By Beth Wasden

olunteers transform dauntingprojects into cakewalks at

Pickering Creek. I’m constantlyamazed by the drive, skill, andenergy of our volunteer corps.

In the waning months of 2006,volunteers helped plant over 4,200herbaceous and woodies in oursecond phase of riparian buffer stripplanting funded by the National Fishand Wildlife Foundation. TheSCOPE group of Easton HighSchool constructed a “Mock FossilPit” by clearing an area, filling itwith sand, adding borders, and stak-ing a sign. Eagle Scout KevinCaraker dished up a Thanksgivingweekend bird blind as his EagleScout project.

So far in 2007, Pickering Creekhas hosted the 2007 LegacyLeadership Institute for theEnvironment class and an NationalCivilian Conservation Corps team,has worked with a prospective EagleScout who expects to complete hisproject-the transformation of theformer goat fort to a Children’sActivities Fort-in the spring, and hasoffered service learning and commu-nity service workdays. Beyond all ofthe above lurks the signs and signalsof planning, scheduling, and imple-menting.

The spring season looms, and I look forward toseeing plans turn into action, thoughts into results.We’ll hold our spring workday on Earth Day thisyear and will also be hosting events on NationalTrails Day (June 2) and a National Public LandsDays event in September. We will be cutting a newtrail through the impoundments, offering yetanother section of trail to be explored by visitors andon Guided Nature Walks.

Spring also brings out a great influx of visitorsfrom school groups to weekenders. While theelementary school students may be difficult to missas they follow staff members and education volun-

teers, the prospect of catching sight of baby WoodDucks and Eastern Bluebirds draws volunteers of adifferent nature.

It’s a beautiful time of year, full of possibilitiesand potential. We have more volunteer opportunitiesnow than any other season. Get outside and getinvolved. Feel free to give me a call or email aboutany of our upcoming volunteer programs or if you’reinterested in becoming a new volunteer. I lookforward to seeing you this spring.

Pickering Creek’s Volunteer Program is fundedthrough the generosity of the Chesapeake Bay Trustand an anonymous local foundation.

Get Outside and Get Involved!

Connecting all generations

with nature

VIEWSSPRING 2007

C H E S A P E A K E A U D U B O N S O C I E T Y N E W S • V O L . 1 9 N O . 1

This summer volunteers will be working on new trailsand viewing blinds around wetlands created inconjunction with Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage and theUSDA. These new wetlands provide fantastic wildlifeviewing opportunities, like the Great Blue Heronsnatching a snake, for both volunteers and casualvisitors.

Dedicated to Community-Based Conservation of Natural Resources through Environmental Education and Outreach on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay

Save the Date!

VTour, Toast & Taste

A Benefit forPickering Creek AudubonCenter and the HistoricalSociety of Talbot County

Saturday, June 16, 20076:00- 9:00 pm

❦ Tour historic Wye House, a 17th century country estate.

❦ Enjoy wine, hor d’oeuvres, and entertainment.

❦ Find an intriguing dinner forpurchase that will take placeduring the upcoming year.

❦ Bid on spectacular specialevents and trips.

$95 per personCall 410-822-4903

Visit www.pickeringcreek.orgfor details.

Photo by Royce Ball

By Kate Rogers

ello! I would like to introduce myself as thenewest employee at Pickering Creek and

here is the story of how I got here. I was nervousand excited as any interviewee should be uponarriving at a prospective job site. But I had madeit the 400 miles from home and I was ready. Thenight before my interview I re-checked my direc-tions to Pickering Creek and chose what to wearbased upon the fact that I needed to look profes-sional and at the same time show that I wasprepared to spend my days romping through thewoods and wetlands. When I saw the long graveldrive stretched out in front of me, wetlands to oneside, soybean fields to the other the placereminded me of my home in rural Ohio. Add thefarm buildings, gardens, and forests further alongthe drive and my anticipation any remainingapprehension dissolved. All of this from the carwindow! The best part of my interview was thetour because I had time to take in the amazingscenery of the varied landscapes. I even got to seesome wildlife including theresident pair of bald eaglesand an animal I had nevereven heard of, the chubbylittle Delmarva FoxSquirrel. I left PickeringCreek that September daywith the same emotions as

First Impressions

H

when I arrived, excitement and nervousness. Ofcourse I did not know what the outcome wouldbe, but I knew that if I was offered the position Iwould have lots to think about. Pickering Creekand Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore had leftquite an impression on me, one that I knew wouldbe hard to forget.

Creepy Crawlies Week July 9-13 Explore the exciting world of Pickering Creek’s resident creepycrawlies as you search for insects, reptiles and water creatures. Useall five senses (yep, even taste!) as you learn some fascinating factsabout how these crawlers live.

Wild Water Week July 16-20Hike through our wonderful wetlands and discover all of the amaz-ing creatures living there. Cool down while exploring PickeringCreek by canoe.And of course get ready to help your teamcompete in our wet and wild relay race (say that 5 times fast)!

Forest Discovery Week July 23-27 Beat the heat in the shade of our lovely forests as you meet a tree, make plant-stamp t-shirt and have a scat scavenger hunt! Search for our beloved and endan-gered Delmarva fox squirrel and the awesome birds of prey that hunt him.

Outdoor Skills Week July 30-August 3 Master the techniques of orienteering, knot tying, and outdoor cooking! Learn toidentify some helpful and harmful plants and some basic wilderness first aid.Testyour skills on our overnight camping adventure!

Earth Art Week August 6-10 Discover how to use natural materials to make paints, paper and even beautifulmusic! Decorate a t-shirt using natural dyes you find while hiking.And don’t missthe grand finale, an outdoor art show to showcase your muddy and mossymasterpieces!

Let the SummerTimes Roll!

es, summer is just around the corner!Can you believe it? Another year of

adventure and excitement at EcoCamp is uponus! I am especially thrilled to gear up for campthis year, as it is my first summer not only atPickering Creek but also in Maryland! Ijoined the Audubon family in October of 2006as the teacher naturalist and summer campdirector. Before making the journey east I hadlots of really great opportunities to work withenvironmental education and summer travelprograms in many capacities and interestinglocations. I have been promised that thesummer temperatures here on the EasternShore will rival those I experienced whilerunning summer programs in Thailand andCosta Rica. And I certainly plan to make theprograms that we offer every bit as exciting!

How does a scat scavenger hunt whereyou get to eat the prizes sound? Or an art showfilled with natural masterpieces taken from thebeauty of our very own ecosystem. And ofcourse there will be plenty of time to cool offand play in the Bay! Searching for creepycrawlies, canoe relay races, and a camp-outadventure are just a few other activitiesplanned for camp this year. Check out ourwebsite www.pickeringcreek.org for moredetails and to download registration materials!

Y

EcoC

am

p 2

00

7

2

EcoCamp Info• All camps are for students entering 2nd-6th grade in

the Fall.• Camp runs Monday to Friday from 8:30am - 3:30pm • The price for each week is $160.00 for members and

$195.00 for non-members• After-care is available Monday-Thursday until 5:30pm

for an extra $65.00/wk• Registration forms can be downloaded from our

website: www.pickeringcreek.org• Financial aid available - contact by May 1st Camp

Director Kate Rogers at krogers@audubon.org

Pickering Creek Audubon Center 11450 Audubon Ln. Easton, MD 21601

Continued on page 7

3

FOR THE PAST TWO YEARSPickering Creek Audubon Center has engagedin a successful partnership with theChesapeake Bay Environmental Center inGrasonville, and Adkins Arboretum inRidgely, called the Legacy Leadership Institutefor the Environment (LLIE).

This unique program is designed to bringon board at the participating centers, a groupof committed retiree volunteers who will usetheir previous work experience and leadershipexpertise to benefit the environment.

This past January, Pickering Creek staffwelcomed 2007 participants for the firstSession of the 2007 Institute. The LegacyLeaders will meet weekly into April for train-ing sessions taught by staff from the threeCenters as well as experts from governmentaland non-profit organizations. The classesrotate across Centers. In the mornings, partici-pants receive instruction with content focusingon the specific missions of each Center; in theafternoons, they engage in targeted steward-ship activities such as trail maintenance and

habitat enhancements while continuing tolearn about our ecosystem. Following theseweekly sessions, the leaders will participate infield experiences with guidance from Centerstaff, and will commit to perform volunteerservice at the Center of their choice over theremainder of the year.

This is a win-win program for everyone!It helps to develop an increasing reservoir ofinformed and committed volunteers forPickering Creek and for its partners. Thoseinvolved are brought up-to-date on currentenvironmental issues and strategies. Theydevelop bonds with one another as well as withthe Centers and their staffs. They contribute inmeaningful ways to the work of the Centers.

If you are interested in learning about ournext annual Institute, contact Beth Wasdentoday!

Wolves Devour Service Projects at Pickering Creekational Civilian Conservation Corps teamWolf 5 joined Volunteer Coordinator Beth

Wasden and volunteer Bill Reybold at PickeringCreek on February 5 and 6 to help complete anumber of service projects at Pickering CreekAudubon Center.

In spite of the frigid temperatures, the teamfinished a number of projects, including makingrepairs to the dock, decking and repairing a trailbridge, building a new bridge over waterloggedterrain on the Children’s Trail, deconstructing adilapidated bird blind, and removing invasiveplants.

This two-day mini-spike served as the firstwork detail that the entire team completed, Wolf5 leader Michael Noh explained. NCCC, the National CivilianConservation Corps, is a national AmeriCorps program for youngpeople aged 18-24. Wolf 5 is based out of Perry Point, MD, and is amember of the North East region. The team will assist in reliefefforts in either Florida or the Gulf Coast in the near future and willreturn to Perry Point to work on regional projects in July.

The Bird Call

N

NEWS FOR AND ABOUT PICKERING CREEK VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers contributed over7,011 hours over the last yearworth over $84,132 in services!

Pickering Creek hosts a number of groups every year. If you area member of a local business or community organization and wouldlike more information about volunteer group projects at PickeringCreek, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Beth Wasden at410.822.4903, extension 26.

Legacy Leadership Institute Helps Pickering Creek to Connect People with Nature

THIS FALL 12 MEMBERS of Eastern Maryland’s Boy ScoutTroop 190 constructed a viewing blind at Pickering Creek for a new75-acre wetland impoundment. The scouts, ages 11-18, their leadersand several parents were at the Center to help Kevin Caraker, anEagle Scout, complete his required community service project.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouts, and those earningtheir badge need to complete a community service project for a non-profit organization. Some people “clean up cemeteries, but [I] heardabout the new wetlands needing an observatory,” Kevin said. BethWasden, Volunteer Coordinator at Pickering Creek, is currently plan-ning a new wetlands extension trail that will include an overlook andseveral viewing blinds. This new blind will be located along the trailextension. Viewing blinds provide shelter for birders and hikers to sit

and rest while setting up a scope or using binoculars. While buildingthis blind, “the scouts who assisted Kevin were able to experience theedge of the wetlands and its congregations of geese and ducks,” Bethsaid.

The blind is the first of several trail improvements PickeringCreek will be working on this year as trails expand around the newwetland complex which was created in partnership with ChesapeakeWildlife Heritage. Volunteers will be working on a viewing platform,interpretive signs and several trail bridges over the course of the year.

Eagle Scouts have completed several other projects at PickeringCreek in the past, including additional viewing blinds and trailenhancements such as bridges and platforms. If you are interested inEagle Scout or other volunteer opportunities at Pickering Creek,please contact Volunteer Coordinator Beth Wasden at 410.822.4903,extension 26.

Boy Scouts Build Bird Blind for New WetlandBeth Wasden, Pickering Creek VolunteerCoordinator and Eagle Scout Candidate KevinCaraker in front of the new viewing blind atPickering Creek.

The Bird Call

Upcoming Volunteer Events-Mark your Calendar!Invasives Eradication Workday Saturday, March 24 9:00 am-3:00 pm Need community service or service learning hours? Just want to getoutside for some fresh air? Help Pickering Creek remove invasiveplants on the property while attaining service learning or communityservice hours. Participants can work half-days or full days and shouldwear warm, comfortable clothing that can be dirtied. Please bring alunch or snacks, a water container, and work gloves, if you have them.Adults welcome, too! Please RSVP if you intend to attend.

Earth Day Workday Sunday, April 22 10:00 am-3:00 pmCome soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of spring on Earth Daywhile helping Pickering Creek staff snaz up the site in preparation forour spring school programs. Bring yourself and a friend! We’ll provideeverything else, including lunch, refreshments, and work projects.Please RSVP Beth Wasden if you plan to attend.

Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner Saturday, May 19 6:00 pm We can’t say thank you often enough, but we’ll spend an entireevening doing just that for our incredible volunteer corps.Mark the date on your calendars, and get ready to kick back on alovely spring evening at the Creek.

National Trails Day at Pickering Creek Saturday, June 2 9:00 amJoin us for a Saturday walk, stay for trail work on the wetlandsextension, and then relax in the afternoon. Pickering Creek willcelebrate National Trails Day with events throughout this latespring day.

4

���

The following folks saw our lastwish list and gave generously.Do you have any of these items?Ed James…IMAC ComputerWilliam Reybold…LumberCathie Liebl…CarpetBob Messick…Office Furniture & Canoe

We need:Mini Van, Station Wagon

or SedanLumberLawn TractorPower ToolsGarden ToolsNative Annuals

and PerrenialsWheelbarrowsWrenches, screwdrivers,

hammers

KayaksCanoesMilk cratesDigital cameraBirdfeedersLife jacketsMounted birdsNature books

and field guidesFolding Tables

day in the fall of 2005 when I was an intern, Ilooked out at the agricultural fields of

Pickering Creek and imagined them full of a varietyof farm projects, with walking trails and hayridesweaving in and out of each different project. I imag-ined visitors coming from all over to visit the Center’sfarm. Just imagine driving down our gravel drivewayon a bright, sunny day and hearing the sounds ofchickens and cows, looking into our fields of not justcorn and soybeans, but filled with the beautiful colorsof flowers, vegetables, and fruit. Cars coming in frommiles to visit Pickering Creek’s Farm. With the helpof funding from the Town Creek Foundation, this isthe start of a reality for all of us.

Currently, we are in search of farmers, gardenenthusiasts, and others to create farming opportuni-ties and initiate farm projects at our site. We wouldlike to incorporate a variety of farm projects. Allprojects are welcome (fruits, vegetables, animals, etc).The projects must be environmentally-friendly andecologically-sound, and use sustainable practices.They should help broaden the scope of farming at theCenter, have educational value, and provide knowl-edge that can be freely shared with all farmers, visi-tors, and the local community. These projects willserve as agricultural models for the Eastern Shoreand the Chesapeake region. Participants will have theuse of our land and the support of Pickering Creek.

Great Tastes forGreat Causes!Upcoming Food and WineFestival to Benefit PickeringCreek

he St. Michaels Food and WineFestival, which is being held

April 26-29 is an exciting four-day celebration of food and wine. The festi-vals beneficiaries are Pickering Creek,the St. Michaels Food Bank, andChesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, aswell as several food industry scholar-ships. TheFestival hascontributed$31,000 to thePickeringCreek’seducationprogramsover the pastthree years.This year’saward hasbeen dedi-cated to our budding Farm Programprogram. “The goal of the festival was tocreate an event that would raise moneythat would be put to good use locally,”said Festival Chairman Jon Mason.

The purpose of the Farm Programat Pickering Creek is to connect peopleof all ages with the sources of their food,and help people make well-informeddecisions that support local and sustain-able agriculture practices in theChesapeake Region. Ultimately, citizenswill become better connected with theChesapeake Bay ecosystem and becomebetter stewards. Through publicoutreach people will gain a better under-standing of the value of farms in thelandscape, the benefits of buying locallygrown food, and the process by whichfood gets from the field to the plate. Theway our agricultural land is used,conserved, and preserved is of vitalimportance to the long-term health ofthe Bay. The decisions consumers makeabout the food they eat, where it comesfrom, and how it is produced, can be oneof the most powerful “votes” a citizen ofthe Chesapeake can cast. PickeringCreek will become a showcase for resi-dents of the Eastern Shore, demonstrat-ing field scale conservation measures onthe farm as well as providing the publicinformation about how their food getsfrom the farm to the table.

AG NOTES

We thank our Lucy & John James Audubon Societymembers for their support!

ucy & John James Audubon Society members support Audubon and Pickering Creek’s goalof Connecting People with Nature through superb outdoor educational experiences, citizen

science, and bird conservation. Society members have given a minimum unrestrictive gift of$1,000. Gifts support a variety of community based education and research programs focused onimproving the environment for the benefit of humanity. Each level of membership has differentbenefits, all Society members receive invitations to unique stewardship events.

Raptor $10,000-$25,000Mr. Paul Tudor JonesMrs. Dorothy MetcalfMr. and Mrs. Ira RinglerMr. and Mrs. Antoine van AgtmaelMr. Bruce Wiltsie

Waterbird $5000-$9,999Mr. Coard BensonMr. and Mrs. Paul ElickerMr. and Mrs. Thomas SeipDr. Peter StifelDr. Stuart StrahlMr. and Mrs. Timothy Wyman

Songbird $2,500-$4,999Dr. and Mrs. Howard HughesMr. and Mrs. Thomas Lane

L

T

Mrs. Catherine LieblMrs. Norma RedeleMr. and Mrs. Richard Tilghman

Hummingbird $1,000-$2,499Mr. and Mrs Thomas BaxterMr. and Mrs. John BaylissMr. and Mrs. Franz BurdaMr. and Mrs. William CoraceMr. and Ms. Tucker DaltonMrs. Debbie GeisenkotterMr. and Mrs. Bryson GossMr. and Mrs. Richard GranvilleMr. and Mrs. William GriffinMr. and Mrs. Steve HersheyMr. and Mrs. Julien LarkinMr. Richard LeaderMrs. Anne Kimberly Morton

Mr. and Mrs. John NelsonMr. and Mrs. Alfred OsgoodMr. and Mrs. Joseph PetersMr. and Mrs. William ReyboldMr. Les RoslundMr. and Mrs. Mark ScallionMrs. Mattie ShaferMr. and Mrs. Ron SiegmannMr. Hugh Simmons & Mrs.Kathy WoodsDr. Eva SmorzaniukMrs. William StoreyMr. Bruce SummerMr. and Mrs. Charles ThorntonMs. Mary TilghmanMr. and Mrs. Richard Welch

On the Hunt for Farm Projects By Martin Vito

5

We are on the hunt to diversify the farmprojects on our property. For our farm program toexpand, we need a wide variety of farming projectsthat will attract people to Pickering Creek’s farm.Visitors will remember not only the traditionalconventional corn, soybeans, and wheat rotation, butthe other farming projects as well, such as raisinganimals and growing vegetables and fruit.

One of my best memories from my youngeryears is when my dad brought my sister and me to aspecial park to play baseball. This park was specialnot for the baseball field, but the farm next to it. Thiswas the only farm in the city where I grew up. Iremember my sister and I would go up to the fence,looking in amazement at the different animals—chickens, goats, cows, and llamas. We both gotexcited when the animals came up to the fence andwe can see them face-to-face. I felt like I could standthere for hours watching those animals, and I feelthis experience made a positive impact on my life.

Starting to diversify our farm projects will havea positive impact on young students’ lives. Farming isvery unique—petting the animals, smelling the farm,tasting fruits and vegetables—and I feel that there isno other experience like it. So if you or someone youknow is interested in setting up a doing farm projector would like to help with this effort, please contactme at mvito@audubon.org or (410) 822-4903 ext. 21.

O

6

ickering Creek Audubon Center received a $50,000 matching chal-lenge grant from Tom and Alexa Seip of Easton shortly before the

holidays and raised the matching funds in 48 hours! The Seips earmarkedthe challenge grant for a very special Pickering Creek project, replace-ment of the dock and Waterman’s Shanty environmental classroom.

“Pickering Creek Audubon Center is very thankful to have receivedsuch a wonderful gift and the opportunity to go into our community andmatch the funds,” commented Mike Linardi, President of the PickeringCreek Board of Directors.” He continues,” It’s an extremely positive wayfor us to begin the New Year.”

Rita Osgood, Development Coordinator, was contacted by the Seipswith the stipulation that a $50,000 challenge grant would be given toPickering Creek if a match of the $50,000 was raised by December 31.“Exciting doesn’t even come close to describing how everyone felt,” statedOsgood. Three Pickering Creek Board members, Tom Lane, SteveHershey and Coard Benson formed a team and started raising the match-ing funds within the hour. Everything moved very quickly from thispoint.

“The phones in Easton were smoking,” stated Tom Lane. “Calls

were being made by the team members at record speed and checks andpledges were streaming in.” Laughingly, Lane stated that his phone cameclose to a major melt down. The momentum grew and within 48 hours,the “Dream Team” (as Osgood came to refer to them) raised the matchfrom Pickering Creek Board members and the community.

According to Mark Scallion, Director of Pickering Creek AudubonCenter, “this is probably one of the largest amounts of money raised forPickering in the shortest amount of time and we’re thrilled.” “Withapproximately so many adults and children using the dock andWaterman’s Shanty each year, the wear and tear to the structure over thelast 20 years has greatly taken it’s toll,” Scallion stated. “Now we’rehoping to have the work done and the dock and Waterman’s Shanty envi-ronmental classroom ready for our Spring 2008 environmental educationclasses.”

The Center hopes to have a new structure in place by spring of nextyear. If you would like to receive additional information regarding chari-table giving to Pickering Creek Audubon Center or questions regardingprograms and upcoming events, please call Rita Osgood, DevelopmentCoordinator at 410-822-4903.

n February 3, 2007 Pickering staffpresented its new curriculum, Gateways

to Conservation, an environmental educationcurriculum for students in grades 1-5, to overfifty eager environmental educators at theMaryland Association of Environmental andOutdoor Educators Annual conference inOcean City, MD. The presentation was part ofPickering Creek’s effort to help other environ-mental centers connect children to nature andthe Chesapeake Bay while meeting the needs ofthe Maryland State Voluntary curriculum. Aspart of the presentation, Pickering Creek staffoffered examples, advice, and free copies of theirnew curriculum to all conference attendees.

This presentation and wide distribution ofthe new curriculum was not only a goal ofPickering Creek Audubon Center but also agoal of the National Park Service’s ChesapeakeBay Gateways Network who helped make thepublished curriculum a reality. The ChesapeakeBay Gateways Network and Pickering CreekAudubon Center share a similar goal to connectpeople to the Chesapeake Bay and special placeswhere people can have an authentic Chesapeakeexperience. The Gateways Network iscomprised of over 150 non-profits organizations,state and local government agencies who worktogether to tell the cultural and natural historystories of the Chesapeake Bay.

While other curriculums focus on theaquatic Bay, Pickering’s curriculum focuses onthe relationship between the land surroundingthe Bay and the Bay itself. The Gateways toConservation curriculum connects children to

the outdoors andhelps build knowl-edge important forimproving the healthof the Bay. Thisperspective was a unique contribution to thepool of resources available to formal and infor-mal educators. “This presentation allowededucators from across Maryland the opportu-nity to explore our exciting curriculum and tolearn some new ways they can teach childrenabout conserving the Chesapeake Bay,” saidShannon Gordon, who led the presentation.Educators attending the conference were grate-ful to receive valuable training and a copy ofthis new curriculum and training that will helpbuild students’ knowledge on the importance ofimproving the health of the Bay.

Creating a partnership between an envi-ronmental center like Pickering Creek and alocal school is a fundamental part of Pickering’snew curriculum and was a goal of this presen-tation. Conference participants throughoutMaryland were urged to take the curriculumback to their local nature centers or schools and

begin a partnership to help students learn scien-tific and social studies concepts while learningabout their connection to the natural worldaround them. When schools partner with envi-ronmental centers like Pickering CreekAudubon Center, great strides can be madetowards improving the environment becausestudents are given the opportunity to learnabout their own connection to local resourcesthrough high quality outdoor learning experi-ences. It is Pickering Creek’s hope that all chil-dren throughout the watershed have outdoorexperiences that inspire them to make a differ-ence and improve the health of their greatestnatural resource, the Chesapeake Bay.

Pickering will be offering this curriculumto educators who attend training programsthroughout the watershed over the course ofthe next year. A middle school companionedition will be released later this year.

Pickering Presents to Maryland EducatorsO

Pickering Creek Matches $50,000 Challenge Grant in 48 Hours

Dr. KarenSalmon,Shannon Gordonand Dr. CarolVisintainer withPCAC’s newenvironmentalcurriculumbook.

P

By Carolee Ferris

he day was rainyand warm. The

nightcrawlers and earth-worms had surfaced andwere crawling across drive-ways, paths and drowning inpuddles. Many were hustlingtheir segments across the street tobecome disgusting smears of roadkill. Wormsare slimy, alien and have absolutely nocharisma at all but I couldn’t bear that so manywould die. On my walk, I spent an hour or sorescuing them. I flung as many as I could findonto dryer fields, lawns and woodlands. Later,I smiled at my own silliness as I washed wormgoop from under my fingernails.

There is a piece of carpet that preventsrain from seeping under the garage door. Ijerked when I picked it up because a glisteningnot-snake slithered out from underneath. Itwas a sliver of salamander, black, delicate andwhiplike, drawn to hunt in the warm weather.

For seconds only, it eluded my fingers bycoiling, whipping its long tail and rolling,much like a snake. I memorized its shape,color, length, and number of toes on the frontand rear legs. It was slimy, slightly sticky andcontinued to struggle against my hold. Fearfulof injuring it or causing it to lose its tail, Ireleased it beside the garage in a safer area andrushed to my field guides.

My experiences with salamanders begandeep in the Hockomock Swamp of

Massachusetts, a secluded wild marsh in anincreasingly urban area. I came across an olddump site and poked through broken bottles,shards of old porcelain and rusted farm imple-ments, looking for any unbroken old bottles.Instead I found a population of rare blue-spot-ted salamanders (Ambystoma laterale). Incoloration, they resembled the broken blueenamelware that formed their niche.

I collected four, placed them in a brokenjar with moist pine needles to hide beneath.With a page from my journal and the elasticfrom my braid, I covered the jar. The salaman-ders were verified and documented by theproper state officials. Back then, they were asubspecies of the Jefferson Salamanders but arenow considered a separate species ofAmbystoma. Two days later, the creatureswere once more tucked into their odd habitat.

Wet seeped through my dungarees as Iknelt and stared up the petticoat of a tinymushroom. For identification, I had to knowwhether it had gills or not. Peripherally, therewas a flicker of color and I was looking at aslash of crimson poised on the burl of a rottedstump. In a blink, it disappeared into the inte-rior of the stump-an eft in a cleft-so to speak.It was the easily identified Eastern Newt(Notophthalmus v. viridescens) in the red eftstage.

The newt is the most commonly knownsalamander. They have three stages- an aquaticlarval tadpole, a terrestrial phase of 2 to 7 yearsand the aquatic, breeding adult. Some popula-tions of these odd creatures practice neoteny,(your word for the day) which is skipping theterrestrial stage to stay aquatic from egg tobreeder; studies indicate this is caused by apoor environment. To keep the populationviable, they become neotenic. In effect, becom-ing sexual adults while still immature, ratherlike the teens of today and for the same reason.

My garage salamander is a red-backedsalamander (Plethodon cinereus) in a lead-backed morph. It completes its entire repro-ductive cycle terrestrially. The males havesquare snouts, the females have roundedsnouts. The legs are the same size with 5 toes

on its hind legs. The female deposits her eggson the roof of her burrow where they hanglike grapes. She stays until the eggs hatch andfor a time afterwards. Studies show the eggsdevelop fungi without her presence and appar-ently, the young salamanders need the mois-ture from her larger size.

The day before, I had inadvertently savedmore worms than this red-backed salamanderwill eat in its lifetime. There is now a connec-tion between us. If you look around PickeringCreek Audubon’s forested areas, all theseamphibians can be found and they are charis-matic, more so, maybe, than mummichogs andmeadowlarks.

Carollee will be leading a fantasticNature Journaling program this May atPickering Creek. See our program schedule.

WORMSAVER & WORMEATER I joined the Audubon team in October asthe Teacher Naturalist and Summer CampDirector. Each day when I turn down the graveldriveway I am greeted by a host of creatureswho make our wildlife sanctuary home and Ifeel privileged to work in such a beautiful place.Every chance I get to walk along the trails orrelax on the dock I am reminded of how impor-tant protected places like this are to our fragileenvironment. And of course I didn’t take the jobjust to wander around and look at wildlife allday! Our staff is busy each day planning andproviding such a wonderful range of educationaland volunteer opportunities to all members ofthe community that sometimes it seems over-whelming! I am proud of what we do here atPickering Creek and I am proud to be a part ofthis family of dedicated staff members who havequickly become more than just co-workers, theyhave become my friends.

When is the last time you came out towander through the woods or to join one of ourfamily or adult education programs? Just as thisplace belongs to each Canada Goose, EasternBox Turtle and Sweet Gum tree that resideshere, it belongs to you too! On behalf of all ofthe staff, I extend an invitation and welcome youto explore and enjoy your Pickering CreekAudubon Center! There is no need to RSVP, thiswelcome does not expire and the only dress codeis set by Mother Nature. And next time we meetout on the trails I would love to hear yourimpressions!

First Impressions continued from page 2

Coard Benson and Tom Lane onthe Dock after the big success!

TI would not enter

on my list of friends(Though graced with polishedmanners and fine sense,

Yet wanting sensibility), the man who needlessly sets footupon a worm.

—William Cowper

Non-Profit OrganizationU. S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 27Easton, MD11450 Audubon Lane • Easton, MD 21601

410-822-4903

Notes from the Trail

River Otter Sighted atPickering Creek

f you’ve ever been to Pickering Creek Audubon Center, you know thatthe 400-acre nature preserve is at capacity for birds. Bluebirds, Wood

Thrush, and kinglets abound. But what about the mammals at theCenter? Besides the obvious deer and multitude of rabbits, are there anyothers? Yes, my fellow mammal-phile, there are! On any given afternoonyou may see a variety of mammals including Delmarva Fox Squirrels,raccoon, possum, muskrat, mouse, vole, and river otter. That’s right, riverotter.

River otter are the largest members of the Mustilidae family, whichincludes badger, weasel, skunk and mink. Although once rare throughoutNorth America, the Northern River Otter (Lutra canadensis) has made abig comeback. Despite popular belief, these playful carnivores are foundin coastal marine waters as well as fresh water. River otters live in densand holes on riverbanks or near water.

If otter are left undisturbed, they can be quite playful in groupsduring the day, unlike its strictly nocturnal relatives. Adults weigh up to30 pounds and measure about 52 inches long. Populations have beenrecently increasing but at one time were very low due to their susceptibil-ity to air and water pollution. It is thought that otters may be developing atolerance to the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay area.

Late last fall, board member Dick Welch spotted one of these elusivemammals along the banks of Pickering Creek. Dick was out canoeing the

inlet along the northern border of Pickering property with his son andgrandson when he saw a “dark, sinuous shape move down the bank andinto the water”. It was after it disappeared that Dick realized he had justseen an otter. Although the trio waited about ten minutes for the animalto reappear, they did not spot it a second time.

So when you are out at Pickering Creek and you suddenly tire ofbird watching (gasp!), how about a little mammal watching? Althoughthey are admittedly much harder to spot, signs of mammals are every-where - tracks in sand at low tide (otter tracks will be completelywebbed), burrows or holes near the creek and even complete rodent skele-tons found in owl pellets! Perhaps not as showy or as colorful as ourfeathered friends, it may prove more rewarding to spot the playful andsecretive otter for the fifth time in ten years rather than the 50th flicker ofthe day.

I

Board of Trustees Michael Linardi, PresidentJohn Bayliss, Vice President

Dick Welch, TreasurerMark Jules, Secretary

Catherine Liebl, Past President

William CoraceMark GreeneSteve HersheyBud HughesRick Leader

Thomas LaneErney MaherBonna NelsonNorma Redele

EmeritusPeter Stifel Stuart Strahl

StaffMark Scallion, Center Director

Rita Osgood, Development OfficerShannon Gordon, School Program Coordinator

Beth Wasden, Volunteer CoordinatorKate Rogers, Teacher Naturalist/

Summer Camp DirectorMartin Vito, Agriculture Program Assistant

Dave Reinecke, EducatorSarah Krones, Seasonal Educator

Erin Poor, Seasonal EducatorKristen Facente, Seasonal EducatorRichard Leader, Executive Director,

Audubon Maryland-DC

Views Layout: Liz Fisher/Grafix Galore

William ReyboldMichael Rork

Hugh SimmonsEva SmorzaniukBruce Summer

Carolyn ThorntonRichard Tilghman

Lisa Wyman

River Otter

Photo courtesy of USFWS

Kilowatt OursThursday, March 29 6:30-7:45pmMembers/Non-Members: FreeLeader: Sarah KronesLocation: Talbot County Free Library,Easton BranchCome see “Kilowatt Ours:A Plan to Re-Energize America,” a 38-minute film that

reveals the consequences of ourcoal-powered economy and howto save up to $600 annually onenergy bills! Discussion and guestspeakers will follow. Pick up aFREE compact fluorescent lightbulb (while they last!) and a guideto energy conservation in yourhome. Food provided. Run jointly

by Pickering Creek AudubonCenter and the Maryland SierraClub, Eastern Shore.

Guided Nature Walks First and Third Saturdays from April to October 9:00am-10:30am Location: PC Welcome CenterMembers/Non-Members: FreeKick start your weekend with a walk on thewild side with one of Pickering Creek’snature guides. Discover our trails on a casualstroll as guides focus on particular subjects,including birds, insects, trees, and plants.Whether new to the area, a weekend visitor,or a seasoned member of Pickering Creek,you are sure to discover something new andwonderful.

Kid’s Agriculture Field DayThursday, April 5 1:00pm-3:00pmMembers $5 per childNon-members $10 per childLeader: Martin VitoLocation: Main OfficeRegistration required Don’t know what to do with your kids ontheir day off? Come out to Pickering Creekand enjoy an agricultural field day.Whilelearning about local agriculture, theChesapeake Bay, and the environment, we willdo some fun, hands-on activities that kids willenjoy.Activities include making ice cream andbutter, tonging for oysters, agriculture jeop-ardy, and much more.

Potluck Dinner: Zest YourMeals with GarlicThursday, April 19 6:30pmMembers: $10 per adult / $5 per childNon-members $15 per adult / $8 per childLeader: Martin VitoLocation: Main OfficeRegistration RequiredLet’s celebrate National Garlic Day with aPotluck Dinner at Pickering Creek. Martin willshow you how to zest up your meals withthis incredible herb.There will be dishes totry and some recipes to take home.Whileshowing you cooking techniques, Martin willshare some helpful hints on the herb ofgarlic. If you have a favorite recipe with garlicin it, bring the dish along to share. Note:Please leave vampires at home, since they willbe scared away.

Star Gazing for BeginnersSaturday, April 21 7:00pm-9:00pmMembers: $10 Non-Members: $14Location: Meet at the Garden ClassroomEver look up into the night sky and wonderwhat you’re looking at? Come learn aboutour beautiful Eastern Shore night sky with theDelmarva Stargazers club.You will discoverwhat makes stars unique, how to spot plan-ets, and when to best catch those shootingstars.You will be able to use your knewknowledge and observe the Lyrid meteorshower at Pickering Creek’s viewing platformin our newly created freshwater wetland.

Organic: It is the right thingto do!Wednesday April 25 7:00 pmLocation: Easton Welcome CenterLeader: Hank KaestnerJoin Hank Kaestner for a look at the organicfood movement started in 1962 by RachelCarson with her book Silent Spring.The talkwill honor Carson’s 100th Birthday and herimpact on pesticide use worldwide. Over 25years ago, our speaker began to “package” hisphotos into slide shows which were first usedinternally at McCormick Spice, then forcustomers, and finally for the general public.Since 1981 Hank has presented more than1,200 lectures on spices, travel, and birds.Hank is a world renowned bird-watcher,having seen more than 6,750 species as he

has traveled around the globe. His mostpopular slide shows are those combining twoor three of the above subjects. Sponsored bythe Town Creek Foundation.

Field Journaling 101 Saturdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26 9:30 am-12:30 pmMembers: $25 Non-members: $50Leader: Carollee FerrisWhat is a nature journal, how do I begin,where do I go and what do I record? Theseries offers a combination of classroom andfield work that provides you with informationto keep a journal. It is open to people fromsix to ninety-six and all journaling material isprovided.This four-part class serves as an aidto memory for those interested in their envi-ronment from backyard to Bay. It takes awaythe mystique of great literary works, the mythof pink diaries with little gold keys and placesthe skill into the backpocket or backpackwhere it truly belongs. Remember, you do notneed to be gifted to record your observa-tions by one word, one phrase or onesentence. Many types are discussed—photo-graphic, memoirs, garden, personal, travel andmore. Join us and enjoy.

Family FishingSaturday, May 5 1:30pm - 2:30pmMembers/Non-Members: FreeLocation: Main OfficeThe waters of Pickering Creek are home to agreat variety of animal life. Come learn aboutthe Chesapeake Bay and see what you cancatch! We will provide all the necessaryequipment and help needed.Adults, kids andexperienced fishermen welcome.

Spring Programs 2007

Please call Pickering Creek at (410) 822-4903 for more information.Registration is suggested but not required.

Adult/Family Programs

Pickering Creek Audubon Center • 410-822-4903 • www.pickeringcreek.org

Come see us!Directions to PCAC From Easton• take Route 50 West• take a left at the stoplight by the

airport• take the immediate right on

Longwoods Rd. (Rt. 662 North)• follow Longwoods to Sharp Rd.

(this will be a left hand turn)• take another right onto Sharp Road

(the sign will say to Presquile &Sharp Road)

• follow Sharp Road until you see thePickering Creek sign on your right. Turn right onto Audubon Lane.410.822.4903

Adult/Family Programs cont.Bird Watching 101Saturday, May 12 8:30am - 11:00amMembers: $5 Non-members: $7Location: PC Welcome CenterLeader: Kate RogersJoin world-class local birder Les Roslund ashe shares some basics of birdwatching, from

binocular use to helpfulidentification tips.

Most of the morn-ing will be spentexploringPickeringCreek’s wetland,field and forest

habitats lookingfor the many

species of featheredfriends who make our

sanctuary home.This is theperfect time of year to welcome backMaryland’s own Baltimore Orioles that areseen in abundance here at Pickering Creek!Don’t have binoculars? Don’t worry, we cansupply those.ced fishermen, and first-timersall welcome!

Pizza Party TimeFriday, May 18t 6pmMembers $8 per adult / $4 per childNonmembers $12 per adult / $6 per childLeader: Martin VitoLocation: Main OfficeRegistration RequiredEveryone loves pizza, so celebrate NationalPizza Day with Pickering Creek.We willsupply all the ingredients and you supply thefamily. Meet down at the main office and takea hayride to our gardens to pick some freshherbs for your pizza.We will take thehayride back to the office so you and yourfamily can create your very own pizza.Thebest part is that at the end, your family willmunch away at your creation.

Tea TimeSaturday, May 19 4:00pm - 5:30pmMembers: $10 Non-members: $15Leader: Martin Vito and Sarah KronesLocation: Meet in Herb GardenRegistration required.To celebrate National Garden Month, comelearn and relax with cookies and a cup ofhot tea made from the herbs in our Herbgarden, and take home your own seedling!We will discuss the medicinal properties ofmany common herbs, and you will learn howto identify and use them. Focus will be onherbs that aid general body health.

Brandywine River CanoeAdventureSunday, May 20 9:00am-6:00pmMembers $20 Non-Members $30Leader: Mark ScallionLocation: Meet at Pickering CreekPaid reservation requiredExperience the Brandywine River on acanoeing trip guided by the Delaware NatureSociety. Pass through lush mature forest,steep hills, and broad floodplains that makethe Brandywine a scenic and natural gem.Paddle the picturesque Brandywine Creek asit flows through the forested hills of ChesterCounty, Pennsylvania and into the DelawarePiedmont. Starting at the Brandywine RiverMuseum at Chadds Ford, enjoy an easypaddle with a few riffles and rocks, as youmake your way to Brandywine Creek StatePark.The beautiful Brandywine Valley, site ofartistic inspiration, important RevolutionaryWar history, and protected natural areas, willpromise to delight you as we coast down-stream. Look for migratory birds, passschools of fish in deep pools, and go under acovered bridge. Some canoeing experiencerequired. Fee includes van transportationfrom Pickering Creek, canoes, paddles, life-jackets and instruction, bring your ownpicnic lunch. Paid reservations required.

Picnic Celebration withFruits and VegetablesSaturday, June 2 12:30pmMembers $10 per adult / $5 per childNon-members $15 per adult / $8 per childLeader: Martin VitoLocation: PC Welcome CenterRegistration RequiredEnjoy a spring lunch with Pickering Creek.Meet at the welcome center to take ahayride down to the main office.There will await a beautiful picnic lunch over-looking thecreek.There will be all sorts of dishes tocelebrate National Fruit and VegetableMonth, including grilled hotdogs for the meateaters.While eating, our staff member,Martin Vito, will show you how to makethese dish creations and where you can buylocal, sustainable, fresh fruit and vegetables.Today is also National Trail’s Day, and if youvolunteer with our Volunteer Coordinator,Beth Wasden, today, you will receive adiscount at the picnic.

Experience nature through hands-on activities,hikes, crafts, and much more! Tiny Tot programsare for children ages 2-5 years and accompanyingadult. Fee is $5 per child, free to Audubonmembers. Location: Pickering Creek AudubonCenter

Going Batty!Wednesday, March 7 1:30pm – 2:30 pmLocation: Garden ClassroomCome learn about those furry, flying animals –bats! Your child will learn about the differentparts of a bat, where they live and how to spotthem. Chances are you will see bats this springas the weather gets warmer so come with yourtot to learn about these unique and mysteriouscreatures!

Snakes are SnazzyWednesday, March 28 1:30pm-2:30pmLocation: Garden ClassroomSnakes aren’t scary, they’re snazzy! Throughseveral different investigations, your tiny tot willexperience how snakes move, hear, smell, regu-late their body temperature, and eat.You will getto meet a real-live snake, examine snakeskin, andmake a snake wind-spiral to hang outside.

Touch, See, Hear, Taste andSmell Your Way Into NatureThursday, April 5 1:30pm-2:30pmLocation: Garden ClassroomNature is best appreciated when you use yourentire body to sense the world around you.Youand your tot will take in the sights, sounds,smells, tastes, and textures of the great outdoorsthrough interactive activities and games. Pleasespecify any food allergies when signing up.

Meet the UnhuggablesWednesday, April 18 1:30pm-2:30pmLocation: Ecology ClassroomHow many legs does a turtle have? Why does asnake stick its tongue out? Come meet thePickering unhuggables as we explore the worldof turtles, frogs and snakes.A take home craftactivity is included!

Things areNeat Beneath Our Feet!Wednesday, May 2 1:30pm-2:30pmLocation: Garden ClassroomYour tiny tot will experience the animals thatlive in the soil up-close.We will use all of oursenses to examine these organisms and theirhomes. Outside, we will use magnifying glassesto investigate our garden soil, and look for soilanimals!

Tiny Tot Programs

Pickering Creek Audubon Center • 410-822-4903 • www.pickeringcreek.org

Phot

o by

Roy

ce B

all