Thrasher the Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1 Lori Schamerhorn RAS Member and Nature Photographer In this Issue Lori Schamerhorn 1 President’s Message 2 Jan/Feb Programs & CBC 3 Clapper Rail 4 Richmond’s Winter Ducks 5 Field Trips 6 Christmas Bird Count 7 RAS Officers 8 As a native of Hawai’i, enjoying the beauty of nature came easy for me. Growing up on the island of O’ahu, my playground included sandy beaches, oceans of all shades of blue and green, lush mountains, tall waterfalls, dancing palm trees, and a variety of land and ocean wildlife. Surprisingly, my interest in photography was sparked during my college years on the mainland. Through an uncle, who decided to share his passion of photography with me, I received as a gift a Canon A-1 and several lenses. I continued to take photos throughout my college years, which were mostly comprised of people and events. As a student with limited financial resources, my priorities were to finish college and get a job in my field of study. A hobby such as photography was a luxury. The cost of film and developing photos were both expensive. Eventually, the camera and lenses were stored away for several years until I sent them to my younger sister who was in college majoring in Art. As life went on, my interest in nature was re ignited with the purchase of a “ten-dollar” pair of binoculars. I became an avid back-yard birder. I would sit in my folding chair and bird watch for hours. I eventually purchased a good pair of binoculars as my fascination with birds continued to grow. When I joined the Richmond Audubon Society, I met numerous photographers on birding trips and events. There were so many benefits in having a camera in hand, especially a digital camera! If one could not readily identify a bird, just snap a photo or two or three or a gazillion, and identify the bird later. In addition to keeping a bird list, digital photos could serve as a bird photo journal. In 2008, I purchased used camera equipment. Like my first of set of binoculars, my camera equipment continues to improve over time. With binoculars and camera gear in hand, my hobby as a nature photographer took off. Most of my photography has been in Virginia and other states along the East Coast. I have had several opportunities to visit my home state of Hawaii. Each trip home is a new adventure. It is as though I am discovering my home state through a new set of eyes. In addition to the beautiful landscape, there are birds! Standing on the edge of black lava rocks just a footstep away from pounding waves while waiting in anticipation for marine birds to glide across the water is worlds away from sitting in a folding chair in my backyard. Nature photography is a wonderful hobby. It is my hope that by sharing my photos that they will to help encourage the connection between people and nature, and more importantly, increase efforts to preserve the earth and wildlife for generations to come. Red-whiskered Bulbul in Oahu, HI See more photos by Lori on page 7
Transcript
ThrashertheNewsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1
LoriSchamerhorn
RAS Member and
Nature Photographer
In this IssueLori Schamerhorn 1
President’s Message 2
Jan/Feb Programs & CBC 3
Clapper Rail 4Richmond’s Winter Ducks 5
Field Trips 6
Christmas Bird Count 7
RAS Officers 8
As a native of Hawai’i, enjoying thebeauty of nature came easy for me.Growing up on the island of O’ahu,my playground included sandybeaches, oceans of all shades of blueand green, lush mountains, tallwaterfalls, dancing palm trees, anda variety of land and ocean wildlife.
Surprisingly, my interest inphotography was sparked during mycollege years on the mainland.Through an uncle, who decided toshare his passion of photographywith me, I received as a gift a CanonA-1 and several lenses. I continuedto take photos throughout my collegeyears, which were mostly comprisedof people and events. As a studentwith limited financial resources, mypriorities were to finish college andget a job in my field of study. Ahobby such as photography was aluxury. The cost of film anddeveloping photos were bothexpensive. Eventually, the cameraand lenses were stored away forseveral years until I sent them to myyounger sister who was in collegemajoring in Art.
As life went on, my interest in naturewas re ignited with the purchase of a“ten-dollar” pair of binoculars. Ibecame an avid back-yard birder. Iwould sit in my folding chair and birdwatch for hours. I eventuallypurchased a good pair of binoculars asmy fascination with birds continued togrow. When I joined the RichmondAudubon Society, I met numerousphotographers on birding trips andevents. There were so many benefits inhaving a camera in hand, especially adigital camera! If one could not readilyidentify a bird, just snap a photo or twoor three or a gazillion, and identify thebird later. In addition to keeping a birdlist, digital photos could serve as a birdphoto journal.
In 2008, I purchased used cameraequipment. Like my first of set ofbinoculars, my camera equipmentcontinues to improve over time. Withbinoculars and camera gear in hand,my hobby as a nature photographertook off. Most of my photography hasbeen in Virginia and other states alongthe East Coast. I have had severalopportunities to visit my home state ofHawaii. Each trip home is a newadventure. It is as though I amdiscovering my home state through a
new set of eyes. In addition to thebeautiful landscape, there arebirds! Standing on the edge ofblack lava rocks just a footstepaway from pounding waves whilewaiting in anticipation for marinebirds to glide across the water isworlds away from sitting in afolding chair in my backyard.
Nature photography is awonderful hobby. It is my hopethat by sharing my photos thatthey will to help encourage theconnection between people andnature, and more importantly,increase efforts to preserve theearth and wildlife for generationsto come.
Red-whiskered Bulbul in Oahu, HI
See more photos by Lori on page 7
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1
Richmond Audubon Society
The Richmond Audubon Societypromotes the enjoyment,understanding,and preservationof birds, other wildlife, andhabitat through education,advocacy, and fellowship.
Important Notices
RAS membership meetings are on the3rd Thursday of the month except June,July, August and December. Meetings areat 7:00 PM, and are held at St. LukeLutheran Church at Custis Road andChippenham Parkway unless notified.
RAS Board meetings are held on the 2ndThursday on alternate months starting inJanuary (except June and August). In July,the Board has its annual strategic planningretreat. RAS members are welcome toattend board meetings, but let the Presidentor Secretary know due to spaceconsiderations. Meeting locations vary;contact the President or Secretary forlocation details.
Richmond Audubon Society is also achapter of the Virginia Society ofOrnithology and the VirginiaConservation Network.
Richmond Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 26648Richmond, VA 23261
(804) 257-0813www.RichmondAudubon.org
Richmond Audubon Society is aregistered nonprofit 501 (C) (3)charitable organization. Donations aretax deductible.
The Thrasher is printed on recycled paper.
Thanks to these Thrasher Volunteers:
Lewis Barnett, Louise Reza: Proofreading.Steve Dunn: Mailing List.Carl “Spike” Knuth : Illustrations.
President’s MessageLewis Barnett
Publication ScheduleThe Thrasher is issued six times a year.Please submit articles [email protected] no laterthan the 10th of the month before eachissue. Deadline for the next issue isFebruary 10.
River Winter Count, and theGreat Backyard Bird Count.
We have run nearly fifty wellattended field trips to locationsaround central Virginia.
Many of our members are deeplyinvolved with planning andrunning the "Gone to the Birds"Purple Martin Festival at the17th Street Farmer's market eachsummer.
We would like to continue all ofthese activities, and are on thelookout for additionalopportunities to advance ourmission of appreciation andconservation of birds.
There are two things that makeall of this possible: the help ofour member volunteers, andyour continued financialsupport. If you are interested involunteering for one of theseactivities contact either thepresident, or the appropriatecommittee chair (the list is ineach issue of the Thrasher). Ifyou would like to support themission of Richmond Audubonwith a donation, there are acouple of ways to do it. You canmail a check made out toRichmond Audubon Society toP.O. Box 26648, Richmond, VA23261. You can also check outour web site(www.richmondaudubon.org)and click on the "Donate" buttonon the main page to make yourdonation by credit card. Any wayyou do it, we appreciate yoursupport - we couldn't continuethese wonderful programswithout it!
I hope everyone has survived theholiday season in good shape. AsRichmond Audubon looks forward tothe new year, it's a good time to lookback on our accomplishments of theyear just past.
In 2012, thanks to the generoussupport of our members and friends,and to the hard work of membervolunteers, we have continued ourwork with the children ofSouthampton and Swansboroelementary schools, introducing themto the wonders of the natural worldthough classroom gardens and otherevents.
We have partnered with theChesterfield County Library systemon a series of "build your ownbluebird house" educational events.The Library folks described this astheir most successful program ever,and we will be repeating those eventsthis year.
Our intrepid banders have had arecord year for Northern Saw-whetOwls, and have continued theimportant data gathering activities atour MAPS station and withProthonotary Warblers. Citizenscience continues to be a strongemphasis with participation in theChristmas Bird Count, the James
the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1
Our January program will be a two part programaimed at increasing conservation awareness in thepolitical arena as well as at home. The first part ofthe program will highlight the conservation issuesexpected to come up in the 2013 General Assemblysession. Legislation chair Eileen Geller willprovide a short update on the many bills and issuesexpected to make the rounds in 2013.
Then representatives from the Richmond RegionEnergy Alliance will be on hand to discuss theirenergy saving program and answer questionsabout how to improve energy efficiency in yourhome. RREA is a non-profit organization thathelps homeowners assess the energy efficiency intheir homes, and then helps connect homeownersto available rebates and financing to help cover thecosts of upgrades and green energy improvements.The January program will be on Thursday, January17th at St. Luke Lutheran Church on Custis Road.The program begins at 7 p.m. with coffee anddessert starting at 6:30.
Join us for the chance to learn about theProthonotary Warbler Nest Box Study AND havethe chance to assemble some Prothonotary nestboxes. Master Bander Dr. Bob Reilly will give ussome of the latest data about the studies he isconducting and add much needed brightness tomid-February with pictures of these “GoldenSwamp Warblers”.
After a short talk, we will have a chance toassemble some boxes to be used in the study –replacements boxes for damaged or lost over thewinter. RAS will have box parts pre-cut and havetools and appropriate hardware on hand. We’ll askeach of us to help defray the costs of materials bymaking a small donation ($10 will build a box andfor $15 we can supply the conduit to position thebox). And we’ll be donating our time and talents toassemble the boxes.
The February program will be on Thursday,February 21st at St. Luke Lutheran Church onCustis Road. The program begins at 7 p.m. withcoffee and dessert starting at 6:30.
Caroline Coe, Program Chair
January Program February ProgramProthonotary Warbler Nest
Box Study
Bob with Boxes
Conservation in Legislation,and Conservation at Home
2012 Christmas Bird CountArun Bose
Each Hopewell Christmas Bird Count is a little different,and this year was no exception. Pre-dawn rain did notdeter some from searching for night birds. It seemed therain put a damper on owls as they were few and farbetween. Only 3 Great Horned and 1 Barred were talliedfor the count, although a King Rail was a nice bonus, aswas an American Woodcock (the only bird on thecount). The rain thankfully ceased shortly afterdaybreak, and calm conditions with relatively mildtemperatures prevailed for most of the day.
The highlights were undoubtedly the addition of threenew species to the count circle. A Rufous Hummingbird
Continued on page 7
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1
Clapper RailNaseem Reza
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the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
The Clapper Rail is a chicken-like bird that isabundant along the Atlantic coast fromMassachusetts to Brazil and also on the Gulfcoast. Elusive and secretive, it inhabitssaltwater marshes and mangrove swampswhere it is easily heard but seldom seen. Ithides behind shrubs and sedges along tidalcreeks and seldom emerges from this cover. Isuspect a fair number of birders have theClapper Rail on their life list without actuallyspotting one (heard only).
The Clapper Rail is mostly a resident speciesand breeds throughout its range butmigration from North Atlantic States toSouth Atlantic States also occurs.
The King Rail is a similar species, about thesame size but with a brighter plumage and apreference for fresh water marshes. JohnJames Audubon named the King Rail, Fresh-water Marsh Hen and called the Clapper Rail,Salt-water Marsh Hen. Most coastal states,including Virginia, have open Rail huntingseason in the Fall and the daily bag limitssuggest that hunters behave like some RASbird photographers, that is they shoot firstand identify later. Of course the RAS folks do
their shooting with a digital camera. Shownbelow is an excerpt from the VirginiaDepartment of Game and Inland Fisherieswebsite concerning the bag limits for the 4species of Rail hunted in Virginia:
Clapper/King: 15 - counted together daily, 30 in possession
Sora/Virginia: 25 - counted together daily, 25 in possession
There are many sub-species of the ClapperRail and only those on the West coast arelisted as endangered.
In Virginia, a good place to spot a ClapperRail is the Chincoteague National WildlifeRefuge (CNWR) on the Eastern Shore. Hightide with a setting sun offers the best chanceof seeing one. To hear the call of the ClapperRail and learn more about this shy bird, youcan go to :www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Clapper_Rail/sounds
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
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Alice Boller lives in Beaverdam and during thewinter, she is always looking for ducks throughher binoculars. She loves ducks! Growing upoutside of Boston and spending summers at CapeCod probably had some influence on her birdinginterests.“Where do you like to go in the Richmond area tosearch for ducks? And why?” was an emailquestion posed to eight birders – Lewis Barnett,Arun Bose, Wendy Ealding, Julie Kacmarcik, Boband Lori Schamerhorn, Tyler Turpin and JerryUhlman. Here are their answers beginning with -
1) The James River: (6 votes)
“JRP (James River Park) - Huguenot bridgeto Rockets landing is always good for winterducks,” wrote Arun. “The river upstreamfrom Pony Pasture is another easily accessi-ble place, though the variety of ducks onthat stretch is more limited in most winters- you'll mostly find Bufflehead and Ring-necked Ducks, with the occasional HoodedMerganser,” stated Lewis. Tyler agreed.
2) Dutch Gap (Henricus) Conservation Area:(5 votes)
Henricus for sheer variety (was the best) ac-cording to Wendy. Lewis pointed out, ”theeasiest place is the marsh at Henricus - ithas drive up access and good views from theobservation platforms. There is usually agood variety of wintering ducks there.” Tylerliked it because there were “coot and oftenmany Wood Ducks.” Regulars includeNorthern Shovelers and Gadwalls.
3) Byrd Park: (4 votes)
“Byrd Park boat lake for Ringed-necks andstragglers” was a favorite of Arun’s. Bob and
Richmond’s Winter DucksSue Ridd
Lori Schamerhorn stated that this was theirfirst choice for ducks. Jerry Uhlman wasfocused also on the small lakes of ByrdPark. Perhaps the open aspect of the parkmakes it a desirable place for bird photog-raphers. Recent stragglers include Canvas-backs, Redheads and Lesser Scaups.
4) Stony Point Office Park Pond (near Hugue-not & Forest Hill Ave) : (4 votes)
“The pond in the office park behind StonyPoint Shopping Center (is good) because ofthe many Buffleheads, Ring-necked andRuddy Ducks seen. It’s the best place tohave a chance to see the Hooded Mergan-sers in central Virginia” Tyler wrote. “StonyPoint for Hoodies” was Arun’s shorteremail version.
Lewis also added, “I’d also encourage folksto regularly check the ponds in their resi-dential areas - you just don't ever knowwhat will show up.”
Thanks to everyone for their assistance on this article - Sue Ridd
Field TripsEllison OrcuttThese are all the RAS tripsthat have been submitted asof the publication date.Check the RAS listserv
(if you don’t subscribe the archives are atwww.freelists.org/archive/va-richmond-general/)or the RAS website for any late breaking newsabout field trips (www.richmondaudubon.org/ActivFieldTrip.html.)
the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
January 5th, SaturdayFloodwall with Richmond AudubonStart time: 8:00 am.Meeting Location: Meet at the Floodwall parking loton Hull St. between 1st and 2nd Street (Just south ofthe Mayo Bridge).For more information, contact Ellison Orcutt [email protected]
January 6th, SundayBryan Park with Sue RiddStart time: ½ hour after sunriseMeeting location: Shelter 1, Joseph Bryan ParkBrief description: Join Sue Ridd for early morningbirding in Bryan Park to see what birds have madeRichmond their home for the winter.Preferred contact information: For moreinformation, call Sue at 270-5365.
January 12th, Saturday 7:00-10:00 amJames River Winter Count with RichmondAudubon
Help Richmond Audubon Society inventory the birdspecies of the James River Parks system. It will befollowed by a count compilation and light brunch atan RAS member's home. All skill levels are welcome.For more information about participating in this longrunning count contact Julie Kacmarcik [email protected]
January 20th, SundayDutch Gap with Betsy and Ben SaundersMeet Betsy and Ben at 8:00 AM at the entrance toHenricus Historical Park/Dutch Gap Conservationarea. Explore this great birding spot to see whatwinter birds are around. For more information,contact [email protected]
February 3rd, SundayBryan Park with Sue RiddStart time: ½ hour after sunriseMeeting location: Shelter 1, Joseph Bryan ParkDescription: See January 6th walk.
February 16th, SaturdayGreat Backyard Bird Count with Tyler Turpin 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as part of the Great BackyardBird Count (Feb. 15-18, 2013). Join in for one orseveral of the following sites:
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens: Meet at 8:00am in the rotunda of the visitor center. Cost will be$6 for non garden members, finish around 9:30 –9:45 a.m.
Brown’s Island: Then the count will continue onto the James River Park (free), meeting at theparking lot next to the Tredegar Ironworks (500Tredegar Street) at 10:10 a.m. to count birds atBrown’s Island.
Huguenot Flatwater: Parking lot on RiversideDrive around 11:30 a.m. access from Cherokee Roadthen down Southampton Drive On-foot and countfrom car assignments are available for the PonyPasture and Huguenot flatwater areas..
Counters should return to the parking lot at PonyPasture at 12:45 p.m. to tally their sightings. Tripwill finish at 1:30 p.m. with a look at the lake at theoffice park behind Stony Point Shopping Center.
CONTACT: Tyler Turpin at (804) 317-9478 oremail: [email protected] to sign up.
February 16th, SaturdayDutch Gap with Betsy and Ben SaundersDescription: See January 20th walk.
February 17th, Sunday
Great Backyard Bird Count Survey at JamesRiver National Wildlife Refuge.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and RichmondAudubon join forces for this annual survey ofwintering birds in a remarkable habitat bordered byPowell’s Creek and the James River. Meet at therefuge information kiosk, 4550 Flowerdew HundredRoad, Hopewell, VA, at 7:30 am. Contact LewisBarnett ([email protected], 804-920-4723) fordetails.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
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Great Blue Heron at Richmond Rookery
Please go to:www.helemai.net/ to see more of Lori’s work .
Continued from page 1
From the EditorLori Schamerhorn is our featured nature photographer inthis issue. Since 2002 Lori has been an active RAS memberwho has also served on the Board in various capacities.
The Clapper Rail article on page 4 is part of our series oncommonly heard but not easily seen birds.
John Coe and his From the Kitchen Window column isoff for this issue.
Common Waxbills in Oahu, HI
Japanese White-eye in Oahu, HI
(aka Little Sarge) that has taken up winter residence at a localfeeder showed up on cue for its dawn feeding. A Rufous waspresent at the same location in 2011, but was not seen on theday of the count. Next was a Tennessee Warbler at City Pointin Hopewell. It was encountered earlier in the week, andseems to be staying in the area. Also frequenting City Pointwas an Ash-throated Flycatcher. First found on December 8thit has been somewhat elusive, but was kind enough to showitself for the count. 175 species have now been recorded on theHopewell CBC. The preliminary total for 2012 is 107.
At the time of writing not all checklists have been received so itis difficult to say accurately if the total number of birds arebelow average or not. However comments from most groupssuggest birds were hard to find this year.
Other highlights included; 17 species of wildfowlincluding 2 Cackling Geese, 2 Common Loon, 1Great Egret, 1 Osprey, 1 Marsh Wren, goodnumbers of both kinglets (over 100 of each), and 3Orange-crowned Warblers.
In this "finch" year there was a moderate showing,though nothing compared to the flight that hasoccurred on the coast. However a single femaletype Evening Grosbeak was noteworthy. Asingle Purple Finch, a smattering of Pine Siskins,with good numbers of House Finch and AmericanGoldfinch made for a decent finch count. Red-breasted Nuthatches also made a good showing.
My thanks go to the volunteers who were out inthe field counting, to the property owners in thecount circle who allowed access to their land. I amalso thankful to Cyrus Brame of the US Fish andWildlife Service, and Mark Batista ofChesterfield County Parks and Rec, for assistingus at Presquile NWR and Dutch Gap.
Richmond Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 26648Richmond, VA 23261www.RichmondAudubon.org
Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidRichmond, VA
Permit Number 603
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETYChapter Membership Application
Yes, please enroll me (us) as a newmember(s) of both National andRichmond Audubon Societies at theaddress below, at the introductoryrate. A subscription to the NASmagazine, Audubon is included.□ Individual/Family Member(s) $20enclosed□ Student/Senior Member $15 enclosedName___________________________Address _________________________City ____________________________State___ ZIP _____________________Phone __________________________E-mail __________________________Make check payable to National AudubonSociety and write “C0ZX530Z”on thecheck. Send your check and application to:Richmond Audubon Society,P.O. Box 26648, Richmond, VA 23261C0ZX530Z
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 1 the Thrasher, Newsletter of the Richmond Audubon Society
Officers / Committee Chairs for 2012-2013President Lewis Barnett [email protected] 804-320-7898
