Yellow-breasted Chat
Our Chapter is busy with the Adams Ranch Fundraising Tours this winter. January has sold out, and February, March Tours are filling up fast. These tours are one of a kind and only our Chapter has this partnership with the Adams Family each year. We thank them for their generous gift so that our Chapter can have a healthy financial standing and work to bring the appreciation of land conservation and local birds to our county.
Our Board of Directors has decided to hold our general meeting on February 3rd on Zoom. We are going to make future decisions on a month-to-month basis depending on the Covid community spread data. Our speaker for February is very special. Mr. Jim Cox, from Tall Timber Research Center in northern Florida, will speak about his favorite bird, the Brown-Headed Nuthatch. His topic is listed as, “Fiefdoms, Adultery, and Cooperation in the Brown-Headed Nuthatch.” What an interesting topic! You will receive an invitation to join in when we are close to the date. “See” you there!
Broad-winged Hawk
Ed Bowes has shared some news from the recent Christmas Bird Count. He reports that 2 rare birds were sighted in Area 10. The birds are a Broad-Winged Hawk and a Yellow-Breasted Chat. Special paperwork is being done to back up the sightings for these two birds. He also reports a reduction in sightings of passerines, the smaller birds like warblers.
Matthew Anderson, our Science Advisor, has reported that he will try again to entice lesser terns and black skimmers to nest on Tern Island. Last year the effort was not successful, but he is leading the way to make another effort. He will be calling for volunteers to help clear the island of weeds and debris that has accumulated over the last year. If you are interested in helping, keep a watchful eye on our website for the call for volunteers. This will probably take place in late February. This is an outdoor activity and will be a safe way to work together for the benefit of our birds.
Our Birding Adventures co-chairs Doris Brookens and Kathy Mayshar, have provided us with a wonderful variety of opportunities to learn and enjoy different habitats while birding locally. Please check out our listings on our website and pick one (or more) to participate. Happy Birding Friends!
Ellen Lynch, President