The Wrack Line - October 2016 edition

Newsletter of the Florida Shorebird Alliance OCTOBER 2016 In this issue Events & reminders FSA news FSD updates Ebb tidings Events & reminders Fall partnership meetings: October 3 (2 - 5 PM): Lee County Shorebird Partnership meeting @ Lakes Regional Library (15290 Bass Rd, Fort Myers). Contact: Anhinga42@comcast.net. October 4 (9:30 AM - 12:30 PM): Space Coast Shorebird Partnership meeting @ Merritt Island Public Library auditorium (1195 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island). Contact:Heather.Hitt@myfwc.com. October 5 (12 - 2 PM): Florida Keys Shorebird Partnership meeting @ Marathon State Government Building (2796 Overseas Hwy., Marathon). Contact:Janice.Duquesnel@dep.state.fl.us. October 6 (10 AM - 3:30 PM): Florida Panhandle Shorebird Working Group meeting @ Panama City Garden Club (810 Garden Club Dr., Panama City). Contact:bsamuelsen@audubon.org. October 6 (12 - 2 PM): Southeast Florida Shorebird Partnership meeting @ FWC’s South Regional Office (8535 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach). Contact: shorebird@myfwc.com. October 6 (1 - 3 PM): Suncoast Shorebird Partnership meeting @ Pelican room of Eckerd College's Continuing Education Center in St. Pete. Contact: forysea@eckerd.edu.  October 6 (1 - 3 PM): Volusia Shorebird Partnership meeting @ the 3rd floor conference room at Beach Safety Headquarters (515 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach). Contact:jwinters@volusia.org. October 11 (1 - 4 PM): St. Johns  & Flagler Shorebird Partnership meeting @ St. Augustine Alligator Farm (999 Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine). Contact:cfarrell@audubon.org. October 18 (10 AM - 12:30 PM): Treasure Coast Shorebird Partnership meeting @ Oxbow Eco-Center (5400 NE St James Dr, Port St Lucie). Contact: Heather.Hitt@myfwc.com. November 1 (Time TBD): Timucuan Shorebird Partnership (location TBD). Contact: cfarrell@audubon.org. November 2 (1 - 3 PM): Nature Coast Shorebird Partnership meeting @ FWC's Kirkpatrick Marine Lab (11350 SW 153rd Court, Cedar Key). Contact: Janell.Brush@myfwc.com. November 4 (1 - 4 PM): Collier County Shorebird Partnership meeting @ Rookery Bay (300 Tower Road, Naples). Contact: Beverly.Anderson@dep.state.fl.us.  Upcoming events: October 1 (12 - 4 PM): Wild About Nature festival @ Viera Central Park (2261 Town Center Ave., Melbourne). For more info, please visit: http://www.wherevent.com/detail/The-Avenue-Viera-Wild-About-Nature. October 7 – 9: Florida Ornithological Society's Science Symposium @ Archbold Biological Station. For more info, please visit: http://www.fosbirds.org. October 13 – 16: Florida Birding & Nature Festival @ Tampa Bay area. For more info, please visit: http://floridabirdingandnaturefestival.org. October 14 – 16: Lake County Wings & Wildflower Festival @ Venetian Gardens (109 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg). For more info, please visit: http://www.wingsandwildflowers.com. October 16 – 22: "Ding" Darling Birding & eco-festival @ J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. For more info, please visit:http://www.dingdarlingdays.com.  October 22 (10 AM - 4 PM): MarineQuest @ Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute (100 Eighth Avenue Southeast, St. Petersburg). Includes events for all ages, including hands-on activities that will help younger visitors learn about the fascinating marine life in our oceans. October 21 – 23: Indian River Birding Festival & Art Show @ Environmental Learning Center (255 Live Oak, Vero Beach). For more info, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/TreasureCoastBirdartshow. November 5 (10 AM - 3 PM): "Wings on the Wind" Bird Festival @ the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet. The day will include live raptor programs, exhibitors, lectures, bird-related arts and crafts, nature-inspired artworks and kids activities. Reminders: October 1: The Florida Shorebird Database deadline for 2016 breeding data entry.  Visit our Field Notes for new announcements, updates, and opportunities… Back to top FSA news Black Skimmer fledges found dead in St. Pete area Since mid-August, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has received reports of distressed Black Skimmers in Pinellas County. Dr. Beth Forys of Eckerd College reported that a total of 48 skimmer fledges were found dead in the St. Petersburg Beach area. These made up a large proportion of the 117 skimmer chicks that fledged this summer from the nearby colony at St. Pete Beach. The skimmers were collected and sent off to the UGA College of Veterinarian Medicine SE Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study for necropsy and diagnostic testing. The results from their testing, and additional testing being conducted by Florida Wildlife Research Institute, are still pending. No other significant aquatic animal illnesses or mortalities in this area have been reported to FWC. Floridians are encouraged to contact FWC’s wildlife alert hotline (888-404-FWCC) if additional birds are found. FWC Bird Die-off database now includes option to report entanglement The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) database for wild bird die-offs has recently been modified to accept reports of bird entanglements. The database, located athttp://legacy.myfwc.com/bird/default.asp, is a place where the public can report dead and injured birds. The new option to report "Entanglement" as a cause of death (see below) will help FWC and our FSA partners to identify hotspots where birds are being entangled in fishing line and take steps to address the issue. Back to top FSD updates New nesting and chick aging guides on FSA website The Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute has developed three new resources to help monitor seabirds next nesting season! The Guide to Black Skimmer Nesting and Courtship Behaviors, Black Skimmer Chick Aging Guide, and Least Tern Chick Aging Guide can now be downloaded from the Florida Shorebird Alliance website at http://flshorebirdalliance.org/resources/bird-guide.aspx. These guides are designed to accompany the statewide Breeding Bird Protocol and Florida Shorebird Database. Brush up on the basics of identifying these focal species, and be prepared for next spring when the breeding season comes around. Back to top Ebb tidings End notes from the editor, photos, etc. Dear partners, As I take off this month, I wanted to thank you all again for making my experience with the Florida Shorebird Alliance so fulfilling. During my time here, we have expanded the FSA to a statewide network that now covers the entire Florida coast. We have seen its membership grow from a few hundred partners to more than 20,000 members! Our shorebird monitoring program and database have earned national and international recognition. Together, our partners have monitored, posted, and stewarded thousands of shorebird and seabird nests over the years. And in the process, we have reached thousands of beach-goers and instilled in them an appreciation for our coastal wildlife. I couldn't be prouder of all we have accomplished, and I look forward to reading about the FSA's future successes in the Wrack Line! Best regards and thanks for everything, Naomi Avissar Back to top Love it? Love it knot? Share your thoughts with us: Email shorebird@MyFWC.com or join our Facebook group The Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) is a partnership of agencies, non-government organizations, and individuals committed to shorebird and seabird conservation in Florida. FSA partners coordinate their independent work and collaborate to address research, management, education, outreach, and public policy needs. This email address is not being monitored so please do not reply. For questions on the Florida Shorebird Alliance, contact shorebird@myfwc.com or visit www.FLShorebirdAlliance.org. Back to top

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