Program and Field Trip Calendars
Program Meetings, 2011-2012 Season
Thursday, November 10, 2011. Genevieve Dumonceaux, DVM, Palm Beach Zoo.
Topic: "Avian Anatomy"
Dr. Dumonceaux, clinical veterinarian of the Palm Beach Zoo, has kindly offered to speak to us on the topic of Avian Anatomy, in advance of AoMC's November 12th field trip to the Avian exhibits and Animal Hospital at the Palm Beach Zoo. Dr. Dumonceaux (Dr. G) was a resident in zoological medicine at the University of California Davis. After a brief time at the El Paso Zoo in Texas as a contract veterinarian she was hired as an associate veterinarian for Busch Gardens and Sea World entertainment parks. After 13 years at the corporation, Dr. G left to pursue interests in aquatic medicine and became the veterinarian at the Florida Aquarium. Her desire for more clinical work and her love of zoos led her to her current role as veterinarian for the Palm Beach Zoo. Dr. G has many publications and professional presentations to her name. She has also traveled globally for research and conservation opportunities. Dr. G has provided consultation services for several zoos around the world and most recently advised the Central Zoo in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Thursday, December 8, 2011. Sam Fried, birding expert and worldwide birding tour leader.
Topic: "Birding in Kansas, Unbelievable"
Over 50% of shorebirds breeding in North America stop in migration for refueling at the vast marshlands that comprise Cheyenne Bottoms State Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Incredibly massive concentrations of about 25 species of shorebirds occur here, flying in shimmering clouds, blanketing ponds and mudflats, feeding voraciously as they put on fat to continue their lengthy journey to Arctic breeding grounds. Sam, Past President of Hartford Audubon Society, has had hundreds of photographs and over 40 feature articles published in field guides, books and magazines, including National Audubon, Birder's Word, Bird Watcher's Digest, Birding and Living Bird Quarterly magazines. Sam, also a golf and fishing writer, is co-founder of Flights of Fancy Adventures, Inc., a birding, photography, natural history and golf travel company. Sam will be leading a birding trip to Kansas in the spring of 2012. See www.flightsoffancyAdventures.com for details of the trip to Kansas and more.
Thursday, January 12, 2012. Ellie Van Os, Director of Education and Exhibits, Florida Oceanographic Society.
Topic: "Wildlife Biodiversity in the Mangroves"
The Indian River Lagoon system has lost 80% of its mangroves to development. Ellie will tell us of the myriad of animals and plants that rely on the mangrove habitat and of the importance of this critical environment to a healthy coastal water system and to humans. Don't forget to attend Ellie's guided tour of the Florida Oceanographic Society's mangroves for a firsthand view, along with a privileged tour of an Oyster farm on the FOS property, which is not open to the public.
Thursday, February 9, 2012. Michael Yustin, Environmental Lands Coordinator of Martin County.
Topic: "Restoration of the Cypress Creek tributary of the Loxahatchee River"
Interpretation of 1940 aerial photographs of the Cypress Creek tributary of the Loxahatchee River System shows a vastly different vegetative structure existed at that time than what occurs today. In 1940 the property was dominated by large open areas of wet prairie interspersed with wet flatwoods, deeper areas of depression marsh and slough, and cypress and oak dominated floodplain forest along Cypress Creek. The most obvious difference was the amount of canopy closure that has occurred, most likely due to hydrologic alterations and the lack of fire. Isolation by agricultural and residential development has resulted in a strand swamp heavily infested with exotic vegetation. Michael discusses the efforts to restore this significant ecosystem in Martin and North Palm Beach counties.
Thursday, March 8, 2012. Craig Weyandt, Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents' Association and Superintendent of The Moorings Club in Vero Beach.
Topic: "Golf Course Restoration Fore Better 'Birdies'"
Thursday, April 12, 2012. Bob Montanaro.
Topic: "Critters, Cows and Cowboys"
In preparation for our field trip to the Sexton cattle ranch our trip host, Bob Montanaro, will be discussing the operation of a working Florida cattle ranch. The historic Treasure Hammock Ranch is owned by the Sexton family in Indian River County. Bob's photographic and video presentation will document the diverse array of wildlife that live alongside the cattle. Bob is a native Floridian and grew up in Vero Beach. He holds a B.A. in History from the University of Central Florida and a M.A. in U.S. History from Florida State University. Bob is a long-time volunteer at both Pelican Island & Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuges. He has been interested in photography and wildlife, especially the Osprey, all his life. Bob maintains a website www.ospreywatch.org which displays many of his photographs. If you attended Bob's fascinating Osprey presentation last spring, you will surely not want to miss this one.
Program Meeting Location
Programs are held at the Audubon of Martin County office, 621 SE Palm Beach Road (directions). Hospitality - 11:30 a.m. Program- 12 pm (bring a bag lunch). Look for our Audubon sign. For details about programs or field trips, see The ScrubJay newsletter, or call the Audubon of Martin County office at 772-288-2637.
Download a printable program brochure (PDF)
Field Trip Schedule, 2011-2012 Season
Saturday, October 29, 2011: Kissimmee River Eco-Tours at Riverwoods Field Lab
Interested in learning about the Kissimmee River and the world's largest river restoration venture? AoMC will join Florida Atlantic University's Center for Environmental Studies (FAU) Loisa Kerwin, who will be our guide on the pontoon vessel "Kissimmee Explorer". We will receive a first-hand view of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project, a cooperative endeavor between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). But don't forget those binocs—because, as always, we're goin' birdin'. A $25 fee, in addition to our $5 fee for members, is required. This trip is limited to 30 people total, which will require two boats. Please let us know in advance if you're interested as these boats must be reserved. We will LEAVE the KOC at 8 am for an on time arrival for the 10:00 am-3:00 pm trip. Water will be provided onboard. Bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy along the river.
Contact your trip leader Wren Underwood for further details at 772-971-5611 or via email at dancingwren@bellsouth.net
Saturday, November 12, 2011: Palm Beach Zoo
Wear your walking shoes and join us for a trip to the Palm Beach Zoo, a 23 acre non-profit zoological organization located in the lush tropical habitat of Dreher Park, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Upon arrival Keith Lovett, Assistant Zoo Director and head of the animal collection, will give us a special guided tour through the zoo's avian exhibits. At 10:30 am, we will take a "behind-the-scenes" tour of the Melvin J. and Claire Levine Animal Care Complex, which opened in 2009 and is the first LEED-certified zoo hospital in the nation. At the hospital we will see how the zoo manages veterinary care for over 1700 animals. This includes 175 avian species. Note that this building is not open to the public, so we are being given a unique opportunity to get a tour of this facility. After the second tour is completed, you are free to visit the other exhibits at the zoo on your own. There is also a restaurant on the premises for those who would like to stay for lunch. Cost will be $17.50, which includes admission to the zoo and the tours. This is in addition to our $5 AoMC member fee. We will leave the KOC at 8:00 am sharp. Leader: Pat Eltz. 772-245-8564. pprich39@aol.com.
Thursday, December 15, 2011: T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area
AOMC's inaugural trip will visit the T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area near Sebastian. Similar to STA-5, this huge wetland restoration project in the upper St. Johns River basin hosts large concentrations of wintering waterfowl, raptors and other Florida snowbirds. This Thursday trip will allow us to visit both the 3,870 T.M. Goodwin Unit and the 2,400-acre Broadmoor Marsh Unit. We will meet at the Home Depot parking lot just east of exit 129 (Okeechobee Road) off of I-95 in Fort Pierce at 7:15 am, departing no later than 7:30 am. Carpooling will be arranged at the meeting place. The drive from there to the Goodwin WMA is about one hour or less. If you have a spotting scope, it will be very helpful for identifying distant birds. The leader will have a scope for community use.
We will have a picnic lunch, so please plan to bring food and drink. Bring insect repellent - a warm day can get buggy! Rest rooms are available at the marsh. Leader: Sam Fried. 860-690-8599. sam.fried@live.com.
Saturday, January 14, 2012: Florida Oceanographic Society
Join us for a boardwalk stroll through a biodiverse mangrove swamp with Ellie Van Os, Director of Education and Exhibits at Florida Oceanographic Society. We will augment our understanding of native plants and habitats while we search for migrating warblers and great horned owls in the forest. At 10:00 am we will meet Vincent Encomia, Ph.D., who will lead a tour of the private oyster farm located on the property and tell us about the oyster restoration project.
We will meet at 8:30 am at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center located on Hutchinson Island across from the Elliott Museum. FOS has graciously granted us free admission. Please park near the employee gate.
After the tours you may explore the Center's exhibits or walk the nearby Stuart Beach to check for shorebirds. Bring a snack, drink or picnic lunch if you plan to stay later. Leader: Ann Powell. 716- 481-4777. manateeharbor@yahoo.com
Thursday, February 16, 2012: Merritt Island NWR and Viera Wetlands
Ideal for birders with difficulty walking, this field trip to Merritt Island NWR and Viera Wetlands will be primarily from the vehicles. We'll leave from the KOC promptly at 6:00 am, take a break at the Titusville Burger King and then continue on to Black Point Wildlife Drive. We will spend 1-1/2 hours on Black Point drive, then split into two groups. Group one with leader George Mirka will proceed to Bio Lab Road. Group two with leader Soo Whiting will head to Peacock Pocket Loop.
After birding these areas for about 1-1/2 hours, we'll meet up at the Nature Center at 11:45 am for a rest and snack stop. From there, the groups will divide again and bird either the Bio Lab or Peacock Pocket loops. This time line covers 12:30 pm-2:00 pm. At 2:30 pm, hot, tired, sweaty and thirsty, both groups will meet at Dixie Crossroads for a late lunch/early dinner (optional).
Please let George Mirka know if you are interested in dining so he can make reservations. After eating we'll head south to Exit 191 and go west on Wickham Road (about 1-1/2) miles to Viera Wetlands. Then bird and leave at your own pace. Trip limit: 32. Contact George Mirka@ 740-816-4624 or Georgemirka6@gmail.com. Soo Whiting will be the second on-site leader.
Friday March 9-Sunday March 11, 2012: Devils Garden Bird Park, Uncle Joe's Fish Camp and Lake Okeechobee Pontoon Boat Cruise
Join us for a fabulous field trip to Clewiston and Hendry Glades County for a little bit of birding heaven. We'll plan to arrive on Friday afternoon in enough time for check-in at the Clewiston Inn (CI) and a visit to the Clewiston Museum prior to its 4:00 pm closing time.
Please make your reservations early and explain that you are from Audubon of Martin County to obtain the special room rate of $89.00/night (800-749-4466 or 863-983-8151). Our group dinner/buffet follows at 5:30 at the Clewiston Inn ($11.69/person). At 7 pm, museum curator and self-described Florida "cracker" Butch Wilson will give us a brief presentation on a local topic of interest.
On Saturday morning, we will carpool from the hotel at 7:15 am to arrive at the DGBP by 8:30 am. Our half-day experience at the Bird Park will include a boxed lunch. We should be finished there by about 1 pm. Cost with box lunch is $53.00/person.
From there, your choices will be to 1) bird some local hotspots on your own or 2) return to the CI for a little down time. We'll regroup at dusk to head out to Uncle Joe's Fish Camp for the evening fly-in. Dinner is on your own, but we are suggesting eating at the Tiki Bar at Roland and Mary Ann Martins Marina.
On Sunday morning, we'll head over to the marina for a pontoon boat excursion on Lake "O" with Captain James ($45.00/person). From there you'll be on your own to leave or bird your way back home. Leaders: Mary Starzinski and Kathy Petteruti: h: 772-221-9953; c: 772-233-2820 fieldtrips@audubonmartincounty.org
Barbara Nafpliotis will be an on-site assistant leader.
Friday, April 13, 2012: Sexton Ranch
Attention all cowgirls and cowboys. Come bird Sexton Ranch, a working Florida cattle ranch comprised of over six hundred acres located in Indian River County.
Mr. Sean Sexton and Bob Montanaro will be our hosts. We will meet them at 7:00 am on Friday, April 13, 2012. They will guide us on a two hour walking tour of the ranch for our last field trip of the season. The Sexton Ranch aka Treasure Hammock Ranch is owned by the Sexton family. It consists of woodlands, wetlands and open pastures. The diversity of the property attracts an abundance of wildlife and avian species. Owls, hawks, warblers, nighthawks, buntings, ducks, shorebirds, and shrikes are just a few of the species that can be found on the ranch.
We will leave from the Knights of Columbus at 5:30 am and carpool to the ranch. An early start will insure the best opportunity to view the wildlife. Anticipate the field trip lasting between two-three hours. Leader: Wren Underwood. 772-971-5611 dancingwren@bellsouth.net
Other activities: Sam Fried Kansas trip—April 28-May 6, 2012
Use this form to register for Audubon of Martin County field trips. The link takes you to a Google Documents page. Audubon of Martin County's privacy policy does not apply.
Here are some photos of the sites we'll be visiting on field trips this season.
Download a printable field-trip brochure (PDF)
Field Trip Meeting And Parking Location
Audubon of Martin County field trips meet at the NORTH end of the parking lot of the Knights of Columbus, located in the northeast corner of Kanner Highway (SR 76) and Cove Rd., on Gaines Ave. Times indicated on the field trip announcements are when we will leave the meeting location.
Field Trip Parking Permits
Each car that is parked during our field trip must have a Parking Permit (issued jointly by Audubon of Martin County and K of C) displayed from the rear-view mirror (interior) so it can be easily seen by the K of C folks. Permits will be issued on the day of the event. K of C was very clear - cars must be parked "way in the back" so as to not interfere with their daily activities. Each permit will be collected at the end of the day. We need to be out of their lot by 4 pm. Any cars left without the permit will be in violation of our handshake agreement - let's keep up good relations.
