Field Trips
Black Bear Wilderness Area – photo by Cecilia Carey
Remember:
hat, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, water, snack, and insect repellent
2026/2027 Field Trips
all trips open to the public!
Liability releases must be signed and submitted.
No pets on field trips. Service dogs allowed.
September 18, 2026 – Friday
D Ranch Preserve in Osteen
Owned and managed by Conservation Florida, D Ranch Preserve is a beautiful 476-acre piece of wild Florida that is now protected forever. In addition to buffering public conservation lands, D Ranch further protects the Lake Monroe watershed. The preserve contains 149 acres of critical Florida scrub habitat and 60 acres of scrubby flatwoods. Many iconic Florida species require this habitat for their survival, including Florida Scrub-Jays, sand skinks, eastern indigo snakes, wood storks, burrowing owls, and gopher tortoises. This special property’s rare ecosystems provide habitat for Florida’s wildlife. It also builds on current conservation areas and helps protect Florida’s freshwater.
Meet 8:00 am at D Ranch Preserve
2655 Reed Ellis Road, Osteen, FL 32764
TWO FIELD TRIP OPTIONS: both at 9:00 am
TRAM TOUR: Limited to 18 people, so a reservation is required with a $10 donation at this Link – 2 hours Coordinator: Phyllis Hall phylliscath814@gmail.com
WALKING TOUR with Connie Dolan to see birds, butterflies, bees, and native plants up close.
Moderate walking over uneven terrain. No reservation needed.
October 17, 2026 – Saturday
Deer Run Park
This golf course property was purchased by Seminole County in December 2021. It is being developed into a passive park over the next several years, including renovation of the clubhouse into a community center. Moderate walking over uneven terrain. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.
Meet 8:00 am at the clubhouse parking lot
300 Daneswood Way, Casselberry, FL 32707
No restrooms available.
Coordinators: Cecilia and John Carey
November 14, 2026 – Saturday
Lake Proctor Wilderness Area
Lake Proctor Wilderness Area is a 475-acre property located in east Seminole County near the Town of Geneva. Habitats include sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, sandhill and bayhead swamp. In addition to birds, we could see white-tailed deer, red fox, and gopher tortoise.
Meet 8:00 am
920 SR-46, Geneva, FL 32773
Moderate walking over uneven terrain. No restrooms.
Coordinator: Chuck Honaker cwh.jr@hotmail.com
December 12, 2026 – Saturday
Spring Hammock Preserve
This preserve is an approximately 1,500-acre property surrounded by urban development except for the east boundary of Lake Jesup. This property is composed of floodplain forest, hydric hammock, upland mixed hardwoods, and pine flatwoods.
Meet at the Environmental Center at 8:00 am
2985 Osprey Trail, Longwood, FL 32750
Moderate walking over uneven terrain. Porta-potty available at beginning of the trail near parking area.
Coordinator: Chuck Honaker cwh.jr@hotmail.com
January 15, 2027 – Friday
Yankee Lake Treatment Facility: Florida Scrub Jays
This is a guided tour of the only habitat in Seminole County for Florida Scrub-Jays. Along with Audubon Florida, SAS was instrumental in getting this habitat preserved in 1993 when the treatment facility was being planned, so we visit this property each year. Restroom in the administration building. We will be riding in the management company’s pickup trucks. We may be joined on the tour by County administration staff. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.
Meet 8:00 am at Seminole County Northwest Water Reclamation Facility
501 Yankee Lake Road, Sanford, off SR46 – just before the entrance to the Seminole Forest
Limited to 12 people – Reservations Required
Contact: Phyllis Hall phylliscath814@gmail.com
January 16, 2027 – Saturday
New Smyrna Dunes Park
New Smyrna Dunes Park is a 184-acre park with views of the Indian River, Ponce de Leon Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean. We will walk on an elevated boardwalk and shoreline for approximately 2 miles looking for resident and migrant birds.
Meet 8:00 am at the pavilion near the parking lot
New Smyrna Dunes Park, 295 N. Peninsula Ave., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
The walk is in full sun. Restrooms and picnic pavilions are available. There is a $10.00 per car entrance fee.
Coordinators: Cecilia & John Carey
February 20, 2027 – Saturday
Joe Overstreet Road and Landing
in Kenansville (Kissimmee area)
The Landing is on the north side of Lake Kissimmee, nestled between Kissimmee State Park and Wildlife Refuges and Protected Wetlands, so we’ll see water birds and a variety of migrating birds. On the road at the first stand of trees, we expect to see Red-headed Woodpeckers. From the road in the pastures, we should see Florida Sandhill Crane, Wild Turkey, Eastern Meadowlark, Bald Eagle, Crested Caracara, and Loggerhead Shrike.
Meet 8:00 am at the beginning of Joe Overstreet Road
just after turning off N Canoe Creek Road
4900 Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville, FL 34739
Leslie will get there early and park on the side of the road in a very visible spot, 100 ft or so from the turn off.
Carpooling recommended.
Moderate walking over uneven terrain.
Restrooms at the concessions area.
Coordinator: Leslie Martin
March 20, 2027 – Saturday
Lake Harney Wilderness Area, Geneva
The Lake Harney Wilderness Area (LHWA) is approximately 300 acres, located on the St. Johns River and the northwest shore of Lake Harney. This site is home to an historic crossing of the Flagler Railroad, Native American shell middens, oak hammocks and mixed hardwood swamps. This site also contains extensive floodplain marshes associated with Lake Harney, which serve as important feeding grounds for wading birds and as a natural filter, improving water quality. This walk will end at the observation tower, which is wheelchair accessible.
Meet at the parking lot of the property at 8:00 am
2187 Osceola Fish Camp Rd, Geneva, FL 32732
From the intersection of SR-46 and SR-415 east of Sanford, drive east on SR-46 towards Geneva for 2.8 miles. Turn left on West Osceola Road. The road becomes Osceola Fish Camp Road after 7.6 miles. The large parking area is on the right after another 0.7 mile.
Easy to moderate hiking. No restroom.
Coordinator: Chuck Honaker cwh.jr@hotmail.com
April 17, 2027 – Saturday
Lake Monroe Riverwalk
There should be plenty of Purple Martin babies and feeding activity. Then we will walk along the riverwalk to see water birds and other migrating birds.
Meet 8:00 am at the Purple Martin Gourds
531 N Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL 32771
Restrooms are available in the parking lot for the marina.
Easy walking on asphalt paths and the boardwalk; accessible for most wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Coordinators: Connie Dolan and Chuck Honaker
Adopt-a-Park
Lake Jesup Park
SAS adopted Lake Jesup Park as part of Seminole County’s Adopt-a-Park Program.
Lake Jesup Park is located at 5951 S. Sanford Avenue in Sanford
Bring gloves, trash grabber tools, garbage bags and any other equipment needed to collect trash, or sweep the pavilion.
If you’d like to sign up for the next cleanup day, contact Leslie Martin at woodstork.martin@gmail.com or Marguerite Terwilleger at mterwilleger51@gmail.com
Impromptu Field Trips!
want to join us? just for the fun?
Sometimes we’ll investigate unusual bird sightings or go out just for the fun of it. For notifications, be sure to join our newsletter list!