President's Message
Three storms in less than 3 months. What more can be said? We continue to hold in our thoughts those who are recovering especially from Helene and Milton. Venice recorded Milton’s highest wind gust of 107 mph, with 106 mph recorded on Anna Maria Island and, while thankfully the maximum predicted storm surge didn’t materialize, seawater incursions, flooding, and wind damage still took a devastating toll as experienced by many people in our area.
The Venice Audubon Center faired pretty well. Last year’s investment in new doors for the rear and side of the building along new air conditioners and an electrical panel certainly paid off. There’s some roof and soffit damage particularly to the portico at the front of the building. We’re grateful to Sarasota County General Services personnel for surveying the condition of the building after both Helene and Milton.
The Board of Directors authorized donations of $500 each to The Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida (Venice), Save our Seabirds (Sarasota), and Peace River Wildlife Center (Punta Gorda) to help with some of their immediate needs as they continue to care for wildlife after the hurricanes. All three of these organizations, as well as others throughout the region, respond to a tremendous number of calls and intakes particularly after major weather events.
Thank you to the more than 25 volunteers who came with tools in hand on Saturday, October 19th to clear tree and mobile home debris from around the Center, the park and the rookery pond. They did a great job! And thank you, too, for your patience as we adjusted our activities in October. Please continue to keep a close eye on the calendar because conditions at parks, preserves, and reserves may continue to impact our field trip schedule.
With a few weeks of “official” hurricane season still left, let’s hope Mother Nature reads the calendar accurately and turns off the storm machines by November 30th! We look forward to kicking off our activities in earnest this month. Check our website calendar for all the details.
- Jean Pichler, President |
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Welcome, National Audubon and Audubon Florida Members!
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National Audubon memberships primarily support the programs and initiatives of National Audubon. As an added “perk”, members of National Audubon who live within Venice Area Audubon Society’s area automatically become full members of our chapter. If you join Audubon Florida, your membership includes membership in National Audubon and also your local chapter. Our chapter receives about $3 of your annual national membership fee from National Audubon. Any additional support to Audubon Florida or National Audubon provides funding for their many worthy state, national and international efforts.
If you choose to also join Venice Area Audubon Society, your chapter membership fee provides financial support for our organization's many activities, including our award-winning youth education programs. No matter which memberships you hold, know we're grateful for your support for conservation and education.
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Below is an updated list of VAAS field trips for November. The field trip at Lemon Bay Park has been cancelled due to extensive hurricane damage at the park. As always, please see the listing in the calendar on the VeniceAudubon.org website for current field trip details and changes.
Celery Fields – Friday, November 1
Wildflower Preserve - Monday, November 11
Manasota Scrub Preserve – Saturday, November 16
Family Birding - SCF Venice - Saturday, November 16
Myakkahatchee Creek Boardwalk - November 21
Please consult the Calendar on our website for timing, possible changes and other details. Also, bird walks may be cancelled due to inclement weather and additional bird walks may be added which are not mentioned above.
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Developing Targeted Bird Lists
MONTHLY PROGRAM NIGHT |
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What birds are here and where can I find them? Mike Weisensee is one of Sarasota County's top birders so get ready to bust out those smart-phones and take your birding to the next level! With Mike's help, attendees will learn how to develop lists of “likely” birds in any area of the world, at any time of year AND find out the best places to find those target birds.
November 19, 2024
6:00 pm refreshments
6:30 pm program Venice United Church of Christ, Naar Hall
620 Shamrock Blvd, Venice
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Volunteers Needed
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Our annual and largest citizen science project, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), offers small groups of folks of all birding experience levels the opportunity to count birds in designated areas throughout the Venice-Englewood area. This year’s count takes place on Sunday, December 15th. Please sign up by November 30th. We’re also looking for a couple of new area leaders this year. Responsibilities include providing information to count volunteers, assigning new volunteers to count groups in your area, collecting count data, and passing the area tally on to our CBC organizers to finalize. Birding expertise is not needed. Please contact Bob Clark at rlwclark@gmail.com if you’re interested or have questions about being an area leader or to help with the December 15th count.
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Wellen Park Communities Access If you live in or have a contact in any Wellen Park gated communities, we need help to access neighborhoods for the annual Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 15. You do not need to be a count volunteer. Please contact CBC Coordinator Bob Clark for details or questions: rlwclark@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your help! |
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Because of millions of years of evolution, birds have developed severe weather strategies that serve them well overall. Different species, time of year, and location can each influence how birds respond to weather events and how successful they may be in avoiding disasters. Florida’s year-round birds as well as those in migration over land and water can all be impacted by tropical storms and hurricanes. |
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VAAS instructors prepared for 2nd Grade program
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Our VAAS educators are prepped and ready for this year’s 2nd Grade Birdwatchers Program at local south Sarasota County schools. Instructional materials and resources have been organized and updated and the instructors are eager to meet teachers and students at each of their school sites. Scheduling school field trips to the rookery in early 2025 is also in progress.
Last year we had a terrific group of field trip volunteers assisting students with hands-on learning activities, viewing the nesting birds with binoculars and spotting scopes, and escorting student groups on guided walks around the pond. It’s a very rewarding experience to be among enthusiastic, eager youngsters to help them learn about, experience, and appreciate the environment around us.
New field trip volunteers are welcome for 2025! Field trips take place during school day mornings begin in late January. Training meetings will begin in early January for new volunteers (optional as a refresher for returning volunteers). If you’d like to get involved as a new volunteer, please let us know at info@veniceaudubon.org. Veteran volunteers, you’ll be hearing from us soon.
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Tricolored Heron
BIRD OF THE MONTH BY MARGARET VIENS
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Tricolored Heron in breeding plumage by Margaret Viens
The Tricolored Heron is a medium-sized wading bird that is slightly larger than a Snowy Egret. It is often confused with the Little Blue Heron or the Reddish Egret, but it is the only heron with a white streaked neck and a pure white lower belly and underwings. Its slate blue-gray body, reddish-purple plumes on the lower neck, and white belly give it its name, but it was at one time known as the Louisianna Heron. In breeding plumage, it is even more colorful, when it has two small white plumes on its head, brown plumes on its lower back, and its dagger-like bill changes from yellow to a bright, almost iridescent blue with a dark tip. In addition, its legs and feet change from yellow to a pinkish hue.
The Tricolored Heron can be found in coastal waters, swamps, ponds and marshes foraging for minnows and other small fish. At times they can be very patient, but are often observed moving faster with their wings spread to create shadows and stir up their prey.
Tricolored Herons build nests of sticks and twigs in rookeries with other herons, egrets, anhingas and cormorants who frequent similar habitats. |
Photo and Information submitted by Margaret Viens.
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