April & May 2009

Vol. 43 No. 3

Reach us by calling 727-442-9140 or visit us at www.clearwateraudubon.org

Habitat fragmentation Part II: area-limited species

By Marianne Korosy

Animals differ in their life-history strategies and these differences can make them vulnerable to the pressures of habitat fragmenta-
tion. Animals that must roam over large areas to find mates, find food, and raise young to independence encounter a variety of
hostile anthropogenic hazards including roads traveled by vehicular killing machines, exurban and suburban housing, shopping
centers, agricultural fields without shrub and tree cover, domestic pets, sport hunters and commercial herds of cattle and sheep -
livelihood that ranchers will kill to protect. Lambeck (1997) characterized wide-roaming animals as “area-limited”. Examples in-
clude:

• Keystone predators such as Florida panthers, black and grizzly bears, wolves, tigers, eastern indigo and diamondback rattle-
snakes. They play functionally important roles as top predators in their respective ecosystems and occupy large home ranges at a
low individual density.
• Ungulate species such as deer, giraffe, zebra, bison, caribou, elk and elephants. They are grazers or browsers that migrate in
herds to higher/lower altitudes or higher/lower latitudes to take advantage of seasonally-available food sources.

In Florida, animals that roam over relatively large areas are especially vulnerable to anthropogenic causes of mortality. Deer, Flor-
ida panthers and black bears, and snakes travel miles to meet their life-cycle needs. Smaller animals, such as tortoises and turtles,
raccoons and foxes, and literally hundreds of thousands of frogs, toads, and insects also are killed on Florida’s roads daily. Al-
though birds can fly, far too many are killed daily on Florida’s roads as they cross from one field or pond to another to feed them-
selves or their young. Sandhill Cranes, herons and egrets, ducks, gulls, owls, hawks, vultures, Bald Eagles, and songbirds are all
vulnerable to being road-killed.
Male eastern diamondback rattlesnakes can have home
ranges as large as 90 hectares (about 225 acres); females
have territories about half that of males (Waldron et al.
2006). Rattlesnakes are commonly killed while crossing
roads or while basking on warm pavement. They are delib-
erately killed by people for “fun” or out of misguided fears
and beliefs about these magnificent animals. Diamond-
back rattlesnakes can strike a distance up to about 1/3 of
their body length but do not chase humans and will not
strike unless provoked. They eat primarily rabbits, squir-
rels, mice, birds and eggs, and other snakes. They are
strong swimmers and only rarely climb trees. If you are
fortunate enough to see a large diamondback, respect their
muscular power and notice their intricate markings while
giving them space equal to their body length, or more.
Educate your family and especially your children about
giving them the space they need to live in peace. Photo Credit: Lorraine Margeson

Inside this Issue

Mid-Winter Beach Bird Survey ······················································································· 3
Bald Eagles ············································································································4, 5
Osprey Watch ············································································································ 6
Field Trips and Programs ······························································································ 6
Obituary ·················································································································· 6

Our Motto: Conservation Through Education Supporting our community since 1959
Wing Beat April & May, 2009
Vol. 43 No. 3

WING BEAT is published February, April, June, August, October, & December
Michael J. Adams, DDS
by the Clearwater Audubon Society.
Pamela G. Adams, DDS, MS, PA
Clearwater Audubon Society serving all of North Pinellas since 1959
PO Box 97
Clearwater, FL 33757 15 North Missouri Avenue
727-442-9140 Clearwater, Florida 33755
www.clearwateraudubon.org fax (727) 461-4835
Webmaster—aydelette@earthlink.net (727) 461-4832

WING BEAT Editor - Barb Walker

Submissions deadline for the next issue
is May 10th, 2009. Submissions must be un-formatted. McManus & McManus, P.A.
R. Bruce McManus Mary M. Taylor
Please submit articles via email to: submissions@clearwateraudubon.org
or mail to the address above, Attn: Wingbeat Editor.
Serving Pinellas Families for Estate
Planning, Probate, Trust Administration
WING BEAT advertising deadline for the next issue and Real Estate Matters
is May 10, 2009. Business size ads are $25 per issue.
Please address other rate inquiries to
Treasurer, Jane Williams at 727-447-7394. 79 Overbrook Blvd.
Largo, Fl. 33770 (727) 584-2128
Please submit ads via email to: adsubmision@clearwateraudubon.org \
or mail to the address above, Attn: Wingbeat Ads.

Officers of Clearwater Audubon Society Office Hours By Appointment

President, Michael MacDonald 409-0459

1st VP, John Hood 461-4762
Kamilla Sztanko, DMD, PA
2nd VP, Sid Crawford 785-3960
3830 Tampa Road, Suite 100
Treasurer, Jane Williams 447-7394
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Corresponding Secretary, Jim Nason 599-2355
Recording Secretary, Marianne Korosy 772-7584
Membership Chair, Barbara MacDonald 776-2336
Education & Field Trip Chair, Lynn Sumerson 596-8822
Advocacy Chair, Barbara Walker 789-0183
Conservation Projects, Dana Kerstein 441-1609
Web Master, Aydelette Kelsey 430-0924
HARVEY L. KERSTEIN, D.D.S.
COSMETIC AND FAMILY
DENTISTRY
U Stor N Lock
18946 US Highway 19 N
Clearwater, Fl. 33764
727 531-4040
2127 NE Coachman Road
U Stor N Lock donates storage space Clearwater, Florida 33765
to Clearwater Audubon

If you need a store room, see them and please

mention Clearwater Audubon Society.

Reach us by calling 727-442-9140 or visit us at www.clearwateraudubon.org

Our Motto: Conservation Through Education Supporting our community since 1959
Mottled/Mallard Duck 12 Supporting our community since 1959
Lesser Scaup 852
Red-breasted Merganser 125
Common Loon 163
Horned Grebe 49
Pied-billed Grebe 10
Northern Gannet 6
American White Pelican 1
Brown Pelican 1167
Double-crested Cormorant 1979
Great Blue Heron 59
Great Egret 166
Snowy Egret 101
Little Blue Heron 45
Tricolored Heron 21
Green Heron 1
Reddish Egret 20
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 26
White Ibis 261
Roseate Spoonbill 11
Wood Stork 6
Osprey 87
Bald Eagle - Adult 4 February 13-15, 2009 Mid-winter “Beach Bird” Survey
Cooper’s Hawk 1 By Marianne Korosy
American Kestrel 3 Photo Credits: Walt Spina
Black-bellied Plover 854
Piping Plover 104 Do you want to participate in Clearwater Audubon’s Project Colonywatch
Semipalmated Plover 648 citizen science projects? It’s a great way to meet new like-minded friends, to
Snowy Plover 52 spend a half-day outdoors, and you don’t have to be an expert birder to help
Wilson’s Plover 211 out. We need volunteers who are skilled at bird identification but we also
Killdeer 21 need people to record data, pick up beach trash that can kill young and adult
American Oystercatcher 111 birds, and to help us put up posts and signs to protect nesting birds on area
Greater Yellowlegs 2 beaches and islands. You might even learn something new!
Willet 1324
Spotted Sandpiper 2 Clearwater Audubon members participated in a regional mid-winter beach
Whimbrel 30 bird survey organized by Dr. Beth Forys, Professor of Environmental Studies
Marbled Godwit 118 at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. Beth organized data collection and meth-
Ruddy Turnstone 516 ods for surveys completed from Boca Grande (Charlotte County) all the way
Red Knot 778 north to North Anclote Bar (Pinellas County). The weather was beautiful and
Sanderling 1874 the birds were abundant. Results are not completely compiled for all sites.
Western Sandpiper 141
Least Sandpiper 448 Nesting season for beach-nesting birds begins in March. We have weekly
Dunlin 3134 trips to post nests or colonies of American Oystercatchers, Snowy and Wil-
Short-billed Dowitcher 429 son’s Plovers, Royal, Sandwich, and Caspian terns, Black Skimmer, Laugh-
Dowitcher (unidentified) 298 ing Gulls, and Willet. For more information contact Dana Kerstein, Conser-
Laughing Gull 6997 vation Projects Chair, at hkerstein@tampabay.rr.com or 727-441-1609.
Bonaparte’s Gull 96
Ring-billed Gull 3220
Herring Gull 375
Lesser Black-backed Gull 18
Caspian Tern 14
Royal Tern 2250
Forster’s Tern 496
Sandwich Tern 326
Belted Kingfisher 8
Black Skimmer 1365
Red-Winged Blackbird 65
Fish Crow 59 Our Motto: Conservation Through Education Page 3 of 8
 Tierra Verde First nest and young on Honeymoon Island in 40 years
Photo Credit: Irene Hernandez Photo Credit: Wilf Yusek
2008/2009 by the Numbers
Reasons for Nesting Failure
• October 1, 2008 began first nesting season after delisting
• 8 new nests documented 1. SPCA failed, encroachment, or unknown
• 8 nests failed 2. Tierra Verde, disturbance during incubation (intraspecific
• 8 nests on artificial structures (cell towers, transmission towers) aggression = eagle to eagle)
• 1 bald eagle shot 3. John Chesnut, young perished, adults abandoned, cause
• 1 juvenile rehabbed and released unknown
4. Progress Energy Corridor, disturbance during incubation,
• 4 nesting eagles banded
late nesting, interspecific aggression (possible crows, os-
• 1st nest and eaglet on Honeymoon Island in 40 years!
prey)
• 13 nests in live pines 5. Baker Roofing, young pair not yet fully established
• 3 in dead pines 6. Boyd Hill, disturbance during mating, new mate, nesting
• 1 in a sand pine did not occur
• 1 in a Eucalyptus 7. Madeira Beach, possible late nesting, possible gun shot
• 17+ Eagle Watchers 8. Bayside Bridge incubated at least 3 times, failed 3 times,
• 29 eaglets disturbance during incubation, intraspecific aggression,
• 1.1 Young/Nest Ratio interspecific aggression (juvenile eagles and crows)
• 1.5 State goal for Young/Nest ratio
• 330 feet recommended buffer zone for eagle nests Failure by Nest Type

Nests by Property Type • 4 adapted failed

• 2 in live pines failed
• Pinellas County-7 nests on public property • 1 in a dead pine
• Pinellas County-19 nests on private property failed
• Pinellas County 26% on public property • 1 in eucalyptus failed
• State wide 33% on public property
• Pinellas County 73% on private property Failure Timing
• State wide 67% on private property • 2 in November
• 2 in December
• 2 in January
A wetland dependent species of greatest conservation need • 2 in February/March Photo Credit: Barb Walker

Of Pinellas County By Barbara Walker

 Photo Credit: Al Wallace The Banded One...Grey Oaks
Photo Credit: Mike Kell
Legislation to Evaluate
Holding Airports Harmless for Impacts to Imperiled Wildlife
HB 1065 Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood)/SB 1864 Sen. Carey Baker (R- Eustis)
This legislation proposes that airports permitted to disturb wildlife in an attempt to protect air traffic from wildlife collision hazards should not be held responsible if
threatened or endangered wildlife like Bald Eagles are harmed or killed in the process.

Abolishing DCA
SB 730 Sen. Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton)
This bill proposes to abolish the Department of Community Affairs, the agency that seeks to regulate and guide development and land use in Florida.

Wetlands Regulation Streaming?

HB 1123 Rep. Trudi Williams (R-Ft. Myers)/SB 2016 Sen. Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton)
This bill proposes streamlining coordination between DEP and the Army Corps of Engineers on dredge and fill wetlands permits.

Stifling New Environmental Regulations

SB 2026 Sen. Thad Altman (R-Melbourne)
This unfortunate bill is a response to the development community’s angst over the economic climate, claiming that regulations and environmental protections are
burdensome hurdles to economic recovery. This bill would extend the duration of development orders and permits, and prohibit any governmental entity from creating
new or more stringent regulations on land use or development until May 2011 without authorization of the Legislature.

Ways to Increase Local Protections for Bald Eagles

• Create stronger bald eagle ordinances than FWC guidelines
• Add language protective to bald eagles in current ordinances and comprehensive plans
• Offer educational programs, promote bald eagles, install signs and barricades, use law enforcement when necessary
• Identify potential nesting areas and coordinate preservation with future land use map
• Create critical area ordinances, protect mature pines on water
• Create ordinances, rules to protect adapted bald eagles, flight paths, perches and roosts
• Increase permitting and environmental evaluation requirements for land with eagle nests

Reasons for Local Conservation

• Pinellas is part of a core study area
• 6-8 adapted bald eagles out of 28 adapted statewide
• Pinellas supports historic populations of bald eagles
• Decrease burden on volunteer organizations
• Portions of North Pinellas are Important Usage Areas (IUA)
• Public to Private Ratio too low, acquisition recommended
• Portion of North Pinellas part of long leaf pine forest identified as the Brooksville Ridge, habitat preservation priority Photo Credit: Barb Walker
• Discourage spill over sprawl, “What Happens in Pinellas Doesn’t Stay in Pinellas”
• The public insists

Pages 4 & 5 of 8
 Osprey Watch
By Barb Walker

If you are interested in participating in Osprey Watch

please contact Barb Walker at 727-789-0183. Osprey
counts are being conducted in various portions of the
county, compiled and being published for educational
literature associated with the Osprey Cam Project
which will launch in October. The project was de-
layed this year because power was lost to the camera
right when the osprey laid three eggs in the nest .
Fluctuations in the population, nesting structure, nest-
ing success, mortality, variances in return, migration
estimates and incubation dates are to be examined.
We also need volunteer bloggers, educational writers
and field monitors.
Our Motto: Conservation Through Education

FIELD TRIPS & PROGRAMS

April 2009 Field Trips

Friday, April 3, 7AM – Cross Bar Ranch - Ken Rowe, 781-0745 – meet at Countryside Shopping Town in front of Sears, US19 side.
Audubon Academy - how to make your Chapter more effective - Mike MacDonald, 409-0459.
Saturday, April 4, 8AM – Moccasin Lake Nature Park - Madeleine Bohrer, 518-6241 – meet in the Park.
Wednesday, April 8, 7:30AM – Emerson Point Park – Mike MacDonald, 409-0459 – meet at Tri-City Mall in front of Party City.
Saturday, April 11, 7:30AM – Ft. DeSoto County Park – Paul Trunk, 447-4785 – meet at Tri-City Mall in front of Party City.
Wednesday, April 15, 7:30AM – Ft. DeSoto County Park – Jackie Williams, 585-3587 – meet at Tri City Mall in front of Party City.
Saturday, April 18, 7AM – Green Key & Salt Springs – Paul Trunk, 447-4785 – meet at Countryside Shopping Town in front of Sears, US19
Side.
Wednesday, April 22, 8AM – Honeymoon Island State Park - Merle Hubbard, 939-1549 – meet behind McDonalds, US19A & Curlew Road.
Saturday, April 25, 8AM – John Chesnut County Park – Ken Rowe, 781-0745 - meet at Peggy Park Trail parking lot.

May 2009 Field Trips

Saturday, May 2, 8AM – Moccasin Lake Nature Park – Mike MacDonald, 409-0459 - meet in the Park.
Saturday, May 9, 2009, 8AM – Philippe County Park & Safety Harbor Museum – Ken Rowe, 781-0745, meet at Philippe Park first parking lot.
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 9AM – Florida Aquarium & Alafia Banks float trip – Jane Williams, 447-7394.

April & May Programs

Monday, April 6, 2009: Elston Raimundo Chavarria - Habitat Restoration In The Americas.
Monday, May 4, 2009: Terry Fortner, granddaughter of Myrtle Scharrer - Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise” The story of Caladesi Island.

Trudy Yancey - June 25, 1931 to March 8, 2009

A long time member of Clearwater Audubon Society has passed on. Trudy Yancey who
was hospitality and historian for many years died suddenly on March 8th at home. Her
friendly smile and generous spirit will be greatly missed. Memorials in her name may be
made to the Clearwater Audubon Society. Our address is PO Box 97, Clearwater, FL
33757. A memorial service will be announced. If you would like additional information
please contact Joan Brigham at 727-446-9367.

Reach us by calling 727-442-9140 or visit us at www.clearwateraudubon.org

 Clearwater Audubon Society Membership Application
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Please enclose check to Clearwater Audubon Society for Chapter membership, or National Audubon Society for National membership

Clearwater Audubon Society

P.O. Box 97
Clearwater, FL 33757
Attention: Barbara MacDonald, Membership Chair

How can you help Clearwater Audubon Society achieve its Purpose? [check all that apply]

advocacy ___ conservation ___ education ___ field trips ___ finance ___ hospitality ___
media/PR ___ membership ___ newsletter ___ investment security ___ other ___ [list below]

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Our Motto: Conservation Through Education Supporting our community since 1959
Clearwater Audubon Society
PO Box 97 Non Profit Org
Clearwater, FL 33757
US POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 193

Clearwater, FL

WHAT IS THE CLEARWATER AUDUBON SOCIETY?

Reach us by calling 727-442-9140 or visit us at www.clearwateraudubon.org
Our purpose is embodied in our motto: Conservation • participation in bird surveys, which provide data for
though education & our activities include: vital ornithological research;

• protection of nesting, wintering and migrating birds • participation in local nature festivals;
through Project Colony Watch, rescue of chicks fallen
from rooftop nests, Project Eagle Watch, and participa- • publication of our bimonthly newsletter, Wingbeat, and
tion in the county-wide beach nesting bird survey; our website, at www.ClearwaterAudubon.org;

• education, including Audubon Adventures for elemen- • advocacy at the local, state and national levels.
tary school students, environmental education scholar-
ships for teachers and students, free birding classes for
the public, and a speakers bureau; YOU CAN HELP!

• sponsorship of projects at local nature parks; Whatever your interests or skills, we can use your help
protecting birds and the environment. If you like working
• field trips to prime birding locations in Florida, through- outdoors, writing, speaking, organizing, baking, or just
out the United States and internationally; meeting new people, we have opportunities for you. Call
the Clearwater Audubon Society at 727-442-9140 or an
• monthly meetings held October through May featuring officer listed on page 2 and we’ll tell you how you can
speakers on a wide array of environment-related topcs; help.

Our Motto: Conservation Through Education Supporting our community since 1959