Our Chapter is moving forward this fall with meetings on Zoom and some interesting programs to come at our general meetings. 

Unfortunately, we were unable to have Dr. Richard K. Forester give his talk on “Herons of Florida” because his presentation is video based and the Zoom application is not compatible with video.  But, lucky for us, we have reached out to Caroline Stahala from Audubon Florida and she will talk about “Birds and Hurricanes.”  Caroline is a PhD and works for Florida Audubon as the Shorebird Program Manager, Western Florida Panhandle. I’m sure this will be a great program for us.

All our members will receive an invitation to join the meeting via email along with the monthly newsletter. Others can request the link at slas.zoom.meeting@gmail.com. So, watch for your invitation in the same email as the newsletter.

A future presentation will be Samantha McGee from St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Environmental Specialist, who will talk to us about the “Ecology and Management of the Amazing Red-Cockaded Woodpecker” in December. This sounds real interesting!

Also in December, we will hopefully have our annual Christmas Bird Count organized by Ed Bowes.  Each individual who participated last year will receive a survey to ask them if they can participate again this year. With the virus still active out there, we want to make sure everyone feels safe enough to do the bird count again.  We may not be able to provide that wonderful pizza party, but the count is done by individual zones and by individual vehicles, so that should be a safe way to get it done.  If you did the count  last year, watch for the survey and send it back please.  We have not set a firm date yet, but if we have enough participation, we can do this!  If someone is new and wants to join in, please let Ed Bowes know by contacting him via stlucieaudubon@gmail.com

Matthew Anderson and Kirk Fusco have volunteered to represent us at the St. Lucie Co. STEM events again this year and provide us with three winners for our Grace Stock Conservation Awards.  This annual event will be held virtually this year, and our awards will also be given at our general meeting on Zoom either in February or March.  Watch for more information on our website.

Our Board is also discussing the possibility of holding one Adams Ranch fundraiser in late March or early April.  We will be talking with the Adams Ranch folks to get their opinion as to the viability of this event.  Hopefully we can offer one session and make a little money for our treasury this year.

We have all be energized by seeing the wonderful migrants coming back to our area. There have been multiple sightings of Kingfishers and Kestrels and some Blue Winged Teal Ducks.  Some Warblers are also showing up.  If you see anything new or interesting, please feel free to post your sighting on our Facebook page to share your love of birds! See you on Zoom! 

— Ellen Lynch, President