8:00 am: Mead Botanical Gardens Spring Bird Walks, Winter Park
8:00 am – 11:30 am April 6, 2024
Join our FREE Spring Bird walks in Mead Botanical Gardens while we search for both migrant visitors and resident birds. Wood Ducks, Barred Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers and others are joined in the Spring by passing warblers such as American Redstarts, Black and White Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers and others. This park has hosted Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Hooded Warblers, and Yellow-throated Warblers. We never know what we will see but if we don't look we won't find out! Join us! FREE but limited to 15 registrants. To register call (941) 704-1189.
OAS performs quarterly bird surveys for the preserve to determine the effectiveness of its sandhill restoration and native plant gardens, a joint project of the preserve and the Tarflower chapter of the Native Plant Association. We'll meet in the parking lot and walk several trails through wooded areas and sandhill restoration areas. We'll be looking for overwintering Grasshopper, Savannah, Field, and possibly White-Crowned Sparrows; Pileated, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds and many more. Registration is required, via website or contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com.
This season’s four-day trip to see migratory and breeding songbirds and shorebirds in the Florida Panhandle will be
April 10–14, 2024. The cost of $300 for members; $350 for non-members includes a great itinerary, local expert
guides, Wakulla Springs boat tour and some picnic meals. Photos of last year’s trip are in the June OASis, p. 8. For
lodging and other details and to save your space, contact Teresa Williams at (407) 718-1977.
This season’s four-day trip to see migratory and breeding songbirds and shorebirds in the Florida Panhandle will be
April 10–14, 2024. The cost of $300 for members; $350 for non-members includes a great itinerary, local expert
guides, Wakulla Springs boat tour and some picnic meals. Photos of last year’s trip are in the June OASis, p. 8. For
lodging and other details and to save your space, contact Teresa Williams at (407) 718-1977.
7:00 pm: BIRD CHAT - Birding Costa Rica with Pieter Wiestra
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm April 11, 2024
Pieter Wiestra of Aratinga Tours will discuss ways to see the beautiful and diverse birds of this Central American country. Register for this online presentation at mailchi.mp/18d77cc16d26/bird-chat-registration
This season’s four-day trip to see migratory and breeding songbirds and shorebirds in the Florida Panhandle will be
April 10–14, 2024. The cost of $300 for members; $350 for non-members includes a great itinerary, local expert
guides, Wakulla Springs boat tour and some picnic meals. Photos of last year’s trip are in the June OASis, p. 8. For
lodging and other details and to save your space, contact Teresa Williams at (407) 718-1977.
This season’s four-day trip to see migratory and breeding songbirds and shorebirds in the Florida Panhandle will be
April 10–14, 2024. The cost of $300 for members; $350 for non-members includes a great itinerary, local expert
guides, Wakulla Springs boat tour and some picnic meals. Photos of last year’s trip are in the June OASis, p. 8. For
lodging and other details and to save your space, contact Teresa Williams at (407) 718-1977.
8:00 am: Mead Botanical Gardens Spring Bird Walks, Winter Park
8:00 am April 13, 2024
Join our FREE Spring Bird walks in Mead Botanical Gardens while we search for both migrant visitors and resident birds. Wood Ducks, Barred Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers and others are joined in the Spring by passing warblers such as American Redstarts, Black and White Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers and others. This park has hosted Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Hooded Warblers, and Yellow-throated Warblers. We never know what we will see but if we don't look we won't find out! Join us! FREE but limited to 15 registrants. Leaders: To register call (941) 704-1189.
This season’s four-day trip to see migratory and breeding songbirds and shorebirds in the Florida Panhandle will be
April 10–14, 2024. The cost of $300 for members; $350 for non-members includes a great itinerary, local expert
guides, Wakulla Springs boat tour and some picnic meals. Photos of last year’s trip are in the June OASis, p. 8. For
lodging and other details and to save your space, contact Teresa Williams at (407) 718-1977.
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 county all 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.
8:00 am: Mead Botanical Gardens Spring Bird Walks, Winter Park
8:00 am April 20, 2024
Join our FREE Spring Bird walks in Mead Botanical Gardens while we search for both migrant visitors and resident birds. Wood Ducks, Barred Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers and others are joined in the Spring by passing warblers such as American Redstarts, Black and White Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers and others. This park has hosted Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Hooded Warblers, and Yellow-throated Warblers. We never know what we will see but if we don't look we won't find out! Join us! FREE but limited to 15 registrants. Leaders: To register call (941) 704-1189.
7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip To Fort De Soto, Pinellas County
7:30 am April 22, 2024
Fort De Soto Park is legendary! It is what we call a “migrant trap.” During spring migration many songbirds make the arduous and dangerous Gulf crossing from Central America and Mexico to Florida. With favorable weather conditions and birders’ luck, the numbers and variety of migrants at Fort De Soto on any given day in April can be nothing less than awesome. By popular demand, top-birder Lori Mathis and "snake guru" Jerry Mathis will lead with our own Kathy Rigling. While you never know what the winds bring in, last years trip gave us great sightings of Worm-eating Warblers, Blue and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and many, many more. Ft De Soto tops the eBird hotspot list with numbers of species seen. Cost is $85 for members, $110non-members. Directions, meet-up location and group hotel info will be sent upon registration. Register via web or by contacting Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip To Fort De Soto, Pinellas County
7:30 am April 22, 2024
Just in time for warbler migration, OAS will migrate over to Ft. De Soto Park in Pinellas County in our search for birds that frequently land after crossing the Gulf of Mexico on their journey north. By popular demand, top-birder Lori Mathis and "snake guru" Jerry Mathis will lead with our own Kathy Rigling. While you never know what the winds bring in, last years trip gave us great sightings of Worm-eating Warblers, Blue and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and many, many more. Ft De Soto tops the eBird hotspot list with numbers of species seen. Cost is $85 for members, $110non-members. Directions, meet-up location and group hotel info will be sent upon registration. Register via web or by contacting Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip To Fort De Soto, Pinellas County
7:30 am April 22, 2024
Fort De Soto Park is legendary! It is what we call a “migrant trap.” During spring migration many songbirds make the arduous and dangerous Gulf crossing from Central America and Mexico to Florida. With favorable weather conditions and birders’ luck, the numbers and variety of migrants at Fort De Soto on any given day in April can be nothing less than awesome. By popular demand, top-birder Lori Mathis and "snake guru" Jerry Mathis will lead with our own Kathy Rigling. While you never know what the winds bring in, last years trip gave us great sightings of Worm-eating Warblers, Blue and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and many, many more. Ft De Soto tops the eBird hotspot list with numbers of species seen. Cost is $85 for members, $110non-members. Directions, meet-up location and group hotel info will be sent upon registration. Register via web or by contacting Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip To Fort De Soto, Pinellas County
7:30 am April 22, 2024
Just in time for warbler migration, OAS will migrate over to Ft. De Soto Park in Pinellas County in our search for birds that frequently land after crossing the Gulf of Mexico on their journey north. By popular demand, top-birder Lori Mathis and "snake guru" Jerry Mathis will lead with our own Kathy Rigling. While you never know what the winds bring in, last years trip gave us great sightings of Worm-eating Warblers, Blue and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and many, many more. Ft De Soto tops the eBird hotspot list with numbers of species seen. Cost is $85 for members, $110non-members. Directions, meet-up location and group hotel info will be sent upon registration. Register via web or by contacting Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
This quarterly bird survey by OAS and the State Park Service helps Park Naturalist Paul Lammardo check the effectiveness of conservation activities at the Park. We will be meeting at the Rock Springs Run Equestrian Camp and carpooling from there with the goal of starting at 8:00am. Rock Springs Run is a large park with several families of scrub jays although not all routes are through scrub jay habitat. Raptors, Towhees, Red-headed Woodpeckers, even deer and bear can be seen. Leaders: Kathy Rigling and Paul Lammardo. Register via web or contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com. Directions upon registration. Note: for Google/Apple Maps, use the Rock Springs Run Equestrian Camp for directions.
8:00 am: FREE Spring Bird walk at Mead Botanical Gardens
8:00 am – 9:00 am April 27, 2024
Join our FREE Spring Bird walks in Mead Botanical Gardens while we search for both migrant visitors and resident birds. Wood Ducks, Barred Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers and others are joined in the Spring by passing warblers such as American Redstarts, Black and White Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers and others. This park has hosted Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Hooded Warblers, and Yellow-throated Warblers. We never know what we will see but if we don't look we won't find out! Join us! FREE but limited to 15 registrants. Leaders: To register call (941) 704-1189.
7:00 am: Young Birder's Club Trip to Lake Lotus Banding Station, Altamonte Springs
7:00 am April 28, 2024
By popular demand, the Young Birder's Club will return to the Lake Lotus Banding Station. You never know what will show up in the nets. They've banded everything from a Belted Kingfisher to a Hooded Warbler. We'll get to watch the measuring and banding process and we'll also bird this special wooded area. Note: location is NOT at the park. Leaders: Lorri Lilja and Kathy Rigling. Registration is required. Directions and additional information will be sent at time of registration. Contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com
Join Alan Shapiro and Lorri Lilja on a trip down the Wekiva River starting at Katie's Landing. You'll be searching for the elusive Prothonotary Warbler while keeping the eye on the skies for raptors (occasional Short-tailed Hawks have been seen here) and enjoying all of the other birds on the river. Reservations are required. Admission is $3 per vehicle and rental rates for kayak, canoe, paddle boards may apply. Trip Cost is $12 members, $17 non-members. Limited to 12 participants. Register via web or contact 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 county all 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.