Flagler Audubon Society

Flagler Audubon Society

2011-2012 season

WELCOME! This is what we do

l Monthly lectures by leading local bird and ecology experts

l Birding trips by car, boat, and/or foot to educate, entertain, socialize.

l On line bird sightings database using e-bird.org

l Advocate environmentally friendly practices to protect our world for all living things.

We meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month October through April at the Florida Hospital Flagler (just west of I95) on SR100 Palm Coast. The program will start at 6:30 pm. We will be in meeting room A or B. All members (and visitors) of the community are welcome to attend meetings and participate in activities

NEXT MEETING BACK to FLORIDA HOSPITAL on SR100

Next meeting – April 5 (Thursday) Graham Swamp – Denise Bevan. This month's guest speaker will be Denise Eagle Bevan, Senior Environmental Planner for the City of Palm Coast. Mrs. Bevan, who has over ten years of professional experience as an ecologist within the state of Florida, will share with us some of the secrets of nearby Graham Swamp. Mrs. Bevan 's presentation will provide insight as to the valuable natural assets of Graham Swamp so that attendees will take away a new perspective of what the natural environment can teach us and how set asides from development provided valuable public assets.

Back at Florida Hospital at 6:30 p.m.

Next bird walk – April 14 (Saturday) Graham Swamp – building on this month's meeting presentation Denise Bevan will lead the bird walk into Graham Swamp. The diverse habitats of this 3,000 acre preserve situated between Old Kings Road and Colbert Lane supports a rich variety of wading birds, water fowl, and passerine bird species. The preserve is also home to deer, otters, foxes, and other mammals. A significant geological feature, Graham Swamp, a large freshwater basin, is the historic headwaters of Bulow Creek. Visit http://www.flaglercounty.org/facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=8 for preserve details. We will be taking the trails less traveled and will learn new aspects of this special Flagler County Jewel. – meet at 8:30.a.m. at the entrance on Old King's Road.

Next field trip April 28^th - Boat Trip on St. Johns River from Blue Springs

On April 28, join members of the Flagler Audubon Society for a St. John's River Cruise (Blue Springs State Park, Orange City, Fl.)

The St. Johns River Cruise is considered the most popular nature oriented tour in Florida. Our cruising vessel, the "Native II" was specially designed to ply the shallow backwaters of the historic St. Johns River. On this 2hour nature and wildlife cruise frequent stops are made by our tour guide for photographs, intimate encounters, and a thorough look at this most fragile ecosystem. The boat trip departs Blue Springs State Park at 10 a.m. Cost for the boat ride is $18. Reservations are required as space is limited. For more information or to register for this trip email jjdziak@att.net.

Meet at the Winn Dixie parking lot on SR 100 for an 8:00 a.m. departure. Optional meeting place is at Blue Springs State Park parking lot. Park admission fees apply ($6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 single occupant vehicle).

More details can be found at http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/

Poets corner

sometimes we get so wrapped up in what birds we see and count that we don't take the time to stand back and see the big picture of nature's beauty. Poetry helps us take a broader view.

Dawn by Barbara Kurp

Prize winning entry in the Flagler County Art League poetry contest

As the sky brightens the osprey

flies above the sun circling, circling, circling

The piercing squawk of an egret shatters the silence,

still the osprey continues its search.

Nearby a shrewd cardinal noisily keeps watch over her family

while steps away an armadillo quietly grunts as he seeks grubs.

Splashing sounds reveal two stylish dolphins

swimming in the calm and serene river.

The osprey flies around the sun circling, circling, circling

Not as easy to see are the manatees,