CORRECTED: October 2021 Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow is a publication of Columbus Audubon.

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Song Sparrow
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The October edition of Song Sparrow contained some wrong links in the "Central Ohio Owl Project Update" article. The correct email for Dr. Mathys is mathysb@ohiodominican.edu and the correct link for more information is https://www.ohiodominican.edu/OwlProject. We apologize for this oversight. The corrected version follows.

Dear Friends,

You may remember our praise of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) proposed earlier this year. This legislation will provide $1.3 billion annually to state fish and wildlife agencies and $97.5 million to Indian Tribes for proactive conservation actions to restore state/Tribal species of greatest conservation need. Ohio alone stands to receive up to $20 million each year. This would be an increase from just $1.4 million that Ohio currently receives to conserve and manage its more than 400 species of conservation need per Ohio’s State Wildlife Action Plan.

I am pleased to report that this legislation continues to advance in the Senate, and Senator Rob Portman has signed on in support of the bill. Unfortunately, no additional Ohio members have done so. It is critical to garner bipartisan support for this bill, so I implore you to call, write, or email your representative and ask them to co-sign the bill—you can find contact information at either of the links below:

https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Opportunities to raise awareness of landmark legislation like this is, in my eyes, one of the most exciting parts of the platform that Columbus Audubon provides, and one of the most important ways we can effect change—both for issues right here in Central Ohio and for those that reach far beyond our organization’s purview.

Read on to discover more ways we are working in our community to make a difference. And, remember: whether you support our work through donations or volunteer time, through badgering your legislators to vote in favor of birds and other wildlife, or through discussing these issues with those around you, you’re making a difference, too.

Cheers,
Jim Palus, President

Events Calendar:

October 11-24: Columbus Audubon Week at Wild Birds Unlimited - Columbus

Oct. 19: 6:30pm-8pm: Owl Walks at Walnut Woods

Oct. 23, 10am: Calamus Swamp work day

Oct. 26, 6:30pm – 8:00pm via Zoom: MONTHLY PROGRAM: Dr. Terry L. Root

Oct. 30, 10am: Fall Migrant/Rusty Blackbird Field Trip at Calamus Swamp

Recurring Events: Birdwatching for Beginners, Saturdays at 10am at Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Monthly Program:
Dr. Terry L. Root

Tues, October 26, 6:30pm – 8:00pm via Zoom

Wildlife Victims of Our Plastic Explosion

Please join us on Tuesday, October 26, at 6:30 pm as we welcome Dr Terry Root, Professor Emerita at Stanford University, to learn about Wildlife Victims of Our Plastic Explosion.

Dr Terry L. Root is Professor Emerita at Stanford University. She was a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report that in 2007 was co-awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Vice President Al Gore. Also, she was a lead author for the Third Assessment Report (2001) and a Review Editor for the Fifth Assessment Report (2014). In addition to other honors, Root was awarded the Spirit of Defenders Award for Science by Defenders of Wildlife in 2010. She served on the National Audubon Board of Directors from 2010 to 2019,and is on numerous science advisory boards.

Dr Root earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of New Mexico, her master’s degree in Biology from the University of Colorado and her doctorate in Biology from Princeton University. She was a professor at the University of Michigan for 14 years, and then at Stanford University for 15 years. She now resides in Sarasota, FL.

This program is free and open to the public, but you must register in advance using the link below to receive the Zoom link. See you there (virtually)!
https://audubon.zoom.us/j/99300427281?pwd=ZHlzcTI1NlZFejk4MVVoa0k5ZTE2UT09&from=addon

Service in the Preserves

McCracken Fen State Nature Preserve
November 6th, 9 am – 3 pm

The preserve features a natural lake, which is a spring-fed glacial kettle, and a unique wetland community. Despite the intense disturbance caused by peat mining in 1980-1985, the original fen community has survived and features rare plants and animals. During this trip we will work on trash clean up.

Everybody is welcome. Transportation is available for people traveling from Columbus; tools will be provided. Bring your lunch, water, work gloves and appropriate foot gear. Please register here if you would like to participate. Further information will be sent to the registered volunteers.

Native Plants Backyard Challenge

As we move from summer to fall, we’ve been enjoying seeing the many changes in everyone’s gardens – thank you to all who are posting and commenting in the Facebook group! For those who joined the Challenge this year, remember to continue to check the Facebook page and your email for important updates and details.

If you didn’t join this year, we’ll be opening up registration toward the end of this year to start your Challenge for 2022. If you know of anyone who is interested, send them our way!

If you need additional information, you can visit the Columbus Audubon website at https://columbusaudubon.org/native-plants-backyard-challenge/ , or the challenge page on the GIAC website at: https://grange.audubon.org/programs/native-plants-backyard-challenge. You can also reach out to us at https://columbusaudubon.org/act-now/contact-us/ - be sure to select Conservation from the Topic Area dropdown menu.

We are still accepting Proposals for Conservation Grants!

Columbus Audubon is now accepting Conservation Grant proposals for 2022 project funding.

We are looking for proposals that support the conservation of Ohio’s native bird species through habitat management, habitat protection, and scientific research. We are looking for projects that do not primarily or exclusively cover salaries. Preference will be given to projects that occur within central Ohio, have an outreach component, and support National Audubon’s Bird Friendly Communities Initiative, which focuses on helping people to make bird-friendly lifestyle choices in their homes, backyards, and communities.

Please spread the word about this great opportunity - the deadline to submit is November 9, 2021. For more information, to apply, or to learn more about our conservation program and activities, visit our website: columbusaudubon.org, click on the “What We Do” tab, and click on Conservation.

Grant requests can be made for up to $3000 for 501(c)(3)non-profit organizations and educational institutions, and up to $1500 for businesses, clubs and organizations not registered as 501(c)(3), and individuals.

Growing Native: Our Family’s Journey

Native long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.) on orange coneflower

by Mark Dilley

My interest in plants began early. Although my mother reports that, as a baby, I would cry when placed barefoot in the grass, I think this was more about my disdain for monocultures than an aversion to plants.

All kidding aside, I spent a lot of my childhood outdoors with my photosynthetic friends. Around the age of 9 or 10, I would often lay in the grass, sketching the flowers in my yard under the shade of a giant bur oak tree. Daffodils were a favorite subject, as were the grape hyacinths. At the time I did not know which plants were introduced, which were native, or what was invasive - it was all just nature to me.

I would regularly explore the forests along the Alum Creek floodplain near our home, and generally felt most comfortable in these natural settings surrounded by plants. I still feel this way - and I relish opportunities (like the writing of this article) to share my love of plants. Read More

Fall Migrant/Rusty Blackbird Field Trip at Calamus Swamp

Saturday Oct. 30, 10 AM

Join Matt Shumar for a morning exploring for fall migrants at the Columbus Audubon’s own nature preserve, Calamus Swamp, a 19-acre site, which sits just outside of Circleville. This trip coincides with peak migration. Warblers will still be passing through, but large numbers of sparrows, thrushes, kinglets, and blackbirds should be on site as well. We will look for Rusty Blackbirds, a species of conservation concern, and add to the list of birds documented for the swamp.

We will meet at the Calamus Swamp parking lot at 10:00 am. Wear masks, and bring binoculars and muck boots or waders, just in case - the water could be high.

Pre-registration is required as we are limiting participation in order to maintain social distancing, but we still have spaces available! To register, Click Here . We hope to see you there!

Owl Walks at Walnut Woods

October 19 6:30pm-8pm

Join James Muller at Walnut Woods Metro Park to search for the owls that live there, and some that might be passing through on their migration from their breeding grounds in Canada! E-mail jrmuller12@gmail.com to register. Space is limited to 12 participants. Meet at theTall Pines parking lot.

Columbus Audubon Community Outreach Work Continues Despite Pandemic Woes

You probably know that Columbus Audubon shows up at many events around Central Ohio. We work hard to educate and inspire people for conservation!

But what’s it like to get out there in the community? How do we prepare? (Hint: there’s a lot of work that no one sees.) How about dealing with social media? How do we know that “people” online are even real — not scammers, “bots” or trolls?

For a peek at the life of our dedicated volunteers, we asked Sheila Fagan, Columbus Audubon’s Community Outreach Coordinator, to tell us what she does for Columbus Audubon. We knew it was a lot, but the breadth of our outreach efforts amazed even a lot of us within the organization. Even in the midst of the pandemic, she has been tireless in her efforts to make CA matter to all members of our community. Thank you, Sheila!

Now let’s turn it over to Sheila to tell you more. Read more

Columbus Audubon Week Is Underway
at Wild Birds Unlimited - Columbus

October 11-24 for in-person, phone, or internet purchases

You receive 15% off Wild Birds Unlimited bird food, including seed, suet, cylinders, mealworms -- anything edible by the birds!

And Wild Birds Unlimited contributes 5% of all bird food sales for the week to benefit Columbus Audubon and our local conservation efforts.

It's the perfect time to stock up for winter bird feeding. Make your move now -- click below for all the details.

Click Here for All the Details

Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm
Sunday: Closed

Calamus Swamp Work Days: Mark your Calendars for October 23

Columbus Audubon Needs Your Help with Calamus Swamp!

We had a terrific work day on September 25th, and focused on cutting back and treating invasive honeysuckle and Winter creeper. We had help from 20 volunteers! Many thanks to all who participated.

Don’t forget – we have another work day scheduled for October 23rd. Our focus will be the same – clearing out more invasive plants in hopes to give the native plants a chance to reclaim the swamp.

We are hoping for an even bigger group for this work day. The Grange Insurance Audubon Center has created an event for us: Click Here to register.

We will meet at 10 AM at the Calamus Swamp parking lot, and expect to work until about 2 PM. Snacks and water will be provided.

What to bring: Please bring your own work gloves. We have some tools available, but bring along loppers or pruners if you have them.
Be sure to dress for the weather! Hiking or work boots should be fine, but bring muck boots just in case.

Covid-19 Notice: Due to Covid-19, please use face masks at all times when you are not able to maintain social distancing. We will have plenty of hand sanitizer available, and tools will be sanitized before use.

Directions: From Columbus, take route 315 S and follow the signs toward Cincinnati. This becomes I-71 S. Take the exit for SR 104/Frank Road and turn right onto Frank Road, then right onto SR 104 S/Jackson Pike. Follow SR 104 for just short of 24 miles and you will come to the intersection of SR 104 and US 22 (you will see the Goody Nook on your left). Continue through the intersection and the entrance to Calamus Swamp is just past a small stand of trees on your left; you will see a gravel parking lot.

Questions? Please visit our website at https://columbusaudubon.org/act-now/contact-us/ and select Conservation from the Topic Area dropdown.

We look forward to seeing you at Calamus Swamp!

Central Ohio Owl Project Update

Dr. Mathys will be banding Northern Saw-whet Owls again this fall. His banding station is located on his farm in Union County, and will be open to outside visitors from October 29^th through November 21^st. Banding attempts begin at dark. Please contact him at mathysb@ohiodominican.edu to arrange a visit.

If you know of any likely locations for Barn owls, Long-eared owls, and Northern Saw-whet owls, please email Dr. Mathys; all locations will be kept strictly confidential. For more information, visit https://www.ohiodominican.edu/OwlProject.

Motus Report

Ornithologists have long dreamed of tracking the movement of individual birds on their nesting grounds, through migration, and in their wintering regions. Oh sure, we’ve been banding birds for a long time, and that effort has produced a lot of data. But the data for any bird covers only a few points: when the bird is banded and when (if ever) it is captured again, or at least seen closely enough for someone to read the band.

What if we could put a tracker on a bird and follow it through weeks, months, or even years? Thanks to some amazing technology, we now can do just that through the Motus project.

What’s a Motus? Here’s what the Motus website says: The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) is an international collaborative research network that uses coordinated automated radio telemetry to facilitate research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. And soon that network will include the Grange Insurance Audubon Center!

Tracking begins when a bird is caught and “tagged” with a tiny radio transmitter. A few years ago, only the largest birds, such as eagles and cranes, could be tagged: the transmitters were too heavy for small birds. But the newest tags are so small that they can be used on large insects, such as dragonflies! Small birds are no challenge.

Next, we need to receive radio signals from birds as they pass by. That’s where the Center comes in: thanks to the leadership of volunteers like Columbus Audubon members Darlene Sillick and Tim Bischoff, with support from CA, the Center is nearing installation of a Motus tower, which will join two others in the Columbus area, one at the zoo and the other at the OSU Olentangy Research Station. Most of the electronic components, such as antennas, receivers, and internet connections, have been delivered to the Center already, and we are planning the installation, testing, and calibration. If all goes well, we will be up and running for spring migration. At that point, the data collected will be sent via the internet to the Motus database where it will be accessed by researchers from Audubon and many other organizations. We also plan to incorporate data into education displays for the public.

It's been quite a ride as we – well, some of us – learned to throw around terms like “nanotags” and “radio telemetry”. Luckily, all of us were able to figure out the basics, and you can, too, at the Motus website. Stay tuned for more as the project progresses.

Photo credit: Earl Harrison

Learning to Sing: New Findings in the Study of Birdsong

by Kate McFarland (CA Board, Ohio State Center for Ethics and Human Values)

Like humans, young songbirds learn to communicate vocally by hearing and imitating adult birds. Indeed, songbirds (as well as parrots and hummingbirds) are more similar to humans in this respect than even other primates. In part because of this commonality with us, avian song acquisition is a thriving area of research across scientific disciplines.

A newly published study conducted in Australia showed that, surprisingly, vocal recognition in songbirds can begin while a chick is still inside the egg. Fluctuations in the heart rate of baby birds indicate that they can pick up on the calls of their parents before they even hatch.

Zebra finch chicks, credit: Martin Pot

Meanwhile, engineers and neuroscientists at University of California San Diego have been collaborating on a study of zebra finches (an ever-popular subject for birdsong research) with the ultimate goal of developing vocal prostheses -- devices that can translate a person’s brain signals into words and sentences. In their recent research, they have learned to predict a zebra finch’s song from the bird’s patterns of neural activity. While the songs proved too intricate to map directly to brain signals, the researchers were able to develop an algorithm that mapped the birds’ brain activity to physical changes in the syrinx.

The syrinx, the vocal organ unique to birds, has also been the focus of new work by biologists at Syddansk Universitet in Denmark. The researchers found that the syrinx is one of the fastest muscles known in any animal -- able to contract about 100 times faster than human leg muscles -- with the finest level of control possible. This level of control is important: female birds are able to discern minute differences in pitch and other song features, and they use these signals to judge potential mates. The scientists speculate that this fine motor control of song production helped to lead to the radiation of the many species of songbirds we see and hear today.

Regent honeyeater, credit: Jessica Bonsell

Vocal learning is vital for songbirds to find mates, defend their territory, and warn other birds (and squirrels) of predators (and nest parasites). Unfortunately, other research published this year has revealed that the song learning of some young birds today is under threat.

One threat arises from declining bird populations: the fewer adult birds of the same species, the more difficult it is for some birds to learn their song. This, in turn, can further accelerate the population decline: if a young male bird does not adequately learn his species’ song, he will be less attractive to females of the same species and thus face lower odds of fathering young of his own.

This trend is exactly what has been observed in regent honeyeaters, a critically endangered bird in Australia. Somewhat analogous to endangered languages in human societies, honeyeater populations are losing their song culture as individuals who know the songs die out. With too few teachers of the same species, young honeyeaters grow up learning simplified and sometimes “totally incorrect” songs, reducing their attractiveness to females. Researchers are currently helping captive-reared birds by exposing them to audio recordings of wild regent honeyeaters.

This phenomenon potentially adds another layer of complexity to America’s own songbird crisis, with numerous species having suffered steep population declines in recent decades.

Columbus traffic, credit: Friscocali

Another threat to song learning comes from noise pollution, especially traffic noise.

In another study of zebra finches, published in May, German ornithologists found that when chicks are exposed to typical levels of urban traffic noise, song learning was delayed, and the songs the birds eventually acquired were poorer copies of adult songs.

Like honeyeaters, zebra finches learn their songs through exposure to the songs of adult males. Unfortunately, however, noise interference impedes this process, even when a community contains a sufficient number of adult males. Noise is a threat even if the volume is not high enough to impair the birds’ hearing or mask others’ songs entirely, since it produces a stress response that appears to compromise the birds’ learning ability. The researchers found that young finches exposed to chronic noise had reduced development in areas of the brain responsible for auditory learning. This was in addition to other indicators of chronic stress, such as suppressed immune systems.

This new study, published in Science Advances, adds to a growing body of evidence that human-caused noise pollution is detrimental to wildlife, and songbirds in particular.

As I wrote about in a previous edition Song Sparrow, the quality of songs of white crowned sparrows was observed to improve during San Francisco's COVID-19 lockdown, when the birds no longer had to “shout” to be heard over the din of traffic. (Granted, in some areas, traffic noise actually increased during the pandemic due to less gridlock and higher traffic speeds.) Correlatively, heavy traffic noise forces the birds to sing simplified versions of their songs, which can make them less attractive to mates. This finding is consistent with previous studies on the effects of traffic noise on the songs of the Eastern wood pewee and great tit. Moreover, in addition to interfering with birds’ abilities to learn songs and attract mates, road noise can impede birds’ ability to use alarm calls to warn of predators.

As also noted in my “Quieter Skies for Urban Birds” article, the stress caused by noise pollution impacts birds in ways that go beyond hampering song learning and communication, as critical as the latter is in itself. The new zebra finch study adds further data here as well, by demonstrating an association between noise exposure and suppressed immune function. Other recent studies have shown additionally that exposure to noisy gas compressors reduces fledgling success of tree swallows and bluebirds and that even small amounts of road noise diminish birds’ ability to forage for food.

Grey-eyed nun babbler at Yangmingshan, the world’s first Urban Quiet Park, credit: John&Fish

Organizations like the recently launched Quiet Parks International are beginning to draw attention to the pervasiveness of noise pollution and the importance of protecting quiet areas. Many people tend to dismiss the significance of noise pollution (despite its negative impact on human health too) and may assume that “quiet parks” are a mere luxury or gimmick. On the contrary, however, the preservation of quiet areas is an essential part of a conservation strategy for birds and other wildlife.