AuSable Valley Audubon

Join us January 10th at 1 PM at the East Tawas Community Center. Our guest speaker will be James Renn, an archeologist with the USFS.

Do you like to dig in the dirt? Do you consider other people’s trash a potential treasure? Do you find yourself humming the theme song to Indiana Jones? This is the presentation for you!

This Forest Archaeologist will be on hand to talk about methods of excavating, snorkel recovery on the AuSable River and to tell many stories of the items from history that he has found throughout the years.

MICHIGAN ARCHAEOLOGY From Detroit to Copper Harbor and Ironwood to Drummond Island, archaeological sites reveal how people have lived in Michigan for nearly 14,000 years. Archaeology is the scientific study of the human past, using places and objects to understand changing people and environments. It is the study of sand dunes and forests, seas and cities, hardship and resourcefulness, ingenuity and innovation, and above all, communities. Across time and space, archaeology helps us know the past, understand the present, and plan for a sustainable and vibrant future.

Several AVA members honor Ed Cole’s 94th.

Happy Birthday!

A number of us were able to be there to enjoy lunch with Ed. All thanks go  to Peggy for initiating the plan and providing a lovely and delicious carrot cake.

post and image courtesy of Sue Duncan.

Have you heard of Giving Tuesday? Last year, this world day of giving raised over $116 million online for nonprofits by tapping into the holiday giving season. Held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this year Giving Tuesday is on November 29.

AuSable Valley Audubon is thrilled to be participating in this giving event through the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, and hope you will support our AuSable Valley Audubon by making a donation (no matter how small)! The services we provide to our local area are vital to our community, and on November 29 there is potential to create a huge amount of support for our organization in a 24-hour period.

Click on image for a larger view.

So how can you help? Visit the Community Foundation’s website at www.cfnem.org/givingtuesday on November 29 from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Look for AuSable Valley Audubon and click on it to make your Giving Tuesday gift.

From Sue Duncan on 11/9:

We watched cranes circle in a ‘whirl wind’ shape tonight… one of their behaviors prior to departure. It was really awesome and accompanied a fabulous and unique sunset… a bonus!  Larry estimates nearly the same number of birds have gathered as the high count of 2015. Las year there were approximately 2,300.  The count is a rough estimate this year as the birds are not all coming to roost in the wetlands or flying off before dark in a predictable pattern. He/we may go out again in a day or so and see if they are gone or not, and maybe to try and get a better estimate, but that might entail a lot of luck or three more observer cars!

Yes, this is a coyote

This wild canine has been sighted in  East Tawas recently (11/7/2016). This was taken at the edge of a back yard in the Tawas Lake area. It has also been sighted recently along Newman Street properties. Any sightings should be reported to DNR Conservation officers.

Its a coyote.

AVA and TBAS members view Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill Cranes – photo courtesy of Charles Tetzlaff

On Sunday, November 6, 2017 a number of Au Sable Valley Audubon members and friends gathered with Thunderbay Audubon members and friends for a delightful evening of Sandhill Crane viewing. A beautiful sunset and mild temperatures as well as a fantastic look at a sickle moon and two planets added to everyone’s enjoyment.

The many participants – photo by Charles Tetzlaff

Prior to observing the cranes, everyone ate dinner at the International Café . The wide variety of foods offered  keeps drawing people back, as do the cranes,year after year.

The final count of cranes for this fall will take place  this week.  The initial count which was done in October was 1200+. Check back next week and see what the final count is!

Cranes incoming – photo by Charles Tetzlaff

Dear AVA Members,

Let’s do the Sandhill Crane visit while the weather is nice. 🙂   Sunday, November 6th we will meet at the gas station on M-55 and Sage Lake Road at 3:00 to car pool to the International Café. (The gas station is 6 miles west of M-65) We will meet about 8-10 Thunderbay Audubon folks for dinner at the Cafe’.  Isn’t it great they are coming all this way to see the birds!?!

 If you choose not to do the dinner tell me in your response. Then I can  give you directions to the birding site and a later time to meet at the gas station as well as names of others who may also want to just see the birds  Less cars is better than lots of cars as parking is very limited and the road narrow. Please do not show up with only one or two in your car. Thanks!  🙂

I will  also share names for those planning to attend dinner and see the cranes afterward. I will confirm getting your response and then Saturday late afternoon email again with names for each area.

Sunset is about 5:15pm so at 4:45 we will want to be at the alfalfa field on Mills Road watching the birds.

It is supposed to be mostly clear and in the 40’s, but this is Michigan (right?) and it is a pretty open area; so layers, hats and gloves as well as binoculars might be welcome.

Watch for an email on Sunday morning confirming or cancelling.  Larry and I will go check out the birds Saturday evening… just to be sure they are still there!

Please respond to smdunc@charter.net (as soon as possible) so I can let the restaurant know we are going to descend on them!  And let YOU know with whom you might car  pool.   989-701-5471 cell, or 989-362-2522 home.

Sue
VP AVA

This photo and story was submitted by AVA members Terry and Mary Baker. Click the picture for a larger image.

Sept. 21. Good ending to a potentially bad situation.

This little chickadee flew into our patio window and stunned itself.  I was holding it for several minutes and then it recovered and  flew away.     Taken Sept. 21st  in Tawas Township  –  Mary holding the bird and Terry Baker taking the picture.

Tuttle Marsh – on the banks

Friday, September 16, 2017 the first field trip for AVA was held at Tuttle Marsh, Iosco County, MI.

By 6:45 ten members and surprise alumni members, Bobby Kennedy and Margy Kutzera had gathered. A lovely and mostly bug free viewing of 12 species and a huge orange harvest moon was enjoyed.  The 80 some expected Sandhill Cranes were elsewhere, but 5-6 Black Crowned Night Heron’s awed the late stayers who departed by 7:55pm.

Species:

Members enjoying a great evening with the birds!

Great Egrets – 24 or so
Greater Yellowlegs – 3
Lesser Yellowlegs -1
Great Blue Herons 5-8
Sandhill Cranes -16
Mallard Ducks -4
Raven -1
Hooded Merganzer-5
Belted Kinfisher -1
Canada Geese -5
Black Crowned Night Herons -6
Painted Turtles, too!

What: evening trip to Tuttle Marsh

When: Friday, September 16, 6:45pm

Where: Meet at the Water Control Structure about midway from either entrance, on top of the berm….about 3 miles in from either entrance.
How: Car pooling is good, talk to your AVA neighbors. Not sure how to get there? Call 989-362-2522 for directions.

Why: possibly see migrating shore birds, Sandhill Cranes, Egrets, Bald Eagle and friends.

Who: Audubon members and other  friends or family.

Bring your binoculars and bird books, dress in layers, stay for the sunset! Do not worry about bugs… There haven’t been any. Cancelled only for a heavy rain occurring there and then!