Audubon Society of Forsyth County

Forsythbirds Listserv moves to GoogleGroups

Ten years ago this month, Wake Forest University began hosting forsythbirds for us. In that time, our number of subscribers has grown to 265 and we have shared thousands of event announcements for Forsyth Audubon, bird sightings, questions, ideas and stories. Wake Forest has hosted our listserv as a community service and never charged us for its services. But, now they have decided to no longer host any listservs, so we are moving to Google Groups. Much will remain the same, especially our purpose: to serve as a forum to discuss wild birds and birding in Forsyth and surrounding counties including rare bird sightings, bird identification, bird behavior, backyard birding, trip reports, bird counts, and announce news and events for Forsyth Audubon.

Learn how to join the Forsythbirds GoogleGroups here

Forsyth County Christmas Bird Count:

January 5, 2019

Our annual Christmas Bird Count this year will be held on January 5, 2019. This date is a bit later than we have done the past few years. By pushing the date to the last day of the count period, we are hoping for better Sparrow and Waterfowl diversity.

These counts are about finding birds, but they're also great if you're just learning how to bird watch! We have a ton of good team leaders that are happy to accommodate beginners to experts.

Please email Nathan Gatto if you would like to participate.

The countdown dinner is at Nancy Russo's house again this year! We will send out more information as we get closer to the actual count!

2019 Winter Trip: Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center & SC Coast!

Something different: We will be making it a 4 day weekend!!

Our home base will be Georgetown, SC

Friday, January 18 – Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center / Island tour – Begins around 9:30

Saturday, January 19 – TBA

Sunday, January 20 – Huntington Beach State Park

Monday, January 21 – Huntington Beach again in the morning, then travel home.

Mark your calendars now. Registration now open!

Gearharts receive 2017 Snavely Award!

Carol and Brent Gearhart are both great examples of dedicated volunteers to Forsyth Audubon. Brent is a master at finding their resident Eastern Screech Owl at C.G. Hill Memorial Park. He is always ready to help out with a bird count rain or shine. Carol was on the board and became the president of Forsyth Audubon from 2014 - 2015. During this time she helped ensure our chapter remained financially sound while creating and following through with new projects. The board still relies on Carol's expertise with successful grant writing, fundraising, and event planning. Even though Carol and Brent haven't been active with Forsyth Audubon for decades like other Snavely recipients, their tireless work is appreciated and we are truly grateful for their dedication to Forsyth Audubon.
-Nathan Gatto

Become an Audubon Ambassador on Climate Change!

Audubon North Carolina is looking for Ambassadors on Climate Change. Can you volunteer five hours a month for the benefit of our birds, other wildlife and people? There are a host of things you can do, and you probably do some of the: take part in Christmas Bird Counts, ass bird-friendly native plants to your garden, talk to your neighbors about birds and climate change, write legislators about it. Look for a future Audubon Ambassador workshop soon to learn more about the issue and how you can help. To read a summary of the National Audubon Society's report on "Birds and Climate Change"

Order "Birding Guide to Forsyth County"!

The fifth edition of "Birding Guide to Forsyth County," by David Disher, is now available. David's book, in a handy 6 x 9 paperback format, compiles documented observations for 280 bird species in Forsyth County. Learn what birds can be seen here and during which weeks of the year you are most likely to see them. Photos of uncommon sightings are included. Information on local birding spots also is included. For $15, this is a great gift for your favorite birder. All profits go to our chapter. Copies are available at Wright's Backyard Birding Center, 3906 Country Club Rd., Winston-Salem, and at Wild Birds Unlimited, 1589 Skeet Club Rd, High Point, or send email to J ean Chamberlain. Copies also are available for sale at our monthly chapter meetings. If you have a smart phone or tablet, download the electronic version available for $4.99 from www.lulu.com.