Category: Uncategorized

Beware of Sandhill Crane Crossings

Posted on by Joe Browne

It’s that time of year!   These Sandhill Crane parents are showing off their young – called Colts while observing the crosswalk on Padova. Peak egg-laying period is February to March. They nest on mats of vegetation in wetlands with shallow water.

Two subspecies of Sandhill Crane occur in Florida. The Florida Sandhill Crane numbering 4,000 to 5,000, is a non-migratory year-round breeding resident. They are joined every winter by 25,000 migratory Greater Sandhill Cranes, the larger of the two subspecies. In the VGRC we mostly encounter the Florida Sandhill Cranes.

Two eggs are normally laid. Cranes are monogamous breeders. Within 24 hours of hatching, the young are capable of following their parents away from the nest.  These colts are probably a week old.  Click here for more information on Sandhill Cranes.

Thanks to Rick Cordner for another outstanding contribution! As Rick writes, we have our Abbey Road, too.

Rare Bird Alert in the VGRC! Great White Herons!

Posted on by Joe Browne

What’s odd about the birds in this nest?   The parent is a Great Blue Heron – Blue Morph.  The two chicks are White Morphs (subspecies) which are very rare for this part of Florida.  Both parents are Blue Morphs which makes it even more intriguing.   Some recessive genes at work.

Photos by Nancy Edmondson   

The birds have now fledged but return to the nest in the evenings hoping for one last handout from their parents.  Golfers might see them from the 12th tee – the two islets to the east.   Let’s hope they return next season!

These rarities were first discovered by Marnie Briggs, VGRC resident and local Birder and reported to the birding community via the eBird Rare Bird Alerts messaging.  Rick Cordner led small groups of A-list birders to the site with the permission of the local homeowners – we are grateful to their support.  Thanks to Rick Cordner for this contribution.

Florida Friendly Landscaping for Residents

Posted on by Joe Browne

Residential Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Ashley Ellis provided guidance on how to landscape in Florida to ensure we are synchronizing with the environment, conserving water and friendly to wildlife while maintaining an attractive, colorful and diverse yard.

The Community Association sponsored event was held at the River Club on Monday, March 24th. Ashley is from the University of Florida, Sarasota County Extension Services on Clark Road. Click here for their website. There are nine Florida Friendly Principles to follow as on the right.

History of the Ringling Circus & Museum,  Monday, April 7 at 5 pm

Posted on by Joe Browne

For 65 years, The Greatest Show on Earth wintered in Sarasota and Venice, Florida, leaving those two cities forever different. What these gulf coast cities are today can be traced directly back to the King of the Circus himself, John Ringling — Renaissance man, real estate magnate, showman and visionary. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus departed Venice in 1992 but more than the memories live on. Kim Cool, Features Editor at Venice Gondolier Sun, will be our speaker for this fascinating seminar.