Kane County Audubon Minutes

March 10, 2010

Peck Farm Park - Geneva

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President Bob Andrini welcomed members and guests.

Sightings: Instead of the usual sightings, members were asked to share with the audience things that remind them of spring: snowdrops blooming, daffodils are emerging, American robins, Red-winged blackbirds, Sandhill cranes, Turkey vultures, Snow geese, Rusty blackbirds are returning, Cubs are back on the radio, Cardinals are singing, Skunk cabbage is emerging.

New Business:

1. Nancy Weiss, of Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners, donated a stamp collection to Illinois Audubon Society. The proceeds will be used to buy and preserve habitat in Illinois.

2. Newspaper article reporting the attack by the Golden eagle on a fully grown White-tailed deer at Nachusa Grasslands was passed around.

3. Great Backyard Bird Count results for Kane County: 65 species in 2010 vs. 70, in 2009. Total count 20,122 in 2010 vs. 10,735 in 2009.

4. Tim Balassie presented issues regarding Brunner Family Forest Preserve (700 acres). The Kane County Utilization sub-committee is discussing usage of this property and one of the suggestions is to mine the gravel out of it and then use the lake created by the mining for recreational purposes. Turning over this property to commercial use would not be in the spirit of what the taxpayers intended when they passed the referendum to preserve open space. A letter was sent to John Hoscheit, president Kane County FP, asking that all documents created regarding this matter also be given to concerned parties so that they can have a say in how this property is used. KCA members are being asked to go to the website and read about the Brunner proposal and give Tim Balassie or Chris Madsen feedback regarding their concerns and suggestions.

5. Marilyn Campbell is collecting t-shirts clean and in good condition for migrant workers. Please give them to Bob or Kathy Andrini within the next 2 weeks and they will get them to Marilyn.

6. Roger Hotham reported on the results of last years crane count and is looking for volunteers for this year’s count. Please contact him if you are interested in counting. This year’s count is April 17. Counters are needed for Blackberry Maples.

Education: In preparation for this year’s Spring Bird Count taking place on 5/8/10, local naturalist Jon Duerr and his wife Joy presented information on past counts and the trends they represent. This count takes place the first Saturday in May between the 4th and the 11th.

Upcoming Events and Trips:

• Saturday, March 13th, 8:00 AM: Bird Walk at Quarry Park, Batavia

• Saturday, March 20th, 8:00 AM: Bird Walk at Prairie Green Wetland, Geneva

• March 25th thru March 28th : Nebraska Trip with Jon Duerr

• Saturday, April 3rd, 8:00AM: Bird Walk at Nelson Lake

• April 14th, Monthly Meeting 7PM, Pottawatomi Park, St. Charles

Treats: Tim Balassie, Geoff Demmel, Regina McNulty and John Sprovieri

Raffle: 10 items were raffled off, including a zoo bag, a Panera Bread gift certificate, a bird puzzle, various nature guides and The Wisdom of Birds.

Adjournment

Nancy Schnaitman: secretary