By Nanette Wiser
WHAT A HOOT
Early this year, an Eckerd College student spotted two great horned owls on the Eckerd campus. Nicknamed Link and Zelda, the beautiful duo and their two chicks were doing well as of March. It’s a bit of a miracle, says Professor of Environmental Science and Biology Beth Forys, Ph.D. (who is also the faculty adviser to the Ornithological Society of Eckerd College). z’Great horned owls are relatively common,” Forys explains. “But there have been major issues of them dying recently because of anticoagulant pesticides. Eckerd has transitioned away from that, so our owls have been successful. We’ve had them nesting here five times in the last 20 years.” The gestation period for great horned owls is about 40 days, Forys says, adding that owls typically don’t build their own nests but instead steal a nest of another bird or use an osprey platform. “This nest is interesting,” Forys says, “because it’s in a natural spot in an older pine tree.”
KEEP PINELLAS BEAUTIFUL
Volunteers are needed to join Pinellas County Environmental Management and Keep Pinellas Beautiful in a cleanup event at Cross Bayou Canal and Joe’s Creek 4/15 8am-12:30pm. Part of the Great American Cleanup campaign, the event service involves the removal of trash and debris in and along Cross Bayou Canal and Joe’s Creek. Volunteers wanting to help on the water can bring their own watercraft or borrow a canoe for as long as supplies last. Volunteers may also choose to sign up for the Island Shuttle. Two jon boats will be used to bring volunteers to the various mangrove islands. Life jackets are required and will be provided to those borrowing a canoe. Volunteers must be 18 or over and paddleboards are not permitted. Check-in begins at 8am at the Pinellas County property at the intersection of 70th Ave. N and 78th St. N near the Wagon Wheel Flea Market on Park Blvd. Trash collection 8:30-11:30am followed by lunch.Trash grabbers, bags, gloves and drinking water will be provided. FYI: Eric Vittoria 727-464-8756; register online by 4/14. CrossBayouJoesCreekCleanupGAC2023.eventbrite.com
