by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Birding or bird watching? Richard Candler, co-author of “Birding Sewanee,” parsed the distinction for Sewanee Civic Association members and guests with a crash course in Birding 101 at the Nov. 4 dinner meeting. A brief business meeting followed. President Kiki Beavers updated the community on the Welcome Center, the Community Chest fund drive, and other SCA projects.

“Bird watching is passive, while birding is more active, almost a sport,” Candler insisted. Birders learn to identify bird species by their call and appearance and keep location specific lists. Candler shared a story about the wonder and awe of his personal “spark bird” moment, what made him a birder. He had asked his companions the name of a bird he observed, and learning the humble name, Common Yellow Bird, he found himself reflecting, “If there is something so beautiful and I’ve never seen it before, what else is out there.”

Birders typically find each other. Candler and Angus Pritchard began birding together, and as their list of area birds grew, the two birders decided to write a book. “Birding Sewanee: A Guide to Birding in the South Cumberland Region” lists over 250 species.

Where to go birding? Candler recommended starting with your own yard. Cultivating native plant species, a bird feeder, and bird bath can help make your home a destination. Kentucky Warblers love water. Gold Finches love anything with seeds.

On campus, the Stirling’s Coffee House bird feeders, bird baths, and bushy habitat in back make the location a popular stopping off place for birds and birders. Morgan’s Steep and other Sewanee bluffs attract birds because birds typically travel at night, Candler explained, and the first light hitting the bluffs signals food — “They want breakfast.” At the University Farm the open habitat draws grassland species such as Meadow Larks and King Birds. In the valley, the open farmland appeals to grassland species and the farm ponds and big lakes, such as Woods Reservoir, pull in migrating Egrets, Herons, and Ibises eager for a place to stop.

What is the most surprising bird Candler has seen locally? “Hurricanes get birders excited,” Candler said. The storms push birds inland. He once saw a City Tern, a tropical ocean bird, on Woods Reservoir.

“Birding Sewanee” is available at the University Bookstore. The proceeds from the sale are donated to an Office of Sustainability fund for purchase of an anti-strike window covering at McClurg Dining Hall to prevent birds from crashing into the windows and being killed.

Beavers’ project update rated the Nonfood Supply Drive “a great success. Almost every item on the Amazon Wish List was ordered.” Co-hosted with the CAC, the drive collects and distributes household necessities that cannot be purchase dwith SNAP benefits.

The Community Chest fund drive has reached 15 percent of its goal, $123,456, earmarked to fund 19 grant recipients. The community enriching programs the project benefits include aid for animal shelters, scholarships, Sewanee Elementary School books and enrichment programs, and services for the elderly. Donate by visiting PayPal Giving or mailing a check to PO Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. University employees can contribute with a payroll deduction.

Beavers predicted the Welcome Center refurbishing will be completed in December. Unanticipated costs have resulted from a back wall being rotten, the need to relocate the electric service, and the need for a larger sewer line, cost $11,200. Beavers hopes to receive a grant to offset the expense. Volunteers are needed to staff the facility when it opens in April.

Nominations for the 42nd annual Community Service Award are due March 14 with the awards ceremony scheduled for May 5. SCA board nominations are due March 10. The SCA board needs a secretary. Send all communications to <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.