September
26,
2009 Trailday Newsletter
Hello Trailblazers!
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Scrub-Jay
Update |
Our jays have been very elusive. Not caring
about anything but the acorn crop. This is typical for this time
of year however, they started very early in July pulling off the
smallest of acorns. That is not typical. It will be interesting
to see what this means as far as our winter weather.
The jays have
also been covering many acres each day in search of those acorns,
also typical this time of year. Much of today they spent in the
newest restoration area, where they were first spotted 12 years
ago. Many of you have worked hard cutting back the overgrown citrus
and tall oaks. Neal
Rossdeutscher has spent endless hours each week opening
up the white sandy soils , bush hogging and keeping the fence
lines cleared. Everyone has pitched in with eradicating the invasive
exotics. The scrub-jays are loving it!
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Trailday
Activity |
Our number one invasive this year has been
the ragweed, and this is what we will tackle on
Saturday, September 26, 2009.
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. If you'd like to bring
something for the breakfast table, that is appreciated but not
required.
Please RSVP so we have enough
food.
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Trail
Benches |
Thanks to Dan Cleary and Rudy
Parker for the construction and installation our very first benches on the Trail. Visitors and Trailblazers immediately put them to good use. Thank you guys for your generous contribution.
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Scrub-Jays Meet Master Gardeners |
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On September 10, Charles Fedunak , Urban
Horticultural Agent, hosted the Florida Scrub-Jay Consortium
as we presented a program to the Lake County Master Gardeners at
the Agricultural
Extension facility in Tavares.
If you're new to Florida,
or have been here all your life, and have not experienced the Discovery
Gardens, it's worth the trip. With a variety of demonstration
gardens and a wealth of "how to" hand-outs, this is a must trip.
While you're there, make sure you pick up information on the scrub-jays.
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Gopher Tortoises Hatched |
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Several of you have had the good fortune of finding
gopher tortoises that had just hatched.The Trail has been full
of hatchlings, so please make sure you watch where you walk and
go especially slow on the driveway. These little ones also have
a rough start to life with so many predators and of course us humans.
Keep
your distance and do not disturb.
A camera is your best bet to get close with the
lens. Please share photos with others by sending them to our website
at and include your contact info.
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Florida Scrub-Jay "Adopt-A-Roadway" Program |
Thank you very much to those of you who went
above and beyond on the Scrub-Jay Trail " Adopt A Roadway" Clean-up.
We had 20 people actively involved on the rainy morning. Once again
an extra special guest was County Commissioner Elaine Renick, who
took time out of her busy schedule to pitch in and support this
very important community service. Thank you Elaine for your continued
support.
We gathered 10 garbage bags. Some of the items
found were 3 hubcaps, a piece of a radial tire, large cardboards
pieces, and a golf ball. The prize for the most interesting item
goes to young Talon Richardson with his find of unidentified canine
bones. He won a Florida Scrub-Jay T-shirt.
A special thank you to
Lou Anne Rossdeutscher who took all the vests home and is hand
washing them and hanging them to dry. It's so nice to smell so
fresh as we cleanup the garbage. How eccentric!
Our next scheduled Florida Scrub-Jay Trail "Adopt A Roadway" Clean-up is scheduled for Saturday,
November 21 (note date change) from 8am-11am, followed by a cookout. This is becoming quite the event...never know what you will find! Vests go fast so get your RSVP In ASAP.
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Another Reason to Work and Play
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Thanks to those who brought wonderful food
items to the "Adopt A Roadway" event. Unfortunately it was a bit
early for lunch because of the rain, so we rescheduled the cookout
for Saturday, September 19th.
Thanks to all that showed up 2 weekends
in a row. A good portion of the trailhead (Eagle Scout Steven Scott's
section) was cleared of ragweed. Uncovered were budding and blooming
rosemary, liatris, and a variety of full scrub-oaks filled with
acorn caps. The Scrub-jays have been very busy gathering the acorns.
We also celebrated Neal Rossdeutscher's birthday
with a homemade lemon cake made by Lou Anne Rossdeutscher.
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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 Guided Tour |
Saturday, November 7th marks
the next Scrub-Jay
Trail Orientation from 8am-11am. If you or someone you
know has not had a chance to tour the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail,
this is a good opportunity. Get a close up view of the scrub-jays
and learn how you can help in saving this threatened bird. 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 for your next community project.
The cool weather is ahead
and groups are starting to book projects. Don't be left behind.
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.
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