Annual Butterfly Day

August 21 2021

Annual Butterfly Day at Hartman Arboretum

The Annual Butterfly Day is August 21, 2021 at Hartman Arboretum, rain or shine.  This is a great event for children! Learn about caterpillars, chrysalises, and butterflies as well as their host and nectar plants!  Master Gardeners from SWIMGA will be available to teach the life cycle of the butterfly.

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As always, this educational event is FREE and FREE parking. Hartman Arboretum is located northwest of Evansville at 5939 Spirit Trail. It is one half mile north of State Road 66 (Diamond Ave) at Hwy. 65 (Cynthiana Road) near the German Township Booster Club. For more information about this educational program, call Hartman Arboretum at 812-963-5418.  

Climate Leadership Summit

August 31 2021

Evansville Audubon Participates in Climate Leadership Summit

The Climate Leadership Summit, sponsored by Earth Charter Indiana, is scheduled to take place at the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN on August 31, 2021 from 9am-5pm CT.  The summit will bring together local leaders and experts from throughout the state to prepare our communities for climate adaptation and mitigation.  

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Participants will be engaged in a series of workshops and discussions designed to provide tools, solutions, and inspiration for community leaders to employ.  An important part of this year's summit is a Youth Climate Leadership Summit that will allow young people make connections and build effective projects to combat climate change.

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The Evansville Audubon Society received an invitation to join the Climate Leadership Summit and we will be sending representatives from our local chapter to participate in the workshops and discussions.

Indiana DNR Investigating Bird Mortality

2021

Bird Deaths Reported in Warrick, Gibson and Vanderburgh Counties

Photo: Brent Drinket/Indiana DNR

Indiana Counties reporting bird deaths (as of 7/17/2021)

Photo: Ginger Rood/ Kentucky Division of Fish & Wildlife Resouces

The Indiana DNR is investigating bird illness and deaths within the state. Bird mortality has been in the news for several weeks now with birds being affected in Washington, DC, and several states including, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and now in Indiana.  A total of 69 counties in Indiana have reported sick and dying birds, including Warrick, Gibson and Vanderburgh counties (see side bar).

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Most of the reports are coming from suburban yards and the bird species commonly affected are blue jays, grackles, brown-headed cowbirds, Northern cardinals, house finches, American robins, and starlings.  Birds are showing neurological symptoms such as tremors, stumbling, weakness, and lethargy.  Many birds also have swelling in the eyes with a crusty discharge.

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Indiana DNR is monitoring the course of the affliction and working with the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.  To date they have not determined a cause, but birds have tested negative for West Nile Virus and Avian Influenza, as well as other viruses (e.g. Newcastle disease virus), some bacterial pathogens (e.g. Salmonella), and Trichomonas parasites.

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The Indiana DNR has the following advice:

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1.  Cease feeding birds (including hummingbirds) until the mortality event has concluded.

2.  All feeders and bird baths should be carefully cleaned with 10% bleach and rinsed thoroughly.

3.  Avoid handling birds.  But if you do, use disposable gloves and put dead birds in a sealed plastic bag and place in normal trash.

4.  Keep pets and children away from sick birds as a precaution.

5.  Report sick/dying birds to Indiana DNR at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife

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For continuing updates:  on.IN.gov/songbirddeaths 

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Updated on 7/17/2021 

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Sycamore Land Trust
"Sponsor a Preserve" Program

2021

EAS Sponsors Eagle Slough Natural Area

The Sycamore Land Trust (SLT) initiated a "Sponsor a Preserve" program for 2021. This campaign is designed to recognize supporters, individuals or organizations, that are committed to advancing the important stewardship work of SLT.  Each year, and particularly this past year, many people visit SLT preserves.

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We are happy to announce to all our members that the Evansville Audubon Society (EAS) has sponsored one of the SLT preserves as part of their 2021 campaign: Eagle Slough Natural Area.  Eagle Slough is near and dear to our members who regularly visit and have volunteered to help maintain and preserve this important bird and wildlife habitat.

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To find out more about the SLT "Sponsor a Preserve" program and recognization of EAS sponsorship click here.  If you want to know more about this birding hotspot click here.   

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