Newsletter of the Northern Arizona Audubon Society
™ Volume XLVI • Number 2 • November-December 2016
November Meetings
Kachina Wetlands: The Newest
Addition to Northern Arizona
Audubon’s Bird Sanctuary Program
The Kachina Wetlands is a stunningly beautiful
area of approximately 100 acres that was recently
added to Northern Arizona Audubon’s Bird
Sanctuary Program. Many of you may already
include Kachina Wetlands among your favorite
birding places, whereas other folks have not yet
discovered the birding opportunities it provides.
The November meeting will feature an in-depth
presentation on Kachina Wetlands and explain why
we are so excited to count it as our newest sanctuary.
Christina Vojta, Steward for the Kachina
Wetlands, will outline the history of the wetlands,
describe previous conservation work that enhanced Christina Vojta, steward, explains plans
the value of the wetlands, and discuss opportunities for improvements to the NAAS Kachina
to further enrich the area for birds and other wildlife. Wetlands Bird Sanctuary
Kachina Wetlands is located about six miles south of Flagstaff, at the north end of
Kachina Village off Tovar Trail. It is owned by the Kachina Village Improvement District
(KVID) for the evaporation of treated wastewater. KVID also manages the land for wildlife
habitat and public recreational access, to the extent that these uses are compatible with
wastewater evaporation. Kachina Wetlands is in proximity to the Pumphouse Wash
Natural Area (Coconino County) and is also a gem in its own right: 211 species of birds
have been documented on the property since 2004, and of those, 68 species are directly
associated with wetland habitats and would not be present without the existence of the
evaporation ponds.
Christina Vojta, steward discusses ways
to control water level in the ponds with the
Sanctuary Committee
As many of you know, Northern Arizona Audubon’s
Bird Sanctuary Program is intended to be a local
complement to the Important Bird Area Program
that is run by our State and National Offices.
Through our local program, we are able to highlight
areas with high bird diversity that are currently
not included in the IBA program. In addition to
Kachina Wetlands, we have three other areas in our
Bird Sanctuary Program: Picture Canyon, Sedona
Wetlands Preserve, and Page Springs Preserve.
In each case, we work with the owner of the land
to improve the quality of habitat and we provide
monthly field trips to promote the understanding
and appreciation of birds and other wildlife.
The presentation on the Kachina Wetlands Bird Sanctuary will be on Wednesday
November 16th at Sedona Public Library (3250 White Bear Road, Sedona) and
Thursday, November 17th at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (1601 N. San
Francisco St., Flagstaff). Audubon members, their guests, and the general public are
welcome to come at 6:45 pm for refreshments and socializing. The monthly meeting will
begin at 7:00 pm, followed by the formal presentation.
ATTENTION!!! Flagstaff meetings will
be in Shepherd of the Hills Sanctuary this fall.
NAAS Pioneers –
Virginia Gilmore and
Wilma Morrison
By Suzy Clemenz
Editor note: The following article was written by
long-time NAAS member, Suzy Clemenz (also the
photographer) who was a friend of both of these
fine ladies. Virginia Gilmore wrote the NAAS book
– “Birding Sedona and the Verde Valley” and Wilma
Morrison was a long time supporter and member
who bequeathed a sizable gift to NAAS, part of which
supported our work at Bubbling Ponds Preserve.
Both ladies were in Audubon when I joined in
about 1987.
Virginia had a low wispy voice and tended to
teach by example. After two field trips–one at Page
Springs and one on Mingus Mountain, where she just
sat down on the ground on a log and waited, the field
trip members eventually just sat down, too.
At Page Springs, Virginia didn’t say anything,
and after a few minutes we were all a bit antsy to start
birding. And then the birds started appearing, one
at a time. That’s when we noticed the small puddle
in the middle of the path. All sorts of birds appeared
seemingly out of nowhere. I remember a male cardinal and two types of tanagers among them. “Sit, and
they will come” seemed to be her motto.
When I’d been in Audubon for about seven
years, Virginia called me up one day. We weren’t personal friends, but she had overheard me about two
years earlier mention that I had never seen a Lewis’s
woodpecker. She asked if that was still true. I said
“yes”. She offered to drive me up to a place off Stoneman Lake Road called something like Murphy’s Canyon. We went up there and sat in the grass, and about
55 Lewis’s woodpeckers were busy gleaning pinyon
nuts or some such, and stuffing them into holes in an
old snag. Some hawked insects from branch tips. We
watched them for about an hour. I felt so honored
that she remembered that I hadn’t seen the birds,
Pioneers,
continued on page 2
Virginia Gilmore
(left) and
Wilma Morrison
Both these ladies
were active in
NAAS when Suzy
joined.
Information ...
Page 2
Incoming President’s Letter
By Dennis Tomko
November/December 2016
As you look through this issue of the Blackhawk Watch
you will come across an article that introduces the “Yardie
Program”. I hope you read it and get excited. This is a program
that exists solely for you, the NAAS member. It has no other
purpose. We hope that you come to a greater appreciation of
the natural resource which is your own backyard. After all,
what is a species count if not a measure of biodiversity? It
is a widely accepted principle of ecology that the biological
diversity of a habitat is a measure of that habitat’s ecological
health and richness. You probably have never thought of your
own yard in terms of an ecological habitat, but it is. Your bird
Meet Dennis Tomko,
NAAS President
Dennis is an only child born to
blue-collar parents in Cleveland,
Ohio. The family took a vacation
drive each summer and many of
these featured National Parks as
destinations. By the time he reached high school age,
Dennis determined that he would be a Park Ranger
and so, when it came time to enter college, he was
enrolled as a Biologist since nobody knew what to do
about rangering. In his sophomore year Dennis took an
Evolution class from a dynamic professor who became
the most influential person in his life and Biology
became his passion. This same professor took annual
trips to Arizona and brought back live snakes and
lizards from that desert state and Dennis was hooked.
He came to Arizona in 1971 as a Biology graduate
student at NAU. At that time The Museum of Northern
Arizona in Flagstaff began a contract with Grand Canyon
National Park to do baseline biological research and
Dennis became a herpetologist and a mammologist at
the Museum. It was a formative time which introduced
that city boy to hiking, camping, rafting, and flying.
When the contract with NPS expired in 1976, there
was little staff money left at MNA and Dennis elected to
stay in Flagstaff and moved through a series of business
positions which took him to Cottonwood in 1989. He
had the good fortune to live along the Verde River for
over 20 years where he spent countless hours looking
at birds and natural communities.
Eventually Dennis became a (past) board member
of Verde River Valley River Valley Nature Organization,
committee member of the Verde Valley Birding and
Nature Festival, Ambassador Chair for the Cottonwood
Chamber of Commerce, and Webmaster and President
of Northern Arizona Audubon Society. Presently
he is the Office Manager for a real estate firm in
Cottonwood. Dennis brings a combination of ecological
perspective with a business flavor and technical
abilities to NAAS. In that regard, he sees today as a
period of immense opportunity for NAAS to grow into
a local culture of environmental awakening and action.
Black H awk W atch
species list is a great way of evaluating the natural richness of
your yard.
NAAS wants to recognize you for the success you have
achieved in making your yard a small ecological gem. It is
likely that you feed birds and you may or may not use multiple
kinds of feed and feeders. Perhaps you have done some or
all of your own planting. These are features that make your
yard a relatively “rich” ecological island. Your species list is a
simple measure of your success with your own little habitat.
In a larger sense, your species list is a measure of your
contribution to the biodiversity of our planet. This is even
better than picking up aluminum cans along the roadside.
NAAS wants you to know that you, as a chapter member, are
important. And this, my friend, is why we invite you to send
us your species list so we can give you an award as a token of
appreciation. Read the article in this issue to learn about the
way in which you can participate.
Pioneers, continued from page 1
and gave me half a day of her time to see them. I considered her one of the original “Grand
Ladies of NAAS.” (The other two were Alma Green and Virginia Dodd–all NAAS pioneers.)
She of course wrote the two “Where to find the birds” book on Sedona and the Verde
Valley. We somewhat teased her for a couple of years about “how’s the book coming along.” I
think we didn’t quite believe she was really working on one. But when it came out, we realized what a massive undertaking it was. She was not one to toot her own horn.
I took the photo in this article on the very day I’m talking about at Page Springs, where
we used to be able to walk by the staff houses.
Wilma knew wild birds extremely well but didn’t flaunt her expertise. But if we didn’t
know a bird, someone would say, “Ask Wilma!”
Wilma was a licensed rehabilitator of birds other than raptors. I remember a number
of field trips when, if we asked, she’d open the hatch of her car and let us watch her feed
orphaned chicks with an eyedropper. They had to be fed every couple of hours, but Wilma
didn’t want to miss the field trip. She also took in pet birds that had health problems, such
as Amigo, a parakeet of mine, that wouldn’t stop pulling out its breast feathers because I had
changed the position of everything in its cage. It lived just fine for several more years–even
mated with another parakeet!
Wilma was Hospitality Chair for the Sedona meetings for many years, always freezing
cookie leftovers from one meeting and thawing them out to supplement the new batch at the
next meeting. And she frequently added some delicious confections of her own, just so there
would be lots to choose from. She was a quiet presence at so much of what NAAS did, but was
always missed if she didn’t happen to attend.
BIRDINGPAL.ORG
Do you travel? Do you like to bird a little when you
travel? You might consider birdingpal.org. It is a
website where you can contact a local birder where
you are going and get information, and maybe even
have someone take you birding. Terry Blows is a
birdingpal in Flagstaff and I am a birdingpal in the
Verde Valley. I have taken visitors from Sweden,
England, Italy, and many Eastern and Western states birding here in the
Verde Valley. More importantly, Nanette and I have used birdingpal.org
to find birders in Thailand, Singapore, Jamaica, Germany, and England
who have helped us see birds in those areas. I think it costs $10/year, and
yes we have had birdingpals not respond at all, but it can be great. I might
add that if you have visitors coming to the Verde Valley who want to do
some birding, feel free to have them contact me. Good birding!
Rich Armstrong ([email protected], 928-282-3675)
Northern Arizona Audubon
Field Trips
B lack Hawk W atch
Sunday, May 10th
Tom Linda, Leader
We’ll meet at 7 a.m. at the Flagstaff Burger King parking
Field Trips
lot on ...
Santa Fe (Rt. 66) at Fanning. We will drive to the
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Northern
Arizona
Audubon
Friday, March 20th
Field
Trips
Leader,
Julie Wills
PageMeet
Springs
Bubbling
Ponds Preserve
at 8 a.m.
at the COTTONWOOD
Safeway parking
(8-11
am),
lot thatSaturday,
faces 89A.November
For people 5that
can’t
meet until 8:30, go
and
November
26
(9-12
am)
into the park and meet us at the first lagoon. We will walk a
Leader:
LisaGreenway
Grubbs from 8 a.m. - 11:30 and
stretch of the Verde
River
Meet at the Bubbling Ponds IBA parking lot off Page Springs Road at 8 am
spend time at the lagoons looking at wintering ducks. Bring
(on the 26th we’ll meet at 9 am). We will explore this wonderful birding
binoculars,
scope,
water,
snacks,
dress
hotspot along
the Blackspotting
Hawk Trail
with itshat,
wildlife
viewing
decks,and
benches
and interpretive
signage.for
Wethe
willweather.
also walk
along
Oak 928-300-9775
Creek and finish
appropriately
Julie
Wills,
up at the ponds. The trail is mostly flat, approximately 1.8 miles with no
restrooms. Along with our resident birds, our winter migrants should have
arrived. Surprising and interesting migrants are not unusual. We will look
Garland
for waterfowl and shorebirds,
raptors andPrairie
a cacophony of songbirds.
Sunday, March
Bring the usual: binoculars, spotting
scope, 22nd
field guide, snacks and
Leader,
water. Call for info and to reserve
yourTom
spot.Linda
We
will meetWetlands
at 8 a.m. in theField
Wal-Mart
(on the west side
Sedona
Trip
of Flagstaff) parking
and car pool6 to Garland Prairie, near
Sunday,lotNovember
Parks. Raptors are from
the main
8-10draw,
am but we’ll look for everything.
Dress
warm parking
and bring
Tom
Meet at the
wetlands
lot binoculars,
at 8:00 am. scopes
We willand
looksnacks.
for ducks
Linda,some
928-864-9047.
and hopefully
wintering sparrows.
Sedona Wetlands Field Trip
Page Springs
Sunday,
NovemberPreserve
20
from
8-10
am
Saturday, March 28
Meet at the wetlands parking
lot at Rich
8:00Armstrong
am. We will look for ducks
Leader,
and hopefully some wintering sparrows.
Meet at Bubbling Pond’s parking area on Page Springs
Sedona Wetlands
Field Trip
Road at 7 a.m.
We will bird the ponds, the Black-hawk
Sunday, December 11
Nature Trail and look
theam
Osprey and Black-hawk nesting
fromfor
8-10
along
Lower
Oak
Creek.
Bring
binoculars
Rich
Meet at the wetlands parking lot at 8:00 am.
We will and
look water.
for ducks
Armstrong,
928-282-3675.
and hopefully
some wintering
sparrows.
Cottonwood Field Trip
Hassayampa
River 9Preserve
Wednesday November
fromSunday,
7:30 to March
noon 29th
We will do chuckwalla road
for cactus
wren
& curve-billed thrasher,
Leader,
Dena
Greenwood
ogden ranch road for sparrows and more, bates road for geese and
more. MeetMeet
at theatsedona
wetlands at (near
7:30 orCamp
at fry’s
in cottonwood
the MacDonalds
Verde)
parking lot
near thecorner
gas pumps
at 7:45.
of Hwy.
260 and I-17. The walk will be from 8 a.m.
- 4 p.m. We will spend the day at the Hassayampa Nature
Bird Walk
- Cave
- Jay’s
Barn
Preserve
withSprings
a detourCampground
at the rest stop along
theBird
Hassayampa
3
River. BringThursday,
water shoes.November
If it’s nice weather
we will walk the
12:30 pm
creek lookingfrom
for 7:30am
the Grey– Hawk.
Bring binoculars, a sack
Leader:
Trevor
Hinckley 928-567-3007.
lunch, water, and hat. Dena Greenwood,
Meet at Jay’s Bird Barn, 1490 S. Riordan Ranch St., Varsity Shopping
Center, Flagstaff, AZ.
Kachina
Wetlands
Cave Springs Campground
has an interesting
mix of birds due
Sunday,
19 Possible species
to its unique location in Oak
CreekApril
Canyon.
include Bridled Titmouse, Red-breasted
Tom Linda, Nuthatch,
Leader Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Canyon Wren, and many other late migrants and
We’ll The
meetprimary
at 8 a.m.
at Raymond
wintering birds.
target
species forCounty
this tripPark
will (take
be thethe
Kachina
of I-17,
thethe
exit
and then
a hard
right
American
Dipper,exit
a bird
thatturn
is atright
homeatin
rapids
of Oak
Creek.
We will meet
at Jay’s
Bird
Barn
at 7:30
by 12:30
onto the
service
road
- the
park am
is a and
shortreturn
distance,
on thepm.
left).
Bring binoculars
(If you
have them*)
waterdrawn
and snacks.
We will
We will look
for arriving
migrants
to wetlands.
This
walk up should
to 1.5 flat
be and
a funeasy
day.miles.
Dress warm and bring binoculars, scopes
*If you do
have Tom
a pairLinda,
of binoculars,
we can provide you with
andnot
snacks.
928-864-9047.
loaners. Bird walks are limited to 12 people so, sign up early! To
Page 3
Wild Cat entrance of Picture Canyon and bird all the way to
the Townsend Road Parking lot, so plan on about 2miles of
sign up or if you have any questions please call us (928) 774-1110 or
walking. Dress warm. I’ll bring my scope. Tom Linda, 928email [email protected]
864-9047.
Tavasci Marsh Birding Trip
Saturday, November 12 9am – 11am
and
Saturday,
December
10 9am
– 11am
Northern
Arizona
Audubon
Society
Leader: Lisa Grubbs 928-592-3684
lead aNational
trip at the
Meet will
at Tutzigoot
Monument
SeDoNA WeTlANDS PReSeRve
Arm Chair Birding - Lake Mary/Mormon Lake
eveRy SuNDAy,
JANuARy - APRil.
Tuesday, November 29
Meet at the parking from
lot at 8am
the Wetlands.
– 12pm The new viewing
deck should be completed
sometime
during this period. We
Leader: Trevor Hinckley
will
bird
from
8
11:30
am.
Bring
binoculars
and
a spotting
Meet at Jay’s Bird Barn, 1490 S. Riordan Ranch St.,
Varsity
Shopping
scope
if you have
Center,
Flagstaff,
AZ. one. Also bring a hat, water, and snacks.
On this trip we will look for wintering raptors, Waterfowl, and
large flocks of Pinyon Jays. Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Pygmy
Owls, Red Crossbills, and all five varieties of Dark-eyed Junco are
also possible. Birding Lake Mary and Mormon Lake in November
and December can be very rewarding and is an entirely different
experience from early fall and spring birding. Meet at Jay’s Bird
Barn at 8:00am and return by 12:00pm. Bring binoculars, spotting
scope, field guide, water and snacks. *If you do not have a pair of
binoculars, we can provide you with loaners. **This event is for ALL
physical abilities, no walking required, simply get out of the car and
see birds!! Bird walks are limited to 12 people so, sign up early! To
sign up or if you have any questions please call us (928) 774-1110 or
email [email protected]
To Share or Not to Share
By Phyllis Kegley
When you are fortunate enough to see a rare bird in a place it is not
normally seen, do you tell others, post online, and take photos? Most of
us are eager to share such a sighting. However, here are some things to
consider before doing so.
This is a reminder that the most important and ethical consideration is
the well-being of the bird. There are various choices here that will protect the
bird. One can post a photo for the public without sharing where the bird was
seen. If you do this, be prepared to be harassed by birders who wish to see
it. However, this is better than the bird being harassed. Often when the word
gets out about a rare bird sighting, the poor bird is surrounded by birders
Photo of the viewing deck being constructed
and photographers. The bird may seem not to be disturbed but what about
its food source ifat
it isthe
a predator.
a bird isPreserve
out of range, that alone may
SedonaWhen
Wetlands
stress the bird that is trying to find its way back home.
One can share it with responsible ornithologists, conservation biologists,
and wildlife-protection agencies but it may be better to wait to share on eBird
or other bird sighting sites until the bird is no longer present. If you must
share, then do it with a few trusted friends and swear them to secrecy. Also,
scopes help one see a bird without getting so close that it is bothered.
You may label me a kill-joy but birds have enough to contend with
without throngs of birders and photographers staring at it. If I have to choose
between a bird’s safety or making people happy, I will choose the former.
Check out our wonderful website at ...
northernarizonaaudubon.org
Tell your friends
Watch for new trips in your monthly
email updates. Read trip details and past
trip reports in our website calendar,
northernarizonaaudubon.org.
Page 4
Field Trip Reports & Information ...
Field Trip Reports:
Rich Armstrong – Mingus Mt. 9/7/16
Only one person joined me for the Mingus Mountain trip
Wednesday morning. It was a beautiful morning, but as always
in the fall birds were scarce. We found a few warblers including
painted redstarts, at least three TOWNDEND’S, one HERMIT,
one WILSON’S, and a couple that got away. There were lots of
chickadees and all three nuthatches. Rounding out the trip was
a steller’s jay, a band-tailed pigeon, normal acorn woodpeckers
and house wrens.
Lisa Grubbs – Page Springs 9/17/16
Six folks joined me for the first Audubon bird walk in the
fall. We had an astonishing 41 species, due to location, excellent
birders and an extended time (4 hrs and 50 min). Despite being
a chilly 52 degrees in the parking lot, it warmed up to mid-80s
by departure. At 9:45, three of our group headed back as the
hard-cores lingered - running into two other birders who gave
us some good heads-up. Highlights were the Nashville Warbler
- a lifer for several of us. Very exciting was a gorgeous male
Black and White Warbler - a species that has been seen during
the late fall and winter at Page Springs Fish Hatchery. First
White-Crowned Sparrow of the season at the tail-end of our
walk ! Good looks at female Blue Grosbeak, Orange-Crowned
Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Cassin’s Kingbirds (one being divebombed by a hummer), Summer Tanagers, Osprey and a
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird - still good summer birds lurking
in the area.
view of wood ducks and heard the call of a sora and marsh
wren. Our six year old attendee added to the experience
as we found ourselves climbing tough hills and noting
critters on the ground. Other birders helped us scrutinize
the subtle differences in calls of fall residents. We
delighted in a small conclave of cardinals and the distant
calls of woodpeckers and white crown sparrows. It was a
challenge to go bird watching at a time of year when no
one bird could be relied upon to show up.
Holly Kleindienst - Page Springs Fish Hatchery,
Bubbling Ponds IBA - 10/22/16
A juvenile Common Black Hawk whistling
interminably for its breakfast greeted 6 birders in the
parking lot, a propitious sign on a beautiful fall morning,
and was the first of 36 species seen. In the mesquite
thicket on the Black Hawk trail we rustled up brightly
colored Cassin’s Vireo, our best bird of the day, and
a lifer for at least one of our party! We found a second
spectacled vireo along the Willow Point trail, but with
more drab plumage and only brief views we had to mark
it down as a Plumbeous/Cassin’s. The bubbling ponds
proper had mostly Mallards, but did yield one young Sora
out preening on the shore allowing for great views by all.
We are proud to be a supporter of the
Bubbling Ponds Page Springs Preserve - Saturday,
9/24/16
Five folks joined me on a truly beautiful, crisp day. As
Northern Arizona
Audubon Society
usual we lingered in the parking lot before heading out with 13
species already. We had Black-crowned, Green and Great Blue
Herons. Summer Tanagers were still around chatting it up. We
had our first Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the area as well as a few
White-crowned Sparrows dribbling in. Vermillion Flycatcher,
Common Black Hawk, Belted Kingfishers, Red-tailed Hawks
and an American Kestrel were there as well. We had an
interesting discussion before deciding on several immature
female Yellow Warblers. No ducks yet and things overall were
fairly quiet but we recorded 31 species.
Kristen Rothrock – Dead Horse Ranch State Park
10/1/16
Saturday Oct 1, an overcast day, a varied group of
enthusiastic folks met to bird the desert uplands of Dead
Horse Ranch. We were eight. As birds only allowed brief
glimpses of themselves, we turned our walk into a hike
lasting from 8-noon. We managed to get a good look at a
juvenile black-throated sparrow, id a Cooper’s hawk right
over head and an American kestrel as male, Later when
we veered back toward the river and marsh, we got a clear
Black H awk W atch
Producing and mailing
the “BlackHawk Watch” newsletter
★
★
★
★
★
Full Service Printing
High Speed Copying
Digital Color Copying
Graphics & Layout
Full Bindery Services
Bulk Mailing - Our staff is up-to-date
on postal regulations for efficient
delivery at the lowest possible rate.
★ List Maintenance ★ Bulk Permits
★ Presort Service
★ Automated Bar-Coding ★ Zip +4
★ Delivery to the P.O.
2708 N. Fourth St., Ste. F 3 & 4
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
(928) 526-1650 fax ★ [email protected]
(928) 526-5011
Northern Arizona Audubon Society Mission Statement
To promote the understanding and appreciation of birds and other wildlife and
the conservation and restoration of their natural habitats.
News & Information ...
Black H awk W atch
Join a Christmas Bird Count
It’s almost that time of year again. Christmas Bird Counts are conducted between
December 14 and January 5 each
season. Here are the dates and compilers
for the local counts:
1. Sedona, Wednesday, December 14
(Rich Armstrong 928-282-3675, [email protected])
2. Mormon Lake, Saturday, December 17
(Terry Blows 928-774-8028, [email protected])
3. Jerome, Sunday, December 18 (Julie Wills 928-300-9775,
[email protected])
4. Flagstaff Mount Elden, Saturday, December 31
(Terry Blows 928-774-8028, [email protected])
5. Camp Verde, Monday, January 2
(Holly Kleindienst 928-853-6887, [email protected])
Also in case you want to do more
6. Chino Valley, Monday, December 19
7. Prescott, Wednesday, December 21
You can participate in as many counts as you like. Each count
takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle, and is
organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified
routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle,
counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species
tally--all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the
total number of birds in the circle that day. If you are a beginning
birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one
experienced birdwatcher. It’s a lot of fun, and a great way to help
with bird conservation.
:esuohsihtnI
Page 5
From the Webmaster
Have you ever forgotten to renew something? Have you ever
wanted to change your address or phone number on an account?
We can’t help you with your bank account, but we can solve your
problem with your Northern Arizona Audubon Society membership
account. Now we have a login system which, once you set it up,
grants you access to all the information in your asccount and allows
you to change items such as an address or a phone number. Go to
the web and mouse over the “membership” tab on the top menu and
select “Your Membership”. You will be given a window which asks for
your user name and password. The overwhelming likelihood is that
you do not have one yet and you can click on “forgot my password”.
Follow the directions and you will set up a login for your NAAS
account. Write your login information somewhere so you remember
it later. Go back to the login menu item and use your new user name
and password to see your personal menu screen. Just follow the
directions there.
A second benefit of the new system is its
reminder emails. You will receive two emails just
before your renewal date and two more just after
that date. It’s a great memory aid. If you wish, you
can even tell the system to automatically renew
your account next year following an email which
will remind you that your renewal will happen
unless you tell the system not do so.
A note regarding renewing your membership: The use of a credit
card to pay your dues is preferred. It allows the entire process to
proceed automatically without the intervention of a volunteer (we
have no paid staff). Please know that we (NAAS) never see your
credit card information. It is handled in the same manner as it
would be with any on-line business such as Amazon or Dillard’s.
As is the case with Amazon or Dillard’s, NAAS uses a very large,
well-established card service to draw your payment. We never have
access in any way to your card account.
usdna,sdeesrewoflnusevreseW
csaguldna,sraluconibsucofeW
ollfidna,sediugdlefitlusnoceW
In this house
nosdna,sllac,sprihcotnetsileW
We serve sunflower seeds, and sugar water.
busyWe
dufocus
tsdnbinoculars,
a,stnargand
avlug
esaascope.
hceW
We consult field guides, and fill out checklists.
.rehtaWe
ewlisten
ynatonchirps,
isroocalls,
dtuo
klsongs.
aweW
and
We chase vagrants, and study sub-species.
,esuweather.
ohsihtnI
We walk outdoors inany
In this house,
.sdribodeW
We do birds.
--Nanette Armstrong
gnortsmrAeAenaN--
?
POPULAR BIRDING 101
WORK SHOP IS BACK!
November 12th-13th
at Dead Horse State Park
This workshop is geared to introduce new birders and
nature-lovers to the art of birding and to support and
encourage birding as one of the most popular outdoor
recreation activities in the Verde Valley. This event is
sponsored by Jay’s Bird Barn, NAAS and VRVNO. Join
Professional Bird Guide Dena Greenwood as she takes you
through a weekend adventure in Birding! Saturday will be a
classroom setting from 9-3; Sunday a guided field trip from
8-12. $50 registration fee per individual. For information
call 928-300-3880. Register at [email protected]
NAAS is now on Facebook. Check out
our page frequently because there is
always new information on it.
Information ...
Page 6
Northern Arizona
Audubon Society
Northern Arizona Audubon Society (NAAS) is based among
the scenic red rock canyons of Sedona and the lofty peaks
of Flagstaff. Our birding world ranges from the Verde Valley
to the Grand Canyon and beyond to the Utah border. Our
members are active in birding, conservation and education.
We offer member meetings with guest speakers from
September to May. Fieldtrips are led by our volunteers year
round. Conservation work below the rim is a winter activity, while the pleasant Flagstaff
summers encourage outdoor work during June-September. Come visit us and we will show
you the birding perspective to Northern Arizona!
This Great Horned Owl visited the front yard of a home in the Country Club
area recently. The owner, who wishes to be anonymous, was thrilled as she
had never seen one before. She said she wouldn’t have noticed it if the Steller’s
Jay hadn’t been making such a fuss. As one can see from the photo, the jay
wasn’t afraid of the owl. It is not sitting on the owl’s back but just very close.
Volunteer Appreciation
Thank you to all our NAAS volunteers above
and below the rim for making our workdays in
September and October a huge success!
Together we removed many invasive weeds
and spread mulch along the trail at our Bird
Sanctuaries in Flagstaff and Page Springs.
Stay tuned for our next volunteer days in
Spring 2017.
We hope to see you there!
Black H awk W atch
The Yardie Award
Northern Arizona Audubon Society is sponsoring a
new program for its members—The Yardie Award,
for seeing bird species in your yard. Founded by
member Terry Blows many years ago as a 100
Yardie Award, NAAS has picked it up and is flying
with it. The rules for keeping a yard list are: count
any species you can identify when you are in your
yard. For instance, if you hear a distant Gambel’s
Quail, or see a soaring Bald Eagle when you are
in your yard they count, as well as birds that are
physically in your yard. Is your yard a tiny plot
or over an acre? No matter, get counting! The
award is a tiered system. Start simply. If you get
to 25 yard birds (25 different species) NAAS will
print your name in the newsletter and present you
a certificate. If you get to 50 yard birds NAAS will
present you with a plaque with a picture of your
50th yard bird or any bird you choose. If you get to
75 yard birds, you’ll get an addition to your plaque.
At 100 yard birds NAAS will present you with a new
fancier plaque, again with a picture of bird of your
choice. At 125 yard birds NAAS will do an addition
to your plaque. If you get to 150 yard birds NAAS
will present you an even fancier plaque. These
yardie awards will be presented or announced at
NAAS meetings and in the BlackHawk Watch.
Our goals are many. We want to foster an interest
in birding and data keeping, encourage providing
feeders and wildlife habitat in your yard (Dena
Greenwood gave a presentation on plants for your
yard to attract birds), get more people interested
in becoming a feeder watcher for a Christmas Bird
Count, and have one of you maybe be the next
to find a rare bird! So start keeping a yard list or
update your yard list, and watch for new species
in your yard. When you hit 25, or if you’ve already
hit any milestone, submit your list(s) to Rich
Armstrong ([email protected]) if you live
below the rim, and to Terry Blows (terence.blows@
nau.edu) if you live above the rim.
Rich & Nanette Armstrong
928-282-3675
Missing a Newsletter? Archived Newsletters.
What were you doing in January of 2014? Well, I don’t know that either. But I do know what your Northern
Arizona Audubon chapter was doing then. So will you if you use the new service on our website.
Our BlackHawk Watch Newsletters from 2011 forward are now archived for easy retrieval from the home
page of our website. In the center of the page you can see a green button that says “View All Newsletters”.
Click that button and be taken to the archive vault. No bats, no spiders, and no money in this vault;
just newsletters. Go to our website: http://www.northernarizonaaudubon.org/ and find the little green
button. Then you will know what we did in January of 2014.
Black
awk
atcH
Black
HH
awk
Ww
atch
nformatIon ...
...
IInformation
Page
Page
77
NAAS Directory
Eric Gofreed JED&ILAFULKERSON
Family (Gambel’s Quail)
Individual
JANIEAGYAGOS
CECELIAOVERBY
Lisa Grubbs RICHARDHALL
Sulojana & Terry Blows
RON&GLOAULER
ELLENROSHER
(Northern
Flicker)
CATHIBORTHWICK&KENWALTERS
Dana Howard CELIAHOLM
Sam & Sally Braun MR.&MRS.DAVID
Marlies
Allen
PETERCASPER
Nancy W. ImusGERRI&SAMHOUGH
Greg & Faith Caffey SHERRY
Emily
Ambler
M.AUSTIN&E.GARRISON Phyllis Kegley DEAN&KATEJOHNSON
Ed & Sandy Clark KARINSLAVEY
Elizabeth
Bruchman
BRENTBITZ
LINDASOGGE
JIMLOGAN
Tamara Lawless
Herb & Betty Henderson
Gretchen
Burgess
FRANK&LINDABRANDT
CARYTHOMPSON
KARENMALIS-CLARK
Carol
Lichtenberg
Betty
&
Larry
Kahrl
Win
Cahill
MATTHEWCROZIER
ZACKZDINAK
WHITMANTER
Don NormandinDR.VERAMARKGRAF
Patricia & David Walton
Carole
Coburn
GREGCUNNINGHAM
Cynthia PergerLYNDAMcEVOY
Susan
Crawford
CECILEDECHAMBRE
Ann Peterson LORETTAMOGAN
Enhanced (Blackhawk)
MELISSA&GRANTDUNSTAN
Debra
Curtis
PETERFRIEDERICI&MICHELEJAMES
Joan Prefontaine
Bill Auberle
LINDANICHOLAS
Margaret
Dyekman
Janet Quinn
Ann & Lyman Brainerd Jr.
Kent Everhart
Jennifer Schaber
Robert & Beverly Brooks
Trina Margaret Feldman
To see when your
membership
expires, look at
Susan Sterner
Jeri Higgins
Susan Fishburn
Jeffyour
Tanner address
Rob
& Susan
Meyer
Kathythe
Fraser
date next to
on
your
newsletter.
Zack Zdinak
Sue Ordway
Liam Friederici
Dennis Tomko & Kristine Follett
Purchase Northern Arizona Audubon Society birding guides on our
website:
To see when
yourwww.northernarizonaaudubon.org.
membership expires, look at
the date
to your
address
on
Birdingnext
the Flagstaff
Area
(including
theyour
Grandnewsletter.
Canyon South Rim,
Navajo and Hopi Lands), or Birding Sedona and the Verde Valley
Onlyyou
$14.95
Have a story
would like
to share?
Have Watch
a story
youbi-monthly
would
like through May.
• The BlackHawk
is published
September
• Articles are welcome from
and non-members. Send proposed
to members
share?
articles
by email to Debbie
Deadline
for copy
is
•TheBlackHawk
Watch at
is [email protected]
published bi-monthly September
through
May.
the•Articles
15th of the
month.
are welcome from members and non-members. Send proposed
articles by email to Debbie at [email protected] Deadline for copy is
the 15th of the month.
Officers
Officers
President
Matthew Crozier
[email protected]
President
Dennis Tomko [email protected]
Secretary
Sue Ordway
[email protected]
Vice-PresidentOpen
Treasurer
Julie Wills
[email protected]
Secretary
Sue Ordway
[email protected]
Treasurer
Julie Wills
[email protected]
Directors At Large
Brent Bitz
[email protected]
Director
at Large [email protected]
John Hildebrand
Dennis Tomko Brent
Bitz
[email protected]
[email protected]
Suzy Clemenz Michele
Losee [email protected]
[email protected]
Jeff Tanner
[email protected]
Publicity ATR and Program Chair
Conservation
Crozier
[email protected]
Phyllis Kegley [email protected]
DevelopmentEmpty
Publicity BTR Kristine Follett
[email protected]
Education
Tina Whitley
[email protected]
Field Trip Committee
Chair
BTR – Dena Greenwood
[email protected]
Field Trips [email protected]
ATR – Zack Zdinak
ATR
Trevor Hinkley [email protected]
Education
Committee
Chair - [email protected]
BTR
Dena Greenwood
Conservation Committee Chair - Open
Hosptality
ATR
Betty KahrlChair
[email protected]
Publications
Committee
BTR ComptonNanette
Armstrong [email protected]
Debbie
[email protected]
Membership
Membership Committee Chair
Chair
1 – Barbara
Barbara
[email protected]
BTR
Hirt Hirt [email protected]
Chair
2
Kristine
Follett
[email protected]
ATR – Helen-Marie and Paul Holmgren
Publications [email protected], [email protected]
Standing Committees and Projects
Hospitality Committee
Books
Brent Bitz
[email protected]
ATR – Betty Kahrl
[email protected]
Newsletter
Debbie
Compton
[email protected]
BTR – Nanette
Armstrong
[email protected]
Program/Publicity
Book Sales
Brent
[email protected]
ATR Bitz
Phyllis
Kegley
[email protected]
Webmaster
Publicity
Dennis
[email protected]
BTR Tomko Kristine
Follett
[email protected]
Page Springs Sanctuary
Webmaster
Dennis Tomko
[email protected]
Matthew Crozier, steward
Facebook
[email protected]
Nanette Armstrong [email protected]
Picture Canyon Sanctuary
VVBNF
[email protected]
Tiffany Trunnell,Nanette
steward Armstrong
[email protected]
SedonaSprings
Wetlands
Preserve Sanctuary
Kachina
Steward
steward Vojta [email protected]
[email protected]
Rich Armstrong, Cristina
Page
Springs
Verde
ValleySteward
Bird and Nature Festival Representative
Nanette Armstrong
[email protected]
Crozier
[email protected]
Sedona Wetlands Steward
Rich Armstrong
[email protected]
Picture Canyon Steward
Birders, Go to
Trevor Hinkley [email protected]
northernarizonaaudubon.org
NAAS Email Monitored by Dennis
and check for new
[email protected]
Field Trips on the calendar!
Birders, Go to
Check
out our wonderful website at ...
northernarizonaaudubon.org
northernarizonaaudubon.org
and check for new
Tell your friends
Field Trips on the calendar!
BLACKHAWK WATCH
Northern Arizona Audubon Society
PO Box 1496, Sedona, AZ 86339
Have you visited our web site?
✁
Join Us!
Northern Arizona Audubon Society
Please enroll me/our household as a Chapter Member of
Northern Arizona Audubon Society (NAAS).
Name: __________________________________
Address: ________________________________
City, State, Zip____________________________
Phone: __________________________________
Email: __________________________________
Non-profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Flagstaff, AZ
Permit No. 163
northernarizonaaudubon.org
NOVEMBER MEETINGS
Guest Speaker Christina Vojta
“Kachina Wetlands: The Newest Addition to Northern Arizona
Audubon’s Bird Sanctuary Program”
Sedona -November 16 (Wed)
Sedona Public Library • 3250 White Bear Road
Flagstaff - November 17 (Thurs)
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • 1601 N San Francisco St.
Meetings start at 6:45 pm with social time.
Formal meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
✁
If you prefer to join or renew on line, please go to our website at
http://www.northernarizonaaudubon.org/>membership
Enclosed:
____ Individual $25
(Northern Flicker)
____ Family $40
(Gambel’s Quail)
Check here if this is a
change of address
Check here if this is a
renewal
____ Supporting $100
(Blackhawk)
Would you like to be the Hospitality Chair for the Flagstaff Meetings?
Duties of the Hospitality Chair are:
1. Come to the meeting at 6:30 pm to start hot water and set up table.
If you can’t come to a meeting, get someone else to stand in for you.
2. Circulate sign-up sheet for next month’s meeting.
3. Clean up table afterwards.
4. Take box home. Replace anything that is getting low. Turn in receipts
to Treasurer to get reimbursed.
5. The week of the meeting call those that signed up to bring refreshments
to remind them.
• The BlackHawk Watch is published bi-monthly September
through May, and is sent to members of the Northern Arizona
Audubon Society as a membership benefit.
• Articles are welcome from members and non-members. Send
proposed articles by email to Debbie at [email protected]
Deadline for copy is the 15th of the month.
Please make checks payable to NAAS and mail to:
Membership Chair, NAAS
PO Box 1496, Sedona, AZ 86339
I am interested in Volunteer opportunities