Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Orange Audubon Society- A Chapter of National Audubon Society & Audubon of Florida--The
regular monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at Leu Gardens, 7 pm, in Orlando. There are
other activities: field trips, bird hikes & identification classes throughout the month. www.orangeaudubonfl.org
Okay, Walking and Nature Study are Good for You – Monthly Program, March 19, 2009, 7 pm
Spring Edition by Bob Stamps, President’s Message
Conservation of Florida Butterflies By
Spring is a great time to observe wildlife—mild temperatures, Marc Minno
few thunderstorms, wildlife exhibiting courting and denning/
nesting behavior, foliage still not fully flushed out so Florida has a rich butterfly fauna with about
observation is easier—so get out and ENJOY! On the avian 170 resident species, including unique
side, one of my favorite spring pleasures is watching the antics butterflies that occur nowhere else. Some of our
and listening to the raucous vocalizations of Purple Martins. rarest butterflies are in danger. In addition to
Seek them out, they will put a smile in your heart. This habitat loss, exotic predatory ants, such as the
gregarious bird is the largest swallow in Florida and, nowadays,
red imported fire ant, are impacting even
depends very much on humans providing them housing since
common species. With studies underway to
they are cavity nesters and fewer and fewer trees with cavities
help imperiled butterflies, volunteers are
are available due to human activities. Contrary to popular
myths, their diet is composed chiefly of beetles and dragonflies, needed to find and monitor colonies.
not mosquitoes. Enjoy them while you can since they will leave Our March speaker will be Marc Minno,
Florida in late June, July and early August for Brazil. On the author, or co-author, of five books on
reptilian side, the Gopher Tortoise is another favorite. Listed as butterflies. Illustrating these species, he will
one of the 117 fauna endangered, threatened or a species of inform us on what is being done to save them
special concern (as of May 2008), this land turtle is one of the and what we can do to help.
oldest living species in North America, perhaps with roots 60 Marc has promised to have some of his
million years old. This is the only living tortoise that occurs books with him for sale. Join us on March 19
east of the Mississippi River and it is able to create burrows up for a fascinating program.
to 40 feet long and 10 feet deep. It is these burrows that are so
important in providing protection for more than 360 other
Orange Audubon Society programs are free
species of animals from predators, freezing weather, fires and
other hazards. In the spring, these herbivorous gladiators joust and held in the Camellia Room of Leu Gardens,
for territory and mates. I have spent much enjoyable time 1920 N. Forest Avenue, Orlando (for directions
watching and photographing these ancient rituals. As with call 407-246-2620).
much of the fauna and flora of the world, the gopher tortoise’s Deborah Green
existence is threatened by habitat destruction as the human race Vice President/Program Chair
continues to expand. These are just two of the thousands of
intriguing animal and plant wonders you can observe and enjoy
outdoors this spring.
www.orangeaudubonfl.org March 2009 Page 2
Beginners’ Bird ID Class Returns 3-way membership in Orange Audubon and National
Orange Audubon Society’s (OAS) Beginner’s Bird Audubon Societies and Audubon of Florida [$20
Watching Class (BBWC) is designed for novice and promotional rate ($15 for seniors/students)]. For a
intermediate birders to enhance skills and enjoyment of the membership application, visit OAS’ official website:
fast-growing ‘sport’ of birding. The spring class will www.orangeaudubonfl.org.
coincide with bird migration. Course includes 2 classroom Space is limited. For reservation, contact Teresa:
sessions April 18th and 25th, Rollins College, with mini- 407-644-0796 or mwilliams@cfl.rr.com; then mail one
field trips to nearby sites, and 1 field session on May 2nd; check payable to OAS, with your name, address, phone
time for all sessions is 8:30 AM–12:30 PM. and e-mail (if joining OAS, include your new member
Class instructor Dr. Leesa Sward is a Biology application) to: OAS/Attn: BBWC, PO Box 941142,
professor with Valencia Community College (VCC), Maitland, FL 32794-1142. For more information, contact
Winter Park; past vice president of OAS; and for the past Leesa Sward: 407-677-5374 or LSward@hotmail.com.
16 years has been an avid birder. Sward developed You know what they say about the early bird! Teresa
Florida Birds, a course she has taught four years for VCC Williams, Treasurer
and recently adapted for OAS’ BBWC to suit your needs!
The course increases knowledge and awareness of North Peregrinations: with Bob Sanders,
American bird species; teaches bird ID techniques, basic BIRDATHON 2009
birding principles, bird topography and anatomy; provides April 11th, is the date for this years Birdathon and one
binocular basics and tips on using field guides and of the most important fundraisers. Our goal this year is 200
checklists and more. species and gather $10,000 in pledges. Every member can
Registration is $25 for Audubon members, $40 for participate, one of three ways: 1) Go birding! 2) Gather
non-members, payable by check or money order to OAS. Pledges, 3) Make a pledge. Details, call bob Sanders
Handouts and parking included. Non-members can join 407-766-5490, procrow@bellsouth.net or Tom Rodriguez
when registering and pay $45 (seniors 62+ and f/t students at 407-905-0054, tom@oaklandnaturepreserve.org.
pay $40), which includes BBWC registration (member
price $25) and an introductory membership for annual
Goodbye & Good Luck but remember that there will always any discernable trace of humans,
be a warm welcome for you in human-made structures or artifacts,
It is with deep regret that the or non-native species. You may
sunny Florida. Thank you, Claire,
Orange Audubon Society (OAS) enter up to five images in total (limit
for all that you brought to OAS; we
board of directors has accepted the three in a category). Entry fees are
miss you! Loretta
resignation of our fellow member, $3 per image (17 & under), $5 per
Satterthwaite and Bob Stamps image (Audubon members) or $7
Claire Hilliker. Claire joined the
board in July 2002 and within a per image (non-members). Final
month, Claire was asked to serve as Ft. DeSoto Field Trip deadline is May 21st, 2009
OASis editor; she did and the rest is Annual field trip to Ft. DeSoto, (postmark).
St. Petersburg, is April 24, 2009. OAS will again provide its own
history! For six and a half years,
Rooms are reserved at the brand of stimulus to participants
Claire was in charge of the OASis. whose images are received by April
Thanks Claire for your diligence. Continuing Education Center at
16th: an optional, free pre-
Claire also served OAS as its Eckerd College for Friday night,
screening. Participants will be
Birdathon chair. Not only did she $80 per room + $10 for additional notified of any ineligible entry and
go into the field and help us find person in room. If attending during given the opportunity for a free do-
record numbers of species, but she the day only, fee is only $10. Sign over! Replacements must be
also compiled the list of species up sheet at the meeting, or call Ted submitted in compliance with
seen and mailed it along with thank or Gaye Smith at 407-249-3969 or contest rules.
you letters to all those who smith_ted_gaye@bellsouth.net. The Spring 2009 issue of Florida
contributed to this annual fundraiser Naturalist magazine will feature
images from the 2008 contest and
for OAS. Chertok Nature Photo Contest next month’s OASis newsletter will
We could always count on Orange Audubon Society (OAS) announce the images from the 2008
Claire to volunteer for our outreach encourages nature-loving competition that were selected for
events. We have already missed her shutterbugs to participate in its 2009 featured displays at Colonial Photo
smiling face and positive attitude at (21st Annual) Kit & Sidney Chertok & Hobby, 634 N. Mills Avenue,
the Lake Eola Fiesta in the Park and Nature Photo Contest. Themes for Orlando, contest co-sponsor since
the Orlando Wetlands Park festival. this year's digital competition are: 2004. Entry forms & contest rules
Orange Audubon Society wishes Florida Vertebrates and/or Scenics are available on OAS’ website and
and Florida Invertebrates and/or at Colonial Photo & Hobby, or by
you well in your new environs near
Wildflowers. contacting Teresa: 407-644-0796 or
the Windy City! We know that as a Images must be of Florida native
Canadian, you’re used to those mwilliams@cfl.rr.com. Teresa
flora and/or fauna and can not show Williams, Contest Chair
colder temperatures found up north,
Page 5 March 2009 www.orangeaudubonfl.org
March 21, 2009 Saturday April 18, 25 & May 1, 2009, Sat.
Lake Jesup, 7:30 am, Mary Keim BBWC - Leesa Sward
407-851-5416 407-677-5374 or
LSward@hotmail.com