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AUTUMN 2009
Below is a list of disbursements from individual and business pledges: Puffin Project/Stratton Island $2500 York County Audubon Society thanks the following businesses who helped make the 2009 Birding Challenge a success: B &B Burner Service ~ Biddeford, ME JUNE ANNUAL MEETING
ANNUAL MEETING AT THE KENNEBUNKPORT CONSERVATION TRUST We had a good turnout for the Annual Meeting which was held at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust building. Board members provided a delicious spread of appetizers, cheeses, fruits and other goodies.
ODES TO JOY
I had a wonderful time on Saturday, July 11th. What a crowd! I think the final count was 12 adults and 9 children. It went really well and I am sure we'll do it again next year. Here is what we saw:
August 22nd dawned bright and beautiful on Hills Beach, but just as we set out onto the beach in search of shorebirds, a “pea soup” fog rolled in. As seven of us, with Judy Camuso leading the way, made our way along Hills Beach to reach the sand bar to Basket Island we wondered if we would be able to see any birds at all. Fortunately, the fog did move out a bit after a while, vastly improving our view of the flats, as the incoming tide began to push hundreds of shorebirds closer to us. We enjoyed watching the birds as they fed on the flats and the challenge of ID-ing the various species as they were pushed closer to us by the incoming tide. Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers were by far the most numerous, but we also found some Sanderlings, White-rumped Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Ruddy Turnstones. Overhead were Common Terns (calling as they flew around us), while many Bonaparte’s, Greater-Black-backed, American Herring and Ringed-billed Gulls were on the water and sandbar. On each field trip we are always on the look out for that special bird of the day. Would we find one today? YES!! Not one, but two Hudsonian Godwits!! Pat Moynahan, who has birded the beach extensively for over twenty years, was very excited to find them as she had not seen them on the beach for the past couple of years. Previously, she had spotted at least a few each every year.
We were so engrossed with the activity of the many shorebirds, that we let the incoming tide wash over the sand bar between us and the shore. Not being able to fly like the birds, we needed to wade up to our knees to return to the shore. That just added to the challenge and excitement of a great day of shore birding!!
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRD WALKS Bird Walk at Biddeford Pool Starting May 13th and each Wednesday morning thereafter, York County Audubon has held a birding trip in the area. Some of the areas visited include: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Basket Island, Biddeford Pool, Kennebunk Beach, Rogers Park, Sanford Sewer Beds, Kennebunk Plains, Fort Foster, Wells marina, Parsons' Beach, Bauneg Beg Mountain, Marshall Point, Eastern Point Sanctuary, Mount Agamenticus, Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, and Rotary Park. Recently we did a unique back yard habitat trip around Kennebunk and Kennebunkport meeting the owners of 5 private properties which are landscaped for wildlife. More than thirty birders have participated to date. There are regulars who come almost every week and some who have come only once or twice. One regular comes from Portsmouth, most are from York County. We also get people from Androscoggin, Kennebec and Cumberland Counties and vacationers from out of state.
Shorebird Sit at Basket Island Some participants are experienced birders who help the beginners. Many have added lifers along the way; for some all are life birds! So far the group has detected 165 species on these trips. Plan to join us as we continue through the year --- all are welcome!
REFLECTIONS ON BIRD BANDING AT THE WELLS RESERVE Our 10 twelve meter mist nets opened on 06/03/2009. With the exception of 2 dates we operated every Wednesday from dawn until noon through 08/26/09. We have collected the Lyme Disease ticks for Dr. Peter Rand of Maine Medical Research since 1989. Eleven species of birds "donated" to that project this year including American Robin, Black & White Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Brown-headed Cowbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Grey Catbird, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow & Veery.
Diane Joyner, President of Laudholm Trust, June Ficker & Paul Dest, June receivied the Laudholm Award at the Wells Reserve on August 25th. The Laudholm Award is presented to "volunteers whose efforts over the years consistently exceed all expectations."
I awaken at 3:00 in the morning to arrive at Laudholm Farm at 5:00. There, I feed the up and coming mosquito generation, wear socks over my pants and walk through the mud, water squirting up my out-of-style socks and construction boots.
Keely putting up the mist nets with the "T" Ever since releasing a striking Cedar Waxwing and, yes, a couple of Gray Catbirds, I knew that this was a great place. The soft stroke of a contour feather under one’s fingertips, the rapid heartbeat, the tiny life fitting in one hand, is an experience one never forgets. This experience, usually reserved for visitors only, is something I still get to do sometimes. A bird with a brood patch, a sign a female bird is breeding, often still finds its way into my hands. Once, a Gray Catbird sat on my hand long enough for me to snap several pictures of her. Other times, you see a Robin flutter nervously back to her nest.
One of the best experiences I’ve had is simply watching the delight on others’ faces as they watch the bird they held fly away. So awakening at 3:00 in the morning? I’ll be there.
For many years, I have been a fortunate recipient of York County Audubon’s gift of Audubon Adventures for my fifth graders. I’m always impressed at the National Audubon’s efforts to keep up with the fast moving pace of education. In years past, my students have enjoyed the activities that the Audubon Adventures Manual spells out for busy teachers and the magazines included with each kit. This year, having recently taken an online course through Maine Math and Science Academy, I plan to create inquiry based nature units using picture books from the National Science Teachers Association’s list. Audubon Adventures helps foster children’s connection to nature by creating a healthy interest in their environment through experiences and activities in nature. The children are the future keepers of our earth. We all need to encourage any interest they show in our natural world. One child can make a difference. Just this week, one of my former students, who is now one of my colleagues, teaching six graders, commented about how much she loved animals and nature based on my interest when she was in my classroom. Consider how many young lives she will touch in the same way throughout her teaching career. She was reading Audubon Adventures nearly 15 years ago!
The York County Audubon Society has joined in stewardship with the York Land Trust in the management of the Trust’s purchase, completed April 30, 2009, of the Highland Farm Property in York. This property consists of about 150 acres of which the York Land Trust owns 90 acres and the Kittery Water District owns 60 acres abutting Boulter Pond, which is a public water supply. The property had been scheduled for development of 37 house lots when YLT began its campaign to acquire it, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land and The Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative. Cider Hill Road (Rte. 91) runs along the southwesterly side of the property and Boulter Pond along the northeasterly border. Across Cider Hill Road are panoramic views over woods and fields (some of which are in conservation easement and managed for hay production) of the York River and its salt marshes. YCAS is participating in the YLT’s Highland Farm Management, Education, and Recreation Committee (MERC), a multidisciplinary group with 14 members who bring expertise on a variety of ecological, wildlife, trail-design and management, and natural resources issues. Inventories of bird populations, mammals, vernal pools, flora, and habitat characteristics are being compiled in preparation for planning management and layout of trails, parking areas, etc. Thirty acres is set aside for shrubland management for the cottontail rabbit and other shrubland species. The Farm will be for public enjoyment and education with emphasis on environmental protection. Trails will be for non-motorized, pedestrian use with significant sections accessible for handicapped use. Mountain bikes and horses will not be allowed. The major role for YCAS will be in development of the trails from the point of view of birding. The site should have rich yields of bird activity, including areas that are ideal for songbirds, fresh water wetlands, fields, Boulton Pond, the York River marshes, and both evergreen and deciduous forest.
Steve Walker and Judy Camuso from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife have come up with an innovative way for birders to support Maine’s non-game bird activity, and at the same time label their binoculars with a lost-and-found system.
Saturday, January 2: BIDDEFORD/KENNEBUNKPORT
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