FLICKER FLASHES Spring 2023

FLICKER FLASHES SPRING 2023

THE GUIDE TO ALABAMA AUDUBON

FROM OUR DIRECTOR

GREETINGS AUDUBON FRIENDS—

Spring is here and birds are on the move! Winter visitors are heading north, summer breeders are settling in, and migrants are passing through. Alabama Audubon is on the move, too. We’re placing the finishing touches on our five-year strategic plan, and we have many exciting initiatives to launch.

One of these is Project SafeFlight

Migrating birds often collide with windows because they get confused by lights and reflections. Window collision is one of the largest preventable causes of bird mortality in the US and Canada, averaging nearly a billion deaths per year. Through Project SafeFlight, we are recruiting volunteers to document bird mortality and rescue injured birds during migration in Alabama’s major urban centers. We will also begin work with building owners to adopt a nighttime Lights Out program and retrofit windows to steer birds away from danger. To do this important work we need you! We need volunteers to monitor buildings and we need supporters to help fund the window retrofitting. Reach out if you want to be part of this new initiative.

Another new initiative is the revival of international trave l. Years ago, Birmingham Audubon organized international trips for its members, including one of the first ecotourism trips to the Brazilian Amazon. In May, we are renewing this program with a week-long trip to Cuba. The island is home to nearly 30 birds found nowhere else, and many of our beloved North American species overwinter there. These trips are not just about traveling with fellow Audubon members, they are opportunities to learn about international bird conservation. And, importantly, ecotourism trips like this incentivize local conservation by bringing economic activity to rural communities.

But wait—there’s more! We are thrilled to be co-hosting in April with UAB’s Biology Department a visit by Dr. Scott Edwards , a Harvard ornithologist with an amazing story to share about birding, bicycling, and social justice. Also in April, Alabama Audubon and partners will be running our spring bird banding station at Fort Morgan State Historic Site for a week. Plan to join us at the coast to see your favorite migrating birds up close.

Enjoy the spring and be sure to spend some time admiring our brightly-plumaged bird friends as they return for the summer. And stay tuned! Alabama Audubon will soon be unveiling more new programs to learn about and protect the birds we love.

SPECIAL EVENT

BICYCLING BIRDING AND #BLM

ACROSS AMERICA IN A SUMMER OF CHAOS

UAB HILL STUDENT CENTER

APRIL 13, 2023

7PM–8:30PM

In partnership with the Biology Department of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, ALABAMA AUDUBON is thrilled to welcome Harvard Ornithologist DR. SCOTT EDWARDS as our first special guest speaker of 2023.

Through vivid photographs and videos, Edwards presents his 76-day, 3800-mile bicycle trek across the United States in the summer of 2020, when the world was leveled by a pandemic and outraged by the murders of George Floyd and others. As he rides through varied landscapes and communities, with “Black Lives Matter” signs affixed to his bicycle, Edwards will reflect upon the people, landscapes, and birds that he encountered, and convey the challenges, generosity, and hope that inspired and surprised him throughout his journey. His two-wheeled story is a clarion call to people of all stripes to enjoy the open road, make connections across divides, and—with binoculars in hand—help break down stereotypes often attached to people of color in the United States.

This special presentation is free and open to the public, though registration is required at alaudubon.org/events . For more information, please contact ALLISON ABNEY , Outreach & Communications Director, at allison@alaudubon.org.

Learn more about our many activities at alaudubon.org/events

SCIENCE, CONSERVATION, & EDUCATION

PROJECT SAFEFLIGHT

WINDOW COLLISION MONITORING

A New Initiative to Reduce Bird Mortality

Most of us have heard it before. The awful, loud thud of a bird hitting a window. I began to notice it more during the early COVID days when I was working from home. It wasn’t every day, but over the course of a few months I had a Chimney Swift and a few Cedar Waxwings hit my windows. One of the waxwings died on impact and I went online to order window decals immediately. We now know that even when stunned birds fly away after a few minutes many of them will die from internal injuries shortly after. It may not seem like a big problem, just a couple of birds hitting your windows every year, but when you do the math and add up how many houses there are across Alabama—and the country, and the world—it changes your perspective. Collisions with windows is the second leading cause of mortality for birds, with up to one billion birds dying every year in the United States alone . About half of those collisions occur at houses and low-rise buildings. Birds do not see glass, they see a reflection of sky or trees and think it’s safe to fly through. There are lots of ways to help birds, the most effective of which is properly spaced decals on the outside of windows.

Another way you can help is by joining our community science team. We are looking for volunteers to help us launch our first year of window collision monitoring across the state. Although we know collisions are a problem anywhere there are windows , we don’t know the extent of the problem in Alabama. Our former Conservation Committee member, Jessie Griswold, monitored window collisions in Birmingham for three years and found over 300 dead birds at ~16 buildings. We will continue monitoring those buildings to cover more ground in Birmingham and other cities, and we will use the data that our volunteers collect to direct mitigation efforts as we continue working to raise awareness and funds to make our cities more bird-friendly.

—LIANNE KOCZUR Science & Conservation Director

Learn more about how you can volunteer or make your windows bird-friendly at alaudubon.org/window-collisions

Golden-crowned Kinglet Luke Franke/ Audubon

ANNUAL BIRD BANDING

AT HISTORIC FORT MORGAN

In partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Mississippi State University, and Fort Morgan State Historic Site, we are pleased to announce the return of our popular Coastal Bird Banding event at Historic Fort Morgan , a location that offers our community unparalleled access to researchers and close-up looks at a variety of bird species.

Bird banding provides an opportunity to educate the public about birds and bird conservation. Of the 450+ bird species in Alabama, many pass through the state on their annual migrations to the tropics and back. These spring and fall migrants bring color and song to our forests, and rejuvenate our landscapes through pest control and seed dispersal. Ensuring their survival is a top priority for Alabama Audubon and this annual event allows for researchers to capture and mark migratory birds by placing tiny metal bands on their legs before their release, which provides insight into bird health, migration, and life span.

Find out more at alaudubon.org/events

AUGUST 4 & 5

BLACK BELT BIRDING FESTIVAL

Celebrating the Natural Wonder of Alabama’s Black Belt

We are dedicated to supporting and showcasing the diverse bird communities that flock to the Black Belt and we invite each of you to join us there in August for the 3rd Annual Black Belt Birding Festival .

Our aim is to bring the economic and environmental benefits of bird-based ecotourism to one of the country’s most underserved and primarily rural areas, increase accessibility for our dedicated visitors, and provide entertainment and learning experiences for all members of the community.

Find out more at alaudubon.org/blackbelt

Great Egret Anthony Mancini / Audubon Photography Awards

ANNOUNCEMENT

CHRIS OBERHOLSTER APPOIN TED TO INNOVATE AL ABAMA

OUTDOOR RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

ALABAMA AUDUBON is proud to share that our own Development Director, Chris Oberholster, was invited by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to represent Alabama Audubon and birding tourism as a member of the new INNOVATE ALABAMA Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable .

“There is growing appreciation for the quality of life, health and economic benefits of birding,” said Oberholster, “and this important statewide initiative will enable Alabama Audubon to gain vital insight from the diverse expertise of my fellow panel members to ensure our success in promoting birding and bird conservation.”

INNOVATE ALABAMA is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation to develop forward-thinking policies that will create a more resilient, inclusive and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st century world. The purpose of the advisory roundtable is to advise decision-makers in the development of strategies to achieve three primary goals: expanding Alabama’s outdoor recreation industry, enhancing the state’s attractiveness for a skilled workforce and yielding substantial returns for both rural and urban communities for the enjoyment of current and future Alabamians.

“My hope for this Roundtable is to find ways for Alabama to be nationally known for our rich opportunities for birding and other outdoor recreational pursuits.”

“Made up of some of our state’s strongest outdoor recreation experts, the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable brings together centuries of combined knowledge in the outdoors to provide strategic recommendations on the application of outdoor recreation to enhance Alabamians’ quality of life and support economic development in rural and urban communities,” said Commissioner Chris Blankenship, chair of the Council on Outdoor Recreation. “We are thrilled to welcome these advisory members who will ensure that all regions of the state and outdoor recreation sectors have a seat at the table as we develop these recommendations.”

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

CINDY ARMOUR

We like to joke that we are slowly converting her from a turtle person to a bird person, but the truth is that Cindy is a champion for all wildlife. Many of you already know that Dauphin Island is a gem—it is so important for nesting sea turtles and for birds throughout the year. Now you know that Cindy is also a gem, as she generously volunteers her time with the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network, the Alabama Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network, Share the Beach, and Alabama Audubon. Cindy supports our coastal work in a number of ways, including early morning bird surveys throughout the fall, winter, and spring. She is always first in line to assist with roping off plover and tern nests, and also with the more mundane job of removing fencing at the end of the season. We are so grateful to have her as part of the Alabama Audubon team. Thank you, Cindy!

Are you interested in volunteering with us on the coast? To find out how to join our team of dedicated volunteers, email CORTNEY WEATHERBY , Coastal Outreach Manager, at cortney@alaudubon.org.

MEMBERSHIP

Becoming a MEMBER of ALABAMA AUDUBON funds our core programs in science, conservation, and education.

You are our foundation. Your membership enables us to fulfill our mission to protect birds and promote a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world.

Simply put, we are only able to accomplish our goals because of your support and generosity. Your commitment to our cause helps us to create new opportunities in our community for education and research, and to foster those already in place for all lovers of nature and birds.

Join with us, today, as we build a better, more sustainable and biodiverse environment for our future, at alaudubon.org/membership

MISSION

The mission of ALABAMA AUDUBON is to promote conservation and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world.

OFFICERS

Melanie Seibold President

Maggie Amsler

President Elect

Lois Woodward Secretary

Lori Oswald Treasurer

Greg Harber

Vice President, Conservation

Rashidah Farid

Vice President, Education

Linda Neighbors

Vice President, Field Trips

Jonah Cohen

Vice President, Programs

Ken Marion Vice President, Science

STAFF

R. Scot Duncan Executive Director

Allison Abney Outreach & Communications Director

Lianne Koczur Science & Conservation Director

Chris Oberholster Development Director

Alliemarie Humphries Administrative Coordinator

Cortney Weatherby Coastal Outreach Manager

Olivia Morpeth Coastal Biologist

Ruby Rolland Coastal Biologist

Kathryn Gray Seasonal Coastal Bird Steward

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE

Barry Fleming

Matt Hunter

Timothy Joe

Heather McCalley

Jacqueline Gray Miller

Joe Watts

BIRMINGHAM 3720 Fourth Avenue S, 2nd Floor Birmingham, AL 35222 205.719.3678

info@alaudubon.org

COASTAL 28740 US Highway 98, Suite 9 Daphne, AL 36526

coast@alaudubon.org

FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM @alaubudon

Through more than 75 years of conservation work in one of our nation’s most ecologically rich states, ALABAMA AUDUBON has seen firsthand how diversity strengthens natural communities. This same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing equitable and inclusive opportunities for all Alabamians to learn about and enjoy wild birds, their habitats, and the natural world. One of the best ways to support that belief is by valuing and actively seeking to strengthen diversity among our staff, our board, and our membership. To that end, Alabama Audubon welcomes everyone to participate in our work, and strives to make our programs, classes, and events welcome, inclusive, and accessible to all.

Visit your local vehicle licensing office in person and ask the clerk for the ALABAMA AUDUBON : PROTECT OUR BIRDS specialty car tag! You can request your tag now or wait until your renewal date.

For each $50 tag, we will receive $41.25 for bird conservation: al audubon.org/tag

ALABAMA AUDUBON publishes FLICKER FLASHES seasonally—

Editor: Allison Abney, Outreach & Communications Director

Contact: allison@alaudubon.org

Contributers: Lianne Koczur

Cedar Waxwing Jesse Gordon / Audubon Photography Awards