Hernando Audubon NEWS
A publication of the Hernando Audubon Society
Would you like to
be an angel?
We’re desperately in need of a
laptop computer with enough
memory to project Powerpoint
presentations and manage
other graphics programs. If you,
or someone you know, recently
upgraded to newer, faster
equipment, please consider
donating that old laptop to
Hernando Audubon. Doing so
would make you an angel – at
least in our view!
Welcome, new members!
We look forward to seeing you
at our monthly meetings or on
one of the many field trips.
Look Inside for:
President’s Letter ....................
Celebrating 50 Years of
Conservation ......................
Audubon Memories ...............
Time to Clean or Install
Nest Boxes .........................
Donation .................................
Field Trips - January/
February .............................
Special Events .........................
Conservation Report:
Rivers, Bears and
Greenways: We Must
Speak Out for Them .........
Big Day Birdathon .................
January and February 2009
January and February Programs:
Socializing with coffee and snacks starts at 7:00 p.m.
Programs start promptly at 7:15 p.m.
Location: Community Activity Center
205 E. Ft. Dade Ave., Brooksville
January 22 - Thursday
Florida’s Hummingbirds Steve Backes, a long-time Florida
Speaker: Steve Backes
hummingbird enthusiast, will present
a Powerpoint program on Florida
hummingbirds. Steve will tell us about
the natural history of hummers and
how to attract them. He will also tell us
specifically about his amazing yard where
at any one time he has between 12 and 19
feeders and attracts hummers throughout
the year.
Note: This program is followed by a field trip
on Saturday, January 31 to Steve’s backyard in
Valrico. Please see the field trip listing on page 6
HUMMER © MYRNA ERLER-BRADSHAW for details.
February 26 - Thursday about the overall health of the aquifer,
which supplies most of the domestically
Florida’s Springs used water in Florida. Water quality in
Speaker: Harley Means
springs has become an increasingly visible
issue in Florida. This talk will focus on
karst geology and some of the many
2 issues related to spring water quality and
quantity. A fourth generation Florida
native, Guy H. (“Harley”) Means was
3
born and raised in Tallahassee. Harley
3 grew up on Tall Timbers Research Station
where his father, Bruce, was director.
4 Here he was exposed to natural Florida
4 and spent most of his time outdoors
observing, collecting and enjoying
5 HARLEY MEANS Submitted photo Florida’s bountiful natural resources.
Means has a degree in geology from
5
Florida has over 700 known springs, 33 Florida State University and is currently
seeking advanced degrees in geology
of which are first magnitude (discharging
from Florida State. He is also a licensed
100 cubic feet per second or more).
They are a priceless resource, providing professional geologist. He has been
6 recreation and enjoyment for Floridians. employed by the Florida Department
7 Springs are also a window into the
aquifer, and can provide information See FLORIDA’S SPRINGS, page 7 u
 Hernando Audubon Society
2008 - 2009 From Your Chapter President...
Officers/Directors/Committees

President
A thank you goes out to the
volunteers who helped at public
events. Myrna Erler-Bradshaw and
Diane Becker and Sheila Wollam.
Conservation Chair Joe Murphy was
on many of the program panels and
Mary Dowdell................ 352-797-7874
Lucille Lane assisted at the Bushnell Christie Anderberg, of Ahhochee
Vice President
Fall Festival. At Pioneer Day, Andy Hill, discussed partnering with other
Debbie McKevitt........... 352-754-1725
and Elaine Maywalt, Suzy and Allen organizations. This year there are three
Vice President
Miller, Christie Anderberg, and Toyoko statewide policy priorities: climate
Joe Murphy..................... 352-583-0870
DeForge helped with setup, greeting change, conserving at risk and declining
Secretary
and breakdown. Rita Grant designed a birds, and habitat. Climate change
Kristin Wood................. 352-754-6722
fabulous activity sheet for kids. Many affects everything, especially in a coastal
Treasurer
people provided baked goods for sale, state like Florida. If you would like a
Sue Bathauer.................. 352-754-9030
which raised some money. Christie and copy of the reports, let me know and
Conservation
Toyoko also showed the many visitors I will send you a copy if they are not
Joe Murphy..................... 352-583-0870
how to make origami cranes. Thanks available from the Audubon of Florida
Education
also to everyone who contributed Web site.
Kathleen East................ 352-666-3066
items for the yard sale, and to Andy
Field Trips
and Elaine for holding this successful We are approaching our donation goal
Linda Vanderveen......... 352-428-2629
fund-raiser at their home in Spring of $500 by selling origami cranes for
Hospitality
Hill. Andy Maywalt, Clay Black and Operation Migration. Monitor the progress
Vera Huckaby................. 352-848-5776
Allen Miller gave a nest box class and of the Whooping Cranes by going to
Membership
instruction to the Floral City Garden www.operationmigration.org, and
Lucille Lane.................... 352-540-9746
Club (more about that in our next click on In the Field to view the journal.
Public Relations/Publicity
issue). These public events are a great There will be a flyover at the Dunnellon
Andy Maywalt................ 352-686-8195
way to spread the Audubon message Airport in early 2009.
Ways and Means
and make new friends.
Andy & Elaine Maywalt.... 352-686-8195
The nominating committee is seeking
Every year Audubon of Florida interested people for positions on
updates its state policy and regional the HAS board. Work is done by
Hernando Audubon NEWS is conservation plans and resolutions neighbors and friends working together
published in September, November, at the Audubon Assembly which was on conservation issues in our area and
held in Crystal River last October. beyond. Please consider helping out
January, March and May
Hernando Audubon participated in our worthwhile organization. Contact
by
many ways and we received two awards any board member with your interest.
Hernando Audubon Society, Inc.
for our work. Our chapter display
P.O. Box 1678 won first place, due in no small part
Brooksville, FL 34605 to the beautiful bird card painted by
www.hernandoaudubon.org

Editor:
Lucille Lane - 352-540-9746
Ornithology Editor:
Bev Hansen - 352-686-0460

Submissions from readers are welcome.

Please call the editor, mail to “Editor”
at the post office box address above,
or e-mail
walk_a_milein15@yahoo.com The Withlacoochee: River at Risk
Please include name, address and phone Read Joe Murphy’s column, page 6.
number in your correspondence. Photo by Lucille Lane

2 Hernando Audubon News – January/February 2009

We’re Celebrating Fifty Years of Conservation and
Looking Ahead to Our Next Half-Century
F ewer than 12,000 people lived year-
round in Hernando County when a
group of forward-thinking conservationists
decided to establish a chapter of the
Florida Audubon Society. The idea had
been around for some time but really
gained momentum when Wellman Tucker
started a column, Audubon Notes, in the
local newspaper. It was the summer of
1958. (That first column was reprinted
in the September/October 2008 issue of
Hernando Audubon NEWS.)
The chapter was formally established on
February 1, 1959. Mr. Tucker was named
president and Lisa Von Borowsky, who
later established Audubon of Florida’s
Ahhochee Hill Sanctuary, became treasurer.
Joining them as field trip chair was Steve
Fickett, a biologist for the Florida Game
and Freshwater Fish Commission (now
the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission). Within days, on February 6,
the new chapter was approved by Florida
Audubon Society.
The threesome, with the help of other
chapter members, would propel and
guide the growth of Hernando Audubon
for many years. Mr. Tucker eventually
contributed two columns to local
newspapers, a conservation column in
addition to the original Notes. Upon his
death at age 86, in December 1967, a
commentator in the Sun-Journal would
write: “He was small in statue [sic.] and big
in stature. He was a kindly old gentleman,
1960 Hernando County Fair. Founders Wellman Tucker and Lisa Von Borowsky spreading the conservation message.
Photo courtesy of Linda Theodore, from the files of her father, Stephen B. Fickett, Jr., who was also a founding member of HAS.
by Lucille Lane, Editor
beloved for his sincerity and his talented,
persistent dedication to purpose. And
the purpose of Mr. Wellman Tucker’s
life might well have been to do his part
to preserve God’s natural resources for
generations ahead to enjoy.”
The original founders set a high standard
for us to follow. From its inception,
Hernando Audubon offered educational
programs and field trips, both always open
to the public. The society also kept a high
profile in the community by supporting
numerous community efforts, including
the annual county fair. In 1972, for
example, Hernando Audubon donated
two bird feeders to the Lykes Memorial
Hospital, placed so that patients could
watch the birds from their windows.
In 1971, Hernando Audubon was
incorporated as a nonprofit organization,
clearing the way for the society to accept
major gifts. In 1974, Lisa Von Borowsky
donated 20 acres of land to the chapter
for sale to raise money for a nature center
on land recently acquired by the Fish and
Game Commission. Hernando Audubon
eventually contributed approximately
one-third of the funds needed to build
what is now the Chinsegut Nature Center,
completed in 1986.
Our founders took an early stance to
protect the natural resources of this area.
Others have continued their mission. As
we move into the future we can do no less.
January/February 2009 – Hernando Audubon News
Audubon Memories
by Elizabeth Mainor Herting
Editor’s note: Elizabeth’s memoir is a window
onto our society’s past. Due to space constraints
we can only publish a condensed version here.
The complete text is available on our Web site.
I became a member of Hernando
Audubon in the fall of 1981. I am not an
environmental activist, but love to enjoy
the quiet beauties of nature.
My first Christmas Bird Count was
December 21, 1981 – a day I really
remember. I think this was the third year
of Christmas Bird counts for this group.
Steve Fickett, a biologist with the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Department, was the
coordinator for the groups and I went
with a group headed by his son, Bobby
Fickett. Before 5 a.m. we were standing
in a river swamp area near Croom, on a
below-freezing morning, waiting for the
birds to wake up. The tall, moss-covered
cypress trees all around made it seem like
we were in a cathedral, with the birds
providing the music instead of an organ.
We saw quite a few birds that day but,
as usual, Steve Fickett’s group found the
most species in the friendly rivalry among
the groups. Of course, everyone said
with a laugh, that was because Steve got
to assign the areas and saved the best for
himself!
Over the years, I went with different
groups to get to see most of the areas
being counted. Among the highlights
was a bald eagle eating a fish in the top
of a dead tree – the same tree the rest of
the group had just walked under while
visiting the nearby pond to count birds,
and they had never looked up to see the
eagle. Also, one year we saw a South
American Caracara among the thousands
of birds at a dairy farm. An absurd-
looking Woodcock at a pond east of town
just didn’t look like a real bird – someone
must have put the wrong pieces together
on that one. And the Burrowing Owls
at a horse farm south of town were
so solemn and cute. A December
hummingbird looked like a tiny flying
jewel.
I went on every Christmas Bird Count
from 1981 through 2002, missing 2003
See AUDUBON MEMORIES, page 4 u
3
AUDUBON MEMORIES...
from page 3
and 2005 due to a death in the family
and pneumonia. Many of the later years
were spent at Ahhochee Hill with Lisa
Von Borowsky. Sometimes I would sit
in a lawn chair in the yard and let the
birds come to me. One time about 35
wild turkeys walked past me only about
15 feet away. I stayed very still and they
just considered me part of the scenery.
In the late afternoon, deer would come
to eat the corn near the bird feeders.
Sometimes, large flocks of warblers
would suddenly appear, feed for a few
minutes, then all fly away together while
we were trying to sort out the species and
numbers in the flock. Occasionally, we
would see one odd bird that just didn’t
fit, such as the young Black-throated
Blue Warbler that visited one year. In the
afternoon, while the birds were resting
somewhere else, Lisa told a few stories
from her youth in the area, such as having
to ride horses along the trails before there
were any paved roads. She said once that
she did not believe anyone could own
land, you just try to take good care of it
so you can pass it on to the next caretaker
in at least as good a condition as when
you received it. Her property showed her
concern – everything was left as natural as
possible to encourage the wildlife in the
area to stay and grow in numbers. It’s a
great place to visit.
I also went with our group on many field
trips during these years. I loved the canoe
trips on the Withlacoochee River and at
Chassahowitzka to see the water birds.
Once we went to a park near Sebring
and I saw Florida Scrub-Jays in the area,
and a deer that lived in the park and was
unafraid of cars, as long as the people
stayed inside the car. There were several
trips to Cedar Key to see the museum
and restaurants there as well as birds. At
Merritt Island, we saw a Great Horned
Owl in an eagle’s nest he had taken for his
own. Trips to mines and large farming
areas in Zellwood showed how birds can
coexist with these disruptions in nature.
Waterfowl seemed to enjoy the ditches
and ponds recently created there, with a
lot of ducks, herons, shorebirds, and gulls
in and around the water with smaller birds
in the nearby bushes. On these trips I got
to see many of the places in our state that
I would never have seen otherwise, and I
really enjoyed all of them.
4 Hernando Audubon News – January/February 2009
Time to Clean or Install Those Nest Boxes:
Bird Families Will Soon Need Them
by Bev Hansen
Ornithology Editor
It may seem premature, but January
and early February is the time to start
installing new nest boxes, and cleaning
and repairing those nest boxes that were
used last year. In Florida, our local birds
often begin nesting in early spring. In
February Eastern Bluebirds frequently
inspect nest boxes to choose the best
site. In March Carolina Chickadees,
among others, are often collecting
nesting material. By early April Tufted
Titmice and others species are often
feeding their first brood of nestlings.
Photo by Al Hansen
In addition to the species listed above,
other native birds that frequently use “Who are you?” An Eastern Screech-Owl
nest boxes in our area are American peers out from the opening in its home to check
Kestrel, Eastern Screech-Owl, Red- on a visitor. Clean, well-placed boxes, like this
bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, one in the yard of Andy and Elaine Maywalt,
Great Crested Flycatcher, Purple Martin help improve nestling survival rates.
and Wood Duck.
habitat, birds don’t read the books, and
The list of birds that use nest boxes may adopt a box that was intended for
here includes birds ranging in size from another species.
4.75 inches (Chickadee) to 18.5 inches
(Wood Duck). It is important to get a Before the beginning of each nesting
box of the right dimensions to fit the season, it is important to clean any
bird you are trying to attract. Likewise, nesting material remaining from the
previous season. Therefore, a nest box
it is important to install the box at the
correct height and in the habitat where should be selected that can be easily
the bird prefers to nest. For example, opened, even from its high perch on a
the Wood Duck box should be near tree or post.
water, the Bluebird box in an open
field, and many of the other species The Hernando Audubon Society sells
nest boxes of various sizes. These
in an area with some trees. However,
even after you have chosen the correct are always on display at the Chinsegut
size box and placed it in the proper Nature Center, as well as often being
offered at the chapter’s literature tables
at community events. They are also
Our special appreciation to available from individual members. All
Mrs. Mary Ellen Urban Hernando Audubon boxes are made of
cypress, cedar, or pine. Here is the price
for her generous gift
list:
in memory of
Chickadee, Titmouse, or Wren - $10
Virginia and Dick Moberg. Bluebird - $12
Thank you. Great-crested Flycatcher - $15
Kestrel or Screech-Owl - $22
 January/February FIELD TRIPS and
compiled by
Sue Bathauer SPECIAL EVENTS
GUIDELINES: Field trips are open to everyone, and non-members are always welcome. January 24 - Saturday
To participate, contact the trip leader to confirm time and meeting place. Advance Hernando County ESL Cypress Lakes
registration is required for all boat and overnight trips. Some trips require maps, which Preserve Scrub Restoration.
will be handed out at the monthly meeting prior to the field trip. Bring binoculars and Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the gate on Ridge
birding guides. We suggest comfortable clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen and water Manor Boulevard at Olancha Road. Work
or other suitable beverages. And remember: carpooling saves fuel, money and helps the will be completed by noon. Volunteers
environment. For updates please also visit www.hernandoaudubon.org. should bring gloves, insect repellent,
sunscreen, drinking water, a five gallon
widening of the causeway. There will bucket or other container for collecting
January 9 - Friday be a pull-off parking area with a sign trash, and saws for cutting small live oaks.
Vulcan Mines: Winter Waterfowl for Merritt Island National Wildlife Contact Jim King at 754-4057, ext. 28020.
and Fossils Field Trip Refuge. We meet in that parking area to
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the mine entrance carpool. Plan to leave there at 8:30 a.m., February 7 - Saturday
road before the check-in gate. The so everyone should be there earlier. The Hernando County Big Day and
mine is located at 16313 Ponce de Leon refuge itself is a series of ponds and Birdathon
Blvd. (RT 98) about 10 miles north of estuaries surrounded by wide berms A day-long search for birds in the county to
Brooksville. The first part of the Vulcan on which there are roads (unpaved but help raise funds for Hernando Audubon.
Mines trip will be spent birding the area’s solid and wide enough). Our guide is Start early and end late, or join in at any
time. Contact Clay Black at 592-4949 to
ponds and fields. Then the group will be Tom Dunkerton, who is well-acquainted
participate and see page 7 for information
escorted to a fossil area. Vulcan Mine with the location of the many flocks
on how to become a sponsor.
is a good place to find fossil echinoids- and the rarer visiting birds. There are
ancient sea biscuits, sea urchins, and other many species of ducks and wading birds, February 12 - Thursday
marine fossils. Wear sturdy walking shoes, shorebirds, gulls, sometimes rails, Black- Hernando County ESL
sunscreen and a hat, and something to necked Stilts, and Roseate Spoon-bills. Location and tasks to be
hold your fossil finds. The trip usually lasts until 2:00 p.m., determined based on need.
Trip leader: Mary Dowdell without a lunch stop, so you may want Contact Jim King at 754-4057, ext. 28020.
797-7874 to bring munchies and something to
drink along the way. This is the first February 13 thru 16 - Friday-Monday
year Tom has been our guide. For more The Great Backyard Bird Count
January 10 - Saturday
information contact the trip leaders. Stay home and count the birds at your
Weeki Wachee Salt Marsh Safari feeders. Contact Linda Vanderveen at 754-
A strenuous hike into a harsh Trip leaders: Dan and Shirley Kohler 9436 or for more details go to birdsource.
environment. Heavy shoes and clothes, 683-9370 org/gbbc.
sun hat and lots of water are necessary. dkohler@tampabay.rr.com
Trip is limited to 12 physically fit February 14 - Saturday
hikers and reservations are required. January 21 - Wednesday Chinsegut Run and Fun Walk
Participants must sign a liability waiver. Mosaic Mines Field Trip Join the runners or cheer them on as they
Registration for this trip closed on follow a course through the Chinsegut
Trip leader: Clay Black November 20 but you can still contact Wildlife and Environmental Area. Details
592-4949 the trip leaders in the event they have a at MyFWC.com or call Kristin Wood at
last-minute cancellation. Mosaic Mines 754-6722.
January 16 - Friday is located in Mulberry, along State Road
February 21 - Saturday
Merritt Island Field Trip 60, east of Brandon. We need to be
Hernando Audubon Workday at
We strongly suggest you contact the trip mindful of the reservations, since this is Ahhochee Hill Sanctuary
leaders if you intend to participate in this private property. The owners provide a Starts at 9:00 a.m. Clean and repair
field trip. professional guide and lunch. Normally, birdhouses in preparation for the upcoming
From Brooksville take State Road 50 access is limited to Polk County groups nesting season. Help with trail maintenance
east to I-95. Take I-95 north 1 exit to who have been there in the past, but or with other sanctuary tasks. Bring a dish
Titusville. This will exit onto Garden Hernando Audubon is fortunate to be to share for lunch. Ahhochee Hill is located
Street. Go east across U.S. 1 and A1A allowed to participate, since we have been at 24268 Lake Lindsey Rd., just east of
directly onto the causeway. There is a going for more years than many of the U.S. 41 and past the fire station. Follow
park on the left, then a low bridge, then the shaded driveway through the woods.
another picnic area on the left and a See FIELD TRIPS, page 6 u Contact Christie Anderberg at 797-3545.

January/February 2009 – Hernando Audubon News 5

Field Trips...
from page 5
other groups. This has been the highlight
trip for many people for a number of
years.
Trip leaders: Dan and Shirley Kohler
683-9370
dkohler@tampabay.rr.com
January 31 - Saturday
Hummingbirds Field Trip to Steve
Backes’s backyard in Valrico
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Steve Bakkes’ house.
Typically, Steve sets out 12 to 15 feeders.
Visitors to his yard have included Ruby-
throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned
Hummingbirds in the winter. Songbirds
also use his yard, so the group may see
some of them too. If time permits, a visit
to nearby Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa will
be included in the field trip. Contact the
trip leader to arrange to carpool or for
directions to Steve’s home.
Trip leader: Kristin Wood
754-6722
Kristin.Wood@MyFWC.com
February 20 - Friday
Honeymoon Island Field Trip
See shore birds and possibly a Great
Horned Owl on a nest. Meet at 7:30 a.m.
at the first pull-off on the left before the
drawbridge along Dunedin Causeway,
County Road 586. To carpool, meet at
6:15 a.m. at the Publix on U.S. 19 just
south of Spring Hill Drive. The State
Park entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle.
Trip leader: Bev Hansen
686-0460
bevalhansen@earthlink.net
February 27 - Friday
Weeki Wachee River Canoe/
Kayak Trip
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Hardee’s on U.S. 19,
just north of State Road 50. Bring lunch,
water, snacks. There will be no charge for
launching on the river.
Trip leader: Elaine Maywalt
686-8195
andymaywalt@bellsouth.net
or Vera Huckaby
848-5776
bhuckaby@innet.com
6 Hernando Audubon News – January/February 2009
Rivers, Bears and Greenways: We Must
Speak Out for Them by Joe Murphy, Conservation Chair
T he start of a new year is a good
time to reflect on what we value and
love, to think about conservation, and
to remember how blessed we are in the
southern Nature Coast. The natural world
is rich here, and when it’s threatened we
need to speak out to protect it.
Hernando Audubon Society (HAS) has
been active in three main conservation
areas these past months. First, we joined a
new coalition of citizens and organizations
called the Withlacoochee River Alliance
(WRA) which is committed to protecting
the river and its watershed With this
in mind, WRA is working to oppose a
proposed landfill southeast of Dade City.
It would be hard to find a worse place for
this Class 1 landfill. It would be less than a
mile from the Withlacoochee River and near
the Green Swamp. We are working with
other members of the WRA, like the Florida
Defenders of the Environment, Protectors of
Florida’s Legacy, Gulf Restoration Network,
and Withlacoochee Area Residents, to
oppose the landfill. A ruling from the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection is
expected January 12. If they choose landfill over
river we will join the fight to reverse the decision.
HAS and the WRA are also monitoring
the development of a Minimum Flow and
Level (MFL) by the Southwest Florida
Water Management District (SWFWMD)
for the upper and middle Withlacoochee
River in 2010. An MFL is the limit at
which further water withdrawals will
cause significant harm to the water
resources of the area and the related
natural environment. We would prefer
that SWFWMD set a designation that
maximizes the river’s health and ensures
recovery of stressed ecosystems and
species. We will be active in the MFL
process to ensure that whatever MFL
is set is ecologically viable and protects
the river. As development increases in
central Florida, the Withlacoochee River
is often mentioned as a potential source
of water for new development, and we
must continue to oppose this. We are
also calling on SWFWMD to set the MFL
for the lower river, the section closest
to the mouth, in 2010 rather than wait
until 2011. The lower river faces serious
threats from regional over-pumping and is
already imperiled as a result of historical
water control projects.
A second concern has been our
native bears. HAS recently joined the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission and Defenders of Wildlife
to host an educational workshop about
Florida Black Bears. We are also working
with the Gulf Coast Conservancy to
ensure that coastal development projects
along the southern Nature Coast, such
as the proposed Sunwest Harbourtowne
development in Aripeka, do not eliminate
critical core habitat for Florida Black
Bears. Sunwest is a development of
regional impact (DRI) and, unfortunately,
it appears that SWFWMD is going
forward with an associated land swap that
will lead to bears losing habitat.
Our third area of focus has been
addressing sprawl and opportunities
that could be lost for viable greenways
and wildlife corridors across the
northern border of Hernando County.
These passageways could connect the
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Area
to the vast Green Swamp. A massive
proposed development in the north-
central portion of the county, Quarry
Preserve LLC, is poised like a knife
at the heart of efforts to ensure that
wildlife, including Florida Black Bears,
can move between inland and coastal
habitats. Millions of tax dollars have
been spent over several decades to
acquire conservation lands in this area.
The proposed Quarry Preserve DRI
could stop dead in its tracks the chance
to connect these large wild areas. The
Quarry Preserve DRI represents sprawl
at its worst. We will monitor the project,
and will ramp up our efforts in 2009 to
ensure that this development does not
destroy what so many have worked to
create: real and viable wildlife corridors.
The rivers, the bears, the greenways and
the birds need you to speak out for them.
Join our Conservation Committee and be
a voice for nature. Resolve now to protect
the wild places and creatures you love!
Joe Murphy
352-583-0870 - Wildcritters99@aol.com
Please Participate in our Big Day Birdathon Fund-raiser
by Kristin Wood, Recording Secretary

O n Saturday, February 7, a group

of birders will awake before the
dawn chorus. They will spend the day
you can be assured that 100 percent of
your contribution will help Hernando
Audubon provide assistance to projects
of birds identified. You can even offer
a bonus donation per unusual, rare or
endangered species noted. To become
trekking around Hernando County, such as: a sponsor, simply fill out and mail the
sighting common birds such as the -Area Conservation and Environmental form below.
robin and goldfinch, and maybe getting Education Programs
lucky enough to spot a Great Horned -Natural Resource College Scholarship If someone you know is not currently
Owl or Peregrine Falcon. By the end of Funds a member of Hernando Audubon, for
the day, they hope to have seen or heard -Protection of Wildlife Habitat a minimum donation of $20 they can
between 120 to 130 species of birds. become a member, if they want to, for
There are several ways to participate: one year. Members receive the National
The birders will be participating in our You can pledge a given amount per bird Audubon Society’s magazine, Audubon
Big Bird Day Birdathon, which is a species that the Big Bird Day group sees of Florida’s Florida Naturalist and
fund-raising campaign like a walkathon or hears, for example 5, 10 or 20 cents Hernando Audubon NEWS.
or a telethon, but its focus is on birds. or perhaps even $1 per species. Or,
We hope you will either join the group you can contribute a fixed amount, for When the Big Bird Day group has
or sponsor a participant. As a sponsor, example, $25 regardless of the number completed the birdathon, we’ll update
you on their success, send you a list of
the birds that were seen and heard, and
Name_____________________________________________________ let you know the amount of your tax-
deductible contribution. Please support
Address___________________________________________________ this fun and worthwhile event that
reminds us all of the value and beauty
___________________________________________________ of Florida’s diverse birds, other wildlife,
and their homes. If you need more
Phone Number_________________________ information about sponsorship please
(1) Donation amount dollars and/or cents per bird _________________ call me, Kristin Wood, at 352-754-6722.
OR
(2) Donation amount in dollars for the Big Bird Day event ___________ To join the Birdathon group, contact
If you want to challenge the team even more you may pledge a bonus Clay Black at 352-592-4949.
amount: Clay is coordinating the event.
“I will give an additional_________for this species ___________________
______________(insert name of species) being logged by the team.” (For
example: I will give $5.00 if the team logs a Brown-headed Nuthatch.) Florida’s Springs... from page 1
Checks should be made out to Hernando Audubon Society.
Please return form to Hernando Audubon Birdathon participant_________ of Environmental Protection, Florida
____________________________ (please print name), Geological Survey (FGS) in Tallahassee
OR for over ten years. During his tenure
mail to Hernando Audubon Society, P.O. Box 1678, Brooksville, FL 34605 at FGS he has acquired professional
experience in Florida geology, archeology,
zoology, natural history and conservation.
He currently is involved with the Florida
DON’T FORGET - Hernando County now accepts Springs Initiative, a state-funded program
glass at six locations: the northwest landfill on U.S. designed to study, manage and conserve
98, the county’s convenience centers in Spring Hill Florida’s numerous spring resources.
(on Osowaw Boulevard) and Ridge Manor (on Cortez Means also co-authored the recently
Boulevard), the Wal-Mart on State Road 50 in Spring released book, Roadside Geology of Florida.
Hill, the Target in Spring Hill by Lakewood Plaza,
and the Winn Dixie by U.S. 19, near the Red Lobster. Note: This lecture is followed on Friday,
All kinds of glass bottles and jars are accepted. Not February 27 by a field trip on the Weeki
accepted: windowpanes, mirrors or tabletops. Wachee River. Details are on page 6.

January/February 2009 – Hernando Audubon News 7

We’ve kept a keen eye on the natural
environment in this area for 50 years.
Through advocacy and education,
and by bringing people outdoors
to experience nature firsthand,
Hernando Audubon has worked
assiduously since 1959 to preserve
and protect local wildlife, and the
ecosystems that support them.

We encourage responsible environ-

mental stewardship because we want
the beauty and diversity that make
this area special to be around for the
next half-century – and beyond.

Why not join us, to help

ensure a future that’s good
for wildlife and for people? © MYRNA ERLER-BRADSHAW

Hernando Audubon Society, Inc.

P.O. Box 1678
Brooksville, FL 34605

The mission of
Hernando Audubon Society
is to promote an
awareness and
appreciation of nature,
to preserve and protect
wildlife and natural
ecosystems and to
encourage responsible
environmental
stewardship.