A clear-voiced singer, the Yellow-throated Warbler creeps about in the crowns of palms, probing among the fronds with their long bills. Watch for this warbler and others to start arriving mid-August.
Photo: Lorraine Minns
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Songbird diversity in backyards and area parks should increase significantly in August as more and more southbound warblers make their first fall appearance in South Florida. Ovenbirds and Black-throated Blue Warblers typically start arriving by mid-month, joining migrant Northern Parulas, American Redstarts and Black-and-white, Yellow-throated and Prairie Warblers, all of whom enjoyed a several-week head start. A few less-commonly encountered warblers should also be moving through this month, including Louisiana and Northern Waterthrush and Worm-eating, Prothonotary, Hooded and Yellow Warblers. With luck and persistence, one could even come upon a rare-for-these-parts Kentucky or Cerulean Warbler. Other August arrivals to watch for include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow-throated Vireo, Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager and Painted Bunting. Migrant Red-eyed Vireos should become much more conspicuous and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers will likely be everywhere by month's end.
August birding is consistently productive in the agricultural areas of southern Miami-Dade and western Palm Beach counties. Flooded fields should continue to attract large numbers of wading birds and migrant shorebirds, including American Avocet, Pectoral and Stilt Sandpiper and Wilson’s Phalarope; drier, grass-covered fields will be the preferred stopover habitat for Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Impressive numbers of migrant swallows should also be present, either soaring over the fields or perched on adjacent power lines. Most will be Barn Swallows, but Purple Martins and Northern Rough-winged, Tree, Bank, Cliff and Cave Swallows should also be in the mix. By month’s end, hard-core birders with a high tolerance for biting insects will invariably head to Aerojet Road, near Everglades National Park’s main entrance, because it’s arguably the most reliable location in Florida to encounter vocalizing Alder Flycatchers, a very uncommon migrant that’s virtually impossible to identify unless it calls or sings.
Our Doc Thomas House headquarters remains closed to the public. Please stay tuned for our timely updates.
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Brian Rapoza
Tropical Audubon Society Field Trip Coordinator
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Bird the Ruins of Mexico's Yucatán
January 21-31, 2021
Spaces Available
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The Collared Aracari is one of the many colorful species you may spot on this trip.
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Pack your binoculars and embark on an intense, 11-day, 10-night birding adventure to the environmentally diverse Yucatán Peninsula. Led by TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza and a local guide, you'll witness native birds soar above the breathtaking Hochob, Becán, Chacchoben and Uxmal ruins, as well as other archaeological sites of interest on this extraordinary journey through the Mayan world.
Eyes will be skyward daily as a rainbow array of birds, including hummingbirds, parrots, tanagers, flamingos, raptors and many more, put on a display. From trail hikes to boat rides, birding enthusiasts will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor activities while learning about the history of the Maya and the birds that call the Yucatán Peninsula home.
Fee: $2,745 per person double occupancy, $345 single supplement. Price includes transportation, lodging, guides and park fees. Not included is round-trip airfare to the Yucatán (arrival in Cozumel, departure from Merida), tips, laundry costs or other incidental expenses.
A $200 deposit is due at time of booking, balance of payment due by October 18, 2020.
Cancellation Policy: There will be a full land refund for any cancellation prior to the final payment deadline, October 18, 2020
.
To register or to view a detailed itinerary,
click here
.
Email
Brian Rapoza
, TAS Field Trip Coordinator
for additional information.
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DEADLINE: MONDAY, AUGUST 10
Help SAVE the Florida Bonneted Bat —
Urge FWS to expand Protected Habitat!
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In a recent e-newsletter we were pleased to report that on June 9 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finally proposed designation of 1.5 million acres of critical habitat for the Florida bonneted bat, listed as endangered in 2013. The bat, found only in South Florida, has experienced a steep population decline as its forest and wetland habitats were developed or compromised. The proposed critical habitat designation is a step in the right direction, however, more needs to be done before the designation is formalized. Many of the bat’s known foraging and roosting areas in urban and suburban Miami-Dade County were not included in the proposed designation. It is therefore crucial that Fish and Wildlife expand the proposed critical habitat acreage.
Please write to the Service to let them know you care about the Florida bonneted bat and urge them to expand the habitat protections to ensure the bat’s survival and recovery. This lovely little mammal is an integral and historic resident of Miami-Dade County — together, let’s bring it back from the brink of extinction.
Please consider using the suggested letter below.
SUGGESTED LETTER:
Please personalize your letter. It will have more impact when you say why this issue matters to you.
Subject: Expand Habitat Protections for the Florida Bonneted Bat and include Open Spaces in urban and suburban Miami-Dade County.
Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
I was very happy to hear that the endangered Florida bonneted bat will be protected with the designation of proposed critical habitat, however, I ask you to do everything you can to help them fully recover.
The proposed designation is a starting point, but the habitat should be expanded in Miami-Dade County to give the bat a fighting chance for its survival and recovery. The bat is under continuous pressure due to urban sprawl and the resulting habitat loss and is also affected by the impacts of climate change.
As the Service is aware, the Florida bonneted bat exhibits high roost-site fidelity and, fortunately, can thrive in urban areas using "artificial" roosts. The Service should safeguard all known natural and artificial roost sites and nearby foraging habitat to ensure the bat’s survival.
I therefore urge the Service to analyze the inclusion of open spaces and parks in urban and suburban Miami-Dade County, such as the Melreese Golf Course and Coral Gables Golf Courses, both heavily used by the bat for foraging and roosting. Likewise, the Service should assess for designation other urban and suburban areas in Miami-Dade County, including the L-31N canal, certain areas in Homestead, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Martinez Preserve and Snapper Creek Park.
Finally, it is imperative to include the Richmond Pine Rocklands. This is the largest forested area in suburban Miami-Dade County, and including it is absolutely crucial to the survival of the species.
Thank you for your efforts to save this spectacular bat!
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Restoring our Historic House
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Our historic 1932 Doc Thomas House headquarters is long overdue for a full restoration. The multiple effects of heat, humidity, hurricanes and daily use have taken a toll over the decades so a makeover is desperately needed.
A late example of Florida wood-frame vernacular architecture, the charming cottage was constructed primarily of native materials, including tidewater red cypress, Dade County pine and two types of South Florida limestone. Its architecture also reflects Arts and Crafts movement influences, as exemplified in the structure's detailed woodwork patterns, striking limestone-faced fireplace and numerous built-in features. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, named a Florida Heritage Site and designated a Dade County Historic Site, the Doc Thomas House is a bonafide Old Florida architectural gem.
Its restoration will take a village! Stay tuned for details.
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A Latinx Conservation Conversation
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Last week, we celebrated Latino Conservation Week, an Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) initiative that amplifies the Latinx's community's role in conservation, culture, environmental justice and Latinx joy. TAS is grateful to HAF, Audubon Florida and National Audubon Society for co-hosting a panel discussion that brought into sharper focus how birds unite people of diverse backgrounds and interests, the joys of birding and the challenges that Latinx communities face to engage with the outdoors and the field of conservation. The panel included TAS Executive Director Paola Ferreira and Advisory Board Member Rafael Galvez, along with other LatinX Conservation community leaders.
All are welcome to join the Birds in embracing and celebrating diversity in the outdoors.
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Dine-out, Take-out or Order-in from Whisk Gourmet
Tuesday, August 11, 6-9pm
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Order dinner from
Whisk Gourmet
and, in turn,
Whisk
will feather the proverbial TAS nest with 10 percent of its dinner revenues. Whisk is presently offering Outdoor dining, Take-out, Curbside delivery or Local home delivery ($5 up to 5 miles).
No matter how you choose to order, enjoy Chef Carlos Montenegro’s bright, boldly flavored seasonal cuisine, and
delectable
house favorites such as Roasted Cauliflower with Walnut Pesto, Filet Mignon Salad and Buttermilk Fried Chicken.
Whisk
helps TAS protect all the places South Floridians cherish
: Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay
and
The Everglades.
The Birds profusely thank
Whisk's
ownership team for so generously and kindly continuing this annual Summer dining series under our “new normal” scenario.
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Painted Buntings are among the returning migrants to look for in August. In the aftermath of a hurricane or big storm, it is advisable to provide feeders when seeds, fruit, nectar and insects may be in short supply.
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Post-Hurricane Tips for Bird-friendly Gardeners
By Kirsten Hines
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With hurricane season heating up this month, it’s a good time to consider how those of us who garden for birds can potentially mitigate damage from storm winds, rain and salt spray. Comprised of native plants that are adapted to hurricanes, bird-friendly South Florida gardens are pre-disposed to rapid recovery, especially if the plants have been arranged naturalistically, such that the tangle of branches and roots provides defense against storms. In any garden though, there are actions a gardener can take after a storm to encourage plant recovery and, perhaps more importantly, support the birds and other wildlife that depend on the garden.
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In
Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens
,
I advise readers that birds depend on a garden’s plants for food rather than bird feeders, but there is an exception: Even native plants can take months to recover after being storm-stripped of the seeds, fruit, flowers and insects birds need to survive. In the interim, there is little to no food to sustain birds and other pollinators, so it helps to tide birds over with black oil sunflower seeds, millet and sugar water.
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Likewise, shelter can be scarce after a storm has stripped away leaves and branches. Nest boxes can help in the short-term, but for the sake of both the plants and the birds, post-storm garden tending is important. Stand downed plants back up and support them as needed; most natives will recover. Trim damaged plants judiciously to leave as much structure intact as possible. Instead of hauling all your yard debris to the curb, consider leaving a small pile or two in the garden to provide much-needed hiding places for birds and other wildlife. Gardeners near the coast should spray plant leaves and drench roots with fresh water, and also consider providing a fresh water source for wildlife.
The good news is that no matter how extensive the damage, South Florida’s bird-friendly gardens can recover and flourish in a relatively short amount of time, feeding the birds that flutter through the garden once again.
Kirsten
Hines is on the Tropical Audubon Society and Audubon Florida boards, and is a nature writer and photographer with an M.Sc. in biology who co-authored the gardening reference book
Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens.
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Audubon 2020 Photography Awards
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Take a scroll through this year's spectacular Top 10 avian images, and get the story behind each unique photo.
Nearly 1,800 photographers from across North America submitted more than 6,000 images to National Audubon's 11th annual
Audubon Photography Awards
. Perhaps these enchanting images will inspire you to capture the beauty of birds yourself! National Audubon's
photography section
can get you started; it is chock-full of
tips and how-to’s
,
gear recommendations
and its
ethical guidelines
for wildlife photography. With skill, patience and a little luck, your image may be in the running for top honors in the 2021 Awards.
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… Whole Foods Market, America's healthiest — and greenest! — grocery store chain. Whether supporting Homestead farmers, Wynwood brewers, Keys fishermen or Florida ranchers, Whole Foods Market keeps it local.
Our Coral Gables "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet" near neighbor (located 3 blocks north of our campus on Red Road) annually partners with TAS to help present "Walk in the Woods with Wine & Whisk" and the "Bee-Cause Flea" among other on-site events. Now more than ever, we are deeply grateful for its generosity, and for its staff who has kept its doors open and its shelves stocked as our community navigates our new normal.
Supporting those vendors who support TAS is an easy way to contribute to our Mission.
The Birds will thank you!
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