Non-profit
Audubon of Martin County
621 SE Palm Beach Road, Stuart FL 34994
Florida Scrub-Jay Art Logo
By Brian Sylvester
Office hours are generally 10 am—2pm
Monday through Friday.
Please call ahead at 772.288.2637
Audubon of Martin
County’s
Third Annual
Photo Contest!
All entries will be judged on
how well they express the wild and
natural environment of Florida. Im-
ages will again be displayed with the
help of the Elliott Museum.
There is a $5 fee for each entry
into the Photography Contest. All
entries should be works completed
from January 1, 2009 through
March 1, 2010. Competition cate-
gories include: A) Flora, B) Fauna,
C) Up Close Wildlife, and D) Gen-
eral Enviro-scape.
Watch this
space for fu-
ture updates
on exact sub-
mission dates
and rules.
8 1
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #57
Stuart FL 34995
audubonmartincounty.org  772-288-2637
December 2009
Program Meeting: Thursday, December 17th Mark Your Calendars !
Claudine Laabs- “Lesser Known Areas of South Florida”
Brown-bag luncheon beginning at 11:00 at the
December 2009
AoMC office. Join us to see the superb bird pho-
tography from Palm Beach County‘s Claudine 10 Pre-Christmas Bird Count Seminar, 7:00
Laabs. Claudine wowed us last year with her PM at the AoMC office. Contact Liz Hail-
great bird shots of herons, egrets, and ospreys man 561-746-7293
taken at various locations throughout South Flor- 17 Program Meeting, “Lesser Known Birding
ida. This season she will take us to lesser known areas of South Florida” with Claudine Laabs
birding areas from Sebastian inlet and Blue Cy- 19 Field Trip—Take a varied trip to local
press Lake south. Come meet one of south Flor- Audubon Properties. Meet at Knights
ida‘s leading nature photographers. of Columbus at 7:30 AM.
Meeting Location:
This year, we're having the monthly program meetings at our January 2010
AoMC office, at 621 SE Palm Beach Rd., Stuart, 33494. Hospitality 2 2009 Christmas Bird Count
CraneWatch Meeting at 11:00 AM; program begins at 11:30. Bring your own brown-bag 14 Program Meeting, STA-5 Creating Habitat
Do you live with Sandhill Cranes…. or just love them? If so, and you are interested in lunch.
finding out how you can help this beleaguered bird, come to the CraneWatch Orientation
with BJ Kattel of SFWMD, and Election of
Meeting at the Audubon Office on Palm Beach Road on January 19 th at 10 a.m. Officers
Our CraneWatch program is AoMC members and others who work to promote the wel- 19 CraneWatch Orientation 10 AM at AoMC
fare and awareness of Sandhill Cranes throughout Martin County. Field Trip : Saturday, December 19th Office.
Audubon Properties—Loop Preserve to 4 Rivers and More 30 Field Trip—STA-5 Reservations required.
Meet at Knights of Columbus at 6:00 AM.
Recognizing that it is close to the holidays and time is limited,
Welcome New Members! AoMC‘s December field trip will be a local, morning excursion to February 2010
Anne Burwell Pidge Tibbetts visit several AoMC-owned properties. Although most of our mem-
Barbara Lapham Connie Rizzo bers know our office and Possum Long, those areas total about 1% 18 Program Meeting, “Creating Urban Oasis
Jollyn Nolan Ely White of our land-holdings. We‘ll meet at the Knights of Columbus hall on for Migrating Flocks”. John Ogden,
Kanner Highway in time for a 7:30 AM car-pooling departure. Audubon of Florida Ornithologist
Maria Penman
We‘ll visit our Maplewood and 4-Rivers properties in Palm City 20-21 Field Trip—Indian River County Wetlands
JayWatch Update Pam Hopkins. It could be that construction and then venture to the Citrus Blvd (formerly known as Loop Rd) Facility, Viera Wetlands and Merritt Island
JayWatchers Nancy Price, LaWayne work on the Green River Parkway Exten- sanctuary where we‘ll take a look at the results of our wetland resto- NWR—reservations required. Overnight.
Niedzielski, Fran Stewart, Mary Ann Gans sion along the eastern side of the site has ration project that took place several years ago. We‘ll check on the
& Pam Hopkins made a flying start to the caused the birds to shift their territory. This wood duck nest boxes that were made and installed by Eagle Scout
JayWatching season with close up and very time the birds had somewhere to go; all too Eric Kuykendall and end by noon-ish after visiting the 20-acre future
personable views of what is believed to be often development will only leave an acre home of the Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital.
two families of scrub-jays. They were con- or two of suitable habitat which will not Learn about our properties, help us add to the bird lists for each
ducting their curb-side surveys in the pre- sustain a family for more than one genera-
tion. Survival of these avian families will
property and hear about how you can help with our AoMC‘s land
serve areas north of Haney Creek. ―I‘ve stewardship activities. Call the office (772-288-2637) or email field-
never seen the Jays this far north and west now depend on how well the surrounding
at this site‖, says JayWatch Coordinator human neighbors manage the scrub habitat trips@audubonmartincounty.org to make your reservation. Cost: $5
in their preserves. members, $10 non-members. Bring your own drinks and lunch.
 Board Members 2009-2010 Message from our President Field Trip Report: Adams Ranch The South Entrance Project at PLNC
Executive Director – Greg Braun ~~~ Laurie Odlum Due to popular demand we returned to Adams Ranch and we were Teddy Merritt together with members of Scout Troup
561-575-2028 Office not disappointed. Adams Ranch is steeped in history with four gen- 840 of Palm City and the PL Habitat Creation Team fin-
561-575-0042 fax
erations of a family working together today in one of the oldest cattle ished the Sansevieria project on the east side of Possum
Give a gift to the ranches in Florida and the 12th largest in United States. The ranch Long‘s south entrance early in November. A large patch of
Staff Members
planet this year! was founded in 1937 and covers 50,000 acres of pasture land and Sansevieria (Snake Plant or Mother-in-laws-tongue) has
Managing Director Pam Hopkins 772-408-6153
contains abundant areas with large hammocks. been disfiguring the entrance area for many years. San-
Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Clark 772-545-2404 Mike Adams was our guide and driver for the day. We started out sevieria is on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council‘s list of
It‘s the holiday season with a presentation about the ranch, its water, its land management plants that are causing significant damage to Florida‘s na-
Executive Board Members
again. Just a couple and, of course, its cattle which have been bred for their prized mar- tive habitats. It is part of our mission both here on our Pos-
President Laurie Odlum 772-486-2837 quick reminders– bleized beef. Over the years these cattle have be cross bred with sum Long
Vice-President Doug Warns 772-462-3751 Herford bulls and Brahma cows to developed a cross called Abeef. site as
Our annual Support AoMC Appeal Letter is in the mail to you. Re-
These cattle were developed to withstand pests, heat and the well in our
Treasurer Bob Gordon 772-546-2206 member, your financial support is what keeps things moving for your
droughts of Florida as well. outreach
local chapter. Read carefully about what we have accomplished and the
Secretary, Recording Carol Schaming 772-341-5336 We later boarded the "open air" bus for a tour of the ranch with activities
plans for the future. I am not suggesting you write a check equal to your
Conservation Bob Matheson 772-485-0944 huge wide open pastures and old world hammocks scattered about. to encour-
annual mortgage payment (although it would be nice) but think about
Cattle were seen through out the ranch; the many cows had young age the
Education Catherine Hilton how valuable the conservation of land is to you, your family and to the
calves. eradica-
wildlife here in Martin County. Your dollars provide a voice in the dark
Field Trips Mary Starzinski 772-221-9953 We were not disappointed with the birds. Many Sandhill Cranes, tion of
for those who just want a place to live and raise their families in a safe
Resource Development Doug Warns 772-462-3751 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Wood Storks (adult and juvenile), plants on
environment—just like you do. Land preservation and conservation pro-
Caracaras ,which looked to be above a nesting site in some cabbage this list.
Membership Curt Wood 772-546-5435 vide the homes for local birds and rest-stops for migrating flocks. Your
palms, Belted Kingfishers and many more. As we drove along the In concep-
Programs Ed Fielding 772-286-6131 dollars support our ―Tern Guardian‖ program, the Piping Plover habitat
rutted path, we stopped in one of the hammocks. Mike pointed out tion Teddy‘s project seemed straight forward: pull out the
Properties Jim Kearman 772-708-0677
protection program, and the BluebirdWatch program as well as our estab-
many of the native plants. There were huge ancient live oak trees Sansevieria and other exotic species, re-plant with native
lished Sandhill CraneWatch, JayWatch and EagleWatch programs. We
Public Relations Joan Bausch 772-219-8285 draped in Spanish moss, resurrection ferns and wild orchids along plants and throw down some mulch. The Sansevieria patch
protect the birds by protecting their land and their right to have homes
with towering cabbage palms. Wild coffee and wild grape vines turned out to be larger and more dense than anyone ex-
Nature Center Susan Smyth 772-692-3489 too.
grew throughout this special place. pected and Teddy and his group had to work four long
Newsletter Editor Lisa Fiore 772-528-9707 Give your support to birds through your financial support—today.
We later came to the Artesian well and the well known tree house. mornings to remove it all. To his great credit Teddy perse-
Wildlife Center Dan Martinelli 772-286-6200 Remember: our newsletter is available on-line in full living color. The tree house was built years ago for the early Adams children and vered and made a lovely job of that little corner of Possum
Garden Club Liaison Louise White 772-283-4416 Please contact Curt Wood if you prefer to save some trees and go get wraps in and around an old live oak tree. From high above, it gives Long. The project was part of his work for promotion to
Youth Liaison Jessie Green 772-283-3024
the newsletter off our site instead of receiving a hard copy. you a view of the well including the beautiful clear water, fish, snap- the rank of Eagle Scout. A big thank you to Teddy and
Audubonmartincounty.org ping turtle and, of course, Troup 840.
OTHER IMPORTANT CONTACTS alligators as well as the
hammock surrounding it.
EagleWatch Liaison Clare-Rue Morgan 772-286-9833
From Audubon of Florida If you have never been to
Plant donations
Bluebird Coordinator/
Librarian
Bev Poppke 772-286-0061
Protect Florida’s Beaches Fund; Fight Back Adams ranch, it is a "must Now that it is getting a little cooler work in the Butterfly
Against the Oil Companies do" trip. It gives you a view and Hummingbird Garden has resumed. After an area has
CraneWatch Coordinator Pam Hopkins 772-408-6153 of old world Florida, and been weeded and pruned we would like to provide volun-
Audubon has temporarily blocked Florida‘s almost $562 billion shows you how people, teers with some native plants to fill in the barren spots.
CraneWatch Co- Carol Spinney 772-545-7987
coordinator
the Texas oil companies‘ attempt to coastal economy, its pristine who truly love the land, Most butterflies will only lay their eggs on specific plants;
pass legislation in the Florida Leg- beaches and extraordinary birds and have cared for it and all its planting a range of native species will provide food for but-
Jaywatch Coordinator Pam Hopkins 772-408-6153
islature that would have put oil rigs wildlife. wildlife while still maintain- terfly larvae as well as nectar for the adults. At Possum
Christmas Bird Count Liz Hailman 561-746-7293 three miles (actually within sight) There are alternative solutions ing a working ranch. Long we want to encourage butterflies to breed, not just to
from our beaches. The Florida that will help Florida end its de- Bud Adams took time to share some of his experiences Access to this ranch is come to a nectar source. The Possum Long Habitat Crea-
Webmaster Ed Fisher edaudubon@yahoo.com
House of Representatives passed pendence on oil, reduce its carbon growing up on, and now running, their vast ranch. extremely limited and is by
tion Team would love to have donations of seeds, rooted
the legislation, but with your help, footprint and create jobs in renew- special permission only; this is a working ranch not a destination.
cuttings, or potted up ‗volunteers‘ of any of the following
AUDUBON HOUSE DOCENTS we were able to block the bill in the able energy and energy efficiency Thank you, Adams family it was our honor to visit.
Florida Senate this year. The oil industries. NATIVE plants:
Beverly Poppke, Ed Fisher,
Carol Coyne, Linda Wishney industry has indicated, however, Help Audubon protect Florida‘s Bird List: American Kestrel Wood Stork (adult & Tropical Sage Salvia coccinea
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be that they will start a ―continuing beaches for humans and wildlife. Black-bellied juvenile) Native Porterweed Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
obtained from the division of Consumer Services toll-free within Florida process‖ to bring back legislation Contact your Legislators frequently Great Blue Heron
Whistling Duck Yellow-rumped Crossvine Bignonia capreolata
800.435.7352. Registration does not imply endorsement,
next year to open Florida‘s near- to let them know their responsibil- Red-shouldered
approval, or recommendation by the state. Sandhill Crane Warbler Orange Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa
shore waters to drilling. This is ity to all of Florida‘s inhabitants. Hawk
Moorhen Crested Caracara Chapman’s Blazing Star Liatris chapmanii
The Scrub Jay is published seven times a year on within 3 miles—these could be Boat-tailed Grackle
Carolina Wren Belted Kingfisher Pennyroyal Piloblephis rigida
recycled content paper with soy-based ink.
easily seen by you sitting in your Mourning Dove
Little Blue Heron Garberia Garberia heterophylla
beach chair. Flicker
Eastern Phoebe Other Species: Sandhill Prairie Clover Dalea feayi
Contact your U.S. Senators in Washington DC Audubon needs your help and the Red-bellied
Northern American Alligator Pineland Lantana Lantana depressa
at the following numbers: help of all Floridians to protect our Woodpecker m/f
Mockingbird Deer Passion vines Passiflora incarnata & suberosa
Senator Bill Nelson: 202.224.5274 coastal economy and ecology. go Common Crow
Black Vulture Snapping Turtle
to: protectfloridasbeaches.org to Glossy Ibis To arrange a donation please Pam a message by email:
Senator George LeMieux: 202.224.3041 Eastern Meadowlark
Representative: Tom Rooney 772.288.4668 learn more about how to protect pamaudubon@yahoo.com or by phone: 772-288-2637.

2 7
 Bluebird Nest Box Project changes, there‘s flocks of Ibis, Cattle Egret,
JOIN Audubon of Martin County Write your check payable to ―Audubon‖ and Bev Poppke been about a and Vultures. A perfect end-
Mail to: Audubon of Martin County They say if you build it they will come. 60% decline in ing to a perfect day was when
Name Attn: Membership So we did, and hopefully they‘ll show up. the nationwide the group stood back to look
621 SE Palm Beach Road Bluebird popula- at the completed project and
I‘m talking about the Florida Eastern Blue-
Stuart, FL 34994 tion, but data has there, soaring above was a
bird.
Address Select your Membership level: A group of AoMC bird lovers met on shown where Bald Eagle.
O Individual or family…………………….$20 Fox Brown Road in western Martin nest boxes have A big thanks to Wren Un-
O Senior (over 62) or Student……………. $15 County to install six new Bluebird nest been installed, derwood, Ollie Davis, Becki
City State Zip
O Scrub Jay Newsletter only……………...$15 boxes. With post hole diggers, shovels, Bluebirds are making a recovery. Audu- Dowd, Greg Stewart, Nancy & George
and rakes we went to work. The surround- bon of Martin County‘s goal is to revisit Price, Jay Levitt, Louise White, Barbara
Phone Email Chapter Code: C92E260Z ing area seems perfect for the little bird— the boxes this spring, hopefully to see our Nafpliotis, Tom Fritz, who built the boxes,
short grass pastures with old pine trees little friends building a nest, laying eggs, Amanda Farinos from Sustaining Lands,
scattered about. We chose this area be- and tending to their chicks. We need to and a big, big thanks to Dave Sweetay
cause of sightings we‘d had earlier this make sure the right bird is in the box, and from Fl Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Audubon of Martin County Sponsorship Become an Audubon of Martin County year. Bluebirds are cavity nesters and with that there are no surprises in there. You too can help. If you would like to
Levels and Benefits Sponsor the changing environment, many of our old Although it wasn‘t a birding trip, we help monitor the boxes, call me at the
Yes! I want to be an AoMC Sponsor trees have been destroyed due to clearing saw several Caracara dancing around the AoMC office: (772) 288-2637 and leave a
In addition to the basic membership, $ 500 Osprey Your tax deductible contribution will help us sustain of land for development. With the side of the road, feeding on roadkill. Big message, or join me on Facebook.
you can become an AoMC sponsor. our programs, projects and conservation efforts.
Sponsorship provides funding for pro- Wood Stork benefits plus a natural
grams, projects, field trips and history tour led by an AoMC Board
AoMC’s important conservation work.
member to the nesting colony at Bird
Name Retrofit
$ 50 Great Blue Heron Island in the Indian River Lagoon. Select your sponsorship level:
Congrats! Work on our habitat enhancement and watershed improvement work
Special recognition in the Scrub Jay and O Scrub Jay $ 5,000 Congrats to Jensen Beach resident Eric Kuykendall at Possum Long is about to shift into a higher gear, as we prepare to do
a certificate of appreciation. $ 1000 Bald Eagle O Bald Eagle $ 1,000 some re-contouring of the land surface in the northerly-most part of the
who recently was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.
Osprey benefits plus a natural history O Osprey $ 500 property that has been over-run with invasive pest plants. In what is
$ 100 Roseate Spoonbill After many years of involvement in scouting during
tour led by an AoMC Board member to a O Wood Stork $ 250 scheduled to be a several month period we‘ll be removing the pest
Recognition in each Scrub Jay , a local birding destination of your choice.
which he earned merit badges in a variety of activi-
O Roseate Spoonbill $ 100 ties, Eric selected birds and AoMC as the beneficiary plants, excavating to create an open-water feature and then re-planting
certificate of appreciation, an AoMC
O Great Blue Heron $ 50 of his Eagle Scout Project. with wildlife friendly native plants.
t-shirt and one complementary member- $ 5000 and more Scrub Jay
O Other $ With just a little mentoring As part of the project, we‘re planning to install an osprey-nesting
ship for a person of your choice. Bald Eagle benefits plus a natural history
tour led by an AoMC Board member to from AoMC, Eric made a platform, and hoping we‘ll be able to attract these birds to the property.
$ 250 Wood Stork Enclose your donation with this form and mail to:
Everglades National Park, Merritt Island dozen wood duck nest Progress continues to be made on various parts of the property during
Spoonbill benefits plus one copy of the Audubon of Martin County
National Wildlife Refuge, Ding Darling boxes, and with assistance weekly work days. If you‘ve got some time to help and don‘t mind get-
Sibley Field Guide to Birds and a lunch- Attn. Treasurer
National Wildlife Refuge or Arthur Mar- from AoMC properties ting a little dirty, please consider giving us a hand.
eon briefing with the AoMC President or 621 SE Palm Beach Road, Stuart, FL 34994
Executive Director.
shall Loxahatchee NWR. chairman Jim Kearman and
other members of Troop
811, several of the duck Christmas Bird Count
boxes were installed at stra-
Field Trip Report: DuPuis We then drove to and strolled along the tegic areas where we all AoMC‘s CBC coordinator Liz Hailman is busy organizing teams for
Wildlife Management Area cypress boardwalk. Multiple species of Bird List: hope they‘ll be used to help the Stuart CBC, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 2 nd. On that
birds were encountered here. We also increase our local population of these cavity-nesting day, our teams will be heading out to count and identify every individ-
The alarm blared at 3:30 am so we heard the call of more RCWs at the time. birds. ual of every species of bird that we can find within our count area.
Red-cockaded Osprey
could get to the DuPuis Visitors Center by We then caravanned to an oak hammock Woodpecker Bald Eagle (heard) We‘re looking for a few AoMC members who Thousands of CBCs are held throughout the country, and it is by com-
5:30 am. Are we crazy or what for sched- forest and walked the grounds of a large Red-bellied Red-shouldered would now take this project a step further – to do the paring the results over a many year period that a lot is learned about
uling such an early field trip? Valerie boy scout campground. The oaks were nest box monitoring to see if they get used during the changes in bird populations. All count areas are
Woodpecker Hawk
Sparling, DuPuis Wildlife Biologist, met beautiful but the birds were quiet. We spring 2010 nesting season. Give us a call at the of- 7.5-mile radius circles, and the center of ours is
ended our field trip near a fishing pond at Downy Barred Owl(heard) the Roosevelt Bridge. AoMC has now been
us at the Visitor Center. Twelve brave fice 772-288-2637 if you‘d like to help.
the end of the auto tour route. Several Woodpecker Belted Kingfisher doing the CBC in this area for over 40 years, and
souls then caravanned to the Red-
wading birds and alligators greeted us as Yellow-bellied Eastern Phoebe each year is a little different. Some changes are
cockaded Woodpecker nesting site. As
we waited for the birds to awaken, Valerie we scanned the area. Was it worth wak- Sapsucker Blue Jay certainly for the good (e.g., increases in bald
Double-crested Gray Catbird Thanks!
provided us with a lengthy description of ing up so early? You bet it was. eagles); others reflect the reduction in numbers
the history of the RCW and their reintro- Cormorant Northern Many thanks to FWC biologist Valerie Sparling for and diversity that relate to the conversion of
duction into DuPuis. We waited…and Anhinga Mockingbird her presentation at AoMC‘s November program meeting thousands of acres from natural habitat to urban
waited…then we heard them call and then Great Blue Heron Eastern and field trip. We enjoyed hearing about the Red- areas.
we saw them leave their nesting holes for Snowy Egret Meadowlark cockaded Woodpecker re-introduction at DuPuis and it When was the last time you saw House Wrens, Eastern Towhee,
the day to forage in the forest. We had Green Heron Pine Warbler was great that the early risers got to see a couple of the White-eyed Vireos and Common Yellowthroats in your back yard? How
absolutely spectacular views of the two Great Egret Palm Warbler infamous RCWs on the trip. Our thanks to FWC, DuPuis about Northern Bobwhite, Carolina wrens, or spot-breasted orioles?
RCWs as they flitted from tree to tree Glossy Ibis Yellow-rumped Manager Bert Trammell and all the folks who are help- These and others used to be common here.
(one bird/one nesting hole). Besides the Wood Stork ing re-establish a population of this species in Martin A pre-count seminar will be held at the AoMC office on Thursday,
Warbler
RCWs we saw various other warblers and Black Vulture County. Habitat restoration isn‘t easy—but it does work! Dec., 10th beginning at 7 PM. Please give Liz a call at 561-746-7293 if
woodpeckers in the area. you are interested in helping.
Photo by Paul Yorke Carolina Wren
6 3
 As owners of over 100
Conservation Corner acres of conservation lands
in the South Fork of the St.
Lucie River, AoMC has
long had concerns about the ecological impacts of the ‗proposed‘
Indian Street Bridge. Bridge pilings aren‘t proposed to be in-
stalled on our property. However, the bridge will be so close,
that our property will be adversely impacted. So you can imagine
the further insult when we reviewed the recently-submitted per-
mit application for the bridge and learned that ecological mitiga-
tion for the project to proposed to be done dozens of miles away
– a tough pill to swallow that sets up other areas to improve while
the South Fork suffers. We‘ve voiced our concerns to the permit-
ting agency, and hope that fairness prevails – if the bridge is to be
built, the very least that should be done is to have the ecological
mitigation benefit the South Fork ecosystem. Enhancing existing
publicly-owned lands elsewhere in the County is a worthwhile
endeavor, but not appropriate as mitigation for this bridge.
EagleWatch
Veterans and Sparky the Eagle were the center of attention at
AoMC‘s recent Eagle & EagleWatch orientation session pre-
sented by Greg Braun at Jonathan Dickinson State Park on Vet-
eran‘s Day - November Taxidermy
11th. With patriotic music
playing in the background,
veterans and other Eagle- Thank You Sponsors We‘ve just received several ‗new‘ bird specimens that have been
added to our reference collection of salvaged birds. With support from
Watchers took the opportu- our members who let us know about re-
nity to get their pictures Roseate Spoonbill Sponsor cently-deceased birds and excellent work by
taken with our national Rick Macklem, our Port St. Lucie based
symbol. The increase in taxidermist, we‘ve been able to add a ring-
our local population of Kathy Petteruti
necked duck, a red-eyed vireo, a yellow-
bald eagles has paralleled rumped warbler, a great egret and a female
increases throughout Flor- common yellowthroat to our inventory. Our
Photo by Greg Braun
ida and much of the lower state and federal permits allow us to salvage
48 states, and AoMC does deceased specimens (provided we don‘t Photo by Greg Braun
its part by monitoring eagle nests at locations throughout Martin have anything to with the cause of death), so
County. it is often a challenge for Rick to repair/conceal damage from fatal car
Several new EagleWatch participants signed up and we‘re
strikes, window collisions and other problems.
organizing teams and trying to secure approval to access remote
Unfortunately, preserving the specimens, which are typically used in
areas so that additional nests can be monitored.
our Bird Identification classes and other presentations in the community,
Our thanks to all who participated, particularly AoMC Eagle-
is a drain on our budget. We‘re trying to raise $1,000 to offset these
watch coordinator Clare-Rue Morgan, EagleWatcher/docent
costs – if you share our interest in this project, we encourage you to
Linda Wishney and staff at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. If
make a tax-deductible contribution.
you‘d like to become involved but missed the orientation semi-
nar, contact Clare-Rue at 772-286-9833.

Congratulations!
Congratulations to our Youth Liaison, Jessie Green, for being named Riverside National Bank’s Hometown Hero for
“How are you? I am fine. North American nesting grounds these vireos consume fruits and 2009! Riverside recognized Jessie for her ongoing dedication to the environment and community service.
Bird of the Month How are you? I am fine.‖ This berries.
is the description I invented Courtship for the Red-eyed Vireo is not something Martin
by years ago to help me remem- County birders will observe unless they take a field trip to north-
Susan B. Whiting ber the redundant song of the ern Florida or further north. The male vireo hustles the female by
Red-eyed Vireo. It is obvious approaching her with his feathers flattened to his body and it around. So, don't plant it and
from the name of this small woodland denizen that it has red swinging his head from side to side. Her reaction, if interested, is
If You Build it they ……………… !
remove/kill it. Beautyberry is non
eyes. But what is a vireo? to fluff up her feathers. Then both vireos vibrate their wings at (Part two) by Laurie Odlum
-invasive and equally enjoyed as
Vireos are small rather blah birds that belong to a group of the same time and consummate their bond. The female chooses is Dahoon Holly which even has
birds know as songbirds (Passerines). There are close to fifty the nest site between five and thirty feet up in a tree or shrub. Protecting habitat is sometimes just not enough - it is hard to red berries.
different species of vireos all found only in the New World Both vireos build the cup shaped nest into which the female de- protect what is not there. Take your yard for example (Yard = 2) Provide food that is actually eaten
(North, Central and South America). Vireos are not prone to posits three to five pale blue or greenish white eggs spotted at the greenspace around where you live) being close at hand can make - Birds like bugs so keep your
form flocks the way American Robins or Tree Swallows do; they thick end in purple or brown. About two weeks later the young it easier to protect. These green areas can be turned into busy and insecticide spraying to a mini-
are solitary. Difficult to see, vireos usually perch in hatch and are fed by both parents until the young safe sanctuaries for residential birds and migrating flocks. Take mum especially during migration.
the middle of thickets and sing their monotonous Red-eyed Vireo fledge ten to twelve days later. some time right now to review what your green space provides To help migrating birds, be sure
Suet feeders — use in winter
tune over and over. Vireo olivaceus Red-eyed vireos are in decline. Their numbers for birds. Shrubs and bedding plants need to provide not only your garden produces flowers and only here in Florida
Only six inches in length, the Red-eyed Vireo is a have decreased by almost 80% in the last 65 years. color and texture interest to your landscape (humans enjoy that) seeds during Fall or Spring to
combinations of olive green (back and tail) and dirty white (belly It is easy to blame the Brazilians for cutting down the Red-eyed but provide seeds, berries, nectar, bugs, and protection (birds support the hungry visitors. Berries and seeds provide the
and under tail). This vireo sports a black eye stripe over its red Vireos‘ winter habitat, but we have lost about half of hour north- enjoy that). Take a critical look at what is really happening in carbohydrates the migrating species require to fuel their trip.
eyes and a white supercilium above that. Unlike other passerines ern forests in the last hundred your yard – do you see any birds or wildlife? 3) Provide species-specific food. Learn what your favorite
there is very little plumage change in the Red-eyed Vireo be- years. So the decline is a combi- When you evaluate your yard consider adding plants that pro- birds like and then plant those plants that will draw them
tween their breeding and winter plumages which makes it easier nation of losses in both the Red- vide for the needs of wildlife and consider increasing the size of in. Offering supplemental food from feeders is a great way
for birders to identify them during fall migrations. eyed Vireos nesting and wintering your "flower beds" (I prefer to call them banquet areas) to ac- of providing specific seeds, fruits and protein (mealworms)
Red-eyed Vireos do not breed in Martin County but migrate grounds. commodate the varied needs of our residential for the flying yard jewels. For example:
through in the spring headed for northern climes where they raise Although the Red-eyed Vireos and migrating guests. Also consider increasing Goldfinches prefer black oil sunflower seeds
their families of three to five young. Unless there are strong just pass through Martin County the size of your shrub area and less lawn. and painted buntings enjoy seeds in fall and
westerly winds in the spring we may miss seeing these vireos on and are a challenge to find, the Whether you prefer native or non-native plants, winter when they both visit. Bluebirds really
their northward trip. September and October are the months that results are well worth it. just be sure they meet some simple criteria: like mealworms.
the Red-eyed Vireos can be more easily seen in Martin County as 1) Choose non- invasive species - Have you
they wing their way to points south. This vireo winters mainly in ever noticed how the Robins just love the Now, be patient. If you built it they will
the western section of the Brazilian State of Amazonia. See our Red-eyed Vireo from our seeds on the Brazilian Pepper Schinus tere- come, eventually.
Red-eyed Vireos have an interesting diet. Spring, summer and stuffed bird collection on page 5 binthifolius? Well, that is a very invasive
during migration they are carnivores feeding on insects, spiders plant and the Robins with their ravenous ap-
and small snails. During the winters and while returning to their petites during migration are happy to spread Dahoon Holly Ilex cassine
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