7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip: Gainesville Highlights Overnight
7:30 am February 3, 2024
OAS will once again travel north looking for birds in the Gainesville/Alachua County area under the direction of Tim Hardin and Alan Shapiro. Our destinations will be decided closer to the field trip dates depending on what birds are being seen. Reservations are required and costs are $85 members and $115 non-members. Details and host hotel information will be provided upon registration. Register via the web or by emailing Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
8:00 am: Belize:OAS 9-Day Tropical Birding with Wildside Nature Tours - Trip B Begins
8:00 am – 9:00 am February 3, 2024
Located only a few hours from the USA, Belize is home to over 600 species of birds. Easy trails, comfortable climate and easy access to great birding locations make Belize a very special place to learn the tropical families. Join OAS and and guide Glenn Crawford of Wildside Nature Tours on this very special trip. 6-10 Participants. Cost $3,300. Questions and reservations contact Deborah at info@orangeaudubonfl.org.
7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip: Gainesville Highlights Overnight
7:30 am February 3, 2024
OAS will once again travel north looking for birds in the Gainesville/Alachua County area under the direction of Tim Hardin and Alan Shapiro. Our destinations will be decided closer to the field trip dates depending on what birds are being seen. Reservations are required and costs are $85 members and $115 non-members. Details and host hotel information will be provided upon registration. Register via the web or by emailing Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
7:30 am: Birds of Prey Identification Class with Bob Sanders
7:30 am February 4, 2024
Join raptor expert Bob Sanders at the Apopka Wildlife Drive where you will learn to search and identify various raptors on the drive. Raptors found that time of year may include Peregrine Falcon, Snail Kite, Norther Harrier, Bald Eagle, Merlin, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and others. Class size is limited. Cost is $12 members, $17 non-members. Meet-up directions sent upon registration. Register on website or by calling Bob Sanders at (407)459-5617 two weeks prior to class.
8:00 am: Beginner's Bird Watching - Class 3 of 3, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
8:00 am – 12:30 pm February 11, 2024
Our final BBWC takes us to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (LAWD), 11 miles of wetlands, several wooded areas and several areas of open fields/grass. We will meet at the bike parking area to the immediate right of the entrance. LAWD has the highest bird counts in Central Florida. We'll refine our birdwatching techniques as we search for waterbirds, shorebirds, raptors and others. This class is only for those who have pre-registered for the 3-class workshop or need to make up a class. Leaders: Kathy Rigling and Susan Thome-Barrett. For questions contact Teresa Williams at (407) 718-1977.
7:00 pm: OAS Monthly Program - Creating Bird Habitat Through Restored Wetlands: Sweetwater & More
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm February 15, 2024
Debra Segal is our guest speaker and will talk about the work to restore wetlands including Sweetwater Wetlands in Gainesville. Our monthly speaker program is free.
8:30 am: Monthly Field Trip to Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
8:30 am February 17, 2024
Our first joint field trip with The Village Birders takes us to Circle B Bar Reserve, an eBird hotspot with 239 species. Leaders Alice Horst and Tammy Martin will help us explore this eBird hotspot in Lakeland. This FREE field trip requires registration. Trip details will be sent following registration. To register email Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
Monthly Bird Survey at Wekiwa Springs Park. We will split into 2 groups led by Park Naturalist Paul Lammardo and OAS's Kathy Rigling. We will survey two areas of the park counting all the birds we see and hear. We will travel through the sandhill and scrub, near small lakes and other transitional areas. Possible birds: Red-headed Woodpeckers, Bachman's Sparrow, Wild Turkeys, Northern Bobwhite, the occasional Short-tailed Hawk. Registration is required with entry directions provided upon registration. Note: survey begins before park opens so DO NOT enter through gate. For registration contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com.
8:15 am: Young Birder's Club Trip to Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet
8:15 am February 24, 2024
OAS Young Birder's Club will explore the shores, water and fishing pier at Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet. While this outing is free, admission to the park is $10 per vehicle. We'll be watching the skies for raptors and gulls, looking at the shore and coastline for shorebirds and waterbirds , and we'll hopefully see a Purple Sandpiper, often found hopping on the rocky edges of the pier which is similar to the rocky coasts up north where it breeds. Leaders: Sheri Brown and Kathy Rigling. Register via web or contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
9:00 am: Green PLACE Nature & Photography Hike, Johns Lake Conservation Area, Winter Garden
9:00 am – 11:30 am February 24, 2024
Join Orange County Naturalist and Wildlife Photographer Lee Ann Posavad as they explore Orange County Green PLACE property Johns Lake Conservation Area in Winter Garden. Learn about the nature on this property and practice your photography with tips from Lee Ann. FREE. To register call Beth Jackson at (407) 836-1481
10:00 am: Kissimmee River Boat Trip and Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Visit
10:00 am March 2, 2024
Includes 4 hours at Riverwoods Field Station neat SR 70 with boat trip on Kissimmee River. Afterwards a short visit to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, 100 Riverwoods Circle. Cost is $60 members, $85 non-members. Reservations required via web or by contacting Deborah Green at info@orangeaudubonfl.org. Information and details sent upon reservation.