From the President John Wright

Well the time of year is rolling around,

When we start winding down.

So I thought this would be a good time,

To thank those who have shined.

We started doing one more thing,

And hit the ground running.

In the end we did so much more,

With a dedicated group, I adore.

In the years ahead, let us see,

What a difference that can be.

For if the past two years are a sign,

Then I believe we will be just fine.

So to all those who did assist,

To all those who did persist,

To all those who simply cooed,

To all those, a heartfelt thank you.

May Field Trip Chuck Gramling

May 17th Field Trip - Little Black Creek Water Park

Higher gas prices and local migrants to find have changed Pine Woods Audubon May Field trip to a great close by place, the Little Black Creek Water Park. We will head out at 9:30 AM on Saturday May 17th from the University Mall parking lot on Hardy Street in Hattiesburg. There is a small admission fee of a couple of dollars per person to enter the state park. This is a close by field trip and we will be done by noon. We hope to find our migrant birds and resident birds there at this great water park. Come join us!

Questions, call me, Chuck Gramling, 601-268-3859

Summer Field Trips Chuck Gramling & Diane Lafferty

Annual Butterfly Counts

Each summer, the North American Butterfly Association supports butterfly counts taken by members and volunteers. The results from across the continent are then tallied and published, giving a picture of butterfly species and their populations each year within targeted areas. The program is similar to the “citizen science” programs such as Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count in February.

Saturday, June 28, 2008 –– Forrest/Lamar County Butterfly Count

On Saturday, June 28, 2008 the Pine Woods Audubon Chapter will sponsor its 8th Annual Butterfly Count in Forrest and Lamar Counties. If you would like to count your yard or count with the group, contact Diane Lafferty at 264-9654 or Chuck Gramling at 268-3859.

If we are able to get into the lagoon we will meet about 8:30 AM. Look at the Painted Buntings til the butterflies start flying. They like it HOT! After that we can go to the butterfly garden at USM, Strick’s for lunch, the new Nursery out 4^th St, and the Jackson Rd Station Rails to Trails out 4th Street.

Saturday, July 19, 2008 –– Butterfly Count Delta NF

The Delta National Forest butterfly count will be Saturday, July 21. So why did people from Hattiesburg start an annual butterfly count 25 miles north of Vicksburg up highway 61 in some gravel roads woods setting? The answer is because we found so many butterflies there! I think this makes our 6th official count there. 2006 was our only ‘bust year’ count on the Delta NF (‘only’ 4 or 5 thousand butterflies reported), but in all other previous years, we have listed in the top five counts in all North America for total number of butterflies seen, and we report conservatively. I would add, if you don’t have a dozen or so butterflies light on you at the same time during the Delta count, it was a slow day. The Delta count is easy, all the counting is done by car on the roads, with brief walks into graveled “hunter camp sites” that let us look into edge of the trees. We will stop here and there several dozen places as we go on the 10-mile circle area. We expect to see good birds on both our butterfly counts as an extra bonus.

If you’re interested in either or both of these butterfly counts, please contact either Diane Lafferty (601) 264-9654 or Chuck Gramling (601) 268-3859 (emails - dlaffert@netdoor.com or clgramling@comcast.net). Our intent is to have enjoyable days. You just never know what you will see on any of the counts, so come find out!

Bird Fest Reminder Josh Hodge

Birdfest, in conjunction with the Hattiesburg Zoo’s Earth Day Celebration will take place this year on Sunday, April 20, from 1-3 p.m. Pinewoods Audubon is very appreciative of a chance to support our Zoo, our very best partnership! In setting up tables and booths, activities, and give-aways, we are doing valuable community outreach for Audubon and introducing the joys of bird-watching to others. And, in doing so, we are accruing good will with the Zoo through volunteer hours. In return for our participation, the Zoo lets us use their Education Facility to house our monthly meetings. Please, sign up at the May 1st Banquet & Chapter Meeting to volunteer! Support Birdfest by giving your time, creativity, and energy.

2008-2010 Officers Named Nomination Committee

Officer Elections

Elections were held at the April Chapter Meeting. Our Officers for the coming two years include

- President John Wright

- Vice President Chuck Gramling

- Secretary Grayson Rayborn

- Treasurer Lin Harper

Our sincere thanks to these folks who stepped up to volunteer to take on official duties for the chapter over the next two years, and thanks to those who have served so faithfully for the past two. If you think you might be interested in serving, but you’re not ready to assume full responsibility, talk to the officer and volunteer to be an “assistant” or a “co” for a year to see if you might want to take that role later on. It’s great experience and the jobs just aren’t that hard or tedious. Most of us who have served found it to be more of a group effort than anything.

Officer Induction

Our “banquet” will be held on May 1, 2008, in lieu of a Chapter Meeting at the Great China Buffet in the shopping center behind WalGreen’s across from the Turtle Creek Mall. John has reserved a dining room for the group, so come around 7:00 p.m. for this Dutch-treat get-together! See you all there!

Other Ways to Help

You might rather be involved on the committee level rather than as an officer, that’s great, too. Just mention to any of the officers what you are interested in, and they will hook you up with the right person to work with. Committees are not elected but appointed by the President, and they are always in need of more people to volunteer to help with fun things like Audubon Adventures, BirdFest, Junior Birders, and other projects. Again, this committee work is not difficult or too time-consuming, especially if you’ve got a group of volunteers to help you!

Calendar of Events

May 1, 2008 (Thursday): Pine Woods Audubon Society Officer Induction and Semi-Annual Banquet, 7 p.m. at the Great China Buffet.

May 6, 2008 (Tuesday): Pine Woods Audubon Society Birding Committee Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Keg & Barrel. Contact Ron Blackwell (601-543-0091) for information.

May 17, 2008 (Saturday): Pine Woods Audubon Field Trip to Little Black Creek Water Park. Contact Chuck Gramling for information or assistance (601-286-3859 / clgramling@comcast.net).

June 10, 2008 (Tuesday): Pine Woods Audubon Society Birding Committee Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Keg & Barrel. Contact Ron Blackwell (601-543-0091) for information.

June 28, 2008 (Saturday): Forrest/Lamar County Butterfly Count. Contact Diane Lafferty at 264-9654 or Chuck Gramling at 268-3859.

July 19, 2008 (Saturday): Butterfly Count Delta National Forest. Contact Diane Lafferty at 264-9654 or Chuck Gramling at 268-3859.

September 4, 2008 (Thursday): Pine Woods Audubon Society Board Meeting and Program Meeting. Program TBA. 7:00 p.m. at Hattiesburg Zoo Education Center.