A large colony of Least Terns have nested, for the first known time, on Pompano Beach. Stewards are needed to help protect this seabird, listed as Threatened in Florida. Photo: Maria Pankin
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Attention Beachgoers!
As we’re having fun in the summer sun, it’s also easy to respectfully share the sand with the shorebirds who nest in our area at this time of year — specifically, the Wilson’s Plover, Least Tern and Black Skimmer. Helping these beach denizens safely hatch and raise their chicks is deeply meaningful, and a captivating teaching opportunity for kids.
Shorebird Stewards Needed Now!
A large colony of Least Terns have nested for the first time since records have been kept, on Pompano Beach, possibly because of less human disturbances during the site's recent closures for beach re-nourishment. The Least Tern is listed as Threatened in Florida and is a federally protected seabird. Stewards are needed immediately to help protect these birds and their tiny chicks, and to better educate the public. All hours available. To volunteer, please call Ann Wiley at 954.805.3355 (if calling June 1-10, contact Chris Folks instead at 240.988.8604).
Tips to help Shorebirds Survive & Thrive!
• Give nesting birds plenty of space. (Signs or volunteers usually alert us to nesting areas).
• Where pets are permitted on beaches, keep them leashed, well away from birds and off dunes.
• Remove trash and food scraps, which attract foraging animals and potential predators.
• Stay on marked pathways, and do not traverse beach dunes or other nesting areas.
Scheduling Update: Regularly scheduled birding field trips will resume in mid-August. Our Doc Thomas House headquarters remains closed to the public.
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Dine-in or Take-out @Whisk Gourmet
Tuesday, June 8, 5-9pm
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Make a dinner date at Whisk Gourmet and, in turn, Whisk will feather the proverbial Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) nest with 10 percent of its dinner revenues. The local bastion of Southern-accented American Comfort Food offers Take-out, Curbside-pick-up or two Dining options: indoor seating at 50% capacity or outdoor socially distanced covered seating.
No matter how you dine, you’ll enjoy Chef Carlos Montenegro’s bright, boldly flavored seasonal cuisine. House favorites include Roasted Cauliflower with Walnut Pesto, Shrimp ‘n’ Grits and Buttermilk Fried Chicken.
Our near-neighbor has been a generous conservation ally, helping TAS protect the places South Floridians cherish — Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay and The Everglades — every summer since 2011, despite hurricanes, restaurant ownership changes and even a global pandemic.
Masks are required to enter the Whisk Gourmet dining room, but are not required for outdoor seating. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED for all on-site dining.
Save the Dates: July 13 and August 10 for two more opportunities to Dine Out for the Birds!
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NATIVE PLANT SALE @TAS
Nurture & Shelter Birds, Bees & Butterflies!
Saturday, June 12, 9am-5pm
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A Gray Catbird perches in native American Beautyberry bush. Photo: Will Stuart
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Just in time for rainy season, we are delighted to announce the return of our organization’s annual Native Plant Sale! Help us celebrate our first LIVE event in 15 months; resolve to spruce up your native plantings; and pick up your FREE South Florida guide to “Bird-friendly Gardening” because summer's the ideal time to dig in!
The native plants on offer will help attract and support wildlife, and will transform your yard, patio or balcony into a thriving, low-maintenance habitat. While you’re on campus, visit our Bird-friendly Demonstration Garden and get cultivation tips from our resident Master Gardeners; explore our Pine Rockland and Hardwood Hammock Demonstration Forests for added inspiration.
BONUS Buys: Limited quantities of wild “Tropical Honey” produced in our on-campus beehives and harvested/bottled by TAS board member Kirsten Hines and books for admiring/inspiring: Gardens of Miami and Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens.
FREE Walks & Talks: Birding for Beginners, 9 a.m. | Planting for Pollinators, 10 a.m.
Masks are required, and shoppers are also asked to observe established social distancing protocols.
CASH or CHECKS are preferred!
Limited onsite parking via our 55th Avenue Auto Gate.
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Miami Herald Editorial Board:
“The 836 extension is a boondoggle. DeSantis, Cabinet should reject it and save Florida’s Everglades”
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Roseate Spoonbills and other wading birds rely upon Everglades wetlands habitat for their survival.
Photo: Charles Wait
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The Editorial Board cited Tropical Audubon’s lawsuit against the project and Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk’s March 30 ruling against the toll road project, which would breach Miami-Dade County’s Urban Development Boundary and intrude into the Everglades wetlands.
The proposed SR-836 extension could go before the Florida Cabinet on June 15. The Cabinet, chaired by Governor Ron DeSantis, will decide whether to uphold the judge’s opinion.
The Miami Herald Editorial Board stated: “It’s only fitting that Gov. Ron DeSantis, who campaigned on preserving the Everglades, should say No to a road that would incentivize more development abutting the River of Grass. He should follow the lead of Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who opposes the project because of its impact on restoration efforts.”
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Cape Florida Banding Station
Spring Migration Wrap-Up
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Male Blackpoll Warbler. Photo: Miriam Avello |
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The Cape Florida Banding Station (CFBS) wrapped up its 2021 Spring Migration season on May 16 with a total of 964 birds of 33 species banded. Of the total, 25 of the birds were banded in other seasons and were encountered in 2021 either because they are residents (Northern Cardinals) or wintering individuals who are using the restored habitat at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (at the southern tip of Key Biscayne) year after year. The oldest of these was an Ovenbird who has been returning to spend the winter since 2012!
Since last year, CFBS has been operating under the TAS Programs umbrella. Station co-founder and operator Michelle Davis reported that the number of banded birds for the spring season was lower than two previous spring seasons at the station, despite the biggest fruit crop that the station has witnessed in many years from the native trees and shrubs at Bill Baggs. Much of the fruit fell to the ground uneaten.
Michelle believes that the lower number of migrating birds this Spring may be connected to the season's wind patterns. With clear skies and a tailwind pushing them North, she says it's likely that fewer birds landed in the area to rest and refuel.
Learn more:
Every Spring and Fall, millions of songbirds stop at Bill Baggs to refuel as they fly north or south along the Atlantic Flyway, heading for North American summering habitats or southern wintering destinations in the Caribbean and South America. CFBS volunteer community scientists have been banding these neotropical migrants during their Fall Migration since 2002, from mid-August through the first week of November.
Michelle Davis, who co-founded and operates the station, posts weekly reports on migration activity.
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Bird-friendly Gardening Day
Saturday, June 19, 9am-Noon
RSVP Required
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A volunteer digs in during a Bird-friendly Gardening Day. |
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Do you enjoy digging in the garden, learning about native plants that attract birds and other pollinators, or weeding invasives? Please join us on the third Saturday morning of every month to take an active role in maintaining our Bird-Friendly Demonstration Garden at our Steinberg Nature Center campus! You'll get hands-on experience creating wildlife habitat under the guidance of our resident Master Gardeners. The knowledge and skills you gain will enable you to establish a bird-friendly garden in your own yard, patio or balcony.
Interested volunteers MUST RSVP to Amy at [email protected] because group size is limited! Please note that volunteers will be required to adhere to our gathering guidelines.
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Go Solar!
Join a Solar Co-op Information Session Near You
Wednesday, June 16, 6pm
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We’re teaming up with nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to bring you the Miami-Dade County Solar Co-op — a free group to help you go solar. The co-op makes it easier to save money on the purchase of solar panels, while building a community of local solar supporters. Attend an information session on Wednesday, June 16, 6pm, to learn more about how the Miami-Dade Solar Co-op is streamlining the going solar process, and is earning a discount through bulk purchase power. Join the Miami-Dade County Solar Co-op for free.
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NEW DATES!
Bird the Ruins of Mexico's Yucatán
January 20-30, 2022
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The Mexican Sheartail is one of the many colorful species you may spot on this trip. Photo: Alexander Dzib
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Pack your binoculars and embark on an intense, 11-day, 10-night birding adventure to the environmentally diverse Yucatán Peninsula. Led by TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza, and a local guide, you’ll witness native birds soar above the breathtaking Hochob, Becán, Chacchoben and Uxmal ruins, as well as other archaeological sites of interest on this extraordinary journey through the Mayan world. Note: The new date is January 20-30, 2022. To view a detailed itinerary, click here. Email Brian Rapoza, TAS Field Trip Coordinator for additional information.
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The Birds Thank ... The Batchelor Foundation for partially funding the Cape Florida Banding Station (CFBS), which operates under the TAS Programs umbrella. CFBS is located in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, where millions of songbirds stop to refuel every Spring and Fall as they fly north or south along the Atlantic Flyway. CFBS volunteer community scientists have been banding these neotropical migrants since 2002.
The Foundation’s support helps the station enhance its scientific work and community outreach. (See above CFBS Spring Migration Wrap-Up report.)
The Batchelor Foundation is a Florida private foundation focused on grant making to support children, animals and the natural environment in South Florida.
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