Contents
All information for the March/April edition of the Plover needs to be in by February 23!
Dues are Due!
Membership is based on the calendar year (Jan 1st - Dec 31st) and renewals are due January 1st. Please check the mailing label on this issue of the Upland Plover. It gives you the last year for which you have paid your dues. An addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience. Dues remain at:
$7.00 for individual Regular
$10.00 for individual Sponsor
$15.00 for individual Patron
Please make checks payable to the North Country Bird Club. Remember to keep us up to date on your address. The Plover is now mailed first class mail. If you have any questions, please contact Bob and June Walker at 649-2161.
We always welcome new members.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
New members in 2004 were:
Dorinne Campbell, Carl Jewett, Betty Jewett, Julia Miller, Jeff Miller, Faith Lustik, William Heineman, Chris Reidy,
Elizabeth Payne, Donna Hudson, Marybeth Alcott, Jean Jacob
On the day before the recent winter solstice I went birding in northwestern Jefferson County. As one with more than a few drops of Celtic blood in my veins enjoying the natural world as the solstice approaches is appropriate. The week before this date had turned suddenly cold creating excellent conditions for an influx of northern mouse raptors. So heading for the town of Cape Vincent I found that I was not to be disappointed.
The farmland of eastern and central Cape Vincent has a dusting of new fallen snow for effect and to make our northern visitors feel at home. Within a few minutes of arriving, hunting Rough-legged Hawks scattered through the fields surrounded me. These birds mixed with a few Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks accompanied by a single American Kestrel. Together they formed a full complement of the diurnal "mouse hawk" species usually present in winter hunting the meadow vole Microtus. This assemblage would have been enough of a treat for the day but then came the owls.
In nearby areas with a history of Short-eared Owl concentrations in recent years, I soon found nearly 20 of these birds flying and sitting in the late afternoon sun. As is typical of recently arriving, and thus probably quite hungry short-ears, these birds were extremely active in broad daylight. Several individuals secured voles as I watched, pleasing the owls and me but the voles probably had a dimmer view of the proceedings. As I drifted along Favret Road a large white lump appeared atop a hummock in a plowed field. An adult female Snowy Owl hunted from field and fence post providing this observer with his first view of a snowy since December 2001. I rejoiced in this banquet for all the senses provided to me for little more than the cost of some time and gasoline.
Through the modern technology of cell phones several other bird club members came to spend their pre-solstice afternoon with these owls. On the way home I could but reflect on the joys provided to all aware humans by our fellow travelers on this planet. My far distant Celtic ancestors witnessed many awe-inspiring sights of nature, including many generations past of owl ancestors. They may have seen such gatherings as a sign from the heavens something I can spiritually relate to. Whatever the case they witnessed their owls in less comfort than from a heated automobile and were unable to summon their friends by cell phone. Ah "there's the rub" as our British friends would say. Our expanding level of comfort is threatening these birds and their habitats.
The long-term effects of global climate change on these northern creatures can only be guessed. When they and other open country grassland birds come to our latitude fragmentation, direct mortality and habitat loss from wind farms, transmission towers and development threaten their survival. While I do not recommend any of us return to living in caves and wearing fur, we need to always be mindful of our impacts on the planet and seek to reduce them. If we do so responsibly our fellow travelers in the biosphere can continue their ride enriching all of our lives.
SEASON GREETINGS!
Gerry Smith - President
Checking account balance as of December 31, 2004 - $ 46.32
Savings account balance as of December 31, 2004 - $8,570.63
As of December 31, 2004 there are no known outstanding Bills or obligations.
David W. Prosser
Treasurer
December, 31 2004
Thank you to everyone who sends in sightings. If you see any interesting species or bird behavior, please send them to: Julie Covey, 26395 NYS Rte 180, Dexter, NY 13634, email: javelin74@tbs.net, or call (315) 639-4604. All sightings for the March/April edition need to be in by Feb 23.
Note:
Due to the expected birth of my second child around April 20th there will be no bird sightings in the May/June edition of the Upland Plover. I am sorry for this inconvenience, but at that point in time personal obligations will outweigh professional ones. The sightings will be back in the August/September edition.
Thank you for your understanding. - Julie Covey, editor
After some recent phone calls and emails I realized that I had not properly introduced myself when I took up the duties as editor of the North Country Bird Club Newsletter, The Upland Plover. So here is the scoop.
As you probably know by now, my name is Julie Covey. I live near Limerick, in the Cedars, in fact, with my husband, Will, our daughter, Maria, three indoor cats , a few gray tree frogs (Hyla versicolor) and a very vocal miniature dachshund. Our second child is due in late April, so things will get a bit crazy around here this Spring.
As for my professional experience and education, it has all been local. I graduated from Oswego State with a bachelors in Zoology and a minor in Geology. I have worked for The Central and Western NY Chapter of The Nature Conservancy as an Alvar and Dune steward and I worked one summer for DEC as a Technician on the Cormorant Diet Study. I have written articles for local papers to promote my work and I enjoy enlightening others as to what may be found around here. My specialty is herpetology, especially frogs and toads, but birds are a very, very close second. How could they not be when I can look out my living room window and see a Pileated Woodpecker or a Black and White Warbler on a fairly regular basis?
Hopefully that answers some of your questions about me. As always, if there is something you believe needs to be added or changed to the content of this newsletter, please let me know. I am always willing to make changes to make The Upland Plover a better newsletter.
Your Editor
Julie Covey
The North Country Bird Club members are entering a new phase - identification and study of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Several members have begun to gather information on the butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, including species present in counties encompassed by the NCBC. Tentative lists of butterflies/dragonflies and damselflies for Jefferson County are complete (contact Jerry LeTendre 654-2512 or June Walker 649-2161) for copies. The Lewis County list is underway and hopefully will be followed by St. Lawrence County.
Readily available information can be found in the books "Butterflies of North America" by Ken Kaufman, "A field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts" by Blair Nikula, and "Damselflies of the Northeast" by Ed Lam. The internet, of course, has excellent information available as well.
The group anticipates a combined field trip for birds and insects this coming spring. An important point to remember is that it is advantageous to have "close focus" binoculars to study these small insects.
Plans are underway to hold a meeting to determine how we want to conduct ourselves concerning collecting, netting, photography, and how we want to accept new species for each county.
The NYSDEC is preparing to begin an atlas of damselflies and dragonflies of New York State in 2005. We will keep everyone posted on dates of identification classes.
*CONTEST*
We are looking for a name for this new column. Send suggestions to Jerry LeTendre, P.O. Box 204, Cape Vincent, NY 13618 or e-mail jletendr@twcny.rr.com. The winner will receive a one year membership to the NCBC.
By Steve Litwhiler
Its time again to think about the summer and going to Environmental Education Camp. The North Country Bird Club can help sponsor a young person to one of the DEC's camps for a one week stay.
For more than 50 years, DEC has provided a residential camp program in conservation education for young New Yorkers. Three camps, Colby, DeBruce and Rushford, serve children who are 12 to 14 years old. The summer of 1998 marked the opening of a new camp at Pack Forest in the southern Adirondacks. Here DEC offers week-long Ecology Workshops for teens who are 15 to 17 years old.
DEC camp sessions run for one week, beginning on Sunday at 3:00 PM and ending on Saturday at 9:00 AM, through the months of July and August. Campers must be either New York State residents or immediate relatives of a New York State landowner.
Katy VossAt the camps, youth become immersed in conservation education, participating in fun activities and games that teach the wise use of natural resources. There are usually five to eight weeks of camp that a student can choose from in the months of July and August.
DEC camp costs $250 per camper per week and includes meals. Many campers are sponsored by local conservation and community groups, and these sponsored kids have a better chance to get into the camp of their choice during the week of their choice. For Sponsoring Organizations: applications can be POSTMARKED no earlier than February 12, 2005, others POSTMARKED no earlier than March 1, 2005.
More information, including downloadable applications, are available on the DEC's web site at - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/education/edcamps.html Parents of an interested child should contact club president Gerry Smith at 688-2664 about sponsorship.
Kathryn Voss was sponsored by the Bird Club last summer to attend camp at Camp Colby, near Saranac Lake. She did a presentation on her one-week stay at the November meeting.
By Peggy Coe, edited by Julie Covey
Catherine Common Johnson - Catherine with a "C", as she would remind those who did not know - a most uncommon woman, a most uncommon PERSON. She was vibrant, extraordinary and remarkable. Catherine loved life. She passionately loved John, fiercely loved her children, treasured her friends, loved THE River, THE Lake, birds, flowers, butterflies, chic clothes and high heeled shoes. No tourist brochure was ever as eloquent as Catherine enumerating the joys of living in the North Country. She and her husband John loved this area, but traveled extensively to see more of the world. She would keep journals and books of photos from these trips (all labeled) to prove it. An acclaimed artist, she looked for that perfect church, at home or abroad, to illustrate their annual Christmas card.
Catherine did not feel she was a great woman. She graciously accepted and treasured the honors she received, but always challenged herself and others to do better. As a leader she was never satisfied with the status quo. As president of the Friends of the Nature Center for 25 years and as Chairman of the Thousand Islands Commission of the NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation she was always looking for new and better ways to enhance the Nature Center and the parks. Her mother, for whom the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center on Wellesley Island was named, was one of the founders and active members of the North Country Bird Club. As was her mother, Catherine was a keen observer, a talent which served her well as an artist and a birder. She practiced her artistry in many mediums, including watercolor, oil, acrylic, scratch pad, pen and ink and pencil. As a birder it was impossible to top her in spotting spring warblers during the May Bird Count. Catherine had gumption. Parkinson's Disease was frustrating and difficult for her, but I never heard her complain She fought it every step of the way, but she also adapted.
Once met, Catherine C. Johnson was someone who was impossible to forget. She cared for her family and the Earth and its creatures, and she believed others should appreciate these gifts as well. If we carry on in her footsteps it will be a fitting and lasting tribute to her life.