Field Trips

September 17, 2022 – Saturday

FULL!

We hope to see you on the next one!!

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. At the BioBlitz there in June we saw 29 species of birds.

Meet at 8:00 am meet in parking area 2

Park along the drive, pulling off so traffic can pass. The main entrance to the reserve is off of SR-46, 30601 County Road 433, Sorrento, FL 32776. This is a State Park, so there is a $3/car entrance fee. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. We will be walking on trails that might be difficult to navigate with uneven surfaces. Bathrooms are available at the horse stables, a short driving distance from the meeting point. Limited to 15 people.

Reservations required. Contact Phyllis Hall at: phylliscath814@gmail.com

October 9, 2022

Big Sit at Lake Jesup Park

CANCELLED:
As the water is VERY high from the hurricane and probably won’t be going down significantly in another week, we’re sad to cancel.

This event replaces our regular monthly meeting. This is an annual, international event hosted by New Haven (Connecticut) Bird Club. They compile the count data. We sit inside a circle and count all the bird species we see or hear. Tent available for shade. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. Come for an hour or two or for the entire time. Bring your own binoculars, chair, water and snacks. Accessible parking space. No restrooms.

7:00 am – 12 noon; Lake Jesup Park, 5951 Sanford Avenue, Sanford

We welcome all those who would like to enjoy time in nature. This gathering is accessible for all, including those who have a disability, persons with a mobility challenge, blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, persons who are neurodivergent or persons with any other intellectual, developmental or physical disability or concern. https://gis.audubon.org/birdability/

October 15, 2022 – Saturday

Lyonia Nature Preserve

Lyonia Preserve is a joint project of Volusia County, the Volusia County School Board and the State of Florida to provide environmental education to the public and restore and maintain habitat for scrub-dependent species, including the threatened scrub jay and gopher tortoise. The preserve, named after the scrub plant rusty lyonia, consists of 360 acres of restored Florida scrub habitat. Our tour guide, Stephen Kintner, is a volunteer at the preserve and VP/Conservation Chair of West Volusia Audubon.

Meet at 8:00 am at the Lyonia Environmental Center, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona

All levels and ages of birders are welcome. Moderate walking over uneven terrain. Restrooms available in the Environmental Center. Donations to the preserve are appreciated. Limited to 15 people.

Reservations required. Contact Leslie Martin at woodstork.martin@gmail.com.

November 19, 2022 – Saturday

Geneva Wilderness Area

CANCELLED:

due to flooded conditions and trail damage

The Geneva Wilderness Area is a 180-acre site, 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, including a variety of upland and wetland birds, gopher tortoise, white-tailed deer, etc.

Meet at 8:00 am at the parking lot on 3485 N County Road 426, Geneva, FL 32732

Moderate walking over uneven terrain. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.   Restrooms are not available. Limited to 15 people.

Reservations required. Contact Cecilia Carey at cacarey@cfl.rr.com.

December 17, 2022 – 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 14, 2023 – 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 approximatelly 2 miles looking for shorebirds. Entrance to the park is $10.00/car.

Meet at the main pavilion at 8:00 am at 5000 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet

Moderate walking over uneven terrain. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.   Restrooms are available. Limited to 20 people.

 Reservations required. Contact Cecilia Carey at cacarey@cfl.rr.com

January 20, 2023 – Friday

Yankee Lake Treatment Facility: Scrub Jays

FULL!

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 at 8:00 am at the Seminole County Northwest Water Reclamation Facility on 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 will 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 at:  phylliscath814@gmail.com

February 18, 2023 – Saturday

Deer Run Park

CANCELLED:
Due to hurricane damage & construction.

This golf course property was purchased by Seminole County in December, 2021. It will be developed into a passive park over the next several years, including renovation of the clubhouse into a community center.

Meet at 8:00 am in the old clubhouse parking lot, 300 Daneswood Way, Casselberry, FL 32707

Moderate walking over uneven terrain on the old golf cart trails. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. No restrooms available. Limited to 15 people.

Reservations required. Contact Leslie Martin at woodstork.martin@gmail.com

March 18, 2023 – Saturday

Orlando Wetlands Park

Join us for birding on the new boardwalk! This is a premier birding area where 220 bird species have been documented.

Meet at the parking lot at 8:00 am; 25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, FL 32709

Moderate walking over uneven terrain to the boardwalk. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.   Restrooms are available. Limited to 15 people.

Reservations required. Contact Cecilia Carey at cacarey@cfl.rr.com

April 22, 2023 – Saturday

Gemini Springs Park Bio-Bingo

Play Bio-Bingo with Seminole Audubon Society at Gemini Springs Park, DeBary. We’ll visit Gemini Springs, one of Florida’s Special Places, for a rousing game of Bio- Bingo!

Meet at the park at 8:00 am; 37 Dirksen Dr, DeBary, FL 32713

It’s a biology treasure hunt meets Bingo. Explore the park to find the flora and fauna on the Bio-Bingo card. Play on your own or form a team of the best butterfly, bird, bug and plant people you know!

Moderate walking over uneven terrain on the trails. Concrete sidewalk pathways. All levels and ages of birders are welcome. Address: 

Restroom available. No reservations required.

September 2022 – May 2023

Schedule a personal field trip to Wekiva Basin Banding Station at Lake Lotus Park

click to see Wekiva Basin blog post

The banding station is located in Altamonte Springs at Lake Lotus Park. This is an all-volunteer community science project led by certified bander, Andy Boyle. Mist nets are set up in approximately 6 acres of mixed habitat. The banding station is open on Sunday mornings from September when fall migration starts until the end of May when all migrants have left the state and the local birds continue to raise their broods.

Peak season is usually October/November and March/April

Limited parking on Gateway Drive on 414/Maitland Blvd, which is just prior to the ranger gate to the park. The banding station has a locked, gated entrance.

Meet Phyllis Hall on Gateway Drive at 7:30 am

Moderate walking over uneven terrain. Restroom facilities are available at the public park. All levels and ages of birders are welcome.

Contact Phyllis Hall to schedule at phylliscath814@gmail.com