Everglade Kite Yes, We All Know It Is “Fall”, by the Calendar, but Winter Is Only a Few Days Away Is the Newsletter of the Audubon (By the Calendar, That Is!)

EVERGLADENEWSLETTER OF THE KITE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF THE EVERGLADES Serving Palm Beach County, Florida Volume 54, Number 3 December 2013

CALENDAR Winging it with Claudine: Birds of South Florida Claudine Laabs Fri. Dec 6, 4:00 p.m. Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Delray Bch 13026 Jog Rd. Meet Tuesday, December 3, 7:30 p.m. at top of boardwalk. Leader: Valleri Brauer Claudine Laabs paints with light, capturing the magic of nature with her lens. She Sat. Dec 7, 7:45 a.m. STA 1E. Car pool was drawn to the Everglades after being entranced by a flurry of wading birds in around Storm Water Treatment Area an Everglades pond, and her course was set—Claudine discovered that she was a managed by South Florida Water naturalist at heart. Management District. Space limited. Call She has spent most of her career photographing prolifically in the Everglades, the Linda to register: 561-742-7791 Amazon, and more recently in the rainforests of Panama. Claudine’s work has Wed. Dec. 11, 7:30 a.m. ARM Loxahatchee been published by the World Wildlife Fund and the Audubon Society, as well as NWR. Boynton Beach, 10216 Lee Rd. in publications including Natural History and U.S. News and World Report. Her Meet at Marsh Trail. Entry $5 per car solo exhibitions include Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Historical Museum Leader: Sue Young of South Florida. Claudine is the past president of the Audubon Society of the Sat. Dec 14, 6:30 a.m. STA 5, Clewiston. Everglades, Palm Beach County Chapter. Meet at Burlington Coat Factory (NW Southern/441) to carpool. Call Linda to Claudine feels that wildlife does not have a voice. She would like to be their voice register: 561-742-7791 and remind people that we share the earth. She gives slide presentations of her Sat. Dec 14, 8:00 a.m. Wellington photography, and leads birding and photo expeditions throughout Florida’s Environmental Preserve, 3499 Flying Cow wetlands, the Amazon and Panama. Rd. Wellington. Park at second entrance. Please join us for this entertaining and educational program at Pine Jog. Free and 2-mile walk, no shade. Leader: Walt open to the public! 6301 W. Summit Blvd., in West Palm Beach. Hackenjos REMINDER: Our December meeting is our Holiday Pot Luck Dinner. For more Sun. Dec 15, 7:00 a.m. STA 1E. Meet as above. Call Linda to register: 561-742- details, see inside. Doors open at 5:45; dinner is at 6:30. The program is at the usual 7791 time, 7:30 p.m. Sun. Dec 15, 1:00 p.m. Pelican Island/ January Meeting Preview Sunset Cruise. Carpool only. $33. Contact ASE’s Jan. 7 meeting speaker is Jayantha Obeysekera, Chief Modeler, South Claudine Laabs to register (561) 655-9779 Florida Water Managment District. Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Potential Fri. Dec 20, 7:30 a.m. Okeeheelee Nature Impacts on Water Resources Management. Center. WPB. 7715 Forest Hill Blvd. Meet Mr. Obeysekera is one of the District’s top people on climate change. He was on on porch. Contact Okeeheelee to register: local public radio station WLRN recently speaking about the challenges of trying 561-233-1400. Leader: Clive Pinnock, to assess and plan for sea level rise in south Florida. Manager Sat. Dec 28, 4:00 p.m. Green Cay THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS Bird-of-the-Month Photos Wetlands. Boynton Bch. 12800 Hagen Green Cay Migration Day The 2014 Bird-of-the-Month calendar will Ranch Rd. Meet outside Nature Center Claudine Laabs, Bob Wershoven, be released online later this month, after main door. Leader: Cliff Dean Ben Kolstad the newsletter goes to the printer. Please go to our website (auduboneverglades. Sat. Dec 28, 4:00 p.m. Evening arrival of Special Loxahatchee River District & Sand Hill Cranes. Meet at Seminole Inn, org) and look for the list there. As usual, Busch Wildlife Tour feel free to send January Bird-of-the Month 15885 SW War Field Blvd, Indiantown. Jim Howe Call Claudine to register: 561-655-9779 pictures (jpg format) to be posted on the Learn Green Conference ASE web site to [email protected]. Mon. Dec 30, 7:30 a.m. Wakodahatchee Judi Munro, Janet Schreiber, Susan Identify the name for credit, and if there Wetlands. Meet as above. Leader: Paton Snyder is anything specific to look for in your White picture (like banded, in molt, etc) feel VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sat. Jan 4, XMAS BIRD COUNT. free to add a few words for the caption. Coordinator: Chuck Weber 561-602-0326 Hospitality Chair – Coordinate refresh- Meanwhile please enjoy our growing on- or [email protected] ments and organize helpers to bring line gallery of member pictures on the refreshments and attend the table. web site (click Bird of the Month on left Sun. Jan 5, STA 1E. Meet as above. Contact side scroll-down topic list). Linda for details 561-742 -7791 Contact [email protected] AH, THE BREATH OF FALL IN THE AIR The Everglade Kite Yes, we all know it is “Fall”, by the calendar, but winter is only a few days away is the newsletter of the Audubon (by the calendar, that is!). Right now is the best time of year for individual activities, Society of the Everglades, published depending on their seasonal choices. Birding is likely going to lead the way, but 10 times a year. don’t forget to consider the opportunities! Walking along trails for “Fall” leaves or President flowers, or other unexpected things like mice, insects and the slither of a snake!And, Cynthia Plockelman 561-585-1278 the heat has abated, for now! 1st Vice President Normally, we would have had a few more showers, to relieve the dry soils. So, OPEN a chance to get out and “water” the tropical and semi-tropical plantings is a 2nd Vice President good excuse for not taking part in “Fall house cleaning.” The parade of hawk Linda Humphries 742-7791 species moving south has been remarkable—and they can be noisy about wanting Secretary attention. Ah, the “call of the wild”—in the midst of downtown, from the top of a Alan Parmalee 498-0996 tall building. Yes, it does happen—and of course, you never have a camera at hand Treasurer (regardless that our downtown buildings are too tall to access for photos). Last Janet Schreiber 689-2530 week, I had a gorgeous Cooper’s Hawk calling to me as I went into the City Hall Corresponding Secretary for a meeting. It made my day!! Judy Munro 379-9465 The first warblers went through last month, and if you have Florida plantings, Field Trips attracting insects—you may find these take up home in the shrubbery along an Valleri Brauer 385-9787 alleyway, or the nearby city park. We have had a variety coming and going from Membership our alley for many years...don’t water it, don’t mow, etc. Common yellowthroat Gail Tomei 969-7567 went through last week, and several other species competing for territory. Bird ID If “Fall” is your time of year...lucky you! Hope you are getting the chance to “bird,” Clive Pinnock 233-1400 x4 take walks or just sit and vegetate under your favorite tree. We are fortunate that Library most of our winters are “mild.” Of course, that is WHY we LIVE IN FLORIDA! Anne Hoctor 601-8007 Invite your relatives for a visit and enjoy it ALL. Conservation Rosa (Cissie) Durando 965-2420 Cynthia Plockelman Pres., ASE Education Susan Snyder 627-7829 Christmas Bird Count Information [email protected] The regular West Palm Beach Christmas Bird Count will be conducted on Saturday, Community Relations January 4, 2014. A December 21 date was originally listed on ASE’s activities Debbie Smithh 779-3736 schedule, but it became apparent participation would suffer at this earlier time. So Publicity the count will take place January 4. Those interested in taking part, contact Chuck Sheila Hollihan-Elliot 629-7516 Weber at 561-602-0326 or [email protected]. Sales The STA-1 East field trip scheduled for the first weekend of January, will now take Stella Rossi 732-4786 place Sunday, January 5, instead of January 4. Contact Linda Humphries to sign Hospitality up (561-742-7791). OPEN There will be no CBC centered around STA-1 East this year, as originally planned. Kite, Webmaster 367-7689 We are still exploring the possibility of conducting such a CBC, but we were not Ben Kolstad [email protected] able to proceed this season. ASE on the Internet http://www.auduboneverglades.org Apologies for any confusion or problems these adjustments may cause.

Audubon Society of the Everglades, incorpo- Chuck Weber rated in 1966, serves communities in Palm Beach County. Our purpose is to promote the PAPER COPY OF THE KITE conservation of wildlife and the natural envi- ASE has converted our Kite subscription list from paper delivery to electronic ronment and to advance human understand- delivery (email) because of the monthly expense. If you are a CHAPTER ing of our place in the total ecological system. MEMBER OF ASE you are receiving your copy in the form (email or paper) as you requested and do not need to contact us. If you are a NATIONAL M EMBER and want to continue to get your Kite (email or paper) and have not already Consider ASE In Your Giving Plans contacted us, you must contact Gail Tomei (561-969-7567/blackgrouper@ Please consider a donation to comcast.net). You will always be able to read the Kite on our website, www. Audubon Society of the Everglades as auduboneverglades.org part of your charitable contributions ARE YOU A NEW MEMBER OF NATIONAL AUDUBON? this year. Your company might have We are delighted to have you as a member of the Audubon Society of the a matching gift program; whether it Everglades as well. We hope you will join us at our meetings and trips. If you does or not, please remember ASE in wish to continue to get the Kite, please contact Gail Tomei and let her know if your charitable contribution plans. you prefer to receive your Kite by mail or by email. Gail Tomei (561-969-7567/ Thank you! [email protected]) Birding the Keys Coastal Area HOLIDAY POT LUCK DINNER Russ Martens December 3, 2013 The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a well known destination in South Florida for tree and plant enthusiasts. Doors open at 5:45 Much less known, however, is the four-acre southeast corner Food served at 6:30 of the Garden, known as the Keys Coastal Area, which offers Meeting starts at 7:30 migrating birds a beautiful sanctuary and refueling foods. The name, Keys Coastal Area, is derived from the plantings. The area features densely planted Florida native species, with People with last names an emphasis on those from the Florida Keys. Charming paths A – H desserts wind through clusters of Red, Black or White Mangrove, I – R main dishes Spanish Stopper, Indigo Berry, Blolly, Buttonwood, West S-Z salads and vegetables Indian Mahogany, and Paurotis (Everglades) Palm. With the lovely aroma of native plantings wafting in the light breezes, there is a good chance during migration of December brings our annual pot luck dinner to sightings of Summer Tanagers, Tennessee Warblers, Black- celebrate the season. Please bring ready-to-serve throated Blues, Baltimore Orioles, vireos, Painted Buntings food, as we have no kitchen access. We will and, very likely, some surprises. supply drinks, coffee, and utensils. Many of the plantings are marked, presenting an opportunity for a self-guided educational tour, as well as an exciting birding opportunity. A chinese auction will feature great items. Thank If you’re traveling all the way from Palm Beach County, you to those who donated items. you will want to include in your day’s outings a visit to the We look forward to seeing you. trails of the beautiful Matheson Hammock Park—a site rich with history. In the depths of the Great Depression, with intractable unemployment and decaying infrastructure, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) created a myriad Bird of the Month for December: Ruby-throated of federal programs to put people back to work and stabilize the economy. Tens of thousands of projects were created, Hummingbird from roads, schools, libraries, post offices, parks, forests and Anyone who has the native plant called firebush gardens. Much of Matheson Hammock was built by workers (Hamelia patens) or other bright tubular flowers in in one of those federal programs, the Civilian Conservation their back yard is a candidate for a visit from this Corps or CCC. tiny winter resident of Palm Beach County. My John Walker, whose grandfather worked on the Matheson two young sons and I Hammock project as an employee of the CCC, provided the following memorandum to an historical archive being built were up before dawn on the era by the University of California-Berkeley: the other day and we “The entire park, including the coquina coral atoll pool, saw one ourselves: an was manmade. My grandfather, Robert ‘Bob’ C. Long was honest-to-goodness a CCC worker, and worked on the project and helped to Archilochus colubris build the atoll pool. He and many of the other CCC workers sipping nectar from carved their initials and names in the coral they laid around our backyard flowers. the manmade coral atoll pool deck… Of all of the jobs my Even my two-year-old grandfather did in his life as a young man, and despite the was thrilled! arduous conditions in Miami, dealing with the heat, the humidity, the moccasins, and the mosquitoes, he was most For years people have heard about hummingbirds proud of the work he did in the CCC, and his part in building hitching rides on larger birds during migration; no the Matheson Hammock atoll swimming pool!” evidence that I’m aware of subtantiates these rumors, but I have seen plenty of hummingbirds descending on SFWMD Assistant Executive Director Resigns larger birds in a territorial fury; not many of those larger Ernie Barnett was the SFWMD’s assistant executive director birds ever bothered to fight back. They know they have and head of its mammoth Everglades and water resources no chance to defeat this tiny, most maneuverable of initiatives. He had been with the district since 2005. He was instrumental in Tallahassee this year helping legislators birds. That might explain the rumors of “piggyback” understand Gov. Rick Scott’s Everglades Restoration migration. Strategies and its implications for settling challenges by the To hear more about these amazing Palm Beach federal government. He will stay with the district until January County winter residents, come to our December 1, after which he is expected to enter the private sector and Holiday Pot Luck and meeting! maintain a presence in Tallahassee. Audubon Society of the Everglades PO Box 16914 Nonprofit Org West Palm Beach, FL U.S. Postage Paid 33416-6914 Permit 46 West Palm Beach, Florida

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ATTENTION: This could be your last issue of the Kite! See inside for details. The Everglade Kite is published 10 times a year by Audubon Society of the Everglades, P.O. Box 16914, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33416-6914. Also available on the web: www.auduboneverglades.org. AUDUBON SOCIETY OF THE EVERGLADES is a 501 c-3 organization. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the state of Florida at http://ccfcorp.dos.state.fl.us/search.html and searching by name Audubon Society of the Everglades or calling in Florida 850-245-6052. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Articles NEEDED! Send to [email protected] by the 10th of the month.

Join Audubon Society of the Everglades Audubon Society of the Everglades (ASE) There are now two ways to join ASE: Chapter-only membership, and membership through the National Audubon Society. YES! I want to become a chapter-only member Chapter-Only Membership of ASE. Enclosed is my check made payable to When you become a member of the Audubon Society of the Audubon Society of the Everglades for: Everglades by using the form at right, all of your membership Regular $20 Senior (62+)/Student $15 fees are put to use supporting local projects: Everglades Day; Household $25 Patron $50 Education Programs such as model schools and field trips; Scholarships; and Conservation activities. Audubon Society of I would like to save ASE postage and the Everglades members also receive 10 issues of the Everglade printing costs; please send my Kite via email Kite newsletter. Send your check, payable to ASE, along with I would like to donate an additional this form to $20 $50 $100 $______Membership, Audubon Society of the Everglades Name ______Phone ______P.O. Box 16914 West Palm Beach, FL 33416-6914 Address ______National Audubon Society Membership If you join ASE through the National Audubon Society, you will City ______State ____ Zip ______receive 6 issues of Audubon Magazine, and membership in e-mail ______Audubon of Florida, but unless you give us your email, you will not receive the Kite. For details, visit www.audubon.org. To I would like to volunteer for: join the National Society, send your information and check to Education National Audubon Society Membership Center Conservation PO Box 422450 Everglades Day Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250 Fundraising Be sure to include the code C9ZE000Z with your application Other: ______so NAS will know how to process your payment.

Audubon Society of the Everglades general meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. (refreshments at 7) at FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, located on Summit Blvd, near the intersection of Summit and Jog, in West Palm Beach. The public is welcome to attend.