Non-profit

Audubon of Martin County Organization

U.S. Postage Paid
621 SE Palm Beach Road, Stuart FL 34994 Permit #57
Stuart FL 34995

Florida Scrub-Jay Art Logo

By Brian Sylvester

audubonmartincounty.org  772-288-2637

February 2009

Program Meeting: Thursday, February 19

Office hours are generally 10 am—2pm
Rudy Gelis will continue our program series theme of birding in exotic
Monday through Friday. birding locations in the Americas. Rudy is an ornithologist and is co-
Please call ahead at 772.288.2637 author of Plumas: Birds in Ecuador. He will talk about the Natural His-
tory of Birds in Ecuador. Ecuador is about the size of Colorado yet nearly
1600 species of birds have been recorded here.
Source: Wikipedia.com
Over the years, he has amassed a wonderful
collection of extraordinary photographs used
in this talk that provides a brief introduction to
what birds do for a living in Ecuador.
The talk is based around high quality bird photos, plus anecdotal stories
from several years of leading bird and natural history tours and studying
bird behavior in Ecuador and Peru. It briefly touches on natural history Mark Your Calendars !
topics such as mixed species flocking, endangered and endemic species,
nesting and foraging behavior, and biogeography-distribution. Hundreds
of hours were spent in the field traveling all over this beautiful country in February 2009
search of the most breathtaking plumages as well as rare and endangered
13 Advanced Birding 5 session Bird ID Course.
species. Rudy has enjoyed birds and the natural world since childhood.
He moved to Ecuador after graduating from Berea College, Kentucky and
Contact AoMC to sign up
being awarded a prestigious Watson Fellowship in 1997. 19 Program Meeting “Natural History of Birds in
NEW Meeting Location: Equador” with Rudy Gelis.
The meeting room at the Martin County Extension Office at 2614 SE 21 Field Trip—Green Cay and Wakodahatchee
Dixie Highway. Yes, during the day. Hospitality-11:00 a.m., Program- Wetlands in PBC. Meet at Knights of Columbus
11:30 a.m. (bring a bag lunch) Look for our sandwich board on Dixie. 7:00 a.m.

March 2009
Field Trip : Saturday February 21 Field Trip to 14 Growth Management Forum
Green Cay and Wakodahatchee Wetlands 19 Program Meeting, “Rt 714 Scenic Highway”,
These wetlands are manmade wetlands used to clean water from the 21 Field Trip— Rt 714 Scenic Highway and
2nd Annual Photography Contest water treatment plant in the City of Delray Beach. There are great photo Allapattah Flats. Meet @ Knights of Columbus
opportunities from the meandering boardwalk where we can get within at 7:30 a.m.
All entries will be judged on how well they express the natural environment of Florida. There is feet of numerous waterfowl and waders. We were lucky enough on our 27-29 (Fri-Sun) Audubon Academy, Haines City
a $5 fee for each entry into the Photography Contest. All entries should be works completed last trip to see Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and some very cute Moor-
hen chicks. Limpkins, Green Herons and nesting Great Blue Herons are
from January 1, 2008 through March 1, 2009. Awards will not be given in any category that
just some of the expected sightings along with the circling raptors. Tree
April 2009
has less than 4 entries. Competition categories include: A) Flora, B) Fauna, C) Wildlife -
Really Close up, and D) General Landscape. swallows and various terns are also frequent visitors. 11 Birdathon—contact Laurie at 223-0339
Green Cay Nature Center is Palm Beach County's newest nature center 16 Program Meeting, “A Birders Photographic
For a Complete Set of Rules and entry forms go to www.audubonmartincounty.org or you may that overlooks 100 acres of constructed wetland and provides educational Journal” with Marta Gordon
call the AoMC offices at 772-288-2637 to request a set of rules and entry forms. For specific opportunities about this unique habitat. The wetland features 1.5 miles of 18 Field Trip— to Everglades STA. Meet at
question, contact Laurie Odlum, AoMC President, via e-mail to lodlum@att.net with ―Photo elevated boardwalk featuring interpretive signs about the habitat. The
Knights of Columbus at 7:00 am
Contest‖ in the title. Nature Center includes a lecture hall, gift shop, and live animals in an ex-
tensive exhibit room that highlights wetland attributes. 25 Annual Picnic, Volunteer & Student Essay
It will take about an hour to drive to the wetlands; we will carpool to the Awards.
location. Meet at Knights of Columbus ready to leave at 7:00 am.
10 1
 Board Members 2008-2009 Message from our President and belly. But, just to mess up every- dark gray to
Executive Director – Greg Braun ~~~ Laurie Odlum Birds of the Month thing, the Reddish Egret has what is black at the tip.
called a white morph. That means it is all Sometime
561-575-2028
Confusing White Waders white. To tell it from the Great White you may see a
President Laurie Odlum 772-486-2837
When was the last time you stood outside at By Susan Whiting Heron and the Great Egret you must look white heron
night at your home, looked up and saw the Milky to see if the bird in question has blue-gray that looks like
Vice-Pres Volunteer Needed
Way? You would be hard pressed to see the Bird watching along boardwalks or the legs and a two toned bill-pink at the base someone had
Treasurer Bob Gordon 772-546-2206 Milky Way even from a boat in Lake ―O‖. The edge of a marsh can be very rewarding. and black at the tip. So it is easy to make thrown a bottle
Secretary, Recording Joan Bausch 772-219-8285 lights from the cities on both coasts create a light Long legged waders are common there and identification with the unique bill color? of black ink at
Conservation Bob Matheson 772-283-5999 ceiling blotting out the starry night lights. That usually are easily identified. There are, Not really, because as a juvenile the Red- it. This
Education Volunteer Needed
glow is erasing the beauty of a slivered new however, a group of long legged birds all dish Egret has an all blue-gray bill. splotched indi-
moon glowing in the early evening or the streaks of which are white that can present an The Snowy Egret is smaller than either vidual is an
Field Trips Beverly Poppke 772-286-0061
of meteors or star showers. As a child I could identification challenge. Four of these the Great White Heron or the Great Egret, immature Lit-
Resource Development Doug Warns 772-462-3751 watch Sputnik cross the sky from standing in my birds are common in this area, one uncom- but that size difference is hard to tell if Great White Heron tle Blue Heron
Membership Curt Wood 772-546-5435 back yard. It is amazing, humbling and frustrating all at once when you mon and one the others aren‘t closing in on
Programs Ed Fielding 772-288-2622 realize the vast amount of energy expended in lighting the night and cre- around for com- adult plumage.
accidental. An
ating one of the most visible and easily resolved problems we have today. parison. How does Finally there is one other small white
Properties Jim Kearman 772-708-0677 accidental
– Light pollution! the Snowy Egret
Public Relations Tom McNicholas 772-219-1719 means the bird bird often seen further upland than the
Light pollution is largely the result of bad lighting design, allowing
Nature Center Susan Smyth 772-692-3489
has been seen differ from its others. This is the Cattle Egret that has a
artificial light to shine outward and upward into the sky, where it's not
in the area but larger cousins? short yellow bill and all black legs. Yes,
Newsletter Editor Lisa Fiore 772-528-9707 wanted, instead of focusing it downward, where it is wanted. Ill-designed
is out of place. The Snowy has the immature can fool you. It has a black
Wildlife Center Dan Martinelli 772-286-6200 lighting washes out the darkness of night and radically alters light
It is a resident black legs and bill and black legs, but no yellow slippers.
rhythms—to which many forms of life, including ourselves, have
Water Resources Patrick Hayes 561-747-6397 of places yellow slippers So are you totally confused yet? The
adapted. Altered light rhythms affect many aspects of life such as —
Youth Liaison Jessie Green 772-283-3024 south, north or (feet) and a black main point is that these birds all are similar
migration, reproduction, and feeding. The domes of reflected, refracted
Garden Club Liaison Louise White 772-283-4416 west of us or bill as an adult. except for their size; bill and leg colors are
light, and scattering rays from over lit cities and suburbs, from light-
maybe even Great Egret Piece of cake ID? what, at first glance, one uses to determine
IRL & Speakers Bureau Bill Hudspeth 561-667-5123 flooded highways and factories have markedly altered our circadian
rhythms and cycles. from another Not so fast, as an the species at which you are looking. Once
We've grown so used to this pervasive glow that the original glory of an country across the sea. immature bird the Snowy Egret has legs you learn to tell these lovely long legged
OTHER IMPORTANT COMMITTEE CHAIRS The largest of these long legged waders that are yellow-green on front and blackish waders apart, their behavior will also give
unlit night—dark enough for the planet Venus to throw shadows on
Eaglewatch Liaison Clare-Rue Morgan 772-286-9833 Earth—is wholly beyond our experience, beyond memory almost. And is the Great White Heron, which is a white on the back, but they still wear the yellow you clues. Take some time the next time
yet above the city's pale ceiling lies the rest of the universe, utterly undi- version of the Great Blue Heron and is an slippers. And to make identification even you are birding in the heron‘s and egret‘s
Librarian Bev Poppke 772-286-0061
accidental since it is seen primarily in the more challenging, the bills on the imma- habitats to figure out which long legged
minished by the light we waste—a bright shoal of stars and planets and
Cranewatch Coordinator Pam Hopkins 772-408-6153 Florida Keys. This heron has only been ture Snowy Egrets can be two toned, black wader you are seeing.
galaxies, shining in seemingly infinite darkness.
spotted in Martin County a couple of on top mandible and pale horn color on the
Cranewatch Co-coordinator Carol Spinney 772-545-7987 This primal darkness lit by a soft grey glow of stars and moon provides
times. It may be more common than we bottom mandible.
the proper guidance for our night migrating songbirds, hawks, and some
Jaywatch Coordinator Pam Hopkins 772-408-6158 think because we might have overlooked it Next there is another strange quirk of
larger birds, such as the secretive rails and the American woodcock, and
Jaywatch Co-coordinator Clare-Rue Morgan 772-286-9833 thinking it was a Great Egret. The Great nature. The Little Blue Heron feathers are
most small insect-eating birds such as wrens, most thrushes, kinglets, White Heron has buffy-gray legs while the
Christmas Bird Count Liz Hailman 561-746-7293 vireos, wood warblers, tanagers, buntings, orioles and most sparrows. all slatey blue-gray as an adult and boasts a
Great Egret has jet black legs. The bill on
Studies have confirmed that night-migratory birds seem to have a brain two toned blue bill with a black tip. But as
Webmaster Ed Fisher edaudubon@yahoo.com the former is heavier and stouter than that
area specifically adapted for seeing during their night-time flight. This an immature bird, the feathers are all
of the Great Egret although both are a yel-
brain region could be involved in processing and integrating light- low-orange. white. What are the field marks that differ-
AUDUBON HOUSE DOCENTS
dependent magnetic compass information and star compass information; The Reddish Egret is an uncommon bird entiate this heron from all the others de-
Clare-Rue Morgan, George Mirka, Beverly Poppke,
Ed Fisher, Carol Coyne and thus may be responsible for the impressive navigational abilities of in this area. Normally it is has a reddish scribed here? The Little Blue Heron has
distinctly green legs and always has a Little Blue Heron White Morph
birds migrating during the night. Birds, like moths, are attracted to light head and neck and slate blue-gray back Photo Courtesy of Finertyphoto.com
Open board seats:
at night, and if they become disoriented, will fly in circles around the two-toned bill, light blue at the base and
Contact Laurie Odlum or Greg Braun lights in a tall building, often hitting the building, or dropping exhausted
to the ground. Birds start their night migrations soon after dark; their
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be numbers are greatest between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., with the maximum
obtained from the division of Consumer Services toll-free within Florida
numbers of birds observed between 11 p.m. and midnight.
800.435.7352. Registration does not imply endorsement,
approval, or recommendation by the state. Provide a safer environment for all; humans, birds, bats and turtles. Cranewatch
The Scrub Jay is published seven times a year on Turn off the lights! Turn down the lights! Fix the lights! Reduce the
recycled content paper with soy-based ink. energy used to light the night. Turn on the stars and the moon. Allow the Springtime means our local sandhill cranes are now transitioning
nights‘ gentle light to show the way. Let‘s give these incredible birds the from incubating to chick-rearing mode. Soon there‘ll be gangly crane
chance to travel, undisturbed or distracted by our excessive lighting, on chicks following their parents to foraging areas, which, for the birds in
their yearly travels and be able to live by their natural rhythms. It‘s up to our urban areas, often means that crane families will be meandering
Contact your U.S. Senators in Washington DC you. roadside swales, wetland edges, golf courses and other short-grass prai-
at the following numbers: rie habitats. If you‘d like to help monitor a local crane family, give us a
Senator Mel Martinez: 202.224.3051 For information on the Canadian night migration safety program go to the call at the AoMC office.
Photo Courtesy of Greg Braun Photo Courtesy of Patriche Fallon
Senator Bill Nelson: 202.224.5274 FLAP program at: www.flap.org

2 9
 EagleWatch Osprey Nesting Season A Remarkable Visit to Everglades Restoration in Progress
Guest writer – Craig Morell
Eaglewatchers are reporting hatchlings at most of the There‘s also good news regarding the osprey nest site near Azalea
nests we monitor, and we‘re pleased to have added a cou- St in the northern part of Martin County . The osprey nesting plat- On Saturday, November 29th, a few dozen intrepid wildlife natural system is, how profound its
ple new nests to our monitoring network this year. Our form that AoMC installed in 2008 (thanks to the help of Dan and Sue observers from Hendry County and other disparate points trav- impacts are upon our daily lives, or
thanks to the South Florida Water Management District for Roberts, Captain Phill Sherman, Barbara Milner and the many donors eled to a remote and dusty section of sugar cane country. We how its loss will change our climate.
permitting AoMC Eaglewatcher Bill Borger to access one who contributed to the project) is being used by the local pair of os- went to see a remarkable piece of Everglades restoration in pro- This small square of wetland plants, set
of their new properties in western Martin County for the preys. The platform can be seen when looking south from the western gress, south of Clewiston. What we saw surprised many of us in in a shallow flooded plain, defines
purpose of checking on a nest. So far it appears that 2009 end of Azalea St (off Britt Rd west of US1). The birds have been ways we had not imagined. what the River of Grass is all about.
will be a good nesting season for our local population of named Brenda and Mark in recognition of the willingness of the prop- The area we went to has the ungracious name of STA-5, stand- The Everglades is a very shallow river,
eagles. If the eaglets make it through their next 2 months, erty owners to have the platform installed on their property. Stop by ing for Stormwater Treatment Area #5. In short, this is a fairly embedded with vast amounts of tall
their likelihood of survival is much better. If you‘d like to sometime and take a look! large area of 2 square miles, reclaimed from sugar cane produc- grass, through which the water flows
It is also looking Scissortail Flycatcher
join AoMC‘s Eaglewatch team, give Clare-Rue Morgan a tion, flooded and managed to maintain a defined water level, and very slowly. This shallow, slow river
Photo Courtesy of
call at 772-286-9833 like it will be a replanted with a defined set of plants. Outwardly this area looks makes the fresh water upon which 2/3 Joan Kamo
successful nesting like nothing more than what is I just described; it was a broad of our state depends for our drinking
season for Ozzie open area, with occasional islands of vegetation, and with shal- water, recreational water, and weather. If the weather is what
and Harriet – the low water ( 6‘‘ deep in most places). This is, quite literally, what attracts so many people to our state, why wouldn‘t we want to
ospreys that nest at this Everglades ecotype was supposed to be. This is what the protect the resource that largely drives the weather in the first
Thank You Sponsors ! Rio Nature Park . much-lauded ‗Glades Restoration‘ we‘ve all heard about was place?
General Fund supposed to do. More than a few people remarked that when you STA-5 is one of many success stories of restoration gone right.
re-create the ecological There are far more ―gone wrong‖ stories. There are even more
Irwin Goldberg
conditions of an Ever- stories of politicians wrestling a victory to the ground and bury-
Carolyn Knutson
glades ecotype like a ing it under bureaucracy. This field trip is one that everyone
William H Moore
Photo Courtesy of flooded marsh, you‘ll get should take to see what we‘re all fighting for, and what all the
Jean Shinners Captain Sherman this amazing result. We fuss is about. As author Michael Grunwald said in his book The
Laura F Doerr
saw something over 50 Swamp, ―The Everglades is a test. If we pass, we get to keep the
Irvin Goldberg
species of birds in just 2 planet.‖ (a retreaded version of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas‘
Terry Clark
square miles of isolated statement upon the opening of the Everglades National Park,
Inara & Robert W Ledden
Photo by Craig Morell marsh. We were able to see 1947.)
Mrs Richard Foxwell
one of the rarest reptiles in In our own daily lives, the Everglades is the cauldron in which
John & Hope Reese
Florida, an Eastern Indigo Snake, close enough to see clearly, and our State started, from whence we get our daily water, and the
Carmine Greco
not just one, but 2, shamelessly mating while we watched. This weather machine which has drawn us here. We can see the future
Roseate Spoonbill To the left is a typical 30 was all the more amazing given that Indigo Snakes are famously very easily, even without a crystal ball. The view of the future for
Carolyn Knutson mile diameter count cir- reclusive, and tend to hide in rather heavy forested areas. Florida is present-day California. National Geographic published
Jean Shinners cle divided into count This little patch of reclaimed cane field showed clearly that a an excellent article about 20 years ago stating chillingly that Flor-
Laura Doerr areas. Each smaller restoration program can work. In short order, this tiny square of ida‘s crises are about 20 years behind those of California. Wars
count area is covered by reclaimed farmland had attracted a stunning selection of wildlife over water, natural area degradation, unrestricted development, a
Endowment Fund a designated count team. including otters, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, a small bliz- mad real-estate dash for immediate wealth, radical weather
William H Moore Teams give their data to zard of varied insects, and the myriad creatures that are associ- changes, rampant pollution and a cold view of preservation are
the count circle compiler ated with this ecotype. In a few hours, many of the seasoned and all part of California‘s history.
for verification and data stoic birders had seen a number of ―lifers‖ i.e. birds you always Wait a minute: this sounds familiar………….should it be ours?
compilation. wanted to see once in your lifetime. For instance, it‘s hard
enough to see Great White Herons at all, much less
Christmas Bird Count two of them in sight of each other. You could spend
years trying to see a Snail Kite up close, yet a fe-
male sat quietly in a small tree just off a gravel
road, a dozen yards away. Right in front of this daz-
Our thanks to Liz and Jack We‘re also appreciative of the work of Randy Porch to zled crowd, we watched a Peregrine Falcon make
Hailman and all who par- coordinate AoMC member‘s access to Boy Scout Camp several ground level strafing runs on a flock of
ticipated in last month‘s Tanah Keeta as part of the Jonathan Dickinson CBC. We‘re coots, putting any Air Force fighter pilot to shame
Christmas Bird Count. working with the scouts to develop a more complete inven- with his impressive speed and high-G turns. This
Data are still being com- tory of the flora and fauna on their 850+ -acre property, and patch of restoration success was heartening. Imag-
piled, and we hope to have participating in the CBC is a great way to become in- ine what a few dozen of these patches could create?
a summary in next month‘s newsletter and posted on our volved. The CBC four-person team counted 36 species on a What if these patches were created next to each
website, but overall we‘re appreciative of the support and beautiful winter day at Camp Tanah Keeta. Thank you Boy other, without roads separating them? How much
involvement in this activity by our members and the commu- Scouts! wildlife could this foster?
nity. To check the posted results of any CBC in the country, We‘ve all heard the iconic ―River of Grass‖ term.
Having now conducted the Stuart CBC for several decades, check National Audubon‘s CBC webpage: Do we really understand what it means? Or how
we‘ve compiled an extensive history of local bird popula- http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/ many parts are involved in making this living sys-
tions. tem work? So many people I‘ve talked to don‘t
have a clear understanding of how complicated this Photo by Craig Morell

8 3
Field Trip Report— Conservation Corner
Viera Wetlands
We‘re pleased to be working with Martin County on a project through which we‘re learning more about the numbers, habits and
A brisk Northerly wind and temps preferred habitats of piping plovers. As those of you have participated in winter piping plover surveys in the past certainly know,
in the very low 50‘s did not deter the these hard-to-find little shorebirds prefer calm sandy beaches and tidal flats while they are wintering in our
4 car caravan of avid birders from area. In surveys completed to date, we‘ve found a maximum number of 12,
taking the 1 1/2 hour drive to the and we suspect that the tidal shoals between the St. Lucie Inlet and the
Viera Wetlands—west off I-95 Exit Crossroads, and the sandy beaches in the vicinity of the inlet are most heav-
191 on Wickham Road just behind ily used. We have yet to find a banded plover, so figuring out numbers and
the Water Utilities building. locations is a challenge. We expect to go on several more excursions, and
The ―Sighting of the Trip‖ was 2 we‘d like more eyes looking for them. If you‘ve got a couple free half-days
Audubon‘s Caracaras in a pine tree and you‘d like to participate – we‘ll supply the boat – please call Greg Braun Piping plovers
performing early mating rituals and at 561-758-3417. (above and left
then observed carrying nesting mate- 3 lower birds)
rials into a cabbage palm. There was Photo Courtesy of Marta Gordon
also nest building and early nuptials Advanced Bird ID Course are small shore-
birds that can
Photos Courtesy of Greg Braun
being performed by 2 pairs of Great easily be con-
Blue Herons and several Anhinga Here is the complete There‘s still time to sign up for our once each fused with sanderlings (left upper bird). Their small
pairs. I know some of us plan a return bird list: year offering of the Bird Identification Course.
size and sand-color make them well-camoflaged on
trip soon to see how the nests are Great Blue Heron Red-shouldered Hawk Each class consists of a) a + 1-2 hour morning
beaches and tidal flats.
going. We were frequently enter- Great Egret Red-winged Blackbird bird-walk at a premier local birding hot spot; 2) a
American Bittern Please see your favorite Bird ID reference for more
Green Heron Sandhill Crane + 2-hour classroom session and 3) a field excur-
tained with 5 or 6 flyovers by a pair American Kestrel detail on these great birds.
Hooded Merganser Snowy Egret sion to a birding hot-spot. The cost for all five
of Bald Eagles and a couple of juve- Anhinga
Killdeer Tricolored Heron sessions is $65 per person ($55 for Audubon
niles. One Bald Eagle in full voice Bald Eagle
Lesser Scaup Turkey Vulture members). Since seating is limited, call the
landed on one of the tall electric Belted Kingfisher
Limpkin White Ibis Audubon office (772)-288-2637 now for more
transmission towers! There is still Black Vulture
American Coot Wood Stork information and to signup. Send your registration
some discussion about some of the Blue-winged Teal
check to AoMC to secure
identifications: was it a Ring-necked Boat-tailed Grackle Little Blue Heron
Loggerhead Shrike Non-bird species: your seat. Condolences
Duck or immature Lesser Scaup; was Cattle Egret AoMC send our best wishes to the family and friends of
Mottled Duck Bring your field guide,
it an American Bittern or Little Green Common Grackle Terry Clark, who passed away recently. Terry became in-
Northern Harrier American Alligator binoculars and a pack
Heron. Just to show that you never Common Moorhen volved with AoMC through our Cranewatch program due to
Cooper‘s Hawk Northern Mockingbird Gulf Fritillary lunch to all sessions.
have enough eyes or equipment on her love of animals and her desire to become more active in
Crested Caracara Osprey River Otter protecting a family of cranes that lived near her home. Both
moving targets that are also too far Palm Warbler Zebra Longwing
Double-crested Cormorant AoMC and Terry benefited by her participation in the bird
away. Pied-Billed Grebe
Eastern Phoebe identification course and other AoMC activities.
Glossy Ibis Red-bellied Woodpecker

Welcome New Members!

Birgit Ager Nancy Danner Nancy Hamilton Marilyn Nolan Mary A. Smith
Nancy Allen Scott Davis Cristine Hancox Mary Noorian Michelle Smith
Stacei Ankrom Lee Desjarlais Leslie B. Hanlon Carol Omeara Julie Stellman
Patricia Barlow Carole Norton Dingman Frances Hanna John Ostler Joanne Sweazey
Beverly Bartel Susan Douma Joe Harper Elizabeth G. Parmen Virginia D. Thee
Hi! I‘m Jessica, Junior Board Member of the Audubon Soci- illegal to feed a scrub jay in Florida. You may not know this, Carlyn Drewyor Peggy Indu Betty Parmentier Susan Torres
ety of Martin County. You can remember me as ―Animal but bird‘s help trees grow. How? Birds spread the seeds when Jane Blatt-Guberman D. Dubois Alan & Linda Jaffe June Parrilli Alyssa Vasko
Lover‖. I‘m a big volunteer when it comes to wild life. This they eat them, so the seeds fall to the ground, dirt covers them Roberta Bleier Melissa Dubois John L. James Mrs. R. Pontynen Rufus Wakeman
Luann Bolnick Jean Ferreira William James Nancy Read Geneva Warner
month, I chose the scrub jay as my topic because of the title of and then the tree or plant begins to grow. Every creature has a Brian & Barbara Bols
this magazine. I have listed some very interesting facts about special purpose in life. Some do John Ford Maurice R. Johns Danelle Roberts Mrs. Brenda Watkins
Abe Breckenridge M. W. Forsythe Susanna Kenerson Lin Robertson Jennifer Weekman
this bird. The scrub jay is usually about 11 inches long and big things some do small things, William H. Brinkman
weighs 2.5 to 3 ounces. The scrub jay is a very unique crea- but in the end, it all makes a dif- B. Friendrich Mrs. Robert Laney Raenelle S. Robinson Lewis Wheeler
Betty Burgesser Arlene Galuaci Kathryn Lister R. Schaeffer Jean Williams
ture with beautiful colors. It has a black beak, a blue head, a ference. Ruth Burr Lynn Gardiner Maureen Longo Henry J. Schnitzer Maryann Williams
whitish forehead, blue wings, grayish under parts, a gray back, Bertha Cain Rebecca Goosey C. M. Maldonado Mrs. Schuerman Sharon Windsor
a long blue tail, and black legs and feet. Some of its favorite Nancy Carr Sarah Gosney Susan Marra Larry & Katharine Senn Jodi Wintercorn
foods are acorns, seeds, peanuts, and insects. The scrub jay is Margot Chrystie Debbie Greenbaum Blanche S. McGowan Mary Sharpe Michelle Zainc
an extremely intelligent species. They do not fear people Janet Church Betsy Gunderson Paula Morris Debby Sharrow Mark Zokan
unless someone does something to terrorize them. They will Cathy Cleveland-Lewis Diane Hagerich Robert W. Neumann Elizabeth Smith
www.animalpicturesarchive.com
even take nuts from people's hands and lips. However, it is
4 7
 Burning For Birds
by Jim Kearman
If you were in Martin County in late
November, you may have seen huge
clouds of white smoke billowing up from
Seabranch State Park. Yes, the park was
burning – on purpose! Prescribed burning
(formerly called controlled burning) is a
common practice on natural lands.
Growing up in the 1950s, I often heard
Smoky the Bear say ―Only you can pre-
vent forest fires!‖ In those days, we
thought all fires in natural areas were
banned. Land managers took pains to
suppress fires. The unfortunate result was
an over accumulation of flammable scrub
and litter. When a fire eventually broke
out, the consequences were often tragic.
Even if we could prevent all
fires, doing so is ecologically
unsound. Before Europeans
arrived in North America, fires
were commonplace, especially
in Florida. With its high fre-
quency of thunderstorms, Flor-
ida's woods and wetlands
burned every one to five years.
If fire destroys, how does it
help wildlife? Actually, under
natural or natural-imitating con- Photo Courtesy of The University of Missouri
ditions, fire does not destroy.
Our native plants evolved in Florida's
fire-rich environment. The bark of slash the fire are determined, and a prescription
pines, common to South Florida, flakes
off when exposed to low-intensity fire,
and its layers protect the cambium from
damage. Our native grasses often delay
their summer blooms until a fire sweeps ity) under which the specific area can be
across the land. Without fire, palmetto
and woody shrubs overwhelm the
grasses.
The mid-story of a natural pine flat-
wood is open. Between the low grasses
and occasional palmetto plants and the
canopy there is plenty of open space for
birds to fly, hidden from sight of hawks
and falcons by the canopy. Open spaces the main fire is lit. Where a large area is
on the ground provide room for seed eat- to be burned, it may be divided into
Are you concerned about Sea Level rise and its effect on Florida? Learn and share at the same time by
becoming our Climate Change activist – a volunteer
willing to be Audubon of Martin County‘s ―go-to‖ person on climate change.
ers and ground-nesting birds. Without
regular fires, those spaces fill up and the
pine woods are in a less healthy condi-
tion.
When fire is suppressed, the midstory
plants grow tall. When a fire does ignite,
it carries the flames into the canopy, of-
ten killing the pines. Even if the canopy
survives, the higher intensity fire, due to
the increased fuel load, may scorch-kill
the trees and even damage their root sys-
tems.
Prescribed burning mimics natural
fires. Care is taken to limit flame height
and fire intensity, and to keep the fire
within prescribed limits. Before a fire is
lit, a state-certified technician inspects
the site. Potentially dangerous fuel loads,
such as tall palmettos, may be mechani-
cally removed. The geographic limits of
is written and forwarded to the U.S. For-
estry Department for approval. The pre-
scription states the meteorological condi-
tions (wind speed and direction, humid-
burned, and other related information.
When the burn is approved, the site must
then be prepared with plow lines around
the site, to act as fire breaks.
On the day of the fire, a trained crew
lights back fires downwind and along the
sides of the area, to further extend the fire
break. When those fires have burned out,
Help Wanted
smaller strips, each of which is burned
separately. This technique prevents the
fire from becoming too intense.
Burning usually starts in late morning
when the wind has calmed, and fires are
planned to be finished by early afternoon.
An early finish gives the crew time to
monitor the site, to ensure the fire is com-
pletely out.
Within a few days of a fire, grasses will
begin to sprout. Animals and birds will
start returning to their old haunts. By the
next season, a new habitat is in place.
Prescribed fires are usually conducted in
the summer wet season. One reason is
that they are easier to manage when the
ground and foliage are damp. But there's
a positive impact on the environment,
too. Grasses burned during the growing
season will usually bloom and go to seed
during the same growing season, thus
enhancing recovery. Palmetto and woody
plants, which tend to take over an area
when fire is suppressed, are held back
when burned in the growing season. Win-
ter, dry-season burning has the opposite
effect. Palmetto is favored and grasses
are discouraged.
AoMC's 280-acre preserve on Citrus
Boulevard, west of Palm City, has not
burned for many years. Palmettos and
woody plants clog the pine woods, and
are invading the wetland. Next summer,
budgetary constraints permitting, we
hope to conduct a prescribed fire on the
property. If we can afford it, and the birds
hope we can, we'll post information on
the chapter Website. Your financial sup-
port for our property management pro-
jects on this property would be very wel-
come.
Jim Kearman joined the AoMC Board
of Directors as Properties Chair in Sep-
tember 2008. A Master Naturalist, Jim
recently completed a course in
“Managing Habitat for Diversity,”
taught by The Nature Conservancy at the
Disney Nature Preserve in Kissimmee.
Jim is a year-round resident of Stuart.
JOIN Audubon of Martin County
Write your check payable to ―Audubon‖ and
Mail to: Audubon of Martin County
Name Attn: Membership
621 SE Palm Beach Road
Stuart, FL 34994
Address Select your Membership level:
O Individual or family…………………….$20
O Senior (over 62) or Student…………….$15
City State Zip
O Scrub Jay Newsletter only……………...$15
Phone Email Chapter Code: 7Ch-E26
Audubon of Martin County Sponsorship Become an Audubon of Martin County
Levels and Benefits Sponsor
Yes! I want to be an AoMC Sponsor
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.
Sponsorship provides funding for pro- Wood Stork benefits plus a natural
grams, projects, field trips and history tour led by an AoMC Board
AoMC’s important conservation work. Name
member to the nesting colony at Bird
Island in the Indian River Lagoon.
$ 50 Great Blue Heron Select your sponsorship level:
Special recognition in the Scrub Jay and O Scrub Jay $ 5,000
a certificate of appreciation. $ 1000 Bald Eagle O Bald Eagle $ 1,000
Osprey benefits plus a natural history O Osprey $ 500
$ 100 Roseate Spoonbill
tour led by an AoMC Board member to a O Wood Stork $ 250
Recognition in each Scrub Jay , a local birding destination of your choice.
O Roseate Spoonbill $ 100
certificate of appreciation, an AoMC
t-shirt and one complementary member- $ 5000 and more Scrub Jay
O Great Blue Heron $ 50
O Other $
ship for a person of your choice. Bald Eagle benefits plus a natural history
tour led by an AoMC Board member to Enclose your donation with this form and mail to:
$ 250 Wood Stork
Everglades National Park, Merritt Island Audubon of Martin County
Spoonbill benefits plus one copy of the
National Wildlife Refuge, Ding Darling Attn. Treasurer
Sibley Field Guide to Birds and a lunch-
National Wildlife Refuge or Arthur Mar- 621 SE Palm Beach Road, Stuart, FL 34994
eon briefing with the AoMC President
shall Loxahatchee NWR.
and Executive Director.
AoMC welcomes Hobe Sound resident Debbie Clark as our new Land Stewardship Coordinator. If
she hasn‘t contacted you already, she‘ll be doing so in the near future. We‘re not soliciting donations
– although they are much appreciated – we‘re looking for warm bodies that are willing to spend a few
hours each month helping at property work days. Many hands make light work, and we‘re using the
progress we‘ve made at Possum Long as our spring-board for providing some tender loving care to
our other properties. Many of our new members may not be aware that AoMC owns hundreds of
acres of preserved land throughout the County.
One of our infrequently-visited properties is a several acre wetland preserve in the Palm City
neighborhood of Maplewood . We‘ve owned it for decades, and it has been serving it‘s purpose well
as a wildlife preserve amid an increasingly urban area. Debbie is working with AoMC properties
chair Jim Kearman to schedule and conduct work parties at this and other AoMC sites. Some of the
work is roll-up-your-shirtsleeves manual labor, but we‘re also developing flora and fauna lists and
other less rigorous work. If you‘d like to help, please give Debbie a call at the AoMC office. The
schedule of work days, including locations and times is posted on our web site – Audubonmartin-
county.org.

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