  January 9 Meeting:
Jon Thaxton, Sarasota County Commissioner:
Jon will discuss balancing development with environmental conservation in Sarasota County.
Social hour at 7 pm followed by our business meeting and the presentation.
First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall
1031 South Euclid Ave., Sarasota.
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Christmas Bird Count Sarasota, Saturday, December 31
The SAS Christmas Bird Count was Jan. 31. We are hoping to surpass our 2011 birders in the field and birds recorded. Our results will be in the Feb. 2012 Brown Pelican.
Many thanks to all who participated - either in the field or in their backyards. The science gleaned from this national effort is so important to our enjoyment, protection and understanding of our "feathered friends."
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Special Day Trips
Carefree Learner Boat Trips
Tuesday, April 3 at 9 am
Wednesday, April 11 at 9 am
Take a private boat tour to Roberts Bay Rookery to see and learn about breeding birds.
CAREFREE LEARNER PREVIEW: Your reservation and cost will also include wine and cheese & a slide show presentation on Rookery birds on Wed. evening, Mar 28.
Contact Kathryn Young: kathwren4@gmail.com or 612-760- 1771 for RESERVATIONS and for the presentation location. Cost $27.
All Aboard the Eagle Trolley
Sat., Feb 4 at 8am. Leave the driving to us (3-hour ride) as our Eagle Expert Dale Nauman gives us the history and great looks at 3-4 active nests. Also included will be an eagle powerpoint slide show and Happy Hour on Feb. 1.
Go to www.sarasotaaudubon.org for details.
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Thank You John Lampel
John Lampel is our "stamp guy". He has been collecting stamps for us for 18 years and he estimates that he has sent 350,000 to the Birds of Prey Center in Maitland. They sell them and the proceeds go to help injured raptors. They take care of about 600 birds a year.
John and his wife Esther (they both still come to meetings) have been married for 68 years. They became "dependent" on each other, as he says, on Independence Day in 1943!!! What a wonderful. story and what a wonderful volunteer he has been. He is one of those unsung workers who make SAS a special organization.
Please bring in stamps to our meetings and say hello to John. He accepts all but 44 cent stamps.
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Conservation News
Jan. 11 Meeting on SWFWMD Land Sales
The December Brown Pelican described a packed November meeting of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) at which environmentalists almost unanimously opposed or insisted on tight restrictions of Governor-ordered sales of so-called "surplus" lands. A follow-on meeting will be from 6 to 8 pm at the Sarasota SWFWMD office at 6750 Fruitville Road (next building to the east on the right beyond the Fruitville library just east of I-75). The purpose is to get public comment on the process SWFWMD will use to determine what is surplus and conditions on any sale, presumably including disposition of receipts.
SWFWMD plans to post during the first week of January questions asked at the November meeting with their responses at www.watermatters/surplus. Since the environmental lands involved could be substantial and important to preserving birds and other wildlife, Julie Byrne and I plan to attend and speak and we would welcome a good turnout from Sarasota Auduboners and other environmentalists to show support and to emphasize, among other things:
1. The lands were already carefully evaluated when they were purchased for environmental and water retention quality and, for older lands, also at the beginning of the Bush administration.
2. Many of the lands were purchased when prices were higher, and sale in the present down market makes no economic sense.
3. Receipts from sale of those few lands that may have been bought as part of a larger tract but have little inherent environmental or border value, that can not be directly traded for better environmental land, and for which sale now also makes economic sense, should be restricted to purchase other lands with more environmental value rather than go into the general fund or used for some non-environmental purpose.
Hope to see you there.
Wade Matthews, Conservation Chair
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More Conservation News:
Some Good Environmental News
While recent Conservation Reports in the Brown Pelican and elsewhere have lamented environmental defeats and habitat degradation, there occasionally some good news, For example:
Governor Scott's budget proposes $40 million for Everglades restoration, up from $29 million this past year, and $15 million for the Florida Forever land-buying program.
The December UN Climate Conference of 194 nations, after almost breaking up because of opposition to further controls by the United States, China and India (which are not parties to the 1997 Kyoto agreement), agreed to start negotiations on a new accord to take effect no later than 2020 that would put developed and less-developed countries under the same legal regime to control greenhouse gasses. The existing Kyoto agreement, which only applies to so-called
developed countries that have ratified it (notably excluding the U.S.), was also extended for five years beyond its 2012 expiration date.
The EPA reached an agreement with all the top US-based automakers, which will go into effect in 2017, requires annual mileage improvements of 5 percent for cars and a little less for light trucks and SUV's. That will result in fleet averages of 54.5 mpg by 2025 (compared to 27.5 now). For the environment, this will reduce the amount of gasoline produced or imported (with consequent spills and leakage) as well as emission of greenhouse gasses.
The omnibus appropriations bill approved by Congress in December kept international family planning assistance at last year's level of $575 million, reducing the US contribution to the UN Population Fund by only $5 million to $35 million. Since population growth is the basic cause of environmental degradation and though much more is needed to slow it, in the present political environment that appropriation at almost the same level as this past year qualifies as good environmental news.
Wade Matthews, Conservation Chair
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SAS Supports Natalia Piland's Research
Every year SAS allocates scholarship funds to be awarded to deserving Sarasota County students (recommended by their teachers) who plan to study in biological/environmental fields. This year we had the opportunity to help fund a Cornell student who is here and doing bird research.
Natalia Piland is a dedicated young woman who very much appreciated our help. Her interest is Tree Swallow roosting patterns. She would appreciate any information about roost sites and help monitoring other Tree Swallow behavior. Please email her at ncp29Acornell.edu .
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Key West and Dry Tortugas
April 16-19 2012
We will travel to popular Key West, stop at the Ten Thousand Island tower on the way there, stay at the Comfort Inn and the next day take the commodious Yankee Freedom to spend the day at historic Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas. The Dry Tortugas are a respite for migratory birds returning from South America. We expect to see nesting Sooty Terns, Brown Boobies, various warblers and many other varieties.
The third day the bus will take us to hot spots around Key West, the lower keys, and the Wild Bird Rescue Center. A few of our target birds are the White-crowned pigeon, Mangrove cuckoo and Wurdemenn's heron. Each evening we'll search for the Antillean nighthawk. On our return north the fourth day we'll stop off at Pennekamp State Park and take a glass bottomed boat ride. From there we'll bird our way back with a late arrival in Venice/Sarasota. We are hoping to see 100+ species. The cost is $600 pp dbl/$800 single and includes bus, motel, all entry fees, boat rides, and tips. All meals are included except the evening meal. Charlie Sample will be our bird guide. For more information please contact: Charlie Sample, 497-6463 or Karen Jensen, 924-2446 Sponsored by Venice Audubon and Sarasota Audubon Societies
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History of the Celery Fields - Part 1
This article was adapted by Arny Rawson from History and Agriculture in Sarasota County Florida, published by the Sarasota County Fair and Sarasota County Historical Commission, 1976.
From about 1920, Mrs Potter Palmer extended her vegetable growing area from Gulf Gate to the location of the present Celery Fields. Prior to that time, the site was a rich muckland known as Big Camp Saw Grass and Tatum Saw Grass. The muck (peat) occupied the lowest 2,000 acres, and was surrounded by a higher dark loam area and an even higher sandy area. The depth of the muck varied from a few inches to 8 feet, and was composed of from 66 to 73% organic material. Below the muck layer was sand, which varied inversely with the depth of the muck. A clay or marl layer lay about four feet deeper still.
The Palmer interests engaged Arcadia engineer J .A. Kimmel to make topographical maps and a drainage plan for the entire 8,000-acre area. The site was organized as the Sarasota Fruitville Drainage District in 1921.
The firm of Cravens and Kimmel prepared excellent 1-foot contour maps for drainage, which made development in the Phillippi Creek watershed possible.
Construction of the Celery Fields began in 1923. The main canals were finished by 1926. An experimental farm of 2,000 acres was set up under the direction of E.L. Ayres, then County Agent.
Although different vegetables were tried, by 1927, it was decided to grow predominantly celery. Roads were built across the area. Since the muck was constituted in great part by acid, lime was added: 1.5 to 2 tons of ground limestone and 1 to 1.5 tons of hydrated lime per acre. Unit ditches served 10-acre tracts. Artesian wells served two 10-acre tracts from each 6-inch well. At first, just a spring crop was harvested. Later both spring and fall crops were grown.
The farms, which were sold off as private units, continued to produce celery until the property was acquired by the County in the 1995.
Further notes from Arny Rawson:
Prior to the development of the farm, water levels are not mentioned. It is assumed however, that in the lowest areas, there was standing water throughout most of the year. After drainage, the celery patches were moist to dry for most of the year, but there was no standing water except after heavy summer rains.
There was no record of wildlife before development, but one can assume that it was abundant. During its farm stage, the area was good for birding, probably many more species than now
Our Historian, Jane Brandhorst,
is researching the evolution of SAS' vision for the Celery Fields.
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SAS Sales Table
Check out the variety of items Mary Heinlen has for sale at our monthly meetings. Martha Straub has again donated her beautiful bead earrings and necklaces - often nature-themed.
All proceeds go to SAS.
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Upcoming Events
Thursdays, Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26: OSCAR SCHERER STATE PARK
Every Thursday, Oct thru Apr. Join a bird walk to search for Florida Scrub Jays, N. Bobwhites, and other pine flatwood species. Meet inside the park at 8:30am at Lake Osprey/Nature Center (park fee). Call Joyce with questions (508-737-8954)
Florida Scrub Jay
Tuesday, Jan 10: CELERY FIELDS BIRD WALK Meet at the gazebo (Palmer & Raymond) for an 8am bird walk with Dan Irizarry.
Saturday, Jan 14: CELERY FIELDS BIRD WALK Meet at the gazebo (Palmer & Raymond) at 8am.
Tuesday, Jan 17: CIRCLE B BAR PRESERVE Over 150 bird species have been found on this 1,267-acre property in Lakeland, Polk County. It has recently been added to the Great Florida Birding Trail. Call Lynn Jakubowicz (355-4073) for more information. BRING LUNCH. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75) next to Home Depot at 7am.
Jan 18 thru 20: WAKULLA SPRINGS & TALLAHASSEE A 2-night bus trip. See website for details.
Monday, Jan 23: CELERY FIELDS MONDAY BIRD WALK CLUB: Joyce Leary (508-737-8954) leads a bird walk every 4th Monday, Oct thru March at the Celery Fields. Meet at the gazebo (Palmer & Raymond) at 8am.
Saturday, Jan 28: MORRIS BRIDGE: This is a beautiful preserve on the Hillsborough River, and is on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Explore this preserve with Lynn Jakubowicz, 355-4073, and Mary Heinlen. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7am. BRING LUNCH.
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Local Membership
To receive your newsletter electronically, send an email to: membership@sarasotaaudubon.org with your request. Printing/mailing costs can be allocated to other projects with your help. To view our electronic version, click here, go to "News" and then "Brown Pelican."
It's time to renew! All local SAS memberships for 2012 are now due. For only $20 a year, you help underwrite our printing, postage, and meeting place expenses. You can renew online at our new website or you can mail your $20 to:SAS (Membership),
PO Box 52132, Sarasota, FL 34232 Lynn Jakubowicz, Membership Chair
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In the Field
North Lido Beach & Woods
11/26/11 - Thirteen of us showed up for the N. Lido walk this am. The beach was very quiet. There was a large group of gulls at mid Lido, but our plan was to go north. We did see five Snowy Plovers, one with bands, so that was fun. The only other birds on the beach as we walked north were two Sanderlings. A nice adult Herring Gull was on marker 5; we got good looks in the scope. A magnificent Osprey flew around and over our heads and obliged us with catching a fish. In the woods, we had better luck. The usual Palms and Yellow-rumped Warblers were in abundance, but we also saw a Black and White Warbler, a Prairie Warbler, and a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were excavating a hole and we also saw a pair of Downy Woodpeckers. Best of all, was a pair of Great Horned Owls busily defending their territory from a yipping American Kestral. It was heart-warming to see the two owls, since for a few years there has only been a lone one there after its mate was poisoned, we suspect by rat poison. Get outside-go birding!
Jeanne Dubi and Marc Hayman.
Red-headed Woodpecker photographed with Barry Rossheim's Zeiss Photoscope
Laurel Landfill "Pineland"
12/3/11- Fifteen birders joined Barry Rossheim on a caravan to the delights of Laurel Landfill. American Kestrals, Eastern Meadowlarks, Wilson's Snipe, Red-headed Woodpecker, Bald Eagles and a Northern Harrier were highlights of the 45 species seen. The back section was closed due to construction and will be for some months.
Barry Rossheim with Jane Brandhorst, Jody Allen and Lynn Jakubowicz
Lido Key Shorebirds
12/13/11 - This morning I led a walk on Lido Key in Sarasota for shorebirds and whatever else was out. Turns out there weren't any shorebirds. It was the nadir of low tide; hardly any birds were on the beach. We had the typical gulls and terns around though.While scanning the far off sand bar, we had a small flock of Sanderlings fly by. Those were the only shorebirds seen today. Our best bird, however, was a far off Jaeger. John Ginaven and I had both our scopes on this bird. It was definitely a dark morph of Pomarine or Parasitic Jaeger. It didn't have the pot belly I've seen Pomarines with, but neither he nor I were comfortable calling this one to species. We also had an immature Northern Gannet sitting on the water.
Dan Irizarry
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Holiday Lunch
Wed., Dec. 14 at University Park Country Club 
SAS hosted a Holiday Lunch at the University Park Country Club on Dec. 14.
Good friends, good food and a lovely venue made for a delightful occasion. Wade Matthews presented an excellent recap of his and Betty's trip to Africa, with accompanying photos.
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Travels with Rick Greenspun
(Dec. 14 Post)
Bird Friends, I intended to write you after a day of trudging through knee deep snow and brutally cold weather, but today was 42 degrees, not a speck of snow to be found and there are still bugs flying around here in Canada in December!!!
There has been, as I am sure most of you know, a Snowy Owl eruption across all the northern tier states in the United States. Snowies are arctic breeders and hunters and rely mainly on voles, lemmings and ducks for their food supply. Since most of the ducks migrate south, that leaves lemmings and voles as the main food. When the lemming population crashes, as it cyclically does, and coincides with a good breeding year, the Snowy Owl population must move out of their normal range to find food source. Most of the Snowy Owls here in Kingston, Ontario, are near the shoreline of the Saint Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to take advantage of the thousands of wintering ducks (Long-tailed, Golden-eye, Mallards and Buffleheads) and the Meadow Voles in the surrounding fields. Also in the mix are Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and N. Harriers competing for the same food source (on land).
Usually, there are Short-eared Owls, Boreal Owls, Saw-whets, Long-eared and Great Horned in good numbers. Unfortunately, warmer than usual weather has not caused a significant movement of these other species into the area where I am visiting. I was very lucky to have one good day (so far) and saw 4 Snowy Owls, one of which I was able to sit and photograph for over 2 hours. They are magnificent creatures and this one owl more than made up for the lack action of the others. On the other hand, I'm not freezing!!!
Rick's glorious Snowy Owl
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Be a Volunteer
One of the reasons we are a growing and successful organization is our volunt eers. SAS is non-profit and volunteer driven. You could be a part of our exciting future. Please share your talents.
Contact:
VolunteerCoordinator, Marcy Packert
volunteer@sarasotaaudubon.org or 360-0808
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SAS Name Badges
Send name and address to:
Michael Fox, 2749 Ringling Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237 $4.75 with pin & $6.75 with magnet Add $2.00 for shipping
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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.
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