birding event | GFBWT

Wings Over Florida field trip – Joe Budd WMA

Lauren Ali — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 12:30:00 +0000

2017 is the 75th Anniversary of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) wildlife management area system. As part of this year-long celebration, FWC staff will be leading Wings Over Florida field trips at select wildlife management areas throughout the state. Join Wings Over Florida coordinator Andy Wraithmell and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail Coordinator Whitney Gray for this birding and butterfly viewing field trip at Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area. For more information visit our registration website.

Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival

Lauren Ali — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Discover why Florida’s Space Coast is your launch pad to incredible nature-based experiences. World Class Photographers, Field Workshops, Presentations & Classes. Come see why we’re the largest Birding & Wildlife Festival in the United States.

Birding the Bay Festival

Lauren Ali — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 11:00:00 +0000

Join us for a day-long birding event on the Forgotten Coast for birders of all levels, from advanced to beginners. Professionally-led tours will focus on shorebirds, migratory birds, and/or woodland species. See colorful song birds like Indigo Buntings and Summer Tanagers on St. George Island on their migratory stop over, view shorebirds in the shallow waters around St. George Island State Park, visit the pine woodlands where the Red Cockaded Woodpecker thrives, or learn the basics of birding with Audubon at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR).

After a morning in the field, participants will return to the ANERR Nature Center for lunch and a lecture by Budd Titlow, award-winning nature photographer and author, professional Wildlife biologist and wetlands scientist (Emeritus). The afternoon will also feature educational booths including the University of Massachusetts with a migratory mist net and bird banding demonstration, birds of prey information, Florida Audubon and representatives with the Florida Wild Mammal Association.

Visitors not registered for the tours are welcome to go birding along the ANERR boardwalks and beach, or attend the afternoon lecture. There will also be bird videos playing at the Nature Center throughout the day. The Jackson Childs “Gulf Crossing: Story of Spring” documentary will be shown at 10:00am in the Multipurpose Room. The educational booths will be staffed from 10am-2pm and include children’s activities and birding info. A silent auction open to all rounds out the afternoon.

Tours are for intermediate to experienced birders and are most appropriate for those 8 years and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For beginner birding, sign up for the Birding 101 class. Tours are not strenuous. Seats are limited and available first come, first serve; participants must register and pay in advance.
$45.00 ticket includes: Guided tour, roundtrip transportation to and from ANERR to the birding tour sites, lunch, a Sibley’s birding book, commemorative t-shirt and a reusable tote bag filled goodies.
Participants choose from one of three options:
-Tour 1: St. George Island migratory songbirds, shorebirds, woodland birds
-Tour 2: Red Cockaded Woodpecker tour
-Tour 3: Birding 101 Guided tour for beginner birders. Learn birding basics, and see shorebirds and woodland species at ANERR.

Want to go birding on your own? Limited packages without tours are available. Package includes lunch, the lecture, a t-shirt, Sibley birding book and tote bag for $35.00.

Attendance for the movie, information booths, and silent auction activities are free and open to the public. ANERR’s nature center is free and open to the public Tuesday-Saturday 9am-4pm.

To register, visit birdingthebay.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 850-670-7700. Full refund available until April 3rd. Tours will happen rain or shine. If there is lightning, we will delay the tours until danger has past, then continue.

Tropical Audubon hosts Bird Walk at Greynold’s Park

Lauren Ali — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 12:30:00 +0000

From our friends at Tropical Audubon: Jim King will lead birders through Greynold’s Park (a GFBWT site) on Miami Beach. Meet at the park boathouse. Parking is available near the playground and the elevated mound opposite the boathouse. Return is at approximately 11 a.m. No fee for the event, but there is a fee for parking. Pay at the self-serve ...

Audubon’s 117th Christmas Bird Count

Lauren Ali — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Since the Christmas Bird county began over 100 years ago, it has relied on volunteers to gather critical data about the patterns of bird behavior. Join an effort near you to participate.

There is a specific methodology for the Count, so it’s important that you contact a coordinator near you, but anyone can help. This is a fun and rewarding activity for bird-lovers of any stripe. Many counts are held throughout Florida, just find the one near you at the link below!

Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival & Birdapalooza Birding Festival

Lauren Ali — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000

The Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival & Birdapalooza Birding Festival 2017, is perfect for birders visiting Florida or locals wanting to learn more from well-known, knowledgeable birding guides. Add to your life list at an amazing birding area, the 20,000-acre Lake Apopka North Shore. Two full-day trips and 9 half-day trips led by well-known local birding guides are offered, along with two dinners and keynotes. On Saturday participate in the 5th annual Free family-oriented Birdapalooza festival with photo walks, bird banding and guided bus tours. For details, see http://orangeaudubonfl.org/birdapalooza or https://www.facebook.com/Birdapalooza/notifications/.

Wings Over Florida field trip – Blackwater Fisheries Center

Lauren Ali — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 12:30:00 +0000

Join Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail coordinator Whitney Gray and Wings Over Florida coordinator Andy Wraithmell for a hike around this wonderful birding trail site. We will walk the dikes between the aquaculture ponds, looking for wintering wildfowl such as Ring-necked Duck and Blue-winged Teal. Wilson’s Snipe feed along the muddy edges. Bachman’s Sparrows and Brown-headed Nuthatches are fairly common and Henslow’s Sparrow has been recorded in the winter. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their first Wings Over Florida certificate.

The walk is limited to 25 people. This event is FREE and family-friendly. We encourage youth participation.
The walk is suitable for all experience levels but is aimed at beginner and intermediate level bird watchers.

7th annual Bird Festival @ Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Lauren Ali — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 13:30:00 +0000

Whether you are an experienced birder or just want to get in on the action as a beginner, the 7th Annual Bird Festival at Fairchild is for you. Learn to identify birds, about birding hotspots, and the rich avifauna found right here in the Garden. Vendors and expert advice will be on hand to help you become an expert birder ...