Peace River Audubon Society
White Bird
April 2009 Volume 32, Issue 8
Sandy Artman, Editor
Dan Artman, Dispatcher
www.PeaceRiverAudubon.org
Next Meeting: April 16, 2009
Speakers Gil MacAcam and Jane Schurr
The April 16, 2009 Peace River Audubon Program will focus
on SW Florida Butterflies, their habitats,
life stages and attraction to residential
yards. This program will be presented by
slides and powerpoint by Gil MacAdam,
Peace River Audubon backyard wildlife
expert, and Jane Schurr, Peace River But-
terfly Association member. Butterflies
are almost always seen on scheduled
birding trips. Here will be an opportunity to become more
aware of the butterfly species and habits in this area. For all
who attend, an educational and entertaining program will greet
you!
April 18 Field Trip
Fort DeSoto
Our next Field Trip will be on April 18 to
Fort DeSoto, inTampa Bay, where, if we
are lucky, we will see wonderful spring
migrants. Shorebirds will be getting their
breeding plumage as well. Meet at 7 AM
at Peachland Promenade behind McDon-
ald’s for carpooling. Bring a picnic lunch,
plenty of sunscreen and water. Although
most walking will be done on sandy paths,
water shoes may come in handy as well.
For further information call Eleanor Marr at 941-624-4182.
BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
Would you like to serve on the Peace River Audubon Society
Board or become the editor of the White Bird, our newsletter?
We are currently seeking additional Board members, a new
president and an editor for the White Bird. Meet new friends
and help make this organization continue to do great things. If
you would like to become a Board member or the White Bird
editor please see a member of the nominating committee: Stu
Lewis, Cathy Olson and Walt Williams.
2008-09 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS:
Acting President Cathy Olson ‘09 941-613-6753
Vice President Stu Lewis ’09 941-235-2590
Secretary Sandy Artman ‘09 941-575-0651
Treasurer Walt Williams ‘09 941-235-3352
Additional Mike Krzyzkowski ‘10 863-244-2652
Directors: Dave Lancaster ‘10 941-625-0979
Eleanor Marr ‘10 941-624-4182
George Ruby ’10 941-423-0174
Don Youso ‘10 941-235-1298
Starr Zachritz ‘10 941-766-7686
PRAS Photography Group
By Eleanor Marr
The Photography Group had a great photo shoot on March 10
in Immokalee where quite a few Painted Buntings, Indigo
Buntings, White-winged Doves and Chipping Sparrows posed
on the feeders and staged in nearby bushes. In addition, Yel-
low-rumped Warblers, some in breeding plumage, a Coopers
Hawk, and a Swallow-tailed Kite were seen.
The photography contest at the Annual Banquet was a great
success. Thanks to all who submitted those terrific photos!
Activities for April include the following:
Photo Shoot: Tuesday April 14, Venice Rookery. Meet at 3
PM to carpool at Peachland Mall behind McDonalds or at the
rookery (Annex Road, just north of Jacaranda on Rt. 41 in
Venice) around 3:30 P.M.
Photo Workshop: Tuesday April 28, Watershed Building at
CHEC (10941 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda), at 2 PM. We
will discuss camera innovations and problems, and possible
projects for next season. We will continue to work on a slide
show for the May PRAS meeting.
All are welcome. For further information contact Bill Marr,
941-624-4182
May 5 Walkabout Prairie Creek
.
Led by Phyllis Cady
Our final Walkabout of this season will be
to Prairie Creek Preserve. This is a new
Conservation Charlotte property. It con-
sists of a variety of upland habitats so we'll
be walking through dry prairie lands to
Prairie Creek, and along the creek
bed. Please meet at the gate off Hwy. 17 N at 8 AM. This is a
5 mile dirt road and there are many species we can be looking
for as we carpool to the Preserve. We usually see sandhill
cranes, caracara, meadowlarks and northern bobwhite. When
we reach the scrub oak area we may see scrub jays. Then we
will head down to the creek, looking for hawks, barred owls,
warblers etc. Don't forget your long pants, hiking
shoes,,rinking water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Directions: Prairie Creek Preserve is located on Hwy 17 N, exactly 5.3 miles
after the Winn Dixie shopping center on Bermont Road. There will be 2
brown signs saying Prairie Creek Preserve on the right. Drive through the gate
and park on the left just inside the gate. We'll carpool from there.
 PRAS Banquet and Silent Auction Update
by Cathy Olson
The banquet and silent auction were a great success! Pat and
Jack Casseleberry’s presentation on whooping cranes was en-
joyable and educational. De-
spite some glitches with the
microphone Benedetto’s
seemed to work well as a
venue and everyone seemed to
enjoy the food. Congratula-
tions to the photo contest win-
ners: First place to Eva Furner
for her ruffled reddish egret,
second place to Mary Ann Hughes for her great blue heron and
third place to Starr Zachritz for her photo of the Punta Gorda
bald eagles. All totaled the banquet and silent auction raised
$3214. The proceeds will be split among the Whooping Crane
Eastern Partnership and Peace River Audubon Society’s educa-
tional programs. Thank you for attending the event and spend-
ing your money to help PRAS provide environmental education
and make a donation to help whooping cranes.
Extra special thanks to the businesses who believe in our efforts
and who donated items to the auction. First and foremost I
would like to thank Benedetto’s who donated the facilities as
well as three $20 gift certificates. Gift certificates, entrance
passes and other items were graciously do-
nated by: Babcock Wilderness Adventures,
The Backyard Bird Company, Bailey Shell
Museum, Bobcat Trail Golf Club, Bok Tower
Gardens, Busch Gardens, Carrabba’s Italian
Grill, Central Florida Zoo, Charlotte State
Bank, Circus Sarasota, Edison and Ford Win-
ter Estates, Grande Tours, GWIZ Science
Museum, Fegers Health Foods, The Florida
Aquarium, Florida Railroad Museum, Henderick’s Food Vault,
Imaginarium, Jason’s Deli, Kennedy Space Center and Dela-
ware North Companies Parks and Resorts, Kingfisher Fleet, La
Esperanza, Louie Desguin Cruises, Marie Selby Gardens, Out-
back Steakhouse, The Perfect Caper, Pineapple Press,
Pinemoore Golf Club, Port Charlotte Natural Foods, Punta
Gorda Historical Society, Riverwood Country Club, Sea World,
Starbucks, Sunnybreeze Golf Course, Sweet Scoops, Tijuana
Flats, Total Wine, Wal-Mart, and The Wyvern Hotel.
Tribute to Joy Linn
by Cathy Olson
It is with a heavy heart that I have to let PRAS
members know that Joy Linn lost her battle with
multiple myeloma on March 24, 2009. Joy was an
extremely active volunteer who seemed to have
boundless energy and enthusiasm. She donated her
time to PRAS where she served on the Board of
Directors and was the White Bird editor for many
years. Not only did she volunteer for PRAS; she
volunteered for the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center and
the Peace River Medical Center. Joy’s energy, intelligence,
generosity, and sense of humor made her a woman I looked
Thank you for making our fundraising event such a success!
The banquet and silent auction took a tremendous amount of
work and kudos to all who helped make it possible. Special
thanks to Starr Zachritz and Mary Ann Hughes for approaching
Benedetto’s regarding the site. Extra special thanks to Starr
who continued to negotiate with Benedetto’s throughout the 6
months on all kinds of details, booked a hotel room for our
speaker, and was involved with virtually every aspect of the
event! Thanks and kudos to Phyllis Cady for maintaining our
banquet attendee list, making place cards and following up with
people regarding their entrée choice. Thanks to Louise Lewis
for making the centerpieces. Those of you who were lucky
enough to be able to take one home now have a beautiful hand
painted plover vase courtesy of Louise. Thanks to Gregg Klow-
den who designed the flyer and Jo Moorer and friends who im-
proved it. Thanks to those of you who sponsored tables: Mary
Ann Hughes, The Lemon Bay Conservancy, Stu Lewis, Eleanor
Marr, Pam Neer, Walt Williams, and Starr Zachritz. Thanks to
George Ruby who emceed the event, despite an aging micro-
phone and speakers that didn’t always work. Thanks to Bill and
Eleanor Marr who ran the photo
contest and encouraged photogra-
phers throughout the year. Thanks
to Sandy Artman, Stu Lewis, Cathy
Olson, Walt Williams and Starr
Zachritz who tallied the bid sheets
and checked people out. Thanks to
all the people who gathered auction items near and far: Sandy
Artman, Rodney Bovee, Edie Dreist, Joan and Chuck Froman,
Eva Furner, Kathy Kelle, Gregg Klowden, Louise and Stu
Lewis, Jo Moorer and Walt Williams, Gil McAdam, Cathy Ol-
son, Don Youso, Starr Zachritz and anonymous PRAS mem-
bers. Extra special thanks to the artists who created art and then
donated it to our auction: Rodney Bovee, Eva Furner, Mary
Ann Hughes, Louise Lewis, Linda Moreau, Ron Mills, Starr
Zachritz, and all the photographers. Thanks to Dave and Jackie
Lancaster, Jo Moorer, and Starr Zachritz for setting up the auc-
tion before the event. Thanks to Cathy Olson for the behind the
scenes organizing, storing, maintenance and follow through on
the silent auction items.
up to and her love of Larry (her husband) and his love of
her made for a marriage that I hope Gregg and I can emu-
late. I will never forget my first sailboat ride with Joy and
Larry; especially her laugh when I told her it was my first
time on a sail boat and I was a bit nervous. Needless to say
their expert sailing got me home in one piece. Please keep
Larry in your thoughts and Joy in your memories. In lieu
of flowers please send donations to the Charlotte Harbor
Environmental Center. A tree will be planted in her memory,
please see upcoming White Bird issues for details.
 March Field Trip—Babcock-Webb
Led by Dave Lancaster
As the sun rose in the sky, 22 patiently waiting birders were
delighted as the 2 Red-Cockaded
Woodpeckers left their nesting trees.
They stayed in the area feeding and we
all got to observe them closely. We
then turned our attention to finding the
Bachman’s sparrow, who had started
singing. We found him on a small
branch and we got out the scopes to
enjoy looking at him. Our next stop we
were able to entice the elusive Grass-
hopper Sparrow to appear. Further on
was a Great Horned Owl siting on a
dead snag in the open field, a very
unusual sight in the late morning.
Bluebirds, Brown Thrashers and the
usual assortment of warblers kept our
eyes and ears busy. Next, we saw a
White Eyed Vireo singing to bring our morning to an end at
the Pine Flatwoods of Fred Babcock / Cecil Webb Wildlife
Area. Thanks to all those who came and helped. I enjoyed the
day and meeting the out of towners who were thrilled with
seeing their new life birds.
Walkabouts and Field Trips
2008-2009
April 18: Field Trip Fort DeSoto
Eleanor Marr *North
May 5: Walkabout Prairie Creek Preserve
Phyllis Cady
May 16: Field Trip Highlands Hammock
Mike Krzyzkowski/Jim Bonk
*NORTH—the parking lot by McDonalds at Peachland Mall near I75
and Kings Hwy in Port Charlotte (24133 Peachland Boulevard)
*SOUTH—the parking lot of Sweetbay on US 41 south of the Burnt
Store Road intersection in Punta Gorda (10175 Tamiami Trail)
*EAST - the parking lot of Winn-Dixie on State Route 17 east of
Punta Gorda (27680 Bermont Road)
*WEST the parking lot of Charlotte Stadium, Rt. 776
2008-2009
Speaker Schedule
April 16: Gil MacAdam - Southwest FL Butterflies & their habitats
May 21 : Members night: PRAS members present slides and stories
Volunteer of the Month
Kathy Kelle

Many thanks to Kathy Kelle who

obtained wonderful items from local
March Walkabout at Tippecanoe II businesses for our silent auction. Her
By Stu & Louise Lewis contributions included gift certifi-
cates to The Perfect Caper, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Outback
There was a good turnout for the walkabout at Tippeconoe II Steakhouse, The Wyvern Hotel (and a bathrobe), Fegers
on March 3rd. Despite a cool morning, 15 people joined Stu Health Foods (2), Starbucks, La Esperanza, Henderick’s Food
and Louise Lewis to walk some of the trails in search of the Vault, Total Wine, Walmart and the Port Charlotte Natural
red-headed Woodpecker and Foods grab bag. Thanks so much for your efforts which
some friendly Scrub Jays. We helped make our silent auction a great success!
saw or heard a total of 35 spe-
cies including 5 species of
woodpeckers(red-headed,
downy, red-bellied, pileated,
and flicker). Other birds of A special Thanks to those made donations
interest were a ruby-crowned to PRAS in memory of John Alexander.
kinglet, ground dove, bob-
white, white-eyed Vireo, Bayard French, Richard & Betty Lewan,
brown thrasher and a Merrelyn Brand, Mike & Stattie McCluskey, Zena Horvath,
few friendly scrub jays. Steve McCluskey, Gail Aiello & family, Roger Stang, Janice
Horvath, and Herron Miller III.
This area last year had at least
4 pairs of red-headed wood-
peckers and this year only 2 John Setchel
pairs have been seen. It seems Anthony Favale
the decline may be due to fewer trees available for nesting this Steve Eisar WELCOME
year. One participant drove all the way from Naples to hope- William Funk
fully see the red-headed woodpecker. Anthony J Nargie NEW
James Frasher
Elaine Kellogg MEMBERS
Herron Miller III
 Non-profit Organization
The Peace River Audubon Society U.S. Postage Paid
PO Box 510760 Punta Gorda, FL
Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760 Permit No. 100

Check the “Exp” date on your address label!

“1209” means your PRAS and/or National membership expires
December 2009. To save the cost of sending reminders, please
use the application below to renew your membership. If you
have questions please call Phyllis Cady at 575-4009 or send an
email to: membership1@peaceriveraudubon.org

April 2009
White Bird
CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Printed on Recycled Paper

C & R Graphics (folding donated)

The Peace River Audubon Society is a 501 ( c )(3) non-profit organization. Our Federal tax ID number is 59-2190872. We do not engage a professional solicitor and 100% of the
funds generated by this request will be used to support our Chapter programs. Our registration number with the FDA Division of Consumer Services is SC-040701.

Bird of the Month: Bachman’s Sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis) by Cathy Olson, PRAS Board President

The Bachman’s sparrow is found primarily in the open oak and pine forests of the southeastern US.
Populations are highest in forests with an abundance of grasses and where regular fires eliminate the
hardwood shrubs. Without regular fire, populations disappear; which is one of the reasons they can be
found on public land where prescribed burns are conducted (for instance the Webb) but less commonly
in the unmanaged pine forests. The male is most commonly observed in spring where he sits on a perch
and sings to attract a female and to defend his territory from other males. Bachman’s sparrows eat insects
and a wide variety of grass and sedge seeds.

Peace River Audubon Society Membership Application / Renewal

Join us for some fun and birding. Help protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, & the wildlife we love...help us protect Florida.
___ New Membership Chapter Code: C9ZE140Z ( ) $20 Local Audubon Membership Only
___ Renewal Includes the “White Bird” newsletter with local news articles,
Name: ______________________________________ local meetings, field trips, bird walks, & special events.
Organization: ________________________________ All proceeds stay within local chapter
Address: ___________________________________ ( ) $20 Local and National Audubon(new members only, renewals $35)
City, State, Zip: ______________________________ Includes all of the above plus National Audubon magazine.
Phone: ( ) _______________________________
( ) Additional Gift for PRAS
E-mail: _____________________________________
Please help PRAS continue our educational and
MAIL CHECK WITH THIS FORM TO: conservation programs with a tax deductible contribution.
PRAS, PO box 510760, Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760
Total Enclosed $ _________