Scrub Jay

Marion County Audubon Society,Inc. Non-Profit Org.

P.O. Box 5616 U.S.Postage
Ocala, FL 34478 Paid
Ocala, FL
Permit No. 255

Marion County Audubon Society Inc. Newsletter

November 2008

Florida Audubon’s Conservation Agenda for 2008

Mark these dates
• Saturday, November 1, 2008 Coehadjoe Park - 9:30 a.m.
• November 8-9, 2008 - Ocali Country Days
• December 2008 - Christmas Bird Count in South East Marion County
• January 2009 - Christmas Bird Count in South West Marion County
• Saturday, February 14, 2009 - Sunnyhill Restoration Area - 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, March 14, 2009 - Silver Springs Shores Park - 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, April 4, 2009 - Horseshoe Lake Park - 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, May 2, 2009 - Carney Island - 9:30 a.m.
Visit our website for a complete list of upcoming events
at www.marioncountyaudubon.com
Audubon of Florida’s conservation agenda focuses on five statewide strategies: WHAT’S
Land Conservation • Water Resource Protection • Wildlife Policy INSIDE?
Growth Management and Transportation • Global Warming
At the writing of this article, I’m looking forward to attending my first
Audubon Assembly Awards Dinner on October 24th in Crystal River. I hope to Programs
learn more about the Audubon organization and its conservation agenda. So, Page 2
in anticipation of learning more that can be shared in future articles, I’ll recap
some of last year’s discussions about water resource protection.
Last year several articles in the Scrub Jay focused on Marion County’s Bird of the Month
specific role in the statewide water supply debate. We talked about water Page 3
conservation and about the latest alternative water supply discussions. Water
conservation is critical to short-term water supply planning. Individual actions
can help reduce water consumption but it takes a community pulling together Backyard Birding
to address long-term water supply needs. Page 4
Pulling together as a community has been demonstrated by our county’s
involvement with two regional groups; the Coquina Coast Seawater
Desalination project and the Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority. Ocali
These actions take us a step closer to meeting the Florida Audubon goal to Country Days
encourage partnerships for water storage to help finance, share water resources Page 5
and allow storage of water on private lands.
During the spring and summer of 2008, the Marion County Springs
and Aquifer Committee labored over the regulation of fertilizer use and the Board Members
relationship of springs protection zones to land use decisions. By the time this Page 6
issue of the Scrub Jay is printed, the County may have adopted some of the
committee’s recommendations.
Future articles to the Scrub Jay will focus on two Audubon conservation Join Us!
strategies: Growth Management and Transportation, and Climate Change. Page 7
In particular, future articles will discuss innovative approaches to land use
planning and promoting conservation, energy efficiency, green building
standards, compact development and other energy efficiency technologies. Upcoming Events
Marion County government and its citizens have taken steps toward addressing Page 8
these two Audubon goals. Perhaps we can explore just how close these steps
align with Audubon’s expectations.
Alone we can do so little; together we can accomplish so much. And much more!!
~ Helen Keller
Judy Greenberg, Conservation Chairman
 Birds of a feather
Programs
flock together Date__________
“Owl Ween” program at Carney Island by Marion County Parks was a great success. Name___________________________
Upon entering the park we were greeted by a dozen wild turkeys! Carol McCorkle of the Avian Marion County Audubon Society, Address_________________________
Reconditioning Center near Apopka brought several birds, including Inc. offers a local chapter membership City_____________ Zip____________
a Kestrel, Red Tailed Hawk, Great Horned owl and a Barred owl. option to those who wish to be involved in
Phone___________ Fax____________
The kids had a wonderful time making and coloring owls and eating Marion County’s environmental issues and
s’mores! Thanks to Cathy Norris of Marion County Parks for her E mail_ _________________________
activities.
hard work and organization! Local Audubon membership includes $10 membership paid by
November 15th - 8:00 AM - Coffee with the Birds at a monthly (during the winter) issue of The ____cash ___check
Silver River State Park. This is a great opportunity to learn to Scrub Jay, Marion Audubon’s newsletter. ____new ___renewal
identify birds and bird calls. Usually led by Norm Lance, this The newsletter has information on Prior Audubon chapter elsewhere?
one will be led by Barb Gay, President of The Village Birders. meetings, programs, activities, issues for
Carol McCorkle of the Avian _____yes____no
Nov. 8th and 9th - Ocali Days - Marion Audubon will have Reconditioning Center at your involvement and guided field trips to
a booth for Ocali Days on Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, “Owl Ween”. identify native birds, flora and fauna. Are you willing to serve an active role?
November 9th. We will have wildflower seeds and plants for sale. Dues are $10 annually. A bargain! _____yes ____no
If someone would like to add to our display with nature crafts, pictures, etc., or if you can help on Three easy ways to join:
either of these days, please call Erika (352) 546-5718. 3. Use the form above, and mail it to:
1. Go online and sign up at: Marion County Audubon Society, Inc.
Reminder for the Christmas Bird Counts planned for December 15, 2008 and January 2, 2009: www.marioncountyaudubon.com P.O. Box 5616
2. Print the online form and mail it to us. Ocala, Fl 34478
• We still need a couple of boats and captains for the Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers. Call
Erika at (352) 546-5718. Call Norm for assignment to a group and area at (352) 854-5713. You

We need you now!

don’t have to be an expert birder. You just need to be able to point, write or take pictures.
• We also need volunteers to help the Ocklawaha Valley Audubon with their count
on Monday, December 15, 2008.  Call Peg Urban to volunteer at (352) 326-3868.

We are on the web at:

www.marioncountyaudubon.com

Go where the birds are . . .

www.floridabirdingtrail.com

2 7
 MEMBER RECEIVES CERTIFICATION
Dunnellon resident and Audubon member Sandra Marraffino recently received
certification of her landscape as a Florida-friendly Yard at the Gold Standard level. Elizabeth
Hale, Marion County Master Gardener, congratulated Sandra for this achievement and presented
her with a sign for her yard. As a bird and butterfly lover, Sandra eliminated almost all of the
grass in her lawn and replaced it with native plants and other plants that thrive in North Central
Florida that attract birds and butterflies and require far less water.
Landscaping the Florida-friendly way means using low maintenance plants and
environmentally sustainable practices. Learn how you can have a beautiful landscape that
could save you time, energy and money while protecting our future. Contact the Marion
County Master Gardeners for more information at (352) 671-8400 or visit the Marion County
website: http://www.marioncountyfl.org/CountyExtension/mastergardeners.aspx.
Check out the Florida-friendly plant database and learn how to design your landscape
with the interactive yard feature at http://floridayards.org/.
For your free copy of “A Guide to Environmentally Friendly Landscaping: Florida
Yards and Neighborhoods Handbook” and “The Florida Yardstick Workbook” visit the Master
Gardener office at 2234 N.E. Jacksonville Rd., Ocala.
MARION COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY, INC.
2008-2009 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT
(VACANT) (VACANT)
SECRETARY PROGRAM CHAIR MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION
ROSALIE COYNER ERIKA RITTER JANE EBERTS
236-4036 HOME 546-5718 HOME 816-0657
352-229-6716 CELL CAPTAIN ERIKARITTER@YAHOO.COM JANEEBERTS@AOL.COM
ROSALIE.COYNER@COX.NET
JANE POPE
TREASURER FIELD TRIPS & PUBLICITY 625-0050
LARRY SUTTON CAROLYN RETEY MSJANE@EMBARQMAIL.COM
622-8655 622-2850
MFS11@EMBARQMAIL.COM FERNYFARMS@AOL.COM
Gray Catbird
 (Dumetella carolinensis)
The gray catbird has returned to its winter home.  The gray catbird is a small mimic
(length 21–24 cm, mass 23–56 g) with relatively short
wings and long tail; both wings and tail rounded. 
Sexes are indistinguishable. Upperparts of adult dark
to blackish neutral gray, underparts light to medium
neutral gray. Crown, forehead, and tail black. Undertail-
coverts chestnut or neutral gray edged chestnut.
Flights are typically short and low, just
above top of shrubs or through small spaces among
them; avoid flying across large, open space.  Hops
when moving along branches. It travels through shrubs using combination of hopping and
short flights. It frequently flicks its tail, often while calling.  Its song is similar to those of
the Brown Thrasher and Northern Mockingbird; its call sounds like the mewing of a cat.
The gray catbird’s summer range includes most of the U.S. and winters in
Florida, eastern Mexico and Central America seaboard and Caribbean Islands. They
are found year-round on the eastern seaboard.  Migration occurs primarily at night.
The gray catbird forages in a variety of locations ranging from ground to treetops,
feeding primarily on insects and fruits.  Currently a common species in most areas, but
recent decline of breeding populations in the southeastern U.S. warrants monitoring.
Citation Cimprich, David A. and Frank R. Moore. 1995. Gray Catbird (Dumetella
carolinensis), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.
edu/bna/species/167 .

SCRUBJAY CHAIR CONSERVATION DATABASE COORDINATORS Your

TERESA DARNELL JUDY GREENBERG RON AND VICKI STAPP
465-4618 HOME
850-974-2574 CELL
352-871-1094
JUDYMG@GMAIL.COM
694-1542
PETEANDLUCY@COX.NET
ad
DUNNMOVN@BELLSOUTH.NET

EDUCATION CHAIR
here!
RON BROMAN
861-4560
BERBROMAN@SYSMATRIX.NET
6 3
 Backyard Birding
As the weather cools off (finally), various migratory species will find their way to your
Ocali Country Days
backyard feeders. Last winter, I fed a flock of chipping Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center
sparrows. They seem to like the cheap wild bird seed which November 8th & 9th (9 am - 4 pm)
I put in a feeder almost every day. Thistle seed feeders are
also good for other migratory species. I’ve tried putting Step back in time to the Florida frontier at the 2008 Ocali Country Days festival.
out fruit for orioles with no luck. The squirrels devour the This popular festival features Florida history, folk art, and food. Experience old time
tangelo slices that I hang from trees. My neighborhood is music, storytellers, and historical re-enactors portraying life on a late 1800’s Marion County
prime squirrel country. Keeping them from my feeders was farmstead. View traditional craft demonstrations such as log cabin building, sugarcane syrup
a real pain until I discovered squirrel baffles. The baffles making, blacksmithing, quilting, spinning, woodworking, and more. Vendors will also offer
keep the squirrels from climbing to your feeder as long unique crafts and food for sale.
as you place the feeder in a location where they cannot While here, visit the Silver River Museum,
jump above the baffle. Recently I spotted a raccoon sitting ride our jeep tram through the State Park, tour a
on the baffle and helping himself to sunflower seeds in a Civil War encampment, or meet Seminole and
feeder. Sometimes you just can’t beat Mother Nature. Miccosukee Tribal members to learn about Native
American culture in Florida. Hard-to-find books
about Florida from University Presses of Florida
Field Trips will be on sale in our library. A live auction will
also be held Saturday at 1 p.m. All proceeds from
If more field trips are planned, information will be forwarded to the members two weeks the festival support the educational programs at
in advance of the trip. We are hopeful of a joint field trip with Alachua Audubon. the Silver River Museum.
The Silver River Museum is located within the Silver River State Park near Silver Springs. 
• Saturday, November 1, 2008 Coehadjoe Park - 9:30 a.m. Enter the park from Baseline Road (CR 35) one-mile south of SR 40.  Festival admission is $5
• December 2008 - Christmas Bird Count in South East per person with children age six and under admitted free. State Park admission and parking
Marion County* are free. Call (352) 236-5401 or visit us on the web at www.SilverRiverMuseum.com for
more information.
• January 2009 - Christmas Bird Count in South West
Marion County*
• Saturday, February 14, 2009 - Sunnyhill Restoration Area Coehadjoe Park -
A Cruising Down the River
9:30 a.m. 4225 NE 35 Street You are invited aboard The Anhinga Spirit.
• Saturday, March 14, 2009 - Silver Springs Shores Park - 9:30 a.m. Experience the Ocklawaha River.
• Saturday, April 4, 2009 - Horseshoe Lake Park - 9:30 a.m. The wildest Outstanding Florida Waterway.
Trips are custom designed, educational and fun!
• Saturday, May 2, 2009 - Carney Island - 9:30 a.m. Licensed by USCG
352-546-5718 (home) 352-817-7820 (cell)
*For more information about the Christmas Bird Counts, contact Norm Lantz (352) 854-5713.
captainerikaritter@yahoo.com
Questions? For more information call Carolyn Retey (352) 622-2850.
4 5