It makes me feel a bit sad knowing that another season of Audubon is about to get under way. Why sad, it means that summer's end must not be far away. The seasons always seem to go too quickly, this one was no exception.

Over the summer I have been contacted by various agencies, individuals, groups, etc. asking if Audubon would be interested in getting involved in a given project. There are so many things our group could be involved with it makes ones head spin. How does one decide what we should help out with? We are already involved in the Chappee-Webber Learning Center, Harmony Hardwoods, Blue bird trail monitoring, field trips, monthly meetings with speakers, Hay Creek clean up, legislative monitoring, Christmas bird counts, Crane counts, the annual environmental awards banquet, members serving on other environmental committees, and I am sure there is more I have missed. What makes all these things happen? The members of Chappee Rapids Audubon. Our organization is only as good as its members. This leads me to the conclusion that we have got great members! Consider becoming part of us if you are not already.

So what else can we get involved with? I would like to see at least a couple of things added to the list in the next year, more involvement by the younger generation in our organization and help in getting the Carney Bog (fen) designated as a state scientific area. So what do you think? Are you willing to help make Chappee Rapids even greater?

It's that time of year again. Your Chappee Rapids Audubon membership needs to be renewed.Dues help fund educational efforts, environmental projects, the newsletter and operational expenses. Consider renewing at the Supporting or Contributing level.

Pay your dues to Treasurer Ruth Farrell at the September meeting. Alternatively, use the enclosed envelope to send in your check along with the renewal form on the back of this newsletter.

It is particularly important to include you e-mail address! This will allow you to receive notice of events that may not be in the newsletter. We will not send your address to any other organizations.

• Fred & Johanna Axelrod
• Don Estebo
• Gene Lata
• Mitch & Flossy Maurer
• M Ruth Melegari
• Kendal Mentink

Last fall's mushroom foray has sparked interest in reviving the Lake Noquebay trail. This trail, located between Marinette and Crivitz, was heavily used by skiers for many years and also had use as a hiking trail. The 4.5 mile trail, designed by Bob Brisson, has a variety of terrain ranging from high ridges to wooded swamps. Recently, the trail has become overgrown. Representatives from our group will meet with the Marinette County Parks and Forestry Committee in October concerning the revival of this trail .

On November 2nd. Paul and Laurie Lata (735-5961) and Joe Krawczyk and Mary Ellen Kozak (715)582-3606 will co-lead a trip to this area. Bob Brisson and Rich Richlen have also been involved in planning the outing. Depending upon the decision of the Parks committee, the trip could involve anything from an exploration and/or marking of the trail to possibly some trail clearing. More details at the October meeting and on the website. Call a trip leader in October for more information . The trip is on ! Meet in the UW-Marinette parking lot by the greenhouse at 8:20 or at the trailhead at 9:00. Looks like good weather. See you there.

This program given to area students during the last two weeks of September this year was presented to the members of the Chappee Rapids Audubon Society and the Menominee County Historical Society as well as the general public on Sunday, September 29, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. The program included four individual sessions covering "History of Great Lakes fur trade", "Native American culture and history", "History of logging development and use of logging tools" and "Natural history of the local area".

From Menominee, the site is located two tenths of a mile past the Chappee Rapids historical marker on River Drive. There was a good turnout to see how this beautiful piece of property is being used to teach the youth of the area about our local history and culture. Despite the Packer Game and uncertain weather (which stayed good) many people attended.

Members Jim and Hazel Hammett have invited members to come out to their property to walk with them along the creek, the pine plantation and seasonal wild flowers. The Hammetts have been caretakers of their property for over 35 years.

Every season has its special things to see. Come by yourself or get together with a group. Call the Hammetts at (715) 789-2475 or talk to them at the September meeting to make arrangements.

Just a quick note to let all know that the Chappee Webber Learning Center ( at the Chappee Rapids site) is still forging ahead with development thanks to all the support we have received. The gravel drive made delivery of the students MUCH more relaxed and safe for all concerned. Soon we will be erecting a great sign to help folks locate the site. The committee is currently working on funding for a restroom to make the programs there more enjoyable for everyone. This last item is a large project and we are seeking funds from local grant programs to help in this endeavor.

As we have for the last four years, the Chappee Webber committee will be holding the educational programs for area students the last two weeks in September ( weekdays). Some past helpers have already signed up to assist again but we need more! This is an enjoyable few hours with 9-11 year olds on a quiet Menominee River site with lots of history. If you can help out please contact Denise Taylor ( 906-863-7397) or Ruth Farrell (906- 863-3930).

The last Sunday of September we will have our open house. This is a chance for any interested persons to come and enjoy the program in a more relaxed time frame and learn about the Chappee Webber learning center. More info in the Calendar!

The International Sandhill Crane Count was held on Saturday, April 13.

Twenty five volunteers counted cranes at twelve sites in Marinette County from 5:30 until 7:30 A.M. The morning was clear, with a temperature of 44 degrees and a light east wind.

Volunteers included 16 students from Paul Matty's Environmental Science class at Crivitz High. A total of 73 Sandhill Cranes were counted.

This site about wild birds has "photos and natural history of 406 of the 600+ species found in the lower 48 states," classroom lesson plans for K-12, bird watching tips, a guide to photographing birds, and a glossary. There is also a listing of the state birds (most with photographs) for all 50 states. http://www.birdcentral.net

I'm Bill Rapai, president of Grosse Pointe Audubon and our group's rep to Michigan Audubon. I was at the MAS meeting on Saturday, and came away a bit troubled by some of what I heard about the proposed restructuring of the MAS board of directors.

As you know, MAS has been been working on a new strategic plan to guide the organization for the forseeable future. The strategic plan wants the MAS board to be streamlined and made considerably smaller. Under the new plan, each chapter would belong to one of six new regions, and each region would send ONE representative to the board. That rep would be elected at-large from all MAS members throughout the state. Individual chapters would no longer have a representative on the board.

I can understand the logic -- it means fewer people would have to travel to meetings all over the state every two months, and those people are more likely to show for the meetings. I'm a little less crazy about people from all over the state electing regional representatives. And it is completely unclear to me who will be nominating the candidates. Will they come from the MAS nominations committee, or will they come from within the regions?

But here's the major problem: It appears that Michigan Audubon may not have the regional structure set up by the time members are to stand for election in February. I do not believe that Michigan Audubon is intentionally doing this to disenfranchise the chapters. I do believe that Michigan Audubon's limited manpower is likely to let the establishment of the regional structure linger on the back burner.

As chapters, we cannot let that happen. We have already lost much of the say we have with the board and the executive committee. We must insist, as individual chapters, that MAS put the regional structure in place as soon as possible. Then it will be up to us as chapters and regions to make sure that we have good and dedicated people in place to stand for election.

Friends, if we fail to make our voices heard, we risk losing our voices on the MAS Board. We cannot let this issue linger. Make sure you let your MAS field rep that you want the regional system established as soon as possible, and that you have a meeting with the other clubs in your region before the election.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Best wishes and good birding,

Bill Rapai
Grosse Pointe Audubon

It's November 1st. there are many visitors to the feeders as I sip a hot cup of coffee on this crisp fall morning. Bluejays are by far the noisiest. There are two woodpecker varieties, as well as two nuthatch(rose breasted and white bellied). Also at the feeders are the usual chicadees, goldfinch as well as a house finch, morning doves and them damn squirrels!

Strutting out of the woods come about 30 turkey to see what they can munch. They do me the favor of scaring away them damn squirrels.

Deer are milling around chewing on whatever greenery is left in the yard. The crows are up to their usual antics sitting atop of the highest trees they can.

Check back in December for another edition of What's At The Feeders

• The smallest fish is the dwarf midget goby. It measures only 0.3 inches. That's thinner than your pinky fingernail!
• One of the most vicious insects is the fire ant of South America - a small red ant whose sting burns like a red hot pin pushed into the skin. It is known that these insects have forced whole villages to abandon their dwellings.
• Ticks, remote relatives of the spider, smell with their front legs
• The sociable weaver bird of South Africa build their nests of sticks and straw and contain as many as 96 individual nests. It is the product of a community flock of from 75 to 100 pairs. These nests are sometimes "house size", measuring 25 feet long, 15 feet wide and 10 feet high.
• The most brilliant luminescence known is that of the carbuncle beetles of Puerto Rico. They emit a light so brilliant that one or two inside an inverted tumbler illuminate a room of moderate size so that one could read a newspaper at night.

I had a rough day today! I sat on the beach south of Escanaba listening to the waves roll in to shore and the southerly breezes flow past my face. The sun, the water, the sand all warm with summer. Overhead was the shade of northern red oak, its branches full with a ripening crop of perfect green acorns. Surrounding me a dune covered in beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata...a lot of name!), interspersed with the best the dune community has to offer...beach peas, sea rocket, evening primrose, monkey flower as well as a host of wayfaring plants that have hitched a ride to new land in which to spread their roots. Much of the traveling vegetation will fail as the Autumn storms pummel the shores but a few will survive and show us the tenacity that it takes for life on this earth to persist. I was so lost in this idyllic scene of summer that I nearly forgot my humanly obligations, namely writing this small composition!

Wild turkeys have higher broods later this season also, should watch to see how these young birds survive the winter. Sandhill cranes continue to hold their own very well in our area. Many cranes apparently are taking up the status of living yard ornaments throughout the counties providing great viewing of even the youngest family members.

Canada geese are starting to stage in pastures and fields. Sharp-shin hawks are moving through the woodlands at present. Night hawks started moving late- August 15th and are still in the area at about 50% of last year's numbers. One unusual sighting for me occurred on August 16th, late afternoon. As I pulled into the yard I thought I was seeing a fledgling flight of barn swallows, but soon I noted at least 400 birds swooping and dashing at 40-300 feet above ground. Most all of these birds turned out to be purple martins with about 10% being other swallow species. Under the canopy of martins, flying at 5-20 feet were equally impressive "flocks" of giant darners! Unfortunately I was not able to discern what the small flying insect was that brought about all this activity, but what a sight!

Ample moisture has kept the vegetation quite happy this year. The only downside being an abundance of mildews and blights on some of the lush growth but hey, they gotta live too. Goldenrods are coming on about 10 days late as had been the case with most flowerings, but they are large and very richly colored. Sunflowers of all types are blooming well at present and will hold up till the asters come in and that should be spectacular this year! Turtlehead ( Chelone obliqua) is very dense in many wet areas at present. Gentians are not blooming yet in mid-Menominee...definitely for September this year. Grapes and other wild food crops are abundant, enjoy them or expect some wild visitors.

Late summer is very much upon us as the days grow shorter, the evenings are filled with mist and mornings wet with dew. Now is the time of year that I like to really look at the trees that live around me Their season's work is coming to an end and unlike me they usually have much more to show for it. As I look at each of their branches it is easy to discern the new growth on each limb. Many trees in our area put on 12-30 inches of new shoots this year alone! These twigs, stems and leaves are a spacial record of the events of the season. The leaves are temporary workhouses soon to be retired in a riot of color. The stems will harden and hold next year's buds into positions best suited for light gathering, wind resistance, and structural spaciale, all the while showing the effects of storms, insects, animal and mechanical pruning. We expect our trees to take all this and live and look good for the next hundred years or more. I am so thankful they always exceed my expectations!