Costa Rica: Selva Verde and Villa Lapas by Matt Heyden

This trip will focus on the lower elevation rain forests, that I've been putting off doing. I've been dreading this trip for years after meeting a family on our last trip that was on their way back to Florida after doing the rain forest. In just ten minutes of showing us their bug bites and explaining how no bug spray would work, I just felt it would be a most uncomfortable trip. So, if I was going to be eaten alive, I wanted a bargain! Lora wants to go to birding lodges that have protected land, lots of land. She feels that if we don't reward the resorts that put land into conservation, there will be no incentive for private properties to do so. Makes sense to me.

We picked Selva Verde for a number of reasons. First of all they come to our Space Coast Birding and Wildlife festival, year after year. Second, they have put away more than 500 acres into conservation. Third, they offer a special at our festival called their "birding safari" for only $549 for 4 nights, all meals, lodging, bird guides and transportation!

I picked Villa Lapas because they too had put away 500 acres, but they also adjoined Carara Biological Reserve. Oh, but there‘s more. They spent a fortune building the Sky Walk, which is a hike through the tree tops using cable suspension bridges. Now, on to some details.

We flew on Jet Blue, non stop from Orlando to San Jose, and Selva Verde picked up us as soon as we cleared immigration. These folks know what they're doing, and wanted us to go birding at Tirimbini Biological Preserve at 3PM. I'm thinking, yeah, right. But by gosh, every transfer ran like clock work. Got a great guide, that focused on birding, but also the back ground of the preserve. This property was incorporating the use of cacao (think chocolate) in reforestation programs. The paths were all smooth concrete, with some cable suspension bridges thrown in. Immediately, we saw lots of birds such as: Orapendulas, motmots, tinamous, and 2 mussareri snakes. Further in, we picked up green kingfisher, rufous tailed humming bird, olive backed and yellow crested euphonias, and of course trogans, both slaty tailed and black throated. Many, many more, but you get the point. This is birder's heaven on earth.

It's June in the rain forest. It's the rainy season, and it's damp, hot, and full of birds. Missing are mosquitoes and biting insects. I'm in shock and ask about it. Willie explains that the wet season has no biting bugs. I'm just going to guess that there is so much rain, that the puddles are flushed clean every day.

Selva Verde had an older man in an ancient beat up car handle this transport for us. Sometimes I'm more comfortable using locals that I know need the money, and it's nice to climb out of an old car rather than a splashy resort vehicle advertising that well heeled tourists had arrived.

Returning to the lodge, we have time to get our bearings before dinner. All the rooms are upstairs in stilt homes. Incredible wood floors and doors. Giant porches that surround these houses on all sides. No a/c. This is a 3 leaf C.S.T. resort which I'll talk about a little later. Trust me, it's a big deal.

The resort has walkways throughout this incredible rain forest, but they're all covered so that you can walk pretty much everywhere when it rains, and trust me, it's going to rain! Wandering around, we find a beautiful tropical pool. It's full of young bikini clad birders from Sweden! Well, no. It was empty. I just knew the young birders were around somewhere, so I figured I'd keep looking! Anyhow, we enjoyed this beautiful pool, and soon it was full of folks from all over Europe. The shock was that these folks had come to this out of the way property to experience the rain forest, but weren't birders! We were the only ones in the place.

In central America, it gets dark very early, even in June. Luckily, the dinner hours don't start until after dark, so you get to use all the day light you have for birding. The building known as the dining room is two stories, and overlooks the Sarapiqui river. It can handle more than 100 folks. Upstairs is screened with meals served buffet style, downstairs is completely open air, and meals are served at your table. Down stairs we were never alone. The lights brought in many huge toads that would hop under all the tables, and numerous bats would be circling the lights stuffing themselves on the insects until they had to take a break. During daylight hours we had orange billed sparrows which are gorgeous, and buff rumped warblers hopping around under the tables.

Costa Rica is also known for small beautifully colored frogs. I was hoping to see some as we were at much lower elevations on this trip. Well, they're everywhere, visible even from the dining hall. Beautiful bright mint green and black ones, as well as the famous "blue jeans" frog which is bright red with navy blue legs, looking like it's wearing blue jeans.

Selva Verde has water coolers available in multiple places, and had back up bottles waiting if needed. They didn't say whether you could drink the tap water or not, so I had Lora try it. No, I didn't. We did travel with our own hiking water bottles which we were able to keep as full as we wanted. At these temperatures, you have to be proactive to avoid dehydration.

At 4:30 in the morning, I was awoken to realize that one of the European tourists was choking her husband, and I figured it was probably long overdue, anyhow! Then I remembered the Howler Monkeys.! I had been wondering why our room didn't have an alarm clock. Not needed, as you won't be sleeping even til dawn which comes around 5:30 am.

Breakfast would find us in the upstairs dining room sitting politely at a table with the other guests. Well, not exactly! Actually, they have these incredible cool benches that you can sit at eating your breakfast watching the water features, feeding platforms, and the river as well. Your feet basically hang over the edge on these wonderful polished wood surfaces. Yep, just as dangerous as it sounds. But birders are like that!

Like clock work, our next guide is waiting on us after breakfast, and I'm talking 6 am. Off we hike into their botanical gardens. Here we pick up white crowned parrot, crimson front parakeet, tropical king bird, ani, white collared swift, long tailed hermit, black cheeked wood pecker, tawny chested flycatcher, red throated ant tanager, and on, and on.

Heading back to the lodge for lunch, we walk back the covered walkways, and I spot a fasciated tiger heron. From our perch during lunch, we see spotted sandpipers, black phoebes, social fly catchers and more tiger herons.

Included in this safari is a boat trip up the Rio Viejo. Another transfer in an old beat up vehicle, and we are let off at a dock with all kinds of local folks lurking as if it was some kind of old musical, and someone had just yelled: "AND ACTION"! As we head into this crowd, I whisper to Lora: "just blending in", which is my joke because, there is no way that I will ever be able to blend in here, yet we are thinking about buying property here. I have been referred to as "blanco face". A little too tall, and a little too light.

A man with a bar of soap is taking a bath in this muddy river. Mothers are holding babies. Folks are sitting on parcels going somewhere. And in comes Blanco Face! I roll my eyes as it looks as if the Prince and Princess have just been dropped off. We are ushered to this narrow boat that seats 24. Of course we are the only folks on board. If you've seen the boats they use on the Amazon, that's what this is. It's narrow, and very fast, and fully covered. The river is boiling in fast flowing mud, trees that are coming down, and partially submerged trees sticking up out of the water. I'm thinking surely we won't really be going, when the captain introduces himself, and I smell that cocktail hour had already started!
As we cast off, and the current drags us quickly downstream, I look at the folks on the dock, all watching us. Yep, just blending in with the locals!

The lodge had given me a voucher to give the captain for $50. That's what he would be paid for this 2 hour boat trip. Gas is $6/ gallon. There were no other passengers. Some wages are very low. Wages in eco tourism appear generous. These are some of the dynamics of cst (certified sustainable tourism). More later about this.

As we head up through the boiling river, I'm amazed how rough he treats this boat as we are navigating through trees in the river. Here we pick up: kiskadee, buff rumped warblers, and of course, caimen. He knows some birds, but not all. However he hears a loud squawk, and runs the boat aground! He speaks almost no English, but orders us off the boat. (sure, get off a perfectly good boat in the middle of nowhere, hmm) We follow him up this steep, muddy, manure covered bank into some trees. Here we find green macaws nesting!

By the time we get back to his boat, we are covered in mud, and dragged mud all through his boat. He managed with some jockeying to get the boat unstuck. But this is an example of the effort that everyone went through on our behalf. Back at the dock, another driver was waiting with another old beat up vehicle. At no time did we have to wait for a driver.

That night, our waiter Jose asked us if we would rather take his car on our birding trip to the Carrillo National Park in the morning, or use the lodge's beautiful air conditioned van plastered with a gorgeous Selva Verde wrap. This caught me by surprise. He explained that by using his car, we could have more flexibility in our stops. I had an inkling that it would be a very old car with no a/c, no airbags, and who knew about insurance. Without thinking further, I told him we'd be happy to go with him in his own car. (well, what was I going to say?) I got to second guess the wisdom on this one throughout the night! One side said: "are you nuts?!!, and the other side said: "the best adventures are always just a little dangerous"!!"

The next morning, I snuck into the dining area at 5:30 to get coffee for us. It was always ready for us. Jose met us with a travel breakfast that the staff had prepared for us to have in the field. Off we went in his 27 year old Toyota Tercel. Our first stop was off the paved highway, up a mule path. I have a 4wd suv, and I would have given up. However, Jose had done this before. He made the car jump from high spot to high spot, and blasted through muddy areas. I finally explained very clearly that I didn't want to destroy his car. He explained that roads like these were where the birds were.

We came to rest in the middle of a heart of palm field. Heart of palm had been served to us at dinner, and was actually quite nice. In the middle of the fields are incredible almond trees that are flowering pink. Green macaws fly over, blue black grass quits are near the road, and in comes a smoky brown wood pecker, and a tawny crested tanager. Some of the many other birds included dusky faced tanager, violet headed humming bird, common bush tanager, green hermit humming bird, crowned wood nymph, blue and gold tanager, and ruddy tailed fly catcher.

While we are working the fields, agricultural workers arrive with sprayers mounted on their backs. Each one is carrying a 5 gallon unit weighing approximately 40 pounds, and riding a bike up this muddy, rocky path. And this brings me to exactly what it means to be a birding guide. These are good jobs. Jose was our waiter. He was the bartender. Now he's the birding guide, and has perfect English as well as Spanish. He also had to pay for his own optics. He also goes to school for conservation management. This is one very hard working young man. Another part of CST is employment of locals, rather than bringing in bird guides from other countries.

Arriving at the national park, we decided to enjoy our breakfast in the picnic area that overlooks the parking lot and main highway. Our table has a dedication tag on it. It reads that the tables were provided by L.L. Bean. Great idea. Now, imagine a national park with 10 parking spots, and no roads. You explore this on foot. The elevation is much higher, and the temps are cooler.

The climb is steep. We hiked through a mixed flock and saw black headed nightingale thrush, russet ant shrike, silver throated tanager, violet sabrewing, striped breasted wren, and black faced grosbeak.
This was a long and strenuous hike, but allowed us to also see lattice tailed trogan, variable seed eaters, passerinii tanagers, and violaceous trogan.

Heading back, Jose had a favorite spot he liked to bird. It was a private residence, empty now, and somewhat overgrown. Without trespassing, we were able to watch incredible humming birds in their gardens such as snow caps, black crested coquette, and white necked jacobens. If we buy a place in Costa Rica, this is similar to what we would want. Overgrown is fine. Run down is fine, but it has to have the land and habitat. Why would anyone move there, if you didn't have the birds on your property?

Part of this route would put us in the heavy truck traffic between San Jose and Limon, the port city on the Atlantic. The trucks are nearly all American made. There are pedestrians everywhere. Jose explains that the schools run 2 sessions per day. Everyone eats at home, and they can get by with half as many schools.

Lunch at the lodge was upstairs and a buffet. The place is busier. Mrs Holbrook, the owner has gone back to the states this morning. She is the founder of the facility, and introduced herself to us at dinner last night, and was somewhat curious as to how we wound up there. When we explained the connection to the birding festival, it all seemed to click.

She has built basically an education campus. There are meeting rooms, presentation rooms and class rooms. She takes conservation very seriously, and that is what sustainable tourism is about. Her facility is certified in three areas. Villa Lapas, where we head to next, is only certified on one.

After lunch, we are without any adult supervision, so we cross the road and start climbing the hills behind the botanical garden. When it gets really steep, steps have been cut into the mud which helps. Eventually we reach a fence and are looking up into a farmer's field. Here we come face to face with groove billed anis, gorgeous blue dacnis, and dusky faced and passerinii tanagers. On the way down, we surprise an agouti, and a troop of young howler monkeys, and one is carrying a baby.

Arriving back at the lodge, we head out to the gigantic cable bridge. The bridge is open for you to cross the river, but you can't leave the bridge. Was this to prevent us from going over there, or someone else coming over here? Anyhow, I love heights, and birding the tree tops. Here we pick up rufous motmot,and slaty trogon.

We were scheduled to do a night hike, but it had been pouring for hours, and it was postponed. One of the things that I enjoy is a nightly insect display that is possible with a uv light and white sheet. Here, they have gone one better. They built a kiosk with a permanent white board and uv light. Always a treat.

The following morning we were transported to La Selva OTS research station. This research station is a big deal involving rain forest research. It's a campus. A research paper is published every 72 hours here. The place is crawling with college students from around the world.

We were paired up with a very young couple from Switzerland and their 2 children under the age of 6. I didn't have high hopes as these folks were not birders, but once again, big binoculars won. There's just something about a man with big binoculars! You don't have to say a word. Everyone knows why you are there, so the tour still had a good emphasis on birds.

We were fortunate to see both 2 and 3 toed sloths. Our guide explained the wonderful bullet ants which are the biggest ants I had ever seen, and about the 24 hours of agony that you would go through if one bit you. The bite becomes as painful as a bullet, hence the name. I am still observing my non aggression pact with the insects, which means that if they don't bite me, I won't kill them! But that will come to a close soon enough!

We're using good concrete paths, and there is no hard climbing. The guide was so experienced that the material was presented constantly, and kept the kids somewhat interested. As a general rule, I'd rather have folks bring their pets than their children when around me. However, these two were so well behaved, that when one bolted toward a cliff, I actually told the parents to catch it. I must be mellowing!

We went right through the middle of a swamp, and I found a gray necked rail skulking in the distance. This property has 73 species of bats, and the Christmas count yielded 365. An incredible spot, and worthwhile experience.

Everything so far has been included as part of Selva Verde's birding safari. After lunch, we finally get to cross the large bridge at the resort. These are the 500 acres that we came to see. It appears that guests are not allowed over there without a guide, as some folks had gotten lost, and with dark coming so early, had to spend the night in the rain forest. Oh yeah, I bet those guests had a trip they won't ever forget!

We do a strenuous hike up and down a ravine. Jose is again our guide, and is helping us to understand some of the research that is being conducted on this property. Birding was good as we saw more of what was previously mentioned.

Recovering from this roasting hike, I take a break and sit in one of the leather rockers outside our room. One of the young women from Europe asks to join me, and I oblige. It's the big binoculars! It gets them every time. The other secret to meeting folks is to just open a field guide, and put your finger on a bird, and say "hmmm". Instantly, you will have folks asking if you are a birder. So, anyhow, she is from Holland, and basically wants to talk with an American, I guess. Of course, I want to interview her, and this is what I found out.

When she and her husband were putting this trip together, they were unhappy using a travel agent in The Netherlands. She tracked down a travel agent in Costa Rica, and saved more than 1/3 the cost of the trip. She had no language problem with the CR travel agent, and was able to talk with them in both languages. Next, this was their first trip here, yet they rented a car, and did the driving themselves. This we need to do, but I see problems. She explained how important taking the extra insurance was on the car. They traveled all over the country straying just 2 nights at a time. From here they were heading into Panama, and for that leg, they hired transportation.

These are small countries, yet I'm amazed when I ask our drivers, how many have never driven in adjoining countries. Imagine driving in Virginia, but not West Virginia.

After supper, the rain stopped long enough to do the night hike. We were all instructed that we must have our flashlight illuminating the ground in front of us due to the snakes. Some surprises included the red eye frog, a kinkajou, several huge centipedes, and a cat eyed snake.

Word had spread among the guests that the old guy with the big binoculars was approachable, so the next morning before breakfast, a man from Holland came to talk with me. This conversation focused on folks traveling to Central America, and South America to look for places to retire to. We compared notes on everything from Costa Rica's national health insurance that everyone is required to pay into and costs $49/ month, to the price of gas, and real estate.

I took a few minutes to explain what housing costs in Brevard county. His eyes got bigger and bigger. The young gal the previous day told me what her town house cost, and I almost fainted. He cuts me off, and runs and gets his computer, and asks me to show him. I send him to my favorite real estate web sites, and I'm quite sure he discovered the real bargain! At this point in time, I'm still not convinced of the savings, other than the health insurance.

We in Brevard county are missing this boat. Wealthy retirees from many developed countries, that don't need jobs, nor schools, are looking for economical living in a warm climate. We have that. As they age, they will be hiring everything from home health to home maintenance. It sure seems like an easy market to go after!

Onward to Villa Lapas. I knew it was a long trip, so I was hoping to use Selva Verde's air conditioned van. Sure enough, the original driver shows up, and off we head in the rain. The driver explains that it's a four hour trip! Let's just say that we were the slowest vehicle in the entire country on that day. Sure enough, he turned a 2 hour trip into nearly 4!

Villa Lapas is on the Pacific coast, high up in the hills. This resort is down a long steep driveway in the bottom of a very steep valley. Costa Rica is known for having earth quakes. Should one hit this area, the entire resort would be buried in a hurry. I imagined myself on one of these cable bridges during an earth quake. The bridge would flex, and basically shoot us skyward like a sling shot! Hmmm.
At the reception desk, I am asked for my credit card. I have to explain that everything was paid ahead of time, and eventually they understand the voucher that I was given to give to them. When you don't do your own driving, you are somewhat trapped in these situations.

Our room is directly across from the reception area and dining room. These are all open air with no screens. Our room has king size bed with some kind of towel art on the bed covered with flower petals. I laugh when I see it, as it's my own little personal curse. I know that something really stupid will probably happen! Beware the towel art!!

This is the first "birding" resort that we have ever stayed in that had tv and a/c. So, perhaps it's not as birdy as I thought. We have no guided trips scheduled, so we are on our own. We explore the grounds. This is a gorgeous resort with a pool, about 50 rooms, a beautiful river, and a bridge over to a historic restored village. This rather handsome village consists of several buildings around a huge town square with a gazebo.

There are no people anywhere. Iguanas are watching us from all the roofs like some old Gunsmoke episode! Closer inspection shows iguanas everywhere. Imagine an abandoned town full of lizards. There are incredible trees loaded with ripe mangos and bread fruit.

We head back to the main side of the resort, and the dining room is full of women. The pool is full of women. There is a giant tour bus hidden at the back of the property. Of course, we are marching around with binoculars, and the only North Americans in the place. Once again, we are the only birders. I whisper to Lora; "yep, just old blanco face blendin'in with the locals!"

Selva Verde had packed us a lunch which we had in the van during our slow trip. So, we were free to disappear if we wanted, and we headed up the mountain on the main road which was dirt. You have to ask yourself whenever you do this: "is this safe, or smart to do? " Of course, it's not, but neither is doing your own roof work, or electrical repairs. Birders just seem to thrive on excitement!

Instantly, there are birds. Blue black grass quits dart among the ditches. Beautiful streaked headed wood creepers, rufus capped warblers, ant thrushes, and on and on. It's hot, and the road is very steep. So, I seize every opportunity to take a few extra seconds to identify each bird, (and catch my breath).
As the rain starts again, we see something large in a tree just ahead of us. It is tearing the tree apart. My feet are telling me to run for my life. It is a huge ant eater in a giant cecropia tree. I had never seen one, and was shocked to see it in a tree, and more shocked to see it ripping the branches off the tree. The ants weren't going to win this one. We'll never know if we would have seen this with a guide, or not. Something to think about.

Dinner that evening was a buffet which I have learned to appreciate after recovering from a fish surprise souffle that was served in another country a few years ago. Imagine a souffle with fish skins in it. Oh, yeah, give me that buffet any time!

In these resorts, and I'm guessing here, it seems that the tables are set for specific folks ahead of time. Some are large tables set for a group. There's always one set for just two, but the setting is so that the two guests can sit with their backs to the dining room, so that they can watch the feeders, or river, or whatever.

Villa Lapas is beautiful, so I'm becoming comfortable with not having a guide. They also didn't make us aware that one was available, nor did we see one running around.

We head back to our room, and turn on the forbidden tv. It's satellite from Miami. Hmmm. This is the first time we've had A/C in either central or South America. These rooms were like hotel rooms, so that there could be no ventilation naturally. That's why the A/C. All the other birding lodges have multiple openings for the heat to escape. We drift off to a cool and dry sleep easily.

At 3 am, I start to awaken. I realize that the ph must have been off in the pool as my skin is beginning to crawl. As I come to life, I realize that I'm picking little objects off my skin, and they crunch. There's one on my neck, then one on my stomach. It got more personal after that. I figure that Lora is exhausted, and I'm just going to have to lie here and see if I can go back to sleep. At 4am, I have woken her up with my antics of "kill the crunchy critters", and she asks if I feel like I'm being eaten alive. Yep, both sides of the bed.

I'm picky about beds. We never sleep under a bed spread if we can avoid it. I had found a bagged blanket in a drawer, and put it on the bed. Now, I figured that the bugs were in the blanket. So, we slip on some clothes, and take the bedding outside to shake it out. We remake the bed, and get back in. At 4:20, the critters have called for back up troops. We shoot out of the bed, strip it again, and this time I put my glasses on.

The mattress is covered in tiny whitish ants. I mean covered. Great, no car, and a resort that appears full. This should be fun.

I see the lights are still on in the reception area. I throw on some pants and march over to leave them a note. Before I get there, a man is running after me. He doesn't speak English. I used international sign language. It goes like this. I point to our room, where all of the bedding is now piled up outside the room. I then take my fingers, and make little biting gestures all over my body, while snapping my teeth. Being that I'm only half dressed, he gets the picture. If a deep voice, he says: "Blanco, face, what do you want for $250 per day?". No he didn't. He runs and gets me note pad and pen, and I leave a polite note for the staff.

Back in the room, we have to wash our hair, check all our luggage, and then it was dawn. By 5:30, it's daylight, the birds are everywhere, and the grounds are still beautiful. Lora is birding. I'm looking for places to sleep tonight! I see the pool table. Worst case scenario. Then I see the sofas in the reception area!

I'm wandering around with hot coffee, birding, and I know where I'm going to sleep tonight if need be. A delightful breakfast is served, and I'm excited about doing the Sky Walk. That's why we came here.
As we pass the reception desk the staff has arrived, and I explain that I dropped a note off earlier, and that I'd be right back to discuss it in a few minutes. The staff instantly asked me to switch rooms, right now. Yep, a big pile of bedding outside a room is also an international symbol to the staff that the guests probably didn't sleep well. She also informed me that our driver would be waiting to drive us up the mountain at 8am, and that we could take as long as we want to come down.

We drag all our junk to the new room. I pull down the bedspread. I'm not kidding. Here is a huge spider between the pillows! The truce is over. All insects must be killed immediately! I take one lunge at it, and it runs behind the head board which is screwed to the wall. The bed isn't attached, so I pull it from the wall about one foot. We have a driver waiting, so out we go.
The Sky Walk is about one and a half miles long. However, it starts up the mountain, way up the mountain. The driver never took the van out of 2nd gear, that's how steep it was. The top of the walk is a locked gate. The driver locks us in, and leaves us. From an outcropping, we can see the pacific ocean, mountains, and all across the Tarcoles river flood plain. It's beautiful.

The birds are non stop. Honey creepers, dacnis, motmots, etc. As you enter these suspension bridges, the birds come to see you. Some bridges have plants that have grown across them. But it is the rain forest, so plants grow fast. However, we see no people this day. Imagine a bus load of women staying at the resort, and they missed this. We are crossing ravines through the tree tops. We are silent. No guides, kids, or tourists. Just the lonely birds asking us what took us so long!

It's a hot rain forest, but because we're only walking one way, which is down, we're having the time of our life! A large squirrel is watching us. He's gray and silver on his back, with a rufus underside. Here are nightingale thrushes, dotted wing ant wren, among others. We are next to Carara Biological Reserve and looking down at it. Unbelievably, 3 scarlet macaws fly just under us. I can't believe my eyes. Yet a bus load of other guests would never see this. Hmmm

We're off the mountain by lunch time, and we are melting. We head back to the room to discover that the cleaning fairies have attacked this room. To greet us is this giant swan sculpture made up of towels covered in petals, and the swans are kissing. Of course, they had shoved the bed back up against the headboard to reload more spiders! I was actually wondering what they thought when they saw the bed in the middle of the room, and a little smirk came to my face.

After lunch, we head to the deserted lizard town. We have a huge pavilion to ourselves. We drag a couple of chairs up on the stage so we can bird the river. Flycatchers, wrens, and tityras, and several different humming birds are quietly making their rounds. This little bit of down time is allowing me to daydream a little about living near here. And of course, this daydream sets us up for what happened next.

Late in the afternoon, we are coming out of our room, when a pair of blanco faces on mountain bikes goes past us so close, that I have to step back. Without time to think, I say hello as they go past. I heard the man call back hello as they went on. They had built up speed to try to get up the hill and out of this resort. We were on the way to climb a little of the mountain again, and had no problem catching them when they finally gave up, and had to walk.

Once again, our big binoculars started a dialogue. Now get this. Randy and Sunny are from Cocoa Beach, and Randy has family in the town near our summer camp in N.Y. Of course, they have moved to Costa Rica, and bought a small hotel nearby. (what are the odds of this introduction? ) They charge $35/night. They are both basically wearing swim wear, so I check out their bodies looking for bite marks, welts, etc. Well it appeared that perhaps they had given their old bedding to Villa Lapas! So, perhaps it would be safe to stay with them next time, so we exchange contact info!

On our last full day in Costa Rica, I wanted to hike the mountain road as far as we could get in two and half hours. This would get us back by lunch time. This means we would be hiking public roads, not knowing anyone, with no phone, and heading to areas completely unknown. We have been learning Spanish, so we can speak a little, and had a good dictionary. Before we left, I double checked Lora's work book just to be sure that she still hasn't learned: "please kidnap my husband"….at least not yet!! So, up we go.

It's a very, very hot and steep climb. I had assumed it was one way up the mountain. The traffic was heavy for a dirt road. Every person waved. Some stopped to say hello. We get past the turnoff for the Sky Walk, and going further, we come to an incredible vista overlooking the Pacific. There is no garbage. The lot is for sale. Going further, we come to a future development selling lots for 100K, each with a magnificent ocean view.

The road is a through road, going up and down mountains. I wanted to follow it to the end, because it was so incredibly beautiful. With a rental car, I would have been able to.
This hike would get us a second look at our gray hawk, and good looks at familiar friends such as blue black grossbeaks, puff birds, red legged honey creeper, and rufus naped wrens. I have to admit that this was about the hottest I'd ever been in my life. My back pack was wet on the inside. The money in my wallet was wet. Now that's hot!

That night Lora wanted to do a night wildlife hike. I was afraid to tell her to look in the mattress! Out we go, and upon close examination, there are frogs everywhere in the water gardens. But not like at Selva Verde. All different ones. We are looking for an owl that keeps calling, but we never see it. We see a silhouette a long way off, but that one will remain a mystery.

The morning we were to leave, we birded at 5 am, and at 6 am, 4 scarlet macaws land just above us and feed their young! Now, that's the way to end a birding trip!

Enjoy Your Wading Birds Today, Because... by Rosemary Webb

Today is the anniversary of Guy Bradley's murder. Deputy Bradley was the first of three "Audubon agents" (presumed) murdered by plume hunters in the early 1900s, which is what led to the establishment of legal protections for birds in the US. Similar protections were afforded to birds in Great Britain, to combat the wholesale, world-wide slaughter of birds for their plumage, skins, wings, or stuffed bodies, which were used as adornment for Victorian and Edwardian women. The aigrettes (fancy plumes) of egrets fetched their weight in gold, or more.

By 1905, when Bradley was shot, contemporaries estimated that 95% of all wading birds in Florida had been killed.

So, rejoice today that our beautiful Snowy Egrets have made a comeback, and that our parents' grandparents' conservation efforts have preserved a great deal of our natural heritage. Let's see if we can do as well.

For more information about Guy Bradley, see his Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Bradley),

or this first of a three-part biography on YouTube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQvBW_z-vn4

For examples of the Victorian hats under discussion:
    http://www.victoriana.com/Victorian-Hats/birdhats.htm

and what else was decorated with birds (fans adorned with dead hummingbirds! Ewwww)
    http://thevictorianist.blogspot.com/2011/09/members-shall-discourage-wanton.html

and for a fascinating but disturbing view of the millinery trade of the time from a modern perspective, here are articles from the Royal Alberta Hall (of the University of Alberta) exhibit on"Murderous Millinery":
    http://fashioningfeathers.com/murderous-millinery/

A History of the Indian River Audubon Society 1950-1969

By Bettie R. Moody

The knowledge, good fellowship, and admirable conservation achievements we enjoy today as members of the Indian River Audubon Society began because of an inconspicuous newspaper article. Mrs. G.T. Von Colditz read it in 1950; it said that Mr. Merritt Farrar, executive secretary of the Florida Audubon Society, and his wife were coming to Brevard on a Saturday field trip and invited interested persons to join them. Mrs. Von Colditz attended and sparked the later coming together of nature lovers to discuss different kinds of birds they happened to see during the previous month. After about six months, field trips were organized and led by Mr. Foster White of Merritt Island.

An early Limpkin, however, notes:

It would not be possible to fix a definite date when the local group of nature lovers in Brevard County first thought of organizing a club.  For some years, there were, perhaps, not more than a dozen interested persons in the County, who, at irregular intervals would tramp around the County and enjoy the wonderful wild life, (sic) for which Florida is so justly famous.  The old “regulars” in those days were, perhaps, Foster White, Sam Harper, and a few winter visitors, like Ed Ford, Emeritus Curator of Ornithology of the Chicago Academy of Sciences.  Later, we felt the obligation to try and interest other people, but for a long time, we were still just a “group”, without any organization.

Other pioneers were Mr. and Mrs. Graeme Howard, Mr. James O’Neil, first editor of the Limpkin, Mr. Hunley Abbott, Mrs. Myrtle Maxwell, Mrs. H. F. Gartner, Mr. A. H. Hastings, Mr. C. E. Richards, Mr. Floyd Miller, and later Mr Alonso Ellis, Mr. F. J. Hopkinson, Mr. William Hueston, Mr. Johnny Johnson, and Mr. G. Chandler Young.  Usually, their wives and husbands also belonged to the Indian River Audubon Club which soon became associated with, but not a chapter of, the Florida Audubon Society – mainly because of the pleasant and helpful relations with Mr. And Mrs. Farrar.  He often spoke to the group, illustrating his talks with moving pictures, and he arranged for people from Florida Audubon headquarters to teach youth groups in the local schools.  In fact, one Limpkin states that the growth of junior Audubon groups among the three towns – Cocoa, Rockledge, and Merritt Island – was phenomenal from 1956 to 1957, with Mr. Grame Howard serving as the chairman of the Junior Audubon Club Committee.

But before this point, the history of the Indian River Audubon Club took an interesting turn.  The club disassociated itself from the Florida Audubon Society and in December, 1953, it re-organized as a branch of the National Audubon Society.  The officers went to a great deal of trouble to amend the constitution and by-laws to conform to the general plans and purposes of the N.A.S.  Not until January 13, 1966, did the Club officially become a chapter of the Florida Audubon Society.  One wonders why.  The Limpkin, Vol. 1, No. 5, states, “His (Mr. Farrar’s) retirement from the Florida Audubon Society in 1952 was one of the impelling reasons why our club decided to become a Branch of the National Audubon.”  One gathers that the retirement of their esteemed Mr. Farrar was not entirely voluntary.  Furthermore, Mr. Grame Howard went to New York City and saw to it that the Indian River Audubon Club became affiliated with the National Audubon Society instead of the Florida Audubon Society.

In the early days, there were several exciting projects for which we owe a debt of thanks:  the establishment of Hall’s Island as a wildlife sanctuary, the establishment of Cocoa as an “Inviolate Bird Sanctuary” through the Cocoa City Council in 1956, and finally the successful fight to keep an oil refinery from being built on north Merritt Island.  All of these projects have their own story.  The group heard developers were going to invade Hall’s Island where a great number of pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants, spoonbills, and even flamingoes roosted in the mangroves.  Mr. Jim O’Neil, Foster White, and Bill Hueston persuaded the state to designate Hall’s Island as a bird sanctuary and later, following trips to Tallahassee by Helen and Allan Cruikshank and Bill Hueston, it was dedicated to the county as long as it was used in conformity with the state’s stipulations.

In May, 1956, the club petitioned in addition to Cocoa, that Titusville, Rockledge, Eau Gallie, and Melbourne be designated as bird sanctuaries; as a result of cooperative efforts between the Federation of Garden Clubs and the Indian River Audubon Society, South Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach later became sanctuaries.  Nearly a decade later, in 1965, our society in cooperation with the Garden Clubs of Central Florida go the legislature to declare Indian River Drive from Williams Point to Bonneventure and official scenic drive, as well as Florida Tropical Trail on Merritt Island.  The club was enlarging; membership increased from fifteen to seventy and then to ninety under Mr. Hueston’s leadership.

Moreover, the club was well-organized.  Programs for the coming year were enumerated well in advance in the first Limpkin of the year, and understandably such all-time favorites as “Helen Cruickshank’s Slides” or “Flowers and Ellis on Hawks” hit every calendar.  After joining the National Audubon Society in 1953, the society began enjoying the Screen Tour Programs each winter, the Audubon Journal, and support in their conservation work.  Shortly, after joining National, one Limpkin notes:

We were especially fortunate in having Allan D. Cruickshank and his wife, Helen, move in upon us as Neighbors, and their cooperation and unselfish help at all times has been an inspiration.  They are both nationally known for a wide variety of skills and performances with the National Audubon Society – photography, writing, lecturing, and conducting tours and camps.  Their presence, as friends and members of our little local Society, has put new life into it, and gratitude into all our hearts.

Helen Cruickshank emerged, indeed, as a real fighter when the county commissioners became enthusiastic about the prospect of an oil refinery on north Merritt Island, just after Port Canaveral was opened.  Although public opinion was against it, several of the commissioners went to the west coast of the United States to see for themselves that there would be no ill effects from shipping in crude oil and refining it.  The plant officials showed them a refinery that did truly create no smog problems:  the combination of twelve foot waves braking in front of it and a mountain range behind it created air currents that lifted and wafted away the fumes.  Through persistent correspondence and personal contact with the Secretary of the Interior and other politicians, Mrs. Cruickshank helped defeat this industrial move.

Apparently, the field trips led by Foster White were the apex in the development of the society.  Heavily attended, they embraced such areas as the St. John’s River marsh, the Humpback Bridge area, North Banana River Drive across from Sykes Creek, and Sebastian Inlet.  Old timers report that along Humpback Bridge on Merritt Island there were many ducks, gallinules, and rails, and that for years an eagle’s nest, inhabited by a great horned owl, attracted birders to north Banana Drive.  The tree which held that nest was only recently cut down.

Pictures of exotic birds were bought to monthly meetings, and members visited Myrtle Maxwell’s home one fall to see painted buntings.  (She was the first to get them, and friends learned she attracted them with millet.)  The Thousand Islands area was then “an excellent and beautiful place for birding” reminisced Foster White.  Much of it has since been filled for a golf course, high school, housing tract, and sewage treatment plant.

Financially, the Audubon Society in its inceptive days appears as frugally inclined as we are today.  One Limpkin lamented that the rising costs of mimeographing prohibited publication of the Limpkin and requested special donations from members who wished to continue receiving it.  Confided one member, “Sometimes our treasury report was 27 cents, our bills were $3.00, and we had to pass the hat.”

One avenue for income was the Screen Tour Lectures, as they were then called.  The series truly became remunerative when Mr. F. J. Hopkinson began to devote his energies to it in 1957.  If he were not the best birder in the society, he was certainly the most astute business manager; he has a talent for selecting dates and lecturers especially suitable for Brevard County residents.  His eye for detail noted duplication of a program for three years in the series.  “No one has commented on it to date, although some steady customers may have noticed,” he wrote the lecture department scheduler.

“Any money we have in the bank from the lecture series is because of Hoppy,” claims Foster White.  It seems his technique was to mail each member tickets “which he expected you to sell.”  The story goes that a few members resented unsolicited tickets but that the majority of the members sold them.  A treasury record from April 4, 1963, reveals another reason for his making the series a lucrative project:  he advertised tirelessly.  The record reads, “Posters, folder, mailing pieces:  $69.20.  Other promotional expenses incurred, $105.00.”

One year he lowered the prices and complained of some difficulty with the press.  Yet for one date – January 13, 1963 – combined box office take was $261.00.  Over a period of 15 years, the Film Lecture series has produced a profit of $2150.80 for the chapter.  A financial history of the Wildlife Film Lectures is as follows:

            Year               Expenses                  Receipts                   Profit (Loss)

            1954               $   900.38                  $ 891.80                  $         (8.58)

            1955                    833.78                      904.50                             70.72

            1956                    763.73                      810.73                             47.00

            1957                    659.97                      725.50                             65.53

            1958                    492.65                      488.00                              (4.65)

            1959                    633.91                      760.50                          126.59

            1960                    667.66                      786.25                          118.59

            1961                    782.25                    1028.00                          245.75

            1962                    923.95                    1160.50                          236.55

            1963                 1023.15                    1480.75                          457.60

            1964                 1288.02                    1348.75                             60.73

            1965                    940.45                    1359.95                          419.50

            1966                 1041.51                    1050.50                               8.99

            1967                 1157.06                    1144.74                           (12.32)

            1968                 1131.75                    1202.35                             70.60

            1969                 1081.70                    1329.90                  $      248.20

                                                                                         Total         $   2150.80

                                                                                         Average           134.42

Although the Christmas Bird Count has not yielded any financial returns, it has brought more national fame and publicity to the club than any other activity.  In May, 1965, Representatives Rountree and Pruitt introduced in the House of Representatives a resolution commending all members of the Indian River Audubon Society for its record of leading the nation for the tenth consecutive year in the Annual Bird County of the United States and for setting a record high total count of two hundred four species of birds in 1964, the highest total of species of birds at that time ever registered on one occasion in the history of the United States.  The counts began informally on December 27, 1951, when the Cruickshank’s, who were looking for retirement property, visited Brevard County and joined Dr. Joseph C. Howell of the University of Tennessee on a census.  They turned up a total of one hundred twenty-eight species and listed their find under “Audubon,” since they were unaware of the local club’s existence.  In 1952, their total of one hundred thirty species appeared under “Cocoa”; that particular year Helen and Allan went alone.  On December 27, 1953, Foster White, Samuel A. Harper, and Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Lewis of Virginia (who still participate in the counts) joined the Cruickshank’s and Dr. Howell for a tally of one hundred forty-seven species.  It was the first official Indian River Audubon Society Count.  On December 27, 1954, they recorded one hundred sixty-seven different kinds of birds.

The box score of the I.R.A.S. teams for the championship years is:

                                    Total Number

            Year               of Species    

            1955               184

            1956               186

            1957               193

            1958               194

            1959               196

            1960               200 (46 expert observers combed almost every acre in the 15 mile-diameter circle)

            1961               191

            1962               197

            1963               195

            1964               204

            1965               197

            1966               206 (Cocoa and San Diego tie)

            1967               197 (San Diego 209)

            1968               203 (San Diego 217)

A total of two hundred sixty-nine different species have been observed in this area during the Christmas Count periods.

Reports from various areas in the USA and Canada reach Allan Cruickshank, who is national editor for the Christmas Bird Count issue of Audubon Field Notes.  The Christmas Bird Counts were started by the National Audubon Society in 1900.  That year, only 25 reports were submitted and only 27 people participated.  Since then, interest has skyrocketed.  In 1959, over 600 reports were submitted and over 10,000 people from all sections of the USA and Canada participated.  It is interesting to note that the 1967 participants numbers over 15,000 and that the report published were 839.

It has not been possible to compile a comprehensive list of all chapter officers since the organization of the club, inasmuch as the early records are sketchy.  In 1952, there must have been an unofficial group of leaders, for one note from Sam Harper addressed to Myrtle Maxwell contains a reluctant acceptance of the presidency for 1953.  She, Peggy Howard, and Mrs. Emy Harper appear to have been “The Nominating Committee” for the first officers:

1953 – 54

                           President                                                 Samuel Harper

                           Vice-President                                       Mrs. Harold Hendry

                           Secretary/Treasurer                              Mrs. Alice Duff

                           Notification Secretary                           Mrs. Jennie Punshon

1954 – 55

                           President                                                 Hunley Abbott

                           Secretary/Treasurer                              Mrs. Alice Duff

1955 – 56

                           President                                                 A. H. Hastings

                           Secretary/Treasurer                              Mrs. Alice Duff

1956 – 57

                           President                                                 William F. Hueston

                           Vice-President                                       Mrs. Graeme Howard

                           Corresponding Secretary                    James A. O’Neil

                           Treasurer                                                Foster White

                           Historian                                                  Samuel Harper

            The following season, 1957 – 58, Lon Ellis became assistant editor of the Limpkin, Mrs. F. J. Hopkinson replaced Mrs. Howard as vice-president and Mrs. Malcom Grimes was appointed recording secretary.  The other officers remained the same.

1959 – 60

                           President                                                 W. F. Hueston

                           Vice-President                                       G. Chandler Young

                           Corresponding Secretary                    Mrs. H. C. Flowers

                           Recording Secretary                             None

                           Treasurer                                                Foster White

                           Historian                                                  Samuel Harper

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Lon Ellis

1960 – 61

                           President                                                 W. F. Hueston

                           Vice-President                                       Theodore Main

                           Secretary                                                 W. H. Walters

                           Treasurer                                                Foster White

                           Historian                                                  Samuel Harper

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Lon Ellis

1961 – 62

                           Same as for 1960 – 61

1962 – 63

                           President                                                 W. F. Hueston

                           Vice-President                                       Lloyd Hornbostle

                           Secretary                                                 Mrs. Louella Grimes

                           Treasurer                                                Foster White

                           Historian                                                  Samuel Harper

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Lon Ellis

1963 – 64

                           President                                                 W. F. Hueston

                           Vice-President                                       Lloyd Hornbostle

                           Secretary                                                 Robert E. Weldon

                           Treasurer                                                Foster White

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Lon Ellis

1964 – 65

                           President                                                 W. F. Hueston

                           Vice-President                                       Lloyd Hornbostle

                           Secretary                                                 Mrs. Joyce Burnside

                           Treasurer                                                William H. Walters

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Lon Ellis

1965-66

                           President                                                 W. F. Hueston

                           Vice-President                                       Ken West

                           Secretary                                                 Mrs. Louise Gibbons

                           Treasurer                                                William H. Walters

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Lon Ellis

            During the latter part of 1965, the president, Mr. Hueston, suffered a stroke and could no longer participate in chapter activities. Vice-President Ken West took over as presiding officer of the club and continued in that capacity through the 1966-67 season.

1966-67

                           President                                                 Ken West

                           Honorary President                               W.F. Hueston

                           Secretary                                                 Mrs. Louise Gibbons

                           Treasurer                                                William H. Walters

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Lon Ellis

1967-68

                           President                                                 Karl F. Eichhorn, Jr.

                           First Vice-President                               Lon Ellis

                           Second Vice-President                        Arthur Underwood

                           Secretary                                                 Robert Bush

                           Treasurer                                                Mrs. Frances Stone

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Betty Ann Eichhorn

1968-69

                           Same as for 1967-68

1969-70

                           President                                                 Karl F. Eichhorn, Jr.

                           First Vice-President                               Lon Ellis

                           Second Vice-President                        Hale Wyle

                           Secretary                                                 Mrs. Mary Ash

                           Treasurer                                                Robert H. Moody

                           Limpkin Editor                                        Betty Ann Eichhorn

It seems apropos that in the heart of the missile land, even bird watchers utilize a digital computer to keep records. I.R.A.S. instituted a computerized membership in January 1968; in fact, it is probable we are the only chapter in the country to have such a system. It has been of considerable help as we reached the goal of 50% membership increase during 1967-68. Net gain of 115 memberships were made in 1968-69, and we currently carry approximately 425 members on the rolls.

Last summer, a season event and information folder – the first produced by this chapter – was prepared. Shortly after that, I.R.A.S. shoulder patches were designed and sold to members who wear them on field trips. Then in May, 1969, the chapter filed incorporation papers with the secretary of state to formalize our non-profit status in preparation for development of a nature education center. An undeveloped tract of eighteen acres on Merritt Island was recently leased from the owners and should be in use by members, guests, and youth groups by this fall. Contributions to its fund now total $128.50.

That progress is accompanied by leadership is implicit.  One of the first actions of Karl Eichhorn as president was to appoint a board of directors composed of twelve senior members of the organization, plus eight standing committees appointed in accordance with F.A.S. by-laws. During the summer of 1967, a set of chapter by-laws modeled after those of the F.A.S. was prepared and adopted by the members at the November business meeting.

Perhaps, the most significant contributions by the I.R.A.S. in 1968-69 have been in the field of conservation. Many letters and public speeches were produced to protect estuarine resources in Brevard County and throughout the state. Efforts reached a climax at the special Brevard County Commission Hearing concerning a massive fill in the Indian River proposed by Ed Ball. Sixteen members spoke against the proposal and several created posters which were photographed and published by the newspapers. Militancy seemed on the rise, for members shortly picketed a dredge filling in a large section of Sykes Creek for a shopping center.

Now the hard core members of the Indian River Audubon Society are actively planning for the annual convention of the Florida Audubon Society, which we will host at the Ramada Inn in Cocoa Beach, Florida, January 1970.

“Younger blood is running the organization now,” mused one senior citizen. “And that’s good. The older people were getting too old to meet committee responsibilities or even go on occasional field trips.” Yet the following quote from a 1959 Limpkin during the heat of political campaigning makes these senior citizens seem not so distant, or detached, or decrepit:

I would like to mention for those who were not here that the society waged the battle to save our streams and rivers from erroneous bulkheading. This bulkheading could have destroyed our river shorelines and valuable marshlands on which our wild life depends. Not to mention the beauty that would be lost. So thanks to Helen and Allan Cruickshank, Mrs. W. T. Stewart, Foster and Lois White, Lon Ellis, and all the many others who diligently fought to preserve those natural beauties and resources which a few self-minded people were trying to destroy. We must always keep our minds eye to the future. Think when we elect our candidates to public office and find out if they will conserve the people’s natural wealth instead of squandering it which has been the record of the past.

Bird Count Saturday May 12 by Matt Heyden

Details for Meet, Greet, Eat and Count

Saturday, May 12th, 2012

This is Space Coast Audubon’s participation plan for the North American Migration Count.
Matt Heyden will be the coordinator for Brevard County for this spring count. If you would like to participate in the count and/or the picnic, please contact him at 321-264-8909or mheyden716@aol.com. His address is 516 Lake Dr. Titusville, Fl. 32780

At this point in time, all areas are open. No one has claimed any areas, so call now to reserve your favorite! You can count for as long or as short a time as you wish. You can even include feeder counts. The form just asks you to keep track of how long you bird, whether by foot , car, or boat and climatic conditions.

The picnic location for this spring count is Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge visitor’s center. We will be there from 1PM to 2 PM. We’ll be meeting, greeting and eating in the parking lot. Folks can turn in their tally sheets at that time, or if they wish to continue their count, they can email or mail the sheets to Matt before May 22. Everyone should bring their own lunch.

Do come…because this is the opportunity to make new friends and talk bird sightings. We have over 1,000 members just in this county.

Some guidelines:

• Anyone can participate. You can bird alone if you know what you’re doing. You can bird with someone else, or if you are completely new to this, Matt will try to place you with someone in your region.
• We’re trying to cover this entire huge county, so there is lots to do, and everyone is both welcome and needed.
• This is important. If it weren’t important….we wouldn’t be doing this. These data are vital to bird conservation studies.
• Our education chair person, Lora Losi has strongly suggested that we bring along young non-birders, to expose them to the fun side of what we do.
• Make it fun. This isn’t a competition. We’re doing it for the birds

Groundbreaking Video Feed Shows Rare Glimpse Into Heron Nest

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Two heron hatchlings see their first morning light on April 28.Ithaca, NY--In a first for technology and for bird watching, thousands of people watched live this weekend as a tiny Great Blue Heron emerged from an egg in between its father’s gigantic feet.

With high-definition and nighttime cams streaming 24/7 from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Sapsucker Woods in Ithaca, New York, viewers around the world are now able to follow the surprising lives of herons, including rare views still little known to science.

“From the very first night, viewers witnessed little-known events, such as herons courting and mating by moonlight,” said Dr. John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “They’ve watched live as the herons defended their nest, uttering rarely heard, spine-chilling defensive screams as Great Horned Owls attacked in early morning hours. Even the professionals are gaining new insights from these live cams.”

The nest has survived several Great Horned Owl attacks, as well as a snowstorm that would have buried the nest in snow if not for the parent steadfastly sitting on the eggs.

More than half a million people from 166 countries have watched the heron cam since March 27. With around-the-clock coverage, viewers Tweet and post screenshots and video clips to help scientists document notable events.

“We’ve entered an exciting new age for understanding and sharing in the daily lives of birds,” said Fitzpatrick. “Live cams, whether they feature hummingbirds, eagles, or herons, are incredibly popular. What’s most amazing is that these live videos are equally riveting for scientists, schoolchildren, families, and people of all walks of life.”

On April 30, the nest had four hatchlings. The last egg is due to hatch any time.

To watch the heron nest live, visit www.AllAboutBirds.org/CornellHerons

Magazine Gallery Features Audubon’s Iconic Birds

Reprinted from Audubon Chapter Leader Update

John James Audubon spent the better part of six decades making environmental strides long before conservation was trendy. He banded birds, catalogued and drew hundreds of species, even offered early warnings about the dangers of mistreating our planet. Celebrate his birthday with Audubon magazine’s online gallery featuring iconic works by the man who lent his name to a movement—and our publication.
http://www.audubonmagazine.org/multimedia/audubons-iconic-birds

Audubon Assembly 2012

Save the Date!

• Date: Oct. 25-27, 2012
• Location: Hyatt Regency Sarasota on Sarasota Bay
• Keynote Speaker: Cynthia Barnett, Author of Mirage and the Blue Revolution

Our staff is hard at work preparing this year's programs and events. Please stay tuned in the coming months for additional information, including registration material, Assembly theme announcement, field trip details, prices, and guest speakers.

Thanks to Sarasota Audubon Society for their help with field trips and local logistics.  Don't miss what is sure to be the best Assembly yet, mark October 25-27 on your calendars right now!

See you in October.

Jay Watch - Training Dates and Locations

New to Jay Watch?
Learn to identify juvenile and adult Florida Scrub-jays in their nesting habitat.Learn about jay behavior and how to census their family groups. Make a difference for Scrub-jays by collecting important data for agency biologists and land managers!

2012 Jay Watch Training Sessions
Welcome aboard! Bring friends and family to learn about one of Florida's most imperiled habitats, Florida scrub, and our state's only endemic bird species, the Florida Scrub-jay.

Jay Watch training sessions are for new volunteers and for previous volunteers who want a refresher on survey protocol, bird behavior, or identification of juvenile and adult jays.

General Information on Training
Each session will consist of two segments:

1. An overview of Florida Scrub-jay biology, nesting behavior, identification, and a walk-through of the survey protocol.  
2. A short vehicle ride to Scrub-jay habitat (4WD vehicles will be provided where needed) and hands-on practice with observing jays and recording data. 

2012 Jay Watch Training Schedule

• Polk County - Saturday, May 12th, 8 am to 12 noon
  where: FL Leadership Training Center, 5000 Fire Tower Rd., Haines City
• Marion County - Saturday, May 19th, 8 am to 12 noon
  where: 49th Avenue Trailhead, 12555 SW 49th Avenue, Ocala
• Volusia County - Saturday, June 2nd, 8 am to 12 noon
  where: Lyonia Preserve - Environmental Learning Center, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona 
• Highlands County - Tuesday, June 5th, 8 am to 12 noon
  where: Flamingo Villas/Lake Wales NWR, 11849 County Road 700, Sebring 
• Martin County - Wednesday, June 6th, 8 am to 12 noon
  where: Education Center, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, 16450 S.E. Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound

For more information contact Marianne Korosy, Jay Watch Coordinator. To register for a training, send name(s), email address, and phone number to:

Marianne Korosy, Jay Watch Coordinator, Audubon Florida
mkorosy@audubon.org
727-742-1683

Tell Washington to Reject Weakening Protections for Bald and Golden Eagles By Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed a rule change that will result in more eagles being killed at wind energy projects. They have proposed providing wind companies permits that would legally allow developers to kill majestic Bald and Golden Eagles throughout the United States for 30 years.

Please join ABC in telling Congress and the Fish and Wildlife Service to withdraw this dangerous proposed rule change and protect these iconic birds for future generations of Americans.

Click here to take action: http://bit.ly/I0zkZ3

It wasn’t that long ago that Bald Eagle numbers plummeted to just 800 breeding birds, placing them on the Endangered Species List and putting their very existence in doubt. Majestic Golden Eagles, also suffered declines, and continue to struggle today in the face of ongoing threats.

The federal government currently allows corporations to get permits to avoid prosecution for killing limited numbers of eagles as part of their normal operations if they also promise to offset this damage. These permits must be renewed every five years, giving the government regular opportunity to assess an industry’s operations. However, at the request of wind energy industry lobbyists, the federal government has now proposed making the permits good for 30 years! That means 30 years without the possibility for public review of the permit.

This will lead to more dead eagles, more costly lawsuits, and more Americans who will wonder why some private businesses are getting a free pass to kill some of our nation’s most remarkable birds.
Click here to take action: http://bit.ly/I0zkZ3

For the Herp Enthusiasts: Snake Survey by Rosemary Webb

Who knew? On a statewide birding list I read, someone described a close encounter with an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake while birdwatching. Eventually, the following appeared. So, for you budding herp enthusiasts out there, here's a link to the 2012 national _snake_ count:

Since the conversation has turned to snakes, some readers might be interested in participating in the Center for Snake Conservation's snake survey May 12-20. Go to www.snakecount.snakeconservation.org to sign up and get more information.

I am just passing this along, and have not participated, nor do I know anything else about this except what's on the above-listed website.