HERNANDO AUDUBON SOCIETY

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1 Our Mission is to promote an awareness and appreciation of nature; to preserve and protect natural ecosystems; and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship. January Program Audubon of Florida s Marianne Korosy Join us for an evening with Audubon of Florida s Important Bird Area Coordinator (IBA), Marianne Korosy. Marianne organizes the annual Sparrow Drive here in Hernando County at Weekiwachee Preserve on January 19th and February 9th, Marianne Korosy is the Jay Watch and Important Bird Area (IBA) Coordinator for Audubon of Florida. She is a PhD candidate in Conservation Biology at the University of Central Florida with a focus on grassland sparrow ecology. She has a B.S. and M.S. in geology and 10 years experience in environmental protection and public water supply. Marianne also has 10 years experience as an Audubon Chapter Leader on conservation and stewardship activities such as the Christmas Bird Count, regional coastal bird surveys, a multi-year banding project on roof-top nesting Least Terns, and organizing widely attended sparrow drives in grassland IBA areas. When: January 24th Time: 7:00 PM Where: Community Activity Center 205 E. Ft. Dade Ave., Brooksville, FL Board Members President: Bernie Bathauer Field Trips: Eileen Riccio Public Relations: Barbara Bowen Vice President: Elaine Maywalt Hospitality: Vera Huckaby Education: Open Vice President: Linda Vanderveen Conservation: Bob Keim Membership: Open Secretary: Marcie Clutter Programs: Linda Vanderveen Webmaster: Barbara Bowen Treasurer: Sue Bathauer Ways and Means: Andy & Elaine Maywalt Photos Courtesy of

2 2 Aripeka-Bayport Christmas Bird Count By Bev Hansen On December 26 during the Aripeka-Bayport Christmas Bird Count, 28 participants saw 155 bird species within the 7.5-mile-radius count circle in Hernando and Pasco counties. This was the second highest total number of species seen since the count was begun over 20 years ago. In addition, we saw 5 other species during count week, that is, three days before and three days after the day of the count. These were: Greenwinged Teal, Wild Turkey, American White Pelican, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Pine Siskin (which is a new species for the count). The highlight of the day was the finding of a Razorbill. This is a species that usually spends its life in the north Atlantic Ocean, occasionally going as far south as North Carolina in the wintertime. But this year there has been an invasion of Razorbills in Florida. It has been speculated that Superstorm Sandy disrupted their usual food supply. These birds have been seen in some flocks of one hundred or more on Florida s east coast. Some of this species have now swum around the tip of Florida and are appearing in the Gulf of Mexico, all the way to Pensacola. We were delighted that one was seen within the Aripeka-Bayport count circle! Another unusual visitor was an adult male Rufous Hummingbird (see article on page 3). In addition, another probable Rufous hummer was seen that day, as well as a probable Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Though less colorful, a female Brewer s Blackbird was another new addition to the count species list. She has been seen at Bayport Park since the beginning of November, and may be the female that spent last winter there. HAS Team scopes a wetlands Razorbill Brooksville Christmas Bird Count Despite the foggy morning, the Hernando Audubon teams were able to seek out 115 (unofficial count) species. Highlights include a pair of Bald Eagles nests in one sector, a single Snow Goose making a flyover at Chinsegut Hill, a Rufous Blue-winged Teal bathing Hummingbird, and an American Pipit sitting on a fence post. The official tally will be linked to our website as soon as it is available. Many thanks to all those who participated!

3 3 Rufous Hummingbird: A welcome winter guest for Nature Coast Botanical Gardens A migrating Rufous Hummingbird was drawn to the nectar rich tubular flowers in Spring Hill s Nature Coast Botanical Gardens (NCBG). He was first spotted on December 2nd causing much excitement among the volunteers and members of the Hernando Audubon Society. HAS members advised NCBG to put up a feeder enticing him to stay. This proved to be an effective approach! The Rufous soon began taking nectar from the feeder and made the official count list for the Airpeka- Bayport Christmas Bird Count on December 26th. This richly colored Rufous can be observed in the Butterfly Garden section of NCBG located west of the entryway. NCBG is a non-profit public garden maintained by hardworking dedicated volunteers from the Springhill Gardens Club. Donations of time and currency are Rufous Hummingbird greatly appreciated. NCBG is located at 1489 Parker Avenue, Spring Hill, Florida, For a map of the gardens or directions visit Breed Birding Atlas We need your help! Be on the look out for early nesters. Eagles, Osprey, Owls, and even these Great Blue Herons can start nesting before January. Report your findings to the BBA Coordinator Caitlin Gille or Bev Hansen. Great Blue Heron family Please bring your aluminum cans for deposit to our HAS Meetings. Recycling is good for the environment and helps us raise funds. Thank you!

4 4 Join us for our Upcoming Trips! January 2013 January 11th - Friday Crystal Springs Preserve, 1609 Crystal Springs Road, Zephyrhills, Florida Time: Gates will be open anytime between 7:00 to 7:30 AM. Meet at the Nature Center. Directions: From Brooksville take US 98/US 301 South through the heart of Zephyrhills to Chancey Road. Turn Left on Chancey and then Right on Crystal Springs Road. The entrance to Crystal Springs is 2 miles on the left. Come join us in exploring this protected lands with biologist Karen Pate as we look for woodland and wading birds in the Spring and along the upper Hillsborough River. Crystal Springs Preserve A 525-acre sanctuary devoted to environmental education and dedicated to the preservation of Florida s natural environment. Crystal Springs is a magnitude 2 Spring discharging 30 million gallons of fresh water per day feeding into the upper Hillsborough River. Take time to tour the educational center with various wildlife displays. Restroom facilities available Lettuce Lake Park For those of you who would like to continue birding, bring a picnic lunch. We will continue only a few miles down US 301 to Fletcher Ave to visit a HAS favorite, scenic Lettuce Lake Park. Fees: $2 per person to be paid to the trip leader. $3 parking fee at Lettuce Lake Park Trip Leaders: Barbara Bowen at or bbowen32@verizon.net January 12th - Saturday Annual Salt-Marsh Safari, Weekiwachee Preserve, 2345 Osowaw Boulevard Spring Hill, FL Time: 7:00 AM Directions: Meet at the South gate to Weekiwachee preserve behind the Walmart on US 19 in Springhill. Join us for a morning of fun and adventure as we stomp through the swamp of the Weekiwachee Preserve to look for sparrows, rail, and other marsh wildlife. This hike is wet and moderately strenuous. Wear old shoes or boots. Bring hiking stick, water, insect repellant, and change of clothes. Trip Leaders: Clay Black January 17th - Thursday Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winterlake Road (SR 540), Lakeland, FL Time: 8:00 AM at the Nature Center Directions: From I-4 head East for 9 mi. on the Polk Parkway to US 98. Exit South on US 98 and turn West (left at the first stoplight) onto SR 540. Follow SR 540 for a couple of miles, the sign for Circle B Bar Reserve will be on the Right. Join us as we bird one of Florida s top rated places for birding and wildlife viewing. The restored wetlands are favorite wintering places for a variety of waterfowl, rails, and large wading birds. Birds of prey such as Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Northern Harriers are also frequently sighted here. Other wildlife to be encountered include: American Alligators, turtles, snakes, otters, and bobcat. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring water, insect repellant, and snacks. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy under the pavilions near the nature center. Trip Leaders: Wally and Lee Handeland or idocvb@gmail.com

5 5 January 19th - Saturday - Annual Sparrow Drive, Weekiwachee Preserve, 2345 Osowaw Boulevard Spring Hill, FL Time: 7:00 AM for set-up; 8:00 AM for shuttle to the site. Directions: From US 19 turn West on Osowaw Blvd. Park near the gate on the north side of Osowaw Join us as we assist Florida Audubon with this important avian study of banding wintering sparrows at Weekiwachee Preserve. A crew of 30+ individuals is needed to walk in a tight line through grassland habitat flushing sparrows into mist nests for banding. This study proves that several species of sparrow migrate to the same locations each year for wintering. Photo opportunities along with ID techniques of banded sparrows will be provided. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring water, insect repellant, and snacks. Drive ends around noon. Trip Leaders: Marianne Korosy at mkorosy@audubon.org or Clay Black at Volunteer Opportunities! Environmentally Sensitive Lands Workdays for Below is the volunteer workdays for the 2013 season. Volunteers meet at 9:00 AM, work until noon, and enjoy an optional guided nature walk afterwards. Please join us on these fun and rewarding Saturdays on your ESL Preserve. January 26th, 2013 at Fickett Hammock Preserve Hiking trail maintenance. February 23rd, 2012 at Cypress Lake Preserve Gopher Tortoise habitat improvement. Contact: Jim King, Conservation Lands Specialists Hernando County Planning Department 20 North Main Street, Rm 262 Brooksville, Florida Ph: , ext jking@co.hernando.fl.us We appreciate your help on Hernando County s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Preserves!