Apalachee Audubon The Newsletter of the Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc. Vol. 105, No.21 www amlchee org ‘April 2007 APRIL 14" FIELD TRIP APRIL 28" PROGRAM Carrabelle Area with Rob Lengacher Saturday, April 14", 7:30 a.m. Meet at Wachovia Bank on S. Monroe Join Rob Lengacher during the height of spring migration as we search for shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors in some lesser known locations in and around Carrabelle. Be prepared to explore beaches, tidal flats, roadsides, and easy walking trails. Old shoes or waders are recommended in addition to comfortable walking shoes, and bring a spotting scope if you have one. ‘We will almost certainly make a stop at Alligator Point or the Panacea area on our return trip, so be prepared for a good tally of birds. Please meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Wachovia Bank on S. Monroe across from the Fairgrounds in Tallahassee or meet up with us at 8:30 am. at the Moorings in Carrabelle on US 98. Ken Meyer: Swallow-Tailed Kites Wednesday, April 25", 7:30 p.m. (Silent Auction begins at 6:30 p.m.) United Church of Tallahassee 1834 Mahan Drive Our April program features conservation biologist Dr. Kenneth Meyer. Director of Research at the Avian Research & Conservation Institute (ARCH) in Gainesville. Dr. Meyer's research has discovered a great deal about this most graceful bird of prey, including. the migration route and destination of the small population of swallow-tailed kites that nests in the U.S. These magnificent and vulnerable birds ‘have arrived back in our area now, and it’s a good time to learn more about their habits, habitats and special efforts needed to protect them. In order to help fund Dr. Meyer's organization, the non-profit ARCI, we will be holding silent auction before the program. Come with your checkbooks for wonderful gift certificates, art work, photos and more, starting at 6:30 p.m. grade students at Pineview Elementary during the January birdfeeder-building workshop. For more pictures, go to www-pineview.leon.k12.f1.us/ chang/Shared % 20Documents/birdfeeder/aspx. ‘The Natural History of Birds in Ecuador Wednesday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. This wonderful presentation by Rudy Gelis of the Yanayacu Biological Station in Ecuador's rain forest is hosted by FAMU's Environmental Science ‘Student Organization (ESSO). The talk will be in FAMU's Frederick Humphries Science Research Building, Room 214, 1515 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (The building parking lot's gate will be open from 6:50-7:10. After this time, individuals will have to find parking around the building on the street.) You won't want to miss this look at the spectacular rainforest species! Volunteer for Your Chapter! Please see the back of insert page for ways you can assist. Your help is needed and appreciated.lent’s Message Elizabeth Platt Dear Fellow AAS Members and Friends, Many of us were caught up in the excitement surrounding the sighting of what was taken to be the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in 2004. If ‘you continue to believe or hope that the story is true, the latest challenge from Birder’s World (Field of Vision, 2007) is discouraging. According to an analysis of the video of the bird in flight, characteristics ofits wing beats are consistent with those of the Pileated Woodpecker, not a different species. Birders are noncthcless encouraged to keep trying to find it, like our friends in Choctawhatchee Audubon to the west of us, under the auspices of ‘Auburn University. A more compelling story (Weidensaul, 2005) documents the 25-year history of work by the Nature Conservaney and other organizations to pre~ serve a half-million-acre forested corridor in eastern Arkansas, not only for its own sake, but also in anticipation that the ‘Lord God Bird’ might some day be found there. Despite caveats drawn from a critique of the video, the size, markings, movements, calls and drumming of the bird have been taken by numerous experts as evidence that this is an IBW. Undoubtedly, we will learn more about this bird as time passes, and as more evidence is gathered. But I have taken a lesson from this story that is best expressed by Scott Simon of the Conservancy: This is the epitome of hope, because it shows that a small group of people from many different organizations and agencies can restore more than 120,000 acres of bottomland forest, and that the place can become healthy enough for the Lord God Bird to come back and reside there. (p.29) It gives me hope that working with others in the environmental community of our area, we can succeed in preserving such vital habitat as the Red Hills, Magnolia Bay, and the Choctawhatchee River. It takes a sustained effort, but what wonders might await us if we keep it going? Ifnot the IBW, perhaps some other wonderful gift of Nature! Field of View. (2007) A new challenge to the Luneau video. Birder’s World. lPowtow: Lcomvbirders_world field_of jember_of the html ‘Weidensaul, 5. (summer, 2005). The ivory-bill and its forest breathe new Life, Nature Conservancy, 20-31. Bylaws It’s been 12 years since the chapter has looked at/revised its Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The organization has grown and changed, and so have our needs and the opportunities of technology. The Bylaws Commit- tee (Dawn Saucier, Karen Wensing) has reviewed these documents carefully. Revisions, in compliance with statc laws and guidelines from the National Audubon Society, are proposed for the sake of consistency and to provide guidance for the future while allowing for maximum flexibility ‘The Board will be voting on these revisions at their April meeting. You will be asked to vote on them at the Annual Meeting in May. In order to save space in the newsletter and the cost of a special mailing, you may re- view old and new versions on our web page http:/www apalachee.org. Members who are not able to access the Internet and would like to receive copies by mail should contact Dawn (dsaucier @flabar.org) or Karen (coisnsing@mailerfauedu). Oftcers Presider! Easbeth Pat §$0-385:9083 i ink st iow President Mela Forcand $50. 510- 4877 greenueroadeaink nt Trevarer Harvey Goleman 880-385 seldnan hep fed Secretary Dawn Soucier SSD.ES6-1045 sins aba ons Directors: Jan Bordelon 880-982-8078 jan borelon email com Marin Collins $50-224.9549 smcolinnstally.com fic Draper, Pas Previdnt_ 850-668-5075 sia Lynn Reynolds 850-421-1074 eomeast.nct Elizabeth Vigil 850-656-2885 vil speakeasr net Nicolas Wienders 850-294-3542 is can sods George Willson 850-386-8683, ssllonconsulu@ao com Committee Chairs: Awards: George Wilson Bangoct Flizsbeth Viel Bylaws Revision: Karen Wensing 850-386 776 kwensin@mailer Fu. Big Bend Environmental Forum Lisison: Bol Henderson 850-575-6610 oberon com Conservation: Ese Draper Development: Postion Opea ‘Edueston: Judy Golden 850:385°5227 oldman hep rues Field Trips: Marvin Collins Finance: Poston Open Hospitality: Jan Bordelon Membership: Fan Bordelon ‘Newsletter Editor Lynn Reynolds ‘Population: Harvey Goldman Programs: Elizabeth Vigil Pin Siera Club Tiston: Poston Open Special Projects Bb Henderson ‘Special Projects: Karen Wensing ‘Webmaster: Hans van To 850-656-4039 -vanto@magnet fuss ‘AAS nevseter published 8 mes yearly (Sept May, except Deverber) by the Apalachee Audubon Society ne, P.O. Box. 1237, Talabssos,FL32303-1237. Prine on partly recycled paper 2) ‘Mission Statement Protection ofthe environment Uoysh ‘education, appreciation, and conservation.NATIVE NURSERIES ‘The Store for Nature Lovers: eK iare yy ile} Native Plants = Wildlife Gardening Bind Shep ~ Herbe = Ongenie Gardening Supplies Ree TAPP into Rain Gardens On Tuesday, April 24°, the Forest Heights/Holly Hills Neighborhood Association ‘meeting will feature a presentation on rain gardens by staff from TAPP (Think About Personal Pollution). ‘The presentation will be held at Covenant Church at Raa and Old Bainbridge from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, Those wishing to see a rain garden may email Elizabeth Platt at ciplatt@earthlink.net and come visit her vard. Wakulla Wildlife Festival April 19 ~ 21, 2007 This year’s Wakulla Wildlife Festival, sponsored in part by Apalachee Audubon, features tours to many phenomenal natural areas, including Wakulla Springs State Park, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla River, Ochlockonee River State Park, Bald Point State Park, the sinks of the Wakulla Springs River Basin, Dickerson and Apalachee Bays, and the St. Marks River. There are a host of free activities, such as Art on the Terrace at the Wakulla Springs Lodge, featuring the live music of Sammy Tedder playing the Native American flute and soulful sax. Among the free birding and plant tours, check out Birding in Your Backyard by AAS’s own Jim Shelton. This program will show you how to turn your backyard into a vibrant habitat for wildlife. Bill Boothe, President of the Hairstreak Chapter of North American Butterfly Association, will present “Flying Flowers” of the Florida Panhandle about our area’s butterflies. There are also premium tours requiring pre- registration and varying fees. You may wish to join the Suntise Serenity Cruise or the nature photography class. There is an Owl Prowl, a look at Spiders Up Close and in the Dark, and a Lighthouse Twilight Tour. There is something for everyone during this three-day event! The wildlife festival schedule of events and registration forms are available online at www,WakullaWildlifeFestival.org. During the festival, normal park admission fees do apply. me] A Big Thank You To... @ Fred Dietrich for sharing his expertise in the art of birdfeeder and nest box building! © Albertson’s for donating a delicious lunch to the participants in the San Luis Park workday! © Julius Rios of Volunteer Florida and Mike McGlockton of the Americorps State Parks Team for their tireless efforts during the San Luis Park project! «All the wonderful volunteers who helped to make this project such a success! — GET SLBS. ani SUPREME BLEND ..With the purchase of a WBU Seed Tube Feeder in April. These tube feeders come with a lifetime guarantee. Come ty one out! % p. Wild Birds Unlimited” ‘Nature Shop 15052 GEREN SURE BLO, THLAMSSEE FL 2720) ‘3s08760002 wennba contacUPCOMING EVENTS April 14" — 29: ANNUAL BIRDATHON! See insert for ways to help! April 13% - 15": Pinewoods Bird Festival. Go to hitp://www.pinewoodsbirdfestival.com/ April 14": © Bird Walk in the Carrabelle area with Rob Lengacher, see page 1 © Climate Action Rally, Go to www.HeartOfTheEarth.org/stepitup.him for details. © Apalachicola Riverkeeper Roundup. www. ApalachicolaRiverkeeper.org/roundup htm. (Fifth annual Tall Timbers Research Station fundraiser.) April 16": Sierra Club Program, A Green Cemetery. United Church of Tallahassee, 7:30 p.m, See htip://www.glendalenaturepreserve.org. April 18: Birds in Ecuador, by Rudy Gelis, at FAMU. See article on page 1. April 19" — 21": Wakulla Wildlife Festival. See the article on page 3. April 24": TAPP rain gardens presentation, details on page 3. April 25"; Program — Swallow-tailed Kites by Ken Meyer, see page 1. May 5": Field trip! Join leader Bob Cross on a birding adventure to Tallahassee hotspots. Meet at Wachovia Bank on S. Monroe, 7:30 a.m. Apalachee Audubon Society ee P.O. Box 1237 Oreanzation Tallahassee, FL 32302-1237 Le BaNe Permit No. 30 Aallsshtallinllasblabthalbslbassnll bata ‘To check membership status or to change address, call the National Audubon Society Office at 1-800-274-4201 or email chadd@audubon.org.