The inaugural unveiling of the new Space Coast Audubon display today at the Forest Festival at  Enchanted Forest. I provided some of the photos but a BIG thanks to boardmember Jenn Cenker for putting the display together. We had many folks stop by and hopefully we might have recruited some new members.


Jim Eager
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair

Bird News Around the Web

Bird Embryos Can Discern Between Calls – a First in Nature

Ornithologists Map Family Tree of Mysterious Cotinga Birds

Hummingbirds 101  

New Portal to Solar Programs and Incentives

Reprinted from the Audubon Chapter Leader Update

Audubon is assembling information and resources for actions that people can take at home, at work, and in their communities to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The first of these resources—now available online—is a portal to information on rooftop and community-based solar programs and incentives by state.

We encourage you to share this information, and please let us know with how many organizations or individuals you have shared it by emailing Ginny Kreitler.

Sebastian Inlet Field Trip

Written by Phyllis Mansfield, Photos by Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Woodstorks at Dawn (photo © Dee Fairbanks Simpson)

Cold strong NW winds this morning didn’t stop 12 people who birding with Dee and David Simpson at Sebastian Inlet St. Park.  Thanks to Dee and David for a combined field trip with Pelican and Space Coast Audubon.  Around 50 species of birds were seen, some of which were lifers.  My “bird of the day” was the Broad-winged Hawk that flew over and quickly ID by David. Strong west winds don’t usually bring  in seabirds, but there was a Northern Gannet at the end of the pier!   At 7:30 am, the cove area had a great number of Wood Storks, Laughing Gulls, Ruddy Turnstones, Reddish Egret and a few terns.  Flying Roseate
Spoonbills were highlighted in the morning sun. Good comparison was observed between Willet and

The egg we found
(photo © Dee Fairbanks Simpson)

Short-billed Dowitcher. Later-in the cove- a Manatee was spotted.

We were all captivated when Dee spotted an egg on the ground;  I’m still checking but it did not fit
for either Mocking bird or Carolina Wren.  A lovely red Rat Snake was seen by all.  Great to be out-of-doors, seeing and moving with friends.

Mourning Dove (photo © Dee Fairbanks Simpson)

Gulf Fritillary (photo © Dee Fairbanks Simpson)

Field Trip: Orlando Wetlands Park, November 9

• When:  Sunday November 9, 2014
• Where:  Orlando Wetlands Park

I will be leading a Space Coast Audubon field trip to Orlando Wetlands Park on Sunday November 9th.  We will meet at 7:00 am at the Cracker Barrel at I-95 & SR 50 (Exit # 215).  From there we will carpool to Orlando Wetlands Pk in Christmas.  I would suggest bringing drinks, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray (optional).  We will be walking so wear comfortable footwear.  Looking at the 10 day forecast the high/low will be 75/55 with a 30% chance of rain.  As an FYI the male Vermillion Flycatcher has returned and is in Cell 17 which is the same area as last year.

Looking forward to a good turnout.

Jim Eager

Space Coast Audubon

Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair

Novermber 21st Meeting: A Journey Through Alaska: Birds, Wildlife, and Scenery

Denali Photo Copyright Dee Fairbanks Simpson

• WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society (SCAS)
• WHERE:  Rockledge Presbyterian Church, 921 Rockledge Dr, Rockledge, FL.
• WHEN:   November 21, 2014 at 7:30 pm

Cameron Cox will be our speaker and will be presenting A Journey Through Alaska:  Birds, Wildlife and Scenery

Cameron Cox has been an avid birder since the age of 13.  Before working for several years on the Nikon and Leica Sport Optics Pro Staff, he spent his late teens and twenties traveling as a “bird bum” to all corners of North America, from southern Mexico to the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea.  Birds led him repeatedly to Cape May, NJ, and it was while counting raptors and waterbirds he realized that identifying distant waterbirds on the wing was fun and challenging.  This led to the inspiration to publish the “Peterson Reference Guide to Seawatching:  Eastern Waterbirds in Flight” with Ken Behrens.  Cameron currently leads birding and photography tours for Tropical Birding.  Cameron will be bringing copies of his Peterson’s Guide to Seawatching book, for purchase, and will autograph them.

Come along as Cameron takes us on a journey to “The Last Frontier”.   You will be astounded at the splendor, expansiveness and beauty of our 49th state.  The birds and wildlife make it one of the most unforgettable places to visit in the United States.  Touching on the frozen tundra of Barrow, the stunted taiga forest of Nome, the seabird cliffs of St Paul, the towering mountains of Denali, and the stunning glaciers of Kenai, this slide presentation will give you a small taste of Alaska!  After viewing this presentation you’ll surely want to put Alaska on the top of your travel bucket list.  
                                                                   
Visit the Space Coast Audubon Society website at www.spacecoastaudubon.org

We look forward to another great turnout.

Jim Eager
Space Coast Audubon Society
Vice President
Program/Publicity Chair