White Bird

March 28, 2003—Volume 26, Issue 9

Peace River Audubon Society

26th Anniversary Banquet & Silent Auction
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Victoria Estates, 24000 Rampart Blvd, Port Charlotte
5:30 pm Cash Bar

7 pm Buffet Dinner

$17 per person

Clyde Butcher will provide a slide show and book signing of his photographic works of art. He
has agreed to donate a portion of his book signing profits to our Audubon chapter.

Throughout the evening, you may place bids on such things as theme park tickets,
binoculars and birding field guides. Items will be sold at the end of the evening to the
highest bidder and may be paid for by cash or check. Proceeds from the Silent Auction this
year will go to support our Youth Environmental Education and Scrub Jay Habitat funds.

An awards ceremony will be held for the Birdathon teams and participants. The Birdathon
photo contest will be held throughout the evening and you may vote to choose the winner.

Don't miss this exciting event. Call Peggy Kampert at 235-3160 to make reservations.
Seating is limited, so call early. Payment for the dinner will be collected at the door.

Birdathon Photograph Competition - an alternative for those wishing to take part in and
contribute to the Birdathon (April 5), but not able to spend the day counting bird species.:The rules are
simple:

⇒ The photograph must be taken on the day of the Birdathon and must have a bird as the subject.

⇒ The photograph may be any size, and should not indicate in any way the name of the
photographer.

⇒ An individual may enter as many photographs as desired, an entry fee of $5 should accompany
each entry. This is considered a donation to the Birdathon.

⇒ Entries will be judged by popular vote of those attending the PRAS banquet on April the 24th.

⇒ The winners will receive a certificate.

For more information, contact Paul Holmes (941) 833-3337 [email protected]

 ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL BIRDING TRIP - Norm Lappan and Gene Christensen
On Sunday, March 16, five (5) members of the Peace River Audubon Society met at 7 a.m. at the McDonald's on Peachland.
Norm Lappan led Betty Dennison, June Hulde, Gene Christensen and Barb Treadway who drove, to Archbold Biological
station near Lake Worth. During the trip we saw 49 species (June kept the tally) including a surprise of 48 white pelicans in a
field who obligingly flew over us in formation; many cranes, burrowing owls,an immature black-crown night heron. On the way
back to town, swallow tailed kites were spotted..

At the station, we were treated to a film on the Lake Worth Ridge (which was much higher than sea levels long ago) so was a
series of islands that were the inland part of our peninsula out of water. The resulting flora and fauna are unique. Scientists from
all over the world come to study them.

WHAT A DAY!!!!!!!
If you weren't there on Sat. 3/22/03 for the PRAS Field to the Babcock/Webb
A Special Thanks...
Wildlife Management Area in Punta Gorda, you missed a one of a kind outing!! At
6:45AM -- over one and a quarter inches of rain began to fall on South Punta to Kirk DeVries and Peggy Kampert
Gorda. By 7:30AM the downpour had slowed to a drizzle and 30 undaunted PRAS
members and guests (some from as far away as England) began our Nature
for spearheading the 1st Annual
excursion into "The Webb.” As we slowly moved along in a convoy of 8 vehicles, CHEC 5K Run.
we were enveloped with the calls and songs from Eastern Towhees, Coots,
Moorhens, Boat-tailed Grackles, Mockingbirds and Meadowlarks. A Fox Squirrel
darted across the road in front of us and we stopped to see him as he climbed up There were 143 runners/
and then sat in a pine tree. Many of the group had never seen one of these
squirrels before. walkers; netting a total
of $1,666.36!
At the beginning of Oil Well Grade Road. the melodious songs from Bachman Great job!
Sparrows were heard by two of our "birders extraordinaire" -- Jeff Bouton and
Margaret Dunson. With binoculars and scopes almost everyone was able to view
the bird in a distant tree and it was a first sighting for many. Thunder, lightning and SESSION I - June 29 – July 5, 2003
then a brief shower slowed us down for a short time, but then we ventured on and TITLE: FIELD ORNITHOLOGY
stopped to walk the Crooked Lake Road, seeing a Common Yelloethroat, Double- THEME: ECOLOGY BEGINS WITH BIRDS
crested Cormorants, Great Egrets, Wood Storks, Pine Warblers, Great Blue Heron, This field camp experience is intended for beginning and intermediate
White Ibis and a Brown-headed Nuthatch. birders, educators and resource managers and stresses avian identification
outdoors. The AVES method of bird identification, as it is called, was
developed by Gene Wilhelm, former Vice President of Education, National
At the intersection of Oil Well Grade and Tram Grade Roads we stopped for an Audubon Society, over decades of active birding. The concept is simple:
"Auditory Experience" from at least ten different bird species.! These were very remove oneself from the daily routine and responsibility of human
ethereal moments as the only sounds floating through the trees were from the endeavors, escape for a time to a milieu conducive to learning and immerse
birds. Moving along Tram Grade Road, Jeff and Margaret spotted a group of oneself in birding.
birds flitting among a grove of trees. We stopped and shortly thereafter a Red-
cockaded Woodpecker flew to a tree near us so that all could clearly view it. What SESSION II - July 6 – July 12, 2003
a thrill, as the white cheeked, blackcapped, black and white striped elusive little bird
became a reality for most of us. We have tried to spot this bird endless number of TITLE: EARTH LITERACY
times here in the area.
THEME: RESTORING CONNECTIONS: HUMANS WITHIN NATURE
In all we observed 43 species of birds, three white-tailed deer, a Fox Squirrel and a
Natural history and the local environment once provided the basic
few Alligators before our break for a picnic lunch. About 15 group members spent
another hour after lunch traveling along the Webb Lake Road where we had a fly-
foundation from which the education discipline emerged. Restoring those
over by a huge Bald Eagle and heard a King Rail as well as seeing numerous connections is what environmental education today is about and what makes
groups of "Blue" Bluebirds. it so compelling for cross-curricula teaching in an outdoors setting. This
weeklong experiential session is intended for science and non-science
educators.
This was a Field Trip to vividly remember as Nature showed us an array of her
treasures with something for everyone. PRICING:
Reported by Trip Leaders Lynn Bates & Tom Zinneman Early Bird registration (payment must be received by April 30, 2003) = $875
Late registration (payment must be received by June 15, 2003) = $975
Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. For more information or
registration forms, contact Audubon Wyoming at 307-235-3485.

PLEASE SEND ANY ADDRESS CORRECTIONS, CHANGES, ETC. TO.:

Betty Coombs, Membership Chairperson - 639-4961 or email at: [email protected]
BIRDING AT BABCOCK WEBB..........Austin and I joined the Peace River Audubon group on March 22 for an enjoyable day
of birding. We all started at the fee station at 8 am under cloudy skies. There were 8 vehicles in all, and in my haste I left my backpack
behind with my family radios so I was second to last with no way to communicate with the group. We made our way into the Webb with
windows down listening for the tell tale calls of any of our target species. Just after the cattle guard at the beginning of the drive I pished at a
familiar call note and a very cooperative Grasshopper Sparrow sprang up and perched on a thistle 20 feet away. I stopped and managed to
show this bird to the one carload behind me. It was now on the barbed wire with a Savannah Sparrow for nice direct comparison.

Moving on we easily caught up with the rest of the group as we all crept along listening for birds. One by one the expected pinewoods birds
made themselves known: Eastern Meadowlarks sang, Eastern Towhees chewinked, Pine Warblers trilled, and Common Ground Doves tooted
at us from the roadsides. At our first official stop, we heard and then saw our first of many Bachman's Sparrows. There were two singing here
(at the intersection of Tucker's and Oilwell Grades). After this I had Bachman's singing at what seemed like every stop (conservatively 25
birds). I have never heard so many at the Webb, and I suspect this may be due in part to the weather keeping the temps cooler, allowing birds
to be active later in the day. A little farther up Oilwell Grade (which is now open again—the gates have been removed and the shooting range
fixed so people shoot more straight North to keep stray bullets from coming over Oilwell) we stopped at the small deciduous hammock to view
another pocket of birds. We had mostly Palm and Pine Warblers, but added our first Bluebirds and Brown-headed Nuthatches of the day
before moving on. Austin was as shy and reserved as always and was entertaining any who would listen or sit still long enough for him to
catch with stories from one of his Shark or Bug books.

We arrived at the first "RCW" sign near 10 AM, and while we didn't find any Red-cockadeds here, I explained what I knew about their biology.
I noted some new implanted artificial cavities and spoke about the characteristics of an active cavity including the telling, oozing sap. I also
explained that this would be the spot to be at first light or in the evening if you hoped to see one of these birds, but at this hour we'd have to
find them out and about. In my experience the best way to accomplish this was to find the large roving flocks of feeding warblers because the
gregarious RCW's often join these flocks. So we set off with that in mind and made our way up to Crooked Lake. Here we had to sit out a
short shower but when we got out we were treated to stunning views of a Brown-headed Nuthatch among others. There were also more
Bachman's and House Wrens singing here. A cooperative male Towhee provided the opportunity to talk about the yellow-eyed Florida race
vs. the red-eyed northern birds. We had Downy, and Red-bellieds here again but no sign of our main target at Crooked Lake proper we added
a number of wading birds to the ever growing list. I was far behind the rest of the group as Austin and I had to (naturally) wade through all of
the larger puddles. Austin also made a new discovery here as he noted some baby "Lubbers" had red stripes on their backs while some had
yellow stripes. Just great another mystery that Dad has to solve. Any entomologists out their have an answer to why on that one for a very
curious four year old?

We stopped once again at the intersections of Oilwell and Tram Grades where another cluster has been of late, but here again we had only
banded trees, Bachman's Sparrows, Pine Warblers, a Brown Thrasher with an incredible Bluebird impression, Great Crested Flycatchers, but
no RCW's. Further along Austin was able to enjoy an Oak Toad, while the rest of us scanned through a sizeable flock of birds including more
nuthatches, Pine & Palm Warblers, Bluebirds, and a fleeting glimpse of a Red-eyed Vireo on the move. I never saw the latter but heard it in
full song when we first stopped the vehicle. Also, another Brown Thrasher posed beautifully for all to admire.

Once again we were on the move and we stopped at the second "RCW" sign in hopes of spying the elusive Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
There were many skeptics among us this day, folks who had chased the hopes of this promised bird enough times that they were convinced it
was another great urban legend. "Sure a white-cheeked woodpecker that nests in gooey-fronted cavities in pine flatwoods, how gullible do you
think we are?!?..." Now after 11:00 these same people would sooner believe bigfoot sightings than the silly RCW.

Eagle-eyed Margaret Dunson had been carefully noting a distant feeding flock of birds when she spotted an RCW way out. We all scrambled
to see the bird and I was able to get one quick view of it, but it was actively feeding and the flock was on the move. We tried to get closer to
the flock but to no avail. After 15 minutes of anxious anticipation, the skeptics were convinced it was another clever hoax and were ready to
move on as the waves of passerines began streaming back by us: lots of Pines and Palms, nuthatches, bluebirds, and then woodpeckers.
There were two woodpeckers flying from tree to tree, there were two birds but the only one showing itself was a Downy Woodpecker. Then
the call, "There it is!" and a Red-cockaded swept out and perched prominently on a dead snag just off the road for all to see. There was
celebration throughout, and after all was over. Austin took full credit for all stating the he was the good luck charm.

We spent the next 2 hours assisting a couple who lost their serpentine belt on Airport Grade (AAA to the rescue!) and then made brief stops at
the Aqui Esta ponds and Ponce DeLeon park. Aqui Esta was not loaded up yet as it was too early for the evening roost crowd, but it was nice
to see the Ruddy Ducks. They were in near full breeding plumage with ruddy backs, prominent white cheek patches, and sleek dark caps.
The Burrowing Owls near Ponce DeLeon were absent from their tall grass home on the left side of the road. I was looking so intently for them
there that I didn't notice their new burrow until I'd turned around and were driving back out. They have dug a new burrow in the short grass
area just across the street. They are much easier to see now, but I'm concerned that their new location is only about 8' from the road and
without markers I'm afraid they aren't mower proof here either.

All in all, I recorded 68 species at Webb, and 85 species overall. Jeff Bouton, Port Charlotte, FL [email protected]
 Non-profit organization
Peace River Audubon Society U.S. Postage Paid
PO Box 510760 Punta Gorda, FL 33951
Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760 Permit No. 100

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Here are some events and dates that you may want:

Big 'O' Birding Festival: Lake Okeechobee: www.glsadescountyedc.com

When you are finished with this Newsletter, please give it to a friend, leave it in
April 11-13 a doctor's office or on a table where you work. It could help us grow our
Welcome Back Songbirds Festival: Merrit Island NWR Chapter.
www.floridaconservation.org/festivals/ April 26
Welcome Back Songbirds Festival: Chinseguut Nature Center, Brooksville AUDUBON MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
www.floridaconservation.org/festivals/ April 26
Wakulla Birding and Wildlife Festival: Wakulla Springs: Name _________________________________________
www.floridaconservation.org/festivals/ April 26-27
Address _______________________________________

2003 Audubon Calendar City, State, Zip ___________________________________

4/19 Field Trip - Stump Pass State Park, Leader TBA Phone (optional) (_____) __________________________
4/24 Banquet/Silent Auction, Victoria Estates w/Clyde Butcher,
Artist, Photographer - Kathi Radar-Gibson 941-475-0329 Please enroll me as a National Audubon Society and Peace River
Audubon Society member. I will receive Audubon and The Florida
Meeting site: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2565 Tamiami Trail, Pt Charlotte.
Naturalist magazines plus the Peace River White Bird newsletter.
One year - $20 Two years - $35
Send this completed application with your check to:
PRAS website: www.audubon.org
The National Audubon Society
Then, link to our Chapter website
Membership Data Center
P.O. Box 51003 E14
Boulder, CO 80323-1003 7XCH
Peace River Audubon Society:
OR...
Please enroll me for a 1-year White Bird subscription.
President: Cathy Olson................... 613-6753
Vice President: Kathi Rader-Gibson..... 474-3065 Please mail this application with your $10 check to:
Secretary: Peggy Kampert............ 235-3160 Peace River Audubon Society, PO Box 510760,
Treasurer: Larry Linn...................... 637-8160 Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760.
Other Directors: John Aspiolea, Betty Coombs,
Chuck Froman, Joan Froman, Dennis The following information must now appear on all solicitation requests: “The
Peace River Audubon Society is a 501 ( c )(3) non-profit organization. Our
Hungerford, Federal tax ID number is 59-2190872. We do not engage a professional
Joy Linn, Cyndi Marks, George Marks solicitor and 100% of the funds generated by this request will be used to
Editor: Joy Linn 637-8160 [email protected] support our Chapter programs. Our registration number with the FDA Division
WELCOME TO THIS AUDUBON FUNCTION WELCOME TO THIS AUDUBON FUNCTION
PLEASE JOIN OUR PEACE RIVER CHAPTER PLEASE JOIN OUR PEACE RIVER CHAPTER
(AND/OR PLEASE ENCOURAGE A FRIEND TO JOIN) (AND/OR PLEASE ENCOURAGE A FRIEND TO JOIN)

Audubon Membership Application Audubon Membership Application

A... Please enroll me as a National Audubon Society and A... Please enroll me as a National Audubon Society and
Peace River Audubon Society member—I will receive Peace River Audubon Society member—I will receive
Audubon and The Florida Naturalist magazines plus the Audubon and The Florida Naturalist magazines plus the
Peace River White Bird newsletter Peace River White Bird newsletter

Name: _________________________________________ Name: _________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________ Address: _______________________________________

City, State, Zip __________________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________

Phone (____) ___________ Email: _________________ Phone (____) ___________ Email: _________________

One year - $20 Two years - $35 One year - $20 Two years - $35
Then, send the above application with your check to: Then, send the above application with your check to:
The National Audubon Society The National Audubon Society
Membership Data Center E14-7XCH Membership Data Center E14-7XCH
P.O. Box 51003 P.O. Box 51003
Boulder, CO 80323-1003 Boulder, CO 80323-1003

OR B.... OR B....
Please enroll me as a Please enroll me as a
One-year White Bird subscripter ONLY for $10 One-year White Bird subscripter ONLY for $10
Then, send the above $10 application to: Then, send the above $10 application to:
Peace River Audubon Society, PO Box 510760, Peace River Audubon Society, PO Box 510760,
Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760. Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760.

WELCOME TO THIS AUDUBON FUNCTION WELCOME TO THIS AUDUBON FUNCTION

PLEASE JOIN OUR PEACE RIVER CHAPTER PLEASE JOIN OUR PEACE RIVER CHAPTER
(AND/OR PLEASE ENCOURAGE A FRIEND TO JOIN) (AND/OR PLEASE ENCOURAGE A FRIEND TO JOIN)

Audubon Membership Application Audubon Membership Application

A... Please enroll me as a National Audubon Society and A... Please enroll me as a National Audubon Society and
Peace River Audubon Society member—I will receive Peace River Audubon Society member—I will receive
Audubon and The Florida Naturalist magazines plus the Audubon and The Florida Naturalist magazines plus the
Peace River White Bird newsletter Peace River White Bird newsletter

Name: _________________________________________ Name: _________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________ Address: _______________________________________

City, State, Zip __________________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________

Phone (____) ___________ Email: _________________ Phone (____) ___________ Email: _________________

One year - $20 Two years - $35 One year - $20 Two years - $35
Then, send the above application with your check to: Then, send the above application with your check to:
The National Audubon Society The National Audubon Society
Membership Data Center E14-7XCH Membership Data Center E14-7XCH
P.O. Box 51003 P.O. Box 51003
Boulder, CO 80323-1003 Boulder, CO 80323-1003

OR B.... OR B....
Please enroll me as a Please enroll me as a
One-year White Bird subscripter ONLY for $10 One-year White Bird subscripter ONLY for $10
Then, send the above $10 application to: Then, send the above $10 application to:
Peace River Audubon Society, PO Box 510760, Peace River Audubon Society, PO Box 510760,
Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760. Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760.