Space Coast Audubon Society's Bird-A-Thon by Jason Frederick

We are going to hold 2 Bird-A-Thons to support a new project that we are participating in, the Florida Keys HawkWatch. The first one will be held October 22, 2011. Our second one will be held February 18, 2012.

Objective: The winning team will be the team which records the most species of
birds either by sight or sound within Brevard County during the 12 hour period
from 6a.m. until 6p.m. the event day.

Rules

• Teams may consist of two, three or four members and only bird speciesseen or heard by at least two team members can be counted. Only birds seen or heard by team members within Brevard County can be counted.
• The competition will start at Steak and Shake Restuarant in Merritt Island. Teams should be prepared to leave the starting point, at 6 a.m. and must return at 6p.m.  One species will be deducted from the teams score for each minute late returning to check in.
• There is no cost for entry, but team members are requested to obtain some sponsorship or a pledge of so many cents per species. A sponsorship of $10 per team member or a pledge of 10 cents per bird species seen, would be very gratefully received. All money raised will be used by Space Coast Audubon Society to further the Florida Keys HawkWatch
• The team captain will forward results to Jason Frederick at the end of the day for compilation for teams and the Chapter total.

Space Coast Audubon Society 2006 Birdathon Team Captain Expectations

• The team captain will provide transportation for his or her team. Team members should help cover the cost of gasoline on a voluntary basis. Each vehicle will constitute a separate team.
• The team captain will propose a route to area for the team and will make final decisions on routes during the day. Routes are limited to Brevard County only.
• The team captains will decide upon a name for the team.
• The team captain will oversee the compilation of the species identified during the day, although the filling out of the form may be delegated to another team member.
• The team must stay together during the day. No splitting up.
• The team captain will forward results to Jason Frederick at the end of the day for compilation for team total.

Rules for reporting bird species

• Wild bird species seen or heard during the day will be checked off on the bird list provided to team captains.
• Only one bird checklist is needed per team.
• The objective is to count as many wild bird species as possible, but feral domestic species may also be counted. Birds in captivity are not countable.  Birds at bird feeders are countable.
• You do not need to record the number of birds seen, only the number of species.
• Birds not on the list may be added at the end, but you must know the species for it to count (ie parakeet cannot count but monk parakeet does count).
• Rare or unusual sightings should undergo peer review and the name of the person (s) seeing the bird should be written on the form.

Space Coast Audubon Society’s Birdathon Participant Expectations

• Participants will solicit sponsors who will make contributions either based on the number of bird species identified or a fixed amount.
• Participants will pick up one or more pledge signup forms and a supply of Birdathon flyers.
• Participants will read the flyers so the can explain to prospective donors how the Birdathon works and what the funds collected will be used for.
• The participant will fill out the pledge signup form for the donor or have the donor clearly print the information on the form and give the donor a copy of the Birdathon flyer.
• After the day of the Birdathon, each participant will contact those who have made pledges, inform them of the Birdathon results and collect the check for their pledge. Certificates will be supplied which participants can fill out and hand to the donor. This will recognize them for their donation and serve as their receipt for the IRS.
• Checks should be made to the Space Coast Audubon Society.

Good luck!! If you have any questions contact Jason Frederick @ 321-449-9678 or by email at heyyoukidd@yahoo.com

If you would like to participate, reply back to me and I will either email you the
information needed to take part.

Satellite Beach Recreation Department Upcoming Events by Lynn Gornto

Samsons Island Adopt a Park Program
Samsons Island Nature Park is a 52 acre island owned by the City of Satellite Beach located in the Indian River Lagoon.  Since 1991, city volunteers and staff have worked diligently to re-vegetate this spoil island to local flora and fauna can enjoy a small piece of open land.  The City's Adopt a Park program recruits individuals, families and local organizations to lend a hand with park duties that suit their ability level.  Individuals and families can volunteer on the island on a schedule that suits them, while organizations are asked to commit to work parties at least twice a year.  Those interested in volunteering on Samsons Island can contact Kerry Stoms, SB Rec. Dept. Director, at 773-6458 or kstoms@satellitebeach.org

Marine Environmental Club    7 - 8pm    Cost:   $30/child
If you enjoyed Marine Biology Camp this summer or have a great interest in marine activities, then keep that excitement going with our Marine Environmental Club this school year!  Kids 7-13 yrs old can join Ms. Tiffany in monthly meetings that feature local experts in marine or environmental fields and marine activities!  The club meets  Nov. 30, Jan. 25, Feb. 29, March 21, and April 25 at the DRS Community Center Meeting Room.   1089 S Patrick Dr Satellite Beach 773-6458

Beachlovers (and trash haters)
Beachlovers & Trash Haters are gathering at Pelican Beach Park, north dune crossover at 8am on the second Saturday monthly.  The informal trash bash is spearheaded by Judy De La Rosa.  Keep Brevard Beautiful will supply trash bags and gloves, volunteers should bring their own drinking water.  No need to rsvp, just show up!  Contact Judy at 960-0436 or judy@mitchrealty.com with questions.

Hightower Beach Park in Satellite Beach!
Your family might wish to discover the educational boardwalk located at Hightower Beach Park, HWY AIA.  Signage along the boardwalk provides information on whales, turtles, birds, our famous worm rock and much more. The message empowers those reading it to make a difference in the lives of each animal and gives instructions on how simple actions and result in big changes.

Close Encounters of the Bird Kind

New contest spotlights bird interactions 

thaca, NY—The Celebrate Urban Birds project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is launching a contest to capture memorable encounters with birds. The goal is to show some of the ways birds interact with each other, with humans, or with other creatures.

Entries can be in the form of a story, a photo, artwork, video, poetry, sculpture or any other creative art. Participants just need to show birds interacting in fun, interesting, or captivating ways.

"For example, you might see a House Sparrow trying to grab a sandwich at the park," says project leader Karen Purcell. "Maybe a crow is teasing your dog or hummingbirds are dueling over who gets dibs on the nectar feeder. That's the sort of close encounter we'd like to see."

Prizes include binoculars, bird feeders, sound CDs, books, and much more. The first 50 entrants receive a copy of the Cornell Lab's “Doves and Pigeons” poster by Julie Zickefoose. Selected entries will also be featured in the 2012 Celebrate Urban Birds calendar.  How to enter:

1. Email entries to urbanbirds@cornell.edu. If you submit a video, post it on YouTube and send the link. 
2. Write "CloseEncounter_yourfirstname yourlastname_yourstate" in the subject line.
3. Include both your mailing address and the location where you saw the bird(s) in your email.
4. Explain why you submitted your entry and what it shows.  
5. One entry per person, please.
6. Read the terms of agreement.     

Deadline for entries is November 15, 2011

Visit the Celebrate Urban Birds website for more information.

Project Contact: Karen Purcell, Project Leader, (607) 254-2455, urbanbirds@cornell.edu

Media Contact: Pat Leonard, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge Hosting Screening of Documentary Feather Wars

Monday, October 24, 2011 – Special Event!

In lieu of the regular scheduled PIPS General Meeting on this date, we be holding a special fund-raising event for the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. PIPS will host the screening of the documentary “Feather Wars” at the Majestic Theater in Vero Beach.

Feather Wars is a film documentary about the history of Pelican Island and the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1903. The 30-minute video was written and directed by Tom Lowe and produced by his Orlando, Florida company, Eagle Productions, for the PBS Channel. Mr. Lowe has also produced other Florida-themed documentaries such as “The Sponge Divers of Tarpon Springs”, “River Into the New World” and “Zora’s Roots – The Zora Neale Hurston Story”. Mr. Lowe also writes mystery/thriller novels that are Florida-based.

We believe this is the first unrestricted public screening of the documentary, which has yet to air on PBS. The event will be held at the Majestic Theater of Vero Beach, 940 14th Lane. PIPS is the Citizen Support Organization for the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and proceeds from this event will support the refuge.

Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served starting at 7:30 PM, with the screening at 8:15 PM. Advanced reservations are $15/person for PIPS members or $20/person, non-member (to include a membership – individual/family, as appropriate) and can be made with a credit card on our website – see PayPal payment buttons below. Tickets will also be available at the door for $20/person or $25/person for non-members, to include a PIPS membership.

If you are making a reservation using our PayPal service and are not a PIPS member, please click on the “Note to Seller – Add” option in the checkout process if you would like to add name(s) to your new PIPS membership. Also include the mailing address of where you would like your newsletter sent, if different from your credit card billing address. Or better yet, just let us know that you would rather receive the electronic/email version ONLY of our newsletter!

You may also pay for your reservation by check by sending it to us – look for our mailing address under the “About Us” menu above. If you are paying by check and are not a PIPS member, please print out and submit our Membership Application with your payment, which is available for download on the Membership page under the “Get Involved” menu above.

If paying by check, please mail your payment no later than Thursday, October 20, 2011. The day of the event, we will accept cash, check or credit card at the door.

For more information please email us at info@firstrefuge.org or call 772-202-0697. For more information about the Majestic Theater, please call them at 772-770-0774.

Public Comments Invited for Everglades Headwaters Proposal By Vince Lamb

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to conserve the natural resources and preserve the rural way of life in the Everglades Headwaters – the Kissimmee River Valley south of the Orlando area.  A proposal is moving forward to purchase conservation easements on 100,000 acres and to purchase outright 50,000 acres – the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area.

Funding for these purchases is available from the Land and Water Conservation Fund with monies derived primarily from the sale of offshore oil leases.  Public support is critical to ensure that the Everglades Headwaters receives approval in competition with proposals from other areas of the U.S.  When the proposal was first announced, loud opposition was expressed by some airboaters, hunters and fisherman who would prefer that the land remain in private ownership.  At recent public hearings, the ranching community has expressed their support.  The Nature Conservancy has endorsed the proposal and is a partner in the effort.

More information is available at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters/.  A Questions document at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters/pdf/EvergladesQuestions.pdf provides answers to common questions about the proposal in two pages.

The email address to provide your comments is EvergladesHeadwatersProposal@fws.gov.  If you prefer to mail a paper copy of your comments, the postal address is listed on the main page of the website.

If you support this proposal, please send your comments including your name, address and phone number.  The demonstrated public support is an critical factor when the key decision will be reached.  You have the opportunity to play a part in the creation of this new refuge that protects the Everglades Headwaters.  Do not let this slip away due to public apathy.

Florida Bluebird Society Sponsors a Statewide Bluebird Blitz

The second annual Statewide Bluebird Blitz will take place on Friday November 18 and Saturday November 19, 2011.

What is a Bluebird Blitz?
The Statewide Bluebird Blitz is a concentrated effort by as many volunteers as possible going out all over the state of Florida on specific dates to locate as many Eastern Bluebirds as possible.

Why a Bluebird Blitz?
There is much general information available about bluebirds, but what applies in other parts of the country may not hold true in Florida. The Florida Bluebird Society is gathering data on where and when bluebirds can be found in the state. The fall Blitz, Nov. 18-19, 2011, will help us determine where Bluebirds find food and habitat during non-breeding season. We will also conduct a Spring Blitz April 13-14, 2012.

Participation is simple.

• Go outside on Friday Nov. 18 and/or Saturday Nov 19, 2011, and look for bluebirds
• Record as much as you are able about the bluebirds you see. Location, behavior, sex, age, etc. We also want to know where you looked and did not find any bluebirds.
• Download, complete, and submit the Blitz Report form that is on the Florida Bluebird Society web site, floridabluebirdsociety.com.

THAT’S IT! Together we can make a difference in the conservation and protection of Florida’s bluebirds!

The Florida Bluebird Society was organized two years ago with a mission of conservation and protection of Eastern Bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting bird species through educational programs and the collection and dissemination of pertinent and relevant information.