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American Tree Sparrow

1/31/2016

 
Picture
by Alex Forsythe


Are you right- or left-handed? Are you right-handed when you write, but left-handed when you perform other tasks? How about your vision? Are you right- or left-eyed? American Tree Sparrows have a preference when watching for predators: they use their left eye. 

Researchers from the Department of Life Sciences at Indiana State University studied American Tree Sparrows to determine whether the birds preferred to use one eye over the other when watching for predators ("Laterality in avian vigilance: Do sparrows have a favorite eye?", Franklin and Lima, 2001). Feeders were placed on the ground next to an obstruction, forcing the birds to choose which eye to orient away from the obstruction and toward predators. The Tree Sparrows typically turned so that their left eye was facing the predators. Interestingly, the Dark-eyed Juncos that were also included in this study used their right eye to watch for predators. Since these two species tend to forage together, favoring opposite eyes may be advantageous, allowing them to watch for danger from all sides. 

In another study conducted by Indiana State University, the American Tree Sparrow was found to prefer shade over sunshine while feeding, even in the blustery winter months when the sunshine could warm them ("Wintering birds avoid warm sunshine: predation and the costs of foraging in sunlight", Carr and Lima, 2014). Researchers placed food on a pad and controlled the amount of sunlight would reach each area of the pad. The scientists found that the birds preferred to eat in the shade, implying that the cold conditions of the shade were preferable to foraging in the sunlight where they would be more visible to predators. The birds also preferred to face south. The researchers believe this may be in response to the tendency of some predators to attack "out of the sun" to avoid detection.

In addition to being fascinating subjects for researchers, American Tree Sparrows have other interesting facts associated with them. For example, despite its name, the American Tree Sparrow spends very little time in trees, preferring instead to forage and nest on the ground or in brushy areas. Its coloration reminded European settlers of their Eurasian Tree Sparrow, and the name stuck. In the summer the American Tree Sparrow is an insectivore; in the winter it is an herbivore. Every day, it must eat about 30% of its body weight in food. If it fails to find that amount of food and water in a 24-hour period, it will likely die; going without enough food in just one day is a death sentence.

Marguerite Baumgartner studied the American Tree Sparrow extensively and contributed to the "Tree Sparrow" issue for the Smithsonian's "Bent Life History" series. In addition to her detailed observations, she noted how much she admired these birds. She wrote: "Since the earliest days of nature lore in America, writers of the winter fields have thrilled to the cheerful warble of these hardy little visitors from the North. I shall never forget my first flock of tree sparrows, feeding companionably at the weedy border of the marsh, hanging on the weed tops like animated Christmas tree ornaments, dropping lightly to the ground and etching their delicate tracery of claw prints in the snow." 

Birding with Gene Stratton-Porter at Limberlost: a mobile app and interactive iBook

1/24/2016

 
Picture
By Scott Forsythe

As all of you know, Gene Stratton-Porter was a naturalist, a scientist, a researcher, an author, and a champion of Limberlost Swamp and its flora and fauna. She dedicated her life to educating others about the importance of wetlands.

The Friends of the Limberlost have honored Gene in the most fantastic way - by restoring Gene's Limberlost Swamp to its former glory. I wanted to help, too, by using my abilities and knowledge of technology. I approached Ms. Terri Gorney and asked whether Limberlost would be interested in a birding app (in the case of Apple, we ultimately decided on an iBook, rather than an app, for purposes of cost savings).

I chose to focus on birding because Gene loved birds and she hoped to inspire others to help her protect those birds. In "What I Have Done With Birds", she made a solemn promise to the birds: "I shall try to win thousands to love and shield you."

I also felt that an app and iBook would encourage more birders to visit Limberlost. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are 47 million birders in the U.S. Annually, birders spend $41 billion in birding trips and equipment. Over 23% of Hoosiers spend an average of 122 days per year birding, making Indiana 8th in the nation for the number of days we spend birding. Limberlost is a birder's paradise, with a wide variety of habitats and birds.

In addition, bird watching is an ideal way for teachers to introduce the natural world to their students. Many of Indiana's Academic Standards are satisfied by the study of birds, from kindergarten through high school. 

Thus, a birding app and iBook were born!

When designing the app and iBook, I wanted to include a description of Limberlost, a short biography about Gene, photos of the common Limberlost birds, a description of the birds, and where to find them. Most importantly, I wanted the reader to hear about each bird, learn more about the habitat, or discover a bit about Gene's life from Gene herself.

Gene Stratton-Porter's love of the plants and wildlife of Limberlost was reflected in her books. It seemed fitting to include her quotes regarding these birds and their habitats. These quotes were included on the pages of corresponding birds so that Gene herself can guide users through Limberlost and give her own personal account of each bird or the area.

There is also a link to the Events section of the website, a Contact section that allows people to email or call Limberlost straight out of the app or iBook, and a Maps section that contains an area map, trail maps, and a GPS option that will give you directions to Limberlost from your current location.

It has taken almost a year, but the project is finished! The mobile app is a free download from Google or Amazon. The 258-page interactive iBook is a free download from Apple. (links below)

One final note: I would not have been able to complete the project without the help of several people. My sister, Alexandra Forsythe, provided the bird descriptions and most of the photos. Additional photos were provided by Jim McCormac, Bill Hubbard, Randy Lehman, and Mike Linderman. Information about Limberlost was provided by Terri Gorney, Randy Lehman, Curt Burnette, Bill Hubbard, and Ben Hess. I am very grateful to all of these wonderfully talented people, and to everyone in the Friends, for their support!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Forsythe-Engineering-Birding-with/dp/B017NYDTSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453676699&sr=8-1&keywords=birding+with+gene+stratton-porter
Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scottaforsythe.scott.helloworld
Apple: 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/birding-gene-stratton-porter/id1078051558?ls=1&mt=13

Gene Stratton-Porter and the Izaak Walton League

1/18/2016

 
By Terri Gorney

Gene Stratton-Porter was an environmentalist long before it was popular. She was a 
founding member of the Izaak Walton League of America. The League was established 
by 54 men in 1922. The League is still one of the oldest and most respected conservation 
organizations in the country. It is concerned with the conservation of soil, woods, air, 
waters and wildlife. Gene was in very good company. In 1923, League members included 
Zane Grey, Herbert Hoover, Gov. Pinchot of Pennsylvania, and Gov. Price of Minnesota. 
By 1928, the League had over 100,000 members.

This organization was named for Izaak Walton (1593-1683) an English writer and the 
father of fly fishing. It was begun in Chicago by a group of fisherman who wanted to 
make sure that future generations would have non-polluted waters in which to fish. 
Charles and Gene were avid fisherman. It was one of their favorite recreational activities. 
In the October 1923 issue of the League’s magazine “Outdoor America,” it contained five 
pages of Gene’s writing between its covers. Her first article was on fishing. It was titled 
“My Great Day.” She wrote about a fishing trip that she and Charles took to Indian River 
which is near the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan. She is so descriptive in her writings of 
the area that the reader feels like they are there with her “in the cool, clear air, perfumed 
with dank odors and the resin of pine.”       

In this same issue, Gene wrote an open letter to President Calvin Coolidge. The letter was 
written in opposition to the drainage of the upper Mississippi River bottoms. It was a plea 
not to allow this to happen. She was sure that if the President examined the facts he 
would  not allow this to happen.         

In September 1928, Adams County had a memorial celebration to honor Gene Stratton-
Porter who lived in the county from 1886 to 1913. A boulder, called “Elephant Rock,” 
was moved from the St. Mary’s River to the courthouse square and a plaque was attached 
as a tribute to Gene. She was so well thought of by the Izaak Walton League of America 
that the president of the national organization, Dr. Henry B. Ward of Champaign Ill, 
came to the memorial and spoke. His entire speech, along with his picture, ran in the 
Decatur Daily Democrat in the 11 September 1928 issue.

Dr. Ward told of Gene’s work in promoting careful study of bird and plant life and 
conservation of natural resources. He quotes Gene, “This world has never known a 
country equal to ours in size, having greater natural beauty of conformation, diversity of 
scenery and wealth of animal and plant life.” She was determined to save our natural 
resources and to “save every brook and stream and lake.”  He stated that “No one has 
ever done more to promote widespread interest in nature study throughout our country.” 

In 1961, Gene was elected posthumously to the Izaak Walton League Hall of Fame along 
with Aldo Leopold and Grace O. Beach. Gene and Grace were the first women so 
honored. To quote the Aug-Sep 1961 issue of “Outdoor America,” she received this 
award because she “was an advocate of the outdoor life and wrote many articles and 
several books, all inspired by her love of nature, wide open spaces and the wildlife that 
man abandoned when he began his quest for progress.”    

At the time of her death in 1924, Gene was on the national stage in regards to 
environmental issues. If Gene’s voice had not been silenced at the age of 61, one wonders 
what else she would have accomplished if she had been granted another twenty years.

Writer’s Note: Thank you to Dawn Merritt, Director of Communications, and Leila 
Wiles, Librarian, of the Izaak Walton League of America for their help in my research.

Snow Bunting

1/11/2016

 
Picture
By Alex Forsythe

As I write this, it is 17 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The eggs that my chickens and ducks laid in their heated coops are near the freezing point. Can you imagine a songbird trying to incubate an egg in such frigid temperatures? Imagine no more! Meet the Snow Bunting! These tough birds will play and sing in temperatures of -22˚F, and they choose to raise their young above the Arctic Circle. Their cheerful song and demeanor despite such harsh conditions has earned the respect and admiration of generations of birders.


“In his far polar home,... the only sound that breaks the all-enveloping silence for months at a time, is the snow-bunting’s sweet vibrant song, happy and musical as the tinkle of the mountain brook. Along in August..., the snow-buntings don their warmer buff and brown plumage, and begin to assemble in considerable flocks on the grassier slopes for the journey southward. Quiet and still, as if sad to leave their northern home, they feed about the rocks, lingering even until November, when the night comes on, and the sun no longer shines even at noonday. Then the North is silent until they come again.” - The Wilson Bulletin (June 1919).

In winter, most birders look for the brightly-colored winter finches and elusive owls. However, there are several species of incredible birds that visit Indiana in winter that are often overlooked. The Snow Bunting is one of these winter birds. Its simple but elegant brown-and-white coloration makes it very difficult to spot in the snow-covered fields which they usually inhabit. 

Snow Buntings are typically found in Indiana in winter. They breed in the northernmost parts of Canada and Alaska - further north than any other songbird! They are also one of only four bird species that has been spotted near the north pole (the other three are Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar and Arctic Tern). The males will migrate north to establish their territories long before the females migrate. The females do not migrate until four to six weeks later. When the males reach their breeding grounds, the nighttime temperatures will still dip below -22˚ Fahrenheit! To help keep the clutch warm, the nest is built in deep crevices within rocks and they line the nest with fur and feathers.

The Snow Bunting only has one molt per year. They molt in late summer at which time they get the brown-and-white coloring we are accustomed to seeing in winter. Their beautiful black and white breeding plumage is hidden underneath the brown coloring. To achieve his striking breeding plumage, the male Snow Bunting will scrape the brown feather tips off by rubbing them on the snow. By the time breeding season begins he will have his immaculate black-and-white coloring.

During 2013-2014's Christmas Bird Count, 1,948 Snow Buntings were reported in Indiana, with the bulk of them (1,745) found in the Pokagon State Park vicinity. Snow Buntings were the sixth most plentiful bird in Canada’s Christmas Bird Count the same year, with 101,541 individuals reported.

The cheery Snow Bunting has been loved by people for many years. Theodore Roosevelt wrote of the Snow Bunting:

“One bleak March day,...a flock of snow-buntings came...Every few moments one of them would mount into the air, hovering about with quivering wings and warbling a loud, merry song with some very sweet notes. They were a most welcome little group of guests, and we were sorry when, after loitering around a day or two, they disappeared toward their breeding haunts.”

To learn more about Snow Buntings, the banding and tracking efforts and other studies, check out the Canadian Snow Bunting Network on the web or Facebook via the Ruthven Park Bird Banding Station and Nature Blog.

The SANJO Christmas Bird Count hosted by Limberlost

1/4/2016

 
Picture
By Terri Gorney

On January 1, Limberlost State Historic Site hosted a Christmas Bird Count (CBC). It was a great way to start the New Year and one that would sure have pleased Gene Stratton-Porter. This is the oldest citizen science program in the world. The data collected will become part of a 
national database that helps provide data on bird population trends. This was the 116th National Audubon CBC and the first time that the Limberlost area was part of a national count. Twenty-eight birders, some first timers and some old hands helped with the count.

This was formerly the Adams County CBC that was begun in the 1970s. It was a county count 
that was turned into the Indiana Audubon Society. There were five of the original counters who participated, they were: Larry Parker, Janet Parker, Earlene Moser, Dorothy Moser, and Elaine Bluhm. 

The National Audubon Society requires that a circular area with a diameter of 15 miles be 
surveyed. The new CBC is called SANJO and was named by Site Manager Randy Lehman. SANJO stands for “S”outhern “A”dams County, “N”orthern “J”ay County, and “O”uabache State Park. The new circle includes the Loblolly Marsh, Limberlost Swamp Wetland Preserve, Ouabache State Park, Munro Nature Preserve, a lot of the Wabash River in Adams and Wells Counties, Limberlost Creek, Loblolly Creek, Music of the Wild Nature Preserve, the Limberlost Bird Sanctuary, Rainbow Bottom, Rainbow Lake, Lake of the Woods, the old stone quarry, the old gravel pit, Fields Memorial Park and many Amish farms.  

Participants came from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis to Marion to help with the count. The 
Mississinewa, Stockbridge, Robert Cooper and Amos Butler Audubon Chapters were 
represented along with the Indiana Audubon Society and the Limberlost staff.

With the unseasonable warm temperatures in December, we had some unusual birds that are 
not normally in Northeast Indiana in the winter.  Becca James found four killdeer, Don Gorney located a woodcock at the Loblolly Marsh. There was a single cedar waxwing and a flock of robins in Geneva. This year there is a flock of about 400 Sandhill Cranes in and around the Limberlost Swamp Wetland Preserve. With the waters open, there were herring gulls, ring-
billed gulls, a pied-billed grebe, a hooded merganser and northern pintail ducks that were seen.  Our winter birds were also counted: dark-eyed junco, northern harriers, horned larks and Lapland longspurs. 

A tradition with many CBC is a chili lunch. Limberlost hosted the chili luncheon. Many of the 
Mississinewa counters brought covered dishes, including the great ham sliders by Cheryl Bell 
and the wonderful owl cupcakes by April Raver. 

A special nod to Don Gorney who tallied an incredible 313 species of birds in Indiana in 2015 
and began his 2016 list at Limberlost. Alexandra Forsythe, who was the first Indiana Young 
Birder of the Year in 2013, participated and is a shining example of the next generation of 
birders.  Thank you to all that participated from ages 16-89; each of your efforts made a 
difference.
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    The volunteers and staff of Limberlost

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