Welcome to Duval Audubon Society

Here are some of the great programs we have planned for our 2019/2020 season:

- Dr. Caroline Efstathion of APEC (Avian Preservation and Education Conservancy) will give a presentation about her work with endangered tropical parrots (November 18, 2019)

- Gina Kent of ARCI (Avian Research and Conservation Institute) will speak about her work with Swallow-tailed Kites (January 20, 2020)

- Expert Florida Birding Guide David Simpson will tell us all about birding in the Dry Tortugas (February 17, 2020)

These are just a few of the fascinating programs we have in store for you this year! Check out our Calendar of Events for a complete listing of all of our upcoming activities!

Starting with our September 16, 2019 program, our monthly program meetings will be held at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 2001 University Blvd W, Jacksonville, FL.

We will continue to hold our monthly program meetings on the third Monday each month. Meetings will start with refreshments and networking at 6:30 pm, with program presentations starting at 7 pm.

Audubon EagleWatch, one of Audubon's premier community science programs, deploys boots on the ground and eyes in the field to monitor and protect Florida's Bald Eagles. With over 1,500 nesting pairs in our state, this team of volunteers spans 42 counties monitoring more than 600 nests.

Audubon EagleWatchers collect important data on nesting eagles in Florida including productivity, active nest locations and possible disturbances or threats to nesting activities.The program engages volunteers and individuals to help protect our nation's symbol.

If you would like to become an "EagleWatcher" with Audubon's EagleWatch program, register to attend the upcoming training session, scheduled for 10 am - noon, Saturday, September 21, 2019 @ Deerwood Country Club, 10239 Golf Club Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! REGISTER AT:
http://www.eaglewatchflorida.org/training_registration.html

Questions? Call (407) 644-0190, ext. 118
or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To help you create bird friendly habitat in your landscape, we will be posting a native plant each month which is beneficial to birds and pollinators. This month's plant is:

Firebush (Hamelia patens):

Firebush is a native Florida plant and is superb for your yard as it is a major nectar producing plant attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies with its beautiful orange-yellow tubular flowers. The flowers are in full bloom during the summer months and as the weather cools, they will decrease. It produces small reddish berries which ripen to a blackish purple and attract birds in the fall, including mockingbirds, cardinals, and other songbirds.

Firebush can reach a height of 10-15 feet and will grow in sun or part shade, and in damp or dry soil. It is heat and drought tolerant once established. Cold weather may kill it back to the ground, but it will regrow quickly. If you have a more formal garden, you can also prune it to maintain a desired shape and height. You may grow Firebush either from cuttings or from seed. Please note that the firebush plants sold in the big box stores are NOT the native variety which we recommend that you use.

For local sources of native plants, check with the Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. They often have native plants as well as cuttings available at their monthly meetings. They are on summer break right now, but in September will resume their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month. Check out their Events Calendar for all of their upcoming activities.

--Jody Willis, President, Duval Audubon Society

St. Augustine Road Fish Management Area is the site of two fishing lakes operated jointly by the City of Jacksonville and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). It is a hidden gem for nature lovers, and one of our chapter's favorite birding spots, as it is an eBird Hot Spot where 90 different species of birds have been reported!

Recently, Duval Audubon Society board member and Duval County Conservation Chair Carolyn Antman noticed that the north lake was clogged with an overgrowth of aquatic plants covering the entire surface of the lake. FWC scientists tested the water quality in the lake and found that oxygen levels were very low, which could lead to fish kills and a reduction in the lake's ability to support the wildlife we love.

A lake in need of rescue.

In late July, FWC staffers Trevor Phillips, Will Prevatt, Mike Ricketts, and Shalyn Zappulla led a small team of volunteers in an effort to clear the overgrowth of floating water fern vegetation on the surface of the lake.

Carolyn reports: "FWC had a boat and a big net. They circled around and got a net full of weed then hauled it to the bank where they dragged it up with a winch on a truck. They repeated this (slow) process many times."

After two days of backbreaking work, the result is that about half of the surface of the lake has been cleared, so although great progress was made, more work will undoubtedly be needed to keep this lake healthy.

We are so grateful for the hard work of the FWC staffers as well as the volunteers who came out to help, including Carolyn Antman, Vincent Jaso, Brian Defina, and Dennis Thompson.

And a special thanks to volunteer Daniel McDaniel (right), who "adopted" this park some time ago, clearing trails and building a sturdy bridge to enhance accessability to this lovely natural area. We are so grateful for your dedication to this beautiful place!

Love nature? Want to help share that love of nature with others? Consider applying to join Duval Audubon Society’s Board of Directors.

Founded in 1939, Duval Audubon Society is a chapter of Audubon Florida and the National Audubon Society. We currently have approximately 1,100 members in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties and are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Our chapter is dedicated to the enjoyment of birds and other wildlife. We have a primary focus on the preservation of a diversity of species and habitats through education, conservation, environmental leadership and community involvement. We offer a variety of field trips, programs, and volunteer opportunities that are open for anyone to attend.

We are an all-volunteer chapter governed by a Board of Directors who work together to determine the activities offered by the organization to further our mission, “Connecting people with nature, conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife.”

Currently there are two Board vacancies and we encourage anyone interested in serving as a Board member to apply. Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings and participate in chapter activities on a regular basis. Board Officers are appointed for a one-year term, and Directors serve for two years.

Here is a brief description of our current Board openings:

• The Education Chair (a Director position) works with the President and Vice President to present educational outreach programs to school groups and other organizations in Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties. The Education Chair serves a two-year term but may continue if willing and approved by the Board.
• The Volunteer Chair (a Director position) helps with recruiting volunteers from the chapter membership and the community for chapter projects and activities such as leading field trips, representing the chapter at outreach events, helping with monthly cleanups, and other projects as determined by the Board. The Volunteer Chair serves a two-year term but may continue if willing and approved by the Board.

If you are committed to helping to connect people with nature, please consider applying to join us in managing our chapter. You don’t have to be a great birder but having a love for nature and a passion for protecting and conserving birds and other wildlife would make you a wonderful addition to our team!

Send your completed application to Duval Audubon Society President Jody Willis: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or PO Box 16304, Jacksonville, FL 32245.

Questions? Please feel free to contact Jody or any current Board member.

Thank you!