CALENDAR

Plan Ahead for these events:

Christmas Bird Count:  The 26th Annual Northeast Christmas Bird Count will be held Monday, December 19, 2011. The Christmas Bird Count is a nationwide effort sponsored by the National Audubon Society to monitor bird populations throughout North America.

The Christmas Bird Count has collected a large amount of critical information on birds since it’s inception in December, 1900. In that year, only 27 people went out to 25 locations to count birds. This winter an estimated 60,000 people in the United States, Canada and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere will take part in the 112th Annual Christmas Bird Count.

The Northeast La Porte County count has been conducted every year since 1986. The count takes place regardless of the weather conditions and lasts the entire day. Everyone is invited to participate, whether you count birds coming to your feeders or go out individually or with a group. Inexperienced birders will be paired with experienced birders and this is a great way to enjoy the winter weather while learning more about birds.

For more information go to the National Audubon website or contact our local coordinator, Dennis Richardson at hawkridg@csinet.net.

The Potawatomi Audubon Chapter lost one of its founding fathers this summer.  Lee M. Parsons, 93, of LaPorte, Indiana, died at 1:10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2005 at LaPorte Hospital.  On May 2, 1943, he married Celia C. Wakeman, who survives.  

 Lee had been affiliated with Audubon for 75 years.  He was one of the charter members responsible for establishing the Potawatomi Chapter of the National Audubon Society in LaPorte County in 1983.  Lee was recognized throughout Indiana as one of the most knowledgeable birders in the state.  He and Celia were recipients of the National Audubon Society’s prestigious Dutcher Award in 1997.  He and Celia were also recognized with the Earl Brooks Award in 1992 by the Indiana Audubon Society for contributions to conservation efforts in the state of Indiana.  
 
Lee and Celia operated a grain farm in southern LaPorte County.  He was active in many local organizations.  He was a staunch supporter of the Potawatomi Chapter, having served in all capacities.  He and Celia have contributed many hours over the years to preserve and enhance the natural environment of LaPorte County and promote the Audubon ideals.  Their commitment to the natural world personified the heart and soul of the Audubon cause.   

Our sympathies are with Celia and all of Lee’s family.  He will be sorely missed by all of us associated with the Potawatomi Audubon Chapter.   

Please share sightings with us.  With your permission, we will post some of these pictures on this website.

SIGHTINGS:

Glen Richardson, a member of our local group took this photo of an immature Cooper’s Hawk.  It was taken on December 11, 2004 in the Fairfield Subdivsion which is within the city limits of LaPorte.  Thank you Glen.

Picture taken on Feb. 26 at 2:30 pm using an Olympus digital camera.  Location:  Along the Yellow River just west of Hwy 39 at the Yellow River bridge in Starke Co.   Picture taken by Marie Mareska from southern LaPorte County accompanied by her sister, Donna Shidler, from Indianapolis."

See the Projects Page for updates on bluebird trails, the bird count and the butterfly count.