NOVEMBER 2019 • 1 OASOAS is is Orange Audubon Society The Voice of Conservation in Central Florida Vol. 54 Issue 3 • November 2019 This Month’s Program: November 21, 2019 November Monthly Field Trip Nature Photography Tips by Jack Rogers Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet November 23, 2019 Orange Audubon Society’s Saturday, November 23rd field trip will be to Lighthouse Point Park. Note changed location from that listed on the brochure. This Volusia County park in Ponce Inlet has a nice boardwalk where we will look for late migrant songbirds in the hammock. When we exit onto the well-preserved dunes, we’ll observe beach birds. We will bird the Ponce Inlet jetty and mouth of the Halifax River, looking for gulls, terns, shorebirds and wading birds. Park entry is $10 per car, so we will carpool from Port Orange Plaza, 4064 S. Ridgewood Ave. at the SW corner of US 1 and Dunlawton Blvd. We will meet there at 8:30 a.m. The trip is free and no registration is required. For Top left, Bobcat. Right, Young Roseate Spoonbill. Bottom left, Black Skimmer chick with fish. Photos: Jack Rogers information, contact me at lmartin5@ Orange Audubon Society’s (OAS) 32nd Annual Kit and Sidney Chertok Florida msn.com or (407) 647- 5834, or (407) Native Nature Photography Contest has a deadline of April 16, 2020. Each year 252-1182 on day of the trip. OAS hosts a nature photographer to present on Nature Photography Tips, Larry Martin, Field Trips Chair allowing plenty of time for people to get out and take photos. This year we are proud to host Jack Rogers, a widely published nature photographer who has been photographing birds and other wildlife for decades. Jack leads workshops and presents a variety of seminars each year, including nature photography classes at Valencia College where he is a full-time Geology professor. He is a great supporter of Florida’s conservation organizations, including OAS, and his images may be seen on their websites, pamphlets, and signposts across the state. He has won the Chertok Photo Contest several times as well as other photo contests. Ponce Inlet saltmarsh. Photo: Deborah Green Jack will be sharing his in-depth knowledge of where and how to successfully Charitable Distributions photograph birds and other wildlife across Florida and elsewhere. Young If you are or will be age 70 1/2 by photographers considering entering the Youth category of the Chertok photo 12/31/2019, have a traditional IRA contest are welcome, as well as adults. account and wish to donate to Non-photographers too will enjoy this program. We look forward to seeing you Orange Audubon Society (OAS), on November 21st at 7:00 p.m. Location below. Rick Baird, Programs Chair consider making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

Orange Audubon Society programs are free and no reservations are necessary. When properly structured, distributions made directly from a traditional IRA to Programs are the 3rd Thursday of each month (September–June) a 501(c)(3) like OAS are tax-free. Work and all but January and June start at 7:00 p.m. with your IRA fund manager to meet in the Camellia Room at QCD requirements, and please contact Harry P. Leu Gardens me at [email protected] or (407) 1920 North Forest Ave., Orlando, FL 32803 644-0796 if I can answer questions on For map and directions, visit: behalf of OAS. Thank you! Teresa Williams, OAS Treasurer www.leugardens.org/plan/directions/ NOVEMBER 2019• 2 OAS is Survival by City of Orlando Degrees Recognized by Audubon On October 10, 2019 Mayor Buddy Dyer has joined more National Audubon Society than 120 other mayors from across released Survival by Degrees: 389 the country as part of the Sierra Club’s Bird Species on the Brink, an in-depth Mayors for 100% Clean Energy. The report shedding much-needed light on City of Orlando has committed to 100% how 389 out of 604 North American clean, renewable energy by 2030! At bird species are being affected by this year’s Audubon Assembly, Chris climate change. Castro, Director of Sustainability & The range of bird species will be Resilience, accepted the prestigious Guy greatly reduced and modified if global Bradley award on behalf of Mayor Dyer and the City. Orange Audubon Society (OAS) temperatures continue to rise at the mission: To promote public current rate. Birds are the canaries in Orange Audubon Society is part of understanding of, and an interest in, the coal mine for human life. If we lose the First 50 Coalition of environmental wildlife and the environment that our bird species at this rapid rate, we groups that continues urging the City to supports it; foster the recognition of have a peek into what our future will be. take positive steps toward clean energy. the tangible and intangible values in the remaining natural areas of Florida A current priority of the coalition is and the world, and our responsibility convincing the City’s Orlando Utilities for the conservation of the Earth’s Commission (OUC) to close one natural ecosystems. of the Curtis Stanton coal-burning Orange Audubon Society power plants in East Orange County. P.O. Box 941142 As natural gas has become cheaper Maitland, FL 32794-1142 (through environmentally damaging www.orangeaudubonfl.org fracking), the “bridge” from coal to President and OASis Editor: renewables has been gas. Deborah Green The coalition wants to be sure that [email protected] natural gas does not become the (407) 637-2525 The report consisted of Audubon long-term energy source, due to The OASis (Orange Audubon Society scientists’ observations and studies, as the environmental problems with its information source) newsletter is well as heavy citizen science. Climate extraction, transport and combustion published monthly, September–June, models were used to project how each (natural gas doesn’t contain the and posted on the OAS website. A link species’ range will change as climate pollutants of coal but still produces announcing new issues is e-mailed to subscribers. change and other human activity CO2). We would like OUC to expand continues based on the current trends. its growing solar use. Never miss out on OAS happenings. Add or update your email address The report’s findings are devastating Again, congratulations City of Orlando by contacting newsletter@ and thank you for listening to your and hard to digest, but with this new orangeaudubonfl.org. information more rigid plans can be environmentally-concerned residents For other membership information, implemented to curb climate change and striving to become “one of the most environmentally-friendly, contact: Mike Daley and bird loss. [email protected] Florida has 29 bird species in the economically and socially vibrant (407) 417-7818 communities in the nation.” moderately and highly vulnerable at- JOIN OAS’ MEETUP GROUP risk categories specified in the report. Climate Change Now OK LIKE OAS’ FACEBOOK PAGE Most of these are Eastern forest birds to Say in Tallahassee and waterbirds. Vulnerable species An unwritten policy to not use the Orange Audubon Society, Inc. is a that live in Central Florida year-round term “Climate Change” went into or in migration include Fish Crow, Florida not-for-profit organization, tax effect after Governor Rick Scott took exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Bobolink, Yellow-throated Warbler, office in 2011. The policy has finally Internal Revenue Code. and Brown Thrasher. ended, enthusiastically states Senator A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL If we can’t step up to save vulnerable Linda Stewart, who represents part REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL species, humankind is in more trouble of Orange County and serves on the INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED than we even know. Responsible Committee on Infrastructure and FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER developmental practices will help Security. Stewart has asked Governor SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, reduce habitat loss. Transition to clean 1-800-435-7352, WITHIN THE STATE. Ron DeSantis’ newly appointed Chief FROM OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA CALL energy, reducing waste, and continually Resilience Officer Julia Nesheiwat if 1-850-410-3800. VISIT www.800helpfla. educating the public are other the governor has set a timeline for com FOR HELP. REGISTRATION DOES important actions we can take to thwart transitioning Florida to clean energy as NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL climate change and bird loss for the a means to slow down climate change. OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NO. CH2330 benefit of our own existence. We will be watching with hope as Marah Green, Climate Chair events unfold. Deborah Green NOVEMBER 2019 • 3 OAS is It’s Fiesta Time!! — Easy to find? The Eastern Bluebird Since Eastern Bluebirds live year- declined. Eastern Bluebirds often Volunteers Needed November 2 and 3, 2019 will be round in the Southeastern U.S., they select old woodpecker holes in dead the Lake Eola Fiesta in the Park should be easy to find. Or not? pine or oak trees up to 50 feet off the Arts and Crafts Festival, which is A lovely small thrush, these birds ground. Fortunately these birds also Orange Audubon Society’s (OAS) perch on wires or fences in open will nest in manmade boxes and prefer biggest public outreach event. City woodlands along pastures, agricultural snug ones about four-inches square. of Orlando gives us a great spot and fields, suburban parks, and golf A male Eastern Bluebird attracts a we have the chance to speak with courses. I first saw them flying swiftly female to his nest site by transporting many new people. If we have enough through the pines at Tosahatchee material in and out of a cavity then volunteers, we can do the Kids Art Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in perching and fluttering his wings. activity. Christmas about 10 years ago. During Once mated, the female weaves We really do need your help. Set- subsequent trips there, I have seen together grasses and pine needles up is on Friday evening November only one or two, but never close and and lines the abode with fine grasses, 1st, starting around 5:00 p.m. Friday not in favorable light. horsehair, or turkey feathers. The pair preparations will consist of helping to may use the same edifice for multiple set up the tent, tables, etc. Saturday broods. and Sunday (8:00–6:00 each day) To forage, the birds fly swiftly to the mainly consists of setting up and ground to grab an insect. Major preys taking down of merchandise and—the include caterpillars, beetles, crickets, fun part—helping to sell merchandise grasshoppers and spiders. In winter and talking to people about OAS. they eat large amounts of wild berries. Please mark you calendar and Eastern Bluebird populations fell in the commit to helping OAS meet its early twentieth century as introduced financial goals and reach out to species like European Starlings and new members. To volunteer or ask House Sparrows made it difficult for questions, please contact me at them to hold on to their nest cavities. [email protected] or (407) 644- Partners in Flight estimates a global 0796. Thank you! Teresa Williams breeding population of 22 million; 86 Eastern Bluebird. Hal Scott Preserve, April percent spend some part of the year North Shore Birding 2017. Photo: Mary Keim in the U.S. Festival T-shirts For Sale The adult male has a vibrant blue Artificial nest boxes have helped reverse the dramatic population Do you love the North Shore Birding back, head and tail, bright rufous decline. Festival? Now you can show it by throat and breast and a white belly. wearing a T-shirt or cap. Sales from No other eastern bird has this unique Check out this beautiful bird! You these items benefit Orange Audubon striking color combination! Females are certain to see one or two at Society’s Nature and Environmental are duller and grayer; young birds are Tosahatchee WMA or Wekiwa Springs Education Center fund. Prices listed heavily spotted. State Park. Or perhaps attract already include tax. Cavity nesters, Eastern Bluebirds a breeding pair to your yard by installing a sturdy four-inch nesting compete for choice spots with other native birds such as chickadees, box. You can further contribute to titmice, nuthatches, Carolina wrens, conservation by planting native and non-native species. Because plants to entice nutritious insects that of habitat loss and the removal of bluebirds and other avian species dead trees and limbs, natural nesting need to survive. cavities for all avian species have Linda Carpenter, Board Member

Short-sleeved T-shirt colors are With freebies set aside for trip leaders Forest Green, Indigo Blue, Neon Blue, and festival volunteers, your first and Blackberry. Sizes and styles opportunities to buy one of these will are limited. Short-sleeved Regular/ be at Lake Eola Fiesta in the Park, Unisex tees are $21 for SM–XL, $23 for November 2nd and 3rd, and OAS’ Melissa Gonzalez and Deborah Green wearing the 2019 North Shore Birding Festival t-shirts at 2-XL, $25 for 3-XL and $27 for 4-XL. program at Leu Gardens, November the Audubon Convention in Milwaukee to pro- Long-sleeved Regular/Unisex (Forest 21st. OAS can ship to out-of-town mote the festival. Photo: Melissa Gonzalez Green) tees are $28 for SM–XL, $30 friends (shipping costs will be added to Caps are $20, one-size fits all. Colors for 2-XL, $32 for 3-XL. Short-sleeved purchase price). For photos of all styles are Pine (green), Mocha (tan), and ladies’ scoop-necked tees (Vintage and colors, sign up for North Shore Indigo (blue). Turquoise) are $23 for SM–XL, $26 for Birding Festival updates at this link. 2-XL, $29 for 3-XL. NOVEMBER 2019• 4 OAS is The Florida Flamingo North Florida Birding, Mystery Seacrest Wolf Preserve There are 6 species of flamingo: the Private Tour and Flamingo American or Greater Flamingo is the Quest, December 5-8, 2019 one found occasionally in Florida. For the 5th year, Orange Audubon The American Flamingo can be found Society has organized a great trip in the Caribbean, Mexico and South to the Florida Panhandle. This year’s America. Flamingos have been pilgrimage includes a private, hands- considered a non-native species in on tour at Seacrest Wolf Preserve on Florida since the 1950s. Researchers Thursday, December 5th. Seacrest are working to prove that this species provides an extremely fun wolf-human should be considered native and thus interaction that fosters a deeper be protected. connection with these endangered John James Audubon visited Florida keystone species. in the 1830s specifically to see Then on Friday, December 6th we will flamingos. bird Florida’s Red Hills Region at Tall Evidence that points to the American Timbers Research Station with Jim Flamingo being a Florida native Cox. Tall Timbers is the home of fire includes a reference in historical and American Flamingo at Canaveral National ecology research, the south’s premier museum records to four flamingo Seashore. Photo: Thomas Ledford quail research program, and a bird eggs that were collected in the late banding program that Jim Cox will 1880s, indicating that they were Flamingo Quest show us. Target birds: Henslow’s and nesting in Florida at that time. In spring 2016 and 2017, Orange other wintering sparrows. Audubon Society organized a trip to But the large flocks that were found Finally on Saturday, December 7th we the Stormwater Treatment Area 2 in in south Florida were hunted for food will bird the St. Marks National Wildlife Broward County to see the flamingos and feathers. By about 1900 they Refuge. Established in 1931, St. Marks that had been seen there each year were almost all wiped out. encompasses over 80,000 acres along for several years. We struck out. the northwest Florida Gulf Coast In the 1920s and 1930s some people Audubon of the Everglades’ president and provides wintering habitat for started to import flamingos to live on Susan McKemy reports that they migratory birds. Ducks will be in, and their estates, thus establishing captive have discontinued the trips until the our guide Jeff O’Connell of Apalachee populations. flamingos are being seen again. Audubon Society will help us find and In 2018 Zoo Miami and other partners The American Flamingo shown above identify great species like Redheads led a study to determine the history was first spotted by birder Mitchell and Canvasbacks. And the flamingo! of flamingos. They found that there Harris at Canaveral National Seashore Weekend cost is $100 for members or has been a slow but steady increase Playalinda District. Very shortly after students/$115 for non-members and of flamingo sightings in Florida since it disappeared from that area, it or includes local expert guides, Seacrest the 1950s. It appears that flamingo another one showed up at St. Marks admission, 3 lunches and grill night. populations are recovering as they fly National Wildlife Refuge. Mitchell, The Seacrest private tour only cost of in from Cuba, the Bahamas, Mexico who is one of the new leaders at the $45/$55 includes Seacrest admission and other locations. North Shore Birding Festival, thinks and lunch. Weekenders may stay at it is the same bird, due to the timing. In 2004 Pete Frezza, an Audubon Walter Lodge under the tall trees and Those like myself who have never seen Florida researcher, found 64 flamingos starry night skies of Tall Timbers. For a flamingo in the wild will be joining at Mud Lake—an interior mangrove registration, lodging and other details, Orange Audubon’s Panhandle trip. area of the Everglades. contact me at [email protected] or Deborah Green In 2014 a flock of 147 flamingos (407) 644-0796. Teresa Williams appeared in Palm Beach County, although their origin remains a mystery. There were also 2002 and 2012 sightings of flamingos in the Everglades with leg bands that they acquired as chicks in Mexico. Based on these findings and others, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed the American Flamingo from its list of nonnative species. Wolf kisses at Seacrest Wolf Preserve. 500-year old longleaf pine. Jim Cox doing a prescribed burn in Kathy Rigling, First Vice President wiregrass/pine habitat at Tall Timbers Research Station. Henslow’s Sparrow being banded. Another lovable wolf at Seacrest. Photos: Orange Audubon Society files NOVEMBER 2019 • 5 OAS is Free the Ocklawaha River On Oct 18th during the 50th greatest extent feasible and maintain and federal officials to remove the dam. anniversary of the Florida Defenders the restored condition.” The lawsuit against the US Forest of the Environment (FDE), founded by If implemented this would increase Service was recently dismissed, and conservation leader Marjorie Harris Carr habitat for the threatened Wood Stork, FDE will appeal to the Florida Supreme and members of the Audubon Society, it according to the environmental impact Court. was announced that the next nominated statement. Restored access to the FDE president will be Marjorie’s Boating ramps become inaccessible upper Ocklawaha River would attract granddaughter, Jennifer Carr. Jennifer due to the large-scale water lettuce American Eel, American Shad, Hickory attended this year’s Audubon Assembly blockages. The Florida Department Shad, River Herring, and endangered representing FDE to build support and of Environmental Protection spent Atlantic Sturgeon and Shortnose momentum for restoring the Ocklawaha $46,500 on aquatic herbicide spraying Sturgeon. Access for the Florida- River. in Rodman Reservoir in 2018–19. strain of Striped Bass to their primary spawning area—the Ocklawaha and This winter there is a drawdown of the the Silver rivers—would be restored reservoir being conducted for aquatic according to Dr. Kenneth Sulak, a vegetation control purposes. US Geological Survey Emeritus fish During a drawdown, which lasts ecologist. 3–4 months and is conducted only FDE sources point out that breaching every 4 years, the springs along the the dam would save taxpayer dollars. Ocklawaha River can flow enough to Currently, between $300,000 become suitable thermal refuge sites to $500,000 is spent each year for manatees. However, manatees could to maintain the Buckman Lock, reach the area only if proper access Kirkpatrick Dam, and Rodman were provided through a free-flowing Reservoir. The cost to breach the river. dam and restore the river soon Please learn more about freeing the would be recovered through reduced Ocklawaha River and join our cause. maintenance costs. Orange Audubon Society has already become a signatory on a letter to the governor. You can individually write to the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis, The “Everglades of the North,” a.k.a. State of Florida, The Capitol, 400 S. the historic Ocklawaha River and its 20 Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001. springs and 15,000 acres of forested Thank you! wetlands, continues to be devastated Jennifer Carr, FDE President by the Rodman impoundment. This is 51 Editor’s Note: The St. Johns Riverkeeper, years after the area was flooded for the Lisa Rinamen, who is also working construction of the Cross Florida Barge to restore the Ocklawaha River, has Canal before FDE succeeded in shutting offered Orange Audubon Society the down the project. opportunity to take a kayak or boat The Ocklawaha River and its stressed ride during the drawdown. The date forests in Putnam and Marion counties and price have not been determined, are situated within a critical linkage of but anyone who is interested can the Florida Wildlife Corridor connecting email [email protected] to be the Ocala National Forest to the added to a list and receive details when Osceola National Forest. available. Lake Apopka is the headwaters of the Jennifer Carr with poster honoring her grandmother Marjorie Carr. Photo courtesy: Ocklawaha Chain of Lakes that flows Jennifer Carr into the Ocklawaha River. Reconnecting Thanks for Hospitality the Silver, Ocklawaha and St. Johns Regrettably there has not been Laurel Roberts has been kind enough to Rivers would restore a free-flowing the political will to implement the serve as Hospitality Chair again this year, blueway and ecological greenway of restoration project. Legislators from and many people have brought goodies national significance. Putnam and Marion counties have to make our monthly programs more The Florida Department of fought to protect the dam so the inviting. We’d like to especially thank Environmental Protection’s 2018 reservoir could be maintained as a bass Betty Schnurr for baking something each Marjorie Harris Carr Greenway Plan fishing lake. month. Please bring goodies, and let us states that its hydrological management FDE filed a federal lawsuit in 2017 after know that you did so we can thank you! goal is to “restore hydrology to the failing for decades to persuade state NOVEMBER 2019• 6 OAS is Wekiwa Bird Survey Butterfly Field Trip November 9, 2019 Orange Audubon Society’s Butterfly Orange Audubon Society is repeating Field Trip was another great one. bird surveys done at Wekiwa Springs Photographed is White Peacock. State Park in the 1990s. Those Other sightings included Black participating are finding the surveys Swallowtail, Cloudless Sulphur, Barred to be great birding and fun visits to a Yellow, Red-banded Hairstreak, beautiful park. You do not have to be Ceraunus Blue, Gulf Fritillary, Viceroy, an expert birder to join, but willingness Long-tailed Skipper, Clouded Skipper, to walk in sandy and possibly wet Monk, Brazilian Skipper caterpillar areas is required. If you’d like to join us, (on Alligator flag) and Ocola Skipper. contact Kathy at [email protected] or Thanks to the 10 that attended for (407) 488-9559. contributing to the butterfly fun! Mary Keim Creatures of the Night Tram Tour

Orlando Wetlands Park Cooper’s Hawk, Mead Botanical Garden. November 9, 2019 Photo: Sam Mitcham On Saturday evening November 9th, Mead Botanical Garden from 5:00–7:30 p.m., Orange Audubon Society (OAS) will explore Orlando Fall Trips About 25 to 30 birders participated Wetlands Park on a tram/trailer, led by in the Mead Botanical Garden fall long-time director of the park and past migration bird walks each Saturday, OAS board member Mark Sees. except on October 19th because This is a unique opportunity to enjoy White Peacock at Orlando Wetlands Park. of Tropical Storm Nestor. A mix of Photo: Mary Keim the sunset (5:35 p.m. that evening), see regulars and “newbies,” and even the return to the roost of ibis and other some tourists from the midwest Donations wading birds, see the ghostly flight of participated and many got “lifers.” Thank you to all who have already Wllson’s Snipe, see alligators active People who made these walks a donated in response to Orange at night with eye shine, and enjoy the Audubon Society’s President’s Letter night sounds. success included Kathy Rigling, Tom Rodriguez, Mary Soule, Renee Appeal sent to you in September. If Thomas, and others lending their you have not already done so, we hope expertise in helping the group find you will consider donating to support and identify birds. Linda Carpenter your local Audubon chapter. You can and Linda Gaunt helped getting mail a check to Orange Audubon people signed in. We all look forward Society, P.O. Box 941142, Maitland, to doing it again in Apríl. Florida 32794 or use the link on our Larry Martin, Field Trips Chair website to donate. Thanks again! October Volunteer Thanks Alligator Eye Shine. 2015 Chertok Photo Contest, First Place: Advanced Category. October was a busy month for Orange Festival in Tampa also on October Photo: Larry Lynch Audubon Society (OAS) outreach 19th Kathy Rigling and Deborah Green events, and wonderful volunteers came put out OAS’ pop-up banner on the This is a fund-raiser for OAS’ nature through for us. At the Get Outdoors North Shore Birding Festival (NSBF). and environmental education center On October 25-26th at Audubon fund and is $15 per person. event at the Winter Park Library on October 5th, Linda Carpenter and Assembly in Gainesville, Linda Gaunt Bring a flashlight and bug spray. Deborah Green worked an OAS display and Deborah Green put up the NSBF Orlando Wetlands Park will provide table. At Oklawaha Valley Audubon pop-up banner and marketed the water and snacks also, but bring your Society’s Festival of Flight and Flowers festival by wearing our new NSBF own if you prefer. in Eustis on October 12th Deborah tee-shirts. Address is Orlando Wetlands Park, Green, Carole Johns and Kathy Rigling OAS has need of many volunteers 25155 Wheeler Rd, Christmas, FL. worked the table. On October 19th November 2nd-3rd at the Lake Eola Space on the tram is limited to 25 at Backyard Biodiversity Day, Sonia Fiesta in the Park event (p.3). people, so register soon. To register, Stephens and Linda Carpenter were contact Teresa Williams at (407) 644- ready to do outreach for OAS when For other volunteer opportunities, 0796 or [email protected]. severe weather cancelled the event. please email volunteer@orangeaudbon At the Florida Birding and Nature fl.org. Thank you! Deborah Green NOVEMBER 2019 • 7 OAS is In case you missed it … Limited Edition Field Trip The Monarch-Milkweed Initiative to the Lake Apopka North For Orange Audubon’s October religiosa) are being lost in swaths of program, Scott Davis presented an illegal logging. Now, they also face an Shore, Clay Island impresssive review of his project, the uncertain future with climate change. November 9, 2019 Monarch-Milkweed Initiative. Scott Another problem for monarchs is On Saturday, November 9th, Bob is a biologist and park ranger at St. a debilitating protozoan parasite Sanders will lead a Limited Edition Marks National Wildlife Refuge on the called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha Field Trip to the Lake Apopka North Gulf coast of the panhandle where or “OE.” An infected adult butterfly Shore, Clay Island area. This is an monarchs gather to prepare for their spreads dormant OE spores to eggs opportunity to drive through areas heroic migration to Mexico. or milkweed leaves. When caterpillars normally closed to vehicles and to Monarch butterflies are “larval host eat the spores, the parasite then find early overwintering ducks, other obligate” to milkweeds (Asclepias) replicates inside the larvae and pupae. waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. and a few other closely related plants, It can cause stunted growth or death Limited Edition Field Trips are meaning that they lay their eggs only at all stages of the life cycle, less limited to 15 people. Cost is $10 per on that plant. The survival of the strength for migration, and overall person per trip for members and monarch butterfly depends entirely on population decline. $15 per person for non-members. the survival of the milkweed. Sadly, the But the greatest challenge to Reservations (required) will be numbers of both are down by as much milkweed survival is the development taken on a first-come, first-served as 95%. Monarchs are being tagged in of genetically modified (GMO) basis the week prior to the trip. order to track their adult life cycle and agricultural crops. Since 1996, GMO Contact Bob at (407) 459-5617. migration. crops species have been genetically altered to survive herbicide spray, while other weedy species die, including milkweed. (It’s another reason to buy organic products.) To help the monarch butterfly survive, you can establish a population of milkweed in your yard. By planting at least two plants of the same appropriate species, milkweed will flourish, flower and seed. In addition, monarchs will need an abundance of Monarch caterpillars on milkweed. Photo Clay Island. Photo: Susan Kirby courtesy: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge nectar plants. The most important is Bidens, because of its beneficial Scott has found that the majority phytosterol content. Other excellent Three Lakes Trip Recap of wild milkweed plants are located genera are Baccharis, Coreopsis, A small group of 5 birders enjoyed along roadways. Due to burning Eupatorium, Vernonia, Liatris, the Oct 13th Limited Edition Field Trip suppression of this fire-dependent Solidago, and Melanthera. to Three Lakes Wildlife Management community of plants, milkweeds linger As for the controversial subject of Area and Joe Overstreet Rd in Osceola in a facsimile of a regularly-burned County. Although the Red-cockaded ecosystem, the openings created by Asclepias curassavica, the tropical milkweed, a common vector for OE, Woodpeckers proved to be elusive, we mowing the right-of-ways. From tree ended the day with 58 species. rings we find that growing-season Scott suggests cutting it back in the fall Highlights included Brown-headed burns have occurred historically every to mimic the dormancy period of native Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, plus seven 2–3 years. milkweeds. It will regenerate rapidly. In the meantime, if you find a roadside warbler species including a Magnolia With help from other “Nascar Warbler. A Snail Kite was seen at Lake botanists,” Scott is documenting milkweed population, please contact Scott at [email protected]. If the Jackson & no fewer than eleven Snail locations of existing roadside Kites were seen at Joe Overstreet milkweed populations in the Florida population is vulnerable to mowing, you can report it to your FDOT district Landing, along with several Limpkins. Milkweed Atlas. He collects seed from Bald Eagles were seen in numbers. the ripened seed pod or follicle before vegetation manager to change the mowing schedule. Joe Overstreet Road yielded several it “dehisces” (dries) and the seeds American Kestrels and Loggerhead disperse in the breeze by using hair For additional information on these Shrikes. At Three Lakes we found ties to contain the seeds within the topics please go to monarchwatch. about 20 Catesby’s lilies (Lilium follicle until they can be collected. org/blog, plantmilkweed.org, or catesbaei) in bloom. These beautiful Monarchs are losing their hibernacula monarchinitiative.org. native wildflowers are commonly (places of refuge) for over-wintering The presentation was videotaped by called pine lilies. All in all, it was a in Mexico. Groves of the high-altitude David Bottomley and can be seen at pleasant day and a good time was had oyamel fir or “sacred fir” tree (Abies this link. Terry Piper, OAS Board Member by everyone. Bob Sanders NOVEMBER 2019• 8 OAS is CLI and Knighthawk Audubon Audubon Florida’s Conservation Leadership Initiative (CLI) kicked off its 8th consecutive year by introducing its new expanded year-long program thanks to the support of Darden Sustainability, the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund and the Maggie Walker grant. CLI at Audubon Assembly introduces college students to Audubon Florida and their local chapter. This year 25 students from 14 colleges and universities were paired with chapter leaders. Mentor-mentee field trips allowed casual University of Central Florida (UCF) students interaction doing something both love. Other activities were with their peers, on their first field trip since formal recogni- Audubon Florida staff and CLI alums like myself. This year CLI activities will tion of Knighthawk Audubon by UCF. Trip extend beyond Assembly throughout the school year where students will was to the Lake Lotus Park banding station. have the opportunities to develop connections with their local chapters, but Photo: Knighthawk Audubon also continue to gain leadership skills, field experience, and participate in resume building activities. Florida Ornithological The idea of starting a campus Audubon chapter is not new, but its time Society Fall Meeting has come thanks to CLI and support from National Audubon. A new November 1-3, 2019 student Audubon chapter at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is now The fall meeting of the Florida recognized there as an official student organization and by National Audubon Ornithological Society (FOS) will Society as an official Audubon chapter! The new chapter is called Knighthawk take place Nov 1–3, 2019 at Stetson Audubon, and there are currently two Knighthawk officers participating in the University in Deland. FOS was initially CLI year-slong program. Congratulations to President Stephanie Gaspar and sponsored by Audubon Florida, the other officers. Orange Audubon Society is thrilled to welcome you all to which was founded in 1900 and then the Audubon family. Melissa Gonzalez called the Florida Audubon Society. Whereas Audubon Florida and our Treatment Wetlands and Bird Habitat local chapter Orange Audubon As birders we recognize the value is a birder’s paradise with over 200 Society are focused on conservation of wetlands at a single glance. Our species reported on eBird. Geoffery and education, FOS’ mission is appreciation of wetlands is usually Parks, Natural Resource Management to promote field ornithology in limited to our interests—conservation, Coordinator for the City of Gainesville, Florida and to facilitate contact biodiversity, and having a place to enjoy told us about the monetary benefit between professional and amateur these rarities in a state that becomes of this particular wetland. His ornithologists and birders in the state. more and more populated every day. department found that 32% of people FOS held its inaugural meeting in 1972 However, not many of us consider surveyed came to Alachua County and now meets each spring and fall. the monetary benefits of wetlands specifically to visit Sweetwater. FOS organized both Florida Breeding (discussed later) or that wetlands That is approximately 9,000 visitors, Bird Atlases—the first from 1982 “scrub” pollutants going into the of which 1,200 stayed in local hotels to 1987 and the second from 2012 Floridan aquifer that is the source of the during their visit. That means that until 2017. Deliberations of the FOS water we drink. local businesses are getting substantial Records Committee are published Recognizing, learning about, and monetary gain from this stormwater annually in the Florida Field Naturalist. touting these benefits when talking to park in their community. FOS provides grants and awards policy makers in our community is a The success of Sweetwater needs to on a competitive basis to students strength that we should never overlook. be highlighted to policy makers at and professionals for research and the local, state, and national levels. education related to birds in Florida. During the 2019 Audubon Assembly For information on the fall meeting, as part of Conservation Leadership In order to convince policy makers, as well as the residents of these see this link. Initiative, I attended a learning session Deborah Green on the benefits of treatment wetlands, communities that conservation is which are generally recreated important, the emotional appeal of wetlands designed to absorb and protecting birds is not enough. We treat either stormwater or wastewater must preach the monetary benefits or both. The panelists—Dr. Robert of ecotourism as a driver of the local Knight, Debra Segal, Geoff Parks, economy as well as property values. and Rachel Slocumb—spoke to us Julia Gneckow, Vice President about the overall benefit of treatment of Knighthawk Audubon wetlands as well as how they have Editor’s note: Orlando Wetlands benefited their communities. Park, Florida’s first constructed water treatment wetland, attracted an Sweetwater Wetlands is a stormwater Cattle Egrets. Photo: Mary Keim treatment facility in Gainesville that estimated 49,094 visitors in 2018. NOVEMBER 2019 • 9 OAS is Connect the Trails Around Lake Apopka Ride November 10, 2019 Why would anyone want to cycle around the fourth largest lake in Florida ? In 1991, the Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA) was founded by a concerned local biologist, Jim Thomas. The collective voice of this citizen advocacy group prompted the State of Florida to purchase the farms on the 20,000-acre North Shore, thereby eliminating the single largest contributor to the lake’s Sunrise on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. demise. Photo: Lynn Marie Folts This was a crucial pivot point in the Lake Apopka Wildlife lake’s recovery. The St. Johns River Drive Visitation Grows Water Management District (SJRWMD) At a recent St. Johns River Water assumed stewardship of the North Shore Management District (District) and has spent the last 20 years restoring Recreational Land Management it as natural wetlands to reduce the lake’s meeting, the astounding number of phosphorus. 135,000 visitors per year was cited for The Lake Apopka North Shore is now the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (LAWD). home to an 18-mile gravel bicycling and Two years ago 100,000 visitors, on hiking trail that is teeming with wildlife, a drive just open 3 days a week, was along with an 11-mile Wildlife Drive that attracts more than 100,000 visitors a considered unbelievable. We learned year from all over the US. how visitation numbers are verified with In April 2017, FOLA held its first organized bike ride around the 30,000 acre high tech counters and cameras and lake. The purpose of the ride was to raise awareness about: 1. The ongoing how challenging accomodating these restoration of Lake Apopka, 2. The wonderful network of cycling trails around visitors is to the District. the lake, and 3. The need to “Connect the Trails” into a 40-mile loop trail. The District appreciates the volunteer Lake Apopka is surrounded by the West Orange Trail (south & east), the South work that Orange Audubon Society Lake Trail/Hancock Road Trail (south & west), and the Lake Apopka Loop Trail (OAS) members are doing, including: (north). But to get from West Orange Trail to Magnolia Park, cyclists need securing grants to put in educational to ride 3 miles on shoulder-less roads with cars. Similarly, on the west side kiosks, cleaning and stocking the cyclists need to ride on 3 miles of curvy, shoulder-less roads with cars to get kiosks with brochures, maintaining from Green Mountain Scenic Trail Head to Hancock Road. the butterfly garden by the first kiosk that was originated by Friends of With support from then Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson and Lake Apopka, maintaining a LAWD Commissioner Betsy VanderLey (who both rode in the 2017 inaugural ride), Facebook page with information on Orange County and MetroPlan Orlando allocated funds to build a dedicated sightings and news of openings and cycling/walking trail to connect the two trails. The “Apopka Connector” will be closings, and annually celebrating completed in late 2023/early 2024. the anniversary of the drive with On the west side, the Lake County Board of Commissioners and local volunteers with spotting scopes. legislators are exploring a Public/Private Partnership to connect Green Mountain Scenic Trail Head and Hancock Road with a dedicated cycling/ That annual volunteer day has walking trail. apparently inspired the District to develop a docent (“ambassador”) That last connection will create a 40-mile loop around Florida’s fourth largest program, and OAS will be supporting lake and that loop will sit directly on Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Trail (C2C), that program. If volunteering to be a which will run about 250 miles across Florida, connecting the Gulf Coast at St. docent would be interesting to you, Petersburg on the west, through Central Florida, to the Atlantic Coast on the email me at [email protected]. east at Canaveral National Seashore. Deborah Green The ride has been called the FOLA 40, but last year 8-mile, 16-mile, and 32-. mile loops were added to the original 40-mile loop around the lake, and FOLA decided to rename the ride for the mission: Connect the Trails. This year’s ride will be held on Sunday, November 10th and will honor Veterans through a partnership with a local Veterans advocacy group. FOLA is expecting 200 riders and registration is open at Active.com. Please search for Connect the Trails. This article is based on Joe Dunn’s article in Florida Bicycle Association Messenger. Joe Dunn, FOLA President

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive butterfly garden, October 2019. Photo: Deborah Green NOVEMBER 2019• 10 OAS is Register Now for the in Apopka, a morning at Orlando Wetlands Park, and Digiscoping with 4th Annual North Shore Robert Wilson. Birding Festival For photographers, on each of the January 16–20, 2020 four days of the festival we have Orange Audubon Society’s (OAS) Sunrise Photography and Birding North Shore Birding Festival is set for trips, plus this year a Sunset Trip and January 16th–20th, and registration a Youth and Family Photography is open. The 2019 festival brought Trip with Jack Rogers (this month’s participants from 18 states, 40 Florida New trip leader Jason Ward. presenter). cities, 2 Canadian provinces, and Photo: Topic Films the U.K., contributing to the local Apopka North Shore based out of the This year college students can economy through birding ecotourism. McDonald Canal area, with additional register for half price, and there are Proceeds of OAS’ festival contribute excursions to see Florida Scrub-Jays at scholarships for out-of town students to fund-raising toward a nature and Seminole State Forest, woodpeckers to help defray travel costs, provided environmental education center. at the Ocala National Forest, pineland through generous donations of our Since the Lake Apopka North Shore is birding specialties at Wekiwa Springs members. Jason Ward of National now the top eBird spot in Florida with State Park, bird banding at Lake Audubon Society and Birds of North a growing reputation among birders, Lotus Park, birds by pontoon boat at America will be leading trips! the Dora Canal, and gulls at Daytona we have had great leaders for the Read more about it on the festival Beach Shores. past three years and have been able website. Please follow new to attract some fabulous additional New field trips include several new developments also on the festival leaders for the 2020 festival. Lake County sites, Waterfowl of Facebook page and/or sign up for The past three years of the festival The Villages by Golf Cart, Birding the festival email list at this link. have focused on expert-led trips by Kayak, a Behind-the-Scenes visit Deborah Green, exploring the western part of the Lake to the Avian Reconditioning Center Festival Committee Chair

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS Fiesta in the Park, Lake Eola Christmas Bird Counts: Contact the compiler to November 2–3, 2019 participate. Contact Teresa at (407) 718-1977 • Bay Lake: December 14, 2019 Creatures of the Night Tram Ride, Orlando Wetlands Contact John Thomton at [email protected] Park • Wekiva River: December 14, 2019 November 9, 2019 Contact Jay Exum at [email protected] Contact Teresa at (407) 644-0796 • Kissimmee Valley: December 15, 2019 November Wekiwa Bird Survey Contact Chris Newton at dexterdevon68@gmail. November 9, 2019 com Contact Kathy at (407) 488-9559 • Zellwood/Mt. Dora: December 19, 2019 Limited Edition Field Trip to Lake Apopka North Contact Gallus Quigley at [email protected] Shore, Clay Island • Econlockhatchee: December 21, 2019 November 9, 2019 Contact Lorne Malo at [email protected] Contact Bob at (407) 459-5617 • Clermont: January 5, 2020 November Program: Nature Photography Tips – Jack Contact John Thomton at [email protected] Rogers Limited Edition Field Trip to Lake Jesup November 21, 2019 Conservation Area, Marl Bed Flats, Sanford Contact Rick at (407) 277-3357 December 15, 2019 November Field Trip: Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Contact Bob at (407) 459-5617 Inlet December Program: Amazing Snakes – George Van November 23, 2019 Horn Contact Larry at (407) 647-5834 December 19, 2019 North FL Birding & Seacrest Wolf Preserve Private Contact Rick at (407) 277-3357 Tour and Flamingo Quest December 5-8, 2019 Contact Teresa at (407) 644-0796