Newsletter ISSN No. 0162-7120 www.carolinabirdclub.org For members of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., Ornithological Society of the Carolinas Volume 58 December 2012 Number 6 Register Now For Outer Banks Winter Meeting Ron Clark The Outer Banks in January provide some of the best birding in North Carolina. Our winter meeting will be in Nags Head on the 25th and 26th. We hope to break the 1 86 species mark from our last meeting there. Our list had such notables as Dovekie, American Bittern, Iceland Gull, Razorbill, Rough-legged and Swainson's Hawks, Ross's and Cackling Geese, and a very coop- erative Sora that made the Pea Island feeder area its spot for the weekend. Our list included 24 ducks, 19 shorebirds, 12 sparrows, 1 1 gulls, 6 rails, 5 owls, and a partridge in a pear tree! All the favorite Outer Banks spots will be featured in our trips. These include Pea Island NWR, Cape Hat- teras Point, Oregon Inlet, Pine Island Sanctuary, and Bodie Island. A little further inland we'll go to Mat- tamuskeet, Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes NWRs. Another great spot is anywhere on the beach, as the ocean will hold sea ducks, loons, gannets, gulls and hopefully some surprises. Dovekies and Razorbills were numerous last time and could turn up anywhere. Please note: South Pond on Pea Island is off-limits at all times. We will have access for this meeting only, and only if you are on the specified trip. No one is al- lowed in that area at any other time. Also, certain im- poundments around Lake Mattamuskeet are off limits and have signs posting such. We will have access to some of the off-limit areas on one or both of our trips, but, again, access is only for those signed up. Our “roost” for the meeting will be the Comfort Inn South at 8031 Old Oregon Inlet Road. It was just com- pletely renovated, with new paint, carpet, furniture and flat screen televisions. All rooms have a micro- wave, a refrigerator and WIFI. Oceanfront rooms with one king or two doubles are $65, plus tax. Non- oceanfront rooms with one queen or two doubles are $55, plus tax. This includes is a hot breakfast buffet, served in a room just for meeting participants. For res- ervations, call 252-44 1 -63 1 5. Be sure to tell them you're with the CBC for the special rate. Our Friday night speaker is Dr. Stanley Riggs, a coastal and marine biologist. His presentation will be "Battle For North Carolina's Coastal System". He'll talk about the various aspects of human development and its consequences on critical wildlife habitat, and how it affects threatened and endangered birds, turtles, fish and other animals. To accentuate his program, he'll lead a trip on Saturday morning to the Pea Island area. There he'll show you the escalating conflicts over bridges, highways, inlets and shoreline erosion and how this is resulting in the functional loss of an important national bird refuge and its wildlife habitat. Saturday evening will start with our dinner buffet. The cost is $24 and will have a vegetarian entree. The pro- gram is by our own Mark Buckler, a wildlife biologist and Director of the Pine Island Sanctuary and Audu- bon Center in Corolla. Mark is also a highly acclaimed professional photographer. His work has received hundreds of publication credits and many awards, and (Continued on page 2) CBC Newsletter (USPS# 023-534), December 2012, Volume 58, Number 6. 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. 1 CBC Winter Meeting Schedule Friday, January 25 Morning - Half-Day Trips (all times a.m.) Trip 1 - Palmetto Peartree Preserve and Alligator River NWR - 6:45 Trip 2 - Pea Island NWR / North and South Ponds - 7:00 Trip 3 - Pea Island NWR / Bodie Island and Oregon Inlet - 7:15 Trip 4 - Pine Island Sanctuary and Points North - 7:30 Trip 5 - Roanoke Island - 7:30 Trip 6 - Ocean Watching - 7:30 A fternoon - Half-Day Trips (all times p.m.) Trip 7 - Palmetto Peartree Preserve and Alligator River NWR - 1 :00 Trip 8 - Pea Island NWR / North and South Ponds - 1:00 Trip 9 - Pea Island NWR / Bodie Island and Oregon Inlet - 1:00 Trip 10 -Ocean Watching - 1:15 Trip 1 1 - Roanoke Island -1:15 All Day Trips (all times a.m.) Trip 12 - Mattamuskeet NWR - 6:45 Trip 13 - Hatteras Point, Hatteras Island & Pea Island - 6:45 Trip 14 - Pocosin Lakes NWR - 7:00 Saturday, January 26 Morning - Half-Day Trips (all times a.m.) Trip 15 - Photography Workshop - 6:30 Trip 16 - Palmetto Peartree Preserve and Alligator River NWR - 6:45 Trip 1 7 - Pea Island NWR / North and South Ponds - 7:00 Trip 18 - Pea Island NWR / Bodie Island and Oregon Inlet - 7: 15 Trip 19 -Roanoke Island -7: 15 Trip 20 - Pea Island - Human Impact on Nature - 7:30 Trip 21 - Ocean Watching - 7:30 Afternoon - Half-Day Trips (all times p.m.) Trip 22 - Pine Island Sanctuary — 1 :00 Trip 23 - Pea Island Hot Spots - 1 :00 Trip 24 - Palmetto Peartree Preserve and Alligator River NWR - 1 :00 Trip 25 - Roanoke Island -1:15 Trip 26 - Ocean Watching -1:15 Trip 27 - CBC Round Up - 1 : 1 5 All Day Trips (all times a.m.) Trip 28 - Mattamuskeet NWR - 6:45 Trip 29 - Hatteras Point, Hatteras Is. & Pea Is. - 6:45 Trip 30 - Pocossin Lakes NWR - 7:00 (Continued from page 1 ) can be found in several galleries. His recent book. Coastal Wild - Among the Untamed Outer Banks, has received outstanding reviews. He will present some of his work and explain the creative process that went into these spectacular images. As an added bonus, he'll offer a photography workshop as one of the trips. For non-birding spouses, and those who may need a break, the area has many interesting places to visit. The Wright Brothers National Monument is just up the road. There are several lighthouses, including Cape Hatteras, Bodie and Corolla. Historic Manteo, the Elizabethan Gardens, Jockey's Ridge State Park and the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island are just a short drive. On Saturday afternoon, we will have the Second CBC Round-up. This is where teams of 4 people with dif- ferent skill levels go out to find all the species they can between 1:15 and 5:00. When signing up, you will rate yourself from the level of "I can name birds in my sleep" to "Are you telling me that birds fly?" Points are given for how many of the team see the birds, so it will be a team effort. The official guidelines are laid out in the Field Trip section. We'll try to have some- one in each group who knows the area. This is a great way to bird and learn in a small group. We hope you'll join us for this wonderful birding ex- perience at the Outer Banks. With any luck, you'll go home with a lifer or two on your list. Even if you don't, it promises to be a great weekend. 2 Winter Meeting Field Trip Descriptions Trips 1, 7, 16 & 24 - Palmetto Peartree Preserve and Alligator River NWR Plan for about a one hour drive to “P3" as it is known by the locals. We will look among the seven species of woodpeckers present for the endangered Red- cockaded Woodpecker. During our search we should see a good assortment of woodland and edge species including kinglets, warblers, nuthatches, and sparrows. Red-shouldered Hawk is likely, and Barred Owl and Bald Eagle are real possibilities. Learn more about P3 by visiting www.palmettopeartree.org. After birding P3, the group will drive through Alligator River NWR searching primarily for raptors and sparrows, although many species will be possible, including waterfowl and shorebirds. This refuge may be the best place in the state to find Ash-throated Flycatcher. Black Bears, Bobcats and Red Wolves are a possibility also. Note: lots of birds but few restrooms in this part of the world, but they can be found (Visitor’s Center on Roa- noke Island, service station at western end of Alligator River bridge, and porta-johns at entrance to Milltail Road in Alligator River NWR.) Trips 2, 8 & 17- Pea Island NWR, North and South Ponds Caravan down to the entrance area of South Pond where drivers will carefully park along the roadside. If you get there in advance of the guide, wait by the road. We will scan flocks of common birds hoping for such species as Eurasian Wigeon, American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, American Bittern, and American White Pelican. In the grassy strips and in the shrub edges along the way, we should find sparrows and warblers. After leaving South Pond, we will visit near- by North Pond to continue our search. This area has seen quite a few rarities over the years, including Glaucous Gull, California Gull, Hudsonian Godwit, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Cave Swallow, and Brewer’s Blackbird, just to name a few. Anything is a possibility at Pea Island! We’ll scope the ocean across from the Visitor’s Center for sea birds. Last time, a Sora was an easy find under the feeders. If time permits, we may stop by Oregon Inlet or Bodie Island on the trip back. A spotting scope comes in quite handy in these areas. Even in January, mosquito protection may be advisable. Trips 3, 9 & 18 - Pea Island NWR, Bodie Island and Oregon Inlet At the north end of Pea Island is the Oregon Inlet and the Bonner Bridge. We’ll check the inlet out to the rock groin, looking for species that include Great Cor- morant, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Purple Sandpiper, Piping Plover, Glaucous Gull, “Ipswich” Sparrow, Razorbill and many more. This is “hallowed ground” to birders and many rarities have shown up here over the years. On the north side of the bridge is the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, where we will scope the inlet for Long-tailed Duck and other diving ducks. Common Eiders and Brant have been seen here as well. We’ll continue on to Bodie Lighthouse Pond where we will scope for waterfowl, shorebirds, and waders from the new observation platform. Eurasian Wigeon and Cinnamon Teal have been seen here. The boardwalk that cuts through the marsh is good for rails and marsh wrens. Trips 4 & 22 - Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary and Points North This trip will afford CBC members an introduction to this 2,600-acre site on the Currituck Sound. Mark Buckler, Director of the Sanctuary, will be the trip leader and guide. We will explore this former hunting mecca for waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh birds and rap- tors - Bald Eagle is a distinct possibility. Afterwards, we'll head north and bird around the Currituck Light- house and N.C. Center for Wildlife Education. A boardwalk will take us to the edge of Currituck Sound where we will scan for waders, shorebirds, terns and waterfowl. King Rails and other marsh birds are a pos- sibility. The forest edge can be good for overwintering passerines as well. Time permitting, we may scan the nearby ocean for scoters, loons and grebes. If you have not ever birded this area of the Outer Banks, this field trip will provide an experience you will be able to use in your future trips to the Banks. Trips 5, 1 1, 19 & 25 - Roanoke Island We'll begin at the north end of the island where we will search the woodland edges for winter species (Continued on page 4) 3 Winter Meeting Field Trip Descriptions (Continued from page 3) such as Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue- headed Vireo, Brown Creeper, White-throated Spar- row, and hope to turn up over-wintering warblers. Ov- enbird, Northern Parula, Black-and-white, Black- throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers have all been seen in recent winters, as have Baltimore Oriole, Painted Bunting and Western Kingbird! Win- tering Ruby-throated Hummingbirds should be present as well. After that, we will visit the Roanoke Marshes Game Lands in search of saltmarsh species such as Marsh Wren, Seaside Sparrow, and Clapper and Vir- ginia Rail. The freshwater impoundment should hold a few shorebirds and waterfowl for us to view, along with Belted Kingfisher and a raptor or two. Then we will stop by the harbor in Wanchese Village at the south end of the island and scan the surrounding sound and marina for gulls, loons, grebes, and diving ducks. Wear comfortable shoes because you are going to cover a lot of ground on this field trip. Trip 6, 10, 2 1 & 26 - Nags Head Ocean Watch A scope is essential for this trip to scan the Atlantic for the winter birds that feast on the bounty of the ocean. If you don’t have a scope, there should be plen- ty in the group. Your leader will select some premium locations from which to watch the action, including Jennette’s Pier. Loons, grebes, scoters and other sea ducks, gulls, gannets and many more are on the menu. Trip 12 & 28 - Mattamuskeet NWR A birder’s paradise, Mattamuskeet can be incredible at times. One of the best spots in the state for Golden Eagle, we will bird the Lake Landing area for Tundra Swans and other waterfowl, shorebirds and waders, sorting through the more common species and hoping for something rare, such as Cackling Goose, Ross’s Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, or “Common” Teal. Ameri- can White Pelicans have been seen here several times in recent winters. There is a good chance we will be allowed access to some of the off-limit areas. We will also bird along the causeway, famous for its overwin- tering passerines. In just the past few winters the causeway has hosted at least 1 3 species of warblers, including Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue, Yellow and Nashville. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Baltimore Ori- oles are to be expected, and recently an Ash-throated Flycatcher and Bell’s Vireo turned up. A Black- headed Gull is present most years, too, usually seen near one of the culverts that pass under the road. Side trips on the way back to the coast may include Stumpy Point Bay and Alligator River NWR. Trip 13 & 29 - Hatteras Point, Hatteras Island, Pea Island Local guides will rendezvous with the CBC party at the lighthouse parking lot. We will cover the Point Campground, the Salt Pond and the beach, sorting through the gull flocks in search of Thayer’s, Iceland, Glaucous and California Gulls. Lesser Black-backed Gulls should be common. Peregrine Falcon is often seen out here as well. We will scan the ocean for loons, grebes, scoters and other water birds, hoping for alcids or other rarities. Common Eider, Black- headed and Little Gulls and Eared Grebe are also pos- sibilities. Last time we had great looks at Iceland Gull, Dovekie, and Razorbill. The salt pond usually hosts good populations of birds. Snow Buntings and Homed Larks could show up, and a Sprague’s Pipit was seen here once, not far from the salt pond. Your leader will plan some side trips on the way back depending on what has been seen that morning at points north. Please note: We will be walking to Hatteras Point, about two miles round trip. There should be packed sand. Trip 14 & 30 - Pocosin Lakes NWR Pocosin Lakes is famous for huge flocks of Snow Geese in winter. We will search through them for Cackling, Ross’s, and Greater White-fronted Geese. Red-winged Blackbird flocks can number in the thou- sands, a spectacle in itself. We will look through them with hopes of spotting a Yellow-headed Blackbird. Overhead, we’ll keep an eye out for Golden Eagles - this is one of the most reliable spots in the state for these awesome birds. Other possibilities include other waterfowl and farm field and edge species, such as sparrows, pipits and Homed Larks. Lots and lots of territory to cover on this trip with potential side trips on the way back. Trip 15 - Bird Photography Workshop Join featured speaker, Mark Buckler, on a photography outing to Pea Island NWR. Mark will share some of his 4 Winter Meeting Field Trip Descriptions in-the-field techniques for capturing great bird images. It is recommended that you bring a camera with a telephoto lens of 300mm or more. Non-photographers may join this trip, but Mark will focus most of his in- struction with those participants with cameras. We may explore other nearby areas based on the presence of par- ticular birds at that time of year. Trip 20 - The Conflict Between Nature and Humans on Pea Island If you've wanted to look at Pea Island from an ecolog- ical viewpoint, here's your chance. Dr. Stan Riggs, a coastal and marine biologist, and one of our featured speakers, will lead this trip to the area. We'll look at the conflict between the natural dynamics of change on a barrier island and the human efforts to stop these dynamics, and the resulting effect on critical wildlife habitat. How do we value wildlife habitat vs. coastal development, and do we have better alternatives than those being carried out? Trip 23 - Pea Island NWR Hot Spots This trip will cover Bodie Island, Oregon Inlet and North Pond, but not South Pond. The leader will cover areas that have proven the best, judged by what has been found. It could likely be all three areas. See area descriptions in Trips 2 and 3. Trip 27 - The second CBC Round Up! Basic rules (that may well be adjusted before the meeting) are: • Four person teams are made up of different levels of birding ability • Teams are made up by the CBC meeting planner and the chief judge • Each team may use only one vehicle • A “shotgun” start means the team picks where they begin • The start time is 1:15 PM • The CBC Daily Field Check List will be used as a scorecard • One point per species per birder on the team, four points if all team members make the sighting • All members of the team have to turn in their card to the chief judge at or before 5:00 PM • Any ties will be broken by how early the card was turned in • Speeding tickets or citations for entering a restricted area are grounds for disqualification • No score cards accepted after 5:00 PM! Registration form note: Birding Levels For the CBC Round Up Contest - Please indicate your level when completing the registration form to sign up for Trip 27. Level 1: Recognizes most/all species in all plumages (breeding, winter, juvenile). Can identify chip notes and calls as well as songs. Knows species' habitat and behavior. Is familiar with the various venues in the target area and often leads field trips. Level 2: Knows breeding and winter plumage of most species and can identify some juveniles. Can identify songs and many calls. Knows the habitat of most spe- cies and the more unique behaviors. Occasionally 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 famil- iarity with the habitat of bird families (gulls, terns, waterfowl, warblers, woodpeckers, etc). Finds the bird’s behavior not often helpful in identification. Level 4: Still developing basic identification skills. Less experienced at identification of coastal birds. En- thusiastic, if not highly skilled, birder. PLEASE NOTE. The area around South Pond on Pea Island is restricted at all times. We will be able to bird it only with authorized personnel, but only if you are on the CBC trip. It is off-limits to all oth- ers. Also, there are areas on the east end of Lake Mattamuskeet that are off-limits, except on one of our trips. Please pack a lunch for the all-day trips. Re- strooms are available on all trips. 5 Proposed Changes to By-laws and Dues Schedule The Executive Committee is proposing changes to the Carolina Bird Club Bylaws and dues schedule. The changes proposed are intended ( 1 ) to make the dues structure easier to understand and simplify the categories and (2) to increase slightly the Life membership dues to recognize increasing costs. The Carolina Bird Club membership will be asked to vote to approve these changes at the Winter Meeting in Nags Head in January 2013. The Executive Committee proposes amending Article II. Membership and Dues and Article III. Member Vot- ing Privileges by ( 1 ) eliminating the Associate and Sustaining categories, (2) adding a Family category and (3) confirming the Associate Life category. Family membership will cover any number of people who reside at the same address. Specifically the Executive Committee proposes the following amended wording: Article II. Membership and Dues, Paragraph 2: Memberships are available in the following dues- bearing categories: a. Individual (also available to non-profit organizations), b. Family (also availa- ble to commercial business entities), c. Student, d. Patron, e. Life, f. Associate Life (in household with Life Member) Article III. Member Voting Privileges, Paragraph 1: On items presented to CBC members for action, one vote may be cast by persons 15 years old and older for each paid-up membership in the categories listed below. In the case of paid-up Family membership, one vote may be cast by each person 15 years old and older covered by the membership. Commercial business entities and non-profit organizations may not cast votes, a. Individual, b. Fami- ly, c. Student, d. Patron, e. Life, f Associate Life (in household with Life Member) In addition, the Executive Committee proposes the following dues schedule to be effective January 26, 2013: Category Amount Frequency Individual $25 Annual Family $30 Annual Student $15 Annual Patron $50 Annual Life $500 Payable as a lump sum or in 4 annual installments of $125 Associate Life (in the same household with a Life Member) $100 Payable as a lump sum or in 4 annual installments of $25 Did you know that you can change your address through the CBC website? At http:// www.carolinabirdclub.org click on "About the Club" in the navigation bar on the left, and look for "Change of Address Form" and other member services. Online Publications Password Change! The most recent editions of the Newsletter and The Chat are online on the CBC website. All CBC members will use the same username and password to access these publications. Take note: we will be changing to a new username and password on November 30! The new username is "cbc" and the password is "thech@". This is a membership benefit, please don't share the password with nonmembers! The password will be changed from time to time, but can always be found in the most recent print edition of the Newsletter. http://www.carolinabirdclub.org 6 Save a Stamp! Consider using our Online Registration at www.carolinabirdclub.org! CBC Nags Head Meeting Registration Form January 25 - 26, 2013 Nanre(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 lst/2nd Choice Friday / / / Saturday Buffet Dinner (each) x $24 = $ Saturday / / / To pre-register for field trips, place the trip number(s) in the boxes above. Total Enclosed = $ *If you signed up for trip 27, enter “level” here 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. 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 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 18 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, www.carolinabirdclub.org Cancellations for the meeting and/or the meal will be refunded if received by Wednesday, January 16, 2013. Cancel by contacting the Headquarters Secretary (hqfflcarolinabirdclub.org). If you need 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. Check here to select the vegetarian option for the Saturday buffet & indicate # of people 7 Carolina Bird Club, Inc. 1809 Lakepark Drive Raleigh, NC 27612 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES ige Paid at 28403 and additional mailing offices 7*i*******MIXED ADC 270 142 0/3000 SHITHS0NIAN LIBRARIES NHB 25-MRC 154 BOX 37012/SERIALS WASHINGTON, DC 20013 «lllll»|i|i«ili'i'ii'l««l||i|i||i|,li'l«|i|ii|i'Nili!l'»|i|l' 1 1 1 ) 1 U 1 1 1 i i 1 1 1 < > i ) 1 1 1 i 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 i I « 1 1 1 1 1 1 i n i i i > 1 1 i i 1 1 i i i i m 1 1 1 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, 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, 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 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@$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. 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