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Dear friend,
Join us for Chapter Day this Saturday, February 6
Whether you’re actively
involved with an Audubon NC chapter or would like to learn more about chapter activities,
Chapter Day is a great opportunity to connect (or reconnect) with folks from the nine
state chapters. This year you’ll hear the latest news from the state office, meet
some Junior Naturalists, and enjoy a speed networking session with other
chapter members. It’s not too late to
register for this event at the NC Zoo, so visit our website to see the agenda.
Weather alert – We’re
keeping an eye on the weather – the forecast for Asheboro is calling for snow Friday night and
the zoo will close if there is inclement weather. We’ll contact all registrants on Thursday (by
email) to let you know if we have to cancel Chapter Day because of bad
weather.
Audubon NC staff featured on Exploring North Carolina on February 4
This
Thursday night (February 4), be sure to tune into Exploring North Carolina on UNC-TV.
Airing at 8:30 p.m., “Women in Science” will feature
naturalists around the state, including Nicole Loft and Adriane Michaelis. Find out how these Audubon NC staffers go way off the
beaten path as they monitor birdlife in southeastern North Carolina.
Enjoy our latest YouTube video
A rain-filled
pond in Holly Shelter Game
Land is full of life,
including frogs, salamanders, and unusual aquatic invertebrates. In December,
Andy Wood, Education Director for Audubon North Carolina, visited one of these seasonal ponds and found some
interesting creatures. Find out more in this new video. While you're visiting our YouTube channel, sign up as a subscriber so you'll be notified when we post new videos.
Marketing birding conference on February 4
 In
an effort to market the NC Birding Trail and the High Country as a
destination for birders, High Country Audubon and the Grandfather Mountain
Stewardship Foundation have organized a workshop to help local
business people learn about the benefits of marketing to birders. The conference will be held Thursday, February 4 from 1:00
p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at LaQuinta Inn on the Highway 105 Extension in Boone. Featured
speakers at this free workshop include Curtis Smalling, IBA Coordinator for Audubon NC.
Celebrate Year of the Birds with NC State Parks
Throughout 2010 the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and Audubon North Carolina are celebrating “Year
of the Birds.” Throughout the year,
birds and bird-watching will be the focus of special education programs and
activities in state parks, many of them in partnership with Audubon,
which works with the state parks system on research and management projects
involving bird habitats. To learn more
about the events at state parks throughout the year, visit the education page
on the state parks’ website and enter the topic “birds” in search box #3. (You can also search for activities at a
specific park or during a specific month.)
Citizen Science Events
Whether you're a novice or advanced birder you should check out the following citizen science events:
Rusty Blackbird Blitz
Rusty blackbird populations have fallen
steeply, with estimates of an 85-99% population drop over the past
40 years. Although no one knows the cause for this alarming decline, winter
habitat loss and degradation are likely candidates.
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and National Audubon
Society's e-Bird project are enlisting the birding public to help locate local but predictable wintering concentrations of rusty
blackbirds. Take part in this "blitz" to locate rusty blackbirds and
create a map of wintering rusty blackbird hotspots that will help focus
research, monitoring, and conservation attention. Learn more at the website.
Great Backyard Bird Count
 Birders of all skill levels
can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, another important citizen
science effort. Last year North
Carolina came in third in the nation in the number of checklists submitted. Let’s go for number one in 2010! Learn more at the website.
Save the date:
Audubon North Carolina Chapter Day: February 6, 2010
Great Backyard Bird Count: February 12-15, 2010
Bird Islands Cruise, May 2, 2010
Audubon North Carolina Annual Meeting, May 20-23, 2010
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