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CKAS Seeking Project Suggestions (& Leaders)
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Got a bird conservation project in mind but don't know how to make it fly? We'd like to hear about it. CKAS is always looking for new projects aimed at helping local bird populations. We value fresh ideas and the people who care enough to step up to lead such efforts. For the last few years, CKAS has raised a little more money than we spend (this hasn't always been the case); consequently, we have some funds in reserve to support/finance efforts to provide nesting spaces, improve or create bird habitat, or educate people about the threats birds face and how to mitigate them—just about anything you can think of that might help birds in central Kentucky and beyond. But we need your ideas.
We like projects that help local species of concern, favoring either birds listed with a KDFWR Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) of 3 or lower, and/or birds with a NABCI Conservation Concern Score (CCS) of 12 or higher. Some bird species, like the Prothonotary Warbler (SGCN of 5 but a CCS of 14), are in decline largely due to nesting cavity competition and so are easy to help: merely design and place a good nesting box that prevents larger birds from using it. But helping other bird species is more problematic: Henslow's Sparrows (SGCN of 3 and a CCS of 14) are in decline largely due to loss of grassland habitat to development, a factor that's much more difficult to counteract. But we'll try anything. Bring us your ideas; together, let's help birds.
 NAS President David Yarnold previews potential cover art for the 2020 Annual Report
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News from the National Audubon Convention
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Over 600 Audubon members from across North America gathered in Milwaukee late last July for the 2019 National Audubon Convention. CKAS sent two representatives who brought back these bullets:
• Native plants for native birds: don't fear "weeds."
• Bird–building collision monitoring: easy to start and manage since Audubon provides chapters free access to GIS software.
• Feather Friendly Window Treatments: willing to partner with local chapters and businesses to design and install bird protection films.
• College Audubon chapters? Hint: UK, Transylvania, and EKU?
We'll have a full update at our next general meeting (October).
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Upcoming CKAS (& Other) Events
These and other events can be found on our new CKAS Web Page Calendar and in our CKAS Facebook Calendar. Know of any bird-themed events we missed? Use our submit events link.
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Aug 4th (Sun) All Day: International Owl Awareness Day Everywhere. A day set aside to celebrate and support owls.
Aug 11th (Sun) 6:30pm-9:00pm: Swift Night Out Kentucky Native Cafe, 417 E. Maxwell St., Lexington (parking at 446 East High Street next to Poage Engineers). Join us for dinner followed by the first of two A Swift Night Out counts. Please RSVP to president@CKAS.org by Thursday (August 8th) so we can let the restaurant know our expected attendance count.
Aug 16th (Fri) All Day: Anniversary of the Signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Everywhere. The MBTA was one of the National Audubon Society’s first major victories in wildlife protection, signed 102 years ago today. In honor of this important legislature, please take a moment to call your representatives and encourage them to continue to support our native birds.
Aug 17th (Sat) 8:00pm-9:30pm: Purple Martin Roost Watch Location TBD. Join us for an evening Purple Martin Watch. Note: Location is highly dependent on the whims of the birds. Watch for updates on CKAS's Facebook events and web calendar.
Aug 22nd (Thu) 6:00-9:30pm: Wild & Scenic Film Festival Kentucky Theater, 214 E. Main St, Lexington. Join the Kentucky Conservation Committee for the 2019 Wild & Scenic Film Festival. $20 donation.
Aug 24th (Sat) 8:00pm-9:30pm: West Sixth Farm Bird Walk West 6th Farm, 4495 Shadrich Ferry Rd, Frankfort. Join CKAS for our first official walk at West Sixth Farm. Meet in the parking area by the main building. Then stay for a beer in the taproom after the walk!
Sep 6th (Fri) All Day: World Shorebirds Day Everywhere. Promote shorebird habitat conservation. Note: This year's count actually runs Sept 5-11th. See the CKAS walk on Sept 8th to participate.
Sep 7th (Sat) All Day: International Vulture Awareness Day Everywhere. A day to celebrate these ecologically vital scavengers. Think vultures are revolting? Here's why we need to save them.
Sep 8th (Sun) 7:30am-1:00pm: Bird Walk Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery 120 Fish Hatchery Road, Morehead KY. Missed Shorebirds Day? Make up for it by joining us as we look for them at a shorebird hotspot. To carpool, meet at 7:30 am in the parking lot of Eastland Shopping Center (near the Rite Aid). Bring lunch.
Sep 8th (Sun) 11:00am-5:00pm+: Nature Hop! Various locations, Lexington. A full day of activities where folks can enjoy natural areas of Fayette County. Rain date: Sept 15th.
Sep 8th (Sun) 3:30pm-4:45pm: Beginner's Bird Walk Lexington Cemetery 833 W. Main St., Lexington. Join us for a CKAS-sponsored Nature Hop! event. We'll briefly discuss how to use binoculars and ID birds, then take a quick walk to test out our skills. Meet/park at the Henry Clay monument. Limited number of binoculars available to borrow. Rain date: Sept 15th.
Sep 13th to 15th (Fri–Sun) Kentucky Ornithological Society Annual Meeting Ky Dam Village State Park 113 Administration, Calvert City KY. Join KOS for their Annual Meeting. More info at birdky.org.
Sep 14th (Sat) 5:30pm-9:30pm: Swift Night Out + Dinner #2 Restaurant TBD. Join us for dinner and our second A Swift Night Out count (chimney TBA). RSVP to president@CKAS.org. Not hungry but want to see the swifts? That's OK, too. Call Tony the evening of the event at 859-229-9421 to get the count location.
Sept 18th (Wed) 7:00pm-9:30pm: Steering Committee Goodfella's 1228 Manchester Street, Lexington. Join us to help plan the next several months' (Oct through Jan) CKAS walks, events, and activities.
Sep 21st (Sat) 8:00am-11:30am: Bird Walk Lexington Cemetery 833 W. Main St., Lexington. Meet/park around the first right turn after coming in the gate. Do NOT park in the gatehouse spaces!
Sep 28th (Sat) 8:30am-2:00pm: Bird Walk Berea Woods Big Hill Rd, Hwy 21E, Berea. Carpools leaving from the outside parking lot of Lakeside Golf Course 3725 Richmond Road (Coys Drive) at 8:30 prompt. Bring lunch. Or meet at the Forestry Outreach Center (2047 Big Hill, Berea) at 9:00am.
Oct 6th (Sun) 10:00am-12:00pm: 5K & 10K Trail Run Raven Run Nature Sanctuary 3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington. Join the Friends of Raven Run and Lexington Parks and Recreation for The 2019 Robin 5K & Raven 10K Trail Runs. 5K $25 or 10K $35 race entry fee supports Raven Run. Volunteers and donations gladly accepted.
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