Feb 2006 Wingspan Wingspan Newsletter St. Petersburg Audubon Society

8/9/2019 Feb 2006 Wingspan Wingspan Newsletter St. Petersburg Audubon Society

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Blackburnian Warbler

Calendar of Events -February 2006+

Feb. 4 - Birds of Brooker Creek County Preserve - Get aspecial look at the birds inside Brooker Creek Preserve.Meet 7:15am at Sears, 94th Ave N & 9th St, St. Petersburg,to carpool. Pack a lunch. Contact Janica Johnson, 344-1135.Leader Jim McGinity, Preserve Education Manager.

Feb. 18-20 - Rally for the Rivers Camp-out. (Note changefrom Kissimmee) Weekend of camping, hiking, birding, anda potluck spaghetti dinner, plus Rally events. See articlesinside. Contact Frank Pattie, 397-3952.

Feb. 21 - SPAS Monthly Program - Beach-Nesters - Terns

and Turtles. 7pm, Science Center. See article to the right.

Mar. 4 - Boca Ciega Discovery Day - Boca CiegaMillennium Park, 12410 74th Ave N, Largo. GuidedBirdwalk - meet 8am in the viewing tower parking lot. Seearticle inside.

Mar. 7 - SPAS Board Meeting. 6:30pm, Science Center,7701 22nd Ave N., St. Petersburg.

Mar. 11 - Ahhochee Hill Audubon Sanctuary, HernandoCounty. Visit Audubon of Floridas newest sanctuary, 300acres in the rolling hills north of Brooksville. All-day trip, packa lunch. Meet 7:30am at Sears, 94th Ave N & 9th St, St.Petersburg, to carpool. Contact Joyce King, 531-3440.

Mar. 18 - Florida Specialties Bus Trip. All-day bus triparound central Florida to discover some of Floridas uniquebirds. DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS IS JANUARY31st. See article inside.

Mar. 24-26 - Audubon Academy. Eckerd College, 420054th Ave S, St. Petersburg. Audubon leadership training,field trips, special speakers. Cost: $20/person. ContactJoyce King, 531-3440, to enroll.

February 2006

The St. Petersburg Audubon Society

WingSpan

Did You Know?

- For us human beings, thebeach is a playground; but forsome birds and turtles it is vitalhabitat (where they reproduce,necessary for their survival).

- 14 species of birds nest onbeaches in the Tampa Bay area. Among them is the SnowyPlover, with only 200 pairsknown to nest in the whole state!

- Some of our regions islands are among the top sites forBeach Nesting Birds in Florida.

- This past years red tide was very hard on turtles andHurricane Dennis wiped out almost all the Black Skimmercolonies.

FEBRUARY PROGRAM EVENTTuesday, February 21st, 7pm at the SCIENCE

CENTER, 7701 22nd Ave N., St. Petersburg 727-384-

0027

Beach-Nesters - Terns and Turtles - MoniqAbrams, St. Petersburg Audubon and Beach Nesting Bir

Coordinator, and Joe Malo, Director of Education for t

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Monique Abrams became a

member of SPAS when she moved

here about 10 years ago. She first

got involved with beach-nesting

birds by volunteering on Shell Key,

then with the Least Tern rooftopsurvey for the State during 1998-

2000. When the survey ended the State had no means to contin

surveying and protecting the terns in Pinellas County, and she w

asked to coordinate the effort. It expanded into the BNB project wh

it was realized that the terns and skimmers were losing grav

rooftops and needed help to be successful nesting on the beaches. S

the January edition of AUDUBON magazin

Joe Malo also began his work w

Clearwater Marine Aquarium as a volunte

10 years ago. He still volunteers time

check Pinellas beaches for turtle crawls a

nests, and to make sure the hatchliturtles reach the water, while serving in h

full time capacity and running the summ

camp program at the Aquarium.

Besides being our playground and a vital economic ass

beaches are critical habitat for a variety of creatures. Come and s

why, and what is being done to protect this important resource.

Preview of the March Program :

WARBLERS PASSING THROUGHTuesday, March 21 at the Sciencest

Center.Lee Snyder, professional photo-

grapher, will share his photos of

spring warblers in Pinellas County.

There can be over 30 different species

of warblers migrating through our area

in the spring. Some are common and

some not. Have you seen them?

Please plan to join us for this very

special evening.


2/8

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE by Mauri Peterson, SPAS Presiden

Because our last newsletter came out in December, let me wish you all a belated Happy N

Year. I hope your holidays were safe, happy and as stress-free as possible. If not, take a h

literally. Its amazing how a walk in one of our parks can relieve the stress of a busy holid

or even just a day for that matter. Theres something soothing to me when I walk unde

canopy of trees, observing nature. The tension seeps from my body and for a little while

only thing I am aware of is what Im seeing or hearing at the moment. I come back refresh

and ready to go at it.Which brings me to Audubon and the second half of our season. We finished last year with our combined holiday meet

with the Native Plant Society, and by all accounts it was a huge success. Many thanks to the organizers, volunteers, vend

contributors and all who attended and bid on the auction items. We had over 150 people in attendance to enjoy the festivi

and hear Bruce Rinker speak on Pinellas from the Treetops. Now its February and, looking ahead, we have only four m

months of programs, field trips and other events before the summer break.

Now is also the time when we start the nomination process for next years officers and Board members. The commit

has been formed and will be meeting over the next couple of months to develop the slate of officers. If you have a desire

serve on our Board or have questions about it, feel free to contact me. We could especially use the talents of a lawy

accountant, scientist and/or teacher. We have a great group of people on the Board that are not only hard workers, but a

fun to work with. So if you are of a mind to do more for SPAS, speak up. Contact me or the nominating committee (Maur

Arnold, Dave Kandz and Barbie Ranck - see NOMINATIONS FOR 2006-07 SPAS OFFICERS AND BOARD articlthis newsletter). Wed love to have you on board.

Hope to see you out and about.

March 4th Special Event

Discovery Day and Nature Festival

at Boca Ciega Millennium Park12410 74th Ave N., Seminole

This Pinellas County park is part of the Great Florida Birding

Trail. St. Petersburg Audubon will conduct a guided birdwalk at 8am, starting at the viewing tower parking lot and led

by Linda and Tom Emslie (727-392-2907). After that, comeand learn all the hidden treasures of Boca Ciega Millennium

Park. Children can experience Discovery Cove where

theyll play environmental gamesand create nature-based crafts.

Join in the many activities,

including cast netting demonstra-tions, bird walks along the ponds,

and our resident snake program.Exhibitors such as the Florida Divi-

sion of Forestry, Audubon Society,Clearwater Marine Aquarium,Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Pinellas

County Animal Services, andOakhurst Veterinarian Hospital, to

name a few, will display valuable

information. Refreshments andnature-based products will be available for purchase. This is

a beautiful park and a great way to experience it.

Come join us at the St. Petersburg Audubon booth for anhour or more. To volunteer, contact Maureen Arnold at

727-577-0448 [email protected].

DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

FLSPECIALTIESBUSTRIP

MARCH18TH

This day-long, whirlwind bus trip, led by

Dave Goodwin, takes us in search of

Floridas special birds: Snail Kite,

Bachmans Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-cockaded Woodpecker,American Swallow-tailed Kite, Caracara,

Scrub Jay, Burrowing Owl and the

newly-introduced Whooping Crane. Lastyears trip also included three Scis-

sor-tailed Flycatchers as an added bonus.

Well be traveling through centralFlorida in a 47-passenger motor coach

complete with restroom. Well leavepromptly at 6am from the Sears at 94th Ave N. and 9th St

St. Petersburg and at 6:30am from the Girl Scout Coun

Bldg. in Tampa. Well travel 400+ miles round trip, to LKissimmee, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area,

Overstreet Landing, Lake Okeechobee, Fisheating Creek

Lorida. We plan to arrive back in Tampa/St. Pete arou7pm. Well stop briefly for breakfast, but pack a lun

drinks and snacks. Water will be provided.The cost is $60, which includes bus fare, tolls a

entrance fees. Your check, made payable to St. Petersbu

Audubon and sent to me (Mauri Peterson) at 10487 5

Ave N., St. Pete 33708, MUST BE RECEIVED

JANUARY 31st to confirm your reservation. Contact

at 727-398-4124 for more information.


3/8

CONSERVATION NEWS by Dave Kandz

Ardea herodias (Great Blue Heron) by Joe Maier

Is a big wading bird

Whose exceptional dagger-shaped bill

Seems perfectly designed for a particular kind of kill

Their neck can act like a spring drawn tight

Ready to help deliver a frightful bite

With their long legs, they may reach four feet in height

And that makes them a rather imposing sight

The voice ofArdea herodias

Is harsh and deep and not very melodious

Except possibly

To anotherArdea herodias

BNB Project receives GERT grantAl Taylor, a Vice President of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., presented Eckerd College and St. Petersbu

Audubon with a $2,600 grant to purchase GPS units, raise awareness of beach nesting birds, and increase nesting succe

in Pinellas County. The GPS units will enable volunteers to accurately identify the locations of beach and rooftop nesti

colonies.

GERT (Gulfstream Environmental & Recreational Trust Program) funds unique environmental and recreational proje

that benefit a communitys environmental or recreational resources.

Natalie Leggette wins SPAS Conservationist of the Year awardFor her tireless work creating a model Least Tern nesting site and park from

parking lot, SPAS presented the 2005 Conservationist of the Year award to Nata

Leggette and the City of South Pasadena. Natalie has worked closely with St. Petersbu

Audubon for many years to create a place where Least Terns can nest in peace, wh

providing an educational viewing opportunity for the public. In addition, she has creat

a wonderful park full of Florida Native plants that provide food and habitat for native a

migrating birds. You can visit her creation at 1600 Pasadena Avenue South (near Palm

of Pasadena Hospital).

Travatine Island - County Preserve or Marina and Restaurant?Travatine Island was originally purchased by the County in December, 1989 as an

environmentally-sensitive finger surrounded by a mangrove swamp that serves as a bird

rookery and a nursery for small fish. It is located just south of the Park Boulevard bridge

from the mainland to Indian Shores and Redington Shores. At the time, then County

Administrator Fred Marquis stated the most we will ever do out there is put in a scenic overlook ... it will be left in i

current natural state. But now, due to pressure by boating interests, the land has been referred to by the county as a sp

island filled with exotic plants, and targeted for development as a County Marina.

Currently the Countys boating task force has assessed the property and has determined that, if cleared, the county cou

build a Marina to accommodate as many as 150 boats. There could also be a restaurant and bait shop located at the facili

Can this be the same county land that was purchased to be protected from development? Yes, it is.This issue will be hotly contested in the coming months. To stay informed and learn how you can help protect t

islands birds and habitat, please sign up for the SPAS email Newswire. Just send an e-mail to newswire@stpete

audubon.org.


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Black-throated Green Warbler

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP$20.00 (New membership only)

9 Please enroll me as a member in the National AudubonSociety. Start my subscription to AUDUBON magazine & sendmy membership card.

9 I do not wish to receive AUDUBON magazine.

Name___________________________________

Address_________________________________

City ______________ State___ Zip___________

Phone __________________ E06 7XCH

E-mail address____________________________

Please enclose a check, payable to the National Audubon

Society, and mail to:

St. Petersburg Audubon Society

Post Office Box 49087

St. Petersburg, FL 33743-9087

9

National Audubon occasionally makes its membership listavailable to carefully selected organizations whose mailings you mayfind interesting. To have your name omitted from this list, pleasecheck here.

9 I would also like to help my local chapter. I have a specialinterest and/or skills in: 9 Local conservation issues9 Education /Audubon Adventures 9 National Bird Counts

9 Legal 9 Publicity 9 Financial Matters 9 Hospitality - Greeters / Refreshments 9 Membership 9 Board of Directors 9 Insurance 9 Exhibits at fairs and festivals

This form is only for new memberships, not renewals

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT RESULTS -

UPS AND DOWNSby Dave Goodwin

The St. Pete Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday,

December 17, 2005. Forty-five observers fanned out across

the 15-mile diameter circle, some starting well before

daylight in hopes of finding those real early birds such as

owls, bitterns, and rails. By the end of the day 154 specieshad been recorded, the most in many years. Finding 150 or

more species was the norm in St. Pete until the mid - late

1990s, but has been a difficult goal recently. Loss of habitat

has taken its toll over the years.

St. Pete has seen the

arrival of several species that

are apparently breeding in the

city near Crescent Lake. For

the second year in a row, a

House Finch was seen in the

area, and the growing popu-

lation of White-winged Dovesreached 21 birds perched on the

wires at MLK and 12th Ave N.

Purple Gallinules are

resident at Roosevelt Wetlands in Pinellas Park, having been

found there for the second year in a row. Marie Hughes and

Judith Buhrman had a Glossy Ibis in the Carillon/St Pete -

Clearwater Airport area, the first in many years. Eighteen

species of ducks on the count is the highest number in many

years. Black Scoter, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, Gadwall,

Wood Duck, and Bufflehead were the more unusual species.

Ron Smith had a large flock of Lesser Scaup and Redheads

on Lake Maggiore, contributing to an all-time high count of840 Redheads. The 127 Ospreys, 9 Bald Eagles, 31 Coopers

Hawks, and 2 Merlin and Peregrine Falcons each highlighted

the birds of prey. A Pomarine Jaeger, a second unidentified

Jaeger, a single Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 6 Great

Black-backed Gulls were found along the beaches.

Keeping St. Pete near the top for parrots on Floridas

west coast were 450 Black-hooded, 17 Blue-crowned, and

800 Monks. Several parties started early to turn up 23

Screech and a single Great Horned Owl. The Burrowing

Owls at the airport were not seen on count day, but were

recorded for count week, the 3-day period before and after

the count. The number of Loggerhead Shrikes (100) showshow well this magnificent little guy has adapted to living in

the city!

Twelve species of

warblers were seen, the best

being Northern Parula,

Northern Waterthrush, and

Black-throated Green, all at

Sawgrass Lake. The Yellow-

throated Vireo, discovered

earlier in the week by Erik

Haney, was also found on

count day at Sawgrass Lake.

Ron Smiths group found a Nelsons Sharp-tailed Sparro

at Clam Bayou Preserve.

Missed for the first time was the Eastern Meadowlar

There may still be a few

near the St. Pete - Clearwa-

ter airport, but the cloudy,

rainy skies kept them

hunkered down. Only 2

Horned Grebes and no

Northern Harriers set newlows.

A special thanks to all

those who participated in

the count this year. Thanks also to Mauri Peterson f

organizing the counting parties. I continue to enj

compiling the records each year. I did my first St. Pete CB

in 1971 and have only missed one count since. T

complete results may be viewed at www.audubon.org.


5/8

SPASs NEW WEBSITEIfyouhaventstoppedbyourwebsiterecently,youshould!Ithasawholenewlook,aneventscalendar,updatesonourconservationandedu-cationprojects,andinformationaboutbirds

andbirding.Checkitoutatwww.stpeteaudubon.org.

Local store owners and Audubonmembers Jan & Dave Anschuetzhave established a program toreward the Chapter when ourmembers shop at Natures Focus.

They will make a monthly donation of 10% of all salepaid by cash or check and 5% of credit card purchasesJust identify yourself as belonging to SPAS before thpurchase so they can keep a record for monthly totals(Sale and dis-counted items may not apply.)

Youll find something for nature lovers of all ages aNatures Focus.

Shell Key Shuttle& Sunset Cruises

Shell Out$16.35/adu

$8.17/child

Feb 2006 Wingspan Wingspan Newsletter St. Petersburg Audubon Society

Documents

Transcript of Feb 2006 Wingspan Wingspan Newsletter St. Petersburg Audubon Society