photo (c) by Lou Skrabec

 Honorary Membership 

     At its July meeting, The Executive Board voted unanimously to approve Hal Strickland as an Honorary Member. Hal has been an active member of the Club since joining more than twenty years ago.  He has participated on walks, attended programs and social events, served on the Finance Committee and for many years covered a territory for the Christmas and Spring Bird Counts.
     In the fall of 1990, Hal and his wife Fran hosted the Club for a field trip to their place in the Virginia Mountains near Mabry Mill, which concluded with a delightful lunch. Fran sent many of us home with cucumbers from her garden.   
 

Observe Migrating Hawks
                                                                                               By Dan Chambers
      It is that time of year when the movement of raptors to their winter homes can be observed. Just like Christmas and Spring Bird Counts, Great Backyard Bird Count and Breeding Bird Surveys, the collection of data on these migrating raptors is an important conservation measure. Approximately 20 PBC members participated as official observers in September 2006. There were over 4,800 raptors observed including Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, buteos, accipiters and vultures. One highlight was viewing a kettle of 1500 Broad-winged Hawks.
     Pilot Mountain Hawk Watch 2007 will be held again this year from September 15-30. Organized by the Audubon Society of Forsyth County, the scheduled observation hours are from 10-6. Contact John Haire, johnhaire@starpower.net, 671-5577, or Phil Dickinson, pdickins@triad.rr.com, 659-2464, for more details and to sign up for the days and times you can help.
 

FALL PICNIC       

Saturday, September 8 at Hagan-Stone Park, Shelter #6. Nature walk 5:30 p.m.; picnic 6:00 p.m. Bring a covered dish; beverages will be provided.
     The potluck (covered dish) dinner will begin at 6:00.  Bring whatever inspires you of the four main food groups: meats, vegetables, breads or desserts; we are trusting chance that we will get a good mix of food!  The PBC will provide beverages - soft drinks, iced tea, water, and paper and plastic ware.  So, bring some food, bring your binoculars, bring a hearty appetite and be prepared to have a good time!
Coordinators: Clare and Mike McSwain: 282-2834; velvetcrush@triad.rr.com
Directions to Hagan-Stone Park:
Take 421 South from Greensboro. Drive to the stoplight at Hagan-Stone Park Road. (There are signs, but the sign to Forest Oaks is more prominent.) Turn right and go a couple of miles to the park entrance on the right. There are signs in the park to guide you to the shelter.

If you need a ride to the picnic
(or if you are willing  to be a driver),
please contact Jean Murdick:
852-3952,  lonandjean@trisad.rr.com
and she will try to make the arrangements .

If you have any birdy items 
you'd like to donate for door prizes or table favors at the Holiday Dinner,
please contact Clare McSwain, Social Committee Chair;
282-2834, velvetcrush@triad.rr.com

New Logo    

     Hey, did you notice that lively wren singing its heart out on the banner our webpages?  That's our new logo!  The Executive Board of the Piedmont Bird Club thought it was important, after sixty-nine years without one, to have a recognizable symbol to identify and promote our club in the community.   An ad hoc Logo Committee, formed last fall, has been working long and diligently to develop the design.  Starting with a photograph, the image went through a series of metamorphoses to become the simple, eye-catching symbol that will hereinafter represent the Piedmont Bird Club. In addition to the newsletter, the logo will grace our website, letterhead, note cards, return address labels and educational posters, and in the future will also appear on t-shirts, caps, bumper stickers – you name it.                      
     Thanks to the members of the Logo Committee - Diana Bowman, Louise Brown, Beth Bursuck, Janet Morien, Jean Murdick, and Melissa Whitmire - for the many, many hours dedicated to this project, and kudos for a job well done.