May Events at Sams House at Pine Island by Katrina Morrell, Education Coordinator Sams House at PICA

Hello Sams Friends!

We've had a wonderful month so far learning all about gardening, butterflies, and bees - oh my!  Next month, we'll switch our focus to Endangered Species as we celebrate National Endangered Species Month.  Speakers will introduce us to beach mice, North Atlantic right whales, bald eagles, and bats.

We have some special activities for children and families planned as well.  On May 5th, families can learn about the animals of the Indian River Lagoon and help decorate a trash can for our lagoon overlook.  The Young Birders of Brevard will visit Sams on Saturday, May 12th and invite everyone to join them in celebrating International Migratory Bird Day.  In recognition of National Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 19th, we'll give a gift to the first 10 kids to visit between the ages of 2 and 17.

The gate at Pine Island Road should re-open in mid June - fingers crossed!  In the meantime, we ask those who come to the south entrance at Sams House to fish to please only do so during our open hours.  Thanks for your patience!

Hope to see you all soon!

Sams House at Pine Island

May Events - Endangered Species Month

6195 North Tropical Trail Merritt Island, FL 32953 321.449.4720

www.facebook.com/samshousepineisland and www.eelbrevard.com

Open Thursday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“The Beach Mouse That Helps Protect Your House” - Friday, May 4th, 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Donna Oddy with Innovative Health Applications will discuss the southeastern beach mouse, a federally threatened species that lives in coastal dunes, strand, and scrub. This mouse once ranged from New Smyrna Beach south to Miami but now is known to live only on the three federal lands in Brevard County, with the exception of two relict populations. Space is limited, call to reserve a spot.

“Lagoon Art” - Saturday May 5th, 10 a.m. - noon
Bring the family for a fun morning learning about the animals of the Indian River Lagoon. We’ll also decorate a trash can for our lagoon overlook. Snacks provided. Space is limited, call to reserve a spot.

“Beneficial Bats” - Saturday, May 12th, 10 am - noon
Meet some live bats being cared for by Shari Blisett-Clark with the Florida Bat Conservancy. Shari will explain the importance of bats and some of the threats they face. Space is limited, call to reserve a spot.

“Young Birders of Brevard” - Saturday, May 12th, 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Join 9 year old birder Gabe Cenker in celebrating International Migratory Bird Day with a birding adventure along our trails. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring binoculars, if you have them. To learn more about Young Birders of Brevard, check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Birders-of-Brevard/336295429746977

“North Atlantic Right Whales” - Saturday, May 19th, 10 am - 11:30 am
Julie Albert with the Marine Resources Council will present a family-friendly presentation on the endangered Northern Right whale. Space is limited, call to reserve a spot.

“The Bald Eagle in Florida” - Saturday, May 26th, 10 am - 11:30 am
Al McKinley with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will give a presentation on our national bird, followed by a short hike to an eagle nest viewing area. Space is limited, call to reserve a spot.

Guided Nature Hikes:

• Friday, May 11th, 2 pm - 3:30 pm
• Thursday, May 17th, 1 pm - 2:30 pm
• Friday May 25th, 2 pm - 3:30 pm

Give-away offer!! Saturday May 19th is National Kids to Parks Day First 10 visitors between the ages of 2-17 will receive a gift!

1888 House and 1875 Cabin Tours, every Thursday, 3 pm - 3:30 pm

FNPS Native Plant Sale

Please join the Florida Native Plant Society on Saturday, April 21 st for our Annual Earth Day Native Plant Sale! We’ll have over 40 species of native plants for your home landscape, including butterfly plants,
wildflowers, and groundcovers; a plant for every plot!

The sale will begin at 10am at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, 444 Columbia Blvd, Titusville.
Please call 321-264-5185 for driving directions.

Recognition of EEL Program Award by Vince Lamb, Friends of Ulumay

At the meeting on May 1, 2012, the County Commissioners will formally recognize the EEL Program for receiving the Carl N. Becker Stewardship Award from the Natural Areas Association.  This award is presented annually in recognition of excellence and achievement in managing the natural resources of reserves, parks, wilderness and other protected areas. It is given in honor of Carl N. Becker, former NAA president and conservation leader whose skills benefited natural area conservation locally, regionally and nationally.

The award identifies the EEL Program as one of the true leaders of the conservation and restoration of natural areas. This exceptional program manages more than 20,000 acres of conservation land in Brevard County, provides outdoor recreational activities and operates three education centers.  Although the program requires only a tiny portion of the county budget, funding challenges continue to cloud its future.

Please consider attending this session to recognize our award-winning land conservation program.  The meeting will start at 9:00 AM at the Commission Chamber at Viera Government Center.

TAKE ACTION: Defend Florida's Iconic Silver Springs

Reprinted from the Audubon of Florida Advocate newsletter



Defend Silver Springs; send a letter to Governor Scott right now!

Silver Springs, an iconic symbol of natural Florida and a nationally known tourist destination since the mid-1800s, could become the next Florida springs casualty.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is in the early stages of evaluating permit applications submitted by Adena Springs Ranch. Developers want to turn 30,000 acres of relatively undisturbed springshed land into a dense “cattle finishing” operation and slaughterhouse. The size of this project is approximately the same acreage as the City of Ocala. Further, the 13.2 million gallons of water this massive industrial cattle operation wants to draw from the aquifer near Silver Springs is just about the same as the water use for all of the existing development in Ocala.

With flow down by more than 50% over historic amounts and nutrients feeding the growth of algae, the system is already dangerously compromised. Take Action: urge Governor Rick Scott and the members of the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Management District to deny permits related to the Adena Springs Ranch project.

A steep decline in springflow began in the 1980s. By 2011, flow had fallen to only half the historic average. By April 1, 2012, the flow in Silver Springs was at the lowest volume ever recorded – only 282 Cubic Feet Per Second – only 37% of the average historic flow.

While water quantity – expressed by the rate of flow from the spring - has been decreasing, largely due to increased pumping from wells in the areas that have provided groundwater recharge for the spring, the quality of water flowing from the spring has been rapidly declining as well. Nitrates, produced by fertilizers applied to the surface of the land, waste percolating into the aquifer from septic tank drainfields and sewage treatment plant effluent – are the chief cause of the springs’ current flow of dirty water. Flow reduction exacerbates the problem by increasing the concentration. Nitrates cause the unnatural growth of algae – green slime – that forms layers on native aquatic plants such as eelgrass, and kills those plants by shading out sunlight.

While much of the springshed that supplies water through recharge of the aquifer to Silver Springs has been covered by urban development drawing out water and adding pollution, a large strip of land near the springs and adjacent to the Ocklawaha River has thus far remained undeveloped and contributes clean water.

The thousands of cattle that will be processed on this land will add to the nutrient load soaking into the ground. This proposal has the potential to double the damage already suffered by Silver Springs. While cattle ranching throughout Florida at the intensities normally practiced is for the most part an environmentally benign land use, the Adena Springs Ranch is a different proposition entirely.

Given the status of Silver Springs and the risk that this project will serve as its final death blow, common sense and sound scientific analysis would suggest that the Water Management District would move decisively to protect the public interest by firmly rejecting the permits. Unfortunately, in the regulatory environment now present in Florida, we cannot count on that.

If Floridians want to save what is left of our natural heritage at Silver Springs, it is time to say “NO” to this proposal. Please use our easy email function to urge Governor Rick Scott and the members of the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Management District to deny permits related to the Adena Springs Ranch project.

Thank you and please share.

Celebrate Spring With Citizen Science: YardMap and NestWatch

Reprinted from Cornell Lab newsletter

With May flowers—and birds—well on their way back to us, it's a great time to think about a new season of citizen science. Our newest project, YardMap, is perfect for people who enjoy gardening and bird watching. Using simple point-and-click tools, you can map out the parts of your yard while keeping track of the birds that visit it. The data you provide help our scientists understand how neighborhoods function as bird habitat. For those who want to take a closer look at nesting robins, wrens, chickadees, swallows, and other backyard birds, NestWatch offers a structured, supportive way to help, with tons of advice on attracting nesters and finding nests: Explore :

YardMap:
http://cornell.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b35ddb671faf4a16c0ce32406&id=7866c1dca2&e=d865a97cb3

NestWatch:
http://cornell.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b35ddb671faf4a16c0ce32406&id=f10979b504&e=d865a97cb3

Leading U.S. Bird Conservation Group Says Lake Apopka Airport Expansion Could be Disastrous

Reprinted from the American Bird Conservancy

(Washington, D.C. March 27, 2012) American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the nation’s leading bird conservation organization, has called on the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRMD) to reject the West Orange Airport Authority proposal to expand an existing airport adjacent to Lake Apopka, saying the proposal could have disastrous consequences for the area’s birds.

“The expansion would negatively impact millions of birds, be a significant loss for the growing thousands of Americans who travel to the area each year and contribute to the local economy by their bird watching activities, and would imperil taxpayers’ substantial investment in managing water resources for the benefit of Florida’s citizens and wildlife,” said ABC Vice President for Conservation Advocacy, Darin Schroeder in a letter to Lad Daniels, Governing Board Member and Hans G. Tanzler , Executive Director of SJRWD.

In their proposal, the West Orange Airport Authority asks SJRWMD for 600 acres of wildlife habitat in exchange for 90 acres they currently own to expand the regional airport. The ABC letter says that aside from the discrepancy in land value equivalence, this exchange could threaten the way the district currently manages its land for water quality and wildlife. West Orange Airport Authority will be seeking federal stimulus money to develop and expand this airport, meaning the Federal Aviation Administration will mandate buffer areas around the airport based on the types of aircrafts flying in and out. At airports serving turbine-powered aircraft (such as in this proposed expansion), a 10,000 foot radius excluding “hazardous wildlife attractants” is mandated. At Lake Apopka, this radius would extend over the impoundments currently managed for and used by wading birds, shorebirds, and ducks.

In 1998, ABC designated the Lake Apopka Restoration Area as a Globally Important Bird Area (IBA) for its importance to federally endangered species that include a pair of resident endangered Whooping Cranes, Wood Storks, and Florida Scrub-Jays, all of which have a limited population range, as well as to hundreds of thousands of birds that migrate through or winter at this location. This includes many WatchList species such as the Mottled Duck, Swallow-tailed Kite, and Western, Semipalmated, White-rumped, and Stilt Sandpipers. Lake Apopka is also an important breeding site for Black-necked Stilts – in 2011 there were at least 52 nesting pairs.

For 14 years, SJRWMD has collected year-round data on the birds of Lake Apopka Restoration Area. With hundreds of thousands (up to a million) birds per day using the area, these data more than supports its IBA designation, and illustrates the importance of conserving this natural resource for wildlife.

Further, the Federal Aviation Administration is subject to Executive Order 13186, which delineates the responsibilities of federal agencies to protect migratory birds and avoid or minimize adverse impacts on migratory birds when conducting agency actions; and to restore and enhance the habitat of migratory birds, as practicable.

“Should the Federal Aviation Administration access federal stimulus funds for the airport expansion, it would clearly violate the agency’s obligations under the President’s Executive Order,” Schroeder said.

New BirdLog App Transforms Bird Watching

Reprinted from Cornell Lab eNews

Ithaca, NY—A satisfying day of bird watching used to be followed by tedious time spent transferring observations from notebook to computer. No more. Now there's BirdLog, a data entry app for iPhone and Android smartphones.

For the first time, bird watchers can use their smartphones to instantly report the birds they see, from wherever they see them. With  one click, sightings go straight to the eBird citizen-science program run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon. eBird takes in more than a million bird reports each month from anywhere in the world. These reports are used by a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, and conservation biologists. BirdLog was developed by Birds In The Hand, creators of the popular BirdsEye bird-finding app, which is also based on eBird reports.

"Bird watchers have waited for in-the-field data entry for years,” says eBird leader Marshall Iliff. “BirdLog's simple interface not only makes it easy; it maximizes the usefulness of sightings for birding, science, and conservation.”

Fully integrated with the eBird online reporting system, BirdLog allows users to select from thousands of existing eBird Hotspots and personal bird-watching locations, or to use the built-in GPS services of the phone to allow easy and accurate creation of new locations. Users can create lists in BirdLog even if there is no cell coverage at their location.

"We hear phrases like 'revolutionize birding' all too frequently,” notes eBird’s Chris Wood. “But BirdLog will actually do it! BirdLog will fundamentally change the way we go birding, making it easier than ever for birders to share observations among themselves and with the science and conservation community.”

BirdLog North America and BirdLog Worldwide are available via the iTunes app store or at the Google Play app store for Android devices. A portion of the proceeds goes to fund research and conservation work at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

NAMC - Spring 2012 - May 12 by Matt Heyden

Brevard Audubon Members:  Here's the info for the count coming up next month.  I will be the county compiler again, and we could use some more participation on this one.  This is fun to do.  It's important citizen science to document exactly who is where when.  All areas of Brevard are unclaimed at this point.  Pick your favorite birding places, and call me at 264-8909 to claim it.  We'll have a picnic at the Merritt Island Visitor center at 1 PM.  Please help out, as this is important to document migration through our county.

Christmas Count Roundups by Dave Freeland

I thought you might be interested in the following gleanings from the report of the inimitable Bill Pranty, master of the Florida Christmas Bird Counts.

Cocoa did better than most other Florida counts, as usual, thanks to your skills and persistence.  Our 159 countable species tied with Alafia Banks for fourth in the state, trailing only West Pasco (171), North Pinellas (168) and Zellwood-Mount Dora (165).  As for total taxonomic forms, Cocoa's 168 trailed only West Pasco (174) and North Pinellas' 169.

We had the only (2) Muscovy Duck X Mallards on any count and the only (2) empidonax flycatchers reported.  We also reported 2 of Florida's 3 Pine Siskins and 155,000 of its 182,003 Lesser Scaups.

In addition, Cocoa had Florida's 2011 high counts of Common Peafowl (45), Double-crested Cormorant (7300), Tricolored Heron (675), White Ibis (4200), Laughing Gull (11,000), Ring-billed Gull (8500), archilochus hummingbird (5), Belted Kingfisher (91), Yellow-rumped Warbler (4400) and Painted Bunting (77).  Nice work!

Our neighboring Brevard County CBCs ran into tougher times.  South Brevard tallied 150 species and Merritt Island just 141.

Our Bay-breasted Warbler, unfortunately, didn't make the cut of the editor's pen.  Too many observers, it seems, including those responsible for accepting or rejecting CBC submissions, don't know the vagaries of Bay-breast identification, apparently relying on field guides and museum skins of differently aged birds to strike the bird seen at Georgiana Cemetery, Merritt Island.  Such is life in birding.

Don't forget this year's Cocoa count date -- December 15.  Thanks, as always, for your helpful contribution to science.

Get a New View of Bird Life with NestWatch

Reprinted from the Cornell Lab newsletter

Ithaca, NY—Across the continent, birds are in a flutter of wooing and nest-building. Perhaps there’s an American Robin building her mud and grass bowl on your porch light or a Northern Mockingbird weaving a twiggy nest in your shrubs. If you find a nest nearby, you have a front-row seat to the daily drama of bird life. It’s also a perfect opportunity to become part of the NestWatch project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. NestWatch has been tracking trends in the nesting success of hundreds of species of birds across the country for more than 40 years.

“It’s only when many thousands of volunteers are collecting data over a vast area that scientists can fully measure the impacts of environmental change and land-use on breeding birds,” says Jason Martin, NestWatch project leader. “Take climate change, for example. We need a massive amount of data to investigate the potential impacts that altered climatic patterns may have on breeding birds. If birds start nesting sooner, as some species are doing, they may eventually become out of sync with their food supplies.”

As a NestWatch participant, you’ll visit one or more nests or nest boxes every 3 to 4 days and report what you see at www.NestWatch.org—when the first eggs are laid, total number of eggs and young, and when the hatchlings take their first faltering flights.  After signing up, you’ll first do a bit of online training to understand how best to observe nesting birds without disturbing them. You’ll learn the best time to check nests and how to avoid accidentally leading predators to them.

You’ll also get some tips on how to find nests. “Look for birds carrying bits of grass, twigs, feathers, and other nesting material and remember where they go,” says Martin. “Males sing to mark their territories so if you see male birds singing, there’s probably a nest nearby.”

Participation in NestWatch is open to anyone who is interested in birds and nature and is free, although a small donation is suggested to help support the program. Signing up is easy via the NestWatch website www.nestwatch.org. There are online tutorials to help you along the way and a chance to share your experiences with others on Facebook. It’s a great way to connect with other bird watchers and with nature in your own backyard.

Contacts:
Jason Martin, NestWatch project leader, (607) 254-2450, jmm677@cornell.edu
Pat Leonard, Communications, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornelle.edu

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership institution dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab’s website at http://www.birds.cornell.edu.

2 Days, 27 Life Birds by Dee Fairbanks Simpson

So, sometimes my boss will call me up and start a conversation by saying, "You are so pretty… your hair looks soooo good today…" Given that we are on the phone and she is in Colorado, I know that when she starts a conversation like that, the project she is about to ask me to do is not going to be fun. I call these my "flattery gets you everywhere cause I'm just that stupid and vain" projects.

I have been on a "flattery gets you everywhere cause I'm just that stupid and vain" project for about 3 months now, and on one of the rougher days, the project manager (who is also a birder) offered me a bribe - "Stick with it, and when you come out to California, I'll take you birding."

I replied, "Will you take me to see a California Condor?" She said she would, and that is really all that has kept me going the last few months.

So finally, the time came… last week I headed out to California. Work was not good, mostly my failing, which made it all the harder to get through. Finally Friday rolled around. The manager, as promised, picked me up, and took me birding for the whole weekend. I actually got my first life bird of the trip from her kitchen, and things just got better from there.

In addition to two life critters (sea lions and sea otters) I came back from the trip with 27 life birds: Allen's hummingbird, Brewer's blackbird, wrentit, brown towhee, Say's phoebe, California quail, whimbrel, Brandt's cormorant, black turnstone, golden plover, white-tailed kite, semi-palmated plover, Herman's gull, long-tailed duck, pacific loon, surf scoter, snow goose, ross's goose, white-fronted goose, tri-colored blackbird, bushtit, black oystercatcher, pelagic cormorant, California condor, golden-crowned sparrow, and Oregon junco. A few of those I had seen before, but never photographed. If you want to see all the pictures, you can see them on my web site:

http://deemotivation.blogspot.com/2012/03/unofficial-deemotivation-event-birding.html

Believe it or not, my photographic life list is up to 274 now. I am hoping that my next project will be in India as my co-worker there is also a birder and photographer...

SCAS Elections by Vicky Hamilton

Space Coast Audubon Society’s Annual Elections of Officers for the Board of Directors will be held at our April 20th General Meeting 7:30 p.m. We are pleased to announce that our current officers have agreed to serve another term. Slate of Nominees include:

• President - Deborah Longman-Marien
• Vice President – Dee Fairbanks Simpson
• Treasurer – Judith Thurman
• Secretary – Rosemary Webb

While SCAS has over 1,000 members, only a couple of dozen people contribute to the operation of the chapter which greatly limits items that we can accomplish or activities that we can offer.

If you are interested in running as an officer or in volunteering on one of our committees, you may contact Vicky Hamilton at vlh@bluegrass.net or 321-720-2993;  or contact Matt Heyden or Lora Losi at mheyden716@aol.com.  We are always receptive to new helpers on committees such as membership, conservation, education, field trips, programs, publicity and other areas.  No experience is necessary.  It is a good way  to get involved and to meet other members.  Please contact one of us (or any board member) if you can contribute a talent, skill, knowledge or time.

SCAS nominating committee includes:  Vicky Hamilton, Matt Heyden and Lora Losi.