October 2000            Volume 31            Number 2

October Program

CAN GOLF COURSES CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION? 
In many developed areas, the only remaining large blocks of habitat are found in municipal parks, cemeteries, and golf courses. Golf courses have long been criticized by the environmental and conservation communities, mostly on issues of land development, water consumption, and pesticide use. In particular, some well-publicized cases of birds dying after coming in contact with golf course insecticides have given the “green” industry a black eye. However, is that negative reputation deserved? Are golf courses really death traps for birds and other wildlife? Or can the golf industry serve as an effective environmental steward? Can golf courses actually provide habitat in developed areas?

      Scott Gillihan will explore this issue at the next program meeting.  Scott is a native Coloradoan who received his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from CSU and his M.A. in Zoology from the University of Montana. Since 1995, he has been the Forested Ecosystems Program Coordinator for the Colorado Bird Observatory, where his work has included analyzing the effects of forest management practices on bird populations, studying habitat use by Bald Eagles nesting at the edge of an urban area, and writing management guidelines for the conservation of grassland birds. Scott also currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Colorado Field Ornithologists, and is the author of Bird Conservation on Golf Courses: A Design and Management Manual, published by Sleeping Bear Press.

WHEN: Thursday, October 12, 2000 at 7:30 p.m.  Please join us at 7:00 p.m. to network with other people who share your conservation interests, chat with board members and enjoy refreshments before the program.

WHERE: Ludlow Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center 417 West Magnolia Street

Fort Collins Audubon Society programs and field trips are free and open to the public

President's Message
Sue Kenney

Fort Collins Audubon Give Binoculars and Books to Poudre Schools
The Colorado State Board of National Audubon Society awarded Fort Collins Audubon Society $550.00 for “Books and Binocs in Poudre Schools”. This completes a classroom set of this equipment available for check out by targeted schools.

In 1999, the City of Fort Collins, through an Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Education grant, sponsored a two day teacher training workshop for science at city-owned natural areas. Nineteen teachers attended. Following the workshops these teachers took their students on field trips and asked for binoculars and bird guides. The EPA grant provided nine binoculars and 10 field guides. We chose “Field Guide to the Birds of the Front Range” because of its simplicity, relatively few birds, and its appropriateness for the location and experience of the users.

On September 20 and 21, 2000, another teacher training workshop was held for targeted elementary school teachers. The new books and binoculars were presented and used. The teachers were enthusiastic and grateful to have this equipment, as well as some hands-on training on how to use it and how to look for birds.

The education goal of the Fort Collins Audubon Society is to increase people’s awareness and appreciation of nature through participatory activities. This project helps provide opportunities to those who may not otherwise have them, and is an ideal way to strengthen partnerships between Audubon, the City of Fort Collins, and the Poudre School District.

Conservation Corner
Bill Miller

The RGI would require cities larger than 1000 people and counties larger than 10,000 people to prepare maps of future growth areas and submit them to their voters for approval. Cities and counties must also describe to the voters the projected impacts of development in the growth areas, including its immediate and long-term costs, as well as the effects on schools, open space ,traffic, air quality and water supplies, before submitting the growth areas for voter approval. The purpose is for growth to be limited to places where localities can afford to build roads and central water and sewer systems within ten years of voter approval. A higher level of cooperation between cities and counties will be required to avoid conflict or overlap between growth areas.

The Colorado Audubon State Office has come out in support of Amendment 24. The Responsible Growth Initiative will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 24. It is sponsored by the Sierra Club & COPIRG (Colorado Public Interest Group). If you are interested in learning more about Amendment 24, different perspectives on the ballot can be found on these web sites:

COPIRG: http://www.pirg.org/copirg/saveourland/
Colorado Realtors:  http://www.colorealtor.org/RealtorOnly/GovtAffairs/initiative256.htm 

September Field Trip Highlights
Nick Komar, Field Trip Chair

A dozen hardy souls joined the Fort Collins Audubon Society field trip in mid-September. They braved the parched bottom of Jackson Lake (Morgan County, northeast Colorado) in 95-degree heat. They were rewarded for their efforts by thousands of migrant water birds concentrated in the shallow water in the center of the dried-up lake. The scene was reminiscent of the alkaline lakes of Kenya, although Flamingoes were replaced by White Pelicans. Highlights of the day were 18 species of shorebirds (including BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER), 4 species of falcons, and 3 species of terns, 8 species of warblers and a singing Screech Owl nearby. Check out our web site for the complete list of birds seen that day.  Birders interested in visiting Jackson Lake should be prepared to walk long distances along the dried lake bottom to get close enough to identify the thousands of birds there. A telescope is essential. Sunlight angles favor the northeast corner early in the morning (accessible from the parking lot on the north shore). Late morning and early afternoon favors the south/southeast corner, accessible from the dam parking area at the outflow canal (State Parks Pass required). Late afternoon sun favors the west side, accessible from the picnic and camping areas of the State Park. Plan to spend the whole day there. Rustic bathroom facilities are available at all parking areas.

FCAS Field Trips

October 15 (Sunday). FIELD TRIP.  Half day.
CALLING ALL BEGINNERS! Birding for Beginners, Sunday, October 15, 2000, 9:00 am - 12:00. Fall is a great time to see migrating birds in Fort Collins. This field trip is designed for beginning birdwatchers, with a special emphasis for introducing birds to children. We will visit Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area, and several other Fort Collins birding hotspots. Your child will be able to see birds close-up through a 60x telescope. Meet at 9:00 am at the Environmental Learning Center-North Parking Area on East Prospect Rd (one mile east of Timberline, on the south side of the road. Its about a mile west of the new Visitor's Center). Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring water and snack. Car-pooling is encouraged. Call the leader, Nick Komar, for more information at 970-416-7527, nick.komar@juno.com

October 21 (Saturday). FIELD TRIP.  All day.
"Feathers and Fire" (weather permitting).  See the Hi Meadow and Buffalo Creek burns, and some prescription burns (time permitting) in Ponderosa forests. The trip leader has conducted breeding bird surveys at these sites for 4 years. She will focus on the ecology of birds associated with those burns, including that of olive-sided flycatchers and three-toed woodpeckers. Expect ~1-3 miles of walking on flat to somewhat-sloped areas (often by trail) at 6800-7500' elevation. Start point will be the Colorado Trailhead parking lot, ~5 miles south of the town of Buffalo Creek in Pike National Forest.  Trip will last 1/2 day or more, depending on interest and fatigue levels. Led by Cynthia Melcher--Please call her days at 970/226-9258 (OK to call nights--leave name and number for call back) or email her at birdswords@yahoo.com for meeting time and instructions. Limited to 20 people. NOTE: Be aware that hunting occurs in the area; you will need to wear BRIGHTLY colored clothing. This field trip is offered in conjunction with Colorado Field Ornithologists.

All FCAS field trips are free and open to the public.  Children accompanied by an adult are welcome.  To lead a field trip, or if you have field trip ideas or need more information, contact Nick Komar 970-416-7527 (nick.komar@juno.com)

The Fort Collins Audubon Society meets at 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of each month, September through May, excluding December, in the Ludlow Room at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 West Magnolia Street. Members and non-members are welcome at all meetings, field trips and special events.