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Hurricane
Hummingbirds
Brevard
Zoo Welcomes SCAS for January General Meeting
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Backyard Bird Count Begins February 18
Many
Audubon Birders Participate in Christmas Bird Counts
Cocoa
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Bird
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Project
Colony Watch
President’s
Note
Our
Adventure with Eagles
Meeting
Program and Field Trip Schedule
Archive
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Project Colony Watch
By Jason Frederick
Project Colony Watch and
Field Trip Coordinator for the Space Coast Audubon Society
Living here in Florida, we are fortunate in the fact that more
than 25 species of birds gather to nest or roost in groups called
“colonies.” A colony can be a few nests to several thousand.
They are usually located on islands, marshes or swamps, surrounded
by water to prevent terrestrial predators and other disturbances.
At these colonies, and from a distance, we are able to witness several
species gathering in the same location and be in awe of the vast
number of birds present. Unfortunately for the birds in these colonies,
some of these sites are not protected. For instance, a family or
a group of friends get to together on one of our many spoil islands
and without knowing, disturb a nest of Least Tern or one of several
other species. A pet may chase, scare off, or even worse, kill a
parent or nestling or even destroy the nest or eggs before they
have a chance to hatch.
The goal of Operation Colony Watch is to protect the important
breeding colonies of Florida’s coasts through the assistance
and involvement of Audubon chapters and other volunteers. Colony
Watch volunteers will use the colonies and the birds themselves
as powerful educational devices to build constituency for wildlife
in their local communities.
Remember, people love wildlife—especially birds—because
they are colorful, active, and familiar. The project will attract
attention, and the birds themselves will be their best ambassadors.
Project Colony Watch is a way for knowledgeable, involved individuals
to ensure a future for wildlife in Florida. By protecting these
colonial nesting sites, we can keep birds common and increase populations
of birds which have been declining recently. Interested?
The Space Coast Audubon Society is taking part in Project Colony
Watch in all of Brevard County and is working with Audubon of Florida,
local, state, and federal agencies to protect these important areas.
What we need from volunteers is assistance in performing census
counts, monitoring, helping with clean up projects, helping with
removing non-native plants, and other future projects. If you would
like to help with any or all of these, please contact me at (321) 449-9678
or by email at heyyoukidd@yahoo.com.
You may also contact Audubon’s Project Colony Watch staff
at (813) 623-6826.
Thank you for you time and help.
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