Emeralda March 30, 2018 – The Emeralda Marsh Wood Duck Drive in north Lake County has been open to the public since the third week in February. Larry Sutton, Josey Muncy and I went down there to check it out. But it almost turned out to be the shortest birding trip ever. We arrived at the Wood Duck Drive entrance a few minutes after eight to discover the gate still locked. A call to the number for the St. John’s River Water Management District office revealed that they were closed. “Leave a message. We will get back to you on Monday.” We had forgotten that it was Good Friday! We went back out onto Emeralda Marsh Road and went north. As we approached the old exit to the Wood Duck Drive we noticed that it was open. We though that looking at a few birds at the boat ramp there was better than nothing. We drove in and parked at the boat ramp. While we were looking at the Common Gallinules and a Great Blue Heron, a Black-necked Stilt flew over and landed not far up the locked levy from us. Since it was a life bird for Josey we walked that way. Then we saw a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer driving toward us down the Wood Duck Drive. He stopped and unlocked the gate and told us he had just opened the entrance and we could drive back and bird along. So, we went back out on Emeralda Marsh Road and went south to the Wood Duck Drive entrance. The Water Management people have completely changed the configuration of the levees. Instead of a five mile drive it is now two-and-a-half-mile drive. I have been to Emeralda Marsh dozens of times in the past and knew it very well. I did not recognize one part of it on Friday. One interesting note: While we were watching some Glossy Ibis flying over I heard what sounded like a big motorcycle out in the marsh. We were far from Emeralda Marsh Road at this point and had not heard any traffic noises for a while. Then I heard it again. It was closer this time. Then I realized that it was a bull alligator. This is the mating season and they can be quite aggressive. Please, if you are around water anywhere in Florida for the next month and a half, watch yourself. We do not want to lose any members to the official state reptile. You can see the list of 28 species we saw at Emeralda Marsh at the following: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44094679
For directions and more information about Emeralda Marsh go to: https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/emeralda-marsh/

BIRD WALK COMMITTEE MEETING: Four members of the bird walk committee met with Craig Littauer, manager of Silver Springs State Park, on Saturday to plan bird walks there. Cheryl Varona, Josey Munsey, Carolyn Retey and Lisa Caudillo joined Craig for a bird walk around the park and then adjourned to a meeting room to discuss activities at Silver Springs State Park for next year (fall 2018-winter and spring 2019). The committee will also be planning programs and classes. Please let us know if you have any suggestions. All suggestions for walks, classes and programs need to be approved by the committee. We hope to have a complete schedule to send you soon. We know you are all very busy and would like to put our activities for next year on your calendar. For a list of the birds we s aw at Silver Springs State Park go to https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44145118 Some Anhinga and herons have nests on the island in the Silver River. They are close enough to get good photos if you have a telephoto lens on your camera.

INDIAN LAKE STATE FOREST NATURE WALK: While the committee was meeting at Silver Springs State other birders were looking for birds just a few miles north of the Park at Indian Lake State Forest. Attached you will find a photo about the camp ground at Indian Lake State Forest. The Forestry Service has added restrooms at the camp site. Jim Sheppard led the walk and posted a list of the birds they saw at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44124545 There will be two more bird walks at Indian Lake State Forest before the end of the season. They will be on April 21st and May 5th.



Yard Birds: Do you have any interesting photos of birds in your yard? Please send them along so we can share. Attached is a photo from John Schaefer of two Pileated Woodpeckers in his yard.







Sculpture Stroll: Marion Audubon had an information table at the Tuscawilla Park Sculpture Stroll on March 17th. Attached are two photos showing members who manned the Marion Audubon table. Josey Muncy and Ann Hannon are in photo at left. John Schaefer and Josey Muncy are in photo at right.


Bluebird Class: Forest Public Library was the venue for a Bluebird Class taught by Josey Muncy on March 24th. There were ten participants in the class. Josey brought some Bluebird eggs which were, unfortunately, abandoned by the parents. Perhaps the parents were prey to a predator. The participants were amazed at the small size and bright blue color of the eggs. As soon as the new activities schedule is solidified all members will receive a copy.

Scrub Jay Training: Jacqui Suleq, the Jay Watch Coordinator for Audubon of Florida, asked us to pass along the following message: “It’s time to gear up for our 2018 Audubon Jay Watch season. And what better way to get started than to celebrate the good news from the past year? Attached you will find the 2017-18 Jay Watch report Jay Watch March 2018 Report" and the training schedule for this spring. Jay Watch Training Flyer" New this year we have scheduled an advanced training near Ocala National Forest. We have also secured a date for our Appreciation Event! So enjoy the report, check out the schedule and don’t forget to sign up for your next training. Please let us know if you have any questions!”

If you have any comments, corrections or additions, please send them to Carolyn Retey at [email protected] We appreciate any input.