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Chesupioc Spring 2016 Newsletter
In Search of the Colima Warbler
March 2016 Travel Journal By Bryan MacKay
We toil our way up the switchbacks, sweating in the sun, packs
heavy with water in this dry land. We are climbing the Pinnacles
Trail in Big Bend National Park, Texas, almost two thousand feet
of elevation change in three miles, to the only known place in the
lower 48 states where Colima warblers can be found. It’s mid-
March, and warbler migration is a month away, but a park ranger
has told us that one or two birders swear they heard the Colima
song just a few days earlier. Seems like a good excuse to do a
short backpacking trip into the Chisos Mountains; even if we see
no Colimas, it’ll be a great visit to some wild country and unique
habitats.
Colima warblers are not actually rare birds. They are fairly com-
mon in high elevation juniper/oak woodlands of the Sierra Madre
Occidental of central Mexico. But a small, disjunct population of
less than 100 birds nest in similar habitat here in the Chisos, and
nowhere else in the United States. So, anyone doing a Big Year
for birding needs to make this off-the-beaten-path pilgrimage to
Big Bend to tally the Colima.
The problem is that unless you are in really good shape, you will
suffer to count this bird. The hike in is a lot of elevation change
on a steep trail at an altitude (5-7,000 feet) where oxygen is
reduced. Temperatures are usually well above 80 degrees in the
May-June breeding season. There is no water; you have to carry
in all your water on your back, a gallon a person a day. That’s
24 pounds of water, in addition to camping gear, for a typical
two-night stay in the backcountry. The alternative is to seek the
Colima as a day hike, starting well before dawn and returning
after dark to avoid the heat, hiking by headlamp: a ten mile
round trip, brutal to unconditioned knees and feet.
We arrive at our campsite at the head of Boot Canyon and dump
our heavy packs. All is quiet in early afternoon. The landscape
is gorgeous: small oaks and junipers, rocks strewn about ran-
domly, grasses, yucca and cacti covering the soil. Colima war-
blers nest on the ground among these grasses. We’ve seen both
bear and what we take as mountain lion scat; about 20 of each
live in this mountainous island in the Chihuahuan Desert.
The next day we leave our camp set up and do a day hike, cov-
ering virtually all the prospective Colima habitat. There is even a
Colima Trail. Unfortunately, we see no warblers. There are
some new and strange songs, but not having heard of a Colima
warbler before our arrival and not being hardcore birders, we are
not familiar with its song. At any rate, I’m convinced it’s too
early; migration is a carefully timed event, and though a few
birds may show up a few days early, a month early is almost
unheard of. Still, it’s an enticing experience to enjoy this beauti-
ful place that is home to one of America’s rarest birds. We’ll be
back!
Osprey: Can They Continue to Adapt to
an Ever Changing Environment? By Tom Schmidt
With the advent of new video technology that allows us to place
small cameras in locations that have been previously difficult to
access, live feeds of bird nests are appearing all over the world.
These live feeds are a great resource for research in observing
bird behavior, brooding success, and the effects of a changing
climate. For many others, these cameras can be a source of en-
tertainment. I know I find myself looking at the Severna Park
Osprey camera, where two Osprey have come for years to
achieve their life objective, reproduction.
While watching these Osprey, you cannot help but notice the
construction site beneath the nest, which makes these nesting
Ospreys that much more amazing. When the Osprey pair migrat-
ed south in 2014, construction began and their nesting area was
destroyed. Upon their return in the spring of 2015, a battle en-
sued between the construction company and the Osprey's as
they continued to build a nest within the structure of the crane.
When confronted with a change in their environment, these
great birds adapted to their surroundings. The pair finally settled
on raising a family on a live electric pole. Thanks to two con-
cerned citizens, BGE got involved to find a safer, more perma-
nent solution for these great birds to reproduce. Ultimately, the
nest was moved to its current location on top of a platform with
an accompanying live camera feed.
In watching these Osprey and their young grow up and take in the world around them, each and every direction they face, you can see our impact as humans, for better or worse. These birds have adapted to the physical changes presented by humans. When presented with changes to the climate, will they be as adaptable? As we will undoubtedly see the continuing impact of climate change and the increasing intensity of weather systems here in the US, what will happen to our Ospreys at Severna Park or our opportunity to use these live camera feeds to watch other nesting birds? One of the many positive impacts of having so
Continued on page 2
Newsletter Contents: Page Field Trips ......................................................... 2 Kids, Tweens, Teens Corner ................................ 3 Donate to CAS; Volunteer with Us ..................... 4
Field Trips and Programs: Some of the dates provide an opportunity to choose a trip or double up and participate in two. Beginner birders are welcome
and encouraged to attend our walks!
**date change** Wednesday, June 22, 8:30-11:00am Leader: Ruth Bergstrom Bird Walk at North Point State Park for Youth Birders (8-15 years with parents) North Point is a 1,310-acre park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Edgemere, MD. We will search for birds along the Black Marsh Trail and the bay front (if time allows). Park entrance fee is $4/vehicle (please have exact change if possible).
→ Contact Ruth at [email protected] or 443-752-1967 to
register and to obtain meeting instructions.
Saturday, June 25, 5:00pm Leaders: Colleen Webster and Sue Procell Havre de Trace Kayak/Canoe Trip The harbor areas of Havre de Grace are home to a great variety of water-related species, such as ducks, geese, swallows, osprey, gulls, terns, heron, and many others. Add pleasant, scenic pad-dling and you have a perfect combination for a truly enjoyable evening.
→ Meet leaders Colleen Webster at the parking lot by the launch
ramp of Tydings Park in Havre de Grace at 5:00 PM. Bring your own craft. No rentals available. Contact Colleen to let her know you are coming (410-459-4577; [email protected]). Sunday, September 11, 8:00am Leader: Tim Houghton Cromwell Valley Park in Baltimore County
You'll spend time hiking trails in search of migrating songbirds, including sparrows and warblers—and perhaps spend some time at the Hawk Watch as well. Cromwell Valley is a 426-acre stream valley park in Baltimore County and one of the best places in Maryland for migrating birds. There are fields, woods, hedge-rows, and wood piedmont hills—much diverse habitat. The park is several miles off the Cromwell Bridge exit of I-695 (exit 29). Meet at the main parking lot from the Willow Grove entrance.
→ Contact Tim at 410-510-7504 or [email protected].
Free for members, $5 for non-members.
Saturday, September 17, 8:30am Leader: Tim Houghton Turkey Point at Elk Neck State Park, Cecil County For fall migration, few places in Maryland are as good as Turkey
Point, at the southern tip of Elk Neck State Park in Cecil County. (I 95 to exit 100, and then take 272 south all the way to the parking lot at the end.) An $8 toll is required. Car pooling may be possible at the Park-and-Ride at I-95 and 152 (exit 74).
→ Contact Tim at 410-510-7504 or [email protected].
Free for members, $5 for non-members.
Follow us for field trips that may be added after publication.
Friend us on
Sunday, September 25, 8:00am Leader: Brad Phoebus Swan Harbor Farm in Harford County Just south of Havre de Grace on the Chesapeake Bay are the beautiful grounds of Swan Harbor Park. It holds an array of wa-terfowl, shore birds, and songbirds for your enjoyment. You don’t want to miss this trip!
→ Contact Brad for meeting location and directions at bradphoe-
[email protected] or 443-415-9776.
Patterson Park Urban Bird Watching Walks
More than 190 bird species visit Patterson Park and more than 40
are permanent residents. Stroll and search for resident
and migrant birds with Audubon. The park is an urban oasis, with
44 native plant species in Audubon-maintained habitat gardens,
and 50 species of trees. Friday walks are led in partnership with
Chesapeake Audubon Society and Saturday walks are led by
Audubon MD-DC’s conservation director.
Walks are from 8:00am to 9:30am and all ages are wel-
come. Free. No registration required. Meet at the fountain in
the northwest corner of the park (close to the intersection of E.
Lombard St. and S. Patterson Park Ave.). No need to RSVP but
contact Patterson Park Audubon if you need to borrow binocu-
lars; either email [email protected] or call 410-558-2473.
Walks are scheduled on the following Saturdays: June 25, July
30, August 27, and September 24.
Ospreys: Can they Adapt? continued...
many live feeds of bird nests is that we can observe with little to
no impact the brooding success and use this to help us better
understand the complex impact that our changing climate has on
their way of life.
Technology has helped us immensely in making our lives easier
or increasing our access to remote areas such as the Osprey's
home. I am grateful as a birder, that I can see what it is like in
an Osprey's nest. We have an opportunity to see these birds
without interruption, through the good and the bad. These nest
cameras will continue to be a great resource of entertainment for
birders and a tool for researchers investigating the birds' ability
to adapt to the challenges they will undoubtedly face with a
changing climate.
Editor’s note: Audubon’s climate scientists have deter-
mined Osprey to be climate endangered. Their groundbreaking modeling of how climate change will affect bird ranges predicts that Osprey will lose 79% of their summer range by 2080. You can see the animated climate range mape for the Ospgrey at http://climate.audubon.org/birds/osprey/osprey Chesapeake Audubon was honored to be asked to provide a needed endorsement of the Severna Park Osprey Nest Cam Project. The live cam may be found at http://www.severnaparkospreys.com 2
Would you like to know what we find on our field trips? Visit our blog at http://chesapeakeaudubon.blogspot.com/
3
KIDS TWEENS TEENS
The Great Blue Heron or the
Tale of the Good Luck Crane
Get Outside! Crew is Awesome!
by Susan Hutson, illustration by Eve
“Power 10,” called out the coxswain. The crew drove its oars through the Patapsco
River’s glass-like waters just as a Great Blue Heron, or Great Blue, flew overhead.
Without catching a crab, Katie, who occupied the starboard bow seat, shouted, “It’s
our crane.” “Our good luck charm,” sang out Maggie, who ably occupied the stroke
seat. Allison, seat #3, reflected
that in the North American Na-
tive tradition, the Great Blue
carried messages of self-determination and self-reliance. The
team’s novice rowing season had, indeed, shown an ability to
progress and evolve.
Inspired by the crane sighting, the team chanted, “Unbeatable.”
As the sun climbed in the early dawn sky, and practice neared its
end, the coxswain commanded, “Let it run,” and, as the sweep boat approached the boathouse, “Way enough!”
Although none in Katie’s crew wants to catch a crab, that is, get the oar blade caught in the
water, the Great Blue Heron always wants to catch a crab—for its own snack, or for its young
nestlings. Once Allison actually caught a real crab on her oar. But then let it go!
The Great Blue finds crabs, fish, frogs, lizards, and snakes either in shallow water, streams, or
marshes, or along shorelines, tidal flats or sand bars. The Great Blue is the best known, most
widespread (Click here for range map.), and largest of all North American herons. With a wing
span of nearly 7 feet and about 4 feet tall, the novice crew truly stands in awe of their Good
Luck Crane!
Talk like a coxswain at Crewing terminology . Learn to row. Attend a crew summer camp at Reach High Junior Row-
ing.
Summer reading and video streaming: at Sapsucker Blues The Story of an Endearing Family of
Great Blue Herons by Anita Schmidt-Kyanka, 2013.This beautifully illustrated wildlife tale describes the extraordinary
lives of a family of Great Blues, the Sapsucker Blues.The tale is based on the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology live
streaming video at Sapsucker Pond in Ithaca New York. Both the story and video capture hazards the Great Blue family
faces, such as a spring blizzard, and a Great Horned Owl attack. The family thrives, and you find yourself cheering.
Highlights of the live streaming video, which ended in 2012, are found in several edited clips that begin with the cam
installation to the juveniles fledging, that is leaving the nest. At Sapsucker Blues.
5
Volunteer!
Chesapeake Audubon Society: Do you enjoy working on bird conservation projects, getting down and dirty in stream or other clean-ups, writing content for our newsletter or website, leading or helping lead hikes, or do you have an idea for a field trip or workshop? Chesapeake Audubon is always looking for volunteers or new committee members. Please e-mail [email protected] if you'd like to become more involved with our chapter. To see more volunteer opportunities and for more information, visit our website - http://www.chesapeakeaudubon.org/ Patterson Park Audubon Center: If you enjoy digging in the dirt, planting, pulling weeds, and whatever else park-related, join the Habitat Team in Patterson Park on the first Saturday of each month, starting April 2nd, from 9:00 to 10:30am, at the Boat Lake. Patterson Park is located in the East Baltimore neighborhood of Canton; the Boat Lake is close to the Eastern Ave-nue side of the park (for details: e-mail [email protected] or call 410-559-2473). Visit http://pattersonpark.audubon.org/about-audubon for a map of the park. Pickering Creek Audubon Center: Need a reason to travel to Easton on the Eastern Shore? Pickering Creek has planned and ongoing volunteer opportunities. To learn about these opportunities visit http://pickeringcreek.audubon.org/get-involved/upcoming-volunteer-opportunities
Chesupioc is published by the Chesapeake Audubon Society.
President: Hugh Simmons
Vice President: Frode Jacobsen
Treasurer: Dick Worsham, Ph.D.
Recording Secretary: Bryan MacKay
Corresponding Secretary: Debbie Geisenkotter
Program Chair: Kevin McCahill
Conservation, Sanctuary Chair: Norman Meadow, Ph.D.
Nominating Chair: Karen Meadow
Field Trips Chair: Tim Houghton
Newsletter Editor: Christine Holzmueller
Membership Chair: Mary McCahill
Volunteer Coordinator: Doris Leake
Original artwork: Mary Kokoski
Meet-up Manager: Brad Phoebus
EarthShare Coordinator: Richard Shurmann
South Atlantic Flyway Director: Hugh Simmons Directors at Large: Stuart Strahl (Pickering Creek Audubon Ctr Board) Bryan MacKay Henry Aguirre Director Emeritus: Rodger Waldman Wildlife Rehabilitator: Kathy Woods phone: 410-628-9736; [email protected]
www.chesapeakeaudubon.org
phone: (443) 423-1847
CAS e-mail: [email protected]
Donate to CAS today and be part of
environmental research, education and
conservation.
Your contribution will support several programs that are important for
all of us. One is research on our 700+ acre Farm Creek Salt Marsh Sanc-
tuary in Dorcester County. This research is a pioneer in efforts to deter-
mine how to mitigate the effects of sea level rise on critical salt marsh
habitat and the birds like Saltmarsh Sparrow and Black Rail that depend
on it. We have owned and protected this property since 1977 and scien-
tists have pronounced it one of the most environmentally/ecologically
valuable pieces of salt marsh in the entire area. Your contribution will
help assure continuation of this important work by Dr. David Curson,
Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon MD/DC.
Your contribution also supports environmental education programs for
our next generation, coaxing them outside and away from electronic
devices. Our Pickering Creek Audubon Center sees 9,000 children a year
and its programs have been incorporated into the curriculum of Talbot
County Schools. At the Patterson Park Audubon Center white, black and
Latino children learn through bi-lingual programming that they are con-
nected by the birds that migrate from Central and South America to
Baltimore’s backyards. Your contribution will help train our future deci-
sion makers in the proper care and respect for our natural environment,
helping protect and preserve birds and other wildlife now and for future
generations.
You are what hope looks like to a bird. Thank you for being a
member of Audubon and for your support!
