Saturday, February 20, 2016

South Brevard CBC Final Results for 2015

The following is the final tally for the 2015 South Brevard Christmas Bird Count. Our final accepted species number is 149. Thanks again to all the folks who helped out with it.

Dee


Black-bellied Whistling-Duck    52
(Graylag) Domestic Goose    10
Muscovy Duck    20
Wood Duck    1
American Wigeon    2
Mallard    9
Mallard X Mottled Duck    37
Mottled Duck    129
Northern Shoveler    5
Green-winged Teal    1
Ring-necked Duck    1
Lesser Scaup    503
Black Scoter    25
Hooded Merganser    9
Red-breasted Merganser    33
Duck species    2
Common Peafowl    1
Northern Bobwhite    6
Wild Turkey    26
Common Loon    4
Pied-billed Grebe    32
Horned Grebe    36
Wood Stork    30
Magnificent Frigatebird    3
Northern Gannet    85
Double-crested Cormorant    782
Anhinga    102
American White Pelican    217
Brown Pelican    830
American Bittern    1
Least Bittern    2
Great Blue Heron    105
Great Egret    148
Snowy Egret    60
Little Blue Heron    115
Tricolored Heron    29
Cattle Egret    404
Green Heron    15
Black-crowned Night Heron    31
Yellow-crowned Night Heron    1
White Ibis    671
Glossy Ibis    1
Roseate Spoonbill    3
Black Vulture    588
Turkey Vulture    288
Osprey    185
Northern Harrier    8
Sharp-shinned Hawk    4
Cooper's Hawk    1
Bald Eagle    21
Red-shouldered Hawk    59
Red-tailed Hawk    5
King Rail    1
Clapper Rail    1
Sora    2
Common Gallinule    25
American Coot    8
Limpkin    9
Sandhill Crane    124
American Oystercatcher    4
Black-bellied Plover    9
Killdeer    203
Spotted Sandpiper    4
Greater Yellowlegs    6
Willet    84
Ruddy Turnstone    105
Sanderling    180
Dunlin    2
Long-billed Dowitcher    10
Wilson's Snipe    21
American Woodcock    2
Laughing Gull    299
Ring-Billed Gull    205
Herring Gull    39
Lesser Black-backed Gull    11
Great Black-backed Gull    9
Caspian Tern    10
Forster's Tern    77
Royal Tern    110
Sandwich Tern    1
Black Skimmer    172
Rock Pigeon    90
Eurasian Collared Dove    42
Common Ground Dove    37
White-winged Dove    25
Mourning Dove    438
Barn Owl    1
Eastern Screech Owl    12
Great Horned Owl    4
Barred Owl    6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird    2
Hummingbird species    1
Belted Kingfisher    50
Red-bellied Woodpecker    139
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker    12
Downy Woodpecker    20
Hairy Woodpecker    2
Red-cockaded Woodpecker    11
Northern Flicker    5
Pileated Woodpecker    21
Crested Caracara    7
American Kestrel    89
Merlin    2
Eastern Phoebe    95
Great Crested Flycatcher    1
Loggerhead Shrike    28
White-eyed Vireo    20
Blue-headed Vireo    11
Blue Jay    137
Florida Scrub-Jay    23
Fish Crow    128
Tree Swallow    13517
Tufted Titmouse    1
Brown-headed Nuthatch    17
House Wren    36
Sedge Wren    8
Carolina Wren    75
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher    50
Ruby-crowned Kinglet    5
Eastern Bluebird    2
Hermit Thrush    1
American Robin    6796
Gray Catbird    201
Northern Mockingbird    130
European Starling    145
Cedar Waxwing    99
Black-and-white Warbler    7
Orange-crowned Warbler    3
Common Yellowthroat    39
Palm Warbler    211
Pine Warbler    371
Yellow-rumped Warbler    1031
Yellow-throated Warbler    6
Prairie Warbler    10
Eastern Towhee    30
Bachman's Sparrow    16
Chipping Sparrow    17
Vesper Sparrow    5
Savannah Sparrow    39
Grasshopper Sparrow    6
Swamp Sparrow    6
Northern Cardinal    106
Painted Bunting    15
Red-winged Blackbird    77
Eastern Meadowlark    31
Common Grackle    963
Boat-tailed Grackle    250
Brown-headed Cowbird    1
American Goldfinch    135
House Sparrow    15
Mute Swan    2



Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Upcoming Events

Unless otherwise noted, all general meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Calvin Hall at the Rockledge Presbyterian Church, 921 Rockledge Drive, Rockledge, FL. For additional information, send an e-mail message to Dee Fairbanks Simpson at DeeFairbanks@yahoo.com.


IMPORTANT: Due to the West Nile virus threat, be sure to bring mosquito repellent along on all field trips.


All field trips are open to the public and are free unless there is an admittance fee to the park. They are generally geared towards the beginner and intermediate birder, but all levels are welcomed. Binoculars are essential; insect repellent is a great idea to bring, note book and field guides may be helpful. Always dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Bring snack and fluids as needed. When ever possible, we try to carpool to the birding sites, so come prepared to drive or to easily transfer to another vehicle. For more info on our events follow Space Coast Audubon on Meetup.com.


Note: Some of our upcoming field trips are going to be on shorter notice and will be announced via our list serv.  If you do not already receive these emails and wish to subscribe to them, simply sign up, there is no cost.  You may go to our website under “contact us” and find the link at the bottom of the page

Monday, February 15, 2016

Take Action: Urge Brevard County Commissioners to Reconsider a Destructive New Landfill in the St. Johns River Floodplain

Reprinted from the Audubon Advocate

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Image courtesy Orlando Sentinel. 
This photo, provided courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel, shows why Brevard County’s quarter-century old proposal to build a landfill in wetlands on the St. Johns River Floodplain is a bad idea. Hundreds of acres of wetlands, including the cypress tree where the Bald Eagle is perched, would be destroyed. In addition to destroying important wildlife habitat for Bald Eagles and Threatened Species like Crested Caracara, Wood Storks and many other wading birds that use the site, placing a landfill there is harmful to water storage and water quality in the entire St. Johns River ecosystem.
The 3,000-acre landfill project, still being pursued in the environmental permit process by county staff, is located on property the County condemned from the Deseret Ranch back in 1991, just west of the St. Johns River, and just north of U.S. 192. Deseret Ranch proposes to retain the eastern part of its property surrounding the site in conservation and cattle ranching.
None of the current Brevard County Commissioners were in office when the landfill in the St. Johns River wetlands was first proposed. Advancements in solid waste disposal and opportunities for more recycling over the last 25 years have already extended the life of Brevard’s existing landfills, and suggest that today’s Brevard County leaders should take another look at alternatives before their staff launches into a long and expensive fight to gain approval of an antiquated plan from state and federal environmental agencies. While the state Department of Environmental Protection has indicated the intent to approve a permit, Deseret Ranch and others may challenge that permit – and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, backed by federal agencies has already signaled serious concerns about the County’s 1991 era proposal.
There is plenty of time for Brevard County to consider and implement alternatives at other sites to avoid a massive landfill in the St. Johns River wetlands. Current Brevard landfill capacity for construction debris and other non-garbage wastes will last until at least 2023. Brevard’s existing Class 1 Landfill which receives household garbage has 20 – 30 years of additional capacity.
Ask Commissioners to get personally involved rather than leaving things to their staff, and to demand consideration of other solid waste management alternatives and sites to avoid placing a landfill in floodplain wetland areas important for water storage and water quality. Suggest that Commissioners consider regional partnerships and collaborative efforts - perhaps with other counties – to implement state of the art solutions. Click the red button below to send an email using our easy form.
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For additional coverage on this issue, please see the following links:

Watch a Mesmerizing Migration Map

Reprinted from the Cornell Lab eNews
Migration Map for 118 Species
Click on the map to start the animation showing 118 bird species migrating. Map by Frank La Sorte, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Watch the wonder and spectacle of bird migration captured on a single map. Using millions of bird observations from participants in eBird and the Great Backyard Bird Count, scientists at the Cornell Lab generated an animated map showing the annual journeys of 118 bird species. Watch how the routes change in spring and fall as birds ride seasonal winds to their international destinations. See the map in motion and read more.

Audubon Advocate Updates

Reprinted from the Audubon Advocate

Senate Refuses to Take a Vote on Bonds for Land Conservation

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Audubon's Eric Draper addresses the media
on Sen. Altman's Florida Forever amendment. 
The Florida Senate passed a budget SB 2500 with $52 million for land conservation but refused to take a vote on an amendment offered by Senator Thad Altman (R-Cape Canaveral) to authorize $220 million in bonds for land conservation through the existing Florida Forever program. Altman had lined up a bipartisan coalition to support the amendment but did not have the necessary votes to waive the rules. Thank you to the more than 1000 people who responded to Audubon Florida’s request to contact Senators.  
Audubon's Eric Draper joined Senator Altman in a press conference before the vote and noted that with Florida’s economic and population growth it is time to invest in saving natural Florida.

Senate Committee Adds Springs to Everglades Funding Bill

SB 1168 now locks in for ten years 25% of Amendment 1 funds for Everglades restoration and 7.6% for springs protection. The bill advanced in the Senate Environment Preservation and Conservation Committeeon Wednesday. The bill now puts significant resources into both South Florida’s biggest water-related concerns and North Florida’s biggest concerns. While House and Senate offer different amounts of money for Everglades and springs, the bill sets a floor for that spending.  
The House passed its version of the bill through the Appropriations Committee this week. The House bill does not have a springs provision.

Local Government Environmental Financing

HB 447 passed its second of three committees this week, moving it one step closer to passage. This good legislation will provide a much-needed $25M annual commitment for 10 years that will fund land acquisition and water quality improvements in the Keys. SB 770 by Senator Wilton Simpson (R-New Port Richey) has two committees remaining. Audubon thanks Representative Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) and Senator Simpson for their efforts to protect the Florida Keys.

State Park Fee Discounts for Senior Citizens

Pelicans, Storks, and Herons
HB 677 by Representative Cynthia Stafford (D- Opa Locka) passed its last committee in the House this week. The bill has been amended to provide for a one year, 25% discount for state park annual passes for senior citizens. The fiscal impact is estimated to be $200,000 and the bill provides an appropriation for this amount to protect the state parks budget and cover the cost of the discount. The companion measure, SB 1000 by Senator Geraldine Thompson has not received a hearing.  However, SB 570by Senator Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) is a broader bill that provides a one year fee holiday for most state parks. It contains a $27.3M appropriation, which would protect the state parks budget as well. We anticipate that the House and Senate may reach a compromise on this issue, but both chambers have worked to ensure that any fee holiday or reduction will not end up harming parks. Audubon thanks the bill sponsors as well as House and Senate leaders for their thoughtful consideration of this issue.

State Lands

SB 1290 by Senator Wilton Simpson (R-New Port Richey) passed its first committee this week. Senator Darren Soto (D-Kissimmee) filed an amendment to preserve the existing definition of “water resource development project” for Florida Forever purposes, which sparked a good discussion regarding this issue. We appreciate his efforts to clarify this issue and help protect against a negative policy shift. Senator Simpson reiterated his commitment to work with the stakeholders on this legislation. We have provided several comments and suggestions for changes to both sponsors and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  While Audubon does have several significant concerns with the legislation, our initial meetings have been productive and encouraging.  The companion, HB 1075 by Representative Matt Caldwell (R-Lehigh Acres), is in its last committee, State Affairs.

DEP Reorganization

Wakulla Springs State Park
HB 561 by Representative Neil Combee (R-Auburndale) passed its last committee this week. This bill previously gave the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary broad authority to create and abolish Divisions of the agency and removed the mandate to have a Division of Recreation and Parks. The bill has been amended with language supported by Audubon Florida that restores the Division of Recreation and Parks and other important Divisions, while still giving the Secretary authority to create other Divisions as needed. We appreciate Representative Combee and DEP’s willingness to work out a viable solution for this legislation. SB 400 by Senator Alan Hays (R-Umatilla) is in its last committee, Appropriations.

ELC's 20th Annual EcoFest: Unplug, Explore, Discover

By Nance Hatch, Environmental Learning Center Director of Marketing Communications

“Unplug, Explore, Discover” is the order of the day for the Environmental Learning Center’s 20th annual EcoFest, coming up on Sunday, March 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. This free admission family event features hands-on exhibits, crafts and other activities that emphasize the recreational and therapeutic benefits of nature.

Wildlife will be on display and music once again offered by the River Rats. Weather permitting, canoeing and paddle boarding will be available for those 6-years-old and up. You can attend a workshop or two about outdoor photography, container gardening and nature journaling, and watch local artists do their plein air painting.  Or just unplug for the day and enjoy the surroundings.
New to EcoFest this year is a chalk art contest titled “A Healthy Lagoon: Let’s Chalk about it.” Winners in a variety of age groups will be announced at 3:30 pm on the main stage.
The Vero Beach Power Squadron will provide and prepare the hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers, donating all proceeds to the ELC for the 8th year in a row. Popcorn, desserts and hot and cold beverages will also be available for purchase at family-friendly prices.
All projects from the ELC’s “Making a Difference in MY World” elementary school contest will be on display in the Lagoon Room. Winners of the kindergarten through second grade categories will be announced at 12 noon and winners in the third through fifth grade categories at 2:30 p.m., both on the main stage. ELC volunteers Patty and Walter Garrard once again oversee the contest.
The Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association is this year’s Premier Sponsor. Says spokesman Barry Balavender, “This is a great opportunity for our association to give back to the children in our community, to show our commitment to being environmental stewards and to continue and strengthen our relationship with the Environmental Learning Center.” Other sponsors include the Press Journal/TCPalm and the Vero Beach Newsweekly, Publix, and the Association of American University Women, Vero Beach Branch.

Co-chairs Linda Clerch and Maureen Kane are aided by a volunteer committee made up of Liz Fox, Jan Garrison, Liz and Alan Northcott, Paige Visser, Janet Kerney, Ginger Heller, Carol Edwards and Jean Taber. Additionally, special thanks go to the Sebastian River High's Navy JROTC members and some 180 volunteers who will make it all happen on March 6.
Look for signs marking the free parking location at the southeast intersection of US 1 and CR510. Complimentary shuttle buses will run continuously from there to the ELC from 10:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.

The complete day’s schedule can be found online at www.discoverelc.org or call (772) 589-5050 ext. 114.

The Environmental Learning Center is located north of Vero Beach off County Road 510 at the end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre island campus includes winding boardwalk trails, exhibit areas, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, a gift shop and visitor center. ELC membership benefits and a list of its many land and water excursions, can be found at www.discoverelc.org.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

February 27, 2016 MINWR/Black Pt Dr



WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society

WHERE:  Merritt Island NWR/Black Point Dr

WHEN:  Saturday February 27, 2016


Space Coast Audubon member Marilyn Taylor will be leading a field trip to Black Point Dr at Merritt Island NWR on Saturday February 27, 2016.  Meet at 8 am at Sand Point Pk, 101 N. Washington Ave, Titusville.  Sand Point Park has restrooms, and is on the NE corner of Garden St/Washington Ave (US 1) before you cross the bridge, on the left, heading out to the refuge.  Finish time: 11:00 am, back at Sand Point Park.  For those interested, bagels and coffee will be served at our host's condo across the street.  You can bring a packed lunch if you prefer.  We need a head count, so an RSVP is needed.  Please contact Marilyn at operacrazed39@gmail.com to let her know if you plan on attending. 
 

Jim Eager
Space Coast Audubon Society
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Febraury 20, 2016 Palm Wetlands Field Trip



Who:  Space Coast Audubon Society

When:  Saturday February 20, 2016

Where:  Palm Beach Wetlands Field Trip

Space Coast Audubon Vice President, Jim Eager, will be leading a Space Coast Audubon field trip to the Palm Beach Wetlands of Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Green Cay Nature Center in Delray Beach/Boynton Beach on Saturday February 20, 2016.  We will meet and leave at 5:30 am sharp from the Cracker Barrel, I-95 & Wickham Rd.  From there we will carpool to Wakodahatchee Wetlands and then to Green Cay Nature Center.  I would suggest bringing lunch, drinks, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray (optional).  Wear appropriate clothes based on the weather and wear comfortable footwear as we will be walking on elevated wooden boardwalks.  In addition to those carpooling it is customary to provide gas money to help offset the driver's expenses.  Please email me at beachbirder@bellsouth.net, or call and leave a message at 423-593-0059 if you will be going so I can have a list of attendees.  If folks prefer to meet the group instead of carpooling at Wakodahatchee the address is 13026 Jog Rd, Delray Beach 33446.  Address for Green Cay is 12800 Hagen Ranch Rd, Boynton Beach 33437.

Look forward to a good turnout.

Jim Eager
Space Coast Audubon
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair

February 13, 2016 N Brevard Hotspots Field Trip



WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society

WHAT:  North Brevard Hotspots Field Trip

WHEN:  Saturday February 13, 2016


Space Coast Audubon member Doug Stuckey will be leading his famous North Brevard Hotspots field trip on Saturday February 13th.  Meet Doug at McDonald’s, 4305 W. Main St (SR 46) just east of I-95, in Mims.  If you want to eat breakfast come a little early as the trip will leave promptly at 7:00 am.  We will visit Hatbill Pk, Loughlin Landing, and Doug’s yard which is one of the highlights of the trip as well as other locations.  Doug’s yard has native plant species and regularly attracts Painted Bunting, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chipping Sparrows, White-winged Dove and many more species.  As always dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring drinks, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray (optional).  To RSVP Doug call 321-267-2576 or email at flabirds@yahoo.com.   
 

Jim Eager
Space Coast Audubon Society
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair

Monday, February 1, 2016

February 19, 2016 meeting



Join Space Coast Audubon Society for our February 19th Meeting

Big Year: Lake County vs Osceola County

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society (SCAS)

WHERE:  Rockledge Presbyterian Church, 921 Rockledge Dr, Rockledge, FL

WHEN:   February 19, 2016 at 7:30 pm

Gallus Quigley and Chris Newton will present Big Year:  Lake County vs Osceola County

Gallus Quigley is the planner/biologist/events coordinator and park ranger for the Lake County Parks and Trails Division.  He has been an avid birder for 25 years and is currently Cornell eBird regional coordinator for Lake & Sumter Counties and Florida Breeding Bird Atlas coordinator 2011-2016 Lake County.  He remains an avid birder since eighth grade and is third all-time in “Big Year” numbers for Florida with 359 bird species in 2008.  Gallus ended 2015 with 243 species + 1 non-countable species.

Chris first started birding in the late 80”s when his father and uncle took him on birding trips and he would tag along during Christmas Bird Counts.  The next 15 years Chris did some guiding in Michigan, New Hampshire, and Florida.   He worked, as an on-call field biologist, for an environmental firm and worked for 6 weeks in Nevada monitoring raptors nests.  In his spare time Chris loves wildlife photograph and his work can be found at Paper $ Roses in Peterborough, NH.  When Chris isn’t birding he works at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as an Animal Keeper.  He works with giraffes, zebras, lions and rhino’s on the Safari Nights Experience Team.  Chris has been with Disney for almost 11 years, working on the African Aviary Team, Night Team, and Savannah Team.  Chris ended 2015 with 236 + one Rufous/Allen’s type hummingbird.  
All of you have surely heard of “The Big Year” book by Mark Obmascik and the movie starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson & Jack Black.  Well Gallus and Chris had a friendly competition with dual Big Years in their respective counties.  I kept up with their exploits, almost daily species updates and friendly back and forth banter.  After seeing this program this might inspire some of you to try your hand at a Big Year.   Try it first in your yard then branch out to your local patch, county or state. 

Visit the Space Coast Audubon Society website at www.spacecoastaudubon.org and check out the Space Coast Audubon Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Space-Coast-Audubon

We look forward to another great turnout.

Jim Eager
Space Coast Audubon Society
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair