Southwest Florida Shoreline Studies: March 2013

MONTAUK SPRING WEEKEND

JUNE 7-9, 2013

Always a trip worth taking. Start with an orientation and slide show on Friday night. This is peak orchid and heather blossom time. Activities include: hiking, birding, tide pools, butterflies, rocky cliffs, a visit to Montauk Light and an optional whale watch.

The Montauk Manor is a perfect place to stay after a long, cold winter with its well-appointed rooms, restaurant, hot tub, and pool. You will enjoy vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and be able to take walks around the grounds. Leaders:Don Riepe and Mickey Cohen

Cost: $385 includes 5 meals, 2 evening programs, a star watch and 2 nights at Montauk Manor. Send deposit of $100 per person to Don Riepe, ALS, 28 W. 9th Rd, Broad Channel, NY 11693 by April 30, 2013.

RHODE ISLAND/BLOCK ISLAND

STRIPED BASS TAGGING WEEKEND

JUNE 8 - 9, 2013

Join our tagging director for a weekend of striped bass tagging; fishing the rocky coast of Rhode Island and the rips of Block Island. We will be fishing with the American Littoral Society's most prolific and successful tagger, Captain Al Anderson of Narragansett, Rhode Island, aboard his boat, "The Prowler", Sailing from the port of Galilee, RI, right next to the ferry to Block Island. The Prowler is a 42 ft. North Carolina Custom Express twin diesel sportfisherman with a cabin, tower and full electronics.

Captain Al, who has recently been inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame; has been stalking and tagging stripers in Rhode Island Waters for over 40 years and has tagged and released well over 50,000 gamefish during that time.

The trip is limited to 6 anglers for the weekend, with an all-day fishing trip both Saturday and Sunday. All bait, tackle, and tags will be provided. Bring your surf fishing gear along, as there will be opportunities to experience some of Rhode Island's great shoreline fishing as well.

On Saturday the party will meet for a late lunch (Dutch treat) at a local seafood restaurant. After lunch we will visit the Point Judith light house, and take a stroll out to Black Rock on Narragansett Bay.

Cost:

$275 - ALS Member

$325 - Non Member

Price includes all costs for 2 fishing trips and tags, as well as a signed copy of Capt. Al's latest book, "Island Stripers". Anglers are responsible for their own lodging and meals. Call Jeff at (732) 291-0055 for more information.

New trip

COLUMBIS RIVER GORGE, MT. ST. HELENS, and the PACIFIC END of the LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

JULY 18-27, 2013.

A fascinating gorge described as a "Top ten scenic wonder" plus Mt. St. Helens and Lewis and Clark history, what could be better? We will have a leisurely exploration of some dramatic and varied scenery from the amazing river that separates Washington State from Oregon (and spends a significant part of its length in Canada) to the explosive remnants of St. Helens to the windswept coast. Along the way we will learn about and enjoy the fascinating human and natural history. This is a rather different part of the northwest from the rainy Olympic coastline farther north and you will be surprised by the dryness of the interior versus the rugged marine environment. Mammals, birds, and wild flowers will brighten each day. Leader: Bob Quinn

Cost: $1985 per person (double occupancy- $385 single supplement) includes lodging, most meals, ground transportation, guides, and all entrance fees. Not included- airfare.. Please send a deposit of $250 per person to Highlands address by April 15, 2013. This trip begins and ends in Portland, OR.

CAPE ANN WHALE WATCH WEEKEND

AUGUST 15-18, 2013

Gloucester and the surrounding areas are filled with beautiful shorelines and bays teeming with bird life. On your way up stop off at The Butterfly Place just off Rt. 495 (exit 34). There will be leisurely canoeing on the Ipswich River, a half-day whale watch trip where we hope to also see dolphins and seals, a sunset river cruise along the Essex River, and birding at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. Leader: Don Riepe

Cost: $385 per person ($120 single supplement) includes lodging, lobster dinner, guides, park and boat fees. Limit: 20. A deposit of $50 by June 15, 2013.

MONHEGAN ISLAND, MAINE

SEPTEMBER 23-27, 2013

For the naturalist Monhegan is a major site for fall migration, often with hordes of tired land birds hopping about in the open. Such odd spectacles as warblers flitting through the tide wrack or a Black-billed Cuckoo perching on a lobster pot can be common sights.

On one day we will venture out by boat in search of sea birds such as puffins, shearwaters, gannets, phalaropes, and maybe a whale or two. Monhegan is a gem of the rocky coast of Maine and one of the most enchanting islands on the entire east coast. Its combination of beauty and quiet island life will entrance you and it can be as relaxing or as invigorating as you wish. It creates a sense of serenity, from the calm harbor with beautiful sunsets to the pounding surf against the craggy eastern cliffs, through the beautiful Cathedral Woods with its elfin inhabitants.

Our inn is quite nice and has a commanding view of the harbor and the ocean. We will do a lot of walking and exploring of the island's varied habitats; some moderately vigorous hiking and early morning bird walks will be optional. There is something special about Monhegan, even by island standards, and this short trip is a perfect chance for you to experience that magic. Leaders: Bob Quinn and Phil Brown

Cost: $1195 (Single supplement $295) includes lodging, ferry, boat trip, guides, and most meals. Group Size: Max 14. . Send a deposit of $150 per person to Highlands address by May 15, 2013.

CALIFORNIA'S NORTH COAST: Redwood National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and the Klamath Basin

OCTOBER 13-22, 2013

The Redwoods, tallest trees in the world, tower above the mist-shrouded shoreline. Huge Pacific waves crash upon massive sea stacks and coastal headlands while countless flocks of sea birds migrate south. This is the dramatic and isolated northern California coast. Del Norte county is more like the true Pacific Northwest than the rest of California and it has abundant wildlife and scenery, without the crowds. Besides the magnificent Redwoods we hope to see mammals such as California Sea Lions and Roosevelt Elk plus one of the largest concentrations of water birds in all of North America.

We'll also spend several days in southern Oregon, including a day at the spectacular Crater Lake National Park- with it's almost unbelievably blue volcanic lake. Other sites will include Lava Beds National Monument and the Klamath Basin National Wildlife refuges, all in habitats vastly different from the coast. This is a wonderful time of year to explore an exciting and unique, yet little visited, part of our continent. Leader: Bob Quinn

Cost: $2185 per person (double occupancy- $385 single supplement) includes lodging, most meals, ground transportation, guides, and all entrance fees. Not included- airfare. Send a deposit of $300 per person to Highlands address by June 15, 2013.

ANNUAL MEETING - CAPE MAY, NJ

OCTOBER 24-27, 2013

Once all details have been finalized this site will contain all the information needed to sign up. We will also be sending out the a form tat can be sent in to our Highlands office in our publication "Littorally Speaking" later in the year. There will be no separate form sent so please check our website for details around the middle of April. There will be limited rooms available. If interested please contact Pat by phone or email.

ASSATEAGUE FALL WEEKEND

NOVEMBER 7-10, 2013

The Assateague Wildlife Refuge is always in season to enjoy!

The peak fall migration is beginning at one of the best birding spots on the east coast. We're likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, eagles, Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies and if we're lucky, maybe red fox and otters. On Sunday follow us north to Bombay Hook, where at sunset, we'll stop to watch and listen as up to 20,000 snow geese come in to roost. Leader: Don Riepe

Cost: $385 per person (180 single supplement) includes lodging, guides, lectures, and a par excellent seafood buffet on Saturday night. Limit: 20. Send a deposit of $100 per person by August 1.

(This article published in the current CedarKeyNews.com by Leslie Sturmer, University of Florida IFAS Shellfish Extension)

Sun, Mar 17th 2013 UF/IFAS Shellfish Aquaculture Extension

Saturday, March 30, 10:30-Noon
Cedar Key Library, 466 2nd Street

Learn about these unique marine animals and their importance, find out about University of Florida`s research at Seahorse Key, and discover how you can protect our local populations by participating in a talk held at the Cedar Key Library, 466 2nd Street on Saturday, March 30 at 10:30 am. Speakers will include Dr. Jane Brockmann, Emeritus Professor, Biology Department, University of Florida; Tiffany Black, FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute; and Leslie Sturmer, UF IFAS Shellfish Extension. At Noon, a horseshoe crab educational panel will be unveiled at the A Street railing adjacent to the City Park. The panel is dedicated in memory of Kathleen Tuck, a Cedar Key resident, who devoted hours conducting beach surveys and educating the public about horseshoe crabs. For more information, contact Leslie Sturmer at (352) 543-5057 or LNST@ufl.edu.