Swarovski Raffle at Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival

September 17, 2016 outing on the Banana River

Join Space Coast Audubon Society for our September 17^th Meeting

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society (SCAS)

WHERE:  Kelly Park, 2550 N. Banana River Drive Merritt Island, FL 32952

WHEN:   September 17, 2016 at 1:00 PM

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS WILL REPLACE OUR USUAL FRIDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 16^TH MEETING.

Instead of our usual pot luck dinner at Rockledge Presbyterian Church on Friday night September 16, 2016, to kick off our new season of meetings and field trips, we are once again planning a Saturday afternoon September 17, 2016 eco-tour with Space Coast River Tours to have a unique outing like we had last year.

Tours are led by Captain Mark Anderson, who is a U.S. Coast Guard Certified captain, on the “Blue Dolphin” a 44 foot USCG certified pontoon river boat that seats up to 49 people.  It is equipped with cushioned seats for your comfort, a retractable roof top to give you great views, a restroom and is also handicapped accessible.

We will meet at Kelly Park, on Merritt Island, Exit #52 (Banana River Dr) off SR 528 (Beachline) between 12:15 & 12:30.  Please try to arrive at Kelly Park no later than 12:30 to allow time for folks to pay as they board the “Blue Dolphin”.  Cash, local checks and credit cards accepted.  The 2- 2 1/2-hour Indian River Lagoon tour leaves from Kelly Park at 1:00 and cruises the beautiful Banana River.  We go through the Canaveral Locks and tour Port Canaveral where we see cruise ships, shrimp boats and see firsthand one of the busiest ports in the nation as well as enter the barge canal, which is one of only two ways to get from the Banana River to the Indian River.  We will see a variety of birds, dolphin, manatee and the occasional alligator.  Below are the particulars for the cruise as well as prices.   

Tours include a drink:  beer, wine, soda, water (first one is free), pretzels and cookies.  Saturday tours also include appetizers/lunch from Fishlips Restaurant.

Tour Price Schedule:

    >> Adults - $34.00
    >> Seniors - $30.00
    >> Kids ages 3-12 - $25.00
    >> Kids Under 3 are Free
    >> Group Rates for Over 20 People - $28.00

As you can see if we have 20 or more people sign up we would get the group rate of $28.00 per person.  I think this would be a great trip and who can complain about a beautiful afternoon cruising the Banana River with fellow Audubon members.

Please email me at beachbirder@bellsouth.net with your "YES" response for the cruise.  DO NOT respond via the spacecoastaudubon@yahoogroups.com or the Meetup page.    Also in your email please provide a contact number you can be reached at in case of any issues that might arise at the last minute.  If I do not respond to your “YES” request I have NOT received your request.  My response will be your confirmation.

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

Past Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair       

2016 June Challenge

Calling all Brevard County birders. Breeding season is winding down and to keep up the interest as we enter into the dog days of birding how about joining me and other county birders for the June Challenge. This is a friendly contest started by a group of birders, in Gainesville, Alachua County. If you wish to participate keep track of each species seen and forward me your results at the end of June. I will compile individual as well as a total county list and forward to the June Challenge compiler. Send your lists to me and please try to have your species in taxonomic order.

Good birding,

Jim Eager
beachbirder@bellsouth.net

May 20, 2016 meeting

Join Space Coast Audubon Society for May 20th Meeting

“Potluck Dinner & Birds of Cuba”

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society (SCAS)

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

WHEN:   May 20, 2016 at 6:30 pm

This will be our last meeting, for the season, until we come together again on September 16, 2016.  The May meeting, which starts at 6:30 pm this month, is a gathering of folks for a good ole fashion potluck dinner. Conjure up a new favorite concoction or bring your favorite dish and come join us for some great eats.  Swap some of your favorite birding stories whether it be that elusive nemesis bird you discovered or the one that is still eludes you after many attempts to chase.  Always great friendship and a good time had by all.

In addition, long time member Roy Book will do a photographic presentation of his birding trip to Cuba.  Since relations have been re-established between the United States and Cuba all the major birding tour companies are offering trips to Cuba so this presentation will whet many birders appetites to finally visit a new venue not previously opened to the birders of the world. 

And remember although we don’t meet in June, July and August and it’s the dog days of birding, so to speak, you never know when a trip might pop up during the summer.  So check the new revamped website at www.spacecoastaudubon.org including the Limpkin/blog, Facebook, Meetup and the listserv at www.spacecoastaudubon@yahoogroups.com from time to time.  

                                                                    

Look forward to another great turnout.

Jim Eager

Space Coast Audubon Society

Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair

April 23, 2016 Turkey Creek Sanctuart field trip

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society

WHERE:  Turkey Creek Sanctuary

WHEN:  Saturday April 23, 2016, 7:30 AM

Join Bill Haddad for an early morning bird walk, looking for spring migrants, at Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Saturday April 23, 2016, in Palm Bay, 1518 Port Malabar Blvd. Meet in the parking lot at 7:30am and the walk should last several hours.  Wear comfortable shoes, as this will be a walking field trip, bring hat, water and snacks.

 55

Jim Eager

Space Coast Audubon Society

Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair

Field Trip to Three Lakes Area Results

By Phyllis Mansfield, photos by Jim Meyer

Kudos to Jim Eager for leading the Space Coast Audubon Society field trip to Three Lakes area this morning. Thirteen people joined Jim on a cool windy morning. Some of us were wanting another layer, while others were in shirt sleeves!! Before long the sun warmed us as did seeing most of the target birds plus a few extras. I tallied 72 species.

 

The Whooping Crane was a miss, but The hunt camp yielded at least three RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS for close viewing, several BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES, EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, PINE WARBLERS, finally a BACHMAN’S SPARROW viewed in the scope while singing. NORTHERN BOBWHITE was heard, as well as several EASTERN TOWHEE.  

 

Lake Jackson at Prairie Lakes was a winner for us today: WHITE PELICAN, around 60 SNOWY EGRETS, 1 PURPLE GALLINULE, 2 ROSEATE SPOONBILL. Kim showed me a photo she took of a yellowlegs, but I said it looked like a SOLITARY SANDPIPER. We soon located 2 of them a few yards from us along with a LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Overhead with the vultures were 2 SWALLOW-TAILED KITE.

 

We were ready to give up on the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, but Jim Located one on a dead tree on Overstreet Rd, head bopping in and out of a nest hole. 

At the boat ramp on Lake Kissimmee there was a LIMPKIN and a SNAIL KITE was seen gathering it’s favorite-an apple snail.

 

We always enjoy this area for the abundance of BALD EAGLE, WILD TURKEY, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, SANDHILL CRANE. There were 5 species of woodpeckers, 6 species of warblers, 10 species of wading birds seen today. And for some the FOS CHIMNEY SWIFT.

 

Great day to be out looking for birds with other birders.