New Hope

Audubon Society

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Pages of special interest

CALENDAR OF EVENTS web page to keep informed about upcoming events including bird outings.

BIRD FRIENDLY HABITAT web page for links to recommended native plants, native plant retailers and landscapers, and to have your property certified.

LEAVE YOUR LEAVES web page with information on this campaign and why it is so important.

FIELD NOTES BLOG to be sure to keep up with the latest posts.

BIRD COUNT CHARTS web page to explore our historical data going back to 1977 for both our Spring and Christmas Bird Counts.

VOLUNTEER web page for ways you can help and fill out our updated Volunteer Form to tell us about your interests.

MEETING RECORDINGS web page for recordings of past membership meetings via Zoom.

Announcements

APRIL MONTHLY MEETING, 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 6, 2023. John Gerwin, Research Curator and Educator at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences will discuss “The Uwharrie Mountains of NC: some highlights of geology, biodiversity, and conservation.” John will discuss these aspects, with a focus on some of the birdlife. This meeting will be in-person at the North Carolina Botanical Garden and on Zoom.
SPECIAL FAMILY-FOCUSED BIRD OUTING, Saturday March 18, 2023 at 9 AM. NHAS will host a family bird walk on this date at Ayr Mount, 376 St Mary’s Road in Hillsborough, NC. Be sure to check our calendar for more details and to see the dates and locations of our other March walks as they become available.
The NHAS will lead a Field Trip to Warbler Road on Friday and Saturday, May 5-6, 2023. We will meet Friday morning, May 5 at Peaks of Otter Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Bedford, Virginia, and search for migratory warblers along the famous route so well known for them. We will stay the night (Peaks of Otter and several other hotels are available), eat dinner together, and bird again Saturday until early afternoon. Limit of 12 persons, fully vaccinated. THIS TRIP IS FULL. If you are interested in being added to the waitlist, please contact David Anderson at d47anders@gmail.com.

Spring Migration Season is Here!

Check out the Top 5 Spring Cleaning Tasks for Birds!

• Lights Out For Birds! During migration*, birds navigate by the night sky. House and building lights confuse them and may lead them off course, potentially to their deaths. Make their journeys safer by turning off bright outdoor lights and unnecessary indoor lights when it gets dark. Downward pointing dim motion lights are ok.
• Clean Feeders & Bird baths: Feeders, suet cages and bird baths should be cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of disease. This should be done year round, but especially during peak migration season. A solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water can be used. This should be done every 2-3 weeks during peak usage. Helpful tip: If you see a bird with eyes that look crusty or closed shut, take down the feeders and bird baths for 10-14 days and clean them thoroughly. Suet cages can be left up.
• Ready Nest Boxes: Some birds are already checking out nesting spots or have nests built. Make sure your nest boxes are clean for the new brood. Check the condition of the box and make sure the opening is not compromised. You can also check the area around the box to make sure bushes aren’t too close to allow invaders to attack the nestlings. Helpful tip: If a nestling falls out of the nest too early, please do not try to intervene. The parents will continue to care for it.
• Plant Natives: Spring plant sales are starting up, and now is an ideal time to remove invasive plants and bushes and plant native plants in your garden. Look for plants that attract pollinators and provide seasonal wildlife appeal. Berry producing shrubs will also provide food for birds and mammals when the days start to get cooler and insects are harder to find.
• Leave your Leaves: Leaves will continue to be an important element for birds during spring as they root around for newly emerging insects. Leaves will also continue to provide cover for wildlife and free mulch for your garden as the days get warmer. Helpful tip: Many native bees, fireflies and butterflies make their homes in the leaves.

  *Spring migration: March 15-May 31
  Fall migration: Aug. 15 – Oct. 31