The Audubon Observer

Volume XI, No. 3  February—March  2009 
A publication of the Duval Audubon Society  Serving Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties 

President’s Message I pledged the support of Duval Audubon members to work with
the City and help make this management plan a success. Vol-
unteer opportunities are available for shorebird monitoring out
Well, here we are again. November, December, all gone. 2008 at Huguenot at least one day a month, more if you have the
closed out, opening the door on 2009. It seems like time is time. Don’t let shorebird identification scare you off, we will
flying faster than a migrating flock of hummingbirds. Duval provide the identification training.
Audubon Society had a fairly good and busy year. We missed
some of you at our meetings and on our field trips the past few
Upcoming events include field trips to Crosby Sanctuary, UNF,
months. The holidays certainly make demands on our time and
Jacksonville Arboretum, Wakulla Weekend,
resources. Fundraising fell short, but the
Alligator Lake and Egan’s Creek. We also
economic trend of 2008 can explain all of
that. We continue to need financial support “I look forward to have the GBBC February 13 – 16. This is a
wonderful event that is easy and only re-
especially for our newsletter printing and
Crosby Sanctuary. Every little bit helps. seeing you out at our quires a minimum of 15 minutes a day.
Check out the details included in this news-
The management plan for Huguenot was
upcoming meetings letter.
presented to the State Acquisition and Res-
toration Council (ARC) in Tallahassee in
and field trips.” I look forward to seeing you out at our up-
coming meetings and field trips. Join us and
December. In a unanimous vote, ARC
bring along a friend.
placed significant conditions on the park’s management plan.
The city’s proposed plan is a tall order that aims to improve
resource protection while maintaining intense levels of beach
driving. This will require significant additional staffing and
funding, at a time when the City is cash-strapped. ARC’s Carole Adams
strong conditions will help ensure the City does not allow Carole A. Adams,
budget shortfalls to come at the expense of the park’s natural President
resources.

12th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
February 13—16, 2009
We hope you’ll join us this winter for some important bird
monitoring hosted by the National Audubon Society and the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Help scientists to define the status
of winter birds in North America by joining backyard bird-
watchers from Nome to Key West on this special weekend.
The Great Backyard Bird count is a citizen-science activity that
anyone of any age can participate in. First, decide where you
are going to count birds. Your backyard, your neighborhood, a
local park, it’s all up to you. Fifteen minutes, one hour or all
day, the choice is yours.
Keep track of where you see the birds, what kind of birds you
are seeing and how many. “But how can I be sure I don’t count
the same bird twice” you may ask. Don’t add them up, take
your highest count for the day. If you see two Cardinals in the
morning and one Cardinal later in the morning you only have
two Cardinals. However, if you see three Cardinals late in the
afternoon you have three Cardinals. Each day is a separate
count.
Keep track for the four days and if you have a computer you
can enter your own data at www.birdsource.org/gbbc or just
call me with your four day count and I’ll do the data entry.
Within minutes of filing your checklists, you can see your
sightings register on the maps. Any questions, don’t hesitate –
Carole Adams 403-7134.

Meetings are held the third Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at  
Swain Memorial Methodist Church, 1620 Naldo Avenue in San Marco. 
 
Please visit our website at http://www.duvalaudubon.org/ for updated events,  
important local conservation efforts, and articles relating to conservation and birding. 

February and March
Programs
Hummingbird Banding
Monday, February 16 2009, 7:30pm
Speaker: Fred Bassett
Alabama/Florida Hummingbirds, a lot than most people know.
This program will discuss Ruby-throated hummingbirds in depth
and introduce several western hummingbird species wintering in
Alabama/Florida and show how they are banded.
Fred Bassett is a certified master bird bander who works with the
Hummer/Bird Study Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to
the study and preservation of hummingbirds and other birds. He is
a retired Air Force officer who has worked with birds for over
fifteen years. Fred bands all types of birds each April and October
at the Fort Morgan banding station on the gulf coast and travels
each summer to study hummingbirds in western states. During the
winter he documents western hummingbirds wintering in south
Alabama and Florida, and the last ten winters he has captured
more than 1,600 hummingbirds of ten different species in that
area.
Great Apes
Monday, March 16 2009, 7:30pm
Speaker: Defi Messager
I began my zoo career as a keeper in Wichita, Kansas, in 1974,
where I spent six years working with all classes of animals. After
It is Time for a National
Policy to Cap Global
Warming Pollution
Currently 34 American states rank among the top 75 highest
greenhouse gas polluters in the world. The good news is that many
states across the country have recognized the need to cap and re-
duce greenhouse gas emissions, which are the principal drivers of
global warming and produced mainly by burning fossil fuels, such
as coal and oil.
“The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first man-
datory, market-based effort in the United States to reduce green-
house gas emissions. Ten Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states
will cap and then reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector 10
percent by 2018,” according to the initiative’s website at
www.rggi.org.
Beyond the long-term human health, welfare, and environmental
stability benefits we can achieve by curbing climate change, na-
tional rules are important for economic stability. Bradford Plumer
in his article, A New Leaf, in Audubon Magazine’s Fall 2008 edi-
tion made the case well by writing: “Shell Oil and 25 other compa-
nies—including 19 that are listed on the Fortune 500 list, such as
Duke Energy, Exelon, and General Electric—along with a handful
of environmental groups, have formed the United States Climate
Action Partnership (USCAP) to push for a nationwide cap-and-
The Audubon Observer, Volume XI, No. 3
obtaining a BS in animal science, I joined the Peace Corps in
1984, where I was stationed in Zaire. I taught agriculture in a
high school for a year, and then was placed on loan to the World
Health Organization to study the wild animal reservoir of mon-
key pox, a rare tropical disease. After two years of fieldwork, I
was hooked on the people and the country, and fascinated by the
elusive bonobo, an animal that, had received little attention from
the conservation world. For eleven more years, I took care of
expatriate pets, housed orphaned bonobos, founded a children's
magazine, and helped several zoos with educational materials.
In 1991, the politics under dictator Mobutu took a nose dive and
the country erupted in civil war, to be repeated in 1993 and again
in 1997 when Kabila took over as ruler (he was later killed by his
own bodyguard, angered at the lack of a paycheck). I had spent
five years getting CITES permits to send six bonobos on loan to a
breeding program in Europe, with conservation funding to go
back to DRC (Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of the
Congo) for 25 years. In 1998, I took the animals to Apenheul, in
Holland, where they remain today.
When the animals were safely out of the country, I too left the
DRC, and spent the next few years writing a book about my ad-
ventures (Grains of Golden Sand). I returned to the zoo world as
general curator of the Garden City, Kansas Zoo in 2001. Five
years later, I joined the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as the Di-
rector of Animal Programs, where, besides other duties, I manage
the conservation budget. The zoo is volunteering with the rescue
of stranded manatees, is working with the state on wood stork
research, and has projects in Jamaica and Guyana.
For further information about conservation, Africa, or the Jack-
sonville Zoo and Gardens see www.delfisgrainsofgoldensand-
bonobos.blogspot.com
trade system that would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 60 per-
cent to 80 percent below current levels by 2050. As state rules get
pieced together, often haphazardly, many companies have become
convinced that it would make more sense to push for a single fed-
eral standard rather than deal with a messy state-by-state approach.
The RGGI, for instance, is non-binding, and states can technically
pull out at any time.”
The key to effectively mitigating our climate change risk and
avoiding the worst impacts of global warming is to lower the cap
on greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2 percent per year
from current levels to 80 percent or more below 1990 levels by
2050. The Waxman Principles outline what good cap and trade
legislation should include. These principles have been signed and
supported by over 152 members of the House of Representatives.
How Can You Help
Audubon advocates in Washington DC and in Florida are working
hard to convince our national Senators and Representatives to sup-
port strong carbon cap and trade legislation in 2009. You can help
by calling on our Florida delegation to support this type of legisla-
tion. Your members of congress can be identified and contacted
from www.govtrack.us.
You can also participate by joining the Audubon Climate Action
Network, which entitles you to become a member of the Alliance
For Climate Protection’s We Can Solve the Climate Crisis Cam-
paign. Sign up today by visiting www.AudubonOfFlorida.org or
www.WECanSolveIt.org.
2
February Field Trips
Crosby Sanctuary: Late Winter
Saturday, February 1 2009 Leader: Pete Johnson
This series of fieldtrips is designed for birders looking to spend a
few hours close to home on a citizen science and "low-carbon",
local fieldtrip. Each field trip date includes a 2 hour field trip fol-
lowed by a 2 hour work session to maintain native landscaping and
nest boxes. Participation in work sessions is optional, but fun! The
Crosby Sanctuary is a "Hotspot" on eBird.com, with bird observa-
tion data going back to 1984. We have recorded over 80 different
bird species from Crosby. We could use your help to expand our
species list!
Meeting Place: 8:00am, Crosby Sanctuary - 427 Aquarius Con-
course, Orange Park, FL
UNF Bird Walk
Saturday, February 14 2009 Leader: Anne Turner
We will walk the trails looking for both migrants and resident
birds. This area can also be very good for finding butterflies. This
will be a slow and easy walk, perfect for beginners. There are pic-
nic tables if you would like to bring your lunch. Water and insect
spray are optional but do bring your binoculars and a smile. We
will meet in the nature trail parking lot at 8:00 a.m.
Directions: From JTB exit north on 9A. Take the first exit into the
University of North Florida. The nature trail parking lot is on the
right about a quarter mile from the university entrance.
Jacksonville Arboretum
Sunday, February 15 2009 Leader: Pat Murphy
Check out the newly-opened Jacksonville Arboretum, located on
120 acres of nature preserve in urban Jacksonville, just off Monu-
ment Road. We can walk the path around the lake and the trail
along Jones Creek, looking for resident wintering birds. Also, we
will become “citizen scientists” by tallying our birds to submit a
count to the Great Backyard Bird Count (February 13-16
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/). Bring water, insect repellant
and sunscreen. There are no restrooms at the site, but there is usu-
ally a port-o-let in the parking area. For more information, visit
t h e e x c e l l e n t w e b si t e o f t h e a r b o r e t u m a t :
http://www.jacksonvillearboretum.org/
Meeting Place & Directions: We will meet at 9am at the en-
trance. Go East on Monument Road from Regency area until you
pass under the exit for 9A. Take the immediate left turn onto Mill-
coe Road and follow it as it curves around to the right. The en-
trance is a large circular parking area on the right side of the road
just before the left turn. If the gate is closed, park along the road.
[Do not use Google directions, they show incorrectly an access
point from Merrill Rd.]
St. Mark’s/Wakulla Weekend
Friday, Feb 20– Sunday, Feb 22 2009Leader: Carole Adams
Wakulla Weekend 2009 is going to be different than any past Wa-
kulla Weekends. This year a group of us will be camping just out-
The Audubon Observer, Volume XI, No. 3
side of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Plans are to gather
Friday evening at the Newport Park campground where Dave will
have a grill set up. You bring your burgers or whatever for grilling
and something to share and we will have a “potluck grill”. Sit
around a campfire, tell stories and try calling in some owls.
Saturday morning we will meet at the St. Marks Lighthouse at
8am. We will be joined by Andy Wraithmell – a field trip leader
and great birder. Check out his website.
After birding St. Marks we will re-group at the campground for a
Low Country Boil prepared by Steve Jump and Dave White.
Please RSVP no later than Monday, 2/16 to Carole. Below are
some lodging choices.
WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK & LODGE 850-224-5950,
Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, FL 32327-0390
SHELL ISLAND FISH CAMP & MARINA 850-925-6226
440 Shell Island Rd., St. Marks, Fl 32335. Cabins will accommo-
date up to 4 persons and motel rooms are also available.
INN AT WILDWOOD 850-926-4455. Be sure to mention Duval
Audubon when making your reservations.
3896 Coastal Highway 98, Crawfordville, FL 32327. Continental
Breakfast, free round of golf and more. www.innatwildwood.com
Doubles and kings available.
NEWPORT PARK CAMP GROUND 850-925-4530.
8046 Coastal Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. $27 per night
for three way hookup. Contact Dave White 246-6201. Dave is
arranging for our reservations.
RSVP FOR ALL OR PART OF THE WEEKEND BY 2/16 –
Carole’s cell: 403-7134
Alligator Lake
Saturday, February 28 2009 Leader: Wade Nolan
Meet at the Home Depot on Lane Ave at 7:30 AM to car pool/
caravan or at Alligator Lake at 8:30 AM
I can be reached on my cell phone the day of the field trip 904-
955-2534 or at home any other time 904-220-0232 or by email
wyninger@comcast.netThis e-mail address is being protected from
spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Directions: To get to Alligator Lake go West on I-10 and take the
US 90 exit [Olustee]. Go West on US 90 for approx 20 miles, as
you pass the Lake City airport look for CR 10A [Baya Ave] bear-
ing off to the left. Once on Baya Ave look for and turn left
onto CR133 [Country Club Dr]. There is a sign for the Alligator
Lake sign on the right. We'll meet in the main parking lot by the
play ground & rest rooms.
March Field Trips
Egan’s Creek Greenway
Saturday, March 14 2009 Leader: Carole Wyatt
The Greenway was recently selected as a stop on the Great Florida
Birding Trail. On this walk there is a possibility of seeing a variety
3
of wading, shore and song birds as well as birds of prey. This
natural setting with its grass covered trails is ideal for hiking, bik-
ing, and photography.
Meeting Place: 8am at Egans Creek Greenway located behind the
Atlantic Park Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Avenue. It is
across the street from Fort Clinch State Park.
Directions:
From I-95 take exit Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, A1A, State
Road 200 East. Cross over Intracoastal Waterway following A1A
and Fort Clinch signs. After crossing bridge it is approximately
5 miles.
Directions from Heckcher Drive: At the Ferry the road becomes
A1A North. Just follow A1A signs.
Jacksonville Arboretum Plant Walk
Saturday, March 21 2009 Leader: Pat Anderson
Located in Arlington on 120 acres, we will be meeting in the park-
ing lot at 8:30am. We will walk the trails, identifying plants as we
go, stopping to see any birds. There is a wide variety of vegeta-
tion, a creek and a lake. Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the ground
is rough with lots of roots. We will finish before 12 noon.
Directions: The Arboretum is at 1445 Millcoe Road. From
Monument Rd, turn onto Millcoe Rd, which is just east of 9A. It
is a short distance to the Arboretum on the right. Bring binoculars
and insect repellant.
Duval Audubon Society
P.o. Box 16304
Jacksonville, FL 32245
Area Events
3rd Annual First Coast Great Airpotato Round-up
The event will take place on February 28th from 9 am-12 pm, dur-
ing the 10th Annual "National Invasive Weed Awareness
Week" (NIWAW).
The purpose of the event is to collect as many Air Potato
(Dioscorea bulbifera) tubers as possible to prevent new vines from
establishing and to increase the awareness of the threat invasive
species pose to natural areas and biodiversity. A winner of the
largest tuber collected will win a grand prize and this is such a fun
family event, that little ones even get into the scavenger hunt feel
to it!
Location: Crosby Sanctuary, 427 Aquarius Concourse, Orange
Park, FL 32073
Bird Education Conference
The Council for Environmental Education, Flying WILD and the
Bird Education Network are hosting Bird Education through Con-
servation: A National Gathering in Jekyll Island February 22-26.
We are reaching out to educators and organizations and we would
like to invite members of the Duval Audubon Society to join us.
This week-long bird education and conservation conference will
be held from February 22 – 26, 2009 at the Jekyll Island Club Ho-
tel located along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail in Georgia.
More information about the conference can be found on our regis-
tration packet available at http://www.birdeducation.org/
documents/JekyllRegistrationPacketweb_000.pdf