www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 33 welcometo the 10th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Presented by Nikon and the Brevard Nature Alliance

The 10th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival celebrates a “Decade of Dedication – 1997 to 2007” for ten years of promoting nature-based tourism and outdoor adventure opportunities on Contact the Festival festival Office by phone: 1-800-460-2664information or 321-268- Florida’s Space Coast. We welcome you and appreciate you sharing 5224 or by e-mail: [email protected]. Mailing address is this landmark occasion with the Brevard Nature Alliance, sponsors, P. O. Box 517, Titusville, FL 32781-0517. The office is staffed from partners and volunteers. Moving the date from November to January 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. If we are not available, positions the Festival from the last such event of the year to the please leave a message and we will get back to you! You may also first such event. Birds are more abundant in January, the hurricane visit the festival web site: www.nbbd.com/fly/ season that produces erratic wet weather is over and sites that were Office functions will move to the Brevard Community College, impossible to traverse in November are more accessible. Titusville campus (1311 North U.S. 1, Titusville, FL 32796) on January The Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival was created in 1997 23, 2007 to facilitate the set-up of the Exhibit Center. The Festival to showcase the unique nature, wildlife, and technology in Brevard Registration Desk is located in the Gymnatorium and will be open County. When a small group of volunteers met ten years ago to during the following hours: plan the concept of this event, the use of science and technology to Wednesday, January 24 – 6:00am to 6:00pm benefit wildlife emerged as a central theme. Recent contributions of Thursday, January 25 – 6:00am to 6:00pm our international friends have added a completely new dimension. Friday, January 26 – 6:00am to 6:00pm The list of worthwhile accomplishments is long and the collection Saturday, January 27 – 6:00am to 6:00pm of presenters and field trip leaders is a virtual Who’s Who within the Sunday, January 28 – 6:00am to 11:00am environmental community. The Festival is recognized nationally and The Sunday Social is at Fox Lake Park from 1:30pm to 5:30pm. Food internationally as one of the most prestigious birding and wildlife service (including vegetarian and heart-healthy items) will be available venues due to its exceptional line up of speakers and field trip leaders from Hot Stuff Catering at the snack bar in the Gymnatorium. Tables are as well as the excellent location for viewing endangered animals and available there and outside in the Pavilion area. Coffee and breakfast plant species. items will be available each morning prior to bus departure. It is our honor to present what we consider to be the best Festival that We look forward to helping you enjoy the Festival! we have had the privilege to assemble – from outstanding Keynote Presentations, Seminars, Workshops, Field Trips, Art Competition and Exhibit Center to Socials, great food and enough down time to explore this area of paradise we call home. Please take the time to visitor friendly exhibit center visit the historic downtown areas of Titusville, Cocoa and Melbourne. The Exhibit Center is an important aspect of the Festival and we invite Interesting shops, art and craft galleries and specialty restaurants you to visit all exhibitors, as they will have unique and quality items. await you. Take a leisurely walk through one of our many riverfront Artists, craft persons, businesses and organizations specializing in parks or enjoy the quiet of our inner-city refuge areas. nature and wildlife, birding, photography, optics and nature-tourism Thank you for choosing to come to the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife are well represented. Seminars and field trips are arranged so that Festival. We hope you will have an enjoyable experience that will there will be ample time to view beautiful art and craftwork, find out move you to return for many more visits. more about this area or buy that perfect gift or accessory. The Exhibit Center is located in the Gymnatorium at Brevard The Brevard Nature Alliance Community College, Titusville Campus. Exhibit hours: Wed., Jan.

sponsored by Nikon Sport Optics wingspans. Featuring 15 to 20 raptors from Photo by Ray Scory diverse habitats at each show, these fierce The Raptor Project Raptor Project founders Jonathan and predators capture the hearts of both young Susan Wood have assembled a travelling and old. Following each show, Jonathan will collection of dynamic feathered predators take some birds outside and fly them. that is unrivaled in scope and size anywhere www.raptorproject.com in the world. A master falconer and wildlife www.nikonsportoptics.com rehabilitator, Jonathan brings unique Show Times: insights, observations and humor to his Thu., Jan.25: 2:00pm riveting, nationally-acclaimed shows. Many Fri., Jan. 26: 9:30am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm of the birds in the Raptor Project have Sat., Jan 27: 10:00am, 2:00pm,3:30pm permanent handicaps, but have now been tamed and trained to educate the public as charming ambassadors of their species and the environments they inhabit. Jonathan works with birds in a wide range of sizes, from small falcons and owls weighing 3 to 4 ounces to majestic eagles with 6 to 8 foot 34 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly 24, 3:30pm-6:00pm; Thu., Jan. 25, 12:00pm The Brevard Nature Alliance is a –6:00pm; Fri., Jan. 26 and Sat., Jan. 27, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. 9:00am-6:00pm. Socials will be held in the digiscoping The value of your donation may be Exhibit Center 5pm-6pm, Wed-Sat. deductible for tax purposes. sponsored by Eagle Optics &contest Swarovski Optik ***A copy of the official registration Bring your digital camera with you to the and financial information may Festival - your digiscoped bird photo may be obtained from the Division to benefit thesilent festival auction win you a prize! The unique combination of Consumer Services by calling of a digital camera and a spotting scope is toll-free (800-435-7352) within Welcome Bidders: The Silent Auction will run the State. Registration does not during the Festival from 9am on Thursday, called Digiscoping, and the ability to view and share your pictures immediately after imply endorsement, approval Jan. 25 through Noon on Saturday, Jan. 27 or recommendation by the State. in the Exhibit Center. Winners will be posted taking them has created a new event - a "real-time" photography contest. All festival Registration #: CH19903 - Florida at the Silent Auction booth at 3:00pm on Solicitation of Contribution Act. Saturday Jan. 27. Winners may pick up their attendees are invited to enter their top five digiscoped photos taken during the Festival. items between 3:00pm Saturday and 10:00am The Mission of the BNA is to promote on Sunday, Jan. 28. We will be glad to ship Entries will be displayed at the Swarovski Optik booth. The top images will be picked and protect the environment for your Silent Auction winnings to you. Shipping nature-based activities. The BNA and handling will be added to the winning bid by a celebrity judging panel consisting of Scott Weidensaul, Bill Thompson III, Debra serves as one of the primary amounts. UPS forms will be available at the advocates of community-based Silent Auction booth. Shearwater, Clay Taylor and Ben Lizdas. Winners will be announced at the Sunday nature activities in Brevard County, You are invited to donate one or more items dedicated to the enrichment of our for auction. Items should be new and never Social at Fox Lake Park. The winning entries will also be displayed on the Eagle Optics and community through an understanding used. Please contact Barb Hoelscher at 321- and appreciation of natural resources, 268-5888 or e-mail [email protected] to Space Coast Festival websites. Let's see what you have to show! nature-based tourism, sensible arrange for pick-up. Your generous donation growth management and ecosystem will be acknowledged. www.eagleoptics.com www.swarovskioptik.at needs.

For more information or to become sponsors a member of the BNA, contact Neta Harris at 321-268-5224 or visit the Nikon The Nature Conservancy Ron Jon Surf Shop website - www.natureandspace.com Florida’s Space Coast Kennedy Space Center Visitor FDN Communications Dixie Crossroads Seafood Complex Leica Sport Optics Restaurant Bird Watcher's Digest Eagle Optics VISIT FLORIDA Waste Management, Inc. Brunton Canaveral Port Authority PENTAX Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Inst. We encourage you Reliant Energy, Inc. Swarovski Optik Brevard Community College, FLORIDA TODAY Dynamac Titusville Campus to patronize the Aquafina/Pepsi Bottling Group Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) City of Titusville sponsors, partners, partners and advertisers and visit the parks Ace Hardware of Titusville Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Peak Performance Co. Commission (Tosohatchee Wildlife Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Audubon of Florida (Audubon Center for Management Area) and preserves that Birds of Prey) Sky Advertising, Inc. Florida State Parks (Sebastian Inlet State Best Western Space Shuttle Inn Park, St Sebastian River Buffer Preserve Space Coast Audubon Society have so generously Birder's World Magazine State Park) Space Coast Paddlers Club Brevard County Parks & Recreation Florida Trail Association St. Johns River Water Management donated staff and Brevard Cultural Alliance Forever Florida District Brevard Zoo Hot Stuff Catering Titusville Art League access for this event. Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Indian River Anthropological Society Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce (Titusville Area Visitors Council) Lands Program (Pine Island Archaeological Merritt Island Wildlife Association Through their support, Project, Dicerandra Scrub Sanctuary, Travelynx Enchanted Forest) Marine Science Center U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Merritt Clear Channel Outdoor NASA Island NWR, St Johns NWR, Archie Carr they have made a www.creativestore.com National Park Service (Canaveral National NWR, Pelican Island NWR) Seashore) Extreme Sports WildBird Magazine commitment to protect Novatech Computers Florida Department of Environmental www.VisitTitusville.com Protection (T.M. Goodwin Marsh) Objet D’Art our natural resources. www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 35 rips addling

2007 Calendar of Events Events Special orkshops Exhibits Keynote P Speakers Seminars Field T W LEGEND Photography 8pm 8pm 8pm alls erils an 7pm 7pm Bill Wild 7pm Ry Scott Earth Debra Florida Ancient Birds in eidensaul Wheeler America Keynote: Keynote: Keynote: Keynote: Return to of Birding The P Birding the Ends of the and Pitf Shearwater W Thompson III 6pm 6pm 6pm elcome Social Social Social Social W Black Rails Black Rails & & 5pm 5pm & 5pm y eru Exhibits Dr ark aldes P birds anama ortoise ravel Island Island antanal antanal .S. ortugas V Gopher Birding Birding Birding Birding eninsula ern ID T P T T P P Wildlife P ST Hawks for Nature ST Kites .S. Humming- Ecotourism Music arbler ID arbler ID rip y- ans Birding by W W Impression Impression 4pm 4pm Raptor Raptor 4pm Macro Photo Project Project Birds/Nature Shorebirds by Munguia: Photoshop Ev D-SLR Cameras John orld Digiscoping with Sparrow ID . . Flycatcher ID billed W Gull and T Dr Save the Keynote: Birds are Afternoon Hayride and Other oodpeckers Helping to Fitzpatrick How Ivor W & Bay Bay y 3pm 3pm Brazil Circuit ABA in 3pm Birding Kansas Kansas Wildlife Exhibits Ecuador Dr ellowstone Bahamas Monterey Monterey Bird 1 2 Barn Owls Black Rails Black Rails Birds of the of Birds Y ravel ortugas Birding Stamps T Music by R.G. T ari of Florida ari T&E Birds Dynamics Scrub Jay Beginning Birding Raptor Raptor .S. 1 Project Project 2 anced Doxstater: Photo Field W Munguia: Photo Field W Sunday Social at Fox Lake P Birding by Impression T & Adv 2pm 2pm Digiscoping 2pm ave Field W ard Sparrow ID Raptors Raptors rail ading Ask Close-Up Photo aldes T Intro Birds Impression anama Better Optics Optics V Raptor Nature Project Birding Birding Birding Birding eninsula Bird Banding W Optics? Exhibits Exhibits P Shorebirds by Interpret ellowstone Bahamas P ST Hawks FL Birding ST Kites Barn Owls New W Experience Electrifying Madagascar Y the of Birds Madagascar Digiscoping Enchanted Forest Activities 1pm 1pm 1pm Hands-On Wildlife Saf Hands-On Wildlife Saf Doxstater: Image Editing Doxstater: Image Editing ak Demos rip Bird Banding Kay Bats birds Circuit Eagles Birding 12pm 12pm 12pm Humming- Intro Owl House alk Ancient and Modern Mariners ave ard ard Close-Up Photo & Experience Electrifying Digiscoping ak Middle Econlockhatchee Plants & Things of North Brev Beach Birds T s Site Life of Birds Historical Sites of Canaveral National Seashore 11am 11am rip Kay 11am Bird Photo 101 urkey Creek New W rip rip elican Island elican Island Bird Photo Scrub Jays Scrub Jays Digiscoping Eagles ark ark ak Fox Lake ak Fox Lake ak Fox Lake Wildlife Bats Sam’ Ecotourism Wild Side of KSC ak 100 Islands ak 1000 Islands ak 1000 Islands Raptor ak T Project ak P ak P South Brev South Brev ak Haulover Canal ak Haulover Canal Kay Kay Kay ern ID T Hike Lake Proctor Kay Kay Kay Kay y Central Florida Specialties Central Florida Specialties Kay Kay Kay Kay Beginning Birding Raptor Project 10am 10am ation Area 10am etlands P etlands P FL v aking for Dicerandra Scrub W rail ve ve Ducks are Fun! Ducks are Fun! Ducks are Fun! Ducks are Fun! T Choosing Optics Center for Birds of Prey Naturalists ellets orkflow Center for Birds of Prey Digital .S. .S. Kay Cent. etlands etlands etlands etlands Gull and T W FL Birding Prehistor ak Mosquito Lagoon ak Mosquito Lagoon ard Hot Spots Birding Fun Birding ard Hot Spots ard Hot Spots Shorebirds by Impression Shorebirds by Impression aylor: Digiscoping T aylor: Digiscoping T .S. .S. .S. Owl P 9am 9am .S. .S. .S. Zellwood/Lake Apopka Pine Island Archaeological Project Zellwood/Lake Apopka T T ak Lake Monroe 9am Kay Kay Photography .S. .S. .S. iera W iera W iera W iera W Canaveral Marshes Munguia: Nature Little Big Econ V V V V Kay Birding by Ear Birding by Ear Scrub Jays Scrub Jays Wildflowers North Brev North Brev North Brev Canaveral Marshes/Blue Heron Hal Scott Preser Hal Scott Preser 8am 8am Lake Monroe Conser 8am osohatchee/Orlando W osohatchee/Orlando W Beach Birds T T Doxstater: Photo Field W Doxstater: Photo Field W Heiberg: Photo Field W Heiberg: Photo Field W Heiberg: Photo Field W 7am 7am Williams: Photo Field W Amoruso: Photo Field W Amoruso: Photo Field W 7am Williams: Photo Field W Williams: Photo Field W Munguia: Photo Field W 6am 6am 6am 5am 5am 5am 4am 4am 4am

space coast birding & wildlife festival wildlife & birding coast space Wed., Jan 24 Thu., Jan. 25 Fri., Jan. 26 Sat., Jan. 27 Sun., Jan. 28 36 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly rips addling Events Special orkshops Exhibits Keynote P Speakers Seminars Field T W LEGEND Photography 8pm 8pm 8pm alls erils an 7pm 7pm Bill Wild 7pm Ry Scott Earth Debra Florida Ancient Birds in eidensaul Wheeler America Keynote: Keynote: Keynote: Keynote: Return to of Birding The P Birding the Ends of the and Pitf Shearwater W Thompson III 6pm 6pm 6pm elcome Social Social Social Social W Black Rails Black Rails & & 5pm 5pm & 5pm y eru Exhibits Dr ark aldes P birds anama ortoise ravel Island Island antanal antanal .S. ortugas V Gopher Birding Birding Birding Birding eninsula ern ID T P T T P P Wildlife P ST Hawks for Nature ST Kites .S. Humming- Ecotourism Music arbler ID arbler ID rip y- ans Birding by W W Impression Impression 4pm 4pm Raptor Raptor 4pm Macro Photo Project Project Birds/Nature Shorebirds by Munguia: Photoshop Ev D-SLR Cameras John orld Digiscoping with Sparrow ID . . Flycatcher ID billed W Gull and T Dr Save the Keynote: Birds are Afternoon Hayride and Other oodpeckers Helping to Fitzpatrick How Ivor W & Bay Bay y 3pm 3pm Brazil Circuit ABA in 3pm Birding Kansas Kansas Wildlife Exhibits Ecuador Dr ellowstone Bahamas Monterey Monterey Bird 1 2 Barn Owls Black Rails Black Rails Birds of the of Birds Y ravel ortugas Birding Stamps T Music by R.G. T ari of Florida ari T&E Birds Dynamics Scrub Jay Beginning Birding Raptor Raptor .S. 1 Project Project 2 anced Doxstater: Photo Field W Munguia: Photo Field W Sunday Social at Fox Lake P Birding by Impression T & Adv 2pm 2pm Digiscoping 2pm ave Field W ard Sparrow ID Raptors Raptors rail ading Ask Close-Up Photo aldes T Intro Birds Impression anama Better Optics Optics V Raptor Nature Project Birding Birding Birding Birding eninsula Bird Banding W Optics? Exhibits Exhibits P Shorebirds by Interpret ellowstone Bahamas P ST Hawks FL Birding ST Kites Barn Owls New W Experience Electrifying Madagascar Y the of Birds Madagascar Digiscoping Enchanted Forest Activities 1pm 1pm 1pm Hands-On Wildlife Saf Hands-On Wildlife Saf Doxstater: Image Editing Doxstater: Image Editing ak Demos rip Bird Banding Kay Bats birds Circuit Eagles Birding 12pm 12pm 12pm Humming- Intro Owl House alk Ancient and Modern Mariners ave ard ard Close-Up Photo & Experience Electrifying Digiscoping ak Middle Econlockhatchee Plants & Things of North Brev Beach Birds T s Site Life of Birds Historical Sites of Canaveral National Seashore 11am 11am rip Kay 11am Bird Photo 101 urkey Creek New W rip rip elican Island elican Island Bird Photo Scrub Jays Scrub Jays Digiscoping Eagles ark ark ak Fox Lake ak Fox Lake ak Fox Lake Wildlife Bats Sam’ Ecotourism Wild Side of KSC ak 100 Islands ak 1000 Islands ak 1000 Islands Raptor ak T Project ak P ak P South Brev South Brev ak Haulover Canal ak Haulover Canal Kay Kay Kay ern ID T Hike Lake Proctor Kay Kay Kay Kay y Central Florida Specialties Central Florida Specialties Kay Kay Kay Kay Beginning Birding Raptor Project 10am 10am ation Area 10am etlands P etlands P FL v aking for Dicerandra Scrub W rail ve ve Ducks are Fun! Ducks are Fun! Ducks are Fun! Ducks are Fun! T Choosing Optics Center for Birds of Prey Naturalists ellets orkflow Center for Birds of Prey Digital .S. .S. Kay Cent. etlands etlands etlands etlands Gull and T W FL Birding Prehistor ak Mosquito Lagoon ak Mosquito Lagoon ard Hot Spots Birding Fun Birding ard Hot Spots ard Hot Spots Shorebirds by Impression Shorebirds by Impression aylor: Digiscoping T aylor: Digiscoping T .S. .S. .S. Owl P 9am 9am .S. .S. .S. Zellwood/Lake Apopka Pine Island Archaeological Project Zellwood/Lake Apopka T T ak Lake Monroe 9am Kay Kay Photography .S. .S. .S. iera W iera W iera W iera W Canaveral Marshes Munguia: Nature Little Big Econ V V V V Kay Birding by Ear Birding by Ear Scrub Jays Scrub Jays Wildflowers North Brev North Brev North Brev Canaveral Marshes/Blue Heron Hal Scott Preser Hal Scott Preser 8am 8am Lake Monroe Conser 8am osohatchee/Orlando W osohatchee/Orlando W Beach Birds T T 2007 Calendar of Events of Calendar 2007 Doxstater: Photo Field W Doxstater: Photo Field W Heiberg: Photo Field W Heiberg: Photo Field W Heiberg: Photo Field W 7am 7am Williams: Photo Field W Amoruso: Photo Field W Amoruso: Photo Field W 7am Williams: Photo Field W Williams: Photo Field W Munguia: Photo Field W 6am 6am 6am 5am 5am 5am 4am 4am 4am Wed., Jan 24 Thu., Jan. 25 Fri., Jan. 26 Sat., Jan. 27 Sun., Jan. 28 www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 37 opportunities to meet & mingle

welcome reception After a meal of scrumptious seafood and The Festival Opening Welcome Reception will delicious southern Bar-B-Q, settle in for how the outstanding Keynote presentation “How to get here be held Wednesday, January 24, from 5-6pm in the Exhibit Center. Wine, beverages and Ivory-billed Woodpeckers and Other Birds The Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival hors d’oeuvres will be served by Hot Stuff Are Helping Save the World” by Dr. John is based at Brevard Community College Catering. Greet old friends, make new ones, Fitzpatrick, Director of the Ornithological (BCC) – Titusville Campus 1311 N. US 1. meet the speakers and field trip leaders and Lab at Cornell University. Share with John Registration desk, seminars, workshops, visit with the exhibitors. the rediscovery and the controversies it has field trip staging, exhibits, and food service Non-registrants: $7.50 sparked. Hear the latest on searches for new can be found there January 24-28, 2007. populations in the southern U.S., including keynote socials If You Are Driving: an ongoing investigation in the Florida Daily afternoon Socials will precede evening Panhandle. Learn what this spectacular “Lord Take Interstate 95 To Titusville. Keynote Presentations in the Exhibit Center God Bird” teaches us about human nature From the south, exit at SR 406 (Exit 220). Thu.-Sat. from 5-6pm. Wine, beverages and and environmental protection. Go east to US 1. Go north on US 1 for 1.9 light snacks will be served by Hot Stuff Menu: Bar-B-Q pulled pork, chicken, miles. BCC is on the right, just north of the Catering. Visit exhibitor booths to find items baked beans, cole slaw, rolls and Hot Stuff Parrish Medical Center. or gifts you're looking for! Stroll through the Catering’s famous 7-layer cookies, a variety From the north, exit at SR 46 (Exit 223). Festival Art Competition. Many entries may of Dixie Crossroads’ wild ocean shrimp, crab Go east to US 1. Go south on US 1 for 2.4 be purchased. Beverages and water furnished bites and chicken wings. Beer, wine and soft miles. BCC will be on the left. by Pepsi and Aquafina. drinks. Vegetarian lasagna available. If You Are Flying: Non-registrants: $7.50 for each function Directions: From BCC Titusville, head From Orlando International Airport: sunday social at fox lake park south on US 1 to Garden St. Turn right on Garden St, go past I-95 to the 4-way stop Go east on SR 528 (Beachline/Toll Road) Join the Festival crew and fellow birders, to I-95 (follow the sign that directs you to at Carpenter Rd. Turn left on Carpenter Rd and bring friends and family for a relaxing and follow it to the end. Turn right on Fox I-95 North). Go north on I-95. Follow above afternoon at Fox Lake Park. You can meander Lake Rd, to Fox Lake Park. As you enter driving directions coming from the south. to the lake and see familiar birds making the park, keep right and follow the winding From Melbourne International Airport: themselves at home in this beautiful natural road to the large pavilion at the end. There is plenty of parking and restroom facilities. Follow signs directing you from the Airport setting. R.G.Evans will entertain you with toe- to I-95. Go north on I-95. Follow above A driving map will be provided at the tapping music and sentimental songs. Eagle Festival Registration Desk. driving directions coming from the south. Optics, Swarovski Optik and the panel of Jan. 28, 1:30pm-5:00pm From Daytona International Airport: celebrity judges will announce the winner of Follow signs directing you from the Airport $20/person, includes keynote; $5/children the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival under 12 to I-95. Go south on I-95. Follow driving Digiscoping Contest. directions coming from the north. Keynote presentation only: $10 area camping & space coast birding & wildlife festival rv parks 2007 art competition Cape Kennedy KOA Sponsored by Dynamac International, Inc. Mims...... 321-269-7361 The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival and The Titusville Art League are proud to present the 6th Annual Art Competition, made possible through the exceptional generosity of Crystal Lake RV Park Dynamac International, Inc. which is host and sponsor of this year’s event. Scottsmoor/Mims...... 321-268-8555 You are cordially invited to enter this competition, which is designed to inspire quality art forms that reflect an appreciation for the natural environments and ecosystems of Florida. The Great Outdoors Golf & Country Club Local artists, both adults and children, have an opportunity to show their works in a Titusville...... 321-269-5004 competitive and friendly venue. Competition entries will be on display at Brevard Community College, Titusville Campus Loughman Lake Campground & RV Park Gymnatorium, from Jan. 24-27. Entries will be judged on how well they express the natural Mims...... 321-268-2277 environments and ecosystems of Florida. First place in each category will receive $200, with Manatee Hammock Campground prize monies totaling over $1,300. There will be a Poster Competition for children. Top prize for the winning poster is a $50 gift certificate, with a special $100 award given to the winner’s Titusville...... 321-264-5083 school art department. Seasons in the Sun RV Park Competition categories include: Mims...... 321-385-0440 • Photography • 2-dimensional art (including painting, mixed media, graphic arts and watercolors) Willow Lakes RV Park • 3-dimensional art (including sculpture, clay art, wood and glass) Mims...... 321-269-7440 For more information contact Candi Thorpe at 321-383-7774 or e-mail sugarfreecandi@ aol.com. Visit www.nbbd.com/fly to print the rules and registration form. 38 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly Dr. Ryan Wheeler keynote Ancient Artists Found Inspiration in Florida Birds

The ancient inhabitants of Florida found period range from very literal depictions, that birds were good to eat and good to either incised or modeled on pottery, to think. These early Floridians emerged from abstract forms. Intricate loop, scroll and a shadowy past of spear points and extinct spiral motifs represent abstract feathers animals to become the Ais, Calusa, Tequesta, and wings and complement more realistic Timucua and Apalachee described in the depictions of ducks and other birds. accounts of European explorers, priests and The animal and avian imagery of the Hopewell settlers. Scientists studying the foodways of horizon inspired the ancient Florida artists these ancient people find bird bones in the to work in local media and traditions. For village sites that dot the coast and interior of example, the residents of the Fort Center southern Florida. Bird remains from the Boca site on Fisheating Creek in Glades County Weir site in Palm Beach County include many carved an elaborate collection of wooden familiar to today’s mammals and birds that served as markers birders such as or guardians of a funereal mound. The bird Great Blue Heron, carvings depicted vultures, owls, raptors, Great Egret, Ruddy ducks, egrets or herons and a woodpecker, Duck, Red-breasted which were ultimately deposited with human Merganser, Turkey burials in a shallow pond. Also notable are Vulture, Limpkin the effigy vessels of the Weeden Island culture and Royal Tern, that flourished in northern Florida over 1500 as well as the years ago. Archaeologists and art historians silver hair ornaments that portray the Ivory- more unusual, considered Weeden Island effigy ceramics as billed Woodpecker, complete with a golden like Great Black- masterworks of ancient American art. Birds eye. Even with their passing from the Florida backed Gull, Great are a major theme, typically modeled and scene in the mid-18th century, these ancient Auk and Razorbill. decorated with fine lines and punctuations, artists have left a legacy of fluid naturalism in Perhaps even more and include owls, vultures, crested birds, their carved and modeled images of birds and interesting are the waterfowl and terrestrial game birds. Not to other animals, a glimpse of the way they saw ways Florida’s First be outdone, the ancient artists of southern their world. People thought Florida produced a miniature menagerie of Birds in Ancient Florida about birds. For many of the animals and birds depicted in Keynote Presenter: Dr. Ryan Wheeler example, some of the Fort Center carvings and Weeden Island Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research the earliest carved ceramics. Ryan will discuss the role of birds in ancient and decorated bone Despite major social and cultural upheavals Florida with a special focus on portrayals artifacts, found at after the arrival of Europeans, the native of birdlife in the carvings and ceramics of the Windover site artists of southern Florida experienced a Florida’s First People. Birds were not only near Titusville, Silver Ivory-billed Woodpecker veritable “golden age” as precious metals important in the diet of many of Florida’s ornament, collection of the South are pelican bones Florida Museum and Bishop from Spanish shipwrecks were reworked into Indians, but also had a place in the cosmology adorned with Planetarium, Bradenton. traditional forms. Some of these objects, and symbolism of these ancient cultures. geometric designs. Thus begins 7000 years mostly found in burial sites around Lake Ryan will present images of some of the of artistic expression that draws on avian Okeechobee, combined naturalistic forms more notable Florida artifacts that depict themes. and complex cosmological symbolism. One birds, including wood carvings from the Fort Studies of ancient Florida art find major example of this period is the dagger-like Center site, carved and decorated bone from influences derived from the Midwest, where southern Florida sites, effigy pottery from some 2000 years ago a mysterious exchange the Weeden Island culture and objects made network spread to the far corners of the of precious metal salvaged from Spanish eastern United States, a network that saw shipwrecks. Ryan is the State Archaeologist the long-distance trade of exotic items like and is involved in protection and conservation obsidian, meteorites, copper, mica, rock of archaeological sites throughout the state. crystal and ceramic vessels, many of which He studied archaeology at the University were decorated with abstract bird motifs. of Florida where he researched the art of Archaeologists do not completely understand Florida’s ancient peoples. this so-called Hopewell exchange network, www.flheritage.com/archaeology but one thing is clear: It provided a major www.trailofthelosttribes.org source of imagery for ancient Florida artists Jan. 24, 2007, 6:15pm-7:30pm: BCC Auditorium (Seating capacity restricted to who already had recognized animals as an Weeden Island bird effigy bowl, collection of the Florida Museum of 150 persons); $10 important theme. Portrayals of birds in this Natural History, Gainesville. www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 3939 Bill Thompson III keynote Ten Reasons Why You Should Stop What You Are Doing and Become a Birder Right Now

I am a firm believer 2. Birds are fascinating (and very like us). Many birds sing beautifully, that every person wear fabulous colors, court their mates and are fiercely loyal. They on this planet needs invest a great deal of time and energy into rearing their young. In short to become a birder. they are just like us, except they can fly (and eat caterpillars). There are dozens of reasons why I believe 1. You will help to save the world. An interest in birds is made this to be true; here complete by being involved in the conservation of birds and their are my top 10 reasons habitat. There are many ways to help conserve birds: make your for you to become a backyard bird-friendly, participate in citizen science projects, join birder. your local bird or nature club; vote for candidates who support bird conservation efforts. 10. It’s easy to do. The Perils and Pitfalls of Birding You find a bird or Keynote Presenter: Bill Thompson III birds and you watch Bird Watcher's Digest them. It’s nice to be In this humorous take on the common problems (can’t find the bird) able to identify them, and confusing conundrums (when is it OK to pish?) associated with but this is not a requirement. And you don’t have to take an epic birding, Bird Watcher’s Digest Editor Bill Thompson III shares with journey to find birds. Start by looking our your window into your you the fabulous disasters, funny and embarrassing moments he’s backyard or garden. Most birders find that two simple tools are all they experienced during his 35+ years of birding. His goal is to help you need: binoculars and a field guide. avoid similar pain and suffering. www.birdwatchersdigest.com 9. Birds are everywhere. There are very few places on earth that are completely bird-free. This is why birding is a hobby that anyone can Jan. 25, 2007, 6:15pm-7:30pm: BCC Auditorium (Seating capacity restricted to 150 persons); $10 enjoy anywhere—from your office window, while talking a walk in the park or when sitting in your yard. 8. It’s healthy. Birding has proven health effects. It gets you outside in the fresh air, gets you moving around, and it’s relaxing for mind, body and spirit. 7. It’s fun! This one is obvious, isn’t it? The first time you see a new bird, you’ll realize just how enjoyable this birding thing is. Then you’ll want a second new bird, a third and so on. 6. You will meet interesting people. Most of my favorite people are birders. And it’s not just because they share my interest. It’s because they are intelligent, energetic, curious people who care about birds and nature. Join your local bird club. Take a field trip at the local nature center. Travel to one of the 350-plus birding festivals held annually in North America. 5. Your brain will grow. Just like the chickadee that grows extra brain cells in winter to remember where it cached its seeds in the fall, birders find their minds expand with the new knowledge they acquire about birds. Identification tips, certain field marks and bits of bird behavior will fill you mind, and you’ll find, with practice, that you remember most of them.

4. Birding is a gateway. You may find yourself adding to your pursuit of birds by becoming interested in butterflies, wildflowers, mammals, trees, even reptiles. Once your eyes are opened to the wonders of birds, you can’t help but notice other facets of the natural world. 3. It gets you away from the television and computer. Birds can be a catalyst to getting us outside. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been sitting at my computer when I noticed a bird outside my office window and grabbed my binoculars to head outside to look at it. 40 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly keynote Debra BirdingShearwater the Ends of the Earth

Traveling across the Scotia Sea, birders forests, pristine tundra and a staggering can thrill at the sights of the great array of wildlife. Pods of orcas, basking albatrosses - Wandering and Royal - sea lions and swarms of seabirds move on the high seas that are their home. across the landscape like a haze. Birders Here the Antarctic Convergence, the may encounter thousands, even millions of undulating belt of warm water meeting alcids in this region of the world, including cold that forms the boundary of the Common and Thick-billed Murres, Crested largest ecosystem on earth, leads us Auklets, Parakeet Auklets, Least Auklets and to South Georgia. A huge subantarctic Whiskered Auklets. On Russia’s Kamchatka, island, South Georgia is famous for its the largest population of Brown Bears can huge King Penguin colonies, along with Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light- Photo by Don Doolittle. Perhaps few places on earth have attracted mantled Albatrosses to name a few. the intrepid explorer and adventurer as much The Falkland Island archipelago has a as the Arctic and Antarctic. The ancient long human history and a rich avifaunal Greeks had developed a theory of a frigid diversity. It is best known for its colonies northern landmass, Arktos, and hypothesized of Black-browed Albatrosses and Gentoo that this region must be counterbalanced and Rockhopper Penguins. Eighty percent by a frigid southern continent, Antarktos. of the global population of Black-browed Eventually, after many years of exploration, Albatrosses breed in the Falklands. In humankind survived the southern stormy addition to the birdlife, at least 16 species of whales have been recorded in the Falklands. seas and the rough, frigid elements of the Tufted Duck from the Arctic. Photo by Don Doolittle. pack ice to lay eyes upon these intriguing Birding down under, New Zealand’s regions at the ends of planet earth. subantarctic islands present a treasure trove be found amongst the active volcanoes of Antarctica, the White Continent, is a desolate of seabirds, marine mammals and specialized the Valley of the Geysers. This area is best region where ice covers more than 90% of flora, the megaherbs. In this region of the personified by its icon, the enormous Steller’s the landmass. It is the last of the continents southern world, birders thrill to species found Sea-Eagle. A king (or queen) among raptors, man has attempted to conquer. This land of only here such as Erect-crested Penguin, this bird is so large and powerful that it can multi-colored ice caps, glaciers and towering, Yellow-eyed Penguin, Buller’s Shearwater and carry off a 40-pound baby seal. a variety of albatrosses. Here visitors will call snow-capped mountains is home to many Birding the Ends of the Earth species of birds that we often dream about. in at such places as the Auckland Islands, Keynote Presenter: Debra Shearwater Sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, intrepid Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, Antipodes Shearwater Journeys birders make their way across the Drake Island and Bounty Islands. On Macquarie From one end of the earth to the other, Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. Here we Island, the endemic Royal Penguin breeds. join Debra Shearwater as she brings these can encounter Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap At the opposite end of the earth, Arctic and regions to life with her slide show. Debra is Penguins, Adelie Penguins and Giant North Atlantic travelers can set their eyes on best known for having operated Shearwater Petrels among the Southern Elephant Seals. surprising Iceland, a land of fire and ice. Here Journeys on the central California coast since vast glaciers and red-hot lava form incredible 1976. As a full-time marine naturalist-birder, scenery. Grimsey Island, she has participated in over 1800 pelagic trips off the north coast of which have produced many important North Iceland, through which American records. Debi began expedition- the Arctic Circle passes, leading in 1996 and has never looked back. is home to nesting Atlantic Her journeys have taken her to many of Puffins, Razorbills and the most remote realms of the earth and murres. Moving toward to all seven continents. She is a past board the sparkling pack ice member of the American Birding Association. of Greenland, Dovekies Along with Les Lieurance, she co-produced bob like little auks a professional DVD, “Through the Seasons: amongst the ice cakes. An Introduction to the Seabirds and Marine The Sea of Okhotsk, which Mammals of Monterey Bay.” borders Siberia, is one of www.shearwaterjourneys.com the planet’s least-explored Jan. 26, 2007, 6:15pm-7:30pm: BCC and most remarkable Auditorium (Seating capacity restricted to King Penguins from the Antarctic. Photo by Don Doolittle. destinations for untouched 150 persons); $10 www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 4411 keynote Scott WeidensaulReturn to Wild America 1953 on the seabird cliffs of Cape St. Mary’s before me, I found much to celebrate as in Newfoundland and ended three and a half well, including the remarkable strides for months later in the middle of the Bering Sea. conservation that we’ve made in the past 50 And fortunately for all of us, they set down years - and the need for even greater vigilance their experiences in their bestselling book, today. Wild America, which was published in the fall Return to Wild America of 1955 - a snapshot of the continent’s wild Keynote presenter: Scott Weidensaul heart that has been considered a classic of Scott will be discussing the good and the bad nature writing ever since. during his keynote for this year’s Space Coast I first read Wild America as a kid, with a kid’s Birding & Wildlife Festival, based on his new understanding and with a kid’s jealousy and book, Return to Wild America: A Yearlong longing. But now, when I read Wild America, Search for the Continent’s Natural Soul. From it is with those past layers of excitement and the great seabird cliffs of Newfoundland admiration but with something else keener to the cypress swamps of Florida, from and still more evocative - the realization that the cloud forests of the Sierra Madre in Fisher and Peterson saw a continent and a Mexico to lonely islands far out in the Bering culture at a turning point. In the years following Sea, we’ll seek out the wild heart of the World War II, America’s nascent conservation continent - and find that it’s still strong. Scott movement began to emerge as a national Weidensaul is the author of more than two force, drawing its strength from ordinary dozen books on natural history, including people who found enjoyment in amateur the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Living on the nature study and who were increasingly Wind, about migratory birds, and The Ghost driven to rectify the mistakes of the past. With Trembling Wings, about the search for But how much of the wild America that they Ever since the days of Catesby and William animals that may or may not be extinct. Scott celebrated have we preserved, and how much Bartram in the 18th century, Florida has been writes for such publications as Smithsonian, have we lost? I realized that, as the 50th a crossroads of naturalists, but rarely has the Audubon, Nature Conservancy and National anniversary of their trip approached several Space Coast area seen the kind of star power Wildlife. He lives in the mountains of eastern years ago, that milestone would provide a that it did in May 1953, when two men in a Pennsylvania, where he studies the migration perfect opportunity to retrace their footsteps green Ford station wagon rolled into eastern of hawks, owls and hummingbirds. and take the pulse of the continent’s wild core. Florida. They were in the middle of a trip that www.scottweidensaul.com You might expect this would be a depressing began as a way to repay a debt and became a Jan. 27, 2007, 6:15pm-7:30pm: BCC journey, a catalog of all we’ve lost and are legendary journey that resulted in one of the Auditorium (Seating capacity restricted to in danger of losing - and there have been 150 persons); $10 most popular nature books of the 20th century. setbacks without a doubt. But wild America Behind the wheel was Roger Tory Peterson, is still out there and, like Peterson and Fisher already riding the crest of fame generated by the 1934 publication of his groundbreaking Field Guide to the Birds. With him was renowned English ornithologist James Fisher, whom Peterson had met several years earlier while working on his first European field guide. The two men had struck up a fast friendship, and James guided Peterson from Lapland to the Mediterranean and beyond. “So much had I seen of wild Europe, and especially wild Britain in the company of my colleague, that I had a growing desire to reciprocate, to show him my own continent,” Peterson wrote. “If you come to America,” I suggested, “I will meet you in Newfoundland and conduct you around the continent. We will go as far as the Yukon Delta and the Pribilofs - by way of Mexico - and you will see a more complete cross section of wild America than any other Englishman, and all but a few North Americans, have ever seen.” And so they did. They began in the spring of Least Auklets crowd a rock on the Pribilof Islands of Alaska, one of the many stops on Scott Weidensaul’s search for the continent’s natural soul, Return to Wild America. (©Scott Weidensaul) 4242 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly keynote Dr. JohnRiver Fitzpatrick Of Hawks birds were passing overhead at the rate of number had actually passed. Indeed, we 600 to 1,000 per minute, and this steady line learned later that the expert hawk-counters of “birds on a mission” stretched northward logged more than 193,000 birds passing and southward as far as we could see through by Veracruz today between dawn and dusk. binoculars! The huge mass of birds today was made It hit me all of a sudden that this phrase we’d up of Broad-winged Hawks (~75%), Turkey been hearing—“river of hawks”—is no cute, Vultures (~18%), and Swainson’s Hawks marketing expression. It is the literal truth. (~5%). The rest consisted of a 20-species We were standing underneath a genuine river potpourri that kept our interest high and lively, of birds—not a stream or a brook but a true with new surprises appearing so regularly it river—flowing steadily southward, all these was genuinely painful to break away finally October 5, 2006—Veracruz, Mexico individual birds bound for South America. At and get back to the meeting. This is a Today was incredible. I’ve long held that its densest points, where thick clouds of birds spectacle worthy of many return visits, and “pinnacles of life” are those moments when were taking advantage of columns of rapidly one that I wish every soul on the planet could you recognize while an event is unfolding that rising air, these hawks through binoculars experience. you will never forget it as long as you live. We looked like gnats in a swarm. Occasionally —John W. Fitzpatrick, Louis Agassiz Fuertes had one of these life-altering days today. we’d spot a huge swirl of Wood Storks, White Director Steve Kelling (the Lab of Ornithology’s Pelicans, or Anhingas, traveling amid all the For a complete list of the day’s birds, visit director of Information Science) and Chris hawks and vultures. www.ebird.org/content/news/Veracruz.html Wood (project co-leader of eBird) decided Over and over again I pinched myself, dried Reprinted with permission from BirdScope, that Thursday was the right day to take a an eye, and trained my binoculars northward newsletter of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. break from the North American Ornithological toward the source to confirm the staggering How Ivory-billed Woodpeckers and Other Conference we were attending and drive their notion that this river was indeed unbroken. Birds Are Helping to Save the World van inland to see if the legendary Veracruz The river actually braided, from time to time, Keynote Presenter: Dr. John Fitzpatrick hawk migration was in force. I was delighted with a new “channel” forming a kilometer or Cornell Lab or Ornithology to tag along with them and several other two west or east of us. When it did this, we Using a variety of sounds and illustrated colleagues, having barely stories, John will describe the vital roles gotten outdoors for the last that birds play in fostering conservation of four days. biological diversity throughout the world. We drove to a nearby town, Most important, birds represent our most Cardel, where—thanks to accessible and sensitive indicator of the Mexican conservation ecological change. This role has increased group Pronatura—a hotel has dramatically with the advent of the Internet, converted its rooftop to a hawk- which now provides individual citizens the watching platform. Hawks and opportunity to provide real data that answer vultures began to appear in important questions about bird populations numbers around 10:30 a.m. By at continental scales. Today, human beings all 11:30 we were seeing large over the world can serve as the biosphere’s “kettles” forming far to the first real-time, self-monitoring system. The west, so we drove inland a few question is, will we also self-correct? Birds more kilometers. Photo by Arthur A. Allen/Cornell Lab of Ornithology present us with motivation to do so and a Eventually we got underneath the still-growing would jump in the van and drive to be under barometer for measuring our successes and stream of hawks, and my jaw began to drop. it. But indeed, there was never a break in the failures. Recent rediscovery of the Ivory-billed There were scattered hawks low and high steady southward drumbeat. Woodpecker provides an outstanding case everywhere. More amazing, occasionally in Hundreds to thousands of hawks were visible in point. John will explore this rediscovery, view at one time were 1,000 or more raptors, at any moment, from about 12:30 until we had examine the controversies it has sparked, circling in tight, roiling vortices on rising air, to leave, around 3:30 p.m. The river’s greatest provide the latest news on searches for new then steadily streaming off the top of these flow rate was between 1:00 and 2:00. By 3:30, populations around the southern U.S., and kettles toward the south on fixed wings, as we were leaving, the rate had diminished discuss what this spectacular “Lord God Bird” creating steady bands of hawks a few hundred to 70–100 hawks per minute. But it continued teaches us about both human nature and meters wide and stretching out a kilometer steadily as we drove away. environmental protection. or more. We tried our best to count the birds within Jan. 28, 2007, 3:00pm-4:15pm; Fox Lake As the heat of the day approached, the reasonable sight of us, but it was very difficult. Park Pavilion; $10 numbers grew and these streams began to By the time we left we had conservatively Sponsored by merge. By 1:00 p.m. we found ourselves logged about 53,000 birds, though all of us under the most awe-inspiring bird migration agreed that probably two to three times that spectacle I have ever witnessed. At one point, www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 4343 field trips Festival field trips are designed to showcase the best regional wildlife sites as well as the exceptional research and preservation work being conducted in this area. Unless otherwise noted, all trips depart from the traffic circle in front of the Gymnatorium at Brevard Community College, Titusville Campus. Due to the importance of arriving at designated sites by certain times, vehicles will leave promptly when indicated. Please arrive 15 minutes early. NEW: In order to keep the festival as cost-efficient as possible for our guests, some of the field trips and workshops have been changed to carpools instead of utilzing hired transporation. NOTE: Central Florida is very “birdy” and many will be seen en route. Stay alert and be prepared to look quickly when someone calls out a passing bird. Specialty Tours will carpool from the campus gymnasium, a brand new seabird rehabilitation sanctuary. and a moderate amount of walking on dry Completed in 1887, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Wild Side of the Kennedy Space Center trails will be required. is a National Historic Landmark. At 175 feet, Trip Leaders: Ross Hinkle and Sarah Linney Meet in front of the BCC Gymnatorium at it is the second tallest lighthouse in the U.S. This trip is sponsored by the Kennedy 9:30AM to organize the car pool. and the tallest open to the public. A climb to Space Center Visitor Complex A Wildflowers Seminar will precede the the top reveals a breathtaking view of inlet, Join Dynamac Corporation Chief Scientist field trip, 8:00am-9:15am in Gymnatorium estuary and beaches. With a glorious beacon Dr. Ross Hinkle for a bus journey through Room 119. Bring money for lunch at one of shining over 16 nautical miles, maritime Titusville’s fine dining establishments. the working launch complex of Kennedy museum and lens restoration shop featuring Space Center (KSC) and into the Merritt Jan. 24, 9:30am-3:15pm: Carpool; Free the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse first-order Island National Wildlife Refuge. Learn how Fresnel lens, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse offers a KSC, working with the Fish and Wildlife tremendous opportunity to learn of our great Service, sets the standard for how nature and maritime heritage. Price includes lunch at the technology can co-exist peacefully and benefit beautiful Inlet Harbor Seafood Restaurant. one another. Ross will talk about the ongoing www.hswri.org ecological studies at KSC related to such areas www.cccturtle.org as fire ecology, remote sensing and global www.marinesciencecenter.com climate change. Some endangered wildlife www.ponceinlet.org you might see include the Florida manatee, Jan. 27, 8:00am-5:00pm: Limited to 20 registrants; $60/person Wood Stork and the threatened Florida Scrub- Jay. The tour will travel along parts of the Historical Sights of Canaveral Nat'l nation’s most biologically diverse estuary, the Seashore Indian River Lagoon and Banana River, Florida Trip Leaders: John Stiner, Tom Penders and scrub and pine flatwoods habitat. For security David Hartgrove reasons at KSC, we are restricted to offering With special thanks to the Indian River this trip only to U.S. citizens. Anthropological Society www.dynamac.com When European explorers touched the shores www.KennedySpaceCenter.com of the New World in the late 15th century, the Departs ONLY from KSC Visitor Complex northern areas of the Space Coast had been Pre-registration is a must! inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous Jan. 28, 9:30am-12:30pm: Limited to 45 peoples who were called the Timucua. They registrants; $35/person Photo of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse by Ray Scory left behind a wealth of archaeological sites Ancient & Modern Mariners of the Deep and resources, many of which have yet to be Plants (& other things) of North Brevard discovered. Among these resources are some Trip Leaders, Jim Stahl and Jay Barnhart Trip Leaders: Duane DeFreese and David Hartgrove of the largest and most extensive prehistoric The diverse habitats in and around Brevard Sponsored by Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Inst. shell mounds in the nation. Many were so County include mature deciduous/semi- high they were used as major navigational tropical forests, pine flatwoods, oak-palm Join Hubbs-SeaWorld Vice President of Research Dr. Duane DeFreese for a look at landmarks during early colonial times. hammocks, cypress swamps, freshwater More than 100 Pre-Columbian mounds lie marshes, brackish lagoons, lakes, scrub, some of the world’s oldest and more recent mariners. Inhabiting earth for 150 million within the boundaries of Canaveral National sedge meadows, coastal dunes and ruderal Seashore. This field trip visits three of them (disturbed). With so many habitats, the region years, sea turtles have long intrigued people, figuring prominently in the mythology and and the El Dora Statehouse. One of the oldest supports numerous plant species - majestic archaeological sites in Florida, Seminole Rest trees, shrubs, beautiful wildflowers, grasses folklore of many cultures. This fascinating trip will visit two sites. The Marine Science Center is a 4,000-year-old Timucuan shell midden and sedges and ferns. On this trip we will located on the Oak Hill waterfront. Named observe and discuss many species of plants is a rehabilitation center for injured marine turtles as well as an important environmental for its resemblance to a giant turtle and used and their habitats, plus anything else (birds, as a navigational aid for centuries, Turtle reptiles, butterflies and other insects) that we education center. It includes turtle tanks; a 5,000-gallon artificial reef and aquarium; Mound shows up on Spanish maps as early might come across. The sites we will visit will as the 16th century. A climb to the top reveals be selected during scouting trips just prior manatee, whale and fish exhibits; a wet/dry lab; nature trails through maritime hammock a scenic panorama of ocean, estuary and to the field trip so that areas with the best beaches. Castle Windy is a smaller mound that blooming plants will be on the itinerary. We and boardwalks over coastal dunes; as well as 44 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly birding's lies in the shadows of thick coastal maritime Pine Island Conservation Area hammock right along the edge of Mosquito Archaeological Project (Sam's Site) Lagoon. Birding can sometimes be quite Trip Leader: Thomas Penders good along the trails to and on the mounds With Special Thanks to the Indian River unsung as middens provide resting space and feeding Anthropological Society areas for Neotropical migratory songbirds. This trip will take participants through 2000 The El Dora Statehouse is a restored 1800s years of history. Visitors will get to see two pioneer home that stands as the last remnant houses associated with one of the prominent Recently, heroesKevin Karlson wrote a wonderful of an old Florida waterway community. This pioneer families in Brevard County history. piece entitled “Birding’s Unsung Heroes” is a great trip combining historical sights and One home is among the oldest in the county. for Wildbird magazine that highlighted 18 coastal birds. Price of tour includes lunch at Participants will also get to see members of the most influential young birders in the rustic JB’s Fish Camp on Mosquito Lagoon. of the Indian River Anthropological Society nation. In Kevin’s words, “These individuals *John Stiner’s services are provided at no work on the ongoing excavations of a 2000- have dedicated their lives with unparalleled charge by the National Park Service. year-old occupation site associated with the passion to enhance the experiences of www.nbbd.com/godo/cns Malabar culture. Visitors will be able to look www.nbbd.com/npr/archaeology-iras in the screens as the soil is sifted by the other birders in the joys of birding, or to www.nps.gov/cana archaeologists and see artifacts exposed for scientific study and conservation of avian Jan. 26, 8:30am-5:00pm: Limited to 19 the first time in 2000 years. Artifacts can life. For this we are eternally grateful.” registrants; $50/person tell how people made a living, what they ate, We are proud that six of the birders Kevin Dicerandra Scrub Sanctuary Walk where they came from or traveled to, if they featured are associated with the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival. Five Trip Leaders: Judy Gregoire, Ray Ashton, traded with other people, etc. Malabar was Jay Barnhart, Jim Stahl and Dean Pettit first defined by Irving Rouse in 1951 as a of them are here this year working hard This Brevard County Environmentally unique culture located within the confines of to ensure that you have a great time. Endangered Lands property consists mostly the Indian River, beginning at the northern When you see Jeff Bouton, Cameron Cox, of scrubby flatwoods and a large depression headwaters of the coastal Indian River lagoon Mike Freiberg, Larry Manfredi and David marsh. It is adjacent to the Titusville and extending to its southern opening at Simpson, make sure you congratulate Wellfield, which also supports scrub, the St. Lucie Inlet. It can be described as a them for their efforts and their recognition. extending the protection area and enhancing transition zone between the Glades culture to To see an excerpt from Kevin’s article the Sanctuary. Protected plant and wildlife the south and St. Johns culture to the north. highlighting those six individuals, visit the species documented on site include Florida Characteristics of the culture included the festival web site, www.nbbd.com/fly and Scrub-Jay, indigo snake, gopher tortoise and absence of corn agriculture and differences in click on the articles section. Dicerandra thinicola, a rare scrub mint known language, religion and social organization. only to occur in the northern region of www.nbbd.com/npr/archaeology-iras Brevard County. Your guides for this hike Note: There are no bathroom facilities will be Judy Gregoire, North Region Land on site and the terrain can be rough so Manager for the EELs Program; Ray Ashton, wear comfortable shoes. There will be NO access to the fossil site due to safety what to Executive Director for the Gopher Tortoise concerns. Conservation Initiative; avid wild mushroom Jan. 28, 8am-12:30pm: Limited to 21 hobbyist Jay Barnhart; retired biologist Jim registrants; $25/person wear January is typically Florida’s coldest month, Stahl and Dean Pettit, Chair of the Titusville however temperatures can fluctuate wildly. Environmental Commission, who spearheaded Birding and Wildlife Tours You can expect the average temps to be the establishment of a multi-use recreational South Brevard County in the 40s and 50s at night and the 60s trail through the classic scrub habitat at the and 70s in the daytime. Temps can dip Titusville Wellfield. Trip leaders: David Simpson (Birding with David Simpson) and Andy Bankert into the 30s at night and never leave the www.eelbrevard.com www.fnps.org Jan. 24: with Cameron Cox (Nikon) 50s during the daytime after the passage www.fnai.org/descriptions.cf Jan. 25: with Mike Freiberg (Nikon) of a strong cold front. Rain is very scarce www.ashtonbiodiversity.org This field trip will leave early in order to in January however a passing cold front Meet at the entrance to the Dicerandra observe Red-cockaded Woodpeckers leaving may be accompanied by a squall line. It Scrub Sanctuary. their nest cavities at sunrise. First stop is is best to plan to layer your clothing. It Directions: From I-95 take SR-50 Exit 215 the St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve State can be very cold in the morning at sunrise east 3 miles. Turn right on Key Largo Dr., Park. This 22,000-acre site serves as a home and then warm up nicely during the day. go 0.4 miles and turn right on Karen Dr. Go It will be chilly out on the water on kayak less than 0.1 mile, turn right and go to the to many of the sought-after pinewoods end of Melissa Dr. Enter on foot. specialties. Six families of Red-cockaded and boat trips, so dress warmly. Be sure From U.S. 1 go west 0.7 miles on SR Woodpeckers call the preserve their home. to bring rain gear if you are going on the 50. Turn left on Key Largo Dr. - follow Bachman’s Sparrows are abundant, though pelagic trip! More than likely, the wind will directions above. difficult to see in the winter months. Brown- blow and spray will fly. It has been our past Jan. 26, 9:00am-12:00pm: Limited to 30 headed Nuthatches are often encountered experience that the Gymnatorium can be registrants; Free among the mixed-species feeding flocks. on the chilly side too. Bring a sweater or a There will be a hayride through the interior jacket if you are an exhibitor. www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 45 field trips of the preserve where David, who works Meet in front of the Gymnatorium at 6:00am migration. Since opening in 2000, Viera at the preserve, will give you the inside in order to make car pool arrangements. Wetlands has been visited by several rarities, scoop on how the preserve is managed for Jan. 24, 6:00am-12:15pm: Limited to 25 including the first North American record of these special birds and their habitats. Next registrants; $15/person Mangrove Swallow. stop will be the T. M. Goodwin Waterfowl http://www.spacecoastbirding.com/articles/ Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area & FirstMangroveSwallow.pdf Management Area, recently diked and flooded Orlando Wetlands Park www.wingsbirds.com in order to maintain waterfowl habitat for Trip Leaders: David Hartgrove, Jim Jan. 24, 26, 27 & 28, 6:00am-12:15pm: species such as Black-bellied and Fulvous Danzenbaker (Brunton), Debi Shearwater Limited to 20 registrants; $35/person Whistling-Ducks. Marsh birds such as Purple (Shearwater Journeys), Roy Book, Casey Gallinule and Limpkin are often seen here. Dorsch (FWCC) and Mark Sees (City of Orlando) Black Rails & the St. Johns NWR This site may require some walking to get to Shaped by alternating cycles of fire and flood, Trip Leaders: Mike Legare (USFWS) and Michael O’Brien (WINGS Birding Tours) where the birds are. After lunch we will head Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area is a Join Mike Legare, U.S. Fish and Wildlife to Sebastian Inlet State Park. The beaches mosaic of marshes, swamps, pine flatwoods Service Lead Biologist at Merritt Island NWR, and tidal pools host many gulls, terns and and hammocks that support wading birds, on a sunset hayride through the pristine salt shorebirds. Buntings and sparrows can be marsh birds, waterfowl, raptors and pineland marsh habitat of the restricted St. Johns found in the weedy edges near the dunes. specialties such as Bachman’s Sparrow, National Wildlife Refuge. At various stops Gannets and jaegers stream by on the ocean Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird through the marsh, Mike will talk about when winds are conducive to migration. If the and Red-headed Woodpecker. Some of the Black Rails, their secretive habits, salt marsh inlet is birdy, we’ll spend the rest of our time threatened and endangered species found here habitat and the research he conducted on there. If not, we will fill the time with a few include Bald Eagle, Wood Stork, eastern indigo these elusive marsh birds. The marshes of bonus spots on the way back to Titusville. snake, gopher tortoise, Florida black bear and, www.nikonsportoptics.com on rare occasions, the Florida panther. At the St Johns River west and northwest of http://homepage.mac.com/simpsondavid/ Orlando Wetlands Park, Manager Mark Sees Titusville are the only marshes along the St Lunch is served at Marsh Landing in will join the group to lead a tour of nearly Johns where Black Rails are found. That’s Fellsmere. Enjoy down-home southern 1200 acres of beautiful created wetlands that because saline water seeps to the surface cooking while learning a bit about the include cattail and bulrush marshes, mixed from a layer of salty water that lies above the history of this interesting area in the former and open marshes, hardwood swamps and a Florida aquifer in this area, creating marine- Fellsmere Estates Building. This was one of the hubs of the Great Florida Land Boom lake. Numerous wading birds and wintering type habitats in the midst of a huge freshwater of the 1920’s. Lunch included in price. ducks, and often Purple Gallinule, Least and floodplain. These biological islands are home Jan. 24 & 25, 4:30am-5:00pm: Limited to American Bittern, Limpkin and King Rail can to the same vegetation that you will find in the 19 registrants; $65/person be found foraging in the marshes. salt marshes of the Merritt Island NWR. As www.cityoforlando.net, search parks the sun sets on the marsh horizon, Mike will Lake Monroe Conservation Area www.brunton.com stop at different places and play tapes to try Trip Leaders: Lorne Malo and Maria www.shearwaterjourneys.com to entice Black Rails to call. Zondervan (SJRWMD), Carlos Bethancourt Jan. 24 & 25, 6:00am-12:15pm, Limited to www.wingsbirds.com (Canopy Tower) and Luis Segura (Trogon 22 registrants; $35/person Birding Tours) Please meet in front of the Gymnatorium at 4:00pm to compress into a car pool. St Johns River Water Management District Viera Wetlands Biologist Lorne Malo will lead this walk into Leaders: Dave Freeland, Michael O’Brien Dress warmly as it will be chilly out on the marsh. Wear old shoes and bring water. the Lake Monroe CA. This conservation area and Louise Zemaitis (WINGS Birding Tours) contains 90% of the floodplain of Lake Monroe Viera Wetlands is a series of connected ponds Jan. 24 & 25, 4:00pm - 6:45pm: Limited to 20 registrants; $20/person and covers more than 3 miles of St Johns created to treat wastewater from the Central River and Lake Monroe shoreline. Wetlands Brevard area. Since opening in 2001, this site Zellwood/Lake Apopka make up 94% of the conservation area. The has rapidly gained recognition as a premier Trip Leaders: Gian Basili (SJRWMD) and fields, marshes, hammocks, flatwoods and birding destination. During fall and winter, Adam Kent (FWCC) scrub at this site are good for marsh birds, a remarkable diversity of bird species uses Jan. 25: with Michael O’Brien and Louise warblers and sparrows. Numerous wading these wetlands and nearby prairie hammocks Zemaitis (WINGS Birding Tours) birds and raptors are expected along with deer and cabbage palm savannahs. An active Bald Jan. 26: with Jeff Bouton (Leica) and Alvaro and alligators. Wild Turkey, Florida Scrub- Eagle nest is visible from the dike road, Jaramillo (Field Guides Birding Tours) Jay, Bachman’s, Vesper and Grasshopper two families of Crested Caracaras maintain Despite its long history of great birding, Sparrows, American Bittern, Wood Stork, territories around the wetlands, and Black- this area may well be one of the very best, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Bald Eagle, bellied Whistling-Ducks are regularly seen. but least- known birding areas on the entire Short-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Crested Thousands of wintering ducks concentrate Eastern Seaboard. Thousands of acres of Caracara, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Virginia here, including Green-winged and Blue- marshes on the north shore of Lake Apopka Rail, Limpkin and Sandhill Crane have all winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, were drained back in the 1940s, creating been recorded here. This is a 4 to 5-mile walk; American Wigeon, Mottled Duck, Hooded and huge muck farms that produced row-crops. A some of which may pass through mud and Red-breasted Merganser, Lesser Scaup, Ring- series of dikes and canals were created, and standing water. necked Duck, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead the farms fed millions for more than a half- http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/pubs/recguide and Ruddy Duck. Ponds on the north side century. Common farming practices required www.canopytower.com of the complex are productive for shorebirds that the fields be flooded each summer to kill www.trogontours.com when water levels are low, especially during nematodes. Over a period of several weeks the 46 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly field trips

water was drained back into the lake, creating die-off took place. Apparently years of farming tailed Flycatchers have been seen at a huge an ideal habitat for migrating shorebirds at left residual pesticides in the soils, and fish winter kingbird roost. In recent years Cassin’s, exactly the right time. By the early 1950s that moved from canals into the flooded fields Tropical and Gray Kingbirds have shown up as birders began to visit the area and always accumulated toxic levels of pesticides in their well as numbers of Ash-throated Flycatchers. received great cooperation and understanding tissues. Unfortunately fish-eating birds, such SJRWMD staff has also made special from the land owners, from the early farmers as American White Pelicans began dying accommodations for viewing rare birds when to the St. Johns River Water Management off, a result of pesticide-induced toxicosis. they are found. The first state records of District which purchased the farmlands in the Flooded areas were drained and the area was Rough-legged Hawk and Eurasian Kestrel late 1990s in order to restore wetland habitat closed to the public. Years of research have are the best examples. The first state record and improve water quality in Lake Apopka. resulted in a better understanding of how of Ferruginous Hawk, second state record of The summer of 1998 was the last time that the these pesticides behave in wetland systems, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, White-cheeked Pintail farmers flooded the fields, and many of them and how to clean-up problematic areas and and Ross’ Goose are among some of the remained flooded when the water management create high quality wetland habitats. other rarities that have been found there. district took ownership. By that fall a unique About half of the area remains closed to the www.wingsbirds.com habitat consisting of impoundments of general public, but more areas will be opened www.leicacamerausa.com www.fieldguides.com varying depths and fields of mud and weeds soon. Despite limited access, the SJRWMD was created. Shorebirds that would have left has been very supportive of the birding Bring money. The bus will stop at a carry- out restaurant before the return trip. in previous years remained into winter and community, allowing continued access under Jan. 25 & 26, 5:30am-2:00pm: Limited to were joined by unprecedented numbers of special circumstances. For example, they 29 registrants; $50/person waterfowl and, in the fields of weeds, large encourage people to participate in their numbers of sparrows, flycatchers and other monthly bird surveys, and provide a great Little-Big Econ State Forest passerines. Foreseeing the possibilities, Wes deal of help with the Christmas Bird Count Trip Leaders: Lorne Malo (SJRWMD), Biggs assembled a team of birders, and the which still records more than 150 species Carlos Bethancourt (Canopy Tower) and Luis Segura (Trogon Birding Tours) first Zellwood/Apopka Christmas Bird Count each year. Highlights in the past include as St Johns River Water Management District tallied an amazing 174 species with another many as 13 species of sparrows, including Biologist Lorne Malo will lead this trip to visit 10 seen during count week; a new North rarities such as LeConte’s and Clay-colored, two sections of the state forest, starting at the American high count for an inland location. As and numbers of flycatchers. More than 100 Barr Street entrance of the Demetree Tract the winter progressed, however, a major bird Western Kingbirds and up to a dozen Scissor-

www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 47 field trips with a hike through open fields and riparian Trip Leaders: Wes Biggs (Florida Nature Numerous wading birds and raptors are woodlands to the Econlockhatchee River. Here Tours) and Dave Goodwin expected. American Bittern, Yellow-crowned Sedge Wren, Hermit Thrush, Red-headed Jan. 26 with Mike Freiberg (Nikon) and Black-crowned Night-Heron, Wood and Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, Jan. 27 with Cameron Cox (Nikon) Stork, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned Northern Parula, Orange-crowned and Black- The extensive wetland and prairie complexes and Short-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara, throated Green Warbler, and Northern Oriole of Central Florida host a variety of wading and Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Barred and Barn might be found. waterbirds including almost all of Florida’s Owl, Purple Gallinule, King and Virginia Rail, Next we’ll visit the Kilbee Tract portion of herons and egrets, Least and American Bittern, Limpkin and Sandhill Crane are possible. If the State Forest along the St. Johns River in Glossy and White Ibis, Wood Stork, Limpkin, the weather is too rough for kayaking, we search of raptors, marsh birds, shorebirds, King Rail, Anhinga, grebes, shorebirds and will hike Instead on higher ground in search waterfowl and songbirds. Approximately 160 various ducks as well as a unique suite of of Wild Turkey, Florida Scrub-Jay, raptors, species of birds have been recorded at the birds that includes the Sandhill Crane, Crested marsh birds, warblers and sparrows. Please Little-Big Econ State Forest. Walking distance Caracara, Burrowing Owl, Mottled Duck and bring water and snacks. for combined sites will be several miles; some Grasshopper Sparrow. This tour will start Meet at Seminole County’s Cameron Wight of which may go through mud and water. at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area Park at 6:30am at SR 46 and the Lake http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/pubs/recguide in the early morning hours to try to catch a Jessup Bridge. www.canopytower.com glimpse of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Other Directions: From I-95 and SR 46, go west www.trogontours.com pineland species expected at Three Lakes on SR 46 for 21.7 miles. The park is on the northwest side of the bridge. Drive time is Meet in front of the Gymnatorium at 6:00am include Bachman’s Sparrow, Brown-headed in order to make car pool arrangements. about 30 minutes from BCC Titusville. Nuthatch, Pine Warbler and Eastern Bluebird. Jan. 25 6:00am-12:15pm: Limited to 25 http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/pubs/recguide registrants; $15/person White-tailed Kite is a possibility. Next stop www.adayawaykayaktours.com is Overstreet Landing on Lake Kissimmee to Jan. 26, 6:30am-12:00pm: Limited to 20 North Brevard Hotspots look for Whooping Cranes that have been registrant; $25/person, Bring your own Trip Leaders: Doug Stuckey, Larry Manfredi reintroduced to the Kissimmee River prairie. boat; $15/person (Larry Manfredi Birding Tours) and Betty Overstreet Landing is a good place to look McKeown (Birding with BJ) Canaveral Marshes & Blue Heron Wetlands for Snail Kite, Bald Eagle and various raptors, Jan. 25 with Cameron Cox (Nikon) Trip Leaders: Judy Dryja, Dan Click, Matt Mottled Duck and other waterfowl, Long- and Lora Heyden Jan. 26 with Sam Fried (Flights of Fancy billed Dowitcher, Purple Gallinule and Limpkin. Explore the engineered wetlands of Blue Adventures) Crested Caracara, Eastern Bluebird, American Heron, an outstanding birding site and Jan. 27 with David Simpson (Birding with Kestrel, Sandhill Crane and Wild Turkey may David Simpson) magnet for wildlife, and the neighboring be seen along the road. After lunch, a trip to Northern Brevard County has much to offer fresh-water floodplain habitats of Canaveral Lake Lizzie Park will hopefully produce Red- in well-known birding sites like Merritt Island Marshes. American Bittern, Purple Gallinule, headed Woodpecker and Florida Scrub-Jay. If National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral Hairy Woodpecker, Limpkin, Sandhill Crane, time allows, other possible sites to be visited National Seashore. We also have productive, Roseate Spoonbill, Black-crowned and include Whaley’s Landing, Cypress Lake and yet lesser-known areas - Seminole Ranch, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Black-necked Lake Kissimmee. Includes lunch at Forever Hatbill Park, Buck Lake, Salt Lake, Scottsmoor Stilt, Gadwall, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Florida wilderness preserve. Bobolink and Gull-billed Tern are just a few Landing, the F.I.N.D. Site, Hammock Road www.nikonsportoptics.com and others. Along with the usual wading of well over 100 bird species sighted at [email protected] or (407) 384-9766 Blue Heron. The upland hammocks and birds, shorebirds and waterfowl, various www.floridaconservation.com woodpeckers, Painted Bunting, Loggerhead www.whoopingcrane.com wetlands of Canaveral Marshes will be visited. Shrike, Limpkin, Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish www.foreverflorida.com Volunteers who conducted monthly surveys Egret, Bald Eagle, Wood Stork, Florida Scrub- Jan. 26 & 27, 5:00am-5:00pm: Limited to in 2001 and 2002 recorded approximately 154 22 registrants; $65/person Jay and Sandhill Crane are possible. Hop species of birds on this property, including on the bus for a trip through the pines and Kayak the Lake Monroe Conservation Area American Bittern, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Mottled palmettos of North Brevard’s scrublands and Trip Leaders: Lorne Malo, Maria Zondervan wetlands to learn about some of our favorite, and Mike Mahan Duck, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, not so famous hotspots This trip had the Trip Sponsor: A Day Away Kayak Tours Long-billed Dowitcher, Stilt Sandpiper, Bald highest species count of any festival field trip Join St. Johns River Water Management Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, in 2005 with 115 species accumulated on the District biologists Lorne Malo and Maria Crested Caracara, King and Virginia Rail, three field trips. Specific sites to be visited will Zondervan for a birding adventure by water. American Pipit, Wilson’s Snipe, Sedge and be determined during pre-festival scouting Meet at Cameron Wright Park before dawn as Marsh Wren and Peregrine Falcon. Birders trips. This trip requires moderate walking. wading birds begin to rise from their roosts may get their feet wet on the moderate hike at Canaveral Marshes and see alligators, www.nikonsportoptics.com and fly overhead en route to their feeding www.southfloridabirding.com areas. From there we’ll paddle northward on sometimes lots of them, at Blue Heron. http://homepage.mac.com/simpsondavid/ http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/pubs/recguide the St. Johns River to Thornhill Lake and [email protected] or (407)-892-6598 Meet in front of the Gymnatoriumat 6:30am Brickyard Slough within the Lake Monroe CA. Jan. 25, 26 & 27, 6:00am-12:15pm: in order to make car pool arrangements. This trip is recommended for beginning and Limited to 22 registrants; $35/person Jan. 26 & 28, 6:30am-12:15pm: Limited to experienced paddlers in good physical shape. Central Florida Specialties 25 registrants; $15/person 48 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly field trips

Scrub-Jays & Plant Ecology of the Scrub in scrub habitat. For security reasons at the Jan. 26, 2:30pm-5:30pm: Limited to 25 Trip Leaders: Dave Breininger, Paul Kennedy Space Center, we are restricted to registrants; $15/person Schmalzer and Sarah Linney offering this trip only to U.S. citizens. Hal Scott Regional Preserve www.usgs.gov, then search Florida Scrub-Jay Sponsored by NASA and Dynamac Trip Leaders: Lorne Malo, Xavier Munoz International, Inc. www.archbold-station.org www.dynamac.com (Neblina Forest Birding Tours) and Sam Scrub habitat evolved when North America Fried (Flights of Fancy) was much drier and desert animals from A free seminar at 8:00am precedes the Join St. Johns River Water Management Texas and Mexico colonized Florida. When the field trip. The seminar will be held at and the field trip will leave from the Merritt District Biologist Lorne Malo in pursuit of oceans rose, the plants and animals remained Island NWR Visitors Center. some of east Orange County’s resident birds and evolved into an ecosystem unlike any Jan. 26 & 27, 9:30am-12:30pm: Limited to and pineland specialties. The vast expanse other in the world. Florida’s desert-like 42 registrants; Free of pine flatwoods and open prairies of Hal prehistoric sand ridges are home to wondrous Scott Preserve straddles the Econlockhatchee Afternoon Hayride animals such as gopher tortoises, indigo River in eastern Orange County, protecting snakes, scrub lizards, Crested Caracara and Trip Leaders: Dorn Whitmore and Mike the resources of the river. The trip leaves Legare (USFWS) Burrowing Owl. Dozens of plants and animals early to start at an active Red-cockaded Watch the afternoon bird show from an ideal living in Florida scrub are found nowhere Woodpecker colony as the birds awaken from vantage point! Join Merritt Island NWR Chief else in the world. One of these animals is the their roost. From there the group will explore Ranger Dorn Whitmore and Refuge Biologist Florida Scrub-Jay, which lives among the low pine flatwoods and the Econlockhatchee River Mike Legare for a slow ride through a Florida growing scrub oaks, eating and "stashing" its swamp in search of other common resident paradise on this hayride around Blackpoint acorns. Join Dynamac’s wildlife ecologist, species, including Eastern Bluebird, Brown- Wildlife Drive. There is no better way to view Dave Breininger, and plant ecologist Dr. Paul headed Nuthatch, Bachman’s Sparrow, Wood so many birds! Schmalzer on a NASA tour bus through www.fws.gov/merrittisland Duck, Sandhill Crane, Bald Eagle and Barred restricted access areas of the Kennedy Meet at the entrance to the Black Point Owl. With some luck, visitors may find Wild Space Center to a scrub research site where Wildlife Drive on MINWR. Turkey, Whip-poor-will, Red-headed, Hairy participants can view several Florida Scrub- Park on the grass along the roadside – and Pileated Woodpecker (8 woodpecker Jay families and their interactions. Along the make sure your car is off the road. The hay species on 2003 festival field trip), Hermit way, Paul will give emphasis to some of the wagon will return to the departure point. Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Sedge and rare plants, including grasses that are found Please dress warmly! Marsh Wren, King Rail, and Cooper’s and

www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 49 audubon center field trips for birds of prey Pelagic Birding Offshore New Smryna Beach shoes as it is likely that the wind will blow and Trip Leaders: Debra Shearwater and Jim spray will fly! Enjoy a special “Behind the Scenes” tour of Danzenbaker with Andy Bankert, Wes www.brunton.com the largest raptor rehabilitation facility east Biggs, Jeff Bouton, Murray Gardler, David www.shearwaterjourneys.com of the Mississippi. Goodwin, Larry Manfredi, David Simpson www.marinesciencecenter.com The ACBOP specializes in the rescue, and Andy Wraithmell www.pastimeprincess.com medical care, rehabilitation and release of Sponsored By Brunton Optics Please be at the boat by 6:15am. Pastime more than 600 sick, injured and orphaned Pelagic birds are species that are usually not Princess 800-881-2628 or 386-428-0201. raptors each year, including Bald Eagles, seen close to land. Long-time birders know Directions: From I-95, get off at Exit #249 hawks, owls, kites, falcons and vultures. that a pelagic trip can be as exciting as birding and go east approximately 3 miles. You will pass WalMart on the right. Get into Many non-releasable birds are housed can get, and offshore pelagic trips in Florida the left lane and look for K-Mart on right in large aviaries or in the open-air “bird offer a new frontier. Join us onboard the 100- and a sign that says Business 44 Left. Take garden,” where the glove-trained education foot fishing boat, Pastime Princess, as we this left fork and follow the road over the birds spend their days. You must drive steam out of Ponce Inlet to look for some of railroad tracks and through the traffic lights yourself to the Center, located near Orlando the most sought-after species in Florida. Our (Dixie Freeway). The road becomes Canal St. and ends at the water. Turn left onto at 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, FL 32751. destination is an undersea formation known Riverside Dr. and continue north until you Call 407-644-0190 for directions. as "The Steeples," a productive location of reach the Pastime Princess/Sea Harvest www.audubonofflorida.org/who_centers_ underwater cliffs and seamounts that cause restaurant on the right. From U.S. 1, go CBOP.html upwellings and current edges, especially along east on Canal St. to the dead end at the Jan. 25 & 28, 9:00am-11:30am the western edge of the Gulf Stream. Among water. Turn left on Riverside Dr. and go to Pastime Princess/Sea Harvest Restaurant $5/person - pay at the Center. our targets will be Northern Gannet; Northern on the right. Drive time from Titusvillle is Fulmar; Greater, Manx, Cory’s and Audubon’s about 45 minutes. Sharp-shinned Hawk. In addition to many bird Shearwater; Pomarine, Parasitic and Long- Jan. 29, 6:30am-5:00pm: Limited to 90 species, alligators, deer, gopher tortoises, tailed Jaeger; Wilson’s, Leach’s and Band- registrants; $100/person otters, bobcats and indigo snakes may also rumped Storm Petrel; Sooty and Bridled Tern; be found. This is a 4-mile walk; some of which Black-legged Kittiwake; Masked and Brown may pass through mud and standing water. Booby; Red and Red-necked Phalarope; and http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/pubs/recguide Sabine’s Gull. There is even a chance at www.neblinaforest.com this time of the year [email protected] or (860) 243-2569 that we might find a Jan. 27 & 28, 5:15am-12:15pm: Limited to Razorbill or Dovekie, 18 registrants; $35/person exceedingly rare Hike Lake Proctor Wilderness Area birds for anyone in Trip Leader: Tony Flohre Florida! Bottlenosed Florida Trail Association and spotted dolphins Join FTA Indian River Chapter activity leader and loggerhead sea Tony Flohre for a morning walk through turtles are commonly the diverse habitats of the Lake Proctor seen. The endangered Wilderness Area in Geneva. In this diverse northern right whale 475-acre tract you will experience many is a possibility as the Central Florida ecosystems from sand pine destination is within scrub and bayhead to sandhills, pine flatwoods their wintertime and wetlands. Birding is excellent along the calving grounds. flatwoods ponds on the west side of the loop. Seabirds from the Wildlife is abundant in this preserve. Watch Mary Keller Seabird for Sandhill Crane, Pileated Woodpecker and R e h a b i l i t a t i o n Wood Duck; you may even encounter white- Sanctuary at the tailed deer. This trip will require moderate Marine Science walking, some in hilly areas. Center will be www.floridatrail.org released if any are Meet at the parking lot for Lake Proctor ready at the time of Wilderness Area at 8:00am. the trip. There will Directions: From Mims, go west on SR be food available for 46 almost to the traffic light in Geneva. purchase on the boat Parking area will be on the right. If you or you can bring a reach the stoplight, you went too far. Bring small cooler with water and snacks. Drive time from Mims is your lunch. Be sure approximately 20 minutes. to bring full rain gear Jan. 28, 9:00am-12:30pm: Limited to 25 and wear waterproof registrants; Free

50 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly paddling adventures With an abundance of rivers, creeks and estuaries to explore, these trips were selected to showcase some of the Space Coast’s very best locales. Estuary trips may provide glimpses of bottle-nose dolphins, but sightings of manatees in open estuarine waters at this time of the year would be rare due to cold temperatures. The weather can be very uncertain at the end of January. It is advisable that you contact your outfitter on the afternoon before to make sure weather conditions are conducive to running the trip. Please meet outfitters at the sites 15 minutes before the times indicated. No food will be provided on the kayak trips. Dress warmly; raingear will help keep you dry. Bring water, snacks, hats and sunscreen. Thanks to festival sponsor Pepsi/Aquafina, there is a big stack of water in the Gymnatorium Lobby - please help yourself. Outfitters will be assisted by members of the Space Coast Paddlers Club, www. spacecoastpaddlers.org, and the Indian River Paddlers Club. Kayaking for the Naturalist Middle Econlockhatchee River Mosquito Lagoon from Riverbreeze Park Presenter: George Allerton Sponsored by Village Outfitters Sponsored by Village Outfitters Sponsored By Extreme Sports Peter Houston Peter Houston 321-779-4228 321-633-7245, cell 321-446-7357 321-633-7245, cell 321-446-7357 Join the growing number of people who Doug Sphar, Space Coast Paddlers Club This area of Mosquito Lagoon is characterized choose kayaks as a way to enjoy the unique One of Florida’s most scenic blackwater by a maze of waterways graced with dozens treasures that make Florida such a beautiful rivers, the serpentine Econlockhatchee winds of mangrove islands. Big numbers of wading place to enjoy nature and the outdoors. through pristine wetlands and ancient forests birds, shorebirds, pelicans, gulls and terns American Canoe Association certified of giant oaks and cypress with plenty of white are possible. Description and directions to instructor, George Allerton, will offer an sandy beaches for rest stops. Description and Riverbreeze Park are on page 17. introductory class to make kayaking easy for directions are on page 18. www.villageoutfitters.com birders and photographers. Once you master www.villageoutfitters.com Jan. 25 & 28: 7:30am-12:00pm; the art of using a low profile kayak, you’ll be Meet at the CR 419 Bridge. Food will not With boat rental $30/person amazed at how easy it is to get REALLY close be provided. Bring your own lunch and Bring your own boat; $15/person to wildlife and enjoy stunning scenery that drinks! seemed inaccessible before. Jan. 24: 8:00am-4:00pm; Jan. 27, 9:00am-10:30am: Chain of Lakes; With boat rental $40/person Free Bring your own boat; $15/person

www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 51 paddling adventures

Thousand Islands with lush hydric hammock. Description and Sponsored by Adventure Kayak of Cocoa directions are on page 21. free Beach www.kayaksetc.com tryouts & kayak Bill Kowalik Jan. 25: 9:00am-12:30pm; 321-453-6952, cell 321-480-8632 With boat rental $25/person demonstrations Tim Kozusko, Wildlife Biologist Bring your own boat; $15/person Rich in both tropical and temperate plant Pelican Island species, these islands provide protection Sponsored by Sponsored by Kayaks, Etc. from wind and shelter for numerous wading Kristen Beck Extreme Sports birds. Long-time Thousand Island advocate, Tim Kozuso will join the trips to share his 772-794-9900 321-779-4228 vast knowledge of this crown jewel of Cocoa The spectacular sight of hundreds of Beach. Description and directions are on American White Pelicans, Brown Pelicans and page 20. and Double Crested Cormorants surrounding www.advkayak.com America’s first National Wildlife Refuge is Village Outfitters Jan. 24, 26 & 27: 9:00am-12:30pm; the culmination of a pleasant paddle through With boat rental $25/person mangrove lined waterways graced with 321-633-7245 numerous wading birds. Description and Bring your own boat; $15/person directions on page 22. Kristen will launch Haulover Canal from the NORTH side of the causeway. PERCEPTION Sponsored by A Day Away Outfitters www.kayaksetc.com OCEAN KAYAK Mike Mahan Jan. 26 & 27: 9:00am-12:30pm; OLD TOWN 321-268-2655, cell 321-863-0515 With boat rental $25/person WILDERNESS SYSTEMS West of the canal, Mullethead Island is Bring your own boat; $15/person DAGGER one of Florida’s most significant colonial Fox Lake & South Lake NECKY waterbird nesting islands. Nesting activity MAD RIVER will be underway. Sandbars near the island Sponsored by Space Coast Kayaking HERITAGE provide loafing spots for large numbers Jim Durocher of shorebirds, pelicans, gulls and terns. 321-243-0279, cell 321-406-1577 Brand new 2007 offerings. Factory Description and directions are on page 17. Two beautiful freshwater lakes joined by representatives will be present to www.adayawaykayaktours.com a canal are frequented by some highly demonstrate various features of their Jan. 27 & 28; 9:00am-12:30pm; sought after birds, including Limpkin, Purple respective boats. This is the opportunity of With boat rental $25/person Gallinule, Black-bellied Whistling Duck and a lifetime to ask questions of experts and Bring your own boat; $15/person Bald Eagle. Numerous wading birds and get into a kayak and try it out! raptors are expected. Lake Monroe Conservation Area Directions: From the intersection of SPECIAL FESTIVAL BOAT Sponsored by A Day Away Kayak Outfitters SR 50 and SR 405 (by the Walmart) in DEALS AVAILABLE! Mike Mahan Titusville, take SR 405 (South St.) north approximately 2 ½ miles to Fox Lake Rd. 321-268-2655, Cell 321-863-0515 Turn left and go west two miles to the Lorne Malo & Maria Zondervan (SJRWMD) park at the end of the road. Follow the Numerous wading birds and raptors are road along the lakeshore until you see the Saturday, expected. Description and directions are on kayaks. page 18. A detailed description of this trip can www.spacecoastkayaking.net January 27, be found in the Festival Field Trips section on Jan. 24, 25 & 28: 9:00am-12:30pm; page 48. With boat rental $25/person www.adayawaykayaktours.com Bring your own boat; $15/person 10:00am-3:00pm Jan. 26, 6:30am-12:00pm; With boat rental $25/person Chain of Lakes Bring your own boat; $15/person Directions: From Brevard Community Turkey Creek College, go north on U.S. 1 approx ¾- Sponsored by Kayaks, Etc. mile. Turn right on Jay Jay Rd. Go about Kristen Beck a half mile and turn right into the park, just west of the soccer fields. Follow the 772-794-9900 road around and go past the softball fields This trip offers the best possibility for on the right. Outfitters will be set up sighting manatees in January. A wide variety on the lakeshore directly behind Brevard of habitats highlight your journey from the Community College. wide open waters of a saltwater estuary to a narrow winding blackwater creek lined

52 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly seminars Anthropology and among the oldest in Brevard County), a 2000- Canopy Tower’s top birding guide, Carlos year-old prehistoric Native American village Bethancourt, as he reviews the best birding Archaeology site and a fossil site containing mastodon and spots around the Canal Zone and the birds Sponsored by the Indian River mammoth remains were documented. This and wildlife that can be observed there. Anthropological Society presentation will give an overview of what we www.canopytower.com Prehistory of East Central Florida: 13,000- have found to date and the plans for future Jan. 25, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class 3000 Years Ago excavations at the site. Thomas Penders is the 153; $5 Presenter: Thomas Penders president of the Indian River Anthropological Jan. 26, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class 121; $5 Thomas Penders & Associates Society. He is project archaeologist for the Brevard County and the surrounding area Pine Island Conservation Area Archaeological Birding Madagascar - the Eighth Continent have a rich archaeological heritage. Man has Project. Presenter: Christian Boix www.nbbd.com/npr/archaeology-iras/ lived here for 13,000 years. There is a wealth Tropical Birding of sites in Brevard, Volusia and Indian River Jan. 27, 10:15am-11:15am: BCC Gym Class Madagascar floated away from the rest of 119; $5 Counties that tell the story. This presentation Gondwanaland 180 million years ago and gives an overview of what archaeologists know International Travel and evolved in an isolated microcosm of its own, of the prehistoric Native Americans who lived effectively becoming an eighth continent. in this region, from the hunters of mammoths Adventure Over 120 bird species are endemic, including and mastodons to people who buried their The Best Birding Spots of Central Panama some five endemic families and 36 endemic dead in ponds/peat bogs to those who created Presenter: Carlos Bethancourt genera, not to mention the hordes of lemurs the mounds and middens. Thomas Penders Canopy Tower Ecolodge and Nature and chameleons. This talk takes you from the is a registered professional archaeologist Observatory strange Spiny Desert of Ifaty to the montane who owns and operates Thomas Penders & One of the “birdiest” countries in the world, forests of Perinet, showing you vangas, Associates, an archaeological, historical and the small nation of Panama is approximately mesites and the very spectacular ground- paleontological consulting firm. the same size as the state of Delaware, but it rollers. Christian’s love affair with Madagascar www.nbbd.com/npr/archaeology-iras/ boasts a BIG bird list of 965 species – greater began in 1997 when he clamped eyes on his Jan. 27, 9:00am-10:00am: BCC Gym Class than that of the United States and Canada put first Ring-tailed Lemur. He has returned there 119; $5 together! Sixty-five percent of those species 11 times leading tours for Tropical Birding The Pine Island Conservation Area inhabit the forests around the Panama Canal and just to hang out! Archaeological Project (Sam's Site): where birding is easy and very productive. It www.birdingmadagascar.com Seasons 1 & 2 is not uncommon to see 275 species in seven www.tropicalbirding.com Presenter: Thomas Penders days of birding. Highlights generally include Jan. 24, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class 153; $5 Indian River Anthropological Society great views of toucans, puffbirds, motmots, The Pine Island Conservation Area consists trogons, antbirds, tanagers and manakins. Jan. 26, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class 153; $5 of 879 acres on Merritt Island, Brevard Panama also hosts a superb assortment County. It is jointly owned by the Brevard of mammals, including two- and three- Young Adult Birders Flock to Ecuador County Environmentally Endangered Lands toed sloths, howler monkeys, capuchins, Presenter: Iain Campbell Program (EELs) and the St. Johns Water Geoffrey’s tamarins, tamanduas, woolly Tropical Birding Management District (SJWMD). EELs had opossums, capybaras and kinkajous. Raptor For the first time, the American Birding plans to conduct improvements to a known migration is spectacular, offering sights of Association’s Young Adult Birders headed south historic house located at the southern end of 75,000 Swainson’s Hawks and Broad-winged to Ecuador in 2005. In a conference hosted by the property. The Brevard County Historical Hawks in the air at once. Tropical Birding in our primary Neotropical Commission requested that the Indian River In 1997, visionary Raul Arias de Para seized an base the Young Adult Birders learned about Anthropological Society conduct a preliminary opportunity when he took over an abandoned the realities of Neotropical bird conservation, Phase I archaeological survey of the area U.S. Air Force radar tower and converted birding techniques in tropical forest and much in the immediate vicinity of the house. The it into The Canopy Tower, an exclusive more. All of this was combined with the finest purpose of this assessment was to locate ecolodge offering its guests an extraordinary mixed-flock Andean birding. Iain will highlight and record prehistoric or historic sites within opportunity to appreciate the rich and diverse Tropical Birding’s commitment to the future the defined project area. The Indian River fauna and flora of Soberanía National Park of birding and birders in the ABA region, Anthropological Society and Thomas Penders and the unique culture and history of the introducing the second Young Adult Birders’ & Associates, under permits from the Bureau Panama Canal Zone. Raul recently opened a Conference in Borneo, a new venture called of Archaeological Research, conducted the second ecolodge, The Canopy Lodge, which Birding America and the 2007 International study in October 2003 through April 2004. is set in a verdant canyon just above El Valle Conference in Ecuador. Iain is also passionate During that period, almost 200 shovel tests de Antón, also known as Crater Valley, 57 about invigorating youth to take an interest were excavated across the property. Of these miles outside of Panama City. Panama is quite in birding beyond their back yard and has only four contained no artifacts. From this easy to get to. It’s only 2½ hours from Miami been very hands-on with the ABA’s Youth study, two historic structures (one of them with several non-stop flights every day. Join Programs. A fanatical lister, he is also one of www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 5353 seminars the founders of Tropical Birding. in a long list of birds, an island is not the designed to teach lower-school children the http://www.americanbirding.org/mtgs/conferences/ place to go, but if you are interested in identification of 50 species of North American archive/2005ecuador/ and http://www.americanbirding. org/mtgs/conferences/2007quito/ quality and oddities, islands are just the ticket. birds. He is currently producing the Video Jan. 27, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class Islands are living experiments in evolution, Guide to Bahama Birds. 123; $5 where a lost goldfinch could “radiate” into a www.floridabirds.net myriad of forms as happened in Hawaii, from Jan. 24, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class The Magic Birding Circuit of Ecuador sickle-billed Iiwi, to the bird with the oddest 153; $5 Presenter: Dr. Jorge Cruz bill of all, the awesome Akiapolaau. Island Jan. 26, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class San Jorge Ecolodge and Botanical Reserve biogeography is a topic all by itself with island 123; $5 Due to its several distinct climates, Ecuador groups often having endemic but related has an amazing variety of bird life. Equaling Peru’s Fabulous Wealth of Birds & Culture species on different islands, such as in the Presenter: Xavier Munoz more than 20% of the world’s avian population, finches on the Galapagos orioles and warblers Neblina Forest Birding Tours Ecuador’s 1600-plus species offer more bird on the Lesser Antilles and remnant species With 1700 species of birds, Peru is an diversity in less space than any other country that were once more widespread as in the unparalleled destination for ornithologists in the world. San Jorge owns four private todies of the Greater Antilles. Don’t forget that and bird enthusiasts. Manu National Park reserves known as The Magic Birding Circuit, seabirding on islands can be amazing, like on is home to the highest concentration of with over 800 species of birds. From San Jorge our own Dry Tortugas or Alaska’s islands. We bird life on earth. Boasting some of the Botanical Reserve, join us as our explorations will take a visual tour of islands and show most spectacular and varied scenery in South take us to San Jorge de Tandayapa Reserve, you some of the great birds and birding that America, the country is a paradise of natural San Jorge de Cosanga-Yanayacu Reserve can be had there with a little background of history wonders and superlative biodiversity. near San Asidro Valley, and to San Jorge de the natural history of islands and why they From the central high region of the Andes, Milpe Reserve, next to Mindo. can be among the most interesting birding with its massive snow-covered peaks and San Jorge Ecolodge and Botanical Reserve is experiences anywhere! Alvaro (Al) Jaramillo extraordinarily steep canyons to the immense the only private reserve near Quito. A traditional is a guide for Field Guides Inc. 18th-century Spanish ecoresort, San Jorge www.fieldguides.com sand dunes and dramatic stone wastelands of the desert regions of the coast and the is located in the high barren plains and Jan. 24, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class highland rainforest situated among 200 acres 153; $5 enormous rainforests of the Amazon basin, in Ecuador’s Pichincha Foothills. The Magic Jan. 26, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class the natural beauty of Peru is unsurpassed. But Birding Circuit tours are based from two hotel 119; $5 as stunning as the scenery is, it’s the multiple locations; San Jorge Ecolodge/Quito, and the layers of great civilizations that make Peru so new San Jorge de Milpe Ecolodge, which are Birds of the Bahamas intriguing. You can wander around colonial central to the four climate steps of Ecuador: Presenter: Dr. Peter G. Merritt cities that have preserved the legacy of the the high barren plains, highland rainforest, Hobe Sound Productions Spanish conquistadors, visit the ancient Inca cloud forest and subtropical rainforest Dr. Peter G. Merritt will show video and capital of Cuzco, ponder the enigma of the (altitudes range from 3,000 to 13,200 feet). discuss the ecology and distribution of birds Nazca Lines - a series of enormous drawings This makes it the ideal retreat for some of the that he recently videotaped in the Islands of animals, geometric figures and birds etched best birding in Ecuador. As the founder of San of the Bahamas, including Abaco, Andros, into the desert a millennium ago - and gaze Jorge Ecolodge near Quito in 1990, Dr. Cruz Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Great Inagua and upon the spectacular ruins of the mystical oversaw the development of resources to San Salvador. The presentation features many lost Incan fortress of Machu Picchu. The provide medical aid and educational support Bahamian specialties, such as the Bahama Ecuadorian company Neblina Forest started to residents of surrounding villages. Dr. Cruz Mockingbird, Bahama Parrot, Bahama as a lodge in the cloud forest of Mindo in has been a natural and cultural history guide Woodstar, Bananaquit, Cuban Emerald, 1991. In 1994 they began taking reservations, since 1995 and a birding guide since 2000. Cuban Pewee, Great Lizard-Cuckoo, Greater training guides and leading tours throughout www.eco-lodgesanjorge.com Flamingo, Key West Quail-Dove, LaSagra’s Ecuador, establishing themselves as the first Jan. 25, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Community Flycatcher, Red-legged Thrush, Thick-billed birding company based in South America. Dining Room; $5 Vireo, West Indian Woodpecker, Western They now operate tours in Ecuador, Peru, Jan. 27, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Gym Class Spindalis, White-cheeked Pintail, Zenaida Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Colombia 119; $5 Dove and more. Highlights of the presentation and Guyana. Island Birding include video footage of the endangered www.neblinaforest.com Jan. 25, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class Presenter: Alvaro Jaramillo Kirtland’s Warbler in its winter habitat on Eleuthera, the rare Brown-headed Nuthatch 119; $5 Field Guides Inc. on Grand Bahama Island, and spectacular There is something about islands, isn’t there? Wonderful Hummingbirds of Ecuador seabird colonies off the coast of San Salvador. They sit there in the wide-open ocean, some Presenter: Xavier Munoz A past president of the Florida Ornithological mere specks of land poking through the Neblina Forest Birding Tours Society, Dr. Merritt is the executive producer blanket of water, others huge mountains that Ecuador is home to 135 species of of the Video Guide to Florida Birds, a two- thrust thousands of feet above the sea. But hummingbirds. That represents almost 50% of hour program that teaches the identification they all share something by the nature of the hummers in the Americas. Hummingbirds of over 200 species of birds in Florida, and being islands: They are special. Birding on can be found in nearly every type of habitat in Everybody Loves Birds, a 30-minute program islands is also unique. If you are interested Ecuador from sea level to the snow-capped

5454 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly seminars

mountains. This presentation will show you There is no other adventure like staying inside and nut-cracking monkeys. The reserve is how these amazing, diminutive creatures the Valdes Peninsula and enjoying its unique vital for the conservation of the savannah as have changed the lives of many people. fauna. Marine mammal and bird species lands are being cleared for agriculture. They are admired and seen at hummingbird vary depending on seasonality, but they are www.tropicalnaturetravel.com feeders in natural environments near the present year-round. Luis is a co-founder and Jan. 24, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class Andes in Ecuador. Thanks to hummingbirds, co-owner of Birding Argentina/Trogon Tours, 119; $5 many organizations have started conservation which is currently running successful birding, Jan. 26, 10:15am-11:15am: BCC Gym Class programs in Ecuador. Enjoy with us this nature and cultural tours in Argentina, Brazil, 119; $5 presentation about these wonderful, tiny birds. Bolivia and Antarctica. Wildlife in Exotic Brazil: Wolves, Macaws They are lovely, they are lively and they are www.trogontours.com & Monkeys - Oh My! seen everywhere in Ecuador. Xavier Munoz is Jan. 25, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Community Presenter: Mary Slater-Linn Dining Room; $5 the co-owner of Neblina Forest Birding Tours, Hyacinth Camps and Tropical Nature Travel the first birding company established in South Jan. 26, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Community Dining Room; $5 Exotic Brazil: The new and remote 1.8- America, where they boldly set an example million-acre Parnaiba Headwaters Park in for conservation by visiting the communities Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Protecting Central Brazil makes an exotic destination for and forests where local people profit from Wildlife with Ecotourism ecotourism. Parnaiba Headwaters Park is the eco-tourism. Presenter: Mary Slater-Linn largest park outside the Amazon,and protects www.neblinaforest.com Tropical Nature Travel more dry forest than any reserve on earth. Jan. 26, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Gym Class Protecting 300 square miles of wild lands Red cliffs tower over sweeping grasslands 119; $5 in Peru, Brazil and Ecuador, Tropical Nature sprinkled with Mauritia palm groves and Jan. 27, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class Travel uses ecotourism lodges to support dry forest trees. Hyacinth Camps consists 121; $5 the work of the nonprofit conservation of three sites: Hyacinth Valley, Hyacinth The Valdés Peninsula, Its Birds & Mammals organization, Tropical Nature. This land is Cliffs and Greenwing Valley, all located in Presenter: Luis Segura home to jaguars, monkeys and some of the the heart of this wooded savannah. Large Trogon Birding Tours best bird habitat in the world. flocks of Hyacinth Macaws feed at a favored The Atlantic coast of Patagonia is the area Manu Wildlife Center is in the remote Manu spot at Hyacinth Valley. These beautiful blue where the highest numbers and widest Wilderness of Southeastern Peru. This 46- birds jockey for favorite palm nut-cracking diversity of marine mammals can be found square-mile area saves rainforest once perches as they feed and play. As night falls, in southern South America. Images of scheduled for timber extraction and market- Hyacinth Cliffs is one of the best places in Orcas taking Sea Lions from solitary gravel meat hunting. The density and diversity of the world to see the endangered Maned Wolf. beaches at the Valdes Peninsula have been animal and plant species reach a peak in the At Greenwing Valley, watch the fascinating the substance of innumerable nature films extreme western Amazon near the foot of the Brown Capuchin Monkeys use rocks as tools made by the most prestigious international Andes. This is the largest uninhabited section to crack nuts. You’ll also get up-close looks television networks. This area is home to the of a major river in Amazonian Peru. The Napo at Howler Monkeys. You might also see the largest breeding population of Southern Right Wildlife Center in Ecuador is a community- South American Rhea, Blue-and-gold, Red- Whales on earth. More than 800 individuals based ecotourism project in the lowland and-green and Red-bellied Macaws, the Red- spend up to nine months of the year in the Amazon forests of eastern Ecuador on the legged Seriema and the Toco Toucan. Join pristine waters of this remote paradise That Napo River that has turned the surrounding 82 Mary Slater-Linn from Tropical Nature Travel does not even speak to the 32,000 Southern square miles into a private reserve. Parrot clay as she takes you on a Brazilian journey to The Elephant Seals, 8000 Southern Sea Lions licks are located on Napo Wildlife Center land Hyacinth Camps. and huge numbers of several species of and Giant Otters inhabit the lake. Sandoval www.tropicalnaturetravel.com dolphins and porpoises that also share this Lake Lodge in Peru is a partnership between Jan. 26, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class environment. Tropical Nature and five Brazil nut-gathering 121; $5 families. The lodge protects Giant Otters Birds in the Valdes Peninsula are unique. Traveling & Birding - The Perfect The combination of Patagonian steppe and and other endangered wildlife that inhabit Combination the area. The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, in an South Atlantic marine habitats make this Presenter: Simon Thompson Andean Cloud Forest in Peru, is saving the area worth visiting for birders the world Ventures Birding and Nature Tours most pristine altitudinal transect in South over. Six Argentine endemic birds live in this Ventures Birding Tours owner and confirmed America. The area is habitat for Andean wildlife paradise: Band-tailed Earthcreeper travel addict Simon Thompson will take you Cock-of-the-Rock, Woolly Monkeys, Brown (also called Eremobius), Rusty-backed on a journey around our planet in search of Capuchin Monkeys and colorful tanagers, Monjita, Carbonated Sierra-Finch, Patagonian birds. Despite the hazards from dangerous barbets and hummingbirds. The Heath River Canastero, White-throated Cacholote and the animals, political unrest and today’s logistical Wildlife Center protects one of the largest White-headed or Chubut Steamer-Duck. Huge travel worries, birding as an excuse to travel remaining Amazonian savannahs in Peru. colonies of Magellanic Penguins can be found the world still holds a great attraction for Tapirs and jaguars are found here along with in this area, the most famous of which being many people. And what birds they are. From 480 bird species and six monkey species. at Punta Tombo, a few kilometers south of a blizzard of hummingbirds and tanagers Hyacinth Camps in Brazil is a 10,000-acre the Valdes. Inside the Peninsula, one nesting in Ecuador to brightly colored parrots in reserve in the Piaui state. This is protected colony of these birds has 60,000 active nests. Australia and warblers in the Blue Ridge habitat for Maned Wolves, Hyacinth Macaws www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 55 seminars

Mountains of North Carolina; you have an America on their way to their breeding grounds The Fabulous Dry Tortugas outrageous pallet of color and variety of make a “refueling” stop at the vast marshes Presenter: Larry Manfredi birds that would impress even the most of central Kansas, making this improbable Larry Manfredi Birding Tours jaded traveler. Join Simon as he travels from interior state the premier shorebirding spot Sixty-eight miles west of Key West in the Gulf continent to continent on his quest for birds. in the USA for a week or two in early May of Mexico are seven tropical, coral islands with Simon Thompson owns and operates his own each year. About 30 shorebird species are white, sandy beaches and stunning emerald- birding and natural history tour company, recorded, along with countless waterfowl, green waters. First named Las Tortugas (The Ventures, Inc. He leads small groups of wading birds, passerines and the raptors that Turtles) by Spanish Explorer Ponce de Leon naturalists and birders both within North follow them north through Cheyenne Bottoms in 1513, these reefs soon read “Dry Tortugas” America and to many locations throughout and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, each on mariners’ charts to show they had no fresh the world, including the Peruvian Amazon, of which has been recognized as a Wetland water. Rich in history and the site of a major Belize, Galapagos, Greece, France, England of International Importance. We’ll also visit seabird colony, these islands seem to be an and Australia. Ventures also runs day trips the southwest corner of Kansas to witness oasis for lost or stranded passerine migrants throughout North and South Carolina and the courtship displays of the Lesser Prairie- that pass this way while flying to and from offers trips to many of the top birding sites Chicken on its lek and other prairie birds their northern breeding areas. One great throughout the U.S. and migrants that can be found along the old wildlife spectacle happens yearly between www.birdventures.com Santa Fe Trail. Sam Fried is a co-founder of March and September as some 100,000 Sooty Jan. 24, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC Community Flights of Fancy Adventures, Inc., a birding, Terns gather on Bush Key for their nesting Dining Room; $5 photography, natural history and golf travel season. In season, a continuous succession Jan. 26, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Community company offering small-group, low-cost, of songbirds and other migrants flies over or Dining Room; $5 high-quality trips to North, Central and South rests at the Dry Tortugas. Strategically set, The Pantanal & a Bit More… American destinations. these islands lie across a principal flyway from Presenter: Joanne Williams [email protected] 860-243-2569 the United States to Cuba and South America. Joanne Williams Photography Jan. 25, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class Larry will show photos of many migrant 121; $5 The Pantanal stands as one of the and pelagic birds as well as Fort Jefferson Jan. 26, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class and Loggerhead Key taken over a period of world’s greatest natural wonders with its 119; $5 extraordinarily concentrated and diverse flora 12 years of leading birding trips to the Dry and fauna. It is the largest inland wetland Exploring the Great Florida Birding Trail Tortugas. Larry Manfredi was born and raised on the planet -- 10 times the size of the Presenter: Mark Kiser in Miami. Having lived in South Florida for Florida Everglades! This area of the world is Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation more than 30 years, Larry is familiar with an unequaled wildlife sanctuary containing Commission locations of all the Florida specialties. hundreds of species of birds, huge varieties Come hear about the Great Florida Birding www.southfloridabirding.com of butterflies and mammals such as the Trail’s mission, project development, Jan. 24, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class giant anteater, capybara, tapir, crab-eating publications, highway signs, current and 123; $5 fox and capuchin and howler monkeys. Many future projects and how the public can get Jan. 26, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC Gym Class 153; $5 endangered and rare species like the jaguar, involved. This 2000-mile trail is designed to ocelot, giant river otter and the increasingly conserve and enhance Florida’s bird habitat The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem rare Hyacinth Macaw make their home in by promoting birding activities, environmental Presenter: Jeremy Roberts the Pantanal. This is truly a wildlife and education and economic opportunity. Learn Papoose Creek Lodge nature lover’s, birder’s and/or photographer’s more about the 446 sites (including little- Yellowstone is world renowned for its paradise. Joanne Williams is a widely traveled known gems) along the Birding Trail and spectacle of geysers and hot springs, its freelance photographer specializing in wildlife the spectacular bird species that you can bubbling mudpots and hissing vents and, and nature. If you are unable to sign up and encounter. The Great Florida Birding Trail of course, its stronghold of wild and free join Joanne on her next tour to the Pantanal in is a project of the Florida Fish and Wildlife bison. With the return of the wolves after a June 2007, do the next best thing and come to Conservation Commission and is supported 60-year absence, the Greater Yellowstone this presentation, or visit her website gallery, by the Florida Department of Transportation, Ecosystem (GYE) returned to its full, wild and The Pantanal. the Federal Highway Administration and the former self, rounding out its all-star lineup of www.joannewilliamsphoto.com Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Free Birding rare plants, birds and butterflies endemic to Jan. 26, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Auditorium; $5 Trail guide booklets and other free publications this unique island in the Northern Rockies. Jan. 27, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Auditorium; $5 will be available (along with Birding Trail hats From Hayden’s ringlets to cutthroat trout, and T-shirts for sale) at the GFBT booth the GYE is unlike any other place on earth. In Domestic Travel and during the festival. Mark Kiser is coordinator fact, nowhere in the lower 48 states is there Adventure for the Great Florida Birding Trail. greater biological diversity and abundance www.floridabirdingtrail.com Kansas? Unbelievable! of mammals, including wolverines, moose, Jan. 25, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Community grizzly bears, lynx and the largest herd of Presenter: Sam Fried Dining Room; $5 elk in North America. There are 128 species Flights of Fancy Adventures Jan. 26, 9:00am-10:00am: BCC Gym Class 119; $5 of butterflies and over 300 species of birds, Kansas? Are you kidding? How about this: including some hard-to-find species such Half of the shorebirds passing through North 56 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly seminars

as Gray-crowned and Black Rosy-Finch and feeding, breeding and resting areas for many She will illustrate her lecture with slides and Trumpeter Swan. You will enjoy this journey mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. stories from her 31 years of running birding through the beauty and natural wonders of From Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants to Sea trips on Monterey Bay. the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Jeremy Otters and migrating Gray Whales, this rich www.shearwaterjourneys.com Roberts is a naturalist with Papoose Creek area sustains an abundance of marine life. Jan. 26, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Community Lodge, an ecotourism lodge in Southwest Offshore habitats are equally varied and Dining Room; $5 Montana where he leads birding and botany supportive of life. Black-footed Albatrosses Jan. 27, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Auditorium; trips via canoe and foot. fly in search of squid to feed their young. $5 www.papoosecreek.com It is here on the open sea that millions Jan. 24, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Community of Sooty Shearwaters feed on schools of Birds, Wildlife and Plants Dining Room; $5 anchovies and wheeling flocks of Buller’s For the Future of Conservation in Florida, Jan. 27, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class Shearwaters spend the winter in search of the Gopher Tortoise Is Leading the Way 121; $5 food. Ashy Storm-Petrels raft in flocks after Presenter: Ray E. Ashton Seabirds & Marine Mammals of Monterey feeding at night. Common Murre fathers Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative Bay bring their newly fledged chicks to these A lot of people want to live in Florida, and Debra Shearwater rich waters and Rhinoceros and Cassin’s who can blame them? Approximately 2000 Shearwater Journeys Auklets are found in large numbers on people move to the Sunshine State each Attracting visitors from all over the world, the canyon edges. Migrating Arctic Terns, week, and that rate is not likely to slow. This Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is Sabine’s Gulls, Pomarine and Long-tailed growth is impacting already strained natural the largest federally protected area in the Jaegers and Xantus’ and Craveri’s Murrelets resources. The gopher tortoise conservation lower 48 states. Encompassing 5300 square also pass by. Humpback Whales feed here folks are working hard to change the face of miles of open water, its boundaries span near- year-round and Blue Whales stay the summer. conservation in Tallahassee and throughout shore and deep-ocean habitats. Its deepest Monterey Bay is a major destination for the state. Good conservation for tortoises will point lies 10,663 feet below the surface in both beginning and seasoned birders. Its also benefit resident and migratory birds as the Monterey Submarine Canyon, which is protected, half-moon shape allows for year- well as contribute to our own quality of life. For twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. Coastal round trips. Join Debra Shearwater as she example, gopher tortoise habitat includes the habitats in the sanctuary afford important presents an informative and exciting lecture highest recharge areas for the Florida Aquifer, on this truly magnificent and timeless place. our primary source of drinking water. The

www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 57 seminars

Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative has Florida Scrub-Jay Population & Habitat that inhabit the St. Johns NWR. During his created a concept to conserve tortoises and Dynamics Along Central Florida’s Atlantic fieldwork, he refined a method to survey for their habitat. State-wide assurance colonies, Coast the bird. In this seminar, you can listen to regional and local assurance colonies and Presenter: Dave Breininger the tapes that Mike used to induce the rails even Tortoise in My Yard programs will Brevard Nature Alliance to call while he gathered data on rail density provide a home for displaced tortoises that The Florida Scrub-Jay is the only species for his research. Mike Legare is the U.S. Fish live in the path of development. Assurance of bird unique to Florida. These charismatic and Wildlife Service’s lead biologist at Merritt colonies will provide an alternative to burying birds mate for life and have a distinctive, Island National Wildlife Refuge. tortoises. How can you persuade developers cooperative breeding system where young A car-pool trip to the St. Johns NWR for a to become good conservationists? Did birds often remain with their parents for sunset visit to marshy Black Rail habitat you know that your county commissioners several years helping to spot predators, in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service vehicles CAN pass rules that protect wildlife? In this defend territories and raise future generations follows the seminar. See description in Field Trips. program, everyone can learn how to help. We of young. The Florida Scrub-Jay is threatened with extinction because of urbanization. The Jan. 24, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class need you! Ray and his wife Pat have studied 119; $5 gopher tortoises for over 30 years. Their scrub-jay is a management indicator of the health of scrub ecosystems, which have been Jan. 25, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Gym Class book, The Gopher Tortoise: A Life History, 119; $5 was published last year. degraded because natural fires can no longer www.ashtonbiodiversity.org, www.nbbd.com/godo/ef/ propagate freely across landscapes. Many The World of Bats gtortoise areas are being acquired for conservation Presenters: Cyndi and George Marks Jan. 27, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class and prescribed fires are being implemented 123; $5 Florida Bat Center to restore habitat quality, but much must Bats are probably the most misunderstood of The Florida Scrub-Jay & Scrub Fire Ecology be learned about optimizing these activities. all the mammals. They became entangled in the Presenters: Dave Breininger and Dr. Paul We have been conducting mark-resight Dracula legend centuries ago and have played Schmalzer studies of Florida Scrub-Jays to quantify frightening roles in myths and tales of horror Sponsored by Dynamac International and how reproductive success, survival and ever since. Yet bats are shy, gentle animals NASA Kennedy Space Center dispersal vary among habitat fragments to and fill a vital role in maintaining balanced The Florida Scrub-Jay, fascinating from both learn how populations respond to different ecosystems throughout the world. In Florida, biological and conservation perspectives, is habitat features and management treatments. bats are the most important natural controller the only avian species restricted entirely to The studies have been ongoing for 18 of night-flying insects. In other parts of the Florida. Endemic to the scrub habitats of years, resulting in 23 scientific publications. world, bats disperse seeds, pollinate plants, peninsular Florida, Florida Scrub-Jays exhibit The Brevard Nature Alliance is facilitating provide guano for fertilizer and even vampire a suite of remarkable adaptations. Scrub a partnership among natural resource bats have made important contributions to habitat evolved when North America was organizations to develop new approaches to science and medicine. Come and join us for much drier and desert animals from Texas and recover Florida Scrub-Jay populations and an interesting and informative presentation Mexico colonized Florida. When the oceans habitat. This includes collaborating with Jim on “The World of Bats” by Cyndi and George rose, the plants and animals remained and Nichols and other scientists of the USGS Marks of the Florida Bat Center. The program evolved into an ecosystem unlike any other Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, which has will include a slide presentation on bats on the planet, one that is highly dependent on a long history of integrating science and around the world, illustrating their unusual fire. Dozens of plants and animals living in the conservation to enhance the management of diversity, unique behaviors and benefits to Florida scrub are found nowhere else in the North America’s natural resources. humans. They will also be bringing live bats world. This presentation will focus on Florida www.natureandspace.com so you will be able to see some of our native Scrub-Jay habitat use, demography and http://northflorida.fws.gov/Scrub-Jays/scrubjays.htm Florida species up-close and personal. Cyndi sociobiology in different types of habitat with Jan. 27, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC Gym Class and George Marks are the executive directors 153; $5 an emphasis on fire ecology. Dave Breininger of the Florida Bat Center in Bay Pines. is a wildlife ecologist and Paul Schmalzer a Black Rails & Black Rail Habitat www.floridabats.org plant ecologist for Dynamac Corporation at Presenter: Mike Legare Jan. 26, 10:00am-11:00am: BCC Gym Class the Kennedy Space Center. You won’t want to miss Mike’s fascinating 153; $5 Presentation will be held at Merritt Island presentation on these elusive birds and their Jan. 27, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Gym Class NWR Visitor Center. mysterious habits in the wetland areas where 153; $5 A free NASA bus trip into restricted areas of they are found. Black Rails are very secretive Endangered & Threatened Birds of Florida Kennedy Space Center to see Florida Scrub- Jay families will follow the presentation. marsh birds that rarely fly and behave more Presenter: Dr. Peter G. Merritt See description in Field Trips. like a mouse than a bird. Black Rails are small Hobe Sound Productions www.dynamac.com and, while they fly long distances to migrate, Dr. Peter G. Merritt will show video and discuss www.nasa.gov they are not agile or graceful fliers. So they the behavior and ecology of the endangered http://northflorida.fws.gov/Scrub-Jays/scrubjays.htm stay on the ground most of the time and www.fnps.org and threatened birds of Florida. The video walk through the grass to eat, build nests, was taken throughout the state during the Jan. 26 & 27, 8:00am-9:15am: Merritt etc. They don’t fly to catch food, and they Island NWR Visitor Center; Free past several years as part of making the Video really are about the size of a mouse. Mike’s Guide to Florida Birds. Highlights include Cape MS thesis work was done on the Black Rails Sable Seaside Sparrows singing in Everglades 58 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly seminars

National Park, Piping and Snowy Plovers on to study all aspects of Swallow-tailed Kite the demise of favored habitat and suitable the west coast of Florida, Whooping Cranes in ecology, but especially the species’ previously nesting sites. In 1994, as part of a science northern Florida, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers unknown, 10,000-mile, round-trip annual fair project, a high school student initiated a and Florida Grasshopper Sparrows in central migration. Here in the southeastern U.S., research project to investigate the possibility Florida, Florida Scrub-Jays on the east coast we are working with industrial and private of enhancing Barn Owl populations for of Florida, and a colony of Roseate Terns landowners to develop effective management sustainable rodent control in the Everglades nesting on a remote shoal in the Florida Keys. recommendations for timberlands, which Agricultural Area of South Florida. Placing Dr. Merritt will discuss the conservation and harbor most of the remaining kites nesting in nesting boxes of various designs along canals protection needs of these and other species the U.S. Although Swallow-tailed Kites qualify and field edges, the student quickly learned of concern. for federal listing, they are not presently that Barn Owls would find them and rear www.floridabirds.net listed. Our goal is to gain the cooperation of their broods, commonly two per year. With Jan. 25, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC Gym Class landowners in helping to stabilize or increase the full support of the agricultural industry, 153; $5 kite numbers and forestall listing, if possible. hundreds of nesting boxes now dot the The Life of Birds The talk will describe the Swallow-tailed Kite’s Glades, with an observed occupancy rate Presenter: Reinier Munguia intriguing social behavior, including their very exceeding 80%. What began as a science Wildstock Photography large, pre-migration communal roosts, and fair project has grown into the University This presentation covers all aspects of a bird’s efforts to develop management activities and of Florida’s Barn Owl Project. Although life from the adaptations that allow them to a long-term monitoring plan. focused on Barn Owl research, the Barn Owl survive in their environment to their amazing With no more than 200 breeding pairs, the U.S. Project also serves as a tremendous outreach flights and displays. Some of the topics to be population of the Short-tailed Hawk, limited and education program. In this seminar, covered include physical adaptations as well entirely to Florida, is extremely vulnerable. Dr. Richard Raid will describe the biology as behavioral adaptations, communication, The species has no state or federal listing of Barn Owls and detail ongoing efforts to foraging, courtship, nesting, brooding and status and no monitoring plan exists. Several enhance their populations in South Florida many bird facts and real-life stories. You’ll factors make Short-tailed Hawks susceptible and throughout the state. The presentation get lots of detailed information about many to extirpation: extremely small population size will include video taken of Barn Owl nestlings species around the world with special and distribution, nest sites in the interior of inside some of his nesting boxes. http://erec.ifas.ufl.edu/barnowl/owlindex.htm emphasis on Florida birds. large tracts of mature forest, the accelerating www.wildstockphotos.com loss of historic nesting territories and vital Jan. 26, 2:30pm-3:30pm: BCC Auditorium; $5 Jan. 26, 10:30am-12:00pm, BCC habitat, a concentrated winter distribution, Auditorium; $5 a specialized diet and poor nesting success Jan. 27, 1:00pm-2:00pm; BCC Gym Class with unexplained failures occurring mainly 153; $5 Birding for Fun in the egg stage. Our research on Short- Stamp Up for Birds Presenter: Reinier Munguia tailed Hawks since 1998 has focused on the Kim Risen Wildstock Photography species’ basic ecology and habitat needs, NatureScape News Learn the basics of birding and techniques gathering demographic data needed for What do Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, North to improve your bird identification skills. predicting population trends, and tracking Dakota, Florida and duck hunters have in This presentation is full of examples of what seasonal movements and site fidelity. Our common? Tune into this informative, yet birders will encounter in the field. Learn how goal is to identify threats and limiting factors, fun look at “duck stamps” and see. Most to recognize birds by their shape, colors, management needs and conservation action people will be surprised at how a little stamp flight patterns, calls and behaviors. Reinier that will ensure the persistence of these benefits birds and birding in the U.S., no Munguia is a nature photographer based in magnificent birds in the face of escalating matter in what corner you find yourself. Lakeland, FL. As a teacher, he is recognized for challenges to their well-being. Ken Meyer For even greater enjoyment, bring your his enthusiasm and his passion for teaching is the co-founder, executive director and binoculars to this interactive, entertaining others what he knows. research ecologist for the non-profit Avian www.wildstockphotos.com and educational session. Kim Risen is the Research and Conservation Institute. founder and publisher of NatureScape News, Jan. 27, 9:00am-10:00am: BCC Gym Class Jan. 25, 4:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class 153; Free a tabloid news magazine emphasizing the 121; $5 FUN of birding, butterflying and the wonders Ecology & Conservation Biology of Two Jan. 26, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class of nature. Rare & Vulnerable Florida Species - 121; $5 Swallow-tailed Kite & Short-tailed Hawk www.naturescapenews.com Barn Owls: Farmer’s Friend, Teacher’s Pet Jan. 26, 2:15pm-3:15pm: BCC Gym Class Presenter: Ken Meyer Presenter: Richard Raid 123; $5 Avian Research Conservation Initiative Since 1988, ARCI has conducted field research University of Florida Barn Owl Project Space Coast Wildflowers Coordinator in Florida, Georgia, Mexico, Belize and Brazil Presenter: Jim Stahl Preying primarily on rodents that commonly to understand the year-round biology of the Florida was named for the abundance of destroy or contaminate human food supplies, Swallow-tailed Kite and to identify threats flowering plants that early explorers found Barn Owls have frequently been referred that must be addressed in planning for here. Today the many habitats of Florida to as “one of the most beneficial birds on conservation of this vulnerable species. We (hardwood and palm hammocks, deciduous earth.” In recent years, Barn Owl populations have used satellite and VHF radio telemetry forest, pine flatwoods, scrub, sand hills, throughout the nation have declined with www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 59 seminars prairie, coastal dunes, roadsides, marsh, Wading Birds – Barometer of Ecosystem – Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. swamp and riverine) support over 4000 Functioning in the Indian River Lagoon System Key issues affecting wading bird populations species of native and naturalized wildflowers Presenter: Dr. Eric Stolen in this region include management of plus numerous exotics from the horticultural Dynamac International, Inc. impounded wetlands, regional-scale land trade. This program will present slides of With 16 regularly occurring species, wading development, impacts on the estuary from wildflowers (common, rare, unusual, small birds (Order Ciconiiformes) are one of the human populations and changes in sea level and spectacular) and a few trees, shrubs, most diverse and numerous groups of birds and climate due to global warming. ferns and other plants with comments on their found in the northern Indian River Lagoon www.dynamac.com natural history, uses by people and wildlife, system (IRL). Over the past half-century, Jan. 25, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class home landscaping values and occurrences. The humans have drastically altered wetland 121; $5 presentation will highlight plants that can be habitat within this estuary which stretches for Eagles in Florida seen during the festival week. The speaker will over 250 kilometers along Florida’s Atlantic Presenter: Lynda White include information on books for identifying Coast. Some populations of some species Audubon Center for Birds of Prey and locations for finding Florida plants. Jim of birds have benefited from these changes With the largest population of Bald Eagles Stahl is a retired biologist from Ohio and an while others have suffered. Efforts currently in the contiguous states, Florida faces the active volunteer for Merritt Island National underway are attempting to restore much of challenge of protecting the birds while dealing Wildlife Refuge, Cape Canaveral National the wetland habitat in the northern IRL to with unprecedented development. Learn about Seashore and the Brevard County Natural its original state. The effects of restoration these magnificent creatures and ways you can Resources Department where he performs on wading bird populations here remains to help ensure the continued recovery of the biotic surveys and public programs. be seen. Ecologists working for NASA have species. Meet Paige, the eagle, and bring your www.floridawildflowers.com been monitoring wading bird populations camera! Lynda White is Audubon of Florida’s www.fnps.org in the northern IRL since 1987. Originally A free car pool field trip to visit sites Project Eagle Watch coordinator. designed to determine if Space Shuttle www.audubonofflorida.org/who_centers_CBOP.html around north Brevard will follow. Meet in launches were affecting nesting colonies near front of the Gym at 9:30am. Jan. 26, 11:30am-12:30pm: BCC Gym Class the launch pads, the monitoring program now Jan. 24, 8:00am-9:15am: BCC Gym Class 153; $5 119; $5 includes investigation of wading bird foraging Jan. 27, 10:15am-11:15am: BCC Gym Class habitat throughout the Kennedy Space Center 153; $5

60 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly workshops Selecting Optics for Birding Introduction to Birding Optics cover Broad-winged, Short-tailed and Red- Presenter: Jeff Bouton, Leica Sport Optics Presenter: Ben Lizdas, Eagle Optics shouldered Hawks as well as Osprey and Selecting the “perfect” birding optics is a Optics are one of the fundamental tools Crested Caracara. Jeff Bouton is the Leica very personal affair that is different for each to help ensure a successful and enjoyable Sports Optics Product Specialist for Birding/ user. Manufacturers provide a nearly endless birding experience. For the beginner, it can Naturalist Markets. variety of options to fit every consumer’s be an overwhelming task to sort through the www.leicacamerausa.com needs, making the selection process complex. myriad of choices available to today’s birder Jan. 25, 1:00pm-2:45pm: BCC Auditorium; $5 Join us as we unravel some of the mystery or naturalist. Ben will take a look at these Beginning Birding behind what all of those manufacturer’s specs options and talk about considerations to make Presenters: Nancy Corona & Cary Salter really mean to you, the consumer; review when looking for the binoculars or spotting Birding is far more than a hobby. It is advantages and disadvantages of varying scope that will suit your needs and budget an open door to the world of nature, a options; and learn how each affects actual best. An avid birder and sales representative touch point that connects people to the field performance. By the end of the session, for Eagle Optics, Ben brings with him years outdoors. Birding inevitably leads to a you should be able to sort through the field of product knowledge and experience behind discovery of turtles, butterflies, wildflowers of optics that are out there and find one best the glass to present a clearer understanding and all the interconnections of nature. In suited for you and your individual needs! of today’s optics. The seminar will be followed this informative talk, Nancy will cover field www.leicacamerausa.com by a question and answer session. guides and other literature. She will provide Jan. 27, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class www.eagleoptics.com helpful hints for beginners on where to find 121; Free Jan. 26, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class 119; Free birds and how to identify them, pointing out Choosing the Right Optics for You interesting behaviors, typical silhouettes and Presenter: Jim Danzenbaker, Brunton Raptors of Florida, Part I: Accipiters, Kites identification tricks of the birding trade. Cary Everyone needs optics to pursue our passion & Falcons will give an overview of optical equipment of birding and nature observation, but there’s Presenter: Jeff Bouton, Leica Sports Optics and how to properly use it. A free car- a lot to learn about optics before buying. This Jeff will explore the finer points of raptor pool field trip to Black Point Wildlife Drive workshop will cover the details, including identification, looking at the subtleties beyond will follow the classroom session so you questions to ask about your optics usage, the obvious (e.g. square tail, round tail) can get right out in the field and put your explanation of key features and how to test including wing-flap differences, typical flight new knowledge to work. Nancy Corona is optics. We’ll explore all these areas in a profiles in soaring and gliding birds, age and the Merritt Island NWR Public Programming simple and easy-to-understand format. Bring sex characteristics and how these can be and Education Coordinator. Cary Salter is an your binoculars and your notepad! Following beneficial in identification. Eleven species will outstanding Refuge volunteer. He and his wife the presentation, Jim will take a variety of be covered with special emphasis on similar Betty lead free Refuge birding trips twice a optical pieces outdoors for you to try. species such as Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s week throughout birding season. They have www.brunton.com Hawks and others, including Swallow-tailed introduced countless people to the wonders Jan. 27, 9:00am-11:00am: BCC Gym Class Kite, White-tailed Kite, Snail Kite, Mississippi of the wildlife of Merritt Island NWR. 121; Free Kite, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, www.fws.gov/merrittisland And Were Afraid to Ask: Optics American Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. Jan. 25, Seminar, 8:30am-9:30am: Jeff Bouton is the Leica Sports Optics Product Presenter: Stephen Ingraham, Carl Zeiss Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center; Free car Sports Optics Specialist for Birding/Naturalist Markets. pool to Black Point Wildlife Dr., 9:30am- Start the festival off right with all your www.leicacamerausa.com 12:30pm; Free questions about optics answered! Steve Jan. 24, 1:00pm-2:45pm: BCC Auditorium; $5 Jan. 27, Seminar, 1:00pm-2:00pm: Ingraham, former editor of the ABA’s Tools of Raptors of Florida, Part II: Buteos, Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center; Free car the Trade and founder of Better View Desired Vultures, Eagles & More pool to Black Point Wildlife Dr., 2:00pm- and betterviewdesired.com with more than Presenter: Jeff Bouton, Leica Sports Optics 5:00pm; Free 20 years of optics testing behind him, will Jeff will discuss some of the confusing Birding by Ear & Habitat give candid (or at least inventive) answers to soaring raptors, covering 11 species with Presenter: Paddy Cunningham-Pascatore, any and all of your optics questions. Steve is special emphasis on age classes of the two Birding Adventures currently the Birding and Naturalist Product eagles and tips on how to separate them. Full Birding by ear and habitat is a great way to Specialist for Carl Zeiss Sports Optics and was coverage will be given to the various ranges of increase your ability to identify birds. Advanced directly involved in the design of the successful plumages in the buteos. Red-tailed Hawk has birders use birding by ear for 70% of new FL line of binoculars. From “how to at least five different, named subspecies, can identifications. It is an essential advanced choose” to “how to use” binoculars, from be either light or dark morph in many of these birding skill and necessary to speed up ID chromatic aberration to the psycho-physical and then can be either immature or adult, and how to locate the bird. Birding by habitat effects of the roof prism design, just ask. leaving the average person spinning. He will helps you to determine what birds you are www.zeiss.com/sports point out the differences between Swainson’s, likely to see in an area and what can be www.betterviewdesired.com Red-tailed, Ferruginous and Rough-legged eliminated for identification. Using a variety Jan. 25 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class Hawks in their various plumages and will of techniques in the field, you will find out 119; Free www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 61 workshops how to recognize various species of birds Jan. 24, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class The outdoor session is at Jetty Park at Port by call and alarm notes and why they make 119; Free Canaveral on Jan. 28. them. The field trip will begin before daylight Flycatcher ID Directions: Take U.S. 1 or I-95 south to SR in an oak hammock searching for warblers 528. Go east on SR 528 to Port Canaveral. Presenter: Alvaro Jaramillo, Field Guides Inc. Get off at the exit for the South Dock. Go and owls as birds awaken and begin singing. Flycatchers produce a love-hate relationship under the overpass and then turn right at We will travel to various habitats including with many birders. Many species are dull- the first traffic light onto George King Blvd. scrub, pinelands, open field, shoreline, colored and extremely similar (heck, Follow the signs to Jetty Park. Entrance fee open water, wetlands and roadsides to see sometimes practically identical) to other is $5.00/car for locals and $10.00/car for the role of habitat in identification. A short out-of-towners. Drive time from Titusville species. On the other hand, other species is just under 30 minutes. classroom session, using a variety of media like the kingbirds are bold and bright, easy at the Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center, Jan. 28, 8:00am-12:00pm: Limited to 30 to spot and hold a special place in birders’ registrants; $15 will provide you with numerous handouts hearts due to their gutsy attitude. Yet both and additional information and techniques expert and beginner still want to know how Shorebirds by Impression to improve your skills. Two short stops for to simplify identification of some of these Presenter: Kevin T. Karlson, Jaeger Tours shorebirds at beach habitats will end the challenging birds. This workshop will be a Murray Gardler will join Kevin for the session. Due to the numerous habitats visited classroom session to review basics such as outdoor sessions. during this workshop in the past, 80-plus the different flycatcher groups and the marks The indoor session will concentrate on species have been observed with a high of 96 that are important in separating species. Al removing confusion that exists with field species for both days. Paddy Cunningham- will also introduce how voice can be used identification of shorebirds as Kevin reveals a Pascatore has been a naturalist in South in field identification. Photos of the common simpler, exciting method of bird identification. Florida for more than 20 years, teaching Tools species occurring in this part of Florida in Once considered a very difficult task reserved For and Advanced Tools for Better Birding winter will be shown as well as examples from for experts, shorebird ID will become easier for 16 years. Her motto is “You learn the other parts of the continent. Whether you are for all levels of birders if a relatively simple ID,” and she specializes in assisting birders intimidated or invigorated by the challenge of approach is taken. By starting with basic in a non-intimidating field experience. Her flycatcher identification, this class promises principles of size, structure and behavior, business, Birding Adventures, takes birders to to be informative. Alvaro (Al) Jaramillo is a as well as other important non-changeable search for birds anywhere they can be found guide for Field Guides Inc. characteristics such as bill length and shape, throughout Florida, specializing in Everglades, www.fieldguides.com a simple and accurate first impression is Big Cypress, Corkscrew and the Florida Keys. Jan. 25, 3:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Auditorium; $5 formed. By concentrating on the “basics” and [email protected] or (954) 926-5458 an overall comparative view of each shorebird Meet at the parking lot for the Oak Gull & Tern ID before applying the classic “field mark” system Hammock Tr., half mile east of Merritt Presenter: Alvaro Jaramillo, Field Guides Inc. of identification, much confusion created by Island NWR Visitor Center at 6:00am. Jeff Bouton, Adam Kent and Andy Wraithmell seasonal plumage variability of shorebirds Jan. 27 & 28, 6:00am-12:00pm: Limited to will join Al for the outdoor session. is removed. This workshop, due to its short 16 registrants; $20/person Gulls and terns can be a dizzying group length, will not cover every shorebird species Seven-fold Path to Better Birding to separate (some individuals even baffle seen in North America, but will concentrate Presenter: Stephen Ingraham, Carl Zeiss experts). Their propensity to wander great on the process of analysis that will help each Sports Optics distances makes them a favorite of veteran person to continue this method in the field. What do good birders know that you don’t birders everywhere. However, they are also a The outdoor session on the following morning (yet)? Here are seven simple disciplines that perfect group for beginners as they are easy will be an interactive experience concentrating will make any birder better and increase your to approach and sit in plain view for extended on the use of the simplified techniques. By enjoyment of the time you spend in the field. periods. This allows for detailed study! This concentrating on non-plumage field characters Great for beginners and any birder who wants workshop will begin with a classroom session such as size, shape and behavior, participants to improve! Steve Ingraham is the Birding to review basics such as: “parts” of a gull will be able to practice their general impression and Naturalist Product Specialist for Carl and a basic understanding of age, molt and approach, share observations and ask Zeiss Optics. He is well known from his years seasonal variations in plumages. Photos questions. This workshop is especially helpful as editor of the “Tools of the Trade” section of some of the many plumages shown by when shorebirds are in non-breeding plumage in Birding magazine, his frequent articles commonly occurring Florida species will be since the criteria for identification relies on in Wildbird, Birder’s World and Birdwatch featured. A trip to Jetty Park at Port Canaveral non-changeable field characters. This year, (UK) magazines, his appearances at ABA will take place the following day. This area Houghton-Mifflin published The Shorebird conventions and birding events around the is consistently productive for many gull and Guide, which Kevin co-wrote with authors country… and as the founder and editor of tern species. Whether you are just learning Richard Crossley and Michael O’Brien. This Better View Desired and betterviewdesired. these skills or a veteran refreshing them, this comprehensive field guide contains almost com on the worldwide web. class promises to be a fun and interactive 700 photos and outlines a simpler method of This is an ideal class to take before attending experience. Alvaro (Al) Jaramillo is a guide for bird identification for beginners and experts. the Beginning Birding sessions at Merritt Field Guides Inc. www.jaegertours.net Island NWR. www.fieldguides.com www.shorebirdworld.org www.leicacamerausa.com www.zeiss.com/sports Jan. 24, 3:30pm-5:00pm: BCC Community www.betterviewdesired.com Jan. 27, 3:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Community Dining Room; $5 Dining Room; $5.00 62 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly workshops

Jan. 27, 1:00pm-2:30pm: BCC Community examining Kevin’s personal birding journey of Beach Birds Dining Room; $5 27 years and his recent “conversion” to this Presenter: Adam Kent The outdoor session is a car pool trip. creative approach, followed by photographs Alvaro Jaramillo and Larry Manfredi will Meet in front of the Marine Patrol Station and explanations that depict the basic join Adam for the outdoor session. on the east end of the Titusville Cswy. at 8:00am on Jan. 25 & 28. concepts of impression-based birding. The You see them all of the time - running from audience will be encouraged to share their the surf, perched on pilings, soaring over Jan. 25 & 28: 8:00am-12:00pm, Limited to 25 registrants; $15/person thoughts and impressions of comparative the water and wading through wetlands. photos, with questions and comments Wouldn’t it be nice to know a little more Birding by Impression: A Simpler Approach encouraged. Kevin and Dale Rosselet are co- about the birds you see at the beach? Have to Field Identification writing a book called “Birding by Impression: fun learning identification and natural history Presenter: Kevin T. Karlson, Jaeger Tours A Simpler Approach to Field Identification.” of different groups of birds commonly found Murray Gardler will join Kevin for the The outdoor session on the following on Florida’s beaches. What’s the difference outdoor session. afternoon will be an interactive experience between a tern and a gull or a sandpiper and This exciting new concept to field identification concentrating on the use of the simplified a plover? Where does the Willet fit in? And is changing the way many people are enjoying techniques. By concentrating on non-plumage what are all those little gray birds running and identifying birds in the field. Using field characteristics such as size, shape and around like crazy at the edge of the water? impression-based physical characters rather behavior, participants will be able to practice Learn what your fingers and a butter knife than scientific plumage analysis as the initial their general impression approach, share can teach you about the Black Skimmer (no, approach to field identification, a simple observations and ask questions. we aren’t going to eat them). This is not an yet surprising accurate picture is quickly www.jaegertours.net advanced shorebird or gull/tern workshop obtained. The beauty and effectiveness of Jan. 25, 3:30pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class but an introduction to different groups of this approach lies in its simplicity and doesn’t 153; $5 birds you may find on a trip to a Florida beach require knowledge of complicated feather The outdoor session is a car pool trip. in the winter. A car-pool field trip to Volusia anatomy or prior experience with birds. Meet in front of the Marine Patrol Station County’s beautiful Smyrna Dunes Park will Beginners and experts alike will share the on the east end of the Titusville Cswy. at 1:00pm on Jan. 26. follow. Located on the south side of Ponce benefits, with common sense and a keen Inlet, this beachside park offers panoramic sense of observation the most important tools Jan. 26, 1:00pm-5:00pm: Limited to 25 registrants; $15/person views of ocean, inlet and estuary via two needed. This interactive program will start by miles of boardwalks, along which we may

www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 63 workshops find wintering songbirds. At the oceanfront as we take the challenge and sort out these figure out exactly what a Barn Owl eats. With we’re likely to encounter loafing gulls, terns splendid birds. Our program will cover all a bit of collaborative sleuthing, participants and shorebirds and we’ll scope the water for eastern species with an emphasis on the 25- may even discover what type of ecosystem the possibility of loons and ducks. plus species that winter in Florida. the owls that spit up these pellets inhabit. www.fieldguides.com www.wingsbirds.com Think picking through owl regurgitation www.southfloridabirding.com Jan. 26, 3:30pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class is disgusting? Think again! Believe it or Jan. 24, 7:30am-8:45am: BCC Gym Class 153; $5 not, pellet dissection is a favorite lesson 123; $5 Jan. 27, 3:30pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class at many schools throughout the nation. The outdoor session is at Volusia County’s 119; $5 Adults, but especially kids of all ages, will Smyrna Dunes Park. Waterfowl 101: Ducks are FUN! find this workshop highly entertaining and Directions: From BCC go north on U.S. informative. Sterilized owl pellets, dissecting 1 to New Smyrna Beach. Turn right on Kim Risen, NatureScape News Canal St. (3 blocks north of U.S. 1 & Hwy Murray Gardler will join Kim on Jan. 24, tools and bone charts will be furnished to all A1A intersection) and go to the end. Turn 26 & 27. Larry Manfredi will join Kim on participants free of charge. left onto Riverside Dr. and go two blocks. Jan. 28. http://erec.ifas.ufl.edu/barnowl/owlindex.htm Turn right onto Flagler Ave, which is the In this field workshop session, we will visit Requires pre-registration. causeway to the barrier island. Just after Black Point Drive at Merritt Island NWR Jan. 27, 8:30am-10:00am: BCC Outside crossing the last bridge, turn left onto Gazebo; Free North Peninsula Dr. The park is two miles to learn first-hand, in the field, tips on north. Entrance fee is $5.00 per car. Drive the identification, behavior and life of the House of Dreams: If You Build It, They Will time from BCC is about 45 minutes. waterfowl that spend their winter here. Large Come! Jan. 24, 10:00am-1:00pm: Limited to 30 concentrations of water birds have made this Presenters: Richard Raid & Jason Martin, registrants; $15 area famous, and Kim will do his best to shed University of Florida Barn Owl Project Sparrow Identification new light on these fascinating birds. Dress Barn Owls, as can be deciphered from their warmly and bring your binoculars and scopes Presenter: Adam Kent, Florida Fish & very name, love man-made structures. Wildlife Conservation Commission and your spirit of adventure. We are going Referred to as “cavity nesters,” Barn Owls This workshop introduces the basics of to have FUN! If you don’t have optics, don’t take readily to nesting boxes. This workshop identification of inland sparrows found east of worry -- Kim will have a few loaners. Kim is will display and discuss a number of Barn the Mississippi River. Even though most North the founder and publisher of NatureScape Owl nesting box designs constructed of American sparrows lack the bright colors of News, a tabloid news magazine emphasizing assorted materials. Additionally, tips on many warblers, sparrows’ distinctive shapes, the FUN of birding, butterflying and the nesting box placement will be provided interesting behaviors and subtly beautiful wonders of nature. to enhance the likelihood of colonization. patterns can allow us to identify them with www.naturescapenews.com Nesting box display models and schematics www.southfloridabirding.com often only a quick glance. Sure, sparrows for a number of other owl species, namely This is a car-pool field trip. Meet in front Eastern Screech-Owls, Barred Owls and and their often secretive behaviors can of the Marine Patrol Station at the east end present identification challenges in Florida in of the Titusville Cswy. at 8:00am. Burrowing Owls, will be available for those whose land may be better suited for those winter. The trick is being prepared. Once you Jan. 24, 26, 27 & 28, 8:00am-12:00pm; understand the basics of the combination of Limited to 25 registrants; $15 particular species. The workshop will also shapes, behaviors and patterns, you, too, can provide participants interested in assisting Dissection of Barn Owl Pellets or “What’s these wonderful raptors with an opportunity do away with the term “Little Brown Job.” For Dinner?” You may even find yourself saying you are to get personally involved. Volunteers will Presenters: Richard Raid & Jason Martin, construct nesting boxes on site for future going “sparrowing” instead of birding this University of Florida Barn Owl Project placement throughout the state. Tools and winter. This workshop is nature’s version of CSI! construction materials will be supplied by Jan. 24, 3:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Auditorium; Have you ever wondered what sort of prey the University of Florida’s Barn Owl Project. $5 raptors capture and feed on? Due to the Adults take note: This workshop represents Jan. 27, 1:00pm-3:00pm: BCC Gym Class alkaline nature of a Barn Owl’s stomach, an ideal opportunity for kids who love to work 119; $5 many of the bones, fur and chitinous parts with tools. Help them acquire the “sense of Warbler ID of a Barn Owl’s prey are left undigested. contribution” you gain in knowing that you Such remains are routinely regurgitated Presenters: Michael O’Brien and Louise donated time and effort for a worthy cause. Zemaitis, WINGS Birding Tours through the mouth in the form of a compact http://erec.ifas.ufl.edu/barnowl/owlindex.htm The wood warblers are among the most pellet. By collecting and dissecting these Requires pre-registration. popular groups of birds in North America. pellets, researchers can find out exactly what Their sheer abundance and diversity, brilliant Jan. 27, 11:00am-12:30pm: BCC Outside these marvelous raptors have been eating. Gazebo; Free plumages and spectacular migrations make Discover for yourself why Barn Owls have them a favorite of nearly every birder. frequently been termed the most beneficial Identifying these birds can be a challenge, bird on the planet. This workshop will enable particularly in fall and winter when many each adventurous participant to dissect your species are disguised in shades of green, very own owl pellet(s), discovering what lies yellow and brown. Learn all about wingbars, inside. Then, by comparing skeletal remains eyerings, tail-wagging and hover-gleaning utilizing bone charts, you will be able to

64 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly photo opportunities Digiscoping - New Wave of Photography! Digiscoping with D-SLR Cameras Park; Limited to 12 registrants; $60/person Presenter: Michael Freiberg, Nikon Sport Optics Presenter: Clay Taylor, Swarovski Optik Meet in front of the CVS Pharmacy at 5 Join Nikon Sport Optics Naturalist/Birding The recent popularity of interchangeable- Garden St. in Titusville at 5:45 am. Marketing Specialist Michael Freiberg for lens Digital SLR camera bodies creates Jan. 28, 5:45am-10:00am: Merritt Island an exciting and informative digiscoping new opportunities, as well as problems, for NWR; Limited to 12 registrants; $60/person seminar. Digiscoping is the ingenious result digiscopers. If you are contemplating the Beautiful Birds & Music 2 and Beautiful of marrying a spotting scope with a digital purchase of a D-SLR or already own one and Nature & Music 2 camera. Michael will share his experience to want to use it for digiscoping, we will cover Presenter: Kevin Doxstater make you a better digiscoper. Topics covered the equipment needed, help you do the math Beautiful Birds & Music 2: The music of will include choosing equipment, basic and cover field techniques. Ludwig van Beethoven provides the backdrop advice, introduction to photo editing software, www.swarovskioptik.com for this multimedia presentation of bird history of the medium, and information about Jan. 24, 3:30pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class photography by award-winning photographer Nikon’s new all-in-one DigiScope system. 121; Free Kevin Doxstater. The program features nearly Being an avid birder and digiscoper, Michael Digiscoping Field Trip 400 images of North American birds. From has plenty of digiscoped bird images and Presenter: Clay Taylor, Swarovski Optik beautiful portraits to exciting action, each video from across the country that will keep This field trip will serve as a “how-to” photograph flows smoothly and effortlessly you entertained. Nikon now offers the new for new digiscopers and those who are with the music of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony P4 digiscoping system to jump-start you into interested in starting digiscoping as well as (movements 1 and 5) and Overture to the world of digiscoping. Information and refining techniques for current digiscopers. Egmont. Revised and updated, over 40 literature about these exciting new products Participants should bring their scopes, new species of birds (totaling over 200) will be available at the program. If you are tripods, cameras and adapters. We will cover have been added along with some 150 new thinking about getting into digiscoping, are the basics of field shooting with emphasis on images since last year’s festival presentation. already digiscoping and looking for some hands-on instruction. Beautiful Nature & Music 2: This multimedia helpful hints or are just curious, this is the www.swarovskioptik.com presentation combines the symphonic music program for you. Car trip: Meet in front of the Marine Patrol of Ludwig van Beethoven with a stunning www.nikonsportoptics.com Station at the east end of the Titusville presentation of nature photography. While Jan. 24, 10:30am-11:30pm: BCC Gym Class Causeway at 8:00am. the selection of images favors avian subjects, 119; Free Jan. 25 & 27: 8:00am-11:30am; Free this presentation includes photographs Jan. 27, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Gym Class of mammals, insects, butterflies, spiders, 123; Free Robert Amoruso: Photography Field Workshop reptiles, amphibians, scenic landscapes and An Introduction to Digiscoping Join nature photographer Robert Amoruso sunrises and sunsets (as well as a few Presenter: Ben Lizdas, Eagle Optics for a morning of in-depth field instruction at extraterrestrial surprises). Expanded and Digiscoping is a simple and effective way two of the area’s best locations for wildlife revised, Beautiful Nature now features over to capture images of wildlife at a distance photography. Robert is a protégé of well- 450 photographs built around music from using a spotting scope with a point-and-shoot know avian photographer Arthur Morris; first Beethoven’s 6th, 7th and 8th symphonies digital camera. In this seminar we will cover studying with him and now a co-leader on plus a newly added section featuring the 3rd the basics of what type of equipment makes a Artie’s Florida and other state photo tours. Symphony’s 1st Movement. good digiscoping set-up, including adapters, Robert also won the birds category of the www.naturalvisonsphoto.com scopes, eyepieces, cameras and tripods. In 2006 Nature’s Best Photography Magazine Jan. 27, 3:30pm-5:00pm; BCC Gym Class addition to equipment, we will also touch on International Photography Competition. 153; $5 field technique and image post-processing. Bird photography will be the focus of the Image Editing for Digital Photographers 1 We will conclude with an inspiring slide show workshop, but any and all nature subjects Presenter: Kevin Doxstater of digiscoped images. we run across will be fair game. Instruction With digital photography, there is one www.eagleoptics.com will include metering/exposure, composition, undeniable fact: When the day’s shooting Jan. 26, 11:00am-12:00pm: BCC Gym Class designing pleasing backgrounds, handling is over, there is still plenty of work to be 121, Free your equipment, shooting birds in flight and done. Many photographers who are new Advanced Digiscoping a host of other topics. Cost includes a CD of to this exciting new form of photography Presenter: Clay Taylor, Swarovski Optik related material. My website will have detailed struggle with learning new software. The For the digiscoper looking to get high-quality info and directions to the meeting location or programs that are necessary to do the job bird images, we discuss equipment choices email me at [email protected]. can be intimidating for first-time users. This as well as field techniques. A good working www.wildscapeimages.com seminar is intended to make the transition [email protected] knowledge of photography (depth of field, lens easier for those who are new to the world Meet in front of the store entrance to the of digital photography. Beginning with focal lengths, f/stops, etc.) is recommended. Wal-Mart at 8500 N. Wickham Rd., Viera at www.swarovskioptik.com 5:45 am (exit 191, Wickham Rd. from I-95 a thorough introduction to the work area Jan. 24, 1:30pm-3:00pm: BCC Gym Class and then west for ¼ mile). (including menus, toolboxes and palettes), 121; Free Jan. 27, 5:45am-10:00am: Viera Wetlands the seminar will cover topics such as: how to www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 65 photo ops read and understand histograms, brightness Jan. 26, 1:00pm-5:30pm: Limited to 12 led by Milton Heiberg, a 30 year veteran of and contrast adjustments, color corrections, registrants; $60/person nature photography, teacher of the subject cropping and resizing images, sharpening Bird Photography for 20 years at the New York City Audubon and file-saving. A CD with step-by-step guides Presenter: Milton Heiberg Society and now at The Crealde School of Art to the techniques discussed is included with Milton Heiberg, author of The Essentials of in Orlando. He is the author of seven books registration. The session has been expanded to Nature Photography, will teach you how to on photography. Many of his students have three hours, and participants are encouraged capture the beauty of birds on film, how to become well published and noted nature to bring their laptop computers for a “hands- approach birds with telephoto lenses and photographers (including Florida’s own on” learning experience. The instructor has how to photograph birds in flight using Arthur Morris). You will receive a gratis copy been using Adobe Photoshop both personally techniques taught by this 35-year veteran of Milton’s classic book: The Essentials of and professionally for over 10 years and is of nature photography. If you are planning Nature Photography. We will catch a sunrise experienced on Windows and Mac platforms. to attend Milton’s photo field workshops to over the waters of Mosquito Lagoon; drive, www.naturalvisonsphoto.com Biolab Road, you should seriously consider walk and stalk the abundant bird life along Jan. 24, 12:00pm-3:00pm: BCC Gym Class this seminar. the way. Bring tripod, ISO 200 or 400 film (or 123; $35/person www.miltonheiberg.com digital camera) and a 300+mm lens. Image Editing for Digital Photographers 2 Jan. 25, 10:30am-11:30am: BCC Gym Class www.miltonheiberg.com Presenter: Kevin Doxstater 119; $5/person Meet at 5:45am at Parish Park boat ramp area located on the left (north) side, just Building on basics from Image Editing 1, this Interpretations of Nature Series: Merritt across the Titusville Bridge. workshop will cover topics to bring out the Island & Orlando Wetlands Park Jan. 26, 27 & 28, 5:45am -10:00am: best in your digital images using Photoshop Presenter: Milton Heiberg Limited to 12 registrants; $60/person or Photoshop Elements. The class begins with Let yourself float in a pool of total relaxation Life of Birds a look at monitor calibration and a couple of and, with open eyes, dream of the earth’s finest different ways to get your monitor looking products. Milton Heiberg’s Interpretations of Presenter: Reinier Munguia right for the best possible output. We’ll Nature series has two all-new additions put See the description in the Seminars Section. also discuss advanced techniques for color to music. The theme of each is the nature of Nature Photography correction, using the Toning Tools (dodging Central Florida. Part 1 focuses on the wildlife Presenter: Reinier Munguia and burning), retouching your images with and landscapes of the Orlando Wetlands Learn useful techniques for nature photography. the Clone Tool and the Healing Brush/Patch Park; Part 2 the Merritt Island NWR. They Reinier will cover how to improve the quality Tool (including tips for restoring old photos), tell a story of this part of the earth that of your images through the use of proper how to use the Selection Tools and how to you, the viewer, may reflect upon. You bring exposure, how to deal with the dynamic range add text to an image using the Type Tools. something to it and take something away with of modern digital cameras and how to use ND We’ll conclude with a discussion of the Print you. It’s a “must see.” filters. Learn how to solve problems in the dialog box and which settings are best for www.miltonheiberg.com field, what gear to take with you and how to printing. Each participant will receive a CD with Jan. 26, 1:00pm-2:00pm: BCC Auditorium; see nature from a documentary prospective. step-by-step tutorials for each of the topics $5/person Master the light and conquer the elements covered. The session has been expanded to Close-Up Photography that can ruin a great shot. Learn techniques three hours, and participants are encouraged Presenter: Milton Heiberg on how to deal with harsh light, wind and to bring their laptop computers to the class Learn how to capture the beauty of nature more that affect the quality of your images. for a “hands-on” learning experience. close up from Milton Heiberg. The seminar www.wildstockphotos.com www.naturalvisonsphoto.com will cover photography of wildflowers, insects, Jan. 24, 8:30am-10:00am: BCC Gym Class Jan. 25, 12:00pm-3:00pm: BCC Gym Class 121; $35/person 123; $35/person butterflies and other small creatures. For the outdoor workshop, take a walk out back to one Macrophotography 101 Kevin Doxstater: Bird & Nature Photography of the fallow areas of campus and get down Presenter: Reinier Munguia Field Techniques into it. Come with or without your camera and This presentation will introduce participants Take your photography to the next level in a close-up lenses. You will look at small nature to the amazing world of macro and close- morning and/or afternoon bird photography subjects from a whole new perspective and up photography, its requirements and workshop with Kevin Doxstater. Learn the visually study their beauty in a brand new techniques. Learn how to find, approach techniques Kevin uses to create award-winning light, both literally and figuratively. and photograph wary creatures in their shots including exposure, controlling depth of www.miltonheiberg.com environment. Techniques to be discussed field, capturing action and flight and artistic include magnification factors, exposure image composition. A 300mm or longer Jan. 27, 11:00am-12:30pm: BCC Gym Class 121; $5/person compensations, controlling depth of field and telephoto or zoom lens is recommended Meet in front of the Gymnatorium at backgrounds. Learn the solution to a variety (bring your wide-angle lens, too, should we 1:00pm for the outdoor workshop portion. of problems that macro photographers face get a beautiful sunrise or sunset!). www.naturalvisonsphoto.com Outdoor Workshop, 1:00pm-3:00pm in the field, including how to master the light, Meet in front of the Marine Patrol Station at Photography Field Workshop control the elements and what to do when you forget to pack the macro lens. Macro the east end of the Titusville Causeway. Presenter: Milton Heiberg photography does not have to be expensive. Jan. 24 & 28, 6:00am-10:30am: Limited to Drive and stalk along the beautiful water edge With today’s technology, almost anybody with 12 registrants; $60/person of Biolab Rd. as the sun rises over the lagoon, 66 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly photo ops

a camera can explore this field. lens); lens-handling techniques; determining Photography Field Workshop www.wildstockphotos.com exposure (sunny F16 rule); protecting the Presenter: Joanne Williams Jan. 25, 3:30pm-5:00pm: BCC Gym Class highlights; how to obtain sharper images; Join Joanne Williams, an accomplished 123; $30/person depth of field; flash techniques (fill flash); the professional photographer whose work is Digital Workflow Techniques perfect background; capturing birds in flight; seen in numerous national and international Presenter: Reinier Munguia how to approach your subject and more. publications, for a morning of photography Learn how to improve the quality and quantity Participants are encouraged to bring sample instruction. Practice composition, equipment of your work by controlling your workflow, work and their photo equipment if they have settings and learn techniques Joanne uses. from the field to your desktop. See how any questions on how to use it properly. Must have working knowledge of your camera software and hardware are fine-tuned to give Price includes a bird photography multimedia equipment. Those with digital equipment, you what you need when you need it. Covers CD-ROM. beginners and non-photographers welcome. step-by-step instructions from the image- www.wildstockphotos.com Joanne will visit Viera Wetlands on Jan. 25 making process to the final print, including Jan. 27, 10:30am-12:00pm: BCC Gym and 26 and Merritt Island NWR on Jan. 27. Class 123; $35/person calibration and profiles. Stop wasting time www.joannewilliamsphoto.com fixing your images and spend more time Bird Photography Field Workshop Meet in front of Best Western Space Shuttle Inn at 3455 Cheney Hwy. (SR 50 at shooting. Learn the tools available for the Presenter: Reinier Munguia I-95) in Titusville at 5:30am. nature photographer on the go, including This workshop was developed to enhance Jan. 25 & 26, 5:30am-10:00am: Viera image cataloging software and how to your photography skills through in-depth Wetlands; Limited to 12 registrants; maintain your own online FTP-server for instruction in the field and practice on $60/person image-sharing when away from home. location. We’ll head to Viera Wetlands to Meet in front of the CVS Pharmacy at 5 www.wildstockphotos.com make use of the best afternoon or morning Garden St. in Titusville at 5:45am. Jan. 26, 9:00am-10:00am: BCC Gymn light while shooting a variety of birds. You’ll Jan. 27, 5:45am-10:00am: Merritt Island Class 123; $5/person learn techniques that will help improve your NWR; Limited to 12 registrants; $60/person Photoshop for Nature Photographers photography including: approaching birds Presenter: Reinier Munguia effectively; in-flight techniques; exposure This workshop is especially designed for the and metering; lens-handling techniques; nature photographer who wants to make the flash techniques; controlling backgrounds; best use of digital technology. Learn photo e n h a n c i n g touch-up techniques and color solutions for sharpness and the digital workflow. Study how to get the more. Price includes best results from your digital or conventional a bird photography captures and how to solve problems through multimedia CD-ROM. a series of live demonstrations using real www.wildstockphotos.com photos. Using Adobe Photoshop® or Adobe Meet in front of the lobby of the Photoshop Elements®, you’ll learn how to: Best Western extend the dynamic range; preserve shadows Space Shuttle Inn and highlights; use the histograms; use the (southeast side of layer mask; selective blur; remove digital noise; the intersection of enhance sharpness; control backgrounds; I-95 and SR 50) at 5:30am on Jan 25. monitor calibration; color correction; printing On Jan. 27, meet techniques; remove defects; softening in front of the Best backgrounds. All participants will receive Western lobby at a multimedia CD-ROM on Photoshop for 12:45pm. Nature Photographers. Jan. 25, 5:30am- www.wildstockphotos.com 10:00am: Limited Jan. 26, 3:30pm-5:30pm: BCC Gym Class to 12 registrants; 123; $35/person $60.00/person Jan. 27, 12:45pm- Bird Photography 101 5:30pm: Limited Presenter: Reinier Munguia to 12 registrants; Join this workshop full of techniques and in- $60/person field experiences to obtain that bird photo you The Pantanal & A always wanted. Professional photographer Bit More... Reinier Munguia will share his knowledge and Presenter: Joanne wonderful experiences in the world of bird Williams photography. Get details on how to capture See the description many species in a professional and affordable in the Seminars way. Topics to be covered include: equipment Section. (digital vs film); the basic set-up (300mm www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 67 Florida Power & Light's Electrifying www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/ Plants & Their Uses Through History from additionalhttp://home.cfl.rr.com/wekivabirdban activitiesd Experience Ancient to Modern Times Featuring “Mr. Electricity” Jan. 26: 9:00am-4:00pm; Merritt Island Learn to identify many of the various native NWR Visitor Center; Free Robert Krampf’s Science Education Co. plants found in the Sanctuary as well as FPL’s Electrifying Experience has been Jan. 27: 11:30am-4:00pm; Enchanted practical information regarding their values Forest; Free carefully designed to be entertaining as well and uses through the centuries. Your as educational. We will keep attendees to Hands-On Wildlife Safari interpreters for this session will be trail guide this show oohing and ahhing with million- The mission of Hands-On Wildlife Safari is to volunteer and avid mushroom hobbyist Dr. help preserve the Earth's diversity through the Jay Barnhart and retired land manager and use of "hands-on" education, enlightenment, biologist Jim Stahl. 12:00pm and entertainment. They have added world- Beneficial Bats wide affected wildlife to their programs, This program will be presented by EEL offering a broader wildlife experience and North Region Land Management Technician larger presentation topic base with Florida Shari Blissett-Clark. Take a journey into volt sparks and panther, North American bobcat and African the amazing world of bats and learn the hair-raising static spotted serval cat, along with other reptiles truth about these fascinating mammals. demonstrations while and birds from all over the world. Discussions will “bust” popular myths and teaching the basics Our Motto is “Education + Experience = misconceptions surrounding bats, such as of electricity and Conservation.” We believe that as much blindness, blood drinking and disease risks. electrical safety. Some of the topics covered as 60% more information is retained when Learn about the real behavior of bats and why include electrical history, static charges, volts, a tactile experience is involved along with they are crucial to a healthy environment and amps, alternating current, direct current and good education. Our programs combine the beneficial to mankind. 1:00pm high-frequency electricity. facts that our Wildlife Educators give you … Gopher Tortoise Hike This presentation is suitable for pre-K then add being close to one of the world's Join Kristopher Brown, EEL North Region Land through adult. The balance of information most impressive and endangered species, Management Technician, for this amazing and demonstration makes this an enjoyable the Florida Panther; or touching the glossy opportunity to learn how to identify a gopher show for everyone. scales of a Florida king snake for the first tortoise burrow and explore the burrow’s Florida Power and Light Company has been time; or hearing the many verbalizations of cavity with a camera. More than 300 insects a continuous sponsor of the Festival since the spirited and beautiful North American and animals share tortoise burrows - who 1997. FPL has many FPL-sponsored Science bobcat. You will walk away with the gift of knows what you might discover! Find out Outreach Programs available to schools as being surprisingly educated while having an about the tortoises’ preferred habitats, diets well as family activities such as FPL for Kids experience that you will never forget. and their importance in our communities. and the Captain Conservation Program. Visit www.handsonwildlife.org Learn how to join the “Adopt-a-Tortoise FPL's website and click on “Community Jan. 26 & 27, 10:00am-5:00pm: In front of Program.” 2:00 pm the BCC Gymnatorium; Free Involvement” and “Electricity and Our What is Biodiversity? Environment”. We thank FPL for bringing Mr. Family Activities at the Explore three unique ecosystems with Judy Electricity to the Festival! Gregoire, EEL North Area Land Manager. www.krampf.com Enchanted Forest Learn about the plant and animals that live www.fpl.com Hosted by the Brevard Co. Environmentally in the Sanctuary and thus contribute to the Jan. 27: 11:00am and 1:00pm; BCC Endangered Lands Program and Friends of biodiversity of the area. The adaptations Auditorium; Free the Enchanted Forest of these plants and animals will also be Bird-Banding Demo Trip Leaders and Interpreters: Judy discussed and compared. How do animals Richard Poole Gregoire, Jim Stahl, Dr. Jay Barnhart, that live in the hot, sunny xeric oak scrub Bird-banding is a universal and indispensable Shari Blissett-Clark and Kristopher Brown ecosystem find water? How do plants that technique for studying the movement, Titusville’s 428-acre Enchanted Forest survive in the flooded hydric hammock survival and behavior of birds. Individual Sanctuary is the flagship property for the ecosystem adapt to their surroundings? Join identification of birds makes possible studies Brevard County Environmentally Endangered us for this guided hike to find out. 3:00pm of dispersal and migration, behavior and Lands (EEL) Program. Preserving a significant www.eelbrevard.com social structure, life span and survival rate, sample of the natural communities that www.enchantedforestfriends.org reproductive success and population growth. originated and remain in this region, the Meet at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary. A master bird-bander, Richard works at the incredible diversity of this area is found Directions: Go south on U.S. 1 through Wekiva Basin Banding Station, the longest throughout the Sanctuary’s varied habitats Titusville. About a mile south of town, go west on SR 407. The entrance is on continuously running bird-banding station in which include xeric oak scrub, mature hardwood forests, wetlands and pine the right, about 1/3 mile west of US 1. Florida. Richard will bring two mist nets to Activities start in front of the Education set up in two locations. To learn more about flatwoods. In one of the few places in Central Center. Florida where subtropical and temperate plant banding, visit www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/ and Jan. 27, 12:00am-4:00pm: Limited to 30 the Wekiva Basin Banding Station web site, species are found together, visitors can also registrants; Free http://home.cfl.rr.com/wekivabirdband. see the exposed layers of coquina rock that form the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. 68 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly registration 10th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival A Decade of Dedication: 1997 to 2007 January 24-28, 2007 • Brevard Community College - Titusville Campus Please call Neta Harris • 321-268-5224 (local area calls) • 800-460-2664 (out of area/out of state calls) or email [email protected] USE ONE REGISTRATION FORM PER PERSON Please legibly print to complete this form. Retain a copy of the completed form for your records.

Name______Date______

Mailing Address______

City______State/District______Country______Zip______

Phone______Fax______

Email Address______Check appropriate category if you are: o Sponsor o Speaker o Trip Leader o Exhibitor o Vegetarian o Under 16 Registration fee covers entry costs to: Opening Reception, Afternoon Socials, Seminars and $5.00 Workshops - $25.00 One-Day Registration Fee covers entry to: Reception or Social, Seminars and $5.00 Workshops one date only! - $15.00 Registration Fee FREE if you are under age 16 and accompanied by an adult. Note: All events are listed by date. Note: BYOB - Bring your own boat! WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2007 South Brevard County 65.00 o 1st o 2nd Doxstater: Photo Field WS 60.00 o 1st o 2nd Lake Monroe CA 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Munguia: Nature Photo 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Viera Wetlands 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Econlockhatchee 40.00 o 1st o 2nd Tosohatchee/OWP 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Econlockhatchee – BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Black Rails 20.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Fox Lake 25.00 o 1st o 2nd Ducks Are Fun 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Fox Lake – BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Beach Birds 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak 1,000 Islands 25.00 o 1st o 2nd Plants of North Brevard Free o 1st o 2nd Kayak 1,000 Islands -BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Doxstater: Image Editing 1 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Keynote: Wheeler 10.00 o THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2007 South Brevard County 65.00 o 1st o 2nd Munguia: Macrophoto 30.00 o 1st o 2nd Zellood/Lake Apopka 50.00 o 1st o 2nd Munguia: Photo Field WS 60.00 o 1st o 2nd Little Big Econ 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Williams: Photo Field WS 60.00 o 1st o 2nd Tosohatchee/OWP 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Fox Lake 25.00 o 1st o 2nd North Brevard Hotspots 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Fox Lake - BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Black Rails 20.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Mosquito Lagoon 30.00 o 1st o 2nd Shorebirds by Impression 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Mosquito Lagoon - BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Center for Birds of Prey N/A o 1st Kayak Turkey Creek 25.00 o 1st o 2nd Beginning Birding Free o 1st o 2nd Kayak Turkey Creek - BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Taylor: Digiscoping Field WS Free o 1st o 2nd Keynote: Thompson 10.00 o Doxstater: Image Editing 2 35.00 o 1st o 2nd FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2007 Central Florida Specialties 65.00 o 1st o 2nd Doxstater: Photo Field WS 60.00 o 1st o 2nd Zellwood/Lake Apopka 50.00 o 1st o 2nd Munguia: Photoshop 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Viera Wetlands 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Heiberg: Photo Field WS 60.00 o 1st o 2nd North Brevard Hotspots 35.00 o 1st o 2nd Williams: Photo Field WS 60.00 o 1st o 2nd Canaveral Marshes/Blue Heron 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Lake Monroe 25.00 o 1st o 2nd Historical Sites CNS 50.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Lake Monroe - BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Ducks Are Fun 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak 1,000 Islands 25.00 o 1st o 2nd Afternoon Hayride 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak 1,000 Islands - BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Birding By Impression 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Pelican Island 25.00 o 1st o 2nd Diceranda Scrub Walk Free o 1st o 2nd Kayak Pelican Island - BYOB 15.00 o 1st o 2nd Florida Scrub Jays Free o 1st o 2nd Keynote: Shearwater 10.00 o www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 69 Note: All events are listed by date. Note: BYOB - Bring your own boat! SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2007 Central Florida Specialties $65.00 o 1st o 2nd Amoruso: Photo Field WS $60.00 o 1st o 2nd Hal Scott Preserve $35.00 o 1st o 2nd Heiberg: Photo Field WS $60.00 o 1st o 2nd Viera Wetlands $35.00 o 1st o 2nd Williams: Photo Field WS $60.00 o 1st o 2nd North Brevard Hotspots $35.00 o 1st o 2nd Munguia: Bird Photo 101 $35.00 o 1st o 2nd Ancient & Modern Mariners $60.00 o 1st o 2nd Munguia: Photo Field WS $60.00 o 1st o 2nd Birding By Ear $20.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Haulover Canal $25.00 o 1st o 2nd Ducks Are Fun! $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Haulover Canal - BYOB $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Florida Scrub Jays Free o 1st o 2nd Kayak 1,000 Islands $25.00 o 1st o 2nd Dissect Owl Pellets Free o 1st o 2nd Kayak 1,000 Islands - BYOB $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Build an Owl House Free o 1st o 2nd Kayak Pelican Island $25.00 o 1st o 2nd Beginning Birding Free o 1st o 2nd Kayak Pelican Island - BYOB $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Enchanted Forest Activities Free o 1st o 2nd Keynote: Weidensaul $10.00 o Taylor: Digiscoping Field WS Free o 1st o 2nd SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2007 Hal Scott Preserve $35.00 o 1st o 2nd Doxstater: Photo Field WS $60.00 o 1st o 2nd Viera Wetlands $35.00 o 1st o 2nd Heiberg: Photo Field WS $60.00 o 1st o 2nd Canaveral Marshes/Blue Heron $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Fox Lake $25.00 o 1st o 2nd Birding by Ear $20.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Fox Lake - BYOB $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Shorebirds by Impression $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Mosquito Lagoon $30.00 o 1st o 2nd Ducks Are Fun $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Mosquito Lagoon - BYOB $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Gulls & Terns ID $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Haulover Canal $25.00 o 1st o 2nd Pine Isle Archaeological Project $25.00 o 1st o 2nd Kayak Haulover Canal - BYOB $15.00 o 1st o 2nd Hike Lake Procter Free o 1st o 2nd Sunday Social & Keynote (adult) $20.00 o 1st o 2nd Center for Birds of Prey N/A o 1st Sunday Social (under 12) $5.00 o 1st o 2nd Wild Side of KSC $35.00 o 1st o 2nd Keynote (only): Fitzpatrick $10.00 o Amoruso: Photo Field WS $60.00 o 1st o 2nd Cancellations may be made by phone by January 8, 2007 to Total Event Costs - 1st Choice only (page 1 & 2) $______receive a full registration refund less a $10.00 processing charge. Cancellations made between January 9 and 23, 2007 will receive Registration Fee $25.00 a 50% refund of the total registration amount, less a $10.00 OR OR processing charge. One-Day Only Registration Fee $15.00 Once the Festival starts, NO refunds will be given unless the Festival cancels an event. Refunds will be processed after Grand Total Event Costs January 29, 2007. (1st choice only + Registration Fee) $______The Festival reserves the right to cancel an event or substitute an MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2007 event when necessary. If an event is cancelled, a full refund will be issued for that event only. o Pelagic Birding Trip $100.00 Registration received by mail or fax will be confirmed by email or Note: Registration for the Pelagic Birding Trip will NOT be charged to your credit card or your check cashed until the trip begins. Those paying for Festival costs by check should telephone. No confirmations made after January 20, 2007. write a separate check for the Pelagic Birding Trip. See below for payment instructions. scbwf© 2006 Payment Methods: Check, Master Card or VISA. No other credit cards and no debit cards.

Event Fees + Registration Fee Check # ______$ ______OR Event Fees + Registration Fee MC or VISA #______-______-______-______$ ______

3-digit Security Code # ______Exp.Date ______/ ______/ ______

Monday Pelagic Trip Check # ______$ ______OR Monday Pelagic Trip MC or VISA #______-______-______-______$ ______

3-digit Security Code # ______Exp.Date ______/ ______/ ______

Print Cardholder Name ______Cardholder Signature ______By your signature, you authorize a charge to your credit card for the amount listed above. Credit Card registrations may be faxed to 321-268-0921 OR mailed to the address below. Make checks payable to BNA/SCBWF. Mail to Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival, P.O.Box 517, Titusville, Florida 32781-0517. ALLOW MAIL ADEQUATE TIME TO ARRIVE BEFORE 1/20/07. DO NOT FAX AFTER 1/20/07. 7700 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly Photos on this page by Ray Scory

activitiesAlthough all of the Festival activities are suitable for youngfor people, many families stand out as being especially attractive for kids. Youth under 16 years of age are admitted free to all seminars, $5.00 workshops and keynote presentations when accompanied by a paying adult. Please see the Field Trips, Seminars, Workshops and Photography descriptions and the Schedule of Activities for dates, times and locations. Field Trips will require registration and payment for the trip charge when applicable, as there are seating limits and associated transportation costs. * denotes activities that require pre-registration. Raptor Project Hands-On Wildlife Safari Sponsored by Nikon Sport Optics Jan. 26 & 27, 10:00am- See the world’s largest collection of 5:00pm traveling winged predators! Location: BCC *Florida Scrub-Jays Gymnatorium Stage. Class and Field Trip Free show times: Jan. 26 & 27, 8:00am- Jan. 25, 2:00pm 12:30pm Jan. 26, 9:30am & 1:00pm & 3:30pm *Dissection of Barn Owl Jan. 27, 10:00am & 2:00pm & 3:30pm Pellets or “What’s For Dinner?” Make Your Own Bird Feeder Jan. 27, 8:30am-10:00am Sponsored by Ace Hardware of Titusville Ace Hardware is furnishing hangers, birdseed *Owl House of Dreams: If You Build It, They Will and donated liter bottles for this project. You Come! will be able to help your child with placing Jan. 27, 11:00am-12:30pm the hanger in the bottle, filling with birdseed and finding a good spot for hanging at home. * Ancient & Modern Mariners Field Trip Supplies are located on the table across from Beautiful Birds/Beautiful Music Jan. 27, 8:00am-5:00pm the Festival Registration Table. Beautiful Nature/Beautiful Music FREE *Enchanted Forest Family Activities Seabirds & Marine Mammals of Monterey Bay Jan. 27, 12:00pm-4:00pm The Pantanal & A Bit More... * Beginning Birding: Bird Banding Wonderful Hummingbirds of Ecuador Jan. 25, 8:30am-12:30pm Threatened & Endangered Birds of Florida Jan. 27, 1:00pm-5:00pm Jan. 26, Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center: 9:00am-4:00pm Wildlife in Exotic Brazil: Wolves, Macaws & *Special Tour of Audubon Center for Birds Jan. 27, Enchanted Forest: 11:30am-4:00pm Monkeys – Oh My! of Prey Birding Madagascar – the Eighth Continent Jan. 25 & 28, 9:00am-11:30am The following seminars will be of interest Young Adult Birders Flock to Ecuador for youngsters and do not require pre- Island Birding *Dicerandra Scrub Sanctuary Walk registration. The Valdes Peninsula, Its Birds & Mammals Jan. 26, 9:00am-12:00pm World of Bats Kansas? Unbelievable! Eagles in Florida *Afternoon Hayride MINWR Stamp Up for Birds Jan. 26, 2:30pm-5:30pm Barn Owls: Farmer’s Friend, Teacher’s Pet The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem * Historical Sites of Canaveral National Seashore Field Trip Life of Birds Jan. 26, 8:30am-5:00pm Interpretations of Nature

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