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President's Message
Ellen Harmon
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend. Summer has come to a close and fall bird migration has begun. This is a very exciting time to see autumn colors, not only the leaves, but also our feathered friends who pass through the area on their way south for the winter. Bird walks have resumed and, with the help of SLAS’ knowledgeable leaders, you might catch a glimpse of some rarer species. If you are interested in more information on migration forecasts and maps, you can check out the following resources:
Bird Migration Forecast Maps: https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/migration-forecast-maps/ (Static maps that show predicted migration for the next 3 days.)
Live Bird Migration Maps: https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/
(Live map showing actual migration, as detected by radar.)
I recently attended the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative conference. Birders and conservationists from across the state presented research and programs on restoring and preserving natural habitats for birds and other wildlife. It was exciting to see the wonderful work that is being done and the positive outcomes the various conservation efforts achieve.
SLAS will be hosting its annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on September 15 from noon to 2:30 at Queeny Park in the Smith Shelter. This is an opportunity for SLAS board and employees to show how much our volunteers are appreciated!
The Bring Conservation Home Expo will take place on September 22 from 10:00 to 2:00 at Tower Grove Park in the Roman Pavilion (see flyer below).
Also, we are excited to be hosting the first SLAS Trivia Night on November 2 at 7:00 pm at the Kirkwood Community Center.
SLAS and National Audubon Society encourage everyone to vote in November (and always). You can order ‘I Bird, I Vote’ buttons and stickers via this link- Order Form. In conjunction, we would like to see folks taking the I bird, I vote Pledge.
Photo: Mallard pair
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Ornithological Forecast, September 2024
Bill Rowe
Fall migration is a long process: it stretches from July to December as different birds follow different schedules in moving south across North America, aiming toward their eventual wintering grounds. For the small passerines (land birds) that winter south of the border—the neotropical migrants like warblers, vireos, thrushes, orioles, tanagers, and so on—September is the peak month. Some of our summer residents began moving in July, and some birds from farther north began arriving in August, but now is the time to see the main movement, especially of warblers, some of which are now in their less obvious immature or non-breeding plumages (although many remain the same as in spring and summer). By the end of the month, we will see the arrival of some sparrows and other shorter-distance migrants that may stay into winter. And unlike spring migration, when so many birds are singing, the fall migration of passerines is quiet. All through the woods and fields, most species are vocalizing with only their call notes, not their songs, presenting a challenge that can really focus your attention and hone your skills. Besides the flow of passerines, many other migrant groups are readily found in September too. Shorebirds, which began appearing in early July and increased in August, are still at their peak if good habitat exists; early ducks continue to come through, though the main flight of waterfowl will arrive later; herons and egrets are still around in large numbers; and terns may show up on lakes and rivers, along with early gulls. Raptors are now on the move, with a vanguard of falcons, accipiters, and harriers, and—perhaps the most impressive spectacle of the month—the flocks of Broad-winged Hawks that pass overhead, sometimes in the hundreds, usually following cold fronts. All in all, despite the absence of song and the shorter days, September offers the second-best chances of the year for a really good list of species recorded in one day (next to May, of course).
Photo: Broad-winged Hawk (Read the Broad-winged Hawk Bird of the Week to learn more.)
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At Home Ecology, Curated Conservation
September 2024
Shannon Callahan
Leaving the dog days of summer behind, we forge on to welcome autumn weather in just a few short weeks! Many of our late-season bloomers are warming up for their show. Keep an eye out for asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) and goldenrods (Solidago spp.) as they get started with their signature purple and yellow fall display. Asters and goldenrods are both keystone genera, meaning they support a massive range of native species, even compared to other native plants. Keep an eye on who visits these late-season powerhouses!
As night-time temperatures begin to drop, hope for clear sunny days to trigger brilliant fall color next month. Now, before leaves drop en masse, is the time to talk to your neighbors about your plan to leave the leaves. Maybe, if you are lucky, you can convince some to join you in providing overwintering habitat for native insects.
You may notice birds dining on the dried seed heads of your coneflowers (Echinacea spp. and Ratibida spp.) and Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.), among others. Keeping a diverse selection of seedheads overwinter is better than any bird feeder from a store.
Early September is the perfect time to finalize those fall planting plans so you can attend all the upcoming local native plant sales! Planting in the fall gives plants time to focus on root growth before pushing resources toward vegetative growth and flowering. September is a transitional month; plants slow down as they prepare for dormancy. Take this time to reflect on what needs dividing or thinning, and congratulate yourself on another summer of supporting wildlife! You did it!
Photo: New England Aster
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Helping Birds from the Comfort of Your Home
Matt Barton
As fall quickly approaches, there is change happening all around us. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to change colors, and the weather is starting to cool. Fall is also a time of transition in the lives of birds, as they begin to migrate back towards their wintering grounds.
With our central location in the Mississippi Flyway, it is important for St. Louis to help ensure the safety of birds as they migrate through. As fall migration activity increases, our BirdSafeSTL collision surveys are underway. Surveys this fall will run from September 1 through mid-October. A group of volunteers will conduct surveys around buildings in downtown Clayton and downtown St. Louis, collecting data about where birds are colliding with buildings. This data helps us understand ‘who’ is passing through the respective areas and when. It also helps identify areas that are of greatest concern for migrating birds.
While large buildings pose a threat to birds, it is also important to act at the individual level. An estimated 600 million birds are killed annually by building collisions in the US, with 44% of those collisions occurring at buildings that are 1-3 stories tall. During migration this fall, please consider the following actions to help our bird populations:
Please do your part to help birds migrate through St Louis as safely as possible!
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WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Click on the BCH flier to learn more.
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TRIVIA NIGHT & SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER | |
GET YOUR FLOCK TOGETHER!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER
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The doors will open at 6 pm and trivia will begin promptly at 7 pm.
Beer, soda, wine and light snacks will be available. The evening’s festivities will consist of 8 rounds of trivia, silent auction, 50/50, mulligans, heads or tails, and wine pull.
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES | |
Sponsor a round for $250 or sponsor the entire event for $1,500. Please contact Amy for more information on all the sponsorship levels and benefits. | |
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ALASKA: BIRDING & WILDLIFE
JUNE 13-22
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One room remains - either a single person or a double occupancy.
This trip will be an introduction to Alaskan birdlife, covering several of the best parts of the state: Nome and the Seward Peninsula; Anchorage and environs; and the upper Kenai Peninsula with a day’s boat trip out of Seward. Pat Lueders and Bill Rowe will be your co-leaders.
See full itinerary and details here- Alaska Itinerary
The cost will be $6790 (double) and $7770 (single). If you would like to go on this trip, please send a message to amy@stlouisaudubon.org.
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Kenai Fjords
Photo Credit: Naturalist Journeys
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Long-tailed Duck
Photo Credit: Greg Smith
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Brown Bear
Photo Credit: Naturalist Journeys
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Join us Saturday, September 21 at the Gaddy Bird Garden in Tower Grove Park for some wonderful birding, followed by a trip to Civil Life Brewing Company to enjoy a refreshing beverage and a discussion on any and all things bird related.
The bird walk begins at 10 am and will conclude around noon, followed by a trip to Civil Life Brewing Company.
Registration is limited, so sign up fast! The cost is $20 per person and includes:
- Guided bird walk
- St. Louis Audubon Society knit beanie
- Free beverage (beer or soda) post-event at Civil Life Brewing Company
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Must be 21 years of age or older to register. | |
We look forward to seeing you and the birds! Cheers! | |
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UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Please consider volunteering for one of the following events. You can sign up by clicking on each registration link or, click on the event titles to learn more about these opportunities.
Pollinator Garden Maintenance
Location: Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park
Date: Wednesday, October 18
Time: 8:30 am - noon
*Possible activities include removing unwanted plants, planting new plants, and other general maintenance.
Register Here
Forest Park Forever
Location: Forest Park, Langenberg Field
Date: Sunday, October 20
Event Time: 1 - 3 pm
*SLAS Volunteers will share general information about the organization and facilitate hands-on activities.
Register Here
If you haven't volunteered on behalf of SLAS yet, that's okay! We will provide you with all of the necessary information and materials you will need.
Participation in community events is a great way for SLAS to share the many ways we impact the community and will help to build relationships with new people. And, they are fun!
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Join others who share your interests in nature, birds and wildlife!
Click on the link to register.
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A beginner bird walk is a short (two hours or less) walk along a path or trail, either around a loop or out-and-back. It is designed, broadly, to help participants see as many birds as possible, and in particular to become familiar with a good variety of our commoner birds.
A field trip is an excursion to a natural area around St. Louis that is promising for finding birds and other wildlife. Generally it involves taking a walk at several points, noticing and recording as many birds as possible, and (as a goal for the leaders) helping all participants get a good look at each bird and learn something about it, such as its field marks, its song, its behavior. Some areas may be covered entirely by walking, while others may involve many short drives with stops in between to check fields, lakes, etc., often with the use of a scope. Field trips typically last a full morning, sometimes into the afternoon; the pre-trip announcement will let you know what length to expect and whether to bring a lunch along.
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ST. LOUIS AUDUBON SOCIETY BOARD MEETINGS
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 8
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Please Note: Some Board meetings will be held in person and some by Zoom. If you have an interest in joining our volunteer Board, please contact one of the officers or staff members. | |
Officers & Staff
Ellen Harmon, President
Michael Meredith, VP Conservation
Stephanie Schroeder, VP Education
Gail Saxton, Secretary
Nick Eaton, Treasurer
Amy Weeks, Executive Director
Dan Pearson, Director, BCH
dan@stlouisaudubon.org
Shannon Callahan, Conservation Ecologist, BCH
Matt Barton, Urban Conservation Specialist
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