Newsletter of the Columbia Audubon Society | October 2024 | Volume 67, Number 2
In this issue:
Tue. Oct. 1, 2024
Note from the President
by Lottie Bushmann
Hello all!
I hope this note finds you enjoying the beginning of fall weather and the migration of species through our area. Columbia Audubon has many ways for you to be involved either through birding, counting birds, counting down honeysuckle, learning about the Boone Co. Nature school or helping work with 2nd graders.
If you need help finding those fall warblers, just check out our list of field trips the next few weeks. With wonderful folks leading, you’re sure to get on a new bird or two. In particular, the Chimney Swift Roost Watch that was rescheduled for this Wednesday Oct. 2 is an amazing spectacle and there is a First Friday walk this week as well.
We also hope you’ll join us at the monthly meeting being held this month at the Boone County Nature School. It opened this past month and has been busy hosting its first groups of 5th graders. Come join us on Wednesday, Oct. 9 as we check out the grounds surrounding the school as well as the building itself. I’m excited to hear about Ragan and Joe’s experience this past summer as Hog Island scholarship recipients, and how they plan to put that learning to work at the Nature School. We’ll meet at 5:30 at the school building and I’m planning to go just a bit earlier to check out the Council House that we helped fund.
As always, there are many ways to be involved in Audubon here in Columbia. If you’re of the yard work, clean-up mindset consider joining our joint workday with the Missouri Conservation Corps headed up by Stephen Bybee. We’ll be working on invasive removal at Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary, adjacent to Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary (CANS). As the saying goes “many hands make light work” and nothing could be truer on this day. There are jobs for all abilities and there will be pizza!!
We are also hosting the 11th annual Band With Nature 2nd grade program at CANS. This is a fun event to volunteer for plus the 2nd grader’s enthusiasm is infectious. We’re looking for volunteers!
Several members sat down with Dark Sky Missouri, a chapter of the International Dark Sky organization to discuss how CAS can help further the cause to reduce light pollution in Columbia. For those of you interested, the Dark Sky Missouri president gave a great presentation at the 2023 Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative Conference, and his slides are available in the sidebar at www.mobci.net. As we have further discussions, we’ll be sharing more information. In the meantime, especially during migration, turn the lights off for the birds!
If you’re looking to find friendships within our Missouri Community of birders, consider meeting up to carpool to the Big Sit event at Swan Lake. This is a fun event complete with a potluck meal. Come or go all day or join the carpool and meet some new friends. Bake some cookies to share or grab a bag of chips to contribute.
Details for all of these events are on this webpage. With so many activities to choose from we hope you find one (or two!) that works for you.
See you soon!
Tue. Oct. 1, 2024
Edge Wade Birthday Event
by Vickie Park
A group of birders got together September 9 to celebrate Edge Wade’s 80th birthday. To all of us Edge has been a mentor, a teacher, a warrior and a friend.
To mark the occasion, we all dressed like Edge and tried to imitate her Edginess. We each proudly wore the Alpha Code of our favorite bird. As Edge’s favorite bird was a mystery, we dubbed her TTFF, Tart-tongued Feather-flipper. What other birder will flip you the bird with a twinkle in her eye and kindness in her heart?
Tue. Oct. 1, 2024
Gold Crest Warehouse Sale — Saturday, October 26
by Becky Toellner
Gold Crest hosts their annual Public Warehouse Sale on Saturday, October 26th. Open to all in the Mid-Missouri community, this sale features samples, overstocks and slightly imperfect items at fantastic prices from $2 to $20. It’s a great time to pick up holiday gifts! The sale is held at the warehouse, 1600 Bassford Drive in Mexico, MO. Hours are 8AM to noon, while supplies last.
Gold Crest Distributing was founded in 1995 by the Toellner family and has grown to be one of America’s largest backyard nature and décor suppliers. In recent years the company has become a top supplier of Christmas and home décor, beverage accessories, and gifts. Products from all divisions will be included in the upcoming Public Warehouse Sale.
For further information contact:
Becky or Grant Toellner
573-582-0601
Tue. Oct. 1, 2024
Uncommon Butterfly Seen Thriving at CANS
by Paul McKenzie
Paul MacKenzie is a butterfly, graminoid and bird expert. He often birds at CANS and Wild Haven, submitting robust eBird checklists. He had a happy find this past late summer at CANS:
One of the most noteworthy observations this season was the presence of 8 Gemmed Satyr butterflies. I have observed this species here before but never this many. It’s truly amazing how the distribution of this species has changed in the last 10-15 years in MO. Historically, the species was mostly found in southern Missouri but has since moved north in a line at least from St. Louis west to Columbia and then west to Kansas City. I have now observed this species at least 6 locations scattered across the Columbia, MO area. The species has two broods- one in April and a second the end of Aug. beginning of Sep. Both broods have been observed at CANS.
Thu. Sep. 19, 2024
Volunteers needed for Workday at Bonnie View: October 12, 9am-12pm
by John Besser
In the past two years, CAS has had several shared activities with the Missouri Conservation Corps. We held two well-attended bird walks at Kiwanis Park, where MCC has accomplished a remarkable project to remove bush honeysuckle. Stephen Bybee of MCC followed up with a presentation to CAS membership about recruitment of volunteers for this project over the past several years.
Now CAS and MCC are planning a collaborative workday to remove bush honeysuckle from the City of Columbia’s Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary. Bonnie View is located adjacent to CANS, where honeysuckle is largely under control. We hope that further removal of honeysuckle from Bonnie View will improve habitat and reduce recolonization of honeysuckle into CANS.
We will gather at the Bonnie View picnic shelter at 3300 West Rollins Road on October 12 at 9 AM and break up into small workgroups. Jobs will include cutting honeysuckle stems with hand saws and loppers, hauling cut stems to brush piles, and killing the stumps with herbicide. Wear sturdy boots and work gloves. Lunch (probably pizza) and cold drinks will be provided.
Please RSVP to John Besser (jbesser1@gmail.com) so we can plan for food and supplies.
Columbia Audubon Society is supported in part by a generous contribution from
2010 Chapel Plaza Court, Suite C • Columbia, MO 65203 • 573-446-5941
Upcoming Events
October Membership Meeting: Tour of the Boone County Nature School and presentation by Ragan Webb and Joe Brown
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 5:30-7:30 pm
Second Saturday Birding: The Big Sit at Swan Lake
Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 7:30 a.m. to ~3:00 p.m.
Carpool will leave from the north Moser's parking (4840 Rangeline)
Workday at Bonnie View with Missouri Conservation Corps: October 12, 9am–12pm
Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 9am–12pm
Birding at Rothwell Park, Moberly
Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 7:00 a.m. carpool departure, 7:45 a.m. meetup at Rothwell Park
Carpool from Columbia meets at southwest corner of the Menards parking lot (3340 Vandiver Dr)
First Friday Bird Hike: 3M Wetlands
Friday, November 1, 2024 | 8:00 a.m.
Second Saturday Birding: Leader needed
Saturday, November 9, 2024
November Membership Meeting: “Missouri River Restoration: A Long, Strange Trip” by Robert B Jacobson, Ph.D.
November 20, 2024 | 7 PM
Invasive Plant Bingo and Birding at Garth Nature Area
Sunday, November 24, 2024 | 2:30 p.m.
First Friday Bird Hike: 3M Wetlands
Friday, December 6, 2024 | 8:00 a.m.
Self-guided moss walk: Wild Haven Nature Area
Date/time of your choice