nov 2007 prairie falcon northern flint hills audubon society

8/9/2019 Nov 2007 Prairie Falcon Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society

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prairie falconNorthern Flint Hills Audubon Society

Newsletter

NorthernFlintHil

lsAudubonSociety,

P.O.

Box1932,

Manhattan,

KS66505-1932

PrintedbyClaflinBooks&

Copies

Manhattan,

KS

INSIDE

pg. 2-Skylight plus-pete cohen

pg. 3-Settling In - dru clarke

pg. 4-Stargazing

pg. 5-Butterfly Garden

pg. 6-Birding Report - kevin fay

pg. 7-Take Note

Upcoming Events:

Nov. 1 Board Meeting 7 p.m.

Home of Tom & MJ Morgan

250 Summit Ave.Nov. 3 Birdseed PICKUP at UFM 9-12n

Nov. 10 Beginning Birding

8 a.m. meet at Sojourner Truth Park

Nov. 13 STARGAZING -Margy Stewart,

11003 Lower McDowell Rd. 8 p.m.

Bring a portable snack (see pg. 4)

Nov. 23 Birdseed Sale #2 ORDER deadline

Nov. 28 PROGRAM: by Dave Rintoul

Manhattan Public Library 7:00 p.m.

Vol. 36, No. 3 ~ November 2007

Dave Rintoul will present our November Program:

Grassland Bird Studies on

Ft. Riley Bird Banding &

Feather-PullingNov. 28, 7 p.m. at the Manhattan Public Library

Dave is a native Kansan, educated at KU (BA, Biology,1972) and Stanford University (PhD, Biology, 1978) who is

currently employed as a biologist at Kansas State University.His research interests were initially subcellular (in the realmof biochemistry and biophysics), but slowly evolved to include entire organisms like marmotsand birds. His talk will cover some results from his participation as a volunteer in the ongoingMAPS project at Ft. Riley, where bird banding operations have been ongoing since 1993. He willalso discuss results from an analysis of the stable isotopes of feathers taken from some of thesebanded birds, obtained during a recent sabbatical semester at the University of Utah.

And as most of you know, Dave was also a long-time editor and contributer to the Prairie Falconand served on the NFHAS Board. He is also (and has been for many years) the Christmas BirdCensus Coordinator and Compiler for the Manhattan Area.

Photo by Dave Rintoul -amgo


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p. Nov. 007 Prairie Falcon Newsletter

skylight plus

pete cohen

The initials TLP could standfor tender loving persons,parents, partners, pharmacists,physicians, philanthropists,

etc., but in this context its Transient Lunar Phe-nomena. An article in this summers Magazine ofColumbia University says observations of them dateback to the 16th century, while internet sources takeit back to the 6th, so maybe theres a typo in the mix.Taking it all in, theyve been reported one evening byve monks in the 12th century, and by such human

luminaries as the astronomer William Herschel in the18th century, and by modern astronauts from out inspace. So if youre looking at the Moon and see amomentary ash of color, misty or otherwise, and/ora brightening and darkening, you will not be the rst.But if you could gure out the cause or causes andprove it, or just manage a clear photograph, you ap-parently would be.

The Columbia article tells that Arlin Crotts,an astronomy professor there, has systematicallyreviewed 450 reported TLP sightings and found that

they were invariably seen in spots where the Moonssurface emits gas. He theorizes that the ashes arecaused by light reecting off of dust that is kicked upwhen the radioactive gas such as radon bursts out ofthe Moons surface.

Other theories suggest different causes, suchas impacts of otherwise unnoticed objects, or electro-static reactions, say related to solar wind, or visual dis-tortions created within the Earths atmosphere or theeye or equipment of the observers. Just like cougarsin Kansas, it seems that TLPs have been hard to pin

down, theres not yet enough corroborative evidencefor any one sighting.

Professor Crotts claims that focusing on hiscorrelations could lead to the development of newimaging techniques and a better understanding ofthe volatile gases below the Moons surface, which

raises again the question of current plans to put humansback on that surface, rather than spending the money toprobe deeper into space. As reported in the media, thethrust of another manned landing would be to probe forcommercial possibilities of exploiting various mineralsthe Moon is hoarding. And such an exploration couldcontaminate whatever results an exploration about thosestrange ashes would produce. Consequently, Profes-sor Crotts is a man in a hurry to beat such a landing. Itgives the term space-race a special internecine mean-ing of its own.

Meanwhile, proceeding at its own pace Jupitercontinues to duck out ever earlier in the evening, leavingthe eld to bright bluish Vega about equally westwardfrom faint Polaris (the handle tip of the Little Dipper)as bright white Capella is to the east. Then Mars joinsin reddishly in Gemini below Capellas constellationAuriga, the home-plate-shaped Charioteer. Mars keepscoming earlier and brighter, joined all night by the Moonthe 26th.

Fomalhaut, very much a southern hemisphereresident, nonetheless will be visible due south as the eve-

ning starts. It will be at its highest, and below the Moonthe 18th.

Then Mercury does its best for the year duringthe dawns of the rst three weeks of November, butwill be outdone by Venus rising earlier and much bright-er about 3 a.m. On the 5th, by StarDates info, begins aseries of early breakfast klatches. Venus will be near thethinning waning Moon with Saturn, then Regulus, aboveand Mercury with Spica below. On the 6th with thedieting Moon getting thinner, therell be the same grouping a little more linnearly arranged, and on the 7th that

lower pair will be a little to the Moons left with Spicain the middle. On the 8th Mercury with Spica will beabove a really hollowed-out departing Moon.

The Moon will be new the 9th at 5p03, and fullthe 24th at 8a30.

2007 Peter Zachary Cohen


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Nov. 007 Prairie Falcon Newsletter p.

Settling IN

Dru Clarke

This summer we left a house we had inhabitedfor 28 years: separation anxiety was mitigated by an airof expectancy as we lled the old limestone house with

our most beloved things, storing much we had not yetbeen able to part with in sheds and trailers and undertarps. Downsizing forces you to consider form andfunction and what will t in your altered life space. Wewonder too what effect our presence will have on a placethat has not been continuously occupied by humans forover 50 years.

The life world we are now immersed in isdifferent as well as the things with which we choose tosurround ourselves. Our new bedroom is oriented sothat the windows open eastward to a long unmowedmeadow, and westward, to a ridge anked by woods that

slope to a narrow meandering creek. Before day breaks,we are able to trace the rising arc of the morning star, abrilliant shimmering planet I think it is Venus - whichlights the path for the suns rise. A ock of turkeymaterializes in the growing light and moves throughthe meadow like a otilla on a calm sea. Beyond the

west bedroom window, a pair of yellow-billed cuckoostweezes bugs from the chinquapin twigs and leaves.

They move methodically along the edge of the woods,and return like clockwork on successive mornings.From those woods I hear the unmistakable teacher,teacher, teacher of an ovenbird, a bird I heard often asa child back East. Has it been here all along, and am Ihearing it paying attention to it - for the rst time?

As the sun lowers inthe west, my husband pointseastward and we look to see the Kentucky Coffeetrees pods, like festive ornaments, glowing aluminous yellow at the meadows margin. The magicreveals itself little by little.

We hoped for phoebes nesting on the porchlight as in the past, but there has simply been toomuch activity. I dont know where they nally nested,but I see them frequently and know they have founda safe spot.

A barred owl cooks for us some evenings,but the night is mostly eerily quiet: our two dogs maysubdue the vocal expressions of wild ones nearby.But there is no doubt they are here: in dried mud,tracks of coyote and bobcat, and the ayed carcassof my dearest Wyandotte hen who decided not to go

to her safe roost for the night. The latter, the workof a brown, taillessraccoon, was the sad event of ourmove, but we hope to live trap the culprit and moveit to a more remote locale.

As we approach real retirement, our age andthat of the old limestone house seem a good t. The

move is complete, and the wild ones have movedover a bit to let us settle in. The decision, so far,seems right.

Dru Clarke , Oct. 2007

A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities haveon the environment in terms of the amount of green house gasesproduced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

To calculate your carbon footprint go to:http://www.carbonfootprint.com/


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Allow me to introducing myself Boris Badenov (Rocky and Bullwinkle)

There once was a fellow named Kevin

Who wanted to look at the heavens

He went out and hikedSaw things that he likedAnd made it back home by eleven.

Last August 11th Margy Stewart hosted an event billed as Goatsuckers and Stargazing at her BirdRunner Refuge. It was one of the hottest days of the summer but the skies were clear and when the sun wentdown it was quite pleasant. Many people attended coming in two groups. There was the initial group andlater an even larger second wave arrived. We saw many spectacular meteors and enjoyed viewing the summer

constellations. The goatsucker listening took second billing to the people who were happy to renew acquaintancebut we did hear Whip-poor-wills.

Margy had a new reector telescope and we viewed Jupiter and the Andromeda Galaxy but did not make

use of the telescopes full potential. Margy asked me to take it and learn to use it so I could show her. It is a reallnice Meade telescope with go-to and tracking. Once the telescope is calibrated for the evening it will go to andfollow any of thousands of objects in its memory. I am lousy at nding things on my own and this telescopereally works and has made it possible for me to look at manyreally nice objects.

Because of the nights success Margy scheduledstargazing events for September and October. Both werecanceled because of cloudy skies. This is quite normal. I alsoattend events of the North Central Kansas AstronomicalSociety (NCKAS). We have been weathered out as many as

nine months in a row for public sessions. The NCKAS hasreally nice web site.Undaunted, Margy has scheduled another session

for November. (see below) Finally,I consider myself an avid

skywatcher. There are people around the area who know moreabout the sky and I am always learning from them. I enjoyviewing the night sky as much as possible and I can show youand tell you some things about the sky I know and some of it may even be true! Kevin Fay

Stargazing at

Margys

STARGAZING NOV. 10: The public is invited to enjoy the night sky at Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge, 4815Lower McDowell Rd. (19 mi. south of Manhattan), 776.8852. Turn right after the viaduct and stay on McDowellCreek Rd. as it crosses the interstate; the Refuge is exactly 5 mi. south of I-70, on the lefthand side. A twilightnature-hike on the tall grass prairie will be offered starting at 5 p.m.. Stargazing will start at 6 p.m. Avid skywatcheKevin Fay will point out stars and operate the telescope. Attendees should dress warmly, bring binoculars, andbring refreshments to pass.


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Nov. 007 Prairie Falcon Newsletter p.

Patricia Yeager

Susan Blackford

Praying Mantis

Monarch caterpillar

Pipevine caterpillar

Buttery GardenFall Clean-up

Photos by Kevin Fay


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Got a good birding story/encounter? Please share it with us - in Bird Tales

WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send me your tales photos welcome! e-mail

[email protected], or mail them to me at 15850 Galilee Rd., Olsburg, KS 66520

Guess what this bird is?(Found by the driveway the morningafter a storm in August)

Birding

Beginning Birding Fieldtrip October 2007

A small group gathered at Sojourner Truth Park on a windy morning with thunderstorms in the area.We proceeded with caution, the storms held off, and we had a good birding trip. We started by birding aroundthe brushy areas near the park where we saw a Carolina Wren and Chipping Sparrows. We then went to TheCarnahan Creek area at Tuttle Creek Lake to check for water birds. There we saw Franklins Gulls. The groupagreed unanimously to extend the eld trip past the normal ending time and we went to the Northeast Park andadmired the restored prairie and walked the Cecil Best Trail. There we saw Horned Larks and Red-winged Blackbirds. We then returned to Sojourner Truth Park ending the trip at noon and agreeing that a good time had beenhad by all.

Here is the trip list (birder talk) : Chipping Sparrow, Carolina Wren, Franklins Gull, Red-tailed Hawk,Rock Dove, American Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Purple Finch, and Brown-headed cowbird.

The Beginning Birding Field Trip occurs on the second Saturday of the month. We meet at 8:00 a.m. atSojourner Truth Park on Pottawatomie St. between 10th and 12th Streets (near Howies Recycling). All birdersare welcome. We will go to some local birding hotspot. Wear appropriate clothing (even if you are a president)but no stenuous activity is planned, just light hiking. Come on out. You too can be the potential subject of alimerick. Kevin Fay

The lightning strikes and the wind cutscold but I am ready for the storm.

Dougie MacLean


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Nov. 007 Prairie Falcon Newsletter p. 7

Take Note

Each year more than 60 million birds migrate across the North Sea. A persisting problem has beenthat oil platforms operating in the North Sea, which must be illuminated because they are a hazard to

shipping, often disorient migrating birds causing them to circle the oil platforms until they are too tired tocontinue their journey to shore. The exhausted birds eventually drop into the sea and perish.

Now the Dutch petroleum company NAM has replaced all 380 oodlights on one platform with anew type of green light. Preliminary results show that birds are far less disoriented by the green lights thanthey are from regular lighting. The company will continue monitoring the platform during the remainingweeks of the autumn migratory season. If scientists determine that the green lights contribute to asignicant decline in bird deaths, the company may change the lighting on all its platforms.

http://www.birdersunited.com/latest9-25-07.htm#extinction Jan Garton

Dutch Oil Company May Have Found a Solution

to the Problem of Lighting on Offshore

Platforms That Disorients Migrating Birds

SAVE THE DAY:Mark your calendars now:Nov. 23 Birdseed ORDERNov. 28 - Dave Rintouls

presentationDec. 15: Manhattan CBC

Dec. 17 - Olsburg CBC


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Northern Flint HIlls

Audubon Society

P.O. Box 1932

Manhattan, KS

66505-1932

Subscription Information: Introductory memberships - $20/yr., then basic membership is $35/yr. When you join the NorthernFlint Hills Audubon Society, you automatically become a member

of the National Audubon Society and receive the bimonthly Audu-bon magazine in addition to the Prairie Falcon newsletter. Newmembership applications may be sent to Treasurer, NFHAS, P.O.

Box 1932, Manhattan, KS 66505-1932. Make checks payable tothe National Audubon Society. Membership renewals are handled

by the National Audubon Society and should not be sent to theNFHAS. Questions about membership? Call 1-800-274-4201 or

email the National Audubon Society [email protected] you do not want to receive the national magazine, but

still want to be involved in our local activities, you may subscribe

to the Prairie Falcon newsletter for $15/yr. Make checks payable tothe Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society, and mail to: Treasurer,

NFHAS, P.O. Box 1932, Manhattan, KS, 66502-1932.RARE BIRD HOTLINE: For information on Kansas Birds, sub-

scribe to the Kansas Bird Listserve. Send this message to and join in the discussions.

Contacts for Your Elected Representatives ( anytime) Write, call or email @Governor Kathleen Sebelius: 2nd Floor, State Capital Bldg., Topeka , KS 66612. Kansas Senator or Representative _________: StateCapital Bldg., Topeka, KS 66612. Ph# (during session only) Senate - 785-296-7300. House - 785-296-7500. U.S. Senator Roberts U.S. Senate, Washington DC 20510. or Brownback U.S. Capital Switchboard 202-224-

3121. President G.W. Bush - The White House,Washington, DC 20500.

NFHAS BoardPresident: Patricia Yeager 776-9593 Vice Pres. Cindy Jeffrey [email protected] 468-3587

Secretary: MJ Morgan Treasurer: Carla Bishop 5

COMMITTEE chairs:Membership: Jacque Staats

Programs:Conservation:

Northeast Park Jacque StaatsButtery Garden Susan Blackford

Education:

Land Preservatin Jan GartonNewsletter Cindy Jeffrey [email protected] 468-3587

Fieldtrips: Patricia Yeager, Hoogy Hoogheem 776-9593 At-large: Tom Morgan, Paul Weidhaas, Kevin Fay

Audubon of Kansas Trustee: Hoogy Hoogheem

Printed on 100% post-consumer

recycled paper

Non-profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 662

Manhattan, KS 66502

Return Service Requested

Published monthly (except August) by the Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society.Edited by Cindy Jeffrey, 15850 Galilee Rd., Olsburg, KS 66520. ([email protected])

Also available on-line at www.ksu.edu/audubon/falcon.html

nov 2007 prairie falcon northern flint hills audubon society

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