2009 - 2010 Field Trips

Helpful information

Bring bag lunch and water. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Visitors are welcome. Field trips are open to anyone interested in birding, wildlife
watching or exploring Florida’s natural areas. Contact the field trip coordinator to let that person know you’re coming.
Riders are expected to share travel expenses. Drivers will tell you what you owe for riding in their vehicles.
For most trips, we depart from the Main Post Office at 824 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton, but check individual trips for any special instructions.
Arrive at least ten minutes before departure times.
Check for changes here or in the Night Heron newsletter.

Upcoming Field Trips

SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2010 - SARASOTA HOT SPOTS (CELERY FIELDS, ACKERMAN LAKE AND PINECRAFT PARK).

Description – Barbara Singer will lead this trip to Celery Fields looking for its many species. We will stop at Ackerman Lake to check out the ducks. Later we will go to Pinecraft Park, a hot spot for spring migration.
Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer, 504-0228
Depart - Main Post Office at 7:00 a.m.

TUESDAY MARCH 23, 2010 - NORTH LIDO BEACH, SARASOTA

Description – John Ginaven will lead this trip to North Lido Beach in search of migratory birds that frequent the area.
Coordinator(s) - John Ginaven, 383-5133
Depart - To be announced. Watch the Night Heron and the website for more details.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY MARCH 26-28, 2010 - AUDUBON ACADEMY

Description – Paramount Plaza, Gainesville
Coordinator(s) -
Depart -
Notes –

SUNDAY APRIL 18, 2010 - FORT DE SOTO PARK SPRING MIGRATION

Description –
Coordinator(s) - Steve Black, 376-0110
Depart - Main Post Office at 8:00 a.m.
Notes –

Past Field Trips

SATURDAY SEPT. 19, 2009 - FORT DE SOTO PARK FALL MIGRATION

Description - Steve Black will lead this trip to island park near St. Petersburg, at the mouth of Tampa Bay. This is one of the top birding spots in Florida, especially during the peak fall migration period.
Coordinator(s) - Steve Black, 376-0110
Depart - Main Post Office at 8:00 a.m.

SATURDAY OCT. 10, 2009 - HONEYMOON ISLAND AND DUNEDIN HAMMOCK CITY PARK

Description - Steve Black will lead this trip to bird a barrier island that boasts nature trails and bird observation areas. Dunedin Hammock Park has nature trails and an observation platform.
Coordinator(s) - Steve Black, 376-0110
Depart - Main Post Office at 7:00 a.m.
Notes - There is a $5 charge per car.

SATURDAY NOV. 7, 2009 - ROBINSON PRESERVE

Description - David Williamson will lead this trip to Manatee County’s newest preserve in West Bradenton.
Coordinator(s) - David Williamson, 378-9920.
Depart - Main Post Office at 8:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY NOV. 18, 2009 - CARLTON RESERVE

Description – Dee Hanny will lead this trip to Carlton Reserve, a Sarasota County park and a 40-square mile reserve south of the Myakka River State Park. We will bird the backcountry in search of birds beyond the Sarasota County Water Treatment Plant.
Coordinator(s) - Dee Hanny, 745-1553
Depart - Check the Night Heron and our website for departure information.

WEDNESDAY DEC. 9, 2009 - EMERSON POINT PRESERVE

Description – Bob and Lucette Wombacher will lead this trip to Emerson Point Preserve, which is located at the tip of Snead Island along the Manatee River in Palmetto. The preserve contains an Indian Temple Mound.
Coordinator(s) - Bob and Lucette Wombacher, 776-8424
Depart - Main Post Office at 8:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY JAN. 13, 2010 - LETTUCE LAKE, YBOR CITY, AND COCKROACH BAY

Description – Bob and Nancy Dean will lead this trip that combines natural and cultural history starting at Lettuce Lake County Park. Lunch in historic Ybor City, tour Ybor City Museum, and stop at Cockroach Bay enroute home.
Coordinator(s) - Bob and Nancy Dean, 792-9235
Depart - SW corner of Walmart parking lot, 508 U.S. 301 at 10th Street East in Palmetto at 7:00 a.m.
Notes – Reservations are required. Reserve by calling the Deans by Thursday Dec. 27. Lunch and museum admission is at your own expense. Trip calls for easy walk on boardwalk that is wheel and power chair accessible.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY JAN. 15-17, 2010 - EVERGLADES EXTRAVAGANZA

Description – Barbara Singer and Steve Black will lead this three-day trip to the Everglades. Using vans, we will visit all the best birding areas of the Everglades.
Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer, 504-0228, and Steve Black, 376-0110
Depart - To be announced.
Notes – Space is limited. Reservations are required. Watch the Night Heron and the website for more information.

JAN. 18, 21, 25, AND 28, 2010 - BIRD WATCHING CLASSES

Description – Course includes two field trips on Saturday Jan. 23 and 30
Coordinator(s) - Nancy Dean, 792-9235
Depart -
Notes – Call Nancy Dean at 792-9235 to register

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FEB 13-14, 2010 - STORM TREATMENT AREA 5

Description – Connie Zack will lead this two-day trip to Clewiston for a guided tour of the new Stations 5, known as the top birding hot spot in Southwest Florida. We will visit other birding sites, and those sites will be announced later. Watch the Night Heron and the website for information.
Coordinator(s) - Connie Zack, 758-2929
Depart - To be announced.
Notes – Reservations are required; contact the coordinator. Tours are available on a limited basis, and the spots fill quickly with birders and groups from other areas.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 24, 2010 - MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK

Description – Jeanne Dubi will lead a birding trip to our area's largest and most diverse natural state park. This 28,975-acre park features a wooden birdwalk, a platform by the dam, and a canopy walk. We will search for birds at all the best locations in the park.
Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer, 504-0228
Depart - Meet at Twin Lakes Park which is .5mi. east of I 75 at the Clark Rd exit. (exit 205). Enter Twin Lakes Park, and go south to the first parking lot on the right.

SATURDAY MARCH 6, 2010 - CIRCLE B BAR

Description – Carol Webster will lead this trip to the new Circle B Bar Ranch in Lakeland. The reserve covers almost 1,200 acres of marsh, cypress, swamp, and an enormous oak hammock. You will see hundreds of wading birds, ibis, ducks and peeps. Thousands of white pelicans winter here. There is a beautiful nature center and a tram for those unable to walk the trail.
Coordinator(s) - Carol Webster, 747-7295
Depart - Main Post Office at 7:00 a.m.



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