Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton,
OH 45414-5398
Photo by Jim Simpson
2009 Birdathon
The arrival of April means Spring is well under way, and Dayton Audubon is geared up for our annual Birdathon. One of our most popular and important events, Birdathon raises thousands of dollars annually for local environmental programs and projects, including Aullwood Audubon Center and the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association. The greatest benefit, of course, is the fun for Birdathon participants as we count as many different bird species as we can see or hear in 24 hours; at this time of year, we might log over 100 different species in this area! Donations are raised through pledges gathered by the participants - either a per-species amount, or a fixed amount.
This year's Birdathon will be held from 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 24th to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25th. ALL chapter members are welcome to support this important effort! You can participate in several ways:
Participate in the count: Create your own team or join one of the existing teams You are welcome to join us for 24 hours of FUN; improve your birding skills and raise money for very worthy environmental causes.
Collect pledges and/or donations, and send them to the Birdathon chairperson, Judy Whitaker, c/o Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, Ohio, 45414-5398. Make checks payable to Dayton Audubon Society.
Pledge to one of the teams listed below.
Bring your pledges and/or donations to Patty's Shelter at Englewood MetroPark at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 25th for refreshments and the big tally! Hear about those great sightings!
Again this year, non-Audubon members who contribute $20 or more will receive a membership to the National Audubon Society and Dayton Audubon. As a special prize, the team that brings in the largest amount in pledges will receive a copy of "Gems of the Greater Dayton Region," a just-published book co-authored by Dane Mutter, with photographs by Allan Horvath. Participants and donors are also eligible for the Central America trip drawing this November (see article below). For more details call Judy Whitaker at 293-1914.
City, State, Zip______________________________________________________________
Calendar
April and May are the busiest months of the year for bird watching, and we have a number of Field Trips for you to choose from. This is the typical peak of migration in our area, and a great time to get out and discover some of our avian residents and migrants. Also, keep an eye on this web site or listen to our Rare Bird Alert hotline, 640-BIRD (2473), for possible additional field trips.
Saturday, April 4, 8:30 a.m.
Field Trip: Englewood MetroPark.
The diverse habitat of this premier MetroPark can hold a wide variety of migrants and nesters, including Vireos, Warblers, and Orioles. From Dayton take I-75 north to I-70 west to the airport access road, exit at US40 and go west to the park entrance at the east side of the dam. Meet leader Jennifer Monahan (435-0707). in the upper parking lot at the dam and US40.
Sunday, April 5, 8:30 a.m.
Field Trip: Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
SVWA is an outstanding Miami Valley birding locale, and should be abundant with early spring arrivals. Go south of the town of Spring Valley on US 42 along the Little Miami River. Turn left (east) on Roxanna-New Burlington Rd. Follow to Pence Jones Rd and take all the way to the end (past the trailer park) to meet leader Charlotte Mathena (433-2167) in the lower parking lot. Please bring your scope if you have one.
Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Wednesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m.
DAS Meeting/Program
Birding in Panama - See article below.
Sunday, April 19, 7:30 a.m.
Field Trip: Aullwood Audubon Center.
The fields and woods at Aullwood will certainly be hopping with birds during spring migration. Join Aullwood naturalist Tom Hissong (890-7360) on this popular field trip. Take US 40 west from I-75 (or from the airport access highway) at Vandalia, turn south on Aullwood Road at the east end of the Englewood Dam (between the Dayton International Airport and Englewood), and go 1/2 mile to the nature center.
Friday-Saturday, April 24-25
DAS Birdathon.
Please see article above for details.
Sunday, April 26, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Sugarcreek MetroPark.
If you're not worn out from Birdathon, Sugarcreek offers a large area of upland woods, fields, and riparian habitat, and is sure to be full of returning nesters and migrants by the end of April. From I-675, south on Wilmington Pike (cross SR725), continue to Conference Road. Meet leader John Shrader (436-3664) in the parking lot on Conference Road.
Sunday, May 3, 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 Visitor's Center.
Saturday, May 9, 8:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Caesar Creek Gorge.
Just below the dam at the southern end of Caesar Creek Lake, Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Preserve features a 180-foot deep gorge with trails leading from the base of the dam to the Little Miami River two miles away. Take I-75 south to SR 73. East through Waynesville. After crossing US 42, go about 1 mile, then right on Clarksville Road. Follow 2-3 miles to park road on the right. Go down the hill into the Gorge to meet leader Dick Balk (886-0092) in the parking lot below the dam.
Saturday, May 9, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Young Birders Field Trip:
Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
This is the second of our three young birders walks at Spring Valley, led by Cindy and Jim Beckman (937-862-4505). We will be celebrating International Migratory Bird Day. Come see what all the excitement is about! This could be a great day for seeing many species of warblers and vireos, including the brightly-colored Prothonotary Warbler that nests near the bike path. Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and many many more of nature's brightest will make their presence known as they establish territories, attract mates, or just fill up on insects on their way north. We should see Barn, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows swooping over the lake as Kingfishers, Herons, and maybe even an Osprey search for their aquatic prey. See directions above for Sunday, April 5.
Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Note: No DAS Meeting/Program in May.
Win 50% Off Birding Trip to Ecuador or Panama in 2010
The Dayton Audubon Society will be sponsoring a birding trip to either Ecuador or Panama in early 2010, and DAS is pleased to announce that one lucky DAS member will receive 50% off the land cost for this trip.
While details of the trip have not been finalized, the land cost is expected to be under $2,000 for a birding trip of 10 to12 days. The lucky DAS member will pay under $1,000 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 any DAS meeting between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009
Participate in any DAS field trip between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009
Participate in the 2009 DAS Birdathon
Participate in a DAS volunteer activity between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009
Each time you participate in one of the approved DAS activities, you automatically receive one entry into the drawing, which will be held at the November 2009 DAS monthly meeting. There is no limit to the number of entries you can receive.
You can earn additional entries for the following:
For each $25 you raise for the 2009 DAS Birdathon, you will receive one entry
For each $25 you donate to the 2009 DAS Birdathon, you will receive one entry
For each $250 you load on a DAS-sponsored Kroger Gift Card (see below) between March 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009, you will receive one entry
The drawing details and conditions have not been finalized, but this award will have no cash value, and there is a possibility the trip could be cancelled if registrations do not meet the minimum number to justify the trip.
Start your participation as early as possible to increase your chances of being selected!
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.
Upon a Peak in Darien
At our April 15th DAS meeting, Jim and Cindy Beckman, DAS board members, will entertain you with the story of their quest to the Darien Province of Panama to observe a young Harpy Eagle that has not yet left its nest. The Beckmans returned on March 8 after leading a group of 13 travelers to one of the most remote areas of Central America, and they have many anecdotes and photos to share. The Beckmans had the good fortune to live for several days among the Embera tribe in a primitive village, the closest place to stage the 5-hour hike to the nest site.
Join us as we take you from the rainforests of Central Panama, to the historic ruins of Panama City, to the Panama Canal, and to the jungles surrounding a remote native village, while enjoying the spectacular avian fauna for which Central America is renowned.
The program will take place at Wegerzyn Garden Center, 1301 East Siebenthaler Avenue, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Our meetings are held in the main auditorium; you can enter through the front doors and take the elevator or stairs. Everyone is encouraged to attend and bring their friends. Refreshments will be served, and parking is free. Please join us! Hang this article on your 'fridge so you won't forget!
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 or e-mail DAS Projects/Memorials Chair Cindy and Jim Beckman at
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
