INDEX

• President's column: Thank You Larry Thompson
• Member Travel: A Three-Wattled Bellbird Concert
• Net Net-ban succes
• Pesticides: In your own Backyard and Beyond
• Drawing Contest for Kids
• Project Feeder-watch
• Cap San Blas Fieldtrip Satisfies

        As long as I can remember Larry Thompson has been Audubon to me. We first met in 1987 when I was Sierra Club’s lobbyist and Larry had been there two years heading up Audubon operations over eight southeast states as regional vice president.  Ten years earlier he had joined the national staff, before then he was a local chapter leader and school teacher in North Carolina. In October he took the helm at the Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation (LEAF) as executive director, leaving Audubon after nearly a quarter century of hard work and good deeds.
    We owe much to Larry Thompson. Under his guidance Audubon membership grew in our region to 80,000 members and 80 local chapters.  That’s a lot of birding talks and outings going on every month in Florida and over the South. He spearheaded the P.O.G.O. Coalition.  The cross-state advocacy group promotes public land purchases and ameliorates mining impacts in and near the Pinhook Swamp, Osceola National Forest and Greater Okefenokee Swamp. He played a key role in resurrecting the Everglades Coalition and published the widely-read Everglades Update.  Now state and federal resources are focused as never before on protecting and restoring our unique river of grass with its endangered birds and unique critters. He wrote the Citizen’s Guide for Wetlands Protection to help activists around our state preserve these rapidly disappearing natural assets.  Mississippi also tapped Larry’s wetland knowledge and writing talents. He fostered innovative input into national forest management plans in Florida.  Now birders, bikers, hikers, hunters and other outdoor folks can access a whole lot more woods never to be clear cut or logged.

        The good news is he will stay active in our chapter, and perhaps we can tap his outstanding fund raising skills.  Audubon’s professional loss is our volunteer gain.  Take a moment to wish him well at lvthompson@earthlink.net.

        Larry Thompson, you did good and well.

Jim Crews, President
 

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   In the Monteverde cloud forest, high in the mountains of Costa Rica, the Three-wattled Bellbird favored the birdwatchers below with a concert of deep-throated bongs, bellowing twangs, and gong sounds. Soon after hearing these unusual sounds echoing through the mountains we were treated to a close-up view of this large crow-sized bird with its three long, worm-like wattles dangling from its bill. Word spread to other close by guides and tourists who rushed to the spot to share the experience.

   With our Say It In Spanish phrasebook and A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Stiles and Skutch in hand, an emergency stash of chocolates, our passports, and birding gear including long sleeved shirts and rubber boots, we boarded our three hour Miami to Costa Rica flight.  Research at the Leon County library had helped us find a tour company, Costa Rica Connection, who helped us construct an itinerary dedicated to birdwatching.  We also used A Birders Guide to Costa Rica by Keith Taylor, which had been recommended by Jim & Ellen Shelton who several years ago had spent four weeks birding in Costa Rica.  This book identifies birding locations and strategies for locating many of the 855 bird species to be found in Costa Rica.

   Birding was easy with the help of an expert birder, Leo Chavez.  Alternatively, local bird guides are available at many locations we visited.  On many mornings, after a 6:00 AM breakfast, at which hour one might notice a local villager bicycle to the hotel and shortly after see the light go on in the kitchen, we would head for a lowland rainforest or go up into the mountains.  Everywhere we went Leo would identify the orchids, bromeliads, strangler figs, and leaf-cutter ants.  He would also help us see the identifying field marks on the birds. Actually, the birds in the deep forests were detected most often by their calls while it was much easier to see the birds along the roads and at the edges of wooded areas.  At Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, there were so many different birds along the river in the Tirimbina Reserve that our necks were worn out from constant swiveling and craning.  Many places have hummingbird feeders buzzing with five or six species seemingly oblivious to the onlookers.  Among our favorite experiences were owling at dusk, counting 121 scarlet macaws as they migrated at night from the Carara Biological Reserve to the nearby mangrove swamps, and a boat trip down the Cano Negro in the Wildlife Refuge.  In addition, at La Selva Biological Station, we saw howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, anteaters, green and black poison dart frogs, and coatimundis.  Each altitude offered different species of plants, birds, and even different frogs.  Throughout our trip the weather was delightful. We would recommend a trip to Costa Rica to anyone looking for an exciting birding adventure.

Harvey and Judy Goldman
 

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   Five years ago the voters of Florida approved a measure to ban most nets from inshore state waters, passing a constitutional amendment known as the net ban. This was a controversial issue at the time, and debate continues as to whether this was the right thing to do. Commercial fishing licenses are down, and many commercial fishermen have had to turn to other professions.  However, what has the effect been on the fish that this movement was meant to protect, and just what was the problem in the first place?

   All this began with a small vegetarian fish called the mullet. Mullet are abundant in coastal waters everywhere in the state, and abundantly important. They are low on the rung of the food chain, a meal for nearly every other fish in the sea. Where there are mullet there are usually snook, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, snapper, and many other predators. Mullet had been netted in Florida for more that 100 years without upsetting the balance in the sea. But the netting intensified in the late 1970s thanks to a growing taste for mullet eggs in the Far East, where the eggs, or roe, are considered a delicacy. With the price climbing to as much as $200 per pound in Japan, the netting of roe-laden mullet increased. By targeting the egg-laden females, not only were the adult fish being killed, but the next generation was also being wiped out. This meant less food for the larger game fish that preyed on the mullet, as well. Another problem was the effectiveness of the gill nets. Not only were schools of hundreds of mullet being collected by each netter, but also the pompano, trout, and other species popular with the recreational anglers. By 1991, the state fisheries biologists realized that mullet were being overfished and proposed closing half the season to netting.  Litigation and lobbying on behalf of the commercial netters blocked these restrictions for three years. As an alternative, in November of 1994, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that prohibited the use of gill nets and entangling nets to harvest fish in state waters and limited the size of other nets such as seines to 500 square feet. This was due to a large degree to the well-organized efforts of the sports fishermen, and took effect on July 1, 1995.

   Five years later, recreation anglers are seeing more mullet. Since the net ban, netters are taking less than 9 million pounds of mullet a year, as opposed to the 26 million pounds a year taken previously. Commercial catches of all species are down, and the result is recreational anglers are enjoying better fishing for other popular species, such as pompano, spotted sea trout, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and snook, which was just taken off the threatened species list due to increased population numbers. The state fisheries biologists have been surprisingly pleased with how quickly the mullet population and other species have rebounded. While the commercial netters are having to make adjustments in their practices or even find new jobs, the fish species themselves seem to have benefited greatly from the amendment passed on their behalf.

This article is reprinted and edited with permission from information provided to Florida Marine Research Institute by Steve Waters of the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.

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by Kelly R. Tucker

Reprinted from Birding, a publication of:
American Birding Association
1250 24th St. NW
Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20037.
www.americanbirding.org

   Most Americans think of pesticide use as primarily an agricultural issue.  In terms of pounds applied, agriculture does account for the majority of pesticide use.  However, non-agricultural uses are extensive, and use per acre is significantly higher on average for homeowner lawns.  Homeowners use diazinon on their lawns and rodenticides like brodifacoum to control mice.  Local governments authorize the use of pesticides for park management and roadside management; conservationists and gardeners use pesticides for habitat restoration and insect control.

   When used judiciously, pesticides can be important tools.  Here are some useful tips for your own backyard and community; and for rangeland, pastureland, and forest managers who use insecticides and herbicides.
 

1. Consider a bird-friendly yard with trees, bushes, and some ground cover.  In many areas, native grasses and plants provide a low-maintenance yard that gives birds more opportunities for nesting, foraging, and finding useful cover.
2. If you must tackle a pest problem by resorting to a pesticide, do so judiciously and responsibly.  Buy products that are clearly labeled.  Choose a more selective/target specific pesticide when possible.  Read the label, note if there are any wildlife warnings, and follow the instructions closely.  Do not apply pesticides (including herbicides) directly underneath bird feeders, or around bird boxes or primary nesting or foraging areas.  Be aware that sprays can be carried on a slight breeze, so consider emptying and covering birdbaths before spraying.  As an extra precaution, consider not using pesticides during seasons when young are hatching.
3. If you choose to hire pest control operators (PCO), talk to them about your concerns, and see if they are willing to consider least-toxic approaches.  Most PCOs are sensitive to customer concerns and have a variety of less toxic products and methods they can apply if directed.
4. If you are aware of an incident involving an injured live bird, contact a federally permitted wildlife rehabilitator in your area.  If you notice dead birds, contact the nearest USFWS law enforcement office.  If you have concerns about the application or use of farm pesticides, contact your state department of agriculture.
5. In areas where mosquitoes are an ongoing problem, be vigilant in seeking out places where water can collect and provide breeding spots.  Encourage local park officials and pest control agencies to search for least-toxic approaches to mosquito control and other municipal, pest-control problems.
6. Join with local and national bird and wildlife organizations to monitor pesticide effects on wildlife.  Keep up with pesticide news, resources, and opportunities for public comment via the ABC web site.  www.abcbird.org
7. Individuals can get involved with local bird clubs and other environmental or nature groups, to monitor this important bird issue

Index

   In celebration or its 90th anniversary and 48th year of participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Florists' Transwork Deliver, Inc. (FTD), in cooperation with the National Audubon Society, is inviting kids ages 12 to 15 to take part in the FTD "Wings of Glory" Contest.  To enter, kids must draw a picture of their state bird and submit an essay of 50 words or less on why their state is the greatest.

   Entry forms can be obtained at participating FTD floral shops.  Entries must be post marked by 10/31/00.  Winners receive a trip to the 2001 Rose Parade and a week at a National Audubon Society Ecology Camp in summer 2001.  See context details at http://audubon.org/news/release/ftd.html.
 

Wanted: Caroussel Projector and Screen
 Do you have a Carousel Projector and screen that you no longer use?  Would you be interested in getting a tax deduction for donating it to Apalachee Audubon?  Most of our monthly programs are presented as slide shows using Carousels. Borrowing the equipment has become difficult so we must have our own.

These projectors have been around for thirty years or more so there must be some lying around unused and unloved.  Give your projector a second chance to live and bring enjoyment and education to many, many appreciative viewers!  Please call Jim or Ellen Shelton at 942-5194.

Index

     OCTOBER 2000, ITHACA, N.Y. — Last winter was the warmest on record in 105 years.
                        What did this mean for the birds? A continentwide network of "citizen scientists" helped
                        researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology find out. Now they're gearing up to find out
                        what the birds will tell them this winter.

                        These "citizen scientists" are participating in Project FeederWatch, a winter-long
                        (November through April) survey of birds that visit feeders throughout North America,
                        sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with Bird Studies Canada,
                        National Audubon, and the Canadian Nature Federation. Started in 1987, the project has
                        grown to more than 15,000 participants in the United States and Canada.

                        This year's summary of results contrasted bird abundances in the winter of 1999-2000
                        with the prior winter. Last winter, "FeederWatchers" reported an increase in "irruptive"
                        species (birds that typically spend the winter in the North but periodically "irrupt" into more
                        southerly regions, probably in response to low food availability farther north) east of the
                        Rockies. Common Redpolls appeared in larger-than-average numbers even for an
                        irruption year—larger than in any winter since 1994. They were especially abundant in a
                        band stretching from the Northern Rockies to the North Atlantic region. FeederWatch data
                        also show that Northern Shrikes invaded feeding stations across the northern tier last
                        winter. Nicknamed "butcher birds" for their technique of impaling their prey on thorns and
                        branches, shrikes showed up at many feeding stations to catch songbirds, presumably
                        because of lower numbers of small rodents in the fields where they typically hunt. Last
                        winter's FeederWatch data also indicated a scarcity in ground-feeding birds such as
                        Harris's Sparrows. The lower abundances were especially notable in the Mid- and
                        South-Central regions, where it may be related to drought. Most ground-feeding species
                        rely on seeds produced by smaller plants (grasses and forbes); production of these
                        seeds can be easily affected by rainfall-or a lack of it.

                        FeederWatchers have also helped make some interesting discoveries based on the
                        long-term data. Findings published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology documented for
                        the first time the cyclical changes in Varied Thrush abundance. FeederWatch data
                        revealed that, on average, this species peaks in abundance every second year, perhaps
                        in response to acorn availability in winter. Another discovery appeared in The Condor, a
                        scientific journal published by the Cooper Ornithological Society. The data showed that
                        although the Common Redpoll is an irruptive migrant probably forced south by lack of
                        food, the redpolls' movements are like those of any other winter migrant when the birds
                        irrupt southward. Findings such as these help scientists better understand the lives of bird
                        species that would otherwise be a mystery because they live far to the north, in regions
                        not typically covered by other monitoring programs.

                        FeederWatchers also play a critical role in tracking outbreaks of avian diseases. In 1994,
                        Cornell Lab researchers asked FeederWatchers to help track the spread of a disease
                        previously almost unknown in wild birds. This disease, called mycoplasmal conjunctivitis
                        (often referred to as House Finch eye disease because it primarily hits House Finches) is
                        manifested by symptoms including swollen, crusty eyes, which frequently lead to
                        blindness and eventually death as the birds are caught by predators or eventually starve.
                        In the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Lab researchers
                        recently published a landmark paper about how this disease may have become the main
                        factor regulating the abundance of House Finches. Starting this winter, Lab researchers
                        are asking FeederWatchers to help with a newly expanded House Finch Disease Survey
                        through which they hope to learn whether the disease has successfully crossed the Great
                        Plains and started to infect House Finches in western North America.

                        "FeederWatchers are the eyes and ears for scientists studying North American feeder
                        bird populations," says Wesley Hochachka, assistant director of the Cornell Lab's Bird
                        Population Studies program and a coauthor of many FeederWatch-related scientific
                        papers. "There's simply no other way to acquire data about continentwide populations
                        throughout the entire winter. These data are critical in helping us understand both long-
                        and short-term changes in bird populations and their environments."

                        One reason Project FeederWatch has been so successful is because it was designed
                        with all of that in mind. "FeederWatch undergoes continuous evaluation and refinement by
                        our staff scientists, some of whom are leaders in their fields," says Laura Kammermeier,
                        FeederWatch project leader. "The materials are developed to educate participants
                        before they even begin, and the data forms are carefully developed to prevent reporting
                        errors and identification mistakes."

                        Another reason the project is a success, says Kammermeier, is because it's enjoyable,
                        and participants learn a lot about the birds they so enjoy. "Although the protocol is
                        scientifically rigorous, we've made it very easy for people of all ages, backgrounds, and
                        skill levels to participate," she says. Many home schoolers use FeederWatch as an
                        educational tool, and nature centers and bird clubs find that it is a great outreach vehicle.

                        Each fall, FeederWatchers await with great anticipation the unveiling of the
                        "FeederWatch Top-10 List," the 10 most frequently reported species in North America.
                        This year's list reads as follows: 10) House Sparrow, seen at 58 percent of feeders; 9)
                        White-breasted Nuthatch, 65 percent of feeders-and a new Top-10 List species; 8)
                        Black-capped Chickadee, 66 percent; 7) Northern Cardinal, 69 percent; 6) American
                        Goldfinch, 72 percent; 5) and 4) House Finch and Blue Jay, both reported at 74 percent of
                        feeders; 3) Downy Woodpecker, 75 percent; 2) Mourning Dove, 80 percent, and the
                        species most frequently reported by FeederWatchers is; 1) Dark-eyed Junco, seen at 85
                        percent of FeederWatch feeders.

                        To sign up for Project FeederWatch, call the Cornell Lab at 800/843-2473 in the United
                        States (in Canada, call Bird Studies Canada at 888/448-2473.) Sign up over the Web at
                        <http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/>. To sign up by check, send to PFW/Cornell Lab of
                        Ornithology, P.O. Box 11 Ithaca, NY 14850.
Index

   Don Morrow led a field trip to St. Joseph State Park on Saturday October 14.

   Our objective was to observe the fall hawk migration.  We were successful in observing a number of hawks including American Kestrels, Peregrine Falcons, Sharp- shinned, Cooper's, Broad-winged and Red Shouldered hawks plus a handful of adult and immature American Eagles.

   Our best observation, by far, was in a patch of marsh grass on the south side of Eagle Harbor where we saw a number of Eastern Meadowlarks flitting about.  And there, on a low bush, minding its own business, was a Groove-billed Ani.  The bird hung around just long enough for us to get scopes on it.   It was enough.  A lifer for me and probably for most of the others.

   We also saw assorted warblers, flycatchers, a Sandwich Tern and a couple of unemployed-looking Willets, but our day had already been made.

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