Seminole Audubon Society

Field trips for the 2011/2012 season

Meeting places and times vary. Last minute changes may be needed due to weather or other issues. It is essential to call in advance. Trips are open to the public. Participation in all our activities is at your own risk and a liability release must be signed if you choose to participate. Appropriate footwear, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, water and snacks recommended. For trip details call Shirley 407-977-4389.

2011/2012 Field Trips

 

September 17 (Saturday): A 3 Part Trip: Pontoon Boat Ride, Tour Gamble Place, & Learn how to Landscape for birds
Cracker Creek - a guided pontoon boat ride on Spruce Creek at 9:30 am
Gamble Place- a guided tour of home and property at 11 am.
Lunch- Bring your lunch or purchase lunch at Cracker Creek.
Full Moon Natives Nursery - a lecture on “bird-scaping” (landscaping for attracting birds) at 1:30 pm
Meet: at Cracker Creek at 9 am or car pool leaves Sanford Library at 8 am.
Cost: Boat ride - seniors $8, other $10, Gamble Place seniors $5, others $6, Full Moon Natives Nursery free
Cracker Creek: 795 Taylor Road, Port Orange, FL 32128
Gamble Place: 1819 Taylor Road Port Orange, FL
Full Moon Native Nursery: 1737 Fern Park Dr, Port Orange, FL

October 8 (Saturday): Washington Oaks State Park - Bird Hike
The Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River provide the natural boundaries for this 389 acres Park that includes maritime hammock, estuarine tidal marsh and a formal garden. In the Fall, Washington Oaks is popular stopping spot for neotropical migrants on their trip to their wintering grounds. Graham Williams will lead us on a walk through the park in search of migrants.
Meet: Visitor Center at the park 9 AM, or car pool leaves the Sanford Library at 7:30 AM
Cost: Entry fee to park
Washington Oaks State Park: 6400 North Oceanshore Boulevard, Palm Coast, FL 32137

November 19 (Saturday): Palm Bluff Conservation Area and Lake Ashby Park
We will have guided bird walks in these two properties in Volusia County. Palm Bluff Conservation Area is a newly-acquired St Johns River Water Management District property. It consists of 3,321 acres within the Deep Creek basin, a sub-basin of the Middle St. Johns River Basins. Following our visit to Palm Bluff we will visit Lake Ashby Park is a 64 acre park on the shore of Lake Ashby. We will walk the boardwalk trail that goes out over the lake. There are picnic facilities for those who wish to bring their lunch.
Meet: at 8:30 am Palm Bluff Conservation entrance or car pool leaves Sanford Library at 8 am.
Cost:free
Palm Bluff Conservation Area: located east of State Road (SR) 415 near the town of Osteen
Lake Ashby Park: 4150 Boy Scout Camp Road, ?New Smyrna Beach, FL

December 17 (Saturday): Audubon Wekiva Christmas Bird Count at Spring Hammock Preserve
112th Audubon Christmas Bird Count. We will walk the trails to Lake Jesup and Soldiers Creek documenting birds for the Wekiva Christmas Bird Count (CBC) Other count sites are available in the Wekiva CBC circle. Please call Shirley (407) 977-4389 if you prefer to count another location.
Meet: at 8:30 am at Spring Hammock Preserve entrance
Cost: free
Spring Hammock Preserve: 2984 Osprey Trail, Longwood, FL 32750

January 10, 2012 (Tuesday): St Johns River Cruise. Blue Spring State Park
Observe manatees and wading birds during this narrated pontoon boat tour. Boat is handicapped accessible.
Meet: at the park at 9:30 or car pool from Lake Mary.
Cost: for park $6.00 per vehicle and for boat ride senior $20, others $ 22
Reservations required. bdenslow@cfl.rr.com
Blue Springs State Park: 2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763

January 14, 2012 (Saturday): Marine Science Center, Ponce Inlet
This is a follow-up to Michael Brothers January 9 Program on Pelagic Birds. The Marine Science Center has aquarium, artificial reef, nature trails, rehabilitation for turtles, seabirds and other exhibits. We will have a guided tour of the Center and then look for birds.
Meet: at the park at 10 am or car pool leaves the Sanford Library at 8:30 am
Cost: senior $4, others $5
Marine Science Center: 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127-7325

February 7 (Tuesday): Crystal Lake Preserve
A guided bird hike on this 40 acre preserve where you may see anhinga, wood storks, brown thrasher, limpkins, gopher tortoise and many native plants.
Meet: at the preserve at 8 am
Cost: free
Crystal Lake Preserve: 336 W Lakeview Ave., Lake Mary, FL 32746

February 18 (Saturday): Gemini Springs
A guided bird, plant and geology hike of this 210 acre Volusia County park.
Meet: at the park at 9 am
Cost: Free
Gemini Springs: 37 Dirksen Drive, DeBary, FL

March 17 (Saturday): Chuluota Wilderness Area
A guided bird hike of this 625 acre natural area. It contains a variety of natural systems such as mesic hammock, pond pine flatwoods, hardwood swamp and some rare habitats such as sand pine scrub.
Meet: at the park at 8 am
Cost: Free
Chuluota Wilderness Area: 3895 Curryville Rd, Chuluota FL.

March 23-25 (Friday- Sunday): Sarasota Weekend - Members only
We will tour birding “Hot Spots” in the Sarasota/Venice area. This may include Marie Selby Gardens, Celery Fields and Pinecraft Park in Sarasota, and the Pinelands in Venice. Itinerary will be finalized in early March. Reserve your spot by January 15, 2012. Details will be in The JAY.
Cost: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (cost $17): 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236
Celery Fields: From I-75 take Exit 210, Fruitville Road east. Make right at Coburn Road light and follow road as it curves past the Fruitville Library. The Celery Fields will be on your left
Pinecraft Park: 1420 Gilbert Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239

April 7 (Tuesday): Crystal Lake Preserve
A guided bird hike on this 40 acre preserve where you may see anhinga, wood storks, brown thrasher, limpkins, gopher tortoise and many native plants.
Meet: at the preserve at 8 am
Cost: free
Crystal Lake Preserve: 336 W Lakeview Ave., Lake Mary, FL 32746

April 21 (Saturday): Faver-Dykes State Park
You will learn about the Timucuan Indians, Faver-Dykes' first inhabitants, that arrived around 500 B.C and visit remote areas of the park in search of birds.
Meet: at the park at 9 am or car pool leaves the Sanford Library at 7:30 am
Cost: for park $6.00 per vehicle
Faver-Dykes State Park: 1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine, FL 32086

Christmas Bird Counts

Come out, relax and spend a couple of hours to a full day with us counting birds!

For more information please call Shirley: 407 977-4389

 

Previous Field Trips

Intracoastal Waterway Boat Tour
A 2-hour boat tour sailing out of Ponce Inlet. Carpool from Sanford. Bring binoculars, a hat and suncreen. $25 pp. Reservations required. Details in The JAY.

Gemini Springs, Enterprise
Jim Denslow will guide us through this beautiful park and explain some of its unique geological features. Meet 8:30 at the park.

Central Florida Zoological Park
We'll explore this lush tropical paradise with the staff who transformed its landscape into 23 acres of native gardens. Afterwards, linger and enjoy the over 400 animals, Insect Zoo and Reptile House. Group rates apply.

Mead Gardens Winter Park
Meet 8:30 am at the entrance for a leisurely walk in the Gardens which are a local birding hot spot. Carpools will be arranged.

Lake Proctor Wilderness Area – Geneva
Meet 8:30 am at the entrance off SR 46. We will walk through a range of habitats where we hope to find a variety of birds.

Ritch Grisson Memorial Wetlands at Viera
Carpool or meet at the entrance for a morning of birding at a premier birding location. Most viewing will be done from vehicles.

Lake Harney Wilderness Area Geneva
Carpool from library at 8:00 am or meet at the LHWA parking area at 8:30 am for a walk on the trail to the shore of Lake Harney. Expect to see songbirds and shorebirds.

Ft. Desoto Pinellas County Park
Neotropical migrants and the possibility of adding species to your Florida life-list are the lures for this trip. Overnight accommodations available at Eckerd College. Advanced Reservations required. 407-695-6169

St Johns River Cruise, Orange City
Meet Blue Spring State Park 9:30 AM for this 2-hour cruise. Reservations required. $25.00 Call Faith 407-330-4855.

Yankee Lake
Meet at the entrance on SR 46. We hope to see Florida scrub jays.

Black Hammock Wildness Area, Oviedo
Meet at the main parking area on CR 426 at the Barr Street entrance of the Little Big Econ State Forest for this 4.5 mile walk.

DeLeon Springs State Park / Pontoon Boat
Ride. Call for carpool arrangements, or meet at the park at 9:00 AM for pancake breakfast followed by pontoon boat ride. $25.00 Reservations required. Barb 407-323-4506

Wekiva Christmas Bird Counts
We will take this opportunity to visit Black Bear WA, Yankee Lake, and other spots in the Wekiva CBC count circle.

Merritt Island NWR, Titusville
Roseate spoonbills, Amer. avocets, wintering ducks, and more can been seen this time of the year at MINWR. Half-day trip, or all day if you choose. Most birding will be viewed from our vehicles. Carpool or meet there.

Three Lakes Wildlife Mgt. Area
Snail kite, crested caracara, and bald eagles are among the species we hope to find on this all-day trip. Meeting location & time TBA

Lake Norris Conservation Area, Eustis
Meet at the Publix at Lake Forest to carpool to Eustis. This trip will be a walk or a paddle. Bring your canoe or kayak.

Wakulla Springs Birding Trip
We will stay at the lodge in Wakulla Springs State Park and look for spring migrants at St. Marks NWR and other local birding spots. Tours of Wakulla Springs SP and the historic Mission San Luis will also be possible. Reservation deadline March 1st.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve, Sorrento
Meet at the entrance off SR 46 for a walk through a variety of plant communities on this 14,000-acre property.

Spring Hammock Preserve
Meet at the entrance at 8:00 am for a walk through this natural area which features trails and a boardwalk to Lake Jesup. We hope to find some Fall migrants.

The Big Sit, Sanford or Geneva
SAS will have 2 locations from dawn-noon for this national competitive sedentary birding event. If you would like to sit with us for all or part of the morning call 407-977-4389.

Mead Gardens, Winter Park
Meet 7:30 am in the Lake Mary K-Mart parking lot or 8:00 am at the entrance for a leisurely walk through the Garden known for warblers and other migrants.

Colt Creek State Park, north of Lakeland
Meet at the K-Mart parking lot in Lake Mary at 8:00 for the 90-min.drive. There will be a 2-hr. guided tram tour of the Park. Space is limited.

Black Bear Wilderness Area, Sanford
Meet 8:00 a.m. in the Lake Forest Publix parking lot on SR 46. The walk through this Seminole Co. property will feature a variety of habitats and hopefully birds.

Econ River Wilderness Area
This 230 acre offers a scenic 3 mile walking trail through pine flatwoods, sandhill and river swamp leading to a bend in the Econ River.

DeLeon Springs State Park & Pontoon Boat to Lake Woodruff.
Call for carpool arrangements, or meet at the park 9:00 am for pancake breakfast or 11:00 am for 1.5-hr. boat trip. Reservations required.

Lake Ashby Park, Osteen
Meet 9:00 am at Library or 9:30 am at the Park. We will walk the trail and boardwalk through a hardwood hammock and a stand of bald cypress to the lake. Bring a picnic lunch.

Panhandle Birding Trip. We stayed at the lodge in Wakulla Springs State Park and look for spring migrants at St. Marks NWR and other local birding spots. Tours of the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and the historic Mission San Luis will also be possible. Reservation deadline March 1st.

Lake Proctor Wilderness Area

Jim Duby, Principal Coordinator Seminole Co. Natural Lands Program will lead us as we observe and learn about native plants and animals. Trip will last 1.5 to 3 hours and may cover 2-4 miles. Bring items such as insect repellant, water, snacks, hat and binoculars. Meet in the parking lot at 8:00am call Alicia at 407-451-9566.

 

International Migratory Bird Day

Seminole Audubon birders will participate in this international bird count. Call Shirley for a convenient territory and partner. 407-977-4389

 

North American Migratory Bird Count

No birding experience necessary, drivers & scribes needed! 407-977-4389

 

Chelonian Research Institute

1-hour guided tour of internationally renowned facility dedicated to the study and conservation of the world’s turtles. Group size limited. Reservations required. Alicia 407-451-9566

 

St Johns River Cruise

Meet Blue Springs State Park 9:30AM for this 2-hour cruise. Reservations required. $20.00.  Please contact Faith at puffin_fj@yahoo.com for details. 

 

Space Coast Birding Festival, Titusville

Car-pool to attend the lectures, workshops, and field trips that are part of this event. Please contact Faith at puffin_fj@yahoo.com for details. 

 

Geneva Wilderness Area.

Amy Raub, Seminole Co. Natural Lands Program will lead us on a 2-4 mile hike. Bring items such as insect repellant, water, snacks, hat and binoculars. Meet in the parking lot at 8:00am. Reservations call 407-665-7352 and tell them you are with the Seminole Audubon Society.

 

A Walk on the Sanford Riverwalk & North American Migratory Bird Count             

Join Seminole Audubon birders as we count the birds along the Riverwalk. We will then break into teams to count other areas in Seminole Co.  including Lake Jesup, Co. Natural Lands, and even backyards. No birding experience necessary,  drivers & scribes needed!

 

St Johns River Cruise

Meet Blue Springs State Park 9:30AM for this 2-hour cruise. This is a joint outing with Sierra Club, Central Florida Group. Reservations required. $20.00

 

Space Coast Birding Festival, Titusville

Car-pool to attend the lectures, workshops, and field trips that are part of this event.

 

Seminole State Forest, Sorrento

This morning trip will include driving and some walking. The area is known for Florida scrub-jay, limpkins, indigo bunting, vireos and warblers.

 

Oakland Nature Preserve

Walk 3100 linear feet of boardwalk that runs from uplands through wetlands to a pavilion and dock on Lake Apopka. We hope to see a variety of birds from warblers to white pelicans. 407 277-4704

 

Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area

An all day trip. We should see caracara, whooping crane and snail kite. Also possible are red-cockaded woodpecker and bluebirds. 407-977-4389

 

Ft. De Soto, Pinellas County Park 

Neotropical migrants in route to nesting grounds, and the possibility of adding species to your Florida life-list are the lures for this trip. All day trip, camping available Friday night.

 

International Migratory Bird Day

Seminole Audubon birders will participate in this international bird count. Call Shirley for a convenient territory and partner. 407-977-4389

 

Gatorland Zoo, Kissimmee

Photo opportunity for close-ups of nesting wading birds. Leave late morning.  (407) 977- 4389