White Bird

January 3, 2004 Volume 27, Issue 7

Grande Tours is offering this special event: Dr John Flower, Nature

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2004 Images of Englewood, FL and Margie Carroll of Gray Cat Farm Pho-
tography in Canton, GA will provide photography instruction in both
Jeff Bouton - “Learning Florida Bird Sounds” film and digital camera techniques for the novice and experienced
photographers alike.
If you want to learn bird sounds, here’s the guy to hear! Jeff’s back-
ground is so varied, I’ve included his entire note about his expertise: Meet at Grande Tours, 12575 Placida Road in Placida at 3 pm on
Jan 19. About 45 minutes of classroom discussions precedes
“I've spent the better part of the past 20 years birding professionally. In boarding Recovery Room V for a boat trip/photography shoot down
the early years,I worked as "binoculars for hire" bouncing from one Gasparilla Sound to White Pelican Island returning at dusk.
seasonal research position to another (usually at a new location every
3-4 mos.) My travels carried me from Braddock Bay near Rochester, Cost: $75 + tax, totaling $80.25—reservations required for the 12
NY (where I started my birding career) to other great places like the students with payment due at reservation. Bring tripod, camera,
Cape May Bird Observatory in NJ, Connecticut, Colorado, Arizona and lenses, film or cards, sweater or jacket and questions. Weather per-
even Alaska where I spent 7 years prior to moving to FL 5 years ago. mitting/no refunds. Call 941-697-8825 for reservations.

In Alaska I conducted long-term bird surveys in Denali and Wrangell/ January 17th – Field Trip to Tigertail Beach
St. Elias NPP, and led professional bird tours annually throughout the
state to areas like Attu Island, Gambell, Nome, St. Paul, Barrow,
Our first field trip in the new year on January 17 will be to Tigertail
Dutch Harbor, The Artic NWR and throughout the interior and gulf.
Beach, which is located on Marco Island. During the winter
Since moving to FL, I've led trips for all of the major birding festivals
months, this area is excellent for shorebirds, terns, gulls, wading
and ABA conferences and have presented at the annual FL Audubon
birds, and raptors. An easy stroll down the beach, especially on the
Assembly, FOS meetings, and at the various bird festivals throughout
lagoon side, should yield all five species of Plovers. Burrowing Owls
the state. I was a chapter author and contributor to the "ABA Bird Find-
can also be viewed on some of the side streets off of San Marco
ing Guide to Alaska" as well as the upcoming revision to the FL guide.
Drive.
I was a contributor/consultant for the 2 CD set "Bird Songs of Alaska"
and on the new photographic guides to Raptor ID by Brian Wheeler.
Bill and Eleanor Marr (941-624-4182) will lead this trip. We’ll meet in
the parking lot of the old K-Mart located on the northwest corner of
More recently I presented twice at the St. Pete Fest with 3 field trips
US41 and Burnt Store Road junction at 7:30 am. Don’t forget to
and 3 presentations with 5 field trips at Spacecoast and the annual FL
bring a bag lunch.
Audubon Assembly as well. “

Social time starts at 7 pm to visit and look at members’ photography; February 4th – Field Trip to
meeting at 7:30 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2565 Tamiami Shamrock Park and the Venice Rookery
Trail, Port Charlotte. All are welcome.
HELP CHEC IN RECYCLING EFFORT On Wednesday, February 4th, Bill Havill will lead us on a field trip to
Shamrock Park and the Venice Rookery. At Shamrock Park, we
CHEC collects computer printer cartridges for reuse through the Price- should see some Scrub Jays as well as a mixture of water birds and
Less Inkjet Cartridge Company and Kore Products. According to the land birds. The Egrets and Herons should be in the peak of their
remanufacturing trade magazine Recharger, only 14% of all cartridges nesting season, so the visit to the Venice Rookery should provide us
in the United States were reclaimed five years ago. One hundred and with a view of nestlings. The nesting birds should provide photogra-
thirty three million (133,0000,000) ended up in landfills across the na- phers in the group with an excellent opportunity for close-up pictures
tion! of large birds. We’ll meet in back of McDonald’s in the Peachland
Mall at 7:30 am. Please bring a bag lunch.
SO, next time that you change your laser printer, copier toner or ink jet White Bird Recipients - Take note:
cartridge, please drop the old one into a plastic bag and bring it to the A - Once again, check your expiration date on your mailing label—it
administration office at CHEC’s Alligator Creek site on Burnt Store is the only “reminder” for renewal you will receive (if date is expired.)
Road or Cedar Point Environmental Park in Englewood for recycling. B - If you are a “snowbird” and your other address is in the continen-
The spent cartridges yield donation dollars for our nature centers as tal US and you wish to receive your White Birds there, please pro-
an additional benefit. vide that address—call Joy Linn at 941-637-8160.
Nature & Wildlife Photography - Jan 19, 2004
 2003 PRAS CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT RESULTS 612 - Ibis, White
15 - Kestrel, American
Tony Licata provided the Christmas Bird Count Results as follows: 166 - Killdeer
35 - Kingfisher, Belted
Totals Birds 1 - Knot, Red
2 - Loon, Common (count week)
53 - Anhinga 12 - Meadowlark, Eastern
2 - Bittern, American 849 - Merganser, Hooded
133 - Blackbird, Red-winged 9 - Merganser, Red-breasted
47 - Bluebird, Eastern 2 - Merlin
2 - Bobwhite, Northern 233 - Mockingbird, Northern
2 - Bufflehead 92 - Moorhen
38 - Cardinal, Northern 2 - Night-heron, Black-crowned (count week bm)
81 - Catbird, Gray 13 - Night-heron, Yellow-crowned
12 - Coot, American 2 - Nuthatch, Brown-headed
1,023 - Cormorant, Double-crested 45 - Osprey
62 - Cowbird, Brown-headed 1 - Ovenbird (count week jb)
52 - Crane, Sandhill 1 - Owl, Barred
69 - Crow, Fish 18 - Owl, Burrowing
55 - Dove, Common Ground 1 - Owl, Great Horned
284 - Dove, Eurasian Collared 144 - Pelican, Brown
2,532 - Dove, Mourning 39 - Pelican, White
48 - Dove, Rock 23 - Phoebe, Eastern
25 - Dove, White-winged 14 - Plover, Black-bellied (Gray Plover)
2 - Dowitcher, Short-billed 1 - Plover, Semi-palmated
30 - Duck, Black Bellied Whistling 8 - Rail, Clapper
5 - Duck, Mallard 78 - Robin, American
167 - Duck, Mottled 17 - Sanderling
30 - Duck, Muscovy 3 - Sandpiper, Least
24 - Duck, Ring-necked 19 - Sandpiper, Spotted
3 - Duck, Ruddy 1 - Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied
24 - Dunlin 11,803 - Scaup, Lesser
30 - Eagle, Bald; Adult _20_ Imm. _10_ 1 - Shoveler, Northern
221 - Egret, Cattle 81 - Shrike, Loggerhead
153 - Egret, Great 184 - Skimmer, Black
95 - Egret, Snowy 19 - Snipe, Common
19 - Flicker, Northern 2 - Sparrow, Bachman's
1 - Flycatcher, Great Crested (count week jb) 1 - Sparrow, Chipping
1 - Frigate-bird, Magnificent (count week jb) 1 - Sparrow, Grasshopper
74 - Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 5 - Sparrow, House
1 - Goldfinch, American (count week jb) 5 - Sparrow, Savannah
949 - Grackle, Boat-tailed 25 - Sparrow, Swamp
2,273 - Grackle, Common 17 - Spoonbill, Roseate
23 - Grebe, Pied-billed 873 - Starling, European
1 - Gull, Bonaparte's 81 - Stork, Wood
16 - Gull, Herring 1 - Swallow, Rough-winged (count week jb)
1,314 - Gull, Laughing 4,446 - Swallow, Tree
1,603 - Gull, Ring-billed 30 - Teal, Blue-winged
4 - Harrier, Northern (Marsh Hawk) 4 - Teal, Green-winged
4 - Hawk, Cooper's 134 - Tern, Forster's
35 - Hawk, Red-shouldered 59 - Tern, Royal
10 - Hawk, Red-tailed 21 - Tern, Sandwich
6 - Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 - Thrasher, Brown
79 - Heron, Great Blue 9 - Towhee, Rufous-sided (Eastern)
14 - Heron, Green 1 - Turnstone, Ruddy
112 - Heron, Little Blue 4 - Vireo, Solitary
40 - Heron, Tricolored 2 - Vireo, White-eyed
73 - Jay, Blue 93 - Vulture, Black
49 - Jay, Scrub 81 - Vulture, Turkey
23 - Ibis,Glossy 2 - Warbler, Black-and-white
201 - Warbler, Palm
137 - Warbler, Pine assist during day. Membership is encouraged to attend CHNF on
656 - Warbler, Yellow-rumped Jan 31. New members signing that day will receive a small gift.
3 - Warbler, Yellow-throated ∗ Babcock Ranch: Board may contact County Commissioners;
8 - Willet write to editor; put letter on web for supporters to write re pur-
9 - Woodpecker, Downy chase of the ranch through the Florida Forever Program.
2 - Woodpecker, Hairy ∗ Programs/field trip steering committee for 2004-5: Chuck and
2 - Woodpecker, Pileated Joan Froman, Paul Holmes & Tom Zinneman; others welcome.
74 - Woodpecker, Red-bellied Scrub Jay Habitat Plan on Commissioner agenda for Jan 17
1 - Woodpecker, Red-cockaded countweek jb)
5 - Wren, Carolina “An Evening with Audubon”
5 - Wren, House
2 - Wren, Marsh Plan to spend the evening of March 16 with one of Florida’s most well-
1 - Yellowlegs, Greater (count weekjb) known and respected biologists and help support your local Audubon
9 - Yellowlegs, Lesser Chapter by joining Jim Beever of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conser-
21 - Yellow-throat, Common vation Commission at this year’s Annual Banquet. Mr. Beever will
discuss the State and Federally listed Florida scrub-jay and how local
33,608 - Total species 130 incl count week conservation efforts can help protect this true Florida native.

Thanks, Tony, for the great job! A silent auction (where you can bid on many wonderful items) will be
our primary fundraiser for this year, so your generosity is greatly ap-
December 9: Corkscrew Swamp Report preciated. You will also enjoy the efforts of many talented photogra-
phers displaying their best pictures in our second photo contest.
Twenty avid PRAS birders traveled south to Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary, arriving there around 9:00. Sally Stein, a member of the New location this year: Clubhouse at Maple Leaf Estates Golf and
Audubon Corkscrew staff, met us, along with four volunteers. We Country Club (2100 Kings Highway north of Midway.) The evening
climbed into three open-back trucks for a trip through the northern begins with a cash bar at 5:30; dinner catered by “Cap’n and the Cow-
end of the Swamp. The weather couldn’t have been better, sunny boy” at 7:30. Cost is $19.50 per person; reservations (639-7791) are
skies, little wind, and temperatures in the 70s. Some of the birds strongly encouraged. More details in next month’s White Bird.
observed during the ride included Anhingas, Sandhill Cranes, Pur-
ple Gallinule, Great Crested Flycatcher, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern
Harrier, Glossy and White Ibis, Eastern Phoebe, Robin, and Wild
Turkeys. One sight I’m sure many will remember is a flock of sev-
eral thousand Tree Swallows flying over and around us.
PRAS Calendar of Events
(Meetings start at 7pm for social time/7:30 meeting at Holy
Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte)
We returned to the parking lot around noon, where we then enjoyed (FT = Field Trips meet at 7:30 am; “N” meet at McDonald’s in
our lunches. About 1:00, we started the walk around the Board- Peachland Mall; “S” meet in old Kmart lot at Burnt Store Road & 41)
walk, finishing around 4:00. Again, we were rewarded for our efforts
with observations of some interesting birds and the abundant plant Jan 15 General Meeting - Jeff Bouton
life. Some of the additional birds observed included Cardinals, Cat- “Learning Florida Bird Sounds”
birds, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, Red-shouldered Hawks, Yellow- 17 FT to Tigertail Beach (Bill/Eleanor Marr 941-624-4182) (S)
bellied Sapsucker, White-eyed Vireos, Black and White Warbler, 21 Between 8 & 9 am, Mini Bird-A-Thon starting at Jones
three species of Woodpeckers (Downy, Pileated, Red-bellied), and Loop rest area (Originally was on Jan 7)
Carolina Wrens. We had several birds that outright posed for us, 31 Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival
including a Little Blue Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron. Col- Feb 4 FT to Shamrock Park & Venice Rookery
lectively, the group saw about 45 different species of birds. It was (Bill Havill 941-625-8096) (N)
another fun day and a great day to be outdoors. 19 General Meeting - Todd Campbell
Submitted by Tom Zinneman “Nile Monitor Lizards in SW Florida”
21 FT to Eagle Lakes/Sugden Park (Marrs 941-624-4182) (S)
P.S. from Editor: If you have access to the web, treat yourself Mar 1 Kingfisher Trip to Peace River Rookeries
and visit Tom’s web page: http://www.zinnysworld.com. Tom loves 8 FT to Fort DeSoto Park (Lynn Bates 941-639-7277) (N)
to share his experiences and beautiful photography! 16 “An Evening with Audubon” (aka Annual Banquet/Silent
WHAT YOUR BOARD HAS BEEN DOING... Auction/Talk: “Florida Scrub-Jays” by Jim Beever)
∗ Web site birding area template has been distributed for input at Maple Leaf Estates; catering by Cap’n and the Cowboy
by authors for various sites. 20 Birdathon (Cathy Olson 941-613-6753)
∗ A Birding class was requested by the Cultural Center; Kathi Apr 6 FT: Babcock/Webb WMA (Dillys Randall 941-627-4090)(S)
Rader-Gibson will share a class she has this time...volunteers 15 General Meeting - Kathi Rader-Gibson
are needed for future classes. “For the Love of Butterflies”
∗ Backyard Bird Count on Feb 13-16—currently no participation. 17 FT (N) Emerson Point Park (Tom Zinneman 941-505-8826)
∗ Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival (CHNF) booth will be set up May 20 Annual Member Meeting—“Stump Pass Birds”Jeff Bouton
by Cathy Olson and Paul Holmes; other Board members to 22 FT to Lakeland (Tom Zinneman 941-505-8826) (N)
 The Peace River Audubon Society Non-profit Organization
PO Box 510760 U.S. Postage Paid
Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760 Punta Gorda, FL
Permit No. 100
www.peaceriveraudubon.org

January 2004
White Bird

Printed on Recycled Paper

Min-it Print Shoppe (folding donated)

KEYS TO PRAS SUCCESS ... WELCOME TO 2003/2004 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE (Choose A or B below)
NEW DEC MEMBERS:
Joan Aaron Norm Leppan (A) ___ YES, I want to join/renew my membership in
Iona Allen Evelyn Taylor PEACE RIVER AUDUBON now for $10!
Marvin Bock John Whittington If you are concerned with what is happening to Southwest Florida’s Environment, please
Thomas Bradley Jacqui Rupert become a member of Peace River Audubon Society and help us protect our area. As
Cheryl Clark Transfers back: individuals we can do very little, together we can do much more. Join us to protect the air we breath, the
Bob Dahl Robert Armstrong water we drink, and the wildlife we love. In short, help us protect the Florida lifestyle. Members receive
ten (10) issues of the “White Bird” newsletter with local news articles, local meetings, field trips and bird
Gene DeBoef Bonnie Dunbar
walks.
Norman Easler Mr/Mrs T D Galvin Visit our web site: www.peaceriveraudubon.org
Nancy Erb Arnulf Gievers Name: _________________________________________
Mary Jane Franklin Robert Ives Organization: ____________________________________
J Tucker/L Fudula Dr Eleanor Marr Address: _______________________________________
Dale & Karen Green Dr Herbert Weintraub
City: ___________________ State: __ Zip: ______-____
Phone: ( ) ____________ E-mail: ___________________
2003-04 OFFICERS: MAIL $10 CHECK WITH THIS FORM DIRECTLY to:
PRAS, P O Box 510760, Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760.
President Cathy Olson ‘05 613-6753
Vice President Kathi Rader-Gibson ‘04
474-3065 OR, (B): ___ Yes, I want to join National Audubon * ...
Secretary Peggy Kampert ‘05 235-3160 ___ $15 - 1-year Student/Senior Rate (62+) ___ $1,000 Individual Life
Treasurer Larry Linn ‘05 637-8160 ___ $20 - 1-year Introductory National Audubon Rate ___ $1,500 Dual Life
Additional John Aspiolea ‘04 575-7788
___ $30 - 2-year Special National Audubon Rate
Directors: Chuck Froman ‘04 743-5204 ____ My check is enclosed. ____ Please bill me.
Joan Froman ‘04 743-5204 Name: ___________________________________________________
Paul Holmes ’05 833-3337 Address: _________________________________________________
Dennis Hungerford ‘05 627-5405
Joy Linn ‘05 (editor) 637-8160
Phone: ( ) ______________
City, State, Zip ____________________________________E14-7XCH
The Peace River Audubon Society is a 501 ( c )(3) non-profit orga- Please make checks payable to National Audubon Society and mail to:
nization. Our Federal tax ID number is 59-2190872. We do not National Audubon Society, Membership Data Center,
engage a professional solicitor and 100% of the funds generated P.O. Box 51003, Boulder, CO 80323-1003
by this request will be used to support our Chapter programs. Our * A National Audubon member receives 6 bi-monthly issues of “Audubon” magazine/year, and some discounts at
registration number with the FDA Division of Consumer Services is Audubon Centers across the USA. As a National Audubon member, you are automatically a member of Peace River