Scrub Jay

Marion Audubon Society,Inc. Non-Profit Org.

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

Marion Audubon Society Inc. Newsletter

February 2009

MEMBERS CHAPTER MEETING ON MARCH 26 WHAT’S

Mark these dates
• 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.
For more information about Marion Audubon Field Trips,
please call Carolyn at (352) 817-6715 or (352) 622-2850.
Visit our website for a complete list of upcoming events
at www.marioncountyaudubon.com
INSIDE?
Mark your calendars for a Marion Audubon Chapter Programs
meeting on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. We have Page 2
reserved the Community Room in Ocala Police Headquarters
for this event.  There is well-lighted parking in the strip mall
Ocklawaha River
of which Police Headquarters is the north end.  Located
Restoration
between SR 40 and SR 200 on 441/301 this provides a Page 3
central location for our county-wide membership.  The room
holds 90 people and provides an ample and pleasant venue.
Backyard Birding
In this first Chapter meeting of 2009 we have three emphases.  Page 4
First, you and I, the new President of the Chapter, will have
opportunity to meet and share thoughts together. Secondly,
your Board of Directors has a unanimous recommendation for Visioning & Planning
revisions to our Chapter by-laws which they believe will make Page 5
for a more flexible and creative organization. Please see these
revisions inside this issue as they will be explained and presented Proposed
for your approval at the meeting.  Thirdly, you will be able to Amendments
hear a discussion on: THE RESULTS AND LESSONS OF THE Page 6 & 7
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT.  Many of you participated in the
effort and others may want to do so in late 2009.  NOTE THE
DATE - come, learn, and be part of your developing Marion Upcoming Events
Audubon Society. My best wishes for the new year.      Page 8
Conrad H. Massa, President And much more!!

Programs
Thanks to the MacIntosh Native Plant Society! I was ribbited to my chair over Paul
Moler’s program on Frogs of Florida. Paul Moler is a retired herpetologist for the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Commission. It is on the tip of my tongue to describe how great it was to see so
many hop into MacIntosh to learn about frogs. Thanks so much to the Seedlings for such nice
snacks and for hosting this hippity hop program.
Christmas Bird Count - Thanks once again for a job well done to all who participated in the
annual Christmas bird count this year! Ocklawaha Valley Audubon on December 15, 2008 and the
Marion Audubon on January 2, 2009. Special thanks to Norm Lantz as organizer and compiler!
You can learn more about the Christmas bird count at the membership meeting on March 26, 2009. any member of the SOCIETY.
Annual Shore Bird Count - Can you spend a few hours counting shorebirds on Friday,
February 6th, or if necessary February 7th? If so, please call Erika (352) 546-5718. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service asked Audubon to assist with this annual count with an emphasis
on species of concern (Piping plover, Wilson plover and Red Knots). Please send an email
for survey materials and ID cards to Don White, Flagler Audubon and Project Leader, at
djwhite077@earthlink.net.
Great Backyard Bird Count - What’s a great way to enjoy nature without spending any
money? Taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The 2009 GBBC, led by the
National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, provides an opportunity for
people of all ages to learn about birds and the environment we share.  Visit www.birdcount.
org to view this year’s press release for the GBBC, which will be held from February 13-16,
2009. The website has photos from last year’s count and other materials including regional
bird lists. Taking part in the GBBC is a great way to take a mid-winter nature break, AND
it gives scientists important information about birds and our environment. Each year we see
changes in where the birds are based on factors including climate changes, weather patterns,
food supplies, diseases, and breeding success. You can count anywhere you choose - at a park,
a school, even a garden. No experience required. “Count for Fun, Count for the Future”                        
 
Go where the birds are . . .
www.floridabirdingtrail.com
2 7
(continued from page 6)
Section 9: All checks and drafts of the SOCIETY shall be signed by one of the following: the
Treasurer, the President, the Vice President or a member of the Board of Directors designated
by the Board on an annual basis.
ARTICLE V. Section 1: The Board of Directors shall appoint biennially; not later than
six (6) months prior to the annual meeting at which Directors and Officers need to be elected,
a Nominating Committee, to consist of no fewer than three (3) members. The names of the
members of the Nominating Committee shall be made known to the members through the
SOCIETY’S newsletter or other publication, or by mail, or at a regular meeting of members,
not later than one (1) month after the Nominating Committee has been constituted. Suggestions
for nominations of Officers and Directors may be submitted to the Nominating Committee by
Section 2: The Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates for Officers and
Directors to succeed those whose terms expire at the next annual meeting. The Committee’s
report shall be presented to the membership at the regular meeting of members prior to the
annual meeting.
ARTICLE VI. Section 1: The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors,
shall appoint chairmen of Standing Committees who, in turn, may select their own committee
members with recommendations and suggestions from the Board. Terms of office shall be for
one (1) year, or until their successors are appointed; but no member shall serve as Chairman of
the same committee for more than three (3) consecutive years. Standing Committees should
be composed of no fewer than three (3) members.
Board of Directors Announces Chapter Officer Nominating Committee
Ron Broman has been named Chairman of the Marion Audubon Nominating Committee.
Jane Eberts and Rosalie Coyner will serve as Committee Members. If you are interested
in serving as an Officer or you just want additional information, please contact one of these
Board Members.
Ron Broman Jane Eberts Rosalie Coyner
8959A SW 96th Lane 10976 S.W. 139th Ct. 5103 N.E. 60th Terrace
Ocala, FL 34481 Dunnellon, FL 34432 Silver Springs, FL 34488
(352) 861-4560 (352) 816-0657 (352) 236-4036
The next Board of Directors meeting will be held on February 26th at 5:30 p.m. at
Las Palmas, 506 S. Pine Ave., Ocala.
 Proposed Amendments to Marion Audubon By-Laws
ARTICLE I. Section 2: The classes of membership of this SOCIETY shall be the same
as the voting classes of individual membership maintained by the NATIONAL SOCIETY.
Section 6: Membership dues shall be payable at the time of application and yearly thereafter.
ARTICLE II. Section 1: Regular meetings of members shall be held during the
months of October, January and March on dates set by the Board of Directors in their annual
planning.
Section 2: The annual meeting of members shall be held in the month of May on a date
determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Notice of the annual meeting, special meetings and regular meetings, at which
SOCIETY business is to be transacted, shall be given not less than thirty (30) days nor more
than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting. Such notice is given when deposited in
the United States mail, with postage thereon prepaid, and directed to the member at his address
as it appears on the record of members, or at such other address as he may request in writing to
the Secretary of this SOCIETY. Notice of such meetings may be published in the SOCIETY’S
newsletter or other regular publication, provided such publication is mailed according to the
provisions stated hereinabove.
Section 6: The lesser of either one-tenth (1/10) of all voting members or 15 voting members,
shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of members at which SOCIETY business is to be
conducted. The members may be present in person or by proxy.
ARTICLE III. Section 2: The Directors shall be elected for the term of two (2) years
by a plurality of the voting members of the SOCIETY present in person or by proxy at the
annual meeting of members.
ARTICLE IV. Section 2: All Officers shall serve two (2) year terms, or until their
successors are elected, and no individual may hold the same office for more than three (3)
consecutive terms.
Your
ad
here!
6 3
Pros on Pros
February 21, 2009 - A program on restoring the Ocklawaha River by removing
Rodman Dam followed by a boat ride on the river. Our next program will be on the
continuing “boondoggle” (term for a scheme that wastes time and money) of The Cross
Florida Barge Canal. Professionals will be on the Rodman Dam Spillway to answer
questions on the pros of restoring the Ocklawaha River to its natural channel. Putnam
County Environmental Council and their members will also join us in sharing this program.
We will be asking D.E.P. and Marjorie Harris Carr Greenways, Forest Service, Wetland
Scientists, Florida Defenders of the Environment, Sierra members, and more, to be on
hand to answer questions. Even though a few people like to fish in the dead tree snags
more fish lose their right to swim to the dozen or more submerged springs and even on to
Silver Springs. The shallow Rodman Pool of exotic Hydrilla, Water lettuce and Hyacinth
hide an even uglier accumulation of muck over what was once a beautiful forested flood
plain. Yet still a tiny handful of politicians hold up the restoration that the majority of the
State’s citizens and environmental agencies all agree is best for the area’s water quantity
and quality. Please come with a bag lunch, cameras, and binoculars and ask questions,
listen and then take a relaxing pontoon boat ride with Captains David and Erika on the
Ocklawaha River. Rodman Dam is located between Salt Springs and Palatka on Hwy. 19.
Directions: From Ocala take Hwy. 40 East over the big bridge crossing the Ocklawaha
and then turn left onto Hwy 314. When you get to Hwy. 19 in Salt Springs, take a left going
north. Watch for the sign on the left just before the big bridge over the Barge Canal. Turn left
and follow the road out on the dam until you get to the concrete spillway gates in the middle.
Captain Erika Ritter
A Cruising Down the River
You are invited aboard The Anhinga Spirit.
Experience the Ocklawaha River.
The wildest Outstanding Florida Waterway.
Trips are custom designed, educational and fun!
Licensed by USCG
352-546-5718
captainerikaritter@yahoo.com
 Backyard Birding
The winter is a great time for backyard birding. Many migratory species come
to our bird feeders and birdbaths. I have to refill my feeders once a week. Chipping
sparrows are constantly at my feeders. Cardinals seem to be in great numbers these
days. January 12 was the best day of backyard birding I’ve ever had. A large flock
of robins were feeding in my camphor trees. Then a flock of cedar waxwings joined
them. There must have been at least 100 waxwings. It was interesting to watch them
take drinks from my birdbath. Ten or so would take a sip, followed by another group
and so on. I also observed a Baltimore oriole feeding on my tangelo tree. Three types
of woodpeckers were around at the same time, pileated, downy and red bellied. What
a day. Something you all should try is participating in the Christmas bird count. My
group spotted 43 different species and a total of 866 birds. Two of the people in my
group were real experts. They could spot all types of warblers and vireos that look the
same to the untrained eye. It was a real learning experience.
Larry Sutton
Field Trips
Thanks to Captain Vince Druding we will have extra field trips in March and
April. “Silver River Water Birds” will be on Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March
20th. Both days offer the same route, so just sign up for one. We will meet at 9 a.m.
at the Ray Wayside Park on east Route 40. We will go upriver to the springs and back.
The cost to Audubon members is $15.00, non-members $20.00. As space on the boat
is limited, you must make a reservation with Captain Vince at (352) 690-7140.
The April trips will be Thursday, April 16th and Friday, April 17th. We will meet
at the boat ramp (upstream side of the lock) at Moss Bluff at 10 a.m. Our main target
will be the heron rookery but you never know what else we might see. The charge for
the “Baby Blues” trip is $10.00 for Audubon members. Call Captain Vince at (352)
690-7140 for reservations. The route both days will be the same, so sign up for one day
only. A bonus is that we can all have lunch afterward at the Dam Diner.
Carolyn Retey
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Visioning & Planning Conservation
For Marion County Starts With Us
Last month I encouraged Marion Audubon members to attend some of the 2009
Growth Management seminars and workshops that will be conducted throughout the year in
conjunction with the updating and rewriting of the Marion County Comprehensive Plan. These
discussions are open to the public and the result will be a plan for how the county grows during
the next 20 years. The first of these sessions will be held on January 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the
Growth Mgmt. Bureau next door to the Marion Co. Main Library. At this session the County
Commission along with the Dept. of Community Affairs will hold discussions about Marion
County growth issues and future planning activities and processes. Then on February 5 at 8:30
a.m., the County Commission will lead a strategic planning session in the Klein Center at
CFCC. I hope you will join me at one of these public meetings.
The Audubon Central Regional Conservation Committee will meet on January 31 at
the Audubon Bird of Prey Center in Orlando. I will represent the Marion Audubon Chapter at
that meeting. We will talk about reshaping the Central RCC into smaller groups, developing
a new format for reporting our activities to the Audubon of Florida board of directors and of
course, conservation items.
Judy Greenberg
Conservation Chairman
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS!
Dunnellon – Patricia Post
Ocala – Jennifer Burt • Robin Caple • Mary Jane Crooks • Eleanor Meschter • John Schaefer
Ann Warren
Summerfield – Donna Blanchette • Delores Priester
MEMORIAL GIFT
We are grateful for a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Burt Eno in memory of Helen
Broecker, the mother of Audubon member Sandra Marraffino to whom we extend
our condolences.