The Francis M. Weston Audubon Society Blackwater River State Forest Bird Survey Peggy Baker
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Spring 2013 April-June Vol. XL No. 4 The Francis M. Weston Audubon Society Blackwater River State Forest Bird Survey Peggy Baker Blackwater River State Forest has been designated The food plots planted for game wildlife also attracted by the National Audubon as an Important Bird great numbers of wintering Chipping and Vesper Area with a global priority (the highest). This Sparrows, as well as Palm, Pine and Yellow-rumped designation means this area in Northwest Florida is vital to Warblers. birds and other biodiversity. It provides essential habitat for Dead snags left standing throughout the forest have the survival of one or more species. In 2009, FMWAS attracted large numbers of woodpeckers. Along with undertook the task of surveying the birds in BRS Forest by the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, the forest is home to conducting weekly surveys. good numbers of nesting Pileated, Red-bellied, Red- During our three-year bird survey of the 240,000 acres headed, and Downy Woodpeckers, as well as, Northern of the BRS Forest, the FMWAS team identified 181 bird Flicker. There are a good number of Yellow-bellied species. Of these, 33 species were spring and fall migrants, Sapsuckers and a few Hairy Woodpeckers during the 35 were summer visitors only, 60 were winter only, and winter season. 53 species were seen year round. And most importantly, Eastern Bluebirds have returned to nest in the natural 86 of these species nest and raise young in BRS Forest. cavities of the dead snags. Brown-headed Nuthatches are Under the Migratory Bird Program, the U. S. Fish and also plentiful in the forest and use the dead snags for Wildlife Service established a list of Birds of Conservation nesting. Concern-2008. Twenty of these bird species have been sur- Bachman's Sparrows, an endangered species, were veyed in the forest. heard or seen in 11 of the 13 survey areas during the Important conclusions drawn from the survey include: spring breeding season. The acquisition of the Yellow River Ravine has created Southeastern American Kestrels were seen feeding a wildlife corridor connecting Eglin AFB, Conecuh young in a clear-cut area in early spring. Nesting boxes National Forest and Blackwater River State Forest. This were erected by FWC in 2011 and two pairs have been provides migratory birds a safe and supportive habitat on documented nesting in the last two years. The have had an their journey across the Gulf of Mexico to and from their overall decline of 82% in the last 70 years. breeding grounds. Wood Ducks were seen in 10 of the 13 survey areas During spring and fall migration, 23 species of warblers during the nesting season. Other migratory ducks had low were identified in small numbers. numbers during the winter season in These warblers depend on insects and the lakes. worms found in a variety of trees in Birds that need larger, natural the forest to help them recover cavities in older oaks are almost non- from and prepare for their long existent in the forest. There were migratory flights. Other migrants, no Barn Owls seen or heard. Only a particularly Wood and Swainson’s few Screech Owls were heard. Thrushes, were found eating the buds Continued on page 3. of bay trees during fall migration. CALENDAR of EVENTS Field Trips Chapter Meetings All field trips are open to the public and free of charge, but contributions Pensacola State College, 7:00pm, Main are appreciated. All experience levels are welcome. Bring binoculars Campus, Baroco Science Center, Room 2142, and/or a spotting scope on birding trips. A camera, sunscreen, insect unless otherwise noted. Guests are welcome! protection, appropriate shoes, hat, water, and snacks or lunch are recommended on all trips. Carpooling is encouraged. Questions? Call □ April 25, 2013 . Ms. Carol Furman of Lucy Duncan at 932-4792 or email her at [email protected]. Fairhope, AL will present a talk entitled □ Sat., Apr. 13, Ft. Morgan. We will look for spring migrants at one “Natural Perspectives .” Carol is a biologist, of the best birding spots on the northern Gulf Coast. Expect moderate artist, and amateur photographer and has walking. A visit to the HBSG banding station is included. If you want to kayaked and led tours of the Mobile-Tensaw sit and watch the banding operation, bring a chair. The Ft. Morgan Delta areas for several years. She loves the preregistered group admission fee is $4 per person. Bring a picnic lunch outdoors and will be sharing her knowledge and drinks for the day. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot in front of and stories of the flora and fauna of the Mobile Food World at 4051 Barrancas, just east of Navy Blvd. Insect repellant, Bay area. sunscreen and a hat are recommended. We expect to return to Pensacola by midafternoon. Leaders: Lucy and Bob Duncan. □ May 16, 2013, 5:30pm . Our Annual □ Tues., Apr. 23, Dauphin Island Birding. Bob and Lucy Duncan Meeting and Banquet will be held in the will lead us on a full day birding trip to Dauphin Island, a premier birding Azalea Trace Auditorium, 10100 Hillview location on the northern Gulf Coast, and at the peak of spring migration. Road, Pensacola. The evening will include a Expect moderate walking. Bring a picnic lunch, insect repellant and sun silent auction, raffle, cash bar, dinner, screen, hat and drinks for the day. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Publix fellowship, election of next year’s officers and parking lot on the corner of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road. We a guest speaker. Dinner entrees, cost, and plan to return by late afternoon unless birding conditions are lousy, in guest speaker information will be mailed to all which case, we’ll slink home earlier. FMWAS members. To make a donation to the □ Sat., Apr. 27, Big Lagoon State Park. James Burkhalter will silent auction or raffle, please contact Lucy explore with us the park’s flora, including Baccharis angustifolia the shrub Michel at 433-3151, Vickie Parker at 484- with small, fuzzy white blossoms that migrant butterflies love in the fall. 0663, or Sue Timmons at 934-4521. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Big Lots parking lot on the east side of Navy Blvd. south of U.S. Highway 98. There is a $5 per vehicle park admission Board of Directors fee. Expect easy walking in sand and on boardwalks through varied habi □ April 4, May 2, and June 6 ——— tats of this park. Bring a picnic lunch if you wish. We will finish by noon. The Board □ Sat., May 4, Pascagoula River Audubon Center and the Pas meets at 7:00pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bayou Blvd. Pensacola. Meetings are cagoula River Basin boat trip led by Jan Lloyd and Ann Forster. Join open to all members. us for a trip to PRAC in Moss Point, Mississippi. There we will hear a program about Prothonotary Warbler conservation followed by a boat Other Activities trip with Capt. Benny McCoy through the Pascagoula River basin. The □ Sat., Apr. 6, Bird Walk, 9:00-11:00 am— PRAC is less than 2 hours from Pensacola and has a wealth of natural his- Peggy Baker will lead a walk for spring tory to share. Reservations and payment ($35 per person) must be re- migrants at Ft. Pickens. Meet at the trail kiosk ceived by APRIL 19 . More information and a registration blank are on by the fort parking lot. For details, call 564- page 7, or contact Lucy Duncan at 932-4792. 1482 □ Apr. 6-17, Spring Banding Session, □ Sat., May 25, Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. James Fort Morgan, Hummer/Bird Study Group Burkhalter will lead us to see native plants in habitats from pine flatwoods □ Sat., Apr. 20 is Earth Day , in Bayview to pitcher plant bogs. The preserve is home to four species of endangered Park in Pensacola. As usual Francis M. pitcher plants including the Florida rarity, white-topped pitcher plant Weston Audubon Society will have a booth (Sarracenia leucophylla ). Expect easy walking. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Big with displays, brochures and birding tips. We Lots parking lot on the east side of Navy Blvd. south of U.S. Highway 98. hope to see you there. Powers McLeod will be Bring a picnic lunch if you wish. We will finish by noon. There is a small our host. entrance fee to the park. 2 From the President Dana Timmons The Ides of March is behind us birded in the tropics for our and the anticipations of spring are Birdathon Birdathon. It is all about the work just around the corner. Already continuing at the Roy Hyatt Environ- Purple Martins are arriving and 2013 mental Center where we continue to today four Swallow-tailed Kites educate children about nature and gracefully soared over our house. environmental concerns. All pro- The greatest show on earth has begun and it only gets better from Bird ceeds from the Birdathon directly here. Barn Swallows, Northern any day in April support our work. Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, The forms and details of the White-eyed Vireo and all the regu- Birdathon can be found at our web- Raise money to help us continue lar warblers will be appearing in site www.fmwaudubon.org . This their best plumage to win a mate. our educational program includes the team form, a pledge March through May, millions of support at the form and a letter to share with your birds soar to their nesting grounds in Roy Hyatt Environmental Center friends. Finally, if you “need a team” North America and we “birders” get then fill out the form or send an to watch the show.