april 2006 warbler newsletter broward county audubon society

8/9/2019 April 2006 Warbler Newsletter Broward County Audubon Society

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We need your help desperately. During the past twomonths, 3 members of our board of directors haveresigned for various personal reasons. We desperatelyneed new volunteers for the board in the upcoming Mayelections. We especially need people who want to helpwith programming, fund raising, membership, and tohelp publish our newsletter and website. We have somuch good work to accomplish next year, includingcontinuing our excellent speakers programs, field trips,special events, and our all important conservationprograms. Help make a difference in the community by

joining in our global warming initiative, our oversight of sustainable urban growth including airport and seaportexpansion, land preservation, water management, andeducational and social activities related to birding,habitat preservation, and environmental protection. Wehave exciting plans but we need your help. If youreinterested, please call me at 954-963-2428 or email meat [email protected] .

April is another exciting month at BrowardAudubon. The highlight of the months activities is theApril 20th meeting at which Dr. Hal Wanless, chair of the University of Miamis Department of GeologicalSciences and one of the regions leading experts on

global warming, will address our group about thepotential impacts that global warming can have onSouth Florida. For those of you who are not familiarwith this subject, here is an excellent opportunity tofind out about one of the biggest long term threats toour future quality of life. And for those who areinformed on the subject, Dr. Wanless will provide youwith the latest thinking on this important subject andits potential consequences on our region. We will alsobe presenting awards to the winners of the countysmiddle school and high school Science Fair winners.And Commissioner Kristin Jacobs will be recognized atBrowards Champion for the Environment for herleadership that lead to Broward County being named anUrban Wildlife Habitat.

This month, we will also be participating inEarth Day celebrations at Deerfield Beach. Come outand celebrate the environment with us. Also a field tripis planned at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park at the heightof songbird migration season. Birch Park is always anoutstanding place for migrating warblers.

We hope you will join us for these events.

The WarblerApril, 2006

Come to BCAS ex-citing activities,events, field trips,and programs!

Meetings held atFern Forest NatureCenter

The Warbler is alsoavailable online atbrowardaudubon.org

Published six times a year by Broward County Audubon Society, Inc. non-profit corporation since January 12, 1956.

Activities Calendar Meetings (at Fern Forest Nature Center, 7pm unless stated otherwise)

Date Subject Speaker

Thurs., April 20, 2006 GLOBAL WARMING: EFFECTS ON SOUTH FLORIDA Hal Wanless, PhD , Chair, Dept. of

Geological Sciences, University of Mi-

Sat., May 20, 2006 Birdwalk at 8:30 a.m.Picnic and Meeting starting at noon

Birdwalk, Annual Meeting, and Picnic At Tree Tops Park

SEMINOLES INDIANS-HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Victor Suarez , Naturalist ,

Broward County Parks & Recreation

Date Subject Meeting Place and Time Notes

Sat., April 22, 2006 EARTH DAY 2006

Keep the Earth CoolDeerfield Main Beach all day

On the Beach at S. E. 21 st St. Celebrate the Earth

Sat. April 29, 2006 Hugh Taylor Birch

State ParkBirdwalk First parking lot at 8:00 a.m.Free 2-hour walk,

2-hour workshop. Fee

Fri.-Sun. May 5-7,2006

Fort De Soto State Park,St. PetersburgBirding Trip

Contact Paddy for info:[email protected]

Fee includes Birding,Lodging and Meals

Sat. May 13, 2006 Green Cay and

Wakodahatchee Wetlands Parking lot at 7:30 a.m.

Sat. May 20, 2006 Tree Tops Park Visitors Center at 8:30 a.m. Free 2-hours walk fol-lowed by talk on Semi-

Sat. June 10, 2006 Miami MetroZoo MetroZoo parking lotat 7:00 a.m.

Behind Scenes Tour:Wings of Asia Aviary

The Warbler

BCAS Field Trips and Special EventsFor info, call Ken Burgener at (954) 766-2919 , email: [email protected]

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTBy Barry Heimlich


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Page 2 The Warbler April, 2006

Global Warming

There is growing international concern about Global Warming as one of the most serious problems currently facing the world. It is of

special concern to South Florida because this low lying region is espe-cially susceptible to rising sea levels and increasing tropical stormactivity. That is why South Florida must play a leadership role in re-ducing greenhouse gas emissions locally to set an example for the restof the country and the world to take ac tion.

Broward County Audubon Society has set as its #1 conservationgoal an initiative to urge the county government, the Broward Leagueof Cities, and every one of the 31 city governments in the County totake the important first step of signing onto the U.S. Mayors ClimateProtection Agreement already adopted by the U.S. Conference of May-ors in December, 2005, including 8 cities in Broward County. Cleantransportation and construction technologies are at the very heart of the U.S. mayors initiative on climate protection, and it is one of themost important ways local governments can contribute to reducingGlobal Warming. Every Broward resident can make an important con-tribution to this effort by advocating that state-of-the-art low emissionmass transportation and construction technologies be built into theCountys plans for expanding mass transit and new public facilities

from the get go. And existing government buildings should be retrofit-ted. Also, building codes should be revised accordingly. We invite youto join with us in this important effort by volunteering to work with uson these important goals.

At Broward Audubons upcoming meeting on April 20, 2006 at7:30 p.m. at Fern Forest Nature Center , Hal Wanless, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences, University of Miami, who isone of the regions leading experts on this subject, will speak onGlobal Warming and its Potential Impacts on South Florida . Weinvite everyone to attend this important and informative meeting.

U.S. Mayors Climate Protection AgreementIn June 2005, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously passed

the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement started as a grass rootsprogram by Seattles Mayor Greg Nickels. As of March 24, 2006, it hasbeen endorsed by 219 mayors nationwide including eight Browardcities: Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Miramar, PembrokePines, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, and Tamarac. We believe that the

rest of Browards 31 cities, the County Commission, and the BrowardLeague of Cities should sign onto this Agreement. Information on theMayors Agreement is available at:

http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/ .Broward County Audubon Society has begun a program to raise

awareness of Broward Countys citizens about Global Warming asfollows: Invited Dr. Wanless to present on Global Warming at our April

20, 2006 meeting. Established a website on Global Warming:

http://www.browardaudubon.org/globalwarming/ . Publishing articles on Global Warming in our newsletter The War-

bler posted at: http://www.browardaudubon.org . Making presentations on Global Warming at public events such as

Water Matters Day and Earth Day. Encouraging local government, business, and community leaders

to undertake programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Planning a conference on Global Warming for the 2006-2007

activity year. Considering a statewide initiative on Global Warming in coopera-

tion with Audubon of Florida.

Global Warming: Potential Effects on South FloridaGlobal temperatures have been steadily rising for the past 150

years in concert with the industrial age. As a result, glaciers and polarice caps are melting at an increasing rate, ocean levels have risen at arate of about 1 per decade during the 20 th century. This rate is ex-pected to more than double in the 21 st century. Climatic changes arecausing extreme weather events such as warmer winters, hotter sum-

mers, droughts, torrential rains, wild fires, increased tropical stormactivity, and major shifts in ecological systems. Numerous scientific

studies show that the major contributing factor is increased atmos-pheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (~50% inthe last century), especiallycarbon dioxide from burningof fossil fuels and forests,and methane from agricul-tural activities, organicwaste decomposition and asa consequence of productionof fossil fuels.

Sea levels are expectedto rise by up to 3 feet ormore by 2100. Since SouthFlorida is a flat coastal lowland, this prospect is of major concern.Beaches critical to our tourist economy and quality of life would besubjected to increased erosion by rising seas and tropical storms.Coastal shorelines would encroach on oceanfront property. Coastal

wetlands would be inundated. Saline water advancing on freshwaterwetlands including the Everglades would dramatically change the eco-logical landscape. A 3 rise in sea level would engulf most of Ever-glades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve to the Tami-ami Trail, raise salinity in much of the southerly conservation areasand cause water levels to rise correspondingly throughout the water-shed.

The regions hydrologywould be adversely effected.The Biscayne Aquifer, ourprimary freshwater source,could be jeopardized by in-creased saltwater intrusioncaused by rising sea levels.This would require increasinglevels of inland surface wa-ters to offset saltwater intru-sion and facilitate storm wa-

ter drainage. Increased inlandflooding during major rainfallswould result.

South Florida is espe-cially vulnerable to hurri-canes. In 2005, HurricanesKatrina and Wilma, whichwere not considered majorhurricanes at the time theystruck this area, neverthelesscaused extensive damagethroughout South Florida. Amajor Category 3, 4 or 5hurricane striking South Florida with a major storm surge the wayKatrina struck New Orleans could be catastrophic. Global warmingcauses increased ocean surface temperatures that likely contribute toincreased frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones. Coupled withelevated sea levels, South Florida would be even more vulnerable to

the devastating effects of storm surges.Global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to

reduce the prospect of such calamities. Since South Florida is espe-cially susceptible to the potential consequences of Global Warming,Broward County should set an example for reduction of greenhousegas emissions and responsible energy use. Signing onto the U.S. May-ors Climate Protection Agreement would be an excellent place to start.We ask that you contact your city council and county commission andurge them to do so. Needless to say, we must also insist that our stateand federal officials make Global Warming a national and internationalpriority. The United States must lead this global effort.

Links to additional information on Global Warming can be foundat: http://www.browardaudubon.org/globalwarming/ .

WHY SOUTH FLORIDIANS SHOULD BE ESPECIALLYCONCERNED ABOUT GLOBAL WARMINGBy Barry N. Heimlich, President, Broward County Audubon Society


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Birders Corner

Field guides, binoculars, scopes, birding supplies,birdfeeders, software and more.

Broward AudubonsOnline Nature Store

Helps Support BCAShttp://store.browardaudubon.org

Bird of the Month Swallow-tailed Kite ( Elanoides forficatus) By Ken Burgener

Now is the time to go looking for this magnificent bird thatcalls Florida it home in the summer. Although these birds have beenfound as far north as Canada, Florida is their main home. The entirepopulation leaves the United States in the fall to winter in the Pan-tanal in South America, returning in early March to breeding areas,occasionally as early as February. I have seen these birds in down-town Ft. Lauderdale and at the beach.

A graceful bird of prey, it is 22-24inches in length with a wingspreadreaching 50 inches. The back,rump, wings, and deeply-forked tailare blackish in color; head andunder parts, including the smallfeathers on the underside of thewing, are white. When you seeone, you know its a Swallow-tailedKite as it is the only bird with such

contrasting color and the deep forked tail. Some people have de-scribed the bird as blue and white, the blue is caused by the blue skyreflecting on the white of the Swallow-tailed Kite. This kite will takelizards, frogs, snakes, large insects, and small birds. The Swallow-tailcatches much of its prey on the wing, eats its catch while flying bybending its head and neck under its body to reach the prey held in itsfoot, and drinks by skimming the surface of ponds and marshes.

Of all the spectacular birds in South Florida, this one is myfavorite. The playful way they move around on air currents is amaz-ing. I remember watching two kites fly in circles dancing to the musicof my car radio. Some day I hope to see hundreds of Swallow-tailedKites in a kettle, soaring up into the sky and setting off in search of prey. One of the best places to see them is at Corkscrew SwampAudubon Sanctuary and on Government Road on the way to BigCypress Seminole Reservation.

Science Fair Winners Recognizedby Marti ReynoldsThe 32nd Annual Broward County Science Fair was held onFebruary 16-19 at a local mall with many outstanding pro-

jects produced by 650 students for 61 area schools.Four top projects were selected from a range of

topics ranging from the sensitivity of organisms to salt stressin our ecosystems; to how physical factors to beach restora-tion might impact living organizations; to which hurricaneshutters hold up best; to determine the effect of pH levels inour waterways on living organisms.

The 2006 first place high school winner is FaheemaAbdul Ghany , and the first place middle school winner isNicholas Levy . Broward County Audubon will recognizethese outstanding young students at our April 20th meetingand receive a $50 savings bond.

Broward County Audubon Society expresses itssincere appreciation to the following sponsors:

Adventurers in Birding Florida BirdTreks Alfred E. Griffin Agency Landers Nursery Runway Growers Inc.

Page 3The Warbler April, 2006

Birds from Flamingo Gardens Make a Big HitBy Fred Rehage

Have you ever been eyeball to eyeball with a Great Horned Owl? Well, Ihave along with all the attendees of the March 16, 2006 meeting. Thisunique experience was brought to us by Mike Ruggieri. He is the Directorof Animal Care at Flamingo Gardens.

Mikes presentation startedwith the story of how his interest inwildlife started as kid growing up herein Florida as the neighborhoods care-taker for baby birds. This led to hisfirst job at Cypress Gardens as analligator wrestler and eventually theDirector of Wildlife at Cypress Gar-dens. But the scene-stealer of thenights presentation started with a 4-inch high screech owl. As Mike walkedamong the audience with the owlperch on his hand, he explained someof the interesting facts about the owl.Such as the three color variations of feathers and the fact that the feathersnear the eyes trigger the closing of theset of clear protective eyelids when thefeathers are touched. Next came thebroad-winged hawk rescued from nearstarvation in a Publix parking lot. She had lost her left eye and wasunable to successfully hunt. She kept her good eye on you as she cameby each of us while perched on Mikes arm. She showed us that beautifulunder wing pattern of white with a black border. Then came the big guy,the great horned owl, for our eyeball to eyeball experience.

Mike covered hundreds of facts about the three birds andabout Flamingo Gardens. For sure I came away from the evening withthe understanding that Flamingo Gardens is not just a fruit stand. TheGardens is an award winning botanical garden and a wildlife refuge fea-turing over a hundred rehabilitated Florida native birds and animals.Flamingo Gardens is a true treasure hidden in our own back yard.

For Information and Reservations: Email: [email protected] Call: (954) 926-5458 evenings/weekends

Fort DeSoto State Parkand Gulf Coast Birding

With Paddy Cunningham

May 5-7, 2006 Long-billed Curlew Naturalist guided birding: over

100 species expected 2 nights lodging in St. Pete

with continental breakfast Lunch and happy hour on

Saturday

Carpool or drive yourself from/to Fort Lauderdale

Fee: $205 incl. $50 donation toBCAS

$30 optional upgrade: Birdingon the way there and back


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Volume 51Issue 7

April 2006

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDFT. LAUD., FL

PERMIT NO. 1126Meetings At: Fern Forest Nature Center

201 Lyons Rd. South

Coconut Creek 33063

From I-95 and Atlantic Blvd: Go west to South Lyons Road, go south toentrance of Nature Center.From US441/SR7 and W. Atlantic Blvd: Go east to South Lyons Road,go south to entrance of Nature Center.From South by Florida Turnpike: Exit at Atlantic Blvd. Go west one lightto South Lyons Road, go south to entrance of Nature Center.From North by Florida Turnpike: Exit Pompano Beach, go right at lightonto Coconut Creek Pkwy. Go West to S. Lyons Rd (NW 46th Ave). Turn left,

Broward County Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 9644Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310-9644954-776-5585Email: [email protected]: http://www.browardaudubon.org

Published six times a year byBroward County Audubon Society,Inc. non-profit corporationsince January 12, 1956.

Conservation, Community, Commitment

The Newsletter of the Broward County Audubon SoVisit our website:

browardaudubon.orgInside this issue: Presidents Message

Activities CalendarApril-June 2006

Global Warming of SpecialConcern to South Floridians

Birders Corner

Bird of the Month

Flamingo Gardens Birds

Science Fair Winners

NEXT GENERAL MEETINGTHURS., April 20, 2006

FERN FOREST NATURE CENTER:

7:15 PM Refreshments

7:30 PM Meeting

FERN FOREST NATURE CENTER Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

Global Warming: How will it affect South Florida?

Guest Speaker: Hal Wanless, Ph.D.Chair, Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Miami

Dr. Wanlesss major fields of research include coastal and environmentalgeology and the effects of sea level and hurricanes on South Floridacoastal environments and the Everglades. He will provide us his expertviews on global warming and its potential effects on South Florida. Anyoneconcerned about Floridas future should not miss this event.

april 2006 warbler newsletter broward county audubon society

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