Jan/Feb 2010
Wings& Things
The Newsletter of the Venice Area Audubon Society  |  veniceaudubon.org
Final Notice to
Continue Receiving
Wings & Things
As you all know, the VAAS Board
of Directors is attempting to reduce
our carbon footprint and “Go Green”
by sending our Wings & Things
newsletter via email versus snail mail.
In addition to saving trees, VAAS will
save money by reducing printing and
mailing expenses.
However, we have not yet
received email addresses for many
members of our chapter. And, we
realize that many VAAS members
do not have email. Please know that
we do not want any member to go
without their newsletter.
Therefore, we have included a
postcard in this issue of Wings &
Things and urgently request that you
fill in your email address and mail it
back to Venice Area Audubon Society
(VAAS) by the end of January.
If you do not have email, please
put your initials in the box on the
postcard marked “Send Wings &
Things by U.S. mail” and give us
your mailing address.
If VAAS does not have your
current email address or an
initialed postcard request to send
Wings & Things by U.S. mail, you
will not receive future issues of
this newsletter. If you have any
questions please contact Bill
Fairbank by calling 941-412-1610 or
emailing wgfairbank@hotmail.com.
Wildlife Rescue
and Rehabilitation
Wildlife Center of Venice
941-484-9657
ice Are
en
a
V
ty
Au
ie
u
d
bo c
n So
Founded in 1965
Message from the President - Missy L. Christie
2010. Hard to believe another year has slipped by…
As another year closes, let’s take some time to thank the hardworking,
dedicated, and driven individuals that are the backbone of VAAS.
• Our Building and Rookery Volunteers - Gene Stover, Arlene Kelpsh,
Joanne Robertson, Barbara Brigham, Lynn and Jay Koths, Herb Krauch, Rose
Krause, Martin Himmelfarb, Phyllis Courter, Celia Calderon, Bonnie Hurley,
Karen Pasternak, Joan Klein, Gardner Jones, Janie and Dennis Dancho, Joan
Shimerda, George Cooper, Lorraine Cooper, and Vaughan Abbott.
• Cindy Julius, Robert Duncan, Carol Veits - and the many volunteers
who give their time to lead field trips. What more can be said that will
adequately describe their devotion to VAAS.
• Marty Shirley - who is always searching for new and interesting venues
to provide members entertaining and inspiring presentations. The Holiday
Party was a blast!
• Brenda Bossman - With her keen eye for detail that keeps us all in line and
out of debt—major tasks. Looking forward to the Mardi Gras Event.
• Julie Morris - For sharing her scientific knowledge and providing grant
assistance.
• Ken Reamy - Oh, if only his gentle demeanor could be bottled and sold.
VAAS would be rich. Ken has been a steadfast and patient contributor to
VAAS for many years.
• Bob and Cynthia Vance - For their incredibly strong organizational skills,
and to think they come as a pair! Both have been instrumental in organizing
the efforts of the Conservation Committee and are orchestrating a strong
climate change campaign.
• Carol Hayden - Who strives to make it through the publicity maze.
• Bill Fairbank - Speaking of mazes, try unraveling the membership roster.
Bill calmly accomplishes this goal and makes it look like child’s play. We all
know it isn’t.
• Barry Rossheim - His outgoing and cheerful manner, willingness to help out,
and wealth of knowledge he so willing shares. VAAS would be lost without him.
• Kathy Upton - Willingly plugs through the mail system, and keeps us on top of
necessary correspondences. It may seem like a thankless job, but know it is impor-
tant and appreciated.
• Rett and Priscilla Oren - What more can be said about the people willing
to organize the CBC? Thank you!
President’s Message continued on page 3

Upcoming ProgramS AT
Venice Community Center
Red Tide and You
January 26  •  7:00 p.m.
Solutions To Avoid Red Tide (START)
is dedicated to promoting efforts for
control and mitigation of red tide in
an environmentally responsible man-
ner and is committed to education
outreach as its primary mitigation
strategy. They will present a pro-
gram featuring Jan Landsberg, Ph.D.,
a research scientist in the division of
Fish & Wildlife Health of the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission. Dr. Landsberg will dis-
cuss red tide and its impact on people,
wildlife and the environment.
Nature’s GPS: Migration
Using the Earth, Sun
and Stars
February 23  •  7:00 p.m.
Jeff Rodgers, Director of the Bishop
Planetarium, admits that he doesn’t
know as much as he could about
migration routes. But he does know
something about Earth’s magnetic
field and the seasonal patterns of
the Sun and the stars. Join Jeff
for a look into how these natural
phenomena may influence when
and where species migrate.
Holiday Party a Success!
Marty Shirley
The Center was full of holiday cheer and
decorated for the season. Christmas
music played in the background and
VAAS members enjoyed lots of good
food and visiting with friends. The
Silent Auction, presided over by Bill
Fairbank, was a hit with everyone
and brought in $259.00 for VAAS.
Special thanks for making this event
a success goes to Missy and Bob
Christie, Brenda Bossman, Norma Lee
Rhines, Joan Shimerda, Cynthia and
Bob Vance and, of course, auctioneer
Bill Fairbank.
2  Wings& Things  |  Jan/Feb 10
Upcoming Trips - Bill Fairbank
• Jan. 10, Emerson Point Park  See the famous Wildlife drive on
upland and shore birds along the Sanibel Island
Manatee river • Feb. 13, Harns Marsh  See rare snail
• Jan. 15, Robinson Preserve kites and shore birds as we drive the
Conestoga wagon ride with guide dikes of the marsh
through preserve (Waiting list only) • Feb. 24, Shell Creek  Look for
• Jan. 24, Sleeping Turtles Birding at barred owl and swallow tail kites at
a Sarasota county preserve along the this Charlotte county preserve
Myakka river See the Calendar of Events on page
• Jan. 29-30, STA-5  Florida’s best one of Wings for the date and time for
hot spot for ducks and waterfowl these field trips. Additional details are
given in the 2009-2010 VAAS Trip &
(Trip full)
• Feb. 3, Ding Darling  See shore Program Guide on the Venice Audubon
birds and wading birds along website at www.veniceaudubon.org.
Treasurer’s Report - Brenda Bossman
We have received some inquiries from a few about the appearance of an abundance
of funds in the VAAS treasury. From my experience in participating in non-profit
organizations a few inquiries mean that many of you had the same thoughts but
won’t comment verbally. The financial statement included in the previous newsletter
was a snapshot of our fiscal solvency and did not include an explanation of how our
funds may be distributed.
The bulk of our assets are in an endowment fund managed by the Venice
Community Foundation. Our bylaws are specific on how the funds may be accessed.
The last amendment to our bylaws state:
“Annually, a percentage of the Endowment Funds shall be made available for disburse-
ment to the Board. Unless otherwise directed by a donor, the Board is empowered to make
use of these disbursements within the Society for the purpose of fulfillment of this Society’s
stated mission goals. The Board is also permitted to grant all or part to other environmen-
tal groups whose work contributes towards fulfillment of this Society’s stated mission goals.
The amount disbursable shall be up to a maximum of 5% of the assets of the Endowment
Funds as calculated at the end of the calendar year. Such distribution may not exceed the
growth of the asset value from the end of the previous year. In the event that the asset value
has declined from the previous year, then no distribution can be made. The treasurer is
directed to report on the condition of the Fund at each year’s February Board meeting and
to make available the specified amount.”
In the last fiscal year we did not have an increase in the Endowment Fund. Therefore,
we cannot take any funds from that account in accordance with the bylaws.
We are facing some large expenses with the VAAS Center. We have an air condi-
tioning unit that is leaking Freon and must be replaced. Our best estimate received
to date is over $6000.00. That expense will deplete the $10,704.11 currently in our
savings account. Checking account balances will not cover our operating expenses
for the coming year. Please remember VAAS in your gift-giving. We have cut back
on our programs, but want to continue to be a powerful force in environmental and
avian education and conservation.
Dues Deadline - Bill Fairbank President’s Message continued from page 1

We request that all VAAS members who have not yet paid their chapter dues do • Pauline Adams and Bob Blasczak -
so as soon as possible. Chapter dues were due on September 1. The deadline for Another great pair who have proven
payment of this season’s dues is February 12. invaluable in their quest for green
We have been sending Wings & Things to many members who have not yet paid initiatives. We will get there!
their dues with the expectation that they would. However this cannot continue. • Norma Lee Rhines - Always willing
Venice Audubon needs your dues so that it can pay its bills. After the deadline any to help out in a pinch and on short
member who has not paid their dues will be dropped from the chapter member notice. Great support.
roster and dropped from the distribution list for Wings & Things. • Ginny Koss and Gail Pigeon - Our
To receive Wings & Things and other communications from the chapter each VAAS greeters!
member must either have an up-to-date Venice Area Audubon Society membership • Charlie Sample - So many hats worn
or a National Audubon Society membership. If you have any questions about the by this man: Audubon Center manager,
status of your membership please call Bill Fairbank at 941-412-1610 or email him newsletter editor, Rookery developer,
at wgfairbank@hotmail.com. trip leader, and on and on. Not sure
where VAAS would be without him.
New Members Welcome!
• Ellen King - Her commitment to
Please welcome the following new members who joined VAAS in November and
saving the Florida scrub-jay.
December: John and Janice Armstrong, Joe and Nancy Czarnecki, Jake Harper,
• Claire Norton - The butterfly gar-
Stanley and Marilyn Johnson, Karen Joss, Lynne Pedlar, Fred and Edith Staton.
den volunteers who make our world
a brighter place.
2010 Calendar of Events • Alena Capek, Lori Stover and the
January many volunteers that make sure future
9 Carlton Reserve Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m. generations are aware of birds and the
9 Audubon Regional Conservation,
environment.
Audubon Center, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
13 Shamrock Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m. • Carolyn Edmunds - Newsletter
19 Conservation Committee, 3:00 p.m. designer and so much more. Another
19 Board Meeting, 5:00 p.m. member that provides behind the
20 Center/Rookery Volunteer Great Backyard scenes support and guidance.
Training, 10 a.m. Bird Count (GBBC) • And not to be forgotten, the man who
21 Caspersen Beach/Service Club
The annual GBBC will be held quietly supports VAAS endeavors from
Park Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m.
between February 12-15, 2010. It is the sidelines; my husband Bob.
NOTE CHANGE: Caspersen BW 1/20 to 1/21
26 General Meeting, 6:30 p.m., easy for all to participate in this bird I apologies up front for any names left
Venice Community Center count sponsored by Cornell Lab of off this list. There are so many people that
28 Center/Rookery Volunteer Ornithology and the National Audubon contribute to this organization: Thank
Training, 10:00 a.m. Society. Here’s how it works: 1) Visit you. Your support is appreciated.
February
www.birdcount.org for instructions and Cheers and best wishes for a healthy
3 Shamrock Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m.
7 Carlton Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m.
a checklist of birds in your area. 2) Count and happy 2010!
12-15  Great Backyard Bird Count the birds you see, wherever you choose
16 Conservation Committee, 3:00 p.m. to count. 3) After at least 15 minutes
16 Board Meeting, 5:00 p.m. of watching in one place, report your Save the date
20 Sleeping Turtles Preserve, 7:30 a.m. results online at www.birdcount.org. Saturday, March 6
23 General Meeting, 6:30 p.m., 4) You can repeat your count each day of
Venice Community Center Airboats & Alligators
the GBBC, or you can visit other loca- and Corkscrew Swamp
March
10 Deer Prairie Creek BW, 7:30 a.m. tions. Submit a new checklist for each Sanctuary Trip
16 Conservation Committee, 3:00 p.m. day that you count. Your participation Call 941-497-6463 or Sign up at
16 Board Meeting, 5:00 p.m. enables scientists to track populations of Jan/Feb General Meeting
birds during the count dates.

Jan/Feb 10  |  Wings& Things  3

Call For Volunteers - Charlie Sample
VAAS is gearing up for the 2010 season. We need your assistance in order to make 2009 Christmas Bird
Count Results
our mission effective. We need volunteers at the Audubon Center to assist visitors and
Rett Oren, Complier for 2009
volunteers at the Rookery to answer visitors’ questions, provide binoculars and have
a scope available. School volunteers are needed to assist our teacher in the education We had 132 species total.  The
species count  was in line with our
programs. Various committees such as Center Maintenance, Rookery, Conservation,
“average” for the last 10 years.  The
Membership and Finance are also in need of volunteer assistance. If you can spare total (20,600) number of birds were up
a couple of hours a week or a month, please contact Charlie Sample, Volunteer from last year but still the 2nd lowest
Coordinator at 941-497-6463 or csample41@aol.com. If we work together, we in the last 10 years. The increase over
can make Venice Area Audubon Society a future “Audubon Chapter of the Year.” last year of 18,000 can be attributed
Won’t you help? to more Tree Swallows which remain
our most seen bird.  Drought is
Volunteer training for Center and Rookery volunteers is being held on
undoubtedly a big contributor leading
Wednesday, January 20 and Thursday, January 28 at 10:00 a.m. You only need to to our count results.
attend one session to learn the volunteer responsibilities at the Center and Rookery. Some good birds were reported:
Clapper Rail, Northern Bobwhite,
VAAS CENTER Butterfly Garden Volunteers Needed Gray and Eastern Kingbirds and many
If you enjoy gardening, nurturing plants, love butterflies, and have a couple hours others.  Missing species include:
a month to spare, please join our butterfly garden work-party on the first Tuesday Ring-necked Duck, Wild Turkey, Red-
of every month at 10:00 a.m. at the Venice Audubon Center. This is also an educa- headed Woodpecker, Reddish Egret
and Red Knot.
tional opportunity to learn about Florida friendly plants, especially those that attract
Many thanks to the 75 VAAS
butterflies as larval host or nectar sources. participants. The full report of birds
For more information, call Claire Norton at 941-493-7835 or email her at can be viewed on our web site.
claireandfrednorton@verizon.net.

A Fund Raiser for

Venice Area Audubon Society

Mardi Gras Night

Saturday    March 20    7–10 p.m.
Venice Audubon Center    4002 S. Tamiami Trail
(at Annex Road, behind Anderson Admin. Building)

Black Jack    Craps    Raffles   Texas Hold‘em 

  Slot Machines     Roulette Wheel    Cash Bar

For more information

or to reserve your seat $35 “Lite” Player (Includes $5 Play Money)
at a poker table, $75 Poker Table Player
call Brenda Bossman
at 941-474-8528
($25 Re-Buy – Texas Hold’em and Black Jack)
or 941-270-2961 Game table sponsorships available for $250
Includes one drink and hors d’oeuvres!

4  Wings& Things  |  Jan/Feb 10

 Conservation Committee Report - Bob Vance
The Conservation Committee has been very active this year! In the fall the
Committee determined there were four primary priorities we wanted to work on,
and other things will be considered as they come up.
The first priority is caring for our well-known Rookery and in particular creat-
ing a second rookery across the road. Charlie Sample arranged to have the County
dredge around the island so now the water surrounding the island is deep enough to
discourage predators from interfering with nesting.
2009 Beach Nesting Birds
The second priority is monitoring beach nesting shorebirds. Most of this work
Missy L. Christie
is complete and the nesting season is over. The shorebirds are greatly stressed by
On March 31, the nesting season
both human activities and changes on the beach. Missy Christie oversees this
began with the first nest produced by
arena, with monitoring work conducted by herself, and members Marty Shirley,
a snowy plover. All total, nine snowy
Brenda Bossman, Tom and Gayle Duch, Bob Christie, and Kevin Edwards. Should
plover fledge were documented.
you wish to help in monitoring beach nesting birds you should contact Missy at
Least terns did not fair as well this
941-321-7886 or missylchristie@verizon.net.
year. Unfortunately, only five fledged
The third priority is the beautiful Florida scrub-jay. This fascinating bird, a species
from Palm Island with no activity on
unique to Florida, is under considerable pressure from habitat loss. VAAS members
Stump Pass.
are attempting to assist with planning that could enable the species to maintain
Wilson’s plovers did not disappoint us
itself. Bob MacMonigle, Ellen King and Steve Freedman are actively involved in
this year. 15 fledglings were documented
regular monitoring, reporting, and coordinating with County Staff in habitat man-
and kept monitors and stewards busy
agement efforts.” Ellen King oversees this project and you may contact her to help at
keeping track of their development.
941-488-6818 or eeking605@yahoo.com.
The greatest event of the season was
The final priority is working to address issues stemming from Global Climate
the successful fledging of two black
Change. To this end, two major efforts are underway. The first is to enroll as many
skimmers—a first for this project. A
members as possible for Audubon of Florida’s Climate Action Network (CAN). Once
solitary pair of skimmers produced two
you are registered, AOF will periodically send you an email notice when there is a
young. Development of the young was
timely issue to which you may wish to respond. If you choose, you may create your
slim and fears of doom ran high. This
own letter or AOF provides a format that you can quickly send to the appropriate leg-
family became icons for the Steward
islative office. Over 40 persons have newly registered in the last couple months.
Program as well as a fantastic out-
VAAS will be hosting a workshop on climate change sponsored by Audubon of
reach tool. The community became a
Florida. On January 9 at the Audubon Center, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The work-
pseudo-colony. Shorebird and sea turtle
shop will highlight ways to become more energy efficient.
monitors and stewards, resort staff, vaca-
Another important initiative we are investigating is ways to make the Audubon
tioners, and homeowners rallied around
Center a model green and sustainable (energy efficient) building. To this end,
the pair. Many volunteers banded
a detailed 12-page energy audit was done by an engineer, donating his time. In
together to educate beach-goers on the
November, four of our members (Pauline Adam, Bernis Williams, Alena Capek and
impacts caused by human disturbance,
Cynthia Vance) attended Sarasota’s Sustainability Conference and received some
dogs on the beach, and how to maintain
helpful information and made some important contacts. In January, our President
a safe buffer. The efforts paid off and the
and some committee members will be meeting with each County commissioner to
young took flight! We are hoping this is
discuss how this model green building might be created.
the start of something big.
Finally we are encouraging people to call our state Senator Nancy Detert at her
Shorebird Stewards are needed. Please
local office (941-480-3547) to urge her to support banning offshore oil drilling. As
contact missy.christie@charlottefl.com
the legislative session gears up in January to discuss this issue, your phone
if you would like to join a great team
calls will be most helpful.
of dedicated volunteers promoting the
The next Conservation Committee meeting is January 19 at 3:00 p.m. (3rd
success of shorebird nesting. These birds
Tuesday of the month.) All are welcome to join us.
need all the help they can get.

Jan/Feb 10  |  Wings& Things  5

 ice Are
en Non-Profit Org.

a
V
P. O. Box 1381
U. S. Postage
PAID

ty
Au

Venice, FL 34284-1381
u ie
d

bo c Manasota, FL Permit No. 917

n So

Venice Area Audubon Society

P. O. Box 1381
Venice, FL 34284-1381

Venice Audubon Center

(Headquarters) and Rookery
Roster Treasurer
Brenda Bossman
Hospitality Coordinator
Virginia Koss
941-270-2961 941-493-8812
4002 S. Tamiami Trail Board of Directors
debtadvise@gmail.com
(at Annex Road, behind the R. L. Newsletter Coordinators
President Ways and Means and
Anderson Administration Building) Charles Sample, Editor
Missy L. Christie Education Chair
Carolyn Edmunds, Designer
Venice, FL 941-321-7886
Director 941-497-6463
Phone: 941-496-8984 missylchristie@verizon.net
Bill Fairbank
Volunteer Coordinator
Mailing address: 1st Vice President 941-412-1610
Arlene Kelpsh
Venice Area Audubon Society Marty Shirley wgfairbank@hotmail.com
941-486-9022
P. O. Box 1381 941-496-4494 or 941-468-0002 Field Trips and Membership Chair
mjshirley@comcast.net Youth Education Coordinator
Venice, FL 34284-1381 Director
Programs Chair Alena Copek
Carol Hayden
941-429-8725
2nd Vice President 941-961-5596
Wings& Things is published by the Ken Reamy caroljeannesarasota@yahoo.com
Venice Area Audubon Society (VAAS). 941-493-1042 or 941-408-6278 Publicity Chair
As a member of VAAS you receive five ejreamy@verizon.net
editions of Wings & Things per year, Conservation Chair Director
information on our field trips, chapter Julie Morris
Recording Secretary
941-234-7201
meetings and programs. Individual Don Rippeon
jmorris@wildlandsconservation.org
memberships are $20 per year and 941-698-1492
family memberships are $30 per year. donrippeon@aol.com Director
A lifetime family membership is $1500. Corresponding Secretary Vacant
All membership dues go to the Kathy Upton
Venice Area chapter of the National 941-408-9357
Audubon Society. kau11birds@msn.com

Our Mission: To promote interest in wildlife and foster the cause of conservation with emphasis on birds and their habitat