The Audubon Observer
Volume XIII, No. 1
A publication of the Duval Audubon Society
President’s Message
Welcome to our 2010/2011 season! You will notice a few
changes. Our program meetings will be held every other month
at Swaim Memorial Methodist Church. Don't think for a
minute that we are "cutting back" or doing less. If anything,
your board has been actively working behind the scenes all
summer to become more involved in our community. We are
adding a new program location, Orange Park Library, for our
Clay county members and will have a program there in
September and one in April.
Due to the increased costs of printing and post- “I hope
age, this will be our only printed newsletter this
season. Be sure to save it and the calendar for
of new
future reference. To be notified of periodic year and, as always,
updates, send your email address to
duvalaudubonmail@yahoo.com. Also, for news look forward to Most
and special events or to subscribe online, please seeing all the
visit our web site: www.duvalaudubon.org. We
are also on Facebook. You can now post your familiar
interesting bird sightings there. For our mem-
bers that do not use computers, we will have a phone bank to
notify you of any changes, special events or spur of the mo-
ment field trips. Please take advantage of this. We don't want to Hemisphere! The lone bird stayed for nearly two weeks bring-
lose any of you because of technology. To be on this list, call
our phone bank coordinator, Jan Morgan, at 904-284-3138.
You are well aware of the summer long oil disaster in the Gulf.
Because of this, we will kick off our season with a special
program, "Beyond the Spill: Recovering Our Resilient Coasts
Where Birds and People Connect." Our speaker will be the
President of Florida Audubon Society, Eric Draper and we will
have a Q&A after his presentation. You won't want to miss this
so be sure to attend! Our November meeting is the "Best of All
of Us" with a twist. We will have a potluck dinner with our
usual member photo presentations. Bring the family, bring a
friend, bring your photos, either printed or digital, and bring a
dish to share!
For our friends in Clay County, we will meet at the Orange
Park Library for two programs - one in the fall and one in the
spring. The program on September 22nd will be an Owl
Encounter with Lesley Royce. This is an excellent educational
program that the entire family is sure to enjoy. The kids will
especially enjoy meeting Merlin, the owl. In April we will
have a speaker from Florida Audubon, Jacqui Sulek, on
Please visit our website at http://www.duvalaudubon.org/ for updated events,
important local conservation efforts, and articles relating to conservation and birding.
2010/2011 Season Annual
Serving Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties
attracting birds to your backyard. We will also have suitable
plants available for a small donation.
Do you like international travel? This year we had two birding
adventures to Costa Rica, one in January and one in April. On
our April trip, we saw over 300 species! We had such a good
time that we are offering the tour again in January. You will
be accompanied by an expert guide the entire trip. How about
adding a few birds to your life list like the beautiful
Resplendent Quetzal, motmots, trogons, toucans, and
puffbirds just to name a few. This is an awesome trip at very
good price that will allow you to experience
different habitats. I encourage you to take ad-
to see lots vantage of this opportunity. Details are in the
faces this newsletter here and on our web site. Get your
deposits in soon to hold your space!
of our field trips are within an hour's
drive. If you see a field trip and think "Oh, I've
been there before and won't see anything
different", well, think again! A perfect example
ones!” of this is Huguenot Memorial Park in May,
2009 when Lesley Royce, Carole Adams and
Doris Leary discovered a rarity, the Greater Sand-Plover. This
was only the second sighting of this species in the Western
ing in people from all over the country to see it. That is part of
the fun of birding. You just never know what you might see.
We are always needing volunteers. Do you enjoy the beach? If
so, you might want to become a bird steward. Got a passion
for education? Join our education committee. Got a green
thumb or enjoy working outside, join our maintenance crew at
Crosby Sanctuary in Orange Park. We attend many events
throughout the year and can always use volunteers to "man or
woman" our membership tables. These are just a few of the
many ways you can be involved. Feel free to call any of our
board members to learn more about these opportunities, and
feel free to call me as well. I'm always interested in talking
with our members! A final reminder, our program meetings
are always open to non-members. I hope to see lots of new
faces this year and, as always, look forward to seeing all the
familiar ones!
Carly Wainwright
Carly Wainwright,
President
2010 and 2011 Programs
Beyond the Spill: Recovering our Resilient Coasts
where Birds and People Connect
Monday, September 20, 7:30pm Speaker: Eric Draper
Join us for a special evening with Eric Draper, President of Florida
Audubon Society. Eric will talk about how the oil spill awakened
people to the importance of taking care of coastal habitats,
including northeast Florida, and what you can do. Eric Draper, a
Florida native, is always moved by the sight of Brown Pelicans
floating in formation along the coast. Shorebirds and seabirds are
indicators of healthy coasts. As President of Florida Audubon
Society, Eric shares his passion about the natural environment and
the ways people can come together to protect the places that made
Florida special.
SPECIAL PROGRAM: Owl Encounter
Wednesday, September 22, 7:30pm Speaker: Lesley Royce
Location: Orange Park Library
2054 Plainfield Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073
Join Lesley Royce, formerly a naturalist with the City of
Jacksonville, and her non-releasable barred owl, Merlin. Barred
owls are the most vocal of owls found here in Florida, and are
often known as “hoot owls.”
Historically, owls have been feared and revered, oftentimes for
reasons that are not factual. Most of us know so little about owls,
in part because they are nocturnal and seldom seen. Come learn
how owls are different from other birds and why this is such an
amazing bird of prey.
“Best of All of Us” Pot Luck Dinner and Photos
Monday, November 15, 7:30pm Speaker: Duval Audubon
Members
Have you photographed some interesting birds this year? This is
your opportunity to share your photos with others. We’ll be doing
our usual photo presentations, but with a twist: combining it with a
pot luck dinner! Bring a dish to share and bring your favorite
birding photos from your travels. These can be printed
photographs in albums which we can share or digital. If bringing
digital, please use a jump drive since the computer does not have a
CD drive. Come for a fun, casual evening of food and photos!
Sparrow ID
Monday, January 17, 7:30pm Speaker: Adam Kent
Adam will introduce you to the basics of identification of inland
sparrows found east of the Mississippi River. Even though most
North American sparrows lack the bright colors of many warblers,
sparrows’ distinctive shapes, interesting behaviors and subtly
beautiful patterns can allow us to identify them with often only a
quick glance. Sure, sparrows and their often secretive behaviors
can present identification challenges in Florida in the winter. The
trick is being prepared. Once you understand the basics of the
The Audubon Observer, Volume XIII, No. 1
combination of shapes, behaviors and patterns, you, too, can do
away with the term “Little Brown Job.” You may even find
yourself saying you are going “sparrowing” instead of birding
this winter.
Florida’s Frogs
Monday, March 21, 7:30pm Speaker: Paul Moler
At our March meeting we will have Paul Moler as our guest
speaker. Paul worked for the Game & Fish Commission
for many years and is now retired, but still has an office
there. He will be discussing frogs and their habitats, and playing
their calls. Paul has been researching frogs for over 40
years. Did you know that there are at least 27 native frogs in
Florida, and some exotics? This is a program young people
would enjoy.
SPECIAL PROGRAM:
Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
April, Date to be Announced Speaker: Jacqui Sulek
Location: Orange Park Library
2054 Plainfield Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073
Your backyard can become a sanctuary for wildlife and birds by
adopting a few basic principles. Jacqui will discuss how to we
can create a healthy habitat for our feathered friends. We will
also have suitable plants available for a small donation.
Birds and Breakfast at the Powell Farm
Saturday, May 14, 8:00am
Location: Powell Farm, Orangedale
On Saturday, May 14, DAS will have its annual breakfast meet-
ing at the Powell farm in Orangedale. You may come at 8 AM to
bird or fish. Breakfast will be at 9 AM, followed by a short
meeting, and then we will go out to look for birds. Bring a
breakfast dish; coffee will be provided. We always have a feast!
Directions: Take SR13 (San Jose Blvd.) south to Orangedale
down in St. Johns County. Turn left on 16A at the traffic light
and go about 4 miles to Hardwood Landing Road. Turn right on
the blacktop road, go straight to the big gate with Powell's name
over it, and drive in. If you are coming from US1 or I-95, take
SR210 west to 16A. Turn back east (left) on 16A and go about
3.5 miles to Hardwood Landing.
The telephone # at the farm is 522-1514. Hope to see you there!
Programs are the 3rd Monday of every other month, and
are held at the following location unless otherwise noted.
Swaim Memorial United Methodist Church
1620 Naldo Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207
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Tour to Costa Rica January 27- February 4, 2011
Come join us for a birding adventure in Costa Rica!
Our two trips to were so successful this year, we’re doing it again
in January! You will have a custom-designed trip focused on bird-
ing with an outstanding guide. Plan on adding a few birds to your
life list! This 9 day trip includes visits to La Selva Biological
Station, Savegre Mountain Lodge, Braulio Carrillo National Park
and Carara National Park on the Pacific coast. Cost includes
ground transportation from San Jose, 8 nights lodging (double
occupancy), entrance fees to parks, all taxes (except $26 airport
departure tax) and meals beginning with dinner first night.
Cost per person (DOES NOT INCLUDE AIRFARE):
For 5 people: US$1900/ per person
For 6 people: US$1791/ per person
For 7 to 8 people: US$1750/ person
For 9 to 10 people: US$1625/ person
For 11 to 12 people: US$1535/ person
Single Supplement: US$220
This small group trip is limited to 12 people with a minimum of 5
so reserve your spot now! A non-refundable $500 deposit is due
by December 1st to hold a reservation. Payment in full is due by
December 15. For a detailed itinerary, go to
www.duvalaudubon.org.
2010 Field Trips
Ft. Caroline/Spanish Pond
Saturday, Sept 25 2010, 8am Leader: Pat Murphy
904-608-7860
To begin the walk we will bird around the Spanish Pond area be-
fore moving on to the fort area. We might see painted bunting, fall
migrant warblers, a number of woodpecker species and two or
three types of vireo. The walking is easy, short stop-and-go trails.
This is a great field trip for beginner birders as well as long timers.
Bring a friend, a hat and bug spray. We will meet at the Spanish
Pond parking lot, directly across the street from the fort entrance
on Fort Caroline Road. Park along the roadside if the gate is
closed.
Directions: From St. John’s Bluff Road, go North until it dead
ends at Fort Caroline Road. Turn right on Fort Caroline Road,
follow signs to fort (at fork keep left).
Kingsley Plantation/Ft. George Island
Saturday, Oct 2 2010, 7am Leaders: Andrew Thornton
Laura Johnannsen
Fall migration will be ramping up at this time of year and Ft.
George Island is one of the best places in town to run into a variety
of warblers, vireos, tanagers, buntings, and who knows what else.
We will start our morning at the Ribault Club area, walking the
trails in that vicinity and checking the boat ramp behind the club
for shore and marsh birds. We plan to move to the Kingsley Plan-
tation later in the morning to check the hot spots there. So, if you
are not an early riser, please plan to join us whenever you can.
We’ll see what the birds and the group decide as to where to
The Audubon Observer, Volume XIII, No. 1
Itinerary:
January 27 Arrive in San Jose, overnight at Hotel Buena
Vista, Alajuela on the foothills of the Central
Volcanic Range over-looking the Central
Valley
January 28,29,30 La Selva Biological Station
January 31 Braulio Carrillo National Park, Savegre
Mountain Lodge
February 1 Savegre Mountain Lodge in the Talamanca
Mountains. An ideal spot to explore the high
elevation habitats in Costa Rica.
February 2, 3 Lodging at Villa Lapas, Carara National Park
and boat trip along the Tarcoles River
February 4 Transfer to airport and fly out
Contact: Carole Adams, 904-403-7134
munch lunch and which direction to go afterwards. We do plan on
getting there early by 6am to listen and look for owls. Bring water,
lunch, snacks, bugspray, sunscreen, binoculars, scopes, etc.
Meeting Place and Directions: Fort George Island Ribault Club
Parking lot. From SR9A go north (east) on SR105, Heckscher
Drive. Turn left onto Ft. George Road about ½ mile past the St.
John’s River Ferry, look for the brown sign for Kingsley Planta-
tion. When you get to the fork in the road take the right fork. The
Ribault Club will be on your right, white building with black fence
surrounding the property. There is limited parking on the right
side, but plenty on the left side of the road.
NOTE: Cell phone service can be spotty on the island, please call
home number if you have questions. Co-Leader: Laura Johannsen,
home 904-757-8894, cell 904-982-5710. Co-Leader: Andrew
Thornton, home 904-826-0318, cell 440-391-1152
Camp Tomahawk Leaders: Julie Cocke
Saturday, Oct 9 2010, 8am Carole Adams
904-403-7134
Julie Cocke has agreed to walk us through the park next to her
home where she finds several species of warblers, grosbeaks and
orioles during migration. Come prepared for an easy hike along
shady trails with dense undergrowth. This will be an enjoyable
walk through one of our local city parks.
Meeting Place: Meet in the parking lot at 8 a.m. Camp Tomahawk
is at 8419 San Ardo Road, off San Clerc Road which is between
San Jose and Old Kings Road
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2010 Field Trips Continued
Huguenot Memorial Park:
Shorebirds Simplified
Saturday, Oct 16 2010, 8:30am Leader: Lesley Royce
Are you mystified by shorebirds? You can learn them by starting
out simple. We will focus on learning the difference between
gulls, terns, plovers, and sandpipers, and then use our newfound
knowledge to assist in identifying those shorebirds we see at the
park. We will have binoculars to loan.
Meet at the parking lot at 8:15 am--go straight instead of turning
right to go through the pay station. Carpooling into the park is
encouraged. Entrance fee: $1/person or $3/car. Leader: Lesley
Royce, cell: 904-945-1939
Directions: Huguenot Park is located on Heckscher Drive/A1A
north of the Mayport ferry. If you cross the Dames Point bridge
going north, exit right (east) on Heckscher Drive. Follow it past
the ferry to the blinking yellow light before Ft. George Inlet. Turn
right into the clearly marked entrance and go straight to the first
parking lot.
Nocatee
Saturday, Oct 30 2010, 7:30am Leader: Diane Reed
This mile walk will take us through a beautiful undeveloped
(paved) trail where we can expect to see lingering summer
migrants and new fall arrivals. During a recent late summer visit
to this area, we observed Eastern bluebirds, brown-headed
nuthatches and summer tanagers
Meeting Location: Meet at the Publix Parking Lot at Nocatee
Towne Center located at Crosswater Parkway & Nocatee Parkway,
Ponte Vedra, FL 32081 at 7:30 a.m. From the meeting point, we
will caravan to the boardwalk parking area for an easy paced walk
through one of the newest nature trails at Nocatee. The boardwalk
is located behind the playground and sports fields.
Theodore Roosevelt Preserve
Saturday, Nov 6 2010, 9:00am Leader: Wade Nolan
Join us for a fall field trip to the Theodore Roosevelt area which is
a part of the vast Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. We
might see some fall migrant warblers, a number of woodpecker
species, two or three types of vireo and possibly painted
buntings. The walking is easy, a wide trail through maritime
hammock to an observation deck overlooking Round Pond marsh
and tidal creeks in the area. This is a great field trip for beginning
birders as well as long timers. Bring a your binoculars, a friend, a
hat and bug spray. There is a picnic area at the trailhead entrance
and we will meet there in the parking area. There is no admission
fee and there are restrooms at the trailhead.
Directions: From St. John’s Bluff Road, go North until it dead
ends at Ft. Caroline Road. Turn right on Ft. Caroline Road, follow
until Mt. Pleasant Rd forks off to the right. Go about a mile to the
entrance at 13165 Mt. Pleasant Road. Turn left and follow the dirt
road to the trailhead.
The Audubon Observer, Volume XIII, No. 1
Little Talbot Island
Saturday, Nov 27 2010, 8am Leader: Laura Johannsen
Join us for an opportunity to “bird” off some of that Tom-turkey
from Thanksgiving. The entrance fee is $5.00 for a carload of up
to 8 people ($4.00 if you are alone), but we may get the fee
waived. We’ll scope from the boardwalk at the north beach (first
parking area) looking for mergansers, gannets, terns, gulls, and
maybe jaegers. Later, as the tide comes in we’ll move to the south
beach parking area to look for the “peeps”. This is a good area to
study a variety of plovers along with sandpipers, turnstones,
sanderlings and who knows what else. We can look for Red Knots
or Piping Plovers with bands on their legs. See you then!
Meeting place time and directions: 8:00 am, North beach park-
ing lot past the entrance gate. Take Heckscher Drive (SR105 to
A-1A) east/north from either I-95 or 9A to the park entrance on
the east side of the road. The park entrance is 13.5 miles from 9A
(Dames Point Bridge). If coming south along A-1A from
Fernandina or Amelia Island it is roughly 10 miles south of
Amelia Island . Laura Johannsen home 757-8894, cell 982-5710.
Baldwin Trail Bike and Birding
Saturday, Dec 4 2010, 8am Leader: Pete Johnson
Join Meet at the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trailhead (Link to
Directions). We will ride to several birding spots along the trail
including several public lands owned by the City of Jacksonville
Preservation Project. The ride distance will be approximately 20
miles, so be prepared with a mechanically sound bicycle and
enough fitness to go the distance. Helmets, spare inner tubes and
pumps/CO2 inflation devices are required. The ride will be lead
by an experienced cyclist and birder with knowledge of good
birding locations along the Baldwin Trail. Birds to expect include
Florida winter time standards such as ducks, waders, woodpeckers,
raptors, songbirds, warblers and sparrows.
AREA EVENTS 2010-2011
Sept. 22-26 Florida Keys Birding Festival, Marathon, Fl.
October 7-10 Georgia Coast Birding & Nature Festival,
Jekyll Island, Ga.
Oct 22-23 Audubon Assembly, St. Petersburg, Fl.
Jan. 12-17 Everglades Birding Festival, Hollywood, Fl.
Jan 26-31 Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival,
Titusville, Fl.
Jan 27-Feb 4 Duval Audubon Society Birding tour in
Costa Rica
March 18-20 Audubon Academy, Gainesville, Fl.
March 23-26 Big “O” Birding Festival, Okeechobee, Fl.
April 28-May 1 Florida's Birding and Fotofest,
St. Augustine, Fl.
May 20-22 Wild Amelia Nature Festival,
Amelia Island, Fl.
4

2011 Field Trips
Fort Clinch State Park
Saturday, Jan 8 2011, 2pm Leader: TBA
Target birds which we may see are Purple Sandpiper, Red-
breasted Merganser, 2 species of Loons, Northern Gannet and
Bonaparte Gull. Bring binoculars, spotting scope, field guide, bug
juice, sunscreen, rain gear, sunglasses and water. Also wear layers
of clothing. The weather can be brutal on the pier in winter!
Meeting place and Directions: The entrance to the Pier. Direc-
tions from I-95: From I-95 take exit Amelia Island, Fernandina
Beach, A1A, State Road 200 East. Cross over Intracoastal Water-
way following A1A and Fort Clinch signs. After crossing the
bridge it is approximately 5 miles. Directions from Heckscher
Drive: At the Ferry the road becomes A1A North. Just follow A1A
signs.
St. Marks/Wakulla Weekend
Jan 14-16 2011 Leader: Carole Adams
Join us again for a fun filled weekend and bring the whole family.
Last year the children (and adults) had a grand time. We will again
be camping just outside of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
Plans are to gather Friday evening around 6pm, at the Newport
Park campground where Coach Dave White will have a grill set
up. You bring your burgers or whatever for grilling and something
to share and we will have a “potluck” grill. Afterwards, we will sit
around a campfire, tell stories and try calling in some owls.
Saturday morning we will meet at the St. Marks Lighthouse at
8am. After birding St. Marks Refuge we will re-group at the camp-
ground for a Low Country Boil prepared by Chef Steve Jump.
(Steve will bring the fixings and we will share the cost) So please
RSVP no later than Monday, January 4th to Carole. This has be-
come a highlight event that shouldn’t be missed. Below are some
lodging choices.
WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK & LODGE 850-224-5950
Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, FL 32327-0390
SHELL ISLAND FISH CAMP & MARINA 850-925-6226
440 Shell Island Rd., St. Marks, Fl 32335.
INN AT WILDWOOD 850-926-4455
3896 Coastal Highway 98, Crawfordville, FL 32327.
www.innatwildwood.com
NEWPORT PARK CAMP GROUND 850-925-4530.
8046 Coastal Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. Contact Dave
White 246-6201. Dave is arranging for our reservations.
RSVP Carole FOR ALL OR PART OF THE WEEKEND
by Jan 4th (904-403-7134).
Paynes Prarie, Gainesville
Saturday, Jan 22 2011, 8am Leader: Adam Kent
This is the perfect time of year to bird the Prairie basin. We should
see plenty of Sandhill Cranes. Other possibilities are Northern
Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, Marsh and Sedge Wrens
and a variety of waterfowl. We’ll look for sparrows, likely seeing
The Audubon Observer, Volume XIII, No. 1
Savannah, Swamp and Song, but perhaps Vesper, Grasshopper,
White-throated, and White-crowned as well.
The La Chua Trail, 3 miles round trip, part of the 21,000-acre
Paynes Prairie State Preserve, is at the southeast edge of Gaines-
ville. From Main Street go east on University Avenue, cross
Waldo Road, and turn right onto SE 15th Street and travel about a
mile. Just after the entrances to Boulware Springs and the Gaines-
ville-Hawthorne State Trail, the road veers left. Do not veer left,
instead go straight, cross over SE 41st Ave., and continue the short
distance to the parking area for the Alachua Sink/LaChua Trail.
Huguenot Memorial Park:
Winter Shorebirds
Saturday, Feb 26 2011, 8:30am Leader: Lesley Royce
Huguenot Memorial Park is one of the best places in Jacksonville
to see shorebirds, and we hope to see a lot of them. There are also
gulls, terns, and perhaps ducks and gannets over the ocean. We
will meet at 8:15 a.m. in the parking lot before the pay station.
Drive straight in instead of turning right into the pay lane. We will
spend a few minutes there and then carpool into the park and head
out to the end of the cove. Dress warmly, bring your scope and
binoculars if you have them. We will have some binoculars to
lend. Entrance fee: $1/person or $3/car. Leader: Lesley Royce,
cell: 904-945-1939.
Directions: Huguenot Park is located on Heckscher Drive/A1A
north of the Mayport ferry. If you cross the Dames Point bridge
going north, exit right (east) on Heckscher Drive. Follow it past
the ferry to the blinking yellow light before Ft. George Inlet. Turn
right into the clearly marked entrance and go straight to the first
parking lot.
Crosby Sanctuary:
Field Trip and Work Session
Saturday, Mar 12 2011, 8am Leader: Pete Johnson
Meet at Crosby Sanctuary (427 Aquarius Concourse, Orange Park,
FL). "Early Birding" will start at 7:00 a.m., regular birding 8:00-
9:30, and then landscape and trail maintenance from 10:00-12:00.
For info on Crosby Sanctuary go to www.duvalaudubon.org and
click on Sanctuaries (under Conserve). Also visit the Crosby
Sanctuary blog at www.crosbysanctuary.blogspot.com.
Jacksonville Arboretum
Saturday, Mar 26 2011, 11am Leader: Pat Anderson
We’ll explore some new trails of this 120 acre nature preserve in
urban Jacksonville, just off Monument Road, looking for resident
birds. Bring insect repellant and sunscreen.
Directions: Go East on Monument Road from Regency area until
you pass under the exit for 9A. Take the immediate left turn onto
Millcoe Road and follow it as it curves around to the right. You
will see a large circular parking area on the right side of the road.
(Do not use Google directions. They show incorrectly an access
point from Merrill Rd.)
5
 Camp Chowenwaw munch lunch and which direction to go afterwards. I do plan on
getting there early by 6am to listen and look for owls. Bring water,
Saturday, Apr 16 2011, 8am Leader: Jan Morgan
lunch, snacks, bugspray, sunscreen, binoculars, scopes, etc.
Camp Chowenwaw Park is located approximately 10 miles south
Meeting Place and Directions: Fort George Island Ribault Club
of I-295 on Highway 17 South. It is located just over the Black
Parking lot. From SR9A go north (east) on SR105, Heckscher
Creek Bridge on the left hand side of the road at 1517 Ball Road,
Drive. Turn left onto Ft. George Road about ½ mile past the St.
Green Cove Springs.
John’s River Ferry, look for the brown sign for Kingsley
Plantation. When you get to the fork in the road take the right fork.
The park is a former Girl Scout Camp. This should be fairly easy
The Ribault Club will be on your right, white building with black
birding. There are marshes, the river, forests and open areas so we
fence surrounding the property. There is limited parking on the
should see a diversity of birds. There is also a Bald Eagle nest
right side, but plenty on the left side of the road.
near the river. Bring your binoculars, bug spray, and lunch
because there are plenty of picnic tables. My home phone number
NOTE: Cell phone service can be spotty on the island, please call
is 904-284-3138 and cell is 904-657-5167.
my home number if you have questions. Home 757-8894,
cell 982-5710
Kingsley Plantation
Saturday, Apr 23 2011, 7am Leader: Laura Johannsen
Jennings State Forest
Saturday, May 7 2011, 7am Leader: Pete Johnson
Spring migration will be ramping up at this time of year and Ft.
George Island is one of the best places in town to run into a variety
Jennings State Forest contains fire maintained pine flatwoods,
of warblers, vireos, tanagers, buntings, and who knows what else.
which provides suitable habitat for Bachman's Sparrows. We will
We will start our morning at the Ribault Club area, walking the
also look for Bartram's Ixia, which is a rare plant known to occur
trails in that vicinity and checking the boat ramp behind the club
in Jennings but difficult to observe. Information on where to meet
for shore and marsh birds. We plan to move to the Kingsley
will be posted on www.duvalaudubon.org and in spring 2011
Plantation later in the morning to check the hot spots there. So, if
e-newsletter closer to the day of the field trip.
you are not an early riser, please plan to join us whenever you can.
We’ll see what the birds and the group decide as to where to

Jacksonville, FL 32245
P.o. Box 16304
Duval Audubon Society