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 Co-President's Message
By Candis Harbison
I miss seeing everybody! We have turned to technology to keep in touch, but it is not an adequate substitute for face-to-face interaction. With Norm Capra’s guidance, Zoom worked well for our BCAS Board of Directors’ meetings. We invite you to stay up-to-date on bird sightings and chapter accomplishments through our website at baycountyaudubon.org and our Facebook page. Get outdoors and look, look for those spring migrants, and look forward to better days ahead!
Candis
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Upcoming Events
Our regularly scheduled monthly events have been canceled in order to combat spread of the COVID-19 virus.
At our most recent Board meeting on April 27th,we decided to postpone our Annual Banquet and Installation of new Officers until September. However, the Board will be busy this summer planning our schedule of meetings and field trips for Fall 2020 and Winter through Spring. 2021. Please look for our emails, check our website and other social media for updates.
It is possible that we will post a Special Edition of the Newsletter in the late summer to update you with a preview of coming attractions and announce part of our Fall schedule. For our activities we will incorporate current protocols to protect the safety of our membership. We may also include Facebook Live or other video-conferencing options to accommodate high-risk individuals.
This newsletter features a presentation by Doug Tallamy. If it is well-received, we may include some additional summer viewing activities through the Newsletter or webpage.
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Doug Tallamy Talks with Maine Audubon  Like many other important and informative events, Dr. Doug Tallamy,'s presentation at the March meeting of Apalachee Audubon was canceled. Dr. Tallamy is a renowned entomologist from the University of Delaware, bestselling author of Bringing Nature Home and the recently published Nature’s Best Hope, A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. Through his research, which he conveys eloquently and understandably, he has helped gardeners everywhere realize the significance of native plants in producing the insects that birds need to feed their young.
Since many of us are at home and have an abundance of time on our hands to work in the yard we need his information. Fortunately, we are able to access his knowledge in the virtual world. To view a YouTube of Doug sharing with the Maine Audubon Society, click on the hummingbird below. It will provide you with many insights for helping our birds and convince you that you will not want to miss the next available opportunity to hear from Dr. Tallamy live and question him in person when he passes our way again. Hopefully, that will be very soon. Presentation included with Dr. Tallamy's permission.
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BAY COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY
CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD:
A RETROSPECTIVE
By Candis Harbison
In 1975, development on Panama City Beach was really ramping up, with the erection of high-rise condominiums bringing an intensity never seen before. A battle raged about how close to the water the condos could be built, and Earl Hutto, our local representative to the Florida Legislature came out for a “Setback Line” that protected the dunes. Audubon members were so appreciative of this that they created the Conservationist of the Year award and presented it to him. He later succumbed to powerful business interests and lost his environmental fervor, but at least we had the setback line!
The award has continued in most years, honoring people who exemplify Audubon’s commitment to preserving and enjoying the natural world and its inhabitants. The 2020 award and the installation of our new officers will be held in September. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, you might enjoy reviewing the list of winners over the past 45 years:
Earl Hutto 1975 Beach setback ordinance
Joe Saunders 1976 County Parks director
Panama City Garden Club 1977 City Beautification & Bird Sanctuary
Principal of West Bay School 1978 Evironmental education center
Sue Cooper 1979 Operation Cinderella, City Beautification Louisa Taylor 1980 Deerpoint Lake Watershed Seminar No Award 1981
Rudy Osbolt 1982 Federal Game Enforcement Officer
No Award 1983
Beulah Laidlaw 1984 Wildlife values in farm management
Ed Morrison 1985 Established county-wide litter control program
Capt. Charles King 1986 Bird sanctuary & bluebird trail at NCSC
Mike Brim 1987 St. Andrew Bay Awareness Day
Panama City Marine Institute 1988 Help with Marifarms restoration
Laura Cassels 1989 The News Herald Environmental Reporter
Lisa A. Keppner 1990 Earth Day, FL Coastal Cleanup Coordinator
Bert Lent 1991 TreeWatch organizer
Kennard Watson of Turtle Watch 1992 SABRMA Turtle Watch Program
Donna Mortland 1993 Sweetbay Wetland Preserve, P.C. Tree Tom Needham 1994 Outstanding NH nature photographer
Kenneth McGill 1995 HS Environmental Ed.& Summer Sci. Camp
Curry Printing 1996 For choosing renovation over new construction
Lynn Gager 1997 Spearheading purchase of Camp Helen Comm. for Sensible Airport Develop. 1998 Protection of Airport Seagrass beds Charlie Yautz & Brenda Hendricks 1999 Restoring Lake Martin & Parker Explor.
Edwin J. Keppner, Ph. D. 2000 I.D. & listing Bay County wildlife species
Christ Unity Church 2001 Planning & building enviro-friendly facility
James Barkuloo 2002 Unrelenting efforts to protect local resources
St. Andrews Waterfront Project 2003 Developed bird trail & use of native plants The Jelks Family Foundation 2004 Years of conservation funding in Fl Panhandle
Vickie Lynn Beasely 2005 Least Tern protection during nesting season
Gayle Oberst, PCB Councilwoman 2006 Gayle's Trail & Conservation Park
Audrey Parker 2007 Lifetime achievement award
Linda Yori 2008 Outstanding science teacher
Mary Meekins 2009 Promotion of wildflower use along Hwy. RoW.
Boy Scout Troop 562, Santa Rosa, Fla 2010 Building a photo blind and work at Laidlaw Ron Peterson 2011 Leadership in Florida Trail Assn.
AMI Kids of West Fla. 2012 Trail work at Laidlaw Preserve Rutherford Student Activist. Assn. 2013 Exotic plant control and Amendment.1 Advoc.
Patrice Couch 2014 Baywatch Director and SABRMA Advocate
Ron Houser 2015 Campaign to pass Amendment 1, Land Acquis.
Kurt Cox 2016 Personal campaign to clean beaches Barbara Eells 2017 For lifetime wildlife rehabilitation efforts
Dale Cronwell 2018 Leader of Envirothon for school students
Bay County Master Gardeners 2019 Leadership in post-hurricane re-planting
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Featured Native Plant of the Month
Coral Honeysuckle
By Ron Houser
I can’t think of a native vine that has so many good qualities as the Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens. Not only is it beautiful, but this twining vine adapts very well to most any home landscape, is not overly aggressive, is easy to grow, is a favorite for hummingbirds and is in flower during Spring, Summer and even into Fall. It is happy to grow up a trellis, like this one in my yard, but it will also climb up a shrub, mailbox, arbor or a fence. Once established, it requires very little care but will produce more flowers with a little organic fertilizer and moderate to full sunshine. It is a much better choice than the invasive Japanese Honeysuckle, which spreads aggressively and impacts natural habitats. The tubular, nectar-rich flowers are bright reddish-orange, as are the seeds, which are eaten by birds and other wildlife. Since it doesn’t attach itself to supporting structures, you may have to train it with ties or string. These plants are sometimes found in the garden section of home improvement stores but your best bet for finding them is a nursery that specializes in native plants, such as 7 Pines Native Plant Nursery in Defuniak Springs, or Native Nurseries in Tallahassee. You can also buy them online at www.mailordernatives.com
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Do Birds Glow?
By Gail Casteel
According to an article in Atlas Obscura by Cara Giaimo, April, 2018; some birds glow under UV light, displaying unique patterns on individuals including beaks, wing or facial feathers, eggs and chicks. Ultraviolet light, which ranges from 100 to 400 nanometers, is outside the visible light spectrum (390 nm [purple] to 700 nm [red]). Researchers have found that in owls, the age of feathers can be determined by exposure to a blacklight; older feathers will appear darker than newer feathers.
According to Giaimo, birds have two types of "glowy" attributes.
- UV reflection - includes starlings, many tropical song birds, and many types of parrots.
- Fluorescence (under a blacklight, birds absorb UV light instead of reflecting it) - includes puffins, other types of parrots, and owls.
Diamond's Puffin showing off it's "Glowy" Beak. Courtesy Tony Diamond/Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research
A great many any other bird species may display some form of "glowy" attributes. How birds see this reflected UV or fluorescence is unknown, but it can aid them in identifying individuals, chicks and eggs, and foods such as ripened berries.
This article was abridged with permission. For more information and additional photos click on Atlas Obscura .
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Spring Migration 2020
By Norman Capra
Many of our local Birders had big plans for the 2020 Spring Migration as this is an important time for all birdwatchers from the novice to the expert. Some planned to travel west for a coveted spot along the heart of the Mississippi flyway while others had even bigger travel plans for their "big year". The Pandemic of 2020 precipitated dramatic changes in many of our plans and our very way of life. Thankfully, birding is quite adaptable to the demands of "Social Distancing" and promotes outdoor activity while allowing one to take proper precautions. I sometimes suspect that some birders actually prefer the quieter approach.
It didn't help that the State Parks were closed but resourceful local area-birders adapted new strategies and discovered new birding locations that offered unexpected and pleasant surprises. I recall reading with amazement a discovery reported by Paul Mason on Facebook who found that Allen Bessart Park was not only a great place to bring children but was also a magnet for migratory birds. Some birders, like Ron Houser, made trips to Conservation Park or other City and County Parks, which remained open, while some of us just enjoyed focusing on migrants in our extended backyards. Neil Lamb hosted his usual bevy of migrants and kept them happy at his feeders while maintaining his usual residents.
BirdCast provided internet savvy birders with daily updates of migration status this Spring. The site reported that a frontal boundary approaching the Gulf of Mexico region just before mid-April would likely produce fallouts and concentrations of migrating birds along the Gulf of Mexico coast for several days. According to the Cornell predictions the peak for our area was not until August 29th. This wonderful resource certainly added a new dimension to “birding at home”.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Photographed by Mary Jo Capra
Florida Audubon normally hosts its annual birdathon this time of year. To accommodate their program goals, the event was reorganized into two components. Audubon staff collectively counted birds on April 22nd for 24 hours, while members and supporters of Audubon Florida were asked to keep a count of birds from April 22nd-April 29th and submit their observations online to compete for several nice prizes. The final results won’t be available in time for this newsletter but I am sure we will be able to read about the outcomes online and possibly in The Naturalist. However, we have learned that AF staff identified 121 species and, so far, member participants have identified more than 150 resident and migrant species.
A number of migrants were featured on Facebook pages and on the e-Bird lists of our more prolific birders. While it is impossible to highlight everyone's observations, a very respectable variety of warbler species were observed. Our backyard hosted a Black-throated Green Warbler, a Prairie Warbler, and a Magnolia Warbler. Just next door, Bill McCandliss observed a Black-throated Gray Warbler and several Yellow Warblers. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, common in our yard were apparently seen all over the county.
Summer Tanager Photographed by Mary Jo Capra
Not all the birds were simply gorgeous red or yellow. Red male Summer and male Scarlet Tanagers were complimented by observations of their yellow female counterparts. Ron Houser and others enjoyed regular visits by Blue Grosbeaks, while some of us had from the west-end of the beach to Lynn Haven saw Indigo Buntings. Joe Harbison saw the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks he had ever espied in the Cove. Several BCAS members received a number of emails and phone calls asking for help with identification of birds ranging from Baltimore Orioles to Great-crested Flycatchers. I think paying attention to our natural surroundings at home may be a great way to learn about nature and pass the time. For more photos of migrants see the "Members Photos" section of the newsletter.
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Reflections on Covenant Christian School Workday
at Parker Preserve
By Lynn Marcoux
On Monday February 24, Covenant Christian middle and high school students participated in a community service morning at the Parker Preserve. Partnering with Bay County Audubon Society, the students, staff and parents got their hands dirty and engaged in a work day. Students were divided into small groups and focused on different parts of the preserve restoration project.
Some students helped create pathways around the preserve by shoveling, hauling and laying out mulch. Some students removed aggressive, deeply rooted invasive plants. As the students worked hard physically, they also engaged in hands-on learning about horticulture and the importance of native plants.
Hurricane Michael had not spared the Parker Preserve and lots of debris still remained on the preserve. The students cleared and hauled the debris completely out of the preserve, thus clearing space for new pathways and the planting of a pollinator garden. The students learned about the history and ecology of the Parker Preserve. From hearing stories, learning tricks to identify plants to meeting new native animals such as glass lizards, students had a wonderful day out in nature giving back to our community.
As a board member of Bay County Audubon Society and a science instructor at Covenant Christian School, I was thrilled to bring both organizations together to care for our Earth. BCAS relied on the hands of the students to accomplish much and the students gained a better understanding of our global call to care for and protect the earth. In some ways, it feels like a passing of the baton. In order to inspire the next generation, we have to take time to invest, teach and empower them. Before we finished for the day, it was wonderful to see the students plant a new Fringe tree at the Parker Preserve after Hurricane Michael had destroyed so many trees. It was a gift to observe the next generation planting a new generation of trees.
I want to thank Norm Capra and Michael Sabo for allowing me the opportunity to make this work day a success. Although funded by Audubon, the project was a collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardeners, the Sweetbay Chapter of the Native Plant Society, Bay County Conservancy and Covenant Christian School. Coming together to make a difference and being part of something much bigger encourages me to get the next work day scheduled
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Parker Preserve Gets a New Fence
Although we had to postpone our additional Spring Workdays at Parker Preserve, we were able to get an extension on out Audubon in Action Grant from National Audubon until the end of the year. We were also able to get a new back fence thanks to the efforts of Al Clare who designed and built the fencing segments. Ron and Julie Merritt provided invaluable help installing the fence. The Preserve will be maintained by a core group of volunteers working alone or in small groups until we are able to resume planting in the fall.
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Poetry Corner
The following thought-provoking poem was submitted by one of our Winter visitiors expressing his feelings about our relationship to nature. This year, being the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 10th Anniversary of the BP Oil Spill. It seemed to be an appropriate reflection for the times
MOTHER NATURE
By Bob Wright
Oh, the magnificent wonders of nature,
With beautiful scenes to see.
Rocks, trees, and creatures abound,
A blessing for you and me.
Scenes of serenity and grandeur
Provide us with wonder and awe,
With experiences almost mystical,
And feelings we'll long recall.
But the shame, of our human activities,
That destroy our precious inheritance.
We dig, chop, pollute and ruin
Just to make civilization advance.
Our wild world is called Mother Nature.
We revere her as no other,
Then heap our abuse upon her.
That's no way to treat your mother.
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New Bay County Audubon Officers for 2020-2021
Because the April meeting was canceled, we were unable to hold our customary annul election of new officers. To solve this problem, the election was conducted online in two separate steps. First, an email was sent to all members presenting the slate of officers selected by the Nominating Committee but with a call for additional nominations from the members-at-large.
No additional nominations were received within the one week open nomination period so a final ballot was sent to the membership requesting an up or down vote on the original slate of officers. We received over 50 responses unanimously approvinn our slate of officers. The new officers will be installed at our first Fall meeting tentatively scheduled for September 14th.
And the Winners Are!
Co-President: Pam Overmyer
Pam will be continuing in her second year as Co-President for 2020-2021. She had a remarkable first year of successfully running the monthly membership meetings, representing BCAS on the Board of the Florida Bluebird Society, serving as BCAS Facebook Administrator and the Coordinator for the Bay County Audubon Rare Bird mail list. She also led several Field trips and demonstrated her skills as an expert birder and leader. All this while continuing to rebuild her home in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael
Co-President: Lynn Marcoux,
Lynn served as BCAS Secretary last year. She teaches science at Covenant Christian School and has a strong commitment to conservation work. She moved to Bay County from Rhode Island where she worked for Rhode Island Audubon. She returns in the summer to work one month with Rhode Island Audubon. She has a wealth of experience and a wealth of ideas to offer for implementation in the coming year. We are proud to have her serve as Co-President
Vice President:Brian Dusseault 
Brian (left) is a life-long citizen of Bay County and recently retired attorney. He served as Chairman of the Publicity Committee before being nominated and elected as Vice-President in charge of Special Events. Last year, Brian committed a lot of effort and creative energy to establish our new Nature Connection Program. The event featured National Geographic Cinematographer Bob Poole (right) in a scintillating presentation about recovery of Gorgongosa National Park in Mozambique and the resilience of Nature. As Vice President this year, Brian will chair the Programs committee.
Treasurer: Donna Cronwell 
Donna (left) is a successful local Architect and outstanding Nature photographer. She has been very active in Bay County Audubon. Donna enjoys field trips and the great outdoors. She alway works with her husband Dale with the annual Envirothon. Donna was Treasurer last year and agreed to continue as Treasurer this year.
Secretary: Candis Harbison
Candis started her Audubon volunteer work in 1975 by serving a Secretary and now she is doing it again, after serving last year as Co-President. In addition to serving as Co-President ,she and her husband Al, have been coordinating the successful new B&BB outings ,i.e., "Birds and Brews" and "Birds and Brunch". In her "spare" time Candis also continues to serve as President of the Bay County Conservancy.
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Help Wanted
By Norman Capra
An important task for the new Co-Presidents is selection of the Board of Directors. We are always in need of interested individuals with particular skills to help with the smooth operation of the Chapter. If you are willing to help out, please contact any of the new officers by sending an email to baycountyaudubon@gmail.com offering your assistance in guiding the future of the chapter. If you are called and asked to serve please say yes.
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Member Photos Featuring Spring Migrants
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Scarlet Tanager. Photographed by Mary Jo Capra at the "Ritz Cracker House".
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This is the Vermillion Flycatcher discovered (and tracked down) by Pam Overmyer on our third Conservation Park Birdwalk on 2/22/20. After tiptoeing through the mud and the marsh to get a closeup photo, the bird moved to a point near the road and allowed everyone to photograph it at will. This was a great find at Conservation Park. While you are at it, it might be worthwhile to study the similiarities and differences between Flycatcher and the Scarlet Tanager shown above. These two species have strikingly different behaviors and habitat preferences and neither are commonly seen in this area.
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Blue Grosbeak. Photographed by Ron Houser in his Bird Friendly Yard.
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Orchard Oriole. Photographed by Arnold Huyghebaert.
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Black-throated Green Warbler. Photographed by Norm Capra.
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Indigo Buntings. Photographed by Neil Lamb
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The Prothonotary Warbler usually makes its first appearance in Bay County in early April. It is a migratory warbler but a few will remain in the area rather than moving North. Unlike most other warblers they are unusual, in that they are cavity nesters. They prefer marshy areas . Photograph by Arnold Huyghebaert.
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Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email it to Newsletter Editor Norm Capra, nfcapra@gmail.com. Please also check out our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter sites for news and great photos! See the social media icons at the bottom of this newsletter for access to our many social media sites.
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Welcome New Members
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS TO NATIONAL AND BAY COUNTY, FEBRUARY 2020
Joseph Adams, Walt Bishop, Sylvia Mormile, Brenda Wainwright, Marsha Benton, Jean Phillips, Guy Davenport, Sandi Wolf, Charles Hale, Charles Strickland, Gerhard and Louise Klassen, Meri Mardula, Marica Pell, and Bruce Conrad.
WELCOME BACK
Nancy Coleal, Helen Morgan, Helen Taylor, Richard Dabel, Daniel Bridges, Rosemarie Cloud, David W. Jacobs, Ron Leopold, and Madalyn Svendsen.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. In the meantime please keep well and stay safe. We will notify you of our next meeting via email and social media.
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Renewals for National Audubon Society
Bay County Audubon only handles new memberships for National Audubon Society. If you need to renew your membership, go to National Audubon Society’s web site: audubon.org/renewal
When the page opens, it will ask: How do you want to contribute and help birds? Every month or just this once. If renewing, mark just this once. There will also be various dollar amounts-these are for donations, if you wish to make one. But if you want to only renew, either click on the $20 or type $20 in the clear space. Also check how you will pay and fill our contact information.
If you are receiving too much mail from National Audubon Society about renewing, please call 1-800-274-4208 and let them know that you don’t need the extra mail. If you need to know your membership expiration date, please call me and I can give you that information. My number is 850-381-9035.
Thank you all for your support.
Diane Houser- Membership Chair
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New Members Form (not for renewals)
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Yes, please enroll me as a new member of the National Audubon Society and of the local chapter, Bay County Audubon Society (E20). Be sure to include this code (E20) on your check. Please send Audubon magazine and my membership card to the address below and email Bay County Audubon's newsletter Conservation Chronicle to the email below.
$20 One-year membership
Name: ______________________________________________ Phone: _________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________________________________ Zip Code: __________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________________________________________
Please make check payable to National Audubon Society and mail this application to the local chapter.
Bay County Audubon Society
PO Box 1182
Panama City, FL 32402
Questions? Contact Membership Chair Diane Houser, 381-9035
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