When answering queries sent through the Columbus Audubon Web site, please keep in mind the following:

  • We are here to serve the public, especially Audubon members.
  • Audubon’s mission is conserving and enjoying birds. We’re not about politics, culture, world view, or religion. We take sides only on issues that affect the welfare of birds. Those who love and care for birds are part of our family.
  • Audubon is inclusive. We work with anyone who cares about birds and their welfare without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, national or ethnic origin, politics, or veteran status, or economic status.

Some practical tips:

  • We don’t have all the answers. It’s OK to say that we don’t know — but we can find out.
  • We answer queries about Audubon itself, about birds, and about bird conservation. It’s OK to say that we can’t help with other topics.
  • We’re all volunteers here. We try answer queries promptly and to the best of our ability, but sometimes we take a little while and we can’t undertake extensive research projects.

Bird Identification

Bird identification question range from simple to mystifying. A few notes:

  • Always be kind and engaging, even if the query seems simple or misguided. We were all novices once!
  • If the person submitting a query suggests a highly improbable ID, be diplomatic but suggest the unlikelihood of the proposal.
  • Feel free to ask for more information when needed.
  • It’s OK to say that we simply don’t know based on the information that we have.

When stumped or to check on a possible ID, consider contacting one of the following people:

Bill Heck ([email protected])

Bird illnesses, e.g., conjunctivitis in House Finches or possible West Nile in corvids

CA does not track illnesses in bird populations. However, other organizations might do so. For example, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology tracks conjunctivitis through Project Feederwatch: see https://feederwatch.org/learn/house-finch-eye-disease/

Injured bird or other wildlife

CA is unable to assist directly with injured birds.

We recommend contacting the Ohio Wildlife Center at 614-793-WILD (9453) or visit their Wildlife Emergency web page at http://www.ohiowildlifecenter.org/wildlife-emergency/

Bird behavior

We generally do not track specific bird behaviors, but occasionally will note unusual behaviors in the newsletter, on the Web site, or on our Facebook page: this depends on whether the behavior is a “good story.”

Audubon Membership Issues

Audubon membership can be confusing because there are three different organizations involved: the National Audubon Society, Columbus Audubon, and the Grange Insurance Audubon Center.

  • The National Audubon Society works at the national and regional levels and publishes Audubon magazine.
  • Columbus Audubon (CA) is the central Ohio Audubon chapter. We offer monthly programs September – April, run field trips throughout the year, and engage in a variety of bird conservation activities.
  • The Grange Insurance Audubon Center (GIAC) is the nature center at 505 W Whittier St (just south of downtown). The Center provides nature education to primary grade schoolkids in Columbus and offers a variety of visitor facilities. The building can be rented for functions such as weddings and business meetings. Columbus Audubon programs are held at the Center and CA cooperates with the GIAC on various joint events.

Most membership questions can be safely referred to our Membership Chair at [email protected].

Audubon Center Facility Rentals (Weddings, Meetings, etc.)

Refer queries about renting the “Audubon Center” to the Robert “RC” Worrell at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center at [email protected] .

Columbus Audubon Web Site

Refer questions or complaints about the Columbus Audubon Web site to Bill Heck at [email protected] .

Unsolicited service offers

Columbus Audubon occasionally receives unsolicited offers to provide services such as graphics design, web site development or improvement, marketing/communications, etc., i.e., sales or marketing pitches. We simply ignore these.

Note that we very occasionally receive offers from individuals who wish to volunteer similar services. We do respond to these. Forward them to Maura Rawn, our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].

Volunteers

When someone offers to volunteer to help Columbus Audubon:

  • Reply to the volunteer, thanking them for their interest and assuring them that someone will get back to them shortly with more information.
  • Forward the volunteer offer to Maura Rawn, our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].

Helpful email addresses:

Membership:  [email protected]
President:  [email protected]
Treasurer:  [email protected]
Technical (Web-related or other): [email protected]

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