A Greater YeUowlegs is a welcome addition to avid birders ' lifelists. 



Rich Inlet shoals provide a stopping-off place for thousands of migratory birds. 



pets to stormy high tides. 



At low tide, the shoals off the small 

 estuarine islands provide an abundant food 

 source for resident and migrating birds. 

 "These intertidal shoals are essential to shore 

 birds who gather to feed and rest for the next 

 big leg of their journey," Golder says. 



Shorebirds must store a gram of fat a 

 day to complete their long migration. 



The nearby islands and surrounding 

 marsh provide habitat for both resident and 

 migrating birds. 



Golder and a team of wardens stationed 

 at the coastal sanctuaries conduct year-round 

 field work. He also is working with graduate 

 students to survey the Lea-Hutaff Island 

 complex, south of Figure Eight Island. "We 

 are establishing baseline data that will enable 

 us to monitor nesting success of birds there," 

 he explains. 



Volunteers and chapter members 

 provide "extra hands" for many projects. A 

 group of volunteers from General Electric- 

 Wilmington are helping restore habitat on a 



protected island near the Cape Fear River. The 

 idea is to provide a succession of habitats — 

 from flat sandy areas to thickets and tall trees. 



Members of the Cape Fear Garden Club 

 are long-time supporters of Audubon's 

 Battery Island. Over the past three years, they 

 have purchased and planted an acre with 

 yaupon and red cedar trees. The trees provide 

 ibis, heron and egret habitat. 



Community volunteers also pitch in 

 during annual Big Sweep to help clean up 

 debris that comes ashore at island sanctuaries. 

 Trash, such as discarded fishing line, can 

 mean certain death for birds, Golder notes. 



Science Still 

 Matters 



"It's important to use good science to 

 show why it's critical to preserve habitat — 

 from intertidal shoals to mountain streams," 

 says Canfield, who assumed the state 



leadership role in 2000. 



In 1997, Camilla Herlevich, executive 

 director of the Coastal Land Trust, was hired as 

 the director of the newly reorganized Audubon 

 North Carolina. She and the state board of 

 directors set a full agenda and conducted a 

 national search for a permanent executive 

 director. Priorities include research, education, 

 public policy work, and chapter support. 



"I think that Audubon has several traits 

 that distinguish it from other environmental 

 and conservation organizations. It is rigorously 

 science based. Its policy expertise is based on 

 sound science and hands-on experience as the 

 owner of a stellar system of sanctuaries for 

 birds and other wildlife," Herlevich says. 



And, it is focused on environmental 

 education. "The education focus points to 

 Audubon's future strength," she says. 



For Audubon, there is no one-size-fits-all 

 approach to education. Part of its strategic plan 

 is to establish a network of community-based 

 Audubon Centers, says Andy Wood, education 

 director. The centers would provide hands-on 



10 SPRING 2003 



