2015-2016 STANDING COMMITTEES (* = Board member) Beach Nesting Bird Stewardship ...… Dee Hanny ……………. 745-1553 Christmas Bird Count ………………….... Dick Comeau* ……… 752-1835 Conservation ……………………………...… Open Education ……………………………………... Deb Comeau* & …... 752-1835 Jim Stephenson*…301- 466-1973 Field Trips …………………………………….. Connie Zack* ………... 758-2929 Felts Audubon Preserve …………...….. Tom Heitzman ………. 737-3169 Fred Allen …………….. 723-6045 Felts Open House …………………………. Amy Miller* …………. 758-7478 Historian …………………………………….... Deb Comeau* ………. 752-1835 Hospitality ………………………………….... Ed*& Amy Francis...720- 357-4447 Jr Audubon / Audubon Adventures…..... Steve Black* ………….. 376-0110 & Karen Willey …….... 794-8773 Membership Directory & Dues ….... Lucette Wombacher*…. 776-8424 Membership Recruitment ………..…. Open Newsletter Editor ……………………..… Lori Roberts* ….... 678- 521-1965 Photo Contests………………………...…. Scott Niblick* …... 757-613-3948 Photo Displays………………………...….. Deb Yodock* ……….. 228-1269 Publicity …………………………………...… Open Social Media—Facebook …….…….…. Billie Knight …………... 592-7622 Webmaster ……………………………….... Jim Stephenson*…301- 466-1973 Kim Jones*…………….... 587-2037

Monthly Meetings of Manatee Audubon are held the third Thursday of each month from September through April. Fellowship starts at 6:30pm; the featured speaker starts at 7pm.

Location: The public is invited to attend monthly meet-ings held at Hope Lutheran Church, 4635 26th St West (south of Cortez Rd.), Bradenton.

Manatee Chapter Board meetings are monthly on the 2nd Wed at 6pm in the main Manatee County Library. These meetings are open (if you want to attend).

CHAPTER OFFICERS 2015-2016 President — Nick Ziemba …………. 716-785-4732 Vice Pres — Deb Comeau………… 941-752-1835 Secretary — Jim Stephenson …. 301-466-1973 Treasurer — Lucette Wombacher 941-776-8424 Asst. Treasurer— Jack Schneider 941-792-1794

P.O. Box 14550 Bradenton, FL 34280

Ph: 941-729-2222 www.ManateeAudubon.org

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INJURED BIRD HELP: Call 941-778-6324 for what to do. Someone will call you back. Monitored by Wildlife, Inc. rescue & rehab team of Bradenton Beach.

2015-2016 Annual Bird Trips,

Programs & Special Events

Manatee County Audubon SocietyManatee County Audubon Society Manatee County Audubon Society

Connecting people with birds & the places they live...

DATE FEATURED SPEAKER AT MONTHLY MEETING

Sept 17 David Sadkin, Ph.D. is Dir of Education Services for Wildlife, Inc., presenting wildlife education & habitat management programs for a wide variety of private & public schools and organizations. Meet his patients!

Oct 15 “Whooping Cranes: What’s the Story?” Tim Dellinger, Avian Research, FL Fish & Wildlife Research Institute. Gain insights on where to see this endangered crane, what initiatives have succeeded, and what can be done now to save this species. (Operation Migration video clip at meeting, too.)

Nov 19 “Recovering Avian Species in a Conservation- Dependent World”. Andrew Cox, FL Fish & Wildlife Research Institute. Whether researching nest-site selection patterns of Reddish Egrets or overseeing the impacts on avian species from the BP Oil spill, Andrew will update us on hot topics & findings from FL FWC.

Dec 17 “Too Close for Comfort”. Over 14,000 birds nest at the Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary. Mark Rachel, manager of FL Audubon’s Coastal Island Sanctuaries, gives a virtual tour, updates, plus info on the Dot Dash Bird Islands Sanctuary in Bradenton.

Jan 21 “Invasion of the Exotics”. Dr. John Herman, Assoc. Prof. & Dept. Chair - Biological Studies at FL Gulf Coast Univ.. From Burmese pythons to wild boars, non-native species are making significant inroad in our So. FL ecosystems. Several of these are affecting bird populations directly. Get updates in a fun presentation style on a serious topic.

Feb 18 “Sex in the Sitta – the Secret Life of the Brown-headed Nuthatch”. Jim Cox, Dir, Tall Timbers Research Station. The Brown-headed Nuthatch has declined steadily. Re-search shows Nuthatches disappeared from some areas before the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker disap-peared from those same areas. Hear why.

Mar 17 “Saving Swallow-tailed Kites & Snail Kites” Dr. Ken Meyer is exec director of the Avian Research & Conservation Institute. Swallow-tailed Kites and Snail Kites are both struggling for survival. Hear the causes, what’s being done & how to help.

April 21 Annual Awards with Potluck Dinner; Installation of New Officers

Felts Audubon Preserve is ac-cessible daily by parking on the street and using the walk-in en-trance next to the main gate. During key events on weekends there is a parking area inside the main gate.

Enjoy over a mile of trails throughout this preserve with prairie & wooded habitats.

For your convenience, port-o-let facilities are avail-able. We recommend bringing binoculars, field guides, hat, water, sun-screen, insect repellant and even a camera!

4600 24th Ave East in Palmetto, FL (at the intersection

with Experimental Farm Rd.)

OPEN HOUSE EVENTS with

Guided Bird Walks

When - The first Saturday of each month from November through April. From - 8am—noon, with bird walk at 9:30am until approx 11am. Activities - Watching wildlife, hik-ing & photography.

WORKDAYS AT FELTS

When - Last Saturday of each month, Sept. through April from 8am - noon. Learn about plants & wildlife while

having fun & fellowship.

2015-2016 Inspiring Monthly Guest Speakers

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MANATEE COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY

DATE DESTINATION BIRD WALK LEADER TIME MEETING PLACE

Aug 22 Fort De Soto Steve Black

376-0110 7am 1st Rest Area after north-

bound toll booth on I-275 Skyway Bridge

Sept 19 Rye Preserve & new Nature Center

Lori Roberts 678-521-1965

7:45am In Walmart SW pkg lot by garden center; I-75 @ SR64

Oct 2 Oscar Scherer

Park (tram ride)

Matthew Press 747-7295; register with

Connie Zack 758-2929

8:30am At Oscar Scherer Park for tram ride; Limited # people.

Oct 14 The Celery Fields & Pinecraft Park

Jim Stephenson 301-466-1973

8am At Celery Fields gazebo on 6799 Palmer Rd., Sarasota

Oct 17 Ft. DeSoto Matthew Press 747-7295; register with

Connie Zack 758-2929

7am 1st Rest Area after north-bound toll booth on I-275 /Skyway Bridge

Nov 6-7

Circle B Bar, Apopka Wildlife Dr, Avian Recon Center

Ed & Amy Francis 720-357-4447

6:45am Behind Starbucks, 5485 University Pkwy, Bradenton. Max 20 people; $ cost details.

Nov 7 Felts Preserve Nick Ziemba 716 785-4732

9:30am Open House guided bird walk

Nov 14 Siesta Key Rick Greenspun 284-2055

7:30am Meet in public parking lot by concession stand

Nov 21 Robinson Preserve Lori Roberts 678-521-1965

8:30am Meet outside Visitors’ Center by parking lot (1704 99th St W)

Dec 2 Eagle Extrava-ganza on Lena Rd.

Deb Yodock 228-1269

4:45pm Park roadside near cell tower on Lena Rd.

Dec 5 Felts Preserve Dee Hanny 807-6781 9:30am Open House guided bird walk –4600 24th Ave E, Palmetto

Dec 8 Emerson Point Lucette Wombacher 776-8424

8:30am In pkg lot by Visitors’ Center-

5801 17th St W, Palmetto

Dec 10 Palmetto Rookery, Hightower Rd, Bishop Harbor

Jerry & Billie Knight 592-7622

8am Meet at Felts Preserve - 4600 24th Ave W, Palmetto

Dec 19 Christmas Bird Count

Dick Comeau & sector count leaders

Per each leader

As directed by each count leader.

DATE DESTINATION BIRD WALK LEADER TIME MEETING PLACE

Jan 2 Felts Preserve Lori Roberts 678-521-1965 9:30am Open House guided bird walk

Jan 6 Circle B Bar

Reserve (tram ride)

Deb Yodock 228-1269

7am In Walmart SW pkg lot by

garden center; I-75 @ SR64

Jan 9 Lettuce Lake

Scott Niblick 757 613-3948

7:30am In Walmart SW pkg lot by

garden center; I-75 @ SR64

Jan 12 Emerson Point Lucette Wombacher 776-8424

8:30am In pkg lot by Visitors’ Center-

5801 17th St W, Palmetto

Jan 15-

16

Paynes Prairie,

Gainesville area

Lucette Wombacher 776-8424

7am In Walmart SW pkg lot by

garden center; I-75 @ SR64

Jan 23 Carlton Reserve (car birding)

Dee Hanny 807-6781

7am SW corner of Beall’s pkg lot

at I-75 & SR 70 (behind BP Gas)

Feb 6 Felts Preserve Nick Ziemba 716 785-4732

9:30am Open House guided bird walk 4600 24th Ave E, Palmetto

Feb 9 Emerson Point Lucette Wombacher 776-8424

8:30am In pkg lot by Visitors’ Center-

5801 17th St W, Palmetto

Palmetto

Feb 17 Perico & Neal

Preserves

Lucette Wombacher 776-8424

8:30am Parking lot at Perico Preserve

— 11700 Manatee Ave West

Feb 20 Founder’s Golf

Club (Purple Martins)

Connie Zack 758-2929

8am Home Depot SE pkg lot, 5475

University Pkwy @ I-75

Feb 24-26

Loxahatchee Natl Wildlife Refuge; Wakodahatchee Wetlands; Green Cay Wetlands; Okeeheelee Park

Jerry & Billie Knight 592-7622

7am Lowe’s parking lot in SE corner, I-75@SR70. (Address: 7395 52nd Place East, Bradenton) Carpool to east coast FL. Hotel cost in West Palm Beach; see details.

Mar 1 Cockroach Bay Connie Zack 758-2929

8am Carpool from SE corner of Walmart parking lot @ SR301 & SR 41 (508 10th St E, Palmetto)

Mar 5 Felts Preserve To be determined 9:30am Open House guided bird walk 4600 24th Ave E, Palmetto

Mar 8 Emerson Point Lucette Wombacher 776-8424

8:30am In pkg lot by Visitors’ Center-5801 17th St W, Palmetto

DATE DESTINATION BIRD WALK LEADER TIME MEETING PLACE

Mar 11-12

Stoddard Bird Lab, Tall Timbers; St Marks Wildlife Ref.

Lori Roberts 678-521-1965 & Jim Cox

7am In Walmart SW pkg lot by garden center; I-75 @ SR64. Costs: food, lodging, gas.

Mar 15 Shamrock Park; Venice Rookery

Deb Yodock 228-1269

8:30am Home Depot SE parking lot, University @ I-75

April 2 Felts Preserve To be determined 9:30am Open House guided bird walk

April 5 Whitney Beach, Leffis Key/ Coquina Baywalk

Rick Greenspun 284-2055

7:30am Parking lot opposite the Pavil-ion at the main public access of Whitney Beach

April 9 The Celery Fields & Pinecraft Park

Jim Stephenson 301-466-1973

8am At Celery Fields gazebo on 6799 Palmer Rd., Sarasota

April 12 Emerson Point Lucette Wombacher 776-8424

8:30am In pkg lot by Visitors’ Center-5801 17th St W, Palmetto

April 14 Birds & Butterflies of Felts Preserve

Fred Allen 723-6045 & Erica Timmerman

10am Meet in Felts parking lot—4600 24th Ave E, Palmetto

April 21 Fort De Soto Jerry & Billie Knight 592-7622

8am 1st Rest Area after north-bound Skyway Bridge toll booth on I-275

May 27 Alafia Bank Islands Sanctuary (by boat)

Jim Stephenson 8:30am In Walmart SW pkg lot by garden center; I-75 @ SR64

May 28

-30

Beach-nesting

Shorebirds on AMI

Dee Hanny 745-1553

Various

shifts

Anna Maria Island nesting

bird colony location(s)

Basic Bird Identification Course — Get to know your feathered

friends in Florida. You’ll learn from master birders who enjoy sharing tips on how to identify different species, their habitats, & their behaviors. Gain insights on juvenile vs. adult coloration, and changes in beak or leg colors in breeding season. Many spe-cies migrate to Florida, so you’ll see a wide variety of native and seasonal species. Lim-ited to 30 participants.

Cost: $50 for Manatee Audubon mem-bers; $70 for non-members (includes annual 2016 membership dues).

Dates: January 18, 20, 25, 27, 28 for classroom sessions from 6:30-

8:30pm. Day long field trips are on Saturday, Jan. 23 & 30 starting at 7am.

Bird Photography Institute —

Want to get better photos while birding?

Tap the techniques from professional bird

photographers who tutor you while in the

field with a small number of other partici-

pants. — Tentative date: Early January

Cost: $100 per participant

Audubon Adventures

(for Junior Audubon) —

Monthly from October

through April on the 2nd

Saturday (9am-noon) elementary & middle school students trek along side

of an experienced naturalist. Learn about birds, bugs, bees, turtles, animal

footprints & scat identification, favorite animal habitats, conservation is-

sues, native vs invasive plants, etc.. Perfect in-field supplement for home

school curriculums. Most of our treks will be at Felts Audubon Preserve in

Palmetto (4600 24th Ave East...Experimental Farm Rd & 24th Ave East).

2015-2016 Bird Walks & Field Trips 2015-2016 Bird Walks & Field Trips 2015-2016 Bird Walks & Field Trips Fun Educational & Skill Development Forums

Check for any changes & additional event information (entrance fees, costs, lunch plans, hotel info etc.) online at www.ManateeAudubon.org in the Calendar section. www.ManateeAudubon.org