Celery Fields – Field Trip Report

PRAS has a birding activity in which a birding hot spot is selected for members to visit on their own, each month. We then ask those members to submit an e-mail report listing the birds they saw.

Since starting this activity in September, we have had 5 different hot spots. 32 people have participated and reported the birds they have seen thus far. We just completed our February Self Guided Birding Activity at the Celery Fields in Sarasota For those of you that joined in, glad you did, and we’re always open for more to attend. Here is the listing of birds seen in February at the Celery Fields by our group and the number of reports listing each bird species.

Anhinga-4 Blackbird-Red Winged-4 Bluejay-2 Bunting-Painted-1 Cardinal-Northern-2 Catbird-Gray-1 Coot-American-5 Cormorant-Double Crested-4 Cowbird-Brown headed-4 Crow-american-3 Crow-Fish-2 Dove-Ground-2 Dove-Mourning-4 Dowitcher-Long Billed-1 Duck-Mottled-3 Duck-Wood-1 Eagle-Bald-3 Egret-Cattle-5 Egret-Great-4 Egret-Snowy-3 Gallinule-Common-4 Gallinule-Purple-2 Gnatcatcher-Blue-grey-1 Goldfinch-American-1 Grackle-Boat Tailed-4 Grackle-Common-2 Grebe-Pied Billed-4 Gull-Laughing-2 Harrier-Northern-2 Hawk-Red Shouldered-2 Heron-Black Crowned Night-1 Heron-Great Blue-3 Heron-Green-1 Heron-Little Blue-4 Heron-TriColored-4 Ibis-Glossy-4 Ibis-White-4 Kingfisher-Belted-3 Kite-Swallow Tailed Limpkin-4 Martin-Purple-4 Meadowlark-1 Mockingbird-Northern-4 Osprey-3 Pelican-White American-1 Phoebe-Eastern-2 Robin-1 Sandhill Crane-4 Scaup-Lesser-2 Shrike-Loggerhead-2 Sparrow-Savannah-1 Sparrow-White-crowned-1 Spoonbill-Roseate-2 Swallow-Tree-4 Teal-Blue Winged-5 Tern-Forster’s-1 Tern-Royal-1 Vulture-Black-4 Vulture-Turkey-3 Warble-Palm-2 Warbler-Yellow Rumped-4 Woodpecker-Red Bellied-2 Woodstork-1 Yellowlegs-Greater-1 Yellowlegs-Lesser-1

Thanks to those joining in and we hope more will join in the future.

Ron and Char Robinson Crob80517@aol.com

SIGN UP FOR SHOREBIRD MONITORING

With the nesting season fast approaching, I wanted to share the February edition of the Florida Shorebird Alliance newsletter. If there are members of Peace River Audubon interested in shorebird monitoring, there is a link in the newsletter to register for a webinar for Florida Shorebird Database training for new and existing users. I can also provide a virtual shorebird monitoring and stewardship training if that is of interest.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2bf8b33

Best, Tyson Dallas Southwest Region Shorebird Biologist IV Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 2423 Edwards Drive Fort Myers, FL 33901 Mobile: 813-417-4235 Tyson.dallas@myfwc.com

NOTE: If you are interested and sign up for the database training, please send your name and email address to Phyllis at ps_cady@yahoo.com.  PRAS would like to keep a list of those who are participating in case there is a need for further training from Tyson Dallas.

Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Guided Walks – March 3, 7, 12, 14

Special Guided Hike for PRAS Members and Friends….

Lemon Bay Conservancy is offering free “Introduction to the new Wildflower Preserve” guided walks during the month of March.

The privately owned and managed preserve has completed major steps in a multi-year, multi-million dollar project to restore the property into a nature wonderland with new and enhanced wetlands, and thousands of new plantings.

Walks are offered on March 3, 7, 12 and 14, starting at 8:30 for 2 hours. Peace River Audubon members and friends have a special invitation on these dates. Groups will be limited to 5 participants plus a leader. Call Susy d’Hont at 941 697 1797 to register. You will be required to sign a Lemon Bay Conservancy waiver, and to wear masks. Wildflower is located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd. Englewood.