President's Message
Rookery Day 2025 – what another great community event! Cool weather and lots of nesting birds were highlights for an enjoyable morning to experience and learn about Venice Area Audubon Society, our local wildlife, and the organizations that educate the public about wildlife in our area. Many thanks to all who attended Rookery Day and especially to our volunteers for making the morning special for our visitors! We’re grateful for our ongoing partnerships with Sarasota County Parks and UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, particularly at Rookery Day. Their informational displays and activities were popular with kids of all ages. Thank you as well to Florida Native Plants Nursery and Landscaping for providing an amazing array of native plants for sale, especially as so many people continue to replace and upgrade their gardens after last year’s hurricanes.
The popular Mondays @ 10 series in the Venice Audubon Center continues to enlighten residents and visitors alike with a wide variety of bird and wildlife topics. If you haven’t been able to join us yet, please check out the upcoming schedule. Presentations are about an hour long and speakers are scheduled through mid-April. Offerings are listed on our website Calendar.
Lastly, our Monthly Program Night on Tuesday, March 18th will celebrate and honor our many, many volunteers. Please plan to join us to thank the folks who make Venice Area Audubon Society and all our programs possible! It’ll be a fun evening for everyone.
- Jean Pichler |
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Raffle Winners Congratulations to the Rookery Day Raffle winners: - Arlene Ferrick - Sibley Bird Guides and VAAS logo hat
- Valeri Amundson - Family Bird Guide pack and VAAS logo hat
- Rick Cordner - Owl Box
- Melinda Schweer - Vortex Viper Binoculars and Peterson Bird Guide.
Rookery Day Photos Michael Gray-Wheeler has kindly shared his photo gallery with us. Take a look! |
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Photos by Michael Gray-Wheeler |
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Celebrate Our Volunteers
MONTHLY PROGRAM NIGHT |
Tonight we're having a party to thank and celebrate all the volunteers who give their time and enthusiasm for Venice Area Audubon Society's programs, events, and activities throughout the year. We'll also play Team JeoBIRDY! for some spirited fun and laughs, so bring your bird knowledge and good humor along, too.
This is a night for EVERYONE - volunteers and those who appreciate our volunteers! Come to celebrate, congratulate, and have fun before some of our members and friends "migrate" north until next season.
Registration is appreciated but not required.
March 18, 2025
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Venice United Church of Christ, Naar Hall
620 Shamrock Blvd, Venice |
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Worldwide, H5N1 avian influenza continues to impact wild birds as well as domestic farm flocks, cows, and other species, including humans in close contact with infected animals. We’re all aware that poultry farm flocks are suffering the impacts of infected birds, leading to egg shortages and high prices.
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April Board of Directors Election |
This year’s Venice Area Audubon Board of Directors election is open to all Venice Area Audubon members. Voting will take place at the Annual Meeting on April 15, 2025 or via online voting for those unable to attend in person. The 2025 Nominations Committee is comprised of Bob Clark, Sharon Johnson, and Jerry Markussen. Candidates are sought for Vice President and one Director position. If you’re interested in learning more or are considering candidacy, please email info@veniceaudubon.org.
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American White Pelican
BIRD OF THE MONTH BY MARGARET F. VIENS
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Photo by Margaret Viens -
Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota, FL – February |
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The American White Pelican is unmistakable! It is exceptionally large at 62” long, with a nine-foot wingspan and weighing over 16 pounds. It has black flight feathers, bright orange legs and feet, and an enormous yellow-orange bill with a large pouch which extends to hold up to three gallons of water when feeding on fish, its preferred food. It tips its bill down to drain the water out, then tips it back up again to swallow the fish. An adult can consume up to four pounds of food a day. In west-central Florida, it is a winter visitor where its preferred habitats are shallow lakes and coastal lagoons.
The white pelican breeds from Alberta, Canada south to Northern California and along the Gulf Coast in southern Texas and northern Mexico on large lakes in shallow protected water. It nests in colonies, laying one or two eggs in a low mound of mud and debris. Both parents share in incubation which lasts from 29-36 days. During breeding season, the adults get a fibrous “keel” on the upper bill. The estimated population is 180,000 birds. They have a
conservation rating of least concern.
American White Pelicans are most often seen in flocks soaring gracefully overhead, or when feeding in cooperative groups as they herd fish and crustaceans toward each other. They do not plunge dive like the more common year-round Florida resident, the Brown Pelican.
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Photo by Margaret Viens -
Celery Fields, Sarasota, FL – 01/22
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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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