Thrasher - Richmond Audubon Society › thrashers › ThrasherSepOct2015web.pdf · Thrasher the...
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Thrasher the Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5 In this Issue Virginia’s Vireos 1 President’s Message 2 Presquile National Wildlife Refuge 2 September/October Programs 3 Vireo Photos 4 Photo Gallery 5 September/October Field Trips 6 From the Kitchen Window 7 Bald Eagle nest 7 RAS Officers 8 Virginia’s Vireos - Naseem Reza Red-eyed Vireo In Eastern deciduous forests, this is the most common vireo. Found throughout Virginia and the Richmond area, it sings incessantly but is seldom seen because it prefers to sing and feed in the canopy. Its red iris is is distinctive but hard to see without binoculars or spotting scope. Check out its familiar song at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red- eyed_Vireo/sounds and see if you can hear it in your yard or at a local park. White-eyed Vireo Another common bird found all over Virginia including the Richmond area during summer. Its song is loud and distinctive as is its white iris. This species stays near the ground in thick underbrush in rural settings but can also be seen at local parks. It wears yellow ‘spectacles’ and has two white wing bars. You can listen to its song at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White- eyed_Vireo/sounds Yellow-throated Vireo With a bright yellow throat and chest and matching yellow ‘spectacles’, this vireo is the most colorful one in the family. It also has two white wing bars. It breeds in Virginia in suitable habitat which is large tracts of deciduous or mixed forests. Blue-headed Vireo Breeds in western parts of Virginia but can be seen in the Richmond area during migration. It has a blue gray hood, distinctive white ‘spectacles’ and two white wing bars. Warbling Vireo Despite having the widest breeding range of North American vireos, this species breeds only in the western parts of the Commonwealth. It has gray wings that lack wing bars and a matching gray tail. Its song is the most distinctive feature of this rather plain looking vireo. Listen to it at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Warbling_ Vireo/sounds Philadelphia Vireo Uncommon migrant, can be seen in Virginia during Fall migration. It has black eye-line, yellow under parts and breeds mostly in Canada. Presumably named after the city because it was discovered in. Vireos are small birds with heavier beaks that help separate them from wood warblers. Of the 15 species of vireos found in North America, as many as 6 can be seen in Virginia either as breeding birds or during Spring or Fall migration. Vireos are found only in the Western Hemisphere. They do not come to feeders but will approach a bird bath especially one with running water. Red-eyed Vireo ©Naseem Reza
Transcript of Thrasher - Richmond Audubon Society › thrashers › ThrasherSepOct2015web.pdf · Thrasher the...
ThrashertheNewsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5
In this IssueVirginia’s Vireos 1President’s Message 2Presquile National Wildlife Refuge 2September/October Programs 3Vireo Photos 4Photo Gallery 5September/October Field Trips 6From the Kitchen Window 7Bald Eagle nest 7RAS Officers 8
Virginia’s Vireos - Naseem Reza
Red-eyed VireoIn Eastern deciduous forests, this is the mostcommon vireo. Found throughout Virginia and theRichmond area, it sings incessantly but is seldomseen because it prefers to sing and feed in the canopy.Its red iris is is distinctive but hard to see withoutbinoculars or spotting scope. Check out its familiarsong at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-eyed_Vireo/sounds and see if you can hear it in youryard or at a local park.
White-eyed VireoAnother common bird found all over Virginiaincluding the Richmond area during summer. Itssong is loud and distinctive as is its white iris. Thisspecies stays near the ground in thick underbrush inrural settings but can also be seen at local parks. Itwears yellow ‘spectacles’ and has two white wing bars.You can listen to its song athttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-eyed_Vireo/sounds
Yellow-throated VireoWith a bright yellow throat and chest and matchingyellow ‘spectacles’, this vireo is the most colorful onein the family. It also has two white wing bars.
It breeds in Virginia in suitable habitat which islarge tracts of deciduous or mixed forests.
Blue-headed VireoBreeds in western parts of Virginia but can beseen in the Richmond area during migration. Ithas a blue gray hood, distinctive white‘spectacles’ and two white wing bars.
Warbling VireoDespite having the widest breeding range ofNorth American vireos, this species breeds onlyin the western parts of the Commonwealth. It hasgray wings that lack wing bars and a matchinggray tail. Its song is the most distinctive featureof this rather plain looking vireo. Listen to it athttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Warbling_Vireo/sounds
Philadelphia VireoUncommon migrant, can be seen in Virginiaduring Fall migration. It has black eye-line,yellow under parts and breeds mostly in Canada.Presumably named after the city because it wasdiscovered in.
Vireos are small birds withheavier beaks that help separatethem from wood warblers. Ofthe 15 species of vireos found inNorth America, as many as 6 canbe seen in Virginia either asbreeding birds or during Springor Fall migration. Vireos arefound only in the WesternHemisphere. They do not cometo feeders but will approach abird bath especially one withrunning water.
Red-eyed Vireo©Naseem Reza
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5
Richmond Audubon Society
The Richmond Audubon Societypromotes the enjoyment,understanding,and preservationof birds, other wildlife, andhabitat through education,advocacy, and fellowship.
Important Notices
RAS membership meetings are on the3rd Thursday of the month except June,July, August and December. Meetings areat 7:00 PM, and are held at St. LukeLutheran Church at Custis Road andChippenham Parkway unless notified.
RAS Board meetings are held on the 2ndThursday on alternate months starting inJanuary (except June and August). In July,the Board has its annual strategic planningretreat. RAS members are welcome toattend board meetings, but let the Presidentor Secretary know due to spaceconsiderations. Meeting locations vary;contact the President or Secretary forlocation details.
Richmond Audubon Society is also achapter of the Virginia Society ofOrnithology and the VirginiaConservation Network.
Richmond Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 26648Richmond, VA 23261
(804) 257-0813www.RichmondAudubon.org
Richmond Audubon Society is aregistered nonprofit 501 (C) (3)charitable organization. Donations aretax deductible.
Thanks to these Thrasher Volunteers:
Lewis Barnett, Louise Reza: Proofreading.Gail and Mario Grasso: Mailing List.Ben Griffon: Web Posting.
Publication ScheduleThe Thrasher is issued six times a year.Please submit articles [email protected] no laterthan the 10th of the month before eachissue. Deadline for the next issue isOctober 10.
the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
also able to participate in discus-sions relating to the NationalAudubon Society’s strategic planfor the coming decade. Work isongoing on that project with agoal of having a final plan readyin early 2016. The National orga-nization has been working onsome interesting, exciting proj-ects, and I’m excited to see whatthe future holds.
Go to page 5 for photoBirders from all over the countryrecently converged on Virginiafor the National Audubon Soci-ety’s Convention. Hundreds ofchapter leaders and Audubonstaffers from all over the country(and the world) were in atten-dance in Leesburg, Virginia. TheRichmond Audubon Society hada great showing—Lewis Barnett,John Coe, Caroline Coe, and Iwere all able to attend. We at-tended seminars to learn how wecan improve our chapter, whichwe are very excited to put to usein the coming months. We alsohad great opportunities to chatwith other chapter leaders andlearn about all the exciting thingshappening nationwide. That wasmy favorite part of the conven-tion—hearing from others sittingon boards just like ours aboutprojects that have worked andthat these other groups havefound beneficial for theirmembers. I came away with anumber of great ideas, and I lookforward to seeing if any of thosemight work well here in Rich-mond.
Lewis and I also got a chance tomeet with David Yarnold, thePresident of the National Audu-bon Society, and ask questionsabout the future of the organiza-tion and our role in it. We were
President’s Message - At the NationalConvention - Eileen Geller
PresquileNationalWildlife Refuge
Field Day on September 26, 20157:00 am – 3:00 pm. Pre-registration required.
Visit the 1329-acre island toengage in nature-relatedactivities. Sponsored by the USFish and Wildlife Service andtheir partners. Enjoy pontoonboat rides, observe wildlife,participate in nature hikes andkid's programs. Registrationinformation can be found athttp://www.fws.gov/refuge/presquile/
Bob Schamerhorn-www.iPhotoBirds.com
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the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5
Looking forward, mark your calendar for our November 19, 2015 Pot Luck Dinner andmember photo-sharing night. This event continues to have the best food in town and is attractingmore and more of us to share a picture or 2 and a story with each other. Details will be in theNovember Thrasher.
Caroline Coe, Program Chair
September 17, 2015
Audubon meetings start out with a bang thisSeptember! Chris Ludwig, chief Biologist atthe Virginia Natural Heritage Program, willpresent: Birds and adventure in NorthernEcuador - Andes to the Amazon basin.
Over 1600 species of birds are known fromEcuador, a tiny South American country smallerthan the state of Arizona. This travel logchronicles Chris’ trip, along with his wife Jolie,and will provide a photographic tour of northernEcuador with accounts of antpittas, cotingas,jacamars, and other exotic warm and cold-blooded creatures of this incredibly bio-diverseregion. Please join us and learn more!
Join us at 6:30 pm for pre-meeting coffee,cookies and conversations. The meeting starts at7:00 pm. We meet at St. Luke Lutheran Churchon Chippenham Parkway at Custis Road. See youthere.
September Program October ProgramOctober 15, 2015
Our October program will be a presentationabout the American Kestrel Nesting Box Project,given by Patti Reum of Highland County andDan Bieker of Albemarle County. Both Patti andDan are board members of the VSO and serve onthe Conservation Committee.
The kestrel has shown population decreases dueto loss of habitat, loss of nesting cavities, and useof pesticides on agricultural fields. The Project’sgoal is to provide nesting boxes in suitable habitatwhere kestrels are found throughout Virginia.Come learn about the project and about thehabitat and biology of this fascinating andvaluable species. Also hear about the monitoringprogram just started this year to keep track of thenesting success of kestrels using our boxes.
Join us at 6:30 pm for pre-meeting coffee,cookies and conversations. The meeting starts at7:00 pm. We meet at St. Luke Lutheran Churchon Chippenham Parkway at Custis Road. See youthere.
Chris and Jolie Ludwig, at Amazon Basin, Ecuador
The Kestrel Strike Force Team (L to R): Mary Ames, David White,Patti Reum and Dan Bieker
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the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon SocietySEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5
©Steve Baranoff ©Steve Baranoff
Yellow-throated Vireo at Powhatan WMABob Schamerhorn-www.iPhotoBirds.com
Red-eyed Vireo at Reedy Creek
Bob Schamerhorn-www.iPhotoBirds.com
Blue-headed Vireo at Bedford County, VA
Warbling vireo at Richmond Pipeline
White-eyed Vireo at Dutch Gap
Philadelphia Vireo at Chambers Island, WI
©Naseem Reza
©Naseem Reza
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
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Box Turtle cooling off at a bird bathCaspian Tern leading American White Pelican©Naseem Reza
L to R - Eileen Geller, John Coe, David Yarnold, Caroline Coeand Lewis Barnett
Zebra Swallowtail at the RAS Annual picnic at Nelda Snyder’sRAS Picnickers at Nelda Snyder’s
Grillmeisters John Coe, Lewis Barnett and Al Warfield
©Naseem Reza
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5
These are all the RAS tripsthat have been submitted asof the publication date. Checkthe RAS listserv
(if you don’t subscribe the archives are atwww.freelists.org/archive/va-richmond-general/) orthe RAS website for any late breaking newsabout field trips (www.richmondaudubon.org/ActivFieldTrip.html.)
the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
September 6th, SundayBryan Park with Sue Ridd:Start time: ½ hour after sunrise.Meeting location: Shelter 1, Joseph Bryan ParkJoin Sue Ridd for an early morning of fall migration birdingin Bryan Park.For more information, call Sue at 270-5365.
September 13th, Sunday , Start time: 7:30 am42nd St. with Jack EsworthyJoin Jack Esworthy to explore one of Richmond’s bestlocations for enjoying the fall songbird migration. MeetJack at the 42nd St lot off of Riverside Dr. For moreinformation contact Jack [email protected].
September 19th, SaturdayDutch Gap with Lewis BarnettMeet Lewis at 8:00 am at the entrance to HenricusHistorical Park/Dutch Gap Conservation area. Dutch Gapfeatures a wide variety of habitats and great views of theJames River. For more information, [email protected].
September 26th, SaturdayLewis Ginter Botanical Gardens with Tyler TurpinSee the birds of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Meet in therotunda of the visitor center at 8:00 am. Cost will be $7.00for non-Ginter members, finish around 9:30 - 9:45 am.Contact: Tyler Turpin at (804) 317- 9478 oremail [email protected] to sign up. If 4 personshave not signed up by 8:00 pm on Wednesday the week ofthe trip, the trip will be canceled.
October 3rd, Saturday , Start time: 9:00 amBirds and Insects with Paul BedellJoin Paul for a morning of birding and insecting at RobiousLanding Park in Chesterfield County. This walk will not onlyemphasize the bird life of the park but take time to seek outsome of the invertebrate life. Paul is an expert naturalistwho will introduce you to things like the late seasondragonflies and butterflies that inhabit the James Riversystem. The park is located behind James River HighSchool off of Robious Rd in Chesterfield. Meet Paul at theboat landing parking lot at 9:00 am. For more informationcontact him at [email protected].
October 4th, SundayBryan Park with Ellison Orcutt:Start time: ½ hour after sunriseMeeting location: Shelter 1, Joseph Bryan ParkJoin Ellison for early morning birding in Bryan Park. Formore information, email Ellison [email protected].
October 14th, WednesdayHollywood Cemetery with the Coes.Start time: TBDJoin John and Caroline Coe at Hollywood Cemetery in theOregon Hill neighborhood to explore this Richmondlandmark. The cemetery is known for its wealth of historyand spectacular views of the James. Join John to see theabundance of bird life this property is not so well knownfor. Meet them at the entrance, which is located at 4125Cherry St. Richmond, VA. For the start time and moredetails, contact John at (804) 276-1397.
October 17th, SaturdayDutch Gap with Lewis BarnettStart time: 8 :00 amMeet Lewis at 8:00 am at the entrance to HenricusHistorical Park/Dutch Gap Conservation area. By October,most neotropical migrants have come through but thereshould be stragglers and by this time there’s a chance earlywaterfowl migrants will be arriving. You never know whatmight turn up! For more information, [email protected].
October 24th SaturdayHuguenot Flatwater with Tyler TurpinStart time: 8:00 amMeet Tyler at 8:00 am at the old bridge abutment alongthe Huguenot Flatwater on the James River. This sectionof Richmond’s James River Park System features a lengthytrail along the river. This is located off of Riverside Dr. atits intersection with Huguenot Rd. For more informationcontact Tyler at (804) 317-9478 or [email protected].
October 24th, Saturday, Start time: 7:30 amLower Eastern Shore with Ellison OrcuttJoin Ellison for a day of birding the hotspots of thesouthern tip of the Eastern Shore. This area features someof the best birding in Virginia. Possible stops along thebirding circuit include Island 1 of the CBBT, KiptopekeState Park hawk watch, the county landfill, Oyster harbor,Sunset Beach and Eastern Shore NWR. Meet by 7:30 amat the entrance to Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on US 13in Virginia Beach. Immediately before entering the tollthere is a parking lot on the right where we will meet andcoordinate carpooling. This is an all day trip that shouldbe completed before 5:00 pm and participants arewelcome to depart when they please. Pack drinks, snacksand a lunch. Please contact Ellison with questions and acourtesy RSVP at [email protected].
Field Trips - Ellison Orcutt
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
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From the Kitchen Window - John Coe
“The greater the efforts we make to fathom thesecrets of the birds, the more our knowledgeexpands, the clearer becomes our realization thatthe secrets of the birds will remain mysteries ofnature as long as she abounds with the miracles oflife.” Hans Dossenbach
A hummingbird floats effortlessly, or so it seems,among tangles of the cardinal vines. Droplets of waterform on the leaves from the morning cloud and offera drink on the wing. Soon the hummingbird will beginher journey south.
Other birds from our yard, the White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, AcadianFlycatchers and the Great-crested Flycatcher, theChimney Swifts – birds that joined our resident birdshere to raise their young and enjoy our bugs andtreats, will begin the magic of migration.
The joy of birds and palette of colors on designerfeathers, unique displays of fun and flight… a joy toour ears and eyes, and a true challenge to our humanminds on how the tiny hummingbird can solve themystery of migration…. a true wonder of nature.
Summer turning into fall. The September full moon,the Harvest Moon, is September 27th. It is the BloodyHarvest Super Moon – the moon especially close toearth at the moment of full (perigee). The autumnalequinox occurs at 2:21 am on the 23rd. And there’s atotal eclipse on the equinox – the sun rises and setsdue east and due west.
The October full moon, the Hunters Moon is October27th. October – view the predawn sky – in the eastthe crescent moon with Venus and Jupiter and Marsline up in the constellation Leo on the 8th and 9th.
The end of summer is always a somewhat sadevent but then again the start of fall brings backour winter guests and migrating birds that flowthrough RVA to their wintering grounds in theSouth. We have a couple of exciting programslined up for September and October and I hopeto see you there. Naseem Reza
From the Editor
I learned from a reliable source that there were twoactive Bald Eagle nests on the Wisconsin island wecall home in the summer months. So it was just amatter of time that my wife Lou and I foundsomeone who knew where the nest was. Our friendagreed to take us to the site of a tall pine as long aswe took our pictures of the nestlings from anappropriate distance. He also warned us that thepath through the woods had heavy underbrush andlaced with poison ivy. That was an understatement.The poison ivy that surrounded us was at least threefeet high and avoiding contact was impossible.Nevertheless we marched on and finally reached aspot where we had a distant but clear view of the
nest and its two inhabitants. The adult birds werenot at the nest (presumably gone fishing). Wemanaged good looks at one of the two eaglets but itssibling did not want to be photographed and hiditself in the very large nest of sticks.
After taking some pictures we once again braved thelush growth of poison ivy and rushed back to ourcottage and hot showers.
So was it worth the risk just to see a couple of birds?We think so but perhaps only because we did not gothrough the misery of poison ivy infection thanks tothe timely showers.
Searching for an Eagle’s Nest - Naseem Reza
Bald Eagle nestling
Richmond Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 26648Richmond, VA 23261www.RichmondAudubon.org
Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidRichmond, VA
Permit Number 3022
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETYChapter Membership Application
Yes, please enroll me (us) as a newmember(s) of both National andRichmond Audubon Societies at theaddress below, at the introductoryrate. A subscription to the NASmagazine, Audubon is included.□ Individual/Family Member(s) $20enclosed□ Student/Senior Member $15 enclosedName___________________________Address _________________________City ____________________________State___ ZIP _____________________Phone __________________________E-mail __________________________Make check payable to National AudubonSociety and write “C0ZX530Z”on thecheck. Send your check and application to:Richmond Audubon Society,P.O. Box 26648, Richmond, VA 23261C0ZX530Z
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2015 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5 the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
Officers / Committee Chairs for 2015-2016President Eileen Geller [email protected] 804-747-5143
1st Vice President Ellison Orcutt [email protected] 804-339-6976
2nd Vice President Ben Saunders [email protected] 804-272-0605
Bird-A-Thon Lewis Barnett [email protected] 804-320-7898
Conservation Vacant
Cyberspace Ben Griffon [email protected] 804-767-0131
Development Jack Esworthy [email protected] 630- 940-9698
Education Joyce Caldwell [email protected] 804-560-3444
Field Trips Ellison Orcutt [email protected] 804-339-6976
Hospitality Vacant
IBA/VAC Rep Vacant
Legislation Vacant
Membership Mario and Gail Grasso [email protected] 804-379-2001
Past President Lewis Barnett [email protected] 804-320-7898
Programs Caroline Coe [email protected] 804-276-1397
Publicity Diane Jadlowski [email protected] 702-308-1953
Secretary Sue Ridd [email protected] 804-270-5365
Thrasher Editor Naseem Reza [email protected] 804-272-1145
Treasurer/Finance Lewis Barnett [email protected] 804-320-7898
Youth Robin Ruth (interim) [email protected] 804-231-5949
