Manatee County Audubon Society

We are committed to protecting the environment in our community, our state and our country.

Your stamps could help the birds. See page 2.

Charlie Hunsicker to speak at January 21 meeting

Annual dues will By Steve Black, vice president
be due in January The speaker for our meeting on Thursday Janu-
ary 21 will be Charlie Hunsicker, Director of the
for all members Manatee County Natural Resources Department
By Lucette Wombacher, treasurer with three divisions and 34 employees. Charlie
will talk about acquisitions of environmentally
Members, now that we have
sensitive lands. Charlie has been on the forefront
converted to an electronic news-
of understanding the value of these lands. From
letter, we can no longer rely
the development of Emerson Point to Robinson
on our mailing labels to notify
Preserve, Charlie has been the driving force. His
members when their local dues
resource management division is responsible for
are expiring. So we are going
over 30,000 acres of county conservation preserve
to convert to a single expiration
lands and coastal resources, including maintenance
date for everyone. January will
Charlie Hunsicker of boat ramps, artificial reefs and waterways, and
be the new expiration month. All
aids to navigation and abandoned vessel removal.
local dues will be due in Janura-
The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the First
ry of each year.
United Methodist Church of Palmetto, 330 11th
Avenue West, Palmetto.
Since this is a transition year, all
those who have paid dues since
July 2009 are paid up for the President’s letter from Barbara Singer
year and do not need to pay in
January. Everyone else should Thanks to all who contributed money and time
either pay at the January gen-
Here we are 2010, where has time gone? Just yesterday our worries were Y2K. Back in
eral meeting or mail your dues
to the Manatee County Audubon 2000 the Manatee County Audubon Society was struggling and worries were if the club
Society, P O Box 14550, Bra- would survive.
denton, FL 34280. If you are not
sure whether you have already Back then Steve Black stepped up to the challenge by accepting the Presidency and work-
paid, check with me (Lucette
Wombacher) at the January gen-
ing with the Board to revive an ailing club. Within two years MCAS received the bequest
eral meeting or give me a call at of 27.5 acres which is now Felts Audubon Preserve. That was just the jolt that MCAS
941-776-8424. Our annual dues needed to revitalize and propel the club. Here we are in 2010 spreading our wings and tak-
remain unchanged at $15 per ing on all types of activities: Junior Audubon, a Beach Nesting Bird Monitoring Program,
household.
educational scholarships and a preserve that is becoming well known. None of this would
Welcome new members: have happened without both the monetary support and the commitment of time from our
John Pearce loyal members and friends.
Sherry Brinkmann
Thomas and Jean Vest I want to personally thank all those who have make a financial donation to MCAS in
Kenneth W Holmes
Helen M. Leiper
2009. It’s because of your financial donation that we can accomplish the activities men-
Howard Hochman tioned above, and we are listing your names on page 3 to show our appreciation.
Suzi Fox and John Young - Anna
Maria Island Turtle Watch On behalf of myself and all the Board of Directors, I would like to wish you all a very
Dr. Roxane Dinkin
happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Peg Beeman
Adelaide Rosen
Join the Backyard Bird Count. Details page 4.
Page 2
Your stamps could
help the birds
By Bobbi Benson
When Don and I joined Manatee
County Audubon 20 years ago, most
of our members saved their stamps
and brought them to the meetings so
they could be donated. I don’t think
very many of our members now know
of this program. I recently contacted
the Birds of Prey Center in Maitland
questioning whether they still col-
lect and sell post-marked cancelled
stamps to raise money to assist with
the cost of caring for the injured birds.
They said yes and they sent a descrip-
tion of the program and the stamps
they accept.
Bunny Schneider said members could
turn in their eligible stamps to her at
our general meetings and she would
send them to the Bird of Prey Cen-
ter. Here’s what the center said about
the stamps they will accept: “This is
a fund-raising project to help offset
the cost of caring for injured and non-
releasable raptors housed at Audubon
Center for Birds of Prey. Volunteers
sort donated collectable stamps which
are then sold to collectors. 100% of
the proceeds go to help the birds.
“We accept both canceled and un-
canceled stamps. We can sell only
undamaged stamps. We cannot use
stamps that are cut, punched, torn,
scuffed, thinned, with part of sides cut
off, or with heavy smeared cancels.
“No metered stamps please (printed
indicia). Please cut the stamps from
the envelopes, leaving at least 1/4
inch around the stamps to avoid dam-
age. Exceptions: commemorative
envelopes, First Day issues and old
(pre-1960) envelopes; send the entire
envelope with the stamp attached, as
the envelope may also have signifi-
cant value.”
Bradenton teams
see many doves and
eight Limpkins
Mourning Dove photo by David Williamson
By David Williamson, CBC Coordinator
The Manatee County Audubon Society completed the 28th consecutive annual Christmas
Bird Count in Bradenton on Saturday December 19. The Bradenton count covers a 15-mile
diameter circle centered near Manatee Memorial Hospital. There were 57 volunteers this
year which is up from last year. They found 122 different bird species and counted a total of
approximately 28,000 birds. The weather was windy and cool, but clear for the entire day.
Yet again, the most common bird seen by all groups was the Mourning Dove. It doesn’t have
the largest population in the area, but is the most widespread. Birders also noticed an increas-
ing number of White-winged Doves which look very much like
Mourning Doves, but have white feathers along the leading edge
of the wings. Steve Black’s team was the only group lucky enough
to see any Limpkns (left) and they saw eight. A new addition to the
count was the appearance of two Northern Gannets seen flying over
the Manatee River near Robinson Preserve. These pelagic birds are
not commonly seen inland.
Count Coordinator David Williamson cited a few trends worth keeping an eye on, but he
cautioned against using the data as a sole source for judgments about the health of a particular
species or the birds in general. “Many birds have started appearing on our count in the last
few years while others are slowly declining. This is more striking than if a species is com-
pletely absent or has significantly high or low numbers since many variables can account for
bird behavior on one particular day in December.”
He noted that weather (short term) and climate (long term) have significant
impacts as well as the tide during the time of day that the birds are being
counted. “We can’t be everywhere at once, so we just do the best we can and
expect that over the years, with all the other bird counts around the state and
the country, that the data will indicate trends that ornithologists and wildlife
biologists can use to study the birds. We just love to watch and count them.”
Bradenton Circle team members included:
• Team 1 -- Steve Black, Barbara Singer, Carolyn Primus, Barbara Covey, Kelley Berkey: Spotted 8 Limpkins.
• Team 2 -- Ivan Marion, Lucette Wombacher, Dee Hanny, Connie Zack: Saw a Peregrine Falcon.
• Team 3 -- Lynn Jakubowicz, Barry Rossheim, Valerie Ponzo, Mary Heinlen.
• Team 4 -- Carrie Smith, Lois Beahan.
• Team 5 -- Jack and Bunny Schneider, Lea Etchells, Jean Turner, Ruth Rowland.
• Team 6 -- Carol Webster, Sue and John Darovec, Posey Havens, Dan Irizarry, Leslie Gomez, Arlene Flisik.
Saw our only Ruby-crowned Kinglets near the Braden River.
• Team 7 -- Jeanne Dubi, Karen Jensen: Saw 14 Bald Eagles on the far east side of the circle.
• Team 8 -- Rick Greenspun, Kathryn Young, Liz Gould, Lucy Page.
• Team 9 -- Sue Dickie, Mike and Nancy Barnes, Janet Snyder.
• Team 10 -- Mike Corso, Judy Bein, Carol Brigham, Lee Zerkel, Don Bansen, Bob Roney.
• Team 11 -- Don and Bobbi Benson, Roger and Jan Robson, Tom Heitzman, Richard Beaupre, Nancy West.
• Team 12 -- David Williamson, Bill Hentges, Pat Lantz, Peg Beeman.
• Team 13 -- John Ginaven, David Manchester, Peter Rice, Mike and Katherine Pepper.
• Team 14 -- Jeff Fischer.
 Page 3

Gulf Circle count hits record 100 species

By David Williamson, CBC Coordinator
We had a record 32 birders who broke up into eight groups this year for the Gulf Circle Christ-
mas Bird Count on Tuesday December 29. We finally hit the 100 species mark for the count
for the first time ever. We did see more total birds LAST year (8,904 versus 8,146 this year),
but we spotted 13 more Thanks to our
species than last year, 2009 contributors!
which was the previ-
ous record (87). We are Bob and Nancy Dean
gradually seeing more Karen and Matt Holman – Wild
and more birds and spe- Bird Center
cies probably because Roger and Jan Robson
we are getting better at Connie and Kenneth Beukema
surveying the entire area Ron and LaDonne Mayberry
and we have more bird- Sara and Stanley Werner
ers joining us so we can Matthew Israel
spread out much better. Don and Betty Bansen
Steve Black
A few rare birds seen Robert and Elaine Danielson
this time were the Dr. Phil and Suzan Gaynes
Whimbrel, which is Gulf Circle spotters, from left: Phil and Sue Gaynes, John Ginaven, Betty Lou Hughes
D.S. Paige, John van Zandt and Carrie Smith.
rarely seen in the area Stephani Meister
this time of year although this is its winter range. It has not been seen on the count day since Anne Roberts
1983. It was spotted at Whitney Beach around sunset by John Ginaven. We have our first Per- Robert Rosinsky
egrine Falcon for the count which was seen near Leffis Key. There is also one in the Village on Barbara Singer
Longboat Key, but the LBK bird was not seen on count day. Finally, a Northern Parula Warbler Memorial for Evora Dingman
was seen in the Village on LBK. This is a common bird to see in fall and spring, but not often Grace Hirsh
seen this time of year on the island. Susan Anderson
Stanley and Edith Applegate
The number of Roseate Spoonbills and Ospreys continues to rise significantly. A total of 21 Jerry and Joyce Brown
American Oystercatchers and 192 Red Knots, which are monitored by the Audubon Society Suzanne Dickie
along the beaches, were seen. This is an excellent showing for each species, which have been Ken and Nancy Hammond
in decline on the count in recent years. Only one American Oystercatcher has been seen before Edward and CC Hunter
this year since 2001 when they disappeared from the count. Mae L. Jackson
Ingrid McClellan
We had a birder who focused only on the Gulf of Mexico and spotted over 300 Northern Chuck and Judy Warner
Gannets, which we regularly see on the count, but never in such high numbers since we don’t Eunice Brown
normally have volunteers with their eyes on the Gulf for more than a few minutes at a time. Nathan Elder
Ruth Erlandson
Only 30 Fish Crows were seen this year which is only about 20% of the usual. This could be Rick and Karen Lanese
due to a number of things so we can’t assume there is something going on that would cause Carolyn Primus
this to happen. No American Robins or Cedar Waxwings again this year, but again, let’s not Claudia Hartung
draw any conclusions. The most unexpected sighting was a Cordon Bleu Finch, which obvi- Don Holloway
ously has escaped captivity. It was seen celebrating with regular appearances at a bird feeder Dee O’Brien
in Cortez. Let’s hope it remains in the wild where it belongs. This finch is from Africa and was Russ Owens
obviously someone’s pet. Just keep the snakes and lizards in the house where they belong lest Helga Stober
we find many bird species threatened by another invasive species. Louise Thomas
Charles Gerwig
Gulf Circle team members included: Lucy Pace
• North A -- Mark Hopey, Lynn Brandon, Kathryn Gunther, Florence Jerome.
Mary Jane Tenny
• North B -- Lucy Pace, Carole Brigham, Marylin Noah-McGinnis, Smithy McGinnis.
• Perico A -- Valerie Ponzo, Linda Naismith, Mille Willen, Morty Willen. Peggy Kronus
• Perico B -- Rick Greenspun, Kathryn Young, Dick Ware, Peg Beeman. Richard Mattix
• Cortez A -- John Ruckdeschel, Mike and Nancy Barnes.
• Cortez B -- Susan Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Janet Snyder, Pat Lantz.
• Leffis -- John Ginaven, Phil and Sue Gaynes, John van Zandt, Carrie Smith, Lois Beahan,
• David Williamson, D.S. Paige.
• Beach spotter -- Dick Ferren.
 January 2010 Newsletter
Manatee County Audubon Society, P. O. Box 14550, Bradenton FL 34280-4550
Backyard Bird Count
Will be February 12-15
Emerson Point birdwatchers see 37 species
By Barbara Singer, president
The Great Backyard Bird Count is
an annual four-day event that engag-
es bird watchers of all ages in count-
ing birds to create a real-time snap-
shot of where the birds are across
the continent and in Hawaii. We are
looking for everyone to participate,
from beginning bird watchers to ex-
perts. You can spend as little as 15
minutes on one day or as long as you
like on any of the days. Count birds
in as many places and on as many of
the days as you like. It’s free, fun,
easy and it helps the birds.

Count and record the number of

individuals of each species that you
see during your participation session.
Note the amount of time you spent
birding, how many people participat-
ed, type of location (backyard, park, Clockwise from top left:
feeders only etc.) and habitat (urban, Black-bellied Plover, Wood Duck,
suburban, woods, grassland). Wood Stork and Common Loon.
Photos by Bob Wombacher

The GBBC has a website at www. By Lucette Wombacher, treasurer

birdcount.org where you can easily
enter the information you have re-
corded and get additional informa-
tion on the GBBC. If you do not have
a computer and would like to partici-
pate, I will send you a GBBC Data
Form and I will enter your data when
you return the form to me. Just give
me a call at 922-4488, leave your
name and number and I will call you
to get the data sheet out to you.
If you have questions about the web-
site you can call Lucette Wombacher
776-8424 or me at 922-4488 and we
will help. Let’s help the birds.
Upcoming Events
Friday-Sunday 1/15-1/17
Everglades Extravaganza
Barbara Singer, 504-0228, and
Steve Black, 376-0110, lead this three-day
trip to the Everglades, using vans.
Reservations required.
Thursday 1/21
Monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
330 11th Avenue West, Palmetto
Our second joint field trip with the Manatee County Natural Resources Department was to
Emerson Point Preserve on Wednesday December 9. We had 29 birders and two very help-
ful county staff members. About a third of the participants were on their first birding field
trip. Despite the unfavorable windy, hazy weather, we saw a total of 37 species. Some of the
most popular were the beautiful pair of Wood Ducks on the small pond, the Blue-winged and
Green-winged Teals on the large pond, the three Magnificent Frigatebirds that flew right over
us, and the Common Loons feeding near shore at the point. If you couldn’t join us this time,
come for one of the shorter two-hour walks on the second Tuesday of the month January
through April, and get to know the birds of Emerson Point.
Clewiston field trip set for February 13-14
By Connie Zack, trip leader
The Station 5 Clewiston field trip scheduled for Saturday and Sunday February 13-14 has 26
committed participants. We have 15 rooms reserved at the Clewiston Inn. If you are still in-
terested in the trip, you can sign up but you may have to arrange your own accommodations.
Any updates between now and the field trip will be either by email or phone. Hopefully, we
can all get together at the January meeting for final details. The birding should be exciting. If
you have questions, call field trip leader Connie Zack at 758-2929.
Junior Auduboners study water birds
By Steve Black, vice president
Our last Junior Audubon outing was delayed a week because of
inclement weather. We met at Robinson Preserve and studied water
birds, using Audubon Adventures and the National Audubon Field
Guide to Florida. After our discussion about water birds, we had
a field trip to observe them. The best bird we saw was a Wilson’s
Plover, like the one pictured at left.
Send your items for The Night Heron to newsletter editor Molly McCartney
at msmccartney@sprintmail.com or call 778-3228