April/May 2009

VO LUME XXXVIII ,NUMBER 5

The Newsletter of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

5I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

CAS Couple Does Us Proud At Local

Calendar 2

Officer Nominations 2 Garden Show!

3
Above is a photo of the CAS entry to the Valparaiso Garden Club
Photo Contest
flower show on 25 April 2009. The entry won first place in it’s di-
CAS assists vision and an Educational award. Congratulations and many
3
Shorebird Survey thanks to Gary and Kay Parsons for creating the display and for
4
giving their valuable time to help bolster our group’s footprint in
April Bird walk
the community while educating the public.
CAS Plays a Round
Of Birding 5

CAS is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater apprecia-
tion of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty.
Page 2 V O L U M E X X XV I II , N U M B E R 4

Calendar of Events:
CAS monthly meetings are held the First Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at NFSC Niceville Learning Resources Center (LRC),
Room 128. Non members are welcome.

CAS Programs:
MAY 7: “Flight & Migration” Alan W. Knothe, Education and Training Specialist at Apalachicola National Estuarine
Research Preserve will speak about the physics of bird flight, flight adaptations, migration and navigation.
Field Trips and Bird Walks:
5/1: Eventure with Nonie from Nonie’s Ark 7:30 PM For info and to RSVP call Nonie at 862.9588
5/9: North American Spring Migration Count & International Migratory Bird Day. To volunteer call Donald M Ware
at 862.6582
Fun Stuff:5/16: Bay County Audubon will depart the mall from near the theater sign next to Starbuck's in Panama City
at 7:30 AM on Saturday, , for the Laidlaw Preserve. We will make a short pit stop at the park just north of Vernon and across
the bridge at Holmes Creek on Hwy 79 at 8:15 AM to meet any people driving across Hwy 20 and/or up Hwy 79. The preserve
is 4 miles north of the bridge on the left (west) side of Hwy 79 and is reached through a locked gate where there is an entrance
through the large pasture and open pines. For those driving I-10, either go south on Hwy 279 at Caryville to Hwy 79, or go I-10
to Hwy 79 and south until crossing Union Hill Rd and look for the gate on the right. We will plan to walk the trails of the pre-
serve and finish by noon. This 282-acre Audubon of Florida property contains a large bog and headwaters of Cypress Creek, a
tributary to Holmes Creek and the Choctawhatchee River. Breeding and singing Swainson's warblers should be one of the
highlights if we can access their territory in the dense swamp. Trip leader is Dr. Neil Lamb, cell phone: 850-814-1276. Choc-
tawhatchee Audubon is invited and welcomed to join the trip for an introduction to this property that is an Audubon of Florida
asset.

5/17: 2ND ANNUAL FAMILY FUN FEST: Sunday, May 17th 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m at Henderson Beach State Park. The Department of
Environmental Protection’s Henderson Beach State Park in conjunction with the Okaloosa Arts Alliance and the Friends of the Emerald
Coast State Parks will be holding their annual Family Fun Arts Fest. Performances to include dancing, singing, drama and music will take
place in the East Pavilion throughout the day with an educational segment after each performance. Family fun contests, games, classes
and a silent auction will also be held throughout the day. All proceeds will benefit the Okaloosa Arts Alliance and Friends of Emerald Coast
State Parks. Parking will be available at the park. Art performances and lessons, fine arts and crafts. Fees: The Festival and Park Entrance
will be free and open to the public all day. Contact: (850) 837-7550 Email- mercysinger22@hotmail.com

Nomination of 2009-2010 Officers

Gary Parsons, Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee (Chairman Don Ware, Gary Parsons, and Sharon Weaver) has put together a slate of
volunteers for the May election of our five CAS Officers.

President: Carole Goodyear

Vice President: Gary Parsons
Treasurer: Karen Newhouse
Recording Secretary: Pat Baker
Corresponding Secretary: Linda Holloway

Any CAS member is invited to volunteer for any of these elected positions; as well as the non-elected positions of
Shorelines Editor and Program Coordinator. Please consider supporting the chapter’s work by volunteering as an
officer or Committee Chair. If you are interested, please contact Donald Ware at 862-6582 or don-
ware@embarqmail.com.
The election will be held at the CAS chapter meeting on May 7, during the 6:30-7:00 pm period, prior to our
speaker. There will be the opportunity to make nominations from the floor.
 Page 3 V O L U M E X X XV I II , N U M B E R 4

Audubon Magazine Announces Call for Entries for the Audubon

Magazine Photography Awards: Birds in Focus
In Association with Nature’s Best Photography Magazine,
Awards Sponsored by Nikon
Audubon magazine is launching the 2009 Audubon Magazine Photography Awards: Birds in Focus, created
to celebrate the beauty and diversity of birdlife through the art of photography, and to honor the excep-
tional work of talented professional, amateur and youth photographers from all over the U.S.
Audubon will be accepting submissions online until July 15 in three categories: Professional, Amateur, and
Youth. Photographers are encouraged to reveal a new angle or perspective in their work. “Think crea-
tively,” advises Audubon’s design director Kevin Fisher, one of the judges. “Originality and drama rank
high at Audubon. Include tight shots, such as close-ups of eyes, feathers. We welcome uncommon per-
spectives.”
Prizes include:
Journey to Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve (Inkaterra Amazonica Lodge)
An ultimate birding safari to Australia’s “Top End,” the Northern Territory
14-day Tropical Rivers and Rainforest cruise through South America (Travel Dynamics International)
Opportunity to travel to Honduras with Audubon wildlife photographer Roy Toft as your photographer/guide (Roy
Toft Photo Safaris and Pico Bonito Lodge)
A Nikon D80 digital SLR camera, 18-55mm NIKKOR VR lens, and a set of Nikon EDG 8x32 binoculars
Submissions: Accepted May 15 - July 15, 2009. Up to 10 images per entrant. For details, visit
www.AudubonMagazinePhotoAwards.com

CAS Assists with Shorebird Survey

Carole Goodyear, Lenny Fenimore

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducts a winter shorebird survey in Florida. The frequency of this survey has increased from
every 5 years to every year, and now the date is set as the first Friday (or Saturday if needed) in February. USFWS is trying to in-
crease participation by Audubon chapters in order to maximize shoreline coverage. Lenny Fenimore and Carole Goodyear coordi-
nated the count in our area on February 6-7 and ensured coverage of the beaches where shorebirds gather. Eglin AFB also partici-
pates in the survey. The count’s target species were piping plover, Wilson’s plover, and red knot.

We received outstanding cooperation from our area’s beachfront state parks, which conducted surveys for CAS. We thank Hender-
son Beach SP; Topsail Hill Preserve SP; and Grayton Beach SP, which also surveyed Deer Lake SP. In addition, Lenny Fenimore sur-
veyed Navarre Flats in Santa Rosa County, and Carole Goodyear surveyed Norriego Point in Destin.

In the four state parks and at Norriego Point, just one of the target species was found: 30 Wilson’s plovers at Henderson Beach.
Only three other shorebird species (willet, sanderling, and snowy plover) were found. The snowy plovers were found at Deer Lake
SP.

The "Navarre Sand Flats" (along the north shoreline of Navarre Beach Park, immediately west of Eglin's closed area on Santa Rosa
Island) was the hot spot for overall numbers of shorebirds and shorebird species. Lenny found 10 species of shorebirds, including
2 of the 3 target species: 8 piping plovers (6 with leg bands) and 3 Wilson’s plovers (1 with leg bands). The leg bands consist of a
series of colored metal bands on one or both legs. The combination of colors and location on the legs identify the specific bird and
where and when it was banded. The data are used to track the migration routes and stopover sites of the plovers. USFWS has al-
ready replied to us that 2 of the banded piping plovers are from the Federally endangered Great Lakes population and 4 are from
the threatened Northern Great Plains population (most from Saskatchewan). The Flats are within the officially designated Critical
Habitat for wintering piping plovers, however the portion outside Eglin property is not fenced or otherwise protected. This would
have to be done voluntarily by Santa Rosa County. At the time of Lenny’s survey, there were dogs on the beach, along with beach
walkers, which he felt hampered his accuracy.

The third target species, red knot, was not found anywhere on the survey.
Page 4 V O L U M E X X XV I II , N U M B E R 4

April 11, 2009 CAS Bird Walk in South Walton County

by Stacy Meader

The bird walk held on April 11th was to explore two areas for wild birds and their habitats. The first was JoLee Island
on the Sandestin Resort, on the east end of Destin. The second was the area surrounding the South Walton County
Courthouse Annex, off of Route 331, on the southern end.
We met at the Sandestin Publix at 7:30 AM, and there were 6 of us in total, including Bob Penhollow, Linda with her
camera, Dee, Terry, and Olf, a visitor from Germany who has travelled extensively watching birds.
There was a slight chill in the air, as we started out at JoLee Island, but it was going to be a perfect spring day. We
paused at the bridge that connects to the island, and just over the marshy edge, we thought we heard a Seaside
Sparrow who sang delightedly, but did not appear. Just over the bridge, to the west, there were a few Cedar Wax-
wings darting through the trees. Choosing the path toward the open field section, there were Northern Mockingbirds,
Northern Cardinals, and Red Winged Blackbirds, but in more abundance were the Fish Crows! A resident bunny was
contentedly munching his breakfast and didn’t mind that he had observers. As we were making our way around the
path on the south, it follows the edge of the island around toward the Salt Marsh, and we were afforded a nice view
of the Ferry pier across the bay, where Double Crested Cormorants, Laughing Gulls and Brown Pelicans were resting.
Next we continued to the water’s edge that faces the pier, and there were Osprey fishing over the water. On the way
back to the bridge, we veered to the north side of the island, catching sight of Eastern Bluebird, and more Cedar
Waxwings. Guessing that the nearby Yaupon berries were the attraction, we were excited to see a much larger flock
of Cedars confidently moving from the trees to the bushes. Heading back to the parking lot, we caught sight of a
lone Great Crested Flycatcher perched up high in the trees above us! As an addition to this park area, there is a sec-
ond section for strolling a boardwalk across the street, and there was a Carolina Wren hiding but very vocal, Carolina
Chickadee, and Ruby Crowned Kinglet in the nearby bushes.
Staying at Sandestin, we pushed on to the Marina, and used the path that cuts through the woods to the Baytowne
Wharf shopping and dining area. This area rewarded us with good views of Green Heron, Swamp Sparrow, European
Starling, Red Bellied Woodpecker and Belted Kingfisher. Choosing the bayside path to return to the Marina, we
watched a Gray Catbird at rest, Least Terns over the water, and a Great Egret. Eurasian Collared and Rock Doves
were near the buildings.
We drove up to the County Courthouse Annex and parked at the South Walton Library to explore the southern sec-
tions. Several of the same species birds we had seen earlier were there, and we added Chipping Sparrow, Brown
Thrasher and Mourning Dove to our list here. The best area was yet to come, and as we moved the cars out to the
South Walton High School parking lot, we stopped in the roadway to allow a mother Killdeer to cross with her 3
young! Olf had to get out of the car to herd the last little one across safely.
We walked past the back practice field where there was an Eastern Phoebe on the fence, and Barn Swallow and
Northern Rough winged Swallows overhead. A very persistent Brown Headed Nuthatch looked like he was vying for
our attention, instead of being on a pine tree trunk; he was always on a fence top, watching us! With Blue Jays call-
ing out to us, we saw a Brown Headed Cowbird on a light post, and noticed a Turkey Vulture overhead.
There was a nice boardwalk through the trees behind the stadium, and there we caught sight of Downy Woodpecker,
American Crows seemed to be everywhere, mixed in to each section we walked and we heard an Eastern Towhee
just off in the woods. Walking past the back of the school, there were House Finch and more Chipping Sparrows
lined the Stadium fence.

Birds pictured from left to

right:
Downy woodpecker;
Crowned Kinglet;
Chipping Sparrow
Page 5 V O L U M E X X XV I II , N U M B E R 4

CAS Plays a Round of Birding

BY: Carole Goodyear

On Saturday April 11, several CAS members participated in the North American Bird watching Open, which included
bird counts at three golf courses in southeast Walton County -- Camp Creek, Origins, and Shark’s Tooth. This event,
run by Audubon International (not affiliated with the National Audubon Society), has been held annually since 1998
during spring migration. Golf courses record bird species on their properties to provide a snapshot of bird activity at
the height of the migration.

Audubon International is not-for-profit environmental education group and the first organization to team with the golf
industry to teach members about environmental issues, promote ecologically sound land management, and conserve
natural resources. Members are encouraged to preserve habitat for birds and protect overall environmental quality.
Funding for Audubon International programs comes from the U. S. Golf Association and other partners. Camp Creek
Golf Club and Shark’s Tooth Golf Club have both been recognized for environmental stewardship and are designated
Certified Audubon Sanctuaries.

The counts were coordinated by Geri Bucheit and Larry Livingston, who are CAS members and are on the staff of the
golf courses. CAS members Phil and Carole Goodyear and Robin and Tom Stiles assisted Geri Bucheit on the Camp
Creek count.

The morning was much more chilly, gray, and blustery than anticipated, but the rain stayed away, and we couldn’t ar-
gue with the birding experience – seeing much preserved natural habitat, riding in golf carts, and tallying only bird
species not numbers of individuals.

83 species were found over all three courses. Shark’s Tooth had the highest count of 56 species, followed by Camp
Creek at 53. Some of the birds identified included bobwhite, bald eagle, solitary sandpiper, black-necked stilt,
screech and barred owl, nighthawk, eastern kingbird, scarlet and summer tanager, blue grosbeak, indigo bunting, or-
chard oriole, and numerous cedar waxwings. Six warbler species were found: northern parula, yellow-rumped warbler,
pine warbler, palm warbler, prothonotary warbler, and common yellowthroat.

Chapter Representatives
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Membership
Name:_____________________________________ Address:_________________________________________
City:____________________________________________________ State:______ Zip:____________________
Phone: ___________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________
□Introductory New Member- $20.00 □Individual Member Renewal- $35.00
□Introductory Student/Senior- $15.00 □Renewal Student/Senior-$15.00
When you join you will be part of national, state, and local Audubon groups and will receive...
• Audubon magazine
• Florida Naturalist Magazine
• Our local Shorelines newsletter
• Inclusion in Audubon of Florida's advocacy network
• Discounts at Audubon Sanctuaries and Nature Centers

President: Carole Goodyear • Opportunities for Audubon Ecology Camps and specially priced travel adventures
carolegoodyear@msn.com…. 897-2666 To join, mail this form and a check, payable to National Audubon Society, to;
Vice President: Pat Baker NAS Membership Data Center, P.O. Box 51005, Boulder, CO 80323-1005.
flabirder@cox.net...............678.2953 CAS ONLY memberships are available and include SHORELINES NEWSLETTER ONLY.
Treasurer: Karen Newhouse To join CAS ONLY mail this form and a check payable to CAS to; P.O. Box 1014 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549.
newhouse@earthlink.net….897.3745
□New Member Newsletter Only- $10.00 □Renewal Member Newsletter Only- $10.00
Recording Secretary: Kathy Tidwell
FL Dept of Agriculture REG # CH4619 A copy of the Official registration and financial information may be obtained
Mysty6266@aol.com...........
...........651-5156
........... from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not
Corresponding Sec: Sharon Weaver imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
slw243@cox.net……………….897.5464 Chapter Code: C9ZG990Z
Bird Count Coordinator:
Donald M. Ware……………....862.6582
donware@embarqmail.com
Conservation: Gary Parsons
parsonskg@cox.net ……….678-1461 Printed on Recycled Paper
Education: Nonie Maines
© 2007 by Choctawhatchee Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
nonie@noniesark.com……...862.9588
Field trips Coord Bob Penhollow
bobpenhollow@cox.net…...729-2602
Hospitality: Sharon Weaver
slw243@cox.net……………….897.5464
A great big THANK YOU to all CAS sponsors !
Membership:
phreynolds@cox.net
Trish Reynolds
Donations are welcome, and all contributions are
Publicity: Nonie Maines
nonie@noniesark.com……...862.9588
tax-deductible. Feel free to specify a particular
Programs: fund/event that you’d wish to sponsor.
Shorelines Editor: Theresa Dennis
tinkinneverland@yahoo.com…………….
Historian: Pat Baker
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