GRAND TRAVERSE AUDUBON CLUB
September 13, 2013
BIRD NOTES
Hello everyone, well here it is Autumn? Summer? Spring? So which one is it today? Regardless of what the actual weather is, the calendar is telling us that it is indeed Fall. Which means that our fall line-up of events is ahead of us including the October Annual Meeting and Dinner. It is the time for the election of the Club’s officers for the upcoming year – 2014. That is the business part of the meeting, which usually takes all of 10 to 15 minutes. This year our program will be presented by Joe Rogers and he will be bringing Birds of Prey with him. This will be a chance to get a close-up look at these amazing birds
Margaret and Gerri wrote the following article about the Trumpeter Swan “89E” or at least that is what his band calls him. Enjoy this little bit of history on this particular swan and what has been happening with the efforts to “bring back” the Trumpeter Swans to Michigan.
Newsletter Editor – Shirley Mesch
The Trumpeter Swan “89E”
The Trumpeter Swan “89E” that so many of us have become so very fond of, was first seen in our area in April of 2007. He and three companions came trumpeting in out of the blue while Margaret and I were standing on the shores of Long Lake. We had never seen a Trumpeter Swan outside of Seney Wildlife Refuge. We were instantly captivated by the magnificent birds, and particularly mystified with the big, bold, green neckband worn by one of the Swans.
After quite a bit of help, we were led to the source of the neckband and information about Trumpeter Swans in general. We learned of how, while Trumpeter Swans had historically been common in Michigan, they were extirpated in the mid 1800’s by extensive hunting (both for the meat and the feathers). It was in a program to “bring back” these birds to Michigan, that “89E” was hatched at the Belle Isle Zoo in Detroit in 2002. He was next held at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary until he was two years old. And then eventually he was released with two sisters and three unrelated Swans by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians at the Tippy Dam Backwaters in June, 2004.. The next report anyone had was in April, 2006 when he was sighted on the Muskegon River near the Roscommon-Missaukee county line.
That is, until he arrived here in April 2007. Soon after our Long Lake sighting, Bryce and Paula Dreeszen sighted him on Cedar Hedge Lake. And in June, while canoeing on Lake Dubonnet, the Dreeszsens discovered that 89E and a mate were sporting six tiny Cygnets! How exciting was that?
Every summer since that June, “89E” has nested at Dubonnet. He and his mate are currently caring for the one remaining Cygnet from this year’s brood—(hatched around June 10). Last year they raised two Cygnets at least to the point that they fledged and flew over here to greet us on Long Lake on October 15.
There have been ups, and there have been downs. One year, on the exact day his mate and their brood were expected to make their debut, the female (and anticipated Cygnets) vanished–never again to be seen! Sad, sad, sad. 89E whiled out the rest of the year by himself. Three years ago there was a similar situation, not quite so dramatic, but never the less, leaving “89E” without a mate. He’s currently with his third mate. (So there’s a statement on “mates for life”, I guess–) (It would appear it may be as long as the mate lives.)
And now at 11 years old, “89E” keeps on keeping on. Pretty spicy, pretty spunky guy. It’s been common for club members to spot him in the off season on Boardman Lake, seamlessly blending with other Swans and waterfowl of all types.
Trumpeter Swans are not nearly the rarity they used to be, and oh, how enriched our lives are for the resonant sound of their bugling call. Once again we are able to see Trumpeter Swans at home in Michigan!
Your Grand Traverse Audubon Board
President – Missy Rassel – (231) 946-4714
First Vice President and Program Director Leonard Graf – 946-5120
Second Vice President and Environmental – Julie Winkler – (231) 275-0454
Secretary – Karen Crane – (231) 421-1001
Treasurer – John Kreag – (231) 264-8969 Cell – (231) 360-0943
Newsletter – Shirley Mesch – (231) 946-3624
Members at large – Stephanie Podolan – (231) 276-6880
Heather Peyton – (231) 392-5699
Michigan Audubon Representative (MAS) John Mesch – (231) 946-3624
Past President – Holly Vaughn – 342-3999
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE YOUR HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS UP UNTIL AT LEAST THE SECOND OR THIRD WEEK OF OCTOBER. IT MIGHT HELP A MIGRATING HUMMINGBIRD AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR FLIGHT SOUTH!
Seney Wildlife Refuge and Whitefish Point – September 2013 – Field Trip
The Club’s annual outing to Seney National Wildlife Refuge was held September 4 – 7. Eleven (11) members enjoyed good weather, the only rain was over night. We drove the auto-tour three (3) times, walked the nature trail, by the Visitor’s Center, and walked to the C-3 pool. We also tried to find Black-backed Woodpeckers, some of us on bikes others on foot. No Woodpeckers were found.
One afternoon, most of us drove to Seul Choix Point and Lighthouse, while one of us kayaked down the Manistique River.
We saw a total of 67 bird species. The most unusual sighting was a Red-necked Grebe on C-3 Pool, which occurs, in the Refuge only a couple times a year. We also saw 3 Great Egrets. The first time we saw Great Egrets here was two (2) years ago. Now they appear annually.
Barb and Leonard Graf
Regular Meetings and Scheduled Field Trips.
Our 2013 year continues with great programs and activities for the Fall and Winter months. We hope you’ll join us to enjoy fellowship and to learn more about our local bird life. ALL REGULAR meetings are held at the Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Road in Traverse City. (where the railroad track crosses the road 1.5 miles south of S. Airport Rd). A brief business meeting begins at 7:00, followed by an informative and entertaining program at 7:30. [Field trips are held in June and July but there are no Regular Meetings held]
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER THRU DECEMBER 2013
September
26 – Regular Meeting. Update on the Boardman Dam Removal, presented by Steve Largent, at the Boardman River Nature Center.
October
12 – Field Trip: Fall Colors and Bird Hike, 9:00 a.m. at the Boardman Nature Center. Contact Heather Peyton at 392-5699, to let her know if you plan on attending.
.
19 – ANNUAL DINNER MEETING: “Birds of Prey. Live birds will be presented by Joe Rogers (from the Wildlife Recovery Association). At Twin Lake Park. 6:00 p.m.. PLEASE send dinner reservations to John Kreag, Club Treasurer (231) 264-8969 or cell (231) 360-0943.
November
“
21` – Regular meeting. Owl Banding and Owl Research in the Straits area. Presented by Ed Pike at 7:00 p.m. at the Boardman Nature Center.
December
19 – Regular Meeting: Photo Fest and Christmas Party. Bring your photos, videos and other birding “show and tell”. At the Boardman River Nature Center at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Bird Count(s) – December
14 Grand Traverse Area Coordinator:
Ed Moehle, (231)947-8821
15 Antrim Area Coordinator
John Kreag (231) 264-8969
Cell (231)360-0943
28 Leelanau County Coordinator
Matt Winkler (248) 686-6699
January – 2014
11 – Field Trip: Snowshoe Hike and Winter Wildlife. At the Boardman River Nature Center at 9:00 a.m. Contact Molly McCombs at 941-0960. .
Field Trips, Workshops and Service Project Information
October 19 – Annual Meeting and Dinner – Refer to the end of this Newsletter for details on Menu, times, etc.
Christmas Bird Counts for – Grand Traverse, Antrim and Leelanau Counties
The National Audubon Society will no longer require a $5.00 participation fee from each of the counters. After conducting a nation-wide survey of all the compilers, it was determined that not enough people read the results in the American Bird Magazine. So, instead of publishing the magazine, they will make up for the lost funds by providing the information on the National Audubon Society website at www.nas.org.
December 14 – Grand Traverse County Coordinator – Ed Moehle (231) 947-8821
December 15 – Antrim County Coordinator – John Kreag (231) 264-8969
(231) 360-0943 – Cell phone
December 28 – Leelanau County Coordinator – Matt Winkler (248) 686-6699 – Cell Phone
The “Christmas Bird Counts”, are a great way to participate with other birders, whether, you’re just starting out, have been birding for a while or haven’t been but want to become more involved again. All levels of interests are needed for this important yearly event. Just contact one or all of the Coordinators listed above and they will be happy to pair you with other birders for this project. The information gathered on these counts is submitted to the National Audubon Society, and reviewed and compared to counts from previous years.
“ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
OCTOBER 19, 2013
GILBERT LODGE – TWIN LAKES PARK – 6800 NORTH LONG LAKE RD.
The gathering begins at 6:00 p.m., at the Grand Traverse County Twin Lakes Park, located just west of Traverse City, at 6800 North Long Lake Road. (contact Shirley Mesch at 946-3624 or cell (231) 499-1318, If you are in need of directions). Canteen Catering will be providing fresh fruit, cheeses and crackers, starting at 6:00 p.m. The buffet style dinner, which will begin between 6:30/6:45, will be: Chicken Cordon-bleu, Beef roll-ups, Red Potatoes, Green Beans, Creamy Pasta Primavera (vegetarian), Caesar Salad, with French Bread and Butter, coffee; regular and decaf, hot water for tea selections or fruit punch, topped off with assorted dessert choices: cheese cake, carrot cake, various pies, etc.
For a great dinner, program and an evening out, the cost is $15.50 per-meal.
After the dinner, there will be a short, not more than 15 minute, business meeting for the election of the slate of 2014 officers. Then we will be welcoming Joe Roger’s and his program on Birds of Prey. The program is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m.
So get that calendar out, use the form for reservations in this newsletter or from the club website and mail the reservation(s) in. Reservations should be made no later than October 09, 2013. If you have any questions about reservations, please call me at (231) 946-3624 or my cell at (231) 499-1318.
PLEASE fill in the following reservation form and along with a check for the dollar amount , mail to John Kreag ,Club Treasurer at 7565 N.W. Torch Lake Dr., Kewadin, MI 49648. Please make your check payable to: G.T. Audubon Club. See you there!!!!!
For Your Convenience, you will notice that the form is in two parts. This is to provide you with a membership form as well, because so many of you pay your annual dues at the same time as the Annual Meeting and Dinner. Any dues paid after September 1st are effective from September 1 through December 31, 2014.
ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER RESERVATION
OCTOBER 19, 2013 – SATURDAY
RESERVATION “MUST” BE MADE BY OCTOBER 09, 2013
Fill out the following form and mail along with your check made payable to:
“Grand Traverse Audubon Club”
MAIL to: John Kreag, Treasurer
7565 N.W. Torch Lake Dr.
Kewadin, MI 49648
Name:____________________________ Phone No.______________________________
Cell Phone No. __________________________
Name: ________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
Number of Dinners __________ X $15.50 per person = $_______________
Dinner Total: $__________________
Membership Dues $_________________
Total $ _________________
____________________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP – 2014
(RENEWAL)
Membership can be renewed at this time, or at least before December 31, 2013, in order to continue receiving the Bird-alert and Club e-mails. All memberships run the Calendar Year, but dues that are paid starting on September 1st. are for the calendar year of 2014.
[ ] Family – $20 [ ] Individual – $15 [ ] Student – $8
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Please include Area Code
Name: __________________________________________ Cell Phone: _________________
Address: _________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: ______ Zip Code: _____________.
E-mail address: __________________________________
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