Peace River Audubon Society 2008-09 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS:

White Bird
Acting President Cathy Olson ‘09 941-613-6753
Vice President Stu Lewis ’09 941-235-2590
Secretary Sandy Artman ‘09 941-575-0651
Treasurer Walt Williams ‘09 941-235-3352

January 2009 Volume 32, Issue 5 Additional Mike Krzyzkowski ‘10 863-244-2652
Directors: Dave Lancaster ‘10 941-625-0979
Sandy Artman, Editor Eleanor Marr ‘10 941-624-4182
Dan Artman, Dispatcher George Ruby ’10 941-423-0174
Don Youso ‘10 941-235-1298
www.PeaceRiverAudubon.org Starr Zachritz ‘10 941-766-7686
Thank you to those who helped with this year's Christmas Bird Count. The total species seen was 122. We saw
24,516 birds down 8% from last year's 26,564. There were noticeable declines in Boat-tailed Grackles, Common
Grackles, Laughing Gulls and Ring-billed Gulls. Species seeing a noticeable increase are Killdeer, Red Knots, Pine
Warblers, and Yellowlegs. Be sure to come to our next meeting on January 15th to see a presentation of the trends
for all species seen since PRAS began participating in the Christmas Bird Count.

Rail, Clapper (3)

Anhinga (113 ) Egret, Cattle (204) Ibis, White (1041) Turnstone, Ruddy (11)
Rail, King (2)
Blackbird, Red-winged (66) Egret, Great (143) Kestrel, American (27) Vireo, Solitary (blue-headed) (1)
Robin, American (477)
Bluebird, Eastern (23) Egret, Snowy (109) Killdeer (456) Vulture, Black (290)
Sandpiper, Least (27)
Bobwhite, Northern (1) Finch, House (2) Kingfisher, Belted (40) Vulture, Turkey (702)
Sandpiper, Spotted (16)
Bunting, Indigo (4) Flicker, Northern (15) Knot, Red (111) Warbler, Black & White (1)
Scaup, Lesser (2762)
Cardinal, Northern (44) Gnatcatcher, Blue-grey (119) Loon, Common (2) Warbler, Palm (267)
Shrike, Loggerhead (205)
Catbird, Gray (99) Goldfinch, American (29) Meadowlark, Eastern (23) Warbler, Pine (322)
Skimmer, Black (60)
Coot, American (38) Grackle, Boat-tailed (612) Merganser, Hooded (333) Warbler, Prairie (3)
Snipe, Common (12)
Cormorant, Double-crested (1328) Grackle, Common (1124) Merganser, Red-breasted (8) Warbler, Yellow (1)
Sora (1)
Cowbird, Brown-headed (896) Grebe, Horned (10) Merlin (4) Warbler, Yellow-rumped (521)
Sparrow, Bachman's (4)
Crane, Sandhill (85) Grebe, Pied-billed (44) Mockingbird, Northern (261) Warbler, Yellow-throated (3)
Sparrow, House (49)
Crow, American (34) Gull, Laughing (535) Moorhen (72) Willet (9)
Sparrow, Savannah (36)
Crow, Fish (532) Gull, Ring-billed (669) Night-heron, Black-crowned (37) Woodpecker, Downy (18)
Sparrow, Swamp (7)
Dove, Common Ground (45) Harrier, Northern (8) Night-heron, Yellow-crowned (12) Woodpecker, Pileated (7)
Starling, European (983)
Dove, Eurasian Collared (186) Hawk, Cooper's (5) Nuthatch, Brown-headed (13) Woodpecker, Red-bellied (124)
Stork, Wood (86)
Dove, Mourning (1754) Hawk, Red-shouldered (50) Osprey (54) Woodpecker, Red-cockaded (2)
Swallow, Rough-winged (1)
Dove, Rock (128) Hawk, Red-tailed (5) Owl, Barred (1) Woodpecker, Red-headed (4)
Swallow, Tree (4203)
Dove, White-winged (27) Hawk, Sharp-shinned (4) Owl, Burrowing (7) Wren, Carolina (6)
Teal, Blue-winged (57)
Duck, Black Bellied Whistling (48) Heron, Great Blue (96) Owl, Great Horned (4) Wren, House (25)
Tern, Caspian (4)
Duck, Mottled (241) Heron, Green (4) Owl, Screech (5) Wren, Sedge (1)
Tern, Forster's (50)
Duck, Muscovy (17) Heron, Little Blue (141) Pelican, Brown (127) Yellowlegs, Greater (14)
Tern, Royal (64)
Duck, Ring-necked (92) Heron, Tricolored (61) Pelican, White (9) Yellowlegs, Lesser (24)
Tern, Sandwich (7)
Dunlin (89) Jay, Blue (104) Phoebe, Eastern (37) Yellow-throat, Common (32)
Thrasher, Brown (2)
Eagle, Bald Adult (20) Jay, Scrub (35) Plover, Black-belllied (43)
Towhee, Rufous-sided (21)
Eagle, Bald Immature (4) Ibis, Glossy (192) Plover, Semi-palmated (24)

Audubon Pennington Park Birding and Workday January Field Trip—Harns Marsh
by Cathy Olson Led by Cathy Olson

Join me on Saturday January 24, 2009
at 8:00 am for an hour of birding at
Audubon Pennington Park followed by an
hour or so of maintaining this local park.
As you know Audubon Pennington Park is
maintained by Peace River Audubon Soci-
ety. However exotic vegetation is grow-
ing faster than we have been able to keep
up with on our regular Wednesday morning workdays. We really
need a bunch of PRAS members to spruce up the place. A little help
from a bunch of people will make a big difference. If you can, bring
gloves, water, hand saws, loppers, or pruning shears. We will hand
pull invasive exotic species including seedling Brazilian peppers and
carrotwoods and saw down the larger ones and pick up air potatoes.
Please meet at the park entrance off Alton in Port Charlotte between
Midway Blvd. and Peachland Blvd., approximately 1.5 miles West of
Kings Highway.
Each year at our banquet is our major fundraiser: the
silent auction. Please donate new items, artwork, gift
certificates, services, baked goods etc. Contact Cathy
Olson at: 613-6753 or olsonc1@peaceriveraudubon.org
Join me on a trip to Harns Marsh Saturday January 17, 2009.
Harns Marsh is a wonderful place to bird and has the highest density of
Everglades snail kites and limpkins I have ever seen. I like to think of
the area as a mini STA-5. Harns Marsh is in Lehigh Acres in eastern
Lee County. It is over 300 acres and is owned and managed for storm
water by East County Water Control District. I have been working
with Lee County Bird Patrol and to date we have identi-
fied 95 bird species, 12 reptiles and amphibians, 3 mam-
mals and 6 butterflies. It is normally not open to car
traffic however I will be opening the gate for car traffic,
so it is a good opportunity to see this gem if you are not
a strong walker. Please be ready to leave by 7am from
the southern carpool location. Be ready to carpool and come with your
car gassed up and ready to go.
Volunteer of the Month
MaryAnn Hughes
Peace River Audubon Society selected Maryanne Hughes as volunteer
of the month. Mary Ann and Starr Zachritz recently investigated sev-
eral places for our Annual Banquet. Mary Ann was instrumental in
getting the venue selected and reserved. She has also been scanning
old documents so that we may maintain electronic files rather than
bulky paper ones. Thank you for all your years of help, Mary Ann!
 Remember Clotheslines?
By Louise Lewis Walkabouts and Field Trips
2008-2009
To me, a clothesline is a beautiful thing. Of course, beauty is always
in the mind of the beholder. Take a minute to reach into the artsy part January 17: Field Trip Harns Marsh
of your mind: picture the different colors and shapes of laundry on the Cathy Olson *South
line, the breeze moving the shapes, the sun and shadows changing the February 3: Walkabout Yucca Pens
colors - it’s an art happening! Eleanor Marr
February 21: Field Trip Palm Island
Clotheslines have gotten a bad Kevin Edwards *West
rap, Those of us who are “of a March 3: Walkabout Tippe II
certain age” grew up with them Stu and Louise Lewis
out of necessity. Then clothes
March 21: Field Trip Babcock-Webb
dryers became available and
clotheslines came to represent Dave Lancaster (meet at entrance station)
old-fashioned ways, undesirable April 7: Walkabout Shell Creek Preserve
and not what affluence should Eleanor Marr
look like. Also, energy was April 18: Field Trip Fort DeSoto
cheap! It’s a whole different Eleanor Marr *North
situation now. May 5: Walkabout TBA
Phyllis Cady
Dryers, while using lots of en- May 16: Field Trip TBA
ergy, also have to be watched and waited for, and that is time con- Mike Krzyzkowski/Jim Bonk
suming. If laundry is hung on the line right out of the washer while
moist, gravity will pull out the wrinkles. Or use the dryer for 5 min- *NORTH—the parking lot by McDonalds at Peachland Mall near I75
utes and then hang. You get the added plus that sun is a natural steri- and Kings Hwy in Port Charlotte (24133 Peachland Boulevard)
lizer and your laundry will smell wonderfully of fresh air. *SOUTH—the parking lot of Sweetbay on US 41 south of the Burnt
Store Road intersection in Punta Gorda (10175 Tamiami Trail)
We all know that dryers shrink clothes and bake in wrinkles. They *EAST - the parking lot of Winn-Dixie on State Route 17 east of
also create static electricity and so, the temptation to use fabric sof- Punta Gorda (27680 Bermont Road)
teners or sheets. A “Scientic American” article, “Greener Laundery”, *WEST the parking lot of Charlotte Stadium, Rt. 776
recommends staying away from softeners. They contain chemicals
known to be toxic with sustained exposure—either inhaled or ab-
sorbed in the skin - and they are designed to stay in your clothes for
2008-2009
extended periods of time. Speaker Schedule
What’s the alternative? “National Geographic’s Green Guide” sug-
gests adding 1/4 cup baking soda or 1/4 cup white vinegar to your January 15 : Tony Licata - Christmas Bird Count results
wash. Either will soften clothes. The vinegar will reduce static cling. February 19: John Cassani - Frogs and Frogwatch of Southwest FL
However, be sure not to mix either with bleach which could result in March 19: Annual Banquet, silent auction and photo contest
noxious fumes. April 16: Gil MacAdam - Southwest FL Butterflies & their habitats
May 21 : Members night: PRAS members present slides and stories
Florida, the Sunshine state, has lots of solar energy, making for easier
outdoor drying than many parts of the country that have more cloudy
days, cold weather, etc. In northern winters, clothes hung out can
become frozen boards, taking on a comical life of their own as stiff
stand-ups.
The Peace River Audubon Society
I’ve always liked hanging out clothes. It’s the only kind of housework expresses its thanks to the friends of
that wasn’t a chore to me. It gets you outdoors, enjoying the air, the Ms. Jeannette Biddle, late of Parkhill,
birds, the sky, all while getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D! Condo Punta Gorda for their memorial gift in
living comes with restrictions, so I don’t get to have a clothesline her honor and to her memory. Thank
anymore and I miss it! But, we use the next best thing - a small fold- you one and all.
ing/drying rack tucked in the corner of the lanai. Along with a few
articles on hangers, it’s amazing how much you can keep out of the
dryer. Jackie Stevens Welcome New Gail & Paul Pelley
Devin & Colin Cummings Diane Strandberg
Members
So, if you’re lucky enough to have a clothesline, hang your laundry, Nona Hurtado Judy Houle
wet bathing suits, fishing gear, air out the rugs, even hang decorations Shannon McGinnis Beverly Woosley
during the holidays! You can use your clothesline with pride and M. Stinnett Barbara Davis
Patty Bellon Richard Grant
satisfaction while “going green”. The bonus is a lower energy bill
Ann M. Breslin Roberta Overland
because Mother Nature is providing it for free! Nancy Grayconti Cliff & Kim Langenbach
. Joseph Dillon Jill Ludosrook
Patricia Oestreich Joyce & Tony Parker
Patriacia A. Hernandez Lynn Milligan
 Non-profit Organization
The Peace River Audubon Society U.S. Postage Paid
PO Box 510760 Punta Gorda, FL
Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760 Permit No. 100

Check the “Exp” date on your address label!

“1209” means your PRAS and/or National membership expires
December 2009. To save the cost of sending reminders, please
use the application below to renew your membership. If you
have questions please call Phyllis Cady at 575-4009 or send an
email to: membership1@peaceriveraudubon.org

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

January 2009
White Bird

Printed on Recycled Paper

C & R Graphics (folding donated)

The Peace River Audubon Society is a 501 ( c )(3) non-profit organization. Our Federal tax ID number is 59-2190872. We do not engage a professional solicitor and 100% of the
funds generated by this request will be used to support our Chapter programs. Our registration number with the FDA Division of Consumer Services is SC-040701.

Bird of the Month: American Goldfinch(Carduelis tristis) by Cathy Olson, PRAS Board President

The American goldfinch is one of our winter migrants and is frequently seen at bird feeders or hanging from
grasses or plants with small seeds. Some years they are few and far between and other years, like this win-
ter, they seem to be everywhere! American goldfinches are unique among finches in that they have two
complete molts per year, once in the fall and again in the spring. While we see them in their more drab
plumage, their gregarious habit makes them easy to spot. In winter, the males have a yellow face, throat and
chest, with an olive colored back and crown. Females are more of an olive yellow. Both sexes have black
wings and tails with strong white wing bars.

Peace River Audubon Society Membership Application / Renewal

Join us for some fun and birding. Help protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, & the wildlife we love...help us protect Florida.
___ New Membership Chapter Code: E14-7XCH ( ) $20 Local Audubon Membership Only
___ Renewal Includes the “White Bird” newsletter with local news articles,
Name: ______________________________________ local meetings, field trips, bird walks, & special events.
Organization: ________________________________ All proceeds stay within local chapter
Address: ___________________________________ ( ) $20 Local and National Audubon(new members only, renewals $35)
City, State, Zip: ______________________________ Includes all of the above plus National Audubon magazine.
Phone: ( ) _______________________________
( ) Additional Gift for PRAS
E-mail: _____________________________________
Please help PRAS continue our educational and
MAIL CHECK WITH THIS FORM TO: conservation programs with a tax deductible contribution.
PRAS, PO box 510760, Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0760
Total Enclosed $ _________