Audubon of Martin County

621 S.E. Palm Beach Road, Stuart FL 34994

Non-profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit #57
Stuart FL 34995
The Scrub Jay
A publication of Audubon of Martin County
Florida Scrub-Jay Art Logo A 501(c)3) non-profit organization based in Stuart, Florida
by Brian Sylvester
audubonmartincounty.org ‹ 772-288-2637
audubonmartincounty.org ‹ 772-288-2637
_________________________________________________________________________________

January 2008 Audubon of Martin County

Program Meeting & Annual Election of Officers

Mark Your Calendars !
Thursday, January 17
Office hours area generally 10am– Dr. Brian Lapointe, from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort January 2008
2pm, Pierce, will speak on “What’s Happening to our Estuaries and Near Shore
Monday through Friday. Please call
Reefs”. Dr. Lapointe has extensive experience in water quality research 3 JJ AUDUBON ART SHOW and
in the South Florida and Caribbean regions. His long-term water quality SALE RECEPTION!
monitoring in Looe Key reef in the Fla. Keys represents the longest low- 3 –18 Art Show—Court House Cultural Center
level nutrient record for a coral reef anywhere in the world. Brian’s work
in the Keys led to a strong phosphate ban and new state regulations for 5 Christmas Bird Count
Monroe County requiring higher levels of nutrient removal from sewage Contact Liz Hailman 561 746-7293
effluents. His work in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary, which utilized stable nitrogen isotopes to “fingerprint” nitrogen 17 Program Mtg Brian Lapointe, Harbor
sources, was the first to demonstrate the importance of agricultural nitro- Branch, “What is Happening to our
gen from mainland sources to development of algal blooms in the 1990’s.
He developed the first “ridge-to-reef” water quality monitoring program
Estuaries and Near Shore Reefs?”
currently adopted for the Caribbean region. His current research involves 19 Field trip: Fort Pierce Manatee Observa-
the ecology and oceanography of harmful algal blooms in South Florida’s tion Center; Leave Cracker Barrel at 8:30
coastal waters.
If you don’t drive at night, or are interested in car-pooling, call us at the 22 Jay Watch Orientation 10 AM at AoMC
office at 288-2637 and we’ll try to find a ride for you. Social at 6:30 offices
Meeting starts at 7 PM. Remember, we have a new location – detailed
Volunteer to Help Scrub Jays and Sandhill Cranes map page 7…. See you there ! February 2008
When nesting season for Florida Scrub-jays and Sandhill cranes begins, that means AoMC 15 Bird ID Course Begins
swings back in action to protect these birds from the increasing hazards of our rapidly urbaniz-
ing area. If you’ve got some time and ability to help, we’re looking for people who can help us Fieldtrip Saturday, January 19 to 15-18 Great Backyard Bird Count
check on nesting pairs of these species at various locations throughout the county. Call (772)
Manatee Observation Center in Fort Pierce 21 Program Mtg—Joanne Davis, from
288-2637 to volunteer. 1000 Friends of Florida
Join AoMC on Saturday, January 19th for a natural history exploration to
the Manatee Observation and Education Center and Indian River Lagoon. 23 Field Trip—Local Scrub-jays 7:30 AM at
AoMC Office.
Welcome New Members Thank you
We’ll meet at the east end of the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel restaurant
at S.R. 76 (Kanner Highway) and I-95 for departure at 8:30. We’ll car-pool
William Guenther Marilou Dorf AoMC Sponsors ! to the Manatee Center in Ft. Pierce, look for manatees, view the manatee March 2008
Marilyn Grossman Arthur Hachmuth exhibits and movie. After a visit to the A. E. Backus Gallery & Museum
C. Hutchinson Jean M. Lovett with the Highwayman collection and lunch (bring your own), we’ll board the 4 Crane Watch Orientation 10am at AoMC
office
James E. Kearman Gene Medley Osprey : “Gator” a covered pontoon boat for a 90-minute excursion
on the Indian River Lagoon. There is a good likelihood that
Margaret Mills Wendy P. Nelson 8 Crane Watch excursion—call to register
Toby Overdorf Marge Pratt Nathaniel Reed we will see dolphins and many shorebirds on the sandbars.
Dorothy Swerk Robert Purkey Call the AoMC office (772-288-2637) to make your re- 15 Growth Management Forum
Ken Grayson Candace Reynolds quired reservation. Fee: $6.00 for Audu- 20 Program Meeting, David Hitzig, Busch
Bruce & Terri Hollinsworth Crystal Shaw Roseate Spoonbill: bon members, $11 for non-members,
Wildlife Sanctuary
(includes entry into Manatee Center)
Roberta Banfield
Barbara Carmichael
Lowell S. Stone
Mrs. Gordon Terwilliger
Toby Oberdorf with proceeds going to the Chapter. 22 Field Trip—Riverbend Park and Busch
L. Conner Additional fee for the boat trip to be Wildlife Sanctuary
paid upon boarding: $19/person; 65
years and older $17.10
8 www.audubonmartincounty.org 1
 Board Members 2007-2008 New Meeting Location
Message from our President
Executive Director – Greg Braun
561-575-2041
~~~ Laurie Odlum Treasure Coast Hospices is located at 1201 SE Indian
Street, Stuart. Call (772) 403-4500.
President Laurie Odlum 772-223-0339 There are numerous profound issues that affect Hospices’ entrance is located on the north side of Indian
Vice-Pres Volunteer Needed our lives not the least of which is how to supply
electricity to our growing population. Street. Meetings will be in their public room in the main
Treasurer Bob Gordon 772-546-2206
Electrical generation issues have again drawn building which is the first building as you enter the campus.
Secretary Volunteer Needed
friends and family to all points of the compass. The We are in the room to the right side as you enter of the
Conservation Bob Matheson 772-283-5999 varied sources of power generation have made for main building entrance.
Education Nathalie Browne 561-747-6042 many lively discussions regarding resources to be See you there.
Field Trips Volunteer Needed used and the waste products from that method. No
single power generation source is going to be “the
Resource Development Doug Warns 772-452-3751
best” overall choice since each and every region/city has unique needs.
Membership Curt Wood 772-546-5435 Audubon is investigating the pros and cons of the many generation
Programs Ed Fielding 772-288-2622 sources such as: wind generation, co-generation, solar, hydro-electric and
Properties Ric Berger 772-286-0634 tidal water generation. One of the solar options has great potential for the
individual homeowner. Personal/family solar energy generation for the
Field Trip Report—
Public Relations Tom McNicholas 772-219-1719
home, although not a new idea, has been upgraded and its uses expanded.
Nature Center Susan Smyth 772-692-3489
Research is being done on the use and licensing of solar powered genera- Saturday, November 24 was a good day for a fieldtrip. this display
Newsletter Editor Volunteer Needed tors that create enough to power the average home during the Florida While on our way from the Cracker Barrel to Hungryland we for a while.
Wildlife Center Dan Martinelli 772-286-6200 summer. Such systems will still have enough capacity to send excess stopped at the SW corner of Bridge Road and Pratt & Whitney Birds
Water Resources Patrick Hayes 561-747-6397
power out onto the electrical power grid. Costs for such systems have Road to listen for the Eastern Meadowlarks. We were not dis-
previously been prohibitive to all but the very few; time has brought sighted from
Youth Liaison Devon Green 772-283-3024
appointed as they were quite cooperative by sitting on the Bridge Road
these costs, within potential reach of the average homeowner although fence posts and singing their beautiful song. We also sighted
Garden Club Liaison Louise White 772-283-4416 they are still expensive. Subsidies and grants have greatly reduces costs south
Woodstork, Audubon’s Caracara, Great Egret, GBH and the through the
into the realm of possibility. beginning of what would turn out to be the “Great Swallow
IRL & Speakers Bureau Bill Hudspeth 561-667-5123 WEA and
This homegrown method of electricity would solve many problems in
Kettle”. We did not see, but have been previously reported in back to
the daily lives of all Floridians. The sewer system lift pumping stations
the area by two reliable sources, Roseate Spoonbills. We met Bridge Road
OTHER IMPORTANT COMMITTEE CHAIRS would not have failed in a power outage causing effluent to bubble into Tree-Swallow Kettle
the streets had they been solar powered. I could continue to list the obvi- up with the rest of the fieldtrip participants at the entry of the
are included in this Bird List: Double- Photo—James Kearman
Eaglewatch Liaison Clare-Rue Morgan 772-286-9833 ous daily and emergency situations that would be solved by individual Hungryland WEA and were on our way to what turned out to crested Cormorant, Anhinga, Great http://blog.kearman.com/
energy systems. Just think if each household had its own electrical gen- be a very special birding day. Perfect weather, good roads Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue
Librarian Tatyana Sorokina 772-546-8444
eration source that powered the entire house, very few of us would have and energetic participants. Heron (blue and white phases), Tri-colored Heron, Cattle
Cranewatch Coord Pam Hopkins 772-408-6153
been living on gasoline powered generators for weeks after the storms. Egret, White Ibis (adults and Jv), Glossy Ibis (adult), Wood
Cranewatch co-coord Carol Spinney 772-545-7987 Did I mention possible removal of the overhead power lines that were Stork, Audubon’s Caracara, Black Vulture, Mottled Duck,
Jaywatch Coordinator Pam Hopkins 772-408-6158 downed by the flying debris? Although solar is not economical for mass Snail Kite (2 males), Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kes-
Christmas Bird Count Liz Hailman 561-746-7293
use, solar generation is highly economical for homeowners. trel, Wild Turkey (heard only), Sandhill Crane (heard only),
It is time to get serious about how we generate and use electricity.
Webmaster Ed Fisher edaudubon@yahoo.com Killdeer, Doves (silhouettes only), Belted Kingfisher, Logger-
This is one method that will reduce our carbon footprint and dependence
head Shrike, Crows (no call), Blue Jays (heard only), Tree
on fossil fuels.
Swallows
AUDUBON HOUSE DOCENTS
Clare-Rue Morgan, George Mirka, Beverly Poppke, 2008 has the potential to be a very good year for AoMC as we (300 plus in
LaWayne Niedzielski, Mary Ann Woidt, Ed Fisher have already made much progress in the reclaiming of our urban kettle—see
Male Snail Kite Photo—Paul Yorke picture),
forest. With your help through direct donations, sweat equity
Open board seats: www.linkedin.com/in/paulwyorke Gray Cat-
and/or in-kind materials PLNC will become all it should be right
Vice President, Secretary, Scrub-jay Editor,
and Fieldtrip Chair in downtown Stuart. We are preparing this beautiful area to The “Good Eye” award goes to Ollie Davis with the call of bird, Palm
Contact Laurie Odlum or Greg Braun serve birds, wildlife, the citizens of Martin County and the Okee- the Audubon’s Caracara at 1/2 mile out (a pair has been Warbler,
chobee Watershed. It is our small part of the greater watershed plan. If known to nest in this area). Bird of special note was the sight- Red-winged
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be all of us do a little, just imagine how much progress we can make.
obtained from the division of Consumer Services toll-free within Flor- ing of male Snail Kites; one was close enough to the road that Blackbird,
ida 800.435.7352. Registration does not imply endorsement, we enjoyed his preening show for some time and upon our Eastern
approval, or recommendation by the state. "Together we are mighty. Nobody makes a greater mistake than one who second opportunity with the same bird, he did a flight show. Meadowlark,
The Scrub Jay is published seven times a year on does nothing because they could only do a little." Edmond Burke A varied flock of 30 plus Great Egrets, 5 Little Blue Herons Boat-tailed
recycled content paper with soy-based ink. and 1 male Snail Kite launched out of the wetlands after being Grackle.
Help the birds Call Bob Matheson, startled—great Everglades event.
and their environment. (772) 283-5999.
Contact your U.S. Senators in Washington DC at the We were treated to a spectacular display of Tree Swallows,
following numbers: Please consider a bequest to approximately 200-300 plus, in a moving kettle over the Hun-
Senator Mel Martinez: 202.224.3051 Audubon of Martin County. gryland wetlands. They were feeding on insects and moved
Senator Bill Nelson: 202.224.5274 over the land and swirled around bringing in birds from all-
over. It was a “living tornado”. We just stood and enjoyed Photo—Laurie Odlum

2 www.audubonmartincounty.org 7
Conservation Corner - Greg Braun
AoMC conservationists are involved in a variety of bird protection is-
sues. Situations we are investigating include evaluating potential avian
impacts that may result from the installation and operation of wind tur-
bines on Hutchinson island, the proposed expansion of a shooting range in
scrub jay habitat south of Jonathan Dickinson State Park and the manage-
ment (or lack thereof) of various natural areas that were set aside as pre-
serves to be managed under “Preserve Area Management Plans” pursuant
to development approvals issued by Martin County.
The recent decision by the County Commission to approve the “land
protection incentives” (a.k.a Valliere Amendment) has been of high inter-
est to AoMC. The Commission’s direction is not consistent with AoMC’s
position statement on clustering, which encourages clustering when expan-
sion of the existing Urban Services Boundry (USB) is warranted.
Birdathon Coordinator Needed
The annual Birdathon is a fund-raising event, that, for some
Audubon chapters raises a considerable component of the annual
operating budget. Although similar to other “ ...athons”, this
fund-raising project is unique to Audubon – solicit sponsorships,
and then go out and try to identify as many species of birds as
possible in one 24-hour period. AoMC Birdathons have been
growing in popularity (and success) in recent years, but we’ve
gone about as far as we can go without a Birdathon coordinator.
The Birdathon coordinator does not have to be an expert at
bird identification, but rather a good organizer. Responsibilities
include distributing press releases internally to volunteer partici-
These 5 megawatt wind turbines are the latest to be raised in the Netherlands.
pants and to the media, organizing teams, follow-
ing up with team leaders and sponsors, sending
thank you notes to donors and coordinating with
the AoMC treasurer.
The AoMC Birdathon is scheduled for Satur-
day, April 12th. If you have good organizational
skills and some free time to help, here’s a new opportunity to
meet some local birding and conservation enthusiasts and help
AoMC generate funds that will be put to work right here on our
own local projects. Successful Birdathons can raise tens of thou-
sands of dollars – we’ve only scratched the surface, and can do
much better with your help. Please call Laurie Odlum for more
information or to volunteer.

Jaywatch TâwâuÉÇ VxÇàxÇÇ|tÄ Xw|à|ÉÇ Show and Sale

Join AoMC at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 22nd at the AoMC office to learn more about There’s still time to visit the Courthouse Cultural Center to view the magnificent bird art of
what you can do to help AoMC protect our local population of Scrub-jays. We are gearing up for John James Audubon and several notable local artists; the sale runs until January 18th. AoMC
the spring-time nesting season, and want to continue our systematic surveys to document the pres- owes a big THANK YOU to AoMC member and art show coordinator John Dye and the fol-
ence/absence and abundance of these birds at historic nesting areas. lowing artists who contributed their work; Phil Capen, Guy Coheleach, John Dye, Ed Fisher,
Claudine Laabs, Robin Makowski, Karen Leffel Massengill, Mary Louise O’Sullivan, Linda
We would like to recruit more jay-watchers who can monitor local scrub jay families and keep Rellis and Geoffrey Smith. Our thanks also to Janet Renfro and Nancy Turrell at the Council
us informed about family size, nesting productivity and habitat protection needs. Join us if you’ve for the Arts, Randy Matthews and Bob Hall from Zebra Publishing, Tom McNicholas and Ike
got some time to help! Call the office for more information or to sign up. Crumpler from McNicholas and Associates and everyone else who helped to make the show a
success.
Our thanks also to AoMC Board member Susan Smyth and members Ross and Barbara
Strickland who purchased John James Audubon works, a portion of the proceeds of which
50th Stuart Christmas Bird Count sheets are still coming in, and we’ll share the totals once we get
went to AoMC. Thanks for your support!
everything compiled.
Our thanks to CBC compiler Liz Hailman and all the counters The Christmas Bird Count is AoMC’s largest and longest-term
who spent time on January 5th searching for and counting every database of local avian diversity and abundance and we thank all
common and rare bird they could find in the search areas. Data who took time to participate.
Bird Identification Course
AoMC is pleased to announce a new format and discussion points for our annual
Stuart Garden Club wins “Green Thumb” Award Bird Identification course. After reviewing basic information (e.g., new field guides,
CD/DVD materials, spotting scopes, digital cameras…) regarding “birding” during
Louise White, Garden Club Liaison and long time AoMC of former SGC members. class #1, the course will focus on techniques to assist participants in difficult-to-
board member, shows off the Stuart in Bloom “Green Thumb” America in Bloom promotes nationwide beautification pro- identify and hard-to-find species, Class 2 - Habitats and their birds; Class 3 - Birding
Award for 2007 from America in Bloom. On November 29th grams in cities across the country providing educational pro- by Ear; Class 4 - Silhouettes, poor lighting, flight paths and plumage variants and
the “Stuart in Bloom” committee awarded grams, resources and the challenge of a Class 5) Migration and Seasonality. The course will consist of five, day-long ses-
Louise White, chairman of the Garden Club of friendly competition between participat- sions, each of which will include a “classroom” session and an associated field ex-
Stuart Possum Long Memory Lane Gardens, the ing like-sized communities. The com- cursion to a birding hot-spot.
“Green Thumb Award” for outstanding beautifi- petition helps our cities become better The course begins on Friday, February 15 and runs on consecutive Fridays through
cation efforts and landscape design. Louise has places to live, work, play and visit. It
March 14th. Because we know of inevitable scheduling conflicts, this year we are also offer-
worked with the Garden Club for over 20 years also promotes public awareness and
ing the course on a ‘per session’ pay-as-you-go basis in addition to the total
on improving “Memory Lane” which is located pride in our community by recognizing
on Hibiscus Street; their + - 1 acre area is within outstanding efforts in landscape design
course fee. Registration for all five sessions is $60 per per-
the Possum Long Nature Center. by motivated clubs and their members son ($50 for Audubon members). However, single-
The hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 crushed the such as Louise. session attendance is possible - price varies based on
gardens. Louise has redesigned the paths and, vehicle rental rates for the field trip for each class.
with the help of garden club volunteers, turned it Congratulations to the Stuart Garden Now’s the time to take your birding skills to a
into a quiet place in which to watch birds and Club and Louise White for winning this higher level. Call the office (772)-288-2637 or
butterflies and to enjoy nature in the busy City special award and best of luck this spring email dgregbraun@aol.com for more information.
of Stuart. Memory Gardens honors the memory in the national competition.

6 www.audubonmartincounty.org 3
A Tangle No More JOIN Audubon of Martin County Write your check in favor of “Audubon” and
mail to: Audubon of Martin County
You may have noticed, if you drove by our offices on Palm Beach Road, that our Attn: Membership
property looks bigger and more inviting. Actually we invite you and the birds to Name
621 S.E. Palm Beach Road
come by and take a closer look for yourselves. Stuart, FL 34994
A year ago the area north of the AoMC Office was nothing but a tangle of invasive Address
plants—indeed the area was for many months affectionately referred to as 'The Tan- Select your membership level:
O Individual or family…………………….$20
gle'. Through the collective efforts of Audubon's Worker Bee volunteers, who do-
O Senior (over 62) or Student…………….$15
nated may “sweat equity” hours, and big equipment brought in by Concepts n Green- City State Zip
O Scrub Jay Newsletter only……………...$15
ery the area was cleared. Landscape designers, Lucido
and Associates, provided the landscape design and the
plants were provided through a grant AoMC received Phone Email Chapter Code: 7Ch-E26
from the University of Florida, with help from Agricul-
tural Agent Fred Burkey, and the IFAS “Tame Me-
laleuca Project”. Audubon of Martin County Sponsorship Become an Audubon of Martin County
Audubon officially opened the area to the public on 29th
November with a press event celebrating the planting of Levels and Benefits Sponsor
over 1500 plants for birds and wildlife. The event was Yes! I want to be an AoMC Sponsor
attended by representatives from WPEC, WPBF, Stuart In addition to the basic membership, $ 500 Osprey Your tax-deductible contribution will help us sustain
you can become an AoMC sponsor. our programs, projects and conservation efforts.
News, MyHub.com and Out2Marounty.com a web-based Sponsorship provides funding for pro- Wood Stork benefits plus a natural
local photo journal news source. It took a good bit of grams, projects, field trips and history tour led by an AoMC Board
AoMC’s important conservation work. Name
coordination to pull off this event—thank you McNicho- member to the nesting colony at Bird
las and Associates. $ 50 Great Blue Heron Island in the Indian River Lagoon. Select your sponsorship level:
Early in 2008 final touches will be put on the newly Special recognition in the Scrub Jay and O Scrub Jay $ 5,000
planted area by applying much needed mulch (for mois- a certificate of appreciation. $ 1000 Bald Eagle O Bald Eagle $ 1,000
ture retention and weed control) created through the Osprey benefits plus a natural history O Osprey $ 500
$ 100 Roseate Spoonbill tour led by an AoMC Board member to a
IFAS “Tame Melaleuca Project”. Then we will install plant identifi- Recognition in each Scrub Jay , a
O Wood Stork $ 250
local birding destination of your choice. O Roseate Spoonbill $ 100
cation signage. certificate of appreciation, an AoMC
Plant installation workers were treated to a delicious lunch by the O Great Blue Heron $ 50
T-shirt and one complementary member- $ 5000 and more Scrub Jay
Worker Bees Volunteers—Chili, guacamole, salad, cornbread and O Other $
ship for a person of your choice. Bald Eagle benefits plus a natural history
starfruit. Property Manager Ric Berger and local artist Carlee Weston tour led by an AoMC Board member to Enclose your donation with this form and mail to:
provided the very taste feast. $ 250 Wood Stork
Spoonbill benefits plus one copy of the Everglades National Park, Merritt Island Audubon of Martin County
Sibley Field Guide to Birds and a lunch- National Wildlife Refuge, Ding Darling Attn. Treasurer
eon briefing with the AoMC president National Wildlife Refuge or Arthur Mar- 621 S.E. Palm Beach Road, Stuart, FL 34994
and executive director. shall Loxahatchee NWR.

from the Golden-

Bird of the Month crowned Kinglet, which Ruby-crowned Kinglet
is uncommon this far (Regulus calendula)
The bird for this sometimes-blustery (by Florida standards!) south. Only males have
month is the comparatively little-known, tiny, and often- the ‘ruby crown’, but this feature is rarely seen. The bill is no-
overlooked Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Although at first glance the ticeably smaller than that of vireos, the plumage of which is simi-
diminutive kinglet might be dismissed as a non-descript warbler, lar to kinglets.
several physical characteris- Being insectivores, both species of kinglet are migratory birds
tics can help to accurately that spend the summertime breeding season in the north and
identify this species. The first western U.S. and Canada. They mi-
trait that is typically noted is grate south for the winter, and Ruby-
its very small size. At ap- crowned Kinglets are present in Mar-
proximately 4 ¼ “ from tip-of- tin County and along Florida’s Treas-
bill to end-of-tail, kinglets are ure Coast from September into May.
even smaller than most war- According to the web page of the
blers. Bird Banding Lab, a total of 325,502
Photo—Kevin Karlson
Two other features to look Ruby-crowned Kinglets were banded
for are characteristics that between 1955 and 2000. Of these,
typically help us to differentiate warblers (although kinglets are only 118 have been encountered, an
We would like to extend our deep appreciation to all involved actually members of the Thrush family (Muscucapidae); 1) the
without whom none of this would have been accomplished in such a timely manner. encounter rate of 0.036%. If you
presence of wings bars (kinglets have two), and; 2) white around should recover a banded bird, report
What a great start for our wildlife friendly butterfly and hummingbird garden. the eye. The overall appearance of a kinglet is of a plump, olive- the band number to the Bird Banding
green and gray bird, that is slightly lighter on the undersides. The Lab: 1-800-327-BAND.
lack of a white eye stripe separates the Ruby-crowned Kinglet Happy Birding! Range Map Courtesy of Cornell Labs

4 www.audubonmartincounty.org 5