Florida Birding And Nature Festival

Four days of field and boat trips, expert seminars, keynote speakers, and a free nature expo!

Schedule:

7:30 - 11:30 am: Lower Green Swamp
Lower Green Swamp, Hillsborough County
The Lower Green Swamp Preserve, once a working cattle ranch, is being restored to native habitat by Hillsborough County’s environmental lands staff. You will visit only a portion of the 12,800 acres of this preserve, but they are glorious! From the parking area the trail crosses a grassland where Eastern Towhees whistle and bobwhites scurry in the early hours, Loggerhead Shrikes snag grasshoppers, and eagles perch on the power poles. Eastern Bluebirds and Red-headed Woodpeckers share the open wooded and pine areas with vireos and Common Yellowthroats. After crossing Itchepackesassa Creek you’ll enter an open pine flatwoods where Sandhill Cranes, turkeys, and Bachman’s Sparrows rule the roost. At the far end there is a large wetland with Purple Gallinules, Anhingas and Wood Ducks. The trail loops back and follows the creek along an oak hammock dripping with Spanish moss to return to the bridge and then the parking area. Barred Owls and Wood Ducks are sometimes seen along the creek, and of course any migrating warbler will enjoy the insect life it offers. County staff overseeing the restoration will lead the tour to explain and showcase the restoration. Due to Hurricane Helene, the trails are wet. Water resistant boots are recommended.

Tickets are $25

7:30 am - 12:00 pm: Fort De Soto County Park
Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County
Fort De Soto County Park is a premier birding destination in Florida. More than 250 species of birds have been recorded in the park over the years. Fall migration brings neo‐tropical migratory species to the park as well as occasional wanderers from the Caribbean and the western United States. The island’s shorebird diversity is one of the best on the Florida west coast. This trip is intended for advanced birders, and will be offered on both Saturday and Sunday. You will meet at the flagpole, then drive or walk to the hotspots of the day. Short, easy walking at all times. If you care to bring your spoting scope, it will be handy for studying the shorebirds along the beach. If there’s a passerine fallout you’ll be in the wooded areas finding warblers, thrushes and buntings. There’s never a bad day birding at Ft D!

Tickets are $25 plus $2.50 tolls and $5 park entry

8:00 - 11:00 am: Photography Field Workshop
Photography Field Workshop, Circle B Bar Reserve
Reinier Munguia has led photography field workshops for 20 years, all over the world. Participants will learn photographic techniques and develop skills to create better images. This workshop will be at the Circle B Bar Reserve, among the best regional birding spots. Shallow wetlands intersected by raised levees for walking support habitat for Purple Gallinules, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Sora, American Bitterns, and more. Bald Eagles patrol the area, and previous trips have found both Peregrine Falcons and Merlins. Wildlife includes alligators and marsh rabbits. Wintering White Pelicans still leave room in the deeper lakes for ducks. Reinier says, “Wildlife photography is not about taking pictures, but to create images that portray nature at its best.” Everyone must meet at the gazebos by the main parking.

Tickets are $25

8:00 - 11:00 am: Celery Fields
Celery Fields, Sarasota County
This 400‐acre stormwater retention area in eastern Sarasota County is one of the Gulf Coast’s best birding hot spots. The former aqricultural fields have been restored to a meandering stream with wetlands and grasslands nestled among the curves. A hill with walking and equestrian trails overlooks the area, and two boardwalks allow access to the stream and marsh. With 220 species recorded at the site, the swamp and open water environment is a haven for Limpkins, bitterns, rails and herons. The Least Bitterns do not know that they are ‘shy and retiring’ here, Peregrine Falcons sail overhead, and variety of fall sparrows spend the winter. Depending on water level, shorebirds, waders and ducks may be abundant. Sarasota Audubon provides volunteer Bird Naturalists at each of the two boardwalks to help visitors identify birds and plants. The Nature Center with native plant gardens is also available for visitors to enjoy. Walks are on even paths or short boardwalks, but there is little shade and only a few benches. On your way in scan the ponds on either side of Coburn/Apex Rd for waterbirds as well.

Tickets are $25

8:00 am - Noon: Bird Banding
Birding and Banding in Hammock Park, Dunedin
Come learn about bird banding, observe how ornithologists use it to learn about and conserve migratory birds, and enjoy our fall migratory birds while birding this 100‐acre city park. The hammock’s hardwoods and sabal palms attract numerous resident and migratory species. The Fern Trail in particular is known for having banner days in fall migration. You will observe the banding station action, seeing some of the local migrants up close while researchers measure, weigh and band them. Some participants will get a chance to release banded birds! You will also walk sections of the park and boardwalk to see what else is lurking in the bushes, along the stream, or zipping through the trees overhead. Warblers, vireos and thrushes are all good bets in the bushes, Golden-winged, Bay-breasted, Kentucky, Blackburnian, Canada and Cerulean warblers have been seen here, along with Baltimore Oriole, Black-billed Cuckoo, Veery, Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager. Herons, egrets, and night-herons wade the tidal stream. Osprey and Barred Owl occur year round, and winter brings ducks, rails, sandpipers and a multitude of sparrows. Raptors scan for the unwary over the open fields. The walk is easy, flat, not more than 2 miles.

Tickets are $25

8:30 am - Noon: Terra Ceia Preserve
Frog Creek & Terra Ceia Paddling Trip - Paddling Trip
Tampa Bay has relatively few natural, unobstructed tidal creeks left, and Frog Creek is one of the least developed and most species-rich. In a leisurely-paced paddling trip of a little over 2 miles, participants will experience a dramatic change in biota over a gradient from freshwater, with overhanging oaks, leather ferns, and sawgrass-lined shores to saltwater, through a significant mangrove forest and around oyster bars. This is an excellent foraging area for a variety of coastal bird species. Participants will need to paddle for a little over 2 miles, but it is at a leisurely pace and downstream. Canoes or kayaks will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer (but no discount is offered). Sunscreen, bug spray, and bottled water will be supplied.

Tickets are $60

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