Field Trips

September 14, 2024 – Saturday

Bird Watching Cruise

St. Johns River Eco Tours offers the best possible way to learn first-hand about the rich history and the diverse wildlife of the river. You will experience our central Florida wildlife in a completely natural environment.  The majority of our journey will be exploring the back waters on board our eco-friendly 35-foot hybrid gas/electric pontoon boat. Restrooms at the dock.

Meet 9:30 am at the dock
488 W. Highbanks Road, DeBary, FL 

Meet by 9:30 am to pay. $35/person, $30 Seniors, Vets, First Responders & Students, $20 Children 12 and under. Our 2-hour tour departs promptly at 10 am. Limited to 28 people. Reservations required.

Contact Phyllis Hall at: phylliscath814@gmail.com

October 19, 2024 – Saturday

Chuluota Wilderness Area

This is a 625-acre natural area located in the southeast corner of Seminole County. It contains a variety of natural systems such as mesic hammock, pond pine flatwoods, hardwood swamp and some rare habitats such as sand pine scrub. These in turn provide food and shelter for an equally diverse population of birds and other wildlife. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.

Meet 8:00 am at the parking lot 
3895 Curryville Rd, Chuluota, FL

We will be walking on trails that might be difficult to navigate with uneven surfaces. No restroom facilities.

Coordinators: Chuck Honaker and Connie Dolan cwh.jr@hotmail.com

November 16, 2024 – Saturday

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

Rock Springs Run State Reserve is nearly 14,000 acres of diverse habitats, including sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, bayheads, oak hammocks and swamps. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. We will be walking on trails that might be difficult to navigate with uneven surfaces. Restrooms are available at the horse stables, a short driving distance from the meeting point.

Meet 8:00 am at Parking Area 2
30601 County Road 433, Sorrento, FL

Park along the drive, pulling off so traffic can pass. The main entrance to the reserve is off SR-46. This is a State Park, so there is a $3/car entrance fee.

Coordinators: Chuck Honaker and Connie Dolan cwh.jr@hotmail.com

December 14 2024 – Saturday

Lighthouse Point Park at Ponce Inlet

Lighthouse Point Park is a 52-acre inlet park located along the northern shoreline of Ponce de Leon Inlet. We will walk along the Intracoastal Waterway, jetty, and beach areas for approx. 2 miles looking for shorebirds.

Meet 8:00 am at the Main Pavillion
5000 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet

Entrance to the park is $10.00/car. Moderate walking over uneven terrain. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. Restrooms are available.

Coordinators: Cecilia & John Carey

January 17, 2025 – 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

January 18, 2025 – Saturday

Gemini Springs Bio-Bingo

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 the park at 8:00 am
37 Dirksen Dr, DeBary, FL

When you enter the park, turn left when you see the red building and meet in the first parking lot. Moderate walking over uneven terrain on the trails. Concrete sidewalk pathways. Restroom available. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.

Coordinator: Leslie Martin woodstork.martin@gmail.com

February 15, 2025 – Saturday

Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park

The property offers nearly 9,000 acres of unspoiled Florida wilderness. It is managed by the St. Johns River Management District. There are miles of unspoiled sanctuary trails for hiking along the scenic shoreline of the Econlockhatchee River with plenty of wildlife to view. Wildlife sightings may include bald eagles, sandhill cranes, red-cockaded woodpeckers (RWC), gopher tortoises, bobcats, river otters and indigo snakes. Preserve staff will lead the 2–3-hour tour on an eco-buggy trailer around the property with stops to view RCW cavity trees and to look for RCWs as they forage.

Meet 8:00 am in the parking lot
4500 Dallas Boulevard, Orlando, FL

There are no restrooms or other facilities available onsite. The eco buggy trailer used for the tour will have 3-4 stairs to climb to get on and off. The trailer has padded bench seating once on board, but is not equipped to accommodate a wheelchair.

 Limited to 20 people – Reservations Required
Contact Leslie Martin: woodstork.martin@gmail.com

March 15, 2025 – 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.

Meet 8:00 am – Meeting place to be announced depending on construction progress.
300 Daneswood Way, Casselberry, FL

Moderate walking over uneven terrain on the old golf cart trails. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. No restrooms available.

April 12, 2025 – Saturday

Mead Botanical Garden

Mead Botanical Garden is on 47 acres that include a boardwalk and trails through pine trees and a butterfly garden. We expect to see wading birds and migrating birds.

Meet at 8:00 am
1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park 32789

Parking with restroom available. Moderate walking over uneven ground. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.

Coordinators: Cecilia & John Carey