Take a Trip Through Photos on Monday: Bosque Del Apache

Our dear Rick Greenspun, Sarasota Audubon VP and photographer extraordinaire, just returned from Bosque Del Apache National Widlife Refuge in New Mexico, the subject of Sarasota Audubon's monthly meeting on Monday, December 14. Hope you'll join us at the First Congregational Church's Fellowship Hall, 1031 S. Euclid at 7:00 p.m.

Here's Rick's report: 

I went to see the Sandhill Cranes and Snow/Ross's Geese which congregate by the tens of thousands during the winter months. The weather was cold ( 19 degrees) and we had one day where we actually saw the sun.

It was a spectacle not to be believed when just shortly after the first hint of daylight, thousands of geese and cranes "blast off"from the ponds they were spending the night in, and head for the corn fields to feed.

We also made the trip to the top of Sandia Crest ( elev. 10,680 feet) to see all three Rosy-Finches. When we arrived at the top, the wind was blowing about 50 MPH and the temp was about minus 20 degrees.

Iwas able to go out on the observation deck for only a minute at a time before my fingers were ready to fall off, but was rewarded with views of all three.

It was a trip that I recommend to everyone. Its relatively close, inexpensive and an experience you will never forget. I for one, can't wait to go back.

Snow Geese, by Rick Greenspun

Black Rosy-Finch, by Rick Greenspun

You can travel with us to the Refuge through photos! Show up on Monday to hear Maxis Gamez talk about his incredible trip. You'll enjoy stunning photos along the way.  Call 355-1709 if you have questions about the free meeting.

Despite Gray Skies, Birders Enjoy Birdy Things on Siesta Key Trolley

The Shorebird Trolley missed the rain and scored on the raptors. We ended up having more fun with all the Raptors than the Shorebirds. It all started in the parking lot (of course) with a Red-tailed Hawk on a low wire and Coopers Hawk 5 feet away on the next higher up wire. Both stayed long enough for extended looks/comparisons.

At the public beach on Siesta Key we found a Lesser Black-backed Gull in among all the Herring Gulls again fun to compare. At access 8 we spotted the American Kestrel perched on top of one of the masts in the sailboat area. Out on the Gulf we found 2 soaring Gannets and 1 sitting Juvenile. Gannet in the water. Heading back to the access 8 we spied the Peregrine Falcon perched on a balcony on the tallest building. Next we went to the North Bridge and found 2 American Oyster Catchers and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers.


Thanks to Kathryn Young for organizing the expedition and to Kathryn and Penney Hill for the great report back! Don't want to get left out next time? E-mail publicinfo@sarasotaaudubon.org and we'll add you to Sarasota Audubon Society's e-list.

Florida's Water: The Glass is Running Out

Just found a fabulous article in the Orlando-Sentinel about our shrinking water supply in Florida. With our state's population actually shrinking for the first time since World War II, the water worries do not also diminish. Take a few minutes to read what the Sentinel's Kevin Spear reports from water management districts, environmental councils, utilities and others, and then let us know what you think. 

Sarasota Audubon Society advocates for the environment. What would you like to see us doing locally that we aren't already. We depend on your feedback.

Make Those Pesky Phone Books Go Away!!

With the internet & electronic phone books, you may want to “opt out” of receiving a phone book on your front porch. In the USA alone the 540 million directories represent: 19 million trees for paper; 1.6 billion pounds of paper waste; 7.2 million barrels of oil (not including delivery); 268,000 cubic yards of landfill; 3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity consumption.

It’s not always easy to opt out and you may have to verify your request annually with each directory provider since these companies collect advertising dollars for every book they give away. Here are a few resources:

1. Verizon (800) 888-8448 (press 2)
2. Yellowbook (800) 929-3556 (press 3)
3. The Real Yellow Pages (866) 326-7200 (press 0) (or just click here)

8 Things You Can Do for Florida's Environment

Several Sarasota Auduboners, along with the Audubon of Florida staff, chapter leaders from around the state, one gubernatorial candidate (Paula Dockery), environmental researchers, and the state’s top environmental regulator (Michael Sole) attended AOF’s annual assembly in St. Petersburg Oct. 23 and 24. After hearing disturbing reports from national climate change researchers, bad news about some coastal birds, and alarming projections of environmental damage if the legislature approves near-shore drilling and guts growth management protections, the assembly approved conservation priorities for the coming year.

Statewide: Audubon will focus on climate change and energy policy, coastal conservation, and the greater Everglades ecosystem. The Assembly approved the areas of concentration selected by the regional conservation committees, including nine priority areas for action in our Gulf Coast area. These are:

• Water conservation, especially protection of springs and aquifers through fertilizer ordinances and better regulation of water withdrawal from lakes and rivers.
• Participate with other organizations in public campaigns to apply principles of sustainable growth in law and regulation.
• Advocate for wildlife corridors and against fragmenting natural systems.
• Advance the coastal habitat protection campaign with beach nesting and shore-dependent bird stewardship.
• Engage in programs to protect particularly endangered species, including black bears, Scrub Jays, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers , Bluebirds, Burrowing Owls and Whooping Cranes.
• Campaign for cap-and-trade legislation, renewable portfolio standards, and sustainable clean energy.
• Provide outreach, education and leadership on climate issues.
• Oppose offshore drilling.

Please help us in these priority areas during the coming year. We’ll be calling on you, but if you see an opportunity or a problem, don’t wait. Call your elected officials, write letters to editors, and testify at commission hearings, campaign for and vote on environmental issues and candidates. Volunteer to help protect birds and other wildlife. Together we can be an effective and formidable force for our natural environment and the birds and other wildlife that depend on it.

Visit us online here to get involved.

-Wade Matthews, Sarasota Audubon Society Conservation Chair

More Photos from Environmental Heroes Night...

Rusty Blackwell & Veronica Tarnowski

Jean Edmundson, Jeanne Dubi & Jim Edmundson

Warm greetings of two Audubon friends!

Ron Platt is recognized.

Bird recorder Edith Miller

Susie Bowie & Beverly Zimmer

Julie Byrne

Jeanne Dubi & Owen Comora

Betty Matthews

Congrats to Our Environmental Heroes!

Thursday, November 12 was an awesome night at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Sarasota Audubon honored eleven long-time members of our chapter for their passion and commitment to the environment. Mary Bader, Rusty Blackwell, Owen Comora, Jean Edmundson, Jim Edmundson, June Mades, Betty Matthews, Ron Platt, Arnie Rawson, Veronica Tarnowski and Beverly Zimmer received accolades for their involvement as volunteers, trip leaders and environmental activists right here in SW Florida.

The lives and accomplishments of our honorees were really something to hear as President Jeanne Dubi spoke about them from the podium.  We're pretty darn proud of our people--long-standing volunteers who have done so much to bring the joy, beauty and importance of nature into the forefront of our citizenry's minds.

Jeanne estimated that a collective 80-100 years of volunteer effort was represented by the 11 men and women being recognized.  WOW. Congrats to everyone!

Our Coastal Bird Sanctuaries

Sarasota Audubon Society is hoping to see you on Monday night (November 9) at 7:00 p.m. for our free monthly gathering. We feature an informative environmental speaker, mingle with other local bird and wildlife enthusiasts and always have cookies for the sweet tooth in you.

This month Ann Hodgson of Audubon of Florida is joining us to discuss the state of our coastal birds and their habitat.  You don't want to miss her!

If you'd like to get an early start on your holiday shopping, our own wood carving board member Stu Hills will have his beautiful hand-carved ornaments for sale. All sales support our mission.

We meet at the First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall at 1031 S. Euclid Avenue. See you there.

(Photo: Red Knot, courtesy of Rick Greenspun)

Migration: It's Pretty Extraordinary

When the warblers come down this time of year, along with countless other types of species, it always amazes us to think of how far they fly and how expertly they navigate. It's really something when you think about it. Next time you smile at that LBJ in your yard ("little brown job," what some call the myriad of little migrants they can't quite identify), ponder it's journey.

We wanted to share an excellent audio story from Talk of the Nation. It's all about migration, and we know you'll enjoy it. Click here to listen to the MP3 file, and sit back and relax while this panel from Cornell fills you in on the latest migration research. It's something!

Wade Matthews' Conservation Report: Action Needed

Wade Matthews, longtime Sarasota Audubon conservation chair, provides a federal, state and local picture of what's happening on the conservation front:

 

Federal:
Legislation to reduce carbon emissions that are the major cause of global warning, with predicted wildlife extinctions and eventual flooding of low-lying areas like Sarasota, is now being considered by he US Congress. Tough controls, including mandatory cap-and-trade laws on emissions from power plants and industries are essential to back up US efforts at an international convention in Copenhagen in December to convince big third-world polluters like China and India to join in an international system. Europe and Japan are already in the Kyoto Protocol, but that system needs improvement and worldwide compliance. You should emphasize in your messages mandatory cap-and-trade and incentives for increasing emissions controls, such as progressively higher mileage standards for vehicles.

 

State:
Would-be oil drillers are pouring money and manpower into lobbying Florida legislators to sell leases and allow drilling in Gulf waters, under State control, specifically between 3 and 101/2 miles from our beaches. Lobbyists hold out the chimera of money, jobs, and decreasing oil imports, but the money would be minimal, experienced hands would be brought in from Texas and Louisiana instead of local hires, and import reduction would be years away and even then insignificant. In return, we’d get oil slicks ( a big new one in Australia this month using the new methods), visual pollution, dead seabirds, and marine mammals, and a bit hit on tourism. Representative Fitzgerald is opposed, Holder seems to have switched to opposition from his earlier pro-drilling stance, but Senator Detert is undecided. She needs to hear from you, and the others should know how you feel.

 

Local:
A couple of months ago the Sarasota County Commission by a one-vote margin (Thaxton and Patterson opposed) tried to weaken the 2050 Comprehensive Plane restrictions for Lakewood Ranch, but the State department of Community Affairs rejected the worst features of the attempted change. We testified against the proposed weakening and will do so again when it comes back before the Commission. Debate is ramping up on the Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD) amendment to the State Constitution that will be on the ballot in November, 2010 that would require a citizen vote as the final step in approving any change in the Comprehensive Plans of counties and municipalities around the State. Sarasota Audubon and many other environmental organizations around the State support FHD on the ground that overdevelopment harms birds and other wildlife and the citizens seem more aware of that than many developer-funded elected officials.

Who To Contact:

• Senator Bill Nelson, http://billnelson.senate.gov/
• Senator Goerge LeMieux, http://lemieux.senate.gov/
• Congressman Vern Buchanan, http://buchanan.house.gov/contact
• Senator Nancy Detert, detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
• Keith Fitzgerald, keithfitzgerald@myfloridahouse.gov
• Doug Holder, dougholder@myfloridahouse.gov

Birds = Cash? Sarasota Audubon Talks With SNN

American Oystercatcher Frenzy at Cedar Key

Sarasota Audubon's recent Cedar Key trip yielded an exciting array of species. According to Rick Greenspun, Jeanne Dubi and the rest of the crew, the highlight was over 300 American Oystercatchers on one sandbar!!! Hundreds of Western Sandpipers, Marbled Godwits and Avocets and other usual plovers and peeps and one of those funny colored Laughing Gulls. If you get the chance you gotta go.

The group went out on the Tidewater Tours. Hope we'll catch you on the next trip, or go up on your own for a quiet and beautiful weekend away from it all.

Check out our website for latest news on upcoming trips.  Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica are coming up in the next few months and early 2010.

Chevron & The Environment: Do You Buy It?

We thought this clever little marketing piece from Chevron would be a timely piece to share, especially with the debate heating up about oil in our Gulf.  We're curious about your thoughts. 


No doubt the company put a lot of time and effort into this marketing/ community relations opportunity. Do you buy it?  Leave your comment.

Do we really care about watersheds?

Um, yes. In a very big way. And the Science & Environmental Council of Sarasota County has planned some super fun and educational activities to help you see why.

In a nutshell, a watershed is the land area from which surface runoff drains into a stream, river, lake, reservoir, bay, or other body of water. The health of Sarasota’s watersheds determines the quality of Sarasota’s water bodies, large and small. This in turn, affects the quality of life for residents and visitors. (That's you, my friend.)

And it's easy to take simple steps to make a difference when it comes to protecting the County’s watersheds.  October 12th through 18th is “Watershed Awareness Week.” To celebrate, watershed-related educational events and programs for the whole family are scheduled throughout the week by member organizations of the Science and Environment Council of Sarasota County. Check them out:

• Thursday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m. Sarasota Conservation Foundation – "Tropical Natives for Coastal Living"  with Laurel Schiller, co-owner of Florida Native Plants, Inc.. Free. Bay Preserve at Osprey, 400 Palmetto Ave. For reservations, call Robin at 941-918-2100.
  
  
• Saturday, October 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Historic Spanish Point – "Family Water Day."  Enjoy catch-and-release fishing on Little Sarasota Bay. Standard admission rates apply. To learn more, visit www.historicspanishpoint.org/Family_Water_Day.htm
  
  
• Monday, October 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.   Sarasota County Government – "What Is Wild: Myakka the Wild and Scenic River" Take a guided nature walk along the Myakka and learn about this “wild and scenic river.” Meet at Sleeping Turtles Preserve. Free. Call 941-861-5000 for reservations.
  
  
• Monday, October 12 at 4:30 p.m. New College – "Trees at Work" Find out how trees capture rainfall and reduce, mitigate, and prevent stormwater runoff to Sarasota Bay. Meet at the intersection of College Drive and Dort Promenade on the bayfront campus of New College. Free to the public. No reservations required.
  
  
• Tuesday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Mote Marine – Kayaking 101  Learn the basics of kayaking while you enjoy beautiful Sarasota Bay. $20/person. For reservations, call Miranda Wrobel 941-388-4441 ext. 264.
  
  
• Tuesday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Sarasota County Government – Walk the Hammock Trail  Learn about the native plants and wildlife in the hammock. Rothenbach Park, 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Free. Call 941-861-5000 for reservations.
  
  
• Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. New College – Bay Neighbors  Discover easy landscaping techniques that protect our watershed and reduce bay damage from stormwater runoff. Meet at the north end of Sun Circle Park. The bayfront park is located at the intersection of Sun Circle and Sapphire in the Indian Beach Sapphire Shores Neighborhood. $10.00/person. To register, call 941-361-6590 or go to http://www.ace-sarasota.com/
  
  
• Wednesday, October 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Historic Spanish Point – Sunset Stroll   Light refreshments will be served. Ticket prices TBA. No reservations required. For more information, call 941-966-5214 ext. 295 or visit http://www.historicspanishpoint.org/
  
  
• Wednesday, October 14 at 12:00 p.m. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – Green Roofs and Living Walls Speaker Tim Rumage. This free noon-time talk will include a green roof tour. Meet at the Cooley Theater in the Welcome Center at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Call 941-366-5731 ext. 221 for more information.
  
  
• Thursday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. Historic Spanish Point – Native Plants and the Coastal Environment  Join horticulturist, Nancy Paul, as she leads a guided tour through beautiful Historic Spanish Point to discuss the many diverse plants found on-site. Learn to identify native and Florida-friendly plants and their characteristics. $21.00/person. To register, call 941-361-6590 or go to www.ace-sarasota.com

Watershed Awareness Week events are sponsored by SEC and the Manasota Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

It's Not Cool to Feed Sandhill Cranes

To some, it can be hard to resist, but feeding sandhill cranes (and most other forms of wildlife) usually does much more harm than good to the animals you are trying to "help." Sandhill Cranes fed by people can become agressive and cause property damage....and guess what else? It's illegal to feed Sandhill Cranes. 

Our chapter's treasurer was recently inquiring about a banded Florida Sandhill Crane seen in Sarasota. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission had captured it with another crane in Lakeland last spring and translocated them 90 miles to Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area. These birds had been causing property damage and as part of a simple experiment they were moved to see if they would take up residence in the “wilds” of that state land. One bird returned to the capture site and the other (one in Sarasota now) has not.

So just an important FYI: resist the urge. You can do it!

Here's a really cool article from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission that explains a little more about it.

Ocean Researcher Sylvia Earle is Visiting Soon

We're so psyched.  Famous and eloquent ocean researcher Sylvia Earle, Ph.D. is speaking at this year's statewide Audubon Assembly in St. Petersburg later this October. Check out her speech here from TED, and consider the opportunity to meet her up in St. Pete.

How About That Trip to Cedar Key?

It's one of those places so close to home, it remains undiscovered for most of us. But just three hours north of Sarasota, a hidden island gem rests on the Gulf Coast.  Are you ready to explore?  Sarasota Audubon is leading a trip to Cedar Key on October 14-16. Come with fellow birders and nature enthusiasts as we explore the birds and beauty of this historic vishing village in Levy County.

Join a carpool or self-drive for a 2 night stay. We'll embark on a boat trip to search for shore birds and take several other side adventures. It's only $100 for one breakfast, lunch, dinner and a boat ride. Hotel at your own expense. E-mail Karen at karensarasota@yahoo.com for details.

Been to Cedar Key? What are some of the special birds & wildlife you've seen on your trip? Leave a comment.

Rick Greenspun's Great Gray Owl: FINALLY!

WOW WOW WOW!!


Bird Friends, the title tells it all. After many years and many fruitless pursuits. I have finally seen my number one wish list bird, the Great Gray Owl, thanks to a posting I saw on the Idaho birdlist serve on the 17th of August. We drove from Spokane, WA to Donnelly, Idaho so I could try for the owl this evening. When I initially saw it on the post with wings spread and from a distance, I thought it was much too big to be a bird. It was very cooperative and allowed me to snap away from about 60 feet and sporadically dove into the field for mice, not paying the least bit of attention to me. What a magnificent creature. I wish each and every one of you was with me when I saw it (you were in spirit). I damn near cried from the beauty of it.

So what’s next after THAT??? Siberian Bluethroats in Nome, Bristle-thighed Curlew on the Dalton Hwy. or Pechora Pipits in Adak. Who knows….That’s what makes birding so exciting.

One excited birder, Rick Greenspun

(from Rick Greenspun’s summer travelogue)

Too Close for Comfort

Check out this awesome short video, "Too Close for Comfort" about development's impact on birds here in Florida. Produced by Florida Wildlife Conservation Commmission.

A New Season Is Starting

We have so many exciting things planned for you this year at Sarasota Audubon. With regularly scheduled guided walks at Oscar Scherer State Park and the Celery Fields, monthly environmental programs, day trips, festivals and celebrations like our Environmental Heroes night, there's something for everyone. Be sure to check out http://www.sarasotaaudubon.org/ for the full schedule of upcoming events.

Have a little extra time on your hands? We need you. Volunteers with a healthy environment on the brain are needed to lead bird walks, help clean up the road next to the Celery Fields, clear invasive air potatoes at Pinecraft Park and much more.  We depend on you to keep Sarasota a birdy and beautiful community!  E-mail dubi@comcast.net if you'd like to help.