header
Click Through This Issue!
:: Monthly Meetings : Exotic Pets
:: March Bird Walks & Events
:: Field Trips Not in Blog
:: Field Trip Reports
:: Natural Sarasota
:: Great Backyard Bird Count
:: Celery Fields Cleanup
:: Attention New Members
:: Welcome, New Members!
:: Gainesville Bus Trip
:: Wakodahatchee, etc
:: Spring nesting
:: New SAS Hats
:: Bird Alerts
:: Celery Fields Cleanup

March Meeting:

Exotic Pets: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly 

 

  Paige of Animal Connections will talk about exotics in Florida and the repercussions they have when released into the wild.

 

Date: Monday, March 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 1031 S. Euclid Avenue
Cost: FREE   

 
Get Out in March for These Great Activities

Want details and maps to meeting locations? Click here.

          Oscar Scherer State Park

          Thurs. March 3, 10, 17, & 24 at 8:30 am


          Monthly Celery Field Walk

          Sat. March.12 at 8 am


          Manatee Audubon's Felt Preserve

          Tues, March. 8 at 7:30 a.m.

          Manatee Audubon's Felts Preserve 

          Wed..March 16 at 8 am         ,.


          Red Bug Slough 

          Thurs, March 17 at 8 am 

 

          Sparrow Drive Through Myakka SP

          Fri. March 25  RESERVATIONS  $25

 

          Carefree Learner Boat Ride

          Thurs. March 31 at 9 am

          RESERVATIONS  Cost $20

 

          Carefree Learner Boat Ride

          Tues. April 5  See details above

 

          Monthly Celery Fields Walk

          Sat., April 9 at 8 am

 

                                        

Field Trips Not Featured in SAS Blog

 

Lettuce Lake: Jan. 29
  On Saturday January 29th we visited Lettuce Lake, located on the Hillsborough River in Tampa.  Water levels were high due to recent rains. A nesting Osprey and a nesting Red-shouldered Hawk were visible from the observation tower, along with the expected herons, grebes, and egrets.  Both types of Night Herons were also present. The mile-long boardwalk took us through lovely river habitat, giving us great views of Limpkins and ibis.  Tufted Titmice were noisily singing, along with the ever-present Yellow-rumped Warblers. Some members of the group were also able to spot a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Blue-headed Vireos. In all, over 30 species were seen.                                                   

                                            Lynn Jakubowicz

 

Teco Plant & George Simmons SP: Feb. 5

   On February 5th a group of Auduboners enjoyed a wonderful morning of birding at George Simmons Park near Ruskin, topped off by a visit to Tampa Electric Company at Apollo Beach to observe swarms of manatees.  Among the highlights of the trip were a record 40 bird species sighted (a record for Audubon day trips at this park).  Spotted Sandpipers, Loggerhead Shrikes, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Ground-Doves, White Pelicans and a great variety of other waterbirds were abundant along the shores and beaches of this nearby park on the edge of Tampa Bay.  At the TECO power plant, the warm water discharged into a canal attracted numerous manatees providing splendid views from an observation deck, including a close-up view of a baby manatee.  Among other attractions of our TECO visit were the dolphins flashing their tails and fins in the surrounding water, and the interesting educational exhibits and photos in the visitor's center describing the life of these fascinating vegetarian "sea cows."                                      Stu Hills

 

 

 

 

 

 
From the Field: Fun Recaps of Where We've Been

Read recaps of our recent birdwatching field trips and plan on joining us on upcoming excursions. (The column on the right has the Blog Archives containing past trip  reports).
Discover Natural Sarasota
  

 For information on where to enjoy leisure activities in beautiful Sarasota County,

click here . You'll find plenty to do with family, friends and visitors.

The Great Backyard Bird Count

2011

 

Click here for more details

 

Total checklists: 84,109

Total species observed: 590

Total individual birds counted: 10,650,301

 

 

  
 

Celery Fields Cleanup

Tues., March 22 at 8 am

 

  Please help us keep our adopted road litter free. Meet at the gazebo on Palmer Blvd. Gloves, bags, and safety vests are provided. We are usually finished within an hour. The more hands the faster we're done.

 

Improperly Applied Fertilizers Are Harmful to Our Water Bodies
 

  The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently kicked off a new multi-media public service advertising campaign to educate residents on how to fertilize their lawns appropriately.

Many people don't know when to fertilize, how much to buy, how to read a fertilizer label and select the right fertilizer for their soil type, how much to apply, and how much water is needed to water-in the fertilizer.

  As a result, recent studies have shown that rising nitrate levels in many local water bodies can be traced to fertilizer. Nitrate is a form of nitrogen that is found in inorganic fertilizers. When fertilizer is needed and applied correctly, the lawn absorbs the nitrogen. However, fertilizers applied improperly can run off lawns and into local water bodies, harming water quality and threatening the plants and animals that depend on clean water for survival.

  The campaign focuses on these Florida-Friendly Fertilizing tips:

� Use slow-release fertilizers.

� Always follow package directions.

� Don't fertilize before a heavy rain.

� Fertilize only when needed and only when grass is actively growing.

  The District has created a series of tools to help residents learn to apply fertilizer appropriately. By visiting WaterMatters.org/fertilizing, residents can get step-by-step instructions on fertilizing appropriately as well as watch a series of corresponding how-to videos. Residents can also order the free 15-page, "Do-It-Yourself Guide to Florida-Friendly Fertilizing" for additional information.

 

Fertilizing appropriately is one of the nine principles of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM, a set of guidelines developed by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to protect our natural resources while promoting beautiful landscapes. 

 



Attention New Members

 Did you join Sarasota Audubon Society within the last few years but have not participated in any of our activities? Are you interested in what we are doing?  Would you be interested in attending a casual brunch to meet other new members and Board members? Please contact me at [email protected] 0r 379-3882.
Welcome New Members! 
  
                                                                       John Lindell
Alexandra Lovinger
John Mahon
B. Martin
Jos. C. McAndrew
Alyssa McKeithen
Caroline McKeon
Alan Miller
Cindy Noble
Carol Oltchick
Donald and Dorothy Partington
Patricia Peister
Byron Powell
Nanette Schneiderman
Thomas Stone
Marga Thompson
Sherelle Turner
Bernice Volk
Elaine Warren
Jill Wilson
Adele Witrock
Road Scholars Program Here Is a Great Success 
 

 What a week! The group notched up 106 species; they were absolutely thrilled with the birdlife here. We visited Siesta Beach, Myakka River SP, Oscar Scherer SP, the Celery Fields, Lake Osprey in Lakewood Ranch, took a marvelous trip on the Carefree Learner (Sarasota HS's research vessel) to the Roberts Bay rookery, and to Pinecraft Park. They also made forays to Ft De Soto CP in Pinellas and to the Felts Preserve in Manatee County (owned and managed by Manatee County Audubon). We kept them going and going all week.
  The group stayed at the Holiday Inn in Lakewood Ranch. They came from far and wide: California, Washington State, Michigan and many other states. None of them came from Florida . Even though they traveled around to the birding locations by bus, several of them had rented cars, and a number of them were staying on for a while. Six of them were going on to Naples to be part of another week-long bird trip sponsored by that area's Road Scholar program.
  Some of the suggestions at the debriefing this morning included a Natural History of Florida week, something to think of in the future. We talked up the seasonal opportunities for birding here-migration in April/May for example; some were really interested in that because of the many new birds they could see at that time.
  The Audubon guides were delighted to be able to share this wonderful Sarasota birding experience with so many.  

                          Owen Comora & Jeanne Dubi

 

 

Gainesville Bus Trip 

 Twenty-six intrepid SAS birders defied rain and cold (brrr!) to find 100 species of our feathered friends on their recent 3-day February trip.

 The Gainesville area offered added attractions, including the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History, the extensive University of Florida campus, and beautiful Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.
Stu & butterfly
Stu Hills - our resident butterfly expert
  Paynes Prairie State Preserve with its multitude of hiking and birding opportunities, includes the north rim La Chua Trail. This 1.5 mile path, habitat for many species, leads well into the marshland, offering a protected home to a group of 14 Whooping Cranes.  These magnificent 'lifebirds' were easily identified amongst a host of the robust and plentiful Sandhill Cranes that grace the area. Whoops of glee reverberated across the prairie from the SASers as they climbed the observation deck to enjoy great looks at these large cranes!
  Many other interesting birds were observed on this adventure including an elusive Barn Owl, seen by only a few of our flock, and a rather cooperative collection of Chipping Sparrows at the botanical gardens.  On this well rounded trip, the SAS birders also explored a geological feature, a large sinkhole many thousands of years old.  Micanopy, a historically significant small town with its museum, fascinating early Florida stories, and entertaining reenactment was noted by several in the group as a "place to revisit".                  
Sue Stam      
  
 
Micanopy soldier
Seminole War reenactors
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

.                        

 

 

 

 

Wakodahatchee, Green Cay & Okeeheelee 

 
Hatchees group
Happy "hatchee" birders 
West Palm Beach - The Boardwalks. Our trip to the "other coast"  was a trip to remember.  We visited 3 boardwalks in Palm Beach County. They were  Green Cay, Wakodahatchee, and Peaceful Waters in Wellington.  These boardwalks are a collaborative effort between the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department and the County Parks and Recreation Department.  The boardwalks were  2-3 mile walks around water reclamation areas.  They were constructed to create a wetland using native plantings to naturally purify the water.   In so doing these wetlands produce a natural habitat for wildlife and many species birds.
Hatchees boardwalk
Peaceful Waters Boardwalk 
We tallied 84 species.   Painted Buntings, Dickcissels, Gadwalls, and Purple Gallinules were among  our highlights.
                                                                     Kathryn Young       
Spring in West Palm 
 
                             
Egret young
Photo: Rick Greenspun 

                                     Egrets, herons, and anhingas were building nests and feeding young during our February overnight trip.
 Ah Spring!!

SOSWe Need Volunteers 

 

 SAS is fortunate to have very talented members. Please consider sharing your gifts and time to the benefit of our growing, influential organization. We particularly need an historian, as well as public relations and education chairpersons.

 Volunteering is a great way to meet new people with common interests. Contact Jeanne Dubi (355-1709) for more details.

.  
 

Sarasota Audubon Hats Now Available 
 

This classic baseball cap has our Brown Pelican logo (digitized from a Rick Greenspun photo) and the words Sarasota Audubon on front of hat.

Colors - Khaki and Mustard.  Cost - $17.00

Call Kathryn Young 612-760-1771 to order or pick one up at the sales table before our SAS meetings.

  
Wild Bird Cnter

We Regret to Announce:


"The Wild Bird Center will be closing its doors this spring.  We would like to express our thanks to everyone for their patronage and support over the past five years.  Beginning in February we will have selected items offered for sale as part of our close out process.

Thanks,

Matt and Karen Holman"

 

  Matt and Karen  have been supportive of SAS as business  owners and as members. We look forward to their  continuing  presence and friendship.

 

 

 

Subscribe to Bird Alerts!

Need the latest birding info for our area?  To subscribe, just send an e-mail.  Thanks to Peter Rice for providing this service.
SAS Name Tags

  If you are a new member or do not have an official SAS name tag, you can have one delivered right to your door. Send your name, address and telephone number and a check for $4.50 made out to: Michael Fox, 2749 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34237. For an extra $2.00, you can order a badge which attaches by magnet. No pinholes!

Find us on Facebook

Get the latest edition of Birding Hot Spots in Sarasota & Manatee Counties. Just $6.00 at monthly monthly meetings and field trips or $7.75 by mail. Send a check to: SAS, PO Box 52132, Sarasota, Fl 34232-0337