Volume 3, Number 1
Tuesday, January 18, 2005

In this issue:

Happy New Year! In this Issue:
• 8th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count Invites Everyone to Go Out and Count Birds!
• Governor Pataki Celebrates Audubon’s 100th Birthday in State of the State Address
• Audubon Ad Hoc Chapter Committee Recommendations
• Constitution Marsh Staffers Rescue Red-tailed Hawk
• Pale Male Story Helps Other Urban Birds
• Houston Audubon Seeks Executive Director

8th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count Invites Everyone to Go Out and Count Birds!

New York, NY, Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - During the weekend of February 18 through 21, people across the North American continent are urged to look at the birds in their backyards and report them over the Internet as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count, one of the world’s largest volunteer efforts of its kind. This count allows people to celebrate their birds, and whether counters are novices or experts, their participation is vital in helping North America’s birds.

“In addition to counting the birds in your own backyard, this remarkable event gives you the opportunity to visit some of our most special places and wild lands,” says Bob Perciasepe, Audubon’s chief operating officer. “In this way, the Great Backyard Bird Count reminds us that North America’s birds consider the whole continent to be one great big backyard; and in a sense, it is our backyard as well.”

This is the eighth year of the popular event, developed and managed by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology with sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited storeowners. This year’s theme, “North America’s Great Backyard,” was chosen as a way to celebrate the unique beauty and birds found across the continent. People are encouraged to enjoy the birds around them by going out into the “Great Backyard” during any or all of the count days and noting down of the highest numbers of each bird species they see. People then report their sightings over the Internet at www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

For read the complete press release, visit http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/. Any questions or ideas are welcomed; contact Pal Green at pgreen@audubon.org.

Governor Pataki Celebrates Audubon’s 100th Birthday in State of the State Address

Albany, NY, Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - Governor George E. Pataki, in his State of the State address, celebrated the National Audubon Society's 100th birthday.

"Today marks a century since the National Audubon Society was founded, right here in New York -- let's give them a birthday present. We will add 20 new Bird Conservation Areas to the 28 we've created since 1995," said Governor Pataki. It was on January 5, 1905, that the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals, later shortened to the National Audubon Society, filed its incorporation papers with New York's Secretary of State. This act marked the beginning of a national bird conservation movement under the umbrella of Audubon.

"We could not be more pleased with today's birthday surprise from the governor," said David Miller, Executive Director of Audubon New York. "In 1905 we had Teddy Roosevelt, and now in 2005 we have George Pataki leading the charge for conservation."

"New York State has been at the forefront of bird conservation and protection throughout history, from the passage of the nation's first 'Audubon Plumage Law' in 1910 to the most recent passage of the nation's first Bird Conservation Area (BCA) Law in 1997," said Miller. "We are thrilled with the Governor's Pledge to designate 20 new Bird Conservation Areas over the next two years adding to the 28 sites already established."

To read the entire release please visit http://ny.audubon.org/news/050105.htm, or email Sean Mahar at smahar@audubon.org to learn more.

Audubon Ad Hoc Chapter Committee Recommendations

New York, NY, Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - The Audubon Ad Hoc Chapter Committee, chaired by Southeast Regional Director Bill McQuilkin, has completed their recommendations to the National Audubon Society Board of Directors. Over the last two years, the Committee has worked to identify and address priority National-Chapter issues and find new ways to strengthen and empower the Audubon grassroots network, develop a greater Chapter-National partnership, and promote conservation outcomes.

The Committee's recommendations will be discussed at the January Board Meeting in Naples, Florida, and a copy is now available online at www.audubon.org/local/cso/adhoccom/.

Constitution Marsh Staffers Rescue Red-tailed Hawk

Cold Spring, NY, Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary Director Eric Lind and Assistant Director Rich Anderson recently rescued a badly injured Red-tailed hawk that became stuck in a sugar maple tree after chasing a squirrel. The injured bird was hanging upside-down when the staffers arrived.

Pete Salmansohn, Constitution Marsh’s Educator and director of Project Puffin, recently wrote about the experience for The Putnam County News and Recorder:

When a hungry hawk chases a frantic squirrel up and around a tree, anything can happen. And apparently the squirrel got away recently when a phone call came in to Constitution Marsh that a red-tailed hawk was stuck in a sugar maple on Canopus Hill Road. Audubon staff members Rich Anderson and Eric Lind threw a ladder, ropes, climbing gear and other rescue equipment into a truck and drove off to see what, if anything, they could do. "When we got to the tree," says Eric, "we could not believe how bad off this bird was. It was dangling upside down from one leg, which was stuck in a crack in the trunk, right below a big hole. It was flapping its wings helplessly, twirling around and around. There was blood dripping down the bark. This bird was obviously going to die very soon if we couldn’t figure out some way to help it."

To read Pete’s whole story, please visit www.pcnr.com/news/2004/1223/General_Stories/019.html.

Pale Male Story Helps Other Urban Birds

Seattle, WA, Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - In a recent article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the restoration of Pale Male’s nest is being credited for inspiring the removal of netting on the wall of Warren G. Magnuson Park Building 27, designed to prevent nesting by a small band of cliff swallows that has been calling Seattle home for many years.

To view the entire article, visit http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/206439_swallows04.html

Houston Audubon Seeks Executive Director

Houston, TX, Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - Houston Audubon Society is a non-profit, conservation organization serving a thirteen county area surrounding Houston. The Society is seeking an executive director to manage a staff of eight, over 3,000 acres of sanctuaries, an education program reaching 15,000 children and adults annually, a high six figure budget and about 5,000 members. Candidates should have non-profit experience with a background in conservation. Personnel management is a prerequisite for this position.

Houston Audubon promotes the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat. Bird conservation in the Houston area presents incredible opportunities, and significant demands. The area is home to a remarkable diversity of birdlife, and large bird and human population numbers. Endangered and threatened species are relatively common in the area, and yet at the same time the area is undergoing rapid development. Thus, you will be on the front-line of bird conservation issues everyday.

Candidates can obtain more information at: http://www.houstonaudubon.org/