QL 611 C333 6m BC Newsletter Carolina Bird Club www.carolinabirdclub.org ISSN No. 0162-7120 For members of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., Ornithological Society of the Carolinas Volume 58 August 2012 Fall Meeting in the South Carolina Upstate Irvin Pitts Number 4 We hope you will join us as we gather for a fun-filled weekend on September 28-29, 2012 during our Fall CBC meeting in Greenville, SC. We have an exciting array of field trips planned that will take us to some of South Carolina’s finest and most treasured natural resources and regionally popular birding hot-spots. We hope for a diverse variety of birds and look for- ward to shared memories as we seek out such species as migrating Broad-winged Hawks and Peregrine Fal- cons as well as multitudes of resident and migrant Neotropical songbirds. These may include a host of wood warblers such as Chestnut-sided, Tennessee, Magnolia, Cape May, Blackburnian and many others. Of course, there is also the chance of encountering more difficult to find species like Philadephia Vireo, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler and others. Fall birding is always exciting in the upstate! Our meeting headquarters is the Greenville Holiday Inn at 1-85 and 4295 Augusta Road. There are two special room rates being offered to CBC members: $59. 00/night and $62. 00/night + taxes. The $62 rate includes a buffet breakfast. Some rooms are equipped with microwaves and small refrigerators that are pro- vided on a first-come first-served basis. All reserved rooms are non-smoking. The Holiday Inn will also be the location for our evening programs and for our Sat- urday night dinner buffet. To register for a room, con- tact the Holiday Inn at (864)-277-8921 and be sure to mention you are with the CBC. These special rates are being held until September 19, so don’t delay. Our Saturday night dinner buffet is being provided by the hotel, and pre-registration is required. The cost is $22/person all inclusive. The buffet menu will include a vegetarian entree, and participants should indicate this preference when registering. A social gathering is also planned on Friday evening, prior to our evening program. This will be an excellent opportunity to make new friends and greet old acquaintances! Our keynote speaker on Saturday evening is Dr. Pat- rick McMillan, host, co-creator, and writer of the popular and award-winning ETV nature program Expeditions with Patrick McMillan. Over the past fifteen years Patrick has worked as a professional nat- uralist, biologist and educator. His range of experience has concentrated on botany (plant science), though he is also well-respected through his work in ichthyolo- gy, herpetology, mammalogy and ornithology. Patrick is a professional naturalist, lecturer, and director of the Campbell Museum of Natural History at Clemson University. On Friday evening, award-winning natural history and conservation photographer Clay Bolt will join us. Clay’s significant work has been featured by The Nature Conservancy, Scientific American, Outdoor Photographer, The Telegraph, Outdoor Photography and Digital Photographer, among others. In addition, he was a major photographic contributor to the book Conserve A Legacy: Natural Lands & Waters in South (Continued on page 8) CBC Newsletter (USPS# 023-534), August 2012, Volume 58, Number 4. Published bimonthly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 6236 Teal St., Unit 8-D., Wilmington, NC 28403. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CBC Newsletter, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 6236 Teal St., Unit 8-D., Wilmington, NC 28403. CBC Greenville Meeting Field Trip Schedule Friday, September 28, 2012 Morning Half-day Trips Trip 1 - Paris Mountain State Park - 7:15 AM Trip 2 - Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Pres. -7: 15 AM Trip 3 - N. Greenville County Lakes Tour -7:15 AM Trip 4 - Lake Conestee Nature Park - 7:30 AM Trip 5 - The Wilson Farm - 7:30 AM Trip 6 - Tour of Greenville: Falls Park on the Reedy and Cleveland Park - 7:30 AM Afternoon Half-day Trips Trip 7 - Townville - 1:00 PM Trip 8 - Paris Mountain State Park - 1 :00 PM Trip 9 - Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Pres.- 1:00 PM Trip 10 - N. Greenville County Lakes Tour -1:00 PM Trip 1 1 - Lake Conestee Nature Park -1:15 PM Trip 12 - Tour of Greenville: Falls Park on the Reedy and Cleveland Park -1:15 PM All- Day Trips Trip 13 - Sassafras Mt. & Nine Times Pres.- 6:15 AM Trip 14 - Table Rock SP & Mt. Bridge Wilderness - 6:30 AM Trip 15 - Townville & Clemson Area Tour - 6:30 AM Trip 16 - Blue Wall Preserve and FENCE - 6:45 AM Trip 17 - Spartanburg Hotspots: The Cottonwood Trail and Croft State Natural Area - 6:45 AM Evening Program 6:15 PM - Social Gathering 7:00 PM - Welcome and Announcements 7:45 PM - Evening Presentation: Mr. Clay Bolt Saturday, September 29, 2012 Morning Half-day Trips Trip 18 - Paris Mountain State Park - 7:15 AM Trip 19 - Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Pres.-7:15 AM Trip 20 - N. Greenville County Lakes Tour - 7:15 AM Trip 21 - Lake Conestee Nature Park - 7:30 AM Trip 22 - The Wilson Farm - 7:30 AM Trip 23 - Tour of Greenville: Falls Park on the Reedy and Cleveland Park - 7:30 AM Afternoon Half-day Trips Trip 24 - Townville - 1 :00 PM Trip 25 - Paris Mountain State Park - 1:00 PM Trip 26 - Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Pres.-l :00 PM Trip 27 - N. Greenville County Lakes Tour - 1 :00 PM Trip 28 - Lake Conestee Nature Park - 1:15 PM Trip 29 - Tour of Greenville: Falls Park on the Reedy and Cleveland Park -1:15 PM All-Day Trips Trip 30 - Sassafras Mt. & Nine Times Pres.- 6:15 AM Trip 31 - Table Rock SP &Mt. Bridge Wilderness - 6:30 AM Trip 32 - Townville & Clemson Area Tour - 6:30 AM Trip 33 - Blue Wall Preserve and FENCE - 6:45 AM Trip 34 - Spartanburg Hot Spots: The Cottonwood Trail and Croft State Natural Area - 6:45 AM Evening Program 6:30 PM - Dinner Buffet 7:30 PM - Announcements and Introductions 7:45 PM - Evening Presentation: Dr. Patrick McMillan 8:30 PM - Species Round-up Greenville Planning Notes Driving distances and access conditions described for each field trip are estimates and are provided for your general planning purposes. Any changes, or more accurate directions, may be provided during the meeting. All field trip participants should plan to carpool as much as possible. This will help minimize the chances of getting separated on busy roads, ease vehicle congestion at our trip destinations, and will help to conserve gas! All trips are scheduled to depart from the parking lots of our host hotel. Participants are reminded to bring a packed lunch and drinks on all-day trip outings. 2 CBC Greenville Meeting Field Trip Descriptions Half-day Trips Trips 1, 8, 18 and 25: Paris Mountain State Park Paris Mountain is a familiar natural landmark to all in the Greenville area. This prominent formation is called a “monadnock”, an isolated small mountain that rises abruptly from the surrounding Piedmont plain. It is also the location of a popular state park that is rich in natural diversity and steeped in history. Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the park contains watersheds that once provided a vital source of water for residents of Greenville. Today, the park and its facilities serve as a popular retreat for day use, camping and outdoor recreation. It is particularly known for its excellent array of environmental educa- tion programs. We will explore a few of the many walking trails here to sample the diverse birdlife of the mature mixed pine-hardwood forests. These beautiful forests, stream corridors, and ponds provide excellent habitat for a variety of resident and migratory song- birds including Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Black- throated Blue Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager and many others. Time allowing, we may also visit the education center where interactive exhibits explain the park’s importance as a watershed. Approximate driv- ing distance: 13 miles one way Facilities: Public re- strooms will be available. Access conditions: Moder- ate walking on natural surface trails and on uneven terrain. Trips 2, 9, 19 and 26: Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve Located near the town of Traveler’s Rest, the 178-acre Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve was acquired by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of protecting the federally- endangered Bunched Arrowhead ( Sagittaria fasciculata), a plant found in wetland seeps within Piedmont seepage forest habitats. Other rare plants that occur here include the Dwarf-flowered Heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora ) and the unusual Climbing Fern ( Lygodium palmatum). This special place also con- tains diverse habitats that support an excellent variety of birds. We will spend most of our time exploring the brushy and grassy fields, upland mixed pine- hardwood forests, and bottomland hardwoods from a 1 .25-mile loop trail that begins and ends at the parking lot. Along the way we hope to see such birds as Red- shouldered Hawk, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, migrant wood warblers including Palm, Black-and- white, and Common Yellowthroat; Field Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and many others. Approximate driving distance: 20 miles one way Facilities: No public restrooms on site, though one is available at a nearby gas station. Access conditions: Moderate. Walking primarily on natural surface trails along possible uneven terrain with some overgrown conditions. Trips 3, 10, 20 and 27: North Greenville County Lakes Driving Tour This half-day tour is designed for those seeking short- er walks and provides an excellent opportunity for sampling the birdlife associated with some of north Greenville County’s lakes. Our first destination will be the Lake Cunningham Recreation Area. Here we will take a short walk around the parking area and boardwalk examining the shoreline habitat and open water for any species that may be present. Our next stop is Berry’s Millpond, a 100-year old reservoir that once powered the historic Berry’s Mill, established in 1820. We will explore this beautiful location during a short 30-minute walk and may also visit an adjacent historic fish hatchery. From there we will travel to nearby Lake Robinson to check out the area near the dam followed by a brief exploration of a nice wetland area near the upper end of that lake. During our trip we hope to find such species as Osprey, possible migrating Caspian Tern, wading birds, and early- arriving waterfowl such as Blue-winged Teal along with a host of migrant and resident songbirds. Approximate driving distance: 21 miles to Lake Cunningham - 7 miles to Berry’s Millpond- 6 miles to Lake Robinson - 20 miles back to the Holiday Inn Facilities: Public restrooms Access conditions: Relatively short and easy walks Trips 4, 1 1, 21 and 28: Lake Conestee Nature Park Located near downtown Greenville and a very short drive from our hotel. Lake Conestee Nature Park has gained the reputation of being one of the premiere birding hot-spots in upstate South Carolina. The great number of birds that occurs here, more than 170 (Continued on page 4) 3 CBC Greenville Meeting Field Trip Descriptions (Continued from page 3) species have been sighted, is supported in part by the diversity of habitat types including lake, pine and mixed deciduous woodlands, transitional fields, and the Reedy River floodplain with its extensive associat- ed wetlands. Species that occur here include a variety of waterfowl such as Wood Duck, several species of wading birds, and a significant diversity of songbirds including numerous Neotropical migrants and a wintering population of Rusty Blackbird (not likely to be present during our visit). We will explore this 400- acre natural area from a well-maintained system of paved and natural surface walking trails and board- walks. Along the way, we hope to encounter a variety of migrants such as Swainson’s Thrush, a number of wood warblers including Northern Parula, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia and others as well as Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Approximate driving distance: 2.0 miles Facilities: Public restrooms Access conditions: Easy to moderate walking on constructed boardwalks, paved and natural surface trails. Trips 5 and 22: The Wilson Farm Located in the rolling hills of northern Greenville County near the town of Marietta, the Wilson Farm is a privately owned 1,300-acre tract that is managed for wildlife. The farm supports a diversity of habitat types including fields, mixed upland woodlands, ponds and stream corridors that attract a diversity of birdlife. We will search for any resident and migratory species that may be present including possible Red-tailed Hawk, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided War- bler, Magnolia Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunt- ing and others. Approximate driving distance: 24 miles one way Facilities: No public restrooms are available at Wilson Farm. Access conditions: Moder- ate walking on natural surface trails and on uneven terrain. Trips 6, 12, 23 and 29: A Tour of Greenville - Falls Park on the Reedy and Cleveland Park This half-day tour provides participants the opportuni- ty to bird some of the natural gems near the center of downtown Greenville. Falls Park on the Reedy, locat- ed in the city’s historic West End, is one of Green- ville’s greatest treasures, with the most striking feature being the Liberty Bridge. This unique 355-foot long pedestrian suspension bridge curves around the im- pressive Reedy River Falls, providing exceptional views of the area. In our search for birds, we will visit the park’s many beautiful features including scenic overlooks, walking paths amid landscaped gardens, and old mill ruins. Later we will also visit Cleveland Park, a popular and diverse city park located in downtown Greenville that was first developed in 1928. Here, we will search for migrant songbirds in the park’s forests and gardens and along some of the developed trails including the one-mile long Fern- wood Trail that winds through a mature hardwood forest. After our tour, participants may also wish to visit the local downtown restaurants and shops, if they so desire. Approximate driving distance: 4.3 miles to Falls Park on the Reedy. 4.2 miles to Cleveland Park. Facilities: Public restrooms Access conditions: Moderate walking conditions along developed trails with some steps and uneven footing. Trips 7 and 24: Townville The Townville area has long been recognized by birders as one of the top birding “hot-spots” in upstate South Carolina. Over the years, a number of rarities have been found here, and the area has consistently supported populations of species uncommon to South Carolina including White-crowned Sparrow and Brewer’s Blackbird in winter and a breeding popula- tion of Dickcissel in summer. We will search the agri- cultural fields and farm ponds along Dobbins Road for possible migrant shorebirds, Homed Lark, and spar- rows as well as other open country species. We will also check the waterfowl ponds at the Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area and nearby wetlands for any early-arriving waterfowl that may be present, as well as the possibility of a migrating rail such as Sora. Along the way, we should pick up an interesting varie- ty of Neotropical migrants including a number of wood warblers. This itinerary is very similar to the morning portion of the all-day Townville and Clem- son Area Tour, but is designed to offer participants the opportunity to explore highlights of this wonderful area in the afternoon and within a shorter timeframe. Approximate driving distance: 38 miles to Town- ville with some additional driving locally. 4 CBC Greenville Meeting Field Trip Descriptions Facilities: No public restrooms at our destination, though we may stop at a local gas station. Access conditions: Roadside birding as well as easy to moderate walking on uneven terrain. All-Day Trips Trip 13, 30: Sassafras Mountain and Nine Times Preserve At 3,560 feet Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in South Carolina and is a long-visited destination by birders seeking such mountain species as Ruffed Grouse, Common Raven and a variety of Neotropical songbirds typical of the mid-elevation Southern Appalachian forest. This scenic location will be one of our primary stops as we search for these and other birds. We will also visit the recently acquired Nine Times Preserve that is owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy. This 560-acre biologically- significant preserve harbors a number of forest types and unique rock outcrop plant communities that sup- ports a diverse assemblage of native wildflowers and wildlife. We hope to find a variety of Neotropical spe- cies like Swainson’s Thrush, Tennessee Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, tanagers and grosbeaks. Part of our time here will be spent exploring the different plant communities along the recently constructed 1 .7 mile trail. During the course of our tour, we will make other roadside stops and search cultivated fields and woodlands in the Eastatoe Creek area. Approximate driving distances: 44 miles to Sassafras Mountain - 19 miles to Nine Times Preserve - 3 1 miles to the Holiday Inn along with some additional local driving. Facilities: Public restrooms availability is very limited, though we will seek a stop along the way. Access conditions: Moderate walking conditions along natural surface trails and on uneven terrain with some possible steep inclines. Trip 14, 31: Table Rock State Park and Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area One of upstate South Carolina’s most iconic natural landmarks, Table Rock Mountain provides a scenic backdrop to visitors traveling on SC Highway 1 1. Designated as an Important Bird Area, Table Rock State Park is home to such species as Peregrine Falcons, Ruffed Grouse, Common Raven and a variety of nesting Neotropical songbirds. We will spend the morning in this beautiful natural setting, exploring some of the lower-elevation woodlands and stream corridors for migrant songbirds, particularly transient wood warblers. The 3000-acre state park supports much bird diversity and provides scenic vistas along with fine examples of historic architecture from the days of the Civilian Conserva- tion Corps. From here, we will travel to Caesars Head State Park, part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. This special natural resource has a bird list of nearly 170 species, and during our early afternoon visit we will stop at the Caesars Head hawk watch. Here, we will search the sky for migrating kettles of Broad-winged Hawks and other raptors including Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Peregrine Falcon and others. The length of our hawk watch activity will depend on conditions and bird activity. Caesars Head is an excellent location for migrating songbirds, and we plan to also spend some time searching for these as well. Our picnic lunch stop will be at one of the state park picnic areas. Approxi- mate Travel Distances: 37 miles to Table Rock - 16 miles to Caesars Flead - 38 miles to Holiday Inn. Facilities: Public restrooms are available at Table Rock State Park and at Caesars Head. Access conditions: Moderate walking on uneven terrain. Depending on weather conditions, participants should prepare for full sun exposure at the Caesars Head hawk watch. Trip 15, 32: Townville and Clemson Area Tour The Townville area has long been recognized by birders as one of the top birding “hot-spots” in upstate South Carolina. Over the years, a number of rarities have been found here, and the area has consistently supported populations of species uncommon to South Carolina including White-crowned Sparrow and Brewer’s Blackbird in winter and a breeding popula- tion of Dickcissel in summer. We will search the agricultural fields and farm ponds along Dobbins Road for migrant shorebirds. Homed Farks, and spamows as well as other open country species that might be present. We will also check the waterfowl ponds at the Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area and nearby wetlands for any early-arriving waterfowl that may be present, as well as possible migrating rails such as Sora. Along the way, we should also pick up a variety of Neotropical migrants including a number of 5 CBC Greenville Meeting Field Trip Descriptions (Continued from page 5) wood warblers. Later, we plan to visit a portion of the Clemson Experimental Forest that is managed for the purpose of providing sustainable forest practices, hab- itat diversity, species protection, education and recrea- tional access. This site offers excellent birding condi- tions, and we will explore some of the prime areas for migrants. During the course of our tour, and if time allows, we may also visit additional local birding hot- spots along the way. Approximate driving distances: 38 miles to Townville - 18 miles to Clemson Experi- mental Forest - 38 miles to the Holiday Inn, along with additional local driving. Facilities: Public restrooms are limited, though we will strive to make a stop along the way. Access conditions: Roadside bird- ing along with moderate walking conditions on natural surfaced trails, woods roads and on uneven terrain. Trips 16 and 33: The Blue Wall Preserve and FENCE Located near Landrum in the northeast comer of Greenville County, the Blue Wall Preserve was acquired by the Nature Conservancy in 1997 and is part of a mosaic of protected lands within the Blue Ridge Escarpment of the Southern Appalachians that totals more than 20,000 acres. Designated by the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area, this pre- serve protects a diverse assemblage of plant communi- ties that includes upland hardwoods, successional pine forests and open water lakes. In this beautiful land- scape, we will seek out such birds as migrant vireos and thrushes, wood warblers including Black-throated Blue, American Redstart, Magnolia, and Hooded as well as Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak along with a variety of others. This trip will also in- clude a visit to the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, better known as FENCE. This non-profit nature and outdoor recreation center contains 384 acres of attrac- tive hardwood forests, meadows and wetlands and is managed for the purposes of nature studies, outdoor recreation and equestrian competition. Time allowing, we may also visit other local birding spots in the Lake Lanier area. Approximate driving distances: 39 miles to the Blue Wall Preserve - 8 miles to FENCE - 45 miles to Holiday Inn. Facilities: Public restrooms are available at FENCE. Access Conditions: Trail conditions vary from moderate walking on uneven terrain to developed natural surface trails. Trips 17 and 34: Spartanburg Hotspots - Cotton- wood Trail and Croft State Natural Area Located minutes from downtown Spartanburg, the Cottonwood Trail Preserve is an urban gem, protect- ing a 1 .5-mile stretch of Lawson’s Fork Creek and several of its tributaries. This urban green space was first acquired through the efforts of The Spartanburg Area Conservancy, or SPACE, and is important as a water quality buffer in a fast-growing region. Recog- nized as a regional birding “hot-spot”, particularly during migration, the site contains many interesting and diverse natural habitats such as upland hard- woods, floodplain forests, open space and wetlands. We also plan to visit Croft State Natural Area, a 7,000-acre state park just outside of Spartanburg. For- merly the site of an Army infantry training camp, this state park contains an interesting diverse mix of habi- tats including upland mixed pine-hardwood forests, bottomland hardwoods and wetlands associated with Fairforest Creek and Lake Tom Moore Craig. Species we hope to find during this tour include such birds as Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, Swain- son’s Thrush, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Cape May Warbler, American Redstart, Summer Tanager, Scar- let Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and many others. Depending on time, we may also visit another local birding site as well. Approximate driving distance: 35 miles to the Cottonwood Trail - 10.5 miles to Croft State Natural Area - 41 miles to the Holiday Inn. Fa- cilities: Public restrooms are available at Croft State Natural Area. Access conditions: Moderate walking mainly on natural surface trails with possible uneven terrain and some constructed boardwalks. Birder’s Trivia M Welcome back, constant reader. When we last met we discussed that birds are pretty neat and that as a mem- ber of a bird club you probably know a little about our winged friends. Of course you might have been that guy who picked this up from the pile of magazines on the table and thought, “What is up with these people? Are they really in a club that’s all about looking at birds? They must be loopy.” In either case, here is a chance to see how much you know about some of the species not regularly found in the Carolinas. Only two of our answers naturally oc- cur here. Many you will be familiar with, but others 1 had no familiarity with prior to reading the book noted below, and they may be new to you as well. 1 . What species covers its chicks with sand when leaving the nest in order to protect them from predators? Egyptian Plover 2. What are the only two species of bird to be recorded on all seven continents? Arctic Tern & Cattle Egret 3. What is the heaviest parrot? The largest parrot? Heaviest: Kakapo (6 lbs.) of New Zealand Largest: Hyacinth Macaw 4. What is the fastest running bird that can also fly? Greater Roadrunner; up to 25 mph! 5. What is the largest and heaviest species of owl? Eurasian Eagle Owl at 9+ lbs. 6. What closely related group of birds is thought to make the loudest call? The four species of BeSlbirds at over 100 decibels 7. What is the only non-human species to make and use tools? The New Caledonian Crow (Chimpanzees and some finches use tools, but do not make them) 8. What is the world’s only nocturnal fruit-eating bird? The Oilbird of Central and South America 9. What is the world’s largest and heaviest bird? The Ostrich; up to 300 lbs. 10. What is the only creature to have its breeding sea- son during the Antarctic winter? Emperor Penguin 1 1 . This bird has the longest wingspan and longest incubation period. What is it? Wandering Albatross; (12 feet and 75-85 days) 12. What is the largest and heaviest of the eagles? The Harpy Eagle; females weigh up to 20 lbs. 13. What family of birds uses mounds of decaying plant matter to incubate their eggs? The megapodes of Australia and Oceania 14. What is the only bird species to only eat leaves? The Hoatzin of South America 15. What is the largest living rail? The Takahe of New Zealand (7 lbs.) 16. What is the heaviest living flying animal? (2 possible answers) Great Bustard or Kori Bustard 1 7. What is the hummingbird species with the longest bill? (and for extra credit, how long is it?) Sword-billed Hummingbird at 3.5-4 inches The answers to this trivia challenge were taken from the book Remarkable Birds: 100 of the World’s Most Notable Birds by Stephen Moss and published by HarperCollins (ISBN 978-0-06-162664-7). This 208-page book looks at the incredible variety and amazing behaviors of birds around the world, from the American Robin that may be nesting in your front yard to the rare Satyr Tragopan that requires a journey to the Himalayans in hopes of catching a glimpse. Each of the 100 featured species enjoys a full-page photo and facing page of text. Great for a coffee table or your library! 7 Welcome New Members! Tina and Marty Thomas Shelby, NC Patrick Dyer and Family Lexington, SC Jan Gallaher Cashiers, NC Maria Howden Charlotte, NC Bruce and Carol Halla Ladson, SC Jane Tigar Oriental, NC Rita Taggart Statesville, NC Roxanne Newton Statesville, NC Ryan Justice Raleigh, NC Paul Brown Wilmington, NC Sally Carter Bloomington, IN Sally Miller Charlotte, NC Carol Rosenbloom Raleigh, NC Nona Walser Taylors, SC Deceased Dominick D’Ostilio Hickory, NC Eve Hillig Jacksonville, FL Online Meeting Registration Arrives! The recent CBC survey of the membership revealed two items as “most wanted”. The first was to have more bonus field trips, and with offerings this year from the sub-tropics of Florida to the sub-Arctic of Alaska, and places in between, 1 think we are on the right track. The other “ask” was to offer online meeting registra- tion. In this day of iEverything the thought of “snail mail” for registration forms seemed to many to be, well, old fashioned. Charged with finding out what could be offered. Head- quarters Secretary Katherine Higgins came though with a solution that will allow not only online registra- tion, but online payment via credit card (no more check writing!), the ability to see in real-time what field trips are available (no more guessing!), and the comfort and satisfaction of an e-mail confirmation (no more waiting with bated breath to see which field trips you got!) Of course this technology does not come for free, and we all realize that whenever credit card payment pro- cessing is involved that there are fees. In order to make the addition of the online registration “revenue neutral”, the cost of the meeting registration is in- creased by $5. I hope that you will agree that even with this modest increase CBC meetings are an excel- lent value! The most recent editions of the Newsletter and The Chat are online on the CBC website. All CBC mem- bers will use the same username and password to ac- cess 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. To register online, visit www.carolinabirdclub.org and look for the Greenville meeting announcement. Greenville (Continued from page 1) Carolina with southeastern conservationist Thomas Wyche and is very active with a number of regional conservation efforts including Discover Life in Ameri- ca and the Partnership for the Blue Ridge. We hope you will join us for an exciting weekend of birding and presentations, so register today! Save a Stamp! Consider using our Online Registration at www.carolinabirdclub.org! CBC Greenville Meeting Registration Form September 28 - 29, 2012 Name(s) Address City State Zip _ Day Phone ( ) — Evening phone ( ) Email Meeting Registration (Member) x $25 = $ Meeting Registration (Non-member) x $30 = $ Field Trip Sign-Up A.M. 1 st/2nd Choice P.M. 1 st/2nd Choice All Day 1 st/2nd Choice Friday / / / Friday Buffet Dinner (each) x $22 = $ Saturday / / / To pre-register for field trips, place the trip number(s) in the boxes above. 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 $35. 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/or 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 I am over 1 8 years of age. Signature Date Signature Date Make check payable to Carolina Bird Club and send to: CBC, 6236 Teal St, Unit 8-D, Wilmington, NC 28403 Before sending in this form, check the website to see if any of your trips are full, rescheduled, or cancelled. Cancellations for the meeting and/or the meal will be refunded if received by Friday, September 21, 2012. Cancel by contacting the Headquarters Secretary (hq(5 carolinabirdclub.org). If you need to can- cel after the refund cutoff date, please notify the Headquarters Secretary so we can give your field trip space to someone on the waiting list. I I Check here to select the vegetarian option for the Saturday buffet & indicate # of people 9 Carolina Bird Club, Inc. 1809 Lakepark Drive Raleigh, NC 27612 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES 3 9088 01682 2199 Periodicals Postage Paid at Wilmington, NC 28403 and additional mailing offices 8‘1*******MIXED ADC 270 142 0/3000 SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES NHB 25 MRC 154 PO BOX 37012/SERI WASHINGTON DC 20013 CBC Board Members President, Marion Clark Lexington, SC 803-996-0480 mclark66@sc.rr.com Vice-Presidents Mark Buckler, Corolla, NC Michael McCloy, Cullowhee, NC Jeff Click, Easley, SC Secretary Phil Fowler, Concord, NC Treasurer Judi Durr, Kernersville, NC NC Members -at -Large Ron Clark, Kings Mountain Karyl Gabriel, Huntersville David McCloy, Southern Pines John Voigt, Emerald Isle SC Members - at- Large Don Faulkner, Easley Irvin Pitts, Lexington Immediate Past President Taylor Piephoff , Charlotte, NC Editor of The Chat, Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC Website Editor, Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC Editor of CBC Newsletter, St even 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, Katherine Higgins, Wilmington, NC hq@carolinabirdclub.org CBC Website: www.carolinabirdclub.org The CBC Newsletter s 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, $25; Associate (in household with individual), $5; Student, $15; Patron, $50 and up; Sustaining A 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@$5.45, 25@$13.40, 50@$27.00, and 100@$54.00. Submit application for membership, change of address, and payment for checklists to: CBC Headquarters Secretary, 6236 Teal St., Unit 8-D, Wilmington, NC 28403. Copyright © 2012. Printed on 100 % recycled paper at Crass Roots Press. 10