Manatee County Audubon Society
We are committed to protecting the environment in our community, our state and our country.
Christmas Bird Count
set for December
By David Willliamson
It’s that time of year again.
The weather is great and the
restaurants aren’t full on the
weekends. Even though that’s
true, the reason I am writing
this is to let you know that
our Christmas Bird Counts are
right around the corner.
Please reply to me at david@
localbirder.com and let me
know if you will be able to par-
ticipate. If you aren’t sure that
you can make it, just let me
know and we will keep you on
the list as tentative. Here are
the dates:
•Saturday December 19--Bra-
denton Circle, which includes
most of Bradenton.
•Tuesday December 29--Gulf
Circle, which includes Anna
Maria Island and the northern
end of Longboat Key.
Feel free to forward this mes-
sage to all of your birding
friends.
Manatee Auduboner wins $10,000 fellowship. Details on page 3
Where have all the birds gone?
Longtime birding expert Owen Co-
mora, pictured left, will address that
question when Manatee Audubon
meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday Decem-
ber 17 at the First United Methodist
Church, 330 11th Avenue West, Pal-
metto. Comora is president of The
Friends of Myakka River and the se-
nior volunteer bird naturalist at the
Myakka River State Park.
President’s letter from Barbara Singer
We are glad to have the Snowbirds returning
Welcome back! It’s that time again. Migration is just about complete. The Goldfinches
have arrived and our Snowbirds are beginning to appear. Isn’t migration wonderful?
Our October meeting was well attended, about 70 in all. Ron Mayberry shared his passion
for Cranes with the group and succeeded in converting some to “Craniacs.” Once again
Ron’s generosity in contributing the proceeds from the sale of some of his photos provided
a nice donation for Felts. It was thrilling to see so many new faces and yes, to enjoy the
company of our local and returning members.
The Manatee Audubon Board has passed our budget for 2009-2010 and included two
$1,000 scholarships to be awarded to two Manatee County high school seniors who will
be attending college majoring in an environmental science. We need a retired teacher from
the sciences to help us evaluate the applicants. If you can spare some time in February you
can help make this program a success. Email me at president@manateeaudubon.org or call
me at 922-4488.
We have received some sad news: Evora Dingman passed away on October 26 and Les has
relocated to Oregon to be with family. Evora and Les have been long time active members
and they will be truly missed.
Keep the Date: The Wild Bird Center will be hosting a Holiday Open House on Thursday,
December 3 from 6-8 p.m. They will raffle a framed local eagle photograph taken by Mark
Stull with all proceeds going to Felts Audubon Preserve. That evening they will offer a
10% discount excluding optics; so come out and do some holiday shopping and support
your favorite preserve. The Wild Bird Center is located at 8323 Lockwood Ridge Road
(NE corner of University Parkway and Lockwood Ridge Road in Albertson’s Plaza).
Upcoming events on page 4
Page 2
Look back
at our history
By Don Bansen, MCAS historian
Sometime in the late spring or early
summer of 1988, the Men’s Senior
Golf Association of Manatee County
built a display cabinet at the county
golf course and Manatee Audubon
provided pictures of birds that could
be seen on the golf course. The pic-
tures were painted on wood plaques
for longer life by a local artist, Martha
Dowswell, at Meric Woodward’s di-
rection. It was his idea since he was
a golfer as well as a birder. Several
years ago the original cabinet blew
down in a storm and was replaced
with a smaller cabinet, paid for by the
golf course, but with fewer pictures,
and can be seen today just north of the
clubhouse.
In March of 1988 a thank-you note
was received from the Organized
Fishermen of Florida, Cortez Chap-
ter for the MCAS display at the 6th
Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing
Festival.
Emerson Point was approved for pur-
chase by the state in February 1989 to
be made into a park. Representative
Toby Holland of Palmetto guided the
effort through the state bureaucracy
and instead of a state park it became
a county park, purchased partly with
county money.
MCAS members and local commer-
cial fishermen assisted employees
of the State Department of Natural
Resources in planting marsh grass
around Cortez Key in October 1989
in an effort to restore mangroves that
had been lost to erosion caused by
boat traffic.
In April 1990, forty members of
MCAS took a bus to Key West and a
boat to the Dry Tortugas, a four day
trip. The boat part was an exercise in
close living - at least one so-called
cabin had six bunks (for three cou-
ples) and a curtain over the doorway
for privacy. Many bird species were
seen, including those that stop there
on their migration north plus Sooty
Terns that nest on one of the islands.
Wildflowers at Felts Preserve
We continue to enhance Felts Preserve
By Lea Etchells
To create habitat you need four essential ingredients -- food, water, cover, and space. All species
can survive with the proper combination of those four things. To that end we continue to restore and
enhance Felts Audubon Preserve for the benefit of the many species that frequent the area.
You may have noticed the large area of dead grass along 24th Avenue East, north of the parking lot.
This area has been overgrown with St. Augustine grass for years, creating a mono-culture, that is,
a single non-native species that has crowded out all other plants. We are in the process of creating
a new and diverse habitat for our birds, butterflies and other species that depend on diversity to
survive. We have completed the first stage of this project by killing off the St. Augustine grass.
Sometime in late December or January we will be sowing a combination of native grass and wild-
flower seeds. The seeds have been specifically chosen to match our geographic area and soil type.
The Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association is a great asset and helped us with our selec-
tions. This project and many other projects that we have accomplished have been possible because
of generous individuals from our community and other environmental groups that recognize our
efforts.
We are very grateful to the Serenoa Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society for their generous
$500 grant to help with the new wildflower area. As always, we are very thankful for the continued
ongoing support of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, SWFWMD.
On your next visit to Felts be sure to visit the bird blind and pick up one of the new brochures
designed by Evan Neal. Now thanks to the Anna Maria Garden Club gift of $300 to pay for the
printing, we are able to offer our visitors this beautiful and informative brochure. We realize that
for them to give us $300 it means somebody else did not get $300, so we are very thankful they
chose us.
On October 31, we had 13 people show up for workday. It was a great day and many tasks were
accomplished. The last Saturday of the month is always our volunteer work day. Our next one is
the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 28. We always have something for everyone to do and
it helps keep Felts running smoothly.
On November 7, we had our monthly open house hosted by Ann Roberts. Fred Allen reports that
someone spotted a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Other birds observed were a Summer Tanager, Red
Starts, and Catbirds. Fred reported the butterfly garden is active and producing several species of
butterflies. Some recent sightings include Skippers, Cloud and Southern Broken-Dash Skippers.
Junior Auduboners meeting at Felts focus on turtles
By Steve Black, vice president
For our November session of Junior Audubon, we studied turtles from Audubon Adventures. We
reviewed the types of turtles and the fact that they live in all habitats including deserts, forests,
marshes, ponds, grasslands and the ocean. Using our Florida National Audubon Society’s Field
Guide to Florida, we concentrated on Florida Turtles. We talked about marine turtles and how they
are endangered and the importance of protecting them.
Since the meeting was at Felts, we went to the corral where the Gopher
Tortoise had dug his hole, and then proceeded to the north pond where we
spotted a Slider which slid back in the water out of sight when we startled
him. We are never too old or young to learn. I would like to thank Shirley
McGinnis for her able assistance.
 Page 3
53 birders explore Robinson Preserve
By David Williamson
Robinson Preserve Consider these aspects
was a great place
on November 7 for of climate change
a joint trip between
By Arlene Flisik, vice president
Manatee County
Audubon and Man- We need long-term research, moni-
atee County Natural toring and projecting of trends. Ex-
Resources Depart- ample: seawater acidity is changing.
ment. The trip was How and when will fish react? How
advertised by the will it affect food supply? Will our
county in local print politicians fund such studies? Will
and online media some organisms providing potential
and the response medical breakthroughs become ex-
was tremendous. tinct instead?

With the assistance Fifty-one possible mitigation actions

of John Ginaven have been developed for the state to
and Dan Irizarry, consider. Will it DO any?
David Williamson led the group through a small portion of the preserve where they found 35 spe-
cies including Roseate Spoonbills, Bald Eagles, a Northern Harrier, and a Spotted Sandpiper. Not We should identify local vulnerabili-
too many trips can claim more birders than bird species, but this one was a big hit. We had 53 bird- ties and helpful adaptations. How
ers from beginner to expert walking in the beautiful fall Florida weather. The many newbies were can poor people afford to adjust?
introduced to birding at one of Manatee’s finest natural areas.
Salinity will increase in estuaries and
The long-time birders who hadn’t been to the Preserve before got into some habitats that are becom- move upriver. If habitat is impaired,
ing harder and harder to find along the coast. If you haven’t seen Robinson Preserve for yourself, will invasive exotics multiply?
make a point to do so. The facilities are excellent with hard and soft trails for biking, jogging, skat-
ing, and hiking. There is a canoe/kayak launch at the parking lot with access to the Manatee River. Should taxpayers extend public fa-
cilities into developments that may
be submerged – or nearly so – in two
Yvette Little, left, generations?

and Julie Henry, right, are two Should property in the most hazard-
of the 40 TogetherGreen Fel- ous low-lying places be declared
uninsurable? Should the public pick
lows who each will receive up the tab if heedless residents are
$10,000 toward a inundated?
community-focused project. Should construction standards be
tightened now to meet problems
Manatee Audubon member Yvette Little, pictured left, and Bradenton environmentalist Julie Henry,
that may not be acute for some time,
right, have been selected as 2009 TogetherGreen Fellows, an initiative of National Audubon and
though likely during a project’s life
Toyota. The two women are among the 40 individuals nationwide to receive the fellowships, which
expectancy?
offer specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best
practices with gifted conservation professionals and assistance with project outreach and evaluation.
Severe heat waves or flooding cause
Each Fellow receives $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in
health problems. What then?
conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.
Florida’s water management dis-
For her fellowship, Little will expand the Pooches for the Planet program, a pet waste education
tricts are legally required to find us-
campaign managed by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. The goal of the project is to promote the
able water for everyone who wants
proper disposal of pet waste to prevent harmful fecal coliform bacteria and excess nutrients from
to live in Florida. The US now
washing into Tampa Bay. Keeping pet waste out of the water will improve both watershed health and
spends 10-15% of its energy usage
residents’ quality of life. Little will work with local partners to develop shelter adoption kits around
to relocate water. Climate extremes
this issue, as well as gain sponsorship and media attention for the initiative. Little is the co-owner,
will require us to do more of this. In-
with Karen Fraley of Simply Green Solutions, LLC. She works to build the capacity of local envi-
stead, should our laws be changed?
ronmental groups to achieve their missions in cost-effective, strategic ways.
School boards decide what children
Earlier this year, Yvette took first prize in the TogetherGreen Community Passport contest, based on
study. Will they include climate
her 323 volunteer hours, and received an L.L. Bean bike.
change issues?
 December2009 Newsletter
Upcoming Events Manatee County Audubon Society, P. O. Box 14550, Bradenton FL 34280-4550

Saturday 12/5
Open House Felts Preserve
8 a.m. to noon

Wednesday 12/9
Bob and Lucette Wombacher, 776-8424,
lead trip to Emerseon Point Preserve,
located at the tip of Snead Island along
the Manatee River, Palmetto.
Depart Main Post Office at 8 a.m.

Thursday 12/17
Monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Bring a treat for our holiday party
First United Methodist Church
330 11th Avenue West, Palmetto

Saturday 12/19
Christmas Bird Count
Bradenton Circle
David Williamson
david@localbirder.com

Tuesday 12/29
Christmas Bird Count
Gulf Circle -- Anna Maria Island and
Photos by David Williamson
northern Longboat Key
David Williamson
david@localbirder.com

Saturday 1/2 Send your items for the newsletter to Molly McCartney
Open House Felts Preserve at msmccartney@sprintmail.com or call 778-3228
8 a.m. to noon

Reserve now for January 13 field trip

Bird ID Class
is full for January
By Nancy and Bob Dean
On November 19, we received the
36th and final reservation for the
Beginning Bird Watching Course,
which is set for January 18-30.
Interested individuals can still call
Nancy Dean at 941-792-9235 for
placement on the waiting list.
By Nancy and Bob Dean
On January 13, we will tour Lettuce Lake, Ybor City and Cockroach Bay. We plan an early lunch
in Ybor City at the Columbia Restaurant, but because we need to notify the Columbia Restaurant
of luncheon guest numbers, it is necessary to make reservations for this field trip, which will com-
bine bird watching with historic Ybor City culture. We will first visit Lettuce Lake, a Hillsborough
County Park, where we will look for birds along the
cypress swamp boardwalks. After lunch, we will tour
the Ybor City Museum, returning by way of U.S. 41
and stopping at Cockroach Bay (a frequent wintering
site for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, like the one pic-
tured at right).

Last January, about eight indi-
viduals from the wait list were
seated in the course. Unfortunately,
availability will most likely not be
known until a day or two before the
first class session on January 18.
We apologize for any disappoint-
ment.
The 2010 course filled early, in
part because about eight people
called too late to be included in the
2009 course. Remember, we accept
reservations at any time on a first
come, first serve basis.
This is a long trip, beginning at 7 a.m. and possibly
lasting until 5 p.m. It is not a strenuous trip, however, and folks can break off early provided that
appropriate car pool arrangements are made. Car pools are vital as parking near the Columbia
Restaurant is limited. Call Nancy Dean at 941-792-9235 to make reservations.
Carlton Reserve birders see 43 species
By Dee Hanny, trip leader
A small group of six dedicated birdwatchers experienced absolutely beautiful birding weather for
our trip to Carlton Reserve on November 18. We saw 43 species and heard three others. The best
bird seen from this “leader’s” opinion was the Red-headed Woodpecker. A special thank you to
Charlie Sample of Venice Audubon for escorting us into the back -country.
The membership fee to join MCAS is $15 per year for a household. You can mail your check to Manatee
Audubon, P. O. Box 14550, Bradenton FL 34280-4550 or you can pay in person at one of our monthly
meetings. You can also buy a $15 membership for a friend or relative as a gift -- or just because you
want to do something nice for a special person.