Lynne Matlocks Lucas ISSN No. 0162-7120 for members of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., ornithological society of the Carolinas Volume 53 April 2007 Number 2 CBC Celebrates Spring in the North Carolina Mountains! Historic Hendersonville May 3-6 By Gail Lankford We mountaineers (and the newly arrived migratory passerines) look forward to offering you our brand of Southern hospitality at the spring meeting! Hendersonville has art and craft galleries, fine restau- rants, a mineral museum, and shopping in the quaint downtown that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Just outside of town you can visit His- toric Johnson Farm, the marble angel statue from Tho- mas Wolfe’s novel, Look Homeward, Angel , and Jumping Off Rock, which offers great views and an Indian legend. The WNC Air Museum, the state’s first, is located at Hendersonville airport. The adjacent historic village of Flat Rock has Connemara, the out- standing former home and property of poet Carl Sand- burg and a National Historic Site. Right across the road is the State Theatre of NC, Flat Rock Playhouse. This area also offers us new places to find our feath- ered friends, along with beautiful spring wildflowers. Please read the attached list of field trip descriptions carefully to find which ones have the birds, butterflies, and wildflowers you would like to see. Field trips will be Friday and Saturday as usual, plus Thursday after- noon at sites “on the way” to Hendersonville, and Sun- day morning after you leave for home. We will have a dessert social Friday night beginning at 7:00, and the program will follow at 8:00. Dinner both nights will be on your own, but there are many nearby restaurants. A list of these will be available at registration, which will be open by early Thursday evening. Saturday night’s program will begin at 7:30. We also have a couple of surprises planned for your enjoyment each evening. Friday night’s presentation will be a fantastic slide show by nature photographer Bill Duyck of Asheville. He has taken amazing photos of birds feeding their young in the nest, and many other avian subjects. Bill’s accompanying narrative is informative, engag- ing, and humorous. You will be entertained and en- thralled! Saturday night’s presentation by Drew Lanham of Clemson University will concern his research linking bird conservation with local flora in the mountains. Drew is new to the club and to the Executive Commit- tee, so we especially want to give him a warm wel- come. We encourage members who have bird/nature photog- raphy/art/craft to bring examples of your work for dis- play in the registration and meeting room throughout the weekend. We would like these displays to be a part of all future meetings The meeting will be held at Quality Inn and Suites, 201 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville, (continued on p.7) CBC Newsletter (USPS# 023-534), April 2007, Volume 53, Number 2. Published bimonthly by Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108- 1037. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CBC Newsletter, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 6325 Falls of the Neuse Road, STE 9 PMB 150, Raleigh, NC 27615 Hendersonville Field Trip Schedule Thursday, May 3 Trip #1 South Mountains State Park (Morganton) - 1:30 Trip #2 Pacolet Valley (Landrum, SC) - 1 :00 Trip #3 Charles D Owen Park/ Swannanoa River (Swannanoa) - 1 :30 Trip #4 Jackson Park (Hendersonville) - 4:00 to 6:30 Friday, May 4 Morning Trip #5 Pacolet Valley - 7:00 Trip #6 Chimney Rock Park/Lake Lure - 7:00 Trip #7 Warrior Mountain -7:10 T rip #8 Mother Earth Property -7:10 Trip #9 Fletcher Park/Lake Julian -7:15 Trip #10 Connemara Historical Site - 7:30 Trip #11 Jackson Park- 7:30 Friday, May 4 Afternoon Trip #12 Pacolet Valley - 1 :00 Trip #13 Charles D. Owen Park/Swannanoa River - 1:00 Trip # 1 4 Mother Earth Property —1:10 Trip #15 Fletcher Park/Lake Julian - 1:15 Trip #16 Bat Cave -1:20 Trip #17 Mount Pisgah - 1:10 Trip#18 Jackson Park- 1:30 Friday, May 4, All Day Trip # 1 9 Blue Ridge Parkway North - 6:45 Trip #20 Blue Ridge Parkway South - 7:00 Trip #21 Cleveland County Open Country - 7:00 Trip #22 Henderson County Hotspots -7:15 Trip #23 Blue Wall Preserve -7:15 Saturday, Trip #24 7:00 Trip #25 Trip #26 Trip #27 Trip #28 Trip #29 Trip #30 May 5, Morning Charles D. Owen Park/Swannanoa River - Chimney Rock Park/Lake Lure - 7:00 Warrior Mountain -7:10 Fletcher Park/Lake Julian - 7: 15 Big Hungry River -7:15 Connemara Historical Site - 7:30 Jackson Park - 7:30 Saturday, May 5, Afternoon Trip #3 1 Pacolet Valley - 1 :00 Trip #32 Charles D. Owen Park/Swannanoa River - 1:00 Trip #33 Mount Pisgah - 1:10 Trip #34 Fletcher Park/Lake Julian -1:15 Trip #35 F.E.N.C.E.- 1:15 Trip #36 Pearson’s Falls - 1 :20 Trip #37 Jackson Park - 1 :30 Saturday, May 5 All Day Trip #38 Blue Ridge Parkway North - 6:45 Trip #39 Blue Ridge Parkway South - 7:00 Trip #40 Mountain Bridge Wilderness Preserve - 7:00 Trip #41 Pink Beds/Hwy 276/Hospital Fields -7:15 Sunday, May 6 Jackson Park - 8:00 Baker’s Mountain County Park - 10:00 Ventures, Inc. day trip to Stecoah Gap • Trips will be limited to a maximum of 1 8 partici- pants and minimum of 5. • If a trip is cancelled, Dana Harris will attempt to email/call you so you can choose another trip .Cancelled trips and full trips will be noted on the CBC website, so check before leaving for Hendersonville. • Please consider bringing adequate drinks and snacks on all morning trips in case there is not time for lunch before your afternoon trip; defi- nitely bring your lunch and snacks on all day trips. • All trips except Thursday’s depart from the Qual- ity Inn. Meet your leader in the lobby. • You do not have to sign up for Sunday trips. Lead- ers will meet you at Jackson Park and Baker’s Mountain (about 1 hours from hotel). Those wanting to go to Stecoah Gap in Graham County must sign up and pay in advance with Ventures (828-253-4247 ; www.birdventures.com) HENDERSONVILLE FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTIONS Trip 1 South Mountains State Park. Located in southern Burke County, this is one of our largest and most beautiful parks. It has a blend of mountain and lowland ecologies, resulting in over 100 rare species of plants and 66 species of nesting birds, including Ruffed Grouse, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Northern Ra- ven, and Swainson’s and Worm-eating Warblers. This park is a designated Important Bird Area. It also has abundant wildflowers, a waterfall, a newly paved en- trance road, and a new visitor’s center. A park ranger will be your guide. Walking: limited. Restrooms: yes. Directions: 1-40 west, exit #105 on Hwy. 18 and drive south toward Shelby 10 miles. Turn right onto SR 1913/ Sugar Loaf Rd for 6 miles. Turn left on SR 1924/Old NC 18 for 3 miles, then right on SR 1901/ Ward’s Gap Rd for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto SR 1904/ So. Mtn. State Park Ave. and follow 3.5 miles to the main visitor parking area. Trip 2, 5, 12, 31 Pacolet Valley. The Pacolet River runs through woodland and agricultural fields in this picturesque valley near Landrum, SC. You should see sparrows, raptors, transient shorebirds (if recent rains), and Loggerhead Shrikes. It is one of the few sites in SC with breeding Willow Flycatchers. Trip will in- clude the private Caroland Farms, and walking in fields and along the river. Walking: easy. Restrooms: service station. Round trip: approximately 54 miles. Directions for Thursday: From 1-26 take exit #1. Go south (left) on Hwy 14 and meet leader at the first ser- vice station on the left. Trip 3, 13, 24, 32 Charles D. Owen Park/ Swannanoa River. The Swannanoa River flows through this county park well-known to locals as a great birding spot. Both Orchard and Baltimore Ori- oles and Yellow-throated Vireo nest along the river. After an easy walk around a tree lined lake, you follow the river along the fields of Warren Wilson College. Migrant Blue-winged warblers have been seen in the past, along with typical farmland birds such as Yel- low-breasted Chat, Northern Bobwhite, and Grasshop- per Sparrow. Walking: easy. Restrooms: yes. Round trip: approx. 60 miles. Directions for Thursday: 1-40 west to exit #55. At end of exit ramp take a right. At Hwy 70, take a right. In about 2 miles take a left at light with Shell station on corner onto Warren Wilson Rd. After you pass Warren Wilson College on your right, look for the Charles Owen plant on the right with a small sign for the park in their parking lot. Turn in the plant parking lot and drive to the left of the building. Once behind the build- ing you will see the park and lake. Parking is on right side of lake. Trip 4, 11, 18, 30, 37 Jackson Park. With a wide range of habitats, Jackson Park is one of the finest pas- serine migration flyways in North Carolina. This is a good place to see an outstanding selection of spring migrants. Birds found here include warblers such as Golden-winged and Blue-winged, thrushes, vireos, and flycatchers. This city park has easy walking on the Nature Trail, Bottomland Trail, and the famous War- bler Trail. Walking: easy. Restrooms: yes. Roundtrip: approx. 6 miles. Directions for Thursday: Exit# 49-B off 1-26 onto Hwy 64 West (Four Seasons Blvd.) to Hendersonville. In about 2 miles you will pass Four Seasons Marsh on the left, and turn left at the next light onto Harris St. (look for the brown Jackson Park sign at the light). Go straight through the 4-way stop, and when Harris St. dead ends at 4th St., turn left and proceed across the bridge and up the hill to the Administration building parking lot on the left. Trip 6, 25 Chimney Rock Park/Lake Lure. Chim- ney Rock Park, soon to be NC’s newest state park (admission $14 per person), has several trails through mixed hardwood forest and rhododendron thickets. It is a great place for Worm-eating, Swainson's, and Ce- rulean Warblers, and many other species, including Peregrine Falcon. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is mod- erate but easy to walk and is the best for birding. Most of the upper trails are steeper, but there is an elevator to the top.. Walking: level/steep stairs. Restrooms: yes. Round trip: approx. 34 miles Trip 7, 26 Warrior Mountain. The Norman Wilder Forest consists of 185 protected acres of mature third - growth, mixed-hardwood forest located on the steep slopes of Little Warrior Mountain. Trails provide hik- ers with a leafy canopy of shade trees and stunning views of sheer rock walls. (continued) HENDERSONVILLE FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTIONS Trip 7, 26 Warrior Mountain (continued) Bridges and steps on trails make this a most enjoyable, moder- ate hike. The trip will start at another site, with very good birding walking a mile round trip along an un- paved road. Ceruleans and Kentucky Warblers nest along the road, and you see many birds at almost eye level. Wildflowers are also abundant. Walking: easy/ moderate. Restrooms: no. Round trip: approx. 40 miles. Trip 9, 15, 27, 34 Fletcher Park/Lake Julian. Fletcher Park is a wonderful small city park that lies in the French Broad River Valley. Several good birds have been reported here, including Philadelphia Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler and Baltimore Oriole. A small wetland has breeding Willow Flycatchers and several freshwater species may also be seen here. Lake Julian, a Progress Energy Reservoir, is heated throughout the year which helps bring migrating water birds. Even in early May there could be some loons, ducks, geese, cormorants, terns, and gulls still around. Walking: easy. Restrooms: yes. Round trip: approx. 28 miles. Trip 10, 29 Connemara. The beautiful grounds of this national historic site, the former home of poet Carl Sandburg, include a lake, farm fields, bams, and for- est. Local clubs often bird here, and the ranger leads bird walks each spring. Walking: level/hills. Rest- rooms: yes. Round trip: 24 miles. Trip 16 Bat Cave. After hiking a mile up a steep trail through a mature hardwood forest, you will be re- warded with Bat Cave’s natural air conditioning: a cool moist draft that constantly pours out of vents on the side of the cave. Bat Cave is the largest known granite fissure cave in North America. The main chamber is a dark cathedral more than 300 feet long and approximately 85 feet high. The cave is wintering habitat for 3 rare species of bats, and several species of salamanders are found. Hickory Nut Gorge is cloaked in rich cove hardwood forest that harbor nine threat- ened or endangered plants, such as broadleaf coreopsis and Carey’s saxifrage. The preserve has an abundance of spring wildflowers. Migratory birds, including Swainson’s Warbler, are here, but the emphasis is wildflowers. Nature Conservancy Fee: $10. Walking: moderate to strenuous. Restrooms: no. Round trip: approx. 26 miles. Trip 17, 33 Mount Pisgah. This trip will concentrate on the Parkway area between Mills River Valley Overlook and the Pisgah Inn, including short walks on segments of the Mountains to Sea Trail. Warblers love the gap at this overlook. Walking: easy. Restrooms: yes. Round trip: approx. 62 miles. Trip 19, 38 Blue Ridge Parkway North. This trip’s emphasis is teaching bird song recognition. The Blue Ridge Parkway from Craven Gap, just north of the Folk Art Center, to Bull Gap is one of the most reli- able areas for the much sought-after Cerulean War- bler. We will stop at overlooks along the way for other warblers, such as Hooded, Blackburnian, Ken- tucky, and Ovenbird, and other nesting/migrant spe- cies including Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Blue-headed Vireo. The road up to Craggy Gardens picnic grounds has a wonderful array of wildflowers and warblers. If there is time, we will travel to Mt. Mitchell in search of Red Crossbill, Winter Wren, Pine Siskin, Hermit Thrush and other high elevation birds. Restrooms: yes. Walking: limited/easy. Restrooms: yes. Round trip: approx. 90 miles (120 miles including Mt. Mitchell). Trip 20, 39 Blue Ridge Parkway South. This trip will stop at overlooks for migrants, such as Canada, Black-throated Blue, and Chestnut-sided Warblers, as well as Scarlet Tanager. The area around the Pisgah Inn is good for finding Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and perhaps a soaring Raven. From there we will go south to Devil’s Courthouse where Saw- whet Owls call at night. Then it’s back to Graveyard Fields for the birds and the outstanding scenery. We will try for Ruffed Grouse near here. The Black Bal- sam Forest Rd. leads to a parking area with Golden- winged Warblers, Veerys, and Least Flycatchers. Al- der flycatchers don’t arrive until late May. Walk- ing:limited/easy. Restrooms: yes. Round trip: approx. 90 miles. Trip 21 Cleveland County Open Country. Bam Owls, Horned Larks, Blue Grosbeaks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobwhite, Yellow-breasted Chats, E. Mead- owlarks, and Loggerhead Shrikes are the target birds in the agricultural fields. ( continued ') HENDERSONVILLE FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTIONS Trip 21 Cleveland County Open Country. (continued) Walking: limited. Restrooms: service sta- tions. Round trip: approx 1 12 miles to/from starting point; plus 25 miles in Cleveland Co. Trip 22 Henderson County Hotspots. Expect shore- birds such as Least and Solitary Sandpipers, both Yel- lowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Plover, and possibly late Upland Sand- pipers at Hooper Lane. The presence of these birds is strongly dependent on the condition of the fields and the weather. Bobolinks and several sparrows should be common in the nearby fields. Along the river the trees and shrubs may have early Willow Llycatchers and Blue Grosbeaks, plus warblers and other passer- ines. Lake Osceola should have flocks of feeding swallows, maybe Osprey, and nesting Yellow-throated warbler. Jackson Park may also be included in this trip. Walking: easy. Restrooms: service stations. Round trip: approx. 56 miles Trip 23 Blue Wall Preserve. This Nature Conser- vancy site on Hogback Mountain contains a variety of habitats: hemlock-rhododendron, ponds, old field (Virginia) pines, rushing streams and 100-year old cove hardwood and oak-hickory forest. You will see a variety of birds: Wood Duck, woodpeckers, nut- hatches, flycatchers, thrushes, abundant warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings and maybe a Rose- breasted Grosbeak. Ruffed Grouse is possible, as is Raven. A segment of SC's Palmetto Trail, the trail also offers wildflowers and blooming shrubs. Round trip hike is about 5.5 miles. Walking: easy /moderate. Restrooms: no. Round trip: approx. 62 miles. Trip 28 Big Hungry River. Owned by the NC Wild- life Resources Commission and a dedicated State Na- ture Preserve. It is a deep tributary gorge to the Green River gorge, with White Pine, Carolina Hemlock, and Oak/Heath habitats. Birding will be along the roads. Cove forest birds are to be expected. Walking: easy. Restrooms: no. Round trip: approx. 20 miles. Trip 35 F.E.N.C.E. The Foothills Equestrian Nature Center is a nonprofit nature education and recreation center with 390 acres of open meadows, marsh, and woodland, plus a nature pond with an observation boardwalk and covered picnic shelter. The pond is great for dragonflies, and butterflies and birds are also numerous in that area. This is primarily a dragonfly and butterfly trip. Walking: easy. Restrooms: yes. Round trip: approx. 52 miles. Trip 36 Pearson’s Falls. Comprised of 268 acres of rich diverse cove forest with Carolina Hemlock, spring fed streams and a 90 foot waterfall, it is owned and operated by the Tryon Garden Club. Admission is $3.00. There are over 200 species of ferns, flowering plants, and mosses in the wildflower preserve. Al- though birds will be seen, this is primarily a wild- flower trip. Walking: easy. Round trip: approx. 28 miles. Trip 40 Mountain Bridge Wilderness. This 1 1,000- acre wilderness embraces two S.C. state parks, Cae- sar's Head and Jones Gap, and we will make a moder- ate, downhill hike of 5.3 miles connecting the two. Following the cascading and pristine Middle Saluda River, SC's first Wild and Scenic River, we will pass through an old-growth cove hardwood forest, rich with birdlife. This is perhaps the most reliable place in the state to hear/see Northern Ravens and Swainson's Warblers. Ruffed Grouse and Peregrine Falcons are possible, as well as all migrating wood warblers, vir- eos and thrushes. Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green and Worm-eating Warblers are especially nu- merous. Wildflowers should be abundant, with par- ticularly good displays of Mountain Laurel and Dwarf Rhododendron. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes; pack lunch and water for the hike. Walking: moderate/ downhill. Round trip: approx. 80 miles. Trip 41 Pink Beds/ Hwy 276/Hospital Fields. We start at the walking trails around the local hospital where Connecticut and Mourning warblers were found last May, and then travel up Hwy 276 through Pisgah NatT. Forest stopping to bird at Davidson River Campground and the Cradle of Forestry for warblers, vireos, and thrushes. Black-throated Blues and Greens will be common. This trip includes the Pisgah Fish Hatchery and the parking area for Looking Glass Rock, which has a Peregrine Falcon aerie. (Cont ’d) Peregrine Falcon Nesting Results chhsKeiiy Here are the results from last year's peregrine falcon nesting season in North Carolina. All known pairs nested in natural cliff sites. Summary. Eleven nesting pairs were observed, all in western NC. 7 of 1 1 pairs raised chicks; the other 4 had nest failure. Nesting efforts produced 15 fledg- lings. Number of fledglings by site and county: Whiteside Mountain (Jackson): 2 Panthertail Mountain (Transylvania ): 3 Looking Glass (Transylvania): 3 Devil's Courthouse (Transylvania): 1 Chimney Rock (Rutherford): 0 (nest failure, despite two nesting attempts) Shortoff Mountain (Burke) : 2 Table Rock (Burke): 3 Big Lost Cove (Avery ): 0 Grandfather Mountain (Avery): 0 (nest failure despite a promising start) White Rock Cliff (Madison): 1 Buzzard's Roost (Haywood): 0 (nest failure despite a promising start) Highlights from this season include the addition of a new pair and close up examinations of two nest ledges. A new pair nested at Table Rock in the Lin- ville Gorge this year. With this addition, the two clos- est nesting pairs are 4.5 miles apart, as the falcon flies (Table Rock and Shortoff). With the assistance of NC Outward Bound School and Fox Mountain Guides we checked Chimney Rock and Table Rock aeries late this summer for unhatched (infertile/nonviable) eggs and prey remains. We waited until August when nest- ing was complete, the falcons were no longer relying on the nest ledge, and the Forest Service's seasonal cliff closures were lifted before descending into the nests. With the help of NCOBS I was able to see the Table Rock nest ledge up close. An egg retrieved from Chimney Rock will undergo various tests, and the prey remains will be identified to determine what species of birds the falcons are eating. These are data that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has charged state Pere- grine biologists with gathering so we can better con- serve peregrine populations in the Eastern U.S. HENDERSONVILLE FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTIONS Trip 41 Pink Beds/ Hwy 276/Hospital Fields. (continued) At the Pink Beds picnic area we will walk the trails, which pass through open meadows and for- est. Restrooms: yes. Walking: mostly level. Round trip: approx 75 miles. Trip 8, 14 Mother Earth Property.. This beautiful 600+ acres has open fields, several abandoned build- ings and bams, walking trails and dirt roads, a 20 acre lake, beaver ponds, marshy areas, streams, rhododen- dron thickets, and hardwood forests. Walking: mostly level/easy. Restrooms: no. Round trip: approx. 30 miles. Sunday: Baker’s Mountain County Park. Located on the highest point of elevation in Catawba County (1780 feet), Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles have been seen here. Park ranger John Sutton will be your trip leader, and most of the birding will be around and near the parking lot. Directions: 1-40 east, exit 121 (Old Shelby Rd.) Turn right (south) on Old Shelby Rd and after 4.3 miles turn left onto Bakers Mtn Rd. The park entrance is at the end of the road. New Members Mt. Gilead, NC Kay Edgar Michael Gravier Joe Abbate Bob and Mary Ann Cox Bob Healy Sanford, NC Wilmington, NC Mauldin, SC Durham, NC Joyce Gray Giles and Karen Berrier Nathan Dias Mary Erickson Arden, NC Concord, NC Charleston, SC Marshville, NC John Haire Lez and Lynette Bromfield Clem Dietze Hilton Head Island, SC Jack and Elaine Gates Silver Spring, MD Winston-Salem, NC A New Era in Pelagic Birding by Brian Patteson Many of you are probably aware that I moved to Hat- teras, NC in the mid 1990’s to be closer to the great pelagic birding here. For several years, I chartered 20 to 30 trips a year on local fishing boats for birders, and I spent a good deal of my time working on fishing charters from Hatteras and Oregon Inlet. Since I be- gan, with help from many good people, I have led over 300 pelagic birding trips off the Outer Banks, the ma- jority of which I organized. In 2006, we became the first pelagic birding tour operation in North America to run most of our trips on our own boat, the 56’ Stormy Petrel. This made for a major improvement in our trips and has allowed us much more flexibility in scheduling dates and the opportunity to run more trips than ever. 2006 was a great year for us. Starting in mid-May, we ran 20 birding trips in 25 days! We continued with trips nearly every week through the end of August. We saw some great birds including Bermuda Petrels on three trips, a number of Fea’s and Trindade (Herald) Petrels, several tropicbirds (both species), and on July 16, North America’s second Black-bellied Storm-Petrel! This year I am really looking forward to running trips on our new vessel, the Stormy Petrel II. Last fall, an unforeseen opportunity arose to sell the Stormy Petrel , and knowing there was a boat available that would be a serious upgrade, I had little difficulty accepting the offer. Our new boat, the 6 1 foot long Stormy Petrel II Hendersonville For reservations call 800-581-4745 (hotel’s direct toll free #) or 828-692-7231. It is located one block east of 1-26 off exit 49A. The rooms have coffee makers, iron and board, hair dryers, free wireless high speed inter- net connection, and free local calls. Some rooms also have microwave and refrigerator, and some rooms are pet friendly. The lobby contains a heated pool, bar / lounge, dining room for breakfast only, and an exercise room. The rates are $70 (plus 10% tax) for exterior rooms (separate building), and $80 for interior rooms (facing the lobby). Both rates include a free hot breakfast. Re- was built in 1996 by Dwight Raymond in Kennebunk, Maine. She features a solid fiberglass hull, twin diesel power, full walk-around layout, restrooms at deck level, an effective public address system, and high rails all around. She is very stable and has more deck space, particularly in the bow, than we had on the Stormy Petrel. She is large enough to handle big seas but small enough so that the birds will come close. The Stormy Petrel II is licensed for operation with 41 passengers up to 100 miles offshore between Cape May, NJ and Cape Lookout, NC, but we limit our offshore trips to about 20 to 30 passengers or less depending on the season, and we can run trips with as few as ten people. Our homeport is Hatteras, NC, but we plan to run occasional trips from Oregon Inlet and Virginia as well. The Stormy Petrel II is also available for charter at a reasonable rate if you would like to or- ganize your own private outing for birding, fishing, whale watching, or photography. We are currently in the process of replacing the old two stroke GM diesels with modem four stroke Lug- ger 6140 diesels (made by Komatsu). This change should give us 50% more horsepower and make the boat both faster and more fuel efficient with an ex- pected cruising speed around 20 knots. 1 hope to see many of you on our trips this spring and summer. Support from Carolina birders has always been essential for our success, and we hope to run trips here off Cape Hatteras for many years to come. Meeting (i continued) maining rooms blocked off for CBC will be released to the public after April 3, but any rooms available af- ter that date will still be available to CBC at the above rates. Cancellation policy is by 4:00 PM date of arri- val. Gail Lankford, Dwayne Martin, and Simon Thompson are meeting planners. Call Gail at 828-667-5755 be- tween 9am-9pm for further information, or email her at whocooksforyou@charter.net. Dwayne can be con- tacted at redxbill@charter.net, Simon at travel@birdventures.com. CBC Executive Committee Nominations for 2007 Gail Lankford Each spring the membership votes during a short business session at the seasonal meeting to elect officers to the Executive Committee. A nominating committee searches for members willing to fill the open positions, but nominations can be made from the floor during the business meeting. However, any person nominated must have expressed a willingness to serve. This year, the positions and nominees are: President Steve Patterson, Lancaster, SC Western NC Vice President Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Secretary Pru Williams, Hope Mills, NC Treasurer Bruce Smithson, Wilmington, NC (third term) SC Member-at-Large Drew Lanham, Clemson Western NC Member-at-Large Lucy Quintilliano, Charlotte Eastern NC Member-at-Large Lena Gallitano, Raleigh Eastern NC Member-at-Large Ed Toone, Wilmington (second term) Others who remain on the Executive Committee due to unfinished terms are South Carolina Vice President Marion Clark, Eastern North Carolina Vice President John Ennis, North Carolina Member-at-Large Dwayne Martin, and South Carolina Member-at-Large Linda Kolb. Kent Liala and Steve Shultz are also on the Execu- tive Committee as Chat, Web Site, and Newsletter editors. Bob Wood leaves the Executive Committee as Im- mediate Past President and Stephen Harris takes his place. Others leaving the Executive Committee this year are Simon Thompson and Gail Lankford. This year’s nominating committee members were Gail Lankford, Marion Clark, and Bruce Smithson. New Members Marta Hicks Greensboro, NC Mark and Bonnie Jones Wilmington, NC Anne and Ron Knopf Wilmington, NC Andrew Laugh 1 in Asheville, NC Susan Madson North Myrtle Beach, SC George McCoy Columbia, SC Mary Obenshain Hillsborough, NC D Patterson New Bern, NC Jill and Pete Peleuses Leland, NC Cole Perry Greer, SC Jean Prothro Charleston, SC John Register Washington, NC Stanley Rickard Lexington, SC Patrick Shaffner Fayetteville, NC Cathy Starkweather Dan Oldman Durham, NC Barbara and Norman Swift Western Springs, IL David and Judi Vos Durham, NC Doug and Jane Wilds Pittsboro, NC Candace Williams Enka, NC Paul and Wanda Williams Raleigh, NC Christy Woodington Elizabeth City, NC CBC Announces Bonus Field Trip to Shackleford Banks Shackleford Banks, N C — May 19, 2007 Leader: John Fussell Limit: 15 participants Cost: $10.00 plus ferry fee of $10.00 payable at departure The CBC is pleased to once again offer a day trip to the Shackleford Banks area of North Carolina. Led by John Fussell, the field trip will leave from the Local Yokel ferry on Harker’s Island at 8 a.m. Local Yokel is on the right soon after coming off the bridge to the island. Participants will ride the open skiff ferry to the bar- rier island and disembark to explore the salt flats, interdune areas, and soundside shoreline. Expect to see northbound migrant shorebirds in breeding plumage (keep an eye out for color flagged Red Knots!) as well as waders and terns. Hope for something rare such as a frigatebird! You never know what a trip to this excellent birding spot will produce. The trip should conclude in the early afternoon. Take water, sun protection and in- sect repellent with you as there are no services on the island. Contact Dana Harris at 630-980-1049 or e-mail at hq@carolinabirdclub.org for more info and space availability before sending in registration form/check. "Big" Trips The “Big” field trips offered through the club are an excellent opportunity for those interesting in joining fel- low CBC members as we explore great birding locations outside the Carolinas. At press time the three upcom- ing out of state trips had full or nearly full rosters, but late cancellations can occur, so please consider joining the waiting list if you see a trip that interests you. This year’s trips include South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, visiting sites from the coast to Falcon Dam, April 7-15, 2007; the West Slope of the Rocky Mountains, visiting Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, May 26-June 3, 2007; and Southeast Arizona, searching for humming- birds and Arizona specialties, August 6-12, 2007. Contact Dana Harris at 630-980-1049 or e-mail at hq@carolinabirdclub.org for more info and to reserve your spot on the waiting lists. CBC Hendersonville Meeting and Bonus Day Trip Registration Form Name (s) Address City State Zip Please update my membership record with this address information. Day Phone Evening Phone Email Enclosed is my check for member ($15) registration (s), non-member ($20) registration(s) for the Hendersonville Spring Meeting, and/or Shackleford Banks day trip(s) ($10). My total is $ for the above registrations. Spring meeting registration at the door costs $25. Club policy requires all field trip participants to comply with the field trips leader’s assessment and requests concerning the physical ability of each participant to make or complete the trip. 1 release and discharge (and will not make a claim against) Carolina Bird Club for injury, death, or property damage arising from my participation at this meeting and Club field trips. This release of liability is entered into on behalf of all members of my family, including all minors accompanying me. I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of any such minors and that l am over 1 8 years of age. Please indicate by number your field trip choices: Thurs. Fri. AM Fri. PM Sat. AM Sat. PM Fri. All Day Sat. All Day Signature Date Signature Date Make check payable to Carolina Bird Club and send to: CBC, 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108. Carolina Bird Club , Inc. 6325 Falls of the Neuse Road, STE 9 PMB 150, Raleigh, NC 27615 Periodicals Postage Paid at Bloomingdale, IL 60108 and additional mailing offices 3 9088 01324 7028 j Upcoming CBC Meetings Santee, SC Fall 2007 Georgetown, SC Winter 2008 ,,03^——““ s SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES J 25 154 Nhb PO Box 37012 Washington DC 20013-7012 CBC Board Members President, Stephen Harris Bloomingdale, IL, 630-980-1049 srharris@mindspring.com Vice-Presidents Marion Clark, Lexington, SC John Ennis, Leland, NC Simon Thompson, Asheville, NC Secretary Pru Williams, Hope Mills, NC Treasurer Bruce Smithson, Wilmington, NC NC Members -at -Large Lena Gallitano, Raleigh Sail Lankford, Asheville Dwayne Martin, Hickory Ed Toone, Wilmington SC Members -at -Large Dr. J. Drew Lanham, Clemson Linda Kolb, Seneca Immediate Past President, Bob Wood, Ridgeway, SC Editor of The Chat, Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC Website Editor, Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC Editor of CBC Newsletter, Steven Shultz 4201 Sentimental Lane, Apex, NC 27539 919-779-2826, sshultz@nc.rr.com Submission deadlines are due the 1st of January, March, May, July, September, and November. Headquarters Secretary, Dana Harris, Bloomingdale, IL 630-453-8270, srharris@mindspring.com Rare Bird Alert: 704-332-BIRD CBC Website: www.carolinabirdclub.org The CBC Newsletter is published bimonthly by Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Founded in 1937 the membership is open to anyone interested in birds, natural history, and conservation. Current dues are: Individual & non-profit, $20; Associate (in household with individual), $5; Student, $15; Patron, $50 and up; Sustaining & businesses, $25; Life, $400; Associate Life (in household with Life Member), $100 (both Life memberships can be paid in four annual installments). Membership dues of $20 include $4 for a subscription to CBC Newsletter and $5 for a subscription to The Chat. Cost for CBC bird checklists, including postage: 10@$2.50, 25@$6, 50@$11.75, 75@$17.75, and 100@$23.50. Submit application for membership, change of address, and payment for checklists to: CBC Headquarters Secretary, 6325 Falls of the Neuse Road, STE 9 PMB 150, Raleigh, NC 27615