Audubon Society of Forsyth County

Spring Bird Count Tallies 136 species!

On May 4, our Forsyth County Spring Bird Count tallied 136 species, which was the highest total in over 20 years. A record number of volunteers contributed to the success. Our cool, wet spring also apparently kept several winter birds lingering in our area, including White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and Wilson's Snipe. We also found some unusual species, such as the American Bittern at Reynolda, two Northern Harriers at the landfill and a Western or Clark's Grebe at Salem Lake.

. . . Contribute to Birdathon Now!

Remember, the Forsyth count is part of our annual Birdathon fundraiser. This year, money collected will back our chapter's financial pledge to support the Wood Thrush project of the Audubon International Alliances Program, as we work in partnership with Belize Audubon to protect habitat for this threatened species from its wintering grounds to summer breeding areas like Historic Bethabara Park. Send your checks to Forsyth Audubon, P.O. Box 15111, Winston-Salem, NC 27113. Wood Thrush photo courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

- Wood Thrush Listening Walks-Each Thursday Evening in May-Check Calendar -

Learn How to Bird-proof Windows!

Find out how you can help birds see your windows – and avoid crashing into them. Here are two resources for everything you need to know: our Forsyth Audubon Blog and the American Bird Conservancy. The recommended product, ABC BirdTape, is available now at Wright's Backyard Birding Center.

Our new window display was at the 8th annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair on April 27th. Founded by the Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA), the fair is the Triad's largest Earth Day event, drawing crowds of 8,000+. Thank you to Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County for donating the window and building the stand.

Hummingbirds Hover at Our May Chapter Meeting!

Our chapter meeting on May 28 will feature a new Audubon film, "Hummingbirds in the Air," along with advice from Kim Brand on how to contribute to citizen science my monitoring hummingbird activity in your yard and tips from master gardener Susan Andrews on growing native plants to attract hummingbirds. Socializing begins at 7 p.m. with the program beginning after a short business meeting at 7:30.

The May meeting also is our annual meeting at which we elect officers for the 12 months beginning July 1. This year, attendees also will be asked to ratify changes in Forsyth Audubon's constitution and by-laws. A committee has combed through the existing by-laws, proposing several amendments relevant to meetings, organizational structure and current communications technology. Click here to read Existing By-laws and Proposed By-laws for a comparison. We hope to see you at the meeting; a quorum of 25 members is required for a vote. Also, a Nomination Committee, comprised of Carol Gearhart, Bill Gifford and Ron Morris, will present a slate of officers. Nominations also may be made from the floor.

Our April-May Newsletter Is Online!

The April-May Newsletter from Forsyth Audubon is now posted on this website. Spring is prime birding time with lots going on. For our annual spring trip, we are traveling to the Outer Banks the last weekend in April. We also have a Saturday day excursion on April 20, and of course, May means our Spring Bird Count and Birdathon, plus much more. Proceeds from this year's Birdathon will support our exciting new partnership to protect the Wood Thrush. Check the newsletter for details on these and other upcoming events.

Washington State Hosts National Audubon Convention!

Do you want to see western birds in the beautiful Columbia River Valley? National Audubon will provide you the opportunity at its 2013 convention July 12-15 at the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington. The convention is open to any Audubon member and is the first one to be held in many years. Go to Audubon Convention for registration and details on field trips, workshops program and lodging.

Order "Birding Guide to Forsyth County"!

Looking for that ideal holiday gift for a local birder? The second edition of "Birding Guide to Forsyth County," by David Disher, is now available. David's book, in a handy 6 x 9 paperback format, compiles documented observations for 280 bird species in Forsyth County. Learn what birds can be seen here and during which weeks of the year you are most likely to see them. Photos of uncommon sightings are included. For $15, this is a great holiday gift for your favorite birder. All profits go to our chapter. Copies are available at Wright's Backyard Birding Center, 3906 Country Club Rd., Winston-Salem, and at Wild Birds Unlimited, 1589 Skeet Club Rd, High Point, or send email to Nita Colvin. Copies also are available for sale at our monthly chapter meetings. If you have a smart phone or tablet, download the electronic version available for $4.99 from www.lulu.com.