THE BIG YEAR
April 1, 2012----March 31, 2013
The Big Year will be ending on March 31, 2013. The person or team that identifies the most bird species during the year will be the winner. There are two categories: Bird species identified in Arizona and bird species identified worldwide.
All who registered and paid the $5 fee may submit your results to a board member at the April Special Meeting on April 3, 2013 or the May1, 2013 regular monthly meeting. Winners will be recognized by the White Mountain Audubon Society and will receive a plaque or a trophy.
Thanks to all participants!
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Sue
Sitko
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BIRDATHON
MAY 1-31, 2013
In 2013, the Birdathon will be held for the entire month of May giving everyone who wants to participate time to obtain pledges and then go out birding. Birdathon has been our primary fundraiser since White Mountain Audubon Society began in 1987. Every year since that time people have gotten pledges from their families and friends and then tried to see as many different species as possible in the Birdathon time frame of usually 2-4 days. People could pledge a certain amount for each species or donate a flat amount to the effort and then participants turned in their donations to the treasurer of WMAS. These funds have been used for educational programs including scholarships, Audubon Adventures to schools and libraries and the Beginning Birder's Workshop.
This year please consider participating in the Birdathon; if you have any questions or need more information please contact Mary Ellen Bittorf at 367-2462
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Audubon Launches Multistate Rivers Advocacy Network
Chapter members and friends invited to join
In the arid West we are all connected by rivers; they are the lifeblood of our land, our economy, our way of life. Western rivers—including the Colorado, the Verde, the Gila and the San Pedro, provide water for tens of millions of people, including twenty-two Native American tribes and the cities of Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque and Tucson.
We aren’t alone in our reliance on western rivers. Ninety percent of Central Flyway birds depend on these waterways for their survival.
Unfortunately our rivers are in jeopardy. Drought, invasive species, over-allocation and unsustainable management are running our rivers dry. Many of the birds that depend on them, like the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Bell’s Vireo, are in decline, and the future of the communities and economies surrounding our rivers is uncertain.
Audubon is taking a major step to address the threats to our western rivers. This spring we’re launching the Western Rivers Action Network, a multistate grassroots coalition to advocate for our rivers and the bird species that depend on them.
To lead the development of the Arizona network, we’ve engaged Sarah Luna, a seasoned conservation professional who brings a wealth of skills to Audubon. Sarah will be reaching out to Audubon members across the state to get your input on how to make the Western Rivers Action Network a success and to find out how the network can support your chapter’s riparian conservation work.
Interested in being a part of the Western Rivers Action Network? There are many opportunities for volunteer advocates! Contact us to find out more. Email riosalado@audubon.org or Sarah Porter at sporter@audubon.org.
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Beginning Birder’s Workshop
Pinetop-Lakeside Town Center
May, 25, 2013, 9:00am
White Mountain Audubon Society offers the Beginning Birder’s Workshop each year to the public to help people learn the basics of bird identification. The workshop begins at 9 am and will end around noon. A small handout will be available; the fee is $10 per person and $15 for a couple.
Other topics that will be covered in the workshop are:
- How to attract birds to your yard
- How to select and use binoculars
- Introduction into how to use a field guide for bird identification and an opportunity to look at various bird guides
- How to care for bird feeders in your yard
- Great local spots for watching birds
- Plantings for your yard that birds would enjoy
If time permits, a short walk to look for birds and use your new skills may take place at a favorite local birding spot. This is a wonderful once a year opportunity to learn more about birdwatching and improve your ability to learn the birds you see in your yard, on your walks or while you are looking out your kitchen window.
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WHITE MOUNTAIN NATURE FILM FESTIVAL
Films to be shown at Unity Church, 257 Woodland Rd in Lakeside
June 7-9, 2013
White Mountain Audubon Society, Inc. is planning the second annual WHITE MOUNTAIN NATURE FILM FESTIVAL. The purpose of the festival is two-fold. First we want to increase the funds for our outreach programs such as a $1000.00 scholarship that we give to a graduating senior, a Beginning Birder's Workshop, and Audubon Adventures which is a tool for teachers that meets national science standards. We furnish these kits to teachers and libraries in the White Mountains at no cost to the teacher or the school. Each kit costs $45.00. Second, we want to provide the communities of the White Mountains enjoyable and entertaining films about nature and wildlife that they might not see in theaters. These films are suitable for families.
At a later date, the films to be presented and the times of the showings will be made available.
A reception will be held on Friday, June 7th from 5-8 pm at Pizzeria Venti for dinner to and meet the film makers. The showing of “Apache 8” will be held at the White Mountain Theatre in Lakeside at 7:00 pm.
For more information, please call Mary Ellen at 367-2462.
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HUMMINGBIRD BANDING AT SIPE WILDLIFE AREA
July 27, 2013
Once again, Sheri Williamson and her banding crew will return to Sipe Wildlife Area for an activity filled morning on July 27th... Activities begin at 8 and end at noon.
This event is sponsored by AZ Game & Fish Department, assisted by Southeastern AZ Bird Observatory, White Mountain Audubon Society, Springerville Rotary Club, and Springerville-Eagar Chamber of Commerce. Please take time to enjoy the displays in the Sipe Visitor Center.
Several activities will be ongoing during the morning, but the main event is watching the hundreds of hummingbirds that visit the area in summer and seeing the banders collect, measure, weigh, assess and band the birds. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the lives and habits of these amazing birds. It is possible to see Calliope, Broad-tailed, Black-chinned and Rufous hummingbirds as well as other birds in the surrounding area.
Remember to wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen; bring water, snacks/lunch, and plan to enjoy a morning in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona.
Sipe is located south of Eagar. Take Hgwy 191 going toward Alpine. Turn right off of Hgwy191, approximately 2 miles at the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Follow the dirt road for 5 miles. For more information, please call AZ G&F Department in Pinetop at 928-367-4281.
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TIMBER MESA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
December, 21, 2013
People interested in participating in the 2013 CBC for our area will meet at Bobbi Jo’s Restaurant in Pinetop at 7:00 for breakfast and then will organize into teams to cover the nearby areas for counting bird species. Please dress warmly; bring binoculars, a bird guide, snacks, lunch and water for the day of birding/counting.
The first CBC was held in 1900 and is the largest, longest-running animal census on earth. This citizen science program collects data each year that is vital for land management decisions and wildlife policy. There is no fee to participate and the annual published report, American Birds, will be available online, instead of print, and also online in Spanish. Over 60,000 volunteers help with this effort each year in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America.
The White Mountain area is known for its wintering waterfowl and Bald Eagles. Some birds seen on last year’s count are: Western Grebe, Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestral, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Say’s Phoebe, Chipping, Vesper, and White-crowned Sparrow. Usually more than 60 species are counted in the ten-mile radius circle on this day.
It is a fun event and all levels of birding skill are welcome and encouraged to participate.
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