Maricopa Audubon Meetings and Programs
September 2007 through May 2008
Please join us for another exciting year of speakers covering a wide range of topics – African predators, condors, cranes, birds of Alaska, Fossil Creek, Cape May and more!
Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month, September through May. Due to the holiday, our January meeting this year will be on Wednesday, January 2, 2008. Our May meeting is our Annual Banquet with a location to be announced. Please check our web site or newsletter for the location of the May 2008 banquet.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m., and feature a general membership meeting, guest speaker, sales tables, refreshments and a chance to socialize with MAS members. Visitors are most welcome! Our September through April meetings are held in Dorrance Hall at the Desert Botanical Garden. The Garden is located at 1201 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, which is approximately ½ mile north of the Phoenix Zoo. Dorrance Hall is located off the main parking lot and entry to the Garden. There will be signs directing you to the meeting. Although there is no charge to attend our general membership meetings, the Annual Banquet does require a dinner reservation and associated cost.
A pre-meeting dinner will be held at Rolling Hills (formerly Pete’s) 19th Tee Restaurant, 1405 N. Mill Avenue in Tempe (at the Rolling Hills Golf Course) for the September through April meetings. Come and join us at 6:00 p.m. for a delicious meal (no-host), meet our guest speaker and say “howdy” to other birders. Meals average $5.00 to $7.00.
This year Maricopa Audubon will be holding a raffle for a Swarovski scope that was donated to us. Tickets will go on sale at our September meeting and the drawing will be held at our December meeting.
Program Schedule for 2007/2008
September 4, 2007 David and Diane Reesor 
Predator!
October 2, 2007 Mike Foley Birds of South-central and Southeast Alaska
November 6, 2007 Taldi Walter Alaska Treasures and National Audubon
December 4, 2007 Michelle Harrington A River Reborn: The Restoration of Fossil Creek
Swarovski Scope Raffle
January 2, 2008 Bob and Peggy Wenrick Crazy About Cranes!
February 5, 2008 Tyler Loomis The Cape May Experience
March 4, 2008 Joe Yarchin Watchable Wildlife Program
April 1, 2008 Kurt Radamaker Baja Birding
MAS Elections
May 6, 2008 Kathy Sullivan Condors!
Program SummaryProgram Summary
September 4, 2007 David and Diane Reesor Predator! By Mark Ross & David Reesor
With David’s phenomenal photographs of the five great predators of the African bush, author Mark Ross takes the reader on a wild safari. “Predator” overflows with information that both enlightens the traveler and dispels many popular misconceptions of life at the top of the food chain. Sometimes violent, sometimes downright gruesome, but always spectacular! Join David as he shares his captivating stories and stunning photographs of life in the African bush.
October 2, 2007 Mike Foley Birds of South-central and Southeast Alaska
Mike Foley is the manager of visitor experiences at the Phoenix Zoo and has been traveling to Alaska since 2001 to enjoy the rich bird life of south-central and southeast Alaska. Kenai Fjords National Park, Cordova Shorebird Festival, Potter’s Marsh, Arctic Valley, Eagle River and other prime birding locations will be introduced and discussed.
November 6, 2007 Taldi Walter Alaska Treasures and National Audubon
Taldi Walter is the Alaska field coordinator in National Audubon’s Policy Office. She has an informative presentation showcasing important natural areas and brilliant birds found in wild Alaska. Taldi will explore Alaska’s natural treasures set aside decades ago for the benefit of wildlife and the American public. She will highlight the imminent and compelling challenges and opportunities facing the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Tongass National Forest, Chugach National Forest and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. She will also discuss current national policy office efforts of National Audubon. Please plan to join us in welcoming Taldi to Phoenix!
December 4, 2007 Michelle Harrington A River Reborn: The Restoration of Fossil Creek
Fossil Creek is among the brightest jewels of Arizona’s Rim Country. It stands out as one of the last free-flowing, year-around streams in Arizona, a magnificent ribbon of life in the high desert. Fossil Creek is even more important because it is the site of the first decommissioning of a hydroelectric facility in Arizona. The restoration of Fossil Creek is one of the most significant watershed level restoration efforts ever undertaken in the Southwest. This documentary recounts both natural and human history of the scenic waterway and the multi-level efforts of scientists, environmental advocates, federal and state resource managers and utility officials who made this dream into a reality.
Our raffle for the Swarovski scope will be held this month – just in time for the holidays!
January 2, 2008 Bob and Peggy Wenrick Crazy About Cranes!
The first Sandhill Crane that Bob and Peggy ever saw was standing neck deep in willowy grass near a highway in the Sawtooth Valley of Idaho. They made a double take and U-turn to see this astonishing long-necked gray bird with the striking red head. Since then, they have traveled to Bosque del Apache, the Audubon Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska, Gray’s Lake NWR in Idaho and the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin to study and learn about these remarkable birds. Bob and Peggy have been involved with Tucson Audubon for years and will be presenting this program on January 19, 2008 at the Wings Over Wilcox Festival.
February 5, 2008 Tyler Loomis The Cape May Experience
Maricopa Audubon sponsored Tyler Loomis, an enthusiastic 13-year old birder, for an October ABA bird camp entitled “The Cape May Experience.” The camp is for young birders, from 14 to 18 years of age. Tyler has been a birdwatcher for 5 years and has assisted with CBC’s over the past 2 years. Join us as he presents a program on his personal Cape May experience.
March 4, 2008 Joe Yarchin AGFD Watchable Wildlife Program
Did you know that the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) owns or manages over 266,800 acres in the State, including 23 Wildlife Areas? Joe is the coordinator for the AGFD’s Watchable Wildlife Program. Come and find out about that program, the updated Watchable Wildlife book and the expanded version of the Herps Guide, all valuable information for anyone who enjoys sharing the outdoors with its inhabitants.
April 1, 2008 Kurt Radamaker Baja Birding
Been birding in Mexico? Been to Baja? Think there’s not much there except sand and scrub? Think again! Come and experience Baja birding as you never imagined it could be! Kurt not only hosts our web page, but is very active in AZFO (Arizona Field Ornithologists), Christmas Bird Counts, and is an exceptional birder.
MAS Elections
May 6, 2008 Kathy Sullivan Condors!
Kathy is the California Condor Program Coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. She has also worked on the Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane Recovery Projects, monitored Spotted Owls and Goshawks in Arizona, sea turtles in Florida and engaged in marine mammal research in Mexico. Kathy will discuss the California Condor natural history and biology, highlights and updates of the Arizona reintroduction program, current research, lead bullet reduction and education efforts and tell us the best places and times to see condors in Arizona.
NOTE: The May program will be associated with our Annual Banquet. Check our web site, newsletter, or contact a board member for location information.