Mar-Apr 2009 Avocet Newsletter Tampa Audubon Society

8/9/2019 Mar-Apr 2009 Avocet Newsletter Tampa Audubon Society

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T A M PA A U D U B O N S O C I E T Y

To conserve an

restore our ecosytems, focusing o

birds, wildlife, antheir habitats,

through educatioadvocacy, and community involveme

Volume XX, Issue 4 www.tampaaudubon.org March/April 200

NEW MEETING PLACE

Century Buick Pontiac GMC Training Room

3308 W. Hillsborough Ave.

S.W. corner of W. Hillsborough Aveand Lincoln Ave.

Second Thursday of the month

Mix, Mingle & Munch at 7 PM

Meeting at 7:15

March 12 - Birding for Science and fun

Dave Goodwin, one of Floridas best birding experts,

offers great insights on the how to of bird-watching,as well as the why should we? Its all for fun, and we

can participate in important scientific studies of birdpopulations and movements while were at it. Geared

for all bird-watchers, beginners to expert, this is a do-not-miss talk.


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CAROLYNS CORNERCAROLYNS CORNERCAROLYNS CORNERCAROLYNS CORNER Message from the President ([email protected])

I trust the new calendar year has found each of you happy and healthy. We are rapidly approaching the end of TampaAudubon Society's fiscal year and annual meeting at which Officers and Directors for the year 2009/10 will be elected.We must each seriously consider our individual place of service in the year ahead. Perhaps a leadership role as an Offi-

cer or Director (Board member) or Chairperson of a standing committee would be your calling. In addition each ofthe committees needs members to help the Chairperson plan and implement the activities of that committee. Directorsare elected for a term of two (2) years. All six positions will have expired by the annual meeting, at which members shallvote for Directors, whose terms will expire 2011. According to our By-Laws, the Board of Directors (BOD), consisting

of not less than six (6) elected Directors, elected Officers of the Society, the immediate Past President, the Chapter Rep-resentative to the Florida Society, and ex-officio, with full voting rights, the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees inattendance, have vested in them the control and conduct of the business of TAS. The President and all other Officershold office for a one year term, or until their successors are elected. The President (P) directs and administers the affairsof TAS as its executive head, and supervises all phases of its activities, subject to instructions by the Board. (P) shallalso be an ex-officio member of all committees, and shall preside at all meetings of members and of the Board. The

First Vice President (FVP) shall, in the absence of (P), preside at meetings of the Society, and shall assume all the dutiesand responsibilities of (P), if (P) is incapacitated for more than sixty (60) days, until such time as the elected (P) is able

to resume duties. The Second Vice President (SVP) shall carry out special projects and other duties as determined bythe (P). The (SVP) shall assume the duties of the (FVP) in the event that the (FVP) becomes incapacitated or assumes theduties of the (P). The Recording Secretary (RS) shall keep a record of all proceedings of the Society and of the (BOD).

The (RS) shall send notice of all meetings. The (RS) shall preserve the seal of the Society, affix it to all documents re-

quiring the seal of the Society, and shall attest the same. The Corresponding Secretary (CS) shall conduct all the corre-spondence of the Society except such correspondence as, by instructions, to the Board or at the discretion of the (P),shall be conducted by another Officer of the Society. The Treasurer (T) shall have custody of the Society's funds. The(T) shall disburse such funds as may be ordered by the (BOD). The (T) shall report to the (BOD) at its regular meetings

or as requested, and prepare a monthly cumulative report on the financial condition of the Society, and further, shall pre-pare a budget for the coming year. All checks and drafts of the Society may be signed by the (T), the (P) or (FVP). Sug-

gestions for nominations of Officers and Directors may be submitted to the Nominating Committee by any member ofthe Society. Please be sure the person suggested has agree to serve, if elected. The Nominating Committee shall nomi-nate candidates for Officers and Directors to succeed those whose terms expire at the next annual meeting, at which time

the election will take place. The terms of newly elected Officers and Directors shall begin June 1, 2009. You may submitsuggestions for candidates to Nominating Committee Chairman, Tim Bonsack, [email protected], or to current Presi-

dent, Carolyn McKinney, 884-0578 [email protected].


3/9

Field Trips

Sat March 14 - Florida Specialties Bus Trip with St Pete Audubon, RESERVATIONS

NEEDED, call Mauri Peterson for cost and reservations, 727-398-4124

Sat March 14 - Beginning Birders, Lettuce Lake Park, Pat Lewis, 907-6542,[email protected]. 9AM, Visitors Center, done by 11:30

Sat March 21 - Blue Bird Boxes in Flatwoods Park, Mary Miller, [email protected], meet at the Ranger Station at the Morris Bridge Entrance.

Sat/Sun March 28/29 - Cedar Key, Mary Keith, 935-6115, [email protected]. 7AM, Burger

King at Fowler and Nebraska, can carpool. Birding mudflats and marshes around Cedar Key. Usuallygreat shorebirds, rails, curlew, warblers. Then Cedar Key scrub, possible scrub jays, raptors. Will

spend the night if you want to.

Sat April 4 - Weedon Island, Pinellas Co., Mary Keith, 935-6115, [email protected]. 7:30AM,

Borders Books on Dale Mabry just south of I-275. Will walk boardwalk and trails and look for

warblers and shorebirds.

Sat April 18 - Beginning Birders Walk, Lettuce Lake Park, Carolyn McKinney, 884-0578,

[email protected]. 9AM, in front of Visitor Center.

Sun April 19 - Fort DeSoto Park, Bill Lamoureux, 839-2742, [email protected]. 8 AM, at the

first parking area to the right of the park entrance. Fall migration time for shorebirds and warblers.

Sun April 26 - Honeymoon Island, Dave Bowman, 948-8516

Sun May 3 - Myakka River and Celery Fields, Mary Keith, 935-6115, [email protected]. 8AM

till after dark. Will carpool from McDonalds on Rt 60 and I-75, will bird Myakka River State Park(admission charge) for waterbirds, nature walk for warblers, then Celery Fields for shore birds and

grassland birds, whistling ducks, will stay till dark for barn owls.

Sat May 9 - Birding by Ear at Lettuce Lake Park, Russ and Gail Kruetzman, 986-1033,

[email protected]. 9AM Visitors Center, done by 11:30

Sun May 10 - Coffepot Bayou Bird Island Boat Trip, RESERVATIONS NEEDED, with St Pete

Audubon, call Alice Tenney, 727-894-2062. 6:30 PM, Meet at St Petersburg Pier by Bait House at the

far end of the pier, just in front of the large building.

Sat May 16, Orlando Wetlands, Mary Keith, 935-6115, [email protected]. 7AM, IHOP onFowler Avenue just west of I-75, carpool. This is a 2 hr walk on flat dikes, open and sunny, but great

waterbirds, least bittern, nesting stilts. Bring water and snacks.

Sat May 30 - Hillsborough River Canoe trip, Carolyn McKinney, Call Carolyn for details. 884-

0578, [email protected].

Sat June 6 - Butterfly Walk at Lettuce Lake Park, Russ and Gail Kruetzman, 986-1033,

[email protected].


4/9

TAMPA AUDUBON SOCIETY PRESENTS

CHILDRENS POSTER CONTEST

&

TEENS PERFORMANCE CONTEST

Fighting Climate Change is the smart choice for Florida

Florida is on the front lines of global climate change. Our unique habitats, diverse birds, and

wildlife are vulnerable to rising sea levels, increasing ocean temperatures, acidification, and

many more weather events. Our cities and towns are also exposed to these impacts. Nearly 95

percent of our 18 million residents live within 35 miles of the states more than 1,300 miles of

coastline.

Childrens Poster Contest:

Age categories: Ages 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 The poster should depict unhappy result(s) of climate change

Entries should be original work of student

Entries cannot be returned (although some may be available for pick up after the contest)

Artwork must be on heavy white paper up to poster board size. Use bright colors, bold lines, and a

clear message

Each poster must have name, age, address, and phone number ON THE BACK, as well as the name,

address, and phone number of the entrants school or other institution they would like recognized

Teens Performance Contest:

Grade categories: 6-8th grade, 9-10th grade, 11-12th grade

There are two categories for competition:Dramatic reading (poetry, essay, skit, etc.) or MusicalPerformance (with or without instrumental accompaniment: surprise us with genre of music).

The entry must be original and depict unhappy results of climate change

Entries cannot be returned (some may be available for pick up after the contest)

Performance must be submitted on CDs or DVD. Language must be appropriate for all age levels

Each disc must be labeled with the name(s), grade, address(es), and phone number(s) of the entrant

(s), as well as the name, address, and phone number of the entrants school or other institution they

would like recognized

Entries should be mailed or dropped off to the Audubon Center at Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 East Fletcher

Ave., Tampa, FL 33637. The Center is open weekdays 9AM to 3PM, and 1PM to 5PM Saturday and Sun-

day.

The deadline for entries is Monday, April 20, 2009

Winners will be announced Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 11:00AM in celebration of Earth Day at the

Audubon Center at Lettuce Lake Park

All decisions are final, the winning posters and performances may be used for publicity and may be on

display at the Audubon Center at Lettuce Lake Park, or other locations throughout Hillsborough

County.

For more information , contact the Tampa Audubon representatives: Tammy (813) 982-1522 or

Carolyn (813) 884-0578


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TAS President, Carolyn McKinney, with students from

Tampas Lowry Park Zoos Youth Program who made

Bluebird Boxes for Lake Parks new Bluebird Trail

Tampa Audubon Society has installed aBluebird Trail at Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale

Mabry Hwy. The trail of bluebird nest

boxes is divided into two sections. Blue-bird Trail A, with nine (9) nest boxes, is

located along the North Jogging, Hiking, &

Horse Trail, between the toddler play-ground and the Boat Ramp. Trail B, with

six (6) boxes, is located along the South

Jogging, Hiking, & Horse Trail, between

the BMX Track and the Archery Area.Now, we just have to wait for thebluebirds

to choose a nest box for their families.

When we begin to see activity in the boxes,

we will post a notice on our website. Comeout to Lake Park and see your TAS at

work!

A huge thanks, on behalf of the bluebirds,

to Bill Lamoureux for preparing fifteen(15) nest box kits, the ECCO Youth Lead-

ership Teens for assembling the nest boxes,Mary and John Miller for presenting theirBluebird Powerpoint to the teens to teach

them all about bluebirds and their needs,

and Carolyn and Chuck McKinney andMary and John Miller for installing the

boxes along the Trail.


6/9

Century Buick Pontiac GMC

Use of their facilities for

Audubon Meetings

Donations to Tampa Audubon Society

Ann G. Dawson

Ann & Joseph Debaldo

William Carter, M.D, P.A.

Ryan Lacovacci

Kathy Fridovich

Gerald & Mary Goebel

Mary Keith

Ann G. Dawson

Rodney C. Wade

Alan Bailey

Constance D. Farnsworth

Athena LynchJane M. Kemerer

Dorothy Dugger

Ann & Joseph Debaldo

Mona Posinoff

Rachel Kirkbride

Pam Slagg

Michael Sutton & Alyssa Getzoff

Matt Morley

(sponsored by Ryan Lacovacci)

J Crawford

Gloria Hibbard

Ann Springer

Need help with bird Identification?

e-mail Bill Lamoureux at:

[email protected]

Can you ID thisbird?

Check page 8


7/9

ARC at the Park

Visitor Center at Lettuce Lake

Volunteer training is available for those who are willing to invest four hours a month to

staff the Visitor Center. The only skills needed are a love of the environment and a

friendly smile.

Tampa Christmas Bird Count by Dave Bowman

There were 152 species sighted on the Alafia CBC and 140 species sighted on the Tampa CBC. The

combined total for Hillsborough County was 168 species. Here is the numbers breakdown of New,

Highs, Lows, and Misses. The lows and misses are based on the species seen on 30 out of 38 Tampacounts, and 9 out of 12 Alafia accounts.

Alafia Banks CBC;NEW: Greater Scaup- 5, Bonapartes Gull- 2

HIGHS: Black-bellied Whistling Duck-82, Northern Pintail-60, Great Blue Heron-93, Red-shouldered

Hawk-59, Merlin-3, Common Moorhen-232, American Avocet-47, Eastern Screech Owl-16, Great

Horned Owl-7, Barred Owl-8, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker-5, Pileated Woodpecker-17, Tree Swallow-8147, Carolina Wren-43, House Wren-57, Marsh Wren-6, Eastern Bluebird-64, Pine Warbler-225,

Brown-headed Cowbird-2115, House Finch-6.

LOWS: Lesser Yellowlegs-3, Laughing Gull-683, Herring Gull-5, Fish Crow-153

(YIKES!!), Hermit Thrush-1, Brown Thrasher-1, Yellow-throated Warbler-1.MISSES: Marbled Godwit, Red Knot

Tampa CBC

NEW: Black-hooded Parakeet-5

HIGHS: Hooded Merganser-96, Marbled Godwits-65, Foresters Tern-603, Black Skimmer-308.LOWS:Northern Shoveler-8, Black-crowned Night Heron-3, Coopers Hawk-1, Clapper Rail-1, Sora-1,

Black-bellied Plover-4, Dunlin-53, Herring Gull-10, Barred Owl-1, Northern Flicker-2, Common

Yellowthroat-17, Savannah Sparrow-5MISSES: Least Bittern, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Avocet, Western Sandpiper,

Common Ground Dove, Great Horned Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ovenbird

FIELD TRIP REPORTS

Merritt Island - January 24-25

Bill Lamoureux reported seeing a rare Rosss Goose

Mosiac Mines Area - February 2 by Mary Keith

At least 97 species were sighted today. We had fuzzy eaglets in the nest, great horned owls sitting on their

nests, stilt sandpipers, yellow bellied sapsucker, 10 kinds of ducks, American bittern, about 10 Black

Crowned Night Herons, thousands of ruddy ducks and cormorants, 2 Bonaparte's gulls. As always, Mosaic'shospitality was wonderful, Diana and Paul knew what was out there and where to find it.


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Female Red-wing blackbird. Isnt she lovely?

Male Osprey doing his mating swoop.

Glossy Ibis and Ring-neck duck pair seen at the

duck pond behind Adventure Island

Photos by Roger Sheets

1. Rare A. Goes down the tree head first

2. Flycatcher B. Pointed Tail3. Casual C. Not Native; deliberately released4. Barn Swallow D. Holds tail down

5. Accidental E. Deeply forked tail

6. Tree Swallow F. Not Native

7. Vagrant G. Annual or probably annual in smallnumbers

8. Blue Jay H. Notched tail

9. Introduced I. One record or a very few records10. Nuthatch J. Cocks tail up

11. Mourning Dove K. Rounded tail

12. Exotic L. Not annual, beyond range13. Woodpecker M. Climbs a tree in jerks

14. Wren N. Outside of its normal range limits

Answers: 1.G; 2.D; 3.L; 4.E; 5.I; 6.H; 7.N; 8.K; 9.C; 10.A;

11.B; 12.F; 13.M; 14.J

QUIZ


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JOIN TAMPA AUDUBON

Join in on all the good times. When you join Tampa Audubon Society, you auto-matically become a member of the National and Florida AudubonSocieties as well.Your membership supports vital conservation issues on the national, state and

local levels. As a member, you will receive the bi-monthlyAudubon magazine, thequarterly Florida Nautralistmagazine and our local, bi-monthly newsletter, The Avo-cet.

Introductory Membership $25

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Please make your checks payable to: Tampa Audubon Society

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P.O. Box 320025Tampa, FL 33679

I would like to include an additional contribution of $________ to the Tampa Audubon Society.

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Mar-Apr 2009 Avocet Newsletter Tampa Audubon Society

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