August
22, 2009 Trailday Newsletter
Hello Trailblazers!
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 Scrub-jay activity
As the heat and humidity begin
to take it's toll, it is a pleasure to step outside right after
a thunderstorm and feel the cool breeze. The rain is gently falling
on the tin roof as we speak. Fall is right around the corner and
the scrub-jays are sensing it also. As early as end of July the
entire family was exploring their entire range on the Trail picking
the smallest of acorns off the trees and caching them. This is
much earlier than most years and we already see them spending much
of their time up by the road in what has become their primary nesting
grounds. They usually navigate that way only in December or January
right before breeding season.
Trailday, August 22, 8:00am to 11:00am
Our number
one invasive this year has been the ragweed, and this is what we
will tackle on Saturday. One thing you will notice is that over
the years of focusing on removal of one or two exotics ,we now
are down to the sandy soils that we have been working towards.
This open sandy soil is a key element in securing the proper habitat
for the scrub-jays to cache their acorns and food sources. The
liatris is beginning to show its beautiful purple blooms and the
garberia is beginning to bud along with the goldenrod and hundreds
of Fall bloomers.
Remember the prickly pear cactus is also everywhere
so keep to closed shoes, hats, gloves, and a rake and clippers
if you have them.
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Chris Parker Presents Disney Grant To Scrub-jay Trail |
|
Chris Parker presented a check
in the amount of $2,500 to The Florida
Scrub-Jay Consortium.
As part of the Walt
Disney World "Ears to
You" grant program employees who volunteer throughout the year
can be eligible for grant money to be donated to their favorite
charity.
We are very grateful for your generosity and
encourage everyone that has this opportunity with your employer
to take advantage of it.
Thank you for all that you do for The Florida
Scrub-Jay and your community.
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| "Florida Scrub-Jay Crossing" Signs Posted |
Considering the bird's habits this year, the
timing could not be better for the installation of Florida Scrub-Jay
Crossing sings. As you may know, 10 year old Sarah Morningstar
was successful in having "Florida Scrub-Jay Crossing" roadway signs
placed on Monte Vista Road in front of the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail.
Sarah
accomplished this by writing a letter to Commissioner Elaine Renick
expressing her concern that scrub-jays are often hit by cars as
they fly across the road. Commissioner Renick took it from there,
and now there are beautiful full-color signs to remind people to
slow down for scrub-jays.
This is just another display of citizen
action in the preservation of this threatened, endemic bird. It
is very encouraging to see our youth so involved in the future
of Florida wildlife.
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| Sarah Morningstar Recognized by Lake County Board Of County Commissioners |
 Commissioner
Renick said it best when she stated that Sarah is not
an extraordinary girl for her age, but rather Sarah is simple
extraordinary!
Sarah saw a need and brought it to the attention
of those who could help make a difference. Through her efforts
she has brought awareness to the Florida Scrub-Jay and helped
to save some jays. In recognition of her good deed, Sarah was
presented with a smaller version of the Scrub-Jay Crossing Sign.
Congratulations and thank you!
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| Birding Adventures TV News |
 The TV Show Where Birds of a Feather Venture Together
Congratulations to our friends at "Birding
Adventures".
In just a few short
months their regional show has gone Nationally to 80 million households
across the country on Fox and Comcast.
For times visit their
website at
A
crew from 'Birding Adventures' television show recently wrapped
up several days of filming at the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail and surrounding
areas. The new program features rare and threatened birds and their
locales, said James Currie, the show's host and managing director.
Who said that chasing threatened birds around the planet has to
be hard work? Sometimes - and I mean sometimes! - the birds are
so confiding they come to you. This was certainly the case when
we filmed Florida Scrub Jays at the Florida Scrub-jay Trail in
Clermont, Lake County Florida and at the Seminole State Forest.
Visit
beautiful Lake County, Florida on BATV and learn about the county's
wonderful scenery, adventures and great birding. The highlights
of this show are without a doubt the confiding, but threatened,
Florida Scrub-jays.
Amy Rippel of the Orlando Sentinel writes, 'They're
friendly little blue birds with larger-than-life personalities."
"Lake County is great for bird watching," Currie said. "It's got
great birds and it's got birds that people will come to see from
around the country."'
If you happened to miss this past months airing
and would like a copy please request one
at .
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| Upcoming
Events |
| Florida Scrub-Jay "Adopt-A-Roadway" Program |
Our next scheduled Florida Scrub-Jay Trail "Adopt-A-Roadway" Clean-up
is scheduled for Saturday,
September 12th from 8am-11am, followed by a cookout.
This is becoming quite the event...never know what you will find!
And mark your calendars for the last clean-up of the year on
November 14th, 8am-11am.
Vests go fast so get your RSVP In ASAP.
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| National Wildlife Federation Habitat Stewards Training |
 Next year marks our 9th year of hosting NWF
Habitat Stewards Trainings and we are very proud and honored to
have this partnership. Our next training will be March 6,7,and
8, 2010.
This course is for those who are interested in
making a difference in their community while learning about creating
wildlife habitats in backyards and public places. We are proud
of the 160 individuals who have successfully completed the course
and gone on to make great impressions in their communities throughout
Florida. This 3-day course covers how to create a Florida Wildlife
Habitat, with guest speakers, field trips and the culmination of
a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Certified Garden. Registration
is now open.
For further information contact or
call (352)-429-5566.
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| Next Free Guided Tour |
Saturday, September 5th marks
the next Free Scrub-Jay Trail orientation from 8am-11am.
If
you or someone you know has not had the opportunity to tour the
Florida Scrub-Jay Trail, this is a good opportunity to get out
and see what the hoop-la-la is all about. Share this event with
everyone you know and care about that has a love for birds and
the outdoors.
The event is free,
however, we do request you RSVP ( ) as we
like to keep the group small.
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| Trail Open for Community Projects |
Please contact for ideas
on your next community project. We have plenty of opportunity for
your groups. The birds will thank you and you'll feel very special
about your contribution.
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
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