For each of the five years, volunteers will be asked to survey the species of birds breeding in their given area. This data is used in ornithological research by bird conservation organizations and researchers. The state is divided into quadrants and each quadrant is divided into six 11 square mile blocks. Martin County has 11 quadrants. A volunteer county coordinator will assign quadrants to quadrant coordinators and these coordinators will recruit volunteers to survey for nesting birds during breeding season. The emphasis over the five years will be on the South East block in each quadrant. This survey monitors the species which are breeding. It does not require counting the number of birds breeding in any given area.

Audubon of Martin County would like to participate in this all volunteer survey and needs your help.

We require volunteers at all levels from county coordinator to field surveyors. Training and field guide books will be offered to all participants. As the breeding season for most Martin County birds is from February/March through June and many of our prospective field surveyors are winter residents only, we would like to partner winter and permanent residents to make sure the full breeding season is covered. If you are interested in participating in this important citizen science project, please contact Fran Stewart at vice-president@audubonmartincounty.org . We will be organizing and holding training sessions in the late fall in preparation for the surveys starting in early 2012.

Please see www.fosbirds.org/bba2news for further information or call Audubon of Martin County at 772 288-2637.

Pam Hopkins, PhD, Audubon of Martin County Managing Director and Director of the chapter’s Possum Long Nature Center, has announced her resignation. Pam joined Audubon of Martin County in 2006, after returning from the UK, where she did biochemical research at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. In 2008 she assumed the newly created position of Managing Director. In addition, Pam coordinated Audubon of Martin County’s Sandhill Crane and Florida Scrub Jay Watch programs. She’s also a member of the Southeast Florida Scrub Ecosystem Working Group. Her resignation follows the Board of Directors May 16 decision to suspend contracts for her and Executive Director Greg Braun.

As director of the nature center, Pam oversaw the efforts of many volunteers, clearing non-native plants and replacing them with natives. For the last three years, Pam guided volunteers every Wednesday afternoon, year-round. Pam was also responsible for plant selection and propagation, planning and budgeting, and working with local Eagle Scout candidates on projects to enhance the center, including a large shade house, outdoor classroom, trellises leading into the butterfly garden and a bird blind overlooking the restored wetland. Pam recalls, “working to improve Possum Long Nature Center was exciting, but my fondest memories are of the dedicated volunteers whose commitment and good humor made even the heaviest work enjoyable.”

Pam will continue working as a Research Associate at the Florida Oceanographic Study Center, in oyster-reef and land-based habitat restoration. She plans to use her extensive science background to pursue a new business opportunity, Eco-sistant, doing ecological field studies, sample analysis, data processing and science writing.

A.G.’s Pond has produced its first set of ducklings. May 10th a mother Mottled Duck and seven hatchlings were seen resting on one of the drought-inspired islets in the pond. Since then they have also been seen in Lake Clare. Mottled Ducks’ breeding range naturally falls just south of the more aggressive Mallard. The purity of the Mottleds’ gene pool is threatened by interbreeding with Mallard Ducks that have been introduced to Florida as ornamentals.

Last Thursday no fewer than three Black Racers were observed racing from the Hammock area toward the Wetlands. It’s the mating season for many reptiles and since female Racers are known to release pheromones that attract males, we no doubt have at least four at Possum Long.

It is certainly butterfly season too. Our native plants and ‘weeds’ are proving attractive to Zebra Longwings, Giant Swallowtails, Gulf Fritillaries, White Peacocks and Ceraunus Blues have all been sighted nectaring and egg-laying at Possum Long.

We have no native Butterfly Orchids at Possum Long, but if we did they would be coming into bloom about now.

At that meeting president Lisa Fiore gave board members 3 minutes each to make their comments regarding the motion.

When the question was called, there was a vote of 7 in favor of suspending and 5 against. Two proxies were held, one on each side.

Board members present were: Lisa Fiore, Fran Stewart (via Skype), Carol Newton, Debbie Clark, Bev Poppke, Dan Martinelli, Linda Wishney, Tony Chatowsky, Joan Bausch, Louise White, Curt Wood. The proxies were Bob Matheson and Soo Whiting.

Front, left to right: Kristian Yanez, 3rd place, 4th grade; Julia Andersen, 3rd place, 5th grade; Holly Atkinson, grand prize winner; Gregory De Laski, 1st place, 3rd grade; Erik Hilderman, 1st place, 5th grade; Eddy Casco, 1st place, 4th grade. Back: Linda Wishney, Education Director, Audubon of Martin County. Photo: Dean Smith.

Using science, art and originality, 454 Martin County students participated in “My Favorite Bird” Essay contest sponsored by Audubon of Martin County and chaired by Linda Wishney. The winners read their essays and received prizes and shared a pot-luck luncheon at the Awards event held Saturday May 7. Among the desserts contributed was a “Black Vulture” cake.

On Saturday, May 7, sitting under the giant Banyan tree with cool breezes and sunny skies, upwards of 60 bird-lovers attending the awards event heard Holly Atkinson, fifth grade student at Hobe Sound Elementary School, announced as the Grand Prize winner in the “My Favorite Bird” Essay contest sponsored by Audubon of Martin County. Holly read her essay on the Mourning Dove. Prizes for the Grand Prize winner were a pair of binoculars and Sibley’s Guide of Bird’s for Eastern USA.

Fifth Grade winners include- First place, Erik Hilderman (Hobe Sound Elementary); Second place, Miles Brown (Hobe Sound Elementary); Third place, Julia Andersen (Citrus Grove Elementary); Honorable Mention, Derick Bable (Hobe Sound Elementary).

Fourth Grade winners include- First place, Eddy Casco (Pinewood Elementary); Second place, Cameron Clark (Hobe Sound Elementary); Third place, Kristian Yanez (Hobe Sound Elementary); Honorable Mention, Alex Barker.

Third Grade winners, First place, Gregory DeLaski; Second place, Hannah Martin (Seawind Elementary); Jared Johnson (Hobe Sound Elementary); Honorable Mention, Tyler Slusher (Hobe Sound Elementary).

All winners in attendance also read their essays for the enjoyment of all. They received certificates of placement and birding books as prizes. All 454 students from Martin County who participated, received certificates of achievement. It was noted that 289 Hobe Sound Elementary students participated, winning 9 of the 13 prizes.

Essays were judged on their scientific accuracy, artwork (or photographs) and originality. Judges from Audubon of Martin County were also assisted by Deborah Silver, photojournalist from the Stuart News.

Linda Wishney, Education Director, stated that essay selections were difficult as there were so many good essays to pick from. Many students showed a great deal of originality in presenting their bird information.

In addition to the Essay Contest, Audubon held an osprey naming contest for their on-premises osprey pair in the wetland sanctuary. The winning names were “Bonnie and Clyde,” offered by Sue Johnson, Stuart, for which she received a “Field Guide of Florida Birds.”

Endangered Florida Scrub Jay, photographed at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Photo: Jim Kearman.

Robert Whitley, of the Whitley Development Group, Inc., claims “no one would notice” if they took 50 acres out of Jonathan Dickinson State Park to build a golf course. Their money line is that the park is too expensive to operate in today’s economy, and the golf course could help keep it open. We think the animals that inhabit those 50 acres would notice, but Mr. Whitley never considers them.

Audubon of Martin County agrees with Mr. Whitley on one point: We should consider economic conditions. As a New York Times article linked to from our Conservation Action Alerts page shows, golf is on the decline. So, too, is habitat for wildlife.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park may seem too big to worry about removing 50 acres from conservation. At least in the eyes of developers like Mr. Whitley, who speaks well for himself and his corporation. Unfortunately, wildlife cannot speak for itself; it’s up to us to speak for them. You cannot remove even one acre from conservation without permanent and irreversible damage to the life, animal and vegetable, that inhabits it.

Audubon of Martin County urges all caring citizens to contact their legislators and tell them this: We have plenty of golf courses already. What this county lacks is sufficient habitat. We can’t afford to lose another square foot. Contact information appears on our Conservation Action Alerts page.

Lisa Fiore, president of Audubon of Martin County, began the Volunteer Recognition event Thursday, April 21, by listing some of the year’s notable events. The new wetland was completed at PLNC, a bird blind installed, and the osprey are nesting (caring for chicks we found out!)

We had a full season of interesting programs and field trips. Trips included canoe/kayaking at Blue Cypress Lake, a weekend trip to the Everglades, as well as a trip to the Inlet Beach preserve with Maggy Hurchalla. Thanks to leaders Mary Starzinski and Kathy Petteruti.

We made strides in communications thanks to Joan Bausch, chair, and to Marjorie Shropshire for the newly designed newsletter and logo. We printed in-house and appreciate the efforts of the RSVP Super Stuffers and LaWayne Niedzielski, getting them folded and to the post office. The AoMC web site has been revamped thanks to Jim Kearman. We can now receive donations through Paypal and look forward to the day when membership renewal can be on-line too.

Regarding our bird conservation and monitoring: four American eagle nests at DuPuis, babies have fledged. Two new Scrub jay families have been located.

This year has seen a great leap in fund-raising. Birdathon netted over $3000. thanks to the 10 teams who took part, and a Sailfish Point cocktail party which included a Bird ID class and a boat trip brought in some big dollars.

Lisa recognized the Board of Directors who are stepping down from active Board participation: Ed Fielding, Bob Gordon, Laurie Odlum, and Mary Starzinski.

She thanked particularly Debbie Clark, Fran Stewart, Linda Wishney (for stepping into the Education committee gap), and Carol Newton (for taking on the duties of Board secretary), and Bev Poppke (for agreeing to membership and its new project).

First year recognition gifts to Ed Fisher, Dave Gresham, Jim Kearman, LaWayne Niedzielski, Kathy Petteruti, and Tom Tomlinson; (hats) Second Year recognition to Ralph Mallory, Mike Pescarelli, Jim Stewart (Navy Blue polo shirts with new AoMC logo).

Special recognition to Susan Smyth for her many years of service, from caring for Possum Long Nature Center, to her years on the Board of Directors. (Audubon print of Ibis)

Additional Recognition to Bob Gordon for his years of service as treasurer as well as his many hours of work in Land Stewardship. (A framed Audubon print of painted buntings)

Photos by Greg Braun, copyright ©2011 Audubon of Martin County, Inc.

AoMC even had a team captained by one of our young birding buddies, Anthony Perez, whose mother is Lisa Fiore, our president. Anthony was a tough task master as he made his team bird and bird and bird until they found the limpkin, marsh wren, sora, purple gallinule and least bittern.

Anthony gets ready to lead his team.

After 6 pm on Saturday, most participants met at a condominium clubhouse for a great pot luck dinner. Wonderful prizes donated by Ace Hardware, Tom Fritz, Bev Poppke and AoMC Board members were distributed for various prize categories. There was a special donation provided by Dean Smith of Dean Smith Portraits for a family portrait.

It was an unbelievably productive 2-day Birdathon as 141 species were identified and (to date) $3100 was donated or pledged to Audubon of Martin County. Download the PDF bird count list.

Greg Braun saw and photographed a Great White Heron, and took the photographs at the pot-luck supper.

Laurie Odlum spotted this juvenile Bald Eagle soaring with vultures at the Solid Waste Authority landfill.

Jim Kearman found Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers at DuPuis Wildlife Management area.

On behalf of the members of Audubon of Martin County, Inc. (Audubon of Martin County), the Board of Directors voted at their meeting on March 8, 2011 to oppose HB 1239 and SB 1846 or other initiatives which would require that 18-hole golf courses be created at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and at least one other course in each of the other regions of the Florida state park system. Our opposition was based primarily on the following aspects.

Golf courses can provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, particularly when they are situated in highly urban areas. But designing and constructing new courses in areas of high environmental sensitivity such as Jonathan Dickinson State Park will result in undesirable impacts to the very natural resources that the Florida Park Service is working diligently to protect.

Audubon of Martin County and other local conservation groups work closely with the Florida Park Service and support their efforts to:

1) maintain sustainable populations of native flora and fauna, including at least 35 state-listed and/or federally listed plant and animal species such as the Four-petal paw-paw and the Florida Scrub-jay, and:

2) to protect the federally-designated Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River.

The clearing of natural habitat and the introduction of fertilizers and pesticides would impose unnecessary impacts on an area that is managed to sustain populations of native flora and fauna. Additionally, the need for intensive irrigation that will be necessary to keep a golf course in a desirable condition in an area that is already under water restrictions would pose a substantial new demand for water in a region that already has a high degree of competition for limited water resources. Initial construction and long-term operation of a golf course will also contradict the mission of the Park Service, the cornerstone of which is to show residents and visitors “The Real Florida.”

The legislative initiatives do not indicate the size or location of the golf course and potential resort campus and additional infrastructure that would be necessary for the mandated 18-hole golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Audubon of Martin County’s knowledge of this park and long-term involvement and advocacy in support of the creation and implementation of its management plan, suggests that there is no acreage available for an endeavor of this magnitude that would not compromise the ecological integrity of this park.

Many golf courses in Florida are facing challenging times economically and Audubon of Martin County sees no reason to impact ecologically valuable habitat for the purposes of what may not be a fiscally responsible initiative. No pro forma or other supporting information has been provided to show that the proposal to put golf courses in state parks would be financially viable.

Audubon of Martin County also objects to the portions of the proposal that pre-empt the authority of the local governments to review and potentially authorize or deny such a request and demands that that the Department of Environmental Protection be restrained from implementing their charge of protecting wetlands and other surface waters.

If the goal of this initiative is jobs, Audubon of Martin County suggests that its promoters seek to establish partnerships with struggling golf courses that are present in the vicinity of state parks, and/or use the ecologically “blank slate” of abandoned citrus groves that exist within the Urban Services Boundary and/or Community Redevelopment Areas to create real win-win situations rather than creating jobs at the expense of the environment.

Greg Braun
Executive Director

Download a printable version of the paper (PDF).

OFFICERS:
President: Lisa Fiore
Vice President: Fran Stewart
Treasurer: Debbie Clark
Secretary: Carol Newton

DIRECTORS:
Joan Bausch, Greg Braun,Tony Chatowsky, Pam Hopkins, Dan Martinelli, Bob Matheson, Bev Poppke, Louise White, Susan Whiting, Linda Wishney, Curt Wood, Susan Smyth

The following are 2011-2012 standing committees and their chairs. Please contact one or more of them to volunteer your time and/or expertise as we seek to meet the mission of Audubon of Martin County.

Conservation: Tony Chatowsky
Education: Linda Wishney,
Finance: Debbie Clark
Field Trips Coordinator: Mary Starzinski
Legal: Bob Matheson
Membership: Bev Poppke
Programs: Volunteer needed
Properties: Greg Braun
Possum Long Nature Center: Pam Hopkins
Communications: Joan Bausch
Fundraising: Volunteer needed

Joan Bausch
Audubon of Martin County
Publicity-Communications Chair
772-219-8285