October 16th Meeting

Join Space Coast Audubon Society for our October 16^th Meeting

“Bird Banding Basics and Current Research on Painted Buntings”

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society (SCAS)

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

WHEN:   October 16, 2015 at 7:30 pm

Nancy LaFramboise will present Bird Banding Basics and Current Research on Painted Buntings

Nancy has been studying birds since 1982 and has birded in 49 of the 50 states and parts of Canada.  She started banding training as a volunteer for US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 2001 and eventually worked for them.  She worked with a sub-permit on a study of White-crowned Sparrows in Washington State from 2007 until 2011 when she moved to Stuart.  Since September 2012 Nancy has been running a banding station at Audubon of Martin County's property in Stuart (Possum Long).  In December 2013 she started banding Painted Buntings in conjunction with the volunteers who assist me and the University of North Carolina.

Banding is a research tool used to understand many data points about birds.  It can help the researcher understand more about abundance, ages, species diversity, and site fidelity in bird populations.  The program in Stuart at the Audubon of Martin County property known as Possum Long has been operating since October 2012 and has provided some interesting information and species.  This project has also led to the banding team working with the University of North Carolina on its Painted Bunting Research.  In order to help understand this declining species, banding is being used to document birds returning to feeders, where overwintering Florida birds go to breed, what makes a Painted Bunting choose a yard, and much more.  

           

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

Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair

September 13, 2015 Lori Wilson Park field trip

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society

WHERE:  Lori Wilson Park

WHEN:  Sunday September 13, 2015

Space Coast Audubon board member Jason Fredrick will be leading a field trip to Lori Wilson Park, 1500 N Atlantic Blvd, in Cocoa Beach on Sunday September 13, 2015.  Meet at 8:00 am at the north parking lot.  I would suggest bringing drinks, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray (optional).  This will be easy walking on a raised wooden boardwalk a 1/4 mile long.  Afterwards we will check the beach for shorebirds, gulls and terns so wear comfortable footwear for walking in the sand.  Rsvp Jason at heyyoukiddd@yahoo.com so he will have an idea of how many folks will be attending.  Jason's cell is 321-749-2329 should anyone need to contact him the morning of the field trip for directions, etc.

 

Jim Eager

Space Coast Audubon Society

Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair

Lake Apopka field trip

WHO:  Space Coast Audubon Society

WHERE:  Lake Apopka

WHEN:  Sunday August 16, 2015

We at Space Coast Audubon are gearing up for our 2015-2016 season and wanted to start a little early with a field trip to Lake Apopka.  Space Coast Audubon Vice President, Jim Eager, will be leading a field trip to Lake Apopka, Sunday August 16, 2015.  We will meet at 6:30 am at Sam’s Club on SR 520/I-95.  I would suggest bringing drinks, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray (optional).  On May 1st the St Johns River Water Management District opened a nature driving trail in the Orange County segment of Lake Apopka.  It is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset.  Phyllis Mansfield and I have been over several times lately and the birding has been very good.  This will be a driving trip.  Rsvp Jim at beachbirder@bellsouth.net so he will have an idea of how many folks will be attending.  Jim's cell is 423-593-0059 should anyone need to contact him the morning of the field trip for directions, etc. 

 

Jim Eager

Space Coast Audubon Society

Vice President

Program/Publicity Chair

September 18, 2015 Space Coast Audubon meeting

To all Space Coast Audubon members, family and friends,

Hope everyone is having a great summer despite the heat.  I wanted to present an option for our first meeting, of the new season for Space Coast Audubon, which is on September 18, 2015.  We always have a pot luck dinner to kickoff our new season of meetings, programs and field trips.  Instead of our usual pot luck dinner at Rockledge Presbyterian Church on Friday night I wanted to get folks opinions on a Space Coast River Tours cruise Saturday afternoon September 19, 2015?  Below are the particulars for the cruise as well as prices.   

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. She is equipped with cushioned seats for your comfort, a retractable roof top to give you great views, a restroom and is also handicapped accessible.

The 2 hour Indian River Lagoon Tour leaves from Kelly Park, at 1:00 PM, on the beautiful Banana River and goes just north to the Barge Canal on Merritt Island where we see a variety of birds, dolphin, manatee and the occasional Alligator.  From there we go back across the Banana River and go through Canaveral Locks and tour the Port where we see the cruise ships, shrimp boats and see first hand one of the busiest ports in the nation.

Tours include a drink:  beer, wine, soda, water (first one is free), pretzels and cookies. Saturday tours also include appetizers 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 interested 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 Indian River Lagoon with fellow Audubon members.  Please email me at beachbirder@bellsouth.net with your opinions, concerns and/or questions as well as your "Yes" or "No" response for the cruise and not on
the spacecoastaudubon@yahoogroups.com.  I hope I will get a lot of positive response.

Hope to see you for the cruise,

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

Satellite Beach bans 3 exotic trees

This is great news. Let's hope this sets a precedence with other cities here along the Space Coast as well as other Florida cities.

SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Satellite Beach City Council is going after three species of invasive trees.
The council unanimously approved an ordinance banning Brazilian pepper, Australian pine and melaleuca trees from all properties within the city during a first reading on Wednesday night.
Florida Today reports if the ordinance is approved on Aug. 5, residents will face a Nov. 15 deadline to remove the invasive trees from their yards.
The council adopted a list of nuisance trees in 2007 but decided not to set a removal deadline until all such trees had been removed from municipal property.
If the ordinance is approved, letters will be mailed to all households where inspectors spot the trees. After the deadline, homeowners could face code enforcement attention.

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

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

Young Birder Robert McCarthy

Was psyched to take an up and coming young birder, 13 yr old Robert McCarthy, here in Brevard County, FL, birding this morning to Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay, FL. He is so attentive and has great id skills. He was able to observe 4 life birds: Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue Warbler(m&f), Red-eyed Vireo and Worm-eating Warbler. Space Coast Audubon is partially sponsoring Robert so he can attend ABA's Camp Avocet in Lewes, DE, August 1-7, 2015. We know Robert will be a solid birder taking everything in and look forward to a presentation about his camp experience.  I'm hoping with Robert coming to the front, reinvigorate Gabe Cenker and see if we can coax Johan Reijm to join us I'm hoping we might be able to resurrect the Young Birders of Brevard and make this wonderful group take off like I know it can.  Just need to find other young birders in Brevard County. 

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

Trip to STA 2

By David Simpson, Birding With David Simpson

Yesterday, April 4, 2015, I was able to lead a field trip to Stormwater Treatment Area 2 (STA 2) in southern Palm Beach County.  The area encompasses the former Brown's Farm Wildlife Management Area, an area once leased to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for waterfowl hunting.   The area is now part of Everglades restoration, filtering water coming of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) before it continues it's journey to Florida Bay.

STA 2 is managed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The staff at SFWMD have been very generous in allowing access to restricted areas of the STAs.  Hendry-Galdes Audubon Society has been leading trips to STA 5 for a number of years.  Audubon Society of the Everglades (ASE), based in Palm Beach County, has been leading trips to STA 1E for a couple years.   Last year, word got out that a flock of American Flamingos had been visiting STA 2 annually for a number of years,  The staff at SFWMD and volunteers at ASE arranged to allow special access to STA 2 for folks to see the flamingos.  Popularity grew quickly and now there are several trips scheduled this year, shuttling ca 500 people through the area this year.  There are future plans to allow monthly surveys as in STA 5 and 1E.

But enough boring stuff, let's get on with the birds. I arrived at the gate to find everyone already there, about 40 folks in all.  Susan McKemy was busy checking people in and assigning them to the 12 vehicle caravan.  Several friends of mine were there, some expected, others a pleasant surprise.  We had to blow past the first couple congregations of birds in oder to have time for the flamingos.  Unlike other STA trips, the route for this one is about 20 miles long and we have to vacate the area where the flamingos are by 5:30 so as not to disturb them.

We saw the flamingos at the third open patch of water, along with hundreds of Black-necked stilts (sometimes referred to as "Marsh Poodles"), American white pelicans, American coots, and many other species.  There were six flamingos present, interestingly, they were set off in three pairs.  One bird appeared to be a juvenile, much grayer than the others with duller legs, face, and bill.  A couple others had a strange color patter, grayish on the body and bright pink on the head and next.  The birds were fairly far out and were not disturbed by our presence.  After about an hour of watching, scanning for other birds, such as Stilt sandpipers, American avocets, and others, we decide to move on.

Blasting through the rest of the STA, we made brief stops for nesting wading birds and to peruse the remaining ducks (mostly Blue-winged teal among the throngs of coots and gallinules) searching other lingerers.  We did manage to see several Northern shovelers, a couple American wigeon and a few Ring-necked ducks.  Fulvous whistling-ducks were abundant. This species was once much more common in Florida but now is more restricted. The EAA is one of the areas where they remain common and easily seen although often in restricted or difficult to access areas. Snail kites were seen in singles throughout the area as were Purple swamphens, a new addition to the American Birding Association's Checklist. Two Peregreine falcons continually flew ahead and behind us offering many views.  Two adult Gull-billed terns foraged in one of the last open water areas. The last great sighting was found by Paul Miller, a male Least bittern that stood out in a clump of bulrushes long enough for everyone to get good scope views. A great time was had by all. Many more trips to come. I will be leading a double header next Sunday, April 12.  Hope to see some you out there.

Young Local Author Writes Birding Guide to Viera Wetlands

As part of achieving her Girl Scout Gold Award, local young author Emily Hazen has written the book, Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands: A Birding Guide.  The book is now published and available online. You can download the book from this link at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VKSD2XI

I was privileged to review an early draft of the book, and it is very nicely done. Take a look and download, and keep encouraging young people to join us out there!