Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton,
OH 45414-5398
Photo by Jim Simpson
Editor’s Note - Due to postage difficulties, the September Yellow Warbler was not mailed. We apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused.
October and November Programs
The program for our October 21 DAS meeting has not yet been finalized, but we expect it will be a good one. You can stay up-to-date through this website, www.dayton.net/audubon/, or through our Southwest Ohio Rare Bird Alert phone number, 937-640-2473 (640-BIRD).
UPDATE - OCTOBER 8
"Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow"--will be the theme for the Dayton Audubon
program on 10/21/09. at Wegerzyn Garden Center from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
Deputy Director Dave Nolin who has been part of Five Rivers Metroparks
for almost 30 years will be our guest for the evening.
The program is open to the public and there is ample free parking
available. Light refreshments will be served and there will be time for
questions and comments from the audience.
Mr. Nolin has been a participant in the recent search for the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker. He also has contributed to the success of
other local conservation organizations.
November 18 DAS program will feature Nicole Conrad, Environmental Specialist and Intern Coordinator at Aullwood Audubon Center, and Aullwood’s four new Interns for this year. Nicole and "her gang" always provide an entertaining program, so this will be an opportunity to escape November blues.
Come out for a couple of evenings of easy friendship and a few laughs. We’ll provide light refreshments. As always, the programs 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.
Calendar
Sunday, October 4, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Carriage Hill MetroPark.
Besides the working farm, Carriage Hill boasts a variety of habitats, including a large prairie, a small lake with a boardwalk, abundant meadows, and several wooded areas. Take I-75 north, east on I-70 to SR 201, north to the park entrance on the right; meet leader Mike Coogan (438-5688) at the Red Wing shelter parking lot across the road from the Visitors’ Center.
Saturday, October 10, 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, then 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, October 11, 9:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Caesar Creek Gorge.
Just below the dam at the south end of Caesar Creek Lake, Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Preserve features a 180’-deep gorge and flood plain forest along Caesar Creek from the dam to the Little Miami River two miles away. This time of year should provide a large number of resident and migrant bird species; the gorge is an excellent place for late migrant warblers, as well as Pileated Woodpeckers and possibly Wild Turkeys. In Warren County east of Waynesville: Take I-75 south to SR 73, then go east through Waynesville. About 1 mile after crossing US 42, turn right on Clarksville Road and follow it 2-3 miles to the park road on the right; follow it to meet Cindy and Jim Beckman (862-4505) in the parking lot below the dam.
Tuesday, October 13, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting.
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 p.m.
Dayton Audubon Society Meeting.
See article above.
Sunday, November 1, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Caesar Creek Lake.
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 bird sightings has been compiled there. If the weather cooperates, 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 I75 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 8, 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 Chuck Gardner (937-962-4860) 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 18, 7:00 p.m.
Dayton Audubon Society Meeting.
See article above.
Sundays, November 29, December 6, and January 3, 10:00 a.m.
Field Trips: Eastwood Lake/Huffman Reserve
The weather is the key factor for this series of winter 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 27
85th DAS Christmas Bird Count
Details in the next issue of The Yellow Warbler.
Dayton Audubon Fundraiser
DAS is asking members to support our organization by using a reloadable Gift Card when shopping at Kroger. This costs nothing but a few seconds of your time, and all proceeds go directly to our (your!) environmental education and scholarship projects.
Participation is easy! Send a $5.00 check payable to Dayton Audubon Society to:
Cindy Beckman
3061 Clear Springs Road
Spring Valley, OH 45370
or you can get a card at any Dayton Audubon Society meeting. The card is FREE because it comes preloaded with $5.00.
Audubon in the Classroom
As students are heading back to school, the National Audubon Society is preparing its 22nd season of Audubon Adventures, an acclaimed environmental education publication for 4th, 5th, or 6th grade elementary classrooms. Audubon Adventures helps teachers make learning about science and nature part of students' everyday lives, integrating reading with science and other core disciplines.
According to a 2000 report issued by the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, in which they reviewed schools that adopted environmental education as the central focus of their academic programs, the results of including environmental education in the classroom were striking - reading and mathematics scores improved, students performed better in science and social studies, they developed the ability to transfer their knowledge from familiar to unfamiliar contexts, they learned to "do science" rather than just "learn about science," and classroom discipline problems declined.
DAS annually sponsors Audubon Adventures for area schools. If you know of a classroom that would like us to sponsor Audubon Adventures for them, or you would like to sponsor a class yourself, please contact Dick Balk at 886-0092. The cost for Audubon Adventures is $35 per classroom, and the packets are designed for a class of up to 30 students.
The kids need you! We can make a difference!
Win 50% Off the Belize Trip!
One lucky Dayton Audubon Society member will receive 50% off the land cost for our DAS-sponsored Belize trip in March, 2010 (see below). The trip is priced at $1,995, but the winning member will pay just $997.50 for the land cost of this trip.
To be eligible for this award, you must be a DAS member and must participate in at least one of the following DAS activities:
* Attend either DAS meeting in September or October, 2009
* Participate in any DAS field trip before October 31, 2009
* Participate in a DAS volunteer activity before October 31, 2009
Each time you participate you will receive one entry into the drawing, which will be held at the November 18, 2009 DAS monthly meeting. There is no limit to the number of entries you can receive.
You can earn additional entries for each $250 you load on a DAS-sponsored Kroger Gift Card (see above) before October 31, 2009.
For details on the Belize trip or the drawing, contact Cindy and Jim Beckman at 937-862-4505. You can also find more information on below.
Dayton Audubon Society Announces its First International Birding Trip!
Members of Dayton Audubon Society are invited to travel to Belize with a group of fellow members and other birders from March 19 to 28, 2010. Our guide, native Belizean Glenn Crawford, is one of the most knowledgeable birding guides and naturalists in Belize, and he will provide us with an excellent introduction to tropical birding as we travel to various habitats within this English-speaking Central American country.
The price (from Belize City) is just $1,995, and includes all lodging, meals, private transportation during the tour, entrance fees, and expert guide. In addition, pre- and post-trip materials such checklists, detailed itinerary, trip report, and digital photographs (on CD) will be provided. Cost does not include international airfare, departure tax ($20), tips, or items of a personal nature such as extra drinks, snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
Sign up early to reserve your spot on this once-in-a-lifetime trip! Contact Cindy and Jim Beckman at 937-862-4505.
DAS Scholarships and Grants
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.
Applications will be accepted from January 1-March 15, 2010, for the 2010-2011 school year.
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 write, call, or e-mail DAS Projects/Memorials Chair Jim Beckman at
Jim Beckman
Projects and Memorials Chair
3061 Clear Springs Road
Spring Valley, Ohio 45370
phone 937-862-4505, or e-mail DAS Projects/Memorials Chair(oz1221@sbcglobal.net)
You can also write to Dayton Audubon Society
1375 East Siebenthaler Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398
or e-mail us at audubon@dayton.net
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!
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
