Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton,
OH 45414-5398
Photo by Jim Simpson
Monarch Miracle
Due to the disruptions caused by Hurricane Ike's surprise visit to Ohio, September's DAS meeting had to be canceled. However, we only postponed our planned program on the fantastic migration of Monarch Butterflies, and we will bring Lee Hall back to our October 15 meeting.
The Monarchs fly south every winter from all over North America to congregate in incredible numbers at a relatively small location in Central México. Lee will present slide photos that he and others have taken of this amazing natural phenomenon, so drop in to learn more about these hardy travelers.
The program for our November 19 DAS meeting has not yet been finalized, but you can stay up-to-date through our website, www.dayton.net/audubon/, or via our Southwest Ohio Rare Bird Alert phone number, 937-640-2473 (640-BIRD).
Come out for an evening of easy friendship and a few laughs. We'll provide some light refreshments. As always, the program will be held at Wegerzyn Garden Center, 1301 East Siebenthaler Avenue from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We meet in the lower level; enter through the main entrance. As always, the general public is invited to attend and there is no admission fee. Parking is free.
Study Weather at Aullwood
Speaking of hurricanes, everyone should have a basic understanding of the weather. Spend your Wednesday evenings in October getting up to speed with a basic meteorology course at the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm.
This course provides an overview of the science of meteorology, including how to observe weather phenomena, understand meteorological measurement techniques, construct simple weather maps and even try your hand at forecasting. Learn how to read what cloud changes can tell you about tomorrow's weather, and about the mechanisms involved in cloud formation and precipitation. The course will sum up with an examination of the controversy over human causality of global warming, and they've also invited a cloud photographer to dazzle you with stunning pictures. Join this fun course to learn more about the weather.
For more information or to register for this outing, contact Tom Hissong at Aullwood at 937-890-7360.
Calendar
Saturday, October 4, 8:30 a.m.
Field Trip: The Narrows Nature Reserve, Beavercreek.
You won't have to travel far to enjoy this trip to the 162-acre Narrows Reserve. Join leader James Tarkany (428-9636) as he walks the Little Miami River trail looking for fall migrants. Go east on Indian Ripple Road to the second park entrance (past the entrance to the nature center), near the intersection of Indian Ripple and Factory Road in Beavercreek; turn right into the parking lot.
Sunday, October 12, 8:30 a.m.
Field Trip: Sycamore State Park.
Sycamore State Park is close to home, just Northwest of Dayton in the city of Trotwood, and offers trails through meadows, woodlands, ponds, and creeks that provide great habitat for nesters and migrants. The huge sycamores lining the banks of Wolf Creek give the park its name. Take US35 west from Dayton about 6 miles to Snyder Road, then right (north) 3-1/2 miles to Wolf Creek Pike, turn left and meet leader Todd Jergens (837-4302) in the parking lot a short distance down the road on the right side.
Tuesday, October 14, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting.
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Wednesday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.
Dayton Audubon Society Meeting.
"Monarch Miracle" with Lee Hall. See article above.
Saturday, October 19, 9:00 a.m.
Field Trip: CJ Brown Reservoir, Springfield.
CJ Brown Reservoir near Springfield has a number of habitats to explore, including a deep-water lake, shallow inlets, beach, seasonal mudflats, patches of woods, and grasslands. Fall waterfowl, shorebirds, and a few late passerine migrants are all possible in mid-October. Take I-70 east to US 68, go north to SR 344, east to SR 4, south to Croft Road, east across the dam, to the state park entrance. Meet Dick Balk (886-0092) at the parking lot by the water north of the check-in station (north end of the beach.)
Sunday, November 2, 9:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Caesar Creek Lake.
Located southeast of the metro Dayton area, Caesar Creek State Park has many different habitats available for birding, including (besides the lake itself) wetlands, fields, and woodlots. Over the years a long list of birds has been sighted here. If the weather has cooperated, there could still be some southbound passerine migrants around in addition to the numerous local avian residents. To get to Caesar Creek, go south on I-75 to SR 73, then east past Waynesville. Where the road widens to four lanes (just before crossing the lake), turn left and follow the signs to the beach. Meet John Shrader (436-3664) at the large beach parking lot.
Sunday, November 9, 9:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Whitewater State Park, Indiana.
Our popular, traditional end to the fall season's field trips! You just never know what will be seen on this trip: waterfowl, shorebirds, few early winter birds, Black Vultures, Turkeys, and/or Sandhill Cranes. Plan now to stay all morning - bring a picnic lunch with you, and bring a jacket in case the weather is brisk! This is the trip for great birds AND fellowship! Take SR 725 west to Indiana 44 to Liberty, Indiana. Go south on Rt. 101 to the state park sign. Meet Lee and Polly Hall (434-4531) and Chuck Gardner at the park entrance. Don't forget your good luck "bear claw necklace"!
Tuesday, November 10, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting.
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 p.m.
Dayton Audubon Society Meeting.
See article above.
Sundays, November 30, December 7, and January 4, 10:00 a.m.
Field Trips: Eastwood Lake/Huffman Reserve
The weather is the key factor for this series of field trips. We will look for waterfowl on Eastwood Lake (and actually hope for cold and rainy instead of warm and balmy; bad for the birders but great for the ducks!). We will then head up Route 4 to Huffman Reserve, which often has open water when other areas are frozen. Meet leader Jennifer Monahan (654-3301) at Eastwood Lake in the first main parking lot, off of Harshman Road east of Route 4.
Sunday, December 28
84th DAS Christmas Bird Count
Details in the next issue of The Yellow Warbler.
Assembly Registration Deadline Nears
Have you registered yet for the upcoming Audubon Ohio State Assembly? Chances are that someone you know has!
The Assembly will be held in lovely Bellville, Ohio on Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19 from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, with optional outings offered on Sunday morning. The Assembly will feature workshops, and keynote speeches by Dr. Lonnie Thomson of the Byrd Polar Research Institute and former National Audubon board member Ted Eubanks.
Did we mention the outings? There will be four outings on Sunday morning, including a tour of the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, a guided walk through Funk Bottoms, and walking and cycling tours near Bellville. You won't want to miss these free outings (donations will be gratefully accepted), but they are open only to Assembly registrants.
Registration ends on October 3. Space is limited, particularly on the outings. More information about the Assembly and how to register for it is available through the Audubon Ohio website, www.audubonohio.org. If you would like to ensure receipt of registration materials, call Audubon Ohio at 614-224-3303, or send us an e-mail message at Ohio@Audubon.org.
Get Involved!
Are you fond of birding-related activities? Are you interested in the environment? Do you wish the Dayton Audubon Society offered more for YOU? Well, we can use you!
DAS is always seeking new Officer and Director candidates. If you or someone you know is interested in helping to develop and lead your DAS, please contact President Mike Coogan, or any of the officers or Board members listed on the Organization web page. A simple commitment of time, with a wealth of satisfaction!
DAS Scholarships Available
The Dayton Audubon Society is deeply committed to education
and,in part, shows that commitment by offering scholarships annually to
individuals who can make a difference in our community. Perhaps you know
someone who might benefit from the DAS mission. Read on and, if you can,
help us find deserving scholars.
Charlie Breish Memorial Camp Scholarships
Dayton Audubon offers financial assistance for teachers and other adults to attend National Audubon's summer ecology workshops in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, the woodland community of Connecticut, and the coast of Maine.
While the camps and workshops are open to everyone these days, they are still especially popular with teachers. If you know of a dynamic elementary or secondary teacher, let us know about them!
National Audubon also offers a summer camp in Maine to youngsters ages 10 through 14.
The Dively Scholarship
Since 1982, DAS has offered tuition help to college students
through the Dively Scholarship Program, originally endowed in memory of
DAS member Dick Dively. Though we cannot offer a lot of money, the Dively
Scholarship has helped both undergraduate and graduate students reach academic
goals in fields that further the cause of environmentalism and conservation.
Dively scholarship recipients are not restricted to scientific fields;
other connections, such as environmental law, are possible.
The Shawen Grant
The Bob Shawen Memorial Youth Ornithology Grant was established in
memory of long-time DAS activist Bob Shawen. The goal of the program is
to provide funds, materials, and/or speakers for elementary classrooms,
youth groups, or field experience settings to promote knowledge of birds,
their habits, and their habitats.
What can you do?
Help us find scholarship candidates. Talk to interested people or people you think ought to be interested. Spread the word! To recommend candidates, apply for scholarships, or receive further information, please call DAS Projects/Memorials Chair Tom Schaefer at 937-276-2162, or e-mail him at tom@earthspeaks.org. You can also write to
Dayton Audubon Society
1375 East Siebenthaler Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398
or e-mail us at
audubon@dayton.net
Environmental Legacy
A bequest of any size to Dayton Audubon can have a lasting effecton on
ecological concerns and environmental education in the Dayton area. We ask that you consider leaving a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after other bequests, to
the Dayton Audubon Society.
For more specifics on this, or other information about gift planning, please phone Tom Schaefer, 937-276-2162, or write to Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398.
Time and Talents
Dayton Audubon is an organization of volunteers committed to education, the natural sciences, and an environmental ethic. Help and new ideas from the ranks of the membership are needed in order for the organization to reach its goals. If you would like to help in any of the following capacities, please let us know. Your involvement will be welcome.
I would like to help with:
__ Birdathon
__ Conservation Committee
__ Education Committee
__ Field Trips
__ Membership Comittee
__ Publicity
__ Yellow Warbler
__ Other:
________________________
Send with your name and phone number to Dayton Audubon Society,
1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398. You can also
call DAS President Jennifer Monahan at 937-654-3301, or e-mail us at
audubon@dayton.net.
As a member of the National Audubon Society, you are also a member
of the Dayton area chapter. There are no local dues, and you receive your
newsletter automatically. To find out more about the Dayton Audubon Society,
contact one of the officers whose numbers are listed in the Dayton Audubon
Society Organization webpage. Better yet, come to
a meeting or join us on a field trip!
The DAS meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Wegerzyn Center, 1301
East Siebenthaler Avenue, on the third Wednesday of every month from September
to June. See you there!
Southwest Ohio Rare Bird Alert
937-640-BIRD (2473)
Includes updated information on DAS activities.
To report unusual sightings, call Betty Berry at 937-836-3022, or
Ralph Dennler at 937-294-5086
