Activities

Upcoming Events

Orange Audubon Society (OAS) offers many events and volunteer opportunities from September through June, with something for every activity level. See our menu of field trips, classes, and workshops to the right.

This includes OAS’ NORTH SHORE BIRDING FESTIVAL, held in December to highlight the best of Central Florida Birding.

See the monthly calendar of events below. You can also download OAS’ annual brochure, on the About Us page which has at-a-glance information about all our activities throughout this program year!

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Events in April 2025

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
March 31, 2025
April 1, 2025
April 2, 2025
April 3, 2025
April 4, 2025
April 5, 2025(1 event)

8:00 am: Mead Botanical Gardens Spring Bird Walks, Winter Park


April 5, 2025

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 25 registrants. Loaner binoculars upon request. Register on-line. For questions call Linda at (941) 704-1189.

Mead Botanical Gardens
1300 S. Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789
April 6, 2025(1 event)

7:30 am: BIRD SURVEY - Oakland Nature Preserve


April 6, 2025

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 seasonally for overwintering Grasshopper, Savannah, Field, and possibly White-Crowned Sparrows; migrating warblers, Pileated, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds and many more. Registration is required, via website or contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com.

Oakland Nature Preserve
747 Machete Trail
Oakland, FL 34760
April 7, 2025
April 8, 2025
April 9, 2025
April 10, 2025
April 11, 2025
April 12, 2025(2 events)

Florida Young Birders Field Trip to Mead Gardens

April 12, 2025

OAS Young Birders Club will visit migration hotspot MEAD Botanical Gardens during Spring Migration. Led by top-birders Lorri Lilja, Alex DeBear and Kathy Rigling, we'll look for resident favorites like Barred Owls and Wood Ducks along with whatever migrants the season brings. Free. Register on-line. Limit 20. Questioins call Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com

Mead Botanical Gardens
1300 S. Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789

8:00 am: Mead Botanical Gardens Spring Bird Walks, Winter Park


April 12, 2025

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 25 registrants. Loaner binoculars upon request. Register on-line. For questions call Linda at (941) 704-1189.

Mead Botanical Gardens
1300 S. Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789
April 13, 2025(1 event)

7:30 am: BIRD SURVEY - Wekiwa Springs


April 13, 2025

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 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 main entrance. For registration & to check for any date changes contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com.

To be provided upon registration
April 14, 2025(1 event)

7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip To Fort De Soto, Pinellas County


April 14, 2025

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. Top-birders Lori Mathis and Lorri Lilja with "snake guru" Jerry Mathis will lead with our own Kathy Rigling. While you never know what the winds bring in, we have had 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, $110 non-members. Directions, meet-up location and group hotel info will be sent upon registration. Register via web. Questions, contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com

Fort De Soto
3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
April 15, 2025(1 event)

7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip To Fort De Soto, Pinellas County


April 14, 2025

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. Top-birders Lori Mathis and Lorri Lilja with "snake guru" Jerry Mathis will lead with our own Kathy Rigling. While you never know what the winds bring in, we have had 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, $110 non-members. Directions, meet-up location and group hotel info will be sent upon registration. Register via web. Questions, contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com

Fort De Soto
3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
April 16, 2025
April 17, 2025(2 events)

5:45 pm: OAS Monthly Board Meeting


April 17, 2025

OAS Board Meetings are held the third Thursday of the month in the Camilia Room at Leu Gardens from September to May (except for December) at 5:45 prior to the General Monthly meeting. In December, the Board meeting is held via Zoom. Meetings can be moved to zoom for safety at the discretion of OAS. Check the most recent OASis for details.

1920 North Forest Avenue
Orlando, FL
United States

7:00 pm: OAS Monthly Program - Rehabilitating Raptors with The Avian Reconditioning Center


April 17, 2025

Join us LIVE at the Camilla Room at Leu Gardens for this free program by The Avian Reconditioning Center. The program will follow a short update at our monthly membership meeting.

1920 North Forest Avenue
Orlando, FL
United States
April 18, 2025
April 19, 2025(1 event)

8:00 am: Mead Botanical Gardens Spring Bird Walks, Winter Park


April 19, 2025

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 25 registrants. Loaner binoculars upon request. Register on-line. For questions call Linda at (941) 704-1189.

Mead Botanical Gardens
1300 S. Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789
April 20, 2025
April 21, 2025
April 22, 2025(1 event)

1:00 pm: VOLUNTEERS - Earth Day Clean Up at Apopka Birding Park


April 22, 2025

Join us as for Earth Day 2025 as we work on cleaning up the Apopka Birding Park, site of Orange Audubon's future nature center, located just off the parking lot on the right before the gait to the Wildlife Drive at 2923 Lust Road. The site, a former nursery, has been neglected for many years and we'll be performing a general clean up, invasive plant removal and more. Bring gloves, tools, water bottles and snacks. Time: 1pm to 4pm. Questions, email info@orangeaudubonfl.org or call 407-637-2525.

Apopka Birding Park
2923 Lust Road
Apopka, FL 32703
April 23, 2025
April 24, 2025(1 event)

7:00 pm: BIRD CHAT - Orlando Wetlands with Mark Sees


April 24, 2025

Mark Sees gives a tour of the New Nature Center and the birds and wildlife at the Orlando Wetlands. To join this Bird Chat and automatically receive receive the Zoom link each week, register at: https://mailchi.mp/18d77cc16d26/bird-chat-registration.

April 25, 2025
April 26, 2025(2 events)

7:30 am: BIRD SURVEY: Apopka Birding Park


April 26, 2025

Monthly surveys will be held on the property of OAS' new Apopka Birding Park located just north of the entrance to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. These surveys will help us monitor the birdlife as we begin restoration of this 67 acre property. We'll meet in the bike parking lot located on the right just before the gates to the Drive. To register contact leader Alex Debear at alexdebear@icloud.com.

8:00 am: Mead Botanical Gardens Spring Bird Walks, Winter Park


April 26, 2025

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 25 registrants. Loaner binoculars upon request. Register on-line. For questions call Linda at (941) 704-1189.

Mead Botanical Gardens
1300 S. Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789
April 27, 2025(1 event)

8:00 am: City Nature Challenge Bird and Nature Walk


April 27, 2025

Orlando Wetlands. 8am to 11am. Free. Loaner Binoculars available. Slow-paced walk to enjoy and document the biodiversity as part of the City Nature Challenge. Participants can use iNaturalist to record plants and wildlife. For more information contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com

Orlando Wetlands Park
25155 Wheeler Rd
Christmas, FL 32709
April 28, 2025
April 29, 2025
April 30, 2025(1 event)

Deadline for Kit and Sidney Chertok Florida Native Nature Photography Contest


April 30, 2025

May 1, 2025(2 events)

7:30 am: BIRD SURVEY - Rock Springs Run


May 1, 2025

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 carpool from there with the goal of starting at 7:30am. 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. Originally scheduled dates can change to due weather, check Facebook or the OASis for the latest. Leaders: Kathy Rigling and Paul Lammardo. To register contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com. Directions upon registration. Note: for Google/Apple Maps, use the Rock Springs Run Equestrian Camp for directions.

Rock Springs Run

7:00 pm: BIRD CHAT - Burrowing Owls with Richard Walker


May 1, 2025

Join Richard Walker of Red Rock Audubon and learn more about one of our favorite owls. To join this Bird Chat and automatically receive receive the Zoom link each week, register at: https://mailchi.mp/18d77cc16d26/bird-chat-registration.

May 2, 2025
May 3, 2025(1 event)

7:30 am: Limited Edition Field Trip to Emeralda Marsh, Leesburg


May 3, 2025

Join Kathy Rigling and guest leader Maxfield Weekly on a tour of birding areas in this 7,000 acre conservation area on the eastern side of Lake Griffin, near the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River. Limited to 12 participants. Cost is $15 members and $20 non-members. Register via web. For questions contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com.

Emeralda Marsh
Emeralda Island Road
Leesburg, FL 34788
May 4, 2025(1 event)

7:15 am: BIRD SURVEY - Wekiwa Springs


May 4, 2025

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 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 main entrance. For registration & to check for any date changes contact Kathy at riglingkathy@gmail.com.

To be provided upon registration