edu Yost, Rebecca Durham, NC RLYOST @aol.com April Showers Bring Spring Warblers in Upstate SC Executive Committee members elected at business session April 26, 1997, back row, left to right: Andrea Ceselski, Bob Holmes, Len Pardue, Russ Tyndall; front row: Bert Fisher, JoAnn Martin. Bob Maxwell was also reelected, but had crashed by the time this picture was taken. Two proposed amendments to the Bylaws were also approved at this session. New member. Sonny Hanckel of Wadmalaw Island, SC, chats • with Saturday evening speaker, Dr. Sid Gauthreaux of Clemson University. Sid. spoke on the use of weather radar as a new tool of conservation. Mary Bunch of the SC Dept, of Natural Resources spoke Friday evening on the Peregrine Falcon hacking program in upstate South Carolina. Sharon and Phil Turner of Myrtle Beach, SC, were among 162 birders registered for the spring meeting at Clemson, SC, April 25-27. In spite of April showers (actually an off and on drizzle) on Saturday and Sunday, 156 species were tallied during the Saturday evening count-down with an amazing total of 34 species of warblers. Bob Maxwell and Teddy Shuler are smiling for good reason. As executive committee member-at-large for SC, Bob and his wife Barbara planned and ran a very successful spring meeting. Teddy is'concluding two years of outstanding service as president of Carolina Bird Club, and is modeling the new CBC T-shirt which went on sale at the spring meeting. Will the ABC’s All The Birds of North America Replace National Geographic’s Birds of North America? Editor’s Note: While killing time in a local B. Dalton bookstore in mid-April I ran across a new field guide published by the American Bird Conservancy. Its title was the first thing that caught my eye , All The Birds of North America. / picked it up and was then impressed with its size and shape-perfect for a hip pocket. Thumbing quickly through it, the quality of the illustrations moved me right to the cash register where I laid out $19.95. Closer examination at home revealed that while the illustrations approach those of the Golden guide (to me, Arthur Singer’s illustrations most closely mirror what I see in the field), its species descriptions fell short of the National Geographic guide ( the choice of advanced birders). Wanting an expert opinion to share with Newsletter readers, I asked Harry LeGrand to evaluate the guide. His report takes the form of some favorable and unfavorable impressions of the guide and is not intended as a formal review. Negative Comments 1. I do not like all of the promo material splattered all over the cover! It is overly gaudy, and very self-promoting. 2. As an experienced birder, I do not like the grouping of species by similarity of color, bill shape, size, etc. (“A Revolutionary System Based on Feeding Behaviors and Field-Recognizable Features”~quote from cover) For example, on page 122, Chat and Catbird are on the same page! On page 121, we see pipits and Homed Larks. Large, conical-billed birds are grouped together. Thus, after small-billed birds (kinglets on page 143), we find the anis on page 144A and parrots and trogons on 144B and Cardinals on 145. 3. The page numbering is bizarre. Only every second page is numbered-in direct sequence! The left hand pages generally have no page number, I could understand if the right hand pages were all numbered in odd numbers and the left hand pages were blank (i.e. even numbers), but such is not the case. (Editor’s note: I think 1 finally figured it out, Harry. Only pages with illustrations are numbered, and since one of the features they brag on is the horizontal format of their illustrations, the two page spread gets one number. Pages of text between illustrations are not „ counted at all.) 4. 1 do not like the dropping of part of the common name for species such as Chat, Catbird, Stilt, Avocet, etc. The rest of the name (Yellow-breasted, Gray, etc.) appears in parenthesis in the text. 5. They seemed to intentionally avoid using the word “common” as if it is copyrighted.- For abundance level they use “Abundant, ” “Numerous,””Fairly Numerous,” “Scarce,” etc. Every bird reference I have ever seen uses “common,” “fairly common,” and “uncommon.” 6. The amount of text given to most species is limited to about six lines, including a description of the calls, etc. More space for this is needed to do a good job. Positive Comments 1. All of the birds are included. Essentially all are illustrated in color, but the accidentals are generally about one inch long. There is some minimal text on all of the birds, generally only two lines for the accidentals. 2. The illustrations are good to excellent. The quality is variable, just as in the Geographic guide, which also used multiple artists. CBC member Doug Pratt is one of the illustrators. 3. The text is generally good, but because of space limitations there is not nearly as much discussion of field marks as in the Geographic guide. 4. I do like the emphasis on conservation; declining species are highlighted. 5. I also like the section on extinct birds, including photos of museum exhibits showing diorama looks at them. The text is good. 6. The range maps are OK, but like the Geographic, about the size of postage stamps. (I find that the useof extremely pale colors makes the ranges much more difficult to distinguish than in the Geographic guide-Editor) There are a number of consultants for various groups of birds. Of interest to CBC members is that Brian Patteson is the consultant for pelagic birds. And, yes, there are two very good illustrations of Cape Verde Petrel, with two lines of text. In summary, experienced birders will not need this book if they already have the National Geographic guide. It adds only information on declining and extinct species and a few illustrations of accidentals. Also they will get lost trying to find things. Most birders, however, will want to add the book to their library. Birders tend to want everything they can get their hands on, even books with color photos. E-Mail Directory Included with this issue of the • Newsletter is the new Carolina Bird Club E-Mail Director)’. Originally suggested by Becky Huggins at the Atlantic Beach meeting in January, the speed of publication was made possible by the help of Will Cook, originator and guardian of Carolinabirds, an e-mail list to which many CBC members subscribe. This directory is for the personal use of members of the Carolina Bird Club. Republication or reuse of this directory for solicitation or any other commercial . purpose is prohibited. If there are corrections or additions to the Directory, please send them to Clyde Smith, by e-mail, of course, at: Smith82534@aol.com, Updated versions will be published periodically. Membership Application and Order Form Name Address City State. Enter/Renew Membership As Indicated Individual ($15) _ Affiliate Club ($20) Family ($20) Contributing ($35) Student ($10) Patron ($50) Library/Institution ($15) Life ($250) Make check payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc, Zip Tel.. ( ) ( ) • - (home) (business) Send Materials Indicated CBC Cloth arm patch $1.50 ea., $1.25 ea. in quantity CBC Decals (vinyl stick-on) $2.00 ea., $1.75 ea. in quanity Checklists 10/$ 1.75, 25/$4.25, 50/$8.25, 75/$12, 100/$ 15 and mail to PO Box 2955, Raleigh, NC 27626-0555 Name(s) Address Telephone (. Registration Form CBC Fall Meeting, October 3-5, 1997 (list each name for name tags) City State Zip (day) ( )_ (evening) _I will not be staying overnight at the NC Baptist Assembly. Enclosed is my check in the amount of $ for member registrations at $12 each and nonmember registrations at $13 each. Registration at the meeting for those not staying at the Assembly is $16 for members and $17 for nonmembers. Registration fees include the Assembly user fee charged to all non-Baptist groups. _I will be staging overnight at the NC Baptist Assembly. Enclosed is my check in the amount of $ for member registrations at $6 each , nonmember registrations at $7 each and $2 1 per person per night room fee for persons for nights. I will arrive on Thursday, Friday, . Saturday. Room fees include the Assembly user fee charged to all non-Baptist groups. Note that registration for accomodations at the Assembly can be made only in advance and not at the meeting. Indicate choice of accomodations below: Place a 1 by your first choice of accomodations and a 2 by Any room is fine Two double beds Two double beds, one bunk set . One double bed your second choice. One double bed. one twin Two double beds, one bunk set Oceana (two double beds) or need first floor only Little Pier (Two bedroom cottage) Note any special requests concerning accomodations: The names of those wishing to be assigned to the same room should appear on the same registration form. Those wishing to be assigned to the same cottage should send their registration forms together. Mail with check payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., PO Box 29555, Raleigh, NC 27626-0555 Welcome New Members Lacy Ballard Sonny Hanckel Richard C. Otter Shelby, NC Wadmalaw Island, SC Anderson, NC Mrs. Sutapa Burua Robert R. Jones Sally T. Parker Chittagong, Bangladesh Charlotte, NC Union, SC Carolyn Campbell Ron Joynen Liza Plaster Morehead City, NC Lansing, NC Lenoir, NC Ann M. Cook Barbara Keefe Evelyn D. Richbourg Blowing Rock, NC Mt. Pleasant, SC Union, SC Laura Fogo Hester Kobayashi Kristen Searfoss Biscoe, NC Archdale, NC Lenoir, NC Cynthia Fox The Librarian Life Member (Wild Bird Center) British Council Chapel Hill, NC Dhaka, Bangladesh Mark Thompson Raleigh, NC Jules Fraytet Dr. Bill Lovejoy Charlotte, NC Gary Gray Brevard, NC Jack & Edwina Morrison Deceased N. Augusta, SC Flat Rock, NC T. McRae Williams Atlanta, GA CBC Newsletter is published bimonthly by Carolina Bird Club, Inc., the ornithological society of the Carolinas, with headquarters at Raleigh, NC. CBC is a nonprofit corporation, founded in 1937, with membership open to anyone interested in birds, natural history and conservation. Members are encouraged to submit items of interest to CBC Newsletter, Clyde Smith, Editor, 2615 Wells Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608, (919) 781-2637 (voice or fax), e-mail, Smith82534@aol.com. Submission deadline is the 10th of January, March, May, July, September and November. Articles may be in the form of typed, hard copy or 3 1/2 “ computer disk. Carolina Bird Club, Inc. C8© SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES HI 11 | II ill I) I) 3 9 388 0 1273 2723 P.O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC 27626-0555 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Post Office Raleigh, NC Permit No. 1654 3000 E 0 142 SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES NHB 25-MRC 154 CBC Newsletter is printed on 100% recycled paper with 60% post-comsumer content