February 16, Thursday Everyone is invited to our Speaker Program
How to Cope with Backyard Wildlife presented by Jayne Johnson, FWC Sr. Wildlife Biologist Doors open 5:30 pm Speaker 7 pm First Alliance Church enter at the Landing Door 20444 Midway Blvd. Port Charlotte
Feb 14 Tuesday at 8 AM PRAS Walkabout at Wildflower Preserve 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard in Englewood
Mike Weisensee will guide us in this 80-acre preserve located on the Cape Haze peninsula. Eva Furner will explain the history and ownership by the nonprofit, Lemon Bay Conservancy whose main goal is to provide a refuge for wildlife and opportunities for environmental education and scientific research. We start with upland habitats and continue to fresh water ponds that feed into the salt-water Lemon Creek. As Lemon Creek leaves the property, it connects into Lemon Bay. A partnership between the Southwest Florida Water Management District, NOAA and the Conservancy completed the restoration project to convert this former golf course property into interconnected wetlands and native habitats in 2021. The eastern side has freshwater wetlands and the west has tidal wetlands. Last year saw 40 species. (See our blog page to get the full story at https://peaceriveraudubon.org/lemon-creek-wildflower-preserve-2-26-22-trip-report/)
Twenty birders arrived at the entrance of Prairie Shell Creek Preserve guided by Phyllis Cady, our Sentinel who made sure that everyone made the turn off Hwy 17. She instructed us on how to get our cars packed into a tiny parking lot. Jayne Johnson with FWC led us through the 609 acre mesic flatwoods, scrublands and tidal marsh system which is home to several Florida Scrub Jay families. We have tried to go to Pop Ash Preserve but it was knee deep in a few spots with alligators enjoying the high water! Our walk was dry and so much fun to see the Scrub Jays posing for photos! Jayne explained the life history of the Jays and she discussed the ecosystem and other wildlife within the preserve. We saw 2 families of Jays!
We walked to the lake and saw 21 bird species including the Eastern Towhee who sang to us “Drink your Tea” and the female Scrub Jay rattled her call. Sandhill Cranes, Wood Storks, Cattle Egrets and White Ibis flew over us joined by a large flock of American Robins (37). Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Gnatcatchers, Cardinals and Warblers skitter scattered around us. Anhingas, Herons and Egrets met us at the lake. A Red-Shouldered Hawk peered at us from the top of a Pine Tree and Vultures soared above riding heat thermals. Bren Curtis listed the species seen on ebird and shared the list with participants. A very nice morning!
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