iSrni CBC Mbrar\&^- Newsletter ISSN No. 0162-7120 For members.of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., Ornithological Society of the Carolinas Volume 57 April 2011 Number 2 Blowing Rock Spring Meeting Registration Information! Ron Clark The spring meeting of the Carolina Bird Club will be held in Blowing Rock, NC May 6-8. This town of just three square miles was recently named "Prettiest Small Town in North Carolina" in a poll of in-state writers and profession- als. It has over 100 shops and 24 restaurants, so a non- birding companion will have a wonderful time here as well! The Blue Ridge Parkway, a destination for scenic and natural beauty, is right around the corner. Spring in the Blue Ridge is always a pleasant time, as trees and wild- flowers are waking up for the season and colorful migrants fill the trees. We have a wide range of half-day and all-day trips planned. We'll cover local greenways, many lakes and areas along the Parkway, the Wagner property (always a favorite!), Linville Falls, and even go up to the high country. We also will have the second “CBC Round-up” for those birders with a bit of a competitive bone. Some of the harder-to-find birds we hope to be listing are Ruffed Grouse, American Bittern, Eastern Screech- Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Marsh Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Bobolink and Red Crossbill. With good weather (which has been scheduled !) we should pass 150 species for the weekend. We even have a trip that is set for butterflies as well as birds. Friday night's social will begin at 6:30 with delicious snacks and a cash bar. Our program features Jesse Pope, the Chief Naturalist and Director of Education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. He will discuss the mission of the Foundation and the incredible biological diversity of the area. He'll also talk about the formation of Grandfather Mountain State Park. Jesse will show us maps and give some tips on birding both the Foun- dation's property and the State Park. Jesse is personable. knowledgeable, and a birder as well. Curtis Smalling will be our program speaker on Saturday. Curtis is the Im- portant Bird Areas and Mountain Program Manager for Audubon North Carolina. He will talk to us about "Warblers of the High Country" and let you know where to find that warbler you've been looking for. Before the pro- gram we'll have a buffet dinner prepared by the Meadow- brook Inn's chef. The price is $22.93, including tax. Please pre-register for the dinner on your registration form so that we may know how much food to prepare. Some great prizes will be given away including free regis- tration and dinner for a future meeting, and birding days in different parts of the two Carolinas with some of our top birders. You choose which prize you want to try for! We'll be headquartered at the Meadowbrook Inn at 7 1 1 Main St. in Blowing Rock ( http://www.meadowbrook- inn.com ). To get there from 1-40, follow Highway 321 North. Take 321 Bypass toward the right, just before Blow- ing Rock. 321 Business will bear left into town at this point. 321 Bypass is also called Valley Boulevard. Follow the bypass for 0.9 mile and turn left on West Cornish Road. In 0. 1 mile, turn left on Main Street (Highway 221 ). The hotel is on the left in 0. 1 mile. Within walking distance of downtown, the Inn offers a va- riety of room arrangements. The majority of the rooms are $89. Standard suites are $99. VIP suites with fireplace and whirlpool tub are $129. There are king deluxe rooms with fireplace, whirlpool and sunroom for $109, and one two- bedroom suite for $229. Lastly, if you're feeling really dec- adent, there are two Pool Suites that have fireplace, whirl- ( Continued on page 4) CBC Newsletter (USPS# 023-534), April 201 1, Volume 57. Number 2. Published bimonthly by the Carolina Bird Club. Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, 1L 60108-1037. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CBC Newsletter , Carolina Bird Club. Inc.. 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612. 1 To See a Dovekie Paul 5 er ridge At times it can be difficult explaining to non-birders the joys of birding. I thought about that at 4:30 a.m. on January 28th as I carpooled from the Ramada Plaza in Kill Devil Hills (where the CBC Winter Meeting was held) to Hatteras to join other CBC members on a pelagic trip with Brian Patteson. On the map Hatteras and Kill Devil Hills look very close - they are, in fact, 64 miles apart and the drive took an hour and a half. I scrupulously respected the speed limit. On a similar trip two years ago I was stopped by one of North Car- olina’s finest and had to pay a fine that exceeded the price of the pelagic trip! I did not want to repeat that experience. We arrived at the marina around 6 a.m. to watch Brian scrape ice off the steps to his boat, the Stormy Petrel II, and off the benches. Birding is full of such fond memories. Brian assembled everyone on deck to ex- plain some safety rules, the difference between port and starboard and other nautical terms, and general instructions on which way to face in case of sea- sickness. We all nodded sagely as though we had ab- sorbed every detail. We got under way around 6:30, and shortly afterwards the sun rose above the horizon providing a very “Monet moment”. Fortunately, the sea was calm, there was very little wind and, perhaps because of my five layers of clothing, I was not really too cold. Alt- hough temperature perception is relative! A Red-throated Loon flew past as we exited the inlet, and shortly afterwards Brian called out “Two Dove- kies flying left to right at one o’clock”. That caused everyone to rush to the starboard side of the boat and then to the port side. I was not alone in failing totally to get my binoculars on those tiny distant birds. A little later it was easier to spot some passing Razor- bills (they are bigger than Dovekies!) I was a little concerned that all my views of alcids would be fleet- ing and from a distance. My concern was unjustified as we entered an area where the Dovekies and Razor- bills were numerous, and many were on the surface of the ocean. This made it much easier to see the charac- teristic markings of the birds even if focusing binocu- lars on an eight-inch bird from a rocking boat is a skill I have yet to really master. I think I’ll practice by try- ing to spot birds in my back yard while standing in a hammock! Brian later said that, although it's not exceptional to see a few Razor- bills close to Hat- teras Inlet when the water is in the 40s, the Dovekies were a bit surpris- ing, and they far outnumbered the Razorbills. With- in thirty minutes of crossing the Hatteras Inlet bar, Brian had counted 172 Dovekies (a new high count for Dare County waters) and 61 Razor- bills. Over the next thirty minutes we saw many more auks, two Manx Shearwaters, and a Humpback Whale. We later spotted a second whale and lots of dolphins. The Manx was a lifer for me and the way it flew made it easy to understand why they are called shearwaters. The day was starting to be really enjoya- ble. Isn’t it funny how a lifer can change a birder’s perception of a trip? A Dovekie Examines the Boat Jon Rouse Before 9:00 a.m. we had seen at least five puffins and a couple more Manx Shearwaters. We continued off- shore, with several stops to photograph all three spe- cies of alcids close to the boat. One really fearless Dovekie swam up to the boat and circled it at arm’s length as we drifted in neutral. No telephoto lens was necessary for good photos of this tiny bird. In fact, one photographer said that the Dovekie more than filled his objective! It looked as though it was challenging the boat - a real Mexican stand-off. Brian was surprised by its behavior and left the wheelhouse to take video of this unusual Dovekie. I imagine that the Dovekie figured that it had won the territorial dispute when we finally started to head away. 2 Dovekie After a while we reached some warmer water about fifteen miles out. As Brian had predicted, we found some Red Phalaropes and our first Little Gull, an adult. Otherwise, there were not too many birds and so Brian headed back towards the shore, hoping for a murre or a skua. After a few miles we found a first winter Little Gull and an adult Black-legged Kitti- wake, unfortunately at the same time, such that it was hard to look at both. I got the Little Gull but not the kittiwake. Continuing on our way, we saw two more adult Little Gulls and a first-winter bird, maybe a se- cond individual, as well as a very slow moving Log- gerhead Turtle. Around 3:30 p.m. Brian decided to throttle up and jog inshore, so that the birders could get back to the CBC HQ hotel at a reasonable hour. Just as everyone moved off the bow deck, a Great Skua came streaking by and engaged a gull. Brian made a quick call and people returned quickly to the bow, just in time for some lucky ones (but not me) to get a brief view as the skua swooped down low and headed for the horizon. The trip had produced by far the most Dovekies ever record- ed off the Carolina coast and an outstanding number of Razorbills and puffins for the west side of Dia- mond Shoals. Everyone was delighted to have been there to see it. I think I can speak for all the participants when I say that it was an exciting and productive day’s pelagic birding. May there be many more like it! Heartfelt Videotaping a Dovekie (visible just beside the boat) Jon Rouse thanks are due to Brian and his spotter, Chris Sloan, who did an excellent job of calling out species and making sure everyone had the opportunity to get good looks at the birds. Thanks also to crew member Na- talie Sutherland who took care of keeping gulls and Northern Gannets supplied with fish and chum from the stern. You can find out about past and future pelagic trips on Brian’s website at http://www.patteson.com/ "Suggestion Box" is Live! Have an idea for the Club? Want to suggest a loca- tion for a future field trip? Ever wanted to provide some feedback on that seasonal meeting that you just attended? While we would like to believe that the Executive Committee always has an open ear for sug- gestions, it may not always be easy to find a way to convey your thoughts. The addition of an electronic “suggestion box” on the CBC website is intended to make it easier for members to give feedback, provide suggestions, and generally interact with the Club’s leadership. Visit the “box” online at: http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/suggestion.html Suggestions welcome! Dovekie Jon Rouse 3 Blowing Rock Spring Meeting Field Trip Schedule Friday, May 6 Morning Half-Day Trips Trip 1 - Wagner Property - 7:00 AM Trip 2 - E.B. Jeffress Park and Lewis Fork Overlook - 7:00 AM Trip 3 - Valle Crucis Community Park -7:15 AM Trip 4 - Boone Greenway - 7:15 AM Trip 5 - Price Lake - 7:30 AM Trip 6 - Bass and Trout Lakes - 7:30 AM Afternoon Half-Day Trips Trip 7 - Valle Crucis Community Park - 12:50 PM Trip 8 - Linville Falls - 12:50 PM Trip 9 - Wagner Property - 1 :00 PM Trip 10 - Boone Greenway - 1 :00 PM Trip 1 1 - Bass and Trout Lakes -1:10 PM Trip 12 - Sims Pond and Green Knob Trail - 1:10 PM All Day Trips Trip 13 - Mt. Mitchell, Crabtree Meadows, and Ridge Junction Overlook - 7:00 AM Trip 14 - Blue Ridge Parkway Combo -7:15 AM Trip 15 - Grandfather Mt. & Tanawha Trail - 7:30 AM * The 2nd CBC Round Up, Saturday ^ Saturday, May 7 Morning Half-Day Trips Trip 16 - Wagner Property - 7:00 AM Trip 17 - E.B. Jeffress Park and Lewis Fork Overlook - 7:00 AM Trip 18 - Valle Crucis Community. Park - 7:15 AM Trip 19 - Meat Camp Environmental Studies Area and Green Valley Park - 7:15 AM Trip 20 - Price Lake - 7:30 AM Afternoon Half-Day Trips Trip 21 - Valle Crucis Community Park - 12:50 PM Trip 22 - E.B. Jeffress Park and Lewis Fork Overlook - 12:50 PM Trip 23 - Wagner Property - 1:00 PM Trip 24 - Meat Camp Creek Environmental Studies Area and Green Valley Park - 1:00 PM Trip 25 - Linville Falls -1:10 PM Trip 26 - Bass and Trout Lakes - 1:10 PM All Day Trips Trip 27 - Elk Knob State Park and Gamelands - 7:30 AM Trip 28 - Butterflies and Birds - 8:00 AM Trip 29 - The CBC Round Up - Various start times Blowing Rock Spring Meeting Registration Information (Continued from page 1) pool and their own private swimming pool for $219. Prices do not include tax. The rooms have WIFI and are smoke- free. All rooms, except the $89 ones, have microwave and refrigerators, but these can be added for an additional fee. The Inn offers a fitness center, indoor pool, and whirlpool. Breakfast is included in the price and will start at 6:00 am on Friday and Saturday. Call 800-456-5456 or 828-295 -4300 to make your reservation. Be sure to mention that you are with CBC to get these special rates. The Inn can answer any questions about the variety of rooms. Saturday morning features the second “CBC Round-up”. The start time will be determined by each team the night before. Some may want to go out early for Northern Saw- whet Owl or American Woodcock. Teams have to be back by noon. Directions to most of the trip sights will be in the packets. The meeting will offer Pack-A Snack, another great idea from the winter meeting. Bowls of goodies will be availa- ble on Friday evening for you to bag a few treats for Satur- day's trips. Trips are limited to 15 folks each, so sign up early to make sure you get the ones you want. It's im- portant to put down your second choices, also. This helps our Secretary tremendously in case your first choice is filled already. With the quaint town of Blowing Rock, the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway close by, excellent guides for the trips, and great folks at the meeting, we hope to see you at the spring meeting! Lastly, let's not forgot our guests of honor. This will be the peak of migration for the area. The trees, shrubs and fields will be filled with warblers, tanagers, ori- oles, vireos and all their friends. Come to Blowing Rock and enjoy the show! 4 Blowing Rock Spring Meeting Field Trip Descriptions Trips 1, 9, 16, & 23 - Wagner Property This private property is located south of Blowing Rock. The owners have given us permission to bird it during our meeting weekend. This area has been a favorite of anyone who has visited it. There is a large marsh with several Green Heron nests. American Bit- tern has been spotted here several times. Passerines are always plentiful in migration with a variety of war- blers, vireos, tanagers and orioles. Probably the only way you can visit this property is through the CBC, so don’t miss this chance. Trips 2, 17, & 22 - E.B. Jeffress Park and Lewis Fork Overlook If you want to see a Cerulean Warbler, Lewis Fork is a very good spot. Breeding warblers include Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black & White, and American Redstart. This site along the Parkway will no doubt have many migrating birds as well. At Jeffress Park we’ll walk the one-mile Cas- cade Trail, which goes through hardwoods, with creek edge. Some of the breeders are Hooded and Canada Warblers, Wood Thrush, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and Scarlet Tanager. Trips 3, 7, 18 & 21 - Valle Crucis Community Park One of the gems of the area and holds the only county record for King Rail and Chuck-will’ s-widow. It is bounded by the Watauga River, agricultural land and forests. Nesting birds include seven species of fly- catcher; Least, Willow, Acadian, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested and Eastern Phoebe. Also look for four species of vireos, both ori- oles and three swallows. Cliff Swallows have also recently nested nearby. As far as warblers, over 25 species have been seen here in migration. Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler and Northern Parula are local breeders. With easy walking on paved trails and open viewing areas, this is one trip you shouldn’t pass up. Trips 4 & 10 - Boone Green way Following the New River, this greenway passes through a variety of habitats, from fields and stream borders to woodlands. It is flat, easy walking and should provide a wide assortment of migrants in the riparian habitat. Willow Flycatcher, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler and Eastern Kingbird are some of the breeders. Four, or possibly five, vireos can be found, along with many other passerines. Shorebird potential is good along the river, or in the newly constructed wetland area. If nearby fields have standing water, we could find some more there. Possibilities include Least and Pectoral Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plover and Wilson’s Snipe. Killdeer should be plentiful. Of the small number of White Ibis sightings in the area, most were along this greenway. Trips 5 & 20 - Price Lake This trip will follow the 2 V^-mile flat loop trail around the lake in Julian Price Park. We can expect a good variety of birds, including Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Warbler spe- cies include Canada, Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Black & White, and Northern Parula. If the water is low, a variety of shorebirds could be present. Sandpipers may include Least, White- rumped, Solitary, Spotted and Semipalmated. Both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dow- itcher have also shown up. Trips 6, 1 1, & 26 - Bass and Trout Lakes These two lakes, located in Moses H. Cone Park, offer some of the best birding along the Parkway. The trail around 22-acre Bass Lake goes through a mix of coni- fers. Expect a good variety of migrants along with breeders such as House Wren, White-breasted Nut- hatch and Barn Swallow. The one-mile loop trail around the 16-acre Trout Lake goes through a hem- lock canopy with a rhododendron understory. Look for birds usually associated with higher elevation for- ests. These include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Warblers could include Blackburnian, Ovenbird, Hooded, Canada, and Chestnut-sided. Trips 8 & 25 - Linville Falls This trip will cover the campground and some of the less strenuous trails along the gorge and falls. Much of this area was never logged due to the steep terrain, ( Continued on page 6) 5 (Continued from page 5) so the trees are mostly old-growth. Red Crossbill and Swainson’s Warbler are possible here, with Peregrine Falcon nesting nearby. Also look for Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Oven- bird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, as well as others. Trip 12 - Sims Pond and Green Knob Trail This area is part of Julian Price Park. We’ll bird this small pond and then a section of the nearby trail. Part of the trial goes through a mix of old-growth conifer- ous and deciduous trees that should host a good varie- ty of migrants. Breeders are Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and up to ten warblers. Add to this all the birds that are passing through. Another section of the trail passes through fields with possibilities of Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow and Barn Swallow. Trip 13 - Mt. Mitchell, Crabtree Meadows and Ridge Junction Overlook Heading south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this trip will cover several sites. Crabtree Meadows hosts In- digo Bunting, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Mead- owlark and several sparrows. The surrounding woods and campground can produce Red-headed Woodpeck- er, Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Scarlet Tanager, Brown Creeper, and several flycatchers. The Ridge Junction Overlook is a good area for migrants. Red Crossbills have been seen here many times, as they breed in the area. Mt. Mitchell State Park is right around the corner. Here could be seen Winter Wren, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Canada Warbler, Black- throated Green Warbler, Broad- winged Hawk, and Red-breasted Nuthatch, among many others. Lunch can be eaten at the restaurant with a beautiful moun- tain view, or you can pack your own. Other stops along the parkway will be included. Trip 14 - Blue Ridge Parkway Combo This trip will combine several spots covered in Vi -day trips for those folks who want to take a short lunch and keep birding. These spots include the Sims Pond area, Bass and Trout Lakes, Price Lake, Lewis Fork Overlook, E.B. Jeffress Park, and other overlooks and short trails along the way. Most of these sites are de- scribed in other trips. You will need to pack a lunch. Expect a wide variety of birds as we will cover many different habitats. Trip 15 - Grandfather Mountain and Tanawha Trail Trails with moderate hills will be in this trip. The Pro- file Trail is part of Grandfather Mountain State Park and follows a creek along the first section before a moderate climb up to the peak. The trip will stop about halfway up. This is a good area for Ruffed Grouse, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Winter Wren, Wood Thrush, Veery and Brown Creeper. Warblers could include Canada, Ovenbird, Blackburnian, Black- throated Blue, and Black & White. The Tanawha Trail runs along the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Lynn Cove Viaduct. It is less hilly and meanders through a deciduous canopy with laurel and rhododendron un- derstory. Expect a variety of warblers, vireos and oth- er passerines. Trips 19 & 24 - Meat Camp Creek Environmental Studies Area and Green Valley Park Over 170 species have been recorded on this private 10-acre site since 1999. Some of the nesting birds are Common Yellowthroat, Green Heron, Yellow War- bler, and Least and Willow Flycatchers. Black-billed Cuckoo has also nested on occasion. Lingering Sora, Virginia Rail and American Bittern are possible. Many migrants should be seen in this wetland site. This is an easy 3A mile walk. If we have time, we’ll go to nearby Green Valley Park, another excellent migra- tion spot. Trip 27 - Elk Knob State Park and Gamelands This is one of the most likely trips for Golden-winged Warblers. We will visit these two sites and others within the Amphibolite peaks. The trip involves some hiking on steep, uneven terrain. Bring your lunch. Other species of the area include Vesper Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rose- breasted Grosbeak and many northern hardwood and high elevation birds. Trip 28 - Butterflies and Birds This all-day trip will concentrate on butterflies, as well as birds, with some wildflowers thrown into the mix. We start at Mt. Jefferson for birds and hilltop butterflies before moving to the Wagoner Road unit of the New River State Park, checking meadows and field edges. After a lunch stop (bring your own), there ( Continued on page 7) 6 Blowing Rock Spring Meeting Field Trip Descriptions (Continued from page 6) will be other areas to cover. The leader will determine additional areas including some along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Trip 29 - CBC Spring Round-up The first Round-up at the winter meeting was so much fun, we’re having another one. This is just as much a learning time for new birders as it is a contest and should hopefully be a group effort. Directions to most of our trip sites will be included in your packet. The following rules will apply: • Teams will consist of four people of different skill levels; • Teams will be made up by the meeting planner and the chief judge; • Each team uses only one vehicle; • A “shotgun” start means each team picks where they begin; • One point per species per birder on the team. Four points if all members see or hear the bird; • The CBC Daily Field Check List will be used as the scorecard; • Start time will be determined by the individual team, but no earlier than 6:00 a.m.; • Scorecards must be turned in by noon; • Speeding tickets or citations for entering a restrict- ed area are grounds for disqualification; Spring Meeting • All field trips have a limit of 15 participants. Status of the field trips will he posted on www.carolinabirdclub.ors. However, the status could change by the time your regis- tration is processed, so be sure to indicate your second choices and check the list when you arrive at the hotel to see which trips you are on. If your first and second choice trips are full, you will be contacted to make anoth- er selection. • Plan to bring water, snacks and lunch for the all day trips since there may not be food available along the route unless otherwise noted in the field trip description. There are several restaurants and sandwich shops near the hotel so you can purchase takeout for lunch the night before. • Any ties will be broken by how early the card was turned in. Registration form note: Birding Levels For the CBC Spring Round Up. Please indicate your level on the registration form to sign-up for Trip 29. Level 1: Recognizes most/all species in all plumages. Can identify songs, calls and chip notes. Knows spe- cies’ habitat and behavior. Is familiar with the various venues in the target area and often leads field trips. Level 2: Knows breeding and winter plumages of most species and can identify some juvenile plumages. Can identify songs and most calls. Knows the habitat of most species and the more unique behavior. Occa- sionally leads field trips. Level 3: Knows breeding plumage of most species and can usually identify birds in non-breeding plum- age with the help of a field guide. Has a general fa- miliarity with the habitat of bird families, and can rec- ognize a few songs. Does not find the birds’ behavior helpful in identification. Level 4: Still developing basic identification skills. Knows a few birds, and even a few songs. Enthusias- tic and eager to learn. Planning Notes • Water and snacks are a good idea for the half-day field trips. Some Inn rooms have refrigerators, and there are some portable refrigerators available on a first come first serve basis for the other rooms. • All trips will leave from the hotel at the times indicated on the schedule. If you prefer to meet the group at the site, be sure to inform the leader and make a notation on the field trip attendee list so the leader will not be looking for you at the hotel. • Sunday, May 1 is the last date you can cancel and receive a refund of your registration fee and banquet charge. Contact information for the Headquarters Secre- tary is on page 10 of this newsletter. 7 Meet Your Executive Committee This is the third in an occasional series intended to provide a more personal look at the folks who volun- teer for Executive Committee (EC) positions with the Carolina Bird Club. EC members serve various roles from planning seasonal meetings to creating and mon- itoring the budget. EC members help to ensure the Club remains true to our charter, by-laws, and mission statement. If you might be interested in serving the Club as a member of the Executive Committee, please contact the Newsletter for more information at: newsletter@carolinabirdclub.org Today we talk with Steve Shultz, editor of this very vehicle, the CBC Newsletter. The Newsletter editor, the editor of The Chat, the editor of the web site, and the immediate past president are all ex-officio mem- bers of the Executive Committee. This means that the members may attend committee meetings and provide ideas and suggestions, but do not vote on matters be- fore the Executive Committee. Newsletter: Please describe your favorite birding mo- ment. Steve: 1 used to have a number of favorites, usually involving something smelly like a sewage pond or municipal dump, but now my favorite moments are seeing a new birder’s excitement at identifying a bird new to them. Newsletter: What is your favorite species of bird that breeds in the Carolinas? Steve: That’s a tough one. My favorite bird is the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, but they breed far, far from Carolina. I guess I would have to pick the Black- throated Blue Warbler. Common, snazzy, spends a lot of time close to the ground. Newsletter: What is your favorite birding field guide? Steve: I am probably one of only six people in the country that really like the American Bird Conservan- cy’s “A// The Birds of North America". But just about no one uses it. Among the popular tomes I would say Sibley for the quality of the drawings and Peterson’s for ease of use by beginning birders. Newsletter: What is your favorite birding/natural his- tory book (not including field guides)? Steve: Hands down, "Wild Birdwatchers I Have Known" by Gerry Bennett. If you can find a copy, buy it! Newsletter: What is your favorite birding location in the Carolinas? Steve: Huntington Beach State Park in South Caroli- na. It has it all. Newsletter: What if your favorite birding location outside the Carolinas? Steve: Southeastern Arizona. The birds are great, but I just love the Saguaro Desert. Newsletter: What species tops your list of “Most Wanted”? Steve: I’ve had good luck knocking “most wanted” birds of their perch so to speak. At the moment I am gunning (figuratively!) for Short-tailed Hawk. Newsletter: Do you have a “nemesis” bird? Steve: Mountain Quail. I’ve waited patiently, tromped through likely-looking spots, and braved L.A. traffic to get to a “can't miss” spot in the San Gabriels. No quail. Newsletter: What advise do you have for a birder just getting started in the hobby? Steve: Try to identify all the birds you see on your own. It is easy to have a field trip leader ID stuff and stick it on your list, but you will be a much better bird- er if you get out and fight through identifications on your own. Use time with more experienced birders to learn techniques and confirm IDs you made yourself. Newsletter: What do you feel is the most important issue regarding the future of birding? Steve: Conserving habitat. It seems obvious, but with- out it, there won’t be birds to watch, or places to go watch them. Buy a “duck stamp”! Steve wanted to end by asking those of you with sto- ries, poems, or interesting ramblings to consider send- ing them for possible publication in the Newsletter. Contact information is on the back page of this issue. Doing so will help prevent future instances of Steve interviewing himself. © Outer Banks Winter Meeting Summary Skip Morgan The 201 1 Carolina Bird Club winter meeting is in the “book”! Fantastic weather, great birding, informative speakers, helpful trip leaders and good friends came together on the Outer Banks to provide for a success- ful club gather- ing. Attendees observed a total of 186 species over the weekend on twenty-eight field trips and independent bird- ing. The pelagic field trip was de- scribed as “epic” by Captain Brian Patteson. Can you imagine a count of well over 600 Dovekies with one described as swimming laps around the Stormy Petrel II!? The Friday evening program featured Sean Edward Gough, a graduate of East Carolina University, report- ing on his research on effects of habitat disturbance on Bald Eagles. In appreciation of the grant he was awarded by the CBC, Sean presented the club with a framed photo of an eagle nest. On Saturday evening a lifetime of contribution to birding in the Carolinas was honored with a special recognition of Eloise Pot- ter. The keynote speaker that evening was Mike Mur- ray, National Park Service Superintendent of the Out- er Banks Group. He provided an encouraging up- date on positive signs of species recovery in areas of the Cape Hat- teras National Seashore. you could make your own snack bag with choices of nuts, fruit, pretzels, candies, raisins. Nabs, etc. The inaugural “CBC roundup”, a birding contest, was won by the team of Ricky Davis, Lucy Quintilliano, Mat- thew King, and Linda Jones. Both events re- ceived good re- views from meeting at- tendees. With Swain- son’s Hawk at Alligator River; Dovekies, Ra- zorbills and Puf- fins offshore; Cackling Goose in Washington County farm fields; Ross’s Goose at Pea Island; Long-tailed Duck in Oregon Inlet; and many more special sight- ings, this was certainly a great weekend of birding on the Outer Banks. In addition, the Carolina Bird Club is pleased to announce that gifts to two local National Wildlife Refuge support groups will be made as a part of leaving a positive “footprint” in the region. The National Park Service's Mike Murray gives the keynote speech See you at Blowing Rock! Several “new” things were tried at this meeting. The Friday social included a pack-a- snack bar where Taylor Piephoff accepts, on behalf of the Club, a framed eagle nest photo from Sean Gough. Ricky Davis, Lucy Quintilliano, and Linda Jones celebrate winning the first “CBC Round-up”. Not pictured is the fourth mem- ber of the team, Matthew King. 9 CBC Spring Meeting Registration Form Name(s) Address City State Zip. Day Phone ( ) — Evening phone ( ) — Email Spring 2011 Meeting Blowing Rock, NC May 6-8 Meeting Registration (Member) x $20 = $ Meeting Registration (Non-member) x $25 = $ Saturday Buffet Dinner (each) x $22.93 = $ *To pre-register for field trips, place the trip number(s) in the boxes above. If you chose trip #29 (the “Round Up”) please place your “level” in the lower right box. Total Enclosed = $ Club policy requires all field trip participants to comply with the field trip leader's assessment and requests concerning the physical ability of each participant to make or complete the trip. Meeting registration at the door costs $30. I 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/or Club field trips. This release of liability is entered into on behalf of all members of my fami- ly, including all minors accompanying me. I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of any such minors and that I am over 18 years of age. Signature Date Signature Date Make check payable to Carolina Bird Club and send to: CBC, 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 Please note that Sunday May 1, 2011 is the last date for any refunds for registration or dinner cancella- tions. Cancel by contacting the Headquarters Secretary (contact info is on the back page of this newslet- ter). If you have to cancel after the refund cutoff date, please notify the Headquarters Secretary so we can give your field trip space to someone on the waiting list. Executive Committee Slate Field Trip Sign-Up A.M. lst/2nd Choice P.M. lst/2nd Choice All Day 1 st/2nd Choice Friday / / / Saturday / / Level: Approval of new and returning Executive Committee members is an important part of our seasonal meet- ings. At Blowing Rock the following nominations will be presented to the membership for approval: • Marion Clark, Lexington, SC - President • Phil Fowler, Concord, NC - Secretary • Judi Durr, Kernersville, NC - Treasurer • David McCloy, Southern Pines, NC - ENC MAL • Katherine Higgins, Mouth of Wilson, VA - Western NC MAL • Irvin Pitts, Lexington, SC - SC MAL Two positions remain open. Eastern NC Vice Presi- dent and Eastern NC Member-at-Large. The nomi- nating committee welcomes suggestions to fill these vacancies. Contact Steve Shultz at newslet- ter@carolinabirdclub.org with nominations. 10 2010 REPORT OF THE Spring in the Rio Grande Valley GRANTS COMMITTEE April 16-24, 2011 In 2010 the Club extended research grants totaling $5,295 to the following four projects. Most grant money comes from royalties donated to the Club by the authors of Birds of the Carolinas. • $420 awarded to Liz Rogers, MA Candidate at UNC-W for research on songbirds in central South Carolina • $2,644 awarded to Jason Coulter, PhD Candi- date at Clemson University for research on arrival/ nesting dates of Neo-tropical migrants • $431 awarded to Jessica Gilmore, BS Candidate at Catawba College for TREK packs • $1,800 awarded to Patti Newell, PhD Candidate at the University of Georgia for her 201 1 Rusty Blackbird study The Club welcomes applications for grants that sup- port student research concerning North and/or South Carolina birds or secondary school programming de- signed to promote an interest by students in birds. See http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/orants/ for more information. The Rio Grande Valley — from the beaches of South Padre Island through the subtropical forests of the lower valley, to the more arid uplands around Falcon Dam — is one of the best birding areas in the United States. The Valley boasts a long list of specialties that are rare or non-existent in the ABA area outside of South Texas. Join us as we explore this exciting bird- ing destination! Trip leaders are Kent Bedenbaugh and Bruce Smith- son. Attendance is limited to 10 participants. Trip price of $915 includes lodging, group vehicles (2), entrance fees, and guide service. A single supplement in the amount of $230 is required of those who do not wish, or are unable to, share a room. Participants are responsible for the cost of their airfare to Harlingen, Texas and all meals. An initial deposit of $150.00 is due by March 10, 2011. Full refund for cancellations up to 45 days prior to departure. Contact Bruce Smithson to reserve a spot: brucesmith- son@netscape.net or (910) 538-1441 (cell). Read The Chat and the Newsletter anywhere you have Internet access! The most recent editions of the Newsletter and The Chat are online on the CBC website. Older editions of The Chat are free for anyone to download, but the CBC Newsletter and the two most recent calendar years of The Chat are available only to CBC members. All CBC members will use the same username and password to access these publications. The username is "member" and the password is "birdfun". This is a membership benefit, please don't share the password with non-members! The password will be changed from time to time, but can always be found in the most recent print edition of the Newsletter. Go to http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/newsletter to access the Newsletter, and http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat to access The Chat. Welcome New Members! Jeff Click Easley, SC Robert Davis Morehead City, NC Mae Howell Goldsboro, NC Jay Roberts Mount Pleasant, SC Pat Scott Mark Buckler Pat & Dixie Cloninger Sean Gough Ron Johnson Wayne Baze Corolla, NC West Columbia, SC Greenville, NC Pine Knoll Shores, NC Phoenix, AZ Rev. Henry Burdick Dave Davenport Christy Hill Mary Kennerty Jeri Smart Edenton, NC Four Oaks, NC Charlotte, NC Mount Pleasant, SC Rolesville, NC 11 Carolina Bird Club, Inc. 1809 Lakepark Drive Raleigh, NC 27612 Periodicals Postage Paid at Bloomingdale, IL 601 08 and additional mailing offices iiflflfiitiiliiiiii !iil|f(i[(,ff 8*l*******ttIXEU ABC 270 142 0/3000 smithson™ libraries NHS 25-MRC 154 SOX 37012/SERIALS WASHINGTON* DC 20013 Upcoming CBC Meetings Blowing Rock, NC May 6-8, 2011 Beaufort, SC Sept 29 to Oct 1, 2011 CBC Board Members President, Taylor Piephoff Charlotte, NC, 704-545-2314 piephofft@aol.com Vice-Presidents Dwayne Martin, Hickory, NC David McCloy, Southern Pines, NC Paul Serridge, Greenville, SC Secretary Lucy Quintilliano, Charlotte, NC T reasurer Immediate Past President, Steve Patterson, Lancaster, 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, newsletter@carolinabirdclub.org Deadlines for submissions are the 15th of December, February, April, June, August, and October. Headquarters Secretary, Dana Harris, Bloomingdale, IL 630-453-8270, hq@carolinabirdclub.org CBC Website: www.carolinabirdclub.org Carol Bowman, Southern Pines, NC NC Members -at- Large Ron Clark, Kings Mountain Katherine Higgins, Mouth of Wilson, VA Skip Morgan, Manteo SC Members -at -Large Marion Clark, Lexington Don Faulkner, Easley 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 A non-profit, $25; Associate (in household with individual), $5; Student, $15; Patron, $50 and up; Sustaining & businesses, $30; Life, $400; Associate Life (in household with Life Member), $100 (both Life memberships can be paid in four annual installments). Membership dues of $25 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, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612. Copyright © 2010. Printed on 100% recycled paper at Crass Roots Press. 12