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The Limpkin Times
Apalachee Audubon Society Mission Statement:
Protection of the environment through education,
appreciation and conservation.
January 2019
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Pine Grosbeak - Minnesota
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President's Message
I can't remember appreciating Florida more than I did on January 2, 2019. That was the day that I arrived back in Tallahassee after a birding trip to northern Minnesota, where temperatures plunged to a frigid -1, not including wind chill. I spent a significant amount of the trip at Sax-Zim Bog, an incredible network of wetlands and boreal forest partially protected and managed by their local friends group. I realized, then, the value of committed citizens who care about birds.You had one of the most unforgiving regions of the U.S. attracting people from all over the world who were spending money to look at birds and connect with nature there.
I envision the same for the five-county area served by Apalachee Audubon. Already, we have international visitors who come to the area to explore Apalachicola National Forest, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Torreya State Park, and many other unique places. But we can do more. We can rally together to protect more land, educate more of our residents about the value of conserving birds, and expose more people to the deep joy that birding can provide. We have unparalleled biodiversity, caring people like you and a network of special places already. Plus, we have the advantage of warm weather.
-Peter Kleinhenz
President, Apalachee Audubon
In This Issue:
AAS Funding Oportunities
Wildlife-Friendly Yard Tour - Volunteers needed
Arbor Day at Lake Elberta
Stories from the Apalachicola: An Endangered River
Florida Trail Association Event
Conservation Action
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Tallahassee, an Urban Oasis
with Andy Wraithmell, Wildlife Photographer/Videographer, FWC
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Thursday, January 17, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
King Life Science Building
319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee (see map below)
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You may be surprised to learn that Tallahassee is one of the best cities in the United States to watch birds. Florida's state capital, in terms of number of species observed, consistently ranks in the top 10 during Cornell University's annual Great Backyard Bird Count. In 2012 we ranked 7th in the nation with 148 species, true testament to the great birding opportunities our wonderful city provides to residents and visitors alike.
The habitats in and around the state capital have long been an oasis for neotropical birds. Our parks, gardens and green spaces provide critical habitat for these migratory birds to eat, drink, sleep and raise their young.
Tallahassee offers miles of canopy roads and large tracts of public green space where resident White-breasted Nuthatches and Red-headed Woodpeckers can be spotted while waiting for a traffic light to change.
In winter, many of the city’s retention ponds, like Lake Elberta on Lake Bradford Road, provide refuge for wildfowl such as Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser and Northern Shoveler.
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In spring, Koucky Park in Indianhead Acres provides food and shelter for northbound Neotropical songbirds such as Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. During the hot summer months, breeding species such as Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Great Crested Flycatcher can be enjoyed along the shaded trails at Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park. The park has miles of multi-use trails that wind through a variety of habitats where Purple Gallinules, Wood Storks and Bald Eagles are just a sample of what other species you can enjoy.
During late summer and fall, thousands of migrants stop to refuel in the city before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. They’re heading to tropical habitats in Central and South America for the winter. Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, one of the best fall birding sites in Florida, is excellent for finding many of these southbound species, including Chestnut-sided Warbler, Wood Thrush, and the rare and endangered Cerulean Warbler.
Andy Wraithmell, an avid birder and naturalist for most of his life, will be presenting a talk about the incredible journeys that many of these birds make to reach our city and the actions you can take to help conserve them for future generations. On January 17
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, Andy will be presenting at the monthly meeting of the Apalachee Audubon Society at the King Life Science Center Auditorium located at 319 Stadium Drive starting at 6:30 with refreshments and 7:00 with his talk. He has traveled to exotic destinations like South Africa, Costa Rica and the Canary Islands in pursuit of his passion for birds and maintains that Florida’s birds and wildlife place it among the foremost nature-based tourism destinations in the world.
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iNaturalist with FWC's Peter Kleinhenz - (Joint Program - Magnolia Chapter of FNPS, AAS & Hairstreak Chapter of NABA)
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Thursday, February 7, 2019
7:00 PM 8:30 PM
King Life Science Building
319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee (see map below)
iNaturalist, a website and a free app, offers unique opportunities to connect people with the outdoors while contributing valuable data. Come learn more about this app and how it can enhance your outdoor experience with Peter Kleinhenz, who oversees FWC's Florida Nature Tracker program.
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Living with Wildlife
with Sandy Beck, Education Director, St. Francis Wildlife Association
Thursday, February 21, 2019
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
King Life Science Building
319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee (see map below)
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Live, non-releasable, native raptors, reptiles and mammals will help Sandy Beck, share their stories, the unique adaptations that enable their species to survive, challenges they face, and specific actions we can take to help them. Also, learn about opportunities to get involved with St. Francis Wildlife.
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Apalachee Audubon president, Peter Kleinhenz, has embarked upon an ABA Big Year with his girlfriend. They started things off with a trip to northern Minnesota in the middle of winter. Before you label them as crazy, check out
their blog post on their new we
bsite
to see why they would choose this place at this time.
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The 11th Annual Wildlife-Friendly Yard Tour - Volunteers Needed
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It's that time of year again for the 11th Annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour sponsored by Apalachee Audubon. If you haven't done this tour before, those who have will tell you it's the best $10 you can spend for an activity here in Tallahassee. Each year we have chosen five hosts for their environmentally friendly yards and the great ideas they have come up with to attract local and migrant birds and wildlife. With this tour happening in the middle of winter, it is not the ordinary style garden tour. It's a chance to see the 'bones' of the yard and catch a glimpse of some fabulous winter birds. Winter is planting time so you can take notes then go home and start that yard project you've always wanted to do and to welcome the birds of spring to nest in your yard.
This year our event takes place on Saturday, February 16
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from 10am - 4pm. Tickets will be available, starting January 19
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at Native Nurseries (Centerville Rd.) and Wild Birds Unlimited (Thomasville Rd.) and will be available through the day of the tour. The tour takes place rain or shine. Birds are very active when it's stormy, so don't let that stop you. This is a fundraiser for the local Audubon Chapter.
Once you purchase your ticket, you will be given all the information you need for the tour. It's shaping up to be another spectacular year not to be missed!
Spread the word and bring your friends. Help us make this tour the most successful yet. We thank the hosts, both past and present, who have volunteered their yards and time, and the long list of volunteers who have helped make this event so special.
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Would you like to earn a free ticket for this year’s yard tour? All you have to do is to devote two hours at a host yard greeting visitors as an ambassador for Apalachee Audubon. No special knowledge is needed. You’ll be acquainted with the yard and our handouts at the event.
This is just to give the hosts a hand during the tour. After your shift, you can do the tour for free.
This year’s yard tour will take place on February 16 and shifts are available from 10 AM to Noon, Noon to 2 PM, and 2 to 4 PM.
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Arbor Day at Lake Elberta
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We have had a series of successful events at Lake Elberta that consisted of planting two pounds of native wildflower seed, installing a blue bird house, picking up several bags worth of trash and removing every invasive plant and tree we could find. Now, we are ready for more. The City of Tallahassee is holding their Arbor Day event at Lake Elberta Park at 9:00 A.M. on January 26. We will be planting native trees and shrubs around the lake, as well as showing off our brand new purple martin house. Please join us and help to improve Apalachee Audubon's adopted park even more!
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Stories from the Apalachicola: An Endangered River
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The Big Bend Sierra Club will be showing
Stories from the Apalachicola: An Endangered River
, a powerful film produced by Florida State University students, spotlighting a critically endangered river system near Tallahassee. The film is free.
Prior to the showing of the film, Georgia Ackerman, Executive Director of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper, will discuss some of the background in making the one-hour documentary. The film focuses on impacts of a decades-old battle over water between Florida, Georgia and Alabama and shows how competing cultures and economies, government policy, and changing ecology, have all negatively affected the lives of people living downstream in the Apalachicola River basin in North Florida.
Andy Opel, a professor in FSU’s College of Communication and Information, organized coursework for the Apalachicola River Project in spring 2017, so students in four departments could work together on an interdisciplinary effort providing valuable hands-on experience.
Students in Digital Media Production, Media and Communication Studies, English and Environmental Science and Policy partnered with Apalachicola Riverkeeper, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving and restoring the Apalachicola River, its bay and watersheds. Apalachicola Riverkeeper provided boats and kayaks so students could navigate the river to collect water and soil samples, record video and write stories about the effects of reduced water flow on the oyster industry, fishing and the delicate ecosystem.
Thursday, January 10
6:30 pm: doors open
6:45 pm – 8 pm: movie and discussion
United Church in Tallahassee, 1834 Mahan Drive
FREE
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Florida Trail Association Event - Apalachee Chapter
Volunteers and ideas needed:
WHAT: Outreach Event "May the Forest Be With You"
WHO: Sponsored by the Florida Trail Association – Apalachee Chapter
WHEN: Saturday, Feb 2, 2019 – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
(Set up starting at noon – breakdown afterwards)
WHERE: Cascades
Park at Discovery Field
Details: This event is designed to bring together individuals with all levels of outdoor experience and to showcase the multitude of recreational opportunities in our region. Apalachee Audubon hopes to promote birding, local conservation efforts, what members can do to make a difference. Other information will be shared on local paddling and hiking trails, hiking trail
maintenance, upcoming day hikes, backpacking equipment, geo-caching, bike packing, hiking with pets and children and Leave No Trace principles.
NOTE:
Vehicles/golf carts/motorized transportation is not allowed in the park. You will need to unload close to site starting at 12:00 and then park in the DOT lot adjacent to Discovery Field, rolling dolly carts to assist in bringing items into the park would be helpful.
Equipment Needed.
All participants/stations will need to provide their own tailgate size tent (if available) and tables. To protect from weather, need at least one tent/table at each station. Tents can be no larger than 900 square feet and need to be weighted down (without stakes). Gallon size jugs filled with water and tied with rope from top hanging down each tent pole (4 per tent) are suggested.
Volunteers needed to sit at the table and interact with the public.
Volunteers needed to help set up and/or break down the display for the event.
NEED A TENT to use.
Ideas for what to display and do are also welcomed.
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Conservation Action
Apalachee Audubon would like to see the Canopy Road Protection Program reinvigorated, to keep Tallahassee beautiful for people while providing habitat for birds. Please contact our city and county commissioners to let them know that you would like to see canopy road protection become a priority. City Commissioner contact info can be found
here
while county commissioner contact info can be found
here
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