President's Message
How wonderful to see so many of you at the October Program Night! Eileen Gerle entertained us with a recap of this past spring’s Costa Rica trip, accentuated with comments from several trip participants and beautiful photos by Dave Whited. What a terrific way to kick off the new year and prime us for more outstanding program nights to come.
Naturalist, photographer and author/writer Stan Tekiela is our November Program Night speaker. Based on his book, Feathers: A Beautiful Look at a Bird’s Most Unique Feature, Stan’s engaging presentation will be highlighted by his illustrative photography. The Island Bookshop will have a selection of Stan’s books and other bird guides available for purchase. Please note the date for this month’s program is Saturday, November 15 instead of the usual 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Stan is a big deal to many of us because he’s the author of several bird guides, including The Kids’ Guide to Florida Birds: Fun Facts, Activities, and 87 Cool Birds. This book was gifted to every student and teacher who attended a 2nd Grade Birdwatchers Program field trip to the Venice Rookery in 2024 and 2025, presented at the end of each field trip by the nonprofit Friends of Venice Public Library, and totaling over 2000 books. We’re so pleased and grateful that the Friends will present Stan’s book to this year’s 2nd grade field trippers, also! If you know a youngster or teacher who was the recipient of one of Stan’s books, please invite them to attend the program and to bring their book so Stan can sign it for them.
To be at the rookery when a child returns with a parent, significant adult, and/or siblings, their Kids’ Guide in hand, to share with excitement the information they learned during their field trip experience, is to realize the impactful work Venice Area Audubon Society and our allied organizations are engaged in. Our commitment to education is an integral aspect of Venice Area Audubon, as it has been since our inception in 1965. Thank you for supporting our programs that educate so many people of all ages.
- Jean Pichler |
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‘Tis the season! On Friday, October 24, Venice Area Audubon joined with Sarasota County Parks and UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County for the annual Bats and Birds at the Venice Area Audubon Rookery family night with information and activities for all ages. Over 75 adults and children enjoyed the evening’s craft stations and informational displays, including viewing the birds around the park and on the rookery island through spotting scopes and binoculars.
Naturally, the evening concluded with “the bat show” as hundreds of bats exited the recently repaired bat houses shortly after sunset for their nightly meal. We’re grateful for our collaboration with Sarasota County Parks and UF/IFAS Extension to highlight the local wildlife and educate the public.
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Upcoming VAAS Bird Walks
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
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Welcome back. Bird Walks for November and December will be posted on the VAAS calendar soon. Please refer to the calendar for the latest details. On occasion, bird walk scheduling or meeting locations may change due to unforeseen circumstances. For most bird walks registration is not required but is encouraged. If you register for a bird walk you will be contacted about any changes.
The weather is getting cooler and certainly much less humid. It’s a great time to go on a VAAS bird walk. Birding walks are planned to popular sites in November and December.**
Many thanks to all who host VAAS bird walks.
**Please refer to the calendar for the latest details. Bird walk scheduling or meeting locations may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. For most bird walks registration is not required but is encouraged. If you register for a bird walk then you will be contacted about any changes. Great thanks goes out to all who host VAAS bird walks.
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Volunteers Still Needed for our Conservation and Education Programs
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We’re proud to be a very active, volunteer-led organization. We have lots of opportunities for you to participate in our work in meaningful ways, and we can surely benefit from your time and talents! Visit our Volunteer information page for details and click the Volunteer Now button for a list of our many volunteer opportunities. Questions? Let us know with an email to info@veniceaudubon.org. |
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New Advocacy Team Initiative
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Over the last several years Venice Area Audubon Society has made remarkable progress in supporting our organization’s mission: To promote an understanding of, and interest in, wildlife and the environment that supports it, with a focus on birds and their habitat, and to foster the cause of conservation.
We promote understanding through all our educational programs reaching everyone from toddlers and elementary students to seniors. We promote an interest in wildlife through field trips, presentations, our docent program, bird stewardship and more. When it comes to "fostering the cause of conservation," however, we can do better by advocating loud enough and earnestly enough and in organized fashion, standing up for birds when their habitat is threatened, when funding for programs to research and protect bird populations are being cut and when those in the service of wildlife conservation are not getting the support they need to do their jobs.
Each of us has a voice, and as an organization, we have an even more powerful voice as advocates in the cause for conservation in the local community. There are times we can serve as advocates on regional, state and federal issues as well. To make our voices heard as effectively as possible, we are looking for a team of volunteers who will:
- Serve as the "eyes and ears" of the chapter for issues impacting birds and bird habitat
- Screen issues brought to the chapter’s attention by community members seeking our support
- Help organize our chapter response to issues using all the tools in the advocacy toolbox
Interested in serving as a member of the Advocacy Team? Please email Jean Pichler at info@veniceaudubon.org.
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Feathers: A Bird’s Most Unique Feature
MONTHLY PROGRAM NIGHT
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Naturalist, photographer and author/writer Stan Tekiela will speak about feathers. Based on his book, Feathers: A Beautiful Look at a Bird’s Most Unique Feature, Stan’s engaging presentation will be highlighted by his illustrative photography. |
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November 15, 2025
6:00 pm refreshments
6:30 pm program begins
Venice United Church of Christ, Naar Hall
620 Shamrock Blvd., Venice
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Galapagos Islands Trip 2026
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Only two spots remain for Venice Area Audubon Society’s Spring Adventure to Ecuador’s iconic Galapagos Islands aboard the fifteen-passenger M/C Tip Top V. The itinerary is uniquely curated for VAAS by eco-specialists Holbrook Travel and your host, Eileen Gerle, to afford the opportunity to observe the most “must see” wildlife species. The Galápagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so listed due to their unique wildlife, with many species found nowhere else in the world! For pricing, the complete itinerary, and to reserve your spot, visit the Holbrook Travel website. Don’t miss out on this fabulous trip!
Questions? Contact your host, Eileen Gerle at egerle@veniceaudubon.org.
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Things to look forward to
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Little Naturalists – This fun and informative program for three to five year-olds, accompanied by an adult, features a nature themed storytime, nature hike and craft. Led by Big Naturalist Eileen Gerle on the first Saturday of the month, December through February at the Venice Audubon Nature Center from 10:00 – 11:00 am. |
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Black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
BIRD OF THE MONTH BY MARGARET F. VIENS
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Photo by Margaret Viens - State College of Florida, Venice, FL. Dec. 2, 2024. |
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Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are found throughout Florida and Texas and are often seen in large flocks. In addition to their black belly, they are easily distinguished by their reddish-pink bill, pink feet, long neck and white wing patch seen in flight. They are predominantly chestnut brown, with a grayish-brown head and a darker brown stripe from the crown down their back, plus a white eye-ring. True to their name, they give a high-pitched squeal and whistle, especially in flight.
Their diet consists of various plant materials and they will forage on grassy lawns as well as the edges of wetlands. In some areas, they can be a nuisance to agricultural fields, foraging on rice and cultivated grains. They walk upright and it is not unusual to find them balanced on the branch of a tree, fence or even on powerlines.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks nest near shallow freshwater ponds and lakes but rarely swim in deep water. They mate for life and are predominantly cavity nesters and will use nest boxes. The female lays 9-18 white to creamy white eggs, similar in size to domestic poultry. The pair will alternate incubating the clutch for an average of 27 days. The ducklings have a black and yellow spotted body with a striped head. Both parents take care of the brood, which will learn to fly at about 60 days of age, however, the young may stay with the parents for up to 4 months.
References:
- James, J. D. and J. E. Thompson (2020). Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- iBirdPro, Version 13.51 – Black-bellied Whistling Duck
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VAAS Annual Christmas Bird Count Set for December 14
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On Sunday morning, December 14th more than 100 volunteers will be spreading out in teams to count as many birds as possible within a 15-mile circle that includes much of Venice and Englewood, along with a portion of North Port. It is all part of our 53rd annual Christmas Bird Count. Last year, 120 volunteers participated in the count, recording more than 19,000 birds representing 140 different bird species.
Whether you are a beginning birder or an expert, you are invited to join in the event. Signing up for the count is easy. View the Christmas Bird Count event on our Calendar page and register. Note that the registration deadline is Saturday, November 29th.
We have leaders for each of the 15 sectors within the counting circle, with small groups organized to cover each of those areas. Most teams bird for the morning, with some working into the afternoon to complete their counts. Once you sign up, you will be contacted by an area leader with more details.
The first Audubon Christmas Bird Count in the nation was done in 1900. Since then, the count has grown into what is now the largest, longest running citizen science program in the country. Results from the count help researchers learn more about changing bird populations and migration patterns, providing valuable data for studies on such subjects as climate change impact.
Bob Clark
CBC Compiler
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ChipNote Production
Could you be the person we’re looking for? We need a tech-savvy individual to help with formatting and sending the monthly ChipNote newsletter. Preferred skills: comfortable with technology and web technology in particular, interested in learning new software, website experience. Please email info@veniceaudubon.org with the subject Web Help if you’re interested in discussing our needs in detail. |
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This message was sent to you by the Venice Area Audubon Society.
veniceaudubon.org / PO Box 1381 Venice, FL 34284 / 941-496-8984
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