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The Avocet Newsletter February 2017 Welcome to Cedar Keys Audubon. The newest chapter in the Audubon Florida network and encompasses all of Levy County. General membership meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of the month at 1700 in the Cedar Key Library on Second Street. Board meetings are held the third Monday, 1500, at the Library. You are welcome to attend and offer assistance to our committees and projects. Friend us on Facebook for updates. Pass this newsletter along to folks you think might be interested in learning, helping, and contributing. An application is attached to this email for those interested in joining. Beauty and the Beak - Over 80 folks showed up for Janie Veltkamp’s presentation detailing her rescue efforts of a bald eagle that had its beak partially shot off. Be on the look out for her children’s book coming out in August. We had a very detailed and informative guided tour with Ranger Kim Chaney for our outing to Sweetwater Wetlands Park In Gainesville. It is a wonderful place for birders as well as a great strolling or hiking trail. You might get lucky and see a sora walking on water. Limpkins are in abundance now. Their clicking sounds are amusing. (Photo by Libby Cagle) Events relating to birds and conservation "Oyster reef enhancement to benefit wintering American Oystercatchers” with Janell Brush and Joseph Marchionno. Thurs. Feb 23 5 p.m. Cedar Key Library (Photo by Sandra Heckler) Diamondback Terrapins in the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge with Dr. Ben Atkinson and Dr. Coleman Sheehy. Sat Feb 25 10:30 a.m.. Cedar Key Library Sue Mullins - Citizen Advocacy: Speaking Up for Conservation in Florida Monday February 27 5:00 Cedar Key Library Our general membership meeting, open to all Sue Mullins is a public policy and campaign professional based in Tallahassee Florida, where she has served as an advocate for environmental, affordable housing and related issues for 23 years. Sue established a full service lobbying, campaign and public relations firm in 2007 to advocate issues for clients in numerous fields including natural resource protection, energy and climate change policy, business regulation, election law, corporate governance and public finance. Sue’s representation includes advocacy before the Florida Legislature and Cabinet, Congress, state agencies, and local and regional governments. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from St. Leo College and a Masters in Anthropology from Florida State University. Sue’s campaign experiences include managing all aspects of political, grassroots and public campaign planning, operations and communications for district and statewide offices, issues and referenda, including winning 17 local conservation ballot initiatives and four Florida House races. Sue joined Ramba Law Group, LLC as policy advisor in January 2015 after serving as lead policy analyst for two years in the Senate Minority Office. Butterflies of North Florida - Barbara Woodmansee Sat March 18 10:30 a.m.. Cedar Key Library Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Systems Class Levy County March 22 – April 17, 2017 Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab - FWC 11350 SW 153rd Ct., Cedar Key, FL 32625 Registration closes at 10:00am EST on March 16, 2017 http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs17-05.html Old Florida Celebration of the Arts and International Migratory Bird Day Event Cedar Key 8 - 9 April 2017 Downtown Cedar Key Visit our booth Sanctuaries - Ann Paul Tampa Bay Regional Coordinator for Audubon Florida Membership meeting, open to all Monday April 24 5 p.m. Cedar Key Library Ann Paul, Regional Coordinator for Audubon’s Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries, will present a brief history and discuss the current programs and projects of the Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries. The Sanctuaries include waterbird nesting and habitat islands in the west central Florida estuaries, including St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Harbor, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and north Charlotte Harbor and Estero Bay. Pelicans, herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills, storks, oystercatchers, gulls, terns, and skimmers nest on these sites. Ann will discuss Sanctuary staff activities to protect the birds from disturbance by boaters and the management of the islands’ habitats. Numbers to call for Bird Rescue Help 615 337 3213 352 949 1995 352 262 6665 208 582 0797 (Jan-May) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Bird Rescue Program - Dr. Savanna Barry trained 32 attendees on 30 January and increased our volunteer total from 12 to 28. Since the beginning of the year, we have had 25 rescues reported. While there are not clear status reports on all of the rescue outcomes yet, there have been a high number of successful disentanglements, and most of the pelicans that have gone to Mary Opall at Nature Coast Wildlife Rescue have been returned to us for successful release like the one in these photos that was released after the training session. If anyone has rescue reports or photos to submit - please send them! Even if the rescue was "unsuccessful" (e.g., if you went looking for a bird but could not find it or could not catch it) we need to keep track. A text, email, or phone call (804-305-6014) to Dr. Barry with the info about the rescue would suffice if the paper form is too much of a burden. She needs the species, type of injury, volunteers that helped, approximate amount of time spent (including transport to rehab, if any), and outcome of rescue (if known). Even if you cannot remember all details, please send me anything you can remember about rescue activities. Dog crates - We could use a few extra large dog crates for transporting pelicans and other birds for rehabilitation. If you have one setting around in your garage or under your house that needs a good home, we will put it to good use. Open House - Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve in Yankeetown Sunday, February 26th Join the Friends of the WGP from 11am to 2pm at the Preserve. The Education Center will be open with coffee and cookies. Activities: It’s game day! Bring your own favorite game (indoor or out) or play one at the Center. Nature walks with our own Master Gardener, Sue Steinhorst. Bird observation from the Education Center. Florida Black Bears in the Big Bend Region Vic Doig Thurs. March 2 5 p.m. Cedar Key Library Annual Membership meeting Friends of Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges Lower Suwannee Refuge Headquarters Sat March 4 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. County Road 347 Friends March 6 (and the first Monday of each month) - 9 to 10 a.m. Every little bit helps Meet at “Adopt-A-Highway” sign near SW 77th Place for gloves, vest, and bags Cottonmouth Snakes on Seahorse Key - Mark Sandfoss Thurs. March 16 5 p.m. Cedar Key Library Suwannee River Sturgeon - Ken Sulak Thurs. March 23 5 p.m. Cedar Key Library New Findings in the LSNWR - Dr. Ken Sassaman Sat March 25 10:30 a.m.. Cedar Key Library Planting for Birds - Jacqui Sulek of Audubon Florida Membership meeting, open to all March 27 5 p.m. Cedar Key Library Story of Cedar Key’s Water - John McPherson Thurs. March 30 5 p.m. Cedar Key Library Numbers to call for Bird Rescue Help 615 337 3213 352 949 1995 352 262 6665 208 582 0797 (Jan-May) |
Cedar Keys Audubon
CHAPTER CODE: E-53
PO Box 96 Cedar Key, Fl 32625
email Cedarkeysaudubon.org
Facebook - Cedar Keys Audubon
The Avocet Newsletter
30 January 2017
Welcome to Cedar Keys Audubon. The newest chapter in the Audubon Florida network and encompasses all of Levy County. General membership meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of the month at 1700 in the Cedar Key Library on Second Street. Board meetings are held the third Monday, 1500, at the Library. You are welcome to attend and offer assistance to our committees and projects.
Friend us on Facebook for updates. Pass this newsletter along to folks you think might be interested in learning, helping, and contributing. An application is attached to this email for those interested in joining.
Bird Rescue Workshop. Even though the bird rescue workshop on Monday 30 January is full, we can squeeze 3-5 extra people in during the Q&A from 4:30-5:00 PM if any of the members feel that would be useful for them. Also, if any of the Audubon membership would like to join the group for the pelican release directly following the workshop, come to the #4 bridge fishing pier around 5 PM on Monday.
If anyone has rescue reports to submit - please send them! I have heard of several rescues lately that have not been reported. The most recent rescue report in my records is 1/6/2017 and I know there have been at least 2-3+ since then. Even if the rescue was "unsuccessful" (e.g., if you went looking for a bird but could not find it or could not catch it) we need to keep track. A text, email, or phone call (804-305-6014) to me with the info about the rescue would suffice if the paper form is too much of a burden. I need the species, type of injury, volunteers that helped, approximate amount of time spent (including transport to rehab, if any), and outcome of rescue (if known). Even if you cannot remember all details, please send me anything you can remember about rescue activities since Jan 6th.
We are filling up the calendar with events that can get you involved.
Events
Big Bend Science Symposium
February 1 -3
The 2017 Big Bend Science Symposium will be held in Cedar Key on February 1 – 3 hosted by UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station and the Big Bend Science Partnership.
https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/
Beauty and the Beak
February 4
Cedar key Library
Cedar Key winter resident Janie Veltkamp will be the featured presenter at the Saturday, February 4 talk at the Cedar Key Public Library. The talk will begin at 10:30 am.
In her new upcoming book, Beauty and the Beak, we learn how Veltkamp, a raptor biologist, created a prosthetic beak for a bald eagle from Alaska. Once wild and free, Beauty’s world was shattered by an illegal bullet that damaged her entire upper beak leaving her helpless to feed herself. That’s when Veltkamp created the “Beauty Team” of biologists, dentists, engineers and veterinarians and who designed through collaboration a 3D printed beak for the bald eagle. Her upcoming book describes the natural history of bald eagles from hatching to the time at age 4, as a sub adult Beauty was injured and right up to the 3 hours of surgery that would restore her bald eagle beak! Would it function? Learn more about this unique eagle and her north Idaho journey!
Janie Veltkamp is a raptor biologist and rehabilitator, wildlife educator, trained nurse, and master falconer. She has lifetime care of Beauty the bald eagle and led the engineering team who made Beauty’s prosthetic beak. Jane is founding director of Birds of Prey Northwest, in Idaho, which educates the public about raptor conservation, including through live raptor programs, and provides medical treatment and rehabilitation to thousands of injured birds of prey. She is the eagle expert for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Native American Aviary. Visit birdsofpreynorthwest.org .
County Road 347 Friends
February 6…9 TO 10 AM and every first Monday
EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS
MEET AT ADOPT- A -HIGHWAY SIGN
NEAR SW 77TH PLACE
FOR GLOVES, VEST, BAGS
Sweetwater Wetlands Park ranger guided hike
February 9th, Thursday, at 10:00 a.m.
325 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
Parking costs $5; meet at the first pavilion by the bathrooms a little before 10:00 on that day. I told the ranger to expect 6-10 people, so we need to talk this one up as much as possible.
http://www.sweetwaterwetlands.org/
Sue Mullins - Citizen Advocacy: Speaking Up for Conservation in Florida
February 27
Cedar key Library
Our general membership meeting, open to all
Sue Mullins is a public policy and campaign professional based in Tallahassee Florida, where she has served as an advocate for environmental, affordable housing and related issues for 23 years. Sue established a full service lobbying, campaign and public relations firm in 2007 to advocate issues for clients in numerous fields including natural resource protection, energy and climate change policy, business regulation, election law, corporate governance and public finance. Sue’s representation includes advocacy before the Florida Legislature and Cabinet, Congress, state agencies, and local and regional governments. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from St. Leo College and a Masters in Anthropology from Florida State University. Sue’s campaign experiences include managing all aspects of political, grassroots and public campaign planning, operations and communications for district and statewide offices, issues and referenda, including winning 17 local conservation ballot initiatives and four Florida House races. Sue joined Ramba Law Group, LLC as policy advisor in January 2015 after serving as lead policy analyst for two years in the Senate Minority Office.
Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Systems Class
Levy County
March 22 – April 17, 2017
Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab - FWC
11350 SW 153rd Ct., Cedar Key, FL 32625
Registration closes at 10:00am EST on March 16, 2017
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs17-05.html
Old Florida Celebration of the Arts
Cedar Key
8 - 9 April 2017
Downtown Cedar Key
Visit our booth
Cuba - Ecological Riches & Cultural Exploration
with Cedar Key Audubon
May 8 - 16, 2017
CKA will receive $100 for each participant in this tour.
Discover the unique wildlife of Cabo de San Antonio National Park.
Take guided hikes in Viñales National Park, home to the distinctive
limestone formations known as mogotes.
Enjoy a snorkeling expedition by boat to reefs around the tip of the
Guanahacabibes Peninsula.
Visit the Soroa Waterfall & Orchidarium and Sierra del Rosario,
home of Las Terrazas, a self-sustained community named after the
reforestation project initiated in 1967.
Uncover Cuba’s unique culture as you meet local farmers, artists, and musicians, and visit important historical sites in Old Havana.
Look for the Bee Hummingbird and others of Cuba’s most interesting bird species, including the endemic Blue-headed Quail-Dove.
Walk through the famous limestone cave where Ernesto “Che”
Guevara and his men headquartered during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
react-text: 164 holbrooktravel.com
Nature's Best 2016 Photography at the Smithsonian
(featuring 2016 Audubon Photography Awards winners)
Washington, D.C.; through September 2017
Take a journey through the wild within the walls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History by visiting the Nature’s Best Photography exhibition. Head to the second floor to see the 82 winning photos, chosen from 25,000 entries. The exhibit includes five winning photographs from the 2016 Audubon Photography Awards, along with video features highlighting the photographers and the stories behind each image. Once you’ve taken a look at last year’s winners, see if you've got the chops to be featured in the gallery next year. The 2017 Audubon Photography Awards will accept entries between January 6 and February 20.
More information: http://naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/natures-best-2016
Numbers to call for
Bird Rescue Help
615 337 3213
352 949 1995
352 262 6665
208 582 0797 (Jan-May)
The Avocet Newsletter
December 28, 2016
Welcome to Cedar Keys Audubon.
The newest chapter in the Audubon Florida network and encompasses all of Levy County. We had our first organizational meeting in March of 2016 and we already have almost 100 members.
The members of the current Executive Board are:
Deborah Anderson - Co-president
Crosby Hunt - Co-president
Doug Maple - Vice-president
Treasurer - Nancy Hanson
Secretary - Libby Cagle
Communication - Mandy Offerle
Education - Janie Veltkamp
Hooked Bird Rescue Program - Savanna Barry
Accomplishments - In collaboration with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Nature Coast Biological Station, and City of Cedar Key, volunteers were trained in the proper method of removing hooks from birds and signs have been placed around town on fishing spots with instructions. So far there have been almost 70 volunteer hours recorded for this effort which comes to about $1549 time value. Since August, twenty birds of eight different species have been rescued. There have been seven successful releases.
CKA worked with the City of Cedar Key keeping 50 kids occupied for six weeks over the summer in nature based programs that included bird identification.
Goals for the coming year include setting up some regular outings for birding and nature experiences, having a better presence at festivals like the Sea Food festival, outreach to members throughout the county, getting into the local schools with educational outreach programs, continuing our work with bird rescue, continue relationship building and collaborative effort, and expanding our membership.
General membership meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of the month at 1700. Because of damage from Hurricane Hermine in Cedar Key the location is To Be Determined (TBD) but will be announced on Facebook and through emails.
Friend us on Facebook for updates. Pass this newsletter along to folks you think might be interested in learning, helping, and contributing. If you have nature related activities let us know at: email. This is a link to our membership application.
Events
First Day Hike Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
Sunday, January 1, 2017 - 9:30am to 10:30am
Get the NEW YEAR started off on the right track with a HIKE in the Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve. Guests will be led by rangers along one of our sandy trails through the increasingly rare Florida scrub habitat.
This hike will begin at the trail head located on SR-24, 6 miles northwest of Cedar Key.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-events/Cedar-Key-Scrub
Cedar Key Bird Rescue Training Workshop
Monday, January 30th, 2017
3:00 - 5:00 PM
FWC/FWRI George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab
11350 SW 153rd Ct., Cedar Key, FL 32625Bird Rescue Class
Janie Veltkamp, Licensed Rehabilitator
Birds of Prey Northwest
Savanna Barry, Regional Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent
UF IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station
Topics Covered:
- Background about the Cedar Key Bird Rescue Initiative
- Observe and practice bird handling and dehooking skills
- Cover logistical details (accessing rescue equipment, contact information)
Who should attend?
- Any person interested in volunteering with the program in any capacity (transporter, handler, or both) -OR-
- Any person interested in learning bird rescue skills. Attendance at the workshop does not require committing to volunteer.
Participation in the workshop is mandatory for you to be involved in the program and all attendees and volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Please feel free to invite others.
Please RSVP using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cedar-key-bird-rescue-workshop-tickets-28941680345 or contact Savanna Barry
Big Bend Science Symposium
February 1 -3
The 2017 Big Bend Science Symposium will be held in Cedar Key on February 1 – 3 hosted by UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station and the Big Bend Science Partnership.
https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/
Florida Master Naturalist Coastal System Class
Levy County
March 22 – April 17, 2017
Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab - FWC
11350 SW 153rd Ct., Cedar Key, FL 32625
Registration closes at 10:00am EST on March 16, 2017
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs17-05.html
Old Florida Celebration of the Arts
Cedar Key
8 - 9 April 2017
Downtown Cedar Key
Visit our booth
Cuba - Ecological Riches & Cultural Exploration
with Cedar Key Audubon
May 8 - 16, 2017
CKA will receive $100 for each participant in this tour.
Discover the unique wildlife of Cabo de San Antonio National Park.
Take guided hikes in Viñales National Park, home to the distinctive limestone formations known as mogotes.
Enjoy a snorkeling expedition by boat to reefs around the tip of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.
Visit the Soroa Waterfall & Orchidarium and Sierra del Rosario, home of Las Terrazas, a self-sustained community named after the reforestation project initiated in 1967.
Uncover Cuba’s unique culture as you meet local farmers, artists, and musicians, and visit important historical sites in Old Havana.
Look for the Bee Hummingbird and others of Cuba’s most interesting bird species, including the endemic blue-headed quail-dove.
Walk through the famous limestone cave where Ernesto “Che” Guevara and his men headquartered during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
For more info contact:
Contact