The blazing Florida summer days are upon us, but we’re having fun while making discoveries!

Many thanks to our friends at Ecological Associates, Inc. of Jensen Beach for another wonderful educational program about sea turtles on June 28th. We were able to see two adult and one Loggerhead hatchling on county beaches. One was returning to the water, one nesting, and a newly hatched nestling was returned to the sea!

The chapter partnered with the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department to collect data for the Audubon JayWatch program to aid in the conservation of Florida’s only endemic species, the Florida Scrub-jay. Teams surveyed three areas of county180926albatross-held land with resident birds, counting adults and this year’s juvenile birds. We are fortunate to still have resident populations of these gorgeous and inquisitive birds. Our appreciation and gratitude to the Environmental Resources Department for providing equipment, supplies, and staff time towards this citizen science effort.

The chapter is organizing a late-summer program open to the three Treasure Coast Audubon Society chapters, their guests and the public. The St. Lucie Audubon Society is partnering with sister chapters Audubon of Martin County and Pelican Island Audubon Society for a film screening of the movie ALBATROSS on September 25th at Indian River State College. This is an opportunity for members of the Treasure Coast chapters to enjoy a wonderful film, socialize with each other and the public while supporting this important conservation project. More details to come – stay tuned for announcements!

Here’s to a wonderful summer, and we look forward to our first member meeting again in October. See you then! Happy birding!

Eva Ries, President