+Newnan%27s+Lake,+Gainesville,+FL+(5-12-12).jpg)
(Black necked-stilt and american avocet at Newnan's Lake, June 2012)
I will also be providing periodic updates as time (and work) permits, regarding avifauna I've encountered in the field outside of Alachua County and from others who wish to share their finds. If you would like to share any information, updates, or photos on birds you've recently seen, please send them to aviblogger@yahoo.com and I will post them on here. If you'd like to write a post on a particular subject and include it on this blog, feel free to drop me a line.
As this is the initial post for the blog, I figured it should include a mission statement detailing my goals for the blog. So here it goes:
Mission Statement:
The primary objective of this blog is to provide updates on and expand
the known database of resident and migratory avifauna in Alachua County, while
simultaneously promoting awareness of and advocating protection for these
invaluable natural resources.
Below are some useful resources for resident and visiting birders:
·
“A Birdwatcher's Guide to Alachua County, Florida” by Rex Rowan
and Mike Manetz.
o
Anyone planning on birding in Alachua County should get their hands on a
copy of this illuminating book. It
contains highly detailed site and species accounts, maps, and directions about
where and when to find resident, seasonal, and migratory species throughout the
county. The information presented in the
book has been culled over many, many years and gives a unique insight to the
avifauna history of the county. A must
read.
It can be purchased here:
http://www.buteobooks.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BBBAO&Product_Code=12990&Category_Code=FL or at Wild Birds Unlimited
Gainesville.
·
Alachua Audubon
o
This is the most comprehensive website regarding birding in Alachua
County. It offers a wealth of
information regarding local birds, locations where they can be observed, and
weekly updates on recent sightings in the county. It also provides information on upcoming
Audubon sponsored field trips and classes, along with detailed information on
all of the natural resources which can be found in Alachua County. For those who enjoy historical perspectives
and context, make sure not to miss the History of Local Birding section of the
site.
·
Wild Birds Unlimited
o
This is the local hub for birders in Gainesville. It is owned and operated by local bird
enthusiasts and offers backyard birding products (i.e. feeders, seed, etc.) and
other birding needs such as binoculars, field guides, etc.
·
Alachua Conservation Trust
o
The ACT is a non-profit organization which works directly with landowners
to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and
around the county. Since its creation,
it has worked with landowners to set aside over 14,000 acres of land through
public land purchases and private conservation easements. These areas have since become or have added
acreage to some of the best birding spots in the county.
·
Ebird
o
This website operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is, in this
blogger’s opinion, providing some of the most comprehensive data collection
regarding relative abundance and migratory patterns of species not only
throughout the United States, but the world over. Ebird is a citizen-scientist tool which asks
birders to enter checklists of species they have seen when out birding. I could go on and on regarding the merits of
Ebird, but you should really check out the site for yourself and see how
invaluable of a tool this is and will continue to be for avifauna conservation.
·
Florida Ornithological Society
o
The FOS strives to promote field ornithology and
facilitate contact between professional ornithologists and amateur birders in
the state.
·
Florida Breeding Bird Atlas 2
o
This program run by the FOS is in its second phase. It unites professional ornithologists and
amateur birders in an effort to identify and update the known database of the
breeding ranges of species in the state by confirming the locations where they
are breeding and nesting.
·
Birdbrains
o This Florida listserv is a great forum to catch updates on bird sightings
throughout the state.
No comments:
Post a Comment