"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
In This Issue
Wildlife Sightings
Upcoming Events
Trailgate TOMORROW
Tarpon Tournament
Monofilament Misery
GCP Partner Thanks
Quick Links

Thanks, Kiwanis!

The Blue Goose and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland recently thanked Club President Les Boyle for the terrific ongoing support of the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis. 
Earth Day 
Bagzilla wears a year's worth of an average person's disposable bag consumption.
Trash-talking, plarn, and Bagzilla: Just a few highlights of the adult and kid activities that will be available at Earth Day at the Refuge on Saturday, April 19, 2014. Check out this flyer for a schedule of the day's events
 
Did you know?
Red-shouldered Hawk. Photo by 
The Red-shouldered Hawk has a nictating membrane that covers their eyes, as you can see in this photo. Animals use nictating membranes during feeding, fighting, etc., to protect their eyes from damage. It is an autophysical response for protection.





Click here for a full calendar of events and programs.
 


Second Annual Trailgate Party - February 21, 2014

Stokes Birding TourFebruary 28, 2014


April 19, 2014

April 16, 2014


February 20, 2014
Upcoming Lectures
Researchers attach a transmitter to a male Magnificent Frigatebird.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events. Seating is limited and on a first-come basis, so plan on arriving early to ensure a seat.

TOMORROW! Friday, February 21
10 a.m. and 1 p.m. - Ken Meyer, Avian Research and Conservation Institute - 

SPECIAL Evening Lecture: Thursday, February 27, 
5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - Brian Lapointe Ph. D. --"Investigation the Demise of South Florida's Estuaries: The Science of Nutrient Pollution."
This lecture is free, but reservations are required by clicking 
here to email.

Two new lectures added to the calendar 
(note: 1 p.m. presentations only)
  • March 12 - Gordon Perkinson and Christine Barnes, Operation Migration - Whooping Cranes - one lecture only at 1 p.m.
  • March 20 - Steve Archibald, Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center - Wilderness 101- one lecture only at 1 p.m.

 

Thanks to Sanibel Captiva Trust Company for sponsoring
 
our 2014 Lecture Series 

 

Remote Bidding for Trailgate  
Can't make it to Trailgate Party: In the Pink tomorrow evening? You can still bid on our five one-of-a-kind live auction items by pre-arranging a call-in during the bidding. Email Birgie Miller to make arrangements for a call-in bid before Friday noon.

Live auction items include a framed, original 1937 "Ding" Darling cartoon; a signed Jim Sprankle-carved Roseate Spoonbill Feather pin and membership into the Feather Club; a fun, catered Jeepney tour of the Refuge; a Florida Cracker Dinner for six prepared by and shared with Ralph and Jean Woodring at their historic homestead; and sponsorship recognition in the Jim Sprankle Duck Decoy Exhibit for the 2014 addition. Click here to view live and silent auction items. 
                             
Thanks to our auction donors!: 50% off Framing, Ace Hardware, Adventures in Paradise, Bailey's General Store, Terry Baldwin, Mark & Gretchen Banks, Big Red Q, Jaye Boswell, Broadway Palm, Cason Photography Studio, Luc Century, Cip's Place, Clyde Butcher Gallery, Disney, Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, Jerry Edelman, The Dunes Golf, Finnimore's Cycle Shop, Dick Fortune & Sara Lopez, George & Wendy's Seafood Grille, Gramma Dot's, Leah Godley, The Green Flash, Green House Coffee, The Grog Shop, Judy Hicks, Island Inn, Island Paws, Island Therapy Center, Jacaranda Restaurant, Jerry's Market, Kathee Jones, Mary Klaus, Lighthouse Cafe, Macintosh Books and Paper, Birgie Miller, Lyn Morningstar, The Mucky Duck, Offshore Sailing School, Over Easy Cafe  Johnna Patterson and Al Romanoski, Queenie's Ice Cream, Myra Roberts, Carol Rothman, The Sandbar, Kandi Sanger, Sangria Grill, Sanibel Bookshop, Sanibel Deli, Sanibel Island Golf ClubSanibel Seashell Industry, Sanybel's Finest, Schnapper's, SeaWorld Orlando/Aquatica, Shell Point Retirement Community, Charlie Sobczak, Jim Sprankle, Patty Sprankle, Suncatchers' Dream, Sweet Melissa's Cafe, Tarpon Bay Explorers, Traders Cafe, 'Tween Waters Inn, Vortex Binoculars, Dorothy Wallace, Chelle Koster Walton, Ann-Marie Wildman, Curt Will, Jean and Ralph Woodring
 
Tickets have SOLD OUT  
(call 239.292.0566 to see if any tickets have been turned in)

Please support our generous Trailgate Party sponsors: 
Spoonbill Level: Mark and Gretchen Banks, The Wilbur Smith Law Firm
Tarpon Tournament
The new rules have been posted and sponsors are signing up for the Third Annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament on May 3, 2014. A 100 percent purse and Randy Wayne White's participation promise to make the READ MORE
Artwork for the Tarpon Tournament auction by local artist Charlie Brown.

A whopper thanks to our sponsors:

Click HERE for information on becoming a sponsor.
 
Monofilament Misery
These pictures of a Yellow-crowned Night Heron caught in a tree caused by monofilament and a Cormorant consuming fishing gear we're taken by Bill Fischer over the weekend. The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is currently seeking medical attention from C.R.O.W. Please remember to dispose of monofilament, fishing hooks, and other fishing gear in proper receptacles so that our wildlife does not suffer. A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers who clean up monofilament on Fridays. Click here for more information on monofilament clean-up.
                
Thanks to our GCP Partners!
We'd like to take a minute to applaud our wonderfully supportive Guest Contributing Program (GCP) partners.

Participants in the program give their guests/customers the option to contribute $1 per night or transaction to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. For information on participating in GCP, please contact Birgie Miller.

            
        

     
     
Parrot's Nest
Tarpon Tale Inn

These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at www.dingdarlingsociety.org to learn more!

  Sincerely, 
   Birgit Miller, Executive Director

 
 
 "Ding" On the Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton
Designed by Jess Shelton and Sarah Lathrop