The

Raven's

Nest

December

2023

Dear Nancy,

I recently had the privilege of attending the National Audubon Leadership Conference in Estes Park, Colorado. In addition to being treated to ideal late-fall weather (and good birding!) in spectacular mountain scenery, we were also fortunate enough to have two days of informative lectures, interactive small-group sessions, and invaluable interaction time with both staff members from National Audubon and numerous leaders of small local Audubon chapters with similar issues as ours.



Throughout the entire conference, I was impressed by the talent of both the Audubon staff and the volunteer leaders of the local chapters I interacted with. I met many young people who have brought youthful enthusiasm into the organization. In fact, of the 83 chapters who had leaders attend, 36 of those chapters had an attendee under the age of 35 (including ours—board member Clayton Gibb). Many of these leaders are doing great things already, including several still in their early 20’s who are already assuming duties as chapter Presidents. Also, there were 46 student leaders from 20 different university campuses in attendance. It was truly inspirational to see the next generation of activists present and enthusiastic about taking on the responsibility of protecting birds and the places they need to thrive.

Indeed, the inclusion of young people and a greater diversity of volunteers will be crucial in the years ahead to making sure that we are able to protect these avian friends. The National Audubon Society recently unveiled its 5-year strategic plan (the “Flight Plan”) for conservation milestones. It focuses on a Hemispheric Conservation approach, looking at not just the breeding habitats that many of our summer-resident birds here in North Carolina need, but also protecting vital migration corridors (like our Lights Out! Asheville project does) and non-breeding habitat in Central and South America. To this end, it was gratifying to see representatives from 24 partner organizations from Canada to Chile in attendance. 

I am excited for the future of bird conservation in the Western Hemisphere. The enthusiasm and competence I encountered in Estes Park was incredibly heartening to see—and motivational. As we close out this year and set our sights on 2024, I hope that you, too, are heartened by what Blue Ridge Audubon and our national network are doing for bird conservation. Thank you for your continuing support, both financially and in volunteering your time and efforts, to Blue Ridge Audubon. Happy Holidays to all and see you in 2024. 



John Koon

President, Blue Ridge Audubon

Audubon Conference in Estes Park 2023, John Koon far right

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of two wonderful friends of Blue Ridge Audubon. Doug Johnston left us on October 22. Doug, an avid birder, served on the Blue Ridge Audubon Board of Directors from 2008-2012. He was a driving force behind the decision to upgrade the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. Twenty years after the property was acquired, Doug convinced the Board that it needed significant improvements. He was intimately involved in the planning to extend the boardwalk and make it disability accessible, spending countless hours working to implement the plans and overseeing the work of the contractor.



After leaving the board, Doug continued to serve on the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary Committee, devoting many hours to making improvements, removing invasive plants, and recruiting volunteers to help in the effort. Doug even built the Chimney Swift tower at the Sanctuary. We miss Doug but feel his presence in the Sanctuary.

(Photo of Doug, right, with Simon Thompson in Morocco)

We are also sad to report that Mark Simpson passed away this November in Hendersonville. A lifelong birder, Mark joined the Carolina Bird Club as a teenager in the 1960’s. Mark contributed much to local bird knowledge, particularly through his decades-long study of Saw-whet Owls in the mountains. Although Northern Saw-whet Owls were known here, few actual nesting records existed. Beginning in 1970, Mark set up nest boxes in the spruce/fir zone throughout the mountains. It took perseverance and a long wait until 2015 when one owl finally nested in a box and successfully fledged chicks. Encouraged with that success, Mark Simpson and his wife Marilyn Westphal, continued to monitor and collect data on the boxes for years.

Although Mark was a busy and accomplished Pathologist, he always found time for his love of ornithology and natural history. He was a frequent contributor to such publications as the North Carolina Historical Review, the Archives of Natural History, and The Chat, a Carolina Bird Club publication. His specialty in the birds of the Southern Appalachians culminated in his tour de force 1992 publication of the book Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains (UNC Press). Mark was a longtime member of Blue Ridge Audubon and presented several programs for the members. Mark was a truly remarkable person who will be greatly missed.

(Photo of Mark Simpson with his wife Marilyn Westphal)

For the end of the year, I’m thinking back over my decade in the area and the most unexpected bird sightings from Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. Here are my top three Beaver Lake Bird Surprises from 2014-2023:

At number 3, the 2016 Tundra Swan. The morning of January 12, I was shocked to see a large white swan on the water 50 yards off the south overlook. This juvenile Tundra Swan stayed on site until February 18 and gave dozens of viewers a New Year's treat.

At number 2, the 2019 Sandhill Crane. Early on the morning of Saturday, April 13, this crane was spotted foraging on the exposed flats of the lowered lake. Over that single morning, ten different observers were able to record this bird on eBird, the last being at 10:30 a.m.

At number 1, the Upland Sandpiper seen on April 26, 2020. This bird was spotted by Aaron Steed late Sunday afternoon, as the temperature dropped 20 degrees and a strong wind picked up. Spotting this bird amid the surrounding debris on the lowered lake edge was a feat in itself. The habitat didn’t make sense, but there it was, a brief stop on migration observed by seven birders before sunset, gone by the next morning.

The above observations are the only ones for each of those particular species at Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary.

* * *

Recent notable sightings at Beaver Lake include Great Egret and Merlin.



Images:

Sandhill Crane, April 2019, Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary

Tundra Swan, February 2016, Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary