Speaker: Caroline Poli, University of Florida
The moment-to-moment steps that an animal makes accumulate over time to form large scale movement patterns that can profoundly influence the overall health of an animal, whether it breeds successfully, and its lifespan. Rapid and recent advances in miniaturization of tracking technology have enabled scientists to learn about the movements of species ranging from elephants to dragonflies and discover the pathways of global migrations, expansive flights, and unexpected behaviors. Tracking information undoubtedly enriches human understanding of the natural world. But how can we use it for conservation?
In this talk we’ll follow Atlantic Puffins in Maine, Brown Pelicans along the Atlantic coast, Masked and Red-footed Boobies in Mexico, and critically endangered Snail Kites in Florida, to find out how tracking animals can fill critical information gaps and guide conservation action.
Meet at the Millhopper Library Branch, 3145 NW 43rd St. Social begins 6:30 pm. Talk begins at 7 pm.
Note: to be followed by a Gull-Fly-In Training Session at Frank Rendon Park, 2705 S Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores FL (carpooling will be offered to depart from Target on Archer Road in Gainesville around noon on Saturday, February 11, 2017)
Speaker, Michael Brothers, Marine Science Center (Volusia County, Ponce Inlet FL)
Your best opportunity ever to fine tune those Gull and Jaeger identification skills! A very special adventure!
Meet at the Millhopper Library Branch, 3145 NW 43rd St. Social begins 6:30 pm. Talk begins at 7 pm.
Who are these people walking around with binoculars having so much fun?
And how do you get into the world of “Birding” anyway?
Scott Flamand, Alachua Audubon Vice-President, will share his delight and his expertise on this fascinating hobby.
Come. You won’t “egret” it!
Join local Audubon travelers Lloyd Davis and Pat Bartlett as they share their adventures of recent travel to Cuba. They will share their experiences of seeing the country, meeting people and viewing bird life. But not just bird life. We have been promised to hear about dragonflies, snakes, lizards, butterflies, and tiger beetles too.
This sounds really wild!
Social begins 6:30 pm. Talk begins at 7 pm.
Come hear about the amazing wildlife and landscapes of Southern Africa, including Lesotho! Listen to stories of a recent trip to this biodiverse and endemic-rich zone by Audubon travelers Adam and Gina Kent. The talk will focus on birds, but will also touch on other interesting aspects of the region such as mammals and fascinating landscapes. Learn about a diversity of natural communities including emblematic tropical woodland, the desert-like karoo, and fynbos, a shrubby heathland that looks more like something out of a Mediterranean garden than one’s typical vision of Africa.
Social time 6:30-7pm.
“So near, and yet so far away. . .” For half a century, Cuba was the mystery island for American birders and nature lovers. The island held an alluring charm enhanced by its inaccessibility. With the easing of travel restrictions in the past few years, travel to Cuba has become possible. Join two travelers as they guide you through the former terra vetita, where mule-drawn carts are common and tour buses are about the only vehicles on the roadways. We will visit the larger nature preserves for birds, visiting coastal mangrove, scrub land, savanna and swampland habitats. You’ll learn a little about the landscape, meet native wildlife and the endemics like the Cuban pygmy owl, the trogon, and the bee hummingbird. Your presenters will be Pat Bartlett and Rob Norton who combined forces to bring you this presentation.
Social time 6:30 – 7:00