The Limpkin Times

Apalachee Audubon Society Mission Statement:
Protecting the rich biodiversity of the Florida panhandle through education, appreciation, and conservation.

April 2022

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Carolina Chickadee Eggs, photo by Kathleen Carr 

In this Issue:

Chapter Program on Zoom
Chapter Field Trip (No April birding social)
Avian Influenza in North Florida 
Chapter Programs
Male Eastern Bluebird feeding its chick

Oaks, Inchworms, and Birds: with Dr. Bob Cooper
Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7 PM
This program is being presented online. 
Zoom Registration link: https://bit.ly/3Ii0MBU

 
This talk will explore the relationship between trees, insects and birds, exploring the ecology and threats to insectivorous forest birds.

Recently, a report in the journal Science estimated that there are approximately 3 billion fewer birds in North America than there were 50 years ago. A closer look at the data suggests that declines were largest among birds that are insectivorous at least during the breeding season. Alarming reports of drastic declines in insect populations also were published, although mostly from Europe, suggesting an additional link not mentioned in the Science article. Bob will talk about his research on bird-insect interactions that he and his students have conducted over a 30-plus year career.  For more information about this talk and our speaker, visit the program webpage.

 
A recording will be available on the AAS YouTube Channel a day or two after the program.
Upcoming Programs
 
 
Sunday, May 15: Potluck Picnic at Tall Timbers: Firebirds and the History of the Stoddard Bird Program with Jim Cox

Chapter Field Trip
Live Oak along a trail at Elinor Klapp-Phipps park

Spring Migration Field Trip to Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park 
Sunday, April 24, 8:00 - 10:30 AM EDT
Address: 4000 N Meridian Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32312
NOTE: Our field trips are usually on the third Sunday of the month, but in April that falls on Easter Day, so it will take place on the 24th instead.

Description: The warmer weather brings along spring migrants. We'll bird one of the best migratory hotspots in the county to search visually and aurally for vibrant warblers, vireos, and thrushes. We'll also appreciate our feathered friends who are already well into breeding season and those that will be starting toward the end of spring. Meet in the trailhead parking for Millers Landing by the soccer/athletic complex at 8:00 AM EDT. Field trip leader TBD.
 
 
Avian Influenza in North Florida
Lesser Scaup Ducks like these appear to be highly susceptible to HPAI. Photo by Andy Wraithmell, FWC 

If you are not already aware, on March 21, St. Francis Wildlife issued an announcement that they temporarily would not be accepting any birds to their facility because of an outbreak of a highly contagious and untreatable strain of bird flu in Florida, including Leon County.

If you have bird feeders in your yard, be aware that you should be extra diligent in handling and cleaning them. While there’s no apparent spread to humans, keeping your feeders clean will help reduce the spread of the virus amongst birds. 



Press Release: March 21, 2022


Subject: Because of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), St. Francis Wildlife Is Temporarily not Accepting Injured, Orphaned or Sick Birds.


HPAI has just been confirmed in an injured Lesser Scaup duck that was found in Tallahassee and brought to St. Francis Wildlife’s wildlife hospital in Quincy, Florida.


During the last two months, confirmed and presumptive cases of HPAI have recently been documented along the East Coast of Florida from Palm Beach County to Duval County and on the West Coast in Charlotte County. Infected birds have been aquatic species (ducks, gulls, herons, terns and pelicans), raptors (great horned owls and bald eagles) and scavengers (vultures). Birds on their northern spring migration may have carried the virus into our area.

Some infected birds may be asymptomatic while others appear lethargic or show neurologic symptoms such as circling, tremors and seizures. Often birds are found dead with no signs of trauma or other causes.

Because HPAI is highly contagious and untreatable, St Francis Wildlife and our two Tallahassee veterinary partners, Northwood and Allied Veterinary Hospitals, are temporarily not accepting any wild birds.

If you find a bird in need of assistance, call FWC Dispatch: 850-245-7716 or FWC 24 Hour hotline: 888-404-3922. To prevent the spread of HPAI, do not handle a sick or dead bird, keep pets away and report it to FWC immediately so it can be tested for HPAI: https://app.myfwc.com/FWRI/AvianMortality/
Apalachee Audubon Society A North Florida Chapter of the National Audubon Society