Presque Isle Audubon Society Blog

Documentary Film “Wings, Sand & Song: Presque Isle’s Habitat” Is Awarded Honorable Mention
in Natural Sound at International Wildlife Film Festival

The International Wildlife Film Festival is the “Sundance” of the wildlife filmmaking industry. The festival is the oldest of its kind in the world—first started in 1977. IWFF upholds the highest industry standards in both ethics and science communication. It is a gathering place for industry professionals and amateurs, hosts extensive community programming, and is an awe inspiring week long event in Missoula, Montana.

“Wings, Sand & Song” does not fit into the traditional story-telling mode of wildlife filmmaking—but is rather a field guide to the best birding spots at Presque Isle State Park. Despite this, and competing against Discovery, National Geographic, BBC, Disney Nature, and other various heavy hitters in the industry, “Wings” came out with a unique award: Honorable Mention in Natural Sound. This is quite an accomplishment, for sound is most often overlooked in natural history film production. Recording natural sound is increasingly difficult—often with unwanted sounds from over two miles away encroaching into your soundtrack.

Moonfire Film Productions is a six-time award winning science and wildlife documentary film production company. As our company grows and we produce films for the Big Green Screen Theatre, I’m sure this will not be our last! Thank you for making “Wings” a reality, and for believing in Ben and me. For more information about our current production, please visit our website: www.moonfirefilms.com

Tracy A. Graziano
MFA Science & Natural History Filmmaking
BS Environmental Science – Biology
BA Applied Media Arts – Cinematography
Moonfire Film Productions

As promised here are the Christmas Bird Count results.  Don’t forget the Great Backyard Bird Count coming up February 12 – 15. The Presque Isle Audubon Society is hosting a GBBC event on Saturday, February 13th at Cabin 2 on Presque Isle.  The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. until noon and will include informational and educational programming,  a craft activity for all ages, a nature walk (weather permitting), and light refreshments.  So bring your binos, or use the few pairs we have, and get down to Cabin 2 and help us count.

2009 Erie Christmas Bird Count

Canada Goose 465, Mute Swan 2, Tundra Swan 161, Wood Duck 1, American Wigeon 1, American Black Duck 20, Mallard 304, Canvasback 500, Redhead 72, Ring-necked Duck 8, Greater Scaup 210, Lesser Scaup 67, Scaup sp. 5105, White-winged Scoter 10, Black Scoter 3, Long-tailed Duck 1, Bufflehead 123, Common Goldeneye 236, Hooded Merganser 30, Common Merganser 67, Red-breasted Merganser 98, Wild Turkey 94, Red-throated Loon 1, Common Loon 2, Pied-billed Grebe 4, Horned Grebe 6, Double-crested Cormorant 12, Great Blue Heron 7, Bald Eagle 1 adult, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Coopers Hawk 4, Red-tailed Hawk 19, American Kestrel 2, Peregrine Falcon 1, American Coot 557, Bonaparte’s Gull 41, Ring-billed Gull 4209, Herring Gull 1552, Iceland Gull 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Glaucous Gull 3, Great Black-backed Gull 95, Rock Pigeon 604, Mourning Dove 69, Great Horned Owl 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 27, Downy Woodpecker 50, Hairy Woodpecker 9, Northern Flicker 11, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 74, American Crow 284, Black-capped Chickadee 114, Tufted Titmouse 55, Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 28, Golden-crowned Kinglet 7, Eastern Bluebird 4, American Robin 129, European Starling 515, Cedar Waxwing 77, Yellow-rumped Warbler 69, American Tree Sparrow 116, Song Sparrow 2, White-throated Sparrow 7, Dark-eyed Junco 56, Northern Cardinal 67, House Finch 47, American Goldfinch 20, House Sparrow 162

Also seen during count week:
Gadwall, Surf Scoter, Dunlin

Total number of birds:  16,704

Observers: Mark Kudrav, Jerry McWilliams, Don Nixon, Julie Dell, Bruce Baldwin, Beth Baldwin, Pat Howell, Adam Erb, Henry Chupp, Andrew Troyer, Marcus Troyer, Harold Otto, Don Snyder, Steven Miller, Albert Massey, Toni Kelly, Julie Leonard, Richard Farver, Bonnie Ginader, Janice Grindle, Janet Price, Joao Tavares, Ben Coulter, Ruth Swaney, Toby Cunningham, Barb Mitchell, Marcy Rahner, Chuck Gehringer .

Weather:  Cloudy, snow heavy at times, Temp 25-34 F, Snow 2-4 inches, Wind E 0-7 mph

The alarm went off at 5:30 AM and I slowly dragged myself from the warm covers thinking I must be crazy getting up to go count birds. I could see fresh fallen snow glistening in the street light as I peered out my window. It was going to be cold and the visibility was poor as the weather called for snow showers. After a couple of cups of coffee I layered up and gathered my gear and headed for Presque Isle.

A good sized group of birders met at the Ranger Station eagerly gathering in groups before setting out to our designated areas. I met up with Julie and we joined the group that was going to be counting along the lagoons. Since my bird banding friend, Don, and I had to leave by 11 o’clock we rode together to our first stop at the Marina. Visibility was poor and it was snowing and blowing with a few sightings of geese, gulls, a Bufflehead and a Great Blue Heron flying overhead. It is duck hunting season on Presque Isle so several hunters could also be seen and heard.

Visibility was poor and so was my photography this day. Canada Geese resting at the Marina.

As we were leaving the Marina road and turned onto the main highway around the park we came to a sudden stop for something we did not expect to see. There in the middle of the road was a coyote.

Coyote on Presque Isle

Several coyotes make their home on Presque Isle and I have seen their scat on the trails but this was my first time seeing one.

Coyotes are being studied at PI so you can see the collar he is wearing.

The photos are grainy and poor but I had to show you. We were all excited to see him standing there and one of the reasons I love Presque Isle because you never know what you will see on this beautiful park off the shores of Lake Erie.

Our next stop was the first bridge over the Lagoons where we spotted another Great Blue Heron flying in and landing a good distance away.

Perry Monument was next where we stood out in the open and the wind seemed to go right through you. American Tree Sparrows fed off the ground and gulls were out in Thompson Bay. Several swans flew overhead calling to each other. Then suddenly a Peregrine Falcon went soaring by us chasing what we thought might have been a Snow Bunting. I tried to photograph the Tree Sparrows but all of my shots were blurred. One of these days I’ll learn the settings on my camera. Michele could not make it this year so I’m afraid the photos are poor quality.

The last stop for myself with the team was the Graveyard Trail along the Lagoons near Perry Monument.

My team mates along Graveyard Pond Trail.

We noted bittersweet and winterberry along the trail for birds to eat.

This trail takes you to parts of the inner sections of the lagoons. Here we saw several Mallards and a couple of Black Ducks among the dried reeds and boggy areas. Once again the swans flew overhead and this time came directly over us.

Tundra Swans

Sadly I had to end my day early for the Christmas Bird Count. The rest of the team would meet for lunch and then head back out again. I have not heard yet what the final count was but will post it as soon as I hear.

Winter is upon us and as we cozy up with a hot drink watching the winter resident birds at our feeders dashing in and out of the trees and shrubs think about what it takes for them to keep warm. One way for them to build up their fat content is with the protein and fat from suet. So as you are whipping up those holiday cookies here is a simple easy suet recipe for our little friends.

I make this suet through the winter months and love watching the birds devour the suet cake in a matter of days sometimes. I got this recipe from Julie Zickefoose’s blog and which became quite popular and known as ‘Zick Dough’

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup lard
• 2 cups yellow corn meal
• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup flour

I don’t buy the expensive peanut butter. Store brand will do just fine and I purchase the large tub of lard at WalMart in the baking section. I store both in a cupboard and they keep well even through the summer months.

I melt the lard and peanut butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for about 3 minutes. This would depend on your power setting so keep an eye on it so it does not burn. Or melt it on the stove top over low heat.

I then add the dry ingredients and stir till blended. If you want to take this a step further you can add some peanuts or seed or both. On occasions I will.

After mixing I then pour the dough evenly into 3 Ziploc square containers. Set aside to cool and set. For quick setting I’ll put one in the freezer for about a half hour.

I keep them in the container till it is time to fill the suet basket. I found that the Ziploc container filled about half way was just the right size to make the suet cake to fit the square wire baskets.

This suet dough attracts several birds, and I get a kick when all of them want to get to the suet all at once.  Makes me feel good knowing I’m making a special treat they love to eat.  And thanks Julie for posting about your suet dough and sharing with us.

Autumn colors... Erie National Wildlife Refuge

The morning of October 11th was a bit frosty with low lying fog blanketing the valleys as Michele and I drove to the Erie National Wildlife Refuge at Guys Mills, PA in Crawford County. I have to admit this was my first time at this section of the refuge which is the Sugar Lake Division. My husband and I have been to the Seneca Division near Cambridge Springs. I was along for the ride as a back up judge for Michele, Larry Brown and Dennis Burchard for the 12th biennial ENWR Nature Photography Contest. We arrived at 8 AM to smiling and delightful refuge manager, Patty, and Friends of the ENWR, Bertie, offering us coffee and donuts.

Patty, ENWR manager.

Bertie, Friends of the ENWR

The morning went smoothly as all three judges set about the task choosing the contest winners. After lunch Michele and I had time to walk part of the trails before the afternoon reception. The trails are well marked and take you through woodlands and wetlands which on a good birding day would give you diversity in your sightings.

Here are some of the highlights taken from the ENWR web site.

• Only Refuge in the nation protecting endangered Northern riffleshell and clubshell mussels. French Creek, the most biologically diverse stream in Pennsylvania, flows through the Refuge where over 80 species of native fish are found.
• Designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Attracts 237 species of birds.
• Three distinct habitats, forests, fields and water’s edge, found within the Refuge support 47 species of mammals.
• A diversity of habitats provides homes for 37 amphibians and reptiles. Many of them overlooked because they are secretive or nocturnal.
• Numerous wildflowers can be seen throughout the Refuge during spring, summer and fall along all the Refuge trails.

At the reception we were greeted by the contestants and Michele had a chance to answer questions and chat with some of the photographers. Mary Birdsong, president of the Presque Isle Audubon Society, and Rich Eakin, President of the Friends of Erie National Wildlife Refuge presented the awards. There is still time to view the photos since they are on display till November 13th. Please call before visiting the Refuge at 814-789-3585 to make sure the office is open for visitors. For more photos of the contest go here.

Congratulations to all!

WILDLIFE:
1st place – Bill Kueczynski
2nd place – Tim Lyons
3rd place – Joseph Kostansek
Honorable Mention: Chuck Gehringer (3); Holly Walsh; Jack Foltyn (2); Traci Stewart; Mary Mulligan-Hanes

LANDSCAPE:
1st place – Joseph Kostansek
2nd place – Greg Palmer
3rd place – Mary Thall
Honorable Mention: Ruth Swaney; Ron Leberman; Joe Kostanek; Greg Palmer

PLANT LIFE:
1st place – Joseph Kostansek
2nd place – Mary Thall
3rd place – Joseph Kostansek
Honorable Mention: Carol Mullen; Greg Palmer; Mary Mulligan-Hanes

BEST PHOTO TAKEN ON REFUGE: Judith Oakes.
BEST YOUTH PHOTO: Chris Foltyn.

Chris, youth winner

Mary Birdsong and Rick Eakin

Sue, Mary, Ruth and Toni

Michele pondering which way to go, left or right.

Part of the beautiful wetlands.

There were wildflowers still blooming.

Wetland at Laura Olsen Memorial Sanctuary

An impromptu visit to the Laura Olsen Sanctuary in Crawford County netted a great bird sighting and some beautiful photos.  Since it was our first visit there, my husband Mike and I wanted to find the property lines.  We walked in the wooded section and within about a minute, disturbed a roosting barred owl.  It was a lifer for Mike!  We watched it for a little while and then it flew off.  In the woods, we also saw evidence of hunting (shells and make-shift seats), even though the property is clearly posted.  We also walked down to the wetland area of the property,  birded from the road, checked out the remnant of the beaver activity and enjoyed the sounds and sights of a late summer day.  A belted kingfisher entertained us for awhile–even flying through the tunnel under the road on one of his forays.  A flock of turkeys passed over the road while we were there too.  The pictures share just a little of this special place.  You can see that I like the close up.  Enjoy!

Beaver Lodge at Laura Olsen Memorial Sanctuary

Jewelweed

Boneset

Joe-pye Weed

Queen Anne's Lace

"Spaz", a Cooper's Hawk, is one of the rehabilitated birds used for educational presentations.

What started out as a crisp early fall day turned into a simply beautiful sunny afternoon as Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center celebrated 25 years of service to sick, orphaned and injured wildlife.  The day  was filled with live music by Salmon Frank,  food and education for those who came to help Tamarack celebrate this milestone anniversary.

Naturally, there were rehabilitated raptors present which always draws a nice crowd.   The handlers from Tamarack  generously explained to curious visitors what had happened to each of the birds and what Tamarack had done to help them survive.  None of these raptors are able to return to the wild because of their debilities so now they serve to help educate the public about Pennsylvania’s wildlife and the role of Tamarack whose dedicated staff includes Sue DeArment, licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Sue DeArment models what the Best Dressed Wildlife Rehabilitators are wearing this season!

Sophia, the barred owl, another of Tamarack's rehabilitated raptors.

Among the participating partner organizations  on hand to help Tamarack celebrate there accomplishments was the Presque Isle Audubon Society.  Yours truly, Michele Franz and her partner in crime, Toni Kelly, wo-manned the raptor display.   Sue Murawski brought two lovely and enthusiastic young ladies to help visitors make bird feeders made from pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed.  This activity was a big hit with young and mature alike:)

The PIAS pine cone feeder stand.

Mom and daughter work on a pine cone bird feeder:)

The grand finale for the day was the release back to the wild of a red-tailed hawk that had been rehabilitated by Tamarack.  Definitely a bright and appropriate note on which to end this lovely day of celebration.

PIAS President, Mary Birdsong, got the evening off to an entertaining start.

The 2009 PIAS Annual Banquet was held on Friday, September 18th at the Elk’s Lodge on Peninsula Drive.  An enthusiastic crowd of members enjoyed an evening of delicious food, wonderful camaraderie and an interesting program  presented by Dr. Elliot Tramer,  “Marvelous Journeys: Migrants Going Back to the Tropics”.  Jeanne and Chuck Kern did another wonderful job making this year’s banquet a resounding success.  Here Jeanne performs perhaps her most important duty, directing the flow of the banquet line:)

Jeanne Kern, a tireless and priceless member of the PIAS.

We also had the honor of presenting David Skellie with the 2009 Presque Isle Audubon Environmental Award.  As Susan Smith so aptly put it in her interview with Kevin Cuneo of the Erie Times News, Dave Skellie is “the essence of our mission, which is to promote the conservation and protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water in relation to human activity.

PIAS Vice President and Conservation Committee Chair, Paul Burroughs, presents Dave Skellie with the 2009 Environmental Award.

Dave Skellie gives the crowd an update about some current local environmental issues.

Two early arriving PIAS members know that the early bird gets the worm and the best seats in the house:)

Dolores and Joao Tavares were among the 65+ attendees at the banquet.

The evening was topped off with the drawing for the winner of  the beautiful painting of a Bay-Breasted Warbler.  The winner was Dave Gustafson, seen here with the artist, Toni Kelly, who generously donated the painting that was raffled off as a fund raiser for PIAS education and conservation programs.

Artist and PIAS member, Toni Kelly, and winning ticket holder Dave Gustafson, Trustee in the PIAS.

Remember, Audubon meetings have resumed and are held the third Friday of each month (except for holidays) from September through June, excluding December and January.  Meetings start at 7:oo p.m. with a social gathering and educational presentations at 7:30 p.m.  The next meeting will be held on October 16th and we hope to see you there!

It was a beautiful late summer day for the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier (LEAF) festival held on September 12th.  There was a petting zoo, monarch butterfly release, live music, food and plenty of fun educational opportunities for the whole family.  Sheila Causgrove of LEAF, who coordinated the festival, did a wonderful job not only organizing the event but facilitating for all the organizations and vendors involved, including PIAS.

Lisa Danko represented the Presque Isle Audubon Society at our display and helped children with the bird quizzes and owl coloring books.  We were pleased to be able to participate in this valuable and important community event and look forward to participating next year as well.  Next weekend several members of PIAS will be participating in the celebration of Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s 20th Anniversary so stay tuned!

Welcome to the Presque Isle Audubon Society blog. We will be focusing on current issues about the natural world as well as current activities and projects of our society. This first post features a video from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology on the “State of Birds.”