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

October 2009

MARION AUDUBON ADOPTS WHAT’S

BURROWING OWL AS BIRD OF CONCERN INSIDE?

Mark these dates
• September 22, 2009 - Tuesday - Longleaf Flatwoods Preserve
• September 24, 2009 - Thursday - Audubon Board Meeting
• September 26, 2009 - Saturday - Paynes Prairie Native Plant Society Annual Fall Plant Sale
• October 3, 2009 - Saturday - Marshall Swamp Trail
• October 10, 2009 - Saturday - Marion County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale
• October 20, 2009 - Tuesday - Sawgrass Island Preserve
• October 24, 2009 - Saturday - Owl-Ween, Carney Island
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.
     The Board of Directors of Marion Audubon Society has designated Programs
the burrowing owl as the bird of special concern for us this program Page 2 & 3
year.  Between now and our Annual Meeting in May 2010, we would
like our membership to report to us any and every sighting of burrowing
owls. We certainly will not publicize nesting sites of these precious Officers & Directors
birds which have become greatly diminished in Marion County.  Our Page 3
aim is to compile a database which can be used for further education
and habitat protection.  Burrowing owls have nested and lived in Backyard Birding
Marion County far longer than the families of many of us but decades Field Trips
of development have had a serious impact on their propagation. Important Dates
     Our Chapter meeting on October 22 will highlight our concern as we
Page 4
present Betty Gilbert, author of Buffy, the Burrowing Owl.  Ms. Gilbert
will show her new DVD which includes her upcoming book, Beauford,
Florida’s Water
the Hungry Owl.  Her delightful presentation is open to all.  Bring a
friend, bring a child!  If you have seen these owls, come and tell us.  See
Wars
program listings in this issue for time and place of meeting -- Community Page 6
Room of Ocala Police Headquarters -plenty of safe parking!  No routine
business -- just fun, education and a chance to help save an endangered Sneak Preview
Page 7
species. If you have information about our bird of concern call Capt.
Erika Ritter, Director and Vice-President Judy Greenberg or anyone you
may know personally of our Board members whose names are listed in Upcoming Events
this issue.  Let’s gather on October 22. See you then. Page 8
With best wishes to you all,
And much more!!
Conrad H. Massa, President
 Programs
Marion Audubon welcomes everyone to attend our Programs and Chapter meetings. Enjoy learning
about birds and nature and you can volunteer to participate in some of our habitat projects. Call Capt. Erika
Ritter (352) 546-5718 for more information.
September 26, Saturday at 1:30 - Owls of Ocala Tour
Only Hoo-Hoos will be there! Donations will be accepted but are not required. Money and gifts for
birds are greatly needed! Meet Betty Gilbert author of “Buffy, The Burrowing Owl”. She will donate a
percentage of her book and DVD sales this day to Owls! Tours of the sanctuary will be given. Due to
limited capacity, advance reservations are required.  Call Erika at (352) 546-5718 to reserve your spot.
Visit the Sanctuary’s website - http://owls-ocalainc.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx
October 2-4 - FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
The Fall Meeting of the Florida Ornithological Society will be held in Gainesville, FL.
October 12, Monday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - FLORIDA’S WATER WARS
The Smart Growth Coalition of Marion Co. presents a forum on the rivers hosted by Rainbow River
Coalition. Marion Audubon nominated Smart Growth for the 2009 Better Community Awards and
they won! 1,000 Friends of Florida’s speaker Charles Pattison will present the 2009 Better Community
Award to Smart Growth. See press release.
October 22, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. - Chapter Meeting and Program
Ocala Police Department Community Room, 402 S. Pine Ave. (Hwy. 441). Meet “Buffy, the Burrowing
Owl”, author Betty Gilbert. Betty will share her DVD on these wonderful owls. She will also be selling
her book and DVD. She will be joined by Wildlife Research Biologist Tom Allen. Special guests will be
“Owls of Ocala”.
October 23-24, Friday & Saturday - Audubon Assembly in St. Petersburg, Florida
November 14-15, Saturday & Sunday - Ocali Days at Silver River State Park
Please call to volunteer on one of these days. Donations of items for a Silent Auction are needed.
December 7, Monday, 2:00 p.m. - Raptors in Flight
Brick City Park at 1211 S.E. 22nd Road, Ocala, located off of 464A/S.E. Lake Weir Rd. Professional Birder
Norm Lantz will teach us to identify these birds when seen in flight. All participants in the Marion
Audubon and Ocklawaha Valley Audubon Christmas Bird Counts are encouraged to participate.
December 14, Monday - Christmas Bird Count with Ocklawaha Valley Audubon
Volunteers of all skill levels are needed! E-mail Peg Lindsay for info and to volunteer at pegcondor@
embarqmail.com for East of the Ocklawaha River or Barbara Gay at stkite@triton.net for West of the
River.
January 4, 2010, Monday - Southwest Marion County Christmas Bird Count
Call Norm Lantz to be assigned to a count area at (352) 854-5713 or email: villagebirder@cfl.rr.com.
Alternate date is January 5th, Tuesday.
January 28, Thursday at 7:00 p.m. - Chapter Meeting and Program (Pending)
Ocala Police Department Community Room, 402 S. Pine Ave. (Hwy. 441). Whooping Cranes – Endless
Vigil! Presentation by John Canter. The Christmas Bird Count Report will be given.
February 5 or 6 – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests Audubon assistance with the Annual Shore Bird
Count with emphasis on species of concern (Piping plover, Wilson plover and Red Knots). Call Erika
for shore areas to count.
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 Sneak Preview
Florida Audubon Conservation Agenda: How Does It Impact the State of Florida?
The Audubon has a longstanding reputation as an influential policy advocate. Audubon policy about
the environment is based on science; and our well informed membership helps lobby for policy at local, state
and national levels. Florida Audubon adopts policy resolutions at its Assembly each October so that staff and
members can start talking to state representatives in a timely manner.
The importance of the Audubon Assembly being held in October is evident. Florida Legislators begin
drafting policy proposals as early as November, so Audubon staff needs to know how to respond to the proposals
being drafted. The policy resolutions adopted at Assembly help Audubon staff in responding to proposed
legislation. The policy process for Florida Audubon is a year round effort. Local chapters are the starting point for
identifying issues that need to be addressed.
Each Audubon chapter belongs to a Regional Conservation Committee. Each of the seven Audubon
Regional Conservation Committees (RCC) meets frequently throughout the year to identify important conservation
issues. Each RCC designates a representative to present its conservation issues at the Assembly in October. This
is how local conservation issues can be addressed by Florida Audubon. Conservation issues are categorized into
five policy areas and Florida Audubon has an expert staff that work with legislators and legislative staff within
these five areas.
The five policy areas of Florida Audubon and Florida Audubon Staff are:
Wildlife Policy - Julie Wraithmell Climate Change – Traci Romine
Growth and Transportation – Charles Lee Water Resources – Jacquie Weisblum
Land Conservation – Eric Draper
The Marion Audubon Society belongs to the Northeast Regional Conservation Committee. Prior to
2009, Marion Audubon was part of the Central Regional Conservation Committee. Each of the five policy areas
were considered when deciding the best Regional fit for the future. Emerging water coalitions and potential future
land conservation projects with Alachua, Putnam, Duval, St. Johns and Flagler County influenced the switch.
Judy Greenberg
Vice President & Conservation Chairman
Go where the birds are . . .
www.floridabirdingtrail.com
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 Florida’s Water Wars Come to the
Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers
Ocala—The Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers, along with other North Florida rivers, are
under constant siege from pollution, overuse and development. Do they also now face withdrawals?
Such a move may be more likely now that the St. Johns River Water Management District granted
Seminole County permission to siphon off millions of gallons daily from the St. Johns River to
accommodate runaway growth in Central Florida. Meanwhile, the Withlacoochee River Water Supply
Authority has publicly supported considering the Withlacoochee River also as a possible water supply.
In response to these developments, two Marion County grassroots organizations, Rainbow
River Conservation Inc. and the Smart Growth Coalition of North Central Florida, have partnered to
sponsor an urgent and important public meeting on the environmental and political threats facing the
Withlacoochee River basin and area springs.
Join fellow citizens for a free public forum on Monday, October 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at
the Rainbow Rivers Club, located on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon. Guest speakers include:
*Charles Lee, Director of Advocacy of the Florida Audubon, who will explain the threats to the
Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers.
*Charles Pattison, President of 1000 Friends of Florida, who will address controversial new state
laws that gut growth management and reduce citizen input on water permitting issues.
*Jim Couillard, a landscape architect with the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department
who will discuss Marion County’s new Springs Protection Ordinance.
Directions: After entering Dunnellon city limits from the east on CR 484 turn left on San Jose
Blvd. From north or south, travel to center of Dunnellon on U.S. 41, turn east on CR 484 (Pennsylvania
Avenue) and turn right on San Jose Blvd. immediately after crossing the Rainbow River. After one
half mile look for a right turn sign to the Rainbow Rivers Club.  A detailed map is available at www.
rainbowriverconservation.com.
Early attendees can also enjoy either a pontoon boat ride on the Rainbow River or a hike along
the river trail to Blue Run of Dunnellon Park.  Each will last about one hour and will start at 4 p.m.  Secretary    Vicki Stapp peteandlucy@cox.net
Refreshments will be offered following the boat ride or hike. For boat ride or hike, RSVP with name
and contact info to Paul at 465-4120 or Burt at 465-2828 by October 8th. For forum details call (352)
625-2692 or (352) 694-4461.
SMART GROWTH COALITION OF NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA
P.O. Box 279, Ft. McCoy, FL 32134
Rainbow River Conservation Inc., P.O. Box 729, Dunnellon, FL 34430
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
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February 12 -14 - Rally for the Rivers
Volunteers needed for a display. Everyone should attend this wonderful festival; music, food, speakers,
auctions, field trips and more.
February 27, Saturday- Ocala/Marion County Landfill Bird Survey Please call Erika to participate.
March 25, Thursday at 7:00 p.m. - Chapter Meeting and Program
Ocala Police Department Community Room, 402 S. Pine Ave. (Hwy. 441). Florida’s Blue Birds
presented by Bill Pennewill of the new Florida Blue Bird Society.
April 24, Saturday at 10:00 a.m. - Assemble data collected and report on retention ponds and birds.
Bring a lunch. Location to be announced: possibly our favorite pond? Call Erika.
May 2, Saturday at 12:00 p.m. - Annual Picnic
Wade with the wading birds at Horseshoe Lake Park and Retreat, 10800 E. Hwy. 318, Orange Springs.
The Park is accessible from Hwy. 315 North of Fort McCoy or Hwy. 318 East of Citra. Look for Park
signs.
Captain Erika Ritter 
http://acruisingdowntheriver.com http://www.captainerikasfloridaboatcharters.com
http://www.prospectorcabins.com http://www.ocklawahariverlandings.net
http://www.tailgateramps.com http://www.pcecweb.org
http://www.marioncountyaudubon.com
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
2009-2010
Officers:
President      Conrad H. Massa chml@sprynet.com
Vice-President   Judy Greenberg judymg@gmail.com
Treasurer   Larry Sutton mfs11@embarqmail.com
Directors (in alphabetical order):
Ron Broman berbroman@sysmatrix.net
Teresa Darnell dunnmovn@bellsouth.net
Vince Druding captvince@embarqmail.com
Jane Eberts janeeberts@aol.com
Jane Pope msjane@embarqmail.com
Carolyn Retey fernyfarms@aol.com
Erika Ritter captainerikaritter@yahoo.com
Bob Stenstream ras19@embarqmail.com
Jim Yaich will continue as Webmaster (jameyaich@gmail.com)
Rosalie Coyner will assume the responsibilities of Database Coordinator (rosalie.coyner@cox.net).
All of the above serve as volunteers without any compensation.
 Backyard Birding Birds of a Feather Date__________
Name______________________________
The cardinals in my area had a great nesting season. I have to refill my feeders every other day. Flock Together Address____________________________
The usual chickadees, titmice, house finches, and Carolina wrens spent the summer with us.
Soon we will see some of the migratory species showing up. Keeping a clean birdbath is very Marion Audubon Society, Inc. offers a City________________ Zip____________
important when it comes to viewing migratory warblers in your backyard. A little Clorox and local chapter membership option to those Phone______________ Fax____________
a firm brush will do the job. Be sure to rinse thoroughly before filling with water. These insect who wish to be involved in Marion County’s
E mail_ ____________________________
eaters do not normally come to seed feeders but will come for a drink or bath. Suet will bring environmental issues and activities.
in woodpeckers, catbirds, and wrens. I’ve tried thistle seed feeders the last few years with little Local Audubon membership includes $10 membership paid by
success. The goldfinches are more interested in water than in seeds. Try to sign up for some a monthly (during the winter) issue of The ____cash ___check
of our field trips to view birds not normally seen in your backyard. Scrub Jay, Marion Audubon’s newsletter. ____new ___renewal
The newsletter has information on
meetings, programs, activities, issues for Prior Audubon chapter elsewhere?
Larry Sutton
your involvement and guided field trips to _____yes____no
identify native birds, flora and fauna.
Field Trips Dues are $10 annually. A bargain!
Are you willing to serve an active role?
_____yes ____no
Three easy ways to join:
Mark your calendars now:
1. Go online and sign up at: 3. Use the form above, and mail it to:
Nature walks will be led by Carolyn Retey, sponsored by Marion County Parks, on the
www.marioncountyaudubon.com Marion Audubon Society, Inc.
following dates:
2. Print the online form and mail it to us. P.O. Box 5616
        • September 22, 2009 / Tuesday - Longleaf Flatwoods Preserve
Ocala, Fl 34478

We need you now!

        • October 3, 2009 / Saturday - Marshall Swamp Trail
        • October 20, 2009 / Tuesday - Sawgrass Island Preserve
        • October 24, 2009 / Saturday - Owl-Ween, Carney Island Park
For more information on nature walks, call Carolyn at (352) 817-6715 or (352) 622-2850.

Carolyn Retey

Important Dates to Note:

9/24/09 - Audubon Board Meeting, “The Lodge” at Gander Mountain. Meeting begins
at 6:00 p.m. Members welcome.
9/26/09 - Paynes Prairie Native Plant Society Annual Fall Plant Sale at Morningside
Nature Center, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Check or cash only.  No Credit Cards.  If you are a
member of the Native Plant Society, you can go Friday afternoon from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Burrowing Owl
10/10/09 – Marion County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale at the Marion County
Extension Service, 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Road, Ocala. All plants and seeds are propagated
by the Master Gardeners.
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