Field Trips
Black Bear Wilderness Area – photo by Cecilia Carey
2023/2024 Field Trips
all trips open to the public!
Liability releases must be signed and submitted.
Remember: hat, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, water, snack, and insect repellent
No pets on field trips. Service dogs allowed.
September 16, 2023 – Saturday
Night Walk, Geneva Wilderness Area
The Geneva Wilderness Area is a 180-acre site and part of the Seminole County Natural Lands Program. The site contains an array of native Florida communities: mixed hardwood swamp, mesic flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and a lake system, all supporting a diverse collection of wildlife. Moderate walking over uneven terrain.
Meet at 7:30 pm at the parking lot
3485 N County Road 426, Geneva, FL 32732
We will allow our eyes to transition to the darkness and get to listen for the crepuscular animals as they are waking up. The walk will be led by Natalie Swanson, Program Coordinator of Seminole Natural Lands/Leisure Services.
Trip Coordinator: Leslie Martin woodstork.martin@gmail.com
October 21, 2023 – Saturday
Econ River Wilderness Area
The Econ River Wilderness Area is a 240-acre property located on the Seminole/Orange County line south of the city of Oviedo, on the west side of the Econlockhatchee River. Habitats include pine flatwoods, sandhill, and river swamp. Bird species seen include Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Woodpeckers (Downy, Red-headed, Pileated, Red-bellied), Northern Parula, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Wren, and other common birds.
Meet 7:45 am at the map kiosk, on left side of the parking area
3795 Old Lockwood Rd, Oviedo, FL
All levels and ages of birders are welcome. We will walk about 2.75 to 3 miles over a flat sandy trail including a shell/gravel section.
Trip Coordinator: Chuck Honaker cwh.jr@hotmail.com
November 18, 2023 – Saturday
Birding at Central Winds Park
Central Winds Park is ranked #3 for eBird hotspots in Seminole County. It is located on the south shore of Lake Jesup and has a mix of upland and wetland birds.
Meet 7:30 am at the fishing pier at the end of Hicks Avenue
Central Winds Park – 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs, FL
Moderate walking over uneven terrain.
Limited to 15 people – Reservations Required
Contact Cecilia Carey: cacarey@cfl.rr.com.
December 16, 2023 – Saturday
Christmas Bird Count
This is the longest-running, citizen-science project in the world. SAS will form groups to survey in the Sanford area. The results will be used to help determine the long-term health and status of bird populations. Using a circle with a 15-mile diameter, SAS will concentrate on Zones 10 and 11 in Sanford and Lake Mary.
No birding experience necessary. Beginning birders will be paired with more experienced birders.
To volunteer, contact Leslie Martin at woodstork.martin@gmail.com
January 19, 2024 – 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.
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
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.
Limited to 10 people – Reservations Required
Contact Phyllis Hall: phylliscath814@gmail.com
February 17, 2024 – Saturday
Pond-Hopping in Sanford
Join us as we look for migrant and resident wetland birds at several ponds in the Sanford area.
Meet 7:30 am at the pond in front of JOANN’s Fabrics and Crafts
Seminole Mall – 120 N. Entrance Rd, Sanford
Coordinators: Cecilia Carey, Leslie Martin, Connie Dolan
March 16, 2024 – Saturday
Birding at Hontoon Island State Park
Hontoon Island is a 1,650-acre park located on the St. John’s River, southwest of DeLand. We will take a ferry over to the island and then go on a 3-mile walk through mesic flatwoods, floodplain forest and hydric hammock.
Meet 7:45 am at the ferry boat landing
Hontoon Island State Park – 2309 River Ridge Road, DeLand, FL
There is a fee for the ferry boat. Restrooms are available on the island. Note: some trails may be muddy. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Limited to 15 – Reservations Required
Contact Cecilia Carey: cacarey@cfl.rr.com
April 13, 2024 – Saturday
Gemini Springs Park Bio-Bingo and End-of-the-Year Picnic
Play Bio-Bingo at Gemini Springs Park, DeBary, one of Florida’s Special Places. Bio-Bingo is a biology treasure hunt using a Bingo card. Explore the park to find the birds, flora, and fauna on your Bio-Bingo card. Play on your own or form a team of the best bird, butterfly, bug and plant people you know!
Meet at 8:00 am
Upon entering the park, turn left at the red building – meet in the first parking lot
37 Dirksen Dr, DeBary, FL 32713
Moderate walking over uneven terrain on the trails. Concrete sidewalk pathways. Restroom available. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. Stay for a picnic lunch – bring your own drink and lunch plus something to share if you wish.
Coordinators: Leslie Martin and Phyllis Hall
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!