The Brown Pelican

January 2009      Vol. 35, No. 5    [email protected] 

Greetings!
Happy New Year!
 
Click on the headers to the right for quick access to the articles you'd like to read, or scroll down. You'll also find all kinds of links to great content online.  Just click the blue underlined areas!
 
Remember, if you'd like to save Sarasota Audubon funding by replacing your printed version with this one, just send an e-mail to [email protected]!  Otherwise, you can receive the paper version and stay on our e-news list too! 
President's Corner 
 
 
Happy Holidays to our Audubon family. Thanks again for a wonderful year from all of us on the board of SAS. Let's keep going!

A heartfelt note of gratitude to Kathryn Young for editing our newsletter over the past year. We appreciate the effort. Kathryn will be spending more time organizing great trips such as Sanibel Island and Station 5. Many more ideas from "Wren" to come.
 
-Jeanne Dubi, President 
Upcoming Walks & Programs 
(Click on the blue links for more information!) 
  • CELERY FIELDS: MONTHLY GUIDED BIRD WALK
    Saturday, January 10 at 8:00 a.m.

  • MONTHLY MEETING: "The Felts Preserve"
    Monday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m.

    Fellowship Hall, First Congregational Church, 1031 South Euclid, Sarasota. Click here for directions

    felts

  • OTHER ACTIVITIES

    North Long Boat Key
    Wednesday, January 7 at 8:00 a.m.
    Meet in the parking lot opposite the former Chevron station at the very north end of LBK.
    Leaders & Contacts: Wade & Betty Matthews, 923-0671. 

    Lettuce Lake (Tampa)
    Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 a.m.

    Meet in the Starbuck's parking lot (University & I-75 next to Home Depot)
    Leaders & Contact: Karen Jensen, 355-4073

    Teco Plant & George Simmon's Park
    Wednesday, January 21 at 8:00 a.m.

    Meet at the Starbuck's parking lot (University & I-75 next to Home Depot)
    Leader & Contact: Stu Hills, 922-5261

    Phosphate Mines, Polk County
    Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 a.m.
    Meet at the Starbuck's parking lot (University & I-75 next to Home Depot)
    Leader & Contact: Rick Greenspun, 284-2055
     
Don't miss the CELERY FIELDS CLEAN UP on Tuesday, February 10! Help us keep our adopted road free of garbage.  Meet at the gazebo (Palmer and Raymond) at 8 a.m. Contact Jeanne Dubi, 355-1709. 
Conservation News 
 
Where's the money?  While Sarasota's purchase money for environmental land and conservation easements is from voter-approved bonds against dedicated tax sources and the Federal government just prints the stuff, Everglades restoration and most acquisition of environmental land in Florida depends on the State legislature that is constitutionally prohibited from running a deficit.  The financial crisis is reducing tax income to the extent that serious cuts in the important Florida Forever purchase program will almost certainly occur and it could be entirely suspended in the coming year.
 
Lumps of coal for Christmas.  The outgoing Bush administration is rushing through regulations that will remove important protections in the Endangered Species Act, permit or speed approval for currently prohibited mining, drilling, road building and other development in public lands, as well as relax prohibition of dumping coal mining waste in mountain streams.  Several environmental organizations are seeking judicial action to stop these environmentally damaging actions, since otherwise the Obama administration must go through lengthy hearings and other procedures to reverse them.
 
But some good news.  Nationally, almost all of the environmentally sensitive appointments of the incoming Obama administration have been praised by environmental organizations. The only one that has drawn some flack is Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado as Secretary of Interior, and even he has an 81% lifetime pro-environment voting record, nine percent better than Obama's, according to the League of Conservation Voters.
 
In Florida, the voters in November approved Constitutional Amendment 4, which allows complete property tax exemption for private land with a perpetual conservation easement.  The forthcoming legislature must pass implementing legislation defining what sort of land is eligible and the requirements of an easement. This can be a huge benefit to wildlife and could more than compensate for budget-induced reduction in land acquisition by the State if the legislature adopts definitions like those used by the water management agencies and by Sarasota County, and if it brings a State agency into the approval process so as to favor land in wildlife corridors.  The other part of Amendment 4, providing for some tax relief for temporarily preserved land, will obviously have only temporary benefit for wildlife.
 
Midnight Pass.  As you may recall, for many years Sarasota Audubon, along with other local environmental organizations, has opposed re-opening Midnight Pass because of a determination back in 1990 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) when re-opening was denied that it would result in net environmental harm.  We have always maintained that we would reconsider our position if that environmental conclusion changed.  Several years ago the Sarasota County Commission, responding to political pressure, re-applied to the DEP for permission to re-open the pass.
 
The DEP and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission have examined the newly submitted environmental information, but have come to the same conclusion of net environmental harm and, for that and other reasons, have denied the application to re-open.  The County is now examining the costs of a possible appeal. Sarasota Audubon's position remains unchanged.  Stay tuned.  -Wade Matthews, Conservation Chair

Travel with Us to Spain and Amelia Island!

Andalucia, Spain, Sept 19-26
Southern Spain is one of Europe's busiest migratory flyways and the fall peak is in September. After meeting our experienced British bird guide in Malaga on the 19th, it's birding and sightseeing. There is an optional one-week extension after the 27th. 

The price? 700 pounds sterling (approximately $1200) for one week's hotels, 2 daily meals, transportation, guiding and a guide book. Arrange your own air travel to and from Spain.

This is an incredible opportunity to bird in a premier European area for a fantastic price. Contact leader Karen Jensen at (941) 927-2446 or [email protected]

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach, April 2-4
Join Karen Jensen and Jeanne Dubi on a two-night trip to northwest Florida. Stopping at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home in Cross Creek, the Kingsley Plantation, Fort Clinch and Little Talbot State Park, there'll be plenty to see.  Cost includes 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners, as well as 2 nights at the Hampton Inn in Fernandina Beach, transportation to and from Sarasota and all park fees. Contact Karen Jensen at 941-924-2446 or [email protected] for more details.

Trip Reports 
 
Laurel Landfill, Nov 29
Nineteen birders were treated to eagles, eagles, and more eagles at the Laurel Landfill. We did manage to spot 41 other species, including thousands of gulls, vultures, and crows, but the Bald Eagles stole the show. Numerous adults and juveniles dominated the area and dined on our "leftovers!"
-Lynn Jakubowicz, Leader
 
oysterDing Darling, Dec 6
Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel was so full of birds we had a hard time leaving.  We saw 1 Marbled Godwit hiding among 50 plus Willets.  The refuge also gave us good looks at hundreds of White Pelicans, at least 5 Reddish Egrets dancing, approximately 50  Roseate Spoonbills, Dunlins and Semipalmated Plovers. 
 
Some of us were treated to more (8) Marbled Godwits, 1 Piping Plover, 1 American Oystercatcher (photo above by Rick Greenspun) and 4 Wilson's Plovers on Friday at Bunche Beach. We were lucky to have hit this beach during low tide, as it gave us all the above and more shorebirds. It was a nice mini get-away to  see birds, friends and beaches. Hope you can join us on the next one.   -Kathryn Young, Leader

Myakka River State Park, Dec 10
We had 18 people who attended our Myakka River State Park bird walk. It was a beautiful sunny, windy,  muggy, fun day and we sighted a total of 54 different species. The bird of the day was a juvenile Crested Caracara sitting in a tree across the river from the weir. All participants got good scope looks at the bird. Other notable sightings included Black & White and Pine Warblers, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Tufted Titmouse, Great Crested Flycatcher, Wilson's Snipe, three Northern Pintails, Bald Eagles and five Wild Turkeys seen by two members as they were driving out of the Park after our group had disbursed. 
-Owen Comora, Leader

Lemon Bay, Dec 16
Thirteen participants enjoyed a new SAS trip location-Lemon Bay Preserve. The weather was Florida terrific with high sun and temp and low humidity. Some 53 species were observed.  Bird highlights included Prairie Warbler, Red Knot, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and Common Ground-Dove. 
-Mark Leggett/Stu Hills, Leaders

 
In This Issue
President's Corner
Activities & Programs
Conservation News
Spain & Amelia Island Trips
Trip Reports
Renew Your Membership!
FISH Preserve Exhibit
Sea Grass Surveying
Free Sarasota County Bird Walks
New Birding Hot Spots!
Join Our Mailing List 
Renew Your Membership! 

It's Renewal Time
It's time to renew! Please check your membership label.  If you are a member of National Audubon, the stated expiration date is the one we have received from National. They are currently updating their database, and some errors have occurred. If you are only a local member, the expiration date is Sarasota Audubon's. Please feel free to email any questions  to me at: membership@
sarasotaaudubon.org
 since the expiration dates are easily confused in the database.

E-Brown Pelican
Would you like to receive The Brown Pelican in an e-version? You can do it for a trial period to see if you'd prefer it the electronic way. It saves $6 per year per member too. We will send both to you for 3 months. If we don't receive a message saying otherwise, we'll happily discontinue the snail mail version.

-Lynn Jakubowicz, Membership Chair
Birds of the FISH Preserve Photo Exhibit

Join Sarasota Audubon Society for a photographic exhibition of the Birds of the FISH Preserve. (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage).  Audubon members Lou Newman, Ron Mayberry and Rick Greenspun will exhibit their photographs at the Florida Maritime Museum through January 12, 2009.  

The exhibit will include 50 photos of raptors, egrets, herons, spoonbills and many other birds of Florida.  The museum is located at 4415 119th Street West in Cortez.
 
Click here or call (941) 708-6120 for details. 

pelican


Sea Grass Surveying

Sarasota County began its seagrass program in order to expand its knowledge of seagrasses in Sarasota and to reach out to the community.
 
Twice a year both County staff and volunteers venture out into Sarasota's coastal waters and take note of what type of seagrasses they see. The County is interested in seagrass because it is so important environmentally and economically to Florida.
Seagrass beds provide food and/or shelter for marine creatures such as scallops, manatees and sea turtles, as well as improving water quality and stabilizing shorelines.
 
What makes this program so enjoyable is that mapping seagrass is fun, easy and helps to protect this valuable natural resource. Also, the survey can be conducted from a kayak, boat or simply by wading.
 
If you have any questions please contact Amanda Domingues at (941) 861-0894.

SAS' Mark Leggett Leads Free Bird Walks on Sarasota County Lands

For a few years now, Mark has volunteered to lead bird walks on environmentally-sensitive lands for Sarasota County. This season, he is committed to three each month, making him one of the busiest trip leaders around.
 
Along with a County expert on either plants or wildlife, the walks are filled with information about habitat and also provide knowledge of how the County manages each unique property. Check out the schedule for January:
  • Jan 6: Lemon Bay Preserve, 8-11am.
  • Jan 20: Manasota Scrub Preserve, 8-11am.
  • Jan 30: Lemon Bay Preserve, 8-11am.
Reservations required. Contact Deborah Zeilman, Natural Resources, 861-6267; [email protected].  

Birding Around the State

Space Coast Birding Festival
Titusville, FL (Jan 21-26)
A great 5 days of birding trips and workshops, including Merritt Island NWR and a pelagic voyage. Check out www.space-coast.com.

Florida Ornithological Society
Ruskin, FL (April 24-26)
Although quite some time away, this FOS meeting is close to home, so mark your calendars. With field trips, seminars and presentations, this annual gathering is a must. Visit www.fosbirds.org for more information.
 
Don't be the Only Birder Without the New Birding Hot Spots!
 
 
We recently released the fourth edition of "Birding Hot Spots," an informative guide providing details on 70 local places to experience nature and great birding. The book includes site maps, directions, bird illustrations and a checklist of area birds.  
 
The new expanded edition features information on parking, restrooms, fees and handicap accessibility. Recently-opened parks including Sleeping Turtle Preserve, Old Miakka Preserve, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Lemon Bay Preserve have also been added to Birding Hot Spots. 
 
Pick yours up at the next meeting or mail $7.75 to Sarasota Audubon Society, P.O. Box l5423, Sarasota, FL 34277-1423.