May 15th General Meeting

Join Space Coast Audubon Society for May 15th Meeting

“Potluck Dinner”

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society (SCAS)

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

WHEN:   May 15, 2015 at 6:30 pm

This will be our last meeting, for the season, until we come together again on September 18, 2015.  The May meeting is a gathering of folks for a good ole fashion potluck dinner.   

Remember our meeting starts an hour earlier at 6:30 pm.

We will be showing an episode of PBS’s Nature series called “Original Duckumentary”.

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. 

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.  If folks are interested I might lead a trip to look at dragonflies.  So check the Limpkin/blog, Facebook, Meetup and the listserv at www.spacecoastaudubon@yahoogroups.com from time to time.  

                                                                    

Visit the Space Coast Audubon Society website at www.spacecoastaudubon.org

Look forward to another great turnout.

Jim Eager

Space Coast Audubon Society

Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair

Lake Apopka Driving Route

Good news for birders. There is now a driving route opened at Lake Apopka.

Public invited to enjoy Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

PALATKA, Fla., May 5, 2015 -- Bird lovers and other nature enthusiasts have a new way to enjoy the wildlife of the Lake Apopka North Shore with the opening of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Spanning 11 miles, the drive begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Road in Orange County. A portion of the drive intersects with the Lake Apopka Loop Trail where hikers, bikers and other users will share the road.

The drive is open during daylight hours on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays, and it will be closed other days due to ongoing restoration work. The gates will be opened at sunrise and will be closed an hour before sunset. In the coming months, automatic gates will be installed that follow a similar schedule.

"The water management district has made improvements to the existing trails and levee system on our portion of the North Shore property as part of our land management plan," said Steve Miller, Land Management Bureau Chief for the District. "The Wildlife Drive offers people the opportunity to see some of the 362 species of birds that have been identified on the property as well as alligators, bobcats, otters and other wildlife. It's a unique opportunity."

To assist users, the District has installed directional signs on the drive and an informational kiosk. The roadway has been hard topped with widened portions available for "pull over" areas. Other improvements at the North Shore made by the District and its partners include:

Building of a small foot bridge to connect two sections of levee
Capping of the levees with lime rock to add stability
Opening of two phases of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail

Vehicles on the Wildlife Drive are limited to 25 feet in length and vehicles pulling trailers are not allowed.

A Wildlife Drive map and birding list are available on the District's website at floridaswater.com/recreationguide/lakeapopka.

Jim Eager
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair

Brevard Young Birder Robert McCarthy

This photo is from last night's SCAS board meeting. The board presented, this up and coming Brevard young birder, Robert McCarthy a check toward his registration to attend the ABA Young Birders Camp Avocet, in Lewes, De, from August 1-7, 2015. Robert will give a full report on his experience at an upcoming SCAS general meeting after we return from our summer hiatus.

Jim Eager 
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair