A New Look
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Our updated logo debuted in the September ChipNote, reflecting a more colorful background of the Rookery island and setting sun for our Great Blue Heron, the long-standing symbol of our chapter. And now our website sports a new look and new menu to engage members and visitors alike. Visit our site to learn about the chapter's history and the many conservation and education efforts our members are involved in. Become a member or renew your membership, make a donation for our general needs or for our youth education programs, and read past copies of ChipNote. Check the News for timely posts on upcoming events and visit the Calendar for field trips and other activities. We hope you find the website to be a useful tool to stay informed and active with Venice Area AudubonSociety throughout the year. |
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Human Impacts Challenge Bird MigrationRoy Musick, VAAS Co-President |
Billions of birds flew South this past month. Most will return, hopefully. The journeys are getting more challenging as humans alter habitats, and climate changes are making foraging more difficult. Plants are changing their time of blossoming and seeding. The Anthropocene era is ours and it is past time to worry about what we Homo sapiens have done and continue doing to our eco-systems. |
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Fall Field Trips
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Welcome back! We are all looking forward to going on field trips/bird walks again. There is a full slate of field trips scheduled for October.
Please consult the Field Trip page on our website for additional details. There are sometimes changes in trip timing or additional trips may be added. Most local field trips will take about 2 to 3 hours. Please wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and use sunscreen. Field trips are free, unless there is an entrance fee such as at state parks. However, donations are gratefully accepted. |
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Christmas Bird Count
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The Venice-Englewood Circle of the nationwide Christmas Bird Count is now scheduled for Sunday, December 17th. It is a long-time Venice Area Audubon tradition that involves about 100 volunteers each year and provides much-needed data on bird populations in Audubon’s largest citizen science program, now in its 124th year. |
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Plants for BirdsCoontie Plant
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Have you noticed the bright rusty-red cones that are popping up around the Rookery pond? In the fall, coontie plants (Zamia integrifolia) form seed cones that are a food source for blue jays, mockingbirds, grackles, and other large birds. Learn more |
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Kristin Hoffschmidt will be spotlighting a native or Florida-friendly plant every month.
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VAAS is Growing!
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We are happy to report that 23 people have become new members since May 2023. We want to thank those of you that have joined and we also thank those who have renewed! Our 2023-2024 season is beginning on a positive note and we appreciate all of your support! 2023-2024 is going to be a great year!
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From the Archives
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Venice Area Audubon Society's first newsletter debuted in September 1972 without a name. The newsletter announced that members would receive it quarterly and that "it does not have a name yet. There will be a contest, so get your thinking caps on. There will be a prize given for the best title." In the second newsletter, dated December 1972, the announcement was made. "Wings and Things" was chosen by members at the November meeting and had been submitted by Mr. Lionel Mann. Wings and Things remained the name of the Venice Area Audubon Society newsletter for many years until... More on that next month! |
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Registration for Audubon Florida's Assembly is still open! This year's conference is scheduled for October 26-28, 2023 at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel. For details and registration, click here. |
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The 2023 North Shore Birding Festival takes place November 30-December 3, 2023. Keep up on plans for field trips and program information at the Festival website. |
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Birders Delights
Share with us an interesting bird sighting! Whether in your backyard, at the beach, while on vacation or wandering through a park, let us know what caught your eye as an unexpected bird encounter or something that brought you a moment of delight. Send us an email and include the species, a general location (state, county, park, etc.) and what made this a notable sighting for you. We're working on a list for an upcoming ChipNote. |
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This message was sent to you by the Venice Area Audubon Society.
veniceaudubon.org / PO Box 1381 Venice, FL 34284 / 941-496-8984
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