Serving St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties Since 1944
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February 2021
Volume 73, Number 1
A Publication of the South Bend - Elkhart Audubon Society
Serving St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties Since 1944
FEBRUARY SBEAS MEETINGS
Lindsay Grossmann, President
We will be having our monthly business meeting on Zoom on Thursday, February 11 th at 7:00 p.m. NEW for this
month, we will be ending our meeting with a guest speaker. This month, we have our very own Vic Riemenschneider,
who will be presenting on a very interesting topic with a presentation entitled "South Bend-Elkhart Audubon's Quest for
Wildlife Habitat." Come join live to ask your questions, but you can also find the presentation later (along with this
meeting and past meetings) on our website. To join the meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97535063188
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 975 3506 3188
For our social event, see the Field Trip article below to the right.
2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION ANNUAL FIELD TRIP TO NOTRE DAME LAKES
Heidi Gray, Nominating Committee Chair Carol Goodall, Field Trip Chair
At our April Zoom membership meeting we will be voting for Join us on February 13, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. We will
the four Board executive positions (President, Vice President, walk around the lakes at Notre Dame in search of
Secretary, and Treasurer) and two Board of Directors positions. waterfowl. Dress for the weather. Some trails may be
The executive positions are voted for annually while the slippery. COVID-19 precautions will be observed.
general Board positions are in effect for three years. Lindsay Marty Stoner will co-lead this trip with me. Meet in
Grossmann is stepping down as President, so she will not be the northeast corner of Lot D6. This lot is the north
lot off of Door Rd. Please R.S.V.P. by taking a ticket
running again. As you know, we are a very active group and we
at this link:
appreciate everyone’s abilities, input, and contributions. If you https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-field-trip-to-
or someone you know may be interested in serving in any of notre-dame-lakes-tickets-129745772097?ref=estw.
these positions, please let me know. I can be reached at Tickets are free.
(574) 339-2675 or heidigray@sbcglobal.net.
JOE JACOB, 1926-2020
John Bentley, Secretary
Long-time members of our chapter will remember Joe Jacob,
who died on March 27, 2020. Joe was a regular attendee at our
membership meetings and seldom missed a pancake breakfast
at the Sanctuary. In addition, he often participated in Sanctuary
workdays until his health made that too difficult. I frequently
encountered him at the South Bend Farmer’s Market, where he
generally sat on the bench outside the restaurant and talked
with his friends. He always seemed to have a cheerful word for February Calendar
people.
11 Board Meeting on Zoom, 6 PM
His devotion to South Bend-Elkhart Audubon was emphasized 11 Membership Business Meeting and Presentation
by a generous bequest from his estate. He requested that it be on Zoom, 7 PM
applied to the upkeep of the Sanctuary, a legacy that will 13 Field Trip to Notre Dame Lakes, 9 AM
benefit all our members in coming years. 17 March Audubon Leaves Articles Due
FROM THE MINUTES CLIMATE WATCH: MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
John Bentley, Secretary Laura Fuderer, Climate Watch Coordinator
The January 7, 2021 SBEAS Zoom membership As we see more and more of the devastating effects of climate
meeting was called to order by President Lindsay change, National Audubon is warning us that if humans cannot
Grossmann at 7:00 p.m. Fourteen (14) members reduce our carbon emissions soon, some 314 bird species (about
were logged on. Lindsay called for interesting half the birds in North America) will be at risk. The Rusty
sightings. Scott Namestnik said he had three species Blackbird has virtually lost its range and Common Loons may
to document (White-winged Crossbill, Common eventually be extirpated from the United States. Scientists
Redpoll, and Merlin) on the Elkhart County anticipate that future ranges will either a) expand (think
Christmas Bird Count. Carol Goodall reported European Starlings and American Robins); b) shift; or c)
Common Redpolls at the Mishawaka Riverwalk and contract; and they categorize various species as “climate
Bendix Park. Lindsay reported seeing Red Crossbills stable,” “climate threatened,” or “climate endangered.”
and Pine Siskins. Tai Gunter found an American
Wigeon at Notre Dame, and Vic Riemenschneider In response, many Audubon members wanted to know how they
had Pileated Woodpecker and Carolina Wren in his could help in addition to contacting officials and making
yard. choices that reduce their carbon footprint. For nearly three years
Conservation Committee. Tai Gunter said that the now, some 18 volunteers have participated in the Climate
Trump administration finalized a rule that permits Watch Project. Since it began several individuals have had to
“accidental” bird kills in an attempt to bypass the bow out, so I am looking for more members to either replace
Migratory Bird Treaty Act. them or further expand the coverage of our region, which is
Education Committee. Tai reported that Melissa basically St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties.
Gunter is assembling over 400 packets to be
distributed to children as part of our contribution to Participants select their own sites to conduct what is called a
Science Alive! She will also present a video for the point count: they identify certain spots with suitable habitat for
month-long (February 2021) virtual event. The video selected species and spend five minutes at each spot recording
series she is preparing on the Twenty Most Common the presence of those species. The sites are within a six-by-six
Birds of St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties has also mile block taken from a grid that was determined by National
attracted considerable interest. Audubon. The target species in our region are White- and Red-
Membership Committee. Jude Keltner announced breasted Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch,
that the membership swap with Tippecanoe and Eastern Towhee. (The White-breasted Nuthatch is already
Audubon Society is proceeding. considered climate endangered.) The counts are only conducted
Treasurer’s Report. Lindsay reported that twice a year from January 15 to February 15 and from May 15
December 31st balances were $15,211.43 in the to June 15. The average time to perform 12 point counts is
operating account and $12,098.21 in the Woolman- about three hours.
Groet-Miller Endowment account.
Other Business. Lindsay reported that Joe Jacobs, a If you’re interested in this relatively easy bird survey, please
long-time member, left the Society a bequest of contact me at lfuderer@nd.edu. It involves a number of
$44,000 to be used for Sanctuary care and guidelines so we will arrange a training session via Zoom, and I
maintenance. can assist with selecting the sites.
Vic Riemenschneider offered to supply copies of the MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
photographs he has taken of organisms in the Jude Keltner, Membership Chair
Sanctuary pond for use in Education Committee Please welcome our new and returning members:
programs or materials. He also has the collection of
2,400 bird slides which Bill Paff donated to the Michelle Havens, Geane Ollman, Beth Yoder, Barb Bremigan,
Society. Vic has digitized about 300 of them. Lydia Bergdall, Renee Dubay, Jason Kelley, Bob Owens, Scott
Fossberg, Lynda Mallory, Kathleen Coates, Sarah Ingle, Susan
There being no further business, the meeting Tauck, Phil Good-Elliott, Gary Vervynckt, Rebekah Randall,
concluded at 7:30 p.m. Phyllis Hamel, John Sweeney, Sandi Hammons, Allen Norris,
Faye Peterson, Nancy Miller, Kent Miller, Dick Mullins,
Check our Facebook page Raymond Laney, Sandra Holland, Joan Lukasiewicz, Donald
(www.facebook.com/ Oakes, Jean Crumlish, Darlene Catello, Vivian A. Waldron, and
SouthBendElkhartAudubon/) Mary Fisher.
and website
As always, if you have any questions about your membership,
(www.sbeaudubon.org) please email us at membership@sbeaudubon.org. If you would
for the latest updates regarding like to renew your South Bend-Elkhart Audubon membership
SBEAS events and cancellations. online, you can do so at www.sbeaudubon.org.
Newsletter Policy - The newsletter editors will only consider nature or Audubon related submissions from members. Promotion of specific products may negate our
non-profit status for the purposes of mailing newsletters. Inclusion in the newsletter is at the discretion of the Audubon Leaves editors. Thank you for understanding.
2020-2021 SOUTH BEND CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT SUMMARY
Kristen Sweinhart, South Bend Count Compiler
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir
This has been a difficult year for many people, to say the least. But it seems that the COVID-19 pandemic has been an
opportunity to get outdoors, or maybe just look outside, and take in the calming joys of nature.
The annual Christmas Bird Count looked and felt a bit different in 2020. Field participants covered their faces with
masks, counted in smaller groups, and had to forgo the camaraderie of carpooling together. In lieu of the traditional post-
count potluck, we gathered on Zoom to compile the day’s count. But despite all the challenges, local birdwatchers
stepped-up in significant numbers to help collect data for this long-running citizen science project.
In all, 37 field counters and 27 feeder counters (up from just 10 counters last year!) helped to tally birds on December 19,
2020. It was a gloomy day, but we managed to avoid the rain/snow mix that was in the forecast. Many counters reported
a slow day for bird activity at their feeders, but 63 species of birds were reported within the count circle (the same as last
year, and a fairly average number). Possibly due to the increased number of counters spread throughout the circle, the
number of individual birds counted was 13,273 this year (up from 11,795 in 2019). The following is a complete list of
the species seen:
Canada Goose 2482, Mute Swan 22, Gadwall 8, Mallard 702, Redhead 3, Bufflehead 24, Common Goldeneye 2, Hooded
Merganser 175, Common Merganser 5, Wild Turkey 17, Pied-billed Grebe 7, Rock Pigeon 340, Mourning Dove 147,
American Coot 3, Sandhill Crane 74, Ring-billed Gull 697, Herring Gull 189, Double-crested Cormorant 1, Great Blue
Heron 12, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Cooper’s Hawk 9, Bald Eagle 2, Red-shouldered Hawk 4, Red-tailed Hawk 29,
Eastern Screech Owl 1, Great Horned Owl 3, Barred Owl 1, Belted Kingfisher 8, Red-bellied Woodpecker 95, Downy
Woodpecker 115, Hairy Woodpecker 26, Northern Flicker 22, Pileated Woodpecker 15, American Kestrel 4, Blue Jay
156, American Crow 4523, Horned Lark 2, Black-capped Chickadee 262, Tufted Titmouse 115, Red-breasted Nuthatch
14, White-breasted Nuthatch 148, Brown Creeper 10, Winter Wren 3, Carolina Wren 28, Golden-crowned Kinglet 2,
Eastern Bluebird 106, American Robin 313, European Starling 634, Cedar Waxwing 128, House Sparrow 684, House
Finch 194, Purple Finch 4, Common Redpoll 9, Red Crossbill 2, Pine Siskin 6, American Goldfinch 219, American Tree
Sparrow 113, Dark-eyed Junco 552, White-throated Sparrow 22, Song Sparrow 37, Swamp Sparrow 2, Yellow-rumped
Warbler 1, Northern Cardinal 367.
Many thanks to all who participated in this, the 121st Audubon Christmas Bird Count (the 77th year of the annual count
for the South Bend Circle). We hope to see you all back next year!
South Bend
Christmas Bird Count
Winter Wren,
© Scott Namestnik
For those of you not on Facebook, to view pictures of our recent events,
you may visit our Facebook page via the internet at
https://www.facebook.com/SouthBendElkhartAudubon/.
For those of you on Facebook please like our page: South Bend Elkhart Audubon.
Follow us on Instagram @sbeaudubon.
2020-2021 ELKHART COUNTY CHIRSTMAS BIRD COUNT SUMMARY
Ronda DeCaire, Elkhart County Count Compiler
Despite a pandemic limiting field counters and freezing rain the night before, the 25 th annual Elkhart County Christmas
Bird Count had much to celebrate with many records, including 86 countable species (beating the old record of 82).
Interesting birds found the day of count include White-winged Crossbills, Common Redpolls, Merlin, Ruby-crowned
Kinglets, Rusty Blackbird, American Pipet, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Nelson’s gull (Glaucous x Herring),
and a first ever Double-crested Cormorant. A grand total of 23,105 birds were counted for the day. We also had a record
number of volunteers assist with feeder/yard counts, with more than double the usual participation. In addition, the 24
species listed in bold were at their highest numbers ever in the past 25 years.
Canada Goose 4585, Mute Swan 54, Trumpeter Swan 3, Tundra Swan 5, Gadwall 44, American Black Duck 22, Mallard
1508, Canvasback 25, Redhead 143, Ring-necked Duck 2, Lesser Scaup 8, Bufflehead 6, Common Goldeneye 198,
Hooded Merganser 25, Common Merganser 4, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Ruddy Duck 123, Wild Turkey 212,
Double-crested Cormorant 1, Great Blue Heron 11, Bald Eagle 27, Northern Harrier 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1,
Cooper’s Hawk 16, Red-shouldered Hawk 3, Red-tailed Hawk 47, Rough-legged Hawk 2, American Coot 106, Sandhill
Crane 95, Wilson’s Snipe 1, Ring-billed Gull 2919, Herring Gull 412, Iceland Gull 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1,
Nelson’s Gull 1, Rock Pigeon 362, Mourning Dove 367, Eastern Screech Owl 12, Great Horned Owl 7, Barred Owl 8,
Belted Kingfisher 16, Red-bellied Woodpecker 198, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2, Downy Woodpecker 278, Hairy
Woodpecker 51, Northern Flicker 65, Pileated Woodpecker 16, American Kestrel 19, Merlin 1, Blue Jay 233,
American Crow 501, Horned Lark 46, Black-capped Chickadee 297, Tufted Titmouse 267, Red-breasted Nuthatch 27,
White-breasted Nuthatch 267, Brown Creeper 47, Winter Wren 8, Carolina Wren 130, Golden-crowned Kinglet 15,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6, Eastern Bluebird 246, Hermit Thrush 5, American Robin 624, European Starling 2773,
American Pipet 2, Cedar Waxwing 177, Snow Bunting 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, Eastern Towhee 1, American Tree
Sparrow 613, Fox Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 150, Swamp Sparrow 4, White-throated Sparrow 84, White-crowned
Sparrow 83, Dark-eyed Junco 1020, Northern Cardinal 688, Rusty Blackbird 1, Brown-headed Cowbird 3, Purple
Finch 31, House Finch 766, White-winged Crossbill 4, Common Redpoll 4, Pine Siskin 60, American Goldfinch 274,
House Sparrow 1649
Count Week birds also included Northern Shoveler, Peregrine Falcon, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Snow Goose.
© drswamp
A huge thank you to the 90 volunteers:
Field Counters: Ronda & David DeCaire, Burne & Jody Miller, Scott Namestnik, Harley Yoder, Maggie Nowicki,
Evie Kirkwood, A. Trice Berkley III, Rose Marie Tinder-O'Brien, Ray Troyer, Jared Leaman, Perry Yoder, Glen
Dyksen, Merlin Lehman, Annie Aguirre, Poorna Bhagat, Leona Bontreager, Bob Guth, Gary Chupp, Lindsay
Grossmann, Don Presser, Mary Kauffman-Kennel, Alissa McCarty, Ken Schmidt, Leland Shaum, Thaddaeus Shaum,
Laura Gilbert, Aaron Lambright, Steve McCloskey, Ruth Kauffman, Ray Helmuth
Yard/Feeder Counters: Janice Montecalvo, Krista Daniels, Sonntag Family, Sue Bumgardner, Susan Rowe, Carole
Mitchell, Jose Chiquito Galvan, Irvin & Marlene Pratt, Darlene & Wendy Eash, Alden & Ruth Beasley, Suzanne Gray,
Catherine & Jon Wells-Bentz, Pat & Dave Watson, Joe Foy, Marsh Eilers & Jane Garoutte, Barbara Gingerich, Robyn
Buenger, R. Kauffman, Susan Zook, Dawn VanMeter, Mark & Kathy Mow, Jon Kauffman-Kennel, Heidi Gray, Larry
Ford, Mary & Jim Rasp, Carus Shaffer, Pat Frank, Lois Oyer, Lou Anne Hostetler, James Stuckey Weber, Jim & Jean
Brosnan, Evan, Marcus & Seth Amrein, Wilma Harder, Gary Keister, Marilyn Horvath, Elma Chapman, Cindy Hartzler-
Miller, Christine Miller, John & Elaine Harley, Sylvia & Michael Steed, Lisa Deak, Christine Guth, Monica Yoder, Judy
Preheim, Patrick Wheeler
Mark your calendars: The 26th annual Elkhart County CBC will be held on Saturday, January 1, 2022.
Elkhart County
Christmas Bird Count
Common Redpolls (left)
and Merlin (right),
© Scott Namestnik
© drswamp
SHARE YOUR STORIES! CONSERVATION REPORT
Melissa Gunter, Education Chair Tai Gunter, Conservation Chair
The Red-headed Woodpecker, Drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National
the bird that is also our chapter’s Wildlife Refuge has been a point of political
logo, is in trouble. Like several controversy back into the 70’s. As I was
other local birds, the Red- looking through old Audubon Leaves issues,
headed Woodpecker is I found multiple articles regarding the
identified as a “high
vulnerability species” to climate opposition to the drilling – a couple dating
change for our region. back almost 30 years. Like a swinging
Predictions in National pendulum, the motivation to drill in
Audubon Society’s 2019 report Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge has been
titled Survival by Degrees: 389 debated time and time again. The money
Bird Species on the Brink tied up in the underground reserves of oil
suggest the species’ population would indeed be valuable to the US
could lose 94% of suitable economy, but the cost to wildlife habitat and
habitat by 2080 if the global © molanic
native peoples is priceless. The 2017 tax bill
climates continue to rise.
Storytelling is a simple way to included language to permit the leases of
help promote the survival of the land within the refuge to the highest bidder.
Red-headed Woodpecker. This auction took place on January 6 th,
despite opposition from conservationists.
This delightful story below is from SBEAS member Susan Taylor of
Walkerton, IN: By completing this auction, the Trump
administration finally accomplished a long-
MARCEL, THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER OF FISH LAKE standing goal of the Republican party.
Marcel’s red head glowed like a burning flame atop my suet About 550,000 acres were leased, for a total
feeder. From my bird-watching window, I saw the most beautiful
© drswamp of just $14.4 million. Most of the land sold
of woodpeckers. He snatched some suet and flew into a maple
for the minimum bid price, $25 an acre. Our
tree some five feet away. With binoculars pressed to my face, I
saw Marcel stuff his prize into a small crevice in the tree tax dollars have been wasted keeping this
concealing it with bark, almost like a protective covering. project going, only to find that there is
almost no interest in the land from oil
He returned to the suet feeder about a half dozen times that sunny companies.
morning on June 3, 2020, just as he has for the past two years.
Sometimes Marcel would hide his cache and other times he The low price of the sale is attributed to
would disappear into a hole in the tree carrying his treat. Every decreased demand for oil, as well as the
summer I hoped he, or she (it’s difficult to tell since the Red- questionable legality of drilling in the
headed Woodpecker is monochromatic), would have a nest in refuge. Many oil companies were not
that maple tree. However, once again my hope was quickly
dashed. I never heard the male call for his mate from inside the willing to take the risk of years of litigation
hole, nor did I ever see fledglings. tying up their ability to drill and create
profit.
Over the course of the first three weeks, in June, Marcel was a
daily visitor to my Fish Lake property. Like me, he was an early The Biden administration will almost
riser. Even when I didn’t see Marcel, I knew he had visited. certainly put a stop to future leases of this
When Marcel was around, the suet needed to be replaced every land; however, it is unclear if the new
couple of days… until it didn’t. Now, all that remains is some of administration will be able to roll back the
his cache that is still hidden (albeit, not too well) in the bark of leases just put in place.
that old maple tree.
Even though I no longer see Marcel this season, I am confident Over 200 bird species have been recorded
he will be back next June to eat from my suet feeder and rest a on this land, including many waterfowl and
bit… and maybe, just maybe, he will nest in my old maple tree. shorebirds which we see here in Michiana.
Protection of this habitat remains a priority
Do you have a story to share about an encounter you have had with a within environmental groups, including
Red-headed Woodpecker? Submit your story Audubon. I encourage our membership to
to education@sbeaudubon.org, and your story might show up in a contact our legislators with their opinions
future issue of the Audubon Leaves! Please keep your story to less on this matter. Your voice continues to be
than 350 words. In your story, include the approximate date and
an important part of this ongoing fight.
location of your encounter.
SANCTUARY REPORT SANCTUARY REGULATIONS
Doug and Heidi Gray, Sanctuary Co-Chairs Doug and Heidi Gray, Sanctuary Co-Chairs
This winter season has not had very much Because of the limited acreage, large membership, and
precipitation. Doug was out once to plow the increased use of the Sanctuary, it is imperative that all of us
sanctuary around the holidays. When the remember and abide by the rules and regulations set up for
temperatures were hovering just above and just Sanctuary conduct. This is necessary if we are to maintain its
below freezing, the snow-covered surfaces became original intent, a wildlife preserve. All visitors, both young and
very icy. Jim Rahilly was out before New Year’s old, should understand that it is not a park or playground. This
Day and encountered the slick conditions. Please be is an area set aside to protect, propagate, and observe all forms
careful if you encounter these conditions while out of nature, both flora and fauna.
at the sanctuary. Doug went out the week before the
Big Sit to chainsaw and move a couple of limbs – 1. Everyone must stay on established trails, so as not to
one was blocking the gate and one was along the
disturb nesting birds or walk on plantings and to avoid
entrance drive. He checked the winter quarters for
poison ivy. Access to the pond should be by established
wood supply and filled the feeders.
trails only.
For those members that have keys for the Sanctuary, 2. Any group may visit the Sanctuary with permission and
we have a bird feeding instruction sheet and a sign- an Audubon Society guide. Children should have
in sheet in the shed which is where the seed and suet adequate adult supervision – at least one adult per ten
are kept. If any member with a key goes out to the children.
Sanctuary and wishes to fill the feeders, please
check out the instructions and let us know the time 3. Picking or removal of any shrubs, plants, flowers, trees,
you spent there. This helps us keep track of etc., is strictly prohibited. Dead trees and blowdowns are
volunteer hours for our Annual Report to National not to be removed except where they endanger life or
Audubon Society. property along roadway, trails or near buildings.
4. No dogs, cats, horses, or other domestic animals are
If you are a member and would like a key to the allowed on the premises.
Sanctuary, please contact either Doug or Heidi at
sanctuary@sbeaudubon.org. Keys are $5. Please 5. Foot trails are for foot traffic only. No vehicles permitted
note that we have increased the cost of the key to except for Society-owned maintenance equipment.
cover those that are mailed. The key opens the gate, 6. No camping permitted.
shed and “biffy.” Please lock up the buildings and
7. No swimming, wading, boating, or other water activity
gate when you are done. When locking the gate,
please pass the chain over the board with the metal on pond.
plate so that the chain doesn’t rub the wood. Also, 8. Keys to gate are for regular members only, and they shall
the lock needs to hang under the piece of rubber so not be loaned to anyone. If you invite guests, be there to
that it stays out of any precipitation. Members are take care of them. MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS
encouraged to visit the Sanctuary to hike, fill PROPERLY LOCKED BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
feeders, observe wildlife, and enjoy being outdoors.
9. Smoking is prohibited. Grilling and picnics are permitted
in the picnic area for members and guests only. PEASE
TAKE ALL YOUR GARBAGE AND TRASH HOME.
10. Plantings are to be confined to wild North Eastern
United States material except for a few plantings high on
the wildlife list for special food purposes. All plantings
must be approved by the Sanctuary chairperson(s).
2021 RED BARN SALE CANCELLED
Doug and Heidi Gray, Red Barn Sale Co-Chairs
The SBEAS Board of Directors has further discussed the
possibility of having this annual fundraiser and has decided the
safety of everyone is more important. COVID-19 numbers are
still high and the vaccine is still in the stages of being
administered to various groups. We are disappointed that we
cannot hold the event, but please keep posted about other
A winter visitor to the Sanctuary, the American Tree Sparrow.
© Scott Namestnik fundraising opportunities.
LIFE IN AUDUBON POND - PART 7
Vic Riemenschneider
I hope you have found these articles interesting. The photo to the left is a
member of the segmented worms, phylum Annelida. When I finish looking at a
sample of water, I either return it to the pond or clean out the bottle with the
garden hose. One sample had four dark things on the wall of the jar after
cleaning with the hose. I decided to take another look at them. They were
leeches, which have suckers at both ends that allowed them to resist the force of
the water. My first encounter with leeches was in my early years wading in one
of the local streams and I came out with “black measles” on my legs. The
measles were many small black leeches that were looking for a quick blood
meal. The leech in the photo is probably a member of the family
Glossiphoniidae. My best guess is the genus Helobdella. According to
Wikipedia, you need a DNA analysis to identify the species.
The Helobdella are flat leeches that do not feed on blood but other organisms such snails and detritus in the pond. They
are not good swimmers and roll into a ball when dislodged from whatever they are on. Their movement is by releasing
one sucker and stretching out double, triple or more of their starting length and attaching to something. They then release
the other sucker and pull themselves together. There is a large sucker on the right end in the photo and a much smaller
one on the head. This genus has two eyespots on the head, whereas others may have one, three, or four. The dark
markings are the digestive/circulatory system that consists of many blind sacs and the mouth is in the head area. Some
species have the mouth within the sucker on the head, whereas others have it outside the sucker.
My first water sample in the early spring did have a member of the flatworms,
Platyhelminthes. This phylum includes the parasitic tapeworms and planaria. I did not
see any tapeworms in my samples but I did find the planarian shown to the right. The
planarians have a somewhat triangular head with eye spots. The triangular-shaped head
is due to two tabs of tissue on each side behind the eyes. They do not show in this photo
but were visible under the dissecting scope when it was moving. My initial impression
was the genus Dugesia but the photo is not very clear. Their mouth is at the end of a
tube that can extend from the midsection of their body and is connected to a dead-end
digestive system. They lack the segmentation and suckers of the leeches. The head is at
the upper right with the two light eye spots. The light area in the center is the feeding
tube that can extend out of the body. The darker areas are the gastrovascular area (a
combined digestive and circulatory system) (Klots 1966).
Planaria have the regenerative capacity mentioned about hydra in a previous article; pieces of the animal will regrow the
missing parts. They reproduce by fission or sexually. A single organism has both sets of reproductive organs but two
individuals do mate. They feed on detritus and other small organisms. They are fed on by other worms, insects, and
crustaceans (Klots 1966). They move with a gliding motion using microscopic cilia and muscle contractions (Klots
1966). They are fast enough that it was difficult to get a decent photograph that showed the head shape. The body is very
fragile so if you try to pick it up you often get just a piece of the planarian.
References:
1.Klots, Elsie B. 1966. The New Field Book of Freshwater Life. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York.
2.Wikipedia.org, Nov 2020. Search for organism name.
BENDIX MEADOWS RECORDS TWO NEW SPECIES IN 2020
Heather Downey, Bendix Meadows Monitoring Coordinator
A team of eight dedicated monitors logged 136.25 hours this season at Bendix Meadows, beginning on May 8 th and
ending on July 19th. Mary Jo Mankowski led the pack with 52.25 hours of monitoring while Mark Mankowski (32.0
hours) and Trice Berkley (16.75 hours) came in second and third, respectively. So which species were new to the
checklist in 2020? The Northern Bobwhite quail made itself known on June 19th while a Yellow-throated Vireo was
recorded on May 22nd. Unfortunately, sightings of the Upland Sandpiper continue to dwindle, with Trice Berkley
recording this species only one time on June 7th. The checklist total comprised of 101 species would not have been
possible if not for the remaining five birding volunteers. Clay Berkley, Chris Costello, and Sherry Manison each
recorded 7.5 hours of effort, while Wendy Jones and Rose Tinder-O’Brien contributed 7.25 and 1.75 hours, respectively.
Thanks again to the eight monitors whose braved the elements, not to mention the creepy ticks who are always on the
hunt for a warm meal. Your dedication and willingness to donate your time and birding skills continue to make this avian
project an amazing success.
PHOTO QUIZ! EVENING GROSBEAK
The winner of the December-January photo quiz was James (COCCOTHRAUSTES VERPERTINUS)
Lankford, who entered one of the four correct identifications of Susan Taylor
the bird in the December-January Audubon Leaves, an Evening This chunky, short-tailed finch is an acrobatic
forager that can hang upside-down to reach seeds.
Grosbeak. James was awarded a $20 gift card to the South Bend
The Evening Grosbeak has a conical bill designed
Farmer’s Market. Congratulations, James! Read about the for working seeds from pine, fir, and spruce cones.
Evening Grosbeak in the article to the right. Because it doesn’t switch to an insect diet during the
nesting season, as do most song birds, it has the
most vegetarian diet of any North American bird.
During migration to the conifer trees in Mexico, the
Evening Grosbeak flocks irregularly in winters and
often comes to window box or platform feeding
stations for sunflower seeds. In the spring, the male
will feed sunflower seeds to his lifelong mate. At
this time, his bill turns from yellow to light green
and the courtship begins.
Looking like a large goldfinch, the male is a dull
yellow with a dark head, yellow eyebrow stripes,
and black and white wings. The female is more
silver-gray with just enough yellow to be
recognizable.
The nest is a cup of twigs placed in a tree fork. The
© Donna Pomeroy two to five bluish-green eggs are incubated for 11-
14 days. The nestlings are altricial, but fledge
The February Audubon Leaves Photo Quiz is shown above. All quickly in about two weeks and they are ready to
correct answers will be entered in a drawing, and the winner will winter down in Mexico with their family.
receive a $20 gift card. Send responses along with your mailing
Primary resources used in this article include:
address to Leaves@sbeaudubon.org with PHOTO QUIZ in the 1. Forshaw, Joseph, Steve Howell, Terence Lindsey, and
subject line. You can also send a response in the mail to: Rich Stallcup. 2002. A Guide to Birding. Fog City Press,
San Francisco, CA.). p. 50.
2. Evening Grosbeak species account (htttp://
Lindsay and Scott Namestnik www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdBuide/
26568 SR 4 Evening_Grosbeak.html). Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
North Liberty, Indiana 46554 Retrieved 12/3/2020.
3. Stokes, Donald and Lillian. 1996. Stokes Field Guide to
Birds: Eastern Region. Little, Brown and Company,
Good luck! Boston, MA. p. 459.
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