Issue 3, August 2018

Stockbridge
Audubon
www.stockbridgeaudubon.org
Representing Northeast Indiana P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46867

President’s Words the Fort Wayne Parks Department, as Foster Park

is definitely bird friendly! And easy walking, too.
By Cynthia Powers
We would love to have you join us this fall on a
Fall migrations have already begun, as shorebirds
field trip. Always bring your own food and
have been seen in area flooded fields. And our
drinks, plus a few dollars for gas for the car pool
field trip committee has come up with several
driver. Trips are hardly ever canceled for
weekend trips, starting the very end of August.
predicted weather conditions---lots of times it
The schedule is in this newsletter. This time we
doesn’t turn out as bad as the prediction.
include a brief description of how much walking
is involved. If you would like more information,
New birders are always welcome!
just call the trip leader, or one of the board
members.

One of our spring field trips, in late May, went to

Foster Park in Fort Wayne. We called it the
“Stockbridge Challenge.” When Foster Park was
new, our founders hoped it would be developed in
a bird friendly way. So they made several May
bird counts there, coming up with an average of
44 species. We wondered if we could beat that!
After all, we have better binoculars now.
Barred Owl photo by Ed Powers
It was a bit touch and go: we didn’t see a Turkey
Vulture until near the end! But we came up with Upcoming Programs
48 species, and some spectacular views. For
instance, a hummingbird landed right on her nest, Sunday, Sept 9: “Crash Course in Birding” led
a Barred Owl was perched near the path, and two by Brad Bumgardner, executive director of the
Yellow-billed Cuckoos were easy to see right over Indiana Audubon Society. This event promises to
the road. (Usually cuckoos are famous for be great for beginners! It will take place at
skulking in dense foliage.) Much credit goes to Pokagon State Park from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

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Registration is required (only 21 spaces left as of it would be a good investment for the city of Fort
this writing) and there is a modest fee ($10 for Wayne to afford them protection, a good
Stockbridge members and members of IAS). Find investment especially along educational lines”.
out more at https://indianaaudubon.org/events/.
Stockbridge Challenge Bird Count
Sunday, Oct. 14: the Big Sit at Fox Island
County Park. More information can be found in Results
the field trip list (see page 5). By Greg Majewski
The Stockbridge Audubon Society undertook their
Stockbridge History: "Stockbridge Challenge" on May 26 at Foster
Foster Park and Stockbridge Park. 100 years ago, Foster Park was still being
By Terri Gorney planned, and club namesake Charles Stockbridge
was a strong advocate to the City of Fort Wayne
Foster Park was established in 1912 on land to have the park contain natural spaces suitable
donated by Samuel and Col. David Foster. When for wildlife habitat. He birded the park to see how
this park was developed consideration was given to many species were present to support his claim
the native animals and birds that made their home that it was an ecologically important part of the
on this land along the St. Mary’s River. At the time, city, arriving at 44 species. 100 years later we set
it was at the edge of the City of Fort Wayne. out to see if we could meet his tally, and we ended
the morning with 48 species.
The park contains a variety of habitats: shrubs and
trees along the river, open areas, and woods. This Canada Goose - 50 (estimate)
made it a favorite place for field trips with Wood Duck - 19 (including 14 babies)
Stockbridge in its early days. May counts that were Mallard - 4
called “Observation Day” were conducted here. It Great Blue Heron - 3
was normal to see 45 species in one day. Turkey Vulture - 1 (a distant bird that put us over
Mr. Stockbridge's record)
Arthur Ringwalt was secretary of Stockbridge in Cooper's Hawk - 1
1912. In the Fort Wayne Daily News, he is quoted Mourning Dove - 2
as follows: “The matter of providing nesting places Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2
for the birds in Foster Park was brought up at a Barred Owl - 1
recent meeting of the Audubon Society. It was Chimney Swift - 3 (an undercount)
decided that with consent of the park board, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 8 (including one
society would provide places where the birds can on nest)
make their nests. Some birds nest in shrubs close to Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
the water’s edge, and others in shrubs farther away Downy Woodpecker - 5
from the water. Some select small trees some fence Northern Flicker - 1
corners, and some dense shrubbery, while one is Eastern Wood-Pewee - 4
almost forced to build little bird houses to be placed Acadian Flycatcher - 3
in the trees for certain species of birds. What the Eastern Phoebe - 4
Audubon Society wants to do, then, is to create an Great Crested Flycatcher - 5
atmosphere, so to speak, which will be pleasing to Eastern Kingbird - 1
the birds, and persuade them to build their nests Warbling Vireo - 3
there, and to enable them to find suitable places in Red-eyed Vireo - 9
which to build their nests. There is a rare variety of Blue Jay - 2
beautiful birds native to this locality, and I believe American Crow - 1

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Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1
Tree Swallow - 1
Carolina Chickadee - 1
Tufted Titmouse - 2
White-breasted Nuthatch - 8
House Wren - 2
Carolina Wren - 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 6
Swainson's Thrush - 1
American Robin - 13 (a definite undercount)
Gray Catbird - 16
European Starling - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 8
Ovenbird - 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo by Greg Majewski
Northern Parula - 6
Yellow-throated Warbler - 2
Chipping Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 1
Northern Cardinal - 13
Indigo Bunting - 4
Baltimore Oriole - 2
Brown-headed Cowbird - 8
Common Grackle - 1
American Goldfinch - 9
House Sparrow - 1

Full checklist with

photos: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46051960

Greg M. House Wren photo by Greg Majewski

Fort Wayne

Yellow-billed Cuckoo photo by Greg Majewski Wood Ducks photo by Greg Majewski

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HAVE YOU MET MERLIN? According to the Project FeederWatch website,
the requirements are very flexible. One can watch
By Cynthia Powers
every week (the project runs from November till
early April), only occasionally, or somewhere in
I kept hearing about the free mobile app called between. Find out more at
“Merlin,” that helps with bird ID for beginners. https://feederwatch.org/.
When our computer whiz granddaughter was
visiting, I asked her to help me install it on my
new smart phone. It took her about half a minute. Invasive Species Legislation
It asks you your location (of course, the smart Greg Majewski learned recently that the Indiana
phone knows where you are at the moment), the DNR is accepting public comments for a state-
size of the bird you saw, its colors, and what it wide rule that would ban the sale of 44 invasive
was doing. Then it gives you a list of possible plant species statewide:
IDs. Incidentally, these are the very questions we https://www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm.
teach the Master Naturalist class to use in
describing a bird. Greg notes that one can scroll to the bottom to see
So we started to test it out. Looking out the “the document with list of species, as well as the
window, we saw a robin-sized bird, blue, black link where comments can be submitted. It
and white, at the feeder. Sure enough, it was a includes the worst of the worst, but leaves off
blue jay! Then we clicked on a speaker icon, and some of the offenders that are quickly gaining
it played the blue jay’s call! footholds, like burning bush and ornamental
pear.”
After a few tries like this, we started being silly.
We reported that in Fairbanks, Alaska, we saw a Separately, Knox County is considering an
bird the size of a goose, that was red and orange, ordinance to limit the sale of invasive plants
sitting on a wire. Merlin was not fooled! It said within the county. An article can be found at
“Merlin doesn’t have a likely bird.” https://indianaeconomicdigest.com/main.asp?Sect
ionID=31&SubsectionID=106&ArticleID=92716.
Merlin is a project of the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology. It learns as it goes along, and Because of Stockbridge’s commitment to
somehow gets data from Ebird. Maybe we’d conserving and restoring natural ecosystems,
better not put too many silly entries in, lest we these initiatives might be of interest to our
skew the data! Anyway, it might be fun for members.
beginners, or kids on a rainy day.
If you recently joined National Audubon
Project FeederWatch Starts Society, you’re receiving this complimentary
newsletter because you are automatically
November 10 granted membership in the local Stockbridge
Cynthia Powers tells us that “easy volunteer work chapter when you join National. If you would
is to sit in the Vera Building at Fox Island and like to continue receiving the letter, which is
record the birds according to the criteria produced four times a year, please call Ed
established by Cornell (easy.) Ron Zartman Powers at 260-638-4291 or email him at
coordinates the Vera Building volunteers zzedpowers@aol.com and let him know
rzartman@allencountyparks.org. We take our lunch, whether you would prefer a paper or emailed
finish the paper, talk to park visitors (if there are version. If you don’t wish to continue receiving
any).” this newsletter, don’t do anything and no
further issues will be sent to you.
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 STOCKBRIDGE AUDUBON SOCIETY 2018 FALL FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are open to all; we welcome beginners. Keep in mind:
--bring a picnic lunch for all trips lasting past noon, and snacks and drinks; picnic lunch is optional for half–day trips
--arrive a few minutes early; we leave on time
--we car pool for out-of-town trips; sharing gas expenses is appreciated; have enough gas if you can drive
--we can meet people at our destination or on the way if arranged in advance
--return times are estimates, and are not guaranteed; you can return early if you drive yourself
--dress for the weather. Waterproof shoes or boots are often needed
--for further information, contact Ed Powers, (260)638-4291, zzedpowers@aol.com

Sat Aug 25 Eagle Marsh. Meet at 7:30 AM at the BSA Scout parking lot at the end of Olde Canal Place (opposite Lutheran
Hospital campus). Shorebirds, herons, swallows, etc. Up to two miles on flat trails; boots recommended. Finish by
noon. Leaders: Ed Powers, John Winebrenner

Sat Sep 1 Fox Island County Park. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Vera Dulin Bldg parking lot at Fox Island, 7324 Yohne Rd.
Woodpeckers, woodland songbirds, including migrant warblers. Three or four miles on easy trails; may be some wet
spots. Finish by noon. Leaders: Margit Codispoti, Stephanie Wagner. Park entrance fee of $2 payable at self-serve
post just inside gate or at the Nature Center.

Sat Sep 8 Lake Michigan lakefront. Leave at 6:30 AM from north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of I-69).
Waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls and terns. Travel mostly by car, with frequent stops and short walks. Return about 6:00-
6:30 PM. Leader: Ed Powers

Sat Sep 15 Franke Park, 3411 Sherman Blvd. Meet at 8:00 AM at the BMX track. Migrant songbirds. Up to two miles on
somewhat hilly trails. Done by noon. Leaders: Phil Wixom, Greg Majewski

Sat Sep 22 Chain O’ Lakes State Park. Leave at 7:30 AM at from north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of I-69),
or meet us at the Youth Campground at Chain O’ Lakes at 8:15. Hawks, woodpeckers, migrant songbirds. Up to five
miles on mostly flat trails; may be some wet spots. Return about 4:00 PM. Leaders Eric Helfrich, John Winebrenner

Sat Oct 6 Salamonie Reservoir. Leave at 7:30 AM from NE corner of Rural King parking lot, 8801 US 24 just W of I-69, or
meet us at 8:00 AM at Forks of the Wabash, SW corner of US 24 and IN 9, Huntington. Hawks, songbirds. Largely
birding by car, but up to three miles on foot; some hills, may be muddy spots. Return around 5:00 PM. Leaders: Sandy
Schacht, John Winebrenner

Sat Oct 13 Eagle Marsh. Meet at 8:00 AM at the BSA Scout parking lot at the end of Olde Canal Place (opposite Lutheran
Hospital campus). Waterfowl, some shorebirds, sparrows, etc. Up to two miles on flat trails. Finish by noon.
Leaders: Ed Powers, Sandy Schacht

Sun Oct 14 BIG SIT BIRD COUNT on the back deck of Fox Island Nature Center, 7324 Yohne Rd. All afternoon, come when
you can! No walking, snacks and rest rooms close at hand.

Sat Oct 27 Pigeon River FWA. Leave at 7:00 AM from north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of I-69), or meet us
at FWA Hq, about 1/2 mile east of Mongo. Hawks, woodpeckers, songbirds, Sandhill Cranes, maybe owls. Some easy
walking. Return around 5:00 PM. Leaders: Sam Plew, Margit Codispoti

Sun Oct 28 Hurshtown Reservoir. Meet at the reservoir, 16000 Roth Rd, 1 mi S of hwy 1 (1.5 mi N of Grabill Rd) at 3 PM.
Loons, grebes, ducks, gulls, maybe Snow Buntings. We circle the reservoir by car, stopping occasionally to get out and
scope the water. Finish by 5:00 PM. Leader: Ed Powers

Sat Nov 3 Lake Michigan lakefront. Leave at 6:30 AM from north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of I-69).
Waterfowl, late shorebirds, gulls and terns. Travel mostly by car, with frequent stops and short walks. Return about
6:00-6:30 PM. Leaders: Eric Helfrich, Ed Powers

Sun Nov 11 Hurshtown Reservoir. Same as Oct 22

Sat Nov 17 Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area and Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. Leave at 11:00 AM from the east end of
the Kroger parking lot, 10230 Chestnut Plaza Dr (northwest quadrant of the intersection of west SR 14 and Scott
Road). Waterfowl and late shorebirds at Kingsbury, and thousands of Sandhill Cranes at J-P. We customarily stop for
supper at a fast-food restaurant in Winamac. Return about 8:00 PM. Leaders: Margot Codispoti, Stephanie Wagner.

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P.O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, IN 46867

Return Service Requested

|Stockbridge Directors and Officers|

Inside this issue:
Cynthia Powers, President 638-4291
President’s Words
Eric Helfrich, Vice President 260-693-3246
Margit Codispoti, Secretary 456-1996
Stockbridge History –
Dave Reichlinger, Treasurer 432-9431
Foster Park and Sandy Schacht, Director 260-356-3681
Stockbridge Julie Henricks, Newsletter Editor 638-4375
Ed Powers, Membership 638-4291
Stockbridge Challenge Field Terri Gorney, Program Chair 490-6725
Trip Results John Winebrenner, Director 260-414-4866
Stephanie Wagner, Director sewsings328@gmail.com
Fall Field Trip Schedule Greg Majewski, Director_________________gamajewski@gmail.com
Phil Wixom, Webmaster_________________a28n28@yahoo.com

We welcome new members using the form below (or apply online). To speed your service and save us postage, mail renewals
directly to National Audubon, using the form that they provide. Any questions relating to membership? Ed Powers, Membership
Chair, will be glad to help!

Online new membership requests: https://action.audubon.org/donate/chapter-membership?chapter=H09

Or mail the following form:

National Audubon Society/Stockbridge Audubon Chapter Membership Application H09

I want to join Audubon! Enclosed is my check payable to the National Audubon Society.

Name YEARLY MEMBERSHIP:

Individual/$20 Family/$20
Address ________________________________

City/State/Zip________________________________

Mail to: Stockbridge Audubon Society, P. O. Box 13131, Fort Wayne, IN 46867